when he says this about defending the HUNH:
“Based on all assurances, especially when you bring in medical people, they say it’s more of a conditioning matter than it is truly a medical item.”
Then, the question becomes what do you want to do about it? Do you have the NCAA step in to protect programs that don’t make a maximum effort to condition their players? Or do you leave it up to the schools to proceed along these lines?
Pruitt is looking for Georgia’s big defensive linemen to slim down also. Georgia lists linemen John Taylor, John Atkins and Chris Mayes at 336, 322 and 321 pounds, respectively.
“We’re trying to get some of our bigger guys down,” Pruitt said. “Personally, we feel like everybody’s heavy. We’d like to be a little faster. That’s just, I guess, out preference. Trying to slim up just a little, including the coaching staff.”
Defensive end Ray Drew said he’s gone from a high of 287 last season to 282 and hopes to get down to 275 by the fall.
Get The Picture 
“Personally, we feel like everybody’s heavy…” Did CJP just re-open the Pandora’s box of S&C issues?
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No. The previous staff wanted tub of lard interior defenders. The s & c guys delivered what Grantham ordered.
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“Slimming up” all the defensive lineman sounds like a plan to use a four man front more than a three man front.
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Now I’m thinking basketball needs a 20 second break after every 35 seconds of play- for safety.
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These coaches need to stop talking about player safety unless they want to talk about reducing the # of games played. Fewer games = better health for players.
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If fewer games = better health, then doesn’t it follow that fewer plays would also = better health?
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This is the right response to Bielema and Saban: “if you’re so concerned about your players getting fatigued against HUNH offenses, then why don’t you make sure that they are thinner and have better endurance?”
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Pruitt’s comments have nothing to do with safety or the rule change.
He’s looking at the condition of his guys. He’s been watching film, and observing them in mats. I’ve been looking at it for a long time now, and haven’t been happy with our linemen on either side of the ball. We’ve been sluggish for a long time, and on the OL both slow and sluggish.
And of course, we’ve been soft. Everybody we play knows it. Now, it looks like we might get back to being Georgia again on defense. And that, traditionally, has never been soft. So that’s exciting.
The OL? Who knows. I have no clue. But I’m sure not expecting much, either with S&C or play on the field.
This is a good development, IMO, and another indication that Pruitt really knows what he’s doing.
~~~
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Oh don’t worry. If the game warrants it, Saban will recruit leaner players. Pick your poison.
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Or: “You’re under no obligation to play tired. If you’re gassed, lay down. It’s totally within the rules.”
If I am a defensive coach, I’m done doing the “honorable” thing and telling my guys to play at 75%, then shrugging when he blows an assignment and lets a guy run for 50. I think the definition of “injury timeout” is going to be a major topic of debate by mid-season.
And then they can pass yet another rule favoring the offense. Wheee.
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Glad to hear CJP state it, have felt we were too carrying too much weight for the height on both NG and OL. Look athletic and GATA, we have focused on mass for too long, especially along the offensive line.
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Glad to read that Pruitt wants the big guys to slim down. It is what is best for their future health. Always felt that the emphasis on bulk the past quarter century created a couple of generations of former players significantly more prone to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. For my tastes leaner and quicker players makes for a better game, too.
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