How will the COVID-19 slowdown affect the development of the 2020 Georgia football roster?

DawgNation has four staffers who cover Georgia football from every angle: Beat, live streams, photos, podcasts, recruiting, etc. The “Cover 4” concept is: 1) Present a topic; 2) Offer a reasoned response; 3) Share a brisk statement on that opinion. 4) Pepper the page with photos for the big picture. For this edition, we discuss how we think the COVID-19 health crisis will eventually affect the development of the 2020 Georgia football team.

DawgNation continues with the “Cover 4” concept. The focus is always a timely look with each of our guys manning the secondary on a pertinent topic.

Is anything football pertinent right now? Probably not. That said, this is still a football website.

COVID-19 is a very real threat facing the world right now. It will be that way for many more months. But eventually, the games will return. Football will be back. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney certainly thinks so in his public comments this week.

When it does, how will the global pandemic and the quarantine policies have shaped the eventual development of the 2020 Georgia football roster? That’s the Cover 4 topic for today.

The quick in-and-out game remains. The Cover 4 is designed to come out as quick as everyone is trying to maintain their social distancing these days.

What is the biggest effect the COVID-19 slowdown will have on the development of the 2020 Georgia football team?

Brandon Adams: The physical condition of the players

DawgNation Daily points to the overall “wind” and physical condition of the Georgia players as a major concern for the eventual return of the 2020 season. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “DawgNation Daily” here: “A few guys are bound to show up this summer in less than pristine physical condition. However, the hope among UGA fans is that the Bulldogs will have less of that to deal with than some of their rivals.”

Mike Griffith: Offensive simplicity

Mike Griffith wonders how complex the new offensive coordinator and offensive line coaches at UGA will be able to make their schemes this fall. (Associated Press photo)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “On the Beat” here: “It was going to be pretty basic, anyway, with a new QB and at least three impact receivers (and potentially two impact tight ends) added to the roster. Now, even more simple, and even more will run through the QB.“

Connor Riley: Jamie Newman‘s rhythm

Connor Riley wonders about the rapport and chemistry that Jamie Newman will be able to build with his new teammates without those crucial spring practices. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “Good Day UGA” here: “Georgia brought in Newman because he’d be able to go through spring practice and get reps with the offense this spring. Without those reps, it’s fair to wonder how he’ll look and play early on in the season.”

Jeff Sentell: The development of the early enrollees, first-year players and second-year guys will be stunted.

It seems hard to believe, but when the season finally gears up a talented sophomore like George Pickens will have yet to go through a spring practice at UGA. (Getty Images)/Dawgnation)

The Intel here: “Everybody gets reps at a Georgia practice. That time on the practice field is precious. Regardless of depth chart standing. But those Bulldogs will not get those spring practices back. The veterans will adjust, but that quicker learning curve for the early enrollees will be stunted. The same goes for those 2019 signees that didn’t get the chance to go through a spring practice. George Pickens will be a sophomore in 2020 and will have yet to go through a spring practice at Georgia. When the green light goes up, the focus will be a crash course of getting the top 50 players on the roster ready to go. Those other 35 scholarship guys won’t get the same attention and be as well-prepared to play early in a pinch.