He's on a boat! (NSFW)

I guess this:

Georgia Kicker Marshall Morgan Arrested for Boating Under the Influence http://t.co/NbgXpCrrKS
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) July 2, 2013

Naturally leads to this:

There is the drinking underage thing, too.
TD

-King of Georgia (Spencer Hall)

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Mark Richt can't recruit thugs as good as Nick Saban can

Of course, that is a joke. But it is hard to read this article from the Alabama student newspaper about one of the instances where football players treated one of their fellow students like [fill in your favorite Notre Dame getting smacked around joke]. I'm glad the kid is ok, but I have to wonder, how much would the national media be all over Athens if you substituted 'East Campus Village' for 'Paty Hall' and the players names were Drew, Rome, Swann, and Burrows?

The charges themselves are pretty serious, but can you image the hue and cry over the thug lifestyle? The message board hysteria over the character issues? Stingtalk?

Can you image the AJC's response?

Of course, it isn't hard to imagine what the student is going (or about to go) through:

“This was just a matter of chance. I’m still gonna love Alabama football. I just want to deal with this case, move on with my life,” Jurgens said. “I just want to get on with my education. I want to continue being happy here. I was happy here before, and I will continue being happy here.”

I'm betting he has heard more than one comment from people who are suggesting the whole thing might be better off if it went away.

Speaking of message boards, I'm pretty sure somewhere on a Georgia board, someone is going to post some asinine comment about how we aught to go after that type of player, because, you know, Saban has won all those championships.

TD

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The Offseason by another name in Tuscaloosa

What mere mortals call the offseason in other college towns, the folks in Alabama call 'Roster Management Season.'

Funny how those things just work out. I'm guessing there is a Mark Richt has lost control of Alabama players' character joke in there somewhere, too.

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Fulmer Cup Season or God, Now I am Depressed b/c it's The Off-season

There is no way around the fact that we are over 230 days until college football is back making our lives full and rich, much the way eating a whole pound of Kobe veal served by Jenn Brown's jeans does.  Now, the Fulmer Cup is active.

The Off-season sucks. I lose weight. I have money. I have whole days on the weekends to do stuff. I don't spend large parts of my week in Sam's Club trying to figure out if it was bourbon or sweet tea vodka we ran out of. I buy both just in case. I eat well. I miss seeing people.

Now, we have the Fulmer Cup to deal with, and Athens' finest haven't gone all Sheriff Justice on the football team in some time. I hate the off-season.

TD

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Montez Robinson dismissed from football team

Montez Robinson, defensive end, was arrested again last night for simple battery. It's his third arrest, and he's now longer with the team. I'm all for second chances, but not third chances.

What a waste of an expansive God given gift.

PWD

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I'm glad SOMEBODY finally got arrested

In 2009, we had the fewest off field football incidents that I can remember in about 15-20 years, and we had a season completely in the toilet. I think it was "scrambledawg" who called last year, "A Dumpster Fire" of a season. (via the DawgVent)

Last time we had a big armed QB in the news for being a dumbass, we finished #2 in the nation. My conclusion? Viva la Mettenboozer. So I say...Let the Good Times Roll!

Which reminds me....We know about The Cherrishinski and The Knowshon Moreshino. What's Zach's signature drink?

Update -- Suggestions so far for Zach's signature cocktail:

From DAve Akins
• Maybe a Mett-hatten or Mett-tropolitan?
  
• There's also Zach's Mambo
  
• Zach's De-Lish
  
• Big Zac(h)'s Morning After

From Walter Geiger of the Barnesville News:
• Mettentini - Grey Goose with a double shot of humility.

Others? I'm currently leaning towards the Mett-hatten.

PWD

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Super, Craptacular Weekend

By way of a recap, here's what happened this weekend:

• The baseball team got pummeled, repeatedly, in a weekend sweep by Florida State. Imagine your worst nightmare as a baseball coach and that's what Perno got this weekend. The staff ace gave up seven earned in four innings, McRee gave up three earned and three walks without recording an out, and Cecil Tanner gave up six earned with six walks. No one outside of Johnathan Taylor on Friday night had any offensive production to note. Maybe it's the type of beating that wakes a team up, but if we play like that in conference play, it's going to be a long and sparsely attended baseball season.
• The basketball team lost one of the worst basketball games you will ever see Saturday. Both UGA and LSU shot under 37% from the field. Neither team scored a field goal for the first five and a half minutes of the game. It was 20-20 at the half. The Dawgs lost their best chance at a road win against one of the worst SEC basketball teams of recent vintage. As I've told PWD, it's literally impossible for us to win a road game. Impossible.
• The top ranked equestrian team even lost to Auburn.
• The carnage wasn't limited to current Bulldogs. John Isner, representing the USA in the Davis Cup in Serbia, lost his two singles matches. The US got beat 3-2. Isner did help get one win. When Mike Bryan got sick, Isner teamed up with Bob Bryan to win in doubles.
• To top it all off, freshman quarterback Zach Mettenberger got arrested for actin' a fool outside a bar in Remerton. Guess that three way QB battle in spring practice just went to a two way race. Just as I am amazed by what otherwise wealthy people will do for a free t-shirt at a basketball game, I am amazed at what a college student will risk for a few beers.

There were a few bright spots. The softball team dominated with a couple of no-nos before conference play starts and the tennis teams won their matches.

Quinton

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UGA QB Zach McLovin Arrested

As you likely know by now, Zach Mettenberger (age 18) was arrested in Remerton, Georgia on multiple misdemeanor charges including (per the AJC):

• Underage consumption/possession of alcohol
  
• disorderly conduct
  
• obstruction
  
• two counts of having fake identification

I'll start by saying that I really don't think this is a big deal. The kid got pinched for drinking on Spring Break. So what? It's a one or two game suspension. The only person he screwed in this deal is himself because it makes it dramatically more difficult for him to win the starting job. In terms of a risk point for UGA...it shouldn't matter much unless Murray gets hurt.

My issues are more with the police report. I mean seriously...who parties in Remerton, Georgia? You're less than 3 hours from the Beach during Spring Break where you can get away with anything short of murder, and you stop for a party in Remerton? That's like driving to Vegas but stopping to gamble in Bullhead City, Nevada. Or going to Carnival in Rio and stopping for beers with Amazonian villagers in a remote hut.

3 hours from freedom. And don't give me that "You're just an elitist Atlanta guy crapping on South Georgia." I've lived in Valdosta, and I sure as hell wouldn't party there OR Remerton.

As for the two fake ids? Come on Zach. That's amateur hour crap. What do you need a second fake ID for?

"Oh, you don't think I look like Admiral McLovin? Maybe, you'll be more comfortable if I were Mohammad Sadar."

Good grief.

PWD

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The UT Basketball Case Gets Even More Weird

Thompson-Boling-Alcatraz (Image: Ross O.)

As we mentioned last week, four Vols were arrested and charged with various weapons, drugs and booze related charges. The intriguing part of the case involves the vehicle in question. It's a rental car purchased from Enterprise Rental Car originally rented in North Knoxville (Clinton Road). The Illinois license plates are irrelevant as it's a rental car.

According to published reports and arrest information, the players apparently admitted that they knew the guns were in the car. Most bizarre...the players say they went to Nashville to pick up the car (not from the rental car company but from another person).

Ok. Here are my questions.
1. Why do you drive 4 hours to borrow a rental car...that you allegedly know has guns in it.

2. If you have a car that can get you to Nashville, why do you need to borrow another car?

3. Why do four people need to drive to Nashville to pick up a rental car from someone? Isn't that a solo operation?

This entire thing stinks to high heaven. In case you are wondering, these four kids combine to average 32.4 points, 14.7 rebounds and 8 assists per game. Said differently, that's 39.8% of their points, 38.9% of their rebounds and 46.5% of their assists per game.

At UGA in this same scenario, they would be looking at mandatory minimum suspensions of 10% of the season for the drugs. In other words, 3 games on the bench (Charlotte, Kansas and Auburn). The weapons charges add a unique level of complexity because of the reported filed off serial numbers. No idea how UGA would deal with that aspect of this. It'll be interesting to watch how this unfolds.

For us to benefit from this in any meaningful way, we need a 6 game suspension. That would carry them through the Jan. 23rd match-up in Athens. Additionally, we could benefit if more bad news came out as Pearl is absolutely kicking our ass when it comes to recruiting in the State of Georgia.

See Also:
-- UT AD: "Tolerance has gone to Zero" - ESPN
-- Bruce Pearl says his team "has a lot of weapons." - SportingNews
-- Investigation centers on rental car owner - Knoxville News
-- Potential Identify of the Car Renter - WBIR
-- The worst case scenario - Maryville News

PWD

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24 Gator Arrests Explained

The amazing thing is the violation to punishment to talent equation on the 24 Gator arrests since Meyer took over in Gainesville. It's not the quantity that blows me away. It's the punishment vs. the severity of the offenses or in other cases the frequency by which the offense seemed to evaporate inside the Gainesville Judicial System.

PWD

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About the football suspensions

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

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Carl Johnson: Top 1% of 1%

The University of Florida's Carl Johnson was arrested for violating a sexual violence restraining order. His former girlfriend had him arrested after he was stalking her when she got off a campus bus. I don't blame her. The last person I would want to follow me off a bus is a 6-6, 330 pound offensive guard with a "sexual violence restraining order" on him. That's the stuff of nightmares. (Image: orlandosentinel.com)

If you think Carl just might have forgotten where he was and is really an innocent college guy, check out the Orlando Sentinel's write up on the allegations that girlfriend makes against Big Carl. She says Carl would "shake me, bite me and hit me" during "play fights." That doesn't sound like a play fight. It sounds like a real fight. She also says Carl's goal in life was to "shoot and kill someone." Those are the mild charges, by the way.

Let this be a lesson, Bulldogs. Gators do things well. When they play fight, they will do anything to play win. They don't just steal your laptop. They steal it and throw it out the window. They don't just steal anyone's credit card. They steal dead people's credit cards. They are intense. They are winners. Georgia players, however, are not. All they can do is violate traffic laws without the proper licensure and cause massive outcries from the AJC and ESPN.

The former Parade All-American should be looking to transfer real quick.

Quinton

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No further disciplinary action taken

The AJC has the update on Bar Brawl 2008. Henson might not be out of the legal woods yet, but it looks like Dowtin and Baldwin are pretty clear. In fact, the AJC reports:

Athens-Clarke County detectives would be seeking a warrant for aggravated assault against the person(s) who injured Baldwin and Dowtin.

Let's get the practice reports rolling!
PWD

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One Dawg Arrested and Two Hospitalized

Is it too much to ask to just be nice?

Preface: The following events don't appear to be related.

Item 1: Long Snapper Jeff Henson was arrested Saturday morning for urinating in public and public intoxication. Richt has suspended the 25 year old indefinitely as this is his second boozy offense.

Note to the Universe: If you're 25 years old, you're about six years past your pissing in downtown Athens and having it just be a boys will be boys weekend. That pretty much makes you a straight up dumb ass. Per the ABH:

According to a police report, an Athens Clarke-County police officer saw Henson urinating on a wall and sidewalk at the Wachovia on the corner of Clayton and College. As the officer approached, Henson began walking up the ramp to the ATM and then another person with him told him to fix his pants because he was "hanging out."

The officer arrested Henson, who appeared very intoxicated, smelled heavily of alcohol and was unsteady, according to the report.

At the time, another male approached and said Henson had just punched him in the face at a bar. The male's left eye was red and swollen, according to the report.

Athletic Department rules call for a 30 percent suspension for a second booze offense. That's four games before the cops sort out the "he punched me" stuff.

Item 2: Michael Lemon (already dismissed from team from prior apparent stupidity), Marcus Dowtin (true freshman linebacker) and Donovan Baldwin ( junior safety) were all allegedly / apparently involved in a bar fight Saturday morning at "The Library" bar on Clayton Street. Per the AJC

Junior safety Donavon Baldwin was suspended indefinitely for his involvement in an unrelated altercation at a bar. Baldwin, who was already serving a one-game suspension because of a DUI arrest in January, was sent to St. Mary's Hospital after getting hit in the head with a beer bottle.

Freshman linebacker Marcus Dowtin also was treated at the hospital for injuries suffered in the same altercation. A release from the UGA sports communication office did not mention any penalties for Dowtin.

Lemon was arrested outside of St. Mary's Hospital for underage possession of alcohol and basically making a complete ass of himself in the hospital parking garage. Why was he at the hospital you ask? Oh...he was hanging out with his former teammates who were getting stitched up after someone opened their heads with beer bottles.

First off, I stand corrected. I thought Lemon had been booted from campus after his dismissal from the team. Hopefully, that will get resolved rather quickly in the near future.

Secondly, are you freaking kidding me with this? According to the police reports at least two other Bulldog players were somehow involved in this bar fight. So far no one has been arrested in conjunction with the fight(s).

Bar fights happen
Just because you're in or around a bar fight doesn't mean it's your fault. My sophomore year in college I roomed with a complete horses ass who was always starting bar fights. I was lucky enough to miss out on his big shows that resulted in jail time, but I saw him and another roommate clean house at Lowrey's (sp?) during nickel night. It was my good luck that I didn't sucked into it. (Note: I'm known across North Georgia for a fighting style The Ancient Samurai call "The Victim.")

Generally speaking, I don't think bar fights (assuming they don't get wildly out of hand) are that big of a deal. What worries me here is the unknown scope of the situation. It'll probably take a few days to find out who else was involved, who started it (if that ever gets sorted out), who is to blame and who else may or may not get arrested.

The bad news...when you're #1, this gets even more attention. The good news...none of the currently identified players future playing time alters the course of the 2008 season.

Bottom line where the hell was Dalton to politely ask the guys to leave?

UPDATE: Rumor is that Richt has just made Downtown Athens off limits to the team pending further notice. If true, it'll probably be confirmed by Sunday afternoon.

PWD

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Urban Meyer brings Mr. AK-47 back to campus

Urban Meyer gives Ronnie Wilson another shot (pun intended). Wilson has been reinstated as a walk-on at Florida. He will play defensive tackle and tail gunner for the Gators.

His initial suspension was caused by firing an AK-47 assault rifle into the air in a parking lot following an altercation with another man April 5, 2007. Wilson pleaded no contest to charges of battery and discharging a firearm in public.

So Ronnie "Delta Force" Wilson gets put back on the Florida team at defensive tackle. As Orson Swindle of EDSBS points out, I guess this pretty much confirms the rumors that Omar Hunter's got back / health problems.

When Orson Swindle invented the Fulmer Cup a separate award was created to "celebrate" individual achievement in complete lawless behavior by a football player. Alabama's Jimmy Johns will likely win it this year for allegedly selling cocaine. In 2007, Florida's Ronnie Wilson won the dubious award.

As Orson said to his fellow Gators today:

Purchase smoke machines and military fatigues immediately. We’re da U now, and will have to live with it.

Indeed. Urban is many things, but a guy in pursuit of the top 1% of 1% is not one of them.

PWd

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Boling's Suspension Reduced to 1 Game

From Georgiadogs.com

ATHENS -- The two-game suspension originally handed Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling has been reduced to one game according to Bulldog head coach Mark Richt.

The reduced penalty came as a result of original charges against Boling being lessened from an alcohol-related offense to reckless driving.

“With the change in the charges and the attitude that Clint has demonstrated I have reevaluated his situation and decided on the one-game suspension as a fair penalty,” said Richt. “Clint has been remorseful and pro-active in handling all his responsibilities in a mature manner with a good attitude. He’s learned a strong lesson that I’m sure will serve him well from here on.”

Boling appeared in all 13 games last season including 11 starts as a true freshman.

PWD

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Clint Boling's DUI Charge Dropped

According to DawgPost.com and the AJC, the DUI charge against Clint Boling was reduced to "reckless driving." Technically this means that Boling is no longer in violation of the University of Georgia's alcohol policy. No word from Richt (yet) when, if or how much of Boling's suspension will be lifted.

According to the AJC:

Alcohol-related convictions are automatic suspensions under the Georgia Athletic Association's conduct code but misdemeanors are left to the coach's discretion, and Richt typically doesn't discipline players for traffic offenses.

I've been away from TV and the cyberwebs all day, but I'm pretty sure Richt was in Bristol, Connecticut for ESPN College Football Live. So he was unavailable for immediate comment. I imagine this will be resolved by midday tomorrow.

(Image: DawgPost.com)

DawgPost says that Boling has already taken care of the community service related punishment associated with his initial charges.

See Also:
-- Richt's Chat with ESPN - David Hale

PWD

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SC's QB (Garcia) to return on Thursday?

To the shock of exactly no one, Stephen Garcia may return to the Gamecock program as early as Thursday. Garcia has been arrested three times. He has never been suspended from a game...only practices.

I used to think the head ball coach had some integrity when it came to the way he ran his program. I guess it's a lot easier to do the right thing when you've got Parade All-Americans at every position and a world of high school talent just down the road from your Gainesville office.

Garcia was a Top 20 quarterback coming out of high school. He is by far the top QB recruit signed by Spurrier during his Gamecock tenure.

To quote a message board post a while back....South Carolina plays its first two games on Thursday nights. That gives Garcia consecutive Fridays and Saturdays to get himself arrested again before the Georgia game.

Stay classy Columbia.

See Also:
-- NY Times Reviews the Coots (ht - gtp)

PWD

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Sweetie, that hair is just too butch

Ever been in a cockpit before? Do you like movies about gladiators? Ever spent any time in a Turkish prison? Ever gone bar hopping with UVA offensive linemen?

Two Virginia offensive linemen including lady killer Captain Sexy himself over on the right were arrested because:

Junior offensive lineman Will Barker and redshirt freshman lineman Dave Roberts were picked up at Club 216 on Water Street at 3:45 Saturday morning. Police say both men admitted to stealing beer from a cooler at the nightclub. Both face larceny charges. Roberts, who is 19 years old, is also charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol and with using a fake ID.

That's not a funny story until you learn that Club 216 is "Charlottesville, Virginia's only gay and lesbian bar and dance club." (Club216.com: This link is exactly what you think it is. So click with caution)

As Orson Swindle points out,

"if you’re going to steal something at a gay club, sweetie, make sure it’s someone’s heart, not a few beers from behind the bar."

Hell...if the big lugs had just worked their money makers on the dance floor, I'm sure they would've gotten the beers for free.

The UVA players caught a huge break in that the place was more discreetly named "Club 216" as opposed to The Lonely Poker, Served Straight, Rods, Swish or The Manhole.

Note: I'm not saying anyone involved in this story is gay. You can find yourself in some weird places at 3:45 in the morning. Regardless, doesn't make it less funny.

See Also::
-- Stealing beer is the least of your problems - TSN
-- UVA Players Arrested - WithLeather (hysterical comments. Profanity)
-- Bend Eauxver - EDSBS on Gay Athletes at LSU (safe for work)
-- Airplane Quotes - IMDB

PWD

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Chip Towers for Journalist of the Year

Towers weighs in on the arrest situation at Georgia with some *badly* needed statistics and context for the increase in arrests on campus. He mathematically proves that UGA football players are just as likely as any student in Athens to get busted doing something wrong.

As if it weren't shocking enough to see the AJC defend the discipline situation at Georgia, we see UGA Police Chief Wiggum Williamson say:

"From my perspective, Mark Richt does a very good job with discipline and so does [men's basketball coach] Dennis Felton," UGA Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said. "They have very structured programs and they talk to their players regularly about the consequences of their actions. They've been great whenever I've had to call to them about a situation.

"The bottom line is 18-, 19-, 20-year-olds don't always make the best decisions. The only difference in an athlete and a regular student is a regular student doesn't get his name in the paper when he messes up."

But wait...there's more. More shocking news. The Athens-Clarke County Cops agree:

"I don't think it's a problem with the athletic program or the football team," said Athens-Clarke County Chief of Police Joseph Lumpkin. "A few individuals made poor decisions and ended up in arrest situations. They're essentially 18- to 22-year olds that live in a fish bowl as athletes. ... We don't like our young people to make poor decisions whether they're athletes, students or non-students. But that period of life is an adventuresome one and sometimes it just gets out of hand. Hopefully they'll learn from it."

The good news: The AJC finally came around with a piece that used the words "arrest" "Georgia" and "don't think it's a problem" in the same article. The bad news, the apocalypse is upon us, and we'll never live to see the football season.

Give Towers the old Strickland beat, and let's get on with the Football Season.

All joking aside, I like Chip's articles.

PWD

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