Georgia football: 4 players I'm keeping a close eye on down the stretch, besides QB
Saturday was supposed to be Georgia’s chance to respond to a loss to Florida. They needed a complete effort against Missouri to get back on track and keep themselves in the SEC East race.
COVID-19, though, has cast a pall of uncertainty. Its effects on the college football schedule have never been heavier than this past weekend, as 15 games — 4 in the SEC — were postponed or canceled. The Bulldogs’ desire to hit the field would have to wait until a contest against Mississippi State next Saturday.
The bad news: Georgia’s window of opportunity in the SEC East is just about closed. The good news: If they run the table, they could put themselves into a New Year’s 6 bowl. Considering the expectations the Dawgs have put on themselves annually under Kirby Smart, that’s a disappointment. But it might be all they can hope for.
And the schedule is favorable: Each of their remaining opponents has a sub-.500 record. That being said, the way they have played in their past few games — and with a very big piece of the puzzle to put into place (we all know what that is) — they may be setting themselves up for an upset.
Here are 4 players, 2 on offense and 2 on defense, whom I’ll be keeping especially close tabs on in these remaining games, outside of whoever is chosen to play quarterback:
Jermaine Burton, WR
Burton’s numbers are far from eye-popping. He’s not having the impact that Dominick Blaylock and George Pickens had as true freshmen in 2019. And he has had a quiet past 2 games, finding himself not highly involved in the offensive game plan.
That should change against Mississippi State, with Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint sidelined and the Dawgs looking for another wideout to complement Pickens and Kearis Jackson. Burton showcased his speed against Tennessee, recording a 43-yard run on a jet sweep, and had 4 catches for 58 yards against Alabama.
The future’s bright for the first-year player, and with more stability at quarterback, he can become a reliable target over the next few years. He’ll get a chance to take a step closer toward that goal during the remaining games.
James Cook, RB
Cook is that versatile Swiss Army knife-type player that this Georgia offense needs. We saw that during the Alabama game, where he made 4 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown while receiving 5 carries out of the backfield. His performance against Kentucky saw him take 6 carries for 39 yards and 4 catches for 62 yards.
While we didn’t see nearly that level of production against Florida, it’s in the best interest of Todd Monken to keep Cook involved on a weekly basis. He should receive more carries with Kendall Milton out of the lineup while continuing to be a key figure in the receiving game, as the junior is on track for a career season.
Adam Anderson, LB
There’s a chance Azeez Ojulari will be gone after the season, but having a quietly solid season behind him at the Jack linebacker slot is Anderson, who had a pair of sacks against Auburn and split a 3rd against Kentucky,
He has played in all but 1 game this year. I’d look for his time on the field to increase, as he could be in line to step in for Ojulari if — big if — the latter decides to declare for the NFL Draft.
In any event, Anderson has made the most of his opportunities more often than not in the linebacker rotation.
Christopher Smith, SS
The injury to Richard LeCounte was not only a loss for the Georgia secondary but a massive emotional blow to the entire Dawgs defense.
All eyes shifted to Smith to see how he would fare in place of his teammate. Despite a disappointing showing for a group that allowed a career-best passing day to Florida’s Kyle Trask, the junior from Atlanta finished with 3 tackles. He’ll play a much bigger role in 2021, so by all accounts, these remaining games standing in for LeCounte should serve as an extended audition.
I question whole premise of article. Our season is done. I’m looking for next year as most Dawg fans are. Cook never has shone his hype. Chris Smithbis good but No Le Counte. Anderson is beast hope he stays. Burton next year.
Your poor excuse os a college is done…don’t you see? you have a dumb coach, you have dumb players and you live in a state named after a british king that was against AMERICA! Everything about you stinks!
In terms of expectations, of course there is a look toward next year. But the season isn’t done and I’m not done being a fan of this team this year. You sound entitled and like a bandwagon fan.
Eh, I really don’t care which players step up as long as someone does. This years team doesn’t seem to have any identity at all. They don’t scare you on Defense anymore with the injuries and the way they’ve played in big games.
Certainly no Offensive identity other than running the ball but even that hasn’t gone as thought before the season. Zeus had a total of 7 carries vs Florida? Cook is to small to be running between the tackles as he been asked to do every season.
UGA has 2 pretty good plus one decent TE and they’ve been an afterthought this year. If Florida can use Pitts, why can’t UGA use Washington similarly? He doesn’t need 10 touches per game but for petes sake….he’s 6’7″…Monken can’t figure out a way to get him the ball? And I don’t want to hear the tired excuse from Kirby “We can only take what the Defense gives us”….other teams seemed to have figured out a way around that.
Step up? you should say step down you dirty dog…
I get the frustration, but Washington is still a freshman. Keep in mind Pitts had 3 receptions for 73 yards and 1 TD as a freshman. Darnell has 2 receptions for 59 yards with no spring ball and needs to get his conditioning better.
Cook used to only run the jet sweep and I think he’s been able to keep defenses honest by occasionally running in between the tackles although it’s not every time he touches the ball. I think he’s done pretty well between the tackles. You can only do so much with what the OL gives you.
UGA can’t have an offensive identity until a QB steps up otherwise we will look like Kentucky’s run only offense from last year. Having no leadership at the most important position on offense has not helped in terms of setting an identity.
You all are pieces of dog crap. dirty coach, dirty scum british dogs…that piece of crap excuse of a player hitting Kyle Pitts hopefully will have a career ending injury….your 5 star players are as good as the rear end licking of a dog…
I’m looking at Salyer. Not a sexy position to watch but he’s been good not great. He may need to stay a year to improve his draft stock and he may need to bump down to LG. He’s looked a little slow in pass pro but is still doing pretty well in run blocking. I think they may have better options at LT moving forward next year if he stays but I would like to see him move down to guard.
Excellent points, would love to see Broderick progress this off-season and make a push for the LT position.