http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sport...ashington.html

Dogs freshman DE Washington has speed, size


By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/10/08

Athens — Asked if his reputed 10.9-second, 100-meter time was legitimate, freshman defensive end Cornelius Washington informs a reporter that he'd been "hand-timed at 10.6." But why quibble over a few nanoseconds? The bottom line is that Washington is very fast.

And getting bigger all the time.

The 6-foot-4 Washington weighed 217 pounds when he signed with the Bulldogs out of Burke County last February and got up to 224 pounds while working out with the team in Athens over the summer. As of this weeked, Washington said he's up to 235 pounds but that position coach Jon Fabris wants him to be "up there pretty high, like 260."

His secret to weight gain so far?

"Coach T (Joe Tereshinski) told me to go to the dining hall every morning and get a big plate full of eggs so that's what I've been doing," Washington said. "That and pumping up in the weight room."

Obviously the Georgia coaching staff is excited about having a player with such a combination of size and speed. And it would appear from the No. 83 jersey Washington was allotted that they're keeping options open to play him on either side of the ball. However, Washington said he has had no discussions with coaches about getting a look at tight end, where his speed would be an obvious asset.

For now the plans are to keep Washington at his preferred spot of defensive end, where he said his speed also offers advantages.

"Mostly in pass rushing," he said. "If I get off the ball there's pretty much nothing a tackle or a tight end can do to stop me."

Meanwhile, Washington is getting work on four special teams units: kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return. So whether or not to redshirt him could be a tough call.

"It's iffy," Washington said. "Whatever the coaches decide is what I'll do. I'm just doing the best I can."


The few, the proud

With only eight players available the first two games, the linebacker corps remains a precarious position for the Bulldogs. But position coach John Jancek says, "what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality."

That's particularly true with two first teamers. Head coach Mark Richt continues to laud the play of Rennie Curran and Dannell Ellerbe, who might be best tandem in the SEC.

"Rennie and Dannell have been excellent," Richt after a double workout Saturday. "Just good fundamental football players. Quick. They're reading their keys properly. They're fitting up in there in their gaps just like they're supposed to. We're just real pleased with them."

With potential starter Darius Dewberry suspended the first two games, the Dogs will have no choice but to dress out freshmen Marcus Dowtin and Christian Robinson. But Richt said he "wouldn't have a problem playing any of those guys."


Two-scrimmage Monday

The dust will begin to clear on the depth chart after the Bulldogs hold two scrimmages on Monday at Sanford Stadium.

One for special teams only will be in the morning and the first full-squad scrimmage of the preseason will follow late in the afternoon. After that Georgia will start narrowing its focus to preparation for the August 30th season opener against Georgia Southern.


Etc. . . .

All indications point to cornerback Asher Allen continuing to return kickoffs this season. Allen set the single-season record with 690 yards last season. He also is working on punt returns, where the Bulldogs lost standouts Mikey Henderson and Thomas Flowers.

However, Georgia's has to weigh the injury and conditioning risks for its top corner.

"That's for the coaches to decide," Allen said. "I don't see [conditioning] as a problem. I'm try to make sure I'm in the best shape possible."