Kirby Smart uses Netflix documentary analogy to motivate Georgia players

Fresh off a bounce-back rivalry win over Auburn, Georgia is 4-1 and rolling into a home game with Mississippi State — with a massive showdown with Texas on the other side. But Kirby Smart isn’t looking that far ahead.

In fact, he was just trying to get his team going as they embarked on another week of practice. And he used an analogy shared with him to get the juices flowing.

“We don’t rely on the motivation of others,” Smart said. “I just don’t think that’s a great way to go about things. We’re really focusing on pride in performance this week. And I’ve got a great analogy somebody sent me and said, ‘If they were doing a Netflix documentary on you this week, who would you want to watch it? Would they approve? Would you send it to your parents? Would you send it to an NFL team if they did a documentary on your performance your pride and how you practiced this week?'”

Evidently, it worked, Smart said.

“And I was shocked, they must’ve all thought the Netflix documentary was on them today because they practiced as good as they have ever done, so just give them a little attention and they eat it up,” Smart said.

Smart offered updates on some injured players

Smart opened up on his team’s injury situation for a few key players, one day before the SEC mandates he provide an injury report prior to a conference showdown with Mississippi State. Smart was asked for a status update on offensive lineman Jared Wilson, as well as defensive linemen Christen Miller and Jordan Hall.

“Does that thing come out tonight?” Smart said, perhaps caught off guard a bit. “Tomorrow, I couldn’t remember what day it was. It’s Tuesday, right? Comes out Wednesday. I was going to say it’ll be out shortly.”

Then he proceed to provide some Georgia health updates.

“Christen’s been able to practice,” Smart said. “Jared is still, Jared’s better than he was but not taking full-load reps. He’s taking some reps. He’s taking more than he was last week, but not full load. And Christen is taking reps.”

Miller was the latest lineman to be injured for Georgia, going down with a left knee injury during the contest against Auburn. He was spotted on the sidelines icing his knee at one point.

Smart said he thought Miller was fine and that he was just icing after coming out of the game as players further down the depth chart went in against the Tigers.

Wilson, Georgia’s starting center, missed the Auburn game with a foot injury. Smart said he would have been available as the emergency center if needed.