On the Beat with Mike Griffith: Georgia football 2-QB system on hold

ATHENS — Georgia football coach Kirby Smart squashed the notion that the Bulldogs might have a two-quarterback package to start the season.

Georgia will open the season with one offense that could feature two quarterbacks, sophomore Jake Fromm at the forefront having worked with the first team this offseason.

Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said at the start of fall drills “you don’t rule anything out” when asked about a two-quarterback package.

It’s a long season, so fans and opponents probably should continue to heed Chaney’s words

Some supposed — and the Bulldogs’ staff surely has considered — the running abilities of freshman QB Justin Fields could warrant some sort of package.

Smart indicated that as things stand, as far as he’s willing to state publicly, that’s not the case.

“I think you guys see Jake and Justin a lot different than maybe we do,” Smart said following Wednesday’s practice. “We run the same offense with both those guys right now.”

Smart’s disclosure came when asked if the Georgia defense benefitted from seeing two different types of quarterbacks in practice.

“Can Justin take off running better? Can he run some run stuff, yeah, he can, but I don’t think our two defenses are seeing something different, really,” Smart said.

“We practice scrambles. Jake Fromm practices scrambles in practice, and so does Justin, because a lot of your plays end up being scrambles. So no I don’t think there’s a lot of difference in what our defense sees.”

Georgia might ultimately end up using Fields in certain situations.

The red zone remains a distinct possibility because of the advantages a mobile quarterback provides as the field shrinks.

But Chaney also pointed out at the start of the season the Bulldogs have to be careful with both of their quarterbacks, as there are only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.

Jacob Eason transferred to Washington in February, so freshman walk-on Matthew Downing has taken over as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart.

So for now, particularly at the start of the season, Georgia has one offense with two quarterbacks operating within it.

Georgia football Kirby Smart 8-22-18