Ten@10: McGarity says UGA hopes to wrap up Columbus investigation by end of week
THE TEN AT 10:
1. It looks like Georgia is getting close to wrapping up its investigation into the eligibility issues facing football player Jarvis Jones and basketball player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Athletic Director Greg McGarity told reporters covering the Metro Atlanta Bulldog Club on Monday that UGA’s internal inquiry could be completed “before the end of this week.”
That’s the good news. The bad news is the Bulldogs will still have to wait for the NCAA to make a ruling. That tends to take a while. Georgia must first turn over its findings to the SEC office, which then forwards it to the NCAA, which will get back to UGA with a ruling after it has thoroughly reviewed the case.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs remain hopeful the situation will get resolved before the season opener against Boise State on Sept. 3. Last year’s eligibility issues facing wide receiver A.J. Green did not get resolved until the second week of the season.
There is some hope that Jones can maintain his eligibility. According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Tony Adams, the man who paid for two round-trip flights to Los Angeles for Jones and his legal .guardian, Shelley Stephens, had been in a relationship with Stephens for some time. So there may have been a preexisting relationship that made paying for the trip permissible.
2. There has been all kinds of gossip this summer regarding Isaiah Crowell and how he might have be faring during Georgia’s off-season workouts. But nobody can be sure what’s truth or fiction since only players and strength coaches are privy to what goes on. The players, it seems, are very protective of the ballyhooed freshman tailback.
Probably the most enlightening comments on the subject came from quarterback Aaron Murray this past week at SEC Football Media Days. Murray’s remarks lead one to believe that work ethic may have been an issue early on, but that Crowell’s teammates made sure it didn’t persist.
Said Murray: “Oh yeah, we sat him down. One of the first weeks he was here, me, Ben [Jones] and Christian [Robinson] and a couple of other guys went to his dorm, took him outside, talked to him and ran him through some plays. Then we told him, ‘Hey, we’re here for you. We’re going to push you on this and on that but, in the end, we’re going to make sure you’re ready to go.’ He definitely took that well and has been working hard.”
Asked why they may have felt compelled to address Crowell in such a way, Murray said, “We wanted to make sure he knew we’re here for him and anything he wanted, we’re a call away. We’re excited about getting him out there and getting him to learn the playbook.”
Virtually every other report that has come out about Crowell has been glowing. His teammates have raved about the athletic potential Crowell has displayed in 7-on-7 work, pass skel and conditioning workouts.
“Oh, yeah, it’s a lot of talent,” Murray said. “Isaiah has all the speed and quickness in the world.”
Said Jones: “Very quick, very explosive. He can break it and he’s got power, too. I can’t wait to see how he is in pads because I heard he’s ‘The Man.’ I hope he is because there’s going to be some big-play opportunities.”
3. Speaking of summer workouts, the grueling regimen the players have been exposed to under new strength and conditioning coordinator Joe Tereshinski is already the stuff of legend. The Bulldogs have run more than they have in years as Tereshinski’s philosophy is to train to “win the fourth quarter” by being the better conditioned team. This has meant miles and miles of timed running at the crack of dawn and in the heat of the afternoons.
But it appears the players have gotten used to the routine and actually have started to enjoy it.
“It’s amazing how people’s bodies have transformed and how people are getting into shape,” senior cornerback Brandon Boykin said. “Everyday we’re running around the track, doing speed drills, running hills, tires, sleds, everything you can think of. We’re doing it all.”
The highlight of the week is when the players run from Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall down Lumpkin Street to Sanford Stadium and back to the football complex via East Campus Road.
“We do a morning run, usually on Fridays, where we run to the stadium, run through the stadium and then run back,” Boykin said. “It’s pretty nice to run with your team throughout campus. You’ve got your shirt off and girls are looking at you. Everybody wants to be seen and see the hard work they’ve put in. That’s actually something we look forward to on Friday.”
4. Coach Mark Richt has resurrected two-a-days for preseason camp this year. The Bulldogs scrapped them last year but will practice twice on Tuesday, Aug. 9, and again on Saturday, Aug. 13. Richt, following the trend of many teams in college football, scrapped them last year. Richt also said Georgia will hold several full-contact practices.
5. Richt told reporters before Monday’s Bulldog Club gathering that freshman eligibility issues for signees Devin Bowman and Kent Turene are still “up in the air.”
6. Three quotes from Richt at SEC Media Days last week told me there he is definitely re-invigorated for the coming season:
- On Georgia’s personnel attrition since spring practice: “Some guys have chosen to move on and a couple have gotten a little help from us.”
- On coming off a 6-7 season: “I know you walk into that Butts-Mehre Building and there’s no sense of doom and gloom in there. There’s only excitement.”
- On being at Georgia for 11 years: “The best is yet to come.”
7. Recently-graduated UGA All-American Harris English won the Nationwide Tour’s Children’s Hospital Invitational golf tournament on Sunday at the Ohio State Golf Club’s Scarlet Course. English became the third Bulldog to win a Nationwide event this year — joining Russell Henley and Erik Compton — and just the third amateur ever to win on American golf’s No. 2 tour.
English finished at 14-under-par 270. Since English has maintained his amateur status, the $144,000 first-place prize went to the second-place finisher. Earlier this month, English won the Southern Amateur in Palm Harbor, Fla. He also recently was chosen as a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar for the second straight year by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
8. This one slipped by me this summer: Ray Lamb, the longtime director of high school relations for Georgia and legendary high school coach, retired last month. I first met Coach Lamb back when he fashioned tiny little Commerce High into a perennial football powerhouse. But I really got to know him on the sidelines of UGA’s Woodruff Practice Fields as he’d share stories about football and life as the Bulldogs’ practices were raged on. Lamb’s sons Hal (Calhoun High) and Bobby (Mercer University) followed him into coaching and now he has grandsons that are playing high school ball. So it seems Ray will still be involved in the game fulltime. UGA’s Loran Smith wrote a nice column about Lamb on georgiadogs.com.
9. Richt is asking for prayers for the 4-year-old daughter of linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti. Kasyn Olivadotti has Leukemia and has been in the hospital for more than a month.
10. THIS & THAT: Here’s a news release from Daktronics Inc. about the new LED scoreboard installed at Sanford Stadium.Morgan Leleux, a pole vaulter from New Iberia, La., who signed with Georgia earlier this year, took the gold medal at Pan American Junior Track & Field Championships in Miramar, Fla., this past weekend. Leleux cleared 13-7 1/4. Next she’ll compete in the USATF National Junior Outdoor Championships on Friday. She’ll enroll at UGA in the fall.
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223 comments Add your comment
Hit A Single
July 26th, 2011
3:09 pm
how2fish – I agree with the size issue. But quickness and the slanting defenses people use now it is tough to blow people off the ball. The Big Ten has always had trouble with the SEC and pound for pound they have just about always been nothing but beef. Bear Bryant won alot of ball games because he out quicked people. It is not as easy to lineup and blow people off the ball anymore. Speed and stunt defenses are hard to block sometimes. But I sure see your point.
Bay Watcher
July 26th, 2011
3:09 pm
Some random thoughts:
1. Isaiah Crowell will be one of the biggest flops in UGA history. After very unimpressive performance and a few trips to the Athens-Clarke County jail, He’ll end up being sent home to his mama. Look for him flipping burgers at your favorite fast-food joint by this time next year.
2. Ray Lamb has more class and integrity in his little finger than Mark the Phony Saint Richt has in his whole body.
3. After the NCAA ferrets out all the cheating and the sleaze in Athens, UGA will be lucky to avoid the death penalty.
shankit
July 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
Another idea to disrupt Boise would be to paint the turf red at the Dome.
Also, leave off the AC and turn on the heaters.
Hit A Single
July 26th, 2011
3:12 pm
Bay Watcher – How did you get a computer in your cell?
Nate the Great
July 26th, 2011
3:15 pm
@Columbus: Ummmmmm, “Said Murray: “Oh yeah, we sat him down. One of the first weeks he was here, me, Ben [Jones] and Christian [Robinson] and a couple of other guys went to his dorm, took him outside, talked to him and ran him through some plays.”
Translation: We sat him down and told him how to work or that he will not be playing if he doesn’t get his head on straight.
When do you ever take someone outside and give them a pep talk? He said he was here for “weeks” before they sat him down to talk about his behavior and approach to the game. Crowell didn’t come in focused, understandable when he is as hyped as he is and only 18, but it sounds like we have some real leaders in the locker room looking out for him.
If Crowell was doing as well as you think he is, would the coaches have moved Samuels back to RB and proclaim him the starter? Wouldn’t they just get him some reps for depth at the position? We have a serious defenciancy at the RB position and the coaches could tell Crowell wasn’t going to be ready for the first two games. Every coach knows they are coaching for their jobs this season and want the best chance to win, even if it is a LB playing RB. We aren’t building for the future because the future is now. It is now or never here in Athens, and Crowell isn’t ready right now.
how2fish
July 26th, 2011
3:17 pm
@Hit A Single I understand you Big Ten point in fact it was part of my reasoning last year Ohio St’s DL was supposed to be faster,quicker and more athletic than Wisconsin’s OL…the Badgers just lined up and ran right at them all day…their size and strength finally wore the Buckeyes down. Like I said I’m no OC but if it will work for one team and your team can duplicate the players and conditions why not try it?
shankit
July 26th, 2011
3:17 pm
Bay Watcher’s random thoughts probably came from leaving his home in Georgia
and Sitting on the Dock of the Frisco Bay wasting time.
Sorry, couldn’t refuse the corn.
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
Bay watcher
you win the newbie TROLL of the day award although I would guess that you have posted under several other blog handles.
osei
July 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
what do you guys think is going to happen to Jarvis Jones
shankit
July 26th, 2011
3:25 pm
Jarvis was on USC”s watch at the time, USC could be
in a heap of trouble………………………………………………
osei
July 26th, 2011
3:26 pm
i think Jarvis jones will be suspended one game this year what do you guy’s think ?
Nate the Great
July 26th, 2011
3:26 pm
Bay Watcher: Crowell isn’t a bust, he just isn’t ready. I orginally said he would be a bust, but I don’t think UGA has ever had a leader like Murray. Crowell does have all the physcial attributes and now a good influence in Murray. If Crowell can learn the playbook and remain grounded, he can be an All-Everything back.
But if he buys into the hype, he’ll end up being a Sanks-esque bust. No one is above hard work.
Nate the Great
July 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
osei- Its really tough to say, but I hear there is a good chance he won’t be suspended because he didn’t know where the money came from and it was his guardian he was travelling with to LA. I’m no NCAA compliance officer though and the way they hammered GT, the punishment really could be about anything. The only thing the NCAA is consistent with is being inconsistent. Oh and slow, definitely slow.
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
3:38 pm
That’s fine HTBD. I’m just going to take them at thier word when asked directly about it. IF as you say there was NO way that Orson Charles was NOT open a lot more, how do you explain Murray not throwing him the ball? And why would the TE be getting open, when appearantly the “play call” specifically excluded him. Was he out there freestyling it?
7576DAWG
July 26th, 2011
4:00 pm
I for one feel any true fan of Georgia have the right to voice their opinion especially the season ticket holders. Those that say we should only say GO DAWGS don’t really care if we win or not. I am not saying those fans are not good fans but they are more wanting to be involved at Georgia. Which is good. But those type fans have to realize that a great athlete only is interested in one thing and that’s to win,nothing else matters. A lot of people that criticize and make suggestions were the leaders of whatever sport they played in their home town and winning is the only thing that matters. If you were never a leader of a sports team, I mean someone that everybody talked about and would lead your team to victory ,over and over, then you have no idea what I am talking about but for those of you that fit in that category I have no problem reading about your suggestion. When a team go’s 6-7 they need help anyway they can get it. Now for those of you that just criticize everything . You know the ones that would have something bad to say if we were 11-1 and lost the one game by one point. I say to you, GET A LIFE.
RxDawg
July 26th, 2011
4:01 pm
Awesome stuff Chip! Thanks for bringing back the 10 @ 10. Between this and Bradley’s column I’m getting pretty pumped up! Ah, that kool aid tastes gooooooooood.
Terrible about the coach’s little girl
My world would be turned upside down if it was mine. I truly hope the best for them.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 26th, 2011
4:01 pm
Dumb and Dumber reside over in Columbia. The QB and his coach. Word had it Garcia told him to, “Just go man.”
gdawginkalamazoo
July 26th, 2011
4:04 pm
According to NCAA protocol as long Jarvis, didn’t know what Cecil was doing, then he will be declared ineligible for 24 hours,maybe 22.5 hours then re-instated.
JayD
July 26th, 2011
4:13 pm
Murray’s remarks lead one to believe that work ethic may have been an issue early on???????
7576DAWG
July 26th, 2011
4:16 pm
Chip great article.
It is great to hear that we have some leadership on this years team and the players are buying into why they are at Georgia. I’m so glad that CMR finally purged this team of the players that were more interested in being COOL or big shots standing out as individuals than helping bring the team together and doing what it took to win in the SEC. It sounds like we have the right mindset, now it will be interesting to see if we have the physical skills as a team to carry that to win the close hard games.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 26th, 2011
4:20 pm
Bay watcher,
I would say the below is definitely a description of you.
If you don’t know what the term means, “troll” refers to an online personality that uses his/her anonymity to “bait” users or turn valid discussions into full-blown arguments.
Don’t take the bait, UGA supporters.
GO DAWGS
My heart and prayers go out to the poor little 4 year old. Pray for his parent also, as it is a tough row for them.
How Bout Them Dawgs
July 26th, 2011
4:21 pm
AltamahaDawg- No on the plays that he was open for I bet he was a 3rd or 4th option and when we had AJ in he was #1 no question every play and I bet they told Murray to get it to him if you think he will catch it. This idea allowed DB’s to not focus as much on others such as TE’s. But we had it instilled in our brains that throwing it to AJ all day was the way to go.
If you look back we havent used the TE much since Pope and that was only bc he was 6ft7.
TE is a huge safety net and you would have expected a RS Freshman to use him more than he did especially since they went to HS together. Something has to change this year for us to be successful on offense and that is to get Orsen the ball 7-10 times a game. He will dominate LB’s across the country given the oppurtunity.
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
4:25 pm
Enter your comments here
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
4:26 pm
Sourier said “I’d treat him the same if he were an assitant TE coach”.
Carlton
July 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
I wonder if Stephen Garcia held up his coach for the keg stand
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
4:36 pm
You are missing my point. If Charles was not covered, or “could have” taken the LB, and the QB either doesn’t see that, at the line before the snap, or saw it and just never said anything to his OC, then the QB coach failed. I’m not arguing how valuable a TE can be. I’m saying its silly to suggest that Mike Bobo just didn’t understand that. The failure was more having his QB better prepared. not arguing that AJ was the primary target, but why was that? Do you think he just wanted to see if he could handicap his QB by forcing him to use less options.
college is forever
July 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
http://www.collegelunchboxes.com Don’t be left out get your UGA Classic Tin lunchbox and be the envy of everyone at the office. Go Dawgs!!
7576DAWG
July 26th, 2011
4:50 pm
Chip
Now that the NFL strike is over, how much did A J Green sign for and for how long?
Football Insider
July 26th, 2011
5:24 pm
Turene is ineligible.
Winder
July 26th, 2011
5:30 pm
I’m glad Coach Richt is optimistic but he needs to get it done early or I’m not sure our fans will hang with him. His career is in the balance the first couple weeks of the season (and with Bobo play calling, goodness)! I wish I had the faith some of y’all have.
Paddy
July 26th, 2011
5:33 pm
Don’t worry coach our prayers are coming quick!
Murray sound like a great leader to me.
Sounds like IC either got with the program or the team was calling for a “code red”!
FRANCIS
July 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
BRENT BENEDICT/BAD KNEE + ALOT OF RUNNING = BRENT BENEDICT LEAVING THE TEAM CUS HE NO LIKE TO RUN.
Bob
July 26th, 2011
5:59 pm
Interesting about Turene. When he signed, he had some injury problem, now he’s having eligibilty problems?
Biggdawgk
July 26th, 2011
7:03 pm
According to Chuck Oliver on 680 both the NCAA and SEC have decided not to investigate the Jarvis Jones issue. UGA will decide what penalty if any needs to be imposed and the NCAA will have a decision as soon as next week.
Does anyone here have any more info on this?
Brucerugby79
July 26th, 2011
8:56 pm
Pray for Kaysn- all true dogs-pray for this child
Jimmy
July 26th, 2011
9:01 pm
Is it true that the NCAA gets their info back to schools via Pony Express?? What a joke of an organization.
Mobile Dawg
July 26th, 2011
9:06 pm
Ole Ball Coach just threw his visor.
Jimmy
July 26th, 2011
9:07 pm
More random thoughts:
I first read Bay Watcher’s name as BOY Watcher but didn’t pay it any mind. I just figured him to be a Tech fan.
Mobile Dawg
July 26th, 2011
9:07 pm
QB coach didn’t have any “garnet” panties with him did he?
Mobile Dawg
July 26th, 2011
9:09 pm
BW is sure getting a lot of yall’s attention.
'94 UGA Alumni
July 26th, 2011
9:16 pm
Our prayers are with you Kasyn and the rest of the Olivadotti family. May the Lord provide healing comfort during this difficult time. In Jesus name. Amen.
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
10:11 pm
Mobile dawg and I have both floated out the theory in the past (worded slightly differently) that some of the recent issues with the team can be traced back to a breakdown of leadership among the players. I believe you can actually chart it back a few years ago and watch the cycle of certain classes. The only good thing about struggling (and why every team will cycle) is that at some point a class gets far enough removed from “expecting” and they restart a cycle of what it took for the guys way back when. Sounds like we may be seeing that class. One thing for sure, the survivors from last season aren’t feeling too much entitlement right now.
Jimmy
July 26th, 2011
10:24 pm
Good call Altamaha.
Leadership is about holding one another accountable on the field. Coaches can’t make the plays. UGA is in the top 15 year in and year out when it comes the recruiting rankings. They go after the same players Bama and Florida do yet without as much success(in the last half of this decade anyway).
Forget coaching, these guys need to get it done on the field. A coach is only suppose to put you in position to make a play. On the field, it’s all on the athlete.
NWGA DAWG
July 26th, 2011
10:37 pm
Glad to see the 10 @10:00 back. Alwys looked forward to it every Tuesday and Thursday on the recruiting blog. Keep it going Chip!!!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!! GATA !!!
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
10:59 pm
Well, I think its a lot more than that. It’s midweek as much as just on the field.
But there is only so many years in a row that upperclassmen can convince the guys below them to ignore the success. Plus I will always be convinced that the injuries situation in 2008 realy threw a monky wrench in the players pushing each other to work harder.. compounded by the staff’s reaction to that.
Tampa Gator
July 26th, 2011
11:04 pm
Kent Turene…..now you know why he did not end up at USC or Florida. Too big a chance that he would not qualify for both schools to risk a scholly. I sincerely hope the kid gets into Georgia….he needs to get the hell out of Lauderdale at begin a new and successful life up yar.
Hairy Dawg
July 26th, 2011
11:06 pm
This what I wants to hear. Dawgs is manning up and in shape to unloading whooping can on SEC. We ready to exposing talents on field and showing how we stacked with SEC speed. We just need gets hold of rest of teams to show Dawgs as best which leads to champs.
Go Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
July 26th, 2011
11:20 pm
Who will be the starting TB at Alabama, now that Richardson is kicked off the team?
Skyler
July 27th, 2011
12:26 am
I am sorry, but what a crock of smokin’ _ _ _ _ to say: (The players, it seems, are very protective of the ballyhooed freshman tailback.) Duh.
RED DOG 77
July 27th, 2011
1:25 am
@Chip………You’re da man Chip……..Ten @ 10 is the bomb! great story as always…..First, my family will be in prayer for the Olivadotti family and little Kasyn……….Lord grant them peace, and grace that only can come from you…………On to football, I agree 100% with the guy who posted Aaron Murray may well turn out to be the greatest QB in GEORGIA’S history……taking the lead in sitting IC down and having an old fashion pow-wow, supporting the kid, and most importantly pushing him…….expecting him to perform……….As an old DOG, I see something going on in Athens, it seemed to start with the hiring of coach Todd Grantham………that’s one tough dude!………….The Defense will carry the DOGS this year, but don’t think for a moment the Offense won’t want in on some of the GLORY as well…………College football runs in cycles, most intelligent fans are aware of this fact, I just hope our time to cycle-up is 2011……..I feel pretty good about “my” DOGS though, seems to me they have some fire in their bellies, good things are falling into place, and the most important element of all seems to be at hand………..good chemistry!!!!………GO DOGS!!!!……….GATA………God Bless the Olivadotti’s……………..RED