Kirby Smart Press Conference After Ole Miss before Tennessee
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00:00 [LAUGH]
00:01 >> Don't ever.
00:03 >> Don't ever.
00:05 >> Don't ever.
00:06 >> Hello everybody, thanks for coming.
00:08 Remind us fully feel, the press box is open for you to work.
00:12 We'll get a few open comments and we'll take your questions.
00:16 If you'll raise your hand, we'll get one of the remote mics to you.
00:19 Reminder, no live streaming, please.
00:21 >> Thanks, Claude.
00:22 We're on Tennessee.
00:24 It's a really difficult prep week.
00:28 Probably the hardest one of the year in terms of trying to replicate what they do.
00:33 They do a tremendous job stressing you in all phases.
00:37 They've always been good with Josh in terms of offensively, but
00:44 I think what they've been able to do defensively this year to me is really
00:49 impressive, they play really good defense, really good offense.
00:53 The tempo is hard to match.
00:56 And then their special teams, that's the phase nobody talks about.
00:59 These guys are really elite on special teams.
01:01 You can tell they put a lot of time and effort into it.
01:04 So it's a huge challenge.
01:07 When you go on the road in the SEC, I say it all the time,
01:09 doesn't matter who, where, when, doesn't matter anything about anybody's record.
01:13 Only it matters is you're playing on the road in the SEC in a really tough
01:16 environment and the prep for that is kind of the challenge
01:20 that our team has to embrace.
01:23 You have to embrace, it's different when you go on the road in our league,
01:27 especially when you go to play a team as talented as Tennessee is.
01:31 So with that, I'll open it up.
01:33 >> Yeah, Coach, they've been able to run the football exceptionally well under
01:39 Josh Hyde.
01:40 I'm curious, what's the key to being able to stop their run with light boxes,
01:43 cuz they're gonna do a good job of spreading you out as well?
01:46 >> Yeah, you can't stop it with light boxes.
01:48 They make it where you can't.
01:50 You gotta be able to strike a man, get off the block.
01:53 And football is so
01:56 simple when it comes down to your ability to play block protection or
02:02 block people.
02:03 You either get blocked or you don't get blocked.
02:06 And you gotta win a whole bunch of one-on-ones if you don't have enough
02:10 people in there, because they expose you quickly.
02:13 And they're very physically tough.
02:17 Their whole line plays that way.
02:19 Their backs are easily the best table of backs we've seen this year,
02:24 in terms of the backs, the package of backs they have.
02:26 And that includes the quarterback with the backs.
02:30 So it's a really tough prep.
02:32 They do a great job.
02:33 The box count is what it is.
02:36 They know what you got.
02:37 They know what you don't got.
02:38 So it boils down to who can strike a block and get off the block.
02:41 >> Yeah, Kirby, you mentioned the offensive line the other night.
02:45 Just one, how have you seen that group get better throughout the year?
02:48 And two, like you mentioned the other night, how much of an improvement is just
02:51 depth being able to rotate guys and keep guys fresh?
02:55 >> Yeah, our line's gotten better with the year.
02:57 I mean, we've had games we play better than others, but
03:00 sometimes that has to do with the opponent you play.
03:03 We're healthier.
03:04 So with health comes depth and the ability to play more guys.
03:09 I think we stay fresher in terms of the guys we rolled in and played.
03:13 And there was a unity among that group of we can achieve together.
03:20 And it's not really about us getting the credit.
03:22 It's more about the backs getting the credit.
03:25 But a lot of offensive line play is usually dictated by who you're playing
03:29 against and how you play and those kind of things.
03:32 >> Kirby, what is the latest on Julian?
03:36 >> Hopefully, I don't know how long it's gonna be.
03:42 He's got a dinged up injury, it's upper body injury that hopefully we'll be able
03:45 to get him back from, but don't know how long it's gonna be.
03:48 I mean, there's a chance, you never know, but he's dinged up.
03:52 So I'm hoping we can get him back as soon as possible.
03:54 >> Kirby, they have a veteran defensive line.
03:59 Is it just the experience you see them take that next step or
04:02 are they just doing something different defensively to have that sack total where
04:06 they are in the nation?
04:08 >> No, they got good players.
04:10 They play really hard.
04:11 They strike at the point of attack.
04:13 They're aggressive.
04:14 They're hard to move cuz they're big.
04:17 Then they have elite pass rushers.
04:19 I mean, you got an elite pass rusher, you got people who can push the pocket.
04:23 It creates sacks and things.
04:25 So they are very good defensively and a really big challenge,
04:31 especially when you talk about the front.
04:33 There's the rush, but then there's the controlling the line of scrimmage for
04:38 your ability to run the ball.
04:40 And they're good at both.
04:41 >> Yeah, you touched on it a little bit on Saturday night,
04:46 having a chance to review the form.
04:47 What'd you make of CJ Allen and how he's prepared a little bit on Saturday?
04:51 >> Exactly like I expected CJ Allen to do.
04:54 He's already played this year.
04:55 He's played nothing here, he's every game.
04:57 He's smart, intelligent, distinctive, athletic, great kid.
05:03 So he did what he's supposed to do.
05:06 And he can play better and he'll get even better this week.
05:10 >> I think I saw Brock play 40 something snaps Saturday night.
05:17 Just curious going forward, I assume there's room for
05:22 improvement in terms of his health or is that 100% right there?
05:26 Do you feel like he can still get stronger in terms of recovering from the injury?
05:31 And were you surprised just to see that he's had to go that much?
05:35 >> No, he didn't play every snap of every game anyway.
05:38 So I don't know, I mean, you have to look and see his snaps in the other games.
05:42 I don't know, I'm sure he had more snaps in other games, but
05:44 he's in good shape, he's conditioned.
05:47 I don't know that he's 100%, but he's healthy and safe enough to play.
05:54 And we're gonna allow him to play as long as he wants to.
05:57 And he wanted to go out there and compete and play.
06:00 And I don't think it's a matter of how many snaps he can take.
06:04 I think he'll be fine.
06:07 >> Yeah, Coach, obviously, I'm a Kendall and
06:08 Dejan healthy at the same time is beneficial.
06:11 But can you speak to the difficulties that's provided the defense when
06:15 they have such distinct running styles, they run so differently?
06:18 >> Yeah, I don't know that I can answer that one.
06:21 We play backs that have different running styles.
06:25 I think both those guys are really good backs.
06:28 One's bigger and one's a little bit smaller.
06:31 They both have good vision.
06:32 They both have great toughness.
06:34 But I can't speak to how the defensive guys prepare to it.
06:38 >> To follow up on y'all's run game, obviously beat up for
06:44 a good part of this year.
06:45 But where do you feel like your run game is right now with Dejan and Kendall?
06:50 But also we got to see Andrew, Paul, Ryder, Robinson.
06:52 Just the state of y'all's run game right now.
06:55 >> It's all relative.
06:56 You got to see Andrew and Rod because the game was more in hand.
07:00 They got an opportunity to go out and show what they've done.
07:02 We've had some games in the last that hasn't happened.
07:05 It's relative to how the defense plays us.
07:10 And these guys are really tough to run the ball over.
07:12 So we're going to have to find ways.
07:14 >> Coach, I know we kind of talked on it on Saturday, but
07:22 a ton of people were honored, from Jeff Wallace to Mark Richt.
07:26 What was that moment like for you to see so
07:28 many people be honored on the field, from seniors to so many legendary coaches?
07:32 And then beyond.
07:34 >> Yeah, I'll be honest with you, I didn't see much of it.
07:35 I mean, I only noticed of everybody was Coach Richt at one time.
07:40 But in the middle of the game, I'm thinking about what we could do to stop Ole Miss and
07:46 what we could do to score points.
07:48 I'm not enjoying the moment like you guys are.
07:51 [BLANK_AUDIO]
07:57 >> I think maybe we're gonna just talk to Mike Kelly here a little bit.
08:00 What have you seen out of him this year and how he's developed and
08:03 how has he contributed for you guys?
08:04 Obviously, you know what he did last year for you guys as a freshman.
08:07 >> Yeah, he's been a really good leader for us.
08:09 He didn't get to show the improvement he would like to in the spring,
08:15 cuz he didn't get to go through all the spring.
08:17 So he came into camp coming off a summer injury, and
08:21 he didn't get to practice as much in fall camp in spring.
08:25 So I was really pleased when he came back how much he asserted himself and
08:30 to getting in shape, conditioning shape.
08:32 I actually think he's just now starting to play his best football.
08:35 The last two to three weeks, he's been able to take a shoulder a little more
08:40 burden on the snaps and moving quick, playing with speed.
08:44 He's a really good leader.
08:46 He understands our defense and
08:49 he really studies offenses really hard to know their tendencies.
08:53 He's been a great addition for us and played even better this year than last.
08:56 >> What have you thought of the job that Dylan Fairchild has done this season?
09:03 The amount of work he's gotten in and how he's played.
09:07 >> Yeah, he's gotten better.
09:09 I mean, he's a guy that grew up, played a year on the scout team,
09:12 worked with Satu most of the year.
09:14 And he got to play a lot of games last year where the margin was great enough
09:19 late to get in and it's like your ability to do that brings your team along faster.
09:23 So all that time last year made him better this year and
09:27 he's played well this year with the injuries we've had.
09:29 He got to jump in and play and he and
09:31 Micah have done a really good job of sharing that spot and
09:35 really pleased with the way Dylan's playing.
09:37 >> Coach, obviously this year had the sack on Saturday and
09:42 then the interception the week before, not to mention being honored on senior day.
09:46 What have you seen from his development and how much he means to this team?
09:49 >> He's worked really hard.
09:52 We've challenged him early in the season,
09:55 didn't know if he was playing as well as he was the year before when maybe he was
09:58 hungrier and it's his first time starting and doing those things.
10:01 And he's answered the bell here lately.
10:03 He's really focused on his condition level and he's coming in and run extra.
10:10 He knows the weeks we've got, last week and
10:13 then the next weeks ahead, the tempo is a factor.
10:17 So I love the fact he's embraced and getting in the best shape of his life so
10:22 he can play his best football towards the end of the year.
10:24 >> Coach, I'm sure you've had a chance to review it, but
10:29 just what do you think about how CJ Atwood and
10:31 Raylan Wilson played in their conversion?
10:33 I know they played a lot, but they were leading the pawn for the first time this week.
10:37 >> Yeah, we talked about CJ already, but I thought Raylan played well.
10:41 He had, I don't know what the snaps were, but
10:45 he had some plays that we wish he'd get over, but he also had some really good keys.
10:51 He's a physical kid, he's a great blitzer.
10:53 He can be a really good football player the more he plays.
10:57 So I think that game at least gives them some confidence and
11:02 it almost, because Ole Miss doesn't go the same pace as Tennessee.
11:06 It gives them a good, hey, this is a window into what this is like, but
11:11 now this is gonna be twice as fast.
11:14 And they're really good at running it.
11:16 Now Ole Miss had really good backs, Tennessee's got really good backs.
11:19 So there's some carry over there in terms of alignment assignment, but
11:24 not necessarily the pace.
11:25 >> Coach, many times you've talked about the importance of being in the present
11:30 moment, what are some of the biggest challenges as a coaching staff getting a
11:32 bunch of 18 to 23 year old guys to not focus on past success and
11:36 future expectations, but on what's important now?
11:38 >> It's a challenge, I mean, it's a challenge we accept.
11:43 I mean, it's part of the passion you have for the job is to reinvent yourself every
11:47 week and not succumb to the stuff that's out there.
11:52 And it's something we take a lot of pride in and
11:55 our players believe in what we tell them.
12:00 That's the number one thing, you gotta have the trust of the players or
12:02 your messaging doesn't work.
12:04 The messaging is that we're trying to find the best version of ourselves.
12:07 And every week we're trying to find the best version of ourselves.
12:11 And that doesn't change based on who we play.
12:13 >> You talked about how tough it is to play on the road in the SEC.
12:18 What's the key to your guys' success on the road,
12:20 particularly the games you've had in New York?
12:24 >> You gotta find ways to run the ball.
12:25 You can't sit there and
12:26 think you're gonna be able to just throw it every down and win a game.
12:29 You gotta win the line of scrimmage.
12:31 The keys to winning on the road are the same as keys to winning at home.
12:33 It's just more difficult.
12:35 I mean, it doesn't change, the game doesn't change.
12:38 You gotta be able to take a punch.
12:40 You gotta be able to take momentum changes.
12:43 But the people in stands aren't playing in the game.
12:46 So the outside elements of all the undisciplined penalties and
12:51 all those things, we try really hard to avoid those when we go on the road.
12:55 Cuz there's self-inflicted wounds sometimes.
12:57 But that's the challenge.
12:59 The challenge is win the line of scrimmage, win the turnover battle,
13:02 win the explosive battle.
13:03 And you do that by blocking and tackling people.
13:06 >> What's the latest on Javonis Johnson and the second league?
13:11 What difference have you seen in Carson from week one to week ten?
13:15 I mean, go back and watch the film and stuff.
13:18 What do you see different in him from when he started and where he is now?
13:22 >> Not a lot of difference.
13:23 I mean, I thought the kid started well.
13:25 And he's playing good football now, he's playing good football then.
13:28 He's just got more experience and more confidence.
13:30 But I don't know that that's anything different than you would see.
13:33 Because I think he's got good experience and good confidence.
13:37 In terms of pop, again, week to week, trying to get him back.
13:40 >> Yeah, I saw that Dolly Parton is gonna be attending this game.
13:46 One, are you aware of who Dolly Parton is?
13:49 And two, when you have so many extracurriculars around this game,
13:53 especially with what happened last year, how do you go about as a coach,
13:56 sort of blocking that out and getting your team to just focus on being, as you said,
13:59 the best version of yourself?
14:01 >> I do know who Dolly Parton is.
14:03 I got parents that watched the Grand Ole Opry,
14:05 was not aware she was gonna attend the game.
14:07 Don't understand the second part of your question of what does this year's game
14:12 have to do with last year's game?
14:13 >> Just in terms of with all the extra attention that might be on this game,
14:17 the 30 CBS game, and how that game went last year.
14:21 How do you go about just focusing on you guys?
14:23 [BLANK_AUDIO]
14:27 >> We focus on us every week.
14:28 It has nothing to do with last year's game.
14:31 And every time we play Tennessee, probably be 3.30 CBS or 7 o'clock ESPN.
14:37 I mean, it's a big game every year we play Tennessee because it's a big game.
14:41 They're a good program and we're a good program and
14:42 the two are gonna match up.
14:43 So as far as our focus on it, our players respect the hell out of Tennessee.
14:50 They know how hard it is to play them.
14:52 We had to play them up there two years ago and it's tough, it's a tough prep.
14:56 So we'll be focused.
14:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]
15:02 >> Coach, I wanted to ask about Squirrel White.
15:03 I mean, that's a guy that I feel like maybe has a few shades of a guy like
15:06 Jalen Hyatt, you guys had a, okay, for last year.
15:09 What does he do really well and
15:10 what is your defense doing to prepare to face a guy like that?
15:13 >> It takes great prep to prep for all their wideouts.
15:19 And the thing that makes it hard about their wideouts is their run game.
15:23 So the run game is just incredible what they're able to do.
15:29 And then off of that comes the pass game.
15:33 So he's a great player, we recruited him.
15:35 He's really fast, he's dynamic, he's gotten better with his age.
15:39 And he's played a major role for
15:42 them in terms of run after catch and vertical speed.
15:45 [BLANK_AUDIO]
15:48 >> What stands out to you about Joe Miller?
15:51 >> Elite arm talent, really, really good at elite.
15:57 Sometimes at DB you're looking for recovery, so I can close and
16:00 get a ball out cuz maybe the ball's not there.
16:03 But the ball gets there 0.5 seconds faster in a game of football,
16:07 0.5 seconds is an eternity.
16:09 It's two, three steps.
16:11 And he's elite at doing that.
16:13 They create run game with him, so they get an extra hat in the run game,
16:17 which we'll see, and they're good at doing it.
16:21 >> Obviously, one of the boys that hasn't seen the field much this year, but
16:25 he came back for two athletes from Tennessee.
16:28 Just what was it like bringing him back, and how's he doing?
16:32 >> He's doing great.
16:32 He's been scout team player of the week a couple times in terms of the scouts
16:36 special teams units.
16:37 He plays on, he's very intelligent.
16:39 He gives us a great look and a great picture in terms of effort, and
16:44 really proud of what he's been able to do.
16:46 >> Kirby, I wanna ask you about Daylon Everett, and
16:50 especially Julian banged up.
16:51 It seems like the last couple games he's had some opportunities to make plays on
16:56 the ball, hasn't made those.
16:58 And for those of us that don't know exactly what his responsibilities are,
17:02 you cannot assess how he's played and how he's handled those,
17:05 maybe some places given up.
17:06 >> Daylon's very confident.
17:10 He plays against really good wideouts every day in practice.
17:13 He takes, we do one on ones, we do reps every day.
17:16 I got a lot of confidence in Daylon to be able to make plays on the ball.
17:20 He's made plays on the ball.
17:21 He made an incredible play against Auburn.
17:23 Those are plays that sometimes you make them, sometimes you don't.
17:27 They're 50/50 balls.
17:28 We wanna win more than we lose.
17:30 There's a lot that he has won and some that he's lost.
17:33 But that mean a lot of it has to do with how your other corner's playing too.
17:38 And we got another corner that's playing well, playing good.
17:41 So I'm really proud of where Daylon is.
17:45 He's a really good tackler, and he's physical.
17:48 He's heavy handed.
17:50 He's intelligent.
17:51 He understands things.
17:52 So he's a guy that's gonna keep getting better with playing time.
17:57 >> Take two more questions.
17:58 >> Kirby, is the Aussie style of punting, is it particularly challenging,
18:02 not only for the returner, but for the fakes?
18:06 >> Well, it's for everything.
18:07 Yeah, it's the hang time, the fakes, the op time.
18:13 The punter is the elite at what he does,
18:16 because very few people can rugby both directions.
18:20 And he's got an ability to kick left footed, right footed, go both ways.
18:24 It just makes you have to defend more grass, and
18:27 they do a really good job of that.
18:28 >> Kind of follow up on Jay's question about the other corner,
18:32 but kind of about Nyland and AJ Harris, how are they looking right now?
18:37 >> Both those guys do a good job.
18:39 Daniel Harris, AJ Harris, Chris Peel has done a good job,
18:43 Nyland's done a good job, those guys all continue to get work.
18:46 We get really good quality work with them each and
18:48 every day against our guys and against the opponent work.
18:51 >> Thank you.
18:52 (door closing)
18:54 (door opening)