Fumbles will cost Ealey starting job, playing time this week
ATHENS — Washaun Ealey’s fumbles cost Georgia dearly in losses to South Carolina and Mississippi State, and they will cost the sophomore tailback some playing time this week at Colorado.
“He’s going to play, but if a guy is turning it over, you’ve got to take some playing time away from him,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Tuesday night.
Bobo and running backs coach Bryan McClendon said either Caleb King or Carlton Thomas will start at tailback Saturday and get some snaps that otherwise would have gone to Ealey. All three tailbacks played last week and, according to the coaches, will again this week.
Ealey has started at tailback the past three games, but his fumbles inside the opponent’s 5-yard line denied Georgia potential touchdowns at South Carolina and Mississippi State.
Both of Ealey’s fumbles resulted from “a slip in his technique,” McClendon said. “We have to make sure that can’t happen. It’s so hard to win in this league, but you make it that much harder when you’re laying the ball on the ground.”
The coaches weren’t specific on how much Ealey’s playing time will be reduced, although McClendon said “it won’t be a bunch less.”
King played on a limited basis last week after missing the previous two games with a sprained right ankle. McClendon said last week’s game helped King regain confidence in the ankle. He is “not missing a beat” in practice this week, McClendon said.
The 5-foot-7, 176-pound Thomas, who entered the season as the No. 3 tailback, relishes the idea of increased playing time.
“I’m just pretty much waiting for more,” Thomas said. “I’m ready to get into that rhythm, man. . . . I love reps. I want some more to show what I can do.”
Georgia has struggled unexpectedly in the running game this season, ranking 11th — next-to-last — in the SEC with an average of 124.2 yards rushing per game.
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427 comments Add your comment
@punkin14
September 29th, 2010
7:35 pm
How do you know Murray is 5′ 10″???????? Have you stood next to him? Have you seen him out and about some where? Just where do you and the other jerks come off making such a statement! I know Murray, and I am 5′ 10 1/2″ and he is a good three inches taller than I am. BTW, just how many balls have been batted down? QB’s throw through lanes, they don’t try to throw over any linemen. Take a defensive guy 6′ 5″ and then have him raise his hands over his head and we’ll just say they are 24″ long. So, now we have a d-lineman, who with arms raised, is now 8′ 5″ tall. How many 9′ QB’s do you know genius? So you don’t like Murray, just come out and say it, but don’t try to pretend that you know anything about football.
SLim
September 29th, 2010
7:38 pm
Replay of UGA vs MISS ST on FS South now…enjoy!!!
HD27
September 29th, 2010
7:39 pm
Playing Time,
Ealey had been a great back up to now, if he scores those two touchdowns, then our perception of him would be different. To say UGA is falling low cuz he’s our best back doesn’t correlate.
playing time
September 29th, 2010
7:43 pm
HD27 – And do you think your change in philosophy should have started in 2006?
playing time
September 29th, 2010
7:47 pm
Washaun Ealey has not respect for his team, his coaches and most of all the University of Georgia. His conduct and player discipline speak for themselves.
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
7:47 pm
Richt is paid MILLIONS to coach an elite FOOTBALLprogram at UGA, not preach, not languish in the cellar of the conference. His priorities ARE indeed questionable when your program is the current cellar dweller, appears out of control both on the field and off, and admits to not knowing how the program got off track. How “Christian” is it to continue to STEAL millions from the school when you’re not doing what you are paid to do?
HD27
September 29th, 2010
7:54 pm
@Playing time,
It should start now, I understand after how we ended last season why we would run the ball like we have, but this isnt last season or 2006. And I think thats what we need to do for this season, but that just my prospective.
playing time
September 29th, 2010
7:56 pm
punkin14 – good job
HD27
September 29th, 2010
7:58 pm
HeHateGator,
You sound upset and rightfully so, about how the program is going. But to attack Richt about his faith is unjust. He’s not stealing nor are his priorities out of order. We are simply having a VERY disappointing season, but we know what he can do and his “resume” not his “faith” speaks for that.
Wreckmaniac
September 29th, 2010
8:02 pm
Really when you think about it, 1980 had to have been an accident.
Wreckmaniac
September 29th, 2010
8:03 pm
When you think about it, 1980 had to have been an accident.
playing time
September 29th, 2010
8:05 pm
HD27 – Ok, my point is that this situation did not start this year. There has been a steady decline in quality of play and performance over the past four seasons. Look at the record against ranked team and the SEC east. The kids are not buying into what the coaching staff is telling them. Its that simple.
HD27
September 29th, 2010
8:05 pm
@Playing Time
Ealey has been a disappointment, but to talk about his conduct and undiscipline without looking at yourself is a joke. I can say personally that, I have driven without a liscense and side swiped a car and kept going! That doesn’t make me an unruly individual. I understand it was a disappointment for us as the Bulldog Nation not to have him, but his crimes were not horrendous. Though he does deserve to be bench due to fumbles.
Wreckmaniac
September 29th, 2010
8:09 pm
UGA fans are paranoid about recruiting. Top 10 classes and the still think they’re getting the short end of the stick. The only way UGA fans will be happy with recruiting is if they get all of the best players and other teams get none. Paranoia
dawgman
September 29th, 2010
8:09 pm
“a slip in his technique” … The man has played football for years. Lets just tell it like it is. You can’t fix stupid. Just another of our thugs (this one driving without a license and leaving the scene). No class. No discipline. No moral values. Just another scholarship wasted.
HD27
September 29th, 2010
8:10 pm
You’re right about our record being bad as of late, but it’s not on the offense. You went back to 06′ the first years of Bobo. Well in 07 and 08 we scored 32 points per game and last year we scored 29 thats pretty good for an SEC team unless your UF!
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
8:15 pm
Its not just THIS season, its the overall direction of the program…2-7 in the SEC is worst in the conference….he’s not doing his job, therefore he IS stealing from his employer….
HD27
September 29th, 2010
8:18 pm
Wreckmaniac,
What UGA fans fail to realize is that even though we get all these top 10 class (which I supposedly would make us a top ten team). The other teams in the SEC are having top ten classes as well. If you look at last year we had the 12th best class in the country, however we had the 6th best class in the SEC(1.UF, 3. Bama, 4. Auburn, 8. LSU, 9. UT 12. UGA)! We may get the best talent, but we also play the best!
HD27
September 29th, 2010
8:25 pm
HeHateGator,
I realize the last two seasons have been hard to stomach, but lets not forget Richt also raised that same standard that we are currently “slipping” from. We aren’t going to go out and dominate every week especially in the SEC. I just honestly believe he is the one that will get us out of this. Maybe that’s the ultimate difference between us.
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
8:40 pm
Standard he set? Per the ranking of SEC coaches salaries, Richt’s is only slightly lower than those at BAMA, FLA, or LSU (take a look at Richt’s overall record against these guys)….all of which have won a recent national championship, wheras UGA has yet to play in the BCS championship…none of those schools have a recent basement dwelling….he’s not earning his salary…
Coffee Bluff DAWG
September 29th, 2010
8:48 pm
HeHateGator,
Nice screen name – reminds me of HE HATE ME. He played in the now defunct XFL a few years back.
playing time
September 29th, 2010
8:53 pm
HD27 – One last note, do you honestly believe that Washaun Ealey would have been able to remain in Saban’s program. That’s what makes them great. He will not have it any other way.
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
8:54 pm
Yes, CBD, I did take it from that!! Gators have a great program…I’m a bulldog grad living in gatorland and get alot or flak about it (most good natured)….Gators having a “down” year this year…a bit different than the dawgs down year…
So stop with all the CMR love, please !
September 29th, 2010
8:55 pm
Richt knows what the deal is. He negotiated a huge pay raise about three years back and in that same period, the UGA program ( from his earlier levels ) it has dropped like a baseball from a table.
His players are not SEC caliber. Llok at how they perform on TV vs small schools like MSU. We have lost to nearly every SEC school over the last 1.4 years gang. Stop with all of this top 5 recruting crap. A school can sign one fabulous QB and one fabulous wide out and one fabulous safety and one fabulous kicker and one fabulous lineman and be rated as a top top 5 recruiting year. Look into these examples ………QBs do not block, safeties do not block and where are the running backs??? Can Walsh block? We know that Ealey cannot block. AJ cannot because he has been suspended. Who needs him anyway? He is gone come February, so give him a jump on that. He could care less …………so turn him loose.
TIme for a change and change is good. CMR has had his era ……….move on and let another good one begin. This UGA stuff is just not life and death friends. Not at all. Ask Richt.
UGA man, class of 71 & 73
This is exactly what has happened to UGA under CMR.
Hit A Single
September 29th, 2010
8:57 pm
Go Dawgs! Go Braves! Go Falcons and Thank you Bobby for all you have done and enjoy your retirement! 25 years of consistency!
HD27
September 29th, 2010
8:58 pm
Richt is (2-3) against LSU and (3-1) against Bama! And under Richt’s renure all three of those have been bottom dwellers. Richt also has Just as many SEC titles as UF and LSU under his tenure (2). Bama only has one! And has the 6th highest winning percentage of active coaches He’s earned his salary sir!
HD27
September 29th, 2010
9:01 pm
@Playing Time
What makes Bama “great” is that they didn’t fire Saban after he lost to Miss. State and UL- Monroe then went 7-6!
Snoop Dawg
September 29th, 2010
9:01 pm
Ealey’s just another of Richt’s gangsta thugs. He should have been kicked off the team already. Actually, da Preacha Man shouldn’t have offered him a scholarship after Ealey spit on opposing team members during his senior year in the high school playoffs.
Did anyone see this goon break dancing on the field while in huddle against Arkansas just prior to a crucial third down conversion play? Totally nauseating. No, we did not convert. Yes, we lost. Was is Ealey’s fault or Richt’s for letting him behave in public like that?
Surely UGA does not bestow diplomas on people as stupid as Ealey.
Ealey is typical of Richt’s abandonment of all responsibility even though the buck stops with this three million dollar man.
It’s easy to see why Richt and our beloved Dawgs now reside in the bottom of a dumpster.
Hit A Single
September 29th, 2010
9:02 pm
Very good post HD27! The truth hurts all these bashers!
globeflyer
September 29th, 2010
9:03 pm
I can hear it now….”Isaiah, we need you, can’t you see that? Look at this mess….”
HD27
September 29th, 2010
9:08 pm
@ HeHateGator
Gators are not having a down year. If they had played anyone that could capitalize off the the 50 muffed snaps then, you could call it a down year then. Fact is their schedule set up nice and there getting it togetherm they’ve found a play maker in Trey Burton. UF vs Bama will be a good one
playing time
September 29th, 2010
9:09 pm
HD27 – I can’t help myself but Saban has only been there 3 years. Talk to you again in 7 more.
Hit A Single
September 29th, 2010
9:10 pm
Even our new AD mentioned Florida made sure the schedule is set up for a National Championship. Very weak nonconference schedule. I like playing other good teams from around the country.
St. Clarkston
September 29th, 2010
9:11 pm
Gary Patterson
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
9:11 pm
HD27, I went on to ESPN and checked the standings and records all the way back to 2002. Do you care revise your statements?
Delbert D.
September 29th, 2010
9:11 pm
On the fumble at Miss. St., Ealey looked like he had a concussion.
Hit A Single
September 29th, 2010
9:12 pm
You better keep padding Saban’s wallet or he will leave you out to dry. On the road again!
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
9:15 pm
As for Saban, that was his first year there, not his 10th…
Wreckmaniac
September 29th, 2010
9:16 pm
Well, I’m just gonna pull out my VCR and play my “video tape” of the 1980 win over Florida, drink some Koolaid, and go to bed.
HD27
September 29th, 2010
9:16 pm
@Snoop Dawg
Since when does hitting a parked car and taking off make you a thug? What are you really trying to say? Actually…. I’d rather not go there!
As far as the break dancing, I didnt see that. But where you at the BlackOut game or anygame UGA game for that matter? Maybe, the 92000 plus people in the stadium are thugs to! “Crank that Soldier Boy!”
playing time
September 29th, 2010
9:17 pm
globeflyer – Good point, what do you say to a 5 star recruit when they have offers from other teams that play for national titles.
Dustin
September 29th, 2010
9:18 pm
I think you UGA fans don’t realize how hypocritical you all sound. How are you gonna talk trash about tech’s arrests and problems? UGA has 24 arrests since 2008…. dude stop there.
He-Hate-Me is Chris Rainey's
September 29th, 2010
9:19 pm
Rod Smart, aka “He-Hate-Me,” is Chris Rainey’s brother…just info
HD27
September 29th, 2010
9:24 pm
@Playing Time
Saban has been a coach for 17 years college and professional and I dont care if its year one or year 20. Bama should not lose to UL Monre, the program was not in that bad of a shape.
HD27
September 29th, 2010
9:26 pm
@HeHateGator
If I’m wrong on any of those stats PLEASE correct me! A fact is a fact!
Hit A Single
September 29th, 2010
9:28 pm
Is Muschamp on the hot seat yet! Texas lost to a 1 and 2 UCLA. It had to be coaching. At least that is what 90% of all the bloggers think.
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
9:29 pm
None of the 3, LSU, Fla or Ala has been last in the conference in the 8 years and of course all 3 have had a national championship and played in 1 or more BCS championship bowls since Richt got his raise…
HeHateGator
September 29th, 2010
9:30 pm
..that’s the last 8 years…
HD27
September 29th, 2010
9:34 pm
@HeHateGators
Umm? You said bottom dwellers not last! and UGA has not been last either….IS THE SEASON OVER? hmm?
And the questions about how many BCS bowls have we played in since Richts pay raise was never posed!
Tee
September 29th, 2010
9:37 pm
John Gruden is a name that brings instant credability to a program. It’s a draw to recruits looking to pursue a career after college. He would bring a no nonsense attitude to the players (no more arrests). And, a healthy fear of do your job or get out of the way.
All of the above are lacking in the current situation. Don’t get me wrong, CMR is a great man in all aspects, but when you lose control of your program, and lack leadership in your program it’s a recipe for disaster.
Go Dawgs!