Does Aaron Murray have the makings of a championship QB?
Can Aaron Murray become an elite quarterback for Georgia? (Associated Press)
It’s tough finding a consensus lately among Georgia fans on quarterback Aaron Murray.
In his second season behind center for the Dogs, Murray completed 218 of 371 passes for 2,861 yards (a 58.8 percent completion rate) and broke the single-season school record for touchdown throws with 33. He also ran for two scores, giving him the UGA record for single-season touchdown responsibility.
And in the SEC, he ranked second in passing (220.1 yards per game), second in total offense (229.6) and fourth in passing efficiency (146.4).
Stats like that are why Murray made some All-SEC teams and is routinely cited by national sports media as one of the best QBs in the conference. It’s a major reason the Dogs will enter next season highly rated.
But closer to home the excitement over Murray’s passing numbers is tempered by frustration over his penchant this season for devastating turnovers against South Carolina, LSU and, most recently, Michigan State.
Of course, the argument can be made that Murray’s tendency to fumble or throw a pick 6 at the worst possible time might be at least in part attributable to the sketchy protection he was getting from Georgia’s erratic offensive line and, in the last couple of games, the lack of a consistent running attack.
Looking ahead to next season, the OL remains a big question mark amid a rebuilding process, but the arrival of Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley ought to help boost the ground game and loosen up defenses a bit. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has said an improvement in the running game will make Murray a better quarterback, and I think he’s right.
(Of course, it also would help if, in third-down situations, playcaller Bobo didn’t tend to obsess on downfield plays, keeping Murray standing in a crumbling pocket too long.)
On top of having a better rushing attack, if the progress of past Georgia QBs is any indication, Murray’s decision making ought to improve considerably in his third season as well, which should help him get his ball security issues in check. He’s a good on-field leader and showed in the Florida game this year he can make big-time throws in tough situations, especially those two fourth-down touchdowns.
Overall, I believe the national media types are correct in thinking Murray has the makings of a championship quarterback. What do you think?
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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610 comments Add your comment
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
8:31 pm
kral
do you know how to comphrehend
I know he had to start Joe T did I even say anything about Shockley being hurt during the FL game and Joe T was thrown in there
Again we would have won the game hadnt Richt had the oh its Joe T first start lets be easy on him
Give me a break its the Typical Mark Richt style of football CONSERVATIVE
Fla dawg
January 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
Im pulling for Murray but 0 – 9 against top 20 teams speaks for itself. He needs to prove himself and the time is now!
Sharkman
January 18th, 2012
8:36 pm
Here’s the Elephant in the middle of the room. Against lesser teams Murray plays good to great. Against better teams he plays lousy, and enables the other team to win via fumbles and interceptions. I am not a Murray fan. Has he ever won against a higher ranked team? I’m pretty sure he hasn’t. The team did better this year (because of the schedule), which seems to be the case next year. But here’s the answer to your question Bill, NO as of right now he is not a championship Q.B., and that is the problem. Murray if you read this, I hope you can figure out how to beat the better teams in the next two years b/c wins count, not statistics.
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
8:37 pm
Fla dawg
January 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
Im pulling for Murray but 0 – 9 against top 20 teams speaks for itself. He needs to prove himself and the time is now!
_____________________________________________________
There is no I in team. You can’t hang all of those losses on Murray’s shoulders. A football team is not a one man show.
Fla dawg
January 18th, 2012
8:39 pm
No kerryb but a winner is a winner and winners have “it”! Murray must show this
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
8:40 pm
With Andrew Luck gone Aaron Murray will be the best QB in the country at the end of next season.
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
8:42 pm
Murray has it. Even Gruden said during that bowl game that Murray has “it”. Next year he won’t have a big, slow, fat slug that can’t block someones Grandma playing right tackle.
kral
January 18th, 2012
8:42 pm
you said he had to put him in…sorry for my poor comprehension of what you blogged..but thanks again for the easiest thing to do in the world…know what would of happen after it has already happen…gossh your a genius in my book…picked what coaches could do better…your’re the man..your opinion is bs, but thanks for it
Fla dawg
January 18th, 2012
8:43 pm
I hope u r right. Nothing would make me happier. But he will have to produce some signiture wins to do so. He will be surrounded by RB’s and WR’s so no excuses
D from B
January 18th, 2012
8:44 pm
I prefer to call him Aaron Romo. He will make the most difficult throws look easy and struggle with the simplest throws. He will pad a stat sheet, but when it comes to winning the big one, he will fail every time. Romo is a great talent, but at the end of the day he still ends up with a clueless look on his face when the clock strikes zero.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
Kral
My opinion is bs and yours is not
LOL Richt appologist
Mr. SEC
January 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
QB’s make a huge jumps in their Junior years. Matt Stafford did. He’s made the mistakes and learned from them over the first 2 years. The first 2 years are on the job training and he didn’t have the best of O-lines the last two years. The linemen we will have the next 2 years will be better athletes than the ones in the past. Theus is a beast. I saw that guy in the Army All American game shoving D-linemen 10 yards back down field. They could do nothing with him. With him, Watts Dantzler, David Andrews, Gates, and Dallas Lee this line will be better and they will play together for the next 3 years.
big black kracker dawg
January 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
Anyone who thinks Bobo isnt part of the problem is just as dumb as his play callin… If the line this and if the line that.. Bullcrap.. go back and look at the tape … He had ample time to read the defense and identify the open guy.. He is too short and panicky in the pocket… its time for Mason… Can someone buy Murray one of those scooters!!!! Please…..
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
8:52 pm
If you think that running games don’t matter to QB’s and how well they do look back at last season. The day both Thomas and Crowell ran for 100 yards on Auburn Murray had his best game of the year. When we had no running game in the Kentucky game how bad did Murray look? We will have a loaded stable of running backs next year.
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
8:53 pm
big black kracker dawg
January 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
Anyone who thinks Bobo isnt part of the problem is just as dumb as his play callin… If the line this and if the line that.. Bullcrap.. go back and look at the tape … He had ample time to read the defense and identify the open guy.. He is too short and panicky in the pocket… its time for Mason… Can someone buy Murray one of those scooters!!!! Please…..
___________________________________________________________
As Bugs Bunny use to say, “what a moroon”
kral
January 18th, 2012
8:59 pm
my opinion could be…not ashamed to support richt…would support who ever comes after him…coached before ..seconded guess my self after losses…but hindsight ain’t exactly 20/20..it’s all in the eye of the beholder…and you sir..could be just as wrong as you are thinking your right…which makes what both of us say bs…my bs just smells fairer and better to me…
waynedawg
January 18th, 2012
9:00 pm
EntRicht did a better job when he controled the team.We need more coverage and a better OL coach.And what happened to our strength and conditioning program? Semms to be alot more injuries.er your comments here
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
9:01 pm
kral
Yea Im sure your bs smells better because you love mediocrity with top caliber talent
joe taxpayer
January 18th, 2012
9:01 pm
I wish he would look to throw to his running backs more and why doesn’t our offense have a safety valve when there is a strong pass rush. It seems like we never throw to a running back out in the flats coming out of the backfield.
big black kracker dawg
January 18th, 2012
9:05 pm
Kerryb… OMG ur stupid…. Have u fell and bumped your head??? Murray isnt the best Qb on his team… Mason is..Ive seen him live… have you…? better arm, more mature, accurate, smart, has that David Green mentality.. If the media told the truth and said he sucked then I bet CMR would go a different route.. Gruden gets paid for bragging on player during the game… But when he thru that pick 6 he didn’t brag after that..I believe Gruden said he was annoying during the pregame one on one sesion.. He is immature
big black kracker dawg
January 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
Kerry b.. and how many games did Auburn win againt the top wet teams???? their you go… Here’s ur answer… They got their ass handed to them…. they couldn’t defend passing this year… No frind your the MOOORRROOONNN……
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
9:15 pm
big black kracker dawg, If Hutson Mason was the best QB on this team then HE would be starting. The coaches (not you) see them in practice everyday. If Hutson was better he would be starting. I don’t think coaches would risk their jobs on a guy if he was not the better of the two.
Dawg77
January 18th, 2012
9:16 pm
Murray is a good QB (not great) but the problem is he has Bobo calling the plays too much. Stafford would call his own 75% of the time. Just tell hime how to throw not when to throw will do the Dogs a great deal of good.
big black kracker dawg
January 18th, 2012
9:17 pm
Kerryb… was you in the Band!! evidently you have no football knowlege… you probably have Murray’s pic hangin over ur bed… bet its on the dashboard too… hey dont get mad … call it like I see it…
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
9:18 pm
big black kracker dawg, the name you just shows your intelligence so don’t call me stupid. Oh, I forgot your the expert from the couch. You know more than even the coaches do. Nimrod
kral
January 18th, 2012
9:18 pm
I understand you aspire to greatness…you should…but all fans do..and we all have a right too..guess what so do coaches…and they make snap decisions..that sometimes work..sometimes do not…players too..sometimes luck separates the have from the have-nots…but 2nd guessing is easy..gutless…gosh you do not even see the results…just throw it out…sometimes your bs will stick..but it is still bs
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
You know, even if Hutson Mason did start and started throwing picks because he is inexperienced you would then start bashing on him and start the ,”we need Christian Lemay to start, he’s the best” dumb comments going. Nothing like armchair football experts. I would rather go with a guy who has the 2 years experience than the guy that has NONE.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
kerryb………..35:55minute Murray has been anointed by Richt & Bobo. They will not change unless Murray gets hurt. I bet you think Murray beat out Mettenburger too.
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
If Mason was the best QB HE would have been rated the #7 QB coming out of High School. Instead he was not even recruited by a big school and had to compete in a contest just so someone would learn his name. UGA only picked him up because they decided to add a QB at the last minute that year. I’m sure you would really see the difference in him and Murray if he started and played against a real defense instead of scrub duty against a nobody.
kerryb
January 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR, I bet with Murray’s running and throwing ability Paul Johnson would have taken him in a heartbeat.
kybodawg
January 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
we dont have to many rbs. we just have an oc who is reluctant to use the talent he has.i. e. throwing 40 yards downfield on 3rd and five.
kral
January 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
I tell you what he is better or maybe not kool,,,tipping barmaids
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
What Bobo and Richt SHOULD have done was play 35:55minute Murray more when COX was a Senior. It sucks to burn a year, but he could have been in some Big Games with not all the pressure. I don’t think he would have a 6-7 2nd season if he had played with COX to take the heat.
The Truth Detector
January 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
One of the most ignorant statements ever: ” If the Offensive Line can protect, Murray will do a good job”( paraphrased)…..Duh….
If any Offensive Line protects you could let 2012 version of Ray Goff do a pretty good job.
kral
January 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
teboe feels the same way true d
chazzo
January 18th, 2012
9:43 pm
He tries to do too much in pressure situations. Of course, everyone would be complaining if he ate the ball and took a sack in those situations, as well.Murray will be that much better. The line probably won’t be. The running game probably won’t be either. Crowell will be a sophomore and perhaps better. The new guys are new guys. The rest are questionable, although, I wouldn’t overlook Boo. Kicking game is iffy. It is riding on Murray. I think he is up to the task. I also think there may be an ace in the hole with the possibility of a limited two QB rotation.
RH in Dunwoody
January 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
We all HOPE Aaron can become a top tier QB and beat the ranked teams we face (so far he’s a total 0 when it comes to beating a quality opponent).
I couldn’t help but laugh at someone comparing Murray to Stafford and saying they were the same talent level – ARE YOU NUTS? Kiper called Staffy a #1 NFL Pick coming out of HS because of his unreal release + great arm strength + good size.. Murray has a good (not great) arm, great mobility and he’s undersized – no contest between the two.
I HOPE he can win when it matters – but hope is a very poor strategy for success, especially when you have to beat; USC + AL or LSU to get the prize..
Tjg
January 18th, 2012
9:47 pm
Game mgmt is the issue. He is tough as nails and has all the tools, great leader, But agiant MSU for example ahead 16-0, the D stops the Spartans on first possesion of second half, three and out. Uga has the ball is driving down the field, several first downs, are running the ball in complete control of the game. Then on FIRST down Murray scrambles right, no one open, can rin for a few yards and slide. But no, he throws it on an ANTICIPATED scrmble drill and gets it intercepted. Later says “we had a mix up in communication in the scramble drill”. This is qb code speak for blaming the receiver for not coming back upfield (instead he turned to block). He makes a huge game mgmt mistake…no need to throw it. But does not own ip to it! This was the turning point in the game and this is what a championship qb knows i.e. how to do game mgmt when you are ahead. If he learns this, he will be a championship qb, if not then he will have nice stats but no championships.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
Answer…….NO!!!
Next question…… what should we do about Saint Richt swindling $3 million/year with nothing to show for it since ‘05??
I’m open to all answers…….
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 18th, 2012
9:53 pm
….as I’ve said before….imagine the howling from this erudite crowd if Mettenberger comes to the Dome and hands Richt and Murray their heads on plates….
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
10:03 pm
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
How about a big kool-aid flag flown over Sandford Stadium
Coastal Dog SSI
January 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
Murray will leave UGA as having been one of the best ever, and with a championship IF O-line comes through. We need a miracle there. A solid OL will insure better Murray and better running game. 2012 AND 2013 are the years, and maybe both with Murray.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
We need for the coaches to come through more than the OL
dan
January 18th, 2012
10:22 pm
I like Aaron Murray, but I think he needs help, he can’t carry it all himself. His receivers, while good, were a bunch of 2# guys last year ( even Malcolm Mitchell and Orson Charles were far too inconsistent for my liking). I think having Crowell back there helped Murray, but Isiah’s durability is a question mark.
Tyler Wilson is maybe the only other QB in the SEC I’d take over Murray. Everyone else is a notch or two below him. That being said, I’d like to see Aaron be a little bit more of a vocal leader and punch guys in the chest everyone once in a while to get their attention. But honestly, I like Murray more than Stafford. Stafford was far more talented, but I like Murray’s intangibles better, and you get the feeling he cares about being a Bulldog and isn’t going to do something stupid off field.
Dawg48
January 18th, 2012
10:35 pm
I see the topic and conversation has not changed in the past few days!
PingPongChamp
January 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
How does Murray stack up to National Champion SEC QB AJ?
AJ: 67% accuracy, Murray 59%
AJ: 16 td’s, Murray 35
AJ: 5 Interceptions, Murray 14
AJ: 8 to 1 td/int ratio on 3rd down, Murray 3-1 td/int ratio on 3rd down
Against ranked teams:
AJ: 66%, Murray 55% accurate
AJ: 2 td’s, Murray 9 td’s
AJ: 1 interception, Murray 6 interceptions
Intangibles:
AJ record: 12-1 record in 2011, National Champion, Best game of year in National Championship
Murray’s: 10-4 record in 2011, lost in 42-10 blowout in SEC Championship, worst game of year
Alphare
January 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
dan,
“Tyler Wilson is maybe the only other QB in the SEC I’d take over Murray. Everyone else is a notch or two below him.”
Jaret Lee and McCarron are way better than Murray. Look at their composure at big games!
Wilson and Murray play the Big12 style of football. They are all thing and everything of their team.
BTW, most Big12 QB’s look better than Murray. Much better.
PingPongChamp
January 18th, 2012
10:46 pm
ESPN tracks over 450 College QB’s stats.
Murray ranked #440 out of 450 QB’s in both INTERCEPTIONS and SACKS.
Only 10 QB’s out of 450 were worse than Murray in those 2 areas.
aladawg
January 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
UGA’s QB, are you sure you graduated from the University of Georgia, hell man you can’t even spell.