Aaron Murray, a six-foot tall quarterback rehabbing an injury to his ACL, is at the Senior Bowl. Not to play, but to meet with prospective employers. He’s got a sales pitch, too.
… “They have four years of film on me,” Murray said. “They can go back and watch all those games and see how I’ve thrown the ball.” He’ll also be able to impress coaches on the dry erase board with his knowledge of their offensive systems. The scheme used by Bobo and Georgia coach Mark Richt is far more similar to an NFL offense than some of the spread schemes that have all but taken over the college game. “It helps a lot,” Murray said. “A lot of the stuff we’re going over in meetings — the drops and play-action and stuff like that — is stuff I’ve been doing for the past four years.”
That works as well for the program he comes from as himself. Recruits, take note.
Get The Picture 
Obviously I’m a Georgia fan, so it most likely colors my viewpoint on Murray, but after watching him for 4 years, and then watching many of the NFL QBs starting games this season, I don’t see how he doesn’t get a shot at some point in the near future (1-3 years) to start. The size is gonna hurt him, but that’s just the way it is. I’m convinced he’s going to be the steal of the draft when it all shakes out, especially because he’s going to go after round 3 most likely.
LikeLike
It sure would be nice if he got drafted by a team with a decent offensive line.
LikeLike
And McCarron has to play behind the Cleveland Browns O-line
LikeLike
Better yet, the Atlanta Falcons
LikeLike
Historically the best QBs in the NFL have been 6′ to 6′-1″ tall. Have there been really tall QBs who were good? Yes, but they were the exception not the rule. Do NFL GMs understand that? Absolutely not! I am always amazed at the ignorance of NFL front office staff. Maybe that’s why they keep getting fired.
LikeLike
Peyton Manning is 6’5″ and Tom Brady is 6’4″.
LikeLike
So is Ryan Leaf. Ben Roethlisberger is 6’6.” Dan Marino is 6’3″, John Elway is 6’3″, but Johnny Unitas was 6’0″, Drew Brees is 6’0″, Russell Wilson is 6’0″, Bart Starr is 6’1″, Steve Young is 6’1″, Joe Montana is 6’1″, and Brett Favre is 6’1″. A lot of teams decided to go big at QB and some worked out, others didn’t. Remember Drew Bledsoe? 6’5″. Remember Michael Vick? Like him or not he was the hottest QB in the NFL for a time and he’s under 6’0″. My point is that an NFL team shouldn’t decide only on height because you lose some things going in that direction (mobility) and isn’t it really about who runs the O better not just physical size? But I think some GMs still decide primarily on physical size.
LikeLike
Outside of Wilson and Brees who else on your list is playing today? Now name 10 other members of the top 12 qbs that are under 6’1″. Name 7?
LikeLike
And don’t include any who were playing behind 220 pound linemen 50 years ago.
LikeLike
Drew Bledsoe threw for over 44,000 yards and 251 TDs. He went to four Pro Bowls. Montana, Young and Favre are listed at 6’2″ on the Football Reference site. Of the top 30 passers in NFL history, nearly all of them were 6’2″ or taller. Pro scouts like height because it matters. It makes it easier to find passing lanes. I think Murray has a shot to play in the NFL, possibly at a very high level. However, he will be the exception, not the rule.
LikeLike
As Rickus said, Montana, Young, and Favre are all listed at 6’2. Aaron Rodgers is 6’2, Eli Manning is 6’4, Cam Newton is 6’5, Kaepernick is 6’4, Matt Ryan is 6’4, Matt Stafford is 6’3 (I wouldn’t say he’s one of the BEST in the league, but he’s one of the better QBs), Philip Rivers is 6’5, Kurt Warner is 6’2, Archie Manning is 6’3, Jim Kelly is 6’3, Flacco is 6’6, Troy Aikman is 6’4.
It’s silly to try to make the point you’re making, and listing Vick is really grasping at straws. Yes, he was the hottest QB in the league…primarily for his legs and NEVER for his throwing ability. Can shorter QBs be successful? Sure. Are they at a disadvantage? Yes.
LikeLike
You might be right, Mayor, but having met Murray, he doesn’t fit in your category… I was just eyeballing, but he sure seemed like he was 5’10 to me. It was about 3 years ago now, so maybe he put on an inch or two. I still think he’ll be successful in the NFL, but he is not a tall man.
LikeLike
They measured his height, he is NOT 5’10. Let it go. Maybe it is the boots you were wearing. 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve stood next to Murray before and he’s taller than I am. I am exactly 6’0″.
LikeLike
I’m six foot also and stood next to him and noticed same. Murray is six foot one and I have a picture to show it.
LikeLike
Keep telling yourself that
LikeLike
Based on true events of an almost famous municipal person and Spence standing next to a famous dude
LikeLike
I’m 6’1 and we were eyeball to eyeball standing next to each other
LikeLike
I met the kid this summer, he was most certainly NOT 6’0 tall. Murray is 5’10 sans pads and cleats. If they measured him in helmet and 1 inch cleats standing on the concrete then he might be 6’1. Funny how everyone that has met/seen him has a different opinion. He is the BigFoot of Georgia QB’s.
LikeLike
Somehow the dude named “Skeptic Dawg” disagreeing with two people he’s never met and their experience makes me feel better.
Candidly, that you think he would be 6’1″ in cleats and a helmet just makes me laugh.
Cheer amigo. I’d buy you a sweetwater, but you’d tell me it’s really Terrapin, and that you only drink 12 year old scotch, and that the 12 year old scotch behind the bar is really only 7 years old.
LikeLike
Somebody is going to get a bargain if he slips down to the fourth or fifth round as projected. Draft gurus have him rated behind such stellar talents as Logan Thomas. Hope he catches a break with a good supporting cast. He deserves it.
LikeLike
From my armchair I can see a 3rd rounder. Was he a 2nd rounder prior to the ACL. ?
LikeLike
TOP NFL QB’s 2012
Aaron Roger 6’2″ 225
Drew Brees 6’0″ 209
Tom Brady 6’4″ 225
Eli Manning 6’4″ 218
Peyton Manning 6’5″ 230
Cam Newton 6’5″ 245
Big B 6’5″ 241
Matthew Stafford 6’3″ 232
Matt Schaub 6’5″ 227
Phillip RIvers 6’5″ 229
Tony Romo 6’2″ 236
Jay Cutler 6’3 233
Matt Ryan 6’4″ 217
LikeLike
Russell Willon (Seahawks ) 5’11” 206
Completion % 63.6
TD–INT 52–19
Passing yards 6,475
Passer rating 100.6
Rushing yards 1,028
Rushing TDs 5
Peyton Manning (Broncos)
Pass attempts 8,452
Pass completions 5,532
Percentage 65.4
TD–INT 491–219
Passing yards 64,964
Passer rating 97.2
LikeLike
Thanks for the compilation AHD. My point was, and remains, that an inch or 2 (or even 3 or 4) in height is not what’s important. It is how well the QB moves his team. Historically the best QBs have been in the 6’0″-6’2″ range.
LikeLike
I keep telling my wife that.
LikeLike
Can you back that up? It’s interesting that you now list 6’0-6’2 as part of your range, when just a few hours earlier, you’d commented that it was 6’0-6’1…funny how that works when people point out that Favre, Rodgers, Montana, Young, etc. were all 6’2.
For what it’s worth, when a quarterback is 6’2, you generally don’t hear complaints about their height. Don’t broaden your range just to try to back up your point. How many quarterbacks that have been considered the best in the league are under 6’2? Do you honestly think that number is higher than those that are 6’2 and taller?
LikeLike
It’s not as if the defensive linemen he’s faced in the SEC are small. They are pro-sized and fast. AM, having persevered against them, can also do so in the pros.
A far as the note at the end of the article “Recruits take note”..that goes not just for QBs but for receivers and O linemen…it’s pro system all around. It’s especially behoving advice for receivers and backs.
Given two equally talented and accomplished players, the one who learns Mark Richt’s system at UGA will have the leg up when it’s pro-draft time.
LikeLike
The intangible is work ethic. From what has been said about Murray, he is a workaholic in that respect. The pros put a premium on this and Manning and Wilson are both in that category. As are others listed in the above statistics. This will go far in helping Aaron get on a team, and then make his presence known.
LikeLike
I have seen enough of Aaron Murray. It seemed he played for UGA for 8 years. That guy is the QB I feared the most over the last 4 (really, only 4?) years, and that includes 4 other greats in McCarren, Manziel, Mettenberger, & Tebow. I hope, and really think he may be the next Drew Brees in the NFL. When I ask about Murray of all my fellow Auburn Tigers, every single response is the same. “Damn, I’m glad that guy is done at Georgia.” Best wishes to Aaron Murray.
LikeLike
Classy. Thanks JRJ.
LikeLike
+
LikeLike
I guarantee you one thing Murray won’t mention in his sales pitch:
His 6-14 record against ranked teams.
I have a feeling the top 3 things they’ll look at are his record against ranked teams, his injury, then his height.
He seems to be a smart, good person. I hope he gets drafted.
LikeLike
They shouldn’t look at his record vs, ranked teams but how he played against those teams.
LikeLike
They might look at the record first, but even at that, I would be they would weigh it towards his senior and junior years, when he beat what, 3 top 10 teams and beats a fourth if not for the hand of God intervening in Auburn.
LikeLike
I sincerely hope you are not suggesting that God is a Barner? I prefer to look at it in terms of God providing Auburn the ignoble distinction of losing and breaking our string of SEC dominated National Championships AND to allow for Pruitt to come to Georgia and replace Mr. Backbone D. God is obviously a Bulldog. I think Lewis once alluded to that. I’m all in on that.
LikeLike
Wait a minute…”our string?” I think one has to contribute before it is “our string.” Auburn did, in 2010. Georgia, well…
It hurt my heart leaving Pasadena without the crystal, as I’ sure it hurt yours leaving Jordan Hare stadium back in November without the W. We each believe that OUR teams should have won on those respective days, correct? That said, UGA had bammer right where they wanted them in the SEC Chamopionship last year, and let it get away..just like AU did against FLA ST. It hurts, but I am not ashamed of losing that game, and neither should UGA fans for not winning against bammer at the end.
LikeLike
You seem to really like the kid.
LikeLike
You mean like these guys?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brady
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Brees
You can’t tell until they play. See Ryan Leaf, et al.
Good Luck to AM.
LikeLike
And how did Russell Wilson fare against ranked teams when he played for the Wolfpack?
LikeLike
Nice article by Staples. Good to see Murray getting some love from SI.
LikeLike
Aaron Murray, wishing you good fortune in the NFL. Could be the most underrated QB going into the draft.
LikeLike
So mock drafts are putting Johnny Manziel @ #1, but he is 6′. Murray is 6′ and too short for the NFL, Manziel is 6′ and the #1 draft pick at QB?
LikeLike
But, but, but we love him on SportsCenter, so he has to be the best. That Murray guy can’t throw it out of his shadow and he’s never won a big game!
– WWL
LikeLike
Amen if they loved Aaron his height would not be an issue but they love Manzeil. I bet Murray turns out better than Manziel.
LikeLike
Manziel might be the text Tebow in the NFL.No QB can run as much as he does and NOT get hurt, not at his size. I can’t see him as a pocket passer of NFL caliber, so what does that leave him?
LikeLike
Manziel’s arm is only average. Most of the big plays he made passing were because of breakdowns in the D caused by Manziel’s feet. He’s another Mike Vick. He’ll never make it through a full season.
LikeLike
Agreed, He’s another Mike Vick without the speed or arm. Maybe I’m not giving him enough credit for his accuracy? Or maybe he just takes shiftyness to a new level that ends up on Sportscenter and pushes him to #1.
LikeLike
” He’s another Mike Vick. “
I think Johnny Football is banking on that. imho.
“In August 2011, Vick signed a 6 year $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. This new contract includes $40 million in guaranteed cash and works out to an annual salary of $16.5 million. Vick is now the third athlete, joining Derek Jeter and Shaquille O’Neal, in the history of professional sports to sign more than $100 million+ contract. Vick’s original $130 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons was negated after his legal troubles. In 2012, Michael Vick was estimated to be worth $16 million.”
LikeLike
”He’s another Mike Vick.“
JF2 likes dogs? He’s a renaissance man.
LikeLike
My point about Manziel being like Vick is that he’s a runner and will likely get injured in the course of an entire NFL season. I agree with Twisty’s comment that he doesn’t have Vick’s arm although I am not so sure about speed. Manziel looks pretty fast.
LikeLike
I thought it was roosters.
LikeLike
I think people who see Manzeil as Russell Wilson with better arm talent or potentially a Drew Brees with wheels are ready to declare him #1.
Murray will be fine. If Matt Flynn is a solid second-level NFL QB, then I think Murray can find a spot. Hopefully with Green Bay. He’d be perfect there, but I don’t think he will be around by the time they get done trying to fix their defense.
LikeLike
I love our offensive system and wouldn’t trade it for any other. Yes, including Malzahn’s, even if it came with Malzahn himself.
This could be a long post, but suffice to say it’s a true multiple offense. There’s not anything we can’t run from it, though there are a few things we don’t want to run (like Paul Johnson’s spread option) and don’t install.
But it’s a true pro-style, multiple offense, which Murray refers to, that can do lots of other things. Lots of people don’t realize it, but we run the spread offense quite a bit. Then the next thing, we’re often back to something more traditional, with a tight formation.
It has to be balanced to work, but when it is, it’s very effective. And at the center of the whole system is the pro-style QB, so that’s also a prerequisite (and the reason we attract elite QB’s). There’s a reason we can fly all the way down the field in 30-60 seconds. Then give it some extra firepower, like we’ve had at WR & RB the past couple of years, and it can be overwhelming.
Now that Bobo’s apprenticeship is done, all we need to keep it going is the right personnel. And that seems to be in decent shape. What it really needs now is a counterpart that won’t work against it.
And that, of course, is what we hope Pruitt is bringing.
~~~
LikeLike
Y’all aren’t old enough to remember this guy…I only have fleeting childhood memories…But J Manziel is Francis Tarkenton on speed.. Fran played in a “slower” game and time..and also JM has the better arm.
LikeLike
Good point. When I first saw Manziel last year, I called him a “modern-day Fran Tarkenton”. I saw Fran play when he was a sophomore.
~~~
LikeLike