GEORGIA REPORT
Richt: 'We're not afraid to play Joe Cox'
By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/16/07 Athens ? Matthew Stafford remains indisputably Georgia's No. 1 quarterback, but that doesn't mean he'll be the only one to play this season. In fact, coach Mark Richt said Wednesday that the Bulldogs plan to play Joe Cox regularly.
"Right now we're leaning toward getting him in the first game," Richt said of the Sept. 1 opener against Oklahoma State. "He'll play in every game, more than likely."
Richt balked when asked in what kind of rotation he planned to deploy Cox. "I don't want to pigeonhole us," he said. "But we're not afraid to play Joe Cox."
Cox, who was in a four-way battle for the starting job this time last year, said he has never asked for assurances regarding playing time and never considered transferring away from Georgia.
"I had a talk with coach [Mike] Bobo last spring, and I told him I didn't have to have playing time to keep me involved," Cox said. "I told him I'd do anything I could to help us get ready, in practice, in games, whatever. But it's nice to know they're thinking about getting me in."
Cox, a redshirt sophomore from Charlotte, started against Ole Miss and appeared in four games overall. He came off the bench to throw the deciding touchdown in a 14-13 win over Colorado.
Stafford, also a sophomore, started the last eight games of last season and has been unchallenged as the starter this season.
CB Brown suspended 2 games
Ramarcus Brown, who started nine games at weakside cornerback for the Bulldogs last season, was suspended for the first two games for an undisclosed reasons.
"He broke team rules," Richt said, refusing to elaborate. Asked how long Brown's suspension had been determined, he said, "we've known it for a while."
Brown started the first seven games last season and two of the next three before giving way to Bryan Evans for the remainder of the season. He was running third-string in the preseason behind Evans and Prince Miller.
"It hurts us, especially against those first two teams the way they like to spread it out and throw it around," Richt said. "And Ramarcus is a difference-maker on special teams.
Young Butler ahead in punting race
Well, it's not exactly official just yet, but Richt, with input from assistant David Johnson, hardily endorsed freshman Drew Butler as the winner in the punting compeition.
"We'd both give a slight edge to Butler right now," Richt said of Butler, who is competing with junior walk-on Brian Mimbs. "It hasn't been completely decided yet but, if we had to play today, it'd probably be Butler."
Richt said Butler, the son of College Football Hall of Fame placekicker Kevin Butler, who played at Georgia and at Redan High, has simply been more consistent.
Miller continues to dominate
Richt said Brandon Miller's move to middle linebacker from the strong side was "the whole key to the defense" this season, said Miller is now working more at his old strongside position.
"We're working [Dannell] Ellerbe more at the Mike [middle linebacker]," Richt said. "But that doesn't diminish Brandon's importance. He's still the most dominant player on the defense right now. He's been throwing our tight ends around pretty good."
Injury update
Offensive linemen Chester "Cheese" Adams (ankle) and Scott Haverkamp (ankle) returned to practice. ... Middle linebacker Marcus Washington (groin) sat out.
Richt: 'We're not afraid to play Joe Cox'
By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/16/07 Athens ? Matthew Stafford remains indisputably Georgia's No. 1 quarterback, but that doesn't mean he'll be the only one to play this season. In fact, coach Mark Richt said Wednesday that the Bulldogs plan to play Joe Cox regularly.
"Right now we're leaning toward getting him in the first game," Richt said of the Sept. 1 opener against Oklahoma State. "He'll play in every game, more than likely."
Richt balked when asked in what kind of rotation he planned to deploy Cox. "I don't want to pigeonhole us," he said. "But we're not afraid to play Joe Cox."
Cox, who was in a four-way battle for the starting job this time last year, said he has never asked for assurances regarding playing time and never considered transferring away from Georgia.
"I had a talk with coach [Mike] Bobo last spring, and I told him I didn't have to have playing time to keep me involved," Cox said. "I told him I'd do anything I could to help us get ready, in practice, in games, whatever. But it's nice to know they're thinking about getting me in."
Cox, a redshirt sophomore from Charlotte, started against Ole Miss and appeared in four games overall. He came off the bench to throw the deciding touchdown in a 14-13 win over Colorado.
Stafford, also a sophomore, started the last eight games of last season and has been unchallenged as the starter this season.
CB Brown suspended 2 games
Ramarcus Brown, who started nine games at weakside cornerback for the Bulldogs last season, was suspended for the first two games for an undisclosed reasons.
"He broke team rules," Richt said, refusing to elaborate. Asked how long Brown's suspension had been determined, he said, "we've known it for a while."
Brown started the first seven games last season and two of the next three before giving way to Bryan Evans for the remainder of the season. He was running third-string in the preseason behind Evans and Prince Miller.
"It hurts us, especially against those first two teams the way they like to spread it out and throw it around," Richt said. "And Ramarcus is a difference-maker on special teams.
Young Butler ahead in punting race
Well, it's not exactly official just yet, but Richt, with input from assistant David Johnson, hardily endorsed freshman Drew Butler as the winner in the punting compeition.
"We'd both give a slight edge to Butler right now," Richt said of Butler, who is competing with junior walk-on Brian Mimbs. "It hasn't been completely decided yet but, if we had to play today, it'd probably be Butler."
Richt said Butler, the son of College Football Hall of Fame placekicker Kevin Butler, who played at Georgia and at Redan High, has simply been more consistent.
Miller continues to dominate
Richt said Brandon Miller's move to middle linebacker from the strong side was "the whole key to the defense" this season, said Miller is now working more at his old strongside position.
"We're working [Dannell] Ellerbe more at the Mike [middle linebacker]," Richt said. "But that doesn't diminish Brandon's importance. He's still the most dominant player on the defense right now. He's been throwing our tight ends around pretty good."
Injury update
Offensive linemen Chester "Cheese" Adams (ankle) and Scott Haverkamp (ankle) returned to practice. ... Middle linebacker Marcus Washington (groin) sat out.
