Best news for UGA fans would be no news at all
Kolton Houston can still practice with the Dogs while he's in NCAA hell. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
For the fans who follow UGA football, it’s just about gotten to the point lately where the only good news is no news.
Unfortunately, there was news aplenty at Mark Richt’s first press session of the season to mark the beginning of preseason camp.
So we learned that the rumors about much-needed offensive tackle Kolton Houston waiting out an NCAA suspension for failing a test for a banned substance were true, and that despite his family’s assertion that the drug was given to him by a doctor after surgery and considerable evidence that there’s been no reuse since 2010, the governing body of college athletics won’t let him play until it no longer shows up in his weekly blood tests.
Oh, and we also got confirmation that NCAA President Mark Emmert is an arrogant jerk. You got a measure of just how badly Emmert has gotten under the skin of UGA officials in the fact that they released correspondence between Greg McGarity and the NCAA chief. The UGA athletic director made an appeal for “a young man who’s done everything possible to clear himself,” only to have Emmert sneeringly reply that he’s “surprised the institution would make such a request” because, after all, they could have screwed the kid over even worse by applying additional sanctions for each test that still showed the drug in Houston’s system!
Ron Courson, UGA’s director of sports medicine, was blistering in his criticism of the NCAA as he noted “the most distressing aspect of this case is the appearance that no one at the NCAA actually cares enough about this case to truly look at it in an objective manner.”
Better watch out, Ron, or you might get slapped with a fine for not being deferential enough to Czar Emmert.
We also learned that yet another of Todd Grantham’s defensive starters will be missing the Missouri game. This time it’s Chase Vasser, suspended for the first two games of the season because of a May DUI arrest in Buckhead. Thanks to Cornelius Washington moving to defensive end, Vasser was listed as first-string at the outside linebacker spot opposite All-American Jarvis Jones.
Jones, who bypassed the NFL to return for what he believes could be a special season for the Dogs, sounded as optimistic as ever Thursday, noting “we know what we’re capable of,” but away from the spotlight he would certainly have a right to be pretty ticked off at the cavalier way some of his teammates seem to be approaching a great opportunity.
So far, the Georgia defense’s biggest obstacle appears to be the Georgia defense.
Otherwise, the comments from Richt and some of his players at Thursday’s press preview were pretty much what you’d expect. Watts Dantzler will start out replacing Houston on the OL, with incoming freshman John Theus backing him up. (If Theus isn’t starting by the South Carolina game, there’s going to be a lot of surprised college football experts.) … Richt will continue to employ a tailback-by-committee approach (he noted it worked pretty well for LSU), with the head coach saying true freshmen Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley having a chance to “possibly play big,” though “they have to beat out Richard [Samuel] and Ken [Malcome] first.” … Georgia’s placekicker will try to kick it out of the end zone, Richt says — except when the coaches deem a high directional kick more appropriate. (Ah, the legacy of Coach Fab lives on!) … And if anything happens to Aaron Murray, the redshirt comes off Hutson Mason at quarterback. (Cue the usual chorus from this forum’s Mason fan club.)
All in all, about the only positive coming out of Thursday was the return of the players to the Woodruff Practice Fields. Maybe now that they’re back practicing and classes are less than two weeks away, Georgia’s Bulldogs can actually focus on justifying their Top 10 preseason status, as confirmed Thursday by the USA Today coaches poll.
And quit shooting themselves in the foot.
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153 comments Add your comment
Al
August 3rd, 2012
3:13 pm
Hey GTBob
No wonder you do not post on the Yellow Maggots blog. I clicked on it and heard crickets chirping.
Well, have fun getting a rise out of everyone here, it seems to be working.
Richt's Conscience
August 3rd, 2012
3:16 pm
We will get him cleared on friday before we play the Gators.
Another Prediction
August 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
8-4 Losses to Missouri, Carolina, Florida and possibly UT (they get a signature win and we are likely the one). No way does this bunch make it back to ATL- look at history- when we have all the drama we have been having it has led to turnovers, poor playing and losses to team that we should be beating (Missouri, UT, Florida)……..until the head ball coach gets this under control (doubtful- he hasnt yet) and the AD seemingly looking the other way- we will continue to play well below our talent level.
Georgia is Vandy without the education
August 3rd, 2012
3:18 pm
Losses to Missou, Vandy, UT, Fl and the Barn.
Another potential "championship" season
August 3rd, 2012
3:24 pm
down the drain……….Thanks boys!
Scott
August 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
Another year, more excuses for Richt’s football team.
Scott
August 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
Another year, more excuses for Richt’s football team.
But WAIT!
August 3rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Can’t wait to hear Aaron Murray give us his “pep talk” and vision for the team this year. When will that be published in the AJC???????? I am sure it will include watching film, working on footwork, ignoring all the negitave, ignoring all the positive, keeping focused, blah blah blah
same story…different year……..MY money stops going down a black hole this year!
Fair n Balanced
August 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Good point. This program has issues. This team won’t win more than 9 games. I’m beginning to think an overhaul of the program is necessary. The players that are messing up have no self respect or respect for this program. It’s amazing also that there are no real leaders who can help turn the jerks around. This coaching staff just hasn’t got the leadership qualities to make champions.
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
Every year the TROLLS show up and predict doom and gloom for Richt.
Only 1 year out of 11 have the predictions actually been close to being right
evillurks is as stupid an individual as I have ever encountered on these blogs. Kolton Houston had shoulder surgery you moron. Before he ever arrived at UGA. He was given an injection into the shoulder that still shows traces in his body. There have been multiple tests showing that there have been no new injections of the drug.
He is not juicing. He is a victim of a doctor giving him something that he can’t get out of his system.
Now you go back to your bicycle pump and inflate your blow up doll date for tonight. Remember, you will still get a ticket if you and “sheila” are the only people in your car if you ride in the HOV lane. Get GTBob to tell you what you can do with the air valve for getting to 2nd base……………
Eat a Peach
August 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
I’ve heard nerd spread around on these blogs. What is a nerd!
CT
August 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Agree with DawginLex. Also, evillurks spelled ‘your’ wrong.
Techster
August 3rd, 2012
3:58 pm
Let’s see. You’re pointing the finger and placing the blame on the judge (NCAA) here? Better look in the mirror dog nuts.
Eat a Peach
August 3rd, 2012
4:02 pm
Wait, I’ve figure it out. You mean like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. Yea, whenever I need a good laugh I usually go their site !
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2012
4:03 pm
techster
How stupid are you?
Can you not read?
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:03 pm
I feel bad for Kolton, but after hearing another opinion on it today I’ve kind of changed my stance. He did the same thing that numerous MLB players did. He took the shot to help heal from an injury faster. Maybe his parents should have discussed this with the doctor a little more in-depth before they allowed this. He DID gain a competitive advantage by taking the steroid to heal faster, thus he should NOT be able to play before it’s out of his system. His fault? I think not. He got some bad advice/guidance.
Destin Dawg
August 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
GT bob and techie male out in front of Chick Filet today… kissing !!!
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2012
4:05 pm
Two and a half years later Beast?
He gained nothing in the way of an advantage
He was going to redshirt his freshman year because of the surgery anyway
By the beginning of last year, it should have been gone
McDawg
August 3rd, 2012
4:07 pm
we can absorb C. Vasser’s suspension
a DUI is going to cost $10,000 that should be enough motivation for anyone fottball player or not
McDawg
August 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
it was a tickle pile not a kiss in
Georgia is Vandy without the education
August 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
DuginLex the apologist, it doesnt take 2 1/2 years to get stuff out of your system. Dude is using something but hey we are used to they are picking on georgia stuff out of you.
Buckeye
August 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
Now that the silly season is over, and the dogs are no longer #1, I want to wish Vanderbilt and SC well.
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
Lex,
I hear you, but he did take a substance that is tested for and banned by the NCAA to heal faster than someone that does to take the banned substance. That is called a competitive advantage. If they change the rule for him then they open a whole can of worms nation wide. I’m no fan of the NCAA, but I now think they got this one right. The kid should never have been put in this situation by his doctor or parents. Not his fault and certainly not UGA’s.
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:10 pm
Vandy,
The substance CAN take as long as 36 months to leave the system. At least that’s what I’ve read the last few days.
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:11 pm
Should have read someone that does NOT take the banned substance. Love this IPad, but it sucks for typing.
Dawg Haus
August 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
This is a decent read on Kolton Houston: http://www.dawgsports.com/2012/8/3/3217778/kolton-houston-ineligibility-ncaa-hate
Holy Guacamole
August 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
I’m with others on here in that it would be helpful to have a medical opinion on why steroids still show up in your body after two and a half years. And, what do you have to do to get rid of them?
Additionally, the NCAA has always been a bunch of self serving jerks. It’s inconceivable to me that the president of the NCAA would make correspondance from the director of a member institution public concerning an ongoing situation involving a student athlete. No possible explanation for that except to embarass the institution.
I have stated before that college athletics needs a new governing body. The current one is beyond repair and I am now calling for the “death penalty” for the NCAA.
Energy Vampire
August 3rd, 2012
4:17 pm
I buy the kid’s story, but Emmert’s right. The NCAA can’t allow someone on the field of play who’s testing above levels allowed for PEDs, regardless of why or how it got there.
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:17 pm
UGA made the letter public. Not the NCAA. Go back and read the story from yesterday.
Spurrier was Right
August 3rd, 2012
4:19 pm
I recall Aaron Murray waxing poetic prior to the SEC Championship game on how he predicted it. No word if he also predicted throwing an Int for a TD & coughing up the ball for a TD vs Carolina but I digress.
I can’t wait to hear his vision for 2012. Let’s hear it now so we can have something to really laugh at during the season.
To quote yet another now infamous Dawg….”Cheers!” Signed, C. Vasser
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:20 pm
Also, I read that this particular type of drug lodges in the fat cells. I would think that would be even tougher for an o-lineman to get rid of than just about any other player due to their higher percentage of body fat. Heck, I would probably test positive for it for about 10 years…LOL!
AP
August 3rd, 2012
4:21 pm
So now I’m hearing more Penn State players are transfering but I guess Richt’s mishandling of this situation, making us look desperate, got him a hand slap from someone above him and UGA’s stance is now we aren’t interested. My guess is that someone in the athletic department or above isn’t too happy with St. Mark’s actions because we sure could use a couple transfers at his juncture!
Holy Guacamole
August 3rd, 2012
4:21 pm
Beast – I will. Sorry if I misread.
NCAA is still a bunch of self serving jerks only motivated by money and self aggrandizement.
Pin Worm
August 3rd, 2012
4:21 pm
WOW!!!!!! If Georgia loses to MO in a tight score early in the year – they can blame the stupid kids they have on their team that are suspended for the game.
5 starters out – that’s 45% of the starters out. What a bunch of numbskulls!
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
4:23 pm
Holy,
No problem and I do not disagree with your assessment of the NCAA…at all.
thank god jesus is on our side
August 3rd, 2012
4:31 pm
this stuff about houston is pure crap. he tested positive for ‘roids. if he doesn’t test positive, he plays. UGA needs to quit their whining and deal with it. why don’t they get the docs and figure out how to get the crap out of their system.
this whole situation might be easier if richt would recruit some offensive linemen. Never understood that philosophy. Load up on 5 star skill players but don’t get enough linemen to protect or block.
Wonder how good Joe montana would have been without Guy Mac, Randy Cross, Harris Barton and company up front? Wonder how good the Redskins would have been without the Hogs?
oh yeah, i forgot….with Mark Richt, we got jesus on our side. what am i worried about?
51 arrests in four years
August 3rd, 2012
4:32 pm
“… classes are less than two weeks away…”
————————————————–
Do remedial studies classes start the same time the real classes start?
Holy Guacamole
August 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Dawg Haus – you’re right, that was a good read on the Houston situation.
Top Row Dawg
August 3rd, 2012
4:38 pm
5 reasons to be optimistic………..
1) Of 120 seasons of football, Georgia has had 3 or less losses 60 times (50%). Counting the 4 loss season last year, Georgia has had 4 or less losses 88 times. Only 30 times has Georgia had 5 or more losses.
2) The most players ever drafted from Georgia is 8 in one draft. We have a legitimate shot to have 11 taken this year. Plus we have 9 more legitimate NFL players not yet eligible for the draft, but will probably be draft picks one day. That’s 20 future NFL players (Draft picks) on this squad.
3) We have 10 players returning from the #5 defense in America.They will all be on the field by the time we play South Carolina.
4) We have a QB that is almost halfway to being among the leading NCAA passing touchdown leaders of all time. Colt Brennan had 131 touchdown passes, Aaron Murray has 59.
5) We are favored by Las Vegas to win every game. 1st time I can remember that being case. Sure we have not beaten a Top Ten team lately, but we only play one team currently in the top 10 so that shouldn’t be as big a problem as one would think. And that Top Ten team has NEVER beaten Georgia three in a row EVER. If South Carolina is your toughest game, Praise the Lord!!!
I’ll add a bonus 6th reason, the Florida and Alabama trolls who frequently appear here every day show they are genuinely concerned over Georgia’s probable success. They must be concerned to take the time and make the effort to read the blog and feel compelled to make jealous comments. The more the merrier. Don’t take us serious. Overconfidence is a weakness.
Tyson
August 3rd, 2012
4:38 pm
NCAA is still a bunch of self serving jerks only motivated by money and self aggrandizement.
You almost got that right. The correct sentence is:
Mark Richt is still a self serving jerk only motivated by money and self aggrandizement.
I’m happy to correct your thinking.
Georgia is Vandy without the education
August 3rd, 2012
4:44 pm
TOP ROW
Pin Worm
August 3rd, 2012
4:45 pm
DawginLex – you are very much an apologist and drink way too much koolaid!
UGA football underachieves. They chase greatness but fall short under this coach. It just is not happening with Richt. He will provide good teams – and sometimes decent teams – but rarely bad teams. But not elite teams.
Last year – Four losses …..BOISE, South Carolina, LSU and Michigan State.
They only beat 2 or 3 good teams last year but they were not high quality Auburn and Florida – both in a down cycle – and maybe GT.
Tennessee and Vandy were not good teams – both had losing records – and Georgia barely beat both these teams.
So – if Richt and UGA do not win the SEC EAST this year – will you be ready for a coaching change?
The last 4 years of UGA football are no better than Jim Donnan years – good but not great with one really bad team (getting beat by a bad Colorado and UCF in the same year constitutes a really bad year)
At least Jim Donnan won all his bowl games. UGA is 0-2 in last two bowl games (UCF and Michigan State)
Wait, UCF beat UGA????? ha ….. ha ha ……ha ha ha……. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Then followed up with a loss to ………. BOISE! ha ….. ha ha …… ha ha ha ……………. hahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahaha!
too funny – I make myself laugh!
Georgia is Vandy without the education
August 3rd, 2012
4:46 pm
Top Row you are like the rest of the delusional humpers, UGA will lose to Missou, Vandy, SC, UF, the Barn and maybe Ole Miss. Our only hope is that Richt is not fired.
George Zimmerman
August 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
UGA barely beat the worst Gator team since before Spurrier who had a 1 legged QB. I cannot wait for you to have a 5 loss season.
51 arrests
August 3rd, 2012
4:50 pm
Please document. Just repeating something over and over does not make it true, as much as some of you would like it to. Here is the deal: verify this, and I will eat crow. If you can’t, how about manning up and admit you were misleading people. That sounds like a fair deal to me.
Dawg Haus
August 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
Happy to share, Holy Guacamole!
Vanderbilt is Georgia without the football team
August 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
There, fixed it for you, and makes as much sense as what you posted.
Pin Worm
August 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
DawginLex – what will you apologize for when UGA gets beat by South Carolina and Florida this year? Will you still think UGA needs to keep their staff in place?
OOC schedule includes Buffalo, FAU, GA Southern and GT. If I am UGA fan – I do not mind GA Southern before GT as it will help prepare and it helps out a fellow in state school.
But Buffalo and FAU in the same year?
fuzzybee
August 3rd, 2012
4:53 pm
Top Row, with spin like that you should be presidential press secretary.
Losses to Mizzou, Vandy, SC...........
August 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
As a compassionate Georgia fan, I hope you are not a gambling type. If you are, well, baby ain’t getting that new pair of shoes this year.