Sounds like Kirby’s as much in the dark about Justin Fields’ future as the rest of us.
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said Justin Fields says he wants to play in the Sugar Bowl, even while he’s looking at another school to play at.
“He decided he wanted to play in the Sugar Bowl, and I told him ‘absolutely, we want you there,’ ” Smart said Wednesday night. “Justin is working extremely hard, he’s in the meeting rooms, he’s still rolling with our twos. I’m pleased with his work and demeanor, he has had good reps.”
Smart said Georgia would like for Fields to stay, but there’s a reality to him entering his name into the NCAA portal, which enables him to have contact with other schools.
“I don’t think there’s anything you can do (to convince him to stay),” Smart said. “We’ve been very open and honest that we would like him to stay. He’s worked really hard. He competed his tail off throughout the year and played a team role throughout the year.”
I don’t see how Fields stays, but then again, I’ve never seen a kid put his name out there like that, still stay with his team and practice hard for a bowl game. Maybe he really is doing nothing more than exploring his options with an open mind.
One thing’s for sure. Kirby’s done his best to cover all the bases.
Get The Picture 
For the life of me, I can’t get my head around a “hardship” transfer for Fields. Sure, he’s had a hard time breaking the starting job role, but what could possibly be the rationale for transferring to OSU as relieving a hardship? I’ve read the story about the baseball player but that doesn’t fly. Maybe the NCAA simply hasn’t changed the title of the transfer rule yet. Will it become the “New Beginnings Transfer Rule”?
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With everything that has gone public it would be the hottest of hot messes if Fields somehow stays, I hope Kirby is bluffing when he says Fields could stay. If Fields does stay, absent a season ending injury by one of the two quarterbacks in spring camp you can kiss any title hopes in 2019 goodbye and it could undo the whole Smart era. The media would hover over the story like a bunch of jackals, the locker room would probably eventually divide and if the race card is played recruiting probably implodes. Fields needs to go, I wish him well, I don’t blame him for wanting to play, but he needs to go.
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Concur..
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Sink our 2019 season and end the Kirby era? Overreact much?
Fields is a rare talent. He wanted to win the starting role, it didn’t work, and now he is considering all his options. I’m sure his teammates , who overwhelming have similar goals (getting to the NFL) are fine with his actions, and would absolutely love to have him stay if he so chooses.
The media and fan base are creating the drama. I’m very confident the locker room is and will be just with either path Fields takes. If what Kirby says is true regarding his demeanor and bowl prep, and his track record at Georgia would suggest it is, Fields is handling this the right way.
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Hopefully, he won’t stay so you won’t have to be proven wrong.
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Kirby has a train wreck of a record on roster and locker room management. Let’s hope fields saves Kirby from himself since he is foolishly imploring fields to stay.
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Feel free to elaborate. I have the feeling it’ll be entertaining.
(And, yes, I get you’re being sarcastic.)
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How Kirby survived his botching of the Fromm/Eason situation I’ll never understand.
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Not surprising that Kirby took the high road. Well played as always.
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No doubt, Kirby has got this.
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How can he stay now? You telling me with a straight face there won’t be some hard feeling in the locker room from other players towards Fields?
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Look, what we’re being spoonfed is nothing but click bait media garbage. None of us have any idea what’s going on inside that locker room, and things might actually be perfectly fine. But that doesn’t make money for the sports writers and “analysts” who need a controversy so that schlubs like us will keep hitting the refresh button or beg for the ads to be over so we can hear the “latest” update.
Let it play out and everything will be ok.
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But I saw that 10 second video and have no doubts that Fields is an entitled jerk that thinks only of himself!
/s
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Exactly. Nobody has any idea what’s going on. It probably makes it easier for some to accept his departure (which I think can be safely assumed at this point) if they can demonize him, though.
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I don’t know man. I want to believe your theory that things could be fine, but typically where there is smoke, there is fire. This thing with Fields looks to have more possible negative outcomes than positives for our coming season IMHO.
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That’s why the best thing to do is let him go quietly, wish him well, and don’t make any waves trying to restrict the transfer. Let the NCAA deal with it.
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Sounds like maybe some are already expressing their unhappiness with this mess
Man (Jamaree Salyer) needs to transfer too,” the Twitter user said. “Gave his playing time to a true freshman that was recruited as a tackle (Cade Mays)… Supposed to be in Jerry’s World on the 29th protecting (Trevor) Lawrence anyway.”
“That ain’t how I roll man,” Salyer said via the social media platform. “I’m happy for all my brothers and I trust the process and the coaches’ decisions. Gotta use every day to get better and I’ll be ready when my name is called. But thank you for believing in me.”
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Maybe some area showing displeasure. Maybe it has nothing to do with the Fields situation, but maybe it does.
Man (Jamaree Salyer) needs to transfer too,” the Twitter user said. “Gave his playing time to a true freshman that was recruited as a tackle (Cade Mays)… Supposed to be in Jerry’s World on the 29th protecting (Trevor) Lawrence anyway.”
“That ain’t how I roll man,” Salyer said via the social media platform. “I’m happy for all my brothers and I trust the process and the coaches’ decisions. Gotta use every day to get better and I’ll be ready when my name is called. But thank you for believing in me.”
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Like the players who returned for 2017, there is personal pride in how one is remembered in their home state.
Cutting it short after the SECC game would put him in a similar situation as those who fell short in the final meaningful game in 2016. Perhaps even more so.
The Sugar Bowl is a much bigger stage than the Liberty Bowl and it may be the only game action he sees in 2019. So why not?
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Signing (probably) three QBs in this class should tell us everything
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I can see why Kirby would want Fields to be on the team for the Sugar Bowl. If Fromm gets hurt against Texas, then Fields would be our only realistic backup option to help us win that game.
As far as 2019 goes, at this point, it’s tougher to find a scenario where it makes sense for Fields to stay. He’s talented enough that you would want to find a place for him if he did want to stay, but boy, that would be awkward after all that’s gone on in the past couple of days.
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Exactly. He finishes out the season as a needed back up, then finds a new home. Everyone handles themselves professionally. Kirby quietly signals the NCAA to quietly sign off on the release. Everyone moves on to hopefully bigger and better things.
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Maybe it’s bad if he stays and maybe it’s bad if he goes; I honestly don’t know the answers. In the meantime I think he may have lost the locker room for at least the immediate future. He could regain it in time, but for right now I have to guess that his teammates without animosity have written him off as leadership
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If the thunder don’t get ya the lightnin will!
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It seems to me like he’s just an honorable kid doing what he thinks is best for the team, enjoying the benefits of his hard work, and maybe, in the back of his mind, recognizing that Fromm could be injured on the first play of the bowl game and give him a chance to shine in a game.
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We’ll have none that logical analysis here! Good day to you, sir!
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An honorable kid doing the right thing doesn’t have this drop right when recruiting goes into a dead period – the absolute worst time for this. Then you have the race card nonsense. It is totally plausible that this is all his parents’ doing, but he is going to catch the flack for it as well. There is an honorable way to transfer because you want the opportunity to start. This is not that way.
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Do you think we flip the OSU QB without the news of Field’s possible transfer?
The timing of it was BRILLIANT actually.
In fact, if Fields stays, then holy shit, now we have 3 QBs and OSU has none. Rekt.
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What’s really important is to get hysterical about an unfounded rumor that some lawyer might use some incident to plea for a hardship waiver.
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LOL
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especially if you’re over 40.
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Honestly, can we all just agree: Fuck Dan Wolken
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What’s Wolken got to do with it? Fields is in the portal, so it’s not exactly a dark secret.
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It’s more a big picture dislike of the guy: he trolled UGA for years for underachieving under Richt, then feigned outrage bc they would dare fire such a fine man, then couldn’t wait for Kirby to flame out.
Now he just happens to break this story instead of any of a half dozen UGA beat writers.
Maybe he doesn’t have an axe to grind. But he sure acts like he does.
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He’s a Vandy guy, right? He is pretty annoying.
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That’s redundant.
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Yep. Like Clay Travis, Jay Cutler, and Jordan Rodgers, it comes naturally.
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I think it’s Wolken’s take that “Fields has a strong case for a waiver” based on the unfortunate baseball player incident, which was promptly addressed and which NOBODY, to my knowledge, has tried to defend. Quite the opposite. If it’s such a hostile environment, why is his sister coming to UGA to play softball?
I don’t have any desire to keep him at UGA if he feels he’d rather be somewhere else. Jacob Eason was a good soldier, left with his head held high and nobody wished, or wishes, him any ill. Fields has done the same, and while I wish he’d stay, if he goes, it’s his right. What I would mind, and worry about, is him or his camp smearing UGA on his way out the door. You can’t beat Fromm out this year and you don’t want to wait? OK, cool. Sit out your year like everyone else and good luck at your new location.
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Fields is going to stay and switch to TE.
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If I still had a cup of coffee this late in the day, I’d have spit it all over my computer. 🙂
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How Kirby manage to pull off saying that he wasn’t annoyed with fields with a straight face was a real accomplishment.
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I agree with the observations that Fields needs to go. I really don’t relish the idea of the continuing drama that seems to follow in his wake. He can see from his vantage point the very real possibility that Jake Fromm may lead his team to a Natty, and with that may come a Heisman. There would be no shame in waiting one’s turn playing behind such a player and leader as Fromm, but neither is there much appeal to Fields in the status quo. So, he should go find something he deems more in line with his expectations.
I hope Fields can find another place for himself as Eason seems to have done. I wish both kids well with college careers that eventually land them a well-compensated spot in the NFL. And if we happen to cross paths with their college teams in the postseason in the next few years, I do hope we summarily kick their asses.
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I’ve been assured by an Alabama fan as recently as yesterday that “Fromm really isn’t an elite QB, he can’t close/win a big game” and “everyone knows Fields is better, Kirby makes lots of bad decisions and isn’t really a good coacn>” Boomer Freaking Sooner.
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Yep, they are still in denial that Fromm shredded their defense. I’m sure that Tua being hurt put a strain on their vaunted defense. Going to make it that much sweeter next year when we beat them.
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It feels like a good thing that Coach Smart and the staff are giving it space to play out.
No demands or restrictions, just keep going and see how it plays out.
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Yep. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Kind of reminds me of the difference between an over-lawyered and a really good contract. In an effort (bordering on paranoia) to make sure every single thing is accounted for, you end up kind of missing the bigger pictures in the end while potentially creating more ambiguities, creating unnecessary obligations /problems or just generally looking like a clown.
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I think Fields is smart to keep the option of staying open, even though I don’t think he will, or particularly think it is best for UGA. His reason for doing so is the option to leave is only a slam dunk to him if it looks favorable that he will be granted an exception from the NCAA. He will have a better idea of his chances of success with another 2 weeks of feedback and evaluation. But I doubt there is any chance of a decision until at least spring, the NCAA hasn’t been quick with their decisions in this area.
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I don’t see the NCAA making any type of decision for months. You’re right that the family wants an idea if their appeal is viable or not before they make the jump. They won’t get any clue from the NCAA beforehand. Gonna have to rely on the opinion of their lawyer and any other pundits they consult. The hardship appeal can’t begin until he’s actually enrolled at another school, so that would probably mean a decision would come about a week before the season with the NCAA’s track record on expediency.
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We may need hm for the fake punt.
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him
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So what’s the rep of this lawyer Thomas Mars? Can he work magic like a Bobby Lee Cook? Getting Shea Patterson an okay was easy pickings considering Old Miss & Freeze’s issues. I don’t see any valid argument that’s gonna get Fields on the field for another team in 2019. He either redshirts or JUCOs. The ncaa will go to war on this, as it represents full blown free agency if they give Fields a pass on some b.s. excuse.
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Hugh Freeze is pretty impressed with Mars’ skills.
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Examples to the contrary: Two kids walked out of Ohio State and straight onto UNC’s football team and NCSU’s basketball team this season. No sitting out a year.
It’s becoming common.
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I am in the group of folks who do not claim any particular inside knowledge, but typically, I don’t think the rest of the team harbors ill will against another player that they otherwise get along with fine. They seem to understand that ‘it’s just business’. I think if he stays the only real problem is going to be for Kirby and roster management, but hey, CKS has shown some real acumen in that area, so he will figure it out. I definitely think JF1 should practice, and be ready to go to NO – we may need him, and it may be his last opportunity to go there as a college student athlete. Win, win, in other words.
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I think if he winds up staying, it will be abundantly clear to him that he will have to obviously beat out Fromm for playing time. I can’t see much more than what he had this year (if that) unless a light clicks on, or Fromm gets hurt.
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Kirby is a smart dude and I believe will handle this situation that is best for Ga and Fields.
Now, what does Justin mean by ‘play’ in the Sugar Bowl? If Fields means suit up and help Jake get warmed up and be ready in case of an injury then great. If Field’s intention is to actually have Jake come out and work him into a close game then I hope Kirby is not down with that. Justin is the clear backup QB. Fields may be all world someday but today is not that day.
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Exploring other options on our dime while simultaneously practicing & playing in a bowl = he is really wanting to have his cake and to eat it to
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“Our” who?
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Trick question or snark ?
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I wish him the best but he’s looking for a way out so cut him loose now. Jesus! I can’t believe we’re still trying to coddle this guy.
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One can tell that 95% of the folks commenting here never even played high school ball. What would y’all know about a locker room. Nothing. Justin Fields and his dad telling the coaches for weeks that he isn’t being used right is like a parent in t ball crying. Why does he get an attorney? Because he got beat out and wants to break the rules now? If you think this is just motoring of the mill locker room talk , then u never played a down. Every day he stays on the roster is bad for uga. Kirby is in a no win situation
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Wish he transferred on 3rd and 11
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Let me help you. “Our” dime = all of us John q taxpayer’s & fans of a public university who pay for the travel & bowl tix. Is he gonna invest in 2 programs at the same time but screw up our game practice vs texas being a distraction? If so I would rather not go.
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