Greatest quarterback debate continues
Fans love to debate who was the greatest this, that or the other, and with Matthew Stafford much in the news of late, the discussion about UGA’s all-time greatest quarterback comes up frequently. The Athens Banner-Herald has put a new twist on the discussion by surveying Bulldog football insiders on Georgia’s greatest quarterback ever. Some of the answers, particularly, Vince Dooley’s, may surprise you. The overall winner in the ABH survey is David Greene, the winningest QB in NCAA history, followed by sentimental choice Buck Belue (a national championship is hard to trump), Fran Tarkenton, Charley Trippi (yeah, he played quarterback as well as halfback), Johnny Rauch, Eric Zeier, D.J. Shockley and Stafford. If I’m pinned down on the subject, I have to equivocate a little by saying it depends on whether you’re talking Georgia’s greatest college quarterback or greatest quarterback, period. As a college QB, I don’t think you can argue with the cool reliability and winning record of Greenie, so I’d go along with the results of the survey. But if you take their entire career as a quarterback into consideration, not just their time in Athens, I don’t see any way Tarkenton doesn’t top the list by a mile. Feel free to continue the debate. …
Elsewhere, USA Today says that if Stafford is the Detroit Lions’ first-round draft pick, history is stacked against him. … The Diamond Dogs suffered a rare road loss at Jacksonville State Wednesday, going down 9-7. That’s only their third loss on the road so far this season. The other two were also in the state of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa. Let’s hope Perno’s Pups get over their problems with that state before the SEC tournament in May in Hoover. Meanwhile, the road gets tougher this weekend with three games against a tough Ole Miss team.
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103 comments Add your comment
Dave
April 23rd, 2009
11:36 am
Greene gets my nod as Georgia’s best college QB. Next, I would have to go with Z, then Tarkenton, Shockley, Trippi, Rausch, etc… I don’t think that Stafford would rate in my top 10 as I never felt he was the impact player that a QB needs to be in both the lockeroom and on the field.
Enjoy your columns.
GeoffDawg
April 23rd, 2009
11:43 am
In my opinion, this debate should mostly be relegated to what the player did in college and even though he didn’t have the best arm or throw the prettiest ball, you have got to give it to Greene for that unbelievable win/loss record. However, I truly believe that Eric Zeier is routinely unfairly discounted due to the mediocre Ray Goff teams he played for. He probably had the best combination arm strength/accuracy of any QB in program history and if you had put him on some of CMR’s teams, he’d probably have left with a Heisman to his credit.
Alabamadawg
April 23rd, 2009
11:53 am
I certainly agree that Greene was our best QB, then its open to several others for the next spots, although, I’m alittle bit surprised I haven’t heard Andy Johnson’s name mentioned…
Owen Scoti, III
April 23rd, 2009
11:54 am
Fran Tarkenton, hands down.
Owen Scoti, III
April 23rd, 2009
11:59 am
I purposely didn’t read the other comments prior to posting. I want to add that Matthew Stafford was an awesome QB for Georgia who had impact numerous times. OK, we didn’t go undefeated last year and win the BCS NC. Unfortunately, Matt didn’t play on both sides of the ball.
Daniel #12
April 23rd, 2009
12:14 pm
Fran Tarkenton, Andy Johnson, Paul Gilbert and Pete Dickens in that order. In my book the greatest QB for UGA had to have previously played for Weyman Sellers at Athens High.
Bill King
April 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
Well, Andy Johnson is one of my personal favorites, being a fellow Athens High School Class of ‘70 grad. And if the question was best running quarterback or best athlete as quarterback, I think Andy would be the winner.
Dorsey Hill
April 23rd, 2009
12:49 pm
It all depends on how you view the question: “who is the greatest UGA QB”
If the question is who was the Best Winner at UGA its Greene.
If the question is who was the best QB to come through the program at UGA its still Fran, by a mile, as King says.
If its who is the Most Prototypical NFL-caliber QB then its Stafford.
If you go with Who won the National Title as QB its Buck.
If you start getting into ability to throw the ball accurately, Zeier has to be at the top
If its the most athletic ability then you could argue for hours about Shockley and Trippi and Goff and Carter for that matter.
I’m just glad we have so many to talk about. Can you imagine this discussion on an Auburn blog. Damn that would be a thin list. “Well you got Pat Sullivan and …???…and ??? and ????. Oh well whatever.”
Alabamadawg
April 23rd, 2009
1:01 pm
Well I’m glad nobody is trashing me for throwing Andy Johnson’s name into the mix.Does anybody know what he, Jimmy Poulous, and Glen Harrison are doing these days…
Dink
April 23rd, 2009
1:05 pm
I vote for Trippi but Matt Robinson was always my favorite.
Thanks, Bill...
April 23rd, 2009
1:06 pm
…for going back and giving Andy kudos – you being an Athens native I couldn’t believe you left him off the list.
Yeah, I am as old as you, but neither of us saw Fran or Charlie at UGA! And, you are correct about Andy’s running abilities, served him well in the NFL! I guess we are just remembering him running Valdosta ragged in the 1969 high school state championship game that ended in the infamous tie!
Mad Dog
April 23rd, 2009
1:06 pm
Fran Tarkenton was the best I have seen, and he did pretty well with the Vikings. You would have to consider Trippi, since he played defense too. In recent years it would have to be Green. He had leadership skills that no one has touched lately.
Denver Dog
April 23rd, 2009
1:07 pm
Greatest QB College and Pro Fran Tarkenton
Greatest College QB No doubt, Buck Belue
Greatest modern College QB Greene
Most fun to watch: James Jackson
Best all around: Matt Robinson
My favorite: Ray Goff
Right On Time
April 23rd, 2009
1:10 pm
I agree with you Geoff, Zier was the man. That October 91′ game against clemson was terriffic. The 1992 team that he was on may have been the best UGA team (talent wise) ever…EVER. techsters only think CG was a bad coach. That 92′ team should have won the NC going away and Hearst should have wont the Heisman over toretta. Yes, sour grapes.
to complete the list:
Greene, Fran, Rauch, DJ, Buck, Zeke, Johnson.
GeoffDawg
April 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
Right On Time – offensively, I agree that the three headed monster of Zeier, Hearst, and Hastings was probably the best ever. Even better than last year’s combination of Stafford, Moreno, and Green. However, just like in 2008, Zeier had to suffer through some pretty bad defenses. Some games looked like we didn’t even have players on the field, we got picked apart with such ease and regularity. Playing Florida one year, I wanted to rip my hair out watching the slowest receiver in the SEC, Chris Doehring (sp?) get open by 10 yards or more play after play after play. If we’d had somebody like BVG as the DC back then, there’s no telling how unstoppable that team would’ve been.
Voice of Reason
April 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
alabamadawg- I don’t know about the other two but last I heard Andy Johnson was working for a credit insurance company in Georgia, although I can not for the life of me remember the name of the company.
DawginLex
April 23rd, 2009
2:01 pm
When you look at college only, it has to be Greene.
My list:
Greene
Tarkenton
Belue
Shockley
Stafford
Zeier
Goff
Robinson
Lastinger
Wil Walton
April 23rd, 2009
2:07 pm
Hey now, there’s a name… John Lastinger. Wow! Didn’t even think of him. Personally, I think they stack like this: Zeier, Tarkenton, Rauch, Greene, Belue, Johnson, Shockley, Robinson, Lastinger, Goff. Stafford may very well move into that list if he proves in the NFL what he’s been hyped as since HS. Forgot: Honorable Mention goes to Reggie Ball. Just teasing the Tech fans.
Bill King
April 23rd, 2009
2:12 pm
I wondered if anyone would bring up John Lastinger, jokingly known as the quarterback who couldn’t do anything but win. Coach Dooley said of him once: “He’s not great at anything, but he’s good at everything.” And, yes, it’s stilfl 10 to 9 in Dallas.
Bill King
April 23rd, 2009
2:14 pm
My finger slipped. That’s still 10 to 9 in Dallas.
DawginLex
April 23rd, 2009
2:24 pm
One of the funniest things I ever heard in my life was the morning after the Cotton Bowl when Lewis Grizzard got on the radio and stated it was 7:30 in Atlanta but down in Texas it is still 10 to 9.
The calls that followed were legendary from Texas fans griping about McIntyre holding on the winning TD run.
Renegade
April 23rd, 2009
2:35 pm
Greg Talley
AltamahaDawg
April 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
Zeire was most pure fun to watch.
Bill King
April 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Andy Johnson still lives in Athens. He recently was named by the New England Patriots to the franchise’s All-Decade team for the 1970s as a running back.
UGAly
April 23rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Agree with Dave in that Stafford wasn’t the leader we expected him to be. He had the tools to take the team on his back and make things happen.
MountainDawg
April 23rd, 2009
3:04 pm
There’s been a handful of great ones, so it’s not totally clear-cut. I’d say the “greatest” was Fran Tarkenton, the best (statistically) being Eric Z, and having the most talent (for the next level) is Stafford. Andy Johnson, Greene & Bobo were outstanding as well.
Cuz
April 23rd, 2009
3:12 pm
In college talent wise, I am going with Zeier. The most heart, tie between Bobo and Shockley.
Jeff
April 23rd, 2009
3:21 pm
Hands down most wins by any college QB, Greene is #1. I will never forget watching him lead our team to victory at Auburn in 02.
BobDog
April 23rd, 2009
3:28 pm
Stafford was at a disadvantage with the O lines he had in front of him. It would have been fun to see what he could have done with an experienced, full-strength line.
Denver Dog, LOL. You don’t consider Belue to be in the modern era?
I didn’t see Trippi play. I have a feeling had we all seen him play, we would vote him #1 considering his accomplishments.
DawginLex
April 23rd, 2009
3:29 pm
I forgot about Bobo. Never lost to Tech and beat Florida in 97. Set the Outback Bowl record for completions in a row.
Probably have to make the bottom half of my list of 10(10 with him included)
tift county dawg
April 23rd, 2009
3:56 pm
Got be Quincy Carter. The man was a genius on and off the field. We cant thank you enough coach D.
shane#1
April 23rd, 2009
4:10 pm
No one has mentioned the impact a man has had on the game of football. The winner there would be Johnny Rauch. I never saw the man play but I heard My Dad speak of him so often that I feel like I knew the man. I am going by what My Dad said so I may have a few facts wrong, but I believe that Rauch Quarterbacked the Dawgs to an undefeated season, topping it off with a win over undefeated UNC in the Sugar Bowl. UNC was led by the ledgendary “Choo Choo” Justice. What I know is that Rauch took the offense that Wally Butts had installed for him into pro football. He became the Coach of a brash new team under a brash young owner in a brash new league know as the AFL. The AFL didn’t settle for three yards and a cloud of dust like the NFL, they threw the ball, all over the field. Rauch was HC of the Oakland Raiders, and he had a couple of assistants that learned the “new” football well. Walsh and Madden. The game was never the same.
shawn
April 23rd, 2009
4:14 pm
Joey T baby
GeoffDawg
April 23rd, 2009
4:14 pm
Hmm, so the west coast offense really originated with Georgia. I didn’t know that.
Dink
April 23rd, 2009
4:36 pm
I have to mention Kirby Moore because he was one of my Dad’s favorites. Dad used to always talk about how underrated he was & said his 87 yd TD run against South Carolina was one of the best he ever saw.
Tony
April 23rd, 2009
4:51 pm
David Green. Not flashy. Doesn’t have the strongest arm, or athletic ability. You had to time him in the 40 with a calander, but he was a flat out winner. Leadership & consistancy were his values. As much as I’m a Stafford fan, he didn’t have either of those.
Tony
April 23rd, 2009
4:53 pm
Reggie Ball. Nough said.
Harry
April 23rd, 2009
5:09 pm
How bout John Lastinger who won an sec title, I would put him over stafford
Bill W.
April 23rd, 2009
5:13 pm
What about Hines Ward?
Ed
April 23rd, 2009
5:15 pm
I agree with your assessment of Tarketon – greatest overall career and an SEC Championship at Georgia makes him hard to beat. I mean, he’s Fran Tarketon, NFL Hall of Famer.
I think David Greene was great, but I give the nod to Zeir. He played on teams that had no running game and crappy defenses but he did everything a qb could do to make the team better; I really believe that’s the only reason he doesn’t enjoy Buck Belue-like celebrity status in Georgia. The guy had a great arm, lots of grit, and a cool head. Put him on any of Richt’s teams and he would be a legend.
Others that I hold in high regard: Greene, Shockley, Belue, Lastinger, Bobo, Goff and Andy Johnson. It bothers me sometimes that instead of being remembered as the SEC winning hero of the ‘76 team and a great assistant coach / recruiter, Goff is remembered as a bad head coach. But that’s life.
As for Stafford…I should be bothered that he left early, but I’m not. I actually think Cox may be an upgrade as a college qb. Nothing against him, but I can’t get over the feeling that he lacks something intangible. I hope I’m wrong and he has a Hall of Fame NFL career.
shane#1
April 23rd, 2009
5:17 pm
GeoffDawg, I would not go THAT far. Walsh is the father of the West Coast offense. However, everything has to start somewhere, there are very few original ideas. Many college Coaches, including Wally Butts, had started throwing the ball around before the NFL caught on. It seems to Me that most new systems had their start in a college somewhere. Is it just Me or does the NFL saeem somewhat hidebound to you guys?
Bill King
April 23rd, 2009
5:17 pm
Hines Ward is another fan favorite. Had he stayed at quarterback, I’m sure he would have done some amazing things and put up some big numbers. I’ll never forget him playing his heart out against Auburn on that freezing night in Athens. But in the end I’m glad Donnan finally settled on moving him to receiver, which is where his pro future was.
Ed
April 23rd, 2009
5:22 pm
Agree with Bill W – you have to include Hines Ward. Another guy that played QB on crappy teams, but one of the best all-around players UGA has ever had. And a tough SOB – I’ll never forget that crunching block he put on a Gator DB in the ‘97 game that sprung Robert Edwards for a TD. A real de-cleater. He also made a great sideline catch of a 3rd-and-long Bobo pass that took the momentum back from UF. Great player.
BARKINDAWG
April 23rd, 2009
5:36 pm
DAVID GREENE – ENOUGH SAID!
Otto
April 23rd, 2009
5:50 pm
Greene and Eric Z are the best fron the 80s until now. I can’t really rank Tarkenton, Trippi, and the other legends as I never saw them play. Eric was fun to watch. He had the best long ball I have watched at uGA.
Dawg85
April 23rd, 2009
5:57 pm
Based on college alone I’d have to go with David Greene for the combination of winning and stats. Lots of great ones listed here that deserve mention. One I didn’t see was Zeke Bratkowski who definitely deserves mention. Different eras and situations make it a tough call they were all good darned good Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
April 23rd, 2009
6:14 pm
Doesn’t Joe Cox hold the record for best WP as a starter.
CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE THE ONLY THING!
April 23rd, 2009
6:23 pm
Buck Belue won 2 SEC Championships and 1 National Championship, therefore he is #1. After that, there can be much debate between all the guys that won 1 SEC title. No where on the list is Stafford. Leaving early without even a trip to the SEC title game ranks him even with Q. Carter. Eric Zeier is ahead of Stafford, at least he stayed 4 years to try to win titles.
shane#1
April 23rd, 2009
6:28 pm
I am tryimg to list Tech’s great QBs. UM, I’ll have to get back to you.
Ryan
April 23rd, 2009
7:02 pm
David Greene, Eric Z, Fran T, DJ Shockley and Buck Belue round out my top 5. Honestly, I really never was impressed with Stafford. UGA will do fine without him next year. Not having Knowshon back though…that hurts.
Lee
April 23rd, 2009
7:38 pm
Jeff Pyburn
icedawg
April 23rd, 2009
8:16 pm
I agree, Buck Belue, 2 SEC & 1 National Championships. David Greene is close behind as well as Fran Tarkenton.
The greatest UGA athlete to play the position was Hines Ward.
jcallen12003
April 23rd, 2009
8:33 pm
Compared to Alabama QB’s ..none of these guys can really measure up,maybe a few but the majority..NO!
Bill Berry
April 23rd, 2009
8:39 pm
Absolutely no brainer, Fran Tarkenton by a mile. If he didn’t have Wally Butts playing Charlie Britt ahead of him his sophmore and junior years he would have had two other great seasons……..
Bill
beanuga
April 23rd, 2009
8:41 pm
I would have to say Stafford is the best. He had a young OL.
Matt Stafford will be like David Greene
April 23rd, 2009
8:41 pm
Die on the bench!
Joey Hester???
April 23rd, 2009
8:49 pm
Johnson lives here in Athens, Glynn Harrison is a high school coach in the Rome area, I believe. To the question at hand. pure passer? ‘Z’, leader? Greene, Goff, or Johnson, athlete? Goff or Johnson, with Fran very close behind. Don’t forget Fran was a part time starter at UGA, just as Goff split time with Robinson, another great pure passer who played in the NFL for several years. best play action? Greene, hands down. strongest arm? Stafford, who overthrew more deep passes than any qb ever to play in Athens. finally, Buck may have been more noted for handing off to Herschel, but as I recall the play that beat Florida was a pass to Lindsay. BTW, can you imagine Knowshon running behind Herschel’s line?
Wally Butts
April 23rd, 2009
8:50 pm
Larry Rakestraw & Preston Ridlehuber, without a doubt, had the best names.
Fran?
April 23rd, 2009
8:54 pm
Bill Berry, interesting comment about Fran. I agree with Shane, and actually go him one further to say that the original germination of the West Coast offense did, in fact, formulate itself in the mind of Johnny Rauch based on some of Coach Butts’ ideas. I have to believe, though, that that same Coach Butts’ played Charlie ahead of Fran because he was a better fit for the offense AT THAT TIME. Fran was great, but his greatness came in the NFL, which is outside the purview of this discussion. I wish Stafford in ‘07 and Greene in ‘03 had Fran’s scrambling skills.
do the dew
April 23rd, 2009
8:55 pm
Don’t forget the guy that flunked out of UGA and went from the bench at GA to the hero’s seat at Tech…funny he flunked out of UGA and graduated from Tech….John ‘I’m No. 1′ Dewberry
Tyrone, too
April 23rd, 2009
8:56 pm
Tyrone Sorrells is another player who flunked out of UGA and made it at Tech….hmmmm
Staf
April 23rd, 2009
8:58 pm
Ed,
I agree completely.
braveshater
April 23rd, 2009
9:01 pm
Georgia would have been undefeated had D.J. Shockley been allowed to play as he should have. We all know politics rule at that level, it was obvious he was a better playmaker. Just one of the many reasons Georgia hasnt been to the pinnacle of the sport since number two on the list BB.
Tommy
April 23rd, 2009
9:20 pm
Another Z was pretty good – Zeke Bratkowski; good enough to be Bart Starr’s backup during the Packers’ dynasty.
Goff doesn’t get the consideration because the younger fans are punishing him for his coaching tenure. He was also a helluva QB; ask Florida in ‘76.
Can’t argue with Trippi and Greene with next to Zeier, Goff. Johnson and Ward were more athletes and Tarkenton had much more success in NFL.
superDawg
April 23rd, 2009
9:25 pm
David Green- broke the drought against tennesee,made verron haynes famous with Larry munson’s help.D.J.SHOCKLEY stayed with UGA great guy,good luck with the falcons.Buck Belue he had Hershal and Lindsey Scott enough said.Well that leaves Joe Cox that book has not been written yet i hope it is a best seller.Last but not least reganald ball he was good.
Mikey
April 23rd, 2009
9:27 pm
David Greene was as cool as a bag of UGA’s ice.
simply unflappable…
CHill Dawg
April 23rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Maybe im biased not having seen Tarkenton play myself, but c’mon it’s David Greene EASY. ALL-TIME Winningest NCAA QB nuff’ said. I love Buck but come on, there was a certain running back on his team that might have helped just a little bit.
waynester
April 23rd, 2009
10:44 pm
I remember seeing Ray Goff as a teenager a Mack-Tharpe stadium in Moultrie and being absolutely stunned by his athleticism–my grandad, who had coached him in little leagues told me to watch out for this guy and sure enough, he was all that and more. A dawg to be proud of!
murfdawg
April 23rd, 2009
10:47 pm
David Greene would have to be considered the best, because of all the games he won.
Buck Belue would have to be considered the best by the people who only look at championships.
But if I’m down by six, 65 yards to go with 1:29 left on the clock, I want Andy Johnson!
If I’m playing Auburn, I want Tarkenton.
If I’m playing Fla, I want Mike Cavan. Who by the way, was the Sophmore of the Year ahead of Archie Manning and Scott Hunter.
I guess that makes me a candidate for possibly winning the definite maybe contest.
mikemike
April 23rd, 2009
10:59 pm
brian smith won at clemson in 95. loudest ive ever heard any
stadium. i think hines ward didn’t play that game b/c they
couldn’t figure out yet where to put him!!! can anyone confirm
that? tks.
Cuz
April 23rd, 2009
11:27 pm
Matt Robinson.
Robster
April 23rd, 2009
11:39 pm
Tommy,
I’m one of the “younger fans” who wasn’t around during ray goof’s playing days. It’s very difficult for me not to vomit, when I see his name somehow associated with the word “great.” However, it’s difficult for me to consider any UGA QB “great.” Why? Because my sophomoric eyes haven’t seen a modern Georgia QB lead his team to multiple victories over Florida. Yes, I went there. As a Bulldog, you can not achieve greatness, without conquering your most hated rival on a consistant basis. What UGA QB has done so? Tarkenton? Trippi? Belue? I wasn’t alive back then, so you tell me. As far as goff getting punished for his tenure as coach…Somebody should be!
Hal Vernon
April 24th, 2009
12:36 am
Is it 10-9 in Dallas or is it the game that Dooley knowingly played kids that had already flunked out (ie Pulpwood Smith, etc)
joe
April 24th, 2009
12:47 am
Greene is not even close to the best QB at UGA. He had little to no talent, and the only reason he’s the winningest QB in NCAA history is because his great defenses won most of his games for him. If Stafford had Greene’s defenses and offensive lines, there’s not telling what UGA would have done in his three years.
As for the most physically talented UGA QB, it’s easily Stafford. As for the QB who did the most at UGA, it’s either Tarkenton or Belue.
Alabamadawg
April 24th, 2009
1:10 am
I loved watching Belue play, but having said that, I’m not sure he’d ever see the field at Georgia these days…
Dontgothere
April 24th, 2009
7:25 am
Hey Joe, get a clue when you start talking about David Greene. You talk like he was a hack that just happened to be the QB with great defenses. Well if that is the case, riddle me this oh great one, why is David Greene still listed as the all time leading PASSER in SEC history. That’s right brainiac, he not only won more games than anyone in NCAA history as a starter, he threw for more yards in the SEC than anyone that ever played QB. So in the future on this and other subjects, know your subject matter before you take a stance on an issue.
AltamahaDawg
April 24th, 2009
7:34 am
Player Goff was a 3 yr letterman, a SEC player of the year, an SEC title winner, won 19 games in his 2 years as a starter, NEVER lost to Florida, (btw, would THAT be considered a modern day Qb with multiple wins over Fl?) and considered the best option QB we have ever had.
Coach Goff did not hire himself. Your problem appears to be with Coach Dooley.
ACC>SEC
April 24th, 2009
8:24 am
Joe Hamilton was the best quarterback that ever played college ball in Georgia.
GeoffDawg
April 24th, 2009
8:51 am
Correction – I think he meant to write that Joe Hamilton was the drunkest quarterback to ever play in Georgia.
Red Elephant
April 24th, 2009
9:08 am
1.) Greene – Best stats
2.) Belue – Most Championships
3.) Tarkenton – Golden oldie
4.) Zeier – Probably the best QB you ever had
5.) Stafford – Supreme goose egg layer – the King of ‘what could have been.’
6.) Rauch – Helped lay the foundation for your tradition.
7.) Shockley – Probably would have won another SEC title if he didn’t share time with Greene.
Long time dog.
April 24th, 2009
9:13 am
Buck Belue won a N/C That alone makes him #1 To me.
Huh?
April 24th, 2009
9:27 am
Joe has a point. Greene had a much better supporting cast than Stafford ever had. If you don’t believe that you’ve got your head stuck in the sand. I remember very well that there were games that Greene was not on top of his game but we still won because of the defense. On the other hand, I don’t think Stafford can match Greene’s consistency. Anyway, its a closer call than most seem to think. You can measure a quarterback by wins and championships if you want, but I just have a problem with it. Its not very objective. Its a team game.
Jay
April 24th, 2009
9:30 am
david greene sucked. never could win the big game. and dont give me that bs florida win against the zooker. im a georgia grad, and love the dawgs but david greene really doesnt belong on this list. better than tarkenton? belue? even shock? i dont think so…
Jay
April 24th, 2009
9:31 am
ohh, and i didnt even bring up when he wet his pants in death valley…
Saint Simons
April 24th, 2009
9:48 am
Barney fife was uga’s best qb!!
OKCBULLDOG
April 24th, 2009
9:58 am
It is a tough call between Shockley, Green, and Zeier. David Green was great as he was real efficient, but his accomplishment of being the winningest quarterback in not only UGA history but college football history is somewhat a little overstated. There is no coincedence that he happen to be at the helm during the time the bulldogs had their best defenses in a long time. They only had to score 20 points agame during that run (2001-2004) to win as the defense was only giving up about 18 points a game during that run. During Green’s tenure it was the defense that sticks out more in my mine than the play of the quarterback or any position on the offensive side of the ball.
scdawg
April 24th, 2009
10:04 am
Most talent- Stafford
Winner- David Greene
Best under pressure- Buck Belue
Most potential but didn’t get to play – Preston Jones
most accurate- Zeier
Best college/pro – tarkenton
best athlete- Quincy Carter
worst- Talley
Voice of Reason
April 24th, 2009
10:12 am
haha saint simons that was REAL funny… you should go on the road. moron
Voice of Reason
April 24th, 2009
10:14 am
no no— worst- Joe T
MA Merrill
April 24th, 2009
10:42 am
Eric Zeier! Hands down!! I have always said that, even during all the Stafford fanfair. I love seeing so many people on here agree with me. No one threw with such accuracy as Zeier and if he had the team his last 2 years that Stafford had, he would have won the National Championship and the Heisman! He was so much fun to watch. I was at UGA those years and a lot of the time, he WAS out team and he had heart and such intelligence about the game. I would love to see him on Georgia’s coaching staff. He is the best QB Georgia has ever had!
MA Merrill
April 24th, 2009
10:46 am
Ryan…I could have written your comment myself. I couldn’t agree more with everything you said. Georgia will do fine without Stafford…the loss of Knowshon will hurt. And your QB list…right on!
GGTOG & THWGT
April 24th, 2009
11:00 am
mikemike: In that Clemson game in ‘95 I believe Hines Ward was playing running back. That was the year we ran through about 7rbs and 3 qbs because of injuries.
Huh?
April 24th, 2009
11:00 am
MA Merrell, Zeier would not have won any national championships if his defense were giving up 30+ points per game like Georgia’s was in the second half of last season. You’re out to lunch pal.
Matthew
April 24th, 2009
11:52 am
If you’re going with Best Drinking Ability, its Cory Phillips hands down. However, for Best Overall Substance Abuser, Quincy still reigns supreme. Best QB to catch a TD pass before he threw one is still JOE T 3. On a serious note, it is Greene by a mile
Ed
April 24th, 2009
11:59 am
Ray Goff’s tenure as head coach has absolutely nothing to do with his ranking as a Georgia quarterback. I’ll take a guy who beats Florida, wins the SEC, and plays for the national title (mythical though it may be) in the Sugar Bowl year in and year out. He also was a top-notch recruiter and assistant for Georgia. He just wasn’t a good head coach. He joins a distinguished list in that regard.
ben barton
April 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
i like shockley! for the time he played! in 05 shockley brought us back against auburn and the defense lost that game then he got hurt and didnt play against fla then our defense got us behind in the sugar bowl and shockley brought us back within 3! everytime shockley touched the ball we rolled! please tell me why my falcons dont have shockley as starter! any way GO DAWGS!
Robster
April 24th, 2009
6:07 pm
Alt and Ed,
Point taken. See ya on the other blawg.
David
April 26th, 2009
8:26 pm
David Greene gets the nod for being the best overall QB at UGA for sure. Eric Zeier sure had tons of Talent, but what seperated the two was not the Coaching or the Players around them, but just the head factor. Eric was a very charged up Ra-Ra kinda guy that often acted a bit dramtic in the moment. He could force throws and actually kind of left Athens with the fans a little less enchanted with him than they had been his first three years. Greene was the calm cool collective QB. Stafford has the biggest arm, but he always seemed like a guy that already new he was in the NFL. He didnt have that true UGA vibe for reason to me. Almost as if UGA was a necessary “minor football league” requirement for the NFL. Greene along with David Pollack seem to really be true UGA Bulldawgs. David Greene played 4 yrs, won more than any QB ever in college football. This is an easy choice.
FLDAWG
April 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
Greene was the best QB when you take into account winning %, leadership, and talent. Zeire would be 2. Belue was great, but he had Hershel to carry the team to the NC. He did make some plays but it was Walkers who carried the load. Shockley just didn’t have enough time as a starter. As for Tarkenton and a number of other QB’s, I didn’t see them so I can’t comment intelligently on them. Bobo also deserves some mention as well.
macondawg
April 28th, 2009
5:23 pm
i would have to say Belue because he was the last one to win the National Championship. yeah having that record as the qb with most wins in ncaa is all fine well and good but i bet you greene wishes that one of those wins was a National championship. had he not lost to FL in 2002 he probably would have gotten a chance to play for it.13-1 in so. yr
wardenerd
May 3rd, 2009
12:39 pm
A better way to measure time and eras at Georgia would be BJK and AJK. Before Jan Kemp, illiterates like Pulpwood Smith and after jan kemp players like Greene and Pollock. As a disinterested party I’ll take Tarkenton and Greene
Gainesville Dawg
May 6th, 2009
12:20 pm
Buck Belue = 1 national championship, 2 SEC championships, undefeated against the Atlanta trade school, Florida, Tennessee & Notre Dame!
Cindy Hendrix
August 18th, 2009
9:14 pm
Eric Zier is still my favoite Qb he had 1 hell of an arm when he had recivers behind him that could catch his passes you could say Td 6 pts on the money every time!! I also think he would be a great addition to the staff ot help Bobo with the QBs I’m sure he can still throw 1 hell of a pass!! you seem to forget how srong he was & tough he did not get hurt until his final game in the 2nd Quarter aganist Ga Tech I remember they called him Air Zier you can’t shake him or rattle him he has ice water running throught his veins he has a mind like a computer would memorize clip after clip he was aslo smart enough to realize he was not ready to go pro his Jr year he stayes & finished! It was a thing of beauty watching him throw the ball would love to find a dvd of his years as QB with his greatest plays if anyone knows where I can purchase 1 please email me thanks Great job # 10 will never forget all the great games you gave before you came along fans were not used to seeing a pass game just run with dooley I know we were in a state of schock when he was passing so much bt what a thrill it was to watch him !! always a fan of Eric’s still & always will be my favorite QB & a UGa fan forever GO DAWGS!! Cindy