Georgia apparently has lost another offensive lineman, at least for a while.
DawgPost.com, the Scout/Fox Sports website that covers the Bulldogs, cited sources in reporting that sophomore tackle Austin Long will miss at least the first two weeks of preseason camp after being diagnosed with mononucleosis. Two persons familiar the situation have confirmed that report to the AJC, but I haven’t gotten any official confirmation from UGA yet. Spokesperson Claude Felton said he was unaware of Long being sidelined.
If it’s true, that means the Bulldogs are down to six scholarship offensive linemen who have even one snap of experience, including the five starters. Georgia has lost three other offensive linemen since spring practice. Redshirt freshman guard Brent Benedict and junior tackle A.J. Harmon transferred to other schools and senior tackle Trinton Sturdivant was lost to a knee injury.
Georgia signed five freshmen offensive linemen in its 2011 recruiting class: David Andrews, Watts Dantzler, Zach DeBell, Hunter Long and Xzavier Ward.
Long, a 6-foot-5, 304-pound redshirt sophomore, was considered the top lineman in Tennessee when he signed with the Bulldogs out of Briarcrest Christian Academy in Memphis in 2009. He was listed as the backup to Justin Anderson at right tackle heading into camp.
Long has had a hard time getting on the field. Back surgery before he got to UGA resulted in a redshirt year and he did not play last season as he continued to rehabilitate that injury.
Meanwhile, the players were on Spec Towns Track this morning trying to make their times for a running test. UGA is not providing us with the information from those tests but, for what it’s worth, we know from Facebook that Big John Jenkins “passed with flying colors.”
Today is all about testing, physicals and orientation for the Bulldogs. Real football doesn’t start happening until 4:20 p.m. tomorrow when they embark on the first of 29 practice opportunities between now and the Sept. 3 opener against Boise State. Apparently getting some young offensive linemen ready to play will be a priority.
150 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2011
3:53 pm
Dang it! No Fulmer Cup points for Troup since he didn’t get arrested.
We have no chance to catch Auburn or Florida for that matter.
Dang Richt and his new policy
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2011
3:53 pm
DawginLexEatenByGator!!!!!!
Gonna be SWEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2011
3:54 pm
Beast
your schedule speaks to a DawginLex victory
Dawgy Style
August 3rd, 2011
3:55 pm
BeastFromTheEastEatenByDawg vs DawginLexEatenByGator
Going to be good!
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2011
3:59 pm
and people say I don’t play well with the enemy…
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2011
4:05 pm
Say What??,
His “temporary insanity” comment was meant as a joke, but I do understand how it would get under your skin a bit. I think we all know that he relishes his time at UGA, but he’s a Gator right now. He better be for all the money they’re paying him!!!
Beast from the East
August 3rd, 2011
4:07 pm
Lex,
You do have a bit of an advantage with the schedule. Doesn’t matter, as it’s all in good fun. I still think it’s going to come down to the bowl games for each of us. Don’t you?
ATL gator
August 3rd, 2011
4:12 pm
I had lunch at chick-fil-a today….was walking by this old man who saw my gator shirt and said……”hey Gator, the reason we don’t beat you guys is becuase God’s favorite color is Orange & Blue”.
Thought that was pretty funnny and wanted to share. can’t wait to kick ur asses again…
Pete
August 3rd, 2011
4:13 pm
GeoffDawg………………. Last i checked a game 6 years ago means nothing. But, a game last year or 6 losses most often means a lot. Lets see here, Boise has most All-Americans than any team in the country…. We had 8 players go to the NFL……….You’re high schools must be amazing! LOL ignorant dawg fans are so funny and stupid.
Boise’s entire 2nd string would start over any 1st string puppy….
Pete
August 3rd, 2011
4:16 pm
It’s gonna suck for the Dawgs when they get ownt by a team with the same colors as a team they always get ownt by…. It’s gonna be like getting beat by the Gators twice in 1 year, except Boise will destroy the pups a lot worse.
Tech Stud
August 3rd, 2011
4:24 pm
Is it true that you get mono from kissing girls? Eeyew, that’s so gross!!! Glad I’ll never have to worry about catching it!
Boise in ATL
August 3rd, 2011
4:25 pm
If the game is close in the 4th Quarter – Boise will win.
NO disrespect to UGA – I think UGA will develop into a very dangerous team as the season progresses – but will start 0-2. UGA has way too many moving pieces to the puzzle going on. RB position, OLine – replacing WR – new LB corp – new NT’s – and starting off against a Boise team that returns 14 starters and has had all summer to prepare the game plan – then a more physical USCe team – with a coach that now knows he can beat UGA – well – tough way to open the season.
UGA will need some games and adversity to assist them to jell as a team. I think it will happen.
Boise is very disciplined and plays as a TEAM – something not seen in Athens the last few seasons.
Then – there is coaching.
For those that complain about our schedule – you bet………..Boise would love to upgrade as well –
Maybe the B12-2 – aka the Uof Texas league – will ask Boise to join after Tex A&M bolts for the SEC! We would jump on that asap.
Keep thinking that because your team is filled with 4 & 5 star recruits – UGA is superior. Wasn’t Marlon Brown a 5 star recruit???? I am sure Colorado and UCF were concerned about UGA’s 4&5 Star recruits.
Dome should bre rocking – me and the 300 other Boise fans attending the game really look forward to awesome atmosphere the Dawgs will bring to the dome.
One last thing – thanks to UGA for playing this game. This is almost a NO win situation for UGA – kind of like playing a UCF in a bowl game. You win – it’s because you are supposed to, you lose – the there is national embarrassment. So thanks for playing Boise this year – how about a trip to the Smurf Turf????
wiseoldawg
August 3rd, 2011
4:25 pm
Pete, it’s better to stay silent and have folks believe you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Pete
August 3rd, 2011
4:30 pm
wiseoldawg……………. Oh yeah kinda like when you were trying to tell me how any team can pick any conference they want to be in at anytime? Comments like that make me wonder if you’re really an old dawg or just an ignorant old dawg who just started watching football.
Say What??
August 3rd, 2011
4:32 pm
LOL! That’s true, Beast. But I do think you guys got a great young coach. And the fact that he brought Charley in as his OC is just unbelievable… Again, wish you guys luck every Saturday except the last one in October!
By the way, thanks for being a respectful poster on here. So many of the our rival’s fans come on here and add nothing to the conversation but insults.
JE
August 3rd, 2011
4:35 pm
If FB Ogletree is a good blocker put Figgins at guard or tackle. We are also short at FB. We recruit every TE and WR in the world but do not recruit adequately to replenish the five OL each year. Poor plan for recruiting. I thought Richt fixed that a few years ago.
wiseoldawg
August 3rd, 2011
4:36 pm
c’mon Pete you’re giving Boise a bad name. For your information I’ve been a college football fan since before you guys put in that blue rug. Be classy or be gone.
Dawgy Style
August 3rd, 2011
4:37 pm
“And the fact that he brought Charley in as his OC is just unbelievable… ”
Better than Bobo?
Terry
August 3rd, 2011
4:38 pm
It doesn’t have to be a kiss you can be exposed through a cough or sneeze, or by sharing a glass or food utensil with someone who has mono.
Pete
August 3rd, 2011
4:41 pm
wiseoldawg…………….. then don’t make comments that aren’t true. Simple as that, be honest, be realistic.
Terry
August 3rd, 2011
4:48 pm
Most signs and symptoms of mononucleosis ease within a few weeks, but it may be two to three months before you feel completely normal. The more rest you get, the sooner you should recover. Returning to your usual schedule too soon can increase the risk of a relapse.
wiseoldawg
August 3rd, 2011
4:58 pm
OK Pete, then I suggest that you take your own advice about being realistic. You act as if the outcome has already been decided and the game is still a month away. You better hope you don’t let your mouth overload your a$$.
wiseoldawg
August 3rd, 2011
5:02 pm
And I never said that a team can join any conference any time they want. They can however look into the possibility of upgrading their conference affiliation any time they want.
Mark (another one)
August 3rd, 2011
5:13 pm
Pete: Anyone complaining about others not being realistic needs to retract your 2:29 post or admit their an idiot. 55-0. You must not know anything about SEC football.
I expect a hard fought game, and I expect UGA to win (yes, I am biased) but I don’t see a spread of more than two TDs. 14 points for you Boise fans.
ARdawg
August 3rd, 2011
5:16 pm
Boise in ATL
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I like you. You come across as a true Boise fan as opposed to a blind homer or a tech/Gator poser. I can respect your position but, I think you are wrong. It has nothing to do with recruits and stars. Yes your team has fared well since their last visit to Athens and some dynamics have changed. What hasn’t changed however is UGA will still be bigger, stronger, faster and deeper than your Broncs. We expect a game out of your guys and I am sure we’ll get it although I wouldn’t bet on how close it will be but we win by at least a TD with no dramatics like you had last year with VT.
Good luck and may the best team win.
ARdawg
August 3rd, 2011
5:20 pm
All conferences will weigh what a proposing team may bring to the conference. This is usually weighed in cash and then competition. Boise would fit in several others than their current. But, why would they? They have a pretty good gig, just as it is. Play one, maybe two big programs a year, cake walk through the schedule and finishing high in the rankings. No need to grind it out every week if you don’t need to.
Vermont Dawg
August 3rd, 2011
6:08 pm
Murray throws three TDs, Crowell runs for one, and defense comes up with big plays including Ogletree interception and run back for TD. Dawgs 41 – 27.
Bob
August 3rd, 2011
6:11 pm
Get well soon Austin. I hate to sound negative, but it seems like every player we sign out of high school that’s hurt continues to have medical problems.
Sam
August 3rd, 2011
6:44 pm
Walk on freshman, Eddie McQuillan, is 6′9″ and gaining weigh fast. He could be a factor sooner than expected.
G-Dawg
August 3rd, 2011
6:50 pm
DawginLex – in response to an earlier post where you talked about our current starters on the line—–
Glenn is LT and Gates is LG, Anderson is RT, Burnette is RG. The 6th player they mentioned is probably Dallas Lee – he came over from the D-line. Too bad his brother committed to Alabama.
Big L
August 3rd, 2011
7:35 pm
Enter your comments hereI thought Dallas was an O lineman when he came out of Buford two years ago. You must mean Justin Anderson. You are dang right though, we sho coulda used his brother at the linebacker position.
Larry Wayne Jones Jr.
August 3rd, 2011
8:40 pm
Well, they could always quick kick on first down and hope for some defensive scores.
Troup Co. Dawg
August 4th, 2011
1:20 am
Boise coach will be secretly meeting w/ Greg MG after the game to be HC at UGA….not a bad idea, He’s A Pro – Style Offensive coach, bring him on over here to Ol’ Jawga !!!
RED DOG 77
August 4th, 2011
1:54 am
Me? Not worried in the least bit. There are different degrees of Mono. I had it in High School, lasted mabe two weeks max, lost a little weight but not much…….was playing ball at the time and only missed one game because of fever……..as has been pointed out we have some security options if we get in Oline trouble…….The big kid out of Mass., TE…….Lynch is around 6ft6in 275lbs……actually, as a run blocker might be better suited than “Bean” blocking down, or taking out an OLB………you can cross train some of your big Dguys………I’ll guarantee everyone a couple things……..first: all teams are experiencing injuries and attrition second: Coach Mark Richt and Coach Todd Grantham will be throwing every dadgum thing including the kitchen sink at Boise St. and South Carolina………Hell some of the Freshman kids are, or will be ready to rip some heads off come September 3rd…………I say “Bring it on Boise St”………Georgia Bulldogs by 17 points……………..RED
RED DOG 77
August 4th, 2011
1:58 am
@Troup Co. Dawg………..keep the poop in your pants partner……or learn to use a toilet……..RED
RED DOG 77
August 4th, 2011
2:04 am
@Vermont Dawg………You’re talking my language ‘ol boy………how are things in the great north woods this Summer?………..Regards, RED
CHDawg
August 4th, 2011
6:40 am
Let’s not forget that some of our current starters did so as true freshmen. Point is, you never know who will step up and who won’t. We can always move Richard Samuel to tackle, too.
Chris
August 4th, 2011
7:27 am
If we didn’t sign 9000 wide recievers that Richt always thinks he desperately needs, maybe we could sign a few more lineman.
He needs to take a long look at what makes a good football team. Yes, AJ Green was a difference maker last year, but recievers like that don’t come around very often. We should be stacking our offensive line with great players, building up our defense, and we should be recruiting more running backs. Then worry about getting a few recievers.
I’ll never understand why Richt thinks he needs to run these five recievere sets. It’s total BS. We have recievers that play their whole careers with 100 or so yards receiving and one or two TD’s….what a difference maker!
A great defensive and offensive line is what wins championships.
James T. Kirk
August 4th, 2011
8:42 am
Figures. The puppies get booboos all the time since they cannot handle this man game. Notice how Tech has zero injuries? Thought so.
DawgByte
August 4th, 2011
8:50 am
Scholarships are now becoming WAY TOO valuable to waste on guys coming out of HS with known injuries that put into question their future ability to play at a level required in the SEC. Richt & Co. knew Austin Long had a back injury severe enough to require surgery. We should never have given him a scholarship. I feel sorry for Austin, but this was an avoidable issue.
SEC Fan
August 4th, 2011
9:17 am
Maybe Richt should have recruited a few more offensive lineman. Looks like some of his prior decisions are comming back to bite him in the A$$ even before the season starts. There ain’t nothing like planning ahead. Of course, on the bright side, this guy should be back in 6-8 weeks barring any unforseen complications.
wiseoldawg
August 4th, 2011
9:40 am
Hey Kirk, notice how GA kicks Techs a$$ all the time? Thought so.
frannie mae
August 4th, 2011
10:02 am
UGA is in BIG BIG trouble….
James T. Kirk
August 4th, 2011
1:05 pm
All the time? Maybe you have noticed the 2,500 yards we have hung up on your sorry defense the past 3 years? How do you like ‘em apples, mutt?
wiseoldawg
August 4th, 2011
3:14 pm
9 out of the last 10 Kirk. How you like that?
War Dang Dawg
August 4th, 2011
6:17 pm
If Richt slips to 2 out of 11 against UF and doesn’t get fired, then the fans will revolt. Florida is in year 1 of a new coaching regime. If not now, when?
Nasser Hussain Alnajari
August 4th, 2011
6:22 pm
I’m like Tech’s biggest fan, ever. And unlike most Tech students, I actually lived in the U.S. for a couple of years before attending Tech. THWG!
FLA DAWG
August 4th, 2011
9:43 pm
I can’t hold my tongue any longer on Muschamp.
I will state that I wish him the best and hope things go well for him.
But I gotta tell ya……………a D C turned H C is a formula for as much confusion and failure as………………………………………………….well,…………………………………..Mark Richt at UGA.
Richt has never come into his own character as an HC because he spent so much time at Fla State under Bowden instead of moving around.
Muschamp has proven himself as a quality DC. I don’t see alot of DCs becoming winning SEC HCs.
But this is just my opinion.
FLA DAWG
August 4th, 2011
9:45 pm
Yeah, yeah,………….I know Richt was an OC under Bowden.
He should do / have alot better by now.
Troup Co. Dawg
August 5th, 2011
2:59 am
I look for IC to do big things, he has a skill set that is unmatched, but attitude will be his altitude, and there are many new positive players that will give him positive feedback! God may have a say in this year’s outcome…sometimes you tear it all down so it can be built back up on a firm foundation! We shall see! GO Dawgs! By the way I read that CMR was Beside himself in the opening Speech! Look out Saban!