Georgia duplicated Monday’s football practice Tuesday, except the Bulldogs wore full pads for the two-hour workout.

Mark Richt described it as “Groundhog Day,” and that theme continued when the coach continued to field questions about an offensive line shuffling in the wake of left tackle Trinton Sturdivant’s season-ending knee injury. Richt responded by saying the current starters are sophomore Kiante Tripp at left tackle, junior Vince Vance at left guard, sophomore Chris Davis at center, freshman Cordy Glenn at right guard and sophomore Josh Davis at right tackle.

“That’s a lot of first-timers right there,” he said. “Four brand-new starters and one at a new position.”

Chris Davis is the lone member of that group to have started, doing so at left guard all 13 games last season. Except for the 6-foot-5, 313-pound Glenn, the rest played some in 2007.

“We threw Cordy in there at tackle and then at guard, and he’s a big-body guy who bends just right,” Richt said. “He’s done well. When they run into him, they don’t get very far. He’s got a chance to get a good start for us.”

Richt said sophomore Clint Boling, who made 10 starts at right guard last season and one at right tackle, likely will compete at right tackle after his one-game suspension.

The Bulldogs will practice in shorts today and play a simulated game Thursday, putting the offense and defense on the same sideline for the first time and having the scout team on the visiting sideline.

Kicker for McCain

Freshman kicker Blair Walsh was president of the Young Republicans club at Cardinal Gibbons High in Fort Lauderdale and believes John McCain has what it takes to defeat Barack Obama in the presidential election.

“He just needs to stay strong,” Walsh said. “I know Obama has a lot of supporters, but I think McCain’s values and beliefs and true mentality towards everything will prevail. At least I hope.”

Asked if McCain could carry Florida, Walsh said, “I’ll be voting for him, that’s for sure.”

Odds and ends

Joining Georgia’s list of nagging injuries Tuesday were starting strongside linebacker Akeem Dent (hip) and backup left guard Tanner Strickland (foot). ... According to Georgia’s strength staff, senior defensive tackle Jeff Owens has the team’s highest bench press (520 pounds) and Strickland the top squat (700), while senior middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and sophomore fullback Shaun Chapas share the top power clean (400).

Comments