Bulldog Bites: Reconsidering Logan Gray
Logan Gray against the Gators. (Brand Sanderlin / AJC)
I was kind of hard on Logan Gray after his dismal appearances in the fourth quarter of the Florida game, which was a bit of a turnaround for me since I’d been campaigning all season for Mark Richt and Mike Bobo to give their backup QB more playing time.
I had liked what I’d seen of Gray in the G-Day game and all that smoke Bobo blew in preseason about special packages and a Wild Dawg offense got me kind of excited to see him. Then for most of the season he ended up restricted to the occasional handoff or one painfully telegraphed option play per game and his usual fair catch duty … until he got the mop-up call against Tennessee.
He didn’t show us much there, though he didn’t really have the opportunity, and then against the Gators he just looked horrible. Mainly his passes, and I’m not just talking about the ill-advised throw out of the end zone that turned into a pick.
This, I figured, is why we haven’t seen more of him this season. He’s just not that good and, for whatever reason, the coaches don’t want to pull the redshirt off Aaron Murray. So it’s mostly Joe Cox and only token work for Gray.
But then I got to thinking back to when D.J. Shockley was backing up David Greene. D.J. never looked that good coming into the game in relief and at times gave us the shudders he was so bad. I remember one game where Greenie got shaken up and D.J. came in and was like a deer in the headlights. And then there was the Tech game in 2004 where Shock was so bad that an injured Greene had to come back in to assure a Dogs victory.
Come the next season, Shockley was the starter, quit pressing so hard, and turned out to be a great quarterback.
Now, I’m not saying Gray is going to turn into a D.J. I don’t think that’s very likely and, in fact, I’d put money down that Murray will end up as the starter next year. But I am opening my mind again to the possibility that Gray can turn into an effective player for the Dogs, if only he can get a decent amount of meaningful playing time.
I put the blame for his lack of development at QB squarely the coaching staff. They’ve wasted him on special teams and never really given him a chance to play an entire series except when Georgia’s already gone down the tubes.
Saturday would be a great time for Gray to at least get a bunch of reps against someone other than the scout team. True to form, Bobo is only promising one series for the backup, but I’m hoping that the Dogs will get far enough ahead of Tennessee Tech in the first half that Cox can take the rest of the day off.
THE STREETS OF ATHENS ARE YOURS!
Ramming speed! (Universal Studios)
Back in my time at UGA, there wasn’t a Homecoming parade. Instead, the frats and sororities constructed elaborate displays on the front lawns of their houses. It was a tradition growing up in Athens to go for a ride down Milledge and Lumpkin on Friday night to view the various chicken wire and tissue paper creations, some of which even had moving parts.
Nowadays, there’s a parade in downtown Athens and floats have taken the place of those lawn displays. This year’s parade is set to run from 6 to 7 tonight and UGA gymnastics legend Courtney Kupets will be the grand marshal. Besides floats, there’ll also be the Redcoat Band, the UGA cheerleaders, athletes and various dignitaries. The theme of this year’s Homecoming is “Take Me Down to the Classic City.” Floats and “spirit vehicles” will be judged in both Greek and non-Greek categories.
Hopefully there won’t be anything resembling the Delta Tau Chi Deathmobile to disrupt the festivities — although that would at least make it more interesting than the usual Homecoming procession.
After the parade, UGA will hold a Homecoming carnival from 7 to 11 p.m. at Legion Field with games, midway rides and food. Admission is free for students and $5 for nonstudents.
ROUNDBALL PREVIEW AT THE STEG
Basketball, anyone?
Anyone? Beuler? Beuler?
Actually, Georgia’s basketball season doesn’t officially open until next Friday night, but Mark Fox’s first team will play an exhibition game at 7 tonight at Stegeman Coliseum against North Georgia. Admission is free.
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116 comments Add your comment
EW
November 6th, 2009
1:46 pm
At this point what do we have to lose?
Phil
November 6th, 2009
1:46 pm
From what I’ve seen in Logan Gray, I can understand why he doesn’t get much playing time. He’s worse that Cox if that is possible. Just have to wait for next year and Murray, this season is down the toilet.
L-Dawg
November 6th, 2009
1:55 pm
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!
WHAT DO GEORGIA TECH “FANS”, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA “FANS” AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON?? THEY ARE ALL OBSESSED WITH THEM DAWGS, AND COMING ON THIS BLOG TO TALK ABOUT THEM!!!!
CANNOT WAIT TO BE IN THE STANDS SATURDAY TO WELCOME OUR BOYS HOME!! HAPPY HOMECOMING TO ALL CURRENT STUDENT BODY AND ALUMS!!!!
I WILL SUPPORT THIS TEAM UNTIL THE DRILL IS DONE, WHETHER IT BE AFTER NOV 28TH OR AFTER A BOWL!!! HOW DARE ANY OF YOU ACT LIKE TRUE FANS AND SUPPORTERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE PASSION DESPITE A 4-4 RECORD, AND SOME OBVIOUS ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE TWEAKED, NOT NOW, BUT DURING THE OFF-SEASON!! I AM GLAD MY TEAM POSESSES THE CLASS TO FINSH WITH WHAT WE STARTED, NO MATTER WHAT RESULTS THAT PRODUCT DELIVERS. WE WIN AS A TEAM, WE LOSE AS A TEAM, AND FANS ARE A MAJOR MAJOR PART OF THAT TEAM!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!!!! (SORRY HERSCHEL TALKER, DOES THAT STILL MAKE ME A BLIND HOMER???)
AMC
November 6th, 2009
1:59 pm
Quarterback controversy coming to Athens Theatres, 2010.
BallCoach
November 6th, 2009
2:01 pm
The reason Joe Cox is still starting b/c we do not have anything better right now….
Gator Fan
November 6th, 2009
2:04 pm
NOT BLIND, MERELY IGNORANT. AND THE SUPPORT AFTER A BOWL GAME, THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN MAKE ONE, UNLESS THEY CAN BEAT TECH AUBURN AND KENTUCKY.
SadDawg
November 6th, 2009
2:05 pm
Phil, sure he’s worse than Cox because he couldn’t beat him out of the job. What’s so bad is Murray had the best spring game and didn’t get a real chance at the job this fall. Richt has the same feeling about Cox as he had with Joe T – “will be a good leader”, “never complained for all those years backing up…..”, “will be a game manager”, ect, etc. Richt has a soft spot in his heart for guys that just cannot become starters on their own, guys that just have to outlast everyone else to play. It’s nice of him to feel like that, but let’s face it, Joe T and Joe Cox would have never gotten on the field for Saben, Myer, Miles, Petrino, or Kiffen, ….. well, ….. unless they were facing a Willie Martinez defense!!!!
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
2:06 pm
I feel bad for Logan, but I have felt bad when he was put in games also.
2009 UGA games and Pepto Bismal. A match made in Athens.
uuughh...
November 6th, 2009
2:06 pm
I agree Bill. The coaching staff has totally hosed Gray. Instead of getting reps with the offense, they have had him over there with Fabris and the rest of the special teams looking for four leaf clovers for 2 years.
No wonder he is not ready.
My question is this…when exactly did the coaches think they were going to get him ready!?!? They know Cox is a Senior…and apparently it takes a full 2 years in the system to get a QB to learn our 7 plays…so Murray and Mett wouldn’t be ready. That leaves only Gray for next year.
“Anybody seen Gray around here?”
“What’s that? Oh…Fabris found one huh. Good job Special teams!”
“Alright–Bring it in men! Listen. There will be no practice for the next two weeks. Coach Fabris has finally found a four leaf clover. This should give us a better chance to win than anything else we’ve tried all season. Dismissed.”
(The team cheers, showers, and heads out to the bar.)
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
2:09 pm
I drove my Milledge Bus, down Milledge no less, at the end of one of the Homecoming parades in the early eighties. A drunk frat boy laying on a lawn openend one eye and stared at my bus. He rolled over and yelled at his buddies that my float looked just like a bus.
Jack Tripper
November 6th, 2009
2:12 pm
Bill, the reason that you liked Logan in the G-Day game was because he was going against our putrid defense. You saw what happens when he goes against a team that has a defense. Pick 6 city.
joe
November 6th, 2009
2:20 pm
L-DAWG, you have issues. Not entirely sure you’re playing with a full deck. Maybe you and St. Simons need to have a nice romantic retreat together. Think you two would make a great couple
gg
November 6th, 2009
2:23 pm
From what I’ve seen, Logan Gray hasn’t had a real, honest chance to show anything, and I’m not sure Bobo knows how to utilize his skills or when to use them. Bobo wasn’t the same type of QB as Gray, and I don’t think he’s had any experience with the wildcat as an coordinator. All I’ve seen Gray do is one play and out when the game was undecided, and even then all he got to do was hand the ball off. It’s not fair to judge him until he gets to stay in for complete possessions when he gets to use all of his skills.
In the Florida game, why did they have him throwing from the end zone anyway? That’s the time you want him handing off or faking the hand off and running himself. Instead they’ve got him passing when the defense is teeing off on him? That doesn’t make sense!
uuughh...
November 6th, 2009
2:23 pm
joe…where do you think Tech’s male cheerleader came from?
I’ll tell you–that very unholy union.
Matthews Dawgs
November 6th, 2009
2:26 pm
Logan is a good athlete, but maybe not that good of a QB. I believe he will play at WR or DB or something like that next year. Bill, the coaches can’t play him and if he gets hurt at QB and all they have left is Cox. At this point it is STUPID to waste a year on Murray or Mettz! It may not be the coaching staffs fault either….maybe there is not that much to develop at QB with Gray. He will get a lot of playing time in tomorrow. L-Dog, you don’t have to type the same thing everytime. It’s perfectly fine to be a “Blind Homer”! I think it is Great to Be a Georgia Bulldog!!! Cuz, you are usually right on the mark with your comments too. We can be blind homers, because we have NO CONTROL over what decisions are made in Athens. Bill, if you think because you write an article for the AJC, you have any control, I believe you are sadly mistaken! Go Dawgs….we win 3 of next 4.
CaliDogg
November 6th, 2009
2:30 pm
I know the response I’m going to get to this, but here it is anyway.
Seems that we have very short memories about players. I particularly like the note about DJ Shockley. I’d forgotten but it’s true — he was scary bad when he came into games for spot duty early on. Seems people were trying to figure out who was going to play QB the next year. Oh, and he couldn’t throw the ball at all — strictly a runner (was the perception).
Anyway, thought to take a look at Logan Gray’s background to see what he’s doing on the UGA team in the first place (btw, to me, he just moves like an athlete, a small thing but he does). Why did UGA recruit this guy? Well, it’s pretty obvious. Consider the following:
Rivals Rating = 5.8.
Rating Breakdown: 6.0-5.8 = All-American Candidate; high-major prospect; considered one of the nation’s top 300 prospects; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team.
10th Ranked QB in the nation, 173rd rated player at any position
An EA SPORTS Elite 11 Quarterback
“Not only a great quarterback, but a great athlete.”
6’ 2” — 192 Lbs. (current / 185 Lbs. out of H.S.)
40: 4.45 secs
Shuttle: 4.25
Vertical: 36 inches
Think the kid could use some playing time.
But, hey, what do I know. It seems to be the fashion to assume that some highly-touted freshman with no SEC game experience at all is the answer to our prayers. Doubt it. But, for me, I’d like to see Logan Gray play a half and settle in and see how he does.
Uh, why not? at this point?
Matt
November 6th, 2009
2:37 pm
Coaching staff already admitted they hindered his development by playing him on special teams, Why in the hell he’s still here and not transferred by now i’ll never know.
augustadawg
November 6th, 2009
2:37 pm
he has looked damn good in the last 2 G day games, but he was working against our defense and every quarterback looks damn good when they face our defense
Mikey
November 6th, 2009
2:39 pm
Maybe it’s just me but it looks like Gray should mix in a few Fuddruckers or something. Looks like a stiff breeze would knock him over.
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
2:41 pm
augustadawg, that is a difficult argument to refute.
Macon Knight
November 6th, 2009
2:42 pm
the problem is with the o-line, i agree gray should play more to get him ready for next year…..but it won’t matter if the o-line can’t block….. i think the kid can play maybe he has just been pressing when he does get a chance to play….. Bill, how many different combinations of offensive lineman we’ve had this?.. i believe Jones is the only one to start at the same position all year…
E
November 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
If the dawgs lose this weekend CWM is finished for sure.
CaliDogg
November 6th, 2009
2:54 pm
Starting the same offensive line tomorrow as the previous week for the FIRST time this year. [I think this is right but somebody can check it further.]
athensdawg
November 6th, 2009
2:54 pm
had they been around in the day, our coaching staff would probably have tried to turn herschel walker into a tight end…….
Beaverchaser
November 6th, 2009
2:55 pm
Maybe Richt has a soft spot for back-up QB’s because thats all he was at Miami. Get COx out of Athens as fast as you can!!
elviskl
November 6th, 2009
2:57 pm
YOU GA PUP PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID YOU ALL PROBABLY THINK AFTER DRINKING YOUR HALF GALLONS SATURDAY AND IF YOU BEAT TENN TECH YOUR GOING TO THE NATL CHAMP GAME…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I HATE GA SO GOD……DAMMMMMMMMM BAD I BLEED OUT MY COLON………GO GA TECH
EW
November 6th, 2009
2:59 pm
Let’s just hope this year has instilled some humility in our boys. I get the feeling there is a huge sense of Entitlement among our players. Just because you put on the uniform doesn’t guarantee anything. You still have to put in the work on and off the field. Once again, even that comes back to coaching (Willie, Bobo, you listenin?)
old dawg
November 6th, 2009
3:01 pm
can’t believe gray hasn’t gained any weight since he arrived…Is that right, 185 out of high school and now only 192. he looks reall small on the field. I do feel like he has been greatly misused. how about converting to a ball hawking defensive back. At 6′2″, we could used his height and speed. just saying, i am sure he would rather play than fair catch punts. maybe our turnover ratio would be a little more balanced.
EW
November 6th, 2009
3:01 pm
elvis, that bleeding back there isn’t hatred for UGA…Tell Jimbo to start off slow next time and you won’t get hurt.
78 DAWG
November 6th, 2009
3:01 pm
The coaches had Cox (and Barnes, and …..) on the bench for years and this is how far they brought him? If Murray isn’t what he’s cracked up to be, someone has to answer for it? How can a school like Georgia have quarterback play this bad?
Jim
November 6th, 2009
3:02 pm
I think it would be interesting if Cox starts against Tennessee Tech and Gray plays the second quarter. The one who produces plays the second half. If Gray produces and plays the second half then he starts the next game and Cox plays the second quarter. Do the same thing with running backs. What have you got to lose.
Go Jackets
November 6th, 2009
3:03 pm
Go Jackets.
dap01
November 6th, 2009
3:10 pm
Is there a bright spot to the UGA season? Is there a bright spot to UGA’s coaches? Dang this is depressing!
78 DAWG
November 6th, 2009
3:15 pm
All this crap while yech is going 7-1, in a cracker box with no fans and 2 star recruits. When you have the top quality resources we’ve got 4-4 is not acceptable. It’s only been 3 years since we lost to Kentucky and Vandy, and they don’t even play sec football.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
November 6th, 2009
3:18 pm
Good to hear from L-Dawg I was afraid he may have hung himself on one of the bridges in J’ville.
CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!!!!!!!!
I’ve gone from thinking you are a blind homer to just a dumbass and now I’m starting to think you either Willy Martinez or Mike Bobo trying to convince fans into being blind homers.
collegeballfan
November 6th, 2009
3:19 pm
Saw the AJC note where President Adams is again saying he will remain at the University. Great news. He is is best president the university has ever had.
Dawgs
November 6th, 2009
3:25 pm
DJ won us the Clemson game in 2002, if I remember correctly. Hard to say he had the dear in headlight look all the time…
Dawg 95
November 6th, 2009
3:28 pm
I agree with CaliDogg completely. I think everybody is jumping on the Murray bandwagon a little early. Logan hasn’t had any playing time. And then he gets stuck into a game against the #1 D in the country, having to throw out of his own endzone!!! What do you think was going to happen?
I personally think that Logan will be our QB next year. He is 6′2″, fast, athletic, and has a strong arm. He’s essentially a taller more athletic version of Murray. Give him significant playing time tommorrow CMR!!
CraZyTRaDeMaN
November 6th, 2009
3:33 pm
elviskl…..
As a GT fan I want to think you for making yourself look like an idiot. Sorry UGA fans this is an example of a Tech D&D nerd. He must have taken it too deep that explains what he said “I BLEED OUT MY COLON”. You’re the Tech version of a toothless hick never even finished high school UGA fan. Go find some star wars action figures to titillate yourself with and stick with posting on Dungeons and dragons blogs.
squat
November 6th, 2009
3:35 pm
what does dumbbo know, just look at his play calling…what a dumba$$$$..
45ACP
November 6th, 2009
3:44 pm
L-Dawg – Keep it up!
I concur.
TechGrad
November 6th, 2009
3:56 pm
Elvis aint dead he just went home….please elvis stop saying your a Tech anything and go home….
Supes
November 6th, 2009
4:00 pm
Does Courtney Kupets have elligibility left, we can use her in the secondary right now. How did Brian Evans get a Div 1 Scholarship?
This just in…Logan Gray is Blake Barns 2.0 He should transfer next year and play in a Div 2. school while he can.
L-Dawg
November 6th, 2009
4:02 pm
SOMEBODY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD EXPLAIN TO ME HOW:
1. GEORGIA TECH FANS AND UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FANS JUSTIFY COMNING ON THIS, A UGA BLOG, TALKING SMACK ABOUT OUR PROGRAM, AND THINKING THEY ARE ANY BETTER THAN A “BLIND HOMER” AS THEY SAY…..
2. “BLIND HOMER” = TRUE FAN?? AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED UGA IS MY ALUM, MY PASSION, MY TEAM…. WHEN PEOPLE THINK I AM NOT ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM DURING A BAD YEAR, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT SAY ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT FOR YOUR TEAM? IS THAT YOU ADMITTING THAT WHEN YOUR TEAM GOES THROUGH WHAT UGA IS GOING THROUGH YOU PUT THE PAPER BAG ON YOUR HEAD, AND HIDE THE BALL CAP UNTIL THEY START WINNING AGAIN??…….
WHAT DO GEORGIA TECH “FANS”, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA “FANS” AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON?? THEY ARE ALL OBSESSED WITH THEM DAWGS, AND COMING ON THIS BLOG TO TALK ABOUT THEM!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!!!
Question
November 6th, 2009
4:03 pm
Does Richt’s loyalty to QBs like Cox and Joe T have anything to do with his own experience of never getting a legit shot at Miami behind Jim Kelly?
45ACP
November 6th, 2009
4:05 pm
If Logan plays he needs to wear a jersey with sleeves.
RonnieGarDner
November 6th, 2009
4:16 pm
Yea, a sleeve with fake muscles built in.
45ACP
November 6th, 2009
4:17 pm
L-Dawg = A real no BS Dawg fan.
Faith, Hope and Love.
I have all three for the Dawgs.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Todd
November 6th, 2009
4:19 pm
So the players are saying once again they are not going to let the season go to waste….they have learned from their mistakes….hmmmmmm seems like I heard the same after Okie State…..UT…….and now UF. Curran says we are going to prove we are good- well, against Tenn tech I would hope so, but I have a strange feeling this bunch will make Tenn tech look great and come very close to geting their first win over a major team. talk to me after Auburn, KY and Tech. My guess is same talk..same results. We finish the final four games 2-2 at best..1-3 would not be a surprise with a couple of blowouts to add to UT and UF games……I wish I could be more positive but a team with a total lack of discipline and one that needs black helmets to get motivated to play our biggest rival leaves alot to be desired. I am not a bandwagon fan nor and I one that just blogs. I am a long time supporter of UGA and if you check the records have a nice history of writing checks to this program. I am frustrated and tired of talk and gimmics. lets see how you guys end the season.
45ACP
November 6th, 2009
4:20 pm
That sleeveless thing is not a good look for Logan.
Hit the weight room son. You will be alright.