Tracy Claeys on Eric Murray: "He's the best overall player I have ever coached."

[BleedGopher]

Tracy Claeys on Eric Murray: "He's the best overall player I have ever coached."

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Go Gophers!!

 

[bottlebass]

Did not look like the same player this year. Not sure if it was because of the safeties playing behind him or if he was injured....

 

[matt]

Murray does so many little things well that I think it's hard to really appreciate how good he is. I'm definitely going to miss his tackling when he's gone.

 

[Winasota Gopher]

Phenomenal tackler. Physical corner. Will fit in with many of today's NFL schemes.

 

[Section2]

Did not look like the same player this year. Not sure if it was because of the safeties playing behind him or if he was injured....

Teams rarely challenged him this year.

 

[bottlebass]

Teams rarely challenged him this year.

You are kidding right? He was thrown at and beat a ton this year compared to last year. Last year he went complete games where they only threw his way once or twice. This year was completely different.

 

[Section2]

You are kidding right? He was thrown at and beat a ton this year compared to last year. Last year he went complete games where they only threw his way once or twice. This year was completely different.

I'm only going off memory, but I completely disagree. Shut down Josh Doctson, and for long stretches of games they never threw at him. There were a few games last year where he was picked on, I don't remember a game this year where that happened.

 

[jaymil]

I'm only going off memory, but I completely disagree. Shut down Josh Doctson, and for long stretches of games they never threw at him. There were a few games last year where he was picked on, I don't remember a game this year where that happened.

+1. Murray was definitely under-appreciated by a lot of Gopher fans IMO.

 

[bottlebass]

I'm only going off memory, but I completely disagree. Shut down Josh Doctson, and for long stretches of games they never threw at him. There were a few games last year where he was picked on, I don't remember a game this year where that happened.

We must not have watched the same 2nd half of the season. He was beat a lot. Again he could have been banged up, and the safeties behind him may have been part of the reason. Last season when teams did pick on him most the throws were incomplete and he was in good coverage, this year he was out of position a lot and a lot more passes were completed against him. If someone takes the time to find the stats they will see that.

 

[Spoofin]

We must not have watched the same 2nd half of the season. <b>He was beat a lot. </b>Again he could have been banged up, and the safeties behind him may have been part of the reason. Last season when teams did pick on him most the throws were incomplete and he was in good coverage, <b>this year he was out of position a lot </b>and a lot more passes were completed against him. <b>If someone takes the time to find the stats they will see that</b>.

I think you are alone on this one. EM31 had a rough game against NE when they put him in the slot all game. He played most of the rest of the season on the boundary and was seldom thrown at and seldom beat. Out of position? I'll assume you are joking. Maybe you thought he was wearing #29? Also, since you are on an island with this take (just like EM31 is asked to be on almost every play) I suggest YOU find some stats to back up your take rather than to ask others to disprove it. Silly. It is too bad you didn't appreciate the best CB this team has had in many many years. No one on our current roster will give this D as much flexibility as EM31 did.

 

[WHB Brewer]

I'm only going off memory, but I completely disagree. Shut down Josh Doctson, and for long stretches of games they never threw at him. There were a few games last year where he was picked on, I don't remember a game this year where that happened.

If you mean that 8 catches 76yds and a TD is "shut down "

 

[bottlebass]

I think you are alone on this one. EM31 had a rough game against NE when they put him in the slot all game. He played most of the rest of the season on the boundary and was seldom thrown at and seldom beat. Out of position? I'll assume you are joking. Maybe you thought he was wearing #29? Also, since you are on an island with this take (just like EM31 is asked to be on almost every play) I suggest YOU find some stats to back up your take rather than to ask others to disprove it. Silly. It is too bad you didn't appreciate the best CB this team has had in many many years. No one on our current roster will give this D as much flexibility as EM31 did.

You have me all wrong. I did appreciate him, but he was not as good this year as he was last year. I am not alone, and am not joking. Other people in our section commented on this multiple games this year. Yes in the Nebraska game he was out of position multiple times. I google searched it but can't seem to find quick stats for college CBs like they have in the NFL. I'm sure someone who looks at this stuff all the time would find much better stats than I could. Why don't you find stats to back your position up? Or go back and watch the games, he got beat a lot this year compared to last year. I agree with the bolded.

 

[Section2]

If you mean that 8 catches 76yds and a TD is "shut down "

Pretty sure the TD came against Boddy, but even if I am mistaken, if you look at his averages that is indeed being shut down.

 

[bottlebass]

I will also add he will not be the 1st round draft pick many were hoping for at the beginning of the season. More proof he wasn't as good this year as was thought.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Best 3 year run at CB for the Gophers that I can remember. I don't recall if he started as a Freshman or not, but like others have said he was exceptional against he run and excellent in pass coverage. He will be missed.

 

[die hard gopher]

I will also add he will not be the 1st round draft pick many were hoping for at the beginning of the season. More proof he wasn't as good this year as was thought.

He wasn't a projected 1st rounder by most going into the season. I do however agree with you that this year was not his best season.

As for his stats: http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/player/428/1048151/miscdefense/split.html

He had 10 passes broken up as a sophomore, 7 as a junior and 6 this year although he does have one more game.

 

[Ole]

I guarantee our issues at safety and the BBC/Myrick injuries had alot to do with whatever pass D stats you can throw out there from this past season.
Murray is a phenomenal tackler, a really solid cover corner, and his special teams contributions are very underrated.
He'll start somewhere in the NFL IMO. If he impresses at workouts I wouldn't be surprised if he's drafted higher than expected. Corners are a premium position and guys are always overvalued relative to their hype/production.

 

[Section2]

I will also add he will not be the 1st round draft pick many were hoping for at the beginning of the season. More proof he wasn't as good this year as was thought.

Your prediction for the future is proof.

 

[bottlebass]

Your prediction for the future is proof.

The proof is the fact he won't be a 1st round pick like everyone was predicting/talking about at the beginning of the season. It looks like the "experts" predict he goes in the 3rd-4th round, which is disappointing after his season last year where he was a true shut down corner.

 

[Spoofin]

The proof is the fact he won't be a 1st round pick <b>like everyone was predicting/talking about </b>at the beginning of the season. It looks like the "experts" predict he goes in the 3rd-4th round, which is disappointing after his season last year where he was a true shut down corner.

And by everyone you mean no-one. That is the first sign of someone digging in when they know they are wrong - they talk about what "everyone" said - whether or not that ever happened. I must have missed the "Murray will be a first round pick" thread.

Giving Credit where it is due - that was the first time I saw someone say "I'm right and if you don't think so find the stats to prove me wrong". Good Talk.

 

[bottlebass]

And by everyone you mean no-one. That is the first sign of someone digging in when they know they are wrong - they talk about what "everyone" said - whether or not that ever happened. I must have missed the "Murray will be a first round pick" thread.

Giving Credit where it is due - that was the first time I saw someone say "I'm right and if you don't think so find the stats to prove me wrong". Good Talk.

Either you weren't paying attention before the season or you are just being a d!ck, but yes almost everyone thought if he had a season like last year he could be a first round draft pick. His own coach even said it! And yes there was a thread about him being a possible first round pick. Everyone thought we one had the best 2 CB combo in the B1G with Murray possibly being the best, not sure how you missed all that before the season.

Have you found the stats? Find the advanced CB stats for college CBs. I can only find them for the pros. If Murrays really were as good as you are saying they arethen he would be flirting with a first round pick. They weren't, he was exposed and now he is projected in the teens for CB ranking in the draft.

 

[die hard gopher]

Either you weren't paying attention before the season or you are just being a d!ck, but yes almost everyone thought if he had a season like last year he could be a first round draft pick. His own coach even said it! And yes there was a thread about him being a possible first round pick. Everyone thought we one had the best 2 CB combo in the B1G with Murray possibly being the best, not sure how you missed all that before the season.

Have you found the stats? Find the advanced CB stats for college CBs. I can only find them for the pros. If Murrays really were as good as you are saying they arethen he would be flirting with a first round pick. They weren't, he was exposed and now he is projected in the teens for CB ranking in the draft.

Nearly everybody felt he would only be a first round pick if he improved his INT numbers but would be a second round pick if he had a repeat of last year.

 

[bottlebass]

Nearly everybody felt he would only be a first round pick if he improved his INT numbers but would be a second round pick if he had a repeat of last year.

I'll give you that, I remember the coach being quoted as saying if he can get to 4 interceptions he could be a 1st round pick. So did he meet these expectations? Nope. Just more proof.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Why would Murray get interceptions when the coaches think turnovers are Christmas presents?

 

[Section2]

The proof is the fact he won't be a 1st round pick like everyone was predicting/talking about at the beginning of the season. It looks like the "experts" predict he goes in the 3rd-4th round, which is disappointing after his season last year where he was a true shut down corner.

Nothing ever changes from December to April?
I have no idea where he goes and I don't care. I also don't like predictions disguised as facts.

 

[MinneStoa]

Either you weren't paying attention before the season or you are just being a d!ck, but yes almost everyone thought if he had a season like last year he could be a first round draft pick.

In support of your claim, could you please find five posts on this board that say Murray would be a first round pick in 2016?

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Interesting thread. I think everyone here would agree Murray is a stellar overall player, including Bottlebass. That said, he didnt have a phenomenal year in some respects. He was picked on a little bit, had some penalty problems, etc. It doesnt mean he's a terrible player. Hes going to be a lot richer when those NFL game checks start coming in. I feel worse for BBC, obviously slowed by his knee issue. Definitely a rougher year as well. Poor pass rush hurt. Both did pretty well in run defense, i thought.

Some fans circle the wagons when it comes time to acknowledging differing opinions of certain players. It is the same every year.

Regarding the first round stuff, the hype on this kid started after his soph season. The article Bottlebass probably remembers is here in this thread:

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/bo...otential-1st-round-pick&highlight=Eric+murray

Analyst and Sawvel state he could be first round pick if he has a great year.

 

[bottlebass]

Thank you Pompous Elitist for finding that thread.

 

[Section2]

If Murray has great combine numbers and a great senior bowl, he could absolutely move into the 1st round. I have no idea what his combine #s would be. I think he will be a better pro than Tray Waynes.

 

[bottlebass]

If Murray has great combine numbers and a great senior bowl, he could absolutely move into the 1st round. I have no idea what his combine #s would be. I think he will be a better pro than Tray Waynes.

Nope, not after the season he just had. There are too many other CBs ahead of him.