Catching up with NFL Dawgs
Friday July 20, 2007
- Congratulations to Martrez Milner who signed his contract with the Atlanta Falcons this week. Milner, who credits teammate Alge Crumpler with helping him get up to speed, says that "it is a blessing to be able to still be playing football."
- UGASports.com had
a feature earlier this week ($) looking at the progress of Danny Verdun-Wheeler
and Tony Taylor in the NFL. As free-agent signees, they face a tough road
ahead as they compete for roster spots. So far, the news is good. Taylor is
trying to remain on with the Falcons, and he has the benefit of playing again
for former Georgia coach Brian VanGorder. He’s earned praise from new Falcons
coach Bobby Petrino, "(Taylor is) very smart, he can get everyone lined
up, and he understands blocking schemes. He has been very well coached and
we can see that. I think he’ll definitely be here competing."
Verdun-Wheeler, meanwhile, is getting comfortable in Chicago. He feels that his experience of playing multiple linebacker positions in college will help him at the next level. Danny also had some words of wisdom for younger players. "Everyone is different, but the smartest decision you can make as a prospect is to stay in state if you are from Georgia," he said. "If a guy comes from Parkview, Thomson, or anywhere, the best thing that he can do is to be a Dawg. Everybody will know you, and it is such a big thing to play for the University of Georgia." - By the way, it’s been a common complaint that the Falcons haven’t done enough to draft Bulldogs (going back to Hines Ward and even Rodney Hampton). UGASports points out that now "the Falcons have six Georgia players on their roster, which is more than they have from any other school. They are Fred Gibson, Josh Mallard, Nic Clemons, D.J. Shockley, Martrez Milner, and Taylor."
- I’m sorry to be a bit of a wet blanket here, but I see disappointment coming for Dawg fans who think that the Vick news this week means that you’ll see D.J. Shockley on the field this year. To begin with, it’s very possible that Vick will play unless prevented by the legal system (see Kobe Bryant). Even if he is unable to play, the moves to pick up Harrington and Redman indicate that Shockley won’t feature in quarterback plans beyond the backup role. At least he seems certain to remain with the team. I appreciate DJ for his contributions at Georgia and even more for being an outstanding representative of the University. It just might not be his time to step into a starting NFL job.
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