FOTOBALL: UGA practices of the past

Yesterday kicked off the 2009 football season with the first fall practice and today I'm kicking off my month long FOTOBALL BLOGATHAN. Leading up to the first Georgia football weekend of the season I'll be sharing football related photos I've taken of high school and college.

First up, since I didn't shoot stills of practice yesterday I'm presenting Georgia Bulldogs practice pics from the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

In 2007 the Bulldogs narrowly missed playing for the National Championship due in large part to an early season loss to South Carolina. They ended the year with an 11-2 record and a No. 2 ranking after winning in the Sugar Bowl. In 2008 they started with a pre-season ranking of No. 1, but played in the Capital One Bowl instead of for the title. They finished in the No. 13 spot with a 10-3 record.

----- First day of practice 2007 -----

UGA fullback Shuan Chapas, left, and other players run drills at the team's first practice of the season Saturday Aug. 4, 2007.


UGA defensive players work on blocking at practice Saturday Aug. 4, 2007.


T.J. Gartrell reaches to make a catch during receiver drills Saturday.


Dedicated fan Brian Patton peers over a wall of the Woodruff Practice Fields Complex to watch the University of Georgia football players at their first practice Saturday.


Defensive end Jarious Wynn does blocking drills with defensive end Andrew Gully Saturday.


UGA football player Asher Allen rests during a break from the team's first practice of the season Saturday.


Massaquoi makes a catch during receiver drills at Georgia's first practice for the season Saturday.


UGA football player Michael Moore has tattoos of a panther on one arm and praying hands on the other.


University of Georgia football players enjoy a break from their first practice of the season Saturday Aug. 4, 2007, at Woodruff Practice Fields Complex.


NeDerris Ward and Akeem Dent have a playful fight during Georgia's practice Saturday Aug. 4, 2007.


----- First day of practice 2008 -----


Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, right, hands off the ball to Knowshon Moreno at the Bulldogs' first practice for the season Monday, August 4, 2008, at the Woodruff practice fields on campus.


Georgia's A.J. Green makes a catch during the Bulldogs' first day of practice Monday, August 4, 2008, at the Georgia practice fields.


Georgia's Knowshon Moreno runs the ball at practice Monday, Aug. 4, 2008.


Georgia backup QB Joe Cox at the Bulldogs' first practice Monday, August, 4, 2008, at the Wooddruff practice fields on campus.


Georgia wide-receiver Walter Hill makes a catch during practice Monday at the Woodruff practice fields.


Georgia's Michael Moore, right, is tackled by Bryan Evans after making a catch at practice Monday at the Woodruff practice fields.


Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, center, flanked by coach Mark Richt, left, and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo,right, at the Bulldogs' first practice Monday, August, 4, 2008, at the Wooddruff practice fields on campus.


Georgia's Michael Moore makes a catch during the Bulldogs' first practice for the season Monday at the Woodruff practice fields.


Georgia coach Mark Richt talks to his team at the Bulldogs' first practice Monday, August, 4, 2008, at the Wooddruff practice fields on campus.


University of Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno and teammates take a brief break from the Bulldogs' first practice Monday, August, 4, 2008, at the Wooddruff practice fields on campus.