Atlanta Braves New Stadium Announcement Says More About Fulton County Than Braves

The Atlanta Braves announced new stadium plans for 2017. An area mourns, Cobb County rejoices.
The Atlanta Braves announced new stadium plans for 2017. An area mourns, Cobb County rejoices.

This move isn’t about the Braves as much as it is about Mayor Reed and Fulton County.  Continue reading “Atlanta Braves New Stadium Announcement Says More About Fulton County Than Braves”

Locker Talk Episode 20! College Football National Signing Day Redux

Urban Meyer brought a top-5 recruiting class to Ohio State
Urban Meyer brought a top-5 recruiting class to Ohio State

The Ladysportswriter Kim Nash joins us to talk about the aftermath of college football National Signing day. We’ll discuss who made strides and who lost ground, as well as the funniest moments from the day. We Will also put this day in perspective for fans. Join the conversation Friday at 1 p.m. EST and feel free to call in (773) 897-6129

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelocker/2013/02/08/locker-talk-national-signing-day-redux

“Locker Talk” Podcast Episode Two!

Hosts Adam Cubbage and Baden Bagley discuss the worst weekend in Georgia sports history, NBA’s top-5 “sneaky good” teams, and if Mark Sanchez really is the guy. We disagree, but we have fun doing it. Listen up!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelocker/2012/10/10/locker-talk-baseball-basketball-and-more-oh-my

Nightmare In Dixie: Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs Give State Of Georgia Their Worst 48-Hours In Sports History (Part 2)

You think you’re sad, talk to some of those faithful on Sunday (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

It was the perfect backdrop for a day of college football.

Finally, that crisp autumn air was a little “nippier” and it was starting to feel like something special was going to happen. Continue reading “Nightmare In Dixie: Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs Give State Of Georgia Their Worst 48-Hours In Sports History (Part 2)”

Nightmare In Dixie: Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs Give State Of Georgia Their Worst 48-Hours In Sports History (Part 1)

This was about as much fight as the Braves could muster as the innings went on (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Last weekend was full of promise as a sports fan in the State of Georgia.

On Friday the Braves, back in the postseason for the first time since 2010, were ready to go against the team that had unceremoniously knocked them out last season.  Continue reading “Nightmare In Dixie: Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs Give State Of Georgia Their Worst 48-Hours In Sports History (Part 1)”

“Locker Talk” Podcast debut!

The Locker now has an accompanying Podcast! Locker Talk debuted this afternoon and it will be a twice a week discussion on all things sports, music, entertainment and more. Give it a listen! It will be co-hosted by my good buddy Baden Bagley and feature insight from other writers and (hopefully) sports figures. The first features The Lady Sportswriter blogger Kimberley Nash and I discussing College Football, the SEC, Top-10 teams, most overrated and underrated and the big top-10 matchup between the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina. Listens appreciated, feedback always welcome. Enjoy!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelocker/2012/10/04/locker-talk

Mark Richt “College Gameday” Spot For ESPN

I have a list of coaches and players that I admire quite a bit for a number of different reasons. Mark Richt of the University of Georgia is definitely one of those coaches. I like this recent spot he did for the College Gameday crew for their upcoming visit to Columbia, South Carolina as they take on the number six Gamecocks.

NCAA Football 2012: University of Georgia Needs To Make A Statement With Win Over Spurrier, South Carolina

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

 

It isn’t enough for Mark Richt’s fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs to defeat the sixth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. They have to do something far more drastic Saturday evening.

They need to beat them soundly and without much mercy.  Continue reading “NCAA Football 2012: University of Georgia Needs To Make A Statement With Win Over Spurrier, South Carolina”

National Signing Day 2012: Top Five Recruiting Classes; Best And Worst Of The Rest

These are my top-5 recruiting classes of 2012:

1.) University of Alabama: Impact Player-Landon Collins: Sadly another case where “parents gone wild” overshadowed a recruits hard work. In any case Collins (ESPN150 #6/Dutchtown High School, Geismar, LA) has off the charts ability in the secondary and is a huge pickup for the Tide who took the #1 recruit out of the state of Louisiana

2.) Florida State University: Impact Player- Mario Edwards: It seems Florida State is selling something serious about Tallahassee because the Seminoles very easily could have been number one after signing Edwards (ESPN150 #1/Billy Ryan High School, Denton, TX) but were second due to some commits who chose elsewhere.

3.) Ohio State University: Impact Player-Noah Spence: Urban Meyer welcomed himself to Columbus in a big way. His impact is felt immediately with a top-five class that included defensive end Noah Spence (ESPN150 #4/Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg, PA). Spence will have an immediate impact on a defense that should be much improved with the addition of defensive minded Urban Meyer calling the shots. Sprinkle in a slew of four-star recruits (including ESPN150 #65  defensive end Adolphus Washington) and you have the makings of an SEC team in the Big Ten. Scary stuff.

4.) University of Georgia: Impact Player-Keith Marshall: Mark Richt and his group are back at it. Most people don’t realize that Richt has produced top-five or top-10 recruiting classes just about every year he’s been in Athens. Problem is Steve Spurrier said it best when asked what happens to them once they get there. Well those times need to end in a hurry. Georgia had a nice season and a good run to their division title. Richt, though, is still in need of some big wins next season in order to prove they are capable of consistent contention for not only the conference but the national title. That said Georgia did a fantastic job of filling needs at running back (Keith Marshall ESPN150#5), offensive line (John Theus ESPN150#28), and on defense ( OLB Harvey-Clemons ESPN150#17, DT Jonathan Taylor ESPN150#53, DE Jordan Jenkins ESPN150#67,  and DT John Atkins ESPN150#119). Credit goes to Todd Grantham for the boost he is giving this program.

5.) University of Michigan: Impact Player-Terry Richardson: Brady Hoke, coming off a Sugar Bowl win for “Big Blue” is continuing momentum into recruiting season. He locked up corner Terry Richardson (ESPN150#68/Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI) as he will slide right into an already stout defense. I am concerned about the lack of a quarterback pickup this class as they ranked 93rd nationally in passing. While Robinson gets it done with his legs they may want to look towards a pro-style quarterback with Urban Meyer setting up shop in Columbus. One dimensional offenses don’t work against his defenses. 

Best Of The Rest:

Texas, Florida, USC, Oregon, and Stanford

Works In Progress:

LSU, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Penn State

Five Things I Took Away From The Weekend In College Football

Some of my thoughts on College Football’s happenings this past weekend:

  1. LSU is the slam dunk #1 team in the country: I don’t think there is anyone who can argue that sentiment as they not only ran the table in the SEC, but they also beat the top teams in the SEC (three times), Pac-12 (Oregon), and the Big East (West Virginia). They did it in such a convincing fashion that few can see any way they lose the National Championship to Alabama. Which brings me to my next point…
  2. Alabama should not be playing for the National Championship: Yes they are probably the second best team in the country. Yes they did go 11-1 this year with their only loss being to the aforementioned juggernaut from Baton Rouge. but they failed to do two things. Win their division and/or conference. Oklahoma State is the deserving participant to play against LSU in the Superdome in January. People who scream that Alabama is the clear number one be careful what you say. looking at the top offenses in the country Oklahoma State played three of them and held them to a combined 63 points. And although their only loss came to Iowa State, something should be said for their efforts against the top teams. 
  3. Georgia has the potential to be scary good in 2012: I’m allowed to show a little home state love to the Dawgs. After all their defense, which is ranked fourth nationally, held the number one team in the country to ZERO first downs or scores for an entire half. LSU’s offense looked so bad that should missed scoring opportunities by Malcom Mitchell and Tavarres King not been floundered LSU is looking at a switch in quarterbacks, a 21-or-24 to nothing deficit and all of a sudden a run first team is forced to pass their way out of trouble. That being said Georgia is returning a plethora of their defensive stars next year, including Bacarri Rambo, Alec Ogletree, John Jenkins, Jarvis Jones, and Cornelius Washington. On offense Aaron Murray knows what he has to do in the off-season and that is, work on his accuracy. The Sophomore who threw for 32 touchdowns is all upside, and with the potential number one running back in the country set to sign and possibly pick Georgia they’re looking like the sexy pick to return, and possibly win, the SEC.
  4. Virginia Tech belongs anywhere but a BCS bowl: By my calculation Virginia Tech lost to Clemson by a combined score of 61-13 in their two meetings this year, didn’t win the ACC title and narrowly escaped the jaws of defeat against East Carolina, Miami, Georgia Tech and UNC. For that they are rewarded the Sugar Bowl? The reason “they travel well” tells me all I need to know about the decision to place them there. The BCS has no idea either. TCU, Boise State, Kansas State, Georgia, and Michigan State all deserved that bid before Virginia Tech. In that order. So the fact we will be seeing “Beamer ball” on New Year’s day doesn’t sit well with a very large portion of the country.
  5. Has anyone laid a bigger egg than Houston?: You have to wonder what is going through the mind of sixth-year eligible Case Keenum right now. You’re (12-0) and steam rolling to a BCS bowl and your draft stock is rising with each record breaking yard. Then you have a fall so hard the onle person who could possibly understand is Colt Brennan. BCS glory, conference millions, and personal fortune all had to be weighing on his mind during that 49-28 drubbing at the hands of Southern Mississippi. 
  6. **Extra thought** On Pac-12 championship: I’m 99 percent sure that when they drew up this situation they weren’t envisioning the first Pac-12 championship game to be such a mismatch as to render it more of a forgone conclusion than a contest. While UCLA gave it their best shot, Oregon proved too much for the Bruins to handle. Two things are very obvious: UCLA has a long way to go before it can be considered a conference contender again; and LaMichael James might very well be the most exciting player in college football. Period.