UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 17
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Stafford a good QB but …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I like Matthew Stafford a lot. Nice kid. Good quarterback. Big guy. Exciting football player. Rocket arm. Confident disposition. Definitely will be an exceptional college football player.
One of Georgia’s greatest? I’m not convinced yet.
For me, it’s hard to differentiate much between Stafford and Eric Zeier. To date at least, their careers are almost parallel.
By that I mean, both came in rated among the nation’s top three or four quarterbacks. Both took over as starters for senior quarterbacks. And both wowed coaches and fans with their powerful arms and big passing numbers.
But Zeier was by far a better quarterback — at least statistically - that first season. The Marietta phenom completed 159 of 286 passes for 1,984 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. As a starter, Zeier was 5-2.
Now what about Stafford?
He took over for an injured Joe Tereshinski in the second game of the year, against South Carolina, and despite throwing some bonehead interceptions, managed to help Georgia pull out the win. He obviously was a big factor in Georgia pulling out an upset win at No. 5 Auburn. Overall, as a starting quarterback he was 6-3.
The difference is Stafford’s stats. He was 135 of 256 for 1,749 yards, 7 TD and 13 INTERCEPTIONS.
Of course, there’s much left to be played out and that will tell the tale on Stafford.
Zeier put up unbelievable career numbers. He played in 44 games, starting 39. He was 838 of 1,402 for 11,153 yards (then an SEC career record), 67touchdowns and 37 picks. But Zeier’s overall record as a starter was 26-14-1 and his SEC record was 14-14-1 and, more importantly, he was 0-7 against Tennessee and Florida.
Stafford is 0-1 against the big two (he didn’t start against the Vols, lest we forget).
So there’s some food for thought. Who do you think is the better college quarterback? Should make for some fun debate.
Gotta run. I’m in Charlotte airport on my way to Fayetteville, Ark., for tonight’s basketball game. Don’t forget to tune in or watch on ESPNU. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.
