Tag: AJ Green

CBSSports releases 2020 NFL Top 100 list: Three Georgia players included

Three former Georgia football players made CBSSports’ list of the top 100 NFL players for 2020.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports recently released his list of the top 100 NFL players for the 2020 season and included three Georgia Bulldogs.

Related: If UGA was fielding a starting team based on current NFL players, here’s what it would look like

A few notable players who did not make the list include: Matthew Stafford, Todd Gurley, Justin Houston, Roquan Smith, David Andrews

Here are the Dawgs that did make the list:

53. Geno Atkins

At #53 on the list is Georgia great Geno Atkins.

Atkins has been one of the league’s most dominant interior defensive lineman since entering the NFL in 2010. He has played his full career with the Bengals, is an eight-time pro-bowler, a two-time first-team all-pro and a member of the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team.

Prisco’s thoughts on Atkins:

“His sacks numbers were down to 4.5 last season, the fewest he’s had since 2014. He’s still capable of doing more than sacking the quarterback, but is age (32) starting to slow him down?”

63. AJ Green

At #63 on the list is another Cincinnati Bengals star, former Georgia phenom AJ Green.

Green remains one of the league’s best wide receivers despite missing the entirety of the 2019 season. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the best in the league, and some can argue that he is the best.

Let’s see what he can do this year now that he finally has a quarterback in Joe Burrow.

Prisco’s thoughts on Green:

“He sat out the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury, so he’s a tough one to slot. But I still think at the age of 31, he can still be a No. 1 receiver. Health is the key.”

71. Nick Chubb

Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Chubb is fresh off of his second season in the NFL that saw him come 46 yards shy of leading the league in rushing.

Chubb is the 7th ranked running back on this list, coming in behind Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, and Derrick Henry.

Prisco’s thoughts on Chubb:

“With much of the talk about the Browns passing game coming into the season, it was Chubb who was the best offensive player. He was second in the league in rushing with 1,494 yards and also caught 36 passes. He averaged 5.0 yards per rush.”

for the full list, click here

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Three Georgia Bulldogs in PFF’s All-Decade Top 101

Three former Georgia Bulldog greats have made PFF’s All-Decade Top 101: Bengals receiver AJ Green, Bengals DT Geno Atkins and Justin Houston

Three former Georgia Bulldog greats have made PFF’s All-Decade Top 101. The 2010s were a solid decade for Georgia football. UGA fans will hope the 2020s will offer more NFL superstars and the long-awaited national championship.

Outside linebacker Justin Houston comes 46th on PFF’s list of top players of the decade. Houston has spent most of his career in Kansas City. He almost broke the NFL sack record in 2014, when he recorded 22.0 sacks.

Houston is now with the Indianapolis Colts and continues to make an impact.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston reacts after tackling Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

AJ Green, arguably the best receiver in Georgia history, comes 38th on the list. Green has missed some time due to injuries, but could be even higher. He’s among the NFL’s  best wide receivers for the decade.

Green caught 602 passes for 8,907 yards and 63 touchdowns during the decade. He played every season for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sep 13, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The top Georgia Bulldog of the decade is Geno Atkins according to PFF. With 75.5 sacks in the 2010s, Atkins is one of the best pass rushing defensive tackles in the decade.

PFF grades the Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle behind only J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald along the defensive interior. Atkins still has gas left in the tank for this decade.

Sep 30, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

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Every prime time NFL game featuring former Georgia football players

After the release of the 2020 NFL schedule, here’s a look at every prime-time game that former Georgia football players will appear in.

On Thursday, the NFL released its 2020 schedule, providing more optimism that a football season will take place come September.

With Georgia having added seven new players into the league via the NFL Draft, there’s going to be a number of UGA fans hoping for a chance to watch some former Dawgs play on prime-time television.

The Patriots, Cowboys, Chiefs, Packers, 49ers, Rams and Buccaneers will be featured most in prime time during the 2020 NFL season with five games apiece.

Georgia players on those teams:

Cowboys, Packers and Bucs do not have any Bulldogs.

Patriots: C David Andrews, RB Sony Michel, OL Isaiah Wynn

Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman

49ers: TE Charlie Woerner

Rams: OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Natrez Patrick, DB Tyrique McGhee.

Here is a list of every nationally televised NFL game featuring Georgia Bulldogs.

Some of these game are subject to a time change and some of the players signed as undrafted free agents. As of right now, these are the teams they are on.

For a full list of Georgia players and their NFL teams, click here.

Thursday Night Football:

  • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: Fox, NFL Network
  • Live stream: Amazon Prime

Thursday Sept. 17: Browns at Bengals

Georgia players on Browns: RB Nick Chubb, RB Brian Herrien

Georgia players on Bengals: DT Geno Atkins, WR AJ Green, DT Tyler Clark, DB Shawn Williams

Thursday Sept. 24: Dolphins at Jaguars

Georgia players on Dolphins: OG Solomon Kindley

Georgia players on Jags: WR Chris Conley, WR Terry Godwin, DT Abry Jones, S J.R. Reed

Thursday Oct. 1: Broncos at Jets

Georgia players on Broncos: N/A

Georgia players on Jets: WR Lawrence Cager, OLB Jordan Jenkins

Thursday Oct. 8: Buccaneers at Bears

Georgia players on Bucs: N/A

Georgia players on Bears: WR Reggie Davis, DT John Jenkins, WR Riley Ridley, LB Roquan Smith, WR Javon Wims

Thursday Oct. 15: Chiefs at Bills

Georgia players on Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman

Georgia players on Bills: QB Jake Fromm, WR Isaiah McKenzie

Thursday Oct. 22: Giants at Eagles

Georgia players on Giants: OT Andrew Thomas, LB Tae Crowder, OLB Lorenzo Carter

Georgia players on Eagles: RB Elijah Holyfield

Thursday Oct. 29: Falcons at Panthers

Georgia players on Falcons: RB Todd Gurley

Georgia players on Panthers: N/A

Thursday Nov. 5: Packers at 49ers

Georgia players on Packers: N/A

Georgia players on 49ers: TE Charlie Woerner

Thursday Nov. 12: Colts at Titans

Georgia players on Colts: K Rodrigo Blankenship, OLB Justin Houston

Georgia players on Titans: C Ben Jones, OT Isaiah Wilson, OLB D’Andre Walker

Thursday Nov. 19: Cardinals at Seahawks

Georgia players on Cardinals: OL Lamont Gaillard

Georgia players on Seahawks: DB Jayson Stanley

THANKSGIVING

Thursday Nov. 26: Texans at Lions (12:30 p.m. CBS)

Georgia players on Texans: OLB Davin Bellamy, WR Tyler Simmons

Georgia players on Lions: RB D’Andre Swift, QB Matt Stafford, DT John Atkins, TE Isaac Nauta

Thursday Nov. 26: Redskins at Cowboys (4:30 p.m. Fox)

Georgia players on Redskins: OLB Thomas Davis, S Maurice Smith

Georgia players on Cowboys: N/A

Thursday Nov. 26: Ravens at Steelers (8:20 p.m. NBC)

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Georgia players on Steelers: N/A

Thursday Dec. 3: Cowboys at Ravens 

Georgia players on Cowboys: N/A

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Thursday Dec. 10: Patriots at Rams

Georgia players on Patriots: C David Andrews, RB Sony Michel, OL Isaiah Wynn

Georgia players on Rams: OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Natrez Patrick, DB Tyrique McGhee

Thursday Dec. 17: Chargers at Ravens 

Georgia players on Chargers: N/A

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Friday Dec. 25: Vikings at Saints

No Georgia players in this game

Next: Sunday Night Football

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Georgia fans: there’s another AJ Green in the NFL

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver AJ Green could face former Oklahoma State Cowboys DB AJ Green twice per season.

Former Georgia Bulldog great AJ Green is arguably the best wide receiver in UGA history. Despite some recent injury issues, Green is among the best receivers in the NFL.

Now, Bengals receiver AJ Green isn’t the only AJ Green in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns have signed former Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive back AJ Green to an undrafted free agent deal:

As ESPN’s Field Yates notes, AJ Green isn’t the only undrafted player to have a familiar name. It remains to be seen if the Oklahoma State product will be able to stick to an NFL roster. If he can crack the rotation of Cleveland’s defensive backs, then he would face Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver AJ Green twice per season.

To confuse matters further during his spectacular career at Georgia, AJ Green, played a game against the Oklahoma Cowboys. Green caught four passes for 52 yards in the contest. Notably, he faced off against Dez Bryant, who scored two touchdowns to help the Cowboys get the better of the Dawgs 24-10 on that season-opening day.

Sept 4, 2009; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys Perry Watson defends a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver A.J. Green in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2019; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback A.J. Green runs back an interception for a touchdown against the McNeese State Cowboys. Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

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Report: Bengals held pre-NFL Draft FaceTime meeting with Georgia football WR

Per a report, the Cincinnati Bengals held an NFL Draft meeting with Georgia football WR Lawrence Cager.

If you’re a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, you’re hopeful that the franchise uses one of its picks in this week’s NFL Draft to add some depth to the wide receiver position.

Against the wishes of the former Georgia Bulldog, the Bengals placed a franchise tag on A.J. Green, meaning he has to stay in Cincinnati for one more season before hitting free agency.

The Bengals could use some help at the position regardless of what Green decides to do next offseason, and that’s why SBNation’s CincyJungle is trilled about the fact that the team finally met with a wide receiver ahead of the draft.

Per Justin Melo of USA TODAY Sports Media Groups’ Draft Wire, the Bengals held a FaceTime meeting with Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager.

Per the report, Cager also remotely met with the the New York Jets.

But the Jets don’t currently have A.J. Green on their roster, so for right now let’s focus on Cager and the Bengals, a much more exciting pairing for Georgia fans.

From CincyJungle:

If you’re looking for size at a discount, Cager is your pass catcher. The 22-year old measured in at 6-5 and 220 pounds with over 33” arms at the NFL Combine. With all that length, it was a bit surprising to see his hands measure in at under 9” (8 7/8”).

Playing with a better quarterback in Jake Fromm did help Cager’s production in just nine games (33 receptions, 476 yards, four touchdowns), but it wasn’t anything earth-shattering.

Similar to Green, Cager is a tall, possession receiver. Neither will blow past you with their speed, but both have the body control, route running skills and the hands to come down with highly contested catches.

Don’t expect to hear Cager’s name called before the fifth or sixth round, but he’s a guy who possesses all the tools to have a long and successful NFL career.

Had it not been for a series of injuries, Cager would likely be viewed as a third round draft choice. Before going down with a season ending ankle injury, he had 33 catches for 476 yards and four touchdowns. He did that while battling through a shoulder and rib injury as well.

The Bengals will likely use their first overall pick to select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Expect a spike in Green’s numbers next season, and if Cager is added to the roster, look for some promising rookie numbers for the one-year Bulldog.

Green missed the entire 2019 season after he suffered torn ligaments in his ankle.

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Pre-NFL Draft: where did Georgia Bulldogs land in Free Agency?

NFL Free Agency has been underway for over a month this off-season.  Georgia Bulldogs are headlining some of the league’s intriguing moves.

NFL Free Agency has been underway for over a month this off-season.  Georgia Bulldogs are headlining some of the league’s most intriguing moves.

In a surprising decision, the Los Angeles Rams have released Todd Gurley. Gurley has signed a one-year $5-million deal with Atlanta Falcons. He was the engine of Los Angeles’s Super Bowl offense in 2018. It’s a dream come true for Falcons and Georgia fans.

Oct 20, 2019; Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley catches a touchdown pass in front of Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have released outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. Floyd signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago originally selected Floyd with a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins is returning to the Jets on a one-year $5M prove-it deal. He was New York’s sack leader in 2019.

The Cincinnati Bengals placed a franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green. It prevented Green from entering NFL Free Agency. Will he sign the tag with Cincinnati and pair up with projected number one overall pick Joe Burrow or hold out?

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Georgia Bulldog great makes NFL’s all-decade team

The NFL announced their all-decade team for the 2010s decade. One former Georgia Bulldog made the team.

The NFL announced their all-decade team for the 2010s decade. Tom Brady, Joe Thomas, Marshal Yanda, J.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Justin Tucker, and Adrian Peterson headline the team as unanimous all-decade selections.

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Geno Atkins is the only Dawg to make the team. Atkins has been a standout for the Bengals throughout the decade. Other potential UGA candidates for the team included: Todd Gurley, Champ Bailey, Justin Houston (89.5 sacks in the decade), A.J. Green, Thomas Davis, David Andrews, and more.

Here’s the offensive and defensive selections for the 2010s all-decade team:

Do you think any Georgia Bulldogs got snubbed? It’s hard to argue with a lot of the selections, especially the unanimous ones. D’Andre Swift has been compared to one of the all-decade selections ahead of the NFL Draft.

Interestingly, there are all outside linebackers on the team rush the passer (Thomas Davis would fit the bill as an OLB who didn’t play in a 3-4 defense). Speaking of outside linebackers, Justin Houston recorded 28 sacks more than Khalil Mack during the 2010s decade, but Houston failed to make the team.

There are only four receivers on the team, while there’s four offensive guards and four tackles, so the receivers position is a little bit light. Would A.J. Green have been the fifth receiver on the team?

The honor is well-deserved for Geno Atkins, who recorded 75.5 sacks and 383 tackles over the decade. Atkins is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and is a role-model for modern NFL defensive tackles.

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Tracking UGA football in NFL Free Agency

Todd Gurley, Leonard Floyd, and Thomas Davis are among many Georgia Bulldogs in NFL Free Agency.

NFL Free Agency is especially unpredictable this off-season. Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are headlining some shocking moves.

In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Rams have released Todd Gurley. Gurley would fit in with the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and more. He was the engine of Los Angeles’s Super Bowl offense in 2018.

The Chicago Bears have released outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. Floyd signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago originally selected Floyd with a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Nov 17, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a pass under pressure from Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins is in for a massive raise. New York, who has minimal pass rushing opinions, will have to pay their 2019 sack leader to coax him to stay.

The Cincinnati Bengals placed a franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green. The  tag prevents Green from entering NFL Free Agency. Will he sign the tag with Cincinnati and pair up with projected number one overall pick Joe Burrow or hold out?

The  Bengals have released offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Glenn, a second round pick out of the University of Georgia, is a free agent. At 30, Glenn will have a market among teams looking to upgrade their pass-blocking.

Recently released former New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree is seeking a new home. At 28 years old, Ogletree is still productive. He has the speed necessary to be a linebacker in the modern NFL.

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Georgia Bulldogs in NFL Free Agency

Georgia Bulldogs Jordan Jenkins, Cordy Glenn, Alec Ogletree,Thomas Davis, Reshad Jones and more are NFL free agents this off-season.

Several Georgia Bulldogs are NFL free agents and will cash in this off-season. NFL Free Agency started Monday morning, March 16 when the contact/negotiation period began. The new CBA has been approved and teams are ready to roll toward the 2020 season.

March 16th was the deadline for teams to place a franchise tag on players. In fact, the Cincinnati Bengals put a franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green. The franchise tag prevents Green from entering into NFL Free Agency. Will he sign the tag with Cincinnati or hold out? Green has already stated he’ll skip OTAs (which may be cancelled due to the Coronavirus).

The Bengals have released offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Glenn, a second round pick out of the University of Georgia, is a free agent. At 30, Glenn will have a market among teams looking to upgrade their pass-blocking.

New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins is in for a massive raise. New York, who has minimal pass rushing opinions, will have to pay their 2019 sack leader to coax him to stay.

Recently released former New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree will look for another payday. At 28 years old, Ogletree is in his prime and will command a longer term contract.

Oct 10, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (47) tackles New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (38) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins released veteran safety Reshad Jones. Jones is a Pro Bowl level talent if he can stay healthy. At 32 years old, Jones will sign a short-term deal.

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