:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51445289/493141988.0.jpg)
Bye weeks typically provide teams with the opportunity to regroup and refocus. Georgia is using this week as an opportunity to address special teams issues that have plagued them throughout the season.
Kirby Smart indicated that the team is getting back to the basics this week and refocusing on the fundamentals, especially in their kick coverage unit.
“We’re doing different types of drills to work on different aspects of the special teams that we’re going on that day. He’s really focused on special teams, especially kickoff (coverage).”
Georgia has only one way to go and that is up. They rank 120th nationally in kickoff return coverage but that isn’t the only area where they are struggling. They are 103rd in the country in net punting and rank near the bottom in the SEC in kick and punt return.
More news:
- While the Bulldogs are trying to shore up their special teams play, Kirby Smart does not expect to reshuffle the Bulldogs’ offensive line during the bye week.
“I don’t expect reshuffling,” Smart said. “Now, we’re reshuffling in practice, to look at some guys in different places with moving guys, that kind of thing. We’re getting a lot of reps with guys in alternative positions because of the risk of injury.”
- This season certainly hasn’t gone the way many expected for the Bulldogs but Smart isn’t ready to back down from the challenge. He understands the criticism that comes with the territory and he is keeping his focus on his players and their improvement.
“With this job comes criticism. I’m accepting of that,” Smart said. “I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it with good friends. I’ve seen it with programs I’ve been in. That doesn’t scare me. What I’m worried about is our team and our players developing and getting better. That’s the most important thing.”
- Former Georgia linebacker Tim Kimbrough will enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Kimbrough left the Bulldogs before the start of the season after falling behind on the depth chart. He announced his intention to transfer but that never materialized so he has now set his sights on the NFL.