Some updates from Yahoo! on Bulldogs in the upcoming NFL draft. First, in their current mock draft they have Stafford sliding down to number 3 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Why? They’re predicting the Lions will get trigger shy and go with a surer bet in Alabama OT Andre Smith.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Chiefs GM Scott Pioli may take a page from the book of his former co-worker, Thomas Dimitroff, and bring in a franchise quarterback at pick No. 3 to begin the re-building process in Kansas City. Stafford possesses a big-time arm and the ability to make all the throws.

Also, check out this video of an interview with Matthew Stafford from the Super Bowl.

Up next is an item of sheer ridiculousness. This same mock draft has Moreno sliding down to the 29th pick where he’d go to the New York Giants. He’d be the second running back taken behind ESPN crush Chris “Beanie” Wells.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Make no mistake, Moreno is one of the draft’s top 20 prospects. But there simply aren’t many teams in need of a running back in the first round. With New York running backs Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward scheduled for free agency, a value like Moreno is simply too good to pass up. Moreno is a natural runner with good patience and vision through the hole. He displays the ability to make men miss and will be a nice fit for the Giants’ rushing attack.

Ok, I’d be willing to lay good money down on Moreno being the first RB taken. The guy simply has an intangible quality that cannot be quantified by the machinery of the combine. It jumps out and smacks you in any game you watch. No doubt Chris Wells is a great talent but he doesn’t possess Moreno’s toughness, vision and flat out desire to get yards.

Next up, Asher Allen. Sounds like the more folks look at Asher the more they like him. He’s mentioned prominently in this article featuring juniors that are on the rise.

CB Asher Allen, Georgia (5-10, 198)

NFL player comparison: Eugene Wilson

It will be virtually impossible for Allen to jump toward the head of a very talented cornerback class, although I fully expect him to move up from his current third/fourth-round grade. Allen is a bit undersized, but he possesses a thick build, smooth backpedal and good ball skills in man coverage. He led the Georgia secondary with seven pass breakups in 2008 and was consistently one of the best cover men in the SEC. He showcases the ability to get in and out of his breaks cleanly and looks very natural in both bump and off coverage. Currently, Allen ranks somewhere just outside the top 10 in the cornerback class. However, look for him to put himself in position to come off the board during the second round in the coming weeks, ahead of more publicized senior corners such as Victor Harris, Domonique Johnson and Mike Mickens.

This is great news for DGD Asher Allen and I hope he does climb the board and get into that second round. If not, I believe some team will be getting a heck of a bargain.

Image: ESPN Deportes

James Walker at ESPN sees this Super Bowl as a chance for Hines Ward to solidify his Hall of Fame credentials. If inducted he’d only be the third Georgia Bulldog to make it into the NFL Hall of Fame along with Charlie Trippi and Fran Tarkenton.

Troy Polamalu, Hall of Fame timber himself, gives us his biased opinion:

“I’m probably a little [biased], but I think he’s the best receiver in the game,” Steelers safety Troy Polamalu said. “You can never ask anymore from anybody with what he does. His blocking from a receiver, he catches the football, he’s able to have all of these great receiving statistics even though we’re a running offense.

“To have that whole package, I don’t think anybody in the NFL has that. I hope that he’s remembered as a Hall of Famer, because that’s what we all believe that he is.”

Whole package is right. How many receivers are the intimidators on the football field? He blocks with a legendary ferocity and that has contributed as much to his team’s success as his receptions.

Still, even though his numbers aren’t as gaudy as his contemporaries, he holds many all-time records for one of sport’s most storied franchises:

In terms of numbers, Ward currently holds Pittsburgh’s all-time marks for games played (170), career receptions (800), receiving yards (9,780) and receiving touchdowns (72).

As far as Ward himself goes, he seems like he’d be happier if he contributes to putting another Lombardi trophy into the Steelers trophy case.

“Some guys might like me, some guys call me dirty,” Ward said. “There will be some kids that want to be me one day, but I don’t know. When I leave this game one day, all I want people to say is he was one heck of a football player. That’s all I can really ask for. It’s up to you guys [in the media] to vote your opinion, judge how you want.”

Additional Super Bowl or not, the answer has to be… yes.