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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > August > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTeammates must crack down on UGA knuckleheads
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Athens — It only takes one, two — and in the University of Georgia’s case, eight knuckleheads or so — to interrupt the wonderful vibes around a highly praised football team. For example, the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs of Sports Illustrated, the coaches’ poll and other stuff had more than a few guys spend the past eight months embarrassing themselves, the university, their teammates and the entire Bulldog Nation.
That’s old news. To keep this from becoming current news again with Georgia sitting 23 days from opening a season in search of a national championship, somebody around here must get better at keeping the knuckleheads away.
No, not university officials, ranging from president Michael Adams to athletics director Damon Evans. And, no, not Mark Richt, who actually is tougher than you think. With penalties for his knuckleheads that often go beyond university guidelines, Richt has done about as much as a coach can do in these situations.
It’s up to the peers of those Georgia’s knuckleheads.
Where are those peers? They’ve been either non-existent or invisible during this lengthy stretch of off-season ugliness for the Bulldogs. In other words, those peers have yet to surface as team leaders who would shove a chinstrap down the throat of a knucklehead wannabe, and that has to change in a hurry.
“We do have a lot of experience and a lot of guys who have led in the past. Plus, [quarterback Matthew] Stafford has started to become more vocal, and [wide receiver] Mohamed Massaquoi is vocal,” said Asher Allen, Georgia’s star cornerback, with rising leadership skills as a junior. “But the big thing is, we have a lot of example leaders. Sometimes, those are the best ones, because you can say do this and do that, but if you’re not doing those things, then it’s like, ‘Well, OK,’ to the younger guys.”
In case you’re wondering, none of Georgia’s “example” leaders or otherwise was among the knuckleheads arrested for everything from rubbing the belly of a pregnant woman to numerous alcohol-related things. Just this week, Richt announced that he had suspended a sixth player. This time, it was junior linebacker Darius Dewberry, guilty of destroying a parking-lot control arm at a local hospital along with smashing four pots containing plants. Dewberry isn’t among the Bulldogs’ leaders, either.
That’s great. This isn’t: When a local or national newscast mentions another arrest of a UGA football player, it doesn’t specify the pedigree of the knucklehead.
We’re back to the need of those ranking as Georgia’s football leaders to make everybody in their locker room understand that the silliness of one will effect the reputation of the whole. “Obviously, you have to have leadership from the coaches, which we have, but as a player, you hear it every single day from coach. It’s coach, coach, coach,” said senior fullback Brannan Southerland, easing into the solution to the Bulldogs’ knucklehead problem. “When you hear it from the seniors, and when you hear it from guys who are your friends that you look up to, it has a little deeper meaning that you have to change.”
Added Southerland, “You’ve got new senior leaders busting their butts and going through the same things you are. And, when you’re one of those in leadership, you can lead by example, or you can lead by getting in a young player’s ears.”
It sounds good. So why hasn’t it been happening, or is it happening? For verification, keep checking the various police blotters.
Permalink | Comments (115) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA/SEC
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Comments
By Herschel Talker
August 6, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
AJC writers must crack down on editorial knuckleheads
By SickandTired
August 6, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Well from what I understand, one of the example leaders as you put it is one of the chief problems downtown in Athens. In fact from a highly placed source (a bar owner) this particular player is well known for getting rowdy while drinking and starting fights and them sailing out the door before the heat comes down. If this example leader doesn’t clean his act up the whole dawg nation just might be disappointed. BTW this example leader is a projected 1st round pick and wears a single digit number.
By Terrance Moore
August 6, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Oh, I forgot to add…I am a giant tool.
By STephen
August 6, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Terrence.
I usually disagree with you a lot, but you are truly right on the mark here.
The LEADERS werent the ones in trouble, but could possibly be a bigger voice in the mix. GO dawgs.
By JR
August 6, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Richt is tougher than I think? I doubt that, he seems to punish according to where the player is on the depth chart. He is a strong believer in WWBD. What would Bowden do?
By bornNraisedUGA
August 6, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
COME ON GUYS, JUST A FEW ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENTS AND SOME OTHER STUPID PETTY STUFF… YES WHEN YOU SAY ANOTHER GA PLAYER ARRESTED IT LOOKS BAD BUT LOOK AT FOR WHAT… ITS RIDICULOUS…. THESE ARE COLLEGE KIDS HAVING FUN DURING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES…. GIVE THEM A BREAK….. GOOOOO DAWGS…. WOOT WOOT!!!
By Frank Lane
August 6, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Terence,
I often am in disagreement with you. But not on this issue. You are spot on.
A team is like a fraternity chapter. Good leaders control the behavior of the group.
By pj
August 6, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Terrence, I’m so glad you brought that to our attention. We didn’t realize that there was a problem…. Thank you soooo much for enlightening the fans and the players with your wisdom. You have always been a big dawg guy, and you never write inflammatory blogs to simply get a rise out of people. The AJC should be so proud of you, especially when you get to be on Jim Rome and call out the city of Atlanta and state of Georgia on a regular basis.
God we’re lucky to have you.
For those of you who don’t get it - that’s hardcore sarcasm.
Leave the AJC T-man and go work for Inside Edition or A Current Affair… that’s where your abilities are best suited.
By beating a dead horse
August 6, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Same story posted over and over. I guess that’s all you can do when you lose reporters.
By John Heisman
August 6, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Mark Richt, tough?
That’s the best laugh I’ve had this decade. He is a win at all cost thugmaster.
By Tiftdog
August 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
I think all of this was blown way out of proportion. The only one of these arrest that should have been delt with seriously, was. I bet if you took a random sample of any other 105 male students at UGA, you could possibly have more than 8 arrests. While I don’t think what they all did was right, I bet any male that has gone to college has done the same type of things or worse. Let’s let Coach Richt deal with this, quit writing about it and start playing some football. I think you will see that we might have some of the best leaders we have ever had. The only reason that this will become a distraction is if we keep bring it up. If the sports writers would just leave it alone and start writing about football, I’m sure everything else will take care of itself.
By sonnyliv
August 6, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
all of this is old news from last week, why bring it up now? cant stand that we are #1 can you? minor stuff not like using your dead friends cedit card, huh.
By The_Truth
August 6, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Thanks, T-Mo, for a balanced look at this issue, unlike the knucklehead posing as someone with an “informed” opinion, Mark Bradley. … I can’t believe I just wrote that. … This stuff goes on everywhere (yes, every university has their problems), but when you’re playing for the top team in the land, it garners much more attention. Go Dawgs … and stay out of downtown!
By Danimal
August 6, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
It is time to focus on the task at hand. I understand that boys will be boys, but it is time to get back to the job of getting an education and winning National Championsips. Leaders? Get to work.
By Denver Dawg
August 6, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
PLEASE stop blogging about anything related to Uga. We don’t like you. Go somewhere else.
By Brad
August 6, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
You are one sorry sports writer, Terence! You have written about this for the past 3 months. It is the same old stuff, time and time again. Get over it! I have been reading your column for the past year and you bring no new information to your readers. I have read many comments on your column and I honestly have to agree with one in particular: Why does the AJC keeps you on their payroll. This is an exciting time for Georgia football and you just continue and continue and continue to talk them down. As many of the readers have said:please pack your sxxt and go back up North.
By bh
August 6, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
For once in my life I agree with Mr. Moore. A vocal leader must be able to back up what he is saying, he cant just run around and be all talk, but to stand up and demand that others “walk the line” is needed on every team. Frankly, this is what I feel has kept the Braves and Bulldogs from winning more championships.
By satchmo
August 6, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
You are right on. Just because we are talented, doesn’t necessary equate in wins, without true inner leadership, we will not survive, what is in front of us.
By corey
August 6, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Too bad no one offered you a buyout
By cleve
August 6, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
“Fellow journalists must crack down on AJC knucklehead”. “The silliness of one will effect the reputation of the whole”.
By UgaDavid
August 6, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
If the seniors can get together and decide to wear the now infamous black jerseys, then they should certainly be able to step up and address the “knucklehead” situation.
They must be vocal and in the face of any teammate who does not share their goals. This is the seniors last chance to make history or go down as just another pretty good bulldog team.
By Deacondog1
August 6, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Terrence, This is the first time I have agreed with you on anything. Believe it or not this is a halfway decent article putting reponsibility where it is due. Now there back in Athens the “leaders” have to grab this team by the horns and keep on the straight and narrow. GO DAWGS!!!!
By watcher16
August 6, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
Can you beat a dead horse anymore Mr. Moore?
By TROTTINGHOMETUDD
August 6, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Hey Terence,
Doesn’t look like Bret is going to suit up for the Green and Gold.
Yes I saw you on Rome is Burning.
I still think you are a boot licker and you should find another occupation to your liking.
By Phil Fulmer
August 6, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
I demand someone launch an investigation into the abduction of T Moore immediately. This article is obviously too positive to have been written by T-Mo. To think that T-Mo would give CMR credit for being tough on his players is absurd. Obviously T-Mo didn’t write this. It is accurate and challenges the young leaders of the organization to lead. We need the real Terrence back that writes articles that drive the bull doggies corn ball nuts. Smokey smells an imposter and we don’t buy it one bit in Knoxville.
By Dawg_Fan
August 6, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
TM - While I dont always agree with your articles, this one is dead on and I know the leaders will regain control of these players. Especially now that practice has started. Bottom line, kids will be kids and this is not unique to UGA. Just read the front page of the ESPN site on any given day. Unfortunately, along with the attention of being ranked number 1, anything on UGA(good or bad) will be front page material in the media. CMR should require that the players not roll into Athens until a day or two before practice starts, not a month before. With nothing to do, any 18-21 yr old will simply drink and get into the wrong situations. At least these are not drug related violations or felonies that we are talking about. I have a feeling Stafford will jump in, lead by example and these problems will be a distant memory from the past. All they need to be thinking about is one thing - Georgia Southern. Dont you know those boys have had that date circled on their calendars for a LONG time. GO DAWGS !
By VDawg
August 6, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
That’s a fair article Terrence. Well done.
By dakast
August 6, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Your right, the leaders of this team should do a better job of keeping everyone in line and reminding everyone how much is at stake for this season. I’m sure someone will find fault in that though and say Terence is either out of touch or a racist.
By j sutter
August 6, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
The % of football players in trouble at UGA or any other college is lower than the general student body populations. Give it a rest.
By Knucklehead U
August 6, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Knucklehead U is determined to finally get over the hump regardless of the behavior of the crime dawgs in Athens.
Where does that ex cane, ex criminole go to find these damn knuckleheads?
Is there something wrong with the tap water in Athens.
How difficult is it to train these knuckleheads to say no to drinking and learn to urinate in the bathroom.
Who on earth unrinates in public in 2008?
Can’t wait to see a player urinating at the stadium.
Go Terrence. Watch the grads of knucklehead U vent. Bunch of pansises those grads from the “college” up in Athens.
Knuckleheads just taking over Athens. What a shame.
By GetSome
August 6, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Nice job Terrance. Can someone find an ounce of original thought in this article?
Oh yeah, that “assault” on the pregnant woman was awful..
By newteamgear.com
August 6, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
terrence give it a rest ok.
Dawg fas we just received a new batch of team socks at newteamgear.com.
show your team spirit as you watch the dawgs bring home the championship this year.
By AP
August 6, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Get a clue- Ever thought about coming up with a new article and not reposting an old one with a few new details? You must be busy appearing on talk shows pretending you know something about football???
By dawgman
August 6, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Credit where credit is due…TM finally got one right
By Opie Taylor
August 6, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
18 year old kids are going to act like 18 year old kids. Richt is doing what he has to do. It is an interesting comparison to what Spurrier is doing. 3, 4 , 5 chances, defering to the university to handle discipline. Most of the UGA kids that are getting in trouble are the underclassmen. C’mon, most of these kids haven’t done anything drastic (except for Lemon and Henson and they’re gone). Not saying that the punishments aren’t warranted - they are, but compared to Garcia, Jarboe and the accused female batterer offender at an intown school, this stuff pales!
By HockeyDawg
August 6, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
For once, I actually agree w/ Terence Moore. Georgia’s players, particularly the upperclassmen, MUST start demonstrating better leadership in order to prevent this sort of crap from continuing to happen. I don’t know why it’s so hard for these kids to understand that very little good happens in downtown Athens after midnight, and that it is against the law for them to drink alcohol. I know a lot of them are going to do it anyway, but at least be smart about it and just do it in a buddy’s room on campus!
Maybe if some of the upperclassmen let the others know that they’re gonna beat the crap out of anyone they hear of who’s doing some of this bonehead stuff, maybe that would get the message across!
By bill hinton
August 6, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Well said, TM! There are too many knucklehead incidents at UGA, and elsewhere in college sports. Your suggestion that peer pressure is absent is an honest assessment and deserves notice by the athletes as well as the supporters who, all to often, tolerate the behavior if it means keeping the better athlete on the field. We have to expect more from these men, their lives are in the balance whether we want to admit it or not. The vast majority of them will not play ball beyond this level, so their behavior is going to influence where they spend the rest of their lives. The prisons are already full! Good reporting!
By Denver Dog
August 6, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Moore, you are right, I hate to say it, but somebody needs to crack the whip from a peer basis. It’s not like the old days when the Jocks were in the Jock dorms and everyone could keep an eye on each other. Since the dogs are ranked so high year after year, they are going to get pub. After all with the Jackets, Braves, and Falcons, there is nothing else for you media guys to focus upon. Look at LA, it all gets lost, and if they are paying the players at USC, they are prob paying someone to watch them. What a novel idea. I usually don’t like your writing or comments on TV, but this time you are right on.
By Gene
August 6, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
A coach can’t condone bad sportsmanship and teach players to break the rules of the game then expect them to behave differently off the field.
By chris bauer
August 6, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Another pointless written piece of trash by Terrance Moore
By Gene
August 6, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
A coach cannot instigate bad sportsmanship and order his players to break the rules of the game on the field, then expect them to behave differently off the field.
By Frank Lane
August 6, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Terence.
While I often disagree with you, I agree totally with this point. You are spot on.
A team is like a fraternity. Good leaders stop the crazy guys in the house from getting in trouble. And good leaders know who needs the watching.
By DawgNYC
August 6, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
They call this journalism… Overused term of the day… Knucklehead= Terrance Moore. Kids make mistakes and they learn from them. Just because they are on a football team doesn’t mean they are immune from making them. Get a grip on the reality of the matter.
By Realist
August 6, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Terrance, kids will be kids. If the NCAA would allow more off-season contact between coaches and players, maybe the kids wouldn’t have as much free time and lack of guidance. The team leaders can only do so much to prevent kids from going downtown and making bad decisions. I think those who are team leaders do a lot to help the younger kids but it becomes obvious who is dedicated to their teammates and who is dedicated to themselves.
By Rimfire
August 6, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
How many times can you get away with writing the same ole story? Get a job, or learn this craft better. Don’t be such a hack.
By ripkelly
August 6, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
word.
By jimmthec
August 6, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
it is a rare day, but I agree with you TM. the players need to step up and lead. but keep in mind, this is a college experience for these guys and some the first time away from home which is an experience that is far from our collective memories. they are doing things they regret sure and in todays light, they get seen for every misstep. But also note, they (unlike you) are not getting paid to play or write about this game, so to them it is a game. give them a slight break and know that because football is year round, “you have to fill the black…as in ink” which i believe is a newspaper term for making sure you have something to write about in the summer doldrums when the braves are looking like the braves of the 80s….hey?…wait a minute? The 80s were when we dominated!!!! OK lets get to playing some football and put this stuff behind us!
By S.E.C. fan
August 6, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Its not only U.G.A. its everywhere. I don’t know why they do it, but I’m tired of reading about it
By paladin1980
August 6, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Terence, I can’t believe I am about to say this…… I agree with you. Please don’t make this a habit because I can never recall agreeing with you on anything and perfectly happy if you return to your stupidity. What happened?
By RobC
August 6, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Here comes the I hate Terrance bloggers. I’m tired of reading about football. I’m esp. tired of reading the opinions of numnutts with the cognitive prowess of Jethro Clampett. It’s like listening to John Madden… a lot of talking, but nothing’s being said. UGA’s schedule is exactly why we need a playoff. I can’t wait to see what happens this year. Maybe an undefeated BYU vs. a one loss Ohio State??? That would get things headed in the right direction (ie a playoff)
By Vision
August 6, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
You wrote”When a local or national newscast mentions another arrest of a UGA football player, it doesn’t specify the pedigree of the knucklehead.”
I would respond:
When a senior columnist for the AJC (that’d be you, Terence) is interviewed by a national media type and you make no effort to explain what you just wrote to the in state folks, (Terence Moore) was just pouring fuel on the fire.
As one of the chief arsonists in setting and establishing the media blaze over some of the most trivial “crimes” known to mankind that happened in Athens, one would think you would at leat follow theme with another Richt rant or Damon demonizing. You’re a little late to try to make it appear you care who got burned in the fire.
Where was this attitude during the summer?
By No.1 Dawg
August 6, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Couldn’t agree more, Mr. Moore. A very fair and even-tempered take on this situation. Thanks for pointing out that Coach Richt is NOT the pushover he’s sometimes portrayed to be. Are you sure you’re feeling OK?
The trouble here, to some degree, is that the field leaders aren’t seniors, for the most part. So, at this point, some seniors need to step up and be locker-room leaders.
By Marc
August 6, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Who in the Hell is your leader? Where in the hell is he and why isnt he in your ear, Playa!!!! Where are your teammates and why should anybody ever read a column that you write about UGA. Is this what you choose to focus on bc most of us have moved on. Can you write something like what it means to be highly favored in the polls or you cant bc you yourself have never been highly favored. See how damaging words can be when you pick up a pen!!!! Dont mean to be negative but these are the type things you write to us, so eat on that cake for a little while!!! For the record, I am a brotha!
By gabeaux
August 6, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
When I mentioned to a friend that Vegas should have an over /under bet on UGA off season arrests, he told me they couldn’t because the over would always win. How observant.
By OKCBULLDOG
August 6, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Great article Terence, this is truly one of your best. I agree, some of the more mature players must step up and be a little more vocal and continue to lead by example.
By Ed
August 6, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Well written, and true. And for once you are not just trying to be provocative.
By YellerSkeeters are PeterEaters!
August 6, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
There you go again! TM — quit making news. You are duty bound as a journalist to write about the news, not make it up.
By UGA Grad
August 6, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
I be ferst!
By Josh
August 6, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Spot-on, Terrence. Peer pressure carries so much more weight, especially when you’ve only just reached (physical) adulthood, than authority figures. This team will ultimately sink or swim based on the character of the players in leadership positions. Look at how the NE Patriots sustained their excellence—sure Belichick can be a disciplinarian, but the team’s leaders have continually kept everyone—even Randy Moss—in line. Great coaches help, but in ht end, great teams win because players step up and lead.
By Diamond Dawg
August 6, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Terrence writes:
“That’s great. This isn’t: When a local or national newscast mentions another arrest of a UGA football player, it doesn’t specify the pedigree of the knucklehead.”
Terrence, you did this in your last article. You are part of the problem with todays “so called” media. All about sensationalism - don’t give a rats behind about getting the facts out. You had the opportunity in your last article to reveal the facts in each case. Here’s what you wrote:
“If you didn’t know better, you’d think a bunch of Bulldogs are getting full of themselves since they will likely be ranked first or second in most preseason polls. “Uh, I don’t think it’s that at all,” Richt said. “I wish I could tell you what I know about every situation, because I don’t think you would relate those two things at all.”
So basically Coach Richt is telling you that your assumption is incorrect.
What does the all knowing TM do? Does he get to the bottom of each arrest? Does he interview the Clark County police or even the players? Does he actually listen to Coach Richt describe each situation so he could form a better opinion? Nooo, he closes with this gem….
“Well, whatever is causing these Georgia knuckleheads, Richt and his folks need to find more ways to stop it, like now.”
Keep up the good work TM. Top notch.
By Hate to Admit it
August 7, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
I think I may have a fever, but I’m actually going to agree with Terrance Moore. The players must step us and lead so that their teammates will stay out of trouble. Terrance….am I being punked? I never agree with anything you say.
By vern
August 7, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
I just saw ESPNs top 10 losers called Lollapaloozer for what’s usually the worst 10 football teams in the country and it shows their logos. Georgia made it in as number 5 with a pic of a police car beside the summary of why they’re #5.That was riproaring funny. Even if you’re an angry dawg fan you just have to see it cause its that funny. ESPN just threw them in there because of all the arrests making it a renegade program. 8 so far this year and we’re only halfway through the year, 7 arrests last year I believe.
By GWY
August 7, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
BORING……………….
By Tom
August 7, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Wow…little late, there Terrance. This has been discussed ad nauseum since Sunday. Where have you been? Hiding under a desk as the axe was falling this week around you? Nice try, but all of the things you said (except the word knucklehead, which absolutely no one under 60 uses anymore (and I’m 41!), was said by someone else. Goodnight!
By DawgFan
August 7, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Don’t often agree with you , but you are right on this one. Where is the upperclass leadership on this team? More than a few players need to let the underclassmen know what the dealio is. And let them know what the repercussions are, not only from CR but from the rest of the team. Lack of leadership has been the downfall of many a team, let’s hope that’s not what brings this team down. Despite what is forecast for this team, CR needs to clean up the program and let these players know what is expected of them. This isn’t Miami or Ohio Slut, we have standards and expectations from our athletes, don’t we?
By desertdawg
August 7, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
wow no posts in almost 2 hours— makes ya think TM —
By D-Man
August 7, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
Richt should just threaten to confine all of the players to the UGA campus during the season except for emergencies. The thought of that possiblity alone should keep the players watching out for each other…and keeping each other out of trouble. Nothing like a strong dose of positive peer-pressure to ease the situation
By Don
August 7, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
“Richt must eliminate Georgia’s ‘knuckleheads’” was the title of the previous editorial that Mr. T. Moore wrote about Georgia Football. Did you bother to write an editorial about Mark Richt and two dozen football players that traveled to Honduras on a mission trip or Mark Richt’s trip to visit troops in the Middle East? Once again T. Moore shows what an idiot he is.
By DAWGinGERMANY
August 7, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
FIRST!
Yeah, all of the arrest are embarrasing.
Yeah, boys will be boys…blah blah blah.
I am just glad our Running Back didn’t get busted with pounds of pot. Didn’t that happen recently with some team that resides in Metro Atlanta?
My prediction for the year: UGA goes undefeated, wins the National Championship, and tagged one of the best college football teams EVER.
Yeah, I am a homer….
GO DAWGS!
By Tyler
August 7, 2008 3:28 AM | Link to this
These suspensions are not a question of peer leadership, coaching, or any other forms of authority. The blame should be placed on the individual players. As much as I agree with the ability of peer leadership to transcend other leadership, college players are young and still heavily influenced by their own spontaneous decisions. These suspensions, while disappointing, are being dealt with properly, but the biggest obstacle facing this team is how they will prepare and react each week because talent will only take you so far. Go dawgs and let’s take it one game at a time even though expectations never will.
By Georgia over Rated
August 7, 2008 4:17 AM | Link to this
LOL Again Mr.Moore you told the truth. This past Monady all major newspapers web sites in sports sections, there was the story about Thuga past weekend events. Georgia fans are way too dumb to get the picture.Maybe because they wear blinders! As Jim Rome said about Georgia Bulldawgs problems “Stay Classy Georgia.”
By hop
August 7, 2008 5:37 AM | Link to this
ANOTHER WORTHLESS PIECE OF JUNK BY MR.MOORE
By TommyGator
August 7, 2008 6:15 AM | Link to this
Wow…The silence is deafening. There are no dogs to comment on this? This may be the most lucid piece every written by Knucklehead Moore. And after 24 hours not a peep?
By will
August 7, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this
HOW MUCH WILL THEY DRINK WHEN THEY LOSE, AND THEY WILL LOSE 2GAMES ,SO WHAT NEXT?
By reality check
August 7, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this
There you go again stirring the pot to keep negative news fresh.
I despise negative people and you are one of the most negative people on gthe pklanet. I don’t recall a positive thing you have ever written that didn’t have a racial slant to it, although I must confess I have learned not to read your articles often.
Mark Richt and the Georgia team need neither your advice nor your negative name calling.
By GEORGIA97
August 7, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
I vote no one comments on this story so the writer will understand how insignificant he has become.
By CJJScout
August 7, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
I rarely agree with Terence, but he is spot on here. Some of these kids need to step up as leaders and crack the whip on their stupid teammates.
By Dawg 'n IT
August 7, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Sounds like the self-policing started Sunday with the first official team meeting. Not sure what all was said but the next time a player gets in trouble with the law they should get the wrath of the team just before being dismissed by Richt.
There’s a big difference between “dumb kid mistakes” and doing something to warrant an arrest or jeopardize your team’s chances to do something special. All the knucklehead fighting has to stop now. The DUIs are just rediculous. Yes, a lot of people get charged with DUIs well into adulthood but that doesn’t mean said people aren’t being moronic. How hard is it to find a DD these days or just sleep over at a friend’s place?
By Jack Quick
August 7, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Maybe Richt might want to chat with Sylvester Croom who seems to have a means of communicating with youg men that Richt lacks.
By Player Parent
August 7, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
The problem with college football, as recent evidence has shown, is, scholarships are no longer used for scholar athletes. What was a great way for a young man to escape the bondage of a low income environment was to study hard, AND to use sports as a boost to a college/university education. Now a player can take the SAT 3, 4, 5 times to get the NCAA minimum score to play, whereas a regular student would be denied entry. So call it for what it is. A Ghetto-ship. When you go after thugs to play ball, just to place winning above all, expect to see them in jail during the off season. It’s what they do.
By Call it Like it is
August 7, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Seems all the #1 hipe has gotten a lot of big heads in dawg country?
What a joke.
By jason
August 7, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
“Richt has done about as much as a coach can do in these situations.” Are you freaking kidding me???? All he does is give them a slap on the wrist. If he wants to learn a thing or two about how to properly deal with this he needs to look a couple hours south at Tommy Tuberville. Richt is a great guy but in no way does he come close to doing everything possible to repremanding the plyers like they should be. Any of these players did this for Tubs and they would be suspended for at least 6 games if not given the boot.
By Dawgfan
August 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
unbelieveable… A Terence Moore article that I actually agree with. Not that it’s a huge revelation, but a very good point.
By JTB
August 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Great article! Thanks for being a voice of reason when other columnists seem to look for any reason to criticize Coach Richt.
By Bill Turner
August 7, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Richt has done as much as a coach can do?
How about not bringing these thugs to the University to begin with?
How about actually handing down meaningful discipline other than “handling in-house” or being suspended for the South Girls University game?
Richt can do more. He just chooses not to.
By Bubba from Buckhead
August 7, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
These young men have to respect the fact that they not only represent themselves, but the whole Bulldog Nation. I don’t want to sit at a bar in Oklahoma arguing with some guy about Felony U. I want to talk football, not stupid drunken arrest and suspensions. Why don’t they set up a curfew for Freshmen and sophmores until they mentally develop. Some young men have no idea how to carry themselves yet. They have to grow into adulthood and going off to college doesn’t make you a man, but going to class on time, working hard in practice, and listening to your teachers and coaches will definitely keep you on the right path to adulthood.
By Alan
August 7, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Thugs with potential criminal convictions are not knuckleheads. Their acts speak clearly about the kind of scholar (?) athlete that is being brought into the UGA family (?).
Ethics, behavior and simple morality MUST play a major role in the overall performance of any UGA athlete, and in recruitment; otherwise, they are simply paid thugs.
By Old Dawg
August 7, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore. You hit the nail on the head. If our team wants to win the leaders need to start acting like leaders. The coaches need to start acting like coaches instead of trting to be best friends with the players. UGA has been hurt by all this and parents are not going to let their kids come here if CMR doesn’t put a stop to it.
By Ben
August 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Terence, while I agree in theory, it’s just not realistic to have a few 20-22 year old players lead by example in 100 other players PERSONAL lives. You can only do so much to try and keep guys out of trouble in the off season and in the end kids that age are going to do what they want in their own time (good and bad). On the field, you can absolutely expect leadership, and I beleive there will be no shortage of leaders. Players always come to the front on good teams. Relative to other teams (see: Alabama) the off field stuff has been relatively tame and the only reason it’s getting the coverage is A) we’re so highly ranked and B) this is the deadest time of year for Sports. I’ll be glad when we can actually talk about football.
By Sam
August 7, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
I have no idea, but kids will be kids. Maybe we just have more kids that have had too much fun, and got caught. But when a kid beats another student in the face over some hot girl, well He is gone and his life has changed forever. They are the ones that have to make that choice at that time. Now if I hit this guy over this piece of tail, I will be booted off the team and can’t play for UGA anymore. STOP and think and if you can’t handle your emotions, then the cops will get you sooner or later.
By gary
August 7, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
These incidents happen every year, but Georgia has not had pre season national attention. Stories show up in the AJC and Red&Black but do not get discussed by ESPN. Lets face it, some of these arrests are stupid and if they were not campus celebrities no one would care. Find me one pregnant woman who has not complained about about men touching their stomach with out permission. Most just don’t call the police. The one player can legally own gun but just had it in the wrong place in his car. A simple mistake that could happen to any legal gun owner in Georgia due to obscure concealement laws. Chalk the rest up to standard college behavior involving beer and fights. These are not limited to football players. Personally, I agree that the team should do a better job of policing itself, but these KIDS are under tremedous pressure. Far more than the average student. It has been a rough summer. Uga passed. The SEC voters put Florida number 1. Revisionist historian keep questing CMR’s intergrity by falsely accusing Richt of telling the whole team to run into the inzone and celebrate. Facing a daunting schedule. Pre season favorites. High bulldog nation expectation. Fighting for positions against tallented new youth. Making grades. It is not easy. CMR has dealt with those who deserve real punishment. Suspended those with minor infractions. It is just a brighter spotlight this year. Once the bulldog nations true leader is revealed in the season opener, we will hopefully see a level of discipline, character, and pride that we see every year with this team. Uga will start barking his orders from the sideline and the boys will step up. Seriously though, CMR brings good kids to this program. A small few stray from his guidance and he deals with them the way he should. They can’t be watched 24/7 and in the end the judgement of young boys is not always the best. Any parent would hope to have a child in this program with a coach like him. CMR is a class act. Georgia is a class program. Samford stadium is a nice place to see a football if you are on an opposing team (just don’t sit in the student section, they get a little excited). Good players, good fans, good coaches, great Dawg. Stop picking on them.
Maybe when we finally announce the teams true leader leader at the season opener we will have some solid leadership. Uga will control those boys.
By i hate you
August 7, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Did you just take out CMR and replace with teammates??? Unbelievable. You have to be getting fired as well.
By Milton Jeff
August 7, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Didn’t you already run this article like a month ago. Five or Six players do not represent the team as a whole.
By TNT
August 7, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
yeah i think teammates should watch each other back if they see them doing something wrong get on them get in there face
By dawgnation
August 7, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
I think most people and especially the college age student/athlete does not realize how much of an impact they have on others. The UGA leaders on the team will step up and whip those younger guys in shape. Positive reminders and every now and then some a**kicking will be needed to make those making bad judgements realize they represent all of us on the local and national stage. Go Dawgs!
By 1992Dawg
August 7, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Wow Terence. They actually pay you to state the obviuous? Of course the older kids should try and lead the younger kids. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: 15 years ago you never would have heard about any of this. This over-informed, hyper-sensitive world, that you newsies love to exploit, creates a situation where every move that these kids make is scrutinized to the smallest degree. I’m suprised you reporters don’t try and “report” on what underwear players wear. These knuckleheads are KIDS! I was a knucklehead once, but I grew out of it. “Let you who have not sinned cast the first stone!!!!” Amen.
By Oz
August 7, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
A preseason look back at Superbowl 42, and a look forward to Superbowl 43:
ODE TO ELI
It doesn’t take much to make me happy. When you stay hungry, everything tastes good. But I do need a quarterback.
When I first saw Eli Manning I was suprised. Peyton has a brother in the NFL? I gave up on him many times. (Flashes of brilliance, too many interceptions). But he never gave up on me and I said yes under an unretracted roof in Phoenix last Superbowl sunday.
Outlined against a blue grey curtain of certain and sudden death, Eli slipped the surly grasp of the blitz. He wheeled and flung and did a hundred things I’ve only dreamed of. His oval soared long and delirious over tangled arms and teeth clenched in hate. Once more into the breech he joined the tumbling mirth and offered a wounded desperation that a wide-out held on to like it was the Lombardi Trophy.
The next thing you know, Burress fakes the post, and son I got High Fives way down low, low, low…..
No, it doesn’t take much to make me happy. Not much at all.
THE END
Prediction: Eli wins another ring.
By Don Corleone
August 7, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
The biggest knucklehead in this issue is Richt or perhaps his banker, Adams. Adams is a spin meister worthy of national politics—which is where he came from, by the way. The most recent example of buying silence concerns the hospital rampage. The thug who ran amok with the potted plants was certainly caught by security cameras. Richt learned of this incident Sunday morning and sent his consigleri to the hospital with a bag of money to prevent felony arrest #9, which looks real bad for Richt and the school. So the thug in question sits out Georgia Southern and Central Mich., and His Holiness pretends that this one didn’t happen. The issue of fines and legal fees is something that should be examined by the NCAA. In some cases, this is state money—like the six figures paid to make the 2002 dorm sexual assault case go away. In other cases, the source is mysterious—such as the thousands of dollars required fix Ellerbe’s felony auto theft and related crimes. Ellerbe did sit out the usual first two games of the season, but this didn’t pay for the stolen car he wrecked or the collateral damage or fines. A number of other assault and drunk driving cases have mysteriously evaporated in the last year as did the recent fondling of the pregnant woman. If Richt were serious about any of these problems, he would let them run through the legal system. At the present, he is nothing more than a facilitator of bad conduct, and his players neither respect nor fear him. This is not the stuff of National Championships. But at least, when Georgia is mentioned in the national press, it is always accompanied by a reference to behavior problems
By BS
August 7, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
You guys are only stroking your ego. The bums have been getting arrested all summer long. You’ve only been a preseason #1 for a couple of weeks. Boys will be boys only works in a Simpson’s episode. Love theses dogs as much as you want to but, blind, biased ignorance I guess will help you sleep at night. You guys and your team both have a reputation that you’d all be better shedding.
Thanks, Terence for reminding me what integrity means… or a lack thereof
By tm is a sad sad man
August 7, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Terrence just because your team(Georgia tech) is gonna have a bad year. don’t take it out on Georgia. Just go back to your shanty and never write on of your wasteful blog articles again.
GO DAWGS
By Paddy
August 7, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
TM good article….It is the guys who are awarded the “C” on their uniform that must step up. If you can’t be a true captain, give the “C” to someone else that will. This problem can be solved.
By D
August 7, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
“the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs of Sports Illustrated, the coaches’ poll and other stuff”
“numerous alcohol-related things.”
stuff…. things…. how professional. This writer must be in the 6th grade. Way to be specific.
By D
August 7, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Oh, and to echo what others have said, Pete should be be admitted to a mental institution if he actually believes the Dawgs have a weak schedule. That’s just absurd.
By Jim Haley
August 7, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
How many of you who defend the antics of Georgia players that cast the university in a bad light ACTUALLY attended Georgia??? I attended Georgia, I am very proud of having a degree from a fine institution and I support the school financially in athletics and in academics.
I’m going to bet that those who see NOTHING wrong with what is going on up there, but rather ONLY care about the football team and not the reputation of the school, PROBABLY attented Cobb County Community College or a similiar institution of higher learning. People who matriculated there care about the FOOTBALL TEAM AND!!! the REPUTATION of the school because we are PROUD of BOTH!!
By Keeping It Real
August 7, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Not all football players are good citizens. My remembrance of high school back in the 60’s was that most of them were thugs who liked to push people around. Football is a violent sport requiring a thug mentality to survive and win.
A lot of the kids at Georgia come from very poor backgrounds. Some have no positive male role models. They use football as a vehicle to get them out of the world they live in. Everyone looks up to them as heroes and unfortunately they fall victim to the hype. Add pretty girls and liquor to the equation and you come up with a situation loaded with dynamite.
As long as college football remains like it is today(money maker and alumni pride), every school will face this problem if they want to win. Richt needs some thugs on this team to compete. He just has to get rid of the bad thugs as he is doing.
By Archbishop of Canterbury
August 7, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Terence is too much of a gentleman to mention it, but I’m sure he is aware of national publication that is preparing an article detailing the Religious Recruiting Practices of Mark and Tommy Bowden—true disciples of the master(The Right Reverand Robert Bowden) of Religion in Recruiting 101.
There are THREE!!! schools—even FSU has lightened up—-in America(one is BYU) where the head coaches use their religious beliefs EXTENSIVELY in recruiting. Guess what two those are???
Name ONE other school in this country where you have a head coach proclaiming the superiority of its religious SURROUNDINGS in its recruitment of its athletes. Name ONE other school in America that you have a detailed understanding of the religious beliefs of its head coach?/ ONE???
When you get to appeal to the “mommas” and the “grandmas” of kids in the recruiting process by stressing its ministry over that of other schools—Well, guess who might be getting a huge advantage??
LSU, Auburn, Southern Cal, Ohio State, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Miami, Missouri—-Know much about religious beliefs of these head coaches??? I’m betting the answer would be NO!!!!!!
By vern
August 7, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
You should see ESPNs lollapoloozer which usually details the bottom 10 football programs in the country. Georgia came in at no. 5 this week due to all the arrests and instead of a pic of the school logo beside it has a pic of a police patrol car. Too funny!!!! But when the coach is a saint whose program has 8 arrests halfway through the year and 7 arrests last year the irony is even funnier.
By REGGIE BALL
August 7, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
The sky is falling and hell is frozen over, I finally agree with Terrance. For all of those who say it is only alcohol related incidents, your idiots. The point is ANOTHER uga athlete has been arrested. Thousands of college athletes go thier entire career without being cited, detained, ticketed, or arrested. IT CAN BE DONE. The leaders on this teams should have laid down the law to EVERYONE after the first incident.
Terrance, don’t get the big head. It will be another 5 years before I agree with you again.
By steve
August 7, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Q: What is Mark Richt’s biggest concern?
A: Does the NCAA count bail money as a recruiting violation?
Q: Four Georgia players are in a car, who’s driving?
A: The police
Q: Why can’t most of the UGA players get into a huddle on the field?
A: It is a parole violation to associate with known felons.
The UGA team has adopted a new Honor System: ‘Yes,your Honor; No, your Honor’.
The Dawgs are hoping for an undefeated season this year….11 Arrests, 0 convictions.
Q: How did UGA spend the first week of Spring Training? A: Studying their Miranda Rights
A lady in Athens calls 911. Hysterically, she says, ‘Someone’s just broken into my house, and I think he’s going to rob me!’
The police officer says, ‘We’re really busy at the moment. Just get the guy’s jersey number and we’ll get back to you.’Sorry, I’m a Georgia fan, but a friend of mine sent me those jokes. I thought they were funny but it is getting embarrasing. Crap goes on at every school, but UGA has definitely had more problems than other schools over the past couple of years. I think they need to reevaluate their program in terms of who they are recruiting and how they are shepherding these young men. Something needs to change.
By Keeping It Real
August 7, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
See what happens if Georgia were to recruit and play only athletes with a high religous values like coach Richt. They would all be coaches…like coach Richt and making millions of dollars off the thugs(kids)they have exploited like everyone else does. Get real folks. Big time football is not for the so called do-gooders. It is a get yours first mentality. If you feel that the Georgia alumni and officials would love these kids if they did not bring riches and fame to the university, then America will elect Obama as president. NOT!!!!!
By Moore or less
August 7, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Didnt Moore just write a while back that Mark Richt was to blame? Make up your mind, these are college kids who make mistakes. I guess you were perfect.
By AltamahaDawg
August 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
“Well, whatever is causing these Georgia knuckleheads, Richt and his folks need to find more ways to stop it, like now.”
AND then
“No, not university officials, ranging from president Michael Adams to athletics director Damon Evans. And, no, not Mark Richt, who actually is tougher than you think. With penalties for his knuckleheads that often go beyond university guidelines, Richt has done about as much as a coach can do in these situations.”
However. there was space alloted for this guys opinion and it wuld have looked odd to leave it blank. Words were put together to form sentences.
By Clamor
August 7, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Hey, Sonnyliv, if you’re going to allude to what happened at another school, at least get your facts straight. The football player who stole and used the credit card of the girlfriend of a teammate at UF when she was killed in a cycle accident was dismissed from the team and is being prosecuted criminally. The thief was a despicable human being and is paying the price for his stupid behavior.
By steve
August 7, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Richt tries to come across as such a good Christian man but that is not the real Richt. Just look at his resume. He played for the University of Miami, the original school of thugs. He then was a long time coach at FSU with more thugs. His whole career has been surrounded by thugs and coaches like Schnellenberger and Johnson at Miami and Bowden at FSU who looked the other way when their players were criminals. It is no wonder that Richt does the same thing. He looks the other way and gives them a slap on the wrist and suspends them for Georgia Southern or Central Michigan or whatever directional school they play their first two games each season. What a joke.
By steve
August 7, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
To the other steve,
I don’t think Richt tries to come across as a good Christian man. I think he tries to come across as a sinful man in need of a great Savior. He became a Christian while on staff at FSU so what does playing for Miami have to do with it?
I’ll admit that he and the entire UGA administration need to relook at who they recruit and how they oversee the young men that they have, but I think your criticism of Richt and his faith is uncalled for.
I know this is an overgeneralization, but it seems like there are only two types of people on this forum:
People who love the Dawgs and think this is all part of some conspiracy against them and people ought to just get over it
People who hate UGA and want to throw Mark Richt and the entire university under a bus when bad things happen. (the previous steve is one of these)
I guess I am a rare third type of person who likes UGA and is a big admirer of Mark Richt. However, there are obviously problems that UGA needs to address. I do think Mark Richt sincerely wants to do the right thing AND I believe he would rather impact the lives of his players for good more than he wants to win a national championship.