Tailback update: Ealey wants to regain trust ‘I’m pretty sure I lost’
(Updated 10 a.m. Thursday)
ATHENS — With Caleb King suspended for two games and Carlton Thomas still bothered by a hamstring injury, Georgia suddenly is in a precarious position at tailback.
Washaun Ealey, whose playing time has been limited the past two games because of his problem with fumbles, will start Saturday against Vanderbilt. “He’s going to be the guy this week,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said.
Ealey sees this as his chance to make amends for critical fumbles against South Carolina and Mississippi State.
“I’m pretty sure I lost the trust of most guys on the team,” Ealey said after practice Wednesday. “Hopefully I can go out there and gain their trust back this week.
“I know my team really needs me this game,” he added.
Georgia’s tailback situation behind Ealey remains in flux.
Thomas, who missed last week’s game, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. Freshman Ken Malcome, whom the coaches are considering playing for the first time, missed part of Tuesday’s practice with a shoulder stinger but returned Wednesday. Whether Malcome sheds his redshirt and plays Saturday could hinge on how Thomas does the next couple of days, coach Mark Richt said Wednesday night.
Asked earlier this week if Malcome has shown enough in practice to prove he’s ready to play, Bobo said: “We ain’t got nobody else. … We got one running back,” meaning Ealey.
Fullbacks Fred Munzenmaier and Zander Ogletree also have gotten work at tailback in practice this week, Richt said.
“We’re going to have to figure out a way,” Bobo said. “Guys are going to have to pick up the slack, and Washaun is going to have to be ready to go.”
King’s suspension is the latest hurdle for a tailback contingent that has had trouble getting on track this season.
“It’s been interesting, to say the least,” McClendon said.
Among suspensions (first Ealey’s, now King’s) and injuries (first King’s ankle, now Thomas’ hamstring) and crucial fumbles (two by Ealey, one by King), Georgia has not been able to get into any kind of rhythm at tailback in the first half of the season.
Ealey has started three games, King two (both of the wins) and Thomas one. Ealey has a team-leading 246 rushing yards, followed by King with 228. Ealey’s longest run of the season is 18 yards. As a team, Georgia is 10th in the SEC in rushing, averaging 136.8 yards per game.
McClendon said King was beginning to separate himself as the No. 1 tailback — before his early Monday arrest for failing to appear at a court date in connection with a speeding ticket. That arrest resulted in a two-game suspension from Richt.
Now, Ealey “has to go out there and do a good job,” McClendon said. “Not so much fill the void, but he has to go out there and fill the job, no matter what.”
Third-down inefficiency
Georgia’s defense is last in the SEC when it comes to stopping opponents on third down, allowing a first down 43.4 percent of the time.
“Third-and-long, especially, has been our Achilles heel,” Richt said. “We’ve had a bunch of teams in third-and-long, and we’ve had a bunch of teams get a first down. It’s just so frustrating.
“A lot of it has been QB runs. You feel like you have the right call, you have everybody covered and you are right there to get [the quarterback], and he breaks free. He either runs across the line of scrimmage like the Colorado quarterback [Tyler Hansen] did at least two or three times in the first drive of the game, or breaks free and throws a touchdown pass like the quarterback [Matt Simms] did for Tennessee last week.”
Richt said the Georgia defense has been much better against “third-and-medium” plays than against third-and-long.
“We just have got to continue to get our guys in position to make the plays,” Richt said, “and get them to make it.”
Last word
Asked who is happiest to have A.J. Green back in the lineup — the other receivers, the tight ends, the quarterback, the running backs — Bobo quickly answered: “Me.”
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415 comments Add your comment
Bruce Mac
October 13th, 2010
12:31 pm
Jeff, how is Ealey a Thug? He might be irresponsible for driving without a license but a Thug? Keep it real man. THUG: a common criminal who treats others violently. Often a member of a gang. Does this describe Mr. Ealey?
Dogs Smell
October 13th, 2010
12:37 pm
Bruce I see that description of the way most Georgia fans give birth !
Bruce Mac
October 13th, 2010
12:39 pm
Dogs Smell, I see that Herzing College education coming through. Very impressive. Sorry you missed your chance to be a Yech fan, you would make a good one.
coachKR
October 13th, 2010
12:39 pm
Richard Samuel should still be the starting running back at UGA. He has size…and break away speed. Of course, the line still has to block…no matter who the running back is. Richard is the best by far….but, the coaches, actually read this blog crap and use some of the idiotic ideas that they see!
Paul (You doesn't have to call me Johnson)
October 13th, 2010
12:41 pm
Did you notice in the Luckovich cartoon this morning that all the UGA players were white?
5150 P.O.A.D
October 13th, 2010
12:43 pm
Paul it would be racists if they showed the players as black. Do you know how many emails and crap the AJC would get from the AA readers.
Blackberry Cobbler
October 13th, 2010
12:47 pm
King, Ealey, and Thomas and AVERAGE SEC backs at best. This alone is testament to the poor recruiting and evaluation of talent that plaques UGA. Combine that with a lck of committment to the running game by CMR and poor OL performance and you pretty much have a good summary of the demise of UGA football.
These bleachers have eyes
October 13th, 2010
12:47 pm
Former AD Evans was a kid that was groomed for political correctness reasons ONLY to be AD at UGA. He can not take credit for anything beyond hiring Mark Fox. Nice hire too.
McGarity IS the UGA AD now. He is a big boy and a UGA alumnus. He will watch, look and listen and chat with the UGA $$$$ faithful, as he is always at the stadium erlry on game day. He will discern cracks and flaws in Richt’ over all regime. He will review the issues and the results on the field. He will wonder about a seemingly LACK of espri d corps on this team. This is KEY to it all. Salt & pepper it is. Look at the REAL UGA stars ……………you can see it too. JEALOUSY is the mode over there right now. Beyond AJ Green and Logan Grey and Aaron Murray and Chapas and Durden and Munzemaier and Walsh and Butler ……….see???
If I were a betting man ………….Richt will chat with Greg McGarity 3 hours after the GT game ( if not before ) and he will resign “to pursue other interests.” UGA does owe him that courtesy. Greg will simply tell him that “come 2011 you must win the SEC East for us to extend your contract” and
Richt will say he cannot guarantee that and they will shake hands and it will be done. Write him a check. Keep in mind UGA has saved about $2,000,000.00 on the construction over there. See? Found money that is to buy CMR out.
This way, McGarity can immediately go after the top names in coaching. UGA haters ………do not confuse last year’s attempt at hiring a D co ordinator as a fact that no one wants to coach at UGA. No sir, the state is full of blue chip players, world class facilities and a golfing lifestyle is only one hour away at Lake Ocnonee and the fans are $$$$$$$ loyal if you win or tie and there are boat loads and boat loads of $$$$$$ money and we all know that MONEY TALKS AND SMOKE WALKS.
UGA will be fine within two years …………..just in time for Aaron Murray’s junior and senior years.
Gooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
Liven Up
October 13th, 2010
12:47 pm
Do you think we’ll make the Bluerug Bowl????
Chris
October 13th, 2010
12:49 pm
All people talk about is the great recruiting classes Georgia has. So, we have such great recruits, but Ealey and King are our best tailbacks, and there’ no one worthy of backing them up?
I don’t see it.
to geno and dog.....
October 13th, 2010
12:50 pm
Lattimore at south carolina is a stud thats why he is playing as a true freshman. most do not start. they might play. pass protection is the main reason.we are down 1 back because of a summer dui.jackson is gone. a few on the radar in high school.
Blackberry Cobbler
October 13th, 2010
12:54 pm
UGA will beat Vandy and Potato State and I’ll give them the very slight nod against GT only because we play in Athens………………. but, those would be the only remaining wins for UGA. Beatdowns by UK, Auburn and Fla. Final record 5-7.
Delbert D.
October 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
Mark Richt’s contract runs through 2013.
100% Correct
October 13th, 2010
12:56 pm
Enter your comments here
5150 P.O.A.D
October 13th, 2010
12:59 pm
Richt thru 2013 so his buyout after this season is around 12 mil?
Bruce Mac
October 13th, 2010
1:07 pm
$6.8 Million P.O.A.D. Once again, you know not what you speak.
Steve Spurrier
October 13th, 2010
1:11 pm
I am sitting with Lattimore, my true freshman, watching the sun set!!
Steve Spurrier
October 13th, 2010
1:13 pm
Yes he is sitting on my lap!!!
I am only saying .........
October 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
I have criticized Mike Bobo for his O coaching. I have for sure. Keep in mind that Malzano or what ever is name is over at Auburn as their NEW O Co oordinator was coaching HS in Akansas when Chizk picked him up.
It is the norm for a guy to make a name for himself FIRST, rather than go find one already established. It just is not done that way ……….. colleged coaching is whom you know and whom you play golf with and whom did you not pi– off in the past.
Keep this in mind. Who right now would go to UGA with Richt in his very last year? 2011 that is, if not sooner. HMMMMM??/ UGA if they keep Richt might force s ome changes on the O line and maybe with Bobo but I really doubt it. It is gonna be that old “Dance with what you brung” deal.
Go Dogs.
Steve Spurrier
October 13th, 2010
1:15 pm
Problem is, Malcome may be a stud?? But we need to find out. Moreno, the best back in yrs. that we had only got two yrs. to play. You cannot tell me he got that much better by sitting him out for a yr.
Delbert D.
October 13th, 2010
1:15 pm
Richard Samuel was a Scout 5-star RB in th 2008 recruiting class. He had problems with fumbling in 2008 and 2009. Since he switched to LB in the spring, I’m not sure he would be immediately available as a running back. Samuel was only 16 when he enrolled in August 2008, and I think he’s taking a redshirt year.
Bruce Mac
October 13th, 2010
1:17 pm
I am only saying, Tony Franklin would and did. It is called guaranteed money, ever heard of it?
harold
October 13th, 2010
1:21 pm
THE VANDY GAME WILL BE ANOTHER CAKEWALK—–LIKE DOOLEY AND TENNESSEE.
The Temporary Mascot formerly known as Russ
October 13th, 2010
1:23 pm
“UGA sports blog Can Ealey pick up the slack at tailback? And then who?”
Who, you ask? I need work. I am low to the ground and have a clean record with no arrests. I may be the only running back if more warrants are issued between now and Saturday. Work with me. I can do the job.
Dr Morpheus
October 13th, 2010
1:29 pm
This gives Ealey a great second (or third) chance to show whether he’s got the right stuff. In case Ealey doesn’t, Munzenmaier as the back-up is a great option.
Honky Talkin'
October 13th, 2010
1:30 pm
Can Ealey stay out of jail before Saturday?
Fire Mark Richt
October 13th, 2010
1:31 pm
… cause he sux.
Delbert D.
October 13th, 2010
1:35 pm
Some AP predictions for this weekend:
Wisconsin over Ohio State 28-23
Nebraska over Texas 31-14
Arkansas over Auburn 38-31
S. Carolina over Kentucky 31-28
Florida over Miss. St. 28-17
Full list at:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/10/13/sports/ncaafootball/AP-FBC-T25-College-FB-Picks.html?ref=ncaafootball
Belinda
October 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
Luckovich’s cartoon this morning was right on the money!
meh
October 13th, 2010
1:37 pm
Ealey can run it just fine. It’s just a matter of if he can hold on to it. guess we’ll see on Saturday. Go Dawgs!
Gary
October 13th, 2010
1:38 pm
Just play someone who understands that keeping the ball in your hands is more important than yards on every play!!! Seeing Tennessee this weekend should show Georgia players just how easy it can be for the other team if you keep dumping the ball. Take the loss of yards keep the ball. Don’t make the third down, but keep the ball.
AltamahaDawg
October 13th, 2010
1:38 pm
Luckovich could draw a dozen cartoons about tech fans who pose as females in rival blogs.
GaCracker
October 13th, 2010
1:40 pm
How to get the start at runnung back at UGA: Let the other player fumble his way out of number 1 or wait for the successor to get in trouble with the law!
5150 P.O.A.D
October 13th, 2010
1:41 pm
Bruce Mac
You are STUPID!!! I ASKED if it was 12 mil. Learn to F,,,,ing read Bruce Mac.
Gary
October 13th, 2010
1:41 pm
Nice predictions AP. SO S.C. can manhandle Bama but will need a field goal to scrape out a win against Kentucky? Pretty sure they are wron on that win by about 14 points. S.C. by 17. I do not think Ark can stop the Auburn quarterbacks running game. Ark looses but it will be close. No way Wisc upsets Ohio State.
John Galt
October 13th, 2010
1:41 pm
The dogs are playing Vandy, so why couldn’t he?
Delbert D.
October 13th, 2010
1:43 pm
AltamahaDawg – Isn’t Belinda Boortz’s sidekick?
Delbert D.
October 13th, 2010
1:45 pm
Gary – Here’s the accompanying quote on SC-Ky:
“No. 10 South Carolina (minus 5) at Kentucky
Steve Spurrier is really worried about this game — and he should be … SOUTH CAROLINA 31-28″
Dad Gum
October 13th, 2010
1:48 pm
Bark Bark Bark!!! Love me sum Dawgz, Woof Woof Woof, Sic em… I’ll be barking til the cows come home brothers… oh yeah!!! Dont really understand football but I know that when Ol Red and Black are on the field if I dont root for them then no one will like me.
- The Average UGA Fan
Celine
October 13th, 2010
1:48 pm
Can Ealey stay out of jail before Saturday?
I doubt it. The guy is a walking rap sheet.
Delbert D.
October 13th, 2010
1:48 pm
The article says Ohio State is favored by 4 at Wisconsin. It the Saturday Upset Special.
Hollywould
October 13th, 2010
1:49 pm
We ruin this state.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 13th, 2010
1:50 pm
UGA the TMZ of college football.
Freddie
October 13th, 2010
1:53 pm
Vanderbilt 27, Georgia 24.
peggyled
October 13th, 2010
1:56 pm
With all of the outrage I read on these blogs about UGA football arrests, where is the outrage about Cam Newton, Auburn’s much acclaimed quarterback, who was arrested in 2008 at UF for allegedly stealing a $1700 laptop? When the police came to Newton’s room and checked, the computer in question had been painted black and while the police stepped out of the room to verify if this was the computer stolen, the computer was thrown out of the dorm room window. Newton was kicked off of the Gator team, then led a Jr. college team to a national championship and became a Rivals.com # 1 recruit and is now being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate. And I thought the Heisman Trophy was for a role model athlete!
Bruce Mac
October 13th, 2010
1:57 pm
That is more like it P.O.A.D., stick with the juvenile nerd posts like your brethren Hollywould, Celine, Dad Gum, Belinda and others. Leave the big boy football discussion to UGA and other real football programs.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 13th, 2010
2:05 pm
A team leading 243 yds rushing and we are heading into game 7
Boy I tell you this coaching staff is the best in the nation
2-7 against FL and our first SEC win against a depleated Tennessee team in how many games
5 star Marlon Brown has done a great job “when thrown to”
It will not surprise me if this freshman running back is really good but like Moreno he needs to sit he just doesnt know the plays
And The list goes on
Please sign this bunch to another 10 yr contract
Harry the Hat
October 13th, 2010
2:06 pm
I wonder if any of the books about UGA football include the perspective of someone speaking for the late Jan Kemp? The perspective that “student” athletes like Lindsay Scott were playing years without taking college level courses? That the proudest moment of the football program was earned by players who never earned a single college credit?
Dawgtards love to return to 1980, but their memories are really short when it comes to remembering an earthshaking event that happened a few years later that showed the world what a joke UGA athletes were and what a scam artist their beloved Vince Dooley was (and is). So for all those dawgtards with short memories or who think their athletes are actually taking real courses and trying to graduate, here’s the quote that broke the trial wide open and showed what a slimeball Dooley is:
O. Hale Almand Jr., a lawyer for the defense, offered a justification for the favorable treatment accorded the athletes, citing a hypothetical player. “We may not make a university student out of him,” he told the jury, “but if we can teach him to read and write, maybe he can work at the post office rather than as a garbageman when he gets through with his athletic career.”
Nothing has changed at UGA, they just do a slightly better job of keeping things quiet, but that’s hard to do when 44 of your player-thugs have been arrested, isn’t it?
UGA: WINNER OF THE FULMER/RICHT CUP AND THE CESSPOOL OF THE SOUTH.
Mobile Dawg
October 13th, 2010
2:09 pm
Old news peggy….It matters not about picking up slack at this point. Everyone we have should be playing for experience and to see who’s got heart, including Mason last week. I haven’t really wanted to blog much lately because there’s not much positive to say.
So what was CMR’s reason to not play Mason in a blowout last week, or a walk on? Answer, blind ignorance in Coaching ! ! ! Just my opinion folks.
Huckster
October 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
Celine and Belinda are UGA coeds. They’re unavailable right now, since they’re out in the south 40 grazing with the other UGA coeds.