Dogs’ running game back from the dead?
Washaun Ealey scores the first of his two touchdowns against Tennessee Tech. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Maybe it’s still the afterglow of a beautiful weekend in Athens, but I’m feeling better about Georgia’s running game.
After being declared dead or missing in action in the LSU and Tennessee games, the turnaround began in the fourth quarter against Vandy and continued for the most part against top-ranked Florida (the Dogs were moving the ball when they weren’t committing penalties or turning it over). And while they were facing a pitifully undermanned defense against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, the Dogs had a chance to build their confidence on the ground and looked good doing it.
I was particularly impressed by Washaun Ealey, who despite not playing in the first few games gets my vote for most improved so far this season. The offensive line, which seems to have jelled on a lineup now after constant rejiggering earlier in the season, still isn’t great, but Ealey hits what holes they do open fast and hard and in five games is averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Caleb King still does a bit too much dancing around at the line of scrimmage, but he’s also coming along, and his pass protection is a big plus and the main reason why he’ll probably remain the starter for now. If the Dogs could get consistent run-blocking, I think Ealey and King have the potential to develop into an effective one-two punch at tailback.
Plus Branden Smith’s speed is an awesome weapon, if Georgia can just figure out the best time and place to use it. He’s shown a couple of times this season what he can do, but for much of the year Mike Bobo’s calls involving Smith have been so predictable that SEC defenses nail him before he can get up to warp speed. The Auburn game would be a good time to mix up the playbook a little and catch some folks napping with misdirection.
So which Dog are you most impressed with three-quarters of the way through the season? And do you think the rushing game really has gotten on track?
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101 comments Add your comment
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
10:23 am
45 – 42 !!!!!! hahahahahhahahahahaha
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
10:25 am
Uga only played Tenn Tech. you act like Uga beat the no 1 team in the nation!
L-Dawg
November 9th, 2009
10:26 am
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!!
WHAT DO GEORGIA TECH “FANS” AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON?? tHEY ARE BOTH THOROUGHLY OBSESSED WITH THEM DAWGS AND WHAT GOES DOWN IN THE GREAT TOWN OF ATHENS, GA!!!!
IF YOU TECH FANS WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH THIS BLOG AND COME HERE EVERYDAY SAW WHAT I SAW ON YOUR LITTLE “FLATS” THIS PAST SATURDAY, YOU AND I BOTH KNOW YOU ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE 7TH BEST TEAM IN THE NATION….. AND YOU KNOW A OLID BEATDOWN IS IN YOUR NEAR FUTURE SIMILAR TO WHAT MIAMI DID TO YOU EARLIER THIS SEASON……. JUST SAYING!!!!
KEEP WILLIE MARTINEZ AND HIS SHUTOUT!!!!!
KEEP MIKE BOBO AND HIS 38 POINTS IN 32 MINS!!!!
GO DAWGS!!! (SORRY HERSCHEL TALKER, I DIDNT MEAN TO BE A BLIND HOMER BY CONTINUING TO SUPPORT MY WINNING PROGRAM AT 5-4)
L-Dawg
November 9th, 2009
10:27 am
SAINT SIMONS……
I DO RECAL YOU MORONS ON THIS BLOG AFTER WEEK ONE ACTING LIKE YOU WERE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AFTER BEATING YOUR DIV II RIVAL JACKSONVILLE STATE……..
Hello --
November 9th, 2009
10:28 am
The running game might be looking a little better against Tenn Tech — but the key will be Willie being able to stop Gus
On the other hand...
November 9th, 2009
10:28 am
ESPN’s projection:
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Georgia vs. ACC
Can’t think of a better bowl name for UGAY to attend. Y’all have fun with that and stay away from the rest stops. HAHAHAHAHA
L-Dawg
November 9th, 2009
10:29 am
1ST TWO COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG ARE FORM A TECHIE SAYING NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT UGA…….
ONCE AGAIN……..
WHAT DO GEORGIA TECH “FANS” AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON?? tHEY ARE BOTH THOROUGHLY OBSESSED WITH THEM DAWGS AND WHAT GOES DOWN IN THE GREAT TOWN OF ATHENS, GA!!!!
dooley
November 9th, 2009
10:29 am
very impressed with the run defense this year. if not for bad playcalling on d, this could be a dominant defense.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
10:30 am
Troy is ranked higher than UGA!!!!!1 hahahahahahahahahahaha
PMC
November 9th, 2009
10:30 am
Ealey. He’s done an excellent job running this year when he had the chance. Pass Protection is not something that is easy for freshmen to pickup if they haven’t done it much before and the spead of the game is much much quicker than he experienced in high school. Also on defnese I think Baccari Rambo has done well. I’m also impressed with the bulk of the work from Brandon Boykin. He has covered well most of the year.
If the BCS system is going to be what it is bolstering stats and wins against sisters of the poor in non conference is just going to be the norm.
Kendawg
November 9th, 2009
10:32 am
I would not get too excited about running the ball well against Tenn Tech. They were little better than a high school team. Saturday against Auburn will be an indication as to whether the Dawgs have gotten better at running the ball. The next two games should give us an idea as to whether the Dawgs have improved or not. My guess is very little.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
10:34 am
Week 1 GT was no 1 in the state of Ga !!!!!! 45-42 hahahahahahahahaha
Doofus Dawg
November 9th, 2009
10:37 am
Yeahhhhh Baby.,….now that we kicked the crap out ot Tennessee maybe Lane Kiffin will keep his mouth shut. Uhhhhhh…what? Ohhh it was Tennessee Tech??? Duhhhhh…never mind.
TGT
November 9th, 2009
10:39 am
Bill,
Are you serious? Why bother writing an article after UGA plays a glorified high school team?
richtisthenewfulmer j.
November 9th, 2009
10:40 am
I went to dinner w/ 2 dawg fans Saturday nite and asked them this question: would you fire Richt tomorrow if you were guaranteed Gruden. They both said no, I told them to quit drinking. Comments?
Montgomery Burns
November 9th, 2009
10:43 am
Great points, Bill. Great win for Georgia. I suggest that you keep both Martinez and Bobo after that win.
Signed,
Rest of the SEC
Mikey
November 9th, 2009
10:43 am
1- Ealey
2- King
3- Samuel
4- anyone seen Carlton Thomas?
5- anyone seen Kalvin Daniels?
godawgs
November 9th, 2009
10:44 am
Hi Bill-
Right on. Georgia under Richt is 17-2 when we rush for over 200 yards.
When we have a 100 yard RUSHER, Richt is 38-3.
We HAVE to get the rushing game going.
Why do you think Georgia has struggled to have a 100 yard rusher this year? I think the rotation system hurts us—it hurts continuity–shows indecisiveness–creates doubt in minds. We should have learned with Knowshon that going with one guy wins games.
38-3, hard to argue against that?
Well, at least...
November 9th, 2009
10:46 am
…now we know that UGA is a very good 1AA team – not sure how they would fair against Appy State, Youngstown State or Montana, but at least they can play in 1AA!
And, we know that Willie can coach at the 1AA level.
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 9th, 2009
10:49 am
L-Dawg, you need to settle down little brother. I don’t won’t anymore fighting between you and Herschel Talker.
By the way, did you know Herschel Talker likes men who like men?
Congratulations one a signature win for your dogs, very impressive defense.
Old Dawg
November 9th, 2009
10:50 am
Saint Simons GT 1 win UGA 7 in 8 year that not a good team a lucky one
Todd
November 9th, 2009
10:57 am
BILL, WHAT HAPPEND TO YOUR FACE PAINTING GIG.
DUDE, YOU CAN’T EVEN GIVE AWAY TIX AFTER PIMPING SOME LAME PAINT FACE RAFFLE.
COME ON DUDE.
On the other hand...
November 9th, 2009
10:57 am
Old Dawg
November 9th, 2009
10:50 am
Saint Simons GT 1 win UGA 7 in 8 year that not a good team a lucky one
Instead of “Old Dawg”, you might consider a few more accurate monikers:
Illiterate Dawg
Dumb Dawg
Dawgie Can Read
or, of course it could just be…
Ghetto Dawg
Abilene
November 9th, 2009
10:57 am
Give us a break, Bill! You’re impressed because the Dawgs ran well against Vandy and Tenn Tech? Against any other team, they’re as inept as they were at the start of the season.
Yes, the talent is there, but the problem is – as always – Mark Richt. Fire Richt, get a winning coach, and we’ll win. And I’m not talking about winning with an 9-3 or 10-2 record and watching Florida play in the SEC championship game every year. I’m talking about a real coach who will take the Dawgs to Atlanta and on to a BCS bowl. We’ll never have that with Richt. Never.
In your heart, you know I’m right.
godawgs
November 9th, 2009
10:57 am
I’ve noticed Florida starts out 2009 with 2 cream-puff games:
2009
Charleston Southern
Troy
I don’t think these wins are meaningless. It creates MOMENTUM and CONFIDENCE. From a scheduling standpoint, Meyers is a GENIUS. He doesn’t schedule any tough opponents until weeks down the line.
I wish Ga had scheduled T Tech in week 1!!
JB
November 9th, 2009
10:59 am
Please, nothing was proved after Saturday. What was proved to me was on the field in Knoxville and Jacksonville.
Been There
November 9th, 2009
11:04 am
GT = GayToo
L-Dawg
November 9th, 2009
11:05 am
RAMBLE ON…..
AND THE QUESTION IS ASKED ONCE AGAIN…..
WHAT DO YOU AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON?? YOU ARE BOTH OBSESSED WITH THEM DAWGS AND WHAT GOES ON IN THE GREAT TOWN OF ATHENS, GA!!!!
BEEN MUGGED LATELY??
godawgs
November 9th, 2009
11:06 am
Wrong JB, as Bill recognized and pointed out, rushing is the key.
Georgia proved Sst that when we run the ball well, no one can beat us.
Richt is 17-2 when we rush over 200 yards–that formula was proven again.
Georgia is the only team that has beat Georgia this year with poor rushing and turnovers. No one has really beaten us yet.
When we rush well, and limit turonovers, no one can beat us.
godawgs
November 9th, 2009
11:10 am
Bill-
Georgia is 38-3 when we have a 100 yard rusher–next year looks good for that direction, Ealey got 87 with 7 touches, not too bad. 2 others guys rushed for over 70–not too bad.
Glad you chose to focus on Georgia’s rushing game. It’s one of the biggest keys to Georgia’s success, along with turnovers. Georgia’s been at the bottom of the SEC stats in rushing. It shows up in the w/l.
JB
November 9th, 2009
11:11 am
Abilene…………………………………….. It pains me, but you are correct…..I’ve met Mark over 10 times and love the guy, but I can’t put my finger on it other than to judge him by decisions he has made as CEO, especially the last two seasons. We had no QB ready after Stafford. our OL is knocking no one off the ball and almost last in rushing in Div 1 at tailback U, we continue to have horrible special teams, very predictable and “system” play calling, little to no adjustments at halftime, very unprepared for “big games’, letting Martinez call all the shots on defense while getting pounded against good teams, making average QB’s look like Peyton Manning against us, gassed by the 3rd Quarter, continue letting Evans play Db over this Rambo guy and on and on and on…..We are good at one thing………….SPIN.
gRindL88
November 9th, 2009
11:12 am
I hate to see L-Dawg posting on a Monday morning. It means he’s not even trying to get a job this week, so he’s hanging around his double wide, eating his Cheetos and web-surfing. How much longer will his unemployment checks last?
What a pathetic wretch. At least he’s good for a few laughs!
Only 19 days till the Dawgs are on the losing end of the beatdown in Atlanta. It’s going to be sooooo satisfying when Tech’s student-athletes whip the UGA morons. Sooooo satisfying.
I’ll go ahead and predict a big Tech win, say 52-17.
Flash message to insiders:
wb7j3 l9dir 6vo33 phd6z 8g94c nw9m1 k8igs ncny4 cx31f lu72g 5d7a2 b4ssu nd36k
key tango echo
JB
November 9th, 2009
11:16 am
Something tells me we beat Tech…..willie’s last game and he goes out swinging.
godawgs
November 9th, 2009
11:17 am
Florida leads the SEC in rushing this year, well over 200 yards a game, Alabama is over 200 average per game too.
That’s the way to win the SEC & Natl’ Chamionship- run the ball for 200+ a game.
Georgia will get it done the rest of this year, and will lead the SEC in rushing in 2010.
DirtyDawg
November 9th, 2009
11:20 am
None of us can be optimistic about the next three games…hopeful, but hardly optimistic. What we can be is rabidly supportive of ‘our’ team – players and coaches – and not take one once of crap off anybody. From all indications, and certainly you can bet that every know-it-all writer/blogging pundit/smarta$$whiteboy will pick Tech big, and don’t ask me how in blazes we’re favored in this weekend’s game with Auburn. But with a few breaks, determination and discipline…well, we’ll see.
The one thing I’m really hopeful of is the opportunity to say to all those bandwagoneers down on the ‘flats’…’hope you’ve enjoyed your ‘Year of Living Arrogantly’ cause it’s over’. There I go letting my Bulldog mouth get ahead of myself. And while I’m at it, I’d like to suggest that we refer to the formation where young Mr. Smith takes the direct snap and tries to out-run everybody to the goal-line as the Wild Dog (or Dawg, if you prefer) and not the Wild Bulldog – after all, we love the Bulldog for his tenacity, not his speed.
Summit Dawg..
November 9th, 2009
11:21 am
I’m puzzled! Why recruit one of the best backs in the country, (Ealey) and not put the ball in his hands more than seven times a game? Come on Bobo, turn Washaun loose!!!!
uuughh...
November 9th, 2009
11:24 am
JB = Correct
godawgs = Dead wrong.
The quality of a team is defined by their performances against the best opposition. We got crushed again this year angainst Florida, who is good. We got crushed against Tennessee who is not even that good. Meaning our Dawgs are far from good.
So we can run the ball against Tennessee Tech. This proves nothing, NOTHING!
I’ll tell you what proves more than anything…our play calling on 3 and long. 3rd and 15? Run play. 3rd and 12? Run play. All season long! Bobo apparently has no confidence in our offense.
Did anybody see P. Johnson go for it on 4th and the ball game in OT on Saturday night? Believing in your players is contagious.
Running the ball on 3rd and 15, or giving up on the possession, breeds a lack of confidence in the players. Keep up the good work Coaches!!
We will get beat by 4 touchdowns agains GT this year if this keeps up.
Summit Dawg..
November 9th, 2009
11:24 am
Hey St. Simons, what was Wake ranked?…….took you to overtime!!!!
Tailback U
November 9th, 2009
11:25 am
Do you kinda find it hard to grasp the question Bill asks guys?
You can correct me if I am wrong Bill but I think you were looking
at the strides the running game has made after the Tennessee game.
And as I look at the emergence of Ealey and improved play overall
I am personally encouraged by the results. You can tell very little
about the performance against Tennessee Tech except to say the Dawgs
running game continued headed in the right direction. They did OK
against Vandy showing some positive signs and looked more effective
than any of us would have ever thought against Florida. What little
you can ascertain about the last game is strictly watching the
continued maturation and skill set of the freshman. The future is
bright if we can fix the quarterback and defense issues. Bill I have
a question that I have mulled over a couple of weeks now please
respond to it if you will. As Georgia fans we tend to get very excited about the recruiting classes tha CMR produces because a
lot of us are familiar with the skill set these kids bring from
high school football. This past year’s haul of talent is a great
example. It is plain to see that a significant amount of these
guys were indeed worthy of their top assessment. But two things
about that . Number one is that CMR seems to put an over emphasis
on skill players. I believe a better philosophy would be more of
a emphasis on the players that play with intellegence and more emphasis to the guys who are difference makers on defense. Last thing is I am
beginning to believe that you can have too much similar skill talent.
Players need to play to get better and when playing time is
so spread out among a large number of athletes it keeps them from
becoming as skilled as they can be . Would you agree a recruiting
philosophy change is needed along with the other changes that have
already been discussed?
Eddie Merckx
November 9th, 2009
11:27 am
Most Impressive: AJ Green, Drew Butler
Opinion on the rushing game is yet to be determined…
Will
November 9th, 2009
11:27 am
Can you imagine Ryan Mallett and Arkansas vs. Sweet Willie and the soft cover 2 next year? That one is going to be scary.
uuughh...
November 9th, 2009
11:29 am
Furthermore…why should a defense respect Joe Cox? I’d load up the box and make us pass the ball…because every other pass is going to be thrown into double coverage (or worse). Without AJ, Cox is Reggie Ball.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
11:30 am
Wake was ranked higher than Tenn Tech!
godawgs
November 9th, 2009
11:34 am
uuughh–you can TRY to argue that it’s NOT about running the ball, it’s about passing the ball, or beating high quality teams or whatever…
But you are WRONG—38-3 when we have a 100 yard rusher–that’s the stat to remember. If you don’t like a 38-3 record, that’s YOUR problem.
Passing is NOT the key to winning in the SEC–as Florida or Alabama do NOT lead in that stat.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
November 9th, 2009
11:36 am
L-DAWG…..
CAPS LOCK = cruise control for COOL!!!!!
It sure was a great Saturday in the state of GA. The jackets moved up from 10th to 7th and the dawgs moved up from 51 to somewhere in the forties. I think Willy and Bobo might have saved there jobs.
To bad 1AA opponents don’t count when it comes to bowl eligibility. Have to win out to become bowl eligible.
What a mighty fall that would be 2008 = preseason #1 / 2009 = No bowl game.
Jefferson
November 9th, 2009
11:39 am
That’s like beating up your little sister, TN Tech. A tough schedlule only counts if you win otherwise you look like a homecoming team. UGA is really down.
38 Yardline Dawg
November 9th, 2009
11:43 am
Tenn Tech…what a joke. Dawg linemen had 6 inches and 50 pounds or more on every Tech lineman. It’s embarrassing to beat up such an little team just for kicks on homecoming.
godawgs is right…the SEC is not won with passing. Defense will win this and just about every other year. Too bad we’re lost on that front. Fire Martinez or embrace SEC mediocracy!
BankerDawg
November 9th, 2009
11:44 am
Gashing TN Tech does not mean our running game is back from the dead.
Good grief.
We have a ton of work to do before UK, AU, and GT.
DirtyDawg
November 9th, 2009
11:46 am
Make that ‘ounce’ not ‘once’…
atl-xmen
November 9th, 2009
11:48 am
i like orson charles too..he has made some great catches and is only a true freshman as well..uga program is just fine and with these young guys getting better and stronger each year i see a NC in the near future..our line is filled with soph and a few freshman also. look at how many upper classmen fla and ala and even texas have on the def side of the ball and you will see why they are the top 3 teams in college football…uga will be right there in 2 years…we go 9-4 this year after losing the number 1 pick and the number 12 pick in the nfl draft,and with mostly freshmen and soph on defense..richt and company have done there job just fine…our running game is down a bit because we have true sophs and true freshamn running behind a young offense line with mostly sophs..not the coaches fault stafford left early or moreno..i have no worries about the program of uga as long as richt and company are there..they are proven winners..we dont gruden or kirby smart or muschamp..we just have to have these young guys get older and let them grow into powerful/fast seniors…so jb just relax and let tech enjoy there the 9-4 or 10-3 season…fla enjoy there 3rd natl title in 4 years..because those guys will have to sit enjoy more bulldogs victories for as long as richt is there and watch the bulldogs win the sec now that tebow is gone and fla will have to play with young guys next year…