It sounds like Jim Chaney’s heart isn’t in HUNH-land.
“I think I’d like to see us ultimately block better,” Chaney said on National Signing Day. “I think that blocking is a lost art sometimes. We play fast and we do things like that and that’s how we strategically attack defenses nowadays and in a lot of today’s college football but inevitably you have to line up and block somebody. I’d love to leave spring feeling like we’re a much better blocking football team.”
Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and, as the article points out, Georgia did show some improvement along those lines as the season progressed.
That was something that appeared to get better as the season wore on a year ago. With a third offensive coordinator and line coach in as many years, the Bulldogs averaged just 4.1 yards per carry and 167.5 yards per game for the first eight games of the season. The final five games of 2016 saw UGA rush for over 5.2 yards per carry and 219 yards per game. The Bulldogs also had a 100-yard rusher in each of those final five games.
Pass protection also improved. After allowing 19 sacks in the first eight games, the Sam Pittman’s crew allowed just five sacks in the final five games.
Good news: no changeover at offensive coordinator or offensive line coach for the first time in four seasons.
Bad news: Georgia has to replace three starters on the offensive line.
Good news: The 2017 schedule isn’t exactly what you’d call front-loaded in terms of formidable defenses. Before Florida, the offensive line will face one team that was in the top 20 in total defense last season, Appalachian State.
With the size that’s been recruited in Georgia’s last two classes, there appears to be help on the way. Can it get on the field and contribute fast enough?