Murray, Jenkins bolster spring hopes for the Dawgs
Aaron Murray isn't satisfied with his gaudy passing numbers. (Associated Press)
It’s good to have the football Dawgs back from spring break and in full pads in Athens.
On offense, the week off from school allowed running backs Keith Marshall and Brandon Harton to return to the field having only missed three practices, and already some spring superlatives are being thrown around on the young defense, with Josh Harvey-Clemons, Tray Matthews and Sterling Bailey drawing favorable mention.
And Mike Bobo sounded confident and comfortable talking with reporters (though I hope he isn’t really giving his children the idea that a sausage biscuit and a Yoo-hoo is the breakfast of champions).
As usual, spring practice is a time when optimism among the fan base runs pretty high, but even taking that into account I’m pretty pumped about a couple of Mark Richt’s likely playmakers and the way they’re approaching the coming season: Aaron Murray and Jordan Jenkins.
Let’s face it, when it comes to work ethic, Murray is something of a freak. The kid’s already got his undergrad degree and is working in a joint master’s-doctoral program. He’s likely to leave UGA owning most school and conference records as a passer. But despite already being the only quarterback in SEC history to throw for 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, Murray still doesn’t have an SEC championship ring. So he passed up having fun at the beach on spring break and instead went to Norman, Okla., to work on polishing his game with private quarterbacking coach George Whitfield, who’s worked with the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel.
Murray talked with CBSSports.com about working on things like his consistency and pocket presence and tweaking his upper body rotation in his throwing motion to create more velocity in his passes.
“It was a great week,” Murray said. “I’ve really learned a lot.”
Dedication like that not only offers the promise of a top-notch quarterback getting even better in his senior year, but provides the kind of example that younger players hopefully will emulate: the desire to do whatever is necessary to improve on what you’ve already done.
Jordan Jenkins has the kind of attitude Georgia's defense will need this fall. (University of Georgia)
One of those younger players who’s embracing the challenges of the upcoming season is Jenkins, who many college football observers expect to pick up where Jarvis Jones left off.
That’s a pretty tall order for any player, but from what Jenkins told Chris Low of ESPN.com recently, he’s eager to take it on.
“I know my role is going to have to expand and that this defense is going to need me to do a lot of the great things that Jarvis did and some of the previous pass-rushers in this defense did,” Jenkins said. “If you’re going to play this spot in this defense, you have to be a playmaker and you have to make the kind of plays that take the air out of the other team. … It’s up to me to take the lead now that Jarvis, Alec [Ogletree] and all those other guys are gone, but that’s what I came here to do.”
To do that, Jenkins said he’s working on getting off the ball quicker. “I waited too much this past season for the lineman to come off and would then react to that. I can already tell in our first few practices that I’ve gotten quicker with my first step and am not waiting for the lineman to come off the ball to react. I feel like I’m the one that’s dictating things instead of waiting.”
Opening at Clemson might seem kind of daunting for a defense that’s replacing most of its starters, but Jenkins doesn’t sound intimidated at all. “We’ve all got to have it rolling going into the season, and I cannot wait to get to Death Valley and get this season started,” he told ESPN.
I like the sound of that.
UNC's Kenan Memorial Stadium shares similarities with UGA's Sanford Stadium. (William T. King)
Speaking of spring break, as I mentioned last week my wife and I spent part of the week visiting our UGA grad son, who’s getting another master’s degree, this time at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
During a walking tour of the lovely campus conducted by my son Bill (sporting a red UGA cap), we went into Kenan Memorial Stadium, which sort of has the feel of the Sanford Stadium of my younger days. It even sports hedges, though they don’t go all the way around the field like in Athens. The similarity isn’t really surprising when you consider that the stadiums both date from the 1920s and the original layouts of both Kenan and Sanford were designed by the same man: T.C. Atwood.
One thing I particularly liked about Kenan was its liberal use of Carolina blue. I wish there was more red in Sanford — I miss the days when the seats were red (except for a black “G” in the center sections).
I also was a bit surprised to see that at UNC, a school that prides itself on its academic reputation, there’s actually a campus statue of a football player, Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice. Meanwhile, UGA, which has a much greater football history than North Carolina, has no statue of the likes of Frankie Sinkwich, Charley Trippi or Herschel Walker.
Something for campus planners in Athens to ponder …
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71 comments Add your comment
NCDawg
March 21st, 2013
7:25 am
Red Dog 77 – would that like trying to locate the source of a really bad smell and realizing it’s on the bottom of your shoe? LOL
Why do you sad sacks seem to think that fans that don’t spend every moment talking poorly about our Bulldogs “like” or are “happy with” the aspects of our program that need improvement? I chose to not DWELL on the negative but I do point out deficiencies from time to time.
Case in point – I acknowledged Murray’s poor performance record in “big games”. It stems from trying too hard. He over-thinks what he is doing. Am I happy with that? NO. But I can point this out without resorting to “he is a loser and ALWAYS will be.”
I have pointed out numerous times that Jenkins and Geathers NG play left much to be desired last year. I also think that leaner, quicker guys that attack instead of just being blocking dummies tying up blockers, is what our defense needs and it seems like we have some condidates for that now.
NCDawg
March 21st, 2013
7:33 am
As you can see it IS possible to speak constructively about things that need improvement without doom and gloom and “as long as Richt is here we will never win a championship”. Face it – your negative world view colors the way you express your disapproval of aspects of the program. That being said, logically that makes you “pessimists” not “realists”.
If looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.
7576DAWG
March 21st, 2013
8:23 am
NCDawg
Only two teams out of around 120 Division 1 teams can get into the National Championship game and only one team can win. Georgia finish 5TH in the AP and 4TH in the Coaches poll. Georgia finished ahead of South Carolina and Texas A&M. Most fans of College football who are unbiased will agree that Notre Dame finishing 4TH and 3rd in the above mentioned polls were a joke. Notre Dame should have finished around 8TH or 9TH. If the polls were as interested in getting the top 10 right like they are crowning a National Champion Georgia would have ended 3RD in 1 poll and 4TH in the other. Ohio State did not deserve to finish in either poll. They did not have to win their Conference Championship or even win a bowl game. So there is a pretty good argument that Georgia really finished 3RD in both polls. When you finish that high in both polls you had a great year. It also means your team improved as the year went on , meaning they had the depth to not collapse at the end of the year. The Alabama lost was considered one of the best Football games ever. Yes some individual players need to improve but you can say that about any team. But, as a team I have never been more proud of any Georgia team and the Coaches did a great job.
ARdawg
March 21st, 2013
8:30 am
GT Bobby
Don’t be such a tool (as much as you can help anyway) I said ALL wins are meaningful. I did not say “everything”. However, all loses are meaningful, too. But in another way.
Bobby, your constant vitriol toward everything UGA is highly indicative of your pen!s envy. It’s okay Bobby, we get it. Why don’t you just give up being a football fan? Maybe the ladies lacrosse team will work out better for you?
Bulldawg35
March 21st, 2013
8:50 am
Red dog 77…..you are a Disney dawg so u could never be critical of your favourite team….you go in with your eyes shut to all negative things. Even though I have been more positive…I’m still skeptical about our team next year and that’s only natural
Bulldawg35
March 21st, 2013
8:57 am
Nc dawg……attends Tar Heel games to get his mind off of UGA. He pulls for both teams so he doesn’t get too wrapped in UGA’s troubles….it’s the perfect cop out.
Duke
March 21st, 2013
11:22 am
I was “optimistic” in 2011 that Murray would improve against ranked teams. He got worse.
I was “optimistic” in 2012 that Murray would improve against ranekd teams. He got worse.
So in 2013, I’m a realist, I’ve come to realize Murray will get worse against ranked teams in yards per game, accuracy, he’ll toss 10 or more int’s, and he’ll lose 90% of his games against teams that finish in the top 10.
A leapord doesn’t change its’ spots.
Old habits die hard.
NCDawg
March 21st, 2013
12:16 pm
Duke – you just proved my point. You are NOT a realist… you are a pessimist. He did NOT get worse last year. He BEAT UF. He played very well against Bama in the SEC CG. Statistics don’t always paint a true picture. If we’d won the SEC CG you’d most likely being throwing the around the overall won/loss record and saying that he has lost all but 2 games against ranked opponents. No matter what he does you have already made up your mind that he is a bad QB so nothing he does will change it. Pessimist… just say it and stop pretending you are a realist. You are NOT a realist and never will be.
Bawbie
March 21st, 2013
1:03 pm
Yeah But Kentucky should be a given, so should Vandy along with South Carolina. Its all about coaching and Spurrier knows how to whip UGA. Its the coaching and thats why UGA under Richt has always come up a play away or a few yards short. UGA football where winning is on raw talent alone.
CHDawg
March 21st, 2013
1:09 pm
Every year we spend most of our time talking about QBs and LBs, but you know who won the SEC CG last year? It was Alabama’s O line. They stepped up and showed how an O line can take control of a game. If our O line were to keep working and become as productive as Bama’s last year, I think Murray will contend for the Heisman. Our whole D is like our O line was last year, with the exception of a few guys. They are completely unknown, but very talented. This will be an interesting year for them and CTG. We will see what we have. This looks like the toughest September imaginable…Clemson, SC and LSU!
Bill King
March 21st, 2013
1:38 pm
NCDawgToo:
Thanks. My son took us to Top of the Hill our first night there. Cool place.
bubb4dawgs
March 21st, 2013
1:40 pm
GTjBob doesn’t have a team to yell for, so he suns his mouth belittling the DAWGS in his attempt to put them on a level playing field with the yellow bugs. GO DAWGS!!
Smartie
March 21st, 2013
7:05 pm
I agree with Bill and NCDawg.
Murray’s 1 win, 9 loss record against teams that finish top 20 is excellent and gives me loads of optimism. He’s very consistent!
So Murray always happens to have off days vs. teams like LSU, SC, Bama, Florida, etc. Just has offdays.
I am particularly impressed with Murray’s ability to throw 32 interceptions in his first three seasons–those should count as receptions– what a QB!
I also agree with Bill, beating Coastal Carolina is as equally as impressive a win as a win over Alabama.
Smartie
March 21st, 2013
7:07 pm
Bulldawg35 is a South Carolina fan….he hopes Murray keeps starting. Me too!
Bulldawg35
March 21st, 2013
7:41 pm
Smartie….is an idiot…..Murray will be the starter and break almost every sec records in passing that their is……so smartie go drink yourself some more mad dog 20/20……curse and get upset about it some more to your blood pressure shoots thru the roof…..and see if anybody cares.
Bulldawg35
March 21st, 2013
7:43 pm
Btw…..tar heels suck….I hope they get knocked out of the first round of the NCAA tournament……thanks
jaxdawgfan
March 21st, 2013
8:56 pm
GTBOB – Your comment can only mean that playing Georgia Tech isn’t meaningful. Perhaps you’re right.
RJ
March 22nd, 2013
3:21 am
Guys in the future I would simply suggest ignoring GTbob’s comments which is what he feeds off of. He is very predictable and can find criticism in anything or anybody. You can’t have a meaningful conversation with someone who literally hates UGA and will never give credit where credit is due. As someone who has connections to both UGA and TECH his act is past old. You can find enthusiasts on both sides which is expected and understandable but Bob is hate driven intensified by Techs lack of success against UGA.
JR
March 22nd, 2013
9:39 am
RJ, so you must be another South Carolina fan, the only team that agrees Murray should keep starting in big games.
Why not, Murray’s 0-3 against South Carolina, 0-1 against Alabama, and 0-1 against LSU.
We have a lot of South Carolina, LSU and Bama fans on the board today, hoping Murray keeps starting and losing big games.
Real UGA fans arn’t optimistic or impressed with Murray’s 1-10 record vs. teams that finish in the top 20 rankings.
You got a 90% chance of losing in a big game if Murray starts.
If you’re a South Carolina, Bama, or LSU fan, you got a 90% chance of winning if Murray starts against you.
Dawghater 101
March 22nd, 2013
12:55 pm
If you want to know why most people hate UGA football, just read some of the idiotic stuff u Dawg fans write. U UGA fans have not football knowledge.
Dog4Life
March 23rd, 2013
9:35 am
People, concerning the 6 TOs by Fla. Those TOs were forced errors by an aggressive Dawg ‘D’. Driskell was being hit as he tried to throw or hand – off the ball. When the D is making contact at the point of interest concerning the change of possession with the RB and QB bad things will always happen for the Offense–same when the QB is in the process of passing the ball forward–if the QB is being hit or pressured and cannot follow through properly bad things can and usually will happen. So, to suggest those TOs were accidents by Fla is disingenuous, it was an aggressive Dawg D causing the interruptions; therefore, those TOs were forced errors (not silly unforced errors). So stop using that as an excuse as to why UGA won. It wasn’t mistakes by Fla, it was forced mistakes by UGA.