Football fans, especially on message boards, do this every preseason. I've been reading multiple team boards for a long time and I still can't believe how strong the groupthink mentality can be, but you know how it works. Voicing concerns gets downvotes, criticized, insulted. Pundits/podcasts lose their audience. Pointing out problems is unpopular and people don't like to be unpopular.
But you're right, Georgia has some problems entering the season. There are more than the normal depth and experience issues in the secondary, due to opting to pursue NFL careers (5), transfers (3) and out due to injury (1 or maybe 2). Receivers could have been a strength in 2021, but attrition has really impacted both WR and TE preparation, including injuries that occurred last season, injuries that happened during the offseason, and transfers. We'll probably be using several WR/TE who would normally be 2nd and 3rd team. Two starting quality WR are definitely out due to ACL's (Blaylock, Pickens), Jackson is 6 weeks out from knee scope and hasn't scrimmaged, Rosemy is coming off a brutal ankle fracture last December and missed spring practice and part of summer, Arian Smith had surgeries on his wrist (May) and meniscus (July), plus turf toe, so missed offseason workouts, Burton missed fall scrimmages due to ankle injury but should be good to go, Robertson transferred, Arik Gilbert MIA. Starting TE Washington is out with broken foot, 2nd team TE Fitzpatrick has missed both fall camp scrimmages with a foot injury, but reportedly cleared now.
Those units are the main concerns I see, but JT Daniels, who wasn't cleared from his ACL until the last 4 games, still has to prove (to me at least) that he trusts his knee enough to step into throws. Our offensive tackles have to mature quickly against Clemson's DL, which is probably their best unit. Ericson, slated to be our new starting center, suffered a broken hand during camp, so either he snaps with his other hand or we'll have another new starter there. Several linebackers missed time in the offseason, including projected starters Nakobe Dean (labrum surgery) and Quay Walker.
Taken in sum, we're starting the season with less experience and preparation than I expected 8 or 9 months ago. I'm definitely not cocky about the Clemson game and most Georgia fans, if they follow the team closely and are being honest, would say the same.
