Good Luck, Washaun

While many of us expected it to happen, the news yesterday that Washaun Ealey is leaving Georgia is still a bit shocking. After being suspended indefinitely earlier in the semester, Ealey fought hard to get back in the good graces of the staff. But an injury in spring practice and continued talks about Isaiah Crowell seemed to be the rock that tipped the scale.

Yes, Ealey had his share of troubles during his two years at Georgia. But he also contributed some key plays over the last few years. After being held out for the first few games of the 2009 season, he came off the bench in the game against LSU. His provided spark almost led to a Georgia victory on that Saturday. He paired with Caleb King to run all over Georgia Tech in 30-24 victory to close out the 2009 season. And, he is one of only a handful of players to ever score five touchdowns on the ground in a single game.

I wish him the best, wherever he ends up. I think Georgia Southern would be a good destination for him to continue his career.

Why Washaun Ealey's Reinstatement is a Big Deal

When Washaun Ealey was suspended from the team three weeks ago, many of the Georgia faithful felt he should have been kicked off the team. While I expect Isaiah Crowell to be the feature back this fall, I think it is very important for the team that Ealey come back. Here are the reasons why.

1. Caleb King's status is still up in the air. He was suspended for the bowl game we have not heard much since then. Caleb is Georgia's best blocking back, so I truly hope he returns. But if he doesn't, Ealey will need to step up in the blocking department. Pass blocking is one of the hardest things incoming players have to learn and Crowell will only be on campus for a few weeks prior to the first game. Ealey was not exactly a good blocker (at all) last year, but another year in the system should make him better.

2. Depth is always an issue. In todays football landscape, rarely do you see one running back carry all of the load for a successful running program. Carlton Thomas is definitely not the answer and we are unsure what we have in Ken Malcome. But Ealey has been a bright spot at times over the last few years. Even if Crowell is RB1, we need a good complementary back.

3. Washaun Ealey is a talented player. Remember 5 touchdowns against Kentucky? Remember almost 200 yards against Tech? He may have issues with fumbles, but he still can make things happen on the field.


4. Competition for Crowell. Everyone expects Crowell to be the starter, but ask yourself if that makes sense. Georgia returns its leading rusher who will be a junior and scored 11 TDs last year. Without Ealey, earning the starting job could almost be "easy". Washaun Ealey on campus means strong competition, which usually brings out the best in athletes.

I am glad to have Washaun back on the team. Hoefully, his attitude is fixed and he is ready for a big season in 2011.

NCAA Football 11: Georgia Covers

As MT mentioned yesterday, NCAA Football 11 was released yesterday and features Tim Tebow on the cover this year. Here are some custom covers featuring Georgia players you can use:

Rennie Curran

AJ Green

Brandon Boykin

Washaun Ealey

Thoughts on Auburn

Down 14-0 and having just lost their best player, Georgia looked like they were in serious trouble on Saturday night. A blowout loss to Auburn would have made me question whether the Dawgs would even get bowl eligible. But what the players and the fans needed, the Dawgs delivered on Saturday night. It was an amazing team effort and with two games to go, a shot a New Year's bowl is suddenly a reality once again. Here are my thoughts on 2009 version of the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry.

- The first quarter was one of the worst quarters of football I have witnessed at Sanford and I've seen some bad ones over the last ten years (Tennessee in 06 and Bama in 08 just to name a few). The defense was lost and once again penalties looked like they were going to be a problem. But then a strange thing happened...we made adjustments.

- I have to give Willie some credit on this one. Auburn was making us look ridiculous, but suddenly things changed and we were getting pressure on Todd. Couple that with the best tackling effort I have see Georgia put together this season (Tennessee tech doesn't count) and we shut Auburn's offense down. When you allow 14 points in the first quarter and only 3 the rest of the way, the defense is definitely doing something right.

- For the first time all season, I can honestly say the special teams was not the best unit for the Dawgs. Obviously the kick off return hurt, but our return game only turned in a mediocre effort at best. And I can't for the life of me figure out why we picked this game to stop letting Walsh at least attempt to kick it deep. Butler was solid and Walsh made the 51 yarder look like a chip shot.

- When Auburn's field goal attempt hit the upright but still went through, I felt like we were getting paid back for the tipped pass to Orson.

- Losing AJ again sucks. It sound like his shoulder is pretty banged up. At this point, let him heal and get ready for the bowl game. The man has done enough for one player to do for his team this, we can't ask him to go out there hurt. With AJ out, it will be a chance for the other receivers to step up, just like Israel Troupe did last night.

- The combination of King and Ealey was awesome. The line finally played up to its potential and the running backs did their part. it was a lot of fun to have a real running game again. These two are going to be monsters next season.

- My final thought is concerning the player who was the MVP of the game and is on every one's mind right now. Baccari Rambo is the playmaker we have been missing in the secondary. Like Rennie Curran, he just seems to be everywhere around the ball. After Evans dropped the easy interception, Rambo came into the game and it was a whole new Georgia defense. He saved the game for the Dawgs and knocked himself out doing it. That is called heart and this kid definitely has it. Heal up Rambo, can't wait to have you back!

Overall, an amazing night in Athens. I was yelling at people for booing early in the game but the support the crowd showed at the end heals all those wounds. It seems like Auburn always brings out the best in Georgia fans.

Two games to go. Let's close it out strong!

GO DAWGS!!!

Thoughts on Louisiana State

After LSU scored to take a 20-13 lead, I looked at the time left on the clock and immediately thought something special might happen. Georgia was about to receive the kickoff with 1 timeout remaining and 46 seconds on the clock. 8 years ago, the Dawgs received a kickoff with one time out remaining and 44 seconds on the clock after Tennessee had scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on the Dawgs in Knoxville. Unfortunately, there were no hobnail boots to rescue the Dawgs this time. Here are my final thoughts from a tough game that leaves the Dawgs at 3-2 and a tough game next week against the Vols in Knoxville:

- Despite the score only being 6-0 at half, this game felt a lot like the 2008 Bama game. The fact that we held it that close is a testament to the defense's performance. If you were to remove the final 3 minutes of the game, that was one of the top 10 defensive performances of the Mark Richt era (and yes, there have been some great defensive games during that time).
- People have been complaining about Richard Samuel and Caleb King in the first half, but really they should be complaining about the O-line. The offensive line was great on pass protection, but every time we ran there were mutliple guys through the line. However, it was nice to see the number 24 bursting through the line again. Washaun has a bright future in Athens.
- The lack of effort to both block and return punts is horrible. Put Carlton Thomas back there and let him give it a try if Prince can't. Every time we send out Logan, we might as well be raising a white flag.
- Rennie Curran and AJ Green continue their wonderful play. Our offense would be nothing with AJ right now. He is not on any Heisman lists (and with the team at 3-2, he stands no chance of winning it) but he is clearly the most valuable player in college football right now.
- The penalty was crap and the make up call against LSU was BS as well. Bottom line is the first one should have never been called, it changed the game. Walsh had two touchbacks during the game and I believe he could have done it again if we kick off from the 30.

This game was a heart breaker. After an exhausting 5 week stretch to open the season, the Dawgs have yet to play a game that they either had a no chance to win or lose. The won-loss records of the teams Georgia has played so far is 16-5 (I believe). To come out with a 3-2 record, while disappointing, is still something to be proud of. We've got two games in Tennessee and then the week off before Florida. I hope the Dawgs can right the ship like we did in 2007.

GO DAWGS!!!

Future Bulldog: Washaun Ealey

Imagine a running back from a small Georgia high school who set numerous records during their high school years and immediately Georgia fans will think of Herschel Walker. In a few short years, Dawg fans may also think of the player who broke many of those records, Washaun Ealey. From the Emmanuel County Institute in Twin City, Georgia, Ealey (along with teammate Dexter Moody) became the first commit of Georgia's 2009 signing class.

Ealey's stats during his high school career are absolutely staggering. During the 2007 season, Ealey helped lead the Bulldogs to the Georgia Class A state championship. He rushed for 2982 yards (198.8 per game) and 58 touchdowns. The 58 touchdowns broke the single season mark held by former Buford and Notre Dame back Darius Walker (who had broken the record previously held by Herschel Walker). 2008 would see Ealey lead the Bulldogs back to the state title game, however a lingering ankle injury would prevent him from breaking his own records. His 2008 totals include 2825 yards on the ground with 41 touchdowns and 13 receptions for 166 yards and 5 scores. For his career, Washaun set a new Georgia record for touchdowns with 122.

Ealey has good size (5'11'', 205) and has been clocked with a 4.4 in the 40. His video highlights show his ability to both break tackles as well as making tacklers miss all together. The only knock on Ealey is the belief that his gaudy stats were accumulated against inferior competition. The line at ECI was one of the largest in the state (at any classification) averaging over 280 lbs and often created large holes for him to run through. Many have questioned whether he would have the same success in the larger classifications. As all Georgia fans know, Herschel Walker also came from a single A school and he had no problem at the collegiate level.

Here is a video of Ealey's highlights. You can judge for yourself:

With the departure of Knowshon Moreno, the running back position is an open competition. However, with sophomores Richard Samuel and Caleb King with experience and freshman Dontavious Jackson and Carlton Thomas coming off red shirts, I expect Ealey will be red shirted this fall.

Go Dawgs!!!