JerryBeeds
07-22-2005, 06:22 PM
Dogs sure backups can fill fullback void
Associated Press
ATLANTA - An expected strength of Georgia's 2005 team - the running game led by tailbacks Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin - took a hit Thursday when the lead blocker for the backs was lost for the season with an injury.
Georgia announced Thursday that fullback Des Williams, the projected 2005 starter, suffered a rupture of his right pectoralis muscle while working out with weights Tuesday.
Williams, a junior from Dacula, will require surgery and faces a six-month recovery period. Georgia will request a medical redshirt season for Williams which would leave him with two years of eligibility, beginning in 2006.
Williams was the team's only fullback with any playing experience, but running backs coach Kirby Smart said freshman Brannan Southerland is ready to move up as the new starter.
"Brannan and Des were probably neck-and-neck athletically," Smart said Thursday. "Brannan just hasn't been in the offense as long, so Des was a little ahead."
Southerland (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) was held out as a redshirt last season after signing with the team from Greater Atlanta Christian.
Williams (6-1, 260) played in 12 games with two starts in 2004. He had five receptions for 43 yards and 13 carries for 29 yards.
Smart said the coaching staff already has discussed moving a player to fullback.
"Most certainly it will not affect the three guys at tailback," Smart said, referring to Lumpkin, Brown and Ware.
Another tailback with strong blocking skills, Tony Milton, may have an opportunity at fullback, Smart said.
"We've talked about Tony," Smart said. "He'll get his chances at tailback. We want to do what we can to get the best players on the field. He would be a good athlete at fullback but his body would be a little stressed with the pounding. Durability has been an issue for him, but he's a great kid and has a great attitude."
Smart said the team could move another player, possibly from defense, to provide depth behind Southerland.
Smart said the loss of Williams also could lead to more formations with two tailbacks on the field.
"We were going to look at that already," Smart said.
Southerland played fullback and linebacker at Greater Atlanta Christian and was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 3 high school fullback in the nation in the 2004 recruiting class.
Associated Press
ATLANTA - An expected strength of Georgia's 2005 team - the running game led by tailbacks Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin - took a hit Thursday when the lead blocker for the backs was lost for the season with an injury.
Georgia announced Thursday that fullback Des Williams, the projected 2005 starter, suffered a rupture of his right pectoralis muscle while working out with weights Tuesday.
Williams, a junior from Dacula, will require surgery and faces a six-month recovery period. Georgia will request a medical redshirt season for Williams which would leave him with two years of eligibility, beginning in 2006.
Williams was the team's only fullback with any playing experience, but running backs coach Kirby Smart said freshman Brannan Southerland is ready to move up as the new starter.
"Brannan and Des were probably neck-and-neck athletically," Smart said Thursday. "Brannan just hasn't been in the offense as long, so Des was a little ahead."
Southerland (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) was held out as a redshirt last season after signing with the team from Greater Atlanta Christian.
Williams (6-1, 260) played in 12 games with two starts in 2004. He had five receptions for 43 yards and 13 carries for 29 yards.
Smart said the coaching staff already has discussed moving a player to fullback.
"Most certainly it will not affect the three guys at tailback," Smart said, referring to Lumpkin, Brown and Ware.
Another tailback with strong blocking skills, Tony Milton, may have an opportunity at fullback, Smart said.
"We've talked about Tony," Smart said. "He'll get his chances at tailback. We want to do what we can to get the best players on the field. He would be a good athlete at fullback but his body would be a little stressed with the pounding. Durability has been an issue for him, but he's a great kid and has a great attitude."
Smart said the team could move another player, possibly from defense, to provide depth behind Southerland.
Smart said the loss of Williams also could lead to more formations with two tailbacks on the field.
"We were going to look at that already," Smart said.
Southerland played fullback and linebacker at Greater Atlanta Christian and was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 3 high school fullback in the nation in the 2004 recruiting class.