Former Bulldog = Future Falcon?

It's become a recent trend for the Atlanta Falcons to grab one of the many talented Georgia Bulldogs each year to infuse some life into their program from a local talent. Here are some of the guys who have had the distinct privilege of staying in-state to help the hometown Falcons.

In 2006, quarterback D.J. Shockley was selected in the seventh round with the 223rd pick overall.

In 2007, tight end Martrez Milner was selected in the fourth round with the 133rd pick overall.

In 2008, running back Thomas Brown was selected in the sixth round with the 172nd pick overall.


However, it wasn't until Shockley that the Falcons stayed away from the Georgia program, but considering the wealth of talent stemming from Athens this year, I don't think the Falcons will pass them up. My personal opinion is that they'll go after cornerback Asher Allen to replace Domonique Foxworth who signed with the Ravens. They could also go Jairus Wynn in the later rounds to spark some life in borderline 1st round bust Jamaal "2 sacks" Anderson.

Either way, it's interesting to see the Falcons relying so heavily on Georgia talent in the last three years as I believe it probably really helps out the young kids trying to make the transition from college athlete to professional.

-Matty

Georgia Pro Day

In Athens, Georgia all 32 NFL teams showed up to watch Matt Stafford workout, along with the rest of his Georgia teammates. Matt Stafford was easily the focal point of the day as he has the potential to be the number one overall selection in the draft and may be considered by some to be the only "franchise" quarterback in the draft ahead of USC's Mark Sanchez and Kansas State's Josh Freeman.

Here's how his workout went out according to NFL.com prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Matt Stafford (6-foot-2 5/8, 225 pounds) He chose to stand on his combine numbers. However, he did throw 50 passes in a scripted workout that was run at a quick pace. Sources on the ground in Athens all agreed that of the 50 passes, only three weren’t thrown with accuracy. Stafford rolled out, threw deep comebacks … he threw everything and looked good doing it.

As for the remaining prospects, the other talent who say a lot of looks was running back Knowshon "I have an awesome name" Moreno. He measured in at 5'10", 210 pounds but it was quite unfortunate for scouts watching as Moreno had been sick all week and he did not run up to his capabilities. He ran a 4.60 and 4.62 in the 40, but kept the rest of his workout numbers from the combine. He did look sharp catching the ball in position drills though which is good for west coast systems looking for a back.

As for the remaining Georgia contingent, you can find how they did thanks to NFL.com:

WR Mohamed Massaquoi (6-1 1/2, 207 pounds) ran a 4.51 and 4.54 in the 40, had a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump, a 4.15 short shuttle, a 7.07 three-cone drill and did position drills. He caught the ball well.

FB Brannan Southerland (6-0, 245 pounds) kept his workout numbers from the combine and did position drills.

DT Corvey Irvin (6-3 1/8, 302 pounds) ran a 4.99 and 5.01 in the 40, had a 25-inch vertical jump, an 8-foot, 7-inch broad jump, a 4.66 short shuttle, a 7.60 three-cone drill and did not do a bench press.

DE Jarius Wynn (6-3 1/8, 272 pounds) ran a 4.94 and 4.97 in the 40, had a 29-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot, 5-inch broad jump, a 4.66 short shuttle, a 7.27 three-cone drill and did 21 bench press reps.

Should be interesting to see where some of the Georgia talent lands outside of first round locks Moreno and Stafford.

-Matty

Matt Stafford + Lions = Destiny?

Per NFL.com

In his first mock draft, NFL.com’s Steve Wyche has the Detroit Lions taking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Makes sense to Stafford, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“I don’t know if it’s destiny, but I’d love to have the opportunity to be a Lion, for sure,” Stafford said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me. It could work out in the end, for sure.”

The destiny part has to do with Bobby Layne, the Lions quarterback who when traded to Pittsburgh in 1958 — the year after leading Detroit to its last championship — supposedly put a curse on his old team, saying the Lions wouldn’t win for 50 years. The newspaper points out that Detroit has only one playoff win and one Pro Bowl quarterback since Layne was traded.

The interesting part, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt points out, is that Stafford (a neighbor of Brandt’s in the greater Dallas area) went to the same high school as Layne, football-powerhouse Highland Park High. So did Doak Walker, who followed in Layne’s cleats at Highland Park in 1944.

Brandt also notes that three top prospects, who could all go in the top five picks, went to high schools within seven miles of each other in the Dallas area — Stafford, Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree and Baylor tackle Jason Smith. “I don’t think that’s ever happened before,” Brandt said.

Like Layne, Walker enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the Lions. Question is, will Stafford be next?