When the University of Georgia announced its hiring of former New York Jets/St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, I almost jumped out my seat with excitement at the thought of what one of my favorite NFL coaches could bring to my hometown team.

Coach Schott is one of the rare breed of coaches whose philosophical approach is hard to define, simply, because he’s versed in just about every scheme imaginable: “Air Coryell,” West Coast, “Erhardt-Perkins,” Spread and Option.

Not to mention as a former quarterback at the University of Florida, he knows what high-level QB play looks like. (I know some of you are steaming with that line.)

His predecessor, former UGA QB Mike Bobo, did a fantastic job tutoring QBs, rendering his offensive approach multiplistic and consistently featuring the run game.

There were rumors that his replacement might be someone deeply rooted in the spread-to-pass philosophy, or even possibly the “Air Raid” offense — which believes the quick passing game can act as a primary extension of the run — so thank the man above that didn’t come to fruition.

While either style can certainly be effective, there’s something to be said for one of most talented teams, year-in and year-out, being rooted in a Pro-Style attack.

UGA will always be able to recruit traditional pocket-passing signal-callers, just like it will continue to be among the teams vying for the title of “Running Back University.”

With that being said, the hire of Schottenheimer will continue to pay dividends as all Georgia fans have hoped for.

And we got a glimpse of that in the annual G-Day game.

High-Efficiency Throws/Multi-Tight Sets

The first thing you notice about Coach Schott’s play-calling is that it is heavily ladened with back-to-the basket play-action fakes with rollouts, which are primarily designed to cut down on the entire-field reads for his inexperienced QBs: Faton Bauta, Brice Ramsey and Jacob Park.

Ramsey has more of a traditional makeup where he is little further along with the nuances and can work the full-progression reads better at this point in time.

He has above average arm-strength and may be little more aggressive than his predecessor, former fifth-year senior Hutson Mason.

However, this type of team doesn’t necessarily need a QB who’ll force throws as it’s loaded with weapons at the skilled positions — most notably tight ends Jeb Blazevich, Jay Rome and Jordan Davis.

Bauta, on the other hand, is a good athlete who might work best playing small ball off play-action fakes where he has a run-pass option.

BautaPA

Here’s a prime of example of how Bauta can give defenses fits: On this play-action Y-Drag call, Bauta actually has “Levels” options as the split end is running the same Drag the tight end is.

Also, it gets an athlete like Bauta out in space where he will have the full attention of all the players out on the edges with his ability to manufacture first downs. I love this play because it got the ball into the hands of the very physical Davis against second- and third-level defenders.

BautaTDDavis

Look at this conflict of assignment for the rushing weak-side linebacker. Although you could say he may have gotten the sack, there’s still a very good chance Bauta would’ve gotten this pass over his head.

But most importantly, Davis, this time aligned up as the second TE/H-back, took an underneath crosser right past the defender who had him as an assignment. Similar concept to the previous sequence, but that subtle deploying of the TE causes a major conflict in assignment.

And how about the acceleration from Davis?

BautaBSfade

Here’s another play that stood out for me: Bauta was able to execute a back-shoulder fade after applying some really sound technique.

He showed some foot quickness and agility in the way he executed his 5-step drop in his gather phase; he displayed excellent weight transfer; he has a very quick release.

But most expect Ramsey to be the QB under center for the ‘Dawgs when the season jumps off.

The redshirt sophomore seems to have been tutored well with his mechanics, which is paramount when you are a little more aggressive in nature. He seems to be a pretty decent athlete who will attempt to manufacture yards after going through his progressions.

However, he does seem to lock-in on his primary read  — which will eventually get him in trouble turnover-wise.

But I really like what I see from his ability to navigate Coach Schott’s vertical concepts in his playbook.

RamseyBang8

You have to be impressed with his mechanics on this “Bang 8” he threw for a TD. The spacing in his gather phase was almost perfect; having a strong, sturdy base is imperative as quarterbacking is won or lost from the feet up.

Having your feet too close together makes you a sitting duck in the face of pressure, while proper spacing allows you to launch off your drive leg when making throws of the longer variety.

Additionally, he kept the proper bend in his point leg, which is the primary basis for accuracy. Many fans wanted Ramsey to take over for Mason as many felt the latter was an inferior prospect who lacked the prerequisite arm strength to truly compete.

While that may have been the case, it’s hard to say Ramsey is any better of a prospect, but I do know that Mason wasn’t going to beat himself by being turnover prone (Ga Tech withstanding).

And when you have an offense that will feature throws of the short-to-intermediate, and is predicted on a high-powered, between-the-tackles rushing attack, taking care of the ball should be of the utmost priority.

Park is raw as sushi but has piston-like release and is very athletic; there’s no shortage of options at the QB position in Athens.

But, to be honest, it’s hard to concentrate on any of these players with the talented Jacob Eason set to step foot on campus for the 2016-17 season.

The future, like always, is bright for them ‘Dawgs.

But who would you start?