Pro Bowl wideout Booker adjusts to backup role

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH – Marty Booker was minding his own business when the ringtone on his cell phone started humming.

The 33-year-old wide receiver was preparing to get on with a life after football and perhaps, it was time. He had played 10 seasons after getting drafted in 1999 by the Chicago Bears. He'd caught over 500 passes for more than 6,500 yards and even made a trip to the Pro Bowl back in 2002.

"I was in my home in Chicago, actually packing my stuff to ship it back to my home in Florida," Booker said. "I had to put all of that on hold ..."

It was Falcons wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie on the phone. Harry Douglas, the Atlanta reserve receiver, had just been lost for the season with a knee injury and Robiskie had a short message for Booker, whom had once coached in Miami: Catch the next plane.

The Falcons wanted some veteran help and Booker knew the system from his days with the Dolphins. It's been a quick fit.

"He's our third receiver," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Both he and (Brian Finneran). It depends on the formation and the plays that we want to use."

Booker played five seasons with the Bears (1999-2003), three years with Dolphins (2004-07) following a trade and then returned to Chicago last year for one more season. But after the Bears released him in February, Booker wasn't ready to retire.

After hanging up with Robiskie, he finished packing up the Chicago place and had his belongings shipped to his house in  Pembroke Pines, Fla., where they remain unpacked. The move has required an adjustment, but he's fine with his support role with the Falcons.

Before last week's explosions of big plays in San Francisco, Booker had the team's longest gain of the season, a 27-yard reception against Carolina. He has four catches for 59 yards (14.8 per catch).

"I knew from being around for awhile that once I got at least four or five days under my belt, I would start to pick it up and get back into that football shape," Booker said.

Booker was excited to make the Falcons because of the team's offensive arsenal. Over his career, he's caught touchdown passes from 13 different quarterbacks, some less notable than others:  Jim Miller, Joey Harrington, Kordell Stewart, Gus Frerotte, Chris Chandler, Kyle Orton, Shane Matthews, Rex Grossman, Sage Rosenfels, Cade McNown, A.J. Feeley, Henry Burris and Trent Green. Henry Burris?

In a short time, he has become a big fan of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

"It's doesn't even compare," Booker said. "I've played with a quite a slew of guys, about 20 different starting quarterbacks. It was tough to adjust.

"Going into any week, you didn't know who was going to be your quarterback. I've played with some pretty good ones like Chris Chandler, who was here. He was one of the top ones. To play with a guy like this, who is young and has all of the tools, is unbelievable."

Booker is more than happy for a role in the Falcons offense, where he is an option in the passing game behind  Pro Bowlers Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez.

"I wish I could have had some weapons like this in my earlier days," Booker said. "To get it now, it's all good. I'm at that point in my career where I'm all about winning."

Ryan has thrown nine passes to him, which is nine more than Booker would have caught before a phone call interrupted his packing in Chicago last summer.

"This is a veteran guy who knows what it takes to get the job done," Ryan said. "I expect him to continue doing his job."