Mark Richt puts end to debate; Malcolm Mitchell to play offense only
ATHENS – The Malcolm Mitchell debate is a debate no more.
Mark Richt put an abrupt end to the speculation over what the sophomore’s role on the team will be going forward.
“What do I think (his role) is going to be? Wide receiver,” Richt said matter-of-factly after Tuesday’s practice. “I doubt he plays any more corner.”
Mitchell, a sophomore who played both cornerback and split end this season, expressed mixed emotions recently about continuing his career as a two-way player. Meanwhile, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham each said this week they’d like to have him full-time on their respective sides of the ball, but ultimately deferred to Richt.
Richt was able to weigh in on it publically for the first time on Tuesday, and he didn’t pussyfoot around the issue.
“I just think he needs to play one position,” he said. “. . . If he’s going to be the best he can be at either position, I think he needs to concentrate on just one of them, and receiver’s where he’s going to be.”
Quarterback Aaron Murray was especially happy with that decision.
“I saw a tweet on that and I’m happy for Malcolm,” Murray said. “I talked to him about it and I think he feels great about just being able to focus on one position. I know he wants to think big and play offense and defense and special teams. I mean, it’s tough playing all those positions. I’m definitely happy he’s back on offense, that’s for sure.”
Mitchell came to Richt last spring and volunteered to play both ways. The Bulldogs entered the season without cornerback Sanders Commings (2 games) and safety Bacarri Rambo (4 games) due to disciplinary suspensions and the status of cornerback Branden Smith was unclear until preseason camp. Mitchell, a 6-foot-1, 184-pound sophomore, was an all-star cornerback at Valdosta High and was originally recruited to play the defensive side of the ball.
Mitchell played this first third of this season as a cornerback, starting three games and accounting for 12 tackles and 3 pass break-ups in that time. After Rambo returned in Game 5, Mitchell returned to playing offense full time. He finished the season with 572 yards and four touchdowns.
Mitchell made his mark at Georgia as a freshman wide receiver. He piled up 665 yards receiving and four touchdowns despite missing three games with injuries his first season.
Mitchell said this past Friday he’d pick offense if he had to choose one or the other. But Georgia is losing its entire starting secondary after this season and Mitchell said he would consider playing defense again if “the team needs me.”
An online poll of AJC readers agrees with Richt’s decision. Sixty-six percent of nearly 3,000 voters said they’d rather see Mitchell play receiver full time than play both ways or defense only.
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94 comments Add your comment
kerryb
December 19th, 2012
7:32 am
Two cents worth
December 19th, 2012
6:54 am
Let’ s get real. At best, Mitchell is a 2nd rate player. On a quality team, he would be picking up splinters on the bench.
_____________________________________________________________________________
How long did it take you to come up with this stupid post? Must have taken you all day yesterday when this was posted to come up with that big time zinger. What a moron.
NCDAWG
December 19th, 2012
7:56 am
Things are different now than they were when champ went both ways in the late 1990’s. The offense is more complex and the defense is more complex. Starting defense and being gradually added to the offense is easier than trying to be both at the same time. Malcolm should play offense and be allowed to excel rather than being pretty good at both. It will be interesting to see what happens in the spring once everything gets sorted out with the NFL stuff.
Wise Old Dawg
December 19th, 2012
8:11 am
MM is the most explosive player on the team and is a threat to break a big play every time he touches the ball. Some Dawgs like to second guess him taking kicks from out of the end zone, but as for me, bring it Malcolm!
Atticus
December 19th, 2012
8:12 am
I really don’t understand why he can’t play both. Are you telling me he’s not as good of an athlete as Champ or Woodson? If not then fine (I think he is exceptional), but if he is use him as much as possible. He’s a Top 10 draft pick at CB but not at WR.
AJ
December 19th, 2012
8:13 am
Left Coast Dog……………no water in Hartwell!!!
Atticus
December 19th, 2012
8:19 am
NC DAWG I understand what you are saying about complex offenses and defenses but he’s not going to be a first round draft pick at WR but he will at CB. He should be playing full time at CB and you can’t tell me he can’t learn 40 offensive plays or practice running routes on his own.
JK
December 19th, 2012
8:38 am
The bottom line is, Richt made the wrong decision to start his college career on offense. He was meant to be a difference maker on Sundays at DB. Now it is too far into his college career to switch him to CB. This is yet another example how our players are not coached up to their potential.
PS
December 19th, 2012
8:58 am
I’m glad that Coach Richt is allowing Mitchell to make his own choice, especially since he was such a great team guy this year. But, if I were advising Mitchell, I’d say try cornerback one more year. There are a lot of good receivers that come out of college every year for the NFL to choose from, but damn few good cornerbacks. Assuming he could be equally good at both, he would be drafted higher and make more money as a cornerback.
DawginLex
December 19th, 2012
8:59 am
JK
You are dead wrong. MM is a difference maker on offense and will play in the NFL. Did you not watch the games?
I understand you are a Richt and Bobo hater but at least back it up with some facts
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2012
9:05 am
JK, The question is NOT what is best for him, or his NFL aspirations. It’s what is best for the Georgia football team. I would have loved to have seen him soley at DB, but mostly becasue that would have meant we didn’t NEED him at WR. I don’t think we would have won the east last year without him, so that was an excellent call to go ahaed and not waste a year as a RS. I think we could have spared him this year, as he wasn’t as much of a factor at WR. But I don’t know if he would ahve started on the Defence once those guys returned, so he was used properly where he was needed. And when we had a couple of WRs go down it was great to have his depth. And his game winning catch in Jax..
I’m all for having these guys “coached up to thier potential” (whatever that banility is supposed to mean) but when it comes to giving UGA the best chance to win a football game, having an NFL training camp is much less important to most Georgia fans I believe.
aldogg2121
December 19th, 2012
9:32 am
Here’s my two cents…whatever that is worth. Maybe a penny.
Malcolm Mitchell is arguably our most talented WR. He has tremendous hands which are very strong, as evidenced by his exceptional ability to pluck balls in traffic or with a DB hanging on his back. We really needed his talents on offense this year, especially after Bennett and Brown went down.
But I agree with those posters above who say that his NFL future lies at CB. MM is a dime a dozen type of player at WR with his average size and good speed. But at CB he has the potential to be a real difference maker. He has great size for a CB and his speed is on par with the elite athletes at that position. The thing that will set him apart from others at CB is his ball skills. And his athleticism will allow him to develop into a lockdown cover corner. Someone should advise this kid that his NFL future is on defense.
That being said, I hope he does whatever is best for this UGA team because we need his big-play ability on offense. But at the same time, we are going to need someone to step up for us next year at the other CB position opposite Damian Swann. My vote would be Mitchell.
Either way you cut it, this much is clear: MM is a DGD.
Dr. Phil
December 19th, 2012
9:32 am
Such decisiveness!
ugab
December 19th, 2012
9:37 am
A. Murray is the starter. If Murray decides to stay, he will start next season. Mason is a good QB. Mason has not had any big game experience. He did not play this season. He now has one more season to play after Murray leaves. CMR and Bobo will get Mason in some games to finish another team off. The plan is to do Mason like CMR did with Shockley. I believe in Murray. I hope he returns for his last season. Everyone blame Murray for the big game losses. The defense could not stop Alabama. Our offense had to score with Alabama to have a chance at winning. The defense needed a few good stops. In the SC game Murray was not protected. It takes entire team effort, including the coaches to win “Big games.” Our defense is going to have to rebuild next year. I am hoping Murray stays. If he does leave for the NFL, Will Mason have 2 seasons to start? Mitchell is a great player. I love his intensity. He needs more discipline. We need him on both sides of the ball. We are losing Brown and KIng. We need a goto deep threat WR. We also need CBs. Let him start at WR. If it starts getting ugly on the defense side, then let him rotate. Grantham is going to have to focus more on stopping the run. Our inability to stop the run cost us a NC this season. Alabama wasn’ the only team that exploited our poor run D. Garner is another assistant that CMR has held on to way to long. Our Dline has not impressed me in years.
wde
December 19th, 2012
9:41 am
MM is a DGD and will help the team on either side of the ball…I trust CMR to make the call and base it on what is best for the TEAM .
aldogg2121
December 19th, 2012
9:48 am
“Garner is another assistant that CMR has held on to way to long.” – ugab
Probably because Garner is invaluable when it comes to recruiting.
UGA Silent Majority
December 19th, 2012
10:11 am
Of the hundred or so negative UGA bloggers on this website,
vs. the 96,000 or so UGA fans that fill the stadium every week,
I have been chosen to represent the 95,990 fans that choose
not to use this website to blog and/or criticize our coaching staff, players, jor use
this website to match wits the the Tech, Gator, and Bama bloggers
who apparently have no other avenue to vent their criticism, we say
Go Coach Richt, BoBo, Grantham, players, keep up the good work, we
have won the East and beat the Gators in consecutive seasons, and
will wind up in the top five teams in the country, and have a top five
recruiting class. What more could we ask for?
docdawg
December 19th, 2012
10:17 am
You guys are jacked up today eh? let`s be realistic, no one knows Murray`s projected position yet, the next game may help since scouts will be looking hard at all the QBs, and Dungy carries a lot of credibility in the NFL, it may work best for Aaron to take a second round deal if it were viable, which will become clearer after the season. Not a lot of strong QBs this year, more next year, I`ve seen Ramsey, good prospect, but Mason is legit and not only has all the throws and great touch, but knows the O schemes as well as Murray, and is every bit as talented in my opinion. If Murray does opt to leave, I doubt there will be any significant drop off in efficiency on offense, defense is another story. we`ll see
wde
December 19th, 2012
10:17 am
UGA Silent Majority ….Amen but wait for it….Troll nation is coming..
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2012
10:27 am
………and I’d bet you that those hundred or so, are far less negative when in the presence of real people.
PLus its probably more like 20 or so.
graphite
December 19th, 2012
10:33 am
Roll Tide….there is nothing else needs to be said.. RollOn..
My-Guy
December 19th, 2012
10:47 am
Y’all people who want Mason or Lemay to take over next year instead of Aaron Murray with that tough schedule on the road, you all are the dumest people I’ve ever seen. Aaron Murray would give us another shot at the SEC championship next year, besides, Masan & Lemay hasn’t had enough experience on the field. With 3 out of the 4 games next year being Clemson, SC, and LSU. You are an idiot to think Mason or Lemay would handle that with lack of expierence, Aaron Murray could with the experienced O-line. The way Aaron Murray played against the #1 defense in the nation. All he has to do is play like that for the rest of his career & we’ll be find. Aaron Murray desperately has to come back next year no matter what, or else, we are DOOMED for the 2013 season guys. We were soooo excited about Joe Cox back in 2009 when Matt Stafford left too early and guess what happened…. Y’all are all idiots!
Joey
December 19th, 2012
11:00 am
I agree docdawg. I think UGA fans will be in for a nice surprise when they (some day) see Hutson Mason in action. I saw 5 of his 57 (?) TD passes in his HS senior year. Great arm – great accuracy, and smart.
Murray has all the tools and will display them at the Combine, if he chooses to go this April, and I think he will.
But we won’t miss a beat at QB position.
If Murray goes, I hope we stick the redshirt on Ramsey so we get him as starter for 3 seasons.
Joey
December 19th, 2012
11:06 am
My-Guy, it isn’t up to any of us whether or not Murray comes back – obviously it would be better if he did, my hnch is he won’t.
And, by the way, what happened when a redshirt QB with 0 experience played for Mark Richt in 2001?
Who’s the idiot?
BigDawg
December 19th, 2012
11:09 am
First off you can not judge Lemay’s performance in the games when he got some playing time as he was with other scrubs not first or second teamers. Next he was only called to run off as much clock as possible. Next IMHO if he had played with the first offense and been given snaps in practice you would see a different outcome and be able to judge his ability better. As for Aaron Murray if i was a betting man I would bet that he returns next year to finish his career at Georgia and barring injury if he continues to improve the way he has all 3 years then his draft status will rise significantly. See heart and desire can not be measured and it is those ingredients that make for a successful professional career.
Go Dawgs
Old Dawg
December 19th, 2012
11:16 am
It doesn’t matter who the QB is next year, this is great news for the offense!
Go Dawgs!
Spanky
December 19th, 2012
11:19 am
Enter your comments here
Spanky
December 19th, 2012
11:25 am
….okay, don’t hit “enter”…got it!
Nice post, Big Dawg! I really like the way Murray played this year! I think his return chances are 75%, which we’re gonna need! We start the season with Clemson, then Carolina….we better come out of chute BANGIN!! OLine returning with better play, so …finally ! ….Defense?….let me get back to ya on that!
McDawg
December 19th, 2012
11:43 am
alot more to being a QB than ball velocity-ask LSU’s Mettenberger
Joey
December 19th, 2012
11:52 am
“I’m definitely happy he’s back on offense, that’s for sure.” – Aaron Murray
*****************************************************
AltamahaDawg, you think that means Murray will be back for ‘13?
Chewter Mglavin
December 19th, 2012
11:54 am
Murray is happy, does that means hes coming back???
Dawglasville
December 19th, 2012
12:22 pm
GTBob – believe it or not Bob, girls should be a part of the college equation.
Please tell me the names of all the quarterbacks that Coach Mark Richt has ruined. If he sits next year he still has 3 years. This is a stretch, even by troll standards. Let’s talk about all of the favors Paul Johnson is doing for the futures of his players.
Dawglasville
December 19th, 2012
12:58 pm
GTBob – I’ve seen the girls at Tech. I agree with you, technically, there are girls at every school…
I’m the Branch Manager of a distribution company. The only lawn I cut is my own. I have Tech friends who have done better than me financially. I have two Tech buddies, grads, who have made very bad choices and they are unemployed.
The world needs more than engineers. I know that is a shock to you. That is why Tech is a top five engineering school but only a top 40 schools when you include all the schools and majors.
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2012
2:10 pm
I do think Murray is going to return, Joey. His legs are not his ticket to the NFL, he isn’t going to be in the first few picks, so the overwhelming advice he will get is to return and sharpen his craft as much as possible.
I’m not real convinced that the NFL is going to anything more than a few chapters in his life, before moving on to bigger and better things, and he seems like he is pretty in tune with how good his life is right now.
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2012
2:13 pm
The question that matters most: Is Gurshall coming back?
DawginLex
December 19th, 2012
2:22 pm
Rodney Garner to Auburn?
Dawglasville
December 19th, 2012
2:27 pm
Lex – I don’t think that will hurt as much as it once would have. I think Bobo is our best guy now. What do you think?
G-Dawg
December 19th, 2012
2:28 pm
I nominate Coach Kelsey for next bball head coaching position!
DawginLex
December 19th, 2012
3:06 pm
Garner to Auburn would be a lateral move. If he is looking for $$$, UGA might bump him a little but he is already at $300K for a position coach.
I’m reading between the lines here but my guess is if he leaves, he and Grantham don’t see eye to eye.
DawginLex
December 19th, 2012
3:08 pm
GTBob
How did Mason ruin his “career” by going to Georgia?
He loves Georgia. He will play some next year behind Murray and then in 2014, with a stacked veteran offensive line and a stable of stud running backs, he will be the starting QB.
I don’t get how he ruined anything.
Joey
December 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d9bvJ?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=georgia-bulldogs-football
Sounds like My-Guy et al are full of it.
My-Guy
December 19th, 2012
5:24 pm
Just to let y’all people know, Hutson Mason does deserve some play time next year, as a backup, but not as a starter. If our schedule next year was similar to 2011 & 2012, then yes I wouldn’t mind Aaron Murray going into the NFL early & Mason taking over. However, since our schedule is going to be much tougher next year, if we are going to win these tough games rather they are at home or on the road, we need Aaron Murray to return badly next year with the perfect O-line, running backs, and wide receivers returning next year. South Carolina’s & Florida’s 2013 schedule will be similar to our 2011 & 2012 schedule. They get the easy schedule and we get the tougher schedule. If we don’t beat South Carolina and/or Florida next year including the other teams, it’s OVER! Florida will be angry at us next year trying to get their revenge, South Carolina with Spurrier will go lights out on us as usual! The previous two times we’ve beaten South Carolina (2008 & 2009) were 7-6 South Carolina teams we barely beat! 2011 was a 7-6 Florida team we only beat by 4 points. This year our starters on defense forced 6 turnovers to help us beat Florida (who will be in the NFL draft next year). Will we rely on an inexperienced QB with a young defense next year to do all of this work, or will Aaron Murray return to Athens to help us control our own destiny for a rebirth at the SEC championship & and the final BCS National Title!?
buckyslamburger
December 19th, 2012
11:31 pm
GTBOB: Tevin comin back next yr?
valleybob
December 20th, 2012
7:31 am
Alan Murphy will come back and win it all next year!
Titletown USA
December 22nd, 2012
8:17 am
I agree with many of the previous posters about Malcolm’s chances being better at CB for NFL success due to the reality that rare skills are more precious and valuable, but offense will get him noticed easier and still offer a chance for the next level. From watching him play down here at Valdosta HS and what he has done in Athens, I think his gift is the ability to make that quick, jerky move in space to get free…that will not be as effective in the NFL, but then again he has more time to develop.
I also agree with the critics about his antics….trust me, the community down here has let him hear about that conduct unbecoming. A lot of it is cultural in the sense of self-motivation, something many of you will never understand. I support all those young men in UGA uniforms but I have no faith in the coaching staff from top to bottom and they will continue to be mediocre as long CMR stays.