Smart, Chubb Nikkas Pt. 2. The OFFICIAL 2017 University of Georgia Season Thread

[AVXL]

Even tho they just scored :ugagrin:

 

[The ADD]

-23 is a joke with this weather

 

[AVXL]

Who wants to start the GT game thread?

I was thinking "I come from the city where they love to HATE" or just the OG "Clean, Old Fashioned Hate"

What y'all think?

 

[Rekkapryde]

Bruh

 

[The ADD]

Brian VanGorder assisting UGA defense in consulting role :ugagrin:

@AVXL @Konnan

 

[The ADD]

 

[AVXL]

We byke :ugagrin:

 

[AVXL]

Record Last Year
8-5 (4-4); T-2nd in SEC East; won Liberty Bowl 31-23 vs. TCU Horned Frogs

Key Returnees
QB Jacob Eason, RB Nick Chubb, RB Sony Michel, RB Brian Herrien, WR Terry Godwin, WR Riley Ridley, TE Isaac Nauta, LT Isaiah Wynn, DE Jonathan Ledbetter, DT Trenton Thompson, DT Julian Rochester, LB Davin Bellamy, LB Roquan Smith, LB Natrez Patrick, LB Lorenzo Carter, S Malkom Parrish, S Dominick Sanders, K Rodrigo Blankenship

Key Departures
WR Isaiah McKenzie, QB Greyson Lambert, QB/P Brice Ramsey, OG Tyler Catalina, OT Greg Pyke, C Brandon Kublanow, CB Maurice Smith, CB Juwuan Briscoe

Key Arrivals
DB DeAngelo Gibbs, DB Richard LeCounte, RB D’Andre Swift, OT D’Marcus Hayes, LB Robert Beal, QB Jake Fromm, OT Isaiah Wilson, OT Andrew Thomas, CB Tray Bishop, DE Malik Herring


What Happened in 2016?
Kirby Smart’s first season in charge of his alma mater had its ups and downs. The Georgia Bulldogs had an unusual season in 2016. They escaped an early season upset bid by FCS Nicholls, winning 26-24 at Sanford Stadium. They also lost a pair of home games to Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech. Not ideal.

However, on a positive note, the Bulldogs did win three of their last four games.

Offensive Preview

Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Freshman quarterback Jacob Eason appeared much more comfortable in the latter portion of the season. There’s hope that translates to brighter success in 2017. Eason certainly had a strong spring, and that was echoed by Smart, per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald:

He’s got a long way to go but he’s come along way because he understands the protections now, which last year there were times that he did and times that he didn’t. There was a lot on his plate. To manage that offense is challenging coming straight in from high school. He’s in a better place. He’s more confident. He’s throwing the ball good.
The hope is Eason elevates the entire offense with his play. Smart hopes someone opposite Terry Godwin steps up at wide receiver. Riley Ridley and Michael Chigbu have both shown flashes.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Tight end Isaac Nauta came into 2016 as one of the top prospects in the country at hisp osition. He had a solid season, catching 29 passes for 361 yards and three TDs. Eason will depend on him more in 2017, so Nauta must take a major step forward.

Eason has arguably the best situation at running back of any quarterback in the country. Not only do Nick Chubb and Sony Michel return, but so does Brian Herrien and Elijah Holyfield. Add in true freshman D’Andre Swift and you have a deep, dynamic backfield.

The biggest reason Georgia struggled at times to run the ball in 2016 was their offensive line. The line, often times, struggled to open holes. Georgia is replacing three starters from that offensive line this year. So, while this group may lack experience, it should be better. Offensive line coach Sam Pittman is one of the best in the country and he has some young and talented players to work with.

As a whole, Georgia averaged just 24.5 PPG in 2016. Fortunately, with so many talented players returning at the skill positions, that should improve this fall.

Defensive Outlook

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The ‘Dawgs return 10 starters in 2017 and are in the second year of playing in Smart’s attacking 3-4 defense. The front seven is loaded, and the secondary has an exciting mix of veteran players and newcomers.

On the defensive line, UG is led by junior defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter and junior defensive tackle Trenton Thompson. Ledbetter was suspended for the first six games of the 2016 season. However, upon his return, he helped stabilize the defensive front. He finished his shortened season with 24 tackles and five quarterback hits. However, Ledbetter must prove he can stay out of trouble.

Thompson is an absolute stud, but he’s had a difficult year. He missed all of the spring after having shoulder surgery and then, for a brief time, wasn’t enrolled in classes.


Thompson’s situation was a mystery for a period of time. However, he’s been more open about it this summer. The decision to replace former defensive line coach Tracy Rocker played a part in Thompson’s unhappiness, according to Seth Emerson of Dawg Nation.

That’s a coach’s decision that coach Rock’s not here. I’m moving on with Tray Scott. Rocker. I think he’s a great coach, I think he’s got good technique for me, I think he’s got the same tools that coach Rock gave to me.
In the Liberty Bowl triumph over TCU, Thompson finished the game with three sacks and was named MVP. That’s the type of player he can be and there’s hope he’ll reach that level in 2017.

While those are the headliners, the Bulldogs have even more talent in the trenches. Nose guard John Atkins and defensive tackle Julian Rochester are also a big part of the defensive line.

At linebacker, Georgia is in an ideal position. They return all four starters, with edge rushers in Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy to pair with inside ‘backers Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith. Patrick and Smith are both attacking linebackers who are strong versus the run.

Carter is primed for a huge senior season. He was solid in his first full year as a starter last fall but must take his pass-rushing ability to another level in 2017. He is certainly capable but must play with more consistent technique.

In the secondary, UGA lost nickelback Maurice Smith. However, virtually everyone else returns. Free safety Dominick Sanders, a first-team All-SEC pick in 2015, has a shot at becoming the school’s all-time leader in interceptions. Strong safety Malkom Parrish is back, too.

At corner, Georgia also brings back both starters from a year ago in Aaron Davis and Deandre Baker.

In addition to all of the returning experience in the secondary, Georgia brings in a pair of five-star safeties in Richard LeCounte and DeAngelo Gibbs. Both players will play in 2017 and the Bulldogs can afford to bring them along slowly.

 

[AVXL]

@Konnan
@ATLien
@The ADD
@FreshFromATL
@Steezy
@Hollywood Co
@KushGawd

Prediction time gentlemen. How do we do this yr?

 

[The ADD]

@Konnan
@ATLien
@The ADD
@FreshFromATL
@Steezy
@Hollywood Co
@KushGawd

Prediction time gentlemen. How do we do this yr? :ohh:

We SHOULD win the division..........

We won't

 

[Konnan]

I believe in laws of attraction so im gonna say we win the east

It wont be pretty but we get it done

Chubb and Michel were good enough to stay another year hopefully its not all for nothing

 

[AVXL]

We SHOULD win the division..........

We won't

With Florida in flux at QB no reason we shouldn't be in Atlanta :ugagrin:

I'm hoping year 2 of Kirby, a more seasoned Eason, better OL, Chubb/Michel & this defense returning a bunch of starters is the difference

No excuse NOT to be in Atlanta IMO

 

[Robert California]

I think it'll come down to play calling.

Make or break year for Jim Chaney.

We should win the east, but will get tested by Tennessee and Auburn.

It'll come down to the Florida game as usual to see if we make it to Atlanta.

 

[ATLien]

We SHOULD win the division..........

We won't

Stopped with predictions a couple of years ago. I just hope we 1-0 every weekend

 

[AVXL]

Gametime