DEL.ICIO.USNFL Draft
Stafford, Moreno give UGA best draft showing ever
Massaquoi third Dog taken on first day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno teamed up Saturday to give the University of Georgia its all-time best showing in the first round of the NFL draft.
The two UGA stars found their futures and fortunes — quarterback Stafford picked No. 1 by the Detroit Lions and tailback Moreno No. 12 by the Denver Broncos.
AP
Matthew Stafford was all smiles after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called his name as the first player taken in Saturday’s NFL draft.
Not since 1953 had a Georgia player been chosen No. 1.
And never had two Georgia players been chosen in the first dozen picks of the same draft.
Until now. Until Stafford and Moreno.
“This is … their opportunity to realize their dreams,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said Saturday night. “We’re just proud of them. … It’s great for them, and it’s great for our program, too.”
Another Georgia player was chosen in the second round, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi by the Cleveland Browns with the 50th pick, 18th in the round.
On five previous occasions, Georgia had two players chosen in the first round of the same draft. But before Stafford-Moreno, the top tandem in terms of draft position was the defensive-tackle duo of Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud, drafted 6th and 13th, respectively, in 2001.
Detroit’s selection of Stafford was a foregone conclusion after his agents and the Lions agreed at 11 p.m. Friday on a six-year contract worth a guaranteed $41.7 million and a potential $78 million. The contract will make him the highest-paid rookie in NFL history.
Moreno, meanwhile, was drafted higher than most analysts had forecast. He figures to get a contract worth at least a guaranteed $12 million, based on the deal of last year’s No. 12 pick.
Stafford and Moreno decided in January to forgo their remaining college eligibility, and the draft lucratively validated their decisions.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time,” Stafford said on a conference call Saturday. “I’m just extremely happy this has actually happened.”
Stafford stepped away from a late dinner with family and friends at a Manhattan restaurant Friday night to take a call from his agent, who informed him a deal was done with the Lions.
“I walked back inside and just kind of gave everybody the thumbs up,” Stafford said.
And who picked up the check?
“I did,” the sudden multi-millionaire said.
Stafford goes to a team coming off the first 0-16 season in NFL history, and his selection drew boos from Detroit fans attending the draft.
“I think in the end winning solves a lot of problems, and hopefully I can bring that to the city,” said Stafford, who hasn’t played on a losing team since fourth grade.
Stafford is the fourth Georgia player drafted No. 1, following receiver Harry Babcock (1953), halfback Charley Trippi (1945) and halfback Frank Sinkwich (1943). Stafford is just the second UGA quarterback drafted anywhere in the first round, following Johnny Rauch (the No. 2 pick in 1949).
Denver’s selection of Moreno continued its affinity for Georgia running backs: Terrell Davis starred for the Broncos from 1995-2001, including a Super Bowl MVP performance, and Olandis Gary played for the Broncos from 1999-2002.
“The draft is like a lottery,” Moreno, who had been expected to go later in the first round, told Denver reporters, “and you never know what’s going to happen. You saw a little bit of that today. … I’m really excited.”
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