Another UGA tailback out; Carlton Thomas suspended at least one game
Georgia tailback Carlton Thomas, the Bulldogs leading returning rusher from last season, will miss the Boise State game due to suspension for a team rules violation. (AJC photo by Bob Andres/bandres@ajc.com)
Athens — There’s another reason Georgia felt the need to move Richard Samuel to tailback. Carlton Thomas is suspended for at least the first game of the season.
The rising junior from Frostproof, Fla., violated team rules back in the spring, three persons familiar with the situation confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. As per Georgia Athletic Association student-athlete policy, Thomas has to sit out 10 percent of scheduled games this season.
The Bulldogs play 12 games this season, including the season opener against Top-10-ranked Boise State in the Georgia Dome. Most recently that has resulted in one-game suspensions, though Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity declined to specify.
“If we have any announcements regarding suspensions, they’ll be made at the appropriate time,” said McGarity, declining further comment.
Had Georgia not moved Samuel from linebacker to running back, it would have had only redshirt freshman Ken Malcome and true freshman Isaiah Crowell on scholarship at tailback. Neither, of course, has played in a college game.
Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, Georgia’s top two rushers each of the last two seasons, each have left the program since the end of spring practice.
Thomas (5-foot-7, 175 pounds) has played in 17 games the last two seasons, including one start last season against Colorado. He is the Bulldogs’ leading returning rusher from last season with 272 yards and two touchdowns.
Indications are Thomas’ infraction occurred before Georgia’s announcement this summer that King would be ineligible this season. Interviewed this past Friday, Thomas talked about serving as a leader as the most experienced member of Georgia’s backfield.
“I pretty much take it as I’m the back with the most experience, the most game-time experience, the most knowledge at the position,” Thomas said. “So I take it as a challenge to lead the group. That’s what I try to do every day. I try to be positive, I try to be motivated and try to give them somebody whose going to push them as much as they push me. We’re trying to get the best out of every guy.”
Thomas’s suspension continues an alarming rate of attrition for the running backs under the watch of position coach Bryan McClendon. Ealey was indefinitely suspended and eventually granted an unconditional release due to mutual discontent and King was unable to meet the NCAA’s satisfactory progress rule for fifth-year seniors. Now Thomas has run afoul of team policy.
No specific reason was given for Thomas’ suspension. A 10 percent-competition suspension can be applied for missing excessive academic appointments, arrests or flunking a drug tests. No record of arrests could be found.
Last Thursday, Georgia moved Samuel linebacker back to tailback, where he played his first two seasons. Samuel started six games as a sophomore before falling behind Ealey and King on the depth chart. He moved to linebacker and redshirted last season after a minor knee injury.
|– Chip Towers
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423 comments Add your comment
East Repeat
July 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Yea, Garcia is scary and who knows if he will be solid this year. But don’t descend into the muck, Dawginlex. got a little personal and i know that is not your style. Suwanee Dawg, we post here because we live here (metro Atl). Also, all South Carolina info is behind a pay wall. Best thing about AJC are these sports post boards. Seems like The State in columbia would realize this and do something similar.
Tiger in the Valley
July 18th, 2011
2:40 pm
D BAG TROLLS!
July 18th, 2011
2:38 pm
THANKS TO ALL FOR HAVING THE DAWGS ON THE BRAIN EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE. ITS GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG! EVEN BETTER WHEN YOUR RIVALS ARE THINKING ABOUT YOUR BELOVED TEAM EVERYDAY!
RB POSITION WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST IN SEC! NO WORRIES HERE, WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO WORRY ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT UGA IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
___________________________________________________________________________________
Act like you have been there before. That post is just ignorant.
Mad Dog One
July 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
@killy of the valley
In one of your early post (one of a thousand) you had the b@#$ to call the U.G.A. fans red necks. I would like to know how someone from the great state of bamer that one (BIG A) school has a box of tide & a roll of toilet paper for school pride and one (small a) rolls their own trees (I think you are supposed to roll the other team’s trees just saying). I don’t think your thoughts carry much weight do you?
DawginLex
July 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
It just strikes me as odd(and maybe typical for these blogs) that SC’s key to their season has been suspended and reinstated 6 times for things far worse than anything anyone at UGA has done yet we get 400 blog hits over our undersized 4th string tailback getting suspended for 1 game for missing class.
Ringleader
July 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
Tiger………….Just for your info…..The barking started on 1-1-1983 in Dallas Texas……..and it was by the team in the tunnel waiting to run out on the field. The high for the day was 23, and as they
say……it is still 10 to 9 in Dallas.
Yep, that was the same day you got Tie-Dye in the Sugar, what an embarassment..
Mobile Dawg
July 18th, 2011
2:45 pm
Thanks Tiger, not only do I go into your stadium, but married into your family a few years back. UGA and AU are not that much different.
I haven’t heard anything on Jenkins, but I’m not in the best of positions these days. I have a couple of sources close to the heart of the UGA program but honestly don’t get together with them but once every few months in a business environment. As we grow older our lives and situations change, the things that used to be really important, not as much now. I worry more about where our country is headed than our program. Just as vocal there by the way.
I share your views on what we wish for the youth of our country, those on and off the field. It seems we continue to go in the opposite direction of where we need to be heading, my perception.
doUche bGA
July 18th, 2011
2:46 pm
Glad he was wearing his own shirt
King Gator
July 18th, 2011
2:47 pm
WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO WORRY ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT UGA IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
——
What you wanted to say is UGA will finish “in the back” of the SEC East! Go Gators!
bowdondawg
July 18th, 2011
2:50 pm
@ tiger in the valley. News flash only two players have left and only 2 suspensions. One suspension has nothing to do with UGA other than he transferred here and this suspension with Thomas is still not known. As for the 2 who left, one couldn’t stay out of trouble so CMR let him leave and the other couldn’t handle the workouts with his leg. Next time you comment please know what your talking about or maybe not comment at all troll
Mobile Dawg
July 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
Spurrier’s been a good coach over the years. His achilles heel may be his emotion and temperment. He might be just a little quick on the trigger when he yanks a guy. I think the outcome of two games could have been different had he “dressed down” Garcia for his mistakes, vs pulling him. I could be wrong, he makes the big bucks.
Hit A Single
July 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
College football and college basketball are both so corrupt it is pitiful. Thanks to the players that go to the school because of their love for the university and ones that want to carry on tradition. I wish we could get rid of the kids that go to the school that gives them the most handouts and could care less about the school. The ones that are in it just for themselves. I know this will never happen with the spoiled boosters we have.
Tiger in the Valley
July 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
Ringleader
July 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
Tiger………….Just for your info…..The barking started on 1-1-1983 in Dallas Texas……..and it was by the team in the tunnel waiting to run out on the field. The high for the day was 23, and as they
say……it is still 10 to 9 in Dallas.
Yep, that was the same day you got Tie-Dye in the Sugar, what an embarassment..
_________________________________________________________________________
We all have bad days. Just like UGA in The Liberty Bowl on December 31st, 2010.
But we should all learn lessons from those days. Apparently some in the Bulldawg nation have the minimal vocabulary requirements to carry on a conversation and barking is their only option.
Tiger in the Valley
July 18th, 2011
2:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh1Er9KKutw
Jimmy Crack
July 18th, 2011
2:58 pm
Don’t other schools have the writing capacity for their own blogs? Just wondering because after reading a techie rambling about how this is not our year (or some such dreck), I went onto the Tech blog to say something and there were a total of 4 comments on a page that was half a day old. What’s up with that? I didn’t put anything on their blog because somehow it felt stupid and dorkish of me to inject a comment into their horrible little world. Maybe it is the emptiness of their own blogs that drives them to an interesting one like the University of Georgia, by God.
CDAWG
July 18th, 2011
2:59 pm
At this rate we will be suiting the Cheerleaders up. Richt has to get control of his team and it looks like he is doing it, look at past years and all the personal, unnecessary fouls that have hurt this team on the field.
Mark (another one)
July 18th, 2011
3:01 pm
RS deciding to move to running back makes me feel confident we will have an experienced running back to start the season. This kid has never caused trouble and has a prioirity of getting on the field in any capacity. I didn’t see Thomas as much more than a change of pace back unless he has added 20 lbs of muscle.
Apostle
July 18th, 2011
3:04 pm
I am getting a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach this year is going to start badly and go down from there.I hope I’m wrong….
RedandBlackDAWG
July 18th, 2011
3:04 pm
Mobile Dawg,
So coaches can not change over time then. No mistake can be corrected. You also need to get off of this Kool Aid thing you spout. At my age, I stick to coffee, and diet Coke, so it is not for me. Gloom and doom gets old after a while.
easnoddy
July 18th, 2011
3:05 pm
Sorry UGA fans, but this STARTS AT THE TOP. I don’t think UGA is dirtier than any other school in the SEC, but there is a SYSTEMATIC discipline problem at UGA. Richt does nothing to instill discipline, instead he is reactionary. This will continue as long as Mark Richt is your head coach. Sorry.
Atlanta87
July 18th, 2011
3:09 pm
@ Mobile Dawg There is a difference between games and game’s! One is plural and the other shows ownership. Looks like you didn’t get your education at UGA “higher learning” either
Here’s a website if you need help.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/using-apostrophes-to-show-possession.html
Mr. SEC
July 18th, 2011
3:17 pm
UGA, I’m still as loyal now as when I played there; please contact me. I will behave and do my work, study, keep my mouth shut, be a team player, stay out of trouble with the law, honor my commitments to my coaching staff and team members.
Crap, I don’t have any eligibility left! Can you sneak me in, other SEC schools do? Oh I forgot, the NCAA only will punish UGA for anything.!
Never mind the above; just throw the damn ball and maybe, just maybe the OL will block this year!
DawgByte
July 18th, 2011
3:19 pm
John Jenkins played some RB at Miss. Gulf College. We may be calling on on Mount Jenkins to tote the rock! LOL
BigTimeTechFan
July 18th, 2011
3:19 pm
I don’t see this as any big deal, having your 3rd or 4th string RB suspended one game will not hurt much unless the other RB’s get hurt or something before then.
UGA should beat Boise St pretty bad regardless.
Can’t wait till the games start so we can talk about the games instead all this off season stuff.
Dawg'88
July 18th, 2011
3:20 pm
Hey Chip
how is it that the ajc couldn’t scoop the fact that Yech was being investigated for major violations and ultimately lose their ‘09 title and yet can figure out when a 5′ 10″ fourth team tailback is about to be suspended?
Amazing…the bias at your rag is unreal.
Then it gets plastered all over the place and people like JS start his usual vile ripping of everything UGA. Shoot if a player spit on the sidewalk at UGA the ajc would be all over it. A yech player could steal $5000 from an old lady and it would barely be reported.
Catch the guy with a splinter in his eye and ignore the guy with a beam sticking out of his.
Dawg'88
July 18th, 2011
3:24 pm
easnoddy,
so by your account Paul Johnson is to blame for the having the ACC title taken away…right?
and lets say that CT is going to be suspended for a game for being late to team meetings. CMR suspends him.
What else should he do? How is his fault that a young adult can’t be on time? Really, you just hate CMR and are looking to join the bitch and moan parade. Find another place to rip on someone because your thoughts are irrelevant and stupid!
shankit
July 18th, 2011
3:27 pm
Short yardages, bring in our new Refrigerator.
Dawg'88
July 18th, 2011
3:28 pm
Tiger…don’t even start with all of the crap that goes on in your program.
Glass house dweller…hold onto your stone.
edumacated
July 18th, 2011
3:29 pm
I would rather Richt lose every game this year than win 7 or 8, which is what any moron could do with the talent in Athens. At least then we can get somebody else. Who? I don’t care. There, I said it. If you don’t like it, tough.
LoyalDog
July 18th, 2011
3:32 pm
Carlton Thomas, a leader, give me a break. He is delusional. His behavior is not one of a leader and he is not a very good running back either. Suspend him for two games. Then sit his rear end at the end of the bench. Richard Samuel will be fine and I like his attitude. Boo Malcome will show up too. He has good character too. I say go with the character guys win or lose. Get rid of the jerks.
They do not care about their teammates, the coaches, nor The University. Shoot, give the ball to Figgins. Just block and be a team for once.
guy
July 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
Which head are these boys thinking with? UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!
tigersarepathetic
July 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
Really Tiger in the valley? The name says it all. Go back to the Warcraft blog
Dawg Tired
July 18th, 2011
3:36 pm
Time for Richt to go. We’ve seen the results of his “saving the world” in the last couple of weeks. Perhaps he needs to focus on … hmmmm… the University of Georgia football team? He can save kids in Honduras when he retires. This crap is getting old.
Luscious
July 18th, 2011
3:39 pm
No worries…I am walking on ASAP. I am 45 yes old and haven’t used any of my eligibility. I know that studying and keeping academic appointments are important. I DO NOT ride a scooter under any circumstances and the only thing I might steal are your French fries. Damn…I think I can do this!!!
savh dawg
July 18th, 2011
3:44 pm
Put a white kid at tailback
really
July 18th, 2011
3:47 pm
So a kid misses a curfew or a class and its Richts fault? Some folks need to get a grasp on reality.
Marcus
July 18th, 2011
3:49 pm
Dont sleep on Ken Malcolme. A beast in high school. Red shirted last year, so he has gotten bigger and stronger.
'bout time!
July 18th, 2011
3:49 pm
It hurts in the short term, but we have got to clean out the unmotivated. And, please – no dancing on the sidelines this year. Just run, hit and tackle. Party after the game.
"
July 18th, 2011
3:55 pm
Enter your comments here
Dawg Tired
July 18th, 2011
3:56 pm
This crap must cease. Throw his sorry butt off the team.
25th CAB Army Dawg
July 18th, 2011
3:57 pm
To Aubarn and GAYtor fan, talk that $h!t after the season is done. Can’t wait to see what you record looks like. Thats for caring enough to show up on your rivals blog. Grow the h*** up.
Gary
July 18th, 2011
4:00 pm
I continue to be bullish about the defense this year. If they do as good a job at stopping teams and creating turnovers as I think they can, the offense will not have to outscore everyone this year. That should give our offense a short field to work with on a consistent basis and this offense, even with the shortage of backs, should be able to score a couple of touchdowns and our special teams can do the rest. It aint over, I still think the SEC East is ours to take.
Wait till next year...
July 18th, 2011
4:00 pm
Don’t worry, we have Dream Team 2 forming fast…
FL dawg
July 18th, 2011
4:04 pm
These guys know what’s expected of them. Yeah UGA and CMR run a tight ship,if you don’t like it become an Auburn, USC, Ohio St., etc. fan.
Hit A Single
July 18th, 2011
4:04 pm
If our season depended on Carlton Thomas we are in trouble anyway. He is not an impact type player. Rambo could probably be a better running back than he is. UGA will be fine no matter what game he sits out. He will contribute during the season but the season will not depend on this one man.
real tech fan
July 18th, 2011
4:08 pm
CMR lied about texting a recruit illegally. he claims he pooted and accidentally texted a recruit. You try that!!!
Hit A Single
July 18th, 2011
4:08 pm
FlDawg you are right! Every school has their problems and many are alot worse than UGA’s. I hate to say it but it goes with the territory. All this hoopla that goes with the recruiting services has alot to do with it. They build these guys up to where they think they are above the law. But look at your pro athletes that think they are above the law.
Hit A Single
July 18th, 2011
4:09 pm
real tech fan – are you sure you are a real tech fan? We don’t know who to believe at Tech anymore.
Fat Boy Skinny Wife
July 18th, 2011
4:24 pm
We all have bad days. Just like UGA in The Liberty Bowl on December 31st, 2010.
But we should all learn lessons from those days. Apparently some in the Bulldawg nation have the minimal vocabulary requirements to carry on a conversation and barking is their only option.
——————————————————————————————–
Now that was funny. He may be a tiger but he has a sense of humor.
FLA DAWG
July 18th, 2011
4:24 pm
While it causes one to wince because there seems to be no end in sight to problems, this is peanuts.
Fat Boy Skinny Wife
July 18th, 2011
4:28 pm
As a proud UGA fan, (not a graduate) but a fan and sidewalk fan at that. I am at the point of wishing our program would either start putting this kids out or recruiting kids who really care about our program and our team. Mark Richt is a fine man, but at some point being a fine man is not enough to keep our program in the national elite.
Go Dawgs and lets get our act together.