And Georgia’s spring from hell -- don’t call it a discipline issue -- rolls on.
Already dealing with a pair of off-the-field issues with cornerbacks Branden Smith and Sanders Commings, Georgia coach Mark Richt has reportedly been given no other option but to suspend two other defenders.
DawgPost.com, UGA’s Scout.com affiliate, writes that linebacker Alec Ogletree and starting safety Bacarri Rambo (pictured) will miss at least two, but as many as four, games at the start of the 2012 season for violation of team rules. The report does not offer any confirmation of the suspensions from the school.
If true, it would be the second time in as many years that Rambo, an All-American who decided to return to Athens for another year, found himself on the sidelines at the beginning of the season. Rambo was suspended for last year’s season-opening game against Boise State for, what else, violating team rules.
Losing the two for any amount of time would be a significant blow to the Georgia secondary, which is already feeling the stress of depth issues in its secondary. Ogletree and Rambo combined for over 100 tackles and 11 takeaways last season.
UPDATED 3/29 @ 10:11 a.m. ET: The Macon Ledger-Enquirer reports that Rambo has been suspended four games this year for a second violation of the team’s drug policy. Ogletree’s suspension is reportedly two games and a result, as stated above, of violating team policy.
Georgia still has not offered any comment on the reports, although Rambo’s high school coach confirmed the suspension status of his former player.
The Ledger-Enquirer adds that Rambo is expected to appeal the ruling.