UGA fans fired up? Worried? Yeah, we’re all that
Should Dawgs fans be concerned about Aaron Murray's practice stats? (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
Nine days and counting, and from what I’m hearing and seeing the UGA fan base is alternating between sky-high optimism and nervous fretting.
Take my friend Dan, who I was chatting with earlier this week. “Do you realize,” he said, “that we were three or four plays from finishing 10-and-2 last season?”
Dan put the onus for the Dogs’ disappointing 2009 showing squarely on the defense, and more specifically Willie Martinez. Which is why he’s so high on Georgia’s prospects this season. “We were that close last year and yet our defense was terrible.”
He believes that even with the Dogs having to learn the new 3-4 defensive scheme installed by Todd Grantham, “there’s no way the defense won’t be better this year.” And that means a better record, he believes, because Grantham’s more aggressive style should produce more turnovers than Martinez’s read-and-react scheme did.
Of course, quarterback play was also a problem at times last year. (I still wince thinking about that Kentucky game.) And with Aaron Murray starting out with no experience, some fans are feeling kind of anxious.
Like my friend JP. I got an e-mail from him the other day. The subject line: “I’m worried.”
What he was worried about was Murray’s showing in the scrimmages up to that point (not including Wednesday’s). Said JP: “Aaron Murray has now played 3 ‘games’ at UGA. In the G-Day game he was the third-best QB on the field and threw a terrible interception. In the first scrimmage he was so bad that Bobo publicly criticized him, and in the second scrimmage he was 8 for 20 with no touchdowns, and the offense was totally inept. The best thing Richt could say about him was he didn’t throw any interceptions. I hate to sound like Munson, but I sure wish he would show some progress. I’m afraid he might be one of those players who looks great in practice but can’t produce when it counts.”
In my reply, I tried talking JP down off the ledge a bit by pointing out that in the recent scrimmages Murray has been working behind a patchwork offensive line because of injuries and illness.
That was still pretty much the case Wednesday, when Murray had another OK showing, going 9-for-17 for 127 yards and no interceptions but chalking up a demerit from Mark Richt for getting sacked on a play when he should have thrown the ball away.
“He’s still learning. He’s still a freshman,” Richt noted.
But legendary Dogs QB Buck Belue offers a perspective that fans fretting about Murray’s practice stats probably ought to keep in mind. In his blog, he writes: “Get ready to hear all about Aaron Murray’s stats this season. I can hear some of these knuckleheads already, ‘Murray only completed 7 of 16 passes.’ What does it matter, if two go for TDs and they win?”
The bottom line on the quarterback, according to Belue: “What’s important is making plays that help the offense score points, which in turn helps the team win games. No one should expect Murray — in his first season as the starter — to go out there and complete 65 percent of his throws for 3,000 yards. This isn’t [Eric] Zeier in his senior season. This young man is just getting started. Aaron needs to focus on managing the offense, making good decisions, and hitting on some big plays that help them score points and win.”
Thanks, Buck. We needed that.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
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
139 comments Add your comment
12-2
August 27th, 2010
2:30 am
God Almighty
Now, according to Bill King today, we were 10-2 last season in a 14-game season.
Then, Bill King, gets his EXCUSES warmed up for this season, 10-10 vs SEC East last 4 years, with only 1 Team we played in SEC East ANY of the last 4 years.
EXCUSES Bill King.
Can we have an ENTIRE BLOG on JUST ONLY EXCUSES PLEASE Bill King ?
You, Altamahawdawg and RED DOG 77 are the Kings of EXCUSES.
And, you didn’t EVEN MENTION Bill King his INJURIES and SIZE and STRENGTH/ENDURANCE – not EXACTLY his STRENGTHS, you know ?
Thanks Bill King, as Mike Bobo and Coach Richt NEED THAT.
This is YEAR TEN (10) of Mike Bobo and Coach Richt and they are AVERAGING the # 52 NCAA Rank in Total Offense, ALL entire Coach Richt Era.
This is WHAT WE HAVE. That Buck Belue in his BLOG YESTERDAY said that Hutson Mason True Freshman has to play EARLY and OFTEN against Louisiana Lafayette.
You know why Bill King ?
Because if oft-injured Aaron Murray gets injured again, THIS SEASON IS SHOT. And, YOU could not even MUSTER the point.
You know Bill King ?
The reason we all are concerned.
12-2
August 27th, 2010
2:45 am
Chris
August 26th, 2010 12:34 pm
“It is Bobo and Richt’s horrible play calling. Getting away from the run, and relying heavely on a young QB just because you only picked up 3 yards on 1st down has been one of trade marks of Rich’ts teams. The play calling has GOT to get better. Bobo has very little room to cirticize the QB’s mistakes when he makes soooo many bone headed calls.”
12-2
August 27th, 2010
2:53 am
76-DAWG
August 26th, 2010 3:07 pm
“One of the main reasons that I am concerned about this season It’s Bobo’s inconsistencies . UGA would move down the field like world beaters last year and then in the next series they would try something different and be 3 and out. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You keep doing what works until it doesn’t work any longer.Bobo would out think himself last year and think that he had to keep ahead of the other team with changes and a lot of times the other team doesn’t have an answer to what you are doing and hope that you change. The main person on the field that needs to be reigned in and put under control is BOBO. CMR needs to do a lot of personal management of Bobo this year and hopefully he will finally realize that all coaches can’t be coordinators.”
12-2
August 27th, 2010
3:11 am
jaglaw
August 26th, 2010 3:22 pm
“Good teams dont beat themselves with penallties. SO WHO WILL CLEAN UP THE OFFENSIVE PENALTIES? CMR and Bobo may be jobless and TG the new head coach if the offense cant get themselves better disciplined.”
LHardingDawg
August 26th, 2010 3:53 pm
“As far as quarterbacks, I’m not too worried. I believe Coach Richt and Coach Bobo knows the postion well. We’ll be ready. Dont worry, be happy.”
Hobnail Boot
August 27th, 2010
7:12 am
Seven yards and a cloud of dust. As long as we can run the football young Murray just has to manage the game. If we put him in situations that we have to pass more than expected he will struggle like most young QB’s. The O line is our strength so we must run the ball and protect Murray in passing situations.
AltamahaDawg
August 27th, 2010
7:16 am
Really? What excuses? Excuses for what. I suspect you have no better clarification for that than the other haters who use that term when they don’t really have any point to make.
AltamahaDawg
August 27th, 2010
7:19 am
“Bill, if you check back around 2:30am, it will be revealed to you what you thought and really meant to say about that.”
Did I nail that or what?
Tom
August 27th, 2010
8:46 am
Note: You should be required to be able to SPELL “c-a-r” before you’re allowed to drive one. Just sayin’.
UGA Prisoners
August 27th, 2010
8:52 am
Ho hum… another arrest…Ealeys is in Jail. What a horrible program.
Red Panties
August 27th, 2010
8:52 am
Here we go again, what in the h3ll is he doing out at 4am? Richt, the disciplinarian.
It will be a long year if Richt doesn’t demand some discipline
Breaking NewsUGA star running back Washaun Ealey arrested .UGA sports blog Washaun Ealey arrested
8:30 am August 27, 2010, by Tim Tucker
University of Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey was arrested early today on misdemeanor charges of driving with a suspended license and hit-and-run of a parked vehicle, according to Clarke County Jail records and UGA Police.
Ealey, 21, was booked into the jail at 5:22 a.m. and remains there in lieu of $3,000 bond.
More to come.
CLARK CO. PD
August 27th, 2010
8:54 am
Ealey arrested!!!!!
BBBWWWWWWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAAHAAAAHA!!!!!!!! Please explain this one. Its one thing to get arrested b/c of a suspended licence its another to be involved in a hit and run!! Good Job!! BWWWHAHAHAHAHA!!!
UGA Prisoners
August 27th, 2010
8:54 am
Richt is such a wuss. I bet Ealey gets suspended for the LA Lafayette game only.
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 27th, 2010
8:58 am
Well, it’s Friday. You know, when another Georgia Boozedawg gets arrested.
St. Richt
August 27th, 2010
9:00 am
Yep, you guessed it. Ealey will be handed a one half game suspension against La-Laf. The heavy handed disciplinarian that CMR is…
Tom
August 27th, 2010
9:00 am
Wait….a 21-yr-old TRUE SOPHOMORE?!?! Wow……just……wow.
Red Panties
August 27th, 2010
9:03 am
Tom
Good pick up—–I wonder how many grades he failed and that is
very hard to do these days—-they pass,em all
SKB
August 27th, 2010
9:08 am
hmm.. Are all you guys the same person? You see a string of similar negative comments one after another, maybe you should spread them around so it would seem more realistic.
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 27th, 2010
9:10 am
He was probably distracted by some red panties in his lap.
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!
August 27th, 2010
9:11 am
“I run…from the cops!”
“I hit & run in this state!”
“I run…from the state police!”
“See Ealey. See Ealey run. See Ealey run from the cops. Run Ealey Run!!!”
SKB
August 27th, 2010
9:12 am
Yes, I very much agree CMR does not discipline his players, so many arrests is inexcusable.
How Low Can You Go? (I Bet Lower)
August 27th, 2010
9:13 am
3 yards and a cloud of handcuffs!
jerry
August 27th, 2010
9:27 am
Does anyone in this program have any sense?
St. Richt
August 27th, 2010
9:30 am
We run from this state’s patrol.
St. Richt
August 27th, 2010
9:32 am
Will the Dawgs start to put their booking or inmate # from their mugshot in the black tape under their eyes this year?
UGAG is gitting the ncaa death penalty, he he ha ha
August 27th, 2010
9:37 am
Did the cops cuff and perp walk Mr. Earley? Another step toward the ncaa death penalty relating to a lack of institutional controls on the athletic department!
Washaun Ealy
August 27th, 2010
9:49 am
We hit and run this state
UGA Prisoners
August 27th, 2010
9:54 am
Good one Washaun.
Dawg Fud
August 27th, 2010
9:57 am
“We hit and run this state”….i have to admit that is pretty darn funny.
Buckhead Dawg
August 27th, 2010
10:06 am
The parked car was in the way. I blame George W. Bush.
Go Dawgs! Richt, please provide bike’s to anyone else on the team with suspended license.
Minnesota Dawg
August 27th, 2010
10:08 am
If our defense can hold off opponents enough so that our quarterback can mature, then we will be alright. Running game is important to establishing the passing game. The unseen factor is the offensive line holding off those sackers on defense so Murray can have time to throw.
Recruited by Richt
August 27th, 2010
11:07 am
Ealey is the eighth UGA football player to be arrested this year.
Three were subsequently kicked off the team: outside linebacker Montez Robinson, who was charged with simple battery/family violence; quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery; and backup punter Trent Dittmer, who was charged with public intoxication.
Backup running back Dontavius Jackson decided to transfer to another school after being suspended for six games following an arrest on charges of DUI, underage possession of alcohol, following too closely, leaving the scene of an accident, violation of the move-over law and violation of the learner’s permit law.
Wide receiver Tavarres King is suspended for the opening game because of an underage possession of alcohol charge.
The other UGA players who have been arrested this year are walk-on offensive lineman Josh Parrish, who was charged with underage possession of alcohol and possession of false identification, and backup cornerback Jordan Love, who was charged with obstruction for not providing his full name to police.
- – - – -
UGA89
August 27th, 2010
11:09 am
Arrests = another reason I support my school from an academic standpoint only. The athletic association has been an embarrassment; before I entered college, during my years there and after my graduation.
Too Easy
August 27th, 2010
11:10 am
You UGA idiots just make it too easy…
Red Panties…DUI…Hit and Run…
randyman
August 27th, 2010
11:14 am
Well folks. The bottom line is WHO KNOWS whats going to happen. There are way too many variables to figure how good we will be. How good our opp will be, some luck, fair ref’s, good coaching, fumbles, penalties, etc. We may loose 5 games or win them all. Heck our last SEC championship team wasnt really much better than what we got now. Heck we didnt play that well with a #1 in the nation quaterback(IMO). We played great ball under shockley who hasnt amounted to much im NFL. So who knows what will happen this yr. Like what was said before, we were a few good plays from a great seasom last yr. (not to mention a few bad calls from refs)
David
August 27th, 2010
1:33 pm
Buck doesn’t want any QB to be succesful. That would take away from his glory. Buck still takes bows for something that happened 30 years ago. The same with Vince Dooley, he doesn’t want GA to win anything.
74 Dawg
August 28th, 2010
3:21 pm
Uga insider, it is my understanding the first team offense has been scrimmaging the scout team defense and vice versa. Just saying
74 Dawg
August 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
Buckhead dawg, that would be a NCAA violation. Although that’s a nice try.
renegade#1
August 28th, 2010
8:23 pm
I’ve got a great idea. Lets start the season and see what happens. Check back with me Jan. 3rd and I’ll let ya’ll know how it turned out.
renegade#1
August 28th, 2010
8:33 pm
I think the Athens police dept are all exTech football players the only way they are able to catch a Ga. player is with a blue light and a siren and thats only if they decide to stop.