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My opinion (and yours above is also opinion), is simply Kirby is satisfied enough w/ Fromm's play that he doesn't feel the need to invite any type of distractions by playing Fields more.

I don't think it's about distractions. My opinion is that CKS thinks Fromm is a big boy now who can handle himself like a professional and not get thrown off by being pulled in favor for Fields when the situation calls for it.

I think CKS wants to play the players who give us the best chance of success at any given moment and that he's willing to swap in Fields when he thinks Fields gives us the best chance of success. Right now I think that means using Fields' legs instead of Fromm's arm. Right now Fields gives us nothing with his arm because Fromm can make all the throws and is likely more accurate than Fields right now. What Fields gives us is a mobile option that is a step or two (or three) above Fromm while maintaining the threat to pass if necessary.

And yes, I agree that CKS is satisfied enough with Fromm that he doesn't feel the need to rush getting Fields out on the field when he isn't needed. Fromm has been superb in the 2nd half of this season especially and in no game this season can I point to a situation where Fromm was the reason why we lost (LSU) or struggled on offense. When we struggled, we struggled as a team. On the other hand, Fromm has shown time and time again to be reliable in big moments throughout the season, getting our offense in position to succeed and making good decisions that help us win games. There's no reason to change that up right now just to satisfy the curiosity of some fans.

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My opinion is that Kirby probably just wants to get Fields enough reps to gain confidence and only use him extensively when absolutely necessary (kind of like a fire axe behind glass).

I partially agree. I think the reps Fields is getting is somewhat based on how well he practices and mostly how well Fromm is playing and what the situation on the field dictates. CKS knows that Fields is a threat to defenses and a good weapon for us right now so I think he's getting his reps for the following reasons and likely in this order:

1. There are situations where Fields actually becomes more of an asset than Fromm
2. CKS wants to get Fields more experience in case Fromm goes down
3. Fields has been practicing well lately according to CKS is and is being rewarded with more reps
4. CKS wants to ensure Fields continues to see playing time to keep him at UGA

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Fields not only is a gifted athlete, he is very smart cookie as well. Made 29 on ACT and was top 20 in his class at Harrison HS. He's not "slow" and he is a student of the game.

None of that means he has been able to pick up our play book quickly. It's not just a matter of understanding concepts (which a high IQ or a high football IQ helps with), but memorizing all of the plays and where all of the other players need to be. It's simply a lot of information and it takes time to know it so well you can execute it without really thinking about it. Even Fromm wasn't working with the entire play book last season and he's was exceptional with his knowledge and recognition as a true freshman. Again, it's not about is ability to understand the play book, but how quickly he can know it inside and out. He might have the entire play book down, but then there is the decision making aspect of it, which brings us to...

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He was a throw-first/run 2nd QB in high school and played for a really good coach in Matt Dickman. Fields is not your average "dual threat" QB. Further, Fields was an early enrollee. I don't believe for one second he is struggling w/ reads and picking up the offense.

First of all, learning the playbook and reading defenses are two different things. Without trying to sound condescending, the play book tells the QB what the offense wants to do to move the ball and the defensive coverage tells the QB what the defense is trying to do to stop them from moving the ball. Both of those things need to be understood in order for a QB to make the right decision of where to go with the ball to maximize the yards gained per play while minimizing the risk of a turnover or a loss of yards. A QB needs to know both to be successful in the long run and it's rare that a QB can play as a true freshman and understand both concepts well enough to efficiently run an offense while limiting turnovers.

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Does he have it mastered as much as Jake Fromm who has had a year's head start and starter snaps as a Freshman? NO. And that is the point of my entire argument w/ the lot of you. FIELDS is ready, but FROMM is already in the #1 seat and doing well - if there was no such thing as Jake Fromm, Fields would already be the talk of the SEC - but FROMM is here and, for now, Fields is blocked. I expect 2019 to be wide open - if Fromm beats out Fields in the off-season, then maybe Fields transfers. However, next season, when Fields has had more time and practice, I expect him to seriously challenge Fromm for starter spot.

Bottom-line and back to the OP, there is no evidence that "Justin Fields isn't ready" - there is only the proof that Jake Fromm is.

The END.

Maybe you should define what you mean by saying Fields is "ready". When I hear the phrase "he's ready to be the starter" or "he's ready to run the offense", I think of several different attributes such as knowledge of the playbook, ability to read defenses and check in to and out of plays and protections, and the ability to consistently make good decisions with the football. Does Fields do all of these things to the point of being able to effectively run our offense? I don't know.

I've seen him do the classic one-look-and-run technique several times in his limited snaps. That tells me he either doesn't know the play book, isn't comfortable with the coverages, doesn't trust his OL, or he's told he shouldn't stand in the pocket and find an open receiver but take off, instead. If he's being told to take off after the first read, I question if the coaches think he's ready for more than that.

To summarize: what I've seen so far from Fields is an athletically gifted young man who is an asset to us running the ball and can hit some short to medium throws when called to do it. I haven't seen enough to tell me that he's ready to take over for a battle-tested QB in Fromm to lead the offense with his legs and his arm. I haven't seen enough evidence to tell me that he's "ready".