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Comments
Imo....It Doesn't much matter what style of offense you run. Or, how complex you can get. It's not relevant...if you are executing the called plays as designed and practiced.
You have to win your one-on-one battles. And, the Georgia Defense failed to do that, for the first time in months.
Inconsistencies in one-on-one battles...i.e., Tackling, containing and playing the darned ball...was a deficiency that cost the win. The defense seemed to be moving in slow motion, compared to their performance in the SECCG.
Not to mention the Dawgs struggling to run the ball without Frazier. Not their best game. Yet, they still almost pulled it out. Oh well....still a helluva season.
Imo....the Dawgs wrre haunted by some old Demons in this one. I thought they had already exorcised those bad boys. Lol
Go Dawgs!!!
Wow !! Bravo !! Well said !! Very well said !! Totally agree !! The long Bye was I believe instrumental in our Dawgs defeat. In spite of ( no sarcasm at him) Kirby ‘s “tweaks” what ever they were. I hate the old cliche saying but it’s true, all we can do is look to next year and Hope for better !!
Just want say one more thing about Gunner like I haven’t said enough already !! 🤣 Then I gotta get off this smart phone I’ve been on here all day destroying my already bad eyes Lol !!
There are QBs that can kill a gnat on a fence post from 70 yds. But that doesn’t mean they are or they’re not a leader.
Gunner IS a definitely a leader. The players Love him and different ones have Said so time and again. Real leadership is something modeled to you by someone else and you inherit it from that modeling. I won’t say on an absolute basis it can’t be taught, I Will say it’s very difficult to teach being a True leader. I’ve worked for people in my life time that use Fear as a tactic to lead. That’s NOT leadership. With a True leader people Want to work for him or her. EAGER to please a True leader.
I had a Commanding Officer ( among the many I had in my time) I’d have not paused even a micro second to obey an order from him, no matter how challenging. I had others that were pretty good and I would willingly and fairly gladly obey their orders. But I had one that the Only reason I obeyed his orders was because he was my Commanding Officer and that’s all. Pretty much the entire Command felt the same way. Why the difference ? The first guy made very sure to take care of his people. He Knew that he was only as good as the people he was in charge of. Something that I took deep to heart as senior most enlisted at my last command before I discharged. The other Commanding Officer didn’t give a flying. c r a p about his people. All he wanted was a cushy job and reap all the praise for OUR hard work. I’ve worked for people in civilian life that were either way.
Gunner Stockton as long as he stays true to his personality will do just fine in life long after he leaves UGA. And that’s whether he makes the NFL or not. There are some things in life not measured by the $$ you have in the bank, or the cost of the house you live in, or car you drive, or cost of the clothes and jewelry you wear.
I’d rather have a pauper for a leader that treats me with human dignity and values me. I didn’t say Respect, because Respect is Earned not Taken. Than I had the most wealthy person that is also a pompous, arrogant, obnoxious, butt hole.
There’s Nothing wrong with having wealth honestly obtained, as long as you don’t worship it or let it make you think your a better person than someone else.
Gunner and his entire family are Highly respected here in Rabun County, they’ve done really well financially as I understand it, but people here respect them because they are down to earth good people. And are some of the very first to come to anyone’s aid that needs them.
One of their family on Gunner’s mother’s side is very wealthy. A guy was telling me about how some pipe burst or something at a lower middle class guy’s home and if not stopped it was gonna cost tons of $$ from the lower income guy.
Said Gunner’s relative was in an expensive suit, took off his jacket cause it was hot, left on his expensive shoes and everything else and waded off into this mud bog to help this guy !! The feller told me that All of Gunner’s people are like that !! The feller telling me this was born and raised here, my wife and I moved here in 2022.
I’ve talked with Gunner’s Dad, super nice guy !! Very enjoyable to talk with. I’m hoping to maybe meet Gunner in the off season. Go Dawgs !! Hoping for a Better 2026 and Hoping I’m here to see it !!
”The non-Branch and Young Georgia receivers on Thursday caught just one pass….”
That is because none of the others had anything thrown to them the entire game. This was a running theme most every game. I don’t solely blame Stockton by any means. The kid was running for his life most of the game due to awful play by our O-line but seriously, how does Dillon Bell not get anything?
Our defense let that kid run everywhere in the backfield and gave up on coverage numerous times, allowing him to make amazing plays out of nothing. We just looked ridiculously inept.
And the coaching all the way around was pathetic.
Mr. Branch seems like a high character guy as well.
Yep…agree.
Imo....the SECCG is as big, now....as the watered down Natty. I'd just as soon be in possession of that trophy, as the other.
When all the dust has settled and people begin reflecting...they'll realize just how far this team has come, in a few short months.
This season was a huge success for Kirby and the Dawgs...in winning the SEC and setting themselves up for a 2026 Championship run. This was their 2020 season....and, here come the Dawgs again. Lol....Revenge Tour 3.0?
Always Resilient!!! They'll be back…Harder to kill, than ever.
Ga should make it clear that Bobo has to improve as a OC.
The 3rd and dumb call from the 3 is a prime example. Should have run the ball but to the point the play should have been undercenter to at least to make Miss consider the run. Critical mistakes at critical times like that are why fans really want Bobo gone. And S m art won't say a word, thinks Bobo is the best OC in the conference. Another 11 win season, SEC Championship. All these accolades for such a mediocre talent.
You make some good points @randomsportsfan. Well stated and, apparently, well researched. My question to you is why, if you're truly a "random sports fan," do you care so much and delve so much into UGA, and further, why are you so critical of the UGA fanbase for being, fans? I mean, do you do these deep-dive analysis for Tennessee, or Auburn, or Florida or other under-achieving SEC teams with rabid fan bases unhappy with their teams' season? It just seems that all of your posts, while doing a decent job of explaining your POV about Georgia's deficiencies, always take a shot at UGA fans for not being more critical, and even demanding, of Kirby Smart.
I am a UGA graduate, fan and (small-time) supporter. I'm involved with the school beyond the athletic department, and I love it dearly. I am not, however, like @navydawg and some other fans, who view the football team through rose-colored glasses and can barely see any wrong in it. And I'm certainly not going to go overboard in my defense of Gunner Stockton for perceived attacks against him (although I believe @navydawg is waaay too defensive about simple critiques of the kid's play, perhaps because they're Rabun County neighbors).
That said, to answer a question you often ask about why more Georgia fans don't go after Kirby Smart for whatever faults you say he has, here's my take: Before Kirby Smart came along, UGA hadn't played for or won a National Championship in 40 years (two generations). We all love, love, love Mark Richt but under him we were rarely even considered strong national title contenders and they years that we were (and there were some), those dreams were usually dashed by November, usually in Jacksonville. Before Kirby, it was rare to have elite high school players put us in their final top 5. Now, it's become routine. And it's also become routine for us to be in the running each year for the top high school recruiting class in the country. Back to those Natty's. Not only did Kirby Smart win one, he won two of them back to back and, in my opinion, would have won three in a row if Bowers and McConkey had not been injured. We've now won back-to-back SEC championships, which is not nothing, and we've played in three in a row. In fact, I believe Kirby has had us in the SECCG every year he's been here exept one. Again, that ain't everything, but it's not nothing.
You look at us UGA fans as a bunch of dumb bumpkins who just don't understand the game and just think Kirby Smart is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some may think that way. But I think most fans realize Kirby has his own set of deficiencies — some of them were on display this past Thursday night. But when it's all said and done, despite those deficiencies, Kirby has made UGA — for now — the gold standard of college football. And it's been a fun ride. How long will that ride last? None of us knows, but we certainly aren't like Florida or Auburn ready to change up coaches every few years just to get some joy, happiness and contentment. Kirby Smart has brought that to most of us in Dawg Nation and we're quite grateful.
Will we cuss him and scorn him and pull our hair out over him at times over his decisions? We sure will. But he's our coach, for better or worse, who's given us more joy of late than we could only dream about and we love him, warts and all. But we're UGA fans. So that's why we care.
My question, @randomsportsfan, is why do you?
Wow !! Just Wow !! What have I ever said to you for you to give all the Extra effort to call me out Dallas ? I Have numerous times upvoted you. And personally complimented you on some of your posts over time. Why ? Just because I see our Dawgs in a positive light Why did you feel the need to speak of me with such negative connotations ? I’ve never insulted you to my knowledge or memory. I always have thought of you as a friend. I’m Not a very educated man but it’s my understanding that the word Fan stems from another word Fanatic.
I Clearly stated in one of my posts on This very thread that I probably take Dawgs football way to seriously. And I Didn’t attend UGA. Question if We as Dawgs fans don’t cheer, support, and root for them is some Other fanbase supposed to ?
And because I Try to be optimistic and positive Even in bad times is that Just viewing through rose colored glasses ?
You speak of criticism I think there’s boat loads of that from rival fanbases. If I want to get bashed all I need do is go to say a UF website forum and declare myself a Dawgs fan and tout the glory of the UGA Dawgs !!
I Also conceded that perhaps I’m too defensive about Gunner. And I stated one of the main reasons Why. Among his Many positive attributes he reminds me of the glory days of CFB before NIL and the TP came along and ruined it.
So if you derive some relief from the loss of the playoff game by specifically calling me out. Go for it. Also the same if you feel better throwing Gunner under the bus.
If you bothered to look you would see a comment I made where I Openly and as Sincerely as I know how Apologized to ANY one here on DN that I’ve Offended. That Includes You. And that includes @randomsportsfan So whatever I’ve said in the past that offended you on a personal basis sufficient for you to feel the need to single me out I apologize. All I know to do.
Have to say it’s gonna take a moment for me to get my jaw up off the floor as I wasn’t expecting this from you. Hope you have a great rest of the weekend. P. S. No sarcasm at all but in life we have Two options trying to see the Positive side of things or looking at the Negative side of things. I’m Guilty of doing to much negative. Whatever life the Good Lord is so merciful and gracious to give me I’m gonna Try hard to see the Positive side. Same thing with the Dawgs and Gunner Stockton. If that’s looking through rose colored glasses I guess I’m guilty. If defending Gunner is a bad thing I guess I’m guilty there to. But I’m not ashamed or regretful of either. Take care have a great rest of the weekend.
@BigDawg61 You’re like me or I’m like you. I Try hard to see the glass as half full not half empty. That’s Not to say I don’t let the dark side catch up to me some times. To many times. Especially when I’m angry Lol !! I’m Already looking forward to G Day !! 😀
Just want to Repeat something I said earlier and Meant it. I’m SORRY for ANY Offense I’ve made against ANYONE here on DN !! And I Mean that !!
And as I stated also on this same thread I’m Guilty of taking Dawgs football waaay too seriously. But to be honest it’s pretty much the only hobby I have. Unless you call going to Doctors a hobby !! 🤣
And I’m probably waaay to Defensive of Gunner Stockton. I confess I Love the young man, Not in the funny bunny way. But because of his Dedication, Toughness, Endurance, Leadership and last of all but Just as important his Humility. Oops forgot Loyalty. Probably forgot some other things. But Yeah I have vast admiration of the young man. I’m not related to him, never met him personally though I sure Hope to. Live in the same the same county but different town. Have spoke by phone with his Dad very nice gentleman. Haven’t heard any bad but a whole lot of good from people here about him and his family.
He reminds me of the glory days of CFB before NIL and the TP. I don’t know how much NIL Gunner has received but I have a feeling it’s not that high Especially as compared to some of the big name guys that ESPN has helped promote.
In my view this season was Gunner’s first and only so far Real Season as starter. He was sort of thrown in the fire the season prior.
Gunner helped his Team to go 12-2, win the SEC crown and make it to the playoffs. I Know the Dawgs didn’t reach the goals that we had hoped for. But as a first year as the starter Since the B2B Natty’s with Stetson what QB at UGA has fared any Better ? No sarcasm but a fair question.
Only loss regular season was to Bama by 3 points. I think it’s fair to say that can be attributed to Kirby as much as anyone else. Love Kirby and would be Extremely depressed if he left UGA for any reason.
In the season prior to this one Dawgs had to go into OT to beat GT and also TX. The only OT for this season was when the Dawgs were green as grass vs TN. So to me in my view I’d call that at least Some improvement.
Being “ in the system” though of Some value is NO substitute for Real Game experience the bulk of which Gunner got This year as a First Year starter.
Were I among a Rival fanbase I wouldn’t bring this next up, but I Hope I’m among family. Compare Injuries for the Dawgs compared to Ole Miss injuries. Makes a difference. Among rivals they’d mock me and call me a Loser, but Yall know how important some of those names were. Especially Gabe !!
The Offense & the Defense compliment each other. With the Dawgs they actually Feed off each other it seems. Note how our guy Thomas got tossed on a Bogus Targetting call in our Already Thin Defense, YET an Ole Miss player helmet lowered charged right under Gunner’s chin, I’m surprised it didn’t break his jaw !! In clear sight but No Flag !! And what about some of the Holding going on by Ole Miss ? No flags. And even a couple of late hits on Gunner I think they Did call One of those.
The Tulane game helped Ole Miss stay tuned up. The Very Lengthy Bye Killed the Dawgs momentum. Kirby said he had what he called tweaks that would off set all that Bye down time. I’m SURE he tried but what ever they were they failed.
I LOVE Kirby Not in the funny bunny way. I wouldn’t want any other HC for UGA at this time as Kirby is plenty young and has years and years left if he so desires. I Realize this is not the military but In the military the Responsibility stops at the Commanding Officer’s desk. Kirby is a very highly paid HC it was His responsibility to have Gunner and the rest of the team prepared to play. Beneath him Mike Bobo and the QBs coach are responsible to have Gunner ready. Losing this game was a Team Failure including the coaches. BUT when considering all the factors the Dawgs went in to play a Very Good Ole Miss team with Allot of things weighing Against the Dawgs probability of winning. Extremely Lengthy Bye, Thin on Defense, Ole Miss having a spirited but Easy Tulane game as a tune up, No Key players out for Ole Miss only backups, Refs rendering some Assists especially tossing Thomas, a highly motivated Ole Miss wanting to Prove they can win without Money Bags Kiffin and Walla !! You have the keys for a very much potential loss for the Dawgs !!
NO Gunner certainly Didnt have a good game but Neither did his Teammates by and large. And Dawgs Coaches could not adapt and over come.
ALL that is regurgitating the bad news were Sick of. The Good News in my view is I see no reason why Gunner at HIS position can’t progress. Especially if Bobo and the QBs Coach Exploit his Strengths and Diminish his weaknesses. I’m Not a Coach or an Expert but My advice would be Stop trying to conform him to a pure pocket passer and let him Be the Dual Threat QB that most recruiting services had him as #3 in the country. And that he set 3 State HS records as. In other words build his natural abilities while reducing any weaknesses involved.
And that’s all I’ve got say about that !! 😀
As far as UGA's prospects for the future are concerned....the "glass" stays half full. As long as they maintain "The Standard", Kirby set in 2016.
Lolol...it's really not that hard to stay positive wrt UGA's annual performance. Like most....the standard dips and waves, occasionally. Just, not as much with Kirby and his Dawgs.
As they say on Wallstreet...UGA is a can't miss, blue chip stock....that consistently performs well, even in hard times. Lol
I look for a bounce-back year, in '26. Should be a lot of returning talent...on BOTH sides of the ball.
Which is more than they've had going for em in a couple of years, now. Experienced "talent" on both sides of the ball, with an opportunity to upgrade and reinforce the defensive & offensive lines.
"navydawg"—Just finished reading your book from below. That many posts of that length would've taken me days to type—keep it up—I enjoy reading them. You don't need to apologize for your opinion—you know what they say—everybody's got one and you see them all on Dawgnation.
Ha, I actually had the first post in what has to be one of the longest threads I've ever read on here. There should be a badge for that ;)
@navydawg I think most folks have a lot of respect for Gunner as an elite QB, leader, and person…I sure do. Concerning your mention of Gunner's capability to throw a long bomb: I didn't watch his HS tape, but it's good to know he has the capability. Heck, the long pass dropped in the first Bama game was one of the prettiest he threw all season, along with the 4th down catch late vs TN by London. In my initial post, the main concern was for his downfield awareness (i.e., not being as myopic with the short game and finding wide open receivers downfield). Completing a long bomb usually requires play-calling, a good OL, good WRs, and a QB who can get it there to all be in sync. So, there is much that can be done to improve this aspect by all groups. I just focused on Gunner here based on the title of the article. I appreciate you sir and your FPE in these threads!
Thank you Eric !! I wish I was much more adept in doing the blurbs instead of the novels I write here Lol. But I’m such a poor writer in the first place. And I’m not old school, I’m ancient school Lol !! Yeah as Bobo was a QB and says Gunner is not near his ceiling I’m gonna take him at his word. Very best wishes to you !! God Bless !!