I’m by no means an expert at talent evaluation, and I’ll leave that up to Kirby et al to best evaluate and develop as they see fit. In the dead space (surprisingly quiet given that the WLOCP is this weekend) of content since the Texas game, I started wondering about which Dawgs have been winning the season (performing up to or above expectations), which ones have been wilting (underperforming or mysteriously missing), and those that I wonder about (what’s going on with them, and/or where are they at?). Here’s my attempt, feel free to skewer the assessment in the comments.
Offensively Winning the Season:
Trevor Etienne – No surprise here, Etienne has been consistently good throughout the season since he first started seeing the field in Game 2. The only thing that might have driven Etienne into the Wondering column is his number of carries per game, as many of us found ourselves calling for #1’s number during the second half of the Texas game. Injuries and depth concerns likely have kept Trevor’s count lower than desired, but there’s no doubt that Etienne lives up to every bit of billing when he signed on with the team through the transfer portal.
Peyton Woodring – Quick question – when was the last season that you were worried about our kicker when it was clear a field goal was about to be attempted? Starting with Podlesny’s game winner against Cincinnati in 2020, this position has been the quiet and deadly accurate face of consistency for the Bulldog program. Hitting 12/13 field goals (93%) and all extra points, Woodring is the team’s second leading scorer only to Beck with 61 points.
Offensively Wilting:
Earnest Greene – While I realize that our line has taken some lumps, causing people to shift and move around along the line, Greene has been one of the few line players that’s been popping up in the game tapes and highlights in the wrong way. Technique issues, leverage concerns, and penalties have made Greene stand out from the rest of the guys in the trench in all the wrong ways. A redshirt sophomore, Greene still has room to grow, but one chink in the armor along this position group goes a long way in consistent play in both facets of the game.
Ben Yurosek – See comments for Greene and replace Yurosek’s name here. With all of the fanfare about his ability to catch and run, Yurosek seems to lack in toughness and blocking. Keep in mind, the off-season chatter was that Yurosek could be the next Brock Bowers (see image above), but he’s proven to be the next David LaFleur (for the Cowboys, anyway). Routinely highlighted as getting abused by SEC defensive linemen, Yurosek has shown little reason and proof that he’s “man enough” to compete on the east coast and appears to be more of a liability than an asset on the field.
Offensive Wondering:
London Humphreys – Humphreys has shown flashes of greatness throughout the season, but remains a mystery (honestly, the Wondering could include every receiver on the team at this point) as to why he’s not getting more looks and touches. Humphreys seems to get good separation and finds himself in space, and once he gets the ball he’s got a second gear than reminds me of Ladd McConkey’s second level speed. Why they haven’t schemed him into the offensive production each game is a mystery to me.
Carson Beck – Is it trust in his receivers? Is it NIL ego and the distractions that come with it? Is it the pressure of the NFL future pick? Who knows, but Beck has looked uncharacteristically rattled and unsteady in every game outside of Clemson. The only time I can recall Beck looking flustered in 2023 was against Alabama in the SECCG, but he’s looking like that in almost every game now. Not sure if it’s head or it’s strategy and scheme, but wherever the 2023 Beck went, we’d like for him to come back.
The Robinsons – When Branson was healthy and playing (he’s still questionable for the Florida game, by the way), he seemed to have lost a step and his core identity as a bruising back, resulting in a sub-3-yard-per-carry average. On the flip side, Roderick (still listed as “out” for the Florida game) has been sidelined by a toe issue now for over two months, with no updates to his progress and possible availability for the 2024 season. Georgia has benefitted from the 1-2 punch of flash and power in the backfield, and the missing Robinsons would be a valued addition to the backfield should they get healthy and back to business for the second half of the season.
Love this at midseason.
I’d add Delp to the list of folks I’m wondering about–particularly b/c Yurosek has been a disappointment as a pass catcher and blocker. Delp has 7 catches for 98 yards. I’m not saying he should be our leading pass-catcher, but so few catches/yards seems odd for a junior who no longer has to compete w/ Bowers for reps. Ok, Luckie is the better route runner and has better hands (except when he’s failing to haul in red zone passes in Austin). Still, Delp is too talented to be just a blocker, right? Or am I missing something?
Rutledge out has caused issues. I give Etienne a B for lack of explosiveness which I know is not all his fault but question if it’s really there. Fraiser is in the Wonder category. Bell too who should have been a key target but has seemingly regressed. Lovett coming on now that we’re down two receivers. Evans might be worthy of an above average grade. Delp and Luckie unfairly compared to the GOAT but need to improve. Smith? Yeah, a real question mark.
So let’s talk Bobo. No head-scratching mistakes. He’s called some bold plays like the flea-flicker in Austin. People yell about the 3 & outs, but he has always liked a 1st down PA deep strike. When receivers drop easy ones you then need to trust your running game and outlet receivers, especially the TEs. That’s not working. The bubble screens serve us well…moves the D side to side to ease pressure on the OL and eventually forces man coverage which is better for our passing game. Thus far I’d argue CMB is getting the most out of his crayonz. Not seeing how Monken would be doing better. Offense has not lost a game. One play away from bailing out the D against Bama. But…he’s the OC and all the troubles with players and execution lay at his feet. I’m not worried about game day but do wonder what is happening during the week.
I’d also throw in the secondary. Although they have played better of late (Texas game), they have been very up and down as for as coverage and tackling. I admit, Starks played his best game of the year against Texas, but has not looked like a first rounder with what I’ve seen earlier. Humphrey is still struggling to find the ball in the air. Harris was alternating but has seemed to have fallen out of the picture somewhat. Ellis remains a question to me as to not much playing time.
Also wonder about Bowles at LB. Was a big time get for us but Chris Cole, a freshman seems to have surpassed him.
Just my few thoughts.
I’ll do the defensive side of the ball tomorrow…but I agree with your points here!
I disagree a little about the secondary. There seems to be a strong correlation between their success and the health of the D-line. Their two best games so far were against Clemson and Texas when we had a deep and healthy front 7. When the QB has all day to sit in the pocket, eventually even the best secondary in the NFL will give up some big catches.
The lack of a consistent running game has changed the whole offensive side of the ball.
Rutledge out hurts. Greene has really not lived up to his preseason billing. Breaking in a new center and them having him hurt for a while really hurts. Not having the backs healthy is really a killer. There was a stat a few weeks ago that showed the DAWGS were 15th in rushing yards BEFORE contact. It’s hard to run the ball when they are getting hit almost as soon as they receive the handoff. Play action if nowhere near as effective if they don’t really respect the run. They are not having to load the box to stop it. We are having to throw it way more than we are used to doing. So far so good, but that is not what we have gotten used to over the decades. We have always been a running team that throws it some. Now we are a throwing team that runs it some. I guess all those screens are pretty much runs but counted as passes.
JP-
I don’t think Beck is too far off his 2023 version of hisownself. He lost two sure handed, NFL receivers in Ladd and Brock. He lost Van Pran, the best center UGA ever had (only an eyelash better than big Ray Donaldson), along with two NFL drafted tackles, and Tate’s injury. He lost two running backs who had been in the program multiple years and was familiar with the UGA standard. He led a furious second half comeback and almost pulled a victory from the gumps. No, the problem is not Carson, it’s the fact that his surrounding cast is having to mature on the job. Hopefully, they will jell as an offensive unit going into the game with the ditch lizards. These next three games are brutal!
Curiosity with the klempzin outcome…everyone had UGA football as world beaters, now, not so much, ya take klempzin and everyone thinks they’re world beaters now, next on UGA footballs horizon is FU, with a week of healing and film study, CKS will have UGA football more than ready, this team/staff is who we are, blossoming one minute, wilting the next minute…”Like field goals thru the uprights, so are the days with UGA football”….GO DAWGS!!
Etienne cuts too much. Reminds me of Swift his freshman year.