Richt, Georgia have been hurt by too many recruiting risks
Mark Richt has seen several players arrested and suspended this offseason, including former tailback Isaiah Crowell. (AP photo)
HOOVER, Ala. – Mark Richt ignored the red flags and was among the nation’s coaches who lined up around the block for Isaiah Crowell.
He already has seen seven members from his vaunted 2011 recruiting class either kicked out, flunked out or never academically qualified to begin with (“Dream Team”? Anybody?).
Arrests and suspensions likely will lead to four defensive starters missing games next season.
There is a problem again at Georgia — and it matters little that it’s a different one from the past.
Richt, to his credit, no longer responds to players’ criminal or just plain stupid actions by merely making them run stadium steps or suspending their dessert privileges. He has come a long way from enabling Odell Thurman. He suspends players. He kicks them out. He tries to make them understand that getting four or five stars stamped on your forehead by a recruiting site and the ego trip of a signing-day news conference shouldn’t be accompanied by a sense of entitlement (even if it too often does).
The problem now is that too many of the players Georgia is recruiting should be red-lined. The line of risk needs to be pulled back.
Obviously, Richt and his staff are getting a lot right. The Bulldogs are favored to win the SEC East. They’re projected to open the season as a top-10 team.
But imagine if they actually had everybody there.
“We’re not recruiting bad kids,” Richt said in a private media session with local writers Thursday at SEC Media Days. “We’re recruiting a lot of great kids. Other schools are recruiting the same guys.”
Have the negative headlines of this offseason given him reason to pay closer attention to a recruit’s personal blemishes?
“We do find out as much as we possibly can,” he said. “There are rules on how many times we can call a kid and see him in person. We try to maximize those things.”
Sorry. But losing seven of 26 kids from one recruiting class in one year screams that there’s a need for a better filter.
Richt was accurate when he said, “To say that issues aren’t happening around the country isn’t really realistic.”
But losing at least five starters (Crowell plus four on defense suspended) is significant.
Crowell, after multiple suspensions and missteps his freshman season, was bounced following his arrest on felony gun charges. Cornerback Sanders Commings is gone for two games following an arrest for domestic violence. Safety Baccari Rambo (possibly four games), cornerback Branden Smith and linebacker Alec Ogletree all reportedly tested positive for marijuana. Three other freshmen (Nick Marshall, Chris Sanders, Sanford Seay) were kicked out for their reported involvement in a campus theft.
Some of Georgia’s problems can be attributed to having a tougher drug-and-alcohol policy than other schools. But that doesn’t explain everything. The recruiting mistakes will hurt.
The we’ll-be-better-off-without-him rallying cries regarding Crowell makes for a nice locker-room speech. But it’s just not factual. He was Georgia’s best running back — by a long shot — and the Dogs’ potential issues on the offensive line don’t suggest just anybody can be productive.
This will be a team that must rely on its defense and its resolve. The Dogs’ ability to rebound from a 0-2 start with 10 consecutive wins last season said something about the character of the players who aren’t getting arrested (even if that was followed by two more losses to LSU and Michigan State). It’s a team with a solid quarterback (Aaron Murray), strong leadership and several players who bypassed the NFL draft last season to come back for another season. But the suspensions and player losses will hurt.
“There’s been more attrition the last couple of years than there has been since we’ve been at Georgia,” Richt said. “But sometimes that happens. We’ll still have plenty of guys to field a team.”
Then again, if just having enough players was the criteria, there would be celebrations in Toledo and Ole Miss. The question now is whether the Dogs’ chances for a special season have been undone before they’ve even played a game.
By Jeff Schultz
Previous SEC Media Days blogs
• Arkansas living with deserved humiliation after Petrino firing
• Muschamp getting heat but deserves some time at Florida
• Slive: SEC needs to be vigilant to avoid Penn State situation
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779 comments Add your comment
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
3:30 pm
Jeff, I will do as you say out of respect for you, but everyone on here knows why he was cut from the team…
Alabama is just better
July 20th, 2012
3:32 pm
BOOM! The banhammer has spoken!
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
3:34 pm
That better???
Coward of Bulldawg County
July 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
Lesson learned hopefully.
Kobe
July 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
Could the Dawg 2011 dream team beat the 92 dream team?
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
Wait until LSU embarrasses Bama this year, lol. I’m just defending my team. Jeff is just doing his job. He is not that sensitive. He puts up with guff all day. He didn’t offend me at all. This is his blog and he’s a good host. I try to play by the rules, so thanks for the warning Jeff. As a passionate, I speak my mind, nothing more, nothing less…
Coward of Bulldawg County
July 20th, 2012
3:51 pm
I would have banned your behind. Would have been alot quieter on here.
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
I’m not on here to be liked by trolls. I’m here to counter-balance the misinformation and outright lies that the trolls make, lol…
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
That’s because you’re a coward and a troll. You would love to be able to censor others right to free speech. Now that doesn’t make you a very good American, now does it. I’m an honorably discharged Vet that fought for this country for that right. I’m sure that’s something you know nothing about. I don’t believe in censonship and the fact that you do, speaks volumes about your lack of character. I earned it. I doubt you even know what it is. That’s why you would like to see me silenced, lol. What a pathetic joke you are…
Jason Rhodes
July 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
I was expecting an explanation of what “a better filter” might look like. Are there schools that do a better job of this – if so, how? This article winds up but doesn’t deliver. It stakes it’s claim & then veers into the “strong-D, heckuva quarterback, issues on the offensive line” stuff that hardly seems related to “filtering,” & which I kinda think I already knew before.
Know them
July 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
Some of you make comments about character of players you don’t even know. Some of them are just better at hiding their faults because money is the motive. Find some of their real online social media handles and it will let you know. College athletics especially football is like the minor leagues in baseball. UGA is a starting point for what they really want to do…play nfl football.
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
4:10 pm
Jeff may tone me down, but he will let me defend myself by his rules. Where would he be without Freedom of Speech??? I try not to be vulger, but sometimes truth is hard and ugly…
Aug Dawg
July 20th, 2012
4:10 pm
Get ever the schedule thing. If your team wins its schedule then that is a mute point. Especilly for those cry baby biddie fans, Just shut-up and win your games. The OBC must be worried!!!!
Milton County will happen
July 20th, 2012
4:12 pm
Let it go kingdaddy. There is NO defense for what you posted earlier that got you repremanded. Again, let it go.
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
4:18 pm
Should we make the kids go to a college to play Pro Football? They don’t do it in baseball or basketball. It’s just a venue, that’s all it is. Some of the kids are not college material, yet to go pro, you have to attend college. (for football only) Is this fair to a good athlete who isn’t a very good student???
Jeff Schultz
July 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
Kingdaddy — No problem. Everybody knows Zach Mettenberger was kicked off Georgia after “groping” incident in bar (and then lying about it), but I believe your description of that was over the line. Either way, not here to debate it.
David Miller
July 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
You are either very naive or an idiot
David Miller
July 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
You are either very naive or an idiot
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
Milton County
Go read your Constitution. It may help you with the whole censorship thing that you baby-boy just don’t get. The fact that I’m still on this blog must eat you up inside. Hope you learned something today. Now let’s talk about football, loser, lol…
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
4:34 pm
Jeff
Thankyou for understanding. In the heat of the exchange, I agree I went too far. It hurt losing Zac but I hope he stays out of trouble and we get to play LSU again for the SEC-CG again. I don’t know if we can beat them, but I don’t know that we can’t. Bama was 1-1 and I don’t think they are afraid to play each other again. Just like we should look forward to seeing either one in the Dome this Dec…
Who are u fooling?
July 20th, 2012
4:37 pm
JEFF, at what point can your honestly say the you firmly believe Crowell was even SEC caliber. He had yet to prove he could be an accomplished tailback in this league. He had to come out of the game all the time because it was too nimble for the SEC. He will thrive at the level he’s playing at now, but realistically anyone being truthfull knows he was way over-rated.
ARdawg
July 20th, 2012
4:50 pm
Thomas Brown
No little man. That would not be ARdawg. I attend several games every year and I would not brag about the ones I didn’t attend. Nor will I p!ss and moan that Richt is an awful coach and I have all the answers to winning a championship as you constantly spew. Grow up Thomas/10 other monikers. If you were as smart and as good as you claim, you’d be coaching football at UGA, wouldn’t you?
ARdawg
July 20th, 2012
4:52 pm
Those of us who know Remerton cops also know has exaggerated the Metz story likely was. His lying about it probably wasn’t exaggerated
Reality Dawg
July 20th, 2012
4:52 pm
Love the Dawgs and contribute to the Hartmann Fund, but UGA will not win the SEC East this season. South Carolina will.
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
4:59 pm
Reality Dawg
They didn’t get it done last year, did they? I don’t think Melvin is going to score 14 this year, do you? We hung 42 on you last year. I’m not buying into the UGA has no chance theme. Why are you Dawg???
ARdawg
July 20th, 2012
5:00 pm
Reality
IMHO. SCe is nothing more than a flash in the pan two years ago. Until they rid themselves of the has beens like Dr. Lou and the Old Bawl Sack, they will never move past mediocre. Spurrier had it, then he lost it, never to return
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:13 pm
Reality dawg
If you couldn’t beat Auburn last year or Arkansas, what makes you think this is your year???
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:20 pm
I hope SC has a good year. I also hope UGA takes care of business this year so the crows don’t cry the rest of the year. I’m sure the Doggies beating them this year will make them feel better but somehow, I think they will still cry like a bunch of little girls, lol…
atltiger15
July 20th, 2012
5:21 pm
Clemson grabs GA top receiver DeMarcus Robinson..Clemson is tearing up the state…Yabo Dabo Do…FYI, No clemson fan here tho
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:28 pm
15
We have all the WRs we need. So…you have tiger in your name but you aren’t a Clemp? Hmmmmmmmm, are you an Auburn fan? Hmmmmmmmm???
5150 UOAD
July 20th, 2012
5:29 pm
kingDaddy is in the Jeff “Dwag House”. i guess….hehehe….Been there done that
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:30 pm
Lsu ?????????
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:36 pm
5150¢
No, Jeff’s not mad, wegood. I just pushed the envolope a little. I’m still KD…lol…
Metal Dog
July 20th, 2012
5:38 pm
why do athletes who can barely read get admitted to schools like UGA, Fla, etc., but students with high GPAs, good SAT scores, are rejected????
Jeff Schultz
July 20th, 2012
5:39 pm
Who are u fooling — Actually, when Crowell was in the game, he was great. He ran for 850 yards despite missing two whole games, most of a third, and some of several others. Now, if you want to question his durability, I’m with you on that. But not his ability.
Jeff Schultz
July 20th, 2012
5:40 pm
5150 UOAD — “kingDaddy is in the Jeff “Dwag House”. i guess….hehehe….Been there done that”
Dude — I think you own the record.
Milton County will happen
July 20th, 2012
5:40 pm
Richt has lost control of in-state recruiting. I know he can’t sign them all. He just can’t convince the best of the best to commit to a sinking ship.
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:44 pm
5150¢
O Brother, Where Forth Art Thou??? You and Jeff just made my day. AJC ROCKS!!!
a country boy can survive
July 20th, 2012
5:46 pm
the words of a supreme butt-kisser.
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:48 pm
Milton County
We have a great class that will only get better if we win a few big games this year. 2013 will be an awesome recruiting class if we go 11-3 / 12-2…
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:51 pm
country boy
What a sad little boy. You just can’t talk about football, that’s why you are and always will be a loser troll…
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:53 pm
Are you scared to tell Jeff how you really feel??? Need some tissue???
kingdaddy
July 20th, 2012
5:55 pm
5150¢
Come back my brother…
Coach Hewitt...
July 20th, 2012
6:07 pm
I expected to lose at Clemson in 2003, for example, because half of the da*n team was suspended. Player discipline was NEVER limited to “running stairs or losing dessert privileges.” Enabling Odell Thurman? Richt kicked his a$$ off the team after a fight and then let him come back *a year later*… he was arrested for underage alcohol (shocker in a college town) and suspended for that. Then, Richt suspended him for three games in 2004 (including a crucial conference game against South Carolina) for another offense. Richt wasn’t enabling anyone, he was disciplining him. Odell screwed up in post-collegiate life.
Coach Hewitt...
July 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
Yeah, Mark Richt’s willingness to suspended or kick off a star player has come along way since the time when he was willing to suspend and kick off a star player.
Worst. Newspaper. Columnist. Ever.
5150 UOAD
July 20th, 2012
6:12 pm
Jeff….Yes I probably do.
A little too much Jack and a full day of watching Football it has happened.
5150 UOAD
July 20th, 2012
6:16 pm
KingDaddy having to work on Dinner.
Dixie Red Coat Band
July 20th, 2012
6:17 pm
Didn’t Capt. Superior say UGA gets lots of 5** and 6** recruits then coaches them down!!
5150 UOAD
July 20th, 2012
6:20 pm
Jeff would you ban me for this? I think not.
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Your comment is awaiting moderation.
July 19th, 2012
5:32 pm
Hey Water Girl make mine a Vodka and give me some tongue this time.
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larry bird was another poster showing his love for the old ball coach
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
July 19th, 2012
6:00 pm
Larry Bird wants some Vodka and Tongue from Spurrier.
5150 UOAD
July 20th, 2012
6:22 pm
Jeff…………Chip Towers blocked me for 2 posts. I can’t believe it.