Gatorz Gonna be Gatorz

The one time every four years I suspend my never root for anything Florida Gator rule is the Olympics. With Ryan Lochte, it takes all I have. He has special made bling grills for his victories.

(Image: Getty)

I have no problem celebrating his American dominance in all things!!!!!! being proud of being an American. But is this is so very Florida Gator, right? Well, that and a back tat of a Florida Gator.

Now, if Speedo only made cutoffs.

TD

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NIKE Reveals Georgia's Uniforms for Boise St.

Nike has pics of the new UGA Pro Combat Uniforms. You can see them here. They aren't my cup of tea per se, but they look dramatically better than the rough drafts that were floating around.

I actually like the Silver helmet especially given that we have some history in that area with the pre-1964 uniforms. However, the uber wide red stripe blows. Regardless, it's a one game deal. And we aren't doing it as a motivation technique...just a money grab...so I'm fine with it.

Mainly, I want to see the gloves. If they are waterproof and cool, I'll be purchasing a pair.

PWD

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So...about those uniforms

It didn't work that day in Jax either.
(Image: Andrew Davis Tucker, ABH 11/1/98)
Preface: This is NOT my biggest issue from this weekend. If you wrote a list, this would probably be 20th on the list of 20 things. But it's topical and timely and I've already written about #1. But here's my thoughts anyway.

Blutarsky nailed this one. Well, technically Gator Ryan Stamper nailed it when he said, "That’s a bunch of fake juice."

You had an entire year to get mad about Meyer's timeouts. You had two weeks to prepare and get focused for your bitter rival. You had the excitement of playing the #1 team in the country.

And you felt that it would be a wardrobe change that would tip the scales in our favor? When they came out in their Halloween costumes, I was totally deflated. Because I knew that meant the coaching staff felt we needed a trick to give us an edge.

You know what gives real confidence?
Being prepared.

Mark Richt puts a great deal of emphasis on helping our players become good men, good fathers and good citizens. Aside from our inability to locate a nearby DMV office for drivers license related issues, he does a pretty good job. Michael Lemon's problems were an obvious glaring exception, but generally speaking Richt should be commended because he sincerely does care about his players beyond simply football.

But this is one area where he's doing them a huge disservice in preparing them for the real world and giving them a lesson about sports that will most certainly serve them well beyond the arena. And that's about preparation.

You want to be a better public speaker? Get more prepared. Know your material inside and practice your delivery. You want to be a better negotiator? Think about what your opponent or client wants/doesn't want and how you can handle his objections before the meeting. You want to be a better salesman? Know your prospect's business inside and out before making the first call.

You don't win in business by going shopping. There is no store that sells "Lucky Ties." Your lucky tie becomes lucky after you close a big deal. Not before you close your deal.

We didn't lose because we wore black outfits. We lost because we weren't prepared for the Gators. Maybe we lost because they are more talented. Maybe, but they aren't THAT much more talented. More importantly, there are teams with less talent than Georgia who gave them much tougher games.

If we win, no one cares about the unis. I only care because it screams desperation. It doesn't scream confidence. And this team needs confidence much more than it needs fake juice.

The other thing that erks me on this one. I think special uniforms should be worn by special teams. You beat the Gators, you can have a blackout against Auburn. You get a Sugar Bowl birth, you can have a blackout against Hawaii. You come into the Bama game undefeated with ESPN Gameday in attendance, then sure...a blackout is fine.

But 4-3 teams shouldn't get special treatment. They should just work harder. And by team, I mean coaches and players.

See Also:
-- You're missing the point of the uniforms - HacksawDawg (DawgVent $)

PWD

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NIKE Rennie Curran #35 Replica Jerseys

Nike Georgia Bulldogs #35 Red Replica Football Jersey
Nike has the new UGA football player jerseys available in our store. Some player numbers are available in red, black and/or white. So far, they've stocked #8 AJ Green happens to wear (red, black and white), #35 Rennie Curran (red), #4 Caleb King (red and white), #22 Richard Samuel (black) and #7 Orson Charles* (red). As always the player names aren't on the back of the jerseys.

You can also make your own NIKE replica jersey with the number and name of your choice on the back in white or red via the store. However, sizes are a bit more limited currently in those two options.

PWD


*yeah...I know. It was meant to be a Stafford jersey, but the name's not on the back. So now, it's an Orson Charles jersey. ;-)

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Our politicians will save us

Go Gator, Urban Meyers and Percy Harvey. Sigh.



ht - GADevildawgs

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Fashion and Rule Changes

The NCAA is considering numerous rule adjustments with the biggest being a modification of punishment related to celebrations DURING a play. Per Sportsline.com:

Currently, "taunting, baiting or ridiculing an opponent verbally" is considered a dead-ball foul. Penalty yardage is assessed on the next kickoff. If the rule is changed, penalty yardage would be marked off from the spot of the foul and the touchdown would be nullified.

The move wouldn't have any bearing on things like the UGA vs. UF '07 Celebration. It would have an impact on showboat dives into the end zone or Deion Sanders-esque high step down the sideline.

The other rule change that interested me would allow for both teams to wear their colored "home" jerseys assuming both teams and their conference approve. Normally, one team wears white (usually the homevisiting team except LSU and sometimes GT) and the other team wears their colored jersey.

Obviously, this isn't something that would work when UGA plays Bama, Arkansas or probably South Carolina. However, it would work for the Florida, UT and Auburn games. The increase in household penetration of HDTVs makes more vivid, splashy use of on field color more impactful. I definitely thought it looked slick when USC and USCUCLA played with the blue and red unis both on the field this year.

PWD

(geez. I was on fire with the typos, huh?)

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Do the Jorts Fit Better with a Bulldog Foot in Your Ass?

Glorious. Yet another thing of limitless awesomeness. By John Radcliff.

PWD

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Scenes from a Beatdown

LSU's hot women are supposedly legendary. And they are hot...maybe not Ole Miss hot, but hot. And then there are the exceptions. And sometimes the exception swallows the rule. (click to enlarge...if you dare)

Go figure: security wants to check "her" ticket stub. Luckily "she" keeps them in the jean shorts under her skirt. Knowing no one would believe me, I obtained photographic evidence. And we know who she's cheering for during the Cocktail Party.

The Blackberry Bandit of Tift County, Liquid Courage, and I had front row seats in Tiger Stadium. For the most part, it rocked. But--momentarily--we couldn't have been more repulsed if we'd come face-to-face with the body of Ray Brower.

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Ladies Georgia Bulldog Jerseys (Knowshon Moreno and Matt Stafford)

Classic Black Logo T-Shirt	Classic Ash Logo T-Shirt	Classic Red Logo T-Shirt

Our store just got the new 2008 Georgia Bulldog Ladies Jerseys in stock. We have Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford numbers with light weight red or black options.

As always, thanks for shopping.

Paul Westerdawg
Georgia Sports Blog

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Black Jerseys Back in Stock: Moreno And Stafford

FINALLY. Our store has black jerseys in stock for Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford. Get them while supplies last.

PWD

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Blackout vs. White Out

As you know by now, Mark Richt has called for a Blackout of the Sugar Bowl by Georgia fans. It's a request I fully intend to comply with as a black shirt looks damn good with the red pants....but I digress. As part of this effort, the Dawgs will be in the black jerseys for the game.

To counter this fashion move, June Jones is asking for a Hawaii Whiteout. I would make a joke about blizzards, but all the references would be lost on them. Anyway, they'll be wearing white tops, white pants and white helmets.

It's times like this that I just absolutely love the College Football that much more. It's absurd really that anyone thinks that any of this matters. But it's even more absurd that it does matter!

By the way, there are several articles running around that say this is the second or third most expensive or best selling bowl ticket in terms of after market online purchases. I think the biggest thing driving the inflated numbers (other than mainland Hawaii fans gobbling up tickets) is the ENORMOUS upper deck and tiny lower deck. Stubhub has uppers for less than face value, but lower level tickets are going for a robust premium.

See Also:
-- Hawaii answering Dawg Blackout - AJC
-- Richt a motivational Master - Honolulu News
-- Hawaii's road unis and what not - UHfootball
-- Bulldog Hotline Notes - Anti-Orange Page (JimFromDuluth)

Black UGA Apparel (still have time before Christmas!)
-- Black T-Shirt Short Sleeve
-- Black Long Sleeve Shirt

PWD

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Sugar Bowl News & Tickets

The Athletic Department has announced all season ticket holders who requested Sugar Bowl seats will get them. UGA has sold over 22,000 tickets in the pre-order period. For those of you with scores of below 6,000, remember to bring your oxygen mask, crampons, and a Sherpa because your seats at the Superdome are likely to be over 6,000 feet from the action. It will be a climb.

Also, Coach Richt announced that the Dawgs will wear their black jerseys again for the Sugar Bowl. Fans are asked to take the blackout on the road, all the way to New Orleans. Uh, don't the Warriors wear black, too?

Quinton

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Frank Sinkwich in the Black Jersey

David Ching has two great photos of Frank Sinkwich, 1942 Heisman Trophy Winner, in the Black Jersey. He also has some comments on the uniforms which are interesting.

Here's the first pic...the second one is on his blog.


click for larger version

PWD

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Evil Richt Rocks the House

After the Florida game, Orson Swindle told me that Georgia brought Evil Richt to the Cocktail Party. Well, it looks like Kathryn sent Evil Richt to his second game of the season. (Image: DawgPost.com)

Evil Richt knows how to party. Evil Richt would drink you under a table. Evil Richt shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. Evil Richt stares down officials and eats them for breakfast. Evil Richt fell into a burning ring of fire and laughed about it. Evil Richt once spent a night in the Starkville City jail for picking flowers. Evil Richt wears black.

I heart Evil Richt. Frankly, I'd like to roll with Evil Richt, but I'm not man enough. Plus, I just said, "I heart..." That's a good way to get your ass kicked when riding with the Coach in Black.

The AJC has the story of the uniform change. Actually, they have two stories on the making of the Blackout. Apparently, the seniors knew, but no one else new for sure.

Someone tell Mark to grow a goatee. It's the only thing missing from the Evil Richt look. More on the game later.

See Also:
-- Officially outrageous - DawgPost.com
-- Audio from Richt - AJC
-- Game pics - AJC
-- Blackout a success - AJC
-- Richt wears the black hat - DawgPost
-- Stafford Shines - Mark Bradley
-- Kelin Johnson directs the Band - ABH
-- Best streak since 1942 - AJC
-- Blackout becomes Wipeout - ABH
-- Devotion to senior class pays off - ABH
-- Worst kept secret in UGA history - Ching
-- Richt victory watch - DawgSports
-- Notes from the blackout - Get the Picture

Related Merchandise and Items:
-- T-Shirt: Blackout Auburn - Footballfanatics
-- Tickets: Kentucky vs. Georgia - Stubhub

PWD

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Back in Black: Dawgs Win!

Bragging rights T-shirt. Click to buy.

We're each alloted only so many Saturdays in our lives. Yesterday, I got my money's worth on one of them. Go Dawgs. If you want to buy the Blackout T-shirt, click on the link above.

PWD

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Another Black Jersey Photoshop

Will they or won't they? The photoshop picture above comes courtesy of the fellas over at the FootballHuddle.net message board. (click to enlarge)

BTW -- As was pointed out in the comments section earlier in the week, the Bulldogs wore black jerseys for the Jan. 1, 1943 Rose Bowl victory, and Frank Sinkwich's 1942 Heisman Portrait shows him in a black jersey at the Downtown Athletic Club.

I'm not saying one way or the other. Just saying.

PWD

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Auburn as Clubber Lang this Saturday?

Auburn always comes into Athens in a foul mood. Every other year, they bring 20-30 players and thousands of alumni that The University of Georgia rejected. We have nicer facilities, better academics, prettier women and more money. In fact, we have all the things they want...like literacy, indoor plumbing, jobs, asphalt, and prosperity.

They come in (or should I say return to their home state) pissed off with a massive chip on their shoulders, and they promptly punch our guys dead in the mouth. Since '91, we've successfully punched back and defended our home turf only twice in eight tries. We've typically fallen victim to a massive support group looking to sort out their rejection issues at our expense.

We're a lot like Rocky Balboa.
We looked mean and tough when we were pouring it on the Gators (playing the role of Apollo Creed). But since then we've sort of been basking in the glow of our success. After beating Creed, Rocky fought ten guys -- mostly tomato cans and chumps -- and he got soft. Did we get fat and sassy against Troy?

While Rocky was enjoying his caviar, big house and nice cars, Clubber Lang was coming up in the streets, getting strong and getting mean. Next thing you know Lang beats the shit out of an ill prepared Balboa.

Auburn is Clubber Lang.
Can't you just hear Tommy Tuberville and Will Muschamp going nuts in regards to The Blackout. "Georgia's more concerned with how they're dressing than beating you guys. They think they're better than you. They're not even talking about the game. They're talking about fashion. We're going over there to whip their fancy asses, and there's nothing they can do about it. Don't matter what color they wear on Saturday. I pity the fools."

This game is 100 percent about how tough we are. Who wants it more? The game is going to be played at a brutal, violent and fast level, and if our guys don't have The Eye of the Tiger like they did against the Gators, they will lose.

So will it be like Balboa vs. Lang I...where we regret ever mentioning The Blackout. Or will it be like Balboa vs. Lang II...where we stand toe to toe with them and come out the bloody and battered victors?

Regardless...for both sides I'd say....

Man, I can't wait for Saturday. It is on.

PWD

(Note: Last year we played the role of Balboa to their Apollo Creed in Rocky II. Regardless...we're always Rocky.)

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UGA Uniforms: some historical comments

(PWD Note: Since we're talking about uniforms anyway, I figured I'd publish a note that Mike Floyd sent me regarding UGA uniforms)

By Mike Floyd

My memory may be faulty and it wouldn’t be the first time, but having written a feature on Georgia’s uniform history (and that of a few other schools) a number of years ago [in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal] I seem to recall that Georgia had always worn Silver Britches (straight silver – no stripes) until 1964, when Dooley came on board and revamped the whole look to include new red helmets and white pants. The Silver Britches returned in 1980, and of course you know how that turned out.

Georgia fans also have a lot of memories – both good and bad - of the red pants, but the fact is we’ve rarely actually worn them. With few exceptions, our road uniforms consisted of white tops and white pants that had an “extra wide” red stripe down each leg.

[Image: Goff in white pants circa mid-70s]

Ironically, people remember the red pants so well because of Herschel’s debut game in 1980 and because the hugely popular “Wonderdog” team of 1978 wore them a bit more than usual. But, otherwise, they’ve been something we all remember seeing a lot more than we actually saw them. From what I recall from my research, the only times we actually wore the red pants after Herschel’s debut came in the 1988 South Carolina game, in which we got pasted in Columbia, and in a 20-13 win at Clemson in 1985.

Aside from 1962, when Georgia wore a silver helmet with a red block “G” on each side (no stripe), the Dawgs always wore solid silver helmets until Dooley arrived. The whole uniform, prior to Dooley, was actually rather drab.

We wore plain red or white jerseys (white number on the red and black number on the white), paired with silver pants that were probably actually closer to a dull gray. Ohio State without the stripes, basically.

Kudos to Dooley for putting together the combination we currently enjoy today.

As you correctly noted on your blog this week, any team that beats Florida is granted one free wish. Call it “The Godfather” clause, which states that Marlin Brando can’t turn down a favor on the day of his daughter’s wedding.

Personally, I think the black looks like total ass and is a bit Gamecockish for my taste, but if that’s what those guys want then I’ll dig something up from my Goth days and play along.

Unfortunately, the fact I didn’t actually have any Goth days means this will likely set me back fifty bucks. But that’s a small price to pay if the gimmick proves successful.

Mike Floyd

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Black Jerseys: What we'd look like

The guys over at FootballHuddle.net were nice enough to put together a "What if" for Black Jerseys. Here's a photoshop picture of Moreno in the black jersey. Check the thread linked here for one of Stafford.



If my contact over at Football Huddle is right, it takes roughly 6 weeks to get all the jerseys in stock. So either:
A. We are coming out in red jerseys
B. CMR secretly ordered black a long time ago
C. Nike is going to jump through a ton of hoops for us b/c it's a great merchandising opportunity

Once you've had black...

See Also:
-- Dawg Seniors ask for Blackout - DawgPost
-- Call it a blackout - AJC
-- Of Black Shirts and Redshirts - DawgSports
-- ABH finds the sour puss side in all of this - ABH
-- Seniors to fans: Blackout - UGASports.com ($)
-- Black it is - DawgsOnline

PWD

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