Cox shouldn’t answer critics
Joe Cox (Photo by Olivia King)
Despite being a fifth-year senior, Joe Cox is new to this big-time starting quarterback business, and it showed in his response this week to criticism by fans and the sports media of his play against Oklahoma State.
A veteran probably would just have made the self-effacing “I’ve got to get better” comments, which Cox did, and then left it at that.
But Cox got combative. As quoted in the Athens Banner-Herald, he said: “Half the people who have stuff to say after games have never played a down of football before in their entire life. I wouldn’t criticize somebody for something I’ve never played before or never done before, but some people feel it’s their place to say how somebody is doing when they’ve never done it before. That’s just something I’ve never understood. Stuff like that doesn’t bother me. You’ve got to look at the source, and if it’s somebody who’s never played football, I could care less what you say.”
OK, obviously, stuff like that does bother him. And that’s understandable. A lot of athletes, chefs, singers and such have the same idea: that you shouldn’t criticize unless you can do it yourself. Which misses the point that a performance, whether it’s athletic or artistic, is aimed at an audience, the consumer, if you will. And the consumer has a perfect right to say, “I didn’t think that performance was very good.” The criticism may not be that well informed if the critic doesn’t have an intimate understanding of what the performer is doing, but it’s still fair.
More than that, though, lashing out at your fan base, especially when you’re coming off a sucky performance (even if you were sick), is never a good idea.
Just as Cox will learn not to hold on to the ball so long and how to read defenses quicker, I imagine that as the season progresses he’ll also learn how to handle the PR aspects of being the starting QB at an SEC school. Assuming he holds on to that job.
What do you think, was Cox right to criticize his critics? Or should he just concentrate on making his case on the playing field?
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182 comments Add your comment
GetOverIt
September 9th, 2009
4:00 pm
Oh my, can things get any worse over in Clarke County?
southgadawg88
September 9th, 2009
4:04 pm
Young man has a set of brass ones on him for sure…can he deliver on the field?He will get at most 2 more cracks at it.
McDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:06 pm
next topic
NGADAWG
September 9th, 2009
4:09 pm
first
big dawg 89
September 9th, 2009
4:10 pm
he doesn’t help himself getting all testy like that, that’s for sure… lets see if he steps up this week and we’ll go from there…but he did make some “freshman mistakes”. and if continues to do so, i just assume see a freshman out there getting some quality PT… but i’ll give him another game or two to see if his performance rises…
that’s the least i can do, i mean, according to my girlfriend, my performances aren’t always up to par, especially when i’ve been sick..
Dawg Pound
September 9th, 2009
4:10 pm
All he had to say was thay “Yes I did suck it up today” “I will get better and we’ll be fine!”
shards1967
September 9th, 2009
4:10 pm
Joe Cox will play until he is yanked. That might be in the second series with SC on Saturday night. The student body and fans will have been studying all day, if you know what I mean. If he goofs up, well, it could QUICKLY grow very ugly for him due to that dumb comment. That was really dumb to come back like that. He just used up all of his fan currency.
He better play well. If not, there are three others that seek the chance.
Go Dawgs !!!
UGA class of 1973
Doyle, Winder
September 9th, 2009
4:11 pm
He needs to keep his mouth shut except on the field. It’s been said, “better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt’!
dandydawg
September 9th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hey BK
Do you think these up all on your own? What is this? Do you relish the days of Eric Zeier? You’re fueling the fire here BK.
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:13 pm
Hey Shards, that is the fun thing about having more than one quarterback, we can pull him if need be. We need to see a few more of those 6 minute drives, and some decent special teams play and we will be fine. Isn’t it a shame about Tech, the 3rd rated academics in the State.
Dawg Pound
September 9th, 2009
4:13 pm
Doyle Winder
Do you have any idea what you say or are your insightful comments a joke? Your a tool.
DOGZILLA
September 9th, 2009
4:13 pm
I’m thinking Murray is the future QB (he impressed me the most at G-Day), but the coaches (who take losses harder than we fans do) have settled on Cox as the starter. I’m still thankful he beat Colorado when Mr. Stafford had a horrible game. Everyone seems to be overlooking the fact that maybe OSU is that good (despite the yards they gave up last year). And the dude was recovering from the flu. Yeah, his comments were probably ill-considered, but Cox is still a college boy who has just seen four years or work as a Bulldog thrown in the crapper by many critical fans. I can’t blame him for being hurt and expressing it. And there’s a kernel of truth in what he said.
stillAdawgFan
September 9th, 2009
4:14 pm
theres that fire we needed on the field this past saturday. He will shut them up when we play sc.
Drew-G-A
September 9th, 2009
4:14 pm
Good one Bill, I have been slamming him all day. But, I like your perspective on the whole thing. That’s for grounding me a little bit. His comments did have me steaming the pst two days. But, I think you’re right, he is new at this.
But, I will say, he’s had 4 years on the team to get used to the pressure after watching Stafford and Shockley go through it. He should have held his tongue and should have known to.
Here’s to hoping that if he stays our quarterback he can win us some games and not continue to piss us off.
Tom
September 9th, 2009
4:14 pm
Zeier? Did someone mention Zeier?….
“Georgia fans are passionate, but let’s face it – they’re not the brightest fans. Passionate, but not bright.” – Eric Zeier, November 21, 2001
coachdawg 2000
September 9th, 2009
4:14 pm
His response, while ill-advised, was at least authentic. Better than the uhh-umm garbage put out by Matty(pick 6) stafford. I think that Joe C would be advised to develop some thick skin if he thinks that he wants to coach because some parents will grill you after a win(if little johnny didn’t get enough pt) much less after a horrid loss.
MUSIC CITY BOWL...if were lucky
September 9th, 2009
4:15 pm
Great job on Saturday Daugs. Lets go get another win for UGAY!!! WooHooo
DawgFan24
September 9th, 2009
4:15 pm
Bill, i hate to say it, but you are right on. Cox should keep his trap shut and just play ball. If he’s got the leadership ability and skill that the coaches have been preaching, he should use that to silence the critics. I was a little worried after Saturday’s game, and now after reading the ensuing comments by our players and coaches, IM A LOT worried going into this next nationally televised game. I hope all of DAWG NATION is MAN ENOUGH to show up and filll that stadium to the brim, and be the 12th man on the field that our team needs. The time for criticism is over people, lets make sure that we get the job done Sat. Night.
Paul's Johnson
September 9th, 2009
4:16 pm
He should keep his mouth shut and play ball.
Granted, everyone has a lousy game every now and then but we will see how he comes back on Saturday. I seriously don’t expect much more than what we have seen from him during his time here. He might have the attitude but he does not have the skills to compete at an elite level.
And I was surprised that a 5th year senior would make a couple of the boneheaded mistakes that I witnessed last Saturday, such as scrambling out of bounds with the ball in his hands for a 10 yard loss rather than getting rid of it.
He has no mobility, his arm strenghth is very suspect, his delivery is too slow, his release is too low, he stares down his receivers, he can’t stretch the field, he can’t put enough zip on the ball to thread it between coverage and it goes on and on.
And Joe,I can comment because I played football, Pop Warner through high school.
kauai dawg
September 9th, 2009
4:16 pm
I think the RB from Oregon should have given a few tips to the nation. He ran his mouth all summer about Boise and look what happened. A good leader knows you never have to take back or expalain what you didn’t say.
I was hoping all along it was his medicine and flu that led to his play. Time will tell.
I don’t know why Logan wasn’t used a little more last week. Now I think Mr. Murray is seeing what being a DAWG will be like. The season looks like Staffords freshman year all over again and maybe not that good???
GO DAWGS!
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:16 pm
He doesn’t need to say anything to any of us armchair coaches. He needs to go on the field and lead. If he can’t there are plenty behind who can. In 1979 we had to use 6 QB’s because of injury. Let’s hope we never have to do that again. If he is who we think he is, he will shine and move on. Time will tell.
Jake7
September 9th, 2009
4:16 pm
It’s JUST frustration…..I don’t see it any other way.Hopefuly ,he will respond in the SC game. I blame the coaches for the first game. If Joe wasn’t RIGHT he shouldn’t have played. I’m still in SHOCK why we were better PREPARED.
BigDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:17 pm
I dont think we are gonna make a bowl this year
Tech Fan
September 9th, 2009
4:22 pm
Who is the highest ranked team in GA. Not UGAy
uuugh...
September 9th, 2009
4:22 pm
You are right…I am not a chef, but I can tell if my meal tastes like $hit.
Play well first then tell the fans they are idiots. Don’t play awful then call out the fans. That is backwards.
Charlie Weis never played a down of football…but he sure seems to make a pretty good living at it.
Get it together Cox.
AltamahaDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:22 pm
Not the best PR move, but in a world where grown men have no hesitation to bash any kid that doesnt live up to thier standard of perfection placed on everyone else, who is to say he can’t speak his mind.
I think you only need to look at the folks who got offended by that to think, no real harm.
SagaciousSamDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:23 pm
It is entirely possible for Joe Cox to lead the Bulldogs to a national title this year. (it may be very dependent upon lots of luck, but nonetheless possible)
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:24 pm
Tom::::
“At Tech we just had to play football, we had other people that went to class and took tests for us. it was like being in recess the whole time I was in school there”
Joe Hammilton in testimony july 2007
coachdawg 2000
September 9th, 2009
4:25 pm
i really think ,regardless of cox’s performance here on,we need to get murray ready. Because the one thing that is obvious is that game experience at QB is the difference between winning and losing.5 years of holding a clipboard and “learning the system” is not the ingredient for success. So stop all of the logan gray garbage make him a possession receiver and get Murray ready and red shirt ZM.
Red headed stepchild
September 9th, 2009
4:25 pm
I tried to tell you guys that I just can’t see the dogs winning with goofball looking players. I’m sorry but when an Opie look alike is leading your team it just doesn’t inspire people.playing for Opie.
listen to the tune change
September 9th, 2009
4:26 pm
when ga stomps the c0cks into the dirt on saturday
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:27 pm
Hey Tech Fan, who is the highest ranked team in Jacksonville, Alabama, Gardner Webb, NC (just outside of Shelby, and Spartanburg, SC (Wofford), you are right, not UGA, those are the type teams Tech plays
AltamahaDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:28 pm
And as usual, everything gets taken out of context………..he obviously was NOT talking about anyone who just observed his poor play and commented on that, but rather the folks who…..well again…if you got offended, there is probably a reason.
Ali Akbar Allah
September 9th, 2009
4:28 pm
Cox sucks, he’ll lead the team to a 1-11 record including a record beatdown from Georgia Tech.
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:30 pm
Ali Akbar Allah, please no suicide bombings, stick to building garages that fall down, having perverts as professors, and stealing manhole covers. What a life down on th concrete campus
jarvis
September 9th, 2009
4:31 pm
He made a terrible point.
I critisized my maid yesterday because she broke my toilet. I’ve never been a maid before, but I felt like I was justified in my critisism.
Tech Fan
September 9th, 2009
4:33 pm
And I believe we won all those games…
45-42
PJ BABY
AltamahaDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:33 pm
kauai, Coach already addressed that. Everything they had drawn up for him was inside the red zone, and that happened one time.
45ACP
September 9th, 2009
4:34 pm
Based on what I have been reading on some of these blogs ole #10 might have a valid point.
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:35 pm
Here is what is the problem in Atlanta right now. You are wrong buddy boy, Wofford kicked you across the county
Cops: Tech students took manhole covers
Items found by maintenance crew who entered apartment for repair
Denver Dog
September 9th, 2009
4:35 pm
I’m sorry Tech Fan, it was Furman
DawginLex
September 9th, 2009
4:39 pm
I have been pulling for this guy to do well from the beginning. I knew we were not going to go 12-0 but I did have hopes of another 10-3 year that would feel a whole lot better than last year’s 10-3.
Now, given what has happened with the Sturdivant injury and Cox not playing very well, the time is running out. If we win Saturday and he plays a productive game, he will be fine. If we lose Saturday, I say let Murray play out the rest of the year and get him ready for 2010. If our defense plays as well as they did Saturday, Murray can get us 7 or 8 wins counting the bowl and we are set for the next 3 years.
I think part of the problem with a lot of fans is that they are looking for something to get excited about regarding this team. A senior QB playing and losing, after being told he was the best chance for us to win, is starting to look like a tainted bill of goods we were sold.
If Cox gets replaced, Murray can become the exciting part of the season a lot of folks are looking for.
Cindy
September 9th, 2009
4:40 pm
Maybe the Tech fans should just do what they do best. Instead of running your mouth on a UGA blog, go grab some more manhole covers.
The Lone Trumpeter
September 9th, 2009
4:41 pm
He never should have responded that way. Alot of people who watch did play ball, and we can judge performances accurately. So can people who never played. The point is don’t EVER lash out at your fans. Joe lost even more fans with this comment. I hope we give him one half to show us what he can do, but if he struggles…..RELEASE THE GRAYHOUND!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
September 9th, 2009
4:42 pm
Woffman, Furford, what the difference?
Tech Fan
September 9th, 2009
4:43 pm
We’ve never lost to Furman Dumbass Denver Dawg.
45-42
PS I named my daughter Joe Cox
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 9th, 2009
4:44 pm
Awww, poor baby, don’t have Matty to spoon with anymore.
Tech Fan
September 9th, 2009
4:44 pm
The manhole covers were also found with the Hedges we stole last year.
Fear Paul Johnson
45-42
Alpharetta Dawg
September 9th, 2009
4:44 pm
Very surprised by his comments…certainly not what you expect from a 5th year senior(kinda of like I did not expect him to wet the bed in Stillwater). I am not a NASCAR fan but I know when you run into the wall that is not a good performance…when you play golf if you consistantly hit the ball OB you are not very good…I don’t need to have played in college or at any level to make those evaluations. You can make all the excuses in the world for him but the bottom line is he has not shown any indication he can handle being the starting QB. I would rather take our lumps with Freshman mistakes knowing their upside than die a slow death with a QB that simply cannot play at this level.
homer
September 9th, 2009
4:45 pm
How good are the other georgia QB’s if they couldn’t beat this guy out for the starting job? Dog fans are blaming last loss on coaching, because dogs “have all of these 4 and 5 star players”. Scouting service rankings are a joke; every year GA has a “top 5″ recruiting class but not a very good football team. Keep on kidding yourselves about your great “talent”.