Fan talk: Richt vs. Crowell, wayward tailbacks, armed Dawgs and Grantham’s future!
Was there more to the Isaiah Crowell story than we knew? (Associated Press)
Let’s get right to some timely Junkyard Mail …
Bobby Dupree writes: Bill, I have to say I was shocked by the speed with which Mark Richt dismissed Isaiah Crowell from the team after his arrest. And I’m a little bit baffled. Why would the coach move so quickly to kick the kid off the team without even waiting to see if the charges stick or get reduced?
I’ve had that question from several fans, and unless Richt fills us in on why he acted so quickly, whatever we say is sheer speculation. I had expected Richt to wait to see what happened with the charges and then, if they were dismissed or reduced to misdemeanors, suspend Crowell for half a season. Depending on how the player reacted to that, I figured the coach would then either reinstate Crowell or dismiss him. But with Richt moving so quickly to get rid of Crowell on the same day he was arrested, I’ve got to figure that Isaiah was already on thinner ice with his head coach than any of us imagined. Perhaps there was more to last season’s troubles than was made public. The fact that Crowell also had three freshmen in the car with him and his buddy probably didn’t help matters. Richt may have seen him as a bad influence who needed to be removed. Also, I think that Richt, in acting so quickly and decisively with Crowell, was sending a message to the rest of the team. Frankly, I think if Richt had waited, he would have been only postponing the inevitable. Yes, it’s likely that if Crowell gets the felony charges reduced or dropped he’ll wind up playing for some other major school, possibly within the SEC. And, who knows, this time he might actually come to his senses and apply himself, stay out of trouble and become a star player. But I’d say there’s an equally good chance that the same deficiencies that hampered Crowell in Athens will show up wherever he plays.
Jerry Doster writes: Bill, what is it with Georgia’s tailbacks? OK, I know college kids are known for getting in trouble and our athletes aren’t the only ones crossing the line, but the string of incidents in recent years involving the Dogs’ tailback corps is really ridiculous. Dontavius Jackson, Washaun Ealey, Caleb King, Carlton Thomas, and now Isaiah Crowell — all in trouble in one way or another and all gone from the program before their eligibility expired. What’s going on here? No other position on the team has had such consistent problems. Is it time to look at the position coach and maybe ask what he’s doing wrong?
Ken Malcome and the other UGA tailbacks don't need to worry about being the next Herschel Walker. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
You’re not the first to ask whether any of this continuing turmoil with the running backs can be laid at the feet of their coach, Bryan McClendon, who got a hefty pay raise last year, up to $200,000, in large part because of his considerable prowess as a recruiter. There’s no denying his value to UGA in that regard. His two latest successes: Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley. Only those intimately familiar with the workings of the team can say for sure whether there’s anything McClendon could do differently that might make a difference, but it’s tough to pin the stupid things that college students do on their coaches. Still, I’d be surprised if McClendon isn’t part of some rather urgent discussions of what can be done to put an end to this. Perhaps Georgia needs to look at how it evaluates the non-football aspects of its recruits. As for Ken Malcome, Marshall, Gurley and the others stepping up to take on the seemingly cursed tailback spot at UGA, I like this piece of advice from Chris White of the Athens Banner-Herald: “You no longer have to be the next Herschel Walker. You just have to make it through college.”
Jim Parry writes: Bill, Has gun possession become another topic our athletic department staff and coaches need to address? We do not want to become the U. of Oklahoma and their Switzer-coached wild west teams. Last I heard, Americans have the right to possess firearms, with certain legal restrictions, of course. Maybe our coaches need to dig deeper as to which players own or possess firearms and just make sure 1) They are not obviously [illegal], i.e. scratched off serial numbers like Crowell’s Luger. 2) They are a legal type to possess. 3) Registered, if need be. 4) Proper permits are carried to own and/or conceal such weapons. 5) Mandate proper use education for firearms (maybe at a local firing range). 5) Find out WHY these athletes feel the need to carry around weapons in the first place (especially ones that aren’t of the weekend deer hunting variety). Do they need to pretend they’re “gangsta” in a college environment? Get ’em out of here, if that’s the case. Are they being threatened by others and feel they need it to defend themselves? Coaches, parents and maybe even police might need to know if that’s the case. Coaches, like it or not, are the closest guardians these athletes have on campus and they need to know personal information about their “kids” to help protect them. Even if it means protecting them from themselves.
Hey, remember the whole flap about the need for Georgia’s coaches to insure the kids all have valid driver’s licenses and all the effort that went into that? If they also have to take on weapons inventory, I’m not sure they’ll have any time left for coaching.
Travis Hill writes: Hey Bill, I hope and pray that we are able to keep Coach [Todd] Grantham around a long time, but truthfully in the back of my mind I am afraid he is going to be such a hot commodity that he will have a lot of options after this season. Do you think UGA would ever put the “Coach in waiting” tab on Grantham?
That whole coach-in-waiting tactic didn’t work out very well for West Virginia and Texas, so we may not see many more schools going that route. And I’m not sure Georgia would consider Grantham to be head coach material yet, based on much-publicized incidents the past couple of seasons. From Grantham’s point of view, I think it would depend on what sort of job offer he got. I don’t see him leaving Georgia simply to return to the NFL. As for a head coaching job, it would depend on where the offer came from. If it was from a mid-major or below, he’d have to ask himself if being a head coach there was really better than being a defensive coordinator in the SEC.
I’ll answer more Junkyard Mail next week, so if you have something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg, send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
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
334 comments Add your comment
Scott
July 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
Blake Boy: If Crowell had gone to Bama he would have walked the walk during fall practice or he would have been gone. Bama would not have told him he was something special and how entitiled he was. Same kid, different enviorment, diffrent results.
Blake
July 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
Scott Boy: Sure they wouldn’t have. I’m sure Saban didn’t say anything nice to him at all during the recruiting process. You people are delusional. You have no idea what goes on with your programs on the practice fields or behind closed doors. Everything is hunkie doorie when you’re winning. It’s easy to throw stones, just remember one day they will be thrown back.
IC to USC!!
July 3rd, 2012
1:11 am
at usc, IC can be the man, a superstar! Spurrier will let him smoke all the weed he want if he put up the big #s—come to columbia IC—it’s yo time!
We Run the East
July 3rd, 2012
6:57 am
Illegal in state of ga to have a gun in car under age of 21. This applies to all. My daughter is 20 and when she is 21 she will have gun in car. With a serial #. Altered serial # indicates this was a stolen gun. the tweets from IC are unbelievable- that info is public knowledge and he was flaunting his thugness. Really stupid. If you are of age, get a gun, get a Concealed Carry permit, and learn to defend yourself from Obama Zombies. Gonna get worse before it gets better!
dmr
July 3rd, 2012
7:07 am
HEY BILL,
With all of the negativity surrounding Georgia and specifically the tailback spot due to recent defections, I think it high time to put the spotlight on guys who have been the shining example of work and teammate. On this squad, you need look no further than Richard Samuel. This kid has done EVERYTHING asked of him. He has switched sides of the ball, positions on offense, provided leadership, and not once have you heard a complaint or been given the sense he is anything but a good kid. SPOTLIGHT THAT!
Day Dreamer
July 3rd, 2012
7:16 am
So how’s that Dream Team thing working out?
Columbus Dawg
July 3rd, 2012
7:35 am
I saw a post somewhere stating that Richt and McGarity got into it over the new contract. Cry me a river Richt, you barely , and I mean barely earned the right to return to your office at all after the egg you laid in the bowl game. You brought the thug Crowell to UGA, without checking out the character issues. There are people here in Columbus that could have easily helped you out with that. As far as I am concerned the POS asst. coach at Carver running his mouth on Facebook should be sued by UGA for defamation and slander.
Coach Richt, Bobo, and Grantham, I realize that what I say means squat to you, but the expectations for your 2012 season have not changed. The loss of Crowell is being seen by many who know as a HUGE blessing. Get the new guys ready to compete in the SEC, and everything should be fine. Coach Grantham, Cornelius Washington is making some REALLY stupid comments on social media, about how fans only show love when everything is rosey. YOU need to enlighten him, and any other players that have no regard for rules of UGA. He was arrested as well as I remember for DUI. He needs to be VERY thankful that he is still on the team. These young men are being given the opportunity that very few get just to don the Red and Black, not to mention the millions that top players like him and Crowell and the like would receive from NFL after a clean nosed career at UGA. I have a feeling that Ray Drew would relish the opportunity.
Quit crying Richt, and get this team ready to GATA!!!
H.H. Munro
July 3rd, 2012
7:36 am
Another classic Crowell tweet for your daily reading:
Isaiah Crowell @iSAIAH_RIP_STEV 6d
@_InkedXSuccess coolinn..tryna get dez pockets fat..dats all its bout
Honest, officer, it was just a coupla beers
July 3rd, 2012
7:43 am
“Cornelius Washington is making some REALLY stupid comments on social media…”
Really? I’m surprised that Washington is sober enough to type anything.
Dawg Day Afternoon and early evening
July 3rd, 2012
7:46 am
check check
Remarkable
July 3rd, 2012
7:56 am
Jim Parry, This wasn’t about gun rights, dude. It was about an illegal weapon.
Mobile Dawg
July 3rd, 2012
9:07 am
Need more info and credibility about the “post” “somewhere” Columbus Dawg. Otherwise it’s just a post trying to stir up trouble.
CHDawg
July 3rd, 2012
9:15 am
Two Points: 1- I’m with dmr! How about Bill and Chip start covering some of our young men who are doing it right (most of them). We have some guys that all of us would love for our own kids to be like–great students, athletes, people! I have seen great articles on Burnette, Robinson, and many, many more in the past. 90% of the summer press seems to be on problems. 2 – We all hate this for IC, but the problem is that this event creates bad chemistry in and of itself. Some get mad at Crowell, some at the way he was treated, some at the hateful responses in blogs like this one. It is all negative for the ‘12 Dawgs. Everybody needs to wish IC the best, accept the fact that he is gone from UGA, and stop the bashing. We still have some strong talent at TB. ‘12 should still be a great year for the Georgia Bulldog football team.
just saying
July 3rd, 2012
9:22 am
Columbus Dawg
July 3rd, 2012
7:35 am
I saw a post somewhere stating that Richt and McGarity got into it over the new contract.
I saw your post and know you are a fool.
Joey
July 3rd, 2012
9:44 am
This whole thing is another black eye for UGA.
The sheer numbers of lawbreaking and rulebreaking by football players at UGA has become a phenomena. How big does the number have to get before it becomes proof that it ain’t just a coincidence?
Is 100 the magic number?
Well that’s certainly attainable, with 5 more years left on that contract.
Mobile Dawg, I wonder how long it would take for a Fortune 500 company board to just get tired of their brand being tarnished, by continuously making this kind of news, even if they liked the CEO?
LogicalUS
July 3rd, 2012
9:53 am
“at usc, IC can be the man”
Hate to break it to ya…but Crowell would be third team at SC and struggle to make the field. And that was the reason that SC was and is going to handle UGA by at least 10 or more in October.
Same would have been the case for him at LSU, Ark & Bama, but UGA is in such dire need at the position that they had to force him on the field.
He obviously wasn’t mature enough for the coddling and praise.
crimsonstains
July 3rd, 2012
10:09 am
What about Bama also recruited him heavily don’t you fu*cktards understand? Saban went after him like you guys go after Saban’s used tampons. The kid was recruited by almost every school in the country. He was a bad egg and now he’s fried himself. End of story.
ugab
July 3rd, 2012
10:10 am
Who is other player besides IC that is leaving the team? Ugasports has another player leaving!!! Who is it?
crimsonstains
July 3rd, 2012
10:10 am
Hey SSI gator how about death threats to a girlfriend? You gaytors seemed not to mind that too much.
Mobile Dawg
July 3rd, 2012
10:11 am
Joey, we both know the answer to that. At UGA there must be some deep roots in denial, and a lack of accountability. We all know what to do once the wreck has occurred. After that we ask, why didn’t we get new tires, or brakes?
Adams is ultimately accountable and he’s retiring. He over saw the Evans hiring along with his tenure and you can’t tell me that Damons behavior was a one time event. Adams let that train wreck happen without intervening. Richt is just as guilty, he reacts sternly once the situation has reached the point where there is only one decision, and that’s in multiple areas, players, coaching, etc.
We’re in a pickle and nothing but time and adjustments can change that. In the meantime, we will have a decent year, could be a good one. Crowell’s loss will hurt some on the field, but the loss of his influence and attitude on younger players should pay more dividends than the results we lose on the field. With Samuel, Malcome, and the younger guys coming along our running game should be solid if the OL performs.
It’s frustrating for sure, as for Richt, I think his leash is shorter now than it’s ever been. He won’t win a championship surrounded by the staff he has now IMO.
Damon Evans
July 3rd, 2012
10:19 am
Red panties.
Haterade
July 3rd, 2012
10:20 am
This just in: Quintavious Harrow fails out of UGA. Check it out yourself.
SSIgator
July 3rd, 2012
10:30 am
crimsonstains -
July 3rd, 2012 – 10:10 am
Hey SSI gator how about death threats to a girlfriend? You gaytors seemed not to mind that too much
________________________________________________
I believe the article is about a UGA player, is it not? If you are interested in UF, here is a good link for you to start with http://www.gatorzone.com
SSIgator
July 3rd, 2012
10:42 am
Haterade -
July 3rd, 2012 – 10:20 am
This just in: Quintavious Harrow fails out of UGA. Check it out yourself.
_____________________________________________
If that is true then maybe last Thursday night was a going away party for him.
“Also present was sophomore defensive back Quintavius Harrow. None of the four were charged.”
Columbus Dawg
July 3rd, 2012
10:42 am
Mobile and just saying, you are right that I have no way of knowing about any contract issues between Richt and McGarity, and I honestly do not remember where I saw the post. I am not trying to stir up trouble, I am simply stating that the expectations for the 2012 season are the same, and I do not care how many media types would have you believe that Richt’s seat has cooled, just let him underachieve this season and see where it gets him. I do personally know some that are close to the program, and every single one of them wanted Richt gone after 2011. Richt is on a much shorter leash than many think. Personally, I hope to goodness that the Dawgs have a great year, and I am actually one who is on the optimistic side of things. Does everyone remember the first four or five years that Richt was in Athens how his strategies fell in line with relying on the defense, for example: When UGA won the coin toss, Richt ALWAYS deferred to second half. Lately, not so much. When I say relying on the defense, I do not mean leaving them on the field for two thirds of the game, hoping that they can somehow save the day after the offense has given the game away, I mean relying on the defense in a strategic way that no one has seen at UGA in several years. All of this being said, I would think that Richt would go back to coaching the way he did when he came to Georgia, and get back to the hard nosed type of play that the Dawgs displayed early in his career. I do not know anyone who has said anything about not liking Coach Richt, this is not the issue. The issue is that UGA and it’s supporters put forth way too much backing for so little return, and players who do not understand this, and want to run their mouths like Washington should have things explained to them in a straight forward manner.
SSIgator
July 3rd, 2012
10:46 am
Mobile Dawg -
You better ease back on that kind of talk. All you are going to do is incur on the wrath of AltamahaDawg and his friend Nancy and then you will be forever banned from the Kool-Aid Club. If you don’t believe me, ask them – they know everything.
Ace
July 3rd, 2012
11:10 am
The fact that Richt comes from FSU and the player problems at UGA don’t stop is your answer. Expect more arrests, nothing has changed.
909
July 3rd, 2012
11:13 am
Quintavius Harrow…done.
Couldnt handle the UGA remedial education program.
Dream Team. ROTFLMAO !!
Mobile Dawg
July 3rd, 2012
2:19 pm
Richt is in a tough spot SSI. He let things get to lax around Athens and paid the price. I believe he knows how to correct things but now he doesn’t have the luxury of time, there are wolves at every door. I also think he has some issues with backbone.
As far as Altamaha goes, I respect what he says, quite often he’s right. A lot of us react emotionally before we really see things clearly.
As far as you go, I can’t understand why you seem to be so obsessed with aggravating UGA fans daily, seems a little immature. You seem to be knowledgeable enough. Wish you were more like Beast, adding good substance and still maintaining a sense of comradarie. Every now and then you will post something that surprises me, makes me think someone hijacked your name.
Robin of Loxley
July 3rd, 2012
3:18 pm
A wise man learns from his mistakes. With Richt recruiting In successive years low class jerks like Caleb King, Washout Ealey, and Isabel Crowell, Richt obviously doesn’t learn. The arrests will continue as long as Richt is the HC.
Daily Planet
July 3rd, 2012
3:34 pm
Yep, looks like Harrow is gone for good.
http://www.secrant.com/rant/p/34439327/Quintavious-Harrow-out-at-Georgia.aspx
Grantham Rules!
July 4th, 2012
10:28 am
Grantham–coach in waiting! the new president needs to take care of that on day 1! With Grantham, the Dogs will rule the SEC!!!
Love's Labours Lost
July 4th, 2012
6:57 pm
Was Crowell wearing his special red panties when when he was arrested? You know, the ones with the frilly lace.
Snake Plisskin
July 5th, 2012
9:48 am
While doing some Google searches, I came across this blast from the past…
Offensive in the wrong way. By Bill King | Sunday, October 1, 2006
Do a search on the above, and see how little things have changed…