Georgia ends spring — and needs a quiet summer
Like this photo, Mark Richt must stand in background when Isaiah Crowell and Georgia teammates head into summer. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
ATHENS — On the day spring football came to a close for Georgia, nobody got arrested, nobody got high, nobody claimed to make the mistake of eating brownies baked by Dolly Madison’s Bohemian, hippie sister and certainly no coach yelled, “Wooo! Pig Sooie!” while exchanging 4,300 text messages with the nation’s best-paid, smokin’ blonde, student-athlete development coordinator.
Relatively speaking, Saturday’s G-Day game was nirvana.
But the annual spring game contrasted the past few months. A reported seven players (at least) were suspended or drop-kicked out of Athens for assorted legal missteps or rules violations. Coach Mark Richt appropriately called Saturday, “good medicine.”
Or a needed cleansing.
To suggest the Georgia program has jumped the rails would be overstatement. But Richt and his players know how this sort of thing plays publicly, particularly going into the summer, when free time too often breeds problems. Hot days, cold beer, long nights … you know the formula.
“We’re well-aware of what can happen now,” quarterback Aaron Murray said. “There’s been some incidents that have occurred, and the guys don’t want that kind of attention. They don’t want the additional stress on coach Richt or on the team. There’s a negative image, and we want to get rid of it.”
Six players graced the cover of the spring guide. Only four of them made it to the scrimmage program cover Saturday. Bacarri Rambo and Alec Ogletree were cropped out for expected drug suspensions.
Three other players — Chris Sanders, Nick Marshall and Sanford Seay — were kicked off the team for their involvement in a theft. Sanders Commings was suspended two games following a charge for domestic violence. The other reported suspensions were marijuana-related (though not confirmed by the school): Ogletree (failed drug test, one game), Rambo (failed drug test, four games), Branden Smith (possession, one game).
Steve Spurrier isn’t one to miss an easy punch line. So when asked about the South Carolina-Georgia game being moved from the second week to the sixth, Spurrier swung away. “I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended,” he told ESPN.
Here’s the positive news for Richt: He learned something about the resolve of his players last season. The Dogs reeled off 10 consecutive wins following an 0-2 start. Most of those players return in 2012.
The opener against Buffalo isn’t an issue — Richt could plug holes with 10 kids pulled out of the cafeteria line at the Tate Center and still win that game. Game 2 at Missouri might be a little stickier.
What the Dogs’ can’t afford are any more storylines with the words “arrest” or “drug test” in them. This summer will show if the past few months have been some aberration. It also may determine where next season finishes on the average-to-special scale.
“I think I’ve got a good pulse of what’s going on internally, and I don’t sense there are team-related issues that are of major concern,” athletic director Greg McGarity said. “We’ve got some spots where we need tightening up, but that’s true with every program.”
But McGarity is aware of the perception.
“We’re getting beat up a lot — and maybe we can do some things where we don’t have to get beat up so much,” he said.
Elaborating: McGarity said Georgia may begin a practice of not announcing any disciplinary action of players, unless there’s a legal issue that would make it unavoidable.
“If you announce that somebody has violated team policy today, you have to read about it for five months before the first game,” McGarity said. “Do we need to put ourselves in that position?”
There’s only one flaw with that thinking: Almost everything leaks out at some point, and Georgia has a better chance to control the message with a formal announcement.
The bigger issue, though, is eliminating the problems altogether. We can debate all day whether problems among an athletic program exceed the general student population. But the reality is that nobody really cares about the average poultry-sciences major.
McGarity said he meets with Richt “frequently — enough to know where he stands on things.” He knows how this has worn on the coach.
“He feels good about the program, but like anyone he feels frustrated,” he said. “He hates to take time away when something pop up. It can be burdensome.”
There’s an easy answer: Just get 100 kids to promise, “I will not get into trouble.”
Also, maybe buy a lottery ticket.
By Jeff Schultz
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263 comments Add your comment
Ellijay dawgcatcher
April 16th, 2012
9:35 am
Who you want gone Lex? I can name a few!
Well it's official
April 16th, 2012
9:38 am
Since the death of Kim Jong ILL, Nick Saban is now the world’s most powerful dictator under 5′5
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
9:42 am
@ ellijay dawgcatcher: step up, name who and give reason why you want them gone, be specific:
Makes for good reading-
bulldog bob
April 16th, 2012
9:57 am
find myself not feeling any buzz for the upcoming season with this pansy-ass schedule greg mcgarity has cooked up,no games to really create any excitement
Ellijay dawgcatcher
April 16th, 2012
10:04 am
Look. I don’t want to get specific. I have to admit, the blind homers are just as aggravating as the aggressive haters. The homers aren’t always right and the haters aren’t always wrong. Don’t like the personal attacks. And the whole “if you don’t like UGA, you’re a Tech fan” is just stupid. Why does UGA even play Tech? What is the point? It’s a lose/lose for UGA. Win the game, and you were supposed to. Lose the game, and you lost to Tech! I know the historical angle is important to some, but come on. Drop them! That’s the past. And honestly, too many dawg fans live in the past. If posters stay away from the personal stuff, i’m ok with differing opinions. Some of the “trolls” are actually pretty funny! Might make for a good survey: best pro-UGA poster, and best “troll”. Probably posters who would get votes in both catagories; you know alot of people have multiple blog names!
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
10:16 am
game changer
If there is no leadership, who do you get to pick the next set of leaders?
Why do you believe there is no leadership in athletics?
You want Damon back?
Damon would not let Richt spend one dime on S&C program. Not one dime.
At least McGarity sees the importance. Also, McGarity is holding Richt ot a higher standard than Damon ever did.
If McGarity had fired Richt after last year, he would have been the laughingstock of the NCAA.
Richt has a big challenge in 2012 in my book. The defense is capable of winning the East and getting to ATL. The offense has playmakers and a bunch of young pups on the OL. Also, the kickers are freshmen.
i disagree with your statement about lack of leadership unless you are talking about Adams. He should have been fired a long time ago
kingdaddy
April 16th, 2012
10:21 am
I believe in Freedom of Speech. Now that that’s said, do the Dawg haters on here not have anything positive to add? Only hate Richt, hate UGA, hate Murray, hate Bobo, hate McGarity and pretty much hate everything to do with Ga. Please feel free to find a school that doesn’t upset your delicate feelings and your supreme knowledge of football. Nobodys making you be a fan here. Leave and never look back and you will be so happy that you never have to complain again. Just go already…
kingdaddy
April 16th, 2012
10:29 am
DawginLex
Don’t you get tired of trying to explain the obvious to idiots. They just turn a deaf-ear or have selective hearing. Either way, its tireing and some of the posters just want to trash a blob as an agenda. I’m tired of the boobs and know some of them are just making a joke of the blog…
shankit
April 16th, 2012
10:33 am
quirky smirky, or whatever your handle is, Jeremy Foley was the AD at
Florida during Meyer’s tenure, and Foley hired Meyer. McGarrity was an
assistant under Foley. Probably the reason he left Florida, got tired of
visitation at Raiford.
dawgfan
April 16th, 2012
10:38 am
79 yards on 57 carries in the spring game. Let me repeat that loud and clear: 79 YARDS ON 57 CARRIES. Please someone tell me what I am missing. I am begging you.
This is not winning elite SEC football. I don’t care if it was a stupid spring game. That is not good. We are overrated.
Thanks.
Cover It Up !
April 16th, 2012
10:49 am
That’s right McGarity. Just don’t let anybody know about your thug athletes domestic violence,drug abuse,alcoholism,etc. No new is good news huh ? How about requiring your student-athletes to be normal students outside of football like MOST other student-athletes are ? How about looking deeper into a potential signeee’s past and see their moral character before you allow them to embarass UGA ? Richt didn’t even address Rambo’s & Ogletree’s suspensions. Reverend Richt just turns a blind eye even after being called out by Chip Towers. All is good at UGA. Rose-colored glasses abound !
Cover It Up !
April 16th, 2012
10:51 am
I never hear about the swimming team,golf team,baseball team,gymnastics teams,tennis teams at UGA having its athletes arrested. Its always the football team. That speaks volumes.
Cover It Up !
April 16th, 2012
10:55 am
I get ragged daily about the UGA thuggery. My friends and co-workers know I’m a big UGA fan. Its really sad. We have a good Christian man like Richt at the helm and all the thugs running rampant sinning like demons.
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
10:56 am
We would all love to cover you up in dirt
Cover It Up !
April 16th, 2012
11:00 am
If I were Richt I’d just call a team meeting with all the players and tell them that if they get reported doing something illegal (drugs,domestic violence,dui,etc.) this summer then don’t even show back up to play football this coming fall. If you can’t follow the laws of society then you are kind of person that we don’t want on our football team. That’s cut & dried.
Cover It Up !
April 16th, 2012
11:04 am
Yeah, Damon was shining example of moral character wasn’t he ?
Buckeye
April 16th, 2012
11:19 am
What will all y’all dogs do until Fall Camp? Rehash the Gym Dogs year? Wait for the next arrest? Failed drug test? Batch of Brownies? Fresh hashbrowns? Quote for Spurrier? Read past Chip Towers columns? Just wondering.
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
11:25 am
Wait on Urban Meyer to get OSU the death penalty?
Joey
April 16th, 2012
11:30 am
“Also, McGarity is holding Richt ot a higher standard than Damon ever did.”
*************************************************
How is that?
Let’s see. McGarity, after a 6-7 season, gave Richt an assistant to handle his “administrative duties,” in order free up time for actual coaching and studying football, which Richt unexplicably admitted to not doing lately.
The very next season, McGarity, after saying all year that he would wait until after the season was over to evaluate Richt’s job performance, offered a new contract BEFORE an embarrassing bowl collapse. This after UGA beat the teams on its schedule it was favored in, except Mich State, and lost to the teams in which it was the underdog, two embarrassingly so in our backyard (Dome), as well as another in Athens.
A new 5-year contract for winning 10 of 11 games he is suposed to win is “holding Richt to a higher standard?”
I’m criticizing McGarity here, not Richt. I’m resigned to Richt being our coach for 5 more years. I’m fine with it. My criticisms of Richt have always been more about his underperforming assistants.
Joey
April 16th, 2012
11:33 am
That’s rich, a doofus fan of the sleaziest program currently in the country comes on a UGA blog, spewing ignorance.
Go get your free tatt, moron . . .
DawgInaTruck
April 16th, 2012
11:34 am
@ kingdaddy
“I believe in Freedom of Speech. Now that that’s said, do the Dawg haters on here not have anything positive to add?”
I didn’t take the time to read all of the comments but, after scanning the date and time most were posted, I think the real question is: Do some of these people ever go outside?
Heck, I didn’t even SEE this blog until a few minutes ago. To the haters who live on here-you do know yesterday was a gorgeous day weather-wise don’t you? I can assure you that picking up a fishing pole and heading down to a pond with lower your blood pressure.
I think some of these folks would burst into flames if sunlight touched their bodies. I might suggest starting their Sundays in Church-that helps too.
Gold Dawg
April 16th, 2012
11:36 am
Is UGA the only SEC team to drug test its players?
If so, Why?
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
11:43 am
So McGarity fires him after the bowl game loss
We hire Kirby Smart
Are you happy?
Guarantee a 14-0 season?
Joey
April 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
I’ve never advocated for Richt to be fired, even after the 6-7. I just disagreed with your “higher standard” comment regarding McGarity.
My point is, Richt had a contract with 2 more years on it – why rush to give him a new and improved one? Why not see if Richt had really turned things around, not just benefitted from a flukey schedule?
And I don’t buy the “for recruiting” argument. UGA has been getting top recruiting classes dating back to Butts . . .
Joey
April 16th, 2012
12:08 pm
I do think Kerby Smart will be a great coach – he’s gotten an education in watching one.
dan
April 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
“We’re getting beat up a lot — and maybe we can do some things where we don’t have to get beat up so much,”
Translation: the SECOND Richt dips below 8-4, he will be gone.
Without Hershel, UGA is Vandy without the diploma
April 16th, 2012
12:20 pm
UGA, Richt and Murray are the laughing stocks for the rest of the SEC. The only thing funnier are the UGA fans who are in a 31-year old dream.
Matt
April 16th, 2012
12:26 pm
“I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended,” he told ESPN.
THis coming from the guy who gave Garcia 5 chances and didn’t kick him off until Shaw was ready. He is one of the biggest hypocrites in sports.
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
12:40 pm
Michael Adams has hurt the UGA athletic program tremendously, when he started he wanted to win and was willing to make proper and professional changes to make it happen, now if it does not benefit him financially and politically, he goes mute, as in the last several years killing the atmosphere of the UGA campus on football game days.
Damon Evans: nothing but a pawn in the Michael Adams structure, 500k to follow directions, he was unable to show self control which seems to be contagious with the whole athletic department. Good bye Damon and good luck keeping family together.
Greg McGarity: another pawn for Adams. Two years, no ” POSITIVE ” changes, has a real problem with his choice of words and wording. Seems to be feeling alot of pressure from all sides of athletic program. After two years we continue our quest toward failure and he is the AD, turning out to be a very weak person for the AD job, ” VERY WEAK “, zero leadership.
Mark Richt, does not have the leadership skills to be a successful Head Coach in college football. Initially he had a burning passion for success, once he had to recruit his own players and work hard the football structure at GA started to collapse and still is today. He is head coach and is ultimately the one responsible.
Mike Bobo, I believe he could be a very good coach but being overruled by Richt continually on competition for positions ties his hands. What I dont like about Bobo is he has not been man enough or competitive enough to go out on his on and prove himself, lazy and comfortable as GA offensive coordinator is not the type person I want, lazy is what GA coaches have become.
Mark Richt should never have never been offered a new contract. The last 6 seasons have all been somewhat of a failure, even 2007 had major failiures as did 2008, no excuses.
Our offense is weak, many are blinded by recruiting and stars. We do not have a powerful dominate running back at all, not one. Maybe one will step up but to date nothing positive to report. Recievers, no way to know, QB Murray is very weak. TE should be a drastic improvement from what was a huge overhyped TE in Charles. Offensive line has not been the problem many make it, without a three demisional QB, brains, height and strong throwing arm with accuaracy, the offense is very limited and will be the case in 2012. Not Bobo’s fault, Richt is and has forced Murray on the GA team. The offense lineman since 2010 have wanted Murray out and anyone else in, no rumor, factual statement since 2010 from OL themselves. I know because they spoke this to me directly.
The alumni base and student body are all turned off by the UGA football program. Major problem growing more out of control each day and what can it be contributed too: LACK OF LEADERSHIP FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
5150 UOAD
April 16th, 2012
12:56 pm
Wish there was something good to say about our team at Tech other than the boy cheerleaders!
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
12:59 pm
It is an improvement over the ” Flag Boy ” a few years back.
Brian Bohanon is continuing to do a great job,
Buckeye
April 16th, 2012
1:03 pm
Lex,
You’d wish that on Ol’ Urban? He won the SEC!SEC! two titles!
harold
April 16th, 2012
2:29 pm
THE FULMER CUP HAS BEEN RENAMED THE MARK RICHT CUP!
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
2:34 pm
Why harold, because you say so?
UGA is not going to win it this year just like they didn’t win it last year
Auburn did
go take your prozac old man
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
2:48 pm
dawginlex: lighten up francis: Everyone know that GA will be top five recruiting every year and top 5 fulmer/richt cup each year. Not because it is what Harold says, just a proven fact
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
2:54 pm
how many fulmer cup points in 2011 for UGA/
Zero
I win again
Game changer, quit stalking me too. You queer?
Jimmy Crack
April 16th, 2012
3:02 pm
Arkansas owns the “Fulmer Cup” this year with their Hog-with-a-Pig-on-a-Hog embarrassment. When the Head Coach goes down with even the cops helpless to “help”, that takes the prize.
Georgia has to be second (for now) but the fact that only one other SEC school even mentions a first offense publicly gives them protection from full ownership of ANY future “Fulmer Cups” until the SEC adopts streamlined rules on infractions.
They should give Alabama the “Putin Cup” EVERY YEAR for having their KGB-like secrecy about player infractions (and of course having the Alabama State Patrol securely in their boosters’ pockets).
DawginLex
April 16th, 2012
3:05 pm
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2012/4/2/2919964/fulmer-cupdate-pitt-seizes-eats-itself-to-massive-points
**************************
Again, we are nowhere to be found on the list. 2 years in a row
Joey
April 16th, 2012
3:24 pm
Wow, it seems DawginLex has come up with a fool-proof way to kick the idiot stalker-trolls off the blog.
Good job . . .
Techster
April 16th, 2012
4:58 pm
With Dog Univ. it is not a case of a few bad apples—most of that barrel is full of rotten pomes. State taxpayers are getting ripped off. Richt is responsible–he, or a member of his staff, recruited all those convicts.
Techster
April 16th, 2012
5:14 pm
Three letters that will cause you dog fans to have nightmares tonight:
L S U
Kyle
April 16th, 2012
5:46 pm
I thought the spring game turned out very well. I was surprised by Bobo’s calls and execution against our defense. I really felt like he used our speed to our advantage using the screens and so forth. I knew he had it in him like CMR! As for 5150 UOAD How about Tech actually beats Georgia and is able to keep a title before you waste our time coming onto our articles. I have nothing against Tech fans (except the fact they go for Tech) unless they’re idiots like you. Every time I try to read an articlee about Georgia your dumbasses are always on here just asking for trouble. Email the AJC and ask them to write an article about you guys so you can stay off ours. And Lastly, 62-39-5. If you don’t understand that go look it up in your enginerd library.
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
7:33 pm
dawginlex: if GA football season ends with a record of 9 -3 or even 8-4, who are you going to hold accountable? Anything less than 11 – 1 should be unacceptable
A1A
April 16th, 2012
7:44 pm
Aaron Murray is to UGA as Reggie Ball was to GT.
Four years of mediocrity and poorer performance each year.
But hey, Richt loves the guy, so it’s okay.
LAC
April 16th, 2012
8:11 pm
Gee Whiz, Jeff, why do you waste space on college nothing football ? This is BORING, sorry you ignored my earlier comments !
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
9:17 pm
Best Quote by Chan Gailey about Reggie Ball: Ga Tech goes as Reggie Ball goes.
The goes out to all the people who do not realize the QB makes all the difference in the world, more so against teams that are equal or better. Thus, GA failure to beat a good team
"dawg-hater" hater
April 16th, 2012
10:45 pm
Man…it really sucks to read a blog that doesn’t have “UGA” fans bashing their own teams players. I expect the insects to be on here, seeing how no-one ever really reports anything about their explicit team, but man…I don’t claim to know every little detail about the DAWGS, but i have done a lot of reading on the team’s history. I learn a lot about how the AD works, how our school operates, and what should be expected from our team, but what I don’t expect is to hear all the negativity surrounding this team from it’s followers. It seems to be a repetitive thing lately. I trust CMR, not necessarily McGarity, but I do CMR…and I also think we will have a great season. LeMay showed me that we will be able to redshirt Mason, and LeMay will be the back-up. Wish we could have seen Bauta but seems it was best he didn’t play Sat. O-line looked surprisingly good, and some other names on the D side of the ball were nice to hear called out.
Bottom line…SUPPORT YOUR TEAM AND YOUR HEAD COACH!!! GO DAWGS
Dawgster
April 17th, 2012
1:20 am
5 letters that will give you Tech fans nightmares forever: DAWGS
Just go already
April 17th, 2012
3:45 am
Just go already
I believe in Freedom of Speech. You either do, or you want to have only your opinion heard. Our football program hasn’t beat a team who made the top 25 in 2 consecutive seasons now. I look forward to us actually doing that, oh say 1 out of 10 consecutive games – you know beating a team who makes some top 25 poll, which we haven’t done in years now.
Pretty hard to separate that from loving Richt as the leader of this program, and saying all kinds of positive statements about Richt when he can’t beat the top teams and stands over his 11 years at 3-13 vs teams who made top 10. Since it is hard to separate, should we ignore the facts that we’ve not beat the top teams – as you do in personal attacks on other posters, who dare to suggest we ain’t that great ? Why is it you say nothing about it, either way – just personal attack that only your opinion be heard under the guise of Freedom of Speech. That’s not Freedom of Speech – it’s complete lack of Freedom of Speech other than you should be allowed to continue your own personal harangue for Personal Attacks on other Posters whom you obviously have no come-back to on the facts of said Poster’s point.
We either want to fix this, or we are satisfied ignoring the fact that we can’t beat top teams.
I do so apologize that it upsets your delicate feelings and your supreme knowledge of football that someone might actually own up to the fact that we cannot and have not beat the top teams. I see very plainly that you cannot even bring yourself to discuss the point, only some façade pretense of Freedom of Speech to Disallow that which you wish could be hidden : We don’t beat the top teams.
These are well-known facts. Removing my voice, does nothing to these facts, and once again, leaves only that your Belief in Freedom of Speech extends only so far as to Squelch the Known Fact, while we continue on a very poor showing of 24 Attrition for all kinds of off-field issues you also completely fail to address.
Not only is it completely known that Mark Richt has failed to beat the top teams, but recently in addition, Mark Richt has failed to beat even one team in The SEC starting with Kentucky game in 2007 who made it to a winning SEC record.
Maybe there is some better way to view all this ? No. The better way to view it, is that your weak mind argument, just remove a poster who says it. Excuse me, there are 150 posters saying this here. And, as for Aaron Murray, please – are you really so in-bed with Aaron Murray as your only QB to see any action when our own players say others must be given a chance too, that you fail to even notice, absent my posts on the topic that there remain 150 others saying exactly the same ? You think they are all me too ? All 150 of them ? Just go already, allow only your opinion to be heard. And, what is that opinion ? That wanting to see our program actually win 1 of the current 10 games against teams who make any top 25 poll, should be suppressed silenced stifled so that all that remains is your own Flame Personal Attack on 1 of 150 who all say excuse me, can we just beat a team who makes a top 25 to be 1 and 10 at such please ?
I don’t think that policy is even correct that by ignoring that we have not beat any team in The SEC who has made a winning SEC record starting with Kentucky in 2007, that therefore only you should be heard on this topic when all you ever say is a Personal Attack on the Poster who dared to mention that he would like to see us beat one for a change. You know ? Be 1-10 at it.
Game Changer
April 17th, 2012
7:36 am
I am a GA fan, disgruntled to a point but none the less disgruntal. I am very familiar with the daily operations inside the football program also, I would be making alot of changes regarding personnel, policy and direction. This change would also involve the players and a directive to them before they sign and while they are attending the UGA on a scholarship which is a priviledge, not a right. Mandatory, IMAGE – dont like what is expected – go somewhere else / DIrSCIPLINE – understand that being a college student leads to poor decisions at times – LAWS are still laws and as a representative of UGA football – we expect you to abide by the laws like all other students and citizens / Rules – additional rules are place on each individual in the interest of the overall team and UGA – if you do not like, go somewhere else – EDUCATION – if you do not proceed like all other students on campus – your scholarship will not be renewed, go to all classes – MISDEMEANOR/FELONY ISSUES – any assault of any kind on a female, you are out / DUI OR FIRST OFFENSE MARIJUANA FAILURE, 1 game suspension, SECOND OFFENSE you are off the team.
Every one of these listed has to do with ” CHARACTER “, not all players at UGA have bad character but the sum total the past many years has been a disgrace to every member of UGA. This falls directly on the poor leadership from the Pres, AD and Head Coach. Nothing has changed for years and continues to fester and get worse. McGarity suggestion to sweep it under the rug is more poor judgement and lack of leadership, if our men in positions lack the strength to create and manage the atmosphere for respect and winning, THEY SHOULD ALL BE REPLACED. The UGA ATHLETIC BOARD MEMBERS are and have been nothing short of a total failur and embarrasement.