Fall Practice 1 is In the Books

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Some things of note, first from Kirby about possible wrinkles in the offense, as well as shedding some light on why Lilly was brought back as an analyst:

But when discussing the need to improve as a rushing team and how new analysts John Lilly and Phil Rauscher help, Smart offered an interesting thought on how the quarterback helps. 

“Both of those guys have great ideas in the run game,” Smart said. “It may not be a new run by design, because you can’t reinvent the wheel. There’s inside zone, outside zone, there’s gap scheme. There’s different ideas.” 

“We have a quarterback who allows us to do more. They both have been around systems that involve that.”

Additionally, some insight from Dawgnation on what was observed in practice one…of note:

  • On the offensive line, it was redshirt freshman Michael Uini who was working with the first group at right guard. He was flanked by Earnest Greene at right tackle and Drew Bobo at center. Monroe Freeling was at left tackle while Micah Morris held the left guard spot. Uini is expected to battle Daniel Calhoun and Juan Gaston to be the team’s starting right guard. Expect Georgia to rotate as a way to build depth. 
  • It wasn’t all positive for Uini though, as Smart got on Uini after he failed to sprint out onto the field for punt. Smart, over the speaker, said that Uini looked like a turtle. 
  • At quarterback, Gunner Stockton was the first one going through drills, followed by Ryan Puglisi. It’s hard to make too much of what they were doing, as much of their reps came against air. The quarterbacks spent much of the media-viewing portion of practice working with the running backs.
  • One other punt observation is that Drew Miller was the first one going through drills. Brett Thorson was not wearing a non-contact jersey but it’s notable that Thorson was not actively punting while going through drills.

Also, they noted Josh McCray was not at practice, so the mysteries already abound. One good thing is, Kirby mentioned this is the healthiest fall a team has had in five years.

Let’s hope we keep fighting against our biggest opponent: injuries and ourselves.

10 thoughts on “Fall Practice 1 is In the Books”

  1. Glad to read that as just the threat of a running QB changes the numbers as the defense has to have a player account for him. That alone will give the OL a better chance of opening holes for the RBs. On many plays, there will be an OLB holding on the edge rather than crashing down the line on the RB.

    • Happy to hear this too. Given that it’s long been one of his defenses’ Achilles heel, I’ve been perplexed that Kirby hasn’t shifted to a running QB sooner or at least the threat of it (we didn’t luck into Stetson, but he wasn’t specifically recruited as a starting dual threat).

      • QB’s knowing when to and not when to take a dash can make a difference, whether a called option or nothing open down field, a past UGA football QB seemed to have a vision plus enough foot speed and ankle breaking body movement to average 56ish carries in his final two seasons, not to mention scoring 10 rushing TD’s in his final year, 3.6 YPA, not over whelming, but enough to keep eyeballs on his number…just like that F series Ford P/U, believe #14 isn’t a speed demon, but can keep the sticks moving if necessary/when needed…GO DAWGS!!

  2. “One good thing is, Kirby mentioned this is the healthiest fall a team has had in five years.”

    KNOCK ON WOOD, KIRBY!

    I heard ‘ol Larry moaning from beyond the grave when I read that.

  3. Lilly? Really? Wasn’t Fabris, Grantham, or Martinez available? I know, they’re D guys and Lilly is O. But I couldn’t resist.

    Kirby has made some good analyst moves, like Faulkner and Muschamp. Lilly strikes me as little more than a warm body retread.

  4. “Smart, over the speaker, said that Uini looked like a turtle.”
    That makes me laugh.

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