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
Prozac Dawg
September 21st, 2011
4:41 pm
As much as I don’t like Spurrier I will give him credit for playing who he considers the best player.
Prozac Dawg
September 21st, 2011
4:42 pm
Three games slydog
Spike 80DF
September 21st, 2011
4:43 pm
GO GET BOBBY PETRINO!!!
puget dawg
September 21st, 2011
4:44 pm
slydog – its not about getting rid of murray. It is about encouraging competition, hopefully confusing the defenses, and giving some playing time to players that have a REAL opportunity to be great.
beebee
September 21st, 2011
4:44 pm
dawg fans, first your crown Murray the National Quarterback of the Year, before the season even starts.
NOW, the young man is not good enough for you.
Y’ALl are beyond PATHETIC!
AltamahaDawg
September 21st, 2011
4:45 pm
How is that some Steve Spurrier credit. Every coach in the country is playing who they consider the best player, aren’t they?
Brooksdawg
September 21st, 2011
4:46 pm
Mason throws a very accurate ball..on target–in stride–no happy feet.. Lets see him for a few series against an SEC defense…whats it gonna hurt? Now lets see more DREW on defense! He is a beast and fast as lightning..GATA
BigTimeTechFan
September 21st, 2011
4:50 pm
Right now play Murray, right now he’s 3rd best QB in SEC but just a little ahead of Trotter and Brantley
1. Tyler Bray
2. Tyler Wilson
3. Aaron Murray
4. Barrett Trotter
5. John Brantley
Don’t know what happened to Chris Relf, I thought he would be one of the top 3 going into the season
Andrew
September 21st, 2011
4:51 pm
Wow, UGA fans are the biggest haters in the world. As a redshirt sophomore, Aaron got the blame because he was young and made some bad decisions. Too bad he still had some of the best numbers in the SEC. It wasn’t our RB’s who were terrible; it wasn’t the play calling; it wasn’t the defense; it was the kid behind center, who had a great year. Now he comes up against 2 top 10 teams and that’s his career? I live in south florida, went to UGA and am a HUGE dawgs fan. But the Gator fans are right, UGA has terrible fans. Throw Murray and Richt under the bus all day long, but remember where the program was from 89-99, when they were crap. Richt turned us into a champion, yes the past 2.5 years haven’t gone the best, but damn. You are haters…
james
September 21st, 2011
4:54 pm
I think Dan Mullen would make Aaron Murry a
much better QB as he did with the UF QB’s…
A change is coming after the TECH game- especially
if we lose to Ole Mississippi this weekend or
any other lower level SEC Team and certainly if
TECH beats us….
Andrew
September 21st, 2011
4:57 pm
Hey Chip, did you forget about this post? How about you write something useful once in a while. Oh yeah, and stick by your opinions, don’t change them after 3 games. This is the problem with the AJC, second tier writers.
http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2011/07/07/quarterbacks-offense-appears-to-be-in-good-hands-with-aaron-murray/?cxntfid=blogs_uga_sports_blog
WOW
September 21st, 2011
4:58 pm
I support Murray–When the O line gains cohesion, gives him the time –Watch out–UGA’s best ever performance is ahead. Face it, this line has only played 3 games together. We took a chance by scheduling tough opponents early — you’ll see.
one dog
September 21st, 2011
4:59 pm
I hate to say it, but @bugs is right. Its time for a change, the record is shameful.
Lowcountry Dawg
September 21st, 2011
5:00 pm
NO! We get bit every time we try this two quarterback B.S… Stick with one guy, and play the other guy enough to keep him ready when needed.
Alex
September 21st, 2011
5:02 pm
Most of you guys sux as UGA fans, please do us all a favor and find another team!
wayne Miller
September 21st, 2011
5:03 pm
I don’t think the best QB in the country, college or pro, could be very successful behind an ineffectual offensive line!
Bruce
September 21st, 2011
5:08 pm
Play him!
bubba4dawgs
September 21st, 2011
5:13 pm
Let’s face it, the more snaps Hutson can get will certainly benefit the team should something happen to Murray. I think of how lucky we were that Murray didn’t get hurt when Cordy Glenn ignored the block of Clowney in the SC game when Clowney simply walked thru (untouched) and shook Murray like a rag doll. Had that beast laid into Murray, there wouldn’t have been anything left but a greasy spot on the turf. With no blocking like that, if continued, we’re only one snap away from putting Hutson in there anyway. I would say to try and get him ready as opportunity will permit. This week at Ole Miss seems like a good place to start. GO DAWGS!!!!!!
McDaddy
September 21st, 2011
5:13 pm
Murray is 0 wins against winning teams.
0 wins.
8 losses.
The Florida game, Murray messing it up with those 4 turnovers, was a nightmare to watch.
The UCF game with Murray’s 2 int’s was tough to stomach.
The Boise game where Murray kept overthrowing wide open receivers was tough.
The South Carolina game where Murray committed 3 turnovers and just gave the game away was the nail in the coffin.
Mason looked superb on G-Day, driving the team from behind for a go-ahead td late in the game, showing poise under pressure, something Murray lacks, and always will.
Murray also just gets sacked so much because his delivery and decision making is so slow. 25 sacks last year was 2.5x more than Joe Cox. And Murray has already been sacked 9 times in 3 games.
Mason is more accurate, c ompleted over 70% of passes in high school, and set all kinds of records.
And Mason found Charles for a 34 yard td, Murray couldn’t against Coastal Carolina.
Mason seems to be more clutch in pressure situations.
Bottom line is Aaron Murray is 0-8 vs. winning teams, he hasn’t earned anther snap.
At the very least, Mason should get 50% of reps with No. 1’s from now on.
McDaddy
September 21st, 2011
5:15 pm
I think Mason will transfer if he doesn’t get a far shot. and I wouldn’t blame him.
Mason has earned his chance.
Joe
September 21st, 2011
5:15 pm
He needs some game work but not like Richt did with Shockley. It was not good to put him in on the third series of a game vs UF just to get him in the game. The second qb needs to go in when the lead is not in jeopardy…Of course Bobo had him throwing and the interception went for a TD…
Back up qbs should play when the game to rest the starter sometimes. I have never seen any team rest the qb like they do the rb….No starting qb ever raises his hand to come out for a breather…If injured yes but then the back up basically only comes in for a few plays unless it is a big injury.
The only time I remember a back up being placed in the game for the starter was when Cox came off the bench to win the UM game when Stafford was not having a good game his first year.
Skeet
September 21st, 2011
5:15 pm
Murray and Mason could be the 2 weapon attack we need to keep the defense quessing. Just like the old days when GA would use 2 QBs on a reg basis. Worth a try if Murray falters
tony
September 21st, 2011
5:16 pm
gdawginkalamazoo
September 21st, 2011
1:32 pm
If Murray keeps making the big mistakes in big games at crucial times I don’t see how you can keep him in the game 100% of the time.
_________________________________________________
I agree. That is his downfall against rank teams.
Delbert D.
September 21st, 2011
5:22 pm
Mason ran the Hoover High School offense at Lassiter under Chip Lindsey, who was previously the OC at Hoover under Rush Propst. It was approximately 90% pass. Rush Propst won 5 state tiles with it at Hoover. When Lassiter met Colquitt County to end their playoff run in Mason’s senior year, Rush Propst was the head coach at Colquitt County. Colquitt county won 46-17.
B-Dawg
September 21st, 2011
5:31 pm
Only give him more snaps under center if we have a big lead. Some of you think Mason is unbelievable when he’s playing in garbage time or against bad teams… I’m pretty sure everybody was raving about how good John Brantley was in backup duty before the season started last year. How has that worked out so far??
PSU of the South
September 21st, 2011
5:32 pm
I’ve been watching Murray for years now and this year he does look different. First and foremost Murray is very coachable, and goes out of his way to please his coaches. What I see is Murray doing exactly what his coaches are telling him to do. It’s not in Murray’s nature to hang in a collapsing pocket with the OL being pushed back in his face. I will assume that the OL knows that they are to hold their position, or to turn their opponents out, thus making a pocket. Obviously the S&C program still leaves a lot to be desired; the OL & DL are sucking wind out there in the 1st qtr, which BTW was not to happen yet again this year. Why didn’t CMR go outside and bring someone in? Beacuse the words out not to work for CMR (just my opinion, which is like..well you know) If this is not fact then why was CTG the 5th pick at DC and UGA still had to pay 3/4 of a mil to get him to come…let me repeat that 5th choice and still had to pay $750,000.00 to get him to come to Athens. I think that speaks volumes about what the football world thinks about CMR and the storied football at UGA (rminds me PSU waiting for JoePa to hang it up).
So go ahead CMR start messing with Murray and he’ll look things over around the country and pick a school that needs a QB for one year. Yea, he’ll still have one year left after transferring, while CMR will be out of football, laughing all the way to the bank, and laughing at the mess he left behind at UGA. This guy really needs to go…now!
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:33 pm
Kirby or Mullen? Probably gonna be one or the other IF it happens.
atl xmen
September 21st, 2011
5:37 pm
chip..serious down time for you? murry is clearly head and shoulders better than mason..mason is a greatback up to have but i would start murry every time and the coaches see everything at practice
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:37 pm
PSU. you are correct about working for Richt. Not that he is bad guy, why just the opposite. But with our League, and what’s left of our rep, and our Bankroll, With our troubles, why didn’t we go out and hire a REAL proven pro at say 500,000 to help our offense line….I’m sure coach Friend is a nice guy, but UAB to Athens. Speaks volumes !
Demps is a beast
September 21st, 2011
5:37 pm
B-DAWG, I would argue that a lot of Georgia’s problem is their head coach, but I definitely agree on your point about Brantley. Imagine how good Florida would be if we had a good quarterback. He’s been a huge bust up to this point. Weis has given him easier throws so he’s made less mistakes. But you’re right, people shouldn’t get carried away when the backup quarterback lights up a bad defense.
mason
September 21st, 2011
5:38 pm
When Stafford would play badly the fanbase demanded Joe Cox be put in. When Stafford left and Joe Cox became the starter the same fan base was ready to nuke him for how he played and the chants began for “Bench Cox put in Murray! Murray is better!”
Are you seeing the pattern?
How about let’s get an OC to replace BooBoo and then see how Murray does?
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:42 pm
How many years of tape do our opponents need of Richt and Bobo to figure out what and when we”re gonna do it? They have 10. Is that enough?
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:44 pm
Lane kiffen the week before he kicked our butt his one year…” we’ve got a pretty good idea of what they’re gonna do. They don’t change things up to much”
atl xmen
September 21st, 2011
5:45 pm
all this does is give more ammo to the crazy bulldog fans something more to complain about
Bob
September 21st, 2011
5:46 pm
They are different style QBs…I would play Mason more just to keep opposing defenses off-guard and vary our offensive game plan. But, maybe that’s too simple for our current coaching staff.
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:46 pm
Would like to see this reporter guy named Jesse Waters on the O’Reilly show go around tailgating in the SEC and Ask, ” Georgia Bulldogs, what do the think of their coach and team” ?
Mississippi Mad
September 21st, 2011
5:51 pm
Ole Miss Coach Houston Nutt is under fire for losing to Vanderbilt 30-7.
The Dawgs better be ready or they go home 1-3.
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:56 pm
Mississippi Mad……………Word is over here the team has quit on him. Watcha hearing over there?
I’m thinking the 5 turnovers had something to do with it, plus this Vandy coach has these guys playing well.
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
5:57 pm
We come home with a loss, Things will get real bad over here quick, in fact, lame duck quick.
Mason?
September 21st, 2011
5:58 pm
[...] Should Bulldogs play QB Hutson Mason on regular basis? | UGA sports blog Seriously? Are there people who would really like to see shared reps? Not this guy [...]
Paddy
September 21st, 2011
6:10 pm
midget Murray…..Murry is taller than Drew Brees. Sort of shoots a hole in your theory!
Paddy
September 21st, 2011
6:12 pm
The most popular guy on any team is the 2nd string QB!
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 21st, 2011
6:14 pm
THIS IS THE REASON WHY MARK RICHT CANT WIN,HE DOESNT PLAY THE BEST PLAYERS!
ASK KNOWSHON MARINO HIS FRESHMAN YEAR,WHEN MARK RICHT AND BOBO KEPT WANTING TO PLAY THOMAS BROWN!
LakeDawg
September 21st, 2011
6:18 pm
The Bulldogs should just win. Period. I don’t think UGA is in any position right now to be worrying if Mason is getting enough playing time. That was fine with Shockley when we were winning. Don’t have that luxury now. Best way to get Mason minutes is to blow everybody out. Then he can play in garbage time.
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 21st, 2011
6:20 pm
3 MILLION A YEAR AND MARK RICHT IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!
0-11 FOR NATIONAL TITLES! BAMA AND FLORIDA WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED MARK RICHT AT 3MILLION A YEAR,WITH NO NATIONAL TITLES!
BY THE WAY NICK SABAN LEFT LSU AND WENT TO MIAMI DOLPHINS,THEN CAME BACK AND WON A NATIONAL TITLE AT BAMA! WHAT DO YOU RICHT SUPPORTERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT?
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
0-11
THIS MEANS NO TITLES RICHT SUPPORTERS
Delbert D.
September 21st, 2011
6:21 pm
The first couple of years Nutt was at Ole Miss, a lot of people were talking about the great catch they got.
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 21st, 2011
6:24 pm
STEVE
LES
GENE
URBAN
AND NICK ALL PLAYS THE BEST PLAYERS,THIS IS WHY THEY HAVE CRYSTAL BALL TROPHIES,AND MARK RICHT HAS NONE!
ONCE AGAIN KEEP HIM AND BOBO
Delbert D.
September 21st, 2011
6:29 pm
Paddy – The O-line needs to hunker down and give Murray some passing lanes. Yeah, that was a lame joke.
question
September 21st, 2011
6:32 pm
How is Larry Munson doing? The silence is deafening. Go Larry Go!
ugab
September 21st, 2011
6:32 pm
MURRAY IS OUR QB!! WE WIN OR LOSE W MURRAY. HE IS JUST A SOPHMORE AND HE IS A LEADER. MASON IS NOT READY. MURRAYS OL LET HIM DOWN!!! WTF. MURRAY GOT CLOBBERD THE 1ST GAMES. OUR OL AND DEFENSE ARE THE PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT WATCH ANOTHER GAME IF MR TAKES MURRAY OUT BECAUSE MR IS THE PROBLEM. MR IS LOOKING 4 EXCUSES. IF OUR LINE CAN NOT PROTECT OR OPEN HOLES, THEM WE HAVE NOTHING