NFL Draft Thoughts III

ACC
The ACC faired pretty in the 2009 NFL Draft having 4 players selected in the top 10. Heyward-Bey was a pretty big shock but then again the Raiders are always shocking in the Draft.

The ACC had 33 players selected, which was second behind the SEC for most picks. Maryland and UNC had the most ACC players selected in the '09 Draft with 5 apiece (Tech was tied with Clemson/UVA at 4). Miami, interestingly enough, didn't have a player selected until the 6th round. This ended a 14 year streak of first round draft picks from the U. Not surprising considering all of the talent in Florida has been going to UF or leaving the state since Ron Zook took over the Gators and Coker started coaching the U.

Georgia Tech
Generally speaking, you're always disappointed with where your hometown players are selected. You're happy Calvin was selected #2 but you wished he was #1. So when Michael Johnson fell to the 3rd round, there was little surprise that the Yellow Jacket Family freaked out considering his dominating senior season that appeared "inconsistent" to NFL scouts.

I'm incredibly happy both our DT's got drafted. Honestly, there probably aren't any other teams in the country that had three players drafted off their starting DL. And I'm positive Derrick Morgan will end up on a roster in a couple years.

Atlanta Falcons
I've gotta talk about the ATL hometown team. The Falcons drafted all defense except one OT. It makes a whole lot of sense since we lost 5 defensive starters (including GT's Keith Brooking). Overall the Falcons draft was great but there's gonna be a helluva young secondary next year with little experience for a couple years to come.

The Falcons also finally picked a GT player since coincidentally Keith Brooking's selection in 1998. Vance Walker will definitely find a spot for at least a couple of seasons and we'll see what happens. I wouldn't be surprised if he finds himself starting in 2-3 years.

Any thoughts on the sporting weekend are welcome unless they pertain to a certain baseball series.

Pro Bowl season but nobody cares

In case anyone has noticed, Calvin Johnson, the highest ever NFL draft pick out of GT, is destroying the NFL this year. His team, however, is being destroyed by the NFL. Calvin is fifth in receiving yardage and second in touchdown grabs even though he's barely in the top twentyfive in catches. When his QB has enough time to get him the ball, Calvin generally takes it to the house (1 out of every 6 catches is a TD).

Calvin is a fantasy football beast and may not make the Pro Bowl due to no one givin' a lick about the 0-fer Motor City debacle. Even worse, Calvin still has four years left on his contract before he moves on or [gasp] resigns.

Other GT alum havin' a damn good year: Keith Brooking has 59 tackles this year and is playing like his hair is on fire. Daryl Smith is TCOB down in Action-ville leading the Jags with 2.5 sacks.