AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 13
Monday, November 13, 2006
Loss of Kerney crippling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The losses keep mounting – in more ways than one – for the Falcons.
Adding more misery to the consecutive losses to Detroit and Cleveland, Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney has been sidelined for an indefinite period with a pectoral injury sustained while making a tackle in Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Browns.
As would have it, Kerney got hurt on a hustle play, chasing down Cleveland tight end Steve Heiden after an 8-yard catch in the second quarter. The Falcons did not disclose the exact nature of the injury, even though Kerney had an MRI exam early Monday.
Losing Kerney, who has a team-high five sacks, is a major blow in a lot of ways. Outside of his production on the field, he is the ultimate team leader. He is the hardest worker in practice, and he’ll play through pain and injury -– that he’s out is proof that this is pretty serious.
His replacements, Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard, have credited Kerney for their development.
Though there should be some legitimate concern about not having Kerney, Carrington and Mallard have taken a lot of snaps this season and they have produced. Falcons defensive coordinator Ed Donatell has to find ways to play to their strengths and hide their weaknesses since they’ve not been asked to take as many snaps as they’re about to take.
In a sidenote, undrafted rookie Tommy Jackson may have moved past Darrell Shropshire on the depth chart at nose guard. Jackson was promoted to Grady Jackson’s backup for the Cleveland game and was a force — something Shropshire, once considered for the starting job, failed to prove.
