End of an Era on the Sidelines

Via ABH OnlineToday we got word that Loran Smith will no longer be on the sidelines during the Dawgs games this season. He will continue to be on the pre-game show and his replacement is Chuck Dowdle, formerly of WSB-TV. Some will continue to read this post and think it's a "Hater" post, please don't take it that way. I just tend to write what others have thought but are too scared to say for fear of the Bulldawg Nation.

Now, many will see this as a sad day, and it is, in Georgia sports, but I see this as a welcome change. Over the years Loran has been a great supporter of the dawgs and the local community. But time and illnesses over the years has taken it's toll. Ideally he would have stepped down when Munson called it a career. They were a pair and needed to step down together.

As for how Chuck will do, that's to be determined, and we should have seen this coming, but I don't think he would have been my choice. Although, I'm not sure whom I have would have chosen. Keep in mind a lot of the decision making is out of Georgia's hands these days, especially since they signed on with ISP broadcasting. I'm sure Georgia has some say in it, but it's all about the money these days.

Also, I know that over the last few years Loran has not been in the best shape. I can remember him getting hit by players coming out of bounds, him crossing the media line and pissing some of the coaches off during the Donnan years, and lately his rambles have gotten a lot worse. Many times I was left just saying, what the hell is he talking about.

Now, I do enjoy his pregame talks with former players and persons that are important to the University. I believe this is where he will now shine and I will continue to tune in for those segments. I also enjoy his columns in the various papers around the region. So fear not, he has not left totally, but sometimes there needs to be a change.

Loran is a Damn Good Dawg and has endured a few setbacks in his life including  a car crash in France. On a positive note he was instrumental in the Cancer Center as part of the ARMC complex that shares his name and the many, many stories, from baseball to golf to football and life that he shared with readers and listeners

So wish Loran the best going forward as he is a Damn Good Dawg.