What Georgia needs from preseason scrimmage No. 2

We have just two more Saturdays before Georgia begins its 2024 season against Clemson in the AFLAC Kickoff game. This coming Saturday will be critical for the Bulldogs. Depth charts will really take shape and the coaching staff will identify the players it wants to get ready to play major minutes in the opener. With all of that in mind, DawgsHQ is identifying a few things Kirby Smart and company needs to get out of that scrimmage.

Passing-game chemistry on both sides

I’ll start with the defensive side of the ball where Smart told reporters on Tuesday that he’s confident in each of his defensive backs. Where he isn’t confident, going into the final scrimmage of the preseason, is how they play together as a unit. That’s something Georgia must shore up in this final scrimmage. The Bulldogs could play as many as nine guys in five positions back there this season.

Offensively, the buzz hasn’t been quite the same as it was this spring. The Georgia passing game was humming this spring and it was a different receiver taking over practice every couple of days. We’ve heard of some strong days from the offense and the passing game but the consistency hasn’t been there. Georgia has a couple more days of practice and a scrimmage to get that ironed out.

Growth on the defensive line

The the multiple injuries sustained by Jordan Hall sting hard for Georgia. It stings even harder when you consider Warren Brinson has been dinged up to start camp. We’re told that Brinson is actually getting into the flow of regular practice these days and could be active in the scrimmage. With Hall almost certain to miss the opener and then some and Brinson catching up a little, the Bulldogs really need some youngsters to show that they are ready to help.

Smart told reporters Tuesday that Jamaal Jarrett is showing flashes and improving, but he isn’t sustaining as well as they’d like at this point. Can he show improvement before the weekend is up? Jordan Thomas, Justin Greene, and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye have all flashed this preseason to the point that sources have singled them out as potential contributors. We’ve even heard some chatter on Nasir Johnson and Nnamdi Ogboko of late. All of that is good but it won’t matter much for the start of the 2024 season if they don’t perform on Saturday.

Stay healthy

This obviously hinges heavily on good fortune but there’s some strategy involved, too. Smart lamented Georgia’s depth on Tuesday and potentially holding a few proven guys out or limiting their workload would kill two birds with one stone. It would create opportunities for players with less experience to develop and it would limit the exposure of key players.

But Smart probably isn’t going to do that and who am I to question it? Ultimately, Georgia needs some good luck. The Bulldogs have been banged up pretty hard by multiple injuries this preseason. Maybe it is due for a good day.

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