Notebook: Isaiah Crowell’s availability remains uncertain
ATHENS – The saga that is Georgia’s tailback situation continued on Wednesday as coach Mark Richt would not concede that either Isaiah Crowell or Carlton Thomas will be available to play against Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Richt met with the media for the final time this week before Wednesday’s late-afternoon practice. He said that Crowell still hasn’t gotten clearance from trainer Ron Courson to return from a sprained ankle the limited him to two carries against Kentucky this past Saturday. Richt said it would come down to how much work Crowell would be able to get in against the scout team Wednesday and Thursday.
“It’s very similar to what we did with Malcolm Mitchell and his hamstring,” Richt said. “We’re just trying to get him as ready to go as we can without putting him in a competitive situation. The most important part is the scout work, the game plan and simulated work. So we’ll see how much work he gets.”
Meanwhile, Richt remained cryptic regarding Thomas, who served his third one-game suspension of the season this past Saturday. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do there,” he said, quickly changing the subject.
For what it’s worth, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Tuesday he expects both players to play. In the meantime, Brandon Harton and Ken Malcome are getting a lot of work in practice.
Regardless, not knowing who is going to the primary ball-carrier each week has become an issue for the Bulldogs.
“It’s been a pain in the rear this year, no doubt,” Richt said. “But there has been different reasons for all this. In football, whether it’s injuries or suspensions, guys end up not being there and other guys have to step in to play. So you just play who you’ve got to play.”
Shout out to Marshall?
It’s no secret that Georgia is in hot pursuit of Keith Marshall of Raleigh, N.C., the consensus No. 1 running back prospect in America. Marshall lists the Bulldogs among his favorites and is scheduled to make his college choice on Dec. 6. Richt seemed to be talking to Marshall directly when he spoke of Georgia’s need for more tailbacks on Wednesday.
“There’s a tremendous opportunity at the University of Georgia for running backs in this class to come to Georgia and make a big impact,” Richt said. “I hope that’s not breaking a rule, but there’s tremendous opportunity, I can say that. If I was a running back, if I was a great running back, I would want to come to Georgia. I would be so excited about my opportunity at Georgia.”
The message reached Marshall. He retweeted Richt’s comments after they were circulated on Twitter by reporters.
Geathers close to ready
Noseguard Kwame Geathers is practicing this week and expects to play Saturday against Georgia Tech. He missed last Saturday’s game with a sprained right ankle.
“It still hurts a little bit but they’re going to keep working on it,” said the 6-foot-6, 350-pound Geathers. “It’s the time of the season where everybody’s hurt. You just have to play through it.”
Geathers started three games this season and splits time with John Jenkins at position.
Thanksgiving plans
Georgia’s players will be cut loose for the Thanksgiving holiday at 11 a.m. Thursday after a morning practice. The players that live close enough will head home and those that live far away will either accompany teammates home or attend assistant coach Rodney Garner’s annual Thanksgiving extravaganza at his home in Oconee County.
The Bulldogs’ defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator has been hosting displaced players on Thanksgiving ever since he came to Georgia in 1998 and before that when he was at other schools.
“It’s just a traditional thing now,” Garner said. “I hated eating in the dorm on Thanksgiving when I was at Auburn.”I thought it was the worst thing that ever happened. Being from the country, I didn’t think it was fair that we had to eat cafeteria food. So when I got into coaching I just decided I was going to make sure those guys had home-cooked food.”
They said it
“You could go 11-0 but if you lose to Georgia Tech it’s not going to be a good season. You could see that in 2008. A lot of people would say going 10-3 and winning the Capital One Bowl was a successful season for a program. But that loss to Tech really ruined that season and left a sour note in everybody’s mouth.”
– Senior tight end Aron White
Etc. . . .
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was among 29 nominees for the Frank Broyles Award, which goes annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. . . . The Bulldogs were practicing in full pads both Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the Yellow Jackets’ triple option. . . . Players plan to visit patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and The Shepherd Center on Friday afternoon.
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204 comments Add your comment
Supes
November 23rd, 2011
9:19 pm
That’s true, Crowell doesn’t OWE us “People” anything, but he sure does OWE his team mates, his coaches, and the university (that is giving him a free education that others would treasure much more than he’s is I’m sure).
When did this entitlement come to be with college players? They may wanna act like pro’s but they’re not. You haven’t accomplished a daym thing yet. Suck it up and play. Play your heart out. Play with passion, show your team mates that it’s gonna take a lot than an ankle injury to keep you down. Keep your head up. When you’ve been injured don’t sit on the darn sidelines and pout, get behind your team mates and cheer them on.
JRW7
November 23rd, 2011
9:23 pm
IC has a ton of talent, but no heart, and does not seem to care if he plays or not! KM, UGA needs you!!!!
Cuz
November 23rd, 2011
9:33 pm
Is it time to give Crow-el/Thomas the Ealey/King treatment. Enquiring minds want to know.
jay
November 23rd, 2011
9:36 pm
I heard Marshall had a 4.3 gpa. He’s supersmart.
Mobile Dawg
November 23rd, 2011
9:38 pm
Some kids just don’t get it.
NORRIS
November 23rd, 2011
10:01 pm
why do they put articles like this out when dawgpost.com says that IC and Thomas are going to play…
just something to get people upset…
NORRIS
November 23rd, 2011
10:01 pm
dawgpost.com
They WILL play!
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
10:22 pm
So yall think crow ell has been faking his injury?
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
10:37 pm
Who was ten last “true” freshman that georgi brought in and had him be our main rb and playmaker at rb? The kid was in high school last year, the bulldog nation put the weight of the season on this kids shoulders and put him up on a pedestal so don’t tear him down when we put him up their!
It’s his first year on campus their is so many life changes the kid must go threw from learning the campus learning were to go to class doing class work being on time for practice media Events studying learning the playbook blitz packages! That’s a lot of change for a person to go threw in just a few months time! Cut him some slack!
FLA DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
10:39 pm
Slow Newsday huh?
Can you say, ” CROW WELL”.
Of course I. C. will play.
Bank on it.
I like Boo, Malcome that is
November 23rd, 2011
10:42 pm
Ken Malcome is a physical back and can push the pile on contact. If he can get 20 carries and end up with 80-100 yds, then the play action must be working. Malcome Mitchell, and Orson Charles and Tavarres King and Marlon Brown and my man MIKE BENNETT WILL win the day.
GT …………..watch out for Bruce Figgins around the 30 yd line, He could hurt y’all badly.
Goooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
Attn: Atl public school kids
November 23rd, 2011
10:44 pm
Please do not blog on this site with your poor grammar and lack of reasoning skills and overall illiteracy ……………….even though you are now GT students.
Goooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
FLA DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
10:44 pm
Dawg 48,
I believe Crowell is a highly talented athlete but I cut him nor no student-athlete slack.
All must follow the rules. Testing postive for illegal drugs is a crime. He has shown more than immaturity.
I hope Richt’s dedication toward his faith and helping people will somehow shine upon this young man. He has a great ability and could be one of the best.
It’s up to Crowell to make his own life choices.
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
10:46 pm
I hope boo malcome can rely get his career going and start toating the pig skin more. And be a threat from the backfield!
Mike bennet has mad skills!
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
10:52 pm
I don’t agree with the drug use at all, and like you said about CMR and his faith that’s the best place and person for crowell to be around. I’m talking about the ones that are bashing the kid cause of injury and saying he has no heart. We can not judge that. I don’t think it’s fair to the guy.
TXDAWG3
November 23rd, 2011
10:53 pm
Don’t you just enjoy reading all the dubious testosterone generated wisdom that proceeds from from the mouths of those that UGA failed to realize that were the true athletes with the heart of lions, the brains of Einstein & the ability to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders like Atlas? I can’t help but wonder how all the recruiting services failed to realize their intrinsic value to the athletic world…
FLA DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
11:01 pm
TXDAWG3,
When I played I never entertained the idea of illegal drugs.
It was available but I never did it.
A student must be able to assume responsibility.
Or would you have everyone doing whatever they wish to the destruction of our great college?
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
11:01 pm
Recruiting services just like putting stars by their name! LOL
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
11:05 pm
Drugs are going to be every were you go, it’s up to parents to teach their kids about staying away from that and not giving in to peer pressure.
FLA DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
11:08 pm
Dawg48,
Indeed – it does not take a village.
It takes a mother and a father to teach kids right from wrong.
Regrettably, this country is woefully lacking in this regard.
Dawg48
November 23rd, 2011
11:11 pm
That’s true FLA DAWG
Have a blessed thanksgiving to you and your family!
GO DAWGS!
FLA DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
11:15 pm
Dawg48,
Same to you and yours.
7576DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
11:24 pm
Malcomb and Harton have gotten a lot of practice in this week. For Richt and Bobo not to have endorsed either one say’s a lot about which one won the fumble award this week at practice. I think that both are very capable running back’s but their little hands make both very susceptible to turning the ball over. All I can say is if Thomas and Crowell can’t go and Harton and Malcomb has to carry the load I will hold my breath on every carry and if either start fumbling look for Murray to throw the ball 50 times.
7576DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
11:37 pm
For you all that keep on criticizing Crowell I guess you would be equally down on Lattimore if you were a South Carolina fan . He missed a lot late last year and tore his ACL this year and left the team with no running back. When you look at it that way it tells how little football you have played in your life and how ignorant the comments are.
Crowell has done a great job this year being a freshman and you should stop trying to micro manage our team. Everyone of these kid’s are going to make mistakes . All I wanted to see this year is improvement and a different attitude which I think is obvious .
Dooley lived with a bend but not break defense and a low production offense. This year has far exceeded my expectations and everybody will see a top ten team next year all year long.
7576DAWG
November 23rd, 2011
11:39 pm
LET CMR WORRY ABOUT CROWELL.
11-3
November 24th, 2011
1:45 am
Still@theKool-aidBAR November 22nd, 2011 4:43 pm
“Flat Tire you did see the girl selling LSD and Pot out of her dorm room at UGA right?”
____________________________________________
They released her on $2,000 bail and found NO EVIDENCE, none in her dorm room – NOTHING.
In the meantime, in the SLUMS downtown where your students are AFRAID to go outside even on your own CAMPUS and daily are assaulted in their homes, your football players do NOT GRADUATE but certainly play against us nearly the ENTIRE GAME after they ADMIT to the AJ-C that they have 93 lbs of drugs in their van they also admit they are driving to a drug dealer there to sell with their child on their lap before they jump out of the van and try to run away from the FBI GBI Georgia State Patrol City of Atlanta Fulton County and Georgia tek campus security (joke.) This guy, Reuben Houston is on the lam today still as FBI most-wanted. Then, there are the basketball players who also DO NOT GRADUATE arrested for MURDER who went to Georgia tek. And, the baseball players dead of heroin overdose on your CAMPUS while the parents are mad as they can be that Georgia tek knew about it too, only to also try to cover that up too; and not 1 single suspension for him either. This while, of course, Georgia BEAT Georgia tek in ALL THESE SPORTS with all these non-graduates Georgia tek continues to put forth year after year while you lose to us. Then, we come on this blog today and we are told that it is JUST NOT TRUE that in fact Coca-Cola and Bank of America are on North Avenue and that everything is hunky-dory down there in the SLUMS and that you are going to to beat us with your # 51 recruits to our # 7 recruits, Georgia tek 42 UGA 17 with your “defense” running your offense vs the # 2 rush defense in the nation, Todd Grantham.
Toasting a Bone with Cro-well
November 24th, 2011
1:55 am
When the dogs sign Marshall, Crowell will have played his last game in Athens. He will join a whole lineup of hotshot tailbacks who sign w/ ga then disappear when next year’s HW of the year signs. Tailback U? Hah! Get your “Tailback to Effingham co.” U.
11-3
November 24th, 2011
2:00 am
We don’t need Isaiah Crowell to beat Georgia tek with Todd Grantham’s # 2 rush defense nationally faces off vs Georgia tek’s # 51 ranked recruits on offense.
11-3
November 24th, 2011
3:33 am
South Carolina is NOT our Rival, Major Rival ?
CHDawg
November 24th, 2011
7:23 am
Guys, Crowell doesn’t even turn 19 until next year, a true freshman in every respect. He probably didn’t have the academic background a lot of you did, and who knows the other bad influences he might have been exposed to. He has to grow up in all of the areas of his life, and learn how to succeed in college, just like all of us did, while being followed around by media types 24-7. So, give him a break and let the coaches, teachers, and tutors do their jobs. We all have our opinions and you are entitled to yours. Mine is that IC will grow through this and be a great Georgia tailback. He isn’t just doing well, he is doing great. He already is one of our greatest TBs as a freshman. The SEC is the toughest place to run in college football. None of you could do it, so please knock off the wus/soft talk. Listening to some of you guys complain about Crowell’s toughness is like listening to nine year old boys playing army talking about how soft the Navy Seals are. There are no SEC backs running it 40 times any more. Every program needs several playing TBs nowadays because of the beating they take. Enjoy TG, and let’s hope IC can hang 100+ on the SECCG opponent! Go Dawgs.
red&black
November 24th, 2011
7:24 am
I believe that if IC gets his act together, Samuel comes back, Malcome finally emerges, and we are able to not only sign Marshall but Gurley as well, then UGA will have a stable of backs that can just wear down defenses with an absolutely withering, pounding, grinding running game. That is of course, that we have the O-lineman to make this a reality. Theus will be a very good start and I think (and I have been wrong before) that Debell will be one of those nasty types that every team needs. I doubt it will happen, but I would also love to see Dillon Lee join what is already a great linebacking corps. If we are unable to woo him away from Bama, then I won’t be to upset, as we will have Kent Turene next year, and he is (as I’m told) another Jarvis Jones. I don’t know of another team in the country that has the depht at linebacker that UGA has. Big, fast and mean. Jones, Ogletree, Robinson, Washington, Vasser, Herrera, Gilliard, all true “headhunter’s”.
Overall, I feel very good about the prospect of UGA potentially owning the SEC East for quite awhile. This is of course that we are able to get all these pieces, and then put them together.
DawgNation
November 24th, 2011
7:25 am
Lot of angry people up last night. You all have a Happy Thanksgiving and I am sure things will work out with the running back situation. Have faith.
red&black
November 24th, 2011
7:39 am
I was just advised that many feel that Gurley is the better back of the two. I was also told the the kid at Grayson not named Nnkemdiche, but Banda is a fine linebacker as well as the kid from Marist.
Also I would be seriously after the kicker who someone posted a video on, that can kick it with great accuracy and from great distance. Hell let’s get ‘em all…..
Happy Holidays to everyone, including the Tech fans…..at least you’ll have something to celebrate
Dawg_Mike
November 24th, 2011
7:51 am
I will trust CMR to counsel Crowell in private regarding “giving it all” and developing his character.
If he chooses to listen he will play on Sundays but if he chooses not to he will be another Ealey.
Lets look at Caleb King : He is on an NFL scout team- would he have made himself better by getting his butt to class and playing this year ? You bet. he would have been highly noticed with ample PT and likely wouldnt be on a scout team this year.
word is...
November 24th, 2011
7:52 am
IC likes to chain smoke those black and tans. Maybe that is why he gets winded so easily and has to come out after 2 plays.
Al Beeski
November 24th, 2011
8:05 am
Enter your comments here
Al Beeski
November 24th, 2011
8:11 am
Hey Crowell, keep screwing up & u can come on to Albany St., we need you & you can pull yourself outta games when u get ready. Coach white won’t care
ugab
November 24th, 2011
8:46 am
Happy Thanksgiving to all the Ga coaches, players, and fans.
ugab
November 24th, 2011
8:50 am
IC is hurt! Did anyone see his ankle get twisted around after a 330 lb lineman landed on it. I hope IC gets to play. The dawgs need IC in the SEC championship, The dawgs need Thomas, too. If IC and Thomas can not go this week, Harton and Malcome must step up. Hold on the the ball.
ugab
November 24th, 2011
8:54 am
IC will be just fine. Everyone needs to quit bashing the young man. IC has ran for almost 1000 yds for the team this year. He has taken a beaten. Its the SEC and Ic is straight out of high school. Give him a chance.
1969 Graduate
November 24th, 2011
9:00 am
Today I’m especially thankful to be a Georgia Bulldog.
I’d also like to extend holiday greetings to our rivals, the Georgia Tech faithful. They should be thankful that they don’t lose to every team as often as they lose to the University. They should also be thankful that their stadium is larger than some high school stadiums.
Go, Bulldogs.
PT
November 24th, 2011
9:07 am
Give Grantham a raise and a contract extension to ease his back pain. Richt needs to wait till next year before any negotiations are presented. We need to see what improvements he makes on offense next year. That is his profession by the way. Grantham pretty much saved his job by his outstanding job performance.
East Repeat
November 24th, 2011
9:20 am
Sure, Lattimore was hurt his freshmen year and had a devasting injury this year. I think when UGA people and others talk about IC not being around it is because of character and work ethic, two things that Marcuss Lattimore excels at. IC seems to have an entitled attitude, probably been raised to have an entitled attitude, and that is what will cause IC to fail. Notice how CMR is not so high on IC anymore? I noticed it in the KY game. IC must mature mentally before he will be a great success.
11-3
November 24th, 2011
9:21 am
Has not been ANYTHING proved so far, other than we LOST to MAJOR RIVAL – SOUTH CAROLINA – whom we should not have, and that we have OTHERWISE beat 10 cupcakes in a Row, not 1 single one of whom ends the season in the AP Poll Top 25.
logical jacket
November 24th, 2011
9:30 am
Crowell is more cancerous than all the playa’s Rev. Richt has cut loose to date. The seniors, lead by Ben Jones, have had at least 3 violent “chats” with Crowell about his skipping class, being late for therapy, cursing GA’s, Coach BM, Professors, other players, and a team Doc.
IC smells like weed about 90% of the time, his clothes reek of ganja, his room stinks like a Kingston traffic cab, and he is glassy eyed in the few classes he attends.
Now there are reports is not passing any classes, at all, none, despite all the tutors that he tries to intimidate and fight.
CMR is aware and is sick of the punk. IC’s teammates want him gone. McGarity wants him gone.
Some players say it is almost impossible for Crowell to be eligible for spring ball.
Super Committee
November 24th, 2011
9:42 am
logical jacket… well maybe we get three more good games out of him before he self-destructs… you sure are in the know for a Tech fan…..what’s your source?
PT
November 24th, 2011
9:46 am
11-3 Compare Alabama’s schedule to Georgia’s. They have played the same teams except for LSU and Arkansas. Defensive stats are about the same. The offense is another question. Georgia has 3 fresh WR’s, a soph QB and a fresh TB. I will trade Arkansas for South Carolina (they were healthy at the time UGA played them) so that leaves LSU. Your point?
Dawg
November 24th, 2011
9:46 am
I sure hope we’re recruting running backs
cause Crowell ain’t what we thought. Way too fragile for SEC ball
11-3
November 24th, 2011
9:49 am
LSU has beat 2 teams finishing the season in the AP Poll Top 10.
We’ve not even beat 1 team who will end the season in the top 25.
11-3
November 24th, 2011
9:53 am
What is my point ?
Duh.
For 11 seasons to-date, we have LOST to the teams who finish in the Top 10, and we have LOST 17 games to-date over 11 seasons as well who not 1 of the 17 LOSSES ends up in the top 25 were it not for them BEATING Mark Richt.
This season is NO DIFFERENT.
Mark Richt’s “great seasons” have always come when we have an EASY SCHEDULE :
1. 2002 – only a 4-Loss Auburn only other SEC team ended up ranked in Coaches Poll Top 25.
2. 2007 – LSU AGAIN beat two teams (2) who ended the season in the AP Poll Top 10. Mark Richt beat NONE (0.)
3. 2005 – ended up the # 3 team of all SEC teams in EVERY SINGLE POLL.