For Dogs, should the future be now?
Would playing Aaron Murray now waste a year of eligibility or give Georgia a head start on getting the program back on track? (Bob Andres / AJC)
I put the question to a number of Georgia fans on Sunday: Should Mark Richt take the redshirt off true freshman Aaron Murray and start playing him now so that the Dogs don’t again enter the season next year with an inexperienced quarterback?
The thinking behind that question is that Georgia knows how rough a season with a green freshman QB can be (2006, with four losses, including to Vandy and Kentucky). And after the debacle that this season has turned into with a relatively inexperienced fifth-year senior who’s thrown a dozen interceptions so far, Richt needs to look to the future of the program.
This season is already broken, the thinking goes. At least we can get Murray, who appears to be Georgia’s likely starter after this year, some valuable playing experience in the remaining games, even if he’s sharing the quarterbacking duties with the faltering senior Joe Cox. There appears to be next to no support for starting current backup Logan Gray, whose brief appearances behind center have been pretty underwhelming.
Of course, the argument against playing Murray in the remaining four games is that there’s not enough season left for it to matter and it will waste one of his four years of eligibility. As my brother Jon put it on Sunday, “If they were going to start playing Murray, it needed to be after the Tennessee game. It’s too late now.”
The wait-until-next-year side also can cite the example of David Greene, who started for Richt as an inexperienced redshirt freshman without the growing pains of true freshman Matthew Stafford. But the preternaturally composed Greene certainly isn’t the norm in college football.
In his Sunday teleconference, Richt apparently was balking at looking ahead to next year. He said he’d go with the quarterback who gives Georgia the best chance to win the remaining games this season rather than getting a player ready for the future because “we owe that to our seniors. We owe that to our fans.”
An interesting thought process there. You can argue both ways about what Richt does or does not owe to the current senior class, but a pretty strong case can be made that what Richt owes to the fans (and the financial supporters of Georgia football) is to do what’s best for the long-term interests of the program.
Loading ...The play-Murray-now side believes that short-term thinking like Richt expressed on Sunday is not the kind of bold leadership the head coach needs to be displaying as his program falls into the second tier of the SEC.
What do you think? Pull the redshirt off Murray now and get ready for next year or play out the season with Cox and Gray and worry about the future later? Sound off in the comments, vote in the poll or both.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
112 comments Add your comment
ct
November 2nd, 2009
10:06 am
If you are not going to start Cox, start Gray. i am not a fan of pulling redshirts, let him and Mettenburger gain experience on the scout team against our No 1s. Mceleroy at Alabama is someone other than Greene that is QBing a successful team after a redshirt.
renegade#1
November 2nd, 2009
10:08 am
I’m first big harry assed deal. wheres my cardboard cookie
Bryan G.
November 2nd, 2009
10:08 am
If Murray is better than Gray, start Murray. I think taking the redshirt off Jordan Jefferson is paying dividends for LSU right now.
We have 4 games left and probably a 5th. I think that’s plenty of time for Murray to get his feet wet when you figure in a bowl practice (again, assuming we actually win 2 more games…which is not a given with either #11 or #14 starting).
ct
November 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
Correction Mceleroy is an example of someone that can succeed w/o prior playing experience if coached properly.
Greg
November 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
Murray is not an early-entry NFL guy. Let’s give him 4 years. The down side of that is that he only gets 1 year with AJ in all likelihood, but with Orson Charles, Da’Rick Rodgers, Marlon Brown, Wooten, etc, I’d say we need to maximize our opportunity for productivity from Murray (which DOES NOT include this year) and make sure that he is ready next year.
On the flip side, I do think Gray needs to see more time this year so that he can be a backup that has AT LEAST a little experience. I do not think that he is an SEC caliber starting QB, however.
bobby1976
November 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
No….if Murray is as good as advertised, I’d like to have him for four years under an improved coaching staff.
Denver Dog
November 2nd, 2009
10:11 am
doesn’t matter which QB gets the call, we’ll be lucky to finish 6 and 6 and I don’t even want to think about next year, bottom line: we suck and will continue to until changes are made.
renegade#1
November 2nd, 2009
10:11 am
oops # 2 slow on the draw quick on the gun
Thom
November 2nd, 2009
10:14 am
The years that we are the worst are the years that we don’t have a quarterback ready (see Joe T and Joe C). It would be to our greatest benefit to decide which of the three remaining underclassmen will be our starter next year and begin to PLAY HIM NOW! http://www.wedgeorgia.com
dawgalum2001
November 2nd, 2009
10:14 am
i don’t understand why everyone’s so scared of sacrificing a year of murray’s eligibility. if he turns out to be a superstar, do you really think he’d stay around and not jump to the nfl like stafford or moreno? and if he turns out to be a bust, wouldn’t we all be screaming to bench him for the next phenom anyway?
i think it’s worth the sacrifice to get our program back to where it needs and should always be!
Michael G.
November 2nd, 2009
10:17 am
Leave the redshirt on Murray and give the nod to Logan Gray. Murray has tendonitis in his throwing shoulder and that above all else is why the redshirt was applied to begin with.
Kendawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:18 am
I don’t agree with pulling Murray’s redshirt. To me it’s too late in the season. If they had pulled it after six games, I could understand. UGA needs to let Gray play some when it matters in the game. Let’s see what he can do and see if he’s a viable option for next year. If we win two or three more games, we’ll go to a small bowl that doesn’t matter nearly as much as next season matters.
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
10:18 am
NO QB Stafford, Green, or DJ could have won Sat. against UF. The system is predictable and on top of that kills itself with penalties.
No Murray should not play. Let Logan run more of the playbook. Coming off the bench cold against UF is not the time to score his ability to play.
The time is now to begin searching for a new OC, DC, and special teams coach. Let the current staff finish the season except with CMR takiing over duties as OC. New assistants need to be signed on as quickly as the UGA and their season ends.
azdawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
This season’s already in the dump so why sacrifice a year of eligibility for 4 games? I’d rather see AM learn next season and have him around an additional year than possibly get pounded and/or hurt the remainder of this season. It doesn’t make sense now and if it were to happen should have 3-4 ball games ago. Cox hasn’t played well all the time but he is not the only reason this team is failing to win. There’s plenty of blame to go around and it all doesn’t land on Joe Cox. Allow him to finish his career and UGA start anew next season and that includes a new DC and the handful of asst’s whose team’s/responsibilities have woefully regressed over the last 3 seasons. If AM is as good as predicted he’ll learn fast next year but if WM and his cronies are still around this entire conversation is moot.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
November 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
I wish murray had played all year he would be a vet by now and next year would look better but as it is its a shame to waste a redshirt on 4 meaningless games but murray may still get playing time who knows .
GET ME OUTTA HER PERCY !!!!!!!!!!
GO DAWGS
Easy decision
November 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
Start Murray. He needs to get his feet wet now and Tennessee Tech is the perfect team to do it with. Auburn, Kentucky, and GTech have bad defenses so it is a good opportunity to build some confidence.
Minnesota Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
Split time between quarterbacks. We did it with D.J. and Green. Get that future quarterback some playing time. Go Dawgs!
YoungDawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:21 am
Murray should be redshirted. Let Gray play more snaps & give him a chance to win the job for the remainder of this season.
Easy decision
November 2nd, 2009
10:23 am
Gray doesn’t have what it takes for next year so why waste time with him? You might as well continue with Cox.
another ptc dawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:28 am
Can Murray play defense!!!!!
Yellow=Piss
November 2nd, 2009
10:29 am
Redshirts should be irrelevant when you’re in the top five recruiting ranks every year. And I still havnt understood the point in redshirting skill positions, if they’re good they will be in the NFL after three years.
BEL
November 2nd, 2009
10:29 am
CMR won’t put in Murray or Zach because then he won’t be able to use the “we’re playing w/an untested quarterback” excuse next year. Same ‘ol same ‘ol…
DawgGirl32
November 2nd, 2009
10:30 am
I will probably get crucified for saying this, but I have A LOT of respect for Mark Richt for keeping in a QB that will win us the next four games because he owes it to the seniors. Our seniors have worked too hard over the last 4-5 years to only have the season considered as a “done deal, time to start looking to the future” after 8 games. Football isn’t just for the fans. These seniors deserve a QB who will give them the best chance of ending their senior seasons on the right note. I’m glad Mark Richt has enough class to recognize this even if it means he’ll be criticized for it.
McDawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:31 am
why does everyone think that Murray is ready to start? he didn’t practice for three weeks in the middle of the season-the coaching staff threw their lot w/ Cox (the Great Leader) and i think they are going to have to live with it
BTW my recollection is that Bobo was the only person who was skeptical of our “vaunted” offensive line at the beginning of the season while everyone else was ranking it as tops in the nation
RonnieGarDner
November 2nd, 2009
10:32 am
Tennessee beat UGA by 26 points. Florida beat UGA by 24 points. Shouldn’t Tennessee be ranked at least in the top ten for beating UGA?
Too Late
November 2nd, 2009
10:33 am
If you were going to start Murray, it should have been weeks ago. Too late now; let Cox finish out the season……
dawgfacedboy
November 2nd, 2009
10:35 am
What did you expect Gray to do??? He’s MAYBE thrown 5 passes in his career and he gets put in during a beatdown against the Florida D on our own 3 and throwing from our own endzone?!?!?!?! Did you actually expect him to be successful???????????? How bout you give him a fair shot?!?!?! Let him take every snap against Tenn Tech. Evaluate him then!
To just discard a 4 star prospect who hasn’t been given a fair shot to be successful and burn the redshirt with 4 games left????? Not to mention Mettenberger is a 6′5 QB with a hell of an arm!! Little premature to eliminate him from consideration isn’t it?????
Saint Simons
November 2nd, 2009
10:40 am
41 – 17 !!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
BJohnDawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:45 am
One reason,We are in the pickle this year because Cox was not seasoned with any playing time last year.Stafford got all the snaps. Although one could argue that with Cox it would not have made a difference.But Murray has talent. I think a start or two would help him.
I really would rather not have a new green apple QB next year who has seen no playing time this year. Look in the past. DJ …got playing time when David Greene was kicking butt. Stafford started his freshman year. What is wrong with the current crop of new Qbs that they dont rate significant meaningful playing time? Are they not quality recruits? If so give them the snaps. If not, I go back to the coaching staff that recruited them. They should be dismissed if they cannot recruit.
This program has got so many problems. Maybe Richt should hire a consultant to come in and do an independent analysis. I sure with unemployment as high as it is we could find one available. Perhaps a good DC as well.
Munson #1
November 2nd, 2009
10:46 am
So, will our 90,000 seat stadium be full for Tenn. Tech? After all, it is all about the stadium size right?
Bill King
November 2nd, 2009
10:49 am
McDawg:
Good point about Bobo and the line. But he has his own issues.
38 Yardline Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:50 am
If you don’t think we should play the best players we got, red shirt or not, then pack your bags with the other coaching staff that needs to be shown the door. Ask Richt if he’s happy about keeping the red shirt on Moreno now. Ask Spurrier how he feels about playing the best players. Sheesh.
Bill King
November 2nd, 2009
10:52 am
Personally, I’m torn. I really like Joe Cox and wanted him to succeed. Those shots of him on the sideline Saturday after Logan had gone in were also hard to watch. And, frankly, if the question is which QB stands the best chance of getting us bowl eligible this year, I think it’s Cox.
But I’m also really really concerned about entering next season with Logan Gray as the only QB with any playing experience. I don’t see him as being anything more than a Joe T, if that. A hindrance to the development of the QB of the future, in other words. I think Gray’s eventual best use would be as a flanker or something like that. Mettenberger is, I think, more of a project. Down the road, he could be a starter. But I don’t think he’ll beat out Murray. So if Murray is the QB of the future, any playing time he gets now would be a plus.
I think where I ultimately come down in this is that Cox should nominally remain the starter for the rest of this season but the redshirt should come off Murray and he should get pretty extensive, scripted playing time in all but perhaps the Tech game.
38 Yardline Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
10:54 am
And if Cox’s pass decision making is the best we’ve got, the Gawd help us. I mean, did you see him thow the ball into a pack of 6 Gators and 1 Dawg reciever?!?
DBCOOPER
November 2nd, 2009
10:54 am
Damn UGA looks as bad as GT has for decades.
Richt thinks that playing Cox gives UGA the best chance to win? How about the best chance to win in the future? I’m sorry, Cox is not going to beat Auburn or Tech and might not beat Kentucky. Murray might not either but it’s valuable experience. He’s given the seniors every chance in the world and the have been humiliated at UT and Jax. The fans he speaks of are tired of watching a “blood letting” in Jax every damn year. And to lose to a team like GT a second tier program is hard to take.
Bill King
November 2nd, 2009
10:54 am
On Murray’s shoulder: Richt says it’s completely healed and there are no current health issues.
Saint Simons
November 2nd, 2009
10:55 am
Uga 4-4 hahahahahahahahahahahaha Uga will lose 2 more games!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahaha Uga should wear pink helments !!!!!! hahahahahaha
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 2nd, 2009
10:56 am
Do you fleabags remember last year where SI had Duke ranked ahead of GT in preseason, and ya’ll thought that was the funniest thing in the world?
Have you seen the ranking lately. Don’t look up. Duke might slap you in the face.
Pretty funny isn’t it?
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
11:00 am
The line? I have not checked the stats lately but earlier this season it had allowed fewer sacks than last year. It was one of few stats that UGA was actually ranked highly in. Ealy is a RB that can hit the line and be almost as elusive as Moreno.
UGA actually had a running game Sat. and against a defense that is in the Top 2 in the SEC. Just imagine if Ealy and Moreno were both in the rotation. Nobody would be talking about the line.
Maybe it isn’t the line, QB, or even RB but the system is stale making great players required at all the skill positions to win games.
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
11:05 am
38yardline maybe it was the only play. AJ with double coverage is still more likely to come down with the ball than most of UGA’s palyers. Yes Cox forced passes but it was not like UGA had many open WRs or could win the game rushing the ball.
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
11:05 am
We have two good QB’s that would fit our system sitting on the bench with red-shirts. I would say keep their redshirts on if we were not planning on recruiting that position for the next two years. But of course we will go after QB recruits. Play which ever one you think will start next year. Metz may wind up transfering anyway if he realizes he will never get a chance to start. I wish him and Murray were two years apart.
dawgphish
November 2nd, 2009
11:08 am
There are tons of issues that need to be addressed besides who should start a QB.
1. it’s time for Martinez to GO. Enough already with the undisciplined laid back cover two crap that gets 40+ points scored on us every week.
2. it’s time to demote of fire Bobo. Clearly he is not an OC. Even my dog can predict his play book. Sweep left sweep right or dive up the middle crap.
3. Clearly penalties have destroyed any kind of field position gained in any game we have played. This has to do with either two things. Our coaching staff is not doing their job or we have the dumbest football team in America. It really doesn’t matter who is taking the snaps this year, if these problems are not addressed in the off season then it’s going to be another long year.
and another thing, who in the hell did Joe C go undefeated in high school?
senoiadawgs
November 2nd, 2009
11:09 am
I 100% disagree that Cox should see the field again this year. Yes this team has a lot of problems other than Cox. However, what game has Joe truly won for us this year? Of our 4 losses all 4 have a lot to do with Joe Cox. I’m sorry but the playing for the SR.’s excuse is crap. Let’s just say, in the UK game UGA is leading in the 4th QT by 2. Joe hasn’t thrown an INT yet. Joe throws a pass high, behind his receiver or tipped at the line to try and sustain the clock draining drive. It’s picked and returned for six or sets up UK nicely. Considering he is 8-8 in this scenario he does not give UGA the best chance to win. I’m sorry, I’ve said it since OSU Joe Cox is far from the answer.
Gray has not been given a fair shake. Taking our lumps with Murray, Gray or Mettenberg next year to start a 5th yr SR is not the answer. I am also tired of this he is such a great leader crap. He is not, often great leaders we stop the stupidity that is shown in every UGA game this year with the penalties, cheap shops and thug mentality. A great leader doesn’t act like he won the MNC or super bowl after every touchdown pass he throws. A great leader doesn’t always look like a deer in the headlights after every mistake he has made all year. Folks Cox has 12 INT’s 1 in every game and at least 4 fumbles on the yr. These type of stats are acceptable for a first yr pro in the NFL and a true freshman only. I’m sorry but hearing the youth excuse at the QB position is the last thing I want to hear from CMR next year and we will hear it. How about respect the UGA program and play for what is available now, a bowl game, 2 weeks of extra practice and next year. O right, we have to play for the seniors since they are clearly the majority of the problem on this team. Go ask Meyer, Carrol, Johnson, Stoops, Brown, Kiffin, Saban, etc… if they care that a player is a senior other than senior day. The best player plays period.
DOG GONE IT
November 2nd, 2009
11:09 am
Although everyone is discussing whether to play Murray or not. It seems to be escaping everyones’ attention that the Defensive Line (INTERIOR) of Atkins, Wade, and Owens might all be gone after this season. Georgia will have to break in a relatively inexperienced defensive front, unless they start giving real playing time to those who back up this group.
In any event, forgetting what the players have failed to do, this coaching staff on the whole has not done Its job in the last year and a half. There is no discipline. There is no attention to detail. There is no basic understanding of down and distance strategy. Bobo all but signaled to Florida his surrender when he had the offense run the ball on 3 & 15, rather than taking the bold step of going four or five wide.
I submit Bobo cannot match wits with the likes of Charlie Strong, Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Monte Kiffin etc. I submit that Martinez cannot match wits with anyone seeing as how he is using an empty weapon.
Mark Richt has a responsibility to this team and the fan base. However, when you have given people a chance to compete for a job and they don’t rise to the occasion, it is time for a change.
I do wish Richt would be more direct like Paul Johnson, as opposed to saying, “Well, we just didn’t play like we had hoped, and we just made some bad mistakes….blah, blah, blah!”
birddawg92
November 2nd, 2009
11:10 am
I’ll do everyone one better: it’s time for Mark Richt to GO. Any other action at this point is just a band-aid.
http://saturdayinathens.com/2009/11/02/never-thought-id-see-the-day/
senoiadawgs
November 2nd, 2009
11:11 am
Umm OTTO, go back and watch the play to Green in again when he through it into quadruple coverage on AJ. Wooten is running a post wide ass open.
senoiadawgs
November 2nd, 2009
11:15 am
Also on the 3rd and 15 and 16 plays. I actually think Bobo called a pass play on those. It sure looked to me like Cox checked into a run on both of those plays.
black helmets don't cover up willie
November 2nd, 2009
11:15 am
This team can’t block, tackle, cover, run the ball, stay in defensive position, etc. etc. Why do you think that changing the qb at this point would matter? Cox is not the problem. He had two interceptions that were on him – the tip+interception was a miracle play (like we used to make when we had a defensive coordinator with spunk). Cox performed better in this game than Stafford did in last year’s UF game – did anybody want to bench him then? What about Bryan Evans, who is every quarterback’s dream?
Dawg Fud
November 2nd, 2009
11:18 am
Cox is not getting the job done but I am hesitant to pull it off Murray.
I am more concerned about who our defensive coordinator will be next season.
senoiadawgs
November 2nd, 2009
11:18 am
Amen birddawg92, I agree with the you and poster over on saturdayinathens except for the part of not watching bulldog football until he is gone. I may not like what I see but I am a fan will be there or watching every saturday regardless.
senoiadawgs
November 2nd, 2009
11:20 am
This team will be a lot better by benching Cox + Evans, Miller and Jones. The QB position is just the most high profile and gets the most attention. I have been saying bench all 4 since at least the ARK game.
Dawg Fud
November 2nd, 2009
11:22 am
Richt may not acknowledge it and fans may not want to admit it but if Richt has another “bad” year in 2010 he will no longer the HC.
By “bad” I mean penalties and turnovers. If we play well but struggle I think alums and fans will be okay.
This undisciplined play has worn the Georgia faithful out and I sense Richt is burned out.
If Richt really and truly wants to be the HC at Georgia for a long time he will make several staff changes. If he does not then I think he is waving the white flag and taking his money when he gets fired.
Dawg Fud
November 2nd, 2009
11:25 am
Jones will be magnificent in the NFL. He is a prime example of a crappy defensive coordinator not having him pepared every week.
Bryan Evans has gotten burned more than any other DB I can ever remember at UGA.
Play Him
November 2nd, 2009
11:28 am
Play Murray. Blow the redshirt. If as good as advertised he won’t be here 4 years anyways. Let him play the 4 games, hope we get a bowl invite, practice with the 1st team the extra month, play the extra game and get him ready for next year.
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
11:28 am
Willie cleans out his desk at the end of the year. He knows it and Coach Richt knows it. Since CMR hires from within, look for Rodney to be the DC next year.
Freddy
November 2nd, 2009
11:31 am
Take off all the redshirts. Let the young kids play. Now is the time to get there feet wet.
oneloyaldawg
November 2nd, 2009
11:32 am
To all those who are saying “keep the redshirt, give him his 4 years.” A redshirt year technically gives you 5 years. So i agree with the sentiment, give him his 4 years. Start him now and let him try to start putting this team back together. Maybe rallying around helping a rookie QB is what this team needs.
Another side note: Murray has been throwing to Orson Charles for at least the past 4 years. and we all know that it doesnt matter who is throwing to AJ, he will come down with it.
rockc82
November 2nd, 2009
11:33 am
seriously why would any georgia fan want logan gray out there? i just want to know what you’ve seen from gray that gets you excited about his future? he sucks
Tom
November 2nd, 2009
11:42 am
It comes down to coaching, plain and simple. I don’t see how anyone who watched the game Saturday can draw any other conclusion whatsoever.
Richt is simply not competitive enough, not fiery enough, too mild-mannered, too composed, too cool. He comes across as too dispassionate. He seems slack. He’s got the Wade Phillips look. It just doesn’t work in the SEC these days if you want to challenge for league and national championships.
If Lundquist was right when he relayed Richt’s commments on penalties — how FSU led the ACC in penalties and it didn’t seem to matter — it shows that Mark Richt is completely clueless and the game has passed him by.
There is a HUGE difference between FSU in the ACC in the early 90s and Georgia in the SEC today, even though it’s been less than 20 years. HUGE. The two situations are not even remotely similar. News flash, the game CAN change a great deal that quickly.
Fact is, Florida State enjoyed an enormous athletic advantage over every ACC opponent in the early days of their conference membership, which is why they didn’t lose a conference game until 1998. When you’re stronger and faster at pratically every position, you can give away penalty yards by the bushel. It doesn’t matter because at the end of the day, you’re going to score by the bushel too.
The penalties are a symptom, not the disease itself. But they make a huge statement about Richt and his staff.
top 5 recruiting year NOT
November 2nd, 2009
11:48 am
could a UGA fan please answer me this…why is it ok for Bama and Florida to play: FIU (both) North Texas, Chattanooga, Troy and Baptist College who poses as Charleston Southern? But you point your fingers at GT playing FSU, Clemson and Wake? You play these teams @ssholes. Good luck with that top 5 recruiting class you sign every year too
MiltonDawg
November 2nd, 2009
11:51 am
Obvisouly the “seniors” are not getting it done, maybe just a few. Not only should UGA play Murray, but let’s get some freshman/RS/sophomores in there, specifically on D- we’re going to need a lot of experience there if we even want to compete next year.
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
11:51 am
rockc82, What makes Murray look so great?
athensdawg
November 2nd, 2009
11:53 am
The answer to this is real simple……Murray is a distraction from the real issues. I am in favor of him starting if he can do the following:
1.play defense,
2.stop us from making so many penalties,
3.stop us from turning the ball over
4.overcome the inability of our coaching staff to motivate players.
let’s not throw this kid to the wolves just because our coaches can’t do their jobs.
top 5 recruiting year NOT
November 2nd, 2009
11:55 am
oh by the way, it is not our fault UGA is now considered a weak team. From pre ranked number 1 in the nation to a weak team in 2 seasons. And last season, you had two 1st round draft choices play QB and RB, and our QB and RB, Nesbitt and Jones compiled better yardage. What does that tell you? Out coached, outschemed and out foxed. You want to blame Tech for playing weak SEC teams, well hell we thought you were suppose to be ranked in the top 5..afterall you have a top 5 recruting class in the country every year that we have to hear about
still a fan
November 2nd, 2009
11:57 am
my question is why do we still give great players a redshirt when if they are good enough the will leave early for the draft anyways?
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
11:59 am
Senoia maybe on that play and maybe Cox could not see him back in the pocket in which case the only QB that possibly could would be Mettenberger.
Cox has forced passes no doubt but often he has to force it because the defense has covered UGA well due to the stale play calling turning UGA 1 dimensional at best.
If CWM is fired only 1/3rd of the problem is fixed. No QB at UGA will win a BCS title under Bobo. If Bobo is demoted it will create division in the program. Even without turnovers and penalties UGA was beat on the field.
jason
November 2nd, 2009
12:01 pm
birddawg92, I agree with the link you have provided with the exception that these are still my DAWGS, and I will stupidly watch the Tenn Tech game this weekend.
CMR has to go with his overated and inexperienced coaches. Since CMR has become the CEO and not the HC, this program has gone down hill. Someone answer me this. What is the difference between the 4 and 5 STAR recruits now and the ones when BVG was UGA’s DC? I keep hearing how UGA does not have the talent that they once had during the BVG era.
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
12:02 pm
Athensdawg, Yes that would improve UGA but to win with the Pro/West Coast offense UGA need a dominating OL like Bama which runs much the same offense. However UGA does not recruit OL as heavily as Bama.
UGA does have 4 elite 11 QBs and struggles rotating players on the OL.
jason
November 2nd, 2009
12:03 pm
Again with the fire CWM fire/ demote Bobo, Fire the ST coach, but yet CMR keeps getting the free pass. It is painfully obvious CMR does not know how to evaluate talent. Whether it be coaches or recruits.
dawgphish
November 2nd, 2009
12:05 pm
top 5 recruiting year, huh? what in the world are you talking about? FSU Clemson and Wake are clearly not North Texas, Troy, Chattanooga and Charleston Southern and Georgia has played non of those teams this year
MACDAWG
November 2nd, 2009
12:08 pm
Mark Richt will not fire CWM he was his best man in his wedding, his college roommate point blank we stuck with the s.o.b as for the senior class i can’t wait to see them leave joe cox, byron evans prince miller soory but these guys have not played like seniors and have cost the team and rest of the senior class the season!!! stop me if i am wrong
no dawg
November 2nd, 2009
12:19 pm
More lambs for the slaught! Great idea. This way he’ll be used to getting his head taken of, and be ready for next year.
Macclenny_man
November 2nd, 2009
12:22 pm
Gray should get the start with Murray playing every 3rd series!!! That way we would have 2 qb’s with some experience for next year!!! If either one gets hurt then we would have 1 with some experience!!! After the next 2 games the best qb out of them should become starter now and next year!! I believe Gray gives us the best chance to win because he gives us the spread look and can run or throw!!! Murray should play the heck with this season its time to focus on what is in store 4 next year!!! We have the weapons now get them the ball!!! Richt should get back to running offense and let Bobo coach the qb’s!!! Bobo hasn’t had time to coach the backup qb’s because he is trying to install game plans and run the offense!!! That is why Murray is not ready!!! Martinez has 2 go!!! If Richt can’t fire him well then see ya later Richt!!! Richt has just got 2 comfortable at Georgia!!! He thinks it will all work itself out!!! Change is good!!! Complacency is bad!!! Very disappointed in Richt the last 2 years!!! He has 2 demand more!!! Ever since he has had more time to overlook every aspect of the team we have went down hill!!! Richt get back to what you know!!! Run the offense!!!! Bobo is a good qb coach!! Let him coach the qb’s where they will be ready to go if 1 gets hurt!!!
no dawg
November 2nd, 2009
12:22 pm
Maybe Richt should move Cox to defensive end. Isn’t that what Prince Dooley would do with a slow, weak armed QB?
innocent bystander
November 2nd, 2009
12:29 pm
Dawg face boy makes a good point. Tennessee Tech give us a luxury in a year with few luxuries. Let Logan start and remain in the game the first half. If he is so ineffective that the game in actually in jeopardy (which is hard to imagine) then put Joe Cox back in.I question whether the ‘game experience this year to get him ready for next’argument justifies the loss of one whole year of eligibility. Murray could get hurt or even shell shocked this year which is pretty much down the drain anyway. Let’s save him. And let’s let Logan have a chance to redeem himself after that awful display Saturday.
Otto
November 2nd, 2009
12:38 pm
If Gray does get the start or even substantial playing against Tn Tech why should Gray’s redshirt be burn for playing a few token possesions?
If Logan goes in and does not perform and the coaching staff is willing to pull the trigger on a QB change then let Zach and Aaron fight it out. A spring camp and almost full season of practice combined with Auburn, Kentucky, and GT games would ramp up a QB for next year.
I still do not thing Cox is the primary problem but UGA is stuck looking at a low level bowl. Ealey, AJ and Charles show promise for the offense. UGA needs another RB for next year.
Remember many say the best thing Donnan ever did was redshirt Green. Sadly the same may possibly said for the 2nd half of CMR’s tenure.
I like CMR as a man but must question many of his decisions. Will he make chages on staff to make UGA a winner?
reebok
November 2nd, 2009
12:46 pm
Tech fan here. I don’t have a dog in this fight (sorry), but giving up a years’ eligibility of your QB of the future in the last 4 games of what appears to be a lost season is a very bad idea. If you have to kick Joe Tereshinksi (sorry, Joe COX) to the curb, give the ball to Logan and give him a shot.
IMHO, of course. See you on The Flats in a few weeks!
Daniel #12
November 2nd, 2009
12:46 pm
Don’t blow the redshirt now. Harks back to Goff blowing Hines Ward redshirt at end of season. When you have a defense giving up on an average of almost 30 points a game, I do not think QB is the first area to look for improvement.
As for Murray getting experience running the scout team, there is a down side. He will be running against our defense which is not like against an SEC defense. He will not face as easy a defense in his varsity career as the confused, disorganised group he faces in practice.
cantondawg
November 2nd, 2009
12:47 pm
First of all, i’m not one to criticize coaches or anyone who has more knowledge on a subject than me. But, there were a couple of things that i’ve notice that puzzles me. On offense, why do we seem to pass on third and 1’s and run on 2nd and 15 or 3rd and 10. I’ve notice several games this year that our drives have stopped because of incomplete passes on 3rd and 1. We should have the line up front to be able to gain a yard on anyone. Then, we turn around and run the ball on 2nd or 3rd and long. We have A.J. Green and other good receivers. At least give them a chance.
On defense, i don’t understand why we only rushed 3 players. In every 3rd and long situation against Florida, you could tell that Tebow was going to tuck the ball and run because of the huge open lanes with only 3 people rushing. I thought that we should have brought more pressure against him.
Unfortunately, I hate to see people get fired. But in business, results are everything. Georgia’s defense plays unenthused and makes tons of mistakes. The secondary seems to play the worst. All of this falls on the defensive coordinator. He’s had 4 years to turn around the defense and it gets worse every year.
Offensively, we seem to shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties. I think we have a load of talent but play undisciplined.
Coach Richt should do the right thing and make changes to the defensive coordinator.
MoDawg
November 2nd, 2009
12:48 pm
At this point, yanking the redshirt off of Murray is just as lame and as desperate as wearing black helmets and pants.
Let Cox and Gray split time at QB, let’s get King and Ealey more involved in the running game and start the work on making next year’s team better. We are only losing a couple of key players after this year, so the quicker we can get the guys ready for next year, the better. Let Gray, Murray and Mettenberger fight it out for the #1 QB spot next spring. We brought Cox to the party, let’s stick with him throughout. He gives us the best shot at winning the rest of the games on our schedule. Gray was put in an impossible situation Saturday. Shame on Richt for not getting him more meaningful snaps during the year.
Martinez is NOT invited back next year. We had an extra week to prepare for Florida to drive 80 and 92 yards, respectively and put the game away in the 1st quarter. That is pretty pathetic.
cantondawg
November 2nd, 2009
12:48 pm
Coach Richt made a huge mistake last year in not hiring John Chavis as def. coordinator. Look at the difference he has made at LSU in one year
JOE COX WAS SET UP BY RICHT!
November 2nd, 2009
1:02 pm
Mark Richt is delusional and on the face of it, less than truthful when he says that he will play whoever gives us the best chance to win. Joe Cox? Hardly. He’s been given eight chances and since the Arkansas game, he has been less than productive.
I feel very badly for Joe Cox. Honest. If ever there was an oversold product pre-season, it was Joe Cox. Well, Matt Stafford was oversold too. All the talk about Matt Stafford’s arm was the sales tool.
Keep in mind we had a three year run with him, Mo Mass and Knowshon and we didn’t win a damn thing.
He, Mark Richt, created a fiction about this fine young man which was just that, a fiction. Richt and his staff kept talking about his leadership qualities, the kinds of qualities that were missing from Matt Stafford.
My thoughts were and have been that leadership is highly desirable to be sure, but there need be talent along with it to make a meaningful package.
Joe Cox didn’t have the talent. Notwithstanding, many took the bait including many who knew better. But they wanted it that way and chose to ignore reality: Joe Cox is not a SEC caliber QB.
I need confess that I took it as well based on the assertions of the football people I know that Joe Cox would be fine. I never, ever for one moment believed emotionally that Joe Cox would be fine. If “they” thought he would be fine, I had to pay attention. I agreed with them intellectually speaking.
Joe Cox has taken the brunt of his head coach’s propaganda campaign to where he talks about it as his fault that Florida creamed us. That well may be factually, but Cox was set up to take the fall and he has. YES, SET UP. Because he never had the talent we thought he did. He made one start in three years, never to see the field in that capacity again until this season.
If he Joe was fine, then why didn’t he play more often? Because he never had the talent we thought he did. Pardon my repetition. Mark Richt, coming off a disappointing 2008 season after being pre-season number one, needed something for the faithful to chew on when waiting for the season to begin. Joe Cox was the chew-ee.
So that is how this supposedly fine man, and in many respects he is that, but a fine head coach he is not, handled his head coaching. Set up Joe as the great leader (he is a valiant young man, to say the least) talk about his encyclopedic knowledge of the playbook, his accuracy in throwing the ball, his supposed game management skills. These attributes were sure to distract the unwashed mob. And they did in spades. After all, hope springs eternal, does it not?
In retrospect, all of those highly desirable traits except leadership have proven to be wanting in Joe Cox. Had he had them, surely he would have been used by the coaches to a far greater extent in the previous three years. But he wasn’t. Did they know something we didn’t know? If they didn’t, then they aren’t worthY of being called coaches. Now that’s an interesting thought, isn’t it?
All you defenders of this man need awaken from your slumber and look at the ugly facts. Under his aegis the last four plus years, we have steadily declined as a program ’til where we find ourselves in a free-fall, while our primary opponents have not. Florida is Florida, Tennessee is on the upswing, Auburn is improving, etc. WE, YES WE are reverting to the years of Johnny Griffith, 61-63. He couldn’t coach and neither can Mark Richt.
Let’s not forget that Mark Richt inherited a treasure chest of talent when he arrived on Ag Hill assembled by the best head coach/recruiter there is/was, Jim Donnan. That is another story that need not be told here.
Mark Richt is the problem. He is the first coach that needs to be fired, plain and simple. Why his supporters think that he can hire a DC who is the real thing who would come to this program are deluding themselves.
Mark Richt is the problem. Mark Richt is the problem. Mark Richt is the problem.
Look reality in the face, oh ye delusional ones, and you will see Mark Richt’s picture as a failed coach.
And what do I have to say about years 1-4 under Richt? Good going coach, I loved it when we were winning, loved it, which makes the last few years even more difficult and painful to take, but what have you done for us lately Coach?
All of you who are salesmen and saleswomen have heard that all your careers and will continue to do so. That’s how the world works, like it or not.
So who do we get to replace Richt many people holler. Here’s a few names of HCs at Stanford, Boise State, TCU, Houston, Cincy. That’s a good start.
Mark Richt, sic gloria transit. Very, very loosely translated that means don’t let the door hit you in your butt on the way out.
What a J.O.K.E!
November 2nd, 2009
1:10 pm
Hey King you and Bradley bunk buddies like Schultz and Barnhart are? Looks like all of you all had a nice little “sleep over”. AJC paying you to write the same story? Guess spooning helps you think better.. Also why are all of you writing only about Ga.? I might have missed it but didn’t Tech win this weekend and the last, and the one before that, and the one before that? Just asking………
Abilene
November 2nd, 2009
1:14 pm
Things have gotten really bad when the head coach’s idea of innovation is to change the uniforms. If that’s the best that Richt can come up with, we need a new coach. Granted, that won’t happen until after signing day, although how great is the recruiting going to be for a team that is 4-4 and looking like a program on a long downhill slide?
Not much sense in un-redshirting Murray at this point. Let the season play out with Joe Cox, as unproductive and error-prone as he is. This season is down the toilet anyway.
But I sure would feel better if Richt was gone.
TommyP
November 2nd, 2009
1:17 pm
DO NOT take the redshirt off Murray. So Bill, you’re suggesting Murray play SOME snaps in 3 games and NOT Tech? What a waste of his freshman year!!!!
The kid is supposed to be awesome but he’s too short for the NFL so we’re looking at a 4 year starter. He won’t be thrown into the fire like Stafford was…he’ll have a redshirt year and two winter/springs/summers under his belt in the program.
Let Cox and Gray split evenly this week and then decide from there.
I really think we are being unfair to Gray if you’re judging him on the few snaps he’s had so far. Auburn, Cal and Missouri all offered him besides Georgia and he was a 4 star recruit. Let’s put him in a position to succeed and not what we’ve done so far.
And Richt doesn’t owe the fans.
38-3
November 2nd, 2009
1:19 pm
Saints Simons, I hope you die – biatch.
RAMBLE ON!!! UGA still owns your simple mind, good to know!
Charlene
November 2nd, 2009
1:24 pm
Has UGA named an Official Bail Bondsman for the football team? They could pick up some more sponsor money.
And yes, let’s play Murray at QB now. What have we got to lose. It can’t get much worse than this. Joe Cox is a decent fellow, but he’s not getting the job done.
TECHFAN5K
November 2nd, 2009
1:25 pm
Looks like the Bulldogs (collectively) are the Florida Gators permanent bitch (pun intended). At least they (and the rest of the football world) know “who’s your daddy”!
devin lansing
November 2nd, 2009
1:35 pm
Starting Murray now is a mistake, for two reasons:
1. Eligibility sacrificed, as mentioned above by Mr. King. While Murray may be highly touted, he is not the NFL prototype Stafford was. He could be as good or even better than Stafford in college and still not sniff the Top Ten in draft projections due to his height. So the likelihood of losing him early is small, and keeping the redshirt on this year gives him next year to get his feet wet, then 2-3 years as a starter.
2. The schedule next season is much more conducive to “training” Murray with Louisiana-Lafayette in Athens to open rather than on-the-road at Oklahoma State.
crs
November 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Those calling for Murray – we have a sorry o-line, we have zero running game, this kid appears to be injury prone, we are 8 games in, keep the redshirt on, this is not EA NCAA 2010, we do not want to break this kid in a meaningless 4 games.
Those continuing to defend the D with the “well they actually played a good 2nd half” – they put us down 14-0 and gave up drives of 80 and 92. Child please!
Those calling for Logan, you think the coaches would not have gone to him sooner if he could play? He is a third year guy. He can’t play.
The best things we can do are:
1. Stick with Cox
2. Bench Reshard Jones (He is a bust and he’s leaving anyway)
3. Bench Bryan Evans
4. Play young safties, Georgia D style is highly reliant on safties not giving up big plays
5. Stick with oline rotation, changing and tinkering is messing these guys up worse
6. Go with Ealey and Samuel, Caleb is a BUST, get Dontavious some carries too.
7. Dumb down the defense, the guys are clearly not capable of knowing the ins and outs a zone based D.
Are any of these things going to get us more than 1 more win this year? I don’t know but it seems they give us the best chance to win.
With the oline as poor as it is, we simply did not have the personnel this year to run our run game and play action pass which is the GA offense year in and year out.
On D with little pressure for D ends and even worse saftey play we did not have the personnel to rush 4 and constantly switch up zone D’s which is our bread and butter D even under BVG.
Willie will given an opportunity and it did not work out. That said, I do not think given the offensive turnovers, sketchy special teams particularly on kickoff coverage that BVG could have this group giving up 20 points or less a game.
ugaaccountant
November 2nd, 2009
1:41 pm
In 1980/81 Dooley pulled the redshirt off Terry Hoage in the bowl game. His career turned out pretty well.
If Murray is better than Joe Cox, pull it today and start him. If he’s not better than Cox, then give Logan a start against Tenn Tech and judge from there if Cox or Logan should start the rest of the way.
ugaaccountant
November 2nd, 2009
1:46 pm
Our running game was very effective against Florida. 4.1 yards a carry is plenty, as long as you call a decent game. However, running on 3rd and 15 is not calling a decent game. If we had called a normal game, we would have controlled the ball more and kept the score close.
We would not have won the game though, as Florida made several unreal plays. The early 1 handed touchdown catch and the batted ball where the lineman caught his own deflection are the kind of breaks you simply can’t beat. Even great coaching might not have beat a team with that kind of luck on the day. Plus any game planned by Martinez will leave holes like the one Tebow scampered through to “break the td record”.
fayncdawg
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
With this lousy coaching staff, it really does not matter. If the coaching was any good, Cox would have been a solid QB and we would be 6-2 or maybe even 7-1! REMEMBER THIS: COX IS NOT AN INEXPERIECED QUARTERBACK!(THOUGH HE MISSED OUT ON VALUABLE PLAYING TIME LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE TEAM UNDERACHIEVED). It boils down to coaching! A top-flight head coach with top flight assistants does not allow a team with Georgia’s talent to falter like this. If CMR does not seek to hire competent coordinators, he needs to be FIRED!
AWFUL
November 2nd, 2009
2:16 pm
Richt doesn’t owe the fans anything? Are you kidding me? How many times has he paid an outrageous amount of his hard earned money to come to my work and watch me underperform? He owes all of us to put the best players on the field, no matter if they are a freshman or a senior, each and every week. With that being said, I don’t care who they start for the rest of the season, but Cox has to go. Yea, he was loyal to the program for four years…so what. Where was he going to go, West Georgia? He’s a nice kid but man, he is terrible. He may be a great leader, I don’t know. I’m not in that locker room and I imagine most of you aren’t as well. But I do know from being at the games that we are undiiciplined as he!! and to me that falls back on the “leader”, whether that is Cox or Richt. And if we are going to sit some of these seniors and get some underclassmen in, for GODS sake, take out Bryan Evans. How in the he!! did this guy ever get a scholarship? We will be extremely lucky to get to 6 wins and if we do I hope that we do not accept a bowl invitation because to me that is rewarding these guys for doing good and lord knows they haven’t done anything
DawginLex
November 2nd, 2009
2:16 pm
I don’t think Cox deserves all of the blame. He certainly made some bad throws Saturday and put the defense into bad spots. Actually, the defense adjusted in the 2nd half and didn’t play that bad. Take away the pick 6 and the interception on the first drive of the 2nd half and Florida’s longest scrimmage play was the last series of the game.
I still think the underlying issue with this offense is not being able to run the ball. We ran it decent enough Saturday and we could have kept running it and punted instead of throwing picks. We would have played them about like UT did 27-17 instead of 41-17. Either way, we would have lost.
I would start Cox and work one of the other guys in. I would not play all three unless it is a blowout Saturday. Let Murray and Gray work with the first team and determine the winner head-to-head. I’m not worried about the redshirt. If he is good enough to win the job, he deserves to play now. He will then be 5 games further along next year and with everyone returning on offense and a new DC, this team could win a lot of games in 2010.
Get ready for next year now while also winning 2 or 3 more games in 2009.
crs
November 2nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Honestly, where is all this “talent” you speak of? Because Scout or Rivals slaps 4 or 5 stars on a kid does not make him a player.
Reshard Jones plays like a scrub not a four or five star anything. He is consistently out of position.
Caleb King – another 5 star what?
Georgia has one star – AJ Green. Period.
The talent at UGA has fallen off, I don’t care what a recruiting service says.
crs
November 2nd, 2009
2:30 pm
It seems to me we are so eager to get recruiting finished every year that we are not doing our due diligence and considering whether these guys actually work in our system.
AWFUL
November 2nd, 2009
2:33 pm
crs, I agree. Whoever is evaluating all this talent needs to hit the road too. We are recruiting the same type of characters that FSU did in the 80’s and 90’s and getting Vandy type results.
crs
November 2nd, 2009
2:59 pm
“joe cox was set up” – dude, your insane and you make UGA fans everywhere cringe.
I never felt once I was oversold by Richt on Stafford, the kid had a fabulous arm and was a better runner than I expected. He was everything I hoped and in many ways better.
Since year 4 you proclaim the program has been in crisis. Huh? Year 5 with Shockley we won the conference. If not for the Shockley injury prior to FL we may well have won them all.
Stafford era produced 30 wins and a #2 national finish. If not for a slew of oline injuries it would have been better still likely.
Yes, Mark stretched on the Joe Cox praise, what was he suppossed to say, “sorry fans, Stafford left early and all we have are freshmen who are not ready, a third year guy who is still struggling with the system and a fifth year senior who is not 6′0 and hasn’t played”.
Come on.
Am I critical of the slowness to accept that Willie is not SEC DC capable? Yes. That said, I truly believe CMR felt we could win a NT in the Stafford era and he simply did not want to rock the boat with a major coaching change and system change on defense. Again guys we are not playing NCAA 2010 where we take players in and out with no consequences. The reality is a new D coordinator will ruffle feathers with some players and coaches.
You can not just reload and replace players the caliber of Stafford and KM.
The future still looks plenty bright for UGA though next year will be a struggle to win over 8 with a new qb and a new DC.
ugaaccountant
November 2nd, 2009
3:06 pm
Awful and CRS – Jones and probably all 3 interior DL, while not good at all under Martinez, are likely to get a serious look in the NFL. Evans and Miller will probably get an NFL tryout or two as well. If they come in highly recruited and then leave highly recruited, while playing poorly for UGA, tells me that it’s Martinez’s coaching that is the problem.