Tailback talk: Thomas out 1 game, Samuel to start No. 1, Crowell to wear 1
Hoover, Ala. – Georgia coach Mark Richt and three Bulldogs players met with the local beat writers and a few national reporters Thursday morning before their main session at here at SEC Media Days. As expected, UGA’s running back situation was the issue most discussed.
To his credit, Richt was not wishy-washy about his feelings on the position or what he expects to happen. So without further ado, here’s what he had to say about the tailbacks:
- Richt confirmed that Carlton Thomas is indeed suspended for the opener against Boise State and that it is a one-game suspension.
“All I’ll say on that is Carlton won’t play Game 1 and I’ll say ‘team rule’ and you guys can figure out whatever you want.” Asked if Thomas would be back for South Carolina, he stated flatly, “yes.”
- On overall running back situation in light of attrition with loss of Washaun Ealey and Caleb King:
“I’m just going to reserve my decision on whether or not we’re losing anything there or not. We may be gaining, OK? A year ago, I can’t sit here and say I was ever really at a point where I was saying, ‘man, our guys are being highly productive and kicking butt and they’re guys I can count on.’ That wasn’t happening. By the end of this year I might say, ‘these guys were kicking butt and guys I could count.’ So I wouldn’t sit here and say our running back situation is worse now than it was a year. We’ll see on that.”
- What about the young backs, Isaiah Crowell and Ken Malcome?
“These are talented guys who are going to get an opportunity to make plays. I’ve seen so many young backs play well over the years, I’m not fretting right now. I don’t lay awake at night going, ‘oh my goodness, what are we going to do now.’ I just don’t. I know that we’ve got some guys on this team that can be highly productive offensively. Now will we find a back that carries the ball 20 times a game? I don’t know. Maybe we will, maybe we won’t.”
- What about moving Richard Samuel from linebacker back to tailback?
“I do think moving Richard Samuel back was very much needed. If anybody needed to be soothed a little bit, that should do it, because he’s a very physically mature man and he’s a mature man in the way he goes about his business. And he certainly has two years experience within our system and knows what to do. So it’s not like we’re wondering what he can do.
“He’ll be in those meetings and will be a great example of how to prepare and how to play the game and the position of tailback. I know he’ll hold onto the ball; I know he’ll secure it; I know he’ll strike you; I know he’s fast; I know he’s powerful; and I know he’ll play hard. He’s not really interested in dodging many people, but he is what he is. I’ve seen a lot of backs with that type of style who are going to hit you and drive their feet and make it tough on you to take them down. So there’s a lot of very positive things about Richard that are really going to help us.”
- Will there be anymore players miss the opener due to suspension or ineligibility?
“Well, I’ll say this: If there’s anybody else we need to announce, we’ll announce it at the appropriate time, which is not today. We’ll see. But we’ll be ready to play on Sept. 3rd, I can promise you that.”
- What do you know and what have you heard about Crowell?
“He’s a freshman like the rest of them. He’s got to learn how to handle college, period. I think he’s doing well. I don’t know. You can’t get reports from your strength coach and you can’t go out and watch or coach those guys. You can talk to your players. You might want to ask [Aaron] Murray, you might want to ask [Ben] Jones or [Brandon] Boykin, who are here. They’re really leading our off-season program. They can tell you how they’re doing.
“But we don’t expect Isaiah to save the program. We don’t expect Isaiah to put the team on his back. We just want Isaiah to learn what to do, to do things the Georgia way and try to do anything he can to help the team win as a freshman. How far that goes, I don’t know.
“I’ve got a sense of anticipation. I’m excited to find out what’s going to happen when we put the pads on for the first time and get him in an inside drill or go live and see what he does. I want to see how he handles getting hit real hard and how he handles the speed of the Southeastern Conference. I’m like any other fan would be, just curious to see how it’s going to go. We won’t treat him a whole lot different than any other player who is talented, but we want to make sure that he has success.
“Was I anxious to see A.J. Green and what he could do? Yeah. I’m anxious to see these guys also. But, you know, you could have a missed assignment at receiver and not be nearly as devastating as a tailback missing an assignment when it comes to pass protection or going to wrong way on a run. When a running back makes a mistake it’s not good. When a wide receiver makes a mistake you can probably just line up and run another play or punt. There’s a buzz out there about him. Our veterans believe he’s a very talented guy.”
- Who will start the preseason as the No. 1 tailback?
“I would start practice with Richard No. 1.”
STORIES FROM HOOVER:
- Richt says 2011 tailbacks could be even better
- SEC notebook: Dogs get surprised with new uniforms
- SEC notebook: Spurrier defends handling of QB Garcia
- ‘Boo’ Malcome ready to show what he can do at TB
- Gamecocks in rare position as SEC East favorites
- Investigations likely to be discussed at Media Days
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167 comments Add your comment
poopdawg
July 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
Grohbo , let me guess a tennis coach?
HardTruth Soldier
July 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
Oh yeah, One last thing, If any critic thinks they can do better, go challenge the kid in a tackle to tackle drill. You’ll find out that getting hit by someone 6′ 2 243 hurts a lot more than you think. Oh but you can’t, you see you NEVER MADE IT TO THAT LEVEL.
PhilSteeleBELIVER
July 21st, 2011
12:47 pm
Couple of things:
1) I think we are going to see a big improvement on deffense…I dont think you can underestimate a 340 lb nose tackle in this system….ask Alabama and Terrance Cody
2) O-line scares the heck out of me…it may not matter who is running the ball
3) Expect a big year from Marlon Brown
4) Every true college football fan should buy a copy of Phill Steele’s college football preview…guy is ALWAYS on the money and the things he writes about UGA are extremely promising.
HardTruth Soldier
July 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
PreyDawg, Honestly I played with the Golden Gophers(U of Minnesota) and although we were just average, 2 bowls in four years, it was an accomplishment, Thanks for the comment man, and thanks for being the best Bobby Bushea( The Waterboy) ever 0)
norris
July 21st, 2011
12:51 pm
Richard Samuel had what four fumbles? If you can find more, please post the stats. It’s not like he was the one out there fumbling with the game on the line people. I can guarantee our team would be in a big mess if he had not changed positions. That is the facts folks. Be glad we have an unselfish player who thinks his team should be first. Have we not had enough of the “ME” people? If you read between the lines on Mark’s comments he is all but saying we had problems with those players. No need for him to draw us a picture; we lived it last year. We fumbled at the goal line in three games last year and we lost all three. Watch the South Carolina, Colorado, and UCF games again if you need reminders.
T-dawg
July 21st, 2011
12:52 pm
Samuel will be hard to tackle. No questions asked. He will run people over!!!
Jimmy Crack
July 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
Good stuff on Samuel:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/college-football-zealots/georgia-football-richard-samuel-shifts-back-offense
Concerning his 2009 season where he seemed to lose grip on the starting TB job, if you check the stats there was no Bulldog running back that fared very well in those games thanks in large part to a pathetic passing attack led by a good Bulldog but a lousy QB in Joe Cox. Opposing defenses were playing 9 in the box that season, so it is an unfair assessment season for Richard. This upcoming season will be his real shot at greatness with a solid QB balancing the offense.
Coach Grohbo
July 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
Phil Steele picked Georgia to finish in the Top 20 last season.
tide roll
July 21st, 2011
12:54 pm
Samuel’s a STUD. 43 touchdowns his jr. and sr. years at Cartersville. You think Richt’ s saying this stuff about him just to be talking? The kid defines North/South runner, which is just what you need. Ya’ll got too caught up in trying to find the next Knowshon Moreno, when what you really needed was the next Musa Smith.
tide roll
July 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
JIMMY CRACK, you’re right on the money
PhilSteeleBELIVER
July 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
@ Coach Grohbo…..can’t always be perfect. I just tend to buy in because of his track record and the ammount of research and time he put into his magazine / web site.
You aren’t discrediting him because of UGA season last year are you? By the way….Phil Steele didn’t plan on A.J. Green being suspended for 4 games…..Just saying.
HardTruth Soldier
July 21st, 2011
1:03 pm
PhilSteeleDeliver, Man your so on point, It’s hands down the best college football mag in the world! I’ve seen him be off with Georgia one year, and that was last year. Simply the best $8.99 you’ll spend on football.
fountain
July 21st, 2011
1:19 pm
i really like what the coach had to say…it is past time we got rid of the cancers on this team..if you don’t want to play here and play hard and the georgia way…get outta here we will find someone who does..i am soooooo tired of the 5 star athletes coming in and just setting the program back even farther. it amazes me how places like utah, boise state, tcu and others can recruit 2, 3 star athletes and compete for the national title every year…..lets get back to true kids that want to be dawgs!!! lets bring the pride back to georgia….GATA!!!!
UGA= delusion moron
July 21st, 2011
1:19 pm
Wow that’s something to get excited over. A guy from defense who use to play offense is now your starter. Good luck with that. Gonna be a loooong season on offense for you rednecks this year
Ga Peach
July 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Just can’t wait – we love Coach! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxg1I1jA29c
JB
July 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Mark uses the word anxious a lot. I would say that sums up the entire Bulldog Nation. We don’t have a clue if we’re going 6-6,11-1 or somewhere in between. The “horror” of that bowl game still lingers in a lot of our minds, although I feel a cancer cleansing has taken place, with the team and the staff. This staff can’t afford to coach”scared”. They have got to let it all out and see what happens.
phil steele dumbass
July 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
yeah cause uga only lost games that aj didn’t play in. colorado fla aub and gt were all wins. do they teach you uga morons to be ignorant? is that a class?
Mr. Dawg
July 21st, 2011
1:23 pm
If coaches and officials do what they’re supposed to do then SEC Media days is nothing more than a time for lip service and voicing the obvious. What excites me about it is the fact that the table is being set for the new season. Go Dawgs!
ATLBAMAFAN
July 21st, 2011
1:25 pm
Your defense, OL and Murray will be the key to your season anyway. OL is very thin. I would be willing to bet that some combination of the Malcome kid, Crowell and Samuel will be at least, if not more productive than the two guys you lost. If you have any kind of running game, that will make Murray more dangerous to defenses. Good QB’s count in this league.
PhilSteeleBELIVER
July 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
Oh WOW… to the guy with the creative dumb** reference….UGA started out 1-4, didn’t see in my post where I said UGA only lost A.J. Greenless games…dont think it effected the season? Well it doesnt matter what you think actually. “Thanks” for the response
signed: Ignorant Moron
Dawglover
July 21st, 2011
1:37 pm
Not a good sign that Samuel is starting out as the 1st string. And nobody asked about the O-Line?
Obviously, Born2Bark...
July 21st, 2011
1:46 pm
…you have no clue about what it takes to be a D1 player at any position. You say that Samuel never had a chance to “show” what he could do at linebacker – I guess he never practiced over the past 2 years at that position so the coaches just do not know how good he is…and HE LOST his STARTING job at running back during his only year as a player, and you still think he has what it takes to be a D1player?
D-MAN
July 21st, 2011
1:52 pm
Bobo is still my biggest concern!But with big dose of Samuel Boo and Figgins against the small Boise D-line,we should have a big advantage.Run at them over and over till they puke on there shoes,then it’s Crowell time baby and don’t forget about Murray,can’t wait!
LB & Atheletes don't always make TB's
July 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
From a former d-1 player. He is a football player who will bring experience – been in the system for a few years, knows the scheme. His extreme athletic ability will cover-up the fact he is more of a FB than TB. It will work, but we will need to bring in some lightning to mix with the thunder.
Most importantly, we need the O-line to protect and run block, period. If we have consistency and spread the ball around then we will be fine. If we become one sided and can generate the ball around or can’t blow people off the ball, then you get expoused. That has been our problem. From a d-1 player.
suwanee dawg
July 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
O line is concern. RB will be fine. Naming Samuel #1 also motivates Crowell and Boo. I don’t drink the kool-aid all the time, but think this move makes sense. Sure wish some of the 2012 OL could play now. Agree with Dawg in lex comments. GATA!
PreyDawg
July 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
@ HardTruth- Good come back. Got a chuckle out of that one. I’m like you. Samuel gives us a physical back we have not had in a long time. Let him punish then let Crowell come in some and run by them. I am much more concerned about no Trinton Sturdivant. Coming out of Spring I felt like he was key to the running game and pass protection.
Folks criticize Richt. But he has a much bigger play book that he has not been able to use because he can’t get the sustained blocks he needs. Now that might be his fault on recruiting but there is no question it has limited us for two years.
Old Dawg Fan
July 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
Having these big backs like Crowell and Samuel remind me of old school UGA football. That is what CVD did with Worley, Hampton, Tate, etc. In order to win in this league we must be physical with the run game and play smash mouth on defense. Ask the the last two national champs how to get it done.
UGAgrad71
July 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
UGA got a big OT, where is Tide Roll to tell what is wrong with him!
ToccoaDawg
July 21st, 2011
2:01 pm
But we’ll be ready to play on Sept. 3rd, I can promise you that.” That’s all that counts coach. GATA If they play hard and never quit that’s all I can ask. I for one am proud to have CMR as our coach.
Ed
July 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
Thanks for letting us know what # rasta man will wear. I have been pining over that for months now.
F*cking A
July 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
I think Samuel is a great fit for RB. As a LB, he mirrors RBs all day. Now as a RB, he’ll be looking for those LBs as he plows through… Just have to get some stickum for those hands. It will also take some pressure off of Crowell to “save the program”. They’ll be fine but it’s going to be tough to go 2-0 out of the gate…
Stinger2
July 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
Any player who wears No. 1 must have a huge ego. Since Crowell has announced he wants to gain 1000 yards and be an All-American as a freshman, I guess No. 1 is appropriate for him. By the way, GT had a certain QB who wore No. 1 a few years ago. He had a problem counting to four. Oh well, a tailback does not have to keep track of the downs.
James K Polk
July 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
Samuel’s problem was not fumbling, it was the fact that he couldn’t break any tackles at all. He went down on the first contact every single time vs Oklahoma State…he never started at RB again.
Coach Grohbo
July 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
Samuel is a magnet to contact, which is great if you are a linebacker.
Ted Striker
July 21st, 2011
2:30 pm
Good article, Chip. Thanks for your fine work!
UGA Insider
July 21st, 2011
2:35 pm
The “big one” I have been telling you about for the last 4 months is about to hit. This one will bring the almighty Mike Slive down with it. Possibly bring the first “NCAA Death Penalty” case given to an SEC member. This one will change the SEC for years to come. Many programs are involved. The SEC will soon be changed forever. Stay tuned.
UGA '05
July 21st, 2011
2:38 pm
I’m sorry, but to any person who thinks Samuel can’t be a good back b/c he has no agile moves is stupid. Did H.W. have any moves? No, he just run your @$$ over. Samuel can do the same thing. He’s 6′2″ and 240 lbs. Thats a huge TB.
Jona
July 21st, 2011
2:39 pm
Samuel is the best option to hold the position with average gain and good pass protection until we get a burner going. Maybe Samuel will run more like a RB instead of a FB this time around.
Mobile Dawg
July 21st, 2011
2:46 pm
When?
inspired
July 21st, 2011
2:47 pm
I think Richard Samuel is a totally different breed of Dawg today… youth and lack of confidence are gone….we are talking about an older, bigger, stronger, tougher, wiser, and far more mature person now…. expect the best from Richard Samuel…expect we are in for a pleasant surprise from his performance and expect that Isaiah Crowell will also be a beneficiary because Richard Samuel may, now, be the real deal…
AltamahaDawg
July 21st, 2011
2:51 pm
I never thought he was as bad as folks made him out to be as a RB in the first place. Watchng a couple of those early games in 2010, he had his moments.
Still wanting to see him at LB, or should say that I am disappointed at not being about to see him at LB, as I think he would have been (everything said about him above) at that position too. I guess it’s more about need than want.
Dawg4Ever
July 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
Again, the outside rift-raft commenting on the University of Georgia … they’re my focus, too. But why are their yours? Go ‘Dawgs!
DawginLex
July 21st, 2011
2:55 pm
Insider
Are we in trouble in any way in your opinion?
i hope it is only auburn
St. Richt
July 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
Are you serious? CMR is not sure how things are going with Crowell? And says to ask the 3 players that are there? Really??
Mobile Dawg
July 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
My worst fear is “as always” and I know some of you “hate” my pessimism on the coaching. Can Mark Richt figure out how to use the players he has for the “benefit” of “UGA” instead of how he likes scoring points. Like some of you, I want to see a tough, smash mouthed football team. That hasn’t been Richt’s style. I like what I see personnel wise this year, they are capable of winning the East, maybe “contending” for the SEC. Good leadership, planning, and yes, execution is critical. And yes, a little luck can’t hurt. Let’s have a good year.
microphone assasin
July 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
check check
DawginLex
July 21st, 2011
2:58 pm
Who is to say that we are not going to change our stripes offensively?
OL coach-trained to teach power running game
1st team OL-big enough to plow people
fullback a converted TE 270 lbs
new running back a former LB at 240 lbs
Toss sweep left
Toss sweep right
Thrown on 3rd down only if toss sweeps don’t work
Punt and play defense
dooley ball????
St. Richt
July 21st, 2011
2:58 pm
Not buying it. I think Richt would be very quick to respond “things are going great” if they really were with Crowell.
DawginLex
July 21st, 2011
2:59 pm
St Richt
Richt can’t have direct contact with the players. These summer drills are run by the players.
That’s why he said talk to the players
Mr. SEC
July 21st, 2011
3:10 pm
With Samuel getting the opportunity at LB some, I will bet you are going to see a much improve RB in him. He has got so much going for him, #1 being a team guy and not an “I” guy. I look for good things to happen with him; could be the surprise player of the year, we will see!