Should Bulldogs play QB Hutson Mason on regular basis?
Quarterbacks Aaron Murray (11) and Hutson Mason (14) look on at the end of last year's loss at Auburn. (AP photo)
Hope you saw the football notebook I filed late yesterday that included an item on Georgia’s coaches being pleased with the play of Hutson Mason to the point of considering playing the sophomore quarterback from Marietta on a more regular basis.
Loading ...To be clear, the comments of head coach Mark Richt, which you’ve read, and those of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo, which you’ll find below, were responses to questions directed to them by reporters. So it’s not like they came out this week and volunteered that they’d like to get Mason more playing time.
But the whole point of the line of questioning is that coaches and players have spoken so glowingly of Mason since the beginning of camp in August that it merited more exploration. And, as you’ll see, there is very little retreat to be found in the coaches’ replies.
So here’s what Bobo had to say last night after the Bulldogs’ “Bloody Tuesday” practice at Woodruff Practice Fields:
On Mason’s performance to date . . .
“Hutson’s done just a fantastic job all camp of continuing to make plays. We told him we were going to put him in no matter what this last game as an opportunity to show what he could do and there could be some things in the future for him. You’d like to play a guy a series a game or so. You never know but he’s a guy we’d like to get in there. He’s played well. I have no doubts he can go in there and play well. He had an outstanding practice [Tuesday] and that’s going to help his cause.”
On the Shockley-Greene comparison . . .
“Hutson is a little bit different than Aaron. He’s more of a — I don’t want to say spread-type quarterback because Aaron ran spread in high school, too — but Hutson, he’s likes to spread it out and dink it around. He has a really quick release, throws with a nice touch and has really, really good vision of what’s going on. He probably couldn’t tell me everything Aaron can if I graded them on saying it the way I say it or things like that. But when the ball is snapped the kid can see it and puts it on the money.”
On whether more playing time awaits Mason . . .
“I’m always talking to him about opportunities. You’re always practicing and playing for an opportunity. He had a chance to play for the opportunity to play again last week and that’s what he’s trying to prove, that he deserves to play in a ballgame. He’s helping himself with the way he practices.”
Just for comparison sake, here’s what Richt had to say about the quarterback rotation when asked about it at his weekly press conference Tuesday afternoon:
“Right this second I wouldn’t want to make a comment on that. We haven’t really gone any further with that discussion, not to say we won’t before the week is over. I’m talking about Mike Bobo and myself. But Hutson is practicing well, he’s playing well. He really runs our system well, and he’s earned playing time in my mind. How we’ll manage that, I’m not ready to make any promises I can’t keep.”
Here’s a quick statistical comparison. Obviously Murray has played much more and faced much stiffer competition to date:
- Murray — 16 games, 262-426 (61.5%), 3,721 yards, 33 TDs, 9 INTs,
- Mason — 5 games, 15-26 (57.7%), 170 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Also, Murray is 6-foot-1, 211 pounds; Mason is 6-3 and told me recently he’s now over 200 pounds. No sense in getting into rushing stats — Murray’s are skewed by all the sacks this season — other than to say that Murray (87 yards, 5 TDs) is more mobile and a better overall runner than Mason (0 yards, 1 TD).
So, today I’d like to hear from you. Is playing Mason more something you’d like to see prioritized? Or does the circumstances of his appearances skew his abilities? Should the Bulldogs leave well enough alone and be satisfied that they have a backup in which they have great confidence? Or do they need to be sure to keep Mason happy and well-oiled by finding a way to play him regularly a la D.J. Shockley-David Greene?
Please take a minute to vote on the poll above as well as providing your comments.
– Chip Towers
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405 comments Add your comment
BMOC
September 21st, 2011
2:48 pm
I think Murray is out of his league in D1 CF… He’s too short (shorter than Drew Brees, so less than the advertised 6′1″) and his arm strength isn’t his..strength.
Mason, on the other hand, is taller, which means he can actually see AND throw the ball over the D-linemen, and his arm strength is better. Murray is over-rated –a smart kid but too impulsive.
Ace
September 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
Why change 6-6 seasons are acceptable.
JAWJeRDAWG
September 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
Keep the red-shirt on Christian LeMay.
ugaDAWG
September 21st, 2011
2:55 pm
I’ve never thought that Murray is a guy who can take us to a championship. He’s the guy who can lead us to one with a great supporting cast, ala Buck Belue, Mike Cavan, Kirby Moore, John Lastinger, D. J. Shockely, and David Greene. Right now we don’t have the great supporting cast. But I’d give Hutson Mason as shot at being that guy who can TAKE us to a championship. What do we have to lose? Murray has not proven himself to be that guy.
puget dawg
September 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
I do HATE to say it but Richt does take loyalty to a four letter word status. He has proven that time and again in recent years. It takes constant re-evaluation of your starters and staff to be at the top level of the SEC. All the other coaches have proven that. I am sure that no one on this board will speak badly of Murray with some actual thought but it doesnt hurt to try a bit of an option that has been looking up. Especially when we are not at the top of the league in any category
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
SSIgator
September 21st, 2011
2:51 pm
“Should Bulldogs play QB Hutson Mason on regular basis?
Another one of those questions that everyone already knows the answer to. The question should read, “Should Bulldogs play QB Hutson Mason on regular basis so that they may have a chance to beat a team with a winning record? Of course, as Richt has shown, it really doesn’t matter what others desire because he knows what the hell he is doing.
*****************************************
This coming from the same idiot who guaranteed Matthew stafford would be a flop in the NFL, never start and never win any games while Tim Tebow would be a star
Stafford and Lions 2-0 300 yards per game
Tebow 3rd string and predicted to be cut in another year because of his lousy mechanics
wes
September 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
blah blah blah blah….
You’re season is over.
Start talking about “next year” already why don’cha???
SSIgator
September 21st, 2011
2:58 pm
“Hutson’s done just a fantastic job all camp of continuing to make plays.”
Translation:
But of course that doesn’t amount to squat because my provider, Mr. Richt, has made it clear to me that Murray the Midget is his boy. What can I say? I have a wife and five kids to support. Which reminds me, I have to remember to stop by Wlagreens and pick up another pack of condoms.
bugsquacher
September 21st, 2011
3:00 pm
THE ANSWER IS YES TO PLAYING MASON, IF IT CHANGES THE COURSE OF PAST RECENT PERFORMANCES…….. JUST TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY………
1-GEORGIA is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams. (2-10 record)
3- GEORGIA is now 15-14 in his last 29 games
4-GEORGIA is 6-10 in the past 16 SEC games.
5- GEORGIA is 3-5 in their last 8 games going back to last season
6- GEORGIA has won 1 of it last 4. (and it wasnt a powerhouse we beat
DJ Dawg
September 21st, 2011
3:00 pm
SSI- Sorry to here that you actually reproduced!
NewnanDawg
September 21st, 2011
3:00 pm
Hutson Mason may be our QB under the next coach, so yes, let’s get him some playing time now.
That said, Mason or Murray will both struggle behind this sad sack offensive line.
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
3:01 pm
My kid needs some spending money
Opening up a jorts stand right outside Commonwealth Stadium
Went to Goodwill and bought all the old blue jeans we could find and a good sharp pair of scissors
We both should be able to retire after Saturday considering the price I will charge and the idiot Florida people willing to buy them
DAWG with two bags over head
September 21st, 2011
3:01 pm
Mason should see regular playing time or we’ll be back in a Ginger Avenger situation again and, as usual, wasting a lot of potential talent. We don’t need to groom another “one-year, let him start because he’s a senior and I promised his parents” quarterback. Murray showned last year against UF and this year against USCe that he can’t handle big game pressure. Even last week he really struggled with his accuracy. Mason should play on a regular basis and if he excels, he should start, plain and simple. As others have said, Spurrier would play the quarterback that gives him the best chance to win. Our braintrust only gives lip service to this concept.
JAWJeRDAWG
September 21st, 2011
3:01 pm
@ wes
Start talking about “next year” already why don’cha??? …
Because this year is not yet over, and we haven’t given up on it! .. Go Dawgs!
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
3:02 pm
SSI
Posts are archived.
Want me to go find it?
I won’t waste my time since truth is not high on your priority list.
SSIgator
September 21st, 2011
3:03 pm
DawginLex -
Knock yourself out.
DJ Dawg
September 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
Wes- we still have a lot of football left !! we are not quitters like you.
Spaceman Spiff
September 21st, 2011
3:06 pm
Bugsquacher, what is your name supposed to be? Maybe you should learn how to spell so we can have some sort of idea as to what it is supposed to be…. Smells like a serious Tech fan to me since you just love to spout all of those facts…but you forgot the most important stat for you techies – the win/loss record of your nerds against UGA..
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
3:08 pm
SSI
We are all hoping you knock yourself out soon
DC
September 21st, 2011
3:08 pm
I got no response earlier on another blog but I am going to the AU v UGA game and have tickets in 107. I shouldn’t have too much dog drool on me should I? First time in sanford stadium..pretty stoked!
I-DOG
September 21st, 2011
3:09 pm
With an interim staff in place, this wouldn’t even be a debate.
He needs to average a series in the first half of each game. If Murray is on fire and the team is playing well (which has been an atypical event the last season and a half) then, play Murray all the way through… but we need to get another QB ready for the 2012 season so that we aren’t in a position where next year we only have 1 QB with any real game experience.
Giving Mason 1 series in the first half of each game isn’t going to hurt Murray’s development or our chances to win ball games. It isn’t like the coaches are saying that the backup is terrible and he can’t play.
Throw me a bone
September 21st, 2011
3:10 pm
MASON IS A STATUE! WITH OUR LINE HE’LL GET KILLED. I KNOW HE HAS A “QUICK RELEASE” BUT IF EVERYONE IS COVERED AARON CAN MAKE PLAYS WITH HIS LEGS
SPEAKING OF AARONS RUNNING, HE LOOKS LIKE HE DOESNT WANT TO DO IT THIS YEAR WHICH IS ASHAME! HES NOT A GOOD ENOUGH OF A PURE PASSER TO JUST ERASE HIS TOTAL PACKAGE PLAY MAKING ABILITY
bugsquacher
September 21st, 2011
3:11 pm
SPACEMAN SPIFF (OR WHATEVER), YOU ARE AN IDIOT… CLASS OF 83 UGA. TIRED OF THE LOSING STREAK…. UGA CAN DO MUCH MUCH BETTER.
pragmatic
September 21st, 2011
3:11 pm
If I were Hudson’e dad, I would tell him to transfer to where he can get more playing time. You only have 4 years in college and he has wasted 2 with not much chance in the future. Arron is getting on field playing time and gaining experience the only way Hutson gets in is if the game is a Costal Carolina or Murray gets hurt. At the end of 4 years he will only be able to say I was a good high school football player but never realy got a chance to play in college. If Murray was a senior it would be different but since they are both sophs best bet is to move on.
Mad Mike
September 21st, 2011
3:11 pm
You need one more poll option: “Just pick one or the other and make him your guy.”
Restore UGA
September 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
@ATL Sports Fan, our D would not have had to stop him, if the Offense hadn’t given up 21 points and the special teams 7. Lattimore would have seen very little action in the second half, and Garcia would have been throwing up prayers to try to get back into the game.
DJ Dawg
September 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
DC- Dont worry about the drool you should worry about the bite!!! enjoy
Restore UGA
September 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
@Throw me a bone, do you think Aaron has analysis paralysis?
He talked over and over about studying film. Maybe, he has studied it too much and it has affected his instincts? He isn’t Payton Manning and never will be. Don’t worry so much about the film and just play.
outkasted
September 21st, 2011
3:16 pm
all i’m going to say is Murray costs them the game agaunst boise and south caroina…. look at the tape and u’ll see murray missed countless open receivers against boise trying to force the ball to orson charles…. it still amazes me that crowell didn’t get one ball out in the flats against boise…. and if u notice he throws alot of passes behind his receivers….i have been saying that maybe its time for Mason to get some time but I’m willin to stick with Murray but Mason needs a series or two just cause…. with that said I’m gone.. by the way i’ve also wondered if he’s too short to look over the line b/c he rarely goes across the middle and yes guys be open……
WDE
September 21st, 2011
3:16 pm
You can tell the haters..what SEC coach would bench a proven QB with real game experience for potential?? Answer NO ONE ….could you see Tebow benched for Brantley ? Should Hudson get some regular playing time..yes but bottom line this is Murray’s team he is the leader…chosen by his team mates and coaches…not trolls on blogs.
Midget Murray
September 21st, 2011
3:17 pm
Dawgie Dawg: Keep your god comments to yourself. Not everyone believe the same things.
If Murray is 6 1 on their tape measure. I would be 9 foot tall.
UGA '06
September 21st, 2011
3:17 pm
Mason sucked in high school. They never played anybody and when they did he was exposed. look at the playoff game against Colquitt County.
puget dawg
September 21st, 2011
3:17 pm
One question that no one has discussed really – Does anyone here see anything negative about Mason’s play so far this season – either in a game or practice? Do you see any reason NOT to have him play a few downs?
I agree he doesnt move around that much but his quick release and eyes seem to make up for it.
Hammerdawg
September 21st, 2011
3:18 pm
Aaron Murray is not the problem. FIRE BOBO and gey a real OC in there and see how are offense will improve. But Richt will keep including Coastal Carolina stats to make up for a poor record against quality teams, horrid play calling and poor coaching decisions his OC makes… Resign Bobo today!
bugsquacher
September 21st, 2011
3:18 pm
THE BULLDOG NATION NEEDS TO STAND UP AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WHAT MORE DO WE HAVE TO POINT TO…. THE PERFORMANCE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS INDICATES A CHANGE NEEDS TO BE MADE. I HOPE BY CONTINUING TO POST OUR RECENT RECORD, ENOUGH INDIVIDUALS WILL GET MAD ENOUGH TO DEMAND A CHANGE…. ITS BORDERING ON CRIMINAL HOW BAD THE CURRENT COACHING STAFF HAS RUN THIS PROGRAM DOWN…..ITS A SHAME…. I DONT WANT GEORGIA TO BE MIDDLE OR BOTTOM OF THE PACK IN THE SEC…. WE CAN BE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT…. JEEZ, ITS A SHAME WHEN YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF WE CAN COMPETE WITH VANDY AND OLE MISS…. WHATS HAPPEN TO THIS PROGRAM…..???????
bugsquacher
September 21st, 2011
3:19 pm
AGAIN FOR THE RECORD…… (WHAT A SHAME)
1-GEORGIA is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams. (2-10 record)
3- GEORGIA is now 15-14 in his last 29 games
4-GEORGIA is 6-10 in the past 16 SEC games.
5- GEORGIA is 3-5 in their last 8 games going back to last season
6- GEORGIA has won 1 of it last 4. (and it wasnt a powerhouse we beat
bugsquacher
September 21st, 2011
3:20 pm
SEVEN REASONS WHY GEORGIA SHOULD BE CONSIDERING A COACHING CHANGE.
1-GEORGIA is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams. (2-10 record)
3- GEORGIA is now 14-14 in his last 28 games
4-GEORGIA is 6-10 in the past 16 SEC games.
5- GEORGIA is 2-5 in their last 7 games going back to last season
6- REMAINING SCHEDULE. Games they will probably lose: 1- Miss St. 2- Tenn 3-Florida 4-Auburn. Games we should win (if we don’t have an off week): 1- Costal Carolina, 2-Miss, 3- Kentucky, 4- New Mexico, 5-Tech, 6-Vandy.
LOOKS LIKE A 50/50 CHANCE OF ANOTHER LOSING SEASON.
7- It’s been 30 yrs since our last national championship…. Can Richt get us there? Are we trending in the right direction?
THE ABOVE SAYS……. NO!
Throw me a bone
September 21st, 2011
3:21 pm
ITS JUST SO FUNNY TO ME THAT NO1 EVER CLAMOURED FOR STAFFORD TO LOSE PLAYING TIME AFTER OVERTHROWING SEVERAL RECIEVERS BY 10+ YDS AND THREW WAY MORE “OH NO” THROWS THAN AARON!
AARON IS 10 TIMES THE LEADER STAFFORD WAS. STAFFORD BLEW BIG GAMES WHEN THE PRESSURE AND EXPECTATIONS WERE THE HIGHEST! SO IF YOU DONT SIT STAFF, THEN YOU DONT SIT MURRAY. WE NEED OUR STARTING QB TO NOT HAVE TO PERFORM WHILE LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER
HOWEVER, I ADMIT THAT IT IS DEFINATELY TIME FOR AARON TO TAKE THE DIAPER OFF AND TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL, HES NO ROOKIE ANYMORE AND SHOULD BE CRITIZED MORE…. BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO START MESSING WITH HIS CONFIDENCE
bugsquacher
September 21st, 2011
3:21 pm
DO YOU REALIZE HOW LONG IT TAKES TO TURN A PROGRAM AROUND? IF AT ALL? STOP THE MADNESS NOW….BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
Student Athlete
September 21st, 2011
3:22 pm
DON’T WORRY. WITH GEORGIA’S OFFENSIVE LINE HE WILL GET HIS OPPORTUNITY SOON ENOUGH.
DawgByte
September 21st, 2011
3:23 pm
We don’t need a QB controversy. Murray is the starter, pure and simple. If the Dawgs get 2 or 3 TD, leads then Mason should get into the rotation. That’s it.
DC
September 21st, 2011
3:24 pm
haha DJ Dawg…I’ll be worrying about the bite all season with our schedule..
jarvis
September 21st, 2011
3:25 pm
@funny, with that garbage playing in front of him Murray still has a 9-2 TD / Interception ratio, and he’s completing over 63% of his passes this season.
There’s a lot wrong with this team, but he isn’t one them.
DawgByte
September 21st, 2011
3:25 pm
Bugsquasher -
Get a life dude, we get it… you want a new coach. Please tell us who you’d like to get and the likelihood of it happening! Then STFU.
JaxDawg05
September 21st, 2011
3:32 pm
The Bulldawg Nation is SO blessed to have SSIgator bless them with his presence. Guess when the QB of the team you pull for has mastered the swing pass there is not much to worry about. Work em, Silly Gators!!!
CA
September 21st, 2011
3:32 pm
Let the coach coach
Kerryb
September 21st, 2011
3:32 pm
I would like to see him get more experience. Hopefully he will this Saturday because we should handle the Rebels. It is good to know that the coaches think we have a capable backup if Murray goes down.
JB
September 21st, 2011
3:34 pm
Boy, just left the Bradley column about Tech and Got into a little dust up over there. You guys ought to check it out. It’s a lot worse than the Ex ACC champ year. They see NO ONE beating them this year. It’s a full blown feel good party over there.
Spaceman Spiff
September 21st, 2011
3:36 pm
Bugsquacher (what are you trying to spell?), first – typing in all caps makes you look stupid (or 12). A true fan (well, a Tech fan would) wouldn’t bad mouth their team. Kind of sound like a 5 year old who can’t have a cookie…
Murray’s record speaks for itself – but what some of you who want to hang the record solely on him seem to forget that he isn’t the only one on the team (which is something bugman would have us believe)… so let’s see, he has over 3,000 passing yards and – what – 33 tds vs 9 INTS (something along those lines)?? So please explain how those numbers justify being replaced by someone (Hutson) who did OK agains a high-school team… Also, is he to blame for all the losses, and if so then why – what about the O-line? Or are all INTs squarely on his shoulders and not the result of being hurried/harassed/hit because of protection? Seems like a lot of armchair QBs on here that think they can do better. What it really smells like is that there are the typical trolls on here that are so enamored of our team that they like to visit our sites so much more than their own…
frank
September 21st, 2011
3:36 pm
yes play him. Why? because one of the reason high diver Markus Rick got himself into so much trouble last year was not having a QB ready to play. he played Joe Cox the entire year in a season that was lost. Now joe cox is off selling buick’s somewhere in North Carolina.