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Tech underclassmen ready to wow at NFL combineShareThisPrint E-mail .By Doug Roberson
http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-t...n-ready-to-324127.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speed and technique. Technique and speed.
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Tech underclassmen ready to wow at NFL combine
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Tech loses to Maryland at buzzer
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.Four former Georgia Tech football players said they've spent the past month working on becoming faster and improving their skills at performance camps around the country in preparation for the NFL Scouting Combine, which starts Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Morgan Burnett, Jonathan Dwyer, Derrick Morgan and, to a limited degree, Demaryius Thomas will be measured, weighed, clocked and interviewed as 32 NFL teams begin to solidify their opinions on who to select in the NFL draft, which starts April 22.
Each player has questions they hope to answer, ranging from can Dwyer transition back to a pro-style offense (he says it took about two minutes to get used to it again during drills) to Thomas' route running (he broke his foot last week and won't be able to work out at the combine).
"I'm excited," Burnett said. "It's a chance to make a first impression."
A look at each player and what he's been doing since declaring for the NFL draft in mid-January:
Morgan Burnett
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6 feet 1/210 pounds
Stats: He had 77 tackles and four interceptions last season and 227 tackles and 14 interceptions in his career.
What he's been working on: Burnett said he's been working on his technique and improving speed.
Biggest strength: He's a ball hawk who has a knack for knocking down or intercepting passes.
Biggest question mark: Speed.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: "Morgan Burnett, to me, he is a heck of safety. I think he's a guy that will draw some second- or third-round consideration. I talked to [former Tech defensive coordinator] Jon Tenuta a couple of months ago and he raved about the kid."
What others say: NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis said Burnett's versatility will make him valuable in the NFL. Davis said Burnett won't have to come off the field should opponents go to three- or four-wide receiver sets. He also likes his frame.
Why you should draft me: "I can help you out on special teams, I'm a good safety with good speed, I've got good range," Burnett said. "I can cover sideline to sideline. I can make plays on the ball. I can make interceptions."
Jonathan Dwyer
Position: Running back
Height/Weight: 6-1/225
Stats: He rushed 235 times for 1,395 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and 517 times for 3,226 yards and 35 touchdowns in his career.
What he's been working on: Improving his strength and quickness and decreasing his weight. He said he's lost 17 pounds in the past month.
Biggest strength: Dwyer is quick and not afraid to take on defenders. He was effective as an every-down back and short-yardage runner at Tech.
Biggest question mark: Blocking and pass-catching. Dwyer said he's been working on attacking defenders and learning proper technique for blocking. He and Tech coach Paul Johnson said Dwyer can catch the ball and run routes. He wasn't asked to do so often at Tech.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: "I say he's a risk because of the weight. He had to keep his weight at a level where he can maximize his quickness. Obviously, in the NFL it's going to be of paramount importance, the quickness in terms of the way these holes close. You are not going to see that Georgia Tech (close to line of scrimmage) type of running when you get into the NFL."
What others say: Ourlads Scouting Service wrote, "Has the size and power to be a feature NFL back."
Why you should draft me: "If you want a guy who is going to run inside, run outside, pass block and do every little thing, the home-run hitter, adjust to any offense, I'm that guy," Dwyer said. "I believe I'm the best running back in the draft."
Derrick Morgan
Position: Defensive end
Height/Weight: 6-4/268
Stats: He had 55 tackles and 12 1/2 sacks last season and 112 tackles and 18 sacks in his career.
What he's been working on: Improving his strength and his times in the drills he will participate in at the combine.
Biggest strength: Morgan never gives up on a play. Scouts say he plays low to the ground, which enables him to shed blockers.
Biggest question mark: Ability to drop into coverage and how well he uses his hands.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: "Derrick Morgan is a guy who plays the run. He plays through double teams, stays on his feet. He locates the football and gives you a good pass rusher from the outside as well. I'd say he's in the top 10 to 12 overall."
What others say: Morgan reminds BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1 of former Atlanta Falcon Patrick Kerney, a high-motor player with good initial quickness.
Why you should draft me: "I feel like drafting a player like myself, you are going to get the whole package," Morgan said. "A guy who shows up and goes to work every day. You know what you are getting with me. Two years starting, coming out of nowhere. I'm a hard-working player. I'm always going to do what's asked of me. I'm not going to be involved in any off-the-field distractions. I'm going to focus on football."
Demaryius Thomas
Position: Wide receiver
Height/Weight: 6-3/235
Stats: He caught 46 passes for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns last season and 120 passes for 2,339 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.
What he's been working on: Before breaking his foot last week, Thomas said he'd spent most of his time working on improving his speed, strength, route running and position techniques. According to his agent, Todd France, Thomas was videotaped running the 40-meter dash in 4.38 seconds.
Biggest strength: Thomas has good hands and is a vicious blocker on the perimeter.
Biggest question mark: Route running. Though Thomas seemed to be a straight-line route runner at Tech, Johnson said Thomas ran all of the routes he would run in the NFL.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: In a recent mock draft, in which he had the Bengals selecting Thomas in the first round, Kiper said: "He's a big target and a down-field threat. ... Carson Palmer needs weapons and Thomas can be one."
What others say: Sporting News' Matt Hayes said Thomas was one of the most overrated receivers in the draft because he seemingly only ran go and curl routes at Tech.
Why you should draft me: "I'm a hard worker on and off the field," Thomas said. "I'll do whatever I'm ask. I do my job. I don't get into trouble. I just want to play the game."
http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-t...n-ready-to-324127.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speed and technique. Technique and speed.
Tech Blog with Doug Roberson »
Tech averaged 4,095 more fans than last season Ramblin' On with Chris Boggs »
Is Basketball Apathy Setting In? Mark Bradley on Tech »
A coach tells SI: Lawal and Favors don’t play well together Jeff Schultz on Tech »
ACC doesn’t look deserving of several NCAA slots
Related Tech stories »
Tech underclassmen ready to wow at NFL combine
After a full offseason, Tech's Johnson looking forward to spring
Tech loses to Maryland at buzzer
Football schedule and results
Basketball schedule and results
TV Listings
.Four former Georgia Tech football players said they've spent the past month working on becoming faster and improving their skills at performance camps around the country in preparation for the NFL Scouting Combine, which starts Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Morgan Burnett, Jonathan Dwyer, Derrick Morgan and, to a limited degree, Demaryius Thomas will be measured, weighed, clocked and interviewed as 32 NFL teams begin to solidify their opinions on who to select in the NFL draft, which starts April 22.
Each player has questions they hope to answer, ranging from can Dwyer transition back to a pro-style offense (he says it took about two minutes to get used to it again during drills) to Thomas' route running (he broke his foot last week and won't be able to work out at the combine).
"I'm excited," Burnett said. "It's a chance to make a first impression."
A look at each player and what he's been doing since declaring for the NFL draft in mid-January:
Morgan Burnett
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6 feet 1/210 pounds
Stats: He had 77 tackles and four interceptions last season and 227 tackles and 14 interceptions in his career.
What he's been working on: Burnett said he's been working on his technique and improving speed.
Biggest strength: He's a ball hawk who has a knack for knocking down or intercepting passes.
Biggest question mark: Speed.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: "Morgan Burnett, to me, he is a heck of safety. I think he's a guy that will draw some second- or third-round consideration. I talked to [former Tech defensive coordinator] Jon Tenuta a couple of months ago and he raved about the kid."
What others say: NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis said Burnett's versatility will make him valuable in the NFL. Davis said Burnett won't have to come off the field should opponents go to three- or four-wide receiver sets. He also likes his frame.
Why you should draft me: "I can help you out on special teams, I'm a good safety with good speed, I've got good range," Burnett said. "I can cover sideline to sideline. I can make plays on the ball. I can make interceptions."
Jonathan Dwyer
Position: Running back
Height/Weight: 6-1/225
Stats: He rushed 235 times for 1,395 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and 517 times for 3,226 yards and 35 touchdowns in his career.
What he's been working on: Improving his strength and quickness and decreasing his weight. He said he's lost 17 pounds in the past month.
Biggest strength: Dwyer is quick and not afraid to take on defenders. He was effective as an every-down back and short-yardage runner at Tech.
Biggest question mark: Blocking and pass-catching. Dwyer said he's been working on attacking defenders and learning proper technique for blocking. He and Tech coach Paul Johnson said Dwyer can catch the ball and run routes. He wasn't asked to do so often at Tech.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: "I say he's a risk because of the weight. He had to keep his weight at a level where he can maximize his quickness. Obviously, in the NFL it's going to be of paramount importance, the quickness in terms of the way these holes close. You are not going to see that Georgia Tech (close to line of scrimmage) type of running when you get into the NFL."
What others say: Ourlads Scouting Service wrote, "Has the size and power to be a feature NFL back."
Why you should draft me: "If you want a guy who is going to run inside, run outside, pass block and do every little thing, the home-run hitter, adjust to any offense, I'm that guy," Dwyer said. "I believe I'm the best running back in the draft."
Derrick Morgan
Position: Defensive end
Height/Weight: 6-4/268
Stats: He had 55 tackles and 12 1/2 sacks last season and 112 tackles and 18 sacks in his career.
What he's been working on: Improving his strength and his times in the drills he will participate in at the combine.
Biggest strength: Morgan never gives up on a play. Scouts say he plays low to the ground, which enables him to shed blockers.
Biggest question mark: Ability to drop into coverage and how well he uses his hands.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: "Derrick Morgan is a guy who plays the run. He plays through double teams, stays on his feet. He locates the football and gives you a good pass rusher from the outside as well. I'd say he's in the top 10 to 12 overall."
What others say: Morgan reminds BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1 of former Atlanta Falcon Patrick Kerney, a high-motor player with good initial quickness.
Why you should draft me: "I feel like drafting a player like myself, you are going to get the whole package," Morgan said. "A guy who shows up and goes to work every day. You know what you are getting with me. Two years starting, coming out of nowhere. I'm a hard-working player. I'm always going to do what's asked of me. I'm not going to be involved in any off-the-field distractions. I'm going to focus on football."
Demaryius Thomas
Position: Wide receiver
Height/Weight: 6-3/235
Stats: He caught 46 passes for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns last season and 120 passes for 2,339 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.
What he's been working on: Before breaking his foot last week, Thomas said he'd spent most of his time working on improving his speed, strength, route running and position techniques. According to his agent, Todd France, Thomas was videotaped running the 40-meter dash in 4.38 seconds.
Biggest strength: Thomas has good hands and is a vicious blocker on the perimeter.
Biggest question mark: Route running. Though Thomas seemed to be a straight-line route runner at Tech, Johnson said Thomas ran all of the routes he would run in the NFL.
What ESPN's Mel Kiper says: In a recent mock draft, in which he had the Bengals selecting Thomas in the first round, Kiper said: "He's a big target and a down-field threat. ... Carson Palmer needs weapons and Thomas can be one."
What others say: Sporting News' Matt Hayes said Thomas was one of the most overrated receivers in the draft because he seemingly only ran go and curl routes at Tech.
Why you should draft me: "I'm a hard worker on and off the field," Thomas said. "I'll do whatever I'm ask. I do my job. I don't get into trouble. I just want to play the game."