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Kirby Smart reflects on QB/OC transition and Carson Beck’s decision making
By Keith Farner
Published:
Kirby Smart maintains that his transition between a new quarterback and a new offensive coordinator was not a typical one for a program.
Carson Beck’s experience in the Georgia program was unique and different from a sophomore taking the reins of the offense. Smart said it’s rare for a QB to be in a system for 4 years before he steps into a starting role.
“I felt comfortable that he knew the system,” Smart said Monday at his regular press conference, “I wanted to keep the system the same, and those guys have transitioned well together. … The flexibility of the offense is usually tied to what a quarterback can handle, and our quarterback, not only because he’s smart, but because he’s also of age and been in the same system for multiple years.”
Smart was asked about an ESPN stat that said Beck became the 3rd quarterback in the last decade to throw 4 touchdown passes and complete 85% of the passes against the blitz.
Smart said Beck can do that because he understands the protection, and route structure.
“Carson Beck is very good at that because he’s very composed,” Smart said, and then referred to Beck’s baseball background. “There’s no greater pressure than when you have to throw a strike. Nobody can help you throw that strike. No coach, no pitching coach. You got to stand out there and throw a strike. And that pressure is not the same as a man running in your face, but it is pressure. And he does well under pressure, and he has 10 good friends that are on the same page with him.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.