Aaron Murray will give Georgia what it has been missing
It's Aaron Murray's show now, and Georgia will go as he goes this season. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
ATHENS – Success in game one of season one shouldn’t be used as much of a barometer because, fact is, Georgia shouldn’t lose its opener to Louisiana-Lafayette. Blow this, and it will be apparent the Bulldogs’ problems are much bigger than a freshman quarterback.
But it’s easy to come away with a good feeling about Aaron Murray. Maybe it’s the fact he is more head than arm. Maybe it’s because he frequently exchanges text messages and studies game tapes of David Greene, who seemed almost robotically perfect as a college quarterback. Maybe it was just the way Murray reacted when Zach Mettenberger, who figured to be the other half of Georgia’s starting quarterback battle, was kicked off the team in April for sexual battery.
“It was upsetting to me and I talked to Zach for a little bit about it the day it happened,” Murray said. “But it made me step up more in terms of knowing I had to take that leadership role. Logan [Gray] had moved to receiver. Zach was gone. The young guys hadn’t come in yet. I was really the only guy. It was my job. I had to step up and make sure I was doing all the right things.”
Freshman quarterbacks can make coaches want to cover their eyes. Mark Richt admitted his frustrations Tuesday with Matthew Stafford, noting that, “Guys with that kind of arm strength and that kind of ability can’t help themselves sometimes.” They spend too much time trying to be the super hero.
If the Dogs are successful this season, it will be because Murray plays more like Greene, who set an NCAA record with 42 wins (later surpassed by Colt McCoy’s 45) and an SEC record for 214 consecutive passes without an interception (that one still stands).
Improvement by the defense with new coordinator Todd Grantham obviously is important. So is exceedingly more resolve and discipline among players who have accounted for too many penalties on the field and too many arrests off of it.
But ultimately, a football team follows its quarterback. The Dogs won SEC titles with Greene and D.J. Shockley for a reason. Or two reasons: intelligence and leadership. Under Stafford, they won frequently but were sporadic at times for lack of the same.
When Richt was asked what he has learned from working with freshman quarterbacks, he said: “What I’ve learned is that you’re better off starting slow with a smaller package [of plays] and repping him over and over again. Hopefully you have success and you can grow as you go. Most of these guys were pretty good playmakers in high school. Sometimes they feel like they need to make a play, [like] they have to do something spectacular. [But] it’s not just ad-lib. You don’t have to be a hero.”
And then this: “Greene was really the only one who went through it unscathed, or close to unscathed. He was very disciplined in what he did. Stafford wanted to make plays. He was about doing great things. Guys with that kind of arm strength and that kind of ability can’t help themselves sometimes. If you look at Stafford, we struggled with him. At the end of [his freshman] year, when he quit turning it over, we won. We beat No. 5 Auburn. We beat Tech. We beat Virginia Tech. He just finally kept from trying to be that hero.”
Murray has watched several of Greene’s game tapes, as well as highlight packages of the same plays being run by Greene, Shockley and Stafford and himself ( in practice).
Murray on Greene: “He was always extremely smooth in everything he did. He was always so poised.”
His biggest challenge now? Staying calm. When asked if he gets nervous before starts, he said: “I wouldn’t say nervous. I’d say juiced up. It would be a good thing if I was on defense. I’d probably try to take someone’s head off.”
But he has learned ways to calm down, he said, listening to “some mellow, slow-jam country music. No Eminem or any rock.”
He’s going to make mistakes. As Richt said, “He’s going to be finding his way.” When he gets there, so will Georgia.
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245 comments Add your comment
UGA this year vs where we were same time in 09
September 1st, 2010
9:30 am
This same time on eyar ago is as different as night and day.
We had the unknown Joe Cox and in our hearts, we knew that he could not be the one. We knew it prior to the Ok State game and when he came down with the flu, we knew that it might be a long day in Stillwater.
We also had not a clue in 09 about ou backs ……….Samuels and then, King. Ealey was not going to play………….. so our backs were King and Samuels and Thomas and the two fullbacks.
We knew that CWM could not coach up anything or anybody. Folks, we knew this in 2006,07,08, 09. CWM had to go ………….we knew this last September.
This year ………… we know that Murray is capable ………although he at this moment has no backup, beyond the Mason kid.
We know that D coach T G is a D coach …………..period. We know that his new subordinate coaches are highly regarded vs the two under CWM. These new D coaches have a college track record of success.
We also know that our 2010 safeties are far, far, far superior in attitude and athleticism to UGA’s now gonesafeties 3 and 9 Rambo, Williams 2 ) and Alec Ogeltree are actually great players. This promotes competition ……….something that was lacking in 09. Jakari Hamilton is my favorites.
We also know that we have a warm up opener vs last year’s opener.
Folks ……………get ready to rumble.
Go Dogs.
LawDawg
September 1st, 2010
9:33 am
Fishbait,
This article is NOT about Brantley. Quit the scare tactics with mop up boy. But since you asked: yes, I do think Murray can compete with mop up boy. BTW, how did Tebow “mentor” Brantley? Did he teach him how to run in from 2 yards out? Did he show him how to do a “jump pass” when it’s not needed? Did he teach him how to kiss his roomates and “buddies” on the sideline and at parties?
LawDawg
September 1st, 2010
9:36 am
…..Did he show him how to get a booster to pay for a hyperbaric chamber?
LawDawg
September 1st, 2010
9:37 am
…or show him how to cry after a defeat?
hotbobby
September 1st, 2010
9:41 am
My brothers, I hope you are right, but I have a bad feeling!
WOW!!!!!
September 1st, 2010
9:43 am
Urban sure is tough on his players. At UF when you get arrested you don’t get suspended but you do get praised by Urban as being a great leader. WOW!!!!!!!
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gator_clause/2010/08/gators-freshmen-matt-elam-and-solomon-patton-arrested-for-possession-of-alcohol.html
GT BABY
September 1st, 2010
9:55 am
…
Gator 17-20
September 1st, 2010
9:59 am
WOW- I KNOW YOUR NOT TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER TEAMS ARRESTS? 43 ARRESTS IN THREE YEARS TAKES THE CAKE, BUDDY. CONGRATS! STOP TRYING TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR SORRY ARSE TEAM THAT LOSES TO KENTUCKY BY MAKING FUN OF ANOTHER TEAM THAT WHOOPS YOUR ARSE 17 OUT OF 20.
Sven Ottke
September 1st, 2010
9:59 am
“Greene’s ball fakes were the stuff of legends.” That’s right, Brian. Because he will be a first ballot Ball Fake Hall of Famer. That’s where everyone wants to be.
Seriously? Where do you come up with this stuff? Ball fakes were the stuff of legends……what a joke.
Gator 17-20
September 1st, 2010
10:03 am
HEY, REMEMBER THE TIME UG@Y PLAYED TEXAS A@M IN SHEREVEPORT FOR THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL? I DO, U KNOW WHY? BECAUSE YALL SUCK AT LIFE AND FOOTBALL! WIN A GAME OR TWO BEFORE YOU START CHANGING YOUR FOOTBALL HELMET OR HAVING A BLACKOUT. TRUST ME, IT’S PRETTY EMBARRASING FOR YOUR SORRY A$$ PROGRAM!
17 OUT OF 20 = 85%
FLA BEATS GEORGIA 85 % OF THE TIME
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
summerwind
September 1st, 2010
10:08 am
it is blasting this morn
BG
September 1st, 2010
10:10 am
Murray is the man!
I've seen most of them
September 1st, 2010
10:13 am
David Green is in my opinion, as a UGA QB, the smoothest one in my 50 years of watching UGA football. He was not a runner, nor was he that 575 yd per game QB ( the system that he was in ) but he W-O-N and he was so smooth and yes, his fakes were some of the best that I have ever seen. Often times, the TV cameras were faked out.
The UT game up in Knoxville, he could have folded late after UT scored to recapture the lead ……….but he led the Dogs and he smoothly lofted the ball to his fullback ………TD and that was it. He was a red shirt Frosh too. He was so confident and calm ……….key points. The teammates pick up on this.
Murray needs to project a cool, calmness in the huddle. I want to see Aaron Murray calmer ………in the G Day game he was a bundle of nerves ……why? He knew that he would be either # 1 or #2 at that point ………. he was harried with his throws and his feet were jumpy. We all saw this.
Watch him in the first drive or two on Saturday and then see if he can dial it way back ………into tranquilty. The SC game will be his test. Columbia is going to be rough on him, I am afraid ………..unless he can gain some quiet confidence and learn to play smoothly ………like David Green.
I would love to see UGA at season’s end at 10-2 or 11-1 ………..but we do not have a solid QB back up yet, and our current running back situation bothers me greatly, having to do with Ealey.
D needs to attack and get the ball ………..so that UGA can score “easily.” This is the # 2 key beyond whether AM can play QB successfully.
SOUTHGADAWG88
September 1st, 2010
10:14 am
Murray has more weapons at his disposal than Stafford or Greene had as freshman starters.He’s had more time in the system before his 1st start as well.We are not looking for him to be a hero this season all he needs to do is be smart with the ball and he should thrive.
LawDawg
September 1st, 2010
10:17 am
Hey Gator 17-20 ,
You clowns change your unis and helmets all the time.
http://www.alligator.org/…/?mode=gallery
Did you alot of good didn’t it?
LawDawg
September 1st, 2010
10:21 am
27pitches.com
how2fish
September 1st, 2010
10:35 am
I’ve seen most of them…. that was a great post !
Branden Smith
September 1st, 2010
10:49 am
Im the man
Mobile Dawg
September 1st, 2010
10:53 am
No doubt Murray has the skills to compete. No doubt he has a great supporting cast. No telling how he will react to the pressure of the SEC in front of huge crowds. It’s easy to sit here and speculate but no one will know until Columbia. I’m nevrous as a bowl of jello.
As for the Murray vs Cox debate, Cox never lost a game in HS but couldn’t handle the pressure of big time football and he was a senior. I wish the young man (Murray) the best. I would prefer a good manager of the game than a superstar, aka, David Greene, anyday over a Stafford type.
Man the Dawgs need a good season ! ! ! So do I, it’s been a while….
Orange You Glad To Be A Vol?
September 1st, 2010
10:54 am
@ LawDawg…..shouldn’t you be getting your boss some coffee or picking up his laundry about now? You need to shut up and keep doing what you do best….whatever that is. UGA will go down like the Titanic this year. They will be lucky to beat Lousy-Anna Laff-a-Lott for the opener.
Dewey Cox
September 1st, 2010
11:00 am
I wrote a special song for Aaron Murray of the Georgia Bulldogs…….hope you enjoy!
So let me hold you midget man
Pretend that you are flying in space
Let me hold you midget man
So Uga will stop licking your face
So let me hold you midget man
As the SEC passes you by
Let me hold you midget man
Don’t be like Timmy Tebow and cry
dawgfacedboy
September 1st, 2010
11:42 am
Mr. Shultz- so Stafford was too good to win an SEC championship??? HIs arm was to good, his ability too good??? Makes absolutely no sense. It’s hard to win knowing you are going to have to put up damn near 40 pts. in order to get that win! How many “playmakers” surrounded Stafford? How many dropped passes did we see in his 3 years there? I’m not talking about double coverd dropped passes. I’m talking noone around said receiver for 5-10 yards. Ridiculous!!!!
The responsiblity of wasting his 3 years there goes soley on Richt’s head. 1) Keeping his inept friend as D- coordinator about 2 years too long 2) Failing to surround Stafford with playmakers to help him out.
The 3 years that STafford and Moreno was a complete waste of 2 top notch talent guys and as a dawgs fan is extememly disappointing.
WOW!!!!!
September 1st, 2010
11:43 am
Gator 17-20 – Hey moron I am not talking about who has the most arrest I am talking about what team suspends players for being arrested and what team doesn’t. Got it! Nuff said!
LHardingDawg
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
17 – 20 Gator
The real numbers: First contested Nov. 6, 1915 – 37-0 UGA
Number of meetings 87
Most recent meeting Oct 31, 2009 – 41-17 UF
All-Time Series 46-39-2
Largest Victory Nov. 7, 1942 – 75-0 UGA
LHardingDawg
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
All Time meetings 46-39-2 UGA
Catsmeow
September 1st, 2010
12:21 pm
Knew it was going to be a let down year,with Joe Cox,under center. Thank goodness he is gone. The only way,Georgia Bulldogs,will go is up. Will have a GREAT year. GO UGA,ALL THE WAY.
Jacketman
September 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
As a dedicated Tech fan, I noticed your discussion on QB’s. Having graduated Tech in ‘76, I’ve seen a lot of GA QB’s…..In MY opinion, the ONE that always concerned me the most, was David Greene. I’ll tip my hat to him–he was a winner…nothing fancy, not the greatest arm, not the greatest speed, but, he was cerebral, he came to play, and he could beat you. I would take him anyday, over Zeir, Schockley, Belue, Cox, or Stafford. I still can see Morgan Burnett taking one of Stafford’s for a Pick6! As for Murray, he’s got to prove himself on the field.
how2fish
September 1st, 2010
12:44 pm
Orange You Glad To Be A Vol? well now big guy I hope you stop by after the UGA/UT game this year I’m really doubting you do but one can hope…
Just sayin
September 1st, 2010
12:54 pm
GA series records vs:
BAMA leads 36-25-4
AUB leads 53-52-8
TENN leads 20-16-2
LSU leads 15-11-1
#1 Dawg Fan
September 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
Some of you posting are idiots. You don’t get rid of a coach that averages 10 wins a season just because you feel he has to win the SEC or a NC. That 10 win season average does include getting through SEC seasons. I had much rather have a consistent winning coach and season.
Karma is a beotch
September 1st, 2010
4:21 pm
Face it Dawg fans – when the entire team ran onto the field vs. UF in 2008, the karma gods looked down and decided that enough was enough. Not like you’ve ever had karma on your side in this 20 year rivalry (where your record is a robust 3-17 vs. the Gators).
Instead of getting arrested in the offseason, what if the whole team spent copious amounts of time building houses with Habitat or volunteering at the soup kitchen? Perhaps the karma gods would relinquish. But until then…enjoy another decade of lopsided losses from the boys down south. 5-25 over a 30 year period ain’t bad. It’s helping y’all be empathetic to the likes of Vandy and South Carolina.
girl know better than you dogpoops
September 1st, 2010
5:24 pm
yeah Murray the savior of the world and Ealey won’t get in anymore trouble….yeah right
Richt: Win 10+ or Go!
September 1st, 2010
6:10 pm
I’m tired of this mediocrity and annual florida blowouts. Richt needs to win 10+ games or mcgarity needs to send him packing and hire Kirby smart!
drzlstrangelovejr
September 1st, 2010
6:11 pm
how2fish, you and your comments have grown old and boring. Go away, you are not a real UGA fan. In addition, you don’t know jack. Your opinions and your views suck. Go kiss CMR on the mouth. If you insist on staying, at least change your name.
how2fish
September 1st, 2010
7:44 pm
drzlstrangelovejr , why don’t you go away but before you do pucker up and smooch my big black and red azz.
ZACH WAS BETTER THE AARON
September 1st, 2010
10:57 pm
SHOULD HAVE KEPT ZACH DUMB DUMB MARK RICHT,YOU KICKED THE WRONG PERSON OFF THE TEAM JACK@$$
DOGGIE IN NC
September 1st, 2010
11:00 pm
Hey Richt: Win 10 or Go – Just what makes you think Kirby Smart would make a great head coach? The boy is a coat tail rider presently. He may make a great head coach some day, but he is more unproven than our quarterback! If Murray stays healthy, you loosers will be eating your words! GO DOGGIES!
Mr. Georgia Football Returns
September 2nd, 2010
5:02 am
The last time we saw outstanding player leadership on both sides of the ball was Pollock and Greene. I do not see the “on the field” leadership on this team of that caliber. Subsequently, we haven’t won any championships.
James T. Kirk
September 2nd, 2010
8:25 am
I’d feel more comfortable with Jaybo than this clown. Looks like another 6-6 season for the mutts!!!
Football time! Riches await! Dogs, Jackets start with wins | Jeff Schultz
September 2nd, 2010
10:02 am
[...] ♦ Aaron Murray will give Georgia what it has been missing [...]
Predicting UGA's season: Fast start, tough finish for UGA
September 2nd, 2010
5:21 pm
5th year seniors like Joe Cox can make FANS want to cover their eyes.
Aaron Murray says when Logan Gray moved to reciever and Zach Mettenberger was gone,
I was really “THE ONLY GUY”.
Now that’s telling it like it is.
Joe Cox was pretty much “THE ONLY GUY” last year.
Predicting UGA's season: Fast start, tough finish for UGA
September 2nd, 2010
5:33 pm
David Green had D.J. Shockley ready to step in when he screwed up.
Joe Cox had and Aaron Murray has NO COMPETITION.
That is bad Quarterback coaching.
Coolest in the Clutch
September 2nd, 2010
5:51 pm
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NESBITT for HEISMAN
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Yellow Fuzz
September 3rd, 2010
4:51 pm
georgia 26
Shreveport’s Little Sister 20
Bulldogs or Jackets — which team worries you more? | Jeff Schultz
September 12th, 2010
2:09 pm
[...] lost to a solod South Carolina team that may be Steve Spurrier’s best team since he left Florida. Quarterback Aaron Murray looks like the real deal and he’ll continue to get better, which translates to a more productive offense. Todd [...]