By: Jeremy SmithGeorgia players Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno have indeed decided to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft. Although their readiness is a question, what they accomplished on the field isn't a question. These two players are both projected as 1st round picks with Stafford projected as #1. If you have to find one thing that these great players didn't accomplish while in school, it would be not leading their team to an SEC or national championship. In 2008, the team was preseason #1 and after a numerous amount of injuries and a bit of underachievement the team finished 10-3 and #13 in the nation.
On the field, these 2 players were some of the finest the SEC and even the nation have ever seen. In three years Stafford finished with a career total of over 7600 yards and 51 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. The only knock on Stafford is inconsistency. Now maybe the finest player to play at Georgia since Herschel Walker, Knowshon Moreno in only two years put up over 2700 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns, and not to mention averaging a staggering 5.6 yards per carry during his career.
Georgia will no doubt miss these guys, but this just may be the right move for these guys to go to the NFL. Both being projected high in mock drafts, and as hard as it is for me to say as a Georgia fan...I can't say I blame them for leaving for the league because their stock is so high right now. Injuries are always a concern for players who try to figure out a decision, and that may be the deciding factor in Stafford and Moreno's decision. Fans need to just cherish the memories of these guys and remember that despite the fact that they didn't lead the team to an SEC or NCAA title, these will no doubt be two of the greatest players to ever go to the NFL from the University of Georgia.
With Joe Cox waiting in the wings and projected to be the starter in 2009, he no doubt learned a lot being a backup to Stafford for three years. So Georgia fans let's not get too worried. Look for Stafford and Moreno to be impact players in the NFL for years to come. Not only because of their superior talent, but also the passion and heart they have for the game. And sometimes that's more important than talent alone. Matt and Knowshon you will both be missed, but good luck to you in your NFL careers and know that Bulldogs fans all over will be cheering you on.
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell done, sir. Well done indeed. This is a more complete post than your previous piece of work about Kerry Collins. I appreciate the fact that you were honest in your assessments of Georgia's season and the players' shortcomings. Shows that you're a mature fan. You're off to a great start! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI have to give you a kudos for pulling together the information. I really hope that they don't get drafted by the Lions. Remember they are very good players, but playing with a team that doesn't know the meaning of the words winning season will be hard to come by. As Kyle said you are showing that you are a more mature fan when it comes to writing about the teams you know. I challenge you to branch out with teams that you don't know that well that way you can learn more about them because in time those players play on our teams. Example, Alge Crumpler. Also, you need to work on your AP style. Anytime you have a number 10 and under you have to spell it out. This goes for sports use. Broadcasting is still the same even though you have to read it out loud.
ReplyDeleteKenny
Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteMoreno is a top 3 running back in this draft class. He had to go; as you said, you never know what could happen to your health. Also consider the average life of an NFL running back. You really can't waste any of those limited years.
I notice you go to MTSU and hope to be a sports analyst or broadcaster. I think I can help you out a little bit with that.
At collegefanz.com, we're looking for college hosts who would write 2-3 times a week about their schools sports. We can offer an internship just for doing that, which would spruce up your resume and certainly make you appealing to future employers; after all, ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen did create this site!
Let me know if this interests you at all by emailing me at mgleeson@collegefanz.com. I can put you in touch with the head of the intern department if you'd like.
Mike
Wow, dude. you've had a blog for two weeks and you're getting writing jobs at ESPN-affiliated websites. You sicken me, but good job.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't feel too bad. At least your team didn't go 5-7 and fire their head coach.