Notes: More touches ahead for Crowell, safety Williams gets look at LB
ATHENS — Freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell will get his first career start on Saturday against Coastal Carolina. Asked how many times he might like to get the ball in Crowell’s hands, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo deadpanned, “45!”
He laughed, but Bobo was only half-kidding.
“I’d say he’s 20-25-carries-a-game guy and certain games it might be more,” Bobo said. “And then you’ve got about 15 or so for the other guy. You’d like to run it around 40 times a game, the way I see things. He might be able get 30 of them.”
The true freshman from Columbus got 18 touches in the Bulldogs’ 45-42 loss to South Carolina this past Saturday. He finished with 158 total yards – including 118 rushing – which works out to 8.8 yards per touch. He also scored two touchdowns.
Bobo feels like there’s a lot more production to be tapped. It’s a big reason the Bulldogs are giving Crowell his first career start this Saturday against Coastal Carolina.
“He’s a guy that has gotten better every week that we’ve had him on the practice field and in every opportunity he’s competed, whether it’s a scrimmage or a game,” Bobo said. “Like I said in the preseason, I think he’s going to be a very special player for us. When it happens, you don’t know. But I believe he’s going to be a special player if he continues to work and stay healthy.”
Crowell had started every game of his life since he was 6 years old before sitting behind Richard Samuel in Georgia’s first two games of the season. The 5-foot-11-215-pound athlete took Tuesday’s news in stride.
“Well, it’s not really a big deal to me,” he said of starting. “It’s just another game to go out there and help my team win.”
If Crowell is going to get more work, he’ll need to build up his stamina. Though head coach Mark Richt blamed some of it on a rib injury suffered early in the second quarter, Crowell was asking to come out of the game often against South Carolina.
“When a guy does that, you could say stay in there but you don’t know why a guy wants to come out when he’s asking to come out,” Richt said. “So he came out. I think he’ll stay in a little bit more than a couple of runs. Although there were a couple of relatively long runs, I think his endurance will build as we go, too, as he prepares and as the weather cools as the season goes on.”
Crowell said he recognizes that he needs to get into better shape and “make a better pocket” after a costly fumble against the Gamecocks. But he said he feels more confident than ever that he can make a difference for the Bulldogs.
“My performance in the game boosted my confidence, I guess,” he said. “It takes the pressure off a little bit. I feel better. My confidence is up.”
Shawn Williams works at linebacker
Safety Shawn Williams was observed working with the inside linebackers during Tuesday’s practice and could play there some on Saturday. The Bulldogs lost their starters at both inside positions – Alec Ogletree and Christian Robinson – to foot injuries the first two weeks of the season.
“We’re looking at quite a few guys in there,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “You’ve got to wait and see what happens. We’ll see, but anybody who has played the down safety can play inside.”
Williams, a 6-1, 220-pound junior from Damascus, started the first two games at strong safety. He’s third on the team with 10 tackles.
Blair Walsh: ‘That was on me’
Senior place-kicker Blair Walsh took full blame for the 33-yard field goal attempt he missed in the first half against South Carolina.
“That was my fault,” he said. “That was on me. I just came in way too close to the ball and just missed it completely. That was a one-and-only-time thing.”
The Bulldogs ended up losing by three points. But Walsh said it’s important not to dwell on that.
“Obviously it would’ve helped, but you don’t think about that,” he said. “You just move on.”
Walsh did say that, after watching game tape, he’s convinced Bacarri Rambo wasn’t offsides on the onsides kick Georgia executed late in the game.
“It didn’t look like it to me,” he said. “It was close but I think the angle the ref was at made it look worse than it was. It was too close to call, if you ask me.”
Compliance director leaving
Eric Baumgartner, Georgia’s compliance director for the past six years, is leaving to take the same post at the University of Virginia.
“He’s from Blacksburg, Va., so he gets to go back home,” said Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity, who said Baumgartner turned in his notice last weekend. “It’s an opportunity for him to go to a great institution that actually doesn’t have a compliance director right now, so he gets to build his own staff. Eric did a great job here. He came in at a really important time for our athletic association where we needed some strong enforcement.”
McGarity now has to make two compliance hires. Baumgartner’s assistant Michelle Francis recently left to join her husband at Ohio University. McGarity said he would hire a director first.
Etc. . . .
Nine true freshmen had seen action for the Bulldogs so far this season. They are: Crowell, defensive back Quintavious Harrow, linebacker Amarlo Herrera, defensive back Nick Marshall, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, defensive back Corey Moore, defensive back Chris Sanders, cornerback Damian Swann and linebacker Ramik Wilson. There’s a good chance that number could go up this week with outside linebacker Ray Drew, offensive tackle Watts Dantzler and center David Andrews in position to get their first playing time of the season. . . . Coastal Carolina features 19 players from the state of Georgia, including starting center Pat Williams, a 6-foot-1, 285-pound junior out of Atlanta’s Westlake High School.
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279 comments Add your comment
Joey
September 14th, 2011
11:37 am
I’ve said it before, Flat Tire, there are at least a dozen college coaches (and probably some HS coaches as well) that would have won at least one BCS Title with those ‘07 and ‘08 teams. Richt didn’t even get a East title . . .
History major
September 14th, 2011
11:42 am
Someone said that CMR is slowly righting the Ship; yea and the ship is like the USS Yorktown in WW2 it was then sunk by the Japanese.
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
11:49 am
Joey – “No. But I hope he does, and he can if he lets whoever called the plays vs SC (student assistant, cheerleader, etc – it couldn’t have been Bobo) call them the rest of the season, he’ll keep his job.” — Now that’s funny right there .. and I couldn’t agree more. Bobo may have had a hand in it, but I have to believe that was someone else’s (wink wink) game plan.
Time for a Change!
September 14th, 2011
11:50 am
The compliance director and his assistant leaving the program so close together is very concerning to me.
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
11:53 am
Like I said, everyone wanted Ray Goff run out of town too, they got it and Jim Donnan right along with it. Careful what you wish for.
And Flat Tire, please get over yourself with the child like comments “running down to the jewelry store”. You have your opinion, I have mine .. deal with it. That’s what a blog is for.
WDE
September 14th, 2011
11:57 am
@Flat tire never seen a real Dog fan so ready to mark up a lost to the Gators before we play them..When did you ever say anything positive about the UGA program , honestly I’m trying to remember if you ever have..
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
11:58 am
Could it be that Flat Tire and Thomas Brown are both really Jeff Shultz trying to get a controversy started so that he gets more blog hits, makes money for the AJC and keeps his job?
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
12:04 pm
nice thought Wally Butts .. Let’s just replay the 1998 season, maybe that will make those guys happy.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
12:06 pm
TampaDawg
Careful what I wish for really thats all you have
Well I wonder if AL was careful for what they wished for lets see:
After bear bryant. couldnt find a coach until they got Stallings and won a NC
After Stallings couldnt find a coach until they got Saban and won a NC
Now lets see; what did AL wish for; oh yea a coach that knows what they are doing
Hmmm I guess they were careful in what they wished for.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
12:10 pm
Geez. There are sure some bloggers on here that have some problems. Not to mention any names but I’ll bet you they will self identify in just a minute or two.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
12:10 pm
WDE
When has there been anything positive to talk about
Not much since Van Gorder left
Bring Back Wally Butts
Could it be that you WDE, Columbus, and Tampa Dawg are kool-aid drinkers and have never contributed to the Hartman Fund so its not your money going to waste
ga gator
September 14th, 2011
12:18 pm
Let McGarrity do his due diligence. I suspect that 2nd place in the East with a win over my Gators will keep Richt his job. But all of this griping after losses to 2 top 10 teams is crazy. The man has earned this season without the fans after his job. I am sure that McGarrity already has a short list and will be on it if UF wins again in Jax which would almost assure UGA of no better than 3rd in the East. Until then support the team AND Richt.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
12:25 pm
See what I mean?
Alabama | MrSEC.com
September 14th, 2011
12:27 pm
[...] face jail time for violating stipulations put upon him following a South Dakota criminal case.4. Isaiah Crowell is going to get more touches at Georgia.5. A pair of freshman linebackers are being thrust into action for the Dawgs.6. [...]
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
12:30 pm
Kool-aid drinkers .. wow, that’s still the only real card you play Flat Tire. As for the Bama comment, you forgot to mention the Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, Mike Shula “experiments” I guess. They got lucky in catching Saban at a time when he didn’t want to be in the NFL any more after a couple of seasons. Even then, he started 7-6 his first year, then a nice second year only to lose to UF in the SEC title game and freaking Utah in the Sugar Bowl.
Let me state this one more time for you though. I am not saying a move may not be in order. But even Bama isn’t dumb enough to do it midseason. Oh, and that great list of coaches mentioned prior to finding Saban led them to multiple NCAA penalties from two separate seasons.
Let the season play out. If it ends as difficult as it has started, then yes, we move on to someone else.
KB
September 14th, 2011
12:30 pm
Seriously flat tire you and thomas need to find another team, what;s the rest of the SEC records vs top 10 teams , do you know? Again all the negative stats and none of the positive, Florida has won 2 SEC championships, since Richt has been at UGA has won 2, bama has won 1, Auburn has won 2, Lsu has won 3. you continually mention richt didn’t win with Moreno , stafford etc, 2008 18 season ending injuries to scholarship players , 24 season ending injuries total, not an excuse but a fact. bama in 2010 was preseason #1 finished 10-3 , just like UGA in 2008.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
12:35 pm
Hey FT, I thought that the Hartman Fund went to support athletics at your alma mater. Sorry, I didn’t realize that the purpose of the Hartman Fund was pay for play football. Dude, you are beginning to sound like scam Newton’s father.
1eyedJack
September 14th, 2011
12:38 pm
Can one not have a legitimate opinion unless he has contributed to the Hartman Fund? Is that the prerequisite to be a Bulldog fan? I’ve been pulling for the wrong team for 40+ years then.
RedandBlackDAWG
September 14th, 2011
12:40 pm
Get that man as many carries as he can handle, because he is going to be very good. He is good for t5his team and he will be a team player andleader like we need. I think Murray, although he needs to cut down on mistakes, is also an effective leader so the future looks bright for the offense. The OL I thin was 100 percent improved from week one, but I sure wish we had some more bodies to back it up. Oh well, perhaps recruiting will take care of that this year for next at least.
thomas b.
Are you by chance trying to get a job as a statistician. Why stop at the 11 seasons CMR has been the head coach. Why not go back since UGA started playing football and compare every coach UGA has ever had to his record. Maybe you can get a job as a stats. man for the AJC. What the hell, you write more on the blogs than they write in their columns. Their editors don’t allow them to use that much space.
If CMR can show the fire I saw last weekend on the sidelines, he can come out with a solid record for this year, but more importantly, his young kids will be a force in 2012. These young man, although the record is 0-2, have shown they want to play and are standing behind their coach and team 100%. This is a definite improvement over last years team and bodes well for the future of UGA football. Go hard at recruiting some big uglies and this team, although a project, will be a force to dealt with next year, and no light weight for any of the remaining teams on this schedule this year. The offensive game calling last week, leads me to believe that CMR had a little more input than in previous games as they actaully had a fairly good game plan and kept SC on it’s toes. Their offense scored 17 points. Our mistakes killed us or we would have had a W. The OL line was much improved and until the defensive line wore down late in the game,Lattimore wasn’t a world beater either. Of course, everybody knew how Garcia reacts to pressure and he did not disapoint last week, once again. That is why SC will not win the SEC and hopes to maybe win the East.
It would behoove us all, myself included, to wait until the season is over before passing judgement on CMR and a need for change. I do believe though, that Bobo is not DIV. I material at OC, and if I am correct, and CMR did have a lot more input into the offense last week, CMR will find another OC, but that will depend on the season.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
12:42 pm
Tampa Dawg
You ought to re-read what I said about AL
I said “couldnt find a coach until Stallings and Saban”
Meaning they didnt put up with the stupidity of the Shula’s, Dubois, and you forgot to mention the Bill Curry’s of the world
Your a little to smart for your britches thinking you got someone
Oh
And there was more to my posts than kool-aid drinkers that you want to make the class think thats all I said
Im still waiting on the response of #2 ranking in recruiting for the decade and the great results we have gotten since 2006
The class is waiting
Charlie Hayes
September 14th, 2011
12:44 pm
Dont worry about the fan base and the boo birds. You better worry about who the coach will be after we lose to UT in Knoxville on 10/8. What will be the excuse then? I can already hear CMR’s comments: “Played hard and am proud of the team, UT is just a really good team”. Tired of hearing the same ole crap. Start winning if you want the fan base to cheer and be supportive.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
12:47 pm
Drats. Rats. More Stats. Oh, what is the world coming to?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
12:50 pm
Bring Back Wally Butts
Hey Wally Butthead
You have to contribute to the Hartman Fund just to be eligible for season tickets.
You would have known that had you wanted to spend some of your kool-aid money and gotten season tickets but you dont
When you start getting hit in your wallet for a couple thousand a year to see medicrity you wouldnt be happy either but you dont understand such things because buy too much kool-aid
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
12:53 pm
KB
Since you like excuses
Then what has been the excuse since Stafford and Moreno left. We are rebuilding.
When is the rebuilding project going to start its year 3 now
Sister Mary
September 14th, 2011
12:53 pm
Thomas Brown is NOT a Dawg fan!
slydog
September 14th, 2011
12:53 pm
Maria in Dunwoody
September 14th, 2011
11:23 am
I saw well-coached, tough, disciplined, all-business-after-making-a play, no hair over the collar, players on Peterson’s team in Atlanta.
I’d like to see some of those on our team.
Don’t hold your breath. Richt prefers tattoos and dreadlocks. And brainless dummies. They’re really a sorry-looking bunch to represent a university.
Racist drivel. So, do you folks really think a team of 85 scholarship, clean-cut white boys between the age of 17-23, all with SAT scores higher than 1200 and a GPA of 3.5 or higher, will cut it in the SEC?……. This is 2011, not 1951. And yes, I threw color in there cause the mud was already on the wall. Why? You think they’ll have perfect technique and try harder? ut your TV off and just read the score results if you DO NOT LIKE THE CULTURE OR THE COLOR OF THE PLAYERS.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
12:55 pm
Drats Rats
Ole Wally Butthead has not stats and nothing much to say with substance as to why mediocrity reigns supreme
Bama Mike
September 14th, 2011
12:57 pm
Am I missing something. ” Crowell recognizes he needs to be in better shape”. What are the summers for? Georgia looked gased in the 4th quarter of both games. I am not sold on the new strength and conditioning program. The first thing noticable with Saban was the change in conditioning during year 1 which took off in year two. I will say, if CMR can get the right conditioning program Georgia will be a beast to deal with. My takeway from first two games. Georgia is as talented as anyone with first unit. Depth lacking an as stated conditioning still needs work as well as discipline, too many seperate parties going on from the sideline during games. Does not appear everyone is ready should their number called. Right head coach will inherit a gold mine.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
1:02 pm
Hey Flats
No one cares about your stats. Don’t YOU get it?
slydog
September 14th, 2011
1:03 pm
As far as Crowell needing to get in better shape…hhhmmm let’s see. If you HAVE NOT PLAYED live, in game football for about 9-10 months, like Crowell, then getting pounded by the biggest, fastest, players you have ever played, two top 10 teams none the less, is going to smoke your butt silly at first. All players, be it fottball, basketball, or baseball, are a little fatigued to start a season, then their bodies adjust to it after a couple of weeks. Look at the Falcons. Yeah they got whipped, but not too many teams in the NFL are in great, physical condition right now. The tackling and the timing is poor across the board, at all levels of football. Give the kid a break; And it’s not the 100% responsibility of the coaching staff to get any kid in shape. Even the Army isn’t responsible for each soldier being in shape. It’s up to you.
slydog
September 14th, 2011
1:05 pm
I mean, think about. Kwame GeatherS is not going to light IC in practice during a scrimmage, but Melvin Ingram will, even going as far as an illegal hit and punches to the groin.
slydog
September 14th, 2011
1:06 pm
I meant light him up in practice
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
1:09 pm
Trying to figure out how UT keeps getting mentioned like they are a powerhouse or something. UGA in their worst year in long long time still beat them last year 41-14. Loss to UT won’t happen.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
1:09 pm
Bring Back Wally Butts
Once again an ignorant statement by Mr Rats Drats I cant come up with no stats
I guess since no one cares about my stats so
I will be reading about Richt getting a contract extension very soon right; instead of talk about him being let go unless he turns things around.
Funny how,Paul FineBaum, The Pollack and Palmer show, The Experts, Rivals Radio, Bill Kings radio, College Football Live, And numerous other commentators are talking about those stats and how Richt is on the hot seat
I guess they dont get it either Wally Butthead
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
1:10 pm
Hey slydog, in the Army, your physical condition is up to you AND the NCO responsible for you .. I would get a beat down when one of my soldiers didn’t pass PT so then I would get to run them ragged for a while until they did. Ahhh, the good ole days.
KB
September 14th, 2011
1:11 pm
Flat Tire, I haven’t written this season off , Seriously do yourself a favor and find another team, The Richt situation at georgia will take care of itself. Continually whining about a coach that has the best 10 year record of any coach in UGA. By the way bamas record since 2007 vs top 10 teams is 3-6. Its a stupid stat.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
1:11 pm
TampaDawg
Thats a bold predition
I remember just 2 yrs ago a new Tenn coach, coaching a down Tenn team routed a GREAT coached UGA team
KB
September 14th, 2011
1:13 pm
I remember last year when Georgia routed Tennessee.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
1:13 pm
Flats/Thomas Brown or whatever your name is, your maturity level is showing.
Has anyone noticed that when Flats/Thomas Brown, et. al, get questioned about anything, they immediately resort to name calling and rants?
Go take your prozac and calm down. Try being civil (if you ever have in your life).
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
1:15 pm
KB
Im not whining; Im just sitting here responding to the stupid kool-aid drinkers on here posting a bunch of garbage that isnt going to happen
Im just trying to get you guys of your Dream Team Kool-aid addiction
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
1:19 pm
Bring Back Wally Butts
Name calling I guess comparing me to Cam Newtons father and saying Im Jeff Schultz isnt calling names right
Back to your padded cell Mr Wally Butthead
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
1:22 pm
Back to the Kool-aid drinkers thing .. just another old, tired cliche being rehashed.
Anyway, KB, Wally Butts, I think that Flat Tire and Thomas Brown are one in the same. Same type arguments, both whine when you don’t reply to their oh so well researched stats, both resort to name calling and old dumb cliches. Let’s just stop responding to their tirades. I mean, when the Thomas Brown moniker gets used it gets hard to sort through the posts because you have to go through about 10 pages of type to get to something of merit but we can just ignore them both altogether.
Troup Co. Dawg
September 14th, 2011
1:23 pm
Dawgs will pick up the peaces….not a matter of if, but When? Can’t let this slow start ruin the season! If the powers that be decide to make changes at season’s end, then so be it! We’ll eventually get where we need to be, I am Certain of that! Does that sound familiar? We shall see!
1eyedJack
September 14th, 2011
1:24 pm
Must’ve got a Flat Tire from running over his own pointed head.
Gimme that Kool-aid!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 14th, 2011
1:25 pm
Tampa Dawg
Still waiting for you to respond to other stuff Ive posted instead of Kool-aid Drinkers
How about Bong Smokers you like that.
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
1:27 pm
1eyedJack .. pointed head? Ouch.
Bring Back Wally Butts
September 14th, 2011
1:35 pm
If we all keep doing this, Flat Tire/Thomas Brown will have to throw a yellow flag. Fifteen yards for late hit and piling on. LOL
Ace
September 14th, 2011
1:39 pm
Crowell looks to be about like Ealey. He won’t run over anyone, like Bo would.
TampaDawg
September 14th, 2011
1:43 pm
2 Completely different running backs there Ace. Bo was a big physical and fast back. A once in a lifetime type back. Don’t expect the 5-11 / 210 pound guy to run over people in the front 7.
bugsquacher
September 14th, 2011
1:47 pm
WHY GEORGIA SHOULD BE CONSIDERING A COACHING CHANGE.
1-Georgia is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams. (2-10 record)
2- GEORGIA is now 14-14 in his last 28 games
3-GEORGIA is 6-10 in the past 16 SEC games.
4- REMAINING SCHEDULE. Games they will probably lose: 1- Miss St. 2- Tenn 3-Florida 4-Auburn. Games we should win (if we don’t have an off week): 1- Costal Carolina, 2-Miss, 3- Kentucky, 4- New Mexico, 5-Tech, 6-Vandy.
LOOKS LIKE A 50/50 CHANCE OF ANOTHER LOSING SEASON.
5- Its been 30 yrs since our last national championship…. Can Richt get us there? Are we trending in the right direction?
THE ABOVE SAYS……. NO!