Bulldogs begin fall practices

Published 5:15 pm Friday, August 3, 2018

The Georgia football team held its first practice Friday. Here are some observations as made by The Red & Black during the 12-minute media viewing period.

Offense: The quarterbacks first worked with the running backs in handoffs, followed by short and intermediate throws with the receivers. 

Quarterback Jake Fromm had a splint on his non-throwing hand from a broken hand injury earlier this summer, but coach Kirby Smart called it a “precautionary” splint. It seemed to not affect his throwing ability at all.

Demetris Robertson, a transfer from Cal, was practicing with the receivers. He wore No. 16.

Zamir White was going through drills with the running backs with a red and black knee brace on from his previous ACL injury. He seemed to be, as Smart previously stated, “full go.”

One offensive line group worked on a reach blocking drill with offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, while another group with offensive line coach Sam Pittman on a zone blocking/ double-team drill.

Defense: The defensive line worked primarily with the sled, as they were to hit the sled and each player was fully extend their arms. Defensive line coach Tray Scott told his players to “press the pad with the heels of your hand,” to simulate hitting an offensive lineman. 

Notre Dame transfer Jay Hayes worked with the defensive line, wearing No. 7.

The outside linebackers were brought down to work on the sled with the defensive line, while senior defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter went to work with the outside linebackers.

The inside linebackers worked on pursuit drills at an angle, while the defensive backs worked on pass break up drills. Senior Deandre Baker and junior J.R. Reed, two of the leaders in the secondary, were paired up in a drill competing against one another. 

Printed with permission from The Red & Black independent student media organization in Athens, Ga.; redandblack.com/sports.