Expectations for the Georgia Offense on G-Day
Excitement and anticipation for “G-Day,” Georgia’s annual spring football scrimmage has never captured the attention of its fanbase as it has this year. Much of the reason for the hype is due to the way that Georgia ended the 2020 season.
The emergence of JT Daniels as the starting quarterback led Georgia to a 4-0 finish. Daniels brought the intangibles and talent to Athens that fit the Georgia offense under Todd Monken like a glove.
The cannon of an arm of Daniels’ mixed with the young lightning rod of receivers innovated the Georgia passing attack. For the first time in years, the Georgia offense looks balanced on paper due to the competition at critical positions like running back, receiver, and offensive line, not to mention the certainty at quarterback.
Now, after almost 15 full practices and two closed scrimmages, the world will get its first look at the 2021 Georgia team in a game-like situation. So what do I want to see this Saturday from the Dawgs?
Quarterback Dual between the backups
The importance of a reliable backup quarterback was never felt more than in the last five seasons under Kirby Smart. Jake Fromm’s emergence as a true freshman after a knee injury knocked Jacob Eason out of the season-opening game against Appalachian State midway through the first quarter. Fromm would take the reins of the Georgia offense and never look back.
Most recently, the opting out of Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman left the Dawgs in a bind at the beginning of fall camp as they looked to find a new starting quarterback following Jake Fromm’s departure. Newman was an early favorite for the job, and his departure surely didn’t do the Dawgs any favors.
Mathis would become the starter against Arkansas before being relieved by Stetson Bennett, who wouldn’t look back until a few struggling performances and a shoulder injury gave way to current starter JT Daniels.
With an established starter in place at QB, finding his immediate backup should be at the front of the list for Georgia this spring and fall. Getting reps for younger guys like Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff in the spring game will go a long way in helping to evaluate them alongside former starter Stetson Bennett.
While we have a craving for seeing the starting offense sling the ball around on Saturday, Georgia needs to let the other quarterbacks get reps with the first-teamers to find their backup and potentially set up a successor at the position.
Mixing of the Offensive Line
Arguably the most crucial task on the list is the mixing of the offensive line. Georgia goes into the 2021 season after losing two of the five starting linemen from a year ago. Both Trey Hill and Ben Cleveland are preparing for the NFL, and Matt Luke will have to find their replacements.
With Sedrick Van-Pran and Warren Ericson battling it out as the early favorites for to start at center. There is still a question of who will be playing left tackle, even after starter Jamaree Salyer’s return. With Cleveland and Hill both missing the Peach Bowl, Georgia traveled to Atlanta with a reshuffled offensive line that saw Salyer kick back inside to his natural position of guard. At the same time, Xavier Truss started in his place at left tackle.
The reshuffled line struggled to keep a clean pocket for JT Daniels, along with an inability to run the football against the Bearcats defense.
Mixing the offensive line units will help Georgia find their best five linemen as they head into fall camp.
Young Receivers Sharing the Spotlight
Heading into spring practice, Georgia’s receiving room looked to be one of the best returning receiving corps in the country. Things would change early on in Georgia’s spring program as George Pickens went down with a torn ACL injury.
Pickens was the jack in the box for the Georgia passing attack, his ability to win the 50-50 balls made him a favorite target of JT Daniels in his four games as the starter at quarterback. Replacing George’s production will be at the forefront of Georgia fan’s minds as G-Day approaches.
Throughout the spring, we’ve seen the names of younger receivers pop up on our social media feeds as Georgia is looking for young receivers to step up and help fill the void of Pickens. Getting a guy like a redshirt freshman Justin Robinson or freshman Adonai Mitchell significant snaps on G-Day will benefit their development.
Robinson and true freshman Adonai Mitchell both have seen their names popping up in the news as the hype around them builds.
Getting the Tight Ends involved in the Vertical Passing Game
A recurring theme in every Georgia fan’s wishlist for the offense each year has been getting more out of the tight ends. With Darnell Washington’s potential as high as his 6 foot 7 frame, the big number zero captured the fanbase’s attention from the day he stepped foot on campus in Athens.
With Washington and John Fitzpatrick returning as the most experienced players at the position, they will look to lead the group. With freshman Brock Bowers impressing throughout the spring so far, the future looks bright.
With the injuries to George Pickens, Jermaine Burton, Dominick Blaylock, and Marcus Rosemy keeping those receivers out of the spring game. Getting the tight ends involved in the passing game is something we’d all like to see at G-Day and beyond.