Athens — Georgia linebacker Marcus Washington said he would probably sit out the 2008 season due to a left shoulder injury.

The senior will undergo surgery on the shoulder in the next couple of weeks and the recovery time is estimated to take six months.

"I think it would be in my best interest to go ahead and get it fixed," Washington said. "It is tough because it is another year. Coming in I am thinking this is going to be my last season, my senior year, my last go around and you get emotionally tied to that.

"Now I have to wait around for a whole other year for my time. The way this team is going right now, we are shooting for greatness. And everybody wants to be a part of greatness and I do too. And it is kind of hard to sit back."

Washington played a large part in Georgia's success last season. He played in 11 games and started six. He missed two games after his shoulder popped out against Ole Miss. He finished with 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

The shoulder was reinjured March 7 when his arm was extended and a teammate fell on top of it. Washington had been wearing a protective sling after he first injured the shoulder in 2007.

"I was thinking I could get away with it and I got away with it for the rest of the (2007) season but then this freak accident happened to me on Friday," he said.

Georgia will look to fill the backup middle linebacker spot with several players. Akeem Dent has been training in the spot, as well as at the strongside position. Darryl Gamble is another option.

"It hurts you in terms of resting guys," said defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. "We proved last year the more guys you can play the better of you are at the end of the season."

Roundball

Mark Richt, like just about everybody else around Georgia, spent the weekend either listening to or watching the men's basketball team. But his reaction to the four wins may have been slightly different than even the most ardent of fans.

"I just started crying when it was happening," Richt said. "It was just an awesome thing to see. I was just so happy for those players and those coaches and Georgia and happy for the fans that have been to every single game. Just to see history being made like that was pretty spectacular.

"That was a very special thing that happened. I think when people look back on it they will see it as the defining moment in Georgia basketball."

Troupe to baseball

Freshman wide receiver Israel Troupe will play baseball this season but not until spring football is over. Troupe, who was recruited to play both, said compliance issues forced him not to play baseball until he is no longer practicing football. The issue has to do with the amount of time spent on the sports. The NCAA limits athletes to 20 hours of competition per week.

Troupe said he will join the baseball team after the spring game.