AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons need Dunn more than ever
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
To paraphrase the words of an old gospel song, if the Falcons never needed Warrick Dunn before, they sure do need him now.
That’s on and off the field. Dunn knows it, too. “Probably when you talk to people who research and do studies, they feel like the Falcons are going to have to do more to recover their image,” said Dunn, the NFL’s secretly great running back who nevertheless has been openly superb during his 11 seasons as a role model outside of shoulder pads.
Which brings us to this: Given the highly publicized ugliness surrounding Michael Vick’s conviction for dogfighting, the Falcons’ ownership and management is obsessed with trying to separate themselves from the quarterback that they designated as the face of the franchise. As a result, the Falcons’ regular season begins Sunday in Minneapolis, along with the paranoia of their politburo.
Actually, that paranoia is just continuing. It used to be that the Falcons’ politburo would assign Big Brothers from its public relations staff to surround Vick at all times during interviews — as in coddling, which contributed to many of Vick’s issues. Now Vick is headed to prison, but those Big Brothers are still around. They’ve become even more prevalent in the Falcons locker room, because their new assignment is to swoop in from the shadows to monitor the proceedings of any player conversing with any media person.
Dunn glanced at the two Big Brothers rushing toward his locker this week in Flowery Branch during an interview. Then he forced a chuckle and said of the Falcons’ heightened PR push, “It’s the focus groups. I guess they feel like that these are things that you need to do to improve such and such. But as players, we’re just going to rely on the guys who have been around here. Lawyer [Milloy]. Wayne [Gandy]. Alge [Crumpler]. Keith Brooking. Guys who have played in this game a while, but guys who also have been there and done it.”
Guys such as Dunn, an ongoing miracle, with more rushing yards in his NFL career (9,461) than any active player not named Edgerrin James or Fred Taylor. This is some trick for somebody who packs maybe 180 pounds around a frame of maybe 5 feet 9. Plus, courtesy of his 32-year-old legs, he is ancient for a running back. He also had back surgery to start training camp.
Even so, Dunn plans to start every game of a Falcons season for the fourth consecutive time.
Good. The more of Dunn for the Falcons, the better. This isn’t only because he can use his prolific running, catching and blocking to ease the transition from the frequently erratic but always dangerous Vick to however you would describe his replacement, Joey Harrington, owner of a 23-43 record as a starter in the NFL. This is mostly because Dunn’s eyes, nose and everything else were more suited than those of Vick to become the face of the Falcons franchise, anyway.
There is Dunn’s Homes for the Holidays program to help single mothers become first-time home-owners. He was selected as one of Oprah’s “Angels.” He has been recognized by more than a few publications as everything from a good guy for the ages to one of sports’ most influential persons. He also won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
“Myself, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve wanted to do more. Not just with the things that I do, but to get more involved in teammates’ activities and different things that go on in the city,” Dunn said. “I want to do those things, because I care about what happens to people. It isn’t just for the headlines. Any time any of us has time to do something, I’m sure guys are going to step out, and it’s not going to be because it’s being stressed from upper management that, ‘You guys have to do this.’ “
No, but upper management wouldn’t mind as much. It has those Big Brothers around to prove it.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Terence Moore
Comments
By DbleD25
September 8, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Having players like Dunn is why the Falcons will be at the bottom of the league this year. Smiley-faced losers have never won a thing. this is gonna be a repeat of ‘03, this time with No Vick to save the day and make them look like a football team. Its over, and Dunn still won’t get the due he thinks he deserves. he wants to be the face of a franchise. A losing franchise has no face because noone looks at it.
By Brian
September 8, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t care less about all that other stuff. It’s about winning ball games. Just because you are a nice guy off the field doesn’t mean a thing. Dunn’s yardage has been a product of Gibb’s cut blocking scheme. That is gone, and so is all Dunn’s yardage. Time for a changing of the guard.
By Fansince73
September 8, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
Sir Arthur and his hired guns “handlers” are idiots. Nothing more than pretty boy corporate types who are use to conrolling everything. “They are smart by virtue of being in charge.” Why not do the right thing instead of trying to spin everything?
Dunn on the other hand is the real deal. He never makes a big deal about himself, but his actions on an off the field are a big deal. He is a class individual.
Hats off to you Warwick, keep up the good work!
By nate
September 8, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Terrence Go Get a LIFE. You are sooooo boring.
By billy g
September 8, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Question: If you paid over half a Billion dollars for a business, and you were betrayed by your leading employee, would you be extra cautious?
Give Blank a break, he didn’t create Michael Vick. Mike is the heavy, try not to forget that.
By abs
September 8, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
I vote Warwick Dunn for president! Keep up the good work and let the haters be your motivators!
By Mr. Perspective
September 9, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
Don’t Forget, TRUE FALCONS FANS: Even if the FALCONS go 0-16, Mike Vick will STILL be a simpleton, a liar and a conVICKted felon with Herpes.
By Randy in China
September 9, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
Warrick—not Warwick, by the way—will keep us more-than-respectable in the ground game. He’s got one 1,000-plus year left in the tank. This team won’t be nearly as bad as people are guessing. The local Shanghai oddsmakers have them at 15 to 1 to reach the Superbowl—and winning over the Vikings on Sunday—mainly because they’re so popular over here.
By Shamus Thacker
September 9, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this
Nice piece Terence!
Warrick is awesome as a player and human being. He should be the face of the Falcons, and the role model for our kids. He’s what being a COMPLETE NFL player is all about!
Go Falcons Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Vick Supporter
September 9, 2007 2:33 AM | Link to this
DbleD25, thats what I’m talking about. Let these fools know. Quit dreaming people, we’re nothing without Vick. Harrington can’t get it done. This is already a bad team, and Vick made the Falcons viable. The season starts today, and I wanna see who you people are gonna blame now, Vick’s gone. I can’t wait to see this!! I will be at a game with a sack on my head. Vick will be back……
By ch in iraq
September 9, 2007 3:32 AM | Link to this
I got a great idea, if you dont like the falcons stop watching 31 other teams, if you dont like T. Moore articles hey stop reading them, sometimes I wonder if people like DbleD and vick supporter watch the same games i do 7-9 two years and we all upset Vick is not here give me a break. You are upset cause Warrick rushes for over 1000 yards and gives back to community rather than wasting away millions. I got another great idea, buy your own team sign who you want and stop the continous falcon bashing.
By CPW
September 9, 2007 6:24 AM | Link to this
Warrick Dunn is a hater and a has been, who’s skills have noticebly diminished. We need Jerious Norwood not the skipping,hopping and diving Dunn.
By Steve in Raleigh
September 9, 2007 6:24 AM | Link to this
Atlanta is nothing without Vick? The guy had a 63 QB rating. Warrick Dunn is on a different planet than Vick, a comparison of the two on and off the field is ridiculous. Vick was a unsuccessfull QB and human being and belongs in the state PEN on his best day. Atlanta cannot do much worse without him, 7-9 is horrendous.
By Kitten Killer
September 9, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this
I hate your Tarrence Moore. I hate you.
By since1980
September 9, 2007 7:09 AM | Link to this
T-Money, I agree with you. Warrick Dunn is quintessence of class and also a very good football player. However at the age of 32, I believe his offensive contributions will not be significant enough to be a difference maker in this coming season. Again in saying that, I believe this years Falcons are not as bad as the pronogstacators are predicting. Im sensing a surprise, if the recievers catch the football.
By maurice
September 9, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this
We are all hoping that they catch the ball, but honestly we really just need Alge Crumpler to catch all those touchdown passes he dropped last season. That will take a lot of pressure off the inexperienced receivers and leave Joe Horn open in the second half of games. I Hope.
By D-Cider
September 9, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
Hey, Terie, what actions do you take to make the community better? maybe you should do us all a favor and leave.
By Dakota Sheets
September 9, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
If we can score more points than the other teams and win more games, then we have a chance this year. Let’s do it!
By Nicky
September 9, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Warrick Dunn! GO FALCONS!!!
By Clayton Bigsby
September 9, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
Terrance Should Thanks M.Vick
Terrance you sure are making your living off of M.Vick’s fall from fame. You should be sending him half your paycheck. You chosen to report news that makes you appear to be intelligent, but it’s more like your scratching an old sore. You just can’t help yourself, huh Terrance? No one is supporting M.Vick, but at this point your editors have to say to you that couldn’t you come up with more creative topics by now.
* Ride the Vick Train T.Moore*
By NumbaOneFan
September 9, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Hey why are we still talking about M. Vick….the guy is toast, a cinvicted, felon, unemployed, uneducated, a social outcast !!. He has lost everything and will never ever play in the NFL again. Proof that one can take the boy out of the project but, one can’t take the project out of the boy. I can honestly tell you that on that infamous day when I first heard the news that, the Falcons had traded for the rights of the #1 pick to draft M. Vick, my heart sunk and I remember telling my friend that this move would come back to haunt the Falcons somewhere down the line. Yes he was exciting to watch and energized the fanbase as well as the NFL, but unfortunately at a huge
By m
September 9, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
**Hey Falcons!
Git r Dunn!**
There should be more great role models like Dunn in the NFL. Cheers 2 U.
The Falcons are still Atlantas team, lets all hope they have a great season. :)
By Chaos
September 9, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Dunn is the real deal, we should all strive to be as good! How can anyone not like Dunn? Dunn will be fine, the Falcons will be fine and all you haters will still be haters!
By the stuttering idiot
September 9, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Dunn barely got 1000 yards last season. They guy struggled near the end of the year when the team really needed him. Its cool that he is a nice guy and all but I could care less about him being nice. I want this team to win so forget all that nice guy crap. Yea this team went 7-9 last year. If that sorry defense would have played even decent the last 2 years this team easily goes to the playoffs. Its hard to win games when you score 30 points and the d gives up 35. The defense was ranked worse than the offense yet all the blame goes to Vick. Well he is not here this year so im curious who will get the blame this year. Terence Tom Moore let it go man. Vick is not here so go somewhere else with that crap. He has really given you a career seing how ESPN calls you to speak on the situation every time they bring him up. You say the same s** every interview on ESPN. You stuttering spitting lisp having fool.
By D-Cider
September 9, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
re: the stuttering idiot, you hit the nail on the head. Terrie has been pimping on the Vick story for as long as he can. I am still looking forward to seeing his obituary in the AJC.
By 2HOMO BOYS
September 9, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
WE agree with you on your article about Warrick Dunn. He is a good player and a very nice human being.He is gonna help us this year as we forget about this piece of garbage known as Michael Vick.Vick got what he deserved in fact he should have gotten a longer sentence and should never be allowed to play football for anyteam in the world.
By DbleD25
September 9, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Steve in Raliegh, Vick made 7-9 SEEM horrendous. This is a team that AVERAGED 5 wins a year! 7-9 was a reason to brag, you must not have followed this franchise for long. This is a 3 win team without Vick. And a blacked out team next year.
By DbleD25
September 9, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
I reiterate what I said about Dunn, as of this post, he has 21 carries for 46 yards. HE IS NOTHING WITHOUT VICK. He blows,as does the Falcons. And the Vikings are garbage too.
By DbleD25
September 9, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
The Dunn led Falcons SUCK! HAha! No Vick, No Vicktories.
By stendec
September 9, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Last year the Falcons had a loser ans quitter at qb. Nothing has changed. Harrington is a sorry CS SOB without a clue! Bench the b+++++d! Anyone is preferable. Two interceptions returned for TDs? Even thug Vick was not QUITE that pathetic. To hell with him, Brooking and ALL of them!
By DbleD25
September 9, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
One more time for Terrence and the Dunn lovers. HE BITES. He has never had a big game without Vick. Its over losers Falcons. I’m so glad I sold my season tickets to some dumb sap who paid FACE VALUE for that worthless crap! I love to see the Falcons LOSING without Mike Vick. Welcome back to the ’80s and ’90s people!
By Vick still the man
September 9, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Falcon need Vick at 2:37 in the 4th. There is no hype Vick is the Falcon.schultz and moore and hater this what you wanted and you got it clowns. Will Peta buy season ticket 50,000 worth . Back to life as a Falcon. Joey the kangroo man 24 t0 3. Vick we love you in this city!!!
By DbleD25
September 9, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
stendec, You are wrong. Vick was surroundeed by LOSERS, thats why he wouldn’t stay in when the games were decided. He carried this CRAP for the last three years and when its time to be men, on their own, they can’t do it. I love it. Brooking has always sucked, the Falcons are just following their leaders! Haha!
By DbleD25
September 9, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
I hope all you white people see what the result of YOUR stupidity is. Dogs, someone needs to electrocute the falcons, or drown them, because they are CURRED. Thats dogfighting language for NO GOOD
By toppcat
September 9, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Warrick Dunn had 22carries and only 55yards against The MINNESOTA VIKINGS!!!!Let’s be real You want this to be the face of the Franchise. Joey Harrington (who has never been a proven winner) gave Minnesota more touchdown passes than their own QB. AND everyone always said vick wasnt a QB, will if thats true then Joey Harrington is definately not a QB.
By AJC HATEFULL
September 9, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Tom boy Moore and redneck clueless Schultz will you fill the dome. Vick is not here he was the Falcons. Vick stay with Jesus he forgive you and a lot of us are wishing you the best AND WE FORGIVE YOU. Vick the man heart to Jesus.you will be redeemed because JESUS SAVE HE WILL BE BACK BETTER THAN EVER! sCHULTZ AND MOORE YOU NEED JESUS!
By Matt Schaub, career backup
September 9, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
How do you like me now? Bisher was right. You were wrong. As usual. Nice call on the Braves too.
By billy g
September 9, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Retire Dunn. Draft McFadden and OL’s that can open running lanes.
Hire Dunn as public relations chief. He is a good man but he can’t do it anymore.
By Gwen
September 9, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Terrence you need to find another line of work
By EWILD
September 9, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
hey… t moore(uncle tom).lol does it make you happy when you down a black man? Do they pay you good to bring our heros down? thats your brother. just remember the ones that pay u say “white people make mistakes, and black people do crime.” did you c the QB Dixon for Oregon saturday? …amazing!!! joey H and the back ups are SORRY!
By EWILD
September 9, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
sorry… but its time 2 let WARRICK DUNN go. If vick would have been hurt, we still would have been left with JOEY HARRINGTON:( (LOSER). he is terrible, and he is gettn over 3 million dollars! U are not talking about that. that was his game we seen 2 day. we wasted our money on him and the rest of the back ups…