SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia (UPDATED)
Georgia coach Mark Richt will address the NCAA's inquiry into his program today. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
(UPDATED AT 10 a.m.)
HOOVER, Ala. — Good morning. Welcome back to SEC media days, which at some point in time I’m sure was a nice little gathering of writers from newspapers — yeah, yeah: which, were delivered by wagon train — to collect background information for the upcoming season.
But there’s nothing low key about it now. Day 1 seemed more like somebody fired a cannon.
A brief rundown, in case you missed it:
♦ The NCAA is conducting an “inquiry” -- I’m not sure if it qualifies as an investigation yet — into Georgia’s program. Officials have not said what they’re looking for but it’s believed to be related to all of the recent stories regarding illegal contact between college players and agents. For what it’s worth, wide receiver A.J. Green, whose name came up in a couple of internet stories, has denied involvement.
A small group of us are meeting with coach Mark Richt early this morning, prior to his scheduled major news conference with the rest of the media. Tim Tucker and I will post his comments as soon as we’re able. As always, I’ll be sending out Tweets throughout the day on Twitter. You can follow me @JeffSchultzAJC.
If you need to get caught up on the Georgia story, here’s a link to a blog I wrote yesterday when Tucker broke the story, and here’s Tim’s updated news story. My favorite part of Tim’s story might be the remark from former teammate Michael Moore, via Twitter: “Hahaha. This talk about A.J. is hilarious. That country boy ain’t never been to Miami!!! You can put those rumors to rest.”
♦ Alabama coach Nick Saban was a walking soundbite Wednesday on AgentGate. He likened agents to “pimps,” and I’m not sure if he was including his own agent, given his past movement from LSU to Miami (NFL) to Alabama. At one point, Saban also said, “Maybe we need to not be so self-absorbed,” when it comes to this issue. As several readers responded: Pot, meet kettle. Here’s the link to my column on Saban.
♦ Bill Hancock, executive director of the BCS, did a power point presentation, attempting to sell the world on why the BCS is such a great thing. Half the people in the room didn’t believe him. The other half were asleep. Here’s the link to the story.
♦ Lost in everything else yesterday was a great remark from Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, who took offense to previous remarks from Saban that a drawback to the spread offense (which Mullen coaches at MSU and previously at Florida and Utah) is it doesn’t prepare quarterbacks for the NFL. Mullen’s response: “I’m not going to knock him. I don’t know his personal record. I’ve coached the spread offense and I have a lot of more first-round quarterbacks drafted than he has in his career as a head coach. Develop them for the NFL, I don’t know. In the last six years, I’ve had two of mine [Tim Tebow and Alex Smith] get drafted in the first round.”
That’s it for now. Check back later and I’ll have something new on Georgia.
♦
UPDATE: Threw this into comments below. Richt just met with a small group of reporters (he has yet to hold his formal news conference).
– In short, he said he has been asked by the NCAA not to speak publicly about the “inquiry” into the program, but all I can tell you is he didn’t act overly concerned about it.
– As for A.J. Green, he responded to some questions about his name being brought up in internet reports, saying he is not concerned and he has never even been to Miami (the reference being to stories of an agent’s party in South Beach). We’ll have more on this later.
– Richt, when asked if NCAA is looking at just one or more UGA players: “I don’t know at all and I’ve been asked not to to talk about it.”
– Unlike Saban, Richt said he doesn’t think “agent problem” is any worse now than it was before.
– Richt on “agent problem” “If there was an easy answer, I think we would’ve already found out what it is.”
♦
Previous SEC/Georgia posts
♦ NCAA inquiry is the last thing Georgia and Mark Richt need
♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents
♦ SEC media days: Hey, who let the BCS in here?
♦ We’re LIVE at SEC media days (with no shortage of storylines)
♦ NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)
♦ Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?
♦ Listen up, Ole Miss: I’ve got Colonel Reb’s replacement
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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131 comments Add your comment
BMDPD
July 22nd, 2010
8:27 am
Uh First?
BMDPD
July 22nd, 2010
8:29 am
Second
BMDPD
July 22nd, 2010
8:29 am
Finally, Bronze.
JB
July 22nd, 2010
8:32 am
Typical Saban: If you ain’t doing it my way, it must be wrong…..
TinaT
July 22nd, 2010
8:37 am
UGA = cheaters = red panties = investigations = DUI = Jan Kemp = The Cesspool of the South.
papadawg
July 22nd, 2010
8:38 am
Being College Graduates & Students how can you be so STUPID when rules are involved
Jeff
July 22nd, 2010
8:39 am
Keep the posts coming, Jeff!
Mark in Loganville
July 22nd, 2010
8:39 am
Green lied to Richt. That’s going to cost him dearly.
Remarkable
July 22nd, 2010
8:41 am
Remarkable
It’s easy to accuse someone before the facts are in. Thats exactly want got Obama in so much trouble lately. Everyone had better wait until the facts are known before they jump on the blame band-waggon. Do you really think UGA would be bringing AJ Green to SEC Media Days this a.m. if there was anything to this story? There will be 1,000 members of the media there asking questions.
Wait and see who’s in the clear and who’s not. . .
Chad
July 22nd, 2010
8:43 am
Sure he wasn’t there. They want to spend all this time and money and go to Athens just to ask him that. Give me a break. Maybe the idiot used a debit card. Maybe there’s video. Maybe a tweet. The ncaa isn’t going to athens just to ask hey were ya there. They go to ask what were u doing there. And of course he will deny. If he’s suspended for a season, bye bye top 20 draft and million.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
8:45 am
Jeff, if you cross your fingers, wish on a falling star, carry 4-leaf clovers in your pocket, and rub your rabbit’s foot keychain, you may actually get what you truly want – an NCAA santion at UGA.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
8:46 am
Regarding AJ, it’s pretty simple: if he was in Summerville, then people saw him. Just have the NCAA make a few phone calls to South Carolina and this whole thing will go away.
Clay
July 22nd, 2010
8:48 am
Shultzie, don’t go all “Woodward and Bernstein” on Richt this morning on the NCAA thing. You know he can’t talk about it!
Clay
July 22nd, 2010
8:49 am
Alright Shultzie, don’t go all Woodward and Bernstein on Richt this morning. You know he can’t talk about it!
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
8:50 am
Jeff = Obama voter
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
8:51 am
Jeff
So why would the ncaa send someone to athens? Just to ask hey were you there? Why would they spend the time and money if they didn’t have some kind of evidence that he was likely or definitely there? If it walks, quacks and swims like a duck, it’s a duck.
Steve
July 22nd, 2010
8:52 am
Why are you hard on Schultz? He’s just reporting what’s going on. If you want to assess blame, blame the stupid players and the sleezy agents. Both are to blame. Not a friggin ajc writer. Idiots.
Argie
July 22nd, 2010
8:56 am
The fact he’s a country boy makes me think even more that he would want to go to Miami. That’s stupid logic.
GaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
8:58 am
GT=Athlete Heroine addicts who overdose = Joe Hamilton = Terrorist= Faculty Credit Card Thieves=Athletes who beat women=Sword slaying students = Scum that grows at the bottom of the Cesspool of the South = TinaT what’s your point again?
Clay
July 22nd, 2010
8:58 am
I’d go to South Beach if I was invited . . .
Richt's Dance
July 22nd, 2010
8:59 am
I heard Richt has the team working on a secret but very creative endzone taunting dance if they ever score against florida this year. It will involve players on the field and from the bench, doing a bunch of crotch grabbing and throat slashing, even better and more involved than the highly acclaimed 2007 endzone dance! Richt—he’s always thinking ahead!!!!!
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
9:03 am
Richt’s Dance
July 22nd, 2010
8:59 am
Would you have preferred the UGA players discharge AK-47s and wave dead girlfriend’s credit cards in the end zone? Ooops, the UF players have a lock on that.
SatchelBuzz
July 22nd, 2010
9:03 am
Shreveport in late December,…..book now. With or without him,..happy Holiday nadlickers.
THWG!!!
A Whales Bagina
July 22nd, 2010
9:03 am
Why cant players go to a party? Was it the free booze or something?
Gatorzip74
July 22nd, 2010
9:04 am
Remarkable-
That’s exactly what happened when the Pouncey allegation broke.
TommyP
July 22nd, 2010
9:06 am
From what I’ve heard, Georgia had several players at this party….and they were all seniors or had declared for the draft.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
Jacob, it’s called a fishing exercise. You do realize that the IRS performs random audits as well?
Diablo69
July 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
GaDawg I think you made TinaT’s point for him/her. You stay classy!
DawginLex
July 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
Satchel,
The ACC has a tie in to Shreveport now. More likely for GT to end up there than UGA.
I thought you Tech boys were smart? Didn’t do your homework did you? Oh well, it is the same way at work. All the nerd engineers come up with these big costly ideas and the real men in charge like me tell them how much we can actually spend. The nerds then have to go back and re-design everything from scratch.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
9:10 am
Pouncey said he didn’t take the money……..he “earned” it.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:11 am
Argie, the word “logic” didn’t belong in that post. Some people actually prefer a slower paced lifestyle. Thonged women on South Beach makes for a nice mental image but that’s not everyone’s speed.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
July 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
Could someone direct me to the football coverage? I thought I was in the sports section but all the stories are about legal matters. Is there football here? Heck, I’ll even settle for soccer or cycling.
UGA 2X
July 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
are the SEC media days carried on radio anywhere?
A Whales Bagina
July 22nd, 2010
9:13 am
I heard Nesbitt was there making out with Reggia Ball.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
July 22nd, 2010
9:14 am
Yeah, good question, Whale. Is is not an NCAA violation for a player to do drugs, but is a violation if he didn’t pay for the drugs?
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:16 am
Fishing. haha. Sure. Man the excuse making on here is pathetic. How one dimensional will uga be if they lose AJ. They will run the ball more than Tech. Haha
A Whales Bagina
July 22nd, 2010
9:16 am
Well is anything actually illegal if you don’t caught?
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
And geoff
Right fishing. You have maybe 50 athletes to investigate. Hmm IRS has a pool of 200+ million taxpayers to potentially audit. Ncaa has about 50 players. Yep more brilliant logic from UGA fans!! Man you are some demented in denial dogtards.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
9:20 am
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:16 am
We ran more than tech last November in Atlanta. Thanks for reminding me, though.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
9:20 am
FYI — just left a small media session with Mark Richt. He said he was asked by the NCAA to not talk about the “inquiry” but, for what it’s worth, he didn’t act overly concerned about it.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
9:22 am
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
Speaking of “brilliant” logic – you’re saying there are 200 million people in the US that actually pay taxes? LOL!!!
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
9:22 am
SEC spokesman Charles Bloom told reporters in main media room that the NCAA requested Georgia not talk about the issue. Somehow I get the feeling that won’t stop questions from others being asked.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
Before Richt met with small group of reporters, there was access to AJ Green who said this morning he has never even been to Miami. So much for reports that he made have had contact with an agent down there.
lanier
July 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
NCAA hovers you say With wording like that I say you are better suited for the National Enquirer Jeff
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
I’m going to start transcribing quotes from Richt now. He had some pretty good comments summing up what it’s been like this summer. Puts things in perspective very well.
dan
July 22nd, 2010
9:25 am
whale
how about the plane, or gas for car or hotel. most if not all of these players grew up together in SC. They knew each other. You know he went, all those players where from SC & he grew up with them. You can’t tell me if you have a chance to go to South Beach for Memorial Day over some stupid town in SC at 21 you would not go.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
9:26 am
dan
July 22nd, 2010
9:25 am
You said “you know he went”. Wow! Apparently you have some insider information. Why not post your contact information so Jeff can forward it to the NCAA?
dap01
July 22nd, 2010
9:30 am
The headlines to this article are much more dramatic than the actual article.
A little over the top!
Big Whoop
July 22nd, 2010
9:31 am
I hope Moore is right about A.J.
Remarkable
July 22nd, 2010
9:33 am
Thanks Jeff. Why do you think the NCAA doesn’t want CMR to talk about this whole thing at a Media Frenzie?
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:33 am
NO I am saying 200 million people file returns moron.
TommyJack
July 22nd, 2010
9:34 am
No dawg fan, but I wouldn’t wish this on any SEC team.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:35 am
Jacob, it’s called deterrence. I take it you’re not a tax payer either.
dan
July 22nd, 2010
9:36 am
no idiot. it’s called a general statement when you’re sure of something. something uga hasn’t been able to say or think when they play UF. 18/21 losers.
BugKiller
July 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
Jeff, you’re so desperate for any soundbite which tweaks Saban’s nose that you’re going to run with Mullens’ ridiculous statement?
Yeah, he’s had two QBs drafted in the first round. One is a pretty collosal bust that’s kept the 49ers out of the playoffs.
The other is a bust to be.
There is a reason why the NFL is shying away from spread QBs. Yeah, Football Jesus was drafted in the first round. All it takes is one desperate idiot (Josh McDaniels).
Timmy Christ will go the same was as Smith.
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
deterrence? Theory of war?
Dude just stop now before you make yourself look more demented.
BugKiller
July 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Jeff, you’re so desperate for any soundbite which tweaks Saban’s nose that you’re going to run with Mullens’ ridiculous statement?
Yeah, he’s had two QBs drafted in the first round. One is a pretty collosal bust that’s kept the 49ers out of the playoffs.
The other is a bust to be.
There is a reason why the NFL is shying away from spread QBs. Yeah, Football Jesus was drafted in the first round. All it takes is one desperate idiot (Josh McDaniels) who traded away a franchise QB and got a kicking tee in return (Kyle Orton).
Timmy Christ will go the same was as Smith.
Jacob
July 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Just capital gains.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:39 am
Chad,
Being suspended for the season sure hurt Dez Bryant didnt it! I think he went in the first round, maybe a little bit latter, but to a helluva much better team than if he had played the season. So go back sit back in the corner you hater.
Tech Tony
July 22nd, 2010
9:40 am
Free advice to AJ Green:
If you were there in Miami, admit it. Lying (or not lying) to SI.com and other reporters is one thing, lying to the NCAA is another. The latter, if you’ll ask Dez Bryant, will get you suspended.
The thing I find troubling in all this is that Green’s name (among others) got out. Even if it’s proven he never went to Miami, the association with wrongdoing will outlast his honesty. That is a terrible burden to put on a kid. It’s just wrong.
Chad
July 22nd, 2010
9:42 am
Another idiotic post from a UGA moron. Dez was a top 10 pick. He went around 25th to Dallas. Falling that much cost him millions. Duh.
Ringleader
July 22nd, 2010
9:44 am
Dan……
You are a nobody who knows nothing…..
DawginLex
July 22nd, 2010
9:44 am
I love how the gators can only count to 20 so they say 17-3 or 17 out of 20.
See if any of the gators can decipher this?
15-5
15 out of 20
Hint: football was played before Spurrier arrived at florida
Chad
July 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
I be in Summavil. I don’t even no whar da beach is. riiiight. all your cronies go down there and you play coy. riiigh. the ncaa has some evidence you were there. either that or they are as bad as the gov’t when investigating something.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
Jacob, I realize that you’re probably not actually that thick in the skull, but I’ll simplify it for you:
I’m not referring to a nuclear arms race, which I thought would’ve been fairly obvious. Regardless of the sample size, the principle of deterrence is the same. If the regulating body can make random and not “for cause” inquiries (not investigations) at a program, then other programs are more likely to keep their departments and teams as clean as possible fearful that even if their transgressions are not made public by outside sources, they could still be caught and sanctioned.
Seriously, how far in life has playing stupid gotten you?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
Chad-
Reading comprehension moron! Learn it. He may have made more up front, but long term playing with the Cowboys, in his backyard, with the elite group of offensive players they have will allow him to be more successful than going to play for the the Chiefs or Browns.
Obviously you know next to nothing about football, and your hate for anything UGA deludes you from rationale thinking. DUH!
alpharettadawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
Schultz, we needed you at the Ted last night to land a picture of Brooklyn Decker.
Tweets that mention SEC media days: Catching a breath and waiting on Richt | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
July 22nd, 2010
9:49 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by alysyn curd, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia http://bit.ly/aLEq7A [...]
Dawg Days
July 22nd, 2010
9:52 am
Georgia fans–still living off herschel, buck and lindsey from 1980! 1 title, 30 years ago, but the arrogance continues. Ga loses 3-4 games in 2010—mark it down, while Tech wins the ACC!
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:53 am
Winning the ACC would be equivalent to losing about 4 in the SEC Dawg Days.
juvenal
July 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
trial by media…any group has sinners(i.e., judas iscariot), just pray for them…
Crimedog
July 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
As usual, Richt has his sanctimonious head stuck in the sand.
dobearsbare
July 22nd, 2010
10:05 am
I wouldn’t read anything into Richt not seeming “overly concerned.” The man keeps his cool no matter what’s going on. I hope he doesn’t have reason to be concerned, but his demeanor is like Tom Glavine’s.
Tech Tony: Thanks for being a voice of reason on here.
TUCK FECH
July 22nd, 2010
10:10 am
I saw all the TECH players in Miami….getting Beat Down by IOWA!
Clay
July 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Hey Dawg Daze, thanks for reminding us! 1980 – 12-0-0 AP and UPI National Champions. you nerds done anything remotely as great as that?
Oh year, a piece of a championship (in a MINOR bowl) in a season where you lost to (caugh, caugh) Virginia.
Since 2001, we’ve only won 2 SEC titles, played for another, won 90 games, finished 2nd, 3rd and a host of top 10s in final polls, oh and won the State title 8 of 9 times.
Hey, you brought it up!!
Charles
July 22nd, 2010
10:15 am
Saddens me that this stuff is the focus of what should have been a good session to talk about actual football…ie, Murray and new-look defense. Hope we can actually get around to that. As far as UGA players being at the party, no chance Green was there…not his style. I’m guessing we probably had a former LB and maybe one or two DTs there, all of whom were either seniors or declared. Much ado about nothing. And Jeff, I’m glad you at least attempted to distinguish between ‘inquiry’ and ‘investigation’…vastly different terms when you’re talking about the NCAA. Now, let’s get to the fun questions.
Riiight
July 22nd, 2010
10:16 am
AJ is just following what he learned from Damon. LIE! Who’s the girl? Oh were just friends. Why are you holding her panties? Oh she asked me to while I drove her home!
Use Powerade..not G_ _ _ _ ade
July 22nd, 2010
10:17 am
I cant even say the name it makes me so sick.
I hate FL that much.
AlwaysAVol
July 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
The NCAA sanctioning Vandy, Kentucky, UGA or UT would be like cutting the legs off a lame horse.
Riiight
July 22nd, 2010
10:22 am
I think he confused Miami with Miami Ohio!
Boo Radley
July 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
Wow. The collective IQ of this blog is dropping by the minute. Here are some really special gems from the mouth breathers above….
“Why would they spend the time and money if they didn’t have some kind of evidence that he was likely or definitely there?” — So, every police investigation or DA inquirey is always correct, otherwise if the person wasn’t guilty why would they spend money investigating? I mean, before the begin investigating they just somehow know before hand that the person is “likely or definately” guilty. Right? Brilliant.
Rocky Mountain Bulldog
July 22nd, 2010
10:24 am
Agents are lawyers are they not. Enough said.
Swimming Plans
July 22nd, 2010
10:37 am
Richt is furious at his players for taking money! He’s so mad, he may not take these players swimming during the summer practice sessions!
DP
July 22nd, 2010
10:39 am
Jeff, you’re showing an astonishing lack of character with the continuing misleading comments on Saban. You say you’re not sure if he was talking about his own agent. I saw his Q&A yesterday and he couldn’t have been more clear that he was not talking about most agents, just a few rogues. He said the established agents with good reputations don’t do things to jeopardize the eligibility of college athletes and that it was unfair to them for the sleazy ones to go after college players that are off limits to them.
Jeff, your distortion of Saban’s comments puts you in the company of the conservative website that intentionally clipped the speech of Shirley Sherrod to quote her out of context. You’re becoming another Paul Finebaum, a muckraking bomb thrower. Can’t you remember back to when you had ideals and wanted to be a real journalist?
Sweet Home Alabama
July 22nd, 2010
10:41 am
Every day a different story for the MUTTS.Congrats you are the number one outlaw school in the southeast and probably the whoele world.
its dont have too be like this MUTTS,dont you have any pride left.
Please come visit us sometime ,I promise you that you will need more than 1 QB.
ROLL TIDE ROLL………….
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
10:47 am
“and I’m not sure if he was including his own agent, given his past movement from LSU to Miami (NFL) to Alabama”
Never miss a chance to take potshots at Saban do ya?
As far as Saban’s agent being a pimp I guess we can now say the same about Spurrier-Fa-to nfl-to USCe, Bill Parcells and his various moves, Pete Carroll-pros to USCw-to pros again-, and really just any coach out there who has changed jobs as a natural progression through a coaching career.
HugoStiglitz
July 22nd, 2010
10:50 am
Im inclined to believe AJ. If he were lying then he would be putting the UGA program in danger and sacrificing millions of dollars as his draft stock would completely plummet. I dont think he is that stupid. If he was there then it will come out, he wont be able to hide it so lying about it now would be more then stupid. As for Richt, he is certainly earning his paycheck this offseason. UGA cant stay out of the news.
DP
July 22nd, 2010
11:12 am
Jeff writes:
“Alabama coach Nick Saban was a walking soundbite Wednesday on AgentGate. He likened agents to “pimps,” and I’m not sure if he was including his own agent, given his past movement from LSU to Miami (NFL) to Alabama.”
Jeff is a liar. He doesn’t like Saban and he’s an “opinion” columnist, which in the internet age has come to mean traditional standards of journalism like accuracy and context are out the window. Jeff knows Saban was not talking about his own agent because Saban made it clear he was only talking about a relative handful of rogue agents who go after college athletes with remaining eligibility. Here’s what Saban said yesterday at his press conference on the subject of agents:
“Somebody has to control and police what agents do, which is the responsibility of the NFL Player’s Association, which ultimately is the responsibility of the NFL. And because it’s not even fair to their peers, and other agents, because the good guys and good agents don’t do this kind of stuff. They don’t break the rules and recruit guys and give them money and fly them all over the country and do things like that, that create eligibility issues for players which affects their future, and it breaks the rules of their own organization. And it’s not fair to the players, it’s not fair to the institutions who are penalized by this and it’s not even fair to the professionalism in their own organization because they’re being unfair to their peers.”
Jeff, it’s OK to say you hate Saban, it’s not OK to lie about him or anybody else.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
11:17 am
Ok DP, we get it! You’re in love with Saban. Sheesh.
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
11:22 am
GeoffDawg,
Its a matter of fairness and accuracy. You probably wouldn’t like it if Schultz made misleading or inaccurate comments about Richt.
DP
July 22nd, 2010
11:23 am
No GeoffDawg, you don’t get it. What I think about Saban has nothing to do with it. I don’t think it’s reasonable for a newspaper writer to intentionally lie about a public figure who was very clear in his comments.
Maybe that’s too subtle a point for you to grasp.
Jeff has turned into a Paul Finebaum, more interested in stirring the pot than being a journalist with integrity.
Lee Corso
July 22nd, 2010
11:28 am
To paraphrase Jerry Tarkanian, the NCAA is so mad at Florida and Alabama that they are going to give Vanderbilt the death penalty.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
11:28 am
I think if something is demonstrably false, that’s one thing but misleading comments are a matter of opinion. It’s obvious that Schultz doesn’t care for Saban personally but in hearing him talk about Saban on 790 this morning, he has a great respect for him as a coach. That being said, I think Schultz, along with just about every blogging columnist at the ajc, has now and then made misleading or provocative comments about Coach Richt or the Georgia program. You can’t easily change somebody’s opinion, especially if you’re confrontational in your response, so for the most part I like to just take it in stride, state my reasoning and have fun with it.
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
11:30 am
Just making a joke DP. I think you might be a bit oversensitive this morning.
Layla Kiffin
July 22nd, 2010
11:32 am
DP, step away from the computer, take a deep breath and count to ten. Okay now big fella, ask mommy for a juicebox and then take a nice long nap- I promise everything will be all better when you wake up. Maybe you can even watch Spongebob!
Knute Rockne
July 22nd, 2010
11:37 am
Nck Saban 2006- I will not be the coach at Alabama
Sleazy Agents 2010- We learned everything we know about being sleazy from you Nick!
TampaGator
July 22nd, 2010
11:46 am
Interesting…….Mike Pouncey stood before the media (and Maurkice made a direct statement with a lawyer to the media) that neither he or nor his brother had anything to do with the agent/money issue….but AJ Jones has “no comment” about the Miami issue??? Honestly…..that does not put the best picture forward for AJ…..even if he is innocent. How come he didn’t completely and infatically deny the charge and go on with the football questions??? Not saying he is guilty….but…..it sure seems like “it is” his place to comment on the story….all he had to say, if it is the truth, is “I never have been to Miami” and we can believe him. Again…I am not saying AJ is guilty of anything….but I do not understand the “no comment” strategy….it just seems to make the situation more explosive for him…and the U of GA. If he is innocent…why not say so in front of the entire nation?
TampaGator
July 22nd, 2010
11:54 am
Boy….the exitment is building….Vandy is up next. Here’s the first question from the media:
“Coach Caldwell…..how many of your players spent the night in the girls dorm…and we know that breaks the rules because no agent will be able to find them there….studying for the recent chemistry exam….and did any of the girls present help the players with understanding the relationship between….?”
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
11:58 am
Geoffdawg,
I’m probably just a little more sensitive about the Saban issue because of the constant disinformation that is bantered about him and the whole Miami situation. 2 days ago I was in my car listening to .680 and a guy(didn’t listen long enough to see who it was) was ranting about Nick Saban. He said Saban lied to Wayne Heizenga’s face and then got on a plane to Tuscaloosa a couple hours later. Complete and total BS. Saban left on good terms with Heizenga in Hiezenga’s own words and Saban kept him fully abreast of the situation after the nfl season was over. He also had enough respect for Wayne to refuse to even talk to Bama till after the completion of the NFL season. But yet now anyone listening to that program has the completely wrong idea of what happened because this guy was either too lazy to look up the facts or simply said stuff that he thinks happened. Is it any wonder that when sports columnists and radio personalities simply make stuff up as they think it happened that Saban is one of the 10 most hated sports people in the US?
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
11:59 am
TampaGator, that may be because Claude Felton has asked that people associated with the football team and/or athletic department to make no further comments until the inquiry is complete. Besides, he’s already told his coach and others involved that he’s never been to Miami which in turn has been highly publicized by the media. How many times does he need to say it?
Jesse James
July 22nd, 2010
11:59 am
Coach Saban – If you call the agents pimps, you better call your player a prostitute.
NCAA investigating Georgia for potential sports agent violations – SI.com | All News Blog
July 22nd, 2010
12:02 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
12:02 pm
TampaGator
July 22nd, 2010
11:46 am
AJ Jones is guilty as sin. AJ Green, however, has denied any wrongdoing.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
12:03 pm
Don’t worry DAWGS breaking a few lil NCAA rules is nothing. Your teachers, administrators, and player break REAL LAWS ll the time. The NCAA stufff is small time in comparison. Keep your heads up and your eyes on the rearview mirror for the BLUE LIGHTS.
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
12:06 pm
Tampagator,
I think AJ Green is clean. He and UGA were just told by the NCAA not to talk about the situation and hence the no comment. Sources close to him say he spent the weekend at home on Memorial day weekend.
In regards to Pouncey its also looking like he may be clean. He’s provided bank records, etc. showing no money deposits so its looking like he also may very well be in the clear.
In Marcel Dareus case at Bama its looking the same way. He was at the party but he and about 15 other players there returned home when they found out it was hosted by an agent. Its looking like a number of players there were convinced to come there under false pretenses with no mention of it being an agent’s party. The Marvin Austin kid at UNC looks to be in big trouble. From what I’ve seen under various sources it looks like only a few players like Austin knew it was an agent behind the party and they invited a number of friends at other schools to come without telling them that an agent was behind the party. We’ll find out soon enough but its starting to look more and more like the SEC school players so far will eventually be vindicated especially AJ.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
12:06 pm
The NFL is the Pimp, the agents are the prostitutes, and the college players are the Johns. We know the Johns always get busted.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
12:06 pm
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
11:58 am
There are at LEAST 10 politicians I hate worse than Saban so he’s not in my Top 10:)
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
12:09 pm
Tide Rising, I understand your frustration but when someone is successful, there’s always going to be a media target on his back. Sensationalism brings in readers/listeners so I would suggest taking it as a compliment to your coach that he’s garnering so much attention and intrigue. Steve Spurrier is still saying outrageous things but nobody really cares anymore because he’s not having the same success he once did.
Schultz may have a personal distaste for Saban but given his history of job hopping, whether it was forgiven (Huizenga) or reviled (99% of LSU fans), when you make inflammatory statements about agents, even if they’re true, you have to understand that you’re opening yourself up to speculation about your credibility on the issue.
In the end though, it probably doesn’t matter, if he makes his case clearly and convinces enough people of his position, then change can occur, if not, it probably won’t. But most people would agree that he’s not the best person to lead the charge. That may be through no fault of his own but that’s still just the practical reality of the situation.
VJacket
July 22nd, 2010
12:13 pm
GEORGIEEEEEEEEEEEE hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
ahahahahhahaha
ahahahhahahah
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
12:18 pm
VJacket
July 22nd, 2010
12:13 pm
What are you doing on this blog? I thought you tekkies spent all your time doing calculus.
DP
July 22nd, 2010
12:25 pm
This website points to Marvin Austin and perhaps some other UNC players. LSU could have a much easier opening game at the Georgia Dome.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Sources-Financial-advisors-middle-men-key-to-NCAA-case.html
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
12:27 pm
Geoffdawg,
That’s the other thing I just never get is all the criticism about Saban’s history of job hopping. Each job was a logical progression- Toledo to Mich state(perennial little brother in the big 10) to LSU and then he tried his hand in the pros. Find out it wasn’t for him, the Bama job was open, so he took it. Same as Spurrier who went from Duke to Fla. to NFL to Carolina. Saban just had one more step because he started at Toledo and not a bcs conference team.
The LSU fans were mad at him for going to the pros and well before he came back to Bama. That I never understood. He brought them a national title, laid the talent foundation for Miles to bring them another, etc. I would have thought they would have been grateful the same way Fla. fans were to Spurrier when he went to the skins.
Anyway, enough about that. I think I’ll just reconcile myself to the fact that he’s never going to get a fair shake from the media. Being gruff with them probably got him into more trouble than anything he’s actually done and that more than anything has been his undoing.
TampaGator
July 22nd, 2010
12:33 pm
Tide Rising…..
If they went to the party and the trip was paid by someone….just leaving the party would not be enough. I would expect they would have to repay the money to someone….and they should have reported the situation to their coaches as soon as they returned to campus….which they didn’t do. If they paid their own way, then they didn’t break any rules….but they still should have informed their coaches of the situation so it could have been immediately reported to the NCAA….and all of this could have been avoided.
We know what you want.....
July 22nd, 2010
12:36 pm
Am I the only one who questions the mental capacity of these athletes if they go on an expense-paid trip to Miami and NOTHING registered in their minds that it might be against some NCAA rule? Geesh!
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
12:37 pm
Tide Rising, I’m a fervent believer in capitalism so I have no problems at all with someone leveraging their skills and talents for better opportunities. However, I believe that when you’re talking about college football, you’re much more likely to get emotionally invested with the people that lead your program so that it does feel like a betrayal after all the talk about “family” and “long term goals”. Especially when he comes back to a position where they have to compete with him in the division every year. I don’t think it’s the same with Spurrier because South Carolina doesn’t have a legitimate shot at competing with Florida on a regular basis. I do know several Gator fans though that, after Spurrier left and then came back to USC, stated how glad they were to have someone so obnoxious gone from their program.
In any case, nobody is perfect and I think Bama would’ve been crazy to have not pursued and hired Saban when they had the chance.
TampaGator
July 22nd, 2010
12:39 pm
P.S. I never said AJ was guilty of anything. I just questioned the approach by the U of G if Green is innocent…..why not just say so in front of all the media and the country. If innocent, what possible harm could that cause? Just seems strange to me. Just say as he had previously said, “I have never been to Miami” and go on to the football questions. If you are innocent, you are innocent. Just say so. Again…not saying AJ is guilty…but I do question the approach being used….but the situation for Georgia is just one day old….so they might have told AJ to keep his mouth shut so they can check the situation out first for themselves….so coach Richt and the AD (whoever that is at this time) can check things out better. Maybe they have some doubts themselves. Who knows??? For me, I hope AJ is innocent. I would very much miss watching AJ Green on the college football field…and we have only one more year to do so. His type of reciever only comes around once in a while…and he is truly a special athlete…when healthy.
bamafan
July 22nd, 2010
12:56 pm
Jeff – why such a sudden dislike for Nick Saban? Maybe you never liked him, but your comments are particularly snarky lately. As for the delight you took in Coach Mullen’s comments, the statistics don’t lie but most folks would agree that Coach Saban was correct about the spread……..didn’t you make a living earlier reporting on Tim Tebow’s efforts to change his throwing motion in order to make it in the NFL? As for Coach Mullen, Tebow hasn’t made it in the NFL yet and Alex Smith (who?) is certainly not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning……….
Damon Evans
July 22nd, 2010
12:58 pm
The curse of the red panties continues.
tyger
July 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
If the agents are “pimps” and the players are “prostitutes”, then what are the campuses?
Whorehouses?
layinlow
July 22nd, 2010
1:02 pm
Tampa Gator, The NCAA asked Mark Richt and his players not to comment. Why is that so hard for you to understand? I’m sure Richt told AJ he wasn’t to say anything to the media innocent or not.
Personally, from everything I have heard about AJ is that he is a great kid. I find it hard to believe that he would flat out lie and say he has never been to Miami. I think his name is involved because he is a top 5 talent and people automatically assume he would have been the agents target from UGA. If he did lie I would be extremely disappointed and as a fan of UGA I would hope he was punished more for lying than actually going to the party.
DP
July 22nd, 2010
1:03 pm
Tampa Gator, I would not be surprised if UGA advised Green to answer “no comment” to any issue related to the pending NCAA investigation. Otherwise the media wouldn’t have stopped at one question….Were you at South Beach? You’ve never been to South Beach? Do you know if any of your teammates were at the party? Have you ever been in contact with an agent? Do you know Marvin Austin of UNC? If he denies one allegation, it looks like he’s guilty of whatever is charged in the first question he doesn’t answer.
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
1:09 pm
Tampagator,
I just read the full report on what happened so fortunately for us it looks like Dareus may be in the clear. The source is close to the Dareus family and told a Bama paper what happeend.
Dareus and Marvin Austin are friends going back to their recruitment. Anyway Austin paid for Dareus flight to come to Miami-probably cause Dareus didn’t have a credit card. Dareus got their and paid Austin cash for the ticket and got a receipt. They went to the party and Dareus found out it was an agent behind it. He and some other players left. Dareus called his family who then bought him a one way ticket back home. He called Saban when he came back on Sunday morning and met with Saban to explain what happened. Saban and the university called the NCAA and formally interviewed Dareus. Austin also paid for a hotel room for Dareus but Dareus did not use it.
The way its looking is that Dareus and quite a few other players from other schools were lured down there under false pretenses. Several North Carolina players are going to be in some serious trouble. Allegedly several of them have been known for blatantly asking agents for money and it is being alleged that several of them especially Austin were doing some running for the agent to get other high profile players down there. The whole affair is becoming sordid indeed.
juice sourcer
July 22nd, 2010
1:22 pm
Will keep happening…coaches get millions, and there is billions flowing through the system and the players get chump…nothing…ok…a free education…hell anybody can go to a state school..maintain a B average and have their education paid for with lottery funds…so basically of a education is around 15K a year..that’s what the player( performers) are getting while the coaches, AD, networks , etc are getting rich…it’s completly hipacritical.
Sports Review
July 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
[...] SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at GeorgiaAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)SEC Media Days: Change only half the story at GeorgiaNOLA.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 261 news articles » [...]
Richt's words, actions haven't changed ugliness at Georgia | Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:35 pm
[...] ♦ SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia [...]
Gatormeat
July 23rd, 2010
8:25 am
The most funny part of this is that you dogs can cheat and our Gators still beat you down most every year. Peach and Independence bowls are your destiny, we are the big boys in the east.
SEC media days: Tennessee and Dooley take center stage | Jeff Schultz
July 23rd, 2010
9:49 am
[...] – Georgia wide receiver A.J. Jones responded to allegations that he attended an agent’s party in Miami Beach earlier this summer by saying he’s never even been to Miami. [...]
Dooley calmly moving from one fire to next at Tennessee | Jeff Schultz
July 23rd, 2010
3:50 pm
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Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4) | Jeff Schultz
July 25th, 2010
2:06 pm
[...] ♦ SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia [...]
NCAA investigating Georgia for potential sports agent violations – SI.com | The Fresno News
August 8th, 2010
6:02 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
SEC media days: Tennessee and Dooley take center stage « News, Articles and Information
August 10th, 2010
7:46 pm
[...] – Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green responded to allegations that he attended an agent’s party in Miami Beach earlier this summer by saying he’s never even been to Miami. [...]