When we last saw the former Bulldog tailback, he had just earned a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants. Ware’s still with the Giants, but his spot on the team is still up for grabs.

His performance last night might have cemented his status. In a preseason win over the Browns Ware totaled 97 yards on 10 carries. He also stood out on special teams with an average of 39 yards on three kick returns including one return of 59 yards. Ware also had a return of 35 yards against Detroit in an earlier game.

Even if Ware doesn’t find a place with the Giants, his visibility around the league is increasing.

The AP poll isn’t directly part of the national title picture anymore unless you consider that it might be a crib sheet for lazy voters in the coaches and Harris polls. We are able to see how individual members of the media voted, and it’s useful that some AP voters take the time to walk us through their ballot.

This isn’t about anyone’s placement of Georgia. I agree with Doug when he basically says look – there are several really good teams all with a reasonable claim to the top spot at this moment. Putting Georgia first, third, sixth, whatever is the voter’s prerogative at this point, and I won’t argue. You might think that I’m going to rake Jon Wilner over the coals for naming Florida #1 and dropping Georgia to #6. I’m not. I credit him for being open and even going back after the fact to look at his preseason rankings.

Wilner’s just a convenient example of a common approach to handicapping the Dawgs in 2008. "The Dawgs are the most talented team in the country," he begins, but oh, the schedule. So instead of ranking "the most talented team" at the top, he anticipates a few losses and starts Georgia out at #6.

The problem is that this approach to the poll changes during the season. Instead of remaining predictive, it becomes reactive. Ranked teams that lose fall in the polls. That’s the way it works. If, and it’s an if, Georgia loses, they’ll fall in the polls. Fine. But those using Wilner’s approach will ding Georgia twice – first in the initial poll and then again when the loss comes.

Georgia has a tough schedule, yes. Just how tough might be overstated a bit (seriously – by now it sounds as if in addition to eight SEC games Georgia’s playing the NFC East, the Redeem Team, and Michael Phelps). If that’s the case, it’ll play itself out during the season. Georgia will either win, or they’ll drop a few of these tough games and fall in the polls. If, as I do, you look at preseason polls as pole position for a race, dropping Georgia in the first poll because of a tough schedule makes about as much sense as moving a race’s top qualifier a few rows back because the race features an especially strong field.

Wilner’s reasoning should be of concern to those who want to see better and more interesting interconference games. The signal being sent is that it’s more important to navigate a manageable schedule than it is to be a good team that schedules ambitiously. Fortunately, as the first poll indicates, not too many voters feel that way.

Add the AP to the preseason polls putting Georgia at #1.

Georgia received 22 of 65 first-place votes and a total of 1,528 points to edge out Ohio State who received 21 first-place votes and 1,506 points. Southern Cal, Oklahoma, and Florida round out the AP’s top five.

The SEC has four teams (Georgia, Florida, LSU, and Auburn) in the AP’s preseason top ten.

USA Today, The Sporting News, and Sports Illustrated have already placed Georgia at the top of their preseason polls.

Chip Towers is on the story. Uga VII has been selected. We won’t get to see him until the end of the month, and any pictures you’ve seen to this point claiming to be of the new Uga are hoaxes.

Seiler said he is working with UGA sports communication director Claude Felton to issue a detailed news release about the new dog — including pictures — on Aug. 29. However, Uga VII won’t make his first public appearance until he is unveiled in a pregame ceremony the next day.

Seiler described how they arrived at the decision. “We all holed up in a room for two days and considered all the possibilities,” he said. And everyone thought I was pulling their leg with my exclusive look into the selection process.

Most of us are familiar with Jody Yarbrough’s weekly game previews whether it’s through an e-mail distribution chain or posted at various places online.

Jody’s started a blog, and it’s as good as you’d expect from such a talented writer. Visit, bookmark, subscribe, and enjoy the View From 336.

A new crop of freshmen is arriving in Athens this week to begin the college experience at UGA. They’ll meet each other, size each other up, and compare notes. "Oh, you were in the National Honor Society? Me too. I also lettered in three sports."

One UGA freshman will be bringing something to campus that will be hard to trump: an Olympic medal.

Incoming Georgia freshman Allison Schmitt won a bronze medal as a member of the women’s 800-meter freestyle relay on Thursday at the Olympics.
Schmitt, a native of Canton, Mich., led off the relay that set the American record with a time of 7:46.33. Natalie Coughlin, Caroline Burckle and Katie Hoff joined Schmitt on the relay.

Schmitt is just one of 22 athletes or coaches in Beijing with ties to the University of Georgia. Not surprisingly, over half of them are competing for or associated with nationalities other than the United States. It’s also not surprising that most come from Georgia’s strong swimming and diving program which will include a wide range of representatives from the incoming Schmitt to coach Jack Bauerle. We’ll see more Bulldogs as the track and field events get underway later this week.

Even Suzanne Yoculan is involved. The Georgia gymnastics program has had its share of Olympians, and this year Yoculan provided expert commentary during the women’s team competition. Most Georgia fans know all about her strengths as a showman and promoter, but such a successful program can’t be built without strong coaching competency, and she lets that side loose in this commentary.

Since I’ve opened the Olympics topic, I have to tip my cap to Michael Phelps. He’s the most decorated Olympian ever, and he dominates this sport. But I’m not going to get much into the "best ever" discussion. He may be, he may not be, but absolute statements like this don’t impress me. I watched Phelps coast in yet another qualifier last night and thought to myself, "didn’t he just swim this event a few nights ago?" Oh, right – that was the 100 meter event, and this was the 200 meter. And each comes with a medal just like the other 79 swimming events.

Think if they approached basketball the same way. You’d have the same team competition still. But you’d also have a dunk contest. A three-point contest. A 1-on-1 tournament. A 3-on-3 tournament. A 3-on-3 halfcourt tournament. H-O-R-S-E. A free-throw shooting contest. A free-throw shooting contest using the granny toss. You get the point.

I don’t begrudge Phelps his success. Few swimmers excel outside of one event, and he’s in rare air even among other swimmers. Even fewer can do it from one Olympics to the next. His accomplishments stand on their own. I’m just hesitant to put everything on the total medal count when some very gifted athletes in their own right have just a single event and a single chance at their one gold medal.

It’s becoming an annual tradition: the Bulldogs took some time out this morning to hit the Ramsey Center pool, and the 10-meter diving platform was once again the star of the show. Lifeguard Alexander Hope had the proper reaction.

“I was seriously terrified that Matthew Stafford was going to break his back … trying to do a back flip,” Hope said. “If one of those guys got hurt while I was guarding, I would never forgive myself. None of my friends would ever forgive me.”

Not just your friends, Alex. Count yourself lucky that the rumors of Rennie Curran and swimmer’s ear turned out to be nothing.

The AJC has a photo gallery, and UGASports.com subscribers get a gallery of 159 photos.

Richt levitates. (Photo: Radi Nabulsi, UGASports.com)

First, re: Sturdivant. Anthony Dasher of UGASports.com reported that there was no nerve damage to Sturdivant’s injured knee. Georgiadogs.com added that Sturdivant will “require a 9-12 month rehab. He is expected to fully recover within 12 months.” Given the severity of the injury and the aftermath of other multiple ligament injuries (think Albert Hollis), this was about the best possible news we could get. If all goes well, Sturdivant should be ready to go for the 2009 season.

There’s also good news on the recruiting front. The loss of TE Dwayne Allen to Clemson was one of the few disappointments in a strong 2008 recruiting class. Georgia addressed that tight end position today with a commitment from Arthur Fontaine of Dartmouth, Mass. He’s rated the #4 tight end in the nation by Rivals.com. Fontaine had committed to Boston College back in May, but he “de-committed shortly after when he realized he rushed his decision,” according to Mike Farrell of Rivals.com.

It should be noted that Georgia is still in the running for Rivals.com’s top-rated tight end, Orson Charles.

The Boston Globe has a great read on Fontaine. (You’ll also see his name as “Arthur Lynch-Fontaine” or, increasingly, “Arthur Lynch” as a nod to his mother’s maiden name.) In it he explains his decision to leave the Boston area.

“There’s nothing wrong with [BC],” he said in a phone interview Tuesday night. “They have a great football program, but I was so familiar with the school… Part of college should be about going off to do your own thing for four or five years and mature as a person — academically, physically and mentally. Just do your own thing for a couple years….With BC, I would have got a great education, a great degree and a great football career if it had played out, but I wouldn’t have got the same experience because I was so familiar with it.”

As he told Rivals.com, “This wasn’t as much a football decision as it was a college decision.”

If the idea of a Georgia tight end from Boston sounds familiar, it should. Jermaine Wiggins transferred from Marshall when Jim Donnan took over the Georgia program, and Wiggins played for the Dawgs in 1997 and 1998. Though undrafted out of college, Wiggins has had a productive NFL career and has a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2001 New England Patriots.

News is breaking all over that starting Georgia left tackle Trinton Sturdivant tore three knee ligaments and will require reconstructive surgery. With that kind of catastrophic injury, you’re hoping it’s just season ending and not career ending. We send our best for a complete recovery.

I posted last night that I expected Clint Boling to end up as Sturdivant’s replacement, but the question is more complicated than that. Boling of course is suspended for the opener, so there’s a more immediate question of who starts in the Ga. Southern game. Here’s a run down of all of the names mentioned as possible replacements:

Josh Davis: RSo. 6’6″, 293. Currently working behind Sturdivant at the left tackle position, but that’s no guarantee. Davis saw reserve action in eight games last year as a RFr.

Vince Vance: Jr. 6’8″, 320. Vance is currently the starting left guard, and he does have the size to move outside. Tanner Strickland seems to be coming on behind Vance at guard, so the interior line would still be OK if Vance moved outside. Speed is a concern with Vance though, and speed is important given the left tackle’s key role in pass protection.

Cordy Glenn: Fr. 6’5″, 313. Glenn has been very impressive so far in fall camp and actually started Monday’s scrimmage at right guard ahead of Justin Anderson. Rivals.com had him as one of their top 20 tackles in the 2008 recruiting class. The biggest question is experience. Georgia dodged a bullet with a true freshman at left tackle a year ago; are they willing to take that risk again?

Clint Boling: So. 6’5″, 290. Boling proved to be a athletic and versatile lineman who played at both right tackle and guard as a freshman before settling into the right guard spot. His consistency and experience might tip the decision in his favor.

Kiante Tripp: RSo. 6’6″, 270. It made news when Tripp moved from defensive end to the offensive line a year ago. He had the prototypical offensive tackle frame and the recruiting pedigree to go along with it. After getting some playing experience in his RFr. season, he’s been the unquestioned starter at right tackle since spring. Now with the higher-profile left tackle position open, will the staff move their remaining starting tackle to the other side of the line and focus on developing a new right tackle?

We knew that talking about injuries was whistling past the graveyard, and it might now be Georgia’s turn to face a significant season-ending injury. Starting left tackle Trinton Sturdivant was taken from the field today with a knee injury. Though the severity of the injury is still unknown, the AJC account doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

Those who have read Michael Lewis’s The Blind Side know that the left tackle stands above the other line positions, and it’s a significant loss when you’re without a good one. Sprain or tear, Georgia’s going to be without Sturdivant for some length of time, and they’re going to have to find an answer at the position that’s responsible for protecting Matthew Stafford’s blind side.

A great deal of Georgia’s success last year came because Sturdivant was up to the job as a true freshman. Now the job will likely turn to sophomore Clint Boling who was also a key contributor as a freshman in 2007.

Every year there are tweaks to the tailgating experience. There’s nothing this year on the level of the family-friendly areas (which cling to life on North Campus), but there are a few changes. Tailgating rules changes from recent years (7 a.m. start time, bring your own power source, etc.) live on.

This information comes from the 2008 Fan Guide that came with season tickets. Note that the information, rules, and prohibitions apply only to lots and tailgating areas under UGA control. Additional information and maps are at gamedaygameplan.com.

No Smoking in Sanford Stadium

Beginning with the 2008 football season, smoking will not be permitted in Sanford Stadium. In the past, smoking had been prohibited in the seating areas of the stadium but allowed in designated locations. This new policy covers all areas of Sanford Stadium as smoke-free.

Main Library Closed on Game Day

The University will close the main library on football Saturdays. While a popular location for bathrooms, fan behavior and damage to the building prompted the closure. Additional portable toilets will be stationed near the building.

Deep Fryers Prohibited at Campus Tailgates

For safety reasons, beginning with the 2008 football season, fryers can no longer be used in campus tailgate areas. Hot oil is an unsafe cooking method to the unsuspecting, large number of fans in popular tailgating areas.

New Reserved Parking Lots

Construction on the new Tate Center Parking Deck will be completed in time for the start of the 2008 season. Spaces in this deck will be distributed through the Athletic Association. Athletics will also operate a reserved parking lot near the intersection of Williams and Broad Streets (Ed: this is the old O’Malley’s / DialAmerica lot). Both of these locations can be found on the UGA Football Parking Map.

While Mark Richt is full on into the new football season, we can’t forget about the water girl. Here’s an interview with Katharyn Richt via Georgia Life & Style.

Speaking of interviews, check out Kit’s talk with Top Dawg author Rob Suggs.

Other than sorting out the depth chart, injuries are the biggest stories to come out of fall camp. With a single injury on the most insignificant practice play, a season can turn.

Fortunately the injury news has been relatively kind so far to Georgia’s depth chart. There’s only one serious injury so far. Redshirt freshman Walter Hill broke his hand yesterday and will be out 4-6 weeks. Injuries to anyone are a letdown, but it always gets me whenever it’s a redshirt freshman early in camp. These guys put in their time during the redshirt season and spring ball, and then an injury just as they were trying to earn playing time puts them in catch-up mode right out of the gate.

There were a pair of more minor injuries earlier in the week. Freshman A.J. Green was nursing a hip flexor injury, and though it’s not a serious injury the staff is erring on the side of caution when it comes to protecting a player that could make a difference this year. Don’t worry too much – AJ was out there running positional drills yesterday. Also, cornerback Prince Miller came down with a shoulder injury going for the ball. The injury won’t require surgery, but he will be out for a week or so. Meanwhile, Bryan Evans will see the reps as the starting corner opposite Asher Allen.

From the whistling-past-the-graveyard dept., the news isn’t so good for Florida as TE/WR Cornelius Ingram is out with a knee injury. The team is calling it a “strain”, but MRI results are still pending. Harvin might be the most dangerous player on that team, but Ingram is one of the more imposing pass catchers to set foot on a field. He’s got good hands, receiver speed, and can drag five or six undersized defensive backs a good 25 yards or so.

UPDATE: It’s still unconfirmed, but word is starting to spread that Ingram has been lost for the year. If true, count this as one of those big moments of suck that are inevitable each year as bright-eyed optimism for the upcoming season gets an unceremonious kick in the groin. He would have been a high draft pick coming out after last season but chose to return for his senior year.

Not to be crass this soon after the news breaks, but Ingram’s decision to return was high-profile enough that it will be brought up when some other players face the same decision after the 2008 season. There are no guarantees on either side of that decision, but you can bet that “remember what happened to Ingram” will be part of some though processes.

• The Georgia Sports Blog has info on the 2008-2009 basketball schedule. Meanwhile, Sundiata Gaines will start his professional career in Italy.
• Costs for that Vince Dooley statue and plaza have doubled to nearly $2 million. What’s an extra million dollars to the athletic board? Ridiculous and wasteful stuff, this.
• Offseason suspensions open the door for a Bulldog legacy.
• WSB will re-air some of the better games from last season over the next few Saturdays leading up to the season opener. The Tech game will get it started this weekend followed by Florida on the 16th and then Auburn on the 23rd.

A comment by Mike Bobo in a Chris Low piece today caught my eye.

The next step for Stafford, according to Bobo, is to become a more efficient quarterback on first and second down.

"That’s his next progression in going from a very good quarterback to a great quarterback," Bobo said. "He’s always been good on third down. But sometimes it gets down to making the average play or the easy play on first and second down."

How good has Stafford been on third down? Again, 63% of Georgia’s completions in 2007 came on third down. It would be interesting to see Stafford’s percentages on the various downs. I don’t necessarily expect that his third down percentage was that much higher because often defenses know that it’s a passing down. We do know that Georgia increased their third down conversion rate from 39% in 2006 to 45% last year.