No distinction between Todd Gurley and Georgia’s other tailbacks
ATHENS — Freshman Todd Gurley has out-gained the other tailbacks two-fold with 167 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 touches in Georgia’s two scrimmages. But that hasn’t been enough for coaches to anoint him as No. 1 player at the position.
“As far as a clear-cut pecking order, I think we’ll probably come up with one a little bit later on, but not today,” running backs coach Bryan McClendon said after Thursday’s practice. “We have one more scrimmage next week and a few more padded practices to keep progressing. So we still have some time to do some evaluating and guys to get better as well. You don’t want to come up with something and then switching things up next week and create a mess.”
McClendon said after reviewing the video from Wednesday’s scrimmage and watching closely observing Gurley go through 15 preseason practices, he is as excited as everybody else about the 6-foot-1, 218-pound runner. But he is also getting positive feedback from the other three players battling to be the No. 1 tailback: sophomore Ken Malcome, senior Richard Samuel and freshman Keith Marshall.
“You get excited when you see [Gurley] go out and perform,” McClendon said. “He went out there and had a good scrimmage. But he wasn’t the only one. Keith had a good scrimmage and had some good runs. And Ken, stat wise, didn’t have the numbers that those guys did, but he was probably the best one out there yesterday. It’s definitely something you have to go by what you see, but all those guys are working their tails off and pushing each other. It’s exciting to see that now.”
McClendon said he envisions all four players getting carries in the Buffalo game. One of them will have to go first, and the Bulldogs can play it a lot of different ways.
It can start Malcome, who began the preseason in the No. 1 position and has done nothing to fall back;
It can reward the senior Richard Samuel for being willing to return to the position and split time at fullback;
It can go with either one of the freshmen, making one the first rookie to start a season opener since Danny Ware in 2004.
Whatever Georgia does, McClendon thinks it’s merely trivia.
“I definitely think we’ll use four,” he said. “We used three the last couple of years in each game. We’ve played three or four guys before, so I definitely think we can play all four of them.”
Here’s what Georgia’s five tailbacks have done in the two scrimmage. Keep in mind that situations and opportunities with the No. 1 offense vary for each:
- Gurley: 13 carries — 145 yards — 11.2 ypc — 3 TDs
- Malcome: 10-67-6.7ypc-1
- Harton: 14-56-4.0 ypc-0
- Marshall 12-46-3.83 ypc-1
- Samuel 6-40-6.67 ypc-1
Your thoughts?
MORE ON GEORGIA FOOTBALL
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- Freshman TB Todd Gurley stars (again) in Georgia’s scrimmage
- Most questions answered as Dogs prepare for 2nd scrimmage
- Notebook: McGowan’s ‘dream comes true’ with scholarship
- Video: Georgia’s biggest surprises, greatest concerns
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192 comments Add your comment
Say What??
August 17th, 2012
6:05 pm
Well… I guess his mind is made up… Bud is going to fire our running backs coach… If that is what you feel is best for the team. I sure am glad that we have you, reviewing scrimmage stats and internet posts, deciding how the team should be run. I mean, your track record speaks for itself.
Bernie Matt
August 17th, 2012
6:11 pm
Kingdaddy is on the right path!
Tampa Gator
August 17th, 2012
6:21 pm
The Factor…..
Degree in Journalism/Public Relations in 1973. Check with any Florida graduate of the school at the time……..in the early 70’s……if Charlie Wellborn (taught photojournalism) was a professor in the college of journalism…….which included newspaper writing, broadcasting, and public relations (my major). Only someone who attended Florida journalism school would know Charlie taught there and taught photography. Charlies dies a few years ago. Great teacher…..and he is responsible for my love of photography (landscape). But you can think what you want…..
Tampa Gator
August 17th, 2012
6:22 pm
“Charlie died a few years ago”……typing error in post above.
Tampa Gator
August 17th, 2012
6:26 pm
…..and The Factor……
I think you read more of my posts that JUST that “last one.” But I would recommend that you don’t read any of them…..especially that last one…..because they obviously upset you emotionally. Not sure why anyone would let posts on a sports blog do that……but obviously it does to you. Ignore me….I would support you on that one.
Tampa Gator
August 17th, 2012
6:29 pm
and….The Factor…..do you have multiple personalities…..explaining the “we” in your post to me? But don’t read this post….because it is most likely going to upset you emotionally….oh well….too late now.
WestOfAthens
August 17th, 2012
7:32 pm
UGA has talent, and competition is awesome. I say, give ‘em the ball and watch. Greatness will weed itself out. I have no doubt the Dawgs will thrive.
After all, it is great to be a Georgia Bulldog
and to those that post idiotic rhetoric, jealous are we? HaHaHaHa
Mizzou, mon amor
August 17th, 2012
8:39 pm
Mizzou 38, Georgia 24
kingdaddy
August 17th, 2012
8:45 pm
Tamp,
Sorry I couldn’t get back to you bro. We had a squall down here and had to clear some limbs. Your 5:02 was funny. I also have “admirers” who let their immaturity overide their common-sense. That’s what you get for being infamous, lol. Groupies, stalkers & admirers…
Wow
August 17th, 2012
8:50 pm
@Tampa Gator
Still believe in Muschamp huh? Well good luck on that.
Interesting how you have to let us know about your degree from UF and to ask anyone from that time.
You know what, WHO CARES!!!
You seem to be an attention whore. I guess you don’t get enough attention at home.
Have fun watching them Gaytors crumble with Will Muschamp aka the new Ray Goff of coaching.
kingdaddy
August 17th, 2012
8:57 pm
Mizzoo
Good luck. We’re glad to have Missouri & A&M in the SEC. Sorry to hear about your two O-linemen last week, hope they recover fully and you enjoy playing in the best conference in NCAA FOOTBALL. Hope you don’t take the beating you will receive the second game of the year personal, its the least we can do to welcome you to the SEC…
otn dawg
August 17th, 2012
9:00 pm
You are in a dream land Mizzou. Welcome to the SEC, home of the best damn football in the country, now prepare for some good ole woodshed azz whoopins
guy
August 17th, 2012
9:09 pm
show me the defense!!!
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
August 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
We were in the end zone seats when Walker scored that td up at Rocky Top. Pretty neat thing….
Just Saying
August 17th, 2012
9:44 pm
@Tampa gator
UGa’s “J” school is light years better than UF’s. You went to the wrong school….and UGa is historically better than UF in football too!!! Dang you are an all around loser.
Just Saying
August 17th, 2012
9:51 pm
Now we all know why you are so bitter Mr. Tampa Gator……you made a lot of bad choices in life!
JFKDawg
August 17th, 2012
10:09 pm
You can’t believe that even McClendon is going to tip his hand to those DC’s he plays the first few games. Why give them extra weeks to prep for a certain RB? Keep ‘em guessin’ and run it down their throat. Follow our strength on the OL then pop the rock through the air.
kingdaddy
August 17th, 2012
10:34 pm
JFK
We will probably be very vanilla for Buffalo. Show a few new wrinkles for Missouri and practice but not pull a whole lot of new stuff out until S.C. We can’t let lil stevie out coach us this year. Columbia may be one of the biggest games against undefeated teams of the year. I hope CMR & CMB & CTG bring their A-game. We win there, and the monkey will be off our back…
Tampa Gator
August 17th, 2012
10:42 pm
“UGa’s “J” school is light years better than UF’s.”
@Just saying….
You should go do some research before posting such ignorance of Florida’s journalism school. Florida is considered by most national journalism school ranking sites as one of the top journalism schools in the country. It just happens to be the second largest journalism program in the country….just behind Michigan. You can pick 10 rankings and Florida will outrank Georgia in one and Georgia will outrank Florida in the next. Both are excellent, top-notch programs….but there is little difference in the level of educational excellence provided by the journalism professors and educators at both Florida and Georgia, or the level of achievement by both school’s graduates.
Tampa Gator
August 17th, 2012
10:49 pm
…….but I think I am having a on-line conversation with the person who consistently impersonates me on the AJC blogs with juvenile posts……and I have no justifiable reason or intelligent purpose for doing so.
Smarticus
August 17th, 2012
11:02 pm
Here we go again, folks.
Mssrs Richt and Bobo need to put a halt to their friends and family program.
Who starts and who plays needs to be based on merit, not seniority or who sucks up the best.
If Gurley is running circles around the other RBs, he needs to start and get the reps.
What we need is new coaches, save Grantham…
Chuck UGA
August 17th, 2012
11:32 pm
Gurley will be too good to keep off the field. He will be as good if not better than Crowell. Many of us heard he was the secret weapon, not Marshall, coming out of NC. People forget he is only 4 pounds lighter than Herschel Walker was as a frosh. You will see a surprising running game this year. If it is as good against Missouri, and Georgia doesn’t struggle in that game, Georgia will go 11-1 and play for the SEC Title again, this time winning it (and that includes whipping Bama if that is the West winner).
Ghost
August 17th, 2012
11:44 pm
59dawg, See what I mean, some read some controlled scrimmage stats online pertaining to a scrimmage they didn’t see and start thinking they have a better feel for the team and they’re better judges of talent than coaches that recruited these players.
kingdaddy
August 18th, 2012
12:03 am
Smarticus
you new???
Go Dawgs!!!!
August 18th, 2012
1:47 am
I agree with kingdaddy….start the 1st game at tailback/fullback with Malcome/Samuel, then Gurley/Hall, then Marshall/Hicks, and early in the 4th qt with Samuel/Ogletree…late in the 4th with Harton,Karempelis/any other FB…..now for the Mizzou game….play whoever played the best overall in the 1st game at both positions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7576DAWG
August 18th, 2012
3:59 am
I picked Alabama to win the SEC West last year and they would have if their field goal kicker makes one field goal but amazingly they were allowed to play for the National title. I again picked them to beat LSU 21 to 7 which they did and I was pretty close with the score.
Alabama can’t beat LSU this year unless Mettenburger bombs or get hurt. Alabama lost too many great play makers in the draft.
A Douglas
August 18th, 2012
9:15 am
You are correct sir. No room for political correctness on the gridiron. Put the best men out there at all times.
Fair n Balanced
August 18th, 2012
10:19 am
Herschel didn’t start vs TN in ‘80. “Just another big slow back.”.
Homepage | MrSEC
August 18th, 2012
10:28 am
[...] fake injury, a focus on special teams Sunday at LSU, final open practice tonight for Arkansas, what Georgia’s running backs have done in two [...]
zbulldawg
August 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
Start the senior it’s only right ! He’ll get to play full back also ! That’s serious for Buff. 4 backs 4 quarters ! Don’t get them banged It’s a long season ! We’ll need Richard to stay healhty I predict he’s going to have alot to do with our progress early on with his blocking on the passing plays !
Notebook: Still no offensive snaps for Malcolm Mitchell, but coming soon | UGA sports blog
August 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
[...] No separation between Todd Gurley and other tailbacks [...]
Reagan Dawg: Here we go again.
August 18th, 2012
3:31 pm
The real concern is even if Richt has a playmaker at RB, will this head coach be able to properly utilize him in the season and hold on to him in the off-season. The problem is Richt’s offenses are not geared to feature the run, which at Georgia and in the SEC is a major problem. Richt’s offensive playbook and big but soft O-line is not prepared to support a power run game, which is why Richt has downgraded the importance of running the ball and depended on an error-prone QB to defeat lesser opponents and lose to respectable opponents. He has a ACC passing mentality in a power running league dominated by Saban and Miles. Historically speaking most of Georgia’s greatest teams of bygone era, featured a power running game. But as in his recent past and true to his form, Richt will find a way to mis-manage or under-utilize the RBs and waste their talent. May the offensive blame-games of the Richt era continue.
Another thing, the socialistic Richt sympathizers must stop focusing on the coaches overall cumulative won/lost record to soothe the sting of a disappointing loss or disappointing season. He’s been more than compensated for past games. The era of coaches winning just enough to keep a job 15 to 20 years to win a national title at a major competitive program is dead and gone. Accept it. After 12 years on the job, Richt has approached(or may have passed) the now or never point. Will Richt raise the program to the next level or will it be the same old sad story of under-achievement ? Stay tuned my friends, this season will tell the story. Go you Hairy Dogs !
chazzo
August 18th, 2012
3:37 pm
If you have four runs for 4 yards and a fifth for 66 yards Your average will be 12 ypc. Whoever is getting the consistent yardage and blocking is the guy. Give me a back that can consistently get 3-4 yard carries any day.
chazzo
August 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
I would love to see four straight runs for a 1st down late in the game. How long has it been? I would love to see a nice 90+ yard march down the field that just kills the clock and the opposing D while our D is rested up. I miss those days.
drew
August 18th, 2012
5:40 pm
Those of you who think Gurley or Marshall will redshirt are obviously too young to understand football. All 5 guys will carry the rock in the first game.
Unfortunately for Gurley / Marshall our illustrious leaders Richt and Bobo tend to use players based on their hard work, good attitude etc rather than output. So Samuel will get the ball more than anybody because of his willingness to constantly switch positions. It won’t matter he runs it for 50x and only get 7yards. Same with Malcome.
It’ll take getting a mile behind in the Missouri game before Gurley and Marshall get some serious carries.
Ted M
August 19th, 2012
7:19 am
Wow the first thing I thought was the defense sure is giving up a lot of ypc. All but one of them were good.
mambo
August 19th, 2012
6:35 pm
Isaiah who?
Georgia’s Branden Smith longs to ‘take it to the house’ | UGA sports blog
August 22nd, 2012
12:19 pm
[...] No separation between Todd Gurley and other tailbacks [...]
jojo
August 22nd, 2012
3:46 pm
Everybody knows. there will NEVER be another Hershel Walker. We need to stop saying these guys are the next Hershel. Let them be the present who they are, and give them the chance to prove themselves without comparing them to anybody.
FootballFan1983
August 22nd, 2012
6:21 pm
I am from Tarboro (the same home toen as Gurley), and had the pleasure of watching this kid play for four years. He is one of the most gifted athletes i have ever seen in any sport. Besides football he was a state champion in the hundred meter hurdles and a great basketball player. Because Marshall went to Milbrook H.S. and its vicinity to Tarboro I had the chance to watch him as well, and i feel like both these guys will be great college players, but Gurley is speacial, he runs hard both outside and up the middle, and the biggest difference between him and Marshall is he will RUN OVER people. Maek my words, if given the chance to play he will be one of the best running backs in college football. We here are proud of him and are glad he has the oppurtunity to play for an outstanding University like Georgia, in the toughest conference in college football.
It was love at first sight for Georgia and tailback Todd Gurley - Georgia News Feed
August 23rd, 2012
7:39 am
[...] No separation between Todd Gurley and other tailbacks [...]
UGA notebook: Two positions for Washington; Samuel ‘1B’ at fullback? | UGA sports blog
August 24th, 2012
12:15 am
[...] No separation between Todd Gurley and other tailbacks [...]