Say It Ain't PO

As mentioned this afternoon, probable All-SEC corner Paul Oliver has decided to leave Georgia and submit his name to the NFL supplemental draft. Oliver evidently didn't feel the need to go to class or study after deciding that he wanted to stay in school back in January because he is academically ineligible for 2007. Oliver entered UGA as an uber-recruit but hadn't really lived up to his hype completely, except against Calvin Johnson. After several good performances last year, I was waiting for Oliver to turn into that dominant big corner that shuts down one side of the field. He was poise to do that, but forgot that you have to go to college to play college football.

Georgia still has a slew of quality corners in Asher Allen, Bryan Evans, ReMarcus Brown, and Prince Miller but they are all young. The Dawgs will also get senior Thomas Flowers back after an injury sidelined him for most of last year. The defensive backfield isn't bare, but no one has the skills or size of Oliver. Georgia needed good coverage next year because their front seven may struggle with pass rush. Plus, Adarius Bowman must be licking his chops thinking of facing a sophomore corner when Okie State visits Athens to open the year.

As a Georgia fan, I have no excuse. No player on any Georgia athletic team should ever, ever be declared academically ineligible. Rankin Smith should be wondering what he gave us $3 million for. We have an entire staff of people to keep them eligible and advise them. While UGA has increased their academic standing considerably in the past 15 years, it isn't Swathmore. Anyone who gets in and gives a damn can get a degree in something. Paul you screwed up and you let your teammates down.