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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006 6B Bulldogs aim for better kickoff returns By Marc Weister Morris News Setvice ATHENS - It’s become a truism in recent years for Georgia: The Bulldogs are annually winning or contending for SEC titles under coach Mark Richt and almost annu ally finishing toward the bottom of the nation in kickoff returns. New running backs coach Tony Ball is in charge of turning around that trend after former assistants Kirby Smart and Ken Rucker han dled kickofF returns the past two seasons. “You’ve got to make sure you do a good job of making sure you have the right people back there return ing the ball,” Ball said. “That guy that’s back there returning it, if you give him time and you give him a crease, the right guy back there Playing at home hard for Sluman By Garry Smits Morris News Service MEDINAH, 111. - Just because Jeff Sluman is from Chicago doesn’t mean he plays in tournaments near his home with a comfort level that translates into results on the golf course. Sluman gets the home-field advantage for this week’s PGA Championship, which begins Thursday at the Medinah Country Club. Since he usually doesn’t play in last week’s International, he’s been home to get some extra practice at Medinah. However Sluman, the 1988 PGA cham pion, who has resisted the urge of most play ers to move to a warm-weather state such as Florida, Texas, Arizona or California, said trying too hard to impress family and friends actually puts more pressure on him. In four prior majors played in the Chicago area, Sluman missed the cut at the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, tied for 54th at the 1999 PGA at Medinah, tied for 14th at the 1990 U.S. Open at Medinah and tied for 24th at the 1989 PGA at Kemper Lakes. Sluman also has not fared well, historically, at the Western Open, at Cog Hill. “I think if you look at my record, when ever I’ve gone home, I don’t play very well,” he said. “It’s nice to stay in your own home and sleep in your own bed. Relatively speak ing, it’s a relaxing week. It still boils down to getting out and hitting golf shots and the » * mf-XVIk-W W * * y w j s * «*• : P • :: :;: >:• *’Ww* w " w | -~ p' F ■ p"j •' p „ / SAlff OVER 50% OFF JRE COVER PRlCEi ‘*":,\ just Fill Out & Return The Form Below Or Call Our Office At 478-987-1823 •’^ ( Name: Phone: Address: 1 •'■■ ' ■ ' 1 ::;; City: ' State: Zip: 3 MONTHS - $10.20 AHA A fl (Above prices include tax) •MMMMMM MMMMM OTMaMMa Credit: LJ Master Card U VISA U Discover - Card #: /Jv'f 'a'v '£•_■% <{•//'t'%si&- r ’’.‘'i.w v’"’ 0 : " y- •-' -y &■ • ; - ' » 1 don't think It mattara who's back there. Mte M taw speed and ability to make Up plays." - Georgia junior tailback Thomas Brown can make it happen.” The guys getting their shots at returning kickoffs so far this preseason include junior tail back Thomas Brown and fresh man comerback Asher Allen, who worked as the top two on Monday. Receiver Mikey Henderson, corner back Ramarcus Brown and receiv er Mario Raley also have gotten looks. “I don’t think it matters who’s back there,” said Thomas Brown. “We all have speed and ability to make big plays.” Big plays have been lacking out harder I try and the more I want something, usually that’s the worst you play. I probably need to relax a little bit more and just eryoy the moment and that will probably do me a world of good.” MayfDtr tl pity: Despite surgery for testicular cancer last week, Billy Mayfair is still entered in the PGA and officials expected him to play as of Monday evening. Mayfair had the two weeks ago. Doctors have described his cancer as one of the most successfully treated, if caught in the early stages. Thß PGA In Chicago: The PGA Championship has been staged in the Chicago area six times, counting this week. Two were at Medinah (this year and 1999), two were at Olympia Fields (1961 and 1925), one at Kemper Lakes (1989) and another at the Floosmoor Country Club (1920). There also have been three U.S. Opens at Medinah (1949, 1975 and 1990). EHL Paul McGinley of Ireland has with drawn from the PGA and has been replaced by Daniel Chopra. McGinley told PGA offi cials his withdrawal was for personal rea sons, and they are likely related to the death last week of Heather Clarke, the wife of close McGinley friend and two-time PGA Tour winner Darren Clarke. ... The marquee group of British Open champion Tiger Woods, Masters champion Phil Mickelson and U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy will obviously draw the most fan attention Thursday and Friday. JHoueton Jlailw Journal P. O. Box 1910 • 1210 Washington Street • Perry, GA 31069 478-987-1823 SPOUTS of the kickoff return unit in recent seasons. Georgia averaged 19.46 yards on kickoff returns last year, which ranked ahead of only LSIJ and Ole Miss in the SEC and 82nd in the nation. That actually was progress from 2004 when Georgia ranked 112th in the nation and 2003 when the Bulldogs were 100th. Georgia ranked 38th in 2001 and 57th in 2002 when Fred Gibson handled kickoff returns for the Bulldogs. Tyson Browning and Bryan McClendon returned 20 of 28 kick- offs last year. “This year I feel like we’re going to be up in the top 10 or 15 because I think we’ve got guys back deep that understand how to hit it,” said Ramarcus Brown, who averaged 21.2 yards on four kickoff returns last season. “You can’t play around back there. You’ve got to hit the hole.” Players say Georgia is now using a new scheme - one kickoff return er deep instead of two - but they think individuals are more impor tant than schemes. “I don’t think it’s really been the scheme in the past, we just haven’t taken advantage of the opportu nity,” Thomas Brown said. “We have to make it a point as players to make it work.” Ball knows a thing or two about Better Ingredients. Robins Federal Credit Union Better Pizza. 478-987-7272 Grand Opening This Week Only (August 14th thru 20th) 50% OFF Entire Order 50% off regular menu price. $lO minimum order for delivery. Not valid with any other special offer or coupon. Valid only at the Perry location. Delivery charge may apply. Expires August 20, 2006. 00036864 ~ TRY - RUTOPRY! And Bill Your Credit Card r Quarterly For Your Subscription . Without All The Hassje! \ I Misaks THE HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL returning kicks since he left his mark as a kickoff returner at Tenneesee-Chattanooga from 1977- 80. You can still find his name in the Mocs’ record books. He holds the single season kickoff return record with a 37.0 average in 1977; is second on the program’s career kick return yardage list with a 26.0 average; and fifth in career kickoff return yards from 1977- 80 with 1,304. He even made the school’s all-century team as its kick returner. At Georgia, Ball said he is looking for returners with quickness and vision on kickoffs and strong run ners that “when they see it, they can hit and they hold top speed a long time. That’s important. You have to be a strong runner to fin ish it.” . Exp: