UGA

By D Ellis

October 11, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

It can never be tough when it comes to academics and rules…follow them or suffer pretty plain and simple.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Well at least you caught up to Mike Mercer. Answers that question.

By anb

October 11, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

does this jeopardize mike mercers job at the car dealer i wonder?

By NW GA Dawg

October 11, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

As much as I love and enjoy watching UGA athletics, this IS a university and a great one at that. It is first and foremost an institution of higher learning. That’s the way it is; that’s the way it should be.

Will this affect football? Very likely (as you point out that it has in the past). Unfortunately, just as the upcoming basketball season showed some promise this happens…

By Huh??

October 11, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

What kind of question is this? I mean, I’m as die hard a UGA guy as normal people can be, but I think most of us miss the boat when it comes to UGA athletics.

As a professor, if a student misses 2 classes a semester I lower their final grade a letter no matter what their making. Students are REQUIRED to go to class - ATHLETES INCLUDED! Quite honestly, most of the athletes I’ve taught need to be in class more than other students. The students who are in school to get an education and hopefully find a vocational calling are the ones busting their butt to make good grades and be productive. The atheletes who have always gotten a free pass are the ones who seem to think that college is “farm system” for the pros. Sadly, such a small percentage of the students who are athletes in college actually make a vocational living with their athletic abilities. Yet, because they’ve always been told, “Just run the ball” or “Throw it all day” or “Dunk it harder,” they are the students who seem lost in the dark when they finish their eligibility and can’t go on playing. Some of my students at a large public university in GA (not UGA) are athletes who are so severely learning disabled, I wonder how they’ve made it to be juniors. Oh wait, I’ve figured it out … they can play sports.

We are doing a serious disservice to these students by not holding them to the same (if not greater) expectations that we do for other, non-athletic students.

I applaud Evans, Felton and the rest of UGA’s academic compliance folks for enforcing tough standards for the athletes. Just because they can dribble doesn’t mean they get a free pass not to do the work in the classroom!

By anon

October 11, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

interesting

By anon

October 11, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

interesting

By Eric

October 11, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

It’s a tough but fair policy, the players knew before they missed the classes and appiontments what the penalty was going to be, missing games should have been a HUGE motivation to go to class….It seems they not only let themsleves down, but their teammates down also.

By the ritz blitz

October 11, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

College is all about academics (ask anyone who isn’t a student athlete) so all of Georgia’s athlete should be accountable for there grades and attendance…..a little common sense here.

By yankeedawg

October 11, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Why not change the policy to suit the coach Carolina did!!!

By Anonymous

October 11, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

I would be curious to know what UF is doing as they had a 100% graduation rate for BB and they were second only to Vandy in FB using the NCAA formula. Maybe UGA is just recruiting BB players who are not well motivated toward meeting education requirements for SEC BB & FB.

By Pat

October 11, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Georgia BB is and always has been “snakebit.” Fair or not the policy is there and you can bet it will somehow be used against UGA in recruiting. An athlete at UGA now gets away with nothing, inside the classroom or out. Any insinuation that they do is ridiculous.

By TDone

October 11, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Who cares? We all know the Mutters don’t care about basketball.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one wondering how it even gets to that point? I’m all for enforcing the rules, but isn’t getting them to class the point, not what the concequenses are? I assume we are not talking one summer school class, or appointment. How in the world does Coach Felton LET his star returning player be as much as late one day before he is picking him up in person and parking his behind in the seat? As closely as those guys are kept up with, the staff dont know if they are missing classes? Hey, why dont we actually assign somebody to that? I understand the tight rules, trying to save face now, in light of bad publicity about academics, thats all fine. How about the PR of having a big chunk of your team suspended? No, I dont think that sends a great message to parents and recruits. OK, your serious about it. But all it tells me is we arent making them go to class very well, and here is the proof. What Id like to know is that my kid wasnt getting suspended for missing classes. Consequences…check. How about making sure that doesnt happens now coach.

By Buck in the NW

October 11, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Air head Prof. As to the policy being fair I’m not qualified to answer that question but I have a question. Was the policy an overreaction? Has does it compare with Vandy and Fl? Still, the players knew what would happen and I guess they didn’t care. Man, while I’m in class and trying to make it and then have a top team and they’re just hanging out? Why am I here?…..Alt. I’m a “ditto” behind you.

By Wes

October 11, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

I support all UGA athletics, but do we have to talk about basketball?

Let’s go with the topic about our offense on football instead.

By La Jolla Dawg

October 11, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

I had a journalism professor (at UGA) who used to lock the door at 7:51, his class began at 7:50, if you were late—too bad. He made it clear from the get go that he had certain expectations of his students and getting to class on time was one of them. If these guys don’t want to go to class, don’t want to attend tutoring or advisement sessions, then they shouldn’t play basketball. Chip, I don’t think you are going to receive a lot of argument against this one.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Wes, if Willie Martinez can’t do any better than 2 first down in a half……..oh we are still doing the blame Martinez for everything deal right?

By TybeeDawg

October 11, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

I totally disagree with your comment Chip that the season is derailed. We wont even be into the SEC schedule before they are all back. It is a setback, but in no way is it derailed!

By ARdawg

October 11, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

If the truth be known probably less that half of the atheletes in any given college actually attend for the degrees. The new policy will certainly be an attention getter to those at UGA.

By TybeeDawg

October 11, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Aren’t those graduation rates that are so bad from the year 2000 class entering UGA?

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

la Jolle, that seemed to me to be a lesson in puntuality. MY class starts at 7:50, if you plan on attending be here on time. I had plenty of other professors who said, “you paid to take this class, its up to you if you want to be here or not, I will be testing on the materials covered, you are an adult, figure out how best to learn it”. I’m not down on the attendance policy for ath. They signed a contract, and if higher standards than the regular students are in it, so be it. I just think that there is a balancing act between fielding a competitive team and trying to not be dead last on some 6 yrs ago reports.

By Wes

October 11, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Alt,

Yes we are, and speaking of that, if Willie Martinez doesn’t do a better job of protecting Stafford’s blind-side, he’ll never have time to set his feet and go through his progressions.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

To clarify, if they didnt make your prof, class by 7:50, they didnt get in, just like everyone else. If they miss classes or tutoring and dont make the grades, they face what every single college kid in America faces.

By Buzz

October 11, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

It seems like a fair policy to me. At Tech we are penalized anytime we miss a class after a Tickle Pile. If we can get to class after a strenuous Tickle Pile the Mutts should be able to attend class and play basketball.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

One thing he does do very well…..from plenty of practise….have you seen that wave of the hand he does when he has to tell his D unit to “get back out there again”

By Buck in the NW

October 11, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Chicken or the egg? We aren’t playing to Stafford’s strong points but then, according to BOBO, he has to step up his leadership role. Run or throw? Again, from onlineathens.com article, Bobo says we may haven’t gotten a little to conservative trying to avoid bad situations. I agree and use the Ala. game as a good example of both. We used the pass and marched down field for an opening drive score. Then went conservative but unless you’re Texas Tech. you better have a running game. I don’t think that we’ll be hurt if the pass is used to set up the run game but anyway it’s cut there has to be some imagination. SOS has shown that he’ll do what he needs to to win and if it’s the defense with the run so be it. IMO, there’s nothing wrong with being flexible but we along with some other programs in the country have the additional problem of dropped balls. I believe that teams for the rest of ‘07 will play us to stop the run 1st and make us throw to win so why not go with the flow? We do know that we’ve had some success at the 25 yd. mark so lets try to strike first.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

What I think they aught to do, is about the third time the Offense goes 3 and out, and starts to trot off the field, the coach aught to wave them back on the field and say “F…NO, how about you guys just stay out there and defend it this time.”

By Wes

October 11, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Great point about the hand wave. One thing I’ve noticed though…he just doesn’t do it with the fire and passion that Brian Van “Gorden” used to do it with.

By ARdawg

October 11, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Altamaha…..LOL

By shane

October 11, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

i support uga’s academic policys as to athletes,i do not support adam’s admissions policys that bar so many of ga taxpayer’s qualified sons and daughters from attending uga.if adams wants a “harvard of the south”he should establish it at another school,not at a STATE CHARTERED university.adams has gone as far as saying that ap classes are more important than an a average in standard high school classes,this elitism has to stop.our forefathers,in their wisdom,chartered uga to provide educated leaders for the state of ga,not india,pakistan,china,and etc.

By ARdawg

October 11, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Back on topic…..I think the policy is bad. Sure they’re keeping a kid from playing for not attending class but who is it ultimately hurting? His/her teammate who are counting on the offender when themsleves are attending class. Kind of a double edge sword. Not to mention the university in the recruiting aspect

By Bholder

October 11, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

I am glad to see we are getting serious education. Frankly, I am getting tired of universities graduating athletes who can’t read, write or speak. If they leave school early they still should be capable of performing at at least 8th grade level. A lot of times that does not happen. Doesn’t speak well for the school.

By shane

October 11, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

alt,i agree,how does wm hope to defeat a sec power like ut by only scoring 14 pts,ditto usc.FIRE THE LOSER NOW!!!if he had shown some emotion and fired that d up,we would have scored at least 31!wait a minute!am i getting confused again?where is that mason jar?

By Bballbabe

October 11, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Wow! I am amazed at how many non athletes have so many comments about this topic— Yes! The basketball and football players should care enough about themselves to want to get up and go to class, but how many of the people that posted comments know exactly what it’s like to train as hard as them. I’m a college student and for majority of my classes it isn’t mandatory that I attend — this isn’t highschool— so why should the athletes be held to higher standards— I think that there should be some penalties for missing meetings and too many classes — but these rules are little to harsh for me— Glad to disagree

By shane

October 11, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

ardawg,wouldn’t it be wiser to recruit players that are actually intrested in a college degree?don’t cop out guys and say we can’t win with these guys,other sec schools seem to graduate their players.dj,the two davids,thomas davis,and many others on our sec championship teams got their degrees,tb is graduating early,all these guys are legitimate stars.paul oliver makes headlines for academic woes,why don’t we hear more about the guys that graduate on time,or early?btw,trinton had a 4.0 high school average,so much for the”dumb jock”.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

uh Bholder graduating illiterate students? Are you sure about that? I think the issue is NOT graduating in this case.

By ES

October 11, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

I said all year long that we have run on first down too much.Against USC we threw to many screen passes they were up at the line and could stop the run and screens.I wished some of you guys that thinks we can run so good would look at our 1st down run average.I’m telling you Steve had 8 and 9 in the box on first down just like in 1992 in jax.Their is plays like the one to mareno that he was 5 yards behind the guy that can burn the fool out of that type defense on first down but we seem to never make the calls that can do that.On the other hand I wished when someone is running over you put 8 or 9 in the box like they do.Example end of the USC game when you let them rip off three consecutive runs of over 10 yards when you needed the ball back.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Buck I read that article and frankly left a bit confussed. Coach Bobo says maybe they have been a bit too conservative, but then after the long meeting delcares we need to stick with the only things that have worked, run, and short screens. (and why the other stuff isnt working now) I’m thinking that inteview didnt get translated exactly right somehow.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

shane, our D gives up exactly TN’s average, BUT our O can only muster 14 consolation points on the dead last SEC defense that gives up over 30 a game, 59 to FL. What does that tell ya about whose doing what?

By english police

October 11, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Interesting that in the boldest blog responses calling for athletes to be students first (as they should be), there were three mis-uses of there, their and they’re. Basic grammar folks - not typos. Our athletes should definately have those things dowmn by now - but so should the folks (professor included) how are calling their (not there or they’re) hand.

By english police

October 11, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Interesting that in the boldest blog responses calling for athletes to be students first (as they should be), there were three mis-uses of there, their and they’re. Basic grammar folks - not typos. Our athletes should definately have those things dowmn by now - but so should the folks (professor included) how are calling their (not there or they’re) hand.

By Mr. Sims

October 11, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Mike,

I know this will be a hard lesson for you but make sure you learn from this. You’ll get through this! I love you like a son.

By Cuz's idiot savant

October 11, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

I think if these guys don’t want to go to class and still play, they need to transfer to US, little c. I mean they make you sit out practices for not going to class. Oh please don’t throw me in that briar patch.

I am ready to jump on the fire Willie bandwagon. If he does not personally suit up and replace Thomas Brown at tail and score at least three touchdowns with a 7 yard average, fire him. Show some heart Willie, make the rest of the team proud. Quit hiding behind your defence.

Is Dora the Explorer really the Dore’s mascot? I thought she was re-called for lead paint.

shane, found my Mason jars buddy. Got a UPS shipment from General Neyland. My thats good booze.

Alt, did you get the e-mail, no response compadre.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

I guess the only thing worse is the english police “how are calling” our hand.

By Lee

October 11, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Good. About time.

There is a reason why they are called STUDENT-athletes.

There are top notch universities who field competitive and championship caliber teams and still maintain academic integrity. It can be done.

But, when you pay these coaches million$ and they get hired and fired on winning percentages, it is easy to see why they take the low road and try to get the 5-star, dumb-as-a-sack-of-hammers athlete enrolled.

There are a lot of these athletes who have no business on a college campus without a mop and broom in hand. Every school has the athletic track in which they establish a course of meaningless study just to get these mouth-breathers enrolled. I think UGA’s is “Sports Marketing”, whatever the he11 that is.

Sorta ironic that the lady Gym Dawgs can win national championships with scholar athletes, but the men’s Football and Basketball programs have the lowest graduation rates and still get beat on the field.

Maybe these d******* are just uncoachable and think their raw athletic ability will pull them through — just like it did in high school.

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

I thought I did, your coming down, we are drinking beer, wasnt that the plan?

By Cuz's idiot savant

October 11, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Alt, the English police are unarmed and unedicated. Man that was one of the pot calling the kettle black posting of the year. Well, I always loved Monty Python’s skit, Nobody expects a Spanish Inquisition.

By Cuz's idiot savant

October 11, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

I served my country, I played High School football. Al Bundy

By MadMerf

October 11, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

english police,

definately?? dowmn??!

HOW DAIR YEW!!!!

By Cuz's idiot savant

October 11, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Yeah that is the plan. Are we going to the game or are we going to watch it at Brogens?

By Buck in the NW

October 11, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Altahama, do not disagree and that’s why I said 25 yds. which is more than just a screen. I’m about to become a heretic but I don’t care if he threw a couple off his back foot and over threw his receiver if he were past 15 yds. down-field as long as we came right back and did it again. 3rd play, he over threw his guy and bam we backed off, why? Come right back at them at the 15+ yd. mark or more. I’m going to watch Sat. and see where Vandy plays their corners. If they are up on the line, then are we tough enough to get off or if they play back overload one side then the other just don’t be predictable. Today we are.

By shane

October 11, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

ballbabe,you are talking to an expert here,i was a master of cutting classes leagally.i also played fotball,at the junior college level.you have to be good to cut classes in jc,they actually call roll!as for our coach,as long as we passed he didn’t care.he was very businesslike,showed little emotion,he11,he hardly ever changed expressions.he considered us as adults that had a job to do,in the classroom and on the field.as he said to several players,this is what i expect,if you don’t do it somebody else will.

By MadMerf

October 11, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

I agree with Altamaha about Felton taking more responsibility with his players. CMR and staff have what, 87 players to watch over? And Dennis and staff have what, 9 guys to look after?

CDF speaks well at the Bulldog clubs and I believe he did a masterful job of cleaning up Harrick’s (and Adam’s) mess while restoring integrity to the program. He also seems to get the unheralded players to step up when we need them most, and he is assembling a real competitor with recruiting.

But with so few players to account for it seems to me that he could get more involved with the teachers/tudors and address problems before they get out of hand. In other words: LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THEIR BUTTS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

The three suspended players make up a third of the team. That leaves six guys (excluding walk-ons) to tough out a daunting schedule. Now that’s a scary thought, but rules are rules, and we can ill-afford to bend them.

By Buck in the NW

October 11, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

9 players? Nit pic!

By Cuz's idiot savant

October 11, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

Merf, is this a football blog or a b-ball blog, I disremember.

A buddy of mine and I had a bet, which one of us could attend the monster class Biology 101 and still pass. Not counting the weekly labs of course. No way you can count 300 people. He made it five times in 10 weeks and got a C. I made it four times and got a D. I won a pitcher of beer and got a lower grade point average for a bonus. Of course, I don’t remember a whole lot of my college education except for booze and work. I would sober up for work, snooze through classes. I remember the 1980 football games better than I remember any of my classes. I still graduated though, maybe this is why I am a Waste Disposal Manager.

By shane

October 11, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

cuz,does you position require a mba?BTW,i finished my education thanks to the us army,and you tax payers.the army doesn’t like a lot of goofing off.those bball players may think uga is tough,they have no clue!now,as to our offense,we seem to be between the rock and a hard place with our o line.we aren’t strong enough to consistantly blow people off the line for our run game,or hold off the d long enough for the deep ball.when you consider the fact that we have simplified our blocking schemes and our play book untill the new linemen can learn to work together as a unit,it’s no wonder a good dc can figure us out pretty easily.also we have been playing musical chairs with our linemen because of injurys,it is no wonder the o line hasn’t come together.frankly,there is no substitute for time with an o line.i remember well the blocking sleds and other instruments of torture designed to get an o line to function as a unit.on espn radio the other day i heard an old pro say that on the great teams the o linemen always ran the locker room,because they stuck together and five big linemen were stronger than any individual player,no matter how”bad”he was.first year starters are not going to”run”a locker room,but if our coaches can find five of these young guys that”click”and start”hanging out” with each other off the field and care more about their buddy than themselves,we will be hard to beat.but it takes time to develope that chemistry.

By MadMerf

October 11, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Sorry Cuz, I’ve been working 90+ hrs/wk for a month and a half straight with no relief in sight, so it’s been impossible to keep up with you guys, much less post. Football season is my time of year. I live and breathe it everyday, yet cannot enjoy it this time around because I have too much going on. And I do miss reading these blogs. Hope you, your daughter, and Buck are doing OK. And congrats Gen Neyland, don’t forget to take out the Chicken!

As far as the team is concerned, everyone knows the SEC is won or lost in the trenches, and one can never over-emphasize the importance of having experience and depth on both sides of the ball. Our O-line has little to no experience, and the D-line has little to no depth. Either case is a recipe for disaster, and we have both.

Being realistic, we are doing well with the hand we’ve been dealt. CMR should have learned from Donnan’s mistake of ‘missing’ on O-linemen his last two years. The Dawgs were shorthanded in 2002, and although that group overachieved, Greenie took a pounding nonetheless.

I see where Duke Robinson (Oklahoma) earned Rival’s mid-season All-America list. Remember him? He was a signing day snub. Derek Morris? Same thing. We need to get after these guys a little harder! The skill players on ‘O’ can’t do much if we don’t have time to get the ball to them.

Cordy Glenn, Zebrie Sanders, O. Uzzi, and yes, even AJ Harmon. Stay on ‘em!! And Go Dawgs!!!!

By What academic policy?

October 11, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

The Athletic Association’s Athletic Policy? What the h3ll is that?! Does it have lower standards than the policy for other students? If they haven’t been kicked out of school, they should be able to play. WTF?

By ARdawg

October 11, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Shane

In a perfect world yes I agree. But the truth of the matter is no we wouldn’t win by recruiting those that were just after a degree. Those bluechip prospects are what it takes to win not only in the SEC but on the national level. Not all of them but many are already looking to the professional level and looking for the school that will propel them there. A degree is the fathest thing from some of their minds. Back in the day I went to college on a partial atheletic scholarship. It saved me and my folks a lot of money but it was contingent on my grades as well. I couldn’t have went without it. I actually went for the degree. And a good thing I did. Oh how times have changed

By Cuz's idiot servant

October 11, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

shane, all you need is a bs degree and an ability to stand knee deep in garbabe and not smell it and keep smiling.

Oh gotta run to Bill’s Bland Bulldawg Blog.

By Cuz's idiot servant

October 11, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Just for your information, garbabe is female mannequins thrown nude into a compactor. Those squeezins are better than the Generals home brew.

By UGA86

October 11, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Some folks go to college for the education and the experience. Most student athletes do the same and manage a very rewarding career as a result. Cuz, I took one of those monster BIO 101 courses at UGA and the only thing I can still recall are the terms mitochondria and mitosis. I believe mitosis is when your big toe smells worse than your breath but I still have no clue what mitochondria are… but it must be important if it’s taught in college. Upon second thought, mitochondria is probably undiagnosable turf-toe that is psychosomatic. Please pass the jug…

By DawgMechanic

October 11, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

Guys,

Got inside info that the basketball probs may be the least of our worries. Seems the Sept. NCAA violations that were reported are more serious and are going to result in some action against the Dawgs in football next year. Geez can it get any worse?

By AltamahaDawg

October 11, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

what NCAA violations?

By Gen Neyland

October 12, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Good to see the mood lighter here after The Hobnail Boot Bowl, 2007…Like the Twelve Days of Christmas, all games can’t be maids a-milking, some just gotta be switches and ashes…Basketball..? During BBall most were wanting football, why go backwards..? IMO, SC is the team to beat at this juncture. Just keep Florida pinned to the mat and I won’t give a flip who wins the East…Not…Go Vols

By Gen Neyland

October 12, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

Cuz

I had to ship the goods as Hazardous Material, due to the flammable content. Making it fresh every day. What with the leaf lookers coming up from the city, I’m making a killing. Got my 320 lb, 4’5” wife doing backup for me…Our front is Boiled Peanuts. You save some of that sweet creekwater for the UGA-UF game now, ya hear..?

By derrick

October 12, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

Rules are rules, you must go to class! It’s not a bad idea, and any difference in the athletic teams will be worth it in the long run. Damon Evans is doing what needs to done, making sure the STUDENT comes before the ATHLETE part! The team will be ok..

By jc_dawg

October 12, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

Gosh….we finally appear to be turning this bb program around and this happens!

Though I want to see the dawgs win in bb this year…academics must come 1st. It’s in Brown…Mercer…and Jackson’s best interest anyway.

They are good players but are they a lock to make it in professional basketball. I don’t believe so. So then what will they do after they graduate?

I think the punishment fits the crime. If they are not willing to play by the rules…it tells me that they are not willing to give it 100% on the court either.

If they have the heart and passion to play the game of bb at Ga…then they will stick to the academic rules.

I will say this…If Brown and Mercer get it together and stick to the rules so they can play…Ga will easily be one of the better sec teams by the time the post season begins. Go Dawgs!

By B-ball player

October 12, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this

Honestly, this is a good policy. Ultimately, it hurts the team but its that players responsible to get their academics. Everyone on the team signs a yearly contract on team and university rules and regulations. They know the consequences of their actions. Every university and Pro team has rules to follow just like in the REAL WORLD. About time, someone cares about academics and not just athletics. Let be real anyway, out of the 15 players on this UGA mens team, you better believe more players on the WOMENS TEAM WILL GO PRO than the men and all of them will GRADUATE! I think these players will learn the hard way about the game called LIFE… how many of the men players will graduate? interesting….

By Stafford is Tebow's Kryptonite

October 12, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this

its all tripp chandler’s fault. every tragedy in life can somehow be tied back to his inability to catch the ball. mercer, brown, and jackson would have gone to class but they were so disgusted with tripp’s inability to catch the ball in big games that it made them sick.

By Digger

October 12, 2007 6:02 AM | Link to this

Lets bring back the good ole days when players won championships at uga graduated and were illiterate!

By shane

October 12, 2007 6:16 AM | Link to this

general,we are going to need a lot of that”stump likker”to get through the wlocp.i agree with the earlier post that EVERYTHING learned in college is important,how would i have survived without my knowledge of russian literature?we do need to recruit more o linemen,i don’t care how many stars they have.most will need to redshirt anyway.why have thirteen star wrs if our qb doesn’t have time to get them the ball?as i have said before,all asst coaches want to recruit stars,that gets their name in the paper,not three star linemen.enough three star linemen in your red shirt program will make you a winner though,and for a long time.

By Ben

October 12, 2007 7:24 AM | Link to this

I understand the sentiment of the most of the posts here, but it seems most of you did not actually attend UGA. If you did, you would know that attendance is NOT required for most classes for non-athletes. You can even simply get the notes offlines, study your butt off the night before, and show up for a test the next day. I’m wondering why athletes should be held to and even higher standard than non-athletes when it comes to attendance. After all, they’ve got a better excuse than I do to skip a class every once and a while. And what’s with all the uproar over the graduation rates just released??? People need to realize these rates are from athletes that were here from 1997-2001!!! LOOOOONNNNGGGGG before Felton got here, and even before Richt got here. I say let’s give these two coaches a chance before we judge their performance off of the tenures of Harrick and Donnan!

By Stafford is Tebow's Kryptonite

October 12, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

Ben pretty much hit the nail on the head. As a student at UGA, you are right about attendance. most of the big lecture courses don’t have required attendance. i think everybody is out to give the athletes a hard time, especially UGA and ACC police. now it seems like felton and damon evans are coming down on them too hard

By shane

October 12, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this

ben,you are right on about the graduation rates,unfortunately richt and felton are having to pay for past sins.i fault dr adams for many things,too many for one post,but i am with him on this.an institution is like a person,once a reputation is damaged you have to work twice as hard to restore it.

By pstlparks

October 12, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

Student athletes should remember they are accepted to Universities and Colleges with predominantly lower academic standards than most other students. They are also given funding for this privilege. They should not take advantage of the sources of this funding. Inspite of this we should remember that no matter how “big a man on campus” they appear they are still immature in a lot of ways including making ALL the right decisions. By setting guidelines and following up the University is helping to make better and smarter adults who will make wiser choices in life. That being said, I am confident UGA’a punishment fits the crime.

By Lee

October 12, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

Well Ben, you are correct in that most classes do not take attendence. Most professors try to treat the students as adults and recognize that if you don’t attend class and flunk out, then it is your own fault.

When I was in college many years ago, I learned quickly that there was a direct correlation between class attendance and grades. You are probably a typical college student. You can get away with skipping a few classes and cramming the night before a test.

Many of these athletes (Football and basketball) are not typical students. They were poor students in high school and many got into UGA by the skin of their teeth. They can’t afford to miss class, even with the extra tutoring and academic assistance they receive. That is why the athletic association has 40 class checkers just to make sure these dumba55es are attending class when they are supposed to.

Due primarily to the HOPE scholarship, the UGA student academic base has been increasing. If these athletes ever get put into a class with the normal student population, their weaknesses are exposed.

Bottom line, many of these players have no business (academically) being on UGA’s campus except with a mop and broom in hand. The athletic association knows this and tries to insulate them as much as possible.

I remember the days when they used to introduce the players on TV and gave their major and GPA. They quit doing that because it got too damn embarrasing.

By DT5

October 12, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Who cares if these guys graduate or not. All these guys are here for is our entertainment. If they don’t want to go to class, that is their choice. They are only harming their own futures. Might as well let them do what they are good at for now. You must remember the world does need ditch diggers and mail men. If any one argues this point, then they must not be living in the same country I have been raised in.

By Powe

October 12, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

i FAVOR SUSPENSIONS BUT DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR AGREE WITH FINANCIAL FINES. UGA SHOULD DROP THEM.

By Gen Neyland

October 12, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

DT5

What these so called student-athletes need to be made aware of is the landscape ( no pun intended ) of their future isn’t in the warehouse or a manufacturing line. Those gigs are being phased out and farmed out and the one’s that remain won’t raise a family in today’s world, much less the world of tomorrow. China has all the worker bees it needs to compete at that level. It is truly a gift to have the athletic talents most all of them possess, but the gift of a free ride to an education is what’s really priceless. They can’t all become doctors and bottom feeding lawyer types, but they can secure a future better than what my age bracket had coming out of high school. I wish they were all mature enough to see it…

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

October 12, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Shane,

Your first comment was great! Right on the mark.

Cuz and Gen…

Always emjoy your comments. Keep it up!

So…I guess I can’t say fire Richt today? I’m KIDDING! Gosh, I hope the dawgs whip some Commy’s on Saturday! If its like usual we should see more red in Nashville than Gold and Black! I hope thats the case! GOO DAWGS!

By gdawginkalamazoo

October 12, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

General, I have been incommunicado of late, but congrats on the victory! You can thank us for keeping Phil around another year.

We need to install those exit floor lights on our buses and have the windows pop open when the buses pull up to the stadium. That way we will at least make it off the bus for the game. What movie were they watching that the team didn’t want to get off the bus in Knoxville? Or were they eating Buddy’s Barbeque?

Altamaha, you have been on fire today sir! Excellent posts. I particularly like the idea of leaving the offense on the field after those three and outs to defend the field.

By SunDawg

October 12, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

I’d like a little background on how the situation reached this point (echoing A-dawg). Does anyone monitor scholarship athletes during the off-season? Did Coach Felton have a “Come to Jesus” conversation with these two players initially and the suspension is a result of their continued non-compliance?

At what point do you release the player and give the scholarship to someone who wants it?

I say we reinstate the military draft; that should provide an incentive for these young men to focus on classes.

By Bill

October 12, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Hmmmm, strange that it is ONLY basketball players. Oh yeah, thats right——we are talking about the UGA Athletic Association.

By gdawginkalamazoo

October 12, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Chip, the problem with college basketball is the “one year” rule (or age rule for the NBA) that they implemented recently. Believe it or not there are athletes that go to college on scholarship to get that degree. A lot them know that they won’t make it to the next level. That rule absolutely kills college basketball because some of the kids think they can come in for that one year then move on. I for one say if the kid can make it in the NBA right out of high school good luck. All that rule does is create a farm system for the NBA and ruinsome other kid’s chance for a scholarship that is taken by one of these one year and done guys.

By Chip Towers

October 12, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Ben:

I agree with you about most of that and these athletes did get here BEFORE Richt and Felton. But Richt and Felton inherited many of them and it then, it could be argued, became their responsibility to see that those athletes were doing what they were supposed to

By Chip Towers

October 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Bill: We don’t know that it was ONLY basketball players. That’s just what we found out about this week. Remember, Georgia had a couple of players miss a couple of games for “undisclosed team rules violations.” Perhaps that’s why Remarcus Brown missed the first two games of the season. Who knows? Coaches handle suspensions differently. Felton has always been somewhat open about for what his players were being disciplined. I’ve always thought that was the best tact to take.

By AltamahaDawg

October 12, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Zoo, not really. I am prabably just vocalizing what the majority of fans think. Its not as easy as just looking at a coach or a unit in a vacuum. It’s all interactive. I’ll say this…I’ll be first one disapointed in the D-coordinator IF we were losing shootouts, or if our Offense played plenty well enough and the D just let them down. For all the outrage in here, I challange anyone to show me the games in the past couple of years that we lost, in which the offence had a good day. In fact the last effective offense we had, we seemed to have won the SEC with this very same guy. His first year at that. But no , I am not coming up with anything insightful, just honest and fair. It helps that I dont need to just make stuff up to attempt to look football smart in here. What I really love is all these emotional subjective posts, than then when questioned to support that, the points gets shifted to, or qualified with yet another emotional subjective point.

By Chip Towers

October 12, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

SunDawg:

That’s the unusual thing about this. Felton normally keeps his players on tight reins and keeps up with everything going on. But you never know, he may have reached his wits end and just said, ‘I’m going to stay out of it and let whatever happens happen.’ I don’t know that. Believe me, though, he has the most to lose in all this if it results in many more lost games.

By AltamahaDawg

October 12, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Do they really have 40 class checkers? That was my point, great to have mandatory penalties, just dont let it happen.

By Lee

October 12, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Bottom line is that anytime you provide special exemptions (athletic, legacy, affimative action) to allow a below average student into school, you are opening a virtual pandora’s box and asking for trouble.

I say let EVERY student apply and get accepted using the same criteria for admissions. Then, once accepted, you want to play sports, great.

By Ben

October 12, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Chip:

I was under the impression the rates pertained to those athletes that had been in school for 4 years from 1997-2001? Do they actually include, for example, those that had just been frehsmen in say 2001 and seniors in 2004 and/or 2005?

By I-DOG

October 12, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Chip,

I support what Felton and UGA are doing with these voluntary academic suspensions.

Not only is it the right thing to do, but ultimately should make the the basketball program better.

By shane

October 12, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

i liked the comment about the one year rule for basketball players,also the generals very astute observations.look at the numbers,the nba drafts 64 players each year,some of which come from foriegn teams.half of the players drafted will not stick with a team.this makes the odds of a college bball player making it in the nba less than one %.even if a player has the talent and the drive to be a nba player his career could be sidetracked by injury.it’s the same with football players.if you consider only the top 100 recruits,most will never play a down in the nfl.coaches really need to stress this point,unfortunately a lot of coaches play along with the high school coaches that have coddled these guys.making pie-in-the sky promises to recruits about a pipeline to the nfl.my old coach let all of us know that we were nothing special,as he said”if you don’t get with the program boy,i can have another one that looks just like you in here next week!”

By Gen Neyland

October 12, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

zoo

From the bottom of my Orange and White heart of hearts, Thanks…Will MS ST kick our high flying britches this weekend or will the magic continue..? At 3-2, I’m not pounding my chest, believe me…

By crs

October 12, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Anyone surprised BET came to town and already there is a shooting?

By shane

October 12, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

general,3-2 seems to be a popular spot in the east this year.so many teams with talented,but young,players.i think you will beat miss st,but this year the old cliche”on any given saturday”happens to be true.the tendancy of young guys to be inconsistant drives coaches crazy,they might look like an all pro in one game and completely out of their league in the next.

By Buck in the NW

October 12, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

There’s a difference that I wonder if we don’t forget. I’m not sure of the right words but Ga. is a state University for all the residents of the state. That’s why even though I was born in Savannah, I had to pay out of state tuition because I grew up out of state(J’ville). That’s one way to start limiting the U to in state students 1st. Have no problem with it. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the University system is a diverse one that offers more then just a liberal arts degrees to underclassmen. Handicap students come in all shapes and sizes from the physical to the mental but the system must attempt to provide an education to them all. I’m skipping steps simple because of space and “HOG” problems but Athletes. From A-Z, every step has to be used because in that group of students the entire system is layed out. I believe we have on the FB & BB students that require extra help as do the students outside the Athletic Dept. My point is that’s it’s a very complicated and I have a hard time passing judgement on the coaches because I don’t know what the requirements of the sport are, plus the school’s other rule setting groups. So Felton is H.C. and he needs to explain where the break down occurred and why. you guys may know, I don’t so Chip……….would you ask Felton how, when and where, meaning what type of programs may be involved? Then maybe I’ll know more as to how the break down happened. Without more, all i can do is guess.

By gdawginkalamazoo

October 12, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

No Alta, you are too modest. Take a bow.

General, glad you had a good weekend. Last time we felt that way was Auburn last year. You know, the feeling that the game is out of control in your favor, nothing can go wrong and if it did what the hell we are up by 3 TD’s and still dominating. Did you make it to the game? If so, did anybody bother to page the Bulldogs to the field?

By Vick supporter

October 12, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Who cares, it’s just some Dawgs. And basketball players at that.

The AJC has really lax academic standards or Blip Towners and Carter Stupidland couldn’t work there.

By gator the dog catcher

October 12, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Hey Chip, is the AJC going to do another “you write the headline” again this year like you all did after last year’s Vandy game? Vandy is a tough place to play. I hear that the crowd throws calculators at the opposing team as they run onto the field, and I mean the big Graphing ones too!

By Jaime Gaverts

October 12, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

Toughest academic policy around??? Attending class? Uh Chip, most schools already make their kids to attend class. This is nothing enlightening to the rest of college athletics. Only at UGa. What a riot! Thanks for keeping the rest of us in stitches. Academics for athletes at UGa = Pathetic

By AltamahaDawg

October 12, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

Well Zoo, lets just say I am blogging with a lot of “fire’ and “heart”.

By DAWG FAN!!!!!!!!

October 12, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

It should Be a good game this week against Florda buts i thinks we can beats them. Matt Staford will throw on them and beats them. Look out Gayters. we gonna kill tech. Chan just aint gots it no more.

By ga dog

October 12, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

man when i played it was the least i could do to show up for class, i was half asleep but i think some profs took into consideration i was at least there, we have to schedule classes earlier than other students for time off for practice, geez guys catch up on sleep sat and sun, get your butt outa bed and go to class, youre a idiot to skip and hope you dont get caught

By Gene

October 12, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Michael Adams and his lackeys are more concerned about appearances than substance. It will be interesting to see if this policy is actually enforced and if it has any effect on graduation rates.

By Cuz's lawn guy

October 12, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

ga dog, I had the secret of showing for the smaller classes that actually took roll. I would wear a cap, hold a pen in my right hand and prop my head with my left hand. I could doze the entire class through looking like I was looking at something. I would wake up everytime I started to fall forward. Of course it helped to sit in the back.

By Willysee

October 12, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

I’m a paying patron of scout.com and their forums.Last night I posted that it may not be in AJ Green’s best interest to play for coach Eason.This morning the post had been deleted.I posted again the caption was ‘what’s in AJ Green’s best interest….will this also be censored ? ‘It was on site for a couple of hours and got 3 responses last time I checked.When I went back to see more responses I was blocked from any access to the forums.Who would want to do that ? It’s supposed to be independent but UGA people are the only ones who I think would be motivated to block it .Is this sort of censorship ok ? I didn’t use any profanity or even suggest another school.

By Cuz's lawn guy

October 12, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Willysee, although I sympathise with you, your right to free speech is not guaranteed in private paying forums. Just like not here. The AJC can decide to ban me and I can do nothing because this site is paid for by them and their advertisers. Free speech is only guaranteed by your own ability to expound it, ie. your own newspaper, phamplet or street corner. Only what you can provide in the public domain. Sorry but dem’s de breaks.

By Cuz's lawn guy

October 12, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Next topic: Free speech versus free safeties.

By AltamahaDawg

October 12, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

willysee, maybe they have a policy against folks trying to interfere with recruiting efforts.

By Willysee

October 13, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

Altamaha That could be it but if so it’s too strict in my opinion.I can see not allowing recruiting but my post was just to say Eason wouldn’t be a coach I’d advise somebody I was mentoring to play for.Anyway I’ll call monday and if they won’t allow me to post I’ll give my money to Rivals.com.They have more postings anyway.

By Chip Towers

October 13, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this

No Ben, it was for student-athletes that enrolled between 1997-2000. They are then given six years to graduate and that’s the graduation rate that you see. That’s why it takes so long to compute. So even though a football player may have signed with Donnan in 2000, he was with Richt from 2001 forward and had until the spring of 2006 (I think, but they may get the summer, too) to earn an undergraduate degree.

By Chip Towers

October 13, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

Willysee: You will never experience the type of censorship you encountered on the scout site or the type they routinely employ at rivals on this blog. If you’ve noticed my only advice here is to “play nice.” As long as there are no slurs or inappropriate commentary, regardless of opinion I won’t have someone banned. I often complain about sophomoric trash-talking and taunting but I don’t ban it. We’re all about free speech here! It’s what our country and, yes, this industry was founded on!

By shane

October 13, 2007 2:46 AM | Link to this

buck,you are right that uga is SUPPOSED to be for the people of ga.dr adams seems to have other ideas.he has stated that a b in an ap course would take precedence over an a in a regular high school course.i have friends whose sons and daughters were denied admission with 3.5 gpas and 1250 sat scores.the kids i am speaking of both went to a highly regarded private school and their fathers were uga alumni.one of these men also did his post grad work at uga and has a son in grad school there.one of these young people went ole miss,graduated on time with no problems,and has become a successful young banker.the young lady is at fsu and doing very well.my point is that both of these young people were qualified,native born georgians that were denied a chance to enter their own state chartered university.yet uga recruits students from other states and other countrys while saying they don’t have”room”for the children of georgia taxpayers.both of my friends continue to contribute to the athleletic department,but say they won’t give a dime to any other fund drives at uga as long as adams is there.adams wants to upgrade academics,that’s fine,but we don’t need another emory!

By shane

October 13, 2007 3:04 AM | Link to this

willysee,thanks for your help,i can tell that you are a real athletic supporter.how about going to the bama site and helping saban for a while?

By Cuz

October 13, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Good one shane, you returned the favor, I just spit coffee reading your post.

See ya after the Dora Explorer game.

By A-Fan

October 13, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

Here is my rub…and the coaches take some of the blame during the recruiting process:

If a “regular” student has a 1300 SAT and 3.65 GPA and is admitted as a Freshman and struggles in the class room…then why in the world would anyone think that “student/athlete” Caleb King was going to succeed…He went to 3 high schools in 4 years (plus summer in Houston TX), apparently squeaked the SAT/ACT, and was an NCAA minimum qualifier at the last second…I say great for him for the effort…but come on, this kid would struggle at the old DeKalb Community College - or - lets take a highly touted senior from Bannekar High School in Atlanta…Darrel Simmons…he currently has a 2.4 core GPA and a 15 ACT, yet has offers from Alabama, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee…do you think this guy succeeds academically at any of these schools…do you want him at your school…what has he done to deserve to go to top University…come on guys, college football is going down the tubes.

By Lee

October 13, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

I guess my favorite tactic is when they take a sub-par student, send him to Hargrave Academy where he plays football for a year, and then transfer him into UGA. Bonus — you can then start him and call him a “true freshman” (remember Danny Ware anyone?)

Maybe a refresher course in Ethics 101 is in order…

I enjoy watching GA football as much as anyone and usually try to get to one or two games during the year. But, one of my pet peeves is the lack of academic integrity in college athletics. Money has almost ruined it (college sports) for me. Too many people making big buck$ means they will take any and all shortcuts to win.

And the sad thing, most of the time, these kids are the real losers…

By A-Fan

October 13, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

And you wonder “how did this happen” when some kid gets into trouble in the classroom/dorm/bar/etc.

We have got to start recruiting integrity!

By catlady

October 13, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

What part of High Time is hard to understand?! Athletes (at UGA, unless it has been recently changed) register for classes BEFORE all other students, including honors students and graduate students. They have tutors, advisors, babysitters, studyhalls, very nice housing, workout facilities, and every kind of help known to humanity. For many of them, their educations are paid for. Why on earth would it be too much to expect class attendance in order to play? If anything, the policy may be too easygoing. If you don’t show up for your job, you are fired. School (we are told) is their job. Treat it as such and let those who are willing to at least physically show up continue on teams; get the others off the team and paying their own way without the athletic department frills and perks. Might learn something that way.

Put us at a disadvantage? In the short term, probably yes. In the long term, no. Too bad we can’t see the forest for the trees.

By catlady

October 13, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

I believe the rule is called the “Deion Sanders Rule”. At least it was at FSU. Sanders didn’t attend class and yet played football and baseball. He was quoted as saying he didn’t need algebra to count his money in the bank.

I cringe hearing many of our players being interviewed on TV. They sound like a down and out Snuffy Smith, or worse.

As to whether attendance should be mandatory for athletes if it isn’t for non-athletes: First, athletes are representing the university. Second, many are not stellar students to start with—how many Hargraves or barely qualifying students are there? Third, the time demands for athletes are tremendous. During class time they need to be focusing on class work. Fourth, do we continue to nurture the misconception many come in with that if you are athletic you have no obligation to anyone but yourself? Fifth, while you cannot guarantee that a student will learn anything, you should make it more difficult for them to avoid learning, especially given the prospects of life after college with no degree and only limited skills.

Georgia supporters, tired of being embarrassed by the increasing worthlessness of their degree (see grade inflation and HOPE), should be DEMANDING this and other measures of accountability for students.

Taxpayers, do you realize that you are subsidizing each and every student at public institutions in Georgia? Each one costs you money directly. Only a small percentage of the cost is paid in tuition and fees; the rest is paid by the taxpayers for each student. Look at the charge to out of state students, who have to pay close to the actual expense of their tuition. Subtract the instate rate. That is how much you are subsidizing each student, real or faux, each semester they attend. Wise up!

By Randy

October 13, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

A game is a series of choices that lead to consequences. Sometimes, while playing a game, you make the right choice and it takes you to the next level. Sometimes you make the wrong choice in the game and you end up with an undesirable consequence. Life is no different than a game - the choices you make will lead to consequences.

These students made choices and they now have to live with the consequences. They knew the rules before hand and chose to ignore them and now have embarrassed themselves, their coach, their team, their school, and obviously by the number of people on this blog, their fans. Rules are rules on the field, on the court and in the classroom (and in life). The rules may not seem fair but they were made for a reason. The lessons learned from this might help these athletes (and others) make better choices in the future now that they have the realization that bad choices lead to bad consequences.

I like the point that Shane made earlier when he said “ an institution is like a person, once a reputation is damaged, you have to work twice as hard to restore it”. That is the case here, the record says that the graduation rate is low so to fix it new rules were put in place. Like them or not, they are there for a reason.

BTW – for all that are complaining about the graduation rates being from years passed, that is called a “lagging indicator” – just in case you missed it in your statistics class. The statistic is based on student / athletes that complete their degree within 6 years. If you can figure out how to better measure the current student / athletes in a way tat it becomes a “leading indicator” then please feel free to communicate it to the NCAA but until then this is the best yardstick that they have to measure the graduation rates.

By catlady

October 13, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Randy, I believe the reason they look at 6 year rates is that the average time to degree completion for full time undergraduates is now over 5 years.

I didn’t intend to just disparage our athletes who are interviewed on TV. Our county sheriffs and heads of emergency management sound almost as bad.

By AltamahaDawg

October 13, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Good article in today’s ABH.

By AltamahaDawg

October 13, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

OpEd I suppose, Kaltefleiter.

By shane

October 13, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

thanks cuz,i need some of the general’s”home remedy”today.i stayed too long at the fair last night,more correctly,this morning.my indicators are lagging,or maybe my a$$ is dragging. “woe be unto thee,thou heathen,when thy mason jar be empty” lamentations of shane 13-7

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

cuz, thanks! I always wondered who that guy on the other side of the classroom was, you lawn guy……. Altahama Dawg, that was a great article and I see Richt and Felton don’t have any problems with the policy so since they have no problem with it, I don’t see where I should. Who knows, this may be the wake up call these players needed. Hope so.

By Willysee

October 13, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Shane What is UGA to you ? a plantation maybe? to use kids regardless of what’s best for them.My point was to call attention to how these receivers potentials are being wasted by poor coaching.If you have a problem with that you have a problem with truth and fairness my friend.

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Anyone notice?….Okla. St. 45-Nebraska -not much………’Pokes now 3-1 on the season.

By A-ville Ranger

October 13, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Willysee There is truth in what you’re saying.MoMass for one came to UGA a confident receiver.By his sophomore season he was a broken wreck.There must be something in the interaction with Eason that is damaging these guys confidence, not to mention they can’t seem to get separation regardless of how fast they are.

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

A-ville Ranger, one thing for sure, we don’t have any pics to speak of. Not scoring any points but who cares as long as we don’t have any TOs. As Bobo said, we’ve played a little conservative trying to avoid bad situations so I would think that people who didn’t and don’t like Stafford should be very happy. I wonder if we’ll see the same offense today? I suspect we will because we don’t want to show the Reptiles anything. Baloney, we should show any and everything we’ve got to give them something to think about.

By A-ville Ranger

October 13, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Buck The first series last week Bobo called 2 or 3 deep routes, the receivers didn’t get seperation and Stafford was off mark.There are so many problems right now it’s hard to blame one thing more than another.The receiver problem is the one that has been with us for years though.

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

A-ville Ranger, you are soooooooooo right. Stafford is 5-10 with two bad passes. Don’t stop now because that’s the only way Stafford and his receivers will learn to work through it game time. We’re ahead so try and pile it on.

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

Did that pass hit Momass in the hands and then he got hit?

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

October 13, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

Well,Well,Well….What a first half. You know I have to give Bobo and Richt credit they came out aggressive and continued to be. Penalty’s and some errant passes didn’t help.

Coach Martinez…PACK YOUR BAGS! Sorry Bubba your time is up.

Soooo aggravated right now I cannot believe this is UGA football!

By MadMerf

October 13, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Vandy has fire, trickeration, and big plays. Dawgs have no fire, missed blocks, and false starts. When is Donnan going to take Quincy out? Sorry, Buck.

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

A-ville Ranger, put new receivers in the game. Theres no excuse for that last long pass not being caught. I’m in a conference call with two other Dawgs and we’re all wondering why not. Have we throw a pass to goodman yet?

By A-ville Ranger

October 13, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

My god…are we really the worst program in the east ?? there are major problems people,coach Richt was so nervous he couldn’d speak coherently.

By MadMerf

October 13, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

I don’t get it. Every time we miss the first field goal, we go flat. EVERY TIME!! Even Knowshon isn’t jumping up to go back to the huddle. Vandy is opening up the playbook, while we look confused and ininspired. Our receivers are getting past the defenders and Stafford underthrows or misfires every time except for the TD.

Now we get to see what kind of coaching staff we have. LSU-KY going to 2nd overtime!

By A-ville Ranger

October 13, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Buck They went to Goodman once in the half.Stafford HAS to throw the lofted passes better.Just like last week the defenders can pull in and defend twenty yards of the field, not worrying about the deep stuff.Richt has to face facts and bring in coaches with strong wills and enough experience to do the job.

By MadMerf

October 13, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!!!!!

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Maybe the “OL” is ready. That was a pretty drive. Don’t baxck off the pass. That’s the only way we’ll work it out.

By A-ville Ranger

October 13, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

Kentucky beat LSU…so who do we know we can beat left on the schedule ??

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Stafford must make that pass. He has enough dropped so he CAN NOT MISS A WIDE OPEN CHANCE LIKE THE LAST PASS. tRY IT AGAIN ON 1ST DOWN.

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

A-VILLE-RANGER, AFTER THOSE LAST TWO PLAYS i DON’T KNOW. MORENO RUNS RIGHT PASS HIS MAN TO BLOCK BAILEY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT. WILL THE DEFENSE MAKE A BIG PLAY?

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

MAD-MERF, IF HE CAN’T WIN THEN DO WHATEVER’S NEEDED BUT SO FAR WHAT WE JUST DID ON 2ND DOWN WAS A BREAK…….sEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR RECEIVERS CATCH .

By Buck in the NW

October 13, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

I’M A HERETIC! WE SHOULD HAVE GONE FOR THAT 4TH DOWN.

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

October 13, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Moreno is a stud! Gooo Dawgs!

By A-ville Ranger

October 13, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

I’ve been saying all week the defense has to force turnovers.They stripped the ball to save the game on their 8.That was the 3rd REAL forced turnover in the game and the 1st REAL forced turnovers of the season.There’s no doubt coach Martinez had them working on it this week.Again if they didn’t go for the ball….we lose tonight.WHEEEW.

By shane

October 14, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

willysee,i have a problem with you being on this blog.it is obvious that you don’t support the dawgs but you did not state what program,if any,that you support.we have fans of other schools post on here all the time,some just want to talk football,some trash talk.either way it doesn’t bother me.smack talk can be given back,it is usually just in fun anyway.but to try to undermine a schools coaches by tampering with their recruits was dirty and underhanded.i hope scout.com and rivals reported you to the ncaa for recruiting violations.i don’t see uga as a plantation,or a farm team for the nfl.it is a place where a kid that is gifted athleticly has a chance to work hard,get a good education,and make something of himself.who do you think you are to try to influence this young man?do you know him?i think not,or you would have written him personally.i would think aj’s parents,coaches,and teachers would be the people to advise him,not a meddling stranger that doesn’t even know him.not to mention the fact that you have no clue about the coaches at uga.coach richt and coach bobo are fine christian men and if i had been blessed with a son i would be proud for him to be in their program.i don’t care that you are ignorant,most of the people on this blog have no clue,but to hide behind a keyboard and try to slander a great program was the act of a coward.in short,i think you are a coward and a hypocrite,and i hope you don’t post here anymore.sir,you make me sick!

By Robert

October 14, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Get ready to laugh. Hey, check out the movie Robell - www.robell.blip.tv. It is super funny and you might break your funnybone!!!! Thanks.

By Robert

October 14, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Get ready to laugh. Hey, check out the movie Robell - www.robell.blip.tv. It is super funny and you might break your funnybone!!!! Thanks.

By bobolink

October 19, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

To huh?: As a professor I take great exception to your treatment of students being graded for attendance. We teach adults not children and part of being an adult is taking responsibility for your education. It sounds like you’re a baby sitter rather than an educator! Perhaps if your calss was more interesting students would come on their on volition. Think it over!