Rumors have been floating around for a day or two that Paul Oliver wasn't going to be eligible to play in the fall due to academic issues. Well, it's official. This is a devastating blow to a defense that had already lost six starters. Well, you could say seven if you count Ray Gant as a starter, then Oliver makes eight starters lost. The depth chart has already been updated and no longer includes Oliver. Bryan Evans and Asher Allen are listed as the starting corners. I'm really hoping Thomas Flowers has fully recovered. We may need him to step up and play some corner. The problem with that is his biggest success has been at punt returner.Focusing on the official release, this seems like an odd comment from Richt.
Of course, he could have made a decision to leave for the draft immediately after his junior season. He was aware there could be risks but he decided to continue in school and get closer to his degree.What are these risks he's talking about? General risks of coming back like getting hurt, or did they know he was going to have a hard time making the grades? If they knew that ahead of time, seems like they would have been all over him with tutors and so forth.
Image from GeorgiaDogs.com.
That seemed odd to me also. From what Richt said, it sounds like they knew he might have a problem making the grades. But it seems like he stuck around because he was so close to graduating. But now what for Oliver? How exactly does the supplemental draft work? Who gets to choose first and so forth, and how much money is Oliver looking at potentially losing had he come out after his junior season?
ReplyDeleteHopefully Flowers can step up and shine on both special teams and defense this year. And maybe Prince Miller can step into certain sets and make some big plays for the Dawgs. Oliver is gonna be a tough player to replace right away without a doubt...`
Duane - Here is how I think the supplemental draft works. Teams will bid on Oliver. Let's say the Vikings bid a 4th round pick, and the Falcons bid a 3rd round pick. The Falcons would then get Oliver, and have to give up a 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft as compensation. What I don't know is if the bidding is like a regular auction where every team knows what other teams are bidding, or if it's like a silent auction.
ReplyDeleteMake sense. And I too don't know if it's an open or silent auction. But you wouldd have to think teams would be clamoring for a guy like Oliver - a projected first rounder in next year's crop of players. Chances are Oliver improved his stock a great deal in the Tech game last year alone.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Oliver was head and shoulders above Tim "The Torch" Jennings, and he went in what round? 4th? 5th? And I know David Irons was a second-day pick in this year's draft. So I could see third or fourth round pick definitely being coughed up for Oliver. He's sure missing out on a good amount of scratch though, eh?
Tim Jennings had a helluva a career at UGA. That's why he went in the 2nd round.
ReplyDeleteThe supplemental draft is a silent, closed bid auction.
He'll be a 2nd or 3rd rounder. And whatever pick the drafting team uses on him...they lose in next year's draft.
The Falcons just signed 2 CBs. I doubt they pursue him; although, he's got the size and cover ability to play Safety or CB.
PWD