Lions trade Matthew Stafford in blockbuster deal with Rams

The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and several first round picks

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The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff, two future first-round picks, and a third-round pick. Matthew Stafford, a former No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Georgia, requested a trade from the organization this offseason and was receiving significant interest on the market.

The Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay quickly acted and now they have a new franchise quarterback. Jared Goff, another former No. 1 overall pick, is presumed to be the starter in Detroit.

Matthew Stafford joins a Rams team who had the top defense in the league last season. Los Angeles finished the season 10-6, but was reliant on their elite defense. The Rams struggled at times offensively, especially when compared to previous years.

Jared Goff and the Rams lost in the Division Round of the postseason to the Green Bay Packers. That defeat ending up being Goff’s final game with Los Angeles.

Now, Goff will join former Rams executive Brad Holmes in Detroit. Holmes in now the Lions’ general manager and is looking to rebuild following a 5-11 season. Goff has decent weapons in Detroit like D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson, but new head coach Dan Campbell is looking to re-sign Lions No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Golladay.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news via Twitter:

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Lions trade Matthew Stafford in blockbuster deal with Rams

The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and several first round picks

[jwplayer 56SnFolq]

The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff, two future first-round picks, and a third-round pick. Matthew Stafford, a former No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Georgia, requested a trade from the organization this offseason and was receiving significant interest on the market.

The Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay quickly acted and now they have a new franchise quarterback. Jared Goff, another former No. 1 overall pick, is presumed to be the starter in Detroit.

Matthew Stafford joins a Rams team who had the top defense in the league last season. Los Angeles finished the season 10-6, but was reliant on their elite defense. The Rams struggled at times offensively, especially when compared to previous years.

Jared Goff and the Rams lost in the Division Round of the postseason to the Green Bay Packers. That defeat ending up being Goff’s final game with Los Angeles.

Now, Goff will join former Rams executive Brad Holmes in Detroit. Holmes in now the Lions’ general manager and is looking to rebuild following a 5-11 season. Goff has decent weapons in Detroit like D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson, but new head coach Dan Campbell is looking to re-sign Lions No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Golladay.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news via Twitter:

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Former Georgia Bulldog Mecole Hardman is playing in another Super Bowl

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman will have a chance to win a second Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman will have a chance to win a second Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7. Hardman, along with practice squad defensive tackle Tyler Clark and injured defensive back DeAndre Baker are the three Georgia Bulldogs who could all earn Super Bowl rings this year.

Mecole Hardman played well for the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game after he muffed a punt in the first quarter. He quickly made up for it with a 50 yard run play and then a touchdown reception.

Here’s Hardman’s touchdown, which cut the Buffalo Bills’  early lead to two points:

The Kansas City Chiefs went on to defeat Buffalo 38-24.

Hardman will play a key role in the Super Bowl as the Chiefs’ No. 3 receiver. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill will draw a bunch of attention from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense and Hardman should receive a lot of one-on-one coverage.

Kelce and Hill have been unstoppable in the NFL Playoffs, so slowing them down is easier said than done. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will look to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

Tom Brady and the Bucs should provide some significant competition for the Chiefs, who are 16-1 when their starters play this year. Tampa Bay has no former Georgia Bulldogs on their roster at the moment. Tampa Bay is the first team to host a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

Mecole Hardman’s reaction to his muffed punt was priceless. Georgia fans and Chiefs fans were glad to see him bounce back later.

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Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list

Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list by the Detroit Lions

Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list by the Detroit Lions. Stafford came into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or he tested positve for the virus.

The Lions released a Tweet announcing the news. Matthew Stafford was absent from Wednesday’s practice with the team.

The Detroit Lions play the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday (Nov. 8). Detroit will miss Stafford, who has helped lead the Lions to a 3-4 record.

In Stafford’s place, Chase Daniel is projected to be the started should he miss Sunday’s game. Daniel would likely be backed up by quarterback David Blough.

The Lions will need a good effort form the quarterback position regardless of who starts. Detroit has give up over twenty points in all but one game this season.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero emphasized that there’s still a chance of Stafford playing against the Vikings depending on when he had close contact.

Update: ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed Stafford’s close contact (high-risk) came on Monday, so he may be able to play against Minnesota, assuming he tests negative for the virus.

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New England Patriots without former Georgia Bulldog OL

The New England Patriots will be without starting center David Andrews, a former Georgia Bulldog, following his thumb surgery.

The New England Patriots will be without a key offensive lineman this Sunday as they face the Las Vegas Raiders at home in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Starting center David Andrews, a former Georgia Bulldog, is listed as out ahead the game.

New England, which is 1-1, nearly pulled off an improbable comeback against the Seattle Seahawks last week. Their comeback effort was partially due to their offensive line, who played excellent in defeat.

In fact, Cam Newton was sacked only once in 44 pass attempts at Seattle. The Patriot line consistently gave Newton time to throw deep despite being in numerous obvious passing situations.

The Raiders don’t feature a particularly intimidating pass rusher either. Las Vegas only has one sack on the season.

David Andrews, per Fox’s Jay Glazer, has a broken thumb and has had surgery to correct the issue. He broke his thumb on his snapping hand, so he’ll have to either learn to snap with the other hand or sit out several more contests.

Andrews missed the 2019 season with blood clots in his lungs. He may look to return following New England’s bye week, which is Oct. 19. Andrews helps New England’s offensive line stay cohesive as a unit, so his presence will be missed this week and possibly next week against Kansas City.

Former Arkansas Razorback Hjalte Froholdt is the Patriots’  backup center.

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Report: Eagles bring in former UGA OT for tryout

The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing in former Georgia Bulldog offensive lineman Cordy Glenn for a tryout.

The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing in former Georgia Bulldog offensive lineman Cordy Glenn for a tryout. The Eagles are thin along the offensive line following injuries to offensive linemen Andre Dillard (right bicep, out for 2020 season) and Brandon Brooks (torn Achilles, out for 2020 season).

Cordy Glenn was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. He played for several seasons as an offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills then traded him to the Bengals, where he played both tackle and guard. The Bengals released Glenn this March.

Will Glenn play tackle or guard if he plays for the Eagles or makes their roster? That remains to be seen. Jason Peters would be the logical starter for the Eagles at left tackle, but he reportedly wants a pay raise to play the position.

Isaiah Wilson signs life-changing contract with Titans

Tennessee Titans and former Georgia Bulldog OT Isaiah Wilson was removed from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and signed his rookie contact.

Tennessee Titans and former Georgia Bulldog offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson likely had one of the best days of his life. Wilson was removed from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and signed his rookie contract.

Wilson is the NFL’s final first round 2020 NFL Draft pick to be signed according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Wilson has signed a four-year $11.6M rookie contact that includes a team option following the fourth year of the deal.

The Tennessee Titans drafted Wilson with the 29th pick of the NFL Draft to help improve their offensive front. Now, he’s ready for training camp and the preparation for start of the season.

Both Wilson and Andrew Thomas were selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. It’s an impressive accomplishment for the offensive tackle duo.

Wilson will have the enviable task of blocking for superstar running back Derrick Henry this season. He’s in a great situation in Nashville and should thrive for the Titans.

Feb 26, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson at the 2020 NFL Combine. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs fantasy football rankings

Where do Georgia Bulldogs like Nick Chubb, Todd Gurley, and Sony Michel rank in NFL Fantasy Football heading into the 2020 season?

Where are the best Georgia Bulldogs ranked for 2020’s fantasy football season? If fans aren’t allowed at NFL games, then fantasy football will be a larger part of the NFL season than ever.

Todd Gurley has recently been a popular number one overall pick, but this year he’s ranked lower due to injury concerns. These rankings, by ESPN’s Mike Clay, are based on scoring in a standard league (non-PPR).

15th: Nick Chubb

Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

35th: Todd Gurley

Oct 20, 2019; Atlanta; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) catches a touchdown pass in front of a Atlanta Falcons defensive end during the first half. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

55th: D’Andre Swift

Matthew Stafford may become NFL’s highest paid player of all-time

Former Georgia Bulldog and current Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford can become the NFL’s highest paid player of all-time.

Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford has a chance to become the NFL’s highest paid player of all-time. Stafford likely wouldn’t be able to hold the title for too long, but it’d be an impressive accomplishment for the Detroit Lions quarterback.

Stafford has made $203.8 million over the course of his eleven season NFL career per 247Sports. Stafford’s career earnings currently rank ninth all-time in NFL history.

The Detroit Lions quarterback is the youngest NFL player in the top 20 highest earners of all-time. In fact, all of the players ahead of Stafford are aged 35 or older. The top spot on the list is currently held by former New York Giants legend Eli Manning at $252.3 million.

Another factor working for Stafford is the fact that he was among the last NFL rookies to not be paid on a scaled payment level. Recent star NFL quarterbacks like Russell Wilson made tens of millions of dollars less in their initial contracts. The Lions signed Stafford to a six year, $72 million deal as the number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

In order for Stafford to become the NFL’s highest paid player ever, he must play for several more seasons and hope no other current NFL quarterbacks land a massive deal that overtakes his career earnings.

The Lions have the former Georgia Bulldog signed through the 2022 season with his 2023 contract being a dummy or void year. Stafford has a 2020 salary cap hit of $21.3 million.

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Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

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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?