With Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno headed to the NFL, Georgia probably won't have to worry about another preseason No. 1 ranking in 2009.

Stafford, a junior who set a school record with 25 touchdown passes this season, and Moreno, only the second Georgia player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, said yesterday they are leaving school to enter the NFL draft.

Each is a projected first-round pick.

After the two announced their decisions, Georgia coach Mark Richt offered advice for NFL executives: "Trade up for them, if you're smart."

"I think whichever NFL teams get them will be very excited and very blessed by it," Richt said. "They'll not only be good players but they'll be good in their locker rooms and good in their communities. They're gonna do well."

Todd McShay, director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc., said Stafford (6-3, 230) may be the top pick in the draft.

"Matthew Stafford drives NFL scouts crazy because he's got it all," McShay said. "He has it all. Prototypical size, a rifle arm."

Stafford and Moreno, a third-year sophomore this season, led Georgia to 12 wins last season, including a lop-sided win over Hawai'i in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and a No. 2 finish in the final poll. They helped make the Bulldogs the preseason No. 1 pick this season.

Georgia finished a disappointing 10-3, but Stafford and Moreno had big years.

"PACMAN" WON'T RETURN

Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was released by Dallas following a season in which he was suspended six games for an off-field fight.

The transaction will not become official until Feb. 9, the first day NFL teams can make waiver requests.

Jones had no interceptions and averaged just 4.6 yards per punt return.

The Cowboys traded for Jones despite the cornerback's suspension for the 2007 season after multiple off-field incidents while with the Titans.

On Oct. 7, Jones got into a scuffle with a bodyguard that was part of a team-employed security detail. A week later, commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the cornerback indefinitely, which eventually turned into a six-week suspension.

MANGINI WILL BE COACH

Eric Mangini didn't waste much time finding a job after being cut loose by the New York Jets, agreeing to a four-year deal yesterday to coach the Cleveland Browns.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced today at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea, Ohio.

Mangini, 37, was fired after going 23-25 and making the playoffs once in three seasons with the Jets, who stumbled down the stretch to lose four of their last five games and miss the playoffs.

Mangini will take over for the fired Romeo Crennel.

ELSEWHERE

Seahawks: Greg Knapp will be the new offensive coordinator for Seattle. A person familiar with the hire confirmed that the 45-year-old Knapp has agreed to leave the Oakland Raiders to reunite with head coach Jim Mora, Knapp's former boss in Atlanta.

Chargers: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson confirmed that he has a torn tendon in his groin and listed himself as doubtful for San Diego's playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Saints: Gary Gibbs, New Orleans' defensive coordinator the past three years, was fired. The Saints finished the regular season ranked 23rd in total defense.