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?
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610 comments Add your comment
Told ya so Dawg
January 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Lets go Mason!!!!! tep aside Bobo and Murray.. and we will run this thing….. imo
AceFrelly
January 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
LSU game, 1st half was the best defensive performance i’ve seen.
Then 2nd half, instead of trusting his defense, Murray starts turning the ball over, and the defense lost their confidence.
Really, a QB run on 3rd and 17 deep in own territory? Murray tried to convert it, instead of getting as many yards as he could and then sliding FEET FIRST to PROTECT THE FOOTBALL and fumbled the game away.
The team just doesn’t believe in Murray as their leader, and with an 0-9 record against ranked teams, and ALL thoa dumb SACKS, FUMBLES, AND INTERCEPTIONS in BIG GAMES I can’t blame them. He juat NEVER comes through in a big game against team that finishes in the top 25. NEVER.
cmac22
January 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
According to his performance the past two years, Murray is way overrated. He has plenty of losses, some are really really bad (central fla, colorado). What is his signature win? Sure, the team won 10 games this year, but they lost to the 4 toughest opponents they faced. And murray was the main reason for 2 of those losses (usc & msu).
Unfortunately, richt will let his loyalty to the player trump the loyalty to winning …. ie terashinski & cox.
Red Stick
January 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
@BobDawg it’s no surprise that Mettenberger will head into the Spring number 1 on the depth chart. He’s been in the system for a year (he enrolled last January) and just because of that Kiel would have had a hard time starting over him.
It’s too bad Kiel flipped at the last minute but we are in pretty good shape at QB with Philip River’s brother in the mix too.
A bigger loss was losing out on Landon Collins, a 5 star safety and the top player in Louisiana, who committed to Bama. LSU is losing 2 of their four two deep safeties so he would have a filled a need for us and very well may have started.
Geaux Tigers
SEC Champions
Whopper Dawg
January 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
Given that he has played behind two mediocre lines and likely a third in 12, and that he has blowbo as the OC, it is a wonder he has done as well as he has.
DGAD
January 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
Championship QB? Sure…anywhere but the SEC.
Everyone else is so far behind LSU and Alabama they won’t catch up anytime soon.
WDE
January 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
@Choke you made some very good points..
tide roll
January 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
The kid’s more stuck on himself than your head coach, and THAT’S SAYING A LOT ! Murray’s an Attention Vampire. It doesn’t matter if it’s negative or positive, as long as it’s all on him! Y’all have the strangest football program in America.
gbal
January 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Lord Bill – Why do you of all people want to put Am thru this scrutey. Sounds like a Bill or Jeff move. Guess you are in the comp for blog hit’s too.
LCDawg
January 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
He’s good NOT great until he starts winning BIG games. He needs to learn how to get down when he runs and protect the ball. Regarding his INT’s quit forcing throws or guessing where your receivers may end up.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
1:42 pm
@gbal…..because you have to put the team under the microscope. Everybody but UGa fans are saying this stuff and 1/2 of you guys are Kool-aid drunk and half are not.
NC Dawg
January 18th, 2012
1:44 pm
I think as long as the OL protects, he’s championship caliber. I do agree that a decent, consistent running game will improve things considerably – not only for Murray but for the team’s performance overall.
bubba4dawgs
January 18th, 2012
1:44 pm
Obviously, a much better O-line could help Murray, giving him more time to make decisions. Let’s be real, that isn’t likely to happen. That said, it appears that Murray will need to step up and make decisions in a nano-second rather than eat the football. He is the cause of a lot of the sacks, he could throw the ball away a lot more than he does. I think Murray tends to panic in real tight situations. On the other hand, he has the talent to mature into an NFL caliber QB. It is way to early to say that he could be another Drew Brees but lets not completely discount that. I simply will say that school is still out on Murray, a good quarterback, obviously a good leader but needs further sharpening of his skills and is not ready for the NFL yet.
Frankly, I do believe a better running game will help but I would also let LeMay fill in more and give Murray a rest; particularly in games that he is all over the charts and having a bad hair day. GO DAWGS!!
No Bozos
January 18th, 2012
1:45 pm
Again, not with Bobo there calling plays. I really don’t think Aaron is the man to take us to the next level.
smyrnaBob
January 18th, 2012
1:48 pm
Murray was a Sophomore and had no running game. With another year’s experience, a legitimate play action, and a solid defense he can count on, he should not feel the need to force it so much next season. Of course, the O line will be young. Bottom line, there will not be very many college QBs in 2012 that I would trust to replace him.
WDE
January 18th, 2012
1:50 pm
@Still@theKool-aidBAR tell you what you keep your QB and we will keep Murray, and lets wait and see who has the best season. And tide roll the only thing you could say that would alarm me was if you liked Murray…and how many coaching offers you have so far with all the openings you must have a lot to chose from.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
1:50 pm
Even Bobo and Murray can’t screw-up a trip to the DOME in 2012 with the JOKE schedule the Dwags have.
beanster
January 18th, 2012
1:52 pm
“If Murray tucks the ball and runs against SC and MSU instead of throwing dumb picks, we win both of those games and this article never gets written”
The sad thing is, I think CMR and Bobo have made him afraid to tuck and run with it. When he 1st arrived, he scrambled all the time. (I assume that is how he played in high school and won so many games.) I remember before 2010 season CMR saying over and over that AM didn’t have to be a “hero”. His job was to manage the offense, stay in the pocket, and protect the ball. So much for the latter.
I hate to say it but he is too short to be a pocket passer. 6′0″ doesn’t cut it when Barkevious Mingo is staring you in the face. If CMR and Bobo let him try to make more plays with his feet rather than trying to make him into Chris Weinke, the Dawgs would be a lot better off.
A little competition wouldn’t hurt either.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
1:52 pm
WDE no problem My QB beat a top 10 team last year.
JB
January 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
I just wish someone would teach him how to run off the field. He runs on his toes. He’s a prancer.
WDE
January 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
@Still@theKool-aidBAR Congrats lets see what happens this coming year. We should both be in for a wild ride.
smyrnaBob
January 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
koolaid – I would have to call Mizzou, SC, Florida and Auburn all pick’em games at this point.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
JB did you see the photo they posted of him in Black Skinny Jeans, V-neck Sweater, and a Purse? It was funny as hell.
JB
January 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
Yes, I’m trying to forget it
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
smyrnaBob no doubt, but many of the Dwag Faithful have already said THIS IS THE YEAR already. The belief that the Dwags will be in the DOME and winning the SEC has been expressed many time already.
Troll Power Ratings
January 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
Thank you, George Stein. You represent what these blogs could be, but unfortunately will never be. It’s great to get perspective from fans of rival schools that is thoughtful.
WDE
January 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
@JB I remember the Auburn game where he got knocked head over heels did a complete flip and landed on his head when he hit the ground. Kid got right up and ran back to the huddle and called the next play..we can use a few more prancers if they are half as tough.
Taylor Wooten
January 18th, 2012
2:02 pm
NO. He is not.
smyrnaBob
January 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Well it appears to be nice schedule and veteran team that could set up nicely. But each year always seems to take on a life of it’s own. FSU was suppose to sleepwalk to the NC game last year, but then football happened…
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
You jokers really need to give the “0-9 versus ranked teams” crapola a rest. If the team was ranked when you played them, you beat a ranked team.
Big Un
January 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
No…he’s to short and the oline have to open passing alley’s for him….but, hey Richt and Bobo fall all over themselves when talking about the kid….I think they like having someone in their height group….and if I was Mason I would bust out of Athens in a heartbeat, they’ve already promised the moon to the kid from Charlotte…you aren’t going to get a square honest shot.
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
smyrnaBob no doubt, but many of the Dwag Faithful have already said THIS IS THE YEAR already. The belief that the Dwags will be in the DOME and winning the SEC has been expressed many time already
*****************
No it hasn’t. Just expressed by our enemies who use it as another of many stereotypical lies to bash us.
DP
January 18th, 2012
2:11 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR …and who do you support dear friend?
Brad
January 18th, 2012
2:12 pm
Murray will be fine. Ga. will win the East, go 9-2 or 10-1 and get beat bad by who ever wins the West. Go to a bowl and get beat by a so so team. Same story as every year. This is what Ga. folks are use to and nothing will change.
DogFace Blues
January 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
Definitely too short. If you could add 2-3 inches to his height, he would be unstoppable. You have to be able to see over the OL to do the slants to give you those critical 1st downs. Take a tall qb over a short one any day.
dmr
January 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
When Murray was a freshman, we all assumed he would be the weak link. He wasn’t! Not by a long shot. Georgia’s offensive line problems are well documented over the last several years. Whether injury or lack of experience or lack of depth or lack of physical play, the O-line is a huge part of what makes a QB go.
Also, the lack of a consistent SEC caliber running game has been at issue. From King and Ealey with their selfishness, to inexperience and ineptitude in other areas of running the ball.
However, Bobo also does not get a pass. Murray’s numbers have been incredibly good for his first two seasons in Athens. Put Murray behind Alabama’s line from this past season with Richardson in the backfield and see what would have been the case. He is a far better quarterback than A.J. McCarron. Bobo failed to be inventive with formations and routes and that led to defenses getting a good bead on Murray. We need to keep defenses off balance by mixing up our play calling and not being so predictable.
In short, Murray could lead A TEAM to a title. However, the pieces around him have to pull their weight. The receivers did, the line did sometimes, the run game did sparingly, and the coaching did sometimes. Unfortunately, to win a title it has to be all the time….CONSISTENCY!
DuluthDawg
January 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
In a word… NO
He is as good as he is going to get.
January 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
He was a redshirt soph, otherwise know as a Junior in the system. He makes too many dumb mistakes in big games. The problem is that Richt has tied his wagon to Murray and it is what it is. My question is why is he the starter going into the spring? Every position on this team needs to be up for grabs. Even our D gave up 20 points to the worst gator team since 77!
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
2:17 pm
Even our D gave up 20 points to the worst gator team since 77!
***********************
Do you even watch the games?
If we don’t kick it deep, we give up 7 for the entire game
Scott
January 18th, 2012
2:17 pm
Brad are you talking about the Ga. Bulldogs are the Carrollton Trojans. The above comment sounds like what we have in Carrollton. Bridemaids and never the Bride.
hanDAWG
January 18th, 2012
2:17 pm
Has never beaten a team that finished with more than 8 wins.
G-Dawg
January 18th, 2012
2:17 pm
And the word kool-aid has lost its flavor. Can the haters try a new word?
Scott
January 18th, 2012
2:20 pm
Brad, your above comment sounds like what we have with the Carrollton Trojans. Always the Bridemaid, never the Bride. Maybe 2012 is the year things will change on the coaching side, we can hope so anyway.
Dumbo
January 18th, 2012
2:21 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR…..how’s Reggie Ball II doing this spring…oh, I see, still can’t hit a 10×10 wall with a pass. Well maybe he can throw it overhead 2handed like or something
…Long Live Tech and their Reggies at QB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flo-Ri-Duh
January 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
Murray will b e as good as his OL and RBs. The news just in reports that Whitehead has eliminated UGA and is focusing on Clemson and NC State Guess the depth chart was to much for him.
Fats OKelly
January 18th, 2012
2:24 pm
Murray is too much like the Falcons’ Matt “Howdy Doody” Ryan. Shrivels up and goes into jerky motions when the game is tight AND WILL NOT FORCEFULLY tell his teammates to get with it or get off the field. You need a forcefull leader because he has to catch H…if he doesnt
Hudson Mason Man....
January 18th, 2012
2:24 pm
Murry is not a gamer, he gets rattled. LET HUDSON MASON GET A SHOT HE IS BETTER
Rodney
January 18th, 2012
2:24 pm
Really feel that Murray has championship quality. But I am not sure that BOBO has championship play calling and game plan. If Mark Richt wants to preserve BOBO–kindly promote BOBO to Assistant Head Coach and Hire a Pro-Style Offensive Coordinator that will put the program in High Gear. It seems that we have pro-style players but a college game plan. Or maybe we should wish that Bobo gets an opportunity as a head coach at a lower class football.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
2:26 pm
Dumbo I think Reggie Ball is doing as well in football as DJ Shockly, Joe T, Zier, Greene, and Joe Cox.
Fats OKelly
January 18th, 2012
2:27 pm
Murray might prove us wrong,but clearing the air in the huddle is the first thing he should do and Richt and Bobo should back him up. Something to the effect ………..I am calling this d …game. Do what I say or get the H…off the field………………..Good luck Murray and UGA