The buzz around Georgia’s football program ever since Kirby Smart stepped foot on the university campus has centered around the starting quarterback role.
The three competitors for the spot, Brice Ramsey, who figures to be Georgia’s backup punter, Greyson Lambert, and the hyped, five-star freshman Jacob Eason, have been fighting to be behind center on the first Saturday of September since spring practice back in March.
While the coaches say the starter is unnamed and up in the air, there are clear reasons as to why Lambert will earn the role for the Bulldogs over Eason or Ramsey come their opener against North Carolina on September 3.
1. DEPENDABILITY AND EXPERIENCE
The primary reason as to why Lambert will earn the starting role is the simple fact that he won’t do enough wrong to lose his team a game. While he may possess an average arm and an inability to successfully escape the pocket at times, he will rarely throw a senseless pass which may lose the game for Georgia. Last season, this was shown as Lambert only had two interceptions on the year, and was never the main culprit to any of the Bulldogs’ three losses last season.
The factor of experience also intertwines with that of Lambert’s dependability. In the case of Eason, it is very rare to see a freshman quarterback take the reigns immediately on a power-five conference team, who potentially could contend for a championship this season.
For Brice Ramsey, he has yet to start consistently in his first two seasons at Georgia, and when given the chance, he has impacted Georgia’s chance to win the game on multiple occurrences. Therefore, Lambert’s three seasons playing with two different power-five teams would pose an argument as to why he deserves the starting role.
Lastly, as this is said only somewhat jokingly, Lambert does hold the NCAA pass completion record at 96%.
2. EASE EASON IN
Another reason why Greyson Lambert needs to start for Georgia in the season opener is because Jacob Eason needs to be eased into his role. Very rarely do you see a freshman quarterback take the reigns on a football team facing top competition, and that shouldn’t happen with Eason, even if he is expected to be Georgia’s program cornerstone for the coming years.
Georgia should play Eason intermittently, allowing him to have exposure in the season opener, but only in a situation that carries minimal pressure and gives him little chance to make a big mistake which may cost Georgia the game. The opportunity for Eason to take a majority of the reps lies in the home opener against Nicholls State the following weekend. The aspect of showing what he’s made of both against superior and inferior competition will create a clearer picture than practice reps for the UGA coaching staff on who deserves the role throughout conference play.
3. LAMBERT DESERVES A LEGITIMATE CHANCE
Lastly, Greyson Lambert deserves the role to open the season because he deserves the opportunity with a legitimate offensive core. Last season, his numbers were unimpressive, as he was rattled frequently and averaged only 7.7 yards per completion. The fans were in an uproar last season as they thought he wasn’t getting the job done effectively, and that may have been the case. However, he only had one true weapon to throw to in Malcolm Mitchell, and Brian Schottenheimer’s efforts were putrid as the offensive coordinator.
Lambert is now given a new core and a host of talent both on the field and on the sidelines. The year of experience under Terry Godwin’s belt, the addition of Javon Wims and Mecole Hardman Jr., in addition to proven offensive coordinator Jim Chaney should give Lambert a more legitimate chance to show what he’s made of.
All of these reasons should illustrate why Greyson Lambert should start off the season for Georgia, and some of his teammates seem to agree, including freshmen Isaac Nauta and Javon Wims. Although fans rave over what Jacob Eason brings to the field and rightfully so, expect the experience of Greyson Lambert to begin the all-important first season in the new era for Georgia.
View Comments (21)
Point of correction. Lambert doesn't deserve to start. If Lambert starts and that's a big "IF", it will be because he EARNED the starting job or Eason didn't do enough to win the role. At the end of the day talent will win out and there's no way Lambert can compete from a talent perspective. I do agree with you that Chaney should ease Eason into the role, but IMO that means getting snaps against UNC. If Jacob can move the chains against UNC and shows a command of the offense then hand him the ball and let him run the show from then on.
I'm not a Lambert-basher, but the point that seems to be oversimplified is just how an interception becomes a game-losing interception (or other mistake). If Eason or Ramsey is moving the ball better and putting more points up, then Georgia might be winning by 2 or 3 scores later in the game. At that point, an interception or fumble with 4 minutes left might not be a big deal. Conversely, if you have a 'game manager' who's got you in 1 point game, then you're worse off, even if he doesn't specifically make a huge mistake; the whole game is a series of minor shortcomings.
If Lambert starts we have bigger problems at Q. B.
Lambert had his chance last year and blew it, let's see what Eason has!!!!
Lambert was not the reason we lost any of those games. I do like Eason tho
Reading this just made me sick after spring there absolutely no reason not to start Eason of we so be it if we start Lambert and lose we just waste and opportunity for Eason to grow the future is now and the future is Eason Go Dawgs
Fans have seen Eason for 1 day. Coaches who happen to be getting paid to make decisions have seen these players many more times than 1 day. They have a pretty good idea who gives us the best chance to win.
Your analysis is on the money! Lambert didn't look great last year but was it him or poor coaching? Eason is the future but he needs time develop. CKS will start whoever earns it and gives UGA the best chance to win.
He did not look any better at Virginia .... is why he lost the starting job for the Cavs
EASON HAVE THAT IT FACTOR!! LET'S GO DAWGS!!
Lambert doesn't deserve to start. To echo the sentiment of many - Whoever the coaches feel give the team the best chance of winning will earn the privilege to start. Lambert looked terrible by the end of the G-Day game. Eason looked awesome. As of right now, that's what I have to go on. Eason is the future of the program. Lambert is not. Personally, I'd rather see Eason out of the gate. Even if the UNC game starts with Lambert, I'll go ahead and make the prediction that it ends with Eason. That boy can do things with the football that Lambert only dreams about.
No way. Lambert doesn't throw picks because there usually is no DB lying on the ground two yards behind the line of scrimmage (where Lambert's passes typically go). And I disagree with easing Eason in. He is either ready or he isn't. Playing him intermittently only does more damage because he feels he has to be the hero every drive he gets. He must learn how to command all 4 quarters. Eason will also be a 'rookie' either this year or next. Might as well break him in the same year you are trying to build depth and talent in a program. Face it, Lambert is not a championship QB and there is no upside to playing him over Eason. I am in no way blinded to the fact that Eason will struggle as a true freshmen, but he also will struggle as a red-shirt freshmen.
All reasons you list are stupid. The team never looked right with him at QB last season. The guy just is not a very good QB thats why he had been benched at Virginia. If he starts then Kirby loses face with players when he claims he will play the best players and that you can come in and compete right away. Just watch the other players when asked about Eason how eyes light up every player already knows who the best QB is and it is not Lambert
1. DEPENDABILITY AND EXPERIENCE ??? Experience maybe dependability nevr he missed open receivers time and time again electing not to throw down field and just dump the ball off ..... Goodness please not another year of him
2. EASE EASON IN ? lol either he is ready to go or he is not and why not give him the confidence boost naming him the starter
3. LAMBERT DESERVES A LEGITIMATE CHANCE??? He had that last season and he deserves no more or less a chance than all other players competing for the same position same as the RT NG or FS