RS Sports...Fear Less. Live More.

First Place Hawks

2012-01-19T18:12:00.004-05:00

Fifteen games into the regular season, the Atlanta Hawks are doing a great job of proving me wrong. I expected the loss of Jamal Crawford to set this franchise back quite a bit. But so far...I stand corrected.

Fueled by Joe Johnson's 18.9 points per game, Atlanta is currently in first place in the Southeast standings, following a 92-89 victory over Crawford and the Trailblazers on Wednesday night. Jeff Teague has played well at the point, averaging 5.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Starting center, Al Horford, has been lost for the season, which could catch up to this team at some point.

But, the Hawks will continue to succeed, if they stick to the formula that's gotten them off to an 11-4 start...great defense and rebounding (ATL is 6th in NBA by allowing just 90.8 ppg, 10th in rebounds with 43.5 per game), along with a balanced scoring attack. Joe Johnson is the team's leading scorer, but role players Vlad Radmanovic, Willie Green, and Janero Pargo have filled in nicely off the bench.

On Friday night, the team will be in Philadelphia, as they take on Lithonia, GA's Lou Williams and the 76ers. The 25 year old point guard leads his team with 15.7 points per game. Click on the title of this post to watch the multi-talented Williams in his music video titled Imma Boss.

Martans at Fernbank IMax

2012-01-06T07:02:00.006-05:00

Blues fans, you don't want to miss the opportunity to hear the Martans perform tonight at the Fernbank IMax. This group of local musicians, including Matt Wauchope and Melvin Zachary, is very talented. Tickets are just $7 to hear the band and $13 to hear them perform and see the IMax movie. I've seen these guys on stage and can say it is definitely money well spent. Hope to see you there.

Losing Crawford will cost Atlanta

2011-12-19T20:35:00.010-05:00

As a fan of the Atlanta Hawks, I am greatly disappointed, discouraged, and disgusted by Rick Sund's inability to retain Jamal Crawford. Atlanta's GM was unwilling to pay the luxury tax in order to keep the purest scorer this city has seen since Dominique Wilkins put fear inside of NBA rims.

During his 2 year Hawks career, Jamal Crawford was the most prolific scorer on Atlanta's roster. And, he was consistently capable of hitting game altering shots, regardless of any deterrents in his path. In his role as 6th man, the former Wolverine routinely ignited an offense that stagnantly revolved around Joe Johnson.

The Hawks will miss Jamal Crawford more than I do. Without his efforts, they'll digress to such a level that the playoffs are merely an unfathomable dream. As for the dinero Atlanta would have ponied up toward the NBA's luxury tax? It would have been recouped at the gates preceding and during the playoffs. Instead, this team will resemble its ownership...

For video evidence of how much Atlanta will miss Jamal Crawford, click on the title of this post.

Remembering Larry Munson

2011-11-21T21:21:00.003-05:00

Although I never met the man, it saddens me greatly to know that Larry Munson has passed away. As a play by play announcer for the Georgia Bulldogs, he was able to paint pictures with more than his words. Listening to Larry call a game, one could feel the momentum change tides, along with the inflection in his voice. The love he had for the University of Georgia was more than a sound you heard. It was as if you could feel Munson's emotions climb right through the radio.

Most fans recount his calls of Herschel Walker running over people or Belue to Lindsay Scott. But, what I loved most was hearing him Munsonize such a simple phrase as, "And we intercept it!" Larry Munson was the greatest announcer of all time. And as Georgia fans, we were blessed to hear him speak.

Brandon Harton 101 Yards

2011-11-19T22:04:00.007-05:00

A couple weeks ago, I had an opportunity to be in the Sanford Stadium stands as Georgia trounced New Mexico State 63-16. Knowing I'd see no Isaiah Crowell or Carl Thomas, I quickly became a fan of Brandon Harton. What captivated my eyes the most, was the Thomas Brown like swagger, in which this former walk on toted the rock. There may have been an early issue with ball security, but overall, Harton excellently rushed toward a 98 yard effort.

I thought about that today, as Isaiah Crowell nursed a first quarter injury against Kentucky. His absence gave Tattnall County's version of Darren Sproles another opportunity to showcase his talents. And, Brandon Harton proved himself to be a capable option at running back. Given 20+ carries, the 5'6" phenom posted 101 yards for the first time in his collegiate career.

And in case ya'll missed it, this former walk on is in the process of proving that opportunity + preparedness = success. On this day in UGA history, Brandon Harton helped carry his Dawgs toward an SEC title game in Atlanta. He may not seem flashy, but #20 has proven himself to be an invaluable asset for the eastern division champs. Game ball goes to Brandon Harton and Georgia's defense. Go Dawgs!

It's great to be...Wrong

2011-11-07T17:13:00.007-05:00

Today, I've decided to make a painful admission. After the first week of football, I did not believe in this group of men called Bulldogs. What bothered me the most, was that I thought I saw the same unfixed problems from 2010 continue to plague Georgia on the field. Mainly, I was concerned about the defense and the team continuing to get yellow hankies tossed their way at inopportune times. What I failed to understand, is that these Dawgs just needed some time to improve.

Since then, the Georgia Bulldogs have proven themselves to be a LOT tougher and more resilient team than I had given them credit for. Before they even teed it up vs South Carolina, I was knocking Georgia's chances of competing in the SEC, regardless of their LSU and Bama-less schedule. I was wrong for that, as well. A little over two months later, this team currently sits in the drivers seat in the east. With a win over the unpredictable Auburn Tigers, Mark Richt's squad could take a giant leap towards returning to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

Writing these words makes me feel like a fan that had gone astray. My take on the Georgia Bulldogs was unsound and a little bit left of center. But, I've also learned that sometimes it's great to be wrong.

Game ball goes to Brandon Harton

2011-11-03T21:57:00.010-04:00

One thing I've learned about college football over the years, is things can always change. And, sometimes opportunities are born from adversity. As you've heard by now, Georgia will be without running backs Isaiah Crowell, Carlton Thomas, and Ken Malcome this Saturday because the trio violated a team rule.

That brings us to former walk on, Brandon Harton. The 5'6" scatback from Reidsville, Georgia seems poised to get the first start of his collegiate career. Previously buried on the depth chart, Harton has had very few opportunities to tote the rock. But, #20 held his own with a respectable day vs Coastal Carolina (11 carries for 33 yards). Until then, the high mark of his Bulldog career had been a 65 yard touchdown run in the first scrimmage of spring practice. And now... Harton is the leading candidate to start at RB vs New Mexico State.

I don't know what to expect, but nobody else does either. The Dawgs could use a combination of Zander Ogletree, Brandon Boykin, Branden Smith, and Kyle Karempelis to split time with Harton in the running game. Also, TE turned FB, Bruce Figgins may be used in some one back sets when Georgia wants to play action pass.

What I hope to see, is the Bulldogs offensive line overwhelm New Mexico State's defense. If they impose their will on the Aggies, there outta be rushing lanes big enough for me to run through. That could be good for Brandon Harton, who is a LOT faster than I'll ever be. I believe #20 will make the most of this opportunity and play well enough that Mark Richt never forgets his first name again.

Game ball goes to Brandon Harton. Go Dawgs!

Click on the title of this post to view Brandon Harton highlights from his Tattnall County days.

RS Sports...Fear Less. Live More.: October 29 in the SEC

2011-10-28T18:50:00.000-04:00

RS Sports...Fear Less. Live More.: October 29 in the SEC

October 29 in the SEC

2011-10-28T16:57:00.007-04:00

The two greatest teams in college football, LSU and Alabama, have a bye this week. But, #10 Arkansas travels to Nashville to play the 'Dores in an early afternoon contest. Petrino's Pigs are too powerful for Vanderbilt. Hogs 38, fightin' James Franklins 20.

At 3:30, CBS will broadcast the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party live from Jacksonville, Florida. Mark Richt hopes to improve on his 2-8 record in this contest, but that will be no easy feat. Although his team currently sports an un-gatorlike 4-3 record, Will Muschamp has explosive playmakers in Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, and Trey Burton. With two weeks to prepare, offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss will have some trump cards ready to play on Saturday. For Georgia, talented linebacker, Alec Ogletree returns to a Bulldog defense that brings a few tricks of its own. Don't know which way this game's gonna go, so I'll make this prediction straight from my heart. Dawgs 20, Florida 16.

Both schools from the fattest state in America 6 years running are gonna be in action at 7 PM. In a game worthy of ESPN3, Dandy Dan Mullen will get his first SEC victory of 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky. No offense + issues on the defensive side of the ball doesn't bode well for the Wildcats. Mississippi State is less bad. Dogs 24, Kats 14. Meanwhile, the Ole Miss Rebels will be looking to exchange their conference doughnut for a biscuit in the win column. Ain't gonna happen. The Rebs will be on their way to another loss inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. War Eagle Tigers 31, Rebs 12.

Bringing the conference back to relevance, Tennessee hosts #13 South Carolina at 7:15 on ESPN2. No Lattimore, no Stephen Garcia, no visor atop Steve Spurrier's head. Major upset of the day, as Derek Dooley gets the biggest win of his Volunteer career. Vols 24, Gamecocks 17. You're welcome, Barbara.

These are my picks for the week. Can ya'll do any better? Feel free to leave comments or join me on twitter.

P.S. Click on the title of this post.

RS Sports...Fear Less. Live More.: Todd Grantham Appreciation Day

2011-10-23T22:57:00.000-04:00

RS Sports...Fear Less. Live More.: Todd Grantham Appreciation Day

October 22 in the SEC

2011-10-22T00:03:00.003-04:00

Georgia and Florida have a bye week to prepare for the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party next Saturday in Jacksonville. South Carolina and Mississippi State are also enjoying some time off.

Meanwhile, Kentucky hosts Washaun Ealey and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Kats by 13.
Tennessee travels to Tuscaloosa, where the Vols will get rocked by Alabama.
Vanderbilt hosts Army. Commodores win by 6.
Arkansas is at Ole Miss. Petrino's Pigs rout the Rebels.
Auburn travels to Death Valley. LSU pulls away late. Tigers 31, War Eagle Tigers 20.

Todd Grantham Appreciation Day

2011-10-21T23:14:00.006-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time this week reading up on the post game incidents between Vanderbilt and UGA shortly after Georgia claimed victory over the 'Dores in Nashville. The more I learn about the situation, the more I support Todd Grantham defending his Dawgs. And the more I hear James Franklin say, "Rubbing our face in it..." the more I want to give him a towel to cry on.

Don't get me wrong. I do believe in sportsmanship, but I also understand that football ain't a gentleman's game. For further evidence, one need only view the video of Commodore #60 taking a cheap shot at a defenseless Kwame Geathers. Also, much has been made of the Todd Grantham/James Franklin feud. One local writer suggested that UGA "send a message" to their defensive coordinator, by suspending him for the biggest game of the season. I'm not callin' any names, but that concept is a little bit left of center.

In just his second season at Georgia, Todd Grantham is building a very strong foundation on the defensive side of the ball. And, if A.D. McGarity wants to send him a message, it outta be in the form of a raise...not a reprimand. Also, I would have liked to have heard Mark Richt verbalize some support for his players and coaching staff. I understand he was probably taking the high road, but his on field apology to James Franklin seemed a bit soft.

Todd Grantham has Georgia's defense on the rise and in honor of the great job he has done as the Dawgs D.C., I declare October 22, 2011 Todd Grantham Appreciation Day.

Click on the title of this post.

October 8 in the SEC

2011-10-04T22:01:00.008-04:00

Here we go with another exciting week of SEC football and (lifts up prayer hands) stellar predictions from yours truly. Here's the skinny.

Ole Miss has a bye, but do the Rebs ever show up for their games?

South Carolina hosts Kentucky. Spurrier's visor won't leave his noggin this Saturday. Lattimore and company will plow past the Wildcats.

Mississippi State goes on the road and takes on UAB. Blazers get Dogged out by Mullen's squad.

Crimson Tide crushes Vanderbilt in Tuscalooza. Commodore fans, don't waste ya gas money. This one was over as soon as it was scheduled. Tide Rolls.

Chizik's champs go to Arkansas and Petrino's Pigs flip the script. Hogs roast Tigers 37-24.

Tennessee welcomes the University of Georgia to Knoxville. Sensational freshman RB Isaiah Crowell runs over Volunteer defenders with such an intensity that they all swear their name is Bill Bates. Dawgs 41- Da'Rick Rogers and UT 27.

Florida travels to Death Valley...the real one. I don't care what the bayou's wildlife and fisheries council says...October is Gator season in Louisiana. Geaux Tigers!!

Footnote of the day: A man always takes accountability for his actions. But it's comforting to know that someone has your back, even when your scrawny azz is dead wrong. A few weeks ago, I took some time off and began to evaluate some things. But, I must join you in wondering...Who is truly to blame for all of my errant predictions? Click on the title of this post.

October 1 in the SEC

2011-09-25T19:10:00.006-04:00

Vanderbilt has a bye this week. The Commodores will be back in action on October 8 when they travel to Tuscaloosa.

Florida hosts the Crimson Tide. This one could go either way, but I'll roll with the home field advantage. Gators chomp 'em up in O.T.

Arkansas vs Texas A&M at Cowboys Stadium. Hogs over Aggies.

LSU is Home vs Kentucky. #1 LSU wallops the Wildcats in Baton Rouge.

Tennessee is Home vs Buffalo. Dooley's vols improve to 3-1.

Ole Miss At Fresno State. Both teams suck but I'll take the Bulldogs at home.

Georgia is Home vs Mississippi State. Richt's Dawgs avenge last year's loss to Mullen's Dogs with a narrow victory.

South Carolina is Home vs the 2010 National Champs. Click on the title of this post to see my take on this one.

Expanding the SEC

2011-09-21T20:05:00.006-04:00

There's been a lot of talk lately about Texas A&M and Missouri possibly joining the SEC. To be honest, I have mixed emotions on the topic. I can see where these two programs could expand the conference's TV market and insure that the league remains the nation's best. On the flip side, I don't like change and don't think it's necessary. The SEC plays America's greatest football...hands down. So if it ain't broke, why fix it?

The Pac 10 pumped its azz up to 12 teams for the sake of holding a conference championship game, in hopes that the victor will frequently be granted a title shot. However, the additions of Colorado and Utah aren't enough to conquer the SEC in terms of prestige. So what happens next? Will we actually see the nation's premier conferences bolster themselves to a stupefying 14 to 16 teams, in order to "keep up with the Robinsons?"

If so, I'd rather have a playoff system put in place. What are your thoughts?

Check This

2011-09-21T19:45:00.005-04:00

Chip Towers posted an interesting article on the AJC yesterday. In case you haven't read his post titled "Richt laughs at label of 'Hot Seat Bowl' vs Ole Miss, here's a link. Click on the title of this post.

I'll be back later with some original thoughts and picks for this week in the SEC.

Vanderbilt's Impact on "Hot Seat" Coaches

2011-09-17T20:08:00.004-04:00

The Vanderbilt Commodores may have just factored into the equation of whether or not Houston Nutt or Mark Richt remain at their respective schools. With a lopsided 30-7 victory over Ole Miss, Vanderbilt just added a little spice to next week's showdown in Oxford, between the Georgia Bulldogs and Mississippi Rebels.

Both teams enter the contest with 1-2 records, which include fan base disgruntling conference losses. Another could spell the beginning of the end for either coach's tenure at his University.

What are your thoughts? Is it too early to think this way?

September 17 in the SEC

2011-09-14T19:54:00.004-04:00

Georgia- Home vs Coastal Carolina. Dawgs get a much needed win.
Alabama- Home vs North Texas. Tide rolls.
Arkansas- Home vs Troy. Trojans fall.
Kentucky- Home vs Louisville. Kats over Cards.
South Carolina- Home vs Navy. Gamecocks cruise to 3-0 start.
Vanderbilt- Home vs Ole Miss. I'll take the Rebels.
Auburn- @ Clemson. War Eagle Tigers get defeated in "death valley."
Florida- Home vs Tennessee. Big win for Dooley's Vols...Just kidding, Gators win.

Thursday Night:
Mississippi State- Home vs LSU. To see my pick, play the video.

These are my predictions for this week's action inside the SEC. What ya'll got?

Follow RS Sports

2011-09-12T17:38:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to let ya'll know, you can now follow me on twitter @RobSealerSports. I'll be sending questions to your favorite athletes and sports personalities. Hopefully some will respond.

September 10 in the SEC

2011-09-09T22:25:00.010-04:00

Florida- Home vs UAB. Blazers in an upset? Nah. I ain't drankin' crazy juice this week. Gators chomp 'em up.
Kentucky- Home vs Central Michigan. Kats over Chippewas.
Tennessee-Home vs Cincinnati. Tempted to take the road team. But, Dooley's good ole boys outta get the job done up thar in Knoxville. Vols by 14.
LSU-Home vs Northwestern State. No prediction necessary.
Ole Miss- Home vs Southern Illinois. Not too concerned about spelling Mississippi. Rebs by 17.
Vanderbilt- Home vs UConn. Interesting basketball matchup. In regards to football, I'll take the 'Dores.
Arkansas- Home vs New Mexico. Petrino's Pigs over Lobos. What the hell is a Lobo? Rebecca got game and her own dot com.
Auburn- Home vs Mississippi State. Signature victory for Mullen's Dogs.
Georgia- Home vs South Carolina. Dawgs lack the toughness needed to be a contender in the SEC. Gamecocks prevail on the road, as Georgia fans wonder if their defense will ever learn how to tackle opposing players.
Alabama- AT Penn State. Nittany Lions lose by 10. Roll Tide.

These are my picks. What are yours? Feel free to share your comments.

Thursday Night Football

2011-09-01T21:10:00.004-04:00

Over on the flats, the dastardly yella jackets of georgia tech have doubled up Western Carolina, 42-21 at the half. The game was in all out route mode, until a last second 46 yd gt field goal attempt was blocked and returned for 6 plus the PAT. Odds of a comeback still appear slim, but the impact of this play does provide the Catamounts a huge boost going into the locker room. You can watch the game online at ESPN3.

Meanwhile, #20 Mississippi State is pounding Memphis 24-0 early in the second quarter. Dog QB Chris Relf is 5-10 for 133 yards and 2 tds. Bolstered by a 46 yard touchdown, Vick Ballard has ran for 85 yards on just 6 carries. Game is currently airing on Sports South.

Owl Season

2011-08-30T13:25:00.008-04:00

Looking at my picks for the first week of SEC football left some of you confused by at least one prediction. And, I could be the only person not decked out in the Red,White,and Blue of an FAU uniform, who believes they can App State the Mighty Gators in Gainesville. But I don't mind.

"Man, how you gonna do my team like that?" responded one reader via email.
"Have you lost your mind? I know you love them Dogs but Florida ain't losing to FAU!" replied another.

Guess we'll have to wait until Saturday to find out. So, here's what I do know. Florida Atlantic returns 5 starters from an offensive line, that did underachieve at times in 2009. Led by senior center, Jimmy Colley, this unit needs to play at a very high level, if the Owls are gonna have any chance of making me look less silly.

I'll also be keeping a close eye on senior running back, Alfred Morris. The Pensacola native has rushed for 2,343 yards and 18 touchdown during his FAU career and averages 4.7 yards per carry. At 5'11 and 220 pounds, Morris has the size and talent to wear a defense down, throughout the course of a four quarter affair.

In 2009, to say the FAU offense was anemic might be an insult to the term. Despite a 928 yard effort by Morris, the Owls averaged a lowly 16.8 points per game. That won't get it done this Saturday. However, this is a different season. As a matter of fact, it just might be Owl season in the sunshine state.

Click on the title of this post.

Matt Wauchope Trio

2011-08-29T20:24:00.007-04:00

If you missed the Matt Wauchope Trio performing last Tuesday evening at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint, you missed one helluva show. All is forgiven, but I urge you not to make the same mistake twice.

Wednesday night at 9:30, the crew will be entertaining the patrons at Blind Willie's, with their unmistakable talent. Bassist Melvin Zachary skillfully provides chest thumping beats behind the vocals of Matt Wauchope and Terrence Prather on drums.

Beware fellas...the charismatic Prather may take your girl for a dance around the floor, but he'll return her when he's needed back on stage.

For more details, click on the title of this post.

September 3rd in the SEC

2011-08-27T20:15:00.007-04:00

Vanderbilt- Home vs Elon. Commodores crush 'em by 17.
Tennessee- Home vs Montana. UT wins by at least 20.
South Carolina- Neutral site vs East Carolina. Lattimore leads visors to victory.
Kentucky- plays on Thursday vs Western Kentucky. Kats destroy Hill Toppers.
Ole Miss-Home vs BYU. Mormons win. Shout out to Braves' great, Dale Murphy.
Mississippi State- Also on Thursday At Memphis. Dogs get it done.
Auburn- Home vs Utah State. War Eagle/Tigers start the season 1-0.
Arkansas- Home vs Missouri State. Show me a loss for "MSU."
Alabama- Home vs Kent State. UGLY. Bama by at least 35.
LSU- neutral site vs Oregon. Ducks get quacked.
Georgia- "neutral site" vs Boise State. Dawgs drag Broncos through the Junk Yard.
Florida- Home vs Florida Atlantic. Upset of the SEC season. FAU shocks the swamp men in Gainesville.

You've seen my picks, what do ya'll predict?

Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

2011-08-22T14:20:00.009-04:00

Placing sports talk on hold for just a moment, I hope to see ya'll tomorrow night at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint. The Matt Wauchope Band will be playing some New Orleans style blues at 7:30. I'm looking forward to some great southern food and watching Melvin Zachary throw down on bass guitar.

Click on the title of this post for more info.

Braves Sweep Snakes

2011-08-22T11:47:00.008-04:00

Sunday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves completed a 3 game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Turner Field. Tomahawk shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, provided the game's only offense, with a third inning solo shot to left field. The 1-0 victory pushed Atlanta's wild card lead to 8 games over San Francisco and 8.5 ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tonight, the Braves will be in Wrigley Field, as they take on Chicago's most disappointing ball club. Scuffling toward a 56-71 record can't be any fun for Cubs players and fans. Throw into the mix, a half azzed "retirement" of Carlos Zambrano and the firing of GM Jim Hendry, and I think it's safe to say this has been another weird season in the Windy City.

On the mound for the visiting Braves will be Jair Jurrjens. J.J. is making his second consecutive start after returning from a 15 day stint on the DL. Dude is 12-4 with an ERA of 2.84.

As for Chicago, Ryan Dempster gets the rock. The Canadian born pitcher is currently 10-8 with an ERA of 4.61. Throughout his 13 year career, Ryan is credited with 112 wins alongside 110 losses and an ERA of 4.39.

Hopefully, there will be no "sunflower seed" incidents in this series. For more on that, check out Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. You can click on the title of this post for a direct link.

Fried Hot Dogs, Cheese Grits, and Atlanta Braves Baseball

2011-08-20T11:18:00.009-04:00

Woke up this morning in need of a little B & B...breakfast and baseball. Now that I've gotten a few bites in, let's talk about them Braves.

Friday night, Atlanta opened a 3 game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Derek Lowe on the mound. And, the 14 year veteran did something new...he pitched like he used to. Lowe struck out seven snakes in 5 innings and blanked the visiting squad in a short but effective start. Rookie reliever, Aroyds Vizcaino allowed 2 runs in the seventh, but that was the only noise Arizona could make against Braves pitching.

New Atlien, Michael Bourn started the scoring for Atlanta with a solo homerun in the first inning off DBack, Daniel Hudson. In the 3rd, All Star Brian McCann said "hello," with a 425 foot blast to right. The Braves would lead 3-0, until a rejuvenated Larry Jones stepped into the batter's box during the 6th. With 2 outs, Chipper connected on a solo shot to left field, giving the Braves a 4-0 lead.

Friday's 4-2 victory increases Atlanta's advantage to 7 games over Arizona in the Wild Card race and 7.5 over struggling San Francisco.

The Braves and Snakes square off again at 7:10 tonight. Brandon Beachy will take the mound for the home team. He is 5-2 with an ERA of 3.43 in 2011. Meanwhile, Arizona will call upon Louisiana native, Wade Miley. The 24 year old lefty will be making his Major League debut, after cruising to a 4-1 record with an ERA of 3.64 at the Triple A level.

Almost forgot to mention, this is Kennesaw State Alumni night at Turner Field. Ya'll get to "parade around the outfield," if you purchase tickets for the event.

Braves Vs Frisco

2011-08-17T17:43:00.004-04:00

Here's the skinny on Atlanta Braves baseball...

America's favorite tomahawkers are 72-51 after 123 games. That ain't a bad mark, unless the seemingly flawless Phillies reside within your division. In this case, they do. And that might be a problem. With a 7.5 game lead, Philadelphia has just about locked the division down, en route to claiming another NL East pennant.

Now for the good news... Atlanta created a little breathing room in the race for the NL Wild Card, by taking the first 2 games in a 4 game series vs San Francisco. With a 6 game lead over the champs, tonight's contest could be pivotal for either side. If the Braves can squeak out another victory, the lead expands to 7. If not, it shrinks back to 5 with 39 regular season games remaining.

The first pitch is slated for 7:10, as Jair Jurrjens returns to Atlanta's rotation after spending 15 days on the disabled list with a strained right knee. Dude is 12-4 with an ERA of 2.63 in 2011. Meanwhile, Matt Cain will take the mound for the World Series Champion, San Francisco Giants. Cain has posted a 9-9 record with an ERA of 3.00.

WaShaun Ealey...My bad

2011-07-22T20:29:00.015-04:00

Two years ago, I wrote an article proclaiming WaShaun Ealey to be "The future of Georgia football." Dude brought his A game against GT in 2009, but failed to be the unstoppable force I expected to see versus foes from the SEC. And, considering the fact he'll lace 'em up for Jacksonville State next season, I think it's safe to say I missed the mark on that one.

In my mind, Ealey was destined for greatness. And, he still may be. It just won't happen in Red and Black. And that sucks.

But, the arrival of heralded freshman, Isaiah "The Funk" Crowell, outta soften the blow a bit. And now that WaShaun and Caleb King are gone, Richard Samuel rejoins the Georgia Bulldog backfield.

Maybe I should have learned some kind of lesson by now. But, I expect both Samuel and Crowell to destroy opposing defenses between the hedges. In order to re-emerge as a factor in the SEC East, the Dawgs will need to do this...

(Click on the title of this post)

Braves vs Rocks

2011-07-20T19:58:00.006-04:00

Last night, the Atlanta Braves played like a team I might ask to kick rocks. But, the 12-3 whoopin' Colorado laid upon 'em accounts for just one L in the loss column. And, the first place phils are just 4 games better than the dudes from ATL. So, I'm gonna let that one ride.

Tim Hudson will be looking for his tenth victory tonight, as he squares off against rookie hurler, Juan Nicasio. In his first MLB season, the 24 year old Dominican Republican has posted a respectable 4-2 record, including a 4.24 ERA for Colorado.

Jason Heyward will be back in the Braves lineup, after sitting out the last 2 games with a boo boo on his foot. First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 eastern.

Sounds like somethin' funky is 'bout to go down. Click on the title of this post.

Feeling Left Behind?

2011-05-21T20:44:00.002-04:00

About that apocalypse thang...I'm still here. Doomsday drama set aside, do any of ya'll care if the Atlanta Thrashers relocate?

Last season, some really good friends of mine scored some unbelievable tickets to see the New York Rangers take on the currently local hockey club. In one of the coolest gestures of all time, they decided to take yours truly.

It was a nasty night in Atlanta, as heavy rains began to pour. Walking from the parking lot to Philips Arena, we got SOAKED. I dried out my raggedy azz Hawks cap underneath one of those hand drying machines in the water closet. But, I still felt like a half frozen tinsel of ice inside the building.

It was cold, but I had one of the greatest times of my life at a sporting event. The folks at Philips Arena were absolutely world class and continue to create an electrifying atmosphere, even when the home team ain't lookin' so good. To say that I became a fan of the sport would be a bold faced lie. So, I ain't typin' that. But, Philips Arena is a great place to be, even if you're there to watch hockey.

With rumors of a relocation to Winnipeg starting to spill out across local sports radio stations and newspapers, I've started to wonder this...
(Click on title of post)

Hawks lead Magic 3 Games to 1

2011-04-24T21:47:00.005-04:00

After watching this game, I've got no fingernails left. Barely had any after game three. But, that's ok. The Atlanta Hawks just took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead over the Orlando Magic in their best of seven series.

After going silent throughout the second and third quarters (2 pts during that stretch), Joe Johnson awoke with 10 desperately needed fourth quarter scores. Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich seemed to carry Atlanta's offense, until Johnson made his presence known. With Orlando unwilling to accept defeat, Double J rose to the challenge and delivered it to their front door.

Dwight Howard actually looked like himself in the second half of this contest and was simply un-guardable, with Jason Collins benched because of foul trouble. But, his Magic squad lost another close one.

Could it be written, that the dynamic duo of Nelson and Superman just digested a little bit of cryptonite? I dare to say yes. This series ain't over. But, when Atlanta wins again...it will be.

Game 5 will be played at 7:30 Tuesday night in the Sunshine State.

Hawks vs Magic Game 4

2011-04-24T20:17:00.003-04:00

Live from Philips Arena...would be an awesome way to start this post. But, truth be told, I ain't there. Oh well, who cares about that? Here's the breakdown on tonight's first half action...

Dwight Howard has been in foul trouble from the start and it reflects in his stats column. The Magic center has an uncharacteristically low 5 points, so far.
A silly foul with 1.1 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, brought his tally to 3 at halftime.

For Atlanta, Joe Johnson started well, but an early trip to the bench cooled him off, after #2 was whistled for his second foul. Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich have played well for the Hawks. However, Atlanta became turnover prone and squandered several possessions, that could have been used to stake a commanding lead in tonight's game.

The third quarter is about to start, as Atlanta leads 46-37. Hawks need to play a little smarter and lock Orlando down, with some tenacity on defense.

Update: Hawks 50 Magic 37 with 10:01 in 3rd. Stan Van calls timeout.
Look for more updates in comments section of this post.

Braves vs Champs

2011-04-24T18:31:00.003-04:00

Looking to sweep last season's World Series Champs, the Atlanta Braves are up to bat in the 8th inning. A leadoff HR by former Fish 2B, Dan Uggla, tied the score at 6. Here's the rest of the skinny...

Rookie Brave, Brandon Beachy, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits through six innings. The young fella also fanned seven Frisco batsmen. With the score 2-2, Jason Heyward connected on 3 run homer, and Atlanta took a short lived 5-2 lead in the 7th.

Then came the bottom of the inning and Jairo Asencio took the mound for Atlanta. And, that was not a good thing for the Braves. It was downright ugly, as the baseball Giants scored 4 times on 4 hits and a walk with the bases loaded.

Update: Cody Ross batting for Frisco in bottom of 9th. Score remains tied at 6.

I'll post more updates in the comments section, unless I'm too busy watching the Hawks vs Dwight Howards. Game 4 tips off without Zaza Pachulia and Jason Richardson, soon. Good guys lead the series 2 games to one.

Hawks 1, Magic None

2011-04-16T21:49:00.007-04:00

Dwight Howard posted 46 game 1 points in a best of 7 playoff series versus the Atlanta Hawks. And, Magic guard, Jameer Nelson, unleashed 27 scores of his own. But, all other Orlando basketballers combined to put just 20 more on the board.

For Atlanta, guards Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford accounted for 48 points. Meanwhile, the trio of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Kirk Hinrich added 44 more Hawks scores. Leading by as much as 17 points in the third quarter, Atlanta was able to fend off all Magic rallies, and claimed a 103-93 victory.

In the end, a valiant effort by central Florida's dynamic duo just wasn't enough. Atlanta leads the series 1 game to none. Game 2 ain't until Tuesday.

Fish Take Series

2011-04-14T22:23:00.005-04:00

Tonight's Turner Field crowd witnessed another game and another poor performance by a Braves starter. Rookie, Brandon Beachy, gave up 3 first inning runs to the Florida Marlins. But, the Atlanta bats provided 4 on the flip side. However, that scrawny azz lead didn't last long. With 2 out in the second inning, an RBI single by Hanley Ramirez tied the score at 4.

In the 3rd inning, Florida's Gaby Sanchez gave the Fish a one run lead, by drilling a solo HR, much to the dismay of every Tomahawk fan in attendance. Reformed Marlin, Dan Uggla, retied the contest at 5, with a round tripper of his own in the bottom of the fourth. And little changed, until the sorry azz seventh inning.

Florida's John Buck RBI singled in Gaby Sanchez and the Fish took the lead 6-5. Unfortunately, this capped tonight's scoring in Atlanta.

After a 5-0 victory in game 1, the Braves just lost an early series against their foes from Gator Country. Although this currently sucks, it's a long season with many games left on the calendar.

Fiesty Fish

2011-04-14T19:23:00.003-04:00

After just one half an inning in Atlanta, Florida has already plated 3 runs. Not a good start for Braves rookie pitcher, Brandon Beachy. Leading 1-0, Marlin Mike Stanton drove in 2 additional fish with an RBI double down the left field line.

This one started to feel like the Braves were in trouble, before the popcorn man could advertise his presence at the Ted. (Cold beer, anybody?)

But, Martin Prado and Nate McLouth decided to bring their bats, tonight. The first and second batters in the Braves first inning produced back to back singles. With runners on first and third, Chipper Jones didn't wait long, to drive in his 1,501 RBI. Facing a 3-2 count, Larry sent an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

Brian McCann followed with a 3 run blast over the right field fence. After a discouraging start, Atlanta leads 4-3 after one inning of play.

Go Braves!

Look for updates in the comments section.

Chipper Jones 1,500 RBI

2011-04-13T21:26:00.006-04:00

Trailing 5-0, Atlanta was staring at a pretty dismal night on the Turner Field turf. Aided by the poor performance of Braves starter, Tim Hudson, the Marlins took early command of tonight's game.

But, Chipper Jones provided the home town crowd with a history making moment. With 1 out in the bottom of the ninth, Jones drove a solo HR over the centerfield fence and became the 51st MLB player to record 1,500 RBIs. He is just the 3rd switch hitter in baseball history to accomplish such a feat.

Although Atlanta lost 5-1, this is a great day in Braves history.

Fish battering Braves

2011-04-13T19:56:00.006-04:00

On this night in Turner Field, Atlanta's Tim Hudson pitched a Terrible game. The former Auburn Tiger surrendered 7 hits and 5 earned runs. Quite frankly, Hudson was at his worst during the first through third innings. After that, he began to settle down. But, the Sunshine staters had already taken command of the contest.

Making matters worse, the Braves seem to be swinging aluminum foiled bats.

Braves manager, Fredi Gonzalez, is currently wearing that crazy eyed, "What just happened?" expression on his face. But I can't blame him. I am too.

After 7 frustrating innings in Atlanta, Florida's Josh Johnson has yet to yield a hit. This one looks gloomy, but there are still 2 innings left.
Go Braves!

UPDATE: ATLANTA HAS A HIT!! Rookie Freeman with a 1 out double in bottom of 8th and Josh Johnson is done for the evening.

Braves and Fish - Game 2

2011-04-13T19:15:00.003-04:00

Florida's Josh Johnson has been spotted an early 1 run lead in tonight's game between the dudes from Gator Country and the Red, White, and Blue clad Braves.

Starting pitcher, Tim Hudson, avoided a potential big fish inning in the first, when Marlin Mike Stanton grounded into a double play to retire the side.

As I type, Prado and McLouth have grounded out. With 1,499 RBIs in his MLB career, Chipper Jones stands inside the batter's box... and takes a base on balls. McCann now batting... Mac goes down on strikes.

Look for some updates in the comments section and feel free to provide your thoughts on tonight's action. Go Braves!

Braves beat Fish

2011-04-12T21:37:00.009-04:00

Well, it was good to see Tommy Hanson not suck tonight. He threw 7 shut out innings for the Tomahawks, as Atlanta took the first of a 3 game series against the Marlins.

Jason Heyward and Brian McCann hit solo shots that might still be flyin' over the state of Georgia. But, it was Martin Prado, who caused Chris Volstad to start unraveling on the mound. With 2 out in the 3rd, the Braves left fielder singled and scored on a double off the bat of Nate McLouth. Then, Chipper Jones came through with an RBI single and just like that, Atlanta led 2-0.

With the game still resembling a potential pitcher's duel, Jason Heyward made his presence known with a solo HR in the 4th inning. The Bravos led 3-0 and Volstad was in trouble.

Fast forward to the 5th. Prado led off the inning with a double and was advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nate McLouth. With a teammate 90 feet away and 1 out, Jones delivered once more. His sac fly put Atlanta on top
4-0. Then, with 2 outs and the bases clear of Braves, Brian McCann drilled a solo HR all the way from Atlanta to Augusta.

Former Fish, Alex Gonzalez, made some sensational plays at second base for the Braves, as Atlanta would win 5-0.

Fish in ATL

2011-04-12T19:25:00.003-04:00

The Braves and Marlins have just begun their 3 game series in Atlanta. After an uneventful 1st inning, Marlin Mike Stanton drilled a leadoff double in the top of the 2nd. But, Florida left him stranded 90 feet away.

Tommy Hanson is hoping to shrink his ugly 6.00 ERA down a bit.
For the fish, Chris Volstad (1.80 ERA) has been impressive through 2.

After 3 and a half, Florida has 2 hits but no runs. Atlanta just has nothing. Freeman, pitcher, Prado due up for Bravos.

If this one gets interesting, I'll provide some updates in the comments section.

Braves Update

2011-04-04T17:01:00.006-04:00

Since I last typed anything relating to the Atlanta Braves, they've won back to back games. It was good to see the tomahawks take their first series of the season, beating the Nats twice in Washington.

On to Milwaukee... Dan Uggla and Martin Prado solo HRs in 8th put Bravos up 2-1. That was all the offense Atlanta would need. Craig Kimbrel recorded the save.

Commercial of the Day

2011-04-02T20:27:00.003-04:00

Hey ya'll, click on the title of this "post" to view my nominee for RS Sports commercial of the Day.

Warning: Rated R Youtube content.

Braves fall to .500

2011-04-02T17:27:00.011-04:00

The Atlanta Braves were beaten by Washington 6-3 today. Here's a brief glimpse at what transpired...

Tommy Hansen, Atlanta's most talented young pitcher Sucked. Dude gave up 3 earned runs in 4 and 2/3 innings, was consistently behind in the count, and committed an error, which led to Washington's first score.

Braves bats were unable to produce any clutch hitting. Infielder, Brooks Conrad was granted PH duties in the top of the 6th inning. Trailing
4-2, Atlanta had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one scrawny azz out.
Ahead of the count 3-1, Conrad errantly swung and missed at what should have been ball 4. Suddenly facing a 3-2 count, BC went down on strikes. With 2 gone, Martin Prado followed and flied out to end the inning. The Braves really wasted a grand opportunity to creep back into this game.

Washington's Rick Ankiel burned his former team, by driving in 3 runs. His 2 run homer off Tommy Hansen in the 3rd put the Nats up 4-2. As if that wasn't enough, Ankiel sac bunted in another run during the Nats 7th inning.

The Good: Alex Gonzalez and Dan Uggla both hit solo HR for Atlanta. Chipper had an RBI on a 2-5 day at the plate.
The Bad: Leadoff hitter Martin Prado is 0 for 2011.
The Ugly: It's way too early to write anything ugly. I'll save that for later.

Next up... Tim Hudson faces Jordan Zimmerman and the Nats at 1:05 Sunday afternoon.

Braves vs FSU...Click on the title of this post.

Undefeated Braves

2011-03-31T15:47:00.013-04:00

Love what I saw from the Braves today. Great starting pitching (Derek Lowe), backed up by solid defense, just enough offense, and a very strong effort from the bullpen. Jason Heyward became the second player to hit home runs in the first 2 at bats of his first two seasons (the other was a New York Met).

For Washington, Livan Hernandez pitched a nice game, giving up just 2 scrawny azz runs. And, at one point he retired 15 straight Braves batters.

Chipper Jones went 2-4 with a double and silent single. Jones also scored the first run of the 2011 MLB season on a Brian McCann one sacker in the first inning. Good win for the Braves and a great way to open up the season.

Braves update

2011-03-31T13:39:00.003-04:00

For those of you unable to view today's Braves vs Nats game, you can listen online via the good folks at 1570 WCLE am in Cleveland, Tennessee. Go to their website, http://www.1570wcle.com/ then click listen live on their home page. This prompts a page with basketball hoops and advertising to appear. Go to the bottom of this page and click listen live (again). This will allow you to hear the Braves broadcast of today's game over the internet.

After 2 innings, Atlanta leads Nats 2-0. Chipper Jones scored the first run of the season. After stretching a 2 out, 1st inning single into 2 bases, catcher Brian McCann sent him home, with an RBI single.

In the Braves' second inning, Jason Heyward hit a solo shot to Right Field. This is the second year in a row, that Heyward has homered in his first at bat.

Leadoff man, Martin Prado at the plate. Go Braves!

I'll provide some updates in the comments section.

Opening Day

2011-03-31T09:45:00.004-04:00

At one o'clock this afternoon, the Atlanta Braves open up the 2011 season in Washington. It's hard to believe that baseball's back... and so is Chipper Jones.

On August 12 of last year, I thought his prolific career in Atlanta was over. Then 38 years young, Jones had just torn an ACL attempting to make a spectacular play at third base. Well, I've never felt better about being wrong in all my life.

Welcome back Chipper. It's good to know that I can put the "Retire the #10" talk on the shelf for at least another season.

Longtime Braves nemesis, Livan Hernandez will take the mound today as the Nats square off against the Bravos. Derek Lowe will get the start for Atlanta.

Call off the "Dawgs"

2010-11-27T17:37:00.007-05:00

Three years ago, if you would have told me that tonight's Georgia vs Georgia tech game would be the most pivotal moment in Mark Richt's career, I would have laughed at you. Well, I ain't laughin' now. At 5-6, UGA desperately needs to win this one.

Overall, Mark Richt has done a remarkable job as leader of the Dawg Pound in Athens. However, many fans have started directing angry barks in his direction. You see, some of the fan base has become disenchanted with the Richt regime, due to a couple of sub par seasons, including this one. Most of them wish to see a new coaching staff brought into Athens. But, sometimes the best move is the one you don't make.

Legendary coaches Vince Dooley, Bobby Bowden, and Joe Paterno all struggled at some point during their tenures. But, these men were given an opportunity to turn things around and elevated their programs to national prominence. Mark Richt deserves that same chance.

Regardless of tonight's outcome, I hope to see Richt remain in Athens.

Thanks to the talented sports writers at the AJC for giving me and the rest of their readers some valuable insight into this topic.

Go Dawgs...GATA!! Wreck tech countdown: 1 Hour, 48 minutes.

Clean, old fashioned me

2010-11-23T21:47:00.004-05:00

Bulldog fans, you've got to admit one thing...you love this site. And who can blame you? The kid (yours truly) is pretty dang good. Humility aside, nobody covers Georgia sports better than the talented writers over at the AJC. In today's Tim Tucker article, Dawg QB Aaron Murray is quoted as saying, "If I had a broken leg, I'm going to play in this game."

Now, that's not a shot at the institute of technology's Josh Nesbitt, who is currently sidelined with a broken arm. But if it was, this post would be a lot more fun to write. However, there's no mud slingin' here. Not yet, anyway. Keep reading...

At this point in their 5-6 season, you might ask, "What makes Senior Night at UGA meaningful?" Georgia Tech does. Not because Paul Johnson's jackets are some sort of powerhouse program. They ain't. Look no further than their 6-5 record, which includes 4 Atlanticly Crappy Conference losses and one to (gasp) Kansas.

Records and lame jokes temporarily put aside, tech seems to bring out the best in Mark Richt's Dawgs (8-1 vs gt). Oh, and there's some kind of an old fashioned hatred thing involved, as well.

Georgia is fighting a desperate battle towards bowl eligibility and looks to continue its dominance over the Screech-like kids from the flats. On the flip side, those pesky jackets would love to make sure that the only bowling the Bulldogs can do, is at the Brunswick lanes in Athens.

So, who's gonna win? Click on the title of this post. Okay, that video could be considered inconclusive. Georgia wins, because that's what they do best... BEAT GT!!

Soapboxin' Bulldog

2010-11-02T21:12:00.004-04:00

You may have read the title of this post and started thinking, "Oh Lord, Rob's gonna lose his mind on this one." Not a bad guess. But, to quote Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend."

4-5 is what it is... a record. And an ugly one at that. But, what I've recently learned, is that sometimes the intangibles in life matter more than statistics. Have I lost you yet? Well, the lunatic fringe (which I used to resemble) has already checked out, or will call me crazy later...like it matters.

Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs don't quit. So, why should we? The 2010 season has been filled with adversity and unkind endings. What matters most, is how we handle it. Week after week, the Dawgs have left their heart on the field. So, this is gut check time for us... the fans. And, regardless of what has transpired, there is no reason to fold our tents. It's time to rally around this team with unrivaled loyalty and support.

With Mark Richt at the helm, better days truly lie ahead. What happened Saturday is history. All things considered, I am still proud to wear a Georgia logo on my cap. It's time for the Bulldog Nation to hunker down and stand firmly behind the Red and Black! Let's show them the strength of our heart. Go Dawgs!!

Click on the title of this post, ya'll.

Dawgs at South Carolina

2010-09-08T18:58:00.013-04:00

Georgia fans, forget about AJ Green for a minute. The best WR in America ain't playin' this Saturday. On the low country side, neither is All American caliber TE Weslye Saunders. As far as an advantage goes, this kinda looks like a "push" in betting terms... not that I condone that. Now, let's look deeper into the situation.

South Carolina's offense looks to be explosive, even without their star TE. The Gamecocks have inserted some tremendously talented freshmen into their arsenal. Running back Marcus Lattimore could be the most impressive tailback this school has featured, since the legendary George Rogers laced up his cleats. And then, you've got to factor Ace "no relation to James" Sanders into the equation. The 5'7 phenom from Bradenton Florida showcases Escambia County-esque speed. (He ain't from there, but that's not the point).

The point is, how can Georgia contain the Gamecocks offense? QB Stephen Garcia may have finally matured into a solid decision maker and passer. Plus, he's got the 6'5 Tori Gurley and 6'4 Alshon Jeffrey to throw to. This tandem accounted for 1,203 yards receiving and 8 tds in 2009. We've just begun to venture into the season of 2010. But, South Carolina ain't missin' Weslye Saunders yet. They've replaced him with some incredible playmakers. Todd Grantham, God bless you. I wouldn't want your job right now.

So, what does Georgia's offense bring to the table in Green's absence? They've got some big time talent of their own, in TE Orson Charles (313 yds,3 tds in 09), RB WaShaun Ealey (717 yds,3 tds last season), and potential deep threats in WRs Tavarres King and Rantavious Wooten. But, the last two must prove themselves to be consistent weapons at their position. What does that mean? They've gotta show better focus and have fewer dropped passes in 2010.

Getting defensive, South Carolina has one of the most brilliant minds in America as their DC. And, Ellis Johnson will have some blitz packages very capable of rattling a barely seasoned QB. Guess what? That's what Georgia brings to the low country. Good luck Aaron Murray.

If Georgia is gonna leave Williams-Brice Stadium with a victory, the Dawgs must be nasty.

To view one of the greatest plays in Georgia vs South Carolina history, click on the title of this post.

New Look Dawgs

2010-08-29T20:34:00.004-04:00

I was looking at an SEC Preview Magazine published by Sports Illustrated, when I noticed something subtle. My copy is a regional cover that features WaShaun Ealey. He's wearing the number 24. He'll wear #3 next season. But, that's not the issue. The issue is less than newsworthy. But, being a Bulldogs fan, it interests me. So, here it is...

Ealey ain't wearin' silver britches with his traditional Red jersey. His pants are white with the same design. When it comes to uniforms, fans either love changes or hate 'em. So, I pose this question to the Georgia faithful. Do you care about uniform variations or just wins and losses?

Either way, you can expect to see the Dawgs shelve their silver britches for a home game or two. They'll be wearing the white britches SI features on their magazine. But, that won't matter one bit, if Georgia doesn't win.

Click on the title of this post for a reminder.

RB Busted

2010-08-27T20:27:00.004-04:00

Georgia's leading rusher allegedly had some issues with the law this morning. I've read some opinions and heard the "news" on local sports radio. I even saw the "headline" on the ESPN ticker.

But, I still don't have all the facts regarding the situation. So, I'll refrain from making any more comments about a certain UGA tailback being arrested.

Ya'll can get more details (via Tim Tucker of the AJC) by clicking on the title of this post.

Go Dawgs!

Ay Dios Mio

2010-08-25T21:00:00.004-04:00

Don't worry. Ya'll ain't on the wrong site. Truth be told, I couldn't find an appropriate phrase in the english language for the title of this post. So, I found some espanol on the Internet. Ay Dios dang Mio... Or something like that. I think it means, "Oh my God."

Now, let's get to the point. The Atlanta Braves just got swept in Colorado. The Braves led 10-1 today, before the Rockies got up off the deck and punched Atlanta in the face. Just like Frazier, the Braves had no defense for the blows thrown against them. This was an outcome unfitting a champion. Truly, it wasn't right. At one point, I thought my mind was playin' tricks on me. Ay Dios dang Mios. The Braves got KO'd today.

Don't get me wrong. The Braves have a chance to rebound from this defeat. Not against Foreman/Colorado. That match is done and over with. But, the former division champs must get their swagger back! Atlanta will try to catch something decent, when they host the Marlins on Friday night at Turner Field.

Until then, click on the title of this post. Foreman vs Frazier. That's all you need to know.

Make Success Your Destiny

2010-08-18T21:55:00.005-04:00

I know this is a sports blog, so I apologize for takin' ya'll off topic. But, I feel the need to express these thoughts. Hope you don't mind.

The Good Lord didn't place us upon this earth to fail. He put us here to prosper. So, make success your destiny. Believe in yourself, regardless of what you're going through. Chase your dreams and achieve your heart's desires. That's what God wants us to do.

Sometimes, we lose faith in ourselves. But, that doesn't mean He does. He created our talents, our skills, and ordained our dreams. The Lord wants us to succeed. But, it's up to us to make success our destiny.

Some of our paths may have been preconceived. But, the roads we travel upon are decisions left to you and me. However you refer to Him, God created us from love. He gave us free will. And, He gave us all the ability to succeed.

Blessed is he, who pursues his desires and makes his goals unfold. Please believe in Him and believe in yourself. Chase your dreams and make success become your destiny. You are worthy and prosperity belongs to you. Go get it.

Thanks Chipper

2010-08-12T21:34:00.008-04:00

Ya'll ever wanted to punch your radio in the mouth? Well, that's how I felt today, as 790 the Zone told me something I didn't wanna hear. Chris Dimino was the first to break the sobering news, that Chipper Jones has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the MLB season. Sadly, #10 is 38 years old and this injury could bring an unceremonious end to his Hall of Fame career. As a Braves fan, that profoundly sucks.

How can you write a tribute to someone, whose actions outshine the use of literature? You can't. But, I'll type a few thoughts, anyway. Whether or not we've seen the last of Chipper Jones in an Atlanta Braves uniform, you can't argue the fact that he's one of the greatest men to ever play the game.

Atlanta was blessed with legendary pitchers, during their 14 year reign as division champs. But, that feat would not have occurred without the heroics of Chipper Jones at the plate. In his prime, #10 had such a pension for destroying Braves' opposition, that he named his son Shea. As New Yorkers annoyingly chanted, "Larry, Larry," Chipper gave 'em even more reason to despise him. But, he did it the right way. He didn't defame them or their team with his words. Jones stood in there and used his bat to crush their dreams.

As a fan, what can you say to an athlete who left his heart and soul on the field? Maybe the words I'm searching for, are sentiments I should have expressed years ago. Thank you, Chipper Jones. There will never be another Atlanta Brave worthy of wearing #10.

Found a tribute to Chipper Jones on Youtube. You can click on the title of this post to view it.

Brooks "Freakin" Conrad

2010-08-10T22:37:00.004-04:00

I know what you're thinking. Who in the -censored text- is Brooks Conrad? Well, he's an infielder for the Atlanta Braves and you better know that. This dude just momentarily saved the Braves from a likely loss by blasting a 2 run HR far above the Houston skies.

Troy Glaus has also gone deep after an ineffective at bat by Brian McCann in the 9th inning. And, all of a sudden, the Braves are in position to steal a victory from Houston. With a scrawny azz 1.5 game lead on Philadelphia, Atlanta needs all the wins they can get. The Phillies ain't goin' away, ya'll.

Let's just hope the Braves bullpen can lock this one down. "Wild Bill" Wagner can be erratic. So can Atlanta's defense (3 errors tonight).

I didn't get this posted in time to provide any further theatrics. Wagner just recorded the save. Guess I gotta work on my typing speed.

Go Braves!

Sports Talk Featuring Durty Bo Dean

2010-08-03T22:44:00.027-04:00

Earlier today, I got to talk sports with one of the rising stars in Hip Hop and Rap. And I thought, "Who better to shed some light on Crimson Tide football, than the Alabama Outlaw...Durty Bo Dean?" Here's a brief Q & A session.

Rob: Durty, the Crimson Tide appear headed toward another run at the BCS Championship. But, can Alabama roll through the SEC again? And, who will be the Tide's toughest contenders in the conference?

Durty Bo Dean: Oh yeah, I feel even though Florida lost alot of their top players to the draft, that they are still our toughest challenge in the SEC.

Rob: I agree. The Tide will probably face 'em twice. Once on October 2nd in Tuscaloosa and again in December for the SEC title. Your squad looks strong, as Heisman trophy winner, Mark Ingram returns to the Alabama backfield. So does the talented Trent Richardson. This tandem combined to rush for over 2,400 yards and 25 tds in 2009. Does Alabama have the nation's best running back combination?

Durty Bo Dean: I feel with the combination of speed and power that we do have the best RB combination in the SEC, if not the NCAA. I think Richardson will have a breakout season this year.

Rob: That's a good point. The Tide's opposition will be fired up to shut Ingram down. But, Pensacola's Trent Richardson will be a change of pace back, that causes all kinds of issues for opposing defenses. Let's talk about Julio Jones for a minute. In 2009, he only caught 43 passes for 596 yards and 4 scrawny tds. But, senior QB Greg McElroy "Put on a Show" in the SEC Championship Game against Florida. As a result of his maturation, will offensive coordinator, Jim McElwain take more shots to #8 down field in 2010?

Durty Bo Dean: Yeah, alot of people don't know that Jones was injured through half of the season. I think he will come back with something to prove. McElroy definitely proved himself during that Florida game. I think Jim McElwain will definitely open up the offense in 2010.

Rob: That could be scary for Alabama's opponents. Entering his 4th season in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban has posted a 33-8 record, including a BCS title. And, that's after inheriting a program that nearly passed out under Mike Shula. Is it too early to compare his legacy to that of the legendary coach, Bear Bryant?

Durty Bo Dean: I feel it's a lil' too early. I respect Saban for bringing that power football and defensive intensity back to Alabama, though. I still wanna be sure he's in it for the long haul.

Rob: Well said. Any detractor of Saban's mentions his history of moving on to "greener pastures." In the interest of the SEC, I hope he remains at Alabama for many more years. Moving on, the Georgia Bulldogs decided to "Black Out" the Crimson Tide in 2008. The plan backfired, as Mark Richt's squad went into the half, stunned by a 30 point deficit. What do you think about coaches employing such tactics to motivate their players and fans?

Durty Bo Dean: LOL. I don't think those type of tricks are gonna work against the Tide. Saban has his players too disciplined to fall for that. The best thing for the competition to do is play hard nosed, straight up football, cause we don't back down!

Rob: Alabama is always strong in the trenches. But, former Tide DT Terence Cody is preparing for his rookie season in the NFL. Will Kirby Smart's defense miss his presence in the middle?

Durty Bo Dean: I think we will definitely miss "Mt. Cody." He and Melsin were a very important piece of our championship run. But, Smart and Saban are always prepared and we have alot of talent ready to fill the void.

Rob: I think I know the answer to this question, but I gotta ask it anyway. Will we ever see you rockin' an Auburn Tigers cap in one of your videos? And, what do you dislike most about Alabama's in-state rival?

Durty Bo Dean: Never. I think it's a very good rivalry that does alot for the state of Alabama. No further comment on the Tigers.

Rob: Former Tennessee head coach, Lane Kiffin is facing some serious sanctions at USC. What are your thoughts on the situation?

Durty Bo Dean: Well, I feel that karma is real and he kinda got what he deserved for bailing on Tennessee. Like that, Alabama went through similar sanctions and we bounced back. So, USC just has to build from the situation and take a closer look at their players and staff.

Rob: Well said. Moving on, some of my heroes growing up were Tim Worley, Dominique Wilkins, and Hank Aaron. What athletes did you look up to and who do you admire today?

Durty Bo Dean: Michael Jordan, Emmitt Smith, and Ken Griffey Jr. to name a few. Alot of my heroes were family members who helped raise me. But, sports taught me friendship and teamwork.

Rob: Speaking of MJ, he and I both had alot to say about LeBron's decision to leave Cleveland. We were both critical of his move to South Beach. But, I wonder if we were a bit unfair. What are your thoughts?

Durty Bo Dean: I have mixed feelings. I agree with Jordan and Bird by saying they would never join up, because they wanted to defeat each other. But, it's a different era and I don't think LeBron would have won a ring in Cleveland.

Rob: You're probably right about Cleveland. That city seems to be cursed in the world of sports. Let's get back to football for a minute. What's on your tailgate menu?

Durty Bo Dean: Well, I gotta have some St. Louis style ribs, barbecue shrimp, and a couple of Coronas to wash it all down.

Rob: Sounds good. Whenever you're ready to fire up the grill, let me know. Aside from music and college football, what are some of your other interests?

Durty Bo Dean: Pretty much livin' my life to the fullest, being a good father to my daughter, and trying to see a million dollars before I'm 40 years old.

Rob: Thanks for your time, Durty. I know you're very busy right now. You've got a CD in the works and some promotional opportunities on the horizon. Would you like to share some details with the readers and how can they support Durty Bo Dean?

Durty Bo Dean: Yea I'm wrapping up my album titled "Theme Music" due to release this month. I have a couple of shows booked in Florida to promote the album. For more details, you can go to www.durtybodean.com or just google me.

Rob: Ya'll heard the man. Check him out. You won't regret it.

Fading Braves

2010-08-01T20:48:00.004-04:00

It's been a long time, since I've mentioned the Atlanta Braves on this blog. Well, there's a reason. Although I was less than thrilled with the start to their season, I chose to shut up and give 'em some space. Coincidence or not, they caught fire during my self imposed MLB silence and built an 8 game lead in the NL East. But, my Bravos are having issues again. So, maybe it's time to "un-jinx" 'em one more time. Here's the deal...

Atlanta has struggled mightily over the last few weeks. Clutch hits have become non-existent, as the Braves continue to squander away the efforts of a solid pitching staff. First baseman Troy Glaus carried this team, with a Herculean bat in June. Unfortunately, he's starting to portray an image of Superman choking on a kryptonite laced buffet. It's ugly. So dang ugly, that the bat of Glaus has become a .130 (batting average) sized toothpick, with a whittled down slugging percentage of .174 and 3 scrawny hits during his last six games.

Meanwhile, the dastardly Phillies have added ace, Roy Oswalt, to their already solid pitching rotation. After a hard fought victory over the annoying Gnats in Washington, Philadelphia sits just 2.5 games back of Atlanta. It seems like just the other day, the Braves were cruising toward a NL East title. But, it's a long season and a lot has changed, quite rapidly within the division.

Don't get me wrong. It ain't time to panic in Atlanta. But, the recent acquisitions of outfielder Rick Ankiel and RP Kyle Farnsworth will provide little more than a laugh track for Braves opposition. All Star 2B, Martin Prado, is gimpy (day to day) and Atlanta is in dire need of an offensive MVP. Somebody will step up. That's how the script is 'sposed to read, ain't it? I just wonder, who will it be?

Next up for Atlanta is a much needed return to the friendly confines of Turner Field. On Monday night, the Braves will face the meaningless NY Mets at 7:10 ET on ESPN.

Lorenzen Wright

2010-07-28T18:50:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to spend a few moments, writing about one of my favorite Atlanta Hawks. He wasn't an All Star, an MVP, or a Hall of Fame player. But, Lorenzen Wright was a man whose smile transcended through the TV. There was something very charismatic and endearing about this man. Although I never met him, I wished to see him succeed. His energy, emotions, and hustle on the court were characteristics I admired most in an athlete.

Sekou Smith, formerly of the AJC, wrote an article on February 11, 2008 that showcased the prankster side of Lorenzen Wright. Click on the title of this post, to read Smith's column.

During his 13 year career in the NBA, the Tennessee native averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He scored over 6,000 points and blocked 572 shots. As a fan of Lorenzen Wright, I'm saddened to hear of his passing.

Open Mike...Clever or Classless?

2010-07-25T22:53:00.006-04:00

Not long after shamelessly slandering the University of Georgia's football program, Orlando Sentinel columnist, Mike Bianchi, continues to throw daggers at the SEC. Here's what he had to say about the Crimson Tide:

"In Alabama, cheating is as much a part of the football lore as the houndstooth cap worn by Bear Bryant and that purty dress worn by Mike DuBose's secretary...Roll Tide? Alabama's rallying cry should be, "We Lied!'"

Bianchi continues throwing stones, stating, "And maybe too, Alabama should get rid of its elephant mascot and replace it with a pig. What better animal to symbolize the dirtiest, stinkiest program in recent NCAA history."

After reading his latest ramblings, I realize that Bianchi is desperate for hits on his site. So desperate, in fact, that he's resorted to playing the heel card. In a twisted way, the concept kinda makes sense. Controversy generates interest and this dude is banking on the fact that he can get under your skin. He may be an idiot, but Bianchi is at least one on a mission.

Since I'm extremely bored at the moment, I've added a link to Bianchi's Bama bashing article. Click on the title of this post to check it out.

Columnist dogs Georgia

2010-07-23T19:51:00.007-04:00

If you're not reading Bill King's Junkyard Blawg on AJC.com, you outta be. I often start my day, by reading his thoughts on the SEC. And on this day, I got a bit riled up after reading the ignorant words of the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi via King.

In summary, Bianchi calls UGA the most overrated program in the history of college football. Quite naturally, I take issue with that. Yes, there are times when I view the world through Red and Black tinted glasses. That's how I was raised and that's how I'm proud to be. But, Bianchi is way off base in his comparison of UGA to South Carolina. This disrespectful dig at the Dawgs, is nothing more than a lame azz attempt to generate interest in his Floridian flavored column. Where's the journalism in that?

We live in a world of media sensationalism, where insults become motivation and inspiration comes from unlikely places. So, this UGA fan would like to thank Mr. Bianchi for his bulletin board material. Every Dawg on Mark Richt's roster will read his "article." As a matter of fact, it's probably been framed already in the Butts-Mehre Building on campus. And, Bianchi just gave Georgia an additional reason to dig deep and knock that Gator sized chip off their shoulder.

Click on the title of this post to view Bill King's latest article. It's definitely worth reading.

Drunkyard Dawgs

2010-07-15T20:45:00.005-04:00

To say this has been an embarrassing off season at UGA, is being rather kind. To be honest, we've seen some crazy things. A talented QB got booted for his troubles, an A.D. resigned, and numerous other athletes have been busted for alcohol related charges. I read an excellent article by Bill King of the AJC a few days ago. To sum it up, he basically said people ain't dumber than they used to be. We simply live in an Internet society, where college athletes live under the watchful eyes of "big brother."

We've all made less than wise decisions in our lives. But, most of us ain't on a roster. So, our transgressions can easily go unnoticed. The constant scrutiny these players face makes me thank God I can't run a 4.3 40. I don't condone their actions, but I don't condemn them for 'em, either. It ain't my place to judge.

Go Dawgs!

Click on the title of this post, to read Mr. King's words.

A New Kingdom

2010-07-08T22:44:00.003-04:00

Earlier, I posted an article about Cleveland's loss of LeBron James. Well, if you're interested in reading the flip side, click on the title of this post. I've already said my peace on the situation, so I'll defer you to Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald.

Go Cavs!

LeBron Goes to South Beach

2010-07-08T21:36:00.004-04:00

Cleveland Cavaliers fans just got crushed by the decision of LeBron James. The Akron, Ohio native just kicked his hometown in the gut and bolted for South Beach. Although his Cavs were among the NBA elite, James couldn't resist "the urge to play basketball alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh." LeBron told ESPN, "I never wanted to leave Cleveland...This is a very emotional time for me..."

I hear that, and I call bullsh#t. It appears to me as if LeBron is just chasing rings. Chris Bosh signs with Miami. Dwyane Wade re-ups with the squad. So, James leaves a very successful Cavaliers team in hopes of joining a mega squad in Miami.

To be honest, I don't blame Cleveland fans for burning James jerseys. Dude says he "feels awful that he wasn't able to bring a championship to that town." So, why did he betray Cleveland by deciding to leave?

Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer has some interesting insight on the topic. To read his words, click on the title of this post.

Damon Evans Apologizes

2010-07-01T22:27:00.002-04:00

If anybody cares to hear the apology Damon Evans issued today...You can. It's brought to you courtesy of Fox5Atlanta.com. Click on the title of this "post" to view the link.

Do as Evans says, NOT as he does

2010-07-01T20:05:00.005-04:00

After his arrest for an alleged DUI, UGA athletics director Damon Evans, said he hopes to keep his job. As a lifelong Georgia fan, I hope he doesn't. Don't get me wrong. I believe in second chances and forgiveness. But, I also find it very difficult to look past the shame Evans just brought upon his alma mater. This once proud proponent of the state of Georgia's "zero tolerance" policy demands high standards from student athletes. Cited as "violation of team rules," Mark Richt has tossed quite a few kids off his team, for making "mistakes" similar to this. Damon Evans supported the decision, every single time. And, that's what a good athletics director should do.

But, this is a recently arrested A.D. we're talking about. The mugshot alone vastly diminishes any respectability Evans once owned. If he's allowed to retain his position at the school, I'll just have to wonder... Why should student athletes be held to a higher standard than the man who oversees the entire athletics department at the University of Georgia? That makes zero sense to me.

Evans is quoted in the AJC as saying, "My behavior, my actions, were not indicative of what we teach our student-athletes at the University of Georgia." Heck no, it ain't. Heaven forbid a football or basketball player find himself in the same situation. Dude would either be suspended or in desperate need of a transfer. Evans should be held accountable in the same manner as any "immature" athlete or university employee who runs afoul of the law. Actually, he should be held accountable to a higher degree of excellence. As athletics director at UGA, Evans sets the tone for anyone clothed in Red and Black. There is no excuse for the disgrace he just brought upon the University of Georgia. Damon is a man. He's 40. Shouldn't he provide better representation for the university whose standards he bares?

Although his apology resonated with somber words of remorse, Evans is no greater than the athletes UGA has dismissed for similar actions. And, he should not be granted any form of hypocritical immunity for his "unlawful" transgressions. Georgia's President, Michael Adams, has yet to make a decision on Evans' future at the school. As quoted in the AJC, Adams will "reserve further action pending a full review by staff and legal counsel." The President Dawg goes on to say that Evans is a man of integrity. Well, if that was the case, Damon Evans would have resigned his post tonight. He failed to do so. Evans claims to be "ashamed and embarrassed" by his actions." To be honest, I'm ashamed and embarrassed that he still represents the University of Georgia. Sorry to be blunt, but that's how I feel!

Click on the title of this post to hear Damon Evans' PSA on DUI prevention.

Trojans in Trouble

2010-06-13T21:31:00.006-04:00

Over the last few days, people have been asking me what I think about the massive sanctions USC recently received from the NCAA. Well, I've got no problem with the ruling. Seems like a six degrees of Kevin Bacon-esque justice got served to ole Lane Kiffin. The one year lead Volunteer worked under Pete Carroll as an assistant coach in 2004. That's when Reggie Bush allegedly took improper benefits from a speculated agent/booster.

The Kiffin led Trojans will forfeit 30 scholarships over the next 3 seasons and be banned from bowling over the next 2 years. The case is pending an appeal from USC. Athletic Director Mike Garrett is quoted in the LA Times as saying, "As I read the decision by the NCAA, I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans... Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another ten years." Dude sounds bitter, but who am I to judge?

Let's reserve that right for someone a little closer to the situation. If columnist T.J. Simers had his wish, Garrett wouldn't be around the program for another ten seconds. To read his article in the LA Times, click on the title of this post. I also encourage you to check out the opinions of Gary Klein and David Wharton. They provide good insight for the best paper on the west coast.

Locals Succeed Elsewhere

2010-06-06T22:58:00.008-04:00

Ya'll ready to start talkin' football? As I prepare for the upcoming season, I'm amazed at the endless supply of talent that annually flows from the beautiful state of Georgia. Athletes such as Eric Berry (University of Tennessee), Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown (former Auburn Tigers) cut their teeth playing high school football in the Peach State. But, they all went on to have incredible careers beyond Georgia's borders. Oh, and some dude named Chuck Smith (one of the greatest DE to ever wear an Atlanta Falcons uniform) was born and raised in Athens. But, he didn't play for the Dawgs. Instead, Mr. Smith took his skills to Tennessee and had an outstanding career as a Volunteer. The list could go on for miles.

Anyway, here are some lesser known local guys to watch in 2010:
LB #30 Mario Harvey from Forsyth, Ga led Marshall's defense with 117 tackles and 7 sacks in 2009. The rising senior could make his name well known, with a dominant performance against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 2.

RE #49 Bruce Miller from Canton, Ga led UCF with 13 sacks last season. The rising senior should continue to wreak havoc on Conference USA QBs.

SS #32 Hiram Atwater from Decatur, Ga was the leading tackler for the UAB Blazers in 2009, recording 89 tackles. It's never a good sign when a DB leads your team in this statistic. But, somebody's gotta make plays. And that's what Atwater does best. This rising senior is a tremendous asset for the pedestrian UAB "defense."

WR #17 Dwayne Harris from Stone Mountain is a rising senior at ECU. Last year, he led the Pirates with 83 receptions for 978 yards and 7 TDs. His 11.8 yards per catch ranked second on the squad. Look for him to exceed the 1,000 yard mark (if healthy) and become one of the top WRs selected in next year's NFL Draft.

RB #27 Mario Fannin from Hampton, Ga could emerge as one of the top tailbacks in the SEC, as he totes the rock for Auburn in 2010. After spending the previous season at WR, Fannin moves into a rotation with Onterio McCalebb in the War Eagle/Tigers' backfield. Although Fannin was second on the team with 42 receptions for 413 yards, he is a much better playmaker at RB. Behind a well seasoned OL, #27 could be poised for his best season on the Plains.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the SEC's 2009 freshman of the year. RB #5 Warren Norman of Stone Mountain, Ga is coming off an electric debut in the Vanderbilt backfield. Norman led the Commodores with 783 yards rushing on 145 attempts, for an average of 5.4 yds per carry. Although he got into the endzone a modest 3 times, Norman added 3 more scores as a kick returner.

I'll wrap this up in a minute. But, here's a few more names you should know...
DT #99 Omar Hunter from Buford, Ga- Florida Gators, RB #31 Kenny Miles of Lawrenceville, Ga and DT #91 Ladi Ajiboye from Riverdale, Ga- both South Carolina Gamecocks, FS# 3 Darren Myles, Jr. hails from Atlanta but plays for the Vols, WR#15 Darius Hanks from Norcross and LT #77 James Carpenter of Augusta roll with the Tide.

Hawks Swept by Orlando

2010-05-10T22:15:00.004-04:00

Orlando just locked the door to Atlanta's "Highlight Factory." As a Hawks fan, that truly sucks. This was a season that witnessed the Hawks winning 53 games, including a 37-4 home record. Atlanta has made huge strides over the past few years. But, they still have no answer for elite teams such as the Magic and Cavaliers. And, once again, this was a season that ended too soon for my liking.

Hawks leading scorer, Joe (no show in the playoffs) Johnson appears to be on his way out of town. After a humiliating loss in game 3, a chorus of boos rained down on #2 and his team as they left the court. Johnson responded, "That doesn't bother me and I hope it doesn't bother anyone in this locker room. It's about us in this locker room. We could care less if fans showed up."

After that last statement, I could care less if Johnson ever shows up in a Hawks uniform again. #2 can kick rocks.

Hawks Vs Magic

2010-05-04T21:03:00.003-04:00

The Atlanta Hawks were outscored 28-10 in the second quarter of game 1 vs Orlando. Cheryl Miller is currently drooling over Dwight Howard. "Big fella, what a first half!," she yelled in his ear.

Well, the game has mercifully come to a pause for halftime. The staggering Atlanta Hawks put up a dismal 33 points so far and trail Orlando by 20. Game 1 is pretty much decided and I almost wish Atlanta would have lost game 7 to Milwaukee. At least I'd be spared the shame of watching such a disgraceful effort from the dudes in Atlanta uniforms. The 2nd quarter was absolutely embarrassing. I don't expect the second half to be much different. Hawks fans, go to bed. This one is over.

Braves vs Gnats

2010-05-04T20:22:00.003-04:00

Last summer, the Washington Nationals were a lowly club that gave the Braves fits. But, this is a new season. If Atlanta is going to re-emerge as a contender in the NL East, Washington is a team the Braves must handle.

Well, Atlanta is in DC tonight and Livan Hernandez is on the mound for the Nats. April's Rookie of the Month, Jason Heyward tied the game at 2, with a solo HR in the top of the 4th.

Sammy Kawakami (0-4 with a 5.55 ERA) got the start for Atlanta.

Side note: After a miserable 9 game losing streak, the Braves swept Houston at Turner Field, and entered tonight's contest just 3 games back of first place Philadelphia.

Update: The Magic lead Atlanta 33-27 in Orlando. Dwight Howard is causing problems for the Hawks. Meanwhile, the Braves are still tied at 2 with the Nats in DC. There are 2 outs with Jason Heyward (Intentional Walk) on 1st and catcher Brian McCann on 2nd, as Melky Cabrera bats in the 5th.

Hawks at Orlando

2010-05-04T18:43:00.004-04:00

In the last few days, the Atlanta Hawks have made me feel like a "doubting Thomas" for not believing in them. After losing game 5, I thought Atlanta's playoff dreams were over. But, I'm happy to say I was wrong.

The Hawks dominated the Milwaukee sucks in games 6 and 7 with a suffocating defense. So, their reward is a trip to Disneyland (stole that line from Ryan Cameron). During the regular season, the Magic won 3 of 4 meetings. Atlanta's lone victory vs Orlando came late in the season, on a last second dunk by Josh Smith off a missed shot by Joe Johnson.

I'm hoping to see the rested Orlando Magic have a rusty performance tonight. Dwight Howard will do what he does. But, I'd like to see Vince Carter, Michael Pietrus, and Jameer Nelson struggle to find their rhythm in game 1. Opening tip is less than an hour away.

Go Hawks!!

Click on the title of this post to see the Dunk by Smith.

Hawks lose game 5

2010-04-28T22:57:00.006-04:00

The Atlanta Hawks are in trouble. After winning the first 2 games of their playoff series against the Milwaukee sucks, Atlanta has lost the next 3. After 2 embarrassing efforts in Brew country, the Hawks couldn't hold onto a 9 point lead late in game 5 at Philips Arena. Now, the Bogut-less Bucks are 1 win away from knocking Atlanta out of the playoffs.

Making matters worse, is the fact that game 6 will be played in Milwaukee. Atlanta has continued to play scrub level basketball on the road, not just during the regular season, but also in this series.

Joe Johnson fouled out with an unlucky 13 points for Atlanta. If the Hawks are going to have any chance of keeping their playoff hopes alive, he must come up huge in game 6. Jamal Crawford needs to step up as well. Given the Hawks history on the road, I have very little faith this series will see 7 games. Hope I'm wrong about that.

Too Early 4 Frustration

2010-04-25T22:40:00.006-04:00

Hey ya'll, the Atlanta Braves are mightily struggling. The bats are colder than the beers in my fridge. But, it's April. Don't get me wrong. Those are some ice cold cervezas and losing is always bad. But, we're talking about a sport that boasts a season of 162 games. For the most part, Atlanta is getting stellar performances by any pitcher not named Derek Lowe. And, "Wild Bill" Wagner has already gotten his once in awhile blown save out of the way.

Yes, my Braves are currently stuck inside a somber land called loss after loss after lossville. In the past week, they've fallen from a 3 way tie for first in the NL East, to last place in the division with an 8-9 record. That puts them 2 games back of WASHINGTON, who is tied with Florida for runner up to Philly. But, this is after 17 scrawny azz games. I've adopted the John Kincade (of 680 the fan) theory on the sport. What's that, you ask. When it comes to Major League Baseball, you really don't know squat, until the end of May.

Early on, I've been a little over zealous in my praise for Jason Heyward. That doesn't mean the kid won't be a star. What it does mean, is that I should temper my enthusiasm just a bit. I need to chill with a cold Corona and let things play out on the diamond a little longer, before I crown him the next Henry Aaron. It also means, my fellow Braves fans and I shouldn't freak out and become frustrated with this team after just 17 games. I don't like the Troy Glaus experiment at first base, but I'll give him another month, before I question his presence on the 25 man roster.

I've just got to keep telling myself, "It's a long season, Robster. And, all of the Braves' goals are still in front of them."

What are they saying on Braves radio? Nothing. Tonight's game is currently delayed by rain, which could result in another loss, but we're not lamenting that here. So, how 'bout some CCR? Click on the title of this post, ya'll. The video's a bit boring, but the song is classic rain delay music.

Update: Between the time it took me to write, proof read, and post this clever article, the game was called. Mets win a five inning affair, 1-0. Chipper Jones appears to be headed back to the DL. Florida Evans says, "Damn, Damn, DAMN!" Braves fall to 8-10 after getting swept by the Mets in New York. Oh well. Don't let that stop you from enjoying this post and rain delay music. Ha. Have a good night, ya'll.

Jason Heyward Rocks

2010-04-20T23:14:00.004-04:00

Oh, you Jason Heyward. Just a rookie...He's hittin' home runs off people. My God, a rookie! Dawg fans, I'm sure you get the comparison. Yes, it's early for such praise, but the kid from Henry County is rockin' this town. Just 2 days ago, #22 delivered a game winning 2 run single. Tonight, he saved the Braves again. Trailing 3-2, with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth, Heyward was money. With the game on the line, Jason Heyward blasted a Ryan Madsen pitch into Midtown. All of a sudden, the life-less Braves were tied with Philly.

"Wild Bill" Wagner pitched a flawless 10th, thus setting the stage for Nate McClouth. And, the Braves center fielder would be the only Bravo to bat in the inning. Jose Contreras sent a ball towards his bat that is still flying above the Atlanta skyline. And, just like that, the Atlanta Braves (with help from a Marlins loss) are tied for first place in the NL East. It's early, real damn early in the season. But, I've seen enough to know that Jason Heyward is the man.

Thank you, Mr. Heyward for setting the stage. Hey ya'll, this kid is clutch. And, as crazy as it sounds, he seriously could become the Herschel Walker of the Atlanta Braves. It's early, but I wouldn't bet against #22!

Free Baseball in Atlanta

2010-04-20T22:17:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to post a quick update. In the bottom of the ninth, Troy Glaus hit a 2 run bomb, to get the Braves within 1 run of the phillies. Then, came the rookie, Jason Heyward. With 2 outs and his team down a run, the kid from Henry County crushed a game tying homerun into the outfield seats. The game is tied at 3, as the Braves come up to bat in the bottom of the 10th inning at Turner Field. So far, Jason Heyward has more than lived up to hype surrounding his skills. Just 2 days ago, he delivered a game winning 2 run RBI single. And, tonight, he electrified the crowd. I'm gonna stop talking about this, because I need to mention the fact that Nate McClouth just hit a walk off HR.

BRAVES WIN 4-3!!

Braves vs phillies

2010-04-20T18:53:00.004-04:00

The philadelphia phillies are in town, to take on the Atlanta Braves. Tommy Hanson (1-1, 2.38 ERA) will be on the mound for the hometown Bravos. His opponent will be a struggling Kyle Kendrick (no decisions, 17.47 ERA). Jimmy Rollins is still on the DL, as the phils begin a 9 game road trip. At 7-5, the Braves are one game behind first place philadelphia.

But, this ain't the only game in town. After winning game one, the Atlanta Hawks look to take command of their 1st round playoff series against the milwaukee bucks. Opening tip is just a few minutes away. In game 1, rookie buck, Brandon Jennings torched Atlanta for 34 points. But, the Hawks cruised to victory, anyway. Tonight, Atlanta must own the paint and make Jennings take some tough shots. A hard foul or two on the rook wouldn't be a bad idea, either. It's the playoffs and Atlanta needs to stay focused, play with intensity, and never let up.

Braves can't hit

2010-04-17T21:37:00.003-04:00

Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies just pitched a no hitter against the Atlanta Braves. I don't care to comment any further. Just thought it deserved mentioning on the blog.

Go Braves.

Braves At Giants

2010-04-11T20:33:00.003-04:00

After a lengthy rain delay, Bobby Cox has chosen to field a lineup featuring bench players in San Francisco. Playing 3B for the Braves tonight, is Eric "I'm a pinch hitter" Henske. Joining him in the infield is fellow scrub, Omar "not Menaya" Infante at 2B. In left field, Matt "platoon player" Diaz gets the start. Former yank, Melky Cabrera is in center field for the Braves. Atlanta leads 2-0, via a 2 run homer by All Star catcher Brian McCann in the first inning. Kenshin "Sammy" Kawakami is on the mound for the Braves. So far, he's off to a good start. Tim Lincecum is pitching for San Francisco. Atlanta is up to bat in the top of the 3rd. Martin Prado is on second, as Henske comes up to bat. Brian McCann is on deck.

#2 and the Atlanta Braves

2010-04-09T21:29:00.003-04:00

So far, the #2 is playing games with the Atlanta Braves. After winning their first two games of the season, Atlanta has lost a couple games they could have won. In the third game of their opening series vs the Cubs, the Braves grounded into numerous double plays with men in scoring position. This series saw Chicago's Marlon Byrd hit 2 home runs off Braves pitchers. The Braves won game 2 by a score of 3-2, thanks to an 8th inning 2 run blast from Chipper Jones. But, the Cubs avoided the sweep by winning the finale, 2-0.

Meanwhile, Braves starter Tim Hudson was in line for a victory against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. After a stellar 7 inning performance from Hudson(he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, while striking out 2 Giants and walking none), Bobby Cox made a call to the bullpen. Saito was solid in the 8th. But, on the cusp of his second Braves save, closer billy wagner could not protect a two run lead. SF shortstop, Edgar Renteria hit a 2 run HR in the ninth inning, tying the game at 4 and Hudson ended up with a no decision.

Well, this loss wasn't all wagner's fault. With runners in scoring position, Yunel Escobar, Omar Infante, and Melky Cabrera all went 0-2 at the plate. The Braves committed 2 errors in the loss. The most devastating, was an errant throw from catcher Brian McCann to second base, in an attempt to throw out a stealing Juan Uribe in the 13th inning. Uribe went to third and scored the winning run on an infield single by Aaron Rowand. The winning pitcher in Friday's contest was Jeremy Affeldt, who improved to 2-0 in 2010.

For what it's worth, #22 Jason Heyward went 0-5 against the Giants. Atlanta's record is now 2-2.

Free Baseball in Frisco

2010-04-09T19:24:00.004-04:00

San Francisco shortstop, Edgar Renteria just said, "Hey ya'll, remember me?" The former Atlanta Brave tied today's contest in the bottom of the ninth with a 2 run bomb off Braves closer billy wagner. Atlanta was looking for it's first win in front of McCovey's Cove since the 2008 season. But, Renteria had other plans. The game is going into the 11th inning. The former met, "Wild Bill" wagner, just wasted a brilliant outing by Tim Hudson. Hopefully, the Braves can push a few more runs across the scoreboard and emerge victorious in Frisco.

The Braves have 2 outs with Melky Cabrera on 2nd and Martin Prado on 1B. Yunel Escobar is at the plate for Atlanta. I'll update the comments section, when something happens.

Update: Braves failed to score in 12th. Giants are due up. Rookie right fielder, Jason Heyward is 0-5 on the day. But, we gotta keep in mind...he's a rookie. Sandoval just led off the inning with a double off Kris Medlin. PH Andres Torres up to bat for San Francisco. Sacrifice bunt puts the winning run at 3rd.

Braves At Giants

2010-04-09T16:21:00.004-04:00

The Atlanta Braves are out west, to take on the Giants in San Francisco. Chipper Jones is out of the line up, as he is listed as "day to day" with a tweak to his right oblique. Tim Hudson will take the mound for Atlanta. He posted a 2-1 record with an ERA of 3.61 in limited action last season. He will be opposed by Johnathan Sanchez, who went 8-12 with a 4.24 ERA in 2009. Yunel Escobar will bat in the 3 hole, vacated by the injured Larry Wayne Jones, Jr. First pitch is just minutes away. Go Braves!

Cubs Shut out Bravos

2010-04-08T22:13:00.007-04:00

Braves fans can put their brooms away for a little while longer. Atlanta was looking to sweep the Cubs, but got blanked by Chicago instead. A frustrating night at Turner Field saw the Braves get shut out at home. But, it ain't all bad. Atlanta won the series and that's a good start to the 2010 season. The Braves have an early game in San Francisco tomorrow afternoon, after a late flight tonight. (That's what you call incompetent scheduling by MLB).

On a good note, a couple of Chicago Cubs with Georgia ties had a tremendous impact on the outcome of tonight's game. Left fielder, Tyler Colvin from Augusta, got Chicago on the board with a solo HR in the 2nd inning. In the 5th, Sprayberry's Marlon Byrd hit his second HR in 3 games versus Atlanta this season. The Cubs avoided a sweep by defeating the Braves 2-0, but it's always good to see some local guys have success at the major league level.

I should mention that Chipper Jones left the game with what could be a strained oblique. If so, it ain't the first time he's suffered such an injury. The guys on Braves radio expect him to miss a couple of games, but we're talking about an aging veteran, who seems to regularly wind up on the DL. There's no doubting the fact that Jones is one of the all time greatest Braves, but Larry can't seem to stay healthy.

Am I wrong to speculate that his age (37 years) is catching up to Jones? Last night, his bat was the deciding factor in the Braves 3-2 victory. But, tonight he leaves the game with an injury. The latter part is beginning to sound like a broken record.

Braves Update

2010-04-07T19:34:00.003-04:00

For my Braves fans living outside the state of Georgia, I'll be posting updates of the game in the comments section of this "article."

The game is in the second inning. Jason Heyward just delivered with an RBI double for the Braves. The rookie is up to 5 RBI on the young season.

Braves Vs Cubs

2010-04-07T18:17:00.006-04:00

Sunday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves embarrassed the Cubs 16-5. After a day off, the two teams resume their 3 game series tonight at Turner Field. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:10 ET, as Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens (14-10, 2.60 ERA in '09) faces Ryan Dempster of the Cubs, who went 11-9 with a 3.65 ERA last year.

In the season opener, the Braves' bats were sizzling. But, Dempster will be tougher to rattle than Zambrano was on opening day. This one outta be good. I'll be watching to see how Jason Heyward follows up his sensational Braves debut.

One interesting side note to mention, is that 3 players from the state of Georgia went deep during Sunday's contest. Chicago's Marlon Byrd, who played for Sprayberry High School in Marietta, hit a 3 run bomb in the 1st. Not to be out done, Jason Heyward from Henry County stole the show with a 3 run blast of his own in the bottom half of the inning. Brian McCann (born in Athens) drilled a solo shot to deep right field in the bottom of the 2nd.

Braves blast Cubs

2010-04-05T19:28:00.005-04:00

Ya'll wanna talk some baseball? In his first Major League at bat, Braves phenom Jason Heyward drilled a 3 run HR. The local guy from Henry County electrified the crowd of 53,000 fans at Turner Field, with his memorable blast against Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs. Heyward went 2-5 with 4 RBI in his Braves debut.

Shortstop Yunel Escobar also had a huge day for Atlanta, driving in 5 runs in the season opener. New comers, Eric Hinske (pinch hit RBI triple), 1B Troy Glaus (1-3, BB, 2 runs scored) and closer Billy Wagner were very impressive, as they donned a Braves uniform for the first time. 2B Martin Prado added 2 hits, as did All-Star catcher Brian McCann, who hit a solo HR deep into the right field stands in the second inning.

This was a great start for Atlanta, but we've got 161 more games to go. The only disappointing aspect of today's game was the sub par performance of Derek Lowe, who gave up 5 earned runs in 6 innings pitched. Marlon Byrd hit a three run shot with 2 outs in the first inning and Aramis Ramirez drove in a couple more Cubs with a 2 run homer against Lowe in the third. But, the Braves are undefeated, so I ain't complaining.

Who Dat?

2010-02-07T22:19:00.010-05:00

New Orleans just won the Super Bowl. Former LSU star, Joseph Addai was a serious thorn in the side of the Saints. But, his excellent performance was not enough to carry the Colts to victory.

Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees stated, "I felt like coming to New Orleans was a calling...To not only rebuild a team, but to help rebuild a city that had gone through Hurricane Katrina, that was a calling....The Who Dat nation is just as big a part of this as our team is..."

Can I get a Who Dat? The Super Bowl Champion Saints just brought a lot of joy to a city, much deserving resurgence and a profound sense of civic pride. Mardi Gras is gonna be rockin' in the French Quarter!

No one can ever call them Ain'ts no more. New Orleans is home of the Super Bowl Champs. And, Bourbon Street is currently filled with Saints fans asking one simple question... "Who dat?"

Way to Geaux Saints!
Click on the title of this post.

Super Bowl

2010-02-06T20:57:00.010-05:00

You might be wondering what I have to say about the Super Bowl. To be honest, so am I. But, I'll tell ya what I know. I know that I don't care for either the Colts or New Orleans Saints. But, I'll be pulling for New Orleans. Why? Because Seyton Manning consistently torched my Dawgs, during his collegiate career at Tennessee. So, just for one day, I'll be sayin "WHO DAT?"

Click on the title of this post to see who's gonna win the Super Bowl. Hope you like the link JD.

Geaux Saints.

Hawks vs Clippers

2010-02-03T20:55:00.002-05:00

Looks like the Hawks have their hands full with Eric Gordon and the Los Angeles Clippers. LA leads by 8 with just 8:58 left to play in the 4th quarter. Coming off a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta needs a win. Clippers center, Chris Kaman will be at the line for an and one opportunity following a TV timeout.

National Signing Day

2010-02-03T20:48:00.000-05:00

Today was National Signing Day in college football.

Hawks Sweep Celtics

2010-01-29T22:23:00.005-05:00

For the first time in 11 years, the Atlanta Hawks have swept their season series against the Boston Celtics. How 'bout that? Tonight's game featured a half court buzzer beater by Jamal Crawford and many terrible calls by the officials. And, in the end, Atlanta emerged triumphant with a 100-91 victory over Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics.

With 28 points and 6 assists, Crawford showed the world that he is the best 6th man in the NBA. Atlanta holds onto a scrawny half game lead over the Orlando Magic for 2nd place in the East. How long will the Hawks remain amongst the Eastern elite? That depends on what happens tomorrow night in Orlando, when Atlanta faces off against the Magic.

Click on the title of this post. The Celtics need to remember this, when they face our Hawks in the playoffs. Ha.

Hawks vs KG and the C's

2010-01-29T20:22:00.004-05:00

Jamal Crawford has hit three huge 3s to give Atlanta a 35-26 lead over the Boston Celtics. As the first quarter expired, Crawford drilled a shot from half court to ignite Atlanta's offense. Joe Johnson is having a tough night from the floor, currently shooting 0-9. But, the Hawks are beating Boston with their hustle and efforts on the glass. Al Horford and ZaZa Pachulia are giving the Celtics trouble in the post. Atlanta leads 41-30 after another basket by Horford. Look for Crawford's half court shot on SportsCenter.

Later, Lane

2010-01-21T19:53:00.008-05:00

In just one season at Tennessee, Lane Kiffin posted a 7-6 record as head coach of the Volunteers. During his days in Knoxville, Kiffin was a constant source of controversy. And now, he's gone. I believe the SEC is a better conference without his ignorant antics. But, I will definitely miss Kiffin's ludicrous sound bytes.

Speaking of that, Lil' Lane never got to sing Rocky Top all night after beating Florida. That was a "tradition" he was unable to embrace, because Kiffin's Vols couldn't get the job done against UF. Aided by his sudden departure, Kiffin did make good on one promise. After thumping UGA 45-19 in Neyland Stadium, LK stated that UT would never lose to Georgia as long as he was coaching the Vols. A bold statement after just one game against Tennessee's rival from the Peach State. This lame prophecy leaves me wondering, "How would Mark Richt have handled his shot at revenge against the shot taking Kiffin?"

Maybe the Dawgs would have stormed the field and personal foulishly danced after their first successful field goal against UT in 2010. But, now we'll never know. I just wish Richt could have given Kiffin a huge cup of STFU. Hopefully, UCLA can do that on his behalf next season. Go Bruins!

Click on the title of this post to hear a tribute to Lane Kiffin.
P.S. Thanks to Matt Chernoff of 680 the Fan for recommending this song.

Orlando Magic

2010-01-20T19:31:00.003-05:00

At 26-15, the Orlando Magic are a half game behind the first place Atlanta Hawks in the Southeast Division. All Star center, Dwight Howard is averaging 17 PPG, 13.1 rebounds per game, with 1.6 assists and 1 steal per contest.

Tonight, Orlando is hosting the 14-27 Indiana Pacers. The Magic lead 33-17 with little time left in the first quarter. Dwight Howard leads all scorers with 10 points in the period.

Back in Atlanta, the Hawks lead Sacramento 27-25 in the early moments of the 2nd quarter. Kings PG Tyreke Evans has 9 points in the contest.

Hawks vs Kings

2010-01-20T18:56:00.004-05:00

The Hawks (26-14) couldn't hit the broad side of the barn in their contest against the OKC Thunder on Martin Luther King Junior's birthday. But, with 4 scrawny seconds left, Jamal Crawford had a chance to send the game into OT. Unfortunately, his 3 point attempt clanked off the iron and Atlanta went down in defeat.

Tonight, the Hawks look to "right the ship" against a Sacramento squad that is just 15-25 on the year. Rookie PG Tyreke Evans has been sensational is his first NBA season. The kid from Memphis is averaging 20.5 PPG with 5 assist and 1.5 steals per game. Opening tip is just a few minutes away.

RS Sports Radio Awards

2010-01-14T16:13:00.003-05:00

Live from Sandersville, these are the first ever RS Sports Radio Awards. Ha.

Let's get things started with the State Champs of Atlanta Sports Radio:
The winner is Buck and Kincade of 680 the Fan. Featuring legendary Bulldog Buck Belue and proud Philadelphian John Kincade, this is the best show on Atlanta sports radio. Buck and Kincade are live Monday through Friday from 3PM -7PM (6:30PM when the Thrashers play). Their show provides interesting and often contrasting views on both local and national sports. With most of its content centered around the local area, the Buck and Kincade show gives listeners of 680 The Fan the most compelling show on Atlanta sports radio. Personally, I'm eagerly awaiting the first "Mets Song" of 2010.

The first runner up goes to Chuck and Chernoff of 680 the fan. These guys set the stage for Buck and Kincade with strong sports opinions from 12PM to 3PM Monday through Friday. The show features a healthy balance between Matt Chernoff's sophomoric sense of humor and Chuck "The King" Oliver's strictly business attitude. Regular guests of the show include former Dawgs coach Jim Donnan and Dan Reeves.

Knocking on the door, is 790 The Zone's Brandon and Woolvey. Their show airs from 11AM to 1 PM Monday through Friday. The broadcasts feature strong sports opinions from Dawg fan Brandon Adams and Georgia Techster Jeff Woolverton. This is the house divided of Atlanta sports radio. Except for one thing... the co-hosts are always cordial, even when broadcasting differing views. These guys bring class to "Clean, old fashioned hate."

Finishing in 4th place are The 2 Live Stews of 790 The Zone. A couple years ago, Doug and Ryan would have been battling Buck and Kincade for first. But, the format of their show has gravitated more toward national sports radio than what's going on locally. I'm happy to see these guys succeed. But now that the 2 Live Stews are nationally syndicated, their show is a very different broadcast. In order to reach a broader audience, the Atlanta sports scene has taken a back seat during their time on the airwaves. You can hear The 2 Live Stews on 790 The Zone Monday through Friday from 1PM to 3PM. Also, look for them on ESPN First Take, where they have become regular guests.

Mayhem in the AM of 790 The Zone comes in at 5th best show on local sports radio. The lineup features Steak Shapiro, Sandra Golden, Chris Dimino, and Nick Cellini. Shapiro is the front man, but Cellini and Dimino are what makes the show work. They both have a dry sense of humor that will either make you cringe or laugh your azz off, early in the morning. You can listen to Mayhem in the AM on 790 The Zone Monday through Friday from 6AM to 11AM.

Honorable mention goes to The Rude Awakening of 680 The Fan. Leo Mazzone, Perry Laurentino, and Christopher Rude provide good insight on local sports. Recently, Buck Lanford of Fox 5 has filled in nicely for Christopher Rude. You can listen to the Rude Awakening Monday through Friday from 6AM to 10AM on 680 The Fan. Get well soon, Rude.

And for the Worst show on local sports radio, the Turn the Dial Award goes to:
The Herd on 680 The Fan from 10Am to 12PM Monday through Friday. This isn't a knock on Colin Cowherd. The man is good at what he does. But, The Herd doesn't appeal to me, because I'm not looking for any ESPN flavor from my local sports stations. If I need to check out SportsCenter, I know where that channel exists on my television set. As far as I'm concerned, local sports radio should be (wait for it...) LOCAL. The existence of this show keeps my radio away from 680 The Fan until it ends at 12PM.

For those of you residing outside the metro Atlanta area, you can listen to all of these shows online, by visiting www.680thefan.com and www.790thezone.com. If you have any good sports radio stations you think I'd be interested in, please let me know and I'll check 'em out.

Kiffin to USC?

2010-01-12T22:00:00.003-05:00

Just read on www.ajc.com that Lane Kiffin will replace Pete Carroll as USC head coach. Don't know much about the situation, but you can click on the title of this post to read the AP Article. ESPNEWS is currently covering the topic as well.

I guess Lane was right on one of his arrogant predictions. After upsetting the Dawgs in Knoxville, Kiffin vowed that Georgia would never beat Tennessee, while he was at the helm. Maybe he was afraid that the 2010 rematch would prove himself to be a false prophet. Ha.

I thought UGA's failed DC search could have a major impact on SEC recruiting, but this will really shake things up in the league.

UGA DC Search

2010-01-12T20:23:00.005-05:00

Georgia needs a new DC just as badly as Dawg fans need patience and faith in the direction of this program. Kirby Smart just said, "No thanks, I've got a prettier prom date," so Richt must go back to the drawing board. In the long run, this is probably best for Georgia. Smart is highly thought of and presumed to receive a Head Coaching job somewhere else within the next 2-3 years.

To be honest, Kirby Smart would have been a quick fix for the defensive debacles at UGA. But, I don't believe in quick fixes. Why? Because they do little to provide long term stability. And that's what this regime desperately needs. Mark Richt needs to find and cultivate the talents of a Mickey Andrews-esque assistant. The problem is, do men with such loyalty still exist? And, where do you find such a DC?

Georgia might be better off with a lesser known commodity, who is thankful for the opportunity to coach in Athens. That could be a Travis Jones, Todd Grantham, or someone so far unnamed in this process. Most of the local media has their money on Grantham, but who knows what UGA will do?

G Tech is after Al Groh. Maybe Richt could at least escalate the pay scale for his services. Go Dawgs!

To hear what Willie Martinez told Mark Richt after getting his pink slip, click on the title of this post.