A clue to what’s been missing in Dogs’ running game
Nobody at UGA worked harder than Thomas Brown. (Associated Press)
While a lot of fingers have pointed at departed Georgia assistant coach Stacy Searels’ underperforming offensive line as a big reason for the Dogs’ running game being only the 10th best in the SEC this past season, there obviously was more to it than that.
The fact that thanks to injuries and disciplinary problems Georgia rarely had both its top two running backs, Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, playing in the same game was a factor. As was Mike Bobo’s tendency to abandon the ground attack for long stretches and his insistence on trying to run Carlton Thomas up the middle at inopportune moments in close games.
But at times there also seemed to be something lacking in the effort of the backs themselves. Rarely did you see Ealey or King break tackles.
And I think maybe you can get an inkling into why that was the case from comments made Friday by former Georgia tailback Thomas Brown, who’s joined the new strenth and conditioning staff under Joe Tereshinski.
The diminutive Brown, who battled for playing time with Danny Ware, Kregg Lumpkin and Knowshon Moreno, played like he was much bigger than he was thanks to his phenomenal strength and competitiveness. In talking with the media about the decline in the Bulldogs’ strength and conditioning in the three seasons since he departed, he said: “I think you can solve most problems with more competition. I think that’s one of the biggest things that’s different from when I was here as a player and here now.
“When I came in, I was highly recruited, the No. 1-rated running back in the state of Georgia, No. 3 or 4 in the nation. I came in, I was No. 7 on a depth chart of eight running backs. I had to compete, and I think that kind of makes guys raise their level of expectations. I think it’s harder for guys to be motivated when they know they’re kind of guaranteed to play. So I think … bringing in guys to compete with those guys will make everybody a lot better.”
That fits in with what Blair Walsh said after the Liberty Bowl disaster about some of the players on the team having a sense of entitlement. Ealey runs his mouth a lot and King thinks he’s too cool for school, but rarely has either looked like the hardest-working back in the game.
Whether or not Georgia signs Isaiah Crowell, that’s got to change if the Dogs are going to consistently run the ball in the SEC.
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480 comments Add your comment
Carlton
January 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
Everyone on here is missing the point. I’m not going to throw out stats because stats are meaningless when King has disciplinary problems off the field, gets injured OFTEN, and has been a very minor contributor to UGA’s offense the past few years. Stats don’t mean anything for Ealey when he fumbles the ball in two crucial instances this past year costing us TWO games (as well as having injury problems of his own and running his mouth on the field more than running the ball).
Here’s how I see UGA’s running backs this upcoming year minus stats and numbers that aren’t indicative of character and based on what each back brings to the table:
Caleb King: Shifty. Needs holes to be opened up on the offensive line to even be able to work his magic. King can’t pound the ball in the middle to get tough yards easily. Great pass blocker and has the ability to stop on a dime though and make people miss. Doesn’t fumble a lot either. Not as good at breaking tackles on the college level as he was in high school (due to defender’s size and speed difference). I really do feel for King though (more than Ealey) because his career got sandwiched in-between Moreno and Ealey and he became more of a pass-blocker during these two running back’s tenure than anything else. I really think he could have a been a great every down back for us but got overlooked for the past 3 years largely..
Washaun Ealey: Compact and powerful. He can not only make people miss in the open but can create opportunities by bursting up the line even without apparent holes being opened for him. Has great top speed but struggles to get through to the second level to break off big runs. Has a tendency to be bad with pass blocking and missing assignments. Also prone to fumbling and has trouble breaking tackles in the open space also.He is agile and athletic though and when needed, will jump over the line to score or gain a first down in a tight situation.
Ken “Boo” Malcolme: He hasn’t played yet and was redshirted last year (the new #24 though) but coming out of high school (and by just seeing him stand on the sidelines), he is about King’s size but stronger. I’ve heard he is great at getting through the line and has great top speed as well. Being a younger back though, he will have trouble with pass blocking and assignments and could also be fumble prone. Also, it is not known whether he will be able to break tackles and make people miss at this level since he has yet to play against an SEC defense.
Carlton Thomas: Very fast and shifty but also very, very small. He is powerful and has great top speed but he cannot (as we saw last year) burst through the line at all. When a hole is opened up though, Thomas has the ability to run past people in open space and he is strong in his upper body and can break tackles with a solid stiff arm. Thomas should really be used as a swing back or as primarily a screen pass catcher who can utilize his acceleration and ability to reach top speed quickly and efficiently.
Isaiah Crowell (if we get him): He is also a very compact but very strong back who can hit the hole and but through or accelerate through quickly if a hole is provided. He can make people miss and he will do anything to keep the run alive whether it be lowering his shoulder and breaking tackles or using his great footwork and juke ability to make people miss in open space. He is an all-around strong back but like Malcolme it will be hard to see if he can be an every-down factor in his first year because of assignments and pass-blocking schemes which he will need to learn.
UGA will definitely be fine with Thomas Brown coming back to the strength and conditioning program and helping out Tereshinski and proving to these kids what it means to be a Dawg by hard work and ethic versus the feeling of entitlement. Tereshinski, Brown, Bobo, and (I sincerely believe) Richt will keep an eye on King and Ealey this year and will not be afraid to demote them if it is necessary and with the stable of back we have available. Richt knows what’s on the line for his own career and he’s not going to let King and Ealey and their sense of entitlement dissolve any chance he has at keeping the UGA head coaching job after this year.
Our offensive line can also benefit majorly from the change in strength and conditioning and a change in O-Line coordinators (let’s PRAY Richt finds someone great). I think with the combination of the experience on O-Line and S&C, a new coordinator, and the backs we have available (as long as Bobo utilizes them properly for each of their individual and unique abilities properly), our offense can be something special this year..
GO DAWGS 2011!!!
Phyllis
January 22nd, 2011
4:24 pm
What do you guys do for entertainment; for exercise; for work, anything? I see where some of you spend 2-4 hours sitting at a computer “talking” through your rear ends about a subject you know little about. Oh…that doesn’t matter, huh? You just make up what you don’t know?
just a fan
January 22nd, 2011
4:25 pm
Lake Oconee Dawg
just so you know I think CMB has done an excellent job at developing quarterbacks and I can not give you specifics as to how they were out schemed but I will give you a couple games that we were out classed Bama ‘08 UF ‘08 UF ‘09
just a fan
January 22nd, 2011
4:28 pm
Phyllis
I am watching the bball Dawgs with my son
Vick=Dog killing Thug
January 22nd, 2011
4:44 pm
good post Carlton
T Pike
January 22nd, 2011
4:52 pm
I am sick of seeing 3rd and 7 or 8. The running game must improve. How many times did Ealey or King get taken down for a little to no gain on first down? How many times did we take a loss on 2nd down via sack or penalty? Then how many times did Ealey or King run for an 8 yards that results in 4 and 5? Happened every game… 5.4 a carry. Really?Break a tackle or find somebody who can? To compare Mr. Walker and Ealey is blasphemy. Walker got it done.. How many times did he give the DAWGS a 2nd and 3? How many times did we see that this year? Diffence in 6 wins and 10 wins rate there…
Thomas Brown is a great addition to this team. I have been saying for a good 3 years that we are getting beat off both sides of the ball and we have better skill position players than most teams we play.
Bring on Cromwell!!!
jaxdawg
January 22nd, 2011
4:59 pm
I agree with Thomas Brown, the lack of competition at the running back position has put us where we are now. thomas was a horse, he was fun to watch.thats whats missing from uga.i hope we get I. C. and cmr gets off his click about making freshmen sit a year.urban and nick dont mind playing freshman.
chazzo
January 22nd, 2011
5:28 pm
I have to disagree with one statement. I saw Ealey run hard. I also often saw him met at the line by defenses. Georgia appeared to try to set up surprise runs with passing game rather than setting up the play action with running. I absolutely agree with crit of Bobo giving up on the run too quickly. If there is any kind of time pressure, it seems like UGA tries to get it all in one pass instead of picking apart an opposing team’s spread. Also, it seems like anytime the Dawgs make it to the other team’s 30, they start throwing for the endzone instead of using the strategy that got them there.
Duh
January 22nd, 2011
5:37 pm
I called six straight plays correctly that Bobo called during the GT game, to make an example to a buddy of how predictable Bobo is. The funny thing is that I only tried to call six plays. Bobo is a joke Oconee dog is Bobo’s wife.
Bubba
January 22nd, 2011
5:49 pm
I think Ealey can’t break tackles like Herschel, even though Ealey gets more yards each time he carries than Herschel did, I just don’t choose to believe that, so mabye that makes it not true. I’m going to imagine Ealey average better each carry than Herschel, I also don’t think Ealey got 5 times more td’s than Caleb King this year, I just can’t believe it, because if he did both of those, Bobo is an absolute…well, never mind.
collegeballfan
January 22nd, 2011
5:57 pm
It is difficult to run the football when the offensive philosophy behind the play calling is to throw the football.
Are you selecting your starting OL based on their pass blocking ability or their drive blocking ability? If they can do both, wonderful. Most 19 & 20 years olds cannot do both. They are good at one or the other.
As Munson used to pray – “give me an OL of 5th year seniors”.
JDAWG
January 22nd, 2011
5:58 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/01/22/ranking-the-new-college-football-head-coaches-for-2011/
Tron Jackson
January 22nd, 2011
6:08 pm
Bill,
Why do you keep harping on Ealey for “running his mouth?” Look at the numbers when he gets fed the rock. When he gets 20+ carries, he puts up some very good numbers. Yes, he runs his mouth, but show me a player who doesn’t these days.
The way I see it
January 22nd, 2011
6:09 pm
Just for info Boise State at this time have 5 star-0, 4 star-0, 3 star-12 and 8 not rated. They must be good coaches out there’
With all our talent on paper we should beat the heck out of them.
But I’m sorry to say we don’t play the game on paper.
Post Check:
January 22nd, 2011
6:11 pm
TEST
LagDawg
January 22nd, 2011
6:11 pm
The blocking was a major problem but, Ealey and King are two overrated players that don’t have any heart. They don’t have the mentality to run through you or over you. They are maybe 2 star recruits at the most and shouldn’t even be playing in the SEC. No break away ability and lack of speed. We need to start recruiting better at the RB position and we need to start stock piling at that position. With a new OL coach, hopefully will bring in new blocking schemes and also a more physical mentality to beat up the other teams DL. We need to recruit big nasty lineman, not baby fat lineman that will probably not amount to much after their college careers are over. Plain and simple, we have to go into other states to recruit top lineman and we are not doing it. It alll comes down to recruiting and coaching and that is lacking right now.
Carlton
January 22nd, 2011
6:31 pm
Well Phyllis, I know my post is a little long and you probably can’t read it all (might be past your grade level) but if you did, it might bring a little light to the subject for all. Each of UGA’s running backs has their own unique abilities, and for Richt/Bobo to utilize them all, they need to foster/use them for each of their abilities. Sorry I don’t have work on a Saturday and I made a quick post in between all of my homework. if you don’t like people staying on blogs and voicing their opinions..why are you on a blog?
And I’ve been watching UGA’s football program/recruits intently and how they perform for the past 6-7 years and have been a fan all my life. Please describe how I don’t know what I’m talking about..?
bwell
January 22nd, 2011
6:32 pm
Play Ken Malcome? Who was redshirted this past season and play Crowell when he sign with us and put Easley and King on the bottom of the depth chart and make them earn playing time, too many times ga players thought they had to play because there was no one else, I would play a one or two player who showed he wanted to play rather than playing a inconsistence player who think of himself rather than the team.
chazzo
January 22nd, 2011
6:39 pm
Ealey vs. Walker: Silly comparison. Look at the number of times they handed HW the ball on an almost run only offense. HW racked up all those yards with opposing Ds knowing he was going to get the ball. Ealey gets fewer runs on a passing offense. I think that Bobo could benefit from some more pile-of-dust philosophy. Nothing wrong with getting three yards. If a back isn’t getting 7 or 8 a carry, it’s like everyone gives up on the running game. You have to pound it to get Ds tired, and, yes, the O line has to be in great shape.
bulldog bandit
January 22nd, 2011
6:49 pm
as for your info hershal walker played at a 1a school in johnson county
IowaDawg
January 22nd, 2011
6:57 pm
The running game was disappointing because of lack luster line play and spotty effort by the RB’s. I thought Ealey ran the ball extremely hard for the first few series of the Liberty Bowl. Then he disappeared. The line opened a couple decent holes for him and then it looked like they were gassed. There were alot of guys on the line standing around at the end of plays. I don’t know if that is because they were tired or if they just didn’t care. I noticed this on many occasions during the year.
I have been underwhelmed with our line play for quite a while… even back when Calloway was in charge. I think Knowshon went pro because he got tired of having to create yards out of nothing and was worried he’d end up hurt and missing his payday.
Maybe it’s the blocking schemes… guys are asked to do much on each play? I thought we should be blast blocking UCF. If you have a quick opponent and you have a definite size advantage then you should chuck finesse and run right at them. Do we even have that in our play book? The UCF guys were slipping around our counters and taking down our backs from behind.
Just an observation.
Dawg 85
January 22nd, 2011
7:02 pm
The discussion with Tony was highly entertaining. Ealey and King both show potential at times. Besides Ealey’s two killer fumbles and their suspensions my biggest problem with both of them is that they seem to lack vision. Ealey does run hard and King has some really good shiftiness but I’ve seen both them make the wrong cut way too many times — sometimes turning what could have been a long gain into a 10-12 yarder. I think vision is something you either have or don’t. We’ll see.
RAID
January 22nd, 2011
7:04 pm
Lake Oconee Dawg………Excellent points!…..Especially on Bobo…..We as Dawgs fans tend to forget that we seem to average over 30 pts again with him calling the shots!….Even with the dreadful Joe Cox last year……..And although there are times he does look predictable, there are many times when I’m thinking I know whats next and I’ll be damned if he does’nt totally fool even me……Offense has never been the problem at UGA even with less than average running backs……..It’s been the defence!….and hopefully filling some new bodies in and another year of a new scheme under our belt the defence will turn around……..I do think we are very close to being a very good team……..Hey, just look at the numbers that tech puts up on offence and they complain the same way as we do but even the nerds know that their only problem is defence as well………..GO DAWGS
JAWJeRDAWG
January 22nd, 2011
7:10 pm
@Carlton
January 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more on your assessment of our running game. Good post. … Go Dawgs!
FIRE MIKE BOBO!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2011
7:11 pm
The backs now aday at UGA are as bad as Cam Newton, yet they aren’t even good. They were worshipped by their fans, their coaches, and even their family. I bet if you took some running backs that were not heavily recruited, and started them over Ealey and King, they would have a change of work ethic.
Oh ya Mike Bobo maybe you should run the option or at least a pitch with Thomas cause he is obviously not an inside back. If you don’t listen than you will be fired hopefully.
FIRE MIKE BOBO!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2011
7:16 pm
@Carlton
Thank you. I want to say my opinion and if someone argues against it I’ll argue back.
@Phyllis
Get off your high horse and get off our blog.
Dawg4Life
January 22nd, 2011
7:19 pm
Lake Oconee Dawg,
Tell me one single time when the draw worked on a 1st or 2nd down in very long? Hit intermediate passes, don’t have to go for the big one make it in manageable yardages. Every time the draw was used in that situation it got stuffed period. I am not so down on Bobo because of the points we scored last year, but do wish he would use some more imagination, e.g. screens to the backs, misdirection and more that just a few passes to the tight end since we are blessed at that position.
virginia dog
January 22nd, 2011
7:21 pm
i think everyone is off point. college football is about the Jimmy’s & the Joe’s, not the x’s and o’s. You have to be able to recruit and once you recruit the you have to develop it and it has to perform on Saturday. Too often our talent plays but only after a better coaching staff develops it to play on Sunday.
As they say… show me a kid with a lot of heart and i’ll show you someone who can take a a$$ whipping over and over.
It’s all about talent and putting it on the field. Everything else is talk and our current staff is not getting it done, and more changes are coming.
LAKE OCONE DOG: yes knowshon played, but only 2 years instead of three. Our genius coach put a red shirt on him his freshman year. I guess they did that because they can spot talent. Heck, Richt himself made fun of that gaff. i also remember hearing our staff thought Cam Newton would make a fine tight end.
PS: I like T Brown. Average players make good coaches. Good players make NFL careers. Like Lumpkin, Ware and our boy Knowshon. All players that stood on the side line to watch little Thomas play.
Last September i don’t remember the old ball coach taking his freshman stud running back out for a breather. All i remember is him running the ball down our throats.
saban
January 22nd, 2011
7:29 pm
Red Panties?
How is the new wing on Clarke County Correctinal going for the football team?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 22nd, 2011
7:44 pm
When I read the comments earlier I thought TB was very much in the right for coming out and addressing this. His attitude as a assitant to the S&C program may be the best addition CMR could have made since he hired BVG a decade ago.
Office Space
January 22nd, 2011
7:47 pm
Would have preferred to see Carlton on Sundays but the opportunities at Georgia can last longer than a career in the NFL, so best of luck to you Mr. Thomas, Hope you find your dream here at UGA.
chickenman
January 22nd, 2011
8:42 pm
Brown was the strongest on that entire team. Signing him to help out was a great idea.
DAWGS forever
January 22nd, 2011
8:46 pm
Heard King hasn’t bee in school. Depth chart may be taking care of itself… meaning we have none.
fastdawg
January 22nd, 2011
8:49 pm
I agree that the backs were not impressive, however some plays they had to break 2 tackles just to make it out of the backfield.
Toole
January 22nd, 2011
9:04 pm
Want to improve the running game? We have surplus of TE’s. Imagine using them as TE, Slot Receivers, and in the H-back position. Think of Aron White at TE, Orson Charles in the slot, and Figgins or Lynch as FB (H-back). Figgins or Lynch as lead blocker or receiver out of backfield is scary. Then you have Charles and White downfield blocking CB’s and S’s. Charles at 6-2 240. White at 6-4 242. Lynch at 6-5 256. Figgins at 6-4 265. What DB can solo tackle them.
bent-cross
January 22nd, 2011
9:14 pm
Tony
January 22nd, 2011
11:16 am
Ealey’s an amazing back. Let’s remember, Ealey uncorked 8000 yards in high school, and over 130 touchdowns, that’s unreal. Ealey had 11 td’s to King’s 2, so I couldn’t figure out why Bobo kept rotating the guys so much.
——————————————————————————————————
Not to take anything away from Ealy, but. he was playing single A ball. Not a whole lot of competition; like the 4 and 5 A teams.
wreckmaniac
January 22nd, 2011
9:27 pm
So this means that Ealey is the #1 pick in the NFL draft ? By the way, I think over the past 6-7 years that Clemson has picked up more Atlanta talent than UGA. That good ole’ boy, lets play for the home team rah-rah may work in Valdosta and Jesup but in ATL most of the kids realize that GA is only one of 50 states.
jack bull
January 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm
no, what was missing in the running game was that coach Searels just forgot how to coach….right???
Bubba
January 22nd, 2011
10:05 pm
I don’t keer what the stats say, sure, the STATS say Ealey runs more yard a carry than Herschel Walker, and yes, it’s true, more than Lattimore too, and yes, Ealey did get what 11 td’s to Caleb’s 2, but like many of you, I choose to not believe any of the STATS, because then I couldn’t deal with Bobo’s decisions to bench Ealey for 50% of the games with Caleb King.
Tron Fan
January 22nd, 2011
10:09 pm
Washaun has a 5.5 yards per ball carry career average at Georgia, where Walker’s is 5.3, Moreno’s is also 5.5. thought it pretty kool that ealey got 11 td’s this year on @150 totes, almost as many as Mark Ingram who was at 13 td’s, now Ingram is a baller.
Gary
January 22nd, 2011
10:10 pm
“Running you Mouth 101″ …isn’t that a course at Uga?
Tron Fan
January 22nd, 2011
10:18 pm
Ealey got 4.4 yards per ball carry against ranked teams, while Lattimore only got 3.7, in other words, Lattimore jacked up his stats against bad teams.
Tron Fan
January 22nd, 2011
10:20 pm
Caleb King got over 8 yards per ball carry on third down for you wanderin why King’s in there on 3rd downs so much. That’s pretty kool and that’s a baller.
Tron Fan
January 22nd, 2011
10:31 pm
Ealey was one of 3 players in the nation to score 11 or more rushing td’s on less than 160 carries. Ealey only got 157 carries, ranked #87 there on number of carries. Baller. Pretty kool must say.
Mike Buglioli
January 22nd, 2011
10:45 pm
Stacy Searles has to be at the top of list of why so many blue chip OL players underperformed. There hasn’t been a lack of talent albeit the cupboard is thin right now but hopefully new recruits will help restock the OL. Stacy said some nice things about Ga before he left and he’s a class act but I’m just saying there’s not been alot of good run blocking. Pass blocking was good for the most part but there were huge lapses that almost ended Murray’s career. Saw way to many times where we didn’t sustain blocks on running plays – hopeful that a Nall or McWhorter will improve that. The hole has to open and stay open for those critical seconds for the RBs to get through.
Gen Neyland
January 22nd, 2011
10:55 pm
Tron Fan : Now you see why the only stats that matter are the W’s and the L’s. The rest are window dressing…
Ga Alum 79
January 22nd, 2011
11:01 pm
Tip of the iceberg
Ed (The Original)
January 22nd, 2011
11:04 pm
Richt must go.
Tron Fan
January 22nd, 2011
11:14 pm
Good point, if all that count are w’s and l’s, then Richt’s the man, at #5 in wins over last 10 seasons.
Chuck Uga
January 22nd, 2011
11:15 pm
Without Crowell, there will be problems. Expect to see a lot more of Ken Malcome. I’m quite past ready to see the gigantically overrated Caleb King leave Athens (reminds me a lot of Jasper Sanks). I knew King was not the answer when he was playing locally in high school. Ealey was alos nothing more than a second or third back in a rotation. Mark Richt clearly needs to look for more Knowshon Moreno types. They are out there. Ask Ga Tech!