Mark Richt blasts accusation that UGA selectively suspended running backs
ATHENS – A couple more things on these running back suspensions and then we’ll move on to the next thing for Georgia football.
Georgia coach Mark Richt addressed the situation for the first time during the SEC Coaches Weekly Teleconference on Wednesday. Here’s what he had to say:
- Richt took umbrage with the accusation that Georgia knew about the positive drug tests for Isaiah Crowell, Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas before the Florida game and put off their suspensions until this week’s game against New Mexico State:
“My response is that we’ve always had the utmost integrity in everything we do. We have policies in place in our athletic association that we follow to the T. That’s the case here and it’s been the case since I’ve been at Georgia. We all know that we do our business the way it should be done and we do it with integrity. So people who make comments who don’t know probably shouldn’t, quite frankly, because they don’t know and I’d be able to prove 100 percent they’re wrong. But I’m not going to spend the time doing that. The bottom line is we have rules and we follow them to the T and we have the utmost integrity in how we go about our business. That’s how we’ve built this program since the day I got here and we’re not going to change for any reason.”
- Richt was asked about his philosophy regarding discipline and punishment and whether Georgia’s policies and procedures are adequate:
“I’ve always felt like was you have to have an element of punishment, something that will sting, something that will make somebody think twice about doing something or other guys who are watching, make them think twice. But you have to educate them, then you have to love them still. They’re still part of this family and we want them to understand we’re supporting them through it. But, you know, if the attitude is right and they’re ready to learn from it and become better for it, discipline can be a very positive thing in that way. Everything I’ve seen to this point has been pointing to that very thing. So I’m pleased with how they’re handling it. And then the other thing is, you’ve got to challenge the rest of your team to pick up the slack, whether it’s the young guys that are going to get this experience playing running back for the University of Georgia, when they thought that probably wasn’t very likely, all of the sudden they’re getting an opportunity to do something they probably dreamed of, which is a great thing. But the rest of the team, the special teams, the defense, the offensive line, the receiving corps, the quarterbacks, everybody’s got to play a little better to make sure that this situation is not going to cost us.”
- Was he shocked or surprised that three players at one position would run afoul at once:
“Yeah, but I’m not surprised that young men make mistakes. We all know no one is perfect. We know that young guys tend to use bad judgment sometimes. When they do, that’s when we come in and help them out.”
- On concerns about character issues for Crowell, who has already been suspended for one quarter this season:
“I think Isaiah is going to do great, I really do. Because I saw how he has handled this mistake to this point and I really feel confident he’s going to be stronger for it. I really do.”
- Richt indicated sophomore Brandon Harton is the “leading candidate” to start at tailback on Saturday, followed by freshman walkon Kyle Karempelis and they’ll mix in other players:
“I’m not sure I can spell his name right now, but it starts with a K,” Richt said of Karempelis. “I like him. He’s a tough kid. He’s got some good run skills. In camp he did a nice job. Harton did a nice job last spring. . . . We’ll have to use [Brandon] Boykin and little more and [Branden] Smith a little more and maybe go some no-back sets. We’ve got enough tight ends. We have some ways we can still move the football.”
ALSO . . .
>>>Here’s A LINK TO UGA’S DRUG-TESTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Everything you need to know is pretty much spelled out there. But since the accused parties are three players at the same position, it would seem reasonable to assume this week’s actions were the result of the “reasonable suspicion” clause. In other words, a coach or administrator suspected something and ordered a test for these guys, which they subsequently failed.
>>>Sooner or later, you have to question Georgia’s recruitment and coaching of the tailback position. Going back to Dontavius Jackson and continuing through Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, this makes six tailbacks in the last 15 months that have been subjected to some sort of suspension, dismissal or general disciplinary action. Bryan McClendon gets paid $200,000 a year to be the Bulldogs’ running backs coach. Ultimately, it is his responsibility to see that his charges are doing things “the Georgia way.”
>>>Finally, here are the options as we know them for playing tailback on Saturday against the New Mexico State Aggies (3-5), who, by the way, rank 111th in the nation in rushing defense (214.38 ypg):
- TB Brandon Harton (5-6, 174, So.)
- TB Kyle Karempelis (5-9, 180, Fr.)
- TB Wes Van Dyk (6-0, 203, Sr.)
- FB Zander Ogletree (5-10, 224, So.)
- CB Brandon Boykin (5-10, 183, Sr.)
- CB Branden Smith (5-11, 176, Jr.)
- FS Nick Marshall (6-1, 195, Fr.)
- CB Damian Swann (5-11, 177, Fr.)
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1,013 comments Add your comment
The Monger
November 2nd, 2011
4:48 pm
Roget Dinosaurus- Yes it is (techinically illegal) as it has been decriminilized in California and Colorado, and it is medically allowed for treatment in 13 of the 50 states now. Numerous countries have legalized simple possession such as the Netherlands and Mexico. In addition to the fact that most polls show it will be fully legalized in all 50 states within the next 10-15 years, as most americans already support legalization, at around 58 percent. Once it gets to around 2/3 support, 66 percent, it is pretty much a given….I could smoke someplace where it is legal such as Amsterdam, come back to the states to play football at UGA and then fail a drug test. Does that mean I have done anything illegal by law?
Mark Richt= Snake Oil Salesman
November 2nd, 2011
4:48 pm
Georgia fans wear blinders.
hahaha
November 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
How can Washington be suspended for 2 games for alcohol/DUI but these 3 clowns only get 1 game for smoking weed? Guess since there were no police involved the punishment is less??
Dawg48
November 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
May start pulling for Kentucky to get away from the negative fan you are! And yes you do come on here and bash the program and it’s daily!
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
heck fire mr. ringleader, that story you just was a tellin was kinda like them storys you reed about in them punthouse magazines lamar is always a reedin. i don’t blame him none for thinkin bout other women. his wife linda is big as a house an meen as a rattler. this summer she was a cuttin the grass with a halter top on an i seen that she had tanned dark but she had a wite stripe down the middle of her back. i asked lamar why that was an he tolt me that the stripe was ware they was a slidin the two tannin beds together so’s she could fit. she got a tatoo on her ankle.it is a uga dawg an a number 43 with the king wrote in fancy scrip. don’t look haff bad.
DawgInLex still eating Idiots Sandwiches Everyday
November 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
and drinking the kool-aid too(wink)
ActuaryDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
“I could … come back to the states to play football at UGA ”
Dude, you’re high right now aren’t you?
Roget Dinosaurus
November 2nd, 2011
4:51 pm
Just POINTING out that integrity takes a back seat to owners and universities making money. In Roethlisberger’s and Crowell’s case…
DAWG
November 2nd, 2011
4:51 pm
Go back to the first page and read what Rampdawg had to say. If you are a Tech grad…go back to work at the Walmart or Waffle House [funny, I've never been to either place]. If you are a redneck, go back to your trailer. If you are a true Dawg, let’s move on to the problem at hand…winning out next 5 games.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
4:53 pm
Altamaha Dawg
Just because ABAC in Tifton is under the University SYSTEM of Georgia doesnt mean you graduated from UGA
Mike Shula
November 2nd, 2011
4:53 pm
I found UAT’s drug policy on their website:
Alabama: (1) none; (2) none (3) none (4) none (5)-(9) 1 game.
ActuaryDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:53 pm
No need to be pretentious about it. Waffle House is awesome!
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
4:53 pm
mr. flat tire how come folks is always goin after you. evry time i talked to you you was rite frienly.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
4:54 pm
Dawg48
Give an example of my bashing
BC
November 2nd, 2011
4:54 pm
Crowell is the only one of the three that really even played in the GA/FL game, and he didn’t even play the whole game because he was hurt. So all you non Georgia fans can quit your bi#@hing
What's Important
November 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
@Roget Dinosaurus – Talk about comparing apples to oranges.
The Monger
November 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
still@koolaidbar-WOW!!! JUST WOW!! That comment shows just how little you know about the world and current affairs, sir. The reason the cartels even exist is BECAUSE of THE UNITED STATES PROHIBITION POLICIES AND DRUG CRUSADES!!! Mexico has begged and pleaded us for YEARS now to just relax our drug policies SO THE CARTELS DONT HAVE SO MUCH POWER. The reason the cartels rake in billions every years is because we will not legalize drugs and they know they can fill the void very easily in the black market, and yes they do it with extreme violence and power. You have the wrong target buddy, you should be mad at Obama and his Drug Czar’s refusal to value Mexican citizen’s lives in refusing to stop their wasteful “war on drugs”. Its simple if they legalize Marijuna and sell it at a 7/11 for half the price and twice the quality of the Mexican Cartel weed, they would go out of buisness and would have to find a new market, most likely prostitution, as marijuana makes up 80 percent of their drug trade….Please go back to school….thank you…
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
When you feel the need to actually have to argue “no, I really don’t bash the program”…does it really matter at that point?
Roget Dinosaurus
November 2nd, 2011
4:57 pm
Monger, Crowell ain’t been to Mexico or Amsterdam. He knew the rules when he signed with UGA. No drugs.
LogicalUS
November 2nd, 2011
4:57 pm
It seems to me that the WRONG people are upset and mad.
It is UGA fans who should be the most irritated with this latest example of undisciplined and unfocused behavior.
The administration surely felt that they were pretty safe in administering the test during the stretch prior to the UGA-UF game when surely the players would be the most focused and on their best behavior. But alas even that was not enough.
Not even the death match of UGA-UF could deter the players from smoking dope and risking suspensions? What are you going to do when smoking dope is more important to them than the games or even football in general?
And we wonder why our teams seldom play up to the intensity with which the fans want them to? It just isn’t that important to them.
ActuaryDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:58 pm
Monger, Are you saying that if legalize weed, we’ll be up to our ears in Mexican prostitutes? Sweet!
Dawglasville
November 2nd, 2011
4:58 pm
Roget Dinosaurus – I can’t stand Roethlisberger (glad you spelled it). I believe he is a creep. I also believe in our judicial system. If the man was not convicted then how can blame the Rooneys (is that right?) for not canning him. Again, I wish the Steelers would trade him so I could go back to pulling for them again. I’m a big Hines fan (even after that Dancing thing).
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
4:58 pm
Liar are for Sinner, Saint Richt don’t lie. He is about to get back the GEORGIA MOJO, so watch out all of you SEC Homies.
Here is what gonna happen this weekend:
1. UA will destroy USC.
2. LSU will upset Bama
3. UGA will run over NMS
gt4ever
November 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
wow, it’s a GREAT day to be a jawja bulldawg…..
Just reading some of these posts gives me such pleasure that I grew up and went to a Real institution of higher learning….
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
typical dawg fan
Because 90% of the bloggers on here do not fork out the money I do every year to watch a program have a
29-26 record against top 25 teams
8-11 record against top 10 teams
Hasnt beat someone ranked in 2 yrs
Cant beat FL 2 yrs in a row nor beat a DECENT FL team and have to hear excuses about where the game is played
Then when we have the easiest schedule we ever have had we still lose 2 games beat 6 straight lousy teams and act like we are something
Roget Dinosaurus
November 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
Crowell puts fans in the seats,sells tickets just like Big Ben does.
Lindsey
November 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
Tell them how it is CMR!!! I don’t think they new about this before the GA/FL game, CMR is not that kind of a guy and UGA is not that kind of a school. How can you blame Bryan M for the decisions made by these players? These are grown men who have made their own choices and have to take responsibility for them. The coaches can’t be there every second, they can only guide them. Ultimately the responsibility falls on the guy making the choice. You can’t go through life blaming other for your mistakes.GO DAWGS!!!
The Monger
November 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
yes Roget Dinasaur- It is very common fact that the cannibas plant was planted, and cannibas oil was rubbed onto his grave. It was used back then as a “sacred” (i know its cliche, but it was) plant, with lots of beneficial properties and Jesus himself used it as a sort of spirtual cleanse, mainly the hemp oil. Please use the Internet and Google it, you will learn things you didnt know, and wont look so stupid to someone who researches for a living, and has an intellect in the genius range….Thank you.
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
No, I’d say the right people got mad and upset. This has been eating at tech fans all day. It was after all the Florida game.
d-dog
November 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
I would like to know from some of you bashing the DAWGS. It appears to me you are prefect.
You have cast enough stones to build a skyscraper. PLEASE TELL ME HOW IT’S DONE.
……………….go dawgs……………………..happy trails
DawgFaceBlues
November 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
Let the Big Dawg Eat!!!……brownies that is….
DawgFaceBlues
November 2nd, 2011
5:02 pm
What if we stumble to the Dome and play all 4 quarters then?
Dawglasville
November 2nd, 2011
5:03 pm
Roget Dinosaurus – There is going to be fans in the seats no matter who the r.b. is. We were selling out our stadium long before this kid came to town.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
5:04 pm
AltamahaDawg
Like always no facts just stupid Star Wars, Master Yoda phrases
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:05 pm
pretty damn stupid if you ask me to fork out money and be so utterly convinced that the University does not live up to your obviously superior winning attitude. I am wondering how on earth a person can live with being such a hypocrite. You know, Alabama fans did not go to Georgia Either. That program seems much better suited for your caliber. It’s really not a moral issue to go pull from somebody doing better. You don’t have to hang out with such losers.
Roget Dinosaurus
November 2nd, 2011
5:08 pm
Half price this week on # 1 UGA jerseys !
The World is full of king and queens
November 2nd, 2011
5:08 pm
Who will blind your eyes and steal your dreams,it’s called heaven and hell!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 2nd, 2011
5:10 pm
AltDawg………….Flat Tire has every right to complain about how the money he spends is used on the product he values. Stock Owners have a say in the company to a small extent. So, why can’t Flat Tire keep spending his money and expect better?
FLAT TIRE I can’t see why they are attacking you. We have a few Tech fans that HATE CPJ. They can say what they want and have a say because they are invested in the school and team. I don’t alway agree but they have their points as do you.
Mucho Dildos
November 2nd, 2011
5:10 pm
I sea that sum of you fans are phat and olde. Mucho retardos two.
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
5:11 pm
i hear you mr. flat tire. i ain’t happy with what they a doin in athens, no sir.we ain’t beat nobody that gilmer county couldn’t give a good game to. i’m a wantin some new blood runnin that team. heck me an lamar got so mad win we was wachin the vandy game that my rebel flag with the picture of hankjr in the middle got tore up. we was both pretty drunk. i ain’t gettin another one till we see some changes down there. they sellthem flags on ebay if you was a wantin one.
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
5:12 pm
Gaytors fan should be worry about their QB and Vandy kicking their A..SS and instead trying to 2nd quess Saint Richt and how UGA program is running. It’s a matter of time before the NCAA looks into the Gaytors.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 2nd, 2011
5:14 pm
it is a matter of time until the NCAA looks into the DREAM TEAM too.
Mark Richt Snake Oil SalesMan
November 2nd, 2011
5:14 pm
If Richt did not know about the failed drug test on Friday, how in the world did rumor start Friday morning on a blog?
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:15 pm
Now Bar, are you admitting being a tech fan this week? I get mixed signals when you act offended by that assumption.
And yes, consumers are free to complain if they pay for a product they don’t like.
d-dog
November 2nd, 2011
5:16 pm
.
rogeriter
November 2nd, 2011
5:17 pm
George if you think the Ga. progam has become a joke, why do you bother to come on our blog? Go become a Tech fan or something.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
5:17 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
Thats the best example Ive heard on here all year.
Yea people like Altamaha Dawg are the same people who call you a racist if you disagree with Obama
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
5:19 pm
Won’t surprise me the Dream Team goes 4-0 on the Gaytors. Warming up our MOJO BABY!!!
The world is full of kings and queens
November 2nd, 2011
5:19 pm
who will blind your eyes and still your dreams,it’s heaven and hell!
Old Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
5:19 pm
I really think CMR is telling the truth. I don’t care for him as a coach but I think he is a truthful man.
As far as Larry, Moe and Curly-How stupid and undisciplined?? The University System is paying for their educations and they are going to screw that up doing whatever they did!! They knew it was wrong but they did it anyway. Again goes back to recruiting players who are undisciplined (but great athletes) who when given a decision to make don’t know wrong from right. This is an all to common issue with UGA recruits!!! I say let’s recruit “lesser athletes” who are coachable and actually have some sense.