Monday Practice Report

FOOTBALL

The Georgia football team held its fifth practice of preseason camp on Monday, putting on full pads for the first time during a morning session that lasted approximately two hours.

"This was Day 5 of acclimation and we'll start two-a-days Tuesday," coach Mark Richt said. "My impression of the team is that I have no complaints at all about the effort. That part has been outstanding."

In Monday's 3-on-3 drill, the offense topped the defense 5-4. Senior Richard Samuel scored the touchdown that put the offense ahead.

Richt was asked about Samuel, who is working at both tailback and fullback during camp. "We talked about it, and I told him we need him to be ready to play at either spot," Richt said. "Getting reps at tailback will not keep him from starting at fullback. When he's in the meeting room, he's involved with both. And he's in good enough condition to get reps at both."

Richt said the Dawgs will have two practices on Tuesday -- a morning special teams session, followed by a workout in shorts and helmets in the afternoon. The Dawgs will scrimmage for the first time on Wednesday.

Regarding special teams, Richt was asked about punter Collin Barber and kicker Marshall Morgan, both of whom are true freshmen.

"Collin has tremendous hang time or he can kick it for distance," Richt said. "He can kick it so that we can get gunners underneath and keep guys from getting going. Marshall, on extra points and field goals, can get the ball up very quickly. He's strong and he doesn't need a lot of effort to get the short- and mid-range kicks. He's very accurate."

Offensive guard Chris Burnette missed Monday's practice due to illness, while defensive back Marc Deas was sidelined with a hamstring strain, defensive end Ray Drew sat out due to a concussion and defensive end Abry Jones missed with a knee contusion.