So who’ll start at tailback for the Dogs? Caleb King or Washaun Ealey?
(Updated 6:45 p.m.)
I’m working on a story for tomorrow’s paper (on-line later today) about Caleb King and Washaun Ealey, who, as you know, eased all worries about Georgia’s tailback position with their play late last season. (UPDATE: Click here for the story.)
One thing that kind of struck me is that, for all the talk about who’ll be the starter at quarterback and various other positions, you don’t hear any talk around spring practice about who’ll emerge as the starter at tailback, King or Ealey.
That’s probably because they were so effective as a tandem late last season that, well, why worry about who starts?
Mark Richt and Mike Bobo don’t dismiss the question, though.
“Both of those guys are competing hard,” Bobo said, “because like at any position there’s going to be a guy who wants to start and wants to go first. And I think that’s healthy.”
“I think Caleb and Washaun have a very good friendship,” Richt said, “but I think they both want to be the starter and both want to prove they deserve the most carries. I really like the way they’re practicing.”
Said King: “Of course both of us want to start.” But he added — and Ealey echoed — that the competition is making both players better and that last season proved there’s ample role for both. Then King mentioned, not for the first time, that he sees “a realistic chance” of both of them gaining 1,000 yards this season.
King started the final five games last season, but it should be noted that Ealey had more carries in three of those games. Over the course of the final five games, Ealey had 77 carries for 525 yards and King 74 carries for 440 yards.
So, just wondering: What do you expect from the tailback tandem in 2010? Who do you expect to start? ( Or do you care who starts?) Do you expect their carries to remain pretty even?
FYI: No football practice today. Dogs practice Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
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232 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:09 pm
GD< did you say he should have started DJ, because I could have sworn that was the opposite of what you were saying.
Mr. Inside / Mr. Outside...
March 22nd, 2010
6:09 pm
Is one better than the other at turning the corner…is one better at pounding it between the tackles…does one, or both have these abilities…some team(s) is/are strong up the middle, then take it outside; they stop that, then you bust it up the gut…there is no way that a coach can’t know who to name as the starter after taking into last year and then having the spring and fall practices to evaluate the talent…this is a nice problem to have on a team (unless you’re the third string back :B )
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:17 pm
Greene was without a doubt the uncontested starter. If he was looking over his shoulder, if was only what series he might have to give way to a back up. he was never ever one time worried about not being a starter.
Even IF Ealey was “named starter”, RB are ALWAYS going to give way to reserves at some points of the game. Not even remotely the same thing. How is that looking over his shoulder (as you claim in Greenie case)?
Even if who is the starter is some big deal, which I think has little affect in the outcome of the game, how does competing to keep that title make a RB less effective?
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:19 pm
affect, effect? which affects the outcome of the game very little. better.
mgdawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:25 pm
I think Ealey is the better back and will emerge as the starter, I think the only reason that he didn’t start last season is because he didn’t know the plays that good. However, if one of the runningbacks gets into a rhythm then leave him in, give him a break if he needs it, but if he’s running good then leave him in. If the next game the other is running better then leave him in more. This has seemed to be something UGA messes up on on a consistent basis. They try to get everyone equal snaps instead of leaving in the guy that is running the best.
Santa Cruz CA Dawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:34 pm
Start the best player, but these guys can sub in and out , stay fresh and rack up yards and TD’s!
That being said; forbid if one of them gets fumblidits, keep that back on the sideline.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:37 pm
You know King fumbled 52 times, 13 in one series.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:38 pm
Are we not doing that one anymore?
Berzerk8dawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:39 pm
Lets say they both get a little better and the offensive line gets just a little better. PLUS they don’t fumble the ball. That is a good problem to have with a rookie QB alabama did it last year. Possible for us too? Mabye we have the talent.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
6:56 pm
“and bobo called less runnning plays than 117 teams.”
And UGA was next to last abnd very low nationaly in total plays too , so that figures. Probably had to do with whole TO margin deal. Didn’t we also have some odd distiction of having an low play count per TD going on there. If he called less running plays , he also called less passing plays than (however many teams).
On percentage UGA ran the ball 56% of the time. Bama and UF ran the ball 61% of the time. Given that they both had excellent lines and Heisman trohpies in the backfield, and we had none of that, I’d say we were as committed to the run as they were. WE just weren’t very good at it. Also UF pitching the ball is a “run”, and our version of that is screen or shuttle “pass”.
Sanford Drive
March 22nd, 2010
6:57 pm
King is a bust. Ealey all the way.
Dawg46
March 22nd, 2010
6:57 pm
I think it will be good to see both in and out It worked with Auburn few yrs back , Remember arkansas tandem , And most evident it will take the pressure off the Young quarterback you get my point . I am looking forward to the season GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gratefuldawghead
March 22nd, 2010
7:21 pm
SicandTired….It was a response to TONY’S post and I backed GREEN and Shockley!…If you can’t understand that then maybe I can draw you a picture!
Buckhead Bulldog
March 22nd, 2010
7:28 pm
Ummm Sickan tired you my want to read Grateful Dawg’s comment again. He was arguing against a previous blogger’s comment. Hence, the quotation marks around the first paragraph.
David was one of my all time favorite UGA QBs (ICE, baby)…..DJ was close behind him.
Buckhead Bulldog
March 22nd, 2010
7:30 pm
Right on AltamahaDawg! I enjoy reading your post, bro!
chazzo
March 22nd, 2010
7:32 pm
Slight correction on your 3-4 article, Tim. Lars Tate rushed for 1,016 in 1987. (I had to look it up. I am not that much of a geek). He wasn’t in the top ten rushers with the magic number, but he had over 1,000 yds. So, that’s 11 seasons. Small issue, granted. There may be a couple others in the ball park just under 1,100 (#10 on the list sinkwich). Also, Edwards was only 92 shy.
Total rushing yardage for UGA hasn’t cracked 3,000 in a season since 1987. (It happened, also, with Herschell in 81 and 82). It is important not to overlook the tailback stable days under Richt where multiple TBs carried it plenty enough for any one to have had 1,000 yard season solo, if you get my drift.
I would love to see dual 1,000 yard seasons from these guys. I hope that defenses have to work hard not to let that happen so AJ, Orson, and the boys can have some fun, too. I think it is going to be an exciting season.
Tom
March 22nd, 2010
7:39 pm
This is a huge toss up. King has more experience, but Ealey seems to have more spirit. I would start King, and switch them out for injuries, fatigue, or mistakes.
SOUTHGADAWG88
March 22nd, 2010
7:49 pm
I’d rather worry about who is starting on the OL.
Tim Tucker
March 22nd, 2010
7:55 pm
Chazzo:
Thanks for the correction. UGA media guide (page 113) lists only ten “1,000-yard single-season rushers”, but I’ll check and correct ASAP. Thanks again.
tim dawg
March 22nd, 2010
8:00 pm
If you look at UGA’s history, here’s what it takes to have a great year:
1) 1980
Herschel got 30 carries a game, 150 yards a game, 1600 yards rushing,
12-0, Natl Champs
2) 2002
Moreno got 250 carries for 1400 yards, finished #2 in Nation
Brown got 150 touches for 800 yards
3) 2007
Musa Smith was THE back, got 260 carries and 1400 yards
Richt’s record is 40-3 when he gets A 100 YARD RUSHER.
Conclusion:
1) Give Ealey 250 touches minimum–20 carries a game
2) Ealey needs to average 5.6 yc and get 1400 yards
Buckhead Bulldog
March 22nd, 2010
8:09 pm
I hope Caleb will regain his confidence. Personally, I thought he was timid in 08 and the first half of 09. I think/hope he has regained his swagger after the broken tibia his Senior year at GAC. I KNOW the below link is HS, but I saw some of that in the GT game that makes me keep on hoping good things for him. I think Ealey is turning into a beast of runner and will only get better…reminds me a little of Hearst. I’m also happy to see us recruit some bruisers again like Boo Malcome from SWD….I used to love, and I mean love watching Tate, Henderson, Worley, Musa bull through some holes, and then blast the jets on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE4tmyw-Sag
BS Patrol
March 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
Doesn’t matter. It’s Larry vs. Moe. They would ALL ride the pine at Tech.Still struggling to find a back after signing two 10 star RBs. Shades of Tech BB.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
tim, you are joking right?
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
8:24 pm
Thanks B B. I occationally agree with my posts too.
And I think you hit the King nail on the head. It seemed like a confidence issue.
The very First time I saw Ealey run I said exactly that. He looks just like Hearst. The same gliding motion. Its perdy, so perdy.
dolby conn
March 22nd, 2010
8:27 pm
UGA had 23 FUMBLES in 2009 according to the game video. Yet only list 13 on their website. For example, the Caleb King fumble on the goal line in the Bowl game? Never happened according to Georgia’s website. Caleb King fumbles quite a bit, so does Branden Smith. Georgia doesn’t like to report that, of course, but it’s true. Whoever UGA starts needs to protect the ball.
2009:
23 fumbles, 11 lost
17 int’s
This is not the way to win the SEC. Richt’s best 2 years at UGA were his best years in turnovers, and Richt’s WORST 2 years, were his worst 2 years in turnovers. Ball protection should play a HUGE factor in who the starting RB is. Who cares if Branden Smith averages 12 yards a carry, since he loses 2 fumbles every 7 touches. Caleb King is pretty bad too.
Lance Handsinpants
March 22nd, 2010
8:34 pm
First !!! Hooray for me !!!
Stats Don't Matter
March 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm
All I know is I love to watch this video of the Georgia-Ga Tech highlights from 2009, watch these 2 guys run–wow!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-zZ_qIJ3aQ&feature=related
Washaun Ealey, 8100 yards, 133 TD's
March 22nd, 2010
8:45 pm
To me, the LSU game and Florida game was big. Got to see Ealey, as a Freshman, step up against 2 excellent defensive coaches, and get 4+ yards a carry. Caleb only got 1 ypc against LSU.
I think that’s another important factor–who runs the best against the best SEC defenses? King struggled at 1 ypc against LSU, while Ealey got 4 ypc. Ealey also excelled against Charlie Strong’s defense, very hard to do.
dolby conn
March 22nd, 2010
8:58 pm
UGA averaged 1.7 fumbles per game, and lost .9 per game in 2009.
23 fumbles, 11 lost.
hind tit
March 22nd, 2010
9:01 pm
put both in the backfield at the same time.make for alot of interesting plays.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
9:17 pm
NO idea what UGA website you are looking at but the official Georgiadogs sites has 22 fumbles, 11 lost. King 2/2.
Fumble means lost possession during live action. Nobody, no team, counts a bobble, or a dead ball. If thats the criteria, then AJ had a few, as did Moreno, so did every ball carrier in the history of UGA football.
Not that your point of protecting the ball is not right, it is,……but isn’t that obvious enough without modifying the facts to support that?
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Actually Smith carried the ball 33 times.That would have been 10 fumbles (actually 3) by your percentage. Not a fan of the freshman, eh?
We need to pit you against the never play an upperclassmen crowd.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
9:37 pm
BTW, I absolutely detest fumbles. I have said in here for years that fumbles are to me 5 times more damaging than the worse defensive effort, or the dumbest play call.
chazzo
March 22nd, 2010
10:21 pm
Tim,
The reason I brought up Tate was I remember him saying it was his goal to get a thousand, and he did it. I thought it was pretty cool at the time because I was doubtful with Worley and Henderson around Just want him to get the recognition.
GA RBs
March 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
King and Ealey is the best RB combo in the SEC—UGA should put up huge numbers in the running game, leading to an SEC east title in 2010—-bank on it!
Of A Superior Bloodline = UGA Alumni
March 22nd, 2010
11:13 pm
Dog Crap, you better get off the computer before your Mom catches you. The 8th grade is an important year and you need your rest so you can pay attention in class and one day get into community college.
Fumbleroski
March 22nd, 2010
11:16 pm
Caleb King’s 6 fumbles (not fumbles lost) for 2009 by game:
Texas A & M– 1 fumble
GT- 1 fumble
LSU- 1 fumble
Kent- 2 fumbles
Arizona State- 1 fumble
Of A Superior Bloodline = UGA Alumni
March 22nd, 2010
11:16 pm
We_Run_This_Country: It’s good to see a Tech fan man up and admit his flaws. The fact is the vast majority of Tech students could never obtain a leadership posistion in this country, much less obtain US citizenship!
Caleb King Fumble Video
March 22nd, 2010
11:22 pm
At about the 1:47 mark in the Texas A & M game, you’ll see Caleb King fumble the ball at the goal-line.
According to the official Georgia stats, this fumble never happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBRaQsGkRc
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
11:27 pm
Tim you are also ignoring that in 2003 with a split load, the UGA rushing attack was nearly indentical in every stat, and in 2004 with an even bigger split loan, the total were way up over 2002 or 2003.
I think that you might have your cause and effect mixed up in the 100 yr rusher stat too. How many times over the years that UGA used one primary back and did NOT get 100 yards and lost? Or 2 back with 60 yards each? I’m betting its a pretty good that that too. So all that proves is the value of having a good rushing day, not that having the one back was the sole factor. It was effectively rushing the ball. Obviously if there was one carrier that got the majority of attempts he got a lot of yards that day. But I would guarantee you that somebody else has some yards in those 40 victories because a 100 yards total is not that great.
Taco
March 22nd, 2010
11:33 pm
Does anyone really care other than a bunch of third tier loser UGA fans? Bring Herschel back or remain in the losers bracket.
Caleb King Picked for 2 Int's vs. Kent Video
March 22nd, 2010
11:35 pm
This video clip shows #4 getting picked for Int’s 2x in the Kent game.
It’s after the 1 minute mark.
It shows BOTH Int’s, watch for #4, who did not break up the pass either time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwKQmSLObIY&feature=related
Taco
March 22nd, 2010
11:37 pm
Superior blood line? Are you serious? Lay down the crack pipe home team. Community college? Is that not what UGA is? You must be a home economics major? African studies? Criminology? College studies? If I would have met your mom is the only way we could have saved your bloodline.
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
11:40 pm
Great research video. Good job. Here is why it never happened according to the UGA website. Because It never happened. He never fumbled. A TD is a dead ball and whatever happens to the ball afterwards doesnt matter. Did he caugh it up, lose it, sure, but don’t accuse the UGA stat keepers of somehow hiding something because they don’t refute the official and insist on listing it as a fumble.
Of A Superior Bloodline = UGA Alumni
March 22nd, 2010
11:45 pm
Taco, UGA is the first public University in this country and total inability to express your thoughts in English make it apparrent that you are not packing enough mental ammo to get into my alma mater. I have a BBA in Economics, that’s Bachelors in Business Admiistration. If you would have met my mom should would have probably given you a dollar because she has a soft spot for pan handlers!
AltamahaDawg
March 22nd, 2010
11:46 pm
Watched it frame by frame on the INTS, you’re stretching that one.
Of A Superior Bloodline = UGA Alumni
March 22nd, 2010
11:55 pm
Taco, the closest you could get to going to UGA or GT would be to land a job in the facilities maintenance department, cutting grass. Nevermind, you have to be a legal immigrant to land that job!
mark
March 23rd, 2010
12:21 am
ealey by far, caleb king is terrible
shane#1
March 23rd, 2010
12:22 am
Chheeeesshhhh, what some absolue idiots on the blog nowdays, the AJC needs to cull some of these dolts, as if #39 isn’t moron enough with his fire everybody crap now some creatin is blaming a RB with four interceptions! How many passes did King throw? You idiot! You can hang it up Alt, no sense trying to educate a fool!
How to solve the fumble problem?
March 23rd, 2010
12:22 am
hand the ball to Ealey. He did not fumble a single time when handed the ball.
His only fumble was a bad pitch in the Kent game from Cox, when Ealey was super close. Cox should have never pitched it because the defense blew the play up.
With Non-Ealey players touchign the ball:
23 fumbles
With Ealey running the ball:
1 fumble