Quarterbacks: Dogs need a solid (and injury-free) season from Aaron Murray
(Fifth in a summertime series looking at Georgia’s football team by position.)
TODAY: QUARTERBACKS
- Returning starter: Nope.
- Depth chart: Redshirt freshman Aaron Murray is No. 1, would-be wide receiver Logan Gray No. 2 and true freshman Hutson Mason No. 3.
- Attrition: Joe Cox (24 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions as last season’s starter) graduated, and redshirt freshman Zach Mettenberger was dismissed from the team.
- Key fact: The three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster have thrown a total of 12 collegiate passes (all by Gray, a junior).
- Key fact II: Murray was rated the No. 3 quarterback prospect in the nation coming out of high school and was named MVP of the prestigious Elite 11 quarterbacks camp.
- Key questions: How smoothly will Murray make the transition to No. 1 QB? Will he be able to heed his coach’s don’t-try-to-be-a-hero refrain and protect the football as Georgia tries to dramatically reduce last season’s turnovers (28)? And after being sidelined from throwing in practice for four weeks last season because of triceps and forearm tendinitis, will he be able to stay healthy? (As for the latter, Murray has said he’s more focused on “shoulder maintenance” this year to keep the arm strong and fresh.)
- Recent developments: It was no surprise that Murray emerged from a three-way competition in spring practice as the No. 1 quarterback, but his grip on the job was unexpectedly tightened by two post-spring developments. First, Mettenberger was kicked off the team shortly before pleading guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery. Next, Gray considered transferring before electing to remain with the Dogs and divide his time between quarterback and wide receiver. (It remains unclear, even to the coaches, exactly how that QB/WR juggling act is going to play out.)
- Outlook: Murray is a smart, hard-working and very talented player for whom Georgia won a recruiting battle against Florida and many other schools. He passed for 4,013 yards and 51 touchdowns as a junior at Tampa’s Plant High School and returned early from a broken fibula and dislocated ankle to guide the team to a state championship as a senior. So his credentials are strong. The only thing is, he’ll be a (redshirt) freshman starting at quarterback in the SEC, no easy task. The key to his season –- and perhaps Georgia’s — is whether he can minimize mistakes while growing into the job. With returning starters at all other positions on offense, Georgia needs Murray to be solid, not necessarily spectacular.
- Your turn: What say you about the quarterbacks?
———-
Links to previous entries in this series:
Monday: Defensive line.
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361 comments Add your comment
BG
June 18th, 2010
1:46 pm
UF better worry about their own first year QB. This kid will have a ton of pressure on his shoulders. Being the next QB after Tebow will be like being in a pressure cooker.
AltamahaDawg
June 18th, 2010
1:48 pm
And what week would that be Humper, because I don’t think that your school “The University of I hate Georgia” is actually on the schedule.
dawgtime
June 18th, 2010
1:55 pm
Murray was NOT the number one QB for spring fling. It wasn’t even close, Murray still looked like a high school QB, or a deer in head lights…. It’s going to be a tough year for us because our coaching staff has dropped the ball…… So to speak….
Monticello Dawg
June 18th, 2010
1:55 pm
1.Dawg4life- congrats on a great post. I concur with your observations.
2. Hutson Mason would be a more apt comparison with Joe Cox. Both put up big high school numbers, without a lot of eyecatching physical measurables. Murray has significantly better physical tools than Cox did, stronger arm, quicker release, better foot speed. For those who persist in this comparison, check out the offer list from each. Do you think Cox was on the Gators’ priority recruits list?
3. For those who think some Georgia fans are going overboard on Murray. No more so than Gator fans on Brantley. How much crunch time game experience does he have? Personally, I think both Murray and Brantley will do well, but don’t act like the Florida fanbase isn’t high on him like Georgia is on Aaron.
Dave
June 18th, 2010
1:56 pm
1- Let’s compare how Alabama & Florida use playmakers to Georgia:
Ingram- 271 carries, 32 receptions
Ealey- 125 carries, 3 receptions
Henandez- 68 receptions
Charles- 23 receptions
Harvin- 83 rushes, 53 receptions
Green- 5 rushes, 53 recpretions
2- Florida averaged 41.6 points a game in 2008, UGA averaged 28 in 2009
dawgfan
June 18th, 2010
1:58 pm
cantondawg, I agree. That’s why I said ADEQUATE QB play is sufficient. Asking a QB not to turn the ball over is like asking a linebacker to make tackles or asking the kicker to kick field goals. Its their job. Just because they don’t turn the ball over and make boneheaded mistakes doesn’t mean they are a great or even good quarterback. And I am certainly not saying I don’t want a stud quarterback on my team. Of course I do. I would kill to have Stafford back. Its just not as important to success as the media dorks make it out to be. That’s all.
Dave
June 18th, 2010
1:59 pm
Ingram got 3x more touches than Ealey got last year
Hernandez got 3x more touches than Charles got
Harvin got 2.3x more touches than AJ got
Get the ball to PLAYMAKERS.
wsewell525
June 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
well the last thing we want to do is scare the sh*t out of him. Learn to enjoy the experience with him. Of course he can be a great QB, he’s got the talent all around him, and he’s got the mentality. I’m sure he will have some growing pains, but that’s okay. Just beat FL, and I’ll be happy this year.
Flip
June 18th, 2010
2:04 pm
Rather have Logan Gray get 15 td’s and 4 int’s, than Murray get 25 td’s and 16 int’s.
PTC DAWG
June 18th, 2010
2:06 pm
Not chit…re your headline..
Hal
June 18th, 2010
2:09 pm
You know, AJ Green returned 12 punts for touchdowns in High School. I’d put him back there in a New York minute. If the guy can make plays, get him the ball a bunch. Notre Dame did ok with their Desmond WR returning punts a few years ago. Holtz knew how to get that ball to the stars on his team.
SILLY UGA FANS
June 18th, 2010
2:11 pm
I swear I really mean this. I hope this kid plays well for UGA because I know what it is like to watch a QB (Ball) sit in thier and completely ruin your day with bad decisions. That said he can have the game of his life all season until late november then I would like him to be a fumbling/interception incompotant machine. Good luck and oh by the way THWG
Adam
June 18th, 2010
2:12 pm
Tired of hearing about how Murray has the “IT” factor.
On G-Day, he had the “THROW IT TO THE OTHER TEAM” factor.
Flip
June 18th, 2010
2:14 pm
Rather see Mason take 30 sacks, than Murray throw 16 interceptions.
L Train Lane
June 18th, 2010
2:19 pm
Hutson Mason kid makes Tom Brady look like Joe Cox. Kid threw 8 touchdown’s in a playoff game. 8 td’s, 1 game. Mason can rock your face off, the kids the real deal, Brady wasn’t highly recruited either, he turned out all right.
gadawgs
June 18th, 2010
2:20 pm
I just hope all of you naysayers have the stones to come back here at the end of the season and admit that you were wrong about Murray and don’t know sh*t about football. G-Day stats do not mean anything.
TOUCAN DOG
June 18th, 2010
2:21 pm
2010 GEORGIA CAN EITHER BE LIKE 2009 ALABAMA:
16 TD’S, 4 INT’S
OR LIKE 2009 FLORIDA
25 TD’S, 5 INT’S, 28 SACKS
JUST NOT LIKE 2009 GEORGIA:
25 TD’S, 16 INT’S, 10 SACKS
AltamahaDawg
June 18th, 2010
2:38 pm
Ingram played a full season, Ealey did not. Doesnt matter because unless you give us Ingrams stats from 9 games from his freshman year, the comparison means nothing. Also ran behind one of the better o-line in the SEC last year. Did Ealey? Did I mention Ealey was a freshman and played a partial season?
Hernandez was a senior, Charles a freshman. Hernandez had 9 cathes his first year, Charles 23. Looks to me that Richt is way ahead on this curve already.
And why on earth would you compare Harvin to Greene in 08′? (excluding Tebow) Harvin WAS thier running game. We had a little guy named Knowshon Moreno..rememebr? KM had 250 attempt by himslef. It take the entire rest of the UF plus Harvin to equal that. Was Knowshon a “playmaker”?
Hurt several game AJ (playmaker) Green still had way more action than any reciever on Bama’s team. So? What does that prove?
Any other aples to compare with oranges?
Uf also average in the mid 30 last year with what should have been a BETTER offence, but wasnt. Why not? 28 is more than UF averaged while winning a NC in 2006, so obviously that’s not the whole story.
McDonough Dog
June 18th, 2010
2:39 pm
Bottom line is we will see what Aaron Murray is made of when he gets in a “real game.” By all accounts/interviews with current and past coaches, and those who have seen him in person, he is quite the leader and a “gamer.” I don’t really care what he did in the G day game. I thought he had the least time to throw and was blitzed more by the #1 D than any of the three quarterbacks on that day (maybe by design if he was projected to be the #1 starter), and you won’t see that in the stat line. He also threw some balls that were in the hands of the receivers and dropped.
Time will tell. It’s impossible to predict what kind of season that he will have, but I think the coaches are going to put him in the best possible situation to succeed.
He certainly has all the high school accolades and awards. Elite 11 MVP, Parade All American, # 3 QB overall by Rivals, #3 overall in category “Best Arm,” Rivals 100 and ESPNU 150. I think I read an article a while back on the ESPN site in which Colt McCoy was quoted as saying he was one of the most impressive young quarterbacks that he hade seen. It’s interesting that ESPN has him rated the same as Garret Gilbert from Texas, who I thought played exceptional given the circumstances in the BCS NC game as a true freshman. It’s also interesting that Murray is rated as an 87 on ESPN, while Lemay, who some have stated will replace Murray, is currently rated at 82. Shouldn’t these ratings be consistent from year to year?
Now the Dawg fans want to see some of that “hype” on the field. I’m sure he will make mistakes from time to time, but hopefully, he will show some of that promise as both an efficient passer and leader. Time will tell.
Scott
June 18th, 2010
2:41 pm
Love to see Georgia use some fake tip off signals aganst Florida.
Use eyes, and feet 2 or 3 plays until Florida thinks they got you figured out.
Then, in the red zone, give the same pre-read signals, and do something totally different.
Then, the 3rd time, do some totally different from the other 2.
Keep em’ guessing.
BE UNPREDICTIBLE.
AltamahaDawg
June 18th, 2010
2:42 pm
I seem to have a big bucket of left-over letters from that above post. Stick them in where needed please.
Dawgie Bowser
June 18th, 2010
2:44 pm
A.M certainly has credentials with regards to physical abilities and game knowledge. My big concern would more be the great psychological stress this kid will be under. It’s all eyes on A.M. and he knows that. Carrying that kind of weight on your shoulders would be a tough row to hoe for anyone. My prayers are with him because his character is about to be soon put to the test.
Dave
June 18th, 2010
2:46 pm
Richt uses his playmakers 3x less than Florida & Bama.
Get the ball to your playmakers. Don’t be afraid to wear em’ out.
AJ Green need 125 touches (10 a game), Ealey needs 300 (25 a game), Charles needs 70 ( 6 a game).
40% of offensive plays should go to these 3 playmakers.
Get these guys the ball.
Amazing fans...
June 18th, 2010
2:51 pm
Got to wonder what potential recruits think about the DAWG fans when they read some of these comments. What must their parents think about sending their kids to such a negative place. To some of you, it appears that no matter how good these players are, if they weren’t born in Georgia, then there’s always someone better from the state. Help me out here, are other SEC fan based blogs this negative to their players before even taking the field? Maybe it’s just me who thinks this is so wrong.
Hunk Erdown
June 18th, 2010
2:51 pm
gadawgs- I was about to write basically the same thing you just posted. Anybody that judges the team or players by the spring “game” don’t know crap about football. The coaches set up all kinds of scenarios to test/gauge players for the purpose of teaching/coaching. I remember playing linebacker and my coach telling me to go half speed on a particular play then go offsides and crack the center on the next play before he could snap the ball. They did the same thing on offense, like telling the qb to purposely make a bad pitch, etc. You just absolutely can’t judge anyone on the stats of a g-day game.
SoCal Dawg
June 18th, 2010
2:57 pm
Murray’s biggest problem will be Mike Bobo!
AltamahaDawg
June 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
Sure you can. David Greene stunk up his first one.
Fizzled Out
June 18th, 2010
3:03 pm
I’m a Bill Walsh guy. Walsh taught you don’t judge a kid by his highlight film, you judge him by his 10 worst plays. Yeah, you look at his 10 best plays too, but you balance that by looking at his 10 worst plays. Then you look for something that “wows” you. Like 8 touchdowns in a playoff game like Mason did. Mason got Lassiter to it’s 1st playoff in school history. Got a teammate to make “the catch” that made ESPN highlights. Mason has it all, 10 incredible plays, 10 not real bad plays, and several “wow” moments. Ealey’s 155 td’s in high school were “wowable”. AJ’s a ‘wow” highlight reel. Lemay has some “wow wow” moments. Don’t see any wow stuff from Murray or Gray.
JMac 01203
June 18th, 2010
3:03 pm
At least John Brantley has played in several games and has some experience. Tha only experience Murray has is in HIGH SCHOOL. Before annointing him the next Tim Tebow, let’s see what he can do against college defenses. Remember that for all his accomplishments, TT did not start until his sophomore season. Murray is virtually being forced to start now due to attrition. Even Stafford the Great did not start the season as #1. I see a minimun of 4 losses, and possibly 5.
Dave
June 18th, 2010
3:05 pm
Speaking of the ‘wow” factor, Orson Charles scored 21 td’s in high school his senior from 75 catches. That’s making plays.
Fizzled Out
June 18th, 2010
3:11 pm
Here’s, “the catch”, Georgia QB Hutson Mason. Made ESPN highlights. Might be the best catch ever. Mason has a way of bring out greatness from his teammates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYVL1zOoq5I
Fizzled Out
June 18th, 2010
3:12 pm
This one handed catch in high school form AJ Green rivals them all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKIknHpuytU
Fizzled Out
June 18th, 2010
3:15 pm
Love this amazing run Ealey did against Auburn, could watch it 1000 times:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPo9kA2GItM
Schelley
June 18th, 2010
3:17 pm
Murray will just be a bad memory after 3-4 games. Assuming that he’s not arrested and suspended before the season starts, several SEC teams will hand him his head on a platter. He’s a perfect example of a high school phenom who dies on the vine against real competition.
Fizzled Out
June 18th, 2010
3:17 pm
Here’s the video from Georgia QB Hutson Mason’s 8 TD playoff game, just some unreal throws:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGtKRYoENM
AltamahaDawg
June 18th, 2010
3:18 pm
That’s why he had 23 catches as a FRESHMAN TE in the SEC. Otherwise he would have been used just like all the other freshman TE’s the in the SEC throughout the years. (including hernandez)
Urban Meyer
June 18th, 2010
3:20 pm
Ok, who was wearing Aaron Murrays jersey during the G-Day game because that must not have been Aaron Murray, according to many on this site. Apparently, I should have been looking for Brees on the back of his jersey.
Altair Mits
June 18th, 2010
3:21 pm
Mason has a better chance of being starting QB at the end of the season than Murray. Murray is way overrated as a college quarterback. This will be obvious soon enough, probably in the SC game.
Then there’s Zach…
Fizzled Out
June 18th, 2010
3:24 pm
Check out some of these runs from Washauan Ealey during the Ga Tech game–awesome baby, King makes one nice 75 yard run too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-zZ_qIJ3aQ&feature=related
Urban Meyer
June 18th, 2010
3:29 pm
Amazing the amount of pressure Dawg fans and writers are putting on this kid. I’ve see Phil Steele say Georgia should average 250 yards a game passing in 2010, which would have ranked the Dawgs second in passing in the SEC last year. I’ve seen Drew Brees comparision, this article in Aaron we trust, what fools. This kid is a red shirt that has never faced an SEC defense. Do you people not know that freshman very, very rarely if ever do well in this league. Oh I forgot, this is a Georgia site, MURRAY for the HEISMAN!
secsecsec
June 18th, 2010
3:39 pm
don’t forget these runs against auburn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXgoSL6l2dY
MountainDawg
June 18th, 2010
3:42 pm
JMac 01203, Stafford was indeed a HS stud. Also, (just as Mel Kiper predicted when Matt came to UGA) he was the #1 NFL draft pick.
Gray’s too good of an athlete to not be on the field. He needs to get reps at WR & H-Back (if not playing QB). Mason (also) has talent & could be a decent #2 QB (if Gray was hurt). In addition to focusing on rushing the ball, the Dawgs also need to pass (much) more to the TEs & FBs (underneath) & take some focus off the WR Corps.
TybeeDawg
June 18th, 2010
3:45 pm
Dave,
AJ 10 touches, Ealey 25 touches, Charles 6 touches…….40% of the offensive plays should go to these 3 guys? I guess if we go into 7 overtimes every game we could reach 100 offensive plays per game. It sure would be exciting.
JS
June 18th, 2010
3:49 pm
Dumb dogs are 1 QB injury from 3-9 season. Go hit the tanning beds, so when we have a blackout again you’ll be tan just like coach!
CLEVON LITTLE
June 18th, 2010
3:55 pm
Real Dawg , WE have no choice, really. It’s all or nothing –and lets hope it’s the first.
Nance Dog
June 18th, 2010
3:56 pm
Get Green/Ealey/Charles PLAYMAKERS 40 plays a game, the % don’t matter.
CLEVON LITTLE
June 18th, 2010
3:57 pm
JS, While I never knew you felt so stongly. Can coach Johnson not tan well? Too fair skinned?? Just asking…….
CLEVON LITTLE
June 18th, 2010
4:05 pm
MountainDawg , I agree with everything except the ‘Gray’s too good of an athlete comment’…not sold on this. Although he hasn’t played much yet in the 3 years he’s been in Athens, he has neither impressed me with his throwing or his agility in the return game. We shall see.
savannadawg
June 18th, 2010
4:08 pm
Stop using a single player as a berometer of how the football team is going to play this coming season. As far as I am concerned, everything falls on CMR’s shoulders. And he is not going to get off the hook this year no matter if his quarterback was a girl. I don’t care. Enough of the mellie mouth excusses for losses.
Blake
June 18th, 2010
4:15 pm
Montana, Brady, Brees, all have between a 2.35% to 2.7% int ratio.
Let’s say UGA QB throws it 20x a game for 12 games, that’s 240 throws, 2.5% would eb 6 int’s, about 1 int every 2 games or 1 int every 40 passes.
Kosar won a Natl Champ at Miami in 82′ as a redshirt freshman. Didn’t throw a lot of int’s. Threw just enough td’s (15), and completed a lot of short/high % passes (61%), for about 2300 yards for the season.
If you want to be great, you gotta shoot high.