If A.J. Green leaves early, what’s his place in UGA football lore?
If the quarterback could get the ball anywhere near A.J. Green, he usually came down with it. (Associated Press)
A.J. Green tweets he isn’t gone yet, no matter what Channel 2 reports, but you’re not likely to find many observers of the Georgia football program who expect A.J. to be putting on the red No. 8 jersey next season.
He’s already considered a lock to go in the first round of the NFL draft, so about all he could do by returning for another season in Athens is run the risk of an injury that could endanger his pro career.
Oh, I’d love it if he came back. And if he shocks the world and does that, he’ll instantly elevate himself to the highest level of Bulldog Nation folk hero status. But I don’t expect it to happen.
So, assuming Green is gone after this season, what will be his place in Georgia football history? As was the case with Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, he won’t have helped bring a championship to UGA before leaving early. And generally it’s the players who at least bring home an SEC championship trophy who are the most beloved among fans.
However, there’s one big difference when it comes to Green. Stafford and Moreno were top-notch players, but they weren’t the best I’d ever seen play at their positions for UGA. Stafford had the biggest arm but never completely mastered the mental side of the quarterback position and wasn’t the team leader he could have been. Moreno was a fantastically talented back, but he was no Herschel Walker.
Merry Christmas, Bulldog Nation! (Danbury Mint)
But A.J. is, hands down, the best receiver I’ve ever seen play for Georgia.
He might not have lived up to his full potential, due to injuries and the missed games caused by his stupidity in the jersey-selling affair, but those circus catches, his running after the catch and, most importantly, his ability to go up high in double or triple coverage and still snag the ball in a clutch situation are unequaled.
It’s been a pleasure to watch him play. If I could get my Christmas wish for the Bulldogs, he’d return for his senior season. I don’t think we’ll be that lucky, though.
Speaking of Christmas wishes, here’s hoping you and yours have a safe and enjoyable holiday and all of you come back next week for some bowl talk.
Go Dogs!
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211 comments Add your comment
Texas Dawg
December 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
AJ has no “Legacy” whatsoever! Most taleted reciever to play football for UGA I agree with but other than some graet catches what “legacy” does he leave behind? SEC East titles…none. Sec Champoinships…none. All Amercian Honors…none. A legacy would come back for his final year and help the TEAM! I don’t blame him at all for taking the money but please don’t say he was a Legend or leaves a legacy…he was a DMG like many other before him.
dap01
December 24th, 2010
1:15 pm
What would have happened if AJ’s father had sold the jersey for $200,000 without AJ knowing it.
The NCAA is a bunch of corrupt hyprcrits.
gotta go
December 24th, 2010
1:27 pm
Folks, here are the facts
1. His best moment/only game winner was against UK
2. He was injury prone
3. So far we have lost 14 games while he was here
4. He knew the rules and let his team down
5. We can be mediocre without him
Now, where is his place in our history?
War Eagle
December 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
I heard of the high draft from a friend who works in AD at Auburn about Cam … if he does`nt go in the top 10 he will play another year at Auburn…
I think AJ will go in the top 5 or higher.
Alphare
December 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
It’s not Green is any good, it’s UGA football always about one or two players.
BAMA had many shining stars when they won NC. Julio is not less talented than Green, but he was made one of pieces in a great team. At UGA, coaches select one or two players to shine. But BAMA even makes their mediocre QB an important piece.
That’s why BAMA wins NC, and UGA doesn’t.
The Greek
December 24th, 2010
1:42 pm
AJC headline: UGA fraternity shut down
Why should this surprise anyone? UGA has the nation’s drunkest students and the most scofflaws. The school is a disgrace and an enormous embarrassment to the decent people of this state.
There’s a reason why UGA is known far and wide as The Cesspool of the South.
Eminee
December 24th, 2010
1:46 pm
“I think AJ will go in the top 5 or higher.”
Right, if you’re talking about illiterate thugs. And cheaters.
And for the record, the liar was at South Beach.
William C Smith
December 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
I am an Auburn fan, but I like to think I can see great talent on any team. A.J. is one of those rare talents that come along very seldom. When a game starts you say I know everybody wants to stop him, and I can not believe that he can accomplish anything. However, at the end of the day you can say he did it. Herchel was the same running the football. As to determine where he stands as the greatest I would not dare make that estimation. However, when placed on a finger count you will not need the second hand. See him on Sunday. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
5150 P.O.A.D
December 24th, 2010
1:54 pm
To be a lore hero..you need to win a National Campionship like Belue and Scott & gang!
Pago Pago Dawg
December 24th, 2010
2:07 pm
We think the AD should call the SDSU coach today!
Tech sucks
December 24th, 2010
2:17 pm
Unfortunately he will go down as a could have been spectacular player. He never really accomplished anything here. He completely screwed himself with the NCAA violation and the football team.
He could have been the greatest ever but his stats are terrible compared to what they should have been because of suspensions and injuries.
I’m sure he won’t give a damn when he makes 12 million dollars next year.
Sharpburg Dawg
December 24th, 2010
3:14 pm
I have only been a Georgia Fan for about 10 years now, but I have seen the 1980 NC Game…AJ is definitely no Herschel Walker. I would agree that he is the best wide receiver that UGA has ever seen…I would definitely like to see him stick around another year……I too don’t think it will happen….but I know for sure that without the Jersey fiasco our record would look a better than it does right now….I know it will definitely be hard to say no to the money of the NFL…..but I would personally rather have the love of the fans because that never goes away…..I would personally like to see some of our great players stick around all 4 years….I think when that happens we might actually win another SEC Championship…..and maybe even another NC…..
LaGrange
December 24th, 2010
4:22 pm
Good reading about one of the UGA thugs.
http://www.redandblack.com/2010/10/12/accusations-piling-up-for-running-back-king-tally-of-arrests-increasing/
Dirty Dawg
December 24th, 2010
5:51 pm
Georgia would do well to cut young Mr. King loose. On top of everything else we now hear he’s not eligible due to bad-a$$ grades. Sounds like he’s shooting for the Quincy Carter Award. Let him go and maybe it’ll be an incentive for some RB recruit to ‘come on ‘up’.
LoganvilleDAWG
December 24th, 2010
9:48 pm
I agree with what 1 MORE YEAR says about Sanford stadium. Back in the 80’s & 90’s, BETWEEN THE HEDGES used to be one place opposing teams didn’t want to play. I love the DAWGS & have been going since the early 60’s, but some of our so called loyal, hard nosed fans DO NOT make any noise. Our players deserve it, our coaches deserve it & the recruits need to hear it. CMR & staff can bring us back to the glory days if our fans will get more involved at the game instead of complaining about everything regarding the program. They are not perfect but neither are these fans. SHOW some real loyalty & MAKE NOISE!!!! Merry Christmas to all the DAWG FANS!!
Delbert D.
December 24th, 2010
9:57 pm
Off topic quote about Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State in a recent Pete Thamel article:
“The ruling does not help Pryor, who is regarded by N.F.L. personnel evaluators as a project on and off the field.
“He needs to grow up, work on his consistency and grow into the leader that I think he can be,” said Dave Razzano, who worked as an N.F.L. scout for 22 years. “I wouldn’t touch him with a 10-foot pole.”
Dawg79
December 24th, 2010
10:42 pm
“A.J. definitely has the title of “best Georgia receiver ever” locked up’
Are you kidding me? Better than Lindsey Scott?
Maybe better on hype……. what records does he own?
Dawg79
December 24th, 2010
10:49 pm
Here are the records … kind of hard to say ‘best ever’
Pass Receptions – Game
15 – Shannon Mitchell vs. Florida, 1993 (140 yards)
13 – Michael Johnson vs. Auburn, 2002 (141 yards)
12 – Randy McMichael vs. Ga. Tech, 2000 (156 yards)
11 – Mohamed Massaquoi vs. Kentucky, 2008 (191 yards)
11 – Damien Gary vs. Ga. Tech, 2000 (126 yards)
Pass Receptions – Season
76 – Brice Hunter, 1993
59 – Terrence Edwards, 2002
59 – Brice Hunter, 1994
58 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2008
55 – Hines Ward, 1997
Pass Receptions – Career
204 – Terrence Edwards, 1999-2002
182 – Brice Hunter, 1992-95
161 – Fred Gibson, 2001-04
158 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2005-08
144 – Reggie Brown, 2000-04
144 – Hines Ward, 1994-97
Yards Gained Receiving – Game
201 – Fred Gibson vs. Kentucky, 2001
198 – Lamar Davis vs. Cincinnati, 1942
196 – Terrence Edwards vs. Utah State, 1999
192 – Pat Hodgson vs. Miami, 1963
191 – Mohamed Massaquoi vs. Kentucky, 2008
188 – Hason Graham vs. South Carolina, 1994
Yards Gained Receiving – Season
1,004 – Terrence Edwards, 2002
970 – Brice Hunter, 1993
963 – A.J. Green, 2008
920 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2008
900 – Hines Ward, 1996
881 – Hason Graham, 1994
860 – Reggie Brown, 2004
860 – Andre Hastings, 1992
Yards Gained Receiving – Career
3,093 – Terrence Edwards, 1999-2002 (SEC Record)
2,884 – Fred Gibson, 2001-04
2,373 – Brice Hunter, 1992-95
2,282 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2005-08
2,098 – Lindsay Scott, 1978-81
2,008 – Reggie Brown, 200-04
Average Gain Per Reception – Season
28.5 – Lamar Davis, 1942
26.4 – Rex Putnal, 1972
23.5 – Gene Washington, 1976
23.4 – Fred Gibson, 2001
22.8 – Sean Bailey, 2005
Average Gain Per Reception – Career
24.6 – Gene Washington, 1973-76
20.7 – Bobby Walston, 1947-50
20.5 – Rex Putnal, 1970-72
19.9 – Cassius Osborn, 1984-87
19.3 – Hason Graham, 1992-94
Touchdown Receptions – Game
3 – Mohamed Massaquoi vs. Ga. Tech, 2008
3 – Terrence Edwards vs. Kentucky, 2002
3 – George Poschner vs. Florida, 1942
3 – Don Potterfield vs. Auburn, 1963
Touchdown Receptions – Season
11 – Terrence Edwards, 2002
9 – Terrence Edwards, 1999
9 – Brice Hunter, 1993
9 – Hason Graham, 1994
8 – A.J. Green, 2008
8 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2008
8 – Lamar Davis, 1941
Touchdown Receptions – Career
30 – Terrence Edwards, 1999-02
20 – Fred Gibson, 2001-04
19 – Brice Hunter, 1992-94
16 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2005-08
16 – Hason Graham, 1992-94
16 – Juan Daniels, 1993-96
Most Receptions by a Freshman
56 – A.J. Green, 2008
53 – Terrence Edwards, 1999
38 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2005
36 – Damien Gary, 2000
36 – Lindsay Scott, 1978
Most Receptions by a Sophomore
76 – Brice Hunter, 1993
53 – Terrence Edwards, 2000
48 – Andre Hastings, 1991
43 – Fred Gibson, 2002
40 – Charles Whittemore, 1968
Most Receptions by a Junior
59 – Brice Hunter, 1994
52 – Andre Hastings, 1992
52 – Hines Ward, 1996
Most Receptions by a Senior
59 – Terrence Edwards, 2002
58 – Mohamed Massaquoi, 2008
55 – Hines Ward, 1997
53 – Reggie Brown, 2004
49 – Fred Gibson, 2004
49 – Shannon Mitchell, 1993
Dawg79
December 24th, 2010
10:57 pm
As you can see, Terrence Edwards is the greatest UGA receiver by all the records he holds.
Fan of the Game
December 24th, 2010
11:16 pm
You can’t pick a best receiver. I do know that AJ is an impact type player. He may have the strongest stiff arm that any UGA receiver has ever had. Somebody mentioned Hines Ward. UGA has never had a player that put the team first anymore than Hines Ward. He and Herschel are probably the best two all round football players that UGA has ever had. They could have played defense and played it well also.
cmac
December 24th, 2010
11:23 pm
The greatest receiver in UGA history (not even arguable)! Look at how this season turned around once he started playing. Unfortunately, the injury in 09 & his idiotic decision in 10 will cost him with the “average” Georgia football fan. Also, don’t forget that the poor guy had to play with 3 different quarterbacks.
As for the comment by “waiting for fireworks” at 2:07 on 12/23 concerning Matt Stafford not making the UGA team of the decade: do you remember a guy named David Green?! When he left, he was the winningest QB in NCAA history! This is what I mean by the “average” Georgia football fan!
Delbert D.
December 24th, 2010
11:48 pm
Dawg79 – Nice tabulation of the records. The one for Pat Hodgson against Miami in 1963 struck a chord. I was on the sidelines at our high school game on that Friday night when the word made its way down to the field that Larry Rakestraw passed for over 400 yards (406, I think it was reported at the time) against Miami and their great QB, George Mira.
Dawg79
December 24th, 2010
11:57 pm
Delbert D – most fans are myopic and only see the “greatest ever” going back 10 years. AJ is a good kid and could have been great, but look at the names on the record list and you will remember some great receivers. Maybe the question should have been “AJ, hands down, had the greatest potential”. I can buy that, but the facts don’t lie.
crapsandwich
December 25th, 2010
1:02 am
Dawgs that don’t play their senior year…do not….and should not go down in Georgia folklore. He only played about 2.5 years or less for the dogs. Could care less about any legacy for him.
Brucerugby79
December 25th, 2010
8:51 am
When we are talking about great players at Georgia (not the pros) Scott Woerner was as good as they come-we don’t beat Clemson or Notre Dame without Woerner. Thats 1980 for you younger Dogs
Brucerugby79
December 25th, 2010
8:56 am
Hey Dawg79 I guess we went to school together-time flies Merry Christmas
T-DAWG
December 25th, 2010
9:13 am
you remove the first 2 games and the Flordia game out of next years’ schedule and it looks like an old DII scheudule. If we do not turn it around next year, with or without AJ, it will never get turned around unless there some major changes in Athens. Thanks for the great memories #8. Too bad the defense let you down in your 3 years. #8 first year with Stanford and Moreno could have been great with a little more “D” in place.
Big Dawg
December 25th, 2010
9:50 am
A.J. I thought coming out of the most successful High school football program in the country with coach John Mckissick* Summerville Greenwave** you would have more loyalty and respect and honor. I will have to say no lore for you at UGA. Not much at all accomplished. No conf. championship, no big game win, no national championship, no run at Heisman. No big deal A.J.
Close the door on the way out!
JT
December 25th, 2010
12:29 pm
Anybody remember Jimmy Orr? I don’t but my dad has some classes with him in the late 50’s at UGA. He said Orr’s finigers were at least a knuckle longer than everybody else’s in the class.
He played for a long time in the NFL and caught a lot of passes from Johnny U.
Delbert D.
December 25th, 2010
1:42 pm
JT – I have an old Jimmy Orr football card. One even older of Johnny Carson.
carolinadawg
December 25th, 2010
4:05 pm
If AJ does not come back it has been great having him here. Injuries and immaturity(selling the jersey) has cost him some games, but, he has been a pleasure to watch. I wish him the best on his NFL future. UGA will be fine without him, someone will have to step up. You cannot blame kids like AJ that have a chance to take care of their family.
daddydog
December 25th, 2010
5:54 pm
AJ’s place in lore is simple. If he leaves he will be the WR sidetracked by a jersey sale.
If he comes back he will be a Heisman finalist or winner.
Texas Dawg
December 25th, 2010
6:25 pm
I quess the stats don’t lie. The “legacy” he leaves behind as I will rememmber is disappointing his fans by selling his jersey and leaving school for the money. Probably one of the most gifted to play the postion at UGA but leaves no legacy wahtsoever.
Franco
December 25th, 2010
6:53 pm
A Christmas wish: Fire Mark Richt and hire a winning coach who isn’t as morally destitute as Richt.
John
December 25th, 2010
6:54 pm
He will be remembered as an average player but who can blame him.
Buck Strickland
December 25th, 2010
6:59 pm
AJ accomplished a lot at UGA and was fun to watch. He’ll go to the NFL and make a gazillion dollars. But he’ll always know that he let 7576DAWG down. He’ll have to live with that forever…
SickandTired
December 26th, 2010
8:37 am
T. Edawards was the man. AJ falls somewhere below Reggie Brown in my book and way below Terrence Edwards. I mean, what has the man done except make a few spectacular catches? That’s it, thank you for playing and have a nice career in the NFL….maybe you can perform for your team better than Matt Stafford who is stealing money from the Lions.
Fuzzybee
December 26th, 2010
9:39 am
Great hands ….. no heart
Kendawg
December 26th, 2010
10:55 am
I agree that A J was the best receiver I’ve ever seen play ay UGA. However, we didn’t come close to winning a championship with him (or Stafford or Moreno) at UGA during his tenure. Thus, I think that he will be remembered as a great receiver, but not particularly fondly. I agree that Murray will be a great QB, but it appears that he has little to throw to. Other than Durham and Green, I didn’t see any receivers who could separate from a defensive back. Also, it appears that Richt (or somebody) has taken the fire out of Grantham. One thing I have to admire about Dooley was that he never took the fire out of Erk Russell. He was smart enough to leave Russell alone. Russell may have been the greatest coach we’ve ever had at UGA. Look at what he did at Georgia Southern.
CostaRicaDog
December 26th, 2010
11:05 am
Kids come and go. AJ has been a great talent. Lindsey Scott will always be my favorite receiver not for the body of his work but for one special moment. Go Dogs.
Players that play tough. org
December 26th, 2010
11:16 am
They’re must be a lot of young bucks on this blog. Moreno is not in the top 5 of running backs at UGA.
1 Herschel
2 Garrison
3 Hampton
4 Worley
5 Tate
These were men running the ball. Moreno, not quite.
AJ is not the best. Hines is. Hines didn’t catch the long balls, but he turned hitches and ten yard passes into fifty yard plays. Don’t disrespect older players because you respect flash more than substance.
The Rook
December 26th, 2010
11:31 am
Green is a punk who hasn’t even had a decent complete season at UGA. Good riddance to him and his thuggery.
And take co-thugs Ealey and King with you. If they stay, they’ll just end up in the Athens jail again next season.
Wasted talent
December 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
Green is the best history in the history of the SEC and Richt wasted his abilities just like he wasted Stafford and Moreno. If any Dawg fans try to bash Green for not producing a championship they should redirect that frustration to Richt who continues not to get the criticism he deserves.
Phil
December 26th, 2010
6:17 pm
AJ won’t be back next year, kids these days have no loyalty or commitment to the schools that put them in this position. Tebow was the rare exception, he felt like he owed Florida his final season. I hated Tebow’s guts but I thought he showed class for coming back his senior year.
If AJ had any class, he would come back next year to make up for the 4 game suspension. The NFL money will still be there after his senior year. If he has a great year next season, he may go even higher in the draft, who knows, possibly number 1.
Who even cares?
December 26th, 2010
10:56 pm
Kids that blog here are just kids. They have no background on any players beyond 1995. They are children, yet to grow up and have a long reference point with nothing.
Now, if you can recall some UGA players and GT players dating all the way back to the early 60s, you have a voice here. Kim King of GT in like 66, 67, 68 had a fine receiver and right now, I cannot recall his name but he was a good one. Seivers? Help me here Jackets.
I recall UGA receivers like Reggie Brown who destroyed his knee on a kick off and worked very, very hard in rehab to come back. He did fairly well for UGA and moved on to the pros with the Eagles for a while. He seemingly had tons of character. He also COULD HAVE sold his jersey but he did not.
T Edwards, Brice Hunter, Andre Hastings and Jimmy Shirer ( yes, Shirer who caught a two pointer to defeat GT in 71, thrown by Andy Johnson. His catch with maybe 12 seconds left sealed or won that game, unlike AJ Green, who did cost UGA the 09 LSU game with his strutting. He was hurt in 09, so he missed another shot at GT. Typical AJ stuff.
There are many, many others that were superior to AJ Green like Lindsey Scott who won the Florida game with his hands and then his legs. AJ Green NEVER DEFEATED Florida. See? Could go on for days on this subject. AJ Green is acrobatic and has good hands but he is in no way the best to play for UGA ………………..no way. Charlie Whittemore was better, as one more example.
Happy New Year.
Gliding Glynn Harrsion
December 26th, 2010
11:02 pm
Glen Harrison and Jimmy Ploulas are two metro Atlanta (DeKalb ) kids who made a very solid UGA career into some very nice memories. Both were smooth, and Jimmy ran Hard AND HARRSION COULD GLIDE. Neither had that so called all world speed. BOTH are better than Moreno or Ealey or Caleb King. Why? THEY WON GAMES is why.
These last 3 UGA clowns? They sit out and loaf. They will not be remembered in two more years. Why? They did nothing for UGA ……………… nothing.
This is the way that life is.
Go Dogs.
Ted Striker
December 27th, 2010
6:07 am
Green always played hard, practiced hard, showed up for the games, did everything he could on the field to help UGA win. That trumps any mistake over a jersey he ever made.
Sort of silly to hear some fans — who’ve never done anything to contribute to a single win — bang on a player who has done loads for his team.
NoFKNdog
December 27th, 2010
8:22 am
Green’s football lore will be, and is, that he, along with any so called dog fan, SUCK. Always will be. There you go.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Dawg_Central
December 27th, 2010
10:17 am
AJ Green is the best reciever to ever play at UGA…….no one can name a better one than him. Yea, some missed games, but we are talking talent and hands here……no one beats AJ…..thats an easy one!!
Dawg_Central
December 27th, 2010
10:21 am
Lindsey Scott….???? better than AJ Green…..hahahahahahahahahahahaha…….Lindsey had one catch…….wow…….I can name 15 UGA recievers better than Scott….hahaha….Go Dawgs!!