2006 Fall Camp: Day Seven News and Notes

ATHENS - Josh Kendall's news and notes from Georgia's seventh day of fall camp.

EASY PICKINGS: It’s been 16 years since the Bulldogs have had a player with more than six interceptions in a season. (Ben Smith had 10 in 1989.) If what Richt is seeing in practice is an indicator, that could be about to change.

“Our defensive backs are catching the ball better than I can ever remember, especially here,” he said. “You want them to make that obvious, right-in-the-hand interception, and they’re making those, but some guys are just flat out looking like receivers. We’ve got kids who can really catch the football on defense.”

As of at least Thursday, cornerback Paul Oliver had had at least one interception in every practice. Cornerbacks Asher Allen and Ramarcus Brown and safety CJ Byrd also are drawing regular praise.

HIGH PRAISE: Houston County High School’s Quintin Banks, a true freshman safety, earned quite a compliment from Richt after Friday’s practice.

“Quintin Banks had a really nice thud,” Richt said. “It looked a little bit like a Greg Blue hit, kind of a torpedo.”

INJURY UPDATE: Offensive lineman Chester Adams (hip), fullback Brannan Southerland (ankle), offensive lineman Zeb McKinzey (shoulder) and defensive tackle Ray Gant (shoulder) remain out of practice. Adams is doubtful for today’s scrimmage. Defensive end Marcus Howard (arm) got limited action Friday.

Defensive tackle Ricardo Crawford returned to Athens from his home in North Carolina, where he was visiting his ill grandmother, but he got back too late for practice due to increased security and delays at the Myrtle Beach, S.C.

DILEMMA: Stafford, who may be the most naturally talented and is definitely the most inexperienced of Georgia’s quarterbacks, has to concentrate on balancing his gunslinger mentality and staying within the offense, he said.

“You’re trying to go out there and make plays to show that you can do it,” he said. “It’s tough to know what they want sometimes, but if you play within the offense, you’ll get your chances.”