Georgia Bulldogs in 2011 - Post #3

In Post #3 I'll take a look at the QB position for Georgia heading into 2011.

Well, there's not much mystery here, is there? Aaron Murray had the best freshman season for a Georgia QB in as long as my memory can stretch back, and perhaps as far as the modern era is concerned.
A quick look back only brings one worthy comparison -- David Greene.
Greene led Georgia to an 8-4 record as a redshirt freshman. While the Greene years were of the best in recent memory, his freshman season was one of even-handed success. The Dawgs went 1-3 against ranked teams, with the sole win against #21 Georgia Tech. The famed "Hobnail Boot" game was against an unranked Tennessee team, but still a win against a big rival in a time when Tennessee's program was at it's peak.
As far as the win column goes, Greene had the better freshman season. But the '01 offense was drastically different than last year's version, and that is probably where the comparison stops.
While Greene some of Georgia's best years, Murray is hardly the care-taker that his long past predecessor was. Murray ranked among the best QB's in the country - let alone his fellow freshman signal callers - in virtually every category. He showed off a strong arm along with an ability to turn a busted play into something positive with his above average scrambling. Perhaps most importantly, I can't think of a single game in which Murray did more harm than good.
Looking ahead to 2011, the bar has been set pretty high. Murray will return as the best QB in the SEC, and should receive - albeit worthless - the preseason anointment of being 1st Team SEC. Granted, that may say more about the overall lack of a proven starter at virtually every other SEC contender, but do not be deceived, Murray has lived up to his billing as one of the most sought after HS recruits.

The truth of any prognostication regarding Murray's success in 2011 lies not in his abilities, but in those of his supporting cast. By far, Murray's favorite target in 2010 was AJ Green. Now that Green is gone, who will be Murray's go-to receiver? The offense all to often relied on Murray's arm due to a woeful lack of a respectable running game. Much hope has been placed on the anticipated arrival of super-recruit Isaiah Crowell, but the offensive line will have been remade over come September, and add to the mix a new O-line leader in Coach Friend, there is much mystery to sort out.

I suspect that Murray will not have the "sophomore slump" that I've seen others predict. 2011 will be his third year under the tutelage of Mike Bobo, and while I doubt I'll ever buy into Bobo as a big time OC, he is a proven QB coach. And truth be told, AJ Green or no, the 2010 offense was as one-dimmensional and flawed as the 2009 version. If everything besides Murray remains the status quo, I doubt his output will be even slightly diminished. I'm willing to offset Green's departure by Murray's continued maturation, and the the rest of the chips fall where they may.