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Monday, March 19, 2007
Offseason conditioning period kicks off
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons started offseason conditioning drills Monday, bringing players together for the first time since their season dubiously ended in Philadelphia.
Coach Bobby Petrino said he’s eager to see a lot of these players for the first time in a setting where their work ethics, attitudes and desire to improve can be documented. So far, he said he’s been impressed with the professionalism some players have shown.
However, this is an evaluation period where rebellious attitudes or poor work habits can grease the skids to the waiver wire for some players.
This will be a good time for wide receiver Brian Finneran, who has been working out anyway, to show that he’s on track to return from last year’s season-ending knee injury. Same with guard Kynan Forney, whose shoulder popped out of place several times before he had season-ending surgery.
On a side note, shoulder injuries to interior lineman aren’t good so the Falcons need to be stockpiling depth behind Forney, arguably their best lineman.
Recently signed guard Toniu Fonoti, who is listed at 350 pounds, is going to have to get into and stay in shape. There has never been any question about his ability, but injuries and conditioning have cut short a promising start to his career and this could be his last shot.
A player a lot of you might be interested in following is former Georgia wide receiver Fred Gibson. Cut after being selected in the fourth round by Pittsburgh two years ago, Gibson, who spent the past two seasons on Miami’s practice squad, is reunited with former college roommate D.J. Shockley.
Not only will Gibson be catching passes from Shockley but being around such a grounded and driven pro like D.J. could help Gibson finally grasp what it takes to capitalize on his vast talents.
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