I must have missed the original quote when it surfaced, which is a shame, because this is one of the more intriguing comments I’ve heard from a Georgia coach in a while:
Offensive line coach Sam Pittman said his philosophy is that if it’s a close call between a freshman and a veteran, he’ll usually go with the freshman, because they figure experience eventually will make him better.
He’s the bizarro Willie Martinez!
There’s an appealing logic just to that thinking, but even more so, consider the continued pressure that puts on upperclassmen not to rely on coaching inertia to keep their spot on the two-deep.
I think I like this Pittman guy.
Get The Picture 
This is such an awesome approach for the reasons you mention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it but that’s not going to sit well with the crowd that wants to anoint Fromm the starter for the next 2-3 years.
LikeLike
I don’t think Pittman is the qb coach.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I’m sure Kirby and Chaney don’t agree with Pittman. He’s just a rogue coach running wild within the program.
LikeLike
Just because one position coach says he uses one thought process doesn’t mean it applies to all positions with all position coaches.
LikeLike
True and based on their decision to start Eason in the App State game, maybe they don’t use this thought process at QB.
LikeLike
Or based on evidence from the season before? Yeah, your version is more dramatic but Eason was named the starter because he earned it.
LikeLike
My point was that they picked Eason based on seniority (i.e. evidence from the season before), which showed that they didn’t use Pittman’s thought process. If they did, they would have chosen Fromm. They admitted before the season that the two were about even.
Hopefully, they learned from that. My guess is that they did and that the coaching staff is all on the same page.
LikeLike
Starting the veteran at QB is common logic even when the 2 QBs are close on the practice field. I doubt it has changed. Fromm has won over the team to be the leader.
LikeLike
Being even in practice and against SEC defenses in a real game are two completely different things. Fromm was able to prove he could do it in real games only because of Eason’s injury. Using Atl Dawg’s reasoning we should choose the starting QB using G-Day game QB ratings. Good luck with that.
LikeLike
“Fromm was able to prove he could do it in real games only because of Eason’s injury.”
Exactly. I don’t think they’ll make the mistake again of going with experience just for the sake of going with experience.
LikeLike
Disagree that’ll they’ll change and vast majority of coaches would agree at QB.
LikeLike
Didn’t say they’ll change. I said they wouldn’t go with experience just for the sake of going with experience.
They may go with Fields. They may not. You don’t know and neither does any other Joe Blow on the internet. Hell, Kirby and his staff don’t know at this point (regardless of what some Joe Blows want to try and convince everyone).
LikeLike
Wanting or expecting? I think people will be elated if Fields is so good that he beats out Fromm. Most fans just wants what’s best for the team. Experience in a player with the ability to use it is hard to beat. No doubt Fields is a physical specimen with football tools but Fromm is no slouch. Fromm showed signs of really understanding the game and our offense at the close of the season. It will not be easy to unseat him. Plus it’s not like Fromm is a Senior on his way out with little to offer. It’s hard to see either one of these guys sitting on the bench for long. Who knows, they may each bring their strengths and Kirby has to figure some packages for both. Of course some say it’s not smart to mess with what works. Spring, summer workouts and fall practice will be interesting to say the least. Knowing Kirby and how he keeps info close, we’ll have to keep guessing until game time.
LikeLike
There’s a significant portion of our fanbase that both wants and expects Fromm to be the starter for the next couple of years and they don’t want to hear anything different.
But I agree with a lot of what you said. And I’m not worried about this at all since fan opinions mean nothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, QB is also a position like no other on the field, sure some defensive players make calls but they still have less assignments. QB has to see the entire field and put the unit in a position to make a play while the other side is trying to hide what they’re doing. QBs can benefit by being there and seeing that like no other position.
Fromm, Fields or Eason if he were still in Athens doesn’t matter me, just the end result. Fields brings a skill set (generally speaking) which UGA hasn’t been a regular starter in a decade. I couldn’t blame the staff for going with a proven winner or a Freshman which adds another weapon to the arsenal.
LikeLike
I just wish there was a way to redshirt Fields in order to have the separation necessary to stave off a transfer from either of them.
Yes I am aware that Justin Fields, just like every other new / backup / stud quarterback that comes into the program is the best thing since sliced bread and a complete guarantee to leave after a RS Sophomore season (and that you really mean that THIS time).
LikeLike
Great job of putting words in my mouth.
As far as your redshirt dream goes, I’d rather the coaches decide what to do.
LikeLike
There’s a significant portion of our fanbase who believes Fromm is the best QB we’ve seen in a long time, perhaps ever, he just has the “it” factor.
LikeLike
I think that’s because he did a good job and didn’t play on a 9.7-3 team, lossed to FL, and eeked out a 2nd tier bowl.
LikeLike
This is the first year since I can remember we pretty much came out and whipped ass nearly every game in the regular season.
Fromm started those games. So, is it wrong for a Dawg to root for the guy and look forward to 3 more seasons of kicking FL, TN, and the Techs collective ass with him at the helm?
If Fields comes in and is the better guy, then we all benefit and I am sure Jake will handle the situation with class. But, until that happens or Fromm takes a step back im all in on that kid.
LikeLike
Don’t agree at all that most want Fromm to be the guy. I think most want the best manager of the offense to run it. If we want just a better athlete there are lots of choices already playing.
I hope Fields can come in and pick up the playbook quick but that’s not easy if your HS ran qb run a lot.
LikeLike
+1
LikeLike
Yet another reason why that G-Day QBR is so important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beat me to it.
LikeLike
Well that should make the returning players work hard.
LikeLike
That’s sort of what I was thinking.
LikeLike
I kind of look at it as a loose take off on the old “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime”. If two athletes are equal but one has one year of remaining eligibility and the other has 3 years, the coach is better served to use the player he can depend on both now and in the future.
LikeLike
Give a woman a fish, feed her for a day.
Teach a woman to nag, feed her for life.
LikeLike
“It requires the feminine temperament to repeat the same thing three times with unabated zest.”
LikeLike
It’s a refreshing approach because we grew accustomed to seeing practically ZERO player development over the last decade or so. Actual coaching is a thing.
LikeLike
Of subject Senator, did you see what Herschel Walker had to say about the NFL Kneelers?
LikeLike
Don’t know and don’t care.
LikeLike
Sorry I asked, I thought this was a Georgis Bulldogs blog
LikeLike
No problem asking. I simply have no interest.
LikeLike
I didn’t, but I sincerely hope, and believe, he would, choose America. Be foolish not to, and Herschel hasn’t proven himself to be a fool from my observations. Would be very cool to see those poor, oppressed millionaires lose every opportunity and dollar they have. Kind of like seeing a report on the news where a homeowner or store clerk kills an armed robber. Kharma at it’s best, imo.
LikeLike
I’m sure you were more worried about what the Obama’s FBI was doing to try to take down a sitting President
LikeLike
Sorry to hear you’re drinking the Hannity Kool-Aid. The Nunes memo is a giant nothingburger.
LikeLike
That term sure has become popular since Sebastian Gorka first spoke up on the Donald Trump Jr. Controversy: ‘Massive Nothing Burger’ .
😉
LikeLike
If is t for the kneelers he is racist…you know against other black people.
LikeLike
Stop these political posts right now! Or I’m gonna . . . What am I gonna do?
LikeLike
It’s early and there is that “honey do list”. 😉
LikeLike
Like I said, teach a woman to nag . . . Sigh
LikeLike
LOL. Some of y’all crack me up. Did y’all watch any Ga games last year? Did y’all see Fromm’s stats? Even if Fields makes great plays in practice, that doesn’t mean he can get the results Fromm did. Unless Fromm is hurt, I don’t think Fields will get a chance to prove himself in a meaningful game. Like Tua at Bama. That’s just the way it works. Fields will get some meaningful snaps in special packages and the garbage time snaps, but Fromm is our QB. Unfortunately, this will probably lead to isssues in the next three years. I just hope it doesn’t divide the team like it will the fan base.
LikeLike
You should let the coaching staff know this.
LikeLike
And don’t forget Bennett.
https://www.dawgnation.com/football/question-day-chance-ugas-stetson-bennett-beats-justin-fields-no-2-qb
LikeLike
They know already.
LikeLike
Sure they do. They’re bringing in the number 1 ranked recruit as an insurance policy. Sounds right.
I know it’s at odds with what has come out of Kirby’s mouth about always looking for ways to get better but who cares. It’s what some of our fans want! Chisel it in stone!
LikeLike
Don’t paint everyone into the same corner. It seems like you have a strong Fields bias based on your comments, but I agree with you that the best QB should get the job, and I am 100% against RSing him (if he is healthy and earns one of the Top 2 positions on the depth chart.)
I understand why KS started Eason against Appy, but I believe he planned to play Fromm and not RS him in 2017. Many others felt differently, just as they do with Fields, but you must have your two best QBs ready to play, and only live reps will tell you that. My opinion is Fromm would have beaten Eason out during the year because he was the best QB, but starting Eason was the best option if it was close at all. Eason saw what happened, and I think he realized Kirby made the right choice as the season went along. If he truly felt he was the best, I think he would have stayed.
We will never know any of this for sure, just my opinion. I just don’t realize why any fan gets attached to one QB over another, it happened last year, and it seems to be happening again. Why don’t we all support both, regardless of which one the coaches ride with? They are the only ones who see every practice and attend all the meetings to determine who is up to speed. I like that the job was won on the field, and given the chance for both to play, we will see that again in 2018.
LikeLike
I think nearly all the fans will support both Fromm and Fields. The original statement above of:
“There’s a significant portion of our fanbase that both wants and expects Fromm to be the starter for the next couple of years and they don’t want to hear anything different”
Is simply not true. I don’t know one Dawg fans that thinks that way and no commenters on this post either. Now, maybe the folks in Warner Robins feel that way because they have a stake in Fromm doing well but not really anyone else at this point.
LikeLike
It’s Fromm’s team… bank on that.
LikeLike