Richt: Starting a freshman QB now would be like ‘quitting’
Mark Richt will not look toward 2010 season in 2009.
ATHENS — There are enough things that Georgia coach Mark Richt is being criticized for these days. So I figured this would be a good time to tell you something he is doing right: sticking with Joe Cox at quarterback.
What’s important to remember here is that this is college, not the NFL (even if the line between the two is somewhat blurred in the SEC). It’s common for pro teams in any sport to start playing younger athletes late in wasted seasons to prepare for next season.
Sorry. It’s different on a campus. And it should be.
It’s different when you have senior players who may never step on a football field again after this season. If Richt started a freshman quarterback, believing he’s not ready but ostensibly to get him ready for next season, the coach basically would be telling his players, “We really don’t care about these last few games.”
Richt did a better job articulating this at his weekly news conference Tuesday than I could. When the subject of sticking with Cox and keeping the redshirt on freshmen Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger was broached, he reiterated that Cox “gives Georgia the best chance to win now,” and that nobody else has earned that spot.
Then when asked about the mindset of playing a freshman for the potential benefit of next season, he said: “I can’t do that. I can’t do that to our seniors. I can’t do that. We tell our guys to finish the drill. We tell our guys to never quit. And if we made that move with a young guy, then I’d have the confidence to say in all honesty that he gives us the best chance to win. And because we couldn’t come to that conclusion, we went with the guy who gives us the best chance to win right now. If we said, ‘Hey we’re playing for next year,’ then in my mind we’d be giving up on the season. We’d quit. We don’t quit at Georgia. We don’t teach our guys to quit.”
Now, this shouldn’t be taken as a statement that Cox is great. Logic says backup Logan Gray will get increased playing time Saturday against Tennessee Tech and the rest of the season. But this isn’t the time to tell a freshman, “Rescue us.”
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187 comments Add your comment
Abilene
November 3rd, 2009
1:41 pm
I agree with Jeff on this one.
Abilene
November 3rd, 2009
1:50 pm
I do strongly disagree with Richt when he says “We don’t teach our guys to quit.”
Too many of his players have already quit. Richt recruits way too many players who can barely read and have a very casual attitude about obeying the law. Follow that up with very poor coaching with no attempt to improve these players’ attitudes, and you get guys who do quit, who get arrested way too often, and have no self-discipline or motivation. And Richt uses a band-aid approach to solving these problems, saying he needs to make sure they all have drivers’ licenses. Like that will solve everything. Right.
Richt has to go before the program goes so deep into a hole that it will take years to recover.
gomdawg
November 3rd, 2009
1:50 pm
You got to start the drill to finsh it ????
Paul in RDU
November 3rd, 2009
1:51 pm
I also agree with Jeff. This is college ball and Richt does owe it to his players to try to win this year.
Heck – they could win 4 in a row (although I wouldn’t bet on it)
TommyP
November 3rd, 2009
1:52 pm
I agree 100% with Schultzie and Richt. Too pull the redshirt off Murray (Mettenberger would never be discussed) for just 4 games would be asinine. Murray will be a 4 year starter since he’s too short for the NFL’s liking in the 1st round.
Let’s get Murray ready for the job starting in January. That means he’ll have had 2 January’s, 2 spring practices, 2 summers with the team before taking over. And 4 years remaining eligibility.
Great (non)move by Richt.
Recruiting - Coaching = Rebuilding
November 3rd, 2009
1:52 pm
I see his point, but I don’t agree that Cox gives us the best chance to win.
I think Richt is just sticking to his talking points. He’s been repeating the same lines all year long. I guess memorizing them for next year.
nemov
November 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
I agree with Richt on this point. Cox is the scapegoat for one of the worst defenses in UGA history. Cox isn’t the type of QB that can win shootout games. Our defense has been terrible all season. A couple of stops in the first half and the Dawgs had a real shot against Florida. We were running the ball and making the pass when we needed it.
Unfortunately we couldn’t stop the gators and we had to make desperate passes. Stafford threw a few picks last year too.
TommyP
November 3rd, 2009
1:54 pm
One more thing…all of those Stafford-detractors….want him back NOW?
Yep
November 3rd, 2009
1:56 pm
Ditto
Time for a Hard Look
November 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
If playing a QB that has thrown as many interceptions as Cox is playing the guy that gives us the best chance to win then they need to recruit better, coach better , or reevaluate what it takes to win. Because Cox would being wear headsets the whole game at Florida, Alabama, Tenn, etc., and even at Tech!
Bill Jones
November 3rd, 2009
1:59 pm
Richt quit last Saturday when he yanked Cox with over 7 minutes left down 17. That’s where you go hurry up and try to make it a 10 point game. Anything can happen. The Falcons didn’t quit last night and they had a chance at the end. I’m amazed that more people aren’t holding Richt accountable for giving up prematurely.
pt jackets
November 3rd, 2009
2:00 pm
I Agree with CMR. Get off his case and support him rather than trying to throw him under the bus. I’m not even a GA fan but the man is the best coach you guys have ever had in my opinion and that includes Dooley. (no offense Coach) CMR is a very good coach and I’m sure that he will turn your program around. As for who he gets… He is a football coach looking for players who can play football and stay in school. To often its hard to find both in the same body. CMR is not their Mom or Dad he is their football coach. What happens off the field is not his fault and he has very little control over what they do off the field. To hear some of you talk you would want him to lock them in their room chained to there bed until the morning when they could be let out to go to class and practice. These are college kids not NFL players!
mcdaviddawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:01 pm
Too bad we have a head coach who has quit. If Richt only did the things that he says. I don’t believe anything he says. His answer are always soft and with little respect to reality. Let’s get a real coach.
MIKE ON LAKE HARTWELL
November 3rd, 2009
2:02 pm
it is very possible to win the last 4. if the chips fall in the right places, UGA
could wind up in the outback bowl. (seeing as how some experts pick AUBURN
for that game, UGA will go by defeating AUBURN and winning out, and auburn
losing to ALABAMA which will happen)
GO DAWGS! a lot to play for.
2 rivalry games and a NEW YEARS BOWL!
Bigdawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:03 pm
Please, spare me. The seniors owe the team, the seniors owe to play better
the seniors should show leadership and not condone stupid penalties. The seniors, if not the best
at the position should sit. What happened in the pre season all we heard was how much leadership
was on this team, how focused they were. Answer: it was all bs. The senior leaders quit on themselves and the team. This season was over after tn. Spare me with “the seniors”.
Jeff
November 3rd, 2009
2:04 pm
Hey, maybe they can coach him up some more. Look how bad UT’s Crompton looked at the start of the year…they stuck with him and now he is playing quite well. Don’t throw your seniors under the bus.
kent
November 3rd, 2009
2:04 pm
This year is already lost but the coach doesn’t want to absorb the losses that playing a freshman qb would entail. Next year you’ll hear that UGA is playing a freshman QB so we have to be patient. The coach is in over his head and is overmatched next to the quality coaches in the SEC. UGA can’t get by any more on athleticism- you need coaching as well which this staff doesn’t provide.
GetRealDog
November 3rd, 2009
2:04 pm
The season is already in the toliet so a freshman should not be played this late in the season … that’s a different issue than him being ready to play … it would be wasting a year of eligibility for that redshirt freshman. Gray deserves a shot just like Cox did against Ole Miss three years ago when Stafford wasn’t productive. He can’t do much worse than lose three out of four like Cox has, can he?
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 3rd, 2009
2:04 pm
Sadly Jeff, i agree as well. it just REALLY sucks to be a HUGE UGA fan all my life and we go through a transition yr like this. It jus aint like UGA. SOMETHING in the organization is going to HAVE to change. People can say all that they want but its going to come down to whatever needs to happen, needs to happen, NOW!!!!!!
Recruiting - Coaching = Rebuilding
November 3rd, 2009
2:05 pm
Mike On Lake Hartwell…after reading your post I wonder if you aren’t Mike On A Fifth Of Bourbon.
1eyedJack
November 3rd, 2009
2:06 pm
Was just perusing the Scout.com site looking at remaining eligibility.
How can Alabama and Ole Miss have 120+ players on scholarship? Everybody else is around 85.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:10 pm
Yeah, let’s just keep our 2 picks/game QB. We’ve gotten so far with him. We’ve got a guy (Murray) who won the Elite Eleven last year, over USC starter Barkley among others sitting on the bench getting no experience. He could finish this season like Stafford in ‘06, and be ready to LEAD next fall. But yeah, let’s stick with the (Richt’s words preseason), “probably the most accurate passer we’ve ever had at UGA”, “he is the leader of this team”, “he will be a game manager” QB that’s gotten us where we are 4-4. What crap.
Dawgday
November 3rd, 2009
2:11 pm
Nice to see this article after the garbage coming from Mark Bradley yesterday. Joe Cox is the best option right now. Idiot fans want to blame him for the loss in Jax?? It was a combination of undisciplined team going up against a great UF team that made some incredible plays (ie. Cooper 1-handed catch and the batted pick at the beginning of the 2nd half).
Good luck to Joe the rest of the way. This true Dawg fan appreciates the sacrifice he’s made waiting for his time this year and having to put up with all of the morons (BRADLEY INCLUDED) that want to throw him under the bus.
Good call CMR. Good article Jeff. Go Dawgs!
cattle dawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:13 pm
I agree with richt to not remove the redshirts. I just want to see what Logan Gray can do when is back isnt against the wall. Let him gameplan an play a few series other than one play.
lawzoo
November 3rd, 2009
2:13 pm
Just remember you can’t spell quit without “u” or “i”. Think about it.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:14 pm
Yeah, Tommy P, like Cox had 4 Januarys, 4 spring practices, 4 summers before taking over the team. All of that ain’t the same as game experience – see COX!!!!!!
AJC writers wanted no needed!
November 3rd, 2009
2:14 pm
!st – “What’s important to remember here is that this is college, not the NFL (even if the line between the two is somewhat blurred in the SEC).” Are you freaking kidding me? The SEC for one has been exposed all season. Only reason Fl hasn’t, well look at their OOC schedule. nuff said.
2nd – Crox signs the coaches pay check, right? Hel* no! Wins sign the coaches pay check. Look at the fans on here. oh oh oh ma, ma, mommie hold crox hand an let him finish… BS get him out and give your team a chance to win the remaining games.
firemarkricht.net
November 3rd, 2009
2:15 pm
After reading this article my one question is:
What does Richt have left after playing the sympathy card?
fanfromathens
November 3rd, 2009
2:16 pm
Thank you Jeff for highlighting what should’ve been an obvious point (Many Dawg fans are so blood thirsty right now, they need someone to staple such rational arguments to their foreheads). I couldn’t agree more.
This isn’t the NFL. Thank you to CMR for recognizing that.
By the way Recruiting-Coaching=Rebuilding, how on earth do you know who gives us the best chance to win now? You been attending all the practices, taking notes, watching film on Murray and Cox? Or are you just another blowhard who speaks upon things you know little about?
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:17 pm
And Murray is 1 inch taller than Drew Brees.
nemov
November 3rd, 2009
2:17 pm
The biggest question for Richt is who is going to coach the defense next season. Also, can really afford to demote CWM? Does anyone really want that guy coaching our secondary?
PHIL
November 3rd, 2009
2:19 pm
WHo would ever have thought that JS was smarter than Mark “Paul Johnson is my hero……today” Bradley? I honestly think the AJC has directed him to write things so outlandish and stupid that he doesn’t even believe them. Like Terrence Moore did.
Sanford Drive
November 3rd, 2009
2:20 pm
The only thing that could make me hate Richt any more is if he removed the redshirts. Mark Bradley is the only one dumb enough to think that’s a good idea.
bob horner stayed hurt
November 3rd, 2009
2:20 pm
I don’t believe CMR is telling the truth….there is no way Murray is worse than Cox….no freaking way……Cox is really bad…great kid…I admire his loyalty to UGA but he’s not a good quarterback…CMR is sticking with him out of loyalty…IMHO
Matt
November 3rd, 2009
2:21 pm
Yeah so next season we start all over again with the same crap. Can’t wait
Doak
November 3rd, 2009
2:23 pm
I told you months ago richt would stick with cox throughout because he’s always been that way. He was the same way at FSU.
common sense
November 3rd, 2009
2:24 pm
Can someone please tell me that last time that Georgia lost to Tennesee, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech in the same season. Has it ever happened?
Recruiting - Coaching = Rebuilding
November 3rd, 2009
2:24 pm
fanfromathens…I say that because of Cox’s stats. Do you stand beside Richt because of his abilities as the CEO of the program, his tan, or his loyalty to his friends over the university? He hasn’t been coaching at UGA for a decade while the school’s been playing football since 1892.
Love the tan or love the tradition.
45ACP
November 3rd, 2009
2:25 pm
I concur. If the Dawgs had a better QB than Cox I’m sure he would be playing.
Stafford and Moreno leaving early really hurt the Dawgs.
I don’t blame them for taking the money though.
SLIM PICKENS----Nesbitt for Heisman
November 3rd, 2009
2:25 pm
Last year, Paul Johnson played the freshman Jaybo Shaw quite a bit. He started one game when Nesbitt was hurt. I think Joe Cox has been hurt (in many ways) most of the year.
Ray Charles
November 3rd, 2009
2:27 pm
Urban teaches his kids not to quit too. Urban says don’t quit poking till you send them to Ray’s clinic.
We're # 1
November 3rd, 2009
2:27 pm
In Penalties!
jsmuga
November 3rd, 2009
2:27 pm
If Cox is the best chance to win; then one more win is on the horizon. He has not progressed at all this year. I am not sure Kentucky is a win with him playing. I am not saying there is a better choice but why not see if the freshman can play.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:29 pm
45ACP, so that’s why Richt stuck with Joe T? And why He stuck a redshirt on Knowshon in favor of Brown? Sure, if we had better, they would be playing….
Droopy Dawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:31 pm
Bill Jones??? You are very correct!!!
fanfromathens
November 3rd, 2009
2:32 pm
“What does Richt have left after playing the sympathy card?”
How about a great career that speaks for itself, including 2 SEC rings.
I see a bunch of grown adults on these boards who appear to be soiling themselves over a 4-4 college football season. “Oh lawd, I jus cant take no mo loses! I’m so depressed. I wanna die cause my beloved dawgs aren’t national champs every year”
How pathetic it is to get so worked up over a game played by school kids that you go online and start screaming for people to lose their jobs and dumping on students for not playing to your satisfaction. Grow the F up.
Leslie
November 3rd, 2009
2:32 pm
Richt has a very sexy tan. That means a lot to me but the men in my family wish he could coach his way out of a phone booth. Does he get Botox too? I’ll go on a trip with him but I’ve heard from the men I work with that following him into a foxhole might not be a good idea.
45ACP
November 3rd, 2009
2:32 pm
That’s what I’m saying.
Coach Richt sat Joe T and played Stafford.
If Murray or Logan or Mett were ready to play I would have to believe that CMR woud make the change.
Bill
November 3rd, 2009
2:33 pm
You’re right…and Coach Richt is right. Thanks for reminding us all. (Never thought I’d ever say that to a Sports Writer; sorry, Journalist.)
gdawginkalamazoo
November 3rd, 2009
2:34 pm
That’s what I thought Richt might do and say and if you are a plyer you have to like that. Know that your coach isn’t going to Spurrier you the second things go bad. The seniors have been on those winning teams, it will be up to them to help make a difference in the remaining games. Can’t imagine they feel any better about all this than any of us fans. Split some time between Cox and Gray and see how that works. Look at that roster this is a young team.
King Gator
November 3rd, 2009
2:34 pm
Or admitting you screwed up with Cox and should have gotten him some playing time over the last 2 years. CMR is loyal and stubborn, but he’s wrong for not getting somebody ready to take over next year. Brantley will have more snaps this year and will be better prepared to replace Tebow next year than any of the UGA qb’s to replace Cox… not hard to figure out why Dawgs are 2nd tier in the SEC.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:34 pm
He didn’t sit Joe T. Joe T broke his hand.
LAdawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:34 pm
I don’t know what to think. The question is not, “who gives us the best chance to win”? It is, “who gives us the best chance to score 45 to 50 points”? That has to be Cox and a prayer. We may need 35 to beat TN Tech which may not be a given.
We really need win out and get the best bowl possible so we can keep practicing and don’t have to shut it down after the Tech game. That is a HUGE advantage for bowl teams!
jason
November 3rd, 2009
2:35 pm
“Finish the drill.” When the hell has CMR ever finished the drill?
fanfromathens
November 3rd, 2009
2:35 pm
So then, what are Murray’s stats? Let’s compare them to Cox’s.
Oh wait, you don’t know do you? Probably b/c he hasn’t played a down of college football. Therefore you couldn’t possibly know if he’s better than Cox right now. Hence, you speak without knowing what you’re talking about.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:38 pm
Fanfromathens, it doesn’t bother you that statistics show that Willie Martinez has been a disaster as DC at UGA and yet got another raise this year and is making over $300,000 per year?
Duke
November 3rd, 2009
2:38 pm
Dawgs only an 11 point fav over TT? My the mighty have fallen. Vegas sure has no confidence in Cox and the dawgs.
Ted Striker
November 3rd, 2009
2:39 pm
Well put by Richt.
We’d have world peace, a cure for cancer, and a mandatory polygamy with hot triplets — if you UGA-program critics knew half as much about anything as you think you know about football.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:43 pm
fanfromathens, Murray had the best stats in the Spring Game in which the QBs all had an equal footing. I’m not saying he would be better than Cox, but he can’t be worse!
Bill Stanfill
November 3rd, 2009
2:46 pm
This is a good counter to Mark Bradley’s usual hysteria. (Mark, there are excellent meds these days for bi-polar disorder.) My fellow dawgs, keep the faith. It has been a rough season but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. I’ll take Mark Richt over Urban Meyer any day of the week.
knoxdawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:47 pm
I agree you don’t quit, you put your best 11 on the field in every game. You play for now. The question I have is does he put the best coaches he can get on his staff? Are the defensive coaches and the offensive coaches the best he can get? They are what he has but when the season ends will he go recruit better ones. UGA’s defense is a joke around the conference and every one knows it. Sportswriters are amazed after watching the dawgs play how inept the defense is. Is it talent? If so then your recruiting has been poor. Or is it that the talent is there but it hasn’t been coached up to its potential. I believe the latter is the reason so Coach Richt, will you put together the best staff you can get or stick w/ the staff you have? Finish the drill by doing what you must do to put Georgia football back on the right track.
pb
November 3rd, 2009
2:47 pm
common sense:
Don’t know last time, if ever, GA has lost to all those teams in same season… But keep in mind, they haven’t lost to Auburn and Ga Tech yet. (Don’t give up before the game is played!)
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Me too, Bill. Give me a nice guy any day over a guy heading for his 3rd National title in 4 years. Heck yeah!!!!
dawggrad05
November 3rd, 2009
2:48 pm
well get ready for the same thing next year if we dont play Murray or Gray. Even in high school, if your not playing well you are benched. This is the SEC and Joe Cox throws like my little sister. We stink and we are going to continue to if our coach keeps up his stubborness. lets keep Willie as DC and keep Cox playing. Go Dawgs, lets hope for Shreveport!
Pathetic
fanfromathens
November 3rd, 2009
2:49 pm
Of course it bothers me that the defense is not doing well. As to the 300k, sadly, if that’s the going rate for DCs, then that’s what he should get paid. Frankly, considering the schlacking he has to put up with from the legion of armchair ‘Bear Bryants’ out there, I think he should get compensated. Nevertheless, I won’t lose any sleep if he goes next year.
CMR got us to this point of high expectations. Give him a chance to fix the ship and lay off his back. By talking trash about him and the program every other minute, you make the problems worse and ensure that your negative fantasies become self-fullfilling. This is not professional football. If you want to slam players, then watch the NFL where grown men are at least compensated for such abuse.
I’m confident, that if CMR’s future teams do not show improvement, then the powers that be will make the decision to change directions. That will be true regardless of whether anyone on this board talks trash about the program or not.
dawggrad05
November 3rd, 2009
2:51 pm
Bill,
I will take Richt over Meyer as a preacher, a friend, or a mentor, but deinatly not as a football coach. Do tell the reasons why we should be optimistic? The fact that Willie may be coming back? woohooo!!!!
EW
November 3rd, 2009
2:54 pm
How about considering the fans, alumni, and boosters as well? Doesn’t he owe it to them to put the best or most exciting product on the field? How will we know if he is doing that if the kid doesn’t get a chance?
firemarkricht.net
November 3rd, 2009
2:55 pm
I think fanfromathens has tan envy! Awesome! It’s cool, though. Just come out and say it. We here on the blogs will understand…we’re all friends. We won’t give you a hard time, I promise!
Come on, fanfromathens…do you have tan envy?
BTW as far as SEC titles go…none lately and no prospects for the future. Not until he brings power football back to UGA. And do you really believe everything Richt says? Like, “we’re gonna work on those penalties and those fumbles”?
Dale
November 3rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Willie Martinez, the whole “never quit” thing does not apply to you.
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Right, EW, would the fans (and fellow players) be more excited to see the same Joe this week, or a Parade All-American, winner of the prestegious Elite Eleven competition. Um……. We know what Joe can do, right?
Clay
November 3rd, 2009
3:01 pm
This is good news. We need to worry about getting bowl eligible and not worry about next year.
mdr
November 3rd, 2009
3:02 pm
“It’s different when you have senior players who may never step on a football field again after this season. If Richt started a freshman quarterback, believing he’s not ready but ostensibly to get him ready for next season, the coach basically would be telling his players, “We really don’t care about these last few games.””
Congratulations Jeff, this is the single dumbest paragraph I have ever read in the AJC. That is quite an accomplishment.
You’re right though. Its much better that we go for that elusive 7 win season this year and then once again start a QB with ZERO experience going into next season. Brilliant plan.
UGA_fan_inFL
November 3rd, 2009
3:02 pm
Enter your comments here
Bill Stanfill
November 3rd, 2009
3:03 pm
Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . any fool can kick a coach and team when they’re down. I’ll leave that crap to the Gator fans who have nothing better to do than identify themselves on this site as UGA fans and heave even more b.s. I bought heavily into the stock market back in March when every fool and his brother were selling. Yeah, right: “The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”
Paul H
November 3rd, 2009
3:04 pm
Nemov – I agree that Cox isn’t the reason our defense is so bad but you are incorrect in saying Cox can’t handle a shootout. He’s done it twice already – SC and Arkansas.
dawgfacedboy
November 3rd, 2009
3:05 pm
You’re right that wouldn’t make sense. However, playing Logan Gray for every snap of the Tenn Tech game does make sense. He was a 4 star recruit, and Elite 11 guy, has 2 more years after this in the program (if he sticks around to fair catch punts). I’m sorry but facts are facts. If you stick with Cox the rest of the year you will have a QB with VERY little to absolutely no game experience and you’ll have the same kind of year next year.
You can argue whatever you want. Cox stays and you’ll have 3 QBs who aren’t ready next year. Go ahead and start looking towards 2011.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 3rd, 2009
3:06 pm
LAdawg, good point. No matter which bowl it is we need that extra practice.
Dbalcer
November 3rd, 2009
3:08 pm
I agree with and support Coach Richt to all the so called fans who are calling for him to be fired I say you are delusional if you think any coach worth having would come to a school that throws a head coach under the bus like that. I will be in the stands this Saturday and everyone until the season is over from the time the game kicks off until the end of the game. GO DAWGS
Paul H
November 3rd, 2009
3:09 pm
Jeff – you’re right in that this isn’t the NFL. But it isn’t peewee league either. If Cox gives us the best chance to win so be it. But if we’re withholding a better QB just because we don’t want to hurt the feelings of the guys who won’t be here next year, that’s a problem. What about the seniors next year? This year’s seniors had their chance.
Supes
November 3rd, 2009
3:09 pm
And that right there is the fundamental difference between a great program and coach like Pete Carroll and Mark Richt @ UGA.
Pete isn’t afraid of starting a TRUE FRESHMAN QB, b/c he’s the most talanted QB they have and this was a rebuilding year for USC (losing 8 players to the NFL will do that to any program).
Mark is afraid of starting Ealey at RB, and Murray at QB, yet we are still going to go 6-6 (with reason).
So is a season with Joe Cox and Logan Gray (seriously misplaced scholarship there b/c he isn’t a good fit for a pro style set offense, why is he here?) where UGA goes 6-6 any worst (for our seniors) than going 6-6 or 5-7 with Murray or Mettenberger?
Of course the answer is NO. There is no fraking difference. Except if Murray or Mettenberger played this year, they’d be more prepared for 2010 and in 2010 UGA can actually try and go for 7-8-9 wins again, but if they start with an unexperienced QB from the start in 2010…what else is going to happen…another 6-6 season?
PMC
November 3rd, 2009
3:10 pm
THis is the right move. As it stands right now Joe Cox still gives them the best chance to win in the mind of the coaching staff so they are still going out every week trying to win. Next year the QB’s left on the roster will have at least 2 springs to have learned the offense and should be better prepared to compete.
As Logan Gray showed last week. He’s not ready.
firemarkricht.net
November 3rd, 2009
3:10 pm
Everyone complaining about the Bulldogs is a FLA fan or a Tech fan? Right.
Bill Stanfill, you are delusional.
mark
November 3rd, 2009
3:10 pm
Starting a freshamn would be like quitting??????? What does trotting the same lineup out with the same game plan say????
How does it go again… The definition of insanity…doing something over and over again the same way and expecting a different result????
Supes
November 3rd, 2009
3:11 pm
Southern Cal…not afraid of starting the number 1 rated QB (out of HS) as a true freshman.
UGA…afraid of starting the number 3 rated QB (out of HS) as a true freshman.
Which program is a top 5 program…it’s self explanatory. USC! UGA = Average at best.
Coach Richt…no guts no glory. Play it safe with “know what you got checkdown Joe Cox”.
DamnGoodDawg
November 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
It’s another way of saying, “This season is a wash anyway and I don’t mind next season being a wash since I’ll be starting a QB with no experience.” Sounds like a replay of the Tech/Reggie Ball saga. “He’s my horse if he don’t ever win a race”. Georgia may very well fail to be bowl eligible this year. Maybe we’ll win one more game..Kentucky or Tennessee Tech…you’re in big trouble!
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
So, Bill, let’s get this straight. You dislike a coach who runs a clean program, demands excellence from his players and assistants, and again is heading for a 3rd BCS National Championship in 4 years?? I am no UF fan, was born in Athens, and haven’t missed a play, either on TV, radio, or in person in 3 decades and I like Mark Richt. But I would give anything to have Urban Myer on our sideline. If that makes me a fool, so be it!!!
PMC
November 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
Matt Barkley is better than any QB we currently have on our roster by a long shot. Ealey is being replaced because he’s not blocking like they want him to. It will probably be another disapointing year next year anyway because they have done a poor job recruiting the line of scrimmage.
really?
November 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
I guess averaging 10 win seasons isn’t enough proof that someone can coach anymore huh. I’d rather have coach richt over coach “slap on the wrist” meyers. At least our program has integrity (even if the fans are idiotic).
Supes
November 3rd, 2009
3:14 pm
Next year the QB’s left on the roster will have at least 2 springs to have learned the offense and should be better prepared to compete.
*************************
Spring practice isn’t the same as playing SEC games. A QB must experience SEC games to improve and be able to handle the speed of the defenses (and learn to read the field and coverage).
Murray and or Mettenberger are going to suffer in 2010 b/c that will be the first time they’ve seen the field. In a way, 2010 now will be another rebuilding year…thanks to CMR and staff.
archangeladidas
November 3rd, 2009
3:14 pm
If you play him and he plays bad just blame it on Spikes. Thats what uga does right? Make pathetic excuses. 41-17! 17 out of 20! GO GATORS!!!
SadDawg
November 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
PMC, really? Murray outperformed Barkley at the Elite Eleven competition less than a year ago.
mark
November 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
PMC- Putting Logan Gray in on our own 3 yard line and asking him to pass out of our own endzone against the Florida D in a hostile environment while enduring a beatdown is not exactly setting him up for success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m a coach, albeit of a different sport but the philosophy is the same. You have to put kids like that in a situation where they can be successful. You don’t put in a freshman (Gray is essentially a Fr. at QB as far as experience goes) with the bases loaded and noboday out in a tie ball game in the last inning with a 3-1 count and get pissed when the kid hits a grand slam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
firemarkricht.net
November 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
PMC,
Richt and Bobo haven’t put Gray into a game where there is any hope of winning! How do you know what he can do?
Start Cox next game, take him out after his prerequisite INT (should come in the first half) and put Gray in. Give us something “Coach” Richt.
Klesko
November 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
The earlier posters like Abeline and DawgGrad05 are right on. Failing to try to improve your current situation IS quitting. You have freshmen on the bench who could give you a better chance of winning AND prepare you more for 2010, when your last few games of the season might matter. Failure to plan is planning to fail. Richt lost this program two years ago when he let the players dance in the end zone in Gainsville, and he has never gotten it back since. All of the black helmets, jerseys, and pants in the world can not hide the fact that his program is like a ship at sea without a rudder. See what Murray can do now … if he is as good as you claim, he will be gone in three years anyhow. Until there are changes with Richt and the program’s direction, you will be no better than Ole Miss or Kentucky on a year-to-year basis.
Supes
November 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
Matt Barkley isn’t THAT much better than Aaron Murray. He’s got better physical skills (as far as being bigger and stronger), but they are both winners (in HS) and have the leadership skills and intangibles necessary to win RIGHT now. Murray came back early (way ahead of schedule from a foot fracture injury) to lead his HS team to a championship…but heck I guess Joe Cox is the better option! Joe “noodle arm” Cox who wouldn’t be starting for any other SEC team right now.
Supes
November 3rd, 2009
3:19 pm
Matt Barkley and Aaron Murray were both top 5 QB’s coming out of HS.
USC isn’t afraid to play Matt, UGA is scared to play Aaron.
Thanks CMR.
Ed
November 3rd, 2009
3:19 pm
We don’t quit at Georgia? You sure could have fooled a lot of us who watched the ‘07 and ‘09 Tennessee games, the ‘08 Florida and Alabama games, and the defense in the ‘08 Tech game. All or a part of Georgia’s team flat-out quit in each of those games. In many games, the team didn’t bother showing up for the beginning, and only rallied after it was too late. West Va. in the ‘06 Sugar Bowl, Florida in ‘05, and Alabama last year come to mind.
I can’t think of an SEC program that has waved the white flag more in recent years than this one. What a bogus justification for not seasoning a younger player with a bigger upside. As far We’ll start off 2010 with a completely unproven, untested quarterback. Remember ‘06 and ‘09 and the definition of insanity.
Every goal for this season has been lost, so giving up on the season is a lame excuse. I wouldn’t worry about the message you are sending to the seniors – they didn’t get the job done during their 4 years at Georgia. Time to give someone else a shot.
mark
November 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Folks Murray ain’t goin pro early!!!!!!! He’s no Stafford and the league ain’t gettin’ a boner over a 6′1 QB (unless your last name is Brees).
Dawg Fud
November 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
I both understand and respect your decision Coach Richt. You have been the HC at Georgia for 9 years and although I do not agree with you all of the time I respect your decisions because you are the expert.
However, I hope you will respect my decision not to donate if you retain Martinez as DC next season.
GO DAWGS!
fanfromathens
November 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
PMC…how on earth do you know who that Barkley is better than any QB we have on our roster by a long shot? You been attending all the practices, taking notes, watching film on Barkley, Murray, Gray, and Cox? Or are you just another blowhard who speaks upon things you know little about?