What, if anything, would losing Da’Rick Rogers mean to UGA?
Da'Rick Rogers: If he's a Vol, is Signing Day sunny for Georgia? (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Vince Dooley, who knew a thing or two about recruiting and about winning, said of the former: “It’s the way you win in the offseason.” And if that’s the case, would Da’Rick Rogers’ apparent defection to Tennessee — esteemed colleague Chip Towers has the breaking news — constitute a loss? A 45-19 sort of loss?
On the one hand, you can’t lose what you never actually had. On the other, Rogers is considered the best player in the state and is rated No. 9 nationally by Rivals.com. He’d committed to Georgia last summer. Bulldog fans — and Bulldog coaches — had been counting on him for a while. But now it appears he’ll be a Vol instead, and if that’s the case he’ll have spurned a program that has won 90 games in nine seasons for one that changed coaches last month.
I’m headed to Athens for tomorrow’s Signing Day doings, but on SD Eve I wanted to ask you folks: If Rogers does wind up signing with Tennessee — he’s scheduled to make his announcement at 9:45 a.m. at Calhoun High — does that take the fizz off Georgia’s recruiting class? Is this a loss? A Big Loss? Or is it no loss at all?
And with that, the floor is open for what I know will be our usual erudite discussion. Thanks in advance.
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568 comments Add your comment
Bravissimo
February 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
MB…it dosnt invalidate what he did at UF at all. Every college QB isnt cut out for the NFL.
UGA Fan
February 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
Mark, we called him one as much as we do about your journalism.
DawgLink
February 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
don’t be a hater – You obviously support Tennessee so I don’t even care what you think. You all can have all the problems that the duo of Rogers and Nance give. Us Georgia fans can make it without Rogers. My personal dissatisfaction is with Bradley.
Mark Bradley
February 2nd, 2010
8:48 pm
Oh, and the offending post on the Tuberville rumor is still up — it’s just no longer presented in what we call the column widget. (That happens whenever I post something new on a particular topic. The Tuberville rumor post stayed up eight days because I hadn’t written anything about Georgia since then.)
That said … did you even read what I wrote? Was this not the penultimate paragraph? “I don’t see any way Georgia is looking for a coach next December. LSU, maybe. Not UGA.”
Go Dawgs
February 2nd, 2010
8:49 pm
Last june he selected a school to go to and had a press conference and that was it! KNOW he is calling himself “pretty boy” and telling people to follow him on twitter! And in a week just drop a school for another that does not have a complete coaching staff! New offense and so on!!
ga gator
February 2nd, 2010
8:49 pm
kerryb, I don’t think the majority of the problem was Cox, he had several great games. I saw the problem of King being inconsistent and the coaches being reluctant to put Ealey in the game. When they finally did play him he was great and it seemed to push King to play better as well. Seems the offensive line didn’t gel until mid season.
don't be a hater
February 2nd, 2010
8:49 pm
KC in athens – no I just think this it is so funny to listen to all the pathetic rationalizations. As a gator living in ATL, it just cracks me up to listen to all the dogs at the office or on the course, and to read all these posts. GA fans are always so delusional about how great they are, and what a great program they have, they can’t read the writing on the wall. Why can’t GA fans just admit they are a middle of the pack SEC east team. If they did that it would be the boring truth, and I would have to go find some other entertainment. You can’t even keep in state guys that had been commited for year from leaving you for TN which is in shambles, but I guess that program looks better that yours to Da Rick.
Dawgs2009
February 2nd, 2010
8:50 pm
Everything changed in December when he laid an egg in the AA State Championship game. That was not a 5-Star performance. Not even a 3 star.
Plus, I think the fine people of Georgia have had enough of DIVAS after MeAngelo Hall with the Falcons….and to a lesser extent Joe Horn.
Jeff
February 2nd, 2010
8:50 pm
You convince yourself of that.
If you think for a second that CMR redshirted quarterbacks that could have helped him win last year, but instead, just for sh#ts & giggles, decided to play Joe Cox, have a mediocre year culminating with a bowl game in Shreveport and put himself on the hotseat–then, I’d love to sell you a bridge or two.
KC in Athens
February 2nd, 2010
8:51 pm
Mark, yes he’s a great player and Georgia fans generally wish they had him. But his switching could be indicative of commitment, discipline or other issues we don’t know about. In other words, he may not have been the right guy. And since he’s in the spotlight, we can’t ignore his apparent lack of commitment to grades and graduation.
don't be a hater
February 2nd, 2010
8:52 pm
DawgLick – you dissatisfaction should be with CMR for losing a stud from GA to TN. Why can’t you admit when GA lost out and you coach has issues. Don’t be such a hater.
Herschel Talker
February 2nd, 2010
8:53 pm
MB:
That is a fair question, but often it takes these kinds of experience to see the prima donna come out. This guy has self-centered, obnoxious bust written all over him. Let’s put it this way. If someone can spurn 8 months of a commitment to go where his emotions take him after a week, do we really think this guy was going to have the work ethic and humility to get it done? How often do these last- minute switches really pan out? That kind of character goes hand-in-hand with the lack of humility and work ethic to get it done on the field. I am more than confident that this guy will be a bust.
kerryb
February 2nd, 2010
8:53 pm
Everyone is acting like this is a horrible class and it’s not. We got three good OL, three and possibly four four star DL, two head hunting safeties, a safety from Fl than bleeds red and black, and a solid power running back. Everyone is talking about CMR closing the deal forget that he signed a top five class last year and most of those players redshirted. Guys like Kawame Geathers who is going to be a beast in the middle of that 3-4 line. People forget that our new DC came in at the end of the game and got a late start. If we don’t sign bit 10-15 players it means that next year Grantham can load up on the recruits that he identifies for his defense and has a year to build a relationship with the. He already has a committment from a safety for next year. I think UGa’s program is about to take off and we did’nt need a selfish WR on this team and in the locker room. We are better off without him.
KC in Athens
February 2nd, 2010
8:53 pm
Hater, your obsession with Georgia astounds me, and now the truth comes out. Why don’t you inform some buddies of your displeasure on the golf course, instead of safely and anonymously doing it on Bradley’s forum.
bhumpdawg
February 2nd, 2010
8:53 pm
Goodbye Darick you are a punk anyway, ask anybody that saw him play.
kerryb
February 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
Gagator I agree with the point you made, maybe I was a liitle hard on Cox. Jeff, Cox did play well the first half of the season. He struggled at the end and by then it was too late to pull the redshirt off of two QB’s.
roy
February 2nd, 2010
8:55 pm
it’s interesting that the coach says “he wasn’t at school again today”. Is it not a problem that he cuts school on a regular basis? What is this, Friday night lights?
IlliniDawg
February 2nd, 2010
8:55 pm
Maybe I’m operating on very limited information, but everything I’ve read and seen about this guy over the past couple months makes him seem more like a Michael Irvin or Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco; while AJ Green srikes me as a Lynn Swann or Hines Ward or Larry Fitzgerald.
I’d rather have a relatively unsung guy who plays with guts and overachieves and doesn’t seek the limelight, than a preening prima-donna always drawing attention himself and making excuses – no matter how good he may end up being. Ask teammates of Irvin, Owens, or Ocho, and they’ll tell you how much energy these guys sap from the chemistry of the team. Meanwhile, guys like Swann, Ward, and Fitzgerald – with much more modest expectations – play through injuries, make sacrifices for the team, and boost morale.
This may end up being “addition by subtraction”.
Mark Bradley
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
I was wondering that myself, Roy. Do you get an excused absence for that?
crusher dawg
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
How can it hurt us. It might actually help. Think about the word commitment. If Rogers has been taught that it is okay to not follow through on your commitments then he will not be much of a man when he gets older. After all he already shunned Darlington High for Calhoun. Guess they didn’t meet his criteria either. Who wants him? I’m sure that there are other players that would love to have his place at Georgia and do a better job because they are committed to make it a better program.
CollegeParkDawg
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
Im sick of seeing all the top talent in the state skate outside the lines. Look at Texas or Florida, they keep every blue chipper in state. Damn Shame!
mcdaviddawg
February 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm
The train wreck of the 09 season continues. It’s not going to get better until we have new coaching. There is no work ethic in Athens. It show in the games recruiting of players and coaches. All the fizz is gone from Richt, What we have left is any empty shell. Accepting whats going on does no make you a great dawg fan. And being fifth or 6th in the recruiting in the SEC will not get us much of anything. And since we don’t coach palyers up what can we hope to get out of a subpar group.
foxandcoon
February 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm
Mark, I don’t know a lot but the Nance’s involvement in this young man’s recruiting just does not pass the smell test. And, I don’t think Coach Lamb is real happy about how UT went about it’s business either. I would like to be a fly on the wall the first time a UT coach has to meet with Coach Lamb…
ThatDawg'llBiteYou
February 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm
GoJackets:
Richt had a “terrible season?”
Not against Tech.
Dogfan
February 2nd, 2010
8:59 pm
Ever since the Dawgs offered Hutson Mason, Mike Nance, the father of recent Tennessee commitment Nash Nance, has been upset with CMR. He has acknowledged in emails that all it took to get flipper (Da’rick), was to sign his son Nash. No big surprise here. but it is interesting that Mike Nance bought Da’rick a car after Nash Nance committed to Tennessee. A good rule of thumb in recruiting is to stay away from players who attend multiple high schools.
Chipped Tires
February 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm
MB…..If CMR gets a beatdown from UT in Sanford Stadium you can bet your sweet bottoms that CMR’s bottom will be on the hot seat.
Jeff
February 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm
The answer to the question that has been repeatedly asked–”Who wants him?”, including just now by crusher dawg, is:
EVERY SINGLE GA FAN, up until the point, of course, that he decided to go somewhere else. Now he’s an overrated, gutless, uncommitted prima donna.
heywood...
February 2nd, 2010
9:01 pm
we’re stacked at receiver. screw him, i say. if he doesn’t make the
grades it will be poetic justice.
mark, speaking of poetic, heard from willie martinez and his limericks
lately?
Hididdlydog
February 2nd, 2010
9:01 pm
Sure it hurts, he’s a five star receiver and the top recruit in the State. But he’s probably due a large dose of Ryan Perilloux style karma and the University of Georgia will continue to exist after he’s long gone. Plus, who are we to separate two manly lovebirds like him and Nance?
D.Ellis
February 2nd, 2010
9:01 pm
Of course it hurts. It;s the #1 ranked player in your state.
Dawgs have a stable of very young very capable WR’s. D. Rogers will do great at UT. He is a great player…but if he doesn’t want to be a DAWG then so be it. Good luck
I for one love the class we have coming in with the sleeper being KEN MALCOME…..
Boss Dog
February 2nd, 2010
9:01 pm
Mike..yeah that was what I was just thinking at how cool breeze this Punk looks with a damn Diamond in his ear already and shades???????????????? Get real .If he came to Georgia he would ruin the whole team just like Terrell Owens did for every team he went to ..One BOY dont stop no show..Damn sure aint no man in that Jitter bug
kerryb
February 2nd, 2010
9:02 pm
Enter your comments here
private plane watching
February 2nd, 2010
9:03 pm
CHARLOTTE DAWG- sounds like you are having a bad day– how about a bad YEAR!
You are classless UGAY fan.
andrewotmail.com
February 2nd, 2010
9:03 pm
doesn’t mean a thing. But, the dooleys are all dead top me. I am actually glad the field was not named after vince and I love Adams now for forcing him out.
DawgInDC
February 2nd, 2010
9:04 pm
Is it true that da rick won’t qualify? dude is ochocinco part deaux….he’s not all that…
Bride of Chucky Knapp
February 2nd, 2010
9:05 pm
The red Kool-Aid tastes better than the orange store-brand presweetened drink.
IlliniDawg
February 2nd, 2010
9:05 pm
CollegeParkDawg:
Uh… so what about Stafford (Texas)? And Terrell Davis (CA)? And Moreno (NJ)? And Aaron Murray or Orson Charles (FL)? No state keeps all of their talent. You just can’t keep ‘em all. But you sure hope that you only lose the ones you really ddn’t want or need.
MauiDawg
February 2nd, 2010
9:06 pm
Da’Rick has to be out of his freakin MIND to go to UT!!! The reasons are so unbelievable and too many to count. Da’Rick may not qualify academically anyways…who knows. This ordeal has some stink to it that I hope the NCAA investigates into the UT program and the Nances
DawgInDC
February 2nd, 2010
9:06 pm
mark, why don’t you blog about tech’s #46 ranked recruiting class and how they will suck next year because of the attrition.
Falcon 34
February 2nd, 2010
9:06 pm
Mark – After asking all of us our thoughts, what’s yours on this whole situation? Honestly, I used to love recruiting season and signing day, but if these rankings guaranteed SEC or National Championships we’d have at least two more to the mix by now, but no we don’t.
Anyone remember Jasper Sanks, Marquis Elmore, or Na’derrius Ward?
BTW Mark, Nightswimming is one of the all-time best songs by any artist ever (REM is my favorite band) BUT the next track “Find the River” has to be one of the most under-rated songs in the history of music.
Great work as always MB, you’re a true joy to read.
ga gator
February 2nd, 2010
9:09 pm
Dogfan, didn’t Caleb King go to multiple High Schools?
UGA/UT Grad
February 2nd, 2010
9:09 pm
Folks, why so much venom and animosity? After all, this is an 18yo kid making decisions based on whatever criteria he chooses. The sun will still shine in Athens eventually, just as it will in Knoxville. Last year, the shoe was on the other foot with Marlon Brown so UT was due to win one. All of you supposed grown-ups should be ashamed for some of the crap you’re wishing on this kid.
paul johnson
February 2nd, 2010
9:10 pm
The word out of Calhoun is Coach Lamb is pissed. Told the old man to take the kids somewhere else wed. morning. Not welcome at Calhoun.
Harry the Hat
February 2nd, 2010
9:11 pm
It’s UGA.
Who cares?
ryan
February 2nd, 2010
9:12 pm
I think all Tenn fans should not get excited about Rogers yet from what i am hearing about him is he may not have the grades to get up there . And also it sounds like he was payed off buy Nance’s dad too.
WAG
February 2nd, 2010
9:13 pm
DONT BE A HATER!!! I WOULD NEVER WISH DEATH ON ANYONE. URBAN IS A HELL OF A COACH. IM JUST SAYING FLORIDA MAY HAVE PROBLEMS OF THEIR OWN.
willie martinez
February 2nd, 2010
9:13 pm
Mark, you have to remember that Tebow didnt face Georgia at its defensive best.
C.C. LESTERS
February 2nd, 2010
9:14 pm
GAY GAYTOR
Beef Cake AKA Mutt Kicker
February 2nd, 2010
9:14 pm
Yeah, the mutts will never recover….
TrueDawg
February 2nd, 2010
9:14 pm
Let’s get this straight. The non-fringe UGA fans realize you will not get every player in your state, not even the best. Too many come out of GA for UGA to get them all. It isn’t the fact that Da’Rick is flipped to UT that has most UGA fans I know upsset, it is the apperance of tampering by the Nance family that is the issue. It appears that Nance leveraged Da’Rick to get his son a scholarship. I don’t blame UT for offering both a scholarship. I am sure after the Kiffin fiasco they figured that had a scholarship to burn on Nash givne they were going to lose several players.
If Nance did influence this move and it was illegal by NCAA rules, I am sure it will come out eventually.