Richt names tenative offensive line starters

Athens — The uncertainty surrounding the offensive line might finally be coming to a close.

Coach Mark Richt named a preliminary starting offensive line Tuesday, the strongest opinion he has offered since starting left tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The current starters: Kiante Tripp at left tackle; Vince Vance at left guard; Chris Davis at center; Cordy Glenn at right guard; and Josh Davis at right tackle.

“I don’t really care if anybody knows who our starting lineup is. … I’m still not sure if that’s how we’re going to end up but that’s how we’d be if they played today or tomorrow,” Richt said.

Out of these five players, four are first-year starters. Chris Davis, who started at left guard last season, has never started at center.

While there could be some more position swapping, the corps has found some stability in Vance.

“Vince has done a very nice job at left guard, to the point we’re trying to keep from moving him out to disrupt that,” Richt said.

Richt named Vance and Chris Davis as the Bulldogs’ two most solid guys inside. Vance appeared in 11 games last season at both guard and tackle, though he was hampered by a knee injury.

Richt said he has seen improvement from Vance so far this preseason.

“A lot in his play and a lot in his practice demeanor. He’s handling coaching so much better. More mature and more focused. Made a lot of strides that way,” Richt said. “He’s in pretty good condition, too.”

Weighing in

We know who was eating his spinach.

According to stats kept by Georgia’s staff, 36 players bench pressed more than 400 pounds during the offseason, tying the 2005 team as its most ever.

Defensive tackle Jeff Owens continued his reign as the top bench passer. Owens, who weighs 298 pounds, has claimed the feat the past three years, topping out at 535 pounds (2006), 545 pounds (2007) and 520 pounds this year.

Right guard Justin Anderson was the only other player to bench press 500 pounds.

As for squats, left guard Tanner Strickland emerged as the best at 700 pounds. Tripp was next with 645 pounds.

Middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and fullback Shaun Chapas led in the power clean with 400 pounds each.

Injury report

Two potential starters succumbed to the injury bug that is biting the Bulldogs.

Strickland, left guard, sported a green non-contact jersey Tuesday because he sprained his foot.

Richt said Strickland sprained it during the team’s scrimmage on Friday but continued to practice on it. Strickland hopes to return Wednesday.

“I asked him. Most players say I’m going tomorrow, but hopefully he’ll go tomorrow,” Richt said.

Strong linebacker Akeem Dent was also added to the injury list after suffering a hip pointer, which Richt said wasn’t too serious.

“Just kind of a deep bone bruise that sometimes can be helped out with medicine, sometimes it can’t,” he said. “He’s got to suck it up on this one a little bit.”

D-line gains

The depleted defensive line regained freshman Cornelius Washington (neck), who was at full speed while participating in drills.

And although coach Jon Fabris said he doesn’t have a single player who is 100 percent healthy, the players found ways to participate.

Jeremy Longo, wearing a cast on his hand, kept busy by working on his three-point stance and release. Demarcus Dobbs (ankle) jogged around the perimeter of the practice field.