On a rival’s troubles and a Dawg being jerked around
Richard Samuel's move back to tailback isn't likely to be in his best interest. (Special)
The NCAA/Georgia Tech story was being discussed Thursday afternoon at the afternoon news meeting in our newsroom when one of the senior editors cracked, “Bill, what’s that big smile on your face?”
OK, I’ll admit it, as was probably true with any other UGA die-hard, I couldn’t help taking some pleasure in the “Institute” being caught once again with its frequently trumpeted integrity not quite in place.
But considering the fragile nature of “good standing” in the world of the NCAA, it’s not a good idea to spend too much time crowing about a rival getting slapped, as you never know when your own school is going to have to deal with another eligibility issue.
I will say note, though, that last year Georgia’s coaches determined that they would sit A.J. Green rather than risk using an ineligible player, and that kept Jerseygate from turning into something much bigger and nastier, like what has come down on the Flats.
I’ve no idea what, if anything, will transpire in the Jarvis Jones case. But I’m betting until Mark Richt and his staff know, Jones won’t take the field.
Meanwhile, before it was official yesterday that Richard Samuel would be returning to the tailback position, I wrote that I thought it was a bad idea, and I still do.
Oh, I fully understand why Richt is doing it, and you can make a good case that from the team’s perspective it’s the right move. Georgia has a startling lack of experience at the tailback position right now, and Samuel has experience, albeit in the somewhat distant past.
But for Samuel’s development as a player it’s not the right move. Having already gone from starter to benchwarmer in the backfield once, the young man stood a better chance of getting sustained playing time as a backup linebacker. At tailback, he may start out the season getting a decent number of carries spelling true freshman Isaiah Crowell, but as Crowell gets acclimated to college ball, Samuel’s likely to find himself back on the bench again.
I’d love to be wrong about that and for Samuel and Crowell to develop into a one-two punch in the backfield, but what we’ve seen of Samuel in the past indicates that his best use would be as a linebacker.
The back-and-forth with Samuel brings to mind the UGA career of Kiante Tripp, who the Georgia coaches moved from defensive end to offensive tackle to tight end back to offensive tackle back to defensive end. And he ended up excelling at none of those positions.
I hate to see the same thing happen to Samuel’s career.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
207 comments Add your comment
JB
July 15th, 2011
1:24 pm
Tech fans,,,,notice it’s gone from giving you hell Yesterday to Dawg fans taking up for you now. I like that, but I know that never comes back. That’s OK, that’s just the way it is.
7576DAWG
July 15th, 2011
1:25 pm
As cooperative as UGA and A.J Green was and what exactly went down I totally agree that 4 game suspension was way too much. The NCAA was trying to set a standard penalty for such violations and didn’t realize that each case has to be reviewed and stand on it’s own. Way too many variables that change with each case.At most Green should have lost 2 games.
General Ledger
July 15th, 2011
1:32 pm
I agree that it’s not a good move to permanently move Samuel back to running back. Give him some practice time and cross train him and use him as some kind of emergency back if Crowell and Malcome are injured. He didn’t look like he had what it takes to be a great rb in the sec but might be better suited for linebacker. They’ve basically wasted him at this point. He’s got to be rusty and hasn’t played rb for awhile, so he’s going to probably be behind relearning the position along with Crowell. Not a very good idea.
7576DAWG
July 15th, 2011
1:33 pm
Dawg Tired
I totally agree that the NCAA is a joke. They play God and don’t get very much respect because the are inconsistent in their penalties. I will be very interested in what happens with Ohio State , Auburn , Oregon ,Mississippi State and North Carolina.
Big Johnson Dawg
July 15th, 2011
1:37 pm
Always funny to me when Richt and staff are blasted (by some) when a player gets hurt, or in trouble, or fails to make the grade. Yet, they are given no credit when a player exceeds expectations on or off the field. There’s just as many great stories coming out of Athens as there is bad ones, but all of the attention seems to always be focused on the bad stuff. The easiest thing in the world is to criticize, but it serves no purpose, and is totally lame!
Randall "Pink" Floyd
July 15th, 2011
1:38 pm
Kiante Tripp wasn’t good at any position, but at least he was given a shot at a couple. Samuel never got a shot at LB. Feel bad for the kid.
Travis
July 15th, 2011
1:39 pm
NCAA 2 Jackettes: 0 hahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhahhahahahahahaha…….so happy this happened. the nerds got brought back down to earth…….integrity…..self righteous…… group. funny….the techies are sure quiet today…..
Gator Mike
July 15th, 2011
1:39 pm
Enter your comments here
Joe
July 15th, 2011
1:41 pm
I cant stand the NCAA….I think it is a complete joke…..but I also cant stand Tech…so anything bad that can happen to them is great…….you can also add the Barnyard on 85 south to the list also,.
marie
July 15th, 2011
1:43 pm
I love the letter written by sean bedford-great job. Finally some guts to stand up to the joke that is the ncaa! Go Dawgs!
WayneDog
July 15th, 2011
1:48 pm
Malcome is going to surprise a lot of fans.He is one tough kid.
Eaassyy
July 15th, 2011
1:50 pm
It blows my mind that the GT situation was not even a blip on the AJC’s RADAR prior to the decision. How does this happen? Nobody knew about this? Did you not think it was story worthy until they made the decision to come down on the Institution? This is poor journalism by the entire AJC sports staff.
AltamahaDawg
July 15th, 2011
2:01 pm
They got punched in the face.
" HOT " seat
July 15th, 2011
2:02 pm
Enter your comments here
Buckeye
July 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
Vacate the entire history of college football and move on. No further need for the NCAA to vacate past seasons/titles. Problem solved.
koolaide drinker
July 15th, 2011
2:06 pm
oooh…I just love richard samuel at running back….why don’t you all remember how he TORE UP the SEC as a running back in his previous assignment. that, in combination with coach richt’s ability to win 2 sec titles in 3 years and almost 90 games and mike bobo’s great play calling plus grantham’s incredible defense…not to mention that S&C conditioning program that is the BEST in the NCAA lead by that DGD Terishinski has me thinking BCS championship all the way baby.
Did I mention that Crowell WILL BE the next heisman winner??????
Go dawgs…all you negative people suck and you aren’t real fans.
AltamahaDawg
July 15th, 2011
2:10 pm
You Just know deep down, all the tech folks are thinking:
“Whew! Thank GOD it was just the ACC rings”
gtfanfrom1951
July 15th, 2011
2:11 pm
Tech got kicked (u know where) and Ohio State got sat in the corner. No CLASS American Association make more money on OHIO StATE! Its all about the money!!!
RedandBlackDAWG
July 15th, 2011
2:14 pm
Bill,
I am just glad you are not a coach at UGA. I think sometimes you write artciles, just to raise a little stink and increase your readership.
Big Earl
July 15th, 2011
2:14 pm
@JB…well said!
Kyle
July 15th, 2011
2:15 pm
I think it’s great Richard’s putting the team first. “Jerked around” is a little harsh and I think Coach Richt’s view on player development is one we can trust given his track record with the great ones to pass through here the last 11 years. So I see your point Bill but I think he’ll be fine.
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:18 pm
Bill,
You sure you have time to write insightful articles like that? Isn’t it time to clear out the pig dung from behind your trailer?
Billy
July 15th, 2011
2:19 pm
I don’t particularly care for Ga Tech, but this latest “scandal” is just another sad example of the petty martinets at the NCAA putting the screws to another school for trivial infractions in order to justify its existence. That they continue to portray themselves as the protector of the integrity of collegiate athletics is utterly laughable and merely underscores the dire need to disband this white elephant. This sad joke of an organization merely propagates the plantation system that college football has devolved into. The NCAA has become the Buford T. Justice of regulatory agencies and its time for a new sheriff.
As for Richard Samuel, he deserves all the credit in the world for being a good kid and selfless teammate. That he is getting jerked around again because UGA keeps recruiting nitwits like Ealey and King is testament both to Samuel’s high quality character and CMR’s low quality coaching. Best of luck to both men – they’re going to need it.
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:21 pm
If only Tech could focus on academics and character like the geniuses at UGA..
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:22 pm
I realize my name is a bit redundant..no need to point that out..
HotReceiver
July 15th, 2011
2:22 pm
Here’s how I think it goes down.
Samuel: runs for 60 yards a game on 11 carries
Crowell: runs for 35 yards a game on 7 carries
Smith: runs for 35 yards a game on 4 carries
Malcome/Thomas: 25 yards on 6 carries
Murray: runs for 25 yards a game on 5 carries
Newman
July 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
Ealey, King and Samuel were all 5-star guys coming in to UGA. Who’s the RB coach???
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:24 pm
Tech’s AD could learn a lot from the high standards of class and character set by previous ADs at UGA…also, where to party on Thursday nights in buckhead.
Redundancy Plus
July 15th, 2011
2:29 pm
Illiterate Dawg: I realize my name is a bit redundant… no need to point that out.
Yes, it is, and no, there isn’t.
Charlie Hayes
July 15th, 2011
2:29 pm
UGA has infractions (minor and major) and we sit kids out, punish them and even kick them off the team. GT never displines any of its players by sitting out games. That should be the first indication that they are cheating the system. No college football team can go through a pre-season and not have a player violation. It’s impossible to do. You GT fans should be calling for your AD’s head for this being covered-up within GT when the violations occurred. You shouldn’t be upset with the NCAA. The NCAA is just upholding the rules. Two GT players broke the rules, the GT coaches and admin staff knew about it, the players should have sat out games, and have been reported to the NCAA for minor infractions to review. Instead GT decided to try and cheat system. Now you want to blame someone else (the NCAA) for it. Come on…..You should be grateful that the NCAA didn’t pull potential scholarships from your 2012 class….
Redundancy Plus
July 15th, 2011
2:31 pm
“Tech’s AD could learn a lot from the high standards of class and character set by previous ADs at UGA.”
Red panties, a UGA legacy that will live forever. Well, that and Saint Jan.
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:34 pm
Maybe if Tech recruited exclusively from Mensa like we do, they would not have all these problems.
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:40 pm
And to think we our players consistently maintain eligibility despite one of the most rigorous basket weaving curriculum in the SEC, if not the world.
Roy
July 15th, 2011
2:47 pm
You want to be neat the BOTTOM of the SEC in PASS ATTEMPTS PER GAME.
In 07′, UGA was 12th in SEC in PASS ATTEMPTS PER GAME.
In 08′, Florida was near the bottom.
In 09′, Alabama was near the bottom.
In 10′, Auburn was near the bottom.
You want to pass 22-25x a game, especially against ranked teams.
If you can run the ball getting @5 ypc, then you can run 40x a game for 200 yards.
I don’t care if 4 guys get 50 yards each, 5 guys get 40 yards each, or 3 guys get 70 yards each or 2 guys get 100 each or 1 guy gets 200, but you’ve got to run the ball 40x a game for 200 yards if you want to win big in the SEC.
That’s where the game has evolved to. That’s how you win over the last 4 years.
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:51 pm
We will beat Bama and Florida just like we always do because we recruit strictly based on IQ and character, unlike Tech.
Roy
July 15th, 2011
2:51 pm
If you can sneak out 75-100 yards rushing a game form your QB, like Newton & Tebow were able to do, you’ll probably win the SEC.
Illiterate Dawg
July 15th, 2011
2:53 pm
UGA QB’s typically sneak out to the barn.
wejun rfobinson
July 15th, 2011
2:57 pm
Putting Samuels back on offense is a “warm body” move @ best.He isn’t a TB as we’ve seen so move on w/The TBs you have recruited-or are they really that bad?
truedawg
July 15th, 2011
3:03 pm
Gotta have a balanced attack. Hopefully RS will be able to block and run inbetween tackles well. If Bobo is going to call that same play with thomas up the middle on 3rd and long, we atleast stand a better chance with Richard!! CMR needs to take back play calling. OR Bobo needs to get a bit more creative with some plays and not be so predictable. With Tebow, Lattimore, or Walker back i the day, it didn’t matter if the D knew what was coming, they couldn’t stop it. We don’t have a player like that now. Those come very few and far between. Bobo needs to learn to play with who he has. AND USE all of the tallent. Go DAWGS!!!
SouthGA Dawg
July 15th, 2011
3:26 pm
Why the fuss? This kid is a good RB and LB. He is being moved from 2nd or 3rd string LB to first string RB. UGA coachs know that this kid is a monster and need him to play. I believe he will do great at RB, he has more experience and size to go with it. You will not arm tackle him that is for sure. I had rather have him any day than Thomas. A big breeze could blow him down.
DIT
July 15th, 2011
3:34 pm
Didn’t someone by the name of Robert Edwards do something very similar to what Richard is doing? I think that worked out pretty well! Just saying.
BULL HIT
July 15th, 2011
3:34 pm
GA has 2 or 3 RB’s already there — It’s a selfish move. Richt knows Samual will never be a star RB, but he DOES NOT have the self confidence that Steve Spurrier has in using, and starting, a true freshman RB. Sad but true. If this season turns out to be like I think it will, it will be even more sad.
jay
July 15th, 2011
3:38 pm
Of course there was another player who moved from position to position and he turned out ok. Hines Ward.
Roy
July 15th, 2011
3:51 pm
Need to get back to the real Pro Style Offense that Richt knows how to run, like 2007 with Stafford, Moreno, Massaquo, and AJ Green. If you can get that run/pass balance back, 200 rushing, 200 passing, gonna win a bunch of games. Samuel is a move in the right direction. Strikes me as a lot like Lattimore, big strong guy, who gets 5 yards a pop and is strong enough to tote it 30x a game. All the sudden, I’m looking forward to that South Carolina match up. The scales just evened out boys. In fact, our tight end is better. Tavarres will match up with Jeffery, Samuel with Lattimore, and Murray with Garcia. And what does South Carolina do with Orson Charles & Branden Smith? Advantage UGA.
heeldawg
July 15th, 2011
3:55 pm
1. The NCAA is capricious and mercurial–they cannot seem to mete out consistent discipline anywhere. I understand the Tech fans’ consternation, given the failure of the NCAA to act appropriately in situations involving Southern Cal (a “name” program so rife with corruption that they should have been given the death penalty), Auburn (paying players is an old tradition on the Plains, and acknowledged laptop thief and academic cheat Cam Newton’s self-professed ignorance of his father’s prostitution of his services was the only thing between that program and a forfeit of every game of its national title season) and Ohio State (the Buckeyes broke every rule in the book and should likewise be shut down), among others. Programs whose coaches try to do the right things, like Georgia’s Mark Richt, get punished unduly, while the rampant rule-breakers frequently just get slapped on the wrist. Tech made a stupid mistake and has paid dearly for it. But the NCAA allowed Ohio State to play Arkansas in their bowl game despite knowing that players on that team had broken the rules, and although that game has since been forfeited, the mere fact that this was allowed to happen gives pause to those programs that might consider playing a potentially ineligible player in a critical game. In a similar vein, while Auburn played Cam Newton last season with impunity (at least so far), Mark Richt held A. J. Green our for four games last year and Georgia’s season went spiraling into a funk that it never recovered from. Thus far, Coach Richt’s decision to volitionally shelve his best player for a few games has cost him far more than Auburn’s decision to take the low road did–and no one can take away the fact that they played in, and won, the BCS national title, even if that title is someday erased by subsequent punishment. Add in the rather ironic fact that Oregon, the other national title game participant last season, has also committed infractions far more serious than Tech’s, and you wonder just how much motivation any program will have to comply with the caprice and the inconsistency of the NCAA. The organization, quite simply, is a joke.
2. I have to disagree with Bill on one point: when it comes to Richard Samuel, the key thing is not what is best for his “development as a player.” This is college football, and, ultimately, the goal is to do what is best for the TEAM. This is a great move for the team, as it gets an experienced, intelligent, high-character back who knows the blocking schemes into the backfield as a mentor and role model for the RS freshman and true freshman who were otherwise going to be expected to carry the load next season. I have a great deal of respect for Richard Samuel. We need more players like him, willing to do “whatever it takes to help the team.” If we had more Richard Samuels, we would not be in the anarchic mess we find our program in today. RS will ultimately be great for both Crowell and Malcome. It’s not all about ball skills; it’s also about leadership. Richard Samuel will be successful in anything he does in life with the attitude he has. We need to applaud his maturity and team-first attitude, not denigrate the coaching staff for making what amounts to the only real decision they could make in this situation.
Eisendawg
July 15th, 2011
3:59 pm
Have to say I was impressed with GT center Sean Bedford blasting the NCAA and refusing to send back his ACC championship ring. Wouldn’t it be cool if he sent them a ring with no meaning, like the one celebrating Tech’s lone victory over UGA. lol
dont get it
July 15th, 2011
4:00 pm
This kid’s attitude is great. regaurdless of what happens from here on out I just want to give the kid a big THANKS, from all of the dawg nation. I dont think things have gone as well as he thought they would so far and yet he is still wiling to put the team first. Sad that it’s so rare.
DawginLex
July 15th, 2011
4:03 pm
Bull
Regarding spurrier vs Richt playing a freshman
Lattimore-A weight room Freak-came in to camp ready
Crowell-Throwing up and lagging behind everyone else. Not able to finish workouts
That is why spurrier played Lattimore and richt will not start Crowell
DrBaller
July 15th, 2011
4:03 pm
Reminds me of the New England Patriots. Coach Bill looks for players who can and willlingly will play in multiple positions. Takes a team attitude. Samuel will be a shoo in New England draft pick if he can tote that rock. His versatility will get him drafted at the next level.
Mr. Dawg
July 15th, 2011
4:04 pm
What do you suggest we do about RB Bill? Start Ken Malcome who at the end of spring was 4th on the depth chart behind a walk-on? Start the walk-on? Start the diminutive Carlton Thomas who at his best has been a situational player who gives the regulars a break? Count on Crowell to be the man unequivocally? Samuel was a back up at linebacker and moving him to RB is an absolute must. The fact that Grantham moved the sophomore Ogletree from safety to middle LB ahead of Samuel suggests that no only is a quick change possible in his mind but that Samuel didn’t qualify as a starter. In my mind Samuel could have used more time to develop at RB but was a serviceable LB at a time of need at that position. You could easily argue that if Samuel or the likes of Kiante Tripp DID EXCEL at one given position the coaches would keep them there. Samuels raw combination of size and speed would make it seem logical that he could break into the NFL easier at RB than LB (a la Patrick Pass, Danny Ware etc..)