An excited Curran says ‘my heart skipped a beat’ when drafted by Titans (UPDATED)
(11:20 A.M. SATURDAY UPDATE: The Cincinnati Bengals selected former Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins in the fourth round Saturday morning. He was the 120th pick of the NFL draft — and just the second from Georgia. Atkins said he went about where he expected to go in the draft — late third or fourth round — but that he was surprised to be chosen by the Bengals because they had not worked him out or interviewed him.)
(1:25 P.M. SATURDAY UPDATE: The Miami Dolphins drafted Georgia safety Reshad Jones late in the fifth round. Jones was the 163rd pick of the draft, the third from UGA. Jones was drafted later than projected — he had expected to go in the second or third round — but it wasn’t a surprise the Dolphins picked him. They had brought him to Miami for a workout and interview a month or so ago. The Dolphins moved up in the draft to get Jones, trading sixth- and seventh-round picks to the Washington Redskins.)
(4:40 P.M. SATURDAY UPDATE: Finally, Jeff Owens has been drafted. The former UGA defensive tackle was taken late in the seventh — and final — round by the Philadelphia Eagles, the 243rd pick of the draft. Analysts had been all over the map with projections of his draft stock, forecasting him to go anywhere from the second round to the seventh.)
(4:50 P.M. SATURDAY UPDATE: Now Georgia’s top three defensive tackles from last season have all been drafted. Kade Weston was taken by the New England Patriots as the draft wound down, the 248th pick.)
Ninety-seven picks into the NFL draft, a player from the University of Georgia finally was selected late Friday night: linebacker Rennie Curran by the Tennnessee Titans.
The Titans took Curran, Georgia’s most valuable player and the SEC’s leading tackler last season, with the next-to-last choice of the third round, a compensatory pick.
Curran, watching the draft with family and friends at his Snellville home, was informed of his NFL destination in a phone call from Titans coach Jeff Fisher a few minutes after 10 p.m.
“That was the best call of my life, the best sound,” Curran said an hour or so later. “Just picking up the phone call, my heart skipped a beat.”
The selection of Curran came just as it appeared Georgia might not have a player chosen in the first two nights of the draft. Rounds four through seven will be held Saturday, with several other Georgia players, including defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens and safety Reshad Jones, expecting to be selected.
Curran bypassed his senior season at UGA to enter the draft one year early. He clearly considered his decision validated by Tennessee choosing him in Round 3.
“I’m just so excited,” Curran said on a conference call. “I’m so grateful.”
Although Curran often was described as a “tackling machine” at Georgia, where he had 130 tackles last season and 298 in the past three seasons, forecasts of his draft stock had been mixed, mainly because of concerns about his height (5-10 1/2). Many recent projections had him going in the fourth or fifth round. But the Titans had been mentioned as a team whose defensive system and needs could be a good match for Curran.
“They are a very aggressive defense, and I feel like I am going to fit perfectly with their defensive scheme,” Curran said. “I’m just glad a team took a chance on me, and they will not regret [it]. I am looking to make an impact.”
Fisher and Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt, in a late-night news conference shown on the team’s website, said they believe Curran will overcome his height disadvantage in the NFL just as he did in the SEC.
“He’s kind of unique in that even though he doesn’t have the ideal height, he’s a long strider, so he covers a lot of ground,” Fisher said.
Said Reinfeldt: “He plays very fast, very active. He kind of fits the mold of what we look for in a linebacker.”
Reinfeldt said the Titans were impressed not only by Curran’s play at Georgia, but by their recent visit with him in Nashville. “We had the kid in. We interviewed him. He was a great kid,” Reinfeldt said. “It was all positive.”
One of Curran’s new teammates will be former Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan, selected by the Titans with the 16th pick of the first round Thursday night.
Compensatory picks, such as the one Tennessee used to select Curran, are tied to a team’s losses in free agency.
Twenty-one players were drafted from SEC teams the past two nights before Curran became the first to be taken from Georgia.
In last year’s draft, the Bulldogs had two of the first 12 picks, No. 1 Matthew Stafford and No. 12 Knowshon Moreno, and had five players chosen in the first three rounds.
Links to today’s other UGA football news:
Richt: Aaron Murray reminds me of Heisman runnerup Weldon.
Murray: First day on campus as No. 1 quarterback is ‘pretty cool.’
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150 comments Add your comment
Paddy
April 24th, 2010
5:12 am
Congrats Rennie, love to watch you play football.
Paddy
April 24th, 2010
5:15 am
Anyone have accurate info? Dwyer’s weight 2008
Dwyer’s weight 2009
FalconUGAFan
April 24th, 2010
5:32 am
Congrats Rennie. You are a damn good dawg!
Big Dawg
April 24th, 2010
7:40 am
Dwyer is a risky pick for any NFL team. A back that played in a triple option offense typically do not make it in the NFL. P Johnson, indeed, cost Dwyer millions. Listen up you high school kids, see how Dwyer’s stock has drop like a rock. I would not go to GT if you have dreams of playing in the NFL. Nesbitt will not be drafted next year. Option QBs do not make it in the NFL (i.e. Couch from Nebraska).
NXS
April 24th, 2010
7:56 am
Congrats Rennie and best of luck with the Titans. You’ll be sorely missed at UGA on game day.
Go Dogs!
Cornelius Washington
April 24th, 2010
7:59 am
Dwyer will be a productive NFL back….Chan Gailey did a nice job recruiting Dwyer, Thomas, Morgan, and Burnett…..I wonder how many of Paul Johnson’s recruits will play in the NFL.
computersaremyonlyfriend
April 24th, 2010
8:24 am
To all the UGA hater we really seem to anger you. Perhaps your obsession is due to the loss on your team’s schedule that UGA delivers annually. Try to get through this with counseling.
Shreveport Sam
April 24th, 2010
8:28 am
Ah, Big Dawg, I love your logic. I guess, then, that being part of a system that underachieved and ended up playing in my town explains the lofty draft status of your mutts this year, huh?
Big L
April 24th, 2010
8:31 am
Hey, Curran got took and Dwyer is still on the board. I was’nt even gonna go there, but u Techies need some perspective. We had two go in the first twelve pick last year and in a down year you talk crap!!!!! Jealousy is an ugly color and does not match blue and gold. STFU. Tech losers.
Slaw Dawg
April 24th, 2010
8:47 am
Curran may be a nice guy….but he is too short and too slow for the NFL. He will be on the practice squad for a couple years before getting the boot. I am totally embarrassed with UGA having no 1st or 2nd round picks. What does that say about our coaching and our recruiting. The “Tanned One” better get his * * * * together and soon!
Cornelius Washington
April 24th, 2010
8:55 am
I know Rennie Curran…I played with Rennie Curran…Rennie Curran is a friend of mine…..Sean Witherspoon….you’re no Rennie Curran….and Paul Johnson has a triple chin and nose cleavage.
messin with sasquatch
April 24th, 2010
8:57 am
doggs finally got a pick……….
messin with sasquatch
April 24th, 2010
8:58 am
and cmr thanks cpj everyday for saving his job……
RomeDawg
April 24th, 2010
9:13 am
Big Dawg,
With all due respect, I don’t understand why Dwyer is a risky pick. He is physically gifted and very smart. He learned the triple option, or whatever Tech calls it, very fast so I think he could pick up any offense quickly. He may wind up being the steal of the draft. Go get him Falcons!
Curran, a Midget like Murray
April 24th, 2010
9:18 am
Big Dawg, that is no option qb except tebow.
Eat it!
April 24th, 2010
9:18 am
Here’s a breakdown of SEC first-rounders over the past decade:
Georgia — 10
Tennessee — 10
Florida — 9
LSU — 9
Arkansas — 6
Auburn — 6
Ole Miss — 6
South Carolina — 4
Alabama — 3
Vanderbilt — 2
Kentucky — 1
messin with sasquatch
April 24th, 2010
9:22 am
still feel sorry for stafford (and calvin) – lost in hockeytown…….
Colorado Buffalo's 1990 Football National Champions
April 24th, 2010
9:29 am
Wow so much H8 for Rennie. He will be great in the NFL.
GoDOGS1
April 24th, 2010
9:29 am
Hey y’all, lets be complete L O S E R S, take the low road, and head on over the GT blog and bash the Techies as to why Dwyer has not been picked? We can all act like the 12 year old Stinger, and really rip into them. Yeah buddy! Sound like SO much fun.
Anyway, whoever scoops up Dwyer will be gettinga bargin. The kid is a winner….unlike some of the GT bloggers here.
Happy DAWG
April 24th, 2010
9:29 am
As a life long DAWG, I don’t appreciate our fans knocking Sean Weatherspoon like some of the “other teams fans” knocking Rennie. I would suggest that both are fine young men after seeing Weatherspoon interviewed and reading about his upbringing.
These kids are becoming men, much more of an accomplishment than some on here will ever experience. Congratulations to both, and to the others who have been and will be, drafted. Rennie Curran worked for what he has earned, with a wonderful attitude and a great and always present smile (except when putting a punishing blow on opposing players). He is a fine example of what every aspiring player should be.
the real OLD GOLD
April 24th, 2010
9:32 am
Somehow the Titans quietly ended up with the ACC defensive player of the year and the SEC’s leading tackler.. Look out for an already decent Titans D. I look for both of these guys to make an instant impact.
Curran, a Midget like Murray
April 24th, 2010
9:37 am
Eat it!, how many of those were Jim Donnan’s?
Winchester
April 24th, 2010
9:40 am
See Willie Martinez was right. It was not his fault, he just had a lack of talent to work with.
USF more than UGA?
April 24th, 2010
9:40 am
How does USF get more drafted in first 3 rounds than UGA? Coach Richt must be doing something right!!
James
April 24th, 2010
9:49 am
Dwyer’s weight was higher than Johnson wanted it when he left school. When he told him to put on weight, it was adding muscle. He did that and played well. The problem was he started to get fat his last year. Funny though that the spread option wide receiver went before the RB. I think someone is going to be very pleased with where they pick him up.
Rennie "daddie" Curran
April 24th, 2010
9:53 am
I hope that Dwyer plays on my team because I never could tackle him.
JELLO JOCKITCH
April 24th, 2010
9:55 am
JELLO JOCKITCH HAVE MIDGETS IN THEIR AL GROHin. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Big L
April 24th, 2010
9:55 am
What reason but height does anyone have to bang on Rennie. He works hard, he’s a good person and he is a great football player. Are these not attributes that a school like Tech looks at.
Tell it like it is.
April 24th, 2010
10:07 am
Best of luck to Rennie Curran.
70 Dawg
April 24th, 2010
10:07 am
Congrats Rennie and thanks for a great career. Also congrats to Morgan, Thomas, Dwyer and Burnett and best of luck for a great NFL career. These comments from such losers as Stinger, Orange glasses and others make me sick. Classless, stupid comments.
CPJ = genius
April 24th, 2010
10:24 am
CPJ once again running circles around the Dawgs. He secretly recruits Morgan, Burnett, Dwyer & Bay-Bay to Tech (while he is still employed by Navy) cuz he knows after 07 season Tech will fire Chan and hire him. Just proves Tech is the top program in the state. Ha-Ha we win again! In six years we’ll beat you guys again!
Hmmmmm
April 24th, 2010
10:52 am
Ditto to 70 DAWG. Good luck to all of the young guys. Save your money, spend wisely and you will a bright future ahead.
Stinger
April 24th, 2010
11:10 am
The Broncos can now cut NOSHOW since they will have the Tebow to Bay Bay connection.
Midtown Cowboy or Cowgirl or...oh gosh I'm soooo confused!
April 24th, 2010
11:25 am
ha ha ha Stinger…you are being played out on all the other blogs on the AJC. Go check it out, ya fricking chump!
laughin larry
April 24th, 2010
11:35 am
What a down year, Georgia will only have 7 or 8 guys get drafted in the NFL.
clarity
April 24th, 2010
11:37 am
GT Alum- you are right on this one. Attacking these players is stupid. Even dumber is the idea that 1st round draft picks translates to a better team. Two years ago, Georgia had two taken in the first but had lost to Tech. Now Tech had two taken in the first but still lost to Georgia. Thats pretty ironic.
Now as a Georgia Tech fan, you have to admit that Stinger’s idea of Tebow and Bay Bay both immediately starting is hilarious. Tebow will get playing time, but lets not smoke ourselves retarded here. Bay Bay on the other hand may have a chance to start though he is a bit raw.
One admission though- I would have thought Jeff Owens would have gone higher in the draft. I guess Pollack was right about him needing to lose weight. Still in his defense, you can’t fault him for lack of stats in a secondary where coverage sacks were non-existent (sacks forced by the fact that coverage prevented a throw long enough for the qb to be sacked) and where teams knew that running the ball was pointless when you could always rely on burning Bryan Evans.
GTville
April 24th, 2010
11:54 am
Doesn’t matter where you are picked, it only matters that you get a chance to make the cut. Go Titans! Looking forward to both Derrick and Rennie joining the team. Both are much needed positions, so they should fit right in…Derrick will start this year, Rennie will either be 2nd string or starter within 2-3 years.
Borodawg
April 24th, 2010
12:05 pm
Ditto to GT Alum and Clarity. Great posts.
Ditto to 70 Dawg: “…Congrats Rennie and thanks for a great career. Also congrats to Morgan, Thomas, Dwyer and Burnett and best of luck for a great NFL career. These comments from such losers as Stinger, Orange glasses and SLAW DAWG…”
Curran could be just fine; maybe another Tuggle. As with most draft picks, have to wait and see (just like college recruiting).
Good luck Rennie. You’re a DGD! Glad you’ll now be able to support your kid.
Goooo Dawgs!!!
Buddy
April 24th, 2010
12:11 pm
Laughin Larry, best post I’ve seen this decade, super insightful.
Ken
April 24th, 2010
12:12 pm
Laughin Larry, another great post, thanks.
Porshe
April 24th, 2010
12:13 pm
Laughin Larry-
Too funny, but good point, as usual, your comments are right on the mark.
You’re a genius. Good stuff.
RxDawg
April 24th, 2010
12:16 pm
Good for Rennie and Geno. I’d imagine Jeff Owens can’t be too far behind. Poor Rashad, I hate to see players leave early when it’s not in their best interest. Not that were really hurting on safeties, but I always thought he was really starting to shine. I bet he would of had an all SEC and maybe more senior season. Plus this years draft is diluted with a lot of good safeties.
Dawgs over tech again
April 24th, 2010
12:24 pm
tech has beaten UGA ONCE legally since 1990 (by three pts by the way)! How pathetic is that??? Stick to star trek and tickle piles, nerds!
Dunno
April 24th, 2010
12:30 pm
laughin larry:
keep up the funny stuff. you’re the best guy here. you’re right, 7 or 8, in a downyear, real bad year, right.
Absolutely best post of the millineum.
Dogmax
April 24th, 2010
12:38 pm
All my fellow dawg fans, you need to watch what you are saying about Gt and Johnson. I get the feeling we may be in trouble this go around. Johnson has improved Tech each year since he got there and he seems like the kind of coach that has a long memory. On our end, it just seems like coach Richt has our program slipping but he finally made some long over-due changes. Now that Johnson has shown recruits that they can come to Tech, flourish in his system, and then get picked in the first round, I’m afraid that he will get even better players to run his offense. Please just stop antagonizing those guys.
Delbert D.
April 24th, 2010
12:46 pm
I think Curran will be a heckuva player on special teams his first year. With the new rule prohibiting wedge blocking, Curran’s quickness and tackling ability should make him a standout.
Bo
April 24th, 2010
1:25 pm
The haters saying that Rennie will never make it in he NFL obviously haven’t heard of Sam Mills. Hell, Stinger probably doesn’t even know who Pat Swilling is.
Dogmax, no one’s buying that you’re a Georgia fan.
Dogmax
April 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
Bo, I have been a season ticket holder for many years. What, a true dawg fan can’t be objective? I believe that you can be loyal to a team and still respect and admire the competition. Coach Richt’s recent changes are a breath of fresh air, but I think we need to go further. I would love to see our offense changed to something similar to what Johnson or Meyer runs. I think they are the wave of the future. Even the most stubborn fan cannot deny how effective they have been. You, me, and every other dawg supporter laughed and joked about how Johnson would never put any recievers in the NFL, and now look! We did the same thing about Tebow, and he goes first round, too! We laughed at Meyer’s offense and said it wouldn’t work in the SEC. Two NCs later, who’s laughing? I think that we need something like what they run in order to compete with them and the Alabama’s of the world. I just get so sick of seeing guys get so excited and tore up over our signing classes year after year only to be dissappointed with the final result.
Stinger
April 24th, 2010
2:13 pm
Bo, I know Pat Swilling had a hell of a NFL career for the Saints after playing on the flats you idiot. Bet 5′9″ Currin will get cut in preseason. He will not make it in the NFL.
Stinger
April 24th, 2010
2:17 pm
Prof from Colorado, Has anyone told you that you are a gay music teacher and should leave the little boys in the 5th grade alone?