Three former Georgia Bulldogs had the good fortune of being selected on the opening day of this year’s NFL Draft.

QB Matthew Stafford, to noone’s surprise, went at No. 1 to the woeful Detroit Lions. Knowshon Moreno went higher than most predicted at No. 12 to the Denver Broncos and WR Mohammed Massaquoi was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 50th overall pick.

All three are DGDs who will be sorely missed. Personally, I think back to the two signature wins of their careers, 2007 Auburn and 2007 Florida, and how instrumental each were in those wins. It’s then that I realize what a tremendous loss it will be for the offensive unit next year. There is nothing to do but savor their time here. How long will it be before a Dawg QB and RB go in the top 12 picks?

Knowshon talks with Colbert on ESPN.

ESPN NFL crew discuss the Stafford pick. Cameo by Herbstreit near the end.

More video of Stafford being selected No. 1 overall.

Kevin Seifert explains the Lions’ infatuation with Stafford.

And since there isn’t much punditry happening on the 50th overall pick, I’ll go with one of my favorite Massaquoi moments.

After that throw and catch I thought, “We can do this.” They did.

So what Dogs to look out for during the draft’s second day? CB Asher Allen and FB Brannon Southerland are the Dog’s highest rated prospects. Then there is DE Jarius Wynn, LB Dannell Ellerbe and S CJ Byrd.

A fun clip from Mark Bradley’s G-Day blog.

Garrison Hearst is a DGD. Never went to a G-Day game that he didn’t attend. So great of him to come back to the program and support the current players and pump up the Dawgs in the upcoming NFL draft.

I’ll never forget being in the student section at the ‘92 Tennessee game when he caught the corner and took it the distance on a run where it looked like he had no chance. The place went crazy.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and it looks like some DGDs guys made themselves some extra bank today. Members of the Dawg Nation were fortunate to have a Georgia blogger and the top UGA beat writer on the scene sending out tweets as the action was happening.

Of course everyone wanted to see Stafford throw since he passed on the opportunity at the combine. Preferring to throw to the UGA seniors he’s gotten comfortable with over the last three years.

Stafford didn’t disappoint.

Another scout told Mark Richt he saw Stafford make throws he had never seen another quarterback at make at that level, and while officials from all 32 NFL teams took in the show, it will be up to the Detroit Lions to decide if Stafford will be at the top of this year’s draft class.

Chris Low thought something else stood out about Stafford.

The thing that’s most impressive to me about Stafford is how he’s totally reshaped his body. Remember how he almost looked pudgy when he first came to Georgia? Not anymore. He looks like a different guy and said he’s in the best shape of his life. Stafford said he really hasn’t lost that much weight. He played at 228 pounds last season and said he’s now 225, but he’s totally redistributed that weight.

Unfortunately, Knowshon Moreno didn’t improve on his 40 time from the combine. That’s too bad for him because I’m sure he poured his heart into improving it but anyone with a single cell of football knowledge know he’s the top running back, by a mile, in this draft.

Asher Allen did what Knowshon couldn’t; improved his 40 time.

“First thing on my mind was my 40,” Allen said. “I wanted to run a 4.35 or under, and I did that. A lot of teams just questioned the speed – something that people who know me have no question about – but I think I did a good job with that.”

That’s great for Asher and I hope he moves up into the second round to get the serious money. Fortunately for him and the other Dogs showing off, it was a true who’s who of the NFL world in Athens today.

Representatives of all 32 NFL teams — and in some cases three or four from each team — will be on hand as the Bulldogs’ two offensive stars from this past season, along with 12 other UGA players, show off their wares for NFL scouts.

To get the live recaps of the action on the ground don’t forget to check out the twitter pages of @bulldogsblog and @BD_Illustrated. Both provided excellent live coverage to their twitter followers.

Image: Athens Banner Herald

Jeff Owens gets into the Mount Rushmore thing by naming his Top 5 Favorite Dawgs of all-time. It’s pretty interesting because he selects two all-time greats in Herschel and Champ, but the other three are guys that he’s played with.

Check it out. I loved reading about his second-favorite dawg, Knowshon Moreno.

I’m not being biased just because I played three years with him, but he is the best running back I have ever played with. In 2005 when he came to the UGA camp, he was the best back at the camp. I did not know he would make an impact like the way he did, but he was a beast the first day he put pads on! In 2006 fall camp

Man, reading that makes you want to hop in a time machine and convince Coach Richt to throw Knowshon into the mix as a true freshmen. May have not put the Dogs in the mix for a championship but could have at least enabled them to get to ten wins. Ah well, hindsight and all.

This is good stuff on Greg Blue.

To me, the fifth greatest player is Greg Blue. I got the opportunity to play with Greg Blue my freshman year. I saw him run through people. In practice, the coach would not let him tackle because they feared he would hurt someone.

Yeah, Greg Blue had his flaws but I sure do miss that fear factor he brought when he walked out onto the field. It was awesome and is sorely missed.

Jeff’s also been busy talking to ESPN.com’s SEC blogger Chris Low and publishing a new player Q & A with Trinton Sturdivant.

Image: AP

Davis Hale gives a nice summation of the leadership issues that plagued the 2008 football team.

The Road To Copacetic has an in-depth look at the Bulldogs making appearances at this week’s NFL Combine.

Jon Gruden loves him some Georgia Bulldogs and Matthew Stafford. (Video)

Gruden’s NFL.com crew doesn’t gush quite as much over Moreno, but they still call him the best RB in the draft. (Video)

Matthew Stafford is getting wined and dined by the NFL’s worst team ever. He says he welcomes the challenge.

Knowshon has been working to improve his speed in prepartion for the NFL Combine.

The Georgia Bulldogs are volunteering to improve the community around them.

David Ching’s take on Georgia Baseball’s opening day.

Andre Smith went AWOL from the NFL Combine.

Kiffin and his recruiting dream team have extended a scholarship offer to Sophomore LB A.J. Johnson. Will Kiffin still be the UT head coach by the time he could actually take advantage of the offer?

Mark May thinks Mark Sanchez had, like, a totally awesome Rose Bowl and is, like, 6′ 3″, so will obviously be a better college QB than Matthew Stafford. Then, just when you think he is going to put the knife in Knowshon, he puts it in Beanie Wells. He was pretty tough on ole Beanie too… questioning his durability and toughness. Ouch love… veeery ouch.

Spare yourself the Sanchez highlight reel and zoom ahead to the 2:00 mark.

…and the rest of the underclassmen.

Seems that even EA is not even completely sold on Mark Sanchez and is very high on Moreno and Stafford.

I skipped this year’s NCAA Football but if Knowshon makes the 2009 cover (hurdle shot anyone?) I’d have to pick up a copy for posterity’s sake.

Passage on Stafford:

IGN: With Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford both announcing that they’ll return to school next year, who do feel is the best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft?

Stevenson: The 2009 Draft will be very thin at QB with Bradford and McCoy returning to school. Many scouts are high on Matthew Stafford from Georgia, and I’d have to agree. He can make all the throws and really showed what he is capable of in the bowl game against Michigan State. I think Coach Carroll at USC is right though. Mark Sanchez would have improved his game by staying, but like I said, it’s a down year for QB’s, so his stock is probably as high as it can get.

On Moreno:

IGN: Which running back do you think will have the bigger rookie season next year, Knowshon Moreno or Beanie Wells?

Stevenson: This totally depends on which team drafts them. Clearly, Chris Johnson and Matt Forte have proven that rookie RBs can start in the NFL and be very successful, but they have to be given the opportunity. Based on skills alone, I think Moreno is more athletic and can create holes for himself. I see Wells being a great contributor in a 2-back rotation, which is the trend de jour in the NFL these days.

One of Knowshon’s signature moments. Also showed up on most year end highlight montages.

Knowshon took out a full-page ad in Sunday’s Athens Banner-Herald thanksing the Bulldog Nation for their “love and support”:

View full ad here.