The Pilot

One of our original posts here, titled "My Name is Aaron Murray, and as You Can See, I've Got Weapons Biatches......" we discussed the offense that will be shaping up in Athens, GA over the next few years. Due to the fact that we are in sports purgatory right now, I have drummed up some college football to talk about. Over the next few posts, I will be looking at in depth, exactly what we are going to be looking at on the offensive side of the ball. I am going to be drawing a parallel between the UGA offense, and the greatest joint strike aircraft in the US fleet, the F/18A Super Hornet. Today, we will be looking at the pilot, Aaron "Killuna" Murray.

Going into his senior season at Plant High School in Tampa, FL, Murray was one of the most highly sought after recruits in the nation. Coming off a junior season where he threw 51 td's and only 7 int's, Murray came into his senior season expecting the world. Things didn't necessarily start off that way.

In a game televised by ESPN, Murray's Panthers lost to Armwood 2-9. He only completed 17 of 36 passes for 149 yds and one pick. No doubt this was a huge disappointment given the expectations coming into the season. The following week, however, it would all come together.

With a 12-21, for 289 yds and 4 td's night against Gaither, Aaron would start an incredible 4 game stretch of EA sports stats. Following his 4 td victory against Gaither, he proceeds to put up 391 yds and 7 td's on 18 for 25 passing. An amazing 72 percent completion rate in a 56-14 rout of Middleton. The amazing thing is that he did all of this before HALF TIME... Even more amazing would be what would transpire the following week.

After throwing 7 td's in the first half af the game against Middleton, Murray would one-up himself the next week against Riverview. Aaron goes 15 of 21 for 396 yds, and throws 8 td passes, also in the first HALF of the game. Over half of his passes were completed for td's. The next game he would throw 6 td's on a 288 yd night against Blake.

The four week stats look like this:

62 of 93

66% completion

25 td's

3 int

1364 yds (341 yds/ game avg)

His next game against Hillsborough (Oct 16th), he would start well. Going 9 of 13 for 209 yds and 3 tds in the first qtr, but would suffer what many thought would be a season ending lower leg injury. A dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula would require surgery and rehab. Aaron said he would be back in 6-8 weeks, many thought it would take 6 months. 7 weeks later, he would practice.

Dec 12th he would start the 4A Semi-Final game against Dwyer, leading Plant to a 33-21 victory. The following week Aaron would go 18 of 29 for 358 yds and 3 tds in the Florida 4A State Championship game. Plant, led by Murray, wins the championship, beating Lincoln 34-14.

In every conversation you hear about this kid, the "it" factor comes up. No one can really describe what "it" is, but he has it. Winning at just about everything he does, 7-on7, elite 11, Florida 4A Mr. Football, this kid will soon have the reins in Athens, where "it" will be on full display...

PLEASE BELIEVE ME!!!!!

Why is no one listening to Roger Clemens???? Didn't you hear the man? He didn't take steroids! He swears!!! I mean, it is suicide for a man like him. Didn't you hear him? His family has a history of heart problems. His great, great, great, grandfather died of one. More recently, his step-father died of one... That is right, his step-father. You better not inject yourself with HGH if your STEP-FATHER dies of a heart attack. That is like suicide... Disregard the needles with Clemens' DNA all over it. Don't worry about those... There is no way that Clemens injects himself because his STEP-FATHER died of a heart attack... Why won't people believe him????

You're Freakin' Me Out, You Wear a Mask Called Counterfeit

Everyone in America has heard the name of LeBron James. Anyone who is an avid basketball fan would say he is the next coming of Michael Jordan. Me? I am not fooled...

LeBron may lead a lot of statistical categories, but against what competition? Other 17 year old kids? Granted, the NBA doesn't allow kids straight out of high school anymore, so now it would be 19 year old kids. Basketball isn't a skill game anymore, it is a dunk contest. I might as well be watching the McDonald's All-American game. Defense is now a punchline as opposed to team strategy. So lets explore the reasons why The King is nothing but a counterfeit playing in a league that is a shell of its former self...

1. Stats- These are inflated when compared to players like Jordan. Lebron entered and started in the NBA when he was 18 years old, Jordan was 21. I don't want to hear "LeBron is the youngest player to this, LeBron is the youngest player to do that..." Well no shit, he is still in diapers. Its like saying that "The Titanic" made more money at the box office than "Star Wars"... Really? You would be right in saying that statement is true, but when the tickets to a movie cost 3 times the amount than they did in 1978 its not hard to do. What these stats don't show is Jordan's ability to rise to any situation and put it in a headlock. Sure, Lebron has won games, but not Championships, and not against the likes of the Magic Lakers, the Drexler Blazers, the Barkley Suns, the Payton Sonics, or the Malone Jazz. Any of which would smoke the Cavs two ways from Sunday(whatever that means?). So don't let this year's playoff performance fool you.
2. Competition- LeBron plays in a league run by "straight outta high school guys". Kobe, Garnett, McGrady, Howard, and the list goes on. All of which lack the pure fundamentals of a player that would have gone through a college program, making the game extremely sloppy but somewhat entertaining. Hence, the dunk contest previously mentioned. I compare it to something like Arena League Football. You know... for the kiddies. Let's take this past series with the Hawks. Everyone is on his pee-pee right now for sweeping the Hawks. Well, its not hard to do when 3 of the starting 5 for the Hawks were injured. Not to mention, the Hawks use 2 players from their bench, Pachulia and Murray. There were players entering that game for the Hawks that no one has ever heard of. A far cry from the "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons of 89 & 90. I guarantee Rodman & Lambeer didn't take plays off LeBron... They would be in your grill all night. I would actually pay money to see an 18 year old rookie try to drive to the hole on Bill Lambeer.
3. Team Concept- This is a joke these days, with the exception of a few teams. LeBron is the one player on the floor that can score for the Cavs. Of course you will put up 50 points when you are taking 50 shots per game. Its math. Take 50 shots, shoot 48% and make a couple three's and BAM, 50 points. The other Cavs' players are nothing more than floor spreaders and pick setters. Which also speaks to the level of competition in the NBA. Jordan was on a TEAM, and still got his. He had Pippen, Harper, Kerr, and Rodman. Pippen will go down in history as the best 2nd man to play the game, Harper and Kerr were fierce shooters with Kerr having the best 3 point shooting percentage in NBA history, and Rodman. Rodman is simply the best rebounder and defensive player to ever suit up. He would also get the best hustler award if there was such a thing. This was an epic TEAM, not a one hit wonder.

Jordan had 6 Championships.... 6. LeBron's total is that number minus itself. He has yet to accomplish anything except a MVP award (see #2). He is a product of ESPN hype, and few people have the insight to see through him and call it for what it is. He is the best player in a league that obviously prides itself on how many tattoos they have as opposed to playing the game the right way. Lack of competition and team concepts have played a role in creating this superstar, in a league that has less future hall of famers playing in it right now than the '84 draft produced by itself. It is a joke, a counterfeit if you will.

I WANT TO SEE SOME ME DAMNED FOOTBALL

Somewhere in Irving, Texas.....

CRASH! BOOM! SWOOSH... WHOOSH! KLABOOM! BANG! BOOM!

Jerry: "Well dad-gum. I just spent $8 gazillion on that new stadium, and now this. Blow me down and call me Popeye!"

The storm clouds part, and the light of heaven shines on the old fogey...

Jerry: "Awww, come on Gad, what happened?"

God: "We have talked of this Jerry. What in my name are you thinking? You know that this time of year is like watching the Himalayas grow. I want to see some me damn football!"

Jerry:"Well, you know Gad, we uhh.. We could have come up with something better than this. Atleast you could have taken out Wade if things were going to be this way."

God: "How 'bout I ram this lightning bolt up your ass!"

BOOM!!!

Jerry:"Ewwww... Don't think them depends are gonna help me much on that one..."

God:"Now turn your hearing aid up and listen. I am BORED! All I see is basketball and baseball! I am BORED! Idle hands are the devil's playground, so I tore the me damned roof off of your practice facility so I could watch practice."

Jerry:"Awww, Gad, people are hurt."

God:"Its ok, the injuries are minor. Besides, half of them were media members anyway. Not to mention, you owe me. I never got any royalties from all that bullshit you were talking back in the 70's about how you guys were my favorite team. You guys fucking blow, I watch the Giants."

Jerry:"I guess your right... I guess now I have somthin' new to piss my money away on. But just so you know there Gad, the roof on the new shed over there is gonna be closed every game..."

God:"Don't threaten me you mere mortal. Remember, you still have the season to play. And I love messing with you guys come December time. Its a great early birthday present for Jesus. He's a Philly guy..."