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
fishook dawg
January 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
Sure the national media thinks Murray is one of the best in the SEC because all they look at are his stats in conference and if there good and he’s playing in the SEC, then he must be good. They don’t look at who’s at or near the top in turnovers. Most of those 33 TD passes were probably less than 5 yards in the air the rest of the yardage made up by the receiver. I don’t know that I can watch him QB for 2 more years. He thinks he will get drafted. I don’t. We have 21 pretty good players that all have to earn starting jobs each week, but for some reason Murray does not. Alabama, Arkansas, LSU (with Mettenburg), Tennessee & South Carolina have better QB play than us.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
Richt’s 2 greatest QB’s were a NBA point guard and a 26 year old with a Baseball Pitchers arm. Bobo’s best is Stafford that didn’t get better because of Bobo, but in-spite of Bobo.
ugakev
January 18th, 2012
4:02 pm
The bad news is aaron Murray is not a championship caliber QB. The good news is Christian Lemay will be when he is finally given the keys to the team.
tony
January 18th, 2012
4:06 pm
lawdawg, if Murray turns the ball over like he did this pass season, they will lose because of him. Smart compose qbs don’t turn the ball over periodically like Aaron does.
I don’t care if it’s in hs, college or pro football, the team that turns the ball over the most will more than likely lose the ballgame. I wouldn’t blame Murray totally because it’s the hc responsibility to bench players when they hurt the team.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
4:07 pm
ugaKEV you just said the WHOLE freaking problem with the Dwags, Richt, & Bobo. 35.55 minute Murray was GIVEN the keys. Do you really want to GIVE the keys to LeMay? Why not have a QB EARN the keys to team on every play in every game like Spurrier makes his QB’s?
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
4:11 pm
Blaming Bobo for stafford’s losses is idiotic.
I was in Lexington in 2006 and watched in horror as Richt told Stafford to not throw the ball in the end zone and he did it anyway. On the UK 2 yard line.
Bobo was not the OC yet. He didn’t get the playcalling responsibilities until the Tech game.
RedandBLackDAWG
January 18th, 2012
4:12 pm
The kid has good skills as a QB. I think his problem may be that he ha stried too hard to compensate for out lack of a OL, to hold off the pass rush, and then the lack of a decent running game, due to various problems.
I think although the OL, will not be as experienced this year as last, it will be better with more depth.
The RB problem I think is a thing of the past. If he can’t be just a manager of the offense this year, and learn to take what their defense gives, it will be one of two things.
1. The OC sets him up to fail with his play calling. Open it up a little and utilize fully, the RB strength you will have this year. A running play takes much less time to get off than a passing play.
2. He doesn’t have the tools to control the offense like he should, because he gets happy feet too quickly. I think he can learn that he doesn’t have to try and win games all by himself, if the OL is adequate and able to allow him time to get set and look down field.. He needs to go through his progression a little better and not zero in on one receiver, but I think that is a curable trait.
This young man has a good arm, and he can leave the pocket when he wants, but it would be preferable, if the OL, gave him time, to use his skills fully and he will be just fine in my opinion. A balanced attack will do wonders.
GO DAWGS and GATA
bigcalidawg
January 18th, 2012
4:12 pm
Seems like a great kid…totally fits into what CMR wants character-wise, but he gets a case of the yips when the pressure is on.
Get him off his spot in the pocket and he gets all erratic. It was maddening how many times he completely missed wide open receivers last year. Who needs dropped passes when your qb can’t hit water if he fell out of a boat?
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
4:13 pm
Mettenberger is not all that.
LSU will find out
No one is advocating handing the job to Lemay, just competition with both guys playing and determining who is better.
Bobo is the master
January 18th, 2012
4:15 pm
of driving square pegs into round holes. CT off tackle or 1st and da bomb or 2nd and da bomb or 3rd and da bomb when it is obvious to everyone CT can’t run off tackle and AM can’t throw the deep ball. Bobo calls plays as if he is the QB and wants to be the hero. I hate the way Bobo runs our offense – I really do.
needums
January 18th, 2012
4:20 pm
He has to win a big game first……..let’s start against a ranked team then go from there.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 18th, 2012
4:22 pm
In 2011, Murray was the quarterback for the SEC Eastern Division CHAMPIONS, so yes, he is a championship quality QB. Stupid question.
bill
January 18th, 2012
4:24 pm
There’s no doubt that by the time Murray is a 5th year senior he will own all UGA passing records…but he still won’t have won a BIG game!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
I wonder what the Dwag fans outlook would be if the team were to open the season with the Original 2012 opponent? I would think there would a TON of heat on Richt, Bobo, & 35.55 minute Murray. If Bama was still on the schedule too. I would bet the Dwag Fans would be scream really loud.
Rodney
January 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
I think Coach Richt and the ADirector needs to sit down and discuss the reality of the pros and cons of Bobo. I feel if we are honest with his skill set we realize the blessings he is but that he is over his head as Offensive Coordinator. I am sure he is a good coach in some area maybe even as head assistant coach–very valuable but not to run offense and call the plays. Let him administrate and recruit but no more play calling.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
4:30 pm
The Dwags picked-up Boise St and Mizzou while losing Oregon Hm & Aw and Bama. Man Murray has been bless the past 2 years with great schedules.
cdog
January 18th, 2012
4:32 pm
DEFINITELY NOT. AARON MURRAY IS A LOSER WHO DON’T CARE ABOUT WINNING. HE’S PROVE THAT
ugakev
January 18th, 2012
4:41 pm
still…Make no mistake about it. When the keys are given to Lemay they will be more than earned. But, you make a good point when it comes to bobo and richt spoiling their starters and making them think they are invincible. Has Richt ever even pulled a qb for under performing? I can’t recall one.
Post 45: What is a “Championship” Quarterback? « sugarfalling
January 18th, 2012
4:44 pm
[...] [Junkyard Blog] [...]
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
4:46 pm
KEV not that I have ever heard. Wait it was Greene–DJ–Joe T pulled—Stafford–Cox–Murray right?
Didn’t Joe T III play and get pulled for another QB?
DOUG
January 18th, 2012
4:47 pm
He is good but will not be a star. The guy at Arkansas has taken his place. He comes up short under pressure because of his size and becomes vunerable because he cant see over the rush. His growth as a QB is stunted because of inferior coaching. When he is done at Georgia he will rank in Georgia fans minds slightly above Shockley who was excellent but behind guys like Greene & Zier.
Buckeye
January 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
What would his record against top 20 opponents suggest, eh dogs?
78Dawg
January 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
Get I.C. the hell out of Athens. I hate to even see that punk in the uniform.
Point taken
January 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
@slydog. You missed one of Saban’s QB that one a NC – it was Greg McElroy
Old Dawg
January 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
A lot of people forget that Murray has two TD passes dropped in the SEC championship game that would have completely changed the complexion of the contest. LSU probably would have caught fire anyway, but 21 points and a lot of momentum going into halftime is a lot better than 10-7.
Murry has won an SEC title as QB, so he’s a proven winner. And he drilled a ranked Auburn team that also won its bowl game.
The Michigan State was a case of Murray’s mistakes and way too conservative play selection.
If the O-line improves (always a question mark), and the schedule plays out like it should, Murray should have a solid 2012.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
Is the next article entitled…..
“Is the Current UGA Coaching Staff Championship Caliber”
Kobie
January 18th, 2012
4:51 pm
I think Murray will develop with some better play calling, better offensive line play and a better rushing attack. But Murray has got to mature and understand if it is not there, then throw the ball away. Too many times he looks like a deer caught in headlights and just holds onto the ball, throw it away. Also, he does need to stop staring his receiver down when taking a snap, he justs locks on and the whole stadium no wheres the ball going thus pick 6. He needs to develop more ppcket presence which comes by more experience and repitition of what to do.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 18th, 2012
4:53 pm
He’s great!…….so long as he’s not playing against a good or decent team.
Against any team with talent, he wilts like a flower
dawgcrzy
January 18th, 2012
4:54 pm
old dawg, when did murray win a sec title game?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
4:54 pm
Flat Tire you know Richt played at Miami & coached at FSU & coached Heisman winners so Yes Richt HAS TO BE Championship Caliber, right?
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
It will be the ultimate humiliation if Mettenberg crushes Murray if UGA gets to Atlanta
ole yeller
January 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
Murray had Two Great games, Fla, and Aub. In my opinion his ball protection in at least half of the season is sub-par. You don’t throw into coverage just to try to make a play, you eat it or throw it a way. Even with a makeshift line as some has stated in which i dissagree. Great QB don’t do the things Murray does when he is in traffic. I ofter wonder if he drives like he play when he is in traffic. If that is true He shouldn’t have a driving permit. The UGA DAWGS MUST clean up Murray traffic problem and improve play calling. I think it too predictable. THEN everthing else will fall into place.
It Doesn't Matter
January 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
He still has two more years of college football. He’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. If the problem is anyone’s fault, it is Bobo’s fault. I say we bring in someone new to replace him. Look where that got us on defense.
Chris
January 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
You should never ask Bobo what he thinks because no one knows what’s going through that fools head. Aaron Murry could be really good IF Bobo doesn’t put him in bad situations. Here’s what I think goes through Bobo’s head in critical moments of any game.
Mike Bobo, “Lets see, it is 3rd and 2. I could run a toss sweep or throw a short out route for 3-5 yards. Nah, I think I’ll have Murray throw a 60 yard bomb. If that doesn’t work, I’ll run 175 lb Carlton Thomas up the middle.”
Who it their right mind would call plays like this???? Only Bobo.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
4:58 pm
Its ok for people like
DawginLex
to talk about18-22 year old players not performing
But do not dare talk about the grown up coaching staff not performing
No sir that is wrong
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
For Richt to be successful at UGA, he basically needs others to do his job….coaching. That’s why a new OC is imperative who will call the plays and do the heavy lifting. He just needs to stand there and look good while showing off his hair and tan….sort of the Bobby Bowden model.
Richt’s strong suit is recruiting skill players and having the players’ parents think what a “good man” he is
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
I wonder what Richt will say if Mettenberg beats the Dawgs at the Dome if both make it there
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
Its ok for people like
DawginLex
to talk about18-22 year old players not performing
But do not dare talk about the grown up coaching staff not performing
No sir that is wrong
Dawgs All the Way
January 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
Murray is only 1 of 11 players on the field. He can be a super star with better offensive play calling. He can’t do it all by himself. Better play calling gives Murray and the UGA a winning chance.
Bob
January 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
Depends on what your definition of “championship calibre” is. Winning big games or simply padding your stats against weak-sisters. I would say Aaron Murray is a better-than-average QB, not what we need to actually contend for something. Just my opinion.
Snake Plisskin
January 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
Sticks will be turning pro next year no matter what. If that goof ball Bobo is still calling crap plays, then Murray will be like Stafford his last year…call an audible and do what the h3ll he wants. You don’t think Staff had any greta love for Bobo’s play calling; he just did what he wanted his last year.
Still OL play must improve, along with the running game. CMR must get the best players on the field somewhere! He needs to have a come to Jesus meeting with some of these 4 & 5 star athletes and lay down the law. A wide receiver with speed & size who will never see the starting line up as a receiver, needs to line up at CB and give it a go. A TE with size, speed, quickness may have to move to the OL, FB, or where-ever needed. RB may have to make a move to safety, whatever, but CMR, no make that UGA, needs these highly recruited athletes on the field! Is CMR afraid to hurt their feelings? Why allow highly skilled players stand on the sidelines when there are players out there going thru the motions. A good coach can get a lot out of less talented players. Just look at Boise State, TCU, Baylor, Houston, heck even UCF does more with less. UGA has the talent, but not the results.
BTW, I’m only talking about the offense and special teams, because CTG already had his come to Jesus meeting, and look how that turned out for the team.
WhatDawg?
January 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
What? The only thing wrong with Murray is Bobo. If you watch any team with a sound offense it is fun to watch. Designed plays with a variety of routes mixed with draws, screens and sweeps and power running. With our offense, nothing is easy and we hope someone makes a great individual play. Let’s be honest our team will never make it with Bobo as OC. He is not in the same league as our competition. My comments don’t mean I won’t support the Dawgs but let’s be real. Lastly, I fully expect to be in the Dome in December playing a reloaded Crimson Tide and we will see what the big boys do on offense. Bobo will not gogo because Richt says nono.
FRED Russo
January 18th, 2012
5:08 pm
He better show us something soon or he can forget about the NFL
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:09 pm
Murray’s record at UGA :
18-0 VS. teams that don’t finish in AP Top 25 Poll
0-9 VS. teams that finish top 25 in AP Poll
Murray excels against inferior talent, and unravels against good teams.
He does not work like a champion to improve himself, as we all know, Murray got worse in passing efficincy, accuracy, interceptions, yards per pass, and so on in 2011, and went 0-4 vs teams that finished in top 25 AGAIN.
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:10 pm
Murray’s too short and turnover prone and inaccurate to make a team in th NFL.
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
5:10 pm
So it was bobo’s fault Murray fumbled and threw picks against the good teams?
It was Bobo’s fault that Mitchell and King dropped TD passes against LSU?
Enlighten me Einstein flat tire.
If you would actually read, you would notice that I WANT A NEW OC IN ATHENS.
Yet according to you, I am a kool aid drinker?
Not hardly. I am a realist who supports the school.
Richt is not going anywhere for 2012.
The sooner you accept that, the better your blood pressure might be.
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:10 pm
Murray finished #1 in the SEC among QB’s
In INTERCEPTIONS!
ole yeller
January 18th, 2012
5:10 pm
If you stop making the same mistake over and over again, then you get better. I know all of the “O” problems start and end with Murray and Bobo, when one call the play and the other is the first to touch the ball it causes me some food for thought as to what is going on. I understand that is the way is works “OC” call a play “QB” executes. SOOOO, clean up Murray and Bobo everything esle fall into place.
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:11 pm
Murray lost the SEC Championship 42-10, so NO, he is not a Championship QB.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
5:12 pm
Colin go back to Math class. 35:55 minute Murray was 6-7 and 10-4 so that equals 16-11 so HOW do you get 18-0?