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
BobDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:07 pm
Let’s see… was Murray a Jr or Sr last year??? NO… he was a sophomore… Let the guy develop. He is going to be great this year with a stout rushing game finally.
Z Dawg
April 25th, 2012
12:08 pm
Aaron Murray is the best QB dawgs have and we, the Fans, fully support him. Go Dawgs.
BobDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:10 pm
He was playing also for Richt’s job last season. Talk about the ultimate pressure and ran off 10 straight… He is going to be just fine this year…
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
12:11 pm
Hayes’ breakdown on Murray: “A fiery, tough competitor with good NFL measurables who has improved every season.
Lets see. He has only played two seasons, and saying he improved is pretty misleading. His passer rating, yds per game, yds per attempt, completion percentage all declined in his second season. His interceptions nearly doubled as well. The only thing that improved was the number of TD’s. I would also question the NFL measurables comment considering he is undersized compared to most NFL quarterbacks. I’m not sure this Hayes guy should be allowed to do anymore analysis.
Newman
April 25th, 2012
12:16 pm
0-9.
dbc
April 25th, 2012
12:19 pm
If UGA had kept up what it was doing right in the first half against LSU, the game would have been a lot closer. Instead, Bobo pulled his usual stop what’s working philosophy and decided to try and establish the run. Murray may have contributed to many of the loses, but bonehead coaching moves cost us many games as well. Like kicking a field goal from the 6 inch mark (Central Fla) or punting to Honey Badger twice (LSU) or allowing Ingram to run a fake punt that everyone knew was coming, except CMR (SC) or wimping out in overtime and putting the game in the hands of a shaky field goal kicker (MSU) or the countless times Bobo decides to sit on a lead. At least we know they can’t run Carlton Thomas up the gut anymore, so that’s something.
UGADawg16
April 25th, 2012
12:21 pm
Very excited about Murray. Yes, he has obvious areas for improvement but he has been solid most of the time with flashes of brilliance. I think the thing that is most exciting is that the areas in which Murray has the most room to improve are the exact areas most college QBs improve the most as they become upper-classmen. Often a college QB makes his biggest strides form So. to Jr. He is already a damn good SEC QB but I think he has a chance to be really special this year.
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:22 pm
I think the worst thing that has happened for Murray’s fan perception is that he had to play as a freshman. Although in the end will be a benefit. Just not to his image right now. He had a heck of a year this past season, but it’s held collectively with the 6-7 year. No rational person thinks he will not improve this next season. Bill has said it multiple times and it’s dead center spot on true. He is the best option for winning games right now.
QbJr
April 25th, 2012
12:25 pm
Hayes used the word ‘competitor’ to describe Aaron Murray? 0 & 9 against ranked teams, ‘competitor’ doesn’t come to mind. Fiery? Fine. Competitor? Not at all.
kingdaddy
April 25th, 2012
12:26 pm
The media guys understand the concept of, you win as a team, you lose as a team. You trolls are biased to begin with unlike the media. Murray’s poised for a monster year and they know it, while you are afraid of it and want to see him fail.LOL I wish him the best of luck…
be careful
April 25th, 2012
12:33 pm
rumor has it Red Jello is in the area.
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
12:34 pm
I think the worst thing that has happened for Murray’s fan perception is that he had to play as a freshman.
He played better when he was a freshman. The reason he won more games as a sophomore was because of the defense.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
12:35 pm
Well said kingdaddy
Given that, we are all hoping for Murray to get his signature wins because???
That means UGA has a big win
football is a team sport
The people that complain have never set foot on a football field in high school other than to hold the sign up at homecoming for the players on their high school team to run through. They have never gotten 8 points and 10 rebounds a game. They have never walked out on a baseball field and pitched a no hitter or gotten a big hit to win a game.
They complain about 1 guy because he is easy pickings.
They ignore the OL not blocking
They ignore the FG kicker staying out too late and becoming a sure thing to miss
They ignore the dropped passes
They ignore the defense not being able to stop the other team in the 4th quarter
Now Murray has made mistakes. To say otherwise is a lie.
He needs to learn from them and not repeat them
He is the best QB on the team.
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:36 pm
Nope, he played better as a sophomore.
Steve Stonecracker
April 25th, 2012
12:36 pm
The same Sporting News that ruined what was the best sports magazine in the world? Zero credibility with me.
Ina lort of pictures of Murray...
April 25th, 2012
12:36 pm
…like the one accompanying this article, he is pointing with both hands – what is he pointing at, the guy to whom he is going to throw the interception at the crucial time?
In a lot of pictures of Murray...
April 25th, 2012
12:37 pm
…my bad…
Steve Stonecracker
April 25th, 2012
12:38 pm
So DawinLex, is Murray a bad qb, or is Richt an inept coach?
CMR
April 25th, 2012
12:38 pm
Bill good points, bottom line A.Murray gives UGA the best chance to win and baring injury he will be our starting QB, anyone who doesn’t like that should find another team to root for.
Hey DawginLex...
April 25th, 2012
12:39 pm
…where di you come up with that “scoop” on Monday about Beamer and Foster from VT? I mean, you are usually quite reliable in your comments, but that one was waaaayyyy off base…
RJ
April 25th, 2012
12:39 pm
Finally someone who gets it, thanks Braniac for injecting some common sense into the conversations. Keep in mind Murray is only a Jr. Let’s see how he performs this year before everyone gets on his back. The mistakes he has made were made in the heat of battle, so many are so quick to demean and throw the baby out with the bath water.
Oth
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
12:45 pm
Never forget, Peyton Manning was also abused unmercifully by Vol fans for his inability to beat the Gators. Of course he got full credit for those 3-4 losses just like Murray…..and the rest of the team had nothing to do with the final outcome of those games……NOT!!!!
arrrgh
April 25th, 2012
12:47 pm
Are you people morons? Murray played as a redshirt freshman not a true freshman, meaning he did have a year to learn and develop. Also dbc you summed it up perfectly.
Steve Stonecracker
April 25th, 2012
12:47 pm
You should NEVER use Manning in a sentence with Murray again…apples and oranges…
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
12:48 pm
Steve, the answer is neither. Both are great so eat it!!!!
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:50 pm
Although my point wasn’t not so much how “good” he was or was not as a freshman, only that him having to play 2 yrs ago effects the perception of his career, and he can’t be trully looked at till his entire career is finished. Most Qbs in history are judged on the later part of thier season.
No debate the defense was much better this past season, which really backs up my point. He played on THAT 2010 team, and is still viewed as part of that team at this point. In normalor better times, we should not have had a freshman starting that 2010 team.
Boulder Molder
April 25th, 2012
12:50 pm
If you don’t establish the run, and don’t even try to establish the run, you are an ACC football team. UGA and FSU, same, same..
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
12:50 pm
Yes Steve, I should not have insulted Murray by comparing him to a Vol
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:51 pm
later part of thier careers, I meant.
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
12:51 pm
Nope, he played better as a sophomore.
Really?
Passer Rating went from 154 to 146. In SEC play it went from 155 to 133.
Yards per game went from 234 to 224. In SEC play it went from 246 to 216.
Yards per attempt went from 8.9 to 7.9. In SEC play it went from 9.6 to 7.4.
Completion Pct went from 61 to 59. In SEC play it went from 59 to 55.
TD to INT ratio went from 3 to 1, to 2.5 to 1. In SEC play it went from 3 to 1 to 1.9 to 1.
You consider that an improvement?
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
12:55 pm
Good points GT Bob, but you forgot to mention the 12 SEC coaches chose him as the2nd best QB in the league last year!!!! But what do they know?!?!?
DodgerDAWG
April 25th, 2012
12:56 pm
The headline should read: “The national media loves the DAWGS – Why Don’t the AJC”. Bill, you are the only writer that does not slant all of your stories with an anti-UGA bias. Please tell us why the managing staff allows Schultz, Towers and the rest of the bloggers get away with sliming the best team in the state?
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
12:57 pm
I sincerely believe GTBob and Thomas Brown are one and the same.
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
12:57 pm
No, we are not “morons”. College football player, suiting up for the first time in thier careers to play in actual games are still refered to as Freshmen. Not one person in here called him a TRUE freshman, did they? Maybe because we follow college football a bit and know what a RS is.
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
12:58 pm
But what do they know?!?!?
They know that there is a serious lack of good QB’s in the SEC.
Boulder Molder
April 25th, 2012
12:59 pm
who else were they gonna vote for? jordan jefferson? Murray is the tallest midget.
meh
April 25th, 2012
1:02 pm
Murray just needs a better grasp on when to check to another receiver. it’s like he decides who he’s gonna throw to before the play starts and throws to them no matter what.
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
1:03 pm
I agree, The stats are off slightly, but Murray was without the best receiver in the nation from the previous year and faced 3 of the top 4 defenses in the nation…..unlike his 1st year. Also, UF had a fabulous defense that held FSU to 81 yards and 5 first downs. Considering these FACTS…..Murray may have had a better year in 2011
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 25th, 2012
1:03 pm
First, the media may like a few players at UGA, but there is not much respect.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
1:06 pm
Well interception idiot, there is zero respect for you anywhere
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
1:07 pm
boulder
considering Jefferson has graduated, I doubt anyone projects Jefferson will play well this year in college
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 25th, 2012
1:09 pm
@Dawginlex…..you really need to look into an anger management program, I am just stating fact….
So, let me ask you this, do you count 1943 and 1944 as losses against those nerds on North Ave., or do you write those off also like everyone else in Athens? What about only 1 national title in 118 years of football? The 2008 blackout against Alabama in which you got drilled? Losses to Boise, South Carolina, MSU, and another horrible season in 2011?
Why no one respects this program, the list goes on, and on, and on…
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
1:09 pm
Thanks GTBob for the clarification you idiot. The overall QB stats are lower in the SEC because the defenses annihilate each other. Geeez, based on your logic imagine how good the SEC would be with great QBs!!!! Murray is good, very good and really knows how to dissect GT doesn’t he? P.S. Have you ever heard of Tebow, Eli and Peyton Manning, Kam Newton, etc., etc., etc…..
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 25th, 2012
1:11 pm
The scores will tell….
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
1:11 pm
I said he played better. I never said his statistic were better.
I’d love to watch you sit in a room with professions that coach football for a living and present your google stats, and convince them that Aaron Murray did not PLAY better, or run a more effective offense last year, than his freshman year.
Dawg Haus
April 25th, 2012
1:12 pm
Murray makes his share of mistakes and, unfortunately, some of them have been daggers. That being said, look back at how well he did in the second half of that Florida game. If Murray can engineer some drives like that in 2012, no one will be slamming the kid. This Dawg is behind you 100%, Aaron! Sic ‘em!
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
@DawginLex
Arguing with that idiot is like shooting down an unarmed man!!!! Must be a GT fan to be so hopeless
Neutral
April 25th, 2012
1:14 pm
Hopeless or helpless……oh well, you get the point!!!
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
1:14 pm
interception idiot
U’ mad?
You never state facts, only your worthless inane opinions full of anti UGA hatred.
You are one of many posters who ruin these blogs whenever you show up.
You ruin any hope to truly discuss football.
You show up to trash UGA. Your blog handle is a direct bash at our current OC and former QB.
You offer nothing, zero, in the way of adding to any discussion
All you do is hurl insults and force us to defend UGA.
When we complain(which we do), we do it in a rational way with the understanding that certain things are out of our control
You post garbage like “Fire Richt, make him team chaplain and promote Grantham to Head coach”
You want me to give you any respect?
You get none from me
Never
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
1:17 pm
Thanks GTBob for the clarification you idiot. The overall QB stats are lower in the SEC because the defenses annihilate each other.
I am fully aware of that but you completely missed the point. Why did his stats against SEC teams get so much worse from 2010 to 2011?