Munson to CMR - the time off was really needed. CMR thinks everyone overall
is healthier and will come back fresh. They had a couple of days off going into
last week. Edwards is making progress and might make it back. AJax and Breedlove
should make it back. A lot of other guys who were dinged up should be ready.
We've had injuries lately, but Tech has had devasting injuries all year.
They've persevered and learned to play without injured players. Coaches
CMR has talked to say Tech is getting better by the week. With the off week,
coaches have been able to look at film several times, more than usual. Normally,
we're still trying to figure out what we want in certain situations at this
time, but that is done this week. Coaches won't have to grind it at night
so much.
The team knows about Tech. (Munson was alarmed that fishermen and cable
TV repairmen were interested not in Tech, but in how to get tickets for the
SEC title game) We had a good few days of practice last week. CMR was sorry
to let Munson know the team did scrimmage last week. It doesn't take long
to figure out Tech is good when watching the tape. While people are excited
of what happens afterwards, Tech is Tech and that's all going on this week.
One caller who has lots of Tech relatives told CMR they think Tech's defense
can match up with our offense. CMR agrees; they've got speed and are good
tacklers.
A young caller late in the show, Adam, wants a win over Tech for a birthday
present (his birthday is next Sunday).
Defense gets harder & harder, especially in rivalry games. CMR thinks defenses
have a harder time sustaining as the season goes along. Sometimes it even happens
during games where a defense starts off well and then fades as a game goes along.
CMR thinks offense wins out over defense if both teams are fatigued.
CMR did not see the Iron Bowl but did see Michigan-Ohio St. Also, saw the Bond
movie with a couple of the coaches Friday night and 'Santa Clause 2'
with the family Saturday.
Regarding those games, Ohio St. kind of reminds CMR of us. Finding a way to
win tough games. As for playing FSU, if we're fortunate enough to win the
next two, CMR doesn't care whom we might play in the Sugar Bowl.
First caller, Daniel in Athens, thanked CMR for an autographed t-shirt. Also
wanted to know what players did in their off time. CMR asked the guys to relax
and rest their bodies and minds. A lot of times, guys don't take advantage
of time off as they should.
CMR says we're still around 16-17 commitments and says the boat isn't
filled up yet. We're down to the group of players whom may wait, and want
to make a few visits. Some guys are realizing that only one more slot might
be open if they want to be a Bulldog. CMR does not personally recruit anyone
as head coach, but just tries not to mess things up. He did take special interest
in certain in-state players.
Along those lines, another caller encouraged everyone to show up for Dawg Walk,
both for recruits and players - especially the seniors. Dawg Walk will be around
2:00, per CMR. It is important for recruiting and especially means a lot to
the team. They never get tired of walking through that. CMR again raved about
all the comments from recruits and parents about that.
The idea for this Dawg Walk came from several logistical things, dressing facilities
at Butts-Mehre as opposed to Sanford, and not leaving buses parked in back of
the stadium and making things difficult for the campus police. CMR added that
he knew about the old Dawg Walk when the buses pulled up and the team was greeted
by the fans on the railroad tracks.
We're always scanning JUCO ranks, and sometimes place guys there, but prefer
not to take many since we'd rather have guys 4-5 years so they know what
the staff wants and expects from them.
No news from CMR on RB coach. He says it is the farthest thing from his mind.
Has Danny Sheridan made good on a boast he made on TV? CMR laughed and said
he'd check into it. (The boast was that Sheridan was so sure UGA would
choke against Ole Miss or
Auburn that he'd donate $1,000 to our program
if we won both games.)
As for the schedule next season, we have open dates on either side of
Florida,
and the Tulane slot which has to be filled. A caller asked about picking up
FSU home & home, but CMR says we've got a full plate as it is. Plus,
he & his wife have lots of friends there so CMR isn't sure his wife
would like playing FSU regularly.
That 2003 schedule has CMR shaking in his boots, given how young the team will
be. But it will also be exciting.
Al from Knoxville remarked that he had a hard time getting through ... he'd
like to see fans put down some extra $$$ and get it rolling. CMR says there
are lots of plans for where the facility would go - right next to the Butts-Mehre
Building.
CMR says the biggest part of building the family atmosphere is that we care
about them, more than just about football. If they're late for study hall
or class, we get on them. Plus, they like each other. CMR sees a very tight
group of guys. Winning makes things even better. Hopefully, we'll keep it
going.
On Senior Day - any chance we get Cory Phillips some snaps this week? CMR says
he hurt his thumb last week but hopes he can go. CP was disappointed last year
when he lost the job to Greene, but has been great once he got his act together.
He's been like a coach on the field, and CMR has become good friends with
him.
Jim from Columbus told CMR he was impressed with the guys when he met them at
the hotel before the Auburn game.
What about DJ Shockley? He's a talented guy, but Greene is the field general.
CMR thinks Shockley is talented enough to play somewhere else, but is convinced
Shock is a QB. Also, we've considered some option plays with Shockley but
have not.
Audrey is concerned about the Georgia-Florida game, and whether the team should
consult a sports psychologist about it.
Kirouac's HS coach (Dan from Lawrenceville) called in; CMR says
Brett has been a quiet contributor and done everything asked of him on kickoffs,
from kicking deep to those high, short coverage kicks. Great kid, no problems
with discipline and has represented the team and university well.
Jim from Metter reminded CMR about that escalator he promised his son if we
won the SEC. CMR joked about that, and told Munson the story about when the
family was at the mall with Zack (their adopted son from Ukraine). David
(second oldest) said they needed to get one for the house. Then one
of them asked what the SEC was.
In the first half against Auburn, we led with the run and were getting whipped,
so we led with the pass in the second half and had more success. We don't
run more because we're not as good at it as we'd like. CMR feels even
better about beating Auburn after how they beat Bama. The game that surprised
CMR was how
Arkansas beat Auburn like they did.
CMR laughed when Zack on a cell phone suggested we would beat either
LSU or
Arkansas. LSU is finding a way to get it done, but CMR thinks Nutt is 12-0 at
Little Rock, where that game will be Friday.
A caller who (like CMR) is new to Athens noted that the Auburn game
seemed very personal between the players and fans. CMR loves the fan support
at road games and thought a couple of guys even jumped into the crowd to celebrate
after that win.
In closing, Munson reminded CMR again how Auburn jumped out early and got Bama
by the throat yesterday. Don't let Tech do that Saturday.
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