2005 Fall Camp: Day 15 News and notes

ATHENS - News and notes from Georgia's 15th practice of fall camp.

The Bulldogs may be trying to light a fire under Hawkinsville defensive end Charles Johnson. The 6-foot-2, 272-pounder hasn’t made as much progress as some expected this fall.

“I don’t see every single player and every single play, but it looks like he really started out outstanding and then it looked like he’s probably leveled off some,” Richt said. “He still needs to push to be a great player. He’s not dogging it by any means, but he just need to practice very hard.”

Johnson began to fatigue a week into fall camp because he gained 10 pounds this summer, he said. He’s since lost the weight.

“I know I’m a second team player right now,” he said. “I’ve got to help the team from my position.”

FRESHMEN UPDATE: Richt shed some light on which freshmen might play this year. He said offensive lineman Ian Smith, who has missed most of the fall due to a concussion, is the most likely player to redshirt, hesaid. He was hesitant to rule any other player, including tight end Tripp Chandler, out for this season.

He said the Bulldogs are leaning toward playing defensive tackle Kade Weston. Defensive tackle Jeff Owens is almost certain to play.

COORDINATOR COMPARISON: With all the comparisons made between new defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and former defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, there is an obvious one that has been overlooked so far.

“He’s overweight,” Martinez said. “He is, he’s fatter than I am. He’s louder than I am. You can write all that down, too. I hope it makes its way to Jacksonville.”

VanGorder is now the Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach.

The main difference between Martinez’s old job, secondary coach, and his new job?

“The only thing I feel different about is there is more paperwork,” he said. “There is more organization.”

QUARTERBACK QUESTION: Joe Tereshinski is the Bulldogs’ No. 2 quarterback, but he shouldn’t expect to be alternating with starter D.J. Shockley like Shockley did with David Greene the last three years.

“(Shockley) is our guy right now,” quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said. “I don’t see us rotating quarterbacks."