Oct. 25, 2010
Several former Georgia Tech standouts are proving that you don’t need to be a high draft pick to enjoy success on the NFL level.
Rookie Cord Howard went undrafted, then signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills. Howard made his first NFL start last Sunday.
Mike Cox followed a similar free agent route to Kansas City and almost immediately became a starter. This season Cox is coming off the bench, but seems to be playing a more prominent role each week.
Andrew Economos went undrafted as well, but the former Yellow Jacket is now in his fifth season in the NFL as a long snapper.
But perhaps the best example is former Tech linebacker Gary Guyton, who signed as a free agent with the 5-1 New England Patriots. Guyton is not only starting, but is playing like one of the better LBs in the AFC.
Here’s a look at how all 25 former Jackets did this week:
Keith Brooking, LB, Dallas Cowboys (1-4)
Struggling Cowboys played the Giants last night on Monday Night Football.
Morgan Burnett, S, Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Burnett, who started the first four games of the season, is out for the season with a torn ACL.
James Butler, S, St. Louis Rams (3-4)
Registered a pair of tackles and a forced fumble in losing effort against Tampa Bay.
Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys (1-4)
Choice looking for an opportunity to carry the ball on a regular basis. Cowboys played last night against the Giants.
Mike Cox, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)
Caught one pass for 13 yards as surprising Chiefs rolled over Jacksonville.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Steelers are rolling at 5-1, but Dwyer has yet to see action.
Andrew Economos, LS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
Surprising Bucs at 4-2 after narrow win against St. Louis.
Keyaron Fox, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
Saw action in Pittsburgh’s 23-22 win over the Dolphins.
Andrew Gardner, OL, Minnesota Vikings (2-4)
Signed in October to be on the Vikings’ practice squad.
Gary Guyton, LB, New England Patriots (5-1)
Recorded a season-high nine tackles in win over the San Diego Chargers.
Anthony Hargrove, DL, New Orleans Saints (4-3)
Had one tackle in 30-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Will Heller, TE, Detroit Lions (1-5)
After Week 7 bye, the Lions play the Redskins this week.
Cord Howard, OL, Buffalo Bills (0-6)
Made first career NFL start in heart-breaking overtime loss to Baltimore.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions (1-5)
Lions had Week 7 off, play Washington this week.
Michael Johnson, LB, Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
Return trip to Atlanta on Sunday not a great one as Bengals fell to the Falcons.
Dawan Landry, S, Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
The Ravens needed all 10 of Landry’s tackles in a 37-34 overtime win over Chan Gailey’s Bills.
Derrick Morgan, DE, Tennessee Titans (5-2)
The rookie first-round draft pick is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Chris Reis, S, New Orleans Saints (4-3)
On injured reserve following shoulder surgery.
Darryl Richard, DT, New England Patriots (5-1)
On injured reserve this season
Daryl Smith, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
Registered a season-high seven tackles in 42-20 loss at Kansas City.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos (2-5)
Had one reception and one rushing attempt for a combined seven yards, but Broncos were thumped by Oakland.
Vance Walker, DT, Atlanta Falcons (5-2)
Coming off his best outing as a Falcon – five tackles, two tackles for loss in a win over Michael Johnson’s Bengals.
Philip Wheeler, LB, Indianapolis Colts (4-2)
After a Week 7 bye, Colts get a re-match with the Houston Texans this week.
Ken Whisenhunt, Head Coach, Arizona Cardinals (3-3) The Cardinals dropped to .500 after a 22-10 loss to Seattle.
Gerris Wilkinson, LB, New York Giants (4-2)
Played last night on the national stage against the Dallas Cowboys.
Mansfield Wrotto, OL, Buffalo Bills (0-6)
Did not play in Sunday’s 37-34 overtime loss to Baltimore.
