Could say that this is a badly timed and harsh move by Smart being critical of a guy who is in his second year of playing CFB after completing almost 68% of his passing attempts, throwing three TDs and winning the game against one INT.
Kirby Smart critical of his quarterback post game interview.
- Thread starter TN Lion
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Could say that this is a badly timed and harsh move by Smart being critical of a guy who is in his second year of playing CFB after completing almost 68% of his passing attempts, throwing three TDs and winning the game against one INT.
I heard this and was a bit surprised. Since he had just led his team down the field in <1 minute with pretty darn good throws. And had good overall numbers and scored a bunch of points. I would think there would be other players who had worse games, considering their D was gashed pretty good, including allowing OSU to drive into FG range in ~30 seconds.
I guess this was the start of his coaching for the next game.
I guess this was the start of his coaching for the next game.
Smart seeks absolute perfection. He wasn’t satisfied with his team’s performance. Yes, he probably should have held back his criticism but he’s at the elite level and speaks honestly. I get the impression that Bennett must have been free lancing a bit last night and probably checking off at LOS and that’s what irks the top dawg. But, Bennett is an unbelievable success story and will go down as the Dawgs greatest QB.
I have to think there's something more to this we are not getting. Wonder what was said when Kirby was talking to him at half walking off the field. TV showed them having a lengthy discussion alone.
Bennett didn't have the greatest performance ever, but he was far from terrible.
Kirby doesnt seem like a coach who does this sort of thing without reason.
Bennett didn't have the greatest performance ever, but he was far from terrible.
Kirby doesnt seem like a coach who does this sort of thing without reason.
Yeah, think coach was already working on next game. Making Bennet focus on being better and staying with the game plan. Was an interesting comment as you could see his emotions change from the typical post game blah blah blah to something pretty energized.
Correct--Smart know his players and is doing what he believes is best to have Bennett on top of his game against TCU. It was calculated IMO. Bennett's 25--he'll be fine. It's not an 18 year old that needs coddled.
It was unnecessary. Coach has ample opportunity to critique and correct his qb . It served no purpose to throw him under the bus.
Kirby is now the new Nick. UGA now looks like Bama from '09-'21 and have for 2 years in a row now.
The way they are winning, it doesn't bother me what he said. The winners are generally dicks who expect the most.
The way they are winning, it doesn't bother me what he said. The winners are generally dicks who expect the most.
I think it’s just a different approach. These are college kids. Everyone once in a while they need a kick in the basckside.
He has Saban’s attitude of not turning a blind eye or ignoring areas of poor/ subpar play because they won. He knows if those mistakes aren’t corrected they will kill his team later against the better teams. It’s part of the reason why Georgia has become so good. They aren’t happy to just be 1-0 that week- they’re looking forward to prepare for the tougher teams later and it pays off. It’s just their football “culture” now IMO.
I think he’s also trying to chop down some of the praise the Georgia players will be hearing over the next few days to refocus them on the next game (and not how great their win against Ohio State was).
He would say that some of the screen plays yesterday in both games reminded him. of Christian. McCarthy and Stroud both had some bad throws....Bennett too.
It's quite comical that media and message board types think they know better how to tug the motivations of any of a successful professional coach's particular players.
People need to get over themselves.
I can assure you Kirby Smart knows how to handle the egos of his own players better than any other human being.
Team business.....not for public consumption. That sort of breach of trust might backfire.
Press to QB....what do you think about how Coach Smart characterized your performance?
QB....I made some mistakes, didn't play a perfect game. Coach has every right to play someone else if he thinks it will improve the team.
Don't throw individual players under the bus....it could boomerang.
QB....I made some mistakes, didn't play a perfect game. Coach has every right to play someone else if he thinks it will improve the team.
Don't throw individual players under the bus....it could boomerang.
I took it as a refreshingly honest comment that we rarely hear. If these guys want to play in the big boys league and get their NIL $$$, then they should use it as a motivation rather than a swipe.
I'm sorry we all know Smart > Franklin but you can pretend whatever you want.
And understandably so. TCU can put up some points and is strong against the run. Georgia looked terrible defending the pass and gave up a ton of yards on QB runs. I didn't think they had a prayer against Michigan. I won't underestimate them in this one. Georgia will have their hands full.
Why would you not want Smart?
Are you seriously trying to say Franklin's a better coach?
This is probably more holier than thou nonsense.
I don't make the silly assumption that Smart would bring Georgia results with him to PSU. That's a fanboy fantasy.
Did you watch Georgia under Richt?
They needed Smart to take them to another level just like we do. Franklin's not that guy.
Smart isn't just an elite recruiter but an elite coach.
Again, why wouldn't you want him as our coach? He's had more success as a coach than Franklin and that's not disputable. Why wouldn't you take that risk? Why?
Very simple, I'm satisfied with Franklin. Regardless, we've got 9 more years.
A&M thought Jimbo was taking them to another level. Well I guess he did.
So if you ran Georgia they would have never reached this level. Risk is needed sometimes to improve. Didn't work out of A&M but it did for Georgia. Regardless this conversation started about you saying you wouldn't want Smart as our HC and still can't explain that. Franklin's contract is irrelevant to that hypothetical and being satisfied with mediocrity doesn't make Franklin even close to Smart as a coach.
Simple question...who is a better coach? Regardless of your level of satisfaction with Franklin's tenure
IMO. Franklin is the better fit for PSU. End of discussion. After 56 years as a PSU fan, are you next going to tell me what my opinion should be?
LOL. This is the thought process that will keep PennState from becoming elite. Some people are happy with being above average.
What makes Smart not a good fit? Or Franklin a better fit? End if discussion is tough when you're not explaining the why behind it but do you.
Agreed. The guy didn't play a perfect game -- perfection is hard to come by...especially against a team with Ohio State's caliber of athletes -- but he did play a perfect 4th quarter: 12-14, 207 yards, three scoring drives to include the game-winner.
I don't know what was going through Kirby's head, but he may have, uh, outsmarted himself with that comment. Then again, Georgia's a 2-TD favorite over TCU, so his gratuitous swipe at the greatest QB in Bulldog history and most important player on the team probably doesn't matter.
This mentality is how we become the 4th best team in our conference when USC joins. It's like people are scared of success because it will diminish Joe's accomplishments.
Stetson Bennett is 25....he's like a 7th year senior. He's a legit adult. Nothing Smart said should be a surprise to him. He knows how he played and Smart told him that at the half before Smart interviewed with whatever sideline reporter. Same story with Clifford. With Allar maybe you need kid gloves for a year or two but Smart doesn't need to lie when asked a question. There's no runner up trophy here.
I have no problem with what Smart said. Coaches are masters of psychology and know their players far better than we do. My guess is that Bennett was improvising a bit too much. Maybe he made mistakes earlier in the game that necessitated a big comeback. Maybe Bennett has been reading all his press clippings and needed to brought to earth.
If you saw the whole interview, Smart was pretty calm until that came up. He became pretty serious so there has to be some issue there that we don’t know. Perhaps he will explain his comments this week but I doubt he will show his dirty laundry in public. Maybe after the title game. But he is in his second consecutive title game…..he knows what he is doing.
...and you represent the Fanboy fantasy that flipping coaches every 3 years till you find one that instantly makes a team elite is a rational long-range plan. How many programs out there do you claim to be elite?
