Monday ‘Dawg Bites Is Banged Up But Practicing Through It

Congratulations! You’re another day closer to the kickoff of the college football season. The days will soon be getting cooler, but the news is already heating up. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s making news today in Bulldog Nation:

The big news over the weekend was the Red and Black’s first scrimmage of the fall. Bulldawg Illustrated pulled together both some firsthand observations and some insider tidbits. It’s hard to draw too many conclusions from one scrimmage, let alone a single play here and there during the course of a single scrimmage. But among the things I found interesting were Branson Robinson and Andrew Paul running tough, as well as freshman receiver Dillon Bell having a highlight moment. Robinson, arguably the top big tailback recruit in the nation, isn’t sneaking up on anyone, but Paul is a name to keep an eye on in a once again loaded Bulldog backfield. It may not be in 2022 due to a top heavy depth chart, but he has the potential to be a big time player down the road.

Bell is among the players I was most excited about in the 2022 class because of his versatility. And it looks like he and the other three true freshman receivers may have a shot to slide into the rotation. That’s partially because snakebitten receiver Arian Smith is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain that will require surgery. Kirby updated on Smith as well as several other battered Bulldogs after the scrimmage.

One area of concern for Bulldog fans this offseason has been cornerback, where coaches have been looking for a replacement for the departed Derion Kendrick opposite All-SEC candidate Kelee Ringo. But it sounds like second year Savannah native Kamari Lassiter may have separated himself from the pack of talented young players at that spot, at least for now. Honestly, following a few days of high intensity practice and a full pads scrimmage, things could be worse on the injury front (/rubs lucky rabbit’s foot, turns around three times in front of a mirror while humming “Glory Glory” to avoid the hex).

As is is his vocation and privilege, Smart also splashed some cold water on all the feel good vibes, pointing out among other things that the Bulldog receivers have work to do before facing Oregon to open the season.

Speaking of Oregon, FishDuck, an Oregon sports community, asks exactly how long a leash Bo Nix has in Eugene if he once again starts doing Bo Nix things. I’m not 100% certain Nix in fact has “the best offensive line” he’s ever played behind, but I do agree that he is surrounded by enough talent to succeed. If he falters, the Ducks do in fact have a couple of talented young quarterbacks waiting in the wings (pun totally intended).

Until later…

Go ‘Dawgs!