Kirby Smart comments on George Pickens' ejection against Georgia Tech after throwing punch
Already thin at receiver following the recent practice injury of Lawrence Cager, Georgia will be without George Pickens for the first half of the 2019 SEC Championship Game against LSU next weekend thanks to a foolish decision on the field.
If you missed it, Pickens was involved in an altercation during the Georgia Tech game and was ejected from the game for throwing a punch. The Tech player was not ejected, only Pickens was ejected from the game.
Because the ejection came in the second half of the game, Pickens is now facing a mandatory first-half suspension for Georgia’s next game, which just so happens to be the biggest game of the year for the Bulldogs.
Following the game, Kirby Smart was asked to share his reaction to Pickens’ actions and the receiver’s ejection.
“Just disappointed, that’s the biggest thing. We don’t want to reflect ourselves that way,” Smart said. “He would be the first one to tell you that. He lost his composure.”
Georgia now faces the tall task of playing without Pickens and Lawrence against LSU which means the rest of the Bulldog receivers need to be ready to step up next weekend.
How did Smart think they looked on Saturday?
“We did some good things, we did some things that we have to do better,” Smart answered. “We have to put them in a position to be successful. We got the ball into play-action and do more in that mentality.
“A lot of our scores are set up by punt returns or the one fumble in the end zone by those guys. Just got to keep improving. I’m proud of the way the receivers have worked, they got a ton of reps this week.”
Nice
Tech started it, they both threw punches, but I think it was Pickens’ ramming the other guy’s head into the wall that may have taken it to the kick out level for them.
They never flag the guy that started it. And you can’t escalate it in front of the refs and not expect the flag. Throwing Swilling into the wall got Pickens tossed. The ref couldn’t ignore it.
I think they both should have been ejected, but that’s semantics. It’s not like that Tech player mattered to the outcome. But Pickens has to remain composed. He’s a freshman.
Fortunately LSU doesn’t have a defense. Losing Pickens for a half won’t hurt. If Swift is out then it’s a whole different game.
guessing you missed the game against a&m yesterday?
Their Defense has been like our Offense…Good enough with flashes of being really good.
Unfortunately our last offensive flash of “Really Good” was way back in the Florida game. LSU’s defensive one was last night.
Georgia is going to have to take it to another level next week to have a shot if LSU’s defense shows up in any form.
Pickens is very talented but seems to be an all about me player… maybe that will change with maturity…I think people are a little mislead by LSU’s defense…most of the points they have given up ..are after they are up by 3 or 4 scores…and UGA is going into the game like a one leg man in a a** kicking contest…no Cager, Pickens and who knows about Swift…
Same old story here. If Georgia can run it and keep LSU’s offense off the field their Defense can probably keep them in it. But why would LSU just not stack the box at this point and make Jake Fromm beat them? I mean he can…he has been in big games but based on this year’s performance I would definitely make him prove it and if it devolves into a shootout LSU has got to like their chances.
This is probably the only conference championship where we are going to learn something about both teams. If LSU can light up the scoreboard on UGA’s Defense, you have to say they are the favorites. If Georgia’s D can give the offense just enough room you have to like them against any of the playoff teams.
The Pac-12 is the only other matchup I care about honestly. I think Utah is better than they get credit for and I would have liked to have seen them play another top 10 team, Oregon is still a solid team that they can make a statement against.
Big 10…Who Cares. Ohio State should win big just like last time. Big 12? Baylor had their shot and choked. ACC…well I’ll watch it for a bit just because if the unthinkable happens I’ll want to see it but I bet I’ll have turned it off before halftime.
Here is my problem with Georgia as a title contender. Can they beat LSU Saturday? Maybe, and that is a maybe with a ton of if’s but yes, they have a shot for sure. But to win the title I am afraid they will have to do it twice.
Then again, there is the 800 pound gorilla…the other Tigers in the playoffs. I have watched them and the fact that their schedule was weak doesn’t mean they aren’t really good. They have the best coach and QB in the whole thing. All respect to Burrow and Fields, but Trevor Lawrence has been there and is on a different level.
Here’s the thing with Pickens for me, you just can’t do it. You just can’t. It’s a freshman mistake. It’s the emotion of already being upset that you had to miss the first half, and then you have a little gnat in your ear and you just want to swat it.
But look at the onside kick and watch Walter Grant. He’s trying to get the ball in the pile and he has his helmet ripped off by a tech player and he doesn’t do a thing. Cause he knows it’s not worth it.