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
JoeFan
February 8th, 2011
11:11 am
CMR better hope the “Dream Team” doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
11:11 am
I knew Ealey was a punk ever since I witnessed him spit in his opponent’s face in the Class A Georgia High School Championship game…..which he lost , by the way.
Punk then, Punk now.
rm
February 8th, 2011
11:11 am
Will your comments hold no weight. Ealey has already been suspended before. Have you ever heard of Murray doing anything wrong? And Mett was arrested for sexual assault. But I guess you think he shouldn’t have been punished for that?
RambleOn84
February 8th, 2011
11:12 am
Will,
Let’s not play the race card just yet…Ealey has gotten multiple slaps on the wrist up until this point.
And not showing up to your punishment is actually a huge deal.
Mike S
February 8th, 2011
11:12 am
Time for one lkast come to Jesus meeting with the kid. Either get his head right and become a true team player, or boot him from the team.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
11:12 am
Haha, actually, Georgia fans are the ones expecting this class to be the bailout they need. They concentrate on things like Nick Fairley and National Signing Day rather than looking within and critically at their program.
Your “Dream Team” was business as usual for 7-8 teams ahead of you in the rankings, all with better coaching staffs. And the dream is gone once Richt flames out this season.
Because believe it or not, after that first smack in the mouth, you will all forget NSD because you’ll know it can’t save you. We’ve just got to put up with y’alls BS until then.
Jim Rome
February 8th, 2011
11:13 am
UGA is a disgrace.
Left the Barn door open
February 8th, 2011
11:14 am
WDE how many of your recruits have left and gone to Bama today? Hmmmmmm
Mike
February 8th, 2011
11:14 am
It’s all Richt’s fault.
Richt can’t control the players.
The rest of the story
February 8th, 2011
11:14 am
Richt has been letting everyone do as they please for the last 2-3 years, and now that he’s on the hot seat, he suddenly wants to hold kids accountable. Where was this last year and the year before? He should have been running the program like this all along. I think it’s too late for him though. Another season right around .500 will cost him his job.
I also believe that the way Richt recruited Crowell was a little over the top and a slap in the face to the other backs. He’s pretty much given him the job on a platter, with only his high school film to support him. Now he may be a great runner in the long run, and I hope he will be, but come on man! What does it say to the rest of your guys when you parade a kid out there like that?
I hope Washaun turns this around as he is a good football player, despite what everyone is saying. Some of you same people were behind him 2 years ago just like you are Crowell now.
dobearsbare
February 8th, 2011
11:14 am
Let’s face it. Some people are not cut out for college. Ealey is a decent college running back. Maybe he’s a decent person — I’ve witnessed him interact with fans and there’s the story about helping that bus driver. Nonetheless, his actions indicate that his intellectual ceiling has been found. He’s like the guy sitting on his roof in a flood who keeps telling rescuers that he’s waiting on God to send him help. No more lifelines in Athens, Washaun. Time to go.
Katherine
February 8th, 2011
11:14 am
Im glad Coach has decided to play hard ball with these players..finally. If they can’t follow the rules then good riddance.
RambleOn84
February 8th, 2011
11:15 am
DA Double,
It’s called hyperbole…the point is he has broken team rules and state laws multiple times at this point. I am not convinced that Richt is suddenly some hard a$$ because he finally said enough is enough with this guy.
By the way, your obsession is showing…
Will's elevator doesn't stop on every floor
February 8th, 2011
11:15 am
Dude Will? Are you Jerry on the Bulldogs blog? Cuz there can’t be that many people stupid enough to try to defend Mettenberger’s actions and claim it had to do with CMR playing favorites. The boy’s mom works for Richt! If anyone would have gotten a pass it would have been Mett. But CMR has class. Real men don’t assault women and real men don’t tolerate it by others.
Will
February 8th, 2011
11:15 am
Murray could rob a store and it be on videotape and Richt would say he need help. Ealey carried the team last year but since he a brother Richt want to make an example outta him. I am done wifh Richt.
What??
February 8th, 2011
11:15 am
Will – you are a complete dumb a$$. Mettenberger? Seriously? He was kicked off the team for a sexual assault in bar. How is that Richt showing favoritism? Richt would have loved to have had the depth at QB that Mett would have provided. To compare Ealey to Murray is also ridiculous. Ealey has had multiple run ins and suspensions and Murray never has.
Jared
February 8th, 2011
11:15 am
Jeff Monken is not going to put up with Ealey’s shenanigans.
BoiseStateFan
February 8th, 2011
11:16 am
Looks like meaningless season #31 in Athens in 2011. Way to go Puppies!!! And they didn’t even let UGS VII body cool before they go and start being criminals again. Just lack of respect.
WDE
February 8th, 2011
11:16 am
And news flash- the days of primadonna’s like Ealey and King are not behind you. When you sell your dignity by creating a “Dream Team”, you attract a bunch of self-entitled wusses under the impression they don’t have to earn their way onto the roster.
It gets sweeter and sweeter.
Parole Officer
February 8th, 2011
11:16 am
WTG auburnbound, We know how you like to be the school of rehabilitation or is shool of undertable donation?
Murphy
February 8th, 2011
11:16 am
Time to toughen up with these players.Let Ealey and King go-No more non-sense-Malcome and Crowell-Time to step up.
RDUCK
February 8th, 2011
11:17 am
DA: not sure who you are refering to as the Yellow Jacket saying that the Dream Team will have an immediate impact next year. I’m just saying that all of these kids are just that,”kids”. They have yet to play a snap at the D1 level. It was your coach that talked of Crowell carrying the rock on opening day. Alot of pressure to put on a kid that early. Maybe he can handle it, maybe not. Don’t let your blind hatred for GT put words in other people’s mouths.
Cb@CB.com
February 8th, 2011
11:17 am
We don’t want him and don’t need him at Georgia Southern.
Huh?
February 8th, 2011
11:17 am
Didn’t Ealey have academic and behavioral problems before coming to UGA? He was a 20 year old freshman. I guess that stuff doesn’t matter as long as you’re producing on the field. If you don’t play well, the fans start calling for him to be kicked off the team.
Tom
February 8th, 2011
11:18 am
The folks down around Swainsboro/Twin City were surprised he even “finished” high school, much less managed to stay “eligible” at uga this long.
bigdawg88
February 8th, 2011
11:18 am
He’s just suspended, not kicked off the team. Some of you need to get off your high horse. Obviously he did something to get a punishment run. After all the other stuff he did, including lying to the head coach’s face, he’s lucky he’s still here. Two years and he still barely knows how to pass block, that’s the only reason King was a starter. He’s not that great a runner anyway.
And if Murray or Crowell got into as much trouble as Ealy (and didn’t do their jobs well), hell yes, they would be suspended too.
Trolls, please leave the board and go back under your bridge!!
Orlando Dawg.
February 8th, 2011
11:18 am
Better hope Crowell is not another bust like Jasper Sanks.
RambleOn84
February 8th, 2011
11:18 am
I think you’re taking it a little too far, WDE…but it is a possibility.
Remember how the Florida team was so dysfunctional last season due to the “greatest recruiting class in history” expecting to waltz onto campus and take over?
I don’t think that will be the case with Georgia’s class, but it is something the coaches should be keeping a close eye on.
therealtruth
February 8th, 2011
11:18 am
Note to Thetruth and Will… please stop showing your ignorance! We know of his hit and run, we hear of him hiding in the weight room(slacking) under CVH, and now he decides that he would rather not do his punishment run. Cut him loose unless he comes crawling back on his hands and knees and voluntarily does his puinishment run times 2. Grow up Washaun! Are you scared of a little competition with Isaiah? Also Dawg fans… if you want CMR to kick him off, understand that it may cost us a win or two next season. You cannot have your cake and eat it too! FWIW, My advice… clean it up CMR and we will worry about the won-loss record in time.
A Tech Fan Forever
February 8th, 2011
11:19 am
No cure has ever been found for someone as “Stupid” as Ealey……..did Crowley “Ink” his scholarship with an “X”? It was well known that King was “dumb as a rock” coming in. I don’t know, maybe UGA needs someone in the Athletic Department who doesn’t “gush” when they see someone carrying a football…….maybe they should pick their brain a little more……just saying
jdl2
February 8th, 2011
11:20 am
“Richt has become increasingly “tough on crime” in the past year. That’s a good sign.”
Wow. You recruit kids with no discipline and you get PO’d when they show no discipline.
Problem here is that Richt recruited these guys, not that they showed true to form once in uniform.
Notso Fast
February 8th, 2011
11:20 am
Not the way a running back should start the year when a so call star has been recruited and just waiting for the season to start. Coach R getting tough on crime..say it ain’t so. What happened to 2nd and 3rd and 4th chanches? Has he been told something by the AD?
GTBob
February 8th, 2011
11:20 am
I actually applaud Richt and UGA for taking a hard stance with Ealey. he has been a trouble maker his whole time in college. The possibility of not having King and Ealey should be pretty scary for UGA fans though. Nobody has any idea if Crowell will be good and what if he gets hurt? Seems like a pretty risky situation and a lot of pressure on a guy who has never played a down of college football.
DMR
February 8th, 2011
11:20 am
Someone please take away WILL’s internet access. He is an idiot. You are going to use Mettenberger and Ealey as examples? Brilliant. Mettenberger committed sexual assault on a woman. Ealey defied his coaches’ direct orders over and over again. You think Richt is being hard on Ealey? If Ealey played for Alabama, Saban would make him cry and then kick him off the team. Will have you ever heard the expression…”It is better to be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”? Doubt removed.
Jesus H. Christ
February 8th, 2011
11:20 am
Saint Richt should not have given the starting job to a freshman signing day. How many good coaches do that? Sa
SEC Football
February 8th, 2011
11:21 am
Sounds as if will is a Tech fan trying to start something. Keeps coming on and saying the same thing on every comment! As far as the dream team if the kids already on the team do not have enough personal motivation to compete they have a long road ahead of them anyway. I believe they will welcome these guys just the way they were when they were highly recruited. It is the same process every year. This year just happen to have a slogan with it!
dawgfacedboy
February 8th, 2011
11:21 am
Ealey would’ve posted back to back 1,000 yd seasons if he were not sharing carries. However,it says a lot when he threatens to transfer if UGA signs Crowell. Are they supposed to wait until he leaves before they sign another back?!?! Pay for his bus ticket and help him back. UGA football was around long before he got here and will be around long after he’s gone.
Trojan
February 8th, 2011
11:21 am
There is no pleasing to some of you posters. You complain if CMR is tough, you complain if he is not.
CMR must be very good because so many loser fans of other teams constantly troll over any UGA news.
Mike
February 8th, 2011
11:22 am
There is nothing Ealey, King, Lemay, Mason, Geathers, can do to earn the starting position. Richt’s already pre-determined who his favorties are. Better to transfer now, than waste a year.
sturn
February 8th, 2011
11:22 am
You folks are insane talking about Richt playing favorites for suspending Ealy. You are the same jokers coming on here the day after an arrest and saying he has no control over the team. One idiot mentions Mettenberger, he sexually assaulted a female, what in the heck do you expect CMR to do? @Will, when was the last time Murray got into trouble???
eagle87
February 8th, 2011
11:22 am
Why does everyone think he is automatically coming to southern? We have plenty of running backs signed as well as coming back that should make more of an impact than Ealey. Thanks, but no thanks, maybe the G.S.U. in the Atl will take him.
McDawg
February 8th, 2011
11:23 am
we need Ealey-period
this is too bad but if he can’t handle the competition then so be it –i personally think he is a fine back
so much for depth at running back ( hope Crowell knows how to pass block)
lets go Boo
Concrete Pete
February 8th, 2011
11:23 am
Hey WDE: Are you scouting other teams message boards to see who you want to pull for once the NCAA eliminates Bobby Lowder, Milton McGregor and Jimmy Rane’s program? I hope you have a good memory, because you’re going .500 at best this year and will be given the death penalty or as close as possible by the NCAA when the Feds make their case against your “Board of Trustees/Redneck good ole boy boosters”. AUBURN IS FINISHED!!! DENY ALL YOU WANT BUT YOU KNOW IT!!!! Troy State season tickets will go through the roof!
coachx
February 8th, 2011
11:24 am
Simply shape up Ealey.
You have too much talent to be at Ga Southern.
GIVE ME A BREAK
February 8th, 2011
11:24 am
Let’s see what Richt does when Crowell gets in trouble. It’s going to happen.
dawgfacedboy
February 8th, 2011
11:25 am
To the guy using the Lord’s name as his NAME, you are a tasteless human being. Coaches do that to light a fire under the other players and to motivate him to work hard.
BreakingNews
February 8th, 2011
11:26 am
Let Ealey and King take a hike – both have shown themselves to be clowns. Clean house and just let Crowell and Ken Malcome handle the RB duties next year
The U
February 8th, 2011
11:26 am
He may kick a player off the team for this while a gator RB gets suspened 2 games for a death threat.
The Dogs ain’t that loaded to throw a productive player like Ealy off the team. Wake up Richt and Dog fans.
Mike
February 8th, 2011
11:27 am
Seems to me the 2nd “Will” at 11:09 has a very different tone than the Will above him.
Probably some Richt-ite, trying to fake like he’s Will, because he’s intimidated by the intellect.
Hey Jeff, kick that clown off, ok?
option smoption
February 8th, 2011
11:27 am
Cb@CB.com…speak for yourself. He would dominate at southern and I would love to see him there.