Isaiah Crowell ‘under weather’ for Georgia’s first practice in Tampa

TAMPA — Back at my room after Georgia’s first Outback Bowl practice. Will be posting some reports later this afternoon. For now, here’s what you need to know:

1. Tailback Isaiah Crowell is “feeling under the weather,” according to coach Mark Richt, and was standing on the sidelines and not participating, at least for the open part of practice early on. His left ankle apparently is not an issue and he will be able to play in the game.
2. Richt said Ken Malcome enters the week No. 1 on the tailback depth chart but that it’s “a highly competitive situation” with Richard Samuel (ankle) coming back and Crowell and Carlton Thomas healthy. “I hope Ken hangs on,” Richt said. “That’d be good for him.”
3. Speaking of Samuel, he was practicing full speed and appeared pretty agile. Said he’s eager to get back on field after being sidelined since the last play of his impressive effort against Florida.
4. Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell acknowledged there has been some kind of preliminary discussion about him possibly playing some cornerback next season. However, offense would still be his primary role.
5. “If I think that it’ll help us win and he can function and do that, that’d be fine,” Richt said. “We have a few guys that play both ways but we try to have them focus on one position. If they have enough of a comfort level knowing what to do, we can begin to share a little bit. I wouldn’t be against it.” . . . Defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (ankle) didn’t practice but is expected to before game per Richt. . . . Linebacker Michael Gilliard worked out on side in green (non-contact) jersey but seemed confident he’d be able to go. Said he ran full speed on ankle escaping from a bull while “cow-tipping” in Valdosta over holiday. . . . Punter Drew Butler was full go after being sidelined with a left ankle injury for Georgia’s practices in Athens. Butler injured his non-punting foot while walking in slick, tuxedo shoes before UGA’s Senior Gala. . . . Georgia practiced in full pads under a light rain on the University of Tampa’s Rood Field at Pepin Stadium. It’s a soccer pitch they converted into a football field, complete with temporary goal posts. . . . Georgia is practicing under a huge banner that says “S-P-A-R-T-A-N-S.” That’s the mascot for Tampa. It also happens to be Michigan State’s team name. “I just saw that when we got off the bus,” Richt said.

This is the name in front of which the Bulldogs are practicing this week at the University of Tampa.

Workers erecting temporary goal posts under menacing morning skies.

The University of Tampa has won many a national soccer championship at Pepin Stadium.

An almost-healthy Richard Samuel was one of the first Bulldogs on the field for the Bulldogs on Tuesday.