Bobby Layne
thanks again for your explanation the other day. They’re having a similar convo now on the SC board and someone shared these links and said Clancy used the psycho front a lot during his prior stint and they expect a return to it this year.
liltank0206
kickz4242
Inside the Georgia defense’s blend of blue-chippers and diamonds in the rough and other key takeaways Monday
By Seth Emerson 6h ago11
ATHENS, Ga. – Kirby Smart showed up for his first game-week press conference wearing a sweatshirt, despite the summer weather. Charlie Woerner, who doesn’t even like to wear a shirt, was wearing one when he came up for interviews, which he pushed through despite obviously wishing he was somewhere else. It was evident, through their demeanor and their apparel, that the Georgia football team was ready to begin the season.
And they will this Saturday. But first, they went through one more media gauntlet and provided the media with a surprisingly enlightening viewing period of practice. Here are some thoughts and observations:
1. Cornerback switch?
Smart and players have been saying for a few days that there wasn’t much separation between the first and second team at cornerback. So what the media briefly saw at Monday’s practice wasn’t a huge surprise.
DJ Daniel, the junior college transfer, was working with the first team at cornerback. Tyson Campbell, the sophomore who had been the likely starter, was with the second team. That doesn’t mean it will definitely be that way when the starters take the field Saturday at Vanderbilt, and the drill the media saw was only a snippet of practice. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see Daniel go out there first.
2. Not all about the recruiting stars
Georgia’s recruiting has obviously been stellar, and is the major reason it could compete for the national championship again. But you could look at Georgia’s likely first-team defense and realize that it’s not all about five-stars.
The defense has three former three-star prospects who will likely start: Cornerback Eric Stokes, inside linebacker Monty Rice and safety J.R. Reed. There is a former two-star: Inside linebacker Tae Crowder. Another former three-star prospect is Jordan Davis, who was with the second team at nose tackle on Monday, while the first-team nose, Michael Barnett, was a four-star who at one point moved to offensive line, before the switch was abandoned. And the starting star, Mark Webb, was a four-star who moved over from receiver.
In fact, the only five-star prospect with the first team during that drill on Monday was safety Richard LeCounte. But several others — outside linebacker Nolan Smith, inside linebacker Nakobe Dean, defensive end Travon Walker and Campbell — are virtually ensured of playing on Saturday. So it’s not that the defense was built entirely on castoffs and under-recruited talent. It’s just that it’s a good mix.
3. Havoc!
Perhaps Smart conjured up havoc rate as a storyline so nobody would ask about fake punts. Success! The topic — havoc rate, that is — keeps coming up, especially with a real game approaching, and that’s when we’ll start to see whether the emphasis worked.
But while the emphasis has been on whether the defense will be more aggressive in pass-rush, Smart indicated on Monday that too much can be made about that part of it.
“That comes in a lot of forms. I think a lot of people expect to see more people coming. That’s not necessarily the case,” Smart said. “Havoc does not equal pressure. Havoc equals having an ability to get a hand on the ball, to bat a ball, to cause a turnover — to do those things.”
There’s a good reason to make that emphasis: Georgia’s defense hasn’t been good at forcing turnovers the last couple years, ranking 90th nationally in that category in 2018, and 50th two years ago.
That gets overlooked when your offense does a good job holding onto the ball, as Georgia has the last two years, so the team’s turnover margin has always been above water. (Plus-3 last year, and plus-4 in 2017). But Smart and the defense are trying to create a world where the Georgia defense pushes that positive margin to double digits, at least. And they’ve been doing that this preseason against the Georgia offense that has been among the best nationally in not turning it over.
“Yeah, it’s been annoying for us but it’s been good for the offense too,” tight end Charlie Woerner said. “They’ve been bringing the blitzes, they’ve been trying to strip the ball from us, which has in turn been making the offense a better offense. They’re being the best they can be and it’s getting us prepared for the things that are going to happen in the game against other opponents.”
4. Running back thoughts
D’Andre Swift looked just fine as he ran during Monday’s practice, bashing his way through a blaster chute, churning his legs and ankles without any obvious issue. So whatever caused him to miss practice a couple weeks ago, and to wear a non-contact jersey last week, it’s either in the past or was precautionary.
Unless of course Swift immediately dons a non-contact jersey once the media leaves.
Zamir White, meanwhile, continues to look fully healthy. Kirby Smart is still trying to keep the expectations in check, saying there’s no plan for when and how many carries to give White on Saturday.
But the tailback who may be overlooked is Brian Herrien, who continues to run first when the tailbacks do drills. That may be looking too much into it, and it may just be a matter of seniority. Swift and White still have the most upside, and sophomore James Cook could get some important touches, too.
But don’t be shocked if Herrien gets more than you expect.
5. What’s in an opener?
Not a lot, the data would say. There will be plenty of over-analysis on how Georgia does in this season opener, especially considering it’s a conference road game rather than the usual home guarantee game. But in recent Georgia history, Week 2 has actually been more indicative:
In 2016, when Georgia barely skated by Nicholls State in Week 2, it pointed to problems ahead in what would be an 8-5 season. The rousing win to open the season against North Carolina proved to be less of a precursor.
In 2017, the one-point win at Notre Dame was the lifting-off point to a special season.
In 2018, Georgia went to South Carolina and won 41-17, setting the tone for once again winning the SEC East.
Four years ago, in what would be Mark Richt’s final season at Georgia, the Bulldogs went to Vanderbilt in Week 2 and came away with a sloppy 31-14 win.
This season, of course, Georgia has one of those home guarantee games in Week 2 — against FCS Murray State — so it may be hard to draw conclusions. But Woerner was among those cautioning against over-analyzing Week 1.
“The opener definitely matters a lot because it’s the first time the fans get to see us that year, the first time we get to do what we’ve been practicing to do. But, at the same time sometimes there’s still mistakes in openers, there’s stuff that goes wrong,” Woerner said. “The opener means a lot, but at the same time it’s not indicative of the entire season because you grow after the opener.”
6. A very poor decision
Freshman Bill Norton wasn’t going to be on the travel roster for Vanderbilt anyway, but he definitely won’t after his weekend arrest on three misdemeanor charges, including a DUI. (Norton, who is under the legal drinking age of 21, was charged under the statute that says any blood-alcohol level above 0.02 applies for those under 21.)
The details of Norton’s arrest, which came several hours after midnight on Sunday morning, have not been released by UGA Police yet.
“Bill, unfortunately, made a very poor decision, poor choice in judgment and he’ll suffer the consequences for that; very disappointed in him,” Smart said. “He knows we don’t accept that behavior here at the University of Georgia. He’ll be punished accordingly.”
Georgia’s student-athlete handbook calls for a one-game suspension for football players who incur a DUI. But it’s not clear how that would apply for a player who is redshirting.
7. The return spots
Who will replace Mecole Hardman as the main kick and punt returner? It will be a committee, at least at the outset of the season.
Cook and Demetris Robertson are the top two at kickoff return, per Smart.
The picture is less clear at punt return, where Smart named four candidates: Tyler Simmons, Kearis Jackson, Dominick Blaylock and Swift. The first three were fielding punts during Monday’s practice.
“We’ve got four good practices still left that we’re evaluating guys and making final decisions on who’s going to be where,” Smart said.
8. Nakobe Dean update
The highly-touted freshman has been back at practice since Friday after missing about a week of action with an unspecified injury. But Dean also isn’t back to full health yet.
“He’s not at 100 percent, but he has practiced, which is promising,” Smart said. “I don’t know where he is but he’s going to need a lot of rehab.”
Dean was working with the second team at Monday’s practice, alongside sophomore Quay Walker. But if Dean is healthy he’s going to play and make an impact. Crowder and Rice will likely start at inside linebacker, but Dean is too good not to play.
“He’s learned the system really fast as a freshman, and then his speed on the field is what really makes him different,” safety J.R. Reed said.
9. Gamesmanship
Georgia didn’t release a depth chart Monday, which may have been because competition for some starting spots continues into the week, or may have been because Kirby Smart just doesn’t like releasing depth charts. But it could also be in response to the opponent not naming a starting quarterback.
Vanderbilt will start either Ball State grad transfer Riley Neal or junior Deuce Wallace. But head coach Derek Mason said he won’t reveal a starter until Friday, by which time Georgia’s defensive preparation is done. Neal is a 6-foot-5, pocket-oriented passer, and the 6-foot-2 Walker is more mobile.
10. Respect for Vanderbilt’s skill guys
Maybe Vanderbilt hasn’t named a starting quarterback, and maybe the overall talent level is about half as good as what Georgia will put on the field. But the Commodores do have a trio of skill-position players who could pose problems for Georgia. At least that’s the talk from Georgia this week.
Receiver Kalija Lipscomb led the SEC with 87 catches last season, and tight end Jared Pinkney was ninth in receiving yards per game (finishing with a total of 774.) And running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn was the SEC’s third-leading rusher, finishing with 1,244 yards in just 12 games.
Vaughn drew particular praise from Kirby Smart, who pointed out that Vaughn had the same number of runs of 10 or more yards last season as Swift. And Reed compared Vaughn to now-former Georgia tailback Elijah Holyfield, who had more than 1,000 rushing yards last year.
“He just runs hard,” Reed said of Vaughn. “He reminds me a little bit of Holyfield. He can bust the ball out, he’s a patient runner, and he’s a downfield guy.”
Latest Georgia notes from 247 and Rivals.
@10508 cardo jr ln
247
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia held its fifth practice of the week on Friday, donning shells (helmets and shoulder pads) on the Woodruff Practice Fields. Reporters were allowed to see about seven minutes of the workout and below Dawgs247 shares the news and notes from the field.
- Freshman inside linebacker Nakobe Dean, who has been battling an undisclosed injury, was back on the practice field today. We watched him go through drills and it appeared to be without limitation. He wasn't limping for taking any reps off during that period. Dawgs247 first noticed the absence of Dean before last Saturday's scrimmage, meaning he missed at least five practices.
- Sophomore offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer is still missing in action. Dawgs247 saw Salyer at the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on Wednesday using crutches and wearing a walking boot on his left foot. Kirby Smart told reporters after Wednesday's practice that he expects the Pace Academy product to return soon.
- Freshman running back Kenny McIntosh was absent during the media-viewing period. Some players are starting to wear scout-team jerseys in preparation for Vanderbilt but I didn't notice a number in that group that didn't belong.
- The Bulldogs were giving the quarterbacks and receivers some practice throwing and catching a wet ball. During the routes on air period, student assistants were dipping each football in a bucket of water before flipping it to the quarterback to simulate a shotgun snap.
Stetson Bennett IV really appeared to be struggling during this drill, missing wide of the mark on two of the three throws we saw. Jake Fromm connected on all three of his opportunities and so did D'Wan Mathis. Walk-on quarterback Nathan Priestley had one pass sail high.
When UGA's quarterbacks went back to a dry ball, Fromm and Bennett were both really sharp but we didn't really get to see Mathis and Priestley throw it. Fromm went seven of seven in the period overall. Bennett hit all four of his tosses with the dry ball.
We also saw a really nice catch from George Pickens, who reached down and caught a pass from Priestley off his shoe tops on the dead run. He was able to catch the low throw, and quickly burst up field.
14COMMENTS
- At one point during the routes-on-air period, the tight ends were working in the slot where position coach Todd Hartley was lining up with arm pads trying to jam the tight ends. Charlie Woerner and John FitzPatrick blew right by him but Eli Wolf delivered a loud pop to Hartley's left arm and knocked him off balance, leading to some loud praise from the first-year UGA assistant coach.
- We weren't able to tell who it was but a walk-on wide receiver was wearing Vanderbilt standout Kalija Lipscombs No. 16. Redshirt freshman wide receiver was wearing No. 87 and playing the role of 6-foot-4, 210-pound wideout Amir Abdur-Rahman.
Rivals reporter is predicting that DJ Daniel starts over Tyson Campbell at corner.
Three Observations:
1. Big talent brings big egos. I doubt anyone has complaints about Kirby Smart and his ability to recruit. He has a staff of heavy hitters who are bringing 5-stars to Athens as if they were fishing with a car battery. But what happens when those players, who have coaches from all over the nation fawning all over them, arrive at Georgia and are forced to be just like everyone else on the team? In other words, these kids are told they are special. They are lavished with praise. Recruiters kiss their butts and coeds kiss everything else. Then they have to go to study hall? Run steps like the plebs who were not No. 1 or No. 2 at their position? Turn in equipment?
No, that’s not for me, but for thee.
The big challenge for Smart and Co. is not landing the top players, but rather deprogramming those players’ recruitments. Most of the time, it works. It takes a while, but you’ll see players all of a sudden buy-in and pull with the rest of the team. A real pride envelops them. BIG TEAM, little me.
But then you have the kids who think UGA is just a holding area until they are whisked off to their rightful place in the first round of the NFL Draft. Those players are cancer. And they have to be removed before their entitlement attitude spreads. Smart did so earlier this year with one player. While it hurt the team to lose him, I think it will make Georgia and said player both better in the end. It also serves as a warning to a few others who think they are smarter than the coaches. No one is bigger than the team, no matter how high your ranking was.
2. It’s my fault. So, on Saturday night I wrote down a quick outline of what I wanted to write for this 3-2-1 report. My second item was that, aside from the above dismissal, it has been a quiet fall camp. No day by day harping over a quarterback position battle. No obvious issues among the wideouts or defensive line. No hand-wringing over scrimmage stats or the lack therein. No gut-punch injuries like Zamir White’s. No tales of fights at practice. No arrests….dammit.
3. Get out more. I was so desperate for the return of college football that on Saturday morning I actually tuned into College GameDay. It was just in time to see Desmond Howard apologize for quoting Wayne Brady, which is sad because that may be the only time I have ever laughed at the show. Anyway, they went on to predict the winners of the SEC, and Howard picked UGA. Corso and the others picked Alabama. Fair enough. But the reasoning caught me off guard.
They said they had been to Alabama in the offseason and the Tide players were mad. They had a chip on their shoulder after losing to Clemson. No, in fact, it was a boulder. Nick Saban is mad. The players have something to prove and so forth.
Did any of those guys on the stage at Disney World visit Athens in the offseason? Do they really believe Kirby Smart isn’t mad enough to chew dynamite-covered barb wire after losing to a backup quarterback twice? Do they think Jake Fromm is content to be No.2 in the SEC, always respected but not thought of as good enough to beat the Tide? I'm sure the Tide players are hungry to get back to the title game. But if they are hungry, the players in Athens are starving.
Two Questions:
1. Can Georgia’s offensive line live up to the hype? It’s true I have never seen an offensive line group like this one. I have covered some great lines in my 26 years, but athletically this group is tops. Until next year maybe. That said, I have two concerns.
A) The first team deserves all the hype it’s getting, except in obvious passing situations in which they've struggled against good teams. Their run blocking and RPOs are fantastic.
B) The fall-off from first to the second team is a bit more pronounced than many have assumed. With Jamaree Salyer out for a while, there is only one top backup. Cade Mayes or Ben Cleveland will be the No. 6 guy. That’s an important role (see Mays and Trey Hill last year). After that it gets murky. Clay Webb has great potential. But he, like many of the others, is inexperienced. Justin Schaffer is good, so too are Owen Condon, Xavier Truss, Warren McClendon, Warren Ericson, and D’Marcus Hayes. But that list is full of guys who have not taken a snap or have taken very few.
Maybe those guys are brought along in the first games and are ready to step in if needed. Last year the new guys were thrown into the fire repeatedly and fared well. Keep your fingers crossed you don’t need to find out.
2. Who will return kicks and punts? Georgia has a lot of options here. I expect Tyler Simmons will be the punt returner. He has good hands and makes good decisions. Plus Simmons is one of the fastest guys on the team. As for kickoffs, look for James Cook and Demetris Robertson to be back there waiting for the ball. I would not be surprised to see Kearis Jackson or Dominick Blaylock in the mix for punt returns as well. Also, Brian Herrien and Simmons could be back for kickoffs to give Georgia a more experienced return duo.
One Prediction. Or three:
1. I predict we are going to see a change at cornerback. Juco transfer DJ Daniel has had a great fall camp. His talent and experience have enabled him to make a move on Tyson Campbell. This is a tight race, but I expect Daniel will be the starter for the first game. Understand that both players are good, so this situation will be fluid all year as they battle back and forth. We don’t get to see a lot of practice but in the time we are out there, secondary coach Charlton Warren often praises Daniel. One day he told the rest of the cornerbacks to “do it like this guy,” pointing to Daniel.
In case you missed it. I predicted a few weeks ago that Mays will start ahead of Cleveland. Now we are seeing the line go through reps that way.
Steven Nixon, the grad transfer from Mercer, will start at the long snapper spot. Most folks don’t realize Nixon is living out a lifelong dream to play for the Dawgs. I expect he will win the spot. Still, it feels weird not naming a Theus or a Frix as the starter there.
Been a top defense in CFB every year since Diaz has arrived so we're going on 4 years now.
kickz4242
