Georgia’s Pro Day attracts NFL Who’s Who
Editor’s Note: Chip Towers provided updates throughout UGA’s Pro Day and all of them are listed below. Some of the notables: RB Knowshon Moreno turned in a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash while DB Asher Allen turned in a blazing 4.33. QB Matthew Stafford ended the day with several impressive throws. DB C.J. Byrd, LB Dannell Ellerbe and WR Mohamed Massaqoui helped themselves with fast times in the 40.
Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will be on the field again for Georgia today. Check that: They’ll be on Georgia’s fields but it will be for themselves.
Representatives of all 32 NFL teams — and in some cases three or four from each team — will be on hand as the Bulldogs’ two offensive stars from this past season, along with 12 other UGA players, show off their wares for NFL scouts.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said it may be the Bulldogs’ biggest Pro Day since he and his staff came to Athens. Strength and conditioning director Dave Van Halanger, who organizes and oversees the event, wasn’t so sure. He remembers the first year, when Georgia had Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud and Kendrell Bell, as being a well-attended event. And certainly there was a lot of buzz when David Pollack and David Greene and Thomas Davis came out in 2004.
But in Stafford and Moreno the Bulldogs have produced two players that could be early first-round picks. And in the case of Stafford, VERY early. Some have projected him as the No. 1 overall pick.
The main reason for the incredible turnout is Stafford chose not to throw at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month. He chose to throw to his own recivers — Mohamed Massaquoi, Demiko Goodman and Kenneth Harris — on his own fields. And the beneficiaries of that decision, including Stafford and Moreno, are Georgia and the 12 other players hoping to get their name called during the NFL draft.
“Matthew’s decision to throw here and not there, that was up to him. . . . I don’t get into the middle of that decision,” coach Mark Richt said. “But the fact that Matthew is doing it here is a big deal because he will attract a big crowd. Even if those guys weren’t here we’d have a solid Pro Day. But with both those guys being here it’s going to be a bigger crowd than we normally get.”
Because Stafford is being considered for the top spot, more actual NFL coaches and executives are expected to be in town rather than just scouts.
Said Richt: “I can’t predict who’s coming but I’m sure there are going to be some big-name coaches, head coaches and position coaches. I would think GMs will be here. I think you’ll see a great representation of the NFL coming to our campus, which is super.”
Richt is encouraging the current Bulldogs to come out and watch their former teammates for motivation if nothing else.
“It’s a job interview for the dream of their lifetime,” Richt said. “So I told our guys to come watch their teammates interview for a job in the NFL. I want that to motivate them. I them to be excited about it.”
Other UGA players showing off for the scouts Thursday: Receivers Mohamed Massaquoi, Kenneth Harris and Demiko Goodman; cornerbacks Asher Allen and Ramarcus Brown; fullback Brannan Southerland; linebacker Dannell Ellerbe; defensive tackle Corvey Irvin; defensive ends Jeremy Lomax and Jarius Wynn; safety CJ Byrd; and punter Brian Mimbs.
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292 comments Add your comment
John Waynesworld
March 19th, 2009
12:54 pm
Isn’t it funny how brain dead folks hear some comment by a sports pundit (or any pundit) and then by magical osmosis they are the knowledge holder.
Like how BCzoo “knows” that Stafford has a lack of “mental ability”. Amazing.
Shepilepsy
March 19th, 2009
12:58 pm
Chip great work but terrible name … and “bulging arms” lets keep this about football eh funboy
Tom
March 19th, 2009
12:58 pm
Chip….”bulging arms”?….seriously? Are we going to herar about the sun glistening off his sweaty man-calves, next?
What are you trying to do, channel Loran Smith? He’s still alive, right?
PTC DAWG
March 19th, 2009
12:59 pm
I’m also amazed at all the rival fans and their PRO GM knowledge. Keep the comedy coming.
Joe
March 19th, 2009
1:01 pm
“its here that you see he’s a special human being”… xoxoxo
Andy in Ohio
March 19th, 2009
1:01 pm
All these people talking down 1st round draft picks are cracking me up at work. Don’t you people have anything better to do with your life? And all of you talking down Stafford are on something or are in denial. I’m sure all of you would have hated to have him at your respective school the last few years.
jreffy
March 19th, 2009
1:02 pm
The Lions should NOT draft Stafford #1.
Not because Stafford isn’t grading out well, or isn’t talent, but because Detroit’s current team is not a good situation for a Rookie QB to come into. Both Ryan and Flacco last year (Roethlisberger a few years ago) experienced a lot of success because they came to teams with solid (or better) defenses, and bruising running games. Both of those things will help take pressure off a Rookie QB and allow him to learn and simply run the offense.
Detroit has a terrible defense, and while RB Kevin Smith is a talent, they don’t have the consistency on the offensive line to support him. Look for Schwartz to upgrade the defensive and offensive lines, THEN start looking for a QB.
RedandBlack
March 19th, 2009
1:04 pm
Looks like another beautifull day in the Classic City and another great day to be a Georgia Bulldog!! Go Dogs!!!
John Waynesworld
March 19th, 2009
1:04 pm
Andy, it’s called something envy. That’s why they come to boards that have nothing to do with their schools.
Or maybe it’s body odor and a lack of dating…
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:05 pm
Brannan Southerland and Moreno have been going thru a pass-catching drill with Blake Barnes for a long time. . . . Knowshon looking really, really good until he just dropped a low pass from Barnes. Southerland looking good, too. . . . Now they’re doing a sort of fumble drill where thery’re testing their quickness reactions to the ball. Amazing all the paces they put these guys through. . . Stafford has stopped throwing but they don’t appear close to starting his drills.
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:06 pm
OK, Stafford and his receivers have taken the field. Knowshon and Brannan high-five them as they run off the field. . . . Stafford jogging to the middle of the field carrying orange cones. Looks like he’s calling the shots on the first drill at least.
GBRAVE
March 19th, 2009
1:06 pm
Emmitt Smith 40 = 4.7/4.8
matt
March 19th, 2009
1:09 pm
To be fair, the man’s arms do bulge impressively. He’s going to need it to hold all the cash some team is about to throw at him.
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:11 pm
Stafford is throwing ropes. And for now at least, this is his show. Mike Bobo, his QB coach and coordinator at UGA, is shouting out the routes and the players are running them fast-paced, one after the other. I haven’t seen a ball hit the ground yet and the recs haven’t had to reach much. . . . Opps, just then a high overthrow of a deep left out. Receivers getting some lieage out of this, too.
DG
March 19th, 2009
1:13 pm
PTC – stfu and quit being an instigator you piece of crap
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:13 pm
Just showed a little touch on a crossing route to Chandler. . . . MoMass just drew appaluse with a haul in of a deep ball that was almost out of reach.
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:14 pm
Wow, a deep flag right on the money to Harris!
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:14 pm
Overthrow deep flag left for MoMass. Tougher time on throws to left it appears.
WalkerMuhDawg
March 19th, 2009
1:14 pm
What amazes me is not the ignorant banter that goes on here among fan-spectators, but the lazy reporting by obviously biased media-types. Most work on a herd mentality and simply say what they hear others say, usually out of their own uninformed bias.
For instance, this kid named Chris Steuber who contributes on Scout and ESPN. He’s been bashing Staff relentlessly for some time now and judging from his remarks shows himself to be a really biased dumb___. His quote on a recent blog discussion with another reporter was, …why would anyone draft “some junior” like Stafford “FROM A SCHOOL LIKE GEORGIA?”
Well now, considering that New England has pretty much had a dynasty helped by drafting players from UGA and that there are more active players in the NFL from UGA than from any school except Miami (if memory serves), I’d say that that statement qualifies Mr. Steuber as a biased idiot who apparently only repeats what he hears others say. Simply incredible that a major media outlet would hire someone like that and call them an NFL Draft Analyst!!
DG
March 19th, 2009
1:14 pm
still think he should have thrown at the combine instead of waiting for today. if he’s as good as he’s been made out to be, he would have added to his stock, i think.
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:19 pm
Overthrow right deep for Demiko. . . . On the money over the middle for TE Chandler. . . . MoMass nice catch left sideline. . . . Smoking over the middle for Kenny Harris. . . . Overthrow out and up and right to Chandler . . . . On the money middle left to Demiko. . . . Get the picture: Stafford in middle of field, right on the 50, throwing west towaD WEST end zone. . . . Skinny post for MoMass dead on . . . Deep left for Demiko never had to break stride. . . . Wow-wee, playsction fake, roll left, deep end zone for Kenny Harris right, perfecrt over the shoulder in the basket!
Joey
March 19th, 2009
1:19 pm
I bet Knowshon can run that same time with his football uniform on and a DB chasing him. I lot of guys slow down dressed out…
DG
March 19th, 2009
1:20 pm
it’s concerning to say the least that he’s having issues throwing to the left side of the field since that’s where the playmaking WRs usually line up.
by: curious
March 19th, 2009
1:24 pm
hero, perhaps… but do his arms bulge?
DG
March 19th, 2009
1:24 pm
meh, nevermind.
MadDawg
March 19th, 2009
1:24 pm
WalkerMuhDawg – Also consider this:
- Where did Terry Bradshaw go to school?
- Where did T.O. go to school?
- Where did Roddy White go to school?
- Where did Marshall Faulk go to school
To think big talent can only come from USC or Florida is a joke. I won’t even address the ignorant insult to Georga.
WalkerMuhDawg
March 19th, 2009
1:24 pm
This is great stuff, Chip. And to think (for now, at least) we don’t have to pay for it!
GBRAVE
March 19th, 2009
1:25 pm
According to the New York Times Herschel Walker could still run a 4.25
when he was 33 years old
Barry Sanders 4.37
IntheD
March 19th, 2009
1:25 pm
Put some pressure on the guy and see how he does. A cushy pro-day is setup for him to do well. The issues with Stafford are executing during a game.
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:25 pm
MoMass just dropped a perfect deep ball left side of end zone. . . . On the money slot drag pattern left on sideline. . . Perfect to TE Chandler right. . . . Goodman drops perfect pass on slot drag from left to right. . . .
Now accuracy look at Goodman and MoMass positioned 25 yards away near sideline and stafford P-A fakes and rolls and throwing to stationary targets. Dead on right to Goodman. Deadon left to MoMass; dead on to Goodman. Missed MoMass left. . . .
Back to deep balls. TD diving catch Goodman left hash. . . . TD Chandler left corner. . . . TD MoMass Left corner. . . . Dead on Demiko deep cross left. . . . 60 yards in the air TD to Kenny Harris skinny post. . . Complete to MoMass deep cross right. . . Stafford really on now.
WalkerMuhDawg
March 19th, 2009
1:27 pm
MadDawg … exactly! Most people probably couldn’t even tell you where T.O went to school! I’ve heard people guess USC, LSU or UT, like that’s where a good WR should have come from!
toph
March 19th, 2009
1:27 pm
Wow, that’s very impressive
SH
March 19th, 2009
1:27 pm
How are MoMass and Harris catching the ball?
MadDawg
March 19th, 2009
1:27 pm
WalkerMuhDawg – and I forgot to mention L.T.!
Cliff Clavin
March 19th, 2009
1:28 pm
You’re my hero Chip. I’m bulging at the moment.
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:28 pm
Strike to MoMass on quick post middle. . . .TD left sideline streak but Harris had to slow down at goal line. . . . Looks like that’s it. Stafford high-fiving and higging receivers. Hugs and exchanges words with Richt./ . . . Stafford swallowed up in a mass of media. . . . I’m up here on a hill above the masses, thank goodness.
Buzzworthy
March 19th, 2009
1:28 pm
So, what is there a buzz or eh I have seen that before?
DG
March 19th, 2009
1:29 pm
wonder what the lions scouts/coaches are thinking
Buzzworthy
March 19th, 2009
1:32 pm
The Lions there are thinking okay, just relax, we need to take the pulse of the unemployed bloggers before we make a decision here.
Vandy
March 19th, 2009
1:33 pm
******************HAHAHAHA…..Cliff you are TOO funny!!! Hilarious! I am so impressed with your wit.Oh man, I cant wait for whats next….call him gay or something….this is gonna be good!LOLOLOL***********************
Chip Towers
March 19th, 2009
1:35 pm
Looks like it’s over. I have to say for what it is this was pretty exciting. And you cannot deny the positive impact it has to have on Georgia. Every NFL team here. NFL.com and NFL Live. ESPN. All the Atlanta television stations. Me. You!
It definitely helps your program when you produce two junior players that may well be drafted No. 1 at their position, as Stafford and Moreno could. And some other guys may go early as well.
CB Asher Allen definitely helped himself today. I think CJ Byrd and Dannell Ellerbe probably did, too. Mohamed Massaquoi running a sub-4.5 was good for him.
Ramarcus Brown tweaking his hammy wasn’t good for him, obviously. Knowshon would have liked to run sub-4.6 but I honestly don’t think it’s going to affect his draft status much. These guys are football experts and they know that’s not what makes him special.
Thanks for hanging out with me today and allowing me to bring you the absolute latest on the Dogs’ NFL pursuits. I’ll post a new blog later today or tonight.
Until then, C-ya!
GunnerKK
March 19th, 2009
1:36 pm
How many of those overthrows would Calvin Johnson have caught?
WalkerMuhDawg
March 19th, 2009
1:37 pm
Chip, so how would you assess Staff’s performance? About what was expected … Impressive … Very Impressive … Mind-blowing? Rate his workout for us (in the NFL rep’s minds).
John Waynesworld
March 19th, 2009
1:38 pm
Thanks Chip! It was enjoyable.
Mitch
March 19th, 2009
1:38 pm
Great job Chip.
Walter
March 19th, 2009
1:39 pm
Tripp Chandler, NFL? HA. Tripp is absolute garbage/
Cliff Clavin
March 19th, 2009
1:39 pm
Thanks again Chip – good job.
Match
March 19th, 2009
1:39 pm
Lions officials are sporting tremendous woodies.
dogwood
March 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Where was all this offense last year?
Drew
March 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Is there going to be video of this somewhere? Please say YES!