UGA's Offensive problems begin with banged-up line

Three starting offensive linemen missed Georgia's scrimmage Saturday, leading to a sluggishness that coach Mark Richt said,"got sloppy at times." "That’s the kind of day that it was offensively," he said. "I'm glad we have three more weeks before the opener. The defense gained confidence, but I’m not sure the offense did." Center Ben Jones sat out with a knee injury and will have arthroscopic surgery today. Richt said he should return in time to start the Sept. 4 opener against Louisiana-Lafayette. Jones was joined on the sidelines by guard Cordy Glenn (mono) and tackle Josh Davis (ankle). Richt said it's best for Jones to have the surgery instead of trying to play through pain and have his knee lock up during the season, which would force him to miss two or three games. "I guess it’s a meniscus or something, some cartilage issue in there," Richt said. "We feel like if we clean it up now, we’ve got a chance to go for the season." Georgia pieced together a first-team offensive line with Chris Burnette at center, Tanner Strickland at left guard and A.J. Harmon at right tackle, along with regulars Clint Boling and Chris Davis. Trinton Sturdivant also saw some action in third-and-long situations. "I want to temper my words," Richt said. "The defense certainly dominated the scrimmage. I'm not sure, we might have gotten two first downs in the first half"