Kirby Smart Press Conference Recaps Georgia vs Missouri, Previews Matchup vs Ole Miss
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00:00 >> Fully filled press box is open if you need to work over there.
00:03 We'll have a few opening comments and then we'll take questions.
00:06 Remember, we have remote mics, so raise your hand for your questions and
00:09 we'll get the remote mic over to you.
00:12 And a reminder, no live streaming, please.
00:16 >> Before we jump to Ole Miss, I want to talk about some accolades and
00:21 some things going on in the athletic department to make sure we get great
00:23 coverage for our other teams and basketball's getting ready to start.
00:27 But the women's soccer team, which I got to watch the semifinal match and
00:31 parts of the final match, won the SEC tournament.
00:34 So I wanna congratulate Kidani and his team, his staff, what a tremendous job.
00:38 He has made a major impact on our soccer program really quickly.
00:43 And hopefully we'll be hosting a Friday match here in Athens,
00:48 which should come out today.
00:50 But also I wanna encourage everybody to come out for basketball.
00:54 We both got home openers this week.
00:56 I think the women open tonight, is that right,
00:58 Loeb, 7 PM against North Carolina A&T here at home.
01:02 And then the men play Friday night at 7 also against Wake Forest.
01:07 So with the excitement of our game, we should get a great turnout for
01:12 both the basketball teams as well as the women's soccer.
01:15 So I encourage you guys to help promote that and get folks out for that.
01:19 Moving to Ole Miss, they've got a really good football team.
01:24 They've improved, you watch them on tape and
01:26 you watch the games throughout the year, they've improved with every game.
01:30 They've played a tremendous schedule,
01:33 some really tough teams they've played on their schedule.
01:36 Lane does a great job with his program, with his team.
01:39 They've got a great staff.
01:41 They got really good players.
01:44 He's done an incredible job.
01:46 The quarterbacks playing at a high level, great backs.
01:49 I think Pete on defense has brought unbelievable energy and
01:53 you see it the way they play and the way they attack the ball.
01:56 They come after the ball, they lead the SEC and I'm pretty sure turn over margin.
02:00 But I know they have the fewest fumbles and the most fumbles gotten.
02:04 They do a great job of that.
02:05 They attack that and they really play hard.
02:08 So we got a hell of a challenge.
02:10 We got a great atmosphere.
02:11 We need it to be as great an atmosphere in Sanford Stadium as it's ever been
02:17 to help take care of our home field advantage that we need to have.
02:21 So looking forward to that, looking forward to the preparation time and
02:26 that starts today.
02:27 >> Yeah, coach, I think you mentioned Saturday night having the answers when
02:34 teams glitch you like they did.
02:35 I'm curious if you could expound upon what some of those answers might be.
02:39 And then additionally, continue to the Ole Miss,
02:41 what have they done to pressure the quarterback so
02:43 successfully, they're one of the best in the country at the moment?
02:46 >> Well, first off, Pete's always been that way.
02:48 He's an aggressive nature, comes after people.
02:51 They've got players to do it.
02:52 They got really good team speed on defense.
02:54 They will come after you with different looks, multiple looks, and
02:58 try to confuse the quarterback and the offense.
03:00 That's what good defenses do.
03:02 He's been around good defenses his whole career.
03:04 He does a great job defensively, so I'm sure they'll have a plan.
03:08 They all study what you do and they study what you've seen and
03:11 give you problems.
03:12 He'll have forms of that.
03:14 They do a good job of that.
03:15 And then the answers to pressure and blitz is,
03:19 protection can be pressure if you protect well.
03:22 And then there's other answers.
03:24 We all know what they are.
03:26 You just gotta be able to execute them.
03:27 And we pressure people with our defense.
03:30 So they'll come after you and
03:32 they've done a good job doing that being disruptive.
03:34 >> Kirby, how are you remembering the senior class and Xavier saying he might
03:39 have a little bit of a moist eye when he gives you that final hug in midfield?
03:42 >> Well, I hugged him last year, so- >> [LAUGH]
03:45 >> It's gotten to be the norm of guys,
03:49 especially a cozy class of guys that have multiple years.
03:55 It's a little confusing who's a senior anymore.
03:58 It's hard to go by that.
03:59 But I'm certainly very appreciative for
04:03 what all they've contributed because it's not really one class.
04:06 It's fifth years, fourth years, sometimes third year, fourth year, red shirts,
04:12 things like that.
04:12 It gets confusing who's in a class.
04:14 But this class has been great.
04:15 This group of leaders has been very impactful.
04:18 I think it speaks for itself what they've been able to accomplish thus far.
04:22 And they still have goals ahead that we're gonna achieve.
04:24 >> Kirby, wanted to see if there was any further update on Jermon and
04:29 his injury and with his expected absence,
04:32 if y'all were anticipating having Xavier Soarie back this week.
04:36 >> Yeah, I'm expecting to have Soarie back as well as Raylan, CJ, Smile,
04:42 Jalen, Terrell, all those guys will be competing in this class.
04:46 As far as Pop, still not sure how long it'll be, how long his absence will be.
04:51 He's gonna try to find some innovative ways to get back and be able to play,
04:55 but won't know the extent of that until a couple more days.
04:59 But really excited to see those other guys get opportunities.
05:03 We got other guys that have played, and thank goodness at linebacker,
05:05 we use that as a normal rotating position.
05:08 We have guys that roll in and play.
05:10 We've averaged playing four guys at that position each and every game.
05:13 >> Coach, you touched on the atmosphere,
05:17 I mean fourth night game of the season after having none in Athens last year.
05:20 How much do you think that contributes to possibly raising the atmosphere and
05:24 getting the Georgia faithful really fired up for this one?
05:27 >> I don't know, I don't know that the night game impacts it.
05:30 I mean, I think the 330s have been great.
05:34 So I think the toughest is the 12 o'clock kick to get the atmosphere.
05:37 You won't, but I don't know that I see a difference between the other two.
05:41 >> You have to follow up on the inside linebackers, I guess.
05:46 One, how have you seen CJ and Graylin kind of progress throughout the area,
05:49 come back to injury?
05:50 And with young guys at that position, how tough is it for
05:53 them to learn the communication part, the intangibles like they would inside linebacker?
05:58 >> Well, go back, they both were here mid-year.
06:01 So they were, we do so many walkthroughs and so many practices and
06:05 so many in between.
06:06 They're both very intelligent kids.
06:09 They pick up on things really well.
06:10 They're both very conscientious.
06:12 They both played more and more, Raylan more recently,
06:15 CJ throughout the whole year and very pleased with where they are.
06:20 They're in a room where they're asked to learn a lot of information and
06:24 be able to command the defense and they do a good job.
06:29 I got a lot of confidence in those two guys.
06:32 >> Coach, can you talk about the attributes of Jackson Dart and
06:36 how Lane is able to use him in this offense?
06:39 >> Well, I think Lane's quarterback has taken on a personality from him and
06:44 they have a lot of moxie, they have a lot of talent.
06:46 They play really hard.
06:49 They play with reckless abandon for their body.
06:51 And he runs like a running back.
06:54 He's taken some hits this year and shown his toughness.
06:57 So he's not gonna shy away from contact and toughness.
07:01 And he's the extra element of run that gives them a competitive advantage over
07:06 a lot of teams you play because they have great backs.
07:09 But he runs the ball like a back and he throws the ball really well too,
07:14 which that's what makes them really hard to defend.
07:16 When you got a guy that can make all the throws, but can also take off and run.
07:20 And he's proven the ability to do that.
07:22 >> Just one quick question about Jamal,
07:27 I guess after they gave you a to maybe it was a fracture for him,
07:32 is that exactly what it is?
07:34 >> Rather not speculate, to be honest with you, just say what we said earlier.
07:37 >> You were talking about Quenshawn for a little bit.
07:40 I mean, you look at his numbers, he's one of the top running backs as far as
07:44 yards after contact goes.
07:45 What's gonna be the challenge for slowing down that guy?
07:48 >> Yeah, take lowers.
07:49 I mean, I tell you, I've been super impressed.
07:51 I already knew about Quenshawn and how good he was.
07:53 I saw him last year and how they ran on people.
07:56 The Bentley kids, incredible too, they had two really good backs.
08:02 And Quenshawn bears probably more of that load and he has really thick lowers.
08:07 He runs through tackles, extremely patient runner.
08:11 He has an innate ability to navigate what's there and
08:16 turn it into explosive and positive runs.
08:19 I mean, he just sets up blockers really well and
08:23 really tough physical runner and does a great job.
08:26 So they have two really capable, talented backs.
08:29 >> Kirby, how's Brock's rehab process going and
08:33 any possible update on a possible return?
08:36 >> He's been great.
08:37 He's done everything we've asked.
08:38 He ran on Friday, did a good workout, had Saturday off, obviously,
08:44 and continues to work and gonna do all he can to try to get back as fast as he can.
08:53 >> Kirby, you've already faced three of the SEC's top five wide receivers.
08:57 Now you got Trey Harris coming in who had a heck of a game.
08:59 How do you defend against him?
09:00 >> Hard, you can't.
09:04 It's hard to put two people on him because of all the issues we just talked about
09:08 before that.
09:08 So you talk about the backs, you talk about the quarterback.
09:11 They look for matchups, Lane looks for matchups, and he's looking for
09:15 every opportunity he can to get a high percentage matchup in his favor.
09:20 And what's easier to do when you got big, good wide outs and
09:25 a quarterback that can get him the ball and your ability to run the ball.
09:28 Just those things.
09:29 So how do you do it?
09:30 You do it like you do every week.
09:32 You do your best to cover them and defend them.
09:34 And you try to control the run game.
09:37 It's the package of what they do, everything together,
09:43 not one thing that complements each other.
09:49 >> Kirby obviously, Lane is a guy whose personality and
09:53 reputation precedes him.
09:55 Do you think having gone against him all those years in practice and
09:59 everything else in those battles,
10:00 is he underappreciated as kind of like an offensive mind?
10:03 And can you expand at all kind of on your relationship?
10:07 Is he part of that famous group Tex?
10:10 >> He does a great job.
10:11 He's extremely intelligent.
10:13 He doesn't overthink things.
10:15 He keeps it simple and doesn't think that you,
10:19 you don't have to overthink things sometimes as a coach.
10:22 And probably doesn't get enough credit for that.
10:24 Because he wants to beat you with fundamentals.
10:28 He wants to beat you with his players doing things within their system.
10:32 It's just, he does a great job.
10:35 He looks for matchups.
10:36 He looks for explosive opportunities.
10:38 They've been one of the most explosive offenses running pass in really
10:43 the last ten years in the SEC.
10:45 They have broken some numbers that are out there.
10:49 They get lots of snaps because they go with pace.
10:51 But they do a good job with the snaps they get.
10:53 So no, he probably doesn't get enough credit.
10:56 But it's not like he's trying to be scheme of the week.
10:59 He does what he does really well.
11:01 He knows what they do well.
11:02 And he also knows what you don't do well.
11:04 And he's looking for a matchup most of the game.
11:06 [BLANK_AUDIO]
11:09 >> Yeah, Coach, I think we've talked about Kamari moving into the slot after
11:12 the game Saturday.
11:13 Tykee mentioned it was a decision y'all put in on Monday.
11:16 And that Tykee was even impressed for
11:18 him to have learned the position from Monday to Saturday.
11:21 Or learned what it required to play.
11:22 I'm just curious if you could expound further on what it required for
11:25 Kamari, not only to learn that position, but to go out and execute like he did on
11:28 Saturday.
11:30 >> Well, if you remember, we talked about he played that position as a freshman.
11:34 And we played that position in spring practice.
11:37 And he played that position when we go out and do reps against the offense.
11:40 It's something that we don't ever veer really far away from.
11:43 He didn't learn it in three days.
11:45 He didn't go out there and never played it.
11:47 There's concepts you learn when you're in a meeting room that don't revolve
11:51 around your position.
11:52 We go to drill circuits all offseason to say, this is how you play this.
11:55 Doesn't matter what position you play, you have to be able to play this.
11:58 He did those things.
11:59 He's very bright, very conscientious.
12:01 He didn't learn to play it in a week.
12:03 That wouldn't be realistic.
12:06 He only had to do so many things.
12:08 And he's done those things and walkthroughs and
12:11 he was able to execute them in the game.
12:12 >> Coach, you touched on Lane and I know you guys have a very good friendship,
12:17 as you said prior, but we haven't seen as many tweets from him.
12:23 I know you guys like to go back and forth a little bit.
12:25 How much would a win, especially over someone that you're good friends with and
12:29 maybe have a little bragging rights over,
12:31 how much would a win mean against someone like Lane and Ole Miss?
12:36 >> Not any more than it would have last week.
12:38 I mean, we're not gonna build it up to be something it's not.
12:41 I mean, every win in the SEC is critical.
12:43 It's critical for them.
12:45 They're in a hunt.
12:46 They're in a hunt for the West.
12:47 They're in a hunt for the playoffs.
12:49 They're in a hunt for all the goals and aspirations they have.
12:52 So it's not about he and I.
12:56 It's really about the players, the guys that make plays.
13:01 >> Gary, when we talked to Ty Key about Kamari playing some of the star,
13:05 we talked to him earlier today.
13:06 He was talking about putting the team before himself and
13:09 just doing what was asked of him.
13:11 What does that say to you about Ty Key having that approach?
13:14 Not only that, but then he goes out and has seven tackles,
13:16 very productive in the game against reserve.
13:20 >> He's unselfish.
13:21 He understands his role in the team.
13:24 He's been a really good special teams player for us.
13:26 People don't give him enough credit.
13:27 He's been elite at kickoff return.
13:29 The job he has, one of the hardest jobs, has been really good at punt return.
13:32 He's played on kickoff.
13:34 He'll play on punt if we ask him to.
13:35 He plays the nickel star position really well.
13:39 He does what's asked.
13:41 And I think he has an appreciation for his role and
13:46 what he does because he didn't have that role last year.
13:49 And you have a greater appreciation when you don't have it.
13:51 When you get the opportunity to earn it and keep it and do it,
13:56 he's appreciated that more this year.
13:58 >> Kirby, sorry, one more on Pat.
14:02 You said looking for some innovative ways to get back.
14:05 Is there any kind of value on that?
14:09 >> Not really.
14:09 >> Yeah, with Simon, what do you see from him this season?
14:16 And does anything, if at all, change with Jermon being out in terms of him
14:20 calling the defense or being a vocal leader in there?
14:24 >> No, he's already a vocal leader.
14:25 I mean, he does a great job.
14:27 He calls the defenses when Pop's not in there anyway.
14:31 And when Pop is in there, they share.
14:34 So that's not a big concern.
14:37 To be honest with you, the two new freshmen,
14:38 they don't practice and play like freshmen.
14:41 They know the calls and they do a great job.
14:44 So I don't think, and Smile do an awesome job of calling the stuff.
14:47 >> Kirby, how did your goal making with Tate Hatcher off his blind
14:53 grade out against Missouri and with Marius Mims getting closer and coming back?
14:57 What is the process there to just put him back in and
14:59 move Trust back or do you wanna find out?
15:02 Could've been some insight if you would.
15:03 >> No, Mims practiced all last week, did a good job, wasn't quite 100%.
15:07 But he took reps at his right tackle position, did a good job.
15:12 Trust took reps at right and left tackle, which he continues to do.
15:17 And probably still the same thing this week.
15:19 That's not gonna change in terms of those reps.
15:22 I think Mims is much closer.
15:23 He feels really comfortable.
15:25 He could have probably played Saturday had we needed him.
15:28 So I think he's in a good place.
15:30 I think he's much closer to being able to play like he wants to be able to play and
15:36 go out there and compete.
15:38 Looking forward to seeing him do that in practice so
15:39 we can gain some more information.
15:41 >> And how did it break out?
15:43 >> I mean, what's a great?
15:45 I mean like- >> Where are you happy?
15:48 >> I mean, I'm very happy with the result.
15:51 They played really hard.
15:52 Could we play better?
15:53 Yes, 100%.
15:54 I mean, it always goes back to the same thing at the offensive line.
15:57 You play against different teams and sometimes you get your butt whooped.
16:01 There's times we got our butt whooped Saturday.
16:03 And I think our guys will be the first to admit that.
16:06 The goal moving forward is to not let that happen again.
16:08 And there's times that we won and times that we lost.
16:11 And you wanna win them all.
16:13 But the expectation for our team,
16:16 apparently, is that you're gonna win every play up front.
16:19 And that's just not real in the SEC.
16:21 You're gonna face really good defenses and really good people.
16:24 And you gotta keep chopping wood and keep coming back.
16:27 And we did that.
16:28 And we found ways to have success in the run game.
16:30 And ended up having a couple nice runs by Kendall and nice runs by Dejan.
16:35 >> Curveback got a really hard hitting question.
16:38 Lane Kiffin's dog, Juice, is very visible.
16:41 Do you have any pets?
16:42 Do you have a dog growing up?
16:44 >> Yeah, I had a lot of bird dogs growing up.
16:46 And I had to go feed them all the time.
16:47 Didn't enjoy that.
16:48 But that's one of my childhood memories,
16:50 taking it out there in the cold weather to feed the dogs.
16:53 But we have a dog now, Bess, that my wife loves to death.
16:59 But we don't bring her around the team, so
17:01 she doesn't get to hang out with the team like Juice does.
17:03 >> [LAUGH] >> Kurt,
17:05 you mentioned earlier about the crowd.
17:08 I know that's somewhat cliche for every coach to say that.
17:10 But how strategic, how important is it?
17:13 And can you tell when it's a pitch that actually affects the game?
17:17 I guess the Tennessee game last year was probably the best example.
17:20 >> Yeah, the Tennessee game was probably the most impactful game since I've been
17:23 here, and I felt like they impacted the game the most.
17:26 Can you tell?
17:30 I don't know.
17:31 I feel like our crowd's really good for all our games.
17:35 I mean, I don't know if you separate it in ratings.
17:38 I don't know where it fits.
17:38 I definitely think it was very impactful, Tennessee.
17:41 And I do think that we need that same impact for this game in terms of
17:45 the way they go about things and how you can affect the game.
17:50 >> Take two more questions, anybody?
17:53 [BLANK_AUDIO]
18:03 >> We may have more depth.
18:18 I don't know that we have more pop.
18:21 There's no possibilities that we have now that we didn't have before.
18:24 But I feel good about the DB we have now.
18:29 I feel good about the DBs we had before.
18:30 I don't really know what you're asking.
18:33 I mean, we had a package last week, but that was not something about our DBs.
18:38 It was more about something they did.
18:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]
18:42 >> Kind of going off of that, I know in previous years,
18:45 it's been a little bit tougher.
18:46 You've talked about the cornerback depth.
18:48 But to have a guy like Julian Humphrey in the rotation and
18:51 then on the depth chart that you can run a package like that where you can have
18:55 three different cornerbacks on the field, how much does that bring and
18:58 how much does that add to a defense?
19:00 >> We got other guys in play.
19:02 We got other guys that are on the sideline that can play too.
19:04 So he gets an opportunity to play because he's earned it in practice.
19:08 But I have confidence in five or six guys that can go out there and play.
19:12 Cuz I get to watch them do it every day in practice.
19:14 I got confidence in some DTs that don't play.
19:17 I got a lot of confidence in two or three linebackers that are on the scout team
19:21 that go every day.
19:22 I got a lot of confidence in a lot of our players that can go out there and play.
19:26 But you play the players that give you the best opportunity to win.
19:29 You can't play everybody.
19:31 You don't get a chance to do that.
19:33 You can't even rep and prepare everybody.
19:35 So we're constantly developing all our players so
19:38 they have an opportunity when they get in the game to go out there and have success.
19:41 Thanks.
19:42 [BLANK_AUDIO]