AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USStill laying down The Law
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In reviewing some of the numbers the Falcons have compiled, two things jump out and they’re both on defense.
The first is that OLB Michael Boley already has 90 tackles based on the team’s accounting, which comes off film review. Boley’s tackle total matches his career-high mark set in 14 starts last season.
SIDENOTE: The NFL’s stats are taken off game tallies and frequently, when it comes to tackles, are significantly less than team-supplied totals.
Second, strong safety Lawyer Milloy is second in stops with 64. Now, a team never wants a defensive back ranking among it’s tackling leaders, but Milloy, truth be told, serves as a fourth linebacker, so he’s not making too many tackles 15 yards down field.
That Milloy is still producing at such a high level says something. Early in the season, it seems as if he’d lost some starch on his hits and some bounce in getting to the ball. However, over the past few weeks, he has seemed like a different player.
The coaching staff and front office love him, not only for his unquestioned professionalism, but also from the fact that he continues to be productive.
Which leads to a question: With several veterans likely to be jettisoned after the season, would Atlanta be better off hanging onto a good player and great locker room guy like Milloy for one more season (he has one year left on his contract) or should they send him on his way this summer and bring someone new in.
The Falcons seemingly have a lot of other areas of need to address than strong safety but Milloy, 33, is in his 12th season.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By jack
November 6, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Keep Milloy
Draft McFadden
By John in Tampa, FLA
November 6, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT.
By rian
November 6, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Keep Lawyer for one more year. His presence around young knuckleheads like JW is more valuable than whatever draft pick you could get for the last year of a 35 yr. old’s deal.
I also feel like he and Crock are connected at the hiop and after watching Crock yesterday maybe he is also learnuing something from the old vet. then again, maybe he just saw Jimmy on the field and thinks his job is on the line. All I know is that Crock has never been as valuable in the l;ast 2 years as he was Sunday. Not just the tackle at the 1, but he has 3-4 huge pass breakups.
By Rick
November 6, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
they cannot completely clean out all the veteran leadership from the team. I realize the face of the team is going to change a lot next year but it cannot rely totally on free agents and rookies.The more this season goes on the less we hear from the GM and owner. I hope it lasts. Let the coach be up front for the team. I also think Mr. Blank has to feel like no good deed goes unpunished in so far as mv is concerned , he made the guy very rich and was kicked in the teeth for his efforts.Blank is not a loser and will not let this team stay at the bottom.
By Joe Stalls
November 6, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
We need a lot or replacements but Lawyer is is not one of them think about what we had before he got here and that is no position to turn over to rookie or two year man Jimmy Williams should have showed you that.
By Bubba
November 6, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Hi Y’all!! Milloy is a workman. You don’t just let them walk. He will know when it’s time to quit. My belief is that Bobby P is putting down a blueprint of what it takes to make it in the NFL. Let him go with it. If D-Hall doesn’t buy in, see ya. I sincerely hope he does, though.
By Roswell Ed
November 6, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Can anybody say HGH?
Just kidding.
I kept hearing everyone bad mouth this man and could not understand why.
Is he as good as he was in his prime?
Who is?
Is he still a good football player?
You bet your sweet arse.
By Roswell Ed
November 6, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
What are the chances we could do like UGA and get a BLACK OUT for the SAINTS FALCONS game?
By wayne
November 6, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
The proper time to let Milloy go is, when someone beats him out of his job,look at Vannote, it took about ten years for the youngsters to beat him out. Another decent draft and the team will become much more competitive, must have a stud QB and McFadden, then O/L,D/L.I think Mr Blanks is as disappointed as anyone about this season, so fix it and move on. crying over spilled milk dont help.
By A Falcons fan walks into a bar. . . .
November 6, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
2-6 The law has spoken
By PookieWad
November 6, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Milloy is great in directing the youngsters. However, he can’t stop the run like he used to. He used to be able to lay the wood…now he gets the wood laid to him.
That said, his leadership and experience are worth the occasional lapse on running plays. Keep him.
By MB
November 6, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Definitely keep Lawyer. Heck, maybe he can teach Deangelo how to tackle. That guy’s starting to make Deion Sanders look like Mike Butkus (tackling-wise). Hall plays like he’s afraid of contact.
By terrell barron
November 6, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Acie is the best Law in Atlanta. HANDS DOWN!
By shawn
November 6, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
if we get back most of the money from vick this team will have a lot of money to spend i dont know if there is any big time free agents this year but i think with a good draft and free agency this team will be a good young team what do u think is there any good olinemen this year in free agency?
By Tazzee
November 6, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
Definitely keep Lawyer. He provides the much needed leadership this team needs and is still servicable on the field.
Also, we gotta keep at least one player who’s jersey I bought. Looks like Dunn and DHall might be gone next year too. glad I got a personalized jersey this year
By j
November 6, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
Keep the Law man 4sho the defense is not the problem.
By Steve-O
November 6, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this
What exactly are “game tallies,” and who is responsible for keeping track of them?
By gg
November 6, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
believe it or not, this team is not as bad as their record, and i have seen a lot bad falcon teams with bad records. the defense is playing well. We need a power running back, maybe we can through free agency someone like Deuce McAllister. Nice backfield with McAllister with the tough yardage inside and Norwood the scatback, we need to draft a good QB, mabye a Matt Ryan, don’t think we will be able to get Brohm. Keep some of these guys like Milloy, Abraham. Get rid of the trash like Hall.
By Proud to wear "36"
November 6, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
Swapped my “7” for a “36” in July.
Lawdawg is the consummate professional. He brings his lunchbox to work every Sunday.
Thanks, Lawyer for showing the way for our young Falcons.
By Tyger
November 6, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick did hurt the Falcoons without doubt, but how is his absence any worse than any other superstar that gets injured or suspended?
If Manning or Brady went down would the Colts or Patriots not win another game?
I doubt it, they would be hurt, but they would regroup and rally.
Why cant the Falcoons?
B/c they were a one man show, thats why.
By BRIAN HUNT
November 6, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this
You should only let a player go if you can have a “better” player replace him. Who do the Falcons have at SS that’s better? We haven’t seen enough of Darren Stone to say that and it’s too early to identify one in the draft.
By Glutton for Punishment
November 6, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
J Smooth is showing great anticipation… He has about 3-4 steals already. But he throw up some ugly bricks..and now another off. foul. GOODNESS !!!
By destin
November 7, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
The Falcons can only spend money recouped from Vick if they actually collect it. Does anyone think he’s just going to write a check for 20 mil. No way, his lawyers will tie it up forever. As much as I like McFadden, I just don’t see how we can pass-up a franchise QB with our first pick.
By The Grinch
November 7, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
Keep Milloy; when you have such national embarassments personality-wise as Hall and Crumpler, you need to keep what proffessionals you’ve got. People that know how to SHUT THEIR MOUTH AND PLAY.