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
Peachtree Pete
January 5th, 2010
10:36 am
I think the guys who responded in the middle of the night had a snoot on.
No. Ga. bob
January 5th, 2010
10:36 am
dumb-dumb-dumb! Last year they gave away the team and started over Booking was the worst mistake ever. (check Dallas for his value). Consistency is the problem with most of the players! ALL PRO WHITE dropped more passes that any other in games that could have been won. And then he turns around and becomes the hero in other games. He should be consistent with ever game or he too should be GONE>
JabboRockefeller
January 5th, 2010
10:38 am
Thank you Rectal. Rarely do I receive such glowing compliments…
David
January 5th, 2010
10:40 am
The Falcon’s finished exactly where I thought they would finish. They had one of the hardest schedules if not the hardest (seems like half the teams they played had off weeks before the Falcon’s played them) in the NFL.
Plus they had an unusual high number of injuries, which makes the difference in making the playoff and not making the playoffs.
The Falcon’s are going to be fine next year and the years following, nothing to worry about.
I have been watching this team for over 25 years and I am really please in where the organization is heading.
If they stay healthy next year and with the schedule that I saw, the Falcon’s will make the playoffs.
They have a great young core of players to build around which they have already started doing.
I am so looking forward to next season.
D
gadawgs
January 5th, 2010
10:44 am
Come on people lay off Ryan. He is the first quarterback in our 44 year history to LEAD us to back to back winning seasons, ever. Bartkowski (Pro Bowl QB), Chandler (Pro Bowl QB) or Vick (Pro Bowl QB) NEVER did. Say what you want to but I applaud the man for that. Ryan will be fine. It’s only his second year. We have other much more glaring issues to deal with but with Smith and Dimitroff at the helm I am more confident than I have ever been that our franchise is only going in the right direction. And this is coming from a 45 year old Georgia native who has followed and supported (season ticket holder) our Falcons ever since I knew what a football was. Mark, nice piece and spot on. I enjoy your blogs and glad you are back. Keep them coming.
Reggie
January 5th, 2010
10:46 am
What about Chris Houston? he’s terrible
truth b known
January 5th, 2010
10:48 am
One sports writer AJC can do without…Mark Bradley.
BILLY
January 5th, 2010
10:48 am
Just because the stupid coaches cannot fit NORWOOD into the system is their faults.A STUPID OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR,THAT HAS NOTHING BUT TIME TO DRAW UP PLAYS THAT WOULD INCLUDE HIM.I remember when Coach Barfield was at auburn,and he had ANDREWS,BROOKS AND CRIBBS. Sometime having too much talent is not like having any at all if you to stupid to develop it.Offense/Defense is the DEVELOPMENT OF THE TALENT TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.BUT A LOT OF COACHES DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE,SO THEY WAIT 3,4,YEARS TO FIND A PLAYER TO MOLD….ITS FUNNY THAT PLAYERS HAVE TO ADAPT AND COACHES DON’T…..NORWOOD WILL BE TRADED AND COME BACK AND BURN ATL….JUST AS ALL THE OTHER TRADES IN FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL……
Glen W
January 5th, 2010
10:49 am
I disagree on Nicholas completely. He really improved this year and played very well the last 4 games… when the Falcons really improved their run defense. He has also been very good on special teams. The SAM position does not usually position one for the sexy stats, but I would bet that the coaching staff was really pleased with his progress as a first year starter.
All I'm Saying Is...
January 5th, 2010
10:51 am
Your not listing either of our starting cornerbacks — Brent Grimes or Chris Houston — as expendable definitely hurts the credibility of your list. Clearly, we lost something in this area when we did not match the big bucks the Ravens offered Domonique Foxworth.
Given Snellings recent breakout performance and the value and versatility of Mughelli, I could see the thought of letting Norwood walk. Speed is difficult to find and to defend, however, so I might be inclined to keep Jerious depending on the dollars at stake.
The good news is we certainly have cap room and a deep NFL draft coming up especially if all of the rumored Juniors leave school early.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
GODAWGS!!
January 5th, 2010
10:55 am
Mark i agree with 4 of them. but stephen nicholas was the most consistent defensive player this year in my eyes hes gotta stay. i think we could go without john abraham. he didnt live up to his contract
Baba O'Riley
January 5th, 2010
10:55 am
Chris Houston + Jamal Anderson = Don’t draft Arkansas players.
Jim
January 5th, 2010
11:03 am
Norwood has been the most abused player, He could be exciting if used! Gee I hope he goes to a team the will utilize his talent, Certainly has not been utilized in ATL, But par for the course, I remember a QB by the name of Farve. They had no clue what to do with him, and look how lousy he has been since he left the ATL.
mike smith
January 5th, 2010
11:03 am
Say what you will about Vick but I think that is the same Vick that help kick our butts in our own house, stop asking for a great white hope and hope we get something better than Matty can’t hit the side of a barn ice.
Xs&Os
January 5th, 2010
11:04 am
For those of you who actually know football know that this game is won AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. That is why when Vick was here we had such an explosive running game because we had norwood and dunn and vick all in the backfield which kept defenses honest AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE…the downside to that was our OLINE couldn’t pass block if their lives depended on it…..NOW we have a different scheme that in it’s second year defensive coordinators have figured out how to defend…That’s why Ryan struggled this season because he saw more blitz packages than he could handle..call it what you want…Give Vick a decent offensive line which he DID NOT have here in Atlanta and at the time he had newbie receivers who couldn’t catch a cold but yet he still went to 3 pro bowls and led us to the NFC championship game…say what you want about his off field stuff that’s done and over with…but you CAN NOT deny his talent and his production on the field….people are still mad because Vick is still the GREATEST threat to a defensive coordinator when he’s at the QB position….and that’s because he CAN throw with accuracy AND he can still run to make things happen…now…as far as your list is concerned…I agree with everyone EXCEPT Norwood…Norwood is still the fastest guy on the team….and I say again…IF THE OLINE GIVES HIM THE HOLES NORWOOD WILL TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE EVERY TIME…because there is NOONE in this league except polamolu from the steelers that can catch him…..If Peyton Manning had this OLine he wouldn’t be in the playoffs either….
Kris in Loganville
January 5th, 2010
11:07 am
I have to disagree with regard to Norwood; he is the best amongst the five you listed, and clearly one of the most effective players on the team. Keep Norwood.
Not sure why you did not include Matt Ryan. Though he is undeniably talented, the painful and untimely tendency to throw interceptions are a brutal reminder that he is barely past rookie status. He’s got to get better at limiting those interceptions or in a couple of years, he’ll be at the top of your list of 5 things the Falcons don’t need.
DirtyDawg
January 5th, 2010
11:07 am
Mark, in your, seemingly never-ending, quest for something edgy to write about, it would appear that, just maybe, you done gone to meddlin’. I mean these are guys that are trying to scratch out a living, albeit and pretty good one, at a profession that requires that they be rough and tough…and occasionally violent. In other words, if I were you I’d stay away from places where these guys might frequent – I know that you aren’t likely to be in a locker room anytime soon, or the Falcon practice complex either, but you never can tell when one or more of them may decide to start a list of sportswriters that ‘life could do without’ and start with you.
Chris
January 5th, 2010
11:13 am
I think we can convince the Giants that Jenkins is a size/speed/wingspan replacement for Plaxico, and maybe get a 2nd round pick and some cap space in return
Milledgeville DAWG
January 5th, 2010
11:13 am
Captain critical strikes again. Maybe MB should repalce the entire Falcon front office.
falcon
January 5th, 2010
11:15 am
SC Falcon……Brent Grimes? Are you kidding me? Dude was awesome after moving to RCB. 4 INT’s in the final 3 games. When has another Falcon DB done that?
I don’t agree with Clabo being on that hit list. He plays every week. Coach Boudreaux seems to like him, as well as Dahl. I really don’t understand your dislike of #77. I think he gets resigned.
Houston and Abraham make the list. Nicolas should not be on the list IMO. #54 is still making progress and improved after being named a starter.
PMC
January 5th, 2010
11:15 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing Eric Norwood on this team though. Too bad with no 2nd round pick it’s probably not happening.
teamguy
January 5th, 2010
11:18 am
I am no personnel expert, so I don’t know who should go or stay. I do know this: I am more satisfied with the makeup of this team than I have been in 41 years as a season ticket holder. I thought our defense showed some good stuff over the last few games, especially our db’s Grimes and Owens. I think I’ll stick with them one more year. .or ten.
Jordan Haden
January 5th, 2010
11:19 am
Matt Ryan
Mike Smith
Anybody that went to the second-tier UGA program
Jonathan Babineaux
Jerious Norwood
PMC
January 5th, 2010
11:19 am
The problems with Jerrious mostly stem from his injuries this year. Also not having Harry Douglass was really detrimental in several fashions. He was the only really explosive player other than Norwood.
They need a better go route guy than Jenkins. He’s not NFL ready yet but it would be nice to see Bay Bay Thomas in that role because he’s a terriffic blocker and has a lot of experience doing the things they mostly ask Jenkins to do.
Agree and Disagree on a Couple of Points
January 5th, 2010
11:21 am
First, the Falcons run defense was vastly improved and finished 10th in the NFL, far up from their 25th spot last season. Their pass defense is obviously a concern, and the need for a rush end as well as a solid corner is evident. However, it could be that some of the young guys just had growing pains at the corner spot and are finally starting to come around (Grimes was tied for 5th in the NFL with 6 picks). My point is, the defense overall might not have improved statistically, but certain facets have vastly improved.
Second, of the 5 guys you mentioned, I agree with Anderson whole-heartedly, and don’t necessarily disagree with Clabo and Norwood, though I like the idea of keeping Clabo because it would retain a cohesive line, and I still like Norwood because IF the staff ever figured him out, he would be extremely dangerous (unlike when our starting QB would have been extremely dangerous if we ever figured him out).
I couldn’t disagree with you more about Nicholas, the guy developed into a solid weakside linebacker for us. Our linebacking corps needs no changes, only depth.
Jenkins, like him or not, just got a contract extension. He’s not going anywhere. Plus he is an exceptional blocking wide receiver in a run heavy offense. There aren’t many of those out there not named Hines Ward.
Real American
January 5th, 2010
11:22 am
Xs&Os….well said…but if Peyton played behind the Falcons Oline for the past decade…there wouldn’t be a decade, Peyton’s career would have been over due to an injury by year 3.
PMC
January 5th, 2010
11:22 am
Sigh, if only there were a future pro bowl left tackle available at 19… To bad we couldn’t get Michael Oher.
AceDawg
January 5th, 2010
11:23 am
I disagree with Norwood. I thought he would be more prolific, but injuries have been more of an issue than I figured. Still, having him around as a role player makes sense unless they got something in return (like a second receiver or a defensive back with cover skills).
Steve
January 5th, 2010
11:24 am
Perfect bullseye on this one MB. Though I rarely agree with your writings, even I can’t make a dent in this article.
Norwood is an eyesore. He was only decent because of his speed, and I am not even sure he has that any longer. He took carries away from Snelling after Turner went down, and that told me he needed to go. We will definitely add by subtraction there. Thomas Davis might get a better look (he deserved to make the roster this year). I don’t understand this need for having a’changeup’ back when the back is obviously sub-standard. Norwood was like Vike-lite, a ton of glitz on a few plays but not stable enough over the long run. The difference was, Vick had a handful of glitz plays per game, not per season like Norwood. Bye Bye Jerius.
Clabo and Nicholas are easily replaced as you noted. We won’t miss them much, though I will say Nicholas might be a victim of a poor pass rush. He wasn’t terrible covering the pass, but you just can’t expect an OLB to hang with Shockey or Winslow for more than a few seconds.
Jenkins was a bigger anomaly than Norwood. He missed easy catches, but then sometimes made very tough ones. That being said, while playing with one of the best WR in football, and one of the best TE’s EVER, he still didn’t break out this year. In fact, Finneran looked like the better WR (I wonder how good he could be if he could manage to stay healthy). Jenkins can be replaced, but we have to go into free agency knowing it is a must position unlike last year.
Anderson. Man. That guy has caused me so many negative flashbacks. Pickens, Pritchard, Collins, Broussard, Troy Smith, Cotton, Bruce, Booker. I mean, he might be worse than ANY of those guys. He has an All-Pro starting opposite of him to take away some of the doubles, and he still can’t do anything. Terrible, just terrible. If I really thought he would get better I would ask for one more year, but I really don’t think he will.
Real American
January 5th, 2010
11:29 am
Mark, did Coach Smith ever clarify which degree of turf toe plagued Matt Ryan? Was there any confirmation of the actual medical diagnosis for whatever degree of turf toe it is?
Bill
January 5th, 2010
11:29 am
Basic needs —-
One offensive lineman. Add depth.
One defensive lineman. Add depth.
Two larger defensive backs. Over 6 feet physically. Be careful not to overrate current defensive backs. Looked good the last three games but were the opposing ‘inferior quarterbacks. Current ‘undersized’ defenders’, despite their speed, will still be overwhelmed by good NFL QBs and tall receivers in coming seasons.
Use 2010 to build up depth on the offensive and defensive lines. Current linebacks show promise and will get better.
Who the. Falcons shed themselves is of little significance other than salaries. Anderson definitely has to go! The other four could help in 2010! Be patient, Look for a return to the playoffs in 2010! With proper moves, team could be real contenders in 2011!!!
As For All You Ryan Haters
January 5th, 2010
11:30 am
When the season was over, at least he came out, played hard through injury, and didn’t flick off the fan base afterwards.
The kid is a good QB, whether he turns into Peyton Manning good or not who knows, but the guy works hard and plays hard and that’s all I want out of the leader of the team.
Apache Bob
January 5th, 2010
11:31 am
One thing I noticed this year about the Falcons this past year is the defense grew consistantly better. Brent Grimes grew in to a good player. Houston became the player they thought he would. The offensive fall off was the loss of Turner and the injury to Ryan. Snelling gave his all and deserves a pat on the back. Norwood can not shoulder the load Turner usually carries. Falcons should look at A.J. Green as another deep threat for passing game. Michael Jenkins should get a job and find out what the rest of know about putting in eight for pay means.
PMC
January 5th, 2010
11:35 am
Losing Brooking was not a mistake. Brooking fits better in the scheme that Dallas plays and he hasn’t put forth the kind of effort he showed in Dallas since 2002. He was getting by on reputation here. He didn’t play hard. Now he’s got a chance in that market to maybe make the HOF if he does something special this year so he’s busting his butt.
Brooking might have improved this team if he were playing outside, but Peterson filled that role pretty well.
Brook was a good player for Tech and for the Falcons…but he and the Falcons were in different places at this point in his career. It has nothing to do with “young mans game” or any of that crap. Brooking fits much better with Wade Phillips and Wade understands how to get the best out of him… and Brooking is playing harder this year than he has in years.
chc4
January 5th, 2010
11:38 am
Nicholas is solid… that’s not a hole at all. Jenkins is terrible… I’ve never seen him fight for a ball. Plus all the drops, he shouldn’t be a starter. I like Jerious alot but Snelling is more reliable.
Ted M
January 5th, 2010
11:41 am
Who were some of the key players we passed on when we drafted that bum J Andersen?
Atlanta Falcons Year in Review | The Bird Cage
January 5th, 2010
11:44 am
[...] Great article by Mark Bradley on the 5 players the Falcons could do without. [...]
Ted M
January 5th, 2010
11:45 am
OMG…we passed on Patrick Willis to draft that bum JA!
Steve
January 5th, 2010
11:52 am
Thoughts on the 5 players you might call out for the Falcons to draft.
Spiller. To replace Norwood, and hopefully become what Norwood showed glimpses of but never achieved. He runs lower than Norwood and is harder to tackle, whereas Norwood is almost pure straight-line speed, which just doens’t cut it in the NFL.
Mays. We have good young corners that are cheap (not sure if Hill is a FA, but I think he played well with Grimes, Owens, Williams and Jackson). DeCoud and Coleman are good, but not stellar and we have very little depth. Problem is, Mays looked less dominant this year, in part because he was only surrounded by 5-6 NFL calibre plays on the USC defense instead of 8-9. Is he really as good as people think, or is he a bust waiting to happen. I figure he will be in between, a decent starter, but nowhere near as good as the USC team defense made him look.
Dez Bryant. I can’t believe he might fall this far, but it looks like it will happen according to the mock drafts I have seen (he apparently isn’t fast enough for Al Davis to take a shot at). He already ate lunch in Deion’s current house, so would it be far-fetched to see him eat up receptions in the ‘hosue that Deion built’?
Dunlap. Would not be available if not for his off the field troubles as he would likely be taken in the top 10. A physical force, but is he worth the risk?
Weatherspoon. A very good OLB that plays in a passing league. He knows how to cover the pass better than most OLB’s, yet is still very solid against the run. Might even be quick enough to do a little blitzing, which the Falcons have lacked big time from the OLB position in recent years.
Now, for my two ‘I sure hope it happens’ scenarios.
Suh, DT, Nebraska. Ok, so he is not a sleeper, but this scenarion WOULD BE. The Falcons trading their first rounder and a couple of later picks to move into the top 10, then move that pick and a couple more picks to St. Louis for the top pick overall. St. Louis could slide down, still get a QB without the risk of being morons for not picking the obvious best player int he draft. Falcons plug him in as a starter right away while Babin-snow does his prison term.
Thomas Davis. Davis is a free agent and one of the best ‘young’ OLB’s available. He is the best cover OLB available, and is also a beast against the run. He would immediately start and you know how great he was previously under BVG (though he wasn’t quite good enough in coverage as a safety). This would actually help the Falcons as it would solve an immediate need at OLB while significantly weaking one of the opponents in their own division.
I would love to pick up a free agent wide receiver, but after looking at the list I will have to admit that Jenkins is better than most available, either due to skill, attitude or age. It is a VERY sad WR crop this year and the top 5 or 6 will command too much money for Dimitroff to plunk in that position with Roddy’s contract already on the books.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
January 5th, 2010
11:55 am
I am in full agreement, MB. I really like Norwood, he is a great guy, just not a great football player. He is fragile and cannot stand up to the punishment that a featured back needs to endure. I am also suspicious of Tuner and Peria Jerry. Tuner was never tested until he came here and this season he seemed tentative even when he was “healthy.” Jerry has a history of being injured from college. Another player who I really like, but I think we can do better is Brian Finneran. He is the kind of big receiver that I want for our team, he is just not tough. Yes, he will fight hard to recover from injury and he is willing to play hurt, but he is not getting any younger and we should get something for him while we can. I understand that Austin in Dallas becomes a free agent this year, boy would I love to have him on our team.
Either way, I am very proud of our team (I would rather have broken the curse than make the playoffs at 8-8). I trust TD & Smittie to make great decisions in the off season and the draft. I can’t wait until next season, It is starting to come together and we have a winning team. God I love the Falcons.
GO FALCONS!!!
RedTornado
January 5th, 2010
11:58 am
I agree with all of them except maybe Nicolas, good special teams guy, not sure if he’s worth what we are paying him. We’d probably be in the playoffs if we had a kicker.
retired on the lake
January 5th, 2010
12:04 pm
Xs&Os
come back to the present. as Jerry once said “he’s gone he’s gone ain’t never coming back”
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
January 5th, 2010
12:04 pm
I think some of the stats are really meaningless. For instance, that the Falcon’s defense finished in the bottom third of the league is an overrated stat. These guys over-achieved. They played their hearts out and we did not finish in the bottom third of winning. We broke the curse, many times when our offense under-achieved, it was our defense that kept us in the games. There were two games that we lost by only 3 points each, that is a statement by our defense.
I remember before the season started, no one gave our team a chance of having a winning season, all because they underestimated out defense. Oh, we were all very high on our offense. I am proud of our team, but the stats often do not reflect the reality. Besides, how do you measure heart? Just look at the play of Brent Grimes and answer me that.
Go Falcons!!!
bills fan
January 5th, 2010
12:12 pm
I wish we would not have let go of Keith Brooking. Big mistake. He was the defense heart and soul and now he has assumed that position with the Cowboys…
PlanB
January 5th, 2010
12:12 pm
I really enjoy reading these blogs and getting ideas on how other fans feel about the team and players direction. Some fans…, not so much.
Agreeing w/Mark on Anderson, Jenkins & Norwood. Clabo, can’t say. Most like everyone else I put Houston in instead of Nicholas.
I think we are good @ QB. Ryan good but not great for years to come. Redman, good backup & affordable. Was ready to get rid of him after that 1st start. My bad. 3 RBs w/Norwood is OK,we have other needs more. OL-?, don’t like Baker hurt so much.WR, we have better that Jenkins on the team now. Douglas will be back, Booker looks OK and Bergeron hasn’t had a chance. Safeties look OK w/Decoud, Coleman & Moore. CB, don’t see Houston getting better anytime soon, but I think I was wrong about Grimes. If Williams & Owens start, Grimes will be a good backup & nickel. Don’t know about depth. Houston, Hill & Jackson not necessary. Very proud of front 7 on stopping the run. Seems like scheme of not blitzing much, hurt. We blitzed & Campbell threw hurriedly. When we didn’t is when they moved down the field for 7. Same thing in other games. Not really happy about the Off. play calling either. I, too, don’t know why we let Grady go. Get him back. Bet he likes Atlanta better on & off the field than Detroit. Pass rush is not Abraha’s fault. Our biggest need is DL. We have some good ones, but we need Jerry back & another great one to go along with them. My personal opinion of the #1 person that Atlanta has gotten in this organization in the last few years is Arthur Blank. He actually wants to have a good team. Not as true with the Smiths. Get the wallet out Arthur and make us proud of you in 2010. Too long, Sorry.
Bob
January 5th, 2010
12:16 pm
Norwood needs to stay, it’s the play calling that restricts him. He’s a “Green Bay Left – Green Bay Right” and a running screen player, not a “up the middle” running back. You don’t put a Greyhound in a tractor pull..
Executive Decision 1906
January 5th, 2010
12:17 pm
I would have to say I totally agree with Micheal Jenkins needs to leave the team. I am a DIE HARD THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES FAN. I have to admit that he is one player that I wish was never drafted from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, because he has done absolutely nothing since he has been drafted for the Falcons. I know of at least 5 games right off hand that if he would have caught the simple pass thrown to him the Falcons would have won the game. Need an example… Here you go the last game that the Falcons played the Saints in the Georgia Dome Micheal Jenkins had a great pass thrown to him across the middle which he dropped. If he had caught the pass he would have scored and the Falcons would have won the game. I believe the rule is if the ball touches your hands it was a catch able ball. I hate to say it but he needs to go!!
savannah falcon
January 5th, 2010
12:17 pm
We need to get players thru free agency. We need veterans instead of rookies! Let other teams train them and we pick them up in the off-season.
Tyougg44
January 5th, 2010
12:17 pm
Me for one to be honest was glad the Falcons took J. Anderson, C. Houston out of the SEC, however, these two fellas -to me – are not performing at an NFL level. P.Jerry…I think I read somewhere he is always hurt….therefore..who knows anyway…keep searching for SEC talent..it WILL pay dividends. J. Abraham…he has become a LOAFER! Hated to seem him make that solo tackle Sunday, because he needs to go!I saw him many times this season NOT PUTTING forth the effort! Personally, Norwood needs to be used as a kick returner..on quick passes, he runs scary in the open field..The Falcons are a few good players from being something special! And, oh my goodness, if we only would’ve had a kicker this season, we WOULD BE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!
MrKnowGood
January 5th, 2010
12:22 pm
I won’t argue with the need for better WR’s, replace the secondary, and Jamal Anderson; but anyone who thinks we need new RB’s is just plain stupid. Our O-Line gets manhandled during most games (especially in the 2nd half) and we blame the running back!!! Now that is stupid!!! Warrick Dunn, as small as he was, would get hit 3 yards in the backfield and turn it into a 3 yard gain! Imagine what he could have done it he actually made it to the line of scrimmage before getting hit. Sure, Norwood showed some rust after coming back from injuries, but what’s the excuse for our O-Line! We have needed a new O-Line for years and it is just plain stupid to blame every other position and person (Vick, Dunn, Turner, Norwood, Ryan, etc) for what is obviously a problem with our O-Line. And if you don’t believe me…just count how many times Peyton Manning gets sacked during the playoffs. Or ask yourself how many different RBs do the Saints have? IT ALL STARTS WITH THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!! NO BLOCKING = NO RUNNING, NO PASSING, NO TOUCHDOWNS!