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Monday, July 31, 2006
Losing Finneran a big blow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though Brian Finneran was the Falcons’ No. 3 wide receiver, he led the wideouts with 50 receptions last season and was the team’s most clutch third-down weapon.
His loss for the season with a knee injury is a blow to a team with young, unproven wide receivers who will need some guidance from a guy who’s been in the system for years. Finneran also was a strong blocker and a vital special teams player, so the Falcons are going to have to do some adjusting.
The personnel department is looking for free agents, but none might be available that are any better than the lot already on the roster. Jerome Pathon, an eight-year vet, will assume Finneran’s role now, but the coaches seem to be very high on rookie Adam Jennings, a diminutive sixth round draft pick drafted to be a special teams player.
That there is so much conversation and concern about Finneran and his replacement also signals some apprehension about starters Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. Though they finished the season as the starting tandem, they still have to prove their first-round worthiness.
With Finneran not likely to be around to be a security blanket, they have no choice but to step up now.
