Fan talk: UGA doesn’t need Isaiah Crowell to be the next Herschel Walker
Let’s answer some Junkyard Mail …
Like all UGA tailbacks, Isaiah Crowell must operate in someone's shadow. (Jason Getz / AJC)
JerryDawg writes: After all the build-up, I’m getting awfully concerned that Isaiah Crowell is going to be another tailback bust for the Dawgs. I’ve heard and read all kinds of reports that he showed up in Athens with an attitude, skipped some workouts and had to have some of his teammates sit him down and try to get his head on straight. Are you worried, Bill?
I think Mark Richt said it best: “We don’t expect Isaiah to save the program. We don’t expect Isaiah to put the team on his back. We expect Isaiah to learn what to do and to do things the Georgia way and to try to do anything he can to help the team win as a freshman. We’ll see how far that goes.”
As for the rumors, I don’t put that much stock in anonymous reports on the Internet. But more importantly, can we let the kid have his first official practice as a Georgia Bulldog before we start worrying about his attitude or work ethic? That’s one of the downsides of today’s 24/7 media environment: Players are constantly being scrutinized. Can you imagine what it would have been like had the blogosphere and social media existed when Herschel Walker first hit Athens? He didn’t exactly tear it up in preseason practice his freshman year, with Vince Dooley famously fretting that he was concerned No. 34 was going to wind up being just another “big, stiff fullback.” We found out differently once it was for real.
What would the blogosphere have made of worries Herschel Walker would be just a big, stuff fullback? (AJC file)
I’m not saying that Crowell will be the next Herschel Walker. Or even the next Knowshon Moreno. Heck, after the past couple of seasons, I’d settle for him being the next Musa Smith.
(And, by the way, if you haven’t yet watched the trailer for the upcoming ESPNU “Storied” documentary on Herschel, check it out. As a friend said, it’ll give you chill bumps.)
Thomas Vaiden writes: Do you know what number Isaiah Crowell will be wearing this season? Thanks. !GO DAWGS!
After the G-Day game, Richt said Crowell will wear No. 1, the same jersey number worn by cornerback (and occasional offensive player) Branden Smith. “We’ve just got to make sure they’re not in the game at the same time,” Richt said.
Garrett Kee writes: Hey Bill, this is Garrett Kee from Columbus, Ga., hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to get your thoughts on the new Nike Pro-Combat uniforms Georgia will be wearing against Boise in the opener. I have seen these combat unis on Florida, Oregon, LSU, Virginia Tech, etc. and have to admit I’m a little worried. They seem to change the uniforms with “radical” color schemes and crazy helmets (look at LSU and Boise). Are you worried that our good ole traditional red jerseys, red helmets and silver britches are going to be altered much? I know I am tired of these uniform “outfits” we have sported the last couple of years and just want to see hard-nosed football being played without worrying how good we look. Yet, I know that we have a pretty big contract with Nike and are almost obliged to do this sooner or later. Go Dawgs!
Garrett, I haven’t been a big fan of Nike’s special uniforms up to now, but I thought the ones they trotted out during bowl season were a slight improvement. I’ve no idea how drastic a reworking it will be, though again we’ve got lots of supposedly insider reports circulating. Take your pick: I’ve heard the helmets will be red. Or silver. Or white with a red stripe. The one thing we do know is that the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game folks say Georgia will be wearing red jerseys and Boise State will be wearing blue. There’s a lot of speculation Georgia might wear red britches as well, but that’s all it is — speculation. Still, it’s only for one game and both teams will be wearing the Pro Combats and the players are excited, so I don’t see any real harm in it. If anything, the uniforms contribute to the feeling of this being a special game.
By the way, Patrick Garbin’s always interesting historical blog has a nice overview of Georgia’s football uniforms.
Ron Sweat writes: DOES ANYONE THINK THAT RECRUITING AT UGA IS HANDLED OR DIRECTED LIKE IT SHOULD? Bill, how do we handle recruiting at UGA? Do we call all the recruits for the next 4 years every day or once a week or month and does an assistant make the call or a coach or [recruiting coordinator Rodney] Garner?
Ron, I gather you aren’t entirely satisfied with the way recruiting is being handled at UGA. Let me say up front, I’m not a recruitnik and don’t follow it that closely until we get closer to signing day. I will admit I was disappointed by some recruiting trends in recent years in Athens (such as the now abandoned reliance on fast but short cornerbacks), but I find it difficult to condemn a recruiting program that could produce this year’s Dream Team.
Anyway, I put your question to our recruiting blogger, Michael Carvell, and here’s what he said: “If they are asking about the quality of UGA’s recruiting efforts, you can only base on it on the finished efforts of last year, which was the ‘Dream Team.’ We’re still a long way from National Signing Day 2012. As far as how recruiting is handled, I’m sure the appropriate UGA coaches call during the NCAA contact periods.”
GET TO KNOW YOUR SEC COACHES
Here’s a fun feature from ESPN in which they put a bunch of questions (not necessarily about football) to the SEC head coaches. Some sound like guys you’d want to hang out with. And then there’s Bobby Petrino.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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322 comments Add your comment
C-Town
July 31st, 2011
12:55 pm
Will the UGA fans be at the 2011 “Haters Ball”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nr0q28M5nI
Still@theBAR
July 31st, 2011
1:02 pm
C-town
I don’t care. If you wish to setup a TMZ of Football viewing party I will lock out you as many tables as you need and put the TVs on the station you choose. We love fans of every team to come by and have a good game experience. I don’t discuss my team of choice with customers. I give my opinion on all teams. Some customers know my team. It is not that hard. They however do not know I post. Well, a few do and they don’t care because no matter what I treat my patrons well. I do hate that I have to deal with Leeburn’s company. I know where his money goes and how is is living with Yoculan while still married to his wife. I don’t respect the man. He is a Mini-Ted Turner (money wise) but has the same EGO.
AltamahaDawg
July 31st, 2011
1:04 pm
Straw man, come to mind.
AltamahaDawg
July 31st, 2011
1:12 pm
ya know, the fact that you are a tech fan working in a downtown Athens bar is not exactly some big secret. I think we cracked that code a while back.
SSIgator
July 31st, 2011
1:28 pm
AltamahaDawg -
You almost got it right. As soon as I read your reply I thought of the 1971 movie “Straw Dogs” with Dustin Hoffman. But to make it applicable, the UGA fans shall be known as Straw Dawgs. You would have to have seen the movie to relate. It was great and certainly fits in this case. There is a remake that is supposed to be released in a couple of months, but as usual it probably won’t be as good as the original.
Still@theBAR
July 31st, 2011
1:36 pm
AltamahaDawg
Well, are you so sure. Dawg fans still Visit and enjoy their game day experience. I have not made you guys so mad that you don’t spend your money at my business. I don’t hate the Dawgs. I dislike some. I repeat SOME UGA fans that didn’t go to college at UGA and think they are something special. I treat every patron as special as possible. I like people. I an not so sure how much I like FANitics. Trust me the ESSO in Clemson has the same type of fans visit there too.
CJ
July 31st, 2011
1:42 pm
C-town you are right. So many people on here are bashing Crowell without even knowing this kid. The fans are bashing him like he signed with another team. He is a beast and the guy works his butt off. The kid comes from a good home and has very supportive parents. Most of the comments on here are from people that need to get a life. All of this inside info is funny to me and has no merit alot of times. Look at the kid films and you can tell he has talent. Meet Crowell in person and you can tell that he works his tail off by seeing muscels pop out from everywhere. Crowell will be fine.
Old Blind Dawg
July 31st, 2011
3:14 pm
I have some insider information – IC ties his right shoe before tying his left – why did we recruit him?
C-Town
July 31st, 2011
3:19 pm
The Eye in the Ske dont Lie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJCpSAnu-gw&feature=related
Mobile Dawg
July 31st, 2011
3:20 pm
There will probably never be another 34 in Athens. Herschel was a unique combination. I hope they just bring Crowell along and let him find his groove, so long as he’s committed and does his homework. Samuel and Malcome will do just fine leading the charge, if they are utilized properly. The unknowns still lie with Richt and Bobo.
On another note, Mike Cavan’s comments are just what the Dr. ordered. I’m looking forward to seeing the new and improved Dawgs. This kool aid is starting to taste better.
old dawg fan
July 31st, 2011
3:36 pm
Only real comment I have it to the Ohio State idiot-To compare Herschel Walker to the one’s he compared him to is like comparing Bear Bryant to “Tressle”. Slydog also said it well SEC has and always will dominate OSU.
One more thing-No one ever will ever compare to Herschel Walker!!!!! This should be even simple enough for a OSU fan to understand.
C-Town
July 31st, 2011
3:42 pm
Was he a Bust on this Day?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-y8hudM3PA&feature=related
wreckmaniac
July 31st, 2011
3:45 pm
will he become the next Marcus Lattimore ?
crobertsUSCfan
July 31st, 2011
4:40 pm
No one knows what a true freshman will do. Lattimore was no HW but we couldn’t have asked for more from anyone. USC fans didn’t know Latt would do what he did. You shouldn’t put so much hype on anyone player. I hope Clowney is brought along slowly it would be silly to think he was going to come in and be ALL-SEC in his first year. I don’t like the hype these kids get it’s to much pressure to early. IMO that’s why there are so many bust with top prospects(That and work ethic).
KB
July 31st, 2011
5:00 pm
Really could you imagine the uproar from haters and Dawgs alike if Richt hadn’t signed Crowell? All of the haters would be crowing that we let the best in the state get away,so he signs, then is bashed and called a lazy thug and a bust before he takes his first handoff. LOL
Sam
July 31st, 2011
5:28 pm
Said they’d never be another Tebow.
Next year, Cam Newton cam along and ran for 1000+ and threw for 2000+ and won the Natl Championship.
There WILL BE another Herschel.
Minnesota Dawg
July 31st, 2011
8:05 pm
It sure would be nice if he were like Hershel! There has never been a more exciting player to watch at Georgia than Hershel!
Dawg Tired
July 31st, 2011
8:34 pm
We must have accomplished something in the last 30 years for some, uumm, guy to actually spend time on a blog using the handle “I hate Georgia” and ranting incoherently about us. Otherwise, he’s actually worse off than I’m assuming.
OSU
July 31st, 2011
8:40 pm
@old get real like we said before get a team then we can talk. HW is a average player nothing else. OSU will win 10 games and your dawgs will win 6. Learn to love the buckeye.
Old Dawg
July 31st, 2011
8:53 pm
HW was great but so are many others that played the game. Stop looking at the past and don’t count the wins before they come. OSU has a good program just like UGA has a good program. This year Mark needs to win it all or he will be gone, like it or not we want to win. That is the bottom line no more wait until next year for him.
Thomas Brown
July 31st, 2011
9:17 pm
He will not reply on-topic to that question anymore than he did why he thought we would win The SEC East last year – at the end of 5 years, which is obviously on-topic he was replying to and just as obviously that I said that we would not be The SEC East Champion last year and that the reason would be that Aaron Murray would not run the football 8 carries a game for less than 2 yards a carry with 9 of our 20 fumbles by Aaron Murray, and that the offense would suck, no matter how well the defense improved. Yes, with that schedule last year, we should have been 12-2.
This season, we should be 11-3, with this soft easy schedule of 10 games of the 12 regular season game against teams who average the # 65 team. You see SSlgator, with AltamahawDawg no one is allowed to say anything but how great we are.
And, then there is reality, and he runs and hides all season long – like RED DOG 77 did last year too on our route to 6-7. 7 Losses , having to go all the way back 58 years to 1953 to find a season in which we lost more than the 7 games little Aaron Murray lost last season – all 7 of which found the other QB out-played him on the field, head-to-head.
We had all kinds of issues last season coming into the season, just as we have had 26 players who will now not suit up for Boise State this off-season.
Pre-season, AltamahawDawg and RED DOG 77 want to tell us Mark Richt will win 10 games, and then say how close we were to that at 6. We play or could play 14 games every year. Winning 10 is not cutting it this season either. To go 11-3, we lose to Alabama, LSU or Arkansas in The SEC Championship Game in this DOWN SEC EAST. We beat no one of consequence this season, and if we do, we will lose 1 game (as we do every year) against a team who does not finish in the Top 25.
Boy are we great at # 27 in the Rivals Rankings today. By the way, they both this time last year guaranteed that we would win the national championship THIS SEASON.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
July 31st, 2011
9:20 pm
Can anyone tell me what the hell is a _uckeye is anyway.I lived in OHIO for 4 years and could’nt wait to get out of that state. IT STINKS1
Flo-Ri-Duh
July 31st, 2011
9:21 pm
The only RB I have ever seen that comes close to Herschel is Bo Jackson. Bo was more elusive, was a straight ahead power and speed guy.
Thomas Brown
July 31st, 2011
9:22 pm
SEC East Champions 2010 at the end of the 5-Years
What a joke
Instead, if Mark Richt loses to South Carolina in Game 2, he will NOT even have a winning record against The SEC East over that day, the last 6 consecutive seasons.
Flo-Ri-Duh
July 31st, 2011
9:23 pm
Crowell is all about speed and he is elusive. He has some power but not Herschel power.
Joe
July 31st, 2011
9:32 pm
Vince Dooley was the ultimate “poor mouther” he knew how good Herschel would be he just did not want to give him a starting position without him earning it..Not like the present which may have caused the loss of many player by showing partiality. We have lost a lot of QB’s, RB’s and OL by having that philosophy,
Thomas Brown
July 31st, 2011
9:37 pm
We have played FAVORITES around here since 2001
This is nothing new
AltamahaDawg
July 31st, 2011
9:47 pm
NOPE liar, I said last year I thought was going to be tough. The defense would struggle. wasn;t convinced the Oline was that great. IN fact it was YOU would tried to get me to agree that I predicted 5 losses wasn’t it. I said we wouldn’t do much better than the year before. YOU said we would win the east. Liar. I know you record every post I made, Show where I predicted we win the east last year. Liar. You did, I did not. Then you proceeded to list the ways we couldn’t. YOU said this year we would really suffer because last year schedule was so much easier than this year. So now we we should be 11-3. Liar. You said we would not be any good this year. YOU said we would loss 6 juniors to the NFL draft. YOU said we would graduate all those of seniors that would really make us a worse team. YOU said Murray was too fragile last year. Not a good player. YOU said Brantley would have a fine 2010 at Florida, becsue he was so much better prepared. YOU said Alabama would win the SEC. YOU said your nick was 12-2, Boweevil, Bulldog Joe, and I suspect quite a few others.
And, could you be a bigger Liar to say I ever predicted any kind of a NC this year? is that possible?
Troll Power Ratings
July 31st, 2011
10:14 pm
@Thomas Brown. Get a life. Thanks for caring, TROLL. I sense desperation and angst from the TROLLERS.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
July 31st, 2011
10:40 pm
Whats a TROLL?
Jonkdawg
July 31st, 2011
11:57 pm
Those who hate Uga are the trolls Don’t feed the trolls….hehe
savannadawg
August 1st, 2011
12:20 am
You people worried about the uniforms! What? Forget about it. Do the current unis look anything like the ones we won the National Championship in. The answer is NO! Red tops and silver britches yes but that is about it, colors. I am much more worried about how our young team is going to play. If they like the unis that is fine with me.
RED DOG 77
August 1st, 2011
1:20 am
@Thomas Brown July 31st 2011, 3:34am……………I don’t remember but you say I said “I will assure you if we can get to Jacksonville undefeated”………..Well, TB, I guess if you say so……..I said it…….but the big key was……….what?………We didn’t make it to Jacksonville undefeated, and had a really poor season. So there………What may I ask TB is your profound point?………remember, I said “if”………TB, you must be some wise old goat, gosh! going back a whole year just to find a quote of mine that said “if”…………well “if” never was to be……..WOW, you’re one smart dude!!!…………But, for argument sake I’ll say the same thing this year……….If we can make it to Jacksonville undefeated………check out the “if” now TB, we will have a good chance of winning not only the SEC east…….but perhaps the whole “shootin match”………..Now, heres the plan TB, we meet right back here, same “bat time” in 2012, to discuss if the “if” ever happened………..Golly-gee Thomas Brown, like I said, You are one smart dude………I know when I’ve been had………..”if” never hapened last year, and how you figured that out is beyond me………………With respect, and Awe………..RED
Thomas Brown
August 1st, 2011
4:10 am
RED DOG 77,
I see you are man enough to admit you said it, and again say exactly the same this season predicting your SEC Championship – like we are better than Alabama, LSU and Arkansas, if and only if we arrive in JAX undefeated. I still say you and AltamahawDawg are joined at the hip.
And, both so much a better Bulldogs’ fan than I because you say how great we are. I say we should be 11-3 this season, and frankly you all have said how much better we are than Florida. How much better we are than South Carolina and how much better we are than Boise State. 2 of out 3 ain’t bad. I don’t think we will beat any team on consequence, and that means The SEC West Champ in this DOWN East of The SEC. And, will not play a team who finishes in the Top 10 AP Poll in our bowl game either. I figure we are playing what Rivals calls and ranks 10 games against teams with an average Rivals Ranking of # 65.
You figure that is somehow great that we win 10 games. “Be just fine.” Been a mantra around here. “We will be just fine 2011.” Uh, losing 26 players from the Boise State game already, and another 11 injured or surgery, is not just fine. The facts are we play a soft easy schedule this season. It is impossible for me to keep RED DOG 77 and AltamahawDawg in my mind other than 1 and the same. But, at least RED DOG 77 has an expectation. That is more than can be said for AltamahawDawg, who of course, does not – he says, if you believe that LIE. He has an expectation, but does not want to discuss it, and for the life of me, that makes no sense whatsoever. Follow a team, root for a team, and no expectation. Anyone believe that ?
Blowout
August 1st, 2011
7:15 am
Crowell gets 150 in a blowout over Boise State and 100 the next week against south carolina. Crowell will be a beast, the best young RB in the SEC. Book it.
Thomas Brown
August 1st, 2011
7:20 am
That would be a salve for a guy who finds 150 others faster than he in the 2011 Signing Class.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
7:51 am
Thomas Brown has probably used so many different names on these blogs, he doesn’t know who he is anymore, Red DOG 77. He is a prisoner of UGA, just like all of the other haters of UGA that come on these blogs. He is scared to death that UGA will be successful, so he has already lost. Ignore him like most of the other bloggers on here do that support UGA. He feels he is somehow important and his opinion is meaningful. Not the case, but it is a technique, prisoners use, when they have been defeated, and are sitting away, rotting in a cell someplace. In his case, his mind is his prison.
Pete
August 1st, 2011
7:51 am
No secret Bill- Crowell did come in with an attitude…missed a practices and a couple of team mates went for a visit……HELLO……Murray even aluded to that. If your going to report- dont act like you have your head in the sand…..ANYONE that would come into this program with an attitude SHOULd be a concern…..
AltamahaDawg
August 1st, 2011
8:20 am
I have plenty of expectations. I did last year as well. I was pretty close on the “how”, actually spot on quite a few things. Just didn’t know the exact numbers, but I rarely venture into that fool’s game.
ALL of expectations have been well documented. And everybody in this room has been around long enough to know who the biggest LIAR around has been. Say one thing, come back a year later and claim you said another. Heck, your entire persona(s) in here is based on a lie.
Buckeye
August 1st, 2011
8:40 am
Lest we not forget, Isaiah is ANNOINTED!. The Second comning.
powerhouse?
August 1st, 2011
8:52 am
BuLL vs Alt…who will win?
An atheist with dyslexia does not believe there is a dog!
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
9:02 am
Must be getting closer to kick off time. All the jerks are out in force and can’t wait for a new article with anything about UGA, to spout their pathetic attempt at being witty.
If any of these negative blogger had half an ounce of brains, they would realize that psychological warfare, only works when they person can deliver it in person to a captive audience. Like a prisoner for instance. Interestingly enough, they are the prisoners of their own stupidity, so they are actually the ones being persuaded in their own minds, not the UGA fans. UGA fans have already won, because the prisoners are are already so worried, that they are trying
to form barriers and platforms for their defense. In other words, you are gonna get your butt handed to you when UGA plays you, so you have set up your defensive mechanisms ahead of time. Fear is your motivator, not superior skills or intelligence. You fear UGA and are jealous of the players, the team, the coaches, the fans and the great institution it is. I feel sorry sort of in a way, a soldier feels, just before he pulls the trigger, to end the enemies life.
It leaves such a mess if you do it right.
I don’t think it is right to call these folks Trolls, anymore. I think I will just call them “Prisoners Of UGA”. It has a nice ring to it.
Big Dawg
August 1st, 2011
9:05 am
Thomas Brown = Bulldawg— we all know it now just face up to it. Always with the negative, never ever anything positive. At least gives all of us something to think about and laugh about.
IMHO as always the Dawgs prospects for this season rests on whether we can run and DO RUN the football successfully and whether we can consistently stop the other team on D. To be a consistent winner in football you have to control the line of scrimmage either through brute force or through misdirection/finesse etc. History has shown that brute force is best but at times you have to do the other as well.
Go Dawgs
DawginLex
August 1st, 2011
9:10 am
bulldawg/Thomas Brown/12-2
Is the biggest FOS idiot on these blogs.
He would have married Coach Richt back in 2001-2008 but some down seasons have turned him into a spitting cobra.
You see true loyalty to your school requires you to stick by the team through good and bad. We all have complained but this idiot acts like he has been sying this all along when the truth is, he drooled all over himself the first 8 years richt was here. I can go back and show you his posts.
DawginLex
August 1st, 2011
9:12 am
Meechigan 59
Ohio state 3
Ohio state 5-7
Ohio state hires Pete Carroll to continue the cheating legacy.
Snoop Dawg
August 1st, 2011
9:19 am
This kid definitely has an ego problem. If he doesn’t get over it fast and develop a fierce work ethic, he may be better suited for Jasper Sanks’ number rather than Herschel Walker or Garrison Hearst’s. I hope he gets his head straight fast, because UGA history is strewn with 5-star running backs who left with a whimper. He’ll just be another in the long line UNLESS he puts the team ahead of his own ego and works like a Tasmanian devil to achieve our goals.
Snoop Dawg
August 1st, 2011
9:20 am
DawginFex, I need to correct your email above. You are the biggest idiot on these blogs, hands down…
DawginLex
August 1st, 2011
9:24 am
Thanks Snoop. Appreciate the kind words.
Too bad you won’t have the opportunity to say them to my face.
Enjoy hiding behind a computer calling me an idiot because you would crap your pants if you tried to say it to me in person.
Snoop Dawg
August 1st, 2011
9:25 am
Happy to do that DawginFex. Stop infecting the Bulldog Nation with your loser approach to life.
DawginLex
August 1st, 2011
9:27 am
What leads you to say that? I support the team and coaches. You gripe about how a kid ties his shoes that hasn’t even played a down yet.
Look in the mirror moron=there is the idiot.