Buck
Senior Member
Richt urges fans to use patience with QB Murray
Published Tuesday, July 27, 2010
ATLANTA - Days before Aaron Murray begins preseason practice for the first time as Georgia's clear-cut No. 1 quarterback, coach Mark Richt had a message for fans at the Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club gathering at the Cobb Galleria Centre: Give the redshirt freshman time.
"We're going to watch a young kid grow up," Richt told the crowd Monday night. "He's going to make mistakes and we've got to support this kid. We've got to understand that he'll do some things that we wish he didn't do. We're trying to get him to do those in practices and scrimmages as much as possible."
Georgia begins preseason practices on Monday. The Tampa, Fla., product is replacing Joe Cox as Georgia's starting quarterback.
Cox had some Georgia fans turn on him during a 2009 season in which the Bulldogs went 8-5. Cox threw 24 touchdowns, but also had 15 interceptions.
"The thing that ruins a quarterback (is) when he believes or he thinks that you don't believe in him," Richt told the fans. "It's my job as a head coach to help him understand I believe in him. ... I think it's important, too, for him to think the fans believe in him. We can all help that kid by helping him through the rough spots."
--- Samuel doubtful to take redshirt ---
Will he or won't he?
The question about whether converted running back Richard Samuel will take a redshirt season as he gets acclimated to his new position - linebacker - has been bounced around a lot this offseason.
The latest answer?
"We were talking about maybe redshirting him at one time, but I doubt very seriously that we'll be able to redshirt him," Richt said. "We need the depth. He's just a guy that we think will make plays for us."
Richt said that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and linebackers coach Warren Belin see an upside to the junior who will play inside for the Bulldogs.
"They see potential," Richt said. "They don't think he's a polished guy yet. They know he's fast, he can move laterally, he'll strike you. He has no fear to hit someone."
--- Two-a-days back on ---
Georgia is now slated to hold two-a-day practices after all.
The Bulldogs' revised workout schedule now includes one day with two practices on Aug. 9.
Richt noted that most schools have about three two-a-days, but he wanted more time to install the new 3-4 defense.
"Let's start being stronger when class starts rather than the old break them down and build them up," Richt said of his philosophy regarding limited two-a-days. "Let's start building them up from the first day."
--- King likely will practice ---
Receiver Tavarres King, who was suspended indefinitely from team activities following his arrest for underage possession of alcohol, is on track to rejoin the team when practices begin Monday.
"If things keep going the way they are, yes," Richt said of King practicing.
King will miss at least one game as part of the suspension.
Walk-on offensive lineman Josh Parrish, who also was suspended indefinitely for another alcohol-related arrest, is now back with the team, Richt said.
--- This and that ---
One fan asked Richt about Florida's dominance of Georgia. "How do you want me to respond?," Richt said. "I need to get you in the locker room before the game and you can jack the boys up." ... Interim athletic director Frank Crumley was part of Monday's program three weeks after he moved into the position. "It's sort of business as usual," Crumley told the crowd. "Things are going well." ... Richt gave the lowdown about one reason that helped Georgia players record blazing fast 40 times last spring. He said players ran with the wind at their backs.
Published Tuesday, July 27, 2010
ATLANTA - Days before Aaron Murray begins preseason practice for the first time as Georgia's clear-cut No. 1 quarterback, coach Mark Richt had a message for fans at the Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club gathering at the Cobb Galleria Centre: Give the redshirt freshman time.
"We're going to watch a young kid grow up," Richt told the crowd Monday night. "He's going to make mistakes and we've got to support this kid. We've got to understand that he'll do some things that we wish he didn't do. We're trying to get him to do those in practices and scrimmages as much as possible."
Georgia begins preseason practices on Monday. The Tampa, Fla., product is replacing Joe Cox as Georgia's starting quarterback.
Cox had some Georgia fans turn on him during a 2009 season in which the Bulldogs went 8-5. Cox threw 24 touchdowns, but also had 15 interceptions.
"The thing that ruins a quarterback (is) when he believes or he thinks that you don't believe in him," Richt told the fans. "It's my job as a head coach to help him understand I believe in him. ... I think it's important, too, for him to think the fans believe in him. We can all help that kid by helping him through the rough spots."
--- Samuel doubtful to take redshirt ---
Will he or won't he?
The question about whether converted running back Richard Samuel will take a redshirt season as he gets acclimated to his new position - linebacker - has been bounced around a lot this offseason.
The latest answer?
"We were talking about maybe redshirting him at one time, but I doubt very seriously that we'll be able to redshirt him," Richt said. "We need the depth. He's just a guy that we think will make plays for us."
Richt said that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and linebackers coach Warren Belin see an upside to the junior who will play inside for the Bulldogs.
"They see potential," Richt said. "They don't think he's a polished guy yet. They know he's fast, he can move laterally, he'll strike you. He has no fear to hit someone."
--- Two-a-days back on ---
Georgia is now slated to hold two-a-day practices after all.
The Bulldogs' revised workout schedule now includes one day with two practices on Aug. 9.
Richt noted that most schools have about three two-a-days, but he wanted more time to install the new 3-4 defense.
"Let's start being stronger when class starts rather than the old break them down and build them up," Richt said of his philosophy regarding limited two-a-days. "Let's start building them up from the first day."
--- King likely will practice ---
Receiver Tavarres King, who was suspended indefinitely from team activities following his arrest for underage possession of alcohol, is on track to rejoin the team when practices begin Monday.
"If things keep going the way they are, yes," Richt said of King practicing.
King will miss at least one game as part of the suspension.
Walk-on offensive lineman Josh Parrish, who also was suspended indefinitely for another alcohol-related arrest, is now back with the team, Richt said.
--- This and that ---
One fan asked Richt about Florida's dominance of Georgia. "How do you want me to respond?," Richt said. "I need to get you in the locker room before the game and you can jack the boys up." ... Interim athletic director Frank Crumley was part of Monday's program three weeks after he moved into the position. "It's sort of business as usual," Crumley told the crowd. "Things are going well." ... Richt gave the lowdown about one reason that helped Georgia players record blazing fast 40 times last spring. He said players ran with the wind at their backs.
