Friday 9:33 pm September 3 2010 Re:20 hours until ... I am off tomorrow.
Is there anything interesting going on or maybe someth... ---------------------------------------
Friday 4:56 pm September 3 2010 Re:New member read... Was it my post that was deleted? Just curious cause I linked to a video abou... ---------------------------------------
Friday 9:31 pm September 3 2010 Re:Ogletree . . . ... The NCAA rules say if a player has already graduated he can go to another sc... ---------------------------------------
Friday 2:55 pm September 3 2010 Re: SI projection ... wlayton wrote:
IllegalShift wrote:
Thats pretty close to what I was ... ---------------------------------------
Friday 8:35 pm September 3 2010 Re:Football Time Backburnered for a less stressful period... ---------------------------------------
Friday 2:43 pm September 3 2010 Re:At last Friday ... Buc wrote:
Does appear that the LSU coach is scrambling a bit. Most of h... ---------------------------------------
One day before what was to have been his college-football debut, Georgia freshman safety Alec Ogletree was arrested on a misdemeanor theft-by-taking charge and suspended from at least the Bulldogs’ opening game.
Ogletree, a highly touted recruit from Newnan, was charged by UGA Police in connection with the mid-June theft of a motor-scooter helmet, valued at $35, outside a campus building.
Coach Mark Richt, who earlier this week said Ogletree would be one of the few freshmen to play in Saturday’s season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, announced the suspension Friday afternoon. About an hour earlier, Ogletree turned himself in to the Clarke County Jail on an arrest warrant issued the day before.
“Certainly it’s an unfortunate sequence of events,” Richt said in a statement. “I’m disappointed in the situation and will continue to gather information as the case is processed through the proper legal channels.
The NCAA issued a ruling Thursday in one agent-related investigation, declaring Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus ineligible for two games. But no ruling came down in several other cases, including Georgia’s.
Georgia did not hear from the NCAA on the matter Thursday and has not gotten any indication of whether it’ll hear before Saturday’s season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, associate athletic director Claude Felton said Thursday night.
Dareus was penalized by the NCAA for accepting $1,787 in improper benefits during two trips to Miami, where an agent-hosted party triggered NCAA probes at several schools. The NCAA required Dareus to donate that amount of money to a charity of his choice as a condition of reinstatement after missing two games.
Georgia was informed of an NCAA inquiry on July 21, and wide receiver A.J. Green said the next day that UGA officials asked him about the Miami party and that he was not there. Green otherwise has declined to comment about …
ATHENS – Three days before Georgia’s opening football game, coach Mark Richt still had no answer to the persistent question of whether an NCAA inquiry launched in July will affect the status of star wide receiver A.J. Green.
“Are you expecting A.J. to play Saturday?” Richt was asked at his post-practice media briefing Wednesday evening.
“A.J. Harmon? Yeah,” Richt replied, referring to a backup offensive lineman.
“Green,” the questioner corrected.
“You know I can’t talk about that,” Richt said. “It’s a good try, though. 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 informed Georgia in late July that it was launching an inquiry at the school -– part of a series of probes at multiple schools about football players’ dealings with agents. An e-mail from the NCAA to UGA stated that investigators planned to interview one Georgia player. Green has said that UGA officials asked him if …
ATHENS — It was a good conversation piece for the off-season, but you can put aside the idea of A.J. Green as Georgia’s punt returner.
“As it turned out, Branden Smith looks to be our No. 1 [punt-return] guy right now and Carlton Thomas our No. 2,” coach Mark Richt said today. “A.J. can do it. There may come a situation where we say, ‘You know what, let’s put him back there and do it.’”
Or there may not.
Richt noted that punt returners can get “splattered” as soon as they catch the ball and that there’s risk of “an overzealous player deciding they’re going to knock out A.J. Green. So we’re not too thrilled to put him in that situation. If need be, he can do it, but as it turned out we feel Branden Smith is our best option there.”
Green, Georgia’s star receiver, said several times during the spring and summer that he would like to return punts, as he did in high school. But Green said last week that he expected Smith to win the job.
ATHENS — Trinton Sturdivant, attempting a comeback after missing almost all of the past two seasons because of knee surgeries, is listed as the No. 2 left tackle on Georgia’s depth chart this week.
“We don’t have to work him in quick right now,” offensive line coach Stacy Searels said after practice Tuesday, “but I would like to see him play Saturday and get some quality reps and gain some confidence.
“Anytime you have two major surgeries like he did, it’s going to take awhile to get that confidence back.”
After starting every game at left tackle as a freshman, Sturdivant blew out his left knee in preseason camp in 2008 and missed the entire season. Then, after making it back to the starting lineup for the 2009 opener, he reinjured the same knee in that game and had to start the surgery/rehab process all over again.
“Trinton is being smart and making sure he’s not doing anything that will hurt him during his return,” right tackle Josh Davis said Tuesday. “In my opinion, …
ATHENS – A few notes and quotes from Mark Richt’s news conference today:
Richt’s opening comment: “It’s good to be undefeated.”
And a bit later: “First game of the year. I know our guys will be excited. . . . We’re just looking forward to playing, looking forward to getting it kicked off, just see what we’ve got.”
This is the healthiest Georgia has entered a season in a long time, Richt said. Among players who otherwise would or might play, linebacker Richard Samuel (leg) and center Chris Burnette (concussion) are the only ones who’ll miss the game with injuries, Richt said.
Richt on Aaron Murray’s first start as Georgia’s quarterback: “He’s human. He’s a freshman. He’s going to have nerves like everybody else. I’m a 50-year-old man, and I’ll be nervous, too, which is a good thing.”
More on Murray: “Hopefully our fans will realize that he’s a freshman. He’s a rookie. He’s going to make mistakes. He probably won’t just be lights-out as far as his accuracy or …
ATHENS – Around midnight Monday, Georgia sold the last ticket to Saturday’s football opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
That means the Bulldogs’ streak of consecutive home sellouts has reached 58, extending into a 10th season.
The last Georgia home game not to sell out was the Nov. 25, 2000, game against Georgia Tech.
Tickets had been available to Saturday’s opener because Louisiana-Lafayette relinquished most of its allotment. The Ragin’ Cajuns were contractually entitled to 4,500 tickets but wound up selling 490, leaving UGA with the other 4,010 to sell.
Georgia currently has no tickets available to any of this season’s home games in 92,746-seat Sanford Stadium, although it’s possible that some could become available if returned by an opponent later in the season. Opponents can return tickets from their allotments until three weeks before a game.
The Bulldogs’ opener kicks off at 12:21 p.m. Saturday.
Note: At noon today, and each Tuesday during the season, Mark Richt …
ATHENS – Amend that depth chart Georgia released Monday afternoon.
The depth chart has Bacarri Rambo and Nick Williams starting at the safeties, but coach Mark Richt said after practice Monday night that “right now it would be Bacarri and Jakar [Hamilton]” starting in Saturday’s opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
“Nick will certainly play,” too, Richt said.
Richt confirmed one mild surprise on the depth chart, which has Brandon Wood starting on the defensive line at left end, ahead of AbryJones. But the D-line remains in flux except for right end Demarcus Dobbs.
“Depends on what day it is, I guess,” Richt said.
But as of today, he said, the starters are DeAngelo Tyson at nose, Dobbs at right end and Wood at left end. Tyson, though, also is expected to play some at left end, with Justin Anderson or Kwame Geathers taking over at nose.
A couple other notes from Monday’s practice:
– Wide receiver Rantavious Wooten, who has been sidelined most of the preseason with a sprained …
For full story on McGarity’s first day on the job, please click here.
ATHENS – Greg McGarity started work as Georgia’s athletic director today, two days earlier than scheduled. In a mid-afternoon interview, he talked about a range of topics, including the high number (eight) of arrests of UGA football players this year.
“I’m going to really learn a lot about that,” McGarity said.”I’m going to learn about our structure, what we have set up as far as education of student-athletes. I want to learn exactly, why is this happening?”
Clearly he is concerned about the arrests.
“Yeah, I think there are too many,” he said. “I think when it happens it’s embarrassing to the institution [and] it takes away from team unity. And I know one of the goals is to make sure we have a system in place that holds people accountable. . . .
“I think it’s a problem,” he said. “and it’s something we want to do a 180 on across the board. It’s really every sport, and I don’t like the excuse that, …
Georgia released a new football depth chart today, five days before the season opener. No big surprises, although a couple of notables:
– Listed as first-teamers on the defensive line are Brandon Wood at left end, DeAngelo Tyson at nose and Demarcus Dobbs at right end. Tyson also is expected to play extensively at left end, in which case Justin Anderson would play nose.
– Branden Smith is listed as the No. 1 punt returner.
– Nick Williams is the starter at strong safety, with Jakar Hamilton the No. 2 free safety.
– As expected, Orson Charles is ahead of last year’s starter, Aron White, at tight end.
– As expected, true freshman Hutson Mason is the No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Murray.
Georgia safety Alec Ogletree is suspended for at least Saturday's season opener after he turned himself in today on a misdemeanor charge of "theft by taking."
Ogletree's arrest stemmed from a June 15 incident outside the Rankin Smith Center when a male student—a UGA track and field athlete--reported a motorcyle helmet valued at $35 was stolen from his scooter.
Ogletree was booked into the Clarke County Jail at 2:07 p.m today and was released on a $1,500 bond at 4:51 p.m.
“Certainly it’s an unfortunate sequence of events," Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement released this afternoon. “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.”
Police say the helmet was taken between 4 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. on June 15, according to the police incident report.
Aaron Murray isn’t making his collegiate debut against an SEC defense on Saturday, but the Louisiana-Lafayette team that Georgia's starting quarterback will face Saturday was certainly opportunistic last season.
“The number one thing that jumps out to me is the number of interceptions they had last year,” Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “They like to pressure. They play zone behind it where if you get pressure and get a bad call, you can get some interceptions. They have a knack for making plays and creating turnovers.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ 16 interceptions last year tied for 23rd in the nation. They had 13 in their six victories. Their projected starters in the secondary this year had 10 of those interceptions.
Georgia threw 17 interceptions last season, contributing to a turnover margin that ranked 118th in the nation.
New Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity twice was asked this week about his philosophy on nonconference scheduling and twice he deferred, saying he wanted to talk to football coach Mark Richt about it first.
Richt on Wednesday voiced his preference: that the Bulldogs play only one nonconference game a season against a team from a BCS conference.
That would be a pullback from the scheduling philosophy the school had under former athletic director Damon Evans, who wanted to grow the Georgia name nationally.
“We’ve been doing it, but I don’t think we need to do it anymore, quite frankly,” Richt said. “I don’t think anybody in the league needs to do it. I think if we win our out of conference games and win the league, we’ll be in really great position.”
Alabama won the BCS national title last season with a schedule that included one BCS conference opponent--Virginia Tech—to go along with Florida International, North Texas and Chattanooga.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said Wednesday night that he still can’t say for sure that star receiver A.J. Green will be able to play in Saturday’s season opener.
The question has lingered since the NCAA sent an e-mail in July to Georgia asking to interview one player.
Green told the Athens Banner-Herald on July 21 that Georgia officials asked him if he had attended an agent-sponsored party in Miami on Memorial Day Weekend. He told them he did not.
So was Richt was asked Wednesday: “Are you expecting A.J. to play Saturday?”
“A.J. Harmon? Yeah,” Richt said referring to the offensive lineman.
“Green,” he was told.”
“You know I can’t talk about that,” Richt said. “It’s a good try, though. 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.”
Athens-Clarke Commission candidate Jared Bailey has a website up at www.jared-acc5.com.
Bailey is citing his experience as a 30-year Athens resident who founded AthFest, ran small businesses, worked in economic development and is involved in many community organizations. According to the site, he is in favor of strong neighborhoods, sustainable land use, environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, big hunting dogs and plaid.
He faces lawyer Dave Hudgins and homebuilder Tom Ellis in District 5.
Some tidbits from post-practice interviews at Georgia tonight:
--Offensive line coach Stacy Searels on Trinton Sturdivant, returning from a second season-ending knee surgery: “We don’t have to work him in quick right now. I would like to see him play Saturday and get some quality reps and get some confidence.”
--I asked receiver A.J. Green if he had any doubt that he’ll be able to play Saturday. Here’s what he said: “No. I don’t know. I can’t say anything.”
Green has said that Georgia officials in July asked him if he had attended an agent sponsored party in Miami on Memorial Day Weekend. He told them he did not.
The NCAA sent a letter of inquiry to Georgia asking to interview one player.
--Running back Caleb King on if he’s expecting a bigger workload with Washaun Ealey suspended for at least one game. “I guess. I really don’t know the rotation yet.”
--There are now four true freshmen that Georgia coaches have said will play Saturday.
One of Georgia’s last remaining rural Democrats says he might switch parties if Republican Nathan Deal becomes governor.
It’s not because state Rep. Alan Powell, D-Hartwell, is facing stiff opposition and might pull a reverse Arlen Spector. Republicans tried to take him down in 2006, failed miserably and haven’t bothered since. It’s also not because, like Deal and others before him, he now identifies more with the GOP.
“If Roy Barnes doesn’t win it in November, you can probably stick a fork in the Democratic movement, because we will not be able to come back for a generation or more,” Powell said in a phone conversation today.
If Barnes loses, Powell said he would “seriously consider” switching parties because Democrats would not only have no influence, but no hope of regaining power. He also said he thinks he could halt the Republicans' drift to the right and bring it back toward the middle.
Democrats went on the attack Monday, accusing Nathan Deal of only releasing his tax returns to his “buddies.” But there’s a twist.
Roy Barnes has released 25 years’ worth of tax returns and called on Deal to do the same. On the Sunday-morning political talk show “Georgia Gang,” conservative pundit Phil Kent claimed he’d seen Deal’s tax returns – which he has declined to release yet because his spokesman says still hasn’t filed his 2009 form – and they’re clean. The Democratic Party of Georgia sent reporters a transcript:
Dick Williams: “Quiet week in the governor’s race. Nathan Deal still being dogged by Roy Barnes to release his taxes.”
Phil Kent: “Well, he did.”
Dick Williams: “He did?”
Phil Kent: “Yeah, he released them.”
Dick Williams: “He did? When?”
Phil Kent: “Well, it wasn't in your liberal newspaper. But he released them yesterday.”
Georgia held its first weekly football news conference of the season today.
New athletic director Greg McGarity took some questions before Mark Richt appeared.
McGarity was asked about his expectations for the football team.
“You never put a win total on any sport,” McGarity said. “I’ve met with half the coaches now and I’ve shared with them the expectations that we have from coaches. You just want to be in the hunt. I think every sport that we sponsor you want them to be in the hunt for championships. There could be circumstances that could lead you to not be in the hunt a certain year due to various circumstances, but you want every sport at the University of Georgia just to be in the conversation.”
McGarity listed swimming, tennis and softball as sports that are “in the hunt.”
“Football, I think, Georgia is in the hunt,” McGarity said
He didn’t list a specific number of victories as a benchmark.
The news that Nick Williams would start alongside Bacarri Rambo at safety lasted only for five or six hours.
Jakar Hamilton said after practice today that, no, he had been told he would start at safety. That contradicted the depth chart that Georgia released today.
“I’m glad to see that I’ve earned the starting position,” said Hamilton, a transfer from Georgia Military College. “I’m running with the ones now. Coach (Todd) Grantham came and told me I earned my starting position. I’m happy to be back where I wanted to be.”
Hamilton said he’ll be the free safety and Rambo will play strong safety.
Coach Mark Richt confirmed after practice tonight that Hamilton and Rambo will be the starters for Saturday's opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Hamilton was talking about more than just on the field matters.
ATHENS — T.J. Stripling has been told to be ready. So the freshman from Decatur will suit up Saturday morning, fully padded, and assume that at some point that day his college football career will officially begin.
ATHENS — Caleb King was already set to be Georgia’s starting tailback in the season opener. Then came Washaun Ealey’s arrest and suspension, and now King knows those carries are about to grow.
ATHENS — Georgia safety Jakar Hamilton said he was not aware Washaun Ealey had a suspended license when he let the sophomore tailback borrow his car Friday morning.
ATHENS — Greg McGarity once worked out of a converted storage closet in the Georgia athletics building. Now when he walks into his new office now, he first has to go through glass doors that read “Director of Athletics” and “Greg McGarity.”
ATHENS — Louisiana-Lafayette head football coach Ricky Bustle bristled Monday when he was asked if his players would be ready to play at Georgia on Saturday.
ATHENS — Akeem Dent was walking around barefoot Saturday, which would have been unusual enough for anybody. But this was also a month after Dent had toe surgery that forced him to miss a month of practice.
ATHENS — This week was supposed to be a fresh start around Georgia athletics. The first football game of a new season is Saturday. The new athletics director, Greg McGarity, starts Wednesday.
ATHENS — The latest off-field transgression of a Georgia football player leaves the team without one of its key players for at least one game. And perhaps more.
ATHENS — For a while this month, A.J. Green was in line to be Georgia’s top punt returner. Then Branden Smith returned, and now it will probably be him, according to Green.
University of Georgia freshman safety Alec Ogletree has been suspended for the Louisiana-Lafayette game Saturday following his arrest Friday on a charge of "theft by taking" involving a scooter helmet.
Georgia Athletics and Heartgard® Plus has teamed up for a winning combination. Submit your favorite photo of your dog for a chance to be the Dawg of the Week sponsored by HEARTGARD® Plus!
Reed Plaza, the newly renovated concourse on the north sideof Sanford Stadium, will be dedicated on Friday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. on theSanford Drive side of the plaza. Reed Plaza is a pedestrian area connectingSanford Drive and East Campus Road at the foot of Reed Hall and MemorialHall.
Under cloudy skies and temperatures hovering around 92 degrees, the Georgia Bulldogs held a 90-minute practice in jerseys, helmets and shorts Wednesday.
Parking at the Baxter and Physical Plant reserved lots at this Saturday's Georgia-Louisiana Lafayette game has been altered due to construction and repair work being conducted in these areas.
Fans entering the Sanford Stadium on Sep. 4 for the home opener will have even more to be excited about with several additions made to the Sanford Stadium concessions since last season.
The Georgia Bulldogs practiced for just over two hours in shoulder pads and shorts on Tuesday afternoon as they continue to make final preparations for this weekend's season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
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