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
WIN WITH RICHT
February 3rd, 2011
4:10 pm
Murrray is a lot like David Greene. He will win a lot of games in his career at UGA.
npgator
February 3rd, 2011
4:11 pm
Boise State eh? I see 0 and 1 in the very near future for the Bulldogs.
Valdosta Native
February 3rd, 2011
4:12 pm
Has anyone put any thought into what our depth chart will look like for the QB position next year. From what I can tell, we’ll have Murray as #1 Mason #2 and Lemay #3 going into spring. I know there are a couple other QB’s on the roster, but don’t know much about them. Welch is one…don’t know about him at all or the others. I can see a good dual tandem between Murray and Lemay…and Mason filling in for Murray if he’s hurt or needs rest. But it will be damn hard to cut down on Murray’s reps the way he performed last season, but think having Lemay come in could help the team move the ball downfield.
John
February 3rd, 2011
4:14 pm
kyle…none of those stats against top tier teams. The Auburn defense had Fairly & ten other players that could start for GT. When your offense can’t generate points and you’re behind by touchdowns, running the ball is not a option. Bobo isn’t the best coordinator, but beating a dead horse by running the ball when you’re down by touchdowns is playing into your opponents hands.
John
February 3rd, 2011
4:18 pm
Valdosta Native…my point exactly. We did nothing in the redzone, when teams put 8 or 9 in the box you can’t run against 9 man fronts, the field is too short to throw a bomb, we were sitting ducks. I’m not saying replace Murray, just add another dimension to the package.
SmyrnaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
4:19 pm
Valdosta…I think Lemay will help, but don’t think the he’s the reason we couldn’t move down field. Unfortunately for UGA, we were already behind the 8-ball after our first possession. We’d receive and have ball 20-25 yd line. opening sequence looked a little like this: 1st down: Long PA pass incomplete; Draw/in-between tackle run for little-no yardage. So no we’re @ 3rd and long and force our offense to sustain the drive and haven’t even flipped field position.
Okefenokee Brave
February 3rd, 2011
4:35 pm
Once again, John shows his super intelligence! CMR has several years left on his contract extension that he signed 2 or 3 years ago. Nobody on this blog has suggested that the job should be handed to Murray on a silver platter. I really don’t think the coaches would have recruited and signed a player like LeMay if that was their intention. Just admit to the fact that Murray had an excellent year for a freshman, especially when you consider his supporting cast and the way they underacheived.
james bond
February 3rd, 2011
4:40 pm
he will get his chance, like erbody else, check him out during 2@days..is he hines ward or hienz ketchup??
oakwood dawg
February 3rd, 2011
4:44 pm
John– first of all I’m not sad. Secondly, AM has already earned the job–now it is possible he may have to re-earn it in the fall but I rather doubt it. If he can’t cut the mustard, I’m all for someone else taking over. Look at it closely man–no one else(except Mason who only played a few minutes all year) has experience and to think Lemay is going to come in and take over is only wishful thinking on your part. No John I’m not sad but I think you are because for some reason you don’t like AM. You know, everyone has an opinion and an a$$hole and they both stink. I just think yours stinks worse than mine.
run the ball
February 3rd, 2011
4:46 pm
Ealey, couldn’t block a blitzing linebacker if his life depended on it. Remember the sack of Murray in the Ark game when we had the ball and the momentum late? Thanks Washaun, nice block.
J Bone
February 3rd, 2011
5:09 pm
Just another caleb king failure nothin but a thug!
Vick=Dog killing Thug
February 3rd, 2011
5:45 pm
I’d like to see Caleb live up to his previous billing. Don’t get arrested, Don’t be late, Do workout a TON
Have a great senior year and get a NFL contract.
clutch
February 3rd, 2011
5:49 pm
some of you guys on here are really fools… if u really watched the games and know the game of football, you would know that king is better than ealey. Now if he wants it more who knows but to just to assume ealey will play before him would be a mistake
UGADAWG
February 3rd, 2011
5:55 pm
We should move Orson Charles to WR. And let Jay Rome and Aaron White split time at TE
Joe Coxy's Moxy
February 3rd, 2011
6:52 pm
If Kenny Malcome is so great why did’t CMR let him play when UGA was 1-4. Crowell was much more jighly recruited and is a total package. Bobo the Clown, run the damn ball this year!
AppalachianDawg
February 3rd, 2011
7:11 pm
i just hate putting all our hopes on someone who hasnt played a down yet sooo sign me up for cautious optimism GO DAWGS!!
chickenman
February 3rd, 2011
7:27 pm
CROWELL.. Saw him play multiple times this year… what a back.. the stats dont lie he missed 4 games this year and most the time was on the bench by the 3rd.. 1600 yds… This is big boy football down in South GA… Look for him to make some big plays in the dome and slowly ease the hype into reality… this guy is the best looking freshman back in a decade to play here… even the knowsh would want this guys speed
jalexan49
February 3rd, 2011
7:49 pm
Great recruiting class. I’m happy for the kids signed and University of Georgia, but most of all for the coaches (needed some good happenings) and the fans. I would like to believe that the new class can blend well with the current players and turn last year’s losses into a bad dream and never to return.
I’m really excited to see what kind of back Malcome is. Something inside me makes me believe he will be the surprise this up-coming year, although I still believe that, Ealey and Thomas have a lot to show before this is all said and done. I will hold judgment on King. I would like to see some of the other backs Georgia have get playing time (ie: Parsons,Newman).
I hope that Charles will be moved from TE to WR. He and Murray seem to connect well on passing routes and seems to have the ability and speed to get open. Defensively, I feel good about the chances of the 3-4 coming together. And that players like Jones, Stripling,Geathers,Faloughi, and the other guys will play to their ratings coming out of High School.
1962 DAWG
February 3rd, 2011
7:54 pm
chickenman
Hope your right. Wish Bobo would pick a RB out of our group and let him carry the ball 20 or more times a game. Got to run to win the SEC.
Dyer and Lattimore was proff of that.
I read where Lattimore never had a 100 yard game against a top 10 team.
Anyone know if this is true or not?
Know he got a 1/10th of a mile against us but didn’t keep up with his stats.
Delbert D.
February 3rd, 2011
8:00 pm
Crowell played in a high school offense. Next, he will play in a college offense. No mystery there.
Big L
February 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
Y’all just watch Boo Malcolm.
1962 DAWG
February 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
Big L
He’s a big kid and saw him warming up every game at home this year, looks like Tim Worley did back a few years ago, that kinda big type runner.
1962 DAWG
February 3rd, 2011
8:14 pm
Anybody know what Crowell’s number was in HS, and wonder if CMR promised him a certain number.
I know Boo Malcome wore number 24 last season,
Wonder who’ll get Gray’s number 6 and A.J. Green’s number 8?
Dawg in gatorville
February 3rd, 2011
8:22 pm
Does not matter if Crowell is ready or not, King and Ealey have not produced and they walk around like they are entitled and do not work hard to get ready. Too many people close to the program including current and former players have said that.. So getting Crowell may be a wake up call the older and more experienced backs.. If they plan on going pro, they better see the field. to see the field they have to get the job done and that means working their tails off now!!
War Eagle
February 3rd, 2011
8:43 pm
All these PRAISES for Crowell, what happen to Caleb King, these comments have a familiar ring??
PowerDawg
February 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
Should have making decisions like this years ago. Never, ever take your foot off the gas. When your opponent is knocked down, stomp on his throat. Finish him.
Think Meyer, Saban, Spurrier or Miles would have kicked a FG on 4th and a foot against UCF? U-C-F! No way, my friends. Those are the type coaches that go for the jugular…especially if they get a turnover deep in your half of the field. You can just about bet that the ball was going to be thrown into the end zone on the VERY NEXT PLAY!
This is the kind of predator instinct we have been missing for the last several years. From now on, take no prisoners.
CMR has to be all-in at every feasible opportunity now. His players, staff and the university deserve no less than that this coming season.
Finish the drill no longer applies. Now it’s finish your opponents, coach.
Finish your opponents.
Mark
February 3rd, 2011
8:56 pm
There is another kid there no one is talking about and that is Malcome. Ealey would be fantastic if he could keep the ball in his hands, and King just needs to keep his butt outta trouble. The Dawgs should have a high profile running attack it just depends on the effort these kids wanna put in to it. Could you imagine how good this team would be on offense if King and Ealey pulled their heads outta their A@%!
Mark
February 3rd, 2011
8:58 pm
Hey War Eagle, whats wrong, you a little butt hurt Crowell snubbed you guys!!! You would be praising him if he came out on signing day and shouted War Eagles!! Go to your own blog sites and get the hell off of ours!!
AltamahaDawg
February 3rd, 2011
9:09 pm
Rome and Charles are completely different types of TE’s, Its not a matter of one or the other at the position.. Maybe one or the other depending on the situation. Could see them both on the field at the same time as well.
Phil
February 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
Richt’s biggest fault is that he is too loyal to guys that have been in the program and have waited their turn for a chance to play. No way Joe Cox should have been playing over Murray 2 years ago. Cox is one of the worst QB’s we have ever had at UGA. But old loyal Richt felt like he owed it to him to let Cox play.
With that being said, Richt has got to drop that way of thinking and put the damn best players on the field, period. If that means Ealey and Caleb King sit behind Crowell, then so be it. If LeMay turns out to better than Murray, then put his a$$ on the field too. If Jay Rome is better than Charles or White, put him out there.
Ray Drew needs to be out there.
Richt redshirted Knowshown Moreno for crying out loud. You think he was better than any back we had at that time? I think so. Put all these studs on the field Richt!
Phil
February 3rd, 2011
9:15 pm
War Eagle,
You guys recruited Caleb King just as hard as we did. Too bad ya didn’t get him.
Zoli
February 3rd, 2011
9:29 pm
Martin. How do you know about Lemay’s poise? Murray is a bright spot for the upcoming season. That guy carried the offense when things broke down. I agree with Apples II Oranges. Dudes a re tard!
Mountain Dawg
February 3rd, 2011
10:37 pm
“All the nuances of Mike Bobo’s offense”??? Give me a break!!!
finally?
February 3rd, 2011
10:51 pm
When we signed C Thomas, it was stated by Booboo that he would be the ideal player that we needed to get the ball ‘in space’. At 5′7″ and 170 or so, that would make sense, the kid has quick feet and good speed. The space Bobo referred to, however, was between guard and tackle……not much space there.
marcus
February 3rd, 2011
11:51 pm
martin- you are stupid!!!!!! murray is a winner. i was proud of him all year. i know my football and this is no bias statement. murray is the real deal. he had a crappy team. he is going to be great.
zbulldawg
February 4th, 2011
7:14 am
Still got to knock people down! Last years OL looked lost most of the year! FROM MATS TO MEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
savannadawg
February 4th, 2011
7:23 am
Why are we talking about being world beaters against Boise St. PLEASE lets not get carried away with a team that had 22 seniors in its class this past season. This will be a new Boise team. Probably still good, but not 22 seniors good.
Grim Reaper
February 4th, 2011
7:24 am
“Will he have picked up all the nuances of Mike Bobo’s offense by then?”
Now that’s funny! Most of the posts I’ve read by Dawh fans/suporters on Jawja blogs call BooBoo a “nusance”, not a nuance…
Congrats to the Dawgs on picking up Theus the long snapper and giving him a scholly after asking him to walk on, seeing that his brother is the highest rated OL in Florida and a top ten overall 5 star recruit for next years “dream team”….
edumacated
February 4th, 2011
7:47 am
One thing I am tired of seeing people write is how we should have won or could have won more games this year. The fact is, Richt fielded the worst team UGA has seen in over a decade, after having top recruiting classes since he got here. They deserved every loss. It required a major failure of his daily coaching duties in order to pull that off. Sit and blame players like Ealey and King all you want, or lay it at the feet of BoBo, but it’s the head man who is the most responsible. Period. Wake up everyone. The sooner he is gone from Athens, the quicker the rebuilding process can start.
UGADawg83
February 4th, 2011
7:56 am
The biggest question is whether or not Bill will actually be at the game or just offer his recap of what the tv folks say. Bill–get of your duff and go to a game that isn’t in Athens.
dave
February 4th, 2011
8:16 am
Martin….you are a football moron.
SickandTired
February 4th, 2011
8:38 am
There’s nothing wrong with a freshman playing IF he can do the job. So far, Crowell has only shown that he can string out a decision to get face time on ESPN. It remains to be seen if he can do the job and Mark Richt is showing desperation that the head coach of the University of Georgia should never show but he has to because he’s miserably underachieved. So we again see another player that’s been promised playing time. The most sickening example of that for Dawg Nation is that memorable time when he promised Shockley playing time. All that did was cost Georgia a crystal football in 2002. A fact that can’t be argued and a fact that Mark Richt because he is such a proud man has never admitted. Turn the young one loose Mark, lose to Boise then let Spurrier bring a veteran club into Sanford and get beat and hear the boos that signal the end.
TNT
February 4th, 2011
8:55 am
I have a feeling Crowell will wear #5 last number 5 i saw was Michael Cooper. What ever happened to him?
TNT
February 4th, 2011
9:03 am
Malcome runs like Herschel
clem
February 4th, 2011
9:08 am
Does anyone know how big this Crowell kid is and what is his 40 yard dash time?
DancinDawg
February 4th, 2011
9:28 am
Bill: It was Dabo Swinney and Clemson that first used the “All In” phrase. Auburn stole it. Check this out. Dabo started using it immmediately as an interim coach in 2008. It pains me that Auburn can’t think hard enough to come up with their own thing.
Joe
February 4th, 2011
9:59 am
Yes, It would have been the correct thing to do….Give Mettenberger the starting job..He was arrested for a sexual offense…What does Richt do then???? WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE, kick him off the team……Do not forget what the guy did before the spring game…..He actually was never in the picture after the incident in Remerton. It was a matter of time that he got kicked off the team. He is lucky he did not have jail time…
TrueBlue
February 4th, 2011
10:03 am
It might be better that Crowell does NOT know Bobos schemes…
Sleeper Service
February 4th, 2011
10:03 am
I just want them all to protect the “rock” this year. If Crowell can hold on to the ball then give him the go!
Great class but aren’t they always?
jt
February 4th, 2011
10:07 am
Someone help me understand QB rating….Does it include handing off he ball to a RB successfully without a turnover? Does the distance the RB runs have any score on the QB rating? Was Belue a highly rated QB or was he good at handing it off to Hershel effectively? Was Nesbitt a better qb two years ago than Stafford because he handed the ball off well to the backs and beat UGA?