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July 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.
Day 2: Looking foward to pads
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s Day Two of Falcons training camp with the team set to hold two sessions, one starting at about 8:30, the other, beginning at 6:15 p.m.
I’m really looking forward to the evening practice because the pads will be on and in very little time, we’ll know the men from the boys.
Day One was very hectic, very busy and it moved at a very high tempo.
There were a lot of early jitters. Roddy White dropped more passes than he should have and quarterback D.J. Shockley has had and better have better days. Shockley struggled with his accuracy at times and with limited practice reps, that can’t happen too much.
Tailback T.J. Duckett looks really good physically and, after speaking to him, he is really excited about having a good year. Safety Kevin Mathis, who had a horrific, season-ending knee injury last season, looked surprisingly fluid. I didn’t expect him to be able to move as well as he did. He was wearing a much less obtrusive brace and was working as Chris Crocker’s backup at free safety.
Someone I haven’t mentioned much with all the defensive additions is starting outside linebacker Michael Boley. He looks like he’s put on about five pounds and is very comfortable with what his duties are. Boley might be among the top pure athletes on the team and could be set to make a big-time move this season.
I’m going to try and post a new blog every day or every two days to provide as much insight as possible. I look forward to hearing from you guys and please, hit me with some questions. If I don’t answer them right away, I’ll try to get to them over the course of the week.
McKay to stay?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Busy week on and off the field for the Falcons as training camp is set to get underway Thursday at Flowery Branch.
In the immediate term, owners and/or team representatives are meeting Monday in Detroit to trim down the list of candidates to replace outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Falcons’ president/general manager Rich McKay is believed to be on the list of several dozen prospects and is favored to make the final list of 5 or 6, according to some league sources.
In early August, owners will nominate their candidates, then vote.
McKay is behaving as if he is not going to be Tagliabue’s successor and said he expects to remain with the Falcons. That remains to be seen, but if he does get elected commissioner, it would be a huge step for him but a blow to the Falcons. Someone would fill his role, but it would be hard to replace McKay’s vast knowledge of team and league business, media savvy and eye for player personnel.
One of the possible candidates to replace McKay would be Falcons VP Ray Anderson. However, Anderson is a finalist to replace Art Shell as senior vice president of football operations at the league office. One source said Anderson has a very good chance of beating out former Houston Texans GM for the job.
If Anderson does get the post, it could be another blow to the front office. Anderson, a former agent, is a key contract and business negotiator known for his ability to mediate and settle situations, especially when they get hostile. Anderson has been one of the more sought after team executives in the league and it seems only a matter of when, not if, he’ll be moving on to bigger things.
As for what’s going on with the team, the five rookies remain unsigned but not for long. McKay and most of the players’ agents expect deals to be consummated before Thursday’s 2:30 practice.
On Monday I had a lengthy discussion with new safeties Chris Crocker and Lawyer Milloy and, chemistry wise, they seem like a good match. They aren’t the problem-solvers, they said, because defense is such a team game. However, they said the safeties wouldn’t be the problem, either, they said.
Crocker is pretty low key and willing to take his cues from Milloy. That said, Crocker doesn’t seem like he’ll have any problem as the defensive quarterback. He said he got a pretty good grip on the defense this summer and felt comfortable positioning players, which will be one of his main tasks. He will mainly be responsible for deep pass coverage but said he has no problem putting his helmet on the ball carrier, either. Tackling is a strength, he said.
As for Milloy, he might be the last guy I’d want to see coming at me unblocked. In talking about the upcoming season, the 10-year vet got pretty lathered up about what he expects of himself and his teammates and how he plans to impact a unit loaded with talent. He knows he was signed to help stop the run and that is what he plans to do. The key to a defense is intimidation and forcing the offense to adjust, not vice versa, he said, and he plans on setting the tone in the intimidation department.
Hard training camp ahead?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coaches and players are getting in their last few days of rest before Falcons training camp starts July 27 at Flowery Branch.
They’d better.
I had a conversation with coach Jim Mora this morning and he made it clear that he is going to push players pretty hard this training camp. Mora is smart enough not to run guys ragged to the point where they’ll be spent come the regular season, but he’s going to hold the feet of a lot of guys to the fire in order to provide depth to the fire.
He said he was unable to really put the Falcons through the true rigors of camp last season because of the lengthy trip to Tokyo. He had to keep them fresh for the trans-Pacific journey, then be cautious with them upon their return, especially immediately after the trip, he said. With four preseason games, all in the U.S., things will be a little different this summer.
Atlanta is set with its starting 22, but they are uncertain at come key backup positions and those players are going to really be challenged, probably more mentally than physically.
There is some concern about depth along the entire offensive line and safety.
The Falcons don’t have much experience at backup guard or center and backup left tackle Frank Omiyale is still raw. There are no plans to play fifth-round draft pick Quinn Ojinnaka, Todd Weiner’s heir apparent at right tackle, unless injury dictates as much.
As for safety, there is still some uncertainty if Kevin Mathis is going to be able to bounce back from major knee surgery — his agent said he’s coming along fine. There are also some questions as to whether Omare Lowe can be effective at safety after moving from cornerback. The Falcons like Cam Newton at safety, but he’s never had to do much in game conditions. He will in preseason.
Rich McKay and Co., also will be scanning the waiver wires daily to see if any safety help becomes available.
The project kickers, Zac Derr and Tony Yelk, are going to be tested early to see if the investment in developing them is worth it or if the team should move on. If the Falcons opt to pick up a veteran kicker, Paul Edinger seems like the top option — not Todd Peterson. However Edinger isn’t going to bypass other opportunities once camps begin, waiting for the Falcons’ call.
Falcons in holding pattern
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things with the Falcons are pretty quiet right now but soon, the temperature on news and activity will start to rise.
Based on some conversations I’ve had with some agents and team staff members, it’s not likely that draft pick signings will begin until next week. That’s pretty much the case around the NFL, although some teams have penned some deals.
With no first-round pick to sign — cornerback Jimmy Williams, a second-rounder, is on record saying he’ll be signed in time — there shouldn’t be any holdouts when Falcons camp starts July 27.
Also, it appears that Falcons won’t be bringing in any veteran field goal kickers until they are well into training camp. I’ve spoken to enough people who feel they can groom either Zac Derr or Tony Yelk, although neither has ever kicked in an NFL game. Seems a little risky with the potential for so many close games this season, but vets Paul Edinger and Todd Peterson are still unsigned.
A few teams likely will release some veteran kickers in training camp, as well.
If something pops this week I’ll be sure to update this blog. When training camp starts, we’ll have a fresh blog every day, so stay tuned.
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