National media loves this Dawg — why don’t all UGA fans?
Sporting News ranks Aaron Murray one of the top 25 college players in the country. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Matt Hayes of the Sporting News released his annual post-spring ranking of the top 25 players in college football, and two Georgia Bulldogs made the list, which was topped by Southern Cal quarterback Matt Barkley.
The first Dawg making the top 25 won’t surprise anyone: Jarvis Jones, who picked up an award as the nation’s top linebacker at the G-Day game, was ranked No. 5 on the list. The breakdown: “Disruptive edge rusher, sure tackler, defensive leader. The perfect combination.” And Hayes quotes an NFL scout as saying Jones is “the prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker. A top five [overall] guy.”
The other UGA player on the list? Aaron Murray, who some UGA fans don’t even think is the best quarterback on the team!
Hayes’ breakdown on Murray: “A fiery, tough competitor with good NFL measurables who has improved every season. Can he lead the Dawgs to a big season?” And an NFL scout says: “He still makes too many poor decisions, and his accuracy is a big question. But you love his moxie and intangibles.”
Hayes 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 Tuesday.
Why the disconnect between the way national sports media see Murray and the grumbling he inspires among some Georgia fans?
Part of it, I think, is the natural tendency of fans to complain about starting quarterbacks (ditto offensive coordinators/playcallers). I remember fans griping about Matt Stafford’s decision-making. And as rock-solid and successful as David Greene was, there was a minor QB controversy for a while early in his tenure, sparked by supporters of D.J Shockley, who thought he ought to get more playing time or be the starter. Remember?
I believe my friend Steve put his finger on it Tuesday when he said he thought the way No. 11 ended the season — with an error-filled implosion in the Dawgs’ bowl game against Michigan State — left a lingering dissatisfaction among fans. The what-have-you-done-for-me-lately syndrome.
But, as Steve said, Murray is still the best quarterback Mark Richt has. And, as Sporting News sees it, one of the best in the nation.
Like I said in Saturday’s Blawg, I think Murray has a lot of areas in which he needs to improve. But I don’t have any doubt he’s Richt’s best choice to lead the Bulldogs right now.
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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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
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461 comments Add your comment
Brainiac
April 27th, 2012
10:48 am
@ Mike Bobo 17:
Never thought I would see the day but you are even more CLUELESS than Bubbs an Dawsonville.
Fortunately the three of you have EXACTLY ZERO influence/control over ANYTHING Dawg Nation.
Per Lewis Grizzard “Delta is ready when you are”.
LMAO
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:51 am
At least this credible website reports the correct record for 2011:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1161166-georgia-football-the-ins-and-outs-highs-and-lows-of-the-2012-schedule
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:54 am
@Brainiac
Just reporting the facts, and you are just another UGA fan in denial supporting a program that sucks. Please point out where the facts are incorrect?
How about an opening loss to Boise in your own backyard, followed up by another loss to Steve Spurrier at USC. An absolute beatdown by LSU in the SEC title game, followed up by a loss to Michigan State.
Now tell me, where am I clueless?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:55 am
Here is what UGA fans also implement….Deny…Deny…Deny….
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:57 am
The problem with this entire program is that no one in Doggie Nation can accept criticism. It is the same old s#$% year after year, defend the coach, defend the program and modify the won/loss records,
This program will never be a championship quality program until Athens gets out of denial, cleans house and sets the record straight.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:59 am
Here is your own boy Stinchcomb setting the record straight:
http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2010/04/14/talent-not-enough-to-win-championships-saints-stinchcomb-says/
Brainiac
April 27th, 2012
11:02 am
@ KOOL AID:
So Miles will pass CMR in winning percentage this year and both have been a HC the same number of years? You may be correct(I doubt it) but exactly WHAT is your point?????
WHAT IF YOU ARE CORRECT???
DOES THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO THE FREE WORLD?????
Still love you!!!!!!!!
Brainiac
April 27th, 2012
11:08 am
@ Mike Bobo 17:
Stinchcomb sets NOTHING straight. That is just his opinion just like you who thinks you know more than the MULTI-MILLIONAIRES in the coaching business(In all fairness to Stinchcomb he is light years ahead of you but then WHO ISN’T??????)
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac
April 27th, 2012
11:45 am
BILL:
I saw on another of your blogs that according to one blogger UGA was deeply indebted to brothers of the Stinchcomb; Bailey and Edwards families. I agree with all but the Terrence Edwards part. He showed flashes of brilliance at UGA and set some receiving records but had a terrible time catching the passes that were on the mark. If he had been a consistant receiver he could have set several records that would have been virtually unreachable.
Am I wrong???
DefjamDawg
April 27th, 2012
6:17 pm
Gundy just named a true Freshman his starting QB. The Frosh beat out their Jr QB. Gunday said Frosh just performed better over Spring.
Cook, some coaches DO reward performance, some go more by entitlement, like Richt.
DefjamDawg
April 27th, 2012
6:53 pm
Let’s get my boy Christian Lemay some looks in da Fall, my boy was named ESPN’s player of the year in 2010. My boy Lemay tore it up on G-Day, made Murray look like a rookie.