Nick? Is that you?Georgia has closed down practice to all persons not closely affiliated with the football program this week. The media has reacted with 1) puzzlement, 2) mild resentment, and 3) accusations regarding accusations of spying. The attenuated logic that Saban once worked for a guy who spyed, therefore Saban must spy, is lighting up the media this week. This is what Saban's reputation has wrought. He's so hypercompetitive that he will employ any method to win that the Alabama athletic department can afford: spy satellites, invisibility cloaks, or a fleet of Africanized honeybees with tiny cameras attached to their thoraxes. I guess the logic isn't that far off as Saban was accused of trying to steal calls from the Pats last year, but Richt was accused last year too. Some reporters cite Searles as being a possible source of Richt's anxiety because he knows what lengths Saban will go to in order to get a win. While the concern may be real, this whole thing seems like a lot of trouble and risk for the chance that you might know what play is coming.
Frankly, I like the move. You shut down one possible advantage your adversary might employ. It should increase the feeling of isolation and focus during practice. And, the writers shouldn't complain that much because all they get to see is warm ups and special teams anyway.
Whether you believe the move is a result of spying concerns or not, the timing of the move is great. We've got a young team going on the road for a pivotal game before a large audience. It's a great way to get that attitude of us against the world that seems to work so well for visiting teams. Most writers say this is a red herring and spying is the real reason for increased privacy because none of the players seem to have realized that practice was closed.
Whatever the motivation, Richt seems to know what he is doing for road games. Until last year's loss at Kentucky, Richt had lost two true road games, one to an eventual national champion and the other to a team that went undefeated that year.
Quinton
Frankly, I like the move. You shut down one possible advantage your adversary might employ. It should increase the feeling of isolation and focus during practice. And, the writers shouldn't complain that much because all they get to see is warm ups and special teams anyway.
Whether you believe the move is a result of spying concerns or not, the timing of the move is great. We've got a young team going on the road for a pivotal game before a large audience. It's a great way to get that attitude of us against the world that seems to work so well for visiting teams. Most writers say this is a red herring and spying is the real reason for increased privacy because none of the players seem to have realized that practice was closed.
Whatever the motivation, Richt seems to know what he is doing for road games. Until last year's loss at Kentucky, Richt had lost two true road games, one to an eventual national champion and the other to a team that went undefeated that year.
Quinton
