Kirby saw what we saw Saturday night.
Smart attributed the protection issues against Vanderbilt to poor communication, though it had nothing to do with crowd noise.
Georgia fans made up approximately 75 percent of the crowd at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville.
“We had some ill-advised communication and busts that are not indicative of an offensive line that’s played so many games and starts as these guys,” Smart said. “I think the guys played hard and physical, but we got to play smarter and protect better.”
While Hill comes in for some specific criticism about his consistency in the article (and he did have trouble picking up the stunting Vandy’s d-linemen did), he wasn’t alone in having protection busts on occasion.
While they’ve got two weeks to spend on working out communication issues, it doesn’t help that they’ll have to do that with a change of cast.
It would seem one likely adjustment for Saturday’s game is for sophomore Cade Mays to move from right guard to right tackle, and redshirt junior Ben Cleveland to get the start at right guard.
At practice, however, sophomore offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer was the next man up after Wilson left the field with injury.
Salyer figures to see his first action of the year after returning to practice on Tuesday, though his conditioning would be a question mark.
Salyer missed more than a week of practice with an undisclosed lower body injury suffered on Aug. 20.
Given the talent on hand and Sam Pittman, I wouldn’t say this represents a crisis as much as it does a challenge. But, yeah, they need to find a way to keep Jake Fromm’s jersey cleaner.
Get The Picture 
Here’s the thing about Trey Hill in my view: He’s new to the position, and there is no reason to expect him to do as well as Gaillard did right away. He’s does a great job when he isn’t confused, and he can grow in the position. He has another couple of games to get it figured out.
LikeLike
Yep, he will be fine.
And maybe it’s just me, but I’d hate to line up across from Mays and Cleveland. Those two guys seem to play angry. All the time.
LikeLike
Why is it the O line is dinged up every week? We had the same issues last year.
These big fellas don’t heal as well or something?
LikeLike
You get hit on every play in practice and in a game as a lineman. While the collisions aren’t at higher speeds like running backs and receivers, the lower body injury risk goes up especially related to be rolled up on.
LikeLike
Teams will be looking at Texas in Sugar Bowl and their stunting until the Dawgs can get better against it. Gaillard was doing the calls against Texas, and he was confused, so its not just Hill.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely.
LikeLike
You’re right (will see more)….a lot of stunting, twisting and hitting the gaps. Texas also had some speed on ‘D.
LikeLike