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Comments
But, has the NCAA actually started counting the 4 games or more as a season yet. JT played in 4 or more games this year and if he transfers after graduation, he will still have 2 years eligibility left. By what I have read. Now if it does burn a year of eligibility with 4 games or more, I can see your point some. But still, with 10 games of bigger then 24 point victories, could of been 10 games to play atleast a full qtr.
You are right about Young being a sure fire 5* that is only playing 3 years, but 2020 for him didn't count, technically.
My point is what you stated, 5*- get in alot in 1st year, take over 2nd year and 3rd year, with the next 5* getting in during the 3rd year of the qb ahead of them. Then just keep the cycle going, just like Bama. Can't argue with how Saban is doing it.
GO DAWGS!!!!
But honestly, what's the difference in dragging out the game with an offense that can't move the ball, or a defense that plays prevent? Clock still moves the same. I bring up the UK game of 2020. Offense was pitiful, couldn't move the ball and the defense was on the field for 37 minutes. 5 starters were injured in that game. I still believe was the difference in why UGA lost to UF the next week. There was no bye. I know I wasn't talking about 3 straight passes for incompletions and then punt, just give more opportunities to throw. Do like kirby says all the time, "take what the defense gives you" Isn't the defense saying throw with 8 men in the box?
GO DAWGS!!!!
@BigDawg61 JT was injured and so was Burton against Clemson. Probably not the best example. Burton didn't start to get really healthy until end of Sept. as I recall -- he had a high ankle sprain early in fall drills that cost him two-three weeks of prep. His conditioning was not where it needed to be.
Kearis didn't play WR in the opener, and Darnell was out as was Pickens and Blaylock.
There were a lot of first-time guys out there, Bowers, AD, and Ladd was a RS.... it was difficult for JT to change plays at the line with all the newness out there, and the tone of the game turned air tight and field position
UGA and Clemson finished the nation as the top two scoring defenses in the country.
There is so much wrong with this post I don't know where to begin. Monken was brought in to do that but he has not been able to do that yet. He hasn't had the QB yet. CKS did not trust SBIV to not make "boneheaded" plays so he let him game manage. Only a generational D (and injuries to AL) saved him. With all the injuries, AL was right there until the end as proven by the SECCG. UGA has never had an O like AL and LSU the last few years. Oh by the way, the teams that eliminated them. Comparing MRicht's UGA time to what has evolved in CFB is complete apples and oranges. Different rules, different athletes, better coached athletes, better developed physically. In the HISTORY of UGA football they have had 1 (!) 1000 yard wr. One! Regardless what happened 10 years ago in CFB is irrelevant now. We have seen what LSU and AL have done with the right O and QB. That is the new standard. AL has been better than everyone for 2 reasons. They have out recruited everyone for 10 years and Saban is a pretty good coach. Up until this down year for AL he was what 23-0 against his former assistants? Saban is what 5-1 vs Kirby? With, how you say, "not Smart level D"? Maybe that's the point. It took a generational D to eek out a win finally against ( a depleted, down) AL (after losing badly in the SECCG) while AL and LSU and even Clemson to a degree were ringing up championships left and right with their offenses. Saban vs Kirby developing D talent? Really? Have you watched the NFL drafts the last 5 years? CKS has developed talent but not enough to hang your hat totally on D and certainly not enough to surpass the talent being developed at AL. UGA will be good this year. Maybe very good. But if you want to beat AL more than once every 6 tries you need to bring more than D. A generational D was only 1-1 vs AL this year. Defense does not win championships in CFB any more unless it is generational. LSU and AL have proven that the last few years. CKS has said that UGA is playing for championships every year. You have to go through AL every year to do that. If you can't compete on the same level offensively as AL you are handicapping yourself.
@Ddavis0777 It was the Mississippi State game, and I'll wait for you to find another regular-season game that a Georgia receiver had over 190 yards receiving ....... considering he had 10 catches through the first six games, I'd say having 8-197 in one game is a breakout.
And, Miss. State played pretty good that night, shut down UGA's run game. Lotsa those throws were third-and-long. Not the comfy leads and circumstances had this past season after playing an elite Clemson defense that finished second in the nation in scoring defense.
Tigers lost a couple of starters early this season. Not a bad football team at all.
To me, the DB in Burton’s DB Assassin handle doesn’t stand for Defensive Back anymore.
Excuse me. Let's clarify your first statement.
Monkin was brought in to do what? And, what is your source. I know Smart or Monkin never said exactly what the plan was. I would say their recruiting targets speak for themselves. Top grade Tight Ends.
LOL..Name ONE QB that hasn't made some "bone headed" plays. One....and I'll prove you wrong. I even saw the great Tom Brady make a couple in the offseason. It happens with every player and with every QB and the objective is always... "to reduce bone headed plays". If you don't think Daniels, Beck and Vandergriff have a few in them, you haven't been watching.
Correction: You HAD to go thru Alabama every year.
That's over and not just because UGA beat em, but, the SEC West teams that matter, smell blood in the water. A&M beat BAMA last year and 3 other teams came within a play or a few seconds. Two of those teams had no business even playing them close. They haven't been a defensive juggernaut since Kirby left and they've gradually gotten a little worse every year.
As far as player development...How many Jordan Davis's, Ladd Mckonkey's and Stetson Bennett's have they developed?
BAMA's defense was so ineffective, Fans were calling for Pete Golden's head, halfway through the season. Some people seem to forget that, now. LOL.
In one breath, you say what happened 10 years ago is irrelevant...in the next breath you cite how Saban (and Smart, BTW) outrecruited everyone 10 years ago. Well, it's a new day, my friend, with new players...UGA, TEX A&M, TENN, ARK, UK. We'll see about FLA and LSU. You go ahead and put your money on BAMA next season. Good luck. LOL
@MikeGriffith
You're right on all counts Mike, BUT, here's the thing...and there's really no getting around it. Neither player was hurt in the Cincinnatti game earlier in Jan., yet Burton only had 1 catch for 6 yds. Pickens, A. Smith (Fr), K. Jackson and the RB/TE position got the majority of Comp/Yds.
LOL....Bennett was fighting the same WR injury issue throughout last season. Shuffling O-linemen didn't help the running game, which didn't help the play action pass. He was left to feed his TE's and RB's with the occasional shot downfield.
It actually wasn't till UGA moved Salyer to RG and put Jones in at LT, 2/3 of the way thru the 1st half of the NCG, that UGA found a winning combination for their running game and play-action. A move that was long overdue, in my opinion.
When you reference Bennett's 2 losses in 2020, to BAMA and FLA, maybe next time, you point out that Bennett injured his throwing shoulder on his 2nd TD pass of the game...to a Freshman, BTW (Rosemy-JackSaint). After that, he wasn't the same and Smart had to pull him. That led to the installation of Beck in that game and Daniels the following week. If Bennett doesn't get hurt, he wins that game and starts the next week.
It's a shame Daniels was injured before the season. I believe he was poised to put together something special. With his own injury and all the injuries around him, he had the worst luck of any QB I can remember. But, you know what they say...." In sports and war, you make your own luck.". You can't deny, Bennett has done that.
@BigDawg61 Actually .... Burton was sick leading up to the game with undefeated Cincinnati, many believe COVID, and had missed several practices and was not 100 percent.
Georgia also shuffled its offensive line with Truss making his first career start at left tackle -- three starters were moved around on the O-Line for that game, and it showed.
The Bulldogs' defense was also missing multiple starters, and UGA had to play from behind.
Beck didn't play in the Florida game in 2020 -- D'Wan Mathis did. But yes, Stet hurt his shoulder against Florida.
JT came in and finished the season on fire, the third highest-passer rating in the country from his first start on (Mac Jones and Zach Wilson of BYU were the only two QBs with a higher passer rating).
Bennett had the benefit of receivers with 3-4 games of experience -- and the return of Kearis Jackson to the WR ranks, as he didn't play WR the first three games.
JT showed what he could do with those receivers having a couple games under their belts in the SC and Vanderbilt games--- SC led the SEC in passing defense, it's worth noting.
Kirby said it himself, if you're looking for a passer, it's JT, if you want a QB who can run, it's Stetson.
“I’m not sure we know who the better one is based on which game plan we have,” Smart said in the ESPN interview.
“There are teams we play that we have to be able to use the quarterback in the run game. Well, that’s Stetson. There are teams we play that you have to get the ball out quickly and be really accurate. That’s JT.”
The playing field is leveling because there is just more players and talent being developed at the HS level. AL out-recruiting everybody for 10 years explains their dynasty. Do you think AL with the #1 class in '20 (record setting), #1 class in '21 (yes when you add Burton, Ricks and Gibbs) , Heisman QB, Defensive POY etc etc is going to be as "bad" as last year (SEC champs) and go away? As down as AL was last year if UGA doesn't replace Ericson at RG w/Salyer at halftime they probably lose to a down AL team missing many key pieces. Even with a generational D they eek out a win vs down AL. That was how this debate started. Improved offense needed to sustain championship level success. That improved offense must start with a QB that can do more than SBIV. As long as Saban is at AL recruiting #1 classes the smart money is taking AL vs the field. You can run from it, deny it but it is a fact. Even LSU's team of the millennium only beat AL because they had the ball last. Could've very easily been 4 championships in a row. But right AL is done. I think some people just like to argue no matter how wrong they are. You HOPE AL is done. I HOPE Saban retires SOON. I see Saban guaranteeing Manning 4 more years if he signs w/AL. When the polls came out last year AL was preseason #1. They got to the CFBCG and barely fell short. The preseason polls are out this year and guess what? Yup AL is preseason #1. It is obvious to anyone who is objective. But thank you for making my point. AL D "was so ineffective, fans were calling for Pete Golden's head". Yet there they were what 12-1 with a win over the #1 team and in the CFBCG again.
@MikeGriffith
LOL...Yeah, I remembered it was Mathis after I hit the COMMENT button, but, I figured you'd get it.
I don't remember Burton being sick before the game, but I do remember a lot of opt-outs and injuries effecting the o-line and defense. The Dawgs definitely weren't hitting on all cylinders and were lucky to win. If not for Daniels-Pickens, they probably would have lost that game.
I remember those comments and I thought then, that he intended to use the QB's strategically...depending on need. That never came to pass, if it had, you would have seen Daniels play in the 2021 SECC game. Maybe he was just parroting thoughts that were expressed in staff meetings with Monkin. I believe we know, now, what Monkin's intentions are for the offense. Smart might be the Captain of the ship, but, when it comes to offense, Monkin is the Navigator.
IMO, Gunner Stockton is going to be "the guy" after this year...unless they sign Manning. That'll make things interesting. LOL
Similar to the Cincinnatti game...the Dawgs were dealing with a Flu outbreak at the end of the 2021 season, that I believe effected their stamina against BAMA in the SECC Game. You are closer to the program and probably know a little something about that. Nobody came out...and outright said it, but, I think we can both agree that was not the UGA team that took the field in the other 14 games they played. I believe it was Smith that said, "We tried some things we hadn't done all year". I'm wondering if Smart knew they weren't physically ready for the game and reverted to defending on the backend to protect a front 7 weakened by illness.
Interestingly enough, with all that UGA lost on defense in 2020 and considering their showing in that Bowl game...the defense Smart, Lanning, Muschamp, Cochran and Schumann put together in 2021 is nothing short of amazing. Nobody saw that level of dominance coming.
I actually expect their defense to perform at similar levels in 2022. Maybe not as dominant on the front 7 (individually), but, a much improved defensive backfield will allow for an inexperienced, but very talented front 7 core to meld. I look for Dumas-Johnson, Marshall, Sherman, Davis, Sorey, Beal and Smith to be their core group, with Carter, Logue, Stackhouse and possibly 1 or 2 of the freshman stepping up on the line. The Dawgs have all of the ingredients (minus Davis) and the chefs to make another masterpiece. LOL
Sorry about the length of this post, but, I enjoy discussing football with somebody that knows the game.
LOL...I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. In UGA's case, you need a QB that can create plays with his legs, deliver the ball accurately and basically, DO NO HARM.
You won't get that with a rookie QB. At least, not for the first half of the season. Whichever QB is the man of your choice, Vandergriff, Stockton, Beck...they WILL go through growing pains and make "boneheaded plays". It's inevitable.
Smart does not have to do it like Saban or any other HC. I like what he's got going on right now.
And, as far as Saban recruiting...those days are dwindling. Saban is closer to retirement and future players aren't looking to go to what WAS...Saban and Sweeney, but, what WILL BE. That's Fisher and Smart.
Consider this, BAMA's best receiver last year, wasn't recruited out of High School. They signed off the transfer wire. Same with Burton. Smart and Monkin will get the players they want to run THEIR OFFENSE, not BAMA's. Look at the TE group they've put together since Monkin got there. It's the best I've ever seen on one team. That's UGA's direction...like it or not.
UGA crushed Alabama in the 4th qtr.. That's where Championship games are won. Porshe, Solid Defense and 4th qtr. stamina.....there is no substitute. A great defense will stop a great offense 70% of the time.
Yes I guess we will. In a season that is not expected to be an SEC winning season (SEC E yes, SEC no) do you ride a QB with a low ceiling (and a guy called out for more "boneheaded" plays than expected of a player with his experience) in his last year or try to develop one of the more talented QB's for the expected run next year? Saban recruiting prowess "dwindling" is not supported by recent facts. He is a young 70 (as far as we know) and could easily coach 5 more years. Recruiting is not just about HS anymore with the TP. The fact that Saban uses the TP better than anyone else just reinforces my point that if you are doing the same thing you've always done you are falling further behind Saban. The UGA TE room? 1st, DWashington has been a good player held back by injuries. Nothing more. If you predicted BBowers to have the season he had in a UGA offense notorious for under utilizing the TE position then you are wasting your time here. You should be at the casinos in Vegas. Bowers was not even a top 100 recruit (Rivals). NO ONE saw that coming. I think Bowers is great and I thought he would do well early based on the film I saw on him. During his phenomenal season he was not even nominated for the Mackey Award. "UGA crushed AL in the 4th Q". UGA was behind for 3 Q's. AL was down 1 score with 1 min left in the game when Ringo got the pick6. Had the AL freshman DB's and WR's (filling in for 4 injured starters) been able to make a play, AL wins vs the QB manager and generational D. Great D does not stop great O 70% of the time. MAYBE 30% of the time (See SECCG). The rules are slanted to favor passing O (no more bump and run, no contact w/WR after 5 yards, OL allowed to use their hands (hold)). Offense is encouraged by the rules.
CKS has done a great job. Phenomenal. He has taken what was a good program and brought it into the conversation for the 2nd best program in the country. Now if you think that is the ceiling for the UGA program and you are happy with that then by all means continue down the same path with the status quo . I don't believe CKS is satisfied to just be in the conversation for the 2nd best program in the country.
My mistake on confusing Miss St, but I still maintain my position that to label that a “break out” game is a bit of a stretch. I’d argue the fact that he had only 10 catches the first 6 games and that he never had a remotely similar production after support the fact that the Miss St performance was more an anomaly than the norm.
I’ve always found Burton to be more in the Riley Ridley/Terry Godwin mold and that attempts to portray him as anything close to a George Pickens, Terrence Edwards, or AJ Green talent (which is how I view Bama’s 1, and 2 WR’s) is off base. This said, I still believed in his potential to contribute with us. I hope his durability doesn’t hold him back at Bama - because if he’s WR-2 he’s gonna get more reps than UGA put on him, and take tons of hits.
That aside, your consistent and veiled rehashing of the offensive philosophy of Kirby is growing exhausting. Please don’t take my feedback personally… you do write some content I find genuinely intriguing; and I have defended you when others come at you unfairly. Also, I look forward to your appearances on the Finebaum show. But I just think enough is enough on topics like JT Daniels vs Stetson Bennett, how the ball IS distributed vs how SOME may LIKE it to be distributed, and what coulda, shoulda, woulda been etc .
Last years hay is in the barn, so more focus around NEXT YEARS squads potential would be welcomed. Understanding Kirby is stingy with media viewing periods during the Spring I’m hoping we’ll see more focus on the 2022 squad come summer/fall.