A better Murray in 2008?

After Plant quarterback Aaron Murray threw for 4,000-plus yards and a state-record 51 touchdowns last year as a junior, we were all left to wonder one thing: What would he do for an encore?

It's not uncommon for a player to take a step back after a record-setting season, but that hasn't happened. After four games, Murray has 19 touchdown passes. At his current pace, he would break last season's TD mark in Week 1 of the playoffs. Not bad considering he was blanked in the opener against Armwood and played only a little more than six quarters in the three games since.

"There's no question (he's better this season)," Panthers coach Robert Weiner said. "He sees the field better. He's better moving around in the pocket and that allows him to see the game better. And it's one more year in the offense, so he has better command. There's probably not a kid in the nation that has better command of a school's offense than he does."

He's also physically better, Weiner said.

"He is what we hope our kids get over the course of our conditioning program during the offseason, which is stronger and a year bigger," Weiner said. "Even though he's not extremely tall at 6-foot-1, he's very stout. And with his great fundamentals in the pocket, that makes him tougher to bring down."

As good as Murray has been, we might not have seen his best just yet.

"He's got a lot left in the tank," Weiner said.

Sometime in the next few weeks, Murray, who has 70 career TD strikes, is likely to become the county's all-time leader in TD passes. Here are the people at the top of that list:

• Stephen Garcia, Jefferson, 83
• Marcello Trigg, Robinson, 82
• Kenny Kelly, TC, 77

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[Red D Boss]

Let's not forget he's also getting it done in the classroom as well. This kid understands the meaning of "student-athlete". A very well-rounded individual with a passion for football and many other things in life.

[Melissa]

Go Aaron!

Is he loaded with AP classes? - no. He wouldn't be able to leave in December if he was. Maybe taking weighlifting 101.

And he didn't come out the whole game Friday night. I know our coach said it was OK, but was it really? Why does his coach risk him getting hurt playing unnecessary time? Karma has a way of catching up with people like your Plant coach.

[Reality Check]

As Sgt Friday would say....
"Just the Facts" Why wouldn't any quarterback get great stats if the coach allowed them to throw against lesser opponents? Blake is now 0-6, Last I saw Riverview was 0-5, Gaither 2-3, Middleton 3-3, Wharton 3-2, Armwood 6-0. If my information is wrong...please update the W/L records. Is there a stat for passing touchdowns against teams with no wins or less than a .500 record?

No disrespect..."Just the facts"

Reality Check,

Get off Murray. The kid is surely an awesome talent. It's not his fault that the Defensive Coordinators of some of these schools are clueless. I watched the Armwood game and what I saw was a sound philosphy. I believe that they only have 1 legitimate D1 guy in their secondary. But what I really saw was that their secondary really appear to be discipline and well coached. They keep everything in front of them and don't allow the deep ball. They also attempt to bring a crushing hit everytime a pass is thrown underneath......Oh , they don't just sit in Cover 2 and 3 all game and let you gut them. Weiner and Murray is much to good to just sit in one defense the entire game and think you have a chance. Those guys study a lot of film and they will find the weak link. So don't hate the Panthers. Have your Defensive Coordinators do a better job of game planning. Most of the talent in Hillsborough County is about even in most cases. It's the poor coaching and outdated offensive and defensive philosphies.

[Panther Fan]

Karma... Well if you believe in it then Karma has been VERY GOOD to Aaron and the Panthers. Thank You Coach! Thank You Aaron! Go Panthers!

To the Plant-hater, I guess all of your constant Plant bashing bile is your karmic payback. You go right on ahead and just keep feeding off of that venom it'll get you far. Then again you're probably just watching too much "Earl" on TV.

[Coaching?]

Somebody wants us to believe that coaching is the key to defending against running up the score to pad your stats and break records.

"Have your Defensive Coordinators do a better job of game planning. Most of the talent in Hillsborough County is about even in most cases. It's the poor coaching and outdated offensive and defensive philosphies."

You're kidding, Right???

Most cases (I'm not saying all!) Are not X's and O's...It's the Jimmys and the Joes!

Throwing for 8 touchdowns and compiling 396 yards of passing against an 0-5 team (57 points in the first half)has NOTHING to do with coaching.

Football philosophies.... yeah right!

[cougar]

countryside would beat plant. straight up. behind jimbo, we would lead a no huddle attack like plant has never seen. jimbo will take us to a state title. plant would just be a warm up game. murray is garbage.

^^ not funny.

Posted by: Coaching? | October 13, 2008 at 05:46 AM.

Take it easy I'm not defending running up the score because we got torched by Murray as well. All i'm saying is that our secondary appeared to be clueless. Guys were wide open and running behind us like we were standing in quick sand. The view from the stands appeared to be more as a result of the scheme than the talent.