Ok, we got depth, but with Thomas still banged up and Cleveland out for a few weeks, it looks like we're gonna be testing that depth sooner than we expected. Shaffer looked pretty good Saturday filling in for Cleveland and he's been talked about by some for being one of the most athletic OLmen we have. I heard one fella with some 'inside info stuff' say that if he had not gotten a little banged up, he'd have been a starter already. So that's encouraging I guess. At least the true freshmen talent pool consists of several 5 star guys...hill, Sayler and Mays and Mays has already got a couple of pretty big games under his belt as a starter.

This group hasn't been horrible, in fact they've been pretty solid in pass protection and it's not like our running game is pitiful, we're just used to seeing bigger numbers.

So, chime in dp experts....with LSU, UF, UK and Auburn still to come.....is the OL going to end up being a liability?

I'm not worried. According to Pro Football Focus, UGA has the SEC's #1-ranked OL after this season's first four weeks. The Dawgs' OL also features a starter that graded 80% or better the past 8 games vs. FBS opponents while the remaining four OL starters have graded in the 70s.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/college-sec-offensive-line-rankings-through-four-weeks

https://apnews.com/3531c9f80a824fd3afbe898a02913b1b/Injuries-could-provide-test-to-No.-2-Georgia's-OL-depth

Injuries could provide test to No. 2 Georgia's OL depth

Hey AFD....isn't it a bit surprising that Baker is not even in the starting lineup? I heard all kind of talk before the season that he had beefed up and looked to be in great shape and everything, then the first game out of the gate, ol Kindley is in there at OG and I haven't heard Baker's name mentioned since. When Thomas went down, Mays came in, when Cleveland went down, Shaffer came in. So, he's a senior with lots of experience and I'm not hearing his name mentioned much. They did say he would compete for the open spot now with the others, but it's just a little surprising to me that he hasn't made more noise. Anyway, just wondering outloud....

Darindawg said:

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Hey AFD....isn't it a bit surprising that Baker is not even in the starting lineup? I heard all kind of talk before the season that he had beefed up and looked to be in great shape and everything, then the first game out of the gate, ol Kindley is in there at OG and I haven't heard Baker's name mentioned since. When Thomas went down, Mays came in, when Cleveland went down, Shaffer came in. So, he's a senior with lots of experience and I'm not hearing his name mentioned much. They did say he would compete for the open spot now with the others, but it's just a little surprising to me that he hasn't made more noise. Anyway, just wondering outloud....

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Kendall Baker has appeared in all four games this season, but it appears that he's been surpassed on the depth chart by some of the younger guys. Fwiw, he's listed as the #2 RT on UGA's latest depth chart (pg. 11):

https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/georgiadogs.com/documents/2018/9/24/UGA_Game_Notes5.pdf

I think it is telling that several FR has surpassed Baker on the depth chart-a SR. It means he is not nearly as talented BUT he is a glue guy meaning he can plug and play most every position on an interim basis but when presented with a game or game(s) scenario, the young guys are coached up to put in those spots. This means that when Thomas was out, Mays filled in. Now that Cleveland is out, Mays is filling in with Hill and Salyer also getting groomed to play. Baker is a stop gap but not a long range replacement-makes sense to me with the younger guys being more talented and being here after this year is over.

Anyway, I think the OL is doing a great job. Keep in mind, besides Baker, 53 is the only SR we are losing. Next year our OL should be even better than it is this year-have to fill the C spot but Hill or Erickson are already there waiting in the wings.