Archive for August, 2010

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Sports News Direct–Countdown to Kickoff–Just Five Days Till Kelin Keepin’ It Real Radio Hits the Airwaves…and Akeem Hebron Puts Dawgs Offense on the Defense!

Akeem Hebron has been making a lot of noise at the year’s camp. Akeem is a 2007 transfer from Georgia Military College.
The word on the street is that Akeem has made significant strides to become a better football player. In practices and scrimmages, number 37 has been a nightmare for the offense. Splitting offensive linemen and slicing into the backfield to crush runningbacks and quarterbacks is his specialty. Stacy Searels, the line coach and running game coordinator, has been throwing his hat down in frustration, because Akeem is not only hitting players in the backfield, he is doing it with an explosion that can be heard all over campus. I know from experience, Akeem is tired of hitting his own teammates by now and is ready to release some of that aggression on UGA’s rivals. So, make sure you look out for number 37 on Saturday; he seems to be turning himself into a playmaker and that’s what football is all about!
Expect to see Akeem a lot on defense this year and on special teams!

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SPORTS NEWS DIRECT 8/28/10

News from the Pre-Season College Football Tailgate in Panama City, Florida

I’m just back from what they’re calling “the world’s largest tailgate,” held this weekend in Panama City, Florida to celebrate the start of football season.  Former players along with current cheerleaders and dancers from UGA, along with Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Southern Miss, Troy, and Vanderbilt descended on Panama City for a weekend of interacting with fans across the Panhandle.  This was a great way to show the world that despite the challenges of the BP oil spill, there was plenty going on down there, and the beaches looked awesome!

We played in a celebrity golf tournament at Hombre Golf Club—and somehow, the foursome Thomas Brown played with won—I’m not saying he cheated, but…and speaking for things that are a little fishy, we also went deep sea fishing with players and fans and after catching a couple of small fish, Thomas and David Greene pretty much gave up and took naps on the deck!  So I definitely had them beat on that one. 

By the way, both of those guys, along with Fred Gibson, to name just a few, are going to be live on my new radio show Kelin: Keepin’ It Real Radio.  It’s a co-production with WUOG-FM 90.5.   We’ll kick off every home game at 10am live on 90.5 FM and on kelinjohnson.com. Then starting the following Saturday September 11th, we kick off a national show at 11am-12 pm that will air EVERY game day and for the following 13 weeks on Voice America Sports and on KelinJohnson.com.  This hour will also be picked up by other stations, including 880 AM.

So while you’re tailgating, you can hear from some of the biggest names in football about the day’s games and everything else.  Plus you’ll be able to come down to the Tate Student Center Stage and see the show in person and talk to a bunch of current and former players live on the air. 

So back to the world’s largest tailgate…we had meet and greets all over the Panama City area, had a great time at the Sarah Evans concert on the beach and wrapped things up with a parade at Pier Park. Definitely got me pumped up for the season and for “keepin’ it real” on the radio.  Be sure to tell your friends to visit kelinjohnson.com to sign up so they can listen to our show.

Now…on to my next installment of When I First Met…Bruce Figgins

All I can recall is his huge smile the first time I met him. I guess he was happy to be at UGA for the first time..who wouldn’t be. The first real conversation I had with Bruce was in the weight room during the summer workouts. Bruce was just getting used to being on campus, and like a typical freshman he didn’t know what to expect. I walked past him and he had this look on his face like he wanted to say something, so being the guy that I am, I asked him ”You got something on your mind?” Bruce looked at me and said, “I might.”

All I could do is laugh because the rest of my DB’s buddies would have beaten him up if he said something out of line. Bruce is a clever and funny guy to be around.  But when it came to football, you couldn’t beat his tough and aggressive attitude on the field.

Bruce went on to become a true freshman for us that 2007 season and played in 13 games with a TD in the season opener vs. Oklahoma. Mr. Figgins is one of the best blocking TE’s at UGA. He has quick hands and we can expect to see many more great things from him. So when you see number 89 on Saturday, stay on his good side, because he doesn’t take crap from anybody!

I promised you coverage from the pre-season media gathering in Panama City and I won’t dissappoint… so keep an eye on your inbox or the kelinjohnson.com site later today.

In today’s Kelin Johnson Sports News Direct edition of Countdown to Kickoff: 

When I First Met…Orson Charles 

When I first met Orson Charles, I had just come back from Baltimore Ravens Mini Camp in 2009. I was in the weight room, my second home, working out and up walks this huge, very strong young man. He introduced himself to me:  ”I’m Orson Charles.” I replied: “It’s nice to meet you, my name is Kelin Johnson.” He looked puzzled and asked, “Why you working out so hard, aren’t you a broadcaster now?” I told him I was, but I couldn’t stop working out because it had become a habit and I love the weight room.

 Immediately we bonded and he began to tell me how much he loves working out and how he can’t wait to hit the football field. I told him in these exact words, “If you love the weight room, the weight room will love you! Meaning if you take care of your body, your body will take care of you. You won’t see the football field if you’re hurt and out of shape, because Coach will not be able to judge your talents on the sideline.”

Orson Charles as a new recruit

I can tell you this about Orson: when it’s time for team workouts he’s the last one to leave the weight room. This summer, when the team was training and running, Orson always went back to the weight room to do extra. Not only is he a hard worker but he also listens and that’s the mark of a true leader. You will definitely see the results of Orson’s hard work on the football field this fall.

Tomorrow When I First Met…. Bruce Figgins.

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10am Saturday Home Games beginning 10am, 11am all game days beginning Saturday, September 11. All programs live on KelinJohnson.com.

Kelin Coverage Update: I am headed to Panama City at the invitation of the Athletic Department to spend a few days getting the full ISP media briefing for the season ahead. So keep it here and I will share with you what I can.  

Also:  Click Here for the formal announcement about Kelin Keepin’ It Real Radio.

In today’s Kelin Johnson Sports News Direct edition of Countdown to Kickoff:
Times Change and So Do Players…Spotlight on the Tight Ends…
Here’s the first in a series of reports I’m calling: When I First Met…

When I first met Aron White in 2007, I instinctively wondered, ‘who is this tall skinny guy from Columbia, Missouri?’ He was hyper and ran funny-looking routes, but they worked. Sometimes you couldn’t even tell if he was running an out cut on you or an in cut. As he was running his pass patterns, he was all over the place, making it hard to get a read on him.
In my senior year, Mr. White red-shirted during his first year at Georgia. He was put on the scout team, to service the defense all year as a TE. As the year progressed, Aron began to get better in his route running and consequently as an all around football player.
I remember it just like it was yesterday. It was the week we played the Florida Gators–so clearly a stressful practice week. The pressure was on for us to beat Tim Tebow and the speedy Gators. Coach Martinez was furious because the scout team was kicking the number one’s butt that day. So in practice we were going over some plays Florida frequently uses in games–they are known to pass on certain downs. It wasn’t the part of practice where you go full, all out, game day speed, but the scout team and the number one defense had an understanding. Just give us a good look without going full speed so we can improve and if we had to fix anything, we can on the fly. But Aron didn’t get the memo that day.
Aron was running routes aggressively and catching everything that came to him. The Scout team jumped up and down after every play, celebrating together knowing it would get all the defensive coaches upset. In turn, it made us on the defensive side want to strap up and try to knockout everything in sight. Aron White pushed us to practice even harder that year and that is part of the reason the 07 – 08 team was so successful.
I learned that he has the same motor as Jr. He’s not that skinny boy I met from MO anymore, now 6’4” and weighing in at 240 lbs, with quick hands and agile speed. In 2009, Aron was named the Team’s Most Improved Player for Offense and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. I have seen this young man step up and turn himself into a leader for the Dawgs. So, when number 81 pops up on the big screen, runs across the middle, and makes an amazing catch, remember…his motor doesn’t stop.

More tomorrow on When I First Met…. Orson Charles.

10am Saturday Home Games beginning 10am, 11am all game days beginning Saturday, September 11. All programs live on KelinJohnson.com.

Countdown to Kickoff:

Hot Practice Makes Perfect…and the Dawgs Do Some Healin’ Off the Field

Coach Mark Richt said the hot temperatures during Bulldog practices, which moved into the 90s again, were just fine with him.

“We’re getting done what we need to get done…it’s good when it’s hot.” says Coach Richt. “The guys had to push through it. Most of them did just that. I hope it’s hot next week, too.”

Coach knows that the team has got to get use to the heat.   I remember those noon games early in the season, and believe me, they were hot! UGA opens up with a 12:21 PM game in Athens on September 4^th against Louisiana-Lafayette—and it’ll be broadcast on the SEC Network nationwide.

Coach Richt also gave updates on the Dawg injuries—and there are a bunch of them.

Defensive end Demarcus Dobbs (ankle), center Chris Burnette (concussion) and end Dexter Morant (shoulder) missed practice on Monday. Richt said that Dobbs should be back this week.  He also said Logan Gray (ankle), center Ben Jones (knee), guard Cordy Glenn (mono) “are getting close.” Linebacker Akeem Dent (toe) was able to log some non-contact work for the first time on Monday.  Coach Richt’s optimistic view: “We’re getting there.”

Tackle Clint Boling commented on the injuries to the lineman so far (Jones and Glenn). Boling said the depth should make a difference during Georgia’s first three games, all of which will kick off near high noon.

“They’ve all been playing well,” Boling said of the backups. “They’ve taken advantage of their opportunity to step in and get the job done. The good thing is, we’ve all been together for awhile, so we should be fine when everybody’s back. It’s going to be hot in the first couple of games, but it doesn’t matter when game time is; you’ve just got to be ready to play.”

There’s nothing more frustrating than not having your starters.

Richt said the Bulldogs will practice again on Tuesday, followed by a practice game on Wednesday, and a kicking practice on Thursday.

As most of you know, Georgia, is ranked No. 21 in the preseason edition of the USA Today coaches poll and No. 23 in the Associated Press poll. 

So when I look ahead to the upcoming season, I’m also optimistic.  Like Coach Richt,  with the team on the mend and I definitely think “we’re getting there.”

10am Saturday Home Games beginning 10am, 11am all game days beginning Saturday, September 11. All programs live on KelinJohnson.com.

Countdown to Kickoff…Kicking Game with Special Teams
If you’re worried about the Georgia Bulldogs special teams this year, let me see if I can make you feel better.

After the firing of John Fabris last season, fans and alumni had mid mixed feelings about his departure. While Coach Fab wasn’t the most popular coach, he had as much dedication as any coach Georgia has ever had. Naturally, his leaving left a huge question mark in regard to special teams play this upcoming season. How will the coverage be on kick-offs? Will Georgia continue to kick off between the 5 and 10 yard lines again? Who’s going to return punts?

Well, I can say that UGA has untapped talent on special teams that has yet to be seen. So for all of you biting your nails about special teams, stop worrying. Georgia has a First Team All-American punter, Drew Butler and a 2nd Team All SEC Place Kicker, Blair Walsh, who went 20-22 last season. Georgia’s kicker and punter are probably the best one-two punch in the country.

While Georgia’s return game is not quite as well established, there are no question marks for me. Georgia will have some of the best return men in the SEC. First up is Brandon Boykin. Boykin was placed on the Lott Trophy Watch list and returned 3 kickoff for TDs just last year. People also worry that with Prince Miller leaving for the NFL the Punt Return team has some big shoes to fill. This position will be up for grabs among a number of highly talented players. Vance Cuff just broke the school record in the 40 yard dash at 4.24 seconds this off-season (no, that is not a typo!). He is the fastest guy on the team so you can expect to see great things from him this upcoming season. Another up and comer is Jakar Hamilton. He was the 2nd best JUCO player in the country last year and this young man is a crazy athlete..he can do it all! Finally, let’s not forget Mr. Speedy from Atlanta, GA Branden Smith can run with best of them. Smith is not only fast, he has great lateral moves, which can make defenders look silly. Lastly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see AJ Green, UGA’s poster boy, out there this year returning punts. Everybody in the country knows what this man among boys can do, especially when the game is on the line.

Two more names that could get the call for Punt Return or Kick Return this year are Bacarri Rambo and “freshman” Derek Owens. Coming out of high school, Rambo was one of the top players in the State of Georgia.  GT coach, Paul Johnson, told him that if he went to GT, he would win the Heisman Trophy at QB, but the boy was smart and chose to be a Bulldog. Rambo can play anywhere on the football field and he will get it done for you. Derek Owens is another speedy, athletic and high energy guy that brings a lot to the table. With this kind of talent, the Bulldogs’ special teams will not disappoint this year.

Exciting news about my radio show. Kelin Keepin’ It Real Radio brings me together with some big name former players from Georgia and the NFL.  This is gonna be sports talk with insiders who have been there, with real knowledge of the game, the team, the players and the coaches.  I will have a national show and a local edition… and you will find it all here on kelinjohnson.com, as well as on voiceamerica.com/sports.  We’re still confirming our local broadcast schedule for the over the air radio, but expect that very soon and definitely before the kickoff!

10am Saturday Home Games beginning 10am, 11am all game days beginning Saturday, September 11. All programs live on KelinJohnson.com.

Tune into WUOG-FM 90.5 Athens at 10am every home game day Saturday for the tailgate edition. It’ll be streamed  here on kelinjohnson.com. and then at 11am tune into voiceamericasports.com or right here on kelinjohnson.com for the main show–Kelin Keepin It Real.  It can also be downloaded On Demand throughout the week and up on iTunes so you can download the podcast anytime after 12pm  on game day to take with you to Sanford or wherever you are going to be to take in the action.