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August 2007
NFL suspension likely next week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, Michael Vick’s plea deal assures that he won’t be playing for the Falcons this season and, based on some comments by owner Arthur Blank last Friday night, it appears that Vick won’t ever play for the Falcons again.
Blank didn’t say anything Monday under instructions from the NFL, but I know that he is crushed by everything that has happened.
I’d expect NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to issue a suspension of Vick some time next week, after Vick’s formal guilty plea in court. I’m guessing it would be an indefinite suspension that kicks into effect after Vick serves whatever prison time is levied.
In a statement issued by the NFL, it was duly noted that Vick’s guilty plea meant that he lied to Goodell and Blank.
The Commish, like Homey Da Clown, don’t play dat.
Once the NFL makes its ruling, expect the Falcons to distance themselves from Vick. They might not cut him immediately, because they might want to go after some of the salary cap money they’ve paid him and he needs to be on the roster for that to happen.
However, I’d be shocked if ties aren’t completely severed by the start of free agency in 2009.
I’ll use that to segue into Atlanta’s quarterback situation. We know Joey Harrington is the starter and, with D.J. Shockley’s season ending, left knee injury (torn ACL and MCL), Chris Redman is Harrington’s main backup.
The Falcons are exploring bringing in another quarterback but they could wait until cuts come next week to make a move. Kelly Holcomb and Anthony Wright could become available. There is some speculation that Atlanta might pursue Mark Brunell, but as of Monday, there had been no activity on that front.
Petrino’s post-Jets review
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chiming in from another blazin’ hot day at The Branch.
First, some updates:
Tailback Warrick Dunn made his practice debut Monday, a week ahead of schedule following his lower back surgery in late July. He looked like he typically does, minus some burst, which will come once he gets in shape.
He won’t play in Friday’s game at Buffalo but he could play in the Monday night preseason game Aug. 27 against Cincinnati at the Georgia Dome.
Tight end Alge Crumpler is also making headway with his left knee and he could return to practice by the end of the week. He isn’t expected to play at Buffalo.
OLBs Demorrio Williams (pectoral surgery) and Marcus Wilkins (strained knee) also could be held out of Friday’s game.
In reviewing the preseason opener against the Jets, coach Bobby Petrino said he was pleased with Joey Harrington, the offensive line, rookie WR Laurent Robinson, Michael Boley and the overall speed the first-team defense showed.
He admitted the team needs defensive tackles Grady Jackson and Rod Coleman to strengthen the run defense. Jackson could play this Friday. Coleman’s return from thigh surgery could be a ways off.
The kickoff coverage was a sore spot. Special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said he was out-schemed, which is a coach taking the hit for his players. An abundance of young players, some over-exuberance and some blown assignments were big factors in the breakdowns.
Petrino admitted that come regular season, Michael Koenen will kickoff and that right now, they’re just saving his leg by having him do nothing but punt.
In terms of the backup quarterback job, Chris Redman has the edge right now, following his performance against the Jets. Petrino said he doesn’t know what the rotation will be this week but he clearly hasn’t bailed on D.J. Shockley.
It’s showtime! (Well, sort of)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So, Falcons fans, you’ll get your first look at the team tonight when they face the New York Jets in an exhibition game. What interests you most about the game? How much emphasis will be put on Michael Vick’s absence? How many snaps do you think Joey Harrington will take? Are you excited about watching Jerious Norwood run the ball? What’s the defense going to be like without Rod Coleman? Will Bobby Petrino have his team ready to execute the new system? And when the Jets fans play “Who Let the Dogs Out” — and you know they will — will you boo the television screen or sing along?
Learning an offense while losing players
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today, after practice, coach Bobby Petrino disclosed that tight end Alge Crumpler got an outside medical opinion on his knee last Friday and that he was told to stay away from football activity for a week.
Crumpler had been experiencing discomfort in his right knee that he had scoped in the spring and, according to Petrino, began to feel pain again after a few days of practice. Mind you, Crumpler had missed several practices and only taken part in a few others.
Whether this is going to be a problem this season remains to be seen, but knowing Crumpler, even if he’s not feeling 100 percent, he’s going to try to play.
The interesting thing is with Crumpler gone, albeit temporarily, the Falcons are trying to learn a new system without their three most productive players over the past few years: Crumpler, Warrick Dunn (back surgery) and Mike Vick (NFL-ordered exile).
As for Dunn, he’s done a lot of running outside on a satellite practice field and he looks pretty good. There’s no reason to believe that he won’t be back by the start of the season, as he claims — unless the physical pounding is too much for him to immediately bear.
When it comes to Vick, football-wise, players and coaches have moved on. There’s rarely a mention of his name. Instead, people with the team talk about what they expect from the players that are here.
Looking at some other developments, rookie cornerback Chris Houston returned to practice after missing a few sessions with a sore knee. Free safety Chris Crocker also returned and worked with the starting unit, ahead of Jimmy Williams.
In terms of how players look, it’s impossible to miss strong safety Lawyer Milloy and how he gets players motivated emotionally and how well he’s performed in training camp. The guy is the ultimate pro.
Coaches can’t stop talking about how impressive rookie guard Justin Blalock is as both a run and pass blocker. It will be interesting to see how he performs Friday at New York (Jets). Defensive end John Abraham has looked great, maybe even faster than last season.
Oh, I need to clear something up too since there was some confusion about what took place with rookie center Doug Datish, who had surgery today to repair a broken bone in his wrist.
Datish was placed on injured reserve, which means he is done for the season and the Falcons hold his rights. However, before placing him on IR, the Falcons, for procedural reasons, waived him (injured). It’s one of those quirky paperwork-type deals that are required by the league.
In the end, Datish is on IR and he’s still with the Falcons.
Milloy sets tone; Houston, Crocker sit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whereas Saturday’s public workout at Grady High was more of an exhibition, the Falcons went through a fairly heated, simulated scrimmage at their team facility in the morning.
From the kicking game to goal-line situations to two-minute drills, players were put in game-like situations for the first time. The only thing not allowed was live tackling, although there was some spirited contact in a goal-line scenario, with strong safety Lawyer Milloy setting the tone.
Milloy, wide receiver Roddy White, cornerback Lewis Sanders, tailback Jerious Norwood and linebackers Keith Brooking and Stephen Nicholas made several plays that drew praise from coaches.
Sunday, the Falcons will have meetings and a light walk-through practice that is closed to the public.
Crocker, Houston out
Safety Chris Crocker and right cornerback Chris Houston, both engaged in competition for starting jobs, did not take part in Saturday morning’s practice because of inflammation in their knees.
Jimmy Williams took all the first-team snaps at free safety, as did Sanders at right corner.
“It was kind of a precautionary deal,” coach Bobby Petrino said of holding out Houston and Crocker. “They’ll be back Monday.”
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