Q&A Smitty: Michael Turner’s load to get reduced
Mike Smith calmly asks DeAngelo Hall to take a long walk off a short pier. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
BIRDLAND – Falcons head coach Mike Smith spoke to the media at the NFC coaches breakfast at the league meetings in Orlando on Wednesday.
Smith talked about reducing Mike Turner’s work load, the new overtime rule, cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Chris Houston, defensive ends John Abraham and Jamaal Anderson, the continued improvement of quarterback Matt Ryan and having the defending Super Bowl champs in his division.
(A special thanks to the Pro Football Writer’s of America, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle and Sportsxchange.com for providing a transcript of Smith’s interview.)
Here are some excerpts for his session:
Q: What do you think about the overtime rule?
A: I’m in favor of it on a couple of fronts. It’s an improvement from the rule we had. The main reason I like the rule is it puts the onus on teams to score touchdowns. Ultimately, that’s what this game’s all about. And it keeps the sudden
New Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson on Monday, March 8, 2010. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)
death element with it.
Q: The rule puts more pressure on coaches. Does that part bother you?
A: No, it doesn’t. It’s no different than coming down at the end of the game. There may be a few nuances we have to become familiar with, like play management.
Q: Does the rule put more pressure on you to win the game by scoring a touchdown at the end of regulation rather than kicking a field goal to force overtime?
A: When you’re the home team you play it differently at the end of the game than you do if you’re the visiting team. I think that’s already part of the formula. Who you’re playing, what players will be on the field for your team and their team.
Q: Why was Texans (cornerback) Dunta Robinson your No. 1 target in free agency?
A: Our philosophy is to identify where you can improve your team in a number of areas. Corner was an area we wanted to improve. When it became apparent Dunta was going to be available, we went full force in that direction. We feel like we’ve added a player with the skill set to be a very efficient and effective corner. He’s a very physical player. He’s got good size for a corner. We expect him to be a leader on the back end. He’s very active in the community. He’s from Athens. He went to South Carolina. I think he’ll be a great addition in the dressing room and in the community. Signing him changes our thoughts on the draft. It eliminates that as a position of need. He gives us an option of using him against the opponent’s best receiver or keeping him on one side. He’s done both. Early in his career, he played inside, too.
NFC South foe New Orleans coach Sean Payton.
Q: Since the Saints won the Super Bowl, should they be favored to win the division?
A: Arguably, I think the NFC South is the toughest division in the league. Almost every year there’s been a different winner, but with the Saints as the defending Super Bowl champs, they’ll go into the (division) as the favorite. Offensively, they’re very talented, and it starts with Drew Brees. They’re a powerful offense. Last season, they were probably the most opportunistic defense in the league. They did a great job of attacking the ball and creating confusion and forcing turnovers. At Carolina, John (Fox) will have his team playing hard and well. I think their offense will be set up around their two running backs (DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart). They’re always going to play strong defense with John and (defensive coordinator) Ron Meeks. I think (quarterback) Matt Moore has a very good skill set. He’s got the height and arm strength. He doesn’t have the experience Jake (Delhomme) had. He’s got a chance to be a very good quarterback. I think Raheem (Morris) will make big strides in his second season. I really like their big quarterback, Josh Freeman. Not only does he throw the ball, but he can run, too. He’s got some escape ability. He can extend the play. They made a lot of improvement, especially on the defensive side, attacking the offense. I see this as a typical year in the NFC South – some real battles.
Q: As a former defensive coordinator, what do you think about the rules that keep being changed that seemed to affect the defense the most?
A: Most of these rules are about player safety. They defined a defenseless player a little more in depth.
Q: What is Michael Turner’s situation after being hampered last season because of ankle injuries?
A: Michael came back, and in the first game he was back, he injured his ankle. He was really politicking to get back. The doctors cleared him. I think I looked at it in a different light. He’s such a tough guy he wanted to get back in and play. I think he’ll be bigger, faster and stronger this year. It’s important for us to do a good job of monitoring his carries for the game. We have to make sure we don’t overwork Michael throughout the season. We designed our game plan to get others involved. We thought the addition of (tight end) Tony Gonzalez would take some carries away from Michael.
Matt Ryan ready to launch a pass last season.
Q: What do you expect out of Matt Ryan going into his third season?
A: Matt improved from Year One to Year Two. I think there’ll be significant improvement from Year 2 to Year 3. He’s improved on and will continue to improve on the two traits all great quarterbacks have. One is decision-making, and the other is accuracy with the football. Matt has really improved in his decision making as far as what he can see and where he goes with the football. His accuracy has improved as well. We’ve opened up the playbook from Year 1 to Year 2. We’ll continue to expand what we want to do offensively. It was very important for us to add more weapons, like Tony Gonzalez. He had 83 catches, and we had almost 100 from the tight end position. We had, like, 14 the year before. That opens up his options and increases his ability to read the defense and get the ball into the right guy’s hands.
Q: What kind of season do you expect from defensive end John Abraham?
Smitty is expected a big bounce-back year from John Abraham (Curtis Compton/compton@ajc.com)
A: John had a great year in 2008, 16 ½ sacks. His numbers weren’t nearly as good last season. As we watched tape and spent time evaluating him, we still felt like he had some very effective rushes. The sacks just didn’t come. Historically, he’s had a down year every third or fourth season, and he’s bounced back. We anticipate he will again. Sometimes we missed pressure up the middle when (defensive tackle) Peria Jerry went down. We felt like he was really coming along and could win some of those one-on-one battles.
Q: Why are the pass-rushing defensive (ends) so hard to find?
A: When you find the guy who can win one on one, you’ve got a special player. Sometimes teams commit six to seven players to protection.
Q: What about defensive end Jamal Anderson?
A: Last year, I thought he made big strides in terms of his end play in our base defense. He moved inside the majority of the time with our (nickel) package. He ended up spending half his time inside in passing situations.
Q: What kind of draft is this?
A: I think it’s a very deep draft at a number of positions. There’s going to be value in all rounds at all positions. It’s become an evaluator’s draft as far as who’s going to be available at what position. We have (eight) picks. Our No. 1 priority is to get as many good players as we can.”
Q: Tell us about cornerback Chris Houston, who you traded to Detroit after you signed Dunta Robinson.
A: Chris started 37 games for us and played well. He’s very physical. He can play man coverage. I think he’ll do a real good job at Detroit. When we made the move to sign Dunta, we made a decision. We felt good about our two young cornerbacks, and we acquired Brian Williams last year. Chris is a good guy. He started 37 games for us. It was an organizational move that once we added Dunta, we could (trade Houston).”
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136 comments Add your comment
Old Man
March 24th, 2010
9:41 pm
DOL:
I’ve been like a dog with a bone on this. What would Turner bring in terms of players/picks on the open market?
joswald
March 24th, 2010
9:46 pm
Hey Guys…Michael Turner will be a Falcons for the next 3-4 seasons. And productive seasons too. Trading him is out of the question…
gman
March 24th, 2010
9:52 pm
UPDATE: our second 5th round pick TE SCOTT SICKO N.HAMPS
GT3O
March 24th, 2010
10:03 pm
GET BEY-BEY THOMAS!!!! Drop Jenkins! Get Matt one more good weapon and watch out!
Singletary
March 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
Taking off from Brian Hunt’s point, I think Smitty WAS being honest and self-limiting. Chris H was “physical.” He just didn’t seem to often have his brain in the game much less a nano-second flash of brilliance to put him at an advantage over a WR. I remember one game on 09 where the commentators said (and I paraphrase) “rookie (or Pop Warner) mistake. He never turned to get one eye on and then play the ball.”
chris taylor
March 24th, 2010
10:38 pm
Maybe i have overlooked Mughelli’s value. As most FB’s r overlooked. Always thought of Mike Allstot as ideal FB. I know i like Spoon, Graham, McCluster. I like Michael Turner but there were some spurts of mediocrity. I just feel like if he cant put out 1500yds/season Snelling can do what he does & catch a few screens out of backfield. The leage is changing in that there aren’t many 3 down backs anymore. I hope Turner can return to form. Still think McCluster is worth at least a 3rd. He can impact in all 3 phases and versatility is where it’s at nowadays.
Paddy
March 24th, 2010
10:52 pm
That interview did not sound like coach Smith. That sounded like coach Speak. Absolutly nothing there. Hope that changes.
Old Man
March 24th, 2010
11:04 pm
“I hope Turner can return to form.” Are you kidding?
Give me a break. So that’s what a top-flite GM does? “I hope my players do better?” Heck, no.
Find out where you have surplus. Figure out what your needs are. Move players after they peak, before they fade. Did anyone out there see Turner’s drop off. Did anyone see Snelling beat TB single-handedly?
Oh, well. I guess you guys are content with being second fiddle to NO. We had two winning seasons in a row, right? What more could you want?
Big Ray
March 24th, 2010
11:09 pm
Mike Smith did well by his players, and he spoke well of them. He’s got class.
However….
We know Chris Houston was traded because Robinson is way better, and the younger guys have shown the potential to be better than Houston was. A lot better.
Big Grady was let go for a reason. Bringing him back is not a smart idea.
Jamaal Anderson is on the bubble. Either he becomes a very serious run stuffer who can occasionally collapse the pocket, or he becomes a good rusher at the DE position. Or, he gets a ticket out of town. It’s really that simple.
Big Ray
March 24th, 2010
11:11 pm
Some of you just don’t get it. Coaches and GMs are not going to tell you their innermost thoughts during interviews. Duhhhh….
Turner is not burned out yet. So throw Turner out with the bath water? Then what happens when Snelling gets hurt, like Turner did? Wow do we have some geniuses in here
Young man
March 24th, 2010
11:14 pm
Strange, seems injuries had a lot to do with us not making the playoffs last year, or was that just a figment of my imagination? Turner came back too soon after missing games due to injury, but that means he’s all washed up?
We also were missing our starting QB for a few games, a starting DT for the whole season, a starting WR, and a starting CB. Nah, none of that had anything to do with it. Just like it had nothing to do with New Orleans going 8-8 the year before. Right.
Somebody needs to take the computer away from the “old man” at the nursing home….
Tdawg
March 24th, 2010
11:24 pm
I really like Spiller but if memory serves me right he was often injured while at Clemson. What do you think is going to happen when he gets into the pros. Those guys hit much harder than the college kids. I personally think that Norwood has a lot left in the tank and there’s not a more explosive player on the field when he’s fit. Really wish that we would go after his teammate though, J. Ford now there is some serious speed, he could still be around in the 4th or 5th round. Can return punts and kickoffs also. First pick we should go after the best defensive player available who ever that may be.
toby
March 24th, 2010
11:36 pm
25 years of being a season ticket holder I’ve never felt more confident in letting the coach and the G.M. do what they think is right for my Birds
Tweets that mention Q&A Smitty: Michael Turner’s load to get reduced | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
March 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Darryl Ledbetter, Darryl Ledbetter, Darryl Ledbetter, Darryl Ledbetter, Darryl Ledbetter and others. Darryl Ledbetter said: Falcons coach Mike Smith said that CB Chris Houston was the odd man out after the team signed Dunta Robinson. http://bit.ly/bFeiuM [...]
Flo-Ri-Duh!
March 25th, 2010
12:09 am
If C.J. Spiller was a vaiable Atlanta would draft him but he wil go between 10 & 15. The Falcon’s will pick a DE or LB and that is no surprise.
Tweets that mention Q&A Smitty: Michael Turner’s load to get reduced | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
March 25th, 2010
12:17 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ajc sports editor and ATLHOMER, D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Q&A Smitty: Michael Turner’s load to get reduced http://bit.ly/deU4Dd [...]
Maxx
March 25th, 2010
2:08 am
TDawg- Spiller never missed a start at Clemson
Steve
March 25th, 2010
3:24 am
If you want to lighten the burden on Michael Turner then quit giving him the ball on meaningless off tackle plans 10 times in a row!!
Armond Hill
March 25th, 2010
3:36 am
Old man has the right idea. Gotta stay ahead of the competition (ie the Patriots way). The average life-span of a running back is measured in nano seconds. Especially one who takes multiple hits on every carry like Turner. Rule 1. evaluate players better than your competition. Rule 2. Sell sell sell just after they peak. Rule 3. Treat the employees well while they’re here. They’ll recruit for you and perhaps come back at a discount later to add depth and experience.
WreckinBall
March 25th, 2010
5:40 am
Turner is a long way from peaking. The N.O. Saints HAVE peaked. If their QB is injured, they are done. It took everything the Saints had, and a lot of bad officiating in the aints favor, for them to record wins in the two games they played against the Mighty Falcons in 2009. The Mighty Falcons will be on top of Southern Div. of the NFC at the end of the 2010 season. — FLY HIGH MIGHTY FALCONS — DEFEAT THE NO AINTS —
The Saints will be saying — WHO DAT WAS? WHO DAT WAS? WHO DAT WAS, DAT JUST KICKED OUR A$$, two times in 2010, after the MIGHTY FALCONS have run over them like a Mack truck on the I-75.
SHO-NUFF
March 25th, 2010
5:55 am
Young Man — You are correct sir! But, I do not believe Old Man is in a nursing home. He is probably in his bedroom, getting in one last comment before his Mama comes to tuck him in. He will need a good nights rest so he’ll be alert at Middle school tomorrow morning.
The Real Falcon
March 25th, 2010
6:52 am
I will be SO glad when Spiller is off the board and we can go back to reality.
Defense!
Old Man
March 25th, 2010
7:11 am
SHO-NUFF
I’m busted. Yeah, my elective in 6th grade this year is Sports Management. My project this term was “Falcons Player Management, 2010.” Moving Tuner and Norwood, and replacing them with Snelling and Spiller/Best/Matthews/McCluster plus a couple of high 2nd rounders was my thesis. I got an A+.
(”Mom, where did I leave my shoes? Is the bus here yet?”)
Mike Jay
March 25th, 2010
8:30 am
Trade Turner? The cap hit alone would make that impossible. He’ll be fine theis year if the oline stays healthy.
FalconsFan
March 25th, 2010
8:42 am
For anyone saying Norwood is “injury prone” let’s look at how many games he’s missed:
2009: 10 games played in
2008: 16 games played in
2007: 15 games played in
2006: 14 games played in (Rookie year)
So, outside of 2009 when several players missed several games Norwood did not play in 3 games in the previous 3 seasons. How is that injury prone?
Norwood’s style of play and positions he plays does leave him open for big hits but he’s really only missed significant time in 2009. To give up on him now would be silly.
D-Bird
March 25th, 2010
8:42 am
Spiller! Spiller! Spiller! its time for the GM to become a Genius. Create a master plan and find a way to get Spiller in a ATL Falcons Uniform. Jarious Norwood time has came an gone. He is very expendable and we have no need for his services at this time. I said once and I will say it twice: If you want to sell out the Ga Dome, then bring the ACC offensive player of the year CJ Spiller to the ATL Falcons.
shannyeight
March 25th, 2010
8:52 am
As for you folks talkin about “get a WR”-aint gonna happen in the first 4 rounds. D Thomas will be gone by then. And we just got back Harry Douglas. Get real. We are NOT getting Spiller! We could have a chance for McCluster however, but I know they def need to go DE with the 1st round pick. I agree with Old Man to trade Turner, but with the contract he’s wrapped up in right now, no team is gonna wanna touch that. With the Dunta Robinson trade, there’s not a pressing need to worry about the secondary too much anymore, but I would be looking to snag a better WR in the late rounds coz Jenkins is not it.
Falcon's Brass Are Clueless
March 25th, 2010
9:09 am
Can someone PLEEEEEZE tell me what has TD accomplished since he’s been here thru the draft.?
Baker= borderline bust
Peria= Injury Prone
Moore= Injury Prone
Ryan= jury still out- he really hit the wall last year, hopefully will bounce back in 2010
That’s a lot of unknowns from TD, so what make you think TD will do any better this year in the draft?
Now, we are all talking about bringing Grady back when they shouldn’t have let him go last year just to play a bunch of ROOKIES, anyways.
I’m always perplexed by the love-fest for TD, a GM who has proven nothing, and the thought that we can draft more rookies this year and make it to the playoffs…it won’t happen.
Orlando- the Falcons need another RB and they need one fast. Turner is not a back with any type of acceleration that can break thru holes, and our OLine is not that dominate. My point- if you’re going to maintain an average OL like the one we have now, you’d better get some players that can improvise on a dime like CJ Spiller, or else Ryan will continue to have issues in the backfield.
One other thing- I’m still in shock the Falcons have not added more VETRANS to this team to help with the Dline.
Bottom-line- the Falcon’s Brass are still Clueless- when will they learn that a NFL team hardly ever wins or make the playoffs with a bunch of rookies or lack of playmakers on the DLine, and that’s where the Falcons are headed this year as well…out of the playoffs in Jan.
Mike Jay
March 25th, 2010
9:10 am
Spiller? LOL. I love it everytime I hear it. You can’t pay another RB first round money when you already have Turner making what he does. You cannot spend that much cap space at one position. The rest of team would suffer. That’s like us resigning Vick at 7 mil a season to come and be a change of pace/short yardage QB.
The Dome sold out fine the last couple of seasons without the Great Spiller. How many home games have been blacked out recently?
SHO-NUFF
March 25th, 2010
9:17 am
Ttadin’ Turner would be an unsmart move, and it ain’t gonna be a happenin’. I don’t think Norwood has any trade value, causin’ he stay hurt too much.
SHO-NUFF
March 25th, 2010
9:18 am
I be meanin’ to say Tradin’ Turner.
Blue Fender
March 25th, 2010
9:22 am
For all that keep saying “we need to trade our number 1 pick to get more picks”, who are you going to trade to? Unless someone wants to move up, you’re stuck. Say who you are going to trade with and I’ll quit griping about you being stupid.
Mike Jay
March 25th, 2010
9:25 am
Can someone PLEEEEEZE tell me what has TD accomplished since he’s been here thru the draft.?
Baker= borderline bust – maybe, maybe not. He’ssolid but probably needs to be on the right side
Peria= Injury Prone – after one season and one injury? Really?
Moore= Injury Prone – see above. Football is rough and physical dude.
Ryan= jury still out- he really hit the wall last year, hopefully will bounce back in 2010 — haha. Every analys in gootball disagrees with you. They are smarter, sorry.
LOL, seriosuly?
you forgot to mention
Lofton : multiple pro bowls in his future
Bierman : break out season coming, Heart of a champion
Sidbury : tremedous pass rushing upside
Decoud : breakout player last season imo, future looking bright
Owens : coaches are still big on him
Douglas : Explosive reciever who can do lots of things
Plus he stole the best TE to ever play the game for 2nd round pick. The falcon’s Brass has done an outstanding job rebuilding this team from the abysmal place it was only 2 seasons ago. It takes around 3 years to complete the job and during this rebuilding process they have made the playoffs once and just missed it the next season with a sleu of injuries at key postions. I don’t know what team you have been watching but it must be from another time, like the late 80’s. TD is hgihly regarded throughout football for a reason. He was the freaking executive of the year already.
SHO-NUFF
March 25th, 2010
9:30 am
Some of the peoples on this here blog, needs to be submittin a resume to Mr. Arthur for that GM job, they be havin it all figured out about what the Falcons need to be a doin with their personnel.Matt Ryan hit the wall in 2009, you be foolin, right?
Hamp
March 25th, 2010
10:09 am
Everyone is calling for spiller DUMB move at 19. We have a change of pace back waiting on the practice squad with a year in the system. Antoine he played at Florida state and is one of their best backs in history. Bring the kid up if he can make the roster.
I would not put the burden of letting Douglas play special teams the first year back from injury. Weems is not that bad. I don’t know how douglas returning affects his roster spot. \
Just thinking we can bring up the RB kid because Snelling can occupy the other FB slot and you kill two birds with one stone. We seem to be full at WR after signing Finn for another year. I think we are in a very good situation.
I would take a good hard look at Antoing the RB and then all this spiller talk can go away. McCluster is interesting but after not having a secon do you go get him in the 3rd he may not even be there when we pick. These are just my thought some out loud.
JJ
March 25th, 2010
10:29 am
Mike Jay, agree, some others are completely clueless. TD is the best GM this organization has ever had, period!
Sid
March 25th, 2010
10:39 am
What is the deal with Spiller folks………..? Would love to have him but he will be long gone……… You don’t trade up in this type of draft, not unless you are going for #1 of which Spiller is not a #1. Plenty of talent in many key positions.
I will say this, Turner started out last year very passive hitting the line. You get injured more often playing half speed than all out. Ask defenses if they want us to get rid of Norwood, he is very dangerous if he can find some open field. I think Ryan will break some Falcon records this year, he has the tools, now he has the experience.
blord
March 25th, 2010
10:49 am
Wow, MS was very kind when speaking of JA98. Sort of sounds like what was said about him before the start of last season. In our system it appears he is nothing more than a backup DT. There are so many teams out there going to the 3-4 Defense that I wonder if we have received many calls about JA98. He can hold the point of attack which is what a team running the 3-4 looks for in a DE from my understanding. It is pretty obvious that we don’t really want him so I wonder if there is much desire for the guy. If so I wonder how high a draft pick we could get for him? A 4th? 5th? A 2019 7th?
blord
March 25th, 2010
10:54 am
Hamp:
I am a huge FSU fan and would not go so far as to say that Antoine Smith was one of the best backs in school history but I do like the kid. He suffered in college from being behind a substandard Oline and I think he has huge upside. I am really pulling for the guy.
DOL, any idea on how the Falcons view A. Smith?
Elvisinthehouse
March 25th, 2010
11:00 am
Falcon71,its not grady its big greedy.
Mike Jay
March 25th, 2010
11:02 am
JA Has ZERO trade value. Z E R O. He makes way too much money for his production. We would have already cut him if not for the high cap hit. We just can’t afford to trade him and take the cap hit for what would be at best a 6th-7th round pick. So we let him play a little inside and BU at the end, which he is decent at and get what you can out of him until his contract expires. (Same reason we did not cut MV initally) As bad as he is we would be awfully lucky to get even his samll bit of proodcution out of a 7th round pick. This is one of the reason the owners and GMs are strongly pushing for a rookie salry cap. Your hands get tied when you miss in the first round and are stuck with the contract. The miss rate is high in the first round, every GM whiffs now and then.
blord
March 25th, 2010
11:08 am
Mike Jay
The contract does appear to be holding us hostage with JA98. At this point I would take a 2004 7th rounder for him:)
cwltank
March 25th, 2010
11:15 am
I am very excited about this year draft. In my opinion the Def held its on. We did not score enough points. Douglas, Jerry, & Norwood were big issues last year. PETERSON DID WHAT HE DO BEST but we need a upgrade at both OLB positions. I suggest we upgrade the OT we need more size and speed at these positons.
Old Man
March 25th, 2010
11:29 am
Somebody educate me. If this year is “uncapped,” and you move someone like Turner or JA, is there a cap hit at all?
Mike L.
March 25th, 2010
11:38 am
Hey Orlando, any talk about Sidbury. That guy is loaded with talent. Coming out of 1-AA(FCS) Richmond last season. Is he in the Falcons plan at DE. He has pass rusher speed.
blord
March 25th, 2010
11:43 am
Something we may all need to keep in mind when thinking about this year’s draft is that we are simply not use to this. By “this” I mean having a GM, coach, and owner in place that knows what they are doing. “We” as long time Falcons fans just are not use to draft picks working out. Let me explain further. A lot of people want a DE in the first round. I understand this and wouldn’t rule it out; however, TD has taken one the last two years in Sid and Beerman. As Falcon fans we are accustom to these picks not amounting to much and they definitely wouldn’t become starters. We assume that at best they could be nothing more than rotational players. I have also heard many on these boards beg for a big OT which once again I wouldn’t have a problem with. We need to be reminded though that we took one last year that is huge yet we once again assume that he will not be starting material because we are Falcon fans and that is just what we are accustom too. Let’s trash that thinking because it is a different day. We are no longer losers. We can have confidence in our front office now. Not every pick we make will work out, but we do have a GM that will find starters in the 4th round and all pro players in the 3rd. There is much to be excited about and I am proud to be a Falcons fan.
Falcon's Brass Are Clueless
March 25th, 2010
11:50 am
Mike Jay- the players that I listed are injury prone as they were back in College. The chance of those players having additional injuries far exceeds a healthy pro career.
Meanwhile the players you mentioned are “wait and see” type of players, which further proves my point. TD has nothing or a player to point his figure at and say that this player changed the dynamics of the Falcons with the exception of Turner.
Thus far, TD has squandered six (6) top draft picks (including 2nd rounder) on injury prone, unproven players. Remember, we gave up two (2) 2nd round picks to jump back into the 1st rd to get Baker. So if you count those 2 players plus Baker, Peria and Moore that would make six players that have yet to impact the team.
Btw- TG was a good addition, but it all went to waste because the trade didn’t provide the returns we’d hope for. No Playoff, not to mention, we gave up this years’ 2nd rd pick.
WAYNE P
March 25th, 2010
11:58 am
SPILLER!!!
Section 108
March 25th, 2010
1:02 pm
If Grady is available, we need to snatch him up with a quickness. It’s very simple – We were a better defense with his big bad self on the D line.
DOL – Love the picture of Smitty getting in D. Small’s face!!
Terrell
March 25th, 2010
1:02 pm
JJ- FYI, we were 10th in the NFL in stopping the run.
2009 without Grady: 1711/ 4.0 yrds/carry and 10TDs
2008 with Grady: 2046 yards/ 4.9 yrds/carry and 17TDs
So we improved last year w/o Grady and people want him back? Nope, no thankyou. Also keep in mind that we held the top rushing team in the league last year in check, so I don’t want to hear how we played weak teams down the stretch. I just don’t think we need to bring Grady back who was only effective in the running game when we have guys who can be effective in the running and passing game.