UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 27
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The NFL beckons hopefuls
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s still a bowl game ahead but numerous things are taking place behind the scenes that are going to shape the way Georgia’s football team looks next season. Namely, at least three underclassmen are eyeing the NFL.
Everybody knew it was a possibility for DE Charles Johnson and CB Paul Oliver but tailback Danny Ware is the latest to add his name to the list. Nobody will know for sure until the second week of January what these young men will decide to do (that’s when they have to submit their paperwork to the NFL) but Georgia’s coaching staff is taking the possibility of losing all three very seriously and is recruiting accordingly.
None of these guys projects particularly high in the 2007 NFL draft according to draft expert Mel Kiper. He lists only senior Quentin Moses in the first round (23rd pick) as of today.
Ware’s is the most intriguing situation. There are already three junior tailbacks that are expected to declare for the draft that will be drafted ahead of him in Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, Cal’s Marshawn Lynch and Fresno State’s Dwayne Wright. That’s not even taking into account Louisville’s Michael Bush.
Clearly Ware’s simply not a happy camper. His best buddy, fullback Des Williams, is not returning next season and Ware apparently feels like he may be the odd man out in what could be a five-man rotation at tailback next season. At the least, Georgia will have Kregg Lumpkin, Knowshon Moreno and Caleb King at the position. Thomas Brown has said he wants to return next year, even though he has a redshirt year that he could use to more fully recover from knee surgery. Whatever he decides could also be a consideration.
And don’t count out a transfer from Ware, who also has a redshirt year in his pocket. I don’t think it’d necessarily be a wise move but it definitely could happen.
Neither Johnson nor Oliver project to be first-round picks but both are viable pro prospects who would likely go in the early rounds and make an NFL roster. Oliver definitely helped his stock with his performance against Calvin Johnson (projected No. 2 pick) in the season finale. If I was a betting man, I’d say there’s a good chance Johnson may make the leap. Not as sure about Oliver’s situation but I could see it happening.
Forgetting allegiances to Georgia, what do you think these guys should do? And how would their possible departures affect the Bulldogs next year?
That’s all for now. I’m off to Georgia’s basketball practice to find out whether Sundiata Gaines will be ready for tomorrow night’s tilt at Clemson. If he’s not, the Bulldogs could be in for another long night.
