Darryl Richard News

Yesterday I wrote about leadership and motivation, and wondered which players were stepping up to fill the void left by defensive tackle Darryl Richard.

Much has been said about Georgia Tech's loss to Miami, and the ineffectiveness of all three units.

Every great college football team has THAT GUY. The leader. The guy who rallies his teammates when they arena t focused.

A look at how former Georgia and Georgia Tech players fared now that NFL teams have pared rosters to 53 players: Enlarge photo Georgia's Matthew Stafford made the Lions' squad -- whether he'll start is unknown -- while Tech's Vance Walker was cut by the Falcons.

In the opener against Jacksonville State, defensive end Derrick Morgan saw a little something he hadn't seen much of a year ago: triple-teams. With Vance Walker, Darryl Richard, and Michael Johnson - all NFL draft picks - gone, offensive linemen feel a little freer to gang up on Morgan who might have been the best of last season's front four.

Derrick Morgan: Even if you hold him, you can't really stop him. Most of the other Jackets trudged the two blocks from their practice field to the locker room, but Derrick Morgan, the splendid defensive end, rolled up in an SUV.

During the spring, Georgia Tech's defensive line appeared to be the biggest hitch in the Yellow Jackets' plans for a successful season.

Week 1 of the NFL preseason concludes tonight with a pair of games. Here's a look at how draftees from Georgia and Georgia Tech have fared so far with former UGA defensive lineman Corvey Irvin and Tech offensive lineman Andrew Gardner playing Monday night: GEORGIA QB Matthew Stafford, Lions: The No.

For the past three years, Robert Hall has patiently waited for his chance. Standing on the sidelines watching defensive ends Adamm Oliver, Darrell Robertson and Michael Johnson fly around the field, Hall was always a cautious and careful learner.

The Patriots have concluded their morning practice here at Gillette Stadium, and in a personnel-related note, rookie Darryl Richard took part in the session.

His nickname is "Too Tall." Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com Freshman wide receiver Stephen Hill says his goal to earn a starting spot by the Sept.

The Patriots have concluded their morning practice here at Gillette Stadium, and in a personnel-related note, rookie Darryl Richard took part in the session.

Georgia Tech defensive lineman Logan Walls listens as he prepares for a drill during the Yellow Jackets fall camp this week in Atlanta.

Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech's most feared defensive player last year, has signed a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech's most feared defensive player last year, has signed a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the next few weeks, college football teams across the country will end their offseason conditioning regimens and start month-long preseason practices.

Patriots sign Richard; is Brace up next? The New England Patriots have signed defensive lineman Darryl Richard , their seventh-round draft pick.

Earlier in the day, the Patriots signed defensive lineman Darryl Richard, the second of two seventh-round picks by the team out Georgia Tech.

The Atlanta Falcons signed fourth-round draft pick Lawrence Sidbury , the sixth of the team's eight draft picks to agree to a contract.

Before we break for the weekend, leta TMs take a look at the ACCa TMs Coastal Division.