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
Jeff George
January 5th, 2010
12:22 pm
22 TDs and 14 INTs don’t spell success. Ryan owes half his check to Turner for saving his bacon in 2009. Let’s see what we can get for “Chris Chandler-like injury prone QB” that can’t rollout of a pocket and complete a pass in the Red Zone and leave it up to kicker. Don’t get me started.
Mark Bradley
January 5th, 2010
12:22 pm
I know a lot of people would have included Chris Houston and/or Brent Grimes. But there’s a reason I didn’t, and I’ll seek to explain tomorrow.
savannah falcon
January 5th, 2010
12:23 pm
Let the entire defensive line go (except Abe), the entire offensive line and secondary. We need tall corners and safeties. We need veterans linebackers. Fire the assistant coaching staff. Bring in a run stopper, a blitzing linebacker, a tall safety and corner back and a powerful defensive end. We need 2 strong and fast running backs. Bring in another quarterback. We need good play calling. The Falcons are always so predictable.
BamaBoysEnt
January 5th, 2010
12:23 pm
It doesn’t matter who gets traded. The Falcons won’t pick up anyone to compliment the solid players thay have remaining. The Falcons need to get better at selecting players in the draft. They also need to figure out how to get quality players at discount prices…which most teams in the NFL has done over the years.
Kevin
January 5th, 2010
12:26 pm
Bl aah Bl-aah Bl-aah I think every player on the team should be worried about there job next year.That includes the OC and the DC.Also all you fans that want to bang on Norwood are probably the same fans that wanted Thomas Brown to be your starting running back?As well all of you so called Falcons fans Go back to Jersey, New York,Boston,etc etc….And Vick fan get a life, do us all a favor and don’t have children. Thug generators!!
rsf
January 5th, 2010
12:28 pm
i agree with the list expet for nicholas i say add chris houston instead to the list.
Steve C
January 5th, 2010
12:34 pm
Daddyknowsbest: “At least Vick won a playoff game before getting his big deal”
Um, what?? The revisionist history on these blogs is nauseating. FYI, Vick’s rookie contract was the largest in NFL history at the time, 6 years and $62 million with $15.3 mil guaranteed and a $3 mil signing bonus. The only playoff game he won before getting this contract was the in the Gator Bowl against Clemson.
Daddyknowsnotsomuch is more like it.
Falcons Lookin Good
January 5th, 2010
12:36 pm
TCCB…
You are one of those IDIOT posters who was also probably one of the ones who was in the stands when “Filthy”delphi came to town with the “CON”Vick in tow who cheered when “CON”Vick took the field!!!
Forget it…this is MATTY ICE’S house now and that’s why we have just had BACK TO BACK WINNING SEASONS for the 1st time! My season tix renewal pack is already in the mail. I can’t wait for next year!!!
Sign Mike Vick
January 5th, 2010
12:41 pm
Bring MV7 back to the ATL
Jerry Glanville
January 5th, 2010
12:41 pm
How about first and foremost getting rid of “STONE HANDS” himself Brian Finneran!
Martin Calloway
January 5th, 2010
12:41 pm
Agree absolutely on Jamal Anderson, Michael Jenkins and Jerious Norwood.
Rectal Bleeding
January 5th, 2010
12:42 pm
I placed something sharp in my ear and it poked my brain. Now my brain hurts.
Wanda
January 5th, 2010
12:42 pm
Why does people still talk about Michael Vick. He does not play for the Falcons. I repeat he does not play for the Falcons. So pleeeeeez quit talking about him. We are over him. He is thru and he will probably never play for Falcons again. So lets not say his name anymore.
Rectal Bleeding
January 5th, 2010
12:44 pm
Better yet Wanda, lets learn to spell.
heartofdarkness
January 5th, 2010
12:46 pm
Should the Falcons decide to employ the slot receiver on possession plays more in the manner of the Colts, Patriots or Packers, they might consider moving Brent Grimes to the offensive side of the ball. The guy has tremendous hands and ups, and while his size was exploited by the more proficient passing offenses this year, he seemed tough and smart. Harry Douglas may replace Jenkins, but Marty Booker seemed like an outside receiver put in the slot, who never was in sync with this offense. The Falcons use of its backs to counter aggressive pass rushes was limited this year as well. Norwood was often over powered when pass blocking.
The defense did much better against the run the last couple of games, as the coaching staff’’s adjustments took away some glaring weaknesses that were apparent earlier in the season. If Jeria comes back stronger and faster, as a second year player should and some size is added at corner, the Falcons should be average or better in all facets physically. Depth should be improved in 2010 by the playing time many backups got this year.
AtlSouthside
January 5th, 2010
12:46 pm
if Norwood’s on the list, throw Michael Turner on there too. Snelling is more physical than Turner, bigger and probably just as “fast” (if you consider Turner fast, I dont though).
We need to dump Tony Gonzalez also. Justin Peele is younger with fresher legs, and he hads hands too… Why overpay for a TE when you need vets on Defense more…
Rectal Bleeding
January 5th, 2010
12:48 pm
Heartofdarkness…….Thanks for the laugh….Really…..Did you try this on Madden?
AtlSouthside
January 5th, 2010
12:49 pm
Forget it…this is MATTY ICE’S house now and that’s why we have just had BACK TO BACK WINNING SEASONS for the 1st time! My season tix renewal pack is already in the mail. I can’t wait for next year!!!
………
Must be a Falcons’ Intern. 9-7 w/o the playoffs is equal to a losing season in my eyes. There are no parades for non-playoff teams… Nothin to celebrate.
Riding a Harly makes me cool.
January 5th, 2010
12:50 pm
This team needs a better receiver like Wes Welker. I dont understand why Blank doesnt sign Wes Welker.
JJ
January 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
I agree with some of this. Along with Jenkins I think we also need to get rid of Roddy White. Yeah, he caught the winning touchdown that gave us back-to-back winning seasons (finally) but he’s dropped several that would have given us the honor a lot sooner. Neither one is a consistent receiver, it’s just Roddy does come through in the clutch but if he came through more consistently, we’d have less need for clutch catches. Get some consistent receivers so we have a down field threat and I think you’d finally see the potential of Norwood.
ad
January 5th, 2010
12:58 pm
I second the motion on Illiniidawg; great list lets move em!!
JeanE
January 5th, 2010
12:59 pm
I agree with all your got to go players, Jenkins, I call him Mr. 50/50 because he drops it 1/2 the time & catches it 1/2 the time. I don’t know why people are assuming Finn will retire, his injury wasn’t career ending. He would be an excellent 4th receiver & is awesome on special teams and tackling for the running game. He does all the non glam things people don’t notice. And his game is hands people, not speed, he can still catch and move the chains. With Roddy, Tony, Harry D and Finn, we are fine. Need a better punt/kick returner, when is the last return for a TD? I have to pray Abe finds himself and the team next year. I feel very positive about this team. Ryan needs to cut down on the picks and poor decisions, no doubt but let’s give him a chance to do it. Next year is only his 3rd year! He seems like a smart guy and has a great work ethic so I’m optimistic. Love the play of Chris Owens and Grimey! Grady Jackson is probably the size of a jumbo jet by now, that ship has sailed. Need another wide load to stuff the middle. Go Birds!! The curse is broken, hallelujah!!!
senoiadawgs
January 5th, 2010
1:06 pm
Norwood first and foremost must go. What a waste he has been and he can barely play 1 game with 10+ touches without getting injured. A big waste of money. Next on my list is Jenkins. Can’t stand the guy drops way to many and just looks lazy on the field to me. Another if Finn, injury prone.
As for the D my picks would be Abe and Chris Houston. Abe is over the hump and Houston reminds me of Miller for UGA. Thinks he is great but teams always pick on him. Clearly a weak spot.
The Truth
January 5th, 2010
1:07 pm
I like the list. Clabo and Dahl can go. I need lineman would destroy people off the ball. Not ones who lead the NFL in hitting people standing around the pile after the play. Keep Norwood and make him a fulltime slot receiver.
Keith
January 5th, 2010
1:07 pm
So many comments bashing Norwood. The man has averaged 6 and 5.1 yards a carry in 07 and 08. I for one will give him a pass on this years average. But Jenkins is a joke. He needs to be gone.
MikeHunt
January 5th, 2010
1:15 pm
I think Turner will be on this list next year. He was hurt most of this year, and wasn’t very good when he did play.
Reid in EAV
January 5th, 2010
1:18 pm
OK, so assuming Norwood (or at least one of our three RBs) goes, is there any scenario under which we might have a shot at CJ Spiller? Where is he on Gel… oops, I mean Mel Kiper Jr.’s draft board?
Hamad Meander
January 5th, 2010
1:20 pm
Mark, I totally agree that it’s time to let Jenkins and Anderson go, but I don’t agree with your other ‘wave-goodbye’s. Norwood, when healthy, is a nice change of pace back, and even though Snelling did a good job in Tampa, you can’t survive in the NFL with only two running backs. Let’s keep all three. Clabo – I think he’s played well enough to keep a 5th rounder on the bench and it he shouldn’t cost the team an arm and a leg to keep. With Nicholas, if Dimitroff drafts an outside linebacker (not a great class for those), then he can be a fine back-up and special teams player and not cost a lot to do so.
The guys you really want to move are the non-producing, high draft pick players – those will cost you. The guys you got in the 3rd (Norwood), 4th (Nicholas), and lower rounds can be kept for value.
Falcon-fanatic!
January 5th, 2010
1:24 pm
Anderson – Definite go
Clabo – Definite go – It seems like he purposely causes penalties to disrupt the offensive momentum
Jenks – Definte go
Nicholas – Not so certain. He has made some excellent strides this year. Very productive I would say.
Norwood – Definite go. Too Brittle…yes he has speed, but if you can’t stay on the field to us it, what good is it on the sidelines.
Mark…here are a few other ideas or players of what the Falcons can do without:
1) Quinn OJ and C Jackson…just throw them in the mix as gifts to other teams
2) Huddle offense…We seem to click alot better when Matt Ryan is running the no huddle offense. Just look at the last 5 games when they run this offense and when they don’t.
cutter
January 5th, 2010
1:26 pm
Bradley you dropped the ball on this one. I thought Stephen Nicholas did well for his first season starting. We understand (or at least the ones who know what they are talking about and you are not included) that the Mike Smith defense is not suitable to the strongside linebacker getting alot of stats and he will get better. You did not include Chris Houston??? We should start a new blog. 1 writer the AJC can do without and the winner is Mark Bradley.
Birdseed: January 5, 2010
January 5th, 2010
1:29 pm
[...] 5 players the Falcons can do without (Jerious included), Atlanta Journal-Constitution This will certainly spark a debate or two. [...]
dwh
January 5th, 2010
1:42 pm
I think the AJC could stand to loose a few colimninsts. Let’s say they start with Mark Bradley who is always quick with negative attitude and short on support for the locals. I’d say he is a fine candidate to hoist to the curb.
So Mark, how does that sound and feel to you?
Ms. KP
January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
hmmmmmm, I think you masturbate everytime you hear or say Vick’s name. I am sure there is only room for one head in his jock strap, get off the man’s thang dang.
Mick Luck Burst
January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
Keep Tyson Clabo!
I hugged his mama in W. Lafayette, Ind., in 2002…
Go Deacs!
Pete
January 5th, 2010
1:44 pm
Agree with all your departures.
Norwood is a fragile chicken with his head cut off………….useless as a dependable, rugged RB.
98% of McKay’s draft picks are laughable at best.
Xs&Os
January 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
@retired on the lake ,
I know Vick is gone…I only used him as an example because the very same problems he had…Matt Ryan is having as well. I want people to be REALISTIC about the game of football and the fundamental principles….Matt Ryan just like Mike Vick struggled on the field BECAUSE THE FALCONS OLINE IS TERRIBLE. They get man handled against elite defensive fronts on almost every down…that explains why Vick had to run so much and why Matt Ryan is struggling this year….the game of football is won @ the line of scrimmage and that’s just a fundamental truth regardless of who is the QB….don’t believe me?!? Ask Tom Brady why the pats didn’t win in their last super bowl appearance….THAT”S BECAUSE STRAHAN and company kept him on his BACK!!!!!!!
Vick Supporter
January 5th, 2010
1:48 pm
Its about time someone started to call out some of McKays f-ups. Its funny….last year when everyone was getting drunk off of the Matty “Ice” juice, you people were saying that the Falcons had one of the best WR cores in the league, and now you turn your backs on Jenkins. I’ve been saying he sucked, he’s always sucked, yet ya’ll said that Ryan “made him a better WR”,lol.
You Falcon fans know nothing about football, and you’re never loyal to your players. Even during the Vick Era when the Falcons were a relevant team (they’re not anymore), you blamed Vick even in the wins. I told you people that Ryan wasn’t as good as you people tried to force him to be. No running game = no victories.
If Ryan has to win the game on his own, he can’t do it. His arm is too weak and his dicision making is horrible under pressure.
Meanwhile, Vick is contributing on a team that’s going to make a deep run in the playoffs. Scores 2 TDs on the Falcons on only 7 plays and has the entire stadium chanting his name.
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzEq0m_6FrI
greg
January 5th, 2010
1:57 pm
Only a loser would actually be happy by claiming that we finally have a back to back winning season… and for what? no playoffs, nothing to look forward to next year, has anyone else noticed that the other teams across the NFC has gotten alot better alot faster than our falcons? it’s a matter of time that the Lions will be kicking our butts. They have a good young team.
Steve C
January 5th, 2010
2:02 pm
ATL SOUTHSIDE “if Norwood’s on the list, throw Michael Turner on there too. Snelling is more physical than Turner, bigger and probably just as “fast” (if you consider Turner fast, I dont though).
We need to dump Tony Gonzalez also. Justin Peele is younger with fresher legs, and he hads hands too… Why overpay for a TE when you need vets on Defense more…”
Oh my God, I see stupid people. You want a Snelling/Peele combo instead of Turner/Gonzalez? You have truly lost your ever loving mind. If you find even one head coach or GM that agreed with you, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Effing ridiculous.
keep it 100
January 5th, 2010
2:06 pm
here is my list
1. all the DBs
2.all the DBs
3. Jamaal Anderson
4.all the DBs
5. all the DBs
greg
January 5th, 2010
2:08 pm
100 that’s funny, but so true
greg
January 5th, 2010
2:10 pm
Our secondary made horrible QB’s look like probowler’s
Buddy Curry made every tackle
January 5th, 2010
2:10 pm
Johnothan Dwyer? Really? Did you watch the Georgia game? You Tech fans are acting like them Dawg fans.
D-Knock
January 5th, 2010
2:11 pm
Chris Houston has to be added…Grimes has twice as many interceptions in one season as Houston has in four. JP is correct Houston has the speed but has know ideal what to do once the ball is thrown at the receiver he’s covering, for a while he was getting a pass interference call at least once a game.
Georgia DOT
January 5th, 2010
2:14 pm
Vick Supporter…I have a job for you, running across I-20 during rush hour.
If Philly goes deep in the playoffs, you can best believe it won’t be because of Vick.
Baba O'Riley
January 5th, 2010
2:27 pm
Why are we even discussing the 3rd string QB on the #6 seed in the NFC?
Gatorzone
January 5th, 2010
2:31 pm
Changes need to be made incrementally. Everyone on here who thinks wee need to wholesale dump parts of the team are wrong. It is amazing what impact a few players can make. That being said, why is everyone so negative after the first back to back ever? This is a great accomplishment, especially considering where we were 2 years ago. Enjoy the positive direction ofthe Falcons. They will continue to get better.
Juice
January 5th, 2010
2:32 pm
Dude, Norwood has 1 injury-riddled year and you want to cut him? Have you seen what he is capable of when he’s healthy? He’s only been out like 5 games in his career, and hes a frickin RB/KR. Unless he wants a ridiculous contract, I bring him back.
Clabo may be a weak link, but we already are lacking depth at OL and he works well with that team. At very least should provide depth for T and G.
Jenkins did have a dropoff in production, but do you not know we just resigned him? Let’s give him one off-year and wait until Douglas comes back and decide if we want him as WR2, slot, or depth. He was clutch last year.
Jamaal is cross-trained at DT and DE, he may be a bust but that’s good value. He also had at least 2 sacks taken away by pentalties, for the record.
Dude, Nicholas and DeCoud have been the two most promising new starters this year. Nicholas progressed like hell IN HIS FIRST YEAR STARTING (second year player.) Plus he’s super cheap. A couple sacks, TFLs, a FF, a FR, a beast on special teams, possibly our best LB in coverage as well as quickest. I don’t know what to say here.
Where exactly are you getting all of the replacements for these guys?
The Cut Doctor
January 5th, 2010
2:33 pm
Who Needs to go?
1. Matt Ryan (and his backup)
2. Jamal Anderson
3. Chris (burnt toast) Houston
4. Michael Jenkins
5. Tyson Clabo
Ackshun
January 5th, 2010
2:40 pm
Mark – What are the chances that the Falcons would have any interest in the newly humbled T O?