As you know, Mark Richt finally made it official. He has suspended Bruce Figgins (TE) for 6 games and Justin Houston (DE) for 2 games for an unspecified violation of team rules. That is typically code for a booze or weed related offense. Tony Wilson has also been medically disqualified to play football going forward due to injuries. He would've been suspended if he were to continue his career.I've seen much hand wringing over whether or not this means all the off season talk about leadership and improved focus is bogus. Guys...it's May 11th and there haven't been any arrests or meaningful trouble, and we're not on the Big Board for the Fulmer Cup in any significant way.
From where I'm sitting, only two players suspended as of today is improvement.
UGA isn't any more lawless or corrupt than any other school. You show me 85 college guys age 18-22, and I'll show you a group with at least two people who are at risk to flunk a drug test. I'd take that bet with any BCS school in any sport just as quickly as I'd take it with any student population on any campus.
I'm not condoning drug use. That's not me. I've never even smoked a cigarette. I'm just saying that two kids pinched this off season doesn't mean the wheels are coming off. If this action is followed by another handful of suspensions, then I'll freak.
I'm glad that we're more aggressive and consistent than some other schools regarding drug / booze related suspensions. I'm just not sure that being quite so transparent about it helps build our brand. The Gator approach of suspensions without telling anyone until after it happens seems to make more sense. Although their lack of commitment to giving the suspension on the "next" game vs. the next easy game would make me uncomfortable as a fan. Where's the disincentive there?
That said....it's an extremely big deal to face Oklahoma State's passing game without Justin Houston bringing pressure from the rush end spot. Losing Figgins is a lesser issue, and losing Wilson isn't an issue to me. Others disagree. Several others actually.
PWD
14 comments:
See David Hale.
http://ugadogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/plenty-of-questions-on-georgias-offense.html
This hurts our offense more than you think.
Thanks Tito. Link now included.
Typo PWD. Justin Houstin (WR)
Houston's is a killer. Figgins' hurts. Wilson is a non-factor other than the fact that he has been bragging so much on his "leadership." Hopefully this helps Houston to get his life in order so that he can use his ability to earn a living. If not, then maybe it can be a turning point for Figgins. Really sad when God blesses folks with talents we will never know and they just don't get it. www.wedgeorgia.com
I'm with you on this one, Paul. I'm much less concerned with losing Figgins and Wilson than I am Houston. If we can rush the QB this year it's going to be a long season. I think we'll be okay at receiver. We have one of the best in the nation in AJ Green. If we can find a couple more guys to take the pressure off of him I think we'll be fine. Still, not something I particularly like hearing at this point in the offseason. If anything, though, I'm glad Coach Richt is committed to nipping these problems in the bud instead of sweeping them under the rug like some coaches do.
If we can't** rush the QB...
fixed the typo.
I am not naive, weed happens (if that is what brought this on) :-) However, it is still quite frustrating. One would hope these guys could keep it together knowing the potential consequences (negative publicity, early morning punishment, game suspensions and black mark come draft day). Also, while I understand your larger meaning regarding only 2 players having been suspended by May that is a bit of a head fake. If not for Wilson being shown the door, that 2 player number grows by 50%. Still not a huge number, but when you consider that the current on-campus roster of scholarship players who would/should be on next years team (approx 65 players – with the incoming freshman not yet on campus), those 3 players represent 4.5% of the team. Any more players between now and summer camp will demonstrate that there has been little or now improvement over last year.
I do agree that the next game suspension demonstrates integrity and commitment to rules, vs the suspension being applied against Citadel, Western Carolina, etc.,
I am extremely concerned about Justin Houston being out for OK State and South Carolina. Bruce Figgins is a great player, but I'm confident in our depth at tight end (aaron white, don't forget about orson charles either). However, we are extremely low on quality DE's.
For some reason, I was feeling really good about the dogs going out to Stillwater and making a statment. I'm not nearly as confident without Houston. How will we get pressure on the quarterback? Someone please reassure me that everything will be ok.
My job deals with drug screening. One thing most pot smokers don't know is that pot stays in your body for at least 3-5 days if you are an occasional user and around 14 days if you are a chronic user. It can store in fat cells and stay as long as 45 days, depending on the weight of the smoker. NOTHING can change this (drinking lots of water, herbals, etc.) no matter what anybody tells you. I don't condone drug use, but if you know you are going to be getting drug tested, pot is the one thing you DEFINITELY want to stay away from because it is so slow to leave the body. My guess is that Figgins probably tested positive for this. UGA Athletic Association policy demands an automatic 50% of games suspension for a positive drug test, if I remember right. I doubt he would still be on the team if he tested positive for any other illicits. It's gotten to the point where pot is just not considered as serious as the other illicits (cocaine, meth, acid, ecstasy, etc.), even by many doctors. Yet, it is still illegal, so a harsh punishment is still in demand by the UGA AA.
As far as Houston, he probably tested positive for alcohol. Alcohol leaves the body in 24 hours, so he would have been popped after drinking the night before. I am guessing he is under age, hence, the two-game suspension.
you people who think we'll shrug off Figgins and Wilson need to look at the depth chart. Unless we're running a wishbone, it's a problem. We don't have the TEs for a power running offense, don't have the WR depth to spread it out. Their loss is a problem, a big one. Even in the rare chance we can stay healthy, we barely have the depth to keep guys fresh and doing what we like offensively, and that is if the freshman all come ready to play now. Health, freshman, limited depth, that's a lot of IFs that need to hold up.
Sanchez - Tony Wilson sucked. He was a speedy FB playing WR. Losing him basially clears space on the sideline and makes the coaches find some other guy who can do the crack back block 1 time this year.
Sorry PWD, I am not buying your spin on this one.
Georgia still has significant discipline problems. Moreso than the other top teams in this conference.
Like Sturdivant's injury last seaon, this latest round hits at the positions we can least afford.
Not sure what else the coaching staff can do about the off-field problems.
This one has to come from the players.
Get on finally Wilson...dude, you only cost us a shot at the National Championship. Hint, Cocks.
AJ, Marlon, Wooten, Charles...BY FAR, the best talent UGA has ever had at WR - WR/TE.
Houstin was/is our sleeper, sleeper on D. Without him the Okkies and Cocks look bad. Our D is worse than last season (which seems impossible). Evans will be toasted.
Richt has the Bobby Bowden, "boooys will be boys" attitude and our THUGS are clearly taking advantage of it.
Can't tackle, can't cover, can't kick, can't run, can't hide Cox for more than 3 games.
Dawgs are looking like a 7 or 8 win team honestly.
wAr WiLlIE, Go Lions.
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