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Comments
One salient thing to keep in mind in this discussion, is that guys in their teens and early twenties do not have fully developed judgment, self-control and reasoning faculties. Those processes come from the frontal lobe of their brain which is typically not fully developed until age 25. This explains much of the unwise or eccentric behavior of teenagers/young adults and why continued guidance is needed. (See recent research at University of Rochester Medical Center)
I do understand and sympathize with the dilemma CKS had. He made the call and he gets paid the big bucks to make those calls. However, I would have found more ways to get Fields in the game. He was beaten by his mentor twice with later game QB changes. Had he given more playing time to Fields, he would have had that option as well versus Alabama. However, given the NCAA consideration of transfers up until that point, Fields should not have qualified for a waiver so that may have influenced CKS decisions as well. Bottom line is that you cannot leave that kind of talent sitting on the bench.
Kirby sandbagged Fields and protected Fromm. Outsiders who know that Fields was the better option will always think that race was the reason Fields wasn't given a chance. At one time Kirby had everything in his two hands but he let it slip through his fingers. The best black players will shun UGA from here on.
This just made my point, one of those "other" reasons, that gets thrown out there!
I don't believe any of that, I have heard directly the opposite and even though you have every right to type that out, that is not one of the reasons. I hope you reconsider your position, it would make a difference!
Fromm was fourth in the nation in passing efficiency through the first six games of the 2018 season, completing 72 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Anybody who watched Fields play 'as a true freshman' should understand that freshman Justin Fields was incapable of matching Fromm's 2018 performance.
Fields should've been upset about Lawrence's faster progression. All he had to do was to look in the mirror to see the reason why. Fields didn't- couldn't pick up the progressions of the offense as fast as Lawrence did.
Replace true freshman Lawrence with true freshman Fields in the NCG that Clemson dominated Alabama in, and Clemson loses that game, because Fields wouldn't have been capable of making those Lawrence check-downs and going through 2-3 receiver reads.
Lawrence started out as the more advanced passer, and he's still ahead in that department. That's why Lawrence will be the first QB taken in the NFL draft, and that's why Fields will get chosen sometime after.
Respectfully, what a crock! Anybody who watched every play of Fields’ freshman season knows that in most every game Fromm would have the offense ticking, then, out of the blue, after a Bulldog score, Kirby relegated Fromm to the sideline while Fields went in for the next drive which usually ended in a punt against SEC competition and maybe a score against a cupcake team.
If anything, Kirby mismanaged Fromm since Jake had earned the starters position through his play and Kirby was simply placating Fields.
We can continue to debate Smart's decisions regarding Fields and Fromm until the cows come home, but we will never know what could have happened had Fields been chosen as the starter over Fromm. Field's arm talents were hardly even used at Georgia when he did come in for a play or two and was mostly used for his running ability. Certainly Field's dual threat ability is something that Fromm didn't have and can create more problems for a defense as we all have seen.
All I know is this: Fields started at Ohio State the following year under a 1st year head coach AND a brand new offensive scheme with very little game experience under his belt and no starting experience. He played lights out for a 1st year starter in his first full season at OSU. Fields threw for 3,273 yards, 41 TDs, and only 3 Ints with a QB rating of 181 in Year 1 at Ohio State. He has been a leader and an elite FBS QB from the start at OSU.
2021 could and should be the year of the Natty for the Dawgs. If we don't at LEAST make the playoffs next season then every single fan out there should be majorly disappointed. Once again, the SEC East is the weaker division, and we should pretty easily win the East. Florida will not be a threat. Bama will reload but will have some work to do to get back up to their standards and find a new OC. An SEC Championship is certainly within reach if Kirby can get the Saban curse off his back. The talent is certainly there....just need coaching, development, and most of all - execution.
I expect Daniels to start next season, but I also think this could set up as another Fields and Fromm type scenario with incoming Vandergriff and 2nd year Beck. Will Kirby make the RIGHT decision at QB? Has JT already been anointed the chosen one?
I kinda sympathized with Jake. He was ranked up there with Deshaun Watson, Trevor , Burrows, Tua, when in reality, he was not at their level. So despite giving the maximum effort, he could not live up to the unrealistic expectations.
As for Fields, like him or not, he's an elite level QB. And if he's healthy tomorrow, I would not be surprised if they defeat Bama.
I really like your post, and agree with your first point. You only refer to facts and even though I love the banter about the woulda, coulda, shoulda, when it comes down to it, he wasn't what they say he was. He did give all he had, but in the end..
OH, and I will take that bet, even with the points!
I guess everyone is forgetting that Ohio State "let" a guy by the name of Joe Burrow transfer. He played kinda good, won a National Championship, won a Heisman. Same thing with Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield. But you never hear people ranting as much about them like they do Justin. Wonder why? Fact is, 5 star QB's are liable to transfer if they don't win the starting job or at least get significant playing time. It happens every year. Can we just let the Fields thing go now....?
Funny, here it is 2021, and UGA is STILL signing Elite black players. Always the race card, you have no clue.
Nothing in this article surprises me, I'm sure Fields thought he should be starting and was jealous Trevor Lawrence was starting and Fields had competed with Lawrence at the Elite 11 QB camp and was selected top QB. Fields also knew he was the most talented QB at UGA and he wasn't getting a chance to display that talent. Fields and Lawrence were in the exact same situation playing behind QBs who had taken their teams to the CFP the previous year. Debo replaced Kelly even though he was winning when he recognized Lawrence was more talented and the future of the program; Smart stuck with Fromm, although Fields was the most talented and the future of the program. Nick Saban made the same decision when he replaced Hurts with Tua; although; Hurts had gotten them to a NC game. Those decisions are the difference in where the Clemson and Alabama programs are and where UGA is: all three recruit at an extremely high level and have great players at every position, but Alabama and Clemson had/have difference makers at QB - and so does Ohio State.
It was what it was and it is what it is. Seems to me that hard work and loyalty should be worth something. Kirby is the coach and I am very glad that he is.