AJC > Sports > Falcons > Training Camp Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 31
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Milner making the adjustment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another day wrapped up. First, as promised, let me update the progress of the tight ends.
Alge Crumpler practiced more today than he did yesterday and will be a nice threat in Bobby Petrino’s offense. The other impact he’s having is that he’s helping out the next crop of young Falcons tight ends. Martrez Milner said that Crumpler has been great a great teacher and teammate helping the young guys like himself and Daniel Fells get comfortable in the offense and training camp.
Milner made a nice catch for a touchdown while the offense was working on the goalline.
“It’s just practice,” he said about the play. “Come game time I want to be that person who catches the ball, plays special teams - whatever the coach needs.”
Petrino said he’s been really pleased with the play of Dwayne Blakley, so he and Crumpler have the first two spots nailed down. Petrino singled out Blakley’s improved blocking. There’s competition between Fells and Milner. Milner is coming on, but Petrino said the team is being carefull not to overwhelm him with too much right now in his first training camp. As Petrino said, making the adjustment to tight end in the pros is a challenge, becuase you’re basically combining three positions - offensive line, wide receiver and fullback.
Milner acknowledged that it is a big adjustment from Georgia to the NFL.
“Just the whole mental aspect of it all - in college I knew everything. Here’s it’s a whole different type of level… It’s such high intensity, I have to get used to it,” he said.
As for Fells, Petrino said he’s been encouraged by his last couple practices and he’s seeing improvement. Of all the tight ends, Fells presents the biggest threat downfield. We’ll keep an eye on this battle as training camp continues.
Responses to your comments:
JMark - Norwood looks great. They had him catching a lot of balls out of the backfield today, and other than one pass where he bobbled it a little before securing the ball, his hands looked solid. That’s a nice weapon to have. As for Harrington, today wasn’t his best day of camp. He struggled a little completing anything but short passes. Once he missed high when Joe Horn broke open across the middle of the field. A few other times in 7-on-7 he completed passes, but if the D was allowed to hit, I have a feeling the receivers would have been laid out pretty good.
Call Me Earl - Crocker is getting more reps in front of Williams and has looked better so far in camp.
Jay - I think the team has to be pleased with Shockley’s progression. Compared to Harrington and Redman, his arm has a lot more strength. He was rolling out a little today, and presents that option too, which Petrino has to be looking to exploit.
Johnny B - Ovie Mughelli is an absolute load. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him get carries this season around the goalline. They’ve been taking it slow with Crumpler, but he got a lot of action in today and his progress seems to be on schedule.
Pete - Jamaal Anderson is backing your words up so far in camp. He’s going to be a good one.
Tracking the tight ends
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The players are already out there getting loose for today’s morning practice. There is only one practice today since the afternoon session was cancelled. Not sure if that’s Bobby Petrino rewarding his players for their effort, or if he’s trying to pace them.
It’s a closed practice today, so the only update will be once practice is wrapped up.
SC - I’m going to get you a tight ends update I promised earlier and also an updated on Alge Crumpler’s progress. At the request of some of you commenters, I’ll also be watching for David Irons and of course the quarterback situation - especially Shockley.
