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
ugab
September 21st, 2011
6:37 pm
MR just took every bit of confidense Murray had and crushed it. I can not believe this sht. We can not afford to change qbs. Defenses will kill Mason, This is not good. I am at lowest point as a long time ga fan EVER. MURRAY WANTS TO WIN. OL IS NOT DOING THERE JOB. HE IS TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING. MR DOES NOT WANT MURRAY TO RUN, JUST THROW THE DAM BALL AWAY. I LOVE THE WAY HE PLAYS
UGA '01
September 21st, 2011
6:40 pm
Here’s my question: Why isn’t Aaron Murray running the ball more on broken plays, and even QB draws????? If Hutson is such a good QB, let Aaron take more risk running it. One of his best threats is tucking it & running. I don’t understand how you hold back that threat when calling plays.
question
September 21st, 2011
6:43 pm
“Run Lindsey Run” I’m thinking and praying for you Larry! “HunkerDownDawgs”
ugab
September 21st, 2011
6:53 pm
The only reason Mason should be in a game is when ga is winning by 40 pnts. SEC defenses will kill a new qb. Murray has not time to do anything. NO time AT ALL
ugab
September 21st, 2011
6:55 pm
UGA 01. MR will not let Murray run. That is one of Murrays strengths and it is another threat! EX Shockley. Murray is our man. He wants to win.
ugab
September 21st, 2011
6:58 pm
Murray is our man. We did not need this distraction. MR is looking 4 a way out. bobo needs to go.
ugab
September 21st, 2011
6:59 pm
How do you blame a qb for OL problems?? Unreal!
ugab
September 21st, 2011
7:01 pm
Murray fumbled against SC at the end of the game. So what. He was clobberd
Murray and Mason
September 21st, 2011
7:03 pm
Let both play. I sat the bench in HS but was better player but coach was blind. Pitched no hitter, made all conference (when I started senior year), and played major league baseball for NY Yankees. Steve Webber cut me at UGA baseball in 1986. Coaches can be blind to hear, talent, and skill.
Murray can start but let Mason have some series to see what he can do. Not mop up time work 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter playing time. It’s not fair to him…he’s as committed as anyone else.
Win P
September 21st, 2011
7:05 pm
Look for opportunities to play Mason. Better to give him some game experience while you have the option. Don’t wait until Murray gets a hit that puts him on the bench and out of the game. It takes nothing away from Murray and requires the opposition to plan for two possible quarterbacks. Who knows the coaches might discover another pleasant surprise.
GT Fanatic
September 21st, 2011
7:13 pm
I would have to hope you don’t play Hutson….I fear you might run the table with him at the helm. Watched him for years at Lassiter and all he does is win.
ugab
September 21st, 2011
7:13 pm
Play Murray
sign up
September 21st, 2011
7:18 pm
http://www.keepmarkricht.com
ugab
September 21st, 2011
7:18 pm
Murray has 3000 yrds and 33 tds. Mason has how many? This could be the worst mistake by a college football coach in history. If Murray is benched he needs to transfer. I can not believe this is even brought up going back into SEC play. MR is not our Coach. I give up on MR.
Call me crazy
September 21st, 2011
7:23 pm
Not only should Hudson Mason Play against OL Miss but he and the intire second team should start and play the whole game. We should be able to beat Ol Miss with our backups and let the starters get well for Mississippi State. All the things Hudson Mason is hearing from the coaches is the same things they told DJ, Joe T, Joe Cox, and Logan Gray so what’s new? Between Murray, Mason, and LeMay someone will either transfer or ride the bench a long time. As someone in another post said it’s more the lack of an offensive line that’s our problem. CMR always blames the players but take Stacy Searles, he had great lines at LSU but could not produce them at UGA. Now he’s at Texas and look at the offensive producion and protection his line is giving. So where lies the problem? But to answer your question Yes UGA should get their QB’s meanful playing time and we may never see what Hudson Mason can really do while he is a Bulldog.
Win P
September 21st, 2011
7:30 pm
There’s an old adage in management. A first rate manager will hire a first rate underling. A second rate manager will hire a third rate underling. Not sure about Richt
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 21st, 2011
7:32 pm
FORMER UGA D END JUSTIN HOUSTON SAYS A CHANGE IS NEEDED AT UGA
PigIron
September 21st, 2011
7:35 pm
Gee, I wonder if the kid might actually a pretty good QB trying to play with a lousy team?
Nah… couldn’t be that. He plays for the Dream Team© !!!
Isn't it obvious?
September 21st, 2011
7:45 pm
7-9 under Murray. PLAY MASON!!!
UGATAT
September 21st, 2011
7:51 pm
First things first, I sure Hope Larry Munson’s doing well. PERIOD.
Now…
A little on-field, BIG GAME competition MIGHT just show who can do the best job. But let’s get real, until Bobo is relieved of his “doodies”, (because that is all we’ve seen for the most part), it doesn’t matter who is QB, they are not in total control.
Let’s not throw the season to the curb. I really think–there I go thinking again, that this is not going to turn out near as bad as last year!!
Live and Die UGA!!
GO DAWGS!
SIC’EM!
Catman
September 21st, 2011
7:51 pm
Bobo’s comments tells you everything you need to know why they might not be so pleased with Aaron Murray:
“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.”
I think the coaches are just as frustrated as the fans with how long Murray likes to hold onto the ball. Most of the sacks can be attributed to holding the ball too long. Sounds like they want a QB who can make quick decisions and throw the ball to the open receiver quickly.
Beast from the East
September 21st, 2011
7:53 pm
When things aren’t going well, the back-up QB is always the most popular player on the team. Murray would be starting for about 10 of 12 teams in the SEC right now. Don’t hit the panic button just yet, Dawgs. Still lots of football to be played.
Hit A Single
September 21st, 2011
7:54 pm
I think Coach Richt and Coach Bobo know when to play him. This is another ploy by the AJC to start controversy in the UGA camp. They love controversy no matter who it offends.
WDE
September 21st, 2011
8:01 pm
Im gay and I like football players.
UGATAT
September 21st, 2011
8:04 pm
Hey Coach Richt, “Catch and Release” (probably already been used) is a good motto for some of your “staff”…
However, not recommended on the field for OUR team.
HD27
September 21st, 2011
8:12 pm
LOL, is this a joke? No knock against Mason, but Aaron Murray has been the lone pulse of the UGA football team the last two years. Pathetic fans may cry and say he’s 7-9, but look at what he’s dealt with. Running backs with fumble-itis (Ealy and King), receivers that can’t hold on to the ball, A.J Green’s suspension and an atrocious offensive line. Hutson Mason played mop up duty in two games and everyone is about to have an orgasm. Get over yourselves UGA fans and get your heads out of the clouds!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 21st, 2011
8:13 pm
I say play everyone at QB including the kickers
Im mean Ive seen enough stupidity here so why not let everyone play QB in Saturdays game
Beast from the East
September 21st, 2011
8:15 pm
Flat Tire,
I’ll give it a shot! I can still throw it about 30 yards or so…..I think.
ugaclassof2004
September 21st, 2011
8:18 pm
I’ll say this until I’m blue in the face:
UGA’s problem is not offense its defense!Has been for the last 5-6 years now. Until we get some semblance of a defense, it won’t matter who is playing QB. Murray played well enough to have won games vs. Arkansas, Florida, Auburn, and South Carolina two weeks ago. But what was the common theme? Breakdowns on defense. 31, 34, 49, 38(I don’t count the turnover vs. SC against our defense). Boise State: 38 points, 34 points vs a LOUSY Tech offense last year.
Defense is about imposing your will onto another team. It’s about making a team pay for having the audacity to turn the ball over against you. It’s about stepping on a guy’s neck when he is down. THAT is what is missing on this football team. THAT is what we need. And until we get THAT mentality back, we will continue to lose to teams that can hit back.
Tyrone Shulaces
September 21st, 2011
8:19 pm
The only 3 names this alumnus is concerned with is
Chucky, Derek, or Peterson
sicdawg
September 21st, 2011
8:20 pm
Doesn’t matter who plays. They are going to get killed behind that sorry ass OL
Beast from the East
September 21st, 2011
8:21 pm
ugaclassof2004,
I think you’re dead right. I still cannot understand how so many people keep blaming everything on Bobo and the offense. When you give up 30+ points, you will lose about 95% of the time.
HD27
September 21st, 2011
8:22 pm
We’ll see how good UGA really is. Right now it’s too early to tell. The Bum out against Boise was horrific! But the USC game was Georgia’s to lose and they lost it. I am very impressed however with the revamped up-tempo no-huddle style offense, and for as much criticism as Bobo and Richt have gotten for bad play calling on offense, it should be getting more publicity. They were ahead of the curve on this one as I see a lot NFL teams doing this as well. We’ll find out for sure after they play the Gators in Gator Country.
Carl Spackler
September 21st, 2011
8:23 pm
Start Hutson Mason over Murray, Coach Richt? Sure why not, but let’s tie it to you keeping your job! If Mason wins and does well, you stay; if not, resign at the end of the game he blows up in. Get out of town so that a new coach can be hired, and potential recruits can make an intelligent decision on UGA.
No honorable man would let this play out in the news. Only a coward would attempt to embarrass a class act like Murray in a press conference. The guy has not only lost control of the team, but also the fans. You deep pockets who pay his salary need to start making your voices/or money, heard. Two years ago UGA played Texas A&M, now they’re the #8 team in the standings. Does anyone believe they’re getting the best players going up against Okl & Texas? It comes down to coaching and Richt can’t get it done with the 5 star recruits that show up in Athens every year. Anytime you have 8 extra scholarships laying around to pass out to walk-ons, just demonstrates that something is seriously wrong. (although I am happy for the walk-on’s & families)…Trustee’s, pull the plug NOW!!!!!!
War Dang Dawg
September 21st, 2011
8:25 pm
Let’s face it, this is a mediocre team regardless of who plays quarterback. Murray is a plus overall for this team, but he has a tendency to not protect the football. I don’t see how playing Mason would hurt unless Murray has clearly established himself in practice as the better player and hasn’t earned the playing time.
The position that Georgia most needs a change is head coach.
McDaddy
September 21st, 2011
8:26 pm
How many games must Richt lose against winning teams until he benches Aaron Murray?
Is 0-8 not enough?
Think Murray will SUDDENLY figure out POISE OR LEADERSHIP?
Of course not.
SugarHillDawg
September 21st, 2011
8:27 pm
By all means! He is at least 2 inches taller than Murray and I fear we are wasting his talent.
Santa Cruz Bulldog
September 21st, 2011
8:28 pm
Maybe a couple of series here and there. If a blowout is going on, but no DJ and Greene type platoon.
sicdawg
September 21st, 2011
8:28 pm
On most passing plays def is in backfield waiting for murray to get there
Swampdawg
September 21st, 2011
8:30 pm
Right On Beast! Defense is the problem today just like it has been for the last 5 years. The Dawgs are recruiting the wrong type defensive players. They are recruiting too many runners with skinny legs who cannot block or tackle. Not enough power. not enough attitude! What good is speed if you ricchochet off a tackle when you get there! Any good team can run on the Dawgs and pass too. Need to recruit some “Junkyard Dawgs” like David Pollack, Tim Crowe and Terry Hoage! Or even Richard Tardits!
slydog
September 21st, 2011
8:30 pm
Ok Ok, so let’s get this straight: After playing Coastal frickin Carolina, we are ready to create some competition at QB? This is stupidity at it’s finest. I will never read comments on this blog again or comment on another one here. To even hear conversation of “competition” at QB or “change” at QB concerning Hutson Mason and Aaaron Murry is STUPID STUPID STUPID and not rationale. It’s not the QB, it’s the coaching and the direction of the program overall. Why oh Why did I ever get stuck in this Georgia red clay.
Absolut
September 21st, 2011
8:30 pm
Yes, play Mason at least a series every game in case of injury to Murray.
Swampdawg
September 21st, 2011
8:33 pm
I would put Hutson Mason in when Murray struggles again. Florida and SCarolina made Murray look like a High School Player at times. At those times, I would pull him out and put Hutson in.
GTRules
September 21st, 2011
8:34 pm
So now the dawgs are eating their own.
HD27
September 21st, 2011
8:37 pm
@ Beast and UGA class 2004
When you’re bringing in a new defensive coordinator most teams go through a transition faze in year one. Saban did at Bama, Al Groh at Tech even Van Gorder at UGA. So that’s what I believe happened to Grantham. However, this season the defense (through three games…keep in mind) has shown signs of improvement. 28 points against USC were of no faught of the defense. Against Boise the offense could not stay on the field. The defense was completely gassed that game, not to mention one of Georgia few successful drives was a one play drive, so the defense had to get back on the field again. The major problem I see is the inability of the front line to get any pressure on the quarterback and the lack of penetration by the front line.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 21st, 2011
8:39 pm
I didnt know Georgia Tech ruled anything except the North Ave Ghetto
lakerga
September 21st, 2011
8:41 pm
WOW!!! I must have misread the article. I keep reading these posts that imply Hutson should start over Murray,, That was never said or implied in any of the coaches comments. What was said was he has earned more reps than he has gotten so far. I for one have to agree. There is a point in each and every game were changing things up a bit can be a big advantage. There is also the fact that come the 3rd quarter of lets say the florida game the unthinkable happens. Murray gets hurt. Do you want to call on a back up who has been in there and experienced that type of atmosphere and speed of game or one thats never been in the game durung a meaningful down. According to the coaches he has earned the chance to become more a part of the games so I say PUT HIM IN.
AltamahaDawg
September 21st, 2011
8:41 pm
Lakedawg, simpley stated, spot on. Love to see Mason come in a play as many series as possible, meaning the game if already well in hand.
Swampdawg
September 21st, 2011
8:41 pm
The Dawg Defense is looking more and more like a poor Florida St or Miami Defense. Speed but can’t tackle. Who is our main recruiter down there??? I believe someone is throwing the “Junkyard Dawg” recruit resumes in the trash.
Mike
September 21st, 2011
8:44 pm
Most of the time, platooning quarterbacks does not work due to timing issues. We are not at practice, therefore it is not up to us to say. Let the coaches evaluate. Just be glad we have a very capable back-up. Mason is one play away from finishing the season as starting QB.