INDIANAPOLIS -- Many athletes at the NFL Scouting Combine take the opportunity after college to train in the Atlanta area.
A few have long called the area "home"
Thirteen players from Georgia and Georgia Tech were invited to the week-long event designed to give NFL teams a chance to measure, interview and watch draft prospects. The group range in position and recognition, led by former Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford. Some consider Stafford the best quarterback in the class and a possible No. 1 overall selection of the Detroit Lions on April 25.
"I'm just working out for all 32 teams and whatever happens, happens," Stafford said during a press conference at the Combine.
Stafford did not take part in the bench press or quarterback drills at the Combine, saving that part of his evaluation for his pro day at Georgia. He said he had meetings scheduled with teams, including a dinner meeting with the Lions before his press conference.
Stafford said he learned a lot about earning a team's respect from AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan. He knows he must follow a similar path if he's called upon to start quickly in the NFL.
"If I'm ready to play I want to be out there," he said. "That's the kind of attitude I have. I'm a competitive person; I want to win football games and do whatever it takes to do that."
Stafford's teammate, running back Knowshon Moreno, did not crack 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash but rebounded with solid efforts in the bench press, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. All but the bench press can be used as a measure of lateral quickness.
Georgia Tech offensive lineman Andrew Gardner was among the local players who talked about the possibility of playing with the Falcons, saying he met with team officials at the Combine. Georgia defensive back Asher Allen lives 11 miles from the Georgia Dome and said he would enjoy playing for the hometown team.
One of Tech's highest-profile players, Michael Johnson, said he tried to prove to teams he could play defensive end and linebacker in the NFL. He also answered questions about his game after NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock gave him an unfavorable rank among others at his position.
"I'm here to showcase myself and just have fun, enjoy this whole experience," Johnson said. "I love this game, been playing since I was 10 and I think if you didn't love football, we wouldn't do the stuff we do."
The 6-foot-7 defensive end left Indianapolis among the top performer in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump and 20-yard shuttle perhaps stabilizing his stock among his local peers and across the 2009 Draft class.
Follow some of the links below for more information on local players and more on the 2009 Combine.
Atlanta-Area College Players at 2009 Combine
| Player | Position | Height | Weight | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen, Asher | CB | 5'9" | 194 | Georgia |
| Ellerbe, Dannell | LB | 6'1" | 236 | Georgia |
| Gardner, Andrew | OT | 6'7" | 304 | Georgia Tech |
| Irvin, Corvey | DT | 6'3" | 301 | Georgia |
| Johnson, Michael | DE | 6'7" | 266 | Georgia Tech |
| Massaquoi, Mohamed | WR | 6'2" | 210 | Georgia |
| Moreno, Knowshon | RB | 5'11" | 217 | Georgia |
| Richard, Darryl | DT | 6'3" | 303 | Georgia Tech |
| Southerland, Brannan | FB | 6'0" | 242 | Georgia |
| Stafford, Matthew | QB | 6'2" | 225 | Georgia |
| Walker, Vance | DT | 6'2" | 304 | Georgia Tech |
| Wynn, Jarius | DE | 6'3" | 275 | Georgia |
| Word-Daniels, Jahi | CB | 6'0" | 197 | Georgia Tech |
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WORKOUT RESULTS
SCOUTING COMBINE COVERAGE:
- ONE-ON-ONE: Head Coach Mike Smith
- ONE-ON-ONE: General Manager Thomas Dimitroff
- ONE-ON-ONE: NFL Network's Steve Wyche
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Smith | Dimitroff
- TRANSCRIPTS: Smith | Dimitroff
- PLAYER VIDEO: Click here for player interviews at the Combine
- FALCONCAST: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Recap
- BLOGS: J. Mike's Missives | Off the Cuff with Mookie Dunkleman
- VOICES HEARD: Answers to fan Combine/Free Agency questions
MORE ON THE 2009 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE:
- NFL.com: Combine Homepage | Participants
- TWITTER: Follow J. Mike and Matt on Twitter
- FLICKR: Check out the Falcons Photostream
- NFL NETWORK: Combine Workout and Programming Schedule
- WORKOUTS: What Will the players be doing at the Combine?
- RESULTS: Top Performers at the 2009 Scouting Combine
- LAST SEASON: AF.com Combine coverage from 2008
