AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > November > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USVintage Dunn gets workhorse job done
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Charlotte — Long before Alge Crumpler spent the waning seconds on Sunday sealing a Falcons victory with a catch-and-run sprint of 30 yards through the Carolina Panthers defense, there was Warrick Dunn.
For the good of the Falcons, along with mom, apple pie and the American flag, there always was Warrick Dunn.
You can’t just like this guy. You have to love him. Not only do you have his slew of humanitarian awards for his housing program for single mothers and other initiatives from the heart, you have his ability to keep leaping out of nowhere to stiff-arm time. He does so by ignoring his 32-year-old legs to become his vintage self, and we’re referring to the Dunn of old who consistently ranked among the NFL’s most complete players as a prolific runner, receiver and blocker.
So this was vintage Dunn at Bank of America Stadium. What better way to celebrate Veterans Day than to have one of the most impressive human beings in sports history show 73,340 witnesses that age is just a number in his world.
“He’s not that big of a guy, so, yeah, it’s special what he’s doing when you see him taking all those hits from the big guys,” rookie wide receiver Laurent Robinson said of the Falcons’ 5-foot-9, 187-pound miracle.
Added owner Arthur Blank, delivering more truisms about Dunn from the locker room of the 20-13 winners, “As a person, he always amazes me, but at his age, to be performing the way he does on the field really [is amazing]. Whenever he has to step up, he always steps up. I’m sure Warrick has lost a step. It’s just hard for me to see it.”
Nobody sees it. The Panthers didn’t, not with Dunn grinding his way to 89 yards rushing and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 51 yards and blocked with efficiency. He could do nothing less than become the Falcons’ offense for a bunch that still hasn’t a clue of how to run coach Bobby Petrino’s power spread scheme without sputtering for long stretches.
The Falcons scored on the game’s opening drive, and Dunn punctuated it by racing 30 yards to the end one. Once, he kept churning and stretching after a catch to add five, six, maybe eight yards to what became a play of 35 yards. He also did a Knowshon Moreno twirl on a couple of runs to make the Panthers dizzy.
“I guess sometimes when I’m watching film, I’m kind of surprised at some of the moves that I’ve made,” said Dunn, in his typically humble tone. He set the stage for his Carolina performance by looking a decade younger against San Francisco the week before. That’s when he rushed for 100 yards in a game for the first time this season. Said Dunn, “I constantly challenge myself day in and day out to just go hard and leave it on the field. That’s pretty much what I try to do, and whatever happens after that, to me, it just comes naturally. It’s nothing that I’m planning to do. It just happens.”
It just happens for a supposedly old guy who underwent shoulder and back surgery before the season. It just happens for a supposedly old guy who is working behind a ghastly offensive line. It just happens for a supposedly old guy who is forced to carry more times per game (27 against the 49ers, 26 against the Panthers, as opposed to an average of 13 carries per game during the previous seven games) these days to compensate for injured backup Jerious Norwood. It just happens for a supposedly old guy who is 58 yards rushing from 10,000 for his career, which is close to Hall of Fame territory.
Just so you know, Dunn can reach that milestone Sunday at the Georgia Dome against the Buccaneers, his team prior to joining the Falcons in 2002. He remembers more about his Tampa days than his pretty touchdown run Sunday.
“I think it was a draw play, and I just tried to read the blocks,” Dunn said, shrugging. “I have no idea what happened after that. I was just running, and the next thing I saw was [wide receiver] Roddy [White] and defensive backs. So I cut off Roddy and ran to the end zone.”
Now Dunn will keep running toward Canton, ancient feet and all.
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By harry
November 11, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this
Warrick has always been a workhorse throughout his career. The Falcons would be a winning team if everyone had as much heart as Warrick Dunn. He is a very humble and respectable athlete. He is a positive role model and is someone to be proud of. Hopefully someday soon we will see him in the Hall of Fame with the all time greats.
By sasmorris
November 11, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Who’s yo daddy Carolina?
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 11, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
It’s pretty unbelievable, but Carolina actually has a worse QB situation than Atlanta right now.
Nice game for Dunn. I’d like to see him do this against teams ranked better than 20th against the rush.
By Anthony
November 11, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
hey stendec, how bout showing some love. Didn’t you hear we won? You can be negative enough when we lose. Let the rest of us Falcon fans enjoy the moment.
By Objective Falcons fan
November 12, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
Joey Harrington was 19 of 26 today for 192 yards, one touchdown pass, and no interceptions. His touchdown pass to Alge with about 20 seconds left won a road game in the clutch. Joey also led the team on a 70 yard scoring drive at the beginning of the game. He threw the ball accurately all day. He doesn’t call the plays, so it’s hard to blame him for the lack of downfield throws. That’s a very good day for a QB, especially one who does not appear to have the support of a rookie coach whose play-calling is questionable.
Dunn looked great. Also, the defense played very well. The Falcons are not the Patriots, but there are signs of hope.
That’s two wins in a row, with one coming on the road.
You also have to give Harrington credit for staying in the pocket and taking a massive hit to deliver the game-winning TD. With all the negativity surrounding him, he’s been pretty tough. It’s got to be hard to go out there and win when you know the head coach doesn’t want you.
By Jerry
November 12, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this
I wish somebody would give Harrington some serious credit for taking a serious hit when he threw that TD pass to Crumpler who, I must say, DID put his money where his mouth was regarding his earlier comments about veteran players.
I’d also like to see if Petrino’s offensive scheme might really work, or if it’s just another pie-in-the-sky college plan that won’t fly in the pros…
By Dr. Warren
November 12, 2007 4:59 AM | Link to this
Why, I wonder, is Blank handing his necktie over to Crumpler? (Crumpler had apparently complimented it, and Blank untied it right then and there). Hasn’t Arthur learned anything about boundaries from the Vick episode? In the everyday world, of course, such a gesture might be gracious and admirable, but you can’t run a football team like an obsequious uncle. These guys need to know who’s boss—and they need to know that whining to the press about the coach will be rewarded with diminished roles, not neckties.
By LongtimeATLien
November 12, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this
Dr Warren- Is your doctorate in cynicism. Maybe you missed the fact they won. Maybe you forgot that Blank is, by nature, a jovial and giving guy when it comes to the Falcons. Or maybe you lost sight of the fact that this team needs something to smile about if only for a momemnt,
That was an impulsive, genuine gesture. Nobody is sitting around trying to devise Draconian measures to show “who’s boss”.
Crumpler dared to get a little fired up about his team. Forgive him for being so uppity. A few more good breaks could turn the tide of this team going into next year. The Falcs are actually better tahn they appear on paper and the NFC South is still wide open right now….
By mark
November 12, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this
perhaps this team , these guys are well paid you know will show some heart and finish the season with respect, the fans deserve it.
By Sirreal
November 12, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this
Warrick Dunn is a very consistent back. At 32, he’s still showing that he can get the job done. Even after it’s all said and done with Warrick on the field, the Falcons need to retain him in some capacity. We all love him in Atlanta, even PETA!!
By scott
November 12, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
cridet the coach for calling a good game .with few great palyers on this team to run them i like this coach give him more of what he need next year and i can see the falcons wining more games aginst the better teams in the nfl .
By newteamgeardotcom
November 12, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
go dirty birds go. we are going to win the rest of the games left on the schedule.
By Matt Yoder
November 12, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Praise the Lord,I do believe this team is finally turning the corner! Everybody looked FANTASTIC today! I think Petrino has got a good plan for this team and I think patience will pay off big time for Atlanta fans… Oh yeah,by the way, anybody missing Grady Jackson??? Trey Lewis looked pretty darn good out there today!!!! And Harrington also needs to be the starter no matter what! For a guy to go out there and perform the way he did without the confidence of his coaching staff the past few weeks is pretty amazing!!!! We on a ROLL!!! GO FALCONS!!!!
By Don
November 12, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
3 and 6 would be a mediocre record for most any NFL team, but it is really rather incredible for the Falcons. When you consider the unprecedented tragedy of the Vick episode, the string of serious injuries, a rookie coach on a learning curve, and inept field goal kicking from an untested rookie at the start of the season which lost two games, most of us would have been thrilled with any victories at all, much less three.
By Realistic
November 12, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
HARRINGTON THE STARTER??
Just say no to drugs-
The falcons got lucky— if the panther recievers hold on to the ball WE LOSE!!
Harrington can’t consistently throw the ball downfield and takes too many sacks THROW THE BALL AWAY DUMMY!! pretty soon those DB’s are going to start to sit on those short passes—Patrino has limited Harrington to “SHORT PASSES” so much so that the receivers don’t even have enough yards for first downs when they catch the ball?? We have far too many (3RD DOWN) catches that do not go for first downs?? POOR COACHING*
Give Leftwich a chance he has the better arm and can give a defense more problems than that statue named Harrington
By Really Realistic
November 12, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
Leftwich’s arm in no stronger than Harrington’s. Having watched him in Jacksonville from the beginning, I know of what I write. Also, Leftwich is the more statuesque.
The only games Miami won last year were Harrington’s games. The Falcons could have at least four wins now (see Matt Prater), all of them Harrington starts.
What are you shooting up?
By Bo
November 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Warrick Dunn is not only a great player but a great person. Thanks Warrick for being a MAN.
By jay
November 12, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
well I knew eventually that Leftwich’s name would be mentioned. Realist give it up that guy is done. your comments about Harrington just shows your bias because he’s not a black quarterback.
By michaelgee
November 12, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Why haven’t you written anything positive before today? Dunn and others have been here all season and not a single positive from you until when the Falcons start winning. You have tried to sabotage the team as if it wasn’t done completely by the ex-QB, you tried to divide the same clubhouse week afetr week. Now that Petrino has put some wins together you write favorably about one guy. Football is a team sport, you can’t divide the team from it’s coaches when they lose and jump on with support for one guy when they win unless you siomply do nott understand team sports. Of coude this is all you know to do isn’t it. TMoore, you need to be consistant or get a new job.
By matt
November 12, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Give Joey the credit he deserves. Yesterday should have been the 2nd win aganist the Panthers. (he threw for over 300 yards w/two touches in the 1st game). We should have won against Jax, and Tenn (you keep him in instead of Leftovers then I believe we win)Don’t give me the Leftovers arguement. Joey threw a TD pass to R White in that game (vs NO) that got negated by poor officiating. The guy does not have a record as a winner, but he’s doing a darn good job for a team and a coach who do not blieve in him. Maybe they will start to believe now.
By matt
November 12, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Amen Jay!!!! You are spot on w/realist. He probably enjoys the constant rap music played during Falcons games as well
By reddog
November 12, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Go Joey. All he has done is play for three weak teams with little or no running game, O-line, and middle of the road receivers, 5 different head coaches and O-coordinators and he has still improved every year. He didn’t draft himself #3, Matt Millen did. His coaches ? Morinhweg, Mariucci, Jauron, Saban, Petrino. Hardly Lombardi,Parcells,Walsh,or Noll. Give Joey a half-decent running game, decent protection and receivers, and a decent scheme, and he will only continue to get better. He is accurate. He stands in there. He doesn’t throw teammates under the bus. He CAN win, just not all by himself. Go Joey.
By jc
November 12, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
for all you Falcon and Harrington haters just stop watching the games and stop posting your negative remarks. I am sure there are other things you can be doing on a Sunday afternoon like rake the leaves or go watch Matlock reruns. True Falcon fans will support no matter what…Love you Joey and thanks for sticking in there seems your parents taught you well unlike these morans that get on here.
By afan
November 12, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Harrington might not throw like Manning or Brady but he sure is nice to look at on a Sunday afternoon…just keeping in real on a womans perspective since all you men do on here is complain.
By Barton
November 12, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Warrick Dunn.. This Bud’s for you Mister never-too-old-to-whoop-up-on-a-division-rival-man.. I like Jerious but there is no replacing you. Adrian who?
By jw
November 12, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
did you hear about the poor dog out in Clayton County that was tied up to the end of his owners car and was dragged through town almost to it’s death. I wonder if they were related to Michael Vick…GO HARRINGTON!!!!
By Objective Falcons Fan
November 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Kudos to reddog for noting the horrible spots Harrington has been put into in his career, including the numerous b-list coaches and bad o-lines.
It also bears noting that in Miami last season, he led the team to 4 straight wins after getting familiar with the system when he took over for Culpepper.
Miami’s record this year? 0-9.
This shows that Joey made a lot out of a bad situation last year, just like he is doing this year.
It thus remains to be seen what Joey can do with a good team around him and the support of a solid head coach - give him a chance.
By dan ryan
November 12, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
If we are able to beat Tampa Bay on Sunday…..and I’m convinced we will….hang on to your hats!!!! this could turn out to be a very exciting season after all. Dan
By NativeBird
November 12, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Unlike college where you have loyal fans (look at Michigan, Nebraska, Alabama, etc.) that will come to the games if you are 8-2 or 2-8. This is the NFL and when you don’t win, you don’t sell tickets in most markets. Fickle, fair-weather fans are a reality. Atlanta fans have shown that this year, i.e.- last home game’s BLACKOUT.
OK, Joey had a good game and the Falcons won. Great. As a season ticket holder that actually goes to the games whether they win or not, I want consistency. If Joey can bring that to the team, good. If he can’t then maybe Byron can, or some other quarterback that we can get next year.
Petrino got upset with Joey over his play on the field and not getting rid of the ball. His offense is based off of the quarterback making good, quick decisions that are quick reads that he must make to be successful. Get the ball out, run it yourself, or throw it away. PERIOD. Not, Oh my God what do I do, I have no confidence, !CRUNCH!, could someone help me to my feet please!
So, congrats Joey! I hope that you keep learning, growing and getting better. It’s now a race thing, it’s a win thing. We are all measured on something in our jobs or careers, yours Joey is execution, passes, touchdowns, and ultimately wins. You keep doing that and you will remain the Falcon quarterback, if not with no hard feelings or ill-will you will be carrying a clipboard. That’s life in the NFL.
GREAT GAME JOEY, WARRICK, THE DEFENSE, AND TO ALL OF THE FALCONS!!
By StillDefiant
November 12, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Contrary to popular belief, matt, people of different races may prefer Leftwich over Harrington. Your rap music comment only shows the lack of intellect you have. As for Harrington, he played well on Sunday and deserves his props. GO FALCONS!!!!
By Proud Dawg
November 12, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
89 yards huh? Yaaaaaaaawn!!!!!! He is black so T. moore loves him. The fact is that the falcons have only won 3 games which makes them 2 better than Notre Dame. Wake me up when we actually get a professional football team
By Dawgbyte
November 12, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
Proud dawg Don’t look now but Knowshon Moreno is black, also. And I bet you yelled your head off for him on Saturday when he had less total yards than Dunn. Save your race stuff for your KKK meetings and quit embarrassing us real Dawgs and Falcons.
By matt
November 12, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
To still defiant,
I was not being racist about the rap music comment, just simply pointing out a fact. Arthur Blank jumped on this bandwagon when convick started to carry the team.The fact is the dome plays urban music to cater to fans who supported vick then. Sorry it is the truth, and it does not display a lack of intellect on my part. Take off your blinders and face the facts. The Falcons had a African American QB and saw that African Americans supported him without even caring about the rest of the team. That is why the stands are not full today.
Give me a break!
By StillDefiant
November 12, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
So let me get this straight, matt. Because Realist likes Leftwich over Harrington, according to your earlier statement, he also enjoys the rap music that is played in the Dome?? OK, so I guess that was your round about way of saying Realist must be black. My initial point was there are several reasons people feel like Leftwich should start. I know people of various races who were excited we got Leftwich. Personally, I’m fine with Harrington starting if he gives us the best chances of winning. As for attendance, the reason the stands aren’t full is because the Falcons have a history of losing, are currently losing, and Atlanta for the most part doesn’t stand by its sports teams. To make a broad assumption that “African Americans supported him (Vick) without even caring about the rest of the team” is funny. I forgot that all people of a race think the same….
By Al
November 12, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Look into the numbers. Dunn’s yardage came from two plays. The other 25 touches produced his normal
Dunn for One and Dunn for None
If I carried the ball 30 times, a hole would open up once to give me a 30 yard run….law of averages.
We need a back who can get a legitimate 3-4 yards per carry.
By Ryder
November 12, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
What many of you don’t seem to understand, is that it’s going to take a LONG time for the team to trust Joey Harrington to become the long term answer at QB. That is why Atlanta feels more comfortable with Leftwich at the helm. Petrino feels he can get the ball downfield more often and have defenses worried about the pass.
That being said, Atlanta is doing their best to weather what has been a very difficult season and with a win against Tampa next week they can begin the road toward respectability again. Great article TM!
By OLD MAN
November 12, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
AI, you couldnt’t carry the ball 30 times. So what if a hole opened up — you wouldn’t be in there. Please give Dunn his due — he’s a very good tailback!
By jc
November 12, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
had planned on going to the game this Sunday until I heard that Leftwich could be the QB..Patrino if you make that move you need to go as a head coach.
By jc
November 12, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
had planned on going to the game this Sunday until I heard that Leftwich could be the QB..Patrino if you make that move you need to go as a head coach.