Fan talk: G-Day surprises and the Aaron Murray ‘conspiracy’ theories
Ricky Lowe runs for a surprise touchdown during the G-Day game. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
Let’s jump right into a sampling of recent Junkyard Mail …
Ken Crow writes: Bill, I really enjoy the Blawg and your down-the-middle approach to fandom. You’re not afraid to criticize when you think it’s warranted, but you remain supportive of Coach Richt and the program and don’t continually harp on the negatives. I also appreciate your obvious love for the school and your hometown of Athens. I really wanted to get to the Classic City for G-Day this year but wasn’t able to because of some family stuff. I enjoyed your report from the game and was encouraged by what you said about the quarterbacks, running backs and defense. So who surprised you most at G-Day?
Thanks, Ken. While I thought Jay Rome’s long touchdown catch-run was the highlight of the day, it wasn’t particularly surprising, as I’d expected him to do well. And I was pleasantly surprised by the play of the starting offensive line. But I think the biggest surprise for me probably was the play of linebacker Ramik Wilson, who led the Red team defense with seven tackles (two for loss) and an interception that he returned 19 yards. And, of course, there was the play where Reuben Faloughi knocked the ball away from Black QB Parker Welch and unheralded senior defensive lineman Ricky Lowe grabbed the ball in midair and ran it back 62 yards for a touchdown, probably the highlight of his playing career at UGA. Those are the moments that make G-Day games fun.
Ed from Avondale Estates writes: So I’ve heard [Isaiah] Crowell has grown up and looks great, [Keith] Marshall is the real deal and Boo Malcome had a great spring. I’ve even gotten the position-of-the-day updates on Richard Samuel. Why no [Todd] Gurley updates? I have high hopes for that kid and he’s gotten no spring press. What’s the word?
The word is he’s still in high school. Gurley was not one of the UGA signees who enrolled early this year. But the coaches are very high on his potential and while he’ll start out preseason camp in August behind all the other tailbacks, I have a feeling his talent will show pretty quickly. Perhaps even enough for him to avoid taking a redshirt season in a crowded tailback corps.
Richard Hong writes: I wish someone would write an article that would explain why the QB position is not a wide open competition to see who should be the starter for this year. Sorry, but my untrained eyes just don’t see why people think [Aaron] Murray is such a good QB. He throws a lot of interceptions, makes a lot of bad decisions, can’t get out of the pocket when he needs to, fumbles when he does run and CANNOT throw the ball on the run. So please, would someone tell me what I’m not seeing?
On a similar note, Michael Jones writes: I like Aaron Murray but I am concerned with his accuracy and his trend of turning the ball over in big games that absolutely kill the Dawgs. Have you heard of outside the box training for Murray to get him to be more accurate and protecting the football? He got us to the SEC Championship game, I just want to see him make the next step.
There's a reason national sports media are high on Aaron Murray. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
I know there’s a segment of Bulldogs fandom that’s very down on Murray and convinced that Mark Richt and Mike Bobo are blindly letting him hold on to the starting quarterback’s job despite the obvious talents of backups Hutson Mason and Christian LeMay. Some folks even believe there’s some sort of “conspiracy” to keep Murray in a job he doesn’t deserve. I suppose some fans are remembering how Jim Donnan fell in love with Quincy Carter and ran off all his other quarterbacks. But this situation is nothing like that one. There’s a reason Murray made some All-SEC teams and is routinely cited by national sports media as one of the best QBs in the conference. He was the SEC’s No. 2 passer, throwing for 3,149 yards and 35 touchdowns a season ago. He ranked second in passing yards per game, second in total offense and fourth in passing efficiency. Of the returning quarterbacks in FBS football, only Southern Cal’s Matt Barkley threw for more touchdowns (37) in 2011 than Murray. Yes, Murray threw too many interceptions last season and had a couple of very costly fumbles. Richt himself has noted Murray needs to do a better job of taking care of the football. But as I wrote when we discussed Murray in January, the argument can be made that his 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. This year he’ll again open the season behind a questionable OL, but he should have a much more potent, consistent group of running backs, which Bobo has said he thinks will make Murray a better quarterback. And sheer experience should help Murray make better on-field decisions and improve his ball security. He’s a good on-field leader and showed in last year’s Florida game that he can make big-time throws in tough situations, especially those two fourth-down touchdowns. I know, the knock on him is that he’s yet to beat a really good team. And I’ll agree that Mason and LeMay both show a lot of potential. But, frankly, from what I’ve seen so far, neither one is ready yet to supplant Murray.
Devon Wade writes: Bill, I am a former Tucker Tiger and if you know anything about Ga. high school football you will know that Tucker High School has been a UGA pipeline for several years now. It is most definitely Dawg Country. However, when I graduated high school I landed at a small liberal arts college right outside of Columbia, Mo. (right in the middle of Tiger Country). My roommate during my entire time in college is a die-hard Mizzou fan, and of course I am a Dawg through and through. We have always joked around about whose team would win if the two ever faced. Well lo and behold the semester AFTER we graduate they become division rivals and I know he has been salivating with the recent suspensions of key players going into that game in Columbia (which I will be at with him). I am still confident that between now and then CMR can get some players to fill in the holes in the secondary and I think our front seven can get enough pressure to make [Mizzou quarterback James] Franklin more uncomfortable than he has ever been. I believe our defense is still more talented than theirs even without several starters. Should I have reason to still be confident that we can pick up the W in Columbia minus key players? Appreciate your consideration. Big fan of the Blawg.
Thanks. I tend to agree with you, Devon. While Georgia won’t enter the game against Missouri at full-strength, I think the Dogs’ defensive front seven will be formidable. And from what I saw last year of Mizzou’s defense, I don’t believe it’s yet SEC-ready.
Richard Judy writes: Enjoyed your comment about my hero, Fred Birchmore. I am a ’73 UGA grad, and just after graduating I hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine back to Georgia. Fred and [son] Danny read an article I wrote in the old AJC Sunday Magazine and asked me to counsel them on their upcoming Georgia to Maine AT thru-hike. I was invited into the Birchmore home and quickly discovered what special people these were. Fred and Danny needed no advice from me, but they made me feel like a real friend. A few years back, when my daughter was a J-school student at UGA, she contacted Fred about doing a story for the old UGAzine publication. He treated her like royalty and said very kind things to her about her old man. Fred was a class act, the kind of man who deserved a century of high-quality living.
Thanks, Richard. You’re right that the Birchmores are a very special family and Athens and UGA are both much better off for them having been there.
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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739 comments Add your comment
tide roll
April 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
m
Neutral
April 24th, 2012
8:19 pm
Tide roll……you are correct…… 31 years. Yes indeed that is UGa’s record of 31 years without a NCAA probation. What is Bama’s record during that period? Tough to be #1 when you have a clean program……isn’t it?
BMOC
April 24th, 2012
10:24 pm
Danny from Dacula
I don’t remember what other choices Donnan had at QB than Carter, but they would have done better letting the 2nd string guy (whoever that was) hand the ball off to the RB than keep a weed-smok’en, nose-candy Carter as the starting QB.
What a joke.
Brainiac
April 24th, 2012
10:43 pm
@ Tide roll:
Speaking of Breaking The Mold. Word is that when were born they broke the roll and also beat hell out of the Mold Maker!!!!!
Just Sayin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac
April 24th, 2012
10:46 pm
@ Neutral: (8:19 pm post)
Excellent post Bro but Tide roll be a Techie who is ashamed of his team and hates UGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
6:22 am
Neutral February 25th, 2012 5:40 pm
“Yes indeed we need to improve.”
“The OL still needs to improve.”
“We need to get our offense cranked-up to give the defense a rest.”
Neutral April 22nd, 2012 3:19 pm
“I agree Murray has made some big mistakes. Let’s give him a break.”
Neutral April 22nd, 2012 4:23 pm
“I agree we need to give the other QBs more playing time.”
Neutral April 23rd, 2012 9:21 pm
“Dawg Alum, You are hysterical and so correct. I have been preaching this forever that Murray has made big mistakes at very bad times.”
“We may not win a NC or SEC title, but we need to remember that we are in an incredibly tough conference and to win 10 games is something to be proud of.”
“Unfortunately some Dawg fans have become so spoiled that anything short of a NC is considered failure.”
“Take the pressure off Murray.”
“Be patient and believe in the Dawgs 1 more year.”
“Give Murray another season.”
Neutral April 17th, 2012 7:14 am
“Thanks Aaron for winning those last 10 games of the season by yourself.”
“I feel your pain”
Neutral April 21st, 2012 9:47 am
“That’s OK to be compared to Notre Dame…..the most storied program in football”
“UGa was inches from beating SC and MS.”
“They also looked good for a half vs. LSU.”
“Quit worrying.”
“I still would pick UGa if they played Michigan State again tomorrow!!!”
Neutral April 23rd, 2012 3:58 pm
“@Tidey Roll, It may be 50 years, but at least our coach has a winning record against your coach.”
_____________________________________
Nick Saban vs Mark Richt :
Wins 45-16 on 10/02/2004 LSU
Lost 10-17 on 09/20/2003 LSU
Lost 13-34 on 12/06/2003 LSU
____
Wins 26-23 on 09/22/2007 Alabama
Lost 30-42 on 09/27/2008 Alabama
____
2-3 Mark Richt vs Nick Saban
_____________________________________
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
7:38 am
You are by definition “manic”
Marathoner
April 25th, 2012
7:49 am
Tell you what, if you’re going by the Spring games, we have some concerns at starting Quarterback. Murray really struggled all Spring, I think Murray finished with 1 interception return for touchdown, 50% accuracy, and 2 touchdowns in 3 games. It was probably the worst Spring of any SEC QB, I noticed 10 SEC QB starters threw for 2 touchdowns or more in the last Spring game. Murray didn’t. I have a feeling these habits will carry over into the season.
Hutson Mason had a terrific Spring, and Lemay and Mason both looked sharp in the last Spring game, but I don’t know if Richt will give either a fair chance to start, Richt usually doesn’t do that with QB. He tends to stay with the same thing, working or not.
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
7:58 am
Neutral, I knew that you would not address your statements EXACTLY THE SAME WORD FOR WORD AS MINE :
____________________________
“Yes indeed we need to improve.”
“The OL still needs to improve.”
“We need to get our offense cranked-up to give the defense a rest.”
“I agree Murray has made some big mistakes.”
“I have been preaching this forever that Murray has made big mistakes at very bad times.”
“We may not win a NC or SEC title”
“Take the pressure off Murray.”
“I feel your pain”
“I agree we need to give the other QBs more playing time.”
_____________________________________________________
NEGATIVE COMMENTS you make, daily Neutral.
_____________________________________________________
Which ones of these statements by YOU will you let me make without stating I am NEGATIVE ? None of them.
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
8:00 am
Marathoner, You are right. Even Neutral agrees with you that :
“I agree we need to give the other QBs more playing time.”
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
8:43 am
TB……now you are acting like a good fan without all that negative blogging and ruminating over the past. There may be hope for you after all and you may soon become one of my favorites!!! Have a great day.
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
8:54 am
TB, I can’t believe how you have kept all my blogs over the past month(s)……incredible. Be careful taking my quotes out of context. You conveniently did not show everything I said. Practically every one of those quotes (if not all) were followed by the word “BUT” and then followed with important information and clarification. You are sounding like a liberal reporter for NBC the way you wordsmith, take things out of context, etc……just to prove your point. That is as dishonest as it gets.
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
8:54 am
Damn, I am impressed!
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
9:05 am
Tell me which of these you have not REPEATEDLY stated to this blog, NEUTRAL, sir ?
(1) “I agree we need to give the other QBs more playing time”
(2) “We may not win a NC or SEC title”
(3) “I agree Murray has made some big mistakes”
(4) “I have been preaching this forever that Murray has made big mistakes at very bad times.”
(5) “We need to get our offense cranked-up to give the defense a rest.”
(6) “Yes indeed we need to improve.”
(7) “The OL still needs to improve.”
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
9:09 am
(8) Didn’t you also make this statement NEUTRAL, sir ?
Neutral April 23rd, 2012 3:58 pm
“@Tidey Roll, It may be 50 years, but at least our coach has a winning record against your coach”
_____________________________________
Mark Richt vs Nick Saban :
Wins 45-16 on 10/02/2004 LSU
Lost 10-17 on 09/20/2003 LSU
Lost 13-34 on 12/06/2003 LSU
____
Wins 26-23 on 09/22/2007 Alabama
Lost 30-42 on 09/27/2008 Alabama
____
2-3 Mark Richt vs Nick Saban
_____________________________________
Mark Richt does NOT have “a winning record against” Nick Saban. You are WRONG, aren’t you NEUTRAL ?
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
9:10 am
Neutral
I’ve noticed a couple of things about Thomas. #1. The young man does his homework and is generally well prepared. #2. Sometimes he does omit part of a statement if it makes his point. This tells me he trys to win an argument at all cost. I’m not totally sure about honesty with this approach. He could make a great lawyer.lol…#3. I think he cares about UGA passionatly in his own way, which I respect. #4. Wish I could get him to step into the light and use his talents to help and not hurt UGA…
dagnabit
April 25th, 2012
9:14 am
Tuck Fech; Let me guess. You’re a repugnantlican. Right?
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
9:20 am
You know Thomas, you’re a bright guy. Can you tell me why you drive some of the really finest Ga. fan crazy with your post? I believe I know if you’re interested, if not, I’ll keep it to myself…
Andy
April 25th, 2012
9:25 am
My son in law is and alot of his friends are die hard Dawg fans and he is like most of the Dawg fans I have been around and that has been a ton of them. Its doesn’t have to be a Posters but they do it too. Every year UGA is going to win the SEC championship and the National Championship. They refuse to face reality. The year UGA went 6-7 it was the same UGA was going to win it all the next year. I try to face reality. Alabama thinks they are going to win the MNC again. there is a 50% chance are less that they will do that. Hell i ‘m not to sure that they will even win the SEC west this year with them playing LSU in B .R.. Will know more about it when I see how they come out against Michigan. I try to look at things in a logic way.I think there is a good chance that Sou Carolina will beat UGA this year or maybe Aurburn or Fla. Just becuse I am a fan doest mean I go around looking thru a pair of rose color glasses year after year. If you look at things and not try to sugar coat it what happen to the DREAM tEAM. good idea but it didn’t work out are it hasn’t so far I just believe in calling a SPADE a SPADE .. A joker a joker. jUST BECAUSE i GET UP IN THE MORNING AND DON’T BOW DOWN TOWARD ATHENS OR T TOWN FOR MY MORNING PRAYER doesnt mean I’don’pull for certain team againest other teams MAYBE YOU DOG FANS FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM. HAVEN’T YOU EVER HEARD THAT OLD SAYING MY TWO FAVORITE TEAMS ARE ALA AND WHO EVER IS PLAYING AURBURN God D** you take this S**t much to serious lighten up and don’t get yourRED panties in a wad .
CHDawg
April 25th, 2012
9:28 am
Every Spring, leading up to Spring scrimmages, we hear from Richt how good Murray is, then in the public scrimmages, we get to see for ourselves, and another UGA QB is always better than Murray. Means 1 of 2 things, neither of which are good:
a) Murray is only good only in private practice where there is no pressure
b) Richt is misrepresenting how good the other QB’s are playing to try and avoid a QB controversy
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
9:36 am
Damn Andy, try NOT posting overblown hyperbole, and see how that might work for you in here. Half the stuff you call “reality” is just completely false, so you should be able to understand why we found it so hard to take you very seriously.
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
9:41 am
kingdaddy,
It is because 300 unique IP Addresses to this blog, of which I am one, all say the exact same statements about Mark Richt, Mike Bobo, the Offensive Line, the secondary, the special teams, the games against the top teams, the on-going issues off-the-field such as yesterday Athlon Sports said that Isaiah Crowell “does not work well with others and distracts the class often” along with all these failed drug tests, hamstrings, critical fumbles interceptions and numerous sacks all at the very worst moment of every single game against every top team and how all 300 of us would like to see Mark Richt and Mike Bobo play some of the other 7 quarterbacks just a little slightly bit more instead of 5 TD by Aaron Murray vs Louisiana Lafayette, and we all say the exact same statements, too, about Aaron Murray.
Then, we come in here after we dare to post said same statements, and we get called “Georgia tek fans” the “enemy” here only to “make the Bulldogs’ recruiting poor.”
Such a poster is NOT Holier than Thou; kingdaddy, sir; are they ?
And, you wonder kingdaddy why all 300 of us, not just only me sir, come in here and find the childish replies of NEUTRAL just beyond decency that only he is a real Bulldog fan – when excuse all 300 of us – he says the exact same statements on every single point.
Doesn’t he, kingdaddy, sir ?
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
9:53 am
Andy,
Good one, sir. I love reading all your posts. I wondered what you might reply. It gets a little old their childish musings back, doesn’t it ?
_____________________
CHDawg,
Spot-on also, sir, as always.
______________________
Before I could even post how much I like both your posts, I was going to say here now that – Wait for it Now : The Richt Apologists are going to jump all over your case that – well with 2 of the current 3 NC Nick Saban has put up, it is unrealistic of you Andy and CHDawg to say that Alabama is doing a better job coaching than we are and has a better chance even with their schedule, unlike our own facing 1 team who made the top 25 all season long for us, to do well while we continue to basically have a LIAR as a head coach. And, they are going to tell you that you both are just WRONG with NOTHING to substantiate their position – so ALL they CAN say is that you are NOT a Bulldog fan. Can an Alabama fan be a Georgia fan too ? Certainly you can. Can CHDawg be a Bulldog fan and call Mark Richt a LIAR ? Sure, he can intimate that, as he just did and be a DGD in my eyes. I don’t try to ban, eliminate, censor others’ posts. I don’t have to agree or disagree. I have my own feelings on how we’re doing, and it would be the same as what has been said on this blog by NEUTRAL.
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
10:12 am
Andy, take a couple of deep breaths and relax. You can and should root for any team you want, even multiple wives,uhh I mean teams. You don’t have to drink koolade to be a Ga. fan. I give constructive critisim all the time. Just don’t stroke out on line…
Thomas Brown
April 25th, 2012
10:15 am
(1) “I agree we need to give the other QBs more playing time”
(2) “We may not win a NC or SEC title”
(3) “I agree Murray has made some big mistakes”
(4) “I have been preaching this forever that Murray has made big mistakes at very bad times.”
(5) “We need to get our offense cranked-up to give the defense a rest.”
(6) “Yes indeed we need to improve.”
(7) “The OL still needs to improve.”
(8) “@Tidey Roll, It may be 50 years, but at least our coach has a winning record against your coach”
NEUTRAL, you either have or have not made all these statements repeatedly ?
National media loves this Dawg — why don’t all UGA fans? | UGA: The Junkyard Blawg
April 25th, 2012
10:18 am
[...] and the scout pretty well sum up the upside and downside of Murray, who was the subject of a heated fan Junkyard Mail discussion over the weekend that spilled over onto local sports talk radio in Atlanta [...]
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
10:30 am
Thomas
Look at it like this, because I see that you are frustrated. I think that this is the make or break year for CMR and CMB. You ever heard the old saying, “Never change boats in the middle of the river.”??? You say we need change. I say we need change, but I’m not willing to destroy our chances of a monster year, THIS YEAR. I think we will see a better prepared team on the field this year. If, and this is a big if, things don’t go like they should, then rebuild the team. Sometimes you have to have patience with change. Try to give CMR the beginning of the year, and i think you’ll see a Ga. team you can be proud of. You can do it Thomas…
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
10:35 am
kingdaddy, you need to understand that the motives that you are debating there have very little to do with football on the other end.
Texas Dawg
April 25th, 2012
10:36 am
I for one can’t understand why Dawg fans get upset when other Dawg fans expect better from UGA football. I have been and always will be a die hard DAWG fan! Why do you call me a homer if I point out facts…..facts….that are true….no lies….just facts…….doesn’t mean I don’t support our teams or our players. I do support Murry……….but the bottom line is that he hasn’t gotten done when it matters and we need to look at more playing time in meaningful games for our other QB….I don’t think for one minute that BAMA, LSU, SC or Fla recruits better talent than UGA does……..we finally hired a DC and look at how much better the D is!!!! We still need to fing the best OC out there with a special teams coach…..bobo is a DGW but his play calling %40 of the time is way to predictable…he doesn’t ajust well. The second hald of the Mich St game was a prime example!
Real Dawg fans want to see UGA compete and dominate…….we don’t want to settle for just beating Vandy…for not beating a ranked team in two seasons…..for not being competative against UCF…..in a bowl game…..DAWG FANS EXPECT BETTER!!!!!!!! WE still love our team………but refuse to settle for less………………HOMERS settle for less!!!!!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
10:59 am
All “real” Dawgs fans want the same thing. All Dawg fans know and see the same thing.There are some subtle differences between opinions concerning strategy or directions, but the vast majority of Dawg fans agree more than not. The big differences (that are put on display in this artificially animated forum) is how they behalf and express themselves.
Not counting those few with varied agendas of cource.
Andy
April 25th, 2012
11:16 am
This is for some of the UGA poster and not all of them. You must have a boring life if you don’t have a team you pull for besides UGA. I have favorte teams that I pull for over other team depending on the rivaly between the teams i don’t consider the rival between UGA and Bama as a big deal like Ala and Tenn or Alabama vs LSU or the rival Ala vs Ole Miss back until Ole Miss fell on some hard times in the last few years. UGA and Fla was not a big deal ubtil Spurrier came to Fla now it is one of UGA biggest games..UGA and SC was not a big deal until Spurrier came to SC and that rivaly is more a Spurrier vs GA than Sc againest SC
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
11:19 am
Alt-Dawg
10:35, How so? I believe in keeping this staff intact and Murray at QB, at least until they show they can’t get the job done this year. I don’t see UGA as an elite team yet, but they can be with a few tweeks. If we follow the status-quo, we will never assend to the next level. I think CMR has it under control and understands this. We will be OK…
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
11:23 am
I think it was more the way you went out of your way to condemn the generic “All You Dawg Fans” with gross exagerations that brought about the doubt as to Georgia being one of your favorites, not the idea that somebody might have more than one college team they tend to pull for.
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
11:33 am
Andy
You really just don’t get it! All Doggies pull for any team that is playing against our division foes so find something else to whine about. We must win and our foes must lose, what’s so hard about that? I like most all the teams in the SEC except S.C. They and their fans and their car-salesman coach are obnoxious tools who are going down hard this year. Quit whinning so much Andy, you’re starting to sound like Spurrier…
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
11:35 am
Kingdaddy, not the team. I was saying that in your debating certain folks in here, you are assuming they are here for the purpose of having a football team discussion, when in fact that’s only the subterfuse.
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
11:36 am
Alt-Dawg
Let’s go fishing!
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
11:43 am
I agree that sometimes you have to peel-back the layers of an oinion to get to the good stuff. Wouldn’t you rather have T.B. argueing for the Dawgs instead of against them? He just needs to redirect his critisisim…
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
11:47 am
I gotta run. Later Doggies…
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
11:51 am
I think the topic could be quilting and not matter much. . Trust me, you are simply a character in a roleplay during those exchanges.