Should freshman Smith play two ways from the start?
A lot of Georgia fans are excited about incoming freshman Branden Smith, the highly rated cornerback who Mark Richt also plans to use some at wide receiver. David Hale of the Bulldogs Blog talks to Smith about the difficulty of learning two positions and why he’s up for the challenge.
Senior receiver Michael Moore, who knows how tough it is to learn just one position, figures the offensive coaches might give Smith a special package of plays rather than asking him to learn the whole offense.
Smith, who played wide receiver, cornerback and kick returner in high school, brings up another aspect of playing two ways, pointing out that working with receivers like A.J. Green and learning what they do should help him on defense. “That’s one reason why Champ Bailey was one of the best in the game, because he played offense and defense,” Smith says. “Playing offense, you find tips that receivers do and playing defense you can get a step ahead of the offensive player when you know all the moves he’s going to make.”
Easier said than done, but the kid makes a good point. And with only six scholarship receivers on the roster, the Dogs are looking to get anybody who can catch a ball out on the field this fall.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see him back receiving punts some, either.
What do you think? Should Smith be eased into this two-way thing, concentrating primarily on learning cornerback as a true freshman? Or would it be wasting a valuable resource not to have him working at receiver as soon as possible?
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135 comments Add your comment
JaxDawg
July 1st, 2009
10:39 am
It sounds like B.Smith is up for the challenge, but I think the coaches need to be careful not to throw too much at him. That being said I do think even in a limited basis, working with the offense should only help make him a better defender.
DAWG
July 1st, 2009
10:50 am
let him swing both ways! we haven’t had a dominating CB since Champ left. If he can pickup both sides of the ball as a freshman, imagine what he will be able to do in 2 years!
The more experience, the better off we are!
DC from Conyers
July 1st, 2009
11:01 am
Only the Coaches will know that. The Coach that mostly recuited him might know more about what he is able to take in. Anyone that can take double teams off AJ would be a plus. However I really feel like some of the other receivers are going to step up. They are better than the stats.
RxDawg
July 1st, 2009
11:04 am
Heck if I know. I do know this though, we have wide receivers. We have a lot of wide receivers. We only have a few solid CB’s though. And the CB position is of high concern to me this year. So on paper I say leave him at CB. But if he’s so good that he can help us at wide receiver over everyone else we have at the position, well then…that’s not really a bad thing is it.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:04 am
I think that other than a few plays here and there on offense we need him on special teams returning kicks (pathetic last year) and playing corner. But our coaches get paid quite a bit to determine these type of things.
Natureboy809
July 1st, 2009
11:05 am
A VERY small package of plays, yes, but not the whole offense. That will give other coaches one more thing to prepare for, and also be proof to future recruits that if you’re a stud, you may get in on both sides of the ball.
If this kid can develop into a lock down corner, that is much more important though, because those are much tougher to find than quality WRs. We already have some quality WRs anyway.
Diamond Dawg
July 1st, 2009
11:17 am
They will do whats best for him. He and the Dawgs will be just fine as usual!! Just worry bout the defense. Offense will be good.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:19 am
Also if Smith wants to be a 1st rounder someday (and he probably does) thenhe should to be a shut down corner. Not many WR’s go in the first round unless Matt Millen is the GM of your team. I would love to see of the Donnan-type tunnel screens, rocket reverses/sweeps, bubble screens on the outside with Smith but not him spreading out and running 10 outs. Let him lock up one side of the field on “D” like Champ or Deion. And return kicks/punts. He can impose his will on D! On offense he would be piece and we already have a stable of receivers.Let’s get him the ball on few plays out in space and let him make something magic happen.
Saint Simons
July 1st, 2009
11:19 am
45-42!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Hmmmmmm!
July 1st, 2009
11:22 am
The Bigger question is how will FSU use Greg Reid and how much?
Kick returns? DB? RB? You name it the kid needs the ball in his hands
and has proven he knows what to do with it when he gets it.
Dawgtime
July 1st, 2009
11:23 am
Yes, he is an exceptional talent and young man, but I would prefer that the play just defense his first year so that he can adapt to college life and the football requirements. After he makes the transition, I would like to see UGA have a special package for him. I can see him running reverses, tunnel screens, and and other routes that gets him out in space. He has incredible speed and will be a special player at UGA. I am very excited about the future of this young man. It is going to be very difficult to account for him, A.J. Green, and all the other talented players at UGA. Go DAWGS.
TW
July 1st, 2009
11:23 am
Because he will have to run his tail off making up for our incompetent coaching at LB, it would be fooling to think he’d have the energy to also play on offense.
Perhaps fielding kicks, but lets not waste time with gimmicks on Off…besides, we’re looking pretty good at WR.
RxDawg
July 1st, 2009
11:25 am
Yes Hmmmmmmm!, that is the bigger question indeed……on this UGA blog…….yep……..Inquiring minds want to know……
mcdawg
July 1st, 2009
11:28 am
let the coaches decide-if he is effective his mere presecence on the field is going to disrupt defensive schemes
i always worry about guys fumbling in those kind of situations
rp
July 1st, 2009
11:28 am
who cares about greg reid or FSU?
Dorsey Hill
July 1st, 2009
11:31 am
Just my opinion, but I think they should make him a competent corner first and then see if there is time to let him run some offensive plays. Trying to do both too early can result in him being mediocre at both.
Dawgtime
July 1st, 2009
11:32 am
Why is the usage of Greg Reid the bigger question? He signed with FSU, hence that is an article for Florida papers. Why would Ga citizens be concerned with how out of state schools are going to employee a kid? He is a great talent, but that is not a Georgia issue. In terms of the GT comment, I say thank you Saint Simons. Thank you for your dedication and daily concern for UGA. This guy wakes up every day thinking about UGA. That is so funny to me. What is more amazing to me is that you have 2 or 3 GT fans that post something childish, then they switch screen names and post something else in hopes of getting attention. Notice the usage of words and common syntax. Same pitiful people writing childish stuff on a daily basis. That is pathetic. That obsessive behavior indicates just how superior they view UGA. They attempt to distract people from the topic at hand. It is all about the great B. Williams. He is a future all-American. Go DAWGS……
Dawgtime
July 1st, 2009
11:37 am
Suggestion for the GT fans that read UGA blogs on a daily basis: “Please Notice Me”. That would be a very fitting name because of their desperate need to get members of the UGA family to notice them. Before you refute that statement, ask yourself why you are reading and posting on a UGA blog.
Sean
July 1st, 2009
11:38 am
I see that there are a lot of fake a$$ armchair coaches on this blog. Mark Richt is one of the best coaches UGA has ever seen. He knows what he is doing. Hell, just trust that he will do whats best for UGA football and the players alike. Stop questioning everything the man does. Damn.
And who gives a rats a$$ about Greg Reid and FSU? He had his chance to play with a winner and he chose to play with a CHEATER!
coreen browns (D)
July 1st, 2009
11:39 am
I blee Tebows goe two ways also. Matta fac, all dem dare gators goes two way. I dont see why yall thank yall special just cause yall got one.
Vote Democrat and go Gateh!
Robert
July 1st, 2009
11:42 am
Whatever CMR and his staff decide to do is fine with me.
Side note: What percent chance do yall give for UGA getting Mack Brown? Heard he has been clocked at a 4.30 forty. We could sure use that speed.
I’d say right now it’s about 50%.
MoDawg
July 1st, 2009
11:43 am
Whatever it takes to shut the buzzholes of the previously quiet gnats!
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:44 am
Off topic but curious. Has there been OFFICIAL word whether is in or not?
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:45 am
Woops! Is Ealey officially in or not?
Robert
July 1st, 2009
11:47 am
Ealey is officially in.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:48 am
Robert where did you get that? is it from UGA or just his high school coach? Because sometimes HS coaches get a little ahead of themselves. I should know!
JayRoot
July 1st, 2009
11:50 am
.
I think this guy should just concentrate on staying “acamadimikaly elygable” and out of jail before taking on playing on both sides of the ball.
… well if he does play both ways at least he can get an A@%! Spanking form the GaTech offense & defensive guys.
.
Robert
July 1st, 2009
11:51 am
Coachdawg,
It was reported by multiple sources. I think it was on Rivals and the AJC, perhaps the Athens-Banner Herald.
Robert
July 1st, 2009
11:53 am
Here is one: http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2009/06/23/bulldog-bites-washaun-ealey-receivers-uga-outlook/
Robert
July 1st, 2009
11:55 am
Another: http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2009/05/29/report-ealey-has-qualified-to-enroll-at-georgia/
Smashmouth
July 1st, 2009
11:57 am
Let the players play and make plays. Put the best talent on the field. If he can catch the ball… I’m sure he will get open with that speed. He’ll at least be a deep threat. Put the best player on the field – don’t overthink it. Heck, maybe our offense will spend more time on the field than our defense does this year.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:57 am
Thanks Robert!
I guess i just missed it.
TybeeDawg
July 1st, 2009
11:58 am
Bill, I think you need to quit plagiarizing David Hale’s blog.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
11:58 am
Thanks Robert!
ChefChuck
July 1st, 2009
12:00 pm
If he can tackle anyone, he would be too valuable. Doggies receivers are already pretty good at chasing the frisbee.
jeff
July 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
Excited? After all the hype around Stafford etc etc and the SEC and National Titles he would bring I would just be happy if just one of these highly touted recruiting classes or recruit would be half as good as all the hype. Hearing same for Murray….he will bring a NC Championship etc etc etc etc……Just play and win and shut up all the hype and talk…we have not been able to back it up so far…..
JB
July 1st, 2009
12:05 pm
would like to see us put some fear in the opposition on punt returns and kickoffs…we haven’t scared anyone lately……..Is Smith that person ?
Ferndolin
July 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
If he can do it I say let him do it. Exploit his talents. UGA needs to develop all its tools to the fullest to compete and if that maximizes Smith’s abilities go for it.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
If we put carlton thomas and B.Smith back to return kicks we could be very scary for opposing teams. No offense to Richard Samuel but his upright straight ahead running style didn’t lend much to returning kicks.
ALBDAWG3000
July 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
Branden Smith brings a Devin Hester type element to Georgia…..i say play him until he gets tured …..Go Dawgs
ALBDAWG3000
July 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
i meant tired …
richard cranium
July 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
i wonder what the players will eat before the games ?? Let’s blog it.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
Don’t forget we’ve got Wooten to play the Percy Harvin (or Harvey if your Corrine Brown) role of screen demon, reverse/sweep type big play guy on offense.
ALBDAWG3000
July 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Thats a good point Coach dawg i have watched Wooten play personally and he is a GAMER………..
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
I think the cupboard is not as bare, even without our possesion guy, that some may think. I think coach Richt and Bobo will find ways to get these explosive freshmen in the mix offensively.
don't be a hater
July 1st, 2009
12:15 pm
Playing a true freshman as a cornerback is as desperate as you get. The only position more difficult to play as a true freshman is quarterback. Is GA really that desperate at CB and WR that they need a true freshman to go both ways at those positions? And why do you trust CMR? He has done as little with so much talent as anyone in the history or college football. I would be very nervous about asking too much of this kid as freshman and any decision CMR makes. But probably doesn’t matter anyway, GA is looking at losing 4-5 games in this rebuilding year, this kid will go pro after his second year, and GA will be left with nothing but braging rights about what great pros their players make. Meanwhile FL wins another NC and a couple of SEC championships.
ALBDAWG3000
July 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
didnt National champion Florida play recently tasered cornerback Janorris James as a true freshman its onvious (dont be hater) doesnt know football……..
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
Don’t be a hater
The rule is that you can not declare for the NFL draft until 3 years after your high school graduation. But don’t let the facts get in the way of your non-sensical ramblings. Say hello to Corrine Brown, probably goodbye to Corch Meyers (he’ll be going to south bend appease his ego just like spurrier did)Who could blame them who would want to live longterm in Gainesville,Fl?
Sorry, don't be a hater...
July 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
…but NFL rules will not let a kid go there until AFTER his class has used 3 years of eligiblity. So, he is here for 3 years, at least. Let’s just hope Richt does not pull another Moreno (if the kid can really play redshirt him this year, thus losing a year of potential contribution for the Dawgs.
coachdawg 2000
July 1st, 2009
12:32 pm
I’m still more concerned about runningback than WR. I hope that Ealey brings something to the mix (physicality and toughness, protection of the ball) that guys on the roster right now have yet to show.