Georgia QB Matthew Stafford enters NFL draft

[Arch Stanton]

Georgia QB Matthew Stafford enters NFL draft

By CHARLES ODUM • AP Sports Writer • January 7, 2009

ATHENS, Ga. — Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are leaving Georgia for the NFL draft.


Stafford, a junior, returned to campus from his family’s home in Dallas today to make the announcement. Moreno, a third-year sophomore, made the trip from Belford, N.J.

Georgia coach Mark Richt joined the two at a news conference.

Stafford and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford may be the two top quarterbacks in the draft, assuming Bradford also declares early. Detroit has the No. 1 pick and could use a quarterback.

Moreno had 1,400 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns this season to join Herschel Walker as the only players in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Also entering the draft today: Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and Florida State pass rusher Everette Brown.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090107/SPORTS01/90107087/1049/SPORTS01

 

[Arch Stanton]

Stafford has legitimate shot of going No. 1
He’s rated among top QBs in a year where NFL teams desperately need one
STAFF REPORTS

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Matthew Stafford is rated by many draft services among the three best potential quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL draft, along with Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and USC’s Mark Sanchez, neither of whom have said if they are also going to leave college early.

Either way, Stafford should become a very rich man after he signs with his next team. Why? Because the teams drafting 1-2-3 had the worst records in the NFL for many reasons, one of which is they didn’t have good quarterbacks. Dan Orlovsky, Brodie Croyle ring a bell?

And the teams that draft high must pay those picks a lot of money. A lot of money.

Last year’s No. 1, offensive tackle Jake Long, signed a five-year, $57.75 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. Matt Ryan was the first quarterback selected, at No. 3, and signed a seven-year, $72 million contract with $34.75 million guaranteed.

While Stafford isn’t likely to fall out of the top 10, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers can tell you that stranger things have happened in the past (in 2005 Rodgers was expected to be a top 10 pick, but fell all the way to the low 20s).

Here’s a look at the teams who would likely select Stafford, with their place in the draft noted.

•1. Detroit. There’s the pride in being the first pick, there’s the relief that you’ll never have to worry about money again, and there’s the shock of remembering that your future is tied to that of the most dysfunctional franchise in the league, and perhaps all of pro sports.

•2. St. Louis. QB Marc Bulger was arguably the worst in the league last year, but the offensive line didn’t help him a lot. The Rams could opt for Alabama tackle Andre Smith here, or Bradford, but don’t be surprised if Stafford is wearing the blue and gold next year.

•3. Kansas City. The Chiefs’ future can’t be hitched to Tyler Thigpen. No offense to Thigpen. … The biggest concern for Stafford is coach Herm Edwards likely has one more year. So, Stafford would learn one system his rookie year, and then have to learn another for the next coach. Not a good way to start.

•10. San Francisco. This could be the ideal landing spot, but new coach Mike Singletary, who loves defense, likely won’t spend his first pick on a QB. Should the 49ers select Stafford, the NFC West is a poor division, and few pay attention to the 49ers anymore, so there will be less media scrutiny.

15. Houston. Another long shot. The team has a lot of money tied up in injured QB Matt Schaub, and Sage Rosenfels played well last year. Playing in his native state could be fun for Stafford, but it would be shocking to see the Texans go for a QB in the first round, and not an offensive lineman, or defensive back.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2009/01/07/matthew_stafford_nfl.html

 

[Hostile]

I predicted he would go overall #1. It will help that he is in the same state as the guy who was the rookie of the year playing that same position. It'll be easy to draw the correlation on the importance of the position.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I predicted he would go overall #1. It will help that he is in the same state as the guy who was the rookie of the year playing that same position. It'll be easy to draw the correlation on the importance of the position.

IDK if he goes #1 overall. I think securing an LT for years is just as important as a franchise QB and some of these guys coming out are studs. Three of them could go #1 and the might all get taken in the top 5.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Depends on who else declares . If this is it , then I think Detroit will take him #1 overall , and would be crazy not to . If you get some guys like Bradford , Tebow , or McCoy declaring , then Detroit may wait until the Dallas selection an see who's left .

 

[KingintheNorth]

Stafford (top 10 pick) and Knowshon Moreno (1st rounder) just pushed 2 more players down to Dallas 2nd round pick. Woo hoo.



This does help us. The more talented underclassmen that declare the more choice of players we will have a shot at pick #51.

 

[Macnalty]

Stafford (top 10 pick) and Knowshon Moreno (1st rounder) just pushed 2 more players down to Dallas 2nd round pick. Woo hoo.



This does help us. The more talented underclassmen that declare the more choice of players we will have a shot at pick #51.

It is not two players it is two teams that need quarterbacks that are pushed,Cowboys have a good chance to get someone who can make Romo pucker if the Jones have the balls. We can get someone decent at #69 after our Safety/DT/OL pick. I am of the opinion that they do not have the cajones to push Tony and see his backup position similar to a kick holder. Oops that is exactly what they think.

 

[joseephuss]

I predicted he would go overall #1. It will help that he is in the same state as the guy who was the rookie of the year playing that same position. It'll be easy to draw the correlation on the importance of the position.

There is no way Detroit drafts Stafford number one. Why would they? They have the Big "O" as their QB. :laugh1: