Dawg Tears On a Bittersweet Day

As I'm sure you know by now, Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford have opted out of classes and dining halls for money and training camps. It's a sad day for the Bulldog Nation, as we lose two of the most anticipated and endeared players in recent memory (not to mention two guys that were on the same "graduation" track with me). No more highlights, no more clever "24/7" jokes, and no more feats of super human jumping.
On the bright side, we'll get the passion and energy of Joe Cox next season, which is not shabby at all. I'm pretty excited about it. Let's not forget that he scored the only TDs in a last minute (literally, like 56 seconds on the clock) victory to Colorado in the '06 season and in a (humiliating) loss to Florida this past season. After sitting on the sidelines, he's ready to play. And let's not forget what happened the last time we brought in a RS Senior to take the reins from a beloved and celebrated QB on his way out. We got a little guy known as DJ Shockley and a little thing we like to call the SEC Championship. We're gonna be fine at the Quarterback position, because I think Joe Cox is ready to come out and play like a leader and really be a leader.
However, I'm not so sure about RB. Knowshon had a certain energy and passion for the Red and Black that was astounding. He was excited and ready to play every time his hands touched the ball. We've got some great running backs coming up as far as skill goes, but none of these guys possess quite the intangibles that Knowshon has. We will need some guys to really step up and provide major leadership and passion. The major differences between the '07 Dawgs and the '08 Dawgs (end results not withstanding) were Passion and Health. Health we can deal with. Passion, however, that needs something that simple coaching can't provide. As Larry Munson proudly tells us at the beginning of every sacred Saturday, "There is no tradition more worthy of envy; no institution more worthy of such loyalty, as the University of Georgia." If these words can't get you excited to tame the tigers, skewer the gaytors, swat the pests from NATS, flatten Rocky Top, or even Sink the 'Dores, then you, sir, do not belong in the Bulldog Nation.
So whoever leads the team next season, rest assured that they will be ready to lead us into the next era of Bulldog Pride, and bring about the much awaited glory that is the University of Georgia. Just as Larry concludes his pre-game prayer, I would like to remind everyone that we have a responsibility (Dawg fans, at least, all others are pardoned somewhat) to stand behind them. As Larry said, "Let all the Bulldog faithful rally behind the men who wear the Red and Black, with two words; two simple words which express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation: Go Dawgs!"
(On another note!) I've got no new works this week. I'm starting to settle in for classes, so the transition to school life may hinder fiction posting a few days. However, I just found an old short that I wrote almost three years ago that I kinda want to put up. After I get settled in, we'll see. It may be up as early as tomorrow or as late as Saturday. Thank you for your readership, and please continue to enjoy the products of 42Cobras Publishing. And for those of you who bleed Red and Black, please drop on over to Bernie's Dawg Blawg where he put up a beautiful note on the recent announcement of Staff and 'Shon. For once, Bernie's artistic works outdo my own. Just wait, I'll get back on it soon.
Also, if you don't plan on watching the Nat'l Championship game tomorrow night because you just can't stand to see "Golden Child" Tebow, Coach Urban Meyer ('nuff said), or the Big Jerk of the Big 12 Bob Stoops duke it out for the least interesting matchup in recent memory, I encourage you to go out and pick up your own copy of "The Tales of Georgia Football: Or The Best Stories Ever Told" or "What It Means to be a Dawg" and remember what it felt like five months ago when you swore you'd see Red and Black blanket Miami on this day. It won't be long, folks. It won't be long.
PS. Be glad we don't have a coach like Jagodzinski at BC. I'm glad Mark Richt views Georgia as a home and a career and not just a stepping stone into the NFL. I just can't wait for Urban (blegh) and Stoops to do the same thing. And maybe PJ, too.