"Dawgs of The World Unite": January 2009

Felton Out.

Bummer, sort of. It became obvious that it is time for his era to end, but I wanted Coach Felton to have the opportunity to finish out the season. I had high hopes, with the talent of Leslie, Ware, and Thompkins, and some energy in the program after last year's miracle SEC Tourney. It's tough to replace a guy like Yata or to replace the fire of a Dave Bliss, but I thought this would really be a building year to spark a multi-year run. It just didn't work out that way.

But, Georgia basketball fans owe Felton a big thank-you. He took over a program that nobody would touch with a ten foot pole. Nobody can doubt that he ran a tight ship. He took a few chances on guys with talent but without discipline, caught a few bad breaks, but still managed to give the fans one of the best moments in 20 years. If I could condense that first Tubby season into one weekend, it would trump last year's tourney run, but otherwise?

He had his ups and downs with the fans. Early on, I think he expected a little too much of them and they expected a little too much of him. But, he's a guy that certainly worked hard enough to deserve this moment:

So, here's to you, Coach Felton. Wherever you go, may your ship be tight, your suit be pressed, and your emotions be animated.

Debbie Downer Says....

It's been almost two weeks of bad sports headlines. Here's a rundown:

Jan. 3: Falcons lose playoff game to Arizona
Jan. 3: Hoop Dawgs lose to Missouri with a late-game collapse
Jan. 6: Hoop Dawgs lose to Georgia Tech with a late-game collapse
Jan. 7: Stafford and Moreno announce that they are leaving for the draft
Jan. 7: John Smoltz announces he is leaving the Braves for Boston
Jan. 7: Hawks lose to division leading Orlando
Jan. 8: Florida Gators defeat Chokelahoma to win another national title
Jan. 9: Hawks lose to division leading Orlando, again
Jan. 9: Gym Dawgs defeat West Virginia. Why is this bad? Because it was in unimpressive fashion, and they need to do better to win their 5th consecutive national championship.
Jan. 10: Hoop Dawgs lose to Tennessee with a late-game collapse
Jan. 13: Georgia's top defensive back Asher Allen announces he is leaving for the NFL
Jan. 14: #1 Basketball prospect Derrick Favors announces he is spurning Georgia for Georgia Tech
Jan. 14: There are four minutes to go in the first half against Vandy, and the basketball team has only scored 16 points.

After compiling this list, I absolutely had to find some good news. So, there's this:

Top recruiter Rodney Garner declined an offer for more money with the Volunteers.
The Diamond Dawgs are ranked #5 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
The #1 ranked Lady Bulldog swimmers and divers defeated #6 Texas.

So, I guess it isn't all bad. Well, Go Dawgs!

Labels: it takes more muscles to frown than to smile

Worst Sports Week Ever?

Things are rough in sports fan-world. Starting last Saturday, the Falcons lose their playoff game, the Bulldawg basketball team loses to Tech in a game that proved that the team is not, in fact, "on the right track," Stafford and Moreno announce they are leaving for the NFL, and now we hear that John Smoltz is going to pitch for the Red Sox, who I actually hate more than the Yankees (ask me about it sometime, because I love to ramble on and on about my reasons why). And, the Hawks lose at home to division-leading Orlando. What is a Georgia/Atlanta sports fan to do?

Write an open interweb letter to the Oklahoma head coach, of course.

Dear Bob Stoops,

If you don't beat Florida tonight, I will sue you.

With all my heart,
D-Qwan

Honestly, if the Gators win another national championship, in no less than OUR YEAR, I will puke. Just in case you are tempted to pull for Florida because you somehow believe in this conference-rivalry, strength of schedule, makes-Georgia-look-good nonsense, I can assure you - there will be no trophy in Butts-Mehre and the players will receive no rings if Florida wins. Make no mistake - the Big 12 South lovefest we have endured this year is sickening. More sickening, however, is a repeat of this: