Hey, it's Saturday! Why don't we check-in on last year's local Saturday heroes and see how their transition to big boy football is going? We'll start on North Avenue and then stroll (probably more efficient to jog, or better yet, drive) up I-85 and 316 to complete the tour.
Former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Pick # 16 - Derrick Morgan - Titans (DE): Not much to report here. Derrick has had ongoing calf issues throughout the off-season and training camp. He left early on the first day of the Titans' training camp, and has not been seen (doing anything football-like) since.
Pick # 22 - Demaryius (Bay-Bay) Thomas - Broncos (WR): Demaryius' is dealing with torn scar tissue on his left foot that developed when he fractured the foot before the NFL draft. The injury has caused him to miss much of training camp and he is currently limited him to running in straight-line drills. Without getting much work in preseason, it is unlikely to see Thomas move into a starting spot on the depth chart.
Pick # 71 - Morgan Burnett - Packers (S): Morgan worked with the first team defense during the offseason as the Packers' starting SS, Atari Bigby, held out. Burnett impressed the coaches and was set to compete with Bigby for the starting job, except once Bigby arrived in camp, he went down with an ankle injury requiring surgery. As Bigby fell over in pain, he opened the door for Burnett to earn a spot as a starter.
Pick #188 - Jonathan Dwyer - Steelers (HB): Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette does not believe Dwyer will make the team. Mr. Bouchette thought Dwyer would be the Steelers' number two running back after Spring practices, but due to injuries during training camp and the coaches being all over him, his stock has fallen dramatically. Bouchette also notes that Dwyer has taken to daydreaming, chit-chatting, and other sorts of tomfoolery instead of paying attention in camp. I hope Dwyer hasn't stopped taking his medicine because he's afraid he might fail a drug test.
JUMP FOR THE BULLDOGS! Nice jump. Good form.
Former Georgia Bulldogs
Pick #97 - Rennie Curran - Titans (LB): Rennie has been practicing with the second team defense and has impressed with his aptitude and hard work. Though not expected to have a huge impact in the current season, SBNation's Music City Miracles believes Curran could potentially be a solid NFL linebacker.
Pick # 120 - Geno Atkins - Bengals (DT): GenoDolla/Geno Stacks of Dollas/Stacks/Tasmanian Devil/Taz (overkill?) made Falcons fans proud last night, as he sacked Michael Vick early in the second quarter of the Bengals/Eagles exhibition matchup. That sack gave Atkins 3.5 sacks in the three preseason games the Bengals have played. Though all of his sacks have come in the second half of preseason games, those are still solid results for a late fourth round pick. Atkins could potentially begin the season as the third DT on the Bengals depth chart.
Pick # 163 - Reshad Jones - Dolphins (S): Reshad made a couple tackles on special teams and recovered a fumble in the Dolphins first preseason game. He was forced to miss practice time this week due to a minor ankle injury and his status for tonight's game against the Jaguars is uncertain. While Chris Clemons clearly holds the lead to start at free safety, Jones has pushed Clemons and provided needed competition.
Pick #243 - Jeff Owens - Eagles (DT): The best thing going for Jeff is that he is an Eagle and his last name is Owens. Other than making people feel like their outdated clothing is a litle more relevant (um, he's not number 81), what else does Owens have going for him? Well he LOVES to Tweet! Oh, right, how about on the football field? Well in his first preseason game Owens recorded a sack and forced a fumble (on the Jaguars third-string quarterback). He is currently listed as the third right defensive tackle on the Eagles' depth chart, but there is a good chance that he could hurdle Trevor Laws and land in the backup position. Oh, and supposedly, Jeff Owens will be dominant in the NFL.
Pick #248 - Kade Weston - Patriots (DT): Kade saw time in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' preseason opener against the Saints and did an ok job. The Patriots' loss of Ty Warren for the season, makes it more likely that Weston will make the team, but SBNation's Pats Pulpit predicts he will end up on the practice squad, but also notes that he could stick at left defensive end.
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