AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2005 > August
August 2005
Price’s replacement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Peerless Price gone, the Falcons are in need of a fifth wide receiver. Coach Jim Mora said the team is not looking for someone to come in and jump into the top rotation, but they are more interested in a stand-by guy who can play some special teams and would be available in case of an emergency.
By taking that approach, do you think the Falcons should even bother going outside of their roster to acquire a player who will have to learn the system? Or should they stick with the familiar and give Cole Magner, Brian Bratton, Romby Bryant or Will Pettis a shot?
Also, though Roddy White is expected back by the season opener, do you think the Falcons have enough reliable depth at wide receiver?
Carpenter bolsters secondary
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Everybody’s had a say on Peerless Price. I’m moving on, specifically to Keion Carpenter.
After suffering a knee injury last summer that caused him to miss last season, the veteran safety returned this season to questions about whether he was durable enough to even make it through training camp.
He’s answered all doubts by going making it through the preseason with no physical problems and playing above and beyond all expectations, according to coach Jim Mora.
Carpenter has been strong against the run, handled his pass coverages well and been the “aware” defensive quarterback that every team needs, Mora said. With fellow safety Bryon Scott still learning his way, Carpenter is the ideal tutor. He can make all of the defensive calls and adjustments in the secondary, allowing Scott and others simply to make plays.
Are you surprised by the apparent success of Carpenter thus far? How do you think he will impact the defense? Are the safeties still a liability?
Decision time nearing on Price
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wide receiver Peerless Price returned to practice today after recovering from a concussion and bruised ribs suffered in the Falcons’ 24-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans Aug. 19. He is expected to play in Thursday’s preseason finale at Miami.
This could be the last game for Price in a Falcons? uniform, with final cuts coming Sept. 3.
As maligned as he has been for his on-field production, Price hasn’t grumbled, complained or acted unprofessionally since being demoted behind Michael Jenkins at the outset of training camp. He has done everything the team has asked of him since last season. Talent-wise, it is hard to say Price isn’t among the top five receivers on the roster.
Still, his job security is uncertain.
With the state of the Falcons’ receiving corps, do you think it would be in the team’s best interest to retain Price or should he be released to make room for either a veteran who may get cut by another team, or for a younger player in camp who also contributes on special teams?
Vick’s preseason basically done
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michael Vick completed of 5 of 10 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown and ran four times for 30 yards in Thursday’s victory over Jacksonville. That brought his preseason totals to 17-of-29 for 191 yards and two touchdowns and six carries for 61 yards rushing in four preseason games.
Those are pretty solid numbers, with the only possible shortcoming being the absence of a few deep completions, which might not be his fault.
Besides the obvious, Vick has looked in control of the offense most of the time, showing a generalship that has allowed the Falcons to dictate much of the tempo when he’s on the field.
Since Vick probably won’t do anything more than hand the ball off three times in the preseason finale next Thursday at Miami, how do you think he’s performed thus far, and what are your expectations for the regular season?
Finding relief for Rossum
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jim Mora hoped that during the preseason he could find a kickoff return specialist so Allen Rossum could focus on his strength — punt returns — and not hold dual return duties.
Atlanta drafted Michigan State running back DeAndra Cobb to become the kickoff return man and Cobb delivered a 101-yard touchdown return last week against Tennessee. However, Mora said that one return didn’t secure Cobb a roster spot.
Tonight, Rossum is scheduled to return kickoffs as well as punts. Though Cobb hasn’t been ruled out of the mix, that Rossum is being used on kickoff returns means that the Falcons might not be totally sold on the rookie.
Do you feel that Rossum provides the Falcons the best option in the overall return game or do you think he should just return punts? If you feel he is best suited solely as a punt returner, who should return kickoffs? Cobb, DeAngelo Hall, Roddy White? Anyone else?
Dunn’s football not respected enough?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Running back Warrick Dunn said it was “frustrating” that he gets recognized more for his vast philanthropic deeds than for what he’s done on the football field. To hear Dunn say that was intriguing to say the least.
Dunn is recognized as one of the “Good guys” in athletics for providing homes for single mothers, among many other charitable deeds. He’s won a ton of awards and is the Falcons’ face of community service.
Arthur Blank insists his employees be involved with the community and Dunn has set the bar.
However, Dunn feels that he’s held to a different standard, in terms of no matter what he does on the football field, he is simply viewed as the Good Samaritan off the field.
Can you empathize with his feelings? Do you think he gets respect as a football player? This is a really different take from an athlete and I would think it would provike some good opinions.
Why not Finneran?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wide receivers Dez White, Michael Jenkins, Peerless Price and Roddy White haven’t produced much this preseason, causing concern and questions about the potential effectiveness of the perimeter passing game.
Flying quietly under the radar has been veteran Brian Finneran, who has five receptions, two touchdowns and, seemingly, Michael Vick’s confidence. Finneran and Vick are entering their fifth season together and seem to have a chemistry that hasn’t evolved between the QB and any other receiver.
Anybody out there think they should start Finneran?
So he might not have the breakaway speed of Jenkins or Dez White, but he gets open, catches the ball and converts for first downs regularly. He may be a stop-gap until Roddy White is healthy and ready to take a heavy dose of NFL snaps, but the Falcons’ early season schedule is brutal and the best players will be needed on the field to keep them above .500 after eight games.
Is Finneran capable or do you feel can Dez and Jenkins will come around? If you don’t feel any of those guys are worthy, should Peerless start or should the Falcons throw a raw Roddy White out there? He has gotten behind defenders deep, which is something none of the other wideouts have done.
Blocking scheme under fire again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The cut-blocking techniques used by the Falcons have come under fire again. Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher said some of the Falcons’ blocking in the Titan’s 24-21 preseason victory Friday came close to crossing the line in regards to player safety and that he would alert the NFL about it.
Falcons’ players refuted Fisher’s claim by saying they do cut block defenders legs, but they do so within the rules. Officials rarely, if ever, have called penalties for illegal blocks, they argue, so opposing teams are going to have to deal with what they do and how they do it.
Consultant and former offensive line coach Alex Gibbs brought the blocking scheme to Atlanta from Denver, where teams occasionally complained about the cut blocks lineman used, as well. Defenders said the frequent blocks at their knees put them in danger of injury, especially when the offensive linemen were coming at odd angles.
Both the Broncos and the Falcons had successful running games behind the blocking scheme, which is unusual compared to most schemes used in the NFL.
Do you feel the Falcons’ linemen are playing dirty or that they’re are just using a system that is unusually and effective and bothers teams because they aren’t used to it?
What Can Be Done at WR?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You guys had some good responses to Jeff Schultz’s insightful column about Jim Mora’s assessment of the Falcons’ wide receivers.
Not one of the top tier guys made a “wow” play during the morning practice, however, Cole Magner had his share. The rookie free agent, if he keeps this up, is going to make it hard for the coaching staff to cut him. There isn’t a play he isn’t making. Magner isn’t a top-four receiver, but he could be someone in a year or two who develops into a Brian Finneran-type.
In the short term, it appears that Dez White, Roddy White and Finneran are part of the Falcons’ plans. Mora’s comments about Peerless Price left the door open to him staying or being cut, so only time will tell about his future here.
What is Atlanta to do? Do you think they can go into the season with this group of receivers or are they going to have to make some kind of move — trade, waiver wire acquisition? By the way, don’t even bring up T.O. He won’t be coming here.
No Word on Roddy; Other Rookies Look Good
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There is still no word yet on the severity of the right ankle injury to Falcons’ first-rounder Roddy White. He was examined Sunday and supposedly was administered X-rays, but for now, all we have is his word that he was told it was a mild high ankle sprain.
Mild is the key description. If it is not a marginal to severe ankle sprain, White could be back in time to make a contribution before the end of preseason. If it’s anything worse, it could be tricky. High ankle sprains can linger for a long time and be re-aggravated with the slightest improper twist or tweak.
Hopefully we’ll get a prognosis by mid-afternoon. I’ll have the info on the website ASAP.
White seemed to be shaking off some of the nerves before he got hurt and was seemingly set to join his fellow rookie mates in making strong impressions.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux is cat quick and could be a great backup to Rod Coleman. How promising do linebackers Jordan Beck and Michael Boley look to you? I’ve been impressed with their athleticism, physical play and more than anything, their knack for always being around the ball. Players like that create and capitalize on turnovers.
As for someone really wreaking havoc, DE Chauncey Davis has made a home in the Colts’ and Ravens’ backfields. He has looked very strong starting for Patrick Kerney. If he continues to progress, he and Kerney could provide a relentless tandem that could result in a lot of plays being made from that left side.
Kickoff returner DeAndra Cobb and offensive tackle Frank Omiyale have shown signs in practice and the coaches have high hopes for both.
And what about undrafted rookies Cole Magner WR and CB Jonte Buhl? They really played well against Baltimore and could be rapidly working their way on to either the active or practice squad rosters.
Hartwell Ready to Impress. Is Anyone Else?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons play their second preseason game - and first at home — tomorrow against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Dome will be rockin’ and so will middle linebacker Ed Hartwell, who’s talked more smack to his ex-Ravens teammates this week than the united Hawks’ management has spewed at exiled owner Steve Belkin.
It’s ironic that the Falcons are playing Baltimore because Hartwell is simply amped to bend anyone’s facemask. The Falcons rarely allow full contact in practice and in last week’s preseason-opener against the Colts, the head-banger didn’t get the chance to stuff too many runs because Peyton Manning was flinging it so much.
It should be good to see Hartwell’s initial impact on a defense set on improving its stock against the run.
Other than that, some other things to look out for:
The punting/kickoff duel between nine-year vet Toby Gowin and undrafted rookie Mike Koenen. The Falcons want the same person to punt and kick off and there seems to be the feeling that Koenen has the stronger leg. Koenen did all the kickoffs in the preseason opener, putting two out of bounds but kicking several others very deep. You could surmise that two kicks out of bounds might have hurt him but he’s still around. Gowin should see some action Saturday.
Will WR Michael Jenkins step up? In the opener, he did not seem overly aggressive or poised to take the step to be a starter, a role deemed to him at the outset of training camp. Veteran Peerless Price has had a good camp and a nice performance against the Colts, applying pressure to reclaim his starting job. Will Jenkins respond?
How will rookies Roddy White and DeAndra Cobb fare returning kicks? The Falcons would like to see Cobb assert himself as the kick returner, since he was such a game-breaker at Michigan State. They also want to see White’s big-play potential, since he’s not picking up the offense fast enough at WR for them to give him significant reps on offense.
Will Ike Reese fare well enough to convince the coaches he’s worthy to start at strong side linebacker over Demorrio Williams? Reese is a locker room leader and special teams marvel but has never been a full-time starter in seven seasons with the Eagles. Guys typically are backups for a reason; however, Reese is the type of athletic rough customer the Falcons want at that outside LB spot. Williams is an up-and-comer who has just relegated to coming off the bench, although that could be for just a game. How will he respond?
What things are you going to be looking for against the Ravens?
Services »
