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
Beast from the East
September 21st, 2011
8:44 pm
HD27,
When you get no penetration, you will get picked apart by a decent QB. If it continues when ya’ll go to Knoxville, Bray will do the same thing that Kellen Moore did. I really don’t think Grantham has done any better than Martinez and he’s making twice the salary. Richt’s biggest problem has been his hiring/promotion decisions.
Derek
September 21st, 2011
8:57 pm
Let’s see…6-7 last year. 1-2 so far this year. Hmm. I say let everybody have a chance including Mason so we can find out who the leaders are on this team.
Big Dawg
September 21st, 2011
8:57 pm
Fellow Dawgs most of the problems with Murray goes to coaching. They do not put this guy in position on a routine basis to be successful. He is not a pure pocket passer and needs to be moving to take advantage of his skills of being able to create mismatches. Yes he does tend to stare at his receivers giving defensive backs the opportunity to key in on his primary receiver. That fumble against South Carolina goes to # 71 as he didn’t even touch Clowney on that slip screen. As the blocker you have to hit the guy then let them go and slip out on a LB, DB etc. But not touching Clowney he was on Murray before he had a chance to even look up hardly. He also was not at fault for our guys once again just touching and running on punt returns allowing that big defensive tackle of South Carolina to run 76 yards for a TD. That goes on Coach Richt directly.
Go Dawgs
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
9:01 pm
I had a fellow Dawg fan today me today that we didn’t sack the Coastal QB at all Saturday by design. When I quit laughing, he said that he could Richt knew early that it was going to be a route and told Grantham not to go after their QB. Anybody buying this? Beast is right, you let Bray at Tenn have all night and WE better be able to score a lot. That kid is the real deal, #11 hurt for them or not.
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
9:05 pm
speaking of no coaching, the SAME coach at Coastal Mississippi JC who coached Cody for Bama coached our John Jenkins, and I remember him saying during the recruiting period that Jenkins was as good as Cody, maybe even a little faster. Cody was Dominate at Bama and Jenkins can’t even beat out our guy from last year and start. Hum. Wonder why that is?
Amazing
September 21st, 2011
9:07 pm
F. Lee….I agree….For all the talk about Murray and Mason, the best quarterback in the SEC right now appears to be in Knoxville.
Kavin Caruso
September 21st, 2011
9:07 pm
Hey everyone, i write for dawnofthedawg.com
I think most of everyone is just like me, we want Hutson Mason to start. Heck, during that South Carolina game, I kept saying bring in Mason! Hutson Mason does have the legs to run outside the pocket. Like some of you said, Aaron Murray stands in the pocket too long, kinda reminds me of Jeff George of the Falcons. Jeff George used to stay in the pocket too long. Mason does have a cannon arm plus he’s what 6′5 or something.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 21st, 2011
9:09 pm
Instead of the headline reading should Mason play
How about a headline saying should UGA play to win championships
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
9:12 pm
OH Boy, Tech is stripped of an ACC title and 4 years probation over 300 dollars worth of Clothes with 2 players and Sprurrier doesn’t think they are in trouble for 10 players receiving 55,000.00 worth of un allowed benefits…..LMAO. They are in BIG trouble.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 21st, 2011
9:13 pm
There hasnt been a running QB to ever win the Super Bowl and there have been less than 10 in the last 40 yrs to win a NC in college
I frankly could care less about a running QB
If a QB cannot read the field and throw with accuracy your chances of winning are very slim
Give me a pocket passer please and get off the running QB bandwaggon
Top Dawg
September 21st, 2011
9:13 pm
Is that Tim Tebow in the background?
F. Lee Bailey
September 21st, 2011
9:17 pm
Flat tire, kinda agree, but Auburn WON the NC last year because of Rev. Cams feet, just say’n
Headley's Lamar
September 21st, 2011
9:22 pm
Flat tire, I’ll get Lamar to go fix your flat. Just let me know. Best of luck, better chance next time. Keep me in mind. Lots of Love!
waytogoricht
September 21st, 2011
9:30 pm
That would be a definite yes. Mason probably has a winning future. The midget apparently does not. Can’t believe he was recruited to begin with, but that’s Richt!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 21st, 2011
9:32 pm
F. Lee Bailey
Re-read what I said less than 10 running QB’s in 40 yrs. Thats not a good statistic worth persuing
I think in fact its only 5 Cam, Vince Young, Charlie Ward, Tommy Fraisure, and maybe another
Cam really didnt win the NC it was Dyer the RB and their defense
ga gator
September 21st, 2011
9:35 pm
I dont know what it is with Richt and Murray. Mettenburger clearly outplayed Murray a year ago at G day and Mettenburger did Richt a favor by getting in trouble because after the game Richt said that Murray was the starter. Then this year Mason outpayed Murray in the G day game and the same thing happened. Murray is great for stats but the only stat that matters for a QB is winning and he has yet to beat a team with a winning record. He clearly cost UGA last year in Jax against the Gators and at home against SC.
ga gator
September 21st, 2011
9:36 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville I know it probably pains you to admit it but you might want to throw Tebow in with that group of running QB’s.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 21st, 2011
9:43 pm
ga gator
Yes your right hard to believe I forgot him but again there havent been many in college and none in the NFL
But it doesnt pain me
What pains me is we have a coaching staff that doesnt care whether they beat FL or not and a fanbase that doesnt realize that the FL game is the most important of all UGA’s games to win
Chris
September 21st, 2011
9:47 pm
ok murray played bad in the big games vs south carolina, boise and florida. But he is still young and he will get better in the big games with experience. and who says mason will be great in those situations? Murray was the highlight of our team last year with the exception of AJ he will be the starter the rest of his college career. I hope mason will stay but it would be best for him to transfer if he is sooo good! GOOO DAWGS!! and uga fans we need to stay behind our dawgs and leave all this coach and benching players to the end of the seasons! lets whoop some rebel butt this Saturday!!!
just a fan
September 21st, 2011
10:04 pm
@ gagator
If Mettenburg were so good why did’t he beat out Jarrett Lee @ LSU
@flattire
from one Dawg fan to another the most important game to me is WLOCP we need to get off of this slide that we are on I have been to every UGA vs florduh game since 97 a few good times but no where near enough.
@sportsguru95
September 21st, 2011
10:17 pm
Attention Coaches Richt & Bobo! If Mason will keep food on your table, yall better play him! Murray has had his chance! Shack things up, keep Ole Miss off balance, & the QB that gets the job done wins the job!
Snoop Dawg
September 21st, 2011
10:30 pm
Richt is cronyism and nepotism when it comes to playing favorites. There’s no telling what he promised Aaron Murray during the recruiting process. Anyway, Mason’s got an uphill slope to go up if he’s going to get any real playing time regardless of how good he is. That’s a real shame, and it’s a reason that several players have left the team over the past three years.
Richt and Bobo need to Gogo. Now Now.
Cindy Hendrix
September 21st, 2011
10:47 pm
as it is at all schools the coaches give each QB time in the spring & at every pratice to watch & evaluate
all the QBS. The QB that has proven himself the best in passing stats yards & interceptions passes completed etc. should be the #1 QB. Also our #1 QB should be the 1 that is the best player to help us win as many games as possible. Let Mason play a little more so he will have some more experience under his belt if he is needed to come in & play! We do not need a green QB with no experience or very little experience when it is his turn to be the # 1 QB. AS Always GO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF!! 1 Game at a time everyone& always support our #1 QB as well as our backup QB.
UGA grad 90
September 21st, 2011
10:51 pm
This is all a waste of time. Who cares about the QB situation. We’re screwed until Richt’s fired.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
September 21st, 2011
11:37 pm
the only reason Murray is starting is because he is from florida ……….. mett was a much better QB, but he is not from Fl, so cmr had to get rid of him. Ga players have no chance when up against a FL player. How else do you explain midget up the middle on 3 and 23?
Chip Towers
September 22nd, 2011
12:20 am
Andrew: I have invoked no opinion here. I asked a question. Appreciate all the people who weighed in.
U
September 22nd, 2011
2:35 am
This time next year Mason will be 3rd string. At least he better be.
doctor
September 22nd, 2011
5:05 am
Is my coffee ready yet? We lost but we outplayed em!!—HA HA HA——Murray worry gotta go dig some flurry. Let us see we are 3rd and 2 on the 10 yard line what do we do? Throw a short pass!!!!!! Wow, why didn’t I think of that —–oops he dropped it. Where in hell do these plays come from? If you are 3rd and 2 you have 2 plays to get 2 yards to get a first down. Run the ball!! Get off the pills Richt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And get somebody in there that knows the running game to coach the offensive side of the ball. And quit playing around with all of that fancy passing and running around in circles junk. It’s another year of wacko city people. Quarterback razorback gotta cure my silly just to be my nilly.
Get Real
September 22nd, 2011
5:53 am
I would like to see Georgia rotate Murray and Mason the way LSU did their two rotation QB’s a few years ago. If Murray is not in his groove yet or making mistakes, or the team just needs a little different mix up send Mason in to play a few. Mix it up a little, but for goodness sake people don’t slash Murray for a few mistakes like he is the only player making them! Enough about Lemay. Why did Georgia sign him anyway-we do not need him when we have so many other QB’s already on the team. He needs to transfer because hopefully when Murray leaves these other guys get their opportunity to play as it should be. Just enjoy the game and stop critizing the players based on their height, etc. Act like adults. Though they are all young men, they are someone’s children!
PT
September 22nd, 2011
7:12 am
Mason is a true pro style QB that fits Richts offense. From what I have seen given the same number of starts, he’s the better QB.
savannadawg
September 22nd, 2011
7:12 am
Only one way too know. Put him in the fire, meaning when the game is tough. See how he performs then.
AltamahaDawg
September 22nd, 2011
7:14 am
Got to love soccer moms fans. Lets play the poor boy a lot more . He’s trying real hard. Let’s just play everybody, it’s only fair. Don’t play favorites coaches.
savannadawg
September 22nd, 2011
7:19 am
Another thing. We didn’t hire Coach PJ because people believe that offense he uses is a farce and won’t work in the SEC. I ask you? What kind of offensive linemen and running backs could we get if we did. Football “IS” all about execusion. I have seen this offense for years. It will kill you if all parts are working together. Just a thought.
McDaddy
September 22nd, 2011
7:48 am
No QB outside the state of Georgia has ever won an SEC Championship at UGA.
Hutson Mason is form Georgia. He bleeds red & back.
Aaron Murray is from Florida.
I’m ok with Murray getting reps against New Mexico, but we need a winner to play against SEC teams, and Murray, 0-8 vs. winning teams, is most definately NOT that fellow, as the survey here OVERWHELMINGLY proves.
Richt will coach his last year at UGA if he doesn’t switch QB’s. Murray has just lost too many games. This team doesn’t believe in Murray, for good reason.
slobodan
September 22nd, 2011
8:13 am
typical Richt phenonemon; over recruit qbs, WRs, skill positions. But always linemen and linebackers lacking in numbers and quality..Top Ga high school linemen and linebackers playing somewhere else…the games are won and lost in direct proportion to the quality of line of scrimmage play…it appears this concept is not a priority at Georgia.
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 22nd, 2011
8:26 am
THANK GOD MARK RICHT DONT PLAY THE BEST PLAYERS,THIS WAY MOST OF THE TOP TALENT IN GEORGIA WILL CONTINUE TO LEAVE THE STATE OF GEORGIA! REMEMBER CAM NEWTON IS FROM GA,BUT RICHT AND BOBO WANTED HIM TO PLAY TIGHTEND,MOST OF YOU HICKS WOULDA WANTED CAM NEWTON AT UGA!
JUSTIN HOUSTON SAYS FIRE MARK RICHT,THERE IS A CHANGE NEEDED AT UGA HE SAYS!
Dawg_Central
September 22nd, 2011
8:26 am
What????…..I don’t even think this needs a response….wow !! Stupid is the best word that comes to mind………look at Aaron Murray’s stats……….if all players at all positions had comparible stats ……..UGA would be undefeated……….dang, come on guys…….really !!
Bulldawg_Nation
September 22nd, 2011
8:29 am
No way should you take snaps away from Aaron Murray…………….get real, he is the main reason Georgia has been as good as they have been, nothing against Mason, but Murray is the real deal and proved it after he threw the INT against SC………………..Murray’s record may not be as good as we would like but you certainly can not put that on him alone……………last time I checked, there was 11 guys on offense and 11 on defense………………….besides look @ Murray’s QB rating………….you ignorant people are plain silly……………first you want axe the coaching staff for not beating a team ranked in the top 5………………people get real we went 6-7 last year. Murray is the best QB in the SEC………….and you want to mess that up………………..Mason has yet to see any real action and I am not an advocate of seeing him come in and blow our chances.
Dawg_Central
September 22nd, 2011
8:30 am
Murray threw four TD passes against SC and two against Boise St……………he did his job…….the O-line can’t block to protect him………..
richie_rich1986
September 22nd, 2011
8:54 am
Seriously I am sick of this crap from UGA!! Dawgs need to freaking worry about executing with the players they have on OFFENSE!! What is this crap having Defensive players playing on offense and all this nonsense. Are we playing Madden out there or what? Play the dang players that are meant to play that position. This “mixing” it up with the no-huddle and hooplah is embarrassing! this is not the Dawgs I grew up loving!!!
38 Yardline Dawg
September 22nd, 2011
9:26 am
Gosh, this whole two quarterback question is SO HARD!
Like, if there were ANY OTHER leading SEC teams, say BAMA, LSU and SC, that were dealing with two capable quarterbacks and trying to figure out which guy is best to lead on the field, maybe Coach BOOBOO and RWRECKED could learn how to sort this kind of question out.
Dripping with sarcasm,
38 Yardline Dawg
Aaron Murray has not won big
September 22nd, 2011
9:30 am
Murray has yet to prove that he is a winner at the Big Boy level. Period. He CHOKES so badly in big games like SC, Boise and Florida and UCF with his Batman gloves. He is too emotional and immature to play SEC caliber QB. Look at this nasty record. Duh.
He takes his snap, then looks and looks and looks and looks for Orson Charles and the opposing D are well aware of his tendancies. THey usually SACK HIM. Or, they can slightly lay off of Charles in coverages, knowing that the midget will hum it to him, then close on and snag a pic. This is whay Murray throws so many pics. He also makes BAD DECSIONS.
This season is already blown anyway with NO LINEMEN and a lameduck staff. I say let Hutson take about 40% of the snaps or base it on the game situation. Murray will not be the strater much into 2012 , as the new coach will not want him.
It is what it is.
Goooooooooooooooo Dogs.
AceDawg
September 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
I’ve been big on Aaron Murray and don’t want him to lose critical time on the field, but then again as good as he is, his mistakes have mattered several times this year and last (especially against Florida, UCF, and USC). Mason looks good, and if he really is shining in practice and has his teammates’ confidence, the Dawgs can’t afford to be scared to give him a bit of playing time. Considering Christian Lemay is also waiting in the wings, UGA should know how Mason performs in live action well enough to help judge who the next full time starter becomes.
mdawg
September 22nd, 2011
9:41 am
Murray is to short to play in the SEC and lets not forget he has a losing record as the starting QB!!
Snoop
September 22nd, 2011
9:51 am
All you geniuses, hear this:
Stats don’t win games; leaders do.
slydog
September 22nd, 2011
9:54 am
Even more stupidity. TYLER BRAY HAS NOT WON A SINGLE GAME OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AND EXCEPT FOR A PLETHORA OF PASS INTERFERENCE CALLS, WOULD HAVE THROWN AT LEAST 2 MORE INT’S THAN WAS COUNTED. When the heck did the legend of Tyler Bray begin? He lost, that’s right, lost to Florida. If Tennessee beats this team, once again, it’s in Knoxville. Stop getting desperate for changes people.
ATL XMAN
September 22nd, 2011
10:11 am
most of you guys are so clueless. murry has been great since last year as a redshirt freshmen. he has continued to put up very good numbers this year as well while playing against better teams than the 2 guys ahead of him in the sec. bray and wilson both havent played one decent team other than bray playing fla. and he lost that game. threw 2 ints and had a worse qb rating than murry did last year as a freshmen. murry is no doubt the right qb playing for the dawgs. and if some of you guys cant seem to notice than you need to stick watching pee wee football because , like i said , you have no clue on telling who is a great qb or not.
ATL XMAN
September 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
the sec best qb is murray and some clueless crazy dawg fans think richt should play mason. too funny.
ATL XMAN
September 22nd, 2011
10:19 am
also uga is number 3 in total offense in the sec after the first 3 weeks . 40.7 pts a game. just think what will happen when uga starts to execute better on offense. the defense is way better this year and have held their own against 2 of the better teams in the top 15.
HD27
September 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
I agree ATL XMAN, As I have stated before, Richt and Bobo have gotten a lot of criticism for offensive play calling, but now it’s time to give them some credit. This new up-tempo no huddle attack is impressive. I also see a lot of NFL teams doing this this season so it looks like UGA was ahead of the curve on this one.