Bacarri Rambo Suspension: Georgia Bulldogs Will Fight Through Rough Times

The Georgia Bulldogs are dealing with some unfortunate events at the moment, but don't think for a second they're toast in the early going of 2012 with star players being forced to sit out. 

In 2011, the biggest praises the Bulldogs received were in regards to their stout defense, which is now facing a big setback thanks to multiple star players getting suspended. 

Cornerback Sanders Commings was the first to be involved with off-the-field troubles. Branden Smith was supposed to start opposite of Commings, but he too had a run in with the law. 

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Commings will be out two games, and Smith will serve at least one suspension. 

Starting senior safety Bacarri Rambo and starting inside linebacker Alec Ogletree are the latest Georgia defenders to be hit with suspensions. 

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, both players will be suspended anywhere from two to four games for violating team rules.  

It has since been reported, by the AJC, that the Rambo failed a drug test and Ogletree most likely did as well. Ogletree is likely to be handed a two-game suspension, but Rambo will be hit with four since he is now a repeat offender.

Rambo intends to appeal, according to the paper, but there's no guarantee it gets reduced. 

Say what you will about Mark Richt and his control over the team during the offseason, but the only thing that folks should be focusing on his how thin the defense, mainly the secondary, will be to start off the season.

Bashing the coaching staff does nothing. The attention needs to be all about the upcoming season, which looked to be very promising. That is, until several top-notch defenders decided not to use their brain. 

It's unfortunate that all of this occurred. College kids are going to do stupid things, which is something fans just need to accept.

For Bulldog Nation, this shouldn't be much of a surprise because offseason incidents have damaged the beginning of the regular season many times in recent years.  

Richt is supposed to address the media soon on this whole fiasco, but to get you through the day, and perhaps the weekend, depending on when Richt speaks up, we will look ahead to the first few weeks of the 2012 season. This ought to make you feel better.

Yes, that's right; I said make you feel better.

Even though the Bulldogs' defense takes a hit in the games against Buffalo, Missouri, Florida Atlantic and possibly Vanderbilt, this Georgia team still has what it takes to win. 

Missing potentially all four of those players against Missouri is the biggest worry among Bulldog Nation at the moment, but there is no need to panic like so many Georgia fans have been doing as of late. 

In the reports by the AJC, athletic director Greg McGarity said it's "up to the head coach’s discretion" in regards to how long Smith will be suspended. 

Given the news about Rambo and Ogletree, it's safe to assume that Smith will only miss the season opener. 

Do you honestly think Richt would purposely bench Smith, knowing now that his defense is already down so many key contributors? 

Would you do it if you were in Richt's shoes? Yeah, I didn't think so. 

The secondary is going to be weak against Missouri, but Damian Swann can use this as a game to make a name for himself, plus Georgia will have the help of Malcolm Mitchell. 

While the Ogletree will be missed in the middle, the Bulldogs have great depth to help in such troubled times. 

Guys like Jarvis Jones, Christian Robinson, Mike Gilliard, Cornelius Washington, Ray Drew, Amarlo Herrera, Garrison Smith, John Jenkins, Abry Jones and Kwame Geathers can all get the job done. 

With consistent pressure on James Franklin—who by the way just had offseason shoulder surgery and will miss the entire spring according to ESPN—Georgia can still shut down the Tigers.

And of course you cannot forget about the Bulldogs' offense. They'll be facing a Missouri team that ranked at No. 61 in the nation in total defense last year, and they're only returning six starters.

Aaron Murray has a very skilled group of wide receivers to work with, and they will make sure to put points on the board against the Tigers. Georgia's offense has a ton of fire power for 2012, and it will step up now that the defense is hurting. 

It may be a road game, but don't count these Bulldogs out just yet. There is plenty of talent on the roster to take care of business. 

Plus, it's only March, so sit back and relax Bulldog Nation. There's a lot of time until the season gets underway. 

Just pray none of the other players get into any trouble as the heat bears on in Athens.