Dogs, Jackets adjusting to life in NFL

They are officially pros.

College players who were just drafted or signed free-agent contracts got their first taste of the NFL at last weekend’s rookie camps.

Enlarge this image

AP

Former Tech defensive end Michael Johnson was positioned at outside linebacker in Cincinnati’s rookie mini camp.

Enlarge this image

AP

Georgia’s Corvey Irvin, who was drafted by Carolina in the third round, is adjusting to the different play names in the NFL.

Top Sports Stories

• Childress heading back to Greece 
• Thrashers add more depth 
• Analyzing Braves' up-and-down season so far 
• Hawks' core excited to stay together 
• Thrashers prospect Morin earns high praise 
• 8 biggest off-season moves -- and expectations 
• Newnan golfer stands out at Women's Open 

And they seemed to like it. Georgia’s Corvey Irvin, who was drafted by Carolina in the third round, described his favorite moment thusly:

“Getting off the airplane,” he said, “driving over to the stadium, and finally putting a helmet on my head. Realizing I’m in the NFL.”

First-year players will report back to their teams later this month to learn their summer workout and organized team activity schedules.

A few of the Georgia and Georgia Tech players who were at camps last weekend shared their experiences:

Biggest thing you didn’t expect?

“Definitely just the speed [of learning]. You’ve got to get it or you are going to get left behind. Coaches aren’t willing to bring you along. It’s on you to keep yourself caught up.”

— Georgia Tech’s Andrew Gardner, offensive tackle (Miami, sixth round)

“Going out there to Minnesota. That’s a different location for me. The weather was good. I thought it would be really bad. Probably more surprises coming up.”

— Georgia’s Asher Allen, defensive back (Minnesota, third round)

“I’ll feel comfortable wherever they put me but when I moved there [outside linebacker], I started smiling. It was like a light came on.”

— Georgia Tech’s Michael Johnson, defensive end (Cincinnati, third round)

How different was the playbook?

“It wasn’t that different. We were in the same defense at Georgia. It was a really big help. I was worried about that going in. Terminology was a little bit different.”

— Irvin

“Like night and day from Georgia Tech’s current playbook. It wasn’t crazy, like stuff I’ve never seen. Compared to some of the stuff that [former Tech coach Chan] Gailey did before, it wasn’t completely foreign.”

— Gardner

“Anytime you get a playbook it’s difficult. I haven’t learned a new system in four or five years. Installing a new offense was expected, but still difficult.”

— Georgia’s Brannan Southerland, fullback (New York Jets, free agent)

Your best moment?

“We watched a video presenation put on by [Patriots owner] Mr. [Robert] Kraft at the Patriots Hall of Fame. At the end of the video was a show called ‘The Patriot Way.’ It showed me what it meant to be a New England Patriot. It got me going.”

— Georgia Tech’s Darryl Richard, defensive tackle (New England, seventh round)

“Just being there with the guys. Right next to [Oklahoma’s] Phil Loadholt [6 feet 7, 334 pounds]. I know that I have nothing to worry about with him sitting next to me. If my stuff gets put into his locker, I’ll be able to get it back.”

— Allen

“The first play we ran in team period against the other team. Just the whole surreal experience of finally having a chance at my dream.”

— Southerland

— Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Joe Reedy contributed to this report.