Interesting timing for this news, to say the least.
Highly touted quarterback Justin Fields has notified Georgia he intends to transfer, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the school has not yet acknowledged the transfer.
It’s a little weird, as Seth Emerson explains.
Assuming it plays out as Wolken indicates, I can’t help but wonder whether this is motivated by Jake Fromm indicating that he’s planning on staying four years, or simply basic frustration over the way Fields was deployed this season.
According to Wolken, Fields is planning to appeal to the NCAA to be eligible this coming season. While I’m not sure what grounds he’s asserting for that, I would think wanting to play immediately is more about Fromm’s future than anything, because were Fromm to leave early for the NFL, if Fields doesn’t get the NCAA waiver, he wouldn’t be starting elsewhere any sooner than he would in Athens.
More to come, obviously.
Get The Picture 
Fuck.
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But, who will panic during fake punts now?
(sarcasm meters on, folks)
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LOL.
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Kirby isn’t leaving.
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Hate it. Selfishly, I wish it weren’t happening. But I’m not surprised, and I can’t ask for Justin to do anything other than what he thinks is best.
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That’s how good Fromm is. He has now made 2 five star QB’s leave.
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I think it’s a dumb move but it’s his to make. Welcome to the new age. Wonder what effect this will have on current recruits.
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Well, I’d think we’d get a serious second look from some good quarterbacks now without Fields standing between you and the top job, wouldn’t we? Wonder if they actually planned/timed it with the recruiting cycle.
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Everything these days is calculated, period.
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He needs to play. Not a dumb move at all.
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YMMV. He sits out a year instead of potentially getting even more playing time next year than this year. Uncontested front runner to start when Fromm leaves. Unlikely to be surrounded by as much talent anywhere else. Worked out for Hurts to stick around. What did the dude think was going to happen when he committed?? That he would unseat the QB that took us to the championship game in one year?? Just my opinion.
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That last part I agree with, yeah.
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I just really hate for this to happen. Feel like it could interrupt so much going for this team right now. Especially, and it’s hard to even say it, but if he transferred to UF. Please just don’t let that happen.
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CKS won’t abide that, you can be certain.
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Why not? Trevor Lawrence did.
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He isn’t going to get a hardship transfer unless it’s to Georgia State or Fech to be closer to home. Therefore, he’s sitting wherever he goes.
His sister is coming to play softball. If all of this is true, why would he be participating in bowl practice. Doesn’t make sense to me.
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If he’s looking for a waiver…Tech??!
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Can’t CKS prevent transfers to rival or SEC schools?
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Hardship waivers have been granted regularly. He’d be a few minutes closer to home on North Avenue.
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I don’t even see a waiver coming for Fech. Eason couldn’t get a waiver to go back home to Washington (or maybe he knew it made more sense to redshirt than play backup to Browning). I just don’t see how this makes any sense.
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Hell, during rush hour, it is quicker to get to Kennesaw from UGA than it is from Downtown. There is no way he gets a waiver without it being bullshit.
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True.
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LOL, you need a map.
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If true, what a pussy.
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Really? Show some class.
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Huh? If true, then he’s a coward that’s scared of competition. That’s a pussy move, in my opinion.
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I’m sure you would say all of that to his face.
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Yep, the internet tough guys come out.
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I would 100% say that to his face. I’m not saying he’s a bad person.
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I absolutely agree, some of the more spineless of our fan base wants to coddle the little spoilt brat, and hell, they may even help him pack. Screw that. Screw this. Screw him. If he stays, great. If he leaves, I hope he falls flat on his face. So what? That generation has unfounded entitlement issues.
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Bye. I just can’t get that upset about it. He hasn’t been good enough to take the job away from Fromm, and he apparently doesn’t think he’ll be able to any time soon. Next man up.
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Who is that exactly? Downing?
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I’m guessing Plumlee.
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Not exactly an even trade.
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Well its not our choice. Next man up Derek. Kirby can’t promise every player playing time.
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I wonder which SEC schools would love to have Fields and Hazlewood together next year? I can think of at least a couple.
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Time to lawyer up.
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Many on this blog routinely advocate for player freedom. It’s the new age of college football. If he leaves some will bash him but I hope most of us don’t. What would we say if a 5-star QB wanted to transfer to us?
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Yay!!
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There is a difference between “bashing” him and simply pointing out how nonsensical the decision would be. Eason made sense. This does not.
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I’m not out to bash him, but could the timing be any worse? Why did he commit to us in the first place? He knew what the situation was. He clearly wasn’t ready to be the starter this year. He almost certainly will have to sit out next season. What is the rationale here?
Just a huge bummer. I was looking forward to him developing and lighting things up in 2020.
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Actually would rather learn it now than AFTER signing day when we push our QB recruit to hold off for a blueshirt.
I wish he’d stay but I’ll wish him luck wherever he wins up (until he plays us, of course).
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I wonder now if there is no reason to “blue shirt” Plumlee?
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If this were to happen I think Plumlee will be fast-tracked into the QB room ASAP.
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Of course, I’m concerned about our depth. But … if this is true, he’s some combination of painfully stupid and shamefully narcissistic. In which case: good fucking riddance.
But again, our depth. Ugh.
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I don’t how it’s that stupid if chances are he’s riding pine for the next two seasons. I wouldn’t want to sit 3 and play 1 either.
I’d rather he made a different choice but I’m not mad at the kid.
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Unless Fromm has made some private declaration/promise that he’s staying 4 years, he’s a likely 1st rounder after next season. And as the Senator points out, in that case, Fields wouldn’t be starting elsewhere any sooner than he would in Athens. So, on the assumption (until I’m proven otherwise) that Fromm goes pro after next season, this could only be Fields refusing to play second fiddle for the 2019 season.
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I think you’re wrong about 11’s pro prospects. He’s unlikely to go after next year because he’s probably a 3rd round or later guy. He may make it but there’s not that many small, slow pocket qbs in the league. Only one Brees. On talent Murray was a better prospect and he went 3rd round after 4 seasons and never played a regular season snap.
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Murray went in the 5th round and is at least an inch shorter than Fromm.
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Maybe but Murray had the stronger arm. Fromm has a better demeanor. An inch taller than Murray doesn’t change much.
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Murray’s arm wasn’t significantly stronger than Fromm’s. Young Jake certainly has had better ball security than Murray.
I love them both, but some of the mock drafts for 2020 and beyond are high on this #11.
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Well, but doesn’t the fact that you’re debating it kinda answer the question about his draft status? If you’re arguing about it, it’s unclear at best, and that means he’ll likely be around.
I’m more inclined to agree with Derek. I don’t see a high degree of pro potential there from a physical standpoint, personally. But all it takes is one to take a chance on him, of course.
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I have no idea (and really don’t care) about a guy’s pro prospects because I don’t watch the NFL.
I want Justin to stay because I think he’s going to be a great player, but he has to beat out a guy who has proven he isn’t going to give up his job without a fight.
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http://walterfootball.com/draft2020.php
http://www.draftblaster.com/2020-nfl-mock-draft/
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Fair enough. I just flatly disagree with you about this, and I guess we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds. Barring injury, I bet he goes in the first or second round. Even by your own reasoning, though, Fromm would be wisest to take whatever pro grade he gets after next season, since he’s not likely to grow much taller or get much faster between 2019 and 2020.
Again, it all comes down to whether or not Fromm has made explicit to Fields and the coaching staff that he already intends to stay through 2020. If he has, then I retract what I say here about Fields, and don’t really blame him for the decision. But if he hasn’t, I stand by what I said.
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I agree with Burt Reynolds
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Not what the experts think…
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Murray was 5’11” and threw too many picks. Fromm is a 1st round pick in 2020.
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Fromm is the man today tomorrow and until his eligibility is exhausted.
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May be true but no one can say he’ll stay healthy for all that time.
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And no one can say Fields doesn’t get run over by the East Campus Express Bus tommorow on the way to butts mehre building. Stupid way to go thru life.
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This only further cements my love for D.J. Shockley.
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DJS is one of my all-time favorite DGDs.
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I wish the best place for him was at Georgia, but I can’t hate on the kid for doing what he thinks is best for himself. Especially at the QB position, he’s got to be all about #1.
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May not be a done deal yet: https://www.dawgnation.com/football/justin-fields-family-member-we-havent-made-a-decision-yet
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That’s why all of this makes zero sense given everything he has said publicly
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Without being certain you’re getting a waiver, it can’t be an easy choice. It’s one thing to go somewhere and play next fall, it’s another to sit when you can split time with 11 and get better.
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Exactly.
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I know I’m supposed to be panicking but I just don’t care that much.
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If I thought Fromm couldn’t be hurt I’d be less concerned. But he can.
Also I think whoever plays Fields for an entire season is going to be very hard to beat. Not too many guys with power, speed and a rifle.
He’s got some growing to do, but when he’s ready, he’s gonna be a star.
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Well Fromm being able to be hurt is no front page news obviously. But we will recruit another good quarterback. We don’t seem to have any problem doing that. And Fields won’t be going to play for a rival. And if he honestly thinks he should start over Fromm despite all Fromm has done the last two years, yeah no, I don’t care if he leaves.
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In Kirby we trust
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I understand he’s doing what he thinks is best for him. What I don’t get is why he chooses 2 days before early signing to do this. That ain’t right.
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Exactly. Two weeks ago? Fine, see ya’, best of luck. Two weeks from now? OK, no problem. But holy shit is this bad timing.
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He didn’t make the announcement. That was Dan Wolken citing an unnamed person. Right now, Justin Fields is practicing with the team and by all accounts doing his best. If he is having private conversations with his family and the coaches, that makes total sense. Don’t bang on him for the timing when he’s got nothing to do with it.
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We’re past the stage of innocent bystander. If you think it’s a mere coincidence that pundits are putting out the race story as a means to a waiver, I’ve still got that ocean front property in Hahira I can let you have for a sweet deal.
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I don’t think that’s coincidence.
Tell me more about his beach. Is it nice?
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Totally unsullied… 😉
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I’m afraid I can guess what grounds the appeal will be on. And in today’s hypercharged climate, the NCAA will pass that red hot potato off quick. This family could really end up killing the program’s momentum. Hope I’m wrong.
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What do you mean? Some drunk baseball player yelling in the student section? The school handled that swiftly and decisively. Sorry but that would be ridiculous, and this doesn’t address the fact his sister is coming to Georgi next year.
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Sucks not to have the depth but the college window is so small you got to go where you have the best chance to play just like the coaches have to play the guy who gives the team the best chance to win. I wish him the best in his endeavors.
I’m honestly not worried about him as long as Fromm is upright. Dude has lost 4 games in his first two years out of high school and two of those were last minute to Alabama. UGA is gonna be fine. Fields will play a year and win a natty for Cameron S. Newton Junior College in Texas before transferring to Oklahoma or somewhere. UGA may face him one time (with a stacked defense) in the playoffs in 2020 and then he’s gone to the NFL anyway.
I’m not sure it’s possible to have a stable of 5 star quarterbacks unless they are 2-3 years apart. If you can get them to commit, great but you have to know this is probably how it’s going to end more often than not.
Greene/Shockley arrangements are ideal but super rare as I can’t think of another instance like that anywhere. Leak/Tebow situations are probably the best you can hope for but I’d take Murray/Mason type cycles every time.
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You can only keep two stud QBs on the roster with roughly the same eligibility if you’re Alabama. Because Lord knows they could use a few more breaks.
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Fields never grasped the offense. Frankly, I bought the hype and was disappointed. My guess he goes to OU or Penn State. With the qb’s we have coming in and Fromm at the controls it’s no big loss if he transfers.
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Think he’d want to go to a conference where they don’t play pressing defense. His problems seem to come when they come after him…and it didn’t take long for DCs to figure that out. The way he was used this year didn’t help.
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Stranger things have happened. Just my own speculation on a loophole for a waiver. Again, hope like hell im wrong.
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*Reply for eethomas at 9:06 above.
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All it would take is one question, “Why is your sister planning to participate in women’s softball at UGA if this is your grounds for a hardship waiver?”
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Well Wolken just tweeted it out loud. I need a shower after sharing the same wave of thought with that douche.
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He (DW) is awful.
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Your reply was perfect.
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Thank you, 202
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Easy to get around that question…
“What my sister does and doesn’t do has no bearing on what I do and visa versa. We are individuals.”
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Looking back at what Bama’s 2017 class did on the field, and how prominently they used some true freshman this year, I was seriously disappointed in the way the 2018 class was used this year. Apparently Fields was too.
Developing and retaining elite depth is damn hard. And this is why.
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we had true freshman make starts at OL, DL, Safety/Star, and Corner with tons of linebackers and other getting reserve action. Cade May, Trey Hill and Jordan Davis did pretty well.
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It is Wolken, I’ll wait for a more reliable source.
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All I can say is that I understand if he leaves, but the timing is bad. It must suck to think you are the baddest man on the planet at QB only to find out you are not as good as everyone told you. At least not yet. Best of luck to him.
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And after Kirby covering for him when he should have called time out.
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LOL you serious?
If anything, Kirby threw him flat under the bus.
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By putting him in that position? Sure but what if he was told to call time out just before the snap if the moved to cover Swift and he didn’t? It’s all bullshit speculation but what the hell.
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No, by saying after the game “it was there, but we didn’t snap it quick enough”
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After the call itself, that’s probably Kirby’s biggest mistake. He needed to own that because now it’s going to follow him around waiting for his next misstep.
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But what if?!? Nonsense.
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PUNT!
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I wish this was happening (if true) to AL and not us!
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The skill sets of Fields and Fromm couldn’t be more different. That could be a huge advantage, but it seems we’ll never find out. Other than using Fields in the wild Dawg, it was clear Chaney made the choice he isn’t going to adapt the offense to better use Fields’s abilities. I think it sucks if Fields leaves, because he has talent we’re going to need in some capacity to get us over the hump.
SOS showed he could adapt to an RPO approach when he had Conner Shaw. Chaney never showed any desire to adapt. If Fields were to stay, I’m sad to say his talent might go to waste. Can’t say I blame him.
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We run RPOs where the QB has the ability to make the call based on what he sees. Fields said he picked UGA because he wanted to play in a system that would prepare him for the pros.
If people have a problem with the way Chaney deployed him, fine, but we never were going to change the offense to Ohio State’s spread option or to Oklahoma’s Air Raid.
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Offenses need to adjust. The second half of both bama games serve as a prime example of what happens when an offense doesn’t adjust. The skill sets of Leak and Tebow were nearly polar opposites. Yet corch and mullen were able to find a way to maximize each player’s production when they entered the game – and ended up winning a championship. My point is I regret we didn’t find some ways to use Fields more creatively and productively. I have no idea whether Fields will ever be a pro QB. But he does possess skills we could’ve used to get us over the hump.
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Yeah, if Fields does leave, that’s what I will regret. We didn’t use his skills at all.
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No doubt … Leak and Tebow coexisted only because Leak was a senior and Tebow a true freshman. Tebow understood and accepted his role in the offense as a change of pace, but Leak was mobile enough to run the offense the way Corch and Mullet wanted. If Leak had been a sophomore and Tebow a freshman, no way would both have stayed.
No one has said what we should have done on December 1 in the 2nd half other than keep the foot on the gas. The offense scored enough to win the game (and would have won the game with similar output in January). No one wants to call out the fact the defense gave up 21 points to the backup QB that we exposed in January.
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It was 14 points, not 21. And Hurts has clearly improved as a passer. He wouldn’t pull the trigger on those passes last year.
That said, in two 4th quarters, Alabama has run 20 more plays, averaged 2 yards better a play, and outscored Georgia 24-0. That’s not depth or talent. That’s momentum and coaching,
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I was saying in September that Fields would be gone in December. I stopped talking about it because people were saying that I was putting down Fields. I think Fields is going to be great, just didn’t think he could beat out Fromm. Fields didn’t come here to sit. There was no way he was going to sit in 2019. Ray Charles could see this coming.
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Don’t treat me so mean.
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“There was no way he was going to sit in 2019.”
Barring some unprecedented decision from the NCAA, he’ll be sitting in 2019 if he transfers.
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Unless he goes the JC route or for some crazy reason decides to go to an FCS or lower school … not saying I believe that’s what he’s going to do, but that would be the only alternative to getting an NCAA waiver.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, I see no grounds for the NCAA to grant a hardship waiver without absolutely letting the genie out of the bottle.
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Even less coherent than Fields’ decision to transfer is the reaction I’m seeing from some Georgia fans, which is essentially: “Since our coaches didn’t utilize him as well as they could’ve, I actually hope he leaves.”
Yes, let’s definitely hope that Georgia is crippled by a complete absence of depth at the most important position on the field, effectively ruining any and all hope of success in 2019 if Fromm gets hurt (not to mention possibly killing all of our current recruiting momentum), all because we’ve got a bug up our ass about Chaney’s play-calling.
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Holy hell, I have seen the same shit! I gotta believe these are either trolls, or extremely unintelligent or possibly very young fans. Makes zero sense. I’ve gotten into debates with a few. Arguing with morons is a losing battle.
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I certainly don’t want him to leave but if he does I’m not going to call him a pussy, or a narcissist or anything else. I’ve seen several fans doing such and it is low class.
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To lump “pussy” and “narcissist” into the same category here is plain stupid, Russ. One is a derogatory term. One is a descriptor, referring to a very particular sort of motivation for behavior. If — and, to repeat, I’m saying if — Fields is transferring because he’d rather ride the bench somewhere else for a year, per transfer rules, than play second fiddle to Fromm for another season, he’s a narcissist.
You can either praise the “team first” attitude that football is supposed to foster or you can have this “more power to ’em” attitude when players transfer for more spotlight. But you can’t do both.
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While I would prefer that he stay, if he is going to become a locker room distraction then he needs to move on. Sometimes the most talented player is not the best player. He has more natural talent then Fromm, but at this point he is clearly not the best QB option. From the moment from stepped onto the field last year, Fromm seemed to have a firm grasp of the offense and could read a defense. At the same stage in their careers, Fields does not seem to have that.
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Is it possible someone asked Fromm to decide if he’s going to stay, and if so tell Fields before signing day, in order to free up a QB scholarship ??
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No way.
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Tommy Mars threatening to turn UGA into next Donald Trump. Hope you left wing lawyers are happy. Communication came from Mars directly to adgm.
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wat
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Are you talking about Frank Zappa’s old keyboard player?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Mars
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Justin was told before his commitment that we play the players who give us the best chance to win, no one’s job is safe. And that he would have to compete for playing time.
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FWIW I think it’s a mistake for several reason. Fields could play up to 4 games next year and still redshirt. He could effectively be the backup like Hutson Mason was and not lose a season of eligibility. Maybe Fromm goes pro early, maybe not. If Fromm does leave after his junior year Fields is the likely starter for 3 seasons. He could try to beat out Fromm for next year. Fields clearly was not ready to start this season so what’s the beef? Also, I agree with the Senator that absent some real funny happenings Fields isn’t getting a waiver to play anywhere other than Tech or GA State and I don’t see either in the cards for him. What is his other option to play immediately— a D-IAA school like KSU? No way! He’s better off staying in Athens.
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If I am a top tier QB in this recruiting cycle, I would hold off on any commitment until this plays out. You can still sign in January and if you are top tier they will hold you a spot. Especially if I am a pro style QB, I would be salivating at being protected by that line AND having a killer running game so the play action is effective. Even w/o Hazelwood, the WR group is top shelf as well. Redshirt and you would have 3 and possibly 4 years of being the TOP DAWG
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This is interesting. I doubt we flip anybody significant but you’re right. If Fields left it would be an opportunity for yet another number one quarterback to come.
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I’m sure Harrison Bailey is watching closely
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If Justin decides to stay, then we don’t have to have Plumlee in so early and maybe the blueshirt option is resolved. I’m thinking that move was because Justin started talking about his plans and Kirby knows he needs 2 QBs and all this talk about “gotta have someone in January” cranked up. It sounds like the kid in Hawaii is leaning USC now (can’t blame him with KK there now — but they did start a true frosh this year).
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𝕱𝖎𝖊𝖑𝖉𝖘 𝖎𝖘 𝖌𝖔𝖓𝖊?
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Olde English font? How do I get some of that?
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That’s more German. Think “Where Eagles Dare”.
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Bye momentum. This is much bigger than a selfish QB who wears #1 and never REALLY wanted to be here. It’s bigger than losing QB depth.
Don’t be surprised when the bad decisions by this staff have the trickle down because they already are. People were quick to dismiss the concern over the bad game decisions. Well those are just the ones you see.
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bullshit
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JFC, dude, they give you internet access all day or just at certain times of the day?
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Nice argument
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I’m not trying to argue with you.
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A source told ESPN that Fields practiced Monday and is expected to play with the No. 5 Bulldogs against No. 15 Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day (8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN).
“[Fields transferring] is a possibility, but we expect him to play in the Sugar Bowl,” the source said. “It’s not done. He practiced [Monday] and practiced his ass off. He’s going to explore what’s out there. He might come back.”
The source said that Fields and his father have had multiple meetings with Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart about his future over the past few weeks, and that Fields hasn’t formally requested a transfer, nor has he been placed in the NCAA’s transfer portal, which notifies other schools that he’s interested in leaving.
Sources told ESPN that Fields might consider Florida State, Ohio State and Oklahoma if he decides to leave.
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Good intel. Thanks.
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I get Ohio State.
Does he have a death wish? Florida State? They don’t have an OL.
Oklahoma is loaded at QB. It’s an even worse situation from a depth chart perspective than what he’s got here and now.
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He really should have stayed with Penn State. He’d be set up to replace McSorley right now. I guess he must have had a good relationship with Morehead and when he left for MissSt that killed the mojo.
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Come on Up to Athens…….
Mr. John Rhys Plumee……. love to see you in the Red and Black. Class act willing to bring his lunch pail everyday 4-5 years maybe.
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