The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Opinions

Alert performance

The UGA Alert system notified students and faculty in a timely manner.

Bravo to the University for its response to the triple murder that occurred in Athens Saturday afternoon alledgedly involving University professor George Zinkhan III.

The shooting occurred shortly after noon at the Athens Community Theater and within two hours, the University had alerted the student body and faculty via its UGA Alert system.

The alert gave a quality description of Zinkhan, his vehicle and instructions if he is seen.

That's exactly what the program was instituted for, following the shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Some will say the alert wasn't sent soon enough.

Yes, the shooting involved a University professor and, yes, it happened less than a mile from campus, but what else should the University be expected to do?

It was not a school day, and it occurred off campus, so the risk to University students and faculty was minimal.

There will always be people complaining about the response from University officials but under the circumstances, we think UGA Alert performed the work it was created to do.

- Michael Fitzpatrick for the editorial board

NFL recognition

Congratulations to the former Bulldogs making their way to the NFL.

Exactly as Mel Kiper Jr. predicted, Matthew Stafford was selected by the Detroit Lions with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft Saturday. Knowshon Moreno found out his fate about an hour later, when the Denver Broncos took him with the 12th selection.

Stafford gets the opportunity to play with veteran Daunte Culpepper, and Denver typically employs a run-heavy offense, so it's likely Moreno will get plenty of touches next season.

Since our school produced the first quarterback and first running back taken in this year's draft, how did we lose three games?

Nos. 7 and 24 were not the only Bulldogs selected this weekend. Mohamed Massaquoi, a second-round pick, is going to Cleveland, Asher Allen is headed to Minnesota, Corvey Irvin was picked by Carolina and Jarius Wynn will be a Green Bay Packer.

This means some big league congratulations are in order for Mark Richt and the Bulldog coaching staff. The football team has consistently produced athletes who excel in the NFL, including stars like Champ Bailey (Denver), Hines Ward (Pittsburgh) and Richard Seymour (New England).

Success by former Bulldogs in the NFL keeps program recognition high and makes positive contributions in the recruiting and revenue departments.

While we're at it, let's toss kudos to the Detroit Lions for making the best of their first pick. We may be biased, but we think Stafford will have a much better career than that pretty boy (Mark Sanchez) from Southern Cal.


- Drew Wheatley for the editorial board

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