AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDefine ‘young’ for us, Alge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Alge Crumpler is a really good player but a really bad analyst. His claim that Bobby Petrino cares more about developing younger players than winning was silly on its face and ludicrous on further review. First of all, what NFL coach ever puts winning second to anything? (Quoth Petrino, when asked five weeks ago if the Falcons’ many woes indeed gave him a pass on this season: “If you don’t win, you might not be here next year.”) Even more to the point …
Exactly what young players did Crumpler mean?
The Falcons’ leading rusher is Warrick Dunn, who’s 32. The leading receiver is Roddy White, who’s in his third season and who had darn well better be showing something by now. (The second-leading receiver is, ahem, Alge Crumpler. And Joe Horn, who’s 35 and who has nothing left, is still listed as a starter.)
The team’s leading scorer is Morten Andersen, who’s older than Petrino. The starting quarterback is Joey Harrington, who’s 28. The backup quarterback is Byron Leftwich, who’s 27. If not those two, who would be old enough to satisfy Crumpler — Y.A. Tittle?
Until Renardo Foster was promoted after Wayne Gandy was lost and Trey Lewis stepped in after both Rod Coleman and Jonathan Babineaux were hurt, the Falcons had precisely two rookie starters — Jamaal Anderson on defense and Justin Blalock on offense. Given that they were the team’s top picks in the April draft and also the two players gained via the Matt Schaub trade, you’d hope they’d be capable of playing right away. But two rookie linemen, or even three or four, wouldn’t seem to constitute a youth movement, would it?
(Heck, my biggest problem with Petrino is that Dunn has more than twice as many carries as Jerious Norwood, who’s 24.)
Is it possible Crumpler is miffed because he hasn’t caught as many deep balls this season, thereby damaging his Pro Bowl campaign, and that rookie tight end Martrez Milner had the audacity to catch as many passes (two) as Crumpler did against the Titans? And if that was indeed his gripe, why should we take this criticism any more seriously than we did Keyshawn Johnson’s just-give-met-the-damn-ball rants? Should Petrino be pilloried for not designing his offense around a tight end with a bad knee?
The wonder isn’t that the Falcons have won only once. The wonder is that they’ve had a realistic chance to win in the fourth quarter every week with a team that hasn’t had its best offensive player (Michael Vick) and its best defensive player (Coleman) for a snap. Crump the Grump mightn’t be able to see it, but there’s some real coaching going on. (And the offense Crumpler found so lacking in conceptual nuance had, if you’ll recall, looked rather spiffy against Carolina and Houston.)
The Carolina game was lost largely because DeAngelo Hall put himself ahead of the common good, and now Crumpler’s bizarre comments have made a bad situation worse. He told the AJC on Wednesday he regretted saying what he said, but that admission came three days too late.
His name’s Alge, but he came across as All-Me.
Permalink | Comments (37) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley, Quick Hit
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Can u say...testing
October 11, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
To AJC management…Mr. Bradley needs to be brought in for drug testing because he could not have possibly written something this bad sober….
By Randy
October 11, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
As an AJC regular and media consultant, I appreciate this even-handed commentary. No agenda apparent, no self-serving effort to stir the pot. Rooted in facts rather than biases. Terence Moore, who can sometimes be interesting and incisive himself, was way out of line coming down on Petrino on Monday. His vitriol seemed especially suspect since just a week or so earlier he had praised Petrino as a superior coach to Mora. I tend to trust Bradley’s opinions more than Moore’s simply because they seem more driven by rhetorical strategy and less by the impulsive, “look at me” style of sports radio and TV pundits.
By Casey Smallwood
October 11, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Screw all of these overpaid babies. You had a coach that was your best friend and would not get on your A$$ if you didn’t do the right thing and you quit on him 2 years in a row. Now you have a guy who demands respect and doesn’t play childish BS games and you want to complain because “he was mean to me!!” I don’t want to hear it; our organization is in shambles right now because we put to much emphasis on making the players happy. I think Petrino is the right guy, and if we get some guys in here that are more interested in the greater good of the team instead of running their mouths and peddling for Pro Bowls maybe we could win consistently. I am behind you coach and am proud that you are not giving in to these immature egos.
By Petey
October 11, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mark for writing a column that uses tangible evidence to support your argument.
You have proven again to be the only columnist there that can manage that (I’m looking at you Terrence).
I immediately thought of Dunn getting the majority of the carries over Norwood (or, the future).
Alge is my favorite Falcon, and has been. But he’s way out of line on this one. Also, can someone tell us what is going on with his knee? Watch him after Interception on Sunday. He looked like he could barely walk.
By Malted Falcon
October 11, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Oh brother! Alge was obviously talking about the QB change and that the team had just thrown away a win-able game. Bringing in Leftwich was when Petrino lost me as a fan. Read between the lines, Bradley. You’re supposed to show insight in these columns.
By charlie rogers
October 11, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
why is this write today? You are about three days too late. If you were going to write this crap, it should have been written Monday. By writing it now, it seems like you are trying to stir the pot. Nice timing, Mark!!
By NSHS FAN
October 11, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Mark, Don’t be to quick to analize Algie’s comment in a negative way. You are a newpaper commentator and I read your column. What I don’t know about you and only you know is: Whether or not your boss(es) is treating right or you see them grooming some else to take over your job. Thre could be something happening to him behind the scenes in practice that the public doesn’t know. I may be wrong, but just a thought.
By mountain jim
October 11, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
I agree that Alge screwed up with these comments, and that this is a good column, and that Petrino deserves better.
That said, he blew it putting in Leftwich before ever giving him some time with the first string, his other ex-Louisville who looked good in preseason would have been a better choice if Petrino believed Joey was physically or mentally done for the day.
And Petrino should have had a better blind-side protection called on the last play to help the rookie LT in for the first and only time that game.
Petrino has made some blunders and deserves to be included in those at fault for losses 2-4, and Petrino also said Alge should have spoken to him privately but then Petrino called out Joey in the media the same way 2 weeks earlier.
That’s the kind of double-standard that the vets have to notice and wonder about.
By David Duke
October 11, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Alge Crumpler is guilty of wanting to win, nothing more than that. Petrino, like so many former Falcons’ coaches before him, came in here talking a really good game. He talked of having a power running game and stretching the field so the passing game, down field, could become an important part of the offense. He brought in a “devestating blocker’ to facilitate the implementation of this power running game. His concept was referred to, widely, as smash mouth football. There is no smash mouth football being played by the Falcons. There is no power running game. The field is not being stretched and downfield passing remains a fantasy. Mr. Petrino, like Mora four years ago, apparently charmed Mr. Blank in his interview. He, like many another grifter, sold himself with faux knowledge and enthusiasm. His purported philosophy has not been instituted into the Falcons’ schemes in any manner. This is what is troubling Crumpler. He mentioned the current administration constantly implores the players to trust them but what is there to trust? Talking a good game is not the same as planning and being consistent with a philosophy. Petrino undermined his team with the change in kickers right before game one. He’s yanked his quarterback when there was a chance to win a game. The same day he yanked Harrington after one interception, Tony Romo threw five awful interceptions and remained in the game. He drove his team to a touchdown. Still trailing, the Cowboys recovered an on-side kick, went down the field and won on a field goal, from 53 yards, that had to be made twice. That’s the difference between good teams and bad ones. The good ones have a concept as to what they are going to do to win. When the going gets sluggish they slog on and strive to win. That’s what the Cowboys did and what the Falcons did not do. It starts with the coaching. Petrino asks his players to trust him. What he doesn’t seem to realize is trust is a reciprocal thing. Why should the players trust in him when it’s obvious he does not trust in them. This is what Alge was talking about.
By D Ellis
October 11, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
He was just upset at the trend of losing..not just that game but all the ones before them. He is not a “ME” guy. Heck he IS an ALL PRO Tight end MARK!!!!! WHY IS HE NOT GETTING MORE OPPURTUNITIES??????? HE IS OUR BEST RECIEVER….WHY NOT GET HIM THE BALL MORE?????? CAN YOU BLAME HIM?????
Yes I agree…continue to throw the ball to Michael Jenkins and the Robinson kid….and less to OUR ALL PRO TIGHT END!!!!!….you can’t be serious…you should have wrote an article on why OUR ALL PRO TIGHT END ONLY HAS 2 CATCHES in the game….and 1TD on the season…HECK DID WE EVEN GO TO OUR ALL PRO TIGHT END IN 4 PLAYS on the goal line IN NASHVILLE????????
No of course not we run sweeps and fumble and don’t even get our ALL PRO TIGHT END A CHANCE….Notice the words..ALL PRO TIGHT END…in caps….ALL PRO…..ALL PRO….who cares if he is upset…at least someone is upset..OFF THE FIELD..and not on it and blowing games for us like D-Hall. Bottom line is HE IS AN ALL PRO TIGHT END….HE NEEDS MORE TOUCHES…and for the love of football…..PLEASE PULL NORWOOD off of kickoff returns..he looks lost out there….if you want him to have more touches….give him screen passes…or swing passes…..he is not a kick off returner.
P.S. What did Byron Leftwhich spot someone in row 10 wearing a Falcons jersey???? Rusty or not that dude has been playing QB for the last 15 years of his life….and it looks like he couldn’t hit sand if he fell off a camel. He sucks….he couldn’t even beat out DAVID GERRARD!!!!!! Why would we want someone in a game for us to win it…that couldn’t even beat out DAVID GERRARD……I don’t doubt our coaching staff and their knowledge…but some of their “choices” are nuts it seems like to me.
P.S.S. great call on the fake punt..hope to see more of it!
By Reason
October 11, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Why is it that the media always jumps on a player for criticizing the coach? Petrino is not above criticism. Alge does not have to be miffed to state his feelings around…development. And I am more apt to trust him than a writer who leaves out points that do not support his argument…such as adding Petrino’s statement around being out of here if he doesn’t win. He has a guaranteed contract so it’s easy for him to use that canned answer…the players do not have guaranteed contracts so a bad year has a bigger effect on next year. And Bradley forgot to mention that Dunn is a much better blocker than Norwood so he has to be on the field more. I guess Bradley didn’t want to mention that a number of Dunn’s running plays could have been audibles or Petrino’s way of giving the defense another thing to be aware of since you know Norwood is not in for pass protection. And if Norwood is not going to pass block, the defense knows it’s either a run or the O-Line doesn’t have help on the pass rush. Tell me why Bradley’s argument is focused on the field rather than Alge’s statement around development? Development implies the things happening during the week plus the game. Bradley only touched on the games…maybe he was up against a deadline. C’mon Bradley…dig deeper than the old spoiled athlete questions authority speech. It’s been written too many times and since some people on here think you’re better than that…show us.
By marty
October 11, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Mark is dead on the money about All_Me. At the same time Alge has a point about play calling. We should have ran a qb sneak first and goal inside the 1 ydline at the end of the gm.Leftwich is 6-5 250 lbs or at least give Ovie Mughellie a chance before running wide on a very aggressive Titan defense. Bobby made a poor choice of play calling at that point and time. Also, Bobby should have left JH in the gm. He’s been playing well considering our OL is below average. Bobby is the man for this job. We all make mistakes and so far the poor play calling at the 1 ydline has been his only fault. We need a new kicker we can rely on to kick 50-55 yd. Time to forget Alge’s stupid comments and move on. He has. Let’s not over hype this situation.
By doobird
October 11, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
I think Petrino is doing what has to be done. Showing the players he means business (like this is how it is) and will continue to be, win baby, win! It’s not happening yet because of injuries to key players, missed assignments that will get better, doubters that aren’t putting forth 100% every play and will be corrected as time passes. It can’t all happen immediately folks, give the coach time for God’s sake! Even he has screwed up on play selections at times but it will not happen too often. The only thing I question is the limited use of that BIG fullback in short yardage situations. The rest I can understand and live with. This week two more key injuries will make the line even less experienced but who knows, these new heads just might surprise us too. If not, so be it, move on and keep trying to improve. Not every team is going to be able to go undefeated and some, other than the Falcons are still winless.
By KrisG
October 11, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Alge has been an even-keeled leader on this team for years. He doesn’t tend to speak out of turn, and he handles himself with dignity. He backs up what he says as a player on the field. He has my respect, and he has the right to question this coach… Frankly, his speaking out gives DeAngelo Hall more credibility too.
By Eric
October 11, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
I agree with charlie rogers, this article is about 3 days late, this is old news, they (Alge and Petrino) kissed and made up already, move on……must be a slow news week at the AJC, “No M.Vick news to write about, so lets pull out a three day old story…and stir things up!!!”
By Sir
October 11, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t you be a bit upset if you 1. Got five turnovers and couldn’t score at all 2. The only real TD came from the Defense and 3 Your franchise looks more and more like Days of our Lives. (It definitely not the YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS b/c let Crump tell it, they’re getting all the playing time.)
By Jeremy
October 11, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Marty, you are never going to find a kicker that can consistently kick 50-55 yards. There isn’t a kicker in the NFL that can. Most kickers range is the same as Morten Anderson, who has proved he is reliable from that range.
By no_id
October 11, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
every week its getting worse…this season has been full of turmoil…its always something with this team now…im tired, im going back to sleep…zzzzzzz
By Mossberg Bud
October 11, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Trade him and Hall,the last thing this team needs is to have these cancers running their ignorant mouths.All coach killing punks should be purged before they infect the rest of the team.
By BUSHWACKER
October 11, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Don’t blame Algee, he is a casualty of the experiment gone bad called Mike Vick.
Think about it,
Teams that have a real passing attack generally have the qb looking first for his wide outs and checking down to the TE.
Unfortunately Vick had no clue and could not see downfield to find his wide outs therefore he looked first for Algee then took off.
Granted the passing game was non existent against TENN because the O line was getting killed, but:
Now that we have a real offense with a qb that can finds his receievers, naturally he looks for the wide outs first then Algee.
Crup the Grump as you call him is an all pro and a good man and he will figure out what he needs to do to help this team win, even if that means less catches!
He was angry becasue we let another winnable game slip away, basically 5 missed field goals have us at 1-4 instead of 3-2.
Let’s see what happens Monday night, we will find out just what this team and coaching is made of.
By Bayou Falcon Fan
October 11, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
Alge, Hall or any of the players can call out the Coaches if BP can show film at the post game interview. Lets see;
Here is our OL revolving door block. See how our QB is bleeding from the hit.
Here our defense missed a tackle that lead to them getting a 1st down.
Here our TE dropped another endzone pass.
Here our WR caught a great pass but didn’t run the route past the 1st down marker, so we had to punt.
Our CB was out playing out of position and tried to jump the pass that resulted in a big gain since he missed the tackle also.
So yes Alge, Hall or whoever wants to point fingers, we can play this game all day.
By BUSHWACKER
October 11, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget I’m from the mountains, correct spelling optional!!!
By jokurone
October 11, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
WOW That’s telling it like it is. stop the whining Algeeee!
By 1eyedJack
October 11, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
The average shelf life of an NFL player is about 5 years and Alge is past his expiration date. Plus he has a bum knee. I love Crump as a player, but Coach Petrino would be a fool not to try to prepare a younger player to step in if something does happen.
By BUSHWACKER
October 11, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
You watch, Crump the grump and Joey are going to put on a clinic Monday Night and show Elly(Eli) and Crybaby(Shockey) what using the TE is all about!
After 55 inetercepts one in front of Shockey early in the game then Boley welcomes him to the Atlanta turf a couple times Shockey will lay down and quit like the loser he is and our ALL PRO TE CRUMP can show the world what its all about!
By Singletary
October 11, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Why are we STILL ragging on a team captain for one unfortunate media slip? Players and coach have taken their dirty laundry to the media; both are inappropriate.
I’m just glad to see the players still care, even if they occassionally slip out of media-speak. After everyone came down on MoveOn.org for likening the name of our leader on the ground in Iraq General Petraeus into “Betray-us,” can I suggest we all act like adults and not assign perjorative names.
DeAngelo and Alge have played very hard on this team for years and deserve at least minimum respect of not having their names abused.
Is it too much to ask that AJC sports writers give us at least one or two columns per week on Xs and Os? A column on formations that might beat the Giants or insights into the other team would be MUCH more appreciated.
By june_baby
October 11, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
i noticed some of you people just could not stay away from the mike vick thing. and that’s a shame, shame, shame on you. the man is gone, he won’t be back in atlanta, so why continue with these attacks? you just prove the point more and more every time you hate like that.
ALGERON just want’s to win so badly, that he gets frustrated. you say things in haste when you’re upset. and we know how reporters are: they live for the soundbites! they know that if they stick a mic. under a player’s mouth after a frustrating game, anything could come out. as opposed to giving the player time to compose himself. ALGERON will be fine, i’m not so sure about PETRINO’S offense, and the linebacking corp. they always seem to arrive to help clean up a play, instead of leading the tackle. the run defense looks atrocious in my eyes.
By Adam
October 11, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
The bottom line is the Falcons aren’t winning. Hence, they are whining about not getting the ball enough or at all. Due to Vick’s suspension, this was going to be a tough season for Petrino. Despite Petrino’s comment, I’m going to give him a pass on this year. Losing your franchise quarterback before the season without having an equally capable replacement earns him that. If the Falcons draft a QB next year, you might have to wait another year or two for success.
By Rod
October 11, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this
Warrick Dunn is playing like crap and should be benched.
By Free Vick
October 11, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
the coaching is ignorant. They need to give norwood more carries than warrick dunn because warrick doesn’t have the agility and juke moves that he had 3 seasons ago. Norwood is faster, stronger, and i think better right now than “midget dunn”. Crumpler also needs to get most of the catches that harrington throws throughout the game. AFTER ALL HE IS THE ALL TIME LEADING RECEIVER IN ALL WIDE RECEIVER CATEGORIES OF THIS FRANCHISE.I think the falcons should have won the game last week vs the titans. we should be 3-2 at the least. P.S. PLEASE REPLACE LEWIS SANDERS… WE NEVER GOING TO WIN WITH HIM AT CORNERBACK… START ROOKIE CHRIS HOUSTON BECAUSE HE’S A SHUT DOWN CORNER… AND HALL HAS STEPPED IT UP IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS
By KrisG
October 11, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Wow. Here we go again, I guess… soon, you’ll be casually referring to Alge Crumpler as a “thug.” Insisting we trade him. How many of our best players do you want to get rid of? Because I think the fact that Petrino pulled a QB when we had a chance to win for another who wasn’t even ready shows me he hasn’t adapted to the pro game. I think Alge has a point, I think this game shows that Petrino’s got some learning to do.
By tigger101023
October 11, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
It has nothing to do with age, Alge. It has everything to do with wanting a freikin WR to be the leading receiver on the team. Something I am thrilled to see, honestly. When Alge was the leading receiver, we were among the worst passing attacks in the NFL. It’s not like he’s still not catching the ball.
Our real problem is that we can’t run the ball. 1st and goal at the one and we can’t score - pathetic. If we could run, we wouldn’t be using cutsey plays that blow up.
There’s enough to criticize without resorting to nonsense. “Phasing out veterans” is just ridiculous.
By tds
October 11, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Good stuff Mark. I agree with you completely. I dont know where Terrance Moore was coming from with his pieces earlier this week. We have been in every game, without our best players. I give Petrino gold star for being able to deal with what has gone on this year. I believe he just needs time to build the team to meet his needs.
By jerry
October 12, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
I just want to say that I really appreciate you people who say Petrino made a mistake by bringing in Leftwich. You are sooooo smart. I wish I were that smart. I would get on these blogs and tell everybody.
By Paul
October 12, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Only two good coaches this our Falcons organizations ever had in its history were:
Leeman Bennett. Yep, I have been fan since then
and
Dan Reeves.
Both were fired for one loosing season when the teams were riddled with injury to key players.
Falcons management of the past and present capitalized on the opportunity by firing them and handing the fans (that is US folks), perpetual loosing seasons by hiring looser,s, self-appointed coaching geniuses, coaches with behavioral problems (Jerry Glanville comes to mind) and coaches who traded great talent out of town whom, went on to win super bowl more than once in their career.
Now let us not forget that, our fair city is blessed with journalist who call themselves sports writers.
We are also blessed with only one News Paper which is also know by its moniker “the fish wrapper” for years.
We have an hand-man for owner (nothing against handy-men) who has made foolish decisions and parted with millions of bucks in the process.
Have a GM who got out of Tampa when the kitchen got too hot, I suppose.
Have coach famous for (alleged) his play book and the book appears to be tightly shut thus far in 1-4 season, and our esteemed sports writer is trying prove, what Algae said is not factually correct.
Mr. Sports writer, let me point out the real problem with this team in this city of Atlanta, “They are loosing and there appears to ZERO leadership form Coaches, GM and the Owner”.
Neither Joey, Byron,Brett, Payton, Tom or the legendary Montana can win.
Reeves took this team to the Super Bowl with another rejected QB called Chris Chandler, ring a bell.
By Chip
October 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Just shut up Alge and catch the ball.
By dhorn
October 12, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Mark, Mark, Mark, you disappoint me. I had hope your journalistic view point reguarding the issues with the Falcon’s would be evenly spread across the entire organization, but to take a shot at Horn as you have tells me that you like most sports writers hide behind your pen and don’t do research. You watch the game like we do and you’ve been given a forum to make ignorant comments with hopes of multiple fans responding to give you something to write about. So, here let me help you do your job. Atlanta paid millions to get HORN here. Some how it’s HORN’s own fault that his coach hasn’t figured out how to use him. Take a look beneath you in the standing at the Saints. They never thought about what would happen once HORN was out of that offense drawing double coverage and making Colston a stand out reciever. No HORN, and Colston now comes off the bench. It’s a little different catching a pass in double coverage. If this coaching staff is not going to use HORN the way he was being used as a Saint, you can’t blame HORN. Look at your stats. No one on that team runs a more perfect route, but when you come out of it expecting the ball to be in the air and instead you see a quarter back getting up off the ground because he’s holding the ball to long and not trusting the route or the reciever, or you see the check off man well short of the first down because your quarter back is holding the ball to long and not trusting the route or the reciever. Do your homework, how many times has HORN been thrown to and how many of those passes has he caught. My advice to HORN is stay healthy, collect your check, and roll if they don’t want you next year. Here’s your story, I’m his brother and he’s my #1 fan. Has nothing left? What a joke! He’s only the leading third down reciever in the NFL for the last two seasons.