Kirby Smart's Press Conference, Previews Missouri Tigers vs Georgia Football
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00:00 >> [LAUGH] >> Okay, hello again, everybody.
00:03 Reminder, the foley field is open if you need to work over there.
00:08 Get a few opening comments.
00:11 Coach Martin will take your questions, reminder, raise your hand.
00:14 We'll get one of the remote microphones to you.
00:16 And another reminder, no loud speakers, please.
00:20 >> All right, moving on to Missouri.
00:23 Eli's done a tremendous job with this team.
00:25 We thought they were really good last year when we went to play them, and
00:29 that proved to be true.
00:30 And they've gotten better.
00:33 Their quarterback is very experienced, which is the number one quality you look
00:37 for in a quarterback is how many games has he played in, what experiences he had,
00:42 has he played on the road in our conference.
00:45 He's done all those things, and he's done them really well.
00:48 They're using him and his legs and his ability to run really well.
00:53 He's a competitor.
00:56 He's fast on tape, and he's playing at a high level.
00:59 And he's doing it with some weapons offensively.
01:02 They're really good defensively, extremely aggressive.
01:05 One of the best defenses we've played against since we've been here,
01:10 even last year, they were just dominant and just love the style of play they have.
01:17 They're aggressive and get after you, and they're doing the same things this year.
01:20 So all in all, a very well coached team.
01:24 They do a great job.
01:26 Probably could be very easily be undefeated.
01:29 That game was back and forth with LSU.
01:32 And coming off a week off, we'll need to get ourselves prepared for
01:36 a battle at home.
01:37 >> Coach, obviously, Don Lovett played there last year,
01:46 had a big impact in that game against you guys.
01:49 Just have you had a discussion at all?
01:52 Does there even need to be a discussion about it?
01:53 I'm sure he's gonna be particularly fired up about this game and
01:57 his old buddy Luther Burden.
02:00 >> I think he's fired up for every game.
02:01 I mean, Don's a great kid.
02:03 What a quality young man he is.
02:05 He works really hard.
02:07 He's busting his butt since he's been here, been very humble, and
02:11 bought into what we've asked him to do and being selfless.
02:16 He's tried to improve his game as a blocker.
02:18 That's one of the things he had to work on.
02:21 But I'm not overly concerned about that as much as it is a deal of
02:28 sport for you guys, it's not for him, it's the next opponent.
02:31 >> Kerry, Missouri seems to be recruiting better than they have in years.
02:36 Can you talk a little bit about going up against them on the recruiting trail?
02:39 And what do you remember from the Luther Burden recruitment?
02:43 >> Luther's a great player.
02:44 I mean, everybody in the country wanted Luther.
02:46 It wasn't just us.
02:47 I mean, everybody.
02:48 And they've got a very fertile recruiting ground.
02:51 They've got some really good players in their state.
02:53 Eli does a really good job of taking that circle and say a five hour radius.
02:58 Because of where they are geographically,
03:00 they don't cross with a lot of the SEC schools like maybe we do with each other.
03:05 So he comes into Georgia, I think they have six or seven kids on the roster from
03:08 Georgia, six or seven from Florida.
03:10 And then they're able to get guys in that five, six hour radius.
03:14 And he does a great job.
03:16 You got a great program to sell when you create environments like we played in
03:20 last year at their place.
03:21 When you play on national TV and you play the style of play they play,
03:25 they play really well on the road against Kentucky.
03:27 So he's got a product to put out there and sell to kids to come play there.
03:31 >> Kirby, because every other game except the Missouri game,
03:35 including LSU, was decided by more than double digits.
03:38 The resiliency you always talk about the Missouri game and
03:41 how it helped you, you think, if at all, obviously, against Ohio State.
03:45 Having gone through that, do you credit that for
03:47 where you were able to bounce back against the Buckeyes,
03:49 looking back against a Missouri win?
03:51 >> Yeah, it helped being down in a game or
03:59 not playing well maybe because of them playing well and you not playing well.
04:04 It makes you question yourself and that was a point in the game.
04:09 There's a lot of things they did to help us and
04:11 a lot of things that we did to help them.
04:13 But at the end of the day, we didn't play very well until the fourth quarter.
04:17 A lot of that had to do with them and give them credit for the way they played.
04:21 But yeah, that last year's team retrospect,
04:26 it helped build the resiliency of that team.
04:29 >> [COUGH] >> Yeah, cuz I believe this is probably
04:34 the third time you guys have prepared to play Brady Cook.
04:36 How have you seen his game progress over these years?
04:39 >> Well, he's very bright, sharp, athletic.
04:43 He gets the ball out in something like 2.3 seconds, 2.2 seconds.
04:47 So, I mean, he knows where he's going with the ball.
04:49 He understands coverages.
04:51 I mean, it's like all the quarterbacks you've played that have experience.
04:54 They make good decisions.
04:56 They don't make many mistakes.
04:57 I mean, he maybe broke a record for
04:59 number of consecutive passes without interception or something.
05:02 Like the guy doesn't make very many mistakes and he's accurate and he's athletic.
05:07 So I don't know what else you can ask a quarterback to be than those things.
05:09 >> You've talked about Carson Beck being smart from day one and his poise.
05:18 So maybe he didn't have as far to go in terms of being a first time,
05:23 full time starter.
05:24 But what have you seen?
05:25 It looks like he's having confidence to throw into tight windows,
05:28 maybe throwing more difficult passes when he might have easier options.
05:33 So I see a lot of confidence and wondering what you're seeing.
05:38 >> He's bright, he understands the game.
05:40 He's played a lot of snaps.
05:41 He's more experienced than you give him credit for.
05:44 A lot of the stuff he had when he got here, he didn't just develop it.
05:48 I mean, he was a good quarterback.
05:49 He had great demeanor coming out.
05:51 He's got all the traits of a guy that can win games with his arm,
05:57 his mind, and he has to his feet.
05:59 And he's done a good job of doing that and continuing to improve is the goal.
06:07 >> Kirby, what did you see from Jalen Walker in the game Saturday?
06:10 And just how far along do you feel like he's come over the course of his second
06:13 year in the program?
06:14 >> Yeah, you're starting to see some of the things we see in practice.
06:17 He has some physical tools and traits that we've seen.
06:21 And maybe he hasn't gotten to showcase in a game for
06:25 whatever reason, and he's getting better.
06:28 He's explosive, twitchy, can bend, has really good pass rush ability.
06:34 But he also has the luxury of playing inside backer where he can stack off the
06:39 ball and do things to help our defense be multiple.
06:42 But you're not gonna find a higher quality kid in any organization than Jalen.
06:47 He is unbelievable in what he stands for and what he represents and how he works.
06:51 So I was happy for him to have the success he had.
06:55 >> Kirby, what stands out to you about Cody Schrader and
06:59 just this Mizzou run game?
07:01 >> Toughness, just incredible toughness.
07:04 He doesn't get tackled by the first guy.
07:07 He's another guy that seems like he's been there forever.
07:10 I mean, I snuck up and seen this kid playing forever and ever for them.
07:14 And people bounce off of him when he hits them.
07:16 He plays on special teams.
07:19 He embodies what a football player should be and
07:22 what a committed to his university football player.
07:26 I mean, he's had games early in his career where he was the feature back,
07:31 then he wasn't, then he was, then he wasn't.
07:33 He stayed the course and extremely physical.
07:36 >> Kirby, is Darius Smith-Bacon available this weekend and how is CJ Allen?
07:45 >> Darius is focusing on academics and working out conditioning,
07:48 doing some things, but he's not necessarily with us.
07:51 And then CJ is day to day.
07:54 He felt a tweak in his hamstring, but I think he's gonna be fine.
07:59 Just we'll find out more today.
08:01 >> Kirby guys have faced some elite receivers over the last year.
08:07 Harrison last year, mentioning Williams and Alabama and some other guys.
08:11 How do you balance trying to stop those guys when those teams also have
08:15 other guys that can beat you like Missouri also does?
08:21 >> You do the best you can to stop the things they do well.
08:25 I mean, they are very explosive offensively.
08:27 They have more than three weapons.
08:30 People talk about three weapons.
08:31 They got the quarterbacks a weapon.
08:32 And you throw the three receivers in there and
08:36 then they've got a big physical tight end.
08:38 They're using the run game and
08:39 their backs are really good receiving the ball out of the backfield.
08:42 And a very unique run game that's kind of unmatched in the SEC,
08:47 the way they run the ball.
08:48 They got some different runs that a lot of teams, we don't see that type run.
08:53 So when you add all that in, it's a recipe for being explosive and
08:58 scoring points, which they've done.
09:00 They've been very explosive and scoring points.
09:02 When you talk about how you stop them, I mean, you gotta be able to cover them.
09:06 You gotta be able to rush the passer.
09:08 You gotta be able to change things up.
09:10 But they're not easy to stop when you have an accurate quarterback and
09:13 explosive athletic wide edge.
09:21 >> Yeah, obviously, Luke O'Brien's not the only one, but
09:23 what specifically about him makes him such a dynamic weapon for
09:26 a run as early as this?
09:27 >> Side speed.
09:28 I mean, he's a, he looks like a running back.
09:30 I mean, he's explosive, fast, he's different.
09:35 They put him in the slot, they move him around.
09:37 They do a great job using his skill set.
09:39 >> This is kind of right on that alley, but obviously they use him in the slot a lot
09:47 more since Don left, since he took that role.
09:51 How do you feel like you guys are doing?
09:52 A lot of times, I guess, Ty or your star ends up on that slot,
09:56 that it switches around.
09:57 How are you guys doing specifically on defending that slot?
10:00 >> I think it depends on the coverage.
10:03 We've got a lot of variance in our defense in terms of
10:06 multiple ways to play the slot and do things.
10:09 And they got multiple ways to move him around.
10:11 They can make him the slot, they can make him a running back.
10:13 They can make him the X, the Z.
10:15 They're very unique in their ability to slide guys to spots.
10:20 And they don't do it just based on plays.
10:22 They ask guys to run multiple different routes from different positions.
10:27 So in terms of what they do, they're very varied and so are we.
10:31 So it should be a good matchup.
10:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]
10:36 >> Didn't see Dan on the trip on Saturday.
10:38 What's his injury and availability for this week?
10:41 >> Yeah, he's dealing with a bursa, a knee,
10:44 a bursa sac in there that's been bothering him, actually got infected.
10:47 And he, Vanderbilt game, it happened while we were there.
10:52 We didn't find out till the morning.
10:53 So we didn't get any Vanderbilt game last minute.
10:56 And then he was unable to go last week.
10:59 And we're hopeful to get him back this week and
11:02 give us some extra depth in the secondary.
11:05 He's supposed to be able to do some stuff today for the first time, but
11:08 we'll see how he does.
11:08 >> Drew, what have they done defensively the last two games?
11:12 Have they tightened things up since the LSU performance?
11:15 >> Well, they're physical, they're fast, they're aggressive, played well.
11:20 I mean, I think they're coming together with what they do.
11:22 They've had some extra guys come in from last year, but
11:25 they've got a lot of returning starters.
11:26 So I don't think anybody's played real well defensively against LSU.
11:30 So when you say tighten things up, they're all over,
11:33 LSU's all over the explosive sheet in terms of number of explosive passes and
11:37 runs, and they're tough to defend all together.
11:39 >> Yeah, Coach, I think you mentioned the home block Saturday afternoon.
11:44 We went back and watched it this morning.
11:46 It looked like the players might have seen a look and checked it themselves.
11:51 How much freedom do they have?
11:52 Are they looking for something specifically?
11:54 Just speak to, I guess, what happened on that point.
11:57 >> Yeah, without getting into the particulars,
11:58 we don't let our players check things on themselves.
12:00 The quarterback might, but nobody else is checking anything on themselves.
12:03 If we start doing that, we can get in trouble,
12:04 cuz they're not exactly the best decision makers.
12:07 But it was more of a recognition of what it was, and
12:11 it was more of a correction to how we wanted to be aligned.
12:15 It was not a check, per se.
12:17 It was, hey, you're supposed to be over here, type deal.
12:19 >> What do you think makes Ladd an effective wide receiver?
12:26 >> Explosiveness, quickness, separation is one of the number one qualities.
12:30 And we talk about body quicks.
12:32 A guy can be straight line fast, but he doesn't separate.
12:35 Can you come in and out of breaks?
12:36 And that was the first thing that we saw in Ladd when we looked at him was,
12:41 he's quicker than he is fast, but he's fast.
12:46 So when you're quick and fast is when you're good.
12:49 >> What is that day on patience as a runner that kind of makes him stand out?
12:54 >> He's got good offensive line blocking for him.
13:00 He's got good vision.
13:02 He's got great experience.
13:03 I think he knows when to hit it and when to be patient.
13:07 Some of that's based on the front they're in, the pressure they're in,
13:10 the amount of space there is.
13:11 So every back has their style, and I think he is, fits him well.
13:17 >> Yeah, I know after the game on Saturday, you said he was close to playing.
13:22 What does Amirius have to show you at practice this week to get back on the field
13:25 for you guys?
13:26 >> He's gotta be healthy enough to play and be the best available player to play.
13:30 I mean, he's working his butt off.
13:33 He did extra work Friday, extra work Saturday, extra work yesterday, and
13:37 he's going out today to continue to work.
13:39 But I mean, at the end of the day, he's gotta be confident to go out and play.
13:44 And he's much closer to that today than he was last week, I'll let you tell you.
13:47 >> Harry, the way I understand your updates on Ladd is, it's every single day.
13:53 It's just kinda like, how's he doing today?
13:56 How did he come out of that game the other night?
13:57 And how has it been kinda watching him go through everything that he's got to go
14:01 through to get himself in the best position to play day in and day out?
14:06 >> Yeah, it's been frustrating for him, not for me, but it's frustrating for him.
14:10 I know because all he wants to do is have a great year.
14:14 And he came back to have a great year, and
14:15 then to have something unexpected happen like that.
14:18 It's been frustrating for him, but he came out of the game great.
14:22 We've got a little routine we've done now in terms of what we do Sunday,
14:25 what do we do Monday, what do we do Tuesday.
14:27 And now that we've got that routine, it seems to be working.
14:31 And we keep doing what we're doing.
14:35 >> I don't know exactly where Missouri was picked preseason, but
14:40 they were too high.
14:41 What have you seen from Eli in terms of how he has this program kinda contending
14:44 for an SEC instead of what they've done?
14:47 >> Well, they're good players.
14:48 I mean, I'll tell you, it starts with good players.
14:51 It starts with quarterback play.
14:52 You look across the league and say, man, who's playing good in the country?
14:56 They got good quarterbacks, and they got a good quarterback.
14:59 You got a good quarterback, you got a chance.
15:01 He makes too many decisions throughout the game that if he is not making
15:05 the right decision, you're not gonna be in the game.
15:07 And they've got a quarterback matched with great skill and
15:13 a really aggressive, sound, tough defense.
15:17 I mean, that's recipe for winning.
15:19 He's accumulated that talent, whether through the portal or
15:22 through high school.
15:23 He's a talent evaluator and trying to get guys on the team to buy in.
15:28 I mean, Eli does a great job and I have a lot of respect for him.
15:31 >> Now that Ingram Dawkins is back,
15:34 what kind of impact can he have for the defensive line for the rest of the year?
15:37 >> Well, it's getting him back in the right shape, stamina, all the way back.
15:41 He hasn't been able to practice very much and
15:44 didn't do much last week until Thursday.
15:47 And so he's got a position that he rolls over there with Mikel and
15:52 Trammell and hopefully we can take a load off those guys and
15:56 keep them fresher and give us a little more size.
15:58 >> Yeah, Coach, you mentioned their run game, the uniqueness of their run.
16:04 One of the things also, I believe they cut on the back side.
16:07 Last year you had a player go down in Jim Carter,
16:10 do one of these cuts back side.
16:11 How are you coaching that this week?
16:13 Is this something that is unique to them or do you see across the sport?
16:17 >> A lot of people use it, it's not unique to them.
16:19 They're good at what they do.
16:21 They have their run style and the way they coach their guys to do it,
16:25 they do a good job in the run game.
16:27 So again, we prepare for whatever team does, it's just a different team this week.
16:32 >> I just wonder, Eli's known for being pretty outspoken,
16:37 kinda pretty funny at where we are.
16:40 Anyway, I just wonder within the coaching community,
16:42 is he a guy you got to know and enjoy him the same kind of way?
16:48 >> Yeah, Eli's got his personality, I mean, he'll tell you.
16:51 He doesn't seem to stress and worry about things a lot.
16:57 He takes it as it comes and enjoys it.
17:01 And I try to do the same myself when it comes to enjoying the moment.
17:04 He says it all the time, you better enjoy it or why'd you get in it?
17:08 And that's what you come to this big league to play,
17:10 you play in these big games like this one.
17:12 [BLANK_AUDIO]
17:18 >> Time for one or two more, anybody?
17:19 [BLANK_AUDIO]
17:23 >> You only had two penalties Saturday and
17:25 both of them were, I guess, took on purpose in the layup games.
17:29 Coming out of Georgia Park, you have no penalties,
17:31 you're also the least penalized team in the SEC.
17:33 Has that been a concentration for you this year?
17:35 >> No, I mean, it's kinda like turnovers.
17:37 We concentrate on that and it doesn't always happen.
17:39 So it's like you don't control a lot of that.
17:42 Circumstances, I do think we're a disciplined football team.
17:46 We do what we're supposed to do and try not to get excessive things.
17:49 But least penalized can be a bad thing, most penalized can be a bad thing.
17:53 Maybe you should have more penalties, I mean, you're stretching the limits of it.
17:58 It's just we try to do it the right way and sometimes it comes out that way.
18:03 >> Okay, we'll wrap it up right there.
18:05 Thank you.
18:06 And also before everybody leaves, I wanna