CONTRADICTIONS AND SOUR GRAPES

Just how much does a southern accent matter to Georgia Southern Football fans? Apparently, when it comes to head coaches, a heck of a lot.

Yesterday the University confirmed that star transfer QB Antonio Henton had left the team and the University to pursue other opportunities. This is unfortunately the latest and greatest of what has become a real pattern of attrition within the GSU athletic program. It started with Mike Sewak, and players skipping class, not studying, and flunking out. It continued with Brian Van Gorder, whose ham-handed way of dealing with everything that he touched, drove away many of Sewak's players, as well as a few of his own recruits(those who weren't arrested). Now, despite his promises to right this sinking ship and end the APR woes that had plagued the program under the former regimes, it is fast becoming clear that head Coach Chris Hatcher is no better at retaining players than the last two guys. All one has to do to confirm that assertion is take a look at the number of players and recruits who have quit the team since 2007. It's not like these are all Sewak or BVG holdovers either. These are Hacther's guys who are leaving. Antonio Henton is just the highest profile of the defectors, but he is also the latest in a long line.

When these things happened under BVG, all hell broke loose. Messageboards went crazy, the media wondered aloud what was going on in Statesboro, and fans got downright ugly toward BVG and even his family. Now that these similar events are taking place under Coach Hatcher, I have to wonder why he seems to be immune from the same type of public criticism that was levied at Van Gorder, and even sewak to a certain extent. It's not as if Hatcher didn't leave himself open for such criticism either, with his latest bitter-sounding comments about Henton leaving. When Hatcher was asked how Henton leaving would effect the 2009 outlook, he answered, "It won’t affect us one bit. Chapple was our starter coming out (end of season), and he was going to be our starter going in. Last year was a transition year from doing what we had to do our first year here with Jayson Foster to what I was hired to do".
Really, Coach? We just lost last year's leading rusher and leading passer, and it's not going to effect us one bit? Wow. That must be one amazing rabbit you're about to pull out of your visor in 2009. I sincerely hope that you can do it, but your record here at GSU so far doesn't indicate that as a high probability.

The Great Contradiction of 2009

Fans, the fact of the matter is that this latest sour grapes statement about Henton directly contradicts what Hatcher himself has been telling us since the end of last season about the starting QB situation. That is, that Henton and Chapple would once again be in competition for the starting job, along with Billy Lowe and Kyle Collins. Amazingly, nobody in the local media has picked up on this 180 degree turn on a dime, by Hatcher. If they have, they've refused to cover it. I personally find it hard to fathom that because Antonio Henton quit, Hatcher would choose that particular moment to reveal the secret that, all along, Chapple was his guy. It's a load of crap. Anyone who believes Chris Hatcher when he says, before Henton left, his mind was already made up about next year's starting QB needs his head examined. In my opinion, Hatcher's statement is simply an emotional reaction to his personal frustration with Henton. Once again, the young coach shows his green under belly, but this time we're not going for 2 point conversions in overtime. Talking about Henton in the aforementioned manner is unprofessional, and it can only damage us with future recruits. Not to mention, is that the way Lee Chapple wanted to win this starting job? I highly doubt it.

Lastly, just for arguments sake, let's assume that Hatcher is indeed telling the truth when he says that Lee won the 2009 job vs. Furman(or WCU) last year. If that is true, then is he telling us that he lied to us about the 2009 QB competition being open? Even worse, was he lying to the participants in that competition when he told them it was an open battle? If so, then what does that say for his future credibility with the team, or new recruits? I hate to bring up the dreaded BVG again, but this point bears making. If BVG had pulled this kind of thing after a player quit, he would have been accused of "throwing the player under the bus". Chris Hatcher, on the other hand, DRIVES the bus directly over a former player, and a friend, and he gets away with it Scot free in the media, and on most GSU messageboards and blogs. I don't get it. Is Chris Hatcher's aw-shucks attitude and southern drawl that appealing to the GSU fan? And if so, is that personality appealing enough to put up with 7-4 seasons, and player attrition rates that are through the roof? Something's got to give, and soon.


- Joe

2009 GEORGIA SOUTHERN BASEBALL PREVIEW

Spring is almost upon us, Eagle fans, and you know what that means. That's right, it is once again time for Georgia Southern Eagle Baseball from J.I. Clemment's Stadium. Our Eagles look strong coming into the 2009 season, and this team has expectations beyond what recent Eagle clubs have accomplished.

In an effort to change things up, The Uncensored GSU Sports Blog will from now on occassionally feature guest writers, on various subject matter. Kicking off that effort is the friend of the blogger, "Eagleskins", from TSC Messageboard fame. He offers up a nice 2009 baseball preview, and it should be shared. Enjoy.

-Joe

EAGLESKINS: It is about that time again. The winter's agonizing doldrums are starting to fade, and the time for baseball is upon us. And for Georgia Southern, this season represents the last hope for a Socon championship in over 3 years. Yes, over 3 years. That is what the hapless Sam Baker era has left us. Blind hope. As the notorious Nicky Santoro says, and he must have certainly been talking about Sammy, "this guy could fuck up a cup of coffee." But there is reason for giddy optimism about this team. The amount of seniors and experience on this team is vast, and from a power standpoint, might be the best team we've ever had in this area. Look for some monster offensive numbers, and if we can find any pitching, a Fresno State-like season is not totally out of the question. Yes, I'm drinking a little Patron as I type this, but fuck it, the entire fanbase needs a Texas-sized chopped line of yayo.

Lets look at the positions by player:

Catcher: Should be one of the strongest positions on the team. Griffin Benedict is a great player, and should have an even bigger season than last year. Hopefully we improve upon limiting runners to steal bases, but offensively will make up for that. GB will be first team All Socon. Some unproven backups, but GB is a iron man, so nothing to worry about.

1st Base: Two very good players in Kyle Blackburn and Will Southwell. Who will start? I'm going with Blackburn. He is the better offensively of the two, and has great power. Southwell is better in the field, so he will be a late inning substitution, and could easily start if Blackburn goes through a cold spell. Great problem to have.

2nd Base: Our biggest question mark entering the season. Kevin Bowles and Jake Ware are the two infielders returning with a shot at 2nd base. But look for freshman Eric Phillips to take over the job early. Kid is a great hitter, with a lot of speed. Juco transfer Chris Jones adds a lot of speed, and compares favorably to last years' starter, Jeremy Beckham.

Short Stop: Brian Pierce is one of the top defensive short stops in college baseball. His hitting has improved each year, and he is clutch in late innings. Look for Phillips, Jones, and Ware to play here a little to spell Pierce.

3rd Base: AJ Wirnsberger is going to have a monster year. Look for 20+ homers again from him. His fielding is great as well. Need to find a solid backup to give the position more depth. First team All Socon.

Left Field: Phillip Porter has gotten noticeably better each season, and will be a first team All Socon selection by the end of the season. Guy is absolute clutch in key situations, and brings a ton of speed to the lineup. His power numbers will continue to improve, and he should bat 2nd in the lineup.

Center Field: Our best player, Matt Miller, returns after a season ending injury last year. Personally, Miller is my favorite player followed by Porter. Miller is the best defensive center fielder in college baseball, and will stabilize a shaky defensive outfield from last year. MM could bat anywhere from lead-off to 5th, and should realistically have a shot at a .400 season. Big time gap hitter, who has good speed. First team All Socon.

Right Field: Look for freshman Vince Smith to put a stranglehold on this position over the season. Great speed and good power, and will be a great one for 4 years. Johnathan King gives the position good depth.

DH: Ty Wright should improve upon his numbers from last year, and could challenge for the home run crown. A great athlete with tremendous strength and solid speed. First team All Socon.

Pitching:

Starting: Andy Moye should be the ace. Guy has got the best stuff on the team, now needs to harness it and continue to improve. Brian Wilkerson should return to his 2006 form, and give us some big innings. 3rd starter should be a battle between 3 newcomers. Matt Murray has the inside track. Big time stuff, and could remind people of Dustin Evans. The other two, Colin Snow and Chris Mederos, should give us better options than last year.

Bullpen: Big area of concern. Need some young guys to step up. Kyle Kamppi is going back to the closer role, and he could give us middle relief as well. Tony Chisman is going to be very good, and could supplant Kamppi as the closer before seasons end. Michael Hester, Jake Brown, and Dexter Bobo all should get mid week starts, and will help in the 'pen.



This could be a special season for the Eagles if pitching comes through. Offensively, no one in the conference should be able to hold us down consistently. Except for Rodney Hennon. He has never met a situation that didn't call for a bunt. Bases loaded, no outs, cleanup hitter up. Lay down the fucking squeeze. 1st and 3rd, one out, 5th hitter up. Hit and run right out of an inning. With all that said, this team could be good enough to overcome Rodney Hennon's shortcomings, both literally and figuratively. Elon and Citadel should be the two teams in the conference to really watch out for. We need to come out hot in February with all of the home games, and build upon that for a dominating conference run. As the great Kanye West says,
"The good life, so keep it coming' with the bottles
Till she feel boozed like she bombed out Apollo
The good life, it feel like Houston
It feel like Philly, it feel like D.C.
It feel like VA, or the Bay, or Ye
Ayy, this is the good life
Welcome to the good life"

SAY IT AIN'T SO, ANTONIO

The latest rumor out of Statesboro today is that Georgia Southern QB Antonio Henton has left the team, after having a verbal altercation with Coach Hatcher at yesterday's morning conditioning drills.
It goes without saying that if this rumor turns out to be true, it would have a devestating effect on Georgia Southern's 2009 playoff chances.
Is it too much to ask that we get through an offseason without constant news of DUI's, suspensions for grades, and dissatisfied players leaving the team? I for one am getting desperately tired of the attrition rate among Georgia Southern's football team. Last year, Coach Hatcher signed a recruiting class of close to 30 players. Only about half of those 2008 recruits remain with the team today. Will the same thing happen with this new 2009 signing class? And more importantly, how does all of these players leaving the team effect the APR?
I can only hope that this is one of those internet rumors that will die on the vine. However, if this story about Henton is true, then it speaks to a larger problem of discipline that has plagued this football team since Mike Sewak was here. The attrition rate today is no better than it was under Sewak or Brian Van Gorder. Perhaps this is one controversy that Head Coach Chris Hatcher will not be able to "drawl his way out of".

Stay tuned for more on this issue as things shake out, and as we begin to find out what the real story is.

- Joe