Crowell’s recruitment aside, Washaun Ealey did this to himself (Update III)
Washaun Ealey is in a deep hole with coach Mark Richt.
(UPDATED AT 7 p.m. with Mark Richt statement.)
For the past two months at least — or since about the time most believed Georgia would land running back Isaiah Crowell in recruiting — there have been rumors that Washaun Ealey might transfer to Georgia Southern.
But what happened Tuesday when Ealey was suspended indefinitely isn’t about Crowell. It’s about Ealey –and maybe a little about coach Mark Richt.
Ealey has been inconsistent as a player,which is why the Bulldogs so desperately needed to land Crowell on national letter of intent day. But the more significant issues with the sophomore relating to his future in Athens have been off the field. Ealey’s arrest for a hit-and-run incident last summer — after multiple warnings about driving with a suspended license — infuriated Richt.
Rumors have been flying for the past 24 hours that Ealey last week missed a “punishment run,” which are handed out for things like missing tutoring sessions. Rumors morphed into conclusions that Ealey was kicked off the team. If that’s true, nobody is saying it. Georgia’s official response for now is only that Ealey is still on the team.
UPDATE: Here’s a statement from Richt:
“We have certain expectations and standards that apply to all our student-athletes. We expect them to do things the right way, the Georgia way. If Washaun does things the Georgia way, he’ll be back in good standing.”
But Ealey might want to take this as a hint, and transfer. He has two years of eligibility left and he’s in a pretty deep hole with Richt. Working his way out of that now might be impossible and transferring might be his best option. Richt has become increasingly “tough on crime” in the past year, which is a good sign.
Since signing day, we’ve learned to what lengths Richt went to land Crowell. Debbie Crowell, the player’s mother, confirmed to our Steve Hummer that Richt had Georgia players line up in an offensive formation in the new indoor practice facility during Crowell’s official visit. The only vacant position was running back. An excerpt from the story:
The 18-year-old and his family were shown to Richt’s new office, overlooking the recently completed indoor practice facility. As they visited, the Crowells noticed activity down below. Players began filing onto the practice field.
“We got up and looked out,” said Debbie Crowell, Isaiah’s mother. “I didn’t know what was going on, but Isaiah could tell that they were getting into formation. And there wasn’t a tailback.”
The stage was set. Richt escorted the family down to the field. Crowell was handed a Georgia jersey — No. 1 on the back — and a helmet and asked if he wanted to take that empty spot in the backfield. Debbie Crowell remembers Richt painting the scene of next season’s opener against Boise State, asking her son if he could see himself in that jersey and helmet, behind that offensive line, starting his career in the din of the Georgia Dome.
“Yes, sir, I can,” Isaiah said.
“My baby was excited. He was ready to go,” Debbie said.
Assuming Ealey learned of that, he couldn’t feel too great about his future in Athens.
Another running back, Caleb King, has been a disappointment and rumors of his exit also have circulated. The difference is that King has only one season of eligibility remaining and it might not be worth it to transfer.
When Richt recruited Crowell, he told him to imagine himself as Georgia’s starting running back. The coach then went public after his signing, saying Crowell could be “carrying the rock” as the starting back in the opener against Boise State.
But this is not all about Crowell’s potential. It’s about the way Ealey has imploded. There was a time it was his job to lose — and he lost it.
By Jeff Schultz
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806 comments Add your comment
Common sense doesn't exist on the blogs
February 8th, 2011
4:16 pm
“Is my wallet deeper than yours?”
No, but your brain is non existent. Posting your home address on a blog is about as stupid as saying the bulldogs will win the title.
Common sense doesn't exist on the blogs
February 8th, 2011
4:17 pm
Clever.
Preston
February 8th, 2011
4:24 pm
Ealey and Meds, give it a rest losers! Nobody else wants to read through your childish blog argument! Geeez!
JRW7DAWG
February 8th, 2011
4:27 pm
I’m with you all the way CMR, kick him off the team if he cannot follow your instructions. ENOUGHT IS ENOUGHT!!! Ealey has a bad attitude problem, and UGA does not need any more of his CRAP. KICK him off the team now. GO DAWGS!!!!
1962 DAWG
February 8th, 2011
4:28 pm
WDE
What’s up there PAY FOR PLAY?
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:30 pm
1962 DAWG
What’s up there 12 PLAYERS ARRESTED?
Buckeye "Dawg"
February 8th, 2011
4:33 pm
NOT
Anonymous 'Cos
February 8th, 2011
4:34 pm
Is there a designated day for adults to come on this website/blog?…or do only small children come here after middle school is over for the day? Seriously children…i am too mature to come here and have to wade through all the immature bullsh*t that gets posted here. You kids need to learn to take your pissing contests to a private forum so the adults may have an actual/ civil conversation. Thanks for ruining this site…every day.
Geaux Tigers!
February 8th, 2011
4:40 pm
WOW, this blog tanked fast. I guess that’s what you get when you put Auburn and UGA fans in a room.
Fire Mark Richt
February 8th, 2011
4:41 pm
I agree with Jeff’s comment about race, it has no place in this discussion. That being said, I wish Richt would embrace diversity in his recruiting.
GT
February 8th, 2011
4:42 pm
Ealey had a reputation even in high school of being difficult. He spit in the face of opponents several times according to even the winning coach in the state finals. He had no respect for his own high school coach and used strong language towards the coach to drive his point of disrespect home. He then comes to Georgia a hot dog protected by among others our boy Tony Barnhart. The eye thing against Florida got more airtime than the Egyptian uprising is getting now with Ealey looking as the victim by TBs outrage. The press in Athens knew and knows full well they had a punk on their hands but made him look reputable to the world, until they didn’t need him anymore. This is not serving Georgia or the readership or the kid in this misdirection of the truth. Now the truth comes out, the real underlying problems at Georgia ,the same problems they had going into the season last year, unspoken then, but now it is not so costly so lets fed the kid to the lions. I think he should be but it comes a year too late.
Gefilite Fish Schultz
February 8th, 2011
4:42 pm
Jeff, does it make you feel stupid when you are being used by Alabama fans as an unwitting mouthpiece for their propaganda and lies? Ealey is not going to Georgia Southern like the anonymous Bammer fans that email you claim. Good to see you have stooped so low as to post internet rumors. No wonder blogs and fans sites are killing this paper – it deserves to be put out of its misery for crappy reporting such as this.
Al Horford an All-Star at center but he's taking a beating | Jeff Schultz
February 8th, 2011
4:43 pm
[...] – Crowell’s recruitment aside, Washaun Ealey did this to himself [...]
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:43 pm
Geaux Tigers!
How was your remedial English, OOPS I mean International Biz class?
Rolls Tied
February 8th, 2011
4:44 pm
“Ealey is not going to Georgia Southern”
No, he’s going to West GA College.
1962 DAWG
February 8th, 2011
4:46 pm
Andy in BLARES”ville
Your reason for being on this blog is??
Nate the Great
February 8th, 2011
4:47 pm
WDE,
Enjoy your NC for the next two years. Auburn=SMU 30 years later. Buy all of the national championship memorabilia before they have to put an asterik next to it…just like your other championship*.
PS Can you guys please choose a mascot? Are y’all war eagles, plainsmen, or tigers? I need to know who to hurl my insults at after they strip the championship. Also, what’s happened to your welcoming commity that met Chizik at the airport? Seemed like such a well rounded person with an inate ability to judge coaching talent. It’s a shame if all that talent is going to waste!!!!!!!!
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
4:49 pm
If the same dude that shut down the internet in Egypt shut down the internet here/on this blog the Georgia economy would improve and the local unemployment rate would drop.
uuughhh
February 8th, 2011
4:51 pm
…and then we could all celebrate wearing OSU gold pants purchased on ebay.
bgdawg
February 8th, 2011
4:52 pm
buckeye don’t you have a michigan blog you should be trolling on?
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:53 pm
Nate the Great
All I am doing right now is sitting back and laughing at delusional UGA fans who keep claiming that this and that will happen. If things happened the way UGA fans thought they’d happen, UGA would have more titles than they do.
PS: You’ll always have 1980.
“I need to know who to hurl my insults at after they strip the championship.”
It’s not gonna happen but please feel free to “think” it will.
“Also, what’s happened to your welcoming commity that met Chizik at the airport?”
Oh, are you referring to that one guy who showed up to boo Coach Chizik?
“just like your other championship”
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. You’re very boring, Forrest.
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
4:53 pm
Hey uuuughhh and bgdawg,
Bite me.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:54 pm
Buckeye
When Ohio declares for bankruptcy in the next year or so……
Just sayin….
1962 DAWG
February 8th, 2011
4:55 pm
WDE
Ealey didn’t steal a laptop, just hit and run.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:56 pm
“Ealey didn’t steal a laptop, just hit and run.”
Neither did Newton. But, Newton did have a few hit and runs against the 6-7 bulldogs.
Anonymous 'Cos
February 8th, 2011
4:56 pm
@ WDE
Just go away. “Just sayin…”
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:56 pm
“Buckeyes grow on a tree”
Awe, your teacher must have read to you in preschool this morning. How cute!
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:57 pm
Anonymous ‘Cos
Make me. “Just sayin..”
True Dawg Fan.
February 8th, 2011
4:57 pm
thetruth
I suspect you would not know the truth if it bit you on the a$$. Coach Richt & company brought in a great class now lets give them a chance and see what they can do with them.
Go Dawgs !
WDE
February 8th, 2011
4:58 pm
“Coach Richt & company brought in a great class now lets give them a chance and see what they can do with them.”
That’s the key. Recruiting is one thing and coaching is another.
1962 DAWG
February 8th, 2011
4:58 pm
WDE
Didn’t accuse Newton of anything!
bgdawg
February 8th, 2011
4:58 pm
this doesn’t surprise me. when he was yapping and jawing with defenders on other teams i thought he had he just had bad attitude when he ran the ball, which is something i can live with but, during the some of the last plays of the spring game he actually threw a punch at a player on his own team. i think it was sanders commings, i know your playing practicing against these guys but they’re still your teammate
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:00 pm
“Didn’t accuse Newton of anything!’
Oh, so the whole laptop comment wasn’t an accusation… Uh huh.
Nate the Great
February 8th, 2011
5:01 pm
WDE,
Newton also had several driving on a suspended license, but no arrests…mysterious. UGA player gets arrested and UF player just gets a ticket?
PS You’ll always have an asterik. And the distinction of the first time the FBI has gotten involved with a NCAA investigation. You must be beaming with pride.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:01 pm
“You Make Me Laugh, “just sayin…”’
Not as much as me laughing at you posting the Fulton Co. Jail as your home! THAT is funny.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:02 pm
“WDE are you a Techy or a Buckeye?”
You must not know what WDE stands for.
bgdawg
February 8th, 2011
5:03 pm
Ealey is gone….smh…
bgdawg
February 8th, 2011
5:05 pm
WDE=war damn eagle
therefore he is an Auburn fan
Ealey is Gone you understand all of that?
Belcher
February 8th, 2011
5:06 pm
AS I’ve already said, we DON’T WANT Ealey at Ga Southern!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:07 pm
I am a Tech Fan first and foremost. My family all went to AU.
Any Reasonable Auburn fan would not come here…but I do because I am a Techy and we suck at life.
Anonymous 'Cos
February 8th, 2011
5:07 pm
@ WDE
So, what you’re “just sayin…” is you have no life and it makes you feel better to come to this site and start drama every day. Got it. But that goes without sayin… i think. “Make me”? This comment alone proves you ARE in middle school. And let me go ahead and post your next comment for you : “My dad could beat up your dad.” You sir are nothing but a bully. Always have been, always will be. We all pity you, you should know this by now. Good luck, you need it.
1962 DAWG
February 8th, 2011
5:09 pm
WDE
Just jabbing at ya. no offense. You Guys had a great season at Auburn and hat’s off to to ya.
Can’t imagine having to keep 100 18 year olds in line all year long and not having a few get out of line.
None of these coaches get the credit they deserve. But let 1 do something wrong and the world knows. News outlets never tell you about the other 90 players on the team who spent the summer building Habitat For Humanity Houses. Never hear the positive just the negative!!
big cat newnan dawg
February 8th, 2011
5:15 pm
Dawgster, you said that you coached. Have you seen Malcome? I have only seen his tape on you tube. He looks like a bruising back!! Maybe he will be the surprise. SW Dekalb plays tough opponents. Do you have any info. on Malcome outside of his tapes?
Einsteindawg
February 8th, 2011
5:18 pm
Go back and read “Big Earl” @2:00,
He is right on. It’s past time for our players to step up and get the trash off the team. According to my UGAAA magazine, a football scholarship is worth $64,000 a year…are some of these malcontents living up to their end of the deal?
1962 DAWG
February 8th, 2011
5:21 pm
big cat newman dawg
I haven’t seen him play but, but seen him warming up last season before the games and he’s a big RB. Kinda looks like Mussa Smith did. Strong looking back, supposed to have some speed to go with it.
Jacket 21
February 8th, 2011
5:21 pm
HAHAHAHAHA
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:33 pm
“I think that is the gayest saying ever.”
As opposed to WOOF WOOF SIC EM? LOL
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:34 pm
“Can’t imagine having to keep 100 18 year olds in line all year long and not having a few get out of line.”
Well, that’s what great coaching is all about. You don’t ever hear Saban or Chizik ever having problems with players.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
5:36 pm
Anonymous ‘Cos
No, I was simply answering your asinine comments. Not my problem if my comments run circles around your small brain. Also, the “middle school” insults are about as witty as Ealey is Gone posting gay bars as his home address.
Just sayin….
Einsteindawg
February 8th, 2011
5:42 pm
Ya’ll leave WDE along. He’s a good Dawg fan, and he and I are the only posters that use our real names.