Since the Bulldogs won the national championship on Jan. 10, Smart has been wary of the many accolades that have been pouring into his team. He, like his old boss Nick Saban, likes to call it “rat poison.”
But like the overwhelmed Dam, it’s hard to contain the praise so far this season. It won 59 out of 63 votes in the poll. The Bulldogs ruled then – no. In the opener he defeated 11 Oregon 49-3 and won his first three games with a cumulative score of 130-10.
Hence “exercise”. Smart explains.
“We’ve been talking about growing up this week and trying to figure out how to get better,” Smart said Tuesday night after the Bulldogs finished their second practice of the week. “We had each kid choose two things he did, write them down on his index card, put them up in the team meeting room, and then (later) show them how they did it. No. It requires growth.”
Smart answers questions about how players such as former walk-on players Stetson Bennett and Dan Jackson, and three-star defensive lineman Zion Rogue patiently progressed to where they are today while exercising. clarified.
“It requires growth, and they epitomize growth,” says Smart.
Jackson came to Georgia unrecruited from Gainesville’s Northhall High to become a regular in the defensive backfield and a safe five-game starter. A junior from Lebanon, Tennessee, Rogue took three years from scout team player to starting nose guard for the Bulldogs.
Each was asked what they would write on an index card on Tuesday.
“Obviously I want to be the best tackler I can be,” said Jackson, who tied for third on his team in 10 tackles and recorded his first career interception last Saturday. “So I wrote down that I need to keep my head up, not bend my hips, and bring my legs up. That’s what I want to pay attention to.”
Rogue was a little more cautious about sharing his goals.
“We can talk a little bit about it,” Rogue said. “I played the block really well, my eyes got better, my feet got better, I stayed on the block longer and the backers were able to work a little bit. Everyone in every group has something they need to work on.” It’s kind of a collaborative relationship because we’ve been there, so I think coming into this week is a big step for us.”
Smart often laments about his battle with complacency. He called it the greatest enemy of success. After dominating the first three opponents with an average score of 43-3, the Bulldogs enter the four-week stretch and are expected to be multi-touchdown favorites against all opponents.
And the “best of the best” accolades Georgia has received is what inspired him to introduce the growth movement.
“We change it sometimes,” Smart said. “That’s what we’re doing this week. We’ve done it before. But we have different exercises. They post[goals]and stick them on the door. So you decorate your door and see it every day when you walk in. Then you have to stand in front of your team and show them a video of where you actually did what you said you were going to do. Hmm. “
Exercises like this may seem rudimentary, but the results are hard to argue with. Hence the Kent coach comment.
“This is due to the hard work of Coach Smart and his staff and the tireless work they put into building the program to an elite, elite level,” Lewis said.
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