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.

94 comments Add your comment

Charlie Mack

December 18th, 2012
6:17 pm

MM = DGD Go Dawgs!

Browndog

December 18th, 2012
6:18 pm

Rick James

December 18th, 2012
6:22 pm

JB

December 18th, 2012
6:26 pm

That is good news. Murray, come back please

mike on lake hartwell

December 18th, 2012
6:28 pm

wise decision. til the summer suspensions arrive, then he’ll be back on D.

1eyedJack

December 18th, 2012
6:33 pm

I will enjoy watching him catch passes on New Year’s day.

Left Coast Dawg

December 18th, 2012
6:40 pm

Again with the “losing the entire starting secondary thing”! For the record Damian Swann was the starter in Georgia’s base defense for the better part of this season. Plus other underclassmen gained valuable playing experience in the secondary, so we’ll be fine.

Left Coast Dawg

December 18th, 2012
6:41 pm

Hey Mike, why don’t you go jump in Lake Hartwell!

redandblackdog

December 18th, 2012
6:43 pm

Right decision! Great receiver and will one of best ever at UGA.

45 ACP

December 18th, 2012
7:18 pm

Malcolm Mitchell is a very good athlete. I’m glad the Dawgs want him as a pass receiver only. And I hope Aaron Murray chooses to return for his senior year.

jack bull

December 18th, 2012
7:54 pm

that’s pretty good news for Hudson Mason next season. He’ll have Mitchell, Bennett and Conley to throw the ball to..

Red Stick

December 18th, 2012
8:08 pm

Mitchell is a solid player. I think his strength is on offense as he could be one of the top receivers in the SEC next season.

The Dogs will have alot of holes to fill on the other side of the ball. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team lose nearly the entire starting defense like Georgia will after this season.

Geaux Tigers
Go SEC

Tambo

December 18th, 2012
8:08 pm

Good news for Hutson Mason, don’t think 2012 UGA Qb Eric Murrey will be back this season. Hutson will have Rome in the middle, and Mitchell and Conley on the wings, Bennett there to add even more pressure on defenses. And then you have to ALSO try and stop Gurley & Marshall.

Mason & Lemay gonna have fun with that talent base.

BigDawg

December 18th, 2012
8:13 pm

Happy for Mitchell! He will be a star!!

Outer Banks Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:16 pm

Jack Bull,

The kid’s name is Hutson, not Hudson… And unfortunately for him, I believe the Dawgs will have Aaron Murray back under center again next year.. We could be scary on offense… If we get a young D to gel, we could be back in the dome.

I feel bad for Hutson Mason, bc he is probably a hell of a QB. But I want Murray’s experience. Next year with a veteran o line with a touch more depth, Gurley and Marshall a year older and stronger, I like our chances despite a tough schedule. Murray is so pissed about the SEC championship game, no way he goes pro. That’s just the type of guy he is…. He wants to win the SEC. No records will suffice without the SEC championship/BCS title

Just my opinion

Go Dawgs!

Moist Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:21 pm

This decision makes me want to vomit. Mitchell will be a good receiver as a Dawg but an all pro defensive back in the pros when professional coaches get a hold of him.
Red Stick, nobody cares about your lsu, opinion. Since when does Louisiana have the internet anyway?

icedawg

December 18th, 2012
8:27 pm

Bunn

December 18th, 2012
8:32 pm

Had enough too of Alex Murray. Georgia QB Murray is 1-10 vs. ranked teams, only people who want him back are guys who like to lose big games or South Carolina fans or Alabama fans.

Outer Banks Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:32 pm

Also, I think it would be phenomenal if Kwame Geathers comes back too! He seemed to indicate it ws not a foregone conclusion last week.. Having that big boy anchoring the nose next year would be sweet. I think Georgia will surprise people on defense next year. We have some JUCO transfers coming and some players in the pipeline… If they can play good team defense we will be fine. Teams will have fits with our offense.

Red Stick

December 18th, 2012
8:33 pm

Moist Dawg: nice, classless response but of course we all have fans like you. Did you ask every other person on here is they care about my “LSU opinion”? Yeah right.

BTW, I have been a regular blogger here for many years. I lived in Georgia for 27 years and have many friends who are Dawg fans.

Geaux Tigers
Go SEC

Bunn

December 18th, 2012
8:34 pm

If Alex Murray stys, phenom Hutson Mason goes. No way a phenom like Mason sits ANOTHER year behind a Qb who can’t play well against top 10 teams. Mason is the man, Murray just cracks vs. top 10 teams.

Outer Banks Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:34 pm

Bunn… It’s Aaron Murray dipshi*….

And you are an idiot.

Dawglasville

December 18th, 2012
8:35 pm

Makes the most sense. He and Bennett gives us some real threats.

Outer Banks Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:36 pm

When has mason played? Did he light up Alabama’s D? Does he have any SEC passing records? Can he beat Murray out? If he was better he would be the starter.

Get real

Bunn

December 18th, 2012
8:36 pm

Mitchell had the 1 big play against Florida, and that was it, the rest of the season he was just ‘blah’.

Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.

December 18th, 2012
8:36 pm

WHY did he have to play D this year?
It will be the same reason he needs to play D next year.
Glad he is making it on one side of the ball. Still think he is better on D.

Bunn

December 18th, 2012
8:37 pm

Murray Aron and Hank Aron, two Georgia athletes as different as great and bad.

Bunn

December 18th, 2012
8:38 pm

Yeah, who could have abetter record than 1-10 vs. top 10 teams than Alex Murray? Outstanding. Got some clowns here huh.

Outer Banks Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:39 pm

And who cares if Hutson transfers. It sucks for him, but Brice Ramsey is probably the next Georgia QB. Mason may start his senior year, but Ramsey is the future. LeMay is destined to become A clipboard holder/scout team QB.

Outer Banks Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:40 pm

I prefer to think about all the games he’s won the last 2 years.

Moist Dawg

December 18th, 2012
8:41 pm

red stick, you can have as many favorite teams in the sec as you want. I have one and don’t rely on rooting for the rest of the conference to make me happy. It’s sickening.
You can have all the UGA friends you want too. It’ll probably do you good. I chose not to make friends with lsu people because I prefer staying out of jail.

YonderDawg

December 18th, 2012
8:44 pm

Who cares if Alan Murey goes pro when we got Lemay and Mason who are both bette. then again, NO QB ON EARTH can be WORSE than Alan Murey in big games. What do you expect form a QB from Plant High in FLORIDA.

ktOWN

December 18th, 2012
8:46 pm

MuhRah had some huge games where he played so good against power teams like Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech. Some QB georgia has there is ARod Muhrah.

Chiefdawg

December 18th, 2012
8:46 pm

If I am Murray, I’m gone.

JumboDawg

December 18th, 2012
8:48 pm

ARod Muhrah, yep, ARod is kind of like the Univ of Ga QB #11. Both put up big numbers, and dissapear when you need em most in the big games.

JumboDawg

December 18th, 2012
8:50 pm

The #1 reason to start Hutson Mason? No QB at Univ of Ga has EVER WON THE SEC that ain’t from the STATE OF GEORGIA.

Murray is from Florida, Lemay is from NC. They didn’t grow up dreaming about being a Bulldawg like Huston and Ramsey did.

SouthWeck

December 18th, 2012
8:54 pm

If you’re murray, get $2,000,000 for signing an NFL contract and being a guaranteed MULTI-MILLIONAIRE in a few weeks while he’s still healthy, or risk getting hurt and make $40,000-$50,000 a year for the next 40 years working some 9-5 job.

SouthWeck

December 18th, 2012
9:00 pm

Russell Wilson got a 3 year deal with Seattle, making $400k then $500k, then $600k, bout $1.5 mill for 3 stinkin years. UNREAL. Would take Murray 30 YEARS to earn that at $50k a year. 3 years or 30 years, tough choice?

leisurelee

December 18th, 2012
9:09 pm

Mike can’t jump in Lake Hartwell……. there’s no water, the lake is 16 feet down from full pool.

run the damn ball

December 18th, 2012
9:10 pm

It would be refreshing if some of these players pledged loyalty to the G, instead of all the g’s they will make in the NFL. Our fan base deserves some committment for all of our heartbreak.

Red Stick

December 18th, 2012
9:19 pm

Moist Dawg,

Please show me where I said I have other “favorite SEC teams”. I am a LSU season ticket holder and have been for 31 years. I support the SEC and if LSU was in another conference I’m sure I would support that one as well.

I will say I laughed when you said “I chose not to make friends with lsu people because I prefer staying out of jail”.

Is that the best you can do? :D

Geaux Tigers
Go SEC

Murray the millionaire

December 18th, 2012
10:35 pm

I think y’all can beat Nevada in the bowl.

Fair n Balanced

December 18th, 2012
11:00 pm

Simple and correct. Done.

dawglova

December 18th, 2012
11:18 pm

First of all its not Alex Alan or I think I even saw an Andy. It is Aaron. I love how some of you fools no everything about this team; what coaches should do, what’s best for the players, who should start ahead of who, and what position kids should play over the coaches and kids themselves….but don’t know the starting qbs name. Mitchell is twice the player on offense he is on D. Kid is just a difference maker.

dawglova

December 18th, 2012
11:20 pm

If Mason was better he would have started. Not many UGA fans truly appreciate what Murray has been able to do. Yes in the end its about wins and losses but after his freshman year Murray has not cost UGA one single loss.

dawglova

December 18th, 2012
11:26 pm

And by the way, Lemay is not even an option and according to the fox recruiting show his lil bro is backing way off his commitment. Both the Lemays will be playing at North Carolina next yr. Or more likely riding the bench in North Carolina. For those of you thinking he is ever gonna see the field at UGA again you must not have watched this year.

Gator Boy

December 19th, 2012
1:30 am

I think he should only return punts so my Gators can win next year. I would write more but I have to go cut my jeans off into shorts so I can get ready for my BCS game in Orleans. Go Gators #4 in the SEC.

GTDog

December 19th, 2012
1:48 am

Mason won’t transfer now, it’s too late. If he goes now, he sits out a year as a transfer…a worse scenario for him than backing up Murray next year should both return.

Meatlake

December 19th, 2012
4:31 am

@ Red Stick…
The Dogs will have alot of holes to fill on the other side of the ball. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team lose nearly the entire starting defense like Georgia will after this season.

You don’t have to look too hard to remember back to last year when Alabama lost 9 starters on defense to the NFL. Yes, the same Alabama who is back in the National Championship game…

gomdawg

December 19th, 2012
5:54 am

I think we need to put Lemay at WR and use him ,he is so talented if not he will never play QB.
GO DAWGS

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

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.