There’s more than one way to keep a quarterback happy
Does Logan Gray really want to play receiver? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
What to make of the Logan Gray situation?
If it were simply a case of the apparent loser in the battle for the starting quarterback job threatening to go elsewhere to play, you’d have to conclude he wasn’t thinking too clearly.
First of all, Mark Richt isn’t likely to change his mind about who his starter is just because of the threat that the backup might go elsewhere. That didn’t even work for D.J. Shockley’s dad, and D.J. was a helluva lot more talented QB than Gray is.
Secondly, even if you view it from the perspective of what’s best for Gray, rather than the program, it doesn’t make sense. Gray is one injury away from starting for an SEC team. If he leaves, he can either drop down to a lower level for two years of potential playing time or give up a year of eligibility if he goes to another Football Bowl Subdivision team. And what are the odds he’ll waltz in as a one-year QB and start at such a school?
Gray’s high school coach, A.J. Ofodile of Rock Bridge High in Columbia, Mo., who was in contact with the player on Monday about all this, put it pretty well in the Athens Banner-Herald: “I think it would be a very hard decision for him to [transfer] based on the situation. He’s at the school that he wants to be at. Even in this situation, which is probably a worst case scenario, he’s probably an ankle injury away from being the starting quarterback at the school he wants to be at. It’s not like he could transfer to another comparable school without losing a year and most people don’t want a one-year quarterback.” (I added the italics for emphasis.)
However, it’s not clear that this is really about Gray chafing at being the backup QB. Gray talked to the coaching staff after last season about switching positions, probably to receiver. While the decision was left in his hands, he apparently was encouraged to stick with the QB competition at least through spring practice. Had Zach Mettenberger not been kicked off the team, Gray most likely would have gotten his wish come August.
But Macon/Columbus beat writer David Hale says that he understands the problem is that while Gray “truly wants to play receiver now,” that’s “not much of an option at UGA apparently.”
Which is kind of puzzling. Why would that not be an option at UGA? Richt himself said just last week that Gray still might play somewhere other than quarterback: “As far as another position goes, the bottom line for Logan is I want him to be in the best position to help Georgia win, and whether that’s No. 2 quarterback or getting some reps at receiver or something, that remains to be seen. But we just want to get him in the best position to help Georgia.”
While that made it pretty clear Aaron Murray is his QB of choice, it also indicates a willingness on Richt’s part to let his backup QB get playing time at another position. And it’s not like it’s a practice that’s unheard of. Texas A&M’s backup quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, is also his team’s leading receiver.
So if that’s the rub, if Gray really wants to be playing receiver, why not let him? Sure, it’s not an ideal scenario: If Gray gets hurt playing receiver and then Murray gets hurt, the Dogs would face playing a completely inexperienced true freshman at quarterback.
But if Gray transfers elsewhere, that’s still the situation. And the Dogs could use a little more depth at receiver.
So why not roll with it, let Gray follow the Tannehill model and keep him happy while still having an experienced backup?
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199 comments Add your comment
BAMA STAN
April 27th, 2010
1:13 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
Hey Columbus Tiger – War Eagle – how does Auburn look for 2010?
That’s a good question!!!
I think Auburn and Arkansas will be fighting for the #3 spot in SEC West 2010 – with Auburn probably getting the nod.
Offense should very good. Defense should be improved.
let’s look at your schedule:
ARK STATE – win
at Miss State – win (will be interesting to watch!)
CLEMSON – 50/50 (should win)
SOUTH CAROLINA – 50/50 – a good game in the making – both teams will need this game!
LA Monroe – WIN
@ Kentucky – WIN (may be a harder game than you expect)
ARKANSAS – 50/50
LSU – LOSS
at Ole Miss – WIN – upset alert due to LSU the week before – see UGA @Tennessee in 2009. Ole Miss lost QB and big playmkaker
UTC – WIN
UGA – (at Auburn – another true 50/50 – will Murray be QB at UGA injurred?)
ALABAMA – at BAMA – LOSS – I expect Auburn will put in great effort.
6 wins
4 50/50
2 losses.
Auburns 50/50s and the LSU game are all at AUBURN.
Auburn is in line for 7 wins minimal – could win as many as 10.
I would expect an 8 or 9 win season. Auburn is on the upswing. Who knows – lightning could strike – and Auburn could win 10 or 11 games Regular Season. Key will be your defense!
one more thing to consider
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!
bigdawg
April 27th, 2010
1:14 pm
@BigDawg
Hey!!!!
you stole my name:o
not cool
Mikey
April 27th, 2010
1:15 pm
I would be ok with Gray coming in in situations and have a package of plays- as long as it isnt the same shotgun draw that everyone knows is coming.
YoJoe
April 27th, 2010
1:17 pm
You guys forget Logan was an Elite 11 QB coming out of high school. So he has talent it just has not translated onto the field yet and at this point it never may.
Adeena
April 27th, 2010
1:19 pm
The state is going to have to shut down UGA with its obscene number of arrests.
Murray or Gray are not important. Closing down this grotesque embarrassment to our state is,
Tybee Dawg
April 27th, 2010
1:19 pm
BigDawg,
No to the black helmets. They were horrible looking. If CMR opts for an alternate uniform for the GT game, he should go with red helmets, black jerseys, and gray pants. Maybe black jerseys, black pants and red helmets.
CharlestonDAWG
April 27th, 2010
1:20 pm
I agree that BAMA STAN always has something classy and meaningful to say! Not sure why you are always on a Bulldog blog, but I appreciate your comments. Well, except for the part of you lying to yourself about those 13 National Titles.
But either way, you guys have a helluva lot more than we do.
Kudos,
GO DAWGS
Delusional Dawg
April 27th, 2010
1:21 pm
Can’t blame Logan for wanting to say adios. He clearly outplayed Murray the Midget and still got relegated to number 2. And yes…THAT number 2.And he would have actually been #3 with Berger Boy still in town. I wouldn’t want to waste MY last 2 years on another empty promise.
Terri
April 27th, 2010
1:22 pm
More freaking arrests. Get rid of Richt, Evans, and Adams, and this crap with go awarm
LizDawg
April 27th, 2010
1:25 pm
Terri, getting rid of CMR and Evans will NOT make college kids stop drinking on Spring Break and around Athens! Get a life!
Bobby Harris
April 27th, 2010
1:29 pm
Georgia will not win more than 3 games this year….mark it down.
bigdawg
April 27th, 2010
1:31 pm
ah crap might as well get off the blog now
trashers are startin to jump on
Bama Stan… HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPP!!!!
dap01
April 27th, 2010
1:31 pm
Bobo and CMR have been horrible at putting in “plays” for Gray. But Gray has done nothing to show that he is ready.
Why can’t they sprint him out and let him use his ability? Come on Bobo!
BAMA STAN
April 27th, 2010
1:33 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
TigerTime – 12:47 post – I disagree.
If UGA is a mid to low SEC team hitting rock bottom – what does that say about your program?
UGA went 4-4 in the SEC last year – after losing Moreno, Stafford, MoMass and with a underachieving defense.
For 2010:
UGA will be better on offense
UGA will be better on defense
LSU is off the schedule (in a game UGA could have won)
– key game is South Carolina. beat SC – I think they will be Arkansas.
– Tennessee will be down
– UGA has a shot to be undefeated until JAX.
– UGA / AUB – a 50/50 slugfest.
– UGA will beat KY
– UGA should be GT – again – rvialry game = 50/50. GT will give a great effort.
Yes – A lot of If’s – but I think UGA has talent and some depth. Need the QB to stay healthy.
UGA wins 8 minimal – could win 11. I am thinking 10 wins could EASILY happen. 11 wins if they over achieve.
Keep it real
And Tiger Time – one more thing good buddy…………………
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!
PTC DAWG
April 27th, 2010
1:36 pm
I see the brain dead are posting again….predictions of 3 games…LMAO…
DawginLex
April 27th, 2010
1:37 pm
My bet is that richt figures out a way to get him into the games and keeps him happy.
condorDawg
April 27th, 2010
1:38 pm
SEC goes this way in east….
1) UF
2) UT
3) USC
4) tie – UGA/KY
6) Vandy
BAMA STAN
April 27th, 2010
1:39 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
to bill_in_atl and Columbus Tiger-War Eagle.
Children – let me settle this for you!
#1. – UGA fans were out of line to storm Auburns field – very unsportsmanlike and classless.
#2. Auburn had the right to HOSE the UGA fans – that were on Jordan Hare’s field – but turning the HOSES on the fans in the stand – classless – and stooping the level of the UGA fans on Auburns field.
To me – that makes you even!!! One classless act followed by another.
Now – go sit in your corner for a 5 minute time out.
And boys – one more thing………………………………..
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!
CLEVON LITTLE
April 27th, 2010
1:39 pm
He knows time is running out to prove himself & open up a door to the NFL (for any position). Yeah, yeah, I know…. I’m not saying he’s good enough to get to the NFL, but you know most D1 players have big heads coming out of HS, and I’m sure this isn’t where he envisioned he’d be in 3+ yrs.
Bulldog59
April 27th, 2010
1:41 pm
BK is right, what do we have to lose? Give LG some snaps at WR…..
Dap01, Sanford Stadium actually holds 92,746.
condorDawg
April 27th, 2010
1:41 pm
we need some real QB talent THIS year.
We Don’t have it. UF has 1 good one.
UT has a Juco and Bray looks good.
USC has a very nice veteran. KY has some QB depth.
Vandy is Vandy.
DawgBuzz
April 27th, 2010
1:42 pm
If Logan bolts then you have no backup qb, period. Let the guy play as well. I’m not sold on Murray. He finished 2nd in the spring scrimage games based on stats ( Mett finished 1st ) and Logan played better than him in the G-day game. I know the spring games are not a full reflection of the QB status but it’s all I’ve got.
CLEVON LITTLE
April 27th, 2010
1:44 pm
BAMA STAN … I’m sure everyone will give you a lot of credit & take what you say to heart..seeing how you have so much class yourself. lol
Otto
April 27th, 2010
1:46 pm
Stan why will UGA be better on offense?
dogcrap
April 27th, 2010
1:48 pm
Yeah, ptc, they will be lucky to win three…
St. Richt
April 27th, 2010
1:50 pm
This just in: UGA changes drug and alcohol policy so that it is not too harsh on repeat offenders. Nice. This should help the team out a little…
St. Richt
April 27th, 2010
1:50 pm
Uncle Jessie, you’re still employed? Amazing.
Delusional Dawg
April 27th, 2010
1:51 pm
Three weeks ago, Logan Gray was a throw-away for UGA. Now he is a must-have. How did UGA get in this QB quandry??
St. Richt
April 27th, 2010
1:54 pm
I think its pretty obvious that you’re in this position because your coach decided to name Aaron Murray the starter before he had really won the position outright. He could have shut his trap and gone into the season with the expectation that everyone would have to compete for the job. And you wouldn’t be in this position.
barbara dooley's rose bush
April 27th, 2010
2:02 pm
murray is the man
76-Dawg
April 27th, 2010
2:06 pm
Delusional Dawg alone with some more. You don’t know who out played who. Taking every thing in consideration CMR said the clear winner was Murray up to this point but the competition would continue this summer. You are reading way too much into the depth chart.Wait until the end of August when the real depth comes out before going off the deep end. The only thing that CMR has not done well since becoming coach at UGA was letting Willis Martinez be defensive coordinator three years longer than he should have. Also, MR could coordinated his recruiting effort a little better. Sometimes you must be willing to give up a scholarship to get someone you really want. I would rather have a great player play for me than have to deal with him playing against me.When you recruit these 5-star ask them if someone else on their high school means so much to them that they want come unless their friend comes to. They are 17-18 years old. They may be world class on the field but need emotional help to grow into a man. CMR needs to improve his recruiting skills.
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 27th, 2010
2:06 pm
No room at WR?I thought we were extremely short handed at WR.
anotherdawg
April 27th, 2010
2:08 pm
Bill, This is a great idea. Cross train Logan where he can be used either way. I actually like this idea better than what we’re doing with Brandon Smith. No reason he can’t help out the receivers, where we are short-handed, and be prepared to play quarterback, where we are short-handed. When we had Hines Ward, he played both positions, helped the team, and had a ball doing it.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
2:09 pm
I think the critical games to Georgia’s season are at SC Sept. 11 and Arkansas Sept. 18. Murray gets a 1-game introduction to QB responsibility against La-La and then hits the SEC hard stuff. If Georgia doesn’t stumble in mid-September, that means Murray and Georgia’s chances for a decent season may pan out. The next big test is Oct. 30 in Jacksonville (Tennessee has multiple issues, including QB).
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 27th, 2010
2:10 pm
I don’t know about offering scholarships to friends and relatives just to get a guy to sign.Honestly when you look back at all the so called “misses” we had in recruiting during CMR’s tenure only a small few ever made an impact at the schools they chose over UGA.Eric Berry is the only one I can think of.
Barkin'Dog
April 27th, 2010
2:13 pm
After reading (and watching YouTube highlights) about the Meier kid from Kansas, who was drafted by the Falcons as a possession receiver, after playing QB many years, I believe Gray would make a great receiver. He has more experience in knowing how to read defenses and find the holes than those already playing, except AJ perhaps. Let him have his shot. Then the dawgs have a backup QB just in case.
And, for crying out loud… all you idiots who keep insisting that Mett or Gray outperformed Murray are looking at the LITTLE PICTURE. According to many (incl. the competing QBs), Mett had the “game of his college career” at G-Gay, including his entire Freshman year and Soph Spring training. You can’t pick a QB based on one great performance (esp. after his arrest). Murray was the overall winner because of his overall results this spring. Get off of Murray’s butt! He will embarrass you (after your stupid comments) with his outstanding leadership this Fall, and you will be nowhere to heard from, long after criticizing the young man.
This team, this year, will dazzle the college football fan base. They always seem to do their best when the least is expected. I for one will stand behind them, regardless of the results. Go Dawgs!!
59bulldawg
April 27th, 2010
2:15 pm
I don’t have a problem with Gray playing receiver and backup QB. But is Mettenberg gone for good? Or is there something he can do to earn his way back. I guess I’m just not in the loop regarding all the rumors you folks in state are hearing. But unless there’s something truly shocking about to break, I don’t understand why not.
jzdawg
April 27th, 2010
2:20 pm
Unless Gray is really thinking he can go pro he needs to stay at his beloved UGA and suck it up. Just play the back up QB role this year, work towards your degree, and work next spring as receiver when A.J. and Durham are gone.
Cjdawg
April 27th, 2010
2:21 pm
@Cory — yeah please do go right ahead and quit on the Dawgs cause of the Potential of a QB transferring and use Fl, Al and LSU of examples of schools that have it all figured out … Cuz NONE of those schools have ever had any of their guys EVER transfer and stuff like that —– therefore we must SUCK Buh Bye. and oh I think Tech is lookin’ for some more Tickle Pilers to add to their fan base :~)
Cojones
April 27th, 2010
2:22 pm
Now let me get this straight: You want to “use” him at backup and screw him being placed in more than one position to make plays and catch the eye of someone for HIS future? You just want to use him as a “what-if” Dawg. And he isn’t worth DJ’s salt? The way some of you jerks word things has me hoping that you don’t get the chance to use your left-handed “Diplomacy” elsewhere with this team.
This guy is an athlete. He doesn’t need our scraps at tha Dawg table. If you can’t speak up for his athletic prowess and brag on it…..how the heck would you feel reading this? He hasn’t been placed in other positions for you to see that he could have the varietal display of athleticism that DJ , Percy Harvin, Ward Hines and others were given to display.You want him around “in case we need him” and not for his worth as a Georgia Bulldog in high standing. Somebody should get busy and write a full article on this man that can be read and understood by all for his ability to play many positions. Treat him like the man and aspiring athlete that he is. If you don’t have the information, then get it by interviewing his friends and teammates. Quit standing there like a dummie and write it like the compliment it should be. What are you writers good for if you can’t do this simple courtesy and show the man he is needed; not to be used.?
Steve
April 27th, 2010
2:23 pm
The are the types of thing you see in a program with no direction. Sub top 25, for a reason.
lazydawg
April 27th, 2010
2:26 pm
If you are out done by your compitition you should take your ball and go home,good thing we have alot of balls at UGA. I sure hope this is not the way Logan is thinking because he could be a good slot WR and make an impact on Saturdays.
Cojones
April 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
And for any of you that got it that Ward Hines was from FSU…..YEAA!!
crazy dawg
April 27th, 2010
2:30 pm
Let Logan run some at wide out he is a good player with hands and speed. Murray is a much better Qb than Logan and thats why he will be starting and leading this dawg team to an outstanding 2010 season.I am sick and tired of all this bickering and back biting of so called dawg fans. I am calling out all true dawg fans to get behind this team and give them our support. These are 18 – 21 year old kids that will make mistakes and screw up on some plays but over all this will be a good bunch of young men that will do UGA proud this season. So all you fair weather and band wagon jumping fans please shut up untill late october when this team is rolling then you can talk about how you new they would be good. To true Dawg fans keep up the support of this team good times are not far away go dawgs forever.
Dawg 39
April 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
Do not understand all of the hate out there. We have the best coaching (& recruiting) staff we have ever had, period.Nuff said.
dawgnation
April 27th, 2010
2:32 pm
Obviously Logan Gray does not have the IT factor at QB or he would have beaten out Cox last year and won the job over a redshirt freshman this year. JZ I agree that unless he thinks he can go pro as a QB by transferring to another school he needs to stay and play the backup QB role this year until they can get Murray and Mason up to speed. Then allow him to switch over to WR later in the year and start out as WR next year when AJ and Durham are gone and they have a few more experience QBs on the roster.
ozzfest
April 27th, 2010
2:36 pm
LOGAN GRAY….MEET JOE DUPREE.
Cojones
April 27th, 2010
2:36 pm
SB Nation has just reported that Logan has secured his release from Georgia.
KimZ's Package
April 27th, 2010
2:39 pm
The Citadel had a player draFTED THIS YEAR. Let him leave and try QB at another school.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
2:42 pm
“SB Nation has just reported that Logan has secured his release from Georgia.”
What does a collection of individual bloggers know that AJC reporters don’t? Or is it a matter of holding off on the developments at the request of the Georgia athletic department?