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
Ted Striker
December 15th, 2009
9:47 pm
Macrotech — UGA has underperformed over 140 years of UGA football? Eh? Where did you learn to do math?
Anyway, thanks for playing and pick up some turtle wax on your way off the blog.
LJ
December 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
When are the dogs playing? Oh that’s right. A monday, Dec 28th. At 5 oclock. Hahahaha. Nice game!!
Mark PRicht
December 15th, 2009
9:49 pm
Does anyone know how to get to Shreveport?
Nevermind, I just found it on mapquest, it says go HWY 7 and 5 and then south
Med
December 15th, 2009
9:51 pm
Guide for the REDnecks.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2848125-shreveport_things_to_do-i
Bo Williams
December 15th, 2009
9:52 pm
I know how to get to Shreveport – play football for UGa.
Mark PRicht
December 15th, 2009
9:53 pm
hope there’s enough room for our trash
GT IS STILL A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 15th, 2009
10:28 pm
NO MATTER WHAT. FOREVER AND EVER. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHHAH
Dave from GT
December 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
SHREEEEEEEEEEVE PAWT!
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boiler up
December 15th, 2009
10:51 pm
who was the last db we took from fsu in the first round?? oh.. a future hall of famer. please do not pass on PR.. Look at all of the great talent from fsu in the nfl.. can’t be too picky at this point.. either injured or weed…
Bo Williams
December 15th, 2009
11:11 pm
Been thinking. It might be a good move if UGa joined the ACC and Miami joined the SEC. UGa wants to improve its academic reputation, and its association with the ACC would certainly do that. UGa has potential given the fact that there is “gray matter” in Atlanta that would be more likely to go to UGa if they were in the ACC. Those that could qualify currently eschew UGa in favor of UNC or UVa. Joining the ACC would not hurt UGa football at all, and it would help ACC football. It would also help UGa basketball. The BB program needs all the help it can get.
As far as Miami goes, I believe fan interest would escalate if Miami were in the SEC.
What u think?
willie martinez
December 15th, 2009
11:32 pm
Paul, thanks so much for the information. best, willie
Wednesday Reading Room — Big Ten Expansion Madness | GazetteOnline.com
December 15th, 2009
11:34 pm
[...] [...]
House Broke Dawg
December 15th, 2009
11:37 pm
Yeaaaahhh buddy bo…we could maybe get right up there with them intellectual giants FSU…last 2 basketball all americans were both denied admission to UGA, clemson…where all the Hope qualifiers that are turned by UGA go, Miami, NC State, VT…and just maybe you are right…maybe our basketball team would get good enough to make 2 final four appearances like tech…oh..forgot..we already did that!
BTW dumbazz…Miami and FSU were sent formal letters of invitation to join the SEC in 1990…both declined….Bobby Bowden was quoted when asked why he wanted to be in ACC vs SEC…he replied it would give them a much better chance of competing for national championships!
Probably about fan interest IF Miami were in SEC…they would be playing lots of good teams…attractive matchups instead of weak azz acc teams!!!
thanks for playing
30-24
GIVE ME A BREAK
December 15th, 2009
11:41 pm
Tech is 11-2 with a questionable defense. Great year “JACKETS”, we can fix that. Proud to be a TECH fan.
4 tickets 4 hotdogs 4 cokes
December 16th, 2009
12:43 am
NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!!
BuLLdawg
December 16th, 2009
1:04 am
Who said The SEC owns football ?
Everyone.
This guy you gush over surely didn’t stop any running back from UGA on any play at any point in the game, not once.
He looks great against the NCAA Official Strength of Schedule Number 51, including six (6) games Mark Bradley Georgia Tech played against teams NOT EVEN IN A BOWL GAME, sir.
There will be more Defensive Linemen from UGA in the NFL Draft than from Georgia Tech.
There always are.
The SEC has LED THE NATION in NFL Draft Selections this year, last year, and the year before that.
Since 1990, The SEC has had 739 NFL Draft Selections, far and away the greatest of any Conference.
How quickly you try to forget Mark Bradley that UGA had the Number 1 Selection in the NFL Draft this year and that we had the Number 12 Selection as well.
2 First Round NFL Draft Selections from UGA this year.
1 Second Round NFL Draft Selection from UGA this year.
2 Third Round NFL Draft Selections from UGA this year.
Why does UGA have 37 in the NFL and Georgia Tech 17 ?
Who says The SEC owns college football, Mark Bradley ?
The NFL says The SEC owns college football, Mark Bradley.
3 consecutive National Champions.
Did anyone see the TV ratings for the ACC CHUMPionship game ? Horrible and now Sporting News says that the Orange Bowl is the Number 23 best bowl game. Top 10 ? UGA comes in at number 9 best bowl.
Let’s get back to the crime on Tech’s campus, something you should know something about Mark Bradley. Football obviously isn’t your area of expertise, sir.
mike
December 16th, 2009
4:31 am
dude said i’ll take bcs tittles haha georgia has none.. georgia cant even make a bcs game with 5 start talent.. we can on 3 n 4 star talent so who doin better coaching.. n back 2 the start of my 1st sentence pros get paid besides stafford which i think is the best georgia qb in last 10 years.. we had calvin johnson n deriick morgan n jonathon dwyer top 10 pick in the draft.. n georgia cant get 5 with all that talent the next top 5 pick yall will have is aj green
Hedgepruner
December 16th, 2009
6:22 am
all these dawg idiots are hanging their whole season on beating us (RIVALRY BACK) better get used to it hydrant humpers , it was their one and only SIGNATURE win this season …THEY DAMN sure better get used to seeing us ranked above them and going to BCS bowls while Paul Johnson is our ball coach, feel a little sorry for them stuck with Mark Richt and his approach to no discipline (a FSU & Miami trait) our coach is just the opposite and you will see that this makes all the difference in the seasons ahead….have fun in the Weed eater bowl
MR
December 16th, 2009
7:10 am
Pretty good article Mark. The blog sucks. There is not one intellegent comment in the entire thing.
GA Tech Insider
December 16th, 2009
7:16 am
Frankly speaking, Paul in RDU, my comments are just as applicable to the GA Tech “fans” bantering with the UGA “fans” who are acting like the 15 year old brats as well. These school yard antics lead me to believe these children should be looking for minimum wage work after school, like at a movie theater, or fast food restaurant. None of them are acting like adults and such, I don’t feel inclined to suggest they have the capability of holding down responsible, high paying, jobs.
snapshot
December 16th, 2009
7:25 am
Coach Johnson is building a program that will have plenty of players like Derrick Morgan. Derrick will be a star in the NFL.
No Georgia Fan
December 16th, 2009
8:23 am
House Broke Dawg: Did you learn your grammar skills at UGA??
Roger Daltry
December 16th, 2009
8:30 am
willie December 15th, 2009 4:46 pm
Did Derrick Morgan play in the game against the Dawgs.
Never heard his name or number called.
Willie,
I suggest you stick to playing pinball you deaf, dumb and blind kid.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 16th, 2009
8:37 am
TO: Y DO MUTTS BARK? CAUSE YELLOW JACKETS STING: THAT 24-30 STING CAUSES A SMILE EVERYTIME I LOOK BACK TO NOVEMBER 28 BECAUSE THIS WAS THE ONE IN WHICH TECH WAS GONNA “BLOWOUT” THE DOGS, EVEN SCULTZIE AND BARK PREDICTED IT WITH CERTAINTY….THEN JACKETS LAID AN EGG….UH, UH, BIGGER FISH TO FRY IN THE ALMOST COMPETITIVE CONFERANCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME VS. CLEMPSON………………..
CAN’T BELIEVE YOU COUNT NCHAMPIONSHIPS BACK IN THE LEATHER HELMET DAYS….I DO KNOW WHO WAS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA THIS YEAR IN THE GAME THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS NOT IMPORTANT….WILEY WILLIE GOT INSIDE PUGNACIOUS PAUL’S CONSIDERABLE HEAD AND BLEW UP THE HAMBONE…..33 FOR THE FB, 41 FOR AN ALL WORLD FB WHO WOULD MAKE ANY I OFFENSE A MONSTER FROM THE TAILBACK POSITION…..HAD OLE PUGNACIOUS CHUCKING AND DUCKING AT THE END, ABANDONED THE OPTION…WHEN YOU SEE THAT, YOU KNOW SOMEBODY IS INSIDE THAT HEAD……PAUL WON’T BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH COACH GAILEY’S RECRUITS FOR EVER…..
exNFLplayer
December 16th, 2009
8:55 am
Dwyer will be a great fit in San Diego. He fits that team like a glove.
exNFLplayer
December 16th, 2009
9:02 am
Roger Daltry, that’s because when you can blow a line up between the tackles like UGA did Tech’s, DEs like Morgan are virtually taken out of the game. Morgan’s forte is outside pressure using his speed or an inside stunt into the backfield. Run straight up the pipe and you take away what he does best. You show Morgan too many shotgun formations and he will destroy you because of his speed and quickness off the ball. UGA’s I formation and straight ahead running took him out of the game and when they went play action he was very tentative because by then his first look was for the inside run. Derrick Morgan is most effective when he can pin his ears back and go.
ReallyGuys
December 16th, 2009
9:40 am
GT Alum
December 15th, 2009
5:27 pm
I’m a season ticket holder that did not request bowl tickets before the deadline as our Bowl game was very much up in the air at that point. But again, part of the reason was that I would be thrown in some random lottery and where I end up sitting is anybody’s guess. Can somebody please elaborate on why everything is done randomly? I’m not going to buy tickets to any sporting event without knowing where my seats are!! And I doubt I’m the only one that thinks that way
You guys can come up with every excuse in the book to avoid actually supporting your team with your butts in a seat. When Gailey was there it was “when we win we’ll go to the games”. Well, by God now you’re winning and you still won’t buy a ticket. Just more EXCUSES out of you world class EXCUSE makers. You guys should walk around wearing T shirts that say “I’m at the Game, Just Disguised as an Empty Seat”. You guys are the most pitiful fanbase in football when it comes to showing a coach and a team real support. Why do you think you can’t keep a damn coach morons.
Alphare
December 16th, 2009
9:53 am
3-stars turn to 1st rounders, not bad for Morgan and Dwyer. Georgia high schoolers should know: does not matter what offense a college team runs, if you are good and dedicated, Tech coaches will coach you up and you will be like Morgan and Dwyer. That’s like turning silver to gold.
Look at those 5-stars who went to UGA the year Morgan and Dwyer joined Tech. Where are they now? Gold turning to copper?
CharlesGTclassof05
December 16th, 2009
9:54 am
GT Alum, this is the biggest game your team has been in for over 40 years. What the hell difference does it matter where your seat is? It’s the whole experience dumbazz. The camraderie with other fans, the tailgating, the excitement, the whole game experience, being there. Last but not least it’s showing your support for your team! That’s obviously something only true GT fans comprehend. You’re a crap fan GT Alum. Take your fat azz to the game and stuff it in a seat. What does a GT recruit think when he looks into the stands and sees the stadium 1/4 full for the biggest game in 40 years. Guys like you GT Alum are enemies of your program. Otherwise just keep on braying to the world about seat location. True fans see right through you.
BuLLdawg Hater
December 16th, 2009
9:57 am
BuLLdawg,
At least the crimes on the Tech campus aren’t committed by their own FOOTBALL PLAYERS !
CharlesGTclassof05
December 16th, 2009
10:08 am
Mark Bradley, if GT fans embarrass themselves by being empty seats at the biggest game in 40 years after all the big talk, I challenge you to ask PJ his opinion of such poor support. I bet he’ll tell you.
George O’Leary put a winning product on the field. He convinced the Tech AD to invest in better facilities and stadium expansion. What did he get for his effort? Empty seats. GT is the only team in the history of major college football to take seats out of a stadium. And what did that get them? O’Leary hit the road on the first thing smokin out of town. GT fan support is a debacle. No matter what happens on the field they still won’t fill a moderate sized stadium. Think PJ won’t take notice at some point?
Gt4ever
December 16th, 2009
10:14 am
Lake Oconee Dawg…. Good grief, you won the game, get over it…… Please lay off the all caps… Why would we not include all our NC, everybody else does, and UGA certainly would! You UGA people are just too much! CPJ is going to recruit and again, we WILL be competitive, NO LONGER will UGA DOMINATE! The game, like this years will be a toss up!
I’m blown away by the amount of people that underestimate Morgan….. I think he is better than MJ and will prove it on the next level. I think Dwyer and the rest stay, because of the lack of respect they get from playing in the ACC and for GT….
Alphare
December 16th, 2009
10:26 am
Morgan is unbelievable if you watch him closely. I am not sure I’ve ever seen anybody playing like he does. That guy is absolutely special.
Gt4ever
December 16th, 2009
10:32 am
agree 100 percent! Alphare, it would have helped Morgan to play on a defense that could stop a HIGH SCHOOL offense…..
JacketsBuzzIT1968
December 16th, 2009
10:45 am
I think we should all be hoping both Georgia teams are in the top 10 next year. I am a Georgia Tech fan, however i am a georgia resident. I hope both bowl games are sale outs. The kids that put all the work in deserve that much from their fans.
Reality
December 16th, 2009
10:53 am
On ESPN last night…. a commercial with Mark R. begging for ugay fans to buy bowl tickets – funniest thing EVER!
NOW you idiot ugay fans understand…. maybe not. I’m sure that I error and assume you have at least an average IQ.
What large group of fans of any school would pay to travel to a minor bowl in no where USA? Evidently, not even ugay fans are THAT dumb!
exNFLplayer
December 16th, 2009
10:54 am
Gt4ever, if Dwyer projects 1st round he’s gone. He gains nothing by staying. The risk is too great and the reward too small.
Gt4ever
December 16th, 2009
10:54 am
GTclassof05, He needs to beat UGA on a consistent basis. We should have beat them this year, but we didn’t…. CPJ understands or he should, the seats will fill up when you beat your in state rival! Period! We play in a second rate conference and we still have not arrived talent wise, especially on the DEFENSIVE side of the ball. The fact that CPJ has been looking at the defense for the last several weeks and nothing has gotten better is disheartening! If it’s the coach, then we need to make a change. I tend to believe that we are limited talent wise, but that’s just my opinion! Yours will probably be different.
Yes, we are doing well overall, the ranking has us WAY overrated, but again, that’s my opinion. We have fortunately been matched by another overrated team in the OB. If we find a way to lose or embarrass ourselves again, we will still be trying to sell out a mid size stadium. I am a DEVOUT GT fan, and have been for longer than most on this blog. I am NOT a HOMER fan who doesn’t expect accountability from our coaches and TEAM! We play a SOFT schedule in what is arguably the WORST conference in college football. When we recruit and play to the level that we are capable, beating all the 6 and 5 teams on our schedule then we will fill our stadium. I will be there WIN or LOSE!
Gt4ever
December 16th, 2009
11:00 am
Dwyer is a BEAST. Just my opinion, but I think Dwyer drops out of the first round because of issues that are out of his control….. Your 100 percent right, 1st rounders don’t need a degree… lol.
exNFLplayer
December 16th, 2009
11:26 am
You can always get your degree Gt4ever. The doors to the classroom or gates to the campus don’t close behind you when you leave. And thinking rationally, how many times in ones life does someone hand you millions of dollars with a high percentage of it upfront in your first job. Do the math. Compare 30 years, and I’m being generous here, of $100,000.00 per year and who comes out ahead. The 1st rounder that gets that figure either upfront or over let’s say 5 or 6 years or the guy that has to long haul it. The degree is there if the kid wants it. He stays in school and gets injured or has a bad year and guess what? He’s long haulin it just like the rest of us and probably at less than 6 figures a year. My NFL money gave me a leg up. Got my degree too just like Dwyer can. And the money Dwyer can get makes what I got look like pocket change. Going out early for 1st round bucks is a no brainer. Dwyer is a smart kid. He knows the degree is there for the taking anytime he wants it. The money might not be. It’s easy for a fan that wants a kid to come back for his own selfish reasons to bring the degree argument. But I would ask that fan what he would do faced with 1st round millions. Take the money and come back for the degree. Or risk it all by coming back. Dwyer can have both by leaving. Staying could get him just one of the two if God forbid he suffered a catastrophic injury. What would you do, Gt4ever?
Gt4ever
December 16th, 2009
12:29 pm
Go PRO!
Alabama Jack
December 16th, 2009
2:18 pm
dawgs are so irrelevant.
GoGT67
December 16th, 2009
2:55 pm
Is this House Broke Dawg guy for real, or is it someone posing as a UGA fan to make them look even dumber?
Ivysmith
December 22nd, 2009
11:56 pm
Do you know who am I?
Here is a hot news:
The Dallas Cowboys dumped one kicker and signed a new one Monday, and in a fitting sign of the times, the winner was the kicker who lost his job with another team two weeks ago after missing a 23-yard field-goal attempt. Still, Shaun Suisham is viewed as an improvement over Nick Folk, the incumbent who missed seven of his last 11 attempts to help imperil the Cowboys’ playoff hopes and contributed to a surprisingly sagging NFL Draft industry: field-goal kicking.
Merry Christmas!And have a good time!