UGA Football Information Thread for the Upcoming NCAA Football Season

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No. 5 QB sees the field well
Dogs' deLaureal has great view of QB battle

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/13/06 Athens — For his sophomore year, Jonathan deLaureal wanted a spot with a view.
It was the high-rent district. He understood that. He also knew there'd have to be some sacrifices.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

Walk-on Jonathan deLaureal takes a customary pose — watching in the wings as Blake Barnes snaps off a throw.

Ah, but the view. It could be considered the best in Athens.
"From where he is, he can see everything that is going on," Georgia coach Mark Richt said.
See, deLaureal is quarterback No. 5 at Georgia. He's the guy you've never heard of and probably hope you don't hear from. That's not a slight on his talent. It's just that there are these other four guys ahead of him on the depth chart — Joe Tereshinski, Blake Barnes, Joe Cox and Matthew Stafford. All four are on scholarship and the tip of every fan's tongue.
DeLaureal is a walk-on. No name recognition. No glory.
But what he does have is something everybody else wants — an up-close daily look at everything that goes on with the quartet of quarterbacks vying for the starting job.
"He's probably going to know who the starter is before Coach Richt and I do," quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said.
If deLaureal does know, he has suddenly gone mum.
"Watching those four quarterbacks, they all are the best I have ever seen," deLaureal said. "It's neat just to watch them and learn from them every day."
Of course, what everybody wants to learn from deLaureal is who is going to start?
"I'm glad I'm not Coach Richt," he said.
Evidently, deLaureal hasn't seen the new contract Richt just signed.
As for the terms of deLaureal's contract, there aren't any. That's the way it goes with walk-ons. Nothing but a chance is guaranteed. And even that's hard to come by.
"When I first got here, I didn't really understand what walk-ons actually did, what it was like," Barnes said. "Now, seeing them go through practice ... they have to do so much extra. It's brutal."
Brutal or not, deLaureal decided to take his chance after a year of sitting out football. The New Orleans product turned down the opportunity to play at the Division III level and enrolled at Georgia in 2005.
"I went to every home football game," he said.
But it only took one for deLaureal to know he was in the wrong place.
"I missed it," he said. "Just being a part of it."
Spring rolled in and deLaureal rolled by Joe Tereshinski Jr.'s office. Tereshinski Jr., the father of the Bulldogs quarterback, is in charge of the walk-ons. He checked out deLaureal's credentials and asked him to come out.
"Since he has been away from it for a year, he realized that he loves this game and loves the camaraderie and loves to compete," Joe Tereshinski Jr. said. "Then you have got a four-quarterback race going on. It is interesting to see and interesting to be around because everyone is so competitive and everyone's gunning after it so hard.
"When you have got that kind of atmosphere, it makes it fun. It is a great way to learn, too, because we are really emphasizing all the basics and being fundamentally sound."
And it is not as if deLaureal isn't holding up his end of the deal. Richt expects that sometime soon, deLaureal might play a role in this quarterback race. A small one, but a role just the same.
"He is really, really sharp and asks good questions and he will put pressure on the other guys in the [quarterback meeting] room, too," Richt said. "In a little while, we will be able to ask a question, and if those four don't have it, he will have the answer."
It's just that he doesn't have the answer everybody's looking for.
Not just yet, anyway.

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GEORGIA REPORT
Sims finds ways to contribute

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/14/06 Athens — You won't find Antonio Sims listed in the 2006 Georgia media guide. You'll find him on the practice field, however, running, jumping and hitting just like he would be if he were slated to start the Sept. 2 opener against Western Kentucky.
Sims, a sophomore, was suspended by the university for spring semester after his conviction for a DUI in November and failure to address parking violations with the school. He is ineligible to play this season because the suspension left him short of academic credit.
But the rover from Hiram, who once was No. 2 on the depth chart and battling Tra Battle for the starting job, re-enrolled in May and has participated in every voluntary and involuntary workout since.
Despite having no chance of playing this season, Sims said he still feels he has an important role.
"I just look at it one way: My teammates are out here. I love them, and they've got a game to prepare for on Sept. 2," said Sims, out of Hiram High. "I'm going to do my best whether it be on scout team, talking to them, whatever. I consider myself a veteran now, and I have to look at it as I've got to help get these young guys get ready."
Sims has never been able to get out of the box with his Georgia career. Stuck behind Greg Blue and Thomas Davis, he redshirted in 2004. He broke his leg in preseason practices last year, which sidelined him for the season. At the very least, he'll find himself behind three players when he returns to the competition next spring.
"When I come back, the best man's going to play," Sims said. "If I'm the best man, Coach is going to play me. If Donavon Baldwin or Reshad Jones or whoever is the best man, he's going to play them. I'm OK with that. We're all going to get the same chance."
Meanwhile, Sims said he's learned a painful lesson. He said he was "going through a tough time" last fall with the death of his grandmother and not being able to play and "made some dumb decisions."
"I just messed up," he said. "It's a life lesson, and I'm learning my lesson every day. It may be a cruel punishment, probably more than a regular student would get, but you just have to deal with it. I don't hate the school. They have a job to do."
Ward collides with college realities
After tangling with veteran defensive end Charles Johnson in a recent full-contact practice, freshman NaDerris Ward realized he was in a different world.
"I walked away thinking 'That is one strong dude,' " the 6-foot-5, 252-pound Ward said.
Between strength and depth-chart realities, the highly touted tight end from Oakland, Calif., is realizing he might not make it this year.
"It is a big change [from high school]," said Ward, who has been in Athens since July. "I am trying to push myself as much as possible and work myself up and try to get as many reps as possible."
Georgia's tight end spot goes five deep, and Ward's moments in the lineup have been few and far between.
"He is young, makes a lot of mistakes," tight ends coach Dave Johnson said. "He has a lot of talent, but sometimes you just don't know which way he is going to go."
Dogs begin to gear up for scrimmage
The Bulldogs had Sunday off. They will resume practice with the last of the two-a-days Monday, going in full pads this morning. The traditional watermelon cutting will follow. ... Georgia will have only one more full-contact practice on Thursday before the second game-simulation scrimmage, which will be Friday at Sanford Stadium. After that session, coach Mark Richt and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo hope to narrow to two the four-man race for a starting quarterback. ... Fans picture day is Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at Sanford Stadium.

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GEORGIA REPORT
Richt undecided on quarterbacks

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/15/06 Athens — Upon further film review, everything remains the same as far as the pecking order of Georgia quarterbacks goes.
That's what coach Mark Richt told the quarterbacks after evaluating the film of Saturday's scrimmage.
"He wasn't ready to make a decision," freshman Matthew Stafford, one of four competing for the job, said Monday. "[He told us] there is really nothing different, 'just keeping doing what you are doing.'
"He just needs more time to feel comfortable with his decision, and he said he was proud of all of us for sticking in it."
As for Stafford's view from watching the film, he was able to see progress in his game from the last film he watched — the one of Georgia's spring game.
"Back then, Coach [Mike] Bobo had his hand out there for me, helping me out," Stafford said. "I appreciated him helping me get through it. But I know a lot more now, and I feel like I could go out there on my own and be fine. There was nothing being told to me during the scrimmage, just the play and 'You run it how you think it should be run.'
"... I feel like I have learned enough, and I feel confident enough in my ability to go out and run the team. But I think all four [quarterbacks] feel that we are right there, ready to go."
Richt has made it clear he hasn't reached a decision and will not rush one.
"As I am watching it, I am getting frustrated that I can't have a little bit more peace about what is the right thing to do right now," Richt said. "I am usually a pretty patient guy, and I am going to stay patient until I feel certain.
"Right now I am not certain."
Fullback Williams injured again
Fullback Des Williams, who missed all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle, is out again. Williams, who was listed as the co-No. 2 fullback, suffered a meniscus tear and could be out two weeks.
Brannan Southerland is the No. 1 fullback. He was slowed with an ankle injury but was back at practice Monday. Jason Johnson and Danny Ware also could see time at fullback.
Also not practicing Monday morning: offensive lineman Zeb McKinzey (shoulder) and defensive linemen Ray Gant (shoulder) and Marquis Elmore (knee). Linebackers Dannell Ellerbe (shoulder) and Jarvis Jackson (foot) were limited but were in full pads.
Bulldogs go easy on practice days
Georgia has completed its preseason schedule of two-a-days — all three of them.
In 2003, the NCAA mandated teams cut back on two-a-days and implemented rules to make sure two-a-days were not conducted on back-to-back days.
Georgia has more than complied. In fact, Richt will use only 26 or 27 of the allowed 29 practices this preseason. Georgia will practice in the afternoon the rest of the week and is scheduled to have a scrimmage Friday.

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QB race suited to a T

By Mark Bradley | Saturday, August 12, 2006, 11:29 AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mark Bradley

• QB race suited to a T
• Abraham planning to make a difference
• Practice is overrated
• Time and another game slip away
• Trade of Andruw likely eventually

Athens — Joe Tereshinski III has been around Georgia football since birth. His grandfather played here and made second-team All-SEC. His dad played here and won an SEC title and has worked in the program since before Joe T. III was born. Now Joe T. III, who rejected offers to sign with other colleges because, his father says, “They just weren’t Georgia,” is listed as the Bulldogs’ No. 1 quarterback.
Nice homegrown story, right? Well, maybe.
Many on the dispassionate periphery consider his status temporary, the belief being that Joe T. III is merely warming a seat for one (or more) of the three younger quarterbacks. Tereshinski rejects the notion. “I have to consider myself on top,” he says. “It helps with the leadership role, and it helps with my confidence.”
Via his longtime access to the program, Tereshinski has seen quarterback competitions already. He remembers coming to practice with his dad in 1991 — Joe T. III was in grade school — and watching Greg Talley duel Preston Jones and a hot freshman named Eric Zeier, whom Tereshinski would come to regard as “the quote-unquote hero of my generation.”
That said, neither he nor anyone else can cite a precedent to this four-way struggle. Says Mark Richt, who’ll be the ultimate arbiter: “This is the tightest race I’ve been involved with. I’ve seen two guys competing for a job, but not more than two.”
Because Tereshinski is a fifth-year senior and the most seasoned among the other three is a redshirt sophomore, conventional wisdom holds that the current depth chart is more a reflection of seniority than ability. But Joe T. III, having long dreamed of doing as Zeier, with whom Tereshinski played catch after practices, did, isn’t inclined to yield to anyone. Here’s his stance: “I’ve been here four years, and this is my job.”
Says Joe Tereshinski Jr., Georgia’s assistant strength coach and its video coordinator: “I’ve never met a kid who’s happier when he’s competing than Joe T.”
Come Sept. 2, the day Georgia opens against Western Kentucky, Tereshinski figures to be the first quarterback deployed. When in doubt — and clearly Richt is — coaches tend to err on the side of seasoning. But a Bulldogs historian might recall that, even though Zeier didn’t start the first five games of his freshman season, he played so much he was essentially the No. 1 quarterback. And after Zeier engineered a famous victory over sixth-ranked Clemson, he displaced Talley, who was a team captain, as the starter and went on to become the hero of Joe T. III’s generation.
Might such a thing happen again? Would a bad series against South Carolina — or a big relief performance from a younger guy — in Week 2 render Joe T. III a latter-day Talley? “I don’t think it’d be a bad series and out,” he says, “but if you’re making the same mistakes, you could definitely find another guy in for a while.”
Two other bits of history are more in his favor. First, Georgia hasn’t entered a season with a non-Georgian — the three others are from out of state — as its quarterback since James Ray in 1970. And the last fifth-year Bulldogs quarterback to wait his turn wound up being the MVP in the SEC championship game. Is D.J. Shockley’s example a source of inspiration?
“Oh, definitely,” Tereshinski says. “He pushed himself hard and competed every day, and he rallied his team.”
Tereshinski started the Florida game when Shockley was injured last season and didn’t do so badly. (He didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but he caught one.) He did mop-up duty in five other games, and that measure of familiarity with big-time college football could well be the first determinant in this hairbreadth race.
“You’ve got to be able to manage the job,” Tereshinski says, “to set up the team and keep it running.”
A fifth-year senior should be more suited to managerial duty than a freshman or a sophomore, but this is one of those cases where nobody really knows anything. The four quarterbacks have been given no timetable as to when a decision might be made. (Indeed, Richt has joked that Georgia could settle things by letting each play a quarter.) Says Tereshinski: “They’re judging everything, every throw. That’s the reason you have to compete every day. You can’t take an hour off.”
An affable sort, Tereshinski doesn’t flinch when asked to rate the other quarterbacks’ assets. He says Joe Cox has “a very strong arm” and that Matthew Stafford “loves the game. … He can tell you what any player throughout history has done” and that Blake Barnes “gives everything he has.” And the Tereshinski guy?
He smiles. “I’m more of a pocket passer,” he says. “I’ve got some experience under my belt. I’m the most physical of the guys. I might be able to stand in a little longer and make a throw.”
Joe T. III has waited all his life for this moment to arrive, and he doesn’t foresee himself wilting under the heat, figurative or literal. Being the first name on the depth chart, he says, means “I have to be on point every day. If I’m No. 1, I have to maintain the lead. … I have to keep a lot of pressure on myself just because I’m up there.” Then again, being No. 1 “might add a little pressure.”
And that makes sense. The other three will have other years. For Joe Tereshinski III, a Bulldog born and bred, there’s only this one.
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Updated Wednesday, August 16 at 2:11 AM

Richt's Bulldogs fall flat in two-hour practice by The Associated Press ATHENS - Coach Mark Richt said his players ``ran out of gas'' during a two-hour practice Tuesday on the last practice before fall semester Wednesday. Beginning Wednesday, Georgia will move to daily afternoon practices. Richt said Tuesday's practice began well before exhaustion set in. ``I guess that's pretty understandable,'' Richt said. ``Not that camp is as tough as it used to be, but we've been pushing them. We've been taking up just about every minute of their time.'' Richt said junior receiver A.J. Bryant ``I think (the quarterbacks) are gaining confidence by leaps and bounds in every (receiver) out there right now,'' Mark Richt made two ``tough catches'' Tuesday. ``I think (the quarterbacks) are gaining confidence by leaps and bounds in every (receiver) out there right now,'' Richt said. ``We're just getting better, but I still say if you ask each quarterback which guy they thought would have the best chance of catching a ball it would be Mohamed (Massaquoi).'' Massaquoi had 38 catches as a freshman last season. (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

©Copyright 2006 AccessNorthGa.com / WDUN News/Talk 550.

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GEORGIA REPORT
Linebackers must learn to be flexible

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/16/06 Athens — Georgia linebackers coach John Jancek knows with whom he has to work. He just isn't sure where they'll do their work.
Right now Brandon Miller is on the strong side, Jarvis Jackson is in the middle and Tony Taylor is on the weak side. But things could change.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

Linebacker Brandon Miller (12) is a starter on the strong side.

"I keep referring to last season as an example," Jancek said. "If we didn't have that flexibility to move guys around, I don't know what we would have done."
Taylor played the middle when healthy last year. Jackson started in the middle four times and at weak side six times. Danny Verdun Wheeler started on the strong side three times, the weak six.
"I think that you have got to keep guys in one spot, but you have to be able to cross-train them," Jancek said.
To that end, Miller has been flopping around for a few days.
"Brandon will primarily be a strong-side [linebacker]," Jancek said. "But we have been trying to cross-train him for the weak side, and he has had quite a few reps at that."
Wherever the players are, they hope to be in better position than they were against West Virginia in January's Sugar Bowl. The Mountaineers ran for 382 yards against Georgia.
"All those linebackers run pretty well," Jancek said. "They are taller, rangier-type kids and they seem to move around pretty good back there. We can have pretty good speed back there."
Richts find time to cheer for Shockley
The Richt family made a group call Friday night, then let out a group cheer.
The recipient of both was former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley.
"After [the Falcons] kicked a field goal, I called [Shockley's] phone and my family at the house, everybody cheered," Mark Richt said of the game-winning drive engineered by Shockley in Friday's exhibition game win over the Patriots. "He called me back and said he wasn't nervous.
"He felt like it was home sweet home being in the [Georgia] Dome. He really felt like he had been there so many times, that really helped him."
Richt said about his feelings: "I was living and dying with every play. I just wanted him to get them in field goal range so badly."
Freshman Wilson bruises shoulder
Freshman Tony Wilson left Tuesday's practice with a shoulder bruise. Wilson was returning kicks at the time.
Uga to be highlight of picture day
Georgia's picture day is set for Saturday at Sanford Stadium. Players and coaches will be on hand for photographs and autographs from 3-5 p.m. Uga VI will be available from 1-3 p.m. on the 200 level, near Section 213. Fans may bring in just one item to be signed.

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Dogs' Johnson may burst into spotlight
Hawkinsville's Johnson is the 'other' defensive end - for now

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/16/06 Athens — Among his teammates, Quentin Moses is known for being modest and unassuming. But the All-America candidate swears he's not just being humble when he says Charles Johnson "is a better defensive end than I am."
"A lot of people are focused on me and I'm getting a lot of attention nationally," said Moses, an All-SEC senior who ranks sixth on Georgia's all-time sacks list. "I may have better statistics, but if you came out here and watched practice every day, you'd know he's better and can be even more productive than I've been."

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

His high school coach calls Charles Johnson 'one of those freaks of nature' for his unique blend of athletic ability.

Phil Skinner / AJC (ENLARGE)

Georgia defensive end Charles Johnson (left) delivers a big hit against Mississippi State quarterback Omarr Conner last season.

Johnson scoffs at the notion.
"I don't buy it. He can't say that," said Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound junior from Hawkinsville. "I haven't even started a game. I'm just out here working hard and trying to help the team. I'm still trying to get my name known."
Moses again: "By the third, fourth or fifth game of the season, I'm pretty sure everybody will know who Charles Johnson is."
Among Georgia fans at least, Johnson is already fairly well known. While he's never started a game for the Bulldogs — he was behind Moses and David Pollack as a freshman and Moses and Will Thompson as a sophomore — he has had an impact in several.
It was in the first half of last season that Johnson started to command attention. He notched two sacks against South Carolina, recovered a fumble for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe and got a sack and a fumble recovery on the same play against Tennessee. Pretty much every column was filled when the 2005 final statistics were compiled: 23 tackles, four sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, one fumble caused, two fumbles recovered, two passes batted down, 28 quarterback pressures — as a backup.
"Teams aren't going to be able to focus just on me or send two blockers at me," Moses said. "If they do, Charles is going to be making some plays because I don't think there's anyone anywhere who can block him one on one."
That's the thing that has Georgia coaches and players excited. Like a certain defensive end now playing linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, Johnson has a knack for the big play.
"You see that potential," defensive ends coach Jon Fabris said of comparisons to Pollack. "It's not like Charles hasn't made a lot of plays already, but he's steadily become a better defensive end. Whether it's physical maturity or regular maturity, whatever it might be, the light bulb has come on and now it stays on for a little bit longer."
It was just a matter of time, said the man who knows Johnson best.
Lee Campbell coached Johnson at Hawkinsville High, which is located directly across Unadilla Highway from the apartment complex where Johnson lives with his mother in the small town of 3,280 just south of Macon. Campbell said Johnson spent nearly as much time in the Hap Jones Fieldhouse as he did at home from the eighth grade on.
"He was here every time the doors opened," Campbell said. "He lettered in football, basketball, track and, get this, tennis. And he was good, too. I've never seen an athlete like him."
Campbell calls Johnson "one of those freaks of nature" who has the unusual combination of size, speed, power and agility. Campbell had more than a little fun with that while Johnson was wearing Hawkinsville colors.
On defense, he usually played Johnson on the defensive line or at linebacker. But on offense, Johnson always played a skill position — running back, tight end or wide receiver. During his high school career, Johnson had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and also scored on an 83-yard interception return, Campbell said.
Johnson led the Red Devils to a 12-2 record as a junior and a 15-0 mark and the Class A state championship as a senior. It remains his proudest accomplishment.
"I want people to know I'm from Hawkinsville," Johnson said. "It's a small town where everybody knows each other and everybody loves each other. I have a lot of people supporting me there and I love that. I'm grateful for that."
If he lives up to his potential, Georgia is going to be grateful Johnson was in Athens, too.
"The things I've seen can only help me," Johnson said. "When you see guys like Pollack and 'Q' [Moses] making big plays, that will motivate you. You look up to guys like that, guys who work hard and do this and do that to make themselves better.
"That's what drives me, to be like them."

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Georgia searches for big-play threats

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/17/06 Athens — For months, Georgia has been searching for the one quarterback who can consistently get the ball into the hands of the playmakers.
While they're at it, the Bulldogs might want to search for a few of those playmakers as well.
Sure, the dependable Mohamed Massaquoi is back at wide receiver. But the sophomore, whose longest catch last season went for 33 yards, doesn't frighten SEC defensive coordinators as a go-the-distance threat the same way South Carolina's Sidney Rice or Arkansas' Darren McFadden do.
Those two can touch it and go. Georgia looks as if it might be more move-the-chains methodical as opposed to a go-for-the-jugular juggernaut.
Of course, good offenses have a little of both. Take last year, when Georgia had nine touchdowns of 31 yards or longer and 27 scoring drives of 51 yards or more. It could jab and uppercut.
But D.J. Shockley, the top playmaker, is gone. So are tight end Leonard Pope and wide receivers Bryan McClendon and Sean Bailey (knee injury). The latter three were among the team's top four receivers and had three of the five longest catches.
Shockley was the catalyst for it all, accounting for 242.5 yards a game and 28 of the Bulldogs' 42 offensive touchdowns. Bailey, Pope and McClendon had a combined 14 touchdowns.
"We did lose a lot of big-play guys, with the tight end and the quarterback being two of them," Georgia quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said. "We got Massaquoi back and I really believe these young receivers are coming on."
"As a group, I think our receiving corps has really done a great job of not only catching the ball but catching the ball in traffic," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "I have seen more bravery this camp than I have seen in five years."
But coaches know everything could be different when the season starts. The last time the Bulldogs worked out in front of a crowd — at the G-Day spring game — there were several missed chances, interceptions and drops. The only big play — a 64-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford to Mikey Henderson — happened on a busted coverage.
Henderson, a converted defensive back, has been pegged as a possible playmaker. He's not big (5 feet 10) or experienced (zero career catches). But what he brings is the combination of fleet feet and fearlessness.
"He has made big play after big play," Bobo said. "We have just got to keep that guy healthy. He has big-play ability."
"When he is in that slot, I don't think there are too many safeties or linebackers that are going to stick with him one on one," Bulldogs running back Thomas Brown added.
Brown could be another player who makes the kind of plays that bring fans to their feet and opponents to their knees. The junior tailback, who ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run against West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl, has worked this offseason to turn himself into a breakaway threat.
"I have gone back and studied my film from a couple years and have been trying to work on the little things that make a big difference," Brown said.
Like those oh-so-close plays when there was just one man to beat — and Brown got beat.
"[Breaking tackles] wasn't a physical thing with me," Brown said. "It was more of a mind thing and I needed to keep my mind focused and do the little things that pay the big dividends."
There's hope in Athens that a new playmaker could emerge, be it Henderson, Kenneth Harris, Demiko Goodman, A.J. Bryant or someone else. And if not, some more prospects are on the way. Last week, the Bulldogs landed a commitment from Tift County speedster Israel Troupe, the top-rated wide receiver in Georgia.
That commitment, said Scout.com recruiting analyst Scott Kennedy, is a signal that high-quality talent will soon start to stockpile at receiver for Georgia.


HE ... COULD ... GO ...
Georgia might not be stocked with them, but there are playmakers aplenty in the SEC. Some of the best:
• Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas. Hits the hole hard and has speed to outrun secondaries, as he proved during his 11-TD rookie year.
• Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida (below). Gators fans hope a broken leg suffered last season won't take away his big-play ability.
• Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn. Reigning SEC rushing champion from Dacula had touchdown sprints of 74 and 68 yards last season.
• Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina. Proven downfield threat — average catch in '05: 16.3 yards — can also go over the middle.

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GEORGIA REPORT
Freshman Moreno off to a fast start

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/17/06 Athens — Few Georgia freshmen have made more of an impression than Knowshon Moreno.
"He's making a splash," coach Mark Richt said.
But the New Jersey native has not turned the depth chart upside down, largely because of what's in front of him. Three juniors — Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware — have all proven themselves in game action. And it's been obvious Brown has stepped it up this offseason in an effort to get even more carries.
It is into that setting Moreno has been thrown. So far, so good.
"He is a high-energy guy that has come in with a really great focus," Richt said. "He hasn't been intimidated at all. He understands how important it is to block. He has taken that real seriously. That is a process. The first part of the process is to figure out that it is really important to do. Some guys think they are running specialists. But he understands how important that is."
Richt isn't ready to say whether Moreno will redshirt this season.
"It's really tough to jump three veterans who know what they are doing," he said.
Complement needed to go with Massaquoi
The hands of the wide receivers have improved since last season. At least that's what Richt continues to tell the media.
"I don't think the [quarterbacks] just look to Mohamed [Massaquoi]," Richt said, referring to the team's top returning receiver. "They are gaining confidence really in leaps and bounds in every guy out there."
But when push comes to shove and a pass must be caught ...
"If you would ask each quarterback the guy they would have the greatest chance of [catching] every ball thrown to him, they would say Mohamed," Richt said.
Hargrave's roster dotted with Dogs
Virginia's Hargrave Military Academy has released its 2006 roster and three linemen who had intentions of being at Georgia are on it: Clifton Geathers, Justin Anderson and Ben Harden.
Anderson and Harden signed with Georgia but did not qualify academically. Geathers never signed with the Bulldogs but had given them a commitment.
Also at Hargrave: Auburn signee Chris Slaughter, who joined Anderson and Geathers on the AJC's Super Southern 100 team.
Players take day off as school begins
After his team worked out 10 of the past 11 days, Richt called off practice Wednesday to allow players to get acclimated to the first day of school.
"Hopefully, this will give them a little juice," Richt said. "They looked a little tired, a little ragged. The first day of school is always tough and a bit of an adjustment, so we decided to meet with them for a couple of hours and just let them go."
Georgia will have its second full scrimmage Friday.

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Richt gives WRs a hand

Football notebook

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Mark Richt singled out receiver A.J. Bryant, above, for making "a couple of beautiful, tough catches in a row."
File/Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:09 AM on Wednesday, August 16, 2006
What a difference a dozen preseason practices made for Georgia's wide receivers.
Two weeks after Mark Richt panned the unit at a Bulldog Club meeting in Atlanta, they received high praise from their coach.
Richt used the receivers as a punch line before practices began, talking about a spring strength and conditioning contest between the football team and Georgia's national champion gymnastics squad.
"We did a pass catching contest," Richt said at the meeting. "The thing that shocked me the most was our receivers actually won that day."

The line got plenty of laughs. Richt saw things differently Monday night, when Georgia finished two-a-days.
"I think our receiving corps has really done a great job this camp, not only catching the ball, but catching the ball in traffic," Richt said. "I think I've seen more bravery this camp than I've seen in five years. Hopefully that's a habit they'll continue on with after I brag about them."
It apparently continued in Tuesday's two-hour practice. Richt said receiver A.J. Bryant "made a couple of beautiful, tough catches in a row."
Wide receivers coach John Eason also was pleased, even if his unit was missing a handful of players.
"I thought (Tuesday) was an outstanding day for them," Eason said. "I don't usually use that word too much, but there were only five of them going, and it was a long, grueling practice and they had to go quite a bit."
Junior Mikey Henderson sat out with a sore hamstring but said he would return today and redshirt freshman Michael Moore also was held out with a hamstring injury. Freshman receiver Tony Wilson sustained a bruised shoulder and could be out a couple of days, Richt said.
Receivers T.J. Gartrell and Sean Bailey are already out with season ending knee injuries.
Holtz sees 'big drop off' for Georgia
Former South Carolina coach Lou Holtz isn't bullish on the Bulldogs this season. During an appearance on the "Colin Cowherd Show" on ESPN Radio on Monday, he cited the loss of the Bulldogs' starting quarterback from last year as the concern, but fumbled D.J. Shockley's name.
"I believe Georgia is going to drop off," Holtz said. "I love Mark Richt and what he's done there, but last year Stokely (sic) put that team on their back and carried it. They don't have Stokely (sic). I think there's going to be a big drop off on the University of Georgia."
Georgia isn't getting much preseason love from the folks at "SportsCenter," either. The Bulldogs are not ranked in their mock preseason championship series top 15.
Sports Illustrated has a different take. It has Georgia 11th in its preseason ranking.

Velasco still learning about playing center
With backup center Ian Smith suspended for two games, coaches had hoped starting guard Fernando Velasco would be able to fill in as the emergency center behind Nick Jones.
Velasco apparently has a ways to go.
"He's got to get serious about the snapping part of it because I think he sees it as 'It's not going to happen,' " Richt said. "If it does happen, I don't want him to be shocked. I want him to be ready."
Richt said freshman Kevin Perez could still fill that backup role if Velasco doesn't show improvement.
Jones also has had some issues with shotgun snaps, Richt said.
This and that
Junior tailbacks Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware combined for 1,563 yards last season, but Richt said freshman tailback Knowshon Moreno "is really making a splash, but it is tough to jump three veterans that are outstanding players that know what they're doing." ... Middle linebacker Jarvis Jackson (foot) returned to practice. Strongside linebacker Brandon Miller lined up during warm-ups as the backup weakside linebacker behind Tony Taylor, and Danny Verdun Wheeler was backed up by walk-on Chris Gaunder because Darius Dewberry is out with a pulled muscle. "We're going to keep shaking the lineup up, practice by practice, and just continue to develop depth and some guys at different positions," linebackers coach John Jancek said. ... Defensive tackles Ray Gant (shoulder) and Marquis Elmore (knee), fullback Des Williams (knee), defensive end Jeremy Lomax (groin) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (shoulder) did not practice.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 081606

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Dogs' Brown lifts his game to higher level
Tailback has strong offseason

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/18/06 Athens — By now, most Georgia fans have heard about the eye-popping numbers Thomas Brown put up in the weight room this summer.
His 470-pound bench press, 610-pound squat and 347-pound power-clean lift all set records for Georgia running backs. And his 7.52 power index score — total pounds lifted divided by Brown's weight (190) — is a school record for all players, making Brown, pound for pound, the strongest player the Bulldogs have ever had.

Bita Honarvar / AJC (ENLARGE)

Georgia junior running back Thomas Brown hopes his offseason regimen helps him produce some long runs this season.

But those aren't the numbers the junior is bent on improving upon this season. He's looking to "hit more home runs."
If there has been any criticism of Brown — and there's been very little to date — it's that he hasn't ripped off many long runs.
"I completely agree with that," said Brown, Georgia's leading rusher the past two seasons and undisputed starter at tailback this season. "I haven't done the best job my first two years of making safeties miss. I think a lot of that had to do with me just wanting to prove myself too much and run everybody over just to prove a point. I'm getting away from that and getting back to basics. I'm trying to make a conscious effort of getting by the safety this year."
In his first two seasons, Brown's longest runs from scrimmage were 46 yards in 2004 and 52 yards in 2005, the latter of which went for a touchdown against West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl. Brown's next-longest scoring runs were for 29 yards in 2004 and 18 last season.
Just for the sake of comparison, Herschel Walker had five scoring runs of 60 or more yards his freshman season.
It's not like Brown hasn't had opportunities. Off the top of his head, he can cite chances in games against Boise State, South Carolina, Arkansas and Florida last season.
"I've had so many nights where I sat in my bed and thought about the times I had those opportunities," Brown said. "I've gone back and watched the film over and over again. I remember them like it was yesterday. The line and wide receivers have given me plenty of chances."
Which brings us back to Brown's weight-room conquests. He became downright obsessive about improving after last season. He attacked Georgia's offseason conditioning program like an ant on a chicken bone.
"Thomas just has a mean attitude — very tough, very determined, very competitive," Georgia strength and conditioning coordinator Dave Van Halanger said. "He hates to lose at anything. I think it goes back to his size. I think he probably got tired of people saying he was too small. He just decided, 'I might not be the biggest, but I'll be the strongest and the toughest.' "
To put Brown's 470-pound bench in perspective, that's only 45.8 pounds shy of the world record for his weight division, set last month by Stephen Judah. And it's within 21 pounds of the American collegiate record.
So, how does Brown do it?
In addition to having some special genetic gifts, he said he dedicated himself to getting his body into pristine physical condition for this season.
He met with a UGA nutritionist in the spring to design an optimum diet for training. He also did a lot of running and swears he's faster than he was last season when he played at 10 fewer pounds.
Others will vouch for him.
"You can see it on film," quarterback Joe Tereshinski said. "He's gotten a lot faster. The dedication he puts forth to getting better is just unbelievable. He's probably improved twice as much as he did his first two years."
And those home runs? Everybody seems to agree it's just a matter of time before Brown leaves safeties in his dust.
"He has that in him," running backs coach Tony Ball said. "That's all I'm going to say about that."
"Oh, definitely," Tereshinski added. "... He's going to bust through there and take it all the way."

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Updated Thursday, August 17 at 10:35 PM

Georgia's second scrimmage could determine QB race

ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia's quarterback race will be in the spotlight when the team holds its second preseason scrimmage Friday at Sanford Stadium, and coach Mark Richt says he'll pick his starter by Sunday.

Joe Tereshinski, Blake Barnes, Joe Cox and Matthew Stafford will receive the same amount of work, according to Richt and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo.

``It's big,'' Richt said of the scrimmage. ``We're not going to base it off just one day. Coach Bobo and I have our suspicions as to which way it will go, but it's not nailed down. It's a big

" We'll be able to say who's starting and who's likely to get the next opportunity to play.''
Mark RIcht

day because it's very close.

``By Sunday, we'll know and we'll get it going on Monday. We'll be able to say who's starting and who's likely to get the next opportunity to play.''

Richt said he wants the competitions at all positions to continue after he names starters.

``We have some starting jobs up for grabs, but there's also playing time up for grabs,'' Richt said. ``We'll use more than one guy at a lot of positions, so even though someone's not starting he may be looking at a 50-50 or 60-40 playing time situation. We want those guys looking to play 30 to 50 percent of the game and show us that they deserve more.''

Georgia held a special teams scrimmage Thursday at the stadium.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ha....asp?ID=106142

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GEORGIA REPORT
Richt says QB decision imminent

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/18/06 Athens — Somebody sound the trumpets.
After months of anticipation, debate and competition, Georgia should have a starting quarterback by the end of the weekend, coach Mark Richt said Thursday night.
As for the four players competing for the job, there are still a few breath-holding hours left. Friday's scrimmage presents what appears to be the last chance to pass or fail for Joe Tereshinski, Blake Barnes, Joe Cox and Matthew Stafford.
"This is what it all comes down to, it seems like, because they have got to start making decisions," Tereshinski said. "It is time to start preparing for that first game."
It seems somebody already has taken the lead. Since the first week of camp, Richt said he has had his "suspicions" about who the winner will be, though he's still not sharing specifics.
"We don't have it nailed down," Richt said. "[After Friday's scrimmage] we hope to have confirmation of what we think. If somebody really plays wildly good or bad, it could deter what we are thinking.
"It's a big day still because it is very close."
The players seem to understand just how big.
"The pressure is turned up on this," Barnes said.
That's because time is of the essence. While the Sept. 2 opener against Western Kentucky doesn't have anyone too worried, the time has come to implement a game plan and let the offense rally behind a leader.
All camp, Tereshinski has been the leader in the huddle. But he hasn't pulled way ahead of his competition. If he doesn't do anything to harm his chances, today could be that day.
"It's big, it's big," Richt said. "But I am not going to base a decision off just this one day."
While a decision about a clear-cut pecking order might be established, just how that plays out has not been decided.
"How do you handle it?" Richt asked. "Do you go [with] one guy and just go? Do you try to play two? Do you try to play three? [Have] we even thought about rolling four? I doubt we would do that."
Richt said the plan is to evaluate things Sunday, then "get it going Monday."
"We will be able to say who is starting, for sure," he said. "And we will be able to say who is likely to get an opportunity besides the starter if that is what we are going to do. I don't know how many games it will go before we really settle in and say, 'This is the guy.' "
All four quarterbacks will get equal number of snaps with the No. 1 offense Friday and, as in last weekend's scrimmage, will be called on to run 10 nearly identical plays.
Bulldogs await first AP ranking Friday
Georgia, which is No. 14 in the USA Today preseason coaches poll, will find out at 6 p.m. Friday where it's ranked in the first Associated Press Top 25. The AP poll no longer counts as part of the BCS standings.
Snapper, holder positions unfilled
Georgia went through a special teams practice Thursday at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs are still looking to solidify their snapper and holder positions. They're set at punter (Gordon Ely-Kelso) and kicker (Brandon Coutu).
Hilltoppers' defense strong in scrimmage
Western Kentucky's defense allowed just one scoring drive as the team held a mini-scrimmage Thursday. Starting quarterback Justin Haddix was 6-of-11 for 54 yards for the Hilltoppers, who will hold their first full scrimmage Saturday.

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Updated Sunday, August 20 at 9:49 PM

Richt names Tereshinski Georgia's starting quarterback
by The Associated Press

ATHENS - Georgia coach Mark Richt named Joe Tereshinski the team's starting quarterback Sunday night, saying the senior ``has been solid all the way through.''

Joe Cox, a redshirt freshman, was named Tereshinski's top backup. Highly recruited freshman Matt Stafford and sophomore Blake Barnes are tied for No. 3 on a quarterback depth chart Richt said could change during the season.

``I'm looking for a guy who can make good decisions, hit his target and handle the pressures of the job,'' Richt said.

``It's very difficult to know th

``I'm looking for a guy who can make good decisions, hit his target and handle the pressures of the job,''
Mark Richt

e true answer until we play it out a little bit. Until we see these things unfold, I don't know if we'll really be sure until we play a little bit.''

Georgia, No. 15 in The Associated Press preseason poll, opens its season at home on Sept. 2 against Western Kentucky.

Richt left open the possibility of changes in the pecking order before the opener, except that Tereshinski is solid as the starter.

``For certain, barring injury, that's what's going to happen,'' Richt said.

Richt said after Friday's scrimmage he would announce his decision Monday, but he said he moved up his announcement so he and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo would have more time to meet with each of the four candidates.

``It's the toughest situation I've been in,'' Richt said, adding he normally has only two leading candidates but in this case believes each of the four ``had a legitimate shot.''

Tereshinski was considered the favorite even before he threw two touchdown passes with no interceptions in the scrimmage. Tereshinski played in 13 games with one start last season as D.J. Shockley's backup.

Stafford had three interceptions and conceded he was ``in kind of a daze'' when he got picked off on his first possession.

Cox and Barnes each threw one touchdown pass and had one interception in the scrimmage.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Tereshinski named Dogs starter

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/21/06 Athens — As a little boy growing up in Athens, Joe Tereshinski's nights were filled with dreams of starting a game at Sanford Stadium, like his father and grandfather before him.
Come Sept. 2, his life's ambition will come to fruition.

Jimmy Cribb / Special (ENLARGE)

Joe Tereshinski has been No. 1 on the depth chart since spring practice.

Your Turn How long will Joe Tereshinski remain Georgia's starting QB? Joe T will start all season Only 2 games if the Dogs lose to Spurrier's Gamecocks Until Matthew Stafford gets on the field in a game and shows what he can do Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Sunday night, Bulldogs coach Mark Richt named the fifth-year senior and third-generation Georgia Bulldogs player his starting quarterback for the season opener against Western Kentucky.
The decision wasn't a surprise. Tereshinski had been No. 1 on the depth chart since D.J. Shockley's departure. Joe Cox, a redshirt freshman, is listed at No. 2 on the new depth chart, with sophomore Blake Barnes and highly touted freshman Matthew Stafford sharing the No. 3 spot.
"Joe T. has done a great job of competing and performing; he has been very solid all the way through and very consistent all the way through," Richt said Sunday night. "He has done a real nice job of leading and running the system and everything else. He has held off these young bucks. He deserves to start this ball game."
Richt briefly touched the subject of a redshirt season for Stafford when he talked to the freshman Sunday.
"The main thing I talked to him about was to continue to compete, continue to get better and see how this thing unfolds," Richt said. "It is a long season.
"As much as Joe T. has been here a long time and established himself as our starter, it is not like he has got one or two or three seasons of starting under his belt," the coach continued. "He may play lights out. I don't know what is going to happen."
At this point, nobody knows what is going to happen and the Stafford family is not jumping to any rash decision.
"We have complete faith in the coaching staff at Georgia," said John Stafford, Matthew's father. "Any decisions they make are the right decisions first of all for Georgia and secondly for those young men. I think it's the right thing to trust the coaches because they're awfully good ones."
As for Matthew's state of mind: "He's fine," John Stafford said.
Richt isn't quite sure how playing time in the first game is going to unfold. He has considered playing two quarterbacks but is unsure of how the snaps will be split.
"We may go three deep. I don't know that we wouldn't do that," Richt said. "There is still two weeks to prepare; opinions can change and mind-sets can change and I didn't want to attempt to make that decision right now."
When Richt let Tereshinski know of his decision Sunday, the fifth-year senior greeted the news as expected.
"He is old-school and pretty stoic," Richt said. "He is just a 'yes sir, no sir' guy."
When told he was the starter, Tereshinski responded simply: "Yes, sir.'" When asked if had any questions it was, "No, sir."
"He didn't jump for joy because he knows he has got to perform," Richt said. "It is not like 'I have arrived' and that is the end of it."
While naming Tereshinski the starter was not a surprise, the elevation of Cox to the backup was. The freshman was inconsistent and threw four interceptions in the spring game. But Richt said his game turned around in the fall.
"Joe Cox has done a lot of nice things," Richt said. "He has really come on and began to run the system well and has become fairly consistent. He has made a lot of strides."
For Richt, this decision relieves, at least temporarily, a burden that had been hanging over him since D.J. Shockley graduated.
"I thought about it all spring," he said. "I thought about it all summer. I have been thinking about it every single day. I have been trying to analyze everything I could."
Finally Richt reached his decision and called the quarterbacks in individually Sunday to tell them what it was.
"It is not easy to tell anybody you are not the starter," Richt said. "That is not fun to do. I love all these guys. I think they are great kids; they have got great things about them. We feel like we made the right decision at this point."
For Tereshinski, the start will be his first since he started in place of an injured Shockley against Florida. The Bulldogs lost the game 14-10. Tereshinski was 8-of-21 for 100 yards and an interception. He did catch a 9-yard touchdown pass on a trick play.
Last season was the first in which Tereshinski attempted a pass. He finished the season 25-of-49 for 371 yards with one touchdown against two interceptions.
As for the backup spot, Cox redshirted. Barnes played sparingly last season and completed two of three passes for 9 yards. Stafford enrolled in December and has gone only through spring and fall practice.
Tereshinski is the third consecutive senior to start the opener for Richt. Shockley started the 2005 season. David Greene was the starter in 2004. Both those teams finished with 10 wins. Last season Georgia won the SEC championship before losing to West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl.
— Staff writer Chip Towers
contributed to this report.

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Richt makes the smart, safe choice

By Mark Bradley | Sunday, August 20, 2006, 10:38 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mark Bradley

• Richt makes the smart, safe choice
• Jackets good enough to outrun past
• Fail-safe predictions
• Duckett could be star elsewhere
• QB race suited to a T

Yeah, the quarterback is positioned to win a game quicker than anybody, but he’s capable of losing one with similar rapidity. And there you have the reason Mark Richt did what he did: If Joe Tereshinski III isn’t apt to throw for 200 yards in a quarter, neither is he likely to turn the ball over three times in five minutes.
Ten days ago, Tereshinski spoke of the quarterback’s job not in terms of throwing 70-yard rainbows but of simply “managing a team.” On Sunday night Richt named Joe T III his starter for Georgia’s opening game, saying, “Joe really understands what we’re doing.”
Thus did the quadripartite quarterback challenge end with what some will wrongly deem a whimper. Going with experience over talent — where’s the sizzle in that? Why not let the vastly touted Matthew Stafford throw it 40 times a game and accept the consequences?
Because letting a true freshman start at quarterback for a big-time program would only invite such consequences. Because Stafford isn’t as ready to help Georgia win at this moment as Joe T III, who’s a fifth-year senior. Because having a big arm is only part of what makes a quarterback. David Greene isn’t to be confused with John Elway when it comes to authoring tight spirals, but Greene won more games than any collegiate quarterback ever.
The surprise Sunday night wasn’t that Joe T III was No. 1: In a competition this close, what coach wouldn’t err on the side of familiarity with the offense and the program? The surprise was that Stafford wasn’t even No. 2, the backup position falling to the redshirt freshman Joe Cox. Stafford and Blake Barnes, Richt announced, were “co-No. 3,” which means we shouldn’t plan on seeing the kid from Dallas anytime soon. It takes a lot to get one quarterback ready to play, even more to prepare two. Deploying a third quarterback in anything more than a medical emergency or an abject rout simply isn’t done.
The order could still be subject to change, Richt allowed, saying the rankings would hold “for the moment, anyway.” The cold reality of football suggests that change will be slower to arrive than some Georgia fans — an opinionated Web-based contingent has made no secret of its desire to see Stafford as No. 1 — would prefer. Speculation has long held that Stafford would displace Tereshinski at the first sign of trouble, but doesn’t the No. 2 quarterback get the next shot if the starter struggles?
Such is the swath already cut by the heralded freshman that the first two questions asked on Sunday’s teleconference concerned not Tereshinski but Stafford. “He’s done a lot of good things,” Richt said, “but he’s a true freshman. He’s made up a lot of ground. We’re not disappointed in any way, shape or form with Matthew.”
And that could well be true. Fans have little concept of what playing quarterback in an offense as complex as Richt’s fully entails. One of the highest compliments the coach ever paid Greene was in saying the quarterback didn’t just make good plays — he prevented bad ones via his sagacious check-downs at the line. No true freshman was going to be able to run a team the way Richt wants his run. Even if Tereshinski has made only one start as a Bulldog, that one was more than the other three quarterbacks combined.
There will be those who continue to see Joe T III as no more than a place-holder, but that underrates a 23-year-old who has paid his dues to the extent that he has served as personal protector (i.e., the last blocker) for Georgia’s punter. Tereshinski has, Richt said, “held off the young bucks,” and the third-generation Bulldog is, not to put too fine a point on it, a bulldog at the business of competing. Tereshinski has waited four years for this chance. Don’t be shocked if he makes the other three — Cox, Barnes and even the gifted Stafford — wait until 2007.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC

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Crawford injury another setback to defensive line

Notebook

By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 2:34 AM on Sunday, August 20, 2006
The interior of Georgia's defensive line, already missing seniors Ray Gant and Marquis Elmore, now has another player on the sidelines.
Freshman Ricardo Crawford had his right arm in a sling Saturday after injuring his collarbone on a goal-line drill in Friday's scrimmage. He expects to be out "at least a few days" until the swelling goes down.
Gant, who dislocated a shoulder, said coaches might hold him out of the Sept. 2 season opener against Western Kentucky. Elmore had knee surgery this past week but could be available for the game.
"It's quite difficult because we have no depth right now," sophomore starter Jeff Owens said. "We usually have like a four- or five-man rotation. It's just cutting it down short."
Meanwhile, redshirt freshman cornerback Bryan Evans, competing as the nickel back, expects to miss the season opener with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Surgery is not expected.
It is similar to the injury that kept quarterback D.J. Shockley out of the Florida game last season.
"They're not going to try to rush me," Evans said. "It's going to take probably maybe two to three weeks. I want to be back for South Carolina (Sept. 9). If not, the closest game after that."

Tereshinski still No. 1 at quarterback?
Center Nick Jones, mentioned by coach Mark Richt among the team's top leaders, said Saturday that in his eyes, fifth-year senior Joe Tereshinski appears to be leading the pack for the starting quarterback job.
Tereshinski threw two touchdown passes and was the only quarterback who did not throw an interception in Friday's scrimmage.
"I think Joe T. seems like he's out front right now," Jones said. "He's been that way since spring. He's been No. 1 on the depth chart, and I think he's been playing good ball. I think all of our quarterbacks are playing pretty good, but it's whatever Coach Richt thinks."
Richt plans to announce the starter on Monday.
In an onlineathens.com poll asking who will be the starter, Tereshinski has received 55 percent of the votes by Saturday afternoon, followed by Matthew Stafford with 30.1, Blake Barnes with 11.8 and Joe Cox with 3.1.

Georgia QBs wage 'honorable' race
There is fierce competition but harmony among Georgia's quarterback candidates.
That's not the case at Texas Tech, where quarterbacks Chris Todd and Ryan Rowland got into a fight after practice Monday, according to the Dallas Morning News. Todd reportedly broke Rowland's nose.
At Georgia, Richt credits quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo with the atmosphere surrounding the position battle.
"I think they're doing a wonderful job of competing without making it personal," Richt said. "When they're not competing, they're hanging out together. They've done some fishing and golfing together this summer. They all get along very good. They have a great camaraderie in the meeting room. It takes a little coaching there, too. Coach Bobo expects an honorable race and not a cutthroat race, and cultivates that."

Getting there early
More than 10 hours before tickets were handed out for a spot for a photo with Uga VI, a man who wanted to remain anonymous took his place in line at 10:45 p.m. outside Sanford Stadium. He was one of 125 guaranteed to get a photo with the famed Bulldog mascot for Saturday's Picture Day.
"He's the one," Richt said. "We went to D.C. one time and no one cared that me or Coach (Vince) Dooley or President (Michael) Adams was there. They all wanted to hang out with Uga."
Bryan Daniel of Huntsville, Ala., was first in Richt's line at 4:45 a.m. Saturday to grab one of 300 tickets.

This and that
Sophomore Kenneth Harris "is in the lead," to be the starting flanker ahead of Mikey Henderson and A.J. Bryant, receivers coach John Eason said. Senior Mario Raley is the starting inside receiver. Six-foot-5 freshman Kris Durham continues to look ready to make an impact this year. The latest example was a sideline catch in the scrimmage. "I saw it coming his way and I thought it was overthrown," Eason said. "He reached up and pulled it down. I think he can help us this year, without a doubt." ... Gordon Ely-Kelso appears likely to be the snapper on field goals and extra points. Kicker Brandon Coutu said last week that was his preference, and assistant coach David Johnson said, "whatever he wants as far as a holder is going to be good." ... Bo Fowler, from Greene County, and Jeff Henson are still "pretty close" at snapper, Johnson said. ... Georgia commitments, receiver Israel Troupe and linebacker Rennie Curran, attended Saturday's practice. ... Former Georgia running back Michael Cooper, now at Missouri State, will visit with doctors this week to learn what his football future holds. Cooper walked out of a Missouri hospital Friday afternoon, the school said. He was injured in practice Thursday and reportedly temporarily lost feeling from his neck to his waist. ... Freshman defensive end Brandon Wood joined the injury list after the scrimmage with a shoulder injury. Crawford said Wood's injury was more serious than his because Wood previously had surgery on the shoulder. Middle linebacker Marcus Washington was limited Saturday with a right knee injury. Fullback Des Williams, who had arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus tear, expects to return to practice next week. Others still out: linebackers Brandon Miller (groin) and Darius Dewberry (pulled muscle), defensive end Kiante Tripp (knee), defensive end Jeremy Lomax (groin) and wide receiver Tony Wilson (shoulder).

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 082006

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Sack exchange

Football

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Louisiana Monroe quarterback Steven Jyles felt the wrath of Charles Johnson, left, and Quentin Moses on this sack and fumble last fall.
John Curry/Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | | Story updated at 2:34 AM on Sunday, August 20, 2006
I magine a recent high school graduate walking onto a college campus and having a course load that includes genetics, advanced organic chemistry and an English class with a reading list of Chaucer, Shakespeare and Faulkner.
That's the difficulty level Georgia freshman offensive tackle Josh Davis was dealing with when he received a crash course in trying to stop Georgia's speedy pass rushers this preseason. He was welcomed to college football by having to go up against preseason All-American Quentin Moses and rising star junior Charles Johnson on the practice field.
"I was a little nervous at first," Davis said. "It was overwhelming really. Quentin Moses, he's a good player. Charles is a good player. I was really like just wowed at first that I was actually going against these guys that I'd seen on TV all these years."
It's a good thing that defensive ends coach Jon Fabris called off those Dogs.
The Bulldogs' second-team offense caught a break when Moses and Johnson, who have been "slinging people around for the most part," coach Mark Richt said, began working against the No. 1 offense so the other side would have a chance. Both are healthy, but were held out of Friday's scrimmage.
"I think there's a very good chance both of them get drafted in the first round," Richt said. "Hopefully one this year and one the next year. There were some phenomenal defensive end combinations when I was at Florida State, but I think these guys rival any one of those. They're that special."
Seminoles All-American ends Peter Boulware and Reinard Wilson were the fourth and 14th picks overall in the 1997 draft after combining for 321/2 sacks in 1996.
"I don't know if they'll get the same amount of sacks," Richt said. "We're playing in a different league."
Georgia quarterback Joe Tereshinski at least gets a break. He wears a green non-contact jersey in practice so he doesn't have to feel the pain that Moses and Johnson can bring.
"They are great players, they're physical and fast," Tereshinski said. "I think offenses this year are going to have some trouble blocking those two."
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Moses was a handful last season. The Cedar Shoals product rang up 111/2 sacks - second most in the SEC - and 201/2 tackles for loss.
Moses is considered the best defensive end in the nation by some-Clemson's Gaines Adams also gets mentioned - but Moses has been telling anyone who will listen that he might not be the No. 1 defensive end on his own team.
Johnson, who had four sacks and 23 tackles as a sophomore, is coming off a dominating spring, when coaches selected him the best all-around defensive player. He had two sacks and five tackles in the G-Day game and has shown no signs of letting up this preseason.
"People tell me, 'Q you're the No. 1 defensive end in the country,' and this and that," Moses said. "I'm glad that people think of me like that, and that's good and well, but by far, I feel like Charles Johnson has the potential. He's definitely one of the elite defensive ends in the country. He has the tools to be one of the best defensive ends in the SEC and country. He may not be 6-5 and have long arms, but he's strong as all. He's just as fast and quick as I am.
"Now's the time. I think he's really going to turn it on this year."
How quick is the 6-2, 265-pound Johnson? Consider that when he weighed 220 pounds at Hawkinsville High School, he actually lined up at wide receiver, creating mismatches on deep routes against undersized corners.
Johnson is just as complimentary toward Moses. He knows having a player of Moses' caliber on the other side will allow him to make plays as offenses account for both players.
"Having 'Q' on the other side, man, that's a major thing," Johnson said. " 'Q' is a dominant player."
Moses figures that opposing offensive tackles will be jacked up to shut him down, thanks to all the attention he's receiving.
Just like when they went up against former Bulldogs two-time All-American David Pollack. He remembers seeing a Vanderbilt offensive tackle (Brian Stamper) credited for his performance against Pollack. Stamper's Vandy bio under 2003 lists that he "allowed no sacks in head-to-head encounter" with Pollack.
Moses isn't buying it. "That's probably because he went on the other side most of the time."
Johnson is being talked about in the same breath as Moses because he has shown more consistency on the field. He's also improved in the classroom and matured physically, Fabris said.
"Man, I've grown up a lot," Johnson said. "My freshman year, it was just like any freshman year. I'm from a small town and I get to the big town. There's a lot of experiences you have to go through and making a lot of bad decisions and just getting lazy. I was lazy back then. As you grow every year, you mature and you start making better decisions and better choices."
Said Fabris: "As he's gotten older, he's taken more ownership of his destiny. He's the CEO of his own company."
There are two CEOs of Georgia's pass rush.
The Fortune 500 can keep Johnson & Johnson. Georgia will take Moses & Johnson.
QUENTIN MOSES
2005 stats
Tackles: 44
Solos: 35
Assists: 9
Sacks: 111/2
For loss: 201/2
Pressures: 38
CHARLES JOHNSON
2005 stats
Tackles: 23
Solos: 15
Assists: 8
Sacks: 4
For loss: 81/2
Pressures: 28

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 082006

[dirty]

Tereshinski's strengths and weaknesses

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/21/06 SCOUTING JOE TERESHINSKI
What he brings
• Passion: A Tereshinski has played football at Georgia for three generations. Joe T. III grew up in the shadow of Sanford Stadium and the Bulldogs program with pictures of his UGA heroes hanging on the walls. His grandfather (Joe Sr.), his father (Joe Jr.) and he have all been a part of SEC championship teams.
• Experience: Of the four contenders for the job, Tereshinski was the most experienced. Although he has started only one game — a loss to Florida — he's a fifth-year senior who has been at the same position since the day he stepped on campus. He knows the offense and knows how Mark Richt wants it run.
• Decision-making: Tereshinski won't force the ball into tight spots and knows when to throw it away rather than take the sack.
• Self-awareness: He knows his capabilities and has molded those to the offense around him. In its current state, this offense is not set up to be high-powered and explosive. Georgia just needs to move the ball with consistency, grind clock, utilize its running backs, set up kicker Brandon Coutu and rely on the defense in the first five games. Tereshinski knows this and knows the game doesn't hinge on arm strength or the ability to go deep every time. In time, the offense may expand as he becomes more comfortable.
• Toughness: He was the personal punt protector and has served as the long snapper. That's not typical for quarterbacks.


What he doesn't
• Experience: Before last season, Tereshinski had not attempted a college pass. He got some early mop-up duty behind D.J. Shockley in 2005, but in his one start he was only 9-of-21 for 100 yards with an interception. He finished last season 25-of-49 for 371 yards with one touchdown and two picks.
• Proven leadership ability: He's a senior, but he has never had to lead. Shockley and David Greene were the offensive leaders during the previous five seasons. Even this past summer, while Tereshinski grew more comfortable directing players, he still wasn't the offensive leader because his status as starter was not yet known.
• Arm strength: Tereshinski can get the ball to a receiver — but not with the velocity of freshman Matthew Stafford. Don't look for him to go downfield too often, and watch for cornerbacks to possibly jump on zip passes to the sidelines.
• Running ability: He's tough but not fast. On a busted play, Tereshinski might pick up some yards but he is not going to escape defensive ends coming off the edge.
• Big-game confidence: The one game Tereshinski started, Georgia lost. Now he'll be thrown into a big game in Week 2 at South Carolina. His reaction to the wild atmosphere in Columbia will be crucial to the season's success.

[dirty]

Dogs freshmen fight for playing time
Injuries could push some into action

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/23/06 Athens — The second time Boise State took the ball last season against Georgia, Jeff Owens took the field.
He looked into the crowd, then across the line, and knew he had arrived. There he was: a freshman, just months removed from high school, going against a veteran line in the Bulldogs' season opener.

John Amis / Special (ENLARGE)

Asher Allen, No. 2 on the Georgia depth chart at cornerback behind Ramarcus Brown, is expected to see plenty of playing time.

"To be out there, everything was just going so fast," Owens said. "You just try to hang on."
Owens hung on for 13 games last season. He was one of five true freshmen to play in 2005. Owens, wide receiver
Mohamed Massaquoi and safety CJ Byrd were the three who played in every game.
This season, that number could double.
Georgia's offensive line has depth problems, making the members of February's star-studded recruiting class more likely to see action early. The defensive line has injury problems. The wide receivers are unproven and in need of a boost. The secondary got an infusion of talent that might be tough to keep off the field.
"All you have got to have is that confidence," Owens said. "You keep that confidence up, and you can get in there and play. You have the talent; it's just getting your mind in it."
Mark Richt won't make up his mind on who will — or will not — redshirt until about the fourth game of the season. But based on the early returns, here's what you can expect:
• Asher Allen, cornerback. The Tucker product is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Ramarcus Brown. He should see plenty of playing time on defense and special teams.
• Geno Atkins, defensive line. One of the strongest members of the freshman class, he could be forced into action given all the injuries on the defensive line.
• Quintin Banks, defensive back. Almost certain to redshirt.
• Shaun Chapas, fullback. He's practicing but still hasn't made it all the way back from an ACL tear last year. Almost certain to redshirt.
• Ricardo Crawford, defensive line. He was contending for early playing time until shoulder and collarbone injuries set him back. If he can make it back, he could see action.
• Chris Davis, offensive line. Richt would prefer to redshirt every freshman offensive lineman, but with all the injury woes, Davis could end up playing.
• Josh Davis, offensive line. He was running neck-and-neck with Chris Davis but has slipped back as camp progressed and now looks to be a likely redshirt.
• Akeem Dent, linebacker. Stuck behind several veterans, the Douglass High grad is unlikely to see the field this season.
• Darius Dewberry, linebacker. He was pushing for playing time as early as the opener until a hamstring injury slowed his progress.
• Demarcus Dobbs, defensive line. Not likely to see playing time this season.
• Kris Durham, wide receiver. The Calhoun product, who went through spring drills, is almost certain to play. A rangy receiver with soft hands, he could become Joe Tereshinski's second-favorite target behind Massaquoi.
• Darryl Gamble, linebacker. On his way to a redshirt season.
• Akeem Hebron, linebacker. Like the rest of the freshman linebackers, the speedster will have a tough time making it to the field because of the talent in front of him.
• Reshad Jones, safety. Highly touted coming in, the former Washington High star will have a hard time cracking the lineup with Byrd's emergence.
• Michael Lemon, defensive line. Looks like a good bet to redshirt.
• John Miller, offensive line. Shoulder surgery has kept him out of contact for most of camp. Unless the offensive line is in dire straits, he'll redshirt.
• Prince Miller, cornerback. He turned heads in the summer but has had difficulty separating himself from the pack in a secondary with a lot of young talent.
• Knowshon Moreno, running back. He's talented enough to play right away but might be a victim of depth at tailback. It could be hard to justify wasting his redshirt year if Thomas Brown produces as much as coaches expect.
• Fred Munzenmaier, fullback. Although second-string fullback Des Williams is out with a knee injury, Munzenmaier hasn't moved up the depth chart.
• Kevin Perez, offensive line. He was thought to be a backup center candidate and may still find himself in that role. But he's more likely to redshirt unless an emergency arises.
• Matthew Stafford, quarterback. The possibility of redshirting has been discussed but not decided for the Texan, who's tied with Blake Barnes for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.
• Kiante Tripp, defensive line. A knee injury has set him back, but he could be a candidate to get playing time if the rotation is thinned by more injuries.
• NaDerris Ward, tight end. He has a huge hill to climb to make it into the rotation, which already includes Martrez Milner, Tripp Chandler and Coleman Watson.
• Tony Wilson, wide receiver. Shifty and fast, he has caught coaches' attention and could be used on the return teams or at wideout. A shoulder injury has slowed him recently.
• Brandon Wood, defensive end. He's out with a shoulder injury and most likely will redshirt.

[dirty]

GEORGIA REPORT
Tereshinski accepts mixed fan reaction

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/23/06 Athens — Fan reaction was widespread and swift when Joe Tereshinski was named Georgia's starting quarterback Sunday night.
Some was good. Some was bad. Almost all of it went totally unnoticed by Tereshinski and Georgia coach Mark Richt.
Not that either really cared what was said.
"[Fans] don't see practice every day; they don't understand what it takes to really excel at the position," said Richt, adding that fans are entitled to express their opinions nonetheless.
Those opinions are likely to be expressed if Tereshinski throws an interception or two in the Sept. 2 opener against Western Kentucky.
"I have been around here long enough to realize fans have their favorite guys with high potential," said Tereshinski, a fifth-year senior from Athens. "People want to see that kind of excitement. That being said, that just means I have to do a little bit extra to make sure that doesn't happen."
Richt dismisses QB transfer rumors
Richt dismissed a question Tuesday about whether true freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford, of Dallas, would transfer to Texas.
"Those are just rumors," Richt said.
Stafford wasn't made available to the media Tuesday, but when he was asked a day earlier about the topic, he said incredulously, "Transfer? No, no, no, no."
Texas has two freshmen expected to split time at quarterback this season — Jevan Snead and Colt McCoy.
Stafford learned Sunday he was tied for No. 3 on the depth chart — two spots lower than many recruiting gurus and fans thought he would be.
"If we went strictly by notoriety, we would have said, 'Hey, you're the starter,' when we signed him," Richt said.
Indoor facility? Not yet at UGA
Just after the rain started, a familiar sound was heard around the Georgia practice fields — Richt asking where the indoor practice facility was.
"This would be the day to have it," he said, only half joking.
The rain cut short practice by about 40 minutes.
Receivers corps still banged up
Defensive tackle Ray Gant will miss the next few practices to attend a family funeral. Georgia also had several players either practicing on a limited basis or not at all Tuesday because of sore hamstrings. Wide receivers Kris Durham, Mikey Henderson, Demiko Goodman, A.J. Bryant and Michael Moore (knee) all have been limited.
"Our receivers are a little bit tender," Richt said.
Offensive lineman Chester Adams injured his hand early in practice, but Richt was unaware of any serious injury with the junior.
Holder, snapper up for grabs
Georgia expects to name a holder Friday. Gordon Ely-Kelso and Rowdy Francis are competing for the spot occupied by Lee Jackson a year ago.
The deep-snapper job is still being decided between Bo Fowler and Jeff Henson.

[dirty]

GEORGIA
Injuries, bad luck deplete Dogs line

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/24/06 Athens — Inside the St. Mary's Hospital van Wednesday was a sight all too familiar to Georgia football.
Another offensive lineman, this time Chester Adams, stretched out on the floor in pain.

Johnny Crawford / AJC (ENLARGE)

Former Georgia offensive lineman Josh Brock, celebrating a win over Clemson in 2003, had to give up football last fall.

It turned out to be only a temporary illness, but it was another setback at a position where the Bulldogs need all the bodies they have.
In the five-plus years since coach Mark Richt arrived at Georgia, this has become something he has continually dealt with. Offensive linemen sign, then leave, many before their time. Of the 22 signed by Richt since 2002, 13 won't be around for the season opener against Western Kentucky.
What's left is a paper-thin, patchwork bunch expected to protect a new quarterback.
"It's been unbelievable," Richt said. "[After 2002] I don't know if I vowed it would never happen again, but I was like, 'We're not going to let this happen again' in the back of my mind. 'We just can't let it happen again like we did the 2002 year.' We had zero juniors and zero sophomore linemen in the program.
"I probably spoke too soon. Because there are some extenuating circumstances that you can't control. It's been tough."
And it's far from over.
"We are not going to feel it in full force, unless we have a couple of key injuries this year, until next year," Richt said. "We are going to feel it next year."
Here's a closer look at what has become of the 22 linemen signed by Richt since 2002, with star rankings according to Scout.com:
2002 class
• Josh Brock (three star). Started 15 games his first two years, then quit last fall because of concussions.
• Daniel Inman (three star). Expected to be the team's anchor at tackle, the two-year starter was suspended for the first two games of this season for violating team rules.
• Max Jean-Gilles (four star). Played all four years, made the All-SEC team last season and was picked in the fourth round of April's draft by the Eagles.
• Antonio Mercier (three star). Medically disqualified from playing in December 2002 because of high blood pressure and diabetes. His condition wasn't diagnosed until the summer before his freshman season.
• Bartley Miller (three star). Went from a backup as a freshman to a starter as a sophomore. But multiple shoulder injuries forced him to hang it up last season.
• Michael Turner (recruited as tight end). Moved to the offensive line once he arrived in Athens and has been a backup since.
2003 class
• Trey Chandler (four star). Never played for the Bulldogs after a shoulder injury forced him to quit the sport.
• Tommy Gainous (two star). Part of a top five-ranked offensive line class, he suffered a knee injury and never played for Georgia.
• Nick Jones (two star). Started as a freshman and has stayed on the first team. Moved back to center this season and will be the only veteran starter in the first two games.
• James Lee (three star). Transferred after his redshirt season to South Carolina State, where he started eight games a year ago.
• Zeb McKinzey (four star). Was in position to start this season before a recurring shoulder injury started acting up. He's likely out for the opener. Coaches say his injury likely won't require surgery, but it's being closely watched.
• Ken Shackleford (three star). Goes into the season as a starter. His only starting experience to date has come on special teams.
• Fernando Velasco (two star). Another first-year starter, he was battling McKinzey for a spot in the lineup before the latter was injured.
2004 class
• Chester Adams (three star). First-year starter has battled hip flexor and thumb injuries this camp. He's one of three first-team linemen with no starting experience.
• Seth Watts (four star). One of two offensive linemen in this class, he's a backup for now. He could move into a starting role if more injuries occur up front.
2005 class
• Ian Smith (four star). Penciled in as a backup to start the season, but an arrest for underage possession of alcohol led to a two-game suspension.
2006 class
• Justin Anderson (four star). The highest-rated linemen in February's class, he came up short academically and enrolled at Virginia's Hargrave Military Academy.
• Chris Davis (three star). Because of depth issues, he'll be one of the freshmen who could see action.
• Josh Davis (three star). Has been working out with the scout team.
• Ben Harden (two star). Didn't qualify academically and joined Anderson at Hargrave.
• John Miller (two star). Enrolled early, but a physical examination showed damage to his shoulder. Underwent surgery and will redshirt.
• Kevin Perez (three star). Was moved to the scout team this week after competing for the backup center job early in camp.

[dirty]

GEORGIA REPORT
Richt continues evaluating QBs

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/24/06 Athens — The third and final test of the preseason is on tap Thursday at Georgia as the Bulldogs go through a scripted "game" in preparation for the opener against Western Kentucky.
And yes, senior Joe Tereshinski will be the starter. As for who gets the other snaps, Georgia coach Mark Richt has not decided, but they'll be decidedly in the favor of Tereshinski and No. 2 quarterback Joe Cox.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

Starting quarterback Joe Tereshinski (right) and No. 2 Joe Cox are expected to get the majority of the snaps during Thursday's scripted 'game.'

That doesn't mean Matthew Stafford and Blake Barnes, the co-No. 3s on the depth chart, won't be carefully watched and evaluated.
"You're always evaluating," Richt said.
What will be closely inspected are the positions that remain unsettled, such as wide receiver. Kenneth Harris, Mikey Henderson and A.J. Bryant are a few players in the mix.
"What's happening here is guys are earning playing time," Richt said. "How many reps is this guy going to get to prove on game day that he deserves more playing time or deserves a chance to start?"
At the cornerback spot opposite Paul Oliver, it looks as if Ramarcus Brown will be the starter, with Asher Allen backing him up. Prince Miller, another freshman, also has made a move at cornerback with the injury to Bryan Evans.
Georgia also will work on punt and kickoff returns today. Henderson, Thomas Brown, Allen and Miller should all get some work at those spots.
Offensive line woes concern tailback
Every time someone on the line goes down, Brown takes notice. Those guys, after all, are the ones who clear holes for the junior tailback.
And lately there have been nothing but holes in that line. Chester Adams, a starter, went down again Wednesday, this time falling ill.
"As a running back or any skill player, you need that offensive line to work," Brown said. "Seeing them go down, it is kind of concerning, but you have to have faith in them. They are kind of thin, so you are going to try and get them healthy and hope to keep them from getting banged up."
Defensive line starts
to get reinforcements
Ricardo Crawford is out of a non-contact jersey and back in practice. That means Georgia is getting more depth along the defensive line, where it needs it with Ray Gant out for the opener with a shoulder injury.
Georgia now has three returning tackles ready to play (Dale Dixson, Jeff Owens, Kade Weston), plus two freshmen (Geno Atkins, Crawford).
"We might have played more than five in a game but it is rare, so we will be OK," Richt said.

[dirty]

Jones the center of attention

Football

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Georgia senior center Nick Jones (70) will make his 20th consecutive start in Georgia's Sept. 2 opener.
Diane Cebula / Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:46 AM on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Georgia will head into the new season with a quarterback who has made just one college start and an offensive line dealing with suspensions, injuries and depth issues. All of which makes having someone like senior center Nick Jones that much more comforting to the those in the Bulldogs' offensive huddle.
"Nick Jones is the anchor," newly named starting quarterback Joe Tereshinski said. "He's the guy that we're rallying around. He's been here for a good solid four years, and it doesn't matter if he's a little beat up or bruised, he's out there playing ball. He's getting in your face if you're not out there doing the same thing."
Jones is set to be in the starting lineup for his 20th consecutive game when Georgia opens its season Sept. 2 against Western Kentucky. That will make him Georgia's iron man with the longest current streak on the team, since tackle Daniel Inman is suspended two games for violating team rules.
The only other Georgia offensive linemen who will be in the lineup that day with any starting experience are tackle Ken Shackleford and guard Fernando Velasco, who will be making their second career starts.
Jones is the one holding an unproven unit together.
"He's definitely a glue guy for us," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "He's a glue guy for our offense. He's a glue guy for our offensive line. He is for our team, and he's one of the finest leaders we have and he's practicing like a champion."
After two years as a starting guard, the 6-foot-3, 296-pound Jones has moved back to center, where he started five games as a freshman in 2003.
"It's all about being a quarterback of the O-line," Jones said. "I'm probably the guy that sets the tone, tries to keep everybody focused and keep everybody up when things aren't going too good. The quarterbacks have so much on their minds that I take it upon myself to take care of that aspect."
The center in Georgia's offense is responsible for recognizing defense's tendencies, Jones said. Last year, Russ Tanner and Ryan Schnetzer split starting duties. Now it's Jones' turn.
"I think Nick's an outstanding player and a good leader for us," offensive line coach Neil Callaway said. "The way our system is, the center is asked to do a lot as far as starting the calls and directing traffic."
Inman's suspension leaves Georgia with little depth at offensive tackle, and the offensive line also will be without backup center Ian Smith for two games because of suspension. Backup guard Zeb McKinzey is uncertain for the season opener because of a shoulder injury.
"The biggest concern I have is just us staying healthy," Jones said. "We're kind of thin up front. That's kind of obvious. Other than that, I know we'll have some little growing pains, some game-experience type jelling."
Off the field, the risk management and insurance major needs only nine hours to earn a degree after this semester but graduation could be postponed while he pursues an NFL career. He's had the same girlfriend for about three years now. Katie Hammonds, also a Georgia student, comes from Jones' hometown of Bowdon.
On the field, Jones said he needs to play well and be the guy that others on offense follow, like he followed Tanner and guard Max Jean-Gilles when he entered the program.
"In order for us to have a good year as an offense and as a team, I feel like I need to have a good year," Jones said. "I have to play good, game in and game out and be an example for the other guys."

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 082306

[dirty]

Bigger role for a bigger back

Football notebook

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Georgia's Jason Johnson (39), who rushed for 97 yards in the G-Day game, recently was moved to back-up fullback and given a scholarship.
Associated Press Photo
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:46 AM on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
He still calls himself "a tailback at heart," but Jason Johnson has bulked up for his current role at Georgia. The 5-foot-9 Chicago native has gone from a 185-pound walk-on tailback to a 216-pound backup fullback who was recently awarded a scholarship.
"I see myself as a real physical person," Johnson said. "I love contact and never back down."
Johnson had no scholarship offers after high school but got a call back from Georgia after he sent the staff game tape. He grew up a big Notre Dame fan.
"At home, I still have Fighting Irish stuff," said Johnson, who rushed for 97 yards in the G-Day game. "I never knew about Georgia, but my Dad always spoke about Herschel Walker."
With Des Williams still on the mend after surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee, the junior is the backup to starter Brannan Southerland. Johnson insists he's holding up well despite being 3 inches shorter and nearly 30 pounds less than Southerland.
Even before the injury, Johnson had overtaken Williams on the depth chart.
"J.J. is really doing a great job at fullback," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "He's not a 100 percent fullback, but that's his primary learning position. He's very smart, a very good blocker, but it's just a physically demanding job. He's feeling it right now, but he's doing a good job."

GAC running back pipeline?
Southerland doesn't know the guy creating all the buzz at his alma mater, Greater Atlanta Christian, but his brother, a sophomore on the squad, is giving him the inside word about Parkview transfer Caleb King.
"He's kind of told me what's going on over there and said he's pretty good," Southerland said. "I've heard good things about him."
King, the Rivals.com No. 1 running back in the nation, lists Georgia among the schools he's considering.
"Hopefully, we can get him up here," Southerland said.
Southerland said he's already worked offensive lineman T-Bob Herbert, a Georgia target, a bit.
Southerland, who rushed for 852 yards as a senior, isn't worried about King breaking any of his single-season GAC rushing records.
"I think Micah Andrews holds all those," Southerland said of the current Wake Forest tailback.

Receivers battle injuries
Terrell Owens isn't the only wide receiver dealing with hamstring issues this month.
Mikey Henderson and A.J. Bryant have missed some practice time because of sore hamstrings, and on Tuesday, it was Demiko Goodman and Kris Durham.
Georgia's trainers held out Durham because his hamstring has gotten progressively sorer.
"Our receivers are tender," Richt said.
Freshman receiver Tony Wilson also remains out with a shoulder injury. Others who missed practice Tuesday: Linebacker Darius Dewberry (pulled muscle), defensive tackle Marquis Elmore (knee), defensive end Brandon Wood (shoulder). Defensive tackle Ricardo Crawford (collarbone) also wore a green non-contact jersey.
Starting offensive guard Chester Adams injured a hand during blocking drills early in practice but returned later, center Nick Jones said.
UAB gametime set
Georgia's second home game of the season, like its first, is set for an early afternoon kickoff.
The Bulldogs' game against UAB on Sept. 16 will kickoff at 1 p.m. The game will be shown on pay-per-view by Comcast Sports Southeast/Charter Sports Southeast for $29.99 and be available to cable providers throughout Georgia.
Georgia opens the season with a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 2 against Western Kentucky.

This and that
Coleman Watson, a junior from Atlanta who began his college career as an offensive tackle, has moved ahead of Trahern Holden as the No. 3 tight end behind Martrez Milner and Tripp Chandler. "He's had a tough road, and things haven't always gone his way," Richt said. "There were times he wasn't traveling certain times of the year. Now, he'll be on every bus or plane that rolls out of town to play and he'll be getting a lot of work with the offensive team." ... Georgia's practice Tuesday was cut short some 40 minutes because of heavy rain and lightning in the area, giving Richt another chance to pitch for an indoor practice facility. "We missed some valuable time out there," Richt said. ... USA Today oddsmaker Danny Sheridan has Georgia 7:1 to win the SEC. That's the same odds for Tennessee. Auburn and Florida are 2:1, and LSU is 3:1. Kentucky? Try 100,000:1 ... Richt said Thomas Brown and Henderson are the top two kickoff returners. ... Defensive tackle Ray Gant was away for the second straight practice after the death of a family member in Arizona. He is expected to return by Thursday night. Gant has missed significant practice time because of a shoulder injury that could keep him out the opener.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 082306

[kelp0027]

..

..Just wonder if the Dawgs are gonna take the Sept. 9th g against gamecocks seriously..???

gl

[dirty]

Bobo raises his kids and QBs
QB coach and wife have four children

By CHIP TOWERS /
Published on: 08/25/06 Athens — Mike Bobo is a circus performer. He doesn't literally walk a tightrope and juggle at the same time, but he does so figuratively every day.
His balancing act is trying to direct a rather high-profile, four-man competition as quarterbacks coach for the University of Georgia while also maneuvering a more intimate, four-person competition for his attention back home.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

Mike Bobo has four children to watch at home and four quarterbacks, including redshirt freshman Joe Cox, to watch over at work.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

Georgia quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo is hooked on his kids: 2-year-old Drew and triplets Ava Grace, Olivia and Jake.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

Mike and Lainie Bobo find precious little time for themselves in the wake of work and raising children. 'Believe me,' says Lainie, 'we're not complaining.'

"Make that five," says Bobo's wife, Lainie. "I want to see him a little bit, too."
Lainie is the mother of Bobo's four children: 2 1/2-year-old Drew and 7-month-olds Ava Grace, Jake and Olivia, born Jan. 30 at Athens Regional Medical Center.
That the triplets arrived during the non-contact, recruiting period two days before national signing day was a beautiful coincidence.
Life as a Division I college football coach is hectic enough, what with the long hours, daily practices, year-round recruiting and intense competition. Throw into the mix triplicate infants, a toddler who is into everything every minute and one of the most anticipated battles in years for the Bulldogs' starting quarterback job, and you've got a recipe for chaos.
"Coach Bobo comes into meetings all the time and tells us how many times the babies woke up last night," sophomore quarterback Blake Barnes says with a laugh. "I just don't see how he does it. I'm sure it's tough, especially with as much going on in this camp and all the hype around the quarterback race and the pressure that comes with his job anyway. At the same time, he's trying to be there for his wife and family."
Says Bobo: "It's definitely a tough time, really just being a football coach and having a family at home. Add having triplets and it's a little crazy sometimes, but more for Lainie than it is for me."
The Bobos are closing in on eight months with this burgeoning brood, so they're starting to get the hang of this thing. Or at least they think they are until the next set of challenges presents itself.
The latest of those is dinnertime. The triplets, who have been breast-feeding since birth, are just beginning to eat regular food. This can make for a rather frenzied and often untidy scene around the dining room table for an hour or so every evening.
"That's the worst time," Lainie says. "I don't think I've sat down to eat since I had them. Dinnertime is the dreaded hour."
Especially since Dad is usually still at the office. The Bobos have had to enlist help.
They hired a full-time nanny, Kelley Butler, a 27-year-old native of Albany and a graduate of UGA's department of child and family development. "Miz-Kewwee," as Drew calls her, comes to the house Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A babysitter takes over from 5 to 8:30 p.m. to help with dinner and putting the kids to bed.
Grandparents — George and Barbara Bobo of Clayton and John and Elaine Meshad of Sarasota — alternate weekend visits and come by whenever they can otherwise. Fellow coaches wives, such as Kelly Jancek, bring by supper once or twice a week.
"It's a two-person job," Bobo said. "With three babies and a toddler, you've got to have two people at all times. It would be just me and her this summer and I'd be like, 'There's nobody coming tonight?' However many minutes there are in the day, it's constant with those guys. It's like you're on an assembly line all the time."
"Then 8:30 gets here and it's quiet," Lainie says. "Everybody's in bed and it's wonderful."
Everybody except for Bobo.
He tries to get home in time for dinner or at least to tuck in Drew. But since football practice started in August that has become increasingly rare.
Bobo, you see, has been the point man for head coach Mark Richt in the highly scrutinized competition to determine which of four players would be Georgia's starting quarterback this season. As quarterbacks coach, Bobo is charged with reviewing videotape and grading each of the candidates on every aspect of their play in practice and preseason scrimmages.
"You're just trying to make sure you cross every 't' and dot every 'i' you gather so Coach Richt can make an educated decision," Bobo says.
Senior Joe Tereshinski III was tabbed the starter for the first game earlier this week. But Richt has made it clear that the competition is not over and that more than one quarterback will play, so the daily scrutiny and analysis must continue.
And Lainie knows all too well it will only intensify once the regular season begins Sept. 2.
"Monday to Thursday, it's practice and meetings. Friday's recruiting. Saturday's game day. Sunday it all starts over again," Lainie recites laboriously.
Actually she complains very little, Bobo says. After all, she knew what she was getting into.
The niece of Barbara and Vince Dooley, Lainie was already familiar with the vagaries of the coaching profession when she began dating Bobo — then the Bulldogs' starting quarterback — in the mid-1990s. And she continued to date Bobo, whose father was a high school coach, when he embarked on a college coaching career, first as a graduate assistant at Georgia and then as a full-time assistant at Jacksonville State. By the time they married and Bobo was hired by Richt in 2001, his career path was well-paved.
"I think he sacrifices. That's the word I'd use," Lainie says. "He works hard. He just tries to make the most of every moment he gets with the kids."
"You miss stuff and feel guilty," Bobo says. "My wife said the other day, 'Take a good look at the triplets. You won't recognize them when the season's over. They'll be walking by then.'
"It hurts. But you're providing for your family."
It's a common dilemma for coaches, especially those at Georgia. Eight of the Bulldogs' coaches have three or more kids, including Rodney Garner with six, Dave Van Halanger with five and John Jancek, Dave Johnson and the Richts with four each.
"It's tough. We talk about it all the time," Richt says. "We always talk about our responsibility to be spiritual leaders in our homes. You have to be there for your family, and it's tough.
"It's not easy, but you just find a way."
Richt said he encourages his coaches to cut out for important events such as school open-houses and recitals and the like. "The football world won't come to a halt in an hour and a half," he says.
At the end of practice each day, as the Georgia football players scurry off into the locker room, the Woodruff Practice Fields are transformed into a makeshift playground as dozens of kids dart out to find their daddies. Along with their moms, they'll join the coaches and players for a quick post-practice, catered meal at the Butts-Mehre Building before the families head back home and the coaches head back to work.
For now, it's too much trouble for Lainie to pack up her four little ones in the Yukon XL and drive into town, though Drew will periodically hitch a ride with Kelly Jancek and her four boys.
Meanwhile, Bobo tries to occasionally make the 10-mile drive to his Oconee County home for lunch. And ever so often, Lainie will leave the babies with the nanny and join Bobo for lunches out.
"She needs a break from them, too," Bobo says.
Mostly, they just try to manage.
"We're just so blessed to have four beautiful children, to be on a staff that is so family-oriented and to have so many family members and friends close by," Lainie says. "Believe me, we're not complaining."

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GEORGIA REPORT
Only two QBs will likely play in opener

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/25/06 Athens — Georgia quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said in all likelihood only two quarterbacks — Joe Tereshinki and Joe Cox — will play in the opening game against Western Kentucky.
After naming the "Two Joes" Nos. 1 and 2 on the depth chart earlier this week, head coach Mark Richt left open the possibility that a third quarterback might also see action against the Hilltoppers. But neither Blake Barnes nor Matthew Stafford took snaps with the varsity squad but instead worked with the scout team during Thursday's dress rehearsal at Sanford Stadium, the final scrimmage of the preseason.
"Based on [Thursday's scrimmage], we had to pretty much go with two guys," Bobo said.
Asked if that was the way the position would be handled against the Hilltoppers in the first game, Bobo said, "As of right now, yeah."
Tereshinki had a good day Thursday. He directed the offense on three touchdown drives — including one that covered 99 yards — and ran for a score himself.
"He looked pretty sharp," offensive coordinator Neil Callaway said. "I don't remember many errant throws. I wished he had been a little more on target on a few of them."
Cox did "all right," according to Callaway, but threw one interception on an out route, "and we don't like that."
Cornerback Oliver gets more interceptions
Paul Oliver did it again.
For the third time in three scrimmages, the Georgia cornerback returned an interception for a touchdown. This one went for 100 yards.
"Longest 100 yards I've ever run," said the junior from Kennesaw.
Actually, Oliver had two picks Thursday and seemingly has had at least that many in every practice.
"He's been doing it every day," defensive coordinator/secondary coach Willie Martinez said. "He just has exceptional ball skills. When the ball's in the air, he has a knack for getting to it."
This is what the Bulldogs have expected ever since Oliver signed out of Harrison High. This season he's a full-time starter for the first time.
"I'm just more relaxed," he said. "I think it comes from being in the system a long time. I feel a little smarter on the field, and that makes me play faster, I guess."
Kicker Coutu anoints punter as his holder
Richt left up the decision of who would be kicker Brandon Coutu's holder to Coutu. Thursday, Coutu finally made up his mind between punter Gordon Ely-Kelso and walk-on defensive back Rowdy Francis.
"Both guys did well, but I think right now it's apparent Gordon is ready," Coutu said. "He had all perfect holds and has improved every week. It's good to be finally settled."
Ely-Kelso is glad — but not ectastic — to have the job.
"I'm not going to say I wanted to do it," he said. "You're certainly not going to make a good play as a holder. Nobody notices you unless you mess up."
Parking passes on sale for spaces in decks
Georgia is offering parking passes for several of its decks across campus for $140, or $20 per home game. The deadline for obtaining a pre-paid pass is today. Purchase of a parking pass guarantees a spot regardless of when the pass holder arrives. Go to www.gamedaygameplan.com or call parking services at 706-542-7275.
Cornerback Evans heals ahead of schedule
Cornerback Bryan Evans, who was expected to miss at least the first two games with a knee injury, could be back sooner than expected. He looked extremely mobile Thursday, running 100-yard sprints and cutting while backpedaling during the scrimmage.
"It's too early to say if he'd be in for the first ballgame, but he's ahead of schedule," Martinez said.
Also back were linebackers Darius Dewberry and Brandon Miller.
Running back Jason Johnson sat out with a minor ankle injury.

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Deliverance for Dixson

Oft-injured defensive tackle Dale Dixson savors shot at redemption as he prepares for rare start

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Defensive tackle Dale Dixson hopes injuries are behind him and that he can finish his five-year Georgia career on a strong note.
John Curry/Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By John Kaltefleiter | john.kaltefleiter@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:57 AM on Thursday, August 24, 2006
He owns a pair of SEC championship rings, some trinkets from past New Year's Day bowls and four seasons worth of tarnished memories.
Georgia defensive tackle Dale Dixson also harbors little regret.
Dixson was bound for what he thought was stardom at Georgia after he left Texas as a hotshot defensive line recruit. Even after he redshirted as a freshman and watched the Bulldogs win their first SEC title in 20 years in 2002, Dixson figured he would factor into more championships at Georgia.
The reality? A tackling dummy has been a bigger factor.
"Throughout my career so far up to this point I've been injured," Dixson said. "I've just battled and battled with injuries. I've never caught much of a break. Stuff happens like that for a reason.
"Everything has been good in my life, except for football."
A fifth-year senior, Dixson has one more chance at redemption this season, and it begins when Georgia opens against Western Kentucky on Sept. 2. With senior Ray Gant missing most of training camp with a shoulder injury and tending to a death in the family in Phoenix, Ariz., defensive line coach Rodney Garner has pegged Dixson as the season-opening starter at tackle opposite Jeff Owens. It will be just the second start of a disappointing career to this point for Dixson.
"This is the first time in his history that he's been here that he's made it through spring practice and fall camp; the first time," Garner said.
Dixson's injury problems started with a concussion before the season opener in 2003. Midway through the year, he ruptured a patella tendon and was finished for the year.
The tendon healed before 2004 and Dixson made two tackles in the opener against Georgia Southern.
Opener: W. Kentucky at Georgia 12:30 p.m. Sept. 2 (Lincoln Financial)

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 082406

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Punt returning the favor

Henderson out to fill void during friend's absence

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Georgia's Mikey Henderson is slated to step in for his friend, Thomas Flowers, as the Bulldogs' top punt return man during Flowers' suspension.
Diane Cebula/Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:57 AM on Thursday, August 24, 2006
Mikey Henderson is in line to be Georgia's top punt returner when the season begins Sept. 2 against Western Kentucky, but the junior is conflicted about the role.
"It's kind of mixed emotions," Henderson said.
That's because Henderson is stepping in for his former roommate, Thomas Flowers, who is suspended for the first two games for violating team rules.
"I didn't want to get the job because he's suspended," Henderson said. "I don't want to see that happen to him, but I want to fill in and try to keep it going where he left off."
Flowers has finished in the top 15 nationally in punt returns each of the past two seasons. He averaged 13.69 yards last season (14th).
"Hopefully I can return some punts at least the first two games and hold the job down until he gets back," Henderson said.
Coach Mark Richt said that Thomas Brown and Asher Allen are also getting looks as punt returners.
Henderson was in the mix as a punt returner as a redshirt freshman in 2004 before breaking an ankle. He said he'd be fine with blocking for Flowers when he returned.
Flowers said earlier this month that he wanted to remain sharp during his suspension so he can make a smooth transition when he returns at cornerback and as a punt returner.
"I don't want to get in a slump," Flowers said, "so when it's time for me to come back and it's time for me to get in a rotation starting and returning punts, I don't want to lose my rhythm."
Catch first, block second at tight end
Tight end Leonard Pope led the team with 39 receptions last season, but his departure for the NFL after his junior season didn't leave the cupboard bare at tight end as far as pass catchers.
Richt said Martrez Milner and Tripp Chandler are capable targets but their blocking in the preseason has left something to be desired. Richt did say that Milner's blocking has improved.
"Their passing game is ahead of their blocking," Richt said. "In our system we do like to use our tight ends in the passing game so I'm pleased with that part. They've got to block better than they've been blocking. We're about average at best in blocking right now at tight end all the way around."

Stafford douses transfer talk - again
The day after he was named co-No. 3 on the depth chart, freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford Monday night said that he had no plans to transfer.
That didn't do a thing to stop message boards and talk radio from going crazy with transfer talk the next day.
By Tuesday night, the top story on Rivals.com quoted his father saying Stafford wasn't going anywhere.
"That's funny," Stafford said. "I have no idea how that got out. Whatever. They're not true. I'm sticking around."
Stafford was hanging out in freshman Chris Davis' room Tuesday night and Davis looked at his computer and said 'You going somewhere?'
Stafford is hoping to make an impression with what work that he does get in practice, but backup quarterback Joe Cox said he's getting "pretty much," all of the second-team reps.
"I'm just doing the best I can with the reps I get," Stafford said.
Getting ready for Western Kentucky
Georgia will hold a practice game today to prepare for Western Kentucky.
The Bulldogs spent most of Wednesday's practice in scout-team work.
"This is kind of the time of year where you're just kind of in limbo," Richt said. "Your just kind of waiting for that game. It is a long time to wait for a game, especially after practicing as many times as we have." Richt said nearly all of the offensive gameplan has been determined for the game.
The practice game will help make final determinations on the long snapper and holder. Greene County's Bo Fowler and Jeff Henson are competing at snapper and Gordon Ely-Kelso and Rowdy Francis as holder.
This and that
Rodney Gardner said freshman defensive lineman Geno Atkins will not redshirt this season and freshman cornerback Prince Miller will play this season, defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. Miller and Allen are currently behind cornerback Ramarcus Brown at the starting corner spot opposite Paul Oliver. Martinez said it's "50-50," whether redshirt freshman Bryan Evans (knee) is able to play against Western Kentucky. ...Strongside linebacker Danny Verdun Wheeler is in the starting unit at linebacker with Jarvis Jackson and Tony Taylor. ...Offensive guard Chester Adams, who injured a hand in Tuesday's practice, missed Wednesday's workout with what the school said was an illness. Fullback Jason Johnson sustained an ankle sprain towards the end of practice. Defensive tackle Ricardo Crawford returned to practice without limitations after injuring a collarbone last week.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 082406

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Are these UGA's glory days?
First five seasons under Richt among the program's best eras

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/27/06 Mark Richt is one of six coaches to win two SEC titles in his first five years.
He's one of five to have four consecutive 10-win seasons.

BRANT SANDERLIN / AJC (ENLARGE)

In five seasons at Georgia, Mark Richt has won two SEC titles and played for another.

And he's one of 10 to reach the 50-win mark in his first five years.
All of which begs the question: Are these the best of times for Georgia football?
We threw that one out to a few experts on the topic.
Vince Dooley, former coach and AD
"It is one of the best. You could make an argument it is the best because they have won more games. But on the other hand, you could say the other person in five years didn't play as many games. [The national title] is what you play for, ultimately. I looked to win the championships, and if you win that, then you're in the position that you might compete for the next level. It could happen here. If you win two championships in the SEC, that means that you more than likely can compete for a national championship."
Loran Smith, UGA historian and executive secretary of the Bulldog Club
"While you can evaluate eras with statistics, the greatest era sometimes is like beauty in the eye of the beholder. Fans, in particular, revere the teams and eras they were closest to, especially if there were great teams when they were students on campus. It would be difficult to top the three straight SEC championship years of the '80s.
"Coach Richt has a chance to give Georgia its greatest era with his recruiting base and the prospects for the next couple of years. There are a lot of question marks this year, but he has combined recruiting and coaching, which has created a formula that arguably is as good as, if not the best, in history at Georgia. He has won the most games in a five-year period, but has also played more games. Whatever, his record would play well on a lot of big-time college football campuses across the country.
"Who knows what would have happened with coach Wallace Butts if World War II had not come along? Excluding the war years, Coach Butts took his teams to five bowl games. He won two national championships. He recruited the point-a-minute Bullpups in '39 and had Charley Trippi and Frank Sinkwich in the same backfield in 1942. He recruited some great players in those years, but so many of them went off to war and never were able to regain their skills when they returned home. Coach Butts really had it going. That possibly could have been Georgia's greatest era if Hitler had stuck to painting."
Terry Hoage, safety (1980-83)
"The early '80s still has them beat. But I think there are two things you need to look at: No. 1, guys are happy to be Georgia Bulldogs again. Happy to brag about them and compare them. To be a football team that is a force to be reckoned with, that is a huge accomplishment for the organization. No. 2, it is always nice to be recognized as a top-tier school. In that respect, he is coming in par with Coach [Vince] Dooley."
Buck Belue, quarterback (1978-81)
"I would think the only difference would be when you get to play for the title two years in a row like '80 and '81 and then [factor in] '82, you are talking about three years in a row when you are really in the mix. You are knocking on the door. That would be the only difference I see. How do you argue the record [produced by the class of 2005]? That's the winningest class in school history.
"My personal feeling is if you are there banging on the door, you know it is going to fall your way one time and you have your chance to cash in. That is what I see happening here. You win the conference. You keep putting yourself in position. It is going to fall your way one year. I think that is what we are seeing here."
Bill Stanfill, defensive lineman (1966-68)
"It's hard to compete with that national championship banner hanging up there. In Coach Dooley's first five years back when I was there, we had those two SEC championships. What [Richt] has done, he's recruiting well, he has a good staff. If he can get those kids in and keep them out of trouble when they get there, there's no reason to believe he can't win the title."
Matt Stinchcomb, offensive lineman (1995-98)
"I haven't been around as long, so I don't know all the history. But I know enough to know that this is one of the best runs Georgia has been on. What [Richt] has done has put Georgia into the national picture every year. He has got it going now. And I don't think it is going to stop."

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2006 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule/Results

Won 0 Lost 0 Sep 2 - vs. Western Ky, 12:30 PM, ET Sep 9 - at So Carolina, 7:45 PM ET Sep 16 - vs. U-A-B, TBA Sep 23 - vs. Colorado, TBA Sep 30 - at Ole Miss, TBA Oct 7 - vs. Tennessee, TBA Oct 14 - vs. Vanderbilt, TBA Oct 21 - vs. Miss State, TBA Oct 28 - vs. Florida, 3:30 PM, ET Nov 4 - at Kentucky, 1:00 PM ET Nov 11 - at Auburn, TBA Nov 18 - Open Nov 25 - vs. Georgia Tech, 3:30 PM, ET

2005 Results

Won 10 Lost 3 Sep 3 - W vs. Boise State, 48-13 Wrap Box Sep 10 - W vs. So Carolina, 17-15 Wrap Box Sep 17 - W vs. UL-Monroe, 44-7 Wrap Box Sep 24 - W at Miss State, 23-10 Wrap Box Oct 1 - Open Oct 8 - W at Tennessee, 27-14 Wrap Box Oct 15 - W at Vanderbilt, 34-17 Wrap Box Oct 22 - W vs. Arkansas, 23-20 Wrap Box Oct 29 - L at Florida, 10-14 Wrap Box Nov 5 - Open Nov 12 - L vs. Auburn, 30-31 Wrap Box Nov 19 - W vs. Kentucky, 45-13 Wrap Box Nov 26 - W at Georgia Tech, 14-7 Wrap Box Dec 3 - W at L-S-U, 34-14 Wrap Box Jan 2 - L vs. West Virginia, 35-38 Wrap Box

2004 Results

Won 10 Lost 2 Aug 28 - Open Sep 4 - W vs. Ga Southern, 48-28 Wrap Box Sep 11 - W at So Carolina, 20-16 Wrap Box Sep 18 - W vs. Marshall, 13-3 Wrap Box Sep 25 - Open Oct 2 - W vs. L-S-U, 45-16 Wrap Box Oct 9 - L vs. Tennessee, 14-19 Wrap Box Oct 16 - W vs. Vanderbilt, 33-3 Wrap Box Oct 23 - W at Arkansas, 20-14 Wrap Box Oct 30 - W vs. Florida, 31-24 Wrap Box Nov 6 - W at Kentucky, 62-17 Wrap Box Nov 13 - L at Auburn, 6-24 Wrap Box Nov 20 - Open Nov 27 - W vs. Georgia Tech, 19-13 Wrap Box Dec 4 - Open Jan 1 - W at Wisconsin, 24-21 Wrap Box

2003 Results

Won 11 Lost 3 Aug 23 - Open Aug 30 - W at Clemson, 30-0 Wrap Box Sep 6 - W vs. Middle Tennessee, 29-10 Wrap Box Sep 13 - W vs. So Carolina, 31-7 Wrap Box Sep 20 - L at L-S-U, 10-17 Wrap Box Sep 27 - Open Oct 4 - W vs. Alabama, 37-23 Wrap Box Oct 11 - W at Tennessee, 41-14 Wrap Box Oct 18 - W at Vanderbilt, 27-8 Wrap Box Oct 25 - W vs. U-A-B, 16-13 Wrap Box Nov 1 - L at Florida, 13-16 Wrap Box Nov 8 - Open Nov 15 - W vs. Auburn, 26-7 Wrap Box Nov 22 - W vs. Kentucky, 30-10 Wrap Box Nov 29 - W at Georgia Tech, 34-17 Wrap Box Dec 6 - L at L-S-U, 13-34 Wrap Box Jan 1 - W vs. Purdue, 34-27 OT Wrap Box

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GEORGIA
Freshmen tackle opportunities for playing time

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/28/06 Kris Durham just didn't want to be attacked.
Not in his own home. And not by his roommate.
This was not the way the Georgia freshman wanted to go down. Quick feet, the blessing of every good wide receiver, and a quick mouth, something every teenager seemingly has, saved him.
"I walked in one day and I thought he was coming after me," Durham said. "I got out of the way and was like, 'Ricardo, what did I do?' "
Durham hadn't done anything. But the point was that Ricardo Crawford hadn't done all he could do. And that was why, sheltered in the tiny dorm, this 6-foot-1, 298-pound defensive tackle was banging around like a mammoth in a mouse hole.
"When I came in spring I was doing real good and all that," said Crawford, a freshman who enrolled early. "But then I came into camp and Coach [Rodney Garner] said I laid off and I got off technique. I was not getting into my playbook and all that. So then I started to work in my room and work on my stance."
That meant thundering around at all hours. No doubt the downstairs neighbors are in a fetal position in a corner praying the ceiling won't give.
"Ricardo, he's a great roommate," Durham said. "But he is a little different."
It could pay to be a little different. Crawford is one of the few freshmen for Georgia who could have a chance for playing time this season.
With injuries to Ray Gant and Marquis Elmore, there are only three healthy scholarship defensive tackles currently ready for Western Kentucky. Gant's shoulder will be re-evaluated this week. Typically, Georgia likes to have as many as five defensive tackles available.
Geno Atkins, another true freshman, is almost a lock to play at defensive tackle. Crawford might be more of a long shot for the first game but has entered the conversation when it comes to playing time. Together, those two could follow in the footsteps of Jeff Owens, who played all 13 games as a true freshman last season.
"Geno has shown he has a heart, is willing not to quit and go all out, just like Ricardo," Owens said. "They have just got to get it mentally because it is a whole other level. I think they both can do it."
Atkins will be the first to do it. His strength has been his strength. From the start, Atkins was able to go toe-to-toe with other players. And during the past four weeks, the freshman has started to understand more of the fundamentals necessary to compete in Division I-A.
"Geno has stepped his game up tremendously since practice started," Gant said. "Everybody is thinking good things about him. Coach [Garner] is loving him right now. Geno is going to see a lot of playing time coming up."
Crawford's immediate future is less certain. After starting quickly and turning heads, a shoulder injury midway through camp set him back. The injuries to Gant and Elmore have allowed him to continue to get increased reps. But with the increased reps comes increased scrutiny.
"When [Garner] was recruiting me he said he was going to be hard on me and I was like, 'Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I can handle it,' " Crawford said. "Now that I am here, learning the ropes, trying to get the playbook, the schoolwork and all that, it's been a little hard. It's been more than a little hard. But I am trying to work with it and get through it."
There is a difference between getting through it and pushing through it. The latter is what Garner wants to see. To date, that is what Atkins has done.
"Coach told me to be a competitor," Atkins said. "That's what I have done, step it up, learn my plays and be ready."

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Recruiting plan: Go after biggest stars

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/27/06 Athens — Georgia's recruiting foundation has been poured.
With national signing day still five-plus months away, 17 commitments are in place. The haul includes six offensive linemen, four defensive linemen and a quarterback.
"It's a solid base," said Jeremy Crabtree, a recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. "They build that solid base early of what they need and those positions that they have to have. That allows them to go out and get involved and fight for some of those big-time kids who are available.
"It's a good formula and it is definitely something that has worked well for [coach] Mark Richt for quite some time. Now they can concentrate on some players like Caleb King or [Jonathan] Dwyer."
King (Greater Atlanta Christian) and Dwyer (Kell) are AJC Super 11 picks and generally regarded as the top tailback prospects in Georgia.
King, who's been mum on recruiting, told the AJC last week he hopes to soon whittle his list to 10. Dwyer's announcement could come as soon as Thursday; he's down to Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Georgia Tech, in no particular order.
Georgia also is still in the mix for Fairburn Creekside star Eric Berry, Rivals.com's top-ranked cornerback prospect nationally.
"[The state of Georgia] is one of the deepest talent pools out there," Crabtree said. "And Georgia has gotten to the point, because of their depth and what they have done, that they can select the kids they want."
New QB rumors involve Barnes
Transfer rumors have continued to swirl in the fallout of Georgia's quarterback derby. The first involved Matthew Stafford, which the freshman vehemently denied.
The latest involve sophomore Blake Barnes and Southern Miss.
"I'm happy here, and I don't have any plans of going anywhere else," said Barnes, a Baldwyn, Miss., product who shares the No. 3 spot on the depth chart with Stafford.
Williams, Evans ready to return
Fullback Des Williams (knee) and cornerback Bryan Evans (knee) are scheduled to resume practice Monday and could see some time Saturday against Western Kentucky.
Evans has progressed further than Williams and has a better chance of being ready for the first game, Richt said.
Expect 6 freshmen to play in opener
Final decisions on which freshmen will play this season have not been made. But the six most likely to see time against Western Kentucky appear to be wide receiver Kris Durham, cornerback Asher Allen, cornerback Prince Miller, linebacker Darius Dewberry and defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Ricardo Crawford.
"It is going to be interesting to see how many guys play," Richt said.
"I see a lot of guys who deserve playing time, but those position coaches see it a little bit differently than I do sometimes."
Richt said just because a freshman doesn't play in the opener doesn't mean he won't see action this season.


IN THE HUNT
Five top uncommitted out-of-state prospects Georgia is still in the mix for:
Name Pos. Hometown State rank*
Christian Ballard DE Lawrence, Kan. 1
Malachi Lewis RB Oxnard, Calif. 19
Aron White TE Columbia, Mo. 4
Doug Wiggins CB North Miami Beach, Fla. 27
Major Wright S Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 13
*-State rankings according to Rivals.com

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Richt wins with faith, character

By Furman Bisher | Saturday, August 26, 2006, 07:46 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Furman Bisher

• Richt wins with faith, character
• Cursing the baseball 'closer'
• Woods bludgeons all comers
• Medinah shown scant reverence
• Big days for blue-collar guy

Athens — To be a football coach, you don’t have to have a chaw in your jaw, a whistle around your neck and the salty vocabulary of a mule driver. Or wear a pair of canvas knickers and a sweatshirt and walk around in cleated shoes. Nor do you have to be as ethically inclined as Mark Richt. But it appears to have worked pretty well for him. Even so, when a lady named Sharon K. Stoll came around offering a program called “Winning With Character,” he agreed to have it installed for his Georgia football players.
Not that he felt Georgia needed it, but it sounded as if anybody could use it, including the whole student body. It had a theme, about helping players “reflect on who they are and to provide a forum to discuss how they should make decisions.” A member of the athletics staff, Bobby Langford, recommended it to Richt, and now Georgia is one of six major college programs where the course is ongoing. In fact, in its fifth year here, though just to be rather calloused about the thing, I doubt Richt needs any outside influence other than the One he deals with on a daily basis, his Lord and Savior, in his words.
Richt’s ascension to the faith he now represents was a long haul, from the time he found out he was not going to be the University of Miami’s starting quarterback. Jim Kelly was. “I was crushed,” he said. “Then I began to realize what a shallow human I was, and what was left of me wasn’t very appealing.”
Down through the years he wrestled with his conscience, trying to get a grip on just what Christianity is, worried about what his friends might think if he went public, so to speak. “I still wanted to do what I wanted to do, not what God wanted me to do.”
You’ve read of the penalties imposed on some of the Georgia players: suspensions and, in some cases, dismissal. Not always were the penalized players from underprivileged homes, but from both sides of the track. One was a minister’s son, and another continued his wayward life into the NFL.
“Things are going to happen, and it hurts to impose some of the disciplinary things, but it’s like correcting your children,” Richt said. “You discipline them because you love them.” And the truth is, he didn’t necessarily feel that Georgia football needed Ms. Stoll’s program, but if it might help, give it a try. It was his view that Georgia was already trying to “win with character.”
“Can morals be taught?” he was asked.
His reply was swift. “Of course morals can be taught. It’s something we work at daily. That’s what we try to do at Georgia, to help develop the mind, body and spirit. You do all that, you build a better team.”
Back to Richt and his own personal wrestle with himself. “I was not without my own personal experiences. I’d been a hell-raiser. Then I began to think about giving my life some purpose. I really wasn’t sure just what Christianity was. I thought you had to be perfect, and I wasn’t ready for that. I thought maybe if I followed the Ten Commandments I’d go straight to heaven.”
When he was an assistant at Florida State, the message came through in violent form. One of the football players was shot dead, a tackle named Pablo Lopez. It was a grim Bobby Bowden who called a staff meeting the next morning and looked his coaches in the eyes, then delivered the shivering challenge:
“If that had been you last night, where would you be spending eternity?” he said.
That was it. “I’d been wavering, wondering all that time, but that was the culmination,” Richt said. “It was time to give my life to Christ.”
You wonder if such a commitment has its disadvantages in his line of work. Handicapped in recruiting? Do you do anything it takes to get ahead? How does it affect what a college football coach has to do to land the hot prospect, to win the big game? Where do sin and honor above all collide?
He doesn’t need Sharon K. Stoll to be his guide. It’s Mark Richt’s design to “win with character” every day of his life.
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