As always the Georgia 3-2-1 Report is sponsored by Aaron Overhead Doors which has vastly expanded its service area. I mean they are covering an unreal amount of the state. And today they are having a ribbon cutting at their new location. It's an open house with free food and great giveaways. Check them out.
Three Observations
3. Newcomers to know. We always like to focus on the new players who could help the program and this year is no different in that regard. So here are some impact freshmen to watch.
On offense, keep an eye out for Darnell Washington and Jermaine Burton. Washington, the 5-star tight end, has really stepped it up with Tre McKitty being out. He will be quite valuable in those two tight end sets with John FitzPatrick, plus he will help in the red zone. As for Burton, he made quite the move up the depth chart when Dominick Blaylock went down. He stepped in and has impressed the coaches enough to get reps with the first team. Kirby Smart even complimented him, a rare enough occurrence for a true freshman before he has been battle-tested.
Wideout Marcus Rosemy is also one to watch, especially on special teams.
On defense, Jalen Kimber took advantage of Kelee Ringo being sidelined to make a name for himself, which is good because a lot of fans sort of forgot him. Insiders tell us he has good cover skills and will provide good depth in the secondary. On the interior line, look for Jalen Carter to be an absolute force. He’s strong, quick and can stuff the run. We had him ranked in the top 50 coming out of high school. Maybe we should have had him in the top five.
2. Rebuilding special teams. I’ll admit I didn’t know the hot girl at the prom was the art-nerd with glasses who always kept her hair in a ponytail. But ditch the specs, scrunchie and overalls and we are all asking, “Who’s that?!?”
'That' happens to be Jack Podlesny, who has been impressive on kickoffs and placekicking. He will edge out Jared Zirkel based on the results so far. I still don’t know how to pronounce his name.
Jake Camarda continues to be one of the best punters in the nation and will really help the defense by pinning teams deep on their side of the field. He hit some absolute bombs in the scrimmages.
As for the long snapper, the most unloved position on the team, William Mote and Payne Walker are battling to start.
The punt return duties will go to Kearis Jackson, Tyrique Stevenson and Jermaine Burton (there’s his name again…). I think Jackson gets the nod here. Everyone knows kids from Peach County are indestructible after they graduate that Spartan agoge-style football system
As for kick returns, keep an eye out for tailback Kenny McIntosh, Kearis Jackson or Jermaine Burton. With Jackson returning punts and starting as a wideout, this seems like the perfect chance for McIntosh and Burton to shine. I still say Kenny Mac is going to be a star. ( I apologize to his family for that kiss of death).
1. Todd Monken. I went back and watched the film review that Brent Rollins and Dayne Young did in regards to Todd Monken’s offense, then I had someone else explain it to me like I was a five-year-old. One thing that stood out was how many different ways he came up with to maximize a stellar receiver. In other words, he finds ways to get the most out of top talent. So I am guessing he is going to do all sorts of things with George Pickens on the field.
Pickens is one of the best receivers in the nation. I like pie. Both of these are obvious. So how do you utilize a guy who will be shaded or outright doubled up? How do you save your pie cooling on the window sill? Monken has some plans.
Pickens is a nightmare matchup in a one-on-one scenario. He high points his catches (see the crazy clips) and is a killer on the fade route. Monken has to be as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.
Another thing that stood out in his college and professional playcalling was how often Monken used tailbacks in the passing game. This is where James Cook and Kenny McIntosh could make names for themselves. Plus, the idea of tossing the ball to Zamir White on screens and check-downs has to get your blood pumping.
Those three should have some big runs even though the offensive line is a work in progress. And let’s not forget Monken can have D’Wan Mathis take off like a scalded cat as well.
Two Questions
2. Who will step up as the No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver? With most defensive coordinators having bad dreams about George Pickens, some other wideouts should be able to make teams pay for focusing on the kid in the No. 1 jersey. I have mentioned Jermaine Burton a few times. And Marcus Rosemy. Matt Landers always comes up in conversations but he may have been recruited over. I know folks are looking for Demetris Robertson to finally put it all together and live up to that five-star billing. Yet I am going to put my money on Kearis Jackson. He could have a Mecole Hardman-like impact.
1. Speaking of five-star billings, which top player on the defense will live up to their recruiting hype? Adam Anderson? Nakobe Dean? Nolan Smith? Tyson Campbell? UGA has a ton of five-star and high four-star players on the defense. My guess is that Nakobe Dean is going to show us why we should have left him as a five-star and not just the nation’s highest-ranked four-star.
One Prediction
James Cook. I have been predicting big things for him for the last two years. Like a broken Allen Sherman record, I keep coming back to the same line about “Don’t forget the other five-star tailback UGA landed with Zamir White.” Hell, my son even mimics me being on a radio interview by holding an imaginary phone to his ear, gesturing wildly and saying, “...and don’t forget James Cook.”
Real funny. Now go to your room, smart guy.
But like a talking head who only knows one thing about the topic at hand, I will wade in loudly and with conviction. James Cook will be a 1000 yard rusher this season. Plus, he will have 50 catches before the year is over. This will vault him up the NFL Mock Drafts and Georgia fans will be wondering if he’s going to declare early in January.
P.S. With the season here, we want to thank you folks for bearing with us through the thin news times. Your loyalty means a lot. We took a hit in revenue but instead of cutting salaries or staff, we actually tried to grow, adding Jason Butt as our long-form contributor.
In fact, we have grown to the No. 1 SEC site on the network and No.3 overall. As a reward, Rivals is letting us run a killer promotion for new subscribers: $12 for the first year. Now that may not be as cool as the $100 in free gear thousands of you have gotten in the past, but it is still unheard of in our network. I hate to ask this of you all, but will you please share this with folks who are interested? Those folks who read over your shoulder at work...We would not have gotten here without all of you. And I want to continue growing the site to surpass FSU and Texas. Here is the promo link, and it is only good through Monday: Promo
P.P.S. Speaking of good ideas, UGASports made a $1000 donation to Dawgs for Pups, the fund being created by the Georgia players that will be used to provide wifi for children in the Athens community who don’t have it. The donation was made in the name of Bill Davis, DawgC as he was known around here, because he was a Damn Good Dawg and would do anything for the Bulldogs. We will miss him. If you want to donate as well, here is the link: Dawgs for Pups
P.P.P.S. Don’t forget to join us for the Watch Along Party tomorrow at 3:45. Jim Donnan, Dayne Young and I will be commenting on the game. We might even break some news on the show like we did last year. Watch on your phone, tablet or laptop as a cool second screen experience.
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Three Observations
3. Newcomers to know. We always like to focus on the new players who could help the program and this year is no different in that regard. So here are some impact freshmen to watch.
On offense, keep an eye out for Darnell Washington and Jermaine Burton. Washington, the 5-star tight end, has really stepped it up with Tre McKitty being out. He will be quite valuable in those two tight end sets with John FitzPatrick, plus he will help in the red zone. As for Burton, he made quite the move up the depth chart when Dominick Blaylock went down. He stepped in and has impressed the coaches enough to get reps with the first team. Kirby Smart even complimented him, a rare enough occurrence for a true freshman before he has been battle-tested.
Wideout Marcus Rosemy is also one to watch, especially on special teams.
On defense, Jalen Kimber took advantage of Kelee Ringo being sidelined to make a name for himself, which is good because a lot of fans sort of forgot him. Insiders tell us he has good cover skills and will provide good depth in the secondary. On the interior line, look for Jalen Carter to be an absolute force. He’s strong, quick and can stuff the run. We had him ranked in the top 50 coming out of high school. Maybe we should have had him in the top five.
2. Rebuilding special teams. I’ll admit I didn’t know the hot girl at the prom was the art-nerd with glasses who always kept her hair in a ponytail. But ditch the specs, scrunchie and overalls and we are all asking, “Who’s that?!?”
'That' happens to be Jack Podlesny, who has been impressive on kickoffs and placekicking. He will edge out Jared Zirkel based on the results so far. I still don’t know how to pronounce his name.
Jake Camarda continues to be one of the best punters in the nation and will really help the defense by pinning teams deep on their side of the field. He hit some absolute bombs in the scrimmages.
As for the long snapper, the most unloved position on the team, William Mote and Payne Walker are battling to start.
The punt return duties will go to Kearis Jackson, Tyrique Stevenson and Jermaine Burton (there’s his name again…). I think Jackson gets the nod here. Everyone knows kids from Peach County are indestructible after they graduate that Spartan agoge-style football system
As for kick returns, keep an eye out for tailback Kenny McIntosh, Kearis Jackson or Jermaine Burton. With Jackson returning punts and starting as a wideout, this seems like the perfect chance for McIntosh and Burton to shine. I still say Kenny Mac is going to be a star. ( I apologize to his family for that kiss of death).
1. Todd Monken. I went back and watched the film review that Brent Rollins and Dayne Young did in regards to Todd Monken’s offense, then I had someone else explain it to me like I was a five-year-old. One thing that stood out was how many different ways he came up with to maximize a stellar receiver. In other words, he finds ways to get the most out of top talent. So I am guessing he is going to do all sorts of things with George Pickens on the field.
Pickens is one of the best receivers in the nation. I like pie. Both of these are obvious. So how do you utilize a guy who will be shaded or outright doubled up? How do you save your pie cooling on the window sill? Monken has some plans.
Pickens is a nightmare matchup in a one-on-one scenario. He high points his catches (see the crazy clips) and is a killer on the fade route. Monken has to be as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.
Another thing that stood out in his college and professional playcalling was how often Monken used tailbacks in the passing game. This is where James Cook and Kenny McIntosh could make names for themselves. Plus, the idea of tossing the ball to Zamir White on screens and check-downs has to get your blood pumping.
Those three should have some big runs even though the offensive line is a work in progress. And let’s not forget Monken can have D’Wan Mathis take off like a scalded cat as well.
Two Questions
2. Who will step up as the No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver? With most defensive coordinators having bad dreams about George Pickens, some other wideouts should be able to make teams pay for focusing on the kid in the No. 1 jersey. I have mentioned Jermaine Burton a few times. And Marcus Rosemy. Matt Landers always comes up in conversations but he may have been recruited over. I know folks are looking for Demetris Robertson to finally put it all together and live up to that five-star billing. Yet I am going to put my money on Kearis Jackson. He could have a Mecole Hardman-like impact.
1. Speaking of five-star billings, which top player on the defense will live up to their recruiting hype? Adam Anderson? Nakobe Dean? Nolan Smith? Tyson Campbell? UGA has a ton of five-star and high four-star players on the defense. My guess is that Nakobe Dean is going to show us why we should have left him as a five-star and not just the nation’s highest-ranked four-star.
One Prediction
James Cook. I have been predicting big things for him for the last two years. Like a broken Allen Sherman record, I keep coming back to the same line about “Don’t forget the other five-star tailback UGA landed with Zamir White.” Hell, my son even mimics me being on a radio interview by holding an imaginary phone to his ear, gesturing wildly and saying, “...and don’t forget James Cook.”
Real funny. Now go to your room, smart guy.
But like a talking head who only knows one thing about the topic at hand, I will wade in loudly and with conviction. James Cook will be a 1000 yard rusher this season. Plus, he will have 50 catches before the year is over. This will vault him up the NFL Mock Drafts and Georgia fans will be wondering if he’s going to declare early in January.
P.S. With the season here, we want to thank you folks for bearing with us through the thin news times. Your loyalty means a lot. We took a hit in revenue but instead of cutting salaries or staff, we actually tried to grow, adding Jason Butt as our long-form contributor.
In fact, we have grown to the No. 1 SEC site on the network and No.3 overall. As a reward, Rivals is letting us run a killer promotion for new subscribers: $12 for the first year. Now that may not be as cool as the $100 in free gear thousands of you have gotten in the past, but it is still unheard of in our network. I hate to ask this of you all, but will you please share this with folks who are interested? Those folks who read over your shoulder at work...We would not have gotten here without all of you. And I want to continue growing the site to surpass FSU and Texas. Here is the promo link, and it is only good through Monday: Promo
P.P.S. Speaking of good ideas, UGASports made a $1000 donation to Dawgs for Pups, the fund being created by the Georgia players that will be used to provide wifi for children in the Athens community who don’t have it. The donation was made in the name of Bill Davis, DawgC as he was known around here, because he was a Damn Good Dawg and would do anything for the Bulldogs. We will miss him. If you want to donate as well, here is the link: Dawgs for Pups
P.P.P.S. Don’t forget to join us for the Watch Along Party tomorrow at 3:45. Jim Donnan, Dayne Young and I will be commenting on the game. We might even break some news on the show like we did last year. Watch on your phone, tablet or laptop as a cool second screen experience.
YouTube
