No more excuses — Georgia’s arrests fall on Mark Richt
Mark Richt has been buried in police reports since March.
(UPDATED at 3:30 p.m. with booking and suspension.)
Before you dismiss this as just another trivial arrest in a 24-7, TMZ flip-cam media world, ask yourself this:
What would you be thinking if this was Florida or Alabama or Tennessee? Would your first reaction be, “This is no big deal. Everybody is picking on us”?
What if this was Nick Saban or Urban Meyer or Houston “I’m Just Trying To Save The World One Quarterback At A Time” Nutt? Would you really be absolving the head coach — in this case, Mark Richt — of any responsibility?
Georgia’s football program has hit nine on the arrest chart. That’s nine since March.
Kickoff is Saturday. There’s still time to run out of fingers.
Here’s the latest: Campus police have booked freshman safety Alec Ogletree on misdemeanor charges of theft by taking and he has been suspended for the season opener. Ogletree, a prized member of their 2010 recruiting class, is charged with stealing a $35 scooter helmet from the Rankin Smith Center on June 15 (police discovering only this week that the helmet was in his possession).
Forget that we’re only talking about a $35 helmet. There’s no such thing as a minor incident any more. There’s a cumulative effect.
I realize this is difficult for some people to accept. We live for this time of year, not just because of our obsession with college football but because, as Richt said this week, “It’s good to be undefeated.” What you feel in Athens, they feel even in Starkville.
But when nine players get arrested between spring and opening kickoff, something is wrong.
Please, no more apologies.
I’ve had it with apologists. They live among the fan base (who claim police are just out to get athletes). They live among the coaching fraternity (because to blame another coach sets themselves up for higher standards). They live among the media (some of whom are too afraid of burning bridges with the program and not having the coach smile at them any more).
Bottom line: This falls on Richt. It’s his program. It’s his responsibility. It’s on his watch.
He doesn’t have to be the one drinking-and-driving. Or hitting-and-running. Or drinking-and-groping. Richt recruited these players, signed these players and ultimately determined, “They will represent the University of Georgia well.” Either he is picking too many of the wrong guys, or he’s not saying or doing enough of the right things when they get here. Regardless, don’t deny the problem.
Richt said Friday he was “disappointed” and that Ogletree is “responsible for a poor decision and will serve a minimum one-game suspension.” He was so angry when running back Washaun Ealey was arrested for a hit-and-run — which occurred while he was driving with a suspended license — that he didn’t even want to speak to Ealey. That anger is justified. The question is whether his suspension of Ealey will last beyond the Louisiana-Lafayette game — because that’s a small notch above running steps in Sanford Stadium.
Forcing Ealey to miss the South Carolina game — that would hurt. Of course, that also would hurt Georgia, and the South Carolina game is really important, right?
When asked at his news conference this week if, in so many words, there was a flaw in his discipline structure, Richt responded: “The flaw is if a guy does something that deserves to be disciplined and you don’t discipline him. That’s where the flaw is. The flaw is in us as humans. We’re flawed, we’re human, we make mistakes. When we make a mistake, then we get disciplined for it. As long as we have 18- to 22-year old guys who are human beings, they are going to make mistakes. That’s just all there is to it. If you don’t discipline it, you have a problem. If they don’t learn from it, then they have a problem.”
Actually, it goes beyond that. If players don’t learn from it, Richt has a problem. And he does.
No more excuses. This falls on him.
♦
Have you entered the “Sack Schultz” contest yet? You can win tickets to the Georgia-Georgia Tech game and an HDTV. CLICK HERE for details.
♦
Last 3 posts . . .
♦ If NCAA has any question, Dogs should sit Green to be safe
♦ Weekend Predictions: Dogs, Jackets open with wins
♦ Braves could lose Fredi Gonzalez to Cubs if they don’t hurry
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,737 comments Add your comment
12-2
September 4th, 2010
2:30 am
A Dog Fan
September 4th, 2010 12:15 am
Ok, you’ve made youre point, the kid is embarrased, can we move on?
“this is the first and last time you see me in the news or watever for something bad” the arrest / suspension number 120 of the Coach Richt Era, the arrest / suspension number 52 since February 2007 for Coach Richt’s recruits. This 1 a thief, and we have so little Discipline around here that a ARRESTED / SUSPENDED PLAYER can go back to his dorm, a THIEF, whom I point out makes NO BONES ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE IS GUILTY, logs on to the Internet on OPENING DAY and ADMITS he is a THIEF.
How can a ARRESTED / SUSPENDED Coach Richt PLAYER have NO DISCIPLINE PUT ON HIM THAT HE CAN log on to the Internet and say WHATEVER THE HELL HE WANTS TO SAY ?
He gets a 2nd Game SUSPENSION for THIS INTERNET POSTING WHILE ARRESTED / SUSPENDED.
These guys are NOT my Ambassadors for my alma mater.
NOT.
Coach Richt reports today if there is no PUNISHMENT, then THAT is lack of DISCIPLINE on HIS COACH RICHT’S PART.
Coach Richt, sir ?
jaxdawgfan
September 4th, 2010
2:31 am
What annoys me is how people want to blame everybody else for their mistakes instead of taking responsibility for their own actions. Why should Coach Richt get the heat? He didn’t raise these kids?
If, by 18 years of age, these kids don’t know the difference between right and wrong, they have no one to blame but themselves. It isn’t as if the examples and information aren’t right there in front of them.
While coaches, teachers and others can exert SOME influence, they are by no means to blame for the failures of self-centered kids, especially those kids from homes where the parents don’t parent.
12-2
September 4th, 2010
2:31 am
Coach Richt, sir ?
Montez Robinson was not kicked off the team the first time he beat up a coed student at The University of Georgia. When he 2nd time, beat up her car, only then do you suspend him for this game and South Carolina, sir.
Zach Mettenberger ALL OF US REPORTED IN THIS BLOG TO YOU with MULTIPLE SOURCES to you Coach Richt that he had abused women, got into a scuffle with the police and flung out of the bar on his butt, skipping across the sidewalk in front of the police. You suspended him for this game today sir.
Vance Cuff provided his DL for 7 teenagers to drive around Athens in a huge truck to get drunk in. No suspension.
Branden Smith had Vance Cuff’s DL on his person. He had his own DL then suspended for having Vance Cuff’s DL on his person. They both are exactly identical on that DL. Who bought the alcohol Coach Richt ? No suspension for Branden Smith Coach Richt. None.
Now, you have a THIEF. A thief who ADMITS he is a THIEF. A thief who you ALLOW to go log on to the Internet as HIMSELF and say WHATEVER THE HELL HE WANTS TO SAY, including ADMITTING he is a THIEF. You suspend him too for today’s game.
Coach Richt if you even begin to THINK that that is DISCIPLINE, you are out of your freaking mind. You are accountable BY YOUR OWN WORDS COACH RICHT for lack of DISCIPLINE on the field and off it of YOUR RECRUITS.
Recruits which I point out FALL WAY SHORT of the recruits this Program HANDED YOU when you finally showed up on this campus 6 WEEKS after we began paying you now $25 million dollars to represent this University and for your RECRUITS to represent this University of mine, sir.
Idot
September 4th, 2010
2:32 am
15 pages……You win, Shultz! Even if most disagree with you.
AJC low-light.
12-2
September 4th, 2010
2:47 am
1,500 posts. Never happended before.
jaxdawgfan because Coach Richt RECRUITED THESE most arrested / suspended players in the nation, here, sir.
Why is Coach Richt accountable for them ?
Because Coach Richt said today if he doesn’t punish them, that that is LACK OF DISCIPLINE.
I just listed 5 players not punished appropriately since March 7 by Coach Richt.
I await Coach Richt’s response.
Your reponse, I read jaxdawgfan.
76-DAWG
September 4th, 2010
2:53 am
Jack at 11:29pm
Thank you for the link that explained most of the arrests and outcomes. It sure does put the offenses in the proper perspective . There were only 7 arrest that had any significance and most of the players involved are no longer Georgia Bulldogs. I can’t think of a worst punishment. Ten years from now when these individuals are talking to their son and their son says ,daddy you played at UGA , the former player says yes son until I did something real stupid at least 2 times and got kicked off the team.What a role model. And there want be a day that these former students want regret what they did to be kick off the team.One pattern that seems to exist with CMR , and I agree, is when the kid makes a mistake that CMR believes in giving a second chance. But screw up a second time and 95% of the time you are gone . I think some of the UGA supporters are blowing it way out of proportion. These kid get the wrath of CMR on them if it happens a second time and if there is something that gives them a reprieve , for the second offense , it’s all over if there is a third incident.So give it a rest and let CMR handle it.
Johnny3Steps
September 4th, 2010
2:58 am
Richt came from Florida State………………Remember? Bowden had his players in trouble all the time.
Thugs rule at UGA now.
12-2
September 4th, 2010
3:14 am
JACK 11:29 PM
76-DAWG
You are quoting DAVID HALE, here is DAVID HALE’S FOLLOW-UP PIECE to your URL Link provided
“is it fair to say there’s a real problem with behavior on Georgia’s football team?”
“I probably wouldn’t argue much if you said there was.”
“There are no doubt numerous other factors to consider, too, so even these numbers don’t help to provide true context. But I think it does show that, regardless of the explanations or justifications, Georgia’s image problem in this regard is largely self-created, and it is something that needs to be addressed and resolved rather than simply explained.”
http://dawg-extra.blogspot.com/2010/05/long-awaited-much-anticipated-double.html
It is JUST NOT AT ALL as you describe by your own SOURCE URL Link you provide, NOW IS IT ?
JACK 11:29 PM
76-DAWG
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
3:23 am
76-DAWG
You see what you miss is that when you quote a SOURCE as saying that it is NOT BAD, then he BETTER NOT HAVE SAID IT IS BAD.
You and Jack 11:29 pm NEITHER credit the quote you lie about as saying that it is written by DAVID HALE.
David Hale said that IT IS BAD.
MUST BE ADDRESSED
CANNOT BE EXPLAINED AWAY
REAL PROBLEM WITH BEHAVIOR on Georgia’s football team
NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED
DAVID HALE had a purpose in writing his piece.
76-DAWG and JACK 11:29 pm come running in here to exclaim that the reason for DAVID HALE’S PIECE was to
EXPLAIN AWAY ALL THE ARRESTS
SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM
SAID THAT IT IS A LOT OF TO-DO ABOUT NOTHING
THAT THERE IS NOT REAL PROBLEM WITH BEHAVIOR UGA football team
THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED
THAT HE DID EXPLAIN IT ALL AWAY
Those are
ALL LIES
MISREPRESENTATIONS
by
Jack 11:29 Liar
76-DAWG Liar
Sports Review
September 4th, 2010
3:50 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
3:51 am
Coach Richt’s recruiting has been POOR
Far more Jim Donnan recruits went into the NFL Draft
Once those all dried up, we have not done diddle-e-squat
Coach Richt knows this, so he has TAKEN CHANCES
He is taking a chance on Christian LeMay, as we speak
Now, Coach Richt ONLY suspends a player if he is ARRESTED
It is WAY OUT OF HAND
1 of 2 reasons he will be on the hot seat if he doesn’t go 12-2 in a season in which he only should lose to Florida. Not that I give him EXCUSES for losing to Florida when he already is 2-7 against them. But, honestly, they are a better-coached football team than our team and have been the entire Coach Richt Era. Ron Zook was 3-1 vs Coach Richt. Urban Meyer 4-1 vs Coach Richt. The only team Coach Richt beat was a 4-loss Florida team 2007, by far the worst team in the Urban Meyer Era.
Losses to 5 SEC East teams the last 4 years, all 5 of which I highlight to you now were NOT RANKED in the Top 25 Final AP Polls the years Coach Richt LOST to ALL 5.
What ?
We can’t compete with only 3 states producing more high school players who go on to the NFL than the state of Georgia ?
Michael Grant Coach Richt took a chance on.
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
3:53 am
Christian LeMay Coach Richt took a chance on.
Montez Robinson Coach Richt took a chance on.
Jamar Chaney Coach Richt took a chance on.
Lonnie Outlaw Coach Richt took a chance on.
I know you all know that our recruiting has DROPPED OFF
Coach Richt is PRESSING.
He has to.
His offense is WIDELY ACCEPTED to be a UTTER FAILURE.
In this state of Georgia with ALL these ALL-STARS on Offense, I presume you are sitting there STUPID that they do NOT want to play in this FAILED OFFENSE ?
This offense is not a well-oiled machine. We cannot line up and run a play like we have practiced it and know it. We get penalties. When we do actually run a play, it is a fumble or interception.
Do you think I make it up that with Knowshon Moreno, we were the # 57 running team in the nation ? We gave him the ball an average of 14 carries against the 3 good teams we played that year and gave up consecutive points of 29, 31 to nothing at halftime and 42 points. Duh.
Do you think I make it up that Matthew Stafford, we were the # 75 passing offense in the nation ?
Our coaching staff for 9 years has NOT HAD A CLUE.
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
3:54 am
Now, Coach Richt is reduced to stating if he doesn’t punish them then that only would be LACK OF DISCIPLINE on his part.
I notice NONE of you discuss that STATEMENT by Coach Richt TODAY.
That’s because YOU KNOW
Branden Smith had to be SUSPENDED.
Vance Cuff had to be SUSPENDED.
Montez Robinson should have been kicked off the team last year.
Zach Mettenberger should have been kicked off FAR BEFORE the announcement he plead GUILTY to 2 counts of sexual battery in a plea deal. We all talked about it in here. We knew all that, and Coach Richt acted like, oh wow, Zach LIED to ME. Coach Richt, son, we TOLD YOU. We told you for 100 days. Don’t sit there and act stupid and so hurt by Zach Mettenberger.
GROW A PAIR.
Learn how to sit down with these young men YOU RECRUIT HERE as YOUR AMBASSADORS of MY alma mater, not yours.
You would NEVER make a salesman Coach Richt, if you cannot get to the bottom of loyal players on your own team you recruited and get them to tell you the truth.
You act so hurt, but the PROBLEM is YOU.
GROW A PAIR.
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
3:55 am
GROW A PAIR.
Suspend Branden Smith.
Suspend Vance Cuff.
Tell Christian LeMay you hear there is an opening at LSU
It will COME BACK TO YOU if you only would FIRE MIKE BOBO and his whole worthless staff.
You have a flaw Coach Richt. You are WAY TOO FORGIVING. I love you, but it AIN’T WORKING.
That is not good for a football coach in 2010.
S FL Chapter of the Bulldog Nation
September 4th, 2010
4:13 am
Mr. Schultz…I agree with you to a certain extent, but the fact remains that this is not simply a UGA problem, but rather a general problem with society as a whole. Stuff like this is going on in every school across the nation, but I guess you too old to remember when you were in high school or college. Did you ever play a sport? Did you ever feel like you were untouchable? Well athletes of every level do…that’s a fact. I try not to judge a book by it’s cover, but to me you look like you probably got picked on by the jocks in school and probably didn’t even sniff a locker room in college. Yes, our boys have made some very bad decisions over the off season, and it has cost several their spot on the team. Is it Coach Richt’s fault that it’s not resonating with the players….I’m not 100% sure of that. People are going to make decisions on their own no matter how much you show and tell them what’s going to happen if they do make the wrong decision…some people have to learn the hard way before it becomes engraved into their skull! I know I have tried to learn from other people’s mistakes and failed personally.. Have you??
Get off your soap box and ask yourself how much respect you could command from any locker room, much less the one at a major BCS school… I’m guessing, once again by your picture, probably not too much. If any at all….
Yes, drinking and driving, hit and run, stealing…are serious offenses…groping a female is right up there with it. Moving violations are an every day offence across the country….they happen to thousands of people everyday…except you of course, I’m sure.
Should our boys learn from their teammates mistakes, and subsequent dismissals or suspensions…absolutely! Is Coach Richt doing nothing about it and acting like nothing happened….absolutely not! Unlike another coach in a southern border state….
So I suggest you SHUT THE HELL UP! GET A LIFE! THESE ARE KIDS!
Are they wrong…once again, yes! Are they paying a price…yes! Is Coach Richt paying a price…YES!! Is it something UGA wants going on…No! Does anyone want this type of stuff going on….NO!!!
Why don’t you dig a little , Nerd Boy, and find out some stats from across the nation as far as Athens and arrests of all students compared to other schools…now that would be something I’d be interested to find out.
Schultz…I’m sorry you got beat up as a kid, but judging by your article, and once again your picture…you probably disserved it! NERD!!!!!
Damn it!!!
Alright….let’s get ready for some football! Whoever’s suiting up tomorrow, get ready to represent UGA to the best of your ability and make the Bulldog Nation proud!! LET’S GO DAWGS!!! LET’S GET IT ON!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
4:45 am
Nice try.
ALL EXCUSES.
Over the last 4 years, we are the most penalized football team in America on the field, with the most interceptions and the most fumbles and as a result are only 10-10 vs SEC East the last 4 years when there only was 1 team any of the 20 games.
We are the most arrested / suspended football team in America and have been that too over the last 4 years, as well.
Coach Richt recruited these RECRUITS with NO DISCIPLINE and he hired the coaching staff which for 9 years has squandered the talent to the point, they GIVE COACH RICHT NO RESPECT on the field or off.
We are a football program in trouble with 1 good year coming this year, then lose 15 seniors and 4-5 juniors after this 1 good year coming this year, and therefore cannot possibly be great in 2011 either.
We LOSE games, games we should NEVER LOSE. We don’t win the big games, I hardly call 3 great wins in 10 years winning the big games.
18 teams have more wins than us over the last 4 years.
South Florida CHAPTER of B.S. it is NOT the police’s fault that Coach Richt does not have a pair to sit them down and lay the law down. My Dad certainly had no problem with that. Coach Richt ABSOLUTELY does.
S FL Chapter of the Bulldog Nation
Producer
September 4th, 2010
5:01 am
Another thug gets arrested. Are we so intent on winning football games that we continue to allow and make excuses for this type of behavior? I think Shultz or Bradley wrote that the quickest way for Richt to get fired would be to have a “zero tolerance” policy against player trash like this. Is that true? If he signed reputable kids with maybe a little less in athletic talent and more on character; that if a team made up of those kinds of kids didn’t win as often as the convicts that we’d ask him to be fired? God, I hope not! Over the last decade or so there has been an almost endless parade of scum who spend almost as much time in the criminal justice system as they do on the filed. Richt’s policy should be “One and You’re Done.” Enough already.
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
5:02 am
DISNEYdawgs.com with more EXCUSES than a pregnant nun
AJC Hates UGA....
September 4th, 2010
5:05 am
Its a fact. They hate most of the coaches there and the feeling is mutual. I am a good friend of OL coach SS and i know for a fact he will NEVER talk to the AJC again after a story that was ran about him and his family right after he got hired at UGA. His dad, who is deceased was badly misquoted in the paper. SS actually gave serious consideration of suing the AJC for slander and defammation of character. I am not going to mention the name of the author of the article but they know who they are. SS decided not to sue and stir the pot with this crap paper anymore and just put a self gag order on himself when it came to them. Haven’t you people noticed they never quote him anymore even whan talking about the OL? He gives them nothing. NOTHING. He knows this paper is a rag and full of blatant YELLOW journalism. SS will talk with the Chattanooga Times or the Athens Banner-Herald and some other papers in the state but he ill never talk to the AJC again. Mark Richt should follow suit and cut them off after this article. It is nothing but a witch hunt by the AJC toward the UGA football program. What a sad testiment to the biggest newspaper in the state.
Jen
September 4th, 2010
5:12 am
Shultz…….a $35 hemet, from 3 months earlier?……..really??!!…………….the night b4 a game?
You sir are a ..kermit the frog lookin’ douche-bag.
Have a nice day Kermy………….GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Producer
September 4th, 2010
6:10 am
Enough of the thugs! Bring honorable and respectable players back. Be a leader, Richt. Winning with trash isn’t worth it.
GR82BAG8R
September 4th, 2010
6:28 am
Does anyone know since the alleged incident occurred in June, does it count against the 2009-2010 Fulmer Cup Standings, or since he wasn’t charged until September, does it count against the 2010-2011 Fulmer Cup Standings?
marciaclark
September 4th, 2010
6:33 am
Sure Richt should check recruits backgrounds, but UGA should have checked where Richt was once employed. The Bobby Bowden school of discipline wasn’t exactly recognized as the toughest in the nation. The “boys will be boy’s” plan was in full swing. Running steps for misdemeanors and felony’s was common. Don’t put it all on Richt, UGA should be listed as an accomplice.
Red Panties
September 4th, 2010
6:34 am
This just in, Spurrier said, “well I guess you can’t spell yoU Got Arrested without UGA”.
PD Huff
September 4th, 2010
6:34 am
Man, this puts the Fulmer Cup completely out of reach for the pre-season award!
Win P.
September 4th, 2010
7:01 am
Suggestions:
1) Change the football records to wins, loses & arrests.
2) Establish a clean-up crew made of of football team offenders to clean up behind UGA fans after a football game.
3)Issue a new uniform for players with arrest records. Write on it “I’m a UGA football Player & I’m not smarter than a fifth grader”
4) Put Richt in stocks and roll him out for public ridicule at each game. Are we already doing that?
5) Once the no. of player arrests reaches seven, suspense the Florida vs Georgia game. We usually lose that one anyway.
6) Find new parents or guardians for the offenders.
7) Do like the Greeks did, kill the messager who brings the news about an arrest.
Enough, don’t think we can blame Jeff Schultz for the arrests. Based on the blog response, he’s laughting all the way to the bank.
Lee
September 4th, 2010
7:08 am
Jeff, CMR has dealt with each incident accordingly. you failed to mentioned that of the nine arrests that five have been either dismissed or left the team.
Slaw Dawg
September 4th, 2010
7:12 am
Look on the bright side, since midnight Friday not a SINGLE UGA football player has been arrested. Things are really looking up over in Athens…..Richt is righting the ship!
superDawg
September 4th, 2010
7:27 am
shultz give it a rest UGA is educating your replacement as we speak.GO DAWGS!
Not A Sidewalk Fan
September 4th, 2010
7:31 am
What would Georgia’s football team look like if the Bubba League had the NFL’s personal conduct policy?
Buzz
September 4th, 2010
7:39 am
Hey AJC hates UGA, its not the AJC that can’t stay out of trouble…..
Bravesfansince66
September 4th, 2010
7:44 am
Is my memory bad or did FSU have these kind of issues when CMR was on the staff? Seems to me they had very simialr issues. The old saying goes “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Bravesfansince66
September 4th, 2010
7:51 am
Lee, if CMR has dealt with the issues why have they continued to crop up? One would think that if it was handled as you say they would stop.
South Ga. Earl
September 4th, 2010
7:55 am
McGarity’s plan of action…. Keep all UGA players locked in jail Sunday through Friday letting them out to play on Saturday…Keeping a very close eye on them during pre-game warmup and at halftime to be sure they don’t get arrested for anything. Now being serious…this is serious…Coaches in college are not paid to be baby sitters. These atheletes are expected to be young adults that have developed some responsibility and appreciation for the opportunity the university has offered them. Petty misconduct or a more serious crime…it’s wrong and these atheletes know it ’s wrong because they are old enough to know right from wrong. What they lack is self disipline. Parents teach children, at a very young age, it’s wrong to take a pack of gum or even a small toy that’s not theirs. If a child disobeys punishment follows. These football players know the rules, know that punishment will surely follow if you break the rules, but seem to lack self displine. These ball players need to grow up, take responsibility for their actions, be thankful for the opportunity they’ve been given and make the very most out of it. These guys aren’t in high school anymore….so don’t try a blame the coaches. UGA coaches are hired and paid to coach and produce a winning program…NOT BABYSIT.
THUGA Justice
September 4th, 2010
7:56 am
Can’t get past the fact this guy stole from another person and has a conscious to keep it. No matter how big or small, this is a culture @ CMR is suspending him against a DIV I team who isnn’t worthy. Sewing what we recruit. EVERYBODY’s watching how we handle … including teammates, future recruits, parents, and alumni CMR! Shameful using THUGA, but that’s what we are!!!!
tim
September 4th, 2010
7:57 am
How can it be Richt’s fault? Can he really control what someone else does? It’s called free will, ultimately we all do what we want to do. He can’t be with them 24/7? Unfortunately people make bad decisions. Whether they had a “good raising” or not people still do dumb things. We are all responsible for our OWN ACTIONS. To blame this on Richt is stupid just like blaming you for something one of your 18 year kids does is stupid. Sure, a certain environment has to be put in place with expectation and consequence but ultimately everyone is responsible for their selves. These kids parents are more culpable than Richt.
Wise up Shulz
TampaGator
September 4th, 2010
7:59 am
Dawgster….
Read more carefully. I posted, “many times”…and not “all his life.” If you want to challenge my logical thinking process, then please don’t change my words in your post. Also…there is a big difference in calculated theft by someone in daily life and an emotional reaction by another on a football field in a single game. Your comparison of the two is not logical at all. And…yes….I did put him in with most of today’s youth who only feel regret when they are caught doing something illegal or wrong in society…or get mad if someone “snitches” on them….and that one applies to this young man and to Mr. Spikes….who apparently does have some morality issues in his life afterall.
gthog61
September 4th, 2010
8:00 am
running up the score on the Fulmer Cup
» SEC: Another arrest and suspension for Georgia John Clay’s Sidelines
September 4th, 2010
8:05 am
[...] No more excuses, Georgia’s arrests fall on Mark Richt, writes Jeff Schultz of the AJC. [...]
Not a pickup truck driver
September 4th, 2010
8:07 am
@gthog61
Haven’t you heard that the Fulmer Cup has been renamed the Richt Cup?
Just curious
September 4th, 2010
8:09 am
If Richt is as good as you people say, why hasn’t he been approached by a quality program instead of remaining at Georgia
CGA
September 4th, 2010
8:09 am
Noone at UGA has the cajones to discipline these players in a way that will be effective simply because the organization is afraid that a stricter longer suspension of a key player might affect the whole team’s standings in the conference and the polls. Suspending a key player for one meaningless cupcake game against Louisiana-LaFayette is not a serious consequence and will not deter other players in the future from making similar mistakes. As long as winning football games is the most important thing at UGA, these players are going to know that the organization will have their back covered and they will remain on the team.
dap01
September 4th, 2010
8:11 am
Jeff will now go on vacation and let these “sensational” headlines stay up a week or two. Perhaps he is part of the 38,000 watching Lowdnes County, I mean Ga Tech play today.
TechRon
September 4th, 2010
8:19 am
Here is the problem: In order to win against the other teams’ thugs, you have to have your own thugs. That is just how it is. Now, some of your team will be actual students, but lots of them are just thugs who really don’t know right from wrong, or don’t care. They do quite well on Saturday, but off the field, they are accidents waiting to happen. Look at OJ. He was so great that people covered up for him for his whole life until he finally went too far. This nonsense will continue until we decide to field teams of students. Not just at UGA, but across the NCAA. We all know that is not going to happen, of course. Winning is more important than character building. We demand wins first, then character. The place for principled, character-first coaches is at the Division 3 level. We are just kidding ourselves if we think we are ever going to have excellent behavior at UGA, UF, Okla., USC, Miami, LSU, etc. That will happen when the public stops demanding wins first and foremost.
Dawg Tell
September 4th, 2010
8:22 am
I have read all 1530 comments to date and see that we have some loyal fans,just like me. However UGA has problems with their players.This problem has been know for the last two years. Administration and Athletic staff have let the problem grow until it is THE PROBLEM and every person in the state and nation reflects on this and not what we are and what we have as a sound and excellent university. Schultz,I know you are doing your job(reporter)and most topics are for selling news and Internet space.This is the business of the AJC.I would like to suggest that you do some investigating and real interviews with Administration and High Profile Alumni on what is going on behind the scene.If you did this ,you would see that there are several steps currently being put into place that will have huge changes to our program and how they will address THE PROBLEM. Cmr is a good man and coach,but someone will be made the kick ass person who will take hard action on players. This action will be swift and a total reverse of the small one game suspensions.It will take 2 or 3 players to be made an example of but in the end it will show everyone who is in charge of our loved program. Go DAWGS !!!!!
Scott Bowen
September 4th, 2010
8:27 am
Schulz, if we could all be as perfect as you are the world would be a much better place. PLEASE tell me how I can become as good a person as you? because you aren’t judgemental at all
You’re nothing more than a circus ringleader. f off. u r getting old here
Mark
September 4th, 2010
8:29 am
Hi georgia fans. Are you feeling nervous about the season. Well I have just the cure. This will take away the tummy butterflies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GJVxFP19Gs
So Paid
September 4th, 2010
8:30 am
At the university of football in athens, the thugs run the show. Richt better win big—the PR disaster is getting worse.
Urban
September 4th, 2010
8:31 am
It is great to see that the UGA $55 million football program can develop character while winning all those national championships, CMR is desperate and his FSU background is shining through.
BoWeevil
September 4th, 2010
8:33 am
South Ga. Earl
They recruited them here.
They ARE therefore ABSOLUTELY ACCOUNTABLE for them.
They therefore better damn well learn how to DISCIPLINE them.
1 game suspension for Tavarres King is a total joke.
0 game suspension for Branden Smith is beyond belief.
0 game suspension for Vance Cuff no one could possibly try to justify