15 Thoughts is Somber yet Hopeful

A sad ending to the season on so many levels beyond football. Here’s to the future. It’s still very bright.

1. I delayed the “15 Thoughts” after our Sugar Bowl defeat for a few reasons. I had to work on Friday and after the news of Sonny Smart’s passing I thought Macondawg’s piece was the only post that should occupy our site.

2. I can’t imagine what Kirby was going through knowing what we now know about his beloved father and having to focus on winning, as it turns out, a trivial football game when you consider the grand scheme of things. Prior to the news of Sonny’s passing, a lot of people – including Paul Finebaum – were very critical of how Georgia performed (valid) and was coached during the game (partially valid). Kirby Smart coached the best he could with a heavy heart knowing how dire his father’s health was. Finebaum et al – cut the man some slack. Maybe even apologize?

2A. The tragic events of the terror attack did disrupt the schedule. How could this not have an effect on either team? Not playing for 3+ weeks might have been a factor as well. Notre Dame played an overmatched Indiana team at home just 9 days prior. That could have actually been an small advantage.

3. I know a lot of you are critical of Mike Bobo and how this game was called. Maybe we should move on from him and seek a new, fresh face. I’m on the fence about it. I will say this: Bobo wasn’t dropping passes all season long; he wasn’t injured and playing out of position on the offensive line for most of the year. He wasn’t doing stupid things and getting in trouble with the law before the season’s opening kickoff, either. He wasn’t missing games at running back because (insert any RB name here: ____________________) was hurt and had to miss multiple games. He didn’t concoct deep in the bowels of Greg Sankey’s laboratory the most brutal schedule that I can ever remember. Yet, this team did win the Conference. We whipped Texas twice who, in their heart of hearts, are damned glad they’re not facing the specter of losing to us for a 3rd time.

4. The Dawgs were playing with house money all year long and sooner or later a bad game will cause you to fold. Actually, it wasn’t a bad game on defense. We played good enough to win (only allowing 16 points not counting an inexplicable kickoff return). Gunner Stockton is a baller. It’s not his fault we couldn’t protect his blind side. Even in defeat, there were opportunities early and late in this game. Credit goes to Notre Dame. They seemed more focused and got all the breaks.

5. Not to harp on it any longer, but the flag on Parker Jones was something that seemed personal to me as the ref ran into him more than Jones encroached along the sideline. Ultimately, it probably didn’t matter in terms of the final outcome, but that kid has suffered enough. He viewed the rest of the game pretty much behind the bench, which the Worldwide Leader made sure to capture at every damned opportunity they could find. I hate ESPN. I hate how they’ve dictated everything now in the college game. I hate they didn’t show our National Anthem in lieu of another ill-timed message from the Sugar Bowl sponsor. They control everything. Any anti-trust lawyers out there? I’ll step off my soapbox now.

6. Back to Gunner for a moment: That kid plays the game the right way. In terms of demeanor, he seems extremely focused and absolutely did not let the moment become too big for him against Texas and against the Irish. That’s a good trait in a QB. I’ve seen some criticism of his windup and how he delivers the ball. What I saw, except for one pass thrown behind his receiver, was accuracy and a very catchable football. Imagine if we had blocked for him a bit better? The QB competition for ‘25 will be interesting.

7. Regarding the drop by our receivers: They weren’t dropping passes last year, were they? I think something like drops becomes contagious and just snowballs for unknown reasons. Just my .02. But something was amiss. We’ve got fresh blood coming in next season and I hope some of the elder guys will stick around. They’re not bad receivers. Dillon Bell is a very good player. I felt bad for the kid. Is this on the coaches? Hard to know.

8. I do think we need to take a hard look at offensive line coaching. Yeah, I get all the injuries but something wasn’t working. Running the ball all season long was just consistently inconsistent – even when we had a full compliment of starters. Where was the depth?

9. Dear coaches: I hope going forward in 2025 if we find ourselves with the ball in not particularly good field position and only a few ticks of the clock left before halftime we simply take a knee and live to: A. See another day. B. Not get our quarterback killed. C. Not fumble setting up a killer score that should have never happened.

Thank you for your consideration.

10. I guess the SEC dynasty is dead, right? That’s what I’m hearing. All that success over the last 20+ years was just smoke ‘n mirrors I reckon. Classic, “what have you done for me lately” syndrome.

11. There’s nothing worse than the Monday after the holidays when you have to get back into your work grind and schedule. Especially knowing your football season has ended. It’s gonna be a looooooooong week, aint’ it?

12. This game was wrought with bad calls. Of course, they’re always amplified when you lose but this one in particular was a killer. Does it change the outcome of the game? Probably not. But these CFP officials – who are supposed to be the top guys available – are really either inept or had an agenda.

13. We must figure out how to start faster in 2025. The offensive lethargy that wasn’t just a game or two, but an entire season was baffling.

14. I will contend that, despite everything that transpired during 2024: injuries, arrests, schedule, etc., the coaching job that Kirby Smart did to hold things together and to get his guys ready should go down as one of the better efforts in Georgia history. There was a lot thrown at this team and they mostly responded. We ended up turning the ball over 20 times this year, yet still made the playoffs and with a little more luck could still be playing. It was simply a bizarre season on so many levels. Most teams in America would trade places right now. We are at that point where we expect to contend for Championships and we actually did. The weight of expectations is where we are.

15. I am proud of this team and the season they put together. I can’t say the ride was entirely enjoyable (actually, it was thoroughly exhausting), but I’m thankful for. I’m thankful for the players who gave their best. I’m thankful for whipping Clemson, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Texas (x2) and Tech. I’m thankful that Carson Beck came back and understand that he had to face a ton of adversity but pressed on despite it all. I’m thankful for Javon Walker and Smael Mondon and Mykel WIlliams and Dan Jackson and Cash Jones and all those guys who busted their butts all season long.

And I’m thankful for you guys and gals out there reading this stuff all season long. Thanks for hanging in. We’ll get ‘em next year.

As Always,

GO DAWGS!