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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > September > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons miss playmaker at receiver
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This wide receiver thing could have been so much easier for the Falcons. I mean, guess who’s coming to town Sunday with his speed, size and sizzle?
Yep, that guy.
Ever hear of Calvin Johnson?
We’re talking about somebody who was an all-everything player at Georgia Tech via Sandy Creek High School. We’re talking about somebody who has the reputation of ranking as the perfect son.
We’re also talking about somebody who the Falcons foolishly didn’t trade up and grab in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. They had a slew of nice picks and a huge incentive (nothing close to a Calvin Johnson) to do so. Instead, Lions general manager Matt Millen sat in his war room waiting for a call from somebody from Flowery Branch, but it never happened.
This isn’t to say the Lions are displeased with their young Randy Moss — you know, without the Randy Moss personality or baggage. While the famously humble Johnson will sprint even faster toward stardom after spending last year producing flashy plays despite a creaky back, the Falcons are left with a bunch of maybes at receiver.
Maybe Roddy White will continue to improve after a productive 2007 season following two years of mediocrity. Maybe Michael Jenkins can leave four years of obscurity by evolving into a blocker instead of a receiver. Maybe Brian Finneran can contribute after missing two years with two major knee surgeries. Maybe young receivers Laurent Robinson and Harry Douglas will mature in a hurry. Maybe Ben Hartsock and Martrez Milner can become Alge Crumpler at tight end.
Maybe the Falcons are fooling themselves, but probably not, suggested Terry Robiskie, in his first year as the team’s wide receivers coach. “I like the quality and depth of this unit,” Robiskie said during training camp, and Robiskie has been an NFL coach for nearly three decades.
With apologies to Robiskie, the Falcons’ “quality and depth” would be better with You Know Who.
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By D-Cider
September 2, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Terrie, how many blogs are u going to write about the falcons not drafting CJ? there were a few following the draft and we are still reading them 1.5 years later? u certainly like beating dead horses..
By doggit
September 2, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
For once Mr. Moore - I would have to agree with you.
By A Falcons Fan walks into a bar
September 2, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Yes, look at all of the Superbowls that Detroit won last year alone since the drafting of Calvin Johnson. Look at how it changed the winning mentality of that team. Look how they finished just 2 spots behind the Falcons in draft order last year. YES! We should have traded everything away for that.
By Jeff
September 2, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Typical negative article my Terence Moore. Not only has wide receiver become a position of strength for the Falcons but he fails to analyze what they would have been required to give up in return to jump that many spots. Currently there are two starters on the roster in Blalock and Houston which were drafted in the 2nd round that year and wouldn’t be on the roster plus we probably would have given up one of this years second round picks Baker or Lofton yet another starter. Too much for one wide receiver, good teams are built through the draft not trading your drafts away.
By Sku:p
September 2, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
Terrence, As usual, your column is worthless. Do you have any idea how much the falcons would have had to give up to get Calvin? No. CJ was a pipe dream and out of reach. I’m just still mad that the Birds didn’t re-sign Patrick Kerney and then draft Amobi Okoye. We would have the best DL in the NFL if they would’ve. But that was Rick McKay’s era. I have more faith in Dimitroff.
By Halsey
September 2, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Didn’t the Lions want 2 first rounders and then some in rumored trade talks with the Falcons in 2007. It sounds like the Li ons were asking too much to trade out of that spot.
By Kenny
September 2, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Every time you write an article about the falcons you bring negativity to this team. Why do you constantly have to put our team down?? I dont like your articles and i feel they are a waste of time, go somewhere else Terrance!
By Big Falcon Fan
September 2, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
TM I have never said this before, You suck!!! Falcons core of recievers are solid! While Roddy White does not have the Glitz that Johnson has at least look who or what has Roddy had as his QB.
I would take the Falcon WR corp over Detroit’s anyday.
By Gwalk
September 2, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Moore, you are an idiot!~ Maybe we should have kept D-Hall and turned him into a wide receiver. He seemed to always be a play-maker for the OTHER team. Open your eyes. We have talented wide receivers who have been waiting on a good quarterback! Now we have it all in place. Way to be optimistic TM!
By Wes
September 2, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Why are you ready to annoint a 50 catch 800 yard rookie wide receiver the next Randy Moss? I love Calvin’s potential, but the fact is, he hasn’t done anything yet.
Michael Clayton was twice the rookie WR that Calvin was. 80 catches for 1200 yards and 7 TD’s. He nearly doubles Calvin in every category. I guess he is the next Jerry Rice.
We do not lack a WR playmaker. Roddy caught about 30 balls for 450 yards as a rookie, respectable. Last year Roddy had 83 catches for 1200 yards and 6 TD’s. Almost a 15 YPC average. That’s really, REALLY good.
Oh, I forgot. He did this with a non existent running game and 3 different starting quarterbacks. Can you imagine if the Falcons had had a good offensive line that didn’t start 4 different left tackles last year and some consistentcy @ QB? My god.
By Jim
September 2, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
You are the most pathetic writer in Atlanta. Still whining about a decision that most would deem ignorant. Trade up for a WR that hasn’t shown anything yet. To big of a risk.
By Mark E Scherer
September 2, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Who will step up——answer——The NFL’s most unknown posession receiver.
Finneran
By Mark E Scherer
September 2, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Finneran
By EataPeach
September 2, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
TM, your negative comments to everything Falcons is tired!
I know you were disappointed that they kept DJ-that took another negative story from your repetorie. Seems your fellow AJC expert differs with your opinion. “With the emergence of White, the Falcons� wide receiver corps, which was considered one of the team�s weakest links, now appears to be one of the stronger units.” Let me get this straight-You are dissing Roddy, who had a 1200 yard season with the likes of Harrington, Leftwich, and Redmond as QB, and are losing your jollies for CJ. Were you in the “war room” with Matt Millen? My guess he wasnt waiting for anyone to “move up”. The Falcons were not the only ones deciding not to “move up” to draft CJ. He has great potential, but he hasnt shown it. I’ll take what Roddy has shown right now.
By Readers miss quality sportswriter at AJC
September 2, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
TM writes, Maybe Roddy White will continue to improve after a productive 2007 season following two years of mediocrity. Maybe Terence Moore will continue to improve after many years of mediocrity. When monkeys fly out my butt!
By Mark E Scherer
September 2, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
dah——— Finneran
By Pete
September 2, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Terrence Moore knows as much about football as my 3 yr. old grandaughter. Maybe less. Our receivers are as talented as on most NFL teams, perhaps a bit better. And we have a young Roger Staubach throwing to them. How does Moore keep a job as a sports writer ???
By This Gets Old
September 2, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
If you don’t like the guy don’t read him, it’s pretty simple.
Terence: With Patrick K. off to Seattle (I said it then and it was a mistake) they had to at least attempt to replace him. Now they may have made what they considered to be a solid effort, and it still may work out, but they had to at least try.
Defense and pass rush win in the NFL. Plexico didn’t win the SB for the Giants, their DL won it.
By STLfalcon
September 2, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore-
I get that you and Mr. Bradley have this Good cop bad cop thing going, but you just have lost any semblance of creativity. Nice way to throw in the Vick reference at the end - haven’t heard that one.
I bet your family hates to see you at the Thanksgiving table - do you tell the same stories every year there too? If they get up to leave early after desert, you may want to bone up on your discourse.
You know, Georgia has a new mascot, when are you going to waste more ink bad mouthing the loyalty of good natured fans about that dog? I’m sure you plan your cynicism, but you should try to like the sports in this town, by default your home town.
Or, just find something about the city’s sports franchises you haven’t ripped apart without evidence (I’m surprised you haven’t said that the Patriots have a lot to prove after only one perfect regular season) - oh, and then mention Vick at the end.
Is this really what your career has come to?
By Mrytle Beach
September 2, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Anybody remember A. Jenkins, went to Hogansville high school when there was one. He’s the last receiver on the team that demanded a double team. Jefferson was good and there have be a few since but not one that teams planned around. You are right but i hope your wrong but remember one thing, unless they can block long enought for a vertical pass it does not matter who is the receiver. They had a “Great” line then but this one is unproven to be able to block for 7 seconds. When they can then we may have a difference maker. Considering the pass rush of Atlanta expect for you golden boy to have a great day. And by the way we all wanted to draft the guy but we don’t make the decisions. Welcome our defference maker at LDT.
By The Dean 21
September 2, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore: I have read over and over again that you were a jacka$$, idiot, poor writer, hater, negative, racist, stupid, and most of all you suck! Now I don’t normally believe what I hear and half of what I see…it does not take a rocket scientist to see and hear and believe that you are sir indeed…ALL THE ABOVE!!!! My goodness man, please get away from your desk and do some research before you write your pathetic stories!
By Sivart
September 2, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
The funniest thing I can remember in the past several weeks was seeing TM on some sports talk show on ESPN. I almost fell out of my chair laughing. ESPN having TM on as a supposedly sports knowledgable person was hilarious.
Only time will tell if Roddy White will continue to improve on last year’s success as a #1 go to guy, but one thing is for sure and that TM is not a sports writer.
By Hillbilly Deluxe
September 2, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Calvin Johnson is in Detroit and the Falcons aren’t going to get him so what’s the point?
By Tyler
September 2, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
I dont agree. but, I think that the recieving core is still VERY young and very much progressing…
*Roddy White had a stellar year in a terrible offense in 2007 and yes his numbers were skewed because he was pretty much the only guy who could catch the ball. I dont think hes a GO-TO-GUY yet, he would be a Exellent Compliment Guy right now to a Terrell Owens or Randy Moss
*Laurent Robinson has shown some real potential with some acrobatic catches,
*Brian Finneran is usally reliable for 3-4 catches for 50 yards a game(when he’s healthy and back in rythym
*Harry Douglass I realllly like what i see from him, hes a fast VERY athletic guy who just needs to put on about 20 pounds of muscle and he’ll have GREAT potential
By crabapplejoe
September 2, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Let’s see…Finneran in 2002 had 56 catches for 838 yards and a 15+ average per catch. Calvin Johnson’s numbers last year don’t match that but he is somehow the second coming of Christ. Terrence, your racist, black athlete worship is getting old. Calvin Johnson is just another middle-of-the-road NFL receiver until he proves different.
By Mookie Blaylock
September 2, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Terrence YOU SUCK, you are a horrible tabloid sports writer with no originality. For the love of god please quit your job NOW. Do people that recognize you on the street not just tell you to your face how much of a hack you are? I would if I saw you…
By Jerry Mills
September 2, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
I agree. Bad draft decisions of past have haunted this team especially the No.1 WRs Mcay brought in. Who did we get instead of Calvin… was it that sackless guy that is suppose to get sacks but is too weak and too slow to get off the block? Great move not to have evaluated this before draft day. I still would rather have gotten Dorsey and Flacco this year… McFadden will end up in hall of fame kind of like when we passed on Emitt Smith. Matt Ryan doesn’t have the arm strength for the NFL. Likely will be the INT leader every year.
By bulletbob
September 2, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
We have learned one thing about our receivers this preseason: they are only as good as the quarterback passing the ball to them.
By CTrim
September 2, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Why is this even being discussed? With all of the “what ifs” out there you want to cry about how a GM that isn’t the GM anymore didn’t move up in the draft two years ago to take another WR in the 1st round for the third year in a row? I love Calvin’s “potential” but give Roddy White a little more respect after his 1200 yard performance last year. Of all the issues we have on our Team, WR is one I don’t think many of us are as worried about. Might as well go write in the Hawks blog about how we should have drafted CP3 instead of Marvin.