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
Pin Worm
August 3rd, 2012
4:57 pm
Tyson – while I do not be a UGA fan I have to tell you that you are wrong in stating the Mark Richt is a jerk post. of all of the univeristy coaches in football – this guy Richt has heart in the right place. You can criticize for under acheivement and poor team when the uga should be good with facilities and fans and stadium – should never lose to a UCF or Colorado or Boise U. and Oklahoma State, and you are just to criticize for that …………. but he appears to be a very very good person. His teams underachieve and do not achieve greatness – but are good – which is frustrating for fans.
UGA should go in a different direction if they do not win the SEC east this year – of all years.
GTBob
August 3rd, 2012
5:06 pm
That being said, I bet even evillurks and GTBob were cheering as they watched the Olympics relay race where 2 Lady Dog swimmers led the U.S. to victory the other night.
Nope. Didn’t watch and didn’t cheer. If I would have known about it then I would have tuned in and cheered for someone else.
GTBob
August 3rd, 2012
5:07 pm
GT bob and techie male out in front of Chick Filet today… kissing !!!
Did you see us? That’s awesome. I didn’t know we were on TV.
fuzzybee
August 3rd, 2012
5:22 pm
Were these kids criminals before or after getting to UGA? If before, they should not have been recruited. If after, there is a thug culture in Athens and insufficient oversight. Either way there is a problem. It’s that simple.
Mark Emmert
August 3rd, 2012
5:28 pm
WTH kind of drug stays in your system for 2 years?
Gimme a break Dawg.
Joey
August 3rd, 2012
5:29 pm
I am a bit of a blogging addict, I’ll admit. I love UGA and have since I was born in Athens (By God) Georgia, But (hopefully) I’m done for a while. The hypocrisy of Mark Richt still as the coach at UGA is startling, and wearing on me, and I’m sick of him, so I will just continue to be be the best UGA fan in the world, and will ignore the HC.
We fired a HC right before Richt, who couldn’t control his players, but UGA continues to let Richt embarrass UGA, year after year, with the arrests, suspensions, etc eons more than his predecessor. And make no mistake, it is Mark Richt who is at the root cause of this.
The players do not fear him, obviously do not respect him, or return his “love” of them – hey – maybe it’s time for Richt to be a coach instead of the guy who “gives his patented hugs” when these guys committ to UGA. How about a firm handshake and welcome to UGA!
Richt is soft on his players – not when they make mistakes – they get the worst suspensions of any SEC (or the glorious ACC) schools. He is a re-active firing squad – suspend or kick them off the team!
But, is it not apparent that he has zero, PROACTIVE skills as a head coach? Think about it – the SEC Freshman of the year hauling around fresh-faced 18 year-old, brand new freshmen around at 3AM, with a loaded weapon in the car, and nobody, not the HC, not ANY assistant coach, knows about this?
Mark Richt is done – watch and see. Parents will realize he turns their kids loose, then when they err, he drops the hammer, like a hanging-judge. Mark Richt is a fine man, a good Christian man, but he is clueless on how to get the attention of a kid – and make him walk the line, until it is too late.
Look all around us, Dawg Fans – and don’t give me the Athens Police conspiracies – THEY don’t even respect or trust Mark Richt, or some of these arrests would become a ride home for these young men – as well as a lot of them should be.
Mark my words – Richt is coaching his last season – y’all wish him the best. I do.
I wish for him to win, and collect all that big money for his bonuses. I truely do.
Then I wish for him to pack his stuff and head to South America . . .
Mark Emmert
August 3rd, 2012
5:35 pm
Don’t fire Coach Richt. He’s a really nice guy, and I like his first name.
Around the Bowl, Down the Hole, Roll Tide Roll
August 3rd, 2012
5:37 pm
How can we be ranked preseason #6? Did we get a new coach and a new roster? Georgia always underperforms and this will be a season like all others. Guaranteed we finish with no big wins and a bunch of CMR apologists spewing excuses.
Mark Emmert
August 3rd, 2012
5:40 pm
Why complain? Just enjoy it while it lasts.
Slap on the wrist
August 3rd, 2012
5:41 pm
Poor Howdy Doody and sheeple dawg fans got their toes stepped on by Mr. NCAA who aint afraid to say who’s boss. He knows this kid is doing something wrong with some juice!
Mark Emmert
August 3rd, 2012
5:44 pm
Who you gonna believe? Coach Richt, or that lying P test?
Roid Dawg
August 3rd, 2012
5:48 pm
Got Juice?
AltamahaDawg
August 3rd, 2012
5:52 pm
Which 5 games will they lose, Insider?
Mark Emmert
August 3rd, 2012
5:57 pm
I’d guess:
Missouri
Tennessee
South Carolina
Florida
Auburn
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2012
5:57 pm
Joey,
Dang. Don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel!
DawginSewer
August 3rd, 2012
6:00 pm
Wees sists sallses seress dwags. Ruffs rugss. Fla Statess northes. Yeasssss
Delbert D.
August 3rd, 2012
6:04 pm
Quote from an article in the Columbus Ledger-Inquirer: “At some point, Houston sought help from someone who would later be labeled “an unscrupulous physician.”
Mark Emmert
August 3rd, 2012
6:09 pm
“Wees sists sallses seress dwags. Ruffs rugss. Fla Statess northes. Yeasssss”
Alumnus?
blazer
August 3rd, 2012
6:34 pm
Summer isn’t over yet!
Aaron
August 3rd, 2012
6:51 pm
UGA is not going to have anyone left to play.
Too bad you all made such a stink over oversigning…
Joe
August 3rd, 2012
6:54 pm
Well, you are correct, no news is the best news if you cannot say somethig positive. But, then probably no one would be satisfied unless you could find something bad to say about the team, the staff and the university or some player that got into trouble. But I guess that is what sells, well, I guess there are no newspapers anymore so. Just quit reporting bad stuff and report good news.
DawgDays
August 3rd, 2012
9:24 pm
Mark Emmert is an arrogant jerk…right on Bill, and this probably explains why he and the NCAA will not give UGA the time of day… Emmert, the former president of the University of Washington and chancellor at LSU, heck fire, why would he want a UGA player to play, when it could help them possibly against LSU in the SEC title game. It would be interesting to see how the NCCA has treated LSU over the last few years.
Bama fan
August 3rd, 2012
10:00 pm
“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.”
Hell we’ve been telling everyone for years that the NCAA acts in an arbitrary and capricious manner and doesn’t really care about “objectivity”. Why should they? They aren’t answerable to anyone and hence the arrogance and hubris of this organization. Seems people are starting to find out what a dictatorial type organization it is.
Techster
August 3rd, 2012
10:49 pm
Why would the NCAA ever trust the dog football program or cut it some slack? I mean it’s like the dogs average some embarrassing incident and/or an arrest a week.
Rowdy Red Pachyderm
August 3rd, 2012
11:31 pm
Funny how the NCAA is regal and splendid when it acts in a zealous and overreaching manner when it’s Alabama that is the focal point, but UGA plays the victim card every time when called out and their fans are no different to acting in a hypocritical manner as well.
It’s okay Auburn acts the same way, now go eat your oatmeal you earned it!
jocrazy
August 3rd, 2012
11:47 pm
i promise kids would not be locked up in the state of alabama like in ga. they r scared of what would happen to them football more important than life itself look around at the pros from alabama schools look how many have been locked up earned millions cant pay a bill now
Just the facts
August 4th, 2012
6:00 am
Georgia will always be…
just …
Georgia
AAAAA Athens Bail Bonds R Us
August 4th, 2012
7:13 am
Any more dawgs arrested today?
AAAAA Athens Bail Bonds R Us
August 4th, 2012
7:20 am
“Mark my words – Richt is coaching his last season.”
————————————————————-
On behalf of the bail bondsmen and lawyers of Athens, I sincerely hope you’re wrong about that. Mark Richt has been a boon for us.
Mike Franklin
August 4th, 2012
8:36 am
College football is no longer just a game; it’s full-scale political intrigue. UGA has so many detractors from around the SEC and at least one ACC team that getting an honest measure even from fan comments is all but impossible. Added to that are the sports networks that play the fans against each other for fun and profit. Combined, it almost makes the NFL seem like the better half of the sport.
So, yeah… no news is the best news until gameday.
BLT
August 4th, 2012
10:24 am
I feel bad for Kolton. I believe he has something in his blood stream a doctor gave him to help his recovery. Unfortunately it’s considered a banned substance. Seems like the doctor should be getting involved with this young man’s situation.
Why is it when Tech has a problem you guys are all pro-NCAA but when the shoes on the other foot you hate the NCAA? Nevermind, I know the answer. Have a great year! Except in late November.
GATiger
August 4th, 2012
10:31 am
Dawg Days, are you really suggesting Emmert is punishing UGA in to give an advantage to LSU because he used to work there? I guess Russell Shepherd should have been thankful he wasn’t suspended more than 3 games merely for talking to the press about an investigation. Maybe he’s overlooking something at Bama because he hired Saban at LSU – might as well throw that one out there as well. C’mon, man. You’re reaching.
GATiger
August 4th, 2012
10:39 am
As for the reference to “running back by committee” at LSU, Miles does it for two reasons – it promotes competition in practices and it keeps them fresh all season. If you see one of the top 4 getting fewer snaps in a game, chances he didn’t practice well during the week.
They produce good yds per carry averages for two reasons – OL strength and depth and Miles’ commitment to running. If LSU is averaging under 3 yds per rush in a game, they’re going to keep running until they wear down the defense.
Bo in North Carolina
August 4th, 2012
10:41 am
Techster, which program has been put on probation twice during the last ten years. Wasn’t it for playing ineligible players? Speaking of embarrasshment?
BLT
August 4th, 2012
10:51 am
Bama fan
August 3rd, 2012
10:00 pm
Good assessment of the NCAA. Kudos
extrapoint
August 4th, 2012
11:30 am
Have Houston drug screen follow the Federal Probation drug test standards. He probably would have been declared clean and could play.
GB's Hamburgers
August 4th, 2012
11:43 am
Dooly ultilized Herschell as a freshman. Spurrier does it as USC. What’s the deal with our offensive scheme that freshmen can’t play because it’s takes so much time to learn? After all, it’s just a first half offense anyway?
GB's Hamburgers
August 4th, 2012
11:56 am
If you have great players, why not just simplify your approach and dare those with lesser atheletes to stop it. The great Brave’s player Rico Carty said it best when asked about “his approach at the plate”.
He said, “The Big Boy … he see the balll ….. he hit the ball” I keep hearing about this player or that one “being behind and that another one has studied all winter, and should be better”. Why is our system so comlex. It doesn’t seem to get the best out of the players.
Stephen A.Dogg: Don't believe the hype. Just being realistic.
August 4th, 2012
1:05 pm
Clearly Georgia is not the number 6 team in the nation. There’s just too many questions to be answered on this team for even the most delusional of experts to rank the Bulldogs in the top ten.
GaDawg
August 4th, 2012
1:07 pm
I’m a little off topic here, but I just noticed that James Eunice player profile has been added to the UGA roster. I looked for it last season, and I am happy to see it there this year. James was the young man, from Valdosta, who had planned to “walk on” and earn a place on the team until he drown as the result of a fishing trip.
At his funeral, Coach Richt told his family that “James had made the team.” I thought, at the time, that his name should show up on the team roster, and now it has. Who says that wishes don’t come true?
Thank you Coach Richt!
Stephen A.Dogg: Let's be realistic not delusional UGA fans.
August 4th, 2012
1:48 pm
Being realistic Georgia may be a top 25 team on the strength of the defense. But it’s a defense plagued with multiple suspensions and questionable depth. Another issue at Georgia there appears to be more coaching accountability on the defense than on offense. That could lead to unbalanced performances by Georgia in big games such as what we witnessed in the last SECCG versus LSU. The thin O-Line has many questions concerning dependable starters and questionable depth. The Quarterback (Murray) plays well against inferior defenses, but can’t play to that same level against ranked opponents’ defenses. And his best WR (Mitchell) target is now going to be shuffled back and forth from offense to defense. Not good, now other receivers must play bigger. The running game has been consistent in one thing, losing its last three top backs for two years in a row. Samuels has a great team first attitude, but he is what he is. And the same can be said about Malcome but neither of them are 1st team all-SEC material. The depth at RB may have potential but it can’t be counted on until Gurley and Marshall gain the experience. What will be interesting to see if Richt can retain both of them in his system which has not been able to maintain top backs recruit by Richt recently. Even with the generous schedule, I hate to say it, but I see at least three losses and another bowl trip to Orlando. I hope Georgia proves me wrong. Go ‘Dogs !!
Just the facts
August 4th, 2012
2:19 pm
extrapoint
August 4th, 2012
11:30 am
Have Houston drug screen follow the Federal Probation drug test standards. He probably would have been declared clean and could play
==============
No, he would not. In fact, his levels are at the same levels of an athlete that is doping. Not saying he is, but that is the problem he faces. He cannot pass a drug test.
Rude awakening coming for
August 4th, 2012
2:28 pm
obsessed deiusional fans posting anti-Dog rants on here. Once the season starts that is. UGA will be taking no prisoners.
Stephen A.Dogg: Let's be realistic not delusional UGA fans.
August 4th, 2012
2:34 pm
I share Joey’s sentiments. He is a lifelong Georgia fan and was one before his conception. Saying Joey loves Georgia football is an understatement, it goes beyond that. He, like myself witnessed and shared in with that glorious 1980 Championship season and the following two year championship runs of 81 and 82. We’ve patiently waited over 30 years now for a serious national championship contender at Georgia. Since Dooley stepped down after the 88 season, Goff, Donnan, and currently Richt just couldn’t get it done. In his coaching prime Spurrier devastated all UGA hopes of a SEC title under Goff and Donnan. Poor Donnan recruited well but couldn’t beat Tech. Enter Richt as Spurrier departs and UGA wins two SECs in 02 and 05. Enter Urban Meyer and UF wins 2 MNCs in five years. Miles at LSU and even Chizik at Auburn wins a MNC. Now Saban at ‘Bama has 2 MNCs in less than five years and we at UGA are to be content with just a SEC East division title in the past seven seasons with all the discipline problems that plague the program? It’s been 12 years with Richt, who is now past his coaching prime with no national title for Georgia. I understand and share Joeys’ frustration each time I read the news or hear Finebaum dumping on UGA for another player being shipped out. At this point many UGA fans would rather have another fresh start at UGA than to keep on doing what’s being done under Richt. The general perception is Richt is a nice guy but will never win a MNC at UGA. But the overall question is why in the past 33 years has a program with all its resources failed to win at least one national championship? Alabama rotated head coaches until it got the one that met its expectations. Maybe Georgia should be as bold and do the same.
Stephen A.Dogg: Let's be realistic not delusional UGA fans.
August 4th, 2012
3:35 pm
The era of hiring a head football coach and giving him 15 to 20 years to win a national title is dead and gone. Georgia administrators have to wake up and accept that fact. The era of holding a coach simply because of a glorious winning percentage at a school is dead and gone. An expectation and goal of winning championships has to be set and the only way to meet that expectation requires proper sacrifices starting and ending with the head coach. It appears UGA is slowly waking up on it’s view of Richt by dropping the buyout on his contract. Just what has he done that was so great for UGA that they would be obliged to hold him a contract if he wanted to leave? Just what has Richt accomplished that was so great the school would pay him for years to come if it wanted to make a change, on top of the millions they have already paid him for no national titles? It’s all a gigantic waste and the NCAA should be working on reducing coaches salaries/eliminating buyouts. Many delusional fans have said if Dooley hadn’t been given the full fifteen years before Herschel showed up UGA would have never won a National Title. Some point to the fact it took Bowden almost 20 years to win a MNC at FSU. Who knows? All I can say is that was the way of thinking over four decades ago to stick with a coach for life. At this point in time it is a what have you done lately world. At certain school like Duke, you can go 6-6 and be rewarded. At Alabama, Georgia, LSU or Florida a 6-6 season would earn you a hotseat. Even Saban and Miles know they can’t go seven years at ‘Bama and LSU without major achievements.They have to win big consistently to stay or get out. Richt knows he has been blessed to remain at Georgia, but he has this year and maybe next to merit a stay at UGA.
Erk Russell's Dawg
August 4th, 2012
3:42 pm
@Pin Worm
PW, Georgia only scheduled the weak OOC schedule because of all the tough SEC western division teams on their schedule this year.Bama ,not this year we have to play mizzou instead ,LSU not on the schedule,played them in the dome last year at least for the first half.Arkansas no, forgot they were in the SEC. Well UGA still plays Auburn and ole Miss and the new Miss,I see why “The Ole Ball Coach “is whining about.
Seriously UGA’s OCC schedule is a joke ,GA, Southern is the decent football team UGA plays ,.Really Buffalo and FAU in the same season what a rip off for season ticket holders. Guess CMR does not want a repeat of last years opener against Boise State,
@Erk Russell
August 4th, 2012
5:47 pm
The Dogs are the only SEC team opening with an NFL opponent. Granted the Bills are mediocre, but are much better than the other patsies scheduled by ACC and SEC out of conference. Chan Gailey finally has a chance to beat the Dogs.
Buffy the Dawg Slayer
August 4th, 2012
7:21 pm
How many more UGA seasons have to come crashing down in shambles before Mark Richt is run out of town on a rail? Hmmm? When will the powers that be acknowledge that Richt is just a flim-flam con artist collecting a fat paycheck and laughing all the way to the bank?
whiskey breath
August 4th, 2012
7:29 pm
You pups ought to be asking the question,
Why are we just finding about Vasser
When it happened in may? Why dont
You ask RIcht?
Barnes
August 4th, 2012
7:47 pm
Georgia fans should get their heads out of the sand and stop blaming all their problems on the NCAA and the Athens-Clarke County Police.
The problem is Richt and his determination to keep recruiting low class trash like Crowell, King, and Ealey.