How UGA, Tech draftees fared in NFL preseason

By LARRY HARTSTEIN

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A look at how former Georgia and Georgia Tech players fared now that NFL teams have pared rosters to 53 players:

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

QB Matthew Stafford, Lions: Coach Jim Schwartz has not announced whether Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick, or veteran Daunte Culpepper will start the opener at New Orleans.

“We’ll see,” Stafford told the Detroit News after the Lions’ 17-6 loss to Buffalo last Thursday. “I think Daunte played great, and I think we played well when I’ve been in there.”

Stafford hit 30 of 55 throws for 389 yards in preseason, with one touchdown, four interceptions, and a lost fumble. Culpepper did not commit a turnover in three games, but is nursing a foot injury.

Schwartz sounded pleased with what he’s seen from Stafford, who hit a 37-yard pass to former Tech star Calvin Johnson against the Bills.

“We had a touchdown pass turned over with the holding penalty, didn’t protect him very well, got him hit a couple times, fell down on the one interception,” Schwartz told the newspaper. “(Stafford) did some good things, but we’ve got to do a better job of supporting him.”

Johnson, too, was encouraged by Stafford’s progress.

“He’s a smart kid and he knows what to do with the ball and knows where to put it,” the wideout told the Associated Press. “He has a bright future ahead of him.”

RB Knowshon Moreno, Broncos: Chosen 12th overall, Moreno returned to practice last Tuesday for the first time since spraining a knee ligament against the 49ers on Aug. 14.

The team believes he’ll be ready to go next Sunday at Cincinnati. Moreno, who ran for 18 yards on three carries before suffering the injury, is easily the most talented member of a backfield that includes LaMont Jordan, Peyton Hillis and Correll Buckhalter.

WR Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns: The second-round pick caught four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in preseason, and is listed as Braylon Edwards’ backup.

CB Asher Allen, Vikings: The third-rounder made 10 tackles and forced a fumble in preseason. He’s vying for playing time in the nickel package.

DT Corvey Irvin, Panthers: The third-rounder tore his MCL in the final preseason game against Pittsburgh and was placed on injured reserve.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

DE Michael Johnson: Listed as a backup on the defensive line, Johnson “looks to be a third-down rusher at one of the ends,” beat writer Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote. The third-round pick had a solid preseason, making nine tackles and getting some screen time on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

OT Andrew Gardner, Dolphins: The sixth-round pick made the team as the lone tackle backing up starters Jake Long and Vernon Carey.

DT Vance Walker, Falcons: The seventh-rounder was cut Saturday as the Falcons trimmed their roster to 53, but was then added to the practice squad.

DT Darryl Richard, Patriots: Richard, a seventh-rounder, also was added to the practice squad after being cut Saturday.