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
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
Only 10 QB’s were sacked more than Aaron Murray’s 32 sacks.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/sacks
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:15 pm
Only 10 QB’s threw more interceptions than Aaron Murray’s 14 interceptions.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/interceptions
Bob
January 18th, 2012
5:15 pm
Aaron Murray=Joe Cox, Quincy Carter, Jimmy Clausen, Ron Poulus, Charles Duddish.
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:16 pm
Murray ranked #72 in Accuracy this year:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/completionPct/count/41
Colin's blow up doll date
January 18th, 2012
5:18 pm
Only 1 poster posts under more blog handles than Colin
http://www.IpostmeaninglessstatsbecauseIhavenolifeandInevergetlaid.com
Bob
January 18th, 2012
5:18 pm
Hey Colin…stats are for losers. How many teams with a winning record has he beaten?
Colin's blow up doll date
January 18th, 2012
5:19 pm
Chris,Robert,Bobby,Carlton plus 124 others
http://www.Iamaloserwhohasnolifeandmasturbatesfrequently.com
Colin's blow up doll date
January 18th, 2012
5:20 pm
Colin not ranked in the list of top 1,000,000 guys that a girl would consider going out with
http://www.topmillionguysavailable.com
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
Murray ranked LAST in 2nd half, Hutson Mason 1st.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/leader/911/player/situational03/category02/sort06.html
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:22 pm
Murray ranked 7th in SEC in 2nd half passer efficiency.
Hutson Mason was 3rd.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/leader/911/player/situational03/category02/sort02.html
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
5:22 pm
I will Elighten you Eistein
You and others want to come on here and call me a troll and a Non UGA fan because I speak out against this poor coaching performance we have seen for years here
But its perfectly fine and ok to come on here and to talk about the UGA players
You arent nothing but a hypocrite DawginLex
You cant have it both ways bud
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
5:23 pm
DawginLex = the biggest UGA hypocrite troll on this blog
ole yeller
January 18th, 2012
5:23 pm
Most of those sacks on Murray could have been reduced by getting out if the tackle box and throw it away. Don’t point fingers at the “O” line thay are only suppose to hold a block for a few counts not all nite long. Back’s are required the same. SOOO one more time CLEAN UP MURRAY & BOBO.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
5:26 pm
DawginLex
As you say Richt isnt going anywhere in 2012
I will say Murray isnt going anywhere in 2012 so get used to it
It might help you’re blood pressure
Bob
January 18th, 2012
5:26 pm
Thanks Flat…the program is much bigger than the coach. I’m a Dawg fan first, but not so much a Richt believer. I think we can do a lot better. In my opinion, Richt is just stealing the money.
The Truth Detector
January 18th, 2012
5:26 pm
1. If Georgia does not win the SEC this year, it will be a few years before it is close again.
2. The Offensive Line is suffering due to recruiting at the position, not the coaching.
3. The schedule for 2013 starts at Clemson( will be junior loaded in 2013) will have either or/ LSU/ Alabama/ Texas A&M away and one at home, plus a better Auburn squad, a better Florida team, a questionable USC team, a better Tennessee team, a much improve Vandy team on the road, and a good Missouri team at home.
4. The defense will lose key players to graduation and others to the NFL as opt outs.
The upcoming season’s schedule is now being described as the easiest schedule of ALL automatic qualifying conference members. Someone will need to step up or this will be either a major step forward or the slow decline of a program that has or is though to have so much potential.
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:28 pm
Murray’s offense finished 60th in red zone conversions.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category27/sort01.html
GTDog
January 18th, 2012
5:28 pm
Well, obviously he IS a championship caliber QB since he DID lead the team to an SEC East title this year?
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:30 pm
Murray ranked 8th in SEC in 2nd half accuracy
Hutson Mason ranked 5th.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/leader/911/player/situational03/category02/sort03.html
bitter bad thrower
January 18th, 2012
5:31 pm
murray stinks against top 20 teams———stop blamming the “O” line or bobo
———–bad QB’s————-are just bad QB’s
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
5:32 pm
Colin how did you get 18-0? HELLO
16-11 how could 35:55minute Murray ever be 18-0 at anytime?
Colin
January 18th, 2012
5:33 pm
If Richt will open up competition, Lemay will EASILY win the job.
Good documentary video with Lemay—
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0kzh6hGXnQ&feature=related
ole yeller
January 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
As i read some of these blogs I ofter wonder how much football knowledge some of you have.
Boise Dawg
January 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
At times I agree there have been protection issues, but I also think the offensive line has taken too much blame here. Murray still seems too indecisive at times and has a tendancy to hold the ball too long. Not sure if receivers aren’t getting open or if he is afraid to pull the trigger. Either way I was hoping to see more improvement this year and I don’t feel like he improved enough….
The Truth Detector
January 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
Unless you are an RGIII quarterback, or a Houston Style offense, throwing the ball as much as UGA was forced to throw it will lead to mistakes and turnovers. The ground game sets up the run, and bringing a DB to take end arounds does not speak very highly of your offensive line in blocking helmet to helmet.
There is a major flaw in the system, especially running that style offense in the SEC. Murray is no Tebow and he is not a runner. The funny thing is there is not much help in OL from last years recruiting class and this years recruiting class. When you have the same 2 or 3 players listed as backups at all 5 positions it shows no to little depth or confidence.
bitter bad thrower
January 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
stop all the blame game stuff king and troll nation——————-richt loves murray
he cant detach, because —he—is—a—–NICE GUY————–blind as a bat
——–0-12 against top 20 teams says it all to most regular people—-were not nice people
Boise Dawg
January 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
Curious to know what our red zone offense stats were this past year and how we compare with other top teams. Not blaming Murray for this, but it seems like red zone touchdowns is something we have always struggled with during Richt’s tenure. In prior years we always had a clutch kicker to put points on the board.. this year Walsh’s struggles really hurt.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
Bob
Thanks
I just have to point out the hypocrites on this blog who are nothing more than a bunch of 5 ft dictators at their home who if people say something that they dont agree with they get mad and call you names such as troll and you are not a true fan go pull for someone else
I didnt know being a true UGA fan meant that its perfectly fine to run off at the mouth about the kids on the team but not the grown up coaches
The Truth Detector
January 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
Please go look at the depth chart someone posted at tigerdroppings and you will see that one injury on next years line will cause major shifting for players. Murray gets the credit for making great throws but he should also get the blame for making bad throws. The OL gets blamed for sacks and lack of running game, but in reality the OL is not deep at ALL!
Desert Fox
January 18th, 2012
5:40 pm
He does get rattled when pressured and has tendency under pressure to throw INT’s and/or fumble. It doesn’t help him not having an OL, running game and the right play calling especially on passing/3rd downs when good D’s rush him. He has flashes of brilliance but in big games he focus’ on one receiver and doesn’t appear to run the table on his other receivers. maybe if he had more time he could if he’d calm down. He’ll probably enter the draft after next season and go in the later rounds unless he has a breakout season w/help from improved OL (big if) and RB’s that can make up for poor blocking by breaking it outside. He cannot give anymore games away like he did last season otherwise he will fall farther behind better players in the draft. He is not as mature as other QB’s that played at UGA at this point in his college career. Unless he improves in all the above areas (other than his line and RB’s) UGA will not win the big one(s).
Mark (I want to be their friend) Richt
January 18th, 2012
5:40 pm
He runs like a girl. He lost both of the last game by trying be tough and lost the balls. He is a loser like Richt.
Hammerdawg
January 18th, 2012
5:40 pm
FIRE BOBO!!!! Get a real OC and Murray will be great!
Dawg Tired
January 18th, 2012
5:40 pm
Reading some of the comments on this blog tells me their are some “midgets” on here for sure. However, while I am not a big fan of Murray, he is about 6′0″ or 6′1″ tall. Since when is a six foot tall guy a midget? It takes a mental “midget” to make such a dumb statement.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
bitter bad thrower
January 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
——–0-12 against top 20 teams says it all to most regular people.
Regular People can do math you stupid moron.
2010………….6 – 7
2011………..10 – 4
Totals………16 – 11
How can only 11 losses = 0 – 12 against top 20 teams.
You are STUPID and You can’t do Math.
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
5:47 pm
You still have not answered my questions.
Was it Bobo’s fault that Murray fumbled and threw picks against the 4 ranked teams we lost to?
Did you not read where I want a new OC in Athens?
I’m not gonna get my wish either.
Richt and Bobo will be back in 2012.
I will support them and whoever the QB is.
you will spew nonsense about hiring Air force’s coach
You are a kool aid drinker of the highest order. The “grass is always greener around the septic tank” Koolaid
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
5:48 pm
didnt know being a true UGA fan meant that its perfectly fine to run off at the mouth about the kids on the team but not the grown up coaches
********************
you obviously can’t comprehend what you read or you aren’t paying attention.
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
5:54 pm
I’ll predict your answer
“Who trained him?”
The same coach who trained
Charlie Ward
Chris Weinke
Thad Busby
Danny Kanell
David Greene
DJ Shockley
Matthew stafford
Next?
Summit Dawg
January 18th, 2012
6:00 pm
Mason is a better QB, but will never have the opportunity at UGA as long as Richt has his nose up Murray’s behind!!!!
TheTruthHurts
January 18th, 2012
6:04 pm
I think it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference whether Murray has or does not have them. Richt couldn’t win big with Stafford [yeh,I remember 2007] and Moreno, and he won’t win big with Murray either.
Bob
January 18th, 2012
6:05 pm
DawginLex, I enjoy and respect most of your comments; however, how many of those QBs you mentioned won (or even contended for) a National Championship? And, how many of those played at UGA? Richt was an above average coach at one time, but either the game or his interest has passed him by. For the past five years, we have had a difficult time beating a team ranked higher, and we pad our stats/wins/glories on the bottom feeders. At $3M a year, great facilities, tradition, fertile recruiting, and tremendous fan support, what’s going wrong?
kral
January 18th, 2012
6:06 pm
based on what sd
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
Bob
I don’t know about that. All I know is to solely blame Bobo or richt for Murray’s poor decision making is wrong.
The athlete gets put inot position to make plays and either he can or can’t.
kral
January 18th, 2012
6:10 pm
there are a lot of good d-1 coaches that fit that profile bob
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
6:10 pm
Bob
Richt coached all of those QB’s listed
BULLDAWG BILL
January 18th, 2012
6:13 pm
Murray would benefit from a good O.C. with the balls to pull him and insert a good backup (Mason) when he is obviously not having a good day.
gotta go
January 18th, 2012
6:13 pm
good grief….why bring this up again…he’s not nor will he be….have any of you who say yes EVER WATCHED him play? He is the Blair Walsh of QB’s. Great stats but NEVER when you have to have a big play.
Bob
January 18th, 2012
6:14 pm
DawginLex…I’m not blaming Bobo, Murray, or Richt. I’m a loooong time UGA fan (65+) and I blame McGarity for not fixing the obvious problem. We have the athletes, the money, facilities, support, tradition, etc…why isn’t it working? Maybe we’re trying to treat the symptom rather than the root cause of the problem.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 18th, 2012
6:17 pm
Stafford
The same QB you just ranted about a few minutes ago you are going to list him and DJ shockley who did a good job yet Richt pulled his typical Im not prepared in the Sugar Bowl agains WVU or went total conservative against FL with Joe T and lost
Whose fault is it that Murray is not benched or prepared or doesnt have a running game or has coaches that dont recruit an offensive line or calls predictable plays that put Murray in multiple 3rd and longs every game and need him to bail out their stupidity,
No that couldnt be Richt and bobo
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
6:18 pm
I’m of the opinion that McGarity won’t tolerate losing.
I still believe Richt has a ton of heat on him for 2012 despite the contract extension.
DawginLex
January 18th, 2012
6:19 pm
So Murray fumbling and throwing picks is Bobo’s fault.
Ok, if you say so