I know there is a game thread, but I specifically wanted to just talk players and talent, which extends to some guys that are hurt and did not see the field.
I'm going to start with what I consider to be the deepest receiving group in UGA history, after seeing them play and also seeing who did not play. First of all, McConkey and Rosemy-Jacksaint- who I feel are maybe the best 2 WR's coming from last year, did not even play. Throw in Lawson Luckie, who is the 2nd or 3rd best TE on the team and you get an idea of what I am saying here. Bowers is the best TE, and the 2nd total receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr. in the whole country. Oscar Delp would be the #1 guy at most major colleges, but again, there is Bowers. I can't speak about Spurlin, because he needs some development physically to be there. When you start to look at the WR's, speed is the name of the game. Arian Smith and CJ Smith are both in the top 10 fastest players in the nation and CJ Smith showed how shifty he is in the open field and was one gap away from going the distance on a screen. The transfers, RaRa Thomas and Dominic Lovett are both WR1 at 90% of FBS schools and they have proven themselves at Miss St and Mizzou respectively and looked really good with Beck and BVG getting them the ball. Then you have the little guys who can really cut on a dime in Mehki Mews and Dillon Bell, with the bonus of Cash Jones catching the ball out of the backfield. I did not see enough out of Cole Speer or Zeed Haynes to call them good yet, but they provide bodies at the very least. So counting TE's the Dawgs have 12-13 guys who can really catch the ball well, with some young guys there who will get a chance with more experience.
At RB, the loss of Branson Robinson is huge and with him, I would say the Dawgs have a top 10 backfield, but right now I can't say that. However Roderick Robinson looked very good as a replacement. Milton will be solid if he can stay healthy, we know what Dajun Edwards can do when he gets back, and Chris Paul looked very good before his injury and now that he is almost 100%, those within the know say he is going to be a good one. Cash Jones, as mentioned in the WR thread is a good receiver out of the backfield, but his running skills are above average as well. I knew something was up when Kirby mentioned him without being prompted during a press conference. On the flipside, Bowers is as good at running the ball as most true backs. On that same note, it's only a matter of time Ladd, Arian, CJ Smith, Bell, or Mews takes a reverse to the house. Nevermind the running ability of the next group, the QB's.
I can't remember the Dawgs ever having 3 legitimate QB's who I thought who could all start and lead the Dawgs to a championship. Beck was shaky at first and missed a few throws, but settled in and can make every throw you can ask of a QB, with a rocket arm and good mobility, when his confidence improves and he gets in a rhythm I can see him at 3500 yards and 30 TDs this year. Brock Vandagriff is just an amazing athlete and looked really good in limited time, going through progressions and showing off his speed for a big QB. He can just flat out leave most defensive lineman in his dust. In limited time, Stockton looked really good and took what the defense gave him with running lanes and the short throws.
My biggest question, in the 1st half mostly, was the offensive line. They had a problem getting push on run plays,and Beck had to get rid of the ball quicker than he would have liked to, but the 2nd half they wore Tennessee-Martin's smaller and less deep line down, so that is not a good litmus test.
If someone else wants to breakdown the defense, they can or I will tomorrow. I am having brain pains and my computer screen is fuzzy.
I'm going to start with what I consider to be the deepest receiving group in UGA history, after seeing them play and also seeing who did not play. First of all, McConkey and Rosemy-Jacksaint- who I feel are maybe the best 2 WR's coming from last year, did not even play. Throw in Lawson Luckie, who is the 2nd or 3rd best TE on the team and you get an idea of what I am saying here. Bowers is the best TE, and the 2nd total receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr. in the whole country. Oscar Delp would be the #1 guy at most major colleges, but again, there is Bowers. I can't speak about Spurlin, because he needs some development physically to be there. When you start to look at the WR's, speed is the name of the game. Arian Smith and CJ Smith are both in the top 10 fastest players in the nation and CJ Smith showed how shifty he is in the open field and was one gap away from going the distance on a screen. The transfers, RaRa Thomas and Dominic Lovett are both WR1 at 90% of FBS schools and they have proven themselves at Miss St and Mizzou respectively and looked really good with Beck and BVG getting them the ball. Then you have the little guys who can really cut on a dime in Mehki Mews and Dillon Bell, with the bonus of Cash Jones catching the ball out of the backfield. I did not see enough out of Cole Speer or Zeed Haynes to call them good yet, but they provide bodies at the very least. So counting TE's the Dawgs have 12-13 guys who can really catch the ball well, with some young guys there who will get a chance with more experience.
At RB, the loss of Branson Robinson is huge and with him, I would say the Dawgs have a top 10 backfield, but right now I can't say that. However Roderick Robinson looked very good as a replacement. Milton will be solid if he can stay healthy, we know what Dajun Edwards can do when he gets back, and Chris Paul looked very good before his injury and now that he is almost 100%, those within the know say he is going to be a good one. Cash Jones, as mentioned in the WR thread is a good receiver out of the backfield, but his running skills are above average as well. I knew something was up when Kirby mentioned him without being prompted during a press conference. On the flipside, Bowers is as good at running the ball as most true backs. On that same note, it's only a matter of time Ladd, Arian, CJ Smith, Bell, or Mews takes a reverse to the house. Nevermind the running ability of the next group, the QB's.
I can't remember the Dawgs ever having 3 legitimate QB's who I thought who could all start and lead the Dawgs to a championship. Beck was shaky at first and missed a few throws, but settled in and can make every throw you can ask of a QB, with a rocket arm and good mobility, when his confidence improves and he gets in a rhythm I can see him at 3500 yards and 30 TDs this year. Brock Vandagriff is just an amazing athlete and looked really good in limited time, going through progressions and showing off his speed for a big QB. He can just flat out leave most defensive lineman in his dust. In limited time, Stockton looked really good and took what the defense gave him with running lanes and the short throws.
My biggest question, in the 1st half mostly, was the offensive line. They had a problem getting push on run plays,and Beck had to get rid of the ball quicker than he would have liked to, but the 2nd half they wore Tennessee-Martin's smaller and less deep line down, so that is not a good litmus test.
If someone else wants to breakdown the defense, they can or I will tomorrow. I am having brain pains and my computer screen is fuzzy.
