Fresh Loaf

Georgia’s two most prominent football teams head into the season with very different prospects. The rebuilding Atlanta Falcons are expected to scrape the NFL’s dregs; the Georgia Bulldogs enter today’s opener as No. 1 in the NCAA.

“[U]nless Richt is holding that crystal football in Miami at around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2009, this season will be a failure.”
– Pete Fiutak, FOXSports.com

“Our goals won’t be measured in wins and losses this year. We need to move forward and grow as a team.”
– Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff

“I think everybody is expecting good things.”
– Georgia head coach Mark Richt

“He’ll be running behind a shaky offensive line that looks as if it’s held together by duct tape purchased from one of [Arthur] Blank’s old stores.”
– The Sports Network’s Scott Garbarini, on new Falcons running back Michael Turner

“It’s cool to say you were part of that team that was preseason No. 1, but it would be a lot nicer to say it at the end of the season. There’s a lot of time between now and then.”
– Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford

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FAY ACCOMPLI: The tropical storm has caused severe flooding in Florida and is expected to keep zig-zagging up the coast, although it probably won’t become a hurricane again. Georgia is expected to avoid a direct hit, but the barrier islands and southeastern coast will likely get drenched.

LAKE HARTWELL: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially initiates the lake’s Drought Level 3 contingency plan for just the second time in 20 years, and officials say they won’t be surprised if the current drought soon forces them to “trigger level 4,” which has never happened before.

BIGFOOT IN MOUTH: The former Clayton cop and car salesman who claimed to have a Bigfoot body are being sued by a Bigfoot researcher, and officials are looking into whether the ruse could be a crime. The deceptive duo discusses the hoax with WSB-TV.

CLAYTON: The lawyer for several black school board members is accusing white whistle-blowers of racism for reporting to Gov. Perdue on alleged malfeasance in the Clayton BOE.

GLAVINE: Surgery will keep the 42-year-old pitcher out for the year, which is all he’s under contract for, but fellow Braves and Bobby Cox want him back next season.

STAFFORD: UGA’s quarterback has assumed the team’s leadership role in his junior season.

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