Richt dangles possibility of Dome start for Crowell
Isaiah Crowell could start in the first game of the season, Mark Richt says. (Associated Press)
Most of the time, college football coaches downplay the possibility of true freshmen competing right away, or hedge about it at best.
Mark Richt wasn’t doing any hedging Wednesday when he talked with ESPNU about running back Isaiah Crowell, who had just signed to become a Georgia Bulldog.
Richt said Crowell will contribute “heavily” this coming season.
“I expect him to come right in and compete right away,” the coach said. “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he’s supposed to do.”
Talk about giving an incoming player some incentive …
Some might see going with an untested back in a big, nationally televised game as a gamble. Will he have picked up all the nuances of Mike Bobo’s offense by then? Can his pass protection possibly have progressed enough strictly in practice?
Probably not. Doesn’t matter. Richt sees Crowell as a game-changer and knows he’s in a position where playing it safe isn’t going to cut it.
Let’s face it, coming off a losing season and needing to get both his program and his fan base back in the right mindset, Richt faces a tremendous challenge in opening with what’s going to be a heavily hyped game in Atlanta against one of the flashiest teams in the nation.
Can he rise to the occasion, as Erk Russell would say? So far, with Georgia’s tremendous Dream Team recruiting class, Richt has. Now the Dogs have to do it on the field, and Richt obviously recognizes that what Georgia’s been doing in its running game isn’t getting the job done.
So if that means starting a true freshman tailback against Boise State, so be it.
Looks like Richt is going “all in,” as the Auburn folks would put it.
Sounds like a plan to me. How about you?
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376 comments Add your comment
Lee
February 3rd, 2011
12:33 pm
Ditch Caleb King, free up a scholarship, and find a good JC back that wants to play in the SEC. Crowell and Malcome are the future. Ealey is a has been and King is a never was…
AltamahaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:35 pm
Ah, so close Joey. Didnt quite answer the question, but you tried.
John
February 3rd, 2011
12:38 pm
icallbs…Georgia had Joe Cox and Logan Gray at the time. They couldn’t carry water for Cam Newton. What do you mean UGA didn’t need a QB at that time? Are we now developing TE’s for the NFL? Who cares if Newton is a TE in the NFL, he won a title at Aubrun. That’s just the thinking that keeps UGA out of a Championship game…backward, bizzaro world idealogy that gets you nowhere but to 6-7. FL, TX and Auburn has won championships with mobile QB’s in the last 4 years, UGA needs to get with the system or forever be left behind.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
Here some info for John,
Lets look @ AMs games against USC,UF,AU,Ark,MSU. Lost all them right?. Yep. Put was it Ams fault outside of the 3 ints @ UF(which some were tipped)
USC: 14/21 192yd 66.7% OTD,Oint (playing conservative on road)
ARK: 15/27 253 55.6% 1, 1
MSU: 18/31 274 58.1% 1, 0
UF: 18/37 313 48.6% 3, 3 (led a tremendous comeback and nvr gave up)
AU: 15/28 273 53.6% 3, 0 (21pt lead,learned from UF and took care of FB, no line blocking)
joe
February 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
I would start a 6th grader instead of Caleb Moron King and Washon “bad attitude” ealey…..it would not be any worse- that’s for sure. Hope that King and Ealey end up quiting before next year- their troubles and attitudes is what have been a major part of the problem…
tony
February 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
To all the Tide fans who keep talking against the dawgs. Mr.Richt has made some poor decisions for his football team but too his credit he has defeated Saban more than once. The players in this year’s recruiting class has some serious vocal leaders(Drew, Lemay, and Turene) who can turn a program around real fast. Don’t underestimate those dawgs.
Terry
February 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
Isaiah Crowell’s scouting report states, he possesses soft hands so he’s a threat in the passing game. Aaron Murray’s scouting report states he’s 6′ 1″ I don’t know where people get he’s 5′ 11″ and if michael vick can see over a NFL line at 6′ 0″ I don’t see why Murray can’t see over a College line.
AltamahaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:41 pm
I don’t know what’s wrong with a taller QB. Nothing as far as I am concerned. Nor did I say you were bashing Murray, that’s your own voice there.
Roll Tide
February 3rd, 2011
12:43 pm
tony
February 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
To all the Tide fans who keep talking against the dawgs. Mr.Richt has made some poor decisions for his football team but too his credit he has defeated Saban more than once. The players in this year’s recruiting class has some serious vocal leaders(Drew, Lemay, and Turene) who can turn a program around real fast. Don’t underestimate those dawgs.
When Georgia can win a National Championship and not the Fulmer Cup then you can talk tony. But until then Georgia is always Georgia, a team that can’t beat Florida
Tech Stinger
February 3rd, 2011
12:44 pm
UGA=CESSPOOL OF THE SOUTH
icallbs
February 3rd, 2011
12:46 pm
John: Who did UGA sign as a qb that year instead of Cam?
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:47 pm
so in 5 games(3 road,1home,1nuetral) against ranked opponents JOHN, AM was
80/144 1305yds and 55.5% that yardage total represents 42% of his overall passing yards.
UGA QB comp
February 3rd, 2011
12:48 pm
The G Day game will be fun to watch this spring. This year, just like last year, UGA will display two kids that can play at a high level and possibly, one or two more. LeMay is there now lifting weights and bonding with the kids and with that new receiver, Conley. Mason has a year under his belt too.
LeMay and even Nick Williams from Wilcox County, will add a new dimension for UGA’s offense with the WILD DOG formation. Two of these guys can run that to perfection. With them in at QB on second down and four, it could be fun to watch.
UGA will be a much better and much better prepared team by September. If they handle Boise State, then SC in Athens, watch to see how UGA gets NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION. Boom!!
It starts with the G Day game, a quiet summer, then Boise State in the GA DOME !!!!
GO Dogs.
John
February 3rd, 2011
12:48 pm
SmyrnaDawg…GARBAGE STATS produced when the game was already decided. Don’t give me that trash stats, that heavily depended on AJ that toyed with CB’s. Newsflash SmyranaDawg…AJ’s gone man! AM didn’t proform “when it was needed”, I could care less if his stats after the game looked admireable. AM stats were made when teams had the lead on UGA and went to a prevent style defense to protect their lead, then AM used the cushion to build some good numbers, but he did nothing when it mattered.
icallbs
February 3rd, 2011
12:48 pm
Tech Stinger: Thanks for the update. Original, too. We’ve all now changed our minds about UGA and become TECH fans.
Terry
February 3rd, 2011
12:49 pm
Tech Stinger, I did a search with Bing on (CESSPOOL OF THE SOUTH) and it pulled up Georgia Tech.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
12:49 pm
Rumor is Ealey & King are transferring due to Richt’s comments about Crowell starting before he even practiced. Lost 2 great backs. Ouch.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
12:51 pm
Logan Gray has requested a transfer, Hutson Mason and christian Lemay rumored to request transfers also. The entitlement culture at UGA at QB & RB isn’t working.
John
February 3rd, 2011
12:53 pm
SmyrnaDawg…UGA was behind in all of the games except Auburn. AM performed poorly in crunch time, but after the opponent got the lead and their defense played pervent…AM florished! Look at the quarter by quarter scoring, not the end results. AM outperformed some of the QB’s that beat UGA, what does that tell you? He did it in “garbage time” not when it mattered.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:53 pm
NEWSFLASH JOHN: AJ was GONE for three of those 5 games anyways.
Your delusional man. I understand you may not like AM but you simply cannot call his stats garbage. We lost 17-6 @ USC, game was not out of reach. We lost on virtually the last play against Ark not out reach, MSU got late TD to make 24-12 not out of it. Came back w/ THREE 2nd half Tds to force OT vs. UF and got no help vs. AU.
Rooster
February 3rd, 2011
12:53 pm
Crowell will play some this year. He has not played in A SEC game yet so lets all jump off the “let him tote the rock” bandwagon for a second. Me also thinks he is injury prone. You heard it hear first. And by the way Crowell seems to have a bit of an “entitlement attitude” from what I saw on tv yesterday.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
12:54 pm
UGA lost Zach Mettenberger to LSU last season because of the entitlement stuff. Mettenberger annihilated Murray over the Spring games and Murray was named the starter.
mm
February 3rd, 2011
12:55 pm
Still seeing some fools putting down Murray. When was the last time we had a player (QB, RB, whatever) that accounted for 28 TD’s in one season?
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
12:55 pm
UGA has lost 2 QB’s due to gifting Murray with a starting position whihc Murray didn’t deserve or earn with his on the field performance.
John
February 3rd, 2011
12:55 pm
Joe..you’re making stuff up. I don’t think LeMay will sit behind AM for 3 years, but he isn’t requesting a transfer….yet. Hutson Mason should, he can play Div. 1 football, I hope he realizes it before it’s too late.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:56 pm
Top 2 recivers against UF: Orson and Tavarres King (AJ played that game)
Its ok to simply state you’d rather have a different QB at the helm but be rational and understand that AM helped us more than he hurt us. The kids a leader and tries hard every play. Can’t say the same for others(King,Ealey).
GameOnDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:57 pm
I would have red-shirted Knowshon Moreno his freshman year also if he couldn’t pickup the blocking assignments. Besides, we had Lumpkin, Brown and Ware in the backfield. Caleb problem have been being labled the next coming of H. Walker. Walker was a 220-230 pounds of muscles power back with world class sprinters speed. Ealey and Malcome (i think) are more of a power back. King and Crowell are speed backs. None have the combo. Crowell, like Caleb, will not be effective if the line play don’t improve. From what i’ve seen, both of these backs need to get into space. Reguardless of what’s being written, Caleb have been effective when he gets into space. Caleb fumble at Colorado was due to a lineman beating a handoff to him. How do a lineman beats a quarterback to the running back? That should never happen. I don’t care how good you are or suppose to be, if you can’t get started, you can’t do anyhing. One final note, these are kids playing a game. Keep that in mind when you are attacking and insulting them.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
12:57 pm
If you give the starting job to the guy that won it, no one really will transfer, because it’s fair. But when Murray throws up ducks over Spring games, and then gets named starter, both Mettenberger and now Logan Gray have had enough. They both beat Murray, and both didn’t get the starting position.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
12:58 pm
@Joe,
Mettenberger may have been better all around but HE screwed up when he went grabbing women in S.Ga and it cost him.
John
February 3rd, 2011
12:59 pm
Joe…That is true, Zach Mettenberger was the best talent at QB at UGA last years spring game by far. I liked his size, because he could see the field…UGA can’t throw to TE’s because AM can’t see them.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:00 pm
Murray went 0-6 in 2010 against winning teams, and also lost to Colorado. No doubt Greg Bingham could have won more games. You’d have to think if Murray puts in his normal choke like Spring, and gets blown off the field again by the other QB’s, then when Bobo annoints Murray the starter again, you can bet, any QB’s left will be gone by then.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:02 pm
If you think Lemay or Mason will sit the bench at Georgia for 3 years, you don’t know what’s going on.
UGA1990
February 3rd, 2011
1:03 pm
Unless Calab King is suspended for any additional games to begin the season he will be the starter in the Boise State Game. He is the best back we had the last 2 years and due to his familiarity with the system and his excellent blocking, he will start over Crowell. I expect to see King and Crowell/Malcomb be a 1-2 combo. Everyone is down on King because of off the field problems. However, his on the field production has been very good considering the pitiful blocking he has received.
John
February 3rd, 2011
1:03 pm
SmyrnaDawg…UGA couldn’t get the ball to Orson until they split him out wide as a receiver so that AM could see him. Go watch the game and stop letting your emotional jock sniffing prevent you from rational thought. It’s about winning the BCSC, if AM is UGA’s best QB to get there, I say let him start, but if someone else is better, let’s play our best.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:05 pm
King & Ealey were outraged by Richt’s comments about Crowell. I don’t see this ending well. Watch what happens this week.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:06 pm
King & Ealey both had to master pass blocking before they started, now Crowell gets a pass on pass blocking? What’s up with that–why thye double standard?
dawgfan
February 3rd, 2011
1:07 pm
Uh, I’m pretty sure Cam Newton was put with “just as gifted athletes” last year when he was a starting QB in the SEC. The result was one of the most dominating individual seasons in college football history. But he would have been spending most of his time blocking as a tight end at Georgia. There is absolutley no conceivable way to spin or defend that. It demonstrates how inflexible that Richt is with his system and how he is sometimes a poor evaluator of talent. There is nothing special about Georgia’s offense that would have prevented us from offering Cam Newton a scholarship as a QUARTERBACK. The guy is like 8 feet tall and weighs 250 lbs. It doesn’t get anymore “pro style” than that. If there is a talent like that on the table you build the offense around him, you don’t put him at freaking tight end. Please spare me the excuses. I doubt Cam Newton would have come to Georgia anyway but he sure as hell wouldn’t have come here as a tight end. Get real.
Cyrus' Mother
February 3rd, 2011
1:09 pm
Louder, I can’t hear you. I am not signing
Cyrus’ letter of intent til’ you wire me the cash.
Terry
February 3rd, 2011
1:09 pm
Joe, It look’s like your the one who is making up the rumor, about Hutson Mason and Christian Lemay, do you have a legitment source you can show on this blog, or are you just running your mouth. Put up or shut up.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:09 pm
Caelb King has a tough decision to make this week. He only has 1 year left to impress NFL scouts, and the blogs have ripped him apart, and lavished Crowell with unearned praise.
Logan Gray didn’t want any more of that, is King or Ealey or Lemay or Mason next, or maybe all of them go and transfer and leave Richt with 6-7 starter Murray & unproven Crowell?
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
1:10 pm
“It’s about winning the BCSC, if AM is UGA’s best QB to get there, I say let him start, but if someone else is better, let’s play our best.” — I completely agree.
If Lemay is better he will play, CMR has no time now to worry abt keeping players happy. We haven’t seen Lemay yet and I look forward to GDay and will support whoever is under center. My points were all about last yr and the thought that AM wasn’t adequate enough. He helped us a ton last yr and we probably would have been a lot worse off.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:11 pm
Mettenberger and Gray have both transferred. They don’t feel like they were treated fairly.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
1:12 pm
As far as Orson goes I think he should be in the slot, he’d pose as a dangerous threat and allow us to utilize all of our stock @ TE. His hands,feet, and ball skills are perfect to dominate, not to mention his perimeter blocking skills.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:12 pm
Not true. Mettenberger was light years better than Murray, and Murray was named the starter. Lemay could just annihilate Murray over Spring games, and still get the shaft.
Tech Stinger
February 3rd, 2011
1:14 pm
Aaron Murray is the Matt Ryan of College Football, when the pressure is on he Chokes. Check the Florida game and the Auburn game loser
Go Tech
John
February 3rd, 2011
1:17 pm
Joe…that’s correct, AM was 0-6 against winning teams…and Colorado. He’s medicore, and doesn’t have the “it” factor, he needs great talent around him to excel, which is greatly limited by his size. It’s not a knock on AM because he can’t help his height. The probability of winning the championship in the SEC is so narrow nowadays that it almost takes a dynamic talent to win it all (Vince Young, Tebow, Cam Newton) it’s not a mistake that these are gifted players that has won championships in the past 4 years. UGA homers need to stop thinking with their emotions and think logically and rationally about putting the best product on the field now and not continue their tradition of “waiting for next year”.
not so fast
February 3rd, 2011
1:21 pm
Will certainly be an interesting spring w/more questions than answers. Whether all these guys will pay dividends right away may be seen in fist two games. They have to be exceptional players to be able to play SEC FB right out of the gate. What they haven’t learned in the playbooks they’ll have to make up w/shear talent.
After last season and all the high expectations then go bust I choose to wait and see before getting my hopes too high. For the sake of the bulldog nation and this coaching staff I hope these kids are as good as all the hype. GO DAWGS.
John
February 3rd, 2011
1:21 pm
SmyrnaDawg…Okay SmyrnaDawg, can you give us your best option on how UGA can utilize the TE if AM can’t see them? Because UGA coaches couldn’t figure it out last year, maybe you can give us all some insight on how and why UGA is/was limited inside the redzone.
Rooster
February 3rd, 2011
1:24 pm
Richt better pray Ealey and King don’t leave due to his comments or UGA may really suffer this year. If I was one of Ealey’s or King’s parents I would give Richt a call and ask him if he was trying to run them off. Richt has to be the worst coach in the nation with handling the media.
Joe
February 3rd, 2011
1:24 pm
Murray got the start because he was more “religious” than Mettenberger. Mettenberger just blew Murray off the field over Spring games. Mettenberger ain’t the first QB to have some fun in college and make a dumb mistake. a 1 or 2 game suspension, ok. But naming Murray the starter, acting like Murray earned it? Mettenberger and Gray didn’t want any part of that. Both are gone.