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
Glen W
January 6th, 2010
11:00 am
I’m not a big Jenkins fan, his production this year was simply unacceptable. But I do think that most people don’t really what a great run blocker he is on the outside. If you go back to 2008 and look at every big run that Turner had, I would bet that nearly every time you would see Jenkins on the outside creating a lane in the second level of the defense. Just saying…
Blaster
January 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
Benje Smith
January 5th, 2010
9:08 pm
This message is for anyone primary for the Top Brass of the Falcons: Blank, Thomas, Smithy please read…
I’m fifty years old and I have been a Falcon fan since eight years old. Falcons played their best football in 1980 when they had William Andrew and Lynn Cain in the back field. It appears there needs to be some players and coaches subtracted and added. Let start with the coaches.
Mike Mularkey play calling in the Red Zone is predictable. He will run the ball to the opponents territory then try some fancy pass play and have Ryan throw a interception or get sacked. He should run it down hill with the power game. The way Carolina did to us in 2007 an last year on Sept 28, 2008 when they gash our defense an ran the ball almost 80 yards for a score more than once. Carolina did not even have a quarterback on the field and ram it down the Falcons throat the whole length of the field using the Wildcat. They did not even consider putting a quarterback in the game until the Falcons showed they could stop the run. The Falcon never did. My point is if the run is working don’t stop until it fails. Beat a team down into mud. Brian VanGorder has never impressed me, he does not know how to sit a player down when he is not getting the job done like Chris Houston who is always trailing the receiver but never in the position to make a play on the ball, this is not Simon Says follow the player only game. His defense does not know how to get a pass rush. I think the Linebackers played well. On the back in the defensive backs improved the last quarter of the season. I love the physical play of Grimes and Owens. Grimes can jump out the stadium. These corners are keepers if not next year starters. Decoud is a keeper all he does is knock folks out. The Falcons have never had a hitting safety like this. The only other player that has played for the Falcons and was a hitting machine was Jessie Tuggle. For some reason the Falcons don’t go after hitters who make running backs, wide receivers and tight ends tip toe on the field. Smithy I would keep most of the coaches in place except I would let them know their weakness and demand improvement or else. Now players it’s a different story.
Offensive Cuts
1. Michael Jenkins – dropped passes
2. Norwood – injury prone or spread him out like Westbrook.
Offensive Needs
1. 4.2 forty speed wide receiver with good hands to stretch the field that demand a safety over the top (Tampa Two) this will pull a safety out of the box.
2. Speedy running back that can catch out of the backfield if you cut Norwood
3. Tight end to groom for Tony G. might retire after next season
4. Offensive lineman
5. Offensive tackle
6. A Wes Walker type of possession receiver, Finnerian may retire
Defensive Cuts
1. Chris Houston- cannot knock the ball down or intercept like the ball is off limits
2. Jamal Anderson not mean enough
Defensive Needs
1. Defensive Lineman
2. Defensive End
3.Corner back
4.Another smart, healthy , speedy , hammer hitting safety to compliment Decoud
Special Team Needs
1. Field goal kicker
Red Flags that really hurt us this year.
1. John Abraham sack numbers are down, we needed him to dominate some games
2. Michael Jenkins & Roddy White dropped balls, they need to catch every ball that touch their fingers
3. Last year top 2 defensive draft picks may be injury prone, college injuries,NFL injuries , injuries still continue
4. Passing play calls have all the receivers in one location or they cannot make separation from defensive backs to get open
5. Not using Norwood the same way Philly uses Westbrook.
6. Matt Ryan too many interceptions, until Smithy gets in his face when he throw a interceptions he will keep throwing them, Matt timing and accuracy was off this year also. He needs to be yelled at.
7. Too many missed field goals.
8. Demand touchdowns in the Red Zone. I rather lose the game trying to score touchdowns than lose it from missed field goals or not enough touchdowns to win. Get the San Diego mentality kicking field goals all the time will not win you enough games to go to the big dance
9. Gave up too many long passing plays.
10. Arthur Blank Spend some money and get some pro bowl caliber players, some players need their salary cut to make room for other good players. Too many overpaid players like White, Ryan, Abraham, Jenkins and a few others. They may be worth half of what they make.
11. Now I have picked on everyone excepts the offensive line and linebackers. The offensive line needs to get nasty and mean like Dahl, stop giving up sacks and keep opening holes. If you get into fight and get two or three 15 yard penalties for fighting during the season. That’s OK. Linebackers watch film on Jessie Tuggle, Ray Lewis, Dick Buckus, Mike Singertary. You tackle good however you should hit harder and knock somebody out or knock yourself out. Somebody needs to leave the game OK. Coach be careful with Gimes pound for pound he is the best player you have. If you don’t start him, please don’t cut him and find a place for him on the field.
Falcon Fan Forever
same old Falcon and fans
January 6th, 2010
2:47 pm
Ryan is a pure punk not a pure winner!! bank on it. and sam baker is a bust too. look at his numbers. Great by no means!! not 45 million worth not 200,000 worth . all 100% punk! Not even a hope!!
MV#777
January 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
MATT RYAN IS A PUNK!!!!!
P
U
N
K!!!!!!!!!
Atlanta Peach
January 6th, 2010
3:20 pm
We want Favre ! We want Farve ! We want Farve ! We want………………………………..
Atlanta Peach
January 6th, 2010
3:30 pm
Where is my Buddy ?!!!! “Howd you Doin”?! Probably in court trying to sue Jeff Schultz, Mark Bradley, Dawson Devitt and Orlando Ledbetter !! Soo nice the justice system always prevail Put a gag in your Big fat mouth Choke !! We can’t hear it on here and other places ! LMAO !!!!
mars
January 6th, 2010
4:28 pm
Dump Jenkins. If we keep Norwood then he has to move into Jenkins spot. He ain’t no running back, but I bet he’d make a heckuva flanker!
Big Ray
January 6th, 2010
4:43 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
Blah blah blah blah, sour grapes, sour beans, sour balls. You aren’t talking about loyalty to any other players than one, and that is Vick. Get over it and become a Philadelphia fan, where Vick gets 3 plays a game. Leave the REAL Falcon fans alone.
willie martinez
January 6th, 2010
6:41 pm
big ray
Keith
January 6th, 2010
7:10 pm
When your roster produces C results and you win 9 games, that is impressive. We need 1 or 2 olineman, a pass rush, a secondary and a field goal kicker. The secondary graded an F but that was also a result of no pass rush. Van Gorder wasn’t willing to blitz alot because of the lack of secondary. Not much you can do. A lot of pieces but not unrealistic with no cap. 11-12 wins next season could be doable with more pieces and better health.
Smith fan
January 6th, 2010
7:30 pm
TODD. You are one dumbass
FranktheFalcon
January 6th, 2010
7:50 pm
Todd, if your IQ was 10 points higher, you would be a rock!!! As a school teacher of 27 years, I have never encountered anyone as ignorant as you!!! GO FALCONS!!!
You Can Call Me Stupid
January 6th, 2010
7:54 pm
Matt Ryan will be a interception machine in the NFL. The proof is in the pudding.
woodie
January 6th, 2010
8:04 pm
Thankfully 90% of you nimrods who post on this blog aren’t GM’s or we would be back to the old Falcons we love and adore.
J-MAN
January 6th, 2010
8:17 pm
Mr Bradley do you think if we go into an uncapped year that Aurther Blank will be a bug spender. Give us your honest opinion please
J-MAN
January 6th, 2010
8:18 pm
Mr Bradley do you think if we go into an uncapped year that Aurther Blank will be a big spender. Give us your honest opinion please
J-MAN
January 6th, 2010
8:18 pm
If he was a bug spender he would have kept Brooking lol
Lemainga
January 6th, 2010
8:41 pm
Well people, If your not in the super bowl, It does not matter if your 12-4 or 9-7.
MEEK
January 6th, 2010
10:11 pm
Anybody that says put Grimes in as a nickel is an IDIOT!! Why would you put your BEST cover corner in that position? And why are you saying he is too small but Owens is a good size? Grimes is taller and bigger than Owens!! HELLLOOOOO!!! You guys are idiots, i cant even talk to people this dumb!
MEEK
January 6th, 2010
10:27 pm
Popeye…u sound like a freakin IDIOT!! Are you slow?? Grimes gave up too many big plays in 2 years so he should go?? What games were u watching? That kid is a MONSTER! He is hands down the BEST cover corner on the team. EFF whatever your saying, you dont know SPIT so please do us all a favor and shut.the.hell.up! The man had 7 interceptions!! (YES im counting that BS pass interference call of the pick he got against the Saints) Corners are judged by INT’s. Yes, everybody loves a tackling corner but Grimes is a play making corner. I hope he leaves the Falcons so u idiots can be stuck with Houston and Tye Hill and then you will miss him and wish u had him back.
Choke's a moron
January 6th, 2010
10:30 pm
Mike smith said this would be a running team from the get go. Some knuckleheads just don’t want to remember that while they try to bash the quarterback. The same dimwits say that you don’t win without a running game, well Vick was a running game all by himself. Bottom line is the whole time the great Vick was here the team couldn’t deliver 2 winning seasons in a row. Now they have and Vick is not here, but Ryan is. It must really suck to have to face facts. Falcons went 9-7 with Turner being out. How you gonna explain that? You can’t. Because you’re morons.
JB
January 6th, 2010
10:34 pm
Norwood should be tried as a receiver. He would take less hits from bigger players. He’s fast and elusive in the open field and has good hands. Charlie Taylor came out of college as a running back and became an all-pro receiver for the Redskins.
shawty
January 7th, 2010
2:35 am
Enough with all this nonsense this is what should have happened. Vick should still be here, they should have spent all that money that they spent on those new jerseys and got vick a qb tutor. keep norwood and put him at reciever and scat back ex: (reggie bush). We should havegot rid of brooking about two years ago period. Deangelo hall should still be there even with his bad attitude he was
a threat. Just emagine if we kept him and kept foxworthy ? michel jenkins should be banned from a
Atlanta. Abraham is cool but i would have found a way to move him to lb then we can use a 4-3 you need speedy lbs for that .Anderson needs to go with a thank you card . We should have found a way to keep kerny. I like matt ryan but look at this scenario the cardinals are up by 7 and we have the ball driving down the field with roddy, vick, turner, norwood, and douglas[ finn over jenkins cause finn has the best hands similar height] and if we would have arealdy got rid of brooking who made us lose that plaoff game to the cardinals. We would have won that game and everybody knows it. As much as people hate on vick in his first three he took the falcons further than ryan in his two years. Vick has had worse injuries than Ryan (ouch my toe) vick couldn’t even do push ups and still played .Now he is closer to winning a super bowl without even starting. Atlanta’s biggiest problem is they keep people we dont need and get rid of people we do need and as a fan im tired of watching this. Its time to spend money and go for broke its time to win !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shawty
January 7th, 2010
2:53 am
blaster i like you and tell me this. This year with all those fa wr’s why did we get marty booker. Everybody in the falcons office is smoking meth.
Rex
January 7th, 2010
7:42 am
MB,
I agree except for Norwood and Nicholas.
Using Norwood more ( and Snelling too ) would keep Turner fresher. Look how SD used LDT this season…..sprinkled a lot of carries to Sproles and Tolbert. LDT will be tough come playoff time. Falcons should do the same…..Used properly Norwood will be a big-play guy. If somebody can come in and beat Nicholas outta teh Starters role, thats fine, but I would keep him…he is only gonna get better. Neither Norwood or Nicholas is straining the salary-cap so why not keep & develope them ?
Rex
January 7th, 2010
7:45 am
Shawty
Gotta say upi either know NOTHING about football, or Wins & Losses dont matter to you as long as you can round up the old Posse of thugs and blast rap music and dance and sing &laugh in the locker room AFTER LOSSES !
You are part of the problem, not the solution.
TD is ridding the falcons of head-cases and thugs and building a PROFESSIONAL FRANCHISE
Joseph
January 7th, 2010
9:15 am
I agree with the article. A few of these can go. But they left out Grimes. To short + plays the ball, not the player = getting burned ALOT. We do need another defensive end. Get Abraham some help and he won’t be double teamed as much. I said this on AF.com…. It is a no cap season, Shop birds, shop. CONGRATS BIRDS ON BACK TO BACK. GOOD LUCK NEXT YEAR !!!!!!!!
Joseph
January 7th, 2010
9:42 am
Shawty, I am a Vick fan. He is an exciting player to watch. I am glad to see him back in the NFL. But you are wrong He did not take the Birds further than Ryan. When has Vick produced back to back wining seasons as their QB. You are right if Vick had the talent on his teams as the birds did last year and this year he may have. But Vick is self centered its all about him. Ryan is a leader. Get him a few more play makers including a wicked nasty oline and its on. Norwood is a every play player, if he is not getting that opportunity he will not perform as well. Good trade bait will put him on a team that will utilize his skills and his speed.We need more aggressive, nasty wideouts. Moss. Ochcinco, Cotchery a few of them come to mind. Tony G.. glad to have you. Grimes… by by, or put you where you have been good, when a player needs rest a starter no. You are awesome but you get burned more often than those spectacular interceptions you do make. have you ever thought about being a receiver? You would be awesome. Short yes, but fast and has a good eye for the ball. Use him like teams have used Welker. So much talent, but if I had to depend on you as a starter i would have to find another cb. You have amazed me with your out of nowhere interceptions. Especially the end zone interception against Bryant. Getting back to Ryan. Steve Young, one of the Best QB’s there was in the game. Remember his Tampa Bay Years? He sucked. If a team has a line that protects (as his days in San Fran) the QB will produce. Get nasty oline. I do look forward to some changes this season By Jenkins, Grimes (or keep him as a back up), Anderson. Go get some awesome players this year. I would like to see a superbowl victory before I die of old age. by the way I am 46, so we have a few years. Are the birds the oldest team without a superbowl victory?
Choke's a moron
January 7th, 2010
11:05 pm
Shawty,
Well, Vick decided to get his own butt out of Atlanta and into prison. You can thank him for all of that. Based on what he has done for the Eagles, would you like him back?
Nick
January 8th, 2010
1:02 am
Leave John Abraham along guys. He started to look better at the end of the season. Chris Houston is the guy that should leave.
KANG_N_SAVANNAH
January 10th, 2010
11:43 am
First of all on that list Michael Jenkins needs to go He i sjust holding up a roster spot go get my boi from savannah that plays for the Baltimore Raven Eron Riley he runs a 4.29 40 great hands unstoppable in college and hurt us in the preseason game against the Ravens Him and Roddy White with Tony G and Brian Finn we would have teh best Recieving Corp in the league and far as Jamal Anderson just let him good nothign needs to be said about him just cut him and Jerious Norwood is still a great rb.
KANG_N_SAVANNAH
January 10th, 2010
11:47 am
Give DJ Shockley his shot at the qb postion i know redman held it done for us at times but that i sdj’s spot as the back up qb when soft and sometimey matt ryan messes up
KANG_N_SAVANNAH
January 10th, 2010
12:19 pm
Trade up to get Joe Haden
5 guys the Falcons can do without (includes Jerious) | Mark Bradley | NFL Topics Blog
January 10th, 2010
9:00 pm
[...] Laine Ewen wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Mark Bradley of the AJC names five players the Falcons can afford to shed as they move forward. Jerious Norwood and Jamaal Anderson are among them. [...]
simple
January 18th, 2010
8:43 am
So you want to replace Nicholas who didn’t play half the time because the DC was playing that stupid nickel defense that blew and he was still 4 on the team in tackles w/3 sacks. Nicholas is the best cover linebacker the Falcons have, and if you want to get rid of someone you better get rid of Peterson, he got beat continuously. Amazes me the stuff that is written sometimes, it’s as if people didn’t watch the games.