The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
LSU setback contained silver lining
Backup defensive players impressed UGA’s Smart when given extra work.
ATHENS — Although there weren’t a lot of bright spots in No. 8 Georgia’s loss to LSU on Saturday, several less-seasoned Bulldogs saw increased playing time and impressed coach Kirby Smart, who emphasized that the only way to get better — and move up the depth chart — is through hard, smart work.
“I thought (sophomore defensive lineman) Malik Herring, (redshirt freshman linebacker) Robert Beal and (freshman defensive lineman) Jordan Davis, all three played more snaps than they’ve been playing, but Jordan and Beal, especially, did a lot more than they’ve been playing,” said Smart, whose team is off Saturday before its annual trek to Jacksonville to face No. 11 Florida on Oct. 27.
“They’ve been on scout team a ton, so we’ve used them as examples to say, ‘This is your opportunity to leapfrog a guy.’ … That’s how you improve your team, how you improve your program, you get tons of reps and get to work.”
Against LSU, Herring recorded one tackle, Beal had four and a sack, and Davis posted seven tackles.
When asked about Beal’s progress, Smart said, “He’s still on scout team and getting those reps. We really believe in those reps. It’s the guys who are down there are sometimes better than the guys who go against the scout team.
“Robert has had an opportunity to continue to grow on the scout team. Robert works really hard. Robert got a little bit of confidence because for the first time in a game, he had two pass-rush situations where he beat his guy pretty quick, and I feel like he knows what to do a lot faster now and it shows up on the field. That helps him.”
Injury report: Outside linebacker D’Andre Walker, who has proved to be a disruptive force against the run, left Saturday’s game in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury, but he was back at practice Tuesday with no apparent limitations.
Smart said Walker had issues with cramping. He did return to the game.
Walker has recorded 19 tackles, including six for loss, with five sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
The news was not as good for the defensive line, as Smart said end David Marshall, who is dealing with a foot injury, is doubtful for the game against Florida, and nose guard DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle “is still out.”
However, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (knee) is coming along well.
“Wyatt should be back. He was able to go today,” Smart said Tuesday. “He was close last week. Wyatt practiced today. He should be fine.”
Running back D’Andre Swift was not seen during the periods that media members were permitted to observe Tuesday, and Smart said he was having a sprained ankle attended to and expressed confidence he would be ready for Florida.
“He’s got a little bit of an ankle contusion/sprain, but we think he’ll be fine,” Smart said. “… Hopefully he’ll be back by the end of this week.”
Back to Jax: Offensive guard Solomon Kindley is one of two Bulldogs from Jacksonville (defensive back Ameer Speed is the other), and he said Tuesday he’ll make two trips in two weeks to his hometown as he plans a quick bye-week visit Saturday.
“I’m going back home. Two weekends in a row,” he said. “I don’t have any plans. Really, I’m going to see my family. I haven’t seen them in a while, so I’m going to see my momma and my sister and my brothers.”
Kindley, who had an injury scare against Vanderbilt when he was carted off the field with a MCL sprain, said he looked forward to giving his 6-foot4, 330-pound frame a little respite.
“It feels good on your body,” he said. “I get a chance to go home Friday and Saturday, I come back Sunday and get some rest and then start getting mentally prepared for Florida.”