Bradley’s Buzz: McShay rates Tech’s Morgan No. 3 overall
Two Augusts ago I was watching Georgia Tech practice and commenting on the impressive nature of the defensive line. Michael Johnson, Vance Walker, Darryl Richard …
A man who works for Tech said to me: “Derrick Morgan is the best of the bunch.”
I started watching Morgan closely from that moment on. (I am, as we know, a moron, but I can be coached up.) And by the middle of the 2008 season I agreed: Derrick Morgan stood out the most along a D-line that would see its other three members drafted by NFL teams.
Which brings us to 2009, when Morgan was named ACC defensive player of the year, and almost to 2010, when Todd McShay of ESPN.com’s Insiders foresees the same Mr. Morgan going No. 3 overall in the NFL draft. (Link requires registration.)
Not third among defensive linemen, mind you. Third among everybody.
The top five: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska; Eric Berry, S, Tennessee; Morgan; Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma, and Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. That’s four defenders up top, and three of the top five from the Big 12. Who said the SEC owns college football?
McShay’s take on Morgan: “[He] can anchor at the point of attack, make plays in pursuit, get to the quarterback coming off the edge and drop into coverage. That type of versatility would be a nice addition to a Browns defensive front seven that lacks difference-makers.”
Yes, for his good work Derrick Morgan might end up in Cleveland. But that’s what happens when you’re really gifted. Tech’s Calvin Johnson went No. 2 overall in 2007 and landed in Detroit, and Georgia’s Matthew Stafford joined him two years later. Still, I hear those guys do get paid.
But back to Morgan: He was nowhere in anyone’s first round when the season began — nowhere in anyone’s first round I saw, anyway — and only last month did he climb into the top 20. Now he’s No. 3, at least according to McShay, which means Morgan has caught and passed big-name Florida defenders Carlos Dunlap (No. 6 on McShay’s board) and Brandon Spikes (No. 19) and even Tech mate Jonathan Dwyer (No. 29; McShay has him going to San Diego).
As for the Falcons, who could stand to land a Suh or a Berry or a Morgan or even a Dunlap … McShay has them taking a defender, all right. He’s Navorro Bowman, an outside backer from Penn State. (Hey, wasn’t Jack Ham an outside backer from Penn State? And did I ever tell you Jack Ham is my favorite NFL player ever?)
McShay’s rationale regarding the Falcons: “The Falcons need an impact player at cornerback, but the next-best corner [after Florida's Joe Haden], Florida State’s Patrick Robinson, is not worth taking this early. Bowman has some off-the-field baggage, but he might be the best all-around athlete at linebacker in this class.”
Off-the-field baggage? Bowman was suspended back in 2007 and into 2008 for an altercation at the student union, for which he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. And he also, according to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com, admitted smoking marijuana this year and saw his probation extended into 2010. Sound like a Falcon to you? (Wait, wait. Don’t all answer at once.)
But back to Morgan one last time: He’s a tremendous player and a splendid fellow who bears more than a passing resemblance to Will Smith. And if you thought Tech’s D was awful this season, imagine how it might be without him next year. (Wait, wait. Don’t all shudder at once.)
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194 comments Add your comment
Pilot
December 15th, 2009
6:09 pm
Hey All Cupcake Conference…only knob you will get shined is from your sister. Go back to your trailer!
Ben
December 15th, 2009
6:15 pm
I hope GT gets a new D Coordinator this offseason!! Dave Wommack hasn’t done anything special in his 2 years.
Here’s a tip Wommack: UGA and Clemson are going to run it down your throat. Why don’t you adjust more players against the run and make Joe Cox and Kyle Parker beat you?
Bobbi Dud
December 15th, 2009
6:21 pm
Our best players are leaving and we will have nothing but a bad DC and ….all those silly boys with yellow wigs that come to the game from Piedmont Park!
Chris
December 15th, 2009
6:22 pm
I still don’t get all of the nerds making fun of the bowl game UGA is going to. Is it a terrible bowl? Absolutely. Are the nerds and their 5,000 fans going to a better bowl? Absolutely. If you want to compare bowls, look at every bowl, and the results, from 2002 – January 2009. Where is your arguement? You people have nothing especially when Tech is 1-8 against UGA recently, has lost to UGA 60 times overall, and have lost 4 bowl games in a row. We know you are all jealous but at least have a decent arguement losers. Next year, when UGA goes to a better bowl then Tech are you going to be on here comparing the bowls?
dcp
December 15th, 2009
6:24 pm
Clint – you are an idiot. UGA had a great plan – it’s called – run the heck away from Morgan’s side – that is why he was not in on tackles. They passed like 6 times so you did not see a pass rush. Derrick Morgan is a great DE. Take off your UGA blinders and realize that. Morgan single handedly saved both Clemson games with key sacks through double teams, as well as the Wake game when he pushed Wake out of FG range with a sack. He will be a great pro. Give us some better insight than that crap.
Who CARES
December 15th, 2009
6:27 pm
GT IS IRLEVANT!!!
dcp
December 15th, 2009
6:29 pm
Chris – at least you brought facts into the discussion – those numbers are not debatable. UGA has had the better of the series, and better success in bowls. I am a big Tech fan, and hoping the corner has been turned. We are losing a ton of talent this year and time will tell. We will enjoy the Orange Bowl – no guarantees that happens anytime soon again.
Chris
December 15th, 2009
6:30 pm
Wow. Cheers to DCP. Wish more Tech fans were as smart.
collegeballfan
December 15th, 2009
6:34 pm
I do not see Morgan going in the top 15 players. He is good, very good,
but there are other players that would project as better fits for the team drafting. If he is there at 15 to 18 I can see the Falcons taking him. They have NO pass rush.
harry
December 15th, 2009
6:40 pm
the truth you are an asshole
Paul in RDU
December 15th, 2009
6:41 pm
Did Morgan play against the Dawgs?
UGA ran the ball up the middle or over the left side most of the day – that would be the side away from Morgan.
One of the times they ran his side, he did force Caleb King to fumble – recovered by GT.
Bobo had an excellent game plan – double team Morgan and run the ball away from him.
JB
December 15th, 2009
6:42 pm
collegeballfan
I don’t know if I agree with you – not in the top 15? Can you even name 15 players that you would rank ahead of him? I’m not trying to diss you but he probably belongs in the top 10 at least.
willie martinez
December 15th, 2009
6:42 pm
i MEAN a coaching job i’m qualified for.
heywood...
December 15th, 2009
6:43 pm
dinner tiiiiiimmmmme. come get your bowl,nerds.
come and get it.
come on!
here ya go. sit down.
30 – 24!!!! mmmmmm.
bon appetit.
LOSERS.
sam
December 15th, 2009
6:44 pm
Who CARES: “GT IS IRLEVANT!!!”
…looks like the high schoolers are out again on their mommy’s computer.
wreckmaniac
December 15th, 2009
6:44 pm
HOUSE BROKE DAWG: Does your name imply that most dawgs are not house
broken ? Now that you mention it, I would like to have a shirt labled “NERD HERD”. I like that
sam
December 15th, 2009
6:45 pm
heywood…
December 15th, 2009
6:43 pm
…not too bright are you?
TXDawg
December 15th, 2009
6:46 pm
Never thought I’d see the blog where a Tech fan exhibited some sense…..(DCP congrats).
white dawg
December 15th, 2009
6:47 pm
Congrats to Derrick Morgan. I hope he gets a high potential ranking so that he leaves for the pros!
TXDawg
December 15th, 2009
6:48 pm
My other thought is why in the world MB, are we talking about who will be drafted where….in December?? No offensive skill position player taken in the top 5, are you serious are desperate to post something that will stir up controversy?
GA Tech Insider
December 15th, 2009
6:51 pm
Ah – and so the comments begin. If any of you making snide comments about my post took the time to read it carefully, you’d realize that it was directed at those so juvenile that the only jobs would currently be available would be in the fast food industry. The main word I just used was JUVENILE.
So, if someone acts like an adult, I would be more than happy to assume they would be working in an adult job, like an accountant, police officer, attorney, physician, or even a coach perhaps. But when someone acts like a 15 year old brat, then they are barely qualified to work in job paying minimal wage. Sorry if that offends.
Paul in RDU
December 15th, 2009
6:53 pm
willie martinez
You need to give Urban Meyer a call – he’s looking for a DC.
Of course, you can always call Saban after your former friend hires KS
heywood...
December 15th, 2009
6:54 pm
mmmm. mmmmm.
finish up now.
it’s time to put on your underoos.
what honey? no, you can’t sleep with mommy and daddy tonite.
you’re 32 years old. please go to the basement now.
but wait, finish your bowl…..
your bowl of 30 – 24!!!!!!!
bwahahahahahahahahah
I KILL ME!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
F’ N LOSERS.
messin with sasquatch
December 15th, 2009
6:58 pm
messin with derrick is like ………..nice double team on him doggsqueezers. enjoy the shrimp creole in louisiana.
messin with sasquatch
December 15th, 2009
6:59 pm
thank the refs you didn’t get the holdin calls on every play
Displeased Dawg
December 15th, 2009
6:59 pm
Joe Cox is a first rounder, why isn’t he in this story? Overheard by A.J. Green recently, “It is ridiculous sophomores can’t enter the draft, I can’t take another year of this.” – True story.
Paul in RDU
December 15th, 2009
7:01 pm
GA Tech Insider
The subtleties of calling out a generic group of “juveniles” without calling out everyone on the other side of the opinion line don’t work on a blog posting. If you have a beef with individuals address it to them rather than to “unnamed generic Dawg fans”.
Gravy Train
December 15th, 2009
7:04 pm
What’s with all of the excuses from these Techsters on why they can’t make it to a BCS Bowl Game? Sounds like the IT department, or the help desk at Kinkos doesn’t pay so well.
Since when was being a season ticket holder at GT such a prestigious affair?
Can’t you get one of those things with a fill up at participating gas stations?
A better promotion would be to give them away with the purchase of body armor or a tazer.
KC
December 15th, 2009
7:07 pm
I find the consistent refrain from UGA fans of “nerd” to be most illuminating. I commend you all on admitting that the University of Georgia is not an institute of higher learning. It’s bold and refreshing to find that level of honesty on these boards. So…here’s to you!
Mark Richt
December 15th, 2009
7:17 pm
I promise, I’ll win the NC next year. I know that Tech is the last team in this state to win the NC, and I know I told everyone that I’d get it back soon, but it takes work to look this good, and I had no clue it was that difficult to win a NC. I thought all I had to do was recruit thugs. They never told me I actually had to coach them too.
that game meant everything to tech
December 15th, 2009
7:38 pm
there goes caleb king right by tech’s de nerdo again! 30 to 24..closing in on just 347 days till next year..tell former army cadet johnson’s paul to bring his alligator jowl to athens early for the excuses…lmfao
that game meant everything to tech
December 15th, 2009
7:39 pm
sorry, not Nerd.. meant to say FLAGBOY de! lmfao
that game meant everything to tech
December 15th, 2009
7:40 pm
thats much more accurate…from an educational standpoint! lmfao
KC
December 15th, 2009
7:44 pm
“That game meant everything to Tech”. BS, my friend. BS. Or should I say “BCS”? As in “What type of bowl game will GT play in that UGA will not?” It was an important game, no doubt. It always will be. However, unlike Jawja, we had other things to play for. A conference title, a BCS birth. If it was such a crushing defeat how did those woeful little “nerds” turn around and win the ACC title game the following week? And, seriously, if all the future felons on your roster hadn’t intentionally injured our QB to push him onto the sidelines for a few series you would have lost that game. You know you would. As it is you barely hung on to survive it. Congrats on the win…too bad you couldn’t play like men instead of animals. But, then, considering most of your players major in Animal Husbandry….who would expect anything less, eh?
nuck the ferds
December 15th, 2009
7:52 pm
if u want to talk bcs bowls then we have 3 for ya.
3 to 1. u lose again.
and there goes caleb
Golden Rule
December 15th, 2009
8:06 pm
Hey Always Broke Dawg” the only fans i see leaving earlier are yours you douche…Remember Kentucky…So much for you guys being die-hard… don’t forget to order the “Grand Slam” breakfast at the highest rated restaurant in Shreveport…Denny’s
Chris
December 15th, 2009
8:08 pm
“Golden Rule (AKA Shower)” see my post at 6:22PM. Again, what’s your arguement regarding UGA’s bowl game?
Sidslid
December 15th, 2009
8:20 pm
Wow. Loved the Jack Ham comment. I presume he still holds the record for interceptions by a linebacker.
There was only one running back who ever had success against the 70s Steelers. I believe he is imprisoned for kidnapping. Had an attractive blond wife. Don’t know what happened to her.
GT4Life
December 15th, 2009
8:23 pm
I just love you UGA fans. I always get a history lesson when I get on here and read. Speaking of history, its just too bad you couldn’t break Tech’s winning streak of eight in a row. Oh well, better settle for seven because there’s no chance you’ll ever see eight.
Can’t wait for Miami. Go Jackets!!
willie martinez
December 15th, 2009
8:29 pm
paul, do you have urban’s cell number?
Golden Rule
December 15th, 2009
8:30 pm
Chris …can you read?….was my post addressed to you? I want an honest answer from you if you please…you are an idiot aren’t you?
Brucemac
December 15th, 2009
8:54 pm
DC quote “if only you guys didn’t hit so hard, we could have won” “but we beat Clemson, you know they are a power house, they beat Duke and Wake Forest but couldn’t beat South Carolina”
House Broke Dawg
December 15th, 2009
8:57 pm
Chris…..man you better answer Golden Shower….did you forget…..they are under orders from cpj to punch us in the face!
I’m real skeeeered….God i do so hope I dont cross paths with the girlie boy techie from the Dr. Pepper half time contest!!!!! Did ya’ll see him limp wristing those footballs….what an arm!
the nerds on South Beach…..a sight to behold I am sure!!!
Paul in RDU
December 15th, 2009
8:58 pm
willie,
I don’t have Urban’s cell phone number – perhaps your good friend Mark can help.
You might want to cold call Urban, or even mail your resume to him directly.
Good luck, Paul
Mailing Address
University Athletic Association
P.O. Box 14485
Gainesville, FL 32604
Phone
352-375-GoUF (4683)
800-34-GATOR (4-2867)
Hearing Impaired: TDD (800) 955-8771
messin with sasquatch
December 15th, 2009
9:01 pm
cpj will not be havin mercy on your pissant team next year. he does like cmr. don’t be messin with sasquatch you doggsqueezin pissants.
messin with sasquatch
December 15th, 2009
9:03 pm
and don’t be thinkin bud foster savin yo butts. we already kicked vah tek out of bd.
Paul in RDU
December 15th, 2009
9:04 pm
willie,
Another idea. Perhaps Urban is on Facebook (I hear it is a useful recruiting tool) and you can “friend” him
Baba O'Riley
December 15th, 2009
9:09 pm
Damn! Who pulled wm’s chain? he never comes here to say anything pertaining to football, he just asks dumb questions until somebody notices him. He’s like the stray dog that someone finally feeds; now he’ll never go away.
Bo Williams
December 15th, 2009
9:15 pm
I am aware that UNC has the top-ranked defense in the ACC, and 5th or 6th in the country, depending on which defensive category we are talking about. That said, just how good are the individuals that comprise that defense and are they future pro prospects. I read that Marvin Austin, a Jr. is the 3d-ranked defensive tackle. Who are the other defensive players on that team that might be pro prospects? Anybody have any opinions here? I know that I could research this issue, but I thought some of the bloggers here might have info or opinions.
macrotech
December 15th, 2009
9:35 pm
uga….that ‘elite’ program that fills seats, recruits 4 and 5 star players, trashes their own campus ONLY to cry out, “Wait till NEXT year”! 140 years of college football and you STILL only have half in comparrison to Tech!!! Enjoy shreveport!!!!