It never ends, does it?
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UPDATE: Maybe Ealey should hire Spencer Hall as his attorney.
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UPDATE #2: The AJ-C has more details, if you care.
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UPDATE #3: Mark Bradley is disappointed. Color me surprised.
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UPDATE #4: You’ll love this.
Report – source in Athens: UGA coaches knew of Ealey’s suspended license, specifically told him “Do Not Drive!”
I don’t know all the details, but one source from CCPD says he was actually emerging from an alley when the hit and run took place.
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Yes, he was bringing his scooter home from the repair shop through the alley.
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He’s obviously a bright young man…
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The thud you just heard was my heart falling out of my chest.
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Oh… I thought it was Mark Richt’s head beating against a wall in frustration.
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That too.
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Look on the bright side. We’re basically a lock for the Fulmer Cup this year!
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sigh
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Seriously??
While I’ve heard reports of Washaun being “spirited” – this is crap. Very disappointing for Ealey…
Caleb King – please step up and let us not regret Washaun’s poor judgment!
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Senator,
I know we don’t have a lot of details, but what does your gut tell you is going to happen?
I’ll be honest, as soon as I read it, my first thought was, “There goes a 10 win season.”
I think the best we can hope for is a two game suspension, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bigger suspension.
I’m so pissed off right now, I can’t even think straight.
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Well, nobody was hurt and there’s just minor property damage, from what Weiszer reports. The dumb part was leaving the scene.
I doubt it’ll be more than a two-game suspension, unless more stuff comes out about the circumstances.
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Only a misdemeanor. No alcohol involved. Back by Columbia.
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You forgot driving with a suspended license. While not a serious offense, it shows Ealey’s willful disregard for the rule of law. If Richt grows a pair and actually disciplines this kid appropriately, he will be out for half the season. Also, I will have a heart attack out of the shock caused by Richt actually showing some discipline.
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Are you not a Florida fan?
What kind of clown criticizes Richt for never showing discipline when he roots for a team that’s had Spurrier and Meyer as his team’s coach?
Cool story, bro.
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Then you have had recurring heart attacks. Give it a rest. If you think Mark doesn’t give it out why not give Zack a call.
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Please. Your thug linebacker tried to remove his eyeballs last year and was disciplined for the second half of a game that he would likely have not played the second half anyways. One shouldn’t throw stones when they live in a glass house, asshole.
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I’ll give props to Ealey for that event. He showed infinitely more class than either Spikes or Meyer in that situation.
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You mean like completely kicking a kid off a team for doing a little grope and tickle at a bar?
Richt is strict.
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While I agree it was dumb to leave the scene of an accident, the Suspended License charge is not necessarily a “willful disregard for the rule of law”. It is quite easy to get your license suspended nowadays.
In my early twenties, I had mine suspended twice. Once for a lapse in insurance that I never knew about, due to my insurance company cancelling my policy 2 weeks before it was up for renewal because Georgia liability limits increased, adding $20 to my $700 premium. The other one was for a ticket I got and paid for, but was never notified of a suspension till I got pulled over months later. I agree, stupid move in the parking deck, but the other stuff was probably due more to the lack of presence of mind to deal with things in a proper manner.
I admit I have been waiting for the day that we would see Washaun run into some kind of legal issues. I can’t claim to know the kid or his morality, but when I read the headline this morning, I immediately thought it was something really bad.
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You missed the point, my homerific friend. Several of you are suggesting Ealey made a bad decision to leave the scene of the accident. My point is he made a worse decision getting behind the wheel, knowing that his license was suspended. That is willful disregard.
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You must be very proud of these two, then.
Oh, and congrats on Elam’s early progress. It’s good to see that Meyer has a great deal of confidence in the young man’s ability.
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No booze. No one hurt. Dumb decision.
If he’s gone for more than two games, then Richt’s been chugging the Dennisfeltonade.
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+1
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I know it wasn’t in doubt, but we will absolutely crush everyone in the Fulmer Cup after this…
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Hell yeah. We got that locked up! Go DAWGS!!! Woof woof!
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I thought there was an official license checker for the UGA athletic department. If not, why isn’t there? That should be McGarity’s Job #1. Keep these guy’s licenses valid.
Sounds like he panicked because of his license issue, then made matters worse with a poor decision to cover up previous poor decisions.
Not related to this at all, but Parking Services can go to hell. They are assholes of the highest order.
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“Keep the guy’s licenses valid”
Oh, and spoon feed them and wipe their butts and clean their rooms and take their tests, and well, it goes on and on.
Like everyone, I am disappointed, but the players have to have a certain level of personal accountability, and Washaun failed this test. The good news is that it probably is a misdemeanor, and that it wasn’t my truck he hit.
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You also would have won the e-penis measurement contest too . . .
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The athletic department is not their dad – we aren’t in the business of teaching lessons.
Someone should definitely be checking on this and any other outstanding warrants, etc. on a monthly – if not weekly – basis.
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If you still believe that these kids playing for your university have anything to do with college students, you are in serious denial.
What a f*cking moron. Just kick him off the team. He should be jailed for stupidity.
WHY DOESN’T MARK RICHT APPOINT SOMEONE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE TO CHECK ALL OF THESE IDIOTS’ DRIVERS LICENSES? HOW MANY TIMES DO THEY HAVE TO PROVE INCAPABLE OF HANDLING THE MOST MENIAL TASK BEFORE THE COACH REALIZES HE IS DEALING WITH INCOMPETENT CHILDREN?
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Jailed for stupidity? Looking for a cell mate? Why should it be treated as more than it is just because he’s a football player?
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…because the Fulmer Cup is not something to aspire to and Richt needs to get control of his program.
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When I read what goes on in Knoxville and Gainesville with beatings and theft and weapons I just don’t think Richt has lost control of his program. But I guess you’re entitled to your opinion.
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I couldn’t tell you the number of times I’ve literally seen with my own two eyes hit & runs in campus parking decks, parking lots, etc. when I was enrolled. Did the driver of those cars ever stop? No.
So, I don’t understand how he’s behaved any differently from the numerous college students that have done this. The only difference I see is that it makes national headlines when he does it.
Go back to your AB-H blogs and leave sports commentary to those with a modicum of sense.
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IT WAS 3 AM AND HE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE.
How many times are you idiot sheep going to keep defending this boorish behavior?
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I don’t think anyone is arguing against Ealey being punished. But he doesn’t deserve to be tarred-and-feathered over it, either, at least based on what we know right now.
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No, seriously, go back to your AB-H blogs where all the other townies go to complain about the mere existence of UGA athletics.
What he did was dumb. It was a poor decision that was made in a panic over previous poor decisions. He should and will be punished for it. It’s not defending his behavior to leave it at that. It’s taking it too far to make some judgment as to his character, or to say he deserves to be jailed for being stupid, or to say he deserves to be kicked off the team. Being an ass on the internet about a kid you don’t even know… that’s, um, boorish.
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Was he “in a panic” when he decided to drive a car knowing his license was suspended?
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As a solicitor I can tell you a TON of people drive on suspended licenses, which is so stupid because all they have to do to get the charge dismissed is go to the DMV and pay the dang penalty and get their license reinstated!
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I know your response was rhetorical, but he made a mistake… a relatively minor mistake. Come down off your high horse and join us back in reality.
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He’s a Florida fan. He’s not familiar with reality.
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Your a bulldog. You’re not familiar with victory.
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Not saying it’s a major offense, but what kind of moron gets behind the wheel of a borrowed car knowing that his license has been suspended AND crashes into a parked car? I’ll tell you what kind – a COMPLETE moron.
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Do you really have nothing better to do than come talk shit about another team on the Internet? Is your WoW raid taking too long to start up or something? Because no one outside of the UGA program has ever made a stupid decision before *cough Carlos Dunlap cough*
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Why even let them drive?!?! Make ’em leave their cars – and scooters – at home.
Or, let’s start a damned car service!Didn’t Damon have a driver at his disposal? Let’s use him or her to get it going.
Somebody in the Compliance office needs to see if we can do that …
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Not even going to touch the question about Damon “having a driver at his disposal.”
That probably would have helped him out, don’t you think?
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I think you’re on to something Cyn.
He hit a parked car and fled b/c the former AD was creepin on his wife with a girl in A-T-L.
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Seriously, how hard is it to get and keep a valid license? GEEEZE! ComeOn! Every time this happens I tell myself, “well hopefully the other guys see the error and will learn from it.” Apparently not. Please guys. Seriously.
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I really do not see what the big deal is.
Didn’t we all drive around with invalid licenses, smashing into other cars, when we were at UGA?
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At least it wasn’t a Prius.
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Cue the “who hasn’t made a mistake” and “boys will be boys” groups with the conspirarcy theorists of “all cops nationally hate us” folks singing backup. 3:00 AM with classes and football practice the next day? Yeah, he is dedicated.
I realize our arrest incidents on suspended licenses, and having a beer at age 19-20 don’t compare to the serious stuff we see at UF and UT, but not following/respecting rules is a behavior and mindset issue. If Ealey isn’t serious about helping his teammates and this program I don’t think one game is enough. I would rather try to survive without him until he grows up, or leaves. Too many passes being given by fans to people too dumb to realize what the opportunity they have been handed.
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Maybe you should think about co-authoring the inevitable Michael Fitzpatrick article soon to come.
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Speaking of our favorite Red & Black contributor, guess who thinks Richt is on the hot seat
http://www.redandblack.com/2010/08/26/eviction-notice-mark-richt%E2%80%99s-job-stability-is-a-heated-debate-heading-into-the-season/
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Oh Lord.
“He is too loyal to his assistants (see: Martinez, Willie)” I guess firing him means nothing.
And my other favorite “Richt has a bunch of wins to his credit, but little else.” and then proceeds to say “oh yeah 2 BCS wins, but WHATEVER.” Doesn’t even mention SEC titles. This guy must have some deep rooted hatred against Mark Richt.
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Double majored at Georgia, stayed up dicking around until 5 many a night.
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+1000. There were many nights when I had classes or exams the next day that turned into all night parties. To act like being out at 3AM on a weeknight is unusual for a college kid is just reaching, IMHO.
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Your wisdom in this post is equal to your fine taste in Scotch whiskey (for once, I really do mean that seriously).
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I don’t know… some of those Family & Consumer Sciences courses can be HARD.
Not to mention ENTO 2010.
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Fulmer Cup Champions!
Seriously, though, not to downplay how stupid Ealey was being or anything, but … unless there’s something to the story that I’m missing, I don’t see why he should have to miss any more than just the opener. There wasn’t any alcohol involved … only minor property damage … and misdemeanor charges.
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I’ve heard at best this guy is “spirited” but mainly a super self-promoting dche. I guess this confirms it. Gold Impala, 3:19am in a parking deck? I’m floored as to how alcohol wasn’t involved.
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Being arrested for failure to report an traffic incident confirms that he is a super self-promoting douche? Not sure I follow.
He’s a sophomore in college. I’ve been to Waffle House at 3:19 in the morning… and I had to get out of the parking deck to do it. And, it doesn’t matter what he was driving… it wasn’t his anyway.
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He’ll run some bleachers
Sorry, I had to do it. It’s an SEC fan requirement.
[ducks and runs]
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Caleb King, you’ve just been handed a gift. The starting tailback job’s yours by default now, at least until Ealey gets back from his suspension. But, no matter how long or short it is, you’ve finally got a chance to lock the thing down while you’re healthy. Go get ’em, buddy.
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King wasn’t handed a gift, he was named the starter yesterday.
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And it looks he won’t be having to worry about that changing in the first few games, either, is my point.
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Let’s hope he doesn’t fumble it.
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Seth Emerson of the Macon Telegraph reports at http://dawg-extra.blogspot.com/2010/08/ealey-arrested.html that Ealey parked the car and left the deck. That should take care of the suspended license charge, unless he admitted he was coming back into the deck instead of about to drive out of it at the time of the collision. You have to be on a public road to be charged with Driving with a Suspended License. I’m not surprised that the UGA cops don’t know the law. Not that this makes much difference when it comes to Judge Richt’s sentence. I’m hoping for one game, thinking it will be two, and praying it’s no more than that.
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Isn’t a UGA parking deck a public parking deck by the virtue that it’s owned and operated by a public institution though?
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The deck may be public property, but the statute only prohibits driving on a “public highway” while suspended. O.C.G.A. 40-5-121.
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The Red & Black is reporting Ealey is now being held on a bench warrant.
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Most likely for the unpaid tickets that led to his license being suspended in the first place…
I have a friend who can’t go to Alabama (lucky guy) because of the same thing.
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Washaun hits trifecta!
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If the suspended license charge were dropped, should it factor into Richt’s decision? And even if it doesn’t, would the punishment be any less?
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I don’t think it will matter to Richt if the suspended license charge gets dropped on a technicality. Even if the collision happened on Ealey’s way out of the deck, he certainly intended to drive on a public highway. A better question that may affect Richt’s thinking is whether Ealey knew his license was suspended. The new report of a municipal court bench warrant implies to me that Ealey failed to pay or appear in court for a previous traffic violation. That is probably what caused his license to be suspended. It is very possible that he would not have gotten notice of such a suspension. While not showing up for court is additional evidence of his irresponsibility, the same thing happened to Curran last year, and Rennie just paid the ticket and missed no games on team suspension. For precedent team penalties for suspended license, Vance Cuff got one game last year for DWSL and alley-emerging, but that was at 3:00 in the afternoon. I assume hit-and-run is considered worse than alley-emerging, and there is probably a team rule about being out at 3:00 in the morning with class and practice the next day. I still predict 2 games, but it’s probably worth just one.
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Yeah, I suspect 2 games as well. The only silver lining is that the HBC may be suspending even more of his guys for GA-SC.
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I’ll believe that when I see it.
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All they’d need is video of him driving into the deck to prove that he was driving on a public roadway, and I’m pretty sure those decks have surveillance.
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It’s okay. He can play. He’s strictly a deck driver.
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Sigh… When I think an arrest that will make national headlines couldn’t get any dumber, UGA football players continually find a way to surprise me.
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Yes, obviously the genius thing to do now is to lie to the police. Put your head down, take your suspension and GATA when it’s over. That’s the best thing Ealey could do right now.
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Just imagine if he had stolen a pig from the Veterinary Science department and then barbecued it for a party.
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You’ve got to shoot it with a cross bow first.
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I’m not suggesting he lie. I’m only saying that if the police cannot prove he ever left the deck while driving, they cannot charge him with DWSL.
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Plead the “fif,” as it were.
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Yes. This is important because being convicted of DWSL generates a new suspension, pushing farther back the time when he’ll be able to get the license reinstated. Leaving the scene after striking an unattended vehicle does not generate a new suspension.
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I say Richt takes all the players out to the field. Then he can tell everyone what Ealey’s punishment is going to be 1 game or whatever. Then he can tell the rest of the players that because they let one of their own not have a valid lisence they all get to roll up an down the field for an hour.
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I can get with that.
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Aww, crap. More than likely, Richt will do the right thing and suspend Ealey for at least two games.
If this happened at UF, Urban Meyer would only suspend him for the coin toss.
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Or the family dinner the night before the game.
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SC players probably won’t miss the UGA game. Tennessee players can beat a Cop on the street & not miss a game, but Ealey will sit out 2. Yeah, that sounds about right.
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Please. The Knoxville cop apologized for getting in the way of the player’s fist.
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I hope Faloughi at OLB, Tripp at DE, & especially Carlton Thomas at RB are ready to step up. Other than that we are in good shape on the 2 deep chart despite losing a RB that I thought would be as good as Moreno.
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Georgia fans,
Hate to hear about this so close to the season. We all have had to deal with some offseason issues this year. Hopefully, he will be back for the USC game.
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I would love it if someone statistically inclined with some free time could take a look offseason arrests/incidences and compare with the associated season’s in-game penalties. My bet is there’s a strong correlation.
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How about instead of having the effing pool day for the team CMR takes all those idiots to the DMV in lieu of practice.
I just don’t understand how the can be so stupid… repeatedly.
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+100. And it would make for a great Sportscenter package.
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More like SNL package…
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Agreed, though apparently Richt has already done this with our kickers and punters.
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Bad decisions by a sophmore in college. Glad I never made any dumb decisions. Or, maybe I’m glad I didn’t get caught. Or, maybe I’m glad I wasn’t in the public eye. Yep, that’s it and Al Gore had not invented the internet at the time. And computers were on space ships and not in homes.
This stuff has been going on since the first college class and will continue. Just suck it up and move on.
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And just who is our football player’s Huntley Johnson?
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Joe Adler used to do some misdemeanor work before buying bus bench ads so maybe in the spirit of tailback depth, he would be willing…
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Generally players haven’t been suspended for non-alcohol related traffic violations. I realize that leaving the scene aggravates this, but I would not be surprised if there weren’t an internal discipline and he plays Saturday. More than one game though is excessive and frankly irresponsible given the import of the USC game.
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Should the importance of a game influence the length of a suspension?
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Nope, but the punishment should fit the crime.
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The people who decide punishment are the courts not football coaches. Anything that CMR gives him will be in addition to what you or I would get under the same circumstances.
I am not suggesting that punishment be modified because of the USC game; what I am suggesting is that his punishment should not be enhanced because of the USC game. Players heretofore haven’t faced 2 game suspensions for traffic offenses unrelated to alcohol and I don’t think washaun should be the first one to get such a penalty especially in light if the importance of the game.
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+1000
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Do you think there will be video footy of him running out of the jail with his face covered and jumping into a waiting UGA batmobile?
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Washaun’s out of jail…
http://dawg-extra.blogspot.com/2010/08/ealey-out-of-jail.html
I wonder if the team and coaches greeted him when he got out…
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I have a grandson that was caught for DUI & underage drinking. Should I throw him under the bus or try to help him? Ealey’s situation is not that troublesome.
A 1 game suspension & a lot of before dawn running the stadium steps seems appropriate to me. Not getting to run against ULL should help him become a better team player. I think CMR will handle it the best way for the team & for Ealey.
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Athens is a police state. It’s not just the athletes getting arrested up there. I think there whole economy is based on overserving underage kids then arresting them, then bailing them out, then fining them. Rinse Repeat etc.
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There’s probably a reason this guy’s a 21-year old rising true sophomore.
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+1
Was wondering when someone was going to point that out.
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Happens way too often if you ask me.
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Just another dumb kid, nothing more, nothing less. Didn’t hurt anyone, just exercised poor judgement. He’s not Donte Stallworth.
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It has been stated that the driving on a suspended will be dropped because Ealey had not been notified. This is evidently not true. Ealey has been suspended for “at least” one game according to CMR. He will get a copy of the police report Monday. Richt does not usually suspend players for traffic violations so the suspension[s] are probably due to the leaving the scene charge and disregarding the advice of the UGA staff as to not driving. All I hope for is that the coaching staff does not let a fender bender become a distraction to them or the players. Give Ealey his punishment and move on, this is not a federal case. Let the media and the more dumbass fans get distracted, but keep the team focused. I would not let Ealey be a starter untill October even if King is injured and Thomas or Malcom plays the first series. Hell, bring Ealey in after the first snap if you have to, just don’t call him the starter.
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