As you’d expect, head coach Mark Richt’s post-practice news conference was dominated by A.J. Green questions. Richt declined to comment on some things - like when he was asked if the penalty was too harsh.
On other questions, he was a bit more expansive.
On what he told the team:
“I just told them we’re gonna focus on this game and focus on who’s playing. Then we flexed and went to practice. We didn’t have a discussion. But I thought they practiced well. I don’t think the news affected them.”
When asked if he was surprised by the news:
“We all are very aware of what’s going on with AJ. Right now what’s most important for me is this game, so that’s what we’re gonna focus on.”
And …
“We’re gonna play whoever’s eligible to play.”
On how different the team will look the next three games:
“We are gonna appeal, of course, so we don’t know for certain right now. … If you kind of looked at us, what’d he miss, four games last year? … We’re still gonna run our system, we’re still gonna have guys that make plays. We’re still gonna run after people. It won’t change us a lot. … When A.J. is in there, those plays look a little bit different because of his abilities.”
And …
“We were gameplanning for him (being able to play). But the plan doesn’t really change. Like I said, last week Durham was in the game in a lot of the situations where A.J. would’ve been in the game.”
On Green’s reaction:
“He’s hurt. He’s sad. He’s sorry for what happened. He’s sorry for, you know, he’s sorry.”
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Reaction time
A few quick thought after the A.J. Green news:
- An Independence Bowl jersey?
- Selling a jersey is one thing. But selling it to someone whom the NCAA defined as an agent is what took this to another level. It’s not clear if the recipient of the jersey was an actual agent, or working for one – the wording of the NCAA release was careful on that note.
- A few have asked, so just to be clear: The four-game suspension includes the opener, when Georgia sat Green, and the next three games. That's according to Georgia.
- Sometime in the recent weeks, this investigation obviously took a turn away from the infamous Miami agent party. Mark Richt said at one point in the preseason that he wasn’t worried about anybody having to miss time because of the NCAA inquiry.
What changed? Did the NCAA come into town to speak to Green about the Miami party, then stumble upon the jersey sale?
Georgia is appealing, so we’ll see. But for the sake of comparison, when Alabama’s Marcell Dareus had his suspension knocked down from four to two, it was announced simultaneously with the initial suspension. In Green’s case the four games have been announced pending appeal.
- I’m not sure this is quite the death knell for Georgia’s season, or even its chances at South Carolina. Yes, the task just got that much harder for the Bulldogs. But you’re still talking about a receiver, who may touch the ball 5-10 times a game, rather than a star quarterback or tailback.
Keep in mind, last year Georgia was 2-1 without Green, with the loss being the Kentucky game, when they scored 27 points. Green also had to leave the Auburn game, and Georgia won anyway.
Even without Green, the Bulldogs are better off personnel-wise for this week than they were the opener. At least they get back their No. 2 receiver in Tavarres King, and one of their top two tailbacks in Washaun Ealey.
Having said all that, if you were looking for an excuse to pick South Carolina, now you have one.
- An Independence Bowl jersey?
- Selling a jersey is one thing. But selling it to someone whom the NCAA defined as an agent is what took this to another level. It’s not clear if the recipient of the jersey was an actual agent, or working for one – the wording of the NCAA release was careful on that note.
- A few have asked, so just to be clear: The four-game suspension includes the opener, when Georgia sat Green, and the next three games. That's according to Georgia.
- Sometime in the recent weeks, this investigation obviously took a turn away from the infamous Miami agent party. Mark Richt said at one point in the preseason that he wasn’t worried about anybody having to miss time because of the NCAA inquiry.
What changed? Did the NCAA come into town to speak to Green about the Miami party, then stumble upon the jersey sale?
Georgia is appealing, so we’ll see. But for the sake of comparison, when Alabama’s Marcell Dareus had his suspension knocked down from four to two, it was announced simultaneously with the initial suspension. In Green’s case the four games have been announced pending appeal.
- I’m not sure this is quite the death knell for Georgia’s season, or even its chances at South Carolina. Yes, the task just got that much harder for the Bulldogs. But you’re still talking about a receiver, who may touch the ball 5-10 times a game, rather than a star quarterback or tailback.
Keep in mind, last year Georgia was 2-1 without Green, with the loss being the Kentucky game, when they scored 27 points. Green also had to leave the Auburn game, and Georgia won anyway.
Even without Green, the Bulldogs are better off personnel-wise for this week than they were the opener. At least they get back their No. 2 receiver in Tavarres King, and one of their top two tailbacks in Washaun Ealey.
Having said all that, if you were looking for an excuse to pick South Carolina, now you have one.
Green suspended four games (updated)
Word just came in that A.J. Green has been suspended four games, including the opener, when he was held out by Georgia.
Green was found to have sold a jersey - his Independence Bowl jersey - for $1,000 to someone later found to be an agent, according to the NCAA.
"According to NCAA rules, an agent is any individual who markets or promotes a student-athlete," the NCAA said in a release.
Georgia is appealing, but Green will be ineligible during that process. That basically ensures that the star receiver will miss Saturday's game at South Carolina, because if the suspension was reduced it would likely only be by two games.
If Green misses a full four games, he would be eligible to return for Georgia's Oct. 2 game at Colorado.
"I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment," Green said in a statement released by the school. "I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that's been caused. I've learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible."
Georgia head coach Mark Richt said in a statement that was "disappointed with the outcome."
"However, we have games to play and that's where our focus needs to be in the coming days and weeks," Richt said "Other players will have to step forward and I'm confident they will do that."
Here's the full release from the NCAA:
Green was found to have sold a jersey - his Independence Bowl jersey - for $1,000 to someone later found to be an agent, according to the NCAA.
"According to NCAA rules, an agent is any individual who markets or promotes a student-athlete," the NCAA said in a release.
Georgia is appealing, but Green will be ineligible during that process. That basically ensures that the star receiver will miss Saturday's game at South Carolina, because if the suspension was reduced it would likely only be by two games.
If Green misses a full four games, he would be eligible to return for Georgia's Oct. 2 game at Colorado.
"I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment," Green said in a statement released by the school. "I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that's been caused. I've learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible."
Georgia head coach Mark Richt said in a statement that was "disappointed with the outcome."
"However, we have games to play and that's where our focus needs to be in the coming days and weeks," Richt said "Other players will have to step forward and I'm confident they will do that."
Here's the full release from the NCAA:
University of Georgia football student-athlete A.J. Green must miss four games as a condition of becoming eligible to play again, according to a decision today by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff.
The university declared the student-athlete ineligible for violations of NCAA agent benefits rules. According to the facts of the case submitted by Georgia, the student-athlete sold his Independence Bowl game jersey to an individual who meets the NCAA definition of an agent. Green has repaid the $1,000 value of benefits to charity.
During the reinstatement process, the NCAA staff reviews each case on its own merits based on the specific facts. Staff decisions are made based on a number of factors including guidelines established by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, the student-athlete¹s responsibility for the violation, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the university.
The university can appeal the decision to the Division I NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, an independent committee comprised of representatives from NCAA member colleges, universities and athletic conferences. This committee can reduce or remove the condition, but it cannot increase the staff-imposed conditions. If appealed, the student-athlete remains ineligible until the conclusion of the appeals process.
Morning reading
Jakar Hamilton, Georgia's starting safety, has had a heavy heart for a few years. My story in today's papers on him.
- The AJC's Jeff Shultz believes Georgia needs an answer on A.J. Green, but the NCAA isn't dragging its feet, there must be something more going on.
- ESPN's Chris Low, in his weekly SEC power poll, ranks Georgia No. 2, behind Alabama. That seems kind of high if you're looking at the national polls, but Low is buying in so far to the defense.
- In case you haven't seen it, Mark Richt got some love from tailback recruit Isaiah Crowell after a 90-yard touchdown run last Friday. Richt was at the game scouting the Columbus-Carver High School prospect; Crowell is Georgia's top tailback recruit now that James Wilder is off the board.
(I hope this isn't a secondary violation in any way. ... Kidding, kidding.)
- Meanwhile, in basketball news, could Kentucky be without one of its major recruits? John Calipari always seems to find a way, but the New York Times is reporting that Enes Kanter got a whole lot of money to play for a Turkish pro team.
ATHENS — It was Jakar Hamilton’s father, before everything fell apart for him, who got his son to play football. The son remembers a playful punch, but a warning that another one was coming if he didn’t stay on that field.
If not for his father, Hamilton said, “I wouldn’t even be playing football.”
This Saturday, when Hamilton goes home, he will have a long list of family, friends, former teammates and coaches clamoring for tickets to see him in the big game at Williams-Brice Stadium.
One person, however, will not be there.
Hamilton’s father, Michael Goodson Sr., is in a Texas federal prison, serving a nearly 20-year sentence for mail and wire fraud.
- The AJC's Jeff Shultz believes Georgia needs an answer on A.J. Green, but the NCAA isn't dragging its feet, there must be something more going on.
Only A.J. Green still has an issue.
He’s not free. He’s not suspended. It’s more like he’s in NCAA limbo.
Now, it would be very easy for me to fill the next few paragraphs with rumors about why Georgia held Green out of the season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette and why, when the team’s new depth chart came out Tuesday, his name was listed below the rest of the flankers, in italics, with an asterisk and adjacent to the notation, “Status TBD.”
- ESPN's Chris Low, in his weekly SEC power poll, ranks Georgia No. 2, behind Alabama. That seems kind of high if you're looking at the national polls, but Low is buying in so far to the defense.
- In case you haven't seen it, Mark Richt got some love from tailback recruit Isaiah Crowell after a 90-yard touchdown run last Friday. Richt was at the game scouting the Columbus-Carver High School prospect; Crowell is Georgia's top tailback recruit now that James Wilder is off the board.
(I hope this isn't a secondary violation in any way. ... Kidding, kidding.)
- Meanwhile, in basketball news, could Kentucky be without one of its major recruits? John Calipari always seems to find a way, but the New York Times is reporting that Enes Kanter got a whole lot of money to play for a Turkish pro team.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Post-practice notes
First off, I know what’s out there regarding A.J. Green, and what’s being reported elsewhere. But as of (looking at watch) 9:03 p.m. eastern time, there isn’t enough for me to write anything other than he has not been cleared to play.
Georgia officials had not heard anything as of late this evening, and there was no reason to believe they would until Wednesday morning, if then.
Bulldogs receivers coach Tony Ball practically threw up his hands when the matter was raised Tuesday evening.
“We’re at the mercy,” Ball said. “We’re just continuing to work and continuing to get better. We know at some point something’s gonna happen. We’ve just gotta make sure we’re prepared. That’s all we can do.”
Georgia associate athletics director Claude Felton and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said they hadn't heard anything yet on Green.
"We're just practicing, and getting ready to play, and if he's there he's there, and if he's not he's not," Bobo said. "It's out of my control so there's nothing we can do. I wish there was, but there's not."
Dean Legge over at Dawgpost.com has posted a story saying Green will play Saturday against South Carolina. (Then again, Georgia officials probably thought that last week too. Remember Bobo casually ticking off Green's name when asked which receivers he would use?)
I’m also aware that the jersey-selling part of the story is being reported. Yes, after speaking with some people at or near Summerville, S.C., the belief is that the NCAA was looking into that. But I’ve heard wildly divergent dollar figures on that supposed jersey sale.
Hopefully, we get a resolution to this quickly.
More notes from after practice:
- Bobo wasn’t as down on the Bulldogs’ running game in Saturday’s win over Louisiana-Lafayette. He was just “disappointed” with how the backup offensive linemen blocked.
“I thought consistently, for two quarters and a half, we played well,” Bobo said.
“It wasn’t that explosive, run out of there. We had that one long (touchdown) run on third-and-one with Caleb King. But I thought we blocked well. There were a couple times we missed a couple runs and left some out there.”
- Tailback Carlton Thomas will not have his one late fumble (which wasn’t ruled one) held against him when playing time is considered.
“We’re not gonna penalize him for that right there because he’s fundamentally better in the way he’s running the football in practice and carrying in games,” Bobo said.
“He gave us a change of direction out there Saturday.”
- As for the play quarterback Aaron Murray, Bobo said he was “definitely encouraged.” You may recall that Bobo was critical of Murray after one scrimmage, because of some “bonehead” decisions. But other than a little too much scrambling – which Bobo said they knew they’d have to deal with from the freshman – Bobo was pleased.
“(Without) our top two wideouts and one of our top running backs, I was encouraged with the guys that stepped up and made plays, and I was encouraged with him making plays,” Bobo said. “His playmaking ability enabled us to move the ball and score points.”
- Grantham still wants to use linebacker Richard Samuel, who has been hurt. A redshirt has been discussed, but the Bulldogs are still a bit thin at the inside spots.
“Right now, because it’s so early, you still want him to come back and see what he can do,” Grantham said. “There’s a lot of things that could happen. He could be a role player in something, he could be on special teams. There’s a lot of factors that go into it.”
- Finally, Grantham – a Virginia Tech grad – did not see the game against Boise State on Monday night.
“I know the result. I was told – I’ve been reminded of that,” Grantham said, grinning. “And then I was told they had new uniforms too.”
Oh yeah, and how.
Georgia officials had not heard anything as of late this evening, and there was no reason to believe they would until Wednesday morning, if then.
Bulldogs receivers coach Tony Ball practically threw up his hands when the matter was raised Tuesday evening.
“We’re at the mercy,” Ball said. “We’re just continuing to work and continuing to get better. We know at some point something’s gonna happen. We’ve just gotta make sure we’re prepared. That’s all we can do.”
Georgia associate athletics director Claude Felton and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said they hadn't heard anything yet on Green.
"We're just practicing, and getting ready to play, and if he's there he's there, and if he's not he's not," Bobo said. "It's out of my control so there's nothing we can do. I wish there was, but there's not."
Dean Legge over at Dawgpost.com has posted a story saying Green will play Saturday against South Carolina. (Then again, Georgia officials probably thought that last week too. Remember Bobo casually ticking off Green's name when asked which receivers he would use?)
I’m also aware that the jersey-selling part of the story is being reported. Yes, after speaking with some people at or near Summerville, S.C., the belief is that the NCAA was looking into that. But I’ve heard wildly divergent dollar figures on that supposed jersey sale.
Hopefully, we get a resolution to this quickly.
More notes from after practice:
- Bobo wasn’t as down on the Bulldogs’ running game in Saturday’s win over Louisiana-Lafayette. He was just “disappointed” with how the backup offensive linemen blocked.
“I thought consistently, for two quarters and a half, we played well,” Bobo said.
“It wasn’t that explosive, run out of there. We had that one long (touchdown) run on third-and-one with Caleb King. But I thought we blocked well. There were a couple times we missed a couple runs and left some out there.”
- Tailback Carlton Thomas will not have his one late fumble (which wasn’t ruled one) held against him when playing time is considered.
“We’re not gonna penalize him for that right there because he’s fundamentally better in the way he’s running the football in practice and carrying in games,” Bobo said.
“He gave us a change of direction out there Saturday.”
- As for the play quarterback Aaron Murray, Bobo said he was “definitely encouraged.” You may recall that Bobo was critical of Murray after one scrimmage, because of some “bonehead” decisions. But other than a little too much scrambling – which Bobo said they knew they’d have to deal with from the freshman – Bobo was pleased.
“(Without) our top two wideouts and one of our top running backs, I was encouraged with the guys that stepped up and made plays, and I was encouraged with him making plays,” Bobo said. “His playmaking ability enabled us to move the ball and score points.”
- Grantham still wants to use linebacker Richard Samuel, who has been hurt. A redshirt has been discussed, but the Bulldogs are still a bit thin at the inside spots.
“Right now, because it’s so early, you still want him to come back and see what he can do,” Grantham said. “There’s a lot of things that could happen. He could be a role player in something, he could be on special teams. There’s a lot of factors that go into it.”
- Finally, Grantham – a Virginia Tech grad – did not see the game against Boise State on Monday night.
“I know the result. I was told – I’ve been reminded of that,” Grantham said, grinning. “And then I was told they had new uniforms too.”
Oh yeah, and how.
Dissecting the AP poll
In this week's poll Georgia was as high as No. 13, and that was on three separate ballots. Send your fruit baskets to Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Greg Archuleta of the Albuquerque Journal and Rob Long of Fox-1370 Radio in Baltimore.
The Bulldogs were unranked on seven ballots. I won’t name them, other than to say one of them was the Fanhouose.com reporter that had James Wilder choosing Georgia last month.
Other notable voters:
- ESPN’s Craig James had Georgia barely on his ballot, at No. 24.
- ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit each put Georgia at 17.
- Coley Harvey, my colleague at The Telegraph, had Georgia at No. 21. (Coley covers Georgia Tech, and yes he had the Jackets at 14.)
- Andy Staples of SI.com put the Bulldogs at 16.
Unfortunately, the coaches still don’t make their votes public. And that’s a bigger deal because it actually figures into the BCS equation.
Also, because there should be an investigation into who gave Tennessee a vote in this week’s poll. I’m betting it wasn’t Lane Kiffin.
The Bulldogs were unranked on seven ballots. I won’t name them, other than to say one of them was the Fanhouose.com reporter that had James Wilder choosing Georgia last month.
Other notable voters:
- ESPN’s Craig James had Georgia barely on his ballot, at No. 24.
- ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit each put Georgia at 17.
- Coley Harvey, my colleague at The Telegraph, had Georgia at No. 21. (Coley covers Georgia Tech, and yes he had the Jackets at 14.)
- Andy Staples of SI.com put the Bulldogs at 16.
Unfortunately, the coaches still don’t make their votes public. And that’s a bigger deal because it actually figures into the BCS equation.
Also, because there should be an investigation into who gave Tennessee a vote in this week’s poll. I’m betting it wasn’t Lane Kiffin.
Georgia moves up, USC moves in
Saturday's game will officially be a matchup of ranked teams.
Georgia moved up one spot, to 22, in the latest Associated Press poll, while South Carolina debuted at 24.
That means the Bulldogs and Gamecocks will both be ranked when they meet each other for the first time since 2003, and for only the second time since 1980.
Georgia won both previous matchups, when each was ranked: 31-7 in 2003 and 13-10 in 1980. Both games were in Athens.
Meantime, Georgia moved up to 19, from 21, in the newest USA Today-ESPN coaches poll, released on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile South Carolina entered the poll at 25.
Georgia moved up one spot, to 22, in the latest Associated Press poll, while South Carolina debuted at 24.
That means the Bulldogs and Gamecocks will both be ranked when they meet each other for the first time since 2003, and for only the second time since 1980.
Georgia won both previous matchups, when each was ranked: 31-7 in 2003 and 13-10 in 1980. Both games were in Athens.
Meantime, Georgia moved up to 19, from 21, in the newest USA Today-ESPN coaches poll, released on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile South Carolina entered the poll at 25.
Richt expects Green decision this week
Georgia head coach Mark Richt expects to hear clarification on A.J. Green’s status this week, he said at his weekly news conference.
“I’d be highly disappointed if we don’t hear something this week,” Richt said. “I would think we will.”
Which way, we still don’t know. But that’s the first time Richt has really said anything tangible on Green’s status.
Richt also said that Green will practice like normal “until we know something one way or another.”
“If A.J. lines up at 1 or a 2, and the other guy lines up at 1 or a 2, he’s gonna be learning the things at the position that A.J. would play,” Richt said. “Kris Durham got a lot of those reps last week in practice, and it turned out he was the one catching the fade at the goal-line, and all those situations. So we’ll just continue to do it that way.”
Durham was Georgia’s leading receiver against Louisiana-Lafayette.
South Carolina also has some uncertainty with players – three potential starters sat out the Gamecocks’ opener. Richt granted that complicates uncertainty on both sides, especially with planning.
“If we know who exactly is playing for us that helps, it makes us feel confident in our plan,” Richt said. “As you’re preparing for someone, you want to know who’s available (for that team.)”
There was a light moment in the news conference, when Richt was asked for the third time about Green, but in a different way. (We media guys have started honing our questions.)
Richt was asked if the uncertainty over Green would have a detrimental affect on his teammates.
“What I’m gonna do is just revert to the old dumb answer,” Richt said. “Even though I know it’s a lot different than what you’re asking. It’s been a lot easier just answering that I’m not gonna make a comment on anything – even though I just did.”
That drew some laughter.
(It was only later in the press conference, in fact the final question, that Richt gave the above answer about expecting to hear something this week.
More nuggets from Richt’s presser:
- With Aaron Murray preparing to play his first road game, the Bulldogs are going to try to have as many plays as possible where he doesn’t have to change plays or do stuff at the line.
- Logan Gray will still get a couple reps “here and there” at quarterback. But he’s a receiver for the foreseeable future.
- Richt also heaped praise on South Carolina’s players:
QB Stephen Garcia “looked like the true leader of that team. He looked like the guy who was in control. … He’s a really talented kid who looks like he’s coming into his own right now.”
Freshman RB Marcus Lattimore is getting hyped and “for a good reason. He’s a good back. Not a good one, he’s a great one.”
Receivers Alshon Jeffery and Tori Gurley are “mismatch issues.” And freshman receiver Ace Sanders was in Georgia’s camp a few years ago. (“I think everybody who ever saw him in a camp situation was super intrigued by him,” Richt said.)
And overall, the Gamecocks “were very impressive. They just looked sharp.”
“I’d be highly disappointed if we don’t hear something this week,” Richt said. “I would think we will.”
Which way, we still don’t know. But that’s the first time Richt has really said anything tangible on Green’s status.
Richt also said that Green will practice like normal “until we know something one way or another.”
“If A.J. lines up at 1 or a 2, and the other guy lines up at 1 or a 2, he’s gonna be learning the things at the position that A.J. would play,” Richt said. “Kris Durham got a lot of those reps last week in practice, and it turned out he was the one catching the fade at the goal-line, and all those situations. So we’ll just continue to do it that way.”
Durham was Georgia’s leading receiver against Louisiana-Lafayette.
South Carolina also has some uncertainty with players – three potential starters sat out the Gamecocks’ opener. Richt granted that complicates uncertainty on both sides, especially with planning.
“If we know who exactly is playing for us that helps, it makes us feel confident in our plan,” Richt said. “As you’re preparing for someone, you want to know who’s available (for that team.)”
There was a light moment in the news conference, when Richt was asked for the third time about Green, but in a different way. (We media guys have started honing our questions.)
Richt was asked if the uncertainty over Green would have a detrimental affect on his teammates.
“What I’m gonna do is just revert to the old dumb answer,” Richt said. “Even though I know it’s a lot different than what you’re asking. It’s been a lot easier just answering that I’m not gonna make a comment on anything – even though I just did.”
That drew some laughter.
(It was only later in the press conference, in fact the final question, that Richt gave the above answer about expecting to hear something this week.
More nuggets from Richt’s presser:
- With Aaron Murray preparing to play his first road game, the Bulldogs are going to try to have as many plays as possible where he doesn’t have to change plays or do stuff at the line.
- Logan Gray will still get a couple reps “here and there” at quarterback. But he’s a receiver for the foreseeable future.
- Richt also heaped praise on South Carolina’s players:
QB Stephen Garcia “looked like the true leader of that team. He looked like the guy who was in control. … He’s a really talented kid who looks like he’s coming into his own right now.”
Freshman RB Marcus Lattimore is getting hyped and “for a good reason. He’s a good back. Not a good one, he’s a great one.”
Receivers Alshon Jeffery and Tori Gurley are “mismatch issues.” And freshman receiver Ace Sanders was in Georgia’s camp a few years ago. (“I think everybody who ever saw him in a camp situation was super intrigued by him,” Richt said.)
And overall, the Gamecocks “were very impressive. They just looked sharp.”
Ask a beat writer (or me)
I know a very popular feature on here has been a Q&A with a beat writer who covers the upcoming opponent. I did the same thing in my previous job, and plan to make it a regular feature here too.
The problem this week is both beat writers at our sister paper (The State) covering South Carolina recently left to take other jobs. Of course, one of them was me.
So, having covered the Gamecocks the past four years and lived in Columbia the past five, I’ll let you faithful readers send in questions and I’ll answer them. Feel free to comment on the blog, send in an e-mail, or come visit me in person at my Athens home. (Address withheld, because I’m kidding about that.)
In the meantime, my former paper reports Tuesday that even with Georgia’s A.J. Green still uncertain, the Gamecock secondary members are planning as if he’ll play. This according to safety Akeem Auguste:
“Most definitely,” Auguste said. “We’re going in knowing he’s going to play. Even if he doesn’t, we’re still thinking that he is.”
(I’ll leave you all to square that last sentence and see if it makes sense.)
More, from cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who would be lined up against Green in most sets.
“We’re calling all our coverages as if he was playing. You just prepare for the offense as a whole,” Gilmore said. “I’m looking forward to playing against him. He’s a big-time receiver. I’ll be ready to see what he’s got.”
Meanwhile, South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward was impressed with the play of Georgia QB Aaron Murray.
“He’s real athletic. He can make a lot of plays with his feet,” Ward said. “They’re trying to keep it simple for him in his reads, but he’s kind of dangerous with scrambling and getting out of the pocket and making big plays. The receivers do a good job of moving around when he does scramble.”
Other notes:
- What a day of football on Monday. Maryland stuffing Navy at the goal-line, and Boise State coming back to win.
We’ll see whether Boise State goes unbeaten, and we’ll see how good Virginia Tech ends up being. But if Boise does go 12-0, and Virginia Tech ends up at least a top 10 team, it’s going to be very, very hard for the BCS to keep the Broncos out of the BCS title game.
Keep in mind what Boise State did on Monday: It went across the country and won what was essentially a road game at the No. 10-ranked team in the country. That counts for something.
- Was Sunday’s “Mad Men” not one of the best in the show’s history? I got chills when the ghost walked in, even though I’m still not sure if it was a ghost or Don Draper was dreaming.
The problem this week is both beat writers at our sister paper (The State) covering South Carolina recently left to take other jobs. Of course, one of them was me.
So, having covered the Gamecocks the past four years and lived in Columbia the past five, I’ll let you faithful readers send in questions and I’ll answer them. Feel free to comment on the blog, send in an e-mail, or come visit me in person at my Athens home. (Address withheld, because I’m kidding about that.)
In the meantime, my former paper reports Tuesday that even with Georgia’s A.J. Green still uncertain, the Gamecock secondary members are planning as if he’ll play. This according to safety Akeem Auguste:
“Most definitely,” Auguste said. “We’re going in knowing he’s going to play. Even if he doesn’t, we’re still thinking that he is.”
(I’ll leave you all to square that last sentence and see if it makes sense.)
More, from cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who would be lined up against Green in most sets.
“We’re calling all our coverages as if he was playing. You just prepare for the offense as a whole,” Gilmore said. “I’m looking forward to playing against him. He’s a big-time receiver. I’ll be ready to see what he’s got.”
Meanwhile, South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward was impressed with the play of Georgia QB Aaron Murray.
“He’s real athletic. He can make a lot of plays with his feet,” Ward said. “They’re trying to keep it simple for him in his reads, but he’s kind of dangerous with scrambling and getting out of the pocket and making big plays. The receivers do a good job of moving around when he does scramble.”
Other notes:
- What a day of football on Monday. Maryland stuffing Navy at the goal-line, and Boise State coming back to win.
We’ll see whether Boise State goes unbeaten, and we’ll see how good Virginia Tech ends up being. But if Boise does go 12-0, and Virginia Tech ends up at least a top 10 team, it’s going to be very, very hard for the BCS to keep the Broncos out of the BCS title game.
Keep in mind what Boise State did on Monday: It went across the country and won what was essentially a road game at the No. 10-ranked team in the country. That counts for something.
- Was Sunday’s “Mad Men” not one of the best in the show’s history? I got chills when the ghost walked in, even though I’m still not sure if it was a ghost or Don Draper was dreaming.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Two out of three ain't bad, for now
A.J. Green was practicing like normal on Monday. But the status of the Georgia receiver remains unresolved.
Georgia didn’t get any word from the NCAA – not surprising since it was a holiday – and Green’s quarterback said he was as in the dark as anybody.
“It’d be nice to have him back out there,” Aaron Murray said after practice. “He’s definitely chomping at the bit to get back out there. I don’t know anything that’s going on. But it’d be nice just to get it done with and get it out of the way and let him get out there and start making some plays for us.”
Murray and Green didn’t get much of a chance to work together on Monday, since the team practiced in shells. From what Murray could tell, Green didn’t look any different.
This wasn’t any different from last week in practice either.
“He’s the same old A.J., doing his thing, working hard,” Murray said. “I didn’t get to work too much with the receivers because it was such a short practice, but I was watching and looking over while they were doing drills, and he was going full-speed, working hard, it looked like. So he just wants to get out there and go play.”
Murray will have at least two of his weapons back – No. 2 receiver Tavarres King and tailback Washaun Ealey are both off suspension.
Ealey was arrested 10 days ago on three misdemeanors stemming from hitting a parked car. He said he had his registration taken care of now – another part of the charges.
As for how much he’ll play Saturday, and whether he’s back in the good graces of the coaches, he wasn’t sure.
“Right now I don’t know what my standing is with the coaches, but hopefully I’ll get back on their good side,” Ealey said.
King said it was “really tough” not being able to play in the opener.
“You walk into Sanford Stadium and you’re not dressed. You’re not in pads,” King said. “You see your teammates getting ready for a game that you should’ve been in. But it was extremely tough but I’m glad I’m back this week.”
More on King, Ealey and Green in Tuesday’s papers.
Georgia didn’t get any word from the NCAA – not surprising since it was a holiday – and Green’s quarterback said he was as in the dark as anybody.
“It’d be nice to have him back out there,” Aaron Murray said after practice. “He’s definitely chomping at the bit to get back out there. I don’t know anything that’s going on. But it’d be nice just to get it done with and get it out of the way and let him get out there and start making some plays for us.”
Murray and Green didn’t get much of a chance to work together on Monday, since the team practiced in shells. From what Murray could tell, Green didn’t look any different.
This wasn’t any different from last week in practice either.
“He’s the same old A.J., doing his thing, working hard,” Murray said. “I didn’t get to work too much with the receivers because it was such a short practice, but I was watching and looking over while they were doing drills, and he was going full-speed, working hard, it looked like. So he just wants to get out there and go play.”
Murray will have at least two of his weapons back – No. 2 receiver Tavarres King and tailback Washaun Ealey are both off suspension.
Ealey was arrested 10 days ago on three misdemeanors stemming from hitting a parked car. He said he had his registration taken care of now – another part of the charges.
As for how much he’ll play Saturday, and whether he’s back in the good graces of the coaches, he wasn’t sure.
“Right now I don’t know what my standing is with the coaches, but hopefully I’ll get back on their good side,” Ealey said.
King said it was “really tough” not being able to play in the opener.
“You walk into Sanford Stadium and you’re not dressed. You’re not in pads,” King said. “You see your teammates getting ready for a game that you should’ve been in. But it was extremely tough but I’m glad I’m back this week.”
More on King, Ealey and Green in Tuesday’s papers.
NFL Bulldogs
The NFL kicks off this week, and as usual Georgia has a ton of former players on rosters.
You know about the major ones (Matt Stafford, Champ Bailey, Hines Ward, Jon Stinchcomb, etc.).
Here’s an update on some others:
DT Geno Atkins, who led the NFL in preseason sacks, made Cincinnati.
DT Jeff Owens was cut by Philadelphia.
WR Michael Moore was cut by Detroit.
CB-PR Prince Miller was among the final cuts by Baltimore. Miller was set to be the Ravens’ punt return man until they traded for Josh Wilson from Seattle.
LB Rennie Curran is slated to start for Tennessee.
G Vince Vance was cut early in the preseason by Chicago.
G Max Jean-Gilles was re-signed by Philadelphia after initially being cut. He’s on the team’s 53-man roster as the season starts.
RB Kregg Lumpkin is now with Tampa Bay, after being waived by Green Bay. Lumpkin looks to be a third-teamer behind Cadillac Williams and Kareem Huggins.
DE Jarius Wynn was cut by Green Bay after playing 11 games for the Packers last year.
DT Corvey Irvin was cut by Carolina.
CB Tim Jennings made Chicago after spending the first four seasons with Indianapolis.
C Fernando Velasco made Tennessee as a backup.
Some other notables:
TE Leonard Pope is in line to start for Kansas City.
DT Marcus Stroud is with Buffalo for the third straight year.
TE Ben Watson will start for Cleveland, after spending the past six seasons with New England.
WR Mohamed Massaquoi will also start for Cleveland, and is regarded by some experts as a fantasy football sleeper. At least I hope so, since I drafted him in both my leagues.
WR Reggie Brown is in the mix to start at receiver for Tampa Bay.
S Sean Jones won the starting strong safety job for Tampa Bay.
RB Danny Ware made the New York Giants for a fourth straight year. Ware is a third-teamer behind Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.
DT Kendric Golston is entering his fifth season with Washington, and has a chance to start at the nose if the team benches Albert Haynesworth.
LB Will Witherspoon is in the mix at one of the outside spots for Tennessee. He spent the past four seasons in Carolina.
DE Demetric Evans is starting his second year with San Francisco. He’s a backup.
S Paul Oliver is on San Diego, in the mix for playing time at safety.
DE Charles Johnson should start for Carolina.
LB Dannell Ellerbee made Baltimore but appears to have been benched because of his “head getting too big,” according to The Baltimore Sun.
CB Asher Allen won a starting spot for Minnesota.
DE Chris Clemons is set to start for Seattle.
DE Phillip Daniels is slated to start again for Washington.
OLB Quentin Moses is beginning his fourth year for Miami and should see playing time.
RT Dennis Roland could start for Cincinnati, which is upset with former No. 1 pick Andre Smith’s work ethic.
If you have any questions about anyone else, ask away and I’ll try to find out for you.
UPDATE: To answer some of those questions I've already received ...
- S Reshad Jones is a backup with Miami.
- RB Thomas Brown was cut by the Browns in July, and hasn't hooked on with a team.
- Owens was placed on the Eagles' practice squad after being cut by that team. Miller is "likely" to make the Raves' practice squad, according to the Baltimore Sun.
- DE Kade Weston will miss the season after New England placed him on IR.
- S Jermaine Phillips, released by Tampa Bay, is a free agent.
- As I said at the outset, I skipped over the obvious guys, but I'll go ahead and name them so you believe I know they exist: Knowshon Moreno, John Kasay, Richard Seymour.
You know about the major ones (Matt Stafford, Champ Bailey, Hines Ward, Jon Stinchcomb, etc.).
Here’s an update on some others:
DT Geno Atkins, who led the NFL in preseason sacks, made Cincinnati.
DT Jeff Owens was cut by Philadelphia.
WR Michael Moore was cut by Detroit.
CB-PR Prince Miller was among the final cuts by Baltimore. Miller was set to be the Ravens’ punt return man until they traded for Josh Wilson from Seattle.
LB Rennie Curran is slated to start for Tennessee.
G Vince Vance was cut early in the preseason by Chicago.
G Max Jean-Gilles was re-signed by Philadelphia after initially being cut. He’s on the team’s 53-man roster as the season starts.
RB Kregg Lumpkin is now with Tampa Bay, after being waived by Green Bay. Lumpkin looks to be a third-teamer behind Cadillac Williams and Kareem Huggins.
DE Jarius Wynn was cut by Green Bay after playing 11 games for the Packers last year.
DT Corvey Irvin was cut by Carolina.
CB Tim Jennings made Chicago after spending the first four seasons with Indianapolis.
C Fernando Velasco made Tennessee as a backup.
Some other notables:
TE Leonard Pope is in line to start for Kansas City.
DT Marcus Stroud is with Buffalo for the third straight year.
TE Ben Watson will start for Cleveland, after spending the past six seasons with New England.
WR Mohamed Massaquoi will also start for Cleveland, and is regarded by some experts as a fantasy football sleeper. At least I hope so, since I drafted him in both my leagues.
WR Reggie Brown is in the mix to start at receiver for Tampa Bay.
S Sean Jones won the starting strong safety job for Tampa Bay.
RB Danny Ware made the New York Giants for a fourth straight year. Ware is a third-teamer behind Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.
DT Kendric Golston is entering his fifth season with Washington, and has a chance to start at the nose if the team benches Albert Haynesworth.
LB Will Witherspoon is in the mix at one of the outside spots for Tennessee. He spent the past four seasons in Carolina.
DE Demetric Evans is starting his second year with San Francisco. He’s a backup.
S Paul Oliver is on San Diego, in the mix for playing time at safety.
DE Charles Johnson should start for Carolina.
LB Dannell Ellerbee made Baltimore but appears to have been benched because of his “head getting too big,” according to The Baltimore Sun.
CB Asher Allen won a starting spot for Minnesota.
DE Chris Clemons is set to start for Seattle.
DE Phillip Daniels is slated to start again for Washington.
OLB Quentin Moses is beginning his fourth year for Miami and should see playing time.
RT Dennis Roland could start for Cincinnati, which is upset with former No. 1 pick Andre Smith’s work ethic.
If you have any questions about anyone else, ask away and I’ll try to find out for you.
UPDATE: To answer some of those questions I've already received ...
- S Reshad Jones is a backup with Miami.
- RB Thomas Brown was cut by the Browns in July, and hasn't hooked on with a team.
- Owens was placed on the Eagles' practice squad after being cut by that team. Miller is "likely" to make the Raves' practice squad, according to the Baltimore Sun.
- DE Kade Weston will miss the season after New England placed him on IR.
- S Jermaine Phillips, released by Tampa Bay, is a free agent.
- As I said at the outset, I skipped over the obvious guys, but I'll go ahead and name them so you believe I know they exist: Knowshon Moreno, John Kasay, Richard Seymour.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Notes from Richt teleconference
First let's get the major issue out of the way: Georgia head coach Mark Richt said he had nothing to add on the A.J. Green situation.
“Same answer right now,” Richt said on his Sunday teleconference.
One receiver who will return to the field is Tavarres King. The sophomore is coming off his one-game suspension following an alcohol-related arrest.
King had a “super summer,” according to Richt, who added that the receiver is becoming a better blocker and “more tenacious.”
“I would think he would he’ll definitely have an impact on this game,” Richt said.
More notes:
- No further injuries were reported. At least that’s what Richt inferred after not hearing from the training staff as of 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, which he took to be a good sign.
Even linebacker Richard Samuel, who was on crutches Saturday, isn’t ruled out to return soon. Richt said the crutches were a precautionary measure because of the swelling in his knee.
- Richt called South Carolina a “more honest” test. And the same goes for freshman quarterback Aaron Murray.
“He played a game in front of a big crowd. He got a chance to get hit a little bit,” Richt said of the opener. “But I think next week’s gonna be another new experience for him. Playing away, playing in a hostile environment, playing against another Southeastern Conference opponent.”
- The carries among the running backs will be “interesting” to see, Richt said. That’s after Carlton Thomas’ performance and the pending return of Washaun Ealey. Thomas did have one near-fumble near the goal-line, when he was ruled down, but Richt said Thomas did a good job overall of securing the ball.
“With Washaun coming back, it’s gonna be hard to see exactly how the reps are distributed,” Richt said.
- That said, the coach granted that the run game in general could have been better. He traced that back to the offensive line having a rash of preseason injuries – a concern Richt voiced some time ago.
“Overall it was a good day, it wasn’t a great day, running the ball,” he said on Sunday. “I think once we play a little bit longer together, practice a little more together, I think we’ll be fine. I think the time that some of those guys missed certainly made a difference in this game. So hopefully as the season goes on we’ll get sharper and sharper.”
- As you would expect, Richt scoffed at the idea that Florida's fumble-itis in its opener gives notion to the idea of the SEC East being "wide open." Richt first said he always thought the division was wide-open, then went into why he didn't think the Gators' problems were a long-term one.
“I’m assuming our guys watch highlights of all these games," Richt said. "But fumbles on QB-center exchanges, those things can be easily repaired. If you take those plays out of what happened to Florida, it’s a whole different ballgame. You can’t just sit there and hope a team is gonna fumble it five or six times.”
- Upon reviewing the tape, Richt was even more impressed by the pick by Sanders Commings.
“That was about as fine an interception as I have seen,” Richt said.
- Finally, Richt was very impressed with how South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia looked on Thursday.
“It just looks like he’s in charge,” Richt said. “Like he has taken on the leadership.”
“Same answer right now,” Richt said on his Sunday teleconference.
One receiver who will return to the field is Tavarres King. The sophomore is coming off his one-game suspension following an alcohol-related arrest.
King had a “super summer,” according to Richt, who added that the receiver is becoming a better blocker and “more tenacious.”
“I would think he would he’ll definitely have an impact on this game,” Richt said.
More notes:
- No further injuries were reported. At least that’s what Richt inferred after not hearing from the training staff as of 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, which he took to be a good sign.
Even linebacker Richard Samuel, who was on crutches Saturday, isn’t ruled out to return soon. Richt said the crutches were a precautionary measure because of the swelling in his knee.
- Richt called South Carolina a “more honest” test. And the same goes for freshman quarterback Aaron Murray.
“He played a game in front of a big crowd. He got a chance to get hit a little bit,” Richt said of the opener. “But I think next week’s gonna be another new experience for him. Playing away, playing in a hostile environment, playing against another Southeastern Conference opponent.”
- The carries among the running backs will be “interesting” to see, Richt said. That’s after Carlton Thomas’ performance and the pending return of Washaun Ealey. Thomas did have one near-fumble near the goal-line, when he was ruled down, but Richt said Thomas did a good job overall of securing the ball.
“With Washaun coming back, it’s gonna be hard to see exactly how the reps are distributed,” Richt said.
- That said, the coach granted that the run game in general could have been better. He traced that back to the offensive line having a rash of preseason injuries – a concern Richt voiced some time ago.
“Overall it was a good day, it wasn’t a great day, running the ball,” he said on Sunday. “I think once we play a little bit longer together, practice a little more together, I think we’ll be fine. I think the time that some of those guys missed certainly made a difference in this game. So hopefully as the season goes on we’ll get sharper and sharper.”
- As you would expect, Richt scoffed at the idea that Florida's fumble-itis in its opener gives notion to the idea of the SEC East being "wide open." Richt first said he always thought the division was wide-open, then went into why he didn't think the Gators' problems were a long-term one.
“I’m assuming our guys watch highlights of all these games," Richt said. "But fumbles on QB-center exchanges, those things can be easily repaired. If you take those plays out of what happened to Florida, it’s a whole different ballgame. You can’t just sit there and hope a team is gonna fumble it five or six times.”
- Upon reviewing the tape, Richt was even more impressed by the pick by Sanders Commings.
“That was about as fine an interception as I have seen,” Richt said.
- Finally, Richt was very impressed with how South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia looked on Thursday.
“It just looks like he’s in charge,” Richt said. “Like he has taken on the leadership.”
Spurrier on Georgia and "big game"
If you were looking for Steve Spurrier to be stoking the fires, you’ll be disappointed. The South Carolina head coach was in game week, respect-the-opponent mode on Sunday’s teleconference.
“It’s a big game. One of the biggest we’ve had here in awhile,” Spurrier said. “It should be an exciting day.”
The only slight was Spurrier referring to Georgia defensive coordinator “Lance” Grantham. Even that was forgivable: That's the name of South Carolina's director of ticket operations.
Either way, the Head Ball Coach was certainly impressed with Todd Grantham after watching the Louisiana-Lafayette game.
“I certainly respect what he’s done in one game,” Spurrier said. “I know he’s getting his defensive coordinator career started. But his team looked well-prepared and positioned to play, pretty much every snap except one.”
There were other kind words for Georgia:
- Georgia “had an excellent game on Saturday,” the coach said.
- Spurrier said Georgia “has maybe as good a pass rush as anybody in the country right now, the way it looked this past Saturday.”
- Bulldog punter Drew Butler is “maybe the best punter in the country.”
South Carolina has been dealing with NCAA issues, just like Georgia has with A.J. Green. The Gamecocks were without three key players: Tight end Weslye Saunders, cornerback Chris Culliver and tackle Jarriel King. Those guys haven't been cleared yet.
Spurrier saw that Georgia head coach Mark Richt has been strict about not commenting on the NCAA matters.
“I guess I’m like the Georgia coach, we’re not supposed to talk about it too much,” Spurrier said. “But we’ll do what the NCAA tells us to do with these players.”
A number of others in limbo were cleared just before the game, and Spurrier was hopeful they were good to go the rest of the way.
Asked if Green’s status would affect South Carolina’s approach, Spurrier demurred.
“But as we’ve learned, we probably won’t learn if he’s playing or not until Saturday morning,” Spurrier said of Green. “Or maybe Georgia may not know until then. Sometimes they don’t let us know until the last minute.”
Gamecock linebacker Shaq Wilson, the team’s leading tackler last year, missed the Southern Miss game with a hamstring injury and will “probably definitely” be out again. Antonio Allen, who starts as the Spur (hybrid safety-linebacker) has a chance to play.
Finally, in almost completely unrelated note, the coach was asked if, sitting back watching games on Saturday, any team impressed him.
“You mean other than Jacksonville State?” Spurrier replied.
Jacksonville State's nickname, in case you didn't know, is the Gamecocks.
“It’s a big game. One of the biggest we’ve had here in awhile,” Spurrier said. “It should be an exciting day.”
The only slight was Spurrier referring to Georgia defensive coordinator “Lance” Grantham. Even that was forgivable: That's the name of South Carolina's director of ticket operations.
Either way, the Head Ball Coach was certainly impressed with Todd Grantham after watching the Louisiana-Lafayette game.
“I certainly respect what he’s done in one game,” Spurrier said. “I know he’s getting his defensive coordinator career started. But his team looked well-prepared and positioned to play, pretty much every snap except one.”
There were other kind words for Georgia:
- Georgia “had an excellent game on Saturday,” the coach said.
- Spurrier said Georgia “has maybe as good a pass rush as anybody in the country right now, the way it looked this past Saturday.”
- Bulldog punter Drew Butler is “maybe the best punter in the country.”
South Carolina has been dealing with NCAA issues, just like Georgia has with A.J. Green. The Gamecocks were without three key players: Tight end Weslye Saunders, cornerback Chris Culliver and tackle Jarriel King. Those guys haven't been cleared yet.
Spurrier saw that Georgia head coach Mark Richt has been strict about not commenting on the NCAA matters.
“I guess I’m like the Georgia coach, we’re not supposed to talk about it too much,” Spurrier said. “But we’ll do what the NCAA tells us to do with these players.”
A number of others in limbo were cleared just before the game, and Spurrier was hopeful they were good to go the rest of the way.
Asked if Green’s status would affect South Carolina’s approach, Spurrier demurred.
“But as we’ve learned, we probably won’t learn if he’s playing or not until Saturday morning,” Spurrier said of Green. “Or maybe Georgia may not know until then. Sometimes they don’t let us know until the last minute.”
Gamecock linebacker Shaq Wilson, the team’s leading tackler last year, missed the Southern Miss game with a hamstring injury and will “probably definitely” be out again. Antonio Allen, who starts as the Spur (hybrid safety-linebacker) has a chance to play.
Finally, in almost completely unrelated note, the coach was asked if, sitting back watching games on Saturday, any team impressed him.
“You mean other than Jacksonville State?” Spurrier replied.
Jacksonville State's nickname, in case you didn't know, is the Gamecocks.
The A.J. Green situation
So what’s going on with A.J. Green? What’s really going on? And how soon will he return to the field?
Short answer to all three questions: We don’t know.
Green could have just been held out as a precautionary measure by Georgia, and this is all nothing to worry about.
Or he could have been held out by Georgia after consulting with the NCAA, and this is a bigger worry than was earlier anticipated.
Georgia acted all August as if it was no big deal: Green said he expected to play, and head coach Mark Richt said at one point early in camp that he didn’t expect any players to have to miss time because of the inquiry.
And then, on Saturday morning, poof, Green isn’t playing.
Could this be more serious than previously thought? There was a key quote from Michael Adams, when I spoke to him just before kickoff on Saturday. Adams said he wasn’t overly concerned, but added:
“What I might think and what the NCAA might think might be two different things.”
And there’s the rub.
I’ve heard four or five different theories on what the NCAA is really looking into with Green. If one of them checks out, I’ll report it. The original agent probe, which ensnared players at Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina, could still be the focus. Green may just be a material witness. But if that was the case, why did Georgia not get a ruling by game time?
One possibility is there’s a huge amount of red tape at the NCAA, which has been busy with a ton of matters: Jeremiah Masoli, the issues at the aforementioned schools, the transition to a new NCAA president.
And it also might not have helped Georgia that until last Monday it didn’t have a full-time athletics director. That could have helped Alabama, with Mal Moore in charge, get its ruling first.
I did speak to one industry source on Saturday who felt Georgia was just playing it safe. The other outward signs point to nothing illicit on the horizon: Green was allowed to hang around the team and be in uniform on Saturday – unlike North Carolina, where Marvin Austin literally had to buy a ticket to attend the game in Atlanta.
Adams said on Saturday that UGA “lawyers are handling it.” And as we know, whenever lawyers get involved, things tend to get strung out.
But Georgia needs to know something soon. It has a fairly big game this week.
Short answer to all three questions: We don’t know.
Green could have just been held out as a precautionary measure by Georgia, and this is all nothing to worry about.
Or he could have been held out by Georgia after consulting with the NCAA, and this is a bigger worry than was earlier anticipated.
Georgia acted all August as if it was no big deal: Green said he expected to play, and head coach Mark Richt said at one point early in camp that he didn’t expect any players to have to miss time because of the inquiry.
And then, on Saturday morning, poof, Green isn’t playing.
Could this be more serious than previously thought? There was a key quote from Michael Adams, when I spoke to him just before kickoff on Saturday. Adams said he wasn’t overly concerned, but added:
“What I might think and what the NCAA might think might be two different things.”
And there’s the rub.
I’ve heard four or five different theories on what the NCAA is really looking into with Green. If one of them checks out, I’ll report it. The original agent probe, which ensnared players at Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina, could still be the focus. Green may just be a material witness. But if that was the case, why did Georgia not get a ruling by game time?
One possibility is there’s a huge amount of red tape at the NCAA, which has been busy with a ton of matters: Jeremiah Masoli, the issues at the aforementioned schools, the transition to a new NCAA president.
And it also might not have helped Georgia that until last Monday it didn’t have a full-time athletics director. That could have helped Alabama, with Mal Moore in charge, get its ruling first.
I did speak to one industry source on Saturday who felt Georgia was just playing it safe. The other outward signs point to nothing illicit on the horizon: Green was allowed to hang around the team and be in uniform on Saturday – unlike North Carolina, where Marvin Austin literally had to buy a ticket to attend the game in Atlanta.
Adams said on Saturday that UGA “lawyers are handling it.” And as we know, whenever lawyers get involved, things tend to get strung out.
But Georgia needs to know something soon. It has a fairly big game this week.
What we learned Saturday
As you would expect from a 55-7 victory, it’s almost all positive:
- Aaron Murray can run. He may not always do so in the smartest fashion – witness his lucky touchdown scamper as the first half expired – but he’s got a set of legs.
We knew Murray had a pretty good arm, and for awhile now had heard reports from teammates and coaches that his command of the offense and the huddle was stellar. Now he looks like an above-average runner for a quarterback, adding a very nice dimension to the offense.
The one worry that emerged from Saturday was Murray was definitely prone to those freshman mistakes. Against Louisiana-Lafayette, you can get a few mulligans. Against SEC teams, those could be game-changing.
- They call it the 3-4 defense, but that’s almost a misnomer. There were always three guys in a stance on the line, but on almost every snap a big linebacker or two or three were lined up outside, poised to blitz. And then did.
Georgia’s three sacks were all by linebackers – two of them inside guys, Akeem Dent and Akeem Hebron. (It’s too bad Prince Akeem from “Coming to America,” played by Eddie Murphy, didn’t get any action, or he would’ve had a sack or two also.)
Both sacks by the inside backers were set up by initial pressure from the outside. And the Bulldogs were credited with a total of nine tackles-for-loss, dispersed among 11 different players. That’s not too shabby.
- Todd Grantham can get a wee bit fiery. The defensive coordinator’s tirade against Bacarri Rambo was a great first impression to Georgia fans who had groused about the former staff. Grantham’s honeymoon was extended even longer.
(And Rambo was tied for the team’s lead in tackles, with Dent.)
- Hutson Mason is the backup quarterback for the foreseeable future, and is at least not a green true freshman. But he’s still a true freshman, so let’s not start to think Georgia coaches won’t be nervous every time Aaron Murray takes off from the pocket.
- Other true freshmen who played, as expected, were Derek Owens (who had a big hit on special teams), T.J. Stripling (lining up at blitzing outside linebacker) and Zander Ogletree (who caught a pass). The suspended Alec Ogletree is still on track to play once he returns, while there’s an outside chance receiver Michael Bennett could still see time this year.
- Another first-year player, junior college Jakar Hamilton, had a great debut, starting at free safety and returning a pick for a touchdown. The only problem is Hamilton’s hometown in the program is listed as Edgeville, S.C. It’s actually Edgefield, which I know because I’ve been there. Hamilton said he’d get it fixed.
- Carlton Thomas will continue to get carries, even when Washaun Ealey returns. Thomas got nearly as many carries as Caleb King in the first half, and did more with them. I’ll be curious to see how they disperse the chances the following few weeks.
- Branden Smith will be a weapon once again, and apparently even more so than last year.
- Blair Walsh, Drew Butler and the return tandem of Smith and Brandon Boykin gives Georgia one of the best special teams in the nation.
- Aaron Murray can run. He may not always do so in the smartest fashion – witness his lucky touchdown scamper as the first half expired – but he’s got a set of legs.
We knew Murray had a pretty good arm, and for awhile now had heard reports from teammates and coaches that his command of the offense and the huddle was stellar. Now he looks like an above-average runner for a quarterback, adding a very nice dimension to the offense.
The one worry that emerged from Saturday was Murray was definitely prone to those freshman mistakes. Against Louisiana-Lafayette, you can get a few mulligans. Against SEC teams, those could be game-changing.
- They call it the 3-4 defense, but that’s almost a misnomer. There were always three guys in a stance on the line, but on almost every snap a big linebacker or two or three were lined up outside, poised to blitz. And then did.
Georgia’s three sacks were all by linebackers – two of them inside guys, Akeem Dent and Akeem Hebron. (It’s too bad Prince Akeem from “Coming to America,” played by Eddie Murphy, didn’t get any action, or he would’ve had a sack or two also.)
Both sacks by the inside backers were set up by initial pressure from the outside. And the Bulldogs were credited with a total of nine tackles-for-loss, dispersed among 11 different players. That’s not too shabby.
- Todd Grantham can get a wee bit fiery. The defensive coordinator’s tirade against Bacarri Rambo was a great first impression to Georgia fans who had groused about the former staff. Grantham’s honeymoon was extended even longer.
(And Rambo was tied for the team’s lead in tackles, with Dent.)
- Hutson Mason is the backup quarterback for the foreseeable future, and is at least not a green true freshman. But he’s still a true freshman, so let’s not start to think Georgia coaches won’t be nervous every time Aaron Murray takes off from the pocket.
- Other true freshmen who played, as expected, were Derek Owens (who had a big hit on special teams), T.J. Stripling (lining up at blitzing outside linebacker) and Zander Ogletree (who caught a pass). The suspended Alec Ogletree is still on track to play once he returns, while there’s an outside chance receiver Michael Bennett could still see time this year.
- Another first-year player, junior college Jakar Hamilton, had a great debut, starting at free safety and returning a pick for a touchdown. The only problem is Hamilton’s hometown in the program is listed as Edgeville, S.C. It’s actually Edgefield, which I know because I’ve been there. Hamilton said he’d get it fixed.
- Carlton Thomas will continue to get carries, even when Washaun Ealey returns. Thomas got nearly as many carries as Caleb King in the first half, and did more with them. I’ll be curious to see how they disperse the chances the following few weeks.
- Branden Smith will be a weapon once again, and apparently even more so than last year.
- Blair Walsh, Drew Butler and the return tandem of Smith and Brandon Boykin gives Georgia one of the best special teams in the nation.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Richt on Murray, Mason, Gamecocks, etc.
Some notes from head coach Mark Richt’s postgame press conference:
- Aaron Murray’s 22-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first half was “probably not that wise,” according to Richt.
“Thankfully he did score. But he’s gotta understand that there’s times when the play is not there, you must throw the ball out of bounds, safely and allow us to get the three points.”
Richt also thought Murray should’ve thrown the ball out of bounds on a few other plays where he scrambled out of the pocket.
“But really overall I thought he did very, very well. I think he enjoyed playing the game because things were a little bit clearer than sometimes they are in practice.”
- They made the decision to play Hutson Mason earlier in the week, but didn’t announce it Wednesday because Richt didn’t know if Mason had been told.
“He’s one play away from starting. And he is the second team QB,” Richt said.
Logan Gray did get some brief reps at quarterback earlier in the week, and “looked sharp,” according to Richt. But Mason is still the clear No. 2.
- In case there was any doubt, Aaron Murray’s interception was blamed on Kris Durham, who had the pass go off his hands. Durham and Richt both said it should’ve been caught.
But Richt added that Murray should’ve been picked off late in the half on his pass into the end zone – Richt said Murray meant to throw it out of the end zone but came up way short.
- The reason Brandon Bogotay, and not Blair Walsh, was kicking off early in the game was because Walsh had a sore leg for a few days of practice last week. Richt said Bogotay had been the kickoff man during some critical drills, so they went with him initially. But Richt added that the switch back to Walsh later in the game wasn’t because Bogotay kicked off poorly, then just wanted to get Walsh back on those duties.
- The Bulldogs only had five penalties, way under last season’s average. But Richt wasn’t happy with some of the false starts.
“I had some seniors with less poise than the freshman quarterback, at times,” he said. “But we settled down there.”
- Based on Branden Smith’s output on offense, Richt said “we need to incorporate him more.” He also wants to give Marlon Brown more looks.
Interestingly, while freshman Michael Bennett may still redshirt, Richt said Bennett is ready to go. So he’s not ruling out using him.
- Finally, Richt was asked about next week’s showdown with South Carolina, and its potential to be a huge early barometer in the SEC East.
“I think time will tell how big of a game it is," Richt said. "We know it’s huge for us and they know it’s huge for them, but the bottom line is if we play well throughout league play and they do too it could be the deciding factor between making it and not.
“I have a lot of respect for them. I watched them Thursday. It certainly didn’t ease any feelings of knowing we’re gonna play a very, very good team. I thought they gained confidence, I thought they showed they have a lot of weapons. I think their quarterback play was outstanding. Their defensive play is always very stellar.”
- Aaron Murray’s 22-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first half was “probably not that wise,” according to Richt.
“Thankfully he did score. But he’s gotta understand that there’s times when the play is not there, you must throw the ball out of bounds, safely and allow us to get the three points.”
Richt also thought Murray should’ve thrown the ball out of bounds on a few other plays where he scrambled out of the pocket.
“But really overall I thought he did very, very well. I think he enjoyed playing the game because things were a little bit clearer than sometimes they are in practice.”
- They made the decision to play Hutson Mason earlier in the week, but didn’t announce it Wednesday because Richt didn’t know if Mason had been told.
“He’s one play away from starting. And he is the second team QB,” Richt said.
Logan Gray did get some brief reps at quarterback earlier in the week, and “looked sharp,” according to Richt. But Mason is still the clear No. 2.
- In case there was any doubt, Aaron Murray’s interception was blamed on Kris Durham, who had the pass go off his hands. Durham and Richt both said it should’ve been caught.
But Richt added that Murray should’ve been picked off late in the half on his pass into the end zone – Richt said Murray meant to throw it out of the end zone but came up way short.
- The reason Brandon Bogotay, and not Blair Walsh, was kicking off early in the game was because Walsh had a sore leg for a few days of practice last week. Richt said Bogotay had been the kickoff man during some critical drills, so they went with him initially. But Richt added that the switch back to Walsh later in the game wasn’t because Bogotay kicked off poorly, then just wanted to get Walsh back on those duties.
- The Bulldogs only had five penalties, way under last season’s average. But Richt wasn’t happy with some of the false starts.
“I had some seniors with less poise than the freshman quarterback, at times,” he said. “But we settled down there.”
- Based on Branden Smith’s output on offense, Richt said “we need to incorporate him more.” He also wants to give Marlon Brown more looks.
Interestingly, while freshman Michael Bennett may still redshirt, Richt said Bennett is ready to go. So he’s not ruling out using him.
- Finally, Richt was asked about next week’s showdown with South Carolina, and its potential to be a huge early barometer in the SEC East.
“I think time will tell how big of a game it is," Richt said. "We know it’s huge for us and they know it’s huge for them, but the bottom line is if we play well throughout league play and they do too it could be the deciding factor between making it and not.
“I have a lot of respect for them. I watched them Thursday. It certainly didn’t ease any feelings of knowing we’re gonna play a very, very good team. I thought they gained confidence, I thought they showed they have a lot of weapons. I think their quarterback play was outstanding. Their defensive play is always very stellar.”
Ealey will return ... but Green?
Georgia head coach Mark Richt once again refused to comment on the A.J. Green situation after Saturday's game.
"I'm just gonna do what I was told," Richt said. "And that was just don't make any comment on the A.J. Green situation. So in any way shape or form, I'm just gonna say no comment."
He wasn't asked any more about Green.
Richt did say that two suspended players - tailback Washaun Ealey and receiver Tavarres King - would return next week at South Carolina.
"Washaun I talked to, and he's basically done everything that I've asked for him to do," Richt said. "He had a very good attitude today and was in the game, and encouraging his teammates. And unless something stupid happens between now and the next ballgame, we'll be repping him to play."
Of King, who was projected to start opposite Green, Richt said: "He'll play."
"I'm just gonna do what I was told," Richt said. "And that was just don't make any comment on the A.J. Green situation. So in any way shape or form, I'm just gonna say no comment."
He wasn't asked any more about Green.
Richt did say that two suspended players - tailback Washaun Ealey and receiver Tavarres King - would return next week at South Carolina.
"Washaun I talked to, and he's basically done everything that I've asked for him to do," Richt said. "He had a very good attitude today and was in the game, and encouraging his teammates. And unless something stupid happens between now and the next ballgame, we'll be repping him to play."
Of King, who was projected to start opposite Green, Richt said: "He'll play."
Fourth quarter
3:40 left in fourth quarter
Georgia is going to be content to finish this game with a 55-7 win, and is just running the clock out. So we're going to start heading down to the field, and will update the blog with quotes and information (particularly on the A.J. Green situation).
Overall a very impressive win for Georgia, especially with Green and everyone else out. Aaron Murray looked sharp - though still prone to some freshman mistakes - and the defense was outstanding.
The Bulldogs did what they needed in the opener, heading into a critical game at South Carolina. Now they just need to get their star receiver back.
9:04 left in fourth quarter
Eh, I don't think Georgia's going to hit the 60-point mark unless it gets gifted a few by Louisiana-Lafayette. Actually, that's how they got the last score, so who knows.
Anyway, the Bulldogs seem content to get rested up for South Carolina, as they're emptying the bench.
On offense, Fred Munzenmaier is getting carries and Ben Harden (not listed on the two-deep) is seeing time at guard.
On defense, we have sightings of Jordan Love, Derek Owens, Akeem Hebron, Kwame Geathers, T.J. Stripling, Chase Vasser, Rueben Faloughi and Jeremy Longo.
And Sanders Commings had a beautiful catch and run on an interception.
13:43 left in fourth quarter, Georgia up 55-7
We're now in a race for history.
Georgia has 55 points with nearly an entire quarter to play. The most points scored by Georgia in the Mark Richt era was 62, against Kentucky, a 62-17 win in 2004.
This is the most points Georgia has scored in an opener since 1998, against Kent State.
Jakar Hamilton just returned an interception for a touchdown. That officially makes it a good day for Bulldogs making their debut: Hamilton is a junior college transfer, the only starter who was among Georgia's signing class in February.
Another interesting note: Georgia says Hutson Mason is only the eighth player in Division I-A (or FBS) history to throw a touchdown on his first pass. Matt Leinart was one of them, in 2003.
(And Leinart was cut today by the Arizona Cardinals, but in 2003 he was doing pretty well.)
Georgia is going to be content to finish this game with a 55-7 win, and is just running the clock out. So we're going to start heading down to the field, and will update the blog with quotes and information (particularly on the A.J. Green situation).
Overall a very impressive win for Georgia, especially with Green and everyone else out. Aaron Murray looked sharp - though still prone to some freshman mistakes - and the defense was outstanding.
The Bulldogs did what they needed in the opener, heading into a critical game at South Carolina. Now they just need to get their star receiver back.
9:04 left in fourth quarter
Eh, I don't think Georgia's going to hit the 60-point mark unless it gets gifted a few by Louisiana-Lafayette. Actually, that's how they got the last score, so who knows.
Anyway, the Bulldogs seem content to get rested up for South Carolina, as they're emptying the bench.
On offense, Fred Munzenmaier is getting carries and Ben Harden (not listed on the two-deep) is seeing time at guard.
On defense, we have sightings of Jordan Love, Derek Owens, Akeem Hebron, Kwame Geathers, T.J. Stripling, Chase Vasser, Rueben Faloughi and Jeremy Longo.
And Sanders Commings had a beautiful catch and run on an interception.
13:43 left in fourth quarter, Georgia up 55-7
We're now in a race for history.
Georgia has 55 points with nearly an entire quarter to play. The most points scored by Georgia in the Mark Richt era was 62, against Kentucky, a 62-17 win in 2004.
This is the most points Georgia has scored in an opener since 1998, against Kent State.
Jakar Hamilton just returned an interception for a touchdown. That officially makes it a good day for Bulldogs making their debut: Hamilton is a junior college transfer, the only starter who was among Georgia's signing class in February.
Another interesting note: Georgia says Hutson Mason is only the eighth player in Division I-A (or FBS) history to throw a touchdown on his first pass. Matt Leinart was one of them, in 2003.
(And Leinart was cut today by the Arizona Cardinals, but in 2003 he was doing pretty well.)
Mason plays, scores
Let the record show that with 2:42 left in the third quarter, freshman Hutson Mason entered the game as Georgia's quarterback.
And seven seconds later, on the very next play, Mason completed a 26-yard pass to Logan Gray for a touchdown.
You know, I'm just gonna go out on a limb here and say that wasn't a bad start to Mason's career.
And how about the irony of Gray catching it? The whole reason Mason is playing, rather than redshirting, is Gray's move to receiver.
At a minimum, Mason now has experience, and Georgia can move forward knowing it will use Mason behind Aaron Murray. Seems like the right move by the coaches. Mason can always redshirt next year.
And seven seconds later, on the very next play, Mason completed a 26-yard pass to Logan Gray for a touchdown.
You know, I'm just gonna go out on a limb here and say that wasn't a bad start to Mason's career.
And how about the irony of Gray catching it? The whole reason Mason is playing, rather than redshirting, is Gray's move to receiver.
At a minimum, Mason now has experience, and Georgia can move forward knowing it will use Mason behind Aaron Murray. Seems like the right move by the coaches. Mason can always redshirt next year.
Le quarter third
End of quarter, Georgia up 48-7
Well, the onslaught continues, this time with Hutson Mason at the controls.
Interestingly, Todd Grantham is keeping a lot of the starters in there. Well, most of them, and they're rotating in and out. And he's keeping the pressure up.
Meanwhile, the offense is being more liberal using reserves. There's Mason, but also several linemen, like Dallas Lee and Tanner Strickland. The injury to backup center Chris Burnette and sickness of tackle Trinton Sturdivant will hinder the line's ability to sub there, unless it wants to go deeper than the 10 projected to play.
Receiver Israel Troupe and tight end Bruce Figgins are also seeing some action. Don't expect the tailback rotation to go deeper than Carlton Thomas and Fred Munzenmaier - I don't think they want to burn Ken Malcome's redshirt.
4:25 left in third quarter, Georgia up 41-7
Georgia reaches the 40-mark on a very smooth, well-run drive by Aaron Murray, including three straight third-down conversion passes.
The final one was on a play-fake by the goal-line, which left Shaun Chappas wide open in the end zone. Murray hit him for the 2-yard score.
Murray had a couple more good third-down completions, to Kris Durham and Marlon Brown. The latter was a very good route-run by Brown, who spun his defender away, leaving Brown wide open at the 5. If he hadn’t slipped Brown would’ve been able to score on the play.
Murray has shown he can run, both on designed keepers and when he’s flushed out. Behind a veteran offensive line, that adds a headache for opposing defenses to think about.
The temptation was to say the Louisiana-Lafayette defensive looked worn down. But when you think about it, they were looking that way in the second quarter.
In some player news, Trinton Sturdivant hasn’t played, and hasn’t been spotted in uniform either. Georgia said he had stomach problems. Tough break for the junior tackle, who was supposed to test his twice surgically-repaired knee in today’s game.
In good injury news, receiver Rantavious Wooten caught a pass. Wooten missed much of preseason camp with a knee injury.
11:00 left in third quarter, Georgia up 34-7
Branden Smith got the ball on Georgia’s first offensive play of both halves. To open the second, he took an inside handoff and went 17 yards.
The drive stalled a few plays later, but Blair Walsh, as is his wont, sauntered out to the field and calmly booted a routine 47-yarder.
The subsequent kickoff was bobbled on the catch, allowing Georgia’s kickoff coverage unit to bury him at the 7. The ULL offense went minus-2 yards over the next three plays, setting up another short field for the Bulldogs.
As the blowout continues, we now enter the Hutson Mason watch. Is that redshirt about to be burned (at least for this year)?
My bet is yes.
Well, the onslaught continues, this time with Hutson Mason at the controls.
Interestingly, Todd Grantham is keeping a lot of the starters in there. Well, most of them, and they're rotating in and out. And he's keeping the pressure up.
Meanwhile, the offense is being more liberal using reserves. There's Mason, but also several linemen, like Dallas Lee and Tanner Strickland. The injury to backup center Chris Burnette and sickness of tackle Trinton Sturdivant will hinder the line's ability to sub there, unless it wants to go deeper than the 10 projected to play.
Receiver Israel Troupe and tight end Bruce Figgins are also seeing some action. Don't expect the tailback rotation to go deeper than Carlton Thomas and Fred Munzenmaier - I don't think they want to burn Ken Malcome's redshirt.
4:25 left in third quarter, Georgia up 41-7
Georgia reaches the 40-mark on a very smooth, well-run drive by Aaron Murray, including three straight third-down conversion passes.
The final one was on a play-fake by the goal-line, which left Shaun Chappas wide open in the end zone. Murray hit him for the 2-yard score.
Murray had a couple more good third-down completions, to Kris Durham and Marlon Brown. The latter was a very good route-run by Brown, who spun his defender away, leaving Brown wide open at the 5. If he hadn’t slipped Brown would’ve been able to score on the play.
Murray has shown he can run, both on designed keepers and when he’s flushed out. Behind a veteran offensive line, that adds a headache for opposing defenses to think about.
The temptation was to say the Louisiana-Lafayette defensive looked worn down. But when you think about it, they were looking that way in the second quarter.
In some player news, Trinton Sturdivant hasn’t played, and hasn’t been spotted in uniform either. Georgia said he had stomach problems. Tough break for the junior tackle, who was supposed to test his twice surgically-repaired knee in today’s game.
In good injury news, receiver Rantavious Wooten caught a pass. Wooten missed much of preseason camp with a knee injury.
11:00 left in third quarter, Georgia up 34-7
Branden Smith got the ball on Georgia’s first offensive play of both halves. To open the second, he took an inside handoff and went 17 yards.
The drive stalled a few plays later, but Blair Walsh, as is his wont, sauntered out to the field and calmly booted a routine 47-yarder.
The subsequent kickoff was bobbled on the catch, allowing Georgia’s kickoff coverage unit to bury him at the 7. The ULL offense went minus-2 yards over the next three plays, setting up another short field for the Bulldogs.
As the blowout continues, we now enter the Hutson Mason watch. Is that redshirt about to be burned (at least for this year)?
My bet is yes.
First half impressions
Aaron Murray made some freshman mistakes, but has shown some real ability. He got lucky near the end of the second half, but otherwise managed the game very well. There are three touchdowns to his credit, after all.
Murray is 12-for-20 for 133 yards, with one interception (though it should be two).
Carlton Thomas has, as expected, gotten a lot of carries, and done enough to show he should keep getting them when Washaun Ealey comes back. Thomas has 54 yards on seven carries.
Caleb King isn’t too shabby himself, totaling 47 yards on nine carries. Twenty of those yards came on the game’s first touchdown.
Kris Durham is back, notching 78 yards on four catches. Fullback Shaun Chappas has three catches for eight yards (including a TD), but no other Bulldog has more than one catch. I’ll be curious to see if they try to get Marlon Brown or the tight ends more involved in the second half.
The defense has one (very big) blip, but otherwise it’s been stellar. Justin Houston and Akeem Dent have sacks, and Brandon Boykin has an interception – those are the big names. But guys like Darryl Gamble are getting pressure on the ball and making plays too.
ULL has minus-four rushing yards at the half, and 60 of its 69 passing yards came on one play.
In fact, if you take out the long touchdown play (which obviously you cannot), Georgia’s advantage in total yards is 258-5.
Drew Butler averaged 48 yards on his two punts, Blair Walsh made a 52-yard field goal, and Branden Smith had two punt returns that totaled 48 yards, while his blockers had a couple punishing, highlight-reel blocks.
Summing up: Special teams, pretty good.
Murray is 12-for-20 for 133 yards, with one interception (though it should be two).
Carlton Thomas has, as expected, gotten a lot of carries, and done enough to show he should keep getting them when Washaun Ealey comes back. Thomas has 54 yards on seven carries.
Caleb King isn’t too shabby himself, totaling 47 yards on nine carries. Twenty of those yards came on the game’s first touchdown.
Kris Durham is back, notching 78 yards on four catches. Fullback Shaun Chappas has three catches for eight yards (including a TD), but no other Bulldog has more than one catch. I’ll be curious to see if they try to get Marlon Brown or the tight ends more involved in the second half.
The defense has one (very big) blip, but otherwise it’s been stellar. Justin Houston and Akeem Dent have sacks, and Brandon Boykin has an interception – those are the big names. But guys like Darryl Gamble are getting pressure on the ball and making plays too.
ULL has minus-four rushing yards at the half, and 60 of its 69 passing yards came on one play.
In fact, if you take out the long touchdown play (which obviously you cannot), Georgia’s advantage in total yards is 258-5.
Drew Butler averaged 48 yards on his two punts, Blair Walsh made a 52-yard field goal, and Branden Smith had two punt returns that totaled 48 yards, while his blockers had a couple punishing, highlight-reel blocks.
Summing up: Special teams, pretty good.
Murray, despite himself, scores a TD
Halftime, Georgia up 31-7
It’s not often that a freshman quarterback makes a great play then gets scolded on the sideline by his head coach. But Mark Richt was right to do so after Aaron Murray ran it in from X yards out as time expired.
The key phrase there is “time expired.” Georgia was in field goal position, and if Murray hadn’t gotten the nose of the ball past the pylon, the Bulldogs would’ve come up empty. Richt was surely telling Murray just that.
But in any event, Murray did score and Georgia heads into halftime up 31-7. And it WAS a great run by Murray, who showed his dual-threat capabilities.
Murray bailed himself out there. A few plays earlier it was a ULL defender who did so for Murray.
The Georgia quarterback threw an absolute floating duck into the end zone, where a stocky Rajin Cajun’ defender camped under it. And with no one within feet of him, he dropped it.
When the ball was in the air, I just knew he was going to drop it. The old center fielder in me just felt it. Too easy.
After the drop, Richt turned around, taking his headset off, and shook his head.
It’s not often that a freshman quarterback makes a great play then gets scolded on the sideline by his head coach. But Mark Richt was right to do so after Aaron Murray ran it in from X yards out as time expired.
The key phrase there is “time expired.” Georgia was in field goal position, and if Murray hadn’t gotten the nose of the ball past the pylon, the Bulldogs would’ve come up empty. Richt was surely telling Murray just that.
But in any event, Murray did score and Georgia heads into halftime up 31-7. And it WAS a great run by Murray, who showed his dual-threat capabilities.
Murray bailed himself out there. A few plays earlier it was a ULL defender who did so for Murray.
The Georgia quarterback threw an absolute floating duck into the end zone, where a stocky Rajin Cajun’ defender camped under it. And with no one within feet of him, he dropped it.
When the ball was in the air, I just knew he was going to drop it. The old center fielder in me just felt it. Too easy.
After the drop, Richt turned around, taking his headset off, and shook his head.
Second quarter
1:00 left in second quarter, Georgia 24-7
Well, so much for the perfect first half out of the Georgia defense. Todd Grantham now has something to yell about.
After Georgia’s first turnover of the game – more on that in a moment – ULL capitalized right away, scoring on a 60-yard touchdown pass.
Ladarius Green, the tight end – the tight end! – got behind the coverage and was wide open down the right sideline. Bacarri Rambo was the nearest defender, as Green easily hauled in the pass and ran it in. Rambo then got an earful from Grantham on the sideline.
An all-around bad couple plays for the two biggest new things on Georgia’s team: Quarterback Aaron Murray also has the first interception of his career. But it wasn’t really his fault.
His third-down pass looked well-placed down the middle to Kris Durham, who had the ball in his hands but couldn’t haul it in. The ULL defender scooped it out of the air and fell on it at the 40.
2:27 left in second quarter, Georgia 24-0
Georgia's offense, after a brief bout of sluggishness, erupts again. Aaron Murray hits Kris Durham on a 42-yard play, then fullback Shaun Chappas takes it in from 12 yards out on a catch-and-run.
Durham has four catches for 78 yards, both careers. Hey, who needs A.J. Green? (As long as you're playing Louisiana-Lafayette.)
But seriously, at a minimum this is huge for Georgia if Durham emerges as a viable second option - assuming Green returns. (And based on what school president Michael Adams said, I'm assuming it. For now.)
Meantime, the Georgia defense STILL hasn't allowed a first down, and just picked up its second sack of the game. Justin Houston barreled in untouched from the left side and threw the quarterback to the ground.
Can't say enough about how active, energetic and smart this defense has looked today.
4:00 left in second quarter
OK, I know it's only Louisiana-Lafayette - and apologies to all ULL alums - but the early reviews on Georgia's new defense are resoundingly good.
The Bulldogs are flying around, applying pressure and stuffing the run. They still haven't given up a defensive first down, and have one turnover.
Meantime, the special teams has been stupendous, other than the opening kickoff.
Branden Smith had another long punt return, this time 24 yards, once again with a huge block, this time by Derek Owens. The freshman leveled a Rajin Cajun, then celebrated (while the play was still going on, which may draw him a word from the coaches. But hey, he’s a freshman.)
Drew Butler also had a 46-yard punt that stayed in the air longer than a Fidel Castro speech.
The offense, meantime, just had a very backward-moving drive. But Logan Gray had his first reception, on a quick hitch, and drew a nice round of applause.
But again, considering all the weapons out for this game, the fact the Bulldogs have 17 points, no matter who they're playing, is a positive sign.
11:00 left in second quarter, Georgia up 17-0
Georgia is now officially rolling, thanks to defense and special teams. And the offense not making any mistakes.
Blair Walsh just nailed a 52-yard field goal, set up by a long punt return by Branden Smith. Walsh is now 7-for-11 from 50 or more yards in his career. That right there deserves a wow.
The Georgia defense, meanwhile, still hasn’t allowed a first down. On the previous drive Akeem Dent had the sack, but it was essentially forced by Darryl Gamble, who was blitzing from the left side. The Rajin Cajun quarterback moved away, right into Dent.
Branden Smith returned the subsequent punt 31 yards down to the ULL 40, set up by a punishing block as Smith started his run.
14:55 left in second quarter, Georgia takes 14-0 lead
Kris Durham is officially your star of the game so far, at least on offense.
The senior, wearing a different number to honor teammate Quintin Banks, is honoring Banks quite well. Durham hauled in a six-yard pass in the corner of the end zone on third down, nicely placed by Aaron Murray.
It was Murray's first career touchdown. Georgia now leads 14-0, having notched touchdowns on their past two drives.
No matter the opposition, it's a great sign for the Bulldogs to get up like this without A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey and Tavarres King.
Well, so much for the perfect first half out of the Georgia defense. Todd Grantham now has something to yell about.
After Georgia’s first turnover of the game – more on that in a moment – ULL capitalized right away, scoring on a 60-yard touchdown pass.
Ladarius Green, the tight end – the tight end! – got behind the coverage and was wide open down the right sideline. Bacarri Rambo was the nearest defender, as Green easily hauled in the pass and ran it in. Rambo then got an earful from Grantham on the sideline.
An all-around bad couple plays for the two biggest new things on Georgia’s team: Quarterback Aaron Murray also has the first interception of his career. But it wasn’t really his fault.
His third-down pass looked well-placed down the middle to Kris Durham, who had the ball in his hands but couldn’t haul it in. The ULL defender scooped it out of the air and fell on it at the 40.
2:27 left in second quarter, Georgia 24-0
Georgia's offense, after a brief bout of sluggishness, erupts again. Aaron Murray hits Kris Durham on a 42-yard play, then fullback Shaun Chappas takes it in from 12 yards out on a catch-and-run.
Durham has four catches for 78 yards, both careers. Hey, who needs A.J. Green? (As long as you're playing Louisiana-Lafayette.)
But seriously, at a minimum this is huge for Georgia if Durham emerges as a viable second option - assuming Green returns. (And based on what school president Michael Adams said, I'm assuming it. For now.)
Meantime, the Georgia defense STILL hasn't allowed a first down, and just picked up its second sack of the game. Justin Houston barreled in untouched from the left side and threw the quarterback to the ground.
Can't say enough about how active, energetic and smart this defense has looked today.
4:00 left in second quarter
OK, I know it's only Louisiana-Lafayette - and apologies to all ULL alums - but the early reviews on Georgia's new defense are resoundingly good.
The Bulldogs are flying around, applying pressure and stuffing the run. They still haven't given up a defensive first down, and have one turnover.
Meantime, the special teams has been stupendous, other than the opening kickoff.
Branden Smith had another long punt return, this time 24 yards, once again with a huge block, this time by Derek Owens. The freshman leveled a Rajin Cajun, then celebrated (while the play was still going on, which may draw him a word from the coaches. But hey, he’s a freshman.)
Drew Butler also had a 46-yard punt that stayed in the air longer than a Fidel Castro speech.
The offense, meantime, just had a very backward-moving drive. But Logan Gray had his first reception, on a quick hitch, and drew a nice round of applause.
But again, considering all the weapons out for this game, the fact the Bulldogs have 17 points, no matter who they're playing, is a positive sign.
11:00 left in second quarter, Georgia up 17-0
Georgia is now officially rolling, thanks to defense and special teams. And the offense not making any mistakes.
Blair Walsh just nailed a 52-yard field goal, set up by a long punt return by Branden Smith. Walsh is now 7-for-11 from 50 or more yards in his career. That right there deserves a wow.
The Georgia defense, meanwhile, still hasn’t allowed a first down. On the previous drive Akeem Dent had the sack, but it was essentially forced by Darryl Gamble, who was blitzing from the left side. The Rajin Cajun quarterback moved away, right into Dent.
Branden Smith returned the subsequent punt 31 yards down to the ULL 40, set up by a punishing block as Smith started his run.
14:55 left in second quarter, Georgia takes 14-0 lead
Kris Durham is officially your star of the game so far, at least on offense.
The senior, wearing a different number to honor teammate Quintin Banks, is honoring Banks quite well. Durham hauled in a six-yard pass in the corner of the end zone on third down, nicely placed by Aaron Murray.
It was Murray's first career touchdown. Georgia now leads 14-0, having notched touchdowns on their past two drives.
No matter the opposition, it's a great sign for the Bulldogs to get up like this without A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey and Tavarres King.
First quarter
After a slow start, Georgia will enter the second quarter up 7-0, and poised to add to the lead.
Georgia's revamped, renewed defense got one more turnover (1) than first downs allowed (0) in its first quarter of action.
Brandon Boykin jumped in front of an errant pass, landing with the ball at the Lafayette 28.
That gave the offense the ball, and Carlton Thomas uncorked a couple nice runs to get the ball inside the 10.
Touchdown, Georgia.
I was just about to write that Georgia had no running game so far. Well check that, Caleb King just went 20 yards into the end zone on third down, and Georgia has a 7-0 lead with three minutes left in the quarter.
It took a bit, some fits and starts, but now the Bulldog offense may get it rolling. Sometimes it takes a near-big play, like the incompletion to Logan Gray in the end zone.
Now Georgia's defense takes the field, still having not given up a first down, other than the one by penalty on special teams.
3:30 left in first quarter, still no score:
Aaron Murray picking it up. He hit Durham on another third down pass, this time for 22 yards into ULL territory.
A couple plays later, Murray showed great mobility and awareness, flushed out of the pocket, then heaving it downfield. Two Bulldogs were in the area, but it was just past Logan Gray.
What a hook-up that would’ve been.
Undaunted, Murray hit Marlon Brown for another third-down conversion.
That makes six different receivers Murray has thrown to so far.
First quarter, six-minute mark:
First off, sorry for the delay in posting. The wireless at the stadium is a wee bit slow.
Aaron Murray has looked OK so far, but hasn't been able to move the Georgia offense very much. He did complete a third-down pass to Kris Durham - who incidentally is wearing No. 31 today. A different Bulldog will wear that number each game this year to honor Quintin Banks, who has stopped playing football because of chronic knee injuries.
While Georgia's offense has been lackluster so far, the defense has not. The blitzing and activity has been there.
Lafayette returned the opening kickoff to its 47, as UGA had trouble bringing down a very stocky and hard-to-tackle runner. But the defense forced a three-and-out.
Lafayette’s second drive also resulted in a three-and-out. But a running into the kicker penalty extended the drive. Three plays later, the Cajuns were punting again.
Aaron Murray’s first pass as a Georgia Bulldog was to Branden Smith.
Well I guess he’s going to be playing offense after all. And defense, and special teams. Smith became the first Georgia player to do that since Champ Bailey.
Georgia's revamped, renewed defense got one more turnover (1) than first downs allowed (0) in its first quarter of action.
Brandon Boykin jumped in front of an errant pass, landing with the ball at the Lafayette 28.
That gave the offense the ball, and Carlton Thomas uncorked a couple nice runs to get the ball inside the 10.
Touchdown, Georgia.
I was just about to write that Georgia had no running game so far. Well check that, Caleb King just went 20 yards into the end zone on third down, and Georgia has a 7-0 lead with three minutes left in the quarter.
It took a bit, some fits and starts, but now the Bulldog offense may get it rolling. Sometimes it takes a near-big play, like the incompletion to Logan Gray in the end zone.
Now Georgia's defense takes the field, still having not given up a first down, other than the one by penalty on special teams.
3:30 left in first quarter, still no score:
Aaron Murray picking it up. He hit Durham on another third down pass, this time for 22 yards into ULL territory.
A couple plays later, Murray showed great mobility and awareness, flushed out of the pocket, then heaving it downfield. Two Bulldogs were in the area, but it was just past Logan Gray.
What a hook-up that would’ve been.
Undaunted, Murray hit Marlon Brown for another third-down conversion.
That makes six different receivers Murray has thrown to so far.
First quarter, six-minute mark:
First off, sorry for the delay in posting. The wireless at the stadium is a wee bit slow.
Aaron Murray has looked OK so far, but hasn't been able to move the Georgia offense very much. He did complete a third-down pass to Kris Durham - who incidentally is wearing No. 31 today. A different Bulldog will wear that number each game this year to honor Quintin Banks, who has stopped playing football because of chronic knee injuries.
While Georgia's offense has been lackluster so far, the defense has not. The blitzing and activity has been there.
Lafayette returned the opening kickoff to its 47, as UGA had trouble bringing down a very stocky and hard-to-tackle runner. But the defense forced a three-and-out.
Lafayette’s second drive also resulted in a three-and-out. But a running into the kicker penalty extended the drive. Three plays later, the Cajuns were punting again.
Aaron Murray’s first pass as a Georgia Bulldog was to Branden Smith.
Well I guess he’s going to be playing offense after all. And defense, and special teams. Smith became the first Georgia player to do that since Champ Bailey.
Michael Adams speaks on Green situation
University of Georgia president Michael Adams said before Saturday’s game that he expected a ruling on the A.J. Green situation “pretty soon” and that he doesn’t have any “extraordinary concern” over it.
“Our lawyers are handling it. And that’s appropriate,” Adams saiad. “And I’d be surprised if we didn’t hear something pretty soon.”
But asked if he thought the situation was serious, Adams wasn’t sure.
“What I might think and what the NCAA might think might be two different things,” Adams said. “I don’t think it does us any good to speculate until it’s over with.”
The assumption all along was that Green’s part in the NCAA agent probe was related to the infamous South Beach party. Could it now be related to something more, Adams was asked?
“I can’t tell you what all they’re looking at because I don’t know,” Adams said.
Adams also wouldn’t confirm whether Green was held out of the opener by UGA or after talks with the NCAA. He referred that question to head coach Mark Richt.
“I’d rather they take their time and get it right,” Adams said. “I think to the extent that you want all your players cleared, there are always concerned. But I don’t right now have any extraordinary concern. I just think we need to let the process work.”
“Our lawyers are handling it. And that’s appropriate,” Adams saiad. “And I’d be surprised if we didn’t hear something pretty soon.”
But asked if he thought the situation was serious, Adams wasn’t sure.
“What I might think and what the NCAA might think might be two different things,” Adams said. “I don’t think it does us any good to speculate until it’s over with.”
The assumption all along was that Green’s part in the NCAA agent probe was related to the infamous South Beach party. Could it now be related to something more, Adams was asked?
“I can’t tell you what all they’re looking at because I don’t know,” Adams said.
Adams also wouldn’t confirm whether Green was held out of the opener by UGA or after talks with the NCAA. He referred that question to head coach Mark Richt.
“I’d rather they take their time and get it right,” Adams said. “I think to the extent that you want all your players cleared, there are always concerned. But I don’t right now have any extraordinary concern. I just think we need to let the process work.”
Pregame forecast, what to watch
In today's paper, I picked Georgia to win 38-10. But that was before we knew that A.J. Green wouldn't play.
It's not enough to make me change the entire pick. But I will subtract a few points from Georgia's total, because I was assuming that Aaron Murray would hook up with him on a few big plays.
So let's go Georgia 30, Louisiana-Lafayette 10. The Bulldogs still have too much talent, especially on the offensive line.
The things I'll be watching the most:
- Aaron Murray's poise and decision-making. We heard all preseason that he had command of the offense and the confidence of his teammates. But what about when it really counts?
- The run game, and whether it can get five yards nearly every attempt. Even with Washaun Ealey out, the Bulldogs need to show they'll be able to rush the ball with near impunity this year, especially with a freshman QB and their star receiver's status up in the air. And Louisiana-Lafayette is not supposed to have a good run defense.
- Whether the aggressive defense dictates the game. You can virtually guarantee that there will be plenty of blitzing, but with ULL having an inexperienced front line, Georgia should be able to get plenty of pressure, even with just three down linemen. Next week against South Carolina, getting pressure on Stephen Garcia will be a huge key.
It's not enough to make me change the entire pick. But I will subtract a few points from Georgia's total, because I was assuming that Aaron Murray would hook up with him on a few big plays.
So let's go Georgia 30, Louisiana-Lafayette 10. The Bulldogs still have too much talent, especially on the offensive line.
The things I'll be watching the most:
- Aaron Murray's poise and decision-making. We heard all preseason that he had command of the offense and the confidence of his teammates. But what about when it really counts?
- The run game, and whether it can get five yards nearly every attempt. Even with Washaun Ealey out, the Bulldogs need to show they'll be able to rush the ball with near impunity this year, especially with a freshman QB and their star receiver's status up in the air. And Louisiana-Lafayette is not supposed to have a good run defense.
- Whether the aggressive defense dictates the game. You can virtually guarantee that there will be plenty of blitzing, but with ULL having an inexperienced front line, Georgia should be able to get plenty of pressure, even with just three down linemen. Next week against South Carolina, getting pressure on Stephen Garcia will be a huge key.
Pregame: A.J. in shorts
The scene on the field just now was a bit surreal: A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey, Tavarres King and Alec Ogletree in red jerseys and shorts, hanging out near midfield.
Three key skill position players, and probably the team's best true freshmen - and all unavailable for today's game for reasons other than injury.
Green is the latest hit to Georgia, and obviously the biggest. Worse yet, his situation may be out of the team and school's control. Based on what we know, Green's eligibility may be at the mercy of the NCAA, and whenever it delivers a ruling on whether he did something wrong, and if so how long he has to sit out.
Hopefully we know something soon. But clearly Green's status at least for the South Carolina game is in doubt.
In the meantime, they are going to play a game today. The rest of the team just ran out of the tunnel for warmups, drawing a warm reaction from the few fans that are inside Sanford Stadium an hour before kickoff.
Three key skill position players, and probably the team's best true freshmen - and all unavailable for today's game for reasons other than injury.
Green is the latest hit to Georgia, and obviously the biggest. Worse yet, his situation may be out of the team and school's control. Based on what we know, Green's eligibility may be at the mercy of the NCAA, and whenever it delivers a ruling on whether he did something wrong, and if so how long he has to sit out.
Hopefully we know something soon. But clearly Green's status at least for the South Carolina game is in doubt.
In the meantime, they are going to play a game today. The rest of the team just ran out of the tunnel for warmups, drawing a warm reaction from the few fans that are inside Sanford Stadium an hour before kickoff.
Green out for opener
So, after all that, A.J. Green won't play in the season opener after all, thanks to the NCAA inquiry.
Georgia passed out a statement minutes ago that read:
"University of Georgia junior wide receiver A.J. Green will miss Saturday's game against the University of Louisiana (Lafayette) pursuant to UGA Athletic Association policy and pending a ruling from the NCAA clarifying his status."
Green, the star junior receiver, did not participate in the pregame Dawg Walk.
So what's the deal? That remains unclear.
From speaking with associate athletics director Claude Felton, it seems UGA is holding Green out because it hasn't received word from the NCAA on its inquiry. This doesn't necessarily mean there is any danger of Green being suspended further; It also means there isn't.
But if Green played on Saturday, and were later to have been ruled by the NCAA to be ineligible, Georgia could potentially vacate the game.
So Georgia is essentially playing it safe, but that doesn't mean Green will be out of danger after today. Clearly the team hopes it gets a firm ruling from the NCAA before next week, at a minimum.
Again, a very murky situation.
In the meantime, Georgia is now without its leading rusher (Washaun Ealey) and receiver (Green) from last year. It also doesn't have the other projected starting receiver, Tavarres King.
Welcome to college football, Aaron Murray.
Georgia passed out a statement minutes ago that read:
"University of Georgia junior wide receiver A.J. Green will miss Saturday's game against the University of Louisiana (Lafayette) pursuant to UGA Athletic Association policy and pending a ruling from the NCAA clarifying his status."
Green, the star junior receiver, did not participate in the pregame Dawg Walk.
So what's the deal? That remains unclear.
From speaking with associate athletics director Claude Felton, it seems UGA is holding Green out because it hasn't received word from the NCAA on its inquiry. This doesn't necessarily mean there is any danger of Green being suspended further; It also means there isn't.
But if Green played on Saturday, and were later to have been ruled by the NCAA to be ineligible, Georgia could potentially vacate the game.
So Georgia is essentially playing it safe, but that doesn't mean Green will be out of danger after today. Clearly the team hopes it gets a firm ruling from the NCAA before next week, at a minimum.
Again, a very murky situation.
In the meantime, Georgia is now without its leading rusher (Washaun Ealey) and receiver (Green) from last year. It also doesn't have the other projected starting receiver, Tavarres King.
Welcome to college football, Aaron Murray.
Saturday morning reading
First, a reminder that later today I’ll be providing in-game analysis in this space, and updates before the game.
Now, some morning reading to satiate you:
(Yes, satiate. Opening day must put me in big-word mode).
Macon Telegraph sports editor and columnist Daniel Shirley thinks Mark Richt needs to do something about the rash of arrests.
Jeff Schultz of the AJC weighs in on the same subject.
My story Saturday on Georgia's players vowing to use 2010 to put the program "back on the map."
The AJC's Tim Tucker writes about all the change in Richt's 10th season.
Now, some morning reading to satiate you:
(Yes, satiate. Opening day must put me in big-word mode).
Macon Telegraph sports editor and columnist Daniel Shirley thinks Mark Richt needs to do something about the rash of arrests.
Georgia head coach Mark Richt is a terrific coach and he’s as good a representative of the university that Georgia has had in his current position, but his program is headed down the wrong path. And he needs to do something about it.
It’s almost impossible to expect a college football coach to keep every player in the program under control. For a program like Georgia, there are typically more than 100, after all. Things are going to happen when 18- to 22-year-olds are on a college campus, but Georgia’s problems have become so numerous that they can’t be just shrugged away with a thought that these are just college athletes doing what college athletes do.
Jeff Schultz of the AJC weighs in on the same subject.
Please, no more apologies.
I’ve had it with apologists. They live among the fan base (who claim police are just out to get athletes). They live among the coaching fraternity (because to blame another coach sets themselves up for higher standards). They live among the media (some of whom are too afraid of burning bridges with the program and not having the coach smile at them any more).
Bottom line: This falls on Richt. It’s his program. It’s his responsibility. It’s on his watch.
My story Saturday on Georgia's players vowing to use 2010 to put the program "back on the map."
But Georgia players say they’re determined — although they only tend to say it when asked — to make this the year they return the Bulldogs to glory.
“Some people have begun to be naysayers, say that we’re not the same program that we once were,” senior receiver Kris Durham said. “But at the same time I feel like we do have the talent, we do have the ability to put ourselves back up there.”
The AJC's Tim Tucker writes about all the change in Richt's 10th season.
Lafayette, we are here
Georgia’s opening opponent likes to call itself the University of Louisiana. (Witness the logo at right). But there’s actually a state law preventing any school from officially using that moniker, and the official style of everyone else – including this blog – is to call it Louisiana-Lafayette on first reference, and ULL afterwards.
Hey, we don’t wanna cause anybody any trouble.
Georgia and ULL have never met in football. So what do we make of the visitors? For some insight we went to Matthew DeGenova, the lone Louisiana native on Georgia’s roster.
DeGenova, a junior defensive end, grew up in the New Orleans area, which he said is about a two-hour drive from Lafayette. Those are two distinct areas, according to DeGenova.
New Orleans is a bit more cosmopolitan, even after all the post-Katrina flight. Whereas the Lafayette area is a bit more, well …
“Their nickname is the Rajin’ Cajuns,” DeGenova said, smiling. “A lot of people associate them with Cajuns. … They’re known more for being the Cajun style, people who talk Cajun and eat the Cajun food. Whereas New Orleans might be a little more …”
DeGenova thought for a moment, kept smiling, then continued.
“Civilized,” he said, then added: “I don’t wanna throw anybody one way or the other, saying somebody’s more advanced.”
Actually, the states of Louisiana and Georgia have a lot in common when it comes to football. Basically, they’re both hotbeds. If you look at ULL’s roster, you’ll see a lot of Louisiana natives, much like Georgia is dominated by in-state products. (DeGenova said he was never recruited by Lafayette, and ended up at Georgia primarily because his brother played here.)
“They recruit Louisiana, and very few kids get away,” DeGenova said of ULL. “I trained with one kid, and he ended up going to Alabama to play defensive back. But LSU does a good job of recruiting and keeping everyone in-state. That’s kinda how Louisiana-Lafayette is, they just take everyone in-state.”
For a more Xs and Os look at Georgia’s opponent, and the game, here’s a link to the breakdown in today’s paper.
Friday, September 3, 2010
McGarity, UGA still waiting on NCAA
Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity said his department had not heard from the NCAA on its inquiry as of late this afternoon.
The NCAA has handed down rulings in its agent probe at Alabama, and apparently at least partially at North Carolina and South Carolina. But Georgia still has not heard anything, and McGarity granted that it could go up until game time.
"Who knows. It’s one of those things where you’re just sitting by the phone waiting, and waiting," McGarity said. "So we’ll just see what happens.”
McGarity spoke after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sanford Stadium's Reed Plaza.
There aren't any outward worries at Georgia that star receiver A.J. Green, the player reportedly interviewed by the NCAA, would have to sit out any games. Green has said he was not at a Miami party that appears to be at the center of the agent probe.
But the NCAA has apparently not officially notified Georgia, with now hours to go until it takes the field in its season opener. So I asked McGarity if that was frustrating.
“Well, I think you always want to know," McGarity said. "But also, no one can put a time limit on the NCAA. There are a lot of things going on right now with a lot of institutions. So we’re just sitting around waiting until we hear something.”
This was McGarity's first week on the job. It's far from done, with the football opener on Saturday, but he said he had a productive week meeting with coaches (in the coaches' respective offices) and with staff.
“Just (understanding) the basic foundation of what we want to do as an organization moving forward. And a lot of these are already in place," McGarity said. "So it’s not like we’re reinventing the wheel. But (it’s about) our office being able to learn what people do. It’s a great staff. They’ve done a great job getting the stadium ready. And we’ll see how it works tomorrow.”
The NCAA has handed down rulings in its agent probe at Alabama, and apparently at least partially at North Carolina and South Carolina. But Georgia still has not heard anything, and McGarity granted that it could go up until game time.
"Who knows. It’s one of those things where you’re just sitting by the phone waiting, and waiting," McGarity said. "So we’ll just see what happens.”
McGarity spoke after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sanford Stadium's Reed Plaza.
There aren't any outward worries at Georgia that star receiver A.J. Green, the player reportedly interviewed by the NCAA, would have to sit out any games. Green has said he was not at a Miami party that appears to be at the center of the agent probe.
But the NCAA has apparently not officially notified Georgia, with now hours to go until it takes the field in its season opener. So I asked McGarity if that was frustrating.
“Well, I think you always want to know," McGarity said. "But also, no one can put a time limit on the NCAA. There are a lot of things going on right now with a lot of institutions. So we’re just sitting around waiting until we hear something.”
This was McGarity's first week on the job. It's far from done, with the football opener on Saturday, but he said he had a productive week meeting with coaches (in the coaches' respective offices) and with staff.
“Just (understanding) the basic foundation of what we want to do as an organization moving forward. And a lot of these are already in place," McGarity said. "So it’s not like we’re reinventing the wheel. But (it’s about) our office being able to learn what people do. It’s a great staff. They’ve done a great job getting the stadium ready. And we’ll see how it works tomorrow.”
Ogletree suspended (updated)
Georgia safety Alec Ogletree has been suspended for Saturday's opener.
Ogletree was arrested Friday and charged with "theft by taking," a misdemeanor. He was booked at the Clarke County jail at 2:07 p.m., according to jail records, with bail set at $1,500. He posted bail and was released at 4:51 p.m.
A short time later, Georgia announced his suspension for a "minimum" of one game.
"Certainly it’s an unfortunate sequence of events.” head coach Mark Richt said in a stateement. "I’m disappointed in the situation and will continue to gather information as the case is processed through the proper legal channels. In the meantime, Alec is still responsible for a poor decision and will serve a minimum one game suspension as a result."
Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity said Richt made "the right decision."
Ogletree posted a brief statement on his Facebook page around 5:45 p.m. on Friday:
"Thanks You to everybody that is standing behind me on this..... Everything will be ok on this end and this is the first and last time you see me in the news or watever for something bad."
Ogletree becomes the ninth Georgia player to be arrested this year.
He also becomes the third player suspended for the opener as a result of an arrest. Tailback Washaun Ealey is sitting out after his arrest last week on three misdemeanors stemming from hitting a parked car. Receiver Tavarres King is also out for the opener after a July alcohol-related arrest.
“This what occurred back in June. So you’ve just gotta sit back, look and see exactly what happened," McGarity said. "Mark made the right decision. So we just move forward. I’m sure these kids’ll learn from their mistakes and move forward. There are little bumps in the road.
"But it’s just something we’ve got to focus on, just continuing education. Things along those lines. Nothing that can’t be corrected. We’ve just gotta keep working on it.”
Ogletree was arrested Friday and charged with "theft by taking," a misdemeanor. He was booked at the Clarke County jail at 2:07 p.m., according to jail records, with bail set at $1,500. He posted bail and was released at 4:51 p.m.
A short time later, Georgia announced his suspension for a "minimum" of one game.
"Certainly it’s an unfortunate sequence of events.” head coach Mark Richt said in a stateement. "I’m disappointed in the situation and will continue to gather information as the case is processed through the proper legal channels. In the meantime, Alec is still responsible for a poor decision and will serve a minimum one game suspension as a result."
Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity said Richt made "the right decision."
Ogletree posted a brief statement on his Facebook page around 5:45 p.m. on Friday:
"Thanks You to everybody that is standing behind me on this..... Everything will be ok on this end and this is the first and last time you see me in the news or watever for something bad."
Ogletree becomes the ninth Georgia player to be arrested this year.
He also becomes the third player suspended for the opener as a result of an arrest. Tailback Washaun Ealey is sitting out after his arrest last week on three misdemeanors stemming from hitting a parked car. Receiver Tavarres King is also out for the opener after a July alcohol-related arrest.
“This what occurred back in June. So you’ve just gotta sit back, look and see exactly what happened," McGarity said. "Mark made the right decision. So we just move forward. I’m sure these kids’ll learn from their mistakes and move forward. There are little bumps in the road.
"But it’s just something we’ve got to focus on, just continuing education. Things along those lines. Nothing that can’t be corrected. We’ve just gotta keep working on it.”
Season predictions, from you
Earlier this week you were invited to offer your preseason predictions. The results are in – well they’ve been in for awhile, but it took me till now to do the math, what with everything else going on.
So, here’s at least one sample of what Georgia Bulldog fans expect from the 2010 season:
Regular-season wins
9.7 (average)
Bowl
Sugar (11 votes), Capitol One (10), Outback (9), BCS championship (3), Chik-fil-A (3), Cotton (1).
Most surprising offensive player
Marlon Brown (6), Orson Charles (6), Aaron Murray (5), Washaun Ealey (4), Kris Durham (3), Tavarres King (3), Logan Gray (2), Caleb King (2), Arthur Lynch (1), Cordy Glenn (1), Fred Munzenmaier (1), Trinton Sturdivant (1), Carlton Thomas (1), Aron White (1).
Most surprising defensive player
Justin Anderson (5.5), Jakar Hamilton (5), Christian Robinson (3), Darryl Gamble (3), Marcus Dowtin (3), Vance Cuff (3), Bacarri Rambo (3), Brandon Boykin (2), Richard Samuel (2), Branden Smith (2), Derek Owens (1), Kwame Geathers (1), Cornelius Washington (1), Nick Williams (1), Justin Houston (1), DeAngelo Tyson (0.5).
Aaron Murray stats
18.0 TD
9.4 interceptions
2,406 yards
A.J. Green plus or minus 1,000 yards
Plus (25), Minus (13)
SEC defensive rank
3.83
So, here’s at least one sample of what Georgia Bulldog fans expect from the 2010 season:
Regular-season wins
9.7 (average)
Bowl
Sugar (11 votes), Capitol One (10), Outback (9), BCS championship (3), Chik-fil-A (3), Cotton (1).
Most surprising offensive player
Marlon Brown (6), Orson Charles (6), Aaron Murray (5), Washaun Ealey (4), Kris Durham (3), Tavarres King (3), Logan Gray (2), Caleb King (2), Arthur Lynch (1), Cordy Glenn (1), Fred Munzenmaier (1), Trinton Sturdivant (1), Carlton Thomas (1), Aron White (1).
Most surprising defensive player
Justin Anderson (5.5), Jakar Hamilton (5), Christian Robinson (3), Darryl Gamble (3), Marcus Dowtin (3), Vance Cuff (3), Bacarri Rambo (3), Brandon Boykin (2), Richard Samuel (2), Branden Smith (2), Derek Owens (1), Kwame Geathers (1), Cornelius Washington (1), Nick Williams (1), Justin Houston (1), DeAngelo Tyson (0.5).
Aaron Murray stats
18.0 TD
9.4 interceptions
2,406 yards
A.J. Green plus or minus 1,000 yards
Plus (25), Minus (13)
SEC defensive rank
3.83
Ogletree arrest warrant details
Alec Ogletree, a freshman safety on the Georgia football team, was expected to turn himself in later Friday after an arrest warrant was issued for him on a charge of "theft by taking."
The charge stems from a June 15 incident when a member of the Georgia track team reported a $35 motorcycle helmet as stolen from outside the Rankin Smith center.
According to the police report Petr Novotny, a member of the UGA track team from the Czech Republic, reported the helmet being stolen at 10:54 p.m. on June 15. Novotny told police he had left his helmet unsecured on his scooter outside the Rankin Smith building.
"Within the last day or two, the helmet was located and found in the possession of a person who has been identified as Alec Ogletree," said Jimmy Williamson, the chief of UGA Police.
A warrant was issued on Thursday.
"We have had conversations with football officials and they are making arrangements to have him turn himself in around mid-morning,” Williamson said.
Williamson added that Ogletree would probably make bond quickly and be released.
Georgia associate athletics director Claude Felton said head coach Mark Richt was aware of the situation, but did not expect any comment from Richt until the afternoon.
This obviously was not what Georgia wanted to be dealing with, again, a day before its season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
The news comes a week after tailback Washaun Ealey became the eighth Georgia football player to be arrested this year. Ealey was picked up on three misdemeanor charges, and has been suspended for a minimum of one game.
Ogletree was one of the few true freshman expected to play in the season opener. The product of Newnan High School is the twin brother of another Bulldog freshman, fullback Alexander "Zander" Ogletree.
The charge stems from a June 15 incident when a member of the Georgia track team reported a $35 motorcycle helmet as stolen from outside the Rankin Smith center.
According to the police report Petr Novotny, a member of the UGA track team from the Czech Republic, reported the helmet being stolen at 10:54 p.m. on June 15. Novotny told police he had left his helmet unsecured on his scooter outside the Rankin Smith building.
"Within the last day or two, the helmet was located and found in the possession of a person who has been identified as Alec Ogletree," said Jimmy Williamson, the chief of UGA Police.
A warrant was issued on Thursday.
"We have had conversations with football officials and they are making arrangements to have him turn himself in around mid-morning,” Williamson said.
Williamson added that Ogletree would probably make bond quickly and be released.
Georgia associate athletics director Claude Felton said head coach Mark Richt was aware of the situation, but did not expect any comment from Richt until the afternoon.
This obviously was not what Georgia wanted to be dealing with, again, a day before its season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
The news comes a week after tailback Washaun Ealey became the eighth Georgia football player to be arrested this year. Ealey was picked up on three misdemeanor charges, and has been suspended for a minimum of one game.
Ogletree was one of the few true freshman expected to play in the season opener. The product of Newnan High School is the twin brother of another Bulldog freshman, fullback Alexander "Zander" Ogletree.
Scouting the (second) opponent
The Georgia football team can’t look ahead. But we can.
Thursday night I watched South Carolina’s football game on TV, rather than a press box seat, for the first time in four years, so thought I’d drop a few impressions this morning. (And don’t worry, this won’t turn into a Gamecock-centric blog. It just so happens that it’s the second game of the season, a very critical one for UGA, and I have a bit of insight on the subject.)
Overall, it was an impressive performance for South Carolina. I know, I know, it was Southern Miss. But two things:
1) Southern Miss is considered a favorite to win Conference USA. It wasn’t exactly a Division II school.
2) The Gamecock team I covered the past few years didn’t typically get resounding wins against these mid-major type teams. Two years ago they opened their season with a very unimpressive 28-14 win over … drum roll … Louisiana-Lafayette. They have struggled against Wofford. And in last year’s opener they won a 7-3 game at N.C. State that almost set back offensive football several decades.
Stephen Garcia, probably the key to the season, looked very good after deservedly getting the start. For awhile there it looked like Steve Spurrier couldn’t get out of his own way, but he ended up letting Garcia start and play the majority of the snaps.
The Gamecocks have some weapons. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore looks like the genuine article, a great combination of size and speed. Receiver Alshon Jeffery is picking up where he left off near the end of last year, and is capable of making big catches anywhere on the field. And freshman receiver Ace Seemed went long seemingly every time he touched the ball.
On the other hand:
The defense looked vulnerable at times. Starting cornerback Chris Culliver was suspended for the game, and it was the team’s first game without Eric Norwood in four years. And there could be more suspensions next week.
The offensive line could still be a worry for the Gamecocks. Garcia, a fourth-year junior, did a great job staying in there when the pocket started to collapse, which it did a lot. You have to figure Georgia will get a bit more pressure, though where it comes from will be more of a mystery, thanks to the 3-4.
The Gamecocks did commit some silly penalties. It looks like the false starts haven’t gone away. They pretty much were flawless in the intangibles department on Thursday night: Turnovers, no major penalties. If and when those happen against Georgia, it’ll be interesting to see how they react.
So as good as the Gamecocks looked Thursday night, don’t crown them yet, as Dennis Green would say.
Thursday night I watched South Carolina’s football game on TV, rather than a press box seat, for the first time in four years, so thought I’d drop a few impressions this morning. (And don’t worry, this won’t turn into a Gamecock-centric blog. It just so happens that it’s the second game of the season, a very critical one for UGA, and I have a bit of insight on the subject.)
Overall, it was an impressive performance for South Carolina. I know, I know, it was Southern Miss. But two things:
1) Southern Miss is considered a favorite to win Conference USA. It wasn’t exactly a Division II school.
2) The Gamecock team I covered the past few years didn’t typically get resounding wins against these mid-major type teams. Two years ago they opened their season with a very unimpressive 28-14 win over … drum roll … Louisiana-Lafayette. They have struggled against Wofford. And in last year’s opener they won a 7-3 game at N.C. State that almost set back offensive football several decades.
Stephen Garcia, probably the key to the season, looked very good after deservedly getting the start. For awhile there it looked like Steve Spurrier couldn’t get out of his own way, but he ended up letting Garcia start and play the majority of the snaps.
The Gamecocks have some weapons. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore looks like the genuine article, a great combination of size and speed. Receiver Alshon Jeffery is picking up where he left off near the end of last year, and is capable of making big catches anywhere on the field. And freshman receiver Ace Seemed went long seemingly every time he touched the ball.
On the other hand:
The defense looked vulnerable at times. Starting cornerback Chris Culliver was suspended for the game, and it was the team’s first game without Eric Norwood in four years. And there could be more suspensions next week.
The offensive line could still be a worry for the Gamecocks. Garcia, a fourth-year junior, did a great job staying in there when the pocket started to collapse, which it did a lot. You have to figure Georgia will get a bit more pressure, though where it comes from will be more of a mystery, thanks to the 3-4.
The Gamecocks did commit some silly penalties. It looks like the false starts haven’t gone away. They pretty much were flawless in the intangibles department on Thursday night: Turnovers, no major penalties. If and when those happen against Georgia, it’ll be interesting to see how they react.
So as good as the Gamecocks looked Thursday night, don’t crown them yet, as Dennis Green would say.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Green update
Georgia is still waiting to hear from the NCAA on its inquiry, and doesn’t know when it will get any word.
Head coach Mark Richt was not available after Thursday’s practice. But associate athletics director Claude Felton said in an e-mail that the school has “not heard anything from the NCAA today.”
And, as far as the inquiry, Felton referred back to the repeated no-comments from Richt.
When asked whether the school expected to hear from the NCAA at game time, Felton said:
“The NAA has not given any indication when we will hear from them.”
Georgia received a letter from the NCAA on July 22 notifying the school it would interview a player as part of an “inquiry.” The player’s name was redacted, but junior receiver A.J. Green told reporters the next day that he had been asked by Georgia officials if he attended an agent-affiliated party in Miami.
Presumably this was the same party that’s at the crux of a probe that has also involved players at North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. And Green’s answer was that he had not been to Miami.
Green, Richt, and everybody at Georgia has given no indication they’re worried that the star receiver will not be able to play. But we may not know for sure until warm-ups on Saturday, or even until kickoff.
(Just ask South Carolina, which was still awaiting word on player eligibility a couple hours from its Thursday night kickoff.)
Head coach Mark Richt was not available after Thursday’s practice. But associate athletics director Claude Felton said in an e-mail that the school has “not heard anything from the NCAA today.”
And, as far as the inquiry, Felton referred back to the repeated no-comments from Richt.
When asked whether the school expected to hear from the NCAA at game time, Felton said:
“The NAA has not given any indication when we will hear from them.”
Georgia received a letter from the NCAA on July 22 notifying the school it would interview a player as part of an “inquiry.” The player’s name was redacted, but junior receiver A.J. Green told reporters the next day that he had been asked by Georgia officials if he attended an agent-affiliated party in Miami.
Presumably this was the same party that’s at the crux of a probe that has also involved players at North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. And Green’s answer was that he had not been to Miami.
Green, Richt, and everybody at Georgia has given no indication they’re worried that the star receiver will not be able to play. But we may not know for sure until warm-ups on Saturday, or even until kickoff.
(Just ask South Carolina, which was still awaiting word on player eligibility a couple hours from its Thursday night kickoff.)
Blogging, chats, questions
A few quick housekeeping notes:
- Georgia’s practice is closed today, so there shouldn’t be any updates later. But I’m sure something will come up (it always does), and the blog will be updated regularly anyway.
- I will be blogging during games this year. I did this when I covered South Carolina, and it was well-received (mostly) and I genuinely enjoyed doing it.
Right now the plan is to use this here blog. If anybody has any other preferences, or suggestions, I welcome them.
- We will do a chat session, as Dave did last year, and will commence next week, either be on Wednesday or Thursday. Again, if someone has a preference for this, let me know.
- Feel free to continue sending me your questions for the mailbag segment. It’s hard sometimes during the week to get to all the questions immediately, but I hope to do a better job of that. In the meantime, the mailbag is a good chance to get to it. I can take questions on Twitter or email also.
- Georgia’s practice is closed today, so there shouldn’t be any updates later. But I’m sure something will come up (it always does), and the blog will be updated regularly anyway.
- I will be blogging during games this year. I did this when I covered South Carolina, and it was well-received (mostly) and I genuinely enjoyed doing it.
Right now the plan is to use this here blog. If anybody has any other preferences, or suggestions, I welcome them.
- We will do a chat session, as Dave did last year, and will commence next week, either be on Wednesday or Thursday. Again, if someone has a preference for this, let me know.
- Feel free to continue sending me your questions for the mailbag segment. It’s hard sometimes during the week to get to all the questions immediately, but I hope to do a better job of that. In the meantime, the mailbag is a good chance to get to it. I can take questions on Twitter or email also.
Mailbag time
Big, huge day today. You can smell it in the air. You can feel it in your toes. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is … 90210 day.
(Literally, the date is 9/2/10 … Everyone, depending on your preferences, go stare wistfully at a picture of Jason Priestly or Jennie Garth.)
OK, seriously, we start football today. There are a bunch of games tonight, with South Carolina-Southern Miss being the one of notable interest in these parts. We also need to follow, during the day, exactly how many Gamecock players will miss the game due to suspension, and whether any will stretch into next week.
In the meantime, it’s time to answer some viewer mail. Or reader mail. Whatever.
(Regarding A.J. Green and the NCAA probe, and Mark Richt’s no-comment).
Here's a guess as to why UGA/Green can't say he has been cleared by NCAA. The NCAA is investigating this whole agentgate thing at several other schools, as mentioned, and has told UGA and those other schools not to discuss the investigation. If UGA alone is allowed to come out and say Green and UGA are in the clear, the implication is that the other schools/players are not. So the NCAA wants everyone to decline comment on the investigation until the entire agentgate investigation is concluded. If there was any doubt, you can bet that UGA would hold A.J. out of Saturday's game. My guess is that UGA and Green have been told by NCAA that they are in the clear, but have been asked to refrain from commenting until the NCAA completes its investigation elsewhere.
- Anonymous
This seems like a very plausible theory.
Seth, out of curiosity, when you started the job (or before), what was your personal opinion about temperature of Richt's seat? That is to say, as someone who was covering the SEC but not specifically Georgia, were you under a different belief then than you are now? If so, what's changed that?
-Rob
I’d say that before I took the job here, I had a sense that he MIGHT be on the hot seat this season. But as I’ve talked to people, and spent more than a month in the job now, my sense is that it’s a lot more talk than reality. Now if the team really struggles this year, and there are more off-field problems, that could change. But for the moment, it appears the perception of any hot seat is higher outside of Athens than it is around campus.
(Regarding Hutson Mason’s playing status).
That doesn't sound like "sort of" to me, Seth...Bobo said if we put the #2 in, it will be Hutson Mason. Do you expect him to say, "WHEN we get up by 35 points, we'll put him in?" No coach is going to show that little respect for an opponent before the game, no matter who it is. Well, at least not on our staff..maybe the ole ball coach you are used to covering doesn't have that kind of class. :-)
- Scott
I think the coaches are still leaving themselves a little wiggle room. Since it’s a nonconference game, no one would blame them if they said Mason will definitely play on Saturday, or they’ll try to get him in, just to get some experience. After all, they did that with D.J. Shockley. The key test here is going to be IF Georgia gets up 35-0 or something like that in the second half.
What's the incentive to red-shirt Mason if (Christian) LaMay is coming in to Athens in the spring? I thought LaMay was higher rated.
Josh D. Weiss (Via twitter)
This obviously figures into the equation. If they feel that good about LeMay's future, then they'll have less reservation burning Mason's redshirt.
BURN HIS REDSHIRT. We need our backup to have some game experience. Get Murray through the 3rd quarter and then sit him so Mason gets some work.
Seth, please pass this along to the coaches and let me know when they agree. Thanks.
- Anonymous
I suspect you were having a little fun at the end there. If so, well done.
Isn't it possible to play a negligible amount of time and still redshirt?
- Anonymous
Only if you get hurt. Otherwise, step on the field for one play, and that redshirt is burned. That said, more than a few programs have come up with some phantom injuries through the years. A few years ago at South Carolina, quarterback Chris Smelley was said to have injured a foot and got a redshirt. We asked him the following spring which foot he hurt, and he couldn’t remember.
(Regarding Trinton Sturdivant)
Seth, What would have to happen for him to get a sixth year if that needed to be the case.
- Anonymous
It’s a good bet that Sturdivant would get a sixth year. He can’t apply for it until after his fifth one. But the NCAA states that you have to miss two seasons for reasons beyond your control, or the school’s control. And two straight knee surgeries fits that description.
Seth ... from your conversations with CTG, do you think he's going to ease the defense into the game against ULL (and not give anything away to USC for next week) or, depending on how good the D is playing, try to throw the kitchen sink at them to see how our D plays?
- Anonymous
Can I take a guess and say they’ll use between 75-90 percent of their stuff? Yes, they want to leave some stuff out so the Head Ball Coach won’t see it on film. But Georgia also has to make sure it wins the game against Louisiana-Lafayette (hey, they are a I-A program), and see how players and the defense as a whole do in a real game situation.
(Regarding Washaun Ealey)
Seth - I know it would never be appropriate to try to determine a player's "internal" discipline, and I wouldn't want to do that. But just curious... you've been around college sports for a long time, what kinds of disciplinary measures are programs able to take with players? Obviously running and extra conditioning come to mind. Is that usually it, or do they get to clean the locker room for a week or something?
- RedDawg
Probably a little of both. Or a lot of both. But running backs coach Bryan McClendon talked about Ealey taking care of things he was “supposed to do.” That sounds to me like a set curfew, and maybe extra meetings.
The best thing he could do, in my opinion, is take care of that suspended license. I’m assuming that’s being done.
Seth, Where (season, ep.) are you now in your Breaking Bad viewing? At this point, I don't think that there is a better actor than Cranston in film, much less TV. Plus he was Tim Whatley, Seinfeld's inappropriate dentist.
- Carter
Sad to say, I just finished the fourth episode of the first season. I’m really going slowly, but hope to make up for it Thursday and Friday. And kudos for the Tim Whatley reference. Cranston was also very good on “Malcolm in the Middle.” Reminded me a lot of my own dad.
(Literally, the date is 9/2/10 … Everyone, depending on your preferences, go stare wistfully at a picture of Jason Priestly or Jennie Garth.)
OK, seriously, we start football today. There are a bunch of games tonight, with South Carolina-Southern Miss being the one of notable interest in these parts. We also need to follow, during the day, exactly how many Gamecock players will miss the game due to suspension, and whether any will stretch into next week.
In the meantime, it’s time to answer some viewer mail. Or reader mail. Whatever.
(Regarding A.J. Green and the NCAA probe, and Mark Richt’s no-comment).
Here's a guess as to why UGA/Green can't say he has been cleared by NCAA. The NCAA is investigating this whole agentgate thing at several other schools, as mentioned, and has told UGA and those other schools not to discuss the investigation. If UGA alone is allowed to come out and say Green and UGA are in the clear, the implication is that the other schools/players are not. So the NCAA wants everyone to decline comment on the investigation until the entire agentgate investigation is concluded. If there was any doubt, you can bet that UGA would hold A.J. out of Saturday's game. My guess is that UGA and Green have been told by NCAA that they are in the clear, but have been asked to refrain from commenting until the NCAA completes its investigation elsewhere.
- Anonymous
This seems like a very plausible theory.
Seth, out of curiosity, when you started the job (or before), what was your personal opinion about temperature of Richt's seat? That is to say, as someone who was covering the SEC but not specifically Georgia, were you under a different belief then than you are now? If so, what's changed that?
-Rob
I’d say that before I took the job here, I had a sense that he MIGHT be on the hot seat this season. But as I’ve talked to people, and spent more than a month in the job now, my sense is that it’s a lot more talk than reality. Now if the team really struggles this year, and there are more off-field problems, that could change. But for the moment, it appears the perception of any hot seat is higher outside of Athens than it is around campus.
(Regarding Hutson Mason’s playing status).
That doesn't sound like "sort of" to me, Seth...Bobo said if we put the #2 in, it will be Hutson Mason. Do you expect him to say, "WHEN we get up by 35 points, we'll put him in?" No coach is going to show that little respect for an opponent before the game, no matter who it is. Well, at least not on our staff..maybe the ole ball coach you are used to covering doesn't have that kind of class. :-)
- Scott
I think the coaches are still leaving themselves a little wiggle room. Since it’s a nonconference game, no one would blame them if they said Mason will definitely play on Saturday, or they’ll try to get him in, just to get some experience. After all, they did that with D.J. Shockley. The key test here is going to be IF Georgia gets up 35-0 or something like that in the second half.
What's the incentive to red-shirt Mason if (Christian) LaMay is coming in to Athens in the spring? I thought LaMay was higher rated.
Josh D. Weiss (Via twitter)
This obviously figures into the equation. If they feel that good about LeMay's future, then they'll have less reservation burning Mason's redshirt.
BURN HIS REDSHIRT. We need our backup to have some game experience. Get Murray through the 3rd quarter and then sit him so Mason gets some work.
Seth, please pass this along to the coaches and let me know when they agree. Thanks.
- Anonymous
I suspect you were having a little fun at the end there. If so, well done.
Isn't it possible to play a negligible amount of time and still redshirt?
- Anonymous
Only if you get hurt. Otherwise, step on the field for one play, and that redshirt is burned. That said, more than a few programs have come up with some phantom injuries through the years. A few years ago at South Carolina, quarterback Chris Smelley was said to have injured a foot and got a redshirt. We asked him the following spring which foot he hurt, and he couldn’t remember.
(Regarding Trinton Sturdivant)
Seth, What would have to happen for him to get a sixth year if that needed to be the case.
- Anonymous
It’s a good bet that Sturdivant would get a sixth year. He can’t apply for it until after his fifth one. But the NCAA states that you have to miss two seasons for reasons beyond your control, or the school’s control. And two straight knee surgeries fits that description.
Seth ... from your conversations with CTG, do you think he's going to ease the defense into the game against ULL (and not give anything away to USC for next week) or, depending on how good the D is playing, try to throw the kitchen sink at them to see how our D plays?
- Anonymous
Can I take a guess and say they’ll use between 75-90 percent of their stuff? Yes, they want to leave some stuff out so the Head Ball Coach won’t see it on film. But Georgia also has to make sure it wins the game against Louisiana-Lafayette (hey, they are a I-A program), and see how players and the defense as a whole do in a real game situation.
(Regarding Washaun Ealey)
Seth - I know it would never be appropriate to try to determine a player's "internal" discipline, and I wouldn't want to do that. But just curious... you've been around college sports for a long time, what kinds of disciplinary measures are programs able to take with players? Obviously running and extra conditioning come to mind. Is that usually it, or do they get to clean the locker room for a week or something?
- RedDawg
Probably a little of both. Or a lot of both. But running backs coach Bryan McClendon talked about Ealey taking care of things he was “supposed to do.” That sounds to me like a set curfew, and maybe extra meetings.
The best thing he could do, in my opinion, is take care of that suspended license. I’m assuming that’s being done.
Seth, Where (season, ep.) are you now in your Breaking Bad viewing? At this point, I don't think that there is a better actor than Cranston in film, much less TV. Plus he was Tim Whatley, Seinfeld's inappropriate dentist.
- Carter
Sad to say, I just finished the fourth episode of the first season. I’m really going slowly, but hope to make up for it Thursday and Friday. And kudos for the Tim Whatley reference. Cranston was also very good on “Malcolm in the Middle.” Reminded me a lot of my own dad.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Still nothing on A.J. Green
I’ll preface this by saying there is still little sign that A.J. Green’s eligibility is in question. And no one at Georgia is acting like the star receiver won’t be able to play in the opener, or beyond.
But three days before the start of the season, head coach Mark Richt was still unable to answer directly that Green was set to play.
After Wednesday’s practice, Richt was asked directly if he expected Green to play.
“Who, A.J. Harmon?” Richt said, referring to a Bulldog offensive lineman.
“You know I can’t talk about that. It’s a good try though,” Richt said, laughing. “I just can’t talk. I don’t know the answer to anything, other than I’m not supposed to talk about the situation. And I really don’t know.”
The NCAA has still issued no ruling on the agent probe. But two players known to be interviewed – North Carolina’s Marvin Austin and South Carolina’s Weslye Saunders – have been ruled out of their respective opening games. Each player’s school said it was not related to the agent probe.
For what it’s worth, when offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was asked earlier to list the receiver rotation, he mentioned Green first. a
But three days before the start of the season, head coach Mark Richt was still unable to answer directly that Green was set to play.
After Wednesday’s practice, Richt was asked directly if he expected Green to play.
“Who, A.J. Harmon?” Richt said, referring to a Bulldog offensive lineman.
“You know I can’t talk about that. It’s a good try though,” Richt said, laughing. “I just can’t talk. I don’t know the answer to anything, other than I’m not supposed to talk about the situation. And I really don’t know.”
The NCAA has still issued no ruling on the agent probe. But two players known to be interviewed – North Carolina’s Marvin Austin and South Carolina’s Weslye Saunders – have been ruled out of their respective opening games. Each player’s school said it was not related to the agent probe.
For what it’s worth, when offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was asked earlier to list the receiver rotation, he mentioned Green first. a
Mason will play. (If Murray gets hurt)
- There is now a plan for Hutson Mason. Sort of.
Georgia head coach Mark Richt said after Wednesday’s practice that Mason will play Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette – if he’s needed.
Richt put it like this, and very carefully:
“God forbid something happens to our starting quarterback, Aaron Murray, Hutson would definitely play if he got hurt. I can at least say that,” Richt said.
That’s the furthest the coaches have gone in saying Mason will play (and thus burn his redshirt). But it still sounded to my ears like a contingency, rather than an outright plan.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said it depended on what happened in the game.
“Hutson’s the No. 2. And if the No. 2 goes in it’ll be Hutson Mason,” Bobo said. “You’re preparing to play, you’re No. 2, and if No. 2 goes in the game you gotta be ready. Whehter you go in because we put you in or whether you go in because of injury.”
Other notes from Richt’s availability:
- Guard Cordy Glenn, coming off mononucleosis, will be spelled some by reserve A.J. Harmon, according to Richt.
- Bobo said he expects to use as many as six receivers, depending on the health of Logan Gray and Rantavious Wooten. The four that will definitely play are A.J. Green, Kris Durham, Marlon Brown and Israel Troupe.
“I’d say up to six, no more than six,” Bobo said.
- Finally, Richt was also asked about the milestone of starting his 10th year at Georgia.
“I think it’s kinda neat. Ten years is awhile. Ten years went really fast for me. It went really fast. … There’s another part of me that feels like I’ve lived here all my life.”
Georgia head coach Mark Richt said after Wednesday’s practice that Mason will play Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette – if he’s needed.
Richt put it like this, and very carefully:
“God forbid something happens to our starting quarterback, Aaron Murray, Hutson would definitely play if he got hurt. I can at least say that,” Richt said.
That’s the furthest the coaches have gone in saying Mason will play (and thus burn his redshirt). But it still sounded to my ears like a contingency, rather than an outright plan.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said it depended on what happened in the game.
“Hutson’s the No. 2. And if the No. 2 goes in it’ll be Hutson Mason,” Bobo said. “You’re preparing to play, you’re No. 2, and if No. 2 goes in the game you gotta be ready. Whehter you go in because we put you in or whether you go in because of injury.”
Other notes from Richt’s availability:
- Guard Cordy Glenn, coming off mononucleosis, will be spelled some by reserve A.J. Harmon, according to Richt.
- Bobo said he expects to use as many as six receivers, depending on the health of Logan Gray and Rantavious Wooten. The four that will definitely play are A.J. Green, Kris Durham, Marlon Brown and Israel Troupe.
“I’d say up to six, no more than six,” Bobo said.
- Finally, Richt was also asked about the milestone of starting his 10th year at Georgia.
“I think it’s kinda neat. Ten years is awhile. Ten years went really fast for me. It went really fast. … There’s another part of me that feels like I’ve lived here all my life.”
Ealey/tailbacks update
Neither of the following is a certainty. But after speaking with Caleb King and running backs coach Bryan McClendon on Tuesday, you do get the feeling that:
- Carlton Thomas is going to get more carries than expected on Saturday.
- Washaun Ealey is on track to return for the South Carolina game.
When Ealey was suspended for what Georgia said was a minimum of one game, King seemed set to be the primary ball-carrier against Louisiana-Lafayette. After all, King was named the starter (by a nose) over Ealey, hours before the arrest.
But everyone keeps having nice things to say about Thomas, the 5-foot-7 scat-back who carried 22 times for 92 yards last year.
McClendon granted that King will get more carries than he would have if Ealey was available. But the assistant coach added that Thomas has had a very good camp.
“You’ve gotta reward Carlton. Carlton’s been practicing good the whole camp, been getting better the whole camp,” McClendon said. “So you wanna make sure you reward him with the ample amount of playing time that he rightly deserves.”
King also said that he was rotating at practice Monday and Tuesday with Thomas, in almost the same way that he had been with Ealey.
As for Ealey, I don’t think I’m burying the lead, since head coach Mark Richt said on Friday there was a good chance the suspension would only last one game … as long as Ealey took care of business.
Whatever that business is, McClendon said Ealey is doing it.
“He’s been doing a good job of doing everything we’ve asked him, to this point,” McClendon said. “Now there’s still a lot of days from now until that first game, or now even until that second game. So who knows what could happen until those days. But up until this point, he’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do and doing it the way we’ve wanted him to do it.”
King said Ealey has been taking an active role at practices, trying to “hype everybody up.”
“I know he’s mad he can’t play the first game,” King said of Ealey. “But I know next week he’ll be ready, or the following week he’ll be ready.”
- Carlton Thomas is going to get more carries than expected on Saturday.
- Washaun Ealey is on track to return for the South Carolina game.
When Ealey was suspended for what Georgia said was a minimum of one game, King seemed set to be the primary ball-carrier against Louisiana-Lafayette. After all, King was named the starter (by a nose) over Ealey, hours before the arrest.
But everyone keeps having nice things to say about Thomas, the 5-foot-7 scat-back who carried 22 times for 92 yards last year.
McClendon granted that King will get more carries than he would have if Ealey was available. But the assistant coach added that Thomas has had a very good camp.
“You’ve gotta reward Carlton. Carlton’s been practicing good the whole camp, been getting better the whole camp,” McClendon said. “So you wanna make sure you reward him with the ample amount of playing time that he rightly deserves.”
King also said that he was rotating at practice Monday and Tuesday with Thomas, in almost the same way that he had been with Ealey.
As for Ealey, I don’t think I’m burying the lead, since head coach Mark Richt said on Friday there was a good chance the suspension would only last one game … as long as Ealey took care of business.
Whatever that business is, McClendon said Ealey is doing it.
“He’s been doing a good job of doing everything we’ve asked him, to this point,” McClendon said. “Now there’s still a lot of days from now until that first game, or now even until that second game. So who knows what could happen until those days. But up until this point, he’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do and doing it the way we’ve wanted him to do it.”
King said Ealey has been taking an active role at practices, trying to “hype everybody up.”
“I know he’s mad he can’t play the first game,” King said of Ealey. “But I know next week he’ll be ready, or the following week he’ll be ready.”
Richt wants to "minimize" trips out west
Mark Richt’s new boss said he had some ideas about nonconference scheduling, but wanted to wait to talk to Richt. Well, the Georgia head coach gave us an idea of what he’ll say to new athletics director Greg McGarity.
Richt clearly isn’t in favor of beefing up the schedule. That doesn’t necessarily mean he would weaken it, but the western trips – such as to Colorado this year – are probably on the way out.
“I’ve learned it first-hand that flying back through the night from Arizona is not good for your team,” Richt said. “I think in the future we’re gonna try and minimize that as much as we can.”
The Bulldogs are still scheduled to go to Oregon in a few years. The trips to Colorado, Arizona and Oklahoma State were spearheaded by former A.D. Damon Evans, who wanted to build the brand of Georgia nationally.
The subject came up Wednesday on the SEC teleconference, after a report in The Birmingham News that said the SEC tended to have the weakest nonconference schedules.
Richt answered a quick “no” when asked if he felt other league teams needed to beef up their schedules.
“Lemme ask you this: Who’s won the last four national championships,” he said. “And I don’t think those teams have gone overboard on who they’re scheduling out of conference.”
A few more tidbits from Richt’s appearance on the teleconference:
- Branden Smith is the No.l punt return man, and Carlton Thomas is No. 2. As for A.J. Green, Richt isn’t necessarily adverse to using him, but granted that with changes to punt return rules there’s risk that a return man could be “splattered.” And he also worried that someone could decide they want to get a bit hit on Green because he’s a star player.
Still, you get the feeling that if at some point they decide Green is their best returner, he’ll be back there.
“Punt return’s a pretty big play too. Kick return’s a pretty big play,” Richt said.
- Richt had kind words for starting quarterback Aaron Murray, who gets his first college start on Saturday.
“He has got everything that it takes. He’s just gotta experience it now,” Richt said.
- Richt repeated that because of the offensive line injuries “offensively we’re not as far as along as I would’ve hoped.”
Richt clearly isn’t in favor of beefing up the schedule. That doesn’t necessarily mean he would weaken it, but the western trips – such as to Colorado this year – are probably on the way out.
“I’ve learned it first-hand that flying back through the night from Arizona is not good for your team,” Richt said. “I think in the future we’re gonna try and minimize that as much as we can.”
The Bulldogs are still scheduled to go to Oregon in a few years. The trips to Colorado, Arizona and Oklahoma State were spearheaded by former A.D. Damon Evans, who wanted to build the brand of Georgia nationally.
The subject came up Wednesday on the SEC teleconference, after a report in The Birmingham News that said the SEC tended to have the weakest nonconference schedules.
Richt answered a quick “no” when asked if he felt other league teams needed to beef up their schedules.
“Lemme ask you this: Who’s won the last four national championships,” he said. “And I don’t think those teams have gone overboard on who they’re scheduling out of conference.”
A few more tidbits from Richt’s appearance on the teleconference:
- Branden Smith is the No.l punt return man, and Carlton Thomas is No. 2. As for A.J. Green, Richt isn’t necessarily adverse to using him, but granted that with changes to punt return rules there’s risk that a return man could be “splattered.” And he also worried that someone could decide they want to get a bit hit on Green because he’s a star player.
Still, you get the feeling that if at some point they decide Green is their best returner, he’ll be back there.
“Punt return’s a pretty big play too. Kick return’s a pretty big play,” Richt said.
- Richt had kind words for starting quarterback Aaron Murray, who gets his first college start on Saturday.
“He has got everything that it takes. He’s just gotta experience it now,” Richt said.
- Richt repeated that because of the offensive line injuries “offensively we’re not as far as along as I would’ve hoped.”
Sturdivant update
Look to see Trinton Sturdivant on the field at some point on Saturday.
The junior offensive lineman, who’s coming off two straight knee surgeries, has had a good preseason. So Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels wants to give Sturdivant some playing time against Louisiana-Lafayette.
“We don’t have to work him in quick right now. But I would like to see him play Saturday, and get some quality reps, and some confidence,” Searels said. “Anytime you have two major surgeries like he did, it’s gonna take awhile to get that confidence back. But I look forward to him getting out there and playing well.”
Sturdivant started every game as a true freshman in 2007, and looked to be Georgia’s anchor on the line for some time at left tackle. But he missed the 2008 season after left knee surgery, then started last year’s opener against Oklahoma State, only to injury the left knee again and miss the season.
“Trinton’s worked very hard for a guy that’s been through two years, two hard offseasons,” Searels said. “He’s worked hard, he’s had his ups and downs. But I think he’s coming back and I look forward to seeing him play some.”
Searels also indicated that Sturdivant can play more than left tackle. The starters on the line are basically set, so it will be interesting to see how Sturdivant and other reserves are used.
Searels wouldn’t pinpoint any other reserves. But backups that have received mention from others this camp have included redshirt sophomore tackle A.J. Harmon, redshirt freshman guard Dallas Lee and junior guard Tanner Strickland. Center Chris Burnette, a redshirt freshman, might miss the opener.
“I think those guys have worked hard. And there’s some guys showing that they can be counted on,” Searels said.
The junior offensive lineman, who’s coming off two straight knee surgeries, has had a good preseason. So Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels wants to give Sturdivant some playing time against Louisiana-Lafayette.
“We don’t have to work him in quick right now. But I would like to see him play Saturday, and get some quality reps, and some confidence,” Searels said. “Anytime you have two major surgeries like he did, it’s gonna take awhile to get that confidence back. But I look forward to him getting out there and playing well.”
Sturdivant started every game as a true freshman in 2007, and looked to be Georgia’s anchor on the line for some time at left tackle. But he missed the 2008 season after left knee surgery, then started last year’s opener against Oklahoma State, only to injury the left knee again and miss the season.
“Trinton’s worked very hard for a guy that’s been through two years, two hard offseasons,” Searels said. “He’s worked hard, he’s had his ups and downs. But I think he’s coming back and I look forward to seeing him play some.”
Searels also indicated that Sturdivant can play more than left tackle. The starters on the line are basically set, so it will be interesting to see how Sturdivant and other reserves are used.
Searels wouldn’t pinpoint any other reserves. But backups that have received mention from others this camp have included redshirt sophomore tackle A.J. Harmon, redshirt freshman guard Dallas Lee and junior guard Tanner Strickland. Center Chris Burnette, a redshirt freshman, might miss the opener.
“I think those guys have worked hard. And there’s some guys showing that they can be counted on,” Searels said.
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