Aaron Murray may be playing his final game for Georgia
Aaron Murray and Mark Richt have been together for three seasons. This may be it. (Brant Sanderlin)
ORLANDO – Before this season began, Aaron Murray set a plan for the next two years — not for football, but for a doctorate program in industrial-organizational psychology. Call it an academic and career game plan.
“It’s a pretty big field nowadays,” Murray said in August. “A lot of companies are hiring I-O psychologists.”
Aaron Murray plays a football game Tuesday. There is a very good chance it will be his final football game for Georgia.
This is pure conjecture on my part. It is based on the fact that Murray, as much as he loves college football, has other things going on in his life. He has other things he wants to try. He’s a different kid.
“You mean mature?” Murray said, smiling.
“No,” I responded. (He laughed. Know your audience.)
I presented my theory to Murray, that Georgia’s game against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl would be the end of this chapter in his life. I asked him if my read on him, his mindset and aspirations was correct. He responded without actually answering.
“I definitely have other things [I want to do],” he said. “My whole life, my mom has talked to us about setting goals and thinking about what we want to do in our life. So I’m a very goal-driven person. But I can’t predict the future. I can only live day by day.”
So are you going into this game with the thought that it could be your final game at Georgia?
“No. It’s just another game. I prepare hard for all of them.”
Never try to out-think a psychology major.
Murray is the first quarterback in SEC history to have three straight 3,000-yard passing seasons. In the last two years, he has thrown 66 touchdowns against 22 interceptions, won two SEC East titles and went 21-6. Four weeks ago against Alabama, he and the Bulldogs came within one tipped pass of going to the BCS championship game instead of the Capital One Bowl.
His biggest problems have come in the postseason, with two SEC title losses (to LSU and Alabama) and two bowl game losses (to Central Florida as a freshman and Michigan State last season). If Murray decides to come back, it will be because conference and national championships have eluded him.
I’m just not sure that’s going to do it.
Could he improve his NFL draft stock by coming back? Probably. He battled some consistency problems this season, as evidenced by his completion percentages against South Carolina (35.5), Florida (50) and Alabama (54.5), and his five interceptions in those three games. But this also is considered a weak draft class for quarterbacks. Sometimes an extra season leads NFL scouts to find more flaws. There’s also the potential for injury.
But the potential for improving his draft stock — and right now he’s projected as high as a late first-rounder but more likely second or third round – may not be a big deal for Murray He already has his career blueprint: college football, NFL, I/O psychology.
Save the absence of a conference title and playing for a national championship, Murray has experienced as much as any college football quarterback can expect. He stepped in with Georgia at the bottom, going 6-7, losing to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl in 2010, and then starting 0-2 in 2011. He was there for the program’s turnaround (21-4 since).
With Georgia losing so many players on defense, it’s debatable how strong the Dogs’ chance will be next season.
Murray recently said the loss to Alabama was causing him sleepless nights. On Saturday, he provided this update: “It’s out of my mind now. But I’ll always have memories of it. That game will be replayed on TV for many years.”
He joked that when he’s in retirement, “Maybe by then I’ll figure out a way to tell everybody we actually won the game.”
The next game hasn’t had the same buildup. It won’t have the same ramifications. But a win likely would leave the Dogs as a top-five ranked team and finally allow Murray to end the season with a victory.
“I have yet to win a bowl game, so this is my opportunity to hopefully finally win one and send the seniors off,” he said.
And possibly himself.
By Jeff Schultz
The last 10 from the digital jukebox
– Progress pleases McGarity, but he’s still not ‘comfortable’
– Predictions: It’s time for bowls(!), contest (!) and BCS (ugh)
– NFL playoffs about QBs and coaches — and Falcons have a shot
– Falcons understand that wins, No. 1 seed only set stage
– Short takes: Matt Ryan back to MVP level in last 2 games
– Falcons respond as great teams should in win over Lions
– Live: Falcons seek No. 1 seed, AJC endures without D-Led
– If last week’s Falcons were for real, we’re about to find out
– Falcons’ line on a roll, now gets rematch against Suh
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259 comments Add your comment
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
7:44 am
Aaron Murray ain’t no 3rd Round NFL Draft Pick. He also ain’t going to declare.
I thought that David Pollack made an interesting observation last night : “I’m not a big fan of the people that are blatant homers.”
Jeff Schultz reported yesterday that Greg McGarity refers to those who are the target of posts that only their views be allowed anywhere : ““the society of the miserable. They’re going to vent when things are going really well and when they’re not.”
We each know where everyone on these blogs stands on this point. I, for one, believe in calling it like it is. I am satisfied with 2012 because of the win over Florida, and that is the only reason. I never expected Florida to be a national championship contender 2012; and neither did anyone else – however, they were and would have won their 4th NC in 16 seasons 2012, had we not beat them. I am convinced they would beat both Alabama and Notre Dame. I was likewise convinced we would’ve too, and put up a gallant effort. I do consider my trip to the Sugar Bowl losing to Penn State’s Matt Cavanaugh as a lot worse loss than the loss to Alabama; it was a lot harder to take at the time and still today.
Alabama beat us; they utterly destroyed our defense who despite 11 up-coming NFL Draft Picks, could not either figure out you had to stop the run against Alabama, actually gave up trying and thought they could just pass the football against them – which we almost did. There is still no excuse for the manner in which we spent the entire 2012 season OUT-RUSHED by our opponents; and that is disappointing in our best chance – 2012.
I am not, and neither is anyone else, convinced that Aaron Murray is an NFL Quarterback. He played in a system which was ALWAYS pass-happy, and that is the reason that at
The University of Ground Attack
—————-UGA———————
We will’ve been out-rushed for this 2012 season.
We want to throw the football.
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
7:49 am
Where is Jeff Schultz’s blog about the Falcons ? There is NO WAY we should have been playing our Starters in the 4th quarter in a meaningless pre-season type game.
I TOLD YOU SO.
Atticus
December 31st, 2012
7:58 am
Look at the Top 15 QBs in the NFL….
Name for me all of them that came out early.
Yeah, I thought so.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
8:04 am
DGD.
Murray knows if we didn’t get to the Big Game this season, we won’t be getting in anytime soon. We all know it – it took our most successful coach since VD 12 years, and a freaky schedule, to get to a play-in game.
Our chances won’t get any better with the 4-Team playoff – the SECCG loser won’t ever get in.
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
8:06 am
Jan 1 1983 was a tough day to take losing to Penn State’s Curt Warner 20-24.
AND
Jan 1 1982 was a tough day to take losing to Pittsburgh’s Matt Cavanaugh and Tony Dorsett 23-27.
Losing to Alabama was not nearly as bad as either. I went to all 3 and sat behind a post at 2.
Sunny Cloisters
December 31st, 2012
8:11 am
Murray: “Never try to out-think a psychology major.”
_________________________________________________
Right, and if you put $4 with a worthless psychology diploma from UGA, you can buy a latte at Starbucks.
JustMe
December 31st, 2012
8:12 am
Gawd….lets hope this is his last game!
Bring on Mason.
Buckeye
December 31st, 2012
8:14 am
dogs riding Dumbo.
Classic.
JustMe
December 31st, 2012
8:15 am
If he stays……Hutson Mason should catch the first bus to a big time D1 program with a clue.
Buckeye
December 31st, 2012
8:17 am
tom brown,
Go read Moby Dick and get back to us later.
Tomás Broun
December 31st, 2012
8:19 am
The self-evident truth about Murray is that compared to the really great UGA QBs like Fran Tarkenton, Murray is an insignificant blip. In the NFL, he’ ll be hopelessly outclassed, and after a very lackluster year, he’ll be relegated to a practice squad for a year or two, then quietly dropped. Fortunately for Murray, when this happens, he’s intelligent enough to get a real job and support himself and a family, unlike the 90% of his UGA teammates who will end up on welfare or work at menial jobs that don’ t require any intelligence.
Atlanta truth
December 31st, 2012
8:25 am
Horrible quarterback. Wildly inconsistent. Just like all recent UGA qb’s. Why do we care ? Greene, Shockley, Cox. NO WHERE now. And Stafford ? Doing underwear commercials to milk a failed NFL “career”. What a joke.
Vote for Pedro
December 31st, 2012
8:30 am
Murray done for Richt almost what that kid Cam did for Chiznik at Auburn. If Murray leaves, Georgia better buy a big plunger to get Richt out of the toilet before the p00ps all overflow and flood the whole place
dawgfan
December 31st, 2012
8:41 am
I would be surprised if he left early. He could become only the 13th or 14th (its hard to keep count) quarterback in UGA history to go 4-0 vs. the Joke By Coke on North Avenue. Who could pass that up?
Ddawg75
December 31st, 2012
8:50 am
Where in the world is Mineral Bluff. Apparently you guys don’t get much sports news there.
JD Clowney
December 31st, 2012
8:51 am
I hope Erin comes back, I need to increase my sack total.
Reality check
December 31st, 2012
8:52 am
You all can think what you want, but the reality is if Murray has a solid bowl game New Year’s Day he will head to the NFL. If his outing Tuesday, is average or so-so he will return for his senior year. It is that simple. Yes, he has a world of thoughts that have and will dance around in his head, but it comes down to how he plays Tuesday.
So allow me to translate a little further, Dawg fans, if UGA wins their bowl game decidedly, you will have Mason as your QB next year. If UGA wins by just a few points or loses, Murray will be the QB in 2013.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 31st, 2012
8:58 am
If things don’t workout for Murray in the NFL he can always join Martin Broadwell and associates. Boy do I miss those charm school days at Callaway Gardens. For every failed company you can bet there is a overbearing and obnoxious yankee running the HRD DEPT.
Happy New Year to all….and get out of the market if you’re not already.
Sugar Bowl Witness
December 31st, 2012
9:09 am
Thomas Brown,
If you were at the Sugar Bowl vs Pitt in ‘82 and saw Cavanaugh and Dorsett, they were in the stands. We played against Dorsett in ‘76 and Marino in ‘82. Get your facts straight.
GTBob
December 31st, 2012
9:11 am
If you don’t come back..you will always be remembered as a loser!
63-39-5
December 31st, 2012
9:13 am
Did Tech choke in Athens this season or was Georgia just better?
The latter baby! The joke by coke doesn’t choke, their just inferior.
bye aaron
December 31st, 2012
9:22 am
good luck
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
9:22 am
Joey,
That’s really true; but the question is from my standpoint, do we have the talent on the teams to compete ? I think so. I truly believe Mark Richt, if he doesn’t just quit coaching and full-time minister, will learn the lessons somewhere else that Vince Dooley could’ve taught to him and that Greg McGarity never will.
If we can assume that, you and I, Joey, then, I answer your question to me again that this is why I am satisfied with 2012, as is.
The loss to Alabama did NOT HURT as badly as Penn State 1/1/83 nor Pittsburgh 1/1/82. I believe we have serious issues on and off-the-field. We have this issue that now only 53 scholarship recruits plus 1 transfer-in will play Nebraska, a program we’ve lost to the only time we’ve played them. We have this issue that we are a pass-happy offense which thinks pass 1st and which therefore has will’ve been OUT-RUSHED for the 2012 season. That should never happen at UGA. It is what we will have for the 2012 season, that we gave up more rushing yards than we gained, when in my opinion we have a stable of running backs, none of whom are happy. Well, maybe 1 is : Todd Gurley. But the rest of them, and me and you are NOT happy with the running game. Frankly Todd Gurley shouldn’t be either because he would’ve gained 2,000 yards with any team in the nation 2012 season.
We’ve squandered Keith Marshall 2012 season, not getting him out in the space. And, we’ve squandered what we had on defense 2012, not insisting on discipline and on off the field, which is another on-going issue with this program.
We also have issues with too many QB on the roster and none of them ever, except DJ Shockley, was ever prepared as our back-up QB.
The OL has been an on-going issue every year. Sign 7 one year and 1 the next 2 years. It’s BS.
The coaching staff is a mis-mash of non-matching pieces no one wants. Rodney Garner jumped ship for equal job he’s had all his life, after Mark Richt forced him out earlier with his OTHER HIRE AS RECRUITING COORDINATOR. Mike Bobo’s offense is a pass-happy offense who only runs the ball up the middle and only when the pass isn’t needed. Given a choice, he chooses pass every single solitary time.
All that aside, the fact remains we have GREAT TALENT under Mark Richt. He does have the 2nd best recruiting in the nation starting 2001, and he will have the MOST NFL DRAFT PICKS after the up-coming NFL Draft starting 2001 unless Southern California can somehow get 9 NFL Draft Picks, which I don’t think they have.
Following me Joey ?
We have talent.
The coach will learn what he is missing, if not here, then at his next gig – if there is a next gig.
And, 2012, although I said pre-season we’d go 12-2 losing to South Carolina and Alabama and play a pitiful team in the bowl game we’d beat, the facts are Florida was a LOT better than I gave them credit for. I asked they beat top team. They did that. The TD Todd Gurley got to start the FL game was wonderful. And, the pass on 3rd down by Aaron Murray to our best WR Malcolm Mitchell who with the block downfield on 2 Florida defenders by TE Artie Lynch. Florida scored no TD on us, by direct comparison.
We needed that win. I don’t care how we got it. I’m satisfied with 2012 season, our best chance.
beebee
December 31st, 2012
9:22 am
beebee here.
actually, he could enter the draft, get drafted for sure, pick up some nice change, see how things go, and start his PhD program whenever he likes.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 31st, 2012
9:59 am
I think I am correct that Murray hasn’t had a major knee injury in his 4 years so that is a plus for him as well. No need to comeback and take that chance for he will never get to the 1st round anyway. Do the Steve Miller thing Murray …take the money and run
We still do not get it
December 31st, 2012
10:01 am
MNCs are not won with QBs that throw the ball around. In the SEC, the championship teams can throw for sure, but they play D AND they control the LOS UGA under CMR plays 90s ACC FSU ball and that does NOT WORK in the SEC now or on the 90s.
LOOK at how SC under SS has become far more physical on the LOS and with a local Georgia born average QB that manages his coach’s game plan.
Murray s an exemplary young man but he is not a championship caliber SEC QB.
Smarticus
December 31st, 2012
10:39 am
Murray will be back another year to choke if UGA gets close to a championship of some sort…
AU Liberal in ATL
December 31st, 2012
10:40 am
He should’ve packed it in when his “fans” egged his house and rolled his yard. Who would want to play for such a bunch of a-holes? I guess he has too much class to tell you all to go straight to Hell.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
10:43 am
I’m not satisfied, TB, but that’s just me. Problem #1? Not enough talent and depth on the lines. Skill position starters? We match or surpass anybody. But beat Nebraska, and it’s hard to grumble with 12-2. Just, lost chances . . .
Also I could tell you some good (and funny) (and scary) stories of my 4 trips to the Big Easy for the Sugar Bowl in the seasons of ‘76, ‘80, ‘81, ‘82.
The first as a teen, with my dad, and the last 3 by myself or with my favorite girl, and stayed in the Fairmont Hotel, and got up early (hung-over usually) to go down to the lobby restaurant, where I chatted with Erk, Belue, Loran, Grizzard, and literally, hundreds of players and fans.
Amazing times.
Aaron Murray IS ready for the NFL. Brainey, and athletic, and has the skill-set to win MVP of the Elite 11, and wowwed everybody at the Manning Bros QB Camp, he will wow the GMs at the NFL Combine. Hopefully get with an elite coach, and get to sit and learn for 3 years.
I hope he doesn’t go – but he should.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 31st, 2012
10:43 am
Murray will not be as good as Cam is at bumping the officials!
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 31st, 2012
10:46 am
I always want kids to stay for their Senior year, but that is to finish their degree. Murray has his degree and NFL money is waiting. If I were him I would give the NFL a shot. That have his name in the record books is great too. As a tech fan I don’t want to play him again but that is not why I think he should go. If he makes it in the NFL great and If he only gets 1 contract then he cam move into coaching or his Profession he got his degree for. I figure he will be between #3-#5 QB taken in the draft.
Pitbull
December 31st, 2012
10:46 am
Love all of the hate that the Techies are throwing towards Aaron Murray.
It doesn’t change the fact that Aaron Murray is 3-0 against Georgia Tech.
El Paso is the new Boise thanks to Georgia Tech.
Buckeye
December 31st, 2012
10:52 am
“Tub” Jenkins:
Lunch time!
BK, Micky D, Wendy’s, Chik Fil A and Steak and Shake!!
I’m having my own french fry taste test!
Joey
December 31st, 2012
10:54 am
AU Liberal in ATL,
Only panty-wasted libs “pack it in” over some eggs.
Plus, 99.9% of UGA fans appreciate Aaron Murray and the efforts he has given in every single game.
It only takes one “a-hole” to egg a house, or ruin a football blog.
Sissy.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
10:59 am
Timeout – a post without an insult!
Buckeye – I’m smiling as I think of you at Steak n Shake, making fun of Jenkins’ eating habits, not noticing he is sitting in the next booth over, til he reaches over and . . .
Old Dawg
December 31st, 2012
11:02 am
Murray is a DGD and good leader. He will achieve success in whatever field he pursues. I wish him the best!
DaddyDawg
December 31st, 2012
11:15 am
I Think Murray should do what is right for Murray. It is ashamed to me as a Georgia Fan that all we have to do is slam a 20 to 21 year old kid. Murray i enjoyed watching you play the game and if you decide to return i will enjoy watching you break all the SEC records. Good Luck to you either way and god bless. As a Georgia Fan all of the bashers should be ashamed that the person showing the most class on this blog is an alabama fan, Crimson Pride, no disrespect intended. It shows a lot of class to compliment the team you played instead of bashing. Good luck to yall and i will be pulling for you to beat the irish. As far as Saban i never was a fan but when he went to bat for georgia he earned a lot of respect from me.
rod
December 31st, 2012
11:22 am
AAron is a great young man but i do not see him as a god pro. He is slightly above average in the SEC. McCarron and Shaw are ahead of him Stay another year Aaron.
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
11:32 am
I was at that one, too.
If Aaron Murray has a solid bowl game, or not; he still will not be no 3rd Round Pick and he still will get all the snaps against every team so that he can throw 5 TD passes against 4-9 New Mexico State of the western non-athletic conference. The bowl game has no bearing on Aaron Murray, therefore, either way.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
11:33 am
rod, no way are either of those guys ahead of Murray. We’ve seen what Murray can do when protected, if you were actually watching.
McCarron only has an advantage in the category of, “Mom with the biggest breast implants.”
Enjoy – that’s her in the middle:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=aj+mccarron+moms+photos&qpvt=aj+mccarron+moms+photos&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=1BC763DB7BA940DD09EF6E5BD9CEA8DF63791EBD&selectedIndex=1
archie
December 31st, 2012
11:36 am
SSDI, “Same (Stuff) Different Day!” I guess somebody writing something really original on this blog is too much to hope for! Aaron has burned his candle well at UGA, considering he already has his undergrad degree and is closing in on his Masters. If he decides to stay at UGA, he could probably finish up his Doctoral work ABD. Now, how many college football players do you know that can top that?
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
11:37 am
Fairmont Hotel, we stayed there too; both as student to those games, and then as seasons’ tickets holders.
Aaron Murray is NOT an NFL Quarterback. If there is any chance he will become one, he has to come back and make himself into 1. Not drafted in the 3rd Round. And, he will not declare. And, he will take every snap
again.
Mean_Mr_Mustard
December 31st, 2012
11:38 am
Murray would be crazy not to take the money now if he can get it. Loyalty only goes so far.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
11:43 am
Thomas, the NFL doesn’t care who a college QB plays, how many games they won, or what the team’s record is. How’d that work out for Greene and McCoy?
The NFL combine tells the tale – if Murray can make the throws, and the NFL believes they can give him the support to win, they will draft him.
archie
December 31st, 2012
11:45 am
Correction on that last comment, That acronym is actually SSDD ” Same (Stuff) Different Day.” That Freudian slip came from too many years of working for a certain governmental agency!
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
11:49 am
Please quit making excuses for his protection. His OL are in the NFL, and those still here, will be. You’re just happy with the passing numbers. If we handed the ball off to Todd Gurley up the gut and Keith Marshall in space, and did that every down as every single team has done against us all season long again 2012, we wouldn’t be where we are with the entire 2012 season, out-rushed.
We’re a pass 1st offense and have been. It’s what we do. The only time we run the football is if the game requires it, and even then, we still pass the football frequently.
There is nothing wrong with the offense which couldn’t all be fixed if Aaron Murray would just hand the football off on every single down all 2012. Same goes for 2013. There is no excuse saying that Aaron Murray has ARRIVED and is jumping to the NFL because all we did all these years since Aaron Murray began practicing for the 1st Michigan State bowl game the 2008 season, is pass the football 1st.
He’s not an NFL Quarterback. And, he’s a lot better quarterback than Hutson Mason is. He should’ve been the difference our favor in the Alabama game, and was not because we used 1 RB and have the best stable of running backs 2012 we’ve ever had, one of whom we totally misused never getting him the ball out in space. It was sad 2012 watching every team out-rush us with what we should’ve had running the ball 2012.
As a result of that, you run in here Joey and proclaim the lack of protection Aaron Murray’s only issue and state he is NFL ready and gone. As a result of that, I claim the system made Aaron Murray’s numbers, and the guy himself a fluke.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
11:49 am
SSDI? You were a spy, archie?
Joey
December 31st, 2012
11:51 am
Well, let’s just watch, TB.
I expect your opinion matters to the NFL about as much as mine.
I’ll still be on here in April . . .
Thomas Brown
December 31st, 2012
11:57 am
Aaron Murray – here since December 2008 – has beat 1 team, Florida, and did not look good in that game.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
12:00 pm
Yeah, Murray can’t tackle a lick. Not to mention, he misses blocks, and drops passes, etc, etc.