Category: Dawgs In The NFL

Watch: Nick Chubb’s 10 greatest Georgia plays

Watch this highlight video of Nick Chubb’s 10 greatest Georgia football plays.

Nick Chubb became the NFL’s second leading rusher in 2019, making him a household name among football fans.

But prior to that, he became The University of Georgia’s second all-time leading rusher by the time his collegiate career came to an end.

Watching Chubb at Georgia was special. It was like he was playing against my cousin’s Pop Warner team, bouncing off nearly every tackle.

Related: Checking in on Nick Chubb’s cousin, Harlem Diamond – a rising Cedartown star

Chubb started his UGA career with a 4 carry, 70 yard and 1 touchdown performance against Clemson in 2014. By the time he left Georgia, he had tallied 4,769 rushing yards.

Now he’s an NFL Pro-Bowler with the Cleveland Browns, but the kid from Cedartown will always be a Georgia Bulldog.

Here are Chubb’s top-10 Georgia players, according to video creator Hex Highlights.

 

 

 

Analyst thinks Matt Stafford can be 2020’s NFL passing leader

Can Georgia football great Matthew Stafford, now with the Detroit Lions, lead the NFL in passing yards in 2020? One NFL analyst thinks so.

NFL.com contributing columnist Adam Schein released nine ‘bold predictions’ for the 2020 NFL season and is high on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Schein used one of his predictions to state that Stafford will lead the NFL in passing yards this year.

He writes:

“It’s Year 2 in Darrell Bevell’s offense, an attack that suited Stafford quite well last fall. Detroit has a fine trio of receivers in Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola, and I think T.J. Hockenson can enjoy a breakout sophomore campaign with better health. Rookie RB D’Andre Swift was a steal in Round 2, and he’s a legit weapon in the passing game. Detroit still has issues on defense, meaning Stafford is going to be called upon to throw the ball a lot.”

It’s not too crazy to think that Stafford can do this. He’s never done it before, but he’s consistently right near the top of NFL passing leaders and already ranks 18th all-time in career passing yards.

Stafford played in eight games last year before missing the second half of the season with a back injury. But before he got injured, he was playing at an MVP caliber level. He had thrown for 2,500 yards through eight games, meaning he was on pace for a 5,000 yard season. If he kept up that pace he would have competed with Jamies Winston for the 2019 passing title. Winston finished first with 5,109 yards.

Stafford will have plenty of weapons around him in 2020, but thanks to what’s likely going to be yet another weak defense, the Lions should find themselves playing from behind quite often. That just means more yards for Stafford.

Sam Pittman discusses former Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson with Tennessee Titans

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was taken No. 29 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans last month. Wilson played 25 games at Georgia and was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team …

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was taken No. 29 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans last month.

Wilson played 25 games at Georgia and was named to the  Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team as a red-shirt freshman and in 2019 was named to the Associated Press All-SEC 2nd Team.

He played under offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who was regarded as the top offensive line coach in America. Pittman now serves as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, but still possesses plenty of love for his former Bulldogs, including Wilson.

The Titans recently posted a video of Pittman breaking down Wilson’s game.

Pittman also discusses his recruitment of Wilson, what he improved on at Georgia, his athleticism and his work-ethic.

Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley’s knee looking fine in these workout videos

Former Georgia football and Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley is looking healthy in these latest workout videos.

The Atlanta Falcons signed 25 year old Todd Gurley to a one-year, $5.5 million contract this offseason after the Los Angeles Rams released the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

There have been plenty of concerns over Gurley’s knee, but nobody can really get to the bottom of just how severe the injury is. If there’s one thing that is certain, though, it’s that when healthy, Gurley is a top-three running back in the NFL.

If Gurley can prove that his knee injury is a thing of the past, the Falcons may be able to say they pulled off the ultimate NFL free agency steal this offseason.

In five NFL seasons, the former Georgia Bulldog superstar has amassed over 5,400 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns, adding another 2,091 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions.

The Atlanta Falcons posted two videos of their all-pro back working out his leg, and by the looks of it, he’s looking good to go.

 

Watch: Nick Chubb lifts more than you

Former Georgia star, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is staying strong with insane squat.

Former Georgia star and current Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is known for shedding tacklers. Last season, Chubb was rated as the best running back in the NFL by PFF in only his second year in the league.

To be the best, you have to lift like the best. And Chubb may not just be the best back in the NFL, he may be the strongest too.

I’m guessing you didn’t spend your Memorial Day squatting a cement truck — it’s okay, neither did I.

Here is another Chubb lift from just a week ago. It’s good too see the Georgia legend working hard during the down-time.

Former Georgia QB Jake Fromm recalls favorite UGA football memories

Former Georgia football QB Jake Fromm discussed his favorite UGA memories this week in a video tweeted by the Bulldogs program.

For Jake Fromm, picking out a single favorite memory from his historic three-year UGA career cannot be easy to do.

In three years, he accomplished his dream of playing football for the University of Georgia, beat Florida three times, won the SEC Championship and Rose Bowl, made it to the national title, won the SEC East three times, beat Notre Dame twice, played in some classics and lost some heartbreakers.

This week, the Georgia football program released a video of Fromm discussing his favorite memories from his time as a Georgia Bulldog, and there was a lot to touch on.

Fromm was not able to pick just one. He mentioned most of what was written above, but his journey as a whole is what he will look back on the most.

“You think about it, even the team runs in the summer,” Fromm said. “There were so many amazing things that happened. The way Coach Smart runs his program, it really just opened me up to so much more about the game of football. The guys we have around us, you’re already with NFL-caliber guys every single day at practice. The teammates you meet and grow up with along the way.

It’s a fun and exciting time for everybody. What’s not to love about it? Everything…honestly. The people, what we did as a football program. Honestly, I loved every minute of it. I would not trade it for anything in the entire world. The fans are amazing. That is what makes Georgia football fun. The whole state of Georgia and Dawgnation gets on board.

You don’t want to miss out on being part of the University of Georgia.”

Best of luck to Fromm as he begins his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills.

[vertical-gallery id=28511]

Former Georgia K Rodrigo Blankenship an instant-impact NFL rookie

Former UGA football K Rodrigo Blankenship, now with the Indianapolis Colts, was tabbed as an instant-impact NFL rookie by USA Today.

USA TODAY recently released its list of 20 NFL draftees who could become instant-impact rookies in the 2020 NFL season.

Making the list were two former Georgia football players, D’Andre Swift and Rodrigo Blankenship.

Swift checked in at No. 7 on the list with Blankenship rounding out the list at No. 20.

We touched on Swift here.

Here’s what USA TODAY wrote about Blankenship, who went undrafted in April’s draft but was quickly signed by the Indianapolis Colts.

He won the Groza Award, honoring the nation’s top kicker, while at Georgia last year but didn’t get picked in April. Blankenship connected on 84% of his field goals over the past three seasons and converted all 200 of his extra-point tries in college, though he’ll have to adapt to the NFL’s longer PAT. Still, if Blankenship can beat out Chase McLaughlin, he could become a crucial part of the Colts roster and potentially ensure the door closes on Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship had a distinguished career at the University of Georgia. He became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. Now, he’ll look to replace an NFL legend in former Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship landed a $20,000 signing bonus according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Hot Rod will have to compete with Chase McLaughlin to win Indianapolis’s starting job at kicker.

Blankenship is one of the best kickers in Georgia history, and one of the greatest to ever do it in the SEC. He made 82.5% of his kicks and all 200 of his career extra points at Georgia.

Georgia great, Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift tabbed as instant impact rookie

Former Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift, now with the Detroit Lions, tabbed as an instant-impact NFL rookie.

USA TODAY has released its list of the 20 NFL rookies who could make instant impacts in the 2020 NFL season. Among those listed is former Georgia star D’Andre Swift, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in this year’s NFL Draft.

Swift checked in at No. 7 on the list.

Via USA TODAY :

“Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift (second round / 35th overall): Since Barry Sanders retired in 1999, this team has enjoyed four 1,000-yard rushing seasons from three players, none since 2013. Swift totaled nearly 2,300 yards on the ground over his final two season at Georgia and has the tools to supplant oft-injured Kerryon Johnson, perhaps on an every-down basis.”

Also on the list was former Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who went undrafted and was signed by the Colts. He checked in at No. 20.

We touched on that here. 

It looks as if Swift landed in a good spot in Detroit. He has former Georgia passer Matthew Stafford under center, one of the most prolific passers in the NFL, and will be competing for the starting job with former Auburn Tiger Kerryon Johnson, who is entering his third year and has had a hard time staying healthy.

Last week, Stafford, Swift, and former Bulldog, Lions tight end Isaac Nauta were seen working out together. Rumors surfaced that Swift was the favorite to win the starting running back job over Johnson, but the former Auburn back was quick to fire back at the critics who assumed he wasn’t staying in shape.

As the NFL begins to reopen its team facilities, we should get a better look at both Johnson and Swift as teams begin to practice for the 2020 season. Regardless on who is tabbed as the starter come September, Swift will see plenty of touches, especially through the air from that infamous Stafford side-arm.

Nick Chubb named to list of top NFL players under age of 25

Georgia football great and current Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb considered one of the best young NFL talents.

Former Georgia running back Nick Chubb is a rising star in the NFL and he’s only 24 years old.

He just finished as the second leading rusher in the league and is widely viewed as one of the best ball carriers in pro football.

CBSSports recently ranked the top 25 NFL players who will begin the 2020 season under the age of 25, and included Chubb on its list.

The Cleveland Browns star checked in at No. 20 on and was the fifth highest ranked running back behind Christian McCaffrey (No. 8), Ezekiel Elliot (No. 15), Saquon Barkley (No. 17), and Alvin Kamara (No. 18).

Here’s what CBSSports wrote about Chubb:

Chubb is yet another example of how teams don’t really know how to evaluate players in the draft. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Browns grabbed Chubb with the third pick in the second round. Which means Chubb was the fourth running back off the board. The three running backs taken before him? Saquon Barkley, Rashaad Penny, and Sony Michel. Only Barkley is a better player than Chubb, but considering where they were drafted (No. 2 overall compared to No. 35), it’s Chubb who represents better value. Put another way, the Giants would’ve been better off drafting someone else (they had a ton of options) at No. 2 and then getting Chubb at No. 34. Through two seasons, Chubb has totaled 2,917 yards and 18 touchdowns from scrimmage while averaging 5.3 yards per touch. In that span, he ranks fifth in yards from scrimmage among all running backs.

Atlanta Falcons FB Keith Smith can’t wait to start blocking for Todd Gurley

Atlanta Falcons FB Keith Smith is excited to start blocking for UGA football great Todd Gurley this back in Georgia.

The Atlanta Falcons made a lot of people happy when they brought former UGA running back Todd Gurley back to Georgia this offseason.

The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Gurley is hoping for a fresh start in Atlanta following an incredible run in Los Angeles that was eventually halted by his hurt knee.

If Gurley is able to turn back the clock and play like he did just two seasons ago, the sky is the limit for the Falcons offense.

Playing for L.A., the Rams did not utilize a fullback in their offense, so how Gurley performs with a lead blocker in front of him in Atlanta will be interesting to see this season.

Falcons fullback Keith Smith, however, cannot wait to begin moving bodies out of Gurley’s way this year.

“I’m just excited for what he’s going to bring, because I know he’s got a ton of game left in him,” Smith told Ian Rapoport on his podcast “Rapsheet + Friends.”

“He’s smooth, man. If you watch Todd, he’s got great vision and he hits the hole and he goes. I just love that about him. I don’t think he had a fullback in Los Angeles, so it’s going to be dope to open up holes for him and see that part of his game open up for him.

“He’s not an easy guy to tackle, and you always love guys like that. You love blocking for a guy like that, because you know he’s going to make the first guy miss. Just knowing the type of player that he is, he’s going to help our team a lot and I’m excited about that, man.”

[vertical-gallery id=28511]