Georgia football continued preparations for Florida Monday afternoon. There was a buzz around the team, and the business-like atmosphere returned. The crisp air made it finally feel like football season, and the team seems ready to take on the Gators. Steve and I break down our takeaways from Monday’s practice.
Savannah’s Offense Report
— Jim Chaney continued to work his tight ends through blocking drills. Issac Nauta and Luke Ford received praise from Chaney.
— Dell McGee had the running backs work through an agility course drill. It seemed to focus on facing the various adversities an RB does during a run. There was ball protection, stiff arm areas, and cutting spots to work through. Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift both look healthy and strong, really strong.
— The offensive line was split into two groups, one with Sam Pittman and the other with the assistant. Pittman focused on fundamentals and made sure everyone’s hand placement and footwork were to his standard.
— James Coley had the quarterbacks work through various drop back drills, and then he seemed to have the quarterbacks work on faking the handoff and running. Then he would work on handing it off or making the short pass. Coley emphasized the RPO stuff a good bit through the first period.
— After that, the QB’s joined with the receivers and tight ends and worked through various types of routes. Short ones, long ones, over the middle, they worked through a little of everything, but they do that each week. I will say that Jake Fromm and Justin Fields both had their moments. Beautiful long passes and then both overthrew receivers as well.
— I will note that Demetris Robertson is a smooth cat. He makes things look effortless and has so much body control when he catches a ball. I liked seeing him against LSU and hope we continue to against Florida. Robertson seems conditioned, and his blocking has improved a lot.
Steve’s Defense Report
— David Marshall and Daquan Hawkins-Muckle are still not at practice. I did see a player with shorts and a t-shirt on in the indoor facility running up and down the field, but I’m not 100 percent sure if it was Hawkins-Muckle or not. I will keep an eye out for that tomorrow.
— The secondary worked on fundamental tackling. Mel Tucker had them emphasize wrapping up when they make a tackle. It’s going to be another tough test for the Georgia run defense as they will face a pair of solid running backs in Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine.
— Head coach Kirby Smart had the starting defensive unit working against Florida offensive formations. He focused on No. 12 for Florida, which happens to be its leading receiver, Van Jefferson. Smart also made a point to make sure the defense knew who Scarlett was too.
— It is imperative for Georgia to contain these two playmakers and limit their production.
— Also Georgia nickel defense has stayed the same. Tyrique McGhee is the STAR, Tyson Campbell is one of the DB and Deandre Baker is the other DB. Richard LeCounte and J.R. Reed both worked at the safety position.