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Update on James Cook
Posted on 8/2/19 at 9:13 am
Posted on 8/2/19 at 9:13 am
quote:
“He’s electric, he’s a little different than what we have so we want to find ways to get him the ball,” Smart said. “I think he’s a lot more mature now.”
D’Andre Swift will start for Georgia and get the lion’s share of the carries provided he stays healthy, but Cook is in the mix for carries himself as well as catches and returns.
Smart was concerned about Cook in spring drills, noting he looked a bit sluggish and not up to full speed coming off ankle surgery.
Things changed over the summer.
quote:
“James has bulked up a little bit, he’s gotten a little bigger, he’s very intelligent he’s a guy we’ve got to find ways to get him the ball.” Smart said. “There’s going to be a great competition there, because we know it’s hard to play more than three backs, and we’ve got some good backs, so we’ve got to find ways to get those guys touches.
“Cook has got to become a more dominant special teams player.”
Cook’s skills as a pass catcher were obvious last season.
But it’s what he does in the open field — regardless of how he gets the football — that sets him apart.
“A couple of runs in practice he broke on us on defense,” Taylor said, “and I was like, ‘wow, this kid is fast.’ “
“It just changes the game, it changes the pace,” Rochester said. “I think when you look at him, he looks a lot faster than all those boys and moves a lot quicker, and it’s a different type of style that we haven’t seen yet.”
The comment about his lack of catching the ball last season makes me wonder if Kirby made Cook sleep with the ball during off season.
Dawg Nation
4
Posted on 8/2/19 at 9:31 am to Dawgirl
He certainly bulked up. This picture was taken in June. His measurements for the start of the season may be around 5'11 195lbs - 200lbs. He's the player I'm most excited to see with the ball in his hands.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 9:54 am to Dawgirl
I kind of see James Cook as the replacement for Mecole Hardman. Home run threat athletes who are extremely tough to defend in space and electric with the ball in their hands.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:07 am to GoldenDawg
I think that role is going to Tyler Simmons. He is experienced and a burner.
This post was edited on 8/2/19 at 10:22 am
Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:27 am to DawgRff
Simmons is primarily a blocker.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:33 am to RunLindsayRun
quote:
Simmons is primarily a blocker.
And was onside.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:33 am to DawgRff
quote:
I think that role is going to Tyler Simmons. He is experienced and a burner.
This would seem pretty unlikely. On the current roster, more likely to be a combo of DRob, Cook, and/or Dom Blaylock. Simmons is too valuable as a perimeter blocker (not to mention he's one of the only WRs returning with actual in game production...
)Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:34 am to RunLindsayRun
quote:
Simmons is primarily a blocker.
Wouldn't say "primarily", but he's sure as shite too valuable as a blocker to have the ball in his hands on a play that requires good perimeter blocking to execute well.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:37 am to fibonaccisquared
quote:
Simmons is too valuable as a perimeter blocker
So what you're saying is when Simmons and Blount is in the game at the same time, teams should stack the box?
This post was edited on 8/2/19 at 10:38 am
Posted on 8/2/19 at 10:39 am to RedPants
False start...
Posted on 8/2/19 at 11:40 am to DawgRff
quote:
Tyler Simmons. He is experienced and a burner.
Love the kid. . . but he's definitely not a burner.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 11:41 am to DawgRff
quote:
So what you're saying is when Simmons and Blount is in the game at the same time, teams should stack the box?
Kind of like when Stanley was in the game
Posted on 8/2/19 at 11:46 am to DawgRff
quote:
So what you're saying is when Simmons and Blount is in the game at the same time, teams should stack the box?
Yes? If we have Simmons and Blount in the game at the same time, and we don't have Cook on the field, presumably we either have 2 TEs in the game or someone like Drob or Blaylock is acting as a 3rd receiver (likely in the slot). I'm not saying he can't operate as the ball carrier, simply that with that rough personnel, DRob is every bit as fast and not as talented of a blocker (at least from what we've seen to date). Seemingly, if we're trying to maximize everyone's skillset on each play, Simmons is less likely to function as the ball carrier in that scenario.
ETA: Also... if Simmons and Blount are on the field as outside receivers at the same time, it probably means we're up by a substantial amount and grinding clock. I loved Blount as a recruit, but I'm just not sold that he's moving that far up the depth chart this year. Could be wrong though.
This post was edited on 8/2/19 at 11:49 am
Posted on 8/2/19 at 11:47 am to Porter Osborne Jr
quote:
Love the kid. . . but he's definitely not a burner.
LINK
4.41 40 in HS (grain of salt) would argue that he's got wheels.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 12:01 pm to fibonaccisquared
quote:
4.41 40 in HS (grain of salt) would argue that he's got wheels.
Coached against him in HS and I wouldn't have considered him one at that time.
Can you think of anytime he's blown by anyone since he's been at UGA?
Posted on 8/2/19 at 12:10 pm to Dawgirl
Cook should be an asset in 3rd down passing situations, adds the threat of a swing/screen pass (#7 can catch it too) or can make a defender miss on a straight running play.
Hoping with #7 and #3 Zeus on 1st and 2nd we have a minimum of 3rd and 5+ and see #4 mostly in a Hardman type role, maybe in the slot or backfield going in motion causing havoc...
Hoping with #7 and #3 Zeus on 1st and 2nd we have a minimum of 3rd and 5+ and see #4 mostly in a Hardman type role, maybe in the slot or backfield going in motion causing havoc...
Posted on 8/2/19 at 12:13 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
quote:
Coached against him in HS and I wouldn't have considered him one at that time.
I figured that was where the comment was coming from.
quote:
Can you think of anytime he's blown by anyone since he's been at UGA?
It's UMass, so grain of salt, but: LINK
Ultimately, he has just been somewhat buried on the depth chart up to this point. But I still maintain, that despite his speed, his value blocking will likely mean that someone else likely gets the ball in their hands on these plays more frequently.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 12:34 pm to fibonaccisquared
I think he's a solid receiver with some speed but not a Mecole Hardman type.
Posted on 8/2/19 at 1:40 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
Simmons may not have Hardman's initial acceleration, but he's bigger and stronger and very fast. If you go back through and watch when he's gotten the ball, it takes a few steps but if he gets separation when he's up to speed few to none will run him down.
100 meters isn't a football time, but it is an indicator of speed and, to a lesser extent, acceleration. Here's Simmons' senior year. Consistently very fast except one outlier.
2016 Outdoor Season McEachern HS
12th Grade
100 Meters
14 11.46 Mar 5 Nike Panther Relays
2 10.92 (-.5) Mar 19 Bob Hayes Invitational
4 10.75 (1.3) Mar 19 Bob Hayes Invitational
2 10.90 (1.0) Mar 28 Cobb County Championships
1 10.70 (.0) Mar 28 Cobb County Championships
2 10.83 Apr 20 GA 6A Region 4
1 10.67 Apr 20 GA 6A Region 4
3 10.76 (.0) Apr 30 GHSA 6A Sectional Regions 2, 4, 5, 6
7 10.89 (-1.3) May 14 GHSA Boys 6A State Championships
4 10.60 (.5)PR May 14 GHSA Boys 6A State Championships
100 meters isn't a football time, but it is an indicator of speed and, to a lesser extent, acceleration. Here's Simmons' senior year. Consistently very fast except one outlier.
2016 Outdoor Season McEachern HS
12th Grade
100 Meters
14 11.46 Mar 5 Nike Panther Relays
2 10.92 (-.5) Mar 19 Bob Hayes Invitational
4 10.75 (1.3) Mar 19 Bob Hayes Invitational
2 10.90 (1.0) Mar 28 Cobb County Championships
1 10.70 (.0) Mar 28 Cobb County Championships
2 10.83 Apr 20 GA 6A Region 4
1 10.67 Apr 20 GA 6A Region 4
3 10.76 (.0) Apr 30 GHSA 6A Sectional Regions 2, 4, 5, 6
7 10.89 (-1.3) May 14 GHSA Boys 6A State Championships
4 10.60 (.5)PR May 14 GHSA Boys 6A State Championships
This post was edited on 8/2/19 at 1:43 pm
Posted on 8/2/19 at 1:50 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
quote:
I think he's a solid receiver with some speed but not a Mecole Hardman type.
Well that's a bit of an unfair comparison. I wasn't arguing that he was "a Mecole Hardman" type... Just that he's got speed and maybe a little unfair to say he's not a burner. If the 4.41 time is accurate, he's faster than probably 2/3 of the WR room at a minimum.
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