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Georgia football stock report: James Cook is soaring, but he’s not the only back on upswing
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Georgia football stock report: James Cook is soaring, but he’s not the only back on upswing
ATHENS — Georgia football did not exactly limp into the bye week, but it’s not an overstatement to suggest the time off is much needed.
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Dawgforlife
Just maybe, you are a little too emotionally invested in Jack. I like Jack. HIs game winning field goal against Cincy was one for the ages. However, I myself have noticed that Jack hasn't been lights out, or a "sure thing" . As far as a "lack of focus goes" when you miss an extra point after having made hundreds in a row then perhaps it was just a lack of focus. If not focus then what was it? A bad snap? A lack of technique? THere is always a reason. This blog IMO shouldn't be read by parents and close friends if saying " a lack of focus" irritates you that much. It's not like he called him inept or a loser. JUst think about it. THanks
Sounds like this really struck a nerve with you. I can't quibble with anything you said with one exception, "There is not a kicking coach as Georgia has been cheap when it comes to hiring for such a position.". The NCAA has a strict limit on the number of "on field" assistant coaches, maybe this has something to do with no "kickers coach" on the field. Probably shouldn't bite the hand that is feeding Pod very well in virtually all aspects.
Mike, is it true that the missed extra point snapped the longest string of consecutive extra points by a team in college football dating back to 2014?
Sorry, but have to agree with MG. It was only a matter of time before he missed an extra point. He has been inching closer and closer to the uprights throughout the season. His short range field goal attempts have been far from automatic. And he’s not being asked to kick off either. Whether its mental or physical, at some point you have to question if his lack of consistency will cost the team a game. Until then, I have to assume he’s out kicking Zirkel in practice.
@DAWGFORLIFE1988 I think you do Jack a bigger disservice suggesting that if he was focused he would miss an extra point. When Jack is focused, he's very good, very consistent. You may not like a column that points out very good and very ordinary play, but when players come to Georgia, they are subjecting themselves to bright lights and championship expectations. Some handle it better than others, but it's real life, and it's lots of scrutiny. Jack handled the spotlight with the. game on the line against Cincinnati last season. But this season, he has not been as certain, and it's up to him to get his mind right. Very few can handle the pressure and scrutiny, even if they do have the talents. But the bar isn't going to be lowered at Georgia, it's fish or cut bait. As you can say, it said "stock even," so no one is giving up on Jack. But when a kid misses an extra point and has missed field goals he is capable of making, something is going on. The scrutiny was just as strong toward Rodrigo, just as it is for every player on the team.
When I read the "lack of focus" comment I wondered what it meant. (Before I read the comments I wondered.)
Jack Podlesny:Podlesny has been more inconsistent this season, and the missed extra point kick was evidence of his lack of focus.What about the missed extra point makes clear the kicker was unfocused? What did Coach Smart say? What did Jack say?
What else could it be?
According to my understanding of kicking and kickers excessive focus can also be a contributing factor.
Way back we had an excellent kicker albeit not the greatest kicker we ever had. The story I heard about him was interesting. It was said he went out on the town the night before every game. He got very drunk. He had inadequate sleep. He arrived at every game with a terrible hangover. He made just about every kick.
At some point the coach set limits on his behavior. The late nights and the excessive alcohol were stopped. His kicking the next day was way off.
Is that story true? I have no idea. Maybe he just lacked focus.
Go, Dawgs!
Again Mike Griffin's agenda of Milton over White trotted out. White's 24 yd TD run would've been 99 yards had the ball been on the 1 instead of the 24. White is the workhorse back every team needs. RB1. End of story. Milton made a great play falling on the loose ball. He must've heard me screaming at my TV.
Moving on from the Podlesny debate, should CKS consider making McConkey the full-time punt returner since Jackson can't seem to get up to speed, mentally and physically? I know McConkey has done it a few times and he seems pretty sure-handed. Maybe they would have McConkey back there if we weren't so thin at receiver to begin with. I don't know, I like Jackson. By all accounts he's a DGD, but he scared me a couple of times on Saturday. He obviously has not responded well to his off-season surgery and I think it's affecting his game.
Maybe it's anxiety?
Podlesny needs a nickname. Has JACKPOT been used? I used my Echo Dot to get the radio game broadcast several times this year ("Alexa play radio station WSB"), and I though Scott Howard was going to say Jackpot! when Podlesny kicked/scored (but Scott was just saying the kicker's name).
@UGADad20 UK would have been defending the field differently than it was in the Red Zone.
Zamir's 24 yard run was nice, but do you realize he only had 22 yards on his other 11 carries? Yeah, not great workhorse numbers. But he's a great kid who has been looking better this season running North and South.
But I didn't mention that, instead, just focused on Kendall breaking the longest run of the season by any ball carrier, and Cook averaging over 8 yards per carry and scoring on a 19-yard TD reception.
Hey @reddawg1, I don't want to discount anxiety as a possible reason for Jackson's struggles as a punt returner. It certainly could be that. But if that really is the case, I wonder why it would happen this season after he's already returned punts -- in bigger games -- for two years now. I think the CBS sideline reporter did say on Saturday that Kirby thought Jackson was fine and intimated that the real issue was tricky wind conditions. Perhaps that was so. I was not at the game. And Jackson hasn't bobbled or fumbled many this year. But he has seemed less sure of himself when he does make a return. Here's hoping he uses the bye week to clear his head as well. Go Dawgs!