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Georgia football offensive line battling to improve despite early setbacks
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Georgia football offensive line battling to improve despite early setbacks
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As the O-line goes our offense goes. We won't really know how truly capable they are until we play the Vols. These early injuries to Gaston and Greene are unfortunate against such a team as Marshall, but sounds like they might be back by TN. Sometimes its just finding the right combination of players and getting some consistency along the line. But its hard to get that consistency and find a rhythm working together when guys get injured and you have to insert others and move guys around. Ohio State’s O-line was decimated early last season with injuries. It was their Achilles heel for several games until it was revamped and retooled to go on and win a National Championship.
"Smart added that the conditioning of the group was not where it needed to be." Why? What was done all off season to address conditioning? If they're not in shape now, when will they be? That's like hitting the beach at Normandy and realizing you forgot to bring ammo. It seems attention to detail is lacking in the O Line room and if it keeps up a definite coaching change needs to be considered. If we're having trouble with Marshall, then SEC competition is going to be rough. Injuries already; surprise, surprise. That eludes to lack of conditioning. The O line better get it's head and butt wired together or it's going to be a long season.
Not a good sign to start the season but they’ve not been good for the last few years . Obviously the talent is there when they have high draft picks. I wonder what the problem could be ? I think I know .
The conditioning comment is indeed a bit concerning. I saw plenty of good things last week along with some mistakes that come with young O linemen (and I am trying to control a slightly anti-Searles bias). But there's some of that everywhere. For example, while Dwight Phillips was a revelation, Nate Frazier missed a couple of reads/cuts - almost looking to plow into someone rather than cut. Gunner played well but had a couple of shots downfield he could have been a bit more aggressive on. I was surprised by Luckie not starting (the TE room may be even better than we thought - although I'd love to see Oscar get a little more wiggle after the catch) … I will be excited to see the jump from week 1 to week 2, although A-P is cupcake #2. The Tennessee game is going to be must-see TV.
people’s expectations?
We struggled to blow Marshall off the ball. Sounds like the same issues are raising their **** heads. Since Pittman and Luke left, the O line has gone down hill every season.
Curious if some of it is coach speak, some of it is lack of hot summer practices, and the last part possibly being that they didn't push the group as hard so that they wouldn't have injuries to start the season
And what is it, with the term "LOWER-EXTREMITY INJURY" that's being used to describe an injury.....presumably below the waist? Or neck? Lol.
I've heard that term used 4 times now in 2 days. Bama has 2 ILB's with...."Lower-Extremity Injuries".
Is that term saying....Leg?....knee?.…ankle?....hip?....ribs?....muscle?....bone?....tissue?
All....lower extremities if I'm not mistaken. 'Course society keeps redefining crap. There's no tell8n' what it means anymore. Lol
That being said....my guess is...The Groin, due to the sensitivity of that subject. Lmao
I can't believe the Dawgs are starting another year off....with one side of the line, tied behind their backfield. Lol
They'll get to fight with both hands one day. And, when they do...they'll really kick some ass, then.
I don't think we seen the Dawgs at full strength with their A-Game....since the TCU Game. Mainly due to "injuries". Smh....what're ya gonna do.
I say, "Keep Chompin' Wood Bulldogs". It'll all come together soon. Just stay healthy.
GO DAWGS!!!
Yeah....I was kinda thinkin' the same thing. I hope that's all it is.
I'll add one thing, though. Micah Morris is one tough SOB. I'm tellin' you, right now....under Morris's leadership....the left side of that line is gonna open holes big enough to drive a truck through.
Watch Delp, Freeling, Morris and Bobo in the first 2 series of the Marshall game. And, Gaston was definitely making himself useful downfield.
Those 5 guys were working "together" like an offensive line is supposed to. They weren't perfect....but, that's gonna improve drastically over the next 3 or 4 weeks. Before long....they'll be finishing each other's sentences. Lol
I mostly agree with your comments....especially regarding Phillips....this year's James Cook/K-Mac back, imo. Wheel routes are back. Lol
BUT....l'm REALLY interested in the unveiling of Bo Walker. I think he's gonna make his mark....once he's given the opportunity to shine with the 1's. If I had a trading card....I'd make a special trip, to get him to sign it.
I just hope he's as good a Dawg as I think he is. He's got the name for it. Lol
That could be it as well but my opinion rhymes with Kasey . 😂
Amend…..Expectations that have no basis in reality…..gezzz, this was the first game, I thought we looked good, considering Marshall's D-Line averaged 6' 4" and 291lbs and quick albeit not as strong as The Dawgs…. all in all it was a good test and with game snap experience comes cohesiveness…working as a unit….. and now that we have a base line, I look for improved play as a unit….AP is smaller but I suspect much quicker, so "unit" play will be important to allow more pass protection. I see The Dawg O-Line opening holes against AP that Juan Gaston on a scooter could scoot through….success running the ball and quick passes will do much to allow for improved O-Line performance…..Neither Marshall nor AP will be as conditioned as our Dawgs, so I see most of the long strikes coming in the 4th period.
Imo....Marshall's defensive line wasn't that much smaller than UGA's. But, that doesn't even matter to me wrt the offensive line's performance. We know UGA matches up man to man with anybody on the schedule.
Besides...I watched Micah Morris block 3 defenders...at one time. On one of the plays in series 1 or 2. He sealed the inside with Bobo's help...while Freeling took out the LB and Delp sealed the edge. A thing of beauty.
I realize Marshall was nothing more than a sparring partener for the Dawgs. But the Herd, had DIV1 CFB Players, with all the size and athleticism that comes with it. Winning a one-on-one battle is still gonna be challenging.
I look at how they played "together" to create running lanes. Assignment football with a ferocious Leader at LG. If they stay healthy...they are already a "Unit"....imo.
That said....Gaston needs more experience. And, Now is the time for that to be occurring. But,he's injured already. That's not good.
I think the reason that term, "lower-extremity injury" is used is because coaches don't want to give out specific information. So, for example, instead of saying a guy has a twisted ankle or a sprained knee or a bad hamstring, it all goes under "lower-extremity injury." It's just another way to keep opponents off balance. Hockey teams do it ALL the time.
This may be wrongheaded thinking, but I believe the O-Line sustains so many injuries because they don't get that big explosive push off the ball. If you look, Gaston got rolled up on because he was basically standing in almost the same spot where the play started. I think that happens a lot with UGA linemen. They don't get much of a push off the ball, and when the tackle is made, they often get rolled up on. I truly believe if they were pushing dudes further down the field, they would have fewer injuries, because they wouldn't get caught up in as much line of scrimmage "traffic." Just my two cents. Go Dawgs!