AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 07
Thursday, December 7, 2006
White’s outside looking in
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s amazing what winning last weekend has done for the mood of the Falcons heading into Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay.
The pervasive tension in the locker room and on the practice field has morphed into a relaxed confidence. Players are in a far better place than they were during the four-game losing streak. There seems to be a belief, not a hope, that Atlanta will make it to the postseason.
The most obvious change on the field is at wide receiver. Players are nabbing just about everything thrown their way, catching balls as if they’ve done it before instead of pressing to hang on to it for fear of reprisal.
Ashley Lelie and Michael Jenkins seem much more at ease after making catches against the Redskins that broke them out of their respective slumps.
Roddy White has looked better this week, too. However, his usage against the Bucs could be similar to how he was used at Washington last week, which was very little.
After weeks of repeated drops, the Falcons played White just a handful of plays, most of which were runs. When they went to three receiver sets, they inserted a second tight end, flexing Alge Crumpler into the slot.
I can’t say that Atlanta has lost faith in White, because it might need him down the stretch. However, if Lelie and Jenkins stay healthy and Crumpler plays well out of the slot, White may have to wait until next season for redemption.
