Bleacher Report - Articles by Cole Salmon

Upset of Georgia Tech Would Work Wonders for Georgia Bulldogs

Cole Salmon — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:15:14 -0500

It's hard to sit here and write this only two days removed from witnessing a gut-wrenching loss to Kentucky at Sanford Stadium. Naturally, Georgia's 6-5 record and third-place finish in the SEC East is not what I envisioned at the beginning of the season. (I actually had the Dawgs going 10-2...what was I thinking?)

Not only was it painful to see the seniors lose their last game in Sanford Stadium, it was painful to finally come to the realization that there is something seriously wrong with our football team.

Now I could go off on a rant about how we need to clean house and burn down the city of Athens. But I am not going to, nor do I want to do either of those things. I have left that job to the more radical parts of the so-called Bulldog "Fanbase" (which I was appalled to hear boo the team on multiple occasions Saturday).

I decided to write an article focusing on the upcoming game against archrival Georgia Tech this Saturday because I believe that is what our team is doing as well. Am I going to say that we are going to beat these guys? Of course not. Do I believe we have a chance? Sure. Do I think a win would help stop the bleeding from a wounded football team? Definitely.

I pray that our team does not have another season like this one in store for a long time. It has been tough to stick with the Dawgs through thick and thin, but deep down, I know that I could never bring myself to abandon the men in red and black—ever.

I realize that the majority of the Bulldog Nation wants a change—including yours truly—but we need to accept that this season isn't over. Our team plays the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this weekend. This is the game we all had circled to start the year and a 6-5 record should not change our desire to put those bugs back in their place.

A victory over Georgia Tech would work wonders for this team. Not only in terms of a bowl game but for the 2010 campaign, as well. We have got to show that we are still the Georgia Bulldogs. We run this rivalry.

Of course, for our team to even compete with the Yellow Jackets we are going to have to put together the best game we have played in two years. That means no turnovers, no penalties, no mental lapses, and make their lives a living hell.

The Dogs have got to send the seniors out on a high note. What better way than to ruin Georgia Tech's season? We've done it before, Bulldog Nation. No one gave us a chance in 2006, but we prevailed.

And look how that season turned out.

Go Dawgs!

UConn Football: Friday The 13th Is Nothing Compared To This Season

Cole Salmon — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:19 -0500

As a fan of college football it is almost impossible to overlook what the UConn Husky football program has been through this season. As a human being it is almost impossible to comprehend.

After losing a beloved person and player in cornerback Jasper Howard, the college football world was touched by the way the team came together and moved forward. Although I am not a fan of the Huskies, there was something inside me that prayed this college, this program, and this team would be able to do something special in honor of their fallen brother.

Sadly, this team has had to endure heart-breaking losses since the death of Jasper Howard. As if a hate-filled, on-campus stabbing was not enough, fate decided that this team would lose West Virginia, Rutgers, and Cincinnati by a total of 10 points.

Even before the death of their teammate, the Huskies couldn't catch a break. They also came up short against two other teams by a total of five points.

I pray that this team will be able to finish the season strong. Upcoming games against Notre Dame, Syracuse, and South Florida are all winnable contests. The Huskies must play the inspired football that they have played all season. The coach should remind his players that an 8-5 season is still within reach.

UConn, I believe that I speak for the entire nation when I say finish strong. Fight for each victory like we all know Jasper would have. Everyone goes through rough times, and God knows that no college campus or football team should go through the heartbreak that you have endured.

Keep on keepin on and play like the champions you are.

A Letter To Mark Richt

Cole Salmon — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:28:32 -0400

Dear Coach Richt,

I'd like to start this letter off by thanking you for giving the Bulldog Nation such high expectations, otherwise, this letter would not even be possible. You brought a winning mindset to Athens and for that, we will be forever grateful. However, there are a lot of changes that need to be made if this football program is ever going to win a national championship.

After the heartbreaking loss to LSU, I decided that I am tired of you and your coaching staff feeding us crap after every game. At first the post-game quotes seem encouraging, but our play on the field suggests that it means nothing. Our team does not improve from week to week; if anything, we've gotten worse, but certainly not better. So please stop telling us that things will get turned around because they won't without some serious changes.

Which brings me to my next point, as classy as you are, you need to throw loyalty down the toilet if it is going to hurt the team. Joe Cox was a feel good story at the beginning of the year, and at this point he is nothing but an overrated (by the coaches) backup quarterback with a lot of heart. Please give Aaron Murray a shot.

Secondly, go back to calling the offensive plays yourself. Mike Bobo is too predictable. Everyone around me in the stands knew what was coming, and it was obvious that LSU did too.

And finally, get rid of Willie Martinez! He is the biggest source of all our losses. Our defense has no idea what they're doing, and they can't tackle to save their lives. Fundamentals don't exist, and that all leads back to coaching.

I'd like to end this letter by saying I am glad that the Bulldogs have found their swagger. I believe that these group of guys are fighters and that they have laid a foundation for future teams to be fighters too.

If we can make the necessary changes, we have the recruits and the head coach to lead us to a National Title.

God Bless,

Cole

Bulldawg Nation: Lousy Fans Or Just Lousy People?

Cole Salmon — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:14:46 -0400

As a true fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, I am always trying to find the positive in every situation.

I may come up with every excuse possible in order to disregard a problem. Unfortunately for Willie Martinez, my excuses ended on Saturday—get him out of Athens.

After Joe Cox had a poor showing in the game against Oklahoma State, it infuriated me when Bulldog fans everywhere were calling for his head and ordering that he be benched. I knew that in only a week or two, Cox would have a breakout game and everyone would love him.

And lo and behold, after a five-touchdown game at Arkansas, Cox is suddenly the man.

The guy that can make up for our defensive woes, and the guy us Dawg fans "knew he was all along."

Well, Bulldawg Nation, I'm calling you out.

Are you fans so lousy that you don't get your facts before you come to conclusions? Or are you just lousy people that can easily rip to shreds a student-athlete?

One thing many Bulldog fans didn't know is that Cox lost nine pounds and didn't eat for a week while he had the flu. During that week, he was also expected to lead his team to a victory in Stillwater and thus, establish himself as the next DJ Shockley.

Sounds easy enough, right?

And, as if that wasn't enough (after his less-than-stellar performance), in one almost unanimous bark, the fans of the Bulldogs begged for Cox to be benched. Lucky for us, Cox had enough resolve to basically say "screw you" to those fans and improved drastically in two weeks time.

I am glad to say that I am one of those fans that never gave up on Cox.

Now, if he was still putting up the same numbers as Week One, I would be worried (and we would probably be 0-3).

But he isn't.

Cox tied the Georgia record for touchdowns passes in a game, and is finally figuring out how to be that game-manager we all wanted him to be.

I think it's time that Bulldawg Nation look at itself in the mirror and decide what kind of fans we want to be.

Do we want to support these players—who put their hearts and souls into this game we love—regardless of whether they have an off game? Or do we want to tear them down and potentially push away future recruits?

We need to remember that this is still just a game, and these guys are student-athletes, not pros.

Go Dawgs!!!

Georgia Bulldogs: Five Keys To Leaving Stillwater With A Win

Cole Salmon — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:03:41 -0400

We are only three days away from one of the most anticipated season openers in Georgia football history. Saturday, the No, 13 ranked Bulldogs will invade Stillwater, Oklahoma to play the 9th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. This game will set the pace of the season for both the winner and loser of this game. The Cowboys look to win their first Big 12 Championship and become a National Title darkhorse. Georgia, on the other hand, enters this season with something to prove after a "disappointing" 10-3 campaign in 2008. The following slides will outline the five keys to a Bulldog victory in Stillwater. Thanks for reading and Go Dawgs!

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Tim Tebow: A Born-Again Bulldog's Perspective

Cole Salmon — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:39:32 -0400

Growing up as a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, I have learned that there is no greater evil that the Florida Gators.

As someone who has only been on this earth 18 years, I can only remember losing game after game at the hands of the hated Gators.

The past three years, I have painfully watched Florida win two national and SEC titles. However, one thing that always sticks out to me—whenever I have the misfortune of watching Florida football—is "Phil. 4:13" inscribed upon the face of quarterback Tim Tebow.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It is the battle cry of Born-Again Christians across the globe. It is the one thing that allows me to see through the Florida Gator in Tim Tebow.

Sharing a common faith with a person goes beyond school colors, fight songs, or rivalries. I respect Tim Tebow more as a person that I do a player, and ultimately, he is the prime example of where I strive to be in my walk with Christ.

Bulldog fans can call me a traitor all the want, but I'm a follower of Christ first. I'll take sides with Tebow as a believer, not a player.

The July 27 issue of Sports Illustrated contained a story titled, "Tim Tebow: A Man of Many Missions." It was an inspiring article about Tebow's faith.

My favorite quote from the article came from his teammate, David Nelson, who stated, "He wants people to see what he believes through his actions." And whether it be through his interviews or his missions in the Phillipines, no one can deny that he leads by example.

Unfortunately, in the Aug. 17 issue of Sports Illustrated, the letters to the magazine were filled with hatred. These two letters are what inspired me to write this article:

"You gotta love Time Tebow? I sure don't! His message of literal Christian fundamentalism is wreaking havoc on women, gays and nonbelievers all over the world. How about spreading a message of redemption and hope without the religious intolerance? That would be a Tim Tebow I could love!"

"Now we have another quarterback besides Kurt Warner telling us during postgame interviews that he owes every great thing that happens for him on the football field to his faith in Jesus. I knew there had to be a reason why the Almighty included a mute button on my remote control."

Despite that fact that these people ridiculed our faith, I realized that these are the same people Tim Tebow would continue to love.

In conclusion, I thought that I could go ahead and set the record straight in regards to where I stand when it comes to Tim Tebow. I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for Tim Tebow's life, but whatever it may be, I guarantee "Phil. 4:13" will forever be inscribed on his heart.

Go Dawgs!

The Georgia Bulldogs Have History at No. 13

Cole Salmon — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:33:23 -0400

As all avid college football fans know, the USA Today Coaches Poll came out on friday. To my surprise, I found that the Georgia Bulldogs were ranked ahead of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at No. 13.

As someone who loves to write about sports, numbers are very important to me. Unfortunately, I could care less about numbers when confined within a classroom.

When I heard that the Dawgs were No. 13, I began to think about the significance of the number pertaining to Georgia football. And then I found it:

Normally, 13 is considered an unlucky number, but in the Mark Richt era, a No. 13 preseason ranking has been a sign of good things to come.

In 2005, the Coaches poll ranked the Bulldogs No. 13. A lot of the reasoning behind that mid-Top 25 ranking was because of unproven quarterback DJ Shockley.

As we all know, the 2005 team exceeded expectations as Shockley and company led Georgia to an SEC Championship, a Sugar Bowl bid, and No. 10 ranking in the final polls.

Yet another Bulldog squad that started the season at No. 13 was the 2007 squad led by first-round draft picks Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno.

That team started the season shaky and lost to South Carolina and Tennessee (a loss that kept them from playing in the SEC and National Titles).

However, the Dawgs went on to win their final eight games, including a 41-10 thrashing of the Hawaii Warriors in the Sugar Bowl.

The 2007 Bulldogs ended the season ranked No. 2 and were arguably the best team in the country that year.

As the Georgia team enters the 2009 season, the expectations are much lower than last season. Joe Cox is an unproven quarterback, and the defense is suspect.

This team has the potential to be great, and if history tells us anything, the No. 13 is Georgia football's lucky number.

Washaun Ealey: The Mystique of No. 24

Cole Salmon — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:50:55 -0400

The University of Georgia’s freshman running back Washaun Ealey recently decided to wear the No. 24. It is the number left behind by Georgia’s star running back Knowshon Moreno.

While a number is only number, I believe that (just like Herschel Walker did with the No. 34) Knowshon Moreno created an aura of respect surrounding the No. 24.

So the question is: Can Washaun Ealey live up to the number on his jersey? ESPN.com seems to think so.

Moreno and Ealey were both highly touted four-star recruits. ESPN gave Knowshon a grade of 81, while they gave Washaun a grade of 82.

ESPN described Moreno as a quick, finesse back, and that is definitely the type of play he brought to the field as a collegiate athlete.

Washaun, on the other hand, is described as, “an explosive downhill runner with excellent in-line body tilt and balance,” and a back who, “has excellent upper and lower-body strength." In other words, a power back.

Despite many similarities (including the fact that their names sound the same), Moreno and Ealey are two different backs with two different styles. This of course is nothing to worry about because Ealey has the potential to have as much impact as Moreno did.

It will be exciting to see what Washaun can do as a running back for Georgia. He has all the tools to be a great player, but will he be able to live up to the mystique of No. 24?

2009 SEC Analysis and Predictions

Cole Salmon — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:32:30 -0400

The SEC finished the 2008 season with a bang by going 6-2 in bowl games and winning its third consecutive national title.

The 2009 season looks to be yet another successful year for the Southeastern Conference, with teams such as Ole Miss making their way into the spotlight, and 10 of 12 SEC teams having Top 25 recruiting classes.

Growing up in the south, I have witnessed firsthand the excitement of SEC football and it is true: there is no comparison to the SEC when it comes to football.

As the 2009 season approaches, I thought it would be appropriate to size up the Southeastern Conference and make some predictions for where each team will be at season's end. Hope you enjoy it!

#5 Alabama Crimson Tide

National Recruiting Rank: 2

Returning Starters: 15; four offense, nine defense, kicker, punter

2009 Outlook:

The Crimson Tide had a spectacular 2008 season (excluding the postseason), and it is clear that Nick Saban has permanently "turned the tide" in Tuscaloosa.

Led by one of the nation's best defenses, the Crimson Tide should be able to defend its SEC West crown, but Alabama will find that they won't sneak up on anyone this season.

2009 Prediction: The Crimson Tide goes 11-1 with a loss to Ole Miss.

#39 Arkansas Razorbacks

National Recruiting Rank: 20

Returning Starters: 17; seven offense, nine defense, kicker

2009 Outlook:

Arkansas has the potential to make some noise this season, but a lot of that hangs on the ability of quarterback Ryan Mallet to run the offense.

The running game should be effective, but the defense needs to step up in order for the Razorbacks to get back into a bowl game.

A week two game versus Georgia should be a good sign of Arkansas's ability.

2009 Prediction: The Razorbacks go 7-5 with losses to Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and LSU.

#42 Auburn Tigers

National Recruiting Rank: 16

Returning Starters: 16; seven offense, seven defense, kicker, punter

2009 Outlook:

The coaching hire the Tigers made in the offseason raises many questions about what Auburn's long-term future holds.

The Tigers have the ability to start out the season strong, but once they get into the thick of their schedule, will they be able to overcome all of the issues that plagued their 2008 season?

For now, I think that is a little too much to ask.

2009 Prediction: The Auburn Tigers once again finish 6-6 with losses to Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama.

#1 Florida Gators

National Recruiting Rank: 21

Returning Starters: 20; seven offense, 11 defense, punter, kicker

2009 Outlook:

There are no close seconds when it comes to who is deserving of the number one spot in the preseason.

Led by senior quarterback Tim Tebow and a defense that returns every starter, the Gators look virtually unstoppable on paper.

Florida definitely has all the pieces in place to win their third national title in four seasons, but history is most definitely against them. Nevertheless, Tim Tebow has the ability to will his team to victory, and to any team that has the guts to stand in his way...good luck.

2009 Prediction: There is no way that I pick the Gators to finish anything other than 12-0.

#15 Georgia Bulldogs

National Recruiting Rank: 4

Returning Starters: 15; seven offense, seven defense, kicker

2009 Outlook:

Things feel a lot different in Athens than they did a year ago. No talk of preseason number one, much less top 10, and no Matthew Stafford or Knowshon Moreno.

However, there is also a different attitude in the Georgia locker room because the Dawgs have some unfinished business.

While you shouldn't expect an SEC or National Title out of the Bulldogs, don't count them out until they've played Florida on October 31st.

2009 Prediction: Georgia finishes the regular season 10-2 with losses to LSU and Florida.

#47 Kentucky Wildcats

National Recruiting Rank: 27

Returning Starters: 13; seven offense, five defense, kicker

2009 Outlook:

Kentucky has had some great seasons the past three years, and I don't think the Wildcats are ready to let their bowl streak end just yet.

The defense should be formidable with playmakers such as cornerback Trevard Lindley at every position, but the offense was pitiful last year and if they can't score points, the Wildcats could easily lose more games than they win.

2009 Prediction: The Wildcats' three-year bowl streak comes to an end with a disappointing 5-7 record. Kentucky's only wins come against Miami (OH), Louisville, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State and Eastern Kentucky.

#7 LSU Tigers

National Recruiting Rank: 3

Returning Starters: 13; seven offense, six defense

2009 Outlook:

This season you can expect LSU to play a lot more games like last year's 38-3 stomping of Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson showed hints of greatness in 2008, and if he wins the starting job, he just might be the next Jamarcus Russell.

While the offense should be great, the defense needs to show more consistency in order for the Tigers to win the SEC west.

2009 Prediction: LSU improves greatly in 2009 by posting a 10-2 record with losses to Florida and Alabama.

#75 Mississippi State Bulldogs

National Recruiting Rank: 19

Returning Starters: 11; six offense, five defense

2009 Outlook:

After a disappointing 4-8 season, the Bulldogs have brought in Dan Mullen from Florida to install his version of the spread offense.

With a Top 25 recruiting class, the Bulldogs have the talent to run the option if the players can learn it successfully. However, we should expect growing pains in Mullen's first season, so MSU is still a couple years away from being bowl contenders.

2009 Prediction: Mississippi State goes 3-9 in 2009 with wins against Jackson State, Houston and Middle Tennessee.

#8 Ole Miss Rebels

National Recruiting Rank: 17

Returning Starters: 16; seven offense, eight defense, kicker

2009 Outlook:

Ole Miss is definitely the team to watch in the SEC this year. Fans in Oxford are in a frenzy as the only team to beat the Gators last season enter 2009 with high expectations.

Quarterback Jevan Snead and the entire Rebel defense are phenomenal and they have the ability to earn a berth in a BCS game.

Only time will tell if the Rebels will crumble under the pressure or make themselves an up and coming national powerhouse.

2009 Prediction: The Ole Miss Rebels live up to the hype and go 10-2 with losses at home to Tennessee and LSU.

#35 South Carolina Gamecocks

National Recruiting Rank: 13

Returning Starters: 12; five offense, six defense, punter

2009 Outlook:

After four years of trying to make South Carolina an SEC contender, the "offensive genius" Steve Spurrier has still yet to do much of anything in Columbus.

Expectations are not high for the Gamecocks and there isn't much of anything other than highly touted running back Jarvis Giles to be excited about.

South Carolina faces a difficult schedule this season, and if the Gamecocks can manage to win at least eight games, Spurrier might stick around for another season (but that's being optimistic).

2009 Prediction: The Gamecocks continue a tradition of mediocrity and finish 7-5 with losses to Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas and Florida.

#26 Tennessee Volunteers

National Recruiting Rank: 8

Returning Starters: 12; six offense, five defense, kicker

2009 Outlook:

Coach Lane Kiffin has definitely stirred things up at Tennessee, but he will soon find that if you're going to talk big in the SEC you better back it up.

The Volunteer defense was spectacular last season, and it should again be great with Heisman candidate Eric Berry at safety.

Quarterback play will be the key to Tennessee's success in 2009, but after finishing 107th in the nation in passing offense, Kiffin needs to ask himself if quarterback Jonathan Crompton is the answer.

2009 Prediction: Tennessee improves their record by three games this season and go 8-4 with losses to Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

#60 Vanderbilt Commodores

National Recruiting Rank: 72

Returning Starters: 18; eight offense, nine defense, punter

2009 Outlook:

Vanderbilt had a season to remember in 2008 by finishing with a winning record and their first bowl victory since 1955.

Once again, the key to Vandy's success will be playing sound defense and sticking to fundamentals.

The Commodores may not have a high-powered offense, but if they can avoid turnovers and take advantage of opportunities, they might just find themselves in a second straight bowl appearance.

2009 Prediction: Unfortunately, Vanderbilt comes one game short of bowl eligibility and finishes 5-7 with wins against Western Carolina, Mississippi State, Rice, Army and Kentucky.

Postseason Predictions:

SEC Championship Game - Florida vs. Alabama

Independence Bowl - Auburn vs. Colorado

Liberty Bowl - South Carolina vs. Houston

Music City Bowl - Arkansas vs. Wake Forest

Chick-fil-A Bowl - Tennessee vs. Florida State

Cotton Bowl - Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma State

Outback Bowl - LSU vs. Michigan State

Capital One Bowl - Georgia vs. Penn State

Sugar Bowl - Alabama vs. TCU

BCS National Championship - Florida vs. Texas

Something Special Is Brewing in Athens

Cole Salmon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:40:58 -0400

Call me an optimist, call me a dreamer, call me crazy but I've got a feeling about this upcoming season that I didn't even feel last year when I was convinced that the Bulldogs would be National Champions.

I'm tired of all the negativity surrounding Georgia Football. I'm sick and tired of having to read articles and comments that completely bash the football program, and I have decided to address the most common accusation that I see: "The Georgia Bulldogs are OVERRATED."

Every time I read those words, my red and black blood boils. How can anyone say that a team that has won 82 games, two SEC and Sugar Bowl Championships, and finished in the Top 10 five times over the past eight years is overrated?

The Georgia Bulldogs deserved and deserve all the national spotlight they can get (which isn't much to begin with). Say all you want about the preseason No. 1 bull because I'm over it. A new team of Bulldogs will be charging the field in 2009.

The players have a new attitude and work ethic this season. Senior cornerback Prince Miller and the other players have all agreed that "...a 10-win season isn’t good enough anymore. We all want to win SEC and National Championships."

This excites me to no end because the Bulldog Nation will never get those championships unless the players WANT them.

I will post some of the players' quotes about the new team at the end of this article, but they are all very encouraging. There is a new attitude in the Georgia locker room...an attitude of champions.

The 2009 squad has more than enough ability and desire to do big things this season, and whether it be an SEC championship, a BCS championship, or even a National Championship, those of us that live and breath Georgia football can go to sleep at night knowing that these guys played their hearts out every game.

So, regardless of the actual outcome of this season, I will cheer on the men that proudly wear the red and black. Go Dawgs!

Here are some encouraging quotes from the players:

"Everybody is here to compete, and everybody is here to win...You can see leaders emerging in all classes. We're not going through the same problems we had last year."—Demarcus Dobbs

"Everything we do is relentless, but it's going to be disciplined at the same time."—Rennie Curran

"Our focus now and our attitude now is outstanding." - Mark Richt

"The (coaches) just want us to be one of those elite programs in the country...the coaches are really pushing us to move this program forward." - Prince Miller

Has The Injury Bug Come Back to Georgia?

Cole Salmon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:27:33 -0400

Georgiadogs.com recently announced that left guard Tanner Strickland will miss the 2009-10 football season with an injury to his right shoulder that occurred during offseason workouts.

A redshirt sophomore, Strickland made appearances on special teams and as a backup lineman in 13 games last season.

Strickland was the projected starter at left guard for this upcoming season. Junior Chris Davis will now become the favorite for the starting position.

The injury-riddled offensive line from last season came into its own as the season progressed, and it is now considered to be the strength of a rebuilding Georgia team.

Let us hope that this not a sign for things to come throughout the rest of the offseason. Injuries plagued the team a year ago and things are beginning to look up as key players begin to get healthy again.

Luckily there is depth at the lineman position so the Dawgs may be able to afford this one loss.

Hopefully, the injury bug has not come back a second consecutive season for the Dawgs.

Surviving the Football Off-season For Dummies

Cole Salmon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:29:06 -0400

As the clock slowly dwindles towards the first of kickoff of both the Collegiate and NFL seasons, us die-hard fans sit restlessly, keeping our eyes open for any piece of information concerning football. As I sat watching bowling on ESPN, I realized that other than Major League Baseball, sports in the summer are downright boring. In response to this epiphany, I have decided to make a list of things that we can do as football fanatics to make this offseason a little less painful. Hope you find these suggestions useful and humorous.

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2009 Georgia Football Analysis and Predictions

Cole Salmon — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:22:33 -0400

First off, I would like to say thanks to all the people on the B/R who have made my first few months here a great learning experience. Finally, I get to do some very in depth analysis on the best team in college football, the Georgia Bulldogs.

Before you read this you must know that I am an optimist so despite your beliefs on how the Dawgs will finish, I always believe that we are on the cusp of greatness.

Looking back on the past eight years, why shouldn't I believe it? I am truly ecstatic for the 2009 season. I hope you enjoy my article. Go Dawgs!

#17 Georgia Bulldogs

2008 Record: 10-3

Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

Key Players

Offense: AJ Green, Sophomore Wide Receiver

Defense: Rennie Curran, Junior Linebacker

Strengths

The offensive line finally has experience and will be one of the best in the nation. The defensive line and linebackers will be much improved.

Weaknesses

A lot of unproven players are at skill positions. There is also a lack of depth in the secondary.

Offensive Breakdown

Senior quarterback Joe Cox is very familiar with the system. He has an accurate arm and is a player that the entire team can rally around.

Once the Dawgs decide on the one or two running backs that they will use, the running game should not change much. The running backs should be very productive.

Although the offensive line has no seniors, the Bulldogs will have the most veteran line in the SEC in terms of playing time.

With all the linemen healthy, it should be one of Georgia's primary strengths. It should allow Cox and the running backs to become comfortable in the backfield.

The Bulldogs have adequate depth at wide receiver. With AJ Green entering his sophomore season, Cox should have plenty of targets to throw to.

Do not expect Georgia's offense to put up the same numbers as last season, but do expect them to score enough point to win games.

Defensive Breakdown

Mark Richt stuck his neck out for defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and after holding Michigan State to twelve points in the Capitol One Bowl, there is hope for the defense.

The return of defensive tackle Jeff Owens makes not only defensive line, but the entire defense a much more formidable one. Owens maxes out at 535 and runs a 4.86 40 time. In other words, he is a monster.

Defensive ends Roderick Battle and Justin Houston, who is suspended for the first two games of the season, should create much better pass rush than the Dawgs had last year.

Linebackers Darryle Gamble, Akeem Dent, and Rennie Curran are veteran players who may be three of the best in the SEC.

Cornerback Prince Miller and safety Reshad Jones provide much needed leadership in the secondary. While Brandon Boykins, Sanders Commings, and Bryan Evans show a lot of promise, they will need Miller and Jones to teach them.

Any questions about the secondary will be answered on the season opener at Oklahoma State.

Special Teams Breakdown

Highly touted kicker Blair Walsh was less than impressive in his freshman year, especially on kickoffs. Let's pray that it was due to a lack of experience.

Sophomore punter Drew Butler will replace Brian Mimbs. Butler is extremely talented so there should not be much drop off at the position.

Overall

Although the Dawgs lost a lot of talent from last year, Georgia still has plenty of potential and a coach named Mark Richt.

I expect nothing less than 9-3 at the end of the regular season. The key for 2009 is for the team to get their swagger back and play with the same attitude and fire as the 2007 squad.

Schedule Analysis and Predictions

Georgia's schedule will be one of the toughest, if not, the toughest in the country. Out of conference games include at Oklahoma State, versus Arizona State, and at Georgia Tech. Can the Dawgs make it out alive?

September 5: #17 Georgia @ Oklahoma State

This has got to be one of the most anticipated games of the 2009 season. And it will be a great measure of where both teams are in terms of BCS contention.

The Cowboys return outstanding quarterback Zac Robinson, thrilling running back Kendall Hunter, and prolific receiver Dez Bryant on what should be one of the best offenses in the nation.

The Georgia defense must play like they did against Michigan State in order for the Bulldogs to have a chance.

However, in 2008, Oklahoma State had one of the worst defenses nationally and seemed to lose every game in which they played a quality opponent. For that reason, I'm going out on a limb and predicting that Georgia upsets OSU 31-28 proving that defense does win championships.

September 12: #14 Georgia vs South Carolina

The Gamecocks will again be a stumbling block in somebodies schedule but nothing more. Despite having much more talent than South Carolina, this game always seems to be a low-scoring defensive struggle for the Dawgs.

I expect this year to be no different. The last time Georgia played Carolina in Sanford Stadium they suffered an embarrassing loss that I'm sure many of us have not forgotten.

The Gamecock's offense was one of the worst in league last season, but it should be improved with experience at quarterback and the addition of freshman running back Jarvis Giles.

Their 13th-ranked defense from 2008 returns six starters. The Gamecocks were second in the league in passing defense, but with the return of only one starter in the secondary, depth becomes an issue.

This year's game will be just like every other year, except this time the Dawgs win it "between the hedges".

Georgia wins 17-10 on a 4th-quarter touchdown pass from Cox to Green.

September 19: #12 Georgia @ Arkansas

After starting off 2-0 and sitting on the cusp of a top-ten ranking, the Dawgs will need to make sure that they don't overlook Arkansas, which will be a much improved team next season.

Defense will be the biggest factor in this game. Although the Bulldog's defense will have already slowed down the big-play offense of Oklahoma State, they could potentially be facing another in Arkansas.

Projected starting quarterback Ryan Mallet has shown great arm strength and ability. The running game should be dangerous as well.

If Georgia can hold the Razorbacks under 24 points, they have a good shot at winning.

Arkansas' defense should be no different from the offense in that they should be much better after returning nine starters. I honestly think that this will be the best defense the Dawgs will have faced at this point.

Georgia is playing away from home, coming off two very difficult games, and Arkansas has a bye week before. However, the Dawgs are already battle-tested and are beginning to gel.

Georgia pulls off a close 24-21 victory on a Blair Walsh field goal late in the game.

September 26: #12 Georgia vs Arizona State

The Bulldogs will be very grateful for another home game in which they will play one of the easiest opponents on their gauntlet if a schedule.

The Sun Devils' offense was 100th in the nation in total offense last season and may be as bad, if not, worse this year.

Arizona State's talented quarterback Rudy Carpenter is gone and will be replaced by Danny Sullivan who has been less than impressive. The running game should be improved, but improvement from 113th in the country should not mean much. The Georgia defense should shut these guys down.

The defense is expected to be a strength for the Sun Devils. There is a lot of speed at most positions, but come on! The Dawg play in the SEC.

Arizona State won't be bringing anything Georgia hasn't already seen.

The Sept. 26 game in Athens will be the first blow out of Georgia's season. The Bulldogs play lights out and crush ASU 35-3.

October 3: #10 Georgia vs LSU

This game by far will be the hardest game that the Dawgs will play outside of Florida. If everything goes as predicted, both teams will be undefeated and "College Gameday" may be in Athens.

The LSU offense should be absolutely prolific next season now that the Tigers have found dual-threat quarterback Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson's supporting cast includes: running back Charlers Scott, wide receiver Brandon LaFell, and projected first-round draft pick Ciron Black.

I suspect most teams, including Georgia, will have a hard time containing LSU.

The Tiger's defense was downright pitiful last season, and this year's defense will need to be reconstructed by John Chavis. The Georgia offense should be the first quality offense LSU will face next year so we'll see how good the Tiger defense actually is.

Unfortunately, LSU will be too much for the Dawgs to handle as the Tigers hand Georgia their first loss in a shootout. Georgia falls 35-31 due to pure exhaustion from the first four games of the season.

October 10: #13 Georgia @ Tennessee

Although Lane Kiffin has kept his mouth shut in regards to the Bulldogs, I guarantee that Georgia, along with every other team in the SEC, is going to want to shut him and his Volunteers up.

Coming off a loss to LSU, the Bulldogs will need to get back on track and win this one.

The Volunteers had a horrible offense last season mostly due to inconsistent quarterback play by Jonathan Crompton and inadequate ability by the receiving corp.

There is really no way to predict how well the offense will perform under John Chaney's system, but I don't see anything miraculous happening in a year's time after having the 115th ranked offense in 2008.

The Vols return five starters from the nation's third-ranked defense, including SEC defensive player of the year Eric Berry. The secondary is extremely talented so the gameplan for the Dawgs should be to attack the inexperienced defensive line with the run.

I do expect Kiffin to eventually lead Tennessee back to prominence, but not this year. Dawgs win a defensive battle 14-6 as our starting running back has his "coming out party." Dawgs start the season with an impressive 5-1 mark.

October 17: #11 Georgia @ Vanderbilt

I think that the 2006 loss at home to Vandy forever forced Georgia never to overlook the Commodores. And after coming off of a bowl victory against Boston College, I guarantee Vanderbilt will have more than enough desire to upset a couple teams.

Vanderbilt finished 117th in total offense last season, however, their commitment to fundamentals led them to success. The offensive line should allow the running backs and quarterback Larry Smith yo become comfortable.

But it's still Vanderbilt. Don't expect too much.

Vandy returns 9 starters on defense this year. Vanderbilt's defense was the key to the Commodore's dream season, and it should again assist Vandy in their attempt to make a second consecutive bowl appearance.

As much as I respect Vanderbilt, the Commodores will be no match for the Bulldogs as Georgia takes it to the home team 42-13.

October 31: #8 Georgia vs Florida

I, along with ninety percent of the country, believe that the Gators will be virtually unstoppable in 2009. However, the Gators can get cocky, so an upset along the way is not out of the question.

Florida's offense should again be one of the best in the country. Tim Tebow is, well, Tim Tebow, running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey are scary-good.

The biggest question is at wide receiver. The question isn't if someone will rise up as a playmaker but who.

Everyone has heard about the Gator defense returning all eleven starters from last season. Their defense was ninth in the nation. Need I say more?

Obviously, I can't pick the Dawgs to win against arguably the best Gator team in Florida's history. However, a bye week the week before makes the game much closer than last year's embarrassing defeat.

Gators secure the SEC East with a 35-24 victory over the Bulldogs.

November 7th: #11 Georgia vs Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech is easily the worst team the Dawgs play this season. The Eagles are bottom feeders in the FCS so they really don't stand a chance against the Bulldogs.

Georgia receives a nice "break" after a heart-breaking loss to Florida. Tennessee Tech goes down 52-14.

November 14: #11 Georgia vs Auburn

Both Auburn and Tennessee were the two biggest disappointments of the SEC in 2008.

The Tigers will be looking for improvement from new Head Coach Gene Chizik. The Bulldogs will be looking for their fourth win in a row against Auburn.

The Tiger offense was stagnant last season. Their defense gave them all the chances in the world, but the offense just couldn't produce.

If the offensive line can get over depth issues, senior running back Ben Tate should be even more dangerous. Watch for the Tigers to score more than 17 points per game next year.

The Auburn defense could be great next season, but once again, depth could present an issue after some injuries to key players in throughout the spring.

The Tigers could be a surprise to the fans and the rest of the SEC. Luckily, Auburn won't sneak up on the Dawgs late in the season because they will already know what Auburn is capable of.

Bulldogs make a streak out of the series and win it 28-17.

November 21: #9 Georgia vs Kentucky

After escaping Kentucky with a 42-38 win last season, the Bulldogs will need to remind Kentucky who they are.

Georgia will be hoping to secure a Top 10 spot entering the postseason.

Productivity in the offense will rely on the improvement of quarterback Mike Hartline. Wide receiver Randall Cobb is a home-run threat along with running back Alfonso Smith who has world class speed.

Georgia should not have a hard time containing Kentucky, but that is hard to say when the Wildcats gave the Georgia defense fits last season.

Despite only returning five starters on defense, the Wildcats should again be stout. Kentucky has created a reputation for having a respectable defense.

Unfortunately, the offenses have yet to help them out. Watch cornerback Trevard Lindley. He should have an outstanding senior season.

I expect this game to be a defensive battle, and maybe a little closer than predicted. Georgia wins 30-21 and heads into its showdown with Georgia Tech at 9-2.

November 28: #8 Georgia @ Georgia Tech

I cannot wait until this regular season finale, and it's been a seven long years since I could actually say that.

Although the loss last season stung (pun intended) it renewed the rivalry. The Bulldogs will head into this game looking for revenge while the Jackets will have a new sense of confidence.

Any questions about the ability of Paul Johnson's offense to work in the FBS were answered when Georgia Tech finished fourth in rushing offense last season.

However, Georgia Tech finished 116th in passing offense, making that the focus of the offseason. Look for running back Jonathan Dwyer to have a huge season.

The defense is set at linebacker and secondary, but the defensive line is a gigantic question. If those problems persist throughout the season, the best way to beat the Yellow Jackets will be with a taste of their own medicine, the run.

Georgia Tech will be many peoples' pick to win for the second year in a row. Unfortunately for them, history tells us otherwise. The Dawgs take back what is theirs and win a thriller 24-21. Go Dawgs!

Post Season Possibilities

The Bulldogs will finish the 2009 season in second place of the SEC East, a No. 7 ranking, and will watch as the Gators take down the winners of the SEC West.

The SEC Championship game will be the deciding factor for where the Dawgs will go in the postseason.

If the loser of the SEC championship game finishes 10-3, the Bulldogs could be looking at a bid to the Sugar Bowl while the Gators head to the National Title.

However, if the loser of the SEC finishes 11-2, they would most likely get the BCS bid while the Dawgs make a second consecutive trip to the Capitol One Bowl.

Regardless of the outcome of next season, it should be a great one. The team will again make us proud to say, "It's great to be a Georgia Bulldog!"

A Georgia Boy's Trip to Oregon's Autzen Stadium

Cole Salmon — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:38:45 -0400

It was not until the 2006 season that I became enamored with arguably the best uniforms in college football—and with that interest came a love for Oregon Ducks football.

While I will always be a Georgia Bulldog at heart, I have found that it is just as much fun cheering for a team that I have absolutely no connection to whatsoever.

This upcoming year will be my senior year in high school, and as an early graduation gift, my dad and I are going to be flying out to Eugene to watch the Ducks take down the Utah Utes.

Seeing as I have grown up "Between the Hedges," I am already an expert in the realm of SEC football, and I am perfectly comfortable with all the Bulldog fight songs and screaming my head off when the defense is on the field.

I cannot wait to immerse myself in the Oregon football culture. I'm pumped about being amongst the craziest fans in the Pac-10, and I realize that the Ducks have the potential to do something great this year.

However, I am not sure how I will react because I do not know the traditions of Oregon football.

For instance, I have no idea what the fans do on kickoffs, I don't know how they tailgate, I don't know the fight song word for word, etc.

So, I would like to ask all of you Oregon fans to give me tips and/or things that you guys do on Saturdays before the game. What do you guys do while you are inside of Autzen Stadium?

Sept. 19 couldn't come any faster...GO DUCKS!

Comprehensive College Football Top 25, Vol. 2

Cole Salmon — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:05:50 -0400

With the 2009 College Football season a mere 100 days away, I thought it would be appropriate to release my second installment of my Preseason Top 25. The Top 5 are pretty much consensus in every poll I've seen and for those of you who did not read Volume One, here is how I calculate the Top 25: The formula for this Top 25 is based on four different rankings coming from ESPN.com, CBSsports.com, Athlonsports.com, and SI.com. I recorded the rank of each team that appeared in each of the four rankings, and then calculated the average for each team. I hope you find this system insightful, and look for the rest of this series to appear throughout the off-season.

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Top 10 Worst FBS Mascots

Cole Salmon — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:16:43 -0400

Everyone has their favorite mascot. You know, the one that you just want to run up to and high-five or get a picture with? Unfortunately, there are also those mascots that make you wonder why a school would ever allow it to appear in public. The following list is the Top Ten worst mascots in the FBS.

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The Top 5 Questions Facing The Atlanta Hawks This Off Season

Cole Salmon — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:08:14 -0400

5. Has the current Hawks team reached their plateau?

We have all seen the Hawks team grow and improve team over the last few years. It is common belief that the Hawks will continue to get better, but I still think that there are a few missing pieces.

I love the chemistry of the current Hawks team. Zaza Pachulia referred to the team as a “family”, but I think Josh Smith nailed it on the head when he said,

“We all think we’ve got the right nucleus and now it’s just a matter of adding the right pieces to push it along.”

It will be up to Mike Woodson to decide if the team is at a point where they can get to that next level, and if not, what does he need to do to get the Hawks over that hump.

4. How can the Hawks team become mentally stronger?

It is easy to see that the Atlanta Hawks are being held back by the psychological aspect of basketball. The Hawks were a robust 31-10 at home, but were a pitiful 16-25 on the road.

If a team is to become great, they need to be able to overcome the disadvantages that come with traveling away from Philips Arena. They also need to be able to overcome adversity when another team takes the lead.

Many a time this season, I watched as the Hawks blew a big lead, or even worse, never gained the lead and basically rolled over and died. I’m not sure how a team goes about becoming mentally strong, but all I know is that if the Hawks ever want to make it past the second round of the play offs, it is an issue that will have to be addressed.

3. Can the Hawks find their “Lebron James”?

I was thinking about this very question the other night when the Cavaliers had just finished their sweep of the Atlanta Hawks. What I mean by “their Lebron James” is: Who is their true leader and their true go-to guy?

I like that the Hawks are the kind of team that is willing to share the wealth (scoring) among their top four scorers on any given night, but I realized that all of the great teams in the NBA have one player that can be counted on to dominate 9 out of 10 games.

The Lakers have Bryant, the Cavaliers have James, the Magic have Howard, the Celtics have Garnett, the Nuggets have Billups, and I know the Hawks have Joe Johnson, but I’m questioning his consistency after his poor play off performance.

So, I think a big question for the Hawks this off season is if they can find that one guy that is synonymous with the Atlanta Hawks. That guy that everyone will accept as “legit”. That guy that will be mentioned in the same sentence as “MVP”.

2. Who should the Hawks draft in Round One of the NBA Draft?

From what I have seen and heard, my gut feeling is telling me that the Hawks keep Mike Bibby at Point Guard and go for a big man that can help the Hawks score in the paint. The Hawks need a true center so that Al Horford can move back to the position in which he is most comfortable, Power Forward. The consensus pick that I’ve seen from most mock drafts is BJ Mullens, the 7’0” center out of Ohio State.

Mullens has a lot of potential and is a really effective defensive player because of his size. Many analysts compliment his athleticism and quickness when taking is size into account. However, many people have questioned Mullens’ attitude, work ethic, and consistency.

On the other hand, if the Hawks decide to let Bibby go or trade him, the Hawks can always hope that a very talented point guard such as Johnny Flynn drops to them at No. 19. Regardless of who the Hawks draft, the franchise can only add more depth to a very talented group of players.

1. Which players should the Hawks keep and let go?

It is highly doubtful that the Hawks will be able to get through the off season without losing at least one of their players. Unfortunately, the Hawks will have five key players that will be listed as free agents: Zaza Pachulia, Mike Bibby, Flip Murray, Marvin Williams, and Solomon Jones.

Of these five players, only Pachulia and Jones played less than 24 minutes per game, and Zaza still played a valuable 19 minutes per game.

As a Hawks fan, I’m really at a loss for which players the Hawks should let go. Other than Solomon Jones, I feel like each of the other four are very valuable to the team. Murray and Pachulia are very strong off-the-bench players which is something that cannot be overlooked.

However, realistically, some of these players will not be returning next year, and if I had to choose the player that I think will not be back next season, it would be Flip Murray.

Murray played 24.7 minutes per game in 2008, and he proved that he has the potential to be a starter in the NBA. Murray will either receive more playing time or another team will take notice of Murray’s value and work out a deal with the Hawks.

Way-Too-Early 2010 NFL Mock Draft (With Video)

Cole Salmon — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:24:26 -0400

A couple weeks after the 2009 NFL Draft, it is already time to start speculation about who will go where come Spring of 2010. The following are my predictions for the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Feel free to make suggestions and to discuss any of my picks or even the order in which the teams pick, which also reflects where the teams will finish at the end of the season.

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Atlanta Hawks Play Lights-Out in Game Seven: Now You Know

Cole Salmon — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:13:10 -0400

Win 50 or more games in a season? Check.

Secure home-court advantage for the Playoffs? Check.

Win a first-round series in the postseason? Check.

With today's win against the Heat, the Hawks accomplished their final goal for the 2008-09 season.

After taking the Celtics to seven games in the 2008 Playoffs, the Hawks knew that they had something to prove this season.

They started the campaign 6-0 to prove to the rest of the NBA that they were a force to be reckoned with. As the marathon continued, the Hawks struggled on the road but backed it up with a robust 31-10 record at home.

The fact that they performed so well on their own floor made it that much more important for the Hawks to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the Playoffs. But little did they know it would make all the difference come the "second season."

Each of the seven games played between the Hawks and the Heat in the first round were won by double figures; this was only the second time in NBA Playoff history that has occurred.

The Hawks dismantled the Heat in Game One, 90-64, but the Heat answered with two wins in Games Two and Three. The emphatic way in which Miami beat Atlanta in those two games put doubt into my mind, as I'm sure it did many other A-Town fans.

Nevertheless, the Hawks showed resilience and determination when they won 81-71 and 106-91 in Games Four and Five, respectively. Unfortunately, the Heat sent a message to the Hawks by winning Game Six 98-72.

So it all came down to today. Game Seven. Win or go home. Put quite simply, the success of the Hawks' season was going to be determined in this tilt.

The Hawks took an 20-18 lead to end the first period, and it was easy to assume that this game was going to be a nail-biter. However, the Hawks never looked back, and there were no more lead changes for the rest of the game.

All-Star Joe Johnson led the home team with 27 points, and the end result was a 91-78 domination of Dwyane Wade and his squad.

After 10 years without tasting victory in the Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks came together and defined their 2008-2009 season. The future of the franchise is looking good, and if the Hawks can steal a few from the mighty Cavaliers, they could enter the 2009-2010 season with some extra swagger and a whole new set of goals.

Congratulations on a great season, Hawks. Here's to dethroning King James!

Gartrell Johnson: The Second Coming of Ladainian Tomlinson?

Cole Salmon — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:52:13 -0400

Many of the mock drafts this year had the San Diego chargers selecting a running back in the first round. this prediction is justified with LT nearing the end of his career and Darren Sproles simply not being an every down back.

However, after going through four picks (two of which were spent on guards) the Chargers finally drafted Gartrell Johnson, the 22 year old out of Colorado State University, at No. 134.

Running back is one of those positions where it is not far-fetched to find a franchise player in the lower rounds. And the last few years of drafting have shown us that A.J. Smith has a gift when it comes to finding future starters in the lower rounds.

Up until pick No. 134, I was infuriated that the Denver Broncos (of all teams) had "stolen" the electrifying Knowshon Moreno from the Chargers. However, when I saw that we had finally drafted a running back the name "Gartrell Johnson out of Colorado State" rang a bell.

After researching what Johnson had done in his college career, I was very impressed with his ability.

Gartrell Johnson stands at 5'10" and 219 pounds. He has great burst and a low center of gravity. He hits the hole with authority and is very good at eluding defenders in the open field. Gartrell has shown that he has strength and is an effective pass blocker.

Johnson is also a good ball-carrier. He only fumbled once in 310 carries throughout the 2008 season.

The biggest question surrounding Johnson is his lack of break-away speed. He failed to break 4.7 at the NFL combine which has led many scouters to suggest that he become a fullback in the NFL.

Ironically, in 2001, many scouting reports praised LaDainian Tomlinson for the same things as Johnson. They also had questions about Tomlinson's speed and balance if he did not get low and run under his pads.

While I do not believe there will ever be a running back with the same ability and impact as Tomlinson, I think I see the future of San Diego's running attack in Gartrell Johnson. Do not be surprised to see Johnson begin complimenting his fellow Mountain West back as soon as the 2009 season begins.

I am excited to see how Johnson develops throughout the off season, and just maybe, the San Diego Chargers have stumbled upon the next LaDainian Tomlinson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bJHBLkbfp0

BCS Era Top 25

Cole Salmon — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:48:08 -0400

With the close of the 2008 season, comes the close of the first (and hopefully last) decade of the Bowl Championship Series. Nevertheless, College Football is College Football, and what a great 10 years it has been. The following rankings are not based on current success which is what many people want to lean towards. It is based on which teams made their marks on the BCS in this 10 year tenure, and which teams we have seen in the Top 25 more than once throughout the years. PLEASE feel free to edit or correct me on any errors...the research can get tedious, and unfortunately, I'm sure a few of my stats are wrong.

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San Diego Charger's Impact Players for 2009

Cole Salmon — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:42:39 -0400

Just like 2007 and 2008, the San Diego Chargers enter the 2009 season with high expectations. As a franchise, the teams' door of opportunity is beginning to close and there is no better time to win a championship than the present. Of course all championship teams have "difference makers" that can really turn each game your favor. In my opinion, there are 5 Chargers that are going to lead us to a Super Bowl in 2009. Go Chargers!

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Another Dennis Felton Hired at Georgia

Cole Salmon — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:42:07 -0400

Well Georgia basketball fans, for all of you expecting a Knight (pun intended) in shining armor to come save our program, think again.

The University of Georgia recently announced that they hired the University of Nevada's Mark Fox. From what I have gathered, Fox's résumé looks eerily similar to that of Dennis Felton when he arrived at Georgia.

Felton came to Georgia with a solid record of 100-54 while at Western Kentucky. He brought the Hilltoppers to the NCAA tournament three times, and UGA hoped he would do the same for the Dawgs.

But, as we all know, Felton was a failure of a coach outside of a miraculous, yet enjoyable, SEC Tournament championship in 2008.

So here we are in April 2009 with a coach from Nevada who has an overall record of 102-30 with the Wolfpack.

Fox brought the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament three times during his tenure.

So my question to Damon Evans is this: Why in the world didn't you just rehire Dennis Felton? The only difference between the two men is the color of their skin!

I had high hopes for the next head coach at the University of Georgia. However, if Damon's idea of "making the basketball program a powerhouse" is to hire another mid-major coach who has really done nothing to prove himself, count me out.

I hope that Fox will improve things for our basketball program, but recent history tells us otherwise.

We've got a Fox coming from a pack of Wolves. How exactly is he going to be a Bulldog too?

The Top 10 Bulldogs in the Mark Richt Era

Cole Salmon — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:42:05 -0400

This is a list of the Top 10 Bulldogs to play "Between the Hedges" under Coach Mark Richt. As I'm sure there are many more great Bulldogs to come, this list is of those whose legacy has already engraved itself into the Georgia Football Hall of Fame. Of course this list is up for debate so I hope any other suggestions people have will be voiced.

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Tennessee Volunteers: Bryce Brown & Lane Kiffin Fulfill Old Cliche

Cole Salmon — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:32:03 -0400

I know many of you have heard the old cliche, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Usually that is in regards to parent and child, but in the world of college football it applies to a certain Tennessee coach and his prized recruit.

Today, the nation's No. 1 running back Bryce Brown announced his decision to play for the Tennessee Volunteers.

My first reaction was, "Why in the World would this guy want to play for Tennessee?" However, after I got to thinking, the light bulb turned on and everything made sense. "The apple (Bryce Brown) doesn't fall far from the tree (Lane Kiffin.)"

We have all heard how obnoxious and rude Lane Kiffin has been since being hired as the head coach of Tennessee. His arrogance and downright stupidity have already gotten the entire SEC gunning for him and his team.

Bryce Brown decided that he was so special that he waited an entire month and half after signing day to announce his college choice. He had the entire media following him and every move he made. He announced his decision at the freaking Kansas Sports Hall of Fame folks!

The biggest thing I want to know is, what did Kiffin say to Brown that made him want to play football for Tennessee? My guess is Kiffin smooth-talked him and appealed to his ego because he knew Bryce Brown's ego was as big as his.

These two people are so similar it disgusts me. Lane Kiffin and Bryce Brown are both looking for attention, and they are both looking out for No. 1.

Well here's a news flash, so is everyone else in college football! Lose the ego and play ball. This upcoming season, everything will be settled out on the field.

Lane Kiffin will get his, and at the rate Brown's going, I expect that his superstar mentality will get the best of him. He'll end up in jail (sorry if that's harsh.)

"The apple never falls far from the tree." Lane Kiffin and Bryce Brown confirmed that.

Why THESE Cardinals WILL Win It All in 2009

Cole Salmon — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:10:42 -0400

Well, March Madness has finally arrived, and I just completed my Tournament Bracket. Little to my surprise, one conference in particular ruled my brackets, and that conference is none other than the Big East.

My Final Four includes: Louisville, UConn, Pitt, and Syracuse. Each of these teams are members of the extremely tough Big East Conference. I have Pittsburgh and Louisville playing for the National Title, and I have Louisville winning it all.

The main purpose of this article is to analyze why Louisville will win the National Title by answering two questions: a) How did Louisville get here?; and b) How will Louisville win it all?

Why did Louisville get here?

Louisville recently won the Big East Tournament. They also were the regular season champs of the Big East. This of course gave the Cardinals the rights to a number one seed in the Eastern Region of the Tournament.
Louisville is so well balanced in every aspect of the game. None of their offensive or defensive averages blow you away, but when you see how well they play on all sides of the ball it doesn't matter.
Louisville is also balanced in the area of player skill. Earl Clark is the teams leading scorer, and he only gets 14 points per game. They don't necessarily have a "shining star" of the team, but that is okay because they play as a team, and they don't need a go-to guy.
Terence Williams. This Senior Point Forward is the closest thing the Cardinals have to a "Star," but until I read an ESPN article about him, I had no idea how important he is to Louisville's success.

How will Louisville get there?

I am a huge believer in strength of schedule. And in a conference like the Big East, every game is up in the air. The Cardinals boast a Strength of Schedule ranking of eleven. This fact will serve Louisville well in the postseason.
They will be playing teams that they "know" when it comes down to the Final Four. The Cardinals will capitalize on the fact that they have already played the likes of UConn and Pittsburgh. The team knows that they can beat them and the confidence that Louisville is playing with right now will win games for them.
Balance on both sides of the Ball (see above).
Terence Williams. Williams is Louisville's second highest scorer with 12.3 points per game. Williams is second on the team with 8.5 rebounds per game. And in my opinion, his most important statistic is that he leads the team in assists. This tells me a lot about him as a player. He is a guy that the Cardinals can rally around. He is a guy that can get things going on the court, and while he isn't statically off the charts, his intangibles are what make him the key to a Louisville championship.

There you have it. These are the reasons that Louisville will be the next National Champions. Strength of Schedule, Team Balance, and Team Leadership are the most important ingredients to this team's success in the tournament, and if they can get things going, maybe a team of Cardinals WILL bring home a Championship in 2009.

Diamond Dawgs Light It Up to Start 2009 Season

Cole Salmon — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:50:23 -0400

After a disappointing loss to Fresno State in the College World Series, the Diamond Dawgs left Oklahoma knowing they would lose two of their best players in Gordon Beckham and Joshua Fields. These big losses lowered the expectations for the 2009 season, and it showed when the Dawgs were ranked as low as No. 14 in the preseason polls.

However, the Diamond Dawgs are 14 games into the season, and they are 14-0 heading into conference play this weekend verses Alabama.

And for what it's worth, the Dawgs have climbed up to No. 1 in two polls, and are in at least the top five of every other major poll (does 14-0 and No. 1 look eerily simliar to what we hoped the football team would be in 2009?). So, looking on to the rest of the season, here are some pros and cons about the Dawgs being 14-0 right out of the gates.

Cons:

This 14-0 start is the best start in Georgia baseball history, and it is tied for 2nd for longest streak in UGA baseball history. While this is great news, this may give the team a false sense of security going into the gaunlet that is an SEC baseball schedule.

I say this because while the Dawgs are undefeated, they have played the likes of: Youngstown State (2-9), Presbyterian (2-9), Arizona (8-6), Wofford (5-5), Quinnipiac (0-8), and Le Moyne (2-8).

So, the Dawgs are 14-0 with victories over one team over .500. I wouldn't get too excited just yet, but hey, they are 14-0, how many more cons can there be right now?

Pros:

The 14-0 start is also great because it gives the young Dawgs experience, and it gives the entire team confidence going into conference play. The teams knows what they are capable of, and that they are a force to be reckoned with in '09 (weak schedule or not). Now for the statistics, (which are definitely all pros):

The Diamond Dawgs have 10 batters averaging better than .300 (four of which are batting .400 or better).
Both starting pitchers have ERAs under three.
In the 1st fourteen games, the Dawgs have outscored their opponents 164-49.
The Dawgs have scored in double digits 11 out of 14 games.

So, with the start of a new college baseball season comes many surprises, and the 2009 Georgia Baseball team is one of them. The Bulldogs look to defend their SEC title this year, and hope to finally win the CWS under Dave Perno. 14-0. No. 1. Do we have any believers?

UGA's 2009 X-Factor, Jeff Owens

Cole Salmon — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:49:59 -0500

With the 2009 season a mere 193 days away, I think it would do all college football fanatics a little good to read a 2009 prediction in February.

The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off a "disappointing" 10-3 season, so expectations are short of what they were this time last year. But I'm determined to look on the bright side coming into this season.

Mark Richt's teams always perform better when under the radar, anyway. Plus, these dull, pigskin-less months seem to be eerily similar to the doldrums before the Dawgs' triumphant 2005 season.

I am of the conviction that a team can have all the talent in the world, but if they don't form a "brotherhood," they won't go very far.

The 2008 campaign reinforced this belief of mine greatly. But from what I have read, this 2009 squad shows glimpses of this necessary camaraderie, and to me, this means they have the potential for greatness.

With all that said, if you're looking for a single impact player for the coming year, look no further than DT Jeff Owens.

In 2008, the senior came in with his name on the watch lists for the Outland, Lott, and Bronko Nagurski Trophies. Unfortunately, he was injured in the first game (against Georgia Southern) and lost for the season.

His absence turned out to be devastating to the Georgia defense; apparently, as Owens limped off the field that late August afternoon, so did our entire pass rush.

But now, I have come to the conclusion that Jeff Owens' pass rush is the thing we'll miss least after his eventual departure for the NFL. His real value lies in his personality: He's the type of guy that can make anybody smile. I know this from my personal experience at UGA Picture Day, when I witnessed Owens doing karaoke.

Jeff is a leader and a game-changer. These attributes will make all the difference on a Georgia squad that loses five of its best players to the NFL Draft.

Recently, there has been a buzz across the Bulldog Nation as news of the blog "Jeff Owens: The Real Deal" spreads. Owens himself is the creator, and it gives an inside look at the players and thier lives as members of a team. The simple website shows the unity that the 2009 team will embody, and it also shows how much respect the team has for its leaders.

I hope that this has given you insight on one of Georgia's most influential players. Both his play and his charisma will be characteristics that can potentially make or break the Dawgs' 2009 football season. Look out for No. 95 because, as his blog says, he's "The Real Deal."

P.S. I love this article. The Dawgs are gettin' their swagger back, so read up if you're a fan.

What's "G"?

Cole Salmon — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:44:37 -0500

As a lifelong Georgia fan I have always bled the Red and Black. The tradition of excellence that the University of Georgia possesses is like none other. It is an honor to be a part of the BulldogNation, and at some point, each and every true Dawg fan must ask themselves: "What does it mean to be a University of Georgia Bulldog?"

Georgia Tradition is:

Walking around Athens just because it is Athens.

Tailgating with family and friends during football season.

Avoiding the sacred Arch before your Sophomore year of college.

Never getting tired of Larry Munson's timeless play calls.

Attending other sporting events even if we aren't that good at all of them.

Going to the Junior Varsity and ordering a Chili Dog.

Hating everything Orange.

Performing both on the field and in the classroom.

Continuing to Bark when the scoreboard is not in our favor.

Partying until you can't anymore.

Understanding "Between the Hedges."

Grieving when one Uga passes and cheering when another takes his place.

Remembering 1980.

Agonizing until the next season begins.

Making fun of the "Nerds" from Georgia Tech.

Knowing there is nothing like Southeastern Conference football.

Ringing the Chapel Bell after a victory.

Talking trash when we're the Underdogs.

Showing up to the gymnastics meets more than the Basketball games.

Glory Glory...

If you have any other Dawg traditions you would like me to add, leave me a comment at the bottom. I'm sure we can get a pretty long list going.

The Los Angeles Chargers? Could San Diego Franchise Be Mulling a Move?

Cole Salmon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:40:50 -0500

The Chargers have already given us a little offseason controversy with the LaDainian Tomlinson story, and now they've drizzled some relocation rumors on top of that.

On Monday, San Diego GM A.J. Smith signed a contract that will market the Chargers throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Some people are taking this as preparation for a Charger move to LA.

From an economic standpoint, this move may be smart. Los Angeles is one of the biggest marketing economies in the country. A Chargers move would surely bring in some more publicity, and most likely some more fans. As we all know, in this economic time, everyone's financial stability is unsure, but the San Diego Chargers could insure some monetary security with a relocation to Los Angeles.

The Chargers have also been looking for a place to construct a new stadium, as their current stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, continues to age. A move to LA would give them an excuse to build one.

Although from a financial perspective this move may look appealing, I must say I disagree with it. This move of course is only a rumor, but if the Chargers do decide to move, it may cost them both fans and players.

The citizens of San Diego flock to Qualcomm Stadium on Sundays, where they thoroughly enjoy their Bolts and the ideal weather that San Diego has to offer. A stadium in LA would almost definitely witness overcrowding, and honestly, what else do they need in Los Angeles?

Another aspect that would put a move into a negative light would be the response of the players. Some individuals may not want to move, and they may not want to give up the atmosphere that can only be found in San Diego.

With that said, I just thought it would be interesting to see what you all thought about this rumor. I suppose it's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons. The franchise will gain fans either way, so I guess the real question is: Does money outweigh their loyalty to the city of San Diego?

I will forever be a SAN DIEGO Chargers fan...Los Angeles Chargers just doesn't have the same ring to it.