Tag: solomon kindley

Georgia football offensive lineman declares for 2020 NFL draft

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley will be entering into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley will be entering into the 2020 NFL Draft. Kindley played in 13 games this past season and started 11, primarily at the left guard position. He exited the win over Notre Dame with an injury.

Kindley is another loss for UGA’s offensive line, which is already losing Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson to the 2020 NFL Draft. Kindley has started for part of the season for the past three seasons. His best season came in 2018, when he started all 14 games at left guard.

Justin Shaffer, Trey Hill, Cade Mays, Warren Ericson, Clay Webb, Jamaree Salyer, and Ben Cleveland are among UGA’s key offensive lineman returning for 2020. Fortunately, Georgia has lots of depth along their offensive front to replace the three starters who are entering the NFL Draft.

Kirby Smart and UGA have also signed Tate Ratledge, Chad Lindberg, Austin Blaske, and Devin Willock along the offensive front in the class of 2020. Ratledge and Lindberg figure to be important depth at the very least for Georgia. Additionally, UGA has a commitment from five-star tackle Broderick Jones.

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5 candidates to replace Kyle Long at right guard

The Bears will have a new starting right guard in 2020 following Kyle Long’s announcement he’s stepping away the NFL. Who could replace him?

For the last seven years, the Bears have entered the offseason with no question about who their right guard would be come the start of the season.

But following Kyle Long’s announcement that he will be stepping away from the Bears and the NFL, the Bears will need to fill that spot at right guard on an offensive line that will be under new management in Juan Castillo, who was hired to replace Harry Hiestand as offensive line coach.

There are different routes the Bears could turn to replace Long — including in-house, free agency or even the NFL Draft.

Here are five candidates that could take over for Long at right guard in 2020:

1. Alex Bars

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Under contract, Chicago Bears

The popular candidate to replace Long at right guard is rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars, who the Bears fought hard to keep in Chicago. The Bears paid Bars more money to remain on their practice squad — rather than him choosing to join the Patriots active roster.

Bars was promoted to the active roster on Oct. 15, although he didn’t get any significant reps in the final half of the season. Still, the Bears clearly have plans for Bars, and you’d have to believe it involves giving him a chance to win the starting right guard job in training camp.

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Key Georgia football offensive lineman reaches NFL draft decision

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be returning to Athens for his senior season.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be returning to Athens for his senior season. Shaffer was considering entering into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Shaffer played in six of fourteen games last season. He suffered a neck injury and was out for the Sugar Bowl. He announced his decision to return via Twitter:

Shaffer’s return is big for UGA’s offensive line, which is already losing Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson to the 2020 NFL Draft. Shaffer started the Notre Dame game last season after a few UGA linemen went down.

Shaffer is 6-4, 330 lbs, so he has the size they covet at the NFL level, especially for an interior lineman. Shaffer, Trey Hill, Cade Mays, Warren Ericson, Clay Webb, Jamaree Salyer, and Ben Cleveland are among UGA’s key offensive lineman returning for 2020. Solomon Kindley still has to make his NFL Draft decision.

Kirby Smart and UGA have also signed Tate Ratledge, Chad Lindberg, Austin Blaske, and Devin Willock along the offensive front in the class of 2020. Ratledge and Lindberg figure to be important depth at the very least for Georgia. Additionally, UGA has a commitment from five-star tackle Broderick Jones.

 

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Details: Sam Pittman’s new Arkansas contract

Former Georgia football OL coach Sam Pittman signs new head coach deal with the Arkansas Razorbacks. See the details of the signing here.

Georgia lost a good one yesterday as offensive line coach Sam Pittman signed a deal with Arkansas to become the Razorbacks’ new head coach.

Pittman, who has played a critical role in beefing up the Georgia offensive line through recruiting and coaching, is getting paid well by the Hogs.

Related: Sam Pittman’s departure is a huge blow for Georgia

Pittman contract is a five-year deal that starts at $3 million annually, per Steve Berkowitz of USA TODAY Sports.

At Georgia, Pittman was valued incredibly high by Kirby Smart, earning $900,000 per year as a position coach.

Berkowitz provided all the info necessary on Pittman’s new contract.

 

 

This is a huge loss for the Bulldogs but is understandable looking at the business perspective of the deal.

We wish coach Pittman and his family nothing but the best as he embarks for Fayetteville next season.

Once a Dawg…always a Dawg.

Georgia Football Week 12: Expert picks and predictions (UGA vs Auburn)

Georgia football expert picks and predictions for UGA vs Auburn. Stats, score, betting predictions.

The Georgia Bulldogs have a chance to go the their 3rd straight SEC Championship game with a win over Auburn this Saturday.

They have already proven that they control their own destiny, winning three straight SEC East games following an overtime loss to South Carolina.

Many counted Georgia out, saying its season was over with that loss, but the Dawgs kept barking and scrapped their way back into the top 4 and in perfect position to make a trip to the SEC Championship, likely against LSU.

But first, Georgia’s focus is on Auburn. A win, and the Dawgs not only secure a trip back to Atlanta, but can start thinking College Football Playoff – though Kirby Smart would never admit that.

This Saturday in Auburn is going to be a bloodbath, as these are two of the most physically dominant teams in college football.

UGA Wire compiled a list of staff predictions, including the game score, spread, over/under, stat lines and more to get you ready for the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Here are the picks:

The money makers:

#4 Georgia (-2.5) @ #12 Auburn: Against The Spread

(Game pick: If you think Georgia will win and cover, Georgia. If you think Georgia will win, but not cover, Georgia*. If you think Auburn will win and cover, Auburn. If you think Auburn will win, but not cover, Auburn*)

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Georgia

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Georgia*

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Georgia*

Over/under (40.5) 

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Under

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Under

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Over

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Under

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Over

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Over

Score prediction:

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia 24, Auburn 13

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com- Georgia 17, Auburn 10

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Georgia 21, Auburn 20

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Georgia 17, Auburn 14

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- 27 – 23 Georgia

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Georgia 21, Auburn 20

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

NEXT: STAT PREDICTIONS

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