Tag: team

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

We assembled a starting lineup full of former Georgia football players who are currently on NFL rosters.

Georgia continues to be one of college football’s leading producers of NFL talent, with seven players being taken in the 2020 NFL Draft.

At almost every position does Georgia have an NFL star — linebacker and running back being the most notable.

From veteran passer Matthew Stafford to new Falcons back Todd Gurley, to rookie kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, former Georgia Bulldogs look to put up big numbers again in 2020.

We’ve gone through an exercise of picking the best at each position to field a starting team of former Georgia players, all from a current pool of those currently on NFL rosters. 

Remember, free agents did not make the team.

So, let’s get it started shall we?

Next … QB

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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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Former Longhorn Jordan Hicks lends a helping hand

Former Texas Longhorn and Super Bowl winning linebacker Jordan Hicks has teamed up with a local pet shelter to help out.

Current Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger isn’t the only Longhorn who is trying to step up during this time of quarantine to help out those in need. Former Longhorns linebacker and current Arizona Cardinal Jordan Hicks has stepped up to assist with a local pet shelter to help find homes and ways to help out our four-legged friends.

My wife & I have partnered with @austinpetsalive to get animals into homes during this wild time. We will be giving every adopter a care package that includes a crate, pet food, treats, a leash, a toy, litter for cats, and a gift card. Find your forever friend now! – Jordan Hicks via his twitter account

According to a recent report from 247 Sports, new pet owners will be sent home with a care package that includes a crate, toys, food and a leash. With the guidelines set to keep people at home and to comply with social distancing, getting a new pet is a way to keep your mind off of the pandemic. Not to mention that these pets deserve a loving home.

Hicks spent five seasons roaming the field at Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium amassing 5.5 sacks, 248 total tackles, 135 solo tackles and two interceptions for the Longhorns defense. Last season in Arizona, Hicks totaled 150 combined tackles, seven quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and three interceptions. His 150 tackles is the fourth-most in a single season in Cardinals history.

Garrett Hartley joins XFL’s Seattle Dragons

Garrett Hartley, the kicker who helped win Super Bowl 44 with the New Orleans Saints, officially signed with the Seattle Dragons of the XFL.

Here’s big news from one former member of the New Orleans Saints: Garrett Hartley, the kicker who sent the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV with his overtime field goal against the Minnesota Vikings, has signed with the Seattle Dragons of the XFL. Funnily enough, it’s the same mascot as represented him at Southlake High School in Texas. Hartley announced his big move in posts from his official Instagram account.

Hartley, who turns 34 in May, last kicked professionally in 2014 with the Cleveland Brown, though he spent the 2015 preseason with the Pittsburg Steelers before a hamstring injury ended his year. He’s spent the years since trying to stay in shape and preparing for his next opportunity, while also logging a lot of hours in his turkey blind. He’s clearly grateful for this shot in the XFL.

Now, he’ll get to compete again as a professional football player when the XFL kicks off its 2020 season on Feb. 8, with Hartley’s Dragons starting on the road against the D.C. Defenders (in a game that will be broadcast on ABC). Their home opener is scheduled for Feb. 16 and will take place at CenturyLink Field, also the home of the Seattle Seahawks. More than 20,000 tickets have reportedly already been sold, and the game will be broadcast nationally on FOX, so Hartley will have quite the audience when it’s his time to shine. It’ll be easy to cheer for him and the other Saints players trying their hand at the startup league, which includes Dallas Renegades XFL draft picks Hau’oli Kikaha and Tommylee Lewis.

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Report: Former Saints kicker Garrett Hartley signs with XFL after tryout

Former New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, whose famous field goal in overtime sent the team to Super Bowl XLIV, signed with the XFL.

Garrett Hartley earned his place in New Orleans Saints history by booting the 20-yard field goal to end overtime against the Minnesota Vikings in the 2009 NFC Championship Game, propelling the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV, their first title game in franchise history. Hartley hung around the NFL for a few more years, having last played in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns.

However, per a report from ESPN staff writer Kevin Seifert, Hartley is preparing to kick again professionally: now with the XFL. Hartley was one of several kickers to try out for the alternative football league, and he ended up signing a contract with them. It’s unclear which of the eight XFL teams he’ll play for, however — contracts are signed with the league itself rather than its member squads.

Still, it’s great to see Hartley get this opportunity. Other former Saints players like pass-rusher Hau’oli Kikaha and wide receiver Tommylee Lewis are trying their luck in the XFL, and some of Hartley’s past teammates such as wideout Robert Meachem also attended past tryouts. Hartley turns 34 in May, a month after the XFL’s inaugural season wraps up.

The startup league’s first games are scheduled for Feb. 8, in a double-header featuring matchups between the Seattle Dragons and D.C. Defenders (at 1 p.m. CT on ABC), as well as the L.A. Wildcats and Houston Roughnecks (at 5 p.m. CT on FOX). Maybe some former members of the black and gold can keep it going in the XFL.

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Green Bay Packers 2010s All-Decade team: Defense

Introducing the defense of the Green Bay Packers’ 2010s All-Decade Team.

The Green Bay Packers defense didn’t get a lot of credit during the 2010s, but they finished the decade ranked 10th in points allowed (3,519) and tied for eighth in takeaways (251) and fifth in sacks (413).

Green Bay Packers 2010s All-Decade team: Offense

Introducing the defense of the Packers’ All-Decade team:

Interior defensive line

First team: Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark

From 2012 to 2018, Daniels provided a foundational player for the middle of the Packers defense. Despite being undersized as a 3-4 defensive end, Daniels used power and a non-stop motor to produce 29 sacks, 47 tackles for losses and 68 quarterback hits over 102 games. Clark, a first-round pick in 2016, is already one of the NFL’s elite interior linemen. The 24-year-old has 16.5 sacks and 24 tackles for losses during his first four seasons. The sky is the limit for Clark, who will soon sign a long-term extension with the Packers.

Second team: B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett

A massive human being with rare athleticism, Raji provided the perfect nose tackle for Dom Capers’ 3-4. He became a dominant interior force during his second season as the Packers went on to win the Super Bowl. He had 11 sacks, 24 tackles for losses and an iconic interception over 91 career games in Green Bay. Pickett, another massive human, played 60 games between 2010-13 and was an effective run-stopping defensive end and nose tackle.

Edge rusher

First team: Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers

Matthews was the franchise’s best defensive player during the decade, and there isn’t a close second. After a Pro Bowl rookie season in 2009, Matthews produced 73.5 sacks, 104 tackles for losses, 14 forced fumbles and six interceptions between 2010 and 2018. Peppers, a rare free-agent addition of Ted Thompson, gave the Packers 25 sacks, 21 tackles for losses, eight forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns over three solid seasons between 2014 and 2016.

Second team: Za’Darius Smith, Nick Perry

Smith didn’t arrive in Green Bay until 2019, but he produced arguably the most productive single season by a Packers edge rusher during the decade. His 2019 season included 13.5 sacks, 37 quarterback hits and 17 tackles for losses. Perry, a first-rounder in 2012, played seven seasons with the Packers and peaked with 18 sacks and 30 quarterback hits in 2016 and 2017, but he couldn’t stay healthy and found himself out of the league by 2019.

Inside linebacker

First team: A.J. Hawk, Blake Martinez

Of Hawk’s 924 career tackles, 527 came over 78 games between 2010 and 2014. His best season arrived in 2010. He was solid but never spectacular, and many wanted more from the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft. Martinez, a fourth-rounder in 2016, is charting a similar path. He has three-straight seasons with over 140 tackles and 506 total tackles during his first four seasons. Martinez is a capable starter but far from a difference-maker.

Second team: Desmond Bishop, Jake Ryan

Bishop was a rising star before injuries wrecked his career. Between 2010 and 2011, Bishop created 218 tackles, eight sacks, 13 tackles for losses, 13 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and nine pass breakups. He suffered a major hamstring injury before the 2012 season and didn’t play in Green Bay again. Ryan, a fourth-round pick in 2015, delivered 206 tackles and eight tackles for losses over three seasons (2015-18).

Cornerback

First team: Tramon Williams, Charles Woodson

Among defensive players, only Clay Matthews played in more games for the Packers during the 2010s than Williams. who was in Green Bay for seven of the 10 seasons during the decade. Between 2010 and 2014, Williams tallied 18 interceptions and 82 pass breakups. He returned in 2018 and has been solid the last two seasons. Woodson, a future Hall of Famer, was the heart and soul of the defense to start the decade and led the NFL in interceptions in 2011.

Second team: Sam Shields, Micah Hyde

Shields, an undrafted free agent gem, played his first seven seasons in Green Bay. A true speedster, he produced 18 picks and 66 pass breakups while making the Pro Bowl in 2014. Concussions ended his career in Green Bay. Hyde gets the nod over Casey Hayward because he was more versatile and made more big plays, and he scored three punt return touchdowns. The Packers made mistakes by letting Hayward go following the 2016 season and not playing Hyde at safety, where he’s become an All-Pro in Buffalo.

Safety

First team: Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Burnett, a third-round pick in 2010, played 102 games for the Packers over eight seasons (2010-17). He rarely put up big numbers but was reliable and consistent. Clinton-Dix looked like the next great Packers safety after putting together a Pro Bowl season in 2016, but he faded in 2017 and was traded away in 2018. The first-rounder intercepted 14 passes over 71 games with the Packers.

Second team: Nick Collins, Charlie Peprah

A neck injury in 2011 ended what could have been a Hall of Fame career for Collins, who was a Pro Bowler in 2010 and intercepted Ben Roethlisberger for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV. He got hurt two games into 2011 and didn’t play again. Such a shame. Peprah was a starter for the 2010 championship team and intercepted five passes as a 14-game starter in 2011.

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Special Teams

Texas has been excellent on special teams the past few years. In both facets of the kicking game, the Longhorns have had reliable players.

All three phases of the game are important and in the past few years, Texas has been excellent on special teams. In both facets of the kicking game, the Longhorns have had reliable players who will step up when they are needed. Placekicker Cameron Dicker has been clutch in his two seasons in Austin and punter Michael Dickson was one of the best in the country.

Hitting two game-winning field goals this season alone, Dicker has been a key clutch player for Tom Herman’s squad. This season, he did it against Kansas and Kansas State, stealing two wins for the Longhorns. Dicker has been automatic from the point after, making all but two career attempts. Making above 70% of his career field goals, if Dicker is trotting out, you are more than likely going to end up with three points.

When the offense stalled and required a punt, Texas had one of the best punters in the country. Michael Dickson won the Ray Guy Award in 2017, given to the nation’s best punter. After his three years in Austin, Dickson was the first special teams player taken in the NFL Draft, selected in the fifth round. Averaging just over 45 yards per punt, Dickson constantly switched the field for the Longhorns.

Then there is Justin Tucker, who both punted and was the placekicker to the Longhorns in 2010 and 2011. Now one of the best kickers in NFL history, Tucker was amazing for Texas during his time in Austin. Never missing a point after attempt, he was just as automatic when kicking field goals too. When it was time to punt, he was able to bomb the ball 40 yards downfield.

Here are your Longhorns special teams players of the decade:

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Safety

Continuing the tradition of DBU at Texas, we look at the best players at Safety to play for the Longhorns throughout the decade.

Continuing the tradition of DBU at Texas, we look at the best players at Safety to play for the Longhorns throughout the decade. Having a great tradition of producing stars at this position, it takes a lot to be considered a great Longhorn play at Safety. Complimenting the great cornerbacks throughout the decade, both of these players were outstanding at Texas.

Dylan Haines and DeShon Elliot both played for former Head Coach Charlie Strong. Elliot played for one season with Herman, but Strong recruited him to the program. While they have two different paths, the two played together for two years in 2015 and 2016.

Not seeing the field until 2014, Haines came into the program in 2012 as a walkon. Redshirting his freshman year, he was on the scout team in 2013 and was awarded the ‘scout team player of the week’ before the Red River Shootout. Getting a scholarship in 2014, Haines quickly became an impact player. Securing 13 career interceptions, that ranks tied for the fifth-most in program history.

Elliot is one of the top players at the position in the history of Texas. Really becoming a key player in his junior season, he ended the year with 63 total tackles, six interceptions, and nine passes defended. Add in three forced fumbles and all he did was create turnovers. Drafted in the sixth round by the Ravens, Elliot is the best safety Texas has seen this decade.

Here are your Longhorn Safties of the Decade:

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Cornerbacks

While there has been debate over who DBU is, Texas makes a strong case. Diggs and Boyd are two of the bost CBs to ever come out of Texas.

While there has been a long debate over who ‘Defensive Back University’ or DBU is, the Longhorns make a strong case when bringing up these two names at the cornerback position. Both crucial members on their current NFL teams, Quandre Diggs and Kris Boyd are two of the best cornerbacks to come out of Texas.

While they never played on the same field, what Diggs and Boyd do share in common is that they both had two different head coaches during their time in Austin. Diggs was there for the final years of Mack Brown while playing under Charlie Strong for one season. Boyd got two years of Strong and the first two years of Tom Herman.

On the field, Diggs played amazing in his first two seasons, getting All-Big 12 honors and even being named the Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2011. His best season came in 2011, when he had four interceptions, while also being involved in 13 pass breakups. His 11 career interceptions rank him at No. 10 in career interceptions in a Longhorn uniform.

Coming in the season after Diggs was drafted, Boyd found more success under Tom Herman than he did with Charlie Strong. Even though he was not a huge interception machine, Boyd covered No. 1 receivers really well. His final two seasons saw him receiving All-Big 12 honors and got him drafted in the seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings.

Here are your Longhorn cornerbacks on the decade:

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Linebackers

Even though they haven’t been as good as the past, Texas has still had some great LBs to come through the program throughout the 2010s.

Even though the unit has not been as good for the Longhorns as it has in the past, Texas has still had some great linebackers to come through the program this decade. Jordan Hicks, Steve Edmond, and Malik Jefferson all were able to make it to the NFL after their time in Austin.

Hicks and Edmond were on the field together for three years, starting in 2013. Getting a fifth year of eligibility after picking up an ankle injury in the 2013 season, Hicks played amazing in his final year for the Longhorns. Leading the team in tackles with 116, Steve Edmond was the only player to come close to his tackle numbers that season.

Declaring for the NFL after his junior year, Edmond also had a monster 2014 season for Texas. Finishing with four fewer tackles than Hicks, he had 112 on the season. His best career game came against Baylor that season, he had 17 tackles and had two of his 8.5 career sacks that night.

Finally, Malik Jefferson was the best linebacker to play for the Longhorns throughout the decade. Playing in the final two seasons of Charlie Strong and in the first year of Tom Herman, Jefferson was solid throughout his entire career. While he did not have the most total tackles of the three, he had the most solo tackles and was getting All-Big 12 awards throughout his three seasons on the 40 acres.

Here are your Texas linebackers of the decade:

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