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
DIT
December 7th, 2011
7:45 pm
The sad thing about SSIGator is that he sounds soooo much like a whinny little tekie. Coincidence, hmmmm….
James
December 7th, 2011
7:45 pm
I thought Richard Samuel was senior.Can somebody tell me for sure? Thanks
DIT
December 7th, 2011
7:47 pm
James, he’s a JR. Good news for us! He will tough as nails next year because of the competition.
Ernest & Julio
December 7th, 2011
7:49 pm
James,
Allow me… http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Richard+Samuel
jack bull
December 7th, 2011
7:51 pm
let’s see, I Crowell, a teenager, getting booed by his own fans, then getting drilled while he was trying to run his route, heck, i would’ve got a flag thrown on me too…i can see where he may be a little frustrated.
Snake Doc
December 7th, 2011
7:51 pm
With Smokey and the Marshal UGA will win 20 NC’s in a row! LMFAO
Stupid Rubes!
James
December 7th, 2011
7:52 pm
@ GTBob
Which Tech back had a better season than Crowell?
John Galt
December 7th, 2011
7:52 pm
There are two possibilities- either the competition will help Crowell become a better and less egotistical back, or he will be gone.
Both possibilities are better than dependence on a malingerer.
ramguy68
December 7th, 2011
7:57 pm
I would hope CMR advises his players and recruits not to read these kind of blogs. Many of the posters are trolls and most of the others have a self righteous attitude and clearly most of them never put on a jock strap. There are few Dawg fans that keep a positive attitude and truly support the team and would never anonymously call players names. A few of them need to wipe off the side of their mouths……there’s still a little BS there.
James
December 7th, 2011
7:59 pm
@SMITB
Arrogant or stupid.Why does it matter to you? They were caught and punished.What was Ruben Houston’s frame of mind when he was running a mini drug cartel at Tech?
James
December 7th, 2011
8:04 pm
@Georgia ain’t Bama
Funny how Bama was recruiting both of them very hard.Strange how people suddenly put down what they cant get.Dont kid yourself if Crowell decided to transfer to Alabama Saban would make room for him and you know it.
James
December 7th, 2011
8:06 pm
@DIT
That is scary and Thanks.If he runs like he did in the Florida game it will be fun to watch next year.
minnesota dawg
December 7th, 2011
8:10 pm
In the SEC you better mature or you are going to get run over!! Crowell will mature and it’s good to have competition. There’s something about being the older of the two running backs that will make Crowell have incentive to excel. I’ve seen it when you encourage a person to be an example and help a younger person. It motivates them when they know they will have to teach someone else!
Sharkman
December 7th, 2011
8:26 pm
I knew that long haired freak I.C. was gonna be a problem when he couldn’t keep up with Joe T’s strenuous workouts last summer. The only other one we heard about was that sissy on the o/l. He needs to grow up and lose the attitude or leave. He didn’t even rush over a thousand yards. If he thinks his stuff doesn’t stink, he DEFNATELY needs an attitude adjustment. Welcome home Nick Marshalll!
icedawg
December 7th, 2011
8:38 pm
The more the merrier. I could see how having three good backs could be a very nice offensive weapon to have. RB’s get pounded so they are susceptible to injury. Actually this could help Crowell even if another good running back is added. Good for everyone except our opponents.
Bobdawg
December 7th, 2011
8:40 pm
Folks, isn’t there a top TE prospect from the Southwest Desert area we are in the running for also?
DC from Conyers
December 7th, 2011
9:13 pm
I don’t know if it was already said, but do so many of u know why someone is redshirted or not? To get aclimated to the College. I.E. Classwork, time management, Maturity for some, Strength and physical ability, Speed of the game, playbook etc. Freshman of the year! He apparently made that part. Give the Kid a break and the benifit of doubt. I’m willing to give him another year to accomplish many things that he now knows he must do. Somehow someone will say CMR made a mistake with IC but those same people would critisize him if he did not go after IC. CMR can’t win. But that is alright with me. I support th institution and the team and the Coaching staff. Go Dawgs
Volleydawg
December 7th, 2011
9:14 pm
We expect every running back that comes in the be the next H. Walker. Those are impossible shoes to fill. Crowell was just a freshman. Sure Walker was a freshman when he did it but things are different now. I just feel there is a lot more pressure on these kids these days. Georgia fans are fickle. Loving you one minute and hating you the next. Give the kid a chance. AND STOP BOOING the players.
TJ
December 7th, 2011
9:21 pm
Crowell has the talent the problem is everybody wanted him to be Hershel Walker. Well hes not. He needs some time to learn. Hes been a prima-donna his whole high school career which was only 12 months ago. The addtion of another good back only makes things better. We need receivers as well.Getting back to the subject, Crowell will either get his attitude together or get cut or transfer. But Dog fans should never boo a Freshman. Give the BOY a chance because hes not even 20 yrs old yet. Who knows how bad he was hurt and was still out there trying with LSU. The disciplinary problems and attitude need to be handled ASAP but lets not give up on this kid yet.
Georgia ain’t Bama
December 7th, 2011
9:23 pm
James: “Funny how Bama was recruiting both of them very hard.”
That actually is quite funny, James.
Free A.J.
December 7th, 2011
9:45 pm
Great article Bill. Very much needed to be said. I am pleased beyond words with the commitment of KM to UGA. Way way too many “Georgia Fans” bashing IC. I love IC (and I have a UGA diploma on my wall so I surely have the right to comment on this issue). He made some mistakes this year. He is 18 years old. I made a lot of mistakes when I was 18. I made a lot of mistakes when I was 40 (I am 41 now). People need to get off their righteous high horses and just shut up and settle down about IC. This is a young man who is away from home for the first time in his life-please all you “perfect” Dawg fans put it into perspective and have some empathy and patience for the kid. Without IC Dawgs do not win 10 games this year. Period. I like to compare him to former Georgia commit and current Clemson star TE Dwayne Allen. He had issues at Clemson at first and has become one of the best leaders on the team. IC has had a difficult adjustment and he will be fine given time AND competition from KM. With both of them in our backfield good things are bound to happen for the Dawgs!
SuperB
December 7th, 2011
9:54 pm
If Crowell does what he is told to do for the next two years, he will garner a lot of honors and be a multi-millionaire……. if he listens to Georgia’s coaches.
Snoop Dawg
December 7th, 2011
10:11 pm
Three presents for Christmas:
1. Replacement for Bobo
2. Replacement for McClendon
3. Hire a dedicated special teams coach
bwell
December 7th, 2011
10:14 pm
Bill, I agree. We have to much talent in this State. We should be able to get 4 and 5 star rb every year. I pray that we get the NC guy as well TG? And add Davis to the mix. The only problem is will they play as soon, the Ga system requires you to know how to pass block.
Len Strong
December 7th, 2011
10:22 pm
Once a problem, always a problem…These prima donnas think rules apply to everyone but them. I will be suprized if Prince Crowell makes it all the way thru next season
Bill Lee
December 7th, 2011
10:46 pm
Sometimes a 19 year old might act like a 19 year old. It’s hardly fair to put the weight of the whole team on a teenager’s shoulders…
ncdawg
December 7th, 2011
10:46 pm
lsu had a game breaker on special team
ncdawg
December 7th, 2011
10:47 pm
with what we got coming in we should win it all
ncdawg
December 7th, 2011
10:49 pm
crowell is is a good kid leave him alone…don’t run him a away
krazydawg
December 7th, 2011
10:54 pm
We could have Joe Montana as qb and still lose.Bobo is a heck of a recruter ,but stinks as a play caller.I sure hope we find a place for him,because calling plays is not it.Anyways I.C will be a beast for us when he is healthy.He is just a freshman.But you cannot just give games away like with LSU.We had them on the ropes and quit boxing.
ncdawg
December 7th, 2011
10:57 pm
len he will makke leave him alone….frosh of year damn
Coastal Dawg
December 7th, 2011
11:08 pm
No one should give up on Crowell and he shouldn’t give up on himself.
He has a white hot future IF he will work hard, develop some maturity, and change his attitude to realize it is a team sport. If he works as hard as he can for the team, he will have a bright future, reach his potential, and retire a rich man. He certainly has the talent and it would be a shame to waste.
herschell??
December 7th, 2011
11:25 pm
42-10!! nite nite DREAM TEAMERS
Dawg Goneit
December 8th, 2011
12:00 am
@krazydawg
There was nothing wrong with the play-calling. LSU was just sleepwalking through the first half.
Have you ever seen a cat kill a mouse? It doesn’t crush it right away. It plays around with it for a while first. Then… BAM!
That’s sort of like what happened in the Dome.
dmr
December 8th, 2011
5:51 am
I think the best running back tandem we have seen in the SEC in the last 10 -15 years was at Auburn…Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. Not only did these two guys feed off one another, but many times they were on the field at the same time.
Georgia typically runs a traditional “I” with a full back, but certainly one could envision a set with Malcom Mitchell and Tavares King at wide receiver, Michael Bennett in the slot, and split backs of Marshall and Crowell. Both of these guys can catch the ball out of the backfield. Plus one could go in motion and Bobo could still run his ever loved “draw play”. Speed and skill everywhere is what creates a great offense.
RMikel58
December 8th, 2011
6:18 am
The addition of Marshall will give Georgia a healthier backfield. I think they’ll compliment eachother and not just look at it as one taking over the others spot. Alabama and LSU have it. Infact Trent Richardson is one of the Heisman nominee’s, so it can work.
Good decision i think on Marshall’s part to come to Georgia, he’ll get to showcase his talents and hopefully he and Crowell will end up being great friends.
We need one more fullback to compliment our RB’s and so i hope Georgia is working onthat as well. If presented right, Georgia could end up having the best RB dual in the country. Give em a chance folks and lets see how this turns out.
Old Dawg.
December 8th, 2011
7:11 am
If IC has a attitude problem that spells bad news for GA. People like this never change in most cases. It is something they are born with & no matter how hard they try they just can’ shake it.
Let’s hope this is not the case but, if so, We will move on & be just fine. CB it;s good too see you
turn your back. Now go away.
Joey
December 8th, 2011
8:48 am
So 30 or so nut-cases (probably half techies in disguise) talk trash about Crowell, and Bill thinks there’s been a shift in fan support?
I didn’t like the suspensions by IC, but hopefully with age, he’ll also gain maturity. Injuries, especially high ankle sprains take months to overcome, and most every back in the SEC misses games with injuries (think Ingram, Latimore, etc).
If IC grows up, he will be a force on the field for us.
Dawg Goneit
December 8th, 2011
8:51 am
You’re right.
Those were probably Tech fans booing IC at the SECCG.
Flo-Ri-Duh
December 8th, 2011
9:04 am
Knowshon was red shirted and only played two seasons at UGA. Under the right circumstances Crowell would hav gotten about 15 carries a game this year but due to a lack of RB’s he didn’t have a chance to work his way ib to the system. Many people have forgotten that Richard Samuel was a 5 star RB himself. He will be the most important back on the team next year, not Crowell or Marshall. Samuel needs to lose about 15 lbs. that he gained to play LB By the way Crowell weighs 215 lbs. He is not a pipsqueak. Bama is going to lose Trent Richardson and a whole bunch of other guys to the NFL this year, as will LSU. LSU will have the honey badger back but lose the rest of their DB’s to the NFL aand will have RB Kenny Hilliard back. He is a 250 lb freshman and a future 1st round pick. Saban will take a back sat to Les Miles again next year. Georgia will be favored over S. Carolina as Carolina will lose several to the NFL.
Whiskey Breath
December 8th, 2011
9:05 am
You guys don’t get it. Any freshman that comes in needs a big brother, mentor or someone to show him the ropes. Mark Richt doesn’t have a clue when it comes to young men maturing. But go ahead and make this kid a bad guy.Let’s pat CMR and Buck on the back one more time!
mike addington
December 8th, 2011
9:19 am
A rotten apple is a rotten apple. Crowell is a girl
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 8th, 2011
9:22 am
@mike addington
if you think Crowell is a rotten apple, Da’Rick Rogers would give you a stroke
TampaDawg
December 8th, 2011
9:22 am
jack bull
December 7th, 2011
7:51 pm
let’s see, I Crowell, a teenager, getting booed by his own fans,
———————-
Your handle is Jack Bull which makes sense because your post is JACK CRAP. The bans Booo’d because BOOOO MALCOME came into the game. But that’s ok, don’t let something that makes sense fool you.
TampaDawg
December 8th, 2011
9:25 am
Whiskey Breath
December 8th, 2011
9:05 am
You guys don’t get it. Any freshman that comes in needs a big brother, mentor or someone to show him the ropes. Mark Richt doesn’t have a clue when it comes to young men maturing.
————————-
Sooo, the hundreds of guys who are productive, mature, hard working members of society that have credited CMR in the past are just wrong and you are right? Absolutely, just keep spouting off about stuff you obviously know nothing about.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 8th, 2011
9:27 am
@Flo-Ri-Duh
I personally know a lot of Bama fans who are saying they really hope to win the title game because they are expecting a drop next year themselves.
I don’t know about LSU, I doubt they’ll be the supermen they were this year, because flat-out this may be the best team i’ve seen in the SEC in a looooonngg time. Don’t expect a steep decline though, LSU has probably the most well-stocked cupboards of any team in the SEC
john
December 8th, 2011
9:28 am
Good article Bill. Much better than Schultz trying to create negativity about signing the two best running backs in the country. Go Dawgs !. Please tell Schultz to take his act up North. Don’t need it here
RedandBlackDawg
December 8th, 2011
9:28 am
Whiskey Breath,
You have no idea what you are talking about as usual. Crowell was taken under the wings of a lot of players on UGA. Have you not read this in numerous articles on the AJC blogs this year. He has even said so himself. Crowells problem, is too much responsibility was placed on his shoulders and he was not ready for it. He needed time to mature, but with thew RB position the way it was, he couldn’t be given that time. Not everybody is a Lattimore.
You are just another UGA hater that comes on a UGA blog and spouts crap. Are you a tech. fan by the way? You need to do some research before you make such stupid statements. CMR is exactly the reason that K. Marshall is coming to UGA. He treats these kids with respect and doesn’t just look at them like a number, or a piece of meat. Sure there will be a few failures because a kid still has decisions to make when they go off to college. Crowell would have greatly benefited with a red shirt year, but the situation dictated that he start from day one. He had a hard time handling the spot light and he let it go to his head. Next year, if he works harder on getting into shape and in the classroom, he can do great things with Marshall as his sidekick. If he chooses not to do what is required, he will either transfer or lose his scholarship if he doesn’t keep up with his studies. I am betting he dedicates himself to being a better athlete and student.
Jborodawg
December 8th, 2011
9:42 am
I’m with Bill and others. LSU and Bama, the two highest ranked teams in the country, have shown that to win championships you have to have at least two good (great?) RBs. Crowell and Marshall (and Samuel and Malcome) are a start. We’ve got the AP SEC Freshman of The Year returning; and the competition should make him better. Picking up a couple more will potentially give us an awesome backfield.
Yep, I’m saying lay off Crowell. Let’s see what he does in the bowl game and next year. He could be a great one.
ATTN All Writers: No UGA fan is declaring Marshall the next Hershel. If he doesn’t get 1000 yards next year, don’t write a headline saying we thought he was the next Hershel and now we’re throwing him under the bus.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 8th, 2011
9:47 am
man Richt’s turning into Les Miles stocking up 5 deep on the running backs like this