So, to open the second half yesterday, Georgia embarks on a 7-run, 10-play drive that ends in a missed field goal attempt. There are actually a couple of guys behind me in the stands who start grumbling about the play calling.
Auburn proceeds to turn the ball over on downs. Then, this happens:
I turned to my friend before the snap to say, “man, Auburn’s really loading up to stop the run”. The entire Auburn defense is in a tight box within ten yards of the line of scrimmage. I didn’t even have the chance to say anything about all the open space McConkey had in front of him before it was go time.
The whole thing sort of reminded me of the opening play of last year’s Cocktail Party, when I could see the huge gain coming just off the formations. The point being, if it’s so obvious that even somebody like me could see it coming from the cheap seats, Todd Monken knows a little something about play design and play calling. Certainly more than the dudes sitting behind me yesterday.
Get The Picture 
Ended up good. But I wonder when/if these missed FGs will become a real factor and hurt us
LikeLike
I thought yesterday was Monken’s finest performance. We are working with an “undersized” QB who supposedly has no vision on the field and a leading receiver who looks like a Bobblehead as he is undersized himself. I’m beginning to believe that Monken is a wizard. The 3rd down read option by Bennett was a thing of beauty and I’m beginning to believe that the Mailman is QB1 for us. The intangible wheels on the man is impressive.
LikeLike
I am the first to admit I didn’t know why the heck Kirby signed Ladd and I should have just trusted the process. The real question is whether UF fans would categorize Ladd as a Kirby can develop players story or he is just a lucky recruiter.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Ladd McConkey and Jordan Davis are the reason coaches go see players play (and look at a LOT of film) and don’t just rely on recruiting service rankings to try and sign players. They apparently saw something in these two that does not show up on the measurable metrics. Heart, desire, and effort can’t be measured, but they can be seen. With McConkey and Davis it was size for both of them that held them back. McConkey was too small but worked hard to put on good weight and is now a huge threat to the other side. Davis was too big but literally worked his ass off to turn the bad pounds into good and is now THE best DL in college football (unless you want to discuss that maybe one of his running mate is as good or better). This is also a testament to the UGA strength and conditioning staff. You are not going to score a win every time you take a chance, but with good talent evaluators and a good S&C staff, you can win more than you lose.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I don’t remember if it was Kirby’s post game presser or one from last week but he talked about recruiting McKonkey. Said the kid just wanted to play at Georgia, Kirby saw him play and how hard he played, heard how hard he worked and then saw him play BBall and knew he was a special athlete. Paraphrasing but said that’s what you want, great athletes who want to be part of your program.
LikeLiked by 4 people
“I saw the heart of a warrior. He didn’t have one Power-5 offer. I said I want this guy on my team. Any player on our team will tell you Ladd McConkey will outwork any guy out there. He is everything right about college football.” https://twitter.com/960theref/status/1446982159529562114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
LikeLiked by 5 people
Wonder how many Auburn fans were wishing they had a three-star, 169th-ranked Ladd McConkey on their roster yesterday, considering what a garbage fire their own receiving corps was.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Absolutely. And Demetris struggled. Yeah, Bo was throwing heat all game, but D & Co. dropped a ton of balls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
McConkey (3 star) vs Demetrius (5 star): Who would you want to throw to? Long career yet for McConkey, but it’s looking like the recruiting services got it wrong on both counts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, Demetris has struggled since leaving Cal. McConkey is small but he’ll get bigger and faster. Not that he’s slow. Dude ran a 10.85 hundred meters as a HS senior and a 4.56 40. He’s got wheels.
LikeLike
The nice lady Auburn fan from Huntsville I was sitting next to turned to me after their second drop and asked, “Can you tell we fired our wide receivers coach?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had literally just told my wife before this play, “Now is the perfect time for the “Mark Richt-special-play-action-deep-ball”…”……..then I almost hit my ceiling fan with my head as it happened.
LikeLike
It was especially sweet as that was/continues to be a hallmark of Mike Bobo.
LikeLike
My wife looked at me after Auburn’s first drive and said, “That was a typical Bobo drive: eight minutes and a field goal.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kirby giving Monken the keys to the car is going to get him a national title.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I can’t imagine complaining about anything re yesterday’s game..our so called fans suck.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. Yes they do. We have the bitchiest fan base. Nothing is ever good enough.
LikeLike
When it comes to O-Coordinators all fans suck. Bama fans were also bitching about their O-Coordinator yesterday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was grumbling at home. After they ran it down there and Auburn was cheating up, I wanted them to run playaction then. I’m glad he called it on the next series, but it was still a wasted opportunity on the previous drive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
you have to present the bait just right or the fish won’t bite!
LikeLike
So was I grumbling at home. A bunch of folks on the other Dawgs blog worth reading were calling for PA on the first series of the 2nd half.
LikeLike
I’ve typed it before, but this offense as ragtag as it is due to injuries, is so much more dynamic than previous years…Monken exploits defenses…receivers (young true freshmen) fight like hell to get open…the Oline dominates and the backs just grind the opposing defenses down…it’s so much more fun as a fan to watch…the diversity of run and pass is a thing of beauty…I have to think opposing DCs are shitting their pants looking at our tape
LikeLiked by 1 person
Monken is such a blessing. I remember when Coley was OC somebody posted here that everything the offense did looked like it was hard to do. Perfect description.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Has McConkey dropped anything thrown his way? He reminds me of a smaller version of Fred Biletnikoff (but with hair). He is a GREAT route runner with the speed to break one all the way. Has his body positioned to give his QB a great target, and if he can touch it, he reels it in. What a great security blanket to have (along with those 2 tight ends).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Senator, there are a lot of guys in the Georgia fan base like the dudes who sat behind you who don’t know shit about football and those are the ones with the biggest mouths.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Senator, there are a lot of guys in the Georgia fan base like the dudes who sat behind you who don’t know shit about football and those are the ones with the biggest mouths.
LikeLike
We were sitting in that end zone and I could see the play develop. I turned to my wife and said, ” That’s a TD.” before the ball left Bennerr’s hand. It was beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haven’t seen Ladd drop one. A couple of times he hasn’t run beyond the first-down marker, but true freshmen will do that. AD and McConkey have been incredible. Credit to Terrence Edwards for his work with those guys. Not sure if TE wants to be on Kirby’s staff but if he does he should get the chance.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Monken is the best OC in the country. And his HC finally fully trusts him. That’s a great combination.
LikeLike
Ladd McConkey is 4’2”, 124 soaking wet. He runs a 8.3 100, can vertically jump over 7’, has 4 sets of eyes, hands as big as oven mitts and power lifts Jordan Davis for fun. He will be an UGA Legend.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pingback: What about Todd? | Get The Picture