ATHENS – Think back, way back to the middle of the summer, when talking season was just beginning and preseason camps had not started. Optimism was high, but the concerns were many for the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs.
Now fast forward to the present. The Bulldogs are heading into the midpoint of the season. Game 6 is Saturday against No. 18 Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Georgia (5-0, 2-0 SEC) remains undefeated and is ranked No. 2 in the land.
The thinking has to be that the Bulldogs successfully addressed all those preseason concerns. But that isn’t necessarily the case.
Yes, Georgia has overcome whatever shortcomings it had. But the road to the SEC Championship game remains long. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the most challenging stretches remain ahead.
Following is a midseason report card on how the Bulldogs have done when it comes to addressing those specific areas of concern:
OFFENSIVE LINE
Narrative: The Bulldogs were having to replace two lost starters in right guard Ben Cleveland and center Trey Hill while also looking to transition Jamaree Salyer inside to guard from left tackle.
Developments: Georgia was hit immediately with an additional challenge when Warren Ericson, the projected starting center, went out with a broken hand the first weekend of preseason camp. Offensive line coach Matt Luke was further challenged on the first offensive series of the season when redshirt freshman Tate Ratledge, who had won the starting job at right guard, was lost to a season-ending foot injury in the Clemson game.
Status: Not only has Salyer stuck at left tackle, but he has played at an all-conference level while not allowing a sack. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Sedrick Van Pran has played extremely well since taking over at center in Ericson’s absence. And Ericson slid over to replace Ratledge at right guard, and the Bulldogs still haven’t missed a beat.
Quote: “I think our offensive line took a lot of pride in getting an opportunity to show that identity, to show that they can play bully ball if they have to. But it stills boils down a lot of times to what the defense is giving you.” -- coach Kirby Smart on Georgia rushing for 273 yards against Arkansas on Saturday
Grade: A – Georgia quarterbacks have been sacked only twice, and the run game got on track last week. Meanwhile, the O-line has depth and emerging young talent.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
RECEIVERS
Narrative: The Bulldogs were going to be hurting for a primary receiver with George Pickens sidelined for the season with an ACL injury and other wideouts in various stages of injury recovery.
Developments: Things could not have gotten off to much worse of a start, with heralded transfer Arik Gilbert taking an unexplained leave of absence the first week of preseason camp, with Kearis Jackson’s recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery being much more extensive than originally thought and with Dominick Blaylock still having not returned from 2020 knee surgery. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs lost tight ends Darnell Washington and John FitzPatrick to foot injuries the second week of preseason camp.
Status: Freshmen Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey were surprise starters in the opener against No. 3 Clemson. Bowers, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end, has started every game for the Bulldogs and enters the Auburn game as Georgia’s leading receiver with 18 catches for 272 yards and four touchdowns. McConkey, a 6-foot, 185-pound slot receiver, has started three of the five contests and is the team’s third-leading receiver with 11 catches for 145 yards and a score. The Bulldogs also are getting great contributions from freshman Adonai Mitchell (9 catches, 159 yards, 1 TD), who has gotten the past three starts at the “X” position voided by Pickens and Gilbert. Meanwhile, injuries continue to limit Georgia to about seven healthy receivers and starting quarterback JT Daniels remains sidelined with a back issue.
Quote: “I don’t remember having this many guys injured at once since I’ve been here. But the guys work hard, and they’re buying into the plan and executing it.” -- Smart
Grade: B -- The wonder is what the Bulldogs might be able to do with a full complement of receivers and a healthy starting quarterback.
SECONDARY
Narrative: This was thought to be the biggest concern of all as the Bulldogs were having to replace eight defensive backs who began the 2020 season as regulars playing in the Georgia secondary. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs also were having to adjust to a new secondary coach, as Charlton Warren left in the offseason to take the defensive coordinator’s job at Indiana.
Developments: Smart hired Jahmile Addae from West Virginia as secondary coach, and the Bulldogs brought in two defensive backs via the NCAA transfer portal in senior cornerback Derion Kendrick of Clemson and junior safety Tykee Smith. Georgia also converted freshman running back Lovasea Carroll to a defensive back.
Status: Kendrick has started every game at cornerback for the Bulldogs and has an interception, a tackle for loss and a quarterback pressure to go along with seven tackles. Smith, favored to start at Georgia’s “Star” nickel back position, suffered a foot fracture the second week of preseason camp and still has not played in a game. But senior Latavious Brini, the heir apparent to 2020 starter Mark Webb, has played fantastic at star. He’s second among defensive backs with 15 tackles and has four pass break-ups. Senior Ameer Speed (3) and redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo (2) have split the starts at one cornerback position while the Bulldogs have been solid at safety with Lewis Cine and Christopher Smith.
Quote: “Everybody is committed to doing their jobs. One of the things we talked about for Arkansas was role commitment. The way our defense works, everyone has to be in the right place at the right time for us to make plays. … We might not have a superstar, but we have a bunch of great players who are willing to do their job at a maximum level, and that’s going to pay off.” – Senior safety Christopher Smith
Grade: I (incomplete) -- Georgia has yet to play an offense ranked above 85th in pass offense. Auburn is 57th.
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