With Washaun Ealey’s departure, heat’s turned up on Caleb King, not Isaiah Crowell
Caleb King has averaged more than five yards per carry the last two seasons but has struggled with injuries and suspensions. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
A lot of people may feel like the pressure was turned up on incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell when Georgia and tailback Washaun Ealey decided to part ways this week. I disagree.
As a five-star prospect and the No. 1-rated running back prospect in America, much already was expected of Crowell. And no matter how you slice it, he’s still a true freshman. He’s going to be given the latitude of the learning curve, at least in the early going. He’s not going to be expected to know everything and to do everything just right.
No, if you ask me the heat has been turned up on Caleb King.
King is the fifth-year senior. By default, he is the incumbent starter at tailback.
As such, King is supposed to have the playbook mastered at this point. He should be as proficient a pass blocker as he is a ball carrier. At 23 years old, he’s supposed to be the mature one, the one who leads the other running backs by example.
Whether King has what it takes to do that is unclear. His UGA career has been in a constant state of interruption between injuries and disciplinary infractions. Just last season he missed three games due to suspension and another two and a half with injuries.
Georgia fans have yet to see what a fully-committed, injury-and-suspension-free King might look like.
- As a freshman in 2008, he was buried behind Knowshon Moreno on the depth chart.
- In August of 2009, he missed much of preseason camp with a hamstring injury.
- In September of 2009 he missed 2 1/2 games with a sprained ankle.
- In October of 2009 he suffered a broken jaw against LSU.
- In April of 2010, he missed most of spring practice and the G-Day game with a knee injury.
- In October of 2010, he was suspended for two games after being jailed for failure to appear on a minor traffic charge.
- In December of 2010, he was suspended for the Liberty Bowl for missing academic appointments, a violation of athletic department policy.
But when King has been healthy and available, he’s actually been pretty good. He has averaged over five yards per carry each of the last two seasons, an important statistical indicator in the rough-and-tumble SEC. He averaged 5.2 yards a pop when he rushed for 594 yards as a sophomore and 5.4 while getting only 80 carries last year.
And there were indications this spring that he has finally popped free of controversy.
Asked about Crowell’s impending arrival this summer, King said, “He’s still got to come in and work hard because the rest of us are working hard. We’re all busting our tails. I’m going to try to get him under my wing and go from there.”
As for the events that led to his suspensions, he told reporters, “That will never happen again.”
Coach Mark Richt has already assured us that we’ll likely see much of the ballyhooed Crowell in the season opener. “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play,” Richt said.
But odds are we’ll see even more of Caleb King.
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305 comments Add your comment
DAWG MAN
May 10th, 2011
12:23 pm
CALEB KING HAS SHOWN US WHAT HE CAN DO IN ATHENS. NOT VERY MUCH!!! BRING ON “BOO” AND CROWELL!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 10th, 2011
12:23 pm
Alabama: The state that has yet to give America anything.
AceDawg
May 10th, 2011
12:27 pm
I don’t know who will run the ball, but King seems unreliable, so I hope the others are prepared. Thomas has looked nice in the past, maybe even explosive, but I know he is a fumbler. I don’t know Malcombe well enough. Crowell – I hope UGA will give him a thousand carries if he hits campus running and looks like a natural in college the way he does in high school videos.
Judge Dawg
May 10th, 2011
12:27 pm
Ealey had two game changing fumbles and the infamous look out block on the final drive against Arkansas. We will be better off without him.
Jackson
May 10th, 2011
12:34 pm
@Lexdawg and Observation. I think we all agree that the SEC is a defense first league built on speed and strength. The best way to counter a defense like that is to run the ball. Having said that, all the great SEC powerhouse teams over the past 15 years have had dominant D-line types of players. Kids who are man childs that can dominate in the backfield of the opposing offenses. We can talk about offense all day long but it really boils down to that disruptive D-Line pressure.
Each of the past 5 BCS winners had a dominant D line player. Here is a list of those guys.
2007 -UF-Derrick Harvey
2008 – LSU- Glenn Dorsey
2009- UF- Carlos Dunlap
2010- UA- Mount Cody
2011- UA – Nick Fairley
So the question for UGA isn’t the offense but rather whether Jenkins can be that force. Same question with Alabama’s D line. Can’t really quantify Mr. Wizard Les Miles but for Arkansas, another year of watching the development of Petrino’s system, Defenses will catch up. I am not sure Ark has that dominant D line player which will have an effect on them. Having said that, Clowney may prove to be the difference maker at USC…. time will tell.
Mark (another one)
May 10th, 2011
12:37 pm
I read the complaints about King’s fumbles and I don’t understand. Career stats from ESPN:
255 carries, 1271 yds, 10 TDs and no fumbles. His issue has almost always been one of health and winning playing time. If you remember the LSU game, his jaw was broken by a cheap shot. Hard to blame King for that. The real news was a kept playing. I can’t imagine playing in the SEC with a wired jaw.
King also has shown he makes the blocks when they are called for. Picking up a free rusher is critical to any passing game, and he does it well. I look for a healthy King to be the starter with Boo and IC fighting for playing time. I also appreciate the attitude of wanting to help the freshman adjust. That is a veteran putting the team first.
tide roll
May 10th, 2011
12:38 pm
Last August, Didn’t Richt choose to miss a SATURDAY practice to go to North Carolina to watch his son play. Why wasn’t he disciplined? You’re crazy if you think the players don’t notice this lack of commitment, and aren’t adversely affected by it!
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
12:38 pm
GAC! GAC!
Puke.
phil
May 10th, 2011
12:39 pm
King has proven – repeatedly – that he cannot be counted on. Doesn’t matter whether it’s injuries or stupidity, we know something will happen to keep him out of a good 4 games more than likely. It’s basically a given. That’s how some players are. He’s one of them.
Could that change? Well sure it could! Will it? We’ll have to wait and see. But one thing is for sure. King can’t be counted on to dependably do anything until he actually goes out there and does it.
And obviously we can’t rely on some overrated freshman who hasn’t played a down either. Last time I checked, King came just as highly rated as this Crowell is.
I forget the guy’s name but we had a back 10 years ago say he would be the next Herschel, and as i recall, he was crushed at the 1 on a toss sweep and left with a concussion, never to be heard from again basically….Ware maybe? Anyway, the point is that all this talk, all this blather about how great Crowell is going to be is meaningless until the ball is kicked off….
nothingtoseehere
May 10th, 2011
12:42 pm
Chip, i think you need to end the ability to comment on your blogs. Suddenly its a place for someone hiding behind a moniker to simply slam one another school. Its so predictable. It’s old and sophomoric. If you are a fan of UF/Auburn/ALA/GT/TN and you are coming on a blog post about a UGA player, you’re obviously not going to offer anything construction about the discussion. You have one purpose and its to leave trite comments. And you can do it behind your little computer without having to face repercussions. It’s mind boggling to me because I’d never return the favor. I guess you don’t have anything better to do.
Tobias Funke
May 10th, 2011
12:43 pm
Some of you people are pathetic
Reaper
May 10th, 2011
12:44 pm
The heat is on the OL and the OC. Malcome will be the difference maker. Big, bruising and punishing runner. He can wear down the defense as long as the line does its job. All I know is that the playcalling better be on point.
schmeckdawg
May 10th, 2011
12:44 pm
For the love of pete Caleb please do not take him under your wings, let money bags McClendon earn his money and do the coaching!
savannahdawg
May 10th, 2011
12:51 pm
The only issue with King, is his lack of heart! He has never showed any. It’s too late now……the kid doesn’t have it. Can’t coach it, can’t teach it……….either you have it or you don’t. King doesn’t it and never will. He is too lazy, no work ethic! Let him leave also. Give his scholarship to someone who WANT’S IT!!!
Kirby Smart's spokeman
May 10th, 2011
12:52 pm
Ya’ll just hold on. I’ll be there in about 8 month’s, and we will sign some big,mean lineman. We’ll be physical. We’ll over sign some boys and hide them in the medical ward. We’ll practice 364 days a year. Whiners and softness will be gone. Just hang on. No more high dive excursions. Game on!
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
12:53 pm
Is Isaiah, The Annointed One II, going to start his journey to Athens with a torchh lighting tour throughout the State?
Will he include Clinch County?
Observation
May 10th, 2011
12:53 pm
Buckeye
You’re the last person I thought would be on a UGAG blog. What’s gonna happen with Tressel?
Observation
May 10th, 2011
12:55 pm
GA: The state that gave the USA the KKK.
Coach Cheesedip
May 10th, 2011
1:00 pm
Wish we had enough money to buy a team as good as Georgia this year at Alburn but we spent all our money last year!
A correct observation
May 10th, 2011
1:00 pm
1865: Pulaski, TN, birth of the KKK.
Coach Rigged
May 10th, 2011
1:03 pm
I wish I could get my players to stay out of prison. All of UGA’s money keeps going to the Clark Co jail system and lawyers.
Coach Dodo
May 10th, 2011
1:04 pm
Oh man oh man I hope Aaron Murray can stay off his back this year. Otherwise we’ll have to kick a field goal in Memphis.
Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:05 pm
GA: Home of the largest confederate museum in the county. Stone Mountain.
Stay classy, klanners.
Jimmy Crack
May 10th, 2011
1:12 pm
Stay stupid, troll.
Drop out trolls with no parental training on a sports blog sharing their knowledge of the world.
Welcome to the future…
Dawgs hate Auburn
May 10th, 2011
1:13 pm
Auburn fans and boosters buy their national championship!!!!!!!!!!
embarrassing
May 10th, 2011
1:15 pm
bahahhahahahahaa…nice job richt…The classless University of Georgia has managed to do this yet again.
Auburn laughs at Dawgs
May 10th, 2011
1:15 pm
UGA fans and their boosters bail their players out of jail to lose in Memphis!!!!!!!!!!!
truedawg
May 10th, 2011
1:16 pm
Seriuosly?? KKK talk ona football blog? do you have a life? dude you need a girl, and a beer, or something. NO LIFE!!
Ok now football. I wish the best for Washan. I believe King will be better this year, I really think he has his head right now. I don’t think he had the God given tallent Washan had, but will heart he can overachieve. I see big things from “Boo” love that kid, and not putting any faith in a freshamn until I atleast see him practice. But I think the dawgs will be fine runnign the ball……
IF THE O LINE CAN BLOCK!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
Envy is not a pretty sight
May 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
Many posters on anything UGA reveal their bitterness on a daily basis. Being bitter is no way to go through life. Enjoy your university’s successes, even when it does not match up with UGA’s. I suspect some of the following reasons explain this:
1. Athens as a college town superior to their favorite team’s
2. Campus at UGA and facilities
3. Widely respected sports program across the spectrum give UGA fans something to cheer about year round.
4. That sports program that has produced over 130 SEC titles and 30 plus National Championships in 8 different sports invites jealousy from those whose university has not been as successful.
5. UGA’s high ranking among public state universities.
And, as Observation’s list of BCS champions indicates, it is a matter of when, not if, the Dogs bring home a NC in football.
dmr
May 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
Georgia football has been around for over 100 years. It will still be played long after Ealey and King start collecting social security…if that’s even still available then. The point is, this is not about one player, and it never should be. Mark Richt has allowed himself to be somewhat of a doormat with regard to Ealey. However it came to be that Ealey is no longer a Bulldog, I can only say “Good riddance to Bad rubbish.” Ealey has been a discipline problem almost since his arrival.
You cannot build a winning program until you have discipline and cohesion. Get that back first and the rest will come.
kay
May 10th, 2011
1:25 pm
Good riddens. Time to clean up the program, GREAT JOB CMR!! Why doesn’t Nick Saban have this problem? Because he doesn’t tolerate crap from his Primadonna Players!!
OOOOOh Well
May 10th, 2011
1:26 pm
If Crowell wants to start, he’ll have to get arrested on this team. Starters have arrest records.
Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:26 pm
“1. Athens as a college town superior to their favorite team’s”
It is a nice town, but that is not why people mock UGA. It’s their fans and terrible football program.
“2. Campus at UGA and facilities”
What about it?
“3. Widely respected sports program across the spectrum give UGA fans something to cheer about year round.”
Nothing to respect about going 6-7.
“4. That sports program that has produced over 130 SEC titles and 30 plus National Championships in 8 different sports invites jealousy from those whose university has not been as successful.”
HAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, the women’s gymnastics is pretty good. LOL
“5. UGA’s high ranking among public state universities.”
LOL
“And, as Observation’s list of BCS champions indicates, it is a matter of when, not if, the Dogs bring home a NC in football.”
Like I said, the motto for UGA is NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!
Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:27 pm
“Why doesn’t Nick Saban have this problem?”
Because he’s a better coach.
UGA Insider
May 10th, 2011
1:31 pm
I have been to numerous practices and Washaun was the best we had by miles. I know look at our team on offense and wonder how we can even win 7 games this year. 2011 is a TOTAL rebuilding year and I don’t know what happens if we start 0-2. I have been told CMR has basically the first 2 games to turn things around or the CMR era is over at UGA. He came within a gnats ass of getting fired after the UCF debalce- that is a fact!
dawg from a distance
May 10th, 2011
1:32 pm
What # is IC going to wear? Was #1 in HS and B. Smith wears that and runs a few plays on O.
Is IC he going to be #3?
Go DAWGS!
Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:33 pm
“What # is IC going to wear?’
Talking about his mug shot number?
C-Town
May 10th, 2011
1:34 pm
Just give Crowell the rock, & Everything will be fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJCpSAnu-gw&feature=related
59bulldawg
May 10th, 2011
1:40 pm
Damn! It’s rough in here today!
Dawg in Malta
May 10th, 2011
1:40 pm
I think this mainly opens the door for Ken “BOO” Malcome?
I like what I saw from him in the G-Day game (thanks ESPN3).
I’m predicting the D-fense is going to be a beast (under Dogs to wonder Dawgs)!!
Go Dawgs!!
1eyedJack
May 10th, 2011
1:42 pm
Chip Towers, you should be ashamed of yourself. You banned my home IP address for responding to a race-baiter and it was far less worse than what’s being said here.
Kirby Smart's spokeman
May 10th, 2011
1:43 pm
Wow C Town….first time I’ve watched the kid. Looks pretty damn good, from Soph to Sr year. Fast, powerful and great vision. Hate on Haters. Watch above clip if you dare.
Auburn Fan
May 10th, 2011
1:44 pm
I think the dawgs have a great shot at winning the east this year. USC East will fall flat because well, that’s what they do best. Reading the “predictions” about them reminds me of Ole Miss from a few years ago.
Anyway, with CMR being on the hot seat, he’ll have no choice but to keep his team in line and that will help the team out a lot in the long run.
As for the West, Auburn will have a down year for obvious reasons. Bama will lose 2-3 games and LSU will win the West. UGA has a pretty good track record against LSU which makes me believe that UGA will win the SEC this year.
Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:44 pm
1eyedJack
No one is race baiting, goober. Get over yourself.
Envy?
May 10th, 2011
1:51 pm
“But it’s a 1-3 SEC team”. A date with his slightly attractive sister to the first leghumper that can source this quote.
Response to Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:56 pm
I don’t know many UGA fans saying we are going to win a NC this year, that occurs mainly from posers. It will happen though, just win the SEC, and you have a good chance at it. Only Bama has significantly more SEC football titles than Georgia, UT is barely above them, LSU, Florida, and Auburn have less, so I think it is logical to expect UGA to reel in that NC in the near future.
About women’s gymnastics- you miss the entire point- the 30 plus NCs are spread across 8 different sports. You did not mention your favorite school, but unless it is Stanford, or a handful of others, doubt if they can match the broad-based success of UGA.
And you are correct about nothing to respect about 6-7, that is the very reason Richt must produce this yeqr. If he doesn’t get back to his average of 10 wins per season and finishing in the top ten more than 60% of the time, he will be unemployed. The standards have been set high in Athens.
And if you did some research, you would realize UGA has a high ranking among state public universities.
1eyedJack
May 10th, 2011
1:57 pm
My Observation is that you are an idiot…not a complete idiot cause you obviously have a few missing pieces.
Observation
May 10th, 2011
1:57 pm
“It will happen though, just win the SEC, and you have a good chance at it.”
Not always. Remember 2004 when Auburn went undefeated and was left out?
Auburn opened the door for the SEC and capped it off with a 5th straight SEC team winning it all.
“I think it is logical to expect UGA to reel in that NC in the near future. ”
I’ve heard that for over 30 years now.
“And if you did some research, you would realize UGA has a high ranking among state public universities.”
Never said it wasn’t. I was LOL because people who cite that never even went there.
Observation
May 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
“My Observation is that you are an idiot…not a complete idiot cause you obviously have a few missing pieces.”
Oh goody, another internet tough gal. What’s funny is you can’t argue against what I posted and instead name call. Sort of like the fat kid on the playground who has to name call because no one will pay attention to him.
1eyedJack
May 10th, 2011
2:06 pm
Face it Ob, you’re a pot-stirrer. I have a perfect position for you, it’s just that right now I’m too busy to do any digging.