Calm down — name doesn’t make this Montana a legend
The fact that Joe Montana and Bill Walsh were legends in San Francisco doesn't mean Joe son, Nick, would have been a savior for Georgia. (AP photo)
For those who don’t know, I worked in San Francisco before coming to Atlanta in 1989. Or, to look at it another way: I went from watching Bill Walsh and Joe Montana, the greatest football coach and quarterback, respectively, I’ve ever seen, win Super Bowls, to covering Marion Campbell and Chris Miller . . . neither of whom were too great at anything or won very much at all. (That said, Campbell was a lot more amusing than Walsh.)
I say this because you’d think my first inclination when I read that Joe Montana’s son, Nick, was going to enroll at Washington instead of Georgia, my reaction would be similar to the AJC.com headline I just read: “Bulldogs’ plea: Say it ain’t so Joe.”
Comment: Huh?
Never met Montana’s son. I’m sure he’s a good kid and he might even turn out to be a very good college quarterback. But nobody in Athens should be fretting over this.
1) Nick Montana is ranked as the No. 12 high school QB by Rivals and No. 13 by Scout. We all know recruiting services are as predictable as a ping pong ball in a wind tunnel. That said, neither ranking screams, “Star!” The fact his last name is Montana doesn’t mean Nick will turn out to be, you know, an extraordinary Joe.
2) If any fan base should be upset, it’s Notre Dame’s. Montana was a legend there. When he arrived in South Bend in 1974, he was seventh on the depth chart. But he ended up become one of the most famous players to come off a campus known for famous players. (It may be hard to remember. But Notre Dame used to be good.) His comeback victories in consecutive Cotton Bowls is what led Walsh to draft him (in the third round, but that’s another story.)
But how would you feel if you were in Notre Dame now and you just found out your school got spurned for . . . Washington? The Huskies went 0-12 last year. I know. The Montanas have known new coach Steve Sarkisian since his days as a USC assistant. But this might be the strongest statement yet on the Charlie Weis era. He couldn’t even recruit Joe Montana’s son.
3) Matthew Stafford is gone but Georgia seems set at quarterback for a while. Yes, there are questions about Joe Cox (and for that matter, No. 2 Logan Gray). But there are two coveted freshmen on the depth chart behind them: Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. Other than not being named Montana, neither has an obvious flaw. And Murray certainly isn’t inferior to Murray, who was ranked No. 3 by Scout and Rivals.
If there’s one thing Mark Richt has shown at Georgia, it’s an ability to coach the quarterback position. (His last three: Stafford, D.J. Shockley, David Greene.) The Dogs will survive without a Montana.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
118 comments Add your comment
First
June 10th, 2009
4:42 pm
First!
reservoirDAWG
June 10th, 2009
4:45 pm
I’m pretty sure we are well set at the QB position with Cox, Grey, Murray and Mettenberger. Good luck Joe.
Dave In Tampa
June 10th, 2009
4:45 pm
I agree, He is a talent, but we have the QB job in order for now. I did not think for a moment that he would come out to ANY SEC or ACC school. It’s too far away from home. I wish him well on the West coast. We need defensive players and lot’s of them. Let’s go after what we need.
Demarco
June 10th, 2009
4:49 pm
We’ll be just fine. Last names doesn’t mean much anyways. Last I heard, old man Mannings really sucked, but his boys are ok….think on that..Go Dawgs.
GeoffDawg
June 10th, 2009
4:53 pm
It would’ve been good exposure for the program to get a Montana in here but I agree with you Jeff – there was no guarantee of greatness. I’m wondering anyway if his prospect ranking is a tad artificially elevated strictly because of that surname. Good luck to him though – he’ll definitely need it at Washington.
Big B CH 99
June 10th, 2009
4:54 pm
They’re right, UGA is set at QB for several yrs now.
Why would Montana want to come to UGA in it’s 2010 class when their ‘09 class landed 2 big time QB’s (Murray & Mettenberger).
Most of the time, HOF player’s kids aren’t as good as their dad. So, Nick probably isn’t as good as his dad.
Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stoopid
June 10th, 2009
4:54 pm
ehh who gives a shiiiiiiiit
Douglas
June 10th, 2009
4:56 pm
Next great QB at UGA: Aaron Murray — the guy is a winner.
GeoffDawg
June 10th, 2009
5:00 pm
By the way Jeff – don’t complaint about moving to Atlanta after having watched the Niners all those years. They played in the same division so you knew what you were stepping in. Dog poo, plain and simple.
Huh?
June 10th, 2009
5:00 pm
“But nobody in Athens should be fretting over this.”
Well that’s good because nobody is. The AJC, once again, has created a story that doesn’t exist. I have no idea why this even warrants a blog.
SthrnSrvy
June 10th, 2009
5:01 pm
Wow, i actually agree with you Jeff. Why get all emotional over one’s descendant? No sense, none, zero. UGA is set at QB. Good post
Volman
June 10th, 2009
5:02 pm
Was this article an attempt to bring any ray of hope to the UGA program? They just lost out on a sub-par quarterback who would rather play at Washington. Give me a break.
At least UGA can look forward to losing to Georgia Tech again this year.
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 10th, 2009
5:04 pm
“Montana was a legend there. When he arrived in South Bend in 1974, he was seventh on the depth chart.”
I’m guessing that would’ve put him rather low in the Rivals or Scout rankings. As you said, rankings mean little. However, pedigree goes a long way in many sports.
That said, I don’t care about UGA, and I’m glad to see Montana choose a different school because quite honestly he would’ve been over hyped by UGA fans and under performing by their lofty standards. In Washington there’s nowhere but to go but up (0-12 season last year).
Alphare
June 10th, 2009
5:06 pm
This Joe is not that Joe,
Don’t you think so?
Football has to be played,
Or you don’t really know,
Under a great name can be regular Joe!
or No?
Maddog
June 10th, 2009
5:08 pm
In my opinion, this is a positive reflection on the state of our program. Elite QBs from across the country are giving serious consideration to, or at least taking a look at, UGA.
Ely-Kelso
June 10th, 2009
5:14 pm
I agree with “huh?” It wasn’t like it was between UGA and Washington. There were a dozen other schools. But I guess the headline “Montana spurns UGA” or whatever it was gets more page hits then “Montana picks Washington.”
WhoCaresDawg
June 10th, 2009
5:16 pm
I really don’t give a crap about Montana being here. I think it would cause more headache than good. Joe Montana sitting in the stands would cause the coaches to feel obligated to play his son. To our coaches credit, that is likely one reason Montana didn’t come to UGA. They likely told Joe that they would not promise Nick anything and he would have to battle some of the best QB recruits in the land for a starting role. And to be honest, Montana is part of one of the worst QB classes we’ve seen in years. And he isn’t even ranked as one of the top 3 QBs. Why did we even risk wasting a scholly on that kid? Unfortunately for UT, who put all their cards on the table to get a big QB recruit this year, they are up the creek as far as a top notch QB goes. There aren’t any. LOL!
Old Dawg
June 10th, 2009
5:18 pm
When young Montana visited Athens I found some video footage of him on the internet. Nice throwing motion, and good ability to throw on the run. But he looks really thin, especially in the legs. I know his father didn’t have a great physical build during his playing days but the game has changed. With size and speed of defensive linemen and linebackers, every extra pound of muscle helps ward off injuries.
I hope the young lad does well at Washington.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 10th, 2009
5:19 pm
Any chance of going back to San Fran Jeff?
Keith
June 10th, 2009
5:22 pm
Why is there always some loser who types “first?” Are you that big of a loser that you sit around and wait for a blog so that you can be first? Wow.
NEXT#13
June 10th, 2009
5:29 pm
demarco,with all due respect,i have NO idea where in the cornbread fed hell you got your info BUT ARCHIE MANNING WAS ONE OF THE DAMN BEST QB’S(AT ANY LEVEL)TO EVER PLAY THE GAME!!HE PLAYED @ OLE MISS(NEVER KNOWN AS AN SEC POWERHOUSE)AND REEKED HAVOC(IN HIS DAY)UPON SAID SEC!!UNFORTUNATELY HE WAS DRAFTED BY THE N.O.AINTS( A FATE I WOULDN’T HAVE WISHED ON EVEN MY EX-WIFE)B/C THEY WERE THE SORRIEST NFL TEAM OF ALL TIME!!!(AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS THE FALCON’S)THIS STYMIED HIS CAREER FOREVER AS A WINNER BUT HE WAS STILL A HELL OF A QB WHOM NEVER CRIED OR WHINED(UNLIKE TODAY’S ATHELETE)AND HE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO!!! TRULY A CLASS MAN AND PERSON(SEE PEYTEE POO AND ELI)THEY ARE THE EXAMPLE’S OF WHAT THIER DAD WAS!!! DEMARCO, AFTER YOU LEAVE THE E.R.,(TO GET YOUR FEET REMOVED FROM YOUR MOUTH)MAY I SUGGEST YOU DO A “little” RESEARCH BEFORE SPOUTING OFF NEXT TIME!!!
NEXT#13
June 10th, 2009
5:34 pm
Now that i’ve got that off my chest…SLOW NEWZ DAY HUH J.S.!!!
Cuz
June 10th, 2009
5:36 pm
And I was just getting ready to kick the chair out from under me. Now I got to find a way to get this noose off my ceiling fan. No kids don’t turn on the fan! Ahhhrrrgggg!
Cuz
June 10th, 2009
5:39 pm
Whew glad I had my government banned box cutters.
Next#13, I am old enough to remember Archie’s Army. What a great college Quarterback.
Marietta Dawg
June 10th, 2009
5:40 pm
Coach Richt doesn’t even need to recruit a QB for 2 or 3 more years. After Cox we have 3 good ones already in the house.
NEXT#13
June 10th, 2009
5:46 pm
Thank’s for coverin’ my back cuz! Archie was/is a class act and i just don’t appreciate ignorant comment’s with out fact!!
Paul H
June 10th, 2009
5:47 pm
You mean there’s no such thing as a special QB gene?? I’ll never believe it. Seriously, Dawg fans, don’t worry about it. We’re set!
RunningDog
June 10th, 2009
5:48 pm
Montana seems like a nice kid, but I don’t know of anyone who’s really upset about his decision. I would think Notre Dame and Ohio State fans would be in more of a tizzy.
75tranzam
June 10th, 2009
5:55 pm
It’s really amazing that the AJC ran the Nick Montana story under the headline: “Montana spurns UGA.” Really, from everything I’ve read Bama and Ohio State were in the lead for his services but that’s the headline you guys wrote? Which by the way has been taken down, thanks… I guess.
If the AJC hates the Dawgs so much then at least be MORE obvious about it next time.
I also agree with what a lot of others have posted. Nick wouldn’t get a sniff of the starting job for a while at UGA and wanted to have a chance at a starting job. One of the two great incoming QB’s might be red shirted and that would put him even further down in playing time for the next couple of years.
Good luck in the future Nick.
uga_b
June 10th, 2009
5:56 pm
Really?!
Dr. Dawg
June 10th, 2009
5:56 pm
wow! believe it or not I was hoping this kid won’t commit to Georgia, thanks for picking Washington
uga_b
June 10th, 2009
5:58 pm
Seriously?!
Mike In Valdosta
June 10th, 2009
6:04 pm
Shouldn’t this article be directed at your online editor for that ridiculous headline.
Cuz
June 10th, 2009
6:11 pm
Say it aint so Joe, sorry seems like a nice kid. But we have got a few “decent” QB’s in the fold. Maybe he picked Washington because he will be perceived a winner if he wins half his games.
Paul The Vol
June 10th, 2009
6:19 pm
Look, his offensive coordinator in High School is Casey Clausen and Lord knows Tennessee needs QBs badly. He visited UT but we never even offered him. I doubt that Georgia will suffer without him.
dawg fan
June 10th, 2009
6:20 pm
He went where he should have gone. With the QB depth at UGA, he would have had a tough time getting to start. At Wash., he can get plenty of playing time. Other than the AJC, I doubt any Ga. people were upset about his decision.
country boy
June 10th, 2009
6:44 pm
Cuz and Next#13 – Just wanted to say spot on about correcting posters concerning Archie Manning. I didn’t know much about his college career but he was the second overall pick in the NFL draft by NO Saints so he was obviously talented and accomplished. Remember he played at Ol’ Miss in the middle of Bear Bryants great teams. I saw him play for the Saints for years and he was a talented and gutsy player – always playing hurt on very bad teams. He went to several Pro Bowls.
Roswell Ed
June 10th, 2009
6:46 pm
I guess Montana didn’t want to play in a big boy league.
libertarianhumor.com
IrishForEver
June 10th, 2009
6:53 pm
Hey Jeff, did you ever think that just maybe this kid wants to make his own name without the shadow of his father’s days at Notre Dame following him every step of the way? And THAT might be the real reason that he did not commit Irish and not have anything to do with Charlie Weis???
Or is that too big a cognitive leap for you? Its easier and more fun to Irish Bash? The one thing Weis has done well is recruit.
Barkin'Dog
June 10th, 2009
6:54 pm
I haven’t posted in a while, but here’s a thought. Just because a QB father wins a couple of Super Bowls doesn’t mean the sons (of Phil Simms and Bob Griese) can do the same. Now, if we were recruiting a ‘clone’ of Joe Cool, that’s a dawg of a different color
Hal Vernon
June 10th, 2009
7:00 pm
Mettenberger? Yeah, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Justin
June 10th, 2009
7:01 pm
You’re right: Murray isn’t inferior to Murray.
Wait…huh?
Reptiles Rule
June 10th, 2009
7:02 pm
I didn’t ever sense that he was that high of a priority. Hey, if TENNESSEE didn’t offer him, and you know they offer EVERYBODY…well then…
Jeff Schultz
June 10th, 2009
7:02 pm
40TH!
Jeff Schultz
June 10th, 2009
7:07 pm
(Damn. Actually was 43rd.)
DAVE IN TAMPA: Agreed. As a West Coast guy, I can tell you that it’s hard to get a kid to leave the West Coast, even though Seattle’s not really known for the beach.
GEOFFDAWG: The Ugas don’t need exposure. Yeah, it would’ve been a big story, but I’ve learned something about big signings with players/coaches/etc. They last until the games start.
GEOFFDAWG: Love Atlanta. Been here 20 years. But let me tell you about living in Bay Area. Drive north and you’re in Napa; east you’re in Lake Tahoe; south in Carmel; west at the beach. Can’t top that ANYWHERE in the U.S.
Jeff Schultz
June 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
HUH: It was pretty big news when Montana visited campus, and that wasn’t just an AJC creation.
STHRNSRVY: Sorry you agree with me. Market correction will be forthcoming, I’m sure.
VOLMAN: Can’t imagine where you went/go to school.
RANALLO10: Not even sure Rivals/Scout existed then. If they did, only 7 people cared.
ALPHARE: Seuss, you ain’t.
OLDDAWG: Way to break it down, big guy! Now, can you find a center for the Thrashers?
RAMBLE ON: Find me the job and the affordable house, big guy, and your wish shall me granted. xoxoxo
Jeff Schultz
June 10th, 2009
7:21 pm
NEXT #13: In the new world, Bradley and I are “encouraged” to blog at least 3 times daily, Monday thru Friday. So EVERYTHING is news (or so we say).
RUNNING DOG: I guarantee they’re fuming at Notre Dame. Charlie Weis hasn’t exactly done a lot to endear himself to the masses – and this didn’t help.
75TRANZAM: I’ll admit I don’t follow recruiting all that closely because, well, I have life. But I have no sense that there was a strong No. 2 choice, and I know when Nick Montana was here he talked about coming back for another visit in the summer. So that counts for something, I’d say.
ROSWELL ED: Hah! Spoken like a Southerner.
IRISHFOREVER: I suppose if that’s how you’d like to spin it. Put it this way, if Notre Dame was actually good and he didn’t want to go there, I’d be more inclined to think that.
IrishForEver
June 10th, 2009
7:41 pm
Well, Jeff, he didn’t want to go to UGA either. Washington was 0-12 last year, including a loss to, wait a minute, NOTRE DAME. Washington has sucked since, wait a minute, TY WILLINGHAM coached there. So, maybe the win-loss record didn’t play into it as much as you would like to think.
Peyton Manning didn’t go to his father’s alma mater either. Hmmm….
Atticus
June 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
Why is this article even being written? Nobody cares.
tenn.DAWG
June 10th, 2009
8:14 pm
Jeff,UGA gave him a token offer.He knew that,look at the depth and talent.He made the right decision,UW can’t do anything but improve.