ATHENS, Ga. --- Before Georgia's football team hits the practice field today for its first preseason workout, the Bulldogs already have their first victory.
The reason: players managed to toe the line off the field this offseason. Not a single player is known to have been arrested in the seven months since the Bulldogs' 2008 season came to a close.
"I'm proud of the guys in that regard," head coach Mark Richt said. "I do think that that was a big focal point of our leadership of our team for the players to be more accountable to each other. I think certainly something went right. Those things usually don't happen by accident. I think our guys have done a very good job."
The Bulldogs had 11 players arrested from January to November of 2008. Three of the charges were later dropped.
Still, there have been setbacks this year.
Georgia had three players violate team rules, resulting in suspensions to tight end Bruce Figgins and defensive end Justin Houston. Receiver Tony Wilson, the other player, is no longer on the team.
"(Richt is) not playing about anything off the field. He's taking everything seriously. Last year we had a lot of incidents. This year, it's totally different. He's really tightened down on discipline," defensive end Kiante Tripp said.
Georgia implemented new wrinkles this off-season, including matching up seniors and sophomores and juniors and freshmen in what's called "Brother's Keeper."
"We had attempted it once before," Richt said. "It had, I would say, limited success."
Richt said the team had a big "powwow" after last season, and he asked whether there was any desire to keep the program.
"They said they'd like to continue it and they said they wanted to tweak it a little bit," Richt said.
Quarterback Joe Cox is paired up with backup QB Logan Gray and running back Caleb King. Defensive tackle Jeff Owens is with defensive end Neland Ball.
"He looks up to me," Owens said. "I help him out with stuff, have him over to my house, hang out with him."
For the first time, Richt also introduced a player disciplinary panel, which gives players an opportunity to discuss appropriate punishments for players who violate team rules.
"They have the right to call anybody in for any reason," Richt said.
"They have the right to hear whoever out. They can suggest a discipline for that guy. I have to still have the final say. I can't let them decide whether to let a guy go or suspend a guy for a game."
Richt said no suspensions have come about based on any suggested discipline from players.
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spurrier::::::::::::eat your heart out!!!!!!!!
usc has their own independent lawyer on payroll just to keep the juvies out of jail and on the practice field.