UGA Football Information Thread for the Upcoming NCAA Football Season

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It's Bobo's turn to take the heat
Bowl provides second game in play-calling role

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/26/06 Athens — The game was all but decided as Mark Richt made his way back up to the press box.
Florida State led Clemson 28-0 at the half. The Seminoles had already rolled up nearly 300 yards of offense. Richt, who was calling the plays for FSU at the time, had his finger on the button of a top-10 offense and his mind on the second half.

Todd Bennett/Special (ENLARGE)

Head coach Mark Richt had done his own play-calling before giving the responsibility to Mike Bobo before the regular-season finale.

RELATED STORIES Watts axed from Dogs' bowl roster It's Bobo's turn to take the heat Bailey top state prospect still uncommitted • More UGA coverage

Then reality found him.
"Some guy just laid into me," Richt remembered.
You guys will never win big until you get your running game going.
At the time, FSU had 1 rushing yard for the game. Also at the time, the program was in the midst of a run of top-five national finishes that might never be rivaled. And remember, up 28-0 at the half.
"Whoever is calling plays is going to catch grief," Richt said.
At Georgia, that whoever is not Richt anymore. Now, it's Mike Bobo, the team's quarterbacks coach the past six years.
Richt last week named Bobo the full-time play-caller, offensive coordinator and new whipping boy for the fickle armchair experts who never watched a game they couldn't win.
"I played quarterback here and I understand there's going to be criticism in calling plays, and that's just part of the job," Bobo said as the Bulldogs continued Chick-fil-A Bowl preparations. "I've been around football my entire life and know how it is. As long as those guys in that room know what's going on, and my family [does], I think I'll be fine."
Fans won't be the only ones who will now be more critical in their evaluation of Bobo's performance. He also has more fodder for his own mind to second-guess. That's only natural. And that already happened in the regular-season finale against Georgia Tech, which the Bulldogs won 15-12 in Bobo's first shot at calling the entire game.
"That whole game, let's face it: We were struggling offensively most of that game, and you could tell he was feeling it," Richt said. "But he came through and did a nice job. Even as the game went on, I thought he was doing a nice job. It doesn't always equate to points. You analyze that game and I could sit here and say, 'Boy, that was a bad thing to do.'
"Even if there was one or two questionable [decisions], as soon as he did it, he was like, 'Man, why did I do that?' But if you're going to call 60 to 70 plays every 25 to 40 seconds, you're going to call a few where you're like, 'Man, I wish I wouldn't have called that one.' "
That's what Bobo must come to grips with. He also must deal with the personal second-guessing that comes in the Sunday film review.
"When you watch film, it's a lot different than when it's game speed," Bobo said. "You can sit back and say, 'Maybe we could have done this a little more,' but that's just part of it.
"You're not ever going to call the perfect play or perfect game. You have just got to realize that you have got to take advantage of opportunities and manage your mistakes and just play smart."
And the smart move right now for the new play-caller is not to forget where he came from or who is beside him.
"I've got to focus on what I can do to help the team win and achieve and what we have been achieving over the past five to six years," Bobo said.
"The only way I know how to do that is continue to work hard and lean on these other coaches. Our head coach was offensive coordinator for a long time and had a lot of success, so I'll be leaning on him heavily."

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Watts axed from Dogs' bowl roster

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/26/06 Georgia sophomore offensive lineman Seth Watts has been suspended for Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl, Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said Tuesday.
"He just didn't behave well enough to come to the bowl," said Richt, who didn't elaborate further.

RELATED STORIES Watts axed from Dogs' bowl roster It's Bobo's turn to take the heat Bailey top state prospect still uncommitted • More UGA coverage

The suspension is for just one game, Richt said, and will not affect Watts' playing status next season.
Watts is the team's second lineman suspended for the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech. Earlier, redshirt freshman Ian Smith was suspended for six games following his second alcohol-related arrest in less than a year.
Without those two, Georgia will be down to six scholarship offensive linemen Saturday. Among the six is Michael Turner, who practiced Tuesday for the first time this bowl season. Turner had been sick and missed the conditioning practices on campus last week.
Georgia has played with six offensive linemen several times this season.
The team held its first workout in Atlanta at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Georgia Dome.

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UGA FOOTBALL
Dogs' Battle fights for redemption

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/25/06 Athens — This is a story about remembering what it is like to fall but embracing the challenge of always getting up.
It's about finishing everything you started, not with obligation but determination.

CURTIS COMPTON / AJC (ENLARGE)

'Even my freshman year, my high school coach wouldn't even let me play football because he said I was too small,' Battle says.

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It's about listening to a dream over shouts of objection.
It's the story of Georgia senior safety Tra Battle. And it begins, as we all do, in the dark.
Late November, 2005
For two days, Battle couldn't leave his room.
"I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to sit there in the dark."
Life found Battle with a fuzzy overall memory but a clear picture of the mistake he'd made. In a tight game against Auburn last November in Athens, he refused to let a slight concussion pull him from the field.
So he played. And he failed. On fourth-and-forever, Auburn's Devin Aromashodu got clear for 62 yards on a pass from Brandon Cox. Three play later, Auburn kicked the winning field goal.
None of it ever would have happened had Battle been where he should have. He was responsible for covering the middle of the field, but his confused mind betrayed him. And in the end, all he could do was chase Aromashodu as the familiar demons chased him.
Too small. Too slow. Bench him. It's what had always been said of Battle by his critics. Greg Blue, the Bulldogs' All-America other safety, had carried him. That's what people thought.
It's the kind of thinking Battle has had to put up with since he first tried on on shoulder pads. Folks always believed there was someone bigger and better than the undersized kid from Forsyth. Somebody, anybody, to take his place.
"Even my freshman year, my high school coach wouldn't even let me play football because he said I was too small," said Battle, who goes 5 feet 10, 170 pounds.
"When I got here, they told me he was a safety and I looked at myself and then looked at him size-wise and said, 'No way,' " teammate Kelin Johnson cracked.
"I knew he would never play," teammate Ramarcus Brown added, "not at that size."
But this was Tonya Battle's son. She didn't quit. And she didn't allow anyone else in her family to, either.
It was Tonya who'd fallen from the top of a sawmill to the ground two decades ago. With the lower half of her body broken and shattered, she heard doctors tell her, "You'll never walk again."
"Can she walk?" Tra is asked.
"Of course."
Like there was ever a doubt.
And there was never a doubt her son would soon walk out of the darkness and back onto the field.
Nov. 11, 2006, Auburn, Ala.
Redemption came from the least-suspected player and in the most unlikely place.
A year after Battle's gaffe against Auburn, the Bulldogs were demoralized on defense, with a head coach questioning his own offensive game plan heading into another showdown with the Tigers. Battle, now a senior and looked-upon leader whose own sister was in the crowd clad in Auburn orange, had raised the ire of many fans again.
In the previous weeks, Kentucky and Vanderbilt had moved against the Bulldogs' secondary with ease. Battle couldn't come up with stops on critical plays against the SEC's bottom dwellers. No one figured there was a chance he could stop Cox, Kenny Irons and the rest of the fifth-ranked Tigers at their place.
But "you could tell something before the game," Brown said. "He was in the zone. He felt like he was the guy that day."
He was.
Three times that day, Battle picked off Cox, tying the school record for interceptions in a game. He grabbed those balls like they were forgotten money he'd found pressed in between pages of the Bible. He wasn't sharing. He was taking what has his.
"He was owed a game like that," Johnson said. "Coming out, having a good game this year as a senior and as a leader, you can't ask for nothing else, man."
And Battle got more. He was a finalist for national player of the week honors. When the dust settled on the regular season, he was named a first team All-SEC player. And, what's more, a third-team All-American. Some NFL draft experts even believe he may get picked in April.
"You give him the opportunity for that spot, I don't care if he is playing special teams in the NFL or wherever it is, you are not going to take it away," Johnson said, "That is how determined he is."
Even if he doesn't make to the next level, Battle has a plan. He's on a path to get a chemistry degree. Maybe he'll get a job in the medical profession. Maybe something else.
But Battle will always be remembered by fans — maybe not for how he fell a year ago against Auburn. But instead for who he is and what it took to get back up.
Said Johnson, the admiring teammate: "Somebody ought to shake his hand and say thank you so much for being who you are."

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Big finish the goal for Moses

Football

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

The sack totals for Georgia defensive end and Cedar Shoals graduate Quentin Moses dropped from 111/2 a year ago to 31/2 this season because of double teams.
Briana Brough/Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 1:20 AM on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
ATLANTA - Football is a game Quentin Moses has played since he was a 10-year-old kid at Satterfield Park in Athens.
The sport didn't bring him much joy this fall when Georgia was losing games it didn't expect to and Moses was struggling to live up to high expectations.
After bypassing the NFL draft following his junior season, the defensive end from Cedar Shoals showed up on preseason All-America lists all over but arguably wasn't having an All-America type season.
His sack totals went from 111/2 last season to 31/2 this year.
"I was letting it stress me out," Moses said. "Trying so hard. Thinking too much. I've just been having fun for the past couple of games."
Fun is knocking off No. 5 Auburn on the road. Fun is beating No. 16 Georgia Tech, a game in which Moses deflected a pass that Jarvis Jackson picked off against the Bulldogs' in-state rival.
Next in Georgia's sights is No. 14 Virginia Tech Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
By now, Moses is a veteran of Georgia bowl trips. The fifth-year senior has been on teams that have gone to the Sugar Bowl (twice), the Capital One and Outback Bowls.
"It's the fifth one, it's the last one," Moses said. "Of course, we ain't in one of those January 1st bowls like we would love to be in, but you've got to make the best of what you've got, man. We finished the year strong. We got the (Chick-fil-A) Bowl."
This week, Moses will be practicing in and enjoying Atlanta. Moses' girlfriend Marquita Goings goes to school in Atlanta, but he says bowl week shouldn't allow too much time to hang out with her.
"We still have a lot of events we have to go to and Coach (Mark) Richt doesn't let girls in the room so it doesn't really change any," Moses said. "The bowl trip you like to be with your buddies."
It's one more college game before the whirlwind of a draft prospect kicks in. Senior all-star games. The NFL combine. Pro day on campus.
Moses says he's still not decided who will represent him.
"I've still got a couple of guys," he said. "It's a tedious process and you want to make the right decision. I'm not decided on all that yet."
Moses was the No. 4 senior prospect before the season by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper. Players in that lofty position often skip invites to the Senior Bowl. Moses, however, is rated No. 23 now and in no position not to work out before scouts.
"I'm definitely going to be there," he said.
Richt said NFL teams are still high on Moses, despite the drop in his numbers. Moses was picked third team All-American by the Associated Press, but wasn't on the coaches' or the media All-SEC team.
"I know the NFL people are very jacked up about him," Richt said. "They understand stats sometimes. What they want to see is what kind of effort he's giving and what kind of plays is he making. How's he handling double team situations? I don't think it's hurt him at all."
His return helped him in one big way. Moses took part in commencement exercises earlier this month when he got his diploma.
"His leadership means a tremendous amount to our players because he came back and got his degree," defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. "He loves Georgia and that's good for our players to see that."
Teammates and coaches say Moses has remained positive even through a difficult season. Martinez said Moses still is identified as a defensive player who has played consistently well all year.
"Everybody's gunning for him," defensive tackle Ray Gant said. "He's double and triple teamed most of the time this season. Those numbers aren't going to be up as high as they were last year. (David) Pollack's weren't either after his sophomore year. ... He's handled it like a champ. You never see him hanging his head. He's always positive and the same ole 'Q' laughing and joking."
Moses stands sixth on the Bulldogs career sack list with 24, two shy of fifth place Freddie Gilbert.
Only two years ago, Pollack ended his Georgia career with a going out party in the Outback Bowl when he had three sacks in his final game as a Bulldog.
That's a replay Richt wouldn't mind seeing from Moses.
"Especially if he has a game-winning play at the very last," Richt said. "I'd love to see that for him."
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Georgia
8 p.m. Saturday
(ESPN)
Georgia Dome
Inside
Lineman Seth Watts will miss the game, B2

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 122606

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CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Dogs turn up the noise

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/28/06 In anticipation of the noise that could be created by Georgia and Virginia Tech fans Saturday night, the Bulldogs decided to pump a little artificial crowd noise into their Thursday morning workout at the Georgia Dome.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said the one sure way to quell the noise, or least put a damper on it, was to score first, early and often.

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"The team that plays the best, it will seem like they have the most fans," Richt said. "You love to have momentum and you love to gain momentum. It is very hard to change the momentum once it gets rolling."

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Survey says: Dogs-Hokies 'Feud' offers laughs

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/28/06 After all these years, "Family Feud" is still on the air. But if the show's producers had seen Wednesday's version, they might have considered cancellation.
Georgia and Virginia Tech got together for the Delta Family Feud, a mock game that will no doubt cause many players to be mocked by teammates for months.

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The Hokies won in a landslide, although there were really no right or wrong answers. But there was plenty wrong with some of the responses.
For instance, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jackson was asked, "Tell us something players do when teammates are not looking."
Jackson answered: "Drink."
Anyone who has spent time reading the police blotter in Athens knows that is painfully obvious. Stunningly, Jackson drew an "X" for that answer – and probably some extra running.
The coaches weren't much better. When Georgia defensive end coach Jon Fabris was presented with the same question, he answered: "Break curfew."
Good thing it was dark in the ballroom so no one could see Mark Richt's reaction.
Actually, the coach might not have been listening. Instead, he might have been plugged into the guy upstairs. At least that's what defensive back Tra Battle thinks.
When Battle was asked, "Name a band or musician on your coach's iPod," he responded: "Billy Graham or something like that."
Another "X" for Georgia. But it was probably a more realistic answer than the actual No. 1 answer – Tupac.
Virginia Tech was not immune from ridiculous responses and subsequent ridicule. Center Danny McGrath was asked, "Name something players do for good luck."
He answered: "Wear the same underwear."
That forced his Feud partner, Battle, to exit stage left. Quickly.
Georgia struggled to produce points, much like the first three quarters the Colorado game. And this time there was no comeback, but Georgia still walked away all smiles.

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Dogs' RB Ware may go pro

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/27/06 Defensive end Charles Johnson and cornerback Paul Oliver aren't the only Georgia juniors with an eye on the NFL.
Reserve running back Danny Ware said Wednesday he's also thinking about forgoing his senior season and turning pro. Ware told the Journal-Constitution he'll make a decision following Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl.

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Meanwhile, another UGA junior running back definitely wants to be back on the field next season.
As Georgia went through its second day of bowl workouts at the Georgia Dome on Wednesday morning, Thomas Brown stood around, tossed the football on the sideline, watched and waited for his return. Brown, the junior tailback who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Vanderbilt game, always had maintained he wanted to come back for the 2007 season despite the fact that he had a redshirt season. His recovery progress is on track for that to happen.
Brown, Georgia's top rusher in 2005, said he was only on crutches for a week-and-a-half after the surgery. He is scheduled to start running on the knee in January.
Georgia has the potential to have five running backs next season — Brown, Ware, Kregg Lumpkin, Knowshon Moreno and Greater Atlanta Christian recruit Caleb King.
In other practice news, wide receiver A.J. Bryant was out of his green non-contact jersey and stretching. Bryant has been slowed by a nagging groin injury.
Wide receiver/punt returner Mikey Henderson also said he was 100 percent healthy after having hamstring and rib problems all season.

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Stafford and his coaches believe the best is ahead

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Georgia's Matthew Stafford had some growing pains early but led the Bulldogs to two wins over top-20 teams to end the season. The victories helped Georgia earn a trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Diane Cebula / Staff
Georgia's Matthew Stafford
Diane Cebula / Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:14 PM on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
ATLANTA - What quarterback Matthew Stafford does with the ball in his hands could go a long way in determining the outcome of Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Stafford should be accustomed to what's in store from a sold-out Georgia Dome. The Georgia freshman soaked up the scene as one of the 73,374 fans at the SEC Championship game on Dec. 2.
Stafford sat amid pig-snout-wearing Arkansas fans and Florida faithful. A few recognized Stafford and gave him the Gator Chomp as he watched Florida's 38-28 victory.
"I just wanted to see what it was about," Stafford said. "It was pretty cool. For the most part, I wanted to get a feel for the SEC title game."
Stafford's two predecessors at quarterback - D.J. Shockley and David Greene - won SEC championships at the Georgia Dome. Stafford would love to repeat that feat, but first he has to go up against a Virginia Tech defense that is No. 1 in the nation.
"They've proven they're a top flight defense and a great team," Stafford said.
Stafford shared SEC All-Freshman quarterback honors with Florida's Tim Tebow, but he's only one of two SEC starting quarterbacks with more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (six).
He began the season disappointed and mad at himself when he was co-No. 3 on the depth chart. He ended it as the clear-cut starter, taking every snap in the final five games and feeling like he played better in wins over Auburn and Georgia Tech.
"I think it was a huge year for him," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "The fact that he played as much as he played, he just learned an awful lot. He's experienced so many things now. He's played in very tough venues. He's played on national TV. He's played well in big games. He's played not so well in big games. He's kind of experienced a little bit of everything, and as of late, it seems that he's learned some lessons."
Namely, how to protect the football.
"I think he grew as a quarterback learning to play through his mistakes," quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said. "We knew he was going to make some mistakes as a freshman, and (he) probably made a little more than we would like. He kept playing. I never saw fear in his eyes of making a mistake. That's what we like. He goes out there and battles every time."
Stafford threw eight interceptions in a three-game stretch before completing 61.2 percent of his passes the last two games with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
"I think we're through the roughest part of his growth and maturation," Richt said. "The silver lining on this whole thing is now, if he stays healthy, he ought to play three seasons without having to go through those growing pains again."
His regular-season completion percentage of 53.6 doesn't sit well with Stafford.
"I can be a whole lot better than this," he said. "I'm still not even throwing the ball as well as I did in high school. The more comfortable you get, the more accurate you become."
Stafford already has played in two NFL stadiums but never in a dome. His Highland Park High School team played several games in Texas Stadium, and Stafford started against Florida this year in Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
"He's been in a big place like this before, so I'm pretty sure he's used to it already," tailback Danny Ware said.
The bowl game will be a tone-setter for 2007 and the final chapter for Stafford's freshman season.
"I got a ton out of it," he said. "I learned a whole bunch and got comfortable with the college game and playing with the guys around me. I'm just looking forward to this next game versus Virginia Tech, trying to get a 'W' there and carrying some momentum into next year."

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 122806

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Hokies will put heat on punter

Bulldog Notebook

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Josh Morgan's block of a Cincinnati punt earlier this year was the 112th by Virginia Tech under coach Frank Beamer.
Associated Press Photo
Georgia, which will face Virginia Tech in Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl, had problems with punt protection this year, including Antonio Wardlow's block for Tennessee.
Diane Cebula / Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:14 PM on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
ATLANTA - Just when Georgia and Gordon Ely-Kelso solved the problem of blocked punts, here comes Virginia Tech and its reputation for blocks.
"They come hard on kicks, but they leave enough people to have a good return also," Ely-Kelso said. "It's a good balance. Operation time is going to be big for sure."
Virginia Tech has blocked three punts and two field goals this season. It's the most punt blocks since the Hokies had five each in 2001 and 2002.
The Hokies had just one blocked punt each of the past three years.
"We're getting closer," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "We had a couple down the stretch that we had a chance to get blocked and didn't get them blocked. I think that's always got to be a threat."
Ely-Kelso admits there is an intimidation factor against Virginia Tech because of the emphasis that Beamer puts on special teams. Georgia had two punts blocked against Ole Miss - one called back by penalty - and another against Tennessee that was recovered for a touchdown.
"I think guys just got beat, and we were fortunate not to have that happen before," Ely-Kelso said.
The senior from Athens is averaging 39.6 yards per punt, his lowest average since his freshman season in 2003.
With Brandon Coutu returning as kicker, Ely-Kelso can end his Georgia career focused solely on punting.
"It's definitely a little bit of pressure taken off my back," Ely-Kelso said.
Downside to possible assistant move
Georgia coach Mark Richt seemed hesitant Wednesday about a possible move of David Johnson from coaching tight ends to the offensive line.
Richt is looking to fill a vacancy on his offensive staff because line coach Neil Callaway is leaving to coach Alabama-Birmingham.
"Dave's been very successful at coaching tight ends, but he's tremendous on our punt team, too," Richt said. "If you move him, then a lot of momentum we have in recruiting tight ends and our tight end play could be in jeopardy, and we'd also have to find someone to handle our punt team."
Richt wants to hire a coach before the end of the recruiting dead period in mid-January.

Underclass decisions may affect class size
Less than six weeks before signing day, Georgia is actively recruiting five or six players, recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner said.
The number of players the Bulldogs can sign will be determined by whether defensive end Charles Johnson, cornerback Paul Oliver and running back Danny Ware decide to return for their senior seasons.
"That's probably the biggest thing right now, that we got going on, just seeing if we are going to lose one or two guys who may decide to come out early or return," Garner said. "You just don't know, so you've got to build in a little cushion."
All three are waiting to hear from an NFL underclass advisory committee on a draft projection.
"I just really want to see what that paper says," Oliver said. "I don't want to make a decision before this game. I really want to go out in a big way with this game and finish the season off with a positive note."

All-USA honors for commit Green
A player who has announced intentions to come to Georgia is on USA Today's All-USA team.
Summerville (S.C.) receiver A.J. Green is the only junior to earn a spot on the first team. He had 60 catches for 1,203 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Georgia commitment Trinton Sturdivant, an offensive lineman from Wadesboro, N.C., is on the second team, as is McIntosh County Academy linebacker Allen Bailey, a Georgia target.

This and that
A couple of Georgia's four freshmen defensive ends who redshirted this year could be candidates to move to defensive tackle, said Garner, Georgia's defensive line coach. Kiante Tripp, who is 6-foot-6, is at 275 pounds. Michael Lemon, Demarcrus Dobbs and Brandon Wood, who is out for spring practice after shoulder surgery, are the others. "We always thought that one or two of those guys could possibly be inside players," Garner said. ... Unlike last year, when Richt didn't like the conditioning of the players after a week between practices, he was pleased with how the team looks after four days off. "Just enough time to get some rest, but maybe not enough time to lose some of the conditioning we had gained to that point," Richt said. ... Hokies defensive end Noland Burchette wore a heat pack in practice after injuring his back. "I don't think it will be a factor in the game," he said. ... Georgia is giving out extra helmet stickers for academic achievement. The 10 players who graduated will get 10 black bone stickers and the 50 who made at least a 3.0 grade point average will get a "3.0" sticker. ... About 35 Georgia players visited children at Scottish Rite Hospital on Wednesday. The teams later attended a bowl banquet, competing in a football feud fashioned after the game show "Family Feud."

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 122806

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Richt has had upper hand in games against Beamer

Going back to work

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Mark Richt has experienced success against Frank Beamer, winning all three games against Virginia Tech when he was an assistant at East Carolina and Florida State.
Diane Cebula / Staff
The Georgia football team returned to practice for the first time in four days, working out at the Georgia Dome on Tuesday. The Bulldogs practiced in the climate-controlled dome while Virginia Tech practiced in 40-degree weather at Georgia Tech.
Diane Cebula / Staff
With 198 victories, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer is third in wins among active Division I-A coaches.
Associated Press Photo
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
ATLANTA - Nearly seven years after facing off in the grandest of college football stages, Mark Richt and Frank Beamer will coach against each other in Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl, where the stakes won't be nearly as high.
National rankings and momentum for 2007 will on the line in the Georgia Dome. A BCS national title was up for grabs when Florida State beat Virginia Tech 46-29 in the Louisiana Superdome on Jan. 4, 2000.
The victory was the pinnacle for Richt as offensive coordinator at Florida State, helping to raise the profile of an assistant who was hired by Georgia less than a year later.
"I'm sure it helped," Richt said. "That was probably the most special season because it was an undefeated season. We were consensus No. 1 from the first day until the end."
Even with the loss, Virginia Tech and Beamer had a national spotlight that put the program in Blacksburg, a town of nearly 42,000 in Southwest Virginia, on the map.
"I was on my way to Florida State," said Atlanta Falcons two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who was a junior in high school in Chesapeake, Va., at the time. "I saw Virginia Tech play Florida State in the national championship and figured why go 12, 13 hours away when I could go four hours away, stay in state, close to home."
The Hokies' first title game appearance helped make them a mainstay in college football's elite in the past decade. They have been an ESPN staple, particularly on Thursday nights.
Richt's good fortune against the Virginia Tech coach includes more than the BCS title game.
He is 3-0 coaching against Beamer. Richt was quarterbacks coach in 1990, when Florida State beat the Hokies 38-29, and was the offensive coordinator at East Carolina in 1989, when the Pirates beat Virginia Tech 14-10.
"Tell him he caused me my heart problems," said the 60-year-old Beamer, who experienced chest pains during the upset loss to East Carolina and was forced to miss the Hokies' next game after undergoing an angioplasty. "That was a lot of fourth quarters ago."
"We had a trick play we ran that helped us," Richt said. "We got pretty lucky that day I thought."
Today, Richt and Beamer are among the top 15 highest paid coaches in college football, according to USA Today. Richt is completing the first year of a contract that runs through 2013. Beamer's contract runs through 2012.
Richt is a two-time SEC Coach of the Year who has been so successful at Georgia that an 8-4 season is now considered a down year.
Beamer, with a 198-104-4 record, is the third winningest active coach in I-A football behind guys named Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno.
He takes calls on the "Hokie Hotline" radio show from Beamer's Steakhouse in Christiansburg, Va., where you can order Beamer's Lunchbox Burger or the Coach's Cajun Meatloaf.
"That meatloaf is pretty good," said Beamer, who has a financial stake in the restaurant.
He's also a brandname with BeamerBall - he owns the trademark - and has spawned Beamerball.com. The name comes from the Hokies' penchant for blocking kicks and scoring on defense.
As an 11-year old, Matthew Stafford, watched that national championship game on television.
"I remember the Sports Illustrated cover the next week with Peter Warrick like this (with arms reaching out to grab a touchdown catch) and a guy's arms chopping across and (Warrick) catching it," said Stafford, Georgia's freshman starting quarterback who grew up a Florida State fan. "It was a good game. I remember I was amazed at what Michael Vick could do."
So was Richt. And that was before the game even started and accounted for 323 yards of total offense.
"I remember pregame warm-ups looking at Vick up close and saying, 'Wow. That guy is kind of yolked up,' " Richt said. "He had zip on the ball. I remember that first drive and how he made our defense look average at best. He was just so fast, gosh. If something wasn't there, he would just take off and it was like, 'Wow. We're in a for a long day.' "
Virginia Tech looked like it was headed for a long day before rallying to score 21 points and grab a fourth-quarter lead. Florida State, which got three touchdowns from Warrick, scored the game's final 18 points.
"I remember laying down in bed that night and just saying, 'Oh, man that was awesome.' Just being thankful," Richt said.
Virginia Tech had reason to be thankful, too. The Hokies' previous biggest splash in the postseason was beating Texas in the 1995 Sugar Bowl.
"People thought of us," Beamer said, "as being on another level after that."
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Georgia
8 p.m. Saturday
(ESPN)
Georgia Dome

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 122706

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Notebook: Trip to Atlanta OK with Bulldogs

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Georgia's offensive linemen go through drills at the Georgia Dome, in preparation for the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech. It's the Bulldogs' second straight bowl game in Atlanta.
Diane Cebula / Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
ATLANTA - The only bowl experience sophomore defensive tackle Jeff Owens has known is a trip to Atlanta.
The Bulldogs' second straight bowl trip to the Georgia Dome is the program's first time playing in the same city in consecutive postseasons since Georgia made three straight trips to the Sugar Bowl from 1980 to 1982.
"We're just going to try to relive it," Owens said. "We're doing pretty much the same stuff we did last year."
Georgia players went to the ESPN Zone on Tuesday and will tour the Georgia Aquarium Thursday night leading up to Saturday's game against No. 14 Virginia Tech.
"We're doing some of the same functions we did last year, but they're all fun," offensive tackle Michael Turner said. "We're just ready for a great experience."
One addition this year that Owens was most upbeat about will be a visit Thursday to the King Center, where players will have a chance to learn more about the civil rights movement under Martin Luther King Jr.
The Bulldogs stayed in at the Omni Hotel for the relocated Sugar Bowl. The team hotel this year is the JW Marriott in Buckhead, which is connected to Lenox Square Mall and is a block from Phipps Plaza.
"I'm probably going to just hang out in the hotel," freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "I might be walking around the mall but not a whole bunch."
Owens plans to chill out, also.
"I'm just going to relax in my room and take a break and play my Xbox," he said.
Some of the attractions might be familiar to Georgia, but the Bulldogs get the college stage for themselves this year in Atlanta.
"Last year, they had the Peach Bowl and the Sugar Bowl both being played in Atlanta," defensive end Quentin Moses said. "The Sugar Bowl may have gotten a little more attention than the Peach Bowl. We're the only bowl game in Atlanta, so it's good."

Turner back to practice
With Seth Watts and Ian Smith not making the trip because of suspensions, Georgia got some good news when Turner, its only remaining scholarship backup, returned to practice on Tuesday.
Watts "did not behave well enough to come to the bowl," coach Mark Richt said of the one-game suspension.
Turner practiced just twice in bowl practices on campus because of what he called a tonsil infection.
"I actually lost about 15 pounds and didn't eat much of anything," Turner said. "I got all my weight back now. Christmas was good to me."
The 6-foot-4 Turner said he's at about 290 pounds. He said he expects to work at offensive tackle but he started two games at guard this year.
Walk-on Chris Abbott is working behind starting guards Chester Adams and Fernando Velasco.

Bulldogs return to field
After four days off the practice field, Georgia worked out for the first time in Atlanta with a two-hour session at the Georgia Dome on Tuesday morning.
It was the final practice of the season in full pads.
"Any time you're playing in the Georgia Dome, something good happened to your team, so we're excited to be here," Richt said. "I'm glad we're going to practice here too. We don't have to worry about the weather outside."
Temperatures were in the low 40s while Georgia practiced. Virginia Tech practiced outside at Georgia Tech.
"It was freezing out there," Hokies linebacker Brenden Hill said. "I had my sweatpants in the first part of practice until I warmed up. It was cold."
This and that
Receiver A.J. Bryant (groin) practiced in a green non-contact jersey and said he will play. Tight end Coleman Watson (groin) also was in a green jersey. ... Virginia Tech tailback Branden Ore, who rushed for 1,095 yards this season, said Tuesday the high ankle sprain that kept him out of most of the Hokies' final two regular season games is not holding him back at all in practice. "I'm ready to go, ready to play," Ore said. ... Reggie Roby, the late punter who played at Iowa and for the NFL's Miami Dolphins, and former Virginia coach George Welsh are this year's inductees to the bowl's Hall of Fame.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 122706

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King's impact could be in '08

By CARTER STRICKLAND, SETH COLEMAN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/27/07 Caleb King made the grade, but the question remains how immediate an impact the prized running back recruit will make. "I think that those that follow and cover Georgia need to realize that the running back position for 2007 is stacked, so if King doesn't see a whole lot of playing time it doesn't mean that he's not living up to expectations," Rivals.com analyst JC Shurburtt said. The former Parkview and Greater Atlanta Christian star, who found out this past week he earned a high enough SAT score to play as a freshman, will battle Kregg Lumpkin, Thomas Brown and Knowshon Moreno for carries. ... New Mount Zion coach Jarrett Laws said junior running back Martin Ward is "just as impressed with Georgia as he has always been." But Laws said Ward, who took back his commitment to the Bulldogs, plans to visit Auburn, Tennessee and Florida. "This is a kid that has not be exposed to a whole lot and who really didn't know how the process works," Laws said. "When he started getting attention from all these other schools, when we talked, all I told him was that he needed to make a decision based on what is best for him and his future." ... A few preseason magazines are already out with Top 25 rankings: Georgia's listed No. 17 by Lindy's, No. 16 by Athlon.

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How will Stafford fare as a sophomore?

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/03/07 Opinions on how Georgia QB Matthew Stafford perform as a sophomore:
MATT HAYES

RELATED STORIES Georgia finishes 2nd in NCAA golf; Jackets wind up 8th How will Stafford fare as a sophomore? Bulldogs' freshmen report Monday • More UGA coverage

Sporting News
"He's the most talented quarterback Mark Richt has ever coached. That includes Heisman winners Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke, and Georgia hero David Greene. Richt, one of the game's best teachers, didn't give him too much of the offense last season to keep him from over-thinking. Now that he has a complete grasp of the system — and the new wrinkles Mike Bobo has added — he'll be the best in the SEC by the end of the season."


BUCK BUCHANAN
UGA fan from Brunswick
"Seems to me his season will hinge on whether the receivers learned how to catch since last season. If they have good seasons, there'll be games like the Auburn game. If not, there'll be more of the Vandy games."


CHAMP BAILEY
Former UGA All-American
"He's got all the tools, and with a year under his belt, he could be awesome."


DEAN LEGGE
Dawg Post
"Better than you think. Most fans see how talented Stafford is, but they don't understand why. I do. Yes, having the best quarterbacking arm Athens has ever seen helps, but Stafford has the 'it' factor. He has always had 'it' in him, but didn't totally know how to use 'it' until late last fall, when the light turned on. There are very high expectations for Stafford and justifiably so — don't be surprised if Stafford leads the Dawgs to the SEC East title this fall."


DAVE NORTON
UGA fan from Buford
"Well, more than a bit of it depends on what kind of freshman season Mike Bobo has [as the new coordinator]. I think Stafford will do fine. He's going to need help from those receivers we all hope will develop hands, and the offensive line concerns me, but he's obviously a sharp kid and made great strides in the final few games last year."
— Compiled by Jeff D'Alessio

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Team takes Stafford's orders seriously
UGA QB has ramped up leadership role

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/24/07 Athens — Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford has taken charge at Georgia during the pass skeleton drills on the practice fields. And players are hoping he will continue to take control on the field.
"One thing that sticks out in my mind about Matthew is leadership," safety Antavious Coates said. "He is a guy who depends on other people to do their jobs. And once he says something, everybody takes it serious. That is what you need as a quarterback if we want to win games."

RELATED STORIES Team takes Stafford's orders seriously Recalling Munson's most memorable calls Cowboys impress Bulldogs safety • More UGA coverage

Stafford started to win games, consistently, in the last three games of the season. After struggling through growing pains and a couple of unexpected losses at Kentucky and against Vanderbilt, Stafford was 39 of 70 with three touchdowns, one interception and 529 passing yards.
In the previous 10 games, Stafford was 96 of 186 with four touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 1,220 yards.
"I was really impressed watching him grow," Coates said. "I really like him under center. I think he is going to take us to the promised land."






Team takes Stafford's orders seriously | ajc.com

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UGA safety Johnson is sizing up Cowboys

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/20/07 Athens — Kelin Johnson is busy watching film just about every day these days.
The Georgia safety is trying to figure out the ins and outs of Oklahoma State, the Bulldogs' first opponent.

RELATED STORIES Team takes Stafford's orders seriously Recalling Munson's most memorable calls Cowboys impress Bulldogs safety • More UGA coverage

"The one thing about their offense is that it is really, really unpredictable," Johnson said. "They have got so many weapons. You have got the quarterback who can run. You have got a running back that can sure enough run.
"They run that option where they can do anything. Plus the quarterback can throw and then you have wide receivers that can catch and wide receivers that can run. Their best player is their tight end."
That tight end is 6-foot-6 Brandon Pettigrew, who started all 13 of the Cowboys' games last season. Pettigrew can block on the line but was also a threat to slip into pass patterns.
"You can kind of compare them a little bit to Boise State," Johnson said of the two offenses. "Both those quarterbacks can make plays when they scramble. And Bobby [Reid], you have to be right on target with him in coverage because he is going to buy enough time to find his receiver downfield."
The receiver Reid likes to find the most is Heisman Trophy candidate Adarius Bowman. The 6-5 Bowman might be the best pure receiver Georgia will face all season. (Florida's Percy Harvin is probably the most explosive and versatile.)
Oklahoma State suffered a setback this week in its receiving corps when Artrell Woods suffered a season-ending back injury in the weight room. Woods was making a move to complement Bowman on the other side.
"What we are going to have to do is run to the ball," Johnson said. "Coach [Willie] Martinez is not going to be able to make every perfect call for all of us to be in the exact spot every single time. This is about defense and about team and everybody running to the ball.
"You get people knowing what they are doing and playing just as hard as the people next to them and you are going to make up for mistakes. Every play is not going to be perfect. You can call a holding on just about every play, but the question is, 'Who is going to get off that block and out of that hold?' "

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Four Bulldogs make pre-season list

| | Story updated at 11:03 PM on Thursday, July 19, 2007
Four Georgia football players were named to the 2007 Southeastern Conference Coaches Pre-Season All-SEC Football Team, the conference announced Thursday.
Both place kicker Brandon Coutu and return specialist Mikey Henderson were named to the the special teams first team. Linebacker Brandon Miller made the second team for defense and center Fernando Velasco was placed on the third team for offense.
The LSU Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks led all teams with 12 players selected.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 072007

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Dogs not 'too far away' from title, Richt declares

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/31/07 The last game was seven months ago.
The next one is a month away.

Brant Sanderlin/AJC (ENLARGE)

Georgia fan Jacob Lenkowski waits to have his football signed by coach Mark Richt.

Your Turn How "far away" are the Dogs from that title? They're in the red zone, baby! Piece here and there, maybe. You've been drinking the punch. Tech's got a better shot. Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

• Photos from the event • Video: How 'bout them Dogs? RELATED STORIES Georgia star Humphrey revels with Pan Am gold Uga is ready for the season Dogs not 'too far away' from title, Richt declares • More UGA coverage

But the crowd still came. In part because of what they remember from 2006, but maybe more so because of what might be in 2007. That was why more than 700 of the Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club wedged into the Cobb Galleria Centre on Monday night.
The Bulldog fans got the fix they needed.
Athletics director Damon Evans, coaches Suzanne Yoculan, Manny Diaz and finally, the man most fans came to see, Mark Richt. And he was typical Richt — controlled, conservative, cordial, basically the exact opposite of LSU's Les Miles when he goes on the rubber chicken circuit.
The most emotional Richt got was when he didn't have to address who the starting quarterback would be come fall, And really, that may have been more relief than enthusiasm.
"Once his talent begins to flow I think we are going to enjoy what he does, and I think the nation is going to enjoy Matthew Stafford," Richt said.
What was flowing Monday night was optimism. Two of the three coaches, Yoculan and Diaz, took home national titles, in gymnastics and men's tennis. The other, Richt, finished the season with three straight wins over Top 25 teams.
"Each year we do something to build for the next year," Evans said. "I think in all phases you are going to see us take it to the next level."
Yoculan already has. When asked what the highlight of the year was, she quickly and emphatically said, "Beating Florida."
"We were able to stuff it down their throats," she added.
Football has merely put its hands around its own throat when it comes to Florida almost every year.
"Tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel," one fan stood up and asked.
"There is a light at the end of the tunnel," Richt answered back. "If we are going to win an SEC East title, and that is our plan to win it, we are going to have to beat them. If they are in the way, then so be it."
Another thing some believe has been in the way of Georgia winning is the location of the game. For three more years it's scheduled to be in Jacksonville. When that contract is up, Richt would be in favor of moving it.
"Do I truly think it is a neutral site?" Richt said. "No, I don't. That doesn't feel very neutral to me. If you want to have a neutral game, let's have a neutral game in Atlanta. I would not be against rotating the thing around."
Richt said the two schools' campuses and Jacksonville could all be considered a part of that rotation.
"Whatever Damon says goes," Richt added. "The bottom line is we have got to win the game."
In past years some have not been optimistic on that front. But this is a crowd that has become used to pessimism, at least those who tune in to Larry Munson each Saturday. Munson was brought up to Richt on Monday. Not whether he would be there because of his advancing age, but what he would say when he was.
Richt related a story about how he was put on inter-office hold and the hold music was a Munson call. Georgia was up by 10, Munson barked. He acted like we were about to lose, Richt said.
"I am glad he is not piped into [the headphones during] the game," Richt said. "I would be depressed.
"Can you imagine him doing gymnastics? 'Oh my gosh, she is going to fall off the beam,'" Richt joked.
Right now, Georgia has had few wobbles on the football field under Richt. But while 61-17 is a record that puts Georgia among the winningest programs this decade, the Bulldogs still lack one thing.
"We would love to bring a national championship to this program, and I don't think we are too far away," Richt said.

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Kaltefleiter: Easy to doubt Brandon Miller

| | Story updated at 10:37 PM on Tuesday, July 31, 2007

John Kaltefleiter more Kaltefleiter columns

"Brandon Miller, he's the key to our whole defense in my opinion."
Coach Mark Richt said those words so matter-of-factly that it took a couple of minutes to register.
Was he talking about the same Brandon Miller who's never played middle linebacker?
Was he referring to the Brandon Miller who went from full-time starter to every-once-in-a-while starter from his sophomore to junior seasons.
Was he seriously hanging the hopes of Georgia's defense on a player who's missed far more tackles than he's made during the past three seasons?
Richt hasn't made scores of outlandish statements since he came to Georgia - this one fully qualified.
"He's very talented," Richt told reporters this past Friday at SEC Media Days. "He's very capable."
They said the same thing about Miller when he left Colquitt County as one of the top-rated defensive ends in the country in 2004. He played right away as an outside linebacker and on special teams as a freshman, and the Bulldogs coaching staff and fan base waited to see Miller unfurl his touted athletic arsenal.
They're still waiting.
Georgia's defense is safety driven, but the middle linebacker is perhaps the second-most important position on the field. He's responsible for the line checks and pass coverage across the middle. It's a huge responsibility, a duty that requires more than just raw talent. It depends upon instinct and bold-faced leadership, which are traits Miller has yet to exhibit in a game situation.
Making Miller the focal point of Georgia's defense is akin to handing a kindergartner a crayon and plopping him temptingly close to the Mona Lisa. Either Richt has some extraordinary intuition or he's more cuckoo than we know.
Georgia is in this precarious position with Miller because it doesn't have many linebackers to turn to. Attrition has been the biggest culprit as Georgia lost Tavares Kearney, Josh Johnson and Akeem Hebron to disciplinary issues. Miller's backup, Marcus Washington, could've challenged for the position but didn't play in the spring because of a knee injury, and his progress remains slow.
What's always been puzzling about Miller is his style of play. He's been hesitant to attack ball carriers one minute and has overrun them the next. He's been suckered in pass coverage too often, but has the speed to stick with a tight end or slot receiver. Plain and simple, there's rarely been consistency with his play, never been an acceptable median.
Starting Saturday, Miller will have less than a month to figure it out. Richt is asking a lot of him, but players who crave greatness don't scurry from that sort of pressure. They embrace it. They thrive on it.
Richt better hope Miller falls into that category. In his opinion, the fate of this season's defense already could be decided.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080107

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UGA FOOTBALL
Richt excited about backfield corps

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/02/07 Athens — Georgia's running game has been predicated on diversity the past three seasons.
No one knew who was going to get the ball when. There was supposed to a change of pace, an element of surprise to it all.

Your Turn Is Kregg Lumpkin being overlooked among SEC running backs? Yes. He's underrated. No. There a lot of other good runners. I don't care. I just hope he has a good season. Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

RELATED STORIES Gailey, Richt, Corso headline preview luncheon Richt excited about backfield corps Colquitt's Cuff cleared academically for Georgia • More UGA coverage

But the truth of the matter was the pace never reached breakneck speed. Georgia's running game plodded instead of plowed.
Once again, the Bulldogs enter camp Saturday with a stable of running backs. Thomas Brown is back and healthy after missing much of last season with a knee injury. Fellow senior Kregg Lumpkin is listed as the starter. Caleb King is the heralded recruit.
Then there's Knowshon Moreno. The redshirt freshman has never played a down for Georgia, yet has received more hype than the other three combined. Not hype from the fans, mind you, but from UGA's coaches.
"Knowshon Moreno, I know when you get to watch the kid practice every day and see what he does, it gets you excited," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "He is a very vibrant guy. He could be a gymnast.
"You can't hide his enthusiasm for life. He will light up his team with his energy level."
That is just what he does in the huddle. Apparently, according to Richt, Moreno can do quite a few things on the field as well.
"He will jump over a guy standing on his feet and score," Richt said of the former New Jersey high school player of the year. "He has got speed, power and agility. People have to respect his power."
Among other things. Opponents will also have to respect that agility Richt's so high on.
"If [the defense] sends a guy full-speed to try and get him, Knowshon will make them miss," Richt said.
Moreno is shifty. And, maybe more importantly, he can shift into another gear and run away from the defense.
Georgia coaches wanted to plug him into the lineup last season, but Moreno wasn't ready to handle the blocking schemes. The Bulldogs also had three other capable running backs until Brown went down with his knee injury.
Now Moreno is listed as the No. 2 running back behind Lumpkin. But he's the No. 1 choice for teammates when talking about who they're the most curious to see play.
Said center Fernando Velasco: "Everybody wants to see what he can do."

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Stafford sees good things on tap
Dogs QB puts photos of him on Internet in rear view

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/04/07 Athens — The keg was not full.
The optimism floweth over.

Your Turn Do you think the controversy surrounding Internet photos of Matthew Stafford hoisting a keg was overblown? Yes. No. Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

RELATED STORIES Stafford sees good things on tap Richt upbeat as practice begins Butler, Bolton ready to announce decisions • More UGA coverage

That's the view from Matthew Stafford's seat as Georgia starts another season of football and the quarterback starts his sophomore year.
This year, Stafford is brimming with confidence. This year, he's comfortable under center. This year, he's game-tested. And this year, especially this year — after photos of the sophomore holding a keg over his head surfaced on the Internet — Stafford is more guarded.
He has to be because he is Matthew Stafford.
"I will tell you what: This helps you realize how much you have got to have your guard up all the time, no matter what you are doing or where you are," Stafford said of constantly being in the spotlight. "It kind of ruins your personal life, which is fine. It comes with the territory. I would rather be playing football and have no personal life."
Stafford's personal life has always been Internet kindling. Eyes have been watching since he set foot on campus in January 2006.
"Right away, I felt like people walking by were looking at me," he said Saturday. "It's weird. It's not like I enjoy that."
Even his family has been affected. His sister Page once had an offer to have her feet kissed by a fan while waiting for a table in an area restaurant.
But it was in May when the kindling turned into a conflagration. Photos of Stafford holding a keg over his head at Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway hit the Internet. Nothing about it was illegal or even unusual, given the party-like surroundings. Still, fan Web sites and media outlets, including the AJC, picked the photo up and ran with it.
Stafford met the situation with anger before his ever-growing maturity took over. He said to himself, "People are going to do what they are going to do. You have got to have your guard up."
Now, that guard is in place. Sure, Stafford is still the same affable, loquacious and even humble person. He still pulled a 3.74 GPA last semester. But Stafford has started to understand his surroundings. He is no longer wet behind the ears and instead wary of what could be around the corner.
"He has a target on his back," UGA wide receiver Sean Bailey said. "Everything that he does gets critiqued. Somebody is always watching him. He doesn't have the time to get away and be himself. But he handles it really, really well."
That last part is the key. Stafford has started to understand how to handle his celebrity. In high school in Texas, the celebrity aspect was there. He was the hero of a football-crazed community near Dallas that had gone 50-plus years without a state football title.
But that was a safe environment. People cared for Stafford, nurtured him. The surroundings changed once he moved to Athens. Now, Stafford has changed with them.
"There is a lot of pressure on him, but I promise you he has handled it well," running back Thomas Brown said.
Stafford handles the pressures by talking with his parents and a close family friend in Atlanta.
"I don't want to burden [my teammates]," he said. "You don't want to talk to them about that."
"He doesn't allow us to see it," Bailey added.
Instead, Stafford decompresses on his own time back home.
"My mom thinks it is funny," Stafford said. "I just come home and sit around and try and do normal stuff."
Being a normal 19-year-old is something Stafford will never know. But because he has adeptly handled the pressure off the field, it has given everyone in the UGA program an optimistic outlook that he'll be able to handle any pressure he receives on the field.
"He is one of our leaders now," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "It is a great sense of comfort level for him."

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Richt, players ready to get started

By Chip Towers | Saturday, August 4, 2007, 12:55 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greetings from the auditorium of UGA’s Rankin Smith Academic Achievement Center, just across Sanford Drive from the Woodruff Practice Fields. We’ve just completed interviews at media day here and, in a few hours, will make our way over to the football complex for the first practice of the 2007 season.
Quickly, I’ll give you a rundown of what was said over here. The day began with opening remarks from head coach Mark Richt, who then fielded questions from a media contingent of a couple of dozen. After that we interviewed selected players in an open Q&A session in the student lounge. Some of the players in attendance included QB Matthew Stafford, WR Sean Bailey, TBs Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin, LB Brandon Miller, DTs Jeff Owens and Kade Weston, OL Fernando Velasco, PK Brandon Coutu and S Kelin Johnson. I may have missed one or two (apologies if I did) but that’s whom I immediately recall seeing. I didn’t talk to them personally but I think we hit them all between Carter Strickland and me. We’ll report some of what was said immmediately and some of the other stuff we’ll be saving for stories and features we’ll be offering daily from now through the end of the regular season.
Quickly, here are some of the things Richt said. I’ll update throughout the day in the comments section more on Richt and then some comments from the players:
General comment on starting practices: “We’ve been working hard and are ready to go. The guys actually went out this morning and walked through assignments with their coaches, offense, defense and special teams. Everything starts in earnest today. We’ll be in shorts today, the first of the five-day acclimation period, then we’ll have five days of one-a-days, then two-a-day, one-a-day, two-a-day until school starts. We have 29 practice opportunities until our first ballgame against Oklahoma State. I feel very good about our team . I feel good about the way we finished last year and I feel very good about the momentum we carry in from the offseason. The guys worked hard and came back looking in great shape.”
On offensive lineman Ian Smith quitting on Friday: “He came to see me yesterday and said he had decided for health reasons he did not want to pursue playing football anymore… . He will stay with our program. He will continue to utilize our athletic and academic resources and be part of our program and part of our family. He just won’t be one of the 85 anymore.”
On suspending TE Tripp Chandler and QB Blake Barnes for the first game: I felt like the punishment was about right for what happened. That’s why I chose that amount of time. Of course, there’s a lot of other things those guys have to do. There’s other things that are involved… . Punishment, education, love. That’s the cornerstone of discipline here and at home with my family.”
On whether there is a discipline problem, or the perception of one: “There’s not a discipline problem on our team at all, I don’t think. We’ve had some guys make some mistakes. Some may say it was minor. I don’t know. Everything they do that’s against the rules or against the law is wrong. Some are more minor than others, certainly. I’m not alarmed our shocked these guys are making some foolish mistakes. Some of them are relatively innocent, some of the scooter stuff.
“For instance, I know Caleb [King] knew his license was suspended. He had no idea you had to have a license to ride a scooter. Now he should have known that; we probably should have told him. But we only had him about a week. We had Scooter 101 in our team meeting yesterday. We did have that.
“NaDerris [Ward] was sitting behind a car that was indecisive abnout what to do at an intersection where the light was green. He decided to go around like I think most everybody in America would probably do. He gets stopped. But he did have a valid license from California but he didn’t have it on his body.
“Nonetheless, those are laws and they were broken. Those things happen. But I’m not alarmed at all. I think we have a very disciplined football team. I think we have a great bunch of guys that really care about doing things right. I’m excited about them… . And now we have a Scooter Policy.”
Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Football

[dirty]

Observations from Georgia’s practice

By Chip Towers | Saturday, August 4, 2007, 03:59 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Carter Strickland and I are out at Georgia’s first practice now and watching as they work out in shorts and helmets. The first five days are considered an acclimation period so I believe that means no full contact until after that. I’ll get clarification after practice. Meanwhile, as usual, everybody looks good and fast when they’re not in full pads.
The first interesting item of the day was pointed out by Carter. Guess who is attending today’s practice? Clemson commitment A,J. Harmon.
I’ll be providing short comments throughout in the comments section so keep coming back. Also, read some of Richt’s comments and those from a few players in the other blog already up and running. Thanks for hanging out!
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Bulldogs off and running

Time to answer lingering questions

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Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford feels that the Bulldogs' youth should make practice fast and furious.
File/Staff
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By Marc Weiszer | Staff Writer | Story updated at 12:56 AM on Saturday, August 4, 2007
Four weeks before its football season opens, Georgia this afternoon will head out in the early August heat to begin to find answers to lingering questions that remain about this year's Bulldogs.
The forecast calls for temperatures in the low to mid-90s through the next several days. The forecast for Georgia this season remains to be seen.
Georgia will welcome 15 new faces from February's signing class and a familiar name booming the ball off his foot. Drew Butler, son of Bulldog kicking legend Kevin Butler, will compete with junior Brian Mimbs for the punting job.
There is already youth in prominent positions on the offensive line. Freshman Trinton Sturdivant is holding down the left tackle position and redshirt freshman Chris Davis is the first-team left guard. Tailback Knowshon Moreno and safety Reshad Jones are among 17 redshirt freshmen who hope to make an impact.
"There's a lot of young guys trying to prove themselves," sophomore starting quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "We're going to be young in some spots but everybody is trying to prove to coaches and prove to other people that they can play and that they are supposed to be here."
Impressions can be made in the 28 practices ahead.
"I'll tell you what, a couple of good scrimmages for a guy can change everybody's world," coach Mark Richt said.









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Two UGA football players suspended, third leaves team

By Marc Weiszer | Staff Writer | Story updated at 12:56 AM on Saturday, August 4, 2007
Georgia coach Mark Richt announced Friday that starting tight end Tripp Chandler and third-string quarterback Blake Barnes will each be suspended for one game and that redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ian Smith's playing days at Georgia are over.
The news came on the day players reported for the start of preseason practices.
Smith, who was suspended for Georgia's bowl game last season and the first five games of this season after his second alcohol-related arrest, is ending his football career due to unspecified medical reasons, Richt said in a release.
Chandler and Barnes were suspended for the Sept. 1 opener against Oklahoma State for their alcohol-related arrests on June 6 in Athens. Chandler was charged with underage possession of alcohol and an open container violation, and Barnes for providing alcohol to a minor and having an open container.



Redshirt freshman NaDerris Ward is likely to replace Chandler as the No. 1 tight end, but Georgia could choose to lean more heavily on their wide receivers in the opener.
Smith, a Cartersville native, played sparingly last year, but was expected to compete for a backup center role when he returned at midseason. Smith will remain in school.



Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080407

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Five burning questions on Georgia football

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Asher Allen runs with the ball against Western Kentucky.
File/Staff
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| | Story updated at 12:56 AM on Saturday, August 4, 2007
1: Can Georgia withstand the loss of cornerback Paul Oliver to an otherwise young secondary? Oliver may have been Georgia's most valuable player not named Matthew Stafford. At least Georgia coaches were bracing for the possible loss of Oliver due to academics all spring.
"You don't replace a guy like Paul Oliver or Charles Johnson," defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. "You just hope somebody comes in and establishes himself as the guy. That's what we're looking for. I think we're at a place where you just have to keep moving a guy into the slot."
Sophomore Asher Allen joins Bryan Evans as the starting corners. The speedy Evans started the last three games last year and had a strong outing in the bowl game against Virginia Tech.
There is depth at the position with Prince Miller, Thomas Flowers and one-time starter Ramarcus Brown. Look for Reshad Jones to find his way onto the field at safety or, if needed, perhaps even as a cornerback. He's worked both positions in summer drills.



"I think he has earned the shot of playing time off of what he did in the spring," Martinez said. "He is going to be somebody that is going to be hard to keep off the field."
2: Who's the next playmaker on the front seven? At defensive end, Rod Battle had two sacks in a reserve role last year and junior college transfer Jarius Wynn could be heard from after a relatively quiet spring.
Coaches say they were pleasantly surprised with how Brandon Miller fit in at middle linebacker this spring. Now that junior linebacker Dannell Ellerbe has moved into a starting role, his athletic tools might begin to produce big results on the field.
3: Is the overhauled offensive line as solid as it appeared at the end of spring? Georgia stuck with the same five starters after returning from spring break, but Georgia coach Mark Richt insists that even tackle Chester Adams isn't a certainty to start.
"Other than Fernando (Velasco), every job across that line is up for grabs," Richt said. "No one has their position nailed down. (Scott) Haverkamp doesn't. Davis doesn't. Trinton doesn't. There's a lot of competition there."
Richt still said Georgia is in better shape depth-wise on the defensive line than on the offensive line.
4: Can players returning from injury make an impact for the Bulldogs in 2007? Tailback Thomas Brown will return from an ACL injury but the backfield could be crowded with senior Kregg Lumpkin, redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno and heralded freshman Caleb King.
"I know we're in great shape at tailback but I don't know who's going to get most of the totes," Richt said. "I don't know who's going to be starting the first game."
Sean Bailey, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, quickly grabbed the starting split end spot in the spring. Getting contributions from safety Antavious Coates would be a welcome addition after his second knee injury at Georgia. Can receiver Demiko Goodman return to the form he was in last season when he broke the starting lineup before his knee injury?
5: Who could emerge as All-SEC player on a team that didn't have a single preseason first-team pick? Let's leave kicker Brandon Coutu out of the conversation because he's a legitimate candidate for the Groza award. The easy answer then is Stafford, the sophomore quarterback whose performance down the stretch last season bodes well for the talented Texas product. How about defensive tackle Jeff Owens or wide receiver Sean Bailey? Owens is suddenly the most experienced player on Georgia's defensive line and Bailey could give Georgia's much-maligned receiving corps a needed boost.
- Marc Weiszer

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080407

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Georgia's receivers set to impress

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/06/07 Athens — To see them huddled around Georgia wide receivers coach John Eason is to witness a who's who of blue-chip prospects.
Among the dozen are five consensus high school All-Americans, two that were top-ranked at their position in North Carolina in back-to-back years, one that was ranked No. 1 in the nation and one that was an All-American in football and track. All 12 were at least first-team all-state, all of them are fast and lean and most of them, at this point, are experienced.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

UGA receiver A.J. Bryant seemed happy to be in practice.

Brant Sanderlin / AJC (ENLARGE)

UGA receiver Mohamed Massaquoi sprints at practice.

RELATED STORIES Georgia's receivers set to impress Brown's knee just fine, thank you Richt denies Dogs have discipline problem • More UGA coverage

The wide receivers, impressive credentials aside, are the most questioned and criticized group of players on the Bulldogs' football team.
Over the past couple of seasons, Georgia's receivers have been vilified for dropping passes and condemned for not living up to their billings. Even the Bulldogs' head coach is somewhat baffled by their lack of production to date.
"I do expect our receivers to play better," Mark Richt said as the Bulldogs opened preseason camp this weekend. "They expect to play better. We have four seniors coming back, three juniors. I mean it's time for them to play not only good but great."
That's the attitude of the wide receivers themselves.
"We've got a lot to prove this year," senior flanker A.J. Bryant said. "We want to get everybody off our backs."
When the subject turns to the criticism that they endured last season, the wideouts' emotions range from concern to disbelief to anger to dogged determination.
"We're looking at it as 2007," junior Mohamed Massaquoi said tersely. "New season, new beginning. Let's leave it at that."
Said senior Mikey Henderson: "We're all competitors. [The criticism] has only brought us closer together. We know fans are going to get on us if we don't perform. That's fine; that's the way it's supposed to be at Georgia. But we aim to change it."
Here is the raw data: Georgia passed for 2,397 yards last season. Of those yards, sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 82 percent of them. Sixty-nine percent of those receiving yards are back this season, including Massaquoi, who tied for the team lead with 30 receptions. Six of the Bulldogs' top eight receivers are back.
Added to that group is senior split end Sean Bailey, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL. Before that Bailey had seven career touchdown catches and was the Bulldogs' No. 1 deep threat.
"We definitely have the talent," said Bailey, who had two long touchdown receptions in the 2005 SEC championship game before being sidelined with a knee injury. "We're extremely, extremely deep. I think that's going to make us that much better because we're going to be competing every day for a starting job.
"We're hungry. We're ready to go out there and prove ourselves and get all these people off our backs."
The whole group has been in Athens for voluntary workouts this summer. There they ran routes and caught passes several times a week from Stafford and Georgia's other quarterbacks.
"I think they're going to have a breakout year, to be perfectly honest," Stafford said Saturday. "I've seen what they can do. I think they're welcoming the pressure. They had a great spring. We didn't drop one ball in the spring game. They're playing with a ton of confidence and I have total trust in those guys. They've grown up a lot this offseason, and I'm ready to watch them make some plays for us."
That goes double for the receivers.
"There's definitely a chip on our shoulder," Bailey said. "Any time you have critics out there saying things, you want to go out and prove them wrong. We use it as motivation. But we still have to play within ourselves and can't let it get to us. We just want to be consistent and have fun."
There's a good chance they'll get to display their wares. Despite their past woes, Richt views them as a team strength. And with a combination of a lack of depth and experience at tight end and talent at quarterback, the Bulldogs are considering utilizing four-receiver sets often this season.
The receivers are hoping to force Richt's hand.
"That's what we're shooting for," Henderson said. "Not to knock our tight ends, because we have great ones and have always had great ones here. But we'd love to have four wides out there getting open for Matthew. He has an unbelievable arm and we want him to use it."

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Brown's knee just fine, thank you

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/06/07 Athens — Everywhere Thomas Brown walks, without a limp or any aid, mind you, he is asked the same question: "How's the knee?"
And about 30 times a day, Brown replies the same way, "I'm ready to go."

Bob Andres / AJC (ENLARGE)

Georgia running back Thomas Brown hobbles off the field on crutches after being injured last October against Vanderbilt.

RELATED STORIES Georgia's receivers set to impress Brown's knee just fine, thank you Richt denies Dogs have discipline problem • More UGA coverage

Evidently Georgia is ready to go with him. The senior running back who had ACL surgery in October 2006 is participating in all of fall practice, and the only indication he even had surgery is a small sleeve on his right knee.
"I always thought I was going to come back better than I ever was," Brown said. "The first chance I get, I am going to go out there at full speed. I am going to throw my knee out there and I am going to roll like I did before."
Brown is just 714 yards away from fifth place (2,581) on Georgia's all-time rushing list. When healthy in his freshman and sophomore seasons, Brown averaged 805 yards rushing.
"I have been waiting since October to come back and reprove myself," Brown said. "I heard all the negativity going through the process, people telling me I needed to take a year off because I am not going to be ready. I just felt like I was ready to go. I talked to enough doctors who said I was ready to go. Mentally I am ready to go. I don't have any problems with the cuts."
Cuff on the field
Vance Cuff's waiting ended Saturday. The cornerback from Colquitt County who had to navigate the red tape of the NCAA Clearinghouse made it to the field with the rest of the Georgia team.
"The right thing happened and he is here," defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said.
Cuff almost wasn't at Georgia because of a disputed core class. The class was finally accepted by the Clearinghouse on Wednesday. That allowed Cuff to enroll at Georgia.
"Being involved with it personally, I am glad because he deserves that opportunity," Martinez said. "It is a tremendous thing for him because if you sit out, whether you sit out a year or two, you lose all the reps and experience. Now just him being here is huge from the standpoint of him understanding our package, whether he plays this year or not."
Water girl
Georgia coach Mark Richt wasn't too terribly upset about losing his son Jon Richt to Clemson. In fact, Clemson was the perfect fit because Georgia will not play the Tigers until after Jon's eligibility has expired.
"I didn't want to play against him," Mark Richt said.
But there remains a chance father and son could meet in a bowl. And if that happens, Mark will have to fire his water girl, who just happens to be his wife, Katharyn.
"If we do play Clemson in a bowl game, she will not be on the sideline serving water to our defensive ends," Richt joked. "I don't want them to have any water."
Rushing to conclusions
Georgia's 2006 run production was off by 35 yards from 2005. Richt said the reason for the dip might not be as obvious as the injury to Brown, the depth of the offensive line or even the sharing of the football among backs.
Instead, it was the rule change with the play clock last season that cut several plays from the offense.
"You subtract seven to eight plays per game; if you are running and running that is 20 or 30 yards right there," Richt said.
On top of that, there were the 31 turnovers.
"We would lose entire drives just by virtue of the fact that we turned it over," Richt said.
Injury report
Cornerback Bryan Evans was the first injury of fall camp. The starter pulled a hamstring late in Sunday's practice. Richt said he did not know the extent of the injury but he knew for sure Evans would not practice Monday. Cornerback is one of the thinner positions for the Georgia. It is also one position where most of he depth the Bulldogs do have is inexperienced.

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Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Tight end NaDerris Ward, left, and linebacker Akeem Dent have a playful fight during practice Saturday.
Kelly Lambert / Staff
Georgia receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who hauled in this one-handed catch during the first day of camp, is a player coaches would like to see show some guidance.
Kelly Lambert / Staff
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By Marc Weiszer | Staff Writer | Story updated at 11:38 PM on Saturday, August 4, 2007
Preseason camp began for Georgia on Saturday with just three returning starters on defense, an offensive line with three projected starters who have never taken a snap with the Bulldogs and plenty of opportunity for leaders to emerge.
Coaches are curious to find out which players will step out of the shadows and be a guiding light on the team.
"The leadership is a concern," defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. "Who's going to take it? Who are these guys going to follow?"
The leading nominees appear to be senior safety Kelin Johnson on defense and fifth-year senior center Fernando Velasco on offense.
"He is without question the No. 1 leader on our football team," coach Mark Richt said.
Georgia is replacing a pair of first-day NFL draft picks in defensive ends Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson and must also find a shutdown corner after Paul Oliver entered the supplemental draft when he was ruled academically ineligible.
The offense could be starting a freshman, Trinton Studrivant, at the all-important left tackle position, and a redshirt freshman, Chris Davis, at left guard, and a junior college transfer, Scott Haverkamp, at right guard.
"There's a lot of young guys, especially on the offensive line," Velasco said. "I'm just trying to lead those guys in the right direction and show them what SEC football is all about.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has loads of talent, but will be in his first full-season as a starter.
"I think there's a lot of potential for this offense to do some good things," offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. "Like any year, it's how we come together chemistry-wise and what identity we'll take on as an offense ... Are we going to be a tough offense?
"A lot of that comes with experience and leadership. That's the one thing that concerns me a little bit. Not that we don't have leadership, but do we have enough with seniors?"
Georgia's defense had to replace impact players two years ago in 2005 when the unit was sapped of top 50 NFL picks David Pollack, Thomas Davis and Odell Thurman.
"When you look back when that happened we had a senior group," Martinez said. "We had experienced guys. (Greg) Blue. (Gerald) Anderson. (Kedric) Golston. (Tim) Jennings. We had experience coming back. We had guys that guys would follow. We had the leadership. We had established leadership. Here, it's not established. It's a youth group. It's a reserve group coming back. You don't know how the kids are going to react. You don't know how the team is going to mesh."
Johnson, the only returning senior defensive starter, said underclassmen such as C.J. Byrd, Asher Allen and Bryan Evans who have played on special teams will have to take on leadership roles as well.
"We're going to have to look down to our younger players, too," Johnson said. "Playing special teams in the SEC is a big deal. You having that experience is going to help out a whole lot. That's one thing those guys are going to bring."
Stafford plays a position that demands he be a leader. Stafford traded the starting job early last season with Joe Tereshinski and Joe Cox before he started the final six games.
"He knows the system," Richt said. "Instead of trying to fit in, he's now leading our program. I mean, he's come so far. Now he's had the experience of knowing what it's like to play in a pressure-packed ballgame, many of them."
Richt said Stafford has gained the confidence of his teammates and the staff. Richt credited the sophomore with ensuring that Georgia had probably the best attendance of its summer workouts since Richt has been at Georgia.
"That has a lot to do with the leadership of the quarterback," Richt said.
Said Stafford: "The leader on offense is your quarterback and I'm happy to be there and glad to have that responsibility. I think it's going to help a ton not trying to figure out a certain guy who's going to be there."

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080507

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Kaltefleiter: Acting over for Stafford

| | Story updated at 11:38 PM on Saturday, August 4, 2007

John Kaltefleiter more Kaltefleiter columns

Matthew Stafford was toting Georgia's offensive playbook when he bumped into Bulldogs coach Mark Richt this past Friday.
There was no look of confusion or consternation on the face of Georgia's starting quarterback. Stafford beamed confidence, and was itching to take his first snap of preseason practice.
"He was like, 'I remember last year I was studying this thing three hours a night, and I still didn't know what I was doing,' " Richt said.
Judging by what took place during Georgia's final three games of last season and during spring practice, that's not a problem for him anymore.
Stafford is top dog as he enters his sophomore season.
There's no quarterback shuffle in sight, no questions about if he's ready to play quarterback in the SEC. His struggles with asserting his leadership are in the past. He's earned the respect of his coaches and teammates, and they just don't want his leadership - they demand it.
That probably wasn't the case at times during Stafford's freshman year.
As much as Georgia's seniors stuck up for him, you sensed some of them had their doubts about Stafford, especially when Kentucky fans ripped down the goal posts after Georgia's fourth loss in five games. It was hard watching their final season unravel as an 18-year-old minnow at quarterback tried to find his way.
"Matthew had to learn the hard way," Richt said Saturday before Georgia's first preseason practice.
"He played a bunch of games last year and made mistakes that contributed to some losses, and made some plays that contributed to some big wins, too. Most quarterbacks make their mistakes when no one's watching, or at least their coaches and teammates. Not many guys have to go through that learning process on national TV like Matthew did. It toughened him, made him stronger mentally.
"He learned how important it was to help put (his) teammates in positions to succeed, and that you don't have to play lights out to win a big football game."
Receiver Sean Bailey, who sat out last season with a knee injury, had a unique perspective. He watched from the sidelines as the frustrations mounted for Stafford and the rest of the team.
"Of course, coming in and playing in the SEC at probably one of the hardest positions to learn, he had his struggles early on," Bailey said. "But he stuck with it. To go out winning the last three games against three very talented teams, it put a lot of momentum in this team and gave Matthew a lot of momentum. He's a totally different guy."
Stafford was as much of an actor for some of last season as he was a quarterback, he said. There were times on the field when he wasn't completely sure what was going on around him, so he acted like he knew.
"More of it for me was not knowing what the defense was bringing rather than not knowing our offense," he said. "I knew the plays. It wasn't like I was out there calling a play and walking up to the line and not having an idea.
"You can't walk into a huddle and not act confident. You've got to act, at least, like you know what you're doing. It's a whole lot easier when the words coming out of your mouth make sense."
Stafford is not the same naïve freshman he was when photos of him power-lifting an empty keg of beer in Alabama turned up on the Internet in the spring. It took that photo, and a couple of other inopportune shots, to make him understand that he's not just some average kid from Dallas, Texas anymore.
"It helps you realize how much you have to have your guard up all the time, no matter what you're doing or where you are," he said. "It kind of ruins your personal life. But I'd rather be playing football and have no personal life than have a great personal life and not play football."
Sounds like a player who knows what he's doing.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080507

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Tripp Chandler suspension could alter air attack

UGA football notebook

Story Photos - Click to Enlarge

Receivers like T.J. Gartrell, above, could benefit in Georgia's season opener against Oklahoma State because of tight end Tripp Chandler's suspension and because of backup NaDarris Ward's inexperience.
Kelly Lambert / Staff
Click thumbnails to view


By Marc Weiszer | Staff Writer | Story updated at 11:38 PM on Saturday, August 4, 2007
With Georgia tight end Tripp Chandler serving a one-game suspension for the opener against Oklahoma State, the line of candidates to replace him as starter include NaDerris Ward, Coleman Watson and freshman Bruce Figgins.
It also might include guys like Mohamed Massaquoi, A.J. Bryant and Brannan Southerland, coach Mark Richt said Saturday.
"Our tight end situation especially the first ballgame has a little bit of unrest," Richt said as Georgia opened preseason practice with a three-hour workout.
"NaDerris Ward is not only competing with the other tight ends, Bruce Figgins and Coleman Watson, but they are competing against the fourth receiver. They are competing against a three-receiver, tailback, fullback set. They're competing against that fullback."
Massaquoi welcomes the opportunity for the receivers to pick up the slack with Chandler on the sideline as discipline for his alcohol-related arrest.
"We're a very complete group," he said. "We have a lot of speed, a lot of size. We can do things from a lot of different aspects."
Scooter 101 in session for players
There were some 29 scooters parked outside of the Butts-Mehre building before Saturday's practice.
After Caleb King and Ward were arrested while driving scooters in recent weeks, Richt added a "Scooter 101" lesson on Friday for his players.
"We talked about driver's licenses and what can cause you to have one suspended and what happens if you have a ticket and don't pay it on time or don't come for a court date," Richt said. "We had some folks come in to try to educate everybody on how serious it can be."
Richt learned that in the past when former Georgia defensive lineman Darrius Swain served 22 days of a 45-day sentence for driver's license violations.
"I quite frankly didn't take it that serious when he had the first arrest," Richt said. "As it turned out, it really turned out to be a huge embarrassment for him and the program."
Richt dismissed any notion that off field issues were tarnishing the program despite another slew of offseason misdemeanor arrests.
"There's not a discipline problem on our team at all, I don't think," Richt said. "Not even close to it. ...I think we've got a great bunch of guys that really care about doing things right."
Smith is the latest O-line departure
Ian Smith's departure from the Bulldogs' program marked the latest example of an offensive line recruit from the 2003-05 signing classes that didn't pan out on the field.
Six of the 10 offensive line signees during that stretch ended their Georgia careers with eligibility remaining.
Richt said Smith decided for lingering health issues that he wanted to give up the sport. He had battled concussions, migraines and a neck injury.
Tommy Gainous, Trey Chandler, Zeb McKinzey and Smith gave up football because of lingering health issues. Seth Watts quit the team, and James Lee eventually transferred.
"I guess it's just the luck of the draw," said center Fernando Velasco, a 2003 signee. "Some guys get hurt. Some guys it just doesn't' work out for them."
Freshman Justin Houston from Statesboro moved from defensive end to strongside linebacker on his first day of practice.
"His body type really fits that right now at this time of his career," Richt said of the 6-3, 224-pounder. "He may grow into more of a pure D-end here before it's over, but we'd really like to see what he can do."
Thomas Brown is again in the mix in a crowded tailback group after returning from an ACL injury sustained on a kickoff. And, he said, he is returning kickoffs again. Asher Allen, Ramarcus Brown, Caleb King and Knowshon Moreno also are candidates, Brown said ... Backup middle linebacker Marcus Washington, returning from LCL knee surgery, went through 75 percent of the practice before his knee got sore. He's uncertain if he'll take part in the first full contact practice on Thursday. "I'm going to see how much I can do," Washington said.
"I don't want to overpush it." ... Freshman offensive lineman Chris Little practiced in a green non-contact jersey with a cast on his right wrist. ... Backing up Velasco at center is Kevin Perez and Richt said Ben Harden also will get a look there. ...Freshman left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, listed at 6-5 and 286 pounds, is now up to 294. ...Georgia will practice again in helmets and shorts today.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080507

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Few first-year players will make major impact

By Chip Towers | Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 01:51 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ll get into this in a little more detail in the next couple of weeks when there’s a lot more to go on but, for now, it’s not too early to start talking about what freshmen and first-year players will make the biggest impact and which ones are most likely to get a redshirt.
I broached the subject with coach Mark Richt after yesterday’s practice and, understandably, he said it is way too early to make any decisions with regard to redshirting. However, he did acknowledge that true freshman Logan Gray “would probably be the least likely to play this season.” Gray, from Columbia, Mo., is currently fifth on the Bulldogs’ depth chart.
Clearly, Trinton Sturdivant, who has already earned the No. 1 position at left offensive tackle, is the player that will make the biggest impact. Punter Drew Butler also could earn a starting job depending on the competition with Brian Mimbs in preseason camp. And offensive linemen G Justin Anderson and T Vince Vance are listed as backups at their positions.
Richt dropped a few more names on us late Monday. He said offensive lineman Clint Boling of Alpharetta “is showing that he’s learning rapidly and has very good athleticism.”
Of Caleb King, he said, “he’s a very good-looking guy when he knows what to do.” For what it’s worth, King is getting a lot of work on special teams.
Of freshman inside linebackers Rennie Curran and Charles White, Richt said: “You can tell they are so eager to do everything right. They get frustrated when they don’t. But they’re really working hard.”
Of course JUCO transfer defensive linemen Corvey Irvin and Jarius Wynn are both on the three-deep. Bruce Figgins looks ready to play at tight end but might not be needed there. He’s also working on three different special-teams units (all except kickoff). Aron White, who I will be writing a little something about along with Figgins for tomorrow’s paper, is being primed at a specialized position that could translate into limited playing time. And I see Israel Troupe getting a lot of work in the Bulldogs’ return game.
Offensive lineman Chris Little might have had a chance to get on the field but, since he had to have surgery to repair a wrist problem and is in a cast, it probably shelves him.
So, anyway, obviously most of this is speculation and observation at this point. Let me know what you guys think or might be hearing from your sources. Let’s have a little fun with it and rank one-through-five the five first-year players you think will have the biggest impact.
Meanwhile, tune in later for practice updates as usual. I have to get a crown replaced so Carter Strickland will be providing them today as soon as he gets off the field this afternoon.
As always, thanks for hanging out.
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Freshmen give Georgia new options

By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/08/07 Athens — Georgia landed two tight ends on national signing day, and it appeared then that Bruce Figgins and Aron White might be two logical choices to redshirt this season.
But just a week into camp, that doesn't seem so automatic anymore.

Brant Sanderlin/AJC (ENLARGE)

Georgia coach Mark Richt says tight end Bruce Figgins is learning quickly and expects him to 'get ready to play' with starter Tripp Chandler suspended.

RELATED STORIES Freshmen give Georgia new options Hokies coach suspects Bulldogs spied bowl practices Broken wrist limits Little's contributions • More UGA coverage

Since showing up this summer, Figgins has been one of the standouts among the 22 freshmen and first-year players on campus. And White no longer is a tight end. He is playing the "Y" position, which is technically a wide receiver, and doing it in such a specialized way that the Bulldogs may want to take advantage of his unique abilities.
Meanwhile, projected starter Tripp Chandler is suspended for the first game, his backup Coleman Watson has been mostly
unspectacular to date, and heir apparent NaDerris Ward is coming off shoulder surgery.
"Right now we're expecting Figgins to get ready to play," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "Here's what I told the coaches: 'Don't play Figgins based on a one-game suspension of Chandler.' But I think physically, with good size and speed, he could hold up today. And he's learning quick enough. You just never know."
As for White, Richt said: "He's a 'Y' and working with the receivers right now. I don't think his body is ready to be in that tight end spot."
That doesn't mean White, a Columbia, Mo., native and Rivals.com's top-ranked high school tight end last year, won't eventually wind up at that spot. The 6-foot-4 White showed up this summer at 215 pounds and said he is up to about 220. But that's still not big enough to handle the blocking responsibilities the Bulldogs place on their tight ends.
"A lot of people call me a 'tweener," said White, who played with quarterback signee Logan Gray at Rock Bridge High.
"On the depth chart I'm a wide receiver, but I still feel like I'm a tight end."
The Bulldogs don't view White's hybrid status as a liability. In fact, they aim to take advantage of it.
Because he is bigger than the average wide receiver, yet much quicker than the standard tight end, they believe he can create some mismatches.
Said White: "There's a possibility I'll come in on some situations when they may need a bigger guy to block a [defensive back] or to make the defense think we're going to block but we're actually going to throw."
White's ability — and potential — is so specialized that Georgia has basically assigned a graduate assistant to him full time. Bryan McClendon, who played the "Y" spot for the Bulldogs from 2002-05, sits next to White in position meetings and videotape sessions and works with him extensively on the practice field.
"Basically, it's about finding a mismatch," McClendon said. "At receiver he'll be big and physical, and at tight end he'll be quick and swift. He catches the ball extremely well. And what we liked right away, he's got what we call 'stick' [a slang reference for being able to nail pass routes]."
White said he expects to grow into a full-fledged tight end before his career is over. He said Georgia's tight end tradition is, after all, why he signed to play here.
Meanwhile, Figgins already fits into that mold. In addition to standing out on offense, the 253-pound Columbus native is working with every special teams unit except kickoffs.
"It's a lot, both mentally and physically," Figgins said of taking it all in. "It's definitely a big difference from high school. But I'm getting a lot of help from my teammates and coaches."

[dirty]

Broken wrist limits Little's contributions
Injury discovered 10 months after it ocurred

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/07/07 Chris Little felt the pain and never really forgot about it. The sharp, shooting sensations up his arm wouldn't allow him to forget. Still, Georgia's freshman offensive lineman never bothered to see a trainer, mush less a doctor.
It wasn't until Little came to Athens and had his right wrist X-rayed that he discovered it was broken. That's 10 months after he actually broke the wrist.

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"I am not sure if I fell on it or somebody else fell on it," Little said. "I just remember my wrist swelled up and it hurt."
The injury happened before the eighth game of his senior season at Twiggs County High. He played the rest of the season with it.
Now, Little is limited in what he can do. The wrist injury has taken him out of several crucial technique drills that are paramount to his being able to contribute this season. And it could be a few more weeks before the cast comes off.
While the cast is on, Little is working on getting some of his weight off. He is at 350 pounds. Georgia coaches would like him get down to 300, then build him back up to 325 with muscle.

[dirty]

Richt on cusp of complete class

By Marc Weiszer | Staff Writer | Story updated at 12:27 AM on Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Georgia appears to have hit a home run with its 2007 recruiting class when it comes to its signees making the grade necessary to play for the Bulldogs.
Athletic association officials got word Monday afternoon that Statesboro safety John Knox seems to have satisfied graduation requirements that would allow him to play at Georgia, but nothing is official yet because documentation has yet to be received.
Knox's academic credentials still need to go through the NCAA Clearinghouse, but if that happens, all 23 of Georgia's signees will have qualified for this season. Knox scored well enough on a Georgia high school graduation test to look set to go to Georgia, Statesboro coach Steve Pennington said.
"I would say it looks very good right now," coach Mark Richt said about Knox. "I'm not ready to make a public statement that everybody's in yet, but if that does happen, I'll be excited."
Only two years ago, nearly 30 percent (5 of 17) of Georgia's signing class were academic casualties.
Athletic director Damon Evans said this spring that he now takes a more detailed look at transcripts along with associate athletic director Carla Williams.
"I'm more in tune," Evans said. "More 'Let me see what we've got.' Carla's bringing them in and we're going through each one. We go through each student. Predicted GPA. What core courses do they have? How many times have they taken the SAT? Are they going to be in developmental studies? Are they going to qualify? It's more in depth."
Georgia sought and received an eligibility waiver from the NCAA for Colquitt County cornerback Vance Cuff, who reported on Friday and is practicing with the Bulldogs.
"If everybody got here in the very beginning of the summer, you would say there was no risk at all with somebody not making it," Richt said. "I can't sit here and say there was no risk because a lot of guys barely made it."
A signing class at Georgia hasn't gone without an academic casualty going back at least until the mid-1990s.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080707

[dirty]

Freshman White unsure of natural position

UGA Football Notebook

By Marc Weiszer | Staff Writer | Story updated at 12:27 AM on Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Freshman Aron White isn't in any hurry to settle in at one position at Georgia.
The 6-foot-4 White, who is up to 227 pounds, is beginning his college career as a wide receiver. The Columbia, Mo., native wants to see how his body develops to know whether his future might better be suited as at tight end or as a big receiver.
"I'm with the wide receivers right now, but I'm definitely classified as a tight end slash receiver," White said.
"There's things I can do more like a tight end and things I can do more like a wide receiver."
Coach Mark Richt said White's role is similar whether he's used flexed out in a three receiver set or used as a tight end in a pro-set. White's body, however, is not yet ready to be in a tight end position, Richt said.
"Our Y has the same assignments whether you're a receiver or a tight end," Richt said. "He's going to learn to play Y."
Evans sidelined for extended period
Starting cornerback Bryan Evans was moving slowly on the sideline at the start of practice a day after sustaining a pulled hamstring. A member of the training staff was attending to him.
Evans still could be out "a while," Richt said, but Evans felt better than he expected. Prince Miller moved up to first-team.
Backup cornerback Thomas Flowers practiced in a green non-contact jersey because of a shoulder stinger, but felt fine, Richt said.
Offensive lineman Chris Little (wrist) remains in a green jersey.
Kicker Coutu still in the mix at punter
Don't discount Brandon Coutu as a possible answer at punter. Coutu is in the mix for the punting job along with junior Brian Mimbs and freshman Drew Butler, assistant David Johnson said.
Johnson conceded the best scenario would be for Coutu to be able to just handle kicking, but added, "I want the best guy to win the job."
Workout comes in steamy conditions
Georgia practiced in sauna like conditions Monday. The on-field temperature was 96 degrees, the heat index was 112 and the humidity was 59 percent.
"We handled the heat about 10 times better than the first day when I thought we gave in," Richt said. "You could tell guys were still suffering out there but they sucked it up and they worked."
This and that
Richt said coaches are preparing 253-pound freshman tight end Bruce Figgins "to get ready to play," but a final determination hasn't been made. ...Strength and conditoning coach Dave Van Halanger has handed out the program's offseason awards. Tailback Kregg Lumpkin was recognized as the top conditioned athlete. Safety Kelin Johnson is the winner of the Coach Van Halanger Leadership and Atititude Award. Tailback Thomas Brown and center Fernando Velasco received the Leon Farmer Strength and Conditioning Award.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 080707