Fretting over UGA’s Logan Gray: Much ado about not much
Logan Gray was OK on G-Day. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Georgia fans are of two minds: The majority of them didn’t want Logan Gray to be their No. 1 quarterback, but they don’t want him to leave, either. Because what would happen if Aaron Murray gets hurt?
This is, I submit, much ado about not very much. Whether or not Gray decides to transfer — he’s “weighing his options,” as we know — the fate of Georgia football in 2010 and beyond rests with Murray. Gray might be an OK backup, but how often does the backup quarterback play? (D.J. Shockley never started a game until he was a redshirt senior; once he became the starter, he missed one game — Florida — due to injury.)
There’s still one other quarterback on Georgia’s roster, or there soon will be. He’s Hutson Mason, incoming from Lassiter High. He wasn’t quite as big a recruit as Gray — Mason was a 3-star prospect, according to Scout.com, while Gray was a 4-star — but does that really matter?
What matters: Georgia’s coaches had seen enough of Gray, who’s a redshirt junior, to believe he isn’t a starting SEC quarterback. They didn’t turn to him when Joe Cox came undone at the end of last season, and this winter they seemed more tempted to move Gray to wide receiver — he has returned punts as a Bulldog — than to bump him ahead of Murray.
Bottom line: If Murray goes down in the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, the Bulldogs will be in trouble. That said, they’d be in trouble no matter who the backup is. No, Mason hasn’t yet thrown a collegiate pass. Let’s also note that Gray, who enrolled in 2007, has thrown only 12 (two of them intercepted).
Yes, it would be nice if Zach Mettenberger were still part of the program. But he isn’t, and that’s his fault. We all know that Bulldog backers, taking a cue from the legendary fretter Larry Munson, are hand-wringers of the first rank, but the program will survive no matter what Logan Gray chooses to do. The man who matters is Aaron Murray.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
232 comments Add your comment
James
April 28th, 2010
8:14 am
Not to be a mother hen but…. UGA alums should have a real concern about their players and alchohol. GT alums should be very concerned about crime on the campus- the main thing is the main thing
82 Dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:19 am
James …all schools have problems. Georgia and Ga Tech is not any worst than the others, only difference is we have a major newspaper with writers just waiting on something bad to happen so they can really blow it out of the water.
SEC links: Looking ahead to 2011 NFL Draft « MrSEC.com
April 28th, 2010
8:20 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC on Georgia’s quarterback situation. [...]
DAWG
April 28th, 2010
8:23 am
LeMay, LeMay where art they. Come to Athens and you will surley play!
DAWG
April 28th, 2010
8:23 am
surely
barneyb
April 28th, 2010
8:24 am
No matter how all this shakes out, this year will suck like last.
GeoffDawg
April 28th, 2010
8:24 am
Good points. The only caveat would be that in a backup or emergency situation, Gray could presumably provide more run/pass versatility than Mason.
suwaneedawg
April 28th, 2010
8:27 am
I agree with what you are saying here Mark. The bottomline is the Dawg’s are an injury (Murray)away from another 6-7 win season. This team’s 2011 looks brighter to me then this year. We have a lot of newbies, including coaches, in key positions. Question is can Dawg fans be patient for another year if I am right? I sure hope so.
cattle dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:28 am
Well, at least all of this should make for an exciting fall.
cattle dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:29 am
If cmr only whens six games, he is out the door.
toga
April 28th, 2010
8:32 am
Mark -
When will Mason ever get a chance to start? Are they not both Freshmen? Seems to me if Murray is good, Mason could ride the pine his entire time at Georgia? If I am Mason, I am worried about playing time.
Roll Tide
suwaneedawg
April 28th, 2010
8:32 am
cattle dawg, if that is true then that would be a sad statement from UGA. By the way, ity is spelled win not when. Carry on dawg fan!
Barack Dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:33 am
MissNancy – go to the nerd site. Gray did not look well in the spring game and his stats showed that. His biggest play was a little dump pass to Kris Durham almost at the line of scrimmage. Mett looked the best but he screwed up and nothing to do with UF or Tech. Regardless of what Tech fans think, UGA does not give a rats ass about Tech. Rather it appears that Tech cares more about UGA. Why are you on this UGA page?
Mikey in SAv
April 28th, 2010
8:33 am
F-105-
Remerton is in Valdosta GA. Yes, it is actually in Valdosta- it is a little incorporated hamlet tucked inside the Valdosta city limits with a few bars and restaurants. It is close to Valdosta State so it attracts all the college kids….
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 28th, 2010
8:33 am
82 Dawg, happens more than you think. We haven’t even had the first snap of practice. We could have an injury in the summer before the first snap, who knows. My only question is who would be third string and if or when Murray is injured and Mason craps the bed, do we have an option or are we stuck with another Cox
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
April 28th, 2010
8:34 am
I know if a player tranfers into a lesser division he can play right away , what if a player from a lesser division transfers up can he play right away ?
doodoobailey
April 28th, 2010
8:34 am
I still want to know exactly what happened with Mettenberger; give me a break with this sudden heavy discipline sh*t from the Holy Tan One.
Plus, if you have ever been to Remerton, they have are like the Gestapo and tasered Miranda for poops and giggles.
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 28th, 2010
8:35 am
I agree though, Gray showed me nothing anyway. We’d be better off with the walk on
Barack Dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:36 am
With the conversation about Gray – I want gray to stay but he should be in a different position where we can utilize his abilities like receiver. He is a heck of an athlete but just not going to be the QB. I think CMR told him that and he will move. Then if anything happens and we need him to play QB then he can do so. But he can be more valuable at receiver than at QB even if Murray gets hurt. They should utilize his talent and he should want the same. He is not a QB in the NFl but he could be a receiver like Welker or someone. So I think that is a good approach for both him and UGA.
Herschel Talker
April 28th, 2010
8:39 am
MB:
Excellent post. The last time I can remember a QB injury that mattered was the Shockley game in 2005 that you referenced. I can’t even remember before that. Maybe David Greene against Tech, but he came back in. So it really is much ado about nothing as long as Murray doesn’t get hurt.
HT
FIRE BOBBY COX
FIRE FRANK WREN
IT’S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE!
cattle dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:39 am
Not saying that I would agree with cmr getting axed, but I just dont believe he will be able to survive a 6 or 7 win season. I havent had my coffee yet , so excuse my whens.
Barack Dawg
April 28th, 2010
8:40 am
doodoobailey – he fondled some girls in the bar he was at. He was warned a couple of times by a couple different bouncers. Then he supposedly put his up a young ladies skirt. He got booted by the bouncers. As he was arguing with the bouncers outside the bar, cops came up and asked what was going on. They told him to get a ride to where he was staying and be on his way. He continued to argue with the bouncers. They then arrested him at which point he whined about being the UGA QB and he had a lot to lose.
I am not positive that those are all the facts but it would make sense with what CMR did (off the team – violation of team rules with no specific). But that is inappropriate and he should have been booted for that.
In addition, notice that all the players involved with the drinking in the last 2 weeks have been suspended long term and/or kicked off the team. I think CMR is sending a message and toleration is not going to happen.
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 28th, 2010
8:41 am
This year promises to be so good tha CMR is considering breaking out the Red pants for Florida
EW
April 28th, 2010
8:46 am
I’m afraid this entry was much ado about not much, to use your words MB. Logan could help with depth at WR.
GT51
April 28th, 2010
8:46 am
barack dogg- dont you thing gray would want to move. of course. cmr will not let him move now that he is the only backup. that is why gray is transferring. he doesn’t want to be a career backup. give the kid a break. he wants to play and to do that he has to go somewhere else. don’t blame gray for cmrs recruiting problems(no qbs on the roster).
Are you kidding?
April 28th, 2010
8:47 am
You’ve got to be kidding me Mark. If Murray goes down, do you honestly think Dawg fans will be okay with a freshman, who has only been on campus for less than 2 months, coming in and playing against the likes of Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee? As much as I don’t think Gray will ever amount to an SEC QB, I still want him in the game over Mason if Murray is not able to go. Saying this is much ado about nothing is complete hogwash and stupidity.
Iglo
April 28th, 2010
8:49 am
Dumb article. Any guy who has experience in games at qb who leaves could hurt big. Murray has never taken a snap and won’t have played a game in almost 2 years. Rusty? And maybe he’s not good enough for the sec. He couldn’t surpass Cox.
marygofiXmydinner
April 28th, 2010
8:51 am
My bet is that we go sign a juco qb with the open scholly
GT51
April 28th, 2010
8:51 am
i dont understand all of the comments about gray playing wr. he can’t play wr. there are no qbs on the roster. one play and murray could get hurt and then who would be the qb. you have to at least 3 qbs working at practice. you cant even have a good practice without 3 qbs on the team working with the first unit, the second unit, and the scout team. gray playing wr for the doggs is not an option. that is why gray is leaving. end of story
lawzoo
April 28th, 2010
8:51 am
Gee, a year of …”Should Logan Gray Replace Joe Cox?” is totally wasted ! Damn! It’s driving me mad I’m Telling you!
Smt
April 28th, 2010
8:53 am
The fact uga is out recruiting multiple qb’s doesn’t bode well for any of the current qb’s. Coaches obviously don’t believe in what they have.
Dzerzhinsky
April 28th, 2010
8:57 am
True. The program will survive no matter what. But will Richt?
PMC
April 28th, 2010
9:00 am
nice, pick on a college kid with a dream. Newspapers are dead too but we don’t bring that up all the time.
hatfieldgeoff
April 28th, 2010
9:02 am
The important question I would like answered is why did UGA sign Logan Grey to begin with. He doesn’t look like a QB and his arm obviously was not up the caliber of an SEC QB. The reason UGA is looking up at Florida & Alabama is they are wasting too many scholarships on players that are not and never will be SEC caliber players. The talent assessment process needs to be overhauled.
What the cockpit recorders revealed
April 28th, 2010
9:03 am
Once grounded, the two Navy Hornet jets had their cockpit recorders reviewed ………and the investigators heard the two pilots complaining back and forth about the lack of fans in Grant Field, as they buzzzzzzzzed the stadium. It was like this: “geez, when we were there ( @ tech ) we could usually seat at least 8,000 for the big Duke game or Citadel but we only saw like 3,000 fans in there, this is so embarassing”.
Of course, the two were sent to Afghanistan to pump jet fuel and BUSTED.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHHA 30-24 and it keeps on keeping on.
St. Richt
April 28th, 2010
9:08 am
At least Adams changed the drug and alcohol policy so that its more lenient on repeat offenders. That should help the team.. And as far as what is going on with Gray, it shouldn’t be a surprise. Any time you recruit multiple 4 and 5 star QB’s at the same time, someone is going to get their feelings hurt and transfer or go AWOL like in the case of Mettenberger. I think you Dawg fans can thank Marky Mark for jumping the gun in naming Murray the starter. Why not wait until the fall?
Bulldog59
April 28th, 2010
9:12 am
James, 82 Dawg, etal., I still would like MB or some AJC guy to compare UGA’s policy on underage drinking to that of other schools. In 2005 or so, a major change was made at UGA. Under the old policy, underage drinkers caught by campus police were issued some type of citation, I think a small fine was paid to the school, kids had to go before the judiciary person, etc., BUT this was all internal to UGA. Around 2005, UGA decided to have all underage drinkers that were arrested by campus police, transported to Clarke County jail, prosecuted, etc. This makes everyting a matter of public record.
Do other schools handle these cases as UGA does now, or is UGA the only school in the public “fishbowl”? If other schools operate under policies similar to UGA’s pre-2005 policies, UGA is at a distinct disadvantage in the court of public opinion.
7xtippet
April 28th, 2010
9:15 am
Well said, Mark — “We all know that Bulldog backers, taking a cue from the legendary fretter Larry Munson, are hand-wringers of the first rank…”
St. Richt
April 28th, 2010
9:16 am
While you’re at it, Bulldog59, you should investigate why your best lineman got his DUI case thrown out last year in Alpharetta. Or for that matter, look into any other incidents that were “swept under the rug” over the last several years.
You guys have an excuse for everything.
Dr. Phil
April 28th, 2010
9:21 am
In the past, players committed to a college because it was in their state, or their daddy played there, or they liked the coach. Now they commit because they envision a big NFL contract in the 10th grade when coaches start fawning around them. Maybe Gray should transfer somewhere else to have a better chance at a pot of gold. The point of the last two weeks is, the program at UGA is a mess–players kicked off the team, talk of transfer, and more arrests. This atmosphere will carry over into the fall regardless of what Gray does. Richt has created an atmosphere of entitlement that manifests itself on the field, in the form of stupid penalties, and off the field, in behavior issues. As usual, Richt seems bewildered. It will take more than Thursday-night bowling to fix things.
Murray the Midget
April 28th, 2010
9:22 am
Don’t worry my Dawgs, I’ll just hide behind those big ‘ol lineman. If they can’t see ya they can’t hurt ya.
Bulldog59
April 28th, 2010
9:22 am
St. Richt. What school are you from, and what is their policy, do you know for certain?
Who is the lineman you are referring to and how was it thrown out, do you know any details or are you just mudslinging?
read n black
April 28th, 2010
9:24 am
Brenda,
You don’t have to be able to walk on water but you better enjoy the kitchen…specifically inside the oven!
droopydawg
April 28th, 2010
9:26 am
pretty good article, Mark. I think the comments on the various AJC UGA blogs make the case pretty explicitly that Dawg fans are hand-wringers. Though, there is a pretty vocal, crazy fringe group (lets call them the UGA Tea Party) that want to oust Richt and bring in, I don’t know, Saban or Bill Belickeck or somebody because Richt has ONLY won two SEC titles. For some reason these fans think we are Notre Dame in the ’50s and that if we do not win a BCS title at least 3 times a decade, then the coach is a failure.
We may have had two down years when expectations were high, but any other school that had the 88-01 that UGA did would be ecstatic at having a program that routinely finishes in the Top-10.
St. Richt
April 28th, 2010
9:29 am
I don’t have any clue what other schools policies are or what Georgia’s were/are for that matter. Just don’t think its a great time for UGA to be issuing a press release that they are going to be more lenient with their alcohol and drug policy.
As for the lineman, it was Clint Boling from Chattahoochee High School. Arrested for DUI near where he is from in Alpharetta and the case was mysteriously thrown out. And he didn’t miss a game under that stringent policy at UGA.
droopydawg
April 28th, 2010
9:29 am
St. Richt is just making s**t up.
I’ve got one: Did you hear about how Josh Nesbitt is actually the BTK serial killer, but the FBI framed someone else after Paul Johnson gave Robert Mueller a handy. Look it up, Tech fans, before you talk about how clean your program is.
Beelzebubba - Demon of the South
April 28th, 2010
9:31 am
Lighten up a little you faceless and nameless people. Many of these posts are hateful and some border on slander. We are discussing fellow human beings who have feelings and read the same papers we do. Would you say these things to their face? Come on! Have any of you ever made a mistake or been kicked while you’re down? You are better than this!
droopydawg
April 28th, 2010
9:32 am
Also, other than some tea-totaling pantywaists (which seems to be about half of blog commenters and half of GT fans…conincidence?) who gives a damn about 19 year olds getting drunk? Who didnt get drunk as a 19 yo in Athens and make some dumb decisions. I agree that any DUIs or violent crime (like Montez), should be punished, as should braindeadness like that displayed by Mett while he was on the short leash. But, seriously, underage drinking is a fact of life for 18-20 year old college students (or at least the vast, vast majority of them).
Wow...just wow...!!
April 28th, 2010
9:33 am
Whoever “Brenda” is ought to be banned from this board. To call MR a “Bible-thumper”….that’s low even for a Tech Fan….gees…that’s low for a freakin Gator fan. If there are any mods…she (or he) needs the axe. I bleed Red and Black, but I would never insult Paul Johnson’s Christianity…that’s crossing the line.
QB Issue
April 28th, 2010
9:34 am
How did UGA, who can recruit nationwide from 5 star superstars, end up with a short QB and no good backups? Who is in charge of recruiting QBs????