As my distribution list grew to include all types of fans (the die-hards, the casuals, the wanna-look-good-in-my-tailgate-outfits, the couldn't-care-less-but-my-signficant-other-does, and the don't-know-much-about-SEC football-but-am-always-up-for-a-good-time, etc.), I thought I was doing it to get everyone fired up for the next game. Then I realized I was doing it because I was fired up for the next game.
Regardless, I really enjoy our weekly conversations in the fall. I hope you like the new format and location. The idea is to be less abusive on the email inboxes - both yours and mine. And I like that you can post your own comments -- which I hope you will do.
I will admit that after I was flattered, I started to feel a little pressure to make sure that reading them was worth your time. It should be noted that nothing on this space should ever be confused with any type of actual journalism. Perhaps it might qualify for the op-ed pages. But I hope I provide a perspective, an idea, or an interpretation that you aren't getting from another source.
Almost daily, I read articles from many different publications. The good folks over at http://www.dawgbone.net/ serve as a great clearinghouse for all things Dawg related. (Check 'em out and click on some ads to make sure they keep it going - I hated it when the Grapevine ended up retiring). I steal quotes from newpapers. I read the depth charts, facts, and figures provided by the athletic department each week. And I pull from my own experiences from 32 years of bleeding red and black. I spend a lot of the week thinking about it and eventually I put some thoughts on paper.
So I hope you will continue to enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy putting them together. Please share any videos or other stuff that would make for an interesting post. I need to figure out how to work some of the gadgets on here -- so if anyone knows how to do this stuff, speak up. I would also like to be able add some tunes. (Ms. Susan Tedeschi is helping me gather tonight's thoughts for you. Dear Lord, thank You for that angelic voice that speaks to the soul.)
So, remember that it isn't a conversation unless you speak. So don't forget to post your thoughts when you finish reading mine.
Let's Get Down to Business......shall we?
I regret that I didn't finish my pre-season commentary. Among other things, I also missed my opportunity to comment on the fall in the rankings. But the intent for this week is to discuss the matchup with Alabama. So I will briefly review some of the points I didn't get to discuss up to this point in the season:
One big portion, Jeff Owens, is now a glaring omission from our defensive front. The rest of the D has filled in nicely. We aren't getting the pressure from our front four that we have come to rely on in years past. But our tackles have been filling holes and the LB's are playing well - making plays all over the field. The secondary needs to tighten up the coverage, but would be helped tremendously if the opposing QB's had a little less time to run through their progressions.
Stafford is starting to find a rythm - especially after last week's walk-about in the desert. AJ Green, the recruit we have been hearing about since he committed during the fall of his junior year two years ago, is coming off of a breakout game. And Knowshon isn't disappointing. After leaping defenders in a single bound,
he made last week's 12 foot leap into the end zone look ridiculously easy.
12 feet, people. Measure it. Take a running leap. Remember that no one is trying to take your head off. And see if you think it is easily done.
The offensive line is, once again, an untested question mark as the loss of LT Sturdivant was a big one. But after some shuffling, we seem to be putting together a formula that will provide the needed protection throughout the season. More on that in editions to come. So let's get started on Bama......
For the first time since 1976, Alabama and Georgia will face off, between the hedges, with both teams ranked in the top ten. It will be only the sixth time the two teams have played while both are carrying a national ranking. The Dawgs have left each of the previous five such contests with a "W".
The only other time these teams have played with unblemished records and top-ten rankings was in 1942. THAT Dawg victory lead to an eventual national title.
Twelve months ago, we were looking for a win to help right the ship. We were still licking the wounds from an earlier loss to the Gamecocks and were hoping to take our young squad into Tuscaloosa for a tough, SEC road win. Alabama was coming off a hard fought win against the Razorbacks. The Auburn Tigers had been dealt a tough loss by the Bulls from South Florida. And I was getting an earful about all of it on Paul Finebaum's radio show.
Thankfully, this year we escaped Columbia with a win. The Tide had a much easier win in Arkansas. But the Aubbies are staring at another tough loss (this time at the hands of the Bayou Bengals). The constant? The Bammers are, once again, chirping about a national title run. I didn't spend any time in Alabama this week so I wasn't inundated with all of the Finebaum rhetoric. But I have heard plenty about the 2008 Tide Title Run. My Auburn friends are begging for a Dawg win. Otherwise, they won't be able to bear the frenzy of next week. (I have said it before: if you have not experienced the hate that is the Auburn/Alabama rivalry, I can't explain it).
(Programming note: The Thursday night ESPN game is 21-0 at half right now. Go Beavers.)
The Alabama Offense
Sr. John Parker Wilson is back for another year at QB. He is chasing several career Bama QB records (last week, his 42nd career TD pass made him #1 on their list). The Tide are only averaging 150 passing yards per game -- which is a different approach than we have seen in the last three games. But they are getting it done on the ground - more on that in a bit.
JPW is protected by a big line (every starter is at least 300 lbs.) filled with upperclassmen. They are lead by a monster LT, Andre Smith. Three years ago, every major program wanted this kid. In April, he has a very good chance of getting the same level of love from the teams that play on Sunday.
At this point last year, each team had a redshirt freshman RB that they couldn't wait to showcase. We all know the success that Knowshon saw in the 2007 campaign. The Tide's Terry Grant had a good game against the Dawgs and had a great year -- finishing with 981 yards. But there paths have diverged and Grant finds himself at third on the Bama depth chart. (If anyone can provide the backstory on Grant's demise, I'd like to hear it - was it an injury?.)
The rushing attack is lead by Jr. Glen Coffee. He is coming off of a career-high, 162 yard performance against the Razorbacks and appears firmly entrenched as the number one option out of the backfield. He leads the team in yards (404) and attempts (47) while scoring 2 TD's.
Coffee's backup is a solidly built freshman from Flint, Michigan by the name of Mark Ingram. He has rushed for 263 yards on 43 carries and found the end zone 4 times (which leads the team).
Through the first 4 games, Alabama leads the SEC in rushing while averaging almost 240 yards per game.
This year's parallel between the Dawgs and the Tide can be drawn at wide receiver. True freshman Julio Jones was widely regarded as the number one WR recruit in the 2008 class (with most giving the #2 nod to AJ Green). Listed at 6-4, 210 lbs. he is a physical specimen with good speed. Every Dawg CB on the two-deep chart will be giving up at least 5 inches. This could be especially dangerous in the red zone. For the year, he has 11 catches for 132 yards and 3 TD's.
The Tide Defense
Nick Saban's teams are known for their defense. He loves to bring pressure and blitz from many different places. Against Saban schemes we have been both perplexed (03 SEC Championship game) and indifferent (2004 thumping of LSU in Athens). Our success came at the hands of several big plays. With the best WR duo that Athens has seen in a long time and the strongest arm to ever wear the Red and Black, I am hoping we can once again exploit the pressure. But that will require an offensive line that is still trying to find it's identity to dominate a few monsters......
Last year, I called out a true freshman by the name of Rolando McClain. He must have somehow read my comments that he could be good, but not comparable to SC's Jasper Brinkley. I then traveled to Tuscaloosa to watch this 6-4, 250 pound beast make plays all over the field. This year, he leads their D with 29 tackles and is a force up the middle.
But the true force in the middle is JUCO transfer, NG Terrence Cody. At 6-5, 365 he takes up PLENTY of space. With Dawg freshman Ben Jones set to get another start at center, he will have his hands full every snap Cody isn't taking a breather.
What can you do?
You can meet me under the beautiful oaks of North Campus. As usual, we will be gathering to enjoy cold beverages and tasty food. This week's main course is THREE smoked pork butts fresh from the mountains in Asheville, NC. Wolfgang Malcom will be bringing the latest edition from his beloved smoker. AND he says that this version is one of his best. My stomach is already growling.
We will also have brunswick stew, potato salad, a chicken pasta salad and whatever you choose to bring. I am expecting a pretty large crowd throughout the day (probably somewhere between 30-40 people.) So, bring a chair, your beverage of choice, and a snack or side that you want to throw in the mix. Marc is supposed to be adding another TV to the new generator. This means we will likely be able to watch two games instead of one. We might actually start fooling people into thinking that we know what we are doing.
I can't wait.
Go Dawgs,
a Dawg's Best Friend
p.s. (programming note: USC is no longer undefeated. Sweet dreams)
