Quarterbacks: Offense appears to be in good hands with Aaron Murray`
Fifth in a series breaking down Georgia’s 2011 football team by position groups. . . .
In Aaron Murray the Georgia Bulldogs trust, and for good reason after a phenomenal freshman season. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
THE QUARTERBACKS
- Returning starter: Aaron Murray (So., 6-1, 211).
- Others to watch: The competition to become Murray’s chief backup should be a good one between sophomore Hutson Mason, a lightly-recruited player who earned a scholarship offer with a record-breaking season as a high school senior, and true freshman Christian LeMay, an elite prospect of national renown who enrolled early in order to get into the mix.
- Key fact: Rarely is it that a sophomore quarterback is so roundly regarded as is Murray, but he appears to be gaining momentum as a consensus pick for preseason first-team All-SEC. His freshman season coupled with a blue-collar work ethic have excited the masses about the possibilities for improvement. As the meticulous researcher Phil Steele pointed out, Murray as a freshman had a higher higher pass efficiency rating (154.5) than Matthew Stafford did as a junior at Georgia, and Stafford ended up being the No. 1 overall pick in the subsequent NFL draft. Murray completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,049 yards passing — second all-time for an SEC freshamn — had a 24 to 8 TD to interception ratio and tied D.J. Shockley for UGA’s all-time record for TD responsibility with 28. Meanwhile, Murray did his best work at the end of the regular season, passing for 544 yards and 6 TDs with no interceptions against Auburn and Georgia Tech.
- Key fact II: The battle for backup duties is going to be interesting. Mason (6-3, 196) was solid in very limited as a true freshman, appearing in four games and completing 9-of-17 passes, including a TD pass on the very first attempt of his career (only the third QB in college football history to do that, joining Georgia Tech’s Taylor Bennett and Southern Cal’s Matt Leinart). LeMay (6-2, 195) put up some eye-popping passing numbers as a high school junior — 68.5 completion percentage, 3,296 yards, 48 TDs, 2 INTs — while leading Butler High to a 16-0 record and state championship. But he missed his entire senior season while protesting a controversial disciplinary suspension and the effect of the season off is unknown.
- Key questions: How will Murray perform without A.J. Green as a main target? Murray often joked that all he had to do was throw the ball high in the 6-4 Green’s general direction to complete a pass. He won’t have that luxury after Green was plucked away with the No. 4 pick in the NFL draft. But while Green caught 57 balls in nine games, Murray did manage to complete 152 passes to 18 other receivers.
- Recent developments: Murray was named to the Maxwell Award watch list for 2011.
- Outlook: Outstanding. What a difference a year makes. Coming into the 2010 season the Bulldogs had no quarterbacks with any experience. A year later they are relying on a 13-game starter and Freshman All-SEC selection in Murray, a tested backup in Mason and a bluechip prospect in LeMay. Freshman walkons Parker Welch and Greg Bingham provide additional depth.
- Your turn: What’s your take on Georgia’s quarterbacks?
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494 comments Add your comment
Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:48 am
mURRAY FINISHED LAST IN THE ncaa IN ACCURACY IN THE 4TH qUARTER, #120:
http://www.cfbstats.com/2010/leader/national/player/situational07/category02/sort03.html
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
11:48 am
XMan,
After Murray wins the boise game, Boise will be 0-1 and Joe will say Murray still hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record………….
cadawg
July 7th, 2011
11:48 am
hope you’re right about lemay, joe, but i’m pretty sure you’re wrong about murray. saying he “can’t” win a big game is not the same as saying that he “hasn’t” won a big game yet. you mention garcia as a “big game” QB, but quick question: how many “big games” did he win his freshman year? or might it be possible that quarterbacks — like everyone else — get better at their job as they gain more experience?
as for murray… he was definitely tight in the first half against florida… but there was that second half, where he played very well. one of the things you’d know if you watched ALL the games last year is that murray was inconsistent in every game, whether it was “big” or not. that comes with being a freshman and a first year starter.
the major point of emphasis with murray this off-season has been consistency.. i’m assuming — based on reason, evidence, and virtually everyone who knows anything about quarterbacking — that we’re going to see a more settled, more consistent, and more confident QB this year. you’re assuming — based on an off-the-cuff psychological assessment — that murray won’t get better because he’s a choker.
guess we’ll see who’s right in 58 days.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:49 am
Murray is 0-6 vs. teams with winning records.
Dawg Tired
July 7th, 2011
11:49 am
Enter your comments here
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
11:50 am
murry’s numbers are amazing given the fact he was a freshmen. the play calling was called that way because he was a freshmen.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:51 am
Murray ranks nationally in passing accuracy:
120th in 4th quarter
83rd in red zone
90th on 3rd down
Dawg Tired
July 7th, 2011
11:52 am
Sorry about the inadvertent post.
I appreciate Joe’s ability to compile stats. I only which he understood them. Don’t think that’s going to happen.
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
11:52 am
well im pretty positive that after his sophmore year that his stat against winning teams will look better than 0-6.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
11:52 am
Some people on this blog are 0 for a lifetime in the following:
1.) Getting a woman to go on a date
2.) Having a job
3.) Having a life
4.) Having a college degree
5.) Getting laid
I won’t suggest specific candidates because that will get me banned by certain lowlife bloggers who bait us and then tattle to the moderators when we respond.
I think everyone is pretty clear on who the candidates are
SSIgator
July 7th, 2011
11:52 am
Russ, the Temporary Mascot -
Hey Russ, any new ones on the way or are you still firing blanks.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:53 am
UGA runs a pr style pass oriented offense, where passing accuracy is the #1 skill set needed at QB.
Murray can’t run a Pro Style offense because he’s the least accurate QB in the NCAA in key situations.
1eyedJack
July 7th, 2011
11:54 am
“Murray for Heisman!”
That’s my other GnaT imitation.
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
11:55 am
dawglex..i was thinking that same statement.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:55 am
UGA’s top 2 scorer at WR are gone on to the NFL. Charles averages 2 td’s a season, has a tendancy to choke during big games. UGA finished 10th in SEC scoring with 2 future NFL WR’s, with them gone, it will drop to 12th.
shankit
July 7th, 2011
11:56 am
S Sigator – “Temporary Mascot???”.
The gators are the only school that has their mascot mounted by a taxidermist
and on display in their skyboxes. Sad, Sad, at least our mascots rest in peace.
Understand Alachua Taxidermy Service is running a special this week for all
their bullgator customers.
Stuffed Gator hood ornament for your orange and blue truck for only $49.95
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
11:57 am
joe,,murry ran the pro style offesnse just fine as freshmen. better than most would have expected. look for his numbers to go up each year. the kid is smart and is a winner. strong arm and will be better at reading defenses.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:57 am
Murray’s 1st pass in the Florida game was picked off. Then he failed to complete another pass until the 2nd quarter. Then he threw 3 interceptions. Then he committed a fumble that lost over 30 yards of field position. Murray is the biggest choker at UGA ever.
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July 7th, 2011
11:58 am
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Joe
July 7th, 2011
11:58 am
Pro Style Offense requires a doninating run game. UGA was 10th in SEC in rushing.
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
11:59 am
joe..uga was 4th lst year in scoring in the sec. and with uga reloading again that position with murry being a soph i will look for that to go up to 2.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
12:00 pm
Mason completed 72% of his passes his Sr. year in high school. He’s the man if you want to run a short passing offense. Mason owns all the Georgia records for td’s and yardage.
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
12:01 pm
pretty confident that king will get it going this year and with the oline being more experienced i think the run game will be around 5 in the sec.
Joe
July 7th, 2011
12:01 pm
Nope, UGA was 10th in SEC in scoring in 2010:
http://www.cfbstats.com/2010/leader/911/team/offense/split09/category09/sort01.html
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
12:02 pm
joe..that was high school not in the sec.. hutson is a fine qb but not better than murry. murry has the skills and experience
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
12:04 pm
joe..4th 34.3 points a game was good for 4th..aub ark and ala were ahead. all had a jr or sr as a qb
BigRedDawg
July 7th, 2011
12:06 pm
It should read in “Great Hands”
UGA will win the SEC this year, mark it down. And next year we’ll be playing for our 6th National Championship and will win.
Why? Because the Dawgs get the best talent from the most talented high school football state in the country. “Dream Team” ring any bells? I know how tough football is in Georgia because I played in Cobb and would have been a Dawg but blew out my knee my softmore season.
With the gators major coaching changes and ? at QB we have NO COMPETITION in the SEC East. So, we will cruise tot he Dome and have a tough but very winnable with bama or lsu..
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
12:07 pm
now if you are just saying teams with winning records then maybe..but again he was a freshmen.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:08 pm
xman
don’t waste your time anymore with stats man
his stats are wothless drivel
shankit
July 7th, 2011
12:09 pm
BigRedDawg – What a breath of fresh air coming from a positive
Dawg fan. Didn’t know there were any left. Very familiar with
Cobb, myself from Valdosta, have had some great rivalries over
the years and two programs that are always positive.
FL dawg
July 7th, 2011
12:11 pm
This wannabe bas Bobo site, SHOULD be the official bash T. Grant- “me 3 wishes”ham- site. I do love UGA, best in the nation.
SSIgator
July 7th, 2011
12:12 pm
DawginLex -
Some people on this blog are 0 for a lifetime in the following:
1.) Getting a woman to go on a date
2.) Having a job
3.) Having a life
4.) Having a college degree
5.) Getting laid
1) Check
2) Check
3) Check
4) Check
5) Check
Or were you refering to yourself?
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
12:12 pm
joe..here is a stat you didnt give…
http://www.cfbstats.com/2010/leader/911/player/split07/category02/sort01.html
cool down that "HOT" seat
July 7th, 2011
12:12 pm
Boise State appears to be in good hands with QB Kellen Moore also.
… gotta beat those boys in the GEORGIA dome …
EDawg
July 7th, 2011
12:14 pm
Actually, against winning teams, which is really all that matters if you want to win the SEC, Richt was ranked in the 80’s in offensive points per game nationally.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2010/leader/national/team/offense/split09/category09/sort01.html
TheXman
July 7th, 2011
12:17 pm
yea 80th last year with a freshmen running the pro style offense. pretty sure that stat will change next year and the year after that..i dont get too caught up on stats anyways. just wins and richt has a ton of them, in conference and out
EDawg
July 7th, 2011
12:18 pm
Winning teams is better measure than conference, especially with Richt’s easy 2010 schedule—Kwentucky, Vanderbilt, Tenn, Florida were all bad in 2010. Who cares how Murray does against conference teams like Vanderbilt?
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:18 pm
Nice try SSI
Might apply to you, might not.
Can’t believe you have the nerve to bash Murray when you and the gators would give your right arm to have him.
John Brantley?
You do realize without Meyer playing musical QB’s last year, Brantley playing the entire season would have netted maybe 5 wins?
Meyer is gone
Timmy is not coming in
It is all Brantley
Murphy has never played
Driscoll is a freshman
Who has the bigger QB issues? Florida that’s who.
Keep sticking your head in the sand and wishing for something different.
No Tebow=No titles
McDawg
July 7th, 2011
12:22 pm
i think we need Mason in there whenever we have a comfortable lead in the 4th
AltamahaDawg
July 7th, 2011
12:23 pm
If that cfbstats site ever crashed, Joe would cease to have a pulse.
Central Georgia Dawg
July 7th, 2011
12:26 pm
need a lot of diversity on offense. Richt needs to go back to his first 3-5 years. Offense needs to not be predictable. Bobo has shown glimpses, needs to really step up this year. do more with less.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:26 pm
Who do you want playing against Florida if Murray is out?
Mason or Lemay?
That tells me who the backup should be.
Bottom line is we would be screwed either way
Kody
July 7th, 2011
12:30 pm
Joe, uh Judd, ace , lets just call you sybil, At least if your going to post stats ttry and be accurate 10th in the SEC in scoring? Maybe you should do a little research.
Luke
July 7th, 2011
12:30 pm
We’re vulnerable at QB. If Caleb King gets reps, he can’t score and tends to fumble. If Crowell gets reps, vulnerble to QB hits. If Murray gets injured, no QB has reps besides Murray and season is 4-8. Richt’s tendancy to not let Mason get experience has left Richt vulnerable at QB with no experience there besides Murray. The defensive line at South Carolina will be a nightmare.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:31 pm
SSi, I notice your blog posts have increased recently.
I guess you are done serving on the Casey Anthony jury.
Only in Florida. They must have all been gators.
Did y’all do the chomp to the prosecuting attorney after letting the murderer go free?
SSIgator
July 7th, 2011
12:33 pm
DawginLex -
No Hershel = No titles
1980 – so long ago.
Dawg Gone
July 7th, 2011
12:35 pm
@EDawg many of the teams with non winning records had them partly because they played UGA..over the last decade isn’t CMR one of the top 10 coaches in terms of winning percentage?
old time dog
July 7th, 2011
12:37 pm
Joe, You kinda contradicted yourself pardner. You said a pro style offense like UGA runs is dependent on the passing game. Then later you say a pro style offense like UGA runs is dependent on the rushing game. Now maybe what you were saying is the pro offense is dependent on both? eYe might even agree you need one for the other to be effective. This could just be an oversight on your part seeing how you are quite busy compiling stats in hopes of making people angry. Stats aside, visit with us and lets talk a little football outside of how bad Murray is. eYe think we understand you don’t think very much of our qb. Good thing for us all is he apparently doesn’t play for the team you are a fan of. Lucky you, lucky us. eYe was thinking somebody might relish the idea of compiling stats on your Murray posts. Would likely be a time consuming task.
JB
July 7th, 2011
12:38 pm
Gators are coming back to earth. Lost 5 games last year and will also this year. Many HUGE questions on that Florida team….and staff……….Dominance is over……Just another team on the schedule. No Qb, weak OL, no proven SEC type RB, no WR’s who have ever run a pattern other than some hip hop jailbreak route. Trouble I tell ya. We know Muschamp can scream…can he coach. didn’t look like it at Texas last year…….
SSIgator
July 7th, 2011
12:39 pm
DawginLex -
That is really low – even by your standards. A tragic death of a two year old girl and you find some way to enter it in a football blog. That is really shameful.