Two Davids lead Georgia to preseason top five for first time

By KEITH PARSONS, AP Sports Writer
August 23, 2004
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- David Greene was a star from the moment he first took the field for No. 3 Georgia. David Pollack needed a little more time.

They're known around the program as ``the two Davids,'' teammates, roommates and best friends who first played together as children while growing up in suburban Atlanta. In three seasons, they have helped the Bulldogs win 32 games -- the fifth-best total in the nation during that span -- while gaining nearly as much respect for their behavior off the field.

``I would have no problem with either one of them baby-sitting my kids or marrying my daughter,'' Georgia coach Mark Richt said. ``In fact, one of my daughters wants to marry David Pollack now, but she's only 7 years old.''

As a freshman, Greene completed his first 11 passes in his debut. He has compiled a 12-1 record on opponents' home fields during his career, and he now stands only eight victories shy of Peyton Manning's NCAA record of 39.

Reaching that mark seems a mere formality at this point if Greene stays healthy.

``He's the only guy I ever coached who was able to start four years in a row,'' said Richt, who worked with Heisman Trophy winners Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke when he was the offensive coordinator at Florida State.

``That first year is usually a traumatic time for all of them. Somehow, Greene played so well as a freshman, and he had defining moments where everybody believed in him. He never let go of that aura,'' Richt said.

Pollack started only four games in his first year, then blossomed the next season after moving to defensive end. In 2002, he set a Georgia record with 14 sacks and won the Southeastern Conference player of the year award. Last May, he declined to be featured as part of Playboy's All-America team, saying the magazine's contents conflicted with his religious beliefs.

His numbers dropped considerably last season -- due mostly to persistent double teams -- yet he still won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end. Pollack has a chance to become the second three-time All-American in Georgia history, following Herschel Walker, but his goals are a bit simpler.

``Personally, I want to win every game,'' Pollack said. ``But when it comes to my personal goals, they are not for me, they are for the team. I just want to go out there and make plays so the team can be better and we can win more games.''

The Bulldogs might do just that. For the first time ever, they were ranked in the top five in The Associated Press preseason media poll. They have 20 returning starters, and arguably their two biggest games -- LSU and Tennessee -- are between the hedges at Sanford Stadium.

In the poll, Georgia was one spot ahead of the Tigers, despite the fact that LSU won both meetings a year ago on its way to sharing the national championship.

``I honestly don't think a lot about it,'' Greene said. ``Nothing has been done yet.''

Because of their talent, Greene and Pollack have been leaders almost from the start. Pollack is much more vocal, often skipping off the field while waving his arms to the fans, but both plan to take on larger roles as seniors.

Greene already has started.

He lost about 20 pounds in the offseason in an effort to make himself quicker in the pocket. Last season, slowed by a knee injury, Greene was sacked 41 times, and he willingly shared the blame along with the offensive line.

``I just couldn't move around like I wanted,'' Greene said. ``Hopefully, that'll be different this year.''

Even with the problems, Greene completed a career-high 60 percent of his passes for 3,307 yards in 2003, and he is on pace to pass Eric Zeier's school records for completions, yards passing, and touchdown passes.

``I feel as long as David is with me, I'm good to go,'' tailback Michael Cooper said. ``You want to do well for him. If you have a missed assignment, you kind of get down on yourself because you let him down.''

About the only thing left for the two Davids to achieve -- other than a national title -- is a victory over Florida. They've lost all three, including the previous two by a total of 10 points.

``I want to win that game badly,'' Greene said. ``I would be lying if I were to say anything different. It has kept us from going on to bigger and better things. When we go into Jacksonville, there is a little added pressure that might hurt us, but I don't think we go into the game thinking we cannot beat them.''

He and Pollack have one more chance.


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