Ten@10: Freshman TB Isaiah Crowell won’t inherit experienced O-line like Dyer, Lattimore
Marcus Lattimore ran behind an experienced offensive line as a freshman at South Carolina last season. (AP photo)
THE TEN AT 10:
1. With Washaun Ealey’s departure, the inevitable questions about whether Isaiah Crowell can match the freshman performances of last year’s star SEC tailbacks are in full force. But while Crowell’s high school accolades — nation’s No. 1-rated running back, 10-plus yards per carry — are similar to South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore and Auburn’s Michael Dyer, they had something Crowell will not have: An experienced and intact offensive line.
Auburn had the best offensive line in the country, starting four seniors and a junior, including All-American tackle Lee Ziemba. They paved the way for Dyer (1,093 yards) and run-first quarterback Cam Newton (1,473). South Carolina brought back four returning starters last season when Lattimore came in and rushed for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Georgia’s offensive line this season will be a comparative patchwork. The Bulldogs will likely start three seniors — center Ben Jones, left tackle Cordy Glenn and right tackle Justin Anderson. But of them only Jones will be playing the same position he did last season. Anderson is coming back over from a one-year experiment on defense and Glenn has played mostly guard during his career.
That said, it is not a unit devoid of experience. Jones and Glenn have 68 starts between them. Kenarious Gates started three games at guard and played in every game as a true freshman. Anderson has played in 25 games on the offensive line with 12 starts. Only Chris Burnette, who projects as the starting right guard, is a true greenhorn.
Georgia’s line would have been comparatively similar in experience to Auburn’s and South Carolina’s had Trinton Sturdivant not suffered a season-ending knee injury in the spring. But he did and the Bulldogs were forced to shuffle again. The question now is if they can make Crowell look good, or vice-versa.
2. Georgia Southern boosters are in the process of raising money to have a statue of Erk Russell commissioned and erected in Statesboro. If successful, it’s likely Georgia fans will have had a hand in making it happen.
Former Georgia coach Vince Dooley, for whom Russell earned his reputation as a crafty and inspirational defensive coordinator, is assisting in the fund-raising effort. He has already offered up a substantial contribution of his own and wrote a letter to Georgia Southern alumni and boosters urging them to do the same.
“I was very excited to learn there is a movement to have a lifetime statue erected at Georgia Southern in memory of my long time good friend and coaching associate, the late and beloved Coach Erk Russell. It will be a fitting tribute to one of the great all time football coaches and one of the great all time people that I have ever known. I never knew a coach that was more loved and respected as Erk Russell. His record speaks for itself. . . . I am very happy and totally supportive of this effort which will be a fitting tribute not only to Coach Russell but to his family and to all of the supporters of Georgia Southern and the University of Georgia. God bless his legacy and the wonderful memories he left for us all.”
“Caleb has become a very dependable football player,” Richt told reporters before the meeting. “People can have a debate on how effective he’s been. But when it comes to knowing what to do, when it comes to pass protection, when it comes to doing the things that we’re asking him to do, he does a good job. I’ve got faith that he knows what to do and will compete well.”
King and offensive lineman A.J. Harmon were benched for the Liberty Bowl because of academic problems. Richt said spring semester grades will not be posted until Monday and, therefore, player eligibility for this fall has not been determined.
5. Sixty-nine athletes, including 12 football players and every senior on the men’s basketball team, will be graduating when UGA holds commencement ceremonies on Friday in Athens.
Among the football players planning to walk are Geno Atkins, Drew Butler, Logan Gray and Tanner Strickland. Also returning after completing his degree is NFL veteran linebacker Tony Gilbert. Men’s basketball players Chris Barnes, Jeremy Price, Connor Nolte and Gerald Robinson are all graduating.
6. It’s going to be a zoo in Athens this weekend. In addition to commencement ceremonies on Friday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., UGA will be hosting men’s and women’s NCAA tennis regionals at the Dan Magill Complex (Friday through Sunday) and the SEC Track & Field Outdoor Championships at Spec Towns Track (Thursday-Sunday). The track competition is expected to draw thousands to the Classic City. As many as 700 men’s and women’s athletes will be participating and friends and family of many of those competitors will surely follow. Here’s a feature I wrote on UGA steeplechaser Matt Cleaver to advance the SEC track meet.
7. Georgia baseball’s postseason hopes have taken a serious hit this week. They were already dinged pretty good after losing two of three at Auburn, then came a t-bone crash with a 4-2 home loss to Mercer on Wednesday. Now it has become a mathematical situation for the Bulldogs. While their RPI remains relatively high, they simply have to end up at least three games above .500 heading into the SEC Tournament to give the NCAA selection committee any reason to consider them come June. That means they need to win at least five of the final seven regular-season games. That’s going to be a tall order with three at Kentucky this weekend, and then home against Kennesaw State and then three home games against No. 1-ranked Vanderbilt.
8. The Macon Telegraph’s Seth Emerson tweeted that the Twitter ban for Georgia men’s basketball players has been lifted by prolific tweeter/coach Mark Fox. Emerson was apparently alerted to this new via a tweet from rising sophomore Marcus Thornton.
9. It’s really exciting to see that the University of Georgia and the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism has established a news sports journalism major. While it has been in the works for a while, the official announcement was made Wednesday. The formation of the program was made possible by a $1 million gift from Atlanta’s Carmical Foundation, which will fund a “Chair in Sports Journalism and Society.”
Don’t be surprised if this doesn’t have an indirect efffect on Georgia’s football recruiting. Jordan Watkins, a defensive end out of Woodward Academy and a top 10 prospect in the state, is a 4.0 student who wants to major in sports journalism.
10. THIS & THAT: The good news that all of Georgia’s season-ticket holders were able to get the tickets they requested for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against Boise State in the Georgia Dome. The bad news is some tickets are still available, at least according to one empassioned fan blogger. . . . The Georgia softball team, at one time ranked No. 1 in the country, stumbles into the SEC Tournament, which begins today in Oxford, Miss. The eighth-ranked Bulldogs (45-11, 17-9 SEC) will face LSU having lost four of their last six games, including a loss to Longwood on Wednesday.
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320 comments Add your comment
Tom
May 12th, 2011
12:15 pm
Maybe GSU has seen his “real” transcript.
Bring Back Wally Butts
May 12th, 2011
12:17 pm
Lefty=Dave=Joe….same person, same dribble.
LEFTYLIBERAL
May 12th, 2011
12:21 pm
so if CROWELL doesnt have a spectacular yr. will it be the OL’s fault or will he be deemed a disappointment?
DawginLex
May 12th, 2011
12:22 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-DYsCifFnQ
Running back for Georgia for 2011.
JDawg1785
May 12th, 2011
12:28 pm
Y’all remember how last year we all thought the OL would be one of Georgia’s biggest strengths and it turned out to be a total flop? What if, since we’re all projecting the OL as one of Georgia’s biggest Achilles heels going into this season, it actually turns out to be awesome? Just a thought…
Regardless, like DawginLex’s video shows, we should expect to see Boo Malcome running wild in 2011. This kid will be a stud!
Congrats to all graduating Dawgs!!
C-Town
May 12th, 2011
12:29 pm
LeftyLiberal, Crowell is a stud. Just give him to rock, and he becomes a Game-Changer. Take a look at the Film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQgW9E04kjk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbR8KZNv3ZM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJCpSAnu-gw&feature=related
Dr. Phil
May 12th, 2011
12:39 pm
Interesting stat: 69 athletes graduating and only 12 are football players. Apparently some of Richt’s recruits can’t even pass the drivers’ license test.
NFL Bound
May 12th, 2011
12:39 pm
Absolutely got to love UGA when it comes to the “Excuse Department”!!! The season hasn’t even started yet and they already have started making excuses for why the freshman tailback is underperforming!!!! UGA certainly has a VERY Experienced line coming back and the failure to run successfully has to be COACHING if they underperform. Likely the most experienced line in the SEC next season.
BYRDDAWG
May 12th, 2011
12:48 pm
Wow Lex, that #34 looks alot like a #34 that was a freshman with me in ‘80!!!! Everyone needs to also remember that we had not won a SEC football Championship since that yr & CMR has won 2 for us…..GO DAWGS!!!
Bring Back Wally Butts
May 12th, 2011
12:53 pm
NFL Bound
May 12th, 2011
12:39 pm
Absolutely got to love UGA when it comes to the “Excuse Department”!!!
Dawg fans are not making excuses. It is the trolls and UGA haters, which unfortunately are too numerous on this site to point out, that are making excuses and demanding a coaching change. What a waste of space.
Think I’ll go do something productive. Hope you do to.
Pat
May 12th, 2011
1:01 pm
Offensive line……did u even watch the SC/UGA game…..our defense was hitting Lattimore in the backgield WE JUST DIDNT TACKLE….dayum ur memory is short
Bawbie
May 12th, 2011
1:06 pm
Fire Dave Perno!
Louie kablooey
May 12th, 2011
1:12 pm
Latimore shredded our defense last year. UGA players were out of shape because too many of them ate fried chicken.
bigguy
May 12th, 2011
1:12 pm
Saw this guy fold against Calhoun his senior year in the playoffs. Not impressed at all. Hope I’m wrong.
PMC
May 12th, 2011
1:16 pm
tide roll, having seen a bit of him this spring, I’m not sure barring catestrophic injury AJ Harmon would even see the field next year.
KR
May 12th, 2011
1:22 pm
DawginLex:
Somehow, I just can’t see UGA going from 6-6 last year to 10-2 this year, especially in light of the losses of key players they’ve had. I have lots of questions about how you came to this prediction, but I’ll only ask this: which two teams do you think are going to beat UGA this year?
Taking the Fun
May 12th, 2011
1:32 pm
UGA is always so close but can’t quite get over … always a bridesmaid … always the poser
BYRDDAWG
May 12th, 2011
1:33 pm
KR, I believe we’ll see a huge improvement from Murray in his 2nd yr as starter & a huge improvement from our D in the 2nd yr in CTG’s 3-4!!!! GO DAWGS 10-2 is legit
jarvis
May 12th, 2011
1:38 pm
Tickets for Boise were available. As a donor, I received the email on the 10th. By the time I logged in yesterday, they were all gone. Sold out!
BillS
May 12th, 2011
1:41 pm
Hey Louie, does that comment pass for thought in your world? What’s fried chicken got to do with anything? Or can we conclude you’re bigoted?
DawginLex
May 12th, 2011
1:46 pm
2 of the following:
SC
MSU
UT
Fla
Senator Blutarsky
May 12th, 2011
1:46 pm
Crowell is the NEXT HERSCHEL WALKER!!!!
Murray is better than Tom Brady will ever be!!!!!
Mark Richt is better than Bear Bryant!!!!
tide roll
May 12th, 2011
1:47 pm
A. J. Harmon, with proper attention from your coaching staff, would have been a heck of an offensive guard.
reebok
May 12th, 2011
1:48 pm
Tech fan here. Congrats to the UGA athletes graduating. Well done.
Chicago Dawg
May 12th, 2011
1:48 pm
Tide Roll what’s your hang up in talking about offensive lines …thats all you ever post. Why should you even care? Sounds to me like your a frustrated O-lineman that at one time Georgia snubbed. Because all you ever do is make inmature chidish posts about how bad Georgia’s O-line is. I say let the season start and let them prove their not as bad as you continue to make them out to be. I know one thing though- the Georgia coaches know a hellava more than you do about thier O-line.Your posts sound like the rantings of a ten year old kid.
Brent
May 12th, 2011
1:49 pm
Good one Senator, funniest guy on the web.
At my prestigious large law firm, we have a phrase for your types, it ends with the word hyperbole….
cantondawg
May 12th, 2011
1:53 pm
Home & Home,
Why the hate for Georgia Southern..I’m a GSU alum and i can tell you that most GSU fans also like UGA as well. Sure, there are some that hate UGA but they are not the norm
Delbert D.
May 12th, 2011
1:55 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe some other 2010 Georgia guys graduated in January, including Durham (Middle School Ed.) and Munzenmaier (Finance).
C-Town
May 12th, 2011
1:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWRcM_d2qWE&feature=fvwrel
C-Town
May 12th, 2011
2:01 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJCpSAnu-gw&feature=related
Correction, Sen. Blutarsky
May 12th, 2011
2:02 pm
That first statement rules you out as a knowledgeable Georgia fan. Will not likely see another Walker in Athens or on any campus in the near future.
However, what Crowell is, is the consensus #1 high school running back from the class of 2011, who should have a fine career.
Who is better than Tom Brady? You can count them on one hand and have fingers left over. What Aaron Murray is, is the premier returning QB in the SEC, and a likely All American before his Georgia career is over.
Again, hard to think of a coach better than the Bear. What Mark Richt is, is one of the winningest college coaches in the nation, even counting last year’s debacle.
I know you are a politician, but let’s get real here, or the voters will send you home next election.
chilidawg
May 12th, 2011
2:05 pm
Completely agree, Chicago Dawg. But you left out African-American.
Mark's Rectum
May 12th, 2011
2:13 pm
Washaun done gone!!!! State’s evidence? NCAA infractions committee? Example?
Sir Barks A Lot
May 12th, 2011
2:14 pm
Thanks Chip!!! Great Update
Here are my random thoughts:
1. Good luck to Ealey – did not work out for him at UGA – hope that he matures and becomes a contributing adult!
2. Yea ERK!!!!
3. Not sold on O-Line at UGA until we are into the season – but here is why I have some hope for improvement:
– Better Strength and Conditioning
– New O-Line Coach – that coached under Neil Calloway. Calloway was a top notch O-Line coach.
4. Defense has to be better in 2011 – 2nd year into the program – DL, LB and DB should all be much better.
5. Hard to predict a record – no telling what is going to happen against Boise, SC, Tennessee, MSU, Florida, Aub and GT.
I could see us going 7-5
I could see us going 10-2 – but doubt it.
Hoping for the best – still disgusted with UCF effort and play calling (4th inches inside the 5 – way to Finish the Drill Coach Richt).
Woof!
sogadog
May 12th, 2011
2:20 pm
The O line does not appear to be overly inexperienced. There are three seniors and only one player, Burnette is a rookie. From the standpoint of experience, this Oline can hang with the Oline USC and Auburn fielded last year.
The issue going into 2011 with the oline is the new oline coach. The players have to learn his system and he has to learn the players. There will be an inevitable adjustment period.
DarthFader
May 12th, 2011
2:22 pm
Pretty easy to rpedict Richt’s record.
88% of the time he loses mroe games than the year before over last 8 seasons.
88% chance it’s 5-7 or 4-8, more likely 4-8, Richt has had a 2 loss drop last 2 years in a row.
88% accurate last 8 years.
RxDawg
May 12th, 2011
2:24 pm
cantondawg is right. I’d say about 60% of GSU students are also UGA football fans. With about 20% being tech and 20% being other. In fact, you’ll see UGA flags and car tags all over statesboro. When I was there, we loved our Eagles. But we also loved big boy football too and routinely watched the UGA games on TV.
That said, the biggest reasons for this are two fold. The fact that Erk Russel (a former Dawg) built the football program from the ground up. And the fact that they play in two different divisions and thus do not directly compete with each other. Even when UGA and GSU play it’s a pretty friendly rivalry where little brother comes up for a visit and hopes to leave out of there with some honor.
Now if GSU ever takes the step up to Div 1-A then you’ll probably see the atmosphere change significantly.
Of course, I can only speak of the atmosphere from the late 90s. It’s very likely it’s changed some since then. I imagine there are a few more Tech fans now due to Paul Johnson being the man over there now.
Senator Blutarsky
May 12th, 2011
2:35 pm
Crowell runs for 3000 yards in 2011!!!!
I can see it, easily!!!!
That’s just 250 a game x 12!!!!!!
Emanuelle Chriqui
May 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Chip:
How would you rate my performance on The Borgias?
Too many clothes in the romance scenes?
With respect to the new program at the UGA Journalism School, does the world really need more underpaid and underperforming sports journalists?
finally
May 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Finally CMR is bringing some discipline to the team. Should have been done years ago before the downhill slide.
Delusional Dawg fans
May 12th, 2011
2:58 pm
“Auburns line was “great” last year because they had CAM”
You must have missed the entire season, left wing tard.
Onterio Macalleb
Michael Dyer
Mario Fannin
Phillip Lutzenkurken
Darvin Adams
Emory Blake
Delusional Dawg fans
May 12th, 2011
2:58 pm
“Auburn, LSU, UCF, Oklahoma, USC are considered to be Ealey’s potential destinations.”
So he wants to win. Who knew?
Delusional Dawg fans
May 12th, 2011
3:00 pm
“Predicted order of finish in the SEC”
Predictions don’t work well for idiot dawg fans. Ever.
How’d that preseason number one ranking in 2008 work out for you Dawgsnot?
Delusional Dawg fans
May 12th, 2011
3:00 pm
“Somehow, I just can’t see UGA going from 6-6 last year to 10-2 this year”
Neither can anyone else with a brain.
Delusional Dawg fans
May 12th, 2011
3:02 pm
“Auburn had the best offensive line in the country, starting four seniors and a junior, including All-American tackle Lee Ziemba. They paved the way for Dyer (1,093 yards) and run-first quarterback Cam Newton (1,473). ”
Run first quarterback? He had the BEST passer rating in the entire country as well.
Delusional Dawg fans
May 12th, 2011
3:03 pm
“South Carolina brought back four returning starters last season when Lattimore came in and rushed for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns.”
Auburn had NO trouble shutting Lattimore down.
What was that SEC Championship score again? OHHHHHHHH that’s right. 56-17
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!
tide roll
May 12th, 2011
3:06 pm
Last year Uga loses Jeff Owens, Kade Weston, and Geno Atkins. You also switch to a 3-4 with an undersized Deangelo Tyson at Nose. Steve Spurrier’s staff, being aware of these personnel issues, go out and sign a JUCO All-American offensive guard,6′5″340lb. Atlanta native, Rokevious watkins. Primarily due to this size differential, Watkins plays an instrumental role in South Carolina’s success on the ground that day vs. Uga. Carolina was able to foresee Uga’s issues on their defensive line and exploit it. Mark Richt’s staff, on the other hand, should have anticipated this and prevented it by signing Watkins themselves. In failing to so, Richt effectively empowered the competition with one of his own. This lack of forsight prevented Richt from anticipating Spurrier, and in all liklihood, cost him the game. Richt is shoring up his defensive line this year, but last year the operative mode should have been anticpating Spurrier and acting to counter his move, i.e. signing Watkins. Therein lies the problem at UGA. Lack of foresight.
Michael
May 12th, 2011
3:09 pm
7-5. GO DAWGS!
Dawg Gone
May 12th, 2011
3:12 pm
Delusional Dawg fans in Athens this year your bunch will have a chance to improve to 2 in 6 and we can tie the all time series record. Looking forward to it.
Destin Dawg
May 12th, 2011
3:18 pm
Hey… Delusional…. I think we’re 4 wins out of the last 5 against Auburn…. this year in athens ?? should easily be 5 wins out of 6….. get back to planting peanuts…