DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/13/08
Athens — Darius Dewberry is the hardest-working football player at Georgia.
For the past week, Dewberry has been working part-time jobs before and after practices as part of disciplinary measures resulting from an offseason incident on Aug. 2.
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The linebacker displayed a positive attitude about his jam-packed schedule on Tuesday.
"I'm holding up pretty good, I'm handling everything pretty well," Dewberry said. "I know what I have to do, so there's no reason to really complain about it."
Each day, Dewberry said he wakes at 6:30 a.m., joining his teammates for breakfast 30 minutes later. Then Dewberry goes in a different direction, doing "little things, whatever needs to be done" at the university's Tucker Hall from 8 to noon.
Next for Dewberry is a quick lunch and "power nap" before showing for Georgia's team meetings about 2:30 p.m. After practice, he reports to St. Mary's Hospital from 8 p.m. to midnight, doing maintenance work.
Is the double duty affecting Dewberry's football efforts? "Not at all. I have a lot of energy. I feel the same way as if I [wasn't working]."
Dewberry is being penalized for an angry outburst at St. Mary's after learning of two teammates' injuries from a fight earlier that morning. Along with restitution to the hospital, Dewberry was suspended for the first two games and will do 20 hours of community service.
"Everybody has been real supportive, telling me to hang in there and keep my head up," Dewberry said. "I know I messed up, but I'm [being a man] and dealing with it."
Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said he is not surprised by Dewberry's upbeat attitude: "Everybody makes mistakes. It's all about how you respond and how you own up to it. He's one of those guys who is going to [take responsibility]."
Freshman sensation
Cordy Glenn, a freshman from Riverdale, has been the biggest surprise on the offensive line. He is listed as the No. 1 right guard and may get looks at right tackle. Richt was asked how Glenn's progress compares to then-freshmen Clint Boiling and Trinton Sturdivant last year:
"I'd say on par. I think just watching Cordy, it didn't take long to say he could do it physically this year," Richt said. "The question was how much would he learn and how quickly would he learn? I think he has been outstanding, how little he's made mistakes."
Owens 'back to win'
Jeff Owens was perhaps Georgia's top junior candidate to forgo his senior season, yet he decided to come back with very little drama. Owens, who some NFL draft analysts predicted would be taken in the top four rounds, said he hasn't regretted it.
He pointed to two black plaques in the meeting room that honored Georgia's national championships in 1942 and 1980. "I came back to win; that was the biggest reason. If you get those black plaques, then all the other plaques [for SEC East and SEC championships] will follow."
Richt said he doesn't pressure talented juniors.
"I really don't try to convince them of anything other than getting as good of information as you can," Richt said. "... You got to try to find out from the NFL people where you measure up and what's in your heart."
Owens said he wouldn't have left even if he was told he would've been a certain first-rounder: "I love college. My dad always said it was the most fun in your life, playing the game you love for the love of the game. At the next level [the NFL], it's a business. I want to have fun in college and win."
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