FOCUS: How 2012 is already shaping up to be different than 2011
by Ludakit on Jan 17, 2012 8:15 PM EST
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PrintIf you've been a UGA fan for a while, you remember that every offseason comes with at least one surprise shocker of a player who decided to forgo his final year of eligibility in lieu of chasing the paper that comes with an NFL contract. Names like Asher Allen, Danny Ware, Reshad Jones all come immediately to mind. It's not that those guys couldn't cut it in the NFL, as they're all still on rosters and I know for a fact that Ware and Jones are both playing prominent roles with their team, but with one more year, those guys could have been first or second round talents. Of those three names, Allen was drafted in the third round, Jones went in the fifth, and Ware, who goes by "DJ" now, went undrafted.
Every offseason, UGA fans worry over who the next guy making the ill-advised jump would be. This year was no different. Last Friday, the remaining Dawg juniors thought to be considering a jump to the NFL all held a press conference. Hours earlier, one of those juniors, Branden Smith, faked myself and many others out by putting out on his Twitter feed that he was looking ahead and had to do what was best for himself and his family. I wrote then on my own Twitter feed that I would be downright shocked if he stayed.
More after the jump...
Turns out, I was more than shocked. Not only Smith, but Cornelius Washington, Abry Jones, Sanders Commings, Shawn Williams, and Bacarri Rambo all elected to stay. According to those individual players, the paperwork they received back from the NFL was good enough for them all to elect to go pro.
...but they didn't.
Now, before I go any further, I need to point out that this isn't a hit piece of Orson Charles. He announced his decision to go pro before the deadline and it really didn't take many people off guard. He has been a great Dawg, and really can't improve his draft status another year by electing to stay. He has first round talent, but projects to be in the second round. Either way, he'll make a team, achieve a dream, and change his life monetarily. Anyone that has an opportunity with so much to gain one way and very little to gain another should take that next step. Who could begrudge Stafford and Moreno for doing what they did? How about AJ Green? I certainly can't, and the only ones that I think could are either already millionaires, delirious, or both.
So in short, UGA's team is loaded with kids who have made the best decisions for their careers AND the University. How long has it been since that happened?
Not only that, but Hutson Mason (who should get a shot to start according to some) decided to stay and is taking a redshirt so that he can get his one season to shine (premium at Dawgs247), assuming Murray stays all four years. We had a guy by the name of Shockley that did that once. It worked pretty well for him, if I remember correctly.
Now compare that situation and those UGA teams to the ones we've seen as of late. It feels like it's been eons since the Era of the Davids, where the Dawgs were getting it done on and off the field. They were a team. They were competitive. The defense was stout and the offense was not flat-out losing games for us. Would anyone say that was the case in 2009? 2010? (You, with your hand raised, stop being "that guy.")
Fast forward to the offseason of 2011 and all you heard about was "energy bus" this and "getting rid of the cancer" that. We dismissed half of our stable of running backs. We totally overhauled our Strength and Conditioning program by hiring a guy with the crazy idea that hard work and discipline could overcome nearly anything. "He's not qualified!" was the rallying cry at first, but as the Dawgs went on to win 10 games straight, something had changed. Whatever it was, it was working.
But in that offseason, it felt like we had honestly hired a new coach. There were so many changes and so much uncertainty, that it was impossible to predict what kind of season we'd have. Furthermore, we were staring down a schedule that softened more as it went along, but started out with losses that could have broken this team mentally. Yet, they persevered. They grew stronger, even though no one was expecting them to do it. They CAME FROM BEHIND to beat Florida.
Doesn't it feel like this team's a little more focused already? I don't want to pass around Kool-Aid like the man just busted through my fence, wrecked my backyard, and I'm totally cool with it, but seriously. We've got a long way to go to see if this team can be good or great, but doesn't being great start right now?
To use a tired example, take a look at Alabama. I'm completely appalled by the way that Nick Saban has handled his most recent escapade in over signing, but I've got to give the man some credit. No matter how clear it becomes that he's a scumbag, his players want to play for him and they want to fight for each other. That showed in New Orleans when they blanked LSU. I'm not rooting for the bad guy by using this example, but let's be honest, for all people know about him, they're still trying to clown-car recruit their way into another top class. Just because one kid is disgruntled, I don't see anyone else jumping off the bus.
(....and no, Alabama fans, there's no excuse for what he did and you can't explain your way into justifying it. He's a man. He gave his word and then he took it back. At the end of the day, that's not "business," that's a damn joke...but I digress.)
Focus, people. Knowing your goals, both personally and professionally is the key to maintaining your drive, your loyalty, and your desire. If you can't maintain focus, you'll never get anywhere, and that's just the plain truth. When Richt was having his less than stellar seasons, what was it that he said to McGarity that he needed to do in order to get better? Richt said he wanted to FOCUS more on becoming a student of the game.
Set the goal. Work towards it. Realize it. Achieve it.
It's no longer "finish the drill" in Athens. It's a prequel to that. We are now back to just "knowing the drill." You can't tell me those juniors on that same stage last Friday weren't on the same page as well. They know the drill and they're going to do what it takes to achieve it.
Championships aren't won in the preseason (sorry, South Carolina), but they start there. We've got a long ways to go before we find out how focused this team really is, but I can tell you one thing, I'm downright excited about what I see right now.
Until next time kids.
Be safe.
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Totally right about focus
Saw a tweet from Murray the other day about training to go to Miami, great to see that we have leaders on the team with the right goals in mind.
It's a looooooooong offseason
I hope the focus can sustain through the run-up to spring ball and beyond. But this group does seem different; more mature. And some of the new kids have really impressed me (I’m pointing a finger at you, Mr. Marshall and Jenkins…all in a good way).
Editor @ Dawg Sports. 3rd degree Red 'n Black Belt.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
Psychology is one thing I know about
As I said previously, the football team’s unit cohesion is strikingly auspicious
"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." Thomas J. Jackson
Haven't been this excited about next season since...this time last year
Nice piece Ludakit, keep ‘em coming. In regards to Bama, you mention that "Just because one kid is disgruntled, I don’t see anyone else jumping off the bus." Correct me where I’m wrong (seriously, correct me, I’m not trying to be a pretentious, sarcastic, jerk) but didn’t a part of Jordan Jenkins’s decision to switch from Bama to UGA having something to do with his mom not liking the idea that if he went to T-town some other kid would get bumped? Story I heard mentioned something about her asking Kirby about this and her not liking his response and the rest as they say is bulldawg history. Thoughts?
We're both a little correct, actually.
Jenkins said that he didn’t feel “safe” at Alabama. If I remember correctly (and just like yourself, someone please correct me if I’m wrong), but it was only assumed it had to do with Saban’s recruiting practices. Truthfully, I think it meant a lot of things, including recruiting, but more as to the difference in Alabama’s way of going about everything and essentially everyone else’s way of going about things.
The reason I didn’t bring up Jenkins is because his situation is so different. The particular story I mentioned above involved a recruit who had been solidly committed (verbally) to Alabama for nearly a year. Even after his knee injury, he was assured he had a roster spot. It was only a couple of weeks ago, when ’Bama picked up a couple of extra recruits, that something changed.
Jenkins delayed his process because he really and truly wasn’t completely sold on where he wanted to go to school. So he held out. To me, if you offer a kid and he commits early, you’re stuck with him until he decides to go elsewhere, or starts shopping. This kid did neither and Alabama essentially lied to him until just recently.
If it were me, I’d go to either Arkansas, LSU or Auburn, just so I could be guaranteed the opportunity to run all over Alabama for at least four years. I’d try to hurt them every time I played them.
I think Nick Saban is the greatest coach of our generation, but he is an absolutely deplorable person.
Editor, DawgSports.com
"60% of the time, it works every time."
I do not agree with the method Alabama used on the injured commitment
They kept this kid thinking that he was on campus in up until they flipped the RB from Auburn (even confirmed post injury). Then, and only then, did they have a problem with the magical 25 number and cut him loose.
I would like to see the SEC adopt a commitment policy something along the lines of you can only sign the number of available scholarships + 20/25% of that number (if you have 12 scholarships available then you can only take 15 commitments, if you have 20 scholarships then you can get 25 commitments). I would also like to see the conference adopt a policy that an athlete can only be offered after he has met academic admission standards. If the University offers the athlete and he verbally commits, then you are stuck with that pledge until the athlete decommits.
I think that the public is starting to realize the smoke and mirrors used by certain colleges and parents and high school administrators of potential collegiate athletes are starting to react to those methods. If I were in the position of a few of over-signed athletes I would heavily discourage an athlete from committing to those schools that regularly abuse the loopholes in the current NCAA/SEC recruiting regulations
I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs
Moralistic platitudes aside,
do you really believe this?
If it were me, I’d go to either Arkansas, LSU or Auburn, just so I could be guaranteed the opportunity to run all over Alabama for at least four years. I’d try to hurt them every time I played them.Name the last tailback to “run all over Alabama.”
Audemus jura nostra defendere
"What makes a second chance worth having comes from taking advantage of it, from correcting the mistakes you made and burning for redemption. Not wishing for it. Earning it." -Cecil Hurt, 10 JAN 2012
by animalcracker on Jan 19, 2012 2:14 AM EST up reply actions
Dude, you get praised in one area, and you look dumb in another.
If you can’t get the point that Kit is saying if I got stiffed by school a) alabama I would want to go to school b,c or d to get some payback, what planet are you on?
You’re apples and oranges. And this Bama “do you really believe this” meme is really, really getting old.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Bama fans in general are just getting really, really old
My formative college football years came in the mid-late ‘90s, so to me Bama has been a non-factor for the better part of my college football fandom. My grandfather used to tell me tales of how awful the Bama fans are when they were winning, but I’d never experienced it until the last three or four years. Now I completely understand what he was saying. Bama fans are by far more arrogant and have a desire to tell everybody else how superior their football program is without being asked than any other fanbase I’ve ever seen (and that includes late 90/Urban Meyer era Florida fans). I may be painting with a pretty broad brush here, but that’s been my general perception over the last four years. Your mileage may vary of course.
/Completely expecting the typical “Mark Richt will never get it done in the SEC” and the “you’re just jealous because we ruined your blackout” responses from Bama fans
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
by AuditDawg on Jan 19, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
LOL WE RURNED YOUR BLACKOUT AND YOUR DAWG IS DEAD.
/Troll Tide
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
by vineyarddawg on Jan 19, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Blackout?
Shoot, we’ve been embarrassed in funky uniform variations twice since then!
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Jan 19, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well played, gentlemen
I regret that I have but one rec to give for each of these comments.
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
Similar to Kentucky fans re: hoops
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 20, 2012 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
I was talking straight football, tankertoad.
When much of the commenting is Bama-centric, one would expect to get some feedback from Bama fans who frequent this blog. I avoid caustic remarks, but I don’t think it’s overreaching for me to put up a bit of a challenge when someone says something like Ludakit did.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
"What makes a second chance worth having comes from taking advantage of it, from correcting the mistakes you made and burning for redemption. Not wishing for it. Earning it." -Cecil Hurt, 10 JAN 2012
by animalcracker on Jan 19, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
The staff is growing weary of having their statements questioned as if they don't believe what they wrote.
You didnt say “Why do you believe this?” Or “What is your thinking behind this” You said “do you really believe it?” Do you expect the answer to be “No”. Just as I said “I believe in winning the SEC” it wasn’t “why or what?” It was “I dont believe you.” It’s lame, old, silly.
Ludakit said if it was him, he would go somewhere else to run over alabama. That’s his statement, his believe. What he would do. You asked “do you really believe this?”. Yea, he does, or else he wouldnt have said it. If you want discourse as a Bama fan, then ask “Why do you think that way?” However, he pretty much answered that question anyhow, which is why all you’re doing is stirring a pot with a little shot.
It was intentionally inflamtory, having very simple clear cut statements of personal believes questioned is rather low class, and as I said, it’s getting old. You didnt challenge him at all. You basically are just calling him a liar.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
In the future, I will specifically avoid questioning someone's stated beliefs.
However, I did not call him a liar.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
"What makes a second chance worth having comes from taking advantage of it, from correcting the mistakes you made and burning for redemption. Not wishing for it. Earning it." -Cecil Hurt, 10 JAN 2012
by animalcracker on Jan 19, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
animalcracker -
I specifically praised you yesterday. What I said above, I wasn’t even saying as an editor here, I was saying it as a commentor. I was kinda like ’wth?" The statement “Do you really believe this?” in the tone and context sounded a lot like bama flamming. I am COMPLETELY down with you asking someone to explain their whens, whys, whats, hows and so on, but if I say “I like the color blue” and the response is “Do you really like it?”, especially since we just had an entire post go down like that, it comes across as trolling.
Ludakit said he’s cool, I hope your cool, and we really like good Bama fans around here. Pick every fair fight you want – seriously. Please stay around and challenge away. /hattip
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Here's the thing though, Chuck was right in what he said that we're really talking apples and oranges here...
Let’s take a look at what I said:
If it were me, I’d go to either Arkansas, LSU or Auburn, just so I could be guaranteed the opportunity to run all over Alabama for at least four years. I’d try to hurt them every time I played them.
I never said that he would or even could run all over Alabama’s defense. Very few teams accomplish this with any degree of success…sans a team like Georgia Southern, for instance, who not only racked up more yards rushing than the tide, but did it on less tries, meaning more yards per rush. You’ll say that it was a garbage game and you still won, and I’ll contend that it wasn’t garbage when you were up 24-10 at halftime, meaning your starters didn’t sit at least until the fourth quarter, which is, by the way, when GSU didn’t score another point. They did score in the third quarter though, in case you were wondering that as well.
The other team that ran better than Alabama? LSU, who held your team under 100 yards net rushing while posting up 148 yards themselves. They had more attempts, but still had a better rush per attempt average than you.
What I said was that he’d get the “opportunity” to do so every four years so that he could “try” to hurt them. If you’re not totally getting what I’m saying, I’ll direct you to this scene in Law Abiding Citizen to further illustrate the power of “key words.” I will give you the advanced warning that some of the language is NSFW.
But furthermore on your point, you are correct in that Alabama has a great defense and a great amount of talent on that defense. Even with key players leaving this year, you’ll still probably be at least “pretty good” going into next season.
However, if I was this kid and Alabama did me this way, whether we won or lost that game, I’d do whatever I could to take a shot at you four years in a row so that every time you’d think to yourself, “man, we kind of got that one wrong didn’t we?”
Kids play harder when you tell them they can’t do it. That’s what Alabama did and I guarantee you this kid is waking up every morning getting more and more angry. He’s got a lot of talent and the last thing I’d do is motivate a kid against me that has a lot of talent.
That’s all I’m saying.
Editor, DawgSports.com
"60% of the time, it works every time."
You be trippin' man.
I dare you to name even one current SEC coach who has a winning record against the Tide.
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
by vineyarddawg on Jan 19, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
(Hint:)
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
by vineyarddawg on Jan 19, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
OH HAI!
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
by AuditDawg on Jan 19, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Furthermore ...
I’m pretty sure that the fella in the purple tie up there has a winning record against all but one SEC program, and that one SEC program ain’t Bama.
Editorial Staff, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
@NCThom
Go 'Dawgs!
I think you have me confused with someone else.
I like talking football and Southern culture, though in other forums I’ll gladly discuss politics and religion.
Your mention of the successes had by Georgia State and LSU against our rushing defense is relevant to my comment, and it’s what I was looking for. I was not looking to offend, provoke, inflame, irritate, anger, or displease.
Solely relying on newspaper reports, I believe Saban acted improperly with Justin Taylor and agree that he will have a chip on his shoulder if he decides to attend another school (which he has implied is unlikely).
Like I said earlier, I make every attempt to avoid caustic statements. To that end, I will choose to ignore your condescending “key words” remark.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
"What makes a second chance worth having comes from taking advantage of it, from correcting the mistakes you made and burning for redemption. Not wishing for it. Earning it." -Cecil Hurt, 10 JAN 2012
by animalcracker on Jan 19, 2012 9:32 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, I was slightly condescending in my response. For that, I apologize.
I know deep down you were only making a valid point based upon the general theory that Alabama’s defense is stellar. You would be correct in that sentiment.
However, I was also correct in my statement that most kids would want to go to a rival at that point to seek revenge for being wronged.
The real issue was the disconnect between what I stated as a possibility and your response to my statement which misconstrued what I was saying. That’s not an indictment of you as a person or even a sports fan. It was miscommunication and it lead to a spirited debate. That’s sports.
I’m all good if you’re all good. The last thing we want in this community is for anyone to feel like they can’t disagree with a point without getting hounded for their response. It’s an open forum where opinions are bantered about and sometimes wildly disagreed upon.
That’s a good thing for us as fans, the sport, and this site. So, I appreciate the discourse.
Editor, DawgSports.com
"60% of the time, it works every time."
It's plain awesome
how committed all of our players were this year and will be next year. I’m sure that our returning players, recruiting class, among other things will give us a preseason ranking in the Top 10.
"Tim Tebow isn't a quarterback, he's a tight end lining up in the wildcat." -Daniel Tosh
2008
You know, I have kind of the same feel this off season as y’all, this post definitely brought it together for me. Nice read, nice substantiated optimism going into next year (strength of schedule be damned).
Last time we had personnel like Murray and Jarvis returning was the 2008 season, but not quite the same hype.
Re:Alabama situation. With the coaching staff and all the benefits of playing football there, they could field a team without being questionable in their recruiting ethics. Saban and co. Are really very good teachers/coaches that could develop just about any player. They really don’t have to be like this.
I agree with the focus part
It seems this team has become more unified than their predecessors. I hope it pays off in off-season conditioning and on the field results. The defense has the potential to be great. However, as we saw in all our losses, the offense has to help the defense out in big games. Turning the ball over and going 3-n-out on 5 straight possessions wears a defense out. Unfortunately I don’t have a whole lot confidence the offense will be able to sustain long drives due to a lack of experience and depth on the O-line.
With respect to Mr. Ware's preferred nomenclature
I dated a girl during my time in Athens that was from Rockmart and went to high school with him. She always referred to him as “DJ”, so I think Danny was just what he was called by the Sanford Stadium announcer.
I don’t want to go all Rangers100 on everybody here, but what Saban just did is evidence that the SEC either doesn’t get or doesn’t care what the real issue is when it comes to oversigning. By limiting the signing classes to 25, they only expedited what Saban would likely have done in August this year anyways when he had to hit 85. I guess it’s good in that this specific player got a little more leverage in the situation by eliminating the possibility of him signing a binding LOI (emphasis added) to Alabama only to have Saban tell him he has to pay his own way in August since he is over 85. However, the true problem is that coaches will continue to manage the rosters to get to 85 and shenanigans like this will continue to occur on the campuses in Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, and Fayetteville until the SEC seriously looks at the management of the 85, not the 25 in an individual signing class. Just my two cents.
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
I agree with this 1000%
I saw somwhere that Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Arkansas had signed the equivalent of one additional class over the past 4 years ( I think Bama was the most eggregious offender). You can’t tell me that having and extra class to evaluate doesn’t 1) build depth, 2) limits recruiting mistakes (i.e. they can take a kid with 5* talent and marginal grades), and 3) breeds competition across the entire roster. Not to mention they are signing kids that other programs could have had. How in the world could those teams NOT be in contention for the SEC/MNC every single year?
I hope that the new 25 limit rule levels the playing field at least a little bit. If you watched the SECCG and the BCSCG it was all about depth and the deeper team won.
I hope that the new
The problem with Rangers100 wasn't his opinions -
it was that you, as AuditDawg, could start a post “I love my Momma” and Rangers100 would say something like “You don’t love your Momma because Alabama oversigns”. It was the constant thread jacking and attacking in a more personal nature that was the issue. Anyone can write a really nice fanpost about most anything (which Rangers did) and it may get promoted to the front page (which I think one of his did) and that’s all good.
Just don’t tell me I don’t love my Momma because Bama oversigns. x 1000. On every post.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
I'm not sure this proves the SEC doesn't get it or doesn't care...
I’m sure they do. Situations like this make everyone look bad. The schools, the kid, the conference, the coaches, everyone. But there is a difference between getting it, and caring about it, and having the ability to stop it. It’s not like the SEC can step in and overrule Saban on this instance, declaring that he must give Taylor a binding LOI, guarantee him a spot on the 85 if he qualifies, and can’t add any more signees/commits to this class.
I’m sure they’d like to do more, do better, but do they have the votes to get such rules passed? Is there even such a rule possible that could prohibit a sad situation like the one that just happened?
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 18, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
That there is the real issue with roster management and why there's no current solution
It’s not like the SEC can step in and overrule Saban on this instance, declaring that he must give Taylor a binding LOI, guarantee him a spot on the 85 if he qualifies, and can’t add any more signees/commits to this class.
I agree with you that the reason the appropriate action to prevent stuff like this hasn’t been taken because the coaches wouldn’t vote for it. That appropriate action being an early signing period (just like basketball) in the fall for kids like Taylor that have long shut down recruiting and are just waiting until February 1 to make it official. Of course the coaches would never go for this given the Taylor sitation where a kid could sign his LOI in August/September and then have a pretty devastating injury afterwards, but the school is already on the hook for his scholarship for at least one year. You know there’s no way Saban is going to waste a redshirt year on a kid with an injury history when he can get some 4/5 star guy to come in and produce right away.
As much as I hate giving the B1G credit, IMHO, this is one area they get right with the focus on not being able to sign more kids in February if it will put you over 85 at that exact moment (I think they can apply for a waiver to sign 3 more than 85 given certain circumstances). I’m honestly not sure how exactly the SEC can solve this but it really does bother me that they publicly won’t discuss what the real issue is (i.e. not signing > 25 players, but rather the roster management to get down to 85). I can’t help but think that if media allies/school presidents/Slive would come out and talk about it more in the public (moreso than two articles penned by the AD’s at Georgia and Florida that got very limited coverage) and seriously make this an issue, the public outcry for change would be too hard to overcome for the coaches.
Then again, when have the people making all the money off their low-cost labor force ever cared about what is fair or allowing the student-athletes to have any rights at all?
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
The problem is the media don't care
and Slive/school presidents/schools ADs/etc are enjoying the profitable, low-rights workforce as much as anyone, so why would they want to change what works great for them?
http://sportsandgrits.com/
What is interesting is you would think ESPN would go nuts on this issue.
With so many non SEC (and SEC hating) people on it’s staff, and the SEC dominance in the last two decades (certainly the last) you would think a natural recourse would be to slam the SEC west to heck and back. I mean – a narrative based on ethics and facts – crazy, huh?
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
by chuckdawg on Jan 18, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A narrative that kills a huge money maker for us?
no thanks
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 18, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I see what you're saying, and you're likely right - but
it seems like they would want their non SEC teams to get in on some NC action. I mean, we are at the point where the NC game is the SEC championship game. Seems like they would get their hate on.
Then again, at $3k a ticket and the biggest game of the year of the century, you’re still probably right.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
I wasn't aware that was the B1G's policy, but is pretty much exactly what I think should happen.
And you can rip the SEC out of all of it if the NCAA actually had a purpose or did something you would think that would be it’s job. The NCAA can make sure AJ doesn’t play for 4 games over a jersey, but can’t standardize signing/oversigning rules. Ultimately, there will be schools that will bend every rule and push through every loophole and claim “we didnt actually violate any rules”, which is what Bama does, and brings to bear legalty versus ethics.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
by chuckdawg on Jan 18, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You could argue the other side of the coin just as easily:
Alabama offered more players than it could sign, so it had to take some kind of action before signing day. The problem now is that Alabama has offered too many scholarships to recruits. The problem used to be that Alabama gave too many scholarships to players. The present problem lets the recruit sign elsewhere (or not, his choice). The previous problem did not arise until after the player had signed his LOI, making him bound to the school and forced to lose a year if he transferred.
I wish Nick Saban were a nice guy when it came to recruiting, but he’s not. At least now, recruits are more empowered to make choices before they cross the LOI line. If players want to gamble on a roster spot with Alabama, that’s their choice.
We won’t make ruthless coaches nice people by limiting oversigning, nor will we suddenty make 17-year-olds into sophisticated and philosophical negotiators. Limiting oversigning won’t bring utopia, but it might at least level the bargaining power between the sides.
My proposed rule is not to limit the size of signing classes at all, but to limit total scholarships on June 1 to 85. If a school has too many scholarships on June 1, any player may transfer to another school without having to sit out a year. Schools will have no ability to pressure a kid to transfer or retire because the player can hold out and transfer without penalty. If a school still has too many scholarships awarded on August 1, NCAA penalties kick in.
by first and thom on Jan 18, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
We need TE depth
With White and Charles gone, that leaves Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome. Those two may be our starters, but we could still use some depth at tight end. I’m hoping we recruit at least two TEs.
"Tim Tebow isn't a quarterback, he's a tight end lining up in the wildcat." -Daniel Tosh
To use these playmaking athletes to their utmost
or are you asking why we’d want toys our OC doesn’t know how to play with, which is a very different question.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 20, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
Only if top quality is available.
Lynch + Rome + Ty Smith = enough. If we can snag a guy who is Ty Smith or better, then maybe it’s a good idea. I am far more worried about OL depth and DB depth. We stand to lose up to 10 serious defensive contributors next year, including the entire secondary. We should be stocked at OLB, but need ILB depth. DL is always hungry. And we are perpetually short on the OL. And those young WRs are aging.
It’d be great to build depth, but we have enough on the roster to carry us through 2012 and 2013 in this guy’s opinion. Lynch has two more years (at least 1), Rome could have 4 (at least 2), and Smith could have 4 (at least three), too. With pressing needs and scare scholarships to hand out, TE can wait.
Also, if our tackles improve – which is to say, our tackles play like tackles and not guards – we shouldn’t need as much TE help.
by first and thom on Jan 20, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Defensive depth, agreed
OL depth, not so much. We’ve got bodies, they still need to step up, and as chuck and I agree, some of those bodies will fall by the wayside going forward. But we have depth, specifically talented young depth, at that spot. If we actually used TEs more effectively, I’d like more, especially the talent at our disposal around the state. 3 TEs should not be enough, considering injuries. I’d prefer to keep the cupboard full at 5, but as said above, I’d try to play with these toys more than certain others.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 20, 2012 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Concerning defense,
I agree with you. We have these guys here:
OLB Leonard Floyd (6-5, 211), Eastman, Ga. ….. 4 stars
DE-OLB Jordan Jenkins (6-3, 242), Hamilton, Ga. …. 4 stars
DT Jonathan Taylor (6-4, 317), Millen, Ga. ….. 4 stars
We could have this guy soon:
OLB Josh Harvey-Clemons (6-5, 200), Valdosta, Ga. …. 4 stars Florida
Among others, we do need more depth at safety, cornerback, and all linebackers.
"Tim Tebow isn't a quarterback, he's a tight end lining up in the wildcat." -Daniel Tosh
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