UPDATED: Georgia clears CB Branden Smith to play in opening game
Branden Smith's clearance to play this season not only bolsters Georgia's secondary, but also its return game. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
ATHENS — Georgia senior cornerback Branden Smith, who was facing suspension because of a marijuana arrest in back in March, was cleared by the school to play in the Bulldogs’ season opener.
Coach Mark Richt made the announcement shortly after Georgia completed its third practice of preseason football camp on Saturday in Athens.
“Branden Smith will play Game One,” Richt said. “After [reviewing] all the information that we’ve gathered, we’ve decided that he’ll be available to play in the first game and he’ll be available to talk about any details. After determining what happened, we’ve got peace that we’re doing the right thing.”
Smith was expected to miss at least one game as per the UGA athletic association’s conduct code, which calls for an automatic suspension for 10 percent of competition dates for violators of the marijuana-use policy. But central to Georgia’s decision to waive that penalty was the fact that Smith said passed two separate drug tests shortly after he was arrested in a traffic stop on March 14 in south Alabama.
“I came back right away to get tested [by UGA],” Smith said Saturday. “I was clean. I went to court, got tested, I was clean. I don’t do drugs. Now I’m just moving on from this incident. I’d like to apologize for the university and my family as far as being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Smith was placed in the Henry County (Ala.) court’s pretrial intervention program and since completed the requirements to have the marijuana charges expunged from his record.
Smith’s reinstatement is the first bit of good news in an offseason that has been rife with bad news for the Bulldogs. Two defensive starters are expected to miss the first two games each due to arrests in cornerback Sanders Commings (domestic battery) and outside linebacker Chase Vasser (DUI). Meanwhile, Georgia has yet to confirm or deny multiple media reports that free safety Bacarri Rambo and inside linebacker Alec Ogletree face multiple-games suspensions for second-offenses of the athletic association’s marijuana-use policy.
“There were some off-field situations that came up that’s going to keep some of our guys out for the first few games or so,” sophomore defensive end Ray Drew said. “But there is strength in numbers and just having [Smith] back boosts us just little bit more knowing that we have our brother playing beside us and helping us go out and get the job done.”
With Smith back in the fold, it appears that he and converted wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell will be the starting cornerbacks for the Bulldogs’ first two games. They open the season against Buffalo at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 1, then face pass-happy Missouri on the road the following week.
“I most definitely think I can help the secondary,” said Smith, who has started 17 games and played in 36 for the Bulldogs. “We have our whole defense coming back. We were out there today practicing hard, strong, fast. Everybody’s having fun out there. We’re just ready for the season to start. We’re out there as a group and we’re going with it.”
ATHENS – In an offseason that seems like it has been filled with bad news, Georgia finally offered some good for its fans on Saturday.
Coach Mark Richt revealed after Saturday’s practice that starting cornerback Branden Smith will be available to play Bulldogs’ season-opening game against Buffalo. Smith was facing a suspension after his arrest in Alabama in March on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. He was granted pretrial intervention status in court and has since completed the conditions to have those charges dismissed.
“After just gathering all the information, determining what happened, we’ve got peace that we’re doing the right thing on Branden,” Richt said.
Smith told reporters after Saturday’s practice that he immediately returned to Athens after his arrest during a traffic stop in Headland, Ala., and passed a drug test. He said he also passed a court-ordered drug test and that’s why the Bulldogs cleared him to play.
“I don’t do drugs,” Smith insisted. “So right now I’ve just moved on. Like I said, I apologize to the university and my family for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
It was generally thought that Smith would miss Georgia’s first game as per the athletic association’s conduct code regarding marijuana offenses. That policy stipulates a 10 percent suspension for competition dates for violations.
Smith’s return relieves some of the stress on Georgia’s secondary, which already knows it will be without follow starting cornerback Sanders Commings and possibly others. Commings is suspended for the first two games of the season after pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges in February. Starting outside linebacker Chase Vasser is also out the first two games because of a May arrest for DUI and free safety Bacarri Rambo and inside linebacker Alec Ogletree reportedly are facing suspensions for marijuana policy violations.
“I most definitely think I can help the secondary,” said Smith, who has started 17 games and played in 36 for the Bulldogs. “We have our whole defense coming back. We were out there today practicing hard, strong, fast. Everybody’s having fun out there. We’re just ready for the season to start. We’re out there as a group and we’re going with it.”
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249 comments Add your comment
Joey
August 4th, 2012
2:54 pm
Where’d you get that number (51), nerd?
Come on pimple face, give us a list . . . (crickets) . . . .
Destin Dawg
August 4th, 2012
2:55 pm
Go Dawgs !! Win the SEC Champs THIS year !!
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
2:59 pm
Has CPJ done anything to him? Haven’t heard.
I really hope he did. He should be kicked off the team. He isn’t going to play either way though so it doesn’t really matter. Im not sure CPJ even remembers who he is.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
3:02 pm
UGA. Do you think Richt would agree with your allegations and why not?
Of course he would agree with me. He knows what he did. He won’t publicly admit it for obvious reasons but when multiple insiders are reporting that Crowell failed a test a week before the Florida game and then it comes out several days after the Florida game, then its not hard to figure out what happened internally.
Dawg Whisperer
August 4th, 2012
3:04 pm
The key phrase is “multiple insiders.” Who are they?
Tan Farkenten
August 4th, 2012
3:09 pm
Great, UGA gets a reprieve and the trolls don’t know how act, lmao! We get an O-lineman and they whine that he’s too big, lol. What a great weekend. I love to hear the haters cry! Coach Richt, I think the rest of the Dawgs that are on suspension have suffered enough. Time to suspend the suspensions. They promised they wouldn’t do it again and they learned their lessons. Now, lets play football!
Dawg Whisperer
August 4th, 2012
3:12 pm
GTBob, I’m guessing that you are researching the articles and those that have “inside knowledge.” Don’t bother because it is still hyperbole and not founded in fact.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
3:12 pm
The key phrase is “multiple insiders.” Who are they?
It was all over the UGA and college football message boards well before the Florida game. Are you saying that they were wrong and just made it up? Did they just get lucky that exactly what they said happened actually happened?
DogGone
August 4th, 2012
3:12 pm
Learned this past week that the “some dude” defense doesn’t work in Alabama; that is, if a joint is found in a car and no one confesses, everyone in the car is arrested.
In most states, arrests are not made unless the cops know whose pot it is.
BTW, don’t ever shoplift a can of tuna in Alabama either. Just ask Vinny’s cousin.
LakeDawg
August 4th, 2012
3:13 pm
For all of you bashers out there, the court dismissed the charge. Why? Because he passed a court administered drug test immediately after the arrest. Technically, ANYTHING found in your car is yours, whether its really yours or a passengers, thus the arrest. However, it became obvious the pot wasn’t Smith’s. If Richt wanted to make himself look good, he could have kept the suspension on. Buffalo is no problem with or without Smith. But Richt, once again, did the right thing.
Dawg Whisperer
August 4th, 2012
3:16 pm
Actually, GTBob… that is exactly what I’m saying. I don’t get my daily quota of facts from message boards and neither should you.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
3:17 pm
GTBob, I’m guessing that you are researching the articles and those that have “inside knowledge.” Don’t bother because it is still hyperbole and not founded in fact.
Here is the facts for you. Several people knew about Crowell failing a drug test apparently a week and a half before Mark Richt did. Now go put your head back into the sand.
Truth
August 4th, 2012
3:18 pm
By all means little doggies…put winning above morales and character any day. He should have been suspended one game for being in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” Then he would make sure to be in the “right place” next time.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
3:19 pm
Actually, GTBob… that is exactly what I’m saying. I don’t get my daily quota of facts from message boards and neither should you.
Then once again you are saying that it was all made up and that they just got lucky a week and a half later when the truth was finally publicly reported?
Dawg Whisperer
August 4th, 2012
3:22 pm
GTBob…what I said was clear enough. Stick to facts, they are your friends.
Dawg Whisperer
August 4th, 2012
3:25 pm
GTBob… I’m enjoying the camaraderie but I’ve got to go. See you in church on Sunday.
Sven Ottke
August 4th, 2012
3:28 pm
“Georgia starting cornerback Branden Smith was arrested for marijuana possession on his way to the beach for spring break, police and Georgia coach Mark Richt confirmed.”
“……the athletic association’s conduct code regarding marijuana offenses. That policy stipulates a 10 percent suspension for competition dates for violations.
Obviously that policy or the coach has not guts to it. More proof that the tail wags the dog in Athens. Way to set an example.
#73
August 4th, 2012
3:28 pm
The Truth: Big Nard does speak to the team. Life after football’s been very good to him & he was the best OL to ever play at UGA. Do you have any more unsolicited advice to offer to this team?
georgia fans are certainly stupid
August 4th, 2012
3:34 pm
yes they are…
KC DAWG
August 4th, 2012
3:35 pm
@ The AD, so if the police pull you over for speeding 1mile over the speed limit they should give you a ticket correct because it is the law? You are such a moron. He passed the drug test and he had others in the car with him. They could have been the one with the drug and not him. They didn’t find it in his possession. You are such a hater.
oldbird
August 4th, 2012
3:37 pm
People, if you don’t feed the trolls, maybe they will go away. If Smith did not test positive for pot, then let it go at that. I am not a drug user and never have been, but one time, my idiot cousin fired up a joint while riding in the backseat of my car. I made him put it out and he said, “sorry, I forgot you’ve got morals.” My point is, if I had gone through a license check within the next few miles, I would have been arrested because the stuff was in my car, and there is no hiding that smell.
Sven Ottke
August 4th, 2012
3:39 pm
Sorry oldbird, it’s called taking responsibility for what goes on in your ride/dorm/apt.
KD Dawg, it’s impossible and against the law to get pulled over for speeding 1 mph over the limit. Are you that stupid? I’m not saying you are, I’m just asking.
georgia fans are certainly stupid
August 4th, 2012
3:41 pm
51 and counting…yall know it’s true…this “show me the list” bs is straight out of the punk playbook…passed the drug test, so it wasn’t his….mcgarrity and richt trying to save their behinds…new president coming in and he didn’t hire either of those clowns..hope he keeps them though…uga football is comedy gold…
ringleader
August 4th, 2012
3:42 pm
Some of you just do not understand! This was in Henry County, Alabama, as much of a speed trap that Barbour County, Alabama is.
If you are a college kid headed to Panama City, they are going to try and fine you for something. Fact is, Brandon was stopped for what? The officer said he stopped him “because his tag light was out”. When it was confirmed his tag light was working, he then said well “your tag light is too dim”…..”do you mind if I search your car” That was the probable cause, “your tag light is too dim”
Of course the correct answer would have been, No, you do not have permission to search my car. Either arrest me, or let me go!
georgia fans are certainly stupid
August 4th, 2012
3:43 pm
oldbird, sorry you aren’t as cool as you cousin…
CoachSpurlock
August 4th, 2012
3:46 pm
WOW, there’s a lot of butt-hurt on the boards today. I am amazed at all the fear of the DAWGS from the same people who love to tell us how much we suck. If you are not a fan of the Dawgs, why do you really care if Branden Smith misses the Buffalo game or not? We could recruit four 90 lb. sousaphonists from the Redcoat band and still beat Buffalo. Smith was never going to miss a game against your school, so why do you care so much? Is it because you know your team won’t beat mine? Ah, your tears are so yummy and sweet! You should just welcome your new Bulldog overlords because We Run This State…Evil Richt FTW! Bwahahahahahaha!!!!
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
3:54 pm
Is it because you know your team won’t beat mine?
Nah, the UGA/GT was pretty much decided 40 years ago. We are over that by now. We just like pointing out when Mark Richt is lying to the general public and going back on his own guidelines for punishment. You guys build him up to be holier then jesus when he is really closer to Bobby Petrino.
oldbird
August 4th, 2012
3:57 pm
@ sven – do you frisk every one who rides in your car?
@ georgia fans are certainly stupid – my “cool” cousin wound up murdering his hooker girlfriend and committing suicide. Yeah, I am glad I am not as cool as he was.
Oldbird – UGA class of ‘86
real deal is...of course
August 4th, 2012
4:01 pm
he was going to play. it’s win at any cost at UGA just like penn st.
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:03 pm
How many wins in a row does it take against the Nerds to keep them locked away in there “nobody cares who I am” box?? I mean…if I go over to the Nerd blogs…will I find this many UGA fans on there hating…..NOT!! Cause we don’t care about those Nerds and their high school offense….their irrelevant every year….I mean it’s the middle of the day on Sat….don’t u guys have some hotdogs to sell or something?!? Or a game of W&W to play?? if Georgia gets so bad that I’m more interested in going over to the Nerd blogs to hate….it’s time to give up football.
bitter Hill-folk
August 4th, 2012
4:06 pm
In high school I never admitted to smoking pot———In 4 years, lets see
nearly 4 pounds consumed————The bag in my car was never mine either
————Dawgs will have to find 4 quarters of solid football to win
LSU—MICH ST —are EXAMPLES of a Q/B who lacks focus—-TURNOVER MURRAY
WILL NEED A LAA-BOT-TA-MEE —if he can CHANGE his FOCUS
——–NO MAJOR CRIMES THIS OFF SEASON—muggins—kill-ins—stabb–ins
armed robbery——–thats good—gggeeeezzzzee
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:07 pm
@GTBob
Why do you care so much?? Why try to point out ur disgust on this site? Why not go tell ur boyfriends about it over on the GT blogs…..now they would love to hear about it and u guys (or girls) could throw a party, drink lemonade, watch old UGA vs GA games from the past 10 yrs….u know what I’m sayin’?
CoachSpurlock
August 4th, 2012
4:07 pm
@GTBob Still doesn’t explain why you care? Richt is not your coach, so why does his discipline policies matter to you so much? Let me get this straight. Richt is known to be one of the strictest disciplinarians in CFB, and the one time he uses discretion in the handing out of punishment (and rightfully so to any clear-thinking individual), he gets burned in effigy on the AJC boards by fans of schools he has nothing to do with? Still don’t understand why you so obsessed with what Richt does or doesn’t do, but you don’t know what the outcome was of your own player who fought with cops in Athens a couple of months ago. And for that matter, do you actually truly disagree with Richt’s decision (charges dropped/multiple drug tests passed), or do you just need something to bitch about?
gwinnett gator
August 4th, 2012
4:08 pm
So if he was in mark richts office and a joint fell out of his pocket would he not be punished if he passed his drug test? it seems to be ok to have it in your car as long as you dont smoke it.
bitter Hill-folk
August 4th, 2012
4:10 pm
Last week I loaned my car to a starting C/B and underneath the front seat was
a baggee of pot—————nice—-tonight tree gets the car
———-I guess i’ll just buy a drug dog to clear the car—-ggeeeezzzee
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:12 pm
All of dawg fans should try this approach:
Yea, we have so law breakin’ players on our team…..so what….so maybe they get suspended…maybe they don’t…that’s our business….r u a coach on this team with a say so?…..didn’t think so….now go back down in ur hole! And yes…..we plan to win the NC every year and Beat Tech’s ars every year! Is there anything else I can do for ya??
bitter Hill-folk
August 4th, 2012
4:13 pm
@G/gayturd==ITS what you can prove not about the truth
LAW SCHOOL 101
cdpridg
August 4th, 2012
4:14 pm
Gt Bob..Mark Richt is holier than thou…SEC is dominant and our players are cyborgs straight out of your favorite series Star trek???
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:17 pm
Hey gator…..i don’t think a gator fan should be talkin’ about other teams players breakin’ the law….really?? Isn’t that the pot callin’ the kettle black?? But while ur here, do u have some cut off jean shorts u can loan us? I got some Florida relatives comin in town next week….want them to feel at home when we go to our pool next week. lol
Michael
August 4th, 2012
4:18 pm
Coach PJ has already suspended the LB Drummond to start the season. He did it right away. He doesn’t play games like coward Richt does making everyone wait to see if he does anything or finds a way to weasel out doing his job in discipline. UGA is a joke that will take in any kind of hood rat just to win a football game. THWG. Go Jackets!
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:19 pm
See…..cdpridg has the right idea……let’s feed the trolls some yummy chum!
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
4:23 pm
Why do you care so much?? Why try to point out ur disgust on this site?
Because its fun, and UGA fans really need to be brought back down to reality sometimes. In your world you guys have already won a national championship (again), you have no discipline problems, and Mark Richt is the greatest coach and human being that ever lived. I could just laugh to myself at your delusion but it is much more fun calling you out on it.
CoachSpurlock
August 4th, 2012
4:23 pm
@Gwinnett Gator – Oh Lawd, now we’re getting trolled by Gator fans!?!? Doesn’t every new recruit in Gainesville get a bag-o-weed when they sign their letter of intent? If Smith were a gator, he wouldn’t even be running stadium stairs for this. I would assume if your scenario played out as you stated, he would be suspended, however your scenario is a flawed example. A better one would be: If Smith were in Richt’s office with three other people, and a joint fell out of one of the other people’s pocket, would Mark Richt be fired since the weed was in his office? Just remember…charges dropped/multiple drug tests passed. If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
4:25 pm
Richt is known to be one of the strictest disciplinarians in CFB
To who? UGA fans? You guys really have no idea what the perception of UGA is outside of Georgia do you?
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:25 pm
So, is the UGA/Tech game at Historic Mark Richt (a.k.a. Bobby Dodd Stadium) field this year or in Athens?? Oh, yea, it’s in Athens. lol. So when they gonna change the name to Mark Richt field? It’s about time if you ask me. Maybe some red tape to go through in Atlanta huh.
GTBob
August 4th, 2012
4:37 pm
So when they gonna change the name to Mark Richt field? It’s about time if you ask me
You act like Mark Richt is doing something special by beating GT. He isnt. They could just as easily name it Frank Beamer field. Besides, we are trying to improve crime in Atlanta and Mark Richts name tends to create more DUI’s then we can handle.
WI Dawg
August 4th, 2012
4:41 pm
Oh, he’s doing something special for the whole state of GA…..keepin’ the Nerds kicked down in the dirt. I’m sure people email him every day and thank him for his dedication to slappin the Nerd around every year. And it even comes with a bonus every few years….it continues to keep getting GT head coaches fired! Now you know that’s gonna make a lot of people happy in these sad times. lol
CoachSpurlock
August 4th, 2012
4:42 pm
@ Michael – Good for CPJ. But you know what? I don’t really care what CPJ does to Drummond because I don’t care about GT. My happiness does not depend on CPJ’s discipline policies. Couldn’t care less. Let me put this fly in the ointment though. What if Drummond was the wrong guy and just got caught up in the wash? What if APD dropped the charges? What if other exculpatory evidence was presented that cleared him? Would you still stand behind him being disciplined? Of course you would since you want the same thing to happen to Smith.
TDawg
August 4th, 2012
4:42 pm
If there is one thing that idiot GT Bob will never succeed in doing it is bringing a Dawg down in any way, even to reality as he calls it. His reality seems to be a bitter, miserable existence only inhabited by Tech trolls who consider it fun to troll a Dawg blog. Despite your efforts This Dawg will stay blissfully clear of GT Bob’s depressing version of “reality”.
Great news about Branden who seems to be a really nice young man and glad he does not do drugs or will be unduly punished. Go Dawgs
Charles
August 4th, 2012
4:48 pm
LMAO at GTBob’s small victories in life even though, as he says, the rivalry was decided 40 years ago…pointing out to UGA fans the err of their ways. That’s a hell of a way to spend a Saturday, Bob….hats off to this nerd.