If you’re looking for a shot of optimism this morning, MaconDawg serves one up for you in this post.
I am more confident in Kirby Smart than I was when he was hired because he has demonstrated to me that he is willing to forego results in the short term in order to build a team that should be better in 2017, and could be really, really, really good in 2018 if all goes according to plan. Because he clearly has a plan, it is a good plan, and I think that it is really the only plan capable of getting Georgia where it wants to go, even if I am less than sure that it will work.
I do think that’s Kirby Smart’s strongest point right now. I also think that the short term is painful because Georgia has chosen to take its lumps with a guy who’s learning on the job. It wouldn’t have been my way of doing things, but that’s water under the bridge right now.
Get The Picture 
I read the article, and I could see where he was going until he tried to say Nicholls was almost the Southland Conference leader. Thank goodness I didn’t have coffee or I would have spit it all over my phone.
I trust he has a plan … I don’t trust he has the offensive staff to carry it out. His statement that Chaney is better than Schottenheimer is like saying Schlitz is better than Milwaukee’s Best.
LikeLike
I have to imagine being OC at UGA with Chubb/Michel/Eason isn’t one of the best college football jobs out there. Smart could have chosen almost anyone (well, maybe not Dan Enos). I don’t think Chaney’s as bas as we’re making him out to be but he’s certainly not an inspired choice.
LikeLike
Totally agree. My point about Chaney is that if he were the offensive genius he was made out to be, he would have gotten a sniff of a head coaching job at some level. He hasn’t and that should have had alarm bells going off everywhere.
LikeLike
Idk about that. Granted, I don’t think Chaney is HC material, but look how long it took Fridge to get a HC job. Or Norm Chow. Hell, Charlie strong for that matter.
People personal biases and perceptions influence hiring decisions a lot. Not very fair, but it happens.
LikeLike
I agree, the qualifications and skill set needed is not mandatory, In fact, you can make a better case that having a genius OC that never is looking around for that higher calling is better. I could care less that Chaney isn’t HC material, my concern is that he looks like an OC who is over his head. Really, over his head. Eight games in and our offense has looked good twice….not dynamic, good.
LikeLike
I’ve thought that too, but I don’t know who the offensive equivalent of Foster or Chavis is or how you would get them to leave their current post.
LikeLike
Chavis and Foster both have a track record of long-term success … Chaney doesn’t.
LikeLike
I know. My point is I don’t know the offensive equivalent of those two: great coordinators that are seemingly content to stay at coordinator level.
LikeLike
I guess I go back to my premise about Chaney. Most offensive gurus eventually become head coaches because schools know that the easier way to respectability or relevance is to hire a guy that can outscore teams. When you think about the young head coaches in the P5, I suspect that a large majority of them come from the offensive side of the ball.
LikeLike
You heard those names consistently thrown about as head coaching candidates. I haven’t seen in recent memory Chaney’s name on any school’s (at any level) potential list. Since Brees, he hasn’t done anything of note. YMMV
LikeLike
Man… I haven’t had a Schlitz beer since elementary school…
LikeLike
Lmao!
LikeLike
I’m sure Chubb is content that he worked like a madman to come back to “forego results” his last year. Well done.
LikeLike
I believed Chubb was a true Heisman contender last year. His UGA career that might have been is the saddest part of this situation, IMO.
LikeLike
Man I hope he’s right.
LikeLike
LikeLike
Sitting in for DIF . He’s on a TLOA.
LikeLike
“I would rather be 6-2 than 4-4. But the difference between the two is slight and at this point basically irrelevant, save as an ego booster. ”
Ding, check your ego at the door.
LikeLike
Dang right. We could be 2-6 for that matter.
LikeLike
Lucky we’re not 0-8. Hooray for 4-4! The real mediocrity!
LikeLike
Since the 90’s we have had a great team every 5 years: 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012. So, 2017 is going to awesome.
I realize I left out 2005 that bucks my theory.
LikeLike
Every rule has exceptions.
Also we won a Natty in ’42 and ’80. So that’s one every 38 years. Which means we’re due for one in 2018. Just sayin’. =P
LikeLike
Hope springs eternal. Still reserving ultimate judgment on Smart until the end of 2018.
Who was it that wrote an article a few weeks ago about how it will easier on Smart next year if UGA does poorly this year? I forget who it was, but I remember some people were mad about it. I don’t know why – he was simply stating a fact. CKS just has to log a “solid and improving year” next year to keep the heat off his seat. And it will much easier for him to do so now that we’re now merely playing for bowl eligibility.
I think everyone assumes at this point that we’ll drop at least one more game (cough cough Auburn cough). Which means a 7-5 season at best for us.
I think back on all the responses on these pages back in the summer proclaiming that a monkey could win 10 games as HC with our (supposedly) weak schedule.
Turned out to be not-so-weak. Looks like we’ll end up having played five ranked teams. That’s more than most.
LikeLike
check the rankings we have played or will play two ranked teams.,As we dawg fans do… we absolutely get to dawggrade Ole Miss and UT….neither one is in the top 25. This is absolutely the weakest schedule we’ve faced in years and we’ve suffered no truly significant injuries and still we suck…Face it we fucked up we trusted the Athletic Dept to be competent ….I knew better and we all should have. No championships ..No Peace …..I fully expect to lose to all our significant rivals which leaves us 6-6 or maybe 5-7 depending on this Saturday. Did you see what Tech did to Vandy?
LikeLike
I prefer taking the rankings as they existed the week we played them. That’s a more accurate measure of how good those teams were that week. I truly believe that.
A team can be #12 in week 4, for instance, but due to injuries and boneheaded coaching decisions in key moments drop a few games by season’s end and end up unranked. That doesn’t mean they weren’t kicking some ass in week 4.
LikeLike
I would feel better if that is actually what is happening. We all know the other QB is no world beater, but that guy went 9-2 with a tougher schedule. I honestly don’t see the changes. Except that we look uninterested almost every week or if we are interested we are undisciplined on the field. I hope the sunshine pumpers are right. But we might just have us a Butch Jones on our hands.
LikeLike
Bright side: we MIGHT have a Butch Jones….but UT KNOWS they have a Butch Jones.
LikeLike
Yessir, ding, ding, dig.
LikeLike
At this point we should count ourselves lucky if Smart turns out to be Butch Jones. We may not even have a Derek Dooley.
LikeLike
So your point is we don’t know what we have? Yeah, we all kinda know that. That’s why some of us think you have to let it play out a little.
Others of us just want to come here and say “told you so” a lot of different ways.
LikeLike
We’re 2-0 in night games. Hoping that is a good omen.
LikeLike
Expect the “told you so’s” to continue in creative ways as needed. The ‘philes had to listen to the ‘phobes for 5+ years. Now it’s our turn. We have nothing better to do the next 2 years. We have to find something. Don’t take that away from us too.
LikeLike
This. There’s lots of talk about bills coming due and whatnot this season. There sure as shit is a lot of comeuppance in reserve from people that weren’t completely sold on making a change for the people that let you know everyday how much a change was needed.
LikeLike
Its kinda like some on here are borderline glad the season is playing out like this just so they can say “I told you so.” The thing that I really find interesting is that they say the last guy needed more time, but now all of a sudden Kirby has to win it all right now. I guess all of that patience went to South Florida.
LikeLike
I appreciate faith. I really do. But his expression of faith omits the explanation of how Smart is sacrificing 2016 results, and what this plan he has is.
I know he is playing Eason over Lambert, but it is not because Lambert gives us a better chance to win now but Eason is the future. Eason starts because he gives us the best chance to win now. It is fortune that he also the QB for 2017, but it is a big assumption that starting him is a sacrifice.
Likewise the online. Pat Allen, Sage Hardin and Sam Madden were highly regarded recruits. Each was a Rourke star. if the plan was to sacrifice 2016 for the future then why are we playing 2 seniors and a grad transfer n the online instead of preparing those guys for next year. Likewise, why are we starting a grad transfer in the secondary instead of an underclassmen?
I get the faith in Kirby. I really do. But don’the tell me that not playing the guys who have to step up in 2017 and instead giving almost all the playing time to guys who won’t be here in 2017 is a “sacrifice today to build tomorrow ” plan.
LikeLike
I’ve become convinced Smart is using film from this year for recruiting purposes … results be damned because he wants to show recruits what he wants to do. Your point about the linemen is right on. Why go sign Catalina or play seniors if you’re really building for next year or, ridiculously, 2018?
LikeLike
Shoot me for saying this if you want, but one thing I’m glad to see this staff doing is making a concerted effort to redshirt offensive linemen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I think redshirting the offensive line recruits was the right move. I’m just surprised some of the previous class haven’t seen the field.
LikeLike
Yeah that’s going to pay off nicely in a couple of years.
LikeLike
Amen. Redshirt them, sit them for a year, have them ready to maul RS So season for 2-3 years and have the classes stacked up that way.
LikeLike
I think the only redeeming quality I can come up with for this strategy is that worst case scenario – Kirby Smart is our own Ron Zook. Doesn’t do enough to keep his own job, but recruits enough that the next guy will have a loaded roster.
LikeLike
You have to hire an Urban Meyer to cash in on that. Our AD is more likely to hire Oscar Meyer.
LikeLike
Exactly…
LikeLike
I was under the impression that we were redshirting THE ENTIRE OFFENSIVE LINE this year. Those are walk-ons out there, pretending to be real lineman
LikeLike
Excellent work …
LikeLike
Allen, Hardin and Madden redshirted in 2015.
LikeLike
I think the proper term would be “hope in Kirby”. Not to go CMR biblical…but the Bible def of faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So far, we haven’t seen any substance or evidence that would indicate we’re headed in the right direction. But that may just be because Chaney is up front and we can’t see around him.
LikeLike
The problem for most fans, myself included, is that we don’t see improvement. I’m glad Macon Dawg does see it, he knows far more about football mechanics than I do. If 2006 is the most obvious comparison to this season, it’s really difficult to see us getting better in a way that makes us ready for opening day next year,… Particularly if we miss a bowl and don’t get that extra month of practice. We’ll see.
LikeLike
I don’t see improvement on offense. Sure, Eason is getting better. Riley Ridley is going to be a player. Nauta is going to be a star. Herrien has been a great addition. Other than the USCe game, the line has gotten worse as the season has progressed. The play calling is the same old same old.
2006 isn’t a comparison other than the immensely talented true freshman QB. That team improved the 2nd half of the season … this team especially on offense hasn’t.
LikeLike
I’m not sure 2006 is the right comp. I’m afraid 2010 is more valid.
LikeLike
Agreed Senator. I wasn’t thrilled with the Kirby hire because of his lack of HC experience, but I’ve come around to really liking his vision of what he wants this team to become.
LikeLike
Hell of an ask to expect season ticket holders to increase the amount of their hard-earned money that they need to pony up for a product that stinks out loud right now though. That’s the major part I’m struggling with right now. I can absolutely see what Kirby wants to do, sorta question if he can do it knowing that only time will tell, but as a consumer with other options; I assuredly don’t want to pay premium money on entertainment that isn’t that good.
LikeLike
Ok..a Kirbynista and Audit…two good opportunities to get an answer. I read MD’s post yesterday and found nothing of substance about the “direction Kirby is going”. Please…tell me. Forget 93K at G Day and choosing to start and stick with Eason. Point me to the specific improvements Kirby has brought to us. Just one would help. I’m looking for hope, not a chance to jump on any opinion and turn this into “we were better off in the past” debate. What’s done is done, but if we’re going to give CKS a mid-term review today, what goes under the “Does this well” category? If S&C is better, point to how that is showing up on the field. If “becoming more physical” is the answer, go back and look at those OL GIFs and tell me how that is working. I’m guessing, at best, it’s something about the D, but that (A) should be better under the greatest DC of our time and (B) why are we dead last in SEC Red Zone D?
I’ll hang up and listen.
LikeLike
I feel we definitely see more enthusiasm and, potential, success in recruiting We weren’t bad at it before, but KS seems to be laser focused on it. Also, more discipline on the field with showboating, look at me, penalties type penalties. (Probably less chance of pre-game drama, coming onto the field incidents, etc.) That is the upside I see so far, and both can be important down the road if we get the right coordinators and position coaches in place. May not be deep enough to answer your question but that is all I can say positive at this point. Will be very interested in how long he tolerates the obvious issues on the offensive side, and with STs.
LikeLike
Thanks Mac. I’m not wanting to debate every point brought up because I’m not trying to be antagonistic. I’m truly looking for hard evidence of improvement. We’ll know about recruiting in February. To improve upon the past would be really great progress. Player pre-game attitude? Still too soon after the UT debacle to give a pass on the players being better disciplined, but maybe.
Certainly neither of those points add-up to anything that wins football games in 2016.
LikeLike
No it hasn’t, but I am positive about those two observations as noticeable improvement. Not capable of debating any of it at this point either, just passing along opinions. Bewildered is a better word for me. While I expected some bumps like most, and never expected a championship season at all, just wasn’t prepared for what we have seen. My concern is not seeing light at the end of this tunnel after game eight.
LikeLike
“he clearly has a plan, it is a good plan”
I was having trouble trying to dig out of the article exactly what the plan is. Is it to get better personnel than everyone else and impose our will in dominating fashion? I think a lot of folks have that plan, but it might be the hardest one to pull off.
LikeLike
Really, senator, you wouldn’t have burned Nick Chubb’s last year in red and black on a rookie coach and Jim freaking Chaney, overseer of Nathan Peterman’s second best season? I guess that’s why we pay ADGM the big bucks.
LikeLike
I sort of liked it when 10 wins was a clear indicator of not having a plan.
Not sure I agree with losing is an indicator of a plan.
LikeLike
LikeLike
2018, huh?
The home schedule is favorable: we get UT, Auburn, and Tech at home.
LSU rotates on to the schedule as a road game along with UK, MU, and SC.
OOC is UMass and Murray State with one game yet to plan. Not sure those two are going to wow the CFP Committee, but hey we’ll be hammering everybody by 20-30 points so we can’t be denied, right?
LikeLike
I was, for the most part, skeptical that Kirby could win 9-10 games in his first year, while also tearing down and rebuilding the program. I was leaning more towards 8 wins, but like others, got a little too optimistic in the preseason and bought into some of the media hype about a possible SEC East run. I will admit that I am surprised how poor the special teams still are. They cost us the Vandy game…flat out. This has me a lot more concerned than how our offense is playing. I think the shitty O-line makes that as obvious as an ass on an elephant. The special teams play has me worried that some players are not buying in, listening to the coaches, and giving max effort. This is where the turnaround has to happen, and soon. IMHO, probably half of the team has wanted to quit this season at some point. The guy who left had recruited them and was well liked. The new guy is likely putting his foot in asses everywhere, and this is not fun at all. I can imagine the locker room has some out-loud complaining going on. Eventually, leaders will emerge. Some players will rise, others will fade away. Let’s keep the faith folks. Kirby’s going to lead us to the promised land!!!
LikeLike
Maybe I’m wrong but there won’t a long term without the short term. This program just doesn’t have the clout to have elite recruiting while losing. Honestly, all the down-the-road talk seems like a diversion from this and especially since I can’t think of anything this staff has done that would lead me to believe they can be elite.
LikeLike
yep
LikeLike
Also yet to be seen if this staff is actually better at recruiting, which all of this seems to hinge on.
LikeLike
Fair point about recruiting while down, we are clearly located in a great recruiting area but we are the most vulnerable “home field recruiting advantage” program in America. Several top programs are options to recruits, that are winning, and not a long drive for family and friends.
LikeLike
All this sacrifice now for better results later is all well and good, but remember the results later better be darn good or else he’ll pay the piper. He’s gonna find himself needing to win an SEC championship after not too long or else.
LikeLike