SOUTHERLAND

Football team made up of 'good kids'

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

By:

Posted: 7/7/08

With legal problems surrounding three Georgia players, offensive lineman Chris Davis is hoping people don't rush to judgment on the character of the Georgia football team.

"I can account for everybody on the team, we're all good kids," Davis said. "None of us are criminals, and I think that's the perception we're getting."

Earlier this week defensive end Michael Lemon was named as a suspect in the assault of a University student at an off-campus apartment. Offensive linemen Trinton Sturdivant and Justin Anderson were arrested and charged for simple battery after touching a pregnant woman's stomach in East Campus Village.

"I would trust any of these guys with any of my family members," Davis said. "I treat these guys like my brothers and like I said, we don't have any bad people on this team. I just don't want people to get that perception that we are bad."

Southerland waiting for results with foot

With his lower leg and foot in an America-themed red, white and blue cast, all senior fullback Brannan Southerland can do is hope his rehab from foot surgery goes according to plan.

Southerland had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot in June and may have to miss the first five games of the season.

"It's a slow process right now because I'm in a cast, but one of the things I can do, since I'm in a waterproof cast, is do work in the pool. It keeps my hips flexible and I can work my upper body and do core work. But I'm playing the waiting game since I'm in a cast."

Southerland said he can do leg squats and run sprints under water, although the sprints can be hard sometimes.

"I do different sets of sprints underwater, which can be difficult on only one leg," he said.

As far as a timetable is concerned, Southerland said it's too early to tell when he will be back on the field.

"Friday will be four weeks and as far as the bone goes, they've taken X-rays and it's looking good," Southerland said. "We'll know more when I get the cast off in a couple of weeks."

Rumors about Richt, Moreno dispelled

Earlier this week, head coach Mark Richt dispelled any rumors that he and running back Knowshon Moreno were unhappy with each other.

With false rumors circulating online, ranging from Moreno and Richt shouting at practice to Moreno attending a Playboy All-American function against Richt's wishes, offensive lineman Chris Davis said it's something the team needs to ignore.

"You can't control what other people do," Davis said. "Some people just get bored and want to start talking and that's their right, so that's OK."

Southerland added he tries to distance himself from the Internet to avoid the distractions.

"Personally, I don't really get on Internet sites much," Southerland said. "I read the school newspaper when I'm in class. Besides that the only way I hear about stuff is from my family."

- Jason Butt