In search of the real Joe Cox
As observers of the Dogs have tried to get a handle on what sort of starting quarterback Joe Cox will be, most of the comparisons in recent months have been to two other longstanding backups who eventually inherited the starter’s job: Joe Tereshinski, who didn’t last long before giving way to freshman Matthew Stafford, and D.J. Shockley, who like Cox patiently waited for his turn, and then won an SEC championship.
In ranking the SEC’s projected starting quarterbacks for the coming season, Seth Emerson of The State in Columbia has Cox fourth behind You Know Who, the much-hyped Jevan Snead of Ole Miss and LSU’s Jordan Jefferson. Using the same comparisons we’ve heard so much, he says he believes Cox will be closer to a Shockley than a Tereshinski.
Neither of those comparisons ever has felt exactly on the money, though. Cox quite obviously has more physical talent than Joe T. ever did, but he’s not as athletically gifted or as mobile a QB as Shockley.
I think David Hale of the Bulldogs Blog has a better take on Cox. Noting that most of the worrying about what Cox has or doesn’t have as a quarterback is a result of him following No. 1 draft choice Stafford, Hale says, “Had Cox followed, say, David Greene … I don’t think there’d be as much questioning of his arm strength, etc.”
In fact, Hale says, while everyone wants to compare Cox with Joe T. or D.J. because of their similar career paths, “in terms of what they bring to the table as players, he’s probably closest to Greene.”
Yes. Like Greene, Cox doesn’t have a Staffordish cannon for an arm, but he’s a very accurate passer. Back when he was a recruit, he won the accuracy drills among the Elite 11. And like Greene, he’s a smart (”heady” as they like to say in the sports biz) player who knows the offense inside and out. An acknowledged team leader, too.
Greene may not have been the flashiest player, but he won more NCAA games than any other QB ever, and he was a dogged competitor — a great example being in the game against Tech in his senior year when an injured Greene came back in to relieve a struggling Shockley and proceeded to lead the Dogs on a drive to seal the win.
A great role model for Cox.
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47 comments Add your comment
Long Dawg
July 2nd, 2009
2:08 pm
When I saw Shockley against Tech I thought he was going to be a bust. The next year he proved he was every bit as good as Green if not better. If he had played against Florida we’d won that game for sure.
I like Joe Cox. I saw him rallly the team against Colorado. He has better touch on his passes than Stafford. He has to play loose and not cautious. He has one shot at making things happen and he will have great receivers to throw to and a seasoned and talented offensive line to protect him. He needs to let it rip.
Cuz
July 2nd, 2009
2:14 pm
Give me the kool-aid. I think Cox is more of a Greene also. Now if he can only learn that fake handoff that Greene used to do. It faked out the defense, camera crew and the fans in the stands.
Mikey
July 2nd, 2009
2:18 pm
You are right Cuz…faked out everyone except Terrence Edwards.
I believe I saw Bobby Johnson cuss!
Robert
July 2nd, 2009
2:22 pm
I think Joe is gonna surprise a lot of people. He could have started at almost any other program these last couple of years while he waited behind the freakish #1 pick that is Stafford. I think people need to look at that Colorado game as to what kind of QB he will be, a winner that will never give up. The team will play their best for him, their new and undisputed leader. Bobo needs to develop appropriate schemes, which I am sure he is working hard on.
Robert
July 2nd, 2009
2:25 pm
Honestly, he could struggle, lose some games and get benched for the rest of the season but would still be a DGD in my book.
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
2:30 pm
I think David Hale of the Bulldogs Blog has a better take on Cox. Noting that most of the worrying about what Cox has or doesn’t have as a quarterback is a result of him following No. 1 draft choice Stafford, Hale says, “Had Cox followed, say, David Greene … I don’t think there’d be as much questioning of his arm strength, etc.”
For what its worth and a little off topic, I think there is a similar phenomenon at work with Caleb King following Knowshon. Everyone is saying Caleb isn’t elusive enough and goes down too quickly on contact. Well yeah, you could say that about almost anyone after watching Knowshon most of the game. Its tough following once a generation talents like Stafford and Moreno, but it doesn’t mean they are total slouches.
shane#1
July 2nd, 2009
3:03 pm
I am one Dawg fan that is not losing sleep at night worring about UGA’s defense, nor am I filled with blood lust for CWM’s head on a silver platter. What I am concerned about is how COX and company can score enough points. I am an old school dude. Nobody loves a tough defensive battle and smash mouth off tackle runs more than I. However, UGA will face a lot of different types of spread offenses with one thing in common, they are designed to score, and score often and score a lot! Many modern coaches could care less about time of possesion and other stats dear to an old dudes heart. Just spread the D all over the field, open some lanes to throw or run in, and watch the old scoreboard light up! In short, Okie State, the Gators, and Tech are going to score, I don’t give a dam if you clone the Steel Curtain or the Doomsday Defense and get the ghost of Erk to coach them, those guys are going to score points! Can UGA score enough with three quarters of last years TD production gone? I think Cox is a good kid that will work hard and do his best, I just don’t know if he and the new running backs can do enough.
Cuz
July 2nd, 2009
3:09 pm
Have faith brother shane. Would you like some of my kool-aid.
I think we score points with a balanced offense. Just hope it is enough because others will score also. No matter who is DC.
Len Barker
July 2nd, 2009
3:18 pm
No. No. No. Go back further. He’s more like John Lastinger … not has gifted as Belue, but still was a big winner. Joe T. should never have been anywhere near a starting job. He was a legacy, a snapper and a damn good Dawg. But, he was not ever going to be a remotely decent starting quarterback.
BruffDawg
July 2nd, 2009
3:21 pm
Spread offenses can be kept in check with time of possession. Look what ole miss did to florida last year. Hard for an offense to score when they are on the sidelines. Have faith shane; all those stats still matter in the final outcome. Scoring points is nice; winning games is better. If our o-line is healthy all year, wer will score our fair share. Cox will be as good as the running game allows him to be. Faith my fellow dawgs, is important. God help us if we ever see a spread offense at UGA. The Football Gods would punish us like they did auburn.
mcdawg
July 2nd, 2009
3:39 pm
who is going to cover Dez Bryant? we are thin at LBoffense will be fine but can we score enough points to beat OSU
love being the underdawg
Lilburn Dawg
July 2nd, 2009
3:44 pm
I for one am glad Stafford didn’t decide to come back this year. His accuracy at hitting receivers on the run out past 15-20 yards was not great. And we know he had a cannon for an arm, but close-up he often threw it TOO hard. I think Joe will have a much better touch on the ball and be more accurate at longer ranges. I’m glad he’s getting a chance!
stoopid
July 2nd, 2009
3:46 pm
Joe Cox= Ginger Assassin
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
3:47 pm
Its tough following once a generation talents like Stafford and Moreno, but it doesn’t mean they are total slouches.
…gee whiz, did you guys win the National Championship or something?
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
3:52 pm
“45-42″
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
3:53 pm
“45-42″
…gee whiz, did the Techies win the National Championship or something?
Desert Dawg
July 2nd, 2009
3:57 pm
Joe Cox will be the surprise of the SEC. In most circles, it’s “Joe Who”? Well, after the trip to Stillwater, that will be history.
This is a talented young man who has patiently waited for his time…and it is here. He is a leader and a winner. He followed Chris Leak in HS and broke his records. Had it not been for Stafford, he surly would have been the starter at UGA. But, destiny took him on another path.
Many don’t realize that Tenn won the SEC the year AFTER Peyton Manning left. I don’t know if the DAWGS will beat UF this year, BUT, I truly believe it is MORE likely this year than last. Regardless, the 2009 DAWGS will be a better TEAM than the 2008 edition .
JOE COX is a leader and he will lead this team in 2009. Playing for the SEC championship is entirely possible.
Huh?
July 2nd, 2009
3:57 pm
Shane, if you are truly an old school dude you wouldn’t be making cop outs for our defense like that. Spread offenses can be stopped if you have a defense good enough to stop them. Florida had no problem smacking that sissy spread crap right in the mouth when they played Oklahoma. Why should we expect any less of our defense? 2009, just like every single year before, hinges on our defense. The team goes as they go. We had two 1st rounders on offense last year and what did it get us? Jack diddly squat because the defense was an absolute joke. Don’t expect much different this year unless the defense grows a pair. It doesn’t matter what the offense does.
UGA91
July 2nd, 2009
3:59 pm
Remember folks…UGA went to the final four the year after Dominique left. Sometimes less talented teams are more focused and perform better with less pressure on them. I think Cox and crew will surprise this fall.
JaxDawg
July 2nd, 2009
3:59 pm
Lilburn Dawg- I agree. I think what Cox also brings to the table is something D.Greene was very good at and that’s reading defenses and checking off into a better play. I think Greene was one of the best I’ve ever seen at doing that.
Cox also brings a fiery passion and swagger as well as embracing the leadership role. Not sure if Stafford truly embraced being a “vocal leader” in his time at UGA.
He is one of my least concerns going into this season.
Go Dawgs!
FL DAWG
July 2nd, 2009
4:04 pm
Just let Joe Cox be Joe Cox. He is going to be a solid leader for the bulldogs, even if Aaron Murray beats him out for the starting QB. Joe is a great bulldog and always will be. I wish him the best of luck. The O-line is the secret to a successful game/season, as is the D-line.
superDawg
July 2nd, 2009
4:06 pm
The D will be the key to our season,however I think our OL will be the factor for Joe cox and company.Can’t wait for kick off.GO DAWGS!!
dawgfanatic24-7
July 2nd, 2009
4:09 pm
If our offensive line is as good as we think it will be then he will have a year like Bama’s JP Wilson. Bama’s line made the whole team successful.
The Grinch
July 2nd, 2009
4:10 pm
To RAMBLE ON!!!
How’s that Roddy Jones man-crush you possess been working for you?? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Joe Cox
July 2nd, 2009
4:17 pm
I hope everyone will get to the bookstore and get their orange “I’M GINGER” towel to support me!
Carlton Powell
July 2nd, 2009
4:31 pm
All of this conversation about how Joe Cox will handle the QB job is nice. But, what the ‘Dogs really need is a good dose of mental toughness. The last couple of years UGA has appeared very mentally weak at various times. Going to Stillwater, OK to open the season will be tough. Any chance of winning will depend upon how mentally tough the ‘Dogs are. This mental toughness is a direct function of coaching. I trust the coaches are aware of these facts, and prepare game plans and coach accordingly.
And for all you Tech guys and gals, you had a good game agaisnt the ‘Dogs last season. BUT, can you REALLY imagine a well coached, mentally tough and disciplined defensive team letting the Jackets run wild for an entire quarter?? Can’t imagine Urban Meyer EVER allowing such a defensive meltdown to occur. And, remember if it weren’t for the “pick six” pitched by Stafford, the Jackets STILL lose by 4,even with the 3d qtr. meltdown. I, for one, am not sorry to see Stafford go. Maybe the NFL is a better match for him. This game was, for all intents and purposes, over at the half. A compentent, mentally tough defense would have finished the Jackets off with three downs on their first 3d Qtr.possession. The point is, the Jackets didn’t beat a very good team, so be careful attaching too much significance to the win.
SEC
July 2nd, 2009
4:32 pm
Jaxdawg nailed it, Cox is way better at checking down and reading defenses. Stafford admitted to not doing that. There were so many times stafford threw it away when a back was out in the flats or a tight end was open. Cox will make those reads and check down to get positive yards and keep the ball moving forward. We had way too many 3 and outs last year or 3rd and long.
shane#1
July 2nd, 2009
4:35 pm
Huh, if I remember correctly, OU came back and made a game of it in the second half and it was the Rev DR Tebow MD that did the smacking. He should have used some antethesia before he circumcised the Sooners. Ouch! Cuz, you drink the Kool Aid, I’ll stick to the General’s sippin solvent. CPJ’s offense is such a b–ch because it takes a defense like UGA’s strengths and uses them against it. You have to take kids that have been taught to use their speed and flow to the ball to stay at hyome and stay with their man. It’s no wonder that ball hawks like Curran were caught out of posistion at times. That’s what that offense is designed to do. Les Miles having his team practice without a ball was a stroke of genuis! I can’t figure Miles out, he does some crazy stuff, like going for it on fourth down so much, but things usually work for him. Miles is either smart as hejj, or one lucky SOB. It is better to be lucky than good anyway.
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 2nd, 2009
4:38 pm
GOB BLESS AMERICA, I HOPE ALL YOU FLEABAGS HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th (even you Capt. Kangaroo)…except for Huh?
I hope she drowns in her tears.
I’m out, any further post, is “The Grinch” being my imposter again.
I’d rather be a dawg than a Democrat!!!
Gbal
July 2nd, 2009
4:43 pm
just an fyi – NOBODY, absolutly NOBODY that I talk to daily about UGA football on a daily basis, tries to draw comparison of JC to MS, DJ, DG, or any other former UGA QB. Jo Cox is Joe Cox. If the press and a true UGA fan will stop trying to draw these comparsions and calling it pressure (creating pressure) JC will be just great.
Karl Childers
July 2nd, 2009
4:46 pm
Fried potaters…..
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……
Willie Martinez
July 2nd, 2009
4:46 pm
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Cuz
July 2nd, 2009
4:47 pm
Back at ya Ramble. I believe you meant GOD BLESS AMERICA. Don’t have too many Black Flags at your celebration of our INDEPENDENCE.
BE#3
July 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm
QB is not a concern on offense. RB is the real concern. Caleb might end up being the man but it seems like his vision isn’t all that great and he wants to stretch it out and try to get aroud the corner — that might have worked in HS but it’s not gonna work in the SEC. I like Samuel’s intensity and passion. He doesn’t seem to be lightning fast but the kid is relentless and can fight for that extra couple of yards. Carlton Thomas could be our version of Jeffrey Demps (aka Beetlejuice) and provide that change of pace. If the OL stays healthy, the RB by committee will have plenty of gaps to run through which will only make Joe C. and the play action pass that much more dangerous.
And on defense, we’re not thin at LB. We’re still thin at DE and have young corners. If our DL can get pressure, the secondary should be fine. Hopefully Kiante Tripp can stay at DE all season and be that sack machine at DE that we lacked last season! He’s 6′6″ and 290ish — that’s some serious size at the end! I can’t wait to see Tebow try his little option crap and come face to face with Kiante!
Mikey
July 2nd, 2009
5:07 pm
Joe Cox for heisman.
Pitbull
July 2nd, 2009
5:26 pm
Joe has the talent and also the leadership skills.
If the Dog’s senior class players step up with leadership on offense, defense, and special teams then this will be a very special and successful year for UGA.
Let’s win the SEC!!
shane#1
July 2nd, 2009
5:32 pm
Cuz, Ramble actually meant Gob. “GOB, Master of The Universe” is a new computer game the Techies are nuts over. Sorry about the poor spelling and all the other crap in my last post I am multitasking and it ain’t working!
Diamond Dawg
July 2nd, 2009
8:21 pm
Everybody relax!! The Dawgs are in good hands and are gonna be just fine. As with any SEC championship team, gotta have some luck and big plays, but we are more than capable of pulling this thing out with what we got. Would not trade “Big play Joe” for anybody cause he’s a true DAWG! Go DAWGS!! The BULLDOG NATION WILL RISE!!
southgadawg88
July 2nd, 2009
8:42 pm
….The Greene comparison is cool except for 1 big difference…Greene STARTED as a redshirt freshman and some how managed to hold off a more athletically gifted phenom for 3 years in Shockley.That’s a very big difference..similarities in style aside they are in two totally different situations.Cox really has more in common with Joe T than anybody else…SR,never got much PT until his last year,has highly regarded youngsters nipping at his heels,I would hope he has more overall talent than Joe T but he only has a little more actual time on the field.I think a first year starter in the SEC will struggle unless he’s had extensive playing time as the backup.Greene/Stafford had their moments good and bad their first year playing..both grew as players over their careers at UGA.Cox wont have that luxury…it’s one and done.UGA would be crazy not to get Gray or one of the kids ready this year.I’m not knocking the young man…he’s a DAWG but I think the other kids bring more to the table for this reason…They are threats with their feet and judging from the film and the brief glimpse at the spring game..have stronger arms.Best case for everybody is we rotate like Greene/Shockley this time around though the number two guy should get a tad more snaps then Shockley got.Just my opinion.
Johnny DangerDawg
July 2nd, 2009
9:47 pm
One of your best posts, Bill! I think Seth Emerson’s QB rankings are fair. Jordan Jefferson is a great QB, but I bet he doesn’t know his playbook as well as Joe Cox. I hope Cox can be as good as Greene at reading defenses and checking into a good play at the line. Joe, forget about the comparisons, and write your own chapter in Bulldog History!
Ramblin Rick
July 2nd, 2009
10:30 pm
Can Joe COX leap over an Eastern Michigan player like Noshow Moreno did? COX for heisman.
dawgstephen
July 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
This is a fact of life. I only get stung by a bee on average once every 8 yrs.
Natureboy809
July 3rd, 2009
4:18 pm
I hope that Cox has a great year, but all of you guys bashing Stafford are complete idiots. I thought he did a great job this year given the fact that he was often lining up behind 3rd and 4th string freshmen who had been shuffled because of a ton of injuries. I mean almost every pro scout had him as the #1 player int he draft, but I’m sure that AJC’s finest meassage boarders know better.
South Georgia Dawg
July 3rd, 2009
8:18 pm
The Dawgs will be fine this year. We all like to worry over the up-coming season. The players will report in one month!!! Did everybody qualify from last year’s recruiting class?
Denver Dog
July 3rd, 2009
9:27 pm
This is outrageous! We are talking UGA here, not Tech, or some other ACC panty waisted teams. We have a great O line coming back. We have a great receiving corp, coming back, great kickers, great D line, great linebackers, good Dbacks, and one of the best coaches in the US. Joe Cox is a great QB. He is tested by patience and by fire. He is smart, he is a leader. He is Joe Cox, not Joe T, or Dj, or David, or John, or Buck, or Matt, or Ray, or maybe he is closest to a Fran. We all know what kind of senior he turned out to be. Running backs, when has UGA has a problem at running back. Heck guys, or 2nd team RB was a super bowl MVP. We are not talking panty waisted teams here we are talking THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOGS. Fear not my faint hearted contemporaries, We Are Georgia, and we will perservere! Go Dawgs, one game at a time!
hop
July 5th, 2009
8:06 pm
joe cox will be a good leader but the dawgs will need to use logan gray as well, who looked the best of the all the qb’s in the recent g-day game.
gray has great speed that any defense will be concerned about and he will be a good complement to joe cox.
Dawg Lover.
July 7th, 2009
9:42 am
All you people stating that you are glad to see Stafford go, are the same one’s just a few months ago begging him to stay. Get off the guys back after all he is a former Bulldog who we all love. This guy almost
brought us back against Bama and look at the game against Tech.
42 point. What else do you expect. with just a little defense help who knows what it might have been.