NEWSLETTER
The first quarterback in SEC history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in four consecutive seasons is attending the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp this weekend on a tryout basis.
Add another former Georgia Bulldogs standout to the mix as quarterback Aaron Murray is among the eight veterans attending minicamp this weekend. Murray threw for 13,166 yards and 121 touchdowns during his four-year college career at Georgia, then was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (163rd overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. That means Murray will be reunited with Matt Nagy, who was his position coach in Kansas City.
If Murray makes the cut, he will join a team that currently has five University of Georgia products on the roster – including 2018 draft picks Roquan Smith and Javon Wims, as well as 2016 first-round selection Leonard Floyd. Wide receiver Marlon Brown and nose tackle John Jenkins round out the quintet for Bulldogs.
Seven other veterans are joining Murray in participating in this weekend’s rookie minicamp, with cornerback Antwon Blake being the most experienced.
Blake has played 78 games (18 starts) with three teams over a five-year span from 2012 until 2016. Blake has spent time with the Jaguars (2012), Steelers (2013-15) and Titans (2016), with his best season coming with Pittsburgh in 2015. He started all 16 games in 2015, coming up with a pair of interceptions (including a pick-six), a sack, and a forced fumble. Blake joined the Titans in 2016, where he made the request to go by Valentino – which happens to be his middle name.
For what it’s worth, the Bears list him as “Antwon” so we’ll call him that until further notice.
Blake signed with the New York Giants in March 2017, but did not play a regular season game. He was placed on the reserve/exempt list after leaving a practice, was released in September, and was reportedly set to retire.
And by the looks of things, Blake has been eyeing a comeback for a while now:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BegzSoonkVn/?utm_source=ig_embed
The other free agent veterans in town on a tryout basis are offensive tackles Donald Hawkins and Matt McCants, offensive lineman Francis Kallon, quarterback Trevor Knight, and wide receiver Gio Pascascio.
Best of luck to all of this weekend’s practice participants.
