Mike Slive: So, What You're Saying Is No More Masoli's In The SEC?

Bob Donnan/US Progressive

This whole roster-management nonsense has my head a little spinny (is that a word, "spinny"? No? Well it is one today), that's right, "spinny".

After filtering through all the seemingly silly changes in the saga of over-signing players—seriously, what good is a reduction in the signing numbers if SEC coaches can still adjust the way they count players each season—the only real change worth nothing is the grad-exception rule.

In short, the situation that took place last season with Jeremiah Masoli—and this season with former Georgia player, Logan Gray—will no longer be allowed to take place. The reason for this change, said SEC President, Mike Slive, is because "We're not interested in athletes coming for the purpose of one year and then moving on"...Yeah, okay.

What he should have done was amended his statement to say "We're not interested in our football athletes coming in for the purpose of one year and then moving on". Trust me, if some of them could, they would, but Slive realizes that isn't an option in college football. That said, most of this statement is just rhetoric—rhetoric that has already been called out upon by several news outlets. 

That said, I have no intention of belaboring that point again here as my only real question is why the grad-exception rule mattered at all?

I mean, honestly, I had no problem seeing Logan Gray transfer once he graduated. He spent the better part of his career as a second option at Georgia and he deserved a shot at more playing time. If not in Athens, then wherever he was needed. So, good luck to him!

However, the Masoli transfer did irk me a bit because he was, for lack of a better word, a criminal. I'm not altogether certain he deserverd the privilege of playing anywhere in Division I football after his numerous missteps with the law—but that's just me.

So, if Slive were looking to make a statement, perhaps it should have been wrapped in something with more moral fortitude. Say, for instance, any athlete who has been charged and convicted of a serious criminal offense (i.e. robbery, drug possession, or assault), and decides to transfer under the grad-exception rule, is given a nine month probation period at his school of choice.

During that probationary period, he is not allowed to play in any games or participate in any activities that represent the university or their athletics program. If he can stay clear of any offenses during that n time frame, then he is to be granted his full eligibility and allowed to play the following season.

That would make sense—to me.

However, this holier-than-thou declaration of the SEC not being interested in the one-and-done athlete just comes off as hypocritical and asinine. Of course, by now, I am used to such idiocy by college football's "leaders".

The new rule doesn't take effect until October, so Auburn would still be able to sign Russell Wilson if that want him. However, after that point, there are no more freebies for the athlete who is looking for a fresh start, more playing time, or a better way to increase his national spotlight and I'm not altogether sure if the message Slive sends here is really one worth disseminating—whatever that message is truly supposed to be. 

Related articles

• JA Castillo = copacetic: SEC's graduate-exception ban overshadows oversigning cap victory - Andy Staples - SI.com (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Mike Slive and the SEC Twelve play their newest hit, "Oversigning Blues". (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• SEC limits football signees to 25 per year (sfgate.com)

Two Former SEC Players Land At Jacksonville State

Well, folks, former Georgia running back, Washaun Ealey has landed at Jacksonville State. He will be eligible to play this season and is already enrolled in classes. Ealey joins fellow SEC castoff, Clarence Jackson. Jackson, formerly of Ole Miss, was dismissed by Houston Nutt in May after he was charged with public drunkenness. 

Both players are expected to contribute early and should be on the field this season for the Gamecocks.

The fact that Ealey will be playing for Jacksonville State and not Georgia Southern or Valdsota State may come as a surprise to some, but it was becoming very clear over the summer that Ealey's star was fading—due mostly to his well-publicized clashes with head coach Mark Richt as well as rumored problems with new strength coach Joe Tereshinski—and it seemed less and less likely that any school would be willing to take a chance on the troubled former star.

The sentiment being that if a player can't get along with Mark Richt, then maybe the issues there are deeper than meets the eye.

Perhaps Ealey will find more success at a lower-profile school where the attention won't be so heavily centered on him or his behavior.

As for Jackson, he started four games at linebacker last season and was slated to have a bigger role this year until he was kicked off the team for his second violation of team rules.

Both players, should they keep their head on straight, will be a welcome addition to the Jacksonville State roster—a team that completed last season with a 9-3 (including a season opening victory over the Ole Miss Rebels).

Jacksonville State is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Related articles

• Ex-UGA RB Ealey to drop down a level, play in '11 (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Isaiah Crowell Says He "Can Be A Starter" At Georgia This Year (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)

Steve Spurrier Wants To Give Players Food and Beer Money

Okay, so the headline above sort of wreaks of attention-seeking behavior but, oh well.

 I read where Steve Spurrier extended his voice, and his pockets, towards the "pay-for-play" debate. Apparently, the Ol' Ball Coach is for giving a few dollars to his players for a job well done—$300 per game to be exact.

Over the course of one season, assuming you are allowed to carry a full 70 man roster, you would be giving out roughly $21,000 per game or about $250,000+ per season.

Now, for a guy that makes $2.8 million per year like Spurrier does, that's a drop in the bucket, but you shouldn't be surprised if every other coach in the conference isn't willing to jump on board the money train. That said, his idea is less about the money than it is about the conversation: Should the NCAA allow universities to start paying players for what they do for college football programs both on and off the field?

I, for one, have been on the fence with this one. Well, wait, I was on the fence until I saw what happened to former Georgia receiver, A.J. Green.

Green, in case you forgot, was forced to serve a four-game suspension by the NCAA after it was determined that he sold his Independence Bowl game jersey for $1000 to some agent-type (an offense that I am still scratching my head over. I mean, it's not like he was trading his signature for tattoos or anything).

Once the suspension was handed down, I felt bad for Green, bad for coach Richt, bad for the fans, and bad for Georgia because one of their most prized commodities was being forced to sit out because he sold something that belonged to him. I mean I've heard rumors that certain players are told to give up their game jerseys after each game so that memorabilia dealers can sell them at their stores for top dollar. I don't know what kind of kickback the university or the NCAA gets for such a sale, but you can see where this might be considered a little shady.

However, Spurrier is merely proposing coaches spread the wealth a bit. After all, he says, if not for the performance of the players on the field, there would be no million dollar contracts for coaches in the SEC.

I get what he's saying and I can definitely see where he is going with his argument, but it's not something that's likely to happen so long as it's not possible in every sport at the college level—both male and female—because too many people are still willing to believe that their sport is every bit as important as football.

It kind of makes you wonder, though, with all the forgiveness in Spurrier's heart for the oft-suspended Stephen Garcia, if he's funded a few of the beer-guzzling quarterback's all-night excursions himself. Or maybe he just didn't want to answer any questions about why he's for over-signing. Or maybe, he's just trying to be a pot-stirrer (he's always been good at that)...or maybe he's just, well, who knows what he's doing? Either way, this conversation is being had yet again.

Related articles

• Steve Spurrier, others propose paying football players (theglobeandmail.com)
• Seven SEC coaches would pay players - out of their own pockets (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Stephen Garcia: Back In The Saddle Again...Almost (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)

Mark Richt: "I've Never Accused Anybody of Anything"

Photo Credit: Dave Martin, AP

Poor Mark Richt, he makes a few disparaging remarks on the issue of over-signing and suddenly he's the poster boy for changing the SEC's laws regarding "roster management". Well, in Richt's defense, at the time he let his opinion be known, he wasn't looking to start any trouble. He was simply stating his opinion.

I'm positive that he wasn't trying to be the voice of reason amongst this sea of underhanded SEC head coaches and their like-minded staff.

Oh, was that last bit too harsh? Sorry, I meant SEC coaches with little to no scruples where screwing prospects over is concerned.

Come on, people, let's stop beating around the bush. If you are over-signing every season in an attempt to offset the losses you will incur from guys who don't pan out, don't qualify, or who are destined to spend the better part of their existence holding a clipboard or a towel, then you're kind of a dirtbag.

Quite frankly, I think anytime you tell a prospect he will make your roster—even when you know full well that he more than likely won't—you're a bit of a dirt bag.

So, at least for me, it was refreshing to see Mark Richt say that he was against doing such things.

That said, Richt also clarified that he was not against the act of grey-shirting, but rather just the deception that often accompanies it on the front-end. Today, in comments made to Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he reiterated that position yet again saying "I’ve never accused anybody of anything. First of all, I think everybody should have a right to manage their own numbers. All I’ve said is if you sign 25 guys and there’s only room for 20 and after summer you have to tell two or three of them they have to wait until January and they’re shocked about it, I don’t think that’s right..."

I think that's pretty clear, don't you?

In basic English, for those who still aren't clear, Richt was saying that you can oversign all you like, but don't be a prick about it. Let the kid know your plans so he can make a few of his own. Why anyone would make a big deal out of him saying as much is beyond me.

Related articles

• Mark Richt tackles 'winning at all costs' issue in college football (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Mark Richt's shades of grey (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• Does Mark Richt know something about oversigning we don't know? (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Will Muschamp: "I Certainly Can" Guarantee A Win Over Georgia

Well, well, well...those are what might qualify as fighting words if we were actually discussing a rivalry game (Georgia-Florida) that was not as lopsided as the one this match-up has become over the last two decades.

New Florida head coach, Will Muschamp, made certain to emphasize that any ties he had to the Georgia Bulldog nation as a former player and coach were no longer present in his mind in his new position as the head man at Florida. Said Muschamp, his loyalty is with whomever "signs my checks" and no one else.

You can't hate the guy for saying as much since he does have bills to pay, but the whole guaranteeing of a win thing has to stick in the craw of just about every Georgia fan who hates the color orange and has vivid memories of making those long, painful, trips back from Jacksonville after yet another Bulldog loss to the Gators.

The hope in 2011 is that the Dawgs can turn it around and start a new trend—a winning one.

After all, they will have one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC—from a playbook knowledge aspect—and a defense that has nowhere to go but up in season two.

That said, there are also still plenty of questions at both running back and wide receiver, and now also the offensive line, where there is no certainty that a star will rise.

So, when a former Georgia player (who grew up attending Florida Gator games and, apparently, only came to Georgia because it was cost-efficient) starts making pronouncements that his team will be the better one on the field come October, you start to wonder just how scared the Bulldogs should be of their SEC East foe.

In the end, it's all just conjecture and grandstanding for the Florida Gator fanbase, but Muschamp has certainly given his alma mater even more reason to show up in Jacksonville—for all four quarters—in October.

Related articles

• Florida's Muschamp defends hiring Weis, spells out plan (cbssports.com)
• Dead to me. (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Ben Jones Named To 2011 Rimington Watch List

The 2011 Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List has been released and Georgia center, Ben Jones, makes his second consecutive appearance. Jones, a senior, is one of six SEC players named on the list for the trophy given to college football's "most outstanding center" each year.

The SEC and the Big Ten had the most nominees.

Other SEC players named on the list include T.J. Johnson (South Carolina), P.J. Lonergan (LSU), Matt Smith (Kentucky), Travis Swanson (Arkansas), and William Vlachos (Alabama).

Jones is considered by some to be one of the top centers in the country and is currently projected to be a late second, early third, round draft pick in 2012.

He's made 35 starts and appeared in 39 games for Georgia—including 12 starts in 2010. He was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week following Georgia's win over Vanderbilt. A game in which the team tallied more than 500 yards of total offense.

SEC Football: 5 Defensive Players To Keep An Eye On In 2011

The offense is usually the sexiest part of watching a football game, but it's the quick, strong, athletic guys on the defensive side of the ball who—for my money—deserve a great deal of the credit for a football team's success.

So, which SEC players showed us enough in 2010 that we might consider this 2011 season to be their year?  Here are five guys whom I think are almost there:

1. Stephon Gilmore (CB), South Carolina: The junior cornerback was an All-SEC selection in 2011 and is atop many lists coming into 2011 as he is expected to do even greater things. Todd McShay has already penciled him in as a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and he's been named to the 2011 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List for the coming college football season. Gilmore (79 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, and three interceptions) led the Gamecocks in tackles last season. He's got enough talent to play just about anywhere Steve Spurrier might want him (he's already played a little quarterback and done some work on special teams) but he makes his living locking down his side of the field—making quarterbacks think twice about challenging him.

2. Devin Taylor (DE), South Carolina: One of the more unheralded parts of the South Carolina defensive line last season (you can find a great profile of Mr. Taylor here), this junior defensive end completed his 2010 campaign with 46 tackles (13 for loss), 7.5 sacks, and eight pass breakups (There's a guy who knows how to use his 6'7" frame and long arms to his advantage). Look for him to step into a bigger role this season and make some serious noise in the SEC.

3. Danny Trevathan (LB), Kentucky: It's quite perplexing why Trevathan decided to play one more year for the Wildcats. I mean, how on earth can he do much better than his 2010 line of 144 tackles (16 for loss), two sacks, and four forced fumbles? Seriously, he would have been one of the top linebacker prospects in this past years draft had he left. However, his decision to stay means the Wildcats will still have a strong leadership presence on their defense in 2011—even if their offense is full of holes. Look for Travathan to be the new focal point of a team that no longer has a Derrick Locke or a Randall Cobb. The added media spotlight could prove beneficial as long as Trevathan keeps his head and plays good football.

4. Malik Jackson, (DE/DT), Tennessee: Jackson transferred to the Vols from USC—taking advantage of the NCAA's g generosity in allowing players from USC to explore playing options elsewhere in light of sanctions imposed on the program after the Reggie Bush investigation—and upped his profile tremendously in the process. Last season, the 6'5" playmaker from Cali tallied 48 tackles (11 for loss), five sacks, and one interception on a Tennessee defensive line that had a ton of potential but was still feeling its way under new head coach Derek Dooley. Look for Jackson to garner a lot more attention from offensive lines this season, making the work of his linemates a lot easier, while making his case as one of the best defensive players in the SEC.

5. Alec Ogletree, (LB), Georgia: Georgia has a few guys who are poised to make their presence felt this season—Kwame Geathers, Bacarri Rambo, and Brandon Boykin to name a few—but the spring move of sophomore Alec Ogletree from safety to linebacker bears watching. The talented in-state product is a natural off the edge and coach Grantham's decision to get him around the ball more should tighten up Georgia's defensive front. Paired up with USC transfer, Jarvis Jones, many expect to see Ogletree break out in a big way this season.

Related articles

• SEC Football: Top 5 Wide Receiver Candidates for 2011 (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• SEC Football: Will Trent Richardson Be The Best Running Back in the SEC in 2011? (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Is Washaun Ealey's Release Really A Surprise?

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

It has been announced that Georgia Bulldog running back, Washaun Ealey, has been granted an unconditional release by the team—he will finish his career elsewhere.

Now, raise your hand if this news surprises you.

Okay, raise your hand if you truly saw Washaun Ealey playing any significant downs for the University of Georgia football team in 2011.

I'm willing to lay a bet down that not many of you raised your hand because, to be quite honest, the surprise would have been if Washaun Ealey made it through the summer based on some of Mark Richt's comments last month at a Bulldog Club gathering in Augusta, GA.

Said Richt, at that time, "Washaun has a ways to go still to show me that he deserves to start or even play right now..."

Does that sound like a guy who's in a hurry to bring back a kid who has been, for the last 12-16-months, displaying less and less interest in wearing a Bulldog uniform? Let's face it, Ealey wore out his welcome a long time ago and, I'll go on record and admit, I'm not so sure how much a pulled hamstring had to do with his lack of carries this past spring.

It has long been rumored, although not confirmed, that Ealey wasn't happy with the new attitude being promoted and enacted at Georgia (mostly from the strength and conditioning aspect) and he wasn't buying into the program that new strength coach, Joe Tereshinksi was selling. It was for that very reason he was given an indefinite suspension this past February.

If we assume the latter is all true, then Ealey's release was not only a matter of time, but a necessary evil as there is no place for that level of dissension on a team that is already heading into a tenuous 2011 football season.

That said, there will be even more pressure for new recruit, Isaiah Crowell, to be all he can be—now—as the depth chart at tailback just got real thin, real fast.

Hopefully Mr. Ealey can find what he's looking for at another institution. He's clearly got a lot of talent, but he'll need to mature a bit before he can reach his max potential.

Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs reinstate Washaun Ealey after 2-week-plus ban (sports.espn.go.com)
• Put on notice (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• Lingering hamstring issue to sideline UGA's Ealey for spring game. (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

SEC Football: Top 5 Wide Receiver Candidates for 2011

Joe Adams (pictured r.) in 2011 spring scrimmage

Over the last three seasons, the SEC has seen plenty of talent at wide receiver, but the media love was pointed squarely on the jersey's of two phenoms: A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Both players were game-changers for their respective teams and their potential as impact players on the next level led them to be selected in the Top 10 of this years NFL Draft. Their departures leave the door wide open for a few other difference-makers in the SEC, some of whom need no introductions, to make their presence felt on a national level.

The players you will find in this list are guys who have made key contributions on their teams already and could be poised to have an outstanding season in 2011:

1. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: This is a no-brainer. Jeffery could have been a first-round pick in this year's draft had he been eligible, but his under-classmen's status will be South Carolina's gain this year as his return is sure to have SEC defensive backs running scared. Last season, he put up some beastly numbers (88 receptions, 1,517 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 17.24 ypc average) on his way to helping lead the Gamecocks to their first SEC Championship Game appearance in more than two decades. This season, if South Carolina can settle their quarterback situation, you can expect to see a lot more of him on the highlight reel.

2. Joe Adams, Arkansas: Where Cobi Hamilton (see next) brings the thunder, Adams is most certainly the lightning as the rising senior lit up the Arkansas spring game for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He is clearly on a mission to lay waste in the SEC West this season and assert himself as a candidate for the league's best player. Look for him to make a marked improvement over last season's numbers in Petrino's pass-happy offense (50 receptions, 813 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 16.26 ypc average).

3. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas: Before you figure me for a fool because I neglected to name either Greg Childs or Jarius Wright in this space, hear me out. Hamilton, the junior receiver who is often lost in the shuffle of the Razorbacks plethora of talent at receiver, did more with less than any other wide receiver on the team last season (32 receptions, 680 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 19.69 ypc average). Even more, he barely played until after the first four games were in the books. Hamilton had a great spring and looks to be on track for a breakout season with the Hogs.

4. Justin Hunter, Tennessee: Denarious Moore is gone and the Vols will be looking to a new guy to fill that void, look no further than Justin Hunter (16 receptions, 415 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 25.94 ypc average). Hunter has the size, the physical playing style, and the talent to both stretch the field and make the big plays.With Tyler Bray solidifying his place at quarterback—stabilizing the Vols passing game—you can expect to see a lot more of Houston in 2011.

5. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State: Bulldog quarterback, Chris Relf, isn't exactly a candidate to win any Heisman trophies, but he won't have to be if he can avoid making bad decisions with the football. Bumphis (44 receptions, 634 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 14.41 ypc average) is a skilled receiver with a ton of speed and he can definitely make plays in the open field. With the Bulldogs returning much of their offense, bolstered in part by the stout running of Vick Ballard, Mississippi State could be tough yet again.

Other notable players: Orson Charles, Georgia, Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Rueben Randle, LSU, Emory Blake, Auburn, LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State

So, who did I miss? Go ahead...feel free to let me know.

*All stats appear courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Georgia Bulldogs: 2012 RB Prospect Rushel Shell

A fair number of Georgia fans who follow college football recruiting closely already know all about Keith Marshall—the stud running back out of North Carolina is the player on the Bulldog's wish list for 2012. So, it's not likely you'll ever see his profile on this site as there are plenty of others who can tell you all about him.

However, there seems to be a lot less fanfare around Georgia's offer to Pennsylvania running back, Rushel Shell—the No. 5 running back prospect in the nation according to 247sports.com—and while that may have a lot to do with Georgia's perceived chances to nab him (which seem pretty slim at the moment), he still bears watching this season.

As a junior, Shell put up monster numbers (323 attempts, 2,510 yards, and 32 touchdowns) to cap off his second consecutive 2,400+ yard season, and he's poised to repeat the feat again in 2011. His combination of speed and power make him a challenge for defense, to bring down and his ceiling is high where the next level is concerned as he appears to be built to carry the running game of just about any team he chooses.

Shell expressed a serious interest in six schools early on—three of which are in the SEC—but has stated that he is open to every suitor at this time and is going to take his time with the process.



(h/t FRONTPAGESCOUT)

Related articles

• Scout.com releases updated 2012 position rankings (e3athletics.com)
• Top 12 for 2012 (elevenwarriors.com)
• Five-star running back for 2012 sifting through more than two dozen offers (aol.sportingnews.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Jordan Love?

Photo Credit: Richard Hamm

Jordan Love is a redshirt sophomore from Glen Allen, VA.

Coming out of Deep Run High School in 2009, he was thought to be a sleeper candidate for the Bulldogs defense.

One of his most trumpeted attributes was his speed—he was clocked at having run a 4.4 forty—which made him an attractive option for  more than a dozen schools that recruiting year (including Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee).

Recruited by former Georgia defensive coordinator,  Willie Martinez, Love seemed tailor made for the type of scheme Georgia's secondary ran at that time—the soft zone—which was focused on minimizing deep ball plays. However, in truth, such coverage often left the secondary susceptible to getting beat short and mid-range plays made in front of them as they often played 8-10 yards off the line of scrimmage.

Enter Love's speed.

Theoretically, if your corners and safeties have enough speed, they can make up ground quickly, even on the short and mid-range pass plays—making the chance for a big play less and less likely. Even more than that, Love was felt to have the mindset of a safety. He liked to play big, hit big, and punish guys whenever possible.

His three-star ranking at that time didn't seem to truly give you a picture of his possibilities at the next level.

Yet, here we sit two seasons later and all we've seen of Jordan Love is a series of unfortunate events—from an unfortunate injury in his first season to an unfortunate encounter with Athens police in his second (not to mention that whole being stolen from thing)—he hasn't truly had an opportunity to prove that he can do anything aside from being shown the wrong kind of love at Georgia.

On the positive side, though, he hasn't been resting on his laurels this spring and, even though he has yet to prove the value his skill-set would have in the 3-4, you have to be figuring on him having a chance to do so this year—if he can stay healthy. 

I have no expectations for Love beyond being a reserve at this point, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him become the type of player who knows how to make the most of the plays he's given.

Georgia Bulldogs: 2012 DB Prospect Deion Bonner

Deion Bonner is one of the top defensive back prospects in the country for the 2012 recruiting season. He's been offered by Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, and Alabama thus far and, barring any missteps, was on par to pick up a few more looks as the season progressed.

He was also a sure-bet to land at Georgia in 2012 but, somewhere between 'sanity' and 'have you lost your damn mind', Bonner decided it would be cool to steal a few items from the players at one of his suitors' facilities—that suitor being Georgia and those players being his potential teammates.

I have to tell you, this incident had me scratching my head because it screams of the type of idiocy that seemed to plague the Georgia football team last season when the program became the butt of just about every SEC joke involving a criminal, an arrest, or a suspension—it wasn't a happy time.

So, naturally, my first thought was that coach Richt would yank this kid's offer and concentrate on landing someone else—maybe send a little more attention in Ryan Dillard's direction. Don't know who Dillard is? Well, he plays for AA Buford High School and, so far, has only fielded one offer—Harvard.

Dillard's claim to fame is shutting down former 5-star recruiting prospect, Da'Rick Rogers in 2009's AA finals—call that a plus—and, oh yeah, not being a thief (sorry, if that seems harsh or insensitive, but...whatever). 

However, when you look at Mark Richt's comments today, it doesn't look like he's ready to cut bait on Bonner just yet. Said Richt, "...these were just 16-, 17-year-old kids, that kids do different things, and it’s part of growing up".

Well, alright then.

Listen, thieving was never a part of my indoctrination into post-adolescence but, hey, different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Quite frankly, given the giant microscope Mark Richt is under this season, it would surprise me to see Bonner given an opportunity to play at Georgia. After all, what teammate wants a thief as his roommate and what on earth would Georgia's continued pursuit of him do to team morale?

Chances are Bonner will have to pay his penance playing football somewhere outside of the 30605 zip code.

In the end, I think T Kyle King of DawgSports.com summed this situation up best with the following statement:

...Visitors to Athens are alleged to have committed a crime against Georgia players, yet the likely outcome is that the purported perpetrators still will receive scholarship offers commensurate with those they would have received anyway, rival institutions will snag players they otherwise might not have gotten, and the only folks meaningfully harmed in all this will be the ones in the Classic City, who were the only ones with clean hands in the entire affair.

Such is life in Bulldog Nation, where forthrightness and honesty cost us our best offensive player for one-third of a season while other schools’ stonewalling and obfuscation earned them conference championships and BCS bowl victories. Maybe I watched a few too many cowboy movies growing up, but I’m about ready for the good guys to win one for a change.

Amen to that, Mr. King. Amen to that.

Related articles

• College prospect allegedly steals from Georgia players' lockers (georgia.scout.com)
• Three Football Recruits Named In Georgia Locker Room Robbery (sbnation.com)
• Prep prospect among three charged with theft from Georgia locker room (sports.espn.go.com)

Georgia Bulldogs Recruiting: 2012 DE Prospect Leonard Floyd

Leonard Floyd is 6'5", 220, and he's been on Georgia's radar for quite some time. He has an offer from coach Richt—secured after his participation in 2010's Dawg Night—as well as several other SEC powerhouses.

Floyd, considered by many to be one of the best pass-rushers in the state, is as gifted an athlete as they come, and he could be solid at the next level. As a "rover" (Floyd has played linebacker, defensive end, safety, wingback, and tight end) at Hawkinsville High School, Floyd has amassed quite the resume. However, it's most likely he'll settle into either a linebacking or tight end position in the college ranks.

While Georgia defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, has already locked Floyd in as an outside linebacker, coach Richt has also mentioned the possibility of Floyd contributing on offense—if he were to choose Georgia as his destination.

Said Floyd, last October, "I like playing defense, but I like playing tight end/wide receiver about the same. No one had talked to me about playing on offense before, but Mark Richt said he had heard about my numbers catching the ball and said I would have a chance to play there as well. That made me feel good because that was the first time anyone had said I could play offense at the next level as well..." (Kipp Adams, UGASports.com, 10/17/10).

Floyd has long arms and quick feet, but will need to add more muscle to his frame if he expects to be effective in the Division I ranks.

His main strength is rushing the passer, but he's mostly played defensive end in high school, so he would need some practice if he were to play in Grantham's 3-4 as an outside linebacker—he would need more work standing up as opposed to playing with one hand on the ground.

Floyd is a strong Georgia lean at this time.

Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Marlon Brown?

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

It feels like we've been asking this question for longer than necessary as Marlon Brown was supposed to be the gem of Georgia's 2009 signing class. On that signing day, if you had told anyone that Brown would be entering his junior season with a stat line of 13 receptions, 148 yards, and one touchdown, they might have asked if you needed professional help.

He was a star at Harding Academy in Memphis and was considered a lock to become the same at the next level—how could he possibly fail playing alongside the likes of A.J. Green? Brown was coming into a good situation, possibly being able to make a mark early with Mohammed Massaquoi exiting in 2008, and he had every opportunity to break down the freshman wall and become the next big thing at Georgia.

However, as it turns out, the mediocre competition at Harding Academy proved to be a bigger obstacle to his development than some thought it might. He wasn't prepared for the physical play of the SEC and was never able to find his groove on the football field.

Truthfully, he should have redshirted his first year as his two catches for 15-yards weren't worth the paper they were printed on. Even more, it was clear that he needed more time to learn the routes, learn the league, and add more weight to his lanky frame—the height was there, the strength was not.

By 2010, the question was no longer 'is he ready?', but rather 'where's he at?'  and if ever there were a time for him to shine, it was last season—A.J. was suspended, the running game was mediocre, and Aaron Murray was looking to make new connections, in the passing game, with anyone willing to step their game up—so what happened?

Well, Brown saw much of that season cut down by a shoulder injury.  He was never able to get healthy enough to make a real contribution.

2011 is already seeing some positive reports on Brown out of spring practice, but the same was said in 2010—and look how that turned out. At this point, it would just be nice to see Brown doing something other than traversing the sidelines as he's not become nearly the player Georgia expected him to be when he arrived in 2009.

It's time for Marlon Brown to make something happen at Georgia and hopefully this is the year that finally happens.

Bitter Much?

While perusing the offerings of chuckoliver.net, I came across this little gem from one of the site's contributors, Joseph Wyatt:

...When you run a program that has been as undisciplined as Mark Richt does it’s easy to see why “secondary violations” should be viewed just as importantly as major ones. You don’t want your players picking and choosing which rules they will abide by, so the head coach needs to set the example.  But that’s exactly what happens at UGA, players like Washaun Ealey and Caleb King decide which rules should be important to follow and there’s never any real consequence. 

It's easy to see why UGA has discipline issues...they learned it by watching Richt.

This excerpt is from an article—if you want to bother calling it that—about coach Mark Richt's credibility as a disciplinarian on a team where suspensions have become more prevalent than most would like—particularly in the last 18-months. 

The premise of Wyatt's post might have been more intriguing had it not been such a poorly veiled attempt to make Richt look like some sort of "aw, shucks' con-man.

As a matter of fact, it seethed with so much contempt, that it led me to question the author's allegiances—a question which was quickly answered upon reading the following byline underneath his name, "Atlanta native, lifetime Georgia Tech fan."

Well, that explains that. 

Georgia Bulldogs: Former LB, Demetre Baker, Didn't Feel The Love

Demetre Baker, the former four-star linebacker who was kicked off the Georgia football team following a DUI incident, is now at South Alabama—playing running back—according to Tommy Hicks of al.com.

Baker, who admits that Richt kept his word in helping him to find a school that best fit him, also had this to say about his time at Georgia, "I felt like this school [South Alabama] offered a lot of things and a lot of love and a lot of family, and that's what I was looking for. I didn't get that at Georgia."

The statement is a curious one given the amount of prospects who often state those very things as the reason they choose to play at Georgia in the first place.

Perhaps there is still some bitterness held by Baker because of the swiftness Richt took in dismissing him—which, at the time, was necessary given the atmosphere at Georgia

Whatever the case, it looks like Baker is happy with his current position at South Alabama. Hopefully he doesn't squander another opportunity to maximize his talents.

Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Jakar Hamilton?

Photo Credit:AP/JOHN AMIS

Jakar Hamilton...remember Jakar Hamilton? He was the stud JUCO defensive back who was supposed to make the Georgia Bulldogs' secondary come alive in 2010.

However, instead, Hamilton is best remembered for two things—one of which isn't very good—a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown in his season-opening debut, and an ill-advised decision to lend a license-less Washaun Ealey his Chevrolet Impala.

When Hamilton first arrived on the scene, he had Georgia fans salivating at the prospect of his, possibly, being the 'next' Greg Blue or Thomas Davis—legendary safeties from the Mark Richt era—who were known for laying thunder and lightning on opposing players.

Hamilton was going to be the difference and the defense, particularly under the new 3-4 of Todd Grantham, was going to be a much better unit in 2010. 

So, what happened to all that promise Hamilton displayed in the early-going? How did he go from potential stud to disappointing dud in the span of just a few games? Was it the sudden change in the level of competition? Did the playbook overwhelm him? Is he playing the wrong position?

All of the above are possibilities.

Hamilton's looked confused more times than not, and it was clear that he was not used to being "blown up" by the bigger, more physical, receivers of the SEC as a JUCO standout. There was a definite learning curve for him coming from Georgia Military College, but he's been slower to catch on to than some of his counterparts—Alec Ogletree in particular—and that meant seeing him fall victim to a steady regression in 2010. 

Perhaps a change in position is best for Hamilton (there have been discussions that he could be more comfortable at cornerback). The defensive responsibility that comes with the safety position, particularly in Georgia's 3-4 scheme, may simply be too much for Hamilton to overcome.

At the same time, you hate to see him waste away on the bench when he, at least physically, appears to have so much potential. 

Hopefully, as Hamilton enters his senior season, he is able to find his mojo again and make a genuine contribution. He may no longer be the 'Hitman' that he imagined himself to be, but he's definitely capable of being a good football player if he can just find his groove in this defense.

Georgia Bulldogs: Waiting on Marlon Brown To Become "Marlon Brown"

Photo Credit:UGA Sports Communications

When Marlon Brown announced he was heading to the University of Georgia, there was a lot of excitement about the talented receiver from Harding Academy in Memphis, TN.

Many expected him to immediately step onto the field and become an impact player—catching footballs alongside A.J. Green. However the opposite has proven true as Brown has not only not been an impact player, but has hardly made much of a contribution at all.

So, what's the problem?

Popular opinion seems to be that the young man simply wasn't ready for the SEC. He certainly had the size and speed, but his domination came easier when he was playing in Memphis—against the lesser competition in his league. He simply wasn't challenged enough at the high school level and, to some extent, coach Richt's staff understood that when they signed him, said Richt, at that time,  "...the league he played in certainly made you question just a little bit, is this just a big man in a league where he's dominant, or can he really play with the big boys."

That said, the potential for Brown still seemed limitless in terms of what he could do once he became better acclimated to SEC play. However, he has been plagued with a series of unfortunate setbacks, mostly injury-based, that have translated into Georgia Bulldog fans seeing a player who doesn't look like he will ever become what they imagined.

To be fair to Brown, it seems only right to mention that the wasted redshirt season of 2009 is as much a factor in Brown's overall lack of development than anything. The young man was targeted less than a dozen times during his true freshman season (2009) and, essentially, wasted a year of possible tutelage.

The mentality behind that decision not to redshirt him is a source of ongoing debate, but is neither here nor there as he enters his third season at Georgia—you know what they say about hindsight.

With A.J. Green gone and Kris Durham graduated, Brown has a better than average opportunity to begin to showcase what he can do at Georgia. He is no longer playing in the shadows of a superstar wide receiver, nor is he likely to be short-changed on the football field if he can play consistent football throughout the spring and summer.

The sky can still be the limit for Brown—if he can remember how to fly.

What say you, is Marlon Brown finally ready or are his best days behind him?

Georgia Bulldogs: Aaron Murray Is The Starting QB—No Question

Photo Credit: BRANT SANDERLIN/AJC

There will always be naysayers where Aaron Murray is concerned, but those people obviously didn't see how well Murray played in 2010. The redshirt freshman showed poise beyond his years and showcased a bevy of skills that even the coaching staff could not have expected.

So, when this article was published, questioning whether or not Georgia should "sit or start" Murray in 2011, I found myself intrigued as to what a non-Bulldog fan had to say on the subject. Below are the only two reasons this writer has for sitting the tough, young man from Tampa.

#1. Lack of Size

Murray measures in at 6'1" and 209 pounds. He needs to add a little weight to help endure some of the sacks he takes. Murray was sacked 24 times and suffered a number of hits during the 2010 season. Until the Georgia Bulldogs' offensive line improves, Murray should expect to have pass-rushers in his face at times.

His lack of height also occasionally leads to passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Okay, it's true that Murray is not the prototypical height and size of a pro-style quarterback, but that is not the only characteristic that goes into a quality starter.

There are plenty of 6'3", 225 lb, signal-callers that don't have the poise, pocket presence, or leadership ability that Murray displays on the football field and those are the intangibles that matter—every bit as much as the physical attributes.

Oh and, FYI, the nation's leading passer last season was shorter than Murray—Bryan Moniz. It also seems safe to assume that Boise State wouldn't trade their quarterback for  all the tea in China either. Kellen Moore clocks in at 6'0".

The point is, size doesn't always matter.

Furthermore, his lack of body weight is less important, where sacks are concerned, than Georgia's need to get their offensive line in order.

Murray didn't miss one game last season, despite being knocked on his backside better than 20 times. Even more, the anemic running game, the absence of playmakers in the receiving game (particularly in A.J. Green's absence), and the inability of the coaches to loosen the reigns as the season progressed, all played a hefty roll in Murray's inability to succeed in the win-loss column.

#2. Record

Murray was only able to produce a 6-7 record on the year and 3-5 record in Southeastern Conference play. While Murray's performances were decent, he wasn't able to lead the team to a winning record.

The fact that Murray was unable to "lead the team to a winning record" wasn't all on him. Poor playcalling, unfortunate turnovers, and defensive lapses in the secondary played key roles in losses at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, at Colorado, at Florida, and versus Arkansas—only one of those losses could, arguably, be attributed to Murray's play—he threw an ill-advised interception against Florida that led to the game-winning play in overtime.

If Georgia had taken care of business, on both sides of the ball in every one of those games, that 6-7 record might easily have been 10-3 or 11-2 (7-1 or 6-2 in the SEC).

Murray's lack of a winning record isn't all on him and there is no question that 2011 should be better for the Georgia Bulldogs—if Mark Richt and his staff can right the ship on both sides of the football field.

Georgia Bulldogs: Weeding Out The Bad Apples and Cultivating The Seeds

Photo Credit: WES BLANKENSHIP

Make no mistake about it, changes are being made at Georgia. The installation of the new S&C program has brought out the bad, and the good and, for some players, that means a stern reality check has made it's way into their hands—much to their dismay.

Washaun Ealey has been indefinitely suspended after failing to show up for a punishment run and this latest transgression could turn out to be the denouement on a career marred by missteps.

While nothing has been said, publicly, about Ealey leaving Georgia to seek opportunities elsewhere, the writing is on the wall this time and the indefinite suspension doesn't appear to bode well for the young man's future prospects with the team—particularly with Isaiah Crowell on board.

If Ealey decides to transfer (which is merely speculation at this point), Caleb King, Ken Malcome, and Carlton Thomas would be left to split carries along with Isaiah Crowell—assuming Crowell come in ready to play—unless, of course, King runs into more eligibility issues.

Recall that King  was forced to miss time on, at least, two occasions last season due to academics so there is zero guarantee that he will be ready to get on the field by this spring.

If King is also out of the equation, Carlton Thomas will be the lone returning tailback with game experience.  Ken Malcome (who didn't play a down last season) and the incoming Crowell would round out thee depth chart. Scared yet? Well, don't be, the situation could be massively inconvenient, but don't know that it qualifies as dire—especially if the changes in the S&C program lends to less injuries on the field.

The vast majority of SEC teams last season weren't more than two-deep at tailback, and while that isn't ideal, it happens, and many teams have been able to succeed using a two-back rotation.

What should be of greater interest to fans is Georgia's burgeoning commitment to changing the culture of the program. For the first time, in a long while, it actually looks like Richt is trying to get a handle on this team. The good and bad apples are being separated from the bunch and that's great news!

The following tweet, made by a former athlete (non-football) at Georgia, caught my eye last night:

People complained of the players being soft and out of shape, this is Tereshinski's response to that criticism and the players, apparently, aren't happy about it.

Again, a hard-nosed approach was needed if Georgia's team was going to show any improvement and, if nothing else, this approach is helping to weed out the guys who want to work from the ones who don't and, in my humble opinion, it's about time.