UPDATED: Richt mum but suspensions still expected for Rambo, Ogletree
ATHENS — Georgia coach Mark Richt remained tight-lipped about the availability of safety Bacarri Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree for Saturday’s season opener against Buffalo.
It has been reported since March that the two all-star defenders are suspended for the first four games following a second violation of the UGA athletic association’s marijuana-use policy. However, neither Richt nor any UGA officials have confirmed those reports to date.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs listed both players as starters in the depth chart for the first game, which was released before Tuesday’s weekly news conference. However, Richt retreated into evasive mode when asked what he expected to see from those players during Saturday’s game.
“I just think we’ll have to wait and see,” he said coyly. “Time will tell.”
Alan Ingram, Rambo’s head coach at Seminole County High in Donalsonville, said in no uncertain terms back in March that Rambo told him he was going to be suspended for the first four games of the season after he and other UGA players allegedly failed surprise drug tests shortly after spring break. Ingram said Rambo told him it was his second violation of UGA’s marijuana-use policy for student-athletes, which calls for a suspension of 30 percent of competition dates and said that Ogletree was in the same situation. In the case of football players, that means four games.
Reached by telephone on Tuesday at Seminole County High, Ingram said he has no reason to believe anything has changed.
“I’ve seen Bacarri on several occasions since then and we honestly haven’t spoken about it,” said Ingram, a high school coach for 41 years. “I suppose he’s just going on with everything and will see what happens. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know anything more than I do. Of course, they may have told him not to talk to me about it. I just don’t know.”
Ingram said it’s possible he could be left out of the loop. So far he has been the only person to speak on the record about the situation. He said Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo came down and met with him shortly after Rambo’s news broke in March.
“Mike came down here a few days later and we discussed it,” In gram said. They didn’t have a problem with [Ingram talking]. I certainly didn’t have a problem with it. I did what the kid asked me to do. I’ve been around long enough that there’s not much that can hurt me anyway.”
Neither player has been made available for interviews since that information came to light six months ago. There have been indications that the Bulldogs, at this point, are trying to use the uncertainty as a strategic advantage against their opponents.
Richt admitted that Georgia has modified its disciplinary policies, which previously included an announcement beforehand that a player was being suspended from play.
” I don’t know if there’s anything etched in stone, but we are handing it a little bit different this year,” Richt said. “I don’t know if I can even say why. But we are definitely handling it just a little bit different.”
Regardless of all the rhetoric, it’s clear that Georgia is expecting to have to shuffle its defensive lineup early in the season. The Bulldogs already know they’re going to be without Sanders Commings, who’s two-game suspension for a domestic violence arrest was announced in February. Starting outside linebacker Chase Vasser is also out two games due to a May arrest for DUI. Converted receiver Malcolm Mitchell was listed as the starter at Comming’s boundary cornerback position and Ramik Wilson is listed as the starter at Vasser’s Sam linebacker spot.
It’s anticipated that senior Christian Robinson will get the call at Ogletree’s Mo linebacker position. Former walkon Connor Norman is listed as Rambo’s backup at free safety or the Bulldogs could move strong safety Shawn Williams to free and start Corey Moore at the strong safety. Clearly, the defense is expecting to make adjustments.
“These guys will be out for a while, but it won’t be a problem because whenever they come back we’ll be ready to play and we’ll have more depth,” said Robinson, who is listed as the backup for Ogletree at “Mo” inside linebacker. “They just tell everybody to be ready; you never know where you could be [playing]. I might be playing cornerback. Who knows?”
Ingram certainly isn’t expecting to see Rambo play early this season. But he said he believes the experience will ultimately be good for his former pupil.
“Bacarri’s a grown man now and he’s just going to take it,” Ingram said. “Whatever comes down is what’s going to happen. He wants to do some big things at Georgia, whether it’s seven or eight ballgames or 10 or 12, whatever. That’s the way he’s looking at it and that’s the way he sees it.”
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214 comments Add your comment
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
2:32 pm
I just don’t understand why our schedule is an issue. Last I checked we play 8 conference games in the hardest conference in the nation. Last I checked we don’t control the conference rotation. Last I checked, we played LSU and Bama in the same year and nobody complained in 2008. In 2009 We played LSU and Ark and nobody complained. We dropped Louisville for Boise St last year and nobody complained. We played Ok St, Ariz St, Colorado and about to play Clemson non conference, but all I ever hear whining about is how “easy” our schedule is. Who did UF play when they used to be good? Our schedule should be easy based on previous schedules, but how do we not know somebody is being overlooked on the schedule? Please for the last time everybody stop talking about how easy the schedule is.
kingdaddy
August 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
Huh?
I don’t mind an easy first game to iron-out the wrinkles, but many Doggies including myself, would rather play a little more nonconference challenge. Also the SEC rotation will bring Bama and LSU back on our schedule and I doubt you will be crying for us will you??
Been to just about every SEC stadium
August 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
I have been to about every SEC stadium except Arky and KY. Fans at all SEC schools come from all $$ walks of life. Yes, some of them have, since I began viewing UGA games in 1959, do get blitzed drunk in public. It is not a pretty sight. It just is the way that it is.
Put a red ball cap with a G on it and that supposedly makes the person a fan. If they are stumble bum drunks around Athens, that is their issue not UGA’s issue. UGA publically warsn against public intoxication as just about every public school has to.
Do not blame UGA or their alumni for the locals that drive in from all points on the campus to party. I have seen this all over the SEC, incl ACC schools at Clemson and at FSU and GT games.
Go Dogs.
Dont drink and drive.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:39 pm
Loyal…and you dropped Oregon OFF your schedule. Nobody is saying that UGA has control of it’s conference schedule….however, you are going to have to get used to it being a point of conversation among fans and the media…because, as ESPN has said, it’s one of the easiest SEC schedules that anybody can remember. Is it UGA’s fault? No…but is it a fact? Yes.
Alabama is playing Michigan…TN has been the leader in the SEC in scheduling non-conference heavy weights (Notre Dame, UCLA, CAL, Miami) and you want to talk about Colorado and Arizona State? please.
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
When we play bama next year, if they suck, I want nobody to complain because whether they are as good as they were last year or not, we would have played them. We play Ole Miss this year and I remember they were briefly a top 5 team a few years ago. I guess we avoided them too.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
kingdaddy…I doubt a UT fan would. They play Bama every year.
Listen…I’m not mad at UGA for the way the schedule has worked out last year and this year. The conference schedule, as I have said repeatedly, is not UGA’s fault. UGA will win a ton of games and get back to the SEC CG because of it (like last year)….I’m simply saying that after you have won a ton of games, the media and other fans are going to point to UGA’s weak schedule when comparing to other teams from the SEC. It’s happening now, and it will surely continue throughout the season.
MrA
August 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
“Mike came down here a few days later and we discussed it,” In gram said. They didn’t have a problem with [Ingram talking].
Yeah right. He drove all the way to Seminole County just to talk. He came to tell you to shut your mouth!
"The Georgia Way"
August 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
If there is any way that Coach can manipulate drug tests and suspensions, he will do so, like he did with Crowell last year.
kingdaddy
August 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Huh?
Yes I read the post and you are in here often supporting S.C. and “never” talking about UK, ever. Yeah, I read the post. You think we don’t remember you???
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Loyal…you are clearly sensitive about the schedule issue as most UGA fans are.
If you want to try to build a case about how tough UGA’s schedule is, go ahead. Nobody is buying it. You would be better off just not saying anything, and enjoying an easy run.
dawgfan
August 28th, 2012
2:46 pm
“dawgfan…not a GT fan. You can think that all you want.”
Okay, I will. I think you’re lying. You are a Tech fan. I can smell you from a mile away.
“I’ve already said I’m a UK fan.”
And that is exactly why I think you are lying. A UK fan? UK fans do not care that much about football, let alone GEORGIA football. They certainly don’t care enough to come on the website of an Atlanta, Georgia newspaper and spend hours on end trashing UGA football for no apparent reason whatsoever. You are a Tech fan and its as clear as glass. This might be the most pathetic disguise I have ever seen a Tech fan try to pull off. Simply awful my man. At least the ones that pose as Bama fans are somewhat believable.
Thanks.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:46 pm
kingdaddy…please oh please point to a post where I have supported SC….just one. Please. If you can, I will gladly leave and you will never hear from me again. God I beg you. Just one.
LHarding Dawg
August 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
The Georgia Way – Stupidest post of the day!
Top Row Dawg
August 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
You can comment all you want Huh. I guess you have to take a lot of bunk because UK plays in such a weak basketball conference. We are all big UK fans in March (Vicarious SEC fans). It’s just funny, a Wildcat defending UT. By the way Common Wealth is much nicer than Neyland. having been to all the SEC Stadiums I rank Williams Brice, Common Wealth, Bryant Denny, Jordan Hare, Death Valley, The Swamp, and of course Sanford Stadium all above Neyland. Only the size of the rest put them below Neyland.It is the most over rated stadium in America, why, because houseboats on a river?
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
dawgfan…graduated in 91 with a degree in economics….was on the swim team at UK. now live in TN. Think what you want. Your arguement that a UK fan can’t possibly care about football is ridiculous.
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
2:50 pm
Ok so if we kept Oregon and Ohio St on schedule and they ain’t no good by the time we play them, I guess we’ll be talked about for scheduling weak again huh?
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:52 pm
Top Dawg…no, UK fans don’t take a lot of bunk, because it all comes down to the NCAA tourney anyway. I think UK’s basketball record speaks for itself, but to be honest, I’m not a huge basketball fan. I follow UK, and I’m proud of their basketball accomplishments, but just not a die-hard.
As far as stadiums are concerned, I don’t really care. A lot of schools have nice stadiums. UT sure packs the fans in though. As a matter of fact, ESPN ranked UT in the top 10 greatest places to watch a college game I believe. Recruits seem to love it as well.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
2:53 pm
Loyal…guess we’ll never know, since UGA rarely does it. The fact is, you did take Oregon off your schedule, and they are good now….probably weren’t when you scheduled them. Which kind of defeats your arguement now doesn’t it?
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
Huh?………..dWagfan is a total idiot that even fellow UGa fans call out all the time.
I see where you ran DiLex off the Bill King blog.
DawginLex
August 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
I have abandoned the Bill King blog permanently. An Auburn idiot named HUH?? makes it impossible to post there along with the idiot SSIGator. Bill King told me “No Adult conversation allowed” was a very simple underlying rule on his blog.
It is really sad that Bill does not have the cajones to eliminate taunters, baiters etc.
Skipping our way to the SEC CG
August 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
When we play bama next year, if they suck, I want nobody to complain because whether they are as good as they were last year or not, we would have played them. We play Ole Miss this year and I remember they were briefly a top 5 team a few years ago. I guess we avoided them too.
You need to worry about UGA sucking next year, losing all those defensive players is going to make Grantham skip town faster than Santa Claus on Christmas Morning.
out for season!
August 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
just heard through a very repeatable source that Rambo and Ogletree failed a school administered drug test and are out for the season! Also there is a question about Jarvis Jones’ eligability so that will be interesting to watch over the next couple days when it all hits the fan……..
BG
August 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
Rambo has failed one drug test while at UGA not two. Rambo was in a car with someone who got charged with possesion of marijuana. Rambo was NOT charged.
kingdaddy
August 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
2012 UK SCHEDULE
@Louisville
Kent St.
Western Kentucky
@UF
S.C.
Miss.St.
@Ark.
UGA
@Missouri
Vandy
Samford
@UT
Huh?, did I miss anything? Why is this schedule so much harder than UGAs, because of a Petrinoless Ark.team??? Auburn is probably better and G.T. is better than Louisville. Are your cupcakes tougher than ours???
BG
August 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
Out for season you are full of crap!!!!
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
Twinkie…ha ha….thanks for the heads-up on dawgfan. I would love to take credit for running off DawginLex, but HUH?? is somebody else, not me.
I guess Dawg fans get upset when somebody comes on here with a voice of reason, and upsets the 2:00 kool-aid drink fest at the UGA trough.
kingdaddy
August 28th, 2012
3:04 pm
Huh ?
S.C. fans are the only ones crying about our “easy schedule”. We just play the games they tell us to play. Leave the crying up to the experts.(chickens)…
CHDawg
August 28th, 2012
3:04 pm
Loyal, our schedule isn’t an issue at all. Just gives the haters something to hate on this year. First, even if SC and UF were terrible (which they aren’t) we would still have to play the West champs, likely either Bama or LSU. So, assuming we were to beat them, we would almost certainly be playing number one or two in the BCS. The key isn’t how tough the schedule is, but winning all of our games. If we lose one or two, that is where it will enter the discussion. All of this pontification about strength of schedule *before* any of the the games have been played is stupid and a waste of time. Nobody knows how well any of the teams will play. Georgia is number six right now. If they win, we will be fine. If they lose, we won’t. Our record is what matters this year.
out for season!
August 28th, 2012
3:05 pm
actually they decided to go ahead and smoke with Crowell to avoid having to play the Cocks!!!!! Suckaaaaaaasssssss!!!!!!!!!!
Skipping our way to the SEC CG
August 28th, 2012
3:05 pm
Tdawg
August 28th, 2012
1:26 pm
Skipping yea I just love it when we rub our nut sacks all over passed out drunks and how we turn the water hoses on visiting fans and how we go around killing trees and. Say what? What do you mean that wasn’t UGA fan’s that did those things? It was who? Oh well never mind. Skipping I don’t care where you were born and where you lived most of your life. One thing for sure is that you are no dawg fan and never has been. Go find yourself some passed man and do your thing.
We ALL know you are the loser in the group. You are the Pivot Man for a reason.
Top Row Dawg
August 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
This is rich. Claims to be a UK fan but not a huge basketball fan.
Chastised when I get bad UT news from ESPN, but uses ESPN poll to defend crappiest most over rated stadium in America.
I think HUGE UT HILLBILLY is right on the nose. Exposed and embarrassed to admit your true sports team. Carry on Joan……..
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
kingdaddy…I’m still waiting on you to back up what you said. Give me a link to a post where it shows I supported SC. Now, you just want to change the topic, becuase you know I am right and you are wrong.
We have been talking about conference schedules, and how it’s not UGA’s fault that the conference schedule is so easy. Since UK and UGA are both in the East, then we are only talking about SEC West teams. So yes, we play Arkansas and UGA doesn’t.
Still waiting….
I hear the Crowing!!!!!!
August 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
Who’s your 4th string QB? Y’all gonna need him to finish the second half after the D at USC take turns knocking your QB’s out of the game!!!!!!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
Wow Top Row Dwag claimes to be a a UGa fan but doesn’t go watch the GYM DWAGS win Championships. Noway that can be.
UGa fans have to LOVE and support the Women’s sports because they are the REAL CHAMPIONS at UGa.
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
No because Oregon been good for at least 5+ years now and we scheduled them a few years ago
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
Top Dawg…again, think what you want…you’re a UGA so you always do anyway.
I proved to you that the ESPN article you pointed to was factually not accurate. I used the ESPN poll to state that many others disagree with you on a SUBJECTIVE issue. It’s analogous to a conversation on whether or not you like the Beatles. Grow up…quit trying to make something out of nothing.
TY
August 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
What is coach Ingram’s or In gram’s first name? Marsk? come on you need to back up to the bank teller this week to cash your check.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:12 pm
CHDawg…and how do you think UGA got that #6 national ranking? One of the biggest factors in a pre-season ranking is a team’s schedule (or lack thereof).
Rejoice in the high ranking and the easy schedule. If you are a UGA fan, now’s the time. If you can’t get it done this year, then it will never happen.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
Loyal…what year did UGA schedule Oregon? I know the answer, but I want to see if you do. I doubt you do, because if you really did, you wouldn’t be going down this road.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:19 pm
loyal…”No because Oregon been good for at least 5+ years now and we scheduled them a few years ago”
5+ years now??? Really??? God do you research anything?
In 2007, Oregon didn’t finish anywhere in the final Top 25 poll…same thing in 2008…nada. Finally, in 2009, they finished 16th. It was only in 2010 that they made some noise and finished 2nd. 5+ years??????? Ha ha ha ha
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
3:19 pm
CH you absolutely correct bro. GO DAWGS!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
UGa was to play Oregon H-n-H was year and this year. UGa ended up with Boise St. That didn’t turn out much better other than UGa went 0-1 instead 0-2 in season openers.
Top Row Dawg
August 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
37 comments out of 137 for HUGE UT HILLBILLY on the Georgia blog, and I’m the one that needs to grow up? LOL.I love the Beatles by the way, we CAN agree on that. As a matter of fact I’m just gonna turn off my mind, relax, and float downstream.
CHDawg
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
Huh?, I agree UGA is sitting in a good place, but don’t forget that the rankings are always wrong. Nobody has quite mastered predicting the future.
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
You right only top 25 teams are good huh.
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
Top Row….I hate the Beatles. I appreciate what they did historically, and certainly most people disagree with me. I just don’t like their music.
That’s my point. The stadium issue that you brought up is silly. You don’t like the statium…a lot of others do. You are entitled to your opinion, as are others. Who cares?
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
There is only 25 “good” teams each year and if you not voted in then you not good
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
CH…agreed. I’m just stating that schedule does play a part in the ranking system.
LOYAL DAWG
August 28th, 2012
3:28 pm
I guess Vandy was awful last year because they lost to a bunch of very good teams
Huh?
August 28th, 2012
3:28 pm
loyal…let it go bud. Your point is dead. You trying to continue it on is embarrasing.
CHDawg
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
Top Row, I thought he was an Auburn fan the other day! He hates UGA and he types fast (sounds like a techie who was the star student in his HS typing class in the 70s to me). A HAHAHAHA would clear his true identity up for us!