Will Cox be another Joe T. or D.J.?
Ever since Matthew Stafford announced he’d rather move to Detroit than play another season in the SEC (OK, not exactly how he put it), Dogs fans have been discussing the prospect of his backup, Joe Cox, assuming the starting quarterback job.
Generally, the views have broken into three camps: those who see the senior Cox as another Joe Tereshinski III, a career backup who’ll just keep the seat warm until backup Logan Gray or one of the true freshmen is ready to be thrown into the fray; those who see Cox as another D.J. Shockley, a loyal, patient backup who could have started elsewhere and now will get his time to shine; and those who figure Cox will fall somewhere in the middle as an adequate QB who might not win many games singlehandedly but probably won’t lose them, either.
Cox is not exactly a red-headed stranger, having engineered the comeback win over Colorado in 2006, which briefly won him the starting nod over Stafford. Of course, he wasn’t able to do much with that start and permanently ceded the spot to Stafford. But he’s looked solid enough in his brief mop-up work behind Stafford and led an impressive scoring drive against the Gators last year. (I give Cox full credit for that drive and don’t subscribe to the idea that Florida’s defense had let up; that’s not the Crier’s way.)
Of course, you’d expect Richt to be building up his future starter’s rep at this point, but it’s notable that the coach doesn’t dance around when it comes to whether Cox is a Joe T. or a D.J.
“We’re much closer to [the Shockley] situation this year,” Richt told the Athens Banner-Herald. “Not to say that [Zach] Mettenberger and [Aaron] Murray aren’t really fine true freshmen quarterbacks, but I really believe Joe Cox’s situation is one where it would be very difficult to knock him out of the box.”
Cox, who’s slated to represent Georgia at the SEC Media Days July 22-24 in Hoover, Ala., along with another team leader, defensive tackle Jeff Owens, isn’t NFL material (he aspires to be a coach), but he knows the Georgia playbook as well as Stafford (if not better) and he appears to have a fiery leadership style that stands in contrast to the much more laid-back Texan.
Considering lack of on-field leadership seems to have been one of the major problems for the Dawgs last season, I think that’s a big plus. Put me down in that third camp when it comes to Cox. He might not have the athletic talent of Shockley to make something out of nothing when a play goes bad, but I think he’s going to be fine.
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206 comments Add your comment
daslicksta
June 3rd, 2009
10:05 am
I am in your line of thinking Bill on Joe, but he isn’t scared of taking a hit (or giving one) as he has shown in the past and I think he will be an asset on the field as much as he has been on the sidelines until somebody better comes along to knock him off of the box so to speak..
Red Elephant
June 3rd, 2009
10:11 am
Cox will be a fine utility QB. He won’t lead UGA to a championship or a thriller over the Gators, but he won’t make many mistakes either and should be a good leader. Mettenberger is the future of Georgia football. If Cox and the team stay healthy and play mentally and physically tough, a 10-3 season is not out of the question.
lastgrad
June 3rd, 2009
10:11 am
We all know Coach Bobo will have Mr. Cox or whoever ready to play. The Dawgs are blessed with some fine coaching talent.
DawginLex
June 3rd, 2009
10:15 am
I’m not gonna bash Joe T because I was thrilled as anyone that day he scored against Florida. Joe Cox is better than Joe T but he is not DJ. Shockley had less talented receivers than Joe will have. Shockley had a good OL, not great but good. Joe’s OL has the potential to be great.
Running backs are less talented with Joe vs the guys DJ had. Overall, it is about a push with a slight edge to Shockley just based on pure athletic ability.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 3rd, 2009
10:17 am
Wow!!!
Throw Joe T, a third generation fleabag under the bus.
Sad, but thats the price you pay being a mutt.
B-Dawg
June 3rd, 2009
10:18 am
I think the most apt comparison for Cox isn’t Joe T III or DJ; it’s Bobo coming on after Zeier.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 3rd, 2009
10:25 am
STOP THE HATE, STOP THE HATE!!!!
Joe T Fan club.
Gravy Train
June 3rd, 2009
10:26 am
SEC closes another broadcasting deal today. What, is that eight channels with SEC coverage now?
Guess the ACC will be relegated to Public Access and closed circuit pay per view.
Any how, I think Joe will do fine. He knows how to get the ball where it needs to be, and I don’t forsee him putting the defense in poor field position with costly interceptions. I’m not sure he will be like Shock and the comparison isn’t fair anyway. There just aren’t many fellas out there with DJ’s skill set. DJ is DJ and Joe is Joe. But Joe will probably be much closer to DJ than Joe T. Comparisons to Joe T aren’t very nice either.
Joe has lots of playmakers around him and should be settled behind a solid line. Control of the clock and field position will be the real keys for this team.
BigMike
June 3rd, 2009
10:27 am
Bill in reality,(somebody has to say it) Joe T was offered due to his long standing with UGA. Everybody knows that you won’t to test your metal as a football player coming out of H.S. in Athens, it’s CCHS or CSHS that you attend. Joe Cox, on the other hand came from a school where the best in that city plays at (Charlottes Independance H.S.). Let us remember that this is the same kid that was throwing to Massaquoi, and backing up a FIRST PICK NFL draft choice. Like D.J. he just landed at a school with a ton of talent. Oh! By the way isn’t the back-up D.J. still in the NFL, while the starter, Greene is looking for NFL work? Joe C will be O.K. and Bulldog nation will keep on rolling. Remember Ferrari’s may change parts, but they never stop being Ferrari’s!
Karl Childers
June 3rd, 2009
10:27 am
Ramble on ain’t the brightest boy, but he’s harmless…
Dat boy tried heat up some potted meat in the oven. The boy just ain’t right….
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………………
Otto
June 3rd, 2009
10:28 am
Joe T was a very loyal UGA fan and player. However, he was not a great QB. If it had worked out he would be a great Rudy story.
Cox is not Joe T or DJ. UGA this year reminds me of Bama last year and Cox is UGA’s JP, a game manager, but with a better arm. As I said just a few minutes ago in your last blog, Logan is the next DJ. The freshman QBs should be redshirted just as Stafford should have been. He needed a year to learn better decision maker which he never fully mastered relying on his cannon arm.
go dawgs
June 3rd, 2009
10:28 am
I think he will be somewhere in between. The good news is that we will never again have to suffer through another quarterback as mediocre as Joe T. He was a career scout teamer who was in the right place at the right time. http://www.wedgeorgia.com
Karl Childers
June 3rd, 2009
10:29 am
Cox isn’t french fried potaters good, but he’s at least as good as potted meat….
Otto
June 3rd, 2009
10:31 am
BigMike, Cox also backed up UF’s Chris Leak who won a national title.
BigMike
June 3rd, 2009
10:36 am
Ramble On, please go to Tech’s web sight! Or are you guys still celebrating last year and your sight crashed? Either way this is UGA football, and clearly above your level of football knowledge.
DenverDawg
June 3rd, 2009
10:38 am
never understood how a freaking “bumble bee” can come on here and think it’s an insult to call UGA fans “mutts”….
where’s your OWN blog, boy? go find it.. RUN!
Dr. Dawg
June 3rd, 2009
10:41 am
hey RAMBLE ON!!! just checking how is your a$$ doing after it got rambled by southern Miss.LOL!!!! its great to be a Georgia BULLDOG!!!!
BigMike
June 3rd, 2009
10:41 am
Otto, you are obvious a Man of good football knowledge, with that said, you know that after coming off the bench two years ago against Colorado, Cox showed great poise, field judgement, andawareness of the defense that CU was bringing. In your opinion, do you see a 10 win season?
Otto
June 3rd, 2009
10:42 am
Waiting for RAMBLE ON Reggie Ball show the love post…..
Georgia
June 3rd, 2009
10:46 am
I believe Joe C will have a more successful season than Stafford ever had. He is a better leader and doesnt miss the open short passes that Stafford did in some key situations. Joe has a much better O-line situation and a much better defense this time around as well. RB’s are fine. UGA is 4 deep at that spot. Richard Samuel was 17yr old last year. King, Thomas will be plenty good behing that Line and experienced fullbacks
BigMike
June 3rd, 2009
10:49 am
Is it me, or is Paul Johnson one double stack subway sandwich from being Parcells twin? Then again it won’t be subway (sorry Jared) with the Varsity in walking distance of two footlongs and a large onion ring to go!P.S. don’t forget the diet coke, after all, you won’t to show coke some love, being so close to them.
BigMike
June 3rd, 2009
10:52 am
Washaun to the left, Washaun to the right. Techies Washun test scores look alright!
Otto
June 3rd, 2009
10:53 am
Mike thanks,
10 win season in ‘09? It is very possible. If UGA gels in time for Okie St and comes out with a win I am looking for a 10 or 11 win season. If UGA does not win in Stillwater I see a season much like ‘06 prolly 9 wins.
UGA has alot of question marks with guys coming back on the field after injuries last year. If they play like they did before the injuries watch out, UGA could have the depth they have been missing the past few years on the lines. The bad news is the positions and chemistry must be set once camp begins this fall.
Okie St. is critical to setting the tone for the season and they return just about everyone on offense. The good news is the defense is about average by Big 12 standards.
I am very optimistic for this year but the season could turn into a train wreck by the standards CMR has set.
RxDawg
June 3rd, 2009
10:58 am
Joe is more DJ then Joe T I think. DJ was pretty fantastic though, and it will be hard to measure up to his standards.
Mark my words, this will be our offense this year:
5yrd pass, 5yrd run, 5yrd run, 5yrd pass, 5yrd run, 50yrd TD pass.
We will nick and pick at defenses getting a few yards here and there and setting up for the homerun. This isn’t much different then what we’ve done in the past, but I think it will be excecuted much better this year. Cox throws an excellent long ball. Better (not harder/farther) then Stafford in my opinion. We really need those RB’s to perform to make this year successful on offense. You hear that Caleb? Time to run like a bulldog!
BigMike
June 3rd, 2009
10:59 am
Otto, check back before the night is over, I’ll break down some pointers that most have missed, and show you why they will be much better than most think.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 3rd, 2009
11:00 am
Washuan left, Washuan right, looks just like Caleb tonight!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 3rd, 2009
11:05 am
Dr. Dawg, surely doesn’t have a Phd after that post.
…more like Dr. Feelgood Dawg, maybe.
K-Town Dawg
June 3rd, 2009
11:08 am
I kind of like the comparison to Bobo.
I have said it in other blogs on here; Joe has some excellent WRs to throw to in AJ Green and Marlon Brown. He also has the additional benefit of a great O-line, seasoned fullbacks, and a deep well of talent at RB. I think Joe Cox knows plenty, has enough athletic ability, and is surrounded by enough weapons to make this team very dangerous. And other than Ramble On, nobody is circling their game against Georgia as a definite win.
dap01
June 3rd, 2009
11:13 am
Ramble On: Not only do Tech fans not attend games (40,000 a game is bad in a city of millions), they stay on UGA’s blog. Sad.
dap01
June 3rd, 2009
11:17 am
Ramble On: Get back to work, the drive through is backed up! The fries are burning.
Kendawg
June 3rd, 2009
11:25 am
I think Cox will compare very favorably to DJ, even though he doesn’t have the mobility or speed that DJ has. As has been mentioned earlier on this blog, he will have a potentially great O-line and great wide receivers to throw to. If one of the running backs steps up, we should have an explosive offense. Chapas is a very good fullback and Aron White is a very good deep threat for a tight end. That leaves the defense as the likely unknown, but if Owens is completely recovered, we could have a very good defense. Hopefully, CMR has solved the kickoff problems with the signing of Brandon Bogotay. Based on past experience, it looks like we’ll never solve our problem with kickoff returns. All in all, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re much better than the media expects of UGA this season.
anotherdawg
June 3rd, 2009
11:33 am
Webster’s definition of RAMBLE: (a) to move aimlessly from place to place (b) to explore idly (c) to talk or write in a desultory or long-winded wandering fashion Yep, that’s about it. But, I would classify “Ramble On” more like a knat, or a fly, instead of a yellow jacket. Not really dangerous, just annoying!
reservoirDAWG
June 3rd, 2009
11:33 am
I see Joe and the Dawgs having a successful season. The Dawgs will surprise a lot of people.
Tide rising
June 3rd, 2009
11:36 am
From a neutral perspective I can see the dawgs having the same type of season Bama had last year for one reason. The line play. To me it all starts in the trenches and similar to Bama’s O-line last year UGA will have a very veteran O-line this year, possibly the best in the conference with all the starters and previously injured starters like Sturdivant that will be back.
Clint Boling, Chris Davis, Vance I think, these are all guys that have been around awhile. Cox doesn’t have to be a superman. He just has to be like JP was for us last year. Manage the game, make accurate short and intermediate range throws, and let the line play and running game dominate. He will actually be a better, more accurate deep ball passer than JP was for us.
On the D-line Dawgs look to be incredibly strong upfront with their 2 tackles. Their front 7 on D look to be as good as anyone.
I see that a lot of people still buy into all the hype surrounding theses Big 12 South teams and their prolific offenses and hence OK St. is ranked 7th to start the season. Sorry but I just aint buying it and can’t see Ok St taking down the dogs. UF shut down an OU team that had scored over 60 in 5 straight games but only got 14 against UF. Ole Miss beat the living hell out of a Texas Tech team in a game that wasn’t anywhere near as close as the final 47-34 score.
I think another sec team like UGA is just flat out going to impose a physicality that a Big 12 team like OK State just doesn’t see every day. OU and Texas have dominated Ok St. and UGA will bring the same caliber of athletes that those teams have had in beating Ok State. I just don’t see Ok State has having the horses, especially in the line play to keep up with an SEC power like UGA. JMHO of course. Rols Tides
MiltonDawg
June 3rd, 2009
11:40 am
I think Cox will be his own style of QB. Shockley/Joe T..completly different styles. You can tell Cox has that fire & leadership underneath him. We have a great offense surrounding him, so look for him to run a little as well as deep passes. After OK ST, we’ll know a lot better.
Huh?
June 3rd, 2009
11:41 am
Yeah, Cox won the game against Colorado, but he also couldn’t close the deal against Ole Miss that year and got benched behind a true freshman. I think he’ll be adequate, but I’m detecting a lot of wishful thinking out of Georgia fans right now. We have more question marks going in to this season than any time I can remember since Richt has been coach. We’ve got a new QB, new RBs, and only one proven reciever. The defense was absolutely deplorable the second half of last season, not that it was that much better in the first half. What makes you all think they will be so much better this year? Because they slowed down a one dimensional Big 10 team in the bowl game that was already moving pretty slow to begin with? It is, after all, a Big 10 team. I’m not buying it. Because they looked good in the spring game? I don’t think our offense could have dropped any more passes if it tried, not to mention the fumbles, penalties, etc. The defense certainly had a lot of help didn’t they? I think so. I don’t think Oklahoma State, LSU, Florida, the Techies, or any other good offense will be quite as accommodating if you catch my drift.
I predict a 10-3 season because I’m a big fat homer and HOPE to God that all of our questions are answered positively, but there is a very real chance that they won’t be. There’s a very real chance that we could be staring down the barrel of a 7-5 season. I have prepared myself for it and I suggest you do the same. Otherwise, the fall out could be disastrous. Thanks.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 3rd, 2009
11:43 am
Cox will be fine at QB. He will make his mark in his own way. Joe T was a damn good dawg. Nothing wrong getting beat out by the future #1 draft pick.
RxDawg
June 3rd, 2009
11:46 am
Otto, I disagree with you in that Ok St is the game that sets the tone. I think it’s the USC game. If we can win that game in a solid form watch out. If it’s a strugle or a loss, then were looking at 08 again.
Ok St is a W. It’s rare that I’m just not worried about a game, but this is one of them.
GATOR CHOMP
June 3rd, 2009
11:48 am
Joe Cox is a average QB at best,Why dont Saint Richt just give the keys 2 Aaron Murray and turn him loose the same way he did with Matt Stafford?Aaron Murray is going 2 be BIGTIME “Book It” Go Gators
Otto
June 3rd, 2009
11:51 am
Atkins, Owens, and Sturdivant are some of my reasons for optimism. Yes UGA is not returninng the star RB or QB but lines look to be the strongest in several years. UGA really only had 1 proven WR last year. Finally I am glad to see Cox in place of Stafford.
Cuz
June 3rd, 2009
11:53 am
The only similaries I can see between Joe T and Joe C are both were dedicated players who waited patiently for their chance and both are of the Caucasian Persuasion. Put me in the group that thinks Joe C is more of a Mike Bobo. Both are/were gutsy players who put their heart and soul into a game. That overtime win beating Auburn made me a Bobo fan for life.
Ramble On is good for comic relief. He will be doing his standup routine at a comedy club near you. If you wear a GT logo you get a free drink and a free slice of pizza.
Athens Dog
June 3rd, 2009
11:55 am
Joe was a highly sought after recruit out of h.s. after a 33-0 record, I believe, as a starter in which he broke most of the records set by Chris Leak. Invited to Elite quarterback camp in Calif, etc…He is, after watching him in practice, a much more vocal leader than any qb they’ve had in awhile, extremely accurate intermediate and short passes, Bobo won’t waste so many plays trying to throw deep with Stafford overthrowing most of them, adn his O line will be vastly improved, which will also help the running game. Joe’ll be fine. It’s the defense I worry about.
Otto
June 3rd, 2009
11:55 am
RxDawg. Don’t under estimate Okie St. in Stillwater. They only lost 1 home gome last year and that was to OU. They lost to Texas by 4 in Austin.
KenQL
June 3rd, 2009
11:55 am
When comparing Joe Cox to Joe T, let’s remember Joe Cox’s father is not a coach on the team. In other words Joe Cox has talent and was recruited.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 3rd, 2009
11:57 am
Joe Cox is good, he showed a lot of poise coming in and rallying the troops against the hapless/winless Colorado buffs (how many wins did the Buffalos have the season before the UGAg game, umm, ZERO!!!
Now that Matt’s not spooning him anymore, he’ll be all right.
He ain’t gonna be the 1st Pick in the NFL draft, but he should QB UGAg to 6 wins.
He ain’t close to Josh ‘Robot’ Nesbitt, but he’s good.
Huh?
June 3rd, 2009
12:01 pm
“Atkins, Owens, and Sturdivant are some of my reasons for optimism.”
Sure, but Owens and Sturdivant unfortunately suffered severe knee injuries and sat out the entire 2008 season. They might be a bit rusty and/or missing a step. Its quite telling that our hopes are so heavily dependent on two guys that will have not played a snap of football for two years the next time they take the field. I’m just sayin’. Where’s all that depth I hear so much about?
Just playing devils advocate. I would love to be wrong. Those are always the most fun seasons.
uga_b
June 3rd, 2009
12:03 pm
Georgia, so you see us being number 1 in the AP Poll? In 2007, Stafford was the QB for the number 2 team in the country. Granted, I’d take it, but I don’t see us that high. Top 15 would be a realistic goal. Joe Cox will be fine as long as we can find someone to line up behind him.
RxDawg
June 3rd, 2009
12:04 pm
Eh, we played them a couple of years ago and it wasn’t even close. It’s just like ASU and Boise St was the past few years as well. Sure Ok St has a couple of wide receivers that can hang with ours, but it’s the line that will be their fall. They just don’t have the lineman (on both sides) that we have.
I rember watching the Texas vs (somebody, OSU maybe?) bowl game last year. Their offensive line looked like children compared to the other team. They stayed in the game by using their skill players, but it was tough. I truly think the Big 12 is one of the most overated conferences in the NCAA. The media just kept blowing smoke up their arses because of all the points they scored. The bowl games proved that pretty wrong and it looks like the media is already starting it back up again. It’s been like this consistently for the past few years too. It’s like our fellow Bama blogger Tide rising said “I just don’t see Ok State has having the horses, especially in the line play to keep up with an SEC power like UGA”. I concur completely.
larryhmunsonthe3rd
June 3rd, 2009
12:08 pm
I hope Joe Cox is Joe Cox and no one else!!!!!!!
hop
June 3rd, 2009
12:12 pm
joe cox is an able replacement,but the dawgs need to use logan gray who provides a shockley type of threat.
gray may very well be one of the top athletes on the team, and he was the most impressive in the spring game.