Mettenberger dismissed

The weekend’s biggest news was Mark Richt’s decision to dismiss quarterback Zach Mettenberger. SID Claude Felton made it clear that “there’s not been a new incident that’s come up” since Mettenberger’s arrest six weeks ago. So it’s fair to say that new information has come to Richt’s attention about that incident in Valdosta that took this from a one-game suspension to an outright dismissal. There’s not much else to say besides that the police investigation is still ongoing, so we might learn more if additional charges are ever filed.

What’s interesting is that people are starting to say that this dismissal settles the quarterback derby. I’ve maintained for six weeks that Mettenberger removed himself from consideration as soon as he earned his suspension, but Logan Gray – you know, the guy who started G-Day directing the first team offense – has to be wondering what crime he has to commit to start getting people talking about him. I happen to agree with Barnhart that Murray is the right choice, but writing off Gray so soon is pretty presumptive – especially given the staff’s nature to be deliberative about these kinds of questions.

The man suddenly under the spotlight isn’t Gray or Murray but incoming signee Hutson Mason ($). Mason first popped up on the radar when he was offered a scholarship around the start of December. Mason’s record-setting senior season at Lassiter earned him scholarship offers around the region, but he chose Georgia soon after being offered. Mason’s offer and commitment came at a time when Logan Gray’s switch to wide receiver was considered a strong possibility, so the idea of him starting out as the #3 QB isn’t exactly alien.

Mark Pope leaves for Wake Forest

Mark Pope wasn’t ever your typical operations manager, but Georgia gave him the opportunity to transition from a medical career back into the world of basketball. He’s made the most of that opportunity and will leave Georgia to start his coaching career as an assistant on the new Wake Forest staff. Pope made a quick impact at Georgia, so it’s no surprise that his career is taking off. He’s moving on to a good program in a highly-visible conference. Keep an eye on him. We wish him all the best.

Third Bowman is a charm for Bulldogs

His two brothers went elsewhere, but Georgia received a commitment this weekend from ATH Devin Bowman. He is Georgia’s second commitment of the week and sixth for the class of 2011. Bowman had offers from Clemson, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, and Oklahaoma State as well as strong interest from Alabama where his brother Mike plays.

Bowman was good enough of an all-around player to earn all-region honors on both sides of the ball. He was recruited primarily as a cornerback by Georgia, but his abilities on offense also drew the attention of the Bulldog coaching staff – comparisons with Branden Smith are in almost every article about him.