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
buffdawg
July 7th, 2011
4:38 pm
CTG must have know what he’s doing
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
4:45 pm
buffdawg
I would hope if someone offered him a $500,000 pay raise, I dont think he would be that stupid to not turn it down
buffdawg
July 7th, 2011
4:45 pm
R Florida fans mad cause they’ve lost two great qbs, Murray, Newton!!!
perma bond
July 7th, 2011
4:46 pm
Where did the UGA football blog go?
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
4:48 pm
Charlie Weiss
Im glad coach your not coming here just to win 10 games but to continue the championship tradition and laugh at the puppies on the field and wave at them once again from the SEC championship game camera
dont get it
July 7th, 2011
4:49 pm
You are so right FLBB. thats why my handle is “dont get it”. I just dont understand why our fans have lower standards than UF, BAMA, LSU…..
MD
July 7th, 2011
4:49 pm
I can’t disagree with Bag Boy and SSI, but we (UGA) fans are allowed a little optimism. I can’t stand losing to FL 17-20, I’d rather UGA lose them all but just beat UF. That’s where the game stands with me. I’ll say it again, until UGA wins two in a row, we have to eat it…
Saying that, speak your piece move on
Florida Orange
July 7th, 2011
4:50 pm
buffdawg, You are right. We actually did lose 2 great qb’s in Murray aheads and Newton. We still got to face Murray for a few more seasons too. Irregardless of what the other Gator fans are pushing on here, Murray is heads and tails better than what we have. You Ga. folks may begin having payback at us. We have some real question marks.
Charlie Weiss
July 7th, 2011
4:54 pm
FLBB, Quit trying to suck up punk and get those groceries over here. I’m trying to maintain my weight and appetite. Grab me a few of those doughnuts I saw Grantham devouring while you’re at it.
Ed's Mustard Greens Roadside Stand
July 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
My name is Ed. I raise mustard greens and have a roadside stand I sell them at. I would like to ask FLBB and SSIGator if sales on turnip greens are good in their areas of Florida. Thanks.
SSIgator
July 7th, 2011
4:59 pm
dont get it -
MD -
You guys can’t be serious. You are not Richtites? You must have each had the truth serum that counteracts the effects of the KoolAid. I thought Richt and his boys had destroyed all of that so he could continue his charade as the $3,000,000 Man that pretends to be a football coach, laughing all the way to the bank in his Ford truck, yelling out the window, “See ya later, suckers”.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
4:59 pm
Charlie Weiss
Yes coach I want to make sure you are fed good so we can punish the dogs another year and another decade
By the way coach, have you seen UGA football’s new motivation
If they win 10 games this year the team will get Rings
Narvie
July 7th, 2011
4:59 pm
Braves won again. 4 game sweep. Wish I would have had some of them mustard greens with all them soup beans I eat last night. My stomach has been kind of riled up.
Young
July 7th, 2011
5:02 pm
I don’t think the offense is in good hands with Murray.
Under Murray’s leadership last season:
10th in SEC in scoring
10th in rushing (since he can’t complete passes, or throw deep balls, teams are bringing 8 in the box to stop the run & he can’t run audible like Joe Cox & Stafford did so well)
6-7 record as a starter, 0-6 vs. winning teams
Charlie Weiss
July 7th, 2011
5:02 pm
FLBB, Son,son, son….I ain’t worried about no damned football games. You fools payed me big bucks to come here. I liked the weather and so did my family. Just get the freakin food over here.
Young
July 7th, 2011
5:04 pm
10th in SEC in scoring, is against teams with a winning record, running up the score on teams like Lou Lafayette or Idaho State won’t win you the SEC. Scorign 30+ on teams with winning records will. Not 18.
Parlay card dealer
July 7th, 2011
5:04 pm
You big mouth Florida and Tech boys sorta lost a little steam ain’t you?
Mary Kastner
July 7th, 2011
5:06 pm
FLBB, Want me to help push?
Yo Yo
July 7th, 2011
5:06 pm
My string just broke!!!
Young
July 7th, 2011
5:07 pm
Murray is 0-6 when the team scores first.
I am dissapointed with Murray’s lack of leadership.
He shows no relience (0-6 when other team scores 1st).
He shows no big game abilities (0-6 against winning teams)
He chokes during key SEC East match ups (4 to’s against Fla, 0 td’s against SC)
WDE
July 7th, 2011
5:07 pm
Food Lion Bag Boy hold it a second how many players UF has busted for pot so far this year? And Weiss coming to win championships?? He’s coming for a year maybe two to make enough to keep himself in chesseburgers for the rest of his natural life..championships when has he ever been a member of a champion at the college level?
Mary Kastner
July 7th, 2011
5:09 pm
Do ya’ll know where I can get the best buy on some alum. I was hoping that bag boy at Food Lion might be privy to a little.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
5:10 pm
@SSIgator you have a package deal for what nearly 2 mil for two coaches that one is a proven failure as a college coach and the other has proven nothing as a HC…sounds like a real deal to me.
Young
July 7th, 2011
5:12 pm
You guyas seen the 2 documentaries about Lemay?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0kzh6hGXnQ
Amazing, Lemay beat a team that hadn’t lost at home in over 30 years.
Won school’s 1st state championship.
As long as Richt puts Lemay in early if Murray loses games, then season will be great. Lemay is that good.
Only way you have a bad season if it Richt stays with the QB, and if the QB isn’t winning important games.
Mr. Clean
July 7th, 2011
5:12 pm
I think they are gone now fellows. You are welcome.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
5:13 pm
@Young tell you what you keep whoever your QB is and we will keep Murray check back at the end of the season and lets compare shall we?
Carl Spackler
July 7th, 2011
5:15 pm
DJ Shockley stood 6′0″ and weighed 214 lbs…ran a 4.56 / 40…Murray is 6′ 1 1/2″, weighs 210 and runs a 4.6 / 40 (once he got it down to a 4.55)…what is the issue with Murray running the ball…Murray is an athlete (good at basketball, baseball, but maybe not so good at soccer…LOL) and he should be able to use his running ability as an asset…heck, the kid gained almost a 1,000 yds his jr year. and he avg’d 9.5 yds a carry…his senior year, before breaking his leg, he was averaging almost 10 yds a carry)…LeMay is 6′2″ and weighs in at 188lbs, runs a 4.64 / 40…so, let me get this straight Shockley, ok to running the all, LeMay ok to run the ball, but Murray not ok because he’s not big enough? not fast enough? I think I know why some on here don’t think he can run the ball and it has nothing to do with his physical attributes!
Evelyn McGwynn
July 7th, 2011
5:18 pm
Buddy and I BOTH GOT ON dICKEY’S BUS after his show in Tampa. Had a great time and met his wife too.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
5:20 pm
Mary Kastner
We have it on isle 10, its right beside the 10 win season fan finger
Parlay card dealer
No us big mouth FL boys still stomp you in the mud even with bad teams
WDE
Dont go there again with a proven coach crap you already been busted on that one so shut your mouth
Ed’s Mustard Greens Roadside Stand
No sales of mustard greens arent good in FL because our coaching staff figured out years ago if you those you spend more time in the bathroom than studying other football teams.
Obviously your coaching staff loves to eat them
riffDog
July 7th, 2011
5:23 pm
Are there any returning SEC QB’s with a winless record against winning teams besides Murray? Is Murray the only returning SEC QB that has never beat a winnign team?
riffDog
July 7th, 2011
5:24 pm
Murray played incredible against Idaho State, and was impressive in his signature game, Louisiana Lafayette.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
5:25 pm
@Food Lion Bag Boy I’ve been busted have I really i missed that sort of like I missed the memo that you get to tell me what to do…listen you tough typing namby pamby if you can’t take the heat stay off the blog…if your going to cry try not to get the tears on the keyboard…I’ll shut my mouth when you tie the series how’s that Bag Boy?
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
5:25 pm
Young
You have got to be the stupidest person on this blog with posts like that
But hey keep posting them hopefully Murry will get mad like the Brent OL guy and transfer to FL we will be glad to show him how to beat UGA
Make it happen
July 7th, 2011
5:26 pm
I think both teams usually have pretty good football seasons. Florida has had the edge for awhile but things could change. Did last year for Florida didn’t it ? Muschamp and Weiss to the rescue. Ole Meyer freaked out trying to stay on top and now look at what you got. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! BAHAA!!!!!
P-Cola Dog
July 7th, 2011
5:26 pm
was AJ around last year?
riffDog
July 7th, 2011
5:30 pm
Which winning team will potentially break the losing drought for Murray?
Florida?
South Carolina?
Boise?
Auburn?
Missisippi State?
Only real chance is the Auburn team.
Hate to get dragged into this but...
July 7th, 2011
5:32 pm
riffDog…it will be the first one he faces: Boise State.
riffDog
July 7th, 2011
5:32 pm
If Bobo is evaluated by how many points he scores against winning teams, he’ll be fired after this season.
After finishing 10th in the SEC against winning teams in scoring, Bobo should have been fired in 2010.
If Bobo can’t get this up to 30+ a game against real competition, winning teams, he’s going to be fired.
Bobo is the next fall guy.
Food Lion Bag Boy
July 7th, 2011
5:33 pm
WDE
What heat have you brung today
heck
MD and
dont get it
are UGA fans who get it and side with what Ive said,
what heat have you brought oh yea
A coach with no experience and one who messed up a program like I stated before Weiss offense was just fine
heck your own UGA blogger said this at 4:21 today
Not sure how the hiring and firing of Ray Goff is pertinent. Not funny either frankly.
Every first time head coach had zero head coaching experience prior. That does not make them good or bad…just inexperienced in that role. This applies to both the Muschamp and Richt hires.
Hell, JoPa wasn’t a headcoach anywhere when he got the job at Penn State–and that turned out to be a strong hire.
Waiting on something with substance today
riffDog
July 7th, 2011
5:33 pm
W against Boise? A top ranked team? No way. Richt’s only beat 2 ranked teams in last 2 years.
riffDog
July 7th, 2011
5:35 pm
I can’t believe Murray has played 6 winning teams, and is still winless.
sirluciouscp
July 7th, 2011
5:37 pm
Rome Dawg,
We went 6-7 last year, let’s hold off on calling Murray a winner. At this level at least.
Bob
July 7th, 2011
5:37 pm
Afternoon Mutts…sure are a lot of comments about the one position where we are best in the SEC and probably top 5 in the nation. Of course, our OL will prove us right (or wrong).
Valdosta Cat
July 7th, 2011
5:42 pm
Two Words…………….Malcolm Mitchell
Bob
July 7th, 2011
5:48 pm
Narvie, I think I’d wash them down with a ripe habenero and a six pack of Carling Black Label. Then, lunch at Krystal.
Bob
July 7th, 2011
5:55 pm
Narvie, you can probably get better advice about your problem on the Tech board…these things happen all the time. Adios muchacha!
Chip Towers
July 7th, 2011
5:58 pm
JackInCoke: That bit of information came from the UGA Sports Communication staff. I’ll have to run it by them and double check. Obviously that’s something I can’t independently verify.
Kherrin
July 7th, 2011
5:58 pm
I love my dogs…but 8-5 will be the record this yr.
Too many unknowns…Line will be suspect, lots of moving around offensively and defensively.
I dont think they will be settled into the 3-4 again this yr due to moving people around.
No RB’s again…
The biggest problem is the playcalling…We do not have Herschel anymore and quit trying to play like we do!!
WE run predictable plays…this is ultimately on the Head coach who delegates his authority…Bobo is a horrible playcaller…but Richt lets him go and is too much like a “CEO” and not being a ball coach.
I love UGA but i am a realist as well.
Bob
July 7th, 2011
6:05 pm
@Kherrin, 90% of me wants to agree with your analysis; however, I keep thinking that Richt will be coaching like his job depended on this season (which it does). And we’ll see the same intensity and passion and playcalling from his first five years at UGA. At least I’m hoping. If I’m wrong, then I’ll be excited to see who our next HC will be.
WDE
July 7th, 2011
6:07 pm
Food Lion Bag Boy you went from merely another Bug posing as a Gator to just dumb none of those bloggers you named are Dog fans they are trolls now the lesson for today is over, Oh and for the record I never said a first time coach couldn’t be a success just that it takes the brain of well a reptile to think its a given as you so surely do.