Young tight ends benefit from Green

By Andy Johnston

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS — Tight ends Orson Charles and Aron White have flashed glimpses of their potential in Georgia’s three games, but coach Mark Richt isn’t ready to give them all the credit.

“I think A.J. Green, his presence, has helped that spot get favorable coverages,” Richt said. “They’re making the plays, and that’s what we were hoping.”

Charles, a freshman, has demonstrated his big-play ability, with 146 yards on six receptions (24.3 yards a catch), including a 44-yard touchdown in Georgia’s 52-41 victory over Arkansas on Saturday. Charles had two catches for 62 yards in that game.

White, a sophomore, has only two catches this season, but he grabbed a 21-yard scoring pass Saturday.

Richt isn’t ready to give Charles the position, at least not until he improves as a blocker.

“Certain blocks are easier, for a guy his size,” Richt said. “Certain blocks, he can get away with on just effort and technique. There are some blocks that take a certain amount of size and strength, and he’s still struggling sometimes on those. If he doesn’t do it just right, he can get knocked back a little bit. He’s getting there.”

Junior Bruce Figgins also figured to be in the rotation, but he’s serving a six-game suspension for a violation of team rules and isn’t eligible to play until the Vanderbilt game on Oct. 17.

The performance of Charles and White could have an impact on whether Figgins will be redshirted this season.

“I think a lot will have to do on where we are and where everybody is at that time,” Richt said.

Weather might be a factor

 Thunderstorms and an 80 percent chance of rain are forecast for the Athens area Saturday, leaving Richt thinking the weather could have an impact on the game.

There’s been a trace of rain in the Phoenix area this month, according to www.azcentral.com, while the Bulldogs have had to practice in rainy conditions most of the past two weeks.

“Humidity, if you’re not used to it, can be as tough as going to that thin air, if you’re not used to it,” Richt said. “I don’t even know what the humidity is going to be. I’m hearing a pretty good chance of rain. I don’t know if they even see rain over there. They may come over here and it’s raining, and they haven’t seen rain in months.”

Defensive back update

 Vance Cuff, who sprained the MCL in his right knee in Saturday’s win over Arkansas, is doubtful and would play only in “an emergency,” Richt said.

Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said earlier this week that redshirt freshmen Bacarri Rambo and Sanders Commings will see increased playing time against Arizona State. Richt added Thursday that freshman Branden Smith will get more reps at cornerback.

“[Smith is] getting better at it as he goes,” Richt said. “He’s young and has a lot of things to learn. You have to experience some things before you get good at them. I’m sure he’ll get more experience.”

Big recruiting weekend coming up

 Richt said Georgia is expecting “an awful lot” of recruits at the LSU game on Oct. 3. He didn’t give a specific number but added that “it’s probably going to be tough to get everybody in who wants to get in.”