AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USImmediate competition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The demotion of wide receiver Dez White did a lot more than alter the pecking order of the Falcons’ wide outs. Practice Friday turned into a competition among the wide receiver to see who could be the most spectacular. It was the first time since training camp the overall group ratcheted up the caliber of play to such a degree and as a result, quarterback Michael Vick was throwing more strikes than John Smoltz.
Things got started when rookie Roddy White, who could have an increased role in the No. 3 receiver slot, made an incredible reaching catch down the right sideline, where he fully extended himself while keeping his feet. It was one of those grabs that had everyone at practice wondering, “Where’d that come from?”
Then it was on.
Michael Jenkins was grabbing balls zipped over his head, in his numbers, anywhere in his area code. Brian Finneran tried to up the stakes with a series of catches on the sideline and across the middle. Roddy White kept it up, showing some of the mojo that had vanished for a few weeks.
Even Jerome Pathon, the biggest beneficiary of Dez White’s demotion, did his thing — once hanging onto a full-speed bullet by Vick that made a resounding thud against Pathon’s body as he hauled it in.
The real test will come if this carries over into Saturday’s practice and Monday’s game, but the sense of urgency was fresh, prompting coach Jim Mora to champion his wide receivers not for their play-making, but for the recognition that nobody’s job is safe.
Comments
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By Tazzee
October 21, 2005 04:38 PM | Link to this
This is reminiscent of all the accolades Peerless was getting during training camp. Everyone talked about how he stepped up his game because of his recent demotion. I too hope this carries over to Monday night.
My question is this - why does it take the demotion of a fellow receiver for the players to fight for balls? Excellence should be displayed on EVERY play.
By JC
October 21, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this
YEAH!!!! It’s about time. Dez should not have been the starter this season. That was obvious when Finns stepped in when Dez whas hurt and did a better job. The 2 best recievers we have are starting, with our #1 draft pick as the 3rd option. That’s how it should be.
By Steve Wyche
October 21, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks for checking in so soon. It’s always amazed me that in pro sports, it often takes drastic measures for athletes to understand the importance of going at it hard every day. Of course, it’s hard to be a star seven days a week and there are some athletes who are much better in games than in practice.
Yet, for some people, it takes a coach getting fired or a friend to get cut or demoted to understand that nothing is guaranteed and owners want immediate returns.
For the most part, Falcons players get this, which is why they are one of the better teams in the NFL. It was just that the bar was raised at practice Friday. Will it be a one-day showcase or an elevation in play? We’ll see.
By William Kitchens
October 21, 2005 04:57 PM | Link to this
Steve… this is excellent work!
Thanks for the report. It gives us fodder for the weekend till Monday night.
By Doc Reem
October 21, 2005 05:42 PM | Link to this
Finally we get to see the best receivers out on the field at the same time. I’m actually anxious to see what we look like come Monday Night. Maybe we can actually put some pressure on opposing defenses by showing some ability to stretch the field or run after the catch.
By Greg
October 21, 2005 11:54 PM | Link to this
I am tired of all the the fuss it is time for results. I’m not satisfied with any of the receiver’s production it is time to step up. We have one of the best rushing teams in the league, but that is not enough we must stretch the field.
By Andy
October 22, 2005 12:37 AM | Link to this
Steve…another great blog…keep up the good work and insight!
By L.J.
October 22, 2005 12:49 AM | Link to this
I think Steve started taking steroids after everyone started ragging on him. That’s the only explanation for this marked improvement (ha!) Great job.
I think cutting Peerless had a spark and demoting Dez will do something too. We’re inching closer to Jenk/Roddy becoming a formidable tandem.
By tb
October 22, 2005 08:03 AM | Link to this
It has been a long time since we had anything but a bad receiving group.
I certainly hope that our two first rounders turn out to be at least average NFL starters. It would be really nice if someone could develop into something special.
By FalconW810
October 22, 2005 08:36 AM | Link to this
Steve, I’m getting all choked-up over the warm display of appreciation, I had to scroll back to your name after reading what William wrote, kidding aside, this is the stuff the dogs have been slobbering for. Dez has a history of dropping passes, long before becoming a Falcon.
By FalconW810
October 22, 2005 11:53 AM | Link to this
Who was the best WR the Falcons ever had or was most respected by other teams?
By Brian Hunt
October 22, 2005 02:27 PM | Link to this
Terence Mathis was probably the most consistent, while Michael Haynes was probably the most feared by opposing secondaries. Andre Rison was the most talented, but he had too much going on off the field.
-Brian Hunt
By William Kitchens
October 22, 2005 05:23 PM | Link to this
Steve Wyche has improved so much it gives me hope for the Falcons rookie receiving corps!
Steve… while I realise I got bumped off your Christmas card list early this season, you’re back on mine. Call me a fan and a loyal reader now.
I’ll quit slobbering on the blogs now.
FalconW810… I’ll send you some hankies! :-)
By Andy
October 22, 2005 09:33 PM | Link to this
Whoa…don’t know if you will put a new blog up, but it sounded to me like the safties in your great interview feel the D-line isn’t playing the run well enough, like too much focus on sacks or something. That is something Mora should note going forward.
By dirrtybird
October 23, 2005 02:09 AM | Link to this
I guess Jason Webster just admitted that he sucked and so he didn’t make the interview part of the article.
By Gumbo
October 23, 2005 10:30 AM | Link to this
Steve,
What William said…..
Keep it up - Good Stuff. You’re officially off the practice squad!!
By FalconW810
October 23, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this
Kitchens, thanks I need that, but come on man, you know it was you and a little bit of steriods that brought about the new Steve(Reeves);)…Steve keep having fun with this, “highly important stuff”, ‘cause fun is what it’s all about… On a more serious note, I don’t think Bryan Scott should be thrown in with, Webster and Dez in terms of performence and abilities. Scott was drafted in 2003 as a strong safety, but the guy played CB at Penn St. and was known more for his run support and agressive tackling than his cover skills, so the Falcons take this big hard hitting so so CB and drafts him ahead of the No.1 safety in the country, a 5’10” 200lb, 4.45(40) Mike Doss, I almost lost my mind, but that’s a done deal, but looking at this kids abilities, the gamble doesn’ seem to be as stupid as I thought, but, I still would have taken Doss, a proven talent for the position.
By dray
October 23, 2005 10:52 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Brian Hunt for remembering the forgotten Michael Haynes’ ability to go deep and take it to the house. People talk about WRs having speed, but unless you can use it and score, it is pretty much irrelevant. While with the Falcons, MHaynes definitely knew how to use his team and, thus, spread the field and allowed the Falcons running game and Andre Rison to both blossom. MHaynes was secretly the most important ingredient of our offense. Speaking of ingredients, I do hope the Falcons stir it up right and stop the run. I think that last Sunday’s game showed us that our injured MLB Heartwell was indeed a key pick up, because folks were not running up the middle until he got hurt. Now that he is gone — they don’t respect our middle d-game. Hopefully, we’ll have an answer, i.e. I am hoping that our linemen can make some plays, thereby lessening the pressure on our linebackers and safeties who clearly aren’t the world’s greatest tacklers.
By OUTLAWED
October 24, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this
Why did they let SUNSHINE go ?
By bryanfred
October 24, 2005 07:33 PM | Link to this
A WR has three tools: speed, hands and brains. Speed seems to be overrated, as the best receivers are the ones that have the last two traits. Run the correct route, know how to find the seams in a defense, and hang onto the ball. Jerry Rice was never the NFL’s fastest man, but you may have seen his work. I think the Falcons are learning that lesson.