Isaiah Crowell: Once again, he’s the ‘missing man’ for UGA
Isaiah Crowell is about to be hugged after scoring against Tennessee. (AP photo)
Georgia wanted Isaiah Crowell so much it committed a secondary violation to get him. It had 10 incumbent Bulldogs array themselves, in uniform, in an offensive set, and it had Crowell, who was on a recruiting visit, take his place in the backfield. This, Georgia was saying, is where you can be next season. (It was also a breach of byzantine NCAA rules.)
And, at least for part of the time, that’s where Crowell has been this season — ensconced as Georgia’s No. 1 tailback. He leads the team in rushing and has had three 100-yard games. He has also gone missing during games so often we’ve all taken to wondering what’s really going on. Is he taking himself out of the game because he’s tired? Does he get injured that often? Are the coaches holding him back? If so, why?
After Crowell didn’t play in the first quarter against Vanderbilt, Mark Richt told a halftime interviewer the freshman had been withheld “because we love him.” (”Undisclosed disciplinary reasons” were the real explanation, apparently.) On Tuesday, after Richt’s regular media briefing had concluded, Georgia announced that Crowell was one of three tailbacks — third-stringer Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome are the other two — who have been suspended for Saturday’s game against New Mexico State. No specific reason was given.
Thus will the Bulldogs be minus four tailbacks Saturday: Richard Samuel was hurt against Florida and has undergone ankle surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the regular season. But the greater issue is Crowell, of whom so much was expected. To be fair, he has come close to justifying the massive hype that preceded him, but the stop-and-start nature of his season — now you see him; now you don’t — has led some to wonder if he’ll be a Bulldog long.
Some cast Isaiah Crowell as the recruit who was going to save Richt’s job, and clearly the freshman has done his part to lift the Bulldogs to 6-2 and second place in the SEC East. But there have been warning signs over those eight games that make us ask: Will the “missing man” turn out to be more trouble than he’s worth?
By Mark Bradley
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479 comments Add your comment
Sir Vincent of Athens
November 1st, 2011
11:49 pm
Back in my day, there was no ’synthetic marijuana’. Me, Bear and Shug used to sniff their breath to make sure they were sober at kickoff. I’d send Coach K down to the Fifth quarter Friday night to make sure they weren’t in there drankin with Dukesy. Bear had to have an assistant do his checking for him, since he hisself was usually in the bag come Friday night.
athdog
November 1st, 2011
11:52 pm
First time I watched him take himself out of the game at Carolina after three consecutive plays, I figured he was either having a hard time adapting to college play, understandable, or he was soft. I hope it was the former, but he’s headed down a bad path. Btw, how’s Washaun doing at Jacksonville?
athdog
November 1st, 2011
11:53 pm
Jacksonville State, that is.
ED SINGLETON
November 2nd, 2011
12:13 am
CUT CROWELL ,WHAT A THUG AND WASTE OF TALENT.
george edwards
November 2nd, 2011
12:16 am
Failing a drug test and all you give them is 1 game against a patsy. We can tell whats on
Georgias mind. Shame on all of you.
DawgVoiceofReason
November 2nd, 2011
12:36 am
Dr. Phil,
You say that Crowell “refuses to block”. WRONG. Crowell made the huge block that allowed Murray to throw the first of his two fourth down TD passes. Watch the film and come back later!
Eugene
November 2nd, 2011
12:47 am
I don’t think Georgia will be getting any more elite running backs any time soon. Everyone including the announcers knew Georgia should have been running the ball against Florida. But, for some reason, just like in the past years with Ealey their offensive was based on pass plays rather than running plays.
I was so glad that someone final got the message near the end of the game and called a few plays for Samuel from Georgia’s old playbook. I also seemed that Georgia’s offensive line blocked better on running plays than on passing plays. I think that Florida quarterback got sometype special deal to come to Georgia.
midtown123
November 2nd, 2011
12:47 am
@george The most classless program in the country?? You obviously don’t pay attention to the other storylines in college football. UGA sure isn’t perfect, but we’ve got miles to go before we reach Ohio State, Miami, UNC, etc. Do some research before you shoot your mouth off.
Neutralist
November 2nd, 2011
1:00 am
which team has more thugs?
1. UGA
2. Auburn
3. Miami
4. Ohio State
5. Southern Cal
DAMON
November 2nd, 2011
1:10 am
Seems like the chickens came home to roost alittle earlier on this one……….
Come on bulldawg nation, do you think dude just started having alledgely drug issues since he hit Athens???
Hal Crawford
November 2nd, 2011
1:12 am
Disappointed in the conduct of the U of Ga football players. A winning team is not worth it. I say boot them off the team. This is a reflection on the team and the coaches for tolerating this. This would not have been allowed by the coaches when I was at Georgia!
captguitarman
November 2nd, 2011
1:15 am
If CMR delayed suspension for violations he knew about well before the Florida game, especially if they involved drugs, Crowell now OWNS his ass, and he will own CMR’s ass until something happens that forces CMR to throw him off the team . . . and this, of course, will be at the worst possible moment. Not only can players sometimes learn hard lessons, but also their coaches.
CVS WANNAB
November 2nd, 2011
1:54 am
Rdawg, finally a keep it real blogger. They know; we know big money made in Athens and it ain’t in Crowell and his buddies’ pockets. America = Drugs,Drugs,Drugs
Cuz
November 2nd, 2011
2:17 am
Let ye who has never been stoned pass the bong to me.
Puffy
November 2nd, 2011
2:22 am
UGA fans racist. Smoking weed does not make you a thug. This is why its hard being a UGA fan. I agree some players are immature and irresponsible and deserve to be punished. However, I can’t take the underhanded racist comments. We all no college-aged kids experiment with drugs (including our last two USA presidents), but when its a black athlete not from the suburbs you label him a thug.
Puffy
November 2nd, 2011
2:28 am
@ Cuz, according to the self-righteous christians on this blog only thugs smoke weed in college, or drink alcohol, or have tattoos. White college students are above such behavior.
Buzz ME
November 2nd, 2011
4:44 am
A true crimeDAWG through and through! Maybe CMR is not the man of integrity he appears to be. Betcha Crowell gets a lot more then 3 strikes.
Marietta12
November 2nd, 2011
5:38 am
I hope this puts to rest all the “Crowell is this year’s Marcus Lattimore” talk. Marcus is a class act and a leader (even injured he’s a positive influence on the team). IC is a troublemaker and a terrible role model.
Columbus
November 2nd, 2011
5:49 am
Yeah lay off him Bradley.
You know nothing about him.
Every school in the nation wanted him badly, not just UGA.
He has some growing up to do and hes not the only one at his age that does. hes not no Garcia as SC etc.
Get off the kids back you critical jerk. Youreshould consider yourself EXTREMELY LUCKY that there isnt a mainstream media outlet that critiques sportswriters…..
You just jealous our lacking in some important departments?
Columbus
November 2nd, 2011
5:51 am
If you can get the number 1 rated running back in the NATION, YOU TAKE HIM…..MORONS!
Hes going to be OK. ANybody that knows anything about the kid, expected some ups and downs early on. This might not be the last issue. He is growing up and some to mature in a couple areas. He will lead the SEC in rushing next year. Bank on that!
FBFan
November 2nd, 2011
5:55 am
It seems to me every year CMR has more suspensions and troublemakers than his peers. Well maybe there are a few just as bad (Tenn comes to mind). What type of players are we recruiting? Why don’t we avoid the smack talking thugs and go after the kids without issues? The state of Georgia is loaded with talent.
Columbus
November 2nd, 2011
5:57 am
Crowell was UGA all the way OK? Signing his buddy was insurance only. Crowell grew up a serious UGA fan. We just was showing him extra love and his buddy is not bad at all!
All schools wanted Crowell, they got issues evaluating too? You guys are idiots. Give the kid a break. He has some growing up to do like many at his age! Hell one vital player on the team now was photographed with a beer in his hand a couple weeks ago and he wasnt 21. Kids do stuff. LIGHTEN UP! Stone throwers.
Perfect you all were at 18 and still are today and everywhere inbetween huh? Bradley, how about you?
georgytech
November 2nd, 2011
6:12 am
If he leaves UGA after 3 years I understand he will be a high draft choice.
and
November 2nd, 2011
6:15 am
sad for dogs. But others are laughing about the insisting on the time they knew.
Credibility question is large.
samuels
November 2nd, 2011
6:16 am
my thoughts are that richt and samuels knew about the failed drug tests.
MR had to put samuels in for the fourth quarter and feed him the rock to lessen the importance of IC’s playing vs. UF. If IC had continued and picked up 100+ yds, this would look much worse. Samuels was running like a man possessed as he knew he was the new #1 RB.
Athenian
November 2nd, 2011
6:18 am
Crowell came in thinking “I’m #1, I’m #1, I’m # 1/” In the Boise State game he came “losing” his helmet so the cameras would do a close up as he carefully shook his dreads and slid the helmet back on under the limelight of 70,000 fans and a national audience. I knew then that we had a STAR on our hands.
samuels
November 2nd, 2011
6:18 am
if Crowell is as immature as Garcia, UGA should drop him asap. Garcia lost some huge games for SC and i’m sure that his being there prevented recruits from going to SC to play QB.
mowreck
November 2nd, 2011
6:20 am
Reason to missing? Maybe because the GA fans and Atlanta and other media probably think he is the 2nd coming of Hershel. I mean look at these backs, Worley, King and now Crowell, just to name three. I mean they are excellent in high school but didn’t have the pressure they had in college. They have to read and hear about how good or bad they are in college, along with competing with all they other good backs on scholarships. Especially when they do something they shouldn’t … party, fumble, etc. But the biggest thing, I think, is the media and fans. When everyone realizes there will be no other “Hershel” coming to UGA. If he comes and is better, there will be no more mentioning of Hershel … if worst, the next Hershel is still there to dream about. When the UGA fans realize that there will NEVER be another Hershel Walker, I think this probably will go away.
NikkiFree
November 2nd, 2011
6:41 am
I’m hearing Crowell smoked weed in high school. If this is true then I say UGA should cut their losses if this kid gets in trouble one more time. He had to miss part of the Vandy game due to disciplinary problems. I ay the very next incident drops him from the team. Crowell has entered a NO TOLERANCE ZONE. The other players involved get the same total number of chances Crowell has been getting. After that, cut bait with them as well.
PROud MARY
November 2nd, 2011
6:47 am
To look at it another way; CMR and the AD believe that marijuana does not have any effect on an athlete’s on-field performance . I mean, they did let them play? Correct? Even if they were waiting for the results of the back up test, they let them play. What a glaring admission.
I for one, remember the recruitment of the above mentioned player. Some posters came on here and said that this individual would never step on the field at Georgia. They listed his problems and character being the main reason , for their belief in their statements. But the unforeseen perfect storm came along and made it happen anyway. Now their belief is bearing fruit before our eyes. This was not hidden knowledge. How do our coach’s miss
and/or dismiss this kind information? If this individual had been redshirted then the naysayer’s would of been right IMHO.
And 18-22 year olds are not kids. They are men.
I am sorry for the rant. It’s just that I thought the” Program” had turned the corner.
Fan Hubris!
November 2nd, 2011
6:55 am
Everybody on this blog is the smartest person alive! Give me a break. None of you wahoos knows exactly what’s going on with this issue. Sure, if might have been drug related, but let the process play itself out.
Bottom line for me: This type of crap shouldn’t happen, especially right after the win over cupcake UF. But, in this country, strange things happen all of the time, like Obama’s election.
JoeFan
November 2nd, 2011
7:08 am
Dream team….Yeah…Right
SmyrnaGuy
November 2nd, 2011
7:10 am
Ok, so the results of the guys actions stinks for UGA. Having said that, everyone (Dawgs and haters alike) is crazy to think UGA is a classless program. Maybe Richt gives a few too many chances to the players, but it appears he is one of the few that actually suspend players for what he considers wrongdoing. NOBODY KNOWS FOR SURE what these guys did, but it’s very likely the rumors are correct. What WE DO KNOW is that THEY WEREN’T NCAA VIOLATIONS, so Richt is free to discipline how he sees fit.
We all know it happens everywhere, and if Richt sandbagged HIS discipline until after the Florida game, then KUDOS for him. I’m dang tired of loosing to Florida every year.
just another
November 2nd, 2011
7:22 am
over rated, over hyped, thug playuh at GA
SmyrnaGuy
November 2nd, 2011
7:23 am
Hey Hal, I would beg to differ. These things DID happen while I was at UGA. Jim Donnan was the HC.
pfffft
November 2nd, 2011
7:23 am
yeah, because beating a 4-4 gator team really puts the top on the cake of a season of beating all these teams with losing records. UGA’s resume is so bad that Boise dropped in the polls because it isn’t considered a quality win. besides Boise and South Carolina ( who will struggle the rest of the year w/o lattimore)what is your combined opp record, 6-50. if he held of his discipline til after the Florida game to try and save his job, he should be fired. get yourself a new coach who will come in and right this ship and then you wont have to save your discipline for bye weeks.
ahhhh maaahhhnn...
November 2nd, 2011
7:24 am
the gaaaaa way….have a toke….
Caleb, Washaun, and Isaiah..repeat
November 2nd, 2011
7:26 am
Caleb, Washaun, and Isaiah…repeat…Caleb, Washaun, and Isaiah….
Same ol punks and thugs
November 2nd, 2011
7:27 am
just different names.
IC D
November 2nd, 2011
7:35 am
Has crowell been to a class yet at UGA? I heard he doesn’t like studying too much.
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
7:38 am
“more trouble than he is worth” indicates that we would have less trouble, or better off, if we didn’t have, Is that true? No. So far his issues have hurt only himself. If he had signed with Bama, (or any of the other dozen schools that tried and would still sign him TODAY if they could), he wouldnt have been playing Saturday either. It’s not like he has been getting in the way of others who might have played more. Now if this continues, then it becomes a distraction, and assuming there are other option, then you can say more trouble than he is worth.
Forgive me Mr. Crowell if i have this wrong, but I suspect Mark Richt is the first daddy the kid has had to deal with in a while. He will either straighten up, or it will work itself out.
I heard...
November 2nd, 2011
7:40 am
Right after Richt showed Crowell where he’d be on the field, he told him they would haave a new Class just for him—Herbal Science.
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
7:41 am
I agree Smyrna, I only wish we WOULD sandbag our suspensions more wisely. But not the case I am sure.
Caleb, Washaun, and Isaiah
November 2nd, 2011
7:42 am
We are punks. This is what we do.
Hill
November 2nd, 2011
7:54 am
Man so what was all the talk last week about and them not getting suspended for florida? What a joke this program is. Players and coaches Fighting on the field, smoking dope, dui’s, driving with no license, beating and groping females, etc etc. Stay classy uga.
What a program
November 2nd, 2011
7:56 am
All this, and you still haven’t beaten anybody.
FloridaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
7:57 am
I think we must look for another big time running back…Crowell appears to be following the lead of other disappointing backs who just didn’t work out…sort of like Ealey and King. OK not sort of….just like them. Watch the pattern….big problem.
Also, why do we recruit running backs that are not good enough to have one single carry in a year??? Why?
chiefdawg
November 2nd, 2011
7:58 am
Why don’t some of you guys report this? Notice that UGA and KY have the strictest drug policies in the SEC.
SEC
Alabama: (1) none; (2) 15 percent of games; (3) one year; (4) dismissal.
Arkansas: (1) none; (2) 10 percent of games; (3) 50 percent of games; (4) dismissal.
Auburn: (1) none; (2) 50 percent of games; (3) dismissal.
Florida: For marijuana/synthetic marijuana: (1) none; (2) 10 percent of games; (3) 20 percent of games; (4) dismissal. For all other drugs: (1) 50 percent of games; (2) dismissal.
Georgia: (1) 10 percent of games; (2) 50 percent of games; (3) dismissal.
Kentucky: (1) 10 percent of games; (2) 50 percent of games; (3) dismissal.
LSU: (1) none; (2) “up to 15 percent of games;” (3) one year.
Ole Miss: (1) none; (2) none; (3) three games.
Mississippi State: (1) none; (2) 50 percent of games; (3) one year; (4) dismissal.
South Carolina: (1) none; (2) 25 percent of games; (3) dismissal.
Tennessee: (1) none; (2) 10 percent of games; (3) dismissal.
Texas A&M: (1) none; (2) “possible suspension;” (3) possible dismissal
Brewmaster
November 2nd, 2011
8:02 am
We could put GTBob in at running back and STILL beat the bumblebees !
Brown
November 2nd, 2011
8:10 am
I am sure he never “toted” the “rock” while he was stoned. Never, right? Haha