Tag: georgia football nfl

Georgia Bulldogs learning the hardships of being NFL rookies

Georgia Bulldogs like Eric Stokes, Monty Rice, and Azeez Ojulari are learning the hardships of being NFL rookies

Georgia Bulldogs Eric Stokes, Monty Rice and Azeez Ojulari are among those learning the hardships of being NFL rookies. Georgia had a record number of players drafted in the 2021 NFL draft.

Now, rookies across the league are fighting for roster spots and to gain the respect of veteran players and coaches. Earning respect of veteran players requires carrying equipment, showing up to practice early and knowing the the playbook.

Here’s how former Georgia Bulldogs are doing their part for their respective NFL teams:

Dolphins waive troubled OL Isaiah Wilson

The Miami Dolphins have waived former Tennessee Titans and Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson.

The Miami Dolphins have waived former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson. Wilson had several off-field incidents during his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans. The trend showed signs of continuing into his time with the Dolphins.

The Titans were fed up with Isaiah Wilson’s inability to act like a professional and traded Wilson to the Miami Dolphins for an exchange of seventh-round picks.

In his brief stint with Miami, Isaiah Wilson showed up late to his physical, arrived late for orientation and missed voluntary workouts Wilson promised he would attend.

We hope Wilson can get some help in the coming months.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero detailed Wilson’s disappointing tenure with Miami:

The Tennessee Titans drafted the former Georgia football star No. 29 overall  in last year’s NFL draft, but Wilson played three snaps last season.

Wilson almost jumped off a two-story balcony to avoid police at a party in Aug. 2020. Next, Wilson was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list for a second time. He then crashed his car into a wall, receiving a DUI in the process.

In Oct. 2020, Wilson totaled his car in another car accident. On Dec. 2020, he was suspended by the Titans for violating team rules and was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list. Wilson was caught partying on a boat on New Year’s Eve leading up to a key Week 17 game with NFL postseason implications.

The Tennessee Titans look at Wilson as a first-round bust. The good news was Wilson had a chance to learn from his mistakes with the Miami Dolphins, but he immediately squandered that opportunity.

The Dolphins gave Wilson a shot and his behavior did not improve. Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who attended Wilson’s high school, was unable to fix Wilson’s issues.

What’s next for Wilson goes far beyond football and we wish him luck.

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Jets sign former Giants, UGA LB to practice squad

The New York Jets have signed former New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree to their practice squad

The New York Jets have signed former New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree to their practice squad. Ogletree, an NFL veteran, is a former Georgia Bulldog standout.

The New York Giants released Ogletree earlier this offseason and he was a free agent until the Jets signed him to their practice squad. Ogletree will be a talented member of the New York practice squad and it would be surprising if he isn’t promoted to the active roster at some point during the season.

Alec Ogletree has previous experience playing under New York Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from his time with the Los Angeles Rams. Ogletree has seven years of NFL experience including 93 starts.

Throughout his career, Ogletree has recorded 12 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks, and 676 total tackles. He’s an impact player at the NFL level, but fans shouldn’t expect him to play immediately, since he is starting on the practice squad. During a normal season, Ogletree wouldn’t have been practice squad eligible.

September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree celebrates after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the signings of Ogletree and receiver Jaleel Scott.

Georgia Bulldog great AJ Green returns to Bengals practice

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green suffered a hamstring injury over a week ago and is now returning to the practice field

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green suffered a hamstring injury over a week ago and is now returning to the practice field. Green, a former Georgia Bulldogs, is the No. 1 wide receiver for Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense.

Green’s injury was never considered severe, but it is good to see him back out there. The UGA product missed all of last season with an ankle injury.

A.J. Green has struggled off and on with injuries since the 2015 season. He’s only recorded one season (2017) with over 1,000 receiving yards since 2015.

If Green can stay healthy for Cincinnati, then he should have a great season. A.J. Green and the Bengals offense has a lot of weapons for top pick Joe Burrow.

Running back Joe Mixon and an improved offensive line should take some of the pressure off Joe Burrow. Burrow enters his rookie season after having a record setting season at LSU.

The Joe Burrow to A.J. Green connection could be something special. Burrow showed incredible accuracy, especially for jump balls during his time at LSU. A.J. Green is a man who has won his fair share of jump balls over the years. In fact, Green has 63 receiving touchdowns over his NFL career.

September 12, 2009; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver A.J. Green (8) catches a touchdown pass behind South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Akeem Auguste (3) at the end of the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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Former Georgia Bulldog DL signs with New England Patriots

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Michael Barnett has found a new NFL home with the New England Patriots.

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Michael Barnett has found a new NFL home. Michael Barnett has signed with the New England Patriots ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

Barnett was a key fixture for the Bulldogs top ranked run defense last season. He’s not much of a pass rusher (zero career sacks at UGA). Barnett recorded 47 total tackles in his career at Georgia including 23 during the 2019 season.

This is an excellent opportunity for Barnett, who went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. Bill Belichick is notorious for giving undrafted players a fair shot to compete.

Barnett will try to help bolster New England’s run defense. He’ll face an uphill battle trying to make the Patriot roster without any preseason games. If Barnett doesn’t make their roster, he could end on on their practice squad or find a landing spot elsewhere in the league.

Best of luck to Barnett, who is from Ridgeville, South Carolina.

Twitter reacts: former Georgia Bulldog AJ Green signs franchise tag

Cincinnati Bengals and former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver A.J. Green has signed the franchise tag.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green has signed the franchise tag. Green, a former Georgia Bulldog, was unable to hit NFL free agency this offseason.

Green signed the deal after he failed to reach to a contract extension with the Bengals before the July deadline.

Hopefully former LSU Tigers standout Joe Burrow will have success with A.J. Green, who has never won a playoff game in his NFL career. It’s not Green’s fault, but that could be motivation behind him thinking twice before signing a long-term extension with Cincinnati.

Here’s what No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow said about A.J. Green at the NFL Combine:

Cincinnati avoids a dreaded holdout. Here’s how social media reacted to the news of Green’s signing:

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The New York Giants select Georgia Bulldogs OT Andrew Thomas

The New York Giants selected Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The New York Giants have selected Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Thomas is a veteran left tackle, who started all three seasons in Athens.

Thomas was named first team All-SEC by the coaches in both 2018 and 2019. He was a first team Walter Camp All-American last season as a junior and a semi-finalist for the 2019 Outland Trophy.

Andrew Thomas started 13 games at left tackle in both 2018 and 2019, only missing one game due to injury (Middle Tennessee State). His efforts as a freshman helped Georgia make the 2018 National Championship. He started all fifteen games at right tackle in UGA’s 13-2 season.

At 6-5, 315 pounds, Thomas has the size that NFL teams covet in an offensive lineman. Perhaps even more impressive is his college production. Thomas won three straight SEC East divisions and made three consecutive New Year’s Six Bowl games. Although Thomas elected not to play in the 2020 Sugar Bowl against Baylor.

Entering into the 2020 NFL Draft, Thomas was unanimously considered one of the top four offensive linemen, but where he stands in the top four has been up for debate.. Giants fans can expect an NFL-ready tackle in Andrew Thomas, who is ready to play from day one.

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Georgia Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm attempts a pass as Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas blocks Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Quinnen Williams in the SEC championship game.  Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY identifies two Bulldogs who could be NFL Draft steals

USA TODAY has released a list of 11 players who could be major steals for NFL teams approaching the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday April 23rd.

USA TODAY released a list of eleven players who could be steals in the 2020 NFL Draft.  The draft is set to take place Thursday, April 23rd to Saturday, April 25th and will happen remotely for the first time in its history.

The list has one player per position that some teams could easily overlook, while others could be getting a major steal.

The list that had just eleven players featured two Georgia players on it.

The first of the Dawgs players listed as a steal is at the safety position with former Georgia standout JR Reed.

Reed had a spectacular career playing in Athens, tallying up 199 tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 touchdowns. Reed stands at 6-1, 195 lbs giving him a good sized NFL frame.  The son of 12-year NFL player Jake Reed spoke to Draft Wire about what NFL teams will get if they draft him.

“They’re gonna get a leader, on and off the field. They’re gonna get a versatile safety that can play multiple positions. I can come down in the box, I can play in the middle of the field and I can cover the tight end or anybody really.” said Reed.  “They’re gonna get a franchise safety. The term franchise gets thrown around a lot with the quarterbacks. Just like the franchise quarterback is supposed to be around for a long time, I’m a franchise safety that’s gonna be around for a long time.”

The second of the Dawgs players listed as a steal is at the kicker position with Rodrigo Blankenship.

Blankenship finished his career at Georgia hitting 80/97 field goal attempts (82.5%) and scoring 440 points for the Dawgs.  Believe it or not, Hot Rod is the highest-scoring player in Georgia football history and will be a perfect fit to be an NFL team’s franchise kicker for years to come.  Kickers really are undervalued in the NFL these days and Blankenship could be a huge steal for some teams in need of a decent kicker.

It is pretty impressive that two out of eleven of the players listed to be steals in the 2020 draft are Georgia players.  Miami was another school to feature two players as steals on the list.

It may be a couple of rounds in, but whoever takes JR Reed or Rodrigo Blankenship are going to have some serious talent in their hands.

Cincinnati Bengals releasing Georgia Bulldog great

In an expected move, the Cincinnati Bengals are releasing former Georgia Bulldog offensive lineman Cordy Glenn.

In an expected move, the Cincinnati Bengals are releasing former Georgia Bulldog offensive lineman Cordy Glenn. The Bengals put Glenn on the trade block at the NFL Combine, but failed to find any suitors.

As a result, Cincinnati is moving on from Glenn. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news:

Now, Cordy Glenn will be an NFL Free Agent. The Bengals are releasing Glenn to free up $9.5 million in cap space.

He should draw considerable interest on the market. At thirty years old, Glenn has several solid seasons left in his career.

Glenn began his career with the Buffalo Bills before they traded him to Cincinnati. Glenn is a former second round pick out of the University of Georgia. He’s an eight season NFL veteran.

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