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Time is now to show off Bennett-Monken relationship three years in the works

Palmber-Thombsby: Palmer Thombs07/29/22palmerthombs
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 30: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs throws a pass during the second quarter of a game against the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field on October 30, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Quarterbacks and offensive coordinators are tied together, for better and for worse. You often hear about a signal caller and how many different play callers they’ve had. The lower the number the better. That way a relationship is able to be formed. And in the case of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, that’s exactly what has happened with his offensive coordinator, Todd Monken. The two have spent the better part of three years together now and are certainly comfortable with the way each other want things to look.

“Whenever you spend three years – I know I wasn’t starting all three years but I spent three years in the system and the same room and he’s coached me every single day – you start to develop a sense of, you finish each other’s sentences,” Bennett said, speaking on his comfort level with Monken as his coach and coordinator. “You start to know why he’s calling this play, what he’s thinking here, ‘Is he thinking this or is he thinking that?’ That only comes through time.”

Time. That’s a theme you hear a lot when it comes to quarterbacks. Time with receivers. Time in the film room. And for Monken as an offensive coordinator, it’s all about timing too, getting ever detail down to perfection.

“I think it’s his ability to be so anal about the details. Good lord, he’s intense. But I love it,” Bennett said about Monken’s coaching style, one that’s taken time for him to get used to. “That’s how you’re good on offense. It’s timing. It’s zone and spacing. Man, you just gotta win. It’s all about those little details, if you don’t know the game, then you miss. That’s what he is so good at. You’ve done it 50 times but that 51st one you’ve got to do it the same as you did the 20th. It’s got to be consistent and detailed. Quarterbacks and skill position have to be on the same page. Quarterbacks and offensive line with the hots, just everything. So that’s what I think he does best.”

For Bennett, things are different this year. This time around, he’s not the backup. He’s the starter, and there’s no question about it. Teammates have seen a difference. Coaches have seen a difference. Now it’s all about stepping on the field to show off what’s different, what’s better and what’s gotten better with time. Bennett and Monken’s relationship is certainly one example. Is the Georgia offense another? Only time will tell.

And while Bennett isn’t much of a show off, liking to lay off and be comfortable in his own skin, now’s the time to show off the three years of work that he and Monken have put in together. The Bulldogs may need it with a defense that loses seven starters.

Georgia opens the season up on September 3rd against the Oregon Ducks. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as a part of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic. Before then though, the Bulldogs will go through its preseason practice routine, reporting to camp this week in Athens.

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