Practice update: UGA TBs Isaiah Crowell, Richard Samuel battle injuries
Richard Samuel, in the dreaded green jersey, the latest Georgia tailback to be sidelined with injury. (Photo by Kyle Sears/DawgTime.com)
ATHENS – Despite appearances, Georgia running backs coach Bryan McClendon said the Bulldogs’ tailback situation is not dire as one might think.
McClendon opened Saturday morning’s practice with just one scholarship tailback that will be available for the season opener against No. 7 Boise State in three weeks. The top two players at the position – Isaiah Crowell (groin) and Richard Samuel (thigh) – were both sidelined with injuries.
McClendon said that’s no cause for concern.
“It dwindles down in camp. That’s normal, especially with [running backs],” McClendon said. “Those guys take a beating every practice in pads, it doesn’t matter if it’s just shoulder pads and helmets, shells or full pads, those guys are getting hit on. You want to minimize it when you can.”
As for Crowell, McClendon said he returned later in the practice and was able to participate in practice. Samuel remained on the sidelines with a strained leg muscle from yesterday’s full–contact work.
Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Brandon Harton, who was awarded a scholarship on Thursday night, returned from missing three days with a concussion. Junior Carlton Thomas was also on hand but he is suspended for the first game.
“If we had to play a game tomorrow I’d be confident both of those guys could step out there and do a darn good job,” McClendon said. “But you don’t want them practicing banged up because you know they’re going to have to play banged up.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo wasn’t concerned about either player falling too far behind on installation. With school out they are not limited by the 20-hour-per-week rules they’re able to spend extra time with them. UGA classes begin on Monday, however.
Amarlo Herrera sidelined
Freshman inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera had his right arm in a sling and was unable to practice Saturday morning. But linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti said it looks worse than it is.
“He’s fine,” Olivadotti said. “He just dinged his shoulder a little bit. He’ll be back.”
Herrera, a 6-foot-2, 231-pound graduate of North Clayton High, has bee one of the bright young stars of camp. He’s backing up Alec Ogletree at Mo linebacker.
“He’s progressing well,” Olivadotti said. “He’s finding new stuff to screw up every day and that’s a good thing. As long as he’s not screwing up the same stuff he’ll be fine.”
‘Tree’ laying wood
Speaking of Alec Ogletree, aka “Tree,” Olivadotti said his transition to inside linebacker from safety is going remarkably well.
“Tree can uncoil on some people, he really can,” Olivadotti said. “He has really good vision in zone coverage and recognizes routes real well and he can lay you out, quite frankly.”
Practice update
Georgia wrapped up its “camp” portion of preseason practice on Saturday with its traditional “watermelon cutting” after its second practice of the day.
The Bulldogs used to do that to signify the end of a couple of weeks worth of two-a-days. But the NCAA now requires a five-day acclimation period and days off between any twice-a-day work, so logistically it’s not possible to get in as many before school begins. So Georgia had only two true two-a-days. UGA’s fall class begin on Monday.
The Bulldogs will now have a day off Sunday after enduring 12 practices in 10 days without a break. They’ll also move to afternoon practicing after holding the majority of them in the relative cool of the morning.
Etc. . . .
Defensive end Derrick Lott is now back to participating fully. He had been out of action since July after cutting his leg in a scooter accident at the football complex. . . . The official UGA jerseys fans will be able to buy this season are 1, 7, 11, 18 and 34, UGA’s Alan Thomas confirmed. . . . Former Georgia All-American David Pollack is leaving his job as a sport talk radio host at 790 The Zone (WQXI-AM) to work full time for ESPN. Earlier this summer it was announced that Pollack would be joining ESPN’s Game Day show as a part-time contributor.
LATEST NEWS AND NOTES:
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
180 comments Add your comment
No dawgs, milady
August 14th, 2011
1:26 pm
“There are many people on this blog that are either misguided…”
True, and that includes everyone with “dawg” in their name.
LHarding Dawg
August 14th, 2011
1:49 pm
No dawgs, milady – How stupid can you be! This is a practice report for the Georgia Bulldogs. Who else should be on this blog but Georgia Dawg fans. You trolls need to get a life.
Hazy – I’m looking at the wall and there is no writing on it. Help me out with your crystal ball that allows you the ability to look into the future to diss a young mans future play.
AltamahaDawg
August 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
Wow! more silly insults and absolutes based on slanted personal opinions, from somebody who names himself “Logical”.
And I am sorry if calling you a tech fan is so insulting. Could have sworn you calimed to be one the other day. Frankly as far as trolls that spend as much time on somebody else’s team blog as you do, does it really matter if your true colors are gold or purple?
GR82BAG8R
August 14th, 2011
2:45 pm
Anyone who thinks that an 0 – 2 start, following a 6 – 7 season using perennial top -10 recruits will not endanger Richt’s job is misguided.
Crime Dawg
August 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
Sonny Seiler’s daughter – a member of most prominent criminal network in GA’s history. Search on ’scopolamine’ and ‘island’. Sho nuff.
Be Real
August 14th, 2011
3:10 pm
Dawgs RB coach is stupid. If Dawgs played tomorrow you wouldn’t have 2 healthy backs since C.Thomas is suspened. You’d have only one. Its NOT common to lose two RB’s in pre-season practicwe. I don’t recall King & Ealey being hurt last year…
Troll Power Ratings
August 14th, 2011
3:34 pm
@Be Real: That was incredibly insightful and absolutely riveting. Thanks. Keep up the great work. Troll onward.
@Crime Dawg: I know it can be confusing at times, but this is actually a blog about football. Try the FBI, CIA, NSA, Sheriff, or Police Department blogs.
kb
August 14th, 2011
3:54 pm
@gr82bag8r, I will take that be all day, if dawgs start 0-2 they will not finish with a losing record. But Georgia isn’t losing to Boise State.
SEC Football News APP
August 14th, 2011
4:02 pm
Could everything be setting up for a miracle season for Mark Richt in 2011? By our accounts he needs a 9 win season and between the O-line problems and running back issues, the hole is getting deeper.
Be Real
August 14th, 2011
5:21 pm
Troll, add something or leave. You’re da trolly girl.
Be Real
August 14th, 2011
5:23 pm
Green jersey is like wearing a straight jacket… You ain’t playin.
Be Real
August 14th, 2011
5:25 pm
Any team that lost top two rb’s (King & Ealey) would say they are hurting on offense. But Richt says “We’re fine,didn’t even need them.” Sugarcoat city…
kb
August 14th, 2011
7:54 pm
@be real, learn to read , if game were being played both would play.
East Repeat
August 14th, 2011
10:24 pm
Im back. 15-43-2 all time vs UGA. I wish I could quickle review the last 20-25 yrs. I have seen most of those wins vs UGA. Beat Dooley his last year and beat goff his 1st year. I remember another win at Athens and another is Columbia before I stopped going to games every year. SC has a horrilbe tradition reaching back many, many years, back when UGA was very good (I am talking old school, way back). Our winning pct vs UGA is 25% all time. Wonder what it is over the last 15-20 yrs? Damn sight better than 25%. Lets look all the way back to last year and we are perfect. 2 in a row coming up. We never even won a bowl game for decades- I have seen all 3 bowl wins. We have caught Dawg program now- just got to keep it going with talent, and we have talent. Lattimore scorches Dawgs.
Mobile Dawg
August 14th, 2011
10:29 pm
Earth to East Repeat. Come back home boy!
East Repeat
August 14th, 2011
10:49 pm
Got my math now. How is this- since 2007, 4 games, we win 50%. Sounds even to me. Last 23 yrs we have played Uga 21 times (did not play in 90 and 92) and won 8, or 38% of games played vs Uga. Before the last 21 games we only won 18% of games vs Uga. So, 50% over last 4 years, 38% over last 21 games, and only 18% in pre-historic times when SC never won but 4-5 games a year. Spot a trend, Dawg fans. Winning pct is rising and will be 60% over last 5 games on Sept 11. My brain hurts and my calculator is dead, but I needed something to do. 50% and rising, hell yea!
Mobile Dawg
August 14th, 2011
10:57 pm
Got some good friends who are USC Alums. They are really excited. We suck at this point, acknowledge that, have a lot to prove. Explain the collapse you have experienced toward the end of the season the last couple of years with all the hype. I think we have the potential to win a knock down drag out fight if our coaches don’t sabatoge our efforts to much.
East Repeat
August 14th, 2011
11:07 pm
SC has been weak at end of year- has been a long time problem with last year actually an improvement (I know, I know, but we beat FL on road to win the SEC EAST). Getting drilled by NC Auburn is championship game was dissapointing (we recovered in 1st half until Hail Mary at end of half killed the whole team). We also began to play against FSU after laying down early, but without Lattimore we could not do it. Damn, I’m starting to sound like a Dawg fan with all this equivocation. Bottom line, we won SEC East and have 2 top offensive skill players in the country, a quality D-line, good corners, and SC landed the #1 recruit in entire nation (even higher rated than Crowell). We are on the upswing and it will definetly continue this year. We might win the SECCG this year and Spurrier may retire. At least we have Lattimore for 2011 and 2012. Maybe we can land a top coach while UGA still wonders what to do with CMR (just like Fla hired UGA next potential coach in Muschamp)!
Dodddamdog
August 15th, 2011
12:39 am
Whoever said our loss to Sc last year was a beatdown on the field not the scoreboard iss 100% right. Latt ran all over us. We gotta fix that if we want to win.
Gadawgs69
August 15th, 2011
11:43 am
Has everyone recieved there season tickets?
TampaDawg
August 15th, 2011
12:38 pm
East Repeat just look at the last 8 years .. 6-2 .. not a very telling story. And you’re no better than Auburn fan jumping on another team’s blog to flaunt your one good year. At least with Auburn though, it was a NC year. You flaunt winning a division during a down year. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Atlanta87
August 15th, 2011
1:05 pm
It’s called bragging rights TampaDawg. When UGA wins a NC then maybe you will have some of them.
SMH@UGA
August 15th, 2011
1:20 pm
They still aren’t showing Ken Malcome any love smh
LHarding Dawg
August 15th, 2011
2:01 pm
Easy Repeat – There is a lot of if’s and but’s in that post. According to you, we should’nt even play the game on September 10th. Well, just in case we show up as a football team, I’ll be there as a fan, win or lose.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2011
3:48 pm
Just read where SC defensive backfield is looking even worse than last year.
AltamahaDawg
August 15th, 2011
3:57 pm
In fact I haven’t read one positive report coming out of SC’s camp. O-line is as thin as Georgia and offense moving backwards in scrimmages. Garcia can’t win his job. Aren’t even risking lattimore in live action.
Troy Landry
August 15th, 2011
4:04 pm
If Samuel was any good at RB they wouldn’t have moved him to LB. What he is is a body to run the ball and hopefully block some. Then we’ve got a couple of mini me’s as backups. It ain’t lookin good, gang.
1sickPUP
August 15th, 2011
8:15 pm
BroncoBlue…you guys have to win all of your FCS games before you can think about a National Title on the FBS level. Good luck against Nevada this year. Maybe loosen up that bridle so you guys don’t choke again.
NC Dawg
August 16th, 2011
10:49 am
Not too worried about the early injuries…more worried about “Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo”.
LogicalUS
August 16th, 2011
6:20 pm
“SC defensive backfield is looking even worse than last year”
That may hurt hurt them against teams with WR and RBs who can exploit them but they don’t face any of those teams in September?
Question on this blog for the real UGA football fans…where is UGA going to go for its offensive production? Every UGA fans hates Bobo for his supposed ineptness so how is Bobo going to possibilty do anything with what is left practicing and playing at UGA?