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
Juice
January 5th, 2010
2:53 pm
Sorry this thing ate my post twice and I forgot to copy it the next time. This list is pretty bad.
They aren’t all starters but depth and value all around, except for Nichloas… he’s a STARTER. He really progressed this year and is showing huge promise. I have no idea who you have been watching. Maybe you watched the first 4 games when he WAS virtually absent. He’s on his rookie contract and you want to cut him…
DirtySouthPlaya
January 5th, 2010
2:54 pm
#1 on the list should be people who come to the game wearing Vick jersey’s…he plays for another team yo’. Yall’s are Eagle fans not Falcon Fans.
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 5th, 2010
2:55 pm
For this team to be a serious contender, they need to get better line play on both sides of the ball. If they do that, some of their other weaknesses will be more manageable.
Juice
January 5th, 2010
2:56 pm
Norwood has 1 injured year and you want to cut him… Have you seen his highlight tapes?n He’s only missed like 5 games in his NFL career and he’s a fricking RB/KR…
Taking out Clabo, who has experience and chemistry with our line when we already need depth is dumb–I’m sorry.
Jenkins was clutch last year, but had a down year this year and you want him gone… WHEN WE JUST RESIGNED HIM TO A MULTI-YEAR DEAL? Can we at least wait until Douglas comes back to see if things work themselves out, or if he is better suited for slot?
Jamaal is great value as he is cross-trained as DE and DT… even if he is a bust.
Falcons Lookin Good
January 5th, 2010
3:20 pm
Vick Supporter…
“CON”Vick came to MATTY ICE’s house and got to face the BACK-UPS…sure Philly won! Had the Falcons had a healthy Turner and our STARTING QB it would have been a different game. As for the fans chanting for Vick…it was digusting that they would cheer for a CON”VICK”TED FELON with VERY limited actual football skills, that was playing a third string back up role and only getting on the field because the game was being played in Atlanta. He was playing to the media and the falcon fans cheering for him should be ashamed of themselves, 1st because they are supposed to be supporting their HOME team, and 2nd because the “CON”VICK should never have been allowed to run onto a professional football field again…he’s no role model for their kids!!!!!
Hamad Meander
January 5th, 2010
3:48 pm
Some of you guys have lost it. This team, when healthy, can be really good next year. There are plently of times an NFL team on paper looked great at the beginning of the season and as the injuries mounted, they fell apart. That happened to some extent to the Falcons, but they still won (9) games. Minus the injuries and with a better kicking game, this team would have won (11) games, and might have won (12). Easy playoff team at that point. The games we would have won: @ Carolina (missed kicks), @ NYG (missed Turner), and Saints (almost won without Turner or Ryan.
Let’s resign who we need to, draft the positions we need, and sign any free agents that look like a good fit/value. This team overcame a lot of adversity and STILL won (9) games. That’s what makes us Falcon fans confident in the near future!
popeye
January 5th, 2010
3:54 pm
Any list has to start with Brent Grimes. Over the past two seasons’ he has given up more big plays that resulted in a team loss than anyone on the team. The play’s he gives up are momentum changers. He’s too short to cover the average NFL receiver, he is to small to tackle reliably, (often needs help the finish the play off) doesn’t display good closing speed when he is beaten which is often, and he almost never get his head turned around when he is in good position to make a play. I credit him for stepping up his game and showing signs of improvement to close the season but he just can’t be allowed to give up as many big plays as he has over the past two season’s. He’d be a beast on a soccer field.
Anderson – he’s had his chance
Norwood – he has talent, Miss used by OC, injury prone (keep him)
I like Matt Ryan but unlike most of you I don’t see a great QB in the making, maybe average at best… Matt has above average fundamentals for his years of experience and he plays a smart game for the most part but his physical abilities are just too limited. Not much zip on the ball to get it there while the receiver is still open, deep balls require a big wind up and release, and the ball is in the air a long time. Nearly every deep ball thrown the receiver has to slow down and wait for it instead of catching it in stride, allowing defenders to close and make a play on the ball. Many of you will disagree but
Go back and take a look for yourself. Get use to it, interceptions are part of Ryan’s game, and speed will never be his friend especially if you are prone to turf toe.
If you can see Matt Ryan’s greatness it’s because he’s standing on M. Turner shoulders.
Thank goodness we were able to break the curse after 44 seasons but we had to beat
A game Buccaneers team and over come Matt Ryan’s short comings to do it. The point being Matt can be as much as a goat as he can be a hero. That is not the making of a great QB. Matt is not the reason we broke the curse given the number of games he missed the number of times he threw the ball away when there were receivers not even covered, overthrown balls to open receivers and total number of interceptions, especially in the final game. I still like him as our QB, mostly because he plays smart and has good character, but stop being silly, wait until he proves himself before anointing him the next P. Manning.
Bud Wiser
January 5th, 2010
3:59 pm
Someone said Jenkins needs to ‘get tougher’, which is fine, as long as he grows a pair of hands first. I’ve seen better grippers on a ham.
Anderson? – GONE, wasted draft pick, give him a city map of Oakland on his way outta town
Nicholas – are you serious? he bumped it up late in the year
Redman – my mother throws better than him, and she died two years ago
Norwood – backup, never a starter
Snelling – I like this dude
Baker – gets hurt too much, needs his mommy
Clabo – I see a future for this guy…….hawking grills on infomercials
Bryant (the kicker, dudes) – at least he didn’t lose any games for us like the guy everyone thought had died last spring
CBrass
January 5th, 2010
4:34 pm
Mark,
Trade Nicholas with Houston. If you think about it Nicholas was basically a rookie this year due to the fact that his son was battling for his life last season. This year he was fully able to concentrate on football and it showed. He started the year slow but finished the season strong.
I see that you have an explanation as to why Houston or Grimes is not on the list. In Houston case, if your argument is height and speed, please save yourself the time. Year three have come and gone for him and he still continue to make rookie mistakes.
Grimes is a keeper. He may not be the tallest player but at least he puts himself in a position to make a play on the ball. Houston has 3, yes that’s right 3, career interceptions(doubt that would have changed if he was able to play the last couple of games). Grimes doubled that with 6 this year. Why? Simply because Grimes gets his head around and locate the ball while it’s in the air. Think about that. Pro-bowler and shut down corner Darrelle Revis have 6 INT’s this year also (not saying that Grimes is the next Revis. I’m just making a small comparison as far as INT’s go). The one thing that Grimes needs to work on is tackling better. At times he just comes flying in and not properly wrapping up the ball carrier.
Basically my whole argument is that both Grimes and Nicholas have soon improvement where Houston have not.
popeye
January 5th, 2010
4:36 pm
Falcons Lookin Good – My fellow Falcon Fan please get over yourself. So what a few fans cheered for MV7 for entertainment value, at that point the game had long been decided. At least MV7 gave the fans something to cheer about. I was at that Game, the home team never showed up, so who else were they gong to cheer for? Let it go you’ll feel better, MV7 served his time and he has moved on. We as Falcon Fans have served our time; the curse is broken so we too can finally move on. Move on to the “Super Bowl” that is. Go Falcons “we are the next Dynasty” to come, bet on it!
JJ
January 5th, 2010
4:53 pm
Imposter, not the same JJ as birdcage, playa’s pissed. lol
JJ
January 5th, 2010
4:58 pm
Fake JJ, you’re an idiot. Get rid of our best receiver when we have soo many other holes to fix on this team? I’ve been on here for yrs and my friends know I’m an idiot, but not that big. ps- change your name or playa will be off the leash!
TimithyBirdboy
January 5th, 2010
5:47 pm
I agree with the List opt out baker and add houston we need to let him go. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to let mike marley go.
Big "O"
January 5th, 2010
5:50 pm
Changes that is required:
1. Defense, The Secondary
2. M.J.
3. Defensive Back
4. Field Goal Kicker
5. Bring in a Wildcat Runner
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
6:03 pm
Choke, “Howd you Doin” ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve
January 5th, 2010
6:09 pm
Jeff George – “22 TD’s and 14 Int’s doesn’t spell success?”
You sir, are an idiot. No offence. Some other second year QB numbers to jar your memory. These are second year numbers as a starter, with at least ten starts the previous season. Some of these only became Falcons later.
Name – TD – Int – YA (yards per attempt .. dink and dunk or real QB .. as anyone can dink and dunk and have much better numbers).
Ryan – 22 – 14
Bartkowski – 2 – 9 (he turned out alright)
Chris Miller – 16 – 10
Chandler – 5 – 10 (1991)
George – 10 – 12
Vick – 14 – 12 (2004, in really his third year as a starter but his second was cut short due to injury)
Other non-Falcons from the current ERA that have turned out alright.
P Manning – 26- 15 (only slightly better than Ryan)
Brady – 28- 14 (better, but not overwhelming)
Brees – 11 -15 (yeah, San Diego should dump him quick .. oh wait, they did and the Saints are loving it)
Favre – 19 – 24 (good thing the Falcons got rid of him before they had to suffer thru that season .. right Jeffy)
Elway – 18 – 15
I could go on and on, but about the only QB you will find with significantly better second year starter numbers will be Dan Marino, who was an absolute freak (48 – 12).
Ryan had good second year numbers, played thru injury, without a first string RB for a third of the season, and against one of the top five schedules in the NFL. Best of all, the team sees him as a leader and not an individual like they did Vick. Ryan didn’t improve by leaps and bounds, but second years are generally tougher because opponents tend to focus on you a little more. He may never get much better, but those second season numbers you quoted are no way
So why all the hate on Ryan there Jeffy? Is it because you are still in love with Vick? Is it because Ryan is white? Is it because you know nothing about football? You pick.
Wendy Williams
January 5th, 2010
6:19 pm
Choke, That was soo funny I forgot to laugh !!! “Howd you Doin anyway” ?! Now, That’s funny !! LMAO !
CBrass
January 5th, 2010
6:19 pm
***…”have shown improvement…”
I have to start proof reading my post.
Chokes
January 5th, 2010
6:24 pm
Atlanta Peach I’m just fine! Thanks for asking!
Now when is the tickertape parade for winning back2back seasons?
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
6:26 pm
Go Ramblin Wreck !
Steve L.
January 5th, 2010
6:29 pm
I think one of the big problems that Birds have is getting their receivers to “separate” from their defenders. Time and again this season, it seemed that every time Ryan threw the ball, the defender was right on the receiver. Where is the separation speed needed? Why not use Weems and (or Norwood if he’s so fast) in the slot. Booker was average at best. Maybe Douglas can come back and add a dimension. But I’m not that impressed with our receivers except for Gonzalez.
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
6:29 pm
Sure ! You are really Choke then I am Michele Obama ! oops better say her !
Steve L.
January 5th, 2010
6:30 pm
I think one of the big problems that Birds have is getting their receivers to “separate” from their defenders. Time and again this season, it seemed that every time Ryan threw the ball, the defender was right on the receiver. Where is the separation speed needed? Why not use Weems (or Norwood if he’s so fast) in the slot. Booker was average at best. Maybe Douglas can come back and add a dimension. But I’m not that impressed with our receivers, especially Jenkins, except for Gonzalez.
Chokes
January 5th, 2010
6:31 pm
popeye, well said. The crown the media put on Matty Ice’s head fell out but its not really his fault. he was crowned too soon and everybody with eyes knew Michael Turner carried the team on his back. Then this season when Turner got hurt and it was on Ice to put the team on his back, he came up short and a lot got exposed about his game. All of these “he’s young” arguments wouldnt ring so hollow if the same people singing that tune weren’t the same ones telling us in August how this team was gonna score 30points per game. Now that we saw how that didn’t materialize, its back to “he’s just in his second year”. Backtracking like the Pips.
Chokes
January 5th, 2010
6:35 pm
Notice how the team never said the degree of Matt’s “injury” and nobody in the media wants to follow up and find out what it is. Could it have been no worse than CJ Spiller of Clemson’s turf toe? Spiller ran on his toe every week thru the pain. The franchise QB went out of a game on Sunday and on Monday he was already out the game next week leading one to believe it was really serious. This regime seems to know the old “Rod Coleman” tricks.
FalconsFan278
January 5th, 2010
6:38 pm
Mark, you forgot to mention Chris Houston.
He gets beat every play. & while he was injured, Brent Grimes & Chris Owens did a great job in the secondary, only allowing only 20 pts. in the last three games & Grimes himself had 4 picks, & Owens had 2, whilst Houston only mustered up 1 the whole season.
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
6:41 pm
I say if only the Falcons would had persuade Brett Farve to come back to Atlanta for his Swan Song ! That’s what I fought Arthur Blank and Management for not doing !! What a better teacher than one day hall of famer to help Matt Ryan.
Brian Hunt
January 5th, 2010
6:51 pm
I think there are a lot of people posting here who didn’t pay attention to actual football games over the last few seasons. This year was the best year the Falcons’ defense has had against the run since 1998, and it happened without Grady Jackson. Anderson, Johnson, Babineaux, and Walker all played DT better than Grady.
Since the midpoint of the season, no team played the run better than the Falcons. That’s because the young linebackers and secondary started to grow into their gap responsibilities. Stephen Nicholas was a huge up grade over Michael Boley, and he will get better. No way I put him on Bradley’s list. Ridiculous.
Norwood is totally expendable and shouldn’t be resigned, unless it’s at a very cheap price. He’s not an every down back and isn’t a great option on third down because he’s not good at blitz pick up. He’s far too injury prone to pay him big money. The coaches know how to use him. He is far more limited than fans want to admit. A back like Snelling that consistently gets you 4 yards is better for this offense than a guy that consistently looses 4 yards and puts you in long yardage the next down, even if he is capable of breaking a big run.
Jenkins is probably as good as he’s going to get, which is average. He’ll never be a game breaker, but he’s OK and he’s an exceptional down field blocker, which is important in this offense. He has to become a better route runner and concentrate on the ball. The drops are fixable. Remember when White and Finneran used to drop everything thrown their way?
Clabo plays better at Guard than he does at Tackle. I think the team should find itself a true left Tackle and move Baker to the Right side of the line. Clabo could play inside, where he’s a better option than Ojinakka. Dahl’s a better run blocker, but Clabo is better at pass protection and plays better in limited space.
Gimme Some More
January 5th, 2010
7:13 pm
Mark, I can’t argue against any of these players leaving. I’ve already said Norwood needs to go. Nicholas is a backup at best–to slow to cover anyone. Jenkins has been given every opportunity to excel…too inconsistent, soft, and doesn’t attack the ball. I watched him the other day wait for the ball to just drop in his hands and the Tampa defender knock it away. SOFT, SOFT, SOFT I tell ya. Anderson could have left last year and no one would have missed him. Clabo isn’t great, but he isn’t the worst on that line either. Our needs:
Get a Left OT move Baker to ROT
A DT who can blow up the middle
A DE who can bring power and speed (not get thrown to the ground)
A LB who has speed and bring the pain of the edges
A WR to replace Jenkins (6′4 at least) and attacks the ball in the air
A Strong Safety who can knock you out (see Ronnie Lott, Brian Dawkins, Sean Taylor types). Williams is still an unknown and a rookie (missed all last year)
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
7:25 pm
So very very nice to have some real nice football talk !!! Now, If only Tech was undefeated.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & TIred
January 5th, 2010
7:36 pm
Marty Booker should have definitely been on the “let go” list. I agree that there are many positions that need to be addressed during the off-season. Say what you want but those of us that have been Falcons fans from the Fulton County Stadium days notice the difference in the team’s swagger.
Anyone with any football knowledge and knows the history of this team realizes that the Falcons are continuing to rebuild and filling in the missing pieces and we’re pleased with the progress so far. So many folks on these blogs act like the Falcons were the only NFL team that did not make the playoffs this year……GET REAL!!!! There are several 9 and 7 teams that are playing this weekend in the playoffs.
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
7:41 pm
Choke, are you still trying to sue Jeff Schultz ?! I guess you lost the case against Orlando Ledbetter, Mark Bradley and Dawson Devitt (Whom loved my “Howd you Doin”) ! Sue ?! Give me a Break !!!!! LMAO !
John
January 5th, 2010
7:47 pm
My 5 that needs to go are in nor particular order:
Brian Finneran – Too oft injured and the hands are still questionable
Jamal Anderson and or any additional player on the roster from Arkansas
Jerious Norwood – Too oft injured and not certain where to play him
Micheal Jenkins – Too inconsistent and overrated like a lot of Ohio State WR’s
Chris Houston – Plays too tenative all the time. Needs to work on technique
John
January 5th, 2010
8:04 pm
I think the draft for the Falcons should revolve around defense. Particularly the defensive line and corner spots. Suh would look real nice in a Falcons uniform along with either Eric Berry, Rolando Mcclain or Joe Haden.
I don’t think any of these guys will be available when the Falcons pick unless a trade up partner appears.
If by chance Mcclain dropped to the Falcons the rest of the draft would be devouted to getting 3 of the biggest space eaters I could find to keep McClain, Lofton, and Peterson/Nichols clean.
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
8:06 pm
I wish the Falcons would trade up get that 3rd pick and get that lineman out of Nebraska Suh !
atl fan
January 5th, 2010
8:14 pm
this is why atlanta fans are the worst in america. we dont go to the playoffs after a good year and they question everyone that has bettered the franchise. this is stupid saying get rid of matt ryan and the gm and head coach. that would be like letting payton manning go and tony dungy after a let down year. what is wrong with you people? matt ryan has been a great QB and its not his fault that 5 interceptions were off his receivers hands that they should have easily caught. 4 of those off of jenkins hands who is ok at best. yes he made some bad passes because of horrible blocking from injuries but the start of the year the line was great but couldnt run block. run blocking got better and the pass blocking got a little worse. of course he had problems because nobody was scared of snelling and norwood at HB while turner was hurt so the focus was on stopping ryan. you gotta look into what actually happened instead of being arrogant. blank has done a great job on getting a winning team to atl. i think what we need to do is get rid of the fans that constantly complain while we are still rebuilding. the defense needs some upgrading but the offense is sound for the most part. nicholas needs to be replaced and we need a big time corner but thats it. babineaux is good but stupid at times and jerry was great when he was in. this franchise needs some better fans is what it needs! now if you want to speak of the braves this way thats fine because they need a complete overhaul and the thrashers but the falcons and hawks dont deserve this treatment. so all you people out there that have an opinion about what the falcons are doing keep your mouth shut because you apparently have no idea how football works. you are the person that watches for an excuse to get drunk and have a party. its people like you all that make me sick and make this would a terrible place. let the gm and coach do their job, which they have been doing an amazing job, and keep your mouth shut and watch the game!
Eazy
January 5th, 2010
8:34 pm
I believe our number one need is at CB obviously. Brent Grimes developed well, and Chris Owens is coming along. However, our best CB is coming off a season-ending injury and will be 30 years old (Brian Williams). However, I don’t think anyone other than Joe Haden fits that bill. We need to solidify this unit with a bonafide cover guy and our secondary will be set for some years, if William Moore pans out. If we’re not able to get a cover guy, I believe we should trade down and try to get Carlos Dunlap who’s projected to drop due to his recent off-field issues or UA’s Cody to solidify our D-Line. Jerry was decent as a rookie but his injury prone history scares me. Also, Babineaux has a lot of issues off the field as well. I think our pass rush will improve as players like Bierrman and Sidbury improve. That’s the thing people have to realize. We have talent on our defense, but we had young talent that needs to develop. I think our defense could truly use a talented DE, and an explosive LB. Another solid corner back could make our secondary pretty good. One the offensive side, I think our most pressing needs our WR, G, and C. Obviously Michael Jenkins doesn’t have reliable hands to be the possession receiver that we need him to be. We could get a player like Thomas from GT in the 2nd round to fit the bill. The left side of our offensive line wasn’t getting a good push for much of last year, which is why I think we need to find a replacement at LG and C.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 5th, 2010
8:36 pm
Hi Peach!
GM a bust and ryan still a punk
January 5th, 2010
8:38 pm
Sm baker, Matt Ryan should be first to go not worth the money Ticket sell’s are down. . This is a bad investment all the way round . . look at . GM drft picks most ot all are a bust. any pro bowl player any where? Matt is a punk with no heart are arm both are weak Dimitroff is another madoff. Pure sham
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
8:48 pm
You are not Choke, you’re too sweet !!!
Atlanta Peach
January 5th, 2010
9:20 pm
Tech Sucks !!!
Mike
January 5th, 2010
9:33 pm
I would like to see us add a little experience to our D, however this years FA pool is pretty shallow. Dumervil is really on DE Free Agent that would fit our scheme, and I do not see Denver letting him get away. Rodgers may be a good addition at corner, with Owens at the other side and Grimes as a nickel. However in the draft at # 20 is D Morgan or Wootton are there at DE or if by some stroke of luck Haden last until 19 or 20 (depending on our draft spot) then we have to snatch them up. If the three of them are off the board we should either trade down, draft near the bottom of the first and try to grab a second round pick. If the defensive talent is not there when we pick, I like a WR at that pick. I like Mardy Gilyard. Not only can he stretch the field in the passing game, he is a punt and kick returner that can change field position any time he touches the ball. Not really thinking linebacker, but Weahterspoon should be there when we pick, and he has the size, and speed to be a good pass rusher from the LB position. If we move down and are able to grab a 2nd round pick, Washington from TCU would be a good pick at LB. A lot of mocks have us taking Dunlap, but I know with his off field issues TD will not go in that direction. I have been guilty of slamming Ryan, Turner, TD, and Smitty this year,. ALl in all you look at it starting QB out 3 games. RG out 6 games. LT out 2 games and playing hurt. #2 WR out 1 game and playing hurt. # 3 WR out for the season. Star running back out 7 games. #1 CB out for second half of season. #2 corner misses last 3. starting DT first round pick goes down early in game 2. second round pick and probable starter at safety gone for the season. # 4 receiver misses last 4 games. Yet this team finishes with a winning record. I think that is an amazing job for the coaching staff and those who filled in. In ‘99 and ‘03 when expectations were extremely high, one injury each of those years recked the season. I am excited about the Falcons, because they are close to being the most complete team we have ever had. (Eazy remember as of right now we do not have a 2nd round pick, and it is not certain Thomas is coming out this year).
cdog
January 5th, 2010
9:38 pm
MARK, I AGREE WITH EVERYONE EXCEPT NORWOOD.YOU NEVER GIVE UP SPEED.HE NEEDS TO WORK DURING THE OFF SEASON TO TOUGHEN UP HIS BODY ESPECIALLY HIS LOWER PART.CHRIS REDMAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED ON THE LIST ALONG WITH CHRIS HOUSTON.
nash
January 5th, 2010
10:07 pm
okay anderson he will be gone this year i promise.norwood can be replaced in the thrird round by anthony dixen or dexter mccluster or one of the guy from usc but steven did and good job at outside linebacker he is okay jenkins will be a thrird rec when harry comes back next year and there is nothering at all wrong with getting more help on the o line and the d line threw the draft or free agencey or pack mule or what ever and it would be nice to have t cody on the d line with another young d end next year old john has to go
PHIL
January 6th, 2010
2:18 am
Bradley, I’ve said before, you should stick to baseball. You are clueless when it comes to football. Drafting a back with speed like Norwood will cost more than he would and it would be a rookie. Is that a better situation than keeping him? Sam Baker is the weak link on the O line. Although he might not be if he was playing guard. And let Jenkins go? Why? WHO is going to catch more passes in a run oriented offense that also has Roddy White and Tony G?? WHO??? NOBODY that’s who. Continuity is the key to long term success.
And I wouldn’t want to lose Dahl.
In reality we get an extra #1 and #2 round pic this year because both from last draft missed the entire year. Upgrades all around after this draft.
SEEN IT ALL YEAR
January 6th, 2010
8:48 am
I sat in the dome every game this year and I agree with your list except for Nicholas. Not only was he solid at LB, but he was usually in on most special teams tackles as well.
Norwood has to go. He doesn’t have the patience to run in this league, and he is too easy to bring down. Some draft boards have CJ Spiller available when the Falcons pick, and I believe that would be a huge change of pace pick up for our offense.
We need to get better in the secondary, and that will have to come through FA. We have gambled enough with drafting the secondary. They take too long to develop.
Defensive front 7 will be fine with Jerry back. They were good this year. We only allowed one 100 yard rusher all year, and were in the top 10 rushing defenses in the NFL. If you take the run away and make a team have to pass, the secondary is supposed to have a field day. We began to see this late in the season. It will continue next year.
Ron D.
January 6th, 2010
8:55 am
I am not sure about getting rid of Norwood. The Falcons have all of these BIG backs, we need someone with some speed and more agility. Someone that can get “skinny” going through the holes and make something happen.
E43
January 6th, 2010
8:56 am
clabo and anderson are guys with backups that can outperform them and i dont see them coming back to be on the bench or take a pay cut. i would love to see jamal improve but statistically kroy bierman is outperforming jamal by far. yeah snelling did ouperform norwood but norwood can be explosive in way more than one way. if snelling plays well next year then goodbye norwood. i say sign norwood to a one year deal.
Alan
January 6th, 2010
10:14 am
Here we go again, the NaySayers are out in full force after one blog, the draft is in April. lets let the minds that got us 2 consecutive winning seasons have a shot at the problems before (you-whom ever you are) rip the team apart, they did after all rebound (regardless of the opponents) and win the last 3 to get us over the curse.
Go, Arthur, TD, Smitty, the coaching staff and the team, thanks for the the strong showing with all of the injuries.
NOW ITS TIME FOR THE NAYSAYERS TO SHUT UP AND GO STICK YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TechBuzz
January 6th, 2010
10:36 am
O.k., first of all, all you Vick lovers that say Ryan sucks, I have 4 letters for you: S.T.F.U!!!! Ryan has done something VICK NEVER did or had the work ethic to do…BACK to BACK winning seasons…..CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!
Granted, we are not in the playoffs, but I would much rather be 9-7 and having a more positive outlook LONG TERM for this team, than 6-10 and wondering, “what the hell happened?” Come guys, get your heads out of your rectums!!
I agree with every person on your list Mark, and I’ll add one more, CHRIS HOUSTON!! He BETTER be, at best, a back up next year, if God forbid, he is even on the team. He was our MAIN achilles in the secondary this season.
Our biggest defensive need, outside of more secondary help is a PASS RUSH!!!!