DAWGSbui 2.0

The Dawgs start hitting today. It will be four weeks before they get to hit a “bad guy.” Tempers will flare, fights will break out, bonding will occur. Good stuff to be sure.

A lot has been made of the coaching staff’s decision to forego two-a-days. I don’t really have a strong opinion one way or the other. Two-a-days make the team tougher, but also tend to create many injuries.

My high school football coach, a great man that played for Paul “Bear” Bryant, was a staunch advocate of two-a-days. We would have summer camp across the river in Alabama at an old church retreat. There was no football field, just a big grassy field that had never been watered. It wasn’t as bad as “The Junction Boys” but it was bad enough.

That week of summer camp is where we learned the most about our teammates. As Coach would put it, we learned who was chicken shit and who was chicken salad.

The Dawgs may be only practicing once today, but they are finding out what the Freshmen are made of. There is plenty of time to teach scheme and responsibilities. These next few practices will determine toughness. Coach Searles and Coach Grantham are in the briar patch. I can’t wait to read their post practice comments.

Will Jakar “Hitman” Hamilton light up the likes of Bruce Figgins and Artie Lynch when they go over the middle? Can anybody slow down Justin Houston as he terrorizes the quarterback? Will Vance Cuff support the run?

Will our new 3-4 defense be able to slow down the “Downtown Connector” boys? Can Boykin do anything with AJ Green? Has Mike Bobo been watching Okie State tape again?

How many green jerseys will appear at the next practice? How busy will Ron Courson and his staff be?

All these and more are to be answered in the coming days. Just four weeks to kick-off and five till Columbia!