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
dawggone
February 8th, 2011
12:29 pm
Richt needs to put Ealey and King on the road…not very good role models.
Dawggrl
February 8th, 2011
12:31 pm
Not quite sure why there are all of these Ealey haters. I hope he gets his act together, but if he feels that a transfer to Ga Southern is in his best interest, I wish him luck. People who love to play the game and are constantly trying to improve would look at the ‘Dream Team’ as a chance to really improve and show all the coaches and fans what they are made of…
thetruth
February 8th, 2011
12:33 pm
Hope all these new signees are reading this….seeing how THuga fans treat their own players once they’ve tired of them and think they have something better. You’re program is getting ready to go from bad to washed up leghumpers!! Enjoy!
dawggone
February 8th, 2011
12:33 pm
Cherry how stupid do you get…..whats your problem?
Choke
February 8th, 2011
12:34 pm
Cofan: What has Richt done that was so improper and/or unfair?
-Figgins got suspended for violation of team rules. He got 6 months b/c, apparently, the lesson didn’t take hold the first time he was suspended for violation of team rules. I’m not going to refer to what the specific violations were b/c nobody really knows except those closely assocated w/ the program. Any info beyond that is based merely on rumor.
-King got plenty of reps, even after Ealey arrived on campus. Ealey didn’t even get a rep until the LSU game. So, I fail to see the validity of that point.
-Some people have accused Richt of employing the same tactic w/ the Mett/Murray situation. Mett had to be kicked off the team. The same people would be accusing Richt of letting “the inmates run the asylum” if Richt had not taken a hard disciplinary line.
The point is that these players do it to themselves. If they were doing what they were supposed to be doing, they would be in a position to compete for the starting job. Instead, when an elite recruit shows up on campus, they respond poorly and get in trouble. Ealey has no one but himself to blame. Show up for your punishment run; it’s simple. While he likely doesn’t deserve to be kicked off the team for this, he certainly should be on an extremely tight leash after this.
As for posters claiming that Richt is soft on players the team needs, I say look at the Montez Robinson situation. That’s an elite player that we needed badly last year: a big outside linebacker. Instead, we suffered through poor depth at the position all season long.
As for those claiming that Murray wouldn’t receivve the same treatment: there is no evidence that Murray ever engages in this sort of conduct. EVER. He does what he’s supposed to do.
David
February 8th, 2011
12:35 pm
Maybe Tech hasn’t been able to sign the most consistent performers, but at least they have a coach who is honest and shoots straight from the hip. Unlike Richt who prefers to take it in the rear.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
February 8th, 2011
12:35 pm
CMR definitely plays favorites and Ealey is not one. That said ……. Why don’t we start making Richt & Bobo run laps and various other punishment when they do something stupid.
coachx
February 8th, 2011
12:35 pm
This is being blown way out of proportion…………..as in anything UGA related.
LawDawg
February 8th, 2011
12:35 pm
I love that recruiting story. Hopefully Crowell can stay out of trouble and live up to his potential unlike Ealey and Caleb “Jasper Sanks” King.
Jerry A
February 8th, 2011
12:36 pm
Richt didn’t bench Murray for 4 to’s against Florida, but did bench Ealey for 1 fumble.
Richt also said, before Crowell ever worked out or earned it that Crowell would run the ball “heavily” for Georgia.
Alabama Jack
February 8th, 2011
12:36 pm
Bud – y’all won a few games but you didn’t kick anybody’s ass nor will you this year.
Cherry
February 8th, 2011
12:36 pm
If UGA is desperate for revenue producing players and willing to do whatever it takes including lowering academic standards, then I think they could sell a lot media with more and more scandals! It seems they can’t decide which route to go.
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
12:37 pm
Appears Kiffin has a leg up on Dream Team VI………
08:23 AM ET 02.08 | Nothing like getting a jump on recruiting. Lane Kiffin made news last year when, shortly after being hired at USC, he offered a scholarship to David Sills, then a seventh-grade quarterback from Delaware. Sills made a verbal commitment to the Trojans and started for Red Lion Christian Academy last season as an eighth-grader. Sills’ Southern California-based private quarterback coach, Steve Clarkson, caused a minor stir Monday when he told The Times that Auburn had offered Sills a scholarship. … Said Sills’ father: “David was not offered by Auburn,” the elder Sills said in a phone interview. “We have a very good relationship with their coaches. They all know he wants to go to USC.”
Los Angeles Times
Read more: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/265614-eighth-grader-remains-committed-to-usc?eref=sihp#ixzz1DOEilYUW
Choke
February 8th, 2011
12:37 pm
Cherry, I couldn’t agree w/ you more: Mettenger is definitely black.
Dr. Phil
February 8th, 2011
12:37 pm
Richt’s psychodrama to lure Crowell to Athens is probably the poorest display of leadership since Richt ordered the team to dance in the end zone in the UF game. It illustrates Richt’s double standard. Richt has not toughened up on bad behavior. He has coddled starting players while dismissing those who are less talented for lesser offenses to free up scholarships. Ealey and King are entitlement personified, and it is probable that Crowell will turn out the same. Since Richt wants to be on the “cutting edge” of football coaches, he should begin by reading about Vince Lombardy. Richt has shot himself, and the “dream team” in the foot, and the season hasn’t even started.
dawggone
February 8th, 2011
12:37 pm
Kids will be kids..if you have any you know that. Agree its time some grow up and become men.
BMac
February 8th, 2011
12:37 pm
Yes, Auburn has a national title. Why? Do you ask? Because they have no morals or ethical standards on the players they recruit. How many times did key players from Auburn get suspended last year? How many cheap shots did Fairley take at opposing players? After the play was over, knees to the head, laying out at a QBs knees when you outweigh him by 200 lbs. Not even get started on SCam Newton. Congratulations Auburn enjoy it while it lasts because youve got an “at best” chance at 7-5 next year. And will be staring at the bottom of Crowells cleats come November in Athens. Go Dawgs!
gadawgs
February 8th, 2011
12:38 pm
Buck Belue said on Twitter that the word is Washaun cannot keep up with the new strength and conditioning program and he is being made an example of. He said that the new mantra is either you are all in…or you are out. If this is the case I am loving it because that means that Coach T and Thomas Brown are workin’ em hard and it’s about time.
Cherry
February 8th, 2011
12:38 pm
UGA – doormat of SEC
GEORGIA97
February 8th, 2011
12:38 pm
@Will – I just hope that when you and the Scarecrow get to Oz the Wizard has two brains to hand out. Clearly, you would be out of your depth in a puddle.
Belcher
February 8th, 2011
12:38 pm
We don’t want Ealey at Ga Southern!! We only have class players!!!!
Cool aid drinker
February 8th, 2011
12:40 pm
Don’t know if I like putting all our eggs in the Crowell (or anyone else’s) basket. Ealey = victim of his own ego.
go dawgs
February 8th, 2011
12:40 pm
Is there absolutely no requirement for competency in English to graduate from Georgia?
Joseph
February 8th, 2011
12:41 pm
He probably wants to play for the only D-I team in Georgia to have a winning record last season, GEORGIA SOUTHERN. GATA. I doubt he will even earn the starting spot on GSU’s roster though honestly.
Isaiah
February 8th, 2011
12:41 pm
Richt should look to line up a coaching position. Maybe he can be the man-in-waiting for Chiznik. They seem to have similar ethics.
Lagdawg
February 8th, 2011
12:42 pm
It;s about time that CMR has started clearing out the troubled players and making room for incoming talent. Saban does it all the time. If a player is not contributing to the team, show him the door. There is too much talent to recruit to put up with underperforming troublemakers. It is time that the players at UGA understand that they can be replaced with someone that actually wants to play football without getting into any trouble. Personally I think suspending him is a waste of time and we can use the spot for the next recruiting class. There are definately better RBs to bring into the program that will make an immediate contribution to the program.
Isaiah
February 8th, 2011
12:42 pm
LOL @ go dawgs
Roy Wood
February 8th, 2011
12:42 pm
I wish you Tech fans would stay on your own blog,Just as soon as you see get rid of Richt you know Tech fans are in.I guess if someone had beat me 10 of 11 times I would hope he got Fired too.I would bet this if Richt is fired he can work that fall.The point is he wont be out of work long.The others I guess Richt didnt sign an autograph or something.Not to many coaches have his record.Dooly wouldnt have made it 10 yrs in this period of time.Everything is now.
dawgster
February 8th, 2011
12:43 pm
Its amazing how classless so many of you on here are…thats why most of the respectful bloggers that actually know a little about football are having civil conversations on other blog sites…I wish some of you would take a look in the mirror…you know who you are…when you are bashing a young man and don’t have any clue to what the situation is, but you are willing to bash away…Will, Jason(not Jason13), Nick Fairley, Cofan…you really represent whatever schools you think you have all the answers…its amazing that you can call yourself a football fan of any school…i feel sad for you guys…maybe you just don’t know any better…maybe all you know is just how to be angry and put someone down sitting behind you computer…I doubt any of you have the guts to get on a football field or say some of the stuff you are commenting to these guys faces…I’m sure you have your reasons and you justify it to yourself, but alot of your comments are over the line in my opinion…Ealey does have some growing up to do, that may or may not be at UGA. i’m sure that will be decided, but he still is a young person who obvisously needs some direction..Maybe Coach Richt can help with that, maybe not, but i’m just glad people didn’t give up on me and i’m also glad that i don’t throw my own children under the bus when they mess up and yes they have messed more than once as i did….Its sad that our world has people that think the way you guys appear to think by the things you say…but i guess its easy when there is no accoutability for what you type on these blogs…..
Jeremy
February 8th, 2011
12:44 pm
I can only imagine how awesome Tech would be if they signed Georgia’s Dream team. Combine them with a coach who knows what he’s doing…damn, that would be awesome. I guess it will never happen since Tech requires literacy to make the team.
1eyedJack
February 8th, 2011
12:44 pm
Somebody said, “Maybe CPJ is rubbing off on some of you guys after all.”
That is a terrible thing to say and just plain nasty. Who would want that greasy fish fryer rubbing on them.
As far as Ealey is concerned, he didn’t know he was supposed to run. It seems that Coach told Ealey’s daddy that Ealey was supposed to run. That should let Ealey off the hook.
Preston
February 8th, 2011
12:45 pm
It absolutely sucks that this kid won’t get his s@#$ together and help the team and help himself. He’s an excellent back that without doubt would’ve had a serious “breakout” year behind an improved O line. I’m proud of Coach Richt for drawing the line and I’m grateful that we signed Crowell. I just hate to put too much pressure on a true freshman. I’m thinking more and more that there’s something special happening with the development of the other RB that redshirted last year (can’t remember his name-starts with an M) and I wouldn’t be surprised to see King out soon as well. Free up some schollies for kids that are serious about coming to Athens to work their tails off to take advantage of a great opportunity. I would like to see them both transfer to GA Southern to help the cousin university and see if they can keep their noses clean and humble their arses at the same time.
GTH318A
February 8th, 2011
12:45 pm
Why is it always “the next Herschel Walker” with UGA fans? He played for Georgia 30 years ago for God’s sake. This Crowell kid will be a bust just like Ealey and King, don’t worry. UGA recruits thugs, we all know this. But you silly Georgia fans seem to expect them to behave like Rhodes scholars. Good luck on repeating as Fulmer Cup champs. How ‘Bout Dem Dawgs? PISS ON ‘EM!
Choke
February 8th, 2011
12:45 pm
Murray had a bad game against UF . . . as a freshman QB . . . against a group of stellar DBs. Yet he still kept it a close game. And he threw for over 300. Do you really think it would have been wise to pull him out and put in Mason? Not to mention, it’s important to give your QB a vote of confidence. All young, QBs are going to have bad games from time to time. That’s hardly favoritism.
Ealey’s fumbles were unacceptable. And we at least had SOME experience behind him.
Some people say that Richt played favorites w/ Thomas Brown, that Richt was delusional in thinking that Brown was his new Dunn. Brown was a good back. And he was extremely productive in the 2007 GT game, especially when compared to Moreno’s largely ineffective rushing performance. Depth and rotation are good things, especially at RB. QB is a much different situation, though.
Jason13
February 8th, 2011
12:46 pm
Thank you dogster for your approval, though it seems you are the classless one.
bigeasy830
February 8th, 2011
12:46 pm
I recently had a conversation with a former UGA player that played in the 2002-2004 season, this young man is from Florida was one of those 4 star recruits. From this conversation, I gathered that this young man cared nothing for Mark Richt or UGA. Now this is nothing against Mark Richt, from what the young man was saying, Mark Richt was trying to make a positive influence on the young mans life. But, I bet there are many more like him on the UGA roster now. That is why this is a wasted of a year for UGA with Mark Richt at the helm. We need someone to clean the trash out of the program. You can’t save someone who does not want to be saved. These young men don’t want to be saved. Thery are making their own decisions. We will have to take a farther step back to move forward. 6-7 last year should have been the starting point. The point to start over. Mark Richt must go. He is not the man to bring the program back, because some his recruits who are bad examples of men are the reason the program is down. On the collegiate level you will win more with a group of less talented good young men that believes in team work than with more talent that does not play like a team. These recruits that UGA is getting in now do not understand what the saying means when we say ‘Georgian By Birth A Georgia Bulldog By The Grace Of God”.
WnE
February 8th, 2011
12:46 pm
The GT fans are so friggin’ hypocritical, we at GT had the same thing happen with our own Chris Jackson when Teflon-CPJ showed him the door for similar mistakes and yet no one called him a thug.
There’s no excuse for a CFB Player to half-A$$ it when it come to conditioning & FB-related activities.
Ealey is getting what he deserves for being lazy & stupid, but lazy & stupid doesn’t make you a thug, when so many weasely, wussified GT fans throw around the “thug tag” at opposing SAs it comes across as “semi-racist” to outsiders.
Misdemeanor moving violations doesn’t make anyone a thug, yet GT fans are always the first to throw around that label, it makes GT Fans look like wusses and is embarrassing for those GT fans that are “normal”.
BTW, Boo Malcome (sp?) the guy that was RS’d last season is probably better than Ealey & King are anyway.
Tech Tard
February 8th, 2011
12:47 pm
“But Ealey might want to take this as a hint, and transfer. He has two years of eligibility left and he’s in a pretty deep hole with Richt. Working his way out of that now might be impossible and transferring might be his best option.”
Ealey needs to take this as a hint and GROW UP,not quit.
Th(UGA) strikes AGAIN
February 8th, 2011
12:47 pm
dawgster you are one mutt fan that is classless. You and the rest of thuga’s fans need to condem this criminal activity and stand up against this thugish behavior.
Ashley
February 8th, 2011
12:48 pm
Are there any single UGA fans on here in Atlanta? I’ve love to meet up with a good looking guy under 35 for some fun and great dawg conversation. As for Ealey, let it ride.
Dawg Dog
February 8th, 2011
12:49 pm
Hopefully he straightens up. I think Ealey could be an incredible player for us if he puts his mind to it.
FedUpWithThugs
February 8th, 2011
12:49 pm
Jeff…you neglected to mention his little parking garage accident happened to 3:30 a.m on a school night! Kinda important to me for a scholar/athlete! Put a reasonable curfew on everyone M-TH….NOT much to ask for a free schoolarship!
Another three name for Ealey: DUMB A$$ THUG!
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALER
February 8th, 2011
12:50 pm
WDE:
You just won the stupidest post of the year award….If the ones who are there now don’t get a fire lit under them by Joe T, then maybe this freshman group will light that fire….Don’t feel sorry for these poor little helpless babes, think Coach Richt has had enough of the primadonnas and wants to let some play who really get excited to play….if they show no more leadership than they did last year, maybe these freshmen can lead them into battle….
Preston
February 8th, 2011
12:51 pm
Roy, the best thing to do is ignore the jealous tech fans. They are an inferior program that absolutely cannot stop reading UGA blogs because there’s never anything exciting to read on theirs. The AJC staffers have a very tough time finding anything to write about the trade school so they come here to talk trash. It’s sad really. I would hate to think that my team was so pathetic that I had to go to the in-state rivals blogs to try and stir up s#$% every day. I laugh at these people every single day!
Jerry A
February 8th, 2011
12:51 pm
Aaron Murray, “the Golden Child”, had more turnovers in the Florida game, than Ealey did in 2 seasons.
Yet Richt benched Ealey, and gave Murray a pass.
Mike
February 8th, 2011
12:53 pm
It’s okay. Ealey has never showed us he’s a conduct guy. He doesn’t deserve to wear the red and black.
I personally believe Georgia could have an awesome 1-2 punch with Isaiah Crowell and Carlton Thomas, who’s been behind Ealey and King.
Outside Observer
February 8th, 2011
12:54 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/411074-together-king-and-ealey-could-be-georgias-next-herschel-walker
Haha. I still remember when dawg fans still believed this. I hope the best for Crowell, but I also wish him good luck if things don’t pan out. You can come in with all the hype in the world, but if you don’t produce on the field, these fans will turn into a pack of rabid dogs (pardon the pun).
JB
February 8th, 2011
12:54 pm
We are about to be caught desperately thin at RB. Crowell,Thomas and Malcome for next year looks possible, and two of three have never played college ball, and Thomas, big heart and all, has showed us so far why he was allowed to be recruited out of Florida. Air Georgia here we come.
Dawg Dog
February 8th, 2011
12:55 pm
Ashley,
How much do you weigh?
dawgster
February 8th, 2011
12:55 pm
Not to throw stones, but take a look at Vols 247 sports and see the number of kids that are off the team for several reasons…one being their all-sec safety Jackson…again not picking on the Vols, just trying to show you that all programs encounter problems…all you can do is to continue to teach and limit these incidents as best you can…Hopefully the dawg program has taken steps to limit alot of the stuff that has plagued us, but i don’t think any school can completely close the door on these off field incidents….go dawgs