AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAnderson slow out the gate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons first-round draft pick Jamaal Anderson was selected to generate pass pressure and garner sacks. After seven games, he’s posted the big donut in terms of taking the quarterback down. He’s been solid against the run, which is what teams want from their left defensive end, but that’s not all they want if they’re going to spend the No. 8 overall pick on him.
Coaches said they’ve been pleased with Anderson’s progress and the sacks will come. He’s been the one getting most of the double teams to that side because defensive tackle Rod Coleman has been out with a knee injury for most of the season and not been close to his best since he returned two weeks ago.
The learning curve for rookie defensive ends clearly is steep. Mario Williams, the No. 1 overall pick by Houston last season, is a prime example. He took him a year to get going.
Five defensive ends were selected in the first round this April. Only three - Gaines Adams, Anthony Spencer and Jarvis Moss - have a sack. None has more than one. Adam Carriker was moved from DE to nose tackle by the Rams and he doesn’t have a sack.
Anderson still has nine games to make progress. At some point he’s got to start having more of an impact but based on the overall development of rookie ends he’s about on track.
Comments
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By Greg
October 23, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Jaysus, give the kid a chance. Kerney wasn’t that great his first season, and Anderson’s sort of similar in terms of being a great athlete but a raw football player.
The good news is that both Anderson and Houston figure to be better next year, giving the Falcons a potentially good defense.
By A Falcons fan walks into a bar. . . .
October 23, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Which member of this fine team came “fast out of the gate”?
By Jay Black
October 23, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
He should at least have one sack though.
By Great Falconi
October 23, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
We cut Grady Jackson?
Wow.
We’re gonna catch you, Dolphins. Yes, we will.
Grammar note: “He took him a year to get going” sounds like something my ol’ granddad used to say.
By Ryder
October 23, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
The defense doesn’t concern me at all. It’s the OFFENSE that should really be the concern. At least defensively the Falcons have some pieces to build around: Abraham and Anderson at the ends, Hall and Houston manning the corners with Jimmy Williams at safety, and Boley leading the tackles (last I checked).
Where exactly do they begin building around on offense? Other than Roddy White, i’ve yet to see anyone on that side of the ball play with any level of consistency.
By Jay Black
October 23, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Damn…..then we make the worst move by cutting Grady Jackson. WTF are we doing?!?!
By SC
October 23, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
He’s got a forced fumble, which in some ways is better than a sack.
By humble
October 23, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
grady jackson got cut today. thats a huge suprise! maybe alge was right about the vets kind of being pushed out. wy not though, they aren’t showing anything to be kept around and i’m sure petrino wants to get “his” guys playing to see what they have.
boy brian brohm or darren mcfadden will look nice in the red and black next year.
By Danny
October 23, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
I’m not worried about Anderson just yet. As discussed above, DE’s usually take a year or so to develop.
I’m more concerned about the release of Grady Jackson. What in the world are the Falcons thinking? They have trouble stopping the run, and Grady Jackson was the most effective DL they had. I guess this is another brilliant move by Rich McKay.
By Shamus Thacker
October 23, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
Roddy white was fast out of the gate; other han that, Anderson has plenty of company…
Now that he’s dead, I wonder if Rankin could run the team better than Art?
By terrell barron
October 23, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Thats why you dont draft DE’s in the first rd. At least not in the top 20. Guess which rookie DE leads all rookies with 4 sacks? Brian Robison, a 4th rdr. We should have taken Patrick Willis to replace highway 56. There were plenty of DE’s available last year. Hell, there were 2 good ones right here at UGA. Can you say Darren Mcfadden? Brian Brohm is a bust waiting to happen.