No more excuses — Georgia’s arrests fall on Mark Richt

I expect McGarity will have to make discipline a cornerstone of his early tenure at Georgia

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We suck

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I expect McGarity to get rid of Richt if he can’t get the team in line.

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just cancel the season. it’s that important. never mind the guy has not been convicted of anything.

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Since when did our recruiting trips start making stops at the county lockup?

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Now you’re just being ridiculous Jeff. Look at the arrests. Besides the Mettenberger arrest, they’re small potatoes. They’re the type of arrests that happen to teenagers. Yes, this was a particularly dumb arrest, but it’s not like he stole his teamate’s dead girlfriend’s credit card (Florida), or mugged some people (Alabama), or committed burglary (Ole Miss). Give over on this.

Of course, it’s the day before kickoff of UGA’s season, so you needed to write an inflamatory piece about Georgia right?

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UGA = THUGA !!!!!!!

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Interesting an arrest warrant would be handed out over a $35 helmet, without having the matter resolved in one way or another before now. Something doesn’t add up.

But thanks to Kermit the Frog for telling us all about accountability.

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Does anyone have a total on the number of arrests during Richt’s tenure? This is not a one-year phenomenon. It has been an ongoing problem.

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Well said, Jeff. As a UGA alum, I’ve just about run out of the ability to laugh about this nonsense. There’s something rotten at the core of the program if this continues. Youthful high jinx and immature stupidity have their places, but this is becoming the emblem of our football team. Someone’s going to have to make the call on what’s really important to the institution.

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The Jawja program is such a joke.

Wonder if Saint Richt will do another backwards dive in the aquatic center now…

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Can we rename the Fulmer Cup the Richt Cup ??? I think he deserves it.

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Katy bar the door.

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As much as I would like to bash on UGA or someone else’s school, Bradley, your article earlier this summer was dead on…it will happen to your school very soon too.

I go back and forth on these things. On the one hand, some coaches, and schools, don’t seem to have as many problems. However, on the other hand, the coaches can’t babysit 85 players, 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, a lot of the kids came from the ‘hood and didn’t have any discipline growing up. Therefore, you take them away from home, just like the thousands of other 18-19 year olds, and it spells disaster in many cases.

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What does UGA stand for???? U Get Arrested

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Schultz has had a hard on for Richt since Richt called him out at a press conference and hurt Schultz’s fragile lil ego. Since then this Techie looking idiot has been butthurt and bashes Richt at every opportunity. He sounds like a woman who was jilted. Did Mark really make you cry Jeff?

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In the grand scheme of things of course people put most of the blame on the head guy. It’s like that in any industry. That’s one reason they make so much money.

Essentially though, we do too poor a job explaining away and rationalizing poor behavior.

By the time you are 18 you know or you should be expected to know right from wrong and have a consience.

The flaw though is not the dicipline structure, manual labor and internal dicipline is much more effective than kicking a kid who is a moron off the team. All that’s going to do is leave that kid who did something stupid off to his own devices…on to do more stupid things.

His real issue is in recruiting. They’ve got to do a better job recruiting young men who want to go to college and learn understand their great fortune to earn a scholarship and become educated for free and then that they want to be football players.

Young people make mistakes, no question. At some point these guys are going to have to accept personal accountability and GROW UP! You are not a grown man until you accept responsibility for your place in the world and your actions in it.

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Good luck stopping us. I look forward to seeing the sad, drunk, redneck faces on Sept. 18.

Step up for your beatdown, fud. You’re next.

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We can’t beat you in football so all we have to nake fun of you guys about is arrest.

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Just like every other blogger (not journalist) at the AJC, you are ill-informed and just don’t get it. Richt is exactly right. There’d be a problem if he didn’t discipline these kids, which he does – and much more stringently than does his peers. It happens at every university – EVERY ONE OF THEM. Now, some do a better job of keeping it out of the papers, but it still happens. I’m not saying it’s right, but most of these incidents are alcohol related and I’ve got news for you – your kids, my kids, your neighbors kids – have or will do these things – the question is, will they get caught? The stealing I have an issue with, but in majority of cases, these guys are doing the same thing every other college kid is doing – they are just under the microscope So, get off of your high horse.

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Jeff, guess we should add “seer of the future” to head coaches responsibilities. You seem to feel that the head coach should KNOW what daily/weekly decisions will be made by those he recruits for the next four or five years. We don’t know all the facts or details yet, so as a journalist, how about keeping things level until the time it is appropriate rather than exacerbate them right out of the gate.

While I, too, share the concern about what appears to be a pattern, reason and circumspection should drive this, not rabble rousing pot-stirring.

And thanks for allowing me to use some “big words”.

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It’s like this Jeff. Obviously there is a problem with kids getting in trouble. It’s as old as Cain and Able (well actually Adam and Eve). You are good at identyfying the obvious. The question Coach Richt is dealing with is: “How can you stop people from messing up?” When you see the answer to that, you will be on to something, which by the way, I think both Coach Richt and I actually know the answer. Sadly, you don’t seem to get this one.

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Getting rid of Richt is not the problem. Putting some backbone in Richt may be the answer.

If discipline plan A does not work, like sitting Ealey for the LSU-La game, a plan B is needed. Sit Ealey for 4 games. And if that does not work, put him on the Scout team for the year. Scout team for a year will work.

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Finally, the biggest thanks go to none other than the University (sic) of Georgia. What an off season you’ve had! If there was an award for providing the best Off Season Entertaiment (The “Offy?”), you’d win it, hands down.

It started harmlessly enough. Most of us didn’t notice. You had your usual off season arrests. Bar fights, DUIs, suspended licenses, inability to read a “ONE WAY” sign or the expiration date on your drivers license, and the other offenses are common enough for UGA football players that it wasn’t a big deal. You slowly climbed the rankings (Fulmer Cup rankings), playing spoiler to some favorites, and flew under the radar. The arrests kept mounting. You scratched and clawed your way to the top. But, when it got close, one of your team leaders stepped up and delivered the game-changer. Washan, like another -shon, hurdled the opposition and put UGA on top of the Fulmer Cup rankings for good. He hit. He ran. You won.

But then, in a brilliant move that provided more great comedy than any off season event I can remember, your gifted AD, Damon Evans, gets busted for DUI. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my white and gold heart. But ol’ Damon didn’t just get a DUI. He got a DUI with a bimbo in the passenger seat and her panties in his lap. Genius…pure comedic genius. You can’t write fiction this good. When he tried to use your position to bribe his way out of the arrest, cried in front of the police officer, and made that pathetic press conference, I laughed harder than I did during the dinner prayer scene in Ricky Bobby.

And then, we have the coup-de-grace. UGA, a school with a reputation for a trashed campus on game day and deficating in your own library, tries to convince people you are cleaning up your act. Hey, let’s not call this game the World’s Greatest Cocktail party because we are a serious learning institution. Let’s clean up our campus! Let’s reduce student drinking! We are a good school, dammit, and we need to act like one! Well, you outkicked your coverage, UGA, and won the #1 Party School ranking for the first time in history. Years of work — years of being ranked in the top 3 party school and top 3 easiest schools — have finally paid off. You reached the top and are looking down on the rest of the college world with a beer in one hand and a pair of red panties in the other.

You, UGA, win the Offy. Congratulations!

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Wow, from the former AD down…..

WhoCares, a lot of people have forgotten about that Cox incident. He is a living legend here…I guess you can preach it, but you don’t have to follow it.

Here’s hoping Richt works it out but it appears he isn’t making much progress over the last couple of years.

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Jeff… Please practice better journalism than this. You don’t know all the facts about this arrest or any other arrest that has happened. Please stop attacking people until you have all of the facts. The police officer even said, “all it takes is for someone to say something was stolen and we take it seriously” and they should. But there is also the fact that this young (18 year old) boy could have picked up the wrong helmet and never realized it. Poor job today!

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I agree with Schultz. Who cares if someone’s feelings gets hurt. We DO NOT NEED THIS garbage or those that behave that way. Until Richt makes an example of the consequences for this type of behavior, it will go on. Pack your bags, you’re going home, son. No scholarship….no nothing.

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In previous seasons I would be pretty upset about this story breaking the day before the first game. However, with the Braves in a pennant race and the Falcons another week away from trying to get back to the playoffs, it doesn’t upset me. I’m embarrassed to be a UGA fan right now but the nine guys who have been arrested are nine different individuals who happen to be UGA football players. It’s not bad enough to make me want to quit following UGA football but it is bad enough for me not to GAS about the start of a question mark of a season. Richt had better win the SEC this season or he’s probably gone. It has nothing to do with his coaching ability, but rather is judgement of character and ability to recruit intelligent players. How dumb can you be to commit theft when you’re a star at UGA? About as dumb as being a star rapper on probation smoking weed in public I guess. How dumb can you be to commit sexual assault when you’re a potential starting QB for UGA? About as dumb as an NFL QB accussed multiple times of the same thing. These problems are not unique to UGA. UF has had their share of fighters and thieves as has Tech. But, winning cures all. Win or go home Richt, it’s your only hope.

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GO away Schultz. My GOD you’re aggravating. You are INNOCENT until proven guilty and this male student…what do we know about him? Has he got a habit of reporting things like this? Why wait until the day before a game to issue a warrant? Scooter helmets ALLLLL look the same, so he may have picked it up unintentionally. Maybe the male student was drunk and LOST his helmet. Maybe he lost it and decided to report it stolen so mommy wouldn’t get mad at him. In any event, how do we know that Ogletree did it? It’s been over 2 months.

Some clean up needs to happen at the AJC. You and ur significant other need to be fired.

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Dear ajc if JS is arrested at any time…its your fault that he got in trouble. He is without fault. Its the man/woman in charge that must take the punishment, ridicule and responsibility for the actions of all employees. This is especially true since the powers that be for the ajc never punish an employee when gulity of poor actions.

If any other ajc worker steals, murders, or gets a DUI…its the ajc that caused them to occur. Its their paper….its their employees…it falls on them not the offender. Offenders go free…lock up the powers that be.

Now that is in essence what JS is saying…CMR is at fault for what has transpired. He forced Mettzenburger to touch that young lady, forced Washaun to drive the car, forced those players to drink, etc. How did he do it…he never punishes players for their poor actions….FALSE! Mett is gone, WE hasn’t been reinstated (if you think 5 am gassers are easy I suggest you go try them JS), the drinkers are hardened criminals (firing squad at dawn!)….and on and on.

It time to quit blaming others for the actions of a few. Last I check, UGA had around 100 players on the team. That means 91 out of 100 (91%) do what they are supposed to do. Thats pretty damn good when you can’t baby sit an adolescent teenager. Once again, JS shows that he hates CMR. Never called out Dooley for reinstating all of his offenders and they beat up a cop! Instead praise was heaped on him for trying…Hypocrite!

Don’t expect a warm welcome or response next time you come across CMR. You don’t deserve his time, patience or respect! Lay off! We are all growing tired of these problems but to blame CMR lacks common sense/intelligence…but then noone is surprised by this blog from a man who reeks hate.

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That Fulmer Cup needs to be retired with Georgia’s name permanently etched into it’s gleaming brilliance.

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it does not matter that “it was only a $35 helmet…….it’s called stealing…thievery….robbery he’s a friggin criminal people. If he’ll steal something like a cheap helmet what do you think he’d do if he saw your wife or husband’s wallet/purse sitting in your car…..you know what a theif would do and this bum is a criminal.

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It’s not all on Richt just as it’s not all on a parent when a child does something wrong. Did these players get in trouble with the law before coming to UGA? I think not. How is Richt to know they will make poor decisions in advance? The students are accountable for their actions…richt can only do so much teaching and advising.

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Man, oh man!! Why can’t college kids realize what they have! I am taking about all of them not just UGA!!! Alec Ogletree is from where I live.

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Thank you for finally being an AJC writer that doesn’t apologize for Mark Richt. I’ve been saying this the past few years with all of the off-the-field problems UGA has had, and without fail everyone brings up how much of a nice guy Mark Richt is. Sorry, 18-year olds that believe theft isn’t wrong don’t care how nice their coach is. Burn them a new one and set an example.

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Wreckem imposter – it is at least not atleast

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does da film the longest yard apply here? just a helemt, just a car, just a bank, just a little fight, where are the team leaders,UGA leads NCAA in arrests, thats a good one.

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More and more we need to look at the character of the High School player. What is his background? Not to make excuses, but in my day at UGA as an athlete, some guys would get drunk and cause trouble in downtown bars, they would be taken back to the dorm, no arrest is made and no one puts it in the paper. I know today, we love to play “gotcha” cops and journalists. My question, why didit take the cops 3 months to issue the warrant? Why was it issued the day before the opening game of the season? This fails the “snif” test. I would like to see some investigating into the answer to my two questions. No excuse for AO if he is guilty, serious discipline will be in order. I’m like most dawgs, I’m tired of making excuses for these players. I don’t care where they came from or what “project” they grew up in, they all know right from wrong, time for them to “grow-up”.

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As usual, much ado about nothing. What’s next, some arrests for J-Walking? Tired of reading about this sort of crap. Buzz me when one of these kids commits a real crime. The cops in Athens obviously have issues, and nothing to do. Also, can’t understand why the AJC regards this as headline news. Additionally, you’ve apparently concluded that the kid did steal the 35 helmet. What if he didn’t? Absolutely Asinine.

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So, Coach Richt has to tell a 19 year old not to steal? Does Alec have parents?

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If Ogletree is guilty, boot him. I don’t care how many stars he has. You cannot tell me that anybody does not know stealing is wrong. I would rather play with good effort with good kids and come out on the short end than continue this crap. Who knows what he might he steal next time, given the opportunity? It might be something of mine or yours!! All this being said, IF HE IS GUILTY.

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Ed, you missed the whole point of this problem. Of course it is a news worth story and must be reported. Good job Jeff.

I have had it with this group! I will sit back and see what steps are taken to clean our act up! If not taken seriously, I will look for another team to support after 33 years of loyality to my Dawgs. Enough is enough. As you can tell I am disgusted and want some REAL results from this administration!

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I bet ALL of the South Carolina players will play in the Georgia game if Spurrier gets to pick and choose when his sit. So why shouldn’t Mark Richt be able to do the same???

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I agree you with Mr. Shultz. Continuing to fall short of expectations and running an undisciplined program on and off the field. Plenty of people would pi$$ and moan if he was canned but I wouldn’t.

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I can’t wait for your Mariotti moment. All he did was criticize and put people down. I hope it happens to you and you lose your job and end up working for the middle school paper in East Jesus Connecticutt.

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Who cares about this? I’m just ready for Dragon Con!

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Jeff,

I guess you will call me an apologist.

Ever stop to think why this took 3 months?
$35 scooter helmet? It sounds like something involving 2 10 year olds.

I do happen to agree with you on Ealey. He was told point blank by 3 coaches including his head coach to not drive. He ignored them and the authorities. He should be suspended indefinitely. He absolutely should not play against SOS.

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Who cares? I don’t.

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i agree…the “incident” took place on June 15th. Today is September 3rd..what, over 3 months to decide to press charges over a $35 helmet?? can he just return it and be over this stupid debacle??

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girl know better than you – get back in the kitchen and fix me a sandwich NOW!!!!!!!

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Most Police Depts. in the Country would laugh at issuing a warrant over $35. I have it first hand from more than one cop in more than one jurisdiction. UGA Police have nothing better to do than waste time and try to get the Chief’s name in the paper.

That being said, I am tired of reading this crap. Either Richt needs to lay down the law, or the AJC needs to get off their high horse and stop reporting every tiny thing that happens to UGA as if it were a triple homicide.

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Well, somebody finally said it, even though the words might get them on the s#$t list of the Leeburn Athletic Association. Good for you, Schultz.

To understand CMR, understand his Mentor. Did Bobby Dad-Gummit ever seriously discipline anybody at FSU? The Apple don’t fall far from the tree.

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Funny that we hear that “other schools just cover it up better”. UGA owns the news in Atlanta.

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No one on this board roots for GA more than I…UGA grad, 42 year season ticket holder and contributor, native Georgian, etc., but the only way to stop this is one and done! A Ga football scholarship is a $38,000 to $42,000 gift, not from the tax payers, but from the ticketholders and supporters. And every recipient should know that it’s a gift, an opportunity to earn a degree not a birthright, and act accordingly. Each player is under the microscope of the fans, students, police, and authorities so any/every misstep is brought to the forefront. I realize that kids will be kids, but 99% of the other students are not provided such a gift. Anyway, just my opinion, and we’ll need both AJ and Alec and Washan to beat the Gamecocks…looks like Garcia has finally matured.

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To “Who Cares” at 11:17
Worst post of the day, pal. Can you say Fulmer Cup?? Hmmmm?

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How can you guys say it is suspicious that they issued the arrest warrant the day before the game? If anything, I promise you they wish they didn’t have to do it today. You know how much heat they’ll feel from fans like you? If you really think A-CC has sheriffs out to get you that bad, then you are very sad indeed. They issued it today because the investigation mandated they should. Imagine if they issued it after the game, when the kid plays, and have to explain that they weren’t holding off so he could play.

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Jeff, how about detailing what you would do…and don’t generalize. Suspend them, how long? Removal from the program, firing squad?

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Even though I am a huge jacket fan, I think it’s stupid to issue a warrant over a $35 helmet. I mean come on really?

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You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think this is an enforcement problem as much as a Richt problem. Look at what we’re talking about. They have an axe to grind and they will stop at nothing to accomplish their goal.

There is no way that UGA is the only school with behavioral or criminal issues. We do, however, seem to have a direct link from the arrest reports to the headlines of this dumbass rag.

This is a non-story.

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Let’s get the details before we hang the kid out to dry. Yes, arrests are rediculous. However, so is the media with this crap. What’s next?? “AJ Green stole my pencil”???

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at some point journalist need to understand we are talking about 18 to 20 year olds. this not pac man jones, mike jones, or any other MAN/ADULT, but kids. this the time when they should make some mistakes, some bad judgements, thats builds experience and character. is the number of arrest disturbing, yes, but also understand we are talking about kids coming into adulthood. schultz sound like roger goodell, take a deep breath, those who dont learn from their bad decision will be released. take a deep breath MR. SCHULTZ

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Do journalists steal ideas from other writers, and not give them credit? Is that any different, from an ethical standpoint than what Ogletree, allegedly did? I think not.

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This is so bloody simple, Schultz, I almost can’t believe you’d miss it. (Actually, as I’m accustomed your wayward journalistic insights, it’s pretty easy to believe you’d miss it.) Minor infractions/arrests/etc. don’t mean a darn thing if YOU WIN FOOTBALL GAMES. What would I (as a Georgia fan) say if this was Saban or Meyer? I’d say, “That program’s out of control! (But I’d gladly switch places with them for a national title.)” Winning absolves a helluva lot. Particularly $35 theft cases. Do such cases deserve punishment? Of course. Do they deserve a regime change? Not if that regime finds ways to win. Indeed, I think Richt takes more heat for the arrest issues the past few years because he hasn’t been winning enough (for fans, sports writers, etc.)

BTW, I assume the drunk-while-groping charge you threw in was a Damon Evans reference. How Mark Richt is involved/responsible for that is beyond me. Cripes, Schultz, at least try to be reasonable.

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Wow. That was actually good

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how much time, effort & $$ is the Athens PD wasting over this incident? how comes no one talks about UNC suspending 16 players for their 1st game???

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I am not convinced Jeff believes in free will.

Even at the Quantum level, the path of atoms cannot be predicted. There’s uncertainty.

It’s not very scientific to go against Quantum physics.

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Has A-CCPD ever incarcerated the officers involved in kidnapping Jordan Love?

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It’s not that it’s just a $35.00 helmet. It’s the principle. Georgia recruits another from the hood and look what you get. I love UGA but for crying out loud, can’t we recruit some decent people. We might beat Tech every year, but we do it with hoodlums. I would rather loose sometime than put up with this crap. We are the laughing stock of college football.

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Dawg88- love it! JS doesn’t know what a “gasser” is. He thinks it is someone who farts alot!! As Richt is at home asleep in his bed how is he to be held responsible for what these knuckleheads do???? Our society is built on 2nd chances. Hell some people get 3,4, or even 5 chances. If the kids stole something out of the school store then suspend his butt for a game or two and run the hell out of him.

Is he supposed to boot the kid from the team on his first offense?? There are degrees of crimes just as their are degrees in punishment. If the kid was convicted of drugs, rape, etc. then yeah kick his butt of the team. He shoplifted folks lets not crucify him or CMR for it.

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The bad thing is, when the poor soul who turned him in is found out, they will tar and feather him out of town.

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How can you keep blaming CMR? It is the parents responsibliity to raise the kids and tell them what is right or wrong before going to college. Also, the parents can only do so much while their child is at school. Blame it on the players!!! They need to grow up or go home!!!

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So let’s get this straight Jeff, Chip Towers talks about how recruiting is bad because we aren’t getting these players or we need these players. Then when UGA gets them, it’s Mark Richt’s fault they can’t behave. A lot of these players misbehaved in high school and it was covered up. Wait til the 2011 class gets there, if you want to see some arrests. In the meantime, people will pile on Richt if he doesn’t recruit these thugs for 2011.

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Huge Richt supporter but I agree. You say only 9 this year, think about the last 3 or 4 years. There have been way to many arrest. This has got to start falling back on Richt.

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Jeff
1. You mention Bama and Tenn. But when have you EVER seen arrests there for some of the stupid things that you see here? Taking a helmet? I’m sure you’re gonna see a warrant for a football player issued for that anywhere else. And why 2 days b4 the opener when it happened in June?
2. Name one coach in the country who would suspend Washaun for more than the opener for what he did? Nobody would so it’s not right to expect Richt to, plus I bet a ton wouldn’t have at all.
3. We recruit the same top tier players as every other big program so u can’t act like we recruit thugs compared to other SEC schools bc last time I checked when we kick ppl off our team they seem to end up at other SEC schools a good bit of the time. How bout that?

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Oh yeah, Smoke, NFL “punks” from your school and all others don’t showboat . . .

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Jeff:

So Richt should be fired form this, yet Dooley at Tenn is not after his players kick a man’s head in so bad and leave him to die? Please.

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Schultzie,

What do you suggest Richt do? He has kicked players off the team and suspended others, based on the offense. He can not predict arrests. Ealy got suspended for the La-Laf game because that was the first game after the arrest. If he had gotten arrested next week, he would miss the SC game. Kids are dumb and make mistakes, unfortunately we just hear about it when they are football players. Let’s put the shoe on the other foot. When the AJC has an employee that gets arrested, what happens? Will you get suspended without pay or fired if you are charged with a hit and run? Will anyone even know if an employee gets arrested? Oh wait, no one cares or finds out because you’re not going to write about it.

Why is this such a big deal anymore when someone gets arrested? Let’s just assume that every major NCAA program will have between 4 to 10 off the field incidents on any given year. There is nothing the coach or university can do about this.

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Hey TIm, As of June 15 how many days of contact had CMR had with Ogletree? Do some actual reporting on that and then offer up your opinion.

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.
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Nesbitt for Heisman
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Hotbobby- just because a couple of douchebag fans from other schools come on here and say we are the “laughing stock of college football” does not make it true. I assure you that fans of Texas living in Dallas aren’t laughing with their friends at the “state of UGA football”. Get a friggin grip!!

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Has everyone, Shultz included, forgotten that in the United States of America everyone is PRESUMED INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY. I am certain that once Mark Richt investigates the incident he will make the right decision. To me he has made the right decisions with respect to player disipline in the 9+ years he has been head coach.

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I disagree with you on this one. Bad police work and heavy handed pigs are to blame.

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i am a tradition lover, but don’t like profanity-from now on, when i hear,”g-d”, or “hbtd”, i will reply,”lock’em up!”

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Continued arrests and beat downs from FL

You can guarrantee Richt will not make it as coach many more seasons

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Ted M. LOL. I like the subtle references.

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wow you go boy. hope you looked good in that helmet you THUG!!! Ga=’s THUGS!!! Next player will get arrested for stealing a piece of bubble gum out of the bubble gum machine. Mark Richt is a awesome man but come on coach do something!!! Have a come to Jesus Meeting with your team and say enough is enough. Do you see this happening at Ga. Tech? No Paul Johnson doesn’t put up with crap!!! Ga. Tech will destroy the PUKES!!!

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so let me guess- it was spotted in Ogletree’s dorm, 3 months later after it was reported missing, now the victim wants him arrested for a face value helmet of $35. pathetic- granted if he had stolen the scooter, a laptop, money or jewelry, by all means- send the police after him. but this is a little pathetic, IMO

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Hopefully, he’s eligible for the South Carolina game next week. The Dawgs will need a full roster of talent in that game. Just suspend him for the la lafayette game.

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Ogletree you idiot!!! We offer you a full ride and this is how you thank the DAWG Nation. Send him back to Newnan.

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ABAC’s north campus keeps getting all the headlines. What a con Mike Ricky is!

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Looking good UGA, looking real good.

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Jeff, Name one coach in the SEC more strict than Richt!! The next time a player at UT, UF,USC or bama gets arrested watch and see what happens to the player that got arrested. Usually the player never misses a snap!

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And Maybe Wait wait I know- let’s blame this just where it belongs- on Schultz. Yeah that’s the ticket. If he didn’t plant these ideas in their little empty heads maybe they would not go all dufus on us. It’s all Schultz’ fault.

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I agree, Jeff. Some people can’t handle the truth. Richt is too soft on his players and the program is coming unglued. This begins his farewell season.

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About Ealey…if a second stringer or someone we could do without did what Ealey did…they would be OFF the team before the sun set.
There is a double standard and I wonder how healthy that is to a football program.
Don’t care what the legal nuts say….this guy “knew” he was not supposed to be out at 3AM and driving any vehicle..anywhere…for any reason. He did what the coaches said NOT to do and did it on purpose.
Again, if he HAD hit a “pedestrian” instead of a car, would he have stopped??? What do you think he would have done?

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How about Dr. Adams do something? How about allowing Richt to lay down much harsher penalties without fear of losing his job?! The football record may suffer a little while he does this but the bottom line is the message. Criminal activity will not be tolerated at UGA!! I’m tired of the media saying RICHT IS RESPONSIBLE. These are grown frikkin’ men making dumb decisions. These are not minors. HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, DR. ADAMS, LIKE THEY ARE GROWN MEN!

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Why don’t the cursdawgs find better ways to spend their spare time that will be beneficial to them after leaving school. Try the film industry like UF’s Spikes did!

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People ask what Richt should do. How about this. You get arrested then you get kicked off the team. It sounds harsh but its really easy to not get arrested. Ive managed to do it my whole life. If these guys cant do it for 4 years then they dont get to play football.

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Someone called the police over a $35.00 helmet……..you’ve got to be joking me!!!!!!!!!!

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Even the new recruits feel a relaxed sense in Athens. Smyptomatic of the lack of focus, missed tackles, lack of caused turnovers, high points scored on us, etc of last season.

I agree with you Jeff and I believe this is pervasive off and on the field.

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interesting That Guy!- Richt suspended T. King for 1 game for underage possession, yet UF’s Elam gets nothing for the SAME EXACT CHARGE!!!

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At this point in time it is Richt’s fault. It is apartent that HE HAS no leadership skills and no respect from the players.

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To every apologist who says these don’t matter, they remind me of all the infractions against Lane Kiffin at UT. None on its own was terribly bad, but combined, they show a program out of control. I expect the new AD to get this under control, if CMR doesn’t.

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Dr. Kenneth Noisewater – You are correct sir. Wish we all played by the same rules!

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FireJimmyWilliamson.com ……I could not agree with you more. Since when does it take 2 1/2 months to investigate a friggin $35 helmet and who issues a warrant for this. I’m all for Richt getting tough on these stupid things the players do but this is ridiculous. I graduated from UGA back in 1990 and the UGA cops were a$$holes back then. We called them “Wanna Be” Cops and they all had a Dirty Harry attitude and a chip on their shoulder. Our players for sure need to be doing things much better than they are but someone needs to do a complete restructure on the UGA Cops….

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You lit the fire Schultz – read faster…

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This type of activity happens when people under a leader don’t respect/fear that leader.

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I wonder if we will be able to field a team by the FL game

Well it wont matter anyway we dont have the discipline to beat the FL’s anyway.

We do have good dance moves though

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They should have a Reality show about UGA how many players can get arrested in a year.

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Granted, uga recruits great talent, but it appears talent does not beget integrity. The arguement that kids are kids and some of the arrest are not that big of a deal, does not wash. Everybody wants to win, but at what cost. Bottom line is, if you have a problem, get shed of it.

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Jeff-

So your simple take of this is, arrests must stop or all future arrests are Richt’s fault?

If so, how can you prove that?

And if you can’t prove that, are you wrong?

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LOL . . .you’re kidding me, right? Come on, Jeff . . . you’ve been hanging out with Cynthia Tucker too much. Between the two of you, there must be a wager on who can write the most absurd article.

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Ok it was only $35.00 so then when is it a problem at $100.00 at $1,000.00…….. when guys are getting caught for this stuff they get a one game suspension it seems……. no wonder the college schedules weak opponents early on…… The team has only part of the talent on the field at that time.

How do these kids not know right from wrong at this point in their lives ? They have been given a golden opportunity to get a good education for free, by playing a sport they love to play.

The really sad part is, a handful, are creating a very poor reputation for an other wise very good school.

I would have to say the Alumni should be upset, and anyone who wants to say…..well it is “ONLY ” this or that….. then what are their morals like ?

Part of an eduction is learning to grow up, be responsible citizens of this earth….. I am sad to see so many players have forgotten they have a wonderful opportunity, and are blowing it.

Last thought…..the schools and NCAA make SOOOOOO much money off these kids and the programs…….what is the issue to give these kids some type of a stipend, so they have money in their pockets for their hard work ?

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You can take the Auburn recruit out the trailer, but you can’t take the trailer out of the Auburn recruit.

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I agree, Hugo. Richt wouldn’t have to do this but once.

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Jeff I would have to disagree with you on this point, that it falls on CMR. This is his program and these are the men he recruits BUT these players are old enough to make their own decisions in life. You can’t blame CMR for another person’s choice. How come there in no mention of these young men’s families, why are they not questioned are held to blame? If I had done some of this stuff I know my Dad would have killed me! They raised them. These players are given a great opportunity in life. Just like everyone else they have the freedom to make choices (and a lot of them are making really stupid ones). CMR can’t make life choices for them, all he can do is punish them and set a good example, and I think he does both. GO DAWGS!!!

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3 points to make; 1.Why, when something that happened in June, is just coming up now. 2.How does the victim even know that Alec is the one that stole his helment. 3.With it happening in June, was Alec even at the university at that time ?

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Am I correct, a whole blog article about a kid who allegedly stole a $35 helmet?

$35 bucks.

That’s big problem.

No, I don’t think so.

Sensationalism in journalism leading to the dumbing down of our society, now THAT’S a big problem.

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Aaaaa that self righteous Schultz. I am just so upset I could just wet myself. Jeff you are just so self righteous. And worse you seem to never care how much the truth hurts to us Dawg fans. We don’t want the truth- it hurts too much. Give us Disney instead- with touchdowns and shutouts and red panties falling from the sky- wait strike that last one..

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NikkiFree,
The reason that it IS Mark Richt’s fault IS because HE doesn’t hold the players accountable. These are his players. He should be the one holding them accountable, not Dr. Adams. But I do expect you are right. If CMR won’t do it, then the AD should, and finally, if neither does, then finally Dr. Adams should. We are beginning to look like the old University of Miami …

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Maybe it was simply a survival technique. Maybe Washaun had just offered him a ride back home and he needed the protection.

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Schultz– Your article has no influence. You use your AJC space and obvious bias at every occasion to bash UGA. When you do that, as a “journalist” you lack credibility when you do, on occasion, write something that just might make some sense. So, when it comes to matters concerning UGA sports, I don’t give a rats @$$ what you think and neither does 99% of everyone else.

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Pathetic program, pathetic school, pathetic apologists…

Amen to that. And nothing will change while Mark Richt is in Athens.

There’s a reason UGA is known far and wide as The Cesspool of the South.

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What do you expect when the last arrest led to one game suspension against a poor opponent?

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Hooray, the Fulmer Cup is now a lock!

Except they’ve changed the name to the Richt Cup.

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Bravo Jeff! It’s about time someone starts holding Richt accountable. His team has consistently lacked discipline on and off the field.

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Will no disrespect, but you sound like Richt.

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Yeah, right, Dawgface. It’s not posted one ESPN nationwide!

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Jeff, while your immediate reaction may prove to be a worthy one, and while us true UGA fans are also just as sick of this as you and anyone else may be, there is one thing I’d love to point out…

How many of these kids are repeat offenders?

The answer is none.

The fact that this has happened so much this offseason makes me think that what the bulldogs really need is PLAYER leadership… someone who will stand up to the kids when they are on their own time to make sure they make the correct decisions.

Richt is in charge of these players, yes, but he can only do so much. If you don’t think these players take things like this hard, you’re quite wrong. These players don’t want to get in trouble, because they know that it will mean a suspension or strong action from the coaching staff. That’s why these things continue to be poor judgement calls, immature actions, and plain old college student behavior.

I’m not justifying any of it. I’m saying that when it comes down to it, the players need to take accountability for themselves and fly right. Richt is not unlimited in his power over these situations, and should he decide that anyone arrested gets immediately “kicked off the team” as some are suggesting, the punishment would most assuredly not be fitting the crime in almost all of these previous cases.

Rant over.

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Richt recruited these guys………so did every other coach in the regions. What was he suppsoed to know that they did not?

Richt signed these guys……….as were any othe other coaches had the player took them up on the offer.

IF you could somehow show that any other coaches refused to sign the exacte same kids as the rest, MAYBE you have a point. As it stands this is a poor substitution for a valid point.

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Jeff,

The Richt tenure looks so much like Phillip Fulmer’s (minus the BCS title) it’s not even funny. Well, it’s funny to the folks who don’t refuse to see it.

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I believe harsher penalties are going to be required because obviously what’s currently in place isn’t getting through to a lot of these guys. If you screw up at a certain level (whatever that is), you’re gone (as Mettenberg is). That’s it. Period. No discussion. There are plenty of other guys out there who would love their scholarship. I managed to go to Georgia for 4 years without ever being arrested — imagine that….

One of the problems is that discipline isn’t consistent among different schools — some schools seem to let kids off easier than others. I just don’t want UGA to be one of those schools.

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Why are my posts not coming through? Because I’m calling Jeff and the AJC and the media whores for making an issue out of such a non-issue?

When a story is worth telling, tell it. But these non-issues that become headlines. Shame on you. You are whores: being paid to get your jollies… Absurd…..

The laughingstocks in this issue: the media… the Athens police dept who obviously don’t have a dang better thing to do with their time and energy–who have no discretion, no common sense. And those of you on this blog calling these kids thugs and blaming Richt.

Underage alcohol issues? not worth a fart… 90%+ of underage students are guilty. A law that totally ignored is a meaningless law. And a disagreement about a helmet… Damn….

This isn’t sensationalism? I mean, seriously: a journalist dares defend himself for this flatulence? And upset that he’s justifiably being called a whore?

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Jeff, I have a solution. All UGA football players should wear house-arrest-style ankle bracelets. Put a GPS in them and let obsessed UGA fans track them via a web browser. I guarantee you would be more than enough UGA fans logging in to check on these guys! You could even charge fans for access.

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High horses abound here. Any reasonable person would realize that this type of stuff happens at every single university and not just among the athletes. There is obviously a high-powered microscope on the UGA football players.

Are the 9 arrested wrong? yes.
Are they thugs selling crack or carrying guns or beating down cops? no. Most of them are scooter violations, for pete’s sake.
Have they been punished? yes (the 3 that were serious are not on the team anymore, one of which was a walk-on punter, not a Richt guy)

If you want to hate, go right ahead, but please don’t pretend like your university is any better. Your guys just didn’t get caught. Maybe UGA guys are stupid because they got caught, but intelligence is not a virtue.

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Yet again the thugs are killing my beloved Dawgs!!! Being sick of this crap doesnt even touch the way most of us feel. I think it is time to start throwing more kids off the team. Obviously there is an issue at Athens…either this stuff happened in the past and the staff covered it up or Richt just isnt invovled. Something has to give and I think it will be Richts job before to long.

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ryan – you won’t be missed!

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I mean seriously? Yall are going to let a handful of kids getting arrested ruin your day? Seriously?!?! Mark Richt is a good man and a few dipsh!ts getting arrested doesn’t change that

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Another thing that is soooooo stupid is such minor crap getting front page news

I mean really! Hitting a parked car, supposedly taking a 35 helmet 2+ months ago, undreaged drinking arrests (I am sure ONLY athletes participate in underage drinking in college LOL)

This paper, ESPN, and others had AJ Green convicted just on hearsay and pbviously he has done nothing but there have been no apologies for dragging his name through the mud with the guilty ones

Everyone is sooooooo desparate to grab the next controversial headline that things get blown out of proportion, exxagerated, and so on and they never apologize for careless journalism when they are often WRONG

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I agree with SouthGaDawg. Mettenberger’s offense was a big deal, and he’s been kicked off. Others have been kicked off too. Ealey’s offense was not all that big deal and yet he’s suspended and paying the consequences — sounds like he’s learning his lesson. And I can guarantee Ogletree will pay a fitting consequence. What else does anyone want Richt to do?!

People are so self-righteous and judgmental. There’s hardly an atmosphere of permissiveness or being above the law among our recruits. Come here and be a thug is in no way any part of our recruiting message, like some infamous football programs of the past. There’s a difference b/w dangerous, criminal behavior and a dumb teenage mistake. Bottom line is that Richt DOES graduate players who are outstanding citizens whom UGA fans can be proud of. The number of arrests, especially on stupid teenager offenses, is embarassing. But it’s not as big a deal as some make it.

The other thing is that when players run afoul of the law, they already face the same consequences as the rest of us through the court system. But we ask more of football players because of the embarassment factor — they “represent” us. I’m sure the AJC doesn’t penalize it’s employees further for legal offenses not directly related to their jobs. And I’m sure the AJC doesn’t publicize them either.

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Let’s see. A ton of arrests occurred prior to 09 season. The team played without discipline in 09 and lost more games that they should have. A ton of arrests occur prior to this season. Anyone care to make a prediction about on field discipline this year? The past is the best predictor of the future. I see a trend continuing.

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I’m 39 and I’ve never been arrested for anything. It must just be coincidence that all these smart, intelligent young men have been arrested over 4 months. Or a conspiracy.

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Make an example; kick him off of the team. I am tired of these kids not having ANY “home training.” Further, the kid should not be off limits to the media. In fact, he should be the one forced to face the fans and media. Public shaming is a very effective tool, if it is used correctly.

I do have one question, and this is not conspiracy talk. If this happened on June 15th, why is it just coming to bear 11 weeks later on the day before the first game? That is a legitimate question.

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Again with the self righteous comments. SELF RIGHTEOUS It just kind of makes you feel better to say it eh? Self righteous- be righteous. Obey- you must obey!!!

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One way at stopping these arrests is to have THE ENTIRE TEAM running steps at 5:30 in the AM for the next person’s screw-up….it’s called PEER PRESSURE OPENING A CAN OF WHOOP A$$….SELAH!

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Did the run for the Fulmer Cup go into overtime..?

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I hate to say it but we might have to kick a few (more) of the players off the team until the point gets across. I love the Bulldogs and I’m getting sick of some punks giving the school a bad name. They’ve been coddled all through Pop Warner and high school and had they’re butts kissed all along the way. They already have a sense of entitlement. Unless they are given a serious dose of reality now, then nothing but trouble awaits in the future. I have been in full support of Coach Richt through all the previous BS going on with the team and realize it’s tough dealing with these issues but the time has come to draw a line in the sand and dare any freakin one of them to cross it. Not gassers, stadium steps etc. Their butts are gone. Junior College will be their alternative.

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I would argue, sensationalism in journalism, contributing to the dumbing down of society, and curtailing critical thinking, and journalist putting blog hits above truth, is a much larger issue than a kid allegedly stealing a $35 helmet.

If I’m wrong, and Jeff is right, Richt will be fired shortly, if it’s as big of a deal as Jeff says, Richt should be fired.

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I find it impossible to believe that nothing, absolutley nothing, ever happens at a Tech campus, at a Bama campus at VA Tech. Of course it does! It is “reduced to a misdemeanor” or dealt with behind closed doors. For some reason, whether it is the ghost of Jan Kemp or the voodoo doll that Urban Myers still has in his back pocket from the dance in the end zone, EVERYTHING that UGA players do makes it to the headlines of the AJC. Cut me a freakin’ break!

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Another point…yes, richt, along with many other college coaches, recruited these kids. I’m sure they looked at character as well as talent, talked to coaches about the kids, looked at grades, etc. What most people miss, though, is that these kids were living at home then, and under the supervision of parents, grandparents, etc. Take any 18 yr old kid and move him away from home and give him freedom, and many will make mistakes. Some just don’t get caught, and may times, they make mistakes, get caught, and learn from it. forces them to grow up. Coaches have responsibility, but they can’t be with every kid every second of the day. With that said, I do think some control needs to be tightened down. The point, though, is that just because a kid makes a mistake doesn’t make him a bad kid necessarily, just means he made bade decisions. Everyone deserves a second chance…however, when they fail again, then I think its fair to consider releasing them from the program

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Lattimore is going to run all over UGA Connor Shaw is going to be special .

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If this was your kid, and you just heard about this via Jeff’s column, would you (a) for-ever ban the child from ever stepping foot in your home again, (b) call the school, and demand the immediate firing of Richt, and all of the other coaches, (c) shoot yourself for being a parental failure, or (d) wait to you had more information before jumping to conclusions.

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St. Mark will will spout his well worn spiel, make him sit out a game and that’s it (unless maybe if he was a walk-on – which this guy is not – with no potential value and then, lower the boom). The problem is no longer the players, it’s the coach and the administration, and in this case the coach is proving to be a huge hypocirite. Yes, this is a minor transgression in a sense, but is it really when it comes to basic ethics? Perhaps not.

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College Football is under a microscope due to the amount of media coverage and money tied up in it. ESPN, ABC, CBS, Big Ten Network, SEC Network… 24/7 coverage on TV, Internet, Radio… it’s not like it was in the 80s or 90s for that matter. These things have always happened, there just wasn’t the coverage of it like there is now.

It’s just like crime, if you watch the news it appears the sky is falling with constant crime, and that its so much worse now than it use to be. However, statistically, it’s safer now than it was 30 years ago. College football players have committed stupid actions for years, it’s just now there’s many more outlets to report on it. When coverage included a 45 second snippet on the news, and possibly one article in the newspaper… many incidents such as this one would go unreported.

Nowadays with the increased level of coverage on competition between all media outlets, you see much more coverage of all aspects of college football. If journalists smell smoke, they look for the fire. Bad news sells (See my previous statement of crime reporting on the news), good news goes unnoticed. Out of the almost 100 players on the team, when was the last article of one of the players doing something decent? Are we to believe that it’s a bunch of guys that do nothing, and a handful of guys that screw up?

UGA’s football program has had an increased amount of players commit infractions, mostly small ones. To condemn Richt for it is laughable. Out of all of the infractions, who’s was actually serious? Mettenberger, who potentially was the starting QB for this year. In years past, the potential “star” would be off-limits to be disciplined. Richt kicked him off the team. The punishment needs to fit the crime, and it seems to me that is how Richt handles business.

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Please stop pointing out that other programs have similar issues. It’s true and it’s not relevant. And to the people that keep pointing out Florida’s issues, where exactly did your new ad used to work? And for how long?

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Well, at least now we know the color of the helmets they will wear – Panty Red. Will go well with black and white striped unis.

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Yes, I have heard of a high school suspending their star quarterback … Butler High School in NC suspended their star qb, Christian LeMay. Oh that’s right, he is UGA’s #1 recruit for next season. No wonder he picked the Dawgs. He knows he will fit right in and be protected here.

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The issue is not the latest event but the escalation of occurances over the past few years. The leadership at all universities have a responsibility to insure not only education but a safe environment. At UGA there is an imbalance in total student population crime level and athletic association crime levels. 9 of 85 scholarship football players is a rate of 15%.

How do you manage this situation? I offer several opinions. First, due diligence on your recruits. If there is a background issue, don’t ignore it because the offender is a great athlete. Next, create expectations of behavior. See examples at many other universities. Third, insure that penalties are attention getting not purely cosmetic. First offenders v multiple offenders receive different penalties. These penalties must escalate to the extent of expulsion, if the offender does not learn.

To excuse Coach Richt is not acceptable. He is the leader of the team. He is the person that must set and enforce the guidelines. A reputation of rightousness that he has tried to exhibit is becoming one of hypocrisy. You cannot talk the talk but must walk it.

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not saying this is an excuse but I know on several differnt occassions of athletes getting in trouble with campus police at different institutions and they were taking straight to there Coaches instead of Jail.This goes on everywhere and only a few places go by the law and arrest athletes. But Georgia needs to do something about this problem now>>>

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85% of readers say it’s the player’s fault when arrests happen.

15% agree with Jeff.

Jeff is not in line with what 85% of people think here.

Here’s the survey:
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/07/12/blame-mark-richt-hes-not-the-one-whos-embarrassing-uga/

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I realize your job is to speak on the merits of UGA and other Georgia sports programs, but I can’t help but think other programs do MUCH LESS than UGA in the sense of punishment. For example, you chastise Richt’s punishment of Ealey for the LL game as a “small notch above running steps in Sanford Stadium.” However, Urban Meyer turned a blind eye as two of his new star players were arrested for underage consumption/possession and gave them NO suspension of any kind (The same charge that is forcing Tavarres King to miss the opening game). Notre Dame had like 11 players arrested for underage possession/consumption yet miss no game time. Tennessee had 7-12 players beat the ever living crap out of an off duty police officer at a bar and only, what, two guys got any punishment? Also, South Carolina’s Garcia got all this love and admiration from the media last night yet he was arrested three times while in school and never missed any game time; none whatsoever. If you go back and check, one of his arrests were for destruction of personal property (scratched or dented a professor’s vehicle).

Additionally, a lot of coaches pick and choose the games that players must sit out (meaning they skip a big game in order to sit for an easier game). I know Spurrier has done this in the past, but I’m sure other coaches do this as well. Just seems a bit strange that Richt catches all of this heat for his punishment (which he punishes the players EVERY TIME) whereas other coaches are much worse and you and everyone knows it. Now, this isn’t to say that these arrests aren’t embarrassing as they are. Especially for someone who has two degrees from UGA. I’m just confused why you write with such vitriol for a guy who is, without a doubt, punishing his players for mistakes and he, unfortunately, has to continue to do it in a public setting.

Should Richt put us at a recruiting/performance disadvantage by kicking every player arrested (whether it is DUI or Underage Consumption) off the team? That would just allow you and the rest of the writers to talk about how terrible our football team is. Doesn’t make sense to me.

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Don’t blame CMR for character traits missing in 18 to 23 year old kids. Put the blame where it belongs on the PARENTS. These kids came to UGA with no discipline. They have been spoiled so long by their family’s actions or inaction, letting them know they can do no wrong, that when they get to college rules that keep things organized and peaceful have been none existent in their life. CMR does need to realize one thing , that every kid was not raised like his kids in the church ,humble and knowing right from wrong.You have to treat a lot of kids like the military does when they turn anti-social kids into well disciplined and organized men with values they will need to peacefully and productively live in today’s world.

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This blog is about as journalistic as ESPN’s coverage of a golf tourneyment where Tiger finishes 37th, yet gets more coverage than the winner of the event.

Can we have journalism without obvious bias?

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Jeff, when you say 9, do you include Damon and LeMay?

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So someone in Athens told the police to quit turning a blind eye to the football players. The only thing that’s changed here is that they don’t get away with what they used to.

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Top 20 recruit Christian LeMay? Who had consensual sex with a female? He’s clearly a full on delinquent and must be stopped.

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Basically you’re forced to recruit people who do not belong in college to be competitive, or even attempt to be competitive. Until there’s an actual NFL farm system, college football will continue to have problems.

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this blog is on fire

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Schultz again speaks truth to power. ….and smiling coaches, comps, shallow G fans, popularity polls, etc etc

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Jeff,

Would you agree that other schools get in trouble they just do a good job of it not getting out. Such as these two UF players who were arrested back in July and August and nobody heard anything about it till now. And then on top of it these kids don’t even get suspended from a game for being arrested.
UGA just needs to get better at covering this stuff up like other schools.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gator_clause/2010/08/gators-freshmen-matt-elam-and-solomon-patton-arrested-for-possession-of-alcohol.html

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Geez, some of you would be right at home in an Islamic state! Cut off their hands! Punish the whole team! Take their first born!

Let’s have some perspective and context here. If we kick all of these people off them team they’ll just end up playing against us at Ole Miss or LSU!

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Glad to see people with logic responding on here.

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scott- it was gun, there was a bullet, he tried to remove it once he pulled the trigger….

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And this was before 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUgdhT-4lss

As long you UGA fans keep fooling yourself into thinking Richt is not a problem you will be in contention for the Fulmer Cup every year. But it’s someone else’s problem, other schools do it, UGA police’s fault, blah blah blah. And Jeff is right…if this were UF or UA Dawg fans would be all over them.

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I agree Jeff! needs to own up to it and make an example out of someone! I think this is because he comes from the Bobby Bowden school of laxed punishment.

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Fantastic news…..Alec proves he deserved all 5 stars. He was able to out run a member of the track team even with the weight of a Scooter Helment.

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Hey Schultz… I understand that you have a tabloid to run here, but maybe you should point to the discipline which Richt has layed down… You talk about drinking and driving… What happened to that kid? OFF THE TEAM!!! Our Athletic Director did something egregiously stupid and what happened to him? FIRED, GONE, KAPUT!!!! You Talk about drinking and groping, and what happened there? THEY KICKED THE FREAKING QUARTERBACK WHO WAS BATTLING FOR THE STARTING JOB OFF OF THE TEAM!!! I know, I know, it would not support your article to point these facts out, and only gleaning the one borderline suspension for not being one game long enough is the watery Elmers glue that holds your entire “story” together. Of course it is embarrassing to the program, of course it is important to punish those who deserve it. I am thinking that you would squeal with glee if we kicked out every player from our team who did anything wrong, but there has to be a balance there.

And BTW, where did you get the idea that anybody gives a crap about what you have “had it” with, we have “had it” with you for years, and nothing has been done about that. I know you aren’t a real journalist, but you could at least try.

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Jeff, we was hoping to cheer you up. They have really been after you on here. How about a nice Dairy Queen?

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Hey Jeff,

Since 97% of players don’t get arrested for any alcohol or violent behaviors, do you feel you cover the 97% of the good news as equally as well as you cover the 3% of the bad news?

If not, do you feel you are being objective emphasizing the 3% of the bad over the 97% of the good?

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You Georgia fans are moroons! Today it’s a $35 helmet tomorrow it’s something bigger. Get a grip you have a problem at UGA and CMR is to blame. The guy is a thief and maybe he will learn a lesson from this and straighten up.

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Some how, some way, some one will find a way to blame the lack of ethics at UGA on GT.

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You pup fans are the worst! Perfect program, best recruits, best coach; just can’t ever live up to it all! Preseason top 10 and end up with 4 losses.

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I feel for Richt in this situation – it’s tough to keep a handle on all of the kids. Having said that, he is handsomely compensated in his position and he does need to come up with some effective punishment, to quote Voltaire, pour encourager les autres.

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When I first read this blog, I thought it was was some sorta souvenir helmet. Not that any of this matters, I used ride a motorcycle, even 25 years ago you couldn’t buy a motorcycle helmet for $35.

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Miss me now?……lol.

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Okay AJC..we want you to write ALL good articles about our beloved bulldogs. Although we have not won a National Title in 30 years, our egos are as big as the Texas Longhorns and our program does nothing wrong, but please feel free to write anything and everything whether true or not about Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, and of course GT. Our program is just Peachy and our players love to sit around churches and sing heart warming songs…and praise the higher being…

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The SEC needs to adopt a ZERO tolerance policy for arrest/conviction. Unless and until there is mandatory punishment for behavior like this…nothing will change.

It is the Cult of the Jock!

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93% of all faithful Dawg fans believe that this is all Schultz’ fault. desist immediately- desist I say. Heck of a job Schultzie.

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If this falls on Richt, then who takes responsibility for all of the other dumb decisions made by 18-22 yr. olds in the world? Their boss? Their mom? Their professors? Their probation officers? Schultz once again shows why he is a meager writer and not a coach of a respected program. Maybe the coaches should just recruit at the local monastery? GOOOO MONKS !!!! PRAY PRAY PRAY !!!

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I wonder what the over/under on how many people on this blog got into some trouble w/ the law when they were in their late teens and early 20’s. I would take the over every time. Jeff, get off your soapbox! You will write how Richt needs to get these kids under control and then turn around and bash Richt for not bringing in the top talent if goes out and recruits the “saintly” kids. The player should be held responsible but to make the headline as bright and ugly as the headline for the UT players who held up someone at gun point shows the AJC and Schultz in particular just like to bash something for the sake of bashing!

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hey BRIDE OF: Read scotts- comments above mine….the truth hurts ..but the AJC will set you on the front page of the SPORTS section …

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If the charges are true, Richt has one option, send him to play with Zack Mettz

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Hey Noisewater, you are the problem with people today. Making the suspect a victim. What would you do if someone stole from you? Just let him/her return it an be over it? I guess in your mind it’s okay to steal from others. So what if it took 3 months, did you ever think maybe there was an investigation? THE KID STOLE. HE TOOK WHAT WASN’T HIS. PERIOD.

This is what you get when you bring in someone with ties to FSU and Miami. THUG Universities from Florida and now UGA is the THUG University of the State of Georgia. And to think I sent my 14yr old son to Richt’s football camp over the summer.

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Isn’t it irrational to go against current Quantum physics, which proves movement of atoms cannot be predicted?

If atoms cannot be predicted, doesn’t that prove that actions are not pre-determiend?

And if actions are not pre-determined, doesn’t that prove free will?

And if players have free will, doesn’t that disprove Jeff’s point?

Before Quantum physics, A FEW still believed in pre-destination, not anymore.

It’s irrational and unscientific to argue for pre-destination vs. free will.

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Don’t neither one make know cents.

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Hey masivatack, Yea they kicked him off the team but accepted a committment from another QB that is now not playing football for having sex in the schools bathroom.

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I went through high school and college and didn’t get arrested. Why can’t these guys do the same. I had a lot more free time than they do. If you’re studying and practicing, how do you have so much free time to get yourselves in trouble?

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UGA fans, why don’t you guys pay off Jeff so that he can retire?

I am sure if Jeff is gone, your players will be all saints thereafter. Actually, if you turn your eyes blind, you can achieve the same thing.

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Why could he have just not worn a football helmet? Prolly provides better protection anyhow. I suppose Richt is goign to have to overpunish some folks to make a point. That and stop recruiting players form shadey backgrounds. More David Pollacks and less Quincy Carters. Just gotta earn your paycheck and coach um up!

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“It’s really pretty simple: Either bring in different kids or say/act differently when they get here, in terms of discipline.”

I vote for the latter and I think the latter is the problem.

If Olgetree were kicked off the team and I were coaching another I would immediately pick up Ogletree thinking I can keep this kid out of trouble…I’m not a wimp like CMR.

I don’t think CMR should be fired, I think he needs to admit he has no backbone.

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When Dooley was the HC, he did a much better job of covering up the criminal behavior of his players…especially the 1980 team.

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heck it they did ride alongs with the APD, they could see first hand arrest of the guy across the huddle…

better yet let Jeff ride along with APD and he could twitter the news as fast as these arrest are coming in….

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$35 helmet sitting 6 hours… then arrested 3 mos…. later 1 day before season.. this stinks and so does Shultz !!!!

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should have said : heck if they…

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Hey Hog smell good,
You are an idiot for bashing another school. You guys ran off the best coach you had and went and got a turncoat like Petrino. As soon as a better school than R Kansas comes calling, and trust me, there are lots better schools than yours, Petrino will bolt. Our D sucked last year and we still beat you down on your home turf while crybaby Ryan sulked with Bobby on the sidelines. You better hope there aren’t any Falcons players at the game with R Kansas, moron Petrino won’t make it out alive. By the way, when is the last time R Kansas beat UGA or won an SEC title?

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No matter how trivial something like this sounds, it is getting to the point where Richt is going to have to immediately kick people off the team for transgressions. No waiting. No nothing. Just boot their asses out.

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Jeff – Did you have something good planned for your day off?

We are tied 2 and 0. You’re going down dude. Kansas State is our difference maker.

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Who Cares. I am thanking god now that you do not live in my neighborhood if you are “okay with some PETTY arrest”..I bet your neighbors would like to know you will turn the cheek if you are stolen from…

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Jeff,

“Uncle Rico — When problems occur at other schools, I criticize them. Therefore, if these players had been arrested at Florida, Alabama or elsewhere, I would be criticizing them, the program, the coach, and I trust so would many of the people commenting on this blog.”

No comment from you on the UF kids that were arrested.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gator_clause/2010/08/gators-freshmen-matt-elam-and-solomon-patton-arrested-for-possession-of-alcohol.html

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It all kind of makes sense when you observe the obscene/crude level of behavior to which mutt fans have descended. Where are the UGA fans and players with which we use to compete?

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This will set the all time record for posts on any subject.

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This makes me sick.

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I had my car broken into and someone stole my golf clubs wortha at least $500 and $100 cash. The only thing I could get the police to do was fill out a police report for the indurance company. How is it the Athens police are able to conduct a 2 and half month investigation into a stolen $35 helmet? Coul it be they are more interested in creating Headlines?

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CMR will get this situation corrected in short order. It is time to rally around the DAWGS!

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@ Jeff

I think the problem with the whole situation is that the players are criticized at all. I don’t really care what school the players are from it’s a double standard.

Now if every news source had daily headlines such as “UGA student steals trays from cafeteria issued arrest warrant” or something like “University of Florida Gym user prosecuted for taking gym towel” then I would be okay with this.

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Doggyboy- I am an alum as well and I disagree with you. In fact, I would say the majority of the guys that were there with me would disagree with you. You obviously never coached or played any sports that involved teenagers.

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Jeff I undestand how you can say that this is Richt’s problem since it is his team. But I do not understand how he is going to do anything different in recruiting that will solve this problem. I guess he could recruit a bunch of those dudes riding bicycles with white shirts and ties. They seem clean cut enough.

Seriously, I do not recall any character issues for either Waushan or Alec when they were recruited. Should our coaches consult the recruits pastor, boy scout troop leader and a psychic before offering a scholly?

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Jon Carter

September 3rd, 2010
12:49 pm
CMR will get this situation corrected in short order. It is time to rally around the DAWGS!

Really Jon Carter?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUgdhT-4lss

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I LOVE UGA getting their red panties in a bunch….oh wait does Damon Evans still have them between his legs.

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Why won’t Tim Tucker allow comments?

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It is funny how all these UGA fans want Kirby Smart back at UGA when the guy doesn’t even lead the AL Defense. Saban runs that defense. Kirby couldn’t hold Grantham’s jock strap. If you don’t like the coaches and don’t believe in them, then stop being a fan. UGA doesn’t need you or want you. A bunch of fair weathered fans. What a joke.

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It doesn’t stop with Richt. The tone is set from the top. Who hired that AD with the red panities? College athletics needs to be cleaned up. Our nation is weaker because of the overemphasis on athletics on our college campuses. You start with setting the right priorities–academics and character building first. There is way too high a priority set on sports. The games are not really that important—until student learning & excellence, developing citizenship, and character are placed first on everybody’s agenda, it won’t get better.

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Cuz, the cause of holding Rich’ts feet to the fire is Shultz’s one way of seeming like a serious journalist. It’s all he’s got. Just like Bradley’s two or three correct predictions over two decades are all he’s got to show he has a clue about sports.

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Why do mutt fans suck so badly?

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Flyin’ Dawg – I agree with your wife. But the team should know from past experience that they are going to get arrested for anything and everything. CMR is at fault for not impressing that enough on his team. With a little and consistent fire and brimstone CMR could have prevented this.

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OK for OJ to cut two people’s heads off..Ok for Bill Clinton to lie and cheat many times with wife..but when dumb kids do something dumb..it’s a big deal!

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Maybe they couldn’t find a helmet small enough for his midget brother???

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Some Ga fans will lie cheat and steal……then say…….that is OK…..Until they get caught……

Wow the society we are in is really hypocritical !

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Accountability

September 3rd, 2010
12:50 pm

EXCELLENT LINK! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUgdhT-4lss

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ogletree & ealey 4 weeks scout team !

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Schuck you Fultz…….stupidity cannot be blamed on the head coach. If he did not address it when it happened then it would relatable to his actions. Most of these issues are not felonies, but they are in need of punishment by the University.We got some bad boys on this team….LOOK OUT !! WE’LL HIT YOU LIKE YOU’RE A PARKED CAR, or how about, WE’LL SNATCH YOU UP LIKE LIKE A SCOOTER HELMET!! or , DON’T MAKE ME GET DRUNK AND COME OVER THERE!! Yeah…we a bunch of thugs!!

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Jeff: are these dawg “fans” blaming you for Ogletree’s theft of the helmut. My question is will the new AD pressure the owner to not press charges?

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Time for old fashioned “Bud Nippin”..Nipping at the bud always stops bad growth..

For the blogger that says Saban stopped a player from selling drugs to undercover cops and kicked him off the team…I think if you look you will see only 1 player with an arrest over the past 19 months…Auburn has had 2 in the past 15 months….discipline does work if applied harshly..

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So, Shultz has had it huh? Boy, heads should start spinning now. The hypocritical thing about all of these haters on here is in the punishment. CMR doles out appropriate punishment, as documented, for each offense. These haters love to say “1 game against LALa isn’t enough” and “throw him off the team”. I know, as well as everyone else, that if the offending player was on their team they would want ZERO suspensions for him. Making a mountain out of a mole hill just ruins your credibility Jeff. It’s all about the bad stories and trying to be cute and funny with you. CMR CANNOT babysit these kids 24-7. ALL of the recruits have background checks done prior to being offered scholarships. I’m not making excuses for some of these guy’s actions but, you can’t hold Richt responsible for all of this. Again, 2 1/2 months go by before this is reported and you plaster on the top of the FRONT page? I don’t think you mentioned Hall’s beating up of his girlfriend at GT. Please go research ALL of the story before saying “you’ve had it”. Frankly, no one cares if you have or not!!

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That Guy..feel free to Post all you want…but I do not think it is getting you anywhere brother…glass stadium brother glass stadium

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Jeff I disagree this is not on CMR . Didn’t Alex just get here in June . That wasn’t but a few weeks to instill values into his players that were raise with no values. This type thing is a reflection as to the way he was raised. Blame it on his PARENTS not CMR.

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Those of you who give up on the program by choosing not to look at the positives but only the negatives of the program. I wonder what word you really want to use when you call these athletes Thugs?

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I don’t understand the shock over this incident.
This is what I have come to expected from UGA players.

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Police Blotter – I agree! Even know Jeff said he would report the same thing if it happened at another school. No word about the arrest at UF.

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Get the pun Jeff? Much of what you say is true, but stuff like this happens at other schools. It gets reported there and nowhere else including here. That guy! brings up a valid point (btw bama de suspended for 2 games). Dont pretend to be anything other than the bumblebee loving yellow journalist that you are. Are there problems with the program? Yes. Could this have been a better article? Yes. Nothing like calling out the head coach right before the season starts. Mettenberger was handled well, and we will see how he handles ogletree. Personally i hope he is kicked off the team, but not my call. This is just blaming the wrong person. The kids are the problem. During his first five or six years there were no issues like this. Additionally, the athens police department loves to see their name in the headlines, cant deny that.

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Richt needs to call Paul Johnson for advice on cutting down all these arrests. Coach Johnson wouldn’t put up with any of this. Richt lets it go on and it’s getting worse—the players run the system

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“Why won’t Tim Tucker allow comments?”

Perhaps he does not suffer fools lightly.

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WE RUN THIS JAIL CELL

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Your a fag jeff, quit banning everyone that disagrees with your moron ass stories – homo.

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Richt needs to make a statement. He should sit out first and second string this week. If we take the loss, so be it. This has got to stop! I did stupid stuff when I was young too, but my education wasn’t being paid for by scholarship. I didn’t represent a whole University. They have to be held to a higher standard. Punish the whole dang team, then maybe they will police themselves! This is getting out of hand!

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The problem isn’t that these kids were offered scholarships. As many have pointed out, virtually every coach would have offered these kids. The issue is how they have been handled since then. Coaches need to pound in to these kids that they are not just students. They are representatives of the university and their actions reflect on the team and the university. This is an added responsibility, but in exchange they are being given a great opportunity to get a free education and perhaps some day be paid for playing football.

It needs to be made clear to them from the get go that screw-ups (regardless of whether other students do the same thing) will not be tolerated, and that the consequences for screw-ups will be severe. This isn’t about treating them like other students.

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It appears to me that this entire incident was a set-up to make CMR look bad

$35 ??? come on…

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FINE, let CMR takes responsibility for these kids. Just make sure President Adams takes the fall for the Damian Evans fiasco !

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Well except for our player that beat the crap out of his girfriend. CPJ only gave him a slap on the wrist.

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Did you report the same thing when UF had all their issues?

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Uh-oh, you’ve done it now Jeff.

How dare you suggest that perhaps Mark Richt isn’t recruiting the right guys or that he isn’t properly supporting (or scaring?) them into being halfway decent human beings.

All the Bullpuppy fans are going to log off the Glenn Beck Facebook fan page and come tell you what’s what.

Just because UGA has had nine players arrested in less than 6 months … you’re saying there’s a trend there? I’m sick of you media types blowing things out of proportion.

Your column means nothing, because at the end of the day, the UGA football program is every bit as high-quality OFF the field as it is ON the field these days.

Oh wait …

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It figures. Look at where Richt comes from. He played for the U of Miami, the original thug school. It got in his blood then. Then he went to FSU as a long time assistant. He was there during Free Shoes U and all the other years of thuggery. It just goes to show you can take the boy out of the U but you can’t take the U out of the boy.

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once i was proud to bleed red and black, and live or ‘die’ with the dawgs. my family was poor, but i put myself through uga, graduating cum laude. i have loved georgia all my life. but this is just enough. the whole place has degenerated, and i am helpless as to know why. i remember men of honor on the field, like vince dooley, hershel, scott, tardits, woerner, stanfill, cavan, tarkenton, and on and on and on. there are none like them on this team. in the words of the renaissance composer, gibbons, ‘alas, more geese than swans; more fools than wise.’ enough

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Jeff, your answer to Uncle Rico, is not truthful and you know it…there have been numerous players arrested at these schools and more around the country, but i don’t see you bashing their coaches like you do Coach Richt..I agree that we need to find someway of reaching these kids, but these are the same kids that all the schools recruit so for people to say stop recruiting them, doesn’t make much sense in the real world…Why do you and the others not report some of the problems that are occurring with similar incidents at other schools…I know your main coverage is the dawgs and tech, but your comments and articles make it appear that we are the only school that has this problem..Why don’t you tell us Jeff how you would handle these kids…Thank goodness that you are not in that type of position and that goes for alot of you on here…You can call me a homer, but i too, am dishearted by some of the actions of our players, but when people get on here and call young 18-19 year old thugs, and yes they need to pay consequiences for their actions based on the incident itself…You can’t kick everyone off the team for any incident as some would have it..Would you do that to you own children…No, you try and teach them the right way things should be done, and when they mess up you punish them accordingly..Obvisously, there are many on here that believe Coach Richt is not doing all he can, and maybe they are right, but most of the players are doing what is right,, so doesn’t Coach Richt get any credit for that…I know if you talk to players that have graduated an played under Coach Richt, they have the highest regard for him and his beliefs..Many of these kids come from homes that may or may not have had the opportunites that alot of us have had…Maybe Jeff you forget that sometimes….That doesn’t mean we should accept their actions when they are wrong, and sometimes they unfortunately are not abled to be helped, but I truly believe Coach Richt will do and has done all he can to help a young man to do things the right way…But at some point, the kids themselves have to be responsible for their actions…You know many of you on here forget that at one time the players stayed together in dorms, doesn’t mean they couldn’t get in trouble, but the coaches had more control of what they did…go dawgs

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Honest question:

Do any Georgia fans think there is any correlation between all the arrests over the past few years to the amount of on-field penalties committed? Or is it just coincidence?

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So what is your opinion of kicking off the 2nd string QB for a serious offense? It especially weakens the team’s options at QB. But, Richt just doesn’t do enough for you.

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campus cops are a JOKE !!!! always have been…

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Did someone from Arkansas just call me a redneck? Ouch. That’s a new low.

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Yellow Journalism, I’ll have to suggest that to Coach Johnson as a new recruiting tool.. Suggest to kids that if they get caught breaking the law, the police won’t prosecute and nobody will know.

Plain and simple, these kids need to understand that the world isn’t always fair.. They may or may not get away with it, but if they get caught, their will be real consequences. Same as the real world

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Accountability, this generation of kids is screwed. They’re doing this stuff all over the nation and especially in Gainesville and Tuskaloosa and Atlanta- the difference you might ask? Few police departments prosecute athletes and even fewer bother with petty crime. Though I am often frustrated by this aspect of Athens cops, I’m thankful they’re willing to do their job and that they have nothing better to do than pick on students.

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dawgster – I tried to get an answer from Jeff as to why he didn’t mention a thing about the two UF players getting arrested that hit news a couple days ago and he suddenly disappeared and hasn’t made a comment since my post. Funny how that worked out isn’t it?

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Really UGA POLICE & ACC POLICE. Yon don’t have any real crime or issues to solve. A F*($cking $35 helmet.

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Jeff,
What are you trying to do, take over for that idiot Terrence Moore?? First, how can you blame Coach Richt for all this? Sure he recruited the kids, but he can’t help certain character flaws! He recruits most of these star athletes out of bad homes, bad neighborhoods and gives them a chance. Sometimes it turns a guys life around, and sometimes it doesn’t. Just like the young man that is missing now that played at MSU. Sometimes you take a chance and it backfires. Please STOP with the witch hunting on Mark Richt. He dismissed the kids that had major violations! You expect him to turn his back on these other kids completely? He has disciplined them. Maye not enough for you media people but a fender bender and a speeding ticket and underage alcohol consumption(which happens at every school BTW) do not merit throwing these kids off the team and out into the street. This stuff has happened always. Just like when Vince was here in 80 and the team stole a pig before the season started. Only problem is back then you dumb no life media types weren’t sulking around like vultures waiting to put something racey and controversial on the internet. I used to think you wrote a pretty good article Schultz before i read this trash. Step off! You don’t convict a good man like Mark Richt because of some childish acts of some of his players. Why don’t you go back and pull the arrest record of ALL the students at UGA this year. Oh yeah thats right. Thats not news worthy enough i guess. What if the Miami papers and the police were like the vultures you people are back in the 80s with Michael Irvin and the gang. They would have had to shut down the program. Just because you and some of you buddies don’t like the UGA football program and its fanbase doesn’t mean we should start firing coaches and terminating the program like i’m sure you and alot of others would like. Do your job and report that news without all the left wing slant. Maybe you should go ask your buddy Furman Bisher about having “class” about writing.

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right now, i’m in a mood to say i hope we lose every game this season. nothing short of this will convince anyone of anything. and i am sad to say it because i love my alma mater. and i love the ‘concept’ of the dawgs, but not as they are now.

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And you Nancy Girl fans out burning your red and black shirts because you are so thin-skined that a scooter helmet is the difference in your self esteem for the day……..do I need to say it?

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Other schools have the same problems as uga, but they just cover it up and sweep it under the rug to keep the players eligible.

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