Over at Dawgnation, Connor Riley (it’s a slow news day, so work with me here) asks a question I admit I hadn’t seriously considered.
Quarterback: Can Carson Beck emerge as the No. 2 quarterback?
By all accounts, Beck had a strong performance in this past Saturday’s scrimmage for Georgia. While he lacks the game experience that Stetson Bennett does, Beck has a greater upside. If he’s able to translate that potential into a few more strong performances over Georgia’s final five spring practices, he could make a strong case to be Georgia’s No. 2 quarterback come the 2021 season.
I certainly am not privy as to how spring practice has been going, so I can’t question his assertion there about Beck’s work. I will say, though, that while 2020 exposed Bennett’s shortcomings, he does have qualities that Beck can’t bring to the table: SEC game experience and working knowledge of Monken’s scheme, for starters. He’s also spent more time on field with the number one receivers than has Beck. In short, if the primary purpose a number two behind Daniels serves is to step in if Daniels has to leave a game due to injury and function with the trust of the coaches, Bennett seems right for that job.
Mind you, that is not the same function served by having a quarterback run the offense in the fourth quarter in a blowout. I can see where the coaches would favor Beck and (maybe) Vandagriff over Bennett in such a setting.
Does anyone see a quarterback other than Bennett being Daniels primary backup in 2021?
Get The Picture 
I agree with you as to how the pecking order perhaps should work this fall. If it is a close game with an injury or an injury preventing Daniels from playing in a game, I’d be inclined to start Bennett over Beck or Vandagriff.
If it is a fourth quarter blowout, I’d rather have Beck or Vandagriff in the game, with the caveat that we need to change our approach slightly in such games and let those youngsters run the full offense — for all the good and bad that might entail — rather than just going in to hand off every down.
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^^^ There it is, Hoss. Got to be prepared for a snake bite.
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Oh my yes on that last point — let the backups get proper experience
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I would tend to agree, but will Bennett be content to work in practice as the #2 guy and then watch one of the young guys come in during games to play in a blowout?
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I would guess that if Bennett were concerned about playing time and happiness he would’ve already portaled. Writing on the wall is that this is Daniels’s year and the mop up priority would be building experience in the future, and Bennett would understand that. He probably already realizes that last year could’ve been handed to Daniels earlier, so my guess is Bennett is happy with the time he had and wants to ride this out to the end – hopefully a SEC title and more…
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Yeah, I would agree with that. I guess it’s similar to the Murray/Mason deal in 2012 when Mason redshirted for class separation but was preparing as the #2 guy in case of an extended injury to Murray.
All of that really depends on SBIV being a good teammate, which I don’t doubt at all.
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Let us not forget Bennett transferred for more playing time already. And came back.
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The other (larger, to me) question would be who goes in if JT goes down early in the season and a game in on the line. I think it would be Stetson. Descriptions like “greater upside” and “more potential” mean the QB isn’t there, and there’s no guarantee they’ll ever get there. When I start hearing (either of) the other two described as “lights-out” and “got it down” without large caveats, I’ll feel a whole lot better.
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I’m quite sure someone else can miss open receivers and get balls batted down. The bar isn’t that high for number 2.
I’m sure SB is a good dude and all, but those feel good stories left when Richt did.
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As CKS grows into the HC position at UGA football, during so called blowout minutes, will the UGA “OC” be allowed to run the game plan/offensive plan as intended, only then will true game time reps be experienced by all those needing game time evaluations…(see UGA QB’s in 2020)…
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If he is gonna keep Monken, or get another monken, he better.
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Yeah, what a scamp. All he did was save us from an embarrassing opener again Ark, dominate AU & UT and have us up against Bama for most the game. Oh, wasn’t great, but we also beat UK with him. We were leading against UF when he got the contusion on his throwing arm. Both of those games were played without George Pickens.
In a new offense, he had the least amount of preseason reps; he had almost no snaps with the 1st string offense coming into the season, IIRC. 4-2, that was his record last year. He tried to do too much at times, but our defense was also having a hell of a time stopping Bama and UF. Stetson Bennett III saved us from D’Wan Mathis or a true freshman at QB. What would last season have looked like with either of them?
He’s much more than a “good dude” and should be remembered as such. He was on the verge of becoming a legend last year. Greyson Lambert, Logan Gray, Joe Cox, Brice Ramsey…. those were good dudes, all ranked much higher than 2*, 5’11” SBIII. None of them could do what he did.
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Jeez dude, the hagiography is a bit excessive as well as being written through rose colored glasses.
He was “on the verge” of becoming a legend.
Is that similar to “almost” winning a national title?
We can be honest about Stetson as well as being grateful for what he brought without lying to ourselves about what he is to include what he can’t do, which is he’s a good enough QB to beat the bad teams but he was bad against the good teams.
We should want Beck or BVG to earn the No. 2 job over him because they have so much more talent, but as others have said, it’s nice to have a “break glass in case of emergency” option if they don’t.
Let’s not delude ourselves that he’s something that he’s not.
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Hagiography, huh? How about sesquipedalian, there’s one to keep at the ready. He was an after thought, pecking order preseason was Newman > Mathis > Beck > Bennett. His short-comings were largely his inability to checkdown his receivers, which could justifiably be put on his lack of preseason reps. He’s more than a “good dude” who came home to ride the pine when he could have started elsewhere. He doesn’t deserve to be referenced disparagingly or compared to as mediocrity.
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You’re right. He’s an awesome dude. He beat some really bad teams that fired their coaches. He at one point was in the lead on the most important games of the year and ended up losing them.
Let’s continue to waste reps on a number two qb that won’t win us anything of note since feelings matter more than results.
I feel so much better now, I hope you do the same.
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Yes, he is an awesome dude. Yes, we probably would have lost to some really bad teams without him. Yes, he lost to the national champions and the best UF team since the Tebow era. Yes, you should be happy he’s currently our #2.
JT goes down in a tight game early next season, at this point, Bennett goes in there. Maybe Beck or Vandagriff can pull a Fromm, but I think it would more likely be a Stafford. Potential ain’t worth a hill of beans when the game is on the line; give the newbies all the mop-up work, get them in the (won) games as much as possible, I am all for that, but Bennett is our #2. Maybe it tastes like someone pissed in your Wheaties to have that come out your mouth, but it is the truth…for now.
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Probably is a guess. Not a truth.
Potential is worth a hill of beans. Remember when Eason threw a potential game winner at Tennessee?
He also didn’t have a prior season with a practice either like SB did here. SB never makes that throw.
So nah, I’m gonna be pissed if he’s number two. Beck has had time to develop. Stop wasting reps on something that will never come to fruition.
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Go back and look at the comments about D’Wan’s promise and potential last season. Pollack gushed all over him and his potential. Now tell me you’d have preferred D’Wan last season to Bennett, because that’s what you are saying right now. Beck is getting better, but what I’m reading doesn’t seem drastically different that what I was reading about D’Wan a year ago. There’s time until September and hopefully JT makes all this debate moot.
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As many people have said, “Deserve has nothing to do with it.”
This is such a problem right now in our society. Everyone wants to talk about “deserve” and no one wants to talk about “earn.”
While Stetson Bennett earned our respect for beating some bad teams and stepping up to the plate when needed, he hasn’t earned anything else. If he goes at there and is declared the 2nd string QB, well given what we know about Kirby’s play not to lose tendencies there will always be a nagging suspicion that it’s because of his experience and not because he actually is the second best QB.
We’ll see.
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I hate the world ‘deserve’. I never heard that word growing up. And the phrase ‘I feel like……..’. F—k your ‘feels’, grow a pair, and have strong, logical opinions. What a p—sy world we live in.
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LOL machine gunner. Your comment reminds me of that scene in “Idiocracy” where the soldier complains that he can’t be selected for the mission because “who would do his job”? His CO responds: “I think we can find someone to sit on their ass and watch TV”.
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Idiocracy. Just damn, GurkhaDawg. It’s more and more akin to Orwell’s 1984. A warning, not a plan.
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Spent more time on the field missing the number one receivers than Beck has*
FIFY
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Dayum.
Clearly, I’m behind on the “let’s crap on Stetson Bennett” era.
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Couldn’t said it better myself.
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Well said. Somethings are good to be behind on.
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Well you’ve posted enough of the feel good stats that don’t mean anything. This is the other side of that conversation.
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Do I like the guy? Hell yeah! Was I rooting for him? Hell yeah! Am I grateful he’s on the team and came back etc? Absolutely!
But he’s a 9th year senior and we’ve seen enough. He makes bad decisions and can’t slide into lanes. He isn’t aggressive down-field and couldn’t hit open guys in a wide open offense.
Sorry not sorry that I don’t want him in the games anymore. If at any point this year we have to rely on Stetson to win a game we are already sunk. Would rather let Beck or BVG get real reps and see their potential realized sooner than later.
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I think this falls into my play/series/season determination.
For a play, its Stetson, for a series, still probably Stet. Season ending, gotta be a Beck/Vandagriff competition.
We don’t win big trophies with Stetson.
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“Could Kendall Milton have a breakout season in 2021?
Milton had the size, speed, and power to excel at the college level. We saw it on display multiple times last season despite a crowded backfield. The backfield will still be crowded this fall but we’ve heard blah blah blah and he’s also blah blah blah.”
There I’m a journalist now.
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Your being way too hard on yourself, CB!
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perfect
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Lets address this after the spring game.
My speculation is that Beck will be the clear winner in the back up race and the heir apparent to JT for the 2022 season. I think Brock is going to be a little raw. Stet will be who we know he is.
We’ll see.
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To the point of this post, I would probably feel more comfortable with Bennett coming off the bench in the event Daniels gets injured in a game. I’d also probably be OK with him starting against anyone outside of Clemson or Florida if it came to that.
Basically the less prep time the offense has the more I prefer Bennett. But if Daniels went down tomorrow I would hope one of the other guys could step in and be ready by the fall.
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If it was July yes I’m on board with if JT goes down for a series or two Bennett needs to be the guy. As horrible as the last FU game was we were up 14-0 before he received a bad shoulder injury. He is a loyal hard working DGD who has maxed out his ability. For today still the most game ready option.
Since it’s still April I’m hoping over the summer some one else with greater upside steps forward clearly claiming the job in fall camp.
Whoever number two is needs to enjoy cupcake season getting reps in preparation for 2022.
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Given that we’ve seen what Bennett can and can’t do, I think we all should want Beck or BVG to win the backup job because they would have the arm talent and ability to run the full offense if they were to actually earn the backup role and then for some reason be thrust into the starter’s role.
So I think it’s nice that Bennett is there, but we should all hope Beck or BVG earn the second spot over him.
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I know it makes no sense, but every time I see someone call Vandagriff “BVG” I am envisioning Brian Van Gorder suiting up. It’s terrifying.
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Hah! No, I get it.
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I’m pretty sure we never saw SB at his best.
Consider that he was thrust into the starting spot by Newman leaving and Mathis faltering. He never was really expected to be there. He never got the coaching and the time with the first team that any starter would need.
Also, going into the WLOCP, it looked like a great offensive game plan and Stetson was finally going to hit his stride when he took a shoulder injury.
I believe that injury changed the outcome of that game.
He is probably the second QB this year. I’m good with that.
I hope that he is allowed to put up some late scores on Grantham (who, I believe ordered the late hit on SBs shoulder) and he gives Grantham the finger as he leaves the field.
But it only makes sense to let your future guys run the offense in blowouts.
And those of you that slam SB are ignoramuses.
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Agree with “we’ll see”. I’m thinking about how the OLine solidifies and if our run game improves. If the line is solid and we have gotten back to an explosive run game with the RB room and TE play, then Bennett or Beck work equally as well. If our run game continues to be stuck in the lower YPC values, then we need a slinger (Beck).
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Bennet is the break in case of emergency dude. With prep time, especially against a lesser opponent, I’d hope we get Beck going. his ceiling is literally a foot higher.
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Beck better damn well win the 2 spot. He won’t have a shot at starter if he doesn’t and I’d like to see how Monken can develop his QB’s if the talent is there. Stetson is a DGD but not our future.
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Blaylock is my Hines Ward…
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Do not cast a shadow on # 19, his accomplishments at UGA are in the “legend” category, don’t see Mr. Blaylock achieving that status at UGA football…
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One of my all time favorite dawgs, no shadow cast.
Thinks the subject was about QB. Hines played that in HS. Switched to WR in college, but also used as an emergency QB……and did damn well, outstanding is probably the better word.
Blaylock was a receiver but also got behind center in a few situations in HS. He also could sling it, most all of his attempts were complete.
Mostly a tongue in cheek comment…..but there are some similarities.
However, I do appreciate your concern.
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If Carson Beck is having trouble getting Monken’s offense down still, he’s not the guy. Early enrollee last year (yeah, I know. 2020 and Covid. But it’s still a full year in the system heading into the fall.
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Yep, as an early entry Beck had as much time in Monken’s offense as Bennett and more than Daniels.
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I don’t know. Gotta think that Beck not only gets put in for emergency situations if Daniels is hurt, Beck also gets the starting nod for a long term Daniel’s injury as well. He has been in the system for over a year and knows the playbook.
We already know the ceiling for Bennett. I think that ship has sailed already. If we ever see Bennett in before a 3rd/4th quarter blowout, Beck will never be the guy.
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I feel it depends on the situation, close game (by Kirby’s standard within two scores) we see Bennet if JT comes out for a short amount of time, say a helmet violation. If early in the season and JT is out for a several weeks for something then look for Beck or someone else. Plan is long term to hope they reach the higher ceiling by the end of the season. I see it as more of a situational plan.
In a blow out late game situation look for Bennett to get a series then go to a young guy for the rest of the game. I might go to the ut game to get a few snaps in at QB, maybe we can all get one or two in that game.
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I’ve always assumed that Beck or Vandagriff would emerge as the number two guy. Stetson Bennett isn’t good enough if Daniels misses any meaningful snaps.
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Bennett realizes he isn’t NFL material and is living like a rock star in Athens. Not a bad gig.
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Kirby’s response the other day sort of said Bennett is the backup, and Beck is a great guy.
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Well….Bennett was the starting qb last year before he went down with an injury with us up 14 in the FU game so I guess that leaves Daniels as the backup this year.
I’m new at this pot stirring stuff so maybe I got it right.
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