UGA signing Keith Marshall can only help Isaiah Crowell
Isaiah Crowell disappointed many fans and yet still was SEC freshman of the year. (Associated Press)
The shift in UGA fan support away from Isaiah Crowell and toward Keith Marshall has been swift and decisive, at least online.
But I really don’t understand some folks’ penchant for viewing Georgia’s tailback situation next year as an either-or proposition where Marshall, the new golden boy, supplants Crowell, the disappointing former favorite.
Let’s keep some perspective here. Yes, the injury-prone Crowell rubbed many the wrong way to start with this season by frequently taking himself out of games after a couple of runs. Then there was the immaturity that manifested itself in a couple of suspensions.
And there definitely seems to be a bit of an attitude problem, evident when we saw Crowell turn his back on his head coach in the middle of a dressing down for drawing a penalty with his mouthing off during the SEC championship game. That’s something even the ever-patient Mark Richt shouldn’t tolerate.
But Crowell still ran well enough this season to be the SEC’s freshman of the year and the Dogs would not have 10 wins without him.
Keith Marshall says he'll enroll at UGA in January. (Associated Press)
More importantly, Georgia will need to utilize the talents of both Crowell and Marshall next season and probably Richard Samuel, Boo Malcome and any other running back who is still on the roster.
LSU and its four-headed running attack is a prime example of what a successful SEC offense needs these days. Tailbacks get hurt; it’s just part of the game. If the talent gap between your starter and the backups is as stark as it was at Georgia this year, it puts you at a severe disadvantage (unless you’re playing Georgia Tech).
I believe Marshall competing with Crowell for playing time could be the best thing that has happened to Isaiah at UGA. But whichever one ends up the starter (and my money would be on a healthy Crowell), there’ll be plenty of carries for the other one. And if they’re both living up to their potential, well, Alabama didn’t do so badly splitting time between Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.
Georgia signing the nation’s most wanted tailback two years in a row will be quite an accomplishment, but it shouldn’t be a rarity. You can never have too many good tailbacks in the SEC and Richt and his staff should be signing a five-star running back every season.
Go Dogs!
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433 comments Add your comment
SMITB
December 7th, 2011
3:26 pm
I will continue to be confused about the suspensions stemming from the failed drug test.
Were Crowell, Malcome, and Thomas so unbelievably STUPID that they figured that they would not get caught?
or
Were Crowell, Malcome, and Thomas so unbelievably ARROGANT thatthey figured that they wouldn’t face any consequences?
Either way, it is disturbing.
(Please spare me the “they’re just kids” baloney. They knew they were breaking the rules.)
DocDawg
December 7th, 2011
3:28 pm
agree with agreed and dap1, Crowell will become a force as will Marshall who has a different but lethal running style and is tough. with conditioning all winter and spring, he`ll be a different back in August than now, and he`s a competitor. Samual will have a good senior season, situational power running is always important with SEC Ds, and Malcom has a bright future, really tough runner who will develop. Lots of good O lineman for the future, Long, Theus… Cordy and Ben will be good NFL players next year, continued success to them! Outlook in Athens very bright, should play Hutson more next year though, he looks poised and throws a great, very accurate pass, moreso than Aaron in my opinion. hate to see him transfer
Remarkable
December 7th, 2011
3:35 pm
Great article Bill. I agree that we need Isaiah and Mike and any other good runningbacks. Remember that these guys are just teenagers and give them a break. We all make mistakes and I that God that I’ve had the chance to make mine where the whole world wasn’t watching or commenting about them on some blog. Give IC a year to get in better shape and see what he does next year. Heaven forbid that he goes and does it at some other SEC school.
harold
December 7th, 2011
3:35 pm
CROWELL WILL TRANSER BECAUSE HE FEELS DISRESPECTED!
Vindawgs
December 7th, 2011
3:36 pm
@Agreed!!
I agree with you 100%. People need to get off Crowell back. We treat this 18 year old like they are life and death to yours. Even people who start working on their first year after college struggle and learn to be professionals. We all go thru the growing pains and turn out just fine. If he went somewhere else, you will be the first one to complain. So, I think that you should have 4-5 top players at running back because as running back, I would want to ware out my tread at college. So the more the better. Welcome Marshall, Davis, Gurley and Crowell, Malcome, Samuel. Just do your best and all will be alright. Go Dawgs.
Sam
December 7th, 2011
3:42 pm
I am concerned about Crowell’s durability. also some athletes thrive on competition some others wilt. let’s see how he reacts. also I am concerned about decision making. hoping Crowell rises to the occasion.
Dawg48
December 7th, 2011
3:45 pm
To the “real” GA fans not the trolls!
If IC is successful then UGA will be successful!
If he quits or leaves or gets run off by fans that just makes UGA thinner T running back next year and we will be in the same position next year as we were this year.
Thin at RB, two small RB samuels boo and a freshman.
How can you not pull for him and give support?
Sam
December 7th, 2011
3:46 pm
Totally agree….
damngooddawg!
December 7th, 2011
3:50 pm
I’m afraid Crowell is going to be a bust and particularly if his physical and maturity issues don’t get resolved.
That70sGAdawg
December 7th, 2011
3:52 pm
Welcome Keith Marshall. He sounds like a great back, but more important- a great person!
You better believe Crowell is gone after the walk away dis of Coach Richt during the SEC Champ game. He wouldn’t even look at Richt while he was “addressing” him- check your DVR if you still have the game recorded…
I also would like to see more of Mason and LeMay at QB, Murray is too nervous and off on timing in big games.
Dawg48
December 7th, 2011
3:54 pm
Sam
I think if IC gets some depth with him on the team and gets older and mor physically fit his durability want be a problem…
If you remember back at the beginning of summer when freshmen reported he had a tough time, and it was reported he got sick during training camps.
Anonymous
December 7th, 2011
4:00 pm
Kick Isaiah Crowell off the team. He’s a CANCER that needs to be eradicated. *ANYONE* who turns their back on a Coach when the Coach is talking to you deserves to be benched. This kid is a joke. Who wants to put up with someone who takes himself out. Put on a “no-contact” Jersey during practice simply because the scout team got a good lick on him and were able to trash talk him….what a Child…He does not deserve to wear the Red and Black. I’m POSITIVE Richt will not put up with it.
Old Dawg
December 7th, 2011
4:01 pm
Running back is one of the most physically demanding positions in all of sports. Hits come from all angles and then there’s the extra stuff that happens at the bottom of pile ups etc. Once a back has an injury and continues to play, he makes physical adjustments to avoid more injuries to the affected area (s), which can lead to more injuries.
Like Bill and other folks have posted, Crowell is a youngster who will learn from his mistakes and hopefully grow up. I’m sure Crowell will receive major doses of discipline for the penalty and for turning his back on CMR. And I know Joe T will work on the attitude during off-season workouts.
It’s extremely exciting to learn about the commitment of Marshall and the fact that he will enroll early. He’ll have a jump-start academically, conditioning and spring training.
I’m also excited about the way Boo Malcome played in the SEC title game and how Richard Samuel played before his injury.
Let’s hope the recruiting staff can bring in some more great talent so we can continue to have great teams.
Thanks for all your great work, Bill. It makes the off-season go faster and the regular season much more enjoyable!
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
4:04 pm
Disagree with Adgreed (to an extent)
Nobody is on Crowell’s back. However, Richt would do well with a firmly planted well aimed foot in that asp. Something apparently Momma Crowell didn’t do enough of.
Crowell will be back next year. Bigger, stronger and faster. Hopefully, with much more maturity. Georgia, like every team in the SEC needs a strong solid stable of RBs. If Richt recruited 5, chances are he’d need every one of them. LSU and Bama both have 5-6 dressed every week. It’s not an option in the SEC, it’s a requirement.
One of IC’s main requirements to Richt in the recruiting was he wanted to play as a freshman. (Apparently, he didn’t want to play as much as first believed) Richt was good on his word although I think most fans would have preferred IC didn’t play as much as he did. The fact is, UGA running game in 2011 was built around IC on the fly after the departure of two knuckleheads. We’re lucky IC performed as well as he did
SteveW
December 7th, 2011
4:06 pm
You know our three losses this season were to 3 Top 10 teams. And we beat a couple of top 25 teams in Yech and Auburn.
Boise plays 16 and 18, and nobody else and whines and cries they should be in the BCS. They just don’t play a difficult enough schedule.
And our biggest mistake this season was not playing Boo Malcolme earlier. He looks like a beast
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
4:12 pm
I saw the back turning incident in question from the TV view, it looked bad for some that “want” to think it was bad but, it could just as well been innocent. Richt could have easily already dismissed him with words not visable like “get your asp on that bench, what the h3!! is the matter with you? You cost us 15 yeards, what are you thinking? Do you know who this team is?”
Dawg48
December 7th, 2011
4:16 pm
AR
From what could tell he just said “isaiha that was stupid”
SSIgator
December 7th, 2011
4:21 pm
“UGA signing Keith Marshall can only help Isaiah Crowell”
He sure can. Isabel is going to need help carrying the larger loads of stash for the Doobie Brothers. Hope Keith brings his own bong. Isabel does not like to share.
Dawg48
December 7th, 2011
4:26 pm
Auburns Deffensive coordinator left auburn, to take the same job at UCF.
DawgDays
December 7th, 2011
4:29 pm
The reason so many viewed signing Marshall as a “do or die” or “either-or” is becasue if Crowell doesn’t get a serious attitude adjustment he won’t be on the team much longer. Either he will flunk out of school or will keep up the antics to force Richt to show him off the bus. All this BS about him being a freshman and being immature and backin off of him is a crock in my book. As with most young adults, they either have good character traits or they don’t. As as far as him being a true freshman, sure he was placed under a lot of prressure when he first got to Athens. But for him to pitch a temper tantrum during practice a couple days before the SEC Championship game is unacceptale. Maybe ok before the Boise State game, but not at the end of the season, when for all practical purposes he is a sophmore…I hope he can see the light and grow up, and accept the fact that he is going to have to work in the SEC to be successful. If not, he very well may view the signing of Marshall as a big bruise to his ego and continue the soft and selfish behavior he demonstrated often this year. I hope not for his sake, because he could be very successful running in tandem with Marshall…and Gurley (I hope)
DawginLex
December 7th, 2011
4:31 pm
SSI
you really need to get some new material
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
4:33 pm
DawginLex
Thats pretty new and original for SSI
Dawg48
December 7th, 2011
4:34 pm
Dawg in lex
SSI top 5 insults
1 uga RB smokes pot
2 1980 was a long time ago
3 richt only beat fla 3 times
4 fla has 3 NC to uga’s 1
5 uga fans live in the past
Did I forget any?
Make Special Teams, Special
December 7th, 2011
4:43 pm
Please, Coach Richt, make the special teams special. Load them – both return and coverage – with stars, and study teams that are doing it well. What does LSU do? Can we do it?
Doug’s Mugs Coffee Online
Delbert D.
December 7th, 2011
4:53 pm
How about redshirting Crowell next year to let him mature? It would also be a test of his commitment.
hornblowermg
December 7th, 2011
5:02 pm
Ken Malcome can bang the ball. let him run.
Georgia ain't Bama
December 7th, 2011
5:05 pm
And Crowell & Marshall ain’t Ingram & Richardson.
Hell, they ain’t even Lacy & Fowler.
RedandBlackDawg
December 7th, 2011
5:10 pm
I realize Crowell has some growing up to do, but let’s be fair here. He came into a pressure packed situation, when both of the losers we had at tailback quit on the team, and we instantly expected him to be the greatest thing since swiss cheese. Here we have an 18 year old kid, and we expected him to be the whole running game.Think about his supporting cast to begin with. He had Thomas, whose equipment just may weight more than him, and he has had discipline problems. We had Malcome, who may or may not have solved his, what appears to be numerous off field issues of Lord knows what nature. We had Samuels and he was doing ok, but he broke his ankle so there went our one deep depth at RB. We had a walk on, Harton, who played his heart out, but there again is the size problem. Crowell was expected to run right, left, up the middle, learn how to block the big guys trying to tear Murray’s head off, and every fan around here, yelling at the kid, for one reason or another. He never even got a chance to get acclimated to college life, before he was thrown in the fire. Yes, he did get a big head, hearing it from everybody, how great he was, and he grossly under estimated what it takes to reach greatness, and he will have to improve his work habits.He got hurt, and really hasn’t had the time to heal properly, because he was needed.
The kid did make SEC Freshman of the year. How many of those has UGA had? We should stand behind this kid, as at times he proved he belonged on the field, and he did get over 800 yards as a freshman. Hopefully, he will be in a bowl game for us, and have a big day. Otherwise we could have a rough go of it against MSU, with our present backups. Will Malcome show up and be ready? Will Samuel be sharp enough to have an impact, after missing all of this time with his injury?
I think that having both Marshall and he, is going to be a real positive. Add another RB if possible and you have a stable of good backs, a thing that UGA has been missing for quite a while. I think more than a competition, it will be the sharing of duties between the two that will make Crowell better. Of course it is up to him to accept his responsibilities and keep his grades up, get in a little better shape, and mature a little.
What he doesn’t need is every fan on this blog and other ones, telling him about this short coming and that one. Encourage the kid, as he has done some positive things this year, and he still has a very high threshold and he needs to be encouraged to reach for it. I think the key to him is maturing a little and realizing this is big time football in college. In high school, he got all the adoration you could want, but in college, he has to earn it. Marshall, with his seemingly mature attitude beyond his years will most likely help Crowell as well.
Let’s get behind the kid instead of putting him down, so he can be even more productive next year. It is his choice in the end though, so we will have to see how it goes. If you messed up at work, wouldn’t you like for your boss to let you know you messed up, but at the same time, afford you an opportunity to correct your short comings and encourage you. That’s what Crowell needs.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Uga
December 7th, 2011
5:25 pm
CMR…Now get some Stud Offensive Linemen!
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
5:28 pm
RedandBlack
I disagree with you there guy. Nobody expected IC to be the “whole running game”. Just merely, be a RB at the University of Georgia which is what he wanted and got. If he wasn’t ready for that, he should have been redshirted. Playing the position comes with much responsibility and it is more than just running with the ball
Numberwang1
December 7th, 2011
5:28 pm
I want IC to succeed, not just to help our football team, but for him personally. Crowell is at a critical point in his life, when he can decide on the easy way or the tough way. The later is character building and help him to realize his full potential, which includes a stint in the NFL. If he opts for the easy way out, then he’ll have problems for the rest of his life.
I support Crowell and hope he realizes his potential in life.
DawgByte
December 7th, 2011
5:30 pm
Next we need Gurley or Davis. It’s imperative that we recruit another top quality running back. I’d like to see a bruiser type back to complement the speed of Marshall. We’ve got enough 5′ 6″ 115 lb. running backs on the roster. Next year we need to pound the rock, baby!
Jim
December 7th, 2011
5:33 pm
Bill, let’s change the subject for a while. What’s the skinny on Michael Tamburo. This would be his sit out year. With Mason and LeMay and a few other QBs in the mix, is this someone the coaching staff could convert to a tailback? His HS numbers are almost 8500 yards & 90 TDs that include almost 1900 yards rushing and 33 rushing TDs. At 5′11′ 196 he could be a nice addition as aduel threat tailback.
DawgByte
December 7th, 2011
5:33 pm
SSIgator -
How’s your program looking these days? Let me remind you of your fall:
6-6 Overall
3-5 SEC
(((24-20))) Deal with it! LMAO
RedandBlackDawg
December 7th, 2011
5:42 pm
ARDAWG,
If Crowell had red shirted, who would have been the running backs for UGA? With Ealey and King gone, who would have stepped up? Samuels was basically starting all over again and then we had Malcome, who I am guessing here, did not practice too well, and his attitude has got to come into question as well. We have Thomas, and he for sure wasn’t going to move anybody off the line and get you any big plays for the most part.
They had to reply on Crowell whether he was ready or not. Maybe he wasn’t ready to pull the load, but there wasn’t a lot of choice. Now, if he wants to do it, he will have some support around him. The ball is clearly in his court, but there should be a lot less pressure. He has the speed, and the moves to be a great one if he gets with the program. I am hoping he will man up and do it, but if not, it will be because he chose not to now. I hope he chooses to do it right.
chaz
December 7th, 2011
5:52 pm
Dawgs need at least 3 RB for next year. Thomas (can’t stay out of downtown Athens and trouble) and Crowell (needs to go back to jr. high and grow up) are gone. We need 3 to take their place. I have become a fan of Ken Malcome. I like the way he runs. I hope he sticks around.
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
5:53 pm
RedandBlack
Well look at it this way, did IC really step up? IMHO, no he didn’t. He was just the featured back. Yes the running game was built with him in mind as being the feature back. Could some of the other FR have filled that bill? Quite likely. IC could still break 1000 yards with a good game in the Outback. The real question is, if it wasn’t IC would those running yards still been gained? That answer is likely yes. His talent may have expanded it somewhat but, there would still have been most of those yards gained, perhaps to another RB or a couple.
I state that to say this: Crowell didn’t really for all intent and purpose “Step up”. I’m afraid we didn’t see what he is capable of this past year and most of the other current backs would’ve, could’ve done what he did given the opportunity he had.
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
5:56 pm
chaz
Although a bit smaller Kemparellis and Harton both are hungry. They both impressed me. I have a feeling all they need is more experience and they’ll surprise some defenses
ARdawg
December 7th, 2011
5:57 pm
Not to take anything from Malcome. Loads of talent. I hope he gets it focused
duronimo
December 7th, 2011
5:59 pm
Georgia under Richt reminds me of Fla. State under Bowden. Both (in my opinion) allow(ed) their Christianity to interfere with what’s bests for the team. A good Christian believes that an individual is more important than a mere football game …. that they are salvageable. That’s admirable, but not compatible with football. It’s like eternal security. No matter what you do, you’re still “saved”. It would seem to me to make it much harder to fix problems in the program from this mindset. Saban and Miles would most likely sacrifice an individual or two for the good of the team. What’s the right way to go? I personally like Richt’s way, but it may not produce top five football teams.
Watsonone
December 7th, 2011
5:59 pm
Crowell was/is a quality running back. He can only benefit from th addition of another quality running back. I’m excited about next years prospects. I hope we pick up some more monster linemen. BTW, Newnan you are full of it…
Real Dawg fans love them all the time.
PTCDawg
December 7th, 2011
6:08 pm
I think IC is maturing and should welcome the competition from KM and i think they both will benefit from each other. This can only help the Dawgs get where all of us want to be. You got to like the way Samuels and Malcome are becoming Smash-Mouth backs which will give us a great change of pace from IC and KM!
Corn Dawg
December 7th, 2011
6:17 pm
Dawg48
December 7th, 2011
4:26 pm
“Auburns Deffensive coordinator left auburn, to take the same job at UCF.”
I heard that he didn’t want to coach for a team that couldn’t even beat UGA.
James
December 7th, 2011
6:37 pm
Great signing, but until our offensive offense co-ordinate learns how to run a toss sweep so our backs can use their talents we will have problems.
Big Wally
December 7th, 2011
7:07 pm
Hate to say it, but I predict that Crowell will never see his senior year at Ga. He will end up at another school w/in two years.
Jess Capel
December 7th, 2011
7:08 pm
To refute the non-Bulldog fan who takes 15 minutes out of his day to lambast our players, since 2001, UGA has had 6 RBs drafted or otherwise signed to NFL rosters (4 still active). With my rudimentary math skills, I believe that equates to better than one every other year. I ain’t gonna check each FBS roster year by year (as I did for my beloved Dawgs) but I bet there aren’t many teams got match that record. If you got Asher Allen who signed with UGA as a RB but plays CB in the pros, you come to 7.
Plowboy-Viking
December 7th, 2011
7:09 pm
Heard Crowell quit the team today
Mary Kelly
December 7th, 2011
7:13 pm
Really, we had to break rules to beat Florida? What a jackass.
Pago Pago DAWG
December 7th, 2011
7:30 pm
We agree with everybody, Isabelle just an 18 year old kid, let’s give him another 2 or 3 years to mature and grow-up….come on people.
Ernest & Julio
December 7th, 2011
7:33 pm
There will be no wine
before it’s time.
E & J Gallo