Caleb King as 2011 Dawgs’ savior?
Can Caleb King really be the lead Dog in 2011? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
I’m afraid there’s probably an awful lot of wishful thinking fueling Buck Belue’s take on Caleb King, but I’d like nothing better than for old No. 8 to be right on the mark.
I think Buck’s right that Isaiah Crowell isn’t likely to be ready to be “the lead Dog” early on, especially considering the pass protection duties a Georgia tailback has.
Belue thinks that leaves King as “a young man in a good position. He’s motivated to have a big senior season. It’s his last shot to impress NFL scouts. He’s in the best shape of his life and can play physical at 220-plus. Caleb can hold up between the tackles, burst it outside, catch it and protect. Solid all-around skill set.”
Of course, Belue allows, King has proved disappointing in the past. “There have been injuries and issues.”
“The track record says Caleb King is going to disappoint you,” Buck writes. “Understand that. But I’m not buying it this time. I see a 1,000 yard season. 200 carries and 12 TD runs. A 5-yard per carry average. And as it turns out, a positive influence on Crowell.”
What do you think? A likely scenario or just a summer fan dream?
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319 comments Add your comment
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
3:35 pm
Boise will be disappointed come Sept 3.The closet thing BSU played to a SEC team was VT and it was an overtime game.ARK,SC,MSU or FLA….can you really say they beat any of those teams?Based on what?They beat VT?
On another note….the running back thing is a bit overblown IMO.There were only 4 1000 yd rushers in the SEC last year and 1 was a QB and HE lead the league in rushing not a tailback.It’s more about how well you play on Defense than it’s about rushing stats.SC and Ark finished 8th and 9th in the SEC in rushing Offense last year…whoopeedoo
Pathologically malignant
June 22nd, 2011
3:38 pm
King is an even bigger cancer to this team than Ealey was. They should both have been sent home in disgrace.
King will end up in jail, and Richt will rue the day he recruited this two-bit punk.
Boise in ATL
June 22nd, 2011
3:41 pm
It’s interesting to see 21-10 and 21-17 – UGA win scores.
I can see this game a 19-8 Boise win – similar to the Boise – Oregon game in 2009.
Oregon’s O-Line was struggling to come together – by seasons end – they were very good – losing to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Losing to Boise two years in a row was a wakeup call – and they continued to developed – which carried over to 2010.
I see UGA in similar light as Oregon in 2009. Much improved defense – good QB – but question mark was the development of the OLINE. We are catching UGA at a great time – this really plays in our favor.
My fear is that UGA will lose to South Carolina as well – starting 0-2.
Since living in ATL for 3 years now – I have found it hard to root for S. Carolina and Clemson. I do not know why – I really enjoy following several teams and watch the season unfold – but find it very hard to root for both these teams.
kb
June 22nd, 2011
3:42 pm
Boise in Atlanta, repeat of 2005 48-13. Nice little team from little conference thats overrated. Beat up VT and a win over Oklahoma and Oregon, none in the same year. 2010 was an off year.How many teams from the SEC would have 11 wins playing in the WAC? I listened to the Boise fans in 2005 they laugh when told they would lose by 5 tds . Boise is better this year, Broncos only lose by 17.
Keep it Simple
June 22nd, 2011
3:46 pm
Chazzo – OK … good stats … sounds right, have to give credit where it’s due … and they probably did go to the rec./elem fields … and Regional Championships are nice.
I’m being to hard on ol’ coach … He can win … and he is expected to win … the trouble is … the trouble with the mindset, the toughness, the desire, the willingness, the strength, the strategy …
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
3:47 pm
UGA’s record is 24-3 with a QB in his 2nd year of starting.Bodes well for Murray.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
3:53 pm
I don’t know gents…when I rewatch last years games I’m having a hard time finding this supposed “lack of toughness”I say two players get their lunch handed to them a lot. C.Robinson and J.Hamilton…they got run over too much to have been starters on Defense IMO.Both eventually were benched because of it but even with those guys I don’t know if it was a lack of “toughness” more than a lack of size.
SSIgator
June 22nd, 2011
3:54 pm
DawginLex -
“At Georgia, Richt raised the bar on expectations”
I would not call hoping that UF loses more games than UGA so they can go to the SEC Champ game raising the bar. When UGA beats UF and gets to Atlanta, that will be impressive. Don’t hold your breath though with Richt driving this crazy train, it hasn’t happened yet.
Keno
June 22nd, 2011
3:56 pm
I am not a UGA fan (GEAUX Tigers…LSU) but I think King is a very capable back. He MUST be utilized correctly, i.e. he is not a between the tackle back. Spread him out, draw plays, etc and I believe he will produce.
BG
June 22nd, 2011
3:56 pm
King will have a big senior year.
Dawg Tired
June 22nd, 2011
3:56 pm
The answer to the question is: Nobody knows. However, I do believe that someone who was a starting QB on a national championship team most likely knows more about college football than those of us who simply blog on this site, especially someone who actually is classless enough to call that former college QB a moron.
kb
June 22nd, 2011
3:57 pm
SouthGadawg, Robinson played last year at 215 up to 235-240 .
WDE
June 22nd, 2011
3:58 pm
@SSIgator keep it up reptile and we will start practicing our dancing again..lol…..
UGA '05
June 22nd, 2011
4:02 pm
Uga is eating the Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep voting! Vote or die campaign. Keep Voting!!!
Nate the Great
June 22nd, 2011
4:04 pm
Altamaha,
The most spot on I have seen. The point of reference thing is great! We are off the radar because of how bad our record was the past two seasons, which also happens to be in our favor. Nobody really remembers how well you played or how close the game was, only if you won or lost, and we lost a bunch. Everybody, including tiny Boise St., will disrespect and disregard us. Make no mistake about it, we no longer have a target of a top tier program to knock off and that will a great advantage.
It all comes down to point of reference. Great freakin’ post!!
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
4:06 pm
kb 215 was a problem so was Hamilton being about 185.The reports of Jakar being 6-2 215 is one of the biggest misinformation campaigns since the original Desert Storm.5-11 185 is more like it.
chazzo
June 22nd, 2011
4:06 pm
SGADAwg: You are right. There was a lack of size on D. More to the point there was a lack of experience and a new scheme with the lack of the right players for the scheme. I think replacing Martinez was ultimately the right thing to do, but the expectation that Grantham’s scheme was going to be stellar in his first season were a bit unrealistic. That being said, turnover margin was an area of great improvement.
Nate the Great
June 22nd, 2011
4:08 pm
One more thing about point of reference, the past is a great indicator of the future but by no means a guarantee of the future. The exact reason there is so much parody in sports, last season is LAST season not whats going to happen this season.
UGA '05
June 22nd, 2011
4:08 pm
Uga is beating the Irish 51%-49%. Keep voting. Don’t get complacent. Keep voting!!!!!
joe
June 22nd, 2011
4:09 pm
Give the kid a break. At least Buck has said something good about him. That may be a spark to get him going. Knowing someone like Belue has complemented him and has faith in him will go a long way in his confidence level…A lot more than all this trashing of the kid that some of you do.
JayD
June 22nd, 2011
4:15 pm
430 / 80 = 5.375
Vick=Dog killing Thug
June 22nd, 2011
4:16 pm
I pulling for Caleb. He didn’t quit and he’s in shape. He’s the man now, more mature and hopefully ready to lead his team? GO DAWGS
Boise in ATL
June 22nd, 2011
4:17 pm
kb – this is not 2005 – UGA won the SEC – and Boise lost 4 games (UGA, Oregon State, Fresno and BC). I did not think we were going to beat UGA that year – and I was right.
It’s not 2010 either – which bodes well for UGA after a 6-7 embarrassing campaign.
This is also a different Boise team than 2005.
Different coaching staff and much better team speed, bigger, deeper, more athletic – and a very well coached – smart team that knows how to execute.
Our staff has all summer – we will know how to attack UGA’s 3-4 and depending on down and distance – your nickel and dime packages.
We will have to execute – if we are sloppy – we are toast.
Keep on saying that there is no way that a big bad superior athletic UGA football team should get beat by a Boise. I think Colorado and UCF will agree with me in saying that thought process will get you beat in college football.
If UGA does win – you will be right in that a UGA team finally had it’s coaching staff have their team prepared and because we were out performed athletically as well.
I still think that the game is about UGA’s OLINE – the similarities between 2009 Oregon and 2011 UGA is striking.
MarineDog
June 22nd, 2011
4:22 pm
AltamahaDawg
June 22nd, 2011
3:24 pm
Outstanding post! I don’t think people realize how close we were to winning all those games last year with the exception of the Auburn game. I remember Richt saying that they were close last year and everbody jumped all over him for saying that. In fact, he was right, they were close. If you don’t believe that, then I challenge anyone to go back and really look at each one of those losses and they will see that often times one play decided the game. Most of the time, it was a turnover with them in position to take the lead in that game. Some people that don’t like Mark Richt for some reason or another will not look at what he was saying objectively and therefore you will call for his firing regardless. Not saying that the coaches haven’t made some bad decisions but the players have also made some bone-headed plays on the field as well. Turnovers and penalties have been one of biggest problems over the last few years. Even if you believe that the offense is too predictable or the defense hasn’t performed. I believe that even with those issues, if they reduced the turnovers and penalties, they still would have won most of those games.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
4:23 pm
While I appreciate the idea that UGA is deeper, more talented, etc. than Boise St., they are consistenly good every year. And, we lost to many teams that were not as good as Boise last year. I think UGA can win, but for any UGA fan to speak with confidence about beating Boise St. is completely lost his or her objectiveness.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
4:27 pm
MarineDog,
You are right, but at some point a loss is a loss and a win is a win. AU was in plenty of tight games and found a way to win them. UGA found a way to lose them. Last year, the big concerns were QB and turnover ratio. QB turned out to be excellent and the turnover ratio was also good. Still, UGA managed to lose. They need to finish games. They need to be in shape. The coaches need to hold them more accountable. Those are the big 3 things that need to change.
wns
June 22nd, 2011
4:31 pm
GA goes 4-7 and half the team is arrested for DUI and domestic abuse. Same old story, but a little worse.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
4:34 pm
WNS,
Hilarious and original post–way to go! FYI, you can find a jokebook at barnes & noble.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
June 22nd, 2011
4:38 pm
I like Buck’s scenario. It’s not likely to happen, but I like it. Caleb is an average SEC back with all the skills–especially the ones needed to keep your QB healthy. After Crowell and Malcome wow the fans for a few games on running downs, I feel King will be sitting on the pine thrown. Let ‘em all run, and go with who’s hot–the ball ain’t heavy. I bet Crowell is doing blocking drills at this moment.
Bobo is Gollum
June 22nd, 2011
4:41 pm
King will do well in the NFL just like Danny Ware who Richt refused to play and didnt coach up. This year will be a disaster. UGA will not win under Richt. Stop debating it and get rid of him.
Bluedog
June 22nd, 2011
4:41 pm
I can not see King being a STAR player for UGA.
Do not get me wrong Caleb is a big fellow, but ever since he broke his leg in High School he has been just average. I would love to see Caleb become the dominate player he was before he broke his leg. I watched him his whole career and this was a turning point to me. So no i do not see him coming through, to me this is just one weak link in UGA’s season. BUT I HOPE I’M WRONG!!
Hard Truth Soldier
June 22nd, 2011
4:46 pm
Really people how much stock can you put in Smuck Belue? If not for #34, how many of UGA fans would remember him. Take it for what it is, Buck, if not for Herschel, Athens would’ve been a nightmare for you considering you first got your but handed to you right down the road from UGA, at the 1977 state championship game against Clarke Central. Buck do Herschel a favor, send him some of your pension, he’s the reason you’ve got the good looking wife with the nice home, and good job. A legend though, you are not.
'CaneDawg loves POWER-aid !!
June 22nd, 2011
4:50 pm
Since when has a true freshman been ready to assume the “lead Dawg” position at RB for UGa ? Only the great HW defied reality by assuming lead Dawg responsibility at RB for Georgia back in ‘80. Now word comes that IC is out of shape on top of the fact that as a true freshman he has much to learn before he can become the “next” Herschel. It’s now time for the Dawgdom to face reality. UGa’s best game ready back is STILL wearing red and black, problem is not for the Dawgs, but for Jacksonville State(AL). What are the Dawgs gonna do now that it’s not looking good from the start with running savior IC? Never fear Adam Murray is here !!! Rocket scientist Bobo is hard at work dusting off and watching film of the old no huddle pass first offenses of the antiquated FSU fast break and the trashed Buffalo’s Bills K-gun of the 1990s to utilize AM’s never seen before QB abilities. Yes, the offensive braintrust believes AM could be a modern day hybrid of Jim Kelly and Charlie Ward in a hurry up, no huddle, cowardly, rabbit punching short pass attack. If you ROCKET SCIENTISTS out there believe this goon and loon approach to offense will be respected or successful in the SEC, then not only are you guzzling gallons of kool-aid daily, you’re also DEEP-FRYING your food in the kool-aid too !!! If your personnel at running back is not exactly SEC calibre then what other options are there ? Has Caleb King EVER ran for 1000 yds in a season before at UGa ? Does he even have a combined 1000 yds in his previous three years at UGa ? CK running for 1000 yds this year won’t happen. In fact there will be no 1000 yard rusher at UGa in 2011 for three reasons: 1) The OL can’t effectively run block, 2) The personnel assembled at RB don’t have it in them due to physical size limitations or underachievement, and 3) The mentality of the offensive coaching regime and their unwavering belief in the dump and short pass philosophy. The only way UGa reaches 1000 yards running this year is with the platoon running back by committee with carries distributed among all the RBs and Murray trying futilely to be Charlie Ward or Tebow running QB draws out of a make-shift spread. He’s no Tebow at 6-1, 209 pounds. Didn’t the fragile Murray get hurt playing soccer ? Doesn’t matter, in the physical SEC even the mighty Tebow got beat up and his bell rung running the ball from the QB position which scared the crap out himself and the sickly, and now retired Urban Meyer. That’s why you gotta have a stable of formidable, bona-fide SEC running backs to win big games and survive in the SEC. It’s no coincidence Meyer left UF shortly after Tebow graduated. The spread fad only worked for UF because of Tebow’s herculean efforts. Same at Auburn with Cam Newton, who was fortunate and escaped injury by playing only a year and jumping pro. Almost everybody knows it take a reliable run game to win the SEC.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
4:52 pm
CaneDawg,
They’re called paragraphs. Use them.
Doug
June 22nd, 2011
4:54 pm
You uga homers are a joke. All we hear is dream team dream team and now, well this guy isn’t ready. Give the rest of the league a freaking break. And your dream team cheer is nothing but more drivel from richt to make you gullible mutts drink more of his kool aid. Since 92, richt has had “dream teams’ meaning top 10 classes every year but twice. 4 years had better ranked classes than this year. So you can shove your dream team bs you know where. Looking forward to another whooping as always in jax.
MarineDog
June 22nd, 2011
4:56 pm
@Kevin
I completely agree with you. All I’m saying is that it’s not impossible to fix the problems from last year and have a turn around season. Both Bama and Auburn have done it. We hear all this doom and gloom and predictions that the outcome of a previous season will determine the outcome of the next season. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Just because you had a good season the year prior doesn’t mean that you’re going to have good season the next year or vice versa. I think UGA has already shown us that under the watch of Richt himself. 2 bad seasons doesn’t necessarily mean that he has forgotten how to coach. I believe that they will show vast improvement from last year. He has mad changes that are positive but I know that doesn’t matter until the games are actually played. If he doesn’t have a better season, then all of this is a moot point because he will be gone.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
4:59 pm
Doug,
Since 92 you say? Interesting since Richt started with UGA in 2001. It’s called wikipedia. Check it out before you post stats, smarty.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
5:02 pm
MarineDog,
I hope you are right and certainly think it’s possible. In some sense, UGA wins either way next year. If we perform well, great. If we don’t, we get a new head coach. I am not anti-Richt per se, but I do think that he must make it happen this year or someone else deserves a shot.
MarineDog
June 22nd, 2011
5:06 pm
@Kevin
fair enough! I hope he does turn it around, but I think that it will also set us back a year or two regardless of what coach we get unless we get someone who will keep the same style offense and defense.
ARdawg
June 22nd, 2011
5:09 pm
Boise in ATL
I like you. You’re a good poster with reasoned responses. However, I do believe you have stars in your eyes and fail to see the bigger picture. Boise is a good team but, not a great team. Your comparisons of UGA to Oregon and how it reflects to the games of Boise/UGA and Boise/Oregon past really is moot. Seems you are trying to talk yourself into a win. Unfortunately, thats not where these games are won. Do you honestly believe Boise is going to line up toe to toe to the talent and depth of Georgia and come away with a win? I don’t. If you think the Georgia OL isn’t going to show up, you are mistaken. You don’t make any reference to the Georgia defense against the Boise offense. I suppose that was on purpose?
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
5:16 pm
Hearst was pretty good as frehman rb…so was Hampton…Musa Smith..Lumpkin..Ware..T.Brown…Moreno and hell Ealey wasn’t too shaby either
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
5:18 pm
ARdawg,
I appreciate your optimism and hope you are right, However, BSU has beaten VT, OR and Oklahoma–all repectable teams. Our O-line did not show up all last year, and now they are less experienced and injured. You accuse Boise in ATL of talking himself into a win, but aren’t you talking yourself into an O-line showing up in a much more obvious way?! And, VT, whom BSU beat, regularly has top 10 defenses. They’re defense did not stop BSU.
In any case, Boise in ATL has every reason to be confident. Similarly, I think there exist reasons for UGA to equally confident. But, this talk about BSU can’t line up with UGA is nonsense. They have lined up with teams as good as UGA in the past and won.
MountainDawg
June 22nd, 2011
5:20 pm
King was (grossly) overhyped coming out of HS. He has a tad of skill & some potential, but a 1K+ rusher he is not. I hope this Crowell kid isn’t overhyped & lives up to his billing (unlike Jasper Sanks, Marquis Elmore, etc.). As of now, Crowell had best get heads down in the playbook, study up on pass blocking & stay out of trouble.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
5:27 pm
MountainDawg,
If you’d watched Caleb King’s high school highlight reel, you could not possibly believe he had “a tad of skill & potential”–he was nothing short of amazing. And, at UGA he’s averaged over 5 yards per rush each of the last 2 seasons. And last season, his oline performed terribly. I am not buying that Caleb will be the savior, but without an o-line, no RB can be. Caleb has the skills–no question. Caleb needs blocking.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
5:30 pm
Bsu beat Okl and VT both in overtime.Trying to use that as some indicator is a bit of a stretch Imo
D Bag Trolls!
June 22nd, 2011
5:31 pm
UGA ROCKS and you know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for having the DAWGS on the BRAIN again!
You guys and gals have let the DAWGS run your life and we thank you for that!
Mark (another one)
June 22nd, 2011
5:32 pm
I have to agree with BB. I told my family the same thing when Ealey left.
King has the physical tools and he plays with his head in the game. The broken jaw two years ago slowed him down, and last year was all about off field stupidity and maturity. I bet he knows now that he won’t play if he doesn’t follow the rules, and he knows there are others in the wings with the potential to make people forget he’s around. This is his last shot.
I also prefer to bet on a veteran back with game experience and averages 5 yards per carry. Spell him with Malcome and see if we can redshirt Crowell. As much as people hope Crowell will be another 34, I don’t. He may be a great back but 34 was special.
kevin
June 22nd, 2011
5:32 pm
I am not sure how beating a team in overtime = a stretch? In any case, after last season, saying Boise St. cannot line up with UGA is absurd. After all the like of CO, UCF and Miss. St. did.
ARdawg
June 22nd, 2011
5:33 pm
kevin
I regularly “call it like I see it”. Verbally masturbating ones self into a win to my knowledge has never happened. I don’t expect it will at the Kick off classic either. Boise is a good team. Yes they have beaten similarly good teams in the past. Or were they? Is Georgia? My only poke at BoiseATL is his selective use of “history” per se’. Because Boise beat VT (a very weak VT) last year is as relevant as the drubbing Boise got the last time they were in Athens. Both of which is completely irrelevant to this game yet to be played.
I do not for a second believe Boise will come to ATL and match up or win that game. They got “good” players. They have a great coach and they usually always prepare for they’re big game match ups. Besides UGA having the depth, the size and the speed, Boise doesn’t (this time) have the element of surprise. Look for a 2 TD Georgia victory. You heard it here first and you can thank me later.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
5:34 pm
It’s like saying GT’s 45-42 win in 08 showed GT had closed the gap against Uga