Matthew Stafford Is Gone, Why UGA isn't Worried?

(Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

April 6th, 2009

Bobby Cox has been a household name in Georgia since 1991, when he managed the Atlanta Braves from worst to first in the National League; he went on to win a record fourteen consecutive division titles, thereafter. While Bobby Cox and the Braves are World Series contenders again, another Cox has Georgians  intrigued through his ability to blind side the college football scene this fall.

With Matthew Stafford's early departure to the NFL, many SEC "experts" think UGA will suffer at the QB position in '09. However, the "experts" couldn't be further from the truth.  Joe Cox, a fifth year senior, has solid experience with proven ability to win.

Along with learning from Coach Mark Richt and Mike Bobo for the past four seasons, Joe Cox has backed up and competed against some of UGA's all time best quarterbacks: DJ Shockley and Matthew Stafford.

In fact, Joe Cox actually saved a struggling Matthew Stafford against Colorado a few seasons back. Cox led the game winning drive by throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The surprise was how easily Cox made it look compared to the future overall No.1 pick Matthew Stafford. 

Cox's ability to win wasn't a surprise to all, as his leadership and physical ability has never been questioned.

Joe Cox was a stand out QB in Charlotte, North Carolina for Independence High School. In Cox's senior year, he threw a North Carolina record 66 touchdown passes (4.4 TDs avg. per game) while taking his team to its fifth consecutive state title: he was 31-0 as the starter.

Joe Cox had scholarship offers from many NCAA Division 1 teams, including in state UNC, NC State, and Wake Forest. Cox followed his heart, along with coach Mark Richt and Mike Bobo, and became a Bulldog. Why Cox didn't transfer says a lot about his loyalty to the Bulldogs and coaches. It states even more about his character as a person.

Watch out college football world. Don't be blind-sided by Joe Cox.

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