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
Ryno
February 8th, 2011
12:56 pm
Hide Washedup at Ga Military, which is SOP for Richt, and bring him back under the guise of this waterhead having “learned his lesson”. This lameduck coach needs every possible option to save his job.
RambleOn84
February 8th, 2011
12:56 pm
WnE,
No one is fooled. Get a life.
Jesse Stone
February 8th, 2011
12:56 pm
WnE-shouldn’t you be out harassing 17-year olds on Twitter?
mm
February 8th, 2011
12:57 pm
Good for CMR. Start showing these upperclassmen the starting jobs are not their’s because they are older. Play the best ballplayers and see where the chips land.
By the way, we still have Richard Samuels.
but but but
February 8th, 2011
12:58 pm
And Saban is EVIL when he does the same thing. Double standard.
hello dummie
February 8th, 2011
12:59 pm
hey will can you say moron . are you really comparing mettenberger to arron. ur a doush.
Jesse Stone
February 8th, 2011
12:59 pm
WnE is a GT supporter….and Rosie O’Donnell will be the Centerfold in next month’s Playboy.
boss dawg
February 8th, 2011
1:01 pm
Dawgster, No doubt that you are a true dawg fan , but we all tired of hearing you complain about others and telling us how you are on other better blogs ,like we actually care. Also , last year during the season many players commented on Ealeys poor attitude and lack of effort during practice,so its not a surprise that he has finally received discipline related to a “me first attitude”. I hope this is a wake up call and he turns things around.
taking out the trash
February 8th, 2011
1:01 pm
Good Riddance….Richt is just trying to clean up the program and to do so he must take out some trash…
rogeriter
February 8th, 2011
1:01 pm
Y’all are the biggest bunch of whiney-mouths. If it isn’t Richt, it’s Ealey, or King or even Bobby Bowden. I haven’t seen any schools breaking down your doors to hire any of you as coach…or even seek your advice. Let Mark Richt coach his way. If he fails and is fired, maybe you can turn in your application.
Th(UGA) strikes AGAIN
February 8th, 2011
1:02 pm
dawgster supports thugish behavior
Cofan
February 8th, 2011
1:02 pm
Choke you got wrong information….but every body did on Figgins but all is well …Figgins is doing well and hanging in there. He is a great kid…and we love him
JB
February 8th, 2011
1:02 pm
I joke on here all the time about moving one of 6 or 7 TE’s to another position, and Darn if he didn’t do it. Figgins to FB. He might need to work at RB some. Hum, 6′4″ 265 lb RB.
Apples II Oranges
February 8th, 2011
1:02 pm
Look you can’t expect these come in and love UGA like fans do. Our culture has changed, this isn’t 1980 anymore. What we can and should expect is the young men to come in and work hard. To lead by example and to represent the University on and off the field the right way.
Ealey clearly has a problem with his maturity and problems with authority. This is not only a reflection of CMR,but also a realization of who failed to instill in him these essential values growing up. Ealey along with many other student athletes learn that often working hard is not required of them- on and off the field. CMR has his work cut out for him in changing a 18 year olds perception of work by the tim he gets to Athens.
CMR while not perfect, is addressing these issues. Maybe not to our speed or liking but certainly addressing them. We can be revisionist of history, but that gets us no where as a fanbase. Solidarity should be the message for the offseason for the fans, and the players just need to keep there head down and work hard. It will take a dillegent effort on both ends for 2011 to head forward on a positive note.
jerry
February 8th, 2011
1:02 pm
Look at college football’s recruiting base. No surprise here.
Fred
February 8th, 2011
1:03 pm
@WarEagleRut – if you are old enough to remember, Herschel Walker was semi-illiterate when he started at UGA. As time went on he got better and I respect him for coming back in the off season to finish his degree. The Hershel you hear now is not the Hershel from 1980! Hopefully Crowell will mature as well.
dawgster
February 8th, 2011
1:03 pm
@Jason13…not sure what you read in my comments, but i was making sure that you were not confused with the blogger using the name of “jason” only…don’t know if you thought my comments were classless or not based on what you wrote..maybe it really wasn’t you…but anyway, i was only trying to point out some of the absurd comments based on a few that happen to blog on here today…again hope you didn’t take my comments the wrong way…i beleive me an you are in agreement about this situation…go dawgs
Th(UGA) strikes AGAIN
February 8th, 2011
1:03 pm
dawgster supports this criminal activity
Th(UGA) strikes AGAIN
February 8th, 2011
1:03 pm
Dawgster is one classless thuga fan
KGB
February 8th, 2011
1:04 pm
rogeriter,
We at the KGB like the style of your most elegant speech. We do not like when the common scum…citizens…have the nerve to question and speak up about anything.
Spaceba!
jennifer
February 8th, 2011
1:05 pm
Lane Kiffin is just sorry he didn’t pull that silly stunt first. I guess the “G” in UGA stands for “gimmick.”
Preston
February 8th, 2011
1:05 pm
That’s uncalled for Dawg Dog! LMAO!
JB
February 8th, 2011
1:06 pm
None of this surprises me. A lot of these kids come from fatherless homes and the breakdown of the American family is on display before your very eyes. OK, that’s all I’ll say about it, but it’s true.
JB
February 8th, 2011
1:08 pm
What time is the Fish Fry at Tech this Friday?
WIN WITH RICHT
February 8th, 2011
1:08 pm
Ealey needs to straighten and work hard to get back in Richt’s good graces. Ealey is a very talented player that UGA needs in the fall. If, he had Thomas Brown’s attitude and work ethic, he would be awesome.
1eyedJack
February 8th, 2011
1:09 pm
Since when is failing to show up for a punishment run “criminal behavior”?
@t3
February 8th, 2011
1:09 pm
You bring up the same old tired comments from the 80’s on most every blog, Let me remind you about the “institute” with the most recent NCAA punishment for academics was tech, how about Flunkgate and only graduating 47% of football players, funny a nerd slams UGA players when 32 of the roster of 2011 held written offers from Tech.
Fred
February 8th, 2011
1:10 pm
Overall it looks to me as though many of the current and upcoming college athletes have bought into the athlete worship of today’s society. You can see from the high school level (heck, even the rec leagues) all the way up through the pros. I’m afraid that until we move away from the celebrity worship of today we will have a difficult time dealing with those that feel entitled to do what ever they please regardless of the rules. Unfortunately, those people that have that entitlement (of all races) overshadow the folks that do work hard and are upstanding citizens such as Warrick Dunn. Yes he gets some good PR out of it but the way he helps needy families is great. I’m sure there are many others but he comes to mind.
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
1:13 pm
FYI, don’t waste your time with Bradley’s Bon Jovi/Vanilla Ice piece unless you want to read stuff that actually more idiotic than this Ealey/Crowell drama.
AltamahaDawg
February 8th, 2011
1:13 pm
Will, actually the good and correct message to recruits is:
Be Mark Richt’s favorite guy.
Only one way to look at it
February 8th, 2011
1:13 pm
This issue is not about Richt.
This issue is not about Zack Mettenberger.
This issue is not about Aaron Murray.
This issue is not about the UGA players that lined up in formation with the running back spot open.
This issue is not about Caleb King.
This issue is not about coaching or a lack there of.
THIS ISSUE is about Washuan Ealey. HE made his choices and it is not beyond his control, or then, maybe it is now beyond. Folks ……………… in life you live with your decisions.
If he leaves on his own ……………. that comfirms that he lacked the necessary ingredients of being a real man. He ran, instead of competing.
This will be his short UGA legacy. Forgotten within another year.
john
February 8th, 2011
1:14 pm
Ghetto is as Ghetto does ! Good riddance to a loser !
JB
February 8th, 2011
1:15 pm
@t3…now now now….We must not examine the elitist to closely. You know it’s everyone’s dream to attend Tech, become humorless, live a black and white boring world, and sit and be an Engineer. They think that if you didn’t attend Tech, you are eating mush and looking for a bridge to jump off. Geez. Where are they getting this crap? Johnson will be fired in another 2 years. They not beating anyone ranked with this bunch he’s recruiting. Hell, he can’t beat us the last two years, and we were ripe for beating.
Fred, you are wise beyond your years
February 8th, 2011
1:17 pm
Fred, if you went to college be it a JC or Harvard, you are usually far better as a person, scholar, and otherwise, than when you began your career. This is not unique to ball players.
HW was from a small Georgia town. While at UGA, he matured and grew into what he is now. What is not to like?
Geaux Tigers!
February 8th, 2011
1:18 pm
How many chances do you get at UGA? If Richt is serious about turning things around, he’ll get rid of Ealey. He is not worth the headache. Sure it may hurt the team a bit to lose a RB of his talent but after a while, his actions will hurt the team. Miles dumped Perrilloux after knuckleheaded stuff like not attending class and showing up late to meetings. Take note Richt, sometimes the right call is the hardest one to make.
john
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
JB , the breakdown of the American Family !! Please , haven’t you ever heard of birth control ? Don’t pin this on society ,anyone who has a child out of wedlock had a choice . If you were born into a household with out a father that does not mean you can not make something of yourself . It all has to do with “society” glorifying athletes and athletics . i wish we would glorify doctors, nurses ,police and firemen as we have athletes . They carry a football … brain not needed !
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
If only your basketball team was undefeated and #1 in the country………it would help get you through these short days and cold nights……
Sean Limbaugh
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
most of you couldn’t hold Washauns jock strap yet you want to comment on his status and ability?
Paul From Milton
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
Funny, all these fans assume that Crowell is going to be the next great back in the SEC so Ealey can hit the road. But everyone thought Caleb King and Jasper Sanks were going to be great backs as well. I wouldn’t be so quick to wish Ealey, or any other player for that matter, goodbye.
WaSean Limbaugh
February 8th, 2011
1:19 pm
most of you couldn’t hold Washauns jock strap yet you want to comment on his status and ability?
JB
February 8th, 2011
1:20 pm
Herschel ain’t working 9-5 for no man, Enjoying life and wealthy….What else ya got?
CPO Dawg
February 8th, 2011
1:20 pm
Ealy is the same guy with several CRITICAL goaline fumbles this last year not to mention the suspension he had at the beginning of the the season. If he missed a discipline run workout because he missed a mandatory workout session this is the attitude that needs to be fixed, and if he is being made an example so be it this “just getting by, self-entitled” attitude is why Georgia had a losng record last year. also, If any current player has a negative attitude towards the new weight room regime or the “Dream Team” talk in regards to new incoming competition, they are in the wrong place to begin with. You better believe Boise St. is hoping the UGA team they saw lose to UCF, shows up in Atlanta.
JB
February 8th, 2011
1:21 pm
john….i think we agree.
Coaching Values
February 8th, 2011
1:21 pm
Many people have expressed opinions and there is truth to all of them. Some of the players have bad morals and much of this has been overlooked by coaches, fans and others. Some schools seem to have stricter codes to go by, but mostly standards are set by the coaches. What bothers me the VERY most is the stage set up by Coach Richt herding in the players and pointing out they were missing a tailback to Crowell and his family and would he like to have that spot. That was nauseating and if I had a son on that team or was being recruited by GA , I would use all my influence to get him away from that coach.
I AM a GT man
February 8th, 2011
1:22 pm
I sleep alone.
I wake up alone.
I shower alone.
I eat alone.
I study alone.
I dream of the UGA, Auburn, Clemson, NC and UT girls …………alone.
I watch GT play basketball alone and in an empty gym.
I watch GT play football in Grant Field with 23,000 dateless men from Chicago, NYC and Atlanta, India and Shri Lanka. They too are alone.
I walk back to my dorm ………….alone.
I go to the Varsity alone.
I blog alone.
I AM a GT man. I AM proud. I am smart. I also have no fun …………….. ever.
Buckeye
February 8th, 2011
1:22 pm
My state is a toxic waste site. Cleveland should be condemned. Columbus is worse. My team cheats, and my scummy coach doesn’t suspend them for the bowl. We beat the 5th best team in the SEC to run our record against the SEC to 1-10, and I am just giddy. We are even 0-1 lifetime against your incredible Georgia Bulldogs. I am a tool. My school is for illiterates. Yo quiero hombres.
papadawg
February 8th, 2011
1:22 pm
If I heard my Coach tell a rookie recruit he would be starting in the first game in my place I would be ticked but instead of not showing up for workouts I’d be at extra workouts trying to show I was the man. I guess he’d rather whine
G'Vegas Dawg
February 8th, 2011
1:23 pm
Ealey has to be one of the biggest disappointments to come through Athens in a long time. I’d rather lose with good kids than win with thugs. The incident when he was a senior in high school should have been an indicator of things to come.
UGAfan86
February 8th, 2011
1:23 pm
I heard from inside the dawg house that Bruce Figgins is leaving UGA in May.
Big Mama's Crew
February 8th, 2011
1:24 pm
UGA needs to hire him a crew of African American Mama’s like me that will do a “background” check when the players act up. I promise you one good “background” check and they would become tight rope walkers. That is the problem. The pickings are really slim because the last few decades of players have been brought up in the “no spanking” homes and the “just talk and reason” homes and the kids are coming to college pure nuts. While I am on the subject of behavior, did it every occur to any of you that ADHD and other behavior issues did not become common until after parents became weaklings and spankings were taken out of the schools. Now I know there will be a lot of flack from parents that have failed to discipline their children on this statement but it is true. UGA has the ADHD kids that have received no discipline and now they have no self descipline. Let me know coach. I can get about 5 more mama’s just like me, We have a process cased the “pants duster” that works miracles.