Fellas, like it or not, this is what we wanted...and I for one am all for it

The change to Bauta tells us so many things, but maybe the most telling thing to me is what we've been clamoring for all season. Besides competent quarterback play, the one thing we've been so desperately needing someone from this team to step up and provide...leadership.

We've desperately needed someone all season that could rally the team when we face adversity, and/or the game's hanging in the balance. We needed someone at Vandy to tell everyone to get their shite together, we needed someone to rally the team after the blocked punt to avoid letting the game slip away from us at home against Bama, and we needed a leader at Tennessee to rally the boys after the shell shock of seeing the toughest guy on the team lay helpless on the turf (dirt, potholes, etc). This team is missing the leadership that Shawn Williams provided before UF a few years back. The leadership Aaron Murray provided at Tennessee, and after we went down big at Auburn. Those guys kept our seasons afloat.

By all accounts (most of them being players), Faton Bauta is the hardest working player on this team. He requested to have the non-contact green jersey taken off of him during spring and summer ball so that he could show off the whole arsenal. This guy has sat for 3 and a half years now in this program, yet he's barely got a scent of playing time. He could've gone elsewhere (D-2 most likely) and played, but he's stayed here because he loves UGA. Even without this start, I think he would have stayed here as a career backup just because he loves the place. He's earned the respect of this team.

Greyson lambert came in here and won the job. He's got the arm, he learned the playbook, and he got the team to believe in him. But when the shite hits the fan, he crumbles, he's inconsistent, and he's erratic. The team was willing to go to battle with him. When it boils down to it, Greyson cannot and will not get the same respect Faton gets.

Let's cut through all the crap...Talent-wise, Faton should not be starting for many D-1 programs, and damn sure should not be starting for a program of UGA's quality. He's not going to be the second coming of Tim Tebow, he won't suddenly have top-notch arm strength, and he almost certainly won't play in the NFL. But if there's a guy on this team that will command their respect and make them play...it's this guy. They're not willing to go to battle with him...they're willing to go to battle FOR him, and there's a huge difference. Maybe he rallies the boys, plays with heart, desire, and passion that's contagious, and wills us to an improbable upset. Maybe the lack of film and lack of experience with UGA playing this style baffles the Gatas and they have no idea how to defend it. Maybe an accurate quarterback, someone actually consistently hits the short and intermediate throws and moves the sticks, opens up the run game and we move the ball. Maybe we (finally) find the talented tight ends we have. And maybe this kid shows us he is the leader that this team needs so desperately.

I'm not saying all of this, or even any of this happens, for sure, but at this point, I'm willing to take the chance because it's college football, anything can happen. I damn sure don't accept losing, and won't be happy with a loss...but show me the passion, the reason you signed with the Dawgs, and that you haven't given up on the season. Play with heart, play with pride, and play in honor of all the Dawgs that have come before you with the G slapped on the side of their helmet. A loss where I see that, like the SEC Championship game against Bama, where you left it all on the field, yeah, I'll hold my head high after that.

Don't expect the world from this kid, I'm most certainly not, but there's a chance this kid makes it happen for us the rest of the year, and maybe we end on a high note. That's all we can really ask for at this point. Without this move, keeping the status quo with Greyson under center, do y'all truly believe that things would've changed in the bye week? Because I don't. I'm nervous about the move, but I'm excited to see if this young man, that bleeds Georgia red, can rally the Dawgs. If this report, we've all heard, is true, I support the move. Go Dawgs, ladies and gentlemen, let's rally around the boys.