Practice report: TB Isaiah Crowell in line to get start in opener
Walking wounded: NG John Jenkins (66) and SE Marlon Brown couldn't practice Tuesday due to injuries. (Photo by Guy Prokay/DawgTime.com)
ATHENS – Isaiah Crowell doesn’t know whether he will start at tailback in Georgia’s season opener against Boise State, but he probably won’t know what to do with himself if he doesn’t.
“I haven’t ever not started,” Crowell revealed Tuesday after practice.
And when he says ever, he means it.
The true freshman from Columbus said he started as a safety on defense in his first game as a 6-year-old little leaguer with the Eastway Cherokees. By Game 2, “Coach Buckner” (Crowell couldn’t recall his first name) came to his senses and moved Crowell to running back. And Crowell has been toting the rock with the first team ever since.
Of course, Georgia coach Mark Richt famously hinted on national signing day that Crowell could start his first game. “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he’s supposed to do,” Richt said last February.
At this point it seems likely that could happen. With just 10 days remaining before the Bulldogs face the No. 5-ranked Broncos in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, Crowell is solidly the No.1 tailback. Never mind that it’s by default.
Last year’s leading rushers Washaun Ealey and Caleb King were unable to stay with the team and junior Carlton Thomas is suspended forf the opener. And as of Tuesday evening, converted tailback Richard Samuel is still slowed with a strained quadriceps muscle and Crowell the majority of snaps with the No. 1 unit ahead of Ken Malcome and Brandon Harton.
Nevertheless, Crowell insists he’s neither hopeful nor expectant when it comes to taking the first snap on offense on Sept. 3.
“Starting is not a big deal to me,” he said. “I just want to do whatever I can do to help my team win.”
At this point, Crowell’s significant contribution is a more of a need than a wish for the Bulldogs. And a first-year starter in a first game against a Top 10 opponent is problematic.
“He just hasn’t experienced enough of the situations that are going to come down the pipe,” Richt said. “Has he had a chance to see every blitz against every protection that he needs to understand? The answer is no. In theory, you take mental reps and try to give him as many situations as possible. We haven’t given him every single scenario yet. But before these next 10 days are over, we hope to make sure he’s got enough to feel comfortable.
“The good news is he’s picking up things quickly and he doesn’t shy away from any kind of contact.”
For his part, Crowell appears to be holding cool and steady. He said he gets nervous before games but not the “throw-up-in-the-trash-can” kind of nervous. And claims he is largely unconcerned with how he does in his first game.
“Doing whatever I can do, going 100 percent every play and helping my team win, that’s my goal,” Crowell said. “Really nothing about yards or touchdowns. I’d like to have a lot of yards or a lot of touchdowns. But if it doesn’t happen I just want my team to come out on top and win.”
Here’s a link to video of Crowell’s entire interview Tuesday at DawgTime.com.
Let the games begin
Georgia will take its first major step toward game preparation on Wednesday when it holds a “dress rehearsal practice game” at Sanford Stadium. Richt said the workout will be 90-95 percent scout work, with the No. 1 offense and defense going against scout teams simulating Boise State and a lot of scripted situations.
“We’ll play a half of football,”Richt said. “We’ll get our pregame ready, go into a coin toss and we’ll actually name captains by then.”
The Bulldogs have an ideal situation for simulating Boise State’s offense. Left-handed quarterback Michael Tamburo – a transfer from Boise State – will simulate the Broncos’ heralded, left-handed quarterback Kellen Moore.
Georgia practiced for only an hour Tuesday in shorts and helmets to rest up for Wednesday’s work.
Injury report
Two new players were among the injured players dressed in green jerseys on Tuesday. Fullback Bruce Figgins was sidelined with “a pulled muscle” that Richt described as “not too serious.” Also, tailback Carlton Thomas, who is already out for the opener due to suspension, was sidelined to give a chronic ankle injury rest. . . . Starting split end Marlon Brown (ankle) and backup nose guard John Jenkins (hamstring) remained sidelined.
Samuel practiced in a green jersey but his mobility was clearly still affected as he ran and walked with a noticeable limp. . . . Freshman flanker Malcolm Mitchell (hip) was able to return to practice in a limited capacity but is expected to be close to full speed for Wednesday’s workout.
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551 comments Add your comment
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:39 pm
Hey GT Joe, quit speculating on Jeopardy .. not allowed. These are recorded facts .. sorry, BUT IT’S DAMN FUNNY!!!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:40 pm
sorry tampa, wasn’t really that funny. try again.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:42 pm
NOPE it was very funny!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:42 pm
Afan, are you calling Richt a liar? NO, not st. richt!?!
Alabama | MrSEC.com
August 24th, 2011
2:44 pm
[...] been kicking the ball extremely well.”4. It looks like hotshot tailback prospect Isaiah Crowell is in line to start in Georgia’s season opener.5. Fifteen of UGA’s 25-man “Dream Team” signing class are likely to play this [...]
Afan
August 24th, 2011
2:47 pm
nope. just think that Richt didnt have anything to do with the scheduling. all that talk is junk.
Fire Richt
August 24th, 2011
2:48 pm
…before he embarrasses us on national TV.
GritsDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:49 pm
Dacula is my homeboy, we play for Buford HS, we might can beat tek!
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:49 pm
Let’s stay with “Incredibly Funny” for $800 Alex .. Apparently, you can be competitive in your conference by averaging 5 losses a season .. What is “Tech has lost 30 games in the last 6 years” .. that is correct again .. wanna finish out the category?
GritsDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:51 pm
GOOO TAMPA, you are really funny dude!
Did someone say grits?
Can'tSpellDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:53 pm
I reely shood hav staid in skool.
GritsDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:53 pm
Hey Dacula, say something funny!
Tech Tradition=Ancient History
August 24th, 2011
2:56 pm
Richt admitted he was embellishing about Moore, GTJoe there is no coin flipping between Tech and Georgia , Tech hasn’t had the lead in the game since 2008, Georgia has just failed to put them away.
Tech fans seem to forget that a rare Blair Walsh missed field goal in the 4th quarter of 2009 is only thing that kept their hopes alive. Its been good comedy watching tech trying to throw the football at the end of game the past 2 seasons.
http://www.shirtswithrandomtriangles.com/2011/08/mark-richt-says-he-was-only-joking.html
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:57 pm
I am not sure UGA will beat BSU but it is going to be a great game to watch.
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:58 pm
Yes I would Alex, “Incredibly Funny” for $1,000 .. IT’S A DAILY DOUBLE!!! The answer .. It’s will cause you to laugh until you are hurting .. What is “In the last 4 years, GT has lost to the likes of 2 mediocre Miami teams, Air Force, NC State, North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia twice, and Fresno State .. and GT’s only ACC championship has been stripped and they are now on 4 years probation” .. that is CORRECT .. way to run the category .. How do you cheat and still lose 30 games in 6 years?
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:02 pm
Could it be that Richt is doing some damage control? Think outside the box fool.
Was he lying then, or lying now?
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
TampaDawg: clean up on aisle 4.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
I think it is hilarious that GT fans revolve around what is happening at UGA. IT is great!
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:06 pm
Yeah, keep trying GT, best part of your comedy routine is your college football program. And the whole thing about a game being scheduled because the staff didn’t know Moore hadn’t graduated? Seriously? I guess GT stands for Gullible Troll.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:08 pm
Yeah, richt and the AD didn’t know he was a senior this year. If you believe the spin that Richt is putting out, you sir, are gullible.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
3:11 pm
GT……OMG you cannot be this dumb.
Nate the Great
August 24th, 2011
3:16 pm
@GT Joe:
1) the guys making the lines try to keep even money on both sides of the games. They make their money on the “juice” not the gambling. PRO gamblers make their money on gambling who will win and they think 7 is way too high. Also fans typically bet $20-$500, PROs bet $1000s per game.
2) 1-2 is hardly a coin flip
3) Does having a lot of rushing yards add points to the board either?
4) does cheering for another team to beat us change the record?
5) Does coming close count as wins now?
6) You run an outdated offense that has caused the talent level to drop so severely that you should paint your field white and gold so will say something about your crap program
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:17 pm
Quote from the story:
”
Most who have heard the story suspected that Richt was joking.
Richt elaborated Saturday: “I think Greg mentioned, ‘That quarterback’s a senior anyway.’ I was like, ‘That’s good. Let’s set it up.’ No, by the time we made the final decision, we knew.”
I guess by “most” that just means Mark and Greg huh GT .. go play with your legos troll.
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:19 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2011/07/14/tech-fined-100000-forced-to-vacate-2009-acc-title-by-ncaa/
Sad really .. I’m not but I do have some GT friends that I am sure are.
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
OUCH Nate!!! All true though, especially on the gambling side with GT Joe knows NOTHING about.
Uuugghh...
August 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
Wait–I got one Tampa!!
The Nesbitt Heisman Campaign
…also GT Joe, they didn’t let me or any other fans dress for the Central Florida game–just FYI.
BigTimeTechFan
August 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
Georgia Tech is Asesome Baby
Full of PTP’ers
team of Blenders
will be Bringing a W against UGA this year
because the Diaper dandy Vad Lee is Asesome baby and can Dish the Rock
OL consist of 5 Human Space Ship’s and WR Hill is the main Isolation and a total M&Mer
Roddy Jones will engine the team
Tech is full of Surf and Turfer
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:23 pm
Tampa, either Richt is a lousy joke teller, or he is a liar now trying to spin.
How was it a joke? What was even REMOTELY funny about it?
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:25 pm
@BigTimeTechFan … ??? Asesome? And you’re on probation baby!!! And only people inside of the state of Georgia have heard of your recruits baby!!! and your offense is from 65 years ago baby!!!
Joey
August 24th, 2011
3:29 pm
I know you are,but what am i?
Gee’s………..
Ag Dawg
August 24th, 2011
3:29 pm
GT Joe,….. Must be a slow day at Wal Mart as adoor greeter… You have been on this blog since 9:30.thats 6 hrs dude,…. just in case you couldnt add. I guess that degree from GT has come in handy LMAO.. Why do you guys even entertain this DIPSH***T
The Dawgs will be just fine!!! GO DAWGS!!!!
Nate the Great
August 24th, 2011
3:29 pm
3 facts about this game for all UGA fans:
1) BSU has never worn the target against a physically superior team. They are not just predicted to, they are EXPECTED to win.
2) BSU has never beaten a SEC team.
3) They are talented and well coached.
They will cut block the fool out of us. Speed and size mean nothing if they are laying on the ground. They will use misdirection and trickery to keep us on our heels and an overly aggressive defense could give up some really big plays early. If we can keep it within a touchdown at half we will win.
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:30 pm
I guess with nothing being funnier than your football team GT Joe, I guess I could see how you have lost your sense of humor. Get over yourself dude!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:33 pm
Nate and Tampa are complete fools when it comes to betting. Save your money and dont gamble.
A linesmaker (aka handicapper) makes the initial line. They don’t care about juice, they dont work for bookmakers. Bookmakers will move the line based on the betting public. Idiots.
Linesmakers are smarter than the public, otherwise they’d be working at Target with you fools. They get paid to know who will win and by how much. They said, BSU by 7. The public (which usually loses) drove the line down to 3 by piling onto UGA.
It’s so hard conversing with idiots, but i really can’t explain it any better. Nate and Tampa, if you don’t get it, don’t gamble. It’s idiots like you that help build those massive casinos in the desert.
JAWJeRDAWG
August 24th, 2011
3:36 pm
@ TampaDawg
Those were dang funny! Good stuff. .. Go Dawgs!
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
3:36 pm
GT….conversing with idiots? You mean like saying that the UGA and GT games have been a coin flip over the past two years? HAHAH……
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
WOW!!! The only line in that ignorant tirade that made any sense was “Bookmakers will move the line based on the betting public” .. I have already said that same thing twice. They have to try to get money close on both sides otherwise, they and the casinos can’t make a dime. Quit trying to act smart, get off your wikipedia and google and just admit that gambling is not your thing. I guarantee I have won more money on football than you. That is a lock stock guarantee. Ignorance is usually bliss but in your case GTJOE, its just comedy entertainment for the rest of us.
Nate the Great
August 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
Linesmakers ARE bookmakers you moron!!!
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
3:38 pm
Thanks JAWJeRDAWG .. and yes GO DAWGS!!!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:42 pm
linesmakers (aka handicappers) are NOT bookmakers, you stupid imbecile. That is the point.
Bellagio and Caesars are bookmakers. They don’t make lines. Stupid.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
3:44 pm
GT….dude you really are clueless!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
3:47 pm
Nate and Tampa, get educated:
http://www.lvsc.com/about.html
Morons.
Nate the Great
August 24th, 2011
3:47 pm
@GT Joe
We’ll leave world of Warcraft and star trek to you nerds. We’ll take football and how to not be socially ackward.
BigTimeTechFan
August 24th, 2011
3:51 pm
@TampaDawg
If you don’t know Tech recruits now, you will, they just had one of the best recruiting class in the country. Won’t hear much this year because the upper-classmen are so good.
Tech man be the 1st team ever to send 3 players from the same team to the Heisman trophy awards in one year. Sims, Washington, and Logan Walls
Gatormeat
August 24th, 2011
3:55 pm
Can’t wait for the Gators to welcome crowell to the game in Jacksonville. Florida will smack the taste out of his mouth, along with the rest of the dogs on the way to another Florida rout of georgia. Boise takes you down also, an 0-2 start is likely and it will be downhill from there
Nate the Great
August 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
Oh I almost forgot about my tshirt idea for the Florida game this year:
(on the front) FLORIDA
(on the back) The New Jersey of the south!!!
Could be a seller. What do you guys think?
Nate the Great
August 24th, 2011
4:00 pm
@ gatormeat: do you mean smack or eye gouge?
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
4:03 pm
Oddsmaker vs. Bookie
What’s the difference between an oddsmaker and a bookie? A bookie’s job is purely mechanical. He gets the line from Vegas or another source, offers bets at those odds, then collects money from the losers, pays out to the winners and keeps the vig. Oddsmakers don’t actually take bets — they study the games and set the lines. Bookies often adjust the spreads for their games, so they do a little oddsmaking, and oddsmakers work for casinos, which operate sports books that take bets.
Compliments of “How Stuff Works” .. So, based on this, the linesmaker, or oddsmaker (since there is only a betting line in sports like baseball and hockey) does work for Bellagio and Caesars. Both have a play in the casinos. However, its still more in understanding the process and why odds fluctuate. The fact is, when the line started at 7, a flood of money came in on UGA (again, most likely not from UGA fans, from gamblers whose only stake in the game is the money they put on it). There are not enough UGA fans betting to move a line by 3.5-4 points. It has to come from the professional gambling community.
Gatormeat
August 24th, 2011
4:04 pm
No cheap shots or dirty hits will be needed, Florida is physically superior and much better coached. The game will not even be close this year. Besides, it was the georgia coach that threatened to choke our kicker out last year, that will not be forgotten
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
4:05 pm
Gatormeat….better coached? Really, with a first year head coach that has not coached his first game yet?