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
2011 BCS National Champs
May 11th, 2011
9:13 am
BigRedDawg
Do you know the difference between claimed and awarded? UGA has been “awarded” some sort of national title 5 times in their history. UGA only CLAIMS two of them. Auburn has been “awarded” NINE national titles but only CLAIMS two of them.
BigRedDawg
May 11th, 2011
9:15 am
OBSERVATION
You must not have learned much in you’re school. This is from the encyclopedia book: Five Bulldogs teams have been declared national champions, in 1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, and 1980.
Dumb is as dumb does.
2011 BCS National Champs
May 11th, 2011
9:16 am
Hey UGA fans, don’t end up like Bama fans.
Got 12? Here’s how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles
http://blog.al.com/solomon/2010/01/got_12.html
BigRedDawg
May 11th, 2011
9:16 am
2011 – We’ve been “awarded” the titles, why would we not “claim” them. We earned them, dummy.
2011 BCS National Champs
May 11th, 2011
9:20 am
“2011 – We’ve been “awarded” the titles, why would we not “claim” them. We earned them, dummy.”
Oh goody, nothing like a “fan” who starts name calling. Anyhoo, going 8-0-2 isn’t exactly a stellar year, low IQ. If we follow your “logic” then Auburn really has 9 national championships so all in all, Auburn is better. (that’s sarcasm for the less intelligent)
“Over the seasons, other polls and organizations have named Auburn national champions,[14] although none of these championships are recognized by the school:”
* 1910, 1913, 1914, 1958, 1983, 1993, 2004
So I guess if you put in 1957 and 2010, Auburn has nine.
test
May 11th, 2011
9:22 am
.
BIG JOE
May 11th, 2011
9:24 am
I believe King was the top rated RB in America when he came to GA too. So was Kregg Lumpkin. That’s scary. The only RB that proved his recruiting worth has been Moreno. Let’s hope Crowell will have a great additude & be equally inpressive with his talent. Let’s hope he comes in & this team gells. GO DAWGS!!!
NoGaGator
May 11th, 2011
9:26 am
In order to be successful this year, UGA needs either King or Malcolme to step up.
Crowell never blocked in HS. With a suspect O-line, Murray really needs protection by RB’s this year or he won’t last the season.
uga 2010
May 11th, 2011
9:46 am
I think the problem is still CMR’s inept to mentor these Georgian boys.
Observation
May 11th, 2011
9:54 am
“You must not have learned much in you’re school. This is from the encyclopedia book: Five Bulldogs teams have been declared national champions, in 1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, and 1980.”
And as I stated, UGA only CLAIMS two of them.
“Dumb is as dumb does.”
Yes, yes you do.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 11th, 2011
10:13 am
If King has matured and can maintain a 5.4 YPC average while being the RB depended on, Crowell will get the time to get his feet under him and UGA will be a better team at that position. I think King has matured enough to realize, this is his last chance to shine and show if he can play at the next level, and he has to become a leader at his position.
Reality Check
May 11th, 2011
10:16 am
Observation is a gutless coward who will talks trash about UGA and will not remotely talk about the actual article on a UGA website. And there is nothing wrong with being a fan of a team without going to school there. If there was only one public school in each state there would be a lot of people not going to college every year. This is why the Georgia States, West Georgias, Valdosta States all play an important role in State education. As a public university UGA and countless other schools represent the state of Georgia and undoubtedly are funded in some part by State taxes. UGA has not had a NC since 1980 and that is a fact indeed. They are I think tied for third in SEC with overall SEC titles which is not bad.
bubba4dawgs
May 11th, 2011
10:20 am
If King can get the blocking (which is somewhat suspect right now), he’ll do fine. With 80 carries last year and a 5.2 yd average ain’t bad. He’s experienced and should have some help from Crowell. I look for Murray to pass a lot more until Crowell gets in groove. Sad things didn’t work out with Ealey. He’s a good athlete and I wish him well. We may see more of him in the NFL someday and I hope so for his sake. Coach Richt knows a player must have what it takes between the ears as well as athletic talent. Dawgs will be fine. I say they will win at least 10 games and better if they can beat SC and those feared Gators. Go Dawgs!!
Observation
May 11th, 2011
10:27 am
“Observation is a gutless coward who will talks trash about UGA and will not remotely talk about the actual article on a UGA website. ”
Pot meet kettle.
Observation
May 11th, 2011
10:28 am
astrouga, funny how you rant and cry about using “real names” yet you didn’t use yours. Contradict much?
bigdawg88
May 11th, 2011
10:28 am
Caleb can handle the starting role. He’s a 5th yr senior and wants to position himself for the NFL. I look for him to have a great year.
patrick Sulley
May 11th, 2011
11:22 am
Observation
May 10th, 2011
11:16 am
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Alabama -1
Auburn – 1
Florida -2
LSU -2
Tennessee – 1
UGA- ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
============================================
this is a year old and does not take into account for last year….just to lazy to update it but…..
UNDER Richt
Fact:………UGA was 12-1 in 2002
.
Fact ………Fla was 12-1 in 2006
.
Fact ………Not UGAs fault there were 2 unbeatens that year. “unlucky”
.
Fact……….Not Flas credit that there was only one unbeaten in 2006. “Lucky”
.
Fact:………Luck had more to do with Fla getting invited to the BCS than whether Fla was more deserving to go to a NC with identical records.
.
Fact:………No SEC team has ever lsot a NC game and if UGA would have been invited nothing indicates that it would have been different
.
Fact……….UGA has 2 SEC titles..same as Fla in last 9 years and equal wins over all.
.
Fact……….UGA has been ranked more times top ten in last 9 years than any SEC team.
.
UGA 90 wins in 9 years no other SEC team has more.
patrick Sulley
May 11th, 2011
11:24 am
2002…UGA 12-1 and SEC champs, ranked 3rd and waited to see if tOSU or Miami lost
.
2006 FLA 12-1 and SEC champs, ranked 4th and waited to if Mich, tOSU or USC lost
.
Did Fla sprinkle pixie duct on USC and Mich to make them lose?
.
No….and thats the only difference between the 2002 bulldogs and the 2006 gators
.
Period…end of discussion…need a playoff to eliminate the luck Fla enjoyed and that UGA didnt
patrick Sulley
May 11th, 2011
11:25 am
“pixie dust”
JackDennis
May 11th, 2011
11:35 am
Geez: 10:56
Dawgs just need to recruit better. Top 10 classes for 30 yrs. just don’t get it! Bwahahahahaha
I'm Chris Hanson with Dateline NBC
May 11th, 2011
11:45 am
Hearing rumors that Caleb King will be ineligible b/c of grades…
The one thing we all know about Mr. Obserbation
May 11th, 2011
11:52 am
You are a Tech Bug and your Mama’s a Dog!
Georgia | MrSEC.com
May 11th, 2011
11:56 am
[...] to step in as this year’s Marcus Lattimore/Mike Dyer. Fifth-year senior Caleb King — who’s never quite lived up to his top billing — will have to finally show that he’s matured enough to be a top back in the SEC. And [...]
89Dawg
May 11th, 2011
12:20 pm
Enough with the diatribe and ugly insults. I enjoy this blog b/c I am a Dawg Fan and I like hearing from other Dawg fans and even our rivals..when the talk is about football….not personal attacks on our State, its citizens, our history and our University…Most Dawg fans are hopeful,…we are proud not obnoxious, and we are loyal, not delusional…everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I agree with an earlier post, AJC needs a filter on some of these folks..Good luck to King and Cromwell…we will need them both to have great years if competing for SEC Title.
Douche Bag Trolls!
May 11th, 2011
12:21 pm
That’s Right!
89Dawg
May 11th, 2011
12:53 pm
We have restored a measure of civility…hope in humanity is restored…Thank God for College Football….cannot wait till September.
Atticus
May 11th, 2011
1:17 pm
What do you do when King doesn’t make his grades?
The Real Observation
May 11th, 2011
1:27 pm
“Period…end of discussion…need a playoff to eliminate the luck Fla enjoyed and that UGA didnt”
UGA is incapable of beating Florida. Also, UGA was 6-7 last year.
End of discussion.
patrick Sulley is banned from most blogs
May 11th, 2011
1:28 pm
patrick Sulley is an idiot.
WinderDawg
May 11th, 2011
1:43 pm
Word around Baxter St. is King ineligible…..but can appeal
WinderDawg
May 11th, 2011
1:44 pm
What do you do when King doesn’t make his grades? –
Hand the ball to Crowell….duh
Observation
May 11th, 2011
1:49 pm
“Observation: Please stop harassing everyone. Your comments are inflammatory, and sadly predictable.”
Funny how the real Chip Towers allows UGAG fans to pose as him.
Chip Towers
May 11th, 2011
2:29 pm
RE: CALEB KING ELIGIBILITY, ETC: Spring semester exams were completed Tuesday night. Final grades are not posted until Monday.
it don't matter cause we aint got an o-line
May 11th, 2011
2:37 pm
if richt would recruit an o–line maybe we might have a running game.
astrouga
May 11th, 2011
2:45 pm
Come on Chip. Why not respond to my request for some sort of control over the comments. Instead, you guys are just wiping them. What is the reasoning there?
Chip Towers
May 11th, 2011
2:53 pm
astrouga: I don’t set policy around here. I just enforce the rules if and when needed. And posting under multiple handles and having fake debates is one cause for banishment. So just play nice and ignore the cretins. OK?
Observation
May 11th, 2011
3:08 pm
astrouga
Dude, you’ve said absolutely nothing about the blog topic therefore you should be banned.
WinderDawg
May 11th, 2011
3:08 pm
Just reporting the news Chips…
ugastro
May 11th, 2011
3:19 pm
Thanks for following Chip. Seems I have already been banned, so I had to switching my name just to reply to you!
I got your warning loud and clear and will play nicely. I must add a few last comments though, now that I have your attention. The AJC is where I come for UGA sports. That will likely end if you guys can’t find a way to control the inflammatory remarks that get posted here. I have tried to make ignore the cretins many times, but as you know, the comments on an article can go on for more than 10 or 20 pages sometimes. It is impossible to follow a thread of comments when more than half of them are from just 5 people insulting each other.
I realize that you don’t make the policy, but as a jounalist, you must appreciate where I am coming from. You can’t possibly have time to wade through and offer meaningful insight to fans that ask you questions.
So, what can I do? Who can I contact to make a change? I’ll do my part if you’ll do yours. The integrity of the AJC is on the line when they encourage a donnybrook in their comment section. The AJC would never print the majority of these comments in their paper, so why allow it here?
Observation
May 11th, 2011
3:28 pm
“The AJC is where I come for UGA sports. That will likely end if you guys can’t find a way to control the inflammatory remarks that get posted here. ”
So are you “astrouga ” or “ugastro?” Chip mentioned something about people “name changing.”
Oh, there are plenty of UGA blogs that are REAL UGA blogs. I also love how you point out remarks from non-UGA fans but don’t say a word about the insults from UGA fans.
“So, what can I do? Who can I contact to make a change? ”
You are seriously NOT an SEC fan, ugastro. Everyone knows that SEC fans fight with each other.
GET. A. LIFE.
Observation
May 11th, 2011
3:30 pm
ugastro
So when are you going to write a comment about UGA football? You’ve spent most of your time crying about what other people write.
Come on man, man up.
troasuga
May 11th, 2011
3:42 pm
Observation,
I made a comment initially — but it got wiped because I complained
about all of the arguing! I can’t use astrouga or ugastro anymore
because they have both been banned, it seems.
Also, this is a serious UGA blog…are you kidding? Chip is a respected journalist.
As far as a UGA comment goes, I’ll say what I have said many times
regarding the running back situation: UGA is not running back edu. We
had had a few decent backs, but that is it. Too many people are
already claiming Crowell is going to rush for 1000 yards this season
– are you kidding? The kid hasn’t even played a down of college ball.
UGA just needs a few backs to produce each game. They don’t need a
100-yard back, just 100+ yards a game. Defense and passing are the
best hope for UGA this year.
– astrouga
Observation
May 11th, 2011
4:31 pm
troasuga
Not sure what to tell you. Anyway, I never said that this blog was not respected. Remember, good reading comprehension is fundamental.
Thanks
Kenny Powers
May 11th, 2011
5:24 pm
I just woke up from a coma. Did Nesbitt go early or middle of the first round of the NFL draft?
So close on the Heisman, I’m sure the draft was his vindication.
Bill
May 11th, 2011
7:38 pm
I believe in you Caleb! Let’s dominate!
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 11th, 2011
8:20 pm
I beleive the coaches said that King was already a better blocker than Ealey was last year. King just needs to stay healthy and step up to the plate with the right attitude and work ethic, both on and off the field. I think he now knows that he needs to do that so I suspect, his spirits just got a boost when Ealey took his toys and went home. It will take time for Crowell to get comfortabvle in the system of college football, and get over the fact, that now, all the hype and hope pinned on him will have to be earned on the field.
GO DAWGS
Richt's Butt Cut
May 11th, 2011
8:33 pm
Caleb ineligible…..
Dawg
May 11th, 2011
9:51 pm
Do we have a starting fullback?
Tampa Dawg
May 12th, 2011
2:36 am
Enter your comments here
MassiveDawg
May 12th, 2011
7:31 am
It’s all about the Defense… With Big John Jenkins at Nose guard we’ll be unstoppable. Also, if everything pans out with Vasi “Tombstone” Papulu in 2012 we could win the National Championship! Does anyone know how the kid is doing in Junior College?