Is it time for UGA to take the redshirt off Aaron Murray?
Aaron Murray: Wearing a green shirt, still a redshirt. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
This is a tough one. You’re Georgia. You’re halfway into a season that doesn’t figure to get a whole lot better anytime soon. You haven’t yet played Aaron Murray, the highly regarded freshman quarterback. Do you now?
Point: If you do, you cost yourself half a year of Murray’s services. If he plays now, he can at most play 3 1/2 seasons.
Counterpoint: If you don’t, there’s no guarantee Murray plays four full seasons anyway. If he turns out to be really good, he might well leave for the NFL after the 2011 season. (Players can declare for the draft three years out of high school. Doesn’t matter if they redshirt or not. Ask the same Georgia coaches who decided to sit Knowshon Moreno in 2006.)
Point: Almost every other freshman of consequence has played already — Orson Charles, Branden Smith, Rantavious Wooten, Washaun Ealey, Marlon Brown. If you’re going to recruit big-timers, you might as well play them. That’s the Pete Carroll Way.
Counterpoint: Murray isn’t even No. 2 on the depth chart. He’s No. 3 behind Joe Cox and Logan Gray, and Gray has scarcely taken a snap. Doesn’t Georgia have to see if Gray, himself only a redshirt sophomore, is its quarterback of the future before it decides Murray is the quarterback of the future?
Point: Gray seems more a running quarterback. Georgia really hasn’t had a running quarterback since James Jackson in the mid-’80s. And Georgia doesn’t run the spread. Murray, who’s a better passer, would appear the better long-term fit.
Counterpoint: Do you really want to throw a true freshman into the fray when the offense is already circling the drain?
Loading ...Point: Cox is a fifth-year senior. He won’t be here next season. And Georgia would have to upset Florida or Georgia Tech to finish 8-4 this season.
Counterpoint: Georgia was 4-4 in 2006 facing games against ranked opponents Auburn and Tech. It beat both, beat Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and lit the fuse for an 11-2 season in 2007.
Clincher: Even as it was struggling in 2006, Georgia had already committed to going with true freshman Matthew Stafford. He suffered some reversals — in the loss at Kentucky, he threw interceptions from the Georgia 2-yard-line and the Kentucky 1 on consecutive series — but he learned.
Conclusion: I wouldn’t start Murray ahead of Joe Cox, but I’d bump him above Gray and give him some snaps. Murray is the future. With one more loss, the future officially begins.
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312 comments Add your comment
Ostrich Racer
October 13th, 2009
8:14 am
If he’s as good as we hope, he won’t be around as a senior, anyway. If he’s not, he won’t be playing as a senior. Let’s see what he can do.
Chef montuer
October 13th, 2009
8:21 am
Who cares. Dogs need to clean house. New coordinators on both sides. If Richt wil not replace them at the end of the year then he should be fired.
elderdawg
October 13th, 2009
8:23 am
Murray is listed at 6′1″ which means the NFL would measure him at 6′0″. Never has a 6′ quarterback come out after three years, and been drafted in one of the top rounds. Murray is at UGA for 4 (or 5 years). Bet on it!
Jamaaliver
October 13th, 2009
8:24 am
Open up the offense and give Gray a shot. Design a spread option specifically for him and catch some opponents off guard.
Murray can wait a few months for his grand unveiling.
Chaz
October 13th, 2009
8:24 am
Richt has to step up and make some coaching changes….that’s the job of a head coach. I believe he will. I’d like to see Ron Zook in charge of the special teams (if he is cut loose from Illinois), which have been sub-par for years. He’s a great recruiter too.
hatfieldgeoff
October 13th, 2009
8:24 am
I wouldn’t play him. Murray size makes it very unlikely that he will turn pro early. Not saying he can’t play in the NFL but at his size he won’t generate the interest from pro GMs to warrant a first round selection. He would stay 4 years rather than be a low round pick. The real question is which freshman is going to be the real deal, Murray or Mettenberger. That’s what coach Richt needs to be deciding now because whoever comes in 2nd is likely going to transfer.
We need hope
October 13th, 2009
8:24 am
Georgia fans need hope. Even if Cox does improve we will have a QB with little experience next year. I say get Murray a lot of work in even if he struggles some this year. The team and its fans need hope for the future.
Steve
October 13th, 2009
8:28 am
This years goasl of winning the East are gone.I think we should play Gray every down of every game left to get ready for next year.GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
hop
October 13th, 2009
8:29 am
IT is high time to check gray and murray out to see if they can play.listening to coach richt last night it appears little chance that will happen.
georgia is going to play joe cox and we will be stuck with another year of playing an inexperience qb.
joe cox has been at best a mixed bag
RedandBlack
October 13th, 2009
8:30 am
Logan Gray needs to start at Vanderbilt. If Gray does not cut it, then Murray needs to be in there ASAP. The Dogs can not be trying out a new QB at the start of next season. That will be too late for 2010. Next year starts right now.
Finish the Drill, Coach Richt, or hit the road.
Saint Crompton
October 13th, 2009
8:31 am
((((( 45 19 )))))
((((( Crompton for Heisman )))))
hahahahahahahahahaha
GeoffDawg
October 13th, 2009
8:32 am
I echo some of the previous posts – It’s unlikely Murray’s leaving early given his height. Also, doesn’t he supposedly have a bum shoulder this year? I’d much rather give him the time off to heal completely and not risk making it a chronic condition.
Logan Gray
October 13th, 2009
8:33 am
I’m an excellent passer. My dad let me pass slow on the driveway every Sunday, but never on a Monday. Never on a Monday.
Top Dawg
October 13th, 2009
8:33 am
I think the needed changes are more fundamental than whether we have a flashy quarterback playing. Until we address those issues, this is a discussion (re. Murray or whatever players we may insert into the rotation) about rearranging chairs on a sinking ship.
William
October 13th, 2009
8:33 am
Well, look at the winning programs. They mostly have QB’s who are a threat to run with the ball. Not UGA! Stay in that pocket because we are going to train you for the NFL. Yep with good receivers you can win a few games but to reach that National lever you must have a mobile QB or QB who can roll out or run. NOPE NOT UGA! Well, I will turn my attention to the pros and I tired of overpaid losers! HOW ‘BOUT THEM FALCONS!!
mike
October 13th, 2009
8:35 am
The coaches know when these guys are ready. There are many things to consider before throwing a youngster to the wolves. If Murray was ready at all, he wouldn’t be #3 on the chart.
Zach Mettenberger
October 13th, 2009
8:35 am
What am I, chopped pimiento loaf? Did I mention my mom works in the athletic department?
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
8:35 am
The same coaches who decided Knowshon wasn’t ready in 2006?
Paul H
October 13th, 2009
8:36 am
We have nothing to lose by taking the red shirt off Murray. It would be good to get him some snaps which would better prepare him for next season. However, our problem isn’t at QB.
SimpleDawg
October 13th, 2009
8:36 am
I realize that college coaches recruit players to fit a certain system….
But, once you see that your system doesn’t fit what your players’ talents are, a good coach goes to a system that fits the players, or at least, makes some alterations to the scheme.
Do we have anyone capable of..#1 – properly recognizing and assessing the situation…. #2 – having the knowledge and flexibility to make the required change….and #3 possessing the stones to make the decision?
Answer – I say no, no, and hell no.
God help us…..oh, someone already tried that?
We’re doomed.
collegeballfan
October 13th, 2009
8:36 am
You play the guy that best fits your system. If its Murray, then its Murray.
Question: why did UGA even offer Gray if he is not a fit for their offense? Was that a wasted scholarship?
Is this season over? NO! There is no one on Georgia’s schedule they are not capable of beating. A 9 – 3 season is really possible.
Josh M
October 13th, 2009
8:39 am
The time to play him was halfway through the LSU game, when it was obvious Cox was severely lacking. THAT would have made sense. Now, it’s way too late. Take your losses now, and get Murray ready for next year.
F-105 Thunderchief
October 13th, 2009
8:39 am
I agree with making Ron Zook the special teams coach. And, while he’s at it, Richt should hire Bob Stoops to be defensive coordinator and Steve Spurrier as offensive coordinator.
Josh M
October 13th, 2009
8:40 am
“A 9 – 3 season is really possible.”
It’s not wise to do drugs so early in the day.
Chains
October 13th, 2009
8:40 am
There was a reason Joe Cox was not the starter last season or any other season prior……He’s just not a solid QB…not at the SEC level….should have played division 2 he would have done much better…..
Dillusional Dawg
October 13th, 2009
8:43 am
Hey fellas, we’re really not even out of this thing yet. I know we’re on track to take a less than conventional road, but we’re not out yet! All we have to do is win out! If we beat #1 ranked Florida, whatever ranked GT & Auburn, and then #1 ranked Alabama in the SECCG, then we’ll have to get some consideration for the national championship.
GO DAWGS!
j
October 13th, 2009
8:45 am
Was that Manning playing on Saturday? UGAY is pathetic!
1eyedJack
October 13th, 2009
8:45 am
Desperate times call for desperate measures. About the only way you have a chance to beat FL next year is to play Murray now, but even if you do play him a few games this year he still won’t have as much experience as Brantly who will be a red shirt junior. So that means GA will have to wait until 2012 (when Brantly graduates) until they have a chance to win in Jax. All I know for certain is that it is great to be a FL gator. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the gator don’t take no jive.
j
October 13th, 2009
8:46 am
Dillusional Dawg – You are the reason everyone hates UGA. Fans like you do not belong in copllege football. Get a life! Yeah, UGAY in the NC.
GeoffDawg
October 13th, 2009
8:47 am
It’s happy hour somewhere collegeballfan.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 13th, 2009
8:47 am
He could be a bust like all the other 5 star bust.
wasn’t Caleb the next Herschel?
GeoffDawg
October 13th, 2009
8:49 am
Chains – another good reason might be that the #1 NFL draft pick was also on the roster. I don’t have many issues with Cox other than his penchant for locking into receivers too fast. With some more game experience, that may get resolved. Too late to save this season but that’s just a big ole “whatcha gonna do?”
longDawg
October 13th, 2009
8:50 am
All I can say is we want be hurting joe cox he is not going to play on sundays, Lets get started on next year now with logan and see if he is the man or not rather than getting to this point next year and then put murray in then and find out that he is not the man either I also agree that several coaches need to go hopefully to a team we will play. UGA is close to being a real cluster F*ck if no changes are made
I think we saw against UT...
October 13th, 2009
8:51 am
… why Logan Gray is not playing – so CMR may as well pull the ’shirt off of either Aaron or Zach and get them ready for the next three years.
Paul H
October 13th, 2009
8:51 am
Arguing over who should be our QB right now is like arguing over what song the band should play on the Titanic. There are bigger issues that need to be addressed.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 13th, 2009
8:51 am
Unfortunately I say make no moves at Quarterback. We need wins and right now Cox provides us with the best chance (yes inser laughter here). We cannot afford w/ morale and recruiting to take the chance w/ Grey or Murray to drop these upcoming games. Now the schedule gets brutal and it cannot be risked. The program is in dangerous water right now and it cannot be trusted to a true freshman and a redshirt sophomore. I am not saying its the perfect scenario, but its the best we got.
GeoffDawg
October 13th, 2009
8:52 am
Saying anyone’s the next Herschel is like saying tech’s as good as ‘95 Nebraska. Not many people would be that ridiculous.
RedKneckerson
October 13th, 2009
8:52 am
Whoa, Whoa there fellas. Hold on a second while I close the gate. (The cows and horses just got out)
F-105 Thunderchief
October 13th, 2009
8:57 am
Rex Ryan’s brother for defensive coordinator!
ChunkSheed
October 13th, 2009
8:58 am
MB-
First of all, if you listened to Richt’s call in show last night you pretty much would have got the message that NOBODY is going to play any significant time this year other than Cox.
Secondly, who’s to say Murray won’t slip into the blue-chip recruit hole that every other position player seems to do when they go to UGA?
rolling_in_coleslaw
October 13th, 2009
9:01 am
I have no faith whoever our QB will be in 2010. Next year will be just as bad or worse as 09 season.
Go Dawgs
October 13th, 2009
9:04 am
we’ll beat Florida and all will be well!!!
Paul Johnson is your Daddy
October 13th, 2009
9:05 am
It doesn’t matter who starts at QB behind that pitiful O line and with those sorry running backs behind them. You guys suck.
Go Dawgs
October 13th, 2009
9:05 am
also, I think our O-line needs to get better or it really isn’t gonna matter who the QB is.
PMC
October 13th, 2009
9:06 am
No, Aaron Murray is not a picture of health and Joe Cox still gives you the best chance to win. The problem is mostly that the offensive line can’t block anybody more than it is the decisions of the QB. Logan Gray is the next option and he’s not good enough to start at QB. Joe Cox has proven with time he’s able to make good reads and score the ball. Aaron Murray is not getting any thing out of this year other than getting beat up. Stick with Cox, improve the blocking, get something out of the scholarshipped running backs and salvage the freaking year. Go ruin Florida’s perfect season and go beat Tech at home. That’s what you’re playing for.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
October 13th, 2009
9:07 am
Keep the red shirt on Murray, He’s here for four years and we’ve already lost 6 games that he could have possibly helped in. Keep him running the scout team, let him learn against Willie’s defense, that way he’ll stay healthy and get his confidence up. Ask Crompton what a dose of Willie’s D will do for your ego
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
9:07 am
Actually, the offensive line has pass-blocked much better than it has run-blocked.
Larvell "SugarBear" Blanks
October 13th, 2009
9:08 am
MB,
Good Point-Counterpoints! If anyone things CMR is going to make a change in his staff in the middle of the season then they aren’t cooking on all four burners. However, based on what you just wrote and what D Evans said “Changes are definitely coming”…..I maybe alone in saying this but I believe CMR maybe starting to see the light and see that if changes aren’t made before the start of next season then he’ll be the one updating is resume.
Oh and one last thing…..Ron Zook is quite an interesting choice!! I LIKE IT! My wonder is would he come to UGA after being a HC at Florida. The guy can recruit like no other coach alive! And he would provide that “fire” to CMR’s “ice” personality! I am really intrigued by this!
DawgGirl32
October 13th, 2009
9:08 am
Joe Cox is not the problem. The run game is. I think that’s far more important right now. I definitely don’t think Murray should be the starter, but I do wonder if it would be wise to take off the redshirt and let him play the Tenn Tech game and some snaps during some other games. I don’t know if you watched the same game I did on Saturday but Logan Gray isn’t the answer.
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
9:09 am
Last I checked, recruiting wasn’t Georgia’s major issue. That’s if you believe the recruiting ratings.
PMC
October 13th, 2009
9:10 am
The other option would be to see what you’ve got in Zach Mettenburger. Ridiculously strong arm. Go vertical a bit more and I guess run off tackle and try some sweeps where your talent is on the OL and your FB’s.
Pi$$onaDawg
October 13th, 2009
9:10 am
You can’t teach an old Dawg new tricks. UGA ain’t that bad they just don’t have a good OC or DC. You have the players. The crazy part of the quesrion is I don’t think making any changes right now will help this team. I still say you need to look at UGA VII too. That Dawg has a bad gameday record. Hope you figure it out. See you on the Flats in Nov.
Paul ( You doesn't have to call me Johnson )
October 13th, 2009
9:10 am
Dillusional Dawg Are you that stupid? Maybe not! In 1979 UGA started the season 0-3 but finished up with wins over Ole Miss, LSU, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and #1 Florida.
The next year they won the NC, so anything can happen, but unfortunately for Georgia Willie Martinez is the defensive coordinator and not exactly Erk Russell. .
Blue Darter
October 13th, 2009
9:10 am
Too short to play in the NFL????
FYI….Drew Brees, 6′0″, 209#’s
If he’s the best QB you have he should be on the field. Urban would do it, Carroll would do it (both likely would have had him starting from game one). There’s no point recruiting 5* players if you’re going to leave ‘em on the bench.
L.GRAY
October 13th, 2009
9:11 am
Time to let the “GRAY HOUND” out!!!!
Herschel Talker
October 13th, 2009
9:13 am
MB:
This seems kind of obvious to me. I think the key point is this. Murray needs to learn some things and take some lumps in order to hit the ground running next year. Kind of like your point on Stafford in 2006. If Murray starts cold next year, he’s going to have to learn at that point, and then 2010 will have setbacks that could be this year. Since this year is already done, let him take his lumps this year, when losses aren’t as big a deal.
Mark Bradley
October 13th, 2009
9:16 am
To me, that seems the key consideration. At what point does this season become the launch site for next season?
BANDITDAWGG
October 13th, 2009
9:18 am
The issue is not at qb its at establishing a running attack that will open up the passing game.I really dont think you blow a redshirt on on murray who injured anyway, but i wouldnt mine seeing what logan gray can bring to the table.
Herschel Talker
October 13th, 2009
9:18 am
MB: we are already at that point. They are not beating Florida. They probably aren’t beating Tech. So at best, they’re 7-5. So I’ll take 6-6, if the extra loss means getting Murray ready for next season.
Steve
October 13th, 2009
9:19 am
The problem is not the players, it’s the coaching. No fire on the sidelines. Richt’s laid back attitude has worn off on the team. The OC and DC are major issues. They should be gone. Stop blaming your QB for what should be on the shoulders of the coaches. By the way, see you on Halloween weekend. GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Devildog
October 13th, 2009
9:19 am
Looks to me like the coordinators on both sides of the ball are worried more about schemes than fundamentals. A lot more attention to detail is required.
Look at all the missed tackles, DBs out of position, O linemen not doing their jobs pass blocking . . . or run blocking.
I don’t think Cox is that bad a QB but even Matt Ryan would have problems with the kind of blocking Cox is getting. Pass protection is an oxymoron at Georgia. Oh, and did I almost forget the undisciplined actions on the field?
I think remedial action is required across the board. . . including Richt’s staff.
Billy
October 13th, 2009
9:20 am
I dont think the Coaches believe that Gray gives us a better chance to win than Cox does. If they did, he would have been given a chance to play more, especially in the games that Cox struggled bad in. As far as the offense goes, the thing that worries me is the running game. I mean Georgia football has always had a strong running game. We struggle to rush for 75 yards a game. That is pathetic in the SEC. If we could actually run the ball and keep other teams defense honest, we would open up our pass game again. Other teams have figured out we cannot run the ball and are playing the pass against us, and now you see our passing numbers dropping.
DP
October 13th, 2009
9:20 am
Paul H and a few others have it right. The QB play is not the biggest problem on this team. If Georgia was a good team that was being held back by the QB play then taking the redshirt off Murray would be worth considering. But as A. J. Green said after the Tennessee game, if the opposition defense doesn’t respect the running game it’s hard to pass the ball. Georgia needs to focus its offensive efforts on improving the play of the offensive line and running backs in order to establish a running game.
If I was Richt and thought Murray might be the QB of the future I sure wouldn’t throw him to the wolves against Florida this year. That would have the potential to be a serious confidence crusher for a young and inexperienced QB.
I don’t think Richt should replace Cox as starter unless he benches a few other players at the same time. Cox should not be the scapegoat.
Clay
October 13th, 2009
9:21 am
Mark, I think you go against your own conclusion when you say you would not start Marray, you’d move him up and give him some snaps. I think if you want to pull the redshirt, then pull it and let him start and grow.
I don’t think we should do that, either. Going to Murray now means UGA is throwing up the white flag and conceding the rest of the year in the hope of being better next year. UGA doesn’t do that. We need to play whoever gives us the best shot to win this week and not work on being better next year.
Tech75
October 13th, 2009
9:22 am
This is a great way to destroy whatever confidence Cox has left; so GO FOR IT!
Well done; if you thought it was bad up to this point, just put Cox on the bench and one of the others in there at QB for a couple of games.
That will send a great signal to other QBs considering UGA; if you wait your turn to play, work hard, and remain committed, we’ll let you play eventually, but only if you win EVERY GAME regardless of whose fault the losses are – and it’s not the coaches decision – it’s the fans, baby! If the fans get worked up enough, the coaching staff will let the fans make their decisions for them!
Here’s what’s going to happen, and any coach with half a brain would do it this way:
Cox will continue to start. If and when UGA gets a 2 touchdown lead, Richt will spell Cox by using the #2 QB for a couple of series, running the basic offense, nothing fancy. Just get them some snaps so they can start to adjust to game-speed. This will also help if/when Cox gets injured, you’ll have a QB that has at least taken some snaps in a “live” game, and it will begin the process for next year.
CMR definitely will get a lot more involved with the offensive and defensive coaching and game planning – he has to, OR ELSE. The ship is dead in the water, the captain can’t stay on the bridge, he has to get directly involved to understand why the engines aren’t running. He can’t trust what the ship’s engineers are telling him. That’s why a good captain has to know how the ship works, intimately, so he has credibility and can hold his crew accountable.
I do agree with those who believe CMR needs to show a little fire.
While I enjoy reading the comments from the idiots who are melting down about this, all the UGA grads I know understand the situation and are looking to understand exactly what CMR is doing to change the momentum. They’re not ready to fire CMR unless they see NO action.
SimpleDawg
October 13th, 2009
9:24 am
“The sun don’t shine on the same Dawg’s back every day”……
I just hope we’re not on the verge of a total eclipse.
Pi$$onaDawg
October 13th, 2009
9:26 am
You have to be scared when Tech is running & PASSING better than the Dawgs. Who do you think UGA can get to replace Bobo & Willie? There is money, but not everybody will work with Richt’s style and I think that is why he has been slow to make changes.
Billy
October 13th, 2009
9:27 am
Mark, Im ready to forgo this season now, but only if it gives us the chance to give some younger players a chance to prove themselves and have a Great 2010 team. I’m just afraid if we don’t start now, then we will start 2010 with way too many question marks again. I think we should not rush Murray, but I think Logan Gray needs to play enough this year to find out NOW if he is our QB to build the team on. That way we know during the off season which QB to work as our primary for 2010.
Otto
October 13th, 2009
9:28 am
Absolutely not.
Schultz was correct the problem is not the QB. Cox has been doing as well as Stafford did in every year but ‘08 and he is doing it without MoMass and a running game. Play calling is holding all the players block except for AJ.
Further if UGA does change QBs Logan is the guy. He has experience, leadership and most importantly looked very good in the spring game. Murray has done nothing but practice and is coming off an injury. UGA rushed Sutherland back and he had to miss more games because the recovery was rushed.
The OL is pass blocking better than last year. It maybe blocking for the run better too. How is that? The rush was mostly depending on Moreno’s yards after contact last year. Samuel and Caleb have not been getting those yards.
Play calling (more formations, motion, and counters) letting Logan run the wildcat with more than 1 play (he does have an arm) and giving Ealey 75% of the carries letting him get hot would be the changes I would like to see.
For everyone lumping the blame on CWM, CWM’s defense scored more points than Bobo’s offense. Bobo’s amazing play calling did not get UGA to the red zone once and only managed one field goal. CWM atleast had a 3 and out. Bobo had 6 3 and outs. The talent level is not that bad to allow for 6 possesions where you can not get a 1st down.
Chamblee Dawg
October 13th, 2009
9:28 am
69th!
HH
October 13th, 2009
9:28 am
Just another in a series of mentally-troubling, soul-searching, heart-rending decisions the 2.9 million dollar man is going to have to face. Many more of these types of decisions and I can see diphenylhydantoin, Zoloft, Welbutrin or Xanax in his future. It’s tough to be head coach with such unappreciative fans.
KDawg
October 13th, 2009
9:30 am
Good “Pro’s and Con’s” list Mark. To me it’s like this, we’re at the pivot point of the season and there is significant reason to believe that we will not be anywhere near a New Year’s Day bowl (Im sorry, but this team does not have anywhere near the talent level the 2006 team had) so to put a positive spin on things, go with the notion that you are preping for the future. Now, a few things might happen…..
Say we go with Murray (like we did with Stafford mid-way into ‘06) it is very likely that we will continue to struggle and be inconsitent, just as we have so far this season. We might end up 6-6 or 7-5, whatever, but do we think that’s not where we’re headed anyways? However, it is possible that a change, for whatever reason, might start a spark, catch “lighting in a bottle” and we end up with a couple of suprises the rest of the way, play in a decent bowl, and carry some new momentum into next season. The problem here is that even if we stick with the status-quo and end up in a mid-level bowl, fans will still have a sour taste of the season as a whole and we will still feel like we don’t know what we have going into next season.
The key difference in playing or not playing freshman like Murray (or any other freshman) is hope and the chance for better things to come. If we dont make a change and at least get them on the field (im not saying Cox should never play another down, but splitting series seems to make more sence at this point) then we have a sence of “starting all over” and “here we go again” next year, because we will be right where we were at the begining of this season, not sure what we got.
Another reason to play young men early can be summed up by looking at Cox’s situation it’s self. Cox is a 5′th year senior, with freshman level experience on the field. I would like to see us go back to the Green-Shockley days where we are at least getting our backup in the game a set number of series in each game, look at the diffrence it made, Shockley was much better prepared for his “one and only” season at the helm and what did he do? He led his team to an SEC Championship, but I stress that there is no way he has the season he had, unless he had actually “on the field” experience all those years leading up.
My final reason would be this, Carrol has this issue figured out, and I can give you two examples of what im talking about. First example directly relating to QB and this season, even after his senior QB came back from injury early enough before the first game, he knew that he was is a rebuilding type of season and that he had a freshmen on the bench that was his team’s future, loyalty should only go so far in football, and he made a decesion to take his lumps and start a true freshmen over a senior, and what has happened? He has taken some lumps (bad loss to a bad PAC-10 Team) but he has also already had big moments and big wins (OSU on the road) and he knows that barring injury, there are many more wins in the years to come. Carrol knows you have to be forward thinking always and coach to win, not to be your players (or coaches) best friend.
Second example is this, the top recruits/players out there, I mean the real “cream of the crop” players, want to go somewhere, where they know that if they’re good enough, then they have a coach that will gladly give them the chance to see the field day 1. Now, to be fair, I think CMR has made some improvements this year, but I don’t think he has fully commited to this philosophy just yet, guess it takes time to make such a change in your head. The real good ones are only going to be there for only 3 years after H.S. graduation (just as Bradley discussed, ex. see Knowshon). So you might as well play them if they can play, no place in today’s CFB for holding back talent, in fact I think it hurts you and this is why, if you get a reputation as being a school who is going to sit you on the bench for a year no matter what and yet there are schools you are trying to compete with that say “if you’re good enough to play right away, you WILL see the field; which school do you think the next big recruit is going to want to go to? I believe this is the diffrence right now in UGA and schools like USC, UF, etc., and the reason why they seemingly are able to “reload” and not just “rebuild”. If you play one kid for 3-4 years at such a high profile position such as QB, then this will continue to happen and if you don’t have it in you to see the benifits of taking your lumps with a more talented freshmen than a 5′th year senior, thats bad too.
Bottom line, get your best talent on the field. That goes across the field, across all positions.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
October 13th, 2009
9:32 am
MB
recruiting might be a problem after this year ?
play the youngters I think that also helps recruiting when incoming freshman see that the best player will be on the field regardless of what year they are. as for losing a redshirt I think UGA will continue to try and recruit potential great quarter backs so whats the big deal.
GO DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!!
GeoffDawg
October 13th, 2009
9:32 am
Interesting blog Mark but personally, I’d much rather see a critical analysis and discussion regarding the strengths and weaknesses of our esteemed defensive coordinator. In listening to David Pollak on 790 yesterday, he made the very good point that he never saw Georgia’s defenders reading the offense. Point one was that if the RB is 8 yards back of the line, it’s probably a pass and if he’s 5 yards back, it’s probably a run. Point two was that if the offensive linemen raise up at the snap, it’s probably a pass and if they shoot forward, it’s probably a run. Apparently, we’re doing an incredibly poor job of actually reading the cues the offense is giving us and it’s causing our players to be suckered out of position again and again. I haven’t heard this discussed about Willie before and it seems like defense 101. You wonder why there are receivers roaming free in the secondary over and over again? Probably because the safety help ended up trying to cover a non-existing run play.
Michael
October 13th, 2009
9:33 am
I still don’t think Joe Cox is the problem. The running game is what needs fixing on offense. Figure out what runners and blockers work best and throw them in there. I just don’t think it’s fair to Cox to throw someone in ahead of him because he’s a senior. If Logan Gray has shown to be the top backup, give him a series or two like Shockley got. I wouldn’t blow Murray’s redshirt halfway into the season if he hasn’t earned a spot above Gray.
Also, everybody who is even thinking it, let alone saying it, needs to stop it with the stupid “fire Mark Richt” stuff. First, this could be a season just like 2006 had Georgia scheduled regular patsies instead of Okla. State and Ariz. State. Turn the toss-up LSU game around and Georgia is magically 5-1 instead of 3-3. You lose games when you play top teams all of the time. The defense obviously needs an extreme makeover, but you don’t even think of firing a coach that has won 10 games every year since 2002.
senoiadawgs
October 13th, 2009
9:36 am
Today’s practice starts next season plain and simple. At this point you have to pass FL, TN and SC to win the east and that is not happening. Playing Gray or Murray at worse will mean only 1 more loss this season that could be attributed to QB play. Also it takes away all of the excuses for going into next year that the QB position is a “rebuilding” position. Other than Cox going for a record of 12 consecutive games with an INT I don’t see any reason he should play anymore except in mop-up of the TN Tech game.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 13th, 2009
9:37 am
The problem is the punter, out kicking the coverage.
Hey Michael...
October 13th, 2009
9:42 am
…or said another way, “turn the toss up SC, AR, and AZ State games around and UGA is 0-6!
Tech75
October 13th, 2009
9:42 am
KDawg – I think the ultimate challenge here is to strike the balance regarding the mission – is football subservient to the university as an academic institution, of is the football program essentially independent of the university’s academic mission and simply a prep program for the NFL?
I think part of CMR’s philosophy is that freshman have to get embedded in the program athletically and academically before they can be relied on as starters – there are probably some freshmen every year that could play as starters, but their academics will suffer to the point where they may be ineligible as second year players, or worse, may flunk out or have to transfer.
I personally think the old NCAA rule (no longer in place) that did not allow freshmen to play should be reinstated. But, I also think there should be some sort of non-academic NFL-prep league (not under control of the NFL, however) for those players not able to cut it academically.
Gen Neyland
October 13th, 2009
9:43 am
Keeping something in the bank for a rainy day is the American way, but to use your capital for investment purposes that can pay dividends on future returns is always a gamble unless it’s a dang sure thing. Do you consider Murray a dang sure thing or a gamble at this point..? At 3-3, one may be inclined to invest or hold…Shoot, let’s ask Suze Orman.
Ted Striker
October 13th, 2009
9:45 am
Sometimes things are as simple as they seem. Cox is the starter who gives UGA it’s best opportunity to win. Gray has outperformed Murray in practices and he’s #2.
Everything else is pure speculation which may be good for debate but it does very little for football — now or in future seasons.
McDawg
October 13th, 2009
9:47 am
this is Cox’s team-live and die w/ it -I mean live or die-actually, i don’t think he is the problem w/ the team-we could easily be 5-1 right now had we learned to cover kickoffs-but this team is going to have to step up-grow up something -i think these coaches make things a bit too complicated-and they never seem to be having any fun
Steve
October 13th, 2009
9:49 am
The launch site is here for next year, Mark. We need to work toward the future. So let’s do that by working with Gray AND Murray right now.
George O'Leary
October 13th, 2009
9:49 am
Ask AJ who should start and keep him happy
gatorman770
October 13th, 2009
9:52 am
Aaron Murray had a stellar high school career in Florida like Chris Leak did in North Carolina and the Gators put Chris in about 1/3 thru his freshman year and he did well considering he was a true freshman and that experience prepared him for his next 3 years of starting culminating in the 2006 BCS Championship.
I would start playing him and/or Gray to see which will lead the team for the next few years.
UGA FAN
October 13th, 2009
9:53 am
Can anyone tell me how in the hell Demarius Thomas over at GT has more receiving yards than AJ Green? I thought all tech did was run the ball?
Gen Neyland
October 13th, 2009
9:53 am
EXTRA : Jonathan Crompton named SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Thanks Willie…
UGA FAN
October 13th, 2009
9:54 am
5
Nashville Cat
October 13th, 2009
9:56 am
Better not overlook Vandy, they have a decent defense….. A 3-4 record would really HURT with the dawg train coming off the wheel.
General Fatz Fulmer
October 13th, 2009
9:59 am
The Vols really miss my big ole mouth.
Herschel Talker
October 13th, 2009
9:59 am
You people are idiots.
Joe Cox isn’t the point, you retards. The point is whether or not at this point this season should be used to get us ready for next year. This isn’t about whether Cox is good or not. This literally has nothing to do with Cox. It’s about whether giving Murray game reps in order to get him ready for next year is worth the cost pulling off the redshirt.
On another note, THE problem might not be the QB, but certainly A problem is the QB. Cox isn’t that good.
Ya’ll are an embarrassment to the school. You guys have no clue what this debate is even about. Ya’ll just ramble like a bunch of idiot fans without even understanding the true point of the dilemma.
Lumpkin Street
October 13th, 2009
9:59 am
I am not a big fan of red shirting, especially in this day of early leaves for the NFL. Pete Carroll has it right; if you sign ‘em, play ‘em. Especially when you need ‘em.
senoiadawgs
October 13th, 2009
10:00 am
You go Herschel Talker
The Grinch
October 13th, 2009
10:00 am
Yes, go ahead and plan for the future by trying Murray now. But since we’re willing to shake things up to prepare for the future, how about firing Martinez as well?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
N.GA.DAWG
October 13th, 2009
10:00 am
MORE MAN TO MAN ON DEFENSE. I’M SICK OF SEEING 2 DB’S 3YARDS APART AND 10 YARDS FROM THE NEAREST RECIEVER. ZONE SUCKS AND IF THEY CANT PLAY MAN DONT PLAY THEM U DA WILLIE. BEND BUT DONT BREAK.UGH! CMR NEEDS TO TAKE THE PLAYBOOK AWAY FROM BOBO AND PUT WILLIE UPSTAIRS SO HE MIGHT SEE WHATS GOING ON. HECK I’M STARTING TO CALL THE PLAYS JUST BY SEEING THE FORMATION WE ARE IN ON BOTH SIDES. AND GET PISSED OFF AND THROW SOMETHING, YOU MIGHT GET LUCKY AND KNOCK SOME FOOTBALL SENSE INTO WM. F THE GAYTORS F THE VOLS AND F TECH. GO DAWGS.
SHUG
October 13th, 2009
10:01 am
Play the youngster and the chips fall where they may.
oleballfan
October 13th, 2009
10:02 am
One needs to answer the question: Is Murray really a 5-star QB?
Freshmen Barkley at So Cal and Forcier at Michigan are and have lit it up at times.
If Murray is comparable to his recruit classmates he should be playing now.
Evidently, it is becoming apparent that Murray can not live up to his hype, otherwise logically the UGA coaching staff is really off-base and certainly not Championship quality, and UGA is headed to mediocrity for a long, long time.
Another possibility Murray is hurt, but there is no evidence.
The best player should be playing. Either Murray has it or he doesn’t.
The 2010 recruiting class has no 5-star QBs, UGA would not likely get him if there was. Where will the next UGA QB come from if it is not Murray?
Atlanta GUTS
October 13th, 2009
10:03 am
…………….NESBITT FOR HEISMAN
CJ Dawg
October 13th, 2009
10:03 am
Here’s an idea. Logan is a VERY mobile QB. Chapas can move for a big dude. Thomas and Easley can flat get it. Can anybody say otion?? Maybe a few series here or there? Something to throw the D off for a minute. USE what you have. Oh, and a nice little itch reverse to Branden Smith or AJ or #17 (cannot sell that one) would hold the D in lace. But YET THE BEST IDEA……
FIRE WILLIE, FABBY AND SEARLES
CJ Dawg
October 13th, 2009
10:04 am
another option is OPTION*