5 players the Falcons can do without (Jerious included)
Another example of Michael Jenkins not making a catch. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It’s the arithmetic of the NFL: First you subtract, then you add. Tomorrow we’ll do the addition part. Today is about the minuses. And here, in alphabetical order, we go:
• Jamaal Anderson, defensive something-or-other: Time to pull the plug on this Rich McKay misfire. Anderson has been tried at end and tackle to no great effect. What’s left? Long snapper? Drafted eighth overall in 2007, he has 2 1/2 sacks in three seasons. That spells “bust” in any man’s league.
• Tyson Clabo, right tackle: The offensive line lost a heapin’ helpin’ of oomph this season, and Clabo has long been viewed as the weakest of the starting O-linemen. Conveniently enough, his contract is up. Conveniently enough, Thomas Dimitroff drafted Garrett Reynolds in Round 5 last season. He’ll get a long look at RT.
• Michael Jenkins, wide receiver: Another of McKay’s greatest whiffs. Drafted in Round 1 in 2004, Jenkins has never caught more than 53 passes in a season. He scored one touchdown in 2009. With Roddy White on the other flank and Tony Gonzalez commanding two defenders over the middle, Michael J. Pollard could have done better than that. Jenkins isn’t really a possession receiver and isn’t really a deep threat. He’s just a guy. Time to find a better guy.
• Stephen Nicholas, outside linebacker: His first season as a starter wasn’t terrible. Neither was it exceptional. (Three sacks, 80 tackles.) There will be free agents and draftees available who can do more.
• Jerious Norwood, running back: Three different coaching staffs haven’t yet figured a way to exploit Norwood’s talent. He has scored 10 touchdowns in four seasons; he scored one in 2009. (Yes, he was hurt. Still.) He averaged 3.3 yards a carry this season, which is terrible for a speed back. His longest run from scrimmage was 21 yards. When you’ve just completed your fourth NFL season and people are still talking about untapped potential, something’s wrong.
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335 comments Add your comment
geno
January 5th, 2010
5:39 am
this is what should happen this year…..trade john abraham and jamal anderson and switch to a 3-4 defense…….trade gonzales and jenkins and get a real #1 reciever…..keep norwood but use him more as a reciever and wildcat player…..get new kicker, serviceable TE, offensive lineman……..opps, sorry I just made too much sense, nevermind…
WorstRescueEVER
January 5th, 2010
6:33 am
God I hate stupid people. for the win! Such people wanted McFadden too who’s doing nothing in Oakland. Nicholas and Jenkins are fine and AJC should fire Schultz and replace him w/ a female to get diversity if he would practice what he preaches.
D-man
January 5th, 2010
6:40 am
Can someone tell me why the Falcons keep getting rid of Grady Jackson? I don’t think he is too expensive is he? They have released him twice and why did they get rid of him last year when they had a rookie coming in that could have used his mentoring? I know there was a flair up with Falcons Management a few years back, but geez, we can certainly use his girth!!!
Seriously...no you can't be
January 5th, 2010
6:48 am
Its hilarious to me that so many are calling for Matt Ryan’s head. What’s more hilarious is that these people will mention Drew Brees and Tom Brady as top quarterbacks in the leagues. Look it up, the best QBs in the league were either not playing or just shy of horrible their second year in the league. The only thing Matt Ryan needs is time to progress as a normal QB.
In the meantime, Chris Houston definitely has a spot on this list. I like the Clabo/Dahl combination so I disagree there but the rest of the list makes sense. Snelling has all but bought Norwood a ticket out of town.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 5th, 2010
6:49 am
Mark,
Had to go and look at some of the players we could have taken in 2007 rather than Jamal. The two that are the obvious is Darrelle Revis ( could he help the secondary?) and Patrick Willis. The face of the defense would be completely different with the addition of either of these two Pro Bowlers.
Rodney
January 5th, 2010
6:51 am
1. Fans that’s all ways Complaining about Ga sports teams
2. Fans that still talking bout Vick killing dogs
3. Fans that jump on and off the Falcons bandwagon
4. Fans that forgot how bad Ga teams were in the 80s and early 90s
5. College football fans in Ga. that like the Fla Gators
TROTTINGHOME
January 5th, 2010
7:00 am
Jim said it best
jerry
January 5th, 2010
7:00 am
A tip of the hat to Bradley. He really does keep coming up with interesting topics that people like to talk about. He has his finger on the pulse of the AJC sports nation.
JP
January 5th, 2010
7:08 am
Mark,
Getting four out of five right isn’t bad, but I’d swap Stephen Nicholas for Chris Houston.
The funny part is, Houston can actually “cover” people (maybe “run with people” is the better term), but at the crucial moment when he ball gets there, too often he does nothing or just decides to tackle the receiver for a pass interference penalty rather than defend the pass. I think I maybe recall once seeing him turn his head around to find the ball at the right time this year.
Once.
Maybe.
I do wholeheartedly agree with you on Jenkins, but I wonder if the Falcons see things the same way. As far as a realistic replacement option goes, do you think San Diego’s Malcolm Floyd might be available and be someone Atlanta would be interested in? He’s 6-foot-5, and with as many balls as Ryan throws high (still love you M. Ice), if we’re going to replace Jenkins, I feel like we need to do so with another tall receiver to offset White and Douglas.
Thoughts?
Tuesday Random Falcons News and Notes – In Defense of Norwood | The Recycle Bin
January 5th, 2010
7:08 am
[...] Norwood stay or go? Also looking towards 2010, Mark Bradley of the ajc.com thinks the Falcons can do with our Jerious Norwood (among others): Jerious Norwood, [...]
willy
January 5th, 2010
7:18 am
Hmm, trade Norwood? Our most explosive running weapon? Why don’t we trade Curtis Lofton, Harvey Dahl and Roddy White while we are at it. Must be a slow sports day when you have to resort the to stir-em-up tactic.
bob
January 5th, 2010
7:18 am
Can’t agree on Norwood. What happened to the screens and flairs out of the backfield. Falcons are worst screening team in league. Need more imaginative play calling on the goal line. Why not play action on first down instead of waiting for third down. Falcons need to use Douglas like NE uses Welker over the middle next year. Thought play calling by oc was worse this year than last year. Much too conservative. Do need DT, or DE next year. Abraham not getting any younger and needs help so won’t be double and triple teamed next year. Think db’s will be OK next year with all the experience they got this year and returning hurt players there. Db’ s will be better with improved pass rush. Keep the coaching staff intact. Go Falcons!!
sansho1
January 5th, 2010
7:19 am
re Grady Jackson: We need a change on the D-Line, but I can’t get excited about a 37-year-old fat man on a team that ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing defense and sacks. Should we also bring in Jumpy Geathers?
JJ
January 5th, 2010
7:21 am
I think Atlanta needs to go cover corner with their first pick in the draft this year…..not that Owens or Grimes are bad or need to be gone, but long term Owens is best suited as a #2 corner, and Grimes could be a very good nickel corner. Grimes is as athletic as you’ll find in the league, but his size is a big problem. He’d matchup well with most any slot reciever on 3rd and medium to long situations.
F-105 Thunderchief
January 5th, 2010
7:22 am
You’ve correctly identified some busts, though I disagree that Nicholas is one of them. They already have a better guy than Jenkins if he comes back healthy … Harry Douglas. I’d been a Norwood backer until this season when he missed 10 weeks with apparently the worst hip pointer in history. Maybe the only reason Jamaal Anderson is not as big a bust as Audray Bruce is that he was not as hyped coming in.
Rod
January 5th, 2010
7:24 am
Norwood? Are you crazy?
Up until this season, his yards per carry ranked as #1 for a career in all the history of the NFL (however, he didn’t have enough carries to qualify). That’s a pretty good track record.
papadawg
January 5th, 2010
7:25 am
We for sure need some fresh bodies at WR, RB, DB & DL. Snelling was very good for a couple of games but can we expect him to play a whole season like that. Norwood plays like he’s just not really interested
falconsince78
January 5th, 2010
7:25 am
To want to get rid of Ryan is plain crazy…..must be a Georgia fan. Granted he had a sophomore slump, but take away the FG miss vs. the Giants, Elam makes the FG’s againts the Saints and Panthers (the road games), that’s 11 wins you can thank Ryan for b/c he would’ve been the cadallist. Year 3 is where we can judge him. The only thing I don’t like about the draft is where we are. I want Suh and Spillers, but I’m dreaming waaaaaay to high. I think our lineman, WR, and corner help will come via FA and we’ll draft a LB in the 1st round, after that, I don’t know until after the combines and senior bowl. Mark are we picking late teens early 20’s?
JP
January 5th, 2010
7:26 am
Mark,
Getting four out of five right isn’t bad, but I’d swap Stephen Nicholas for Chris Houston.
The funny part is, Houston can actually “cover” people (maybe “run with people” is the better term), but at the crucial moment when he ball gets there, too often he does nothing or just decides to tackle the receiver for a pass interference penalty rather than defend the pass. I think I maybe recall once seeing him turn his head around to find the ball at the right time this year.
Once. Maybe.
I do wholeheartedly agree with you on Jenkins, but I wonder if the Falcons see things the same way. As far as a realistic replacement option goes, do you think San Diego’s Malcolm Floyd might be available and be someone Atlanta would be interested in? He’s 6-foot-5, and with as many balls as Ryan throws high (still love you M. Ice), if we’re going to replace Jenkins, I feel like we need to do so with another tall receiver.
Your thoughts?
Samuel
January 5th, 2010
7:32 am
There’s enough talent in the draft and free agency to address all these problems. NO REASON WHY THE FALCONS CAN’T GET BETTER.
FalconManiac88
January 5th, 2010
7:32 am
People, People, people, Mike Vick is history, lets move forward. Matt Ryan will be the next great Terry Bradshaw or Bret Farve or whoever great QB out there. Vick ain’t one of them, his passing is overrated, he is a good WILDCAT QB, that is it.
Casey
January 5th, 2010
7:33 am
This entire discussion is idiotic. How does “getting rid of” someone make a team better? To get better you have to bring in someone who is better than the one you’ve got. Then you let the old guy go. You people have the attention span of a fruit fly. You can’t remember what this team was like year before last? The Falcons were the only team in the history of the NFL to have a rookie starting quarter back, a rookie head coach who won coach of the year, and a rookie GM who won executive of the year, IN THE SAME YEAR! AND THEY MADE THE PLAYOFFS! All of this 1 year after the nightmare season of the Vick scandal. Yet, Mark Bradley in all of his wisdom and the rest of you morons think you can do better?
papadawg
January 5th, 2010
7:33 am
Anyone wanting to get rid of Ryan is just plain stupid. I’ve had this turf toe problem and trust me with your big piggy hurting it’s hard to stand on it and I know it’s hard to run or cut. Credit to him for even coming back as soon as he did. As for the draft do what you can to trade up and get the Big Man from Nebraska
Reggie
January 5th, 2010
7:40 am
Norwood problem explained… We fans all wondered the last three years why the coaches wouldn’t give him the ball more because when they did, he was very explosive and effective. Seems the coaches would only give him the ball when they absolutely needed yardage on 3rd down. He looked like a secret weapon, however, the coaches still wouldn’t up the carries. Give the man the ball!
Tommy
January 5th, 2010
7:43 am
1. Anderson–Absolutely. When he was drafted everyone said ‘lots of talent, but is a project.’ When you enter the league with that reputation, you have to prove himself. Jamaal proved. . . nothing. Hard to believe the guy taken right before him was Adrian Peterson.
2. Clabo–yep. He’s decent but there are better options.
3. Jenkins–agreed. I’ll come over and pack.
4. Nicholas–100% wrong. Mark, 80 tackles and 3 sacks from an outside linebacker in Van Gorder’s system is GOOD. You can’t have a Pro Bowler at every position, and Nicholas is one of those Good But Not Great Guys Winning Teams Always Have.
5. Norwood–who knows? If he could stay injury-free for 10 minutes we could find out how good he can be. But staying healthy is a talent, and perhaps it’s the critical part he is lacking. The original Jamal Anderson was a great running back when he wasn’t blowing his knee out.
I think Nicholas made the list because Bradley’s lists are always in fives, and his name got pulled out of the hat.
3yd Dive Specialist
January 5th, 2010
7:44 am
I love the “Johnathan Dwyer” comment! The guy from Tech watched him for three years and is so caught up in “One Amazing Season at the Joke” that hefails to realize that Dwyer leads the nation in running ays under 3 yards. He’s a system back, just like Adrian Peterson. No, not that AP, the one from GA Sou that played for Johnson, went to the Bears to become their all-time- leading ball carrier for carries under 3 yards.
As for the Houston comments, I think his experience this year would make him a good nickel back, but it’s true he isn’t a regular cb. And Abraham needs a psych eval before being allowed to stay. Guy must have wigged out after aying so hard in 08 only to miss out on the pro bowl. Figured it doesn’t matter.
Tommy
January 5th, 2010
7:44 am
I think Nicholas made the list because Bradley always writes columns in fives, and his name got pulled out of the hat.
I HOPE that’s the reason, because saying an OLB with 80 tackles and 3 sacks needs to go is insane
Tommy
January 5th, 2010
7:48 am
100% agree with Jenkins being on the list. Heck, I’ll help him pack. I’ll even carry his china out to the moving van for him, so it doesn’t get dropped.
MG in NJ
January 5th, 2010
7:56 am
Add Mike Peterson to that list…
He’s basiclly Brookings with a tan !
suwaneedawg
January 5th, 2010
7:57 am
Good list Mark. Anyone on here who thinks Matt Ryan needs to go, please stop smoking crack before you get on sites like this one. The guy is a “sophmore” and had at best a mediocre year. Now you want to drop him? Denver had a quaterback that they wanted to ship out after his first two seasons but, they hung onto him. Thank God none of you decided the fate of John Elway. Please people who think like this, get some football knowledge before you make an ass out of yourselves.
Antwon
January 5th, 2010
8:02 am
Not sure about your list as each has contributed over the last couple of years. However, the money is so big today no wonder there are so many “one and done” players playing pro sports. It has been said “Keep your expectations low and they shall be met”. MY Falcons #1 waste of a draft pick is Sam Baker. Two years of “every reason in the world not to play”.
mgdawg
January 5th, 2010
8:04 am
I agree with jenkins, I would just hate to see the falcons draft another WR to replace him. I disagree about norwood, I know he has underachieved but I say give him atleast one more year. I think with turner, norwood, and snelling the falcons are really solid at runningback, especially if they can stay healthy. As far as the guy talkin about suh, I would love to see eric berry. At UGA Van Gorder was known for having a hard hitting safety with big play potential and berry fits that mold, or the corner from florida would be a nice addition.
still443
January 5th, 2010
8:09 am
The difference between the Falcons and all of the teams in the playoffs with the exception of one…… The falcons won their last game of the year.
I can honestly say I was happier with back to back winning seasons and winning the last game than I was last year when we lost to the Cardinals in the playoffs.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2010
8:09 am
I agree with all Mark. I think you could add Baker to the list unless he is moved to RT. At WR, we need someone with speed to be opposite of White. Anderson may be the biggest bust of all time for the Falcons and that is saying something. At least Aundrey Bruce had an occasional flash of brilliance where as Anderson’s only flash is the equivalent of a fire fly hitting a windshield.
Fish2774
January 5th, 2010
8:09 am
Oops Mark, you needed to add a six man, and that would be Chris”I can’t turn my Head around” Houston. He and Jenkins need to be side by side fighting to get out the door. For the past sixteen weeks I’ve been very disappointed in with our fan base knowledge of football, but this morning after reading the blog I’m happy to see my fellow falcon brotha’s and sista’s have realized thAt Big Grady Jackson was the missing ingredient to the defensive line. For God’s sake “Can We Remember The Man Was Leading The League In Yards For Lost Last Year”.
LC
January 5th, 2010
8:11 am
Take Stephen Nicholas off the list and add Chris Houston!!!
tizzle
January 5th, 2010
8:11 am
1st nugget – Reshad Jones to enter the draft!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2010
8:14 am
mgdawg, Norwood does look good at times but you brought up a good point that if they can stay healthy the backs will be good. I think health will be the issue for the Falcons. Norwood is a straight up runner and with his injury history, it will only get worse. I also fear that Turner may end up the same due to the work load he had the year before. This year will be huge for him but it seems once a back starts getting dinged up, it never gets better.
moorman
January 5th, 2010
8:14 am
i dont get a good feel about this team like i did coming into the beginning of the season. one of the problems is the uncertainty with the injured draft picks. they affect this draft coming up because you still dont know what you got in them (peria, moore). then, to cap it off, ryan and turner both slide back. add the other issues they knew they had and the falcons are really a mess as to where you should start.
NikkiFree
January 5th, 2010
8:18 am
Mark,
Are all 5 of these guys a cap-friendly cut now? Don’t know if I agree with Nicholas, but the other 4 need to check their lockers for pink slips later this year.
chris
January 5th, 2010
8:20 am
Hey Mark…..I am with you on Norwood. I think this season showed a big lack of depth at the running back position. What are the chances the Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss will be available when the Falcons select in the draft???
Navigator
January 5th, 2010
8:24 am
Hey don’t get rid of “Todd – Dacula”, he’s our comic relief, the guy you make fun of, the butt of everyone’s joke, the horse’s behind, the pig in a poke. Hey what about Jerius’ running mate Michael, he came from San Diego to prove to them how great he was, had a banner year, and pretty much mailed it in from the start of this year. Is that who you want as your primary running back?
Bill
January 5th, 2010
8:25 am
John Abraham could be a good call, he is getting some age. But, it is tough to blame it on a guy who is double teamed all the time. Maybe some help from the other side, or some effective blitzes would make him more effective. Pressure on the QB would help the DBs as well.
I am not as knowledgeable as most on this blog, but I don’t understand the reluctance to change position in the pros.
The falcons need a receiver. Norwood is fast and can catch the ball. Put him where you need him.
The falcons need help in the defensive backfield. Jenkins knows the passing game, he is fast and tall, but he can’t catch the ball. Sounds like a DB to me.
I am also puzzled why Snelling doesn’t get more respect. Norwood is more exiting, and Turner is more explosive, but they can’t help you if they can’t play. Tuner’s ankle problem also happened in college. He had one excellent year, but teams are going to target those ankles. Snelling has done all that was asked of him since he joined the falcons, and has really developed this year. He deserves to at least be part of a two back rotation.
NCFalconFan
January 5th, 2010
8:25 am
With the exception of Norwood you are right on…The guy has been hurt all year and the coaching staff needs to find a way to use him properly!!!
SCFalcon
January 5th, 2010
8:26 am
Chris Houston, Brent Grimes, Jerious Norwood, Michael Jenkins, Jamal Anderson, and VanGorder….
Agree
January 5th, 2010
8:30 am
Norwood is one of the best athletes on the team; he is also the most injury prone. He is like the Falcons version of Mike Hampton. I am pretty sure the Braves ran him out of town, just like the Falcs will run Norwood out. It’s like having the fastest, most maneuverable fighter jet out there. The only problem is that it will run for 20 minutes and then BOOM!! There goes the alternator.
Tide Fan
January 5th, 2010
8:30 am
Assuming Peterson is coming back, move him to strong side, leave Lofton in the middle, and draft one Rolando McClain to play weak side. You will instantly have the best and smartest linebacking corps in the league. I like our safeties and think that Chris Owens can be a starter. Find another established starter via FA, let Jackson and Grimes stay as your nickel and dime, then draft beef and a scatback/third-down type guy to take Jerious’s spot(Noel Devine or Joe McKnight?). I really believe that Sidbury and Biermann will continue to develop at DE, and Snelling looks like a great backup for Turner.
Wille
January 5th, 2010
8:34 am
Mark Bradley:
I am just a fan but I would like to see more wide receivers and an BIG guys on the line. Who should we look at to fill this gap?
morris
January 5th, 2010
8:36 am
Dimitroff gave Jenkins a contract extension last season. That means he is going nowhere for the near future. Unless some team would be willing to trade for him. The rest of the list is spot on, we can do without all of them. Snelling is clearly our backup to Turner and since we have at least 9 picks, Dimitroff can draft another back in the later rounds for depth. However, Dimitroff must change his philosophy toward drafting injury prone college players. Neither Jerry or Moore could stay healthy in college and guess what happened? Well I guess you all know how that story ended. TD must seriously consider player durability in the next draft.
WonderDawg
January 5th, 2010
8:38 am
“Trade Jenkins and Norwood for Suh.” Doesn’t that just take the cake? This has to be the same guy that advocated trading Norton, Francouer and KJ, (and throw in Manny if we have to) for Albert Pujols.
And Authur Blank had to go all the way to Boston for a GM…..