Archive for September, 2010

The Bulldogs head to Colorado to go up against the Buffaloes on Saturday.  The Dawgs are the second SEC team ever to visit.  It may not be a conference match-up, but it’s as good a chance as ever to add a second W to this season.

Here are my FOUR Keys to this game.
1. Leadership is key in this game. Times are hard right now for the
Dawgs. Leaders of this team have to come together and keep this team
united when things do not go their way in this ball game. A true
leader is born in times of need.

2. AJ Green is back this game!  UGA has to put the ball in his hands.
He is the best player in college football. He has fresh legs and plus
the young man is humbled now and ready for the ball to be in his
hands. He’s a game changer and Georgia has to create opportunities for
him.

3. The offensive line has to push up front. UGA’s running backs are
ready to have that break out game on the ground. King, Thomas, and
Ealey have the skills to make big plays, but the men up front have to
help them.

4. The defense has fought hard in a lot of close games but hasn’t
been able to finish! Confidence is a must for the defense. This unit
has to gain confidence in each other first in order to win this game.
With confidence UGA will win the turnover battle because they all will
be playing as one!

Greg Blue Shares his Thoughts on Bulldogs with Kelin Johnson

Greg Blue has been called a lot of big names, like “the beast” but I still love the headline with  his picture on the cover of the Dawg Post a few years back.   Blue was a Free Safety/Outside Linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs.  Known for his strong tackles, Blue was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Top 50 in Georgia, Class AAA All-State first-team, and Marvelous Metro 11 squad as a defensive back during his senior year at Banneker High School.  He received Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State and Super Prep All-Dixie Team accolades. He was named one of the top 25 safeties in the country by Student Sports Magazine.

Greg recorded 89 tackles, six forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 14 pass break-ups as a senior. He also had an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 65-yard punt return for a score that year. He helped his team to the 2000 Class AAA state playoffs with a 9-2 record. Blue was also a member of the basketball team and was invited to play in the 2001 Georgia North-South All-Star Game.

Blue redshirted in 2001 at Georgia. He was a reserve at the Rover position in 2002, playing in fourteen games. He finished that season with 42 tackles
(24 solos). He managed to make 42 tackles (30 solos) and deflected three passes while starting three late season contests.

Blue went on to play for both the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

Okay so that is his story, but today I want to continue to provide you with some perspective and some insider’s thoughts of the Bulldogs this season.  Last night I had the chance to sit down and have a real good conversation with Greg and here is what he had to say:

KELIN: Blue what are your thoughts about the season so far?
BLUE: “Considering the standards that UGA has, it’s disappointing. I’m still a Dawg no matter what. The first 2 losses were hard. The other teams just made more plays and were more physical than we were. The last loss really hurt me. No disrespect to M. State but they are a team that you put an easy W by in the column.”

KELIN: Do you think the leadership could be better?
BLUE: “I think somebody needs to step up. The players need to get into each others’ faces and challenge each other to bring more intensity out on the field.”

KELIN: Now on to the defense. What do you think the pros and cons are this year and how do you feel about them?
BLUE: “We have the talent, I just don’t see the toughness that prior UGA defenses had. We need some front line solders who play the game violently to bring back the fear teams had for us.”

KELIN: What has changed about this UGA team over the years since you have gone? Here’s your chance to tell the Bulldawg nation and team why you love them and why you will always love them. What would you say to the team right now to get them back on track?
BLUE: “I’m a Dawg for life. You can’t win every game but you can give your best effort when you put on that Red and Black. I wasn’t perfect but I played the game violently and players respected me for that. I would tell the team that what’s done is done. You can’t bring those last three games back; but you can make the next 6-7 teams pay. The next time you suit up in that red and black, play relentlessly, hit somebody in their mouth, and let these teams know: things have changed.”

KELIN: Media has talked about Coach and how he’s on the hot seat. You and I agree he’s not going anywhere. What are your thoughts?
BLUE: “Coach Richt put UGA back on the national map. He deserves the opportunity to revive the program. He’s brought 2 SEC championships and countless SEC east championships. I trust things will get turned around and UGA will be the UGA of the early and mid 2000’s.”

This edition of Kelin Johnson Sports News Direct is dedicated to the Bulldog players who are facing the harsh reality of losses the hurt. 

Hear it in their own words:

Online Athens photographer Richard Hamm captured this shot of Georgia head coach Mark Richt as the Mississippi State Bulldogs Lead 7-6 over the University of Georgia Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium

Georgia is now 0 and 3 in the SEC. First time since 1993. And it hurts. MSU Bulldogs showed up and outshowed the Georgia bulldawgs. Aaron Murray is still trying to keep things on the right track, but it’s not enough to prevent a loss once again. Mississippi State over powered the dawgs on offense. Simple as that. UGA’s defense just could not hold off their offense. At Halftime the score was 7 to 6. But MSU played and stayed strong while Georgia beat themselves tonight with holding pentlies and fumbles. If you turn the ball over in the SEC you won’t win games on the road.

Humiliating and shocking as this loss is to the Bulldog Nation, and knowing that the calls for heads to roll will get louder and louder this week, there are some positives, despite the big L.

I saw a young QB fighting for his club. No matter what else happened he refused to give up and showed that his head was in the game and he wanted to make a play.

Coach Granthem’s got some work to do. The Georgia Defense could not get a break, nor could they get any rest. The defense was on the field non-stop in the second half.

This dawg is licking wounds, but despite this upset and the fact that the Bulldogs are breaking the wrong kind of records this season, Aaron Murray’s still got it going on. Just hope he has a chance to show it and turn this streak around. It’s never too late, although it’s getting pretty dark.

 It’s a big week in the SEC and here is what I am thinking about all of the main match-ups

Bama vs Razorbacks :

This is a game that’s going turn a lot of heads. The Razorbacks have a chance to upset the Crimson Tide. 

Ryan "Air" Mallett

If anybody in the SEC can do it, it’s their QB Mallett and his cannon of an arm. The key will be for the Bama defense to stop the passing game. For success on the flip side, Arkansas’s defense will need to stop Bama’s high powered offense and its running game. Let’s not forget both these teams are in the West. Who’s going to the Dome baby? I guess we will find out Saturday. Whoever wins this game will have the upper hand in the SEC West.

USC vs Auburn:

USC’s running game is their newly introduced strength this year. Will the Gamecocks win on the road with the distraction from Auburn’s loud stadium? Auburn always plays well on its home turf. A win would be huge for both teams because they are fighting for the top slot in the SEC East conference. This should be a close game because both teams are well coached. It will be a hard fight and an exciting one to watch.

UGA vs Miss. St.:

Again this is a must win for both teams. Miss. St. has a chance to put UGA 0-3 in the SEC. That would be a HUGE victory for them.  But all eyes are on the Georgia Bulldogs.  This is a game they should win.  This is a game they need to win.  This is a game that if Georgia loses, there is going to be some serious stuff going on inside the locker room and inside the offices in Athens GA.  Maybe a nightgame will help the Dawgs, even if it is away.  

UK vs UF:

I am going to pick UK to upset the Gators in the swamp. UK has some promising talent and their players are hungry to win. This program has turned around and risen from the bottom of the SEC to the high-middle of the SEC. They can beat anybody on any given Saturday and Florida just is not as strong as they were in past years.  However, if your are big into records, 

If ninth-ranked Florida beats visiting Kentucky at Florida Field, it would be the Gators’ 24th consecutive victory over the Wildcats — and it would earn Urban Meyer 100 career victories, sooner in his career than any other NCAA coach.

Tune in at 11 am for Kelin Keepin’ It Real Radio. I’ll be live, and we’ll be diggin into all the match-ups and getting under the hood !

Post-game UPDATE: After suffering a massive blow with the loss to the other Bulldogs, You might want to take another look at the videos of what the players were saying in the lead up. Are these dawgs hungry enough?

It’s been a trying week for the team.  A tougher than usual practice week.  An emotional end to the game against Arkansas.  Another week without AJ.  But they’ve got it together and they’re pumped and ready to show us what we got against Mississippi State this Saturday.

This week, here on Kelin Johnson.com you get to hear it straight from the team themselves.  I have been working with my producer Scott Hardman to put together video of what the team themselves are saying.

Untitled from CWI Viewer on Vimeo.

More of what the team was saying in the lead up to MSU

Also posting soon here on kelinjohnson.com:  My Three Keys to The Game.  If you subscribe to my SPORTS NEWS DIRECT you have already received these in your inbox.

Johnny Majors

      This Week at the Touchdown Club in Atlanta, I had the chance to listen to Johnny Majors.  He is the ex coach of UT and the national championship Pitt Panthers, and also a Heisman runner up in his day.

Coach Majors and His Wife

This Coach is old school and he loves every second of it.  He told many stories about how the game of football changed his life. He also talked about the two coaches he respects most: Bobby Dodd and Bobby Bowden. Coach Majors commented on how the game of football has changed, including the use of  new equipment, better coaching and advanced offensive and defensive play calling.  Majors is 75 years old, so back when he was playing and coaching players did not have the kind of durable protection equipment offers today.

      It was energizing to hear Coach Majors speak because he reminded me how the game of football can change people’s lives.  He spoke about how character is the true mark of a man. He gave numerous examples of men that exhibit exemplary character.  Tony Dorsett had the best character that he can recall. As an ex football player, that grabbed my attention. It is not everyday that you can hear someone with Coach Major’s experience and knowledge talk about why Tony Dorsett was such a successful football player and is such a successful human being.

Maybe this is why we have two ears and one mouth: to do more listening and less talking!

UGA vs ARK:

Breaking down the UGA game after watching it again against Arkansas, I see real positives despite the heart- breaking loss.  

Razorbacks (2009)

First, the ambition and drive in the Dawgs finally appeared when they rallied in the fourth quarter.  The defense made stops and got a few three and outs.  The offense also seized the momentum that the defense started for them.  UGA’s Murray took the offense down the field allowing Georgia’s D some much needed rest.  UGA’s offense opened up the playbook in the second half allowing the play makers to step up. This Bulldog offense is only going to improve as the year progresses. The key to a good offense is balance.  This can be achieved with a good running and passing game.  Georgia has to find that balance so they are not too predictable.

The defense also significantly improved since the USC game. They were more aggressive and exhibited better tackling on the running backs and wide outs.  Coming into this game, the world knew that Ark’s QB was going to get his yards in passing.  UGA’s defense stepped up in the 3^rd quarter and got Ryan Mallot off the field. Unfortunately, in the Razorbacks last drive, the defense could not step up and stop the best QB in college football. Ark had 3 plays and 73 yards in only 32 sec’s on the last drive to win the game. All in all, I think the defense did a good job in keeping the Razorbacks out of the endzone but unfortunately, they did not seal the deal.

But we should not forget that our best successes have come after our greatest disappointments. Every game is a learning experience and an opportunity for someone to make a play.

Who’s going to be the difference maker in Starkville?

-Kelin

SEC preview!

Miss. St @ LSU

Coming off a loss to Auburn, Mississippi St. will look to beat
the tigers and company. Miss. St has had some close games this year that were down to the wire. Last weeks game against Auburn was a tough loss in the fourth! LSU has a 2-0 start and seems to have the upper hand in this game. This will be a must win for both teams because it is an SEC West match up. Both teams will look for the Dome.

Tenn @ Florida

Now this will be a must see game! Flordia is off to a slow start so far this season. Will Tenn defense show up to play and stop the gators and their struggling offense? The new head coach, Dooley, will have his first SEC test. This is an important game for Tenn and Fla in the East. Will coach Meyer and his team let off the field issues get in the way of their first SEC match up? With UGA and Ark playing on the same day, SEC East can excpect quite a busy day.

Ark @ UGA

Off a lost to USC, UGA needs a win. The number 1 QB in the nation will be in Athens Ga with his experienced WR core. Georgia defense will have a lot on their plate during Saturdays’ game. A good thing for the Dawgs is that their young QB is excelling and proving himself to be a leader. UGA needs a win to get that bad taste out their mouths from last weeks defeat.

Tune in at 10am for the Home Game Tailgate show live from Tate Plaza on WUOG-FM 90.5 and then at 11am for Kelin Keepin’ It Real Radio.   Join me and my co-host James Carr and our special guest Bulldog Great David Greene.

1. The less the defense sees of the field, the better. Arkansas has the best QB in the nation and intimidating, skilled receivers. Don’t forget the shootout last year between Joe Cox and Ryan M.and UGA had AJ Green that game!

2. Field position will play a huge role in this game. Special teams have to show up and establish great field position to enable the offense. Brandon Smith may be out for Saturday’s game and that will hurt UGA. So who will Georgia turn to?

3. Defense has to make stops. “No YAC” (yards after catch.) This is something that the Defense can use to motivate itself against a tough opponent. The ultimate goal is to tackle the WR as soon as he catches the ball so he can not advance!