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
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
10:15 am
Phil, you asked the question does anyone thing Moreno was not the best RB “at that time”. I don’t.
I also don’t think the guestion is as simple as “best” as in potential. It has to be best as in best option. It has to be asked in term of reality and circumstance. It’s certainly as simple as predicting the future of such thing as the likelyhood that somebody is going to be the one extremely rare player to leave for the pros as a sophomore. If you ran that entire chain of event 10 more time, 9 of those would have been a complete waste of a year for Moreno to stick him in behind those guys that year. AND Richt have proven plenty of times that if that criteria of best option is a freshman, thats who he goes with. Had Moreno been better “at that time”, he would have played.
Frankly, it’s pretty hard to believe that he wouldn’t put his best option on the field. The loyalty argument simply ignores that he also has loyalty to 100 other players, 2 dozen staff jobs, family, freinds , and a million Dawg fans. I doubt that he would crap on all that for just one of the many players that come and go.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
10:21 am
certainly NOT as simple…that is
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
10:33 am
I’ve seen it said that Crowell was acting selfish to string out his decision. I’ll not debate his motives for attention. Nor fault him. As is pointed out, he still has to do the thing.
BUT in reality his doing so brought a lot more national attention to Georgia, The Dream Team, The recruiting efforts of Richt’s staff. You have to admit the fans got a lot more energized by that whole episode than had he simple committed a long time back. IF he felt strongly he was eventually coming, and clearly the staff did, then you could not have purchased any publicity than having him wait to announce. Early announcement also are never painted as picked UGA OVER somebody else. (as in beat out Ala) One has to wonder how much of that was staged?
Jborodawg
February 4th, 2011
10:34 am
Altamaha….once again the voice of reason. Thx.
red and black
February 4th, 2011
10:35 am
has anyone heard from Marcus….you know the “Ilove to hate Aaron Marray” guy??? Just wondering how he is doing
the u
February 4th, 2011
11:05 am
Today’s exceptional high school athlete is usually accustomed to the packed gymnasium, sold out football stadium and televised performances. UGA should stop the freshman bios, once you get that exceptional talent you got to play him day one. You’ll get three years out of the exceptional talent, why risk injury in red shirt competiton. If injury becomes a set back, let it be on the meaninful field of competiton. Crowell appears to be exceptional.
nostrodamus
February 4th, 2011
11:27 am
Georgia will win the National Championship.
Dixie Redcoat Band
February 4th, 2011
11:28 am
So are you people saying that king is still on the team! wow..
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
11:32 am
Getting only three years from exceptional talent is the very reason that Redshirting WOULD make sense. You dont gain an extra year in playing a freshman, you swap a year, his best year actually. 3 better years vs 2 and some change. It’s the same formula for player who don’t leave early. Apple for Apples a player should be better his last year than his first.
Injuries happen in practise and a pick up game of BBabll. Should not try to predict the future.
Being able to help the football team win a football game at that time should be the only criteria considered. Crowell (possibly) can. Ealey was determined to be able to. List goes on……… Murray could not “at the time”. Moreno could not “at the time”. Linemen most often can not simply from a physical maturity standpoint, but obvious when one is determined to be the best option even they play.
Buh Bye
February 4th, 2011
11:39 am
Boise State 69
Georgia 13
Crowell will fumble twice and will be arrested for assault and battery and public intoxication after the game. So much for this thug.
Caleb and Washuan ......... outraged???
February 4th, 2011
11:40 am
If Caleb and Ealey are enraged, let them show it on the f-i-e-l-d. THEN, they can shut some mouth, mine included. THEY NEED to man up and play ball. Both thought ( past tense) they were headed for the NFL. Their immaturity and their lack of character will hurt them badly come 2012 draft time ………………… unless they man up and run for 800 yds each AND HELP Crowell learn the system.
The NFL is watching them …………….. it IS up to these two. Let us see if they ARE men.Time will tell.
Personally, with these two and Boo Kenny Malcome, Carlton Thomas AND Crowell, running behind road grader Figgins ……………. wow!! I like it and these two guys OUGHT to recoginze the potential instead of whining. Do right …………..and maybe …………….maybe they get drafted. The NFL is all into character now.
Go Dogs.
GT jealousy
February 4th, 2011
11:43 am
GT jealousy abounds after UGA does something good, like 2011 recruiting or UGA BASKETBALL !!
GT? How is basketball working out for y’all this year?? Hmmmmmmmm? How about GT’s recruiting in football? Tuitt on board yet?????
We love em or hate them depending on where they commit
February 4th, 2011
11:49 am
Most UGA grads and fans enjoy the signing day drama. Why not? These are kids. I do enjoy it and I try to view some of the HS all star games. I love college ball, not the NFL.
When they announce their selection as UGA with Florida and FSU and AU and LSU hats on the table or vice versa, we respond accordingly. Right? It IS fun.
Problem here is when the GT grads see U of Chattanooga or Millsaps College or Citadel or Davidson College caps along with that mighty brand GT, they become ill. THAT is GT’s issue with UGA recruiting.
There are two ways out for CK and WE
February 4th, 2011
12:01 pm
Both UGA running backs can turn into upper classmen mentors and play hard. They can help boost the play of Crowell and when in the game ……………..run hard. This is door # 1 for them. Possibly it will lead them both to pro football ………….. possibly.
Door # 2. Leave now. Coaching staff will not let them hang around causing a devisive environment. No way will that be allowed anymore at UGA.
So …………..is it Door # 1 or Door # 2 for these gentlemen??
Go Dogs. Go Dogs.
PHIL
February 4th, 2011
12:18 pm
I wish this guy would get another name. Let it be known that I am not moronic enough to believe that Moreno was as ready as a freshman as the backs that were there with him at that time. He was not a better option. Richt just said he should have played him to give him a pat on the back.
Crowell has a better shot at playing early, but at over 5 yards a carry the other two guys aren’t that bad. It seems to me the problem was all the carries that got stuffed or amounted to a yard or two. The average doesn’t mean they got 5 yards every time they carried the ball. Hopefully some new red shirt linemen and a new coach will help the run game.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
12:19 pm
I thought I read where tech only ordered Visors this year.
Crowell is the next Jasper Sanks
February 4th, 2011
12:29 pm
Go dawwwwwwwwgies
Jborodawg
February 4th, 2011
12:42 pm
Caleb and Washaun…”…If Caleb and Ealey are enraged…THEY NEED to man up and play ball. Both thought ( past tense) they were headed for the NFL. Their immaturity and their lack of character will hurt them badly come 2012 draft time …”
Haven’t heard that from either one of them. Cite the article if you’ve read that somewhere. Or, have you been hangin with em and heard them say that? Immaturity and lack of character? I think Caleb’s indiscretions are in the past and behind him now. And, I think both will be outstanding RBs this year. ‘Course, we’ll have to wait and see.
Someone mentioned CMR messed up promising Crowell playing time. I haven’t read anywhere about CMR promising anybody playing time.
Jborodawg
February 4th, 2011
12:47 pm
It’s great that Michael Turner (or Bush or Tomlinson or Sanders or…) has never run up the middle and only gained a yard or two.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
12:49 pm
Old Phil, I actually thought that was a new phil posting that. I’ve read enough of your post to know you wouldn’t take that stance. But just to be sure, I didn’t use any explicatives.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
12:53 pm
Turner also didn’t stand behind a freshman QB who was muttering “10,9,8,7….. crap, play clock, here, just run it”
edumacated
February 4th, 2011
1:01 pm
I for one think Moreno was ready at least by mid season his true freshman year. He was head and shoulders above most of the other SEC backs by the time they let him out there. That doesn’t happen overnight.
ArmyDawg
February 4th, 2011
1:04 pm
Richt – “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.”
While I like that Richt has that much confidence in Crowell, I think the first play should be fake the run, then deep pass to King/Mitchell/Brown (ala Stafford to Massaquoi in the 07 Florida game). Go ahead and set the tone for the season on the first play. Save the grinding for the next series. haha
But thats just my opinion.
dawg squeeze
February 4th, 2011
1:42 pm
Top 5 class?………OK…fine. If history is any indication, we can take 10 notches off that number…..UGA will finish 15th in the polls in 4 years. UGA…the home of champions LOL
Bozo
February 4th, 2011
1:56 pm
Crowell will play until he fumbles. The coaches base their decision on which RB will play by their last fumble or last arrest.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
2:18 pm
Somewhat of a factor could have been that by midseason, they already saw what kind of mistake they were just to have to live with having a Freshman Stafford on the field. Am expereinced QB with a freshman back, or a freshman QB and some wise upperclassman in the backfiled might not be a big deal. Both freshmen? Was he “that” ready..or just could have played? The actual question was “better (than guys there) at the time. Not just could he have played.
Plus Georgia finished that last half of the season pretty well. So not sure what difference his playing would have made, even IF he was ready. And if he was, as you say, head and shoulders better than most SEC back opening up the 2007 season, clearly Redshirting didn’t set him back any.
Roc5542
February 4th, 2011
2:20 pm
Well we have put together a nice class. Now with what wr have returning and coming in, the coaching staff really needs to COACH these kids up. Put the best players on the field of play, the Hell with seniority! I’d bet you anything that a Nick Satan or Myer would take this class and team to a sec championship and national championship with in two years. I truly never understood why BoBo would continually call play actions plays when our running game sucked ass. UGA member these words, Honor, Courage, Commitment! Live by it and show it own the Damn field. Go Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
2:21 pm
his mistake(s) they had to live with, (that stafford was making)
Ed (The Original)
February 4th, 2011
2:23 pm
Richt learned his lesson from the Knowshown Moreno debacle. You don’t keep talent like that sitting on the pine for a year.
icedawg
February 4th, 2011
2:42 pm
Run Herschel run
hammerhead
February 4th, 2011
2:43 pm
anything to motivate ealey and king!!
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
3:01 pm
God forbid this Crowley kids every does get any experience. You guys will be screaming for him to get off the field.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
3:02 pm
especially when they had his name wrong on his jersey huh?
dawg squeeze
February 4th, 2011
3:07 pm
Same story every year….dawgs fans all pumped up ready to claim more championships in the future. Don’t get mad at me but ask yourself honestly…..has a major program that has been blessed with such resources accomplished less than UGA football? UGA football……30 years and counting!
Furry Camel Socks
February 4th, 2011
3:24 pm
Before Richts dangles anything he needs to grow a pair first. 4th and inches inside the opponents 5 yard line and kicks a damn field goal. Sheesh……
AM is too short?
February 4th, 2011
3:26 pm
For all those who like to say AM is too short to win anything or see TE’s and all that garbage. Drew Brees–you know, super bowl winner–6′ 0″ tall. Didn’t seem to limit him too much huh? Oh ya, Colt Mccoy – winningest ncaa qb- listed at 6′ 1″ (same as AM) I don’t think the argument holds water. Just my two cents
bigreddawglover
February 4th, 2011
3:28 pm
Did you ever hear of play-action? CMR is clearly setting up the first play of the new “season of hope”
with some deception. Boise will key on Crowell, Murray will fake the hand off and go deep to Charles for 6 and Crowell will trot off the field having passed the first test of his career as a Bulldog.
I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NT1819
February 4th, 2011
3:32 pm
He won’t start on opening day as he will be arrested at least once before then.
ramondo azteca
February 4th, 2011
3:47 pm
Will he have picked up the NUANCES of Mike Bobo’s offense by then? Are you kidding me Mr. King? SInce Bob’s offense has no nuances now, Crowell can move right onto pass protecting. I really hope the kid is next year’s Marcus Lattimore.
how2fish
February 4th, 2011
3:50 pm
Well we will see won’t we…
how2fish
February 4th, 2011
3:52 pm
dawg squeeze yes I can I can think of a team that won their conference and got beat by a sub par UGA team in their house…that is real under achieving…
Buck Blew
February 4th, 2011
3:54 pm
richt is a fool. kirby smart is going to inherit a lot of talent in 2012.
how2fish
February 4th, 2011
3:56 pm
Buck Blew your name says it all….
Buck Blew
February 4th, 2011
3:57 pm
for all the dawg fans that are wetting themselves over the dream team let me remind them…….hearst and zeier were just as big recruits as murray and crowell. zero sec titles and never beat the gators.
FanSince59
February 4th, 2011
4:09 pm
Before anybody goes into convulsions over which BCS bowl UGA will be going to after the 2011 season, just remember that Bobo is still the offensive coordinator. This in and of itself should give sane people reason for pause.
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
4:11 pm
Richt going to turn to Crowell in the dome and say:
Here toke this rock…..over to Ealey. He needs to get loose, games about to start. And get me some poweraid on your way back.
Breadfan
February 4th, 2011
4:14 pm
I wonder if the hotdogs are better in the Georgia Dome?
AltamahaDawg
February 4th, 2011
4:17 pm
I bet they ain’t free.
Gator Man
February 4th, 2011
4:19 pm
Thats right UGA, do what you have for the last 30 years, shoot your mouth off about how great the talent you have.
You know when your program is in the dumps when your coach has to sell the fans on a freshmen that has yet to carry a college football.
You idiots already have the starting lineup LOL, boy the rest of us in the SEC are so scared.
Mark Richt please stay at Georgia because theres not a school in Florida including high schools that would hire you.
oakwood dawg
February 4th, 2011
5:03 pm
Gator Man–IF we beat the gaytors next year I bet we will never again see you on our blogs and that would almost be as wonderful as winning the game. I wonder if the gaytors have a blog and if they do you don’t see any dawgs on it. Haven’t you guessed by now that we don’t care for gaytors and their input means nothing to us.