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
Luke
July 7th, 2011
12:43 pm
With AJ Green there to bail out Murray’s off the mark passes, it worked out ok. Without AJ Green, started out 1-3. Will be interesting to see how much Murray’s lack of accuracy shows up without AJ there to bail him out.
If 1-3 is any indication, coud be a long, long season.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:43 pm
what is low about it?
The jury is a bunch of idiots and they are all from florida
Better than 50% chance they are gator fans
Deal with it
JB
July 7th, 2011
12:46 pm
Luke, I saw Murray hit Orson Charles in stride 30-35 yards down the field several times. He was a true Freshman with NO RUNNING game to take any pressure off him. I like our chances with him, and although they would NEVER admit it, Florida and Bama would love to have Murray this year.
2nd Year QB
July 7th, 2011
12:48 pm
An interesting stat for Richt’s QBs
5 seasons with returning QB, wins = 13, 11, 10, 11, 10
5 seasons with new starting QB, wins = 8, 10*, 9, 8, 6
The 10 win season being Shockley who clearly had the most playing time of any of the other new starting QBs. The obviously doesn’t mean we will have 10 or more wins this year but it is still an interesting statistic.
Luke
July 7th, 2011
12:49 pm
To run the Pro Style guys, you do need a strong running game, and an accurate quarterback. I don’t see how Richt has either. Think of teams like Dallas Cowboys with Emmit, Troy & Irvin and you get the picture of what the Pro Style should look like. Richt’s doesn’t have the personel to run the Pro Style Offense. Murray’s more of a dual threat, spread type of guy, Crowell or King hasn’t produced a 1000+ season for Richt or shown they can endure a season of hits yet without injury.
JB
July 7th, 2011
12:49 pm
Luke, go to you tube and type in Murray highlights from last year and rethink your post.
Luke
July 7th, 2011
12:51 pm
7 out of 8 of the last 8 seasons, Richt wins less games than the year before. So, 12% chance Richt wins more than 6 games for you optimists. For the rest of us, 88% chance Richt goes 5-7 or worse.
Rooster
July 7th, 2011
12:51 pm
All the games that Murray lost us last year I think it is very hard to say Georgia is in good hands. Take note of the Florida game (5 turnovers) and sorry attitude. The boy folds like wet toilet paper.
Luke
July 7th, 2011
12:54 pm
Stafford, Moreno, Mohammed, that was the Pro Style. Murray, King & King? No way.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:54 pm
What about the Auburn and GT games where he threw 6 TD’s and zero interceptions?
the defense gave him zero help both those days.
Drop the PPG allowed from 22 to 14 or 15 and we win a lot of games
Tossed Salad
July 7th, 2011
12:55 pm
Hutson Mason = Joe Cox. I’m glad Mason’ a Dawg, and he provides serviceable depth, but Christian Lemay has a talent ceiling so far above Mason’s it’s not even funny. It’s actually much higher than Murray’s as well. Lemay needs to play as often as possible. Murray is the undisputed starter, but the competition needs to stay wide open so that in 2012 the best QB is on the field, and not just the one who has put in the most time. Between Murray and Lemay, we’ll have an amazing QB. But if they both aren’t given an equal shot then there’s no way to know if we’ve really got the best guy out there. That’s why Hutson Mason can potentially become a problem. The fly in the ointment, so to speak. Richt has shown too much loyalty to QB’s at times (Cox) and not enough at others (Shockley). Hopefully he’s got it figured out by now.
DawginLex
July 7th, 2011
12:56 pm
rooster you are FOS if you think Murray has a sorry attitude.
He has the best work ethic on the team.
Try doing a little research before you post something so stupid.
JB
July 7th, 2011
12:57 pm
OK, I just went to youtube and watched Murray the first four games without AJ. He lights it up with Durham and T. King many many times. Go refresh your memories guys. Go Dawgs.
ugad
July 7th, 2011
1:00 pm
matt leinhart through a touchdown pass on first ever throw. Get your facts right
JB
July 7th, 2011
1:00 pm
Correct Lex…………Murray Is a coach on the field………..If fact, I would love to see him call some of his own plays this year. Studies film more than Any QB at Georgia………Now Stafford, I can’t defend him. Matt was about Matt and the NFL.
corn dog
July 7th, 2011
1:06 pm
JB. U have it all figured out. such a smart football boye.
JB
July 7th, 2011
1:10 pm
Darn……….and i like corn dogs………with yellow mustard……..At the fall fair………..Geez
Kermit Henderson
July 7th, 2011
1:10 pm
Georgia Bulldog born and bred. GOOOOOOOOOO DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
corn dog
July 7th, 2011
1:12 pm
Don’t know and really could care less what you like JB. Just know you think you pretty big running that overloaded mouth. You sure don’t represent the Bulldog Nation.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
1:13 pm
@SSIgator just for the record that HC of yours has still not won a game as a HC yet?
WDE
July 7th, 2011
1:17 pm
@Rooster did you even watch the UF game last year..Murray brought us back from being down two scores at the half..against that might UF defense and CUM. Yes he threw the pick but sonny that defender made a game winning save..he misses that one and UGA wins and yes that too would have been Murray’s fault. Anyway you slice it he was the best QB on the field that day.
old time dog
July 7th, 2011
1:18 pm
eYe think JB is right in that Murray didn’t have the running game to take any pressure off him. That situation hurt us most of the year. eYe thought the OL did a better job of pass protection than opening up holes for the running game. And at times they couldn’t do either. At least that’s what my old eyes saw.
Vance
July 7th, 2011
1:18 pm
I’ve always thought Murray was the man, and he proved it last season. My main concern is the offensive line’s ability to protect him, so he can show everyone what he’s got–a lot of talent!
JB
July 7th, 2011
1:19 pm
C dog…………you don’t know me or what i represent. This will be my last reply to you…..so you can rest easy now.
mustard dog
July 7th, 2011
1:20 pm
old time dog, JB, Lex, and Altamaha dawg all have big egos and bigger mouths.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
1:21 pm
WDE
Just for your records it doesnt matter, you will still lose to FL.
So enjoy your 10 win season crap that no-one in the nation but you delusional dawg fans ever remember or care about
Oh and enjoy sitting at home with mamma watching another team play for the SEC championship again
sandman053
July 7th, 2011
1:22 pm
Sitting here getting my Dawg fix watchinhg old Dawg video clips…I had a thought.
Isn’t this year the year that they will start taking points OFF the board for unsportsmanlike conduct? In the past it was simply assessed on the kickoff, but I think this year they start taking away points and assessing the yardage. Am I correct? and if so I hope to God CMR isgonna have these boys handing the ball to the ref just like Herschel did.
JB
July 7th, 2011
1:23 pm
and wife’s……..something different in your world mustard.
old time dog
July 7th, 2011
1:30 pm
Mustard dog…What can eYe say? eYe probably do suffer from the maladies you pointed out and am not proud in the least that eYe may have come across that way. The others you mentioned have in my opinion made some very valid and interesting points and comments. eYe know they have been active on this blog for a while. They can address your post if they choose. eYe have noticed you and some other condiment dogs/dawgs jumping around my posts a good bit. Whatever your reasons may or may not be, eYe am not either necessarily concerned or upset. eYe realize fans from other teams use “dog/dawg” names to ag on or perturb others.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
1:31 pm
@Food Lion Bag Boy first I left home in 1971..second we will not lose to UF this year. and even if I’m wrong the Gators won’t be playing for the SEC championship this year. And thank you I promise you we would really enjoy a 10 win season in the Bull Dog Nation…something the Gators don’t have to worry about, well that and ever catching us in the series which we own..
mustard dog
July 7th, 2011
1:35 pm
Big old time dog with them smart comemnts just like that JB know it all. Bet yall aint never even seen a college game in person.
sandman053
July 7th, 2011
1:37 pm
ok fine keep arguing with each other and not answer my question.
Tech Sucks
July 7th, 2011
1:37 pm
Just like I said last year at this time, watch out for Murray. He is absolutely going to light it up this year.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
1:38 pm
WDE
Like I said before we will even the series at the end of this decade, you can count on that as your retirement present
old time dog
July 7th, 2011
1:41 pm
Saw my first in 1959 and a few more since then. Hope to see one or two more maybe. Where are your other condiment buddies? eYe am fixing to do something else so if need any other information eYe am afraid you’ll either have to figure it out on your own or be patient and hope for a response. If eYe choose to give you one or not. LOL
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
1:43 pm
WDE
Yea enjoy your
“10 Win No one But DAWG Fans Care About” seasons while the rest of college football respects champions
You ought to broaden your horizons and listen to Sports Talk Radio sometime, your program is laughed at all the time by other fanbases due to the only program goal you Dawg fans have
10 wins
What a joke, Im gald to know FL doesnt put up with that loser mentality
WDE
July 7th, 2011
1:43 pm
@Food Lion Bag Boy I promise you if I work till I’m 100 you won’t tie or pass us..but if it helps you sleep at night keep dreaming.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
1:49 pm
@Food Lion Bag Boy I do listen to radio that why I laugh so hard at the Gator brag about demanding championship..really Bag Boy really you just hired a HC that has never coached as a HC anywhere..I thought only the UGA’s and Kentucky’s did that not the “mighty Gators” face it Bag Boy if your bunch “demanded championships” you would have paid the bucks to get a proven winner…not a boy wonder and a OC that single handily destroyed one of the most storied programs in college football history..but lets not let the facts get in the way.
red schnenis
July 7th, 2011
1:50 pm
the dawgs have a good qb in murray. he was young and green but did plenty for a frshman. king and crowell will be good if the holes are there.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
2:07 pm
WDE
“and a OC that single handily destroyed one of the most storied programs in college football history”
Correction dumb dawg fan, Bob Davie, and Tyrone Willingham started that, and Charlie is probably better as an OC anyway, just like Brian Van Gorder is only a DC not a head coach. Just look at what Charlie did for KC last year bud
Charlie will find a way to beat your telegraphed, everyone knows whats being set up play calling schemes that your joke of a staff sets up, oh probably in about as quick as he can finish off a buffet
Thats more than you can say about Boozo and your Boy Willie Martinez that you people took forever to get rid of
And what a joke you really think were not going to even the series in a few more years, you are delusional
Oh and if Muschamp doesnt get it done, he’ll get the Ron Zook treatment in 3 yrs were not buffalloed like you delusional fans are with the DREAM TEAM sales pitch
LOL
WDE
July 7th, 2011
2:20 pm
@Food Lion Bag Boy I’m typing this real slow so try and keep up. The Gators will never tie the series,never as in never. And Ol’ Charlie was brought into ND to fix the mess and he made it WORSE…and that is nothing compared to what he will do to the Gators…watch and see.
AltamahaDawg
July 7th, 2011
2:25 pm
I assume that if after 3 yrs, Muschamp gives no indication that he is going to compete for SEC championships he would get the same treatment as Zook.
However if Mushamp can win a few east and SEC crowns, have his teams in the top 10, top 5, for the better part of a decade, nobody in the UF AD is going to be firing him after a couple of down years that he is certain to have.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 7th, 2011
2:29 pm
Joe,
I think you are stuck in 2010, like in, that is past hisitry. You are so much against Murray that you use comments like, “who has he got for WR”, and blame that on Murray. I am not sure what team you do like, but I am owndering, who the QB is?
Fore of you wishing for LeMay to start, I am wondering, has he started any SEC games for UGA or any team? How many campaigns has he seen as a DAWG? His receivers would not be any different than LeMays.
Can anybody else tell me who is the SEC, that is starting this year for an SEC team is any better than Murray. Please back it up with statistics if you can. I would be interested to know.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
2:42 pm
WDE
LoL
Boy your delusional, what was Richt hired to do……..
Oh yea beat FL
Still waiting on that one, but hey how about another round of 10 win seasons
RedandBlackDAWG
July 7th, 2011
2:43 pm
I think I am beginning to see how people on these blogs here work. If you don’t want to answer questions or can not answer questions posed to you, you just simply change your handle. Thus, Joe =Luke, =, what ever name these choose rather than answer questions honestly. Pretty neat, but dishonest trick I think.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
2:44 pm
WDE
Charlie was brought into fix KC’s offensive probablems, um I think he did just fine, he’s not our coach, he was hired to fix our offense, he’ll do just like he always has even at ND and thats have good offenses
Boy your so delusional I guess its all those 10 win seasons
Hate to get dragged into this but...
July 7th, 2011
2:45 pm
Food Lion Bag Boy…I plan on watching the SEC championship game with your Mom thanks.
Hate to get dragged into this but...
July 7th, 2011
2:46 pm
I already have all $12 set aside.
AltamahaDawg
July 7th, 2011
2:49 pm
Guys, Joe (or any of his 39 alias’) does not give a rats behind who would be better at QB for the University of Georgia football team. Surely you can see that his agenda is just to irritate.
7576DAWG
July 7th, 2011
2:51 pm
Tossed Salad
Unfortunately, I agree with a lot of what you say. Murray will start but when Georgia is 3 or 4 touchdowns ahead it makes no since not to put LeMay in and let him finish the game. LeMay is the reason the G game results were not reversed. Murray couldn’t move the team and at the end CMR put LeMay in and he drove the team right down and scored. LeMay is a Charley Ward type leader and I think that CMR saw that in him when he was recruited.
I hope that CMR will let Murray play like he did in high school where he ran the ball if nobody was open for a pass but that couldn’t happen last year because of fear that Murray would get hurt. If LeMay is red shirted I hope it’s because Murray is so good and plays to his strengths like in high school without getting hurt or because LeMay is having a hard time learning the play book.
With us not recruiting a big time QB in 2012 recruits, CMR better at least find out what LeMay has before he transfers. I think LeMay is the real deal and hope he will be given the chance to prove it.