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Comments
I'm positive Coach Smart has the team's best interest always in mind. He operates remarkably free of various controversies and more importantly, has instilled same in his players. I have agreed with his strategy to date of using the QB that gives his team, with its "various and sundry" adjustments due to illness/injury, the best chance of victory. I don't envy his decision regarding Bennett and Daniels, but then I am nowhere near understanding the art of coaching. The other thing is, I believe whomever is chosen, from here on out, will be able to realize victory. I certainly hope so. The prospects are very exciting.
I’m happy to see all the comments below supporting Kirby’s decisions on all players….especially QB. I haven’t attended practices so I don’t feel qualified to pick who the starters should be. I’m just thankful Stetson stuck around because this season could have been a lot different with all of JT’s injuries. I agree the criticisms of the “Mailman” are baffling because he has the 3rd highest QB rating in the country and that statistic doesn’t include his “rushing” accomplishments. I hope JT returns next year because we need his talent and leadership. I know he has tremendous skills, but he has yet to perform well against decent opponents. Only 2 teams he has faced in 7 starts had winning records (Cincinnati and Clemson) and he only led UGA to 2 offensive TDs combined in those games……not impressive at all when compared to Bennett who averages over 4 TDs per start against winning teams over the past 2 seasons. Go Dawgs!!!
My only fear is Georgia's inability in the future to recruit and/or retain 5-star quarterbacks by the mishandling on Kirby's part the past few years. I understand you can't play everybody and you play the hands you're dealt. The only coach to me that has handled their quarterback situations with 5-stars is Nick Saban. If you look over the past decade how he's been able to prepare them when one leaves, it works out well for the Tide. If Kirby wants to stick with his Georgia "good ole" boys, then don't recruit 5-star quarterbacks. I know it sounds crazy, but it's that simple.
The reasons for "brushing aside" Daniels' performance against Clemson are well established. He was playing through an injury that was serious enough to keep him out of the next game, with most of his would-be top receiving targets either out or very limited, against a stout defense (at least at the time) that had game planned around not getting beat deep, all totaling up to a conservative offensive gameplan.
As for Cincinnati, you're essentially highlighting why people are so high on Daniels. 400 yards and a game-winning last minute drive. Even his "bad" performance gets the job done.
Bennett is doing well. And as long as that remains the case, Smart has a clear reason to keep playing him. But I don't understand these arguments from people wanting to make Daniels out to be some second tier option.
Unless JT has been injured far worse than we know.
The fact that Nolan came out in support of Stetson told me how much the players love him and appreciate what he's done for the team.
Last night on MNF, the Rams got beat bad. I didn't really watch the game, just had it on while I worked.
Even having a QB like Stafford doesn't mean that you light up the scoreboard all of the time.
If we had played Tennessee at Sanford would we have beaten them worse? I think there's a good chance.
Last year at Alabama, we were doing well and had a halftime lead, IIRC. Stetson has improved so much since last year, as has our defense. If we play them in a neutral site, I think we can beat them...LSU gave them all they could handle.
If JT left, seriously, where would he go? I guess plenty of schools might take him, but if he's been really injured, how do we know?
If Stetson won't get drafted, I don't see how leaving helps him...better to get all of the experience for a possible coaching job here or somewhere else.
I'm not happy with the way CKS has handled the QB situation. Bennett has guts, can run well, is an ok passer whose receivers make him look better than he is and plays the plays that the defenses give him. On the other hand, Daniels is possibly the best passer Georgia has ever had, and we now have the best receivers that we've ever had. Daniels converts third downs like no one else, is deadly accurate and is a brilliant student of the game who could call his own plays with great results. I think CKS has screwed up by squandering Daniels talent just like he did with a kid who left us for Ohio Stat, was a Heisman candidate and now in the NFL. Another thing that worries me is that young 5 star QBs in highschool who look at this coach and go to Oklahoma or Alabama or Florida. I'm definitely not happy with that.
Man, if Stetson Bennett is reading these comments today he's probably thinking (as I am) where was all this love and support for me leading up to the UAB game, and after I threw an interception against South Carolina? Back then, Georgia fans not only criticized him but Kirby smart for even THINKING about playing him. Now, neither can do no wrong and that JT Daniels guy, who needs him? smh
I'll admit I had my doubts, but the players love Stet and when they lay it on the line for the QB, what more can you ask for?
Please reference the games that would make any reasonable Dawg fan think JT is the best passer UGA has ever had.
Maybe it’s the NIL thing with JT. Promised 1/2 the money to team!
I think everything has been said, so it's just a matter of getting stuff off-your-chest. I stand by and repeat things I've said all along:
Clearly Smart has shown he can get whatever QB he wants from the Transfer Portal and that was BEFORE this year, so I worry as a fan but in the end, he clearly knows best.
I'm not going to argue who should start. I have my opinion and t is just that: My opinion.
I will say, though, that when JT was healthy, Smart rotated Stetson in when JT was rolling and we all complained that it could mess up the continuity of the game.
Stetson has been the QB lately and we are winning. I like winning but several weeks ago Bennett got in "because he deserved it". That door does not seem to swing the same way for both players. So, JT was injured in practice, through no fault of his own, and has been working to get back to game ready and he does NOT deserve it? This has nothing to do with who should be starting. It has to do with different treatment, regardless of starter or back-up.
I would say the miss st game last year. I don't ever remember Georgia won a game while only rushed for 8 yards.
Mike, your #3 is insulting. You have implied that Kirby prefer a South Georgia walk-on to obviously superior performing talent from out-of-state.
The fact is that we don't the status of JT's upper core injuries and how they have affected his mechanics. We don't know how he has performed in practice. We DO KNOW that Kirby's MO has been to guard that information and send smoke screens to the competition through his comments to the media and what he shows the media. He's willing to confuse fans and media and tolerate our speculation in order to create less certainty in the opponent's preparation.
I choose a modified version of #1. Not what Kirby "wants," but I trust that what he and Monken decide is going to be the player that they believe gives Georgia the best chance to win that game.