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
2:06 pm
wow GT Joe, going back old school .. I guess that makes both Harvard and Yale better than UGA on that logic. Heck I was in the Army so I will claim all their “prior to most people on here’s birth” wins too.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
nah, harvard and yale arent better than UGA, they’ve never been in the same conference (unlike GT).
Afan
August 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
GT just plain stunk last year. They have not recruited well and lost the ones that planned on going there after paul johnson came. He is horrible and will be canned after this year.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
Paul Johnson came in with a gimmick offense (Triple Option) now that it has been figured out by most DC’s his time at Tech is limited.
Paul Johnson
August 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
I wish i could coach at a real school. Maybe I need to go back to Ga southern. At least they had some athletes.
Tech Tradition=Ancient History
August 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
since 1967.
Tech has as many one win seasons as 10 or more win seasons (3)
1 major bowl appearance (Orange in 2009)
0 major bowl wins
3 times in final top 10
.539 overall winning percentage
1 out right conference title , (most programs don’t count shared titles)09 vacated
12 wins vs UGA
Compared to UGA over the past decade
BCS bowl appearances 3
Confernce titles 2
Top 10 finishes 5
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
yeah, we did stink last year. 6-7. Same record as UGA.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:12 pm
Thanks historian. Old news. Tech dominated up to 1966, UGA dominated after that. Again old news. Really has nothing to do with the next 50 years.
But what I do know is that with CPJ, our games are coin flips now.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:13 pm
GT Joe….and your recruiting class last year was worse than the ones you have had in previous years. There is no way that program is getting better.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
GT…. if you really think your games with CPJ are coin flips….you are more lost than anyone on here may have thought.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
wrong dacula. CPJs 4 recruiting classes are better than Gailey’s last 4 on average ranking. Get your facts straight,
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
Big night tonight for this litter of dogs.
A “dress rehearsal practice game” ain’t no messing around.
Better hope those boys can make it through the entire practice.
Don’t want to go into Boise with any doubts.
Paul Johnson
August 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
we had some good 1 star recruits and we are proud of the playing time that they will get this year. We are shooting for at least 4 wins.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
um ok dacula, i guess games that come down to the last possession aren’t close. By that ignorant logic, we DESTROYED UGA in 2008. DESTROYED.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
The overall record between GT and UGA is UGA 61 and GT 39……not exactly a coin flip.
whoa nellie
August 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
SEC CHAMPS? NATIONAL CHAMPS!! LOL, NO LMAO! They’ll be lucky be to be the STATE Champions!
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
GT….I was at that game. And yes GT did play well in 2008…..but we own GT overall…..not even close!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
dacula, so ignorant. I’m talking under CPJ, games are a coin flip. Can you read? Or do you just read every other word? Ask momma for help if you need it.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
GT Joe…..YOU HAVE A LOSING RECORD AGAINST UGA WITH “CPJ” He is a joke! HAHAHA
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
Somehow, I don’t think 6-7 in the ACC is nearly what 6-7 is in the SEC. You keep talking “coin flips” GT, but if they were coin flips, they would just handle it in the first few seconds before kick off and send everyone home. But they don’t and on the field, the BETTER team has won more often than not for more than 40 years now. Deal with it!
Paul Johnson
August 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
we are looking to the future and maybe moving to be an independent. We feel that schools such as tulane and Grambling will provide for us the challenge to push this program from mediocrity to better than mediocrity.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:20 pm
RICHT has a losing record against Dan Mullen at Missy State, Richt is a joke! hee haw!!!
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:21 pm
GT Joe, you call people out for ignorance and talk about spitting facts, but squirm around facts thrown at you and you are ignorant about betting lines/odds makers even though preached on that for a bit. Just get over it. Your team is weak, so you jump on another team’s bandwagon even though they haven’t proven anything which is comical at best. It’s old dude. You haven’t made one valid argument yet.
MAMMA
August 24th, 2011
2:21 pm
GT Joe
you need to shut down the laptop. Your supper is ready and your dad needs for you to take out the trash.
You need to do your homework too. Grades like you are getting is not going to get it.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:21 pm
GT Joe….so now you are pulling in M. State? Haha what a loser arguement you have! Keep up the good work. Once again UGA shows intellectual prowess over GT!!
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:22 pm
Hey GT Joe….who is Georgia Tech playing for their first game? Oh that is right NO ONE CARES!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:23 pm
Tampa, of course UGA has been better the past 40 years. It’s the past 3 years (and the future) that I’m talking about. And UGA has NOT been a better team than tech. They are about the same.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
GT JOE…..again you bring up the past 3 years. You have lost the majority of the games……haha! They are no where near the same!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
Dacula, trust me, if Richt had done his job and realized that kellen moore wasn’t graduating, you’d be playing louisiana lafayette like usual.
MAMMA
August 24th, 2011
2:25 pm
GT Joe
get in here so we can change that diaper. you are going to get a bad rash if you dont change it soon.
gdawginkalamazoo
August 24th, 2011
2:25 pm
Did NIKE make a green Pro Combat jersey to go with our new uni’s?
I really like the penalty put on Bruce Pearl. Now he can go around quoting Derek Dooley’s new mantra of “Opportunity is Nowhere.”
Be Real
August 24th, 2011
2:26 pm
You morons think only UGA & Boise St. fans are betting on the game ? there will be more betting done in Las Vegas,L.A.,and N.Y. on this game than in Georgia and Idaho combined. Morons.
AFan
August 24th, 2011
2:26 pm
Richt didnt think that he was graduating. Im sure like a lot of people thought that he may go pro. But the kid realized that he has no true experience against quality opponents and decided to stay.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:27 pm
MAMMA, can i stay on a little longer? educating mutts is quite entertaining!
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:27 pm
GT Joe….you sure have a lot of “buts” and “ifs”. The fact is that while UGA is playing in a nationally televised game against BSU….Georgia Tech is doing NOTHING!
NO ONE CARES ABOUT GEORGIA TECH!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:28 pm
Afan, read here. He clearly thought he was graduating. Idiot. Richt ought to be fired for this alone, especially if you mutts lose:
http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/georgia_regrets_scheduling_boise_state_thought_kellen_moore_graduated/5969305
AFan
August 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
im sure the decision to play Boise was all base on what Kellen Moore was going to do.
thats stupid.
MAMMA
August 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
No GT Joe
your failing miserably and embarrasing all of us.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:30 pm
You’re right MAMMA, teaching mutts is like forcing water into a rock.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
GT Joe….
Who is GT’s Quarterback?
Who is GT’s running back?
Who is GT opening the season up against?
What is GT’s preseason ranking?
Is Georgia Tech getting national attention because of our Combat Uni’s?
As I said before NO ONE CARES ABOUT GEORGIA TECH!
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:31 pm
I’ll take “Incredibly Funny” for $200 Alex .. This is down right hysterical .. What is “Georgia Tech trails Georgia in the all-time series 60-39-5″ .. that is correct.
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:33 pm
Combat unis getting national attention? Those unis are awful. Worst. Unis. Ever.
LOL, outside of Georgia, no one cares about UGA. Don’t be silly. A lot of folks might watch, but only because there’s nothing else on TV.
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:34 pm
I’ll take “Incredibly Funny” for $400 Alex .. This just about as funny as it gets .. What is “Georgia Tech has not won a bowl game since 2004″ .. that is correct.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
GT…..you do realize this is the SEC? Toughest conference in the country right? HAHA you are right ESPN never talks about UGA or the SEC. That is why our games are nationally televised. How many games does GT have on ESPN this year? ZERO!!!! LOSER!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
for $800 alex: This is hilarious and sad at the same time.
What is “Georgia fans losing to central florida, then hoping to beat Boise state without AJ Green”.
CORRECT!
GT Joe
August 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
good one dacula, i hear if your game is nationally televised, you get extra points on the scoreboard. Not.
Now go ask meemaw and peepaw if you can watch cartoons.
TampaDawg
August 24th, 2011
2:38 pm
Let’s stay with “Incredibly Funny” for $600 Alex .. I can’t stop laughing at this one .. What is “Their poor post-season performance is sometimes cited as a reason for their inability to convince their fans to attend games- both bowl and regular season” .. that is correct
Afan
August 24th, 2011
2:38 pm
yep. im sure that richt didnt know that moore would be back. come on. thats all media boosting.
Dacula 1995
August 24th, 2011
2:38 pm
GT Joe…..DUDE you really want to talk about the bowls last year? You got beat by Air Force 14-7 hahahaaha!!!
Tech Tradition=Ancient History
August 24th, 2011
2:39 pm
GT Joe , Tech dominated the Georgia – Georgia Tech series , Hardly the series stood with tech ahead 26-25-5 when Dodd retired. Domination is the 32-12 record UGA has posted since. Of the 11 decades the two have faced Tech has only been on the positive side in a decade 3 times.
1900-1909 Tech 5-1
1910-1919-UGA 4-2
1920-1929 tech 3-2-1
1930-1939 UGA 5-2-3
1940-1949 UGA 6-4
1950-1959 tech 7-3
Doesn’t appear Tech has ever owned very much in this series.