So the SEC media daze is here, 900 media credentials given out-are you kidding me?? Yes, I know the SEC IS college football but that is an amazing number to me. I am sure the coaches must HATE this event every year but if you get paid what these guys get paid, you put on your suit, repeat your comments over and over and be as happy/upbeat as you can. Today is Mark Richt's chance to meet and greet the media, he is the dean of SEC coaches so he knows the drill. He is bringing Aaron Murray, Ben Jones, and Brandon Boykin with him. Good choices as those guys are solid players and high character kids as well. I doubt UGA fans will really learn anything unique after today, although there will be much made about Richt being on the hot seat I am sure. I did read that Richt has confirmed Carlton Thomas will indeed be out for the first game of the season. Again, and I have nothing against CT, but I see him only as a situational back. That being said, on a fast track like the dome, he might have been a factor. Of course also still a lot of speculation about Jarvis Jones, I am sure that Richt will be asked about him today. I have read some blogs and have shared my opinion. To me, this guy shouldn't be suspended at all but I guess based on previous history, he very well could get a game or two. The Columbus recreation department officials, who also happen to be involved with the AAU basketball team, they are being investigated obviously. Now, at question appears to be whether Jones can say these officials were, as Seth Emerson said in his blog, familial or long-time acquaintances. Did he instead receive the benefits-in this case plane tickets to LA and back, from someone that he didn't have a long time relationship with and that someone only did so because he was an elite athlete. From what I have read before, Jarvis actually lived a Parks and Rec employee and this is the person that told about the coworkers using the account to pay for his travel. Needless to say, if he does get suspended, I think the fact UGA has 100% cooperated with the NCAA (unlike our state rivals), notified the SEC and NCAA immediately after they learned of this, the way we handled the AJ Green mess, it should help our cause or so I would hope. I could see Jones having to pay the money back and maybe serving a game or two but I also don't know how you can hold a high school kid at time, accountable for what grown men did either. Either way it goes, at least we SHOULD know something well before Boise State.
Speaking of Boise State, it was confirmed yesterday that UGA and Boise will wear Nike Pro combat uniforms at the kickoff classic. UGA players got to see the uniforms yesterday and based on tweets-geez seems everyday I am blogging about tweets, they LOVE them. I say, just win and I don't care what you wear honestly. Too much is made of what uniform a team wears, it generates some excitement with the players and fans but once the ball is kicked off, it is just football. Course UGA has a long standing relationship with Nike and had the chance to wear the pro combat last year but declined. I do think this non conference game is the perfect time to wear a different uniform if you are going to do it. There have been numerious folks do mock ups of what they think the uniform will look like but, only our AD, players and coaches know for sure. We will not have to wait until the Boise game to see them as per AD McGarity, the players will wear them at picture day on August 20th. I am quite sure someone will say, August 20th, I can't wait that long, I am going to snoop around over in Athens and take a picture, sorry but couldn't resist bringing that back up, instant gratification society will not stand to wait a month to see the new look.
Another OL committed for 2012, Chester Brown. This kid had offers from Ga. State, Tenn State, and South Alabama. Not exactly impressive but take into account he had NEVER, until Dawg Night, attended a football camp. He has only played football for 3 years, the kid is 6'5" and 333 in high school. Our coaches watching him up close and personal and in one viewing offered him a spot. That says a lot to me, so regardless of his star rating or offers, I am happy to have him. We need more OL and this kid fills a need. You can also tell he is very excited to get this offer and will not take it for granted, in other words, a kid that is very thankful for this opportunity and plans to make the most of it. I have a feeling that as the recruiting "experts" have a chance to evaluate him more in the coming days, he will get more respect.
Ok, so here is another tweet, this one I read in the Athens paper today-
Aaron Murray says freshman WR Malcom Mitchell "could start for anyone right now. That guy is special." This is VERY good news, because WR has been a real concern of mine for quite a while. I think we have a good one in Tavarres King but, is he ready to be the man? We have a great TE in Orson Charles but will he be taken away by our opposition because they can afford to double him because we don't have other options at WR. Lost in the AJ Green leaving early discussion is just how GREAT a job Kris Durham did last year (and the fact we also had King as our #3 WR). Just like with the Falcons, Roddy White is great but he has never had another WR to help him out (I just can't count Michael Jenkins as much help)-which happens this year with Julio Jones-I was NOT a fan of drafting Julio or AJ, Falcons moving up in the draft but when you look at how that impacts a defense against the Falcons-with Turner at RB, Gonzalez at TE, White at WR and Jones at WR-that is TOUGH to defend. Same for UGA, assuming a RB steps up, if you have King at one WR, Charles at TE, then have another stud at the other WR spot, I suddenly feel much better about our offense. I still have high hopes for Marlon Brown, don't mean to put him down BUT, certainly it is music to my ears to hear that Mitchell is drawing the praise of Aaron Murray.
All for today, hope everyone has a great day. Go Dogs!
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