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
MattDawg
February 3rd, 2011
2:41 pm
I hate the term “All In” it is so stupid. Clemson fans use it too. I know that their coach started but UT is lame.
Columbus
February 3rd, 2011
2:42 pm
Crowell has a LOT to learn, but definately can get some carries along the way and he CAN CATCH! UGA has not thrown to their backs not nearly enough, not close to enough under Bobo but he sure needs to and sure BETTER now…along with the TE’S.
Bama Mike
February 3rd, 2011
2:43 pm
To give a 17 year old kid the starting tail-back assignment without him ever stepping foot on the fiield. Have to scratch your hat on that one.
edumacated
February 3rd, 2011
2:43 pm
Aaron Murray did do awesome this year, but there are some concerns. He IS short. Everyone has to admit that he didn’t hit much up or across the middle of the field. That won’t cut it. Also, he gets flustered under pressure. Look at the last couple of drives he tried to put together against UCF. He is young though, and that should improve, but…..maybe it won’t. Overall though, we can win a championship with him. Heck, some guy named Buck Belue won it all for us, so why not Aaron.
Preston
February 3rd, 2011
2:50 pm
Martin, the fact is that the chance to start hasn’t been there for a lot of the recruits because of CMR’s loyalty to seniors and juniors. I believe (HOPE) that he’s learned his lesson from this and initiates a policy of allowing freshmen to compete for starts. That helps the seniors as much as anyone by lighting a fire under their butts! The redshirting of Moreno was a prime example. If Moreno hadn’t redshirted in 07′, we probably wouldn’t have lost those games to TN and SC and could have easily played for (and won) the NC that year.
John
February 3rd, 2011
2:50 pm
icallbs.. Redshirting a RB at UGA really serves no purpose. 1. There are 5 star backs coming out of GA high schools yearly, no need to reserve RB’s when they are plentiful. 2. NFL teams rarely pick RB’s that stay 4 years in college, too much mileage/wear and tear on the knees & body, the average RB in the NFL is 4 to 5 years before they’re being replaced. 3. Redshirting a RB that plays the following year means you would likely get only 2 years of service out of him before he can bolt to the NFL, then you’ve held up a valuable scholarship spot for a 2 year player, not forgetting the expenses of training, room & board for only 2 productive years on the field.
John
February 3rd, 2011
2:55 pm
edumacated…I agree with your premise, but your point ( Heck, some guy named Buck Belue won it all for us, so why not Aaron) Look at some of the last dynamic QB’s that it took to win the NC (Vince Young, Tebow, Cam Newton) The day that you can slide a body into the QB slot and win the big one is far and between, sometimes you need your QB to make a play or in the case of the last few BCSC games…sometimes you need your QB to dominate the game to win the BCSCG. The sooner these UGA homers realize this, the better off they will be.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:05 pm
John… you picking the three dual-threat QBs that won a BCS title is like me picking Matt Lienhart, Matt Flynn, and Greg McElroy. Your point about a “big-body” QB is stupid.
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:05 pm
Apples II Oranges…AM isn’t 6′1, more like 5′10 with shoes. The reason UGA can’t get the ball over the middle to TE or slint passes to receivers is no mistake of playcalling on Bobo, its because of height..You can’t hit what you can’t see…it’s simple.
LMAO…nobody hate Murray, we just want him to compete for the job, not be handed to him. If Ealey has to compete against Crowell, so should AM…it makes the team better.
RiffRaff
February 3rd, 2011
3:08 pm
If he’s as good as advertised you play him. If he is the star we think he’s only gonna be around three years anyway.
Derek Dooley played alot of freshmen last year and they actually looked pretty good at the end.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:09 pm
So people saying AM didn’t fair well over the middle of the field are also saying that for Orson to have 26 catches and 422 yards all came on out routes and bombs? What about Aaron Whites 9 catches for 125 yards. Those guys were running a lot of fly patterns and 20 yard outs. The kid uses the whole field and spreads the ball around.
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:09 pm
SmyrnaDawg…wouldn’t you at least admit there is a trend? I don’t think you need a “big-bodied” QB…just one that is tall enough to see the TE over the middle, and arm strong enough to hit the mid-range pass. Why are UGA recruiting players like Rome and O.Charles if the QB can’t see them?
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:12 pm
I don’t think anyone on here wants the job just to be Murray’s w/out competition because that only makes you better, but you trying to campaign for Lemay by bashing AM’s stats he put up against SEC(top-tier) competition when Lemay has done nothing is dumb.
Apples II Oranges
February 3rd, 2011
3:14 pm
John,
Man come on here. You know if the coaching staff were creative role AM out ofthe pocket to give him throwing lanes. It is abudently clear the kid is talented enough to lead a SEC style team. Once AJ returned they avg 35 points a game. So clearly his height negatively effects the team. Spread the field, give him a running game and for the love of god shut John up.
Einstein
February 3rd, 2011
3:15 pm
John = Football rocket surgeon.
tony
February 3rd, 2011
3:15 pm
Projected Lineup As I See It
Offense:
WR-Malcolm Mitchell………………………………………………………………..
TE-Orson Charles……………………………………………………………………..
OT-T.Sturdivant………………………………………………………………………..
OG-C.Glenn…………………………………………………………………………….
C-B.Jones……………….QB-Aaron Murray……RB-I.Crowell…………………..
OG-K.Gate………………………………………………………………………………
OT-A.Harmon……………………………………………………………………………
WR-T.King……………………………………………………………………………….
Defense:
CB-Nick Marshall………………………………………………………………………
OLB-Ray Drew………………………………………………………………………….
DE-D.Tyson…………………ILB-Jarvis Jones………………………………………
NT-Jenkins………………………………………………………………………………
DE-A.Jones…………………ILB-Christian Robinson………………………………
OLB-C.Washington…………………………………………………………………….
CB-Sanders Commings……………………………………………………………….
Cool Jerk
February 3rd, 2011
3:17 pm
So I’m confused…is Bill King an Ewok, or does he just look like one?
Cool Jerk
February 3rd, 2011
3:19 pm
Actually, he looks like the offspring of an Ewok and Bruce Vilanch.
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:20 pm
SmyrnaDawg…I’m saying that 95% of Orson receptions came on out-routes and bombs. They had to split him out as a receiver to get the ball in his hands, a sure tell-sign to any defensive coordinator if you see UGA TE split out, their putting him in a positon AM can see him. C’mon, the guy is 5′10 with stilletoes on, and his arm is suspect…he has tendinitis in his throwing arm…why do you think they limited his passing in 2 straight spring practices, he wears the arm bandage to alievate the stress and the glove he wore against UCF wasn’t for dress-up. I’ve noticed that all CMR & Bobo will say about the glove is “He just likes wearing it sometimes”…is it because the ball is slippery? when it’s not raining? The glove is prescribed SmyrnaDawg…by a doctor.
Cool Jerk
February 3rd, 2011
3:21 pm
In all seriousness, I don’t see how you guys can be so excited all of the sudden.
We were all (rightfully so) ready to throw Richt out the door after the Liberty Bowl debacle.
We’ve had top 10 classes pretty much every year for the last 20 years or so…why is THIS time gonna be different?
We still have the coach that was too dumb to realize scoring a TD against Tech allowed them to have a chance at a comeback.
We still have the coach that was too scared to go for it on 4th and inches at the goal line against UCF, despite having just driven the ball the length of the field.
Richt is trying to pull a fast one on us…I’m not falling for it.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 3rd, 2011
3:26 pm
Tony
I think Ealey and Boykin will start and have great years.
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:26 pm
Apples II Oranges…what proof do you have he can lead a SEC team. A win against a winning team? Better stats than the winning QB of the opposing team?
Apples II Oranges & SmyrnaDawg…I’m pretty sure both of you are now are getting ready to start name-calling, because your arguements are falling apart. So I think it’s best to end it right here. I can say that we can disagree without being disagreable. Spring practice will start soon, we’ll see how this plays out.
Go dawgs!!
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:27 pm
John…I will argue all day with you that 90% of the time Orson put his hand ON THE GROUND came out his stance, ran a seam or a 10-15 yd in route. If you saw him catch the ball outside the Hash it means the play developed, Orson carried out his route and Murray found him, are you really this dense? You do realize how difficult it is to throw over the middle right? I’ve got no answer for gloves, i wasn’t pleased to see him wear them in the bowl game but the weather wasn’t great for that game.
Gator Man
February 3rd, 2011
3:27 pm
UGA is a joke, pending their season on a freshmen, Whats really sad, the coach has to sell a bunch of freshman who have yet to take a snap.
UGA losers already have the starting lineup, talk about not use to wining in the last 30 years.
Mark R. please stay in Athens where the idiots buy your crap year after year, because you could not even coach a high school team in Florida.
tony
February 3rd, 2011
3:29 pm
Offense:
WR-Malcolm Mitchell
TE-Orson Charles
OT-T.Sturdivant
OG-Cordy Glenn
C-Ben Jones
OG-K.Gates
OT-AJ.Harmon
WR-T.King
Defense:
CB-Nick Marshall
OLB-RayDrew
DE-D.Tyson
NT-Jenkins
DE-A.Jones
OLB-C.Washington
CB-Sanders Commings
ILB-Jarvis Jones
ILB-Christian Robinson
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:31 pm
Hey man I’m not name calling, I’m having a conversation with you. If Murray beat other QBs statistically, doesn’t that mean he did his job? maybe, just maybe it was the pieces around him. I for one believe Searels lost interest in his job, stopped doing very much coaching and couldn’t wait to get out of Athens and for that a whole lot suffered esp since he was our RUN GAME COORDINATOR. We are all Dawg fans here and no one will ever be happy but support the kids on the field. I will take 10 Aaron Murray’s to every Stafford ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
tony
February 3rd, 2011
3:33 pm
Starting SS:
Alec Ogletree-S
Bacarri Rambo-S
Crowell will start.
RxDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:36 pm
“Looks like Richt is going “all in,” as the Auburn folks would put it.”
Oh god Bill, please don’t. Plus I don’t think that’s exactly what they mean by “all in”. I think that has more to do with the set up casino rooms for the players. But I digress…
I was a little shocked Richt made that statement too. But I can’t say that I blame him. The real story is the hidden statement to King and Ealy. That statement is times up gentlemen. Get with it or get out.
ugab
February 3rd, 2011
3:40 pm
Every dawg fan knows not even Moreno could pass protect his 1st year. Ealey is the best rb the dawgs have on the roster. King and Ealey had off the field problems. Leadership is not in king and ealey’s vocabulary. You have to lead by example. Every dawg fan wanted to see Malcome last season. I hope Crowell gets to play next year. There is alot to learn before crowell gets to start. Other teams defense will know why Crowell is in the game. (just to run)
tony
February 3rd, 2011
3:40 pm
Aaron Murray-QB will start but he better be careful because that LeMay_QB kid is breathing down his back.
Crowell-RB will be in the starting lineup when they play Boise in the Ga Dome.
Apples II Oranges
February 3rd, 2011
3:41 pm
John,
It is in AM intangibles John you look at. In high school as a Senior he came back from a broken leg to play in the Chamionship game that his team won. Apparently you are not aware of this. He displayed incredible moxie last season, and took some vicious hits-staying in the game. I think we have different view points in determining what makes a qb great. That is fine, but you ignore all of the positives that Murray displayed while taking the helm as a first year starter. That is disingenuous of you.
Expectations
February 3rd, 2011
3:42 pm
Just get the best players on the field. In some cases, regardless of position. Moving Figgins to fullback is a good idea. He can block and be dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield. Charles can line up as a slot receiver at times making room for Rome. I would like to see what Malcome can do. Ealy does not seem to be able to run between the tackles, seems to cut just a hair to late, and does not break enough tackles. Let’s hope Crowell lives up to the hype.
Apples II Oranges
February 3rd, 2011
3:42 pm
I think I did that without name calling also.
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:42 pm
SmyrnaDawg If Murray beat other QBs statistically, doesn’t that mean he did his job? There’s more to the QB position that purely stats, when you look inside the numbers and see that most of the points were scored after the game had been decided or most of the stats were made against teams playing prevent defense, no long drives when the defense needed a rest, no positive points when the team was down. Stafford relied on his arm too much in games, but got some quality wins. AM plays harder and leaves it on the field. If he WINS the QB job, I’m behind him…however, if another player can bring needed support for the offense I don’t think we should ignore that either.
ugakev
February 3rd, 2011
3:45 pm
I am very excited about the spring game for two reasons. I want to see Lemay takes some snaps because people are overlooking how great of a QB we got in this class. Lemay would of been the number 1 quarterback out of high school if he played his senior year. I am also excited to see richard samuels and jarvis jones play linebacker. Man do we have alot of talented linebackers now! Throw that in there with an improved defensive line with big john coming and a much improved secondary from the recent past…things are looking to return to great on the defensive side of the ball which excites me more than anything…GO DAWGS!
Einsteindawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:46 pm
I agree! When you’re coming off a 6-7 season, capped by a loss to UCF, which followed an 8-5 season, then all positions should be up for the most talented/qualified. In the last four seasons under Richt, we have a tendency to reward playing time for loyalty/senority rather than ability/talent. Let’s put our best players on the field and se what happens.
ugab
February 3rd, 2011
3:47 pm
Murray is a baller. He made freshman mistake this year. His so called strength of team running game and ol let him down. He is a Baller.
ugab
February 3rd, 2011
3:49 pm
Don’t forget Bobo and Richt made Murray quit running the ball to make plays. He is a baller. Thatis what he does in a game. Why ever stop him?
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:50 pm
“if another player can bring needed support for the offense I don’t think we should ignore that either.” <— Agreed.
I understand the QB position is more than stats and I believe AM provided that w/ good decisions, for the most part, using his legs effectively to avoid trouble, and often times showing his teammates how to continue to fight.
ugab
February 3rd, 2011
3:51 pm
Unless Saban is winning by 40 points, he is playing the best player on his team at his position. MR need to learn the same concept.
ugab
February 3rd, 2011
3:53 pm
oh yeh, Spring ball needs to be unreal for this team after this season
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
3:53 pm
“look inside the numbers and see that most of the points were scored after the game had been decided or most of the stats were made against teams playing prevent defense” – john i have continuously asked you to show me stats of this yet you offer nothing b/c of the games we lost to ranked opponents(USC,ARK,MSU,UF,AU) we were very much in those games(exception AU, we wore down).
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:55 pm
Apples II Oranges…let me guess Bret Favre is your hero? His moxie…the intangibles…the grit…spare me the nostalgia ole timer. Sometimes there’s no subsitute for speed and talent and no manner how you prepare or how much you leave on the field. CMR isn’t in the positon anymore that he can declare moral victory’s anymore, the faithful is getting restless and wants a BCSC, his back is against the wall with a 1 year contract agreement. He’s adopted Saban and Meyer idealogy of putting the best players on the field, whoever he feels is the best man to get him there is his decision.
kyle
February 3rd, 2011
3:56 pm
RB’s are the least of my worries, they will be fine. Ealey is a good back, when he gets carries. 17 for 123 against Vandy. 28 for 157 against Kentucky. 18 for 87 against Arkansas. 13 for 118 against GT. Problem is that Bobo would move away from him in other games, look at the Auburn game…Ealey had 6 carries for 44 years, thats 7.3 yards a carry against the national champs, sounds pretty good to me
SHANNON
February 3rd, 2011
3:57 pm
Martin, crowell will not be getting carries in the Spring game. Think about it for awhile and you will figure out why.
Hobnail Boot
February 3rd, 2011
3:58 pm
Is Malcome big enought o play FB?
John
February 3rd, 2011
3:59 pm
SmyrnaDawg…we were very much in those games…Let me guess…the offense couldn’t score any points? But..but..but…we almost won…coulda, shoulda, woulda…That should secure CMR another 5 year contract (sarcasm)…almost winning is still losing.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
4:02 pm
Ding Ding Ding kyle, that’s why I defend Murray’s play/stats. He was asked to do a whole lot more than he should have had to b/c Bobo went away from the run and got greedy w/ long-developing play-action passes. When we commit to the run we are successful, we get yards, it wears teams down, burns clock, and rest our D.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
4:08 pm
No I believe you were saying that Murray tacked on stats at the end of games when we were already out of them. Again show your stats on this. Scored 24 against ARK lost by 7(in it check), Scored 31 against UF lost by 3 in OT(in it check, helluva comeback by UGA, led by Murray), Scored 31 against AU lost by 18(got worn down in 4th). I believe if we score 24 or more we ought to be winning football games.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
4:09 pm
So I ask you john based on the above comment was our offense inadequate or did we give up to many points? ill let you decide.