Dogs’ backup QB doubling at receiver?
Mark Richt has admitted that using Logan Gray on special teams last year slowed his development as a quarterback. After spring practice, Gray is the leading candidate to be Joe Cox’s backup, and Richt has said that his staff might prepare a special package of plays to take advantage of Gray’s running ability at quarterback (which would fit in with No. 7 on my list yesterday of things I’d like to see this season: Gray inserted some of the time in the Red Zone).
But the coach apparently can’t quite let go of the idea that he needs to get Gray on the field even if he’s not behind center. Richt is quoted in the Athens Banner-Herald as saying, “We also think Logan is athlete enough to play a little bit of receiver, too, so that’s a possibility.”
As long as this doesn’t take away from Gray’s needed reps at quarterback in practice (and getting him some real game experience), it sounds like an intriguing idea. Sort of a Hines Ward type role. And who knows, if Aaron Murray comes on strong and challenges Gray for the backup spot this season, receiver might be Gray’s best shot at playing in the long run.
What do you think? Should Richt try to get Gray on the field, wherever, or should they just concentrate on developing Gray at QB?
Bulldog Bites: Sportsillustrated.com has come up with its post-spring practice Top 25, which makes about as much sense as any other pre-season ranking. They have the Florida Gators at No. 1, followed in the Top 10 by Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State (UGA’s opener), Ole Miss (apparently a rising media darling), Oregon, Ohio State and Alabama. Then TCU, Boise State and LSU. The Dogs are ranked 15th, one spot behind the Trade School. Encouraging summary, though: “After a year marred by season-ending injuries to key players (DT Jeff Owens, OT Trinton Sturdivant, among many others), the Bulldogs could be much better than expected in 2009.” You can check out the listing here. …
After stumbling in another midweek game against Jacksonville State, the Diamond Dogs are beginning to look like they might have peaked too early this season. But they still lead Florida by a game in the SEC East and face the Gators in a sold-out three-game series in Athens beginning Friday night. The mandate from coach David Perno is clear: “There is an urgency to win this weekend.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
166 comments Add your comment
Who ever UGA QB Will be..
April 30th, 2009
6:31 pm
Surely will get beat by Oklahoma State,Auburn,LSU,Florida and GT. Bet on it!
Cuz
April 30th, 2009
6:34 pm
What if you just pull for your alma matta win or lose. Does that make me less a fan? Because football at my former school is not the highest priority in my life, should I just walk away? Because I think UGA football is fun when we win but not the end of the world when we lose, should I give all my Georgia attire to the Salvation Army? Maybe someone at the AJC can get me banned from the blog for lack of commitment.
Jimmy
April 30th, 2009
6:40 pm
What in the heck does “telephathing” mean??? I think you meant that DJ was TELEGRAPHING his passes by staring down the receiver he was going to throw to.
Chris Jenkins
April 30th, 2009
7:20 pm
Nothing against Joe Cox, but Gray has paid his dues. He does what ever is asked of him, and I am no Richt but he is a true gamer. He is my QB!!
Reptilian Rhapsody
April 30th, 2009
8:23 pm
Wow, so many of you UGA fans really are enamoured with your Cox. It’s too bad that he’s so little!!
David
April 30th, 2009
8:34 pm
I think Logan is the real deal. If he somehow gets the chance to start due to injury, or any other reason, I dont think he will go back to the bench again….Which could make it interesting for Aaron. Is he willing to possibly sit a couple of yrs while Logan holds down the QB spot? Logan has the arm, the legs, and now some experience and more importantly, gets good response from his teammates. Should be a fun year!
CHARLOTTE DAWG
April 30th, 2009
9:22 pm
The best thing that can happen to the UGA football program is for Cox to be the man this year, Gray to be the man next year, and either Murray or Mett the following. Why? B/c it shows we are officially elite. Why? b/c we just reload. We are not there yet but perhaps we are approaching that level.
The best example of programs that do this are USC and Spurrier’s Florida GAtors from the past. The frosh and soph’s usually did not play. They developed, learned the system and were the man when they became upper classmen.
When a program is having to consider playing freshman, the QB part of the program is obviously not in good hands and someone left the pantry empty when recruiting for the future. It can work out in the long run(Stafford) but it makes for some frustrating times for a while(2006-KY and Vandy).
So I hope Cox is the man this year, and Gray the next. Of course, I hope they are the man b/c they are flat out better than the youngsters. If not, that’s why the coaches make the big bucks.
If we get to this point, it could help us in recruiting too. It wouldn’t help us recruit an all world hot shot that has a big head and thinks the world owes him something. We don’t want guys like that. It would however, get us QB recruits that have talent, a positive attitude and ones that give two $hits about the G on their helmet…not getting paid! Getting paid takes care of itself if you are good enough.
Pete Carroll is doing something right and I think Richt is getting us there.
Logan Gray in 2010 for the SEC! Let’s also use him quite a bit this year but if Joe stumbles, our team will stumble. Everyone should be pulling for Joe in 2009!
Lane
April 30th, 2009
10:22 pm
Personal preference is to leave Gray @ QB-potential Charlie Ward.
Gray=Tremendous quickness and great feet!!
Not a bad arm!!!
hop
April 30th, 2009
10:32 pm
we need logan gray to play qb this year. he was the best looking qb playing in the spring game.
richt noted that playing him last year on special teams slowed his progress as a qb.
we don’t need to yerk this kid around, let’s use him as well as coxat qb. the dawgs will have a two- headed monster that will be hard to defend.
Cuz
April 30th, 2009
10:36 pm
Since we are all wishing on a star, my wish is for Cox to start, rack up forty points in the first half and give Logan playing time in the second half.
I have a dream, that one day sons of Missouri and North Carolina dirt farmers will play together between the hedges of Sanford and walk off the field with the cheers of their fans freely ringing in their ears. Let the cheers freely ring.
Reptilian Rhapsody
May 1st, 2009
1:27 am
In the words of Huh?…Huh?
Bulldawg Billy
May 2nd, 2009
9:49 am
Lotts of time to decide,film study will be the deciding factor.
Ken
May 4th, 2009
2:09 pm
Cox is the starter because he deserves it and it makes sense. He’s got the maturity, the skill and the leadership. It’s his job to lose. Naturally CMR will prepare Gray by giving him some snaps under center to build for next year. Gray may also be used as needed to get his talent and speed on the field but only when necessary. If Cox falters then we will see Gray.
It’s called sound fundamental coaching.
To coach Pajamas over at Tech, if you have trouble following this logic, give CMR a call.
PHIL
May 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
Erk was there in 79 when we lost 6 games including a shellacking to nobody VA at homecoming. Why is it that he is the reason for the NC? CWM team defense only gave up 31 points to the Trade School. Stafford scored one TD for the bees and then the special teams gave them another one. I fail to see the logic that Erk was the savior and Martinez the goat when we were #2 in the Nation for defense year before last.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
May 8th, 2009
12:48 pm
Good stuff bill! i agree on logan he has alot of abilities that we need to use. OSU is going to be a heck of a opener to start of the season, we’ll see what we are really made of after that game. I thought we would end up aroung 14 or 15 in pre-season polls. We really can fly low this year and surprise the whole country this year everything is working for us so far. Especially the by week before FLA we’re gonna need it.
TMC DAWG
May 11th, 2009
5:18 pm
Well, CMR is considering Logan Gray at wide reciever? WTF Has he lost all since of reason? Go across the middle take a shot and you have lost your#2 and whaT i CONSIDER your #1 quarterback. Where will that lead us? The in coming freshman are not ready. Looks like the coaching staff are already scratching their heads as to what to do. I to was at the spring game and Gray was the most ready to play. Sure CMR is going to start COX out of this loyalty thing BUT please look at reality. Logan Gray gives us the best chance to win.