Falcons WR Finneran talks up rivalry with Saints

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran has the second-longest tenure of any player on the team.

He was signed in 2000 as a free agent, one year after the Falcons drafted center Todd McClure.

As a result, Finneran has been around for a lot of games against the rival New Orleans Saints.

In a conversation with the AJC, Finneran discusses the nationally under-unappreciated rivalry that will take the league’s center stage Monday night at the Superdome.

Q: Why is this such a big rivalry?

A: I think proximity is a factor, with both teams being in the South. The overall records of the two teams against each other is pretty close. I think we are up by nine or 10 games. (Falcons lead 44-35.) We’ve been in the same division for a long time. When you are in the same division together, it just means that much more.

Q: What are some of the nuances of playing down there? The Katrina game [in 2006] was just a bizarre event.

A: That was the Falcons against the world. We understood that when we went down there. They are 6-0 now and rolling. It will be a tough, tough matchup for us. But we are going to go down there and like any other game, prepare to win. We want to see if we can’t execute a little better than we did last week, limit our mistakes and try to come away with the victory.

Q: How are you with your integration into the passing attack?

A: I do whatever I’m asked to do here. I’m late in my career, and [offensive coordinator Mike] Mularkey does a good job of getting me mixed into certain situations. Whether if it’s blocking or running pass routes. We are using me on third downs, so I really do whatever I’m asked to. I try to be productive.

Q: Looks like they are getting you the ball on the move? Is that something that you like?

A: Sure. I get to move around in the slot. I’m coming out of the backfield every now and then. Sometimes they line me up at tight end or out wide. We try to do a good job as far as matching people up on certain defenders where we might think we have an advantage. It’s been productive so far.

Q: After battling back from injury and missing two years, how gratifying is it to be still playing?

A: That’s been huge. It gave me a new sense of belonging. It made me appreciate what I have. Every time that I step on the football field, I feel like I have to give it my all.

It’s always been like that, but it’s a little bit more after you miss two years with a knee injury.

You know that any second something could happen in this game. That’s what we try to stress to the young guys and the special-teams guys: one play at a time, and give it all you’ve got.

Q: When you were out, you did a lot of broadcasting and were pretty good. Is that something you want to do when you’re done playing football?

A: Yeah, absolutely. I’d like to see if I can make it work. I’d like to transition right into radio or whatever it might be. If I can sit around and talk about sports that would be fun. I can handle that.

Q: How’s the wife and kids? They are growing and are more aware of you playing football?

A: It’s been fun. My son is in high school right now. He played on the freshmen football team, and they had a successful season. I think he had fun playing. Then my little one is growing up, the 5- and 7-year-olds are getting into it pretty hardcore and enjoy watching daddy play football.

Q: Are they playing Little League yet?

A: They do baseball, and my 7-year old is going to play basketball this year. I try to stay away from the young kids playing football too early.