JT Daniels' father comments on Kirby Smart waiting to play his son
There were two common reactions among Georgia fans to JT Daniels’ stellar performance on Saturday night against Mississippi State. Bulldogs fans were thrilled to have a productive quarterback; they also wondered what took so long.
UGA beat reporter Mike Griffith of Dawg Nation spoke to Steve Daniels, JT’s father. The older Daniels approved of Smart’s handling of the UGA quarterback’s situation coming back from injury.
“As parents, Ali and I feel blessed to be at a place like Georgia with a coach like Kirby, who put our son’s health first and foremost,” Steve Daniels said. “Kirby didn’t rush him or put him out there too soon, and that’s why you come to a place like this, for this kind of support.
“Look at the support Kirby and the staff gave D’Wan Mathis the year before,” Daniels said, referencing Mathis’ emergency brain surgery in spring of 2019.
Steve noted that he personally observed JT before the season and could tell his son wasn’t game ready.
“I was out here in August and saw JT in a scrimmage, and you could tell he wasn’t 100 percent,” Steve said.
“You could see it in JT’s throws, he wasn’t able to get the same velocity on some of his passes, and that’s one of the things that separates him, is his accuracy.”
JT will look to stay hot as the Dawgs aim to get revenge on South Carolina for last year’s loss.
There’s a large segment of CFB fans that apparently equate being medically cleared with immediately starting. QBs, as with other positions, need to be fully confident and mentally ready to go 100% after recovering from a major injury. Plus, it takes time to accumulate a sufficient quantity of snaps in practice to both regain that confidence and demonstrate it to the team and coaches. That’s even harder to do when the team is preparing for opponents every week. Mentally or physically re-injuring him would be a significant lose-lose situation.
Maybe so. But I’ll take half of JT Daniels over all of Stetson Bennett!!!! ALL DAY LONG!!!!
King Negan
I agree and especially with this COVID season. The season counts but with players opting out and teams cancelling games it just doesn’t seem as important. I wouldn’t risk it over this season. I think they handled it perfectly. They get an extra year of eligibility so bring him in now to get experience and make sure he’s healthy for next year.
Ditto. MSU seemed like the perfect time to bring him in for snaps. This season will have an asterisk next to anyone who wins the CFP. Its just a crap season and I say that knowing it may be Bama with the asterisk. 2020 is just one big ole crap year.
No asterisk if Bama wins (or any other SEC team). All asterisks go away after playing an all SEC schedule.
There will be an asterisk no matter who wins. That’s not meant as a negative. Extremely odd yr that will be noted as such.
Whoever wins this yr won’t have anything to be ashamed of because of that. I’d take it as an honor to battle thru a pandemic and win.
In August yes that MIGHT be true. Still in week 2, he was ready. And not a soul on earth will convince me that he wasn’t better than Stetson Bennett all season!!!! JT Daniels at his very worst is better than Stetson Bennett at his best.
EVERYONE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL, GOT TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT I’VE BEEN SAYING. JT DANIELS IS THE BEST QB ON THE UGA ROSTER, PERIOD!!!!
Carson Beck is the second best. Carson has superstar written all over him as well!!!! In fact Carson Beck might give JT Daniels a run for his money!!!! These were the guys I thought would be one and two. When I predicted UGA would win the national championship this season. And with a healthy defense. Along with JT Daniels at QB. I THINK ANYONE CAN SEE I WAS PROBABLY RIGHT!!!!
Next season we will have JT Daniels, Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff. To go with the TOP WRS IN THE COUNTRY NEXT SEASON. George Pickens, Burton, Blaylock and Jackson. Then A Smith and Marcus R!!!! And a bunch of others!!!! While Alabama will be starting a red shirt freshmen. No Devonte Smith!!! They will have Waddle back. Florida will lose Kyle Pitts and Kyle Trask to the NFL DRAFT. Along with most if not all their starting WRS!!!!!!!!
SINCE MULLEN CAN’T RECRUIT. FLORIDA WILL BE STUCK WITH EMORY JONES TRYING TO BE DAK PRESCOTT!!! In other words. THE FUN AND GUN WILL AGAIN BE RETIRED!!!! Florida will not be deadly offensively!!! BECAUSE OF PERSONNEL. FLORIDA WILL BE FORCED TO PLAY TRADITIONAL MULLEN BALL. THE DEFENSE IS LIKELY TO FALL OFF EVEN WORSE THAN THIS SEASON!!! SO ENJOY YOUR EAST TITLE THIS SEASON. BECAUSE ITS COMING BACK HOME TO UGA!!!!
THAT IS IF FLORIDA CAN HOLD ON!!!
Mullen is known for LATE SEASON COLLAPSES!!! THEY DIDN’T EXACTLY SHINE AGAINST VANDY!!!! And they made sure that teams that can beat them are still on the schedule!!!! Tennessee might be good enough. LSU COULD GET LUCKY!!!! LOSE TO THOSE AND GUESS WHO WINS THE EAST??? AGAIN, MULLEN IS KNOWN FOR IT!!!!
PS. I honestly still believe that UGA is still in it for the east!!! Because of who Florida still has to play and Mullen’s late season collapses!!! And GRANTHAM!!!!!!!!
King Negan
You are the Wolfman of Georgia. That takes some doing btw.
Yeah he is.. Nobody reads his stupid posts anyway..
BamaTime……….I told you a long time ago. I AM STRAIGHT!!!! No need in being bitter!!!! I like girls. Can’t you get it into your head?
PS. And stop sending me flowers! I’m just trying to save you money.
KN
Me think the lady protests too much.
I see the whiny lil bit@h is at it again. Sure has been nice him being holed up in hideing the last few weeks. If we had lost to Miss st last night wouldn’t have had to hear his nonsense until next year, but he is the king. KINGCRYBABY.
Dawgtime……..Do I know you? I get it. You must be the guy that BamaTime is always raving about. SOME THINK ITS TACKY WHEN COUPLES DRESS ALIKE! Oh well. I’m glad your here whoever you are. Now BamaTime can stop hitting on me!!!!
So you wanted UGA to lose? Some kind of fan you are. Possibly feel a bit stupid? You wanted the mailman!!! By the way. Your boyfriend is the whiny lil bit@h punk!!!
PS. Now that your back. Tell your boyfriend to stop sending me flowers!!!
King Negan
Dude you’re a fat
negan, what happened the last time a freshman Bama QB played Georgia? A 2nd&26 TD to beat your Dawgs. 26-23 chump. Your team beat a two win Miss St by only seven and were lucky to win. Bama beat that same team 41-0.
It’s also a pitiful shame that if Daniels is your best QB on the roster as you alluded to, that you have to get a transfer since no one else is any good.
I bet TJ is glad that your not his father. It’s a riot you know more than dad does.
It’s JT not TJ!!!! Why aren’t you out looking for your son Darth? Go play in the traffic daddy Skywalker!!!
PS. Still into star wars after all these years????
King Negan
Oh why, WHY didn’t our head coach and athletic director recognize your unparalleled genius, Negan? I weep to think what could have been if we had brought you in as OC instead of some NFL veteran who clearly doesn’t know half as much as you. Every true UGA fan should immediately besiege the UGA athletic department and refuse to let up until this disastrous error is rectified. It can’t happen soon enough!
Boy, I bet you feel better. Showing some emotion in that typing
Maybe this will shut a few people up.
Seems to me that daddy and son are saying two different things.
Some articles take the first sentence JT said about the timing of his start and stop. That one sentence can be read to sound like JT thought he should have gone sooner, but JT’s full comment matches what his dad and the coaches have said. Also, players always want to play, so it’s not surprising that he would sound eager.
(JT is responding to a reporter who asked about why it took so long for him to see the field):
“You said it right there, that is not my decision. I’ve been getting healthy and getting as many reps as I can with the scout team, trying to get with the receivers as much as I can, making sure I know the play book and just getting ready.
It feels really good, this is the first time I’ve taken a (game) snap since Aug. 31, 2019, in another part of the country, and I really couldn’t be happier and more appreciative to Coach Smart, Coach Monken, and the team.”
@Dirty South…….Don’t it though!!!!
KN
negan, can your team beat S. Carolina this year? They lost to them last year in Athens when they were 4-8. SC is worse this year so maybe you have a chance. Your team struggled mightily against MSU and only won by 7 against a depleted team with JT at center. I wasn’t impressed at all. Bama blasted that same team 41-0. I’d be worried. Very worried.
Never been a big fan of Smart but I truly respect him for putting JT’s health first.
This is a little better look for The Dawgs and CKS. I am still wondering what happened to the defense Saturday though? Most other SEC defenses have had no problem shutting down the one dimensional attack of Miss St. On top of that they started a freshmen at QB and One at Runningback. It was odd to see them struggle. Are you all still struggling with injuries?
Yes, injuries definitely impacted defense. No excuse as young guys need to step up but I truly believe not having the leadership from LeCounte is impacting the secondary. Regardless, MISS State played hard and had a good offensive game plan.
Terrible game plan and adjustments the players wasn’t really that bad just bad defense game plane imo and I think Monken only knows short side of the field he ran right every run play but maybe 3
We played a 3 man front with 4 linebackers in 8yd deep zone the entire game. Only blitzed 3 times before the 4th quarter (corner blitz at that). Literally did the same thing EVERY down.
Frustrating. I feel your pain. We made Vandy look good. I want Grantham gone. I try not have a knee jerk reaction to these things but we have been waiting on a championship offense for a decade and now this. The stakes are to high to let a DC screw things up. I say go get Muschamp but everyone thinks I am nuts or that it will never happen. The man can coach defense and recruit. Players love him.
Mister2Bits……..Nope, Muschamp isn’t coming to Florida as a DC! Not after firing him as head coach. Plus Muschamp is going to sign with UGA as soon as he sees the head coaching market isn’t interested.
PS. Kirby should have already called him!!! Everything you said is the truth. And UGA is where he belongs!!!!
KN
Either way one thing is for sure. He is not a HC. He could make a lot of money somewhere as a DC. I actually like him as a coach but if you don’t win…you know how it goes.
Mister2Bits………Your wondering what happened to the defense? UMM SAME THING THAT HAPPENED VS FLORIDA. THEIR ALL INJURED!!!! WE HAD THE BIGGEST BEST PART OF THE DEFENSE INJURED AND NEVER PLAYED VS FLORIDA!!!
A few others who played were doing do injured. George Pickens never played against Florida. And even his replacement got hurt. Now you yourself see who we had RIDING THE BENCH who could have and should have played QB against Florida.
The simple fact is. Our whole defense was out against Florida! Our top WR was out against Florida. And the midget is still our 5TH STRING QB!!!! Florida did not come close to beating the real Georgia!!!! THAT GAP IS AS WIDE AS EVER!!!!
Next season Florida will struggle just to be middle of the field in the SEC EAST!!!! Mullen’s coolaid is only working thanks to all the injuries UGA has had. But I’m sure you enjoy it all the same.
PS. But don’t celebrate just yet. Mullen is known for late season collapses. Y’all still have a few teams that can beat you.
King Negan
Bama played UGA’s defense a full strength and beat them soundly. What’s your pitiful excuse on that? I know you have one.
lol this is such a crazy response to a cordial question about injuries at UGA. I don’t follow the Dawgs and happened to see the game against Miss St. and was wondering what was up. I get some normal responses and then this bi-polar rant about the Gators. Not interested in talking trash if it’s not cocktail party. Just when you think you can have some normal sports talk on the UGA page. Negan shows up. Yikes.
Next year’s UGA – Bama game will be hyped on both coasts. Bryce Young vs JT Daniels. Looking forward to it pans out.
That would require them meeting in the SECCG since they’re not scheduled to play again during the regular season for several years. Hope we see that.
Mountain Dog…….UGA will be in that SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME next year. Heck their not out of it yet this year! I still say. Mullen is famous for late season collapses!!!!
As for next season. UGA will have a great starter and an elite backup. I only hope that Stetson Bennett transfers out!!! Otherwise I’m scared to death that he might be an option. Even seeing what everyone has seen!!!! Something about that dude that Kirby likes. BUT I DON’T!!!!!
I mean he is okay up to a point. But that low ceiling really cost us this year!!!! I told everyone that Daniels was in the same league as Trevor Lawrence and no one believed me. But 401 through the air and 4 TD Passes speak for themselves!!!
PS. And there were 2 other TD passes that the WR just dropped!!! Just a reminder. ITS TIME TO START HYPING UGA VS CLEMSON IN GAME ONE NEXT SEASON!!!!
King Negan
You need to change your name to King Excuse. You’re full of them.
AlwaysnextyearU …
It might be easier to see this through the eyes of baseball. On Wednesday, a star pitcher that has been out for Tommy John surgery is cleared to pitch again after several months of rehab, but he isn’t going to start against the Dodgers Sunday afternoon.
He goes on a 12-day schedule, beginning by tossing lobs from about 10 feet away and then 25 feet away and then 40 feet away and then 60.5 feet away and then 80, 100, up to 150 feet away. He is not on a pitching mound at all during this time.
Then, he begins throwing a little harder from 45 feet and then 60.5 feet and only 4-seam fastballs.
After a couple weeks, he then throws one simulated inning off the mound and then 2 innings, maybe another one or two extra simulated appearances.
Next, if there have been no flare ups, it’s off to Low A minor league rehab assignment where he will be on a strict pitch count. Many only get 25 pitches in their first appearance.
Then, it’s up to 50 pitches, and after that time, he might be sent up to AA or possibly AAA depending on the recovery time from the prior appearance. By the time this pitcher is cleared to return to The Show, he’s several months past the time he was medically cleared to play again.
Daniels may have been medically cleared, but it’s rather apparent he needed the rehab assignment at Georgia before he could see real live action. Kudos to Coach Smart. That will win him future prized recruits.
Sorry but JT Daniels outplayed everyone in camp including Jaime Newman!!! He was the very reason that Jaime Newman opted out!!! He was ready to go in week 2!!! Smart took his time because he takes after Nick Saban!!!! He loves a nice safe QB that doesn’t turn the ball over.
The fact is if Stetson Bennett hadn’t thrown all those interceptions. He would have remained the QB! And UGA would have only got Stetson and D’wan ready as usual. AND WE WOULD HAVE LOST AGAINST MISSISSIPPI STATE, PERIOD!!!!!
Now those are the facts!!! This is not baseball and he is not a pitcher! He is a QB who hurt his knee not his throwing arm!!! Had he played since week 2, he would probably have thrown 6 TD PASSES against Florida and won!!!!
PS. Alabama fans. All these injuries bought you a little time. But next season we’ll be back. And we will have a deadly QB starting. And a shiny new guy on the bench. Just waiting in case he is needed for our 2nd and 26!!!!
King Negan
Always next year negan. Always next year. You’re like the little boy who cried wolf. Bama owns your a$$ and will continue to do so. I’m disappointed we won’t get to beat you again in ATL but you enjoy your consolation bowl. 2nd&26, 41-24, 26-23, 32-28 chump. Now go out and beat SC this weekend. You lost to them last year in Athens. Pitiful.
P.S. Bama played your defense at full strength and Mac torched them. You can’t hide behind your pathetic excuses all your life. It’s time you eat them and accept that you were beaten by a better team negan. Your a clown full of excuses.
Excuses only mean you’re weak.
AlwaysnextyearU strikes again..
Well, JT’S Father’s positive comments sure put a chill on most of the, I really hate Kirby negative comments.
I REALLY LOVE KIRBY!!!! BUT I REALLY HATE THE WAY HE LET FLORIDA BEAT US. KEEPING THE BEST QB IN THE COUNTRY ON THE BENCH. WHILE PLAYING AN AVERAGE MIDGET, WHO COULDN’T GET IT PAST THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE!!!!
Apparently you Georgia fans on this site don’t hate losing to Florida the way I do!!!! And for what reason? Injuries? Yep! But we still win with JT DANIELS PLAYING!!! I wouldn’t feel this way if I knew that Florida played the best we had!!!! But they didn’t play half our best. Not even half!!!
PS. One season doesn’t erase the other three!!! Not when a healthy UGA IS STILL BY FAR THE BEST!!!
King Negan
Don’t you get tired of spewing off that crap negan? JT was lucky the Dawgs beat a depleted MSU team that hung around the entire game. Won by only 7? Absolutely pathetic.
Actually, I don’t think he ever tires of catching so many fish. Especially in this target rich environment.
Yes but, Daniels stats were pretty darn good. Should they have scored more than 31? That’s anyone’s guess.
Want to catch a fish? Mention UGA and 1980….
Actually you but when it has nothing to do with you JTF..
Are you JT Daniels?
Hey please don’t post this, it goes against my anti-Kirby/uga narrative and I don’t want to see any other sides than my own.
In all seriousness, many questioned why someone like JT would go to UGA when Newman was there. This was actually the reasoning I gave. A QB coming off a knee injury doesn’t need to be rushed, and UGA has its fair share of helping players recover and move on to play in the NFL – Sony, Chubb, Gurley. Then of course there was the press surrounding the handling of the Dwan situation and saving his life. I’m proud of how this situation was handled.
Many have pointed out that UGA wouldn’t have even won Bama/UF with JT (and for good reason) which I think just goes to show the right decision was made. Why risk a players health (ever) but especially in a covid season? And for what? Slim chance at a title? These coaches manage the roster for more than one season (ideally).
Gurley didn’t return to UGA after his injury. He was so dayumm good he still got drafted in the top 10 in spite of an ACL injury. I don’t remember Sony sustaing a serious injury while at UGA. Chubb definitely had that ACL injury in his sophomore year and came back. What a year he was having.
I think the majority of fans in Georgia are fine with letting Smart make the decisions over the armchair guys. The Dad’s comments and support should stop the stupid comments about Smart not knowing how to coach. Its ridiculous.