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Outside linebacker Darris Smith not with the team as Georgia prepares for Florida
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Outside linebacker Darris Smith not with the team as Georgia prepares for Florida
ATHENS — Georgia outside linebacker Darris Smith is not with the team as Kirby Smart told reporters on Tuesday night. The Georgia coach did not offer any further explanation as to why he’s not with the team at the moment.
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Not "with" the team or not "on" the team? Not really clear from CKS's statement. SDS is reporting, "Darris Smith is no longer a member of the Georgia football team." BIG disappointment as DSmith was a main guy counted on to make big strides at OLB this season.
3 yrs in a row losing an OLB late in the season. #11 suddenly takes on a major role at OLB. May be the savior of the '23 D IF he turns into a pass rusher. 19 starting to look like a jinxed number at UGA.
Good thing, DB's are one of UGA's strong suits, this year. A "Jack" OLB is a hybrid DE/DB responsible for the edge rush or designated to drop back into coverage in support of a DIME defense. The Dawgs are loaded with Defenders that can [and, do] serve that function. Most of them are elite.
IMO.....UGA hasn't dialed up many exotic or complex "rush" packages on the defense side of the ball, so far this season. Anymore than, they've opened up the Offense.
There's been a glimpse of the "real" Dawgs, here and there...like, during the Kentucky game. But, not a full scale attack, like we saw against Oregon and TCU, last season. They haven't needed to open the playbook past the 1st chapter....instead, using those games to build depth and experience.
I believe Kirby will unleash the Hounds of Hell, on the Gators, Saturday....in front of a live "studio" audience. With years-worth of future RB's and DB's lookin' on...how can Kirby resist?....especially, since he blames that annual neutral-site game, for cutting into his "recruiting time". He'll apologize to "Noone"...and, accept no apology after this Gator BBQ.
Lol..."hype"...ya gotta love it. UGA will beat Florida so bad, Saturday......Beck will be a Heisman frontrunner, Sunday morning. Kirby may even allow Bobo to shift to 4th gear, in this one. Florida couldn't come at a better time, on UGA's schedule...IMO.
Whether you are a Dawg fan...or, just a fan of good football, you have to appreciate the way Kirby has handled his team, this year. Provided,...UGA does what I think they are going to do, over the next 4 games.
Go Dawgs!
I'm still hoping Big Marvin is that guy, UGA Dad -- biggest LB we've got and maybe one of the fastest. But you and I have gone back and forth on these guys before? :-)
@BigDawg61 "Good thing, DB's are one of UGA's strong suits, this year. " UGA (3) SAFETIES are a strong position this year. There I fixed it for you. CB's? TBD. So far a work in progress but have not been particularly "sticky" in coverage. Or impressive. Will be tested in all remaining SEC games and LSU/AL in SECCG.
JWalker has a chance to be a very effective defender at OLB or ILB. He is not "elite" yet. He doesn't even start over other players that also aren't elite yet. UGA currently does not have an "elite" OLB on the team based on performance. UGA has also not gotten "elite" production from any DL. Guys can be developed but nobody in the front 7 is playing to the elite level of NDean, JDavis or JCarter. No CB is playing to the elite level of KRingo.
Considering the rest of the D, "a strong suit" is not really saying all that much. Compared to the last 2 years this D doesn't measure up to that standard. With the tough part of the schedule coming. The "real Dawgs" have been limited by injuries and developing youth not by coaches. IF this D is to take the next step it will be through maturity and development of the young talent.
CKS has said he doesn't "hold back" offensively or defensively. This team has been held back by injuries. Especially at RB and WR. IF UGA steps it up on O or D it is more likely to be because of improved health leading to more depth.
That being said CKS has kept a short leash on CBeck. I expect he will continue to keep a short leash on Beck knowing that these SEC games will be closer and turnovers could be the difference. When you have the more talented team you let the other team take the chances and make the mistakes. Beck has played well. But he just lost his #1 weapon. His #2 weapon (84) is not game to game. He's play to play. After that? Some good players but no one that has proven to be a game breaker yet.
A lot to still be proven against some tough competition. Great that you have a crystal ball and can see all the outcomes of these games in advance. You must be cleaning up betting on these games. I believe you would be ahead if you bet UGA not to cover the spread in all games this year so far. So just because you think it and say it does not make it true. I believe they will still actually be required to play the games.
Just wait till Saturday. It'll clear up.
So I have a question about CJ Madden, D. Wilson and MPemba. Which of these guys is capable of making the biggest impact in lieu of Daris exit?
On the OLB side just wasn't sure if we are cross training so they all can play Jack?
FU is the 2nd easiest game left on the schedule. FU with a weak pass rush and a weak armed QB that can't stretch the D is the best matchup for UGA of the remaining SEC games. Still much to be proven after saturday.
Not to me. I've seen enough, to know what they've got. It doesn't matter who's on the menu, this week. This is about the time, of the season, that Smart starts to ramp it up.
IMO....The goal is..."To peak at the right time with a healthy team and gain as much deprh and experience through "substitutions and cross-training" as possible, along the way, without sacrificing a win.". In that regard, I'd say, "mission accomplished".
The Dawgs have 2 complete Offenses and Defenses, capable of playing "winning football". Kirby said they wanted to become "elite at getting better". IMO...That's what he meant. Our perception of their strength, is not a concern to a a team focused on a Championship.
That being said...Kirby knows he has to feed the masses some red meat, from time to time. In order to maintain financial, media and Fan support...not to mention selling the Program to recruits.
Which is why I think Kirby's gonna do a little "show 'n tell", this weekend...in a Nationally televised game against a 2-loss SEC Team. Time to strike "fear" in the hearts of future opponents. Lol. And...they won't slow down, till they get to Tech. That'll be an off-game for any walking wounded, prior to the SECCG.
As strong as Michigan is...I bet they lose at least one game, in the meat of their schedule. They gained "nothing" from flexing their muscles for public consumption over the last month and a half. To elevate their ranking, I guess?. Harbaugh has no idea how his team will respond to adversity.
Wolverine fans are happy, right now...and the media's drooling...but, Harbaugh is going to pay a price for his self-indulgent display of dominance against inferior competition. Kirby could've done the same thing...but, he made a conscious decision to be "elite at getting better", instead. And, we'll be glad for it, come the CFP....IMO.
MJ Jr is the biggest LB on the team. BUT he has played soft. In fact I saw an article on Dawgnation this week that quoted CKS about how MJ Jr was "playing more physical". Translation: MJ Jr hasn't been playing in the physical UGA style in the 1.5 yrs he's been on the team. If you look at his roster picture on Dawgnation (not sure when taken) it looks like he hasn't found the weight room yet. He is a work in progress and I think he gets there. He hasn't shown that he is there yet.
MJ Jr may have to be the guy now. No matter how high his ceiling is on 10/28/23. It is always nice to have 2 (or more) guys. The more players you have the more chances you have for success. And more chances to overcome injury. Plus they can push each other. Neither DSmith or MJ Jr has done much, so far, to indicate being anything more than a JAG (just a guy) on 10/28 or 11/28. Hopefully the light comes on for the young OLB's and at least 1 steps up.
@BigDawg61 "Wolverine fans are happy, right now...and the media's drooling...but, Harbaugh is going to pay a price for his self-indulgent display of dominance against inferior competition."
(MI) Dominance against inferior competition vs (UGA) struggling against inferior competition? And you think that coaching was "planning" to have UGA trailing SC, AU and Vandy?
Well in a way you are right. UGA trailed inferior teams because the players didn't come ready to play (coaching) and because UGA was forced to play players that weren't ready to play at an SEC level. Due to injury or inexperience. Or maybe players played beneath their ability or just weren't that good (OL/DL)?
Like I said you must be cleaning up betting on these games with such savant abilities to see what hasn't been shown. I believe UGA has covered the spread once in 7 games?
Yes...yes...and, yes. He and the coaching staff, knew they could "turn it on", any time they wanted or needed to...by calling a more appropriate set of of plays.
It's called...challenging your team, to execute in the face of adversity. They do it in practice, too. That's all those first 7 games were, to the UGA Coaching staff...Scrimmages, with variations of personnel packages to analyze back at the office.
Saturday, I expect to see the final result of the first 7 games. And, it should be a doozy. I don't know if Smart will run the score up [not in his DNA]; however, I do expect to see UGA shut Florida down with Blitz packages and turnovers...while marching up and down the field.
He can control the point output with "red zone play calling" [the way he has been]....taking a FG instead of a TD, every now and then, to keep his kicker engaged.
The whole point, is to "win" and get to the CFP. At no time, has UGA been in any real danger of "losing", during the first half of the season. It was frustrating for fans to see how the sausage is made, without getting a taste from time to time. That's what the Kentucky game was..."a taste". The play calling was..."different"...in that game. IMO
And...FYI...I would never have bet on any of the first 7 games, other than the Kentucky game. Because of their records [KTY & UGA] and National exposure, I knew Kirby would open it up a little bit...for the Fans in the stands & recruiting sake.
He doesn't have to...but, he'll do it again Saturday against the Gators...to the tune of....55-6. UGA with 7 TD's [2 defensivee] and 2 FG's. Florida with a late TD and failed 2 point conversion.
Fyi...not trying to brag...but, I predicted the exact score [51-13] of the Kentucky game, the day before the game on a DawgNation post....just sayin'.. Lol
"Yes..yes....and, yes." So you are agreeing with my comment "Or maybe players played beneath their ability or just weren't that good (OL/DL)?" ? With young players, playing beneath their ability/inconsistent play can happen at any time. If you don't think CKS is pushing ALL his players to develop and play their best at all times you are more delusional than I thought.
If what you say is true (it's not) that is a very dangerous game to play with young players where 1 unanticipated, unexpected loss puts you one actual loss out of the 4 team playoff (see '22 AL).
With young players you want them improving every game and playing hard all the time. There is another article on Dawgnation today about OLB Wilson about how hard he is playing on the scout team AT PRACTICE and how he is being rewarded with more game action. The reward for playing your hardest all the time at UGA is more reps and more game action.
What you say there tells me you were never a player. If you were a player you would know the best way to play w/o injury is to be dialed in mentally and playing AS HARD AS YOU CAN at all times. When you slack off you physically or get lazy mentally you let your guard down and that's when you get hurt. You don't turn on and off effort or execution.
I believe CKS would get a good chuckle out of your theories. Just think how many 2nd half reps ALL the young players and 3rd team players coulda gotten had all these teams been put away in the 1st half. Or how you wouldn't be running BB's on a TE jet sweep in the 2nd Q if Vandy was put away in the 1stQ like previous years.
UGA's '23 schedule is 2nd worst rated (after Air Force?). CKS needed every bit of those weak opponents to develop his team/younger players and gauge how much his new, inexperienced QB could be trusted. The OL is now proving itself. The D has not proven itself but will now be given the chance to. I don't expect FU to be that tough a game but I do expect UGA will need to win 3 tough games to win the SECe.
You really are wasting an opportunity for free money if you know when UGA is going to win by a few or a lot as you say. The fact that you seem to think that UGA has cornered the market on all the good or best players tells me you haven't been watching any of the other top teams play.
That's just it...losing one early in the season isn't a bad thing...if...you are UGA or Bama. Saban and Smart have said ad much.
You are never "out of it" with 1 loss, in the SEC. That's been "proven", time and again, over the last 20 years or so. As Kirby and Nick have said...."Sometimes...you get more from a loss, than you would from a win.". There's a reason for that.
I believe Saban engineered that USF "close game" after the Texas loss...as a teaching moment for his team. To put them in the right mindset. They have looked like a different team, since.
i think you would agree....You can't allow your team to become complacent and full of themselves. That's when you drop games like the Dawgs have lined up over the next month...or, worse yet....you drop a Championship game, like the one against OSU, last year.
IMO....Kirby knows how to mentally and physically, prepare his team for the 3½ month, 15 game, grind. He learned that part from Nick, which is why I used Bama as an example.
One loss, in their world, is a win...as long as it doesn't come to another "CFP/SECCG Contender" and cost em a shot. Those are usually late-season games. Unless, it's against a Clemson or Oregon...or, Kentucky.
Lol...as far as "me playing"...you have no idea. But, I'm not interested in comparing resumes...just thoughts. I know exactly what it takes for an "individual" to see more action.
The one thing that "really" keeps most of these guys, off the field...isn't "lack of physicality"...it's "lack of knowledge". That's what all those players that saw action, over the last several games...we're improving.
In Kirby's own words..."It takes a certain number of reps, before you know what you're doing out there. Where you can react, rather than think, then act.".
That's the real measuring stick. Some are quicker than others to pick up the playbook...and, it helps to have a coaching staff, that realizes that and proves it, with liberal in-game substitutions, when allowed.
Kirby [and, Saban] uses most of these early cakewalk-games as a training platform. IMO. There's only a dozen or so teams, in the Country, that would NOT be considered a cakewalk-game against UGA....and, none of em played in the first 7 games of the Dawgs '23 schedule. So...there's that.
Frankly, I'm a little surprised, that nobody else, sees what I see happening in Athens. But, you will. They are an NFL Training Facility. I would guess, that's how Kirby sells it, on the recruiting trail. That's easier to do...when you can point to all of the Draft Picks and the Freshmen that saw the field...and "earned more playing time"...over the previous year....and, the year before that.
Kirby loves telling the Jordan Davis story...and, the Trayvon Walker story, among others. Without an effective training "Program" with an in-game substitution plan for each player....you don't get many of those stories.
UGA develops and nourishes the talent they recruit...from the root...to the fruit. A player...and a Poet...it don't get no better than that.
You may not have ever walked on a football field. That doesn't matter to me...any more than Laura Rutledge Flapping Gums on the sideline for ESPN/SECN. For someone that never played...She has a pretty good grip on the game. And, so do you...so there's hope. Lol.
Just for the record...I don't completely disagree with everything you said. Mike Tyson was a great Champion...but, he still had to get in the ring and "prove it" every year. Buster Douglas...an "inferior" fighter...knocked him out, because he became "complacent & full of himself". That can happen to ANY champion...including UGA.
But, I do think...you're selling UGA's cornerbacks short. Lassiter is one of the best lockdown "Corners" in the Nation. You'll see Lassiter, Bullard, Stark and whichever CB stood out the most over the last 7 games...shut down Florida, Mizzou, Ole Miss and Tennessee....over the next 4 weeks.
Kirby won't allow the QB's to sit back in the pocket, going forward. I see lots of blitz packages and havoc in their future. None of those guys are gonna have the time Kirby's been giving them....to test and teach his DB's over the last 7 games [minus Kentucky].
UGA 55....FLA 6.....Go Dawgs!