Crowell’s story all too familiar for UGA fans (UPDATED)
Isaiah Crowell's time in Athens was troubled from the start. (Associated Press)
Seems like we’ve been here before.
Another Georgia tailback’s career derailed — probably ended — by his own actions. This time it’s Isaiah Crowell, arrested early Friday morning on three weapons charges.
For Crowell, his immediate suspension from the Georgia Bulldogs is the least of his troubles. Two of those charges are felonies.
Update: Crowell has been dismissed from the team according to an announcement Friday afternoon by Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt. “We have a dedicated and committed group of men who are working hard to prepare for the coming season,” Richt said. “Our total focus will be directed toward the team and this effort.” That was the coach’s only comment.
The 19-year-old from Columbus came to Athens as one of the most heralded recruits signed by the Bulldogs since you know who, but almost from the start the vibes were bad.
Word leaked out last summer that Crowell wasn’t in good shape and had skipped some workouts. Members of the team felt the need to pay him a visit and tell him he needed to get it in gear.
Once the season started, we saw that Crowell was every bit as talented as had been billed, but fans couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t exactly the hardest working kid on the field, frequently taking himself out of the lineup.
He hit his stride midseason, carrying the ball 30 times against Ole Miss for 147 yards, one of four 100-yard rushing games he had for the Bulldogs.
Then Crowell sat out the first quarter of the Vandy game for an unspecified rules violation and was suspended for the entire New Mexico State game along with some other teammates who reportedly failed a drug test.
Struggling with an ankle injury, Crowell was never the same after that, running only 15 times for 31 yards in the Dogs’ last four games, and he wound up being booed by fans at the Georgia Dome when he limped off the field during the SEC championship game.
Still, the 850 yards and five touchdowns he did manage were good enough for him to be named SEC freshman of the year, and the happy talk in the offseason was that he was a rededicated and more mature player He wound up the spring sharing the No. 1 tailback spot with Boo Malcome.
But apparently even the more mature Isaiah Crowell still figured rules didn’t apply to him, and so we get this sorry story of him being arrested for having a 9mm Luger with an altered ID number hidden under the seat of the car he was driving when stopped by a police roadblock in Athens. Sheer stupidity.
So, where does that leave the Dawgs at tailback? Pretty much where they were a year ago, with a relatively unheralded veteran likely to be the starter and a super-talented, highly recruited true freshman — this time Keith Marshall — in the wings.
Actually, Georgia is better off this time around, because Marshall started school early and has already been through spring drills and shown himself to be a hard worker. Plus, there’s another super-talented, highly recruited freshman joining the team in August: Todd Gurley.
Bottom line: Isaiah Crowell had the talent to be one of the best running backs in the nation, but never showed the desire and dedication to make that happen. While fans were hoping that competition from Malcome, Marshall and Gurley would spur him to live up to his potential, chances are the rising sophomore’s obvious strong sense of entitlement would have tripped him up in the end.
The Dawgs likely will be better off without him.
Feel free to share your own views of Georgia’s prospects at tailback, but please keep your comments civil and within the bounds of good taste or they’ll be removed and you’ll be banned from future commenting.
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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391 comments Add your comment
OldDog
June 30th, 2012
1:45 pm
Bring back players like thurston, scott woerner, meat cleaver weaver, buck…. they never got in trouble and won titles.
Beast from the East
June 30th, 2012
2:14 pm
Does someone have link to the 50 arrests? I find that hard to believe.
D. Biggs
June 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
Everytime this sort of thing happens, we hear the tired excuse that these kids are a product of their environment and, therefore, the reason for such sorry behavior. Baloney! When you’re given a full scholarship to a prestigious school like UGA, with the opportunity to get an education and perhaps play pro ball, you have to wake up and change your behavior. One of the worst things to happen to college football was the elimination of the athletic dormitories. Great decision, NCAA! At least in an athletic dorm, players could help look after each other and minimize the opportunity for someone to do something stupid. The coaches can’t watch every player all the time. Winning teams need top talent, but they also need players with character. Otherwise, less grounded players will continue to do immature things.
SSIgator
June 30th, 2012
2:59 pm
Someone asked about his twitter account:
https://twitter.com/iSAIAH_RIP_STEV
If there is any remorse or regrets in there, I couldn’t find them
RNB
June 30th, 2012
3:06 pm
Wonder what SEC team he will be playing for next year?
chuck
June 30th, 2012
3:11 pm
I expected this as in these very same pages I predicted last season that Thomas and Crowell wouldn’t be on the team by opening day. I’m much more concerned that this rotten apple had a sophomore and 3 freshman football players with him. I have been critical of our recruiting efforts in the past but I’m really thankful that we had the common sense to sign 2 stud running backs for the situation we are now in.
I feel a LOT better this year with Malcome established as a SEC quality back and Samuel back running the ball with a lot of heart and experience. We have a third running back in Marshall that has been thru the spring and seems to have his head on straight. Gurley coming in August is also a big plus as he could be the best of all of them. We will be better in the long run for getting rid of the infection.
WHY DOES RICHT KEEP SIGNING THESE WORTHLESS GOONS???
June 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
Someone asked abouthis twitter account:
https://twitter.com/iSAIAH_RIP_STEV
If there is any remorse or regrets in there, I couldn’t find them.
——————————————————–
If anyone out there objects to calling Crowell “ghetto trash,” I strongly urge you to read a couple of days worth of his Tweets. “Ghetto trash” doesn’t even begin to describe this illiterate, stupid, me-first jerkoff. And I have to add that it was sickening to see this goon throwing around the N-word every few tweets.
Tim Dye
June 30th, 2012
3:29 pm
End Game. Do you know STUPID your comment was about “Georgia being the #1 party school”……… And this the beauty of the statement ……. “And that will not change until Richt is fired”. That may be the most ignorant statement I have ever seen on a blog!”
Tim Dye
June 30th, 2012
3:34 pm
RNB. I am sure LSU willmtake some more of our trash!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
June 30th, 2012
3:48 pm
What else is new? Nothing, everyone in Athens will bury their heads in the sands for a 8-4 or 9-3 season then keep dishing out contract extensions and pay raises to Pastor Richt and his staff.
Keep up the great work, we love laughing our ass#$ off at this program.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
June 30th, 2012
3:50 pm
Olddog…..great comment about old school, and I totally agree with you. The program tanked after Erk Russell left, and no one would have heard of Dooley if not for Russell.
Joe
June 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
I wonder if Derrick Henry’s comment about not bashing Crowell had anything to do with his decommittment because of all the bashing comments in the past. If so we have no chance to get him later for all this bashing that has gone on toward Crowell. Bad image for recruits seems to be to me.
supsalemgr
June 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
Even the faculty is getting in on the “who gets arrested next” game.
michael
June 30th, 2012
4:32 pm
Looks like LSU has another golden opportunity to offer this piece of trash a scholarship!
VA DAWG
June 30th, 2012
4:49 pm
I hate to see him waste his all-world talent, but I hope he lands on his feet and is able to escape the negativity that has surrounded this situation and the environment (Columbus) that has cost him so much. Good luck Isiah, wish you the best of luck and hope to see you succeed. GO DAWGS!
Welcome to Columbia
June 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
South Carolina will have a field day with UGA this year, assuming of course that Richt will have enough players left to field a team.
THREE IN A ROW OVER THE HAPLESS DAWGS!!!
CHDawg
June 30th, 2012
5:04 pm
Joe, most of the bashers aren’t UGA fans. The real fans usually hope the best for the players. There are so many weird units who pretend to be Dawg fans here, it would be impossible to draw conclusions from these blog comments. I think VA DAWG, who is obviously a real fan, sums up the Dawg Nation’s attitude well: IC is a great talent and we are all disappointed that his UGA career is over. We wish him the best in getting his life straightened out. It is time to move on, and I was just looking at Gurley and Marshall’s speed–10.7 and 10.44 in the 100M, respectively. Both have plenty of speed, and they both sound very mature. I suspect Malcome will either blossom or fade this year. If he blossoms, he could be gone, along with Richard Samuel. So, I think there are a lot of opportunities in the near future at UGA for both Marshall and Gurley, along with Henry if he decides to become a Dawg. This sure opens up the RB recruiting opportunities.
SSIgator
June 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
Don’t you just know his Mom is proud. Then again, after reading some of his twitter posts, maybe she really is.
CHDawg
June 30th, 2012
5:10 pm
One more point: the only drawback to Gurley and Marshall is size. 195-200 works great in NC HS, but the SEC is a tough town. Henry would almost be guaranteed early playing time because of his great size.
Summertime Blues
June 30th, 2012
5:10 pm
Many employers now screen job applicants by reading their posts on Twitter and Facebook. I wonder if Richt or the other coaches ever peruse the posts of guys they’re recruiting. It would give them a good idea of the fellow’s character and intelligence, I think. Maybe they should also keep tabs on their current players, too. It doesn’t matter anymore for Crowell, but looking at a few days worth of Crowell’s tweets would have convinced anyone that he’s a train wreck ready to happen.
SSIgator
June 30th, 2012
5:17 pm
Summertime Blues -
“I wonder if Richt or the other coaches ever peruse the posts of guys they’re recruiting”
I think this answers your question – fifty arrests in four years
RHall55
June 30th, 2012
5:33 pm
Hope these articles end by Monday!! Enuff is enuff!! Tired of the same ole stuff!!
Coach Richt
June 30th, 2012
5:49 pm
I’m glad another UGA faculty member got arrested during a prostitution sting. Maybe everyone will stop taking notice of my players getting arrested. Now that is a UGA hat trick, 3 high profile arrests in one month. I wonder what I should do to the other three players that were in the car with Crowell? I’ll pray on it………….
RHall55
June 30th, 2012
5:59 pm
What the heck is Van Halenger doing in his new role as Player Development? Morning runs w/ CMR and collect a check?? Too many non-productive people on this staff……by the end of the year, you will all see: CDVH, CMB. CRG, CJT, AND CWF!!!
SSIgator
June 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
The Athens, GA law trifecta – two UGA profs and a UGA football player all arrested in June. Ah, to be an attorney in that town.
Reality Dawg
June 30th, 2012
6:56 pm
Are you kidding me?! He will land at Auburn, Tennessee or Alabama, possibly Clemson by the 2014 season. Those schools take anyone and cover up their player’s crimes.
Reality Dawg
June 30th, 2012
6:59 pm
Only thing that could make this even more intriguing would have been if Da’Rick had signed with UGA. Would he have been dismissed for his felony arrest like Crowell? He got off in Knoxville (surprise) after the trial. My guess is he would not be part of the program today for his behavior. Mark Richt needs to refocus his efforts on different players. Something just ain’t right. Maybe the new recruiting coordinator will help.
Tallydawg
June 30th, 2012
7:42 pm
What a double threat this will be for LSU’s offense in 2014. Mettenberger and Crowell. Gropin’ teat and packin heat
I got those UGA blues...
June 30th, 2012
7:53 pm
AJC headline: UGA academic charged in prostitution sting.
Stanton was the second UGA academic arrested in June in a prostitution sting by authorities using Backpage.com
It just never ends, does it. It just makes you want to scream.
AAAAA Athens Bail Bonds R Us
June 30th, 2012
7:58 pm
“The Athens, GA law trifecta – two UGA profs and a UGA football player all arrested in June. Ah, to be an attorney in that town.”
Bail bondsmen also do very well.
kybodawg
June 30th, 2012
8:21 pm
isaiah who?
Good Riddance Gangsta
June 30th, 2012
8:45 pm
Guys like you perpetuate racism and its epithets. Way to go Isabelle. Get your damn act together.
Tweet me, tweet you
June 30th, 2012
8:58 pm
At least we still have Crowell’s tweets. They’re entertaining if you enjoy R-rated, illiterate rants with liberal use of the N-word. But they do give some insight into his character (or lack of character, actually).
AP
June 30th, 2012
9:00 pm
Just returned home from Manchester, England where it was 61 and sun yesterday! Not only do I return to a furnace but this news of Crowell’s dismissal. I’m so disappointed not only in IC but in the “whole UGA thing” for lack of a better word. I had a feeling something like this was going to happen and pretty sure this won’t be the only negative news we hear in the next month leading into the season. I’m just getting very tired of the way things are run in Athens! Please talk me off the cliff….I really love the Dawgs more than anything, just tired of the constant disappointment!
historydog
June 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
Good riddance. A rotten,selfish individual, not a team player. Good he is gone before the corrupts the whole team. Probably should have let everyone in the car with him go as well. Better to have average players who play as a team, that have prima donnas who just play for their future pro careers. Maybe the Dogs will be more that mediocre after all. Miracles do happen!
Rabid Dawg'84
June 30th, 2012
10:07 pm
Did anyone else notice that in EVERY single game that Crowell played, he limped off the field. I told a friend that he would have to do things right for a whole year before I could trust him. Glad he’s gone. Lead the way, Boo.
Buzz2011
June 30th, 2012
10:51 pm
The Dawgs.. “We gun his state”…..
Sully Man
June 30th, 2012
11:42 pm
Hey SSI gator…
Does it make you feel better about yourself to keep talking trash about the Bulldogs as if the Gators are somehow above the fray? Hell, I’m not sure it’s possible to get kicked off the football team at Florida for positive drug tests… they have one of the most lax drug policies in the SEC. But… who cares if you are winning championships, right? And as for other behavior problems… Florida players are no different… most of the kids that go to major college programs are immature and full of themselves. It’s how the coaching staff and administration handle those problems that is the real test of the integrity of a program. It’s a lot harder to be transparent and consistent than it is to sweep things under the rug. We’ll see if Muschamp runs a cleaner program than Meyer did.
Enjoy SSI… lots of Dawg fans down there… bet you are really popular.
Brown Dog
July 1st, 2012
9:09 am
RTRBama
June 30th, 2012
1:44 pm
Georgia’s AD needs to call Nick for advice on recruiting top quality players with character. Nick doesn’t put up with all this criminal activity. Georgia recruits too many questions and hopes they turn out
Not so. we recruit themsamemkids as Georgia. We just DEMAND that they behave. Otherwise, they don’t play, and then they go away. That sends a clear message to the rest of the team, something that doesn’t seem to be happening in Athens.
ole yeller
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 am
Life goes on with or without “IC”. Too much talent riding the pine to miss him too much.
HIDawg
July 4th, 2012
1:14 pm
I think it is time to look at the running backs coach. How many running backs have been major distractors on the team over the last few years, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Just saying, Mentorship starts at the immediate leadership level, obviously lacking in the running back department and in the DB department.