Richt advises uneasy fans: Just watch Aaron Murray’s tape
Most people who follow Georgia football had figured since the end of last season that Aaron Murray probably would be the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback in 2010. What no one figured, of course, was that his competition would dissipate as it has.
But with Zach Mettenberger dismissed from the team and Logan Gray shifting part-time to wide receiver, Murray seems suddenly solidly entrenched as the Dogs’ 2010 quarterback.
“We’re thinner at QB than we expected to be at this time,” coach Mark Richt told a Bulldog Club gathering this week, “but if you want to feel good about it, just go back on the Internet and do a little search on Aaron Murray and watch Aaron’s high school tape. And I think you’ll get just as excited as you were the day he . . . committed to Georgia.”
Murray in spring practice, watched by Mike Bobo (AJC photo/Brant Sanderlin)
(If you want to heed Richt’s advice, by the way, you can find plenty video of Murray’s high school days on YouTube.)
Richt has said that Murray, a redshirt freshman, would have been No. 1 on the post-spring depth chart even if Mettenberger had not been kicked off the team, and Gray’s desire to play wide receiver seems to speak volumes about how he saw the chances of surpassing Murray at quarterback this summer.
In high school in Tampa, Murray was a Parade Magazine All-American and MVP of the prestigious Elite 11 camp for the nation’s top quarterback prospects. But fresher on Georgia fans’ minds is his underwhelming performance in the G-Day spring game.
Richt seemed to be trying to ease those concerns during the Bulldog Club meeting at the Walnut Creek Shooting Preserve near Macon this week.
“His skill set -– you would take Aaron Murray every single year that you are recruiting a quarterback,” Richt said. “He’s got a very quick release. He’s an accurate passer. I know in the G-Day game he wasn’t super-accurate, but you got to admit we threw a lot of very low-percentage balls that day. He’s an accurate passer.”
Murray will be the only newcomer on an offense that returns starters at the other 10 positions. He’ll have the luxury of an experienced line, two talented tailbacks and one of the nation’s top wide receivers.
Murray “is to the point, in my opinion, where he just needs to play,” Richt said in an interview. “The biggest thing for him is to understand that you don’t have to do anything spectacular. You don’t have to put the team on your shoulders. You’re not required to carry this football team. You’re required to do your job. And part of your job is to not try to be a hero.
“My biggest thing is: Don’t turn a bad play into a catastrophe. If it’s a bad play, throw it away, take a sack, whatever you got to do.. . . Let’s not be flippant or casual with that ball.”.
Georgia committed 28 turnovers (17 interceptions thrown and 11 fumbles lost) last season and had an atrocious turnover ratio of minus-16 (28 lost, 12 gained). Richt calls turnover ratio the most important statistic in football.
“If we just turn that around, we win a minimum of 10 and probably 11 games [last season],” he said. “So we got to get better at that.”
That will require forcing more opponent turnovers, which is up to Todd Grantham’s defense, and protecting the ball better on offense, which starts with Aaron Murray.
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254 comments Add your comment
WestOfAthens
May 15th, 2010
9:39 pm
No surprise within the text i have read.
I believe this unit will surprise the SEC pundits.
HBTD
WestOfAthens
May 15th, 2010
9:41 pm
OH, to all the hating individuals: How ‘Bout Them Dawgs
UGA is relevant, feed elsewhere
Dawg Pay
May 15th, 2010
9:42 pm
Murray’s better than Brantley—the Dawgs will upset florida in 2010—you heard it here first!
Another One Bites the Dust
May 15th, 2010
9:46 pm
nail..hammer..head Freddie! If the recruiting services are correct in evaluating the Ugag players, then there is a big problem in the cesspool and it has to begin with the head coach! The results don’t match the talent level!
Shreveport Sociology
May 15th, 2010
9:47 pm
Joe Cox looked good in High School also.
We have a part-time reciever at backup QB.
……yikes !
GT moving up fast
May 15th, 2010
9:53 pm
—Nesbitt for Heisman—
Freddie
May 15th, 2010
9:59 pm
Every year, UGA idiots get all pumped up over your recruiting class. And every year you finish 2nd or 3rd in the division. Can’t one of you morons connect the dots and see there’s a huge disconnect between where your recruiting classes are ranked and the team’s W-L record?
No, I don’t think any of you are smart enough to make the connection. Go back to your beer, and try to remember the month’s only half over, so make that unemployment check last till the end of the month.
DOGGIE
May 15th, 2010
9:59 pm
Hey “the Truth Hurts”. I give a rat’s a** and I live in North Carolina, so it’s your statement that is irrelevant. GO DOGGIES!
Freddie
May 15th, 2010
10:02 pm
I forgot to wish all the UGA fans good night and sweet dreams.
tired of the complaining
May 15th, 2010
10:54 pm
Fact: anyone who participates in chat rooms, blogs and etc…. have one common trait: they love their foootball team and would like to see a sucessful season come to fruition. Anytime someone only enter hate and what not are just that:haters! As a true dawg fan, I am glad to know that We the Bulldog Nation has so many haters. And oh by the way…..Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford both spent a redshirt year and their respected schools, if Murray can come to their success I will be extremely happy. Go Dawgs!
Brainiac(Dawg for life in Louisville, Ga.)
May 15th, 2010
11:02 pm
Jacob Flinder in Waynesboro: The guy was just responding to posts of others…..just like you did to his. It might help if you actually read some of the other posts before engaging your jaw. It ain’t football season so if you really like football like most of us on here then you either talk about the past or the future. Your choice, his choice
Brainiac(Dawg for life in Louisville, Ga.)
May 15th, 2010
11:13 pm
Teh troof: Coach Richt has encountered very, very little adversity when playing the North Avenue Bunglebees and he has won 2 SEC titles. Also slam dunked the 2009 A She She champs which in itself was no super feat but just FYI in case you forgot.
hugedawgfan
May 16th, 2010
12:01 am
Hey Murray the Midget, how do you know he is a midget? Did your mother also “have a Freudian slip”?
Sir Dog A Lot
May 16th, 2010
12:05 am
Rivals compared Murray to Drew Brees. Had some good things to say about him here:
http://uga.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=800299
RED DOG 77
May 16th, 2010
12:44 am
Teresa 5/15 2:41pm………Would you think as highly of Zack Mettenberger if he had touched you the way he touched the young lady over Spring break ? Oh……..Teresa, tell me, you are not that kind of girl, are you ?
Global Village Idiots - Richt advises uneasy fans: Do an Internet search on Aaron Murray – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
May 16th, 2010
1:03 am
[...] Source:Richt advises uneasy fans: Do an Internet search on Aaron Murray – Atlanta Journal Constitutio… [...]
UGADAWGZ
May 16th, 2010
1:05 am
The Truth Hurts – First the state of Georgia rules screw you. Second- We are one of the most well known national teams, proof: UGA is one of the most recognizable mascots in the world, the NFL loves us and always wants our players, and our coach is the 3rd most winning coach in the country right now. So stop being jealous of a great team and great state.
Teh Troof – Richt has won the SEC twice, you should learn football before making comments. O and way to be a douche making fun of people being christians
UGADAWGZ
May 16th, 2010
1:13 am
GT BABY – How is 1980 supposed to be an insult, it was one of the best teams in history.
Also yea you 4 championships but, when was the last time you had a tough schedule and held the overall record in the UGA-gt game?
BD
May 16th, 2010
1:20 am
Has Mark Richt lost his freakin’ mind? He wants his brainwashed followers to believe that 2 year old HS tapes are gonna beat Florida? Auburn? Tennessee?
Richt spends too much time spray tanning. Appparently the fumes have gotten to his brain.
BD
May 16th, 2010
1:24 am
1980 was NOT one of the best football teams in history. You will find no one outside of a UGA fan that believes that. The teams you played were all mediocre – Auburn, Tennessee, Clemson – Tech was horrible and they even tied the team you played for a National Championship. In fact, I’d say that the 1980 UGA team probably scrapes the bottom of the barrel if you were to rank the National Championship teams from the last 50 years.
UGA owns you tasty bees..
May 16th, 2010
1:52 am
Tech fans are pathetic. Seriously, you have beat us ONE time this decade, please put that little thing back in your pants, the ladies are all laughing at you..
UGA owns you tasty bees..
May 16th, 2010
1:56 am
Hurry tech fans, i heard there’s another overweight, lazy, fullback left somewhere in GA for you to recruit. Hey, who knows, maybe he can switch between RB and QB, like you’re latest QB recruit. Oh wait, he was a RB. I think PJ needs to quit playing with his over-sized boobs, and try and find some REAL football players. You know, the kind that scouting services ACTUALLY rate.. Uh-oh, i just heard Al-groh has misplaced his AARP card again, someone get the depends..
UGA owns you tasty bees..
May 16th, 2010
1:58 am
Your team is the biggest joke of the south (hence the well-deserved nickname, “the joke by Coke”), and if UGA was HALF as BAD as you guys, instead of Todd Grantham, we would have hired Rich brooks to run our D this year..
Anthony
May 16th, 2010
2:11 am
Richt should have planned better.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
2:35 am
It is never good when the coach has to tell all his fans that his fans don’t know squat about the game, while he hypes yet another player who hasn’t done a thing.
Hey Coach Richt.
When Aaron Murray is next injured, who is coming in sir ?
Caleb King was recruited here 2007. He had a broken bone in his upper leg, tibia. He was redshirted 2007 at 5’ 11” and 212 lbs out of Greater Atlanta Christian High School where he transferred to from Parkview. He was the # 1 overall football recruit in the state of Georgia and the # 8 running back in the nation.
Caleb King is a Junior. A redshirt Junior.
2008 he had 100 yards rushing against Georgia Southern in his first game.
He hasn’t had 100 yards rushing since except for the last regular season game against a very porous Georgia tek rushing defense.
In between he had 1 yard rushing 2008 against Florida. None against Kentucky. None against Auburn, 1 yard rushing against Georgia tek. 0 again against Michigan State. Only the Kentucky and Auburn games 2008 could Caleb King not play. He has needed surgery since he got on this campus. He prefers to sit out, or be named the Starting Tailback and not be able to report to the field to take a carry.
Perhaps you remember the 2008 season ?
Alabama who was ahead 31 to nothing at halftime. Caleb King was our tailback. He had 5 yards rushing in the entire game.
He also had 2 passes he caught. That was for 2 more yards. 7 yards is what he had rushing and catching the ball.
No wonder we lost. Why even send him out there ?
The next game Caleb King had 15 yards total in the game. He had 10 touches for 15 yards. He had 9 rushes and 1 catch and amassed a grand total of 15 yards vs the vols that day.
2 games after that against Vandie, Caleb King had 12 yards total in the whole entire game. 12 yards.
Then, we got to the next big game, after we had already seen what Caleb King could do against Alabama. And, this is of course the Florida game. We were losing 42 to nothing. Caleb King amassed a grand total of 1 yard total in the game. He caught a pass and had a rushing play for us. Why send him out there ? To deflate the team ?
You remembering this 2008 season ?
Next big game after we allowed 31 consecutive points to Alabama, 42 consecutive points to Florida was Georgia tek. Caleb King turned in his USUAL PERFORMANCE of 1 yard total in the game. Georgia tek scored 29 unanswered points.
Big player in big games.
Against Georgia tek, Caleb King again had both a rushing carry and a catch. 1 yard total yardage.
Every time we brought in Caleb King, he didn’t do squat.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
2:36 am
STARTING TAILBACK Caleb King.
He is our STARTING TAILBACK. Caleb King is.
He has been.
He is the returning STARTING TAILBACK.
5 games in a ROW Caleb King has been our STARTING TAILBACK.
Last year, you will recall was yet another EMBARRASSING YEAR for The Georgia Bulldogs’ Football team.
Coming off the 2008 season when we started # 1 in the AP Poll preseason, then allowed 31 consecutive points to Alabama, 42 consecutive points to Florida and 29 consecutive points to Georgia tek, we dropped to # 13 in the Final AP Poll. Disappointing. Very disappointing. One of the worst performances by our football program All-Time. Had we started the season ranked # 13 in the AP Poll, we would have dropped OUT of the Top 25 Final AP Poll.
Obviously.
One of the major reasons for this is the play or lack thereof of Caleb King.
Our Starting Tailback now, today.
We have ABSOLUTELY SUCKED in the games Caleb King has played in.
He comes into the games and does not a damn thing.
So, we start last season 2009 and Caleb King is touted, based upon his 2008 performance.
Uh hmm.
Clearing my throat.
Touted as a great running back.
Telling us how great he is.
Was in high school.
You think you are going to get drafted Caleb King ?
I haven’t seen it.
I assure you the NFL hasn’t seen it.
Washaun Ealey is listed on the Official Post-Spring Depth Chart at # 1 Tailback. Caleb King is NOT EVEN LISTED.
You know why ?
Because he is INJURED AGAIN.
Can’t play.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
2:38 am
When hasn’t Caleb King been injured ?
Go ahead, I will wait for that answer when Caleb King hasn’t been injured.
Starting Tailback as The University of Georgia.
http://www.georgiadogs.com/fls/8800/football/depth-chart/depth-chart-final.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=8800
Why would Coach Richt and Mike Bobo leave Caleb King off the Official Latest Depth Chart ?
Well, we know he missed the last 4 practices this team had.
We know he was held out of the G-Day Game.
But, we also know Caleb King has Started at Tailback each of the last 5 games now.
2009.
So, to start the 2009 season, Caleb King was wait for it now, injured.
Could not play against Oklahoma State. Loss. We could not run the football, again.
We recover and are playing at Home against LSU. Caleb King has 8 rushes for 7 yards.
8 eight rushes for 7 seven yards and we lose to LSU. Duh. Thanks a lot Caleb King.
Way to really show up in the big games.
5 big games to date. Alabama, Florida, Georgia tek 2008. Oklahoma State 2009 and now LSU at Home 2009.
You want Caleb King’s rushing totals for those 5 games ?
The 7 yards he got against LSU doubled his total.
14.
14 yards rushing by Caleb King, in the 5 Big Games of 2008 and 2009 so far to-date in this summary of Caleb King as a Running Back at UGA.
With all the hype.
Oh we are going to be so great in 2010 because Aaron Murray can rely upon Caleb King, STARTING TAILBACK, and Washaun Ealey.
So, after the LSU game, we played the vols.
Caleb King could NOT play.
Injured.
Getting the picture yet ?
Oh, sorry we got BLOWN OUT by Tennessee.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
2:38 am
Caleb King has 14 yards rushing against Vandie.
Then, we go to Florida 17-41 LOSS. Caleb King has 19 total yards against Florida catching and running.
19 yards.
That doubles his yardage to date in the 6 big games of 2008 and 2009 for our STARTING TAILBACK.
33 yards rushing in our 6 big games of 2008 and 2009 for Caleb King.
You need to get ready for this now.
This is all I am going to tell you about Caleb King and the FAVORITES that Coach Richt and Mike Bobo play on Offense.
At this point, with these 6 big games of UGA with Caleb King a grand total of 33 yards rushing…
Get ready for it now
GUESS WHO IS MADE THE STARTING TAILBACK AT UGA ?
Caleb King.
And, he has REMAINED THE STARTING TAILBACK AT UGA SINCE.
Washaun Ealey had 1 fumble and lost it and led the team in Rushing.
Caleb King had twice as many fumbles as Washaun Ealey and Caleb King lost both fumbles of his.
Did I mention we lost to a lousy 7-6 Kentucky team not ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll obviously at HOME with Caleb King the Starting Tailback ?
So, there you have it the sum total of Caleb King.
And, he is your RETURNING STARTING TAILBACK Aaron Murray Mike Bobo and Coach Richt are relying upon.
God help us.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
3:03 am
UGADAWGZ,
“Coach Richt is the 3rd most winning coach in the country right now”
What in the F are you talking about ?
Coach Richt is # 19 in the nation at 38-14 the last 4 years.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
3:05 am
Coach Richt has lost to 8 teams not ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Polls
Coach Richt has lost to 8 teams Top 10 Final AP Polls and beat 3
Coach Richt does NOT beat the good teams and for good measure LOSES to lousy teams
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
3:28 am
Dawg Pay
Brantley is ready to be QB at Florida. Aaron Murray is NOT ready according to Coach Richt last night in Macon. He doesn’t know the playbook and needs reps.
He needed reps last year and did not get them because he came here injured, then threw his arm out then missing another 21 Fall Practices last year.
Now, this year, he hasn’t gotten the reps and the reason for that is that Coach Richt found himself held ransom by Logan Gray who has to-date in his now 4th year in this system 0 TD passes, 2 interceptions and 5 total completions. Logan Gray made Coach Richt split the reps with the # 1 offense with him and Aaron Murray.
Florida is so much a better team than UGA that it requires no response to crap you post that we will beat Florida.
You say the same thing this time every year.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
3:36 am
I hope we don’t surprise anyone this year.
Because the only way we are going to surprise anyone will be if Aaron Murray gets injured for the 3rd time in 3 years now in a row.
Otherwise, we go through another boring 9-4 or 10-3 record in 14-game seasons nowadays.
That will keep Coach Richt his job.
I say 10-3 or 9-4.
In 14-game seasons nowadays.
I am NOT satisifed with that.
By the way, I looked up what Coach Richt said and what he said was that
“IT IS A CLOSE RACE at quarterback position. Mike Bobo and I will have to go over all 15 spring practices to determine who is # 1 at quarterback now that the G-Day Game is complete.”
That is what his actual quote is, now that he is telling us that hey 2 years ago in high school Aaron Murray was great.
Since, he certainly has NOT distanced himself from ANYONE – not according to Coach Richt after the G-Day Game.
Joedawg
May 16th, 2010
5:55 am
I don’t think anything yet. Murray has yet to step on a CFB field during a live game. No one knows how he’s going to react. I know how good Christian Lemay looks in HS, but that means nothing to UGA QB race this fall.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
6:08 am
That, Joedawg, and if he has his 3rd injury in the last 3 years then this year again, we certainly do know what Logan Gray will not be a good quarterback.
Georgiadawg70
May 16th, 2010
7:03 am
Coach, Its not Murry that I am worried about.
cseay
May 16th, 2010
7:30 am
Watched Murray in High School and Georgia isn’t HS. Offensive linemen are mutch bigger and Murray is a generous 5:11. Yes, Drew Brees isn’t much bigger but let’s be honest, Murray won this job by default and no youtube video is going to change that.
Derek Dooley
May 16th, 2010
7:49 am
Look for another azz-kicking at the hands of The Vols…….get used to it. There’s a new Dooley in town….K-town that is. Go Big Orange!!!
Pauls A. Johnson
May 16th, 2010
8:07 am
Murray is a great passing quarterback, but he can’t run the Wing-T, or the Triple Option. That is why GT didn’t offer Murray a scholarship.
The return of why-Georgia-is-doomed-in-2010 « Get The Picture
May 16th, 2010
8:07 am
[...] Some of you probably think I’m beating a dead horse with this stuff, but in a world where Mark Richt feels compelled to remind the fan base that his five-star, highly-sought-after-as -a-recruit, [...]
Pete
May 16th, 2010
8:54 am
Bulldaw is a complete moron. 9-4 or 10-3 in a 14 game season? Practice those math skills
poopdawg
May 16th, 2010
8:55 am
BuLLDawg, Go to BED and then you need to get to church and pray for coach Richt. Enough already !
AltamahaDawg
May 16th, 2010
9:07 am
“I am NOT satisfied with that”
Multiple road show and other appearances taking audience questions and visiting one-on-one with fans. Phone, fax, mail, email. Multiple ways to contact Mark Richt. My queston is: since you are so damn passionate to spend hours and hours a week looking up stats and posting long ranting pages of complaints, WHAT did the coach tell you when you presented him with all this? Surely THIS isnt the extent of your plan.
Me
May 16th, 2010
9:11 am
Nobody is responding to my comment. Why? Am I not offending?. I mean I LOVE GT!!!!! I have a PJohnson shrine in my locker.
me
May 16th, 2010
9:15 am
okay, gotta go then. I’m on the day shift this week at the huddle house. Whoo Hoo.
WonderDawg
May 16th, 2010
9:19 am
Teresa, go put on a load of clothes and fix supper. Chop chop.
gt4ever
May 16th, 2010
9:23 am
I think it is very interesting that CMR points everyone back to his high school tapes for confidence…… Hmmmmmm, that’s almost a laugh. This kid was not even close to being as sharp as Mett was in the G day game….. To say Murray would have been the starter even if Mett had not been kicked off the team is, well, disingenuous at best…. I think CMR needs somebody to write his speeches before he puts his foot in his mouth…. Just Sayin..
Coach Hewitt..
May 16th, 2010
9:25 am
Hi Techies, It’s me..Paul…. My good friend Dave Braine & my UGA Law Grad Agent said hello & THANKS again for my contract..LMMFAO…$7.1million or STFU…I Run This School……
I was at a Tech function last nite with Coach Johnson & Coach Groh. Ran in to Groh in the restroom, did y’all know Al wears Depend diapers & sits down to pee…Darn, he’s a real ball ‘o fire. Hope he makes it thru the season..FWIW, he’s got a cool azz old gold colored Walker tho..
Gotta run…Dave & I are going to spend some of y’alls money in St. Johns & St. Thomas this week. Two suites at the W Hotel…$2800.00 a nite… Thanks Again, LMMFAO…. Paul…
Rico Suave
May 16th, 2010
9:30 am
Teresa- I was in the mem’s bathroom at the Waffle House, and someone had written on the stall door that you have nice, pouty lips. Is this true? Just wondering……………..mmmmmmm, yeah! Hit me up (404) 387-XXXX
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
9:43 am
Pete,
Funny as hell
What you know about 14-game seasons and the fact that UGA is 10-10 last 4 years in The SEC East, thereby absoutely removing UGA from the national scene and hasn’t even been to The SEC Championship Game since 2005, would fit on the head of a pin.
Yet, there you are trying to give me lessons in math.
14-game seasons nowadays.
And, UGA wins 10 games a year.
38-14 the last 4 years.
Idiot.
We don’t play 14 games because The SEC East OWNS us.
BuLLdawg
May 16th, 2010
9:45 am
Altamahadawg,
Tell me the extent of your plan isn’t to oust me ?