Live from G-Day: Who’s the QB? How’s the 3-4? Et cetera
A view from above during the dramatic alumni game. (Extremely panoramic photo by M. Bradley)
Athens — Murray, Gray or Mettenberger? The 3-4 as cure-all? And for Mark Richt on a sunny (but not all that warm) spring day, the key question: Sunglasses, hat or both?
We’re here at G-Day, where the masses — as of 12:30 p.m. — have yet to gather. There’s an alumni game ongoing before a gathering of family and friends, and the glorified scrimmage between undergrads is scheduled to commence at 2.
Of interest: Whether Aaron Murray, Logan Gray or Zach Mettenberger will stamp himself as the heir to Joe Cox as No. 1 quarterback, though it must be noted that Murray looked the best of anybody at G-Day 2009 and then didn’t play a real down. Also: Whether the newfangled 3-4 defense implemented by new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will look at all coordinated.
I mention the last part not because I’ve leery of Grantham — I think he’ll do fine — but because I well recall the Georgia Tech spring game of 2008, when Paul Johnson’s spread option looked utterly dysfunctional. (There was a fumble on the first snap, you might remember, and many thereafter.) But that offense yielded a victory over Georgia in Year 1 and an ACC title in Year 2.
So I guess what I’m saying is: You can’t tell much from spring games on the best of days, and on some days you can’t tell anything at all. But they’re fun, kind of, to watch. And I’ll be here all day, watching and reporting, and I welcome your comments, questions and advice for Todd Grantham. Please join me. And I thank you in advance.
Oh, and if you’re a stickler for details: The Red leads the Black 13-12 after one half in the alum game. And Bill Stanfill, interviewed during intermission, just asked a key question of his own: “Where’s the beer?”
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307 comments Add your comment
Dawglasville
April 10th, 2010
3:07 pm
I wasn’t sure of your were joking or if you had been out in the sun too long. I also am not so delusional to think that the world outside of our Dawg Nation revolves around old Georgia war stories.
45ACP
April 10th, 2010
3:09 pm
No TV but listening to the radio sounds like Mett is doing well.
Dawglasville
April 10th, 2010
3:10 pm
Nevermind. You said G-day history. The sad thing is I was an English major at UGA. I guess that explains why I manage a chicken plant now. Thanks for the good reporting.
lo rider
April 10th, 2010
3:10 pm
secondary looks better than they have in the past–got beat on a big pass from Gray then shut down the offense. got beat deep by mettenberger, then stripped the ball for a turnver. defending green well. wooten looks good. can’t get over mettenberger, he looks confident-very big guy-strong arm–big contrast to joe cox days. mettenberger had 2 td’s in 1 qrtr, Murray played the 1st qrtr. tight ends look tough for Georgias–Lynch caught a td right before halftime.
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:10 pm
i thought williams was starting at safety? I guess jakar took over at the last minute…
UGA ALL THE WAY
April 10th, 2010
3:12 pm
That probably woulda been Walsh that kicked the field goal your talkin about D-Ville
Concerned American
April 10th, 2010
3:13 pm
Heads up to all UGA coeds, AJC has just reported that Tiger is on the prowl.
45ACP
April 10th, 2010
3:13 pm
lo rider, thanks for the info.
lo rider
April 10th, 2010
3:13 pm
gray went 7 for 13 in 1st half with 1 td. I don’t think I’ve seen any interceptions yet from the quarterbacks.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:14 pm
Vince Dooley just stopped by to say hello. Both he and Michael Adams are in the press box today. (Though not sitting in adjacent seats.)
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:16 pm
Mettenberger in the first half: 5-for-7, 145 yards, two touchdowns. Gray was 7-of-13 for 102 yards. Murray was 2-for-3 for no yards.
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:16 pm
where’s branden smith?
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:16 pm
Branden Smith was back to catch a punt in the first half, I recall.
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:17 pm
here is what i wanted to see.. this is your starting O in Sept
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:17 pm
is bob ryan stopping by to say hello to Mike?
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:18 pm
Murray to Green. Threw it behind him, but he snagged it.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:18 pm
Oddly enough, Bob Ryan’s name has been mentioned in the press box this afternoon.
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:19 pm
is it just me or does Murray look a little bulky?…
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:19 pm
Baccari Rambo almost intercepted Murray’s pass.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:20 pm
Good throw by Murray. To Kris Durham for a first down.
45ACP
April 10th, 2010
3:21 pm
Good to hear Chris Durham is healty and doing well. Calhoun boy!
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:21 pm
Overthrows an open Green.
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:22 pm
come on Murray… that was six..
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:22 pm
Murray to Orson Charles. Another first down.
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:22 pm
Bobo letting murray air it out a bit
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:23 pm
Murray is intercepted. Marcus Dowtin. Murray was under pressure and forced it.
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:24 pm
rushed it, should have taken the sack…
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:24 pm
dang, i was hoping Murray would take control on the job today. not looking that way so far….
lo rider
April 10th, 2010
3:25 pm
mettenberger went 1 for 2, and then punt. murray had an ok series to start, missed aj for td overthrew him by 5 yards. nice catch and run by charles. murray threw an interception in the red zone. defense looks very tough.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:27 pm
Rantavious Wooten drops a long Mettenberger pass.
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:27 pm
quick observation.. .the lack of running game when the #1 offense vs #1 D… i think that is a good sign. had to replace a those 3 NFL d-linemen. I think the o-line prob could be blocking better, but I think they proved late last year they are solid. So maybe a good sign that Dobbs, Tyson, etc.. .playing well
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:28 pm
when does Zach get his chance with the first team… he looks good against the first team D though… in contrast Murray is going against the #2 D….
Lord of the Lizards
April 10th, 2010
3:28 pm
Live from Gainesville…crowd of over 51,000 watch as Florida decides to go aerial and John Brantley shines completing over 70% 2 TDs over 200 yrds in limited action. Trey Burton, second team QB also surprised with his arm and TD passes and also had a spring game record twisting turining 78 yard run. But the shocker of the day is when big 3rd QB Jordan Reed came in 4th qtr and not only looked sharp running and passing but threw a game winning strike to win the game for the blue.
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:29 pm
he is going against #2 D right now freedyg…
freedyg
April 10th, 2010
3:29 pm
oh ok, thanks nola..
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:30 pm
Murray with a pump-and-go. Misses Green.
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:30 pm
but a good pnt free… i want to see Zach vs #1.. prob will be 4th quarter
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:31 pm
Third quarter ends.
lo rider
April 10th, 2010
3:33 pm
marlon bronw is out there, i think he’s #15. had a drop on a short pass. and didn’t seem to know he was supposed to go in motion on the last play of the 3rd quarter. defense won that quarter. shutout.
Jim Doanan as in Doans Pills
April 10th, 2010
3:34 pm
Tell Michael Adams I said hello…not…
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:35 pm
Marlon Brown is No. 15.
Golden Tornado
April 10th, 2010
3:35 pm
Opinion, thanks for your comment, but UGA has had only ONE, not TWO, national football championships. In 1942, the Dogs lost to Auburn, and wound up 2nd, behind Ohio State, in the AP poll.
Jim Doanan as in Doans Pills
April 10th, 2010
3:35 pm
Mett looks good and D is doing well
nola dawg
April 10th, 2010
3:36 pm
not many reps for Ealey (and with King not playing) kinda tough to gauge the running game
Jim Doanan as in Doans Pills
April 10th, 2010
3:37 pm
Gotta cut out the injury bug though… this concerns me
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:37 pm
Orson Charles drops a Murray pass.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:38 pm
Tim Tucker and I were just having that conversation, nola. Truth to tell, it’s hard to judge much of anything in a spring game.
Element of Surprise.... Really?
April 10th, 2010
3:38 pm
need to fire the strength coach
meansonny
April 10th, 2010
3:39 pm
How’s the water girl doing today?
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2010
3:39 pm
Haven’t seen Mrs. Richt, meansonny.