The Smart Era and some paradigm shifts, part two

I know you haven't seen much of me around here lately. But remember when I asked back in January about the differences we should/could/would expect now that the Richt Era moved south for the Winter? Well, since many national expert shock jocks and writers have recently weighed in and singled UGA and Coach Smart out, maybe it's a good time to add to the list.

Transfers. In the recent past, most of the players that have left the program (of their own doing, not dismissed) were due to playing time and depth chart issues. Sure, there may have been some behavior related issues mixed in and a guy was encouraged to look elsewhere. But overall, there were more cases like Logan Gray, Faton Bauta and Makiri Pugh than otherwise; situations where a player just wasn't seeing the playing time and wanted another opportunity before his eligibility was up.

And before we go too far, I want to say that I agree with the angst over Smart's recent decision in restricting AJ Turman's transfer choices. It has the feel of one spouse exerting control over the other after the divorce is settled.

But, I also agree with Coach Smart exerting said control. It's nonsensical for the media to get in a tither over this and direct their venom at UGA/Smart when programs exercise the same practice every single year. I guess it's just too easy for them to pat Alabama on the back in Januaryfor another Championship after turning a blind eye when Parker McLeod transferred to Western Kentucky.

Is this a complete 180 degree turn for UGA? Yes, absolutely. Maybe that explains some of the media derision. After all, take this quote from Coach Richt after Pugh decided to transfer:

“We are appreciative of Makiri’s contributions during his two years at Georgia,” said Richt. “We understand and support his decision to transfer and wish him great success the remainder of his career.”

To go from that to making a statement to current players that their old coach in Miami is off limits is quite the shift. Still, we had to know this was coming. It's what happens when you make the decision that ten wins ain't enough.

GDay. The PR campaign for #93KDay coupled with a rare spring game that doesn't conflict with Masters Saturday should produce quite a bump in attendance. Of course, the wild card will be the weather. Hopefully it gives us a nice spring day in Athens to reacquaint ourselves with the Gameday experience. Regardless, the build up has been fun to watch, mostly because it's a new regime and there is much curiosity around the program. New faces and new blood add up to excitement!

And I hope Smart continues to push the envelope with the spring game. The more emphasis there is on not competing with Masters weekend and making it as big a crowd as possible will only help provide the players with a competitive mindset.

Media & Public Access. We talked last time about the media being given less access to players and assistant coaches. So far that has played out as expected. What we didn't see coming (at least I didn't) was the legislative support card being played so that the program can, for lack of a better word, "hide" behind Open Records Law when it comes to behind the scenes access to information about the program, such as NCAA compliance issues and coaching contract ins and outs.

Let's be perfectly honest, less access to this level (and to be clear, if Gov. Deal signs the bill it would put Georgia well past other southeastern states) affects the media directly in that it's their job to give the public information. It affects the rest of us indirectly because of that. Right now there are not many fans upset about this development, despite all the print and digital columns asking us to do just that.

Where do I stand? Like I've said before, it's a new dawn. What Kirby wants, let's give it to him. We're not a program satisfied with old school bowl games. We have to win at (almost) all costs. If that means less access for media, the public, and lowly bloggers like me...so be it.

"We're going to the Ramsey!!". Just for fun, we know pool days and high dives are no longer. RIP Natatorium Go-Pros! What do you think takes its place? Will Smart give the 1's a steak dinner while the 2's get a spoon and a can of Spam?

Best of Athens survey

When you have a moment, take a couple minutes to fill out this survey on things to do around Athens. Rent Like a Champion is using the results to better equip out of town guests with everything they need to know about what there is to do, eat, and drink while in the Classic City.

And really, is there a better person to ask than an experienced Dawg fan like yourself? I don't think so.

via

Happy Birthday 34!

Now 54 years old, Herschel still has never lost to Florida. Happy Birthday to The Goalline Stalker!

Keith Marshall proves that $peed pay$

File this under "Hard work really does pay off" - Keith Marshall sets top 40 time at the NFL Combine and Adidas pays him $50,000.

Marshall ran an official 4.31-second 40-yard dash time on Friday, which turned out to be the fastest time this year at the NFL scouting combine.

Because of the lightning-fast time, Adidas is set to pay Marshall $50,000.

Marshall, who began the 2015 season third on Georgia’s depth chart behind Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, came to Georgia with a reputation for being one of the fastest recruits in the country. Even after sustaining a torn ACL in 2013, which held him out of the majority of his 2014 season, Marshall showed what kind of speed he still has in Indianapolis on Friday.

Marshall ran unofficial times of 4.29 and 4.31 seconds before earning the official 4.31 mark.

Pretty cool for a guy who had a tough luck road and then was vastly under-utilized last season, especially late. Happy to see his hard work on the field and in recovery pay off. And for those of you who weren't aware, Marshall lost his grandmother last week too.

All of that, coupled with his superior all around performance in Indy, and I think this post deserves a signature Truth4 stiffarm!

Chubb Town

Looking forward to this one. Great story. If you haven't read about it already, be sure you set those DVRs.

A seven year NSD streak ends

Although I'm not much for the ugly drama that is recruiting these days, I've long been a fan of National Signing Day. Real life will keep me away from Butts-Mehre today for the first time since I started the little blog here.

By the end of the day we'll probably look on this class as a conservative yet impressive one. Smart and his staff have done a bang up job of transitioning right into their own wants and needs while sealing up most of the question marks. The class may end up being a small one, but there could be plenty of excitement as well.

Mostly, I wanted to go today to see Smart speak to the crowd and get a firsthand sense of the new era. For those of you going, enjoy your day in Athens. For the rest of us, we'll use Twitter and the F5 key to keep abreast of developments as we are able.

Go Dawgs!

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For any interested, I have a NSD list I follow for recruiting specific news. You're welcome to use it as well. For you Rivals followers, they have a nifty new app that sends notifications to your mobile device. I've been testing it out the last week and give it a solid thumbs up.

"Should you tweet at a recruit?"

Timely and (unfortunately) relevant...this is genius. (h/t Scott)

The fact that so many engage with high school age kids on this level, thinking that what they type makes an actual difference, is cute in a "Bless y'all's hearts" kinda way. The fact that so many engage with high school age kids on this level to vent their own ill-conceived frustrations is sad, sick, and pathetic.

Hey, just don't be that guy.

Recruiting "spinning up"

Nothing like making a good impression.

Coach Smart arriving at Lanier in style. @LanierFootball pic.twitter.com/Of973fwwTu

— LanierHS Athletics (@LanierADNews) January 28, 2016

Bet Lake Lanier looks nice from that elevation.

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UPDATE: 

Yup. It is quite the view. Thanks Coach Smart!

Riding in style with @Coach_mtucker this morning looking for some #Dawgs #CommitToTheG #Chopper pic.twitter.com/83RRAsECAV

— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) January 28, 2016

The Smart Era and some paradigm shifts

So now that UGA has entered the era of football where it is “Win or else”, what other changes could we expect that would be in stark contrast to past experiences? Here are some I’ve thought of, but please feel free to expound and/or add some I may have missed.

Media Access. This came up last week after the national championship game as it looks like there will be minimal access to players and some coaches/staff. Not a surprising development considering this is what is comfortable to Coach Smart being under Saban for so long. But it’s going to drastically change the way in which those who cover UGA football develop stories as well as how the rest of us read them.

As a fan, I applaud it. Mostly because Smart should keep with what is comfortable while he makes this transition. Whether it’s due to less distractions and increased focus, or not having certain news leak out, or if it’s just a part of the process, if it helps us win one more game each season that’s cool with me.

(Also, I’d prefer that game be located in Jacksonville. But no one’s asking me...and I digress….)

Recruiting. There’s a plethora of possibilities under this sub-heading. And admittedly, some of you that follow recruiting more closely are probably better able to answer this one. But some things that jump to mind are gray shirts and roster management. The latter of which had already begun to improve as in 2015 we were playing with a full roster, at least moreso than previous seasons.

Admissions. There’s rumors this may have even already come up. But in the past there’s been a recruit here or there that for whatever reason (usually a class showing up on the transcript that might clear the NCAA Clearinghouse but causes some red flag to raise in the Admissions Office, or a discipline issue while the student-athlete was in high school) has been offered a spot on the team and may have even signed the Letter of Intent, but doesn’t clear the tape to get admitted to UGA. For reference, recall michael Grant. He was a highly recruited defensive back (and track star) that chose UGA over Florida, Tennessee, and FSU. He signed but then wasn’t cleared due to a disciplinary infraction that led to his suspension from South Gwinnett High School. He then landed at Stephenson High where he was a star on the gridiron and the track. As I remember, Richt went to bat for him when he was denied admission, but to no avail. Grant was released in full and signed with a grateful Houston Nutt in Arkansas.

More recently, Johnathan Taylor ran out of chances in Athens only to be given a famous “second” chance in Tuscaloosa. I wouldn’t expect that drastic of a philosophy and practice shift. I’m sure Kirby knows that as well. But there’s a lot of new faces around Butts-Mehre. So I wouldn’t be surprised if there are discussions about marginal student-athletes and whether they should be given another chance in Athens.

The Jimmy Williamson Situation. This may have already been evolving as well. If so, we have our new President to thank for it. For I have heard many a story of how the head of UGA Campus Police just did not like Mark Richt. Maybe that’s just me hearing things I want to hear, but there have been instances where very minor legal situations were awfully public. Believe me, if a guy breaks a law I’m all for the legal system stepping in and correcting the behavior. But the fact is that Richt was often forced to answer questions you just never heard other coaches have to address. Which is why so many national Herbstreits felt the need to weigh in on occasions. Will Kirby be forced to navigate the Sheriff’s office the way his predecessor did? On the other side of the coin (and for all those that felt Richt was the reason his players misbehaved), how will Smart’s locker room leadership differ than Richt’s? Convincing young men that nothing good happens downtown after midnight is easy. Having them remember that fact when they’re there is much harder.

Tuscaloosa might be just a day’s drive from Athens. But you don’t have to go back too far historically to see things are handled differently here than they are there.

Also, roster management can have an impact on team behavior too. Think back to those years when we just didn’t have enough upperclassmen on the roster, at least ones who had been in the locker room since their freshman year. Even if a senior doesn’t play much, the coaches and staff are going to point to them as a model for the younger guys. If guys fresh out of high school are given too much power, suddenly the inmates are running the asylum.

To close, I don’t necessarily endorse whole scale changes in the way things are handled, from Butts-Mehre to North Campus. But I think it will be interesting to see some philosophy shifts if nothing else. Like I’ve said, it’s an exciting time. Let’s keep it up.

Go Dawgs!

A Smart(er) Era

Watching the program in transition got old quick. I don’t think I’m the only one of us that felt that. And it wasn’t just the feeling of not having a head coach while the interim head coach readies to head to a divisional rival, the old head coach starts recruiting for his new gig, and the newly appointed head guy coaches out his days towards another championship.

No, it was just the feeling of being stuck in neutral. Some fans are clinging on to olden days, some are already at February 3rd on the calendar, while others are somehow and in some way already criticizing the new guy for this and for that.

Neutral sucks. Even if you’re going in reverse, at least you’re moving somewhere.

Welcome home Coach! (VIA)

But now we’re heading down a new road. Hell, it’s a whole new map! I’ve long ago sworn off the recruiting minutiae that burdens so many people, but it’s impossible not to realize the buzz that Kirby Smart and his staff have generated. It’s truly exciting. No, not from a newly updated team recruiting rankings that in essence mean very little. It’s exciting that so many talented players are going to be lining up for offers and spots in these next couple classes.

With one offensive lineman already enrolled and two more committed, if Kirby adds a couple three more to that I may just have to set up a tailgate for Signing Day!

But I do digress. It is an exciting time. Part of that is the deep exhale from the 2015 season (and subsequent transitional December) being over and done. But mostly it’s just the wind in your hair from moving forward. What a nice feeling!

All of that being said, I’ve heard more than a few start to wonder how quickly Kirby Smart’s staff can turn things around build on what was given to him. Even national guys are already putting out their early 2016 rankings, (as if August wasn’t too early for that already). Answering the question of how good we can expect the 2016 Georgia Bulldogs to be begs the follow up question of how long Smart will be given to get this program to the national stage we just watched play out on all of ESPN's network channels.

So hear this Reader, whenever you get in a conversation that arrives at that question, remember that the answer is an easy one - not long. Smart will surely get more than a season to get there, but he must win greater than ten games or else. Again, Smart isn’t building this program up. His task is to stand on the foundation and take it to new plateaus...soon. Very soon.

Yes, the Smart Era brings with it a seat at the big boy table. Georgia Football is no longer a casual poker game with occasional highs and sustained stacks of chips. You either play out your hand and add to those stacks or the House will find someone else who will.

Now, how long 'til GDay? Go Dawgs!