Georgia's Washaun Ealey Leaving Early, Ugly
by War Eagle Atlanta on May 9, 2011 11:11 PM CDT
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On Monday, Georgia coach Mark Richt granted troubled running back Washaun Ealey a conditional release to go play for another school, finalizing the career of the state of Georgia product who was supposed to be the second coming of Knowshon Moreno, but who's legal problems the last year or so ultimately lead to the demise of his playing days in Athens.
"Washaun and I have had several conversations in recent weeks. We both have come to the conclusion that a transfer to another institution would be in his best interest",said Richt.
While Ealey has two years of eligibility left, he will be able to play immediately, but the 'conditional' part of his release more than likely means it won't be around these parts if it's a FBS school.
Last February, Ealey was arrested for driving on a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident. He was then suspended from the team for a while, but it was upgraded to 'indefinitely' when he failed to show up for punishment run drills. Ealey's conduct was perhaps the precursor to a series of off-the-field incidents that plagued Georgia last spring and summer, culminating in AD Damon Evan's DUI arrest and subsequent resignation.
Ealey virtually split carries with Caleb King last year but was still the Bulldog's reading rusher with 881 yards on 5.2 ypc. He was essentially shut down in the Auburn game last season, carrying six times for 44 yards. In the 2009 game in Athens, he torched us for almost 100 yards, and it looked like to Auburn that the Dawgs might have found Moreno's successor.
Ealey looked early on like he might have the tools to be another in the long line of quality Georgia running backs in the post-Herchel years that went on to success in the NFL after modest college careers; guys like Rodney Hampton, Garrison Hearst, Terrell Davis, Robert Edwards and Knowshon Moreno. I guess not so much now.
And just how perfect is the decision that highly-recruited running back Isiah Crowell from Columbus, GA made in February to sign with the Dawgs instead of with Auburn? Instead of riding the bench for a year or so behind Onterio McCalebb and Michael Dyer, he stands to get immediate playing time with Georgia, especially considering the academic and legal troubles that Caleb King is no stranger to. The Dogs will find out in their season opener against Boise State in the Georgia Dome. I think even the most advent Dawg hater might find himself barking that evening.
So has any back in the SEC got what it takes to dethrone Dyer and McCalebb? Trent Richardson? Marcus Lattimore? The true frosh Crowell? So many teams start 2011 with unproven quantities at RB--Tennessee, Florida, LSU. At least we think the Gators will start to run the ball again with Charlie Weiss's pro-style offense installed. That'll be a long time coming. I'm glad our version of the spread isn't what Urban Meyer's was--so Auburn can be Auburn and run the ball!
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Thanks for the barking.
Lord knows we need it. The stable’s still pretty deep with Crowell, King, and Boo Malcome, but it’s hardly our first choice to have things go this way, or to be relying on a true freshman to be The Guy. Ealey had potential but never quite put it all together on and off the field.
As for who should get top billing in the SEC, I’ve got to go with Lattimore. He’s a proven stud who has all the pieces of last year’s offense coming back. It will be really fascinating to see if Dyer (who is cut from the same mold as Lattimore) and McCalebb can keep producing at a high level with less consistent line play and without the SEC’s leading rusher at QB. Both Auburn guys had terrific seasons, but neither had to carry the load like Lattimore. It would also be foolish to sleep on Knile Davis. Oh, and those two studs in Tuscaloosa. There’s an awful lot of rushing talent in the SEC right now.
And, on a factual note, I'm not sure Ealey was "shut down" in the Auburn game.
He averaged over 7 yards per carry. He didn’t get many carries because we were leaning heavily on the passing game. Our matchup last year was hardly a defensive showcase.
by first and thom on May 10, 2011 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Seconded this:
As for who should get top billing in the SEC, I’ve got to go with Lattimore…..Both Auburn guys had terrific seasons, but neither had to carry the load like Lattimore.
Took the words right from me.
I could see though, that with the QB situation what it is at South Carolina, that they might lean on him too heavily, perhaps to the point where durability becomes an issue.
Then again, they’ve got Alshon Jeffrey — if Shaw can throw a jump-ball in his direction, they’ve got most of their aerial attack down.
Maybe it’s nuts, but I’ve got South Carolina definitely contending for, and possibly winning, the East.
Who's gonna beat 'em?
There is a lot riding on the September matchup between UGA and USC.
by first and thom on May 10, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I still have a hard time putting USCe better than 3rd in the east and I really expect them to be 4th.....
UT and UGA are the contenders with UF being the favorite in my book. USCe has a tough schedule on the road and while they miss LSU and Bama on their schedule I still have a hard time seeing them win more than 7 or 8 games. It may surprise some people to see UT back in contention next season but not me….Dooley is a good coach and will run a tight ship in knoxville….and as we have witnessed discipline in every action breeds a solid football team.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
I'll believe in UT when I see who they field on defense
I agree about Dooley, but the cupboard is pretty bare on the defensive side of the ball. I’m not sold on Bray – and even if I were, I fear that UT will have to win shootouts. That’s a tough recipe for success.
by first and thom on May 10, 2011 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't sleep on UT either...
As last year’s campaign was a hell of a lot better than I was expecting. Still, would I say that they’re in a better place than Georgia or SC at this point? I don’t think.
Georgia’s backfield may actually have experienced addition by subtraction, depending upon what Crowell can make of his touches.
SC has two great playmakers in Lattimore and Jeffrey (I still wince, able to see Jeffrey hauling in passes, despite double coverage from our secondary).
Poole is definitely a bright spot for the Vols (I had to refresh my memory, and he was even more productive than I remembered). But Bray….?
And I’m with both of you on Dooley — given another season to right the ship, I think he can bring them back into steady contention.
Well gosh, guys.
I thought a more realistic goal for UT this year would be to win all the games in which they were leading as time expired.
by first and thom on May 11, 2011 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Baby steps
Once the shower discipline is really drilled in (everyone knows that takes at LEAST two seasons), and they shake off the final vestiges of the Kiffin Experiment, then they can focus on the 11-man defense and— oh, god, pick ANYthing from that trainwreck of an ending to their bowl game.
I don't think the cupboard is as bare as you think.....
and if you watched UT last season you saw them on the wrong end of the close games….but you also saw a team that improved exponentially from the first of the season to the end of the season. Now those kids coming back have bought into what Dooley is selling and I expect them to pick up where they left off last season which was a solid football team. Add to that the East will be wide open with no real clear powerhouse in the drivers seat….a two or three loss team could realistically win the east next season and I don’t see an undefeated team coming out of the east.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
well
theres been quite a few 2nd year coaches make some serious noise in recent years. Who can tell? I hate all the prognostication before the season, but as fans, we have to talk about something.
Washaun Ealey definitely has the skills to be a top tier back in College and probably the pro's....
but if he doesn’t get his head on straight then it will be all for naught. Good luck to him and hopefully he’s learned a lesson and makes the most of his next College experience.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
By the way, Ealey had lots of nice things to say about himself.
Check it here
I’m a person where I want to be a premier back. If I was to play here, I would have had to share the backfield with Caleb and Carlton also. Then they were going to try to give the freshman, Isaiah, his chance. He probably was going to get some carries at the beginning of the year, too. I just felt like I didn’t want to be in that mix of things anymore.
The cream
always has a way of rising to the top.
Auburn University: "Cutting corners" on everything since December 2008.
by War Eagle Atlanta on May 10, 2011 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Why yes....
…I do believe those grapes are mighty sour, and I don’t care to have any, thank you very much.
This is where we UGA fans...
…kindly respond with a “don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.” Those comments pretty well summarize the sense of entitlement that has plagued our entire program the last five years or so.
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
Ealey did all kinds of crap...
Yet I wonder, had he made this season and gotten drafted would you hear all the rumblings about his character like you did with Cam Newton? I doubt it.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
"All kinds of crap?"
He collided with a car in a parking deck (doing no or little damage) and drove away, though he later returned without being told or summoned. He also failed to appear in court for a traffic violation. Both are crimes and are unacceptable.
However, the allegations around Newton are certainly greater. Ealey’s got no felony arrests. There’s no pay-to-play whispers around his recruitment. No allegations of cheating.
I’m not sure the cases are comparable. Ealey has demonstrable brain fail, but the allegations around Newton go to crimes and actions that society generally punishes more strongly.
by first and thom on May 12, 2011 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions
The allegations haven't been proven to be true...
And-didn’t he have a DUI? Just more media bias against Cam Newton. You’ll NEVER change my mind about that.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
I'm not trying to change your mind.
I made a point about calling allegations “allegations.”
No DUI for Washaun.
by first and thom on May 12, 2011 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Let it go sparkey....
let it go. You can’t compare every instance to Cam Newton and it certainly doesn’t apply here…….Washaun Ealey made some poor decisions and from the sound of it may have a little prima donna issue…..but the kids a good back and will land on his feet probably at a mid-major or lower tier BCS program. Even if he did have a DUI that’s no reason to throw stones.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
are we really writing about washaun ealey?
… are things that damn boring around here? no offense to WEA… but damn is the information tight this dead period… b ooooo ring.
how close are we to having these “student athletes” float around as if they were free agents?
you do it and you wipe it up.
Tennessee
Has that Poole kid. I’ve seen him flash in games I’ve watched. He could be in line to break out.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
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