Georgia Football: Bacarri Rambo Suspension Means Richt Needs to Gain Control

Despite winning the SEC East Championship in 2011, consecutive solid recruiting classes and a 2012 outlook that has put it in the BCS National Championship discussion, the Georgia football program finds itself in turmoil yet again.  

Only this time, it's from within.

Reports surfaced on Wednesday night that starting safety Bacarri Rambo and starting linebacker Alec Ogletree could be facing suspensions of up to four games for violating team rules.

This news comes on the heels of a likely suspension for defensive back Branden Smith for a drug possession arrest, the suspension of three running backs last season for positive drug tests and Rambo's previous suspension for a violation of team rules.

Georgia's drug policy is one of the stronger drug policies in the country. In that regard, the program is doing a lot to control substance abuse among its student-athletes. However, that doesn't change the fact that several players in the football program are getting in trouble with drug-related issues.

At some point, these issues must fall on its leader.  

Tennessee has been going through its own drama with wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers, and Wes Rucker of GVX247.com made a good point about that situation, which also applies to Georgia's current issues.

"

I will mention this, though: If a dog keeps peeing on the floor, eventually you blame the dog's owner.

— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) March 29, 2012"

When do the constant issues fall on Georgia head coach Mark Richt? That time should be now.

Perception is reality in college football. That's true in the method for determining the national champion, and it's true in the case of the players on Georgia's roster. Fair or not, these constant suspensions have scarred the Georgia football program to a point where it's almost beyond repair. 

Richt needs to implement a zero-tolerance policy on top of Georgia's current policy that is, essentially, a "three strikes and you're out" system.

It may seem harsh on the surface, but get below the surface and...it's still harsh.  

That's the point.  

Georgia's current policy is stringent, but as a result, the program is suffering through a public relations nightmare.

Take the option out of it. You test positive, you're gone—period. That will fix the public relations problem, and hopefully scare some athletes clean in the process.