Will Murray flourish or wilt in the spotlight?
Let's go ahead and put the ball in Aaron Murray's hands. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
I know many UGA fans at this point are tired of talking about the Zach Mettenberger situation, especially since it doesn’t look like we’re going to get the full story about why Mark Richt kicked him off the team any time soon.
There are a lot of rumors circulating, but no one in a position to confirm what happened is talking. Suffice it to say from what we’ve seen of Richt over the years, you have to assume that when additional information about what happened in Remerton reached him, it crossed some boundary that made tacking on a few more games’ suspension not enough punishment. Possibly the head coach found out he’d been lied to.
I do know one thing: Richt wouldn’t throw this kid’s UGA career away lightly. He’s bent over backwards to near-contortionist levels to give players a second chance in the past.
He anguishes over having to deal with wayward players. After the Touchdown Club of Athens meeting last week, I was thanking him for the classy way he’d handled the taxi incident allegations and the sorry saga of Montez Robinson. Richt said he appreciated it and shook his head over the Robinson affair. You always hope that you can turn a kid like that around, but sometimes you can’t, he said with a sad look on his face. “And you wonder why you couldn’t connect with him completely.”
Added Richt: “I really hate that it was so public, too.”
Well, I said, that’s the other side of the coin for big-time college athletes. He agreed. Some, he said, love the spotlight and flourish in it. He was probably thinking of Jeff Owens, David Pollack and others. And then there are those who don’t like the attention at all. “Take A.J. Green,” Richt said. “He doesn’t want anything to do with all that. He just wants to play football.”
Mettenberger, obviously, fell into the group who didn’t handle the spotlight well. And whatever he did, his story is, I think, over at UGA. I’ve heard speculation that maybe he could go away to Georgia Military for a year like Odell Thurman did and then come back to Athens, but I think that’s highly unlikely. Usually when that’s a possibility, Richt says so from the start. Plus, Mettenberger probably would just as soon start over at another program.
So we’re left with Aaron Murray and Logan Gray. Some still hold out hope that Gray the “athlete” will prove to be an SEC-caliber quarterback, and there’s always that possibility, but if he winds up as the Dogs’ starter, I think you’re talking more of a caretaker QB until Murray develops or someone else steps forward. Sort of Joe Cox with less of an arm but more scrambling ability.
No, it’s more than likely that Murray is UGA’s best bet behind center. A year ago, everyone was sky-high on the prospect of him playing quarterback for the Dogs. But the fact that he’s a bit short and has been injury-prone, plus his lackluster showing this spring, has cooled fans’ ardor for him quite a bit.
I’m hopeful, though, that he’ll yet rise to the occasion, as Erk would say. You know he’s a tough competitor just based on the way he came back from a broken leg to lead his high school team to a championship. He showed some really good moves at G-Day but kept overthrowing wide-open receivers. Perhaps the competition with the strong-armed Mettenberger had Murray pressing too hard.
We’ve seen that situation at QB before. Remember how awful D.J. Shockley looked at times when he was battling the cool field general David Greene for playing time? Richt usually built a certain number of guaranteed series into games for Shockley (when he was healthy), but D.J. often looked like he was trying too hard, as in that awful interception he threw against Florida. And when he had to relieve the injured Greene against Tech. (Greene, you’ll recall, had to come back in to save the game.)
Once the job was his, however, Shockley relaxed and became the superb quarterback Richt had always thought he could be.
Perhaps that will be the case with Murray, too. Which makes me think it might be better if Richt and Mike Bobo go ahead and make Murray a clear-cut No. 1 on the suddenly tiny QB depth chart as soon as possible, rather than let the battle go on deep into August. So he can get that monkey off his back and settle down.
The spotlight is on Murray now. Keep your fingers crossed he’s able to handle it.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
331 comments Add your comment
savannadawg
April 20th, 2010
10:35 pm
ray, mean no dis. but your an idiot. After thinking about it for 24hrs. Mett has got to have alot more trouble coming his way. Getting kicked off team is the least of his worries now. And you must be blind or have never seen Murray play.
GT BABY
April 20th, 2010
10:45 pm
All Georgia fans are losers!
Chomper
April 20th, 2010
10:45 pm
If Metts tranferred to UF he’d be the 3rd team QB. But that’s not gonna happen anyway. Tennessee would be a better option.
Pitbull
April 20th, 2010
10:49 pm
In reports from the players I’ve read. They just don’t have anything very positive to say about Murrays arm strength. Will he be a good college QB. That is the question. I think above average at best. You either have arm strength or you don’t. Joe Cox didn’t. But how about David Greene, I don’t know?
DawgVoiceofReason
April 20th, 2010
10:55 pm
2Dawgs,
Based on your comment below, I think maybe your handle should be “1/2Dawgs”, cause you’re half worthless as a Dawg fan. Please don’t waste a seat in Jacksonville; we need fans who believe in the Dawgs, not in the greatness of a QB who was not smart enough to stay out of trouble when competing for the starting job.
April 20th, 2010
10:08 pm
If Mett does end up as a Gator, he will beat us every year he starts. Coach may have been too quick to pull the trigger.
Jeff in Clahoun
April 20th, 2010
10:57 pm
And how tall was Doug Flutie?
Jeff in Clahoun
April 20th, 2010
11:01 pm
Hudson Mason may end up being the savior!
Run, Herschel, Run!
April 20th, 2010
11:23 pm
Pound ‘em Dawgs!
Woof, woof, woof!
Sanford Drive
April 20th, 2010
11:26 pm
I’ve read a few posts that have indicated Murray doesn’t have the arm strength, however, I’ve found a number of sources that indicate otherwise.
At Nike training camp, “His release is arguably the quickest and smoothest in the Class of 2009; the ball zips off his hand with the slightest snap of the wrist. He led receivers on vertical routes and fit the ball into tight spots consistently all day.”
According to Scout, “has very good arm strength an unbelievable touch”
According to Athlon Sports, “Other than lacking ideal size, Murray has everything. He has great leadership skills, a strong arm, great mobility, a lighting quick release, accuracy and the confidence to use it all appropriately.”
Rivals claims Murray “easily has one of the top five-to-eight in arm strength in the country.”
We’ll be fine with Murray. Go dawgs.
Pitbull states...
April 20th, 2010
11:26 pm
Pitbull
April 20th, 2010
10:49 pm
In reports from the players I’ve read. They just don’t have anything very positive to say about Murrays arm strength. Will he be a good college QB. That is the question. I think above average at best. You either have arm strength or you don’t. Joe Cox didn’t. But how about David Greene, I don’t know?
*************************************************
Where are these reports you’re reading????? The men’s room!!!! So Pitbull it’s time to put up! Please direct us to some of these “reports” from the players. Do you expect any of us to believe that this wouldn’t be news and plastered all over the blogs. Jerk
TampaPlant
April 20th, 2010
11:27 pm
2007: Murray’s Plant High team at Armwood. First game of year, Murray’s first highschool start. Murray overthrew receivers the entire first half, including a wide open Derrik Winter in the endzone by about 10 feet over his head. Murray settled down and had a great year and career (never beat Armwood though). Look it up.
Jeff in Clahoun
April 20th, 2010
11:30 pm
Arron Murray to Orson Charles for TD’s! Go Dawgs! see ya in the Dome!
hind tit
April 20th, 2010
11:38 pm
if i remember correctly after the g-day game, richt said the offense was held back somewhat so not to show to much of the new 3 4 defense. so arguing over who had the best spring or best game means nothing at this point. if joe cox had florida or alabama’s defense last year everybody would be singing his praise. 10 to 12 penalities a game plus a defense that gave up 30+ plus a game and no take away’s even sam bradford or colt mcoy would have faired no better with that team.
atl xmen
April 20th, 2010
11:50 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dymxE7USbcE
watch this and you will see he has the arm and the legs to play in the sec
SEC QB Analyst
April 20th, 2010
11:50 pm
I just don’t see it with this kid. Saw the spring game. He didn’t look in command and his overall spring scrimmage stats are mediocre at best. Everyone knows this. Trying to put lipstick on a pig doesn’t make the qb situation better. It just means we’re trying to hide what is an obvious weakness on the football team.
atl xmen
April 20th, 2010
11:55 pm
you have know clue what you are talking about..hah watch the film and then rethink what you wrote. he will have no problem adjusting to the sec
yeah whatever!
April 21st, 2010
12:02 am
Brantley……a B2 high school QB. My 63 year old mother could put up good stats against B2 talent. Then this spring he was 41percent…8 fumbles…5 Ints and 6 sacks….until Meyers called off the dogs in the spring game to build his confidence. Yeah he is a real scary dude LOL
yeah whatever!
April 21st, 2010
12:07 am
Murray received 53 scholarship offers and during his senior season he completed 118 of 195 passes for 2,285 yards and 33 touchedowns with five interceptions. The senior rushed for 257 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns.
yeah whatever!
April 21st, 2010
12:08 am
as a Junior: Murray completed 201 of 329 passing attempts for 4,012 yards with a 78 long 7 interceptions and 51 touchdowns.
hoodman10
April 21st, 2010
3:52 am
Yeah..Drew Brees was short too…..guess he is not doing so well. Aaron Murray will do just fine
Alabamadawg
April 21st, 2010
4:00 am
Personally, I’d go with Logan Gray.
Alabamadawg
April 21st, 2010
4:03 am
and no, I didn’t think they were about even in the G Day game…Gray looked much better…
tennessee tom
April 21st, 2010
5:24 am
the humper nation will be calling for murry and richts head after game 3,the ten yr rule will be in affect for richt,as i have said before,this coaching staff does less with more than anybody in the sec
AltamahaDawg
April 21st, 2010
6:29 am
Transfering to another D-1 school he sits one year. And to start over Brantley aint happeneing till the next one after that.
chazzo
April 21st, 2010
6:36 am
Granted I am no professional analyst, but I really didn’t think that Murray looked so terrible in the Spring game. I thought he moved around well, and he connected on some tough passes. There was a pick, and he had trouble with the long one. Altamadawg stated it all very rationally above concerning the Spring game. I would just like to add one thing: a mobile qb is at a disadvantage with game rules that make him down when he gets touched. Who’s to say he couldn’t have shed a tackler or completed a pass with a guy hanging on him?
All I know for sure is that whoever the QB turns out to be, I will pull for him 100%. I will pull for the coaches 100%. I will pull for the Dawgs 100%. I truly hope that all Georgia fans are of that same mindset. It would help tremendously not to have people pulling against a kid to prove themselves right or calling kids up and harassing them.
OrlG8r
April 21st, 2010
7:31 am
Answer:
“University of Georgia Football” and “flourish”….
Question:
What are 2 things that should never be mentioned in the same sentence…
bornloser
April 21st, 2010
8:54 am
loser
Las Vegas Chainsaw
April 21st, 2010
9:15 am
SEC QB Analyst …I think your confused a little in reference to the “lipstick on a pig comment”. We are talking about the Aaron Murray (you know the probable starting QB at the Georgia) not your WIFE!
barneyb
April 21st, 2010
9:18 am
While I, like other UGA alumns are worried about this year’s team,
my only hope now is that win or lose, maybe we can start to rebuild a classy program. Now cut those dreadlocks, stop getting tattoos, abide by the law & team rules, and stop dancing Soulja Boy on the sideliens and play with some dignity. No more THUG U!!!!
Dave In Tampa
April 21st, 2010
9:26 am
The ones on here knocking Murray are the one’s that know he is talented and do not want him playing against their team. Again, the ones with the biggest mouth’s on here are the uneducated ones. Elite 3 QB. 6′1″ tall. Every good college program in the southest wanted him. He will do very well because of his talent AND because of the O-Line, if they stay healthy.
The Tech people on here running their mouth’s are scared the most. Gator fans know that the same will be a tough one for them when we play them.
My question is still about the Defense. New schemes usually take 2 years to gell. Go Dawgs!
ga gator
April 21st, 2010
9:32 am
I am a gator, know he will do well and wish him the best in every game but one Dave. I live in Tampa until 2005 and am very aware of him and Plants program.
ga gator
April 21st, 2010
9:35 am
Dave, I used to live in Tampa, wish the young man well and am confident he will be very successful. I will only root against him one game a year.
BG
April 21st, 2010
9:39 am
Ask Urban Meyer why he wanted Aaron Murray to come to Florida. Meyer really really wanted Murray. Aaron Murray is a special player and he will win a ton of games at UGA. Oh, this guy is not short. He is 6′1″. There have been alot shorter qbs in college ball that have been successful.
Dave In Tampa
April 21st, 2010
9:48 am
ga gator – Though being a Dawg fan I will not sit here and say that we will beat UF this year. Until we can put 2 wins in a row together I won’t talk about the series turning. However, I have no doubt that we will destroy Tech this year.
Brantley will do very well this year. He is a very talented QB. Our hope is that your defense is still getting a feel for things when we play UF. The talent is at both Schools, the question is which one steps up and plays the best. I have a feeling that SC will sneak up and beat both teams this year. Just a feeling.
Option series for UGA
April 21st, 2010
9:52 am
With two very mobile QBs that can get out on the corners, I expect UGA will incorporate a series of QB option style plays. It is a natural, given the talent. I do not see AM as being able to take deep drops, then look, then find the receiver. I don’t think that is really his game. It is not Logan’s either.
Personally, I have always preferrred a QB that can tuck it and run with it out on the corners. Now, Aaron is injury prone, so all of this has to be weighed in.Tebow with his fullback ( or guard ) body could run off tackle and do nicely. Our QBs will need to roll out, look short or intermediately long, pump it, then tuck and run for 10-25 yards. This iwll keep the cahins moving with our running backs popping up the middle and off tackle. This option thing will keep the d off of them, especially with our awesome fullbacks out there protecting them.
Goooooooooooooo Dogs.
Dave In Tampa
April 21st, 2010
10:00 am
Option series for UGA –
I agree. Murray will do fine. He has had 2 years to heal from that Senior year injury. He will not be as injury prone as people think. He is a tough kid. Tebow was one in a million so no one will be a QB that will run over DB’s like him. Murray does not have to be like that. You hit it on the rolling out and spread the field out. This will open many avenues. The season could not start soon enough. Go Dawgs!
DawgDay
April 21st, 2010
10:58 am
Murray’s arm strength is not great, but the Dawgs will not be throwing a lot of deep balls anyway in bobo’s ball control offense, so it’s no big deal. Murray will be good enough to take the Dawgs big places in 2010—mark it down!
delaGATOR
April 21st, 2010
11:07 am
Murray is truly just 5-11.. You can’t believe the stats…..
hobnail boot
April 21st, 2010
11:46 am
Gray cannot make the downfeild throws. I feel that we would taking alot of what A.J can do away with Gray at QB. Murray has above arm average arm, but not what Mett has. His vision is a concern and I fear that he will make some of the same mistakes that Joe made due to not being able to see well in the pocket. I think the loss of Mettenburger is huge!
Nay Sayer
April 21st, 2010
12:14 pm
Just remember people, unless you have an all SEC qb the backup qb will always be the most polular person on the message board.
Nay Sayer
April 21st, 2010
12:17 pm
Rocket arm=overrated. David Greene, Tebow, etc….Not an NFL arm amoung them. Nice results.
curious
April 21st, 2010
12:27 pm
deleGATOR – Murray is not 5-11. I have seen and talked to him in person and know for a fact he was 6-1 or taller! Have you ever seen him face to face? Bet not.
Also, will we ever hear the real reason why Mett was kicked off the team? Are they going to hide the reason all year and keep people speculating or wait until a full investigation is done to give the reason? How long does that usually take? Before spring it was just a one game suspension? Why can’t the other teammates like the backup kicker learn from others critical mistakes?
SEC East Headlines – 4/21/10 « MrSEC.com
April 21st, 2010
12:34 pm
[...] ending in “derbilt.”6. Now that the spotlight is on quarterback Aaron Murray… will he flourish?7. Joker Phillips has brought in “a whole new intensity and atmosphere to Kentucky [...]
jzdawg
April 21st, 2010
12:50 pm
hobnail boot – good comment but I think you are wrong on comparing Murray to Cox. Murray is a scrambler as Cox was not. If Cox was pressured he would panic and either take the sack or throw the interception. Murray has the legs and speed to scramble out of the pocket and either make yardage running or find the open receiver with his above average arm. The vision will come once he gains more confidence. Plus the O line has more depth and is more experienced this year and we will have 2 great running backs and multiple great receivers to dish the ball to.
Where's the mythical 6'7" offesive linemen?
April 21st, 2010
1:19 pm
Ahhh the mythical 6′ 7″ Goliath of players that Murray can’t see over, well there’s not one of them! Where are the sequoia’s of the gridiron, the behemoths between the hedges, the titanic of the tundra that all you expert fans spout off about! Well, there is one guy who is 6′6″. Of course UGA’s lummox’s of the lines all stand straight up to block, unlike every other team from Pop Warner up to the NFL, where the lineman block/protect in an athletic position where they have knees bent, feet wide apart, engaging the opposition in a balanced, controlled blocking scheme. But you geniuses of the gridiron insist that UGA blockers stand straight up like a grizzly bear and allow the defensive player to get under them and just wave them on through. And let us not forget about the Andre the Giant clones standing over 7 feet and when with their arms up over their heads block out the sun, moon, and the stars. Guess what you goobers of grandeur there is not a QB alive who can throw over these behemoths of giants. They throw in the lanes created by the blocking assignments. A QB has 3 to 4 seconds to read the field and get rid of the ball, a straight drop back QB with no mobility throws the ball away, or takes a sack, while a QB with wheels extends the play and checks it off to a back/TE, sometimes a mobile QB can buy time for someone to come back and help out, or he can just pull it down and run with the ball. Height doesn’t matter as much as, natural athletic ability, smarts, and taking care of the ball.
Below are the 6′ 7″ linemen that a QB must throw over…oops, my bad…wonder how Drew Brees ever completes a pass?
60 Clint Boling OT Sr. 3V 6-5/304 Alpharetta, GA (Chattahoochee HS)
68 Chris Burnette C Fr. SQ 6-2/291 LaGrange, GA (Troupe County HS)
63 Chris Davis OG Sr. 3V 6-4/295 Jefferson, GA (Jefferson HS)
78 Josh Davis OT Sr. 3V 6-6/305 Jayess, MS (Tylertown HS)
95 Ty Frix LS So. 1V 6-0/211 Calhoun, GA (Calhoun HS)
71 Cordy Glenn OG Jr. 2V 6-5/329 Riverdale, GA (Riverdale HS)
76 Ben Harden OG Jr. 2V 6-3/310 Perry, GA (Perry HS)
70 AJ Harmon OT So. 1V 6-5/310 Louisville, GA (Jefferson Co. HS)
66 Kolton Houston OL Fr. HS 6-5/285 Buford, (Buford High)
61 Ben Jones C Jr. 2V 6-3/298 Centerville, AL (Bibb County HS)
64 Dallas Lee OG Fr. SQ 6-4/295 Buford, GA (Buford HS)
73 Austin Long OL Fr. SQ 6-5/268 Memphis, TN (Briarcrest Christina HS)
67 Jonathan Owens OL So. 1V 6-4/298 Blountsville, AL (Susan Moore HS)
55 Josh Parrish OL Fr. SQ 6-4/294 Norcross, GA (Wesleyan HS)
54 Tanner Strickland OG Jr. 2V 6-5/335 Nashville, GA (Berrien County HS)
77 Trinton Sturdivant OT So. 2V 6-5/305 Wadesboro, NC (Anson HS)
dixie clear
April 21st, 2010
1:36 pm
the arrests just keep on coming!!
CHDawg
April 21st, 2010
1:37 pm
Sanford, Nice quotes. I would add Buck Belue’s comments from the GDay broadcast…he was very upbeat on Murray’s arm strength, saying Mett didn’t have much, if anything, on Murray in the arm strength department (paraphrased). Not only that, but anybody who has seen his film knows he has a very strong arm. Somebody saying they don’t think he has a strong arm either hasn’t seen him, or doesn’t know much about football.
how2fish
April 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
tennessee tom nice to see you have time to worry about UGA…methinks you have a little more to be concerned with that us…and by the way Dooley never makes it to 10 years with UT if he is short of the 2nd coming of Saban he will be gone in 5 years or less if he is he’ll be at UGA..
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
April 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
Gray, Murray, Matson, doesn’t matter………41-17
Truth
April 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
Dayum mutties? Another arrest? A back up punter? Geeeez.