Tag: Georgia Pro Day

Finebaum: NCAA president Emmert’s handling of cancellations “inexcusable”

Cancellation was always going to be the safe decision, but the NCAA’s lack of communication left conference leaders in the dark.

Last week, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared on The Paul Finebaum Show to disclose that he learned secondhand of NCAA President Mark Emmert’s decision to cancel spring and winter sports amid COVID-19 concerns.

As per Sankey, he learned of the cancellation from a journalist. He received no prior notification from NCAA officials.

Though it was always going to be the safe decision to make, the communication (or lack thereof) related to the NCAA’s cancellation plans left conference leaders in the dark.

Following Sankey’s revelation, Finebaum, in an appearance on Birmingham’s WJOX, let loose on his perceptions of the issue.

“I know this is the wrong time to make absolute statements but I’m going to make one anyway. That moment was the end of the NCAA as we know it. It may have power in existence for some times but that was an existential moment in the history of the NCAA where knowing the commissioners like we do, they are going to band together at some point, when the storm clears, and are going to say, ‘You know what, we’re not going to take that anymore.’”

Finebaum continued regarding the communication breakdown:

“For Mark Emmert, not to have more consultation with the people that feed the system was inexcusable. And what was interesting is we all praised him on Wednesday afternoon, ‘What a great decision to go ahead and announce that there would be no fans (for the 2020 NCAA Tournament)’ and in the moment it did look good, but once again no consultation with anyone.”

The necessary precautions for the general public’s safety never came into question for Finebaum.

“Quit praising him for making the right call…it wasn’t a difficult call.”

He concluded:

“Let’s not give him too much credit or give anyone too much credit. This was this a domino effect, which we all know was caused by the NBA (being the first major American sporting league to suspend play due to coronavirus concerns).”

For other inquiries into how the global health pandemic affects the world of college sports:

Coronavirus forces NCAA to make big decisions regarding eligibility, recruiting

SEC cancels its men’s basketball tournament due to coronavirus

NCAA grants spring season athletes an extra year of eligibility

Will Georgia football cancel G-Day due to coronavirus?

Georgia football Pro Day postponed amid coronavirus outbreak

Georgia football DT using Pro-Day to raise money for cancer research

Georgie defensive tackle Michael Barnett has launched his campaign to raise money for pancreatic cancer, a cause that is close to him due to his uncle’s passing. Barnett, a five-year Bulldog, just wrapped up his last collegiate season and is looking …

Georgie defensive tackle Michael Barnett has launched his campaign to raise money for pancreatic cancer, a cause that is close to him due to his uncle’s passing.

Barnett, a five-year Bulldog, just wrapped up his last collegiate season and is looking forward to beginning his professional career.

Out of Ridgeville, South Carolina, Barnett is a part of a senior class at Georgia that enjoyed 44 wins, which ties for the most ever in the school’s history.

With his platform on the cusp of becoming even larger, Barnett wants to help raise money for a cause that is very important to him.

He is asking that you make a pledge to donate for every bench press rep that he completes at Georgia’s Pro-Day, which is taking place in March.

The money will be going to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, an organization that is dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer on research, clinical initiatives, patient services & advocacy.

Barnett explains his mission in his own words here:

Pancreatic Cancer is known as the world’s toughest cancer. Unfortunately, I’ve had first hand experience with that reality. My uncle recently lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. It was really hard to see what he and our family went through, and I want to do what I can to help make sure others have a fighting chance.

That’s why, in my uncle’s honor, as I take the next step toward achieving my NFL dream, I have made an important decision to use my performance at Georgia’s Pro Day to support Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), and their urgent mission to save lives. PanCAN attacks pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy.

Please join me by making your pledge. Together we can bring hope to the pancreatic cancer community!

To donate, visit Barnett’s page at PledgeIt.org.

USA TODAY ranks top LB’s ahead of NFL Draft: Is Tae Crowder too low?

According to USA TODAY’s Draft Wire, Georgia’s Tae Crowder ranks just inside the top twenty in a list of NFL Draft prospects.

According to USA TODAY’s Draft Wire, Georgia alum Tae Crowder ranks just inside the top twenty in a list of NFL Draft prospects at linebacker.

It is important to note that these are preliminary rankings based entirely upon collegiate performance. Such rankings are subject to change following pre-draft workouts including the NFL Combine and each school’s respective Pro Days.

That said, dear reader, Tae Crowder is an unsung hero and one of my personal favorite Georgia Bulldogs.

It’s partially due to his play, but chiefly because of his backward football background:

Crowder was a last-minute addition to the Dawgs’ 2015 signing class, receiving his scholarship offer the morning before National Signing Day. He hadn’t taken an official visit. He spent no time in personal meetings with Georgia coaches.

Yet, he committed on the spot.

“It was always my dream to play at the University of Georgia,” Crowder told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2015.

This year, he graduates as one of the very last prospects recruited by Mark Richt, who left his post as top Dawg following the 2015 college football season.

As Harris County’s offensive player of the year during his senior season, Crowder came to Athens as a dual receiver and running back.

He was quickly moved to inside linebacker, and, after redshirting his first year in Athens, spent another year fine-tuning his linebacking skills before spending three years starting, recording 122 tackles, and grabbing two takeaways along the way(s).

Does this one ring a bell? It certainly rung the referee’s bell.

Crowder was not invited to the NFL Combine. Only one former Bulldog defender of the ten total was summoned to Indianapolis.

Given his history of adaptation, I think Tae will do just fine.

 

Georgia football safety JR Reed ranks low in USA TODAY draft position rankings

Such rankings are subject to change following pre-draft workouts including the NFL Combine and each school’s respective Pro Days.

The NFL Scouting Combine is less than two weeks away. Ten of the 337 players invited to Indianapolis played their college ball for the University of Georgia, placing the Bulldogs among the best-represented programs in the event.

Though each participant is assuredly honored to be invited, one standout previously projected as the Bulldog’s top defensive prospect is listed lower than previously predicted, ranked as the fourteenth best safety prospect according to USA TODAY’s DraftWire.

J.R., the son of twelve-year NFL veteran Jake Reed, arrived in Athens by way of Tulsa University. The same young man who started every game in his first season on an SEC roster (and every game until his graduation) was regarded as a two-star recruit coming out of high school.

It is important to note that these are preliminary rankings based entirely upon collegiate performance. Such rankings are subject to change following pre-draft workouts including the NFL Combine and each school’s respective Pro Days.

That said, all he did was tally 199 tackles and five interceptions in his three seasons wearing red and black. He somehow managed to record seven tackles in a Rose Bowl win. Those are decent marks for a two-star, I suppose.

J.R. Reed has spent his past three years discrediting doubters. Some may see him as being ranked too low, but it’s doubtful that the man himself is any sort of bothered by it.