Competition is the chicken soup for the college team soul, so I get why Kirby wants to pump up Jake Fromm’s presence. But I think Seth Emerson does an excellent job of asking the right questions about how Georgia’s quarterback picture likely shapes up for 2017.
- Analysis: If Eason is the reincarnation of Stafford, then Fromm is the next Aaron Murray. Both are around 6-foot-2, with some athleticism, strong arms and similar personalities: They’re leaders, practice and study hard, putting in the extra hours. That doesn’t automatically mean Eason needs to worry. By all accounts he studied hard last year too, and his teammates liked him too. It just means that if Fromm has the intangibles, he’ll be a tempting alternative if Eason slips up. Eason’s numbers last year were pretty good for a first-year starter: 2,430 yards, 16 touchdowns, only 8 interceptions, a completion percentage of 55.1. So do you roll with Eason all the way and try to find a way to redshirt Fromm? Does Fromm really project as someone who would be around his fifth year? Murray did, but the team may simply not be able to afford to redshirt Fromm. Let’s say Georgia is in contention for the division title, or more. Do you want to risk Eason being hurt late in the season and throw Fromm out there for his first-ever college snaps, with so much on the line?
- Bottom line: Unless something crazy happens, Eason will be the starter not only Week 1 against Appalachian State but the next week at Notre Dame, where Eason’s father Tony played. After that, Eason’s performance and Ramsey’s status will dictate whether Fromm plays, and how much. There isn’t as much intrigue around quarterback for Georgia as there was last year. But there’s still some.
That’s a particularly good point about hedging your bets towards late in the season if Smart has a team in contention, and it’s a call that Smart will have to weigh by the time the Dawgs hit the meat of the schedule.
Of course, never forget that G-Day could change everything.
Get The Picture 
We all better hope that Eason has improved and all the hype proves to be true. Eason didn’t come all the way from Washington to sit on the bench.
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Excellent work on that headline
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“Ramsey’s status will dictate ” So…Fromm’s gonna play as much as Ramsey did?
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I thought Tony Eason played at Illinois.
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Not Jacob’s dad: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Eason
Jacob’s dad: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tony-eason-2.html
Keep in mind that the above are “assertions” and not “points.” Huge difference. Yuge.
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Let’s hope there are some differences too….
From NFL.com on Murray: “Loses poise under duress and can be rattled easily by pressure. Gets too jittery and anxious (overanalyzes) in big games and has a very low winning percentage vs. top-10 teams.”
Loved a lot about that kid but there were issues. Losing the 25 second clock as a 5th year senior TWICE in the second half vs. Clemson was….disappointing.
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There were countless times Murray carried the team. Sure, he wasn’t perfect, but I hope Eason and Fromm end up that good.
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Not going to totally disagree with you there. However, keep in mind he also had to work with a below average offensive line and was tasked with constantly putting up 30+ points because outside of a few games (Florida 2012) the defense wasn’t going to help him out. Having said that, he had one of the best backfields ever at Georgia in 2012.
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We scored 35 in that Clemson game, and special teams and defense were as much to blame for the loss as anything. He was real jittery in that LSU game where he had to score every damned time we got the ball. He was really anxious in that Auburn game when he pretty much had brought us back until those 2 knuckleheads screwed the whole thing up. I never saw the kid truly rattled after his freshman year other than the USCe game in 2012. The guy was a warrior, and Jake Fromm has a huge #11 to fill. We can only hope he can produce like Murray did.
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Didn’t say every time. He came up big several times, but there were moments where I wished he was a little less uptight and had a little more of that gunslinger, “I got this” air about him.
I don’t think that the NFL just makes shit up as part of their draft analysis but you’re welcome to believe that. I also don’t think Clowney’s comments after the beatdown in Columbia was just bs. Now in the revenge game he played “mean” and made Jadaveon pay for running his mouth, but I don’t think he just made those comments up out of thin air. But again you’re welcome to your own reality whatever it may be.
For me there’s no excuse for losing the 25 second clock twice in the second half as a 5th year senior QB, period. I don’t care how much you score or even if you win, that just should not happen, ever.
On the other hand it takes toughness to take that shot in the SECCG and keep playing like he did. He’s capable of getting in the right place mentally, he just wasn’t consistently there. The pros and I noticed. If you didn’t that’s fine.
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I generally agree with you, but you think NFL guys dont just make stuff up? Seriously? Those guys are the worst at making up nonsense about guys to justify their opinion of a player. As the draft approaches will get tons of articles from cowardly anonymous NFL guys saying all sorts of nonsense about college players.
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But that’s not the stuff in the draft report on NFL.com. Yes, teams engage in all sorts of three-dimensional chess and subterfuge. That’s not what I’m referring to. This is the full profile: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/aaron%20-murray?id=2543587. I don’t think there’s anything in there that’s just fiction and it’s not anonymous.
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All the guys over at Breitbart think that Nolan Nawrocki is a real swell writer who just tells it like it is.
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Are you demeaning the REAL news? Everyone knows that birth control makes women unattractive and crazy. You’re not getting that kinda scoop in the drive-by, leftist fake news media. We need Alex and Breitbart to bring us the unvarnished truth about how Obama wouldn’t peacefully transfer power and would install martial law to impose his Muslim Brotherhood style (or is in “inspired?”) grip over the USA. The proof, as they say, is in the Jade Helm pudding.
Look at the profile. Tell me the bs in it. I don’t think the part I quoted is anyway.
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You don’t seem to get my point. Murray was a damn good college football player. As others have stated, if he had a defense and a little luck, he would probably be one of the Georgia athletes on our Mt. Rushmore with the career he had in Athens. If Fromm is another Aaron Murray, I look forward to seeing him play and be successful. His 2012 season was unbelievable. His 2013 season was on pace to be even better until his team was decimated around him in Knoxville.
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I’m not saying the guy is terrible or had a terrible career. Based on his HS tape, his lack of NFL size and the depth chart, I expected him to break almost all of the passing records at UGA. He did that.
Compared to Hutson, Greyson, Jacob in his first year, Joe Cox and Tereshinski, the guy was fucking awesome. He’s THE QB of the backside of CMR’s UGA career for sure. That may color perceptions of Aaron. He’s the last really good qb we’ve seen and he’s been missed.
However, if I had my pick from the guys we ought compare him to: Greene, Stafford, Shockley and Zeier, he’s sitting in fifth from my perspective. I’d take every one of those four over Aaron. Shockley and Stafford for their physical abilities and Zeier and Greene for their poise in the big moments.
As far as our Mt. Rushmore, Aaron’s more than a lucky break and a defense from being up there with Herschel, David, Hoage and Ward. None of those guys got called scared by a South Carolina Gamecock. (Belue got a lucky break, won a natty, and is revered, but he ain’t on Rushmore so I don’t think getting that 2012 win in ATL does it, but it sure would have helped.)
35-7 in our only loss on the season. Here the stat line for Aaron that day: 11-31, 109 YDS, 1 INT. That’s bad.
Also two 3 interception outings vs. the Gators. Not good.
Great kid. Excellent, accurate passer. You just weren’t always sure he could handle the moment. Sometimes he did and was remarkable. There were remarkable failures along the way too.
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He found out his father had cancer the weekend of the 2012 Scar game. I can allow him a brain fart there. What I most remember was Gurley being jacked to get the ball and Bobo not using him. We were down 3 scores and abandoned the run in the first quarter.
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He found out AFTER the game.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/1620519/
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Excuses are for losers!!!!!
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If Murray had Greene’s defense he would’ve had a national title.
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If my Aunt had balls she’d be my Uncle.
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41 career picks….
Couldn’t carry team v Vandy in Nashville….101, 0, 1 pick
I’m flogging the dead horse though
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Guess what about that Vandy game? We had a double digit lead before Damian Swann drops a punt, the SEC officials screw us with the Wilson targeting call, and we mishandle a long snap on a punt. I can also point to the Tennessee game that year where Murray pretty much put the team on his shoulders after the turf took away his key playmakers, the defense stunk, and special teams gave up a TD on a blocked punt.
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And yet with all those faults, he is the SEC Career Passing Yards Leader. He is one of the best that has ever played at UGA imo, I would love to have another one just like him. It is totally amazing at some of the comments I see on here….(shaking my head).
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Donnel Pumphrey is the all time leading rusher in FBS history. The stats are all you need to know. Household name. Why? Stats.
Personally I would take quite a few backs that finished with less than Donnell, or Ron Dayne for that matter, and there are quite a few SEC qbs behind Aaron on that list (especially the one right behind him) who I would take over Aaron, and I know it’s head shaking, but it’s not because of stats. Wins and trophies mean more than stats to some of us fools. A lot more.
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It takes all 22 to win championships, not just 1 or even half of that (“wins and trophies”)….but you know that, right?? I bet ole Buck Belue would be the first to tell you…or do you consider him the greatest UGA ever had?? Again, Murray was one of the best at QB at UGA imo. From your original post, it looks as though you were far to critical of Murray. I would love to have another just like him.
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Buck isn’t in the top-5. Top 10 probably. Aaron would be in that Top 5 discussion. I wouldn’t argue if you put him in or just outside. I would argue if you put him in the Top 3. And it all depends on how you want to define it.
Tarkenton is the most accomplished. Stafford had the best arm and was the No. 1 pick. Greene had stats, championships and wins so he’s 1 for sure and its not close. Shockley was the most gifted and won a title. If you want to focus on stats and individual performance, Zeier was amazing, with no supporting cast or defense at all, in 1993 and 1994. While we came up just short in 1992 like we did 20 years later, you couldn’t put those losses on Zeier and there was no WTF? beat down that year.
BTW: it takes 10 other guys to get stats Generally, though it only takes one other guy to throw a pick. In Aaron’s case, in the WLOCP anyway, that’s 7 guys. 3 each in 2010 and 2012.
He had his highs for sure, but don’t ask me to forget the lows. They were there too.
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One of the toughest players at the QB position at UGA
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He took a beating more than any QB I remember….and kept getting back up. He was one tough SOB, we would be blessed to have another like him.
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You must not be very old. No one has ever gotten beaten up throughout his career like Eric Zeier did. You must have missed what Brother Bill did to him in 1994 at Tuscaloosa or what Ole Miss did to him. Brutal.
They don’t call it chuck-n-duck for no reason. Playing SEC football without a running game is not a lot of fun especially when you could actually hit the QB legally. In fact, it was encouraged.
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I would put AM right there with Zeier in toughness. The game was a lot different back in 94 like you said Derek. Eason has shown some toughness but not ready to put him there with Zeier or AM.
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Physical toughness maybe. Mental toughness? I’m giving a big, big edge to Eric there.
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I would agree with that
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How are you gauging that (the mental part)??? …..would really love to see your educated response.
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Find me those times Eric didn’t show up for the big game and I won’t have to show you 3xs that many where that could be said about Aaron. Then you’ll have your answer.
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LOL!…Not surprised, no answer. You remind me of one of those guys up in the “peanut gallery”….just a spouting off with nothing to back it up with. I bet you are probably pretty good a PlayStation though….my guess is, that is probably the closest you have ever been to real live football.
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LOL you don’t know an answer when you see one. You remind me of someone who can’t read.
Let me try with a 2 syllogisms:
If you choke in the big game you aren’t mentally tough.
Zeier never choked.
Zeier is mentally tough.
If you choke in the big game you aren’t mentally tough.
Murray choked a few times.
Murray isn’t mentally tough sometimes.
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Can’t respond below, so I will here. So by your assertion, if a team loses a game…it is the QB’s fault & it makes him not mentally tough?? You also think that Zeier was more mentally tough than Murray, but give no real explanation other than the general / weak comments below:
“Zeier never choked. Zeier is mentally tough”
“Murray choked a few times. Murray isn’t mentally tough sometimes”
Zeier was 26 – 14 as a starter, Murray was 35 – 17. How does that make one more mentally tough than the other?? To make a statement like that one way or the other without knowing the two is ridiculous…it just makes you look stupid or lazy (maybe both) – and I bet this is not the first time you have been told this.
Murray was one of the better QB’s that has ever played at UGA imo. He and Greene are tied for career starts at 52. He also holds the SEC record for most yards and TD’s (career). To say that he was not mentally tough and choked is just….well…”stupid”. In no way can I say that one was more mentally tough than the other….and it is hard for me to say one was better than the other. Both were damn good QB’s (two of my favorites) and are in my top 5 all-time. To disrespect Murray the way you have on here is irresponsible and unappreciative.
To me, you will always be known now as “PlayStation Derek”. You probably should change your handle, it could help…for a while.
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Nice straw man about if a team loses its the qb’s fault. Never said anything approaching that, ever. I never said that he didn’t show up in the loss in the SECCG but I would question his mental readiness in a win over UF where he threw three picks. They may have all been first half picks but I won’t swear to that without looking back.
Then to double down on the stupid you actually use the career W-L records to justify your point that winning isn’t about the QB but maybe Murray is better because he won more games. That’s a really new level of stupidity. My first guess was youth, but now I’m thinking Alzheimer’s or CTE (both?) may be at the root.
Why don’t you go with “Illiterate Greg”? It has to be more accurate as I don’t own a fucking playstation.
I apologize for your fee fees in critiquing the same flaw identified by the pros and that flaw that perhaps is the reason he has zero regular season starts in his NFL career. I do hope that changes. I do want him to succeed at that level.
BTW: I also think that the Herschel Walker would have benefited had he had more lateral quickness. David was too short to play DE in the NFL. Hines Ward lacked the top end speed and size to be the greatest WR of all time. Terry Hoage, had he been a bit more athletic, may have been one of the great safeties in NFL history, but he wasn’t. These are the best players in UGA football during my life time. All great players, as was Aaron. None were perfect and I can say what the fuck I like without it being disrespectful. It is not my purpose or intent.
The purpose of my original post was reflecting on Murray looking wide eyed and lost in Clemson after we had to burn a TO in the second half because for the second time in the half he forgot the game was played with a 25 second clock and hoping that such a thing is not in From’s make up. I hope that Fromm brings much of what Murray brought to the field, but without that sort of mindlessness in key moments.
I also hope that no opposing defender reflecting upon last year’s thrashing says “our defense was talking about Fromm being scared.” Maybe you don’t think its true. Maybe you don’t think we should talk about that. Maybe you think its fine if it happens to Fromm. Whatever your position, mine is simply a different one. You’ll need to deal with that. Or not.
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LOL!…not very old?? Wish it were true. I remember Zeier, I also remember Mike Cavan, Goff and Matt Robinson. Zeier took some hits and was also one tough SOB, but I sure as hell do not remember any taking more punishment throughout his career than Murray.
I have been a Dawg fan for a long, long time….have not missed a game since I was about 6 years old (radio, TV, internet or been there). I have also played the game….and I ain’t talking about PlayStation. FWIW, Greene to me is the best that has played at UGA. Then for me, Zeier is second. After that, it all could be argued….but I definitely have Aaron in the top 5. He gets WAY too much criticism and grief from some and not enough of appreciation. Your original comments may have not been meant like that, but they sure came off that way.
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AM was smart and a coach on the field. Along with his toughness I would put him in the top 5. I would go Greene, Stafford then Zeier as the top 3. I am old enough also and played against Goff in HS when the region was 1AAA 🙂
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I saw Belue play. I had classes with Junebug.
David Greene is hands down my favorite. He looked like he loved it every play no matter what.
Matt Stafford next. He seemed to play like he was pissed off the whole time, good leader and very tough.
Both good for the team and very different. I’m glad I got to see them play
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Saw Belue play all the way from Jr High thru UGA. He was a better baseball player than a football player.
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Can’t go wrong with a little drama prairie dog…now if only someone could find a way to overlay the G-Day QB ratings on that clip…
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So what’s the over/under on when Kirby will start complaining about the press and fans creating a quarterback controversy when “there isn’t one”.
Fine to express excitement about a young recruit, but for the HC to basically start a controversy is, IMHO, a really stupid way to keep your team focused.
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It appears to me that Kirby feels that Eason needs the motivation.
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I am sure Smart feels that Eason needs motivation. Who doesnt? It’s the way that Smart is attempting to manufacture that motivation that is questionable.
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Competition is like ex-lax…it’s a natural motivator. 😉
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I’m just not sure that taking 20 snaps, and going 1-3 for 6 yards 8 games into the season prepares a young QB any more than one who has yet to take a snap (assuming practice and prep time is exactly the same). Redshirt until you have to remove it.
That being said, in a perfect scenario, if you play Fromm this season, and Eason is good enough to bolt after his junior year, and Fromm is a great player but also a ‘team’ guy who elects to stay his senior year, then that’d be ideal. That’s a bit much to try to anticipate, though.
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Fromm isn’t near the running threat Murray was coming out of High School…folks need to get that image out of their head, IF they have it.
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“Fromm is the next Aaron Murray. Both are around 6-foot-2, with some athleticism, strong arms and similar personalities”
When it comes to running the ball, Fromm is basically a fullback. He barely clocked below a 5.0 in the 40. The kid is a bruiser, and can power clean around 300 lbs, but he doesn’t have the same kind of speed that Murray had. Murray clocked a low 4.7 on lasers at the NFL combine. Functionally they can both get yards on the ground, but don’t expect Fromm to beat anyone around the outside. His running style reminds me of a slower Tim Tebow.
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I didn’t know a slower Tim Tebow existed…..
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Ha, right? I believe Tebow ran faster than Murray at the NFL combine.
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No. No. No. We sure as hell don’t need another QB competition all through the off season and camp. Eason is the returning starter and should get the lions share of coaching attention and reps so he can continue improving. Fromm is the understudy – end of story.
If we had GOOD QB coaching, I’d be okay with spreading the love around to the backup QBs. But our QB coaching is mediocre at best. Like it or not, Eason is our best chance for a successful 2017.
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I like almost every thing about Fromm, but the thing I like the most is that he doesn’t have to learn as a true freshman. Hope he works hard, plays hard, and pushes Eason, but I really don’t want us to have to start another true freshman for a while.
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I agree DDB. And I am no student of the game, but I ask the question of those that are; What issues did you see in Eason’s game as a freshman that would not be significantly improved with an improved offensive line, better receivers, and another year of experience?
I don’t understand the angst and the urgency for Fromm to push JE, and If i never see a 5th year senior career backup or a true freshman start at QB for UGA it will still be too soon.
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