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
Mobile Dawg
April 26th, 2012
9:26 pm
SSIgator apparently flunked “Life 101″. For a UF Alum to call him out is embarassing but is what I would expect by a “college educated” individual.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
9:33 pm
@ Altamaha:(2:37pm post)
You are are wasting your breath/typing skills with most of the negative fools on here. Fool may be an understatement for those stupid enough to believe/say CMR would play ANY player that doesn’t give UGA the best chance of winning!!!!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
When will a dWag get DRAFTED?……………I KNOW Ben Fat Pig Jones is needed. he can GUT PUNCH FAIRLEY.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
9:43 pm
KOOL:
Did you see/taste what was in Murray’s container???
Didn’t think so!!!!!!!!
Same old same old from you!
LMAO
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
9:45 pm
Brainiac………..do you carry sweet tea in a beer can? NO you carry Bobo’s pee in a Solo cup i guess.
Mobile Dawg
April 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
They sure are bring Nick Saban’s name up a lot tonight. Bama is a factory.
Mobile Dawg
April 26th, 2012
9:50 pm
“bringing”
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
10:03 pm
@ KOOL:
If you think Hutson is so much better than AM why don’t you make it your business(It appears you have nothing to do but visit blogs of REAL Teams) to convince him to transfer to GT??? He has given strong consideration to leaving UGA for more playing time!!!!
That way you could actually perform a service for someone which probably would be a first for you!!!!!!!!!
LMAO!!!!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
10:09 pm
ANY DWAGS been selected YET? Ma a lot of SEC players have been picked. WHY no DWAG?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
10:09 pm
ACC players have been picked and still NO dWag player.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
@ cah:
“The O played in the bowl game”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you actually watch the bowl game???
There were more MS defenders in the UGA backfield than dawgs in the second half. Clam up!!! You are embarrassing yourself!!!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
10:14 pm
bRAINsick………….try again.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
10:28 pm
@ KOOL Aid:
You come on here uninvited and yapping about folks proving they are who they say they are!!
Who are you?????????????????
You are worthless and bring mostly negative UGA stuff and it is apparent that your hate for UGA is the only drive in your FAT BODY. Get a life, get a job, take a bath, play in the traffic, bring me a beer, ask me for some ID.
Work on improving your Single Digit IQ!!!!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
10:34 pm
bRAINiac…..LOL
OK show some ID and PROVE you have more than a single IQ. Prove you have a UGa DIPloma.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
10:39 pm
@ KOOL AID:
So, “Bozo is an idiot”.
He pays more income taxes than you and your pathetic GT bretheren gross each year!!!
CMR could buy the entire GT football program.
I have heard of people that don’t know anything but you don’t even SUSPECT anything!!!!!!!!!
LMAO!!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
10:43 pm
bRAIN are you SURE BOZO pays more taxes than I DO? ARE you sure? I didn’t ask about BoZo! I asked YOU to prove you have more than a single digit IQ.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
10:55 pm
@ Game Changer:
How can ANYTHING that is UGA related be any of your concern???
Your unsolicited Mouthy opinions are neither wanted or needed on this blog BECAUSE you have zero influence or financial interest in anything Dawg Nation related. We(yes we) pay CMR & staff’s salary and are pretty well pleased with his/their performance although it is really none of your business whether he wins ALL games or NO games. CMR has a very nice, new, fat contract and will be at UGA for a long time but again, that is none of your business.
You really need to get a life (on a non-UGA Blog) and work on improving that Single Digit IQ
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
11:00 pm
bRAIN………….what are you going to say when Les Miles passes RICHT in wins and winning presentage this year? UGa has to win 14 games to keep Richt’s 10 wins per year. You want to BET that happens?
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:06 pm
@ KOOL AID:
YES I am sure Bobo pays more taxes than you gross.
How do I know???
Same situation as you KNOWING WHAT WAS IN MURRAY’S CONTAINER you knucklehead!!!! You make a very poor attorney
You should have seen that coming but when one has Single Digit IQ itus one is severely handicapped and plays on REAL TEAM’S Blogs and is consistantly outclassed.
KOOL AID = Zero = Single Digit IQ.
LMAO!!!!!
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:11 pm
@ KOOL AID:
Why would I or any other rational person want to take money on a bet from a person that doesn’t even gross as much as UGA Assistant coaches pay in taxes???
Got your free cellphone yet???
DAWG GAWN
April 26th, 2012
11:21 pm
A few vocal UGA fans complain about Murray for the same reason they complain about Richt: UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. As a fan of the Dawgs for 40 years, I’ve come to realize that UGA is a GOOD team, that is often VERY GOOD, and once-in-a-generation, a GREAT team. Based on the last 40 years observation, we are fortunate to have both Murray and Richt. Stop whining and soak up the fact that UGA will be VERY GOOD next year!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
11:22 pm
Brain YOU FEEL better saying that? I guess BOZO can pay-off your double-wide with his monthly food bill for all his MUTTS.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:23 pm
@ KOOL AID:
What I am going to say when Miles/Saban/Anybody passes CMR in any statistical category is “What took you so long”???
CMR was quicker/fewer games getting to 100 career wins than any current SEC coach, has a better win/loss percentage than any current SEC coach(In the top 10 active coaches in the nation) but he brings much more than that to the UGA program but you being President of the Single Digit IQ club wouldn’t understand.
Nut I love you and maybe we can get together sometime!!!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
11:25 pm
bRAIN what does BoZo make/yr?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
11:27 pm
MILES is 3 wins behind Pricht in the same 11 year period. Funny Pricht hasn’t WON games like he did with Donnan’s recruits.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:29 pm
@ KOOL AID:
“Doublewide” “Food bill”
Is that all you have left????
Really I do love you and am just playing. Don’t take any of my BS seriously. Good luck!!!!!
Gotta go. My wife has health problems so I must take care of her but I’ll be back tomorrow!!!!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 26th, 2012
11:30 pm
When you use the Stat of 100 wins do you take in to account in the past teams only played 8 games/yr. Do you take in to account No other SEC coach has been at their current job as long as Pricht? You show your myopic view of stats and the SEC.
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:31 pm
@ KOOL AID:
How many games did Miles win with Saban’s recruits???????????????????????
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:40 pm
@ KOOL AID:
You are slipping Bro.
It does NOT matter how many games were played in any given year.The point is that CMR won 100 in a shorter timespan than ANY SEC coach andthat includes your darlings Miles and Saban. Comprendez vous???? I don’t believe I specified the things you keep adding to my statements in your futile arguments.
I suppose you are not going to acknowledge my saying that I love you!!!! Are you married???
Brainiac
April 26th, 2012
11:45 pm
@ KOOL AID:
One other thing.
I am talking about ALL career games for CURRENT SEC coaches NOT just the SEC part of their coaching career. Like Saban coaching at Bama, Miami Dolphins, LSU, Michigan State, Loiusiana Monroe, etc.
Kno whut I’m sayin???????????????
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 27th, 2012
12:04 am
bRAIN…I gave you ALL tears 17 of Saban as a college coach and 11 years for Miles in college.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 27th, 2012
12:05 am
Miles in college in every 4 years he has won more then richt. Richt has LOST every 4 year period since Donnan’s recruits left.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 27th, 2012
12:08 am
Miles is 3 wins behind Richt and will pass him this year in boths 12th year of Head Coaching college football. Les didn’t come into the CREAM PUFF situation Richt did either.
Cmdawg99
April 27th, 2012
12:38 am
If the article was about how great our OL was. We would be criticizing them and not AM.
@spencaman
April 27th, 2012
1:25 am
I dont think Murray is the best QB on the team. Constant overthrows, not good throwing on the run, but he has had such a great supporting cast he has ben viewed as pretty good.
David Granger
April 27th, 2012
1:26 am
Murray’s the QB, so he’s the focus of a lot of attention…both good and bad. A lot of times when Mike Bobo calls a draw play off-tackle (yet again) on third and long so we won’t risk LOSING the game…instead of saying “Let’s WIN this game” and throwing for the first down…it’s Murray who gets the blame.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 27th, 2012
1:33 am
ASKman here DWYER is in state hit him up and ask your questions.
Jonathan Dwyer
19 minutes ago
back in GA for lil bro’s senior night for baseball. just gonna relax and chill nothing wild and crazy.
follow me at @JDwyer27
ASKman he just got in the ATL so hit his twitter and run your mouth to him and I am sure he will respond.
Bubbs
April 27th, 2012
8:04 am
I’ve seen enough. Aaron Murray in 2 years, still can’t figure out how to read defenses like the Bama QB does so he can call better run audibles to the right side of the field, and Murray can’t connect on more deep throws, to keep the defenders from crowding the line, then it’s simple, we will never have a balanced offense and Murray is not the guy to get it done. The team ran the ball better with Hutson Mason on G-Day, his reads and audibles were better, and he hit on some deep throws, they were afraid of Mason’s arm. I’ts past time, Hutson Mason needs to be the QB, he has earned it, he just beat Murray again over Spring scrimmages, 2nd year in a row.
Murray Rules
April 27th, 2012
8:05 am
murray is underrated by the media—he will have a big year and with the Dog D, the Dogs should win the SEC east pretty easy. Ga can upset lsu this year for the title.
DawginLex
April 27th, 2012
8:09 am
Also, DawginLex, if you are going to keep repeating the same post in the same article, at least limit it to one post duplication per page. That way your lack of original thought will noy be so obvious.
*************************
Funny from SSI Idiot Gator.
The same person who mentions Kool aid in every post.
Not too bright on the uptick are ya’???
DawginLex
April 27th, 2012
8:11 am
UH, Miles followed Saban who left the cupboard completely stocked and overflowing
Bubbs
April 27th, 2012
8:14 am
Mason is underrated by his coaches. He owns the state of Georgia records.
Murray is overrated, he really has not lived up to his promise, 70% of Murray’s stats are compiled against UNRANKED teams, on top of that, Murray just can’t beat a ranked team, he’s 0-9. Time to give another QB a shot.
I don’t care if it’s Lemay, who led his team to its first state championship and was the #1 Jr coming out of high school. Lemay is a big game QB, and has been clutch down the stretch both seasons on G-Day at the end of the game.
DawsonvilleOne
April 27th, 2012
8:31 am
To me the LSU game shows why we have struggled with Murray. All Murray had to do was get his timing down and hit some guys with soft catchable passes on some down the field throws, and then that would have backed them off the line and forced them to put a defender or two deeper. The other thing was, when they did bring 7 to 9 on the line, you have to be able to read what they’re doing, and go to a play, even if at the line, that matches up, to give your runners a fighting chance, this didn’t happen either.
DawginLex
April 27th, 2012
10:02 am
Bubbs
You will be waiting a long time for Mason to take Murray’s spot.
Ain’t gonna happen
Lemay will transfer most likely
2012-Murray
2013-Murray
2014-Mason
2015-Ramsey
But you keep complaining. You are doing a great job. It is really paying off. The coaches are reading every word and planning changes as we type.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugh Jass
April 27th, 2012
10:21 am
Well, if you don’t loose games by fumbling for TDs, throwing Pic 6s in huge games, and pad your stats on the patsy teams, you will get more Props. He single handed lost the USC game, the MSU game, and others.
Brainiac
April 27th, 2012
10:35 am
@ Hugh Jass:
You are totally wrong on Murray!!!! You know less about more than most people!!!!!
Hugh Jass = Dum Bass = Zero!!!!!!!!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:38 am
Just another reason this program is such a joke. Check the following and the Won/Loss Schedule for this tanked program in 2011, and notice how they can’t man up and show the losses to LSU (SEC) and MSU (Bowl Game), which actually makes UGA 10-4 and not 10-2:
http://www.dawgrant.com/
Brainiac
April 27th, 2012
10:41 am
@ Bubbs & DawsonvilleOne:
Amazing how much more you two know about football and players than the people making the big bucks. UGA assistant coaches pay more income taxe than you two gross.
Bubbs & Dawsonville = Trailer dwellers(Single wide for your Single Digit IQ’s)
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:44 am
Ok, let’s get this party started, who has been suspended or arrested in Athens today?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
April 27th, 2012
10:48 am
I am not a GT fan, but don’t they have 4 national titles?