Q&A: Crowell happy with season, wants to be ‘more accountable, responsible’
Isaiah Crowell hasn't done much for Georgia since his 132-yard rushing effort against Auburn. He has had 26 yards on 12 carries in the three games since. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Q&A WITH ISAIAH CROWELL
With 29 more yards rushing, Isaiah Crowell will have turned in the best performance by a freshman tailback since Herschel Walker had 1,616 in 1980. Crowell currently has 847 yards, 28 behind Thomas Brown, who had 875 in 2004. Crowell was named SEC Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American. Yet he’s vilified on blogs and in fan forums and was actually booed in the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. The frustration over Crowell is everyone can plainly see his first season at Georgia could have even more glorious. Suspensions, injuries and a general inability to stay on the football field for expended periods of time makes it seem his was only a part-time effort.
On track for a 1,000-yard season, an ankle injury limited Crowell to just 26 yards on 12 carries in the Bulldogs’ final three games. He claims to be healthy now but heads into the Jan. 2 Outback Bowl second team behind redshirt freshman Ken Malcome. By all accounts there is nothing currently that would keep Crowell out of that game. This past weekend, Crowell spent a few minutes talking with reporters about his first season at Georgia and what it felt like from his perspective.
Q: At one point 1,000 yards rushing — one of your stated goals — seemed like a foregone conclusion. But then you didn’t play much from the Kentucky game on. Is that something you still believe is achievable?
A: “I don’t think it’s out of reach. I mean, it it happens, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll still be happy because I had a great season, a freshman season. So if it doesn’t happen I’ll just come back and try again next year.”
Q: You also said you wanted to be named a freshman All-American and that happened for you, too. Was that exciting for you?
A: “Yeah, I was excited about it. But I don’t really pay attention to stuff like that.”
Q: If there was any one thing you could change about this past season, what would it be?
A: “I think everything I did, there’s a reason for everything. So, no, I wouldn’t change anything about it.”
Q: Ken Malcome has been working at first-team tailback ahead of you. Have you been motivated by the competition?
A: “Yeah, you’re always going to compete. Even when I was first team I was still competing. So it’s nothing really new to me. At practice you’re going to compete. I don’t look at it like I’m trying to beat him out. I want him to do well, too. It’s going to come down to the coaches anyway, so I don’t really look at it too much.”
Q: I’m sure you saw where Georgia got a commitment from tailback Keith Marshall of Raleigh. He’s the No. 1 running back prospect in the country, like you were last year. Do you feel threatened or frustrated because UGA felt the need to pursue another big-time back?
A: “Really I’m happy to get another guy. I thought we needed more running backs. So I think that’s a good thing.”
Q: Did you meet Marshall during recruiting?
A: “We talked on the phone and texted. But I haven’t really met him face to face.”
Q: Noticed you haven’t been in green for practice. Are you fully recovered from your left-ankle injury.
A: “Yes I am. I’m farther along.”
Q: What are some lessons you learned your first season?
A: “Just follow my teammates and coaches. They’re counting on me to do what I’m supposed to do. . . . I think I need to be more accountable and handle my responsibilities better.”
Q: How glad were you did get fall semester exams behind you?
A: “Really, I’m happy that’s all that’s over. I felt like I needed a break. I’m just ready to chill out some. So, yeah, I was happy about it.”
Q: There probably hasn’t been a more scrutinized and speculated-about athlete at Georgia in a long while. Did you ever hear all the rumors that were circulating about you?
A: “I don’t really look at it. I don’t really pay attention to it. People don’t come to me with those things. I hear about it. I don’t pay no attention to it.”
Q: Which one did you think was the most outlandish?
A: “All of it.”
Q: So then you’ve heard that you want to transfer, right?
A: “Yeah. I’m happy here. I know there’s rumors about me wanting to transfer and all that, but no. I never said that.”
Q: What do you think of Malcome and how he’s playing presently?
A: “He’s a great teammate and a good person. He works hard. I can see us playing together and doing well. I think we’ll be a good combination. I know he knows how to run the ball well.”
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288 comments Add your comment
bubba4dawgs
December 19th, 2011
8:47 am
Crowell, the Bulldog Nation is forgiving and will be watching! Don’t disappoint us with any funny stuff now that your freshman season is behind you! Given this was a “learning experience”, it’s time now to “lace up” and show what you have and make Coach Richt proud he brought you to UGA. The running back corps at UGA should not be a problem from here on with the talent we have! It all starts between the ears and extends from there between the hedges. GO DAWGS!!!!
cliff from waleska
December 19th, 2011
8:47 am
why do a q&a with this loser.
SEC Football
December 19th, 2011
8:48 am
Chip, can you get someone to change the articles under UGA and the SEC. Some of them have been on there for two weeks. It would be nice to have something new to read. The same thing happens in the recruiting section. Thanks,
Hurt Kurbstreit
December 19th, 2011
8:49 am
Crowell will be okay. The freshman year is tuff on all youngsters. We should all remember what we were doing at that age and a freshman in college. He is too much of a talent to discard. Richt and company will work with him and bring him along. All you haters will be singing his praises in a year or two.
Florida is a Basketball School Now
December 19th, 2011
8:53 am
Who is this “hate filled post” idiot? Does he have nothing better to do than to judge everyone else? Shutup. Your posts are asinine.They make zero sense.
JB
December 19th, 2011
9:01 am
In the drywall business, there is a term used, ” you gotta walk it up, not talk it up”……I hope he means it. A IC dedicated to the team with a good attitude would really help this Georgia team next year. If all 17 starters mentioned in a earlier article come back, next year could be real special, say 11-1 at the worst. Carolina brings back a load also. History say’s as the season goes, Georgia gets stronger and Carolina get weaker. Looks like we’ll get a rematch LSU next year.
Dirty Dawg
December 19th, 2011
9:10 am
Hope this ‘interview’ is a sign that the kid is coming around…although for him to say that he wouldn’t change anything about this first season is idiotic, starting with whatever he did to draw the suspension and ending with his ‘turning his back’ on Richt following his ‘off-setting’ penalty that cost Georgia a chance to score. Given that we’ve all gotten used to politicians ’saying what they think we want to hear’, I suppose that he’s ‘learning’. Bottom line, the one comment that I wonder about is his desire to ‘chill out’…I mean just what does he call it when he’s buying those ‘blunts’ with his buddies if not ‘chilling out’?
WDE
December 19th, 2011
9:13 am
Well I’m glad 1) he is still in school 2) he is still on the team 3) he understands he has made mistakes 4) he says he wants to get better on and off the field. IC has a huge upside if he can stay out of trouble, put in the work in the weight room this off season he could be a special player next year . Well he was SEC freshman of the year I guess you could say he is already special….but the sky is the limit if he puts it all together.
Lakedawg
December 19th, 2011
9:15 am
Remember very well my first quarter in college and I did not exactly set the world on fire either.
Its up to him to keep the course now after going thriugh this initial learning process. And a couple new backs coming in all attention will be on them for awhile to see if they are the next great.
Hit A Single
December 19th, 2011
9:17 am
Somebody needs to do an article how Brandon Harton saved the season for the Dawgs. He is the type of kid that deserves press time. And I really feel for Samuel. Crowell has all this talent and doesn’t appreciate it. Many kids would give anything to have had the opportunity he has had. Sure he was thrown to the wolves early but he wouldn’t have come to UGA if they hadn’t of promised him he would start. So if you want it you better be able to handle it.
Dawg_Mike
December 19th, 2011
9:18 am
No excuses, no injuries – lets see how he performs in the Outback Bowl…..
Teck Sucks
December 19th, 2011
9:19 am
I want a back that wants the ball. He’s happy to have more backs because he knows he doesn’t want to be an every down back.
Top Row Dog
December 19th, 2011
9:22 am
Good interview IC1. Get conditioned, get stronger, pass your classes and lead the team to undefeated season and national championship. Carver High School and the Georgia Bulldogs, a much needed combination, missing for some time. Jarvis and Isiah…..yeah baby!
Dr. Morpheus
December 19th, 2011
9:22 am
IC gets ink time because we’re interested in what’s going on with him. In these comments, he showed humility and a forward looking attitude. There’s no point in second guessing history.. You learn the lessons and carry them forward.
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 19th, 2011
9:23 am
Hit a single, I don’t know what a kilogram of that is. But, it sounds like a lot. 1000 grams. Jeez. I know he took it. I presume since they were uncover that it is really that. I know this. There is a difference between having that much and doing it, but to me – the ones I think I can influence are the ones using it. Drugs are a dead end. They get you nowhere. Sam Hurd has a $ 5 million dollar contract with the Chicago Bears. Now think about it. On the street, they spend what ? $ 150 dollars and ten minutes later need more. It’s bad, very bad. It leads to no good. It is no good for ANYONE.
That is a good lead-in, Hit a Single, to the blog here :
Chip : Would you change anything about this year ?
IC : No.
______________
uh oh.
______________
IC : I just want to chill-out now.
______________
uh oh, again.
______________
IC : People don’t come to me with RUMORS.
IC : I HEAR ABOUT THE RUMORS.
______________
Now, which is it Isaiah Crowell, sir ? People don’t come to you with the RUMORS, or you HEAR ABOUT THE RUMORS ? I am confused.
joe in tucker
December 19th, 2011
9:24 am
It doesn’t sound like he really ‘gets it’ and it’s also pretty obvious that English and grammar are not part of his curriculum.
Dawgboy
December 19th, 2011
9:27 am
An “energy vampire” would never play for a Nick Saban team, even if he was very talented. In fact, I believe their system detects this at the high school level, and such a person would not be recruited in the first place. After the problems we have had with running backs at UGA in the last few years, I believe the coaching staff is getting better at detecting this flaw in team management, and I expect nothing but great, hard working, team oriented, recruits in the future.
Jeff
December 19th, 2011
9:28 am
I dont feel any better about him after reading this- in every answer you could detect the “attitude” time will tell but if he is a distraction to his team like I have heard from some of the players, then he needs to be let go
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
December 19th, 2011
9:29 am
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: we set Crowell up to an impossible standard, and he failed to meet it. It doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. Quite the opposite, you can tell that he’s a VERY good player (as well as one of the KEY reasons we won 10 games so far this year), he’s just hit a few bumps his first year in the college game.
I mean, for goodness sake, we were counting on a TRUE FRESHMAN to help carry our offense this year. Yeah, freshman have (and will continue to) contribute to teams across the nation, but you can’t expect them to come in and be perfect right off the bat, especially when the depth chart is so thin that you’re using walk-ons: I’m not saying that walk-ons can’t or shouldn’t play, but when you have to play them due to attrition at the position, things aren’t quite right.
Yes, Crowell has room to improve: EVERY player has room to improve, but I think he’s gotten a good feel for how things are in the SEC (both on and off the field), and he’ll definitely play up to his potential next season.
And yes, getting more highly-touted backs like Marshall will only HELP his development. Competition is ALWAYS a good thing. It brings out the best in players, and we haven’t even begun to see Crowell’s best.
Keep it up, IC!
Go Dawgs!
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 19th, 2011
9:29 am
Aren’t they all 18 years old?
UGA Insider
December 19th, 2011
9:31 am
Samuels is headed for LB or FB. I would guess LB. Malcome/Crowell/Marshall will be the 3 in the rotation at RB. We will also get Davis and or Gurley. This will be a major talent upgrade folks.
Charles
December 19th, 2011
9:31 am
Always amusing to read the comments from the mouthbreathers on this forum that ‘aren’t sold on Crowell’. As if your opinions matter in the least. Do you hold yourself to the same lofty standards you do this kid in your personal and professional lives? Hell, I’d bet half of you are unemployed.
Crowell is a young kid. He has a lot of maturing to do. He’s not there yet. But he also doesn’t deserve the ridicule he’s received from a lot of folks over the course of this past season.
Act your age bloggers!!!!!
December 19th, 2011
9:33 am
Thanks Russ. People please remember these are kids, who makes mistakes.
DIT
December 19th, 2011
9:34 am
Charles – Perfectly said!
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 19th, 2011
9:35 am
Dirty Dawg,
You are I are thinking the same about BOTH points. Just read yours after I posted mine.
Jalex49
December 19th, 2011
9:35 am
If Georgia is to be a good team next year, it has to start now with the Bowl game. Everyone must bond together regardless of the side of the ball you are on- it will take a total team effort, as Michigan State is a very good football team.
I wish Crowell the very best, and I am pulling for him and Malcome and Samuels to really step up and do what they have shown they’re capable of doing and that’s to run hard and with unwaivable determination.
I for one, am very proud of this team and I would like to ask all the fans of Georgia to put aside all the plots and sub-plots of this year and get behind this team. As a team these players have accomplished a lot and if we will just get behind them, there’s a good chance the juniors will come back and top recruits will see a good reason to come to Georgia!
Congradulations to the players and coaches and it’s good to see that Crowell is taking to heart a desire to be better. Could you imagine what he would have been able too accomplish had he had been healthy?
We still need Herschel as an assistant conditioning coach and assistant running backs coach. His presence in the locker room and training facility would be a role model of what it takes to give 110% to being physically fit and ready to play!
If you agree with the above assessment, then let it be known on this blog. If not, then let that be known!
Congradulations to the freshmen(s) and all the players for a solid year. Best of luck to the all the seniors, I hope all get drafted and an opportunity to play in the NFL. Congradulations to all who were recognized with awards and to all that weren’t, we love all of you for choosing Georgia and THANKS!!!
To this year recruiting class, Georgia needs you and although you could have went anywhere, as a fan thanks for choosing UGA!!!!!
LETS GET BEHIND THIS TEAM AS A TOTAL FAN BASE WITHOUT ONE DISCENT! WE MUST ALL REALIZE THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR GREATNESS AT GEORGIA FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, WITH EVERYONE COMING TOGETHER, THE COACHES, THE TEAM, NEW RECRUITS, WRITERS, FANS AND UGA “THE DAWG”!
I believe the “Junkyard Dawgs” may be in the house!! Overly optimistic? Maybe? But then again, maybe not!Again Thanks and best of luck in the bowl game!
TossSweep
December 19th, 2011
9:36 am
Now let’s move on. Let’s talk about finishing the season strong. Enough about the negative stuff even though we know it sells. Go Dawgs!!!
Act your age bloggers!!!!!
December 19th, 2011
9:38 am
Thanks Jalex49, I totally agree!!!!!!!!!
bucket
December 19th, 2011
9:38 am
Actually Isaiah Crowell’s final two choices were Alabama and UGA and he chose UGA over his parent’s wishes for him to attend Alabama. I have been frustrated with Isaiah this year also, but we need to remember he is a true freshman. We all helped to anoint him as the Savior of UGA football and no one could have possibly lived up to the expectations we all placed on him. With all that said CMR needs to place some solid boundaries around Crowell for future conduct and help him be accountable.
Taco Meat
December 19th, 2011
9:39 am
How big of a LOSER do you have to be to read through an article and dissect every little thing an 18 year old kid says? You morons need to get laid or something. Obviously you have nothing better to do. IC will be just fine. The Bulldog Nation is still behind him, despite his missteps. At the end of the day he’s still a freshman and has a lot of learning to do, but I believe he’ll end up being one of the greatest RBs to come through Athens.
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 19th, 2011
9:43 am
He isn’t yet : not on the field, off the field, or in the classrooms.
DawginLex
December 19th, 2011
9:44 am
great post Taco
jarvis
December 19th, 2011
9:44 am
If you don’t have anything nice to say….nm
DawginLex
December 19th, 2011
9:45 am
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
*************************
Why don’t you practice what your blog handle says?????????????????
Dog Warrior
December 19th, 2011
9:45 am
Guys, keep in mind that he is only a freshman. Not many are put in the position of being a savior of a football prorgram. Crowell was hyped coming into the season. He did a very good job as a freshman. If King and Ealey had been on the team Crowell would not have been thrust into the #1 RB position so soon.
The running back stable was bare. Samuel was not going to be the answer (he consistently was getting tripped). Samuels is a absolute physical specimen (6′2″ 245 lb). With Marshal, Crowell, Malcombe and (Gurley, Davis) GA will have a stable of backs. Samuel would make a better FB.
peachfuzz
December 19th, 2011
9:45 am
Crowell gets singled out, but why do you give a pass to all the stumbling drunk students in and around the stadium on game day?
Skitty Fritty
December 19th, 2011
9:46 am
Leave Mr. Crowell alone, hopefully he will learn from his mistakes. I am sure no one on this blog has ever made any mistakes.
Skitty Fritty
December 19th, 2011
9:47 am
Where is the article on WHY the sophmore RB at Auburn has been suspended indefinately?
Idiot Dawg
December 19th, 2011
9:47 am
It’s not a big deal for a kid to walk away while the coach is talking to him. For all we know IC may have been told by CMR to go sit down.
Skitty Fritty
December 19th, 2011
9:49 am
I’ll take your bet Highsaiah.
ARdawg
December 19th, 2011
9:51 am
IC wants to be “more accountable”? Wow, just Wow. Hit the books kid and stay off the dope. Practice hard and prepare not only for the next game but, your NFL career as well. I don’t foresee a degree in your future
WDE
December 19th, 2011
9:52 am
@UGA Insider I read CMR’s answer in a AJC article to the question on RS moving back to LB or FB he stated he was going to remain at TB next year?? Something change?
Monroe's First Redcoat
December 19th, 2011
9:52 am
@ hogmtndawg – I’m glad somebody besides me notices that – I was listening to tge USC game on WSB but didn’t get to hear the last few minutes. NOTHING in the AJC. Come on, guys! There are sports in Athens besides football!!!!!!!!.
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2011
9:52 am
A very BIG loser.
Big Earl
December 19th, 2011
9:57 am
@Highsaiah…I’ll take your bet because IF he has problems with the S&C coach, then he won’t show up for spring scrimmage at all…he’ll be gone!
However, I’m holding out hope that IC get his act together. He’s an incredible talent, and IF he would give 100% to the S&C program, keep it up in the classroom, and continue adjusting his attitude THEN he has the potential to be a BEAST next year. Otherwise…can’t wait to see Marshall!
Whiskey Breath
December 19th, 2011
10:00 am
He needed Nick Saban more than Saban needed him. Saban knows it is tough making the transition from high school to college. He does not allow freshman to speak to the media. That way they can’t say something they will regret. It takes some of the pressure of them. Secondly, he rarely starts freshman unless he has no choice. They learn from the guy ahead of him. Thirdly, they have little time to get into trouble, they have to work all the time. The only time they get into trouble is when they go home. And yes, if the kid can’t or will not adapt, he is shown the transfer door. Nick generally takes responsibility for all the kids. The parents damn sure love him.
Gene
December 19th, 2011
10:03 am
Crowell would not have lasted the season at Alabama. Neither Saban nor the team would have put up with his entitled behavior.
ARdawg
December 19th, 2011
10:05 am
Big Earl
Agree. The potential of IC on the field is endless. He IMO, needs focus. Hopefully, he’ll find some
ARdawg
December 19th, 2011
10:07 am
Gene
Bullsnip
Follow the Leader
December 19th, 2011
10:07 am
“Just follow my teammates and coaches.”
Wish he was a leader instead of a follower.