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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461 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
I agree Mobile. Mason could have played against Auburn in the 2nd half because we basically crammed it down their throats running the ball.
But remember, if that had happened, folks would have complained because we were running and Hutson would not have been allowed to pass
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
fishhook, surely you understand QB is not like any other positions. And substitutions for the other guys are hardly handled as: bench em if they make a mistake on a play and sometime the next game too. When does that happen to a DB, or a OL missing his assignment? How many times has a RB fumbled on a particular play, and been right back in there the next series? PK misses, do we use him, the best option, or somebody else the next time?
Texas DAWG
April 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
THE REASON so may Dawg fans are down on Murry.
1. Has not got it done…..to this point in his career…..wins against the big boys….0-9 against teams that finished in the top 20 at the end of the year! Hope he proves us wrong this year!
2. UGA fans could care less if he throws for 5000 yards against weak teams….yea the numbers look good to the press….UGA fans want to see him lead UGA to victory in bowl games….UCF and Mich ST are prime examples where is play lead directly to losses…..maybe bobo calls better plays we win who knows???? We want to see him get it done in games that matter most……could care less if he throws for 500 yards and 5 td against buffalo……less see that against SC, Fla, LSU ect…
Can mutts understand the word s-u-p-e-r-s-i-z-e?
April 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
Let’s face it, raw talent at the QB position is important, but like the other UGA players, Murray just isn’t very intelligent. A couple of years from now, he’ll be slinging burgers instead of footballs.
Hey, Murray, supersize those fries, please!
747
April 25th, 2012
2:39 pm
I can’t believe Da’Rick Rogers was on the list at 18…
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
2:39 pm
Why would he answer your question which would obviously give you the name of the book where you could look up the author and stalk him?
To prove his claim that no one on here actually believes is true.
Bama=home of the T-bag special
April 25th, 2012
2:40 pm
@Boulder Molder your right we love seeing him prance around the field because 10 times last year he left the field a winner..how many other SEC QB’s can say that and if they can would you have SAT them??
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
Can mutts understand the word s-u-p-e-r-s-i-z-e?
April 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
Let’s face it, raw talent at the QB position is important, but like the other UGA players, Murray just isn’t very intelligent. A couple of years from now, he’ll be slinging burgers instead of footballs.
Hey, Murray, supersize those fries, please!
************************************
Afraid he will take your job?
don’t worry, he won’t.
Your fry daddy career at Mickey D’s is quite safe
be careful
April 25th, 2012
2:43 pm
Red Jello is monitoring this blog.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
2:43 pm
GTBob
He doesn’t have to prove anything to you. He does need to not give out information that can lead to someone like you finding out his name and where he lives, his e-mail address etc.
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
2:45 pm
is now 10-8
Mobile Dawg
April 25th, 2012
2:46 pm
Lex, I know it goes against CMR’s good guy image to put the foot on the throat of an opponent but, getting some “real” game situational experience would benefit the team and both QB’s. If Murray’s a team player it shouldn’t give him any heartburn. Agree with you though, some people would complain if you hung’em with a gold rope.
Animal Lover
April 25th, 2012
2:47 pm
How is Russ the Mangy Mutt doing this spring? Were the vets ever able to deworm him? No, wait, I’m thinking of one of the players.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
2:47 pm
Back to the point of the blog:
Murray has a lot to prove to all of us, his coaches, the rest of the league and the national media
I am pretty sure he is well aware that he needs to protect the football better.
Think about it:
eliminate the mistakes last year against SC and MSU and those games are more than 2 TD UGA wins
Spokesman for the SEC East
April 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
We love him and Da Preacha Mans
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
DiLEX……..YES he does have to PROVE it. People on the Blogs always say…….I am Rich………I donate so much $$$….I live in a mansion……………I am GOD…………but they are scared to PROVE their claims. If you want to say something that is PROVABLE and you are PROUD of it then PROVE IT.
I have a few UGa blogers Phone #’s, email address, and have met in person as well as Tech fans. Being a CYBER BIG MOUTH means you need to PROVE it once in a Blue Moon. I have never Stalked blogers and i a sure Most Bloggers will not Stalk each other. They just want to KNOW if you are WHO you make yourself out to be when you make HUGE CLAIMS.
Mark Richt is a younger version of John Cooper
April 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
Ohio State fans feel your pain.
GTBob
April 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
He doesn’t have to prove anything to you. He does need to not give out information that can lead to someone like you finding out his name and where he lives, his e-mail address etc.
True, he doesn’t, but no one actually believes him and he ends up looking foolish. What he really should have done is not make something like that up in the first place.
Boulder Molder
April 25th, 2012
2:56 pm
Take a knee Lex. Shake it off. Nothing to be ashamed of.
DAWG
April 25th, 2012
2:57 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QYmULCwpPA
Here is an interesting clip of Murray against S.Carolina last year.
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
2:57 pm
Everything ok in here?
Pin Worm
April 25th, 2012
2:58 pm
Murray heavily contributed in two big time losses to UGA last year – South Carolina and Michigan State. His second half play against LSU was not so great either.
However, the entire coaching staff brain cramped in the second half of LSU – and Michigan State for that matter (play not to lose?).
Example? With LSU’s talent for returning punts and all the hoopla regarding the Honey Badger – why did UGA bomb returnable punts to him – which LSU was more than happy to return to set up 14 points. Boise State took UGA’s punt return game out of the equation by kicking low bouncing line drives away from our returners. I guess you call this being out coached.
UGA will be a consistent 8 to 10 win team under Richt – which is dang good. But the overall program lacks whatever it is needed to win a national title. The LSU punt strategy as compared to what Boise State did to UGA on their punt strategy is a great example. OR How about that great game day coaching against West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl – Rich Rod outcoached Richt with a fake punt to end the UGA comeback, UGA dropped 2 kick returners and played the LB’s deep to setup a good return – but by doing so – his team was out numbered on the line and the fake punt was an easy one.
LHarding Dawg
April 25th, 2012
2:58 pm
Murray made a believer out of me at the Florida game. All of you fools who don’t like him need to stay home or become a UGA coach. I’m sure that Coach Richt and Bobo know from the practice fields who our starting quarterback is.
As for the trolls! Screw you!
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
3:01 pm
Well not the opener or SC, I presume. He came in the pretty early in the 3rd quarter and ran several series in the CC game. The next 4 were SEC games, 3 on the road, all fairly close. Then UF. Then he actually started and played the entire second half of NMS game. Then came AU, which we covered . And then Ky which ended 19-10. The Tech.
What games am I missing where he should have played more? Which of those games would you have voted to put at any sort of a risk if you were in charge of the outcome?
Obviously he “could” have played more. Isn’t that true for every back up in the nation?
I would argue that Aaron Murray also needed as much experience as HE can get in all those games, (while not being stupid to have him in there with a sizable lead) since he is the one that actually matters more in the big picture.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:01 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
DiLEX……..YES he does have to PROVE it. People on the Blogs always say…….I am Rich………I donate so much $$$….I live in a mansion……………I am GOD…………but they are scared to PROVE their claims. If you want to say something that is PROVABLE and you are PROUD of it then PROVE IT.
I have a few UGa blogers Phone #’s, email address, and have met in person as well as Tech fans. Being a CYBER BIG MOUTH means you need to PROVE it once in a Blue Moon. I have never Stalked blogers and i a sure Most Bloggers will not Stalk each other. They just want to KNOW if you are WHO you make yourself out to be when you make HUGE CLAIMS.
*********************************
When did I whiz in your wheaties?
What are you talking about?
What have I claimed other than to be a Dawg?
#puzzled
Game Change
April 25th, 2012
3:02 pm
Mississippi State Game 2011, in Athens GA
Aaron Murray leads Ga in Second Half to 74 TOTAL YARDS ON 8 POSSESSIONS. ( 3pts )
This guy Aaron Murray SUCKS.
Boulder Molder
April 25th, 2012
3:04 pm
weak response. not unexpected.
DAWG
April 25th, 2012
3:04 pm
LHarding, we beat the worst Gator team since 1989, who played with a 1 legged QB by 4 points and you and others think that makes him great?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 25th, 2012
3:04 pm
When will 35:55minute MURRAY sit out his 1 game suspension for Underage Drinking? We ALL saw the Posted PIC of him drinking at FSU on the UGa off weekend.
10/06/12 at South Carolina * Columbia, S.C
DRINKING AT FSU under 21….Birthdate:11/10/1990
10/20/12 at Kentucky Lexington, Ky.
AltamahaDawg
April 25th, 2012
3:05 pm
But we agree, the debate is just about possible more mop up duty, and you were not suggesting pulling the starter late in a close game against the best teams we played (as some have suggested)?
Boulder Molder
April 25th, 2012
3:05 pm
One of the great blog realists, Game Change, is now on board. Welcome!
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:06 pm
Game Change
April 25th, 2012
3:02 pm
Mississippi State Game 2011, in Athens GA
Aaron Murray leads Ga in Second Half to 74 TOTAL YARDS ON 8 POSSESSIONS. ( 3pts )
This guy Aaron Murray SUCKS.
*****************
What are you, a Jehovah’s witness?
Takes one Bible verse and runs with it
Post Murray’s stats against Auburn from the FIRST HALF in 2011
We have all said repeatedly he made mistakes. He threw a dumb pick against Miss St, against SC, against Mich St.
We have said it
he is going to play a lot in 2012
If he makes mistakes like those, UGA will not win like they are capable.
DAWG
April 25th, 2012
3:07 pm
Do you have a link to the picture Koolaid?
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
3:07 pm
If it were in my jurisdiction, i’d lock his behind up.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:08 pm
Boulder
Get a life.
Boulder Molder
April 25th, 2012
3:09 pm
Just want you to know someone was concerned for you after the verbal slapdown you recieved. Sorry.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:09 pm
Blog cop
I fired you the other day
You are no longer welcome here
dismissed
Take boulder with you
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
3:10 pm
Wanna file charges, Mr. Lex?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 25th, 2012
3:10 pm
DiLEX not YOU. I think you and I have chatted enough to know we are not BLOG Millionaires being More than we are(your a dumb and your kids got your wife’s smarts and looks I think you have said a few times LOL). I was talking about GTBOB and Neutral with Neutral saying he wrote a textbook.
ga gator
April 25th, 2012
3:10 pm
DawginLex, Murray has all the tools to be an exceptional QB and I believe the games where he made mistakes were because of a lack of talent in the backfield around him. He tried to carry the team and against top teams unless you have Tebow-like talent it is tough at the college level. Murray will be fine; Dawg fans need to lay off him.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:11 pm
So kool aid, you drank from his cup?
You know it was beer?
You were there?
College kids drink beer?
No way!!!!
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
3:12 pm
I work for the people, the truth seekers. Not you blind homer d/a’s.
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
3:13 pm
Enter your comments here
ARdawg
April 25th, 2012
3:13 pm
Murray had to be one of the easiest picks for TSN. Anyone thinking rationally will discover, Murray is a returning seasoned Junior, with what might turn out to be one of the most solid running attacks in the SEC (potentially) as well as an experienced receiving corp. Not to mention what promises to be a very stout defense. A questionable Oline but that “might” not be the hinderance that it was last year.
The brass tacks is, Murray is a good QB and is much better when not hurried. If CMR and Bobo will leave him to some of his own devices, Murry could have the break out year we hoped for last year. Murray was a safe pick
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 25th, 2012
3:15 pm
DAWG not anymore I don’t think. You can Put out the question to most TROLL(as people call non-UGa fans) and I am sure somebody till re-post it. he is at a FSU Frat house with a beer in his hand. I know they do it but RICHT has punished EVERYBODY for similar things. MURRAY is BULLET PROOF in Richt’s Eyes.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:15 pm
ga gator
Reasonable post from a gator?
Say it ain’t so!
Murray has a lot to prove.
That being said, going to Mizzou(or if he was at UF going to TAM), who do you want playing QB?
Murray
Mason
Lemay
Brissett
Driskell
The trolls will say all the others except Murray.
Richt,Miles,Muschamp,Saban,Spurrier would all pick Murray
Blog Cop
April 25th, 2012
3:15 pm
10-8
LHarding Dawg
April 25th, 2012
3:16 pm
So I guess DAWG is going to be the newest quarterback coach at Georgia. Some people know nothing about this game!
Hilton Head, Jr.
April 25th, 2012
3:17 pm
I’d choose Zach Mett. That’s just me.
DawginLex
April 25th, 2012
3:17 pm
tsk tsk blog cop
Calling folks names
I took your badge away the other day and fired you
Now I’m gonna have to get you arrested