FLOWERY BRANCH — When Falcons management and coaches talk about getting more “explosive” plays on offense this season, it may be easy to forget about Harry Douglas.
The Falcons traded up in the NFL draft to pick Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. All-Pro Roddy White and Jones present deep threats for an opposing secondary.
However, Douglas is feeling like his old self, and he will be counted on, too. The wide receiver played in all 16 games last season — with 22 catches for 294 yards and a touchdown — after missing 2009 with a torn ACL in his left knee.
It wasn’t until the end of last season that Douglas says he was fully recovered.
“I feel like I’m 100 percent now,” Douglas said Thursday. “I can play differently. I can come out here and play like I used to play before I got hurt — fast, quick, not thinking, doing what I do best playing with quickness and speed.
“It was toward the end of last year that I was getting back to the 90th percentile. Over the summer, I felt like I got to 100 percent where I didn’t need my trainers to bend my knee for me and make sure I’m loose. I could do everything on my own again.”
Douglas, the Jonesboro High graduate the Falcons took in the third round of the 2008 draft, averaged 13.9 yards a catch as a rookie. He took over the punt-return duties halfway through his initial campaign.
The explosive element was lacking from the Falcons’ offense last season. A healthy Douglas figures to make a difference this season — no matter where he plays.
Surgery for Weems
Wide receiver Eric Weems underwent knee surgery during the offseason, according to coach Mike Smith.
Smith would describe the surgery only as “a little procedure on his knee” following Thursday’s evening practice.
It was the first practice for Weems, who signed a one-year tender in July.
Backfield help
Ovie Mughelli is used to blocking for Michael Turner. He calls the tandem “500 pounds of running back coming at you.”
However, the fullback has something new to get used to clearing the way for 196-pound rookie Jacquizz Rodgers.
“Me and Mike, we’ve got that relations to where he knows where I’m going to run and he knows where I’m going to block,” Mughelli said after Thursday’s training camp practice. “We see a defense, we can see a safety rolling, we can see an end spiking and see what the stunts are and be able to sift through that and work off of each other. That comes with time and comes with reps.
“Me and the rookie don’t have that yet. As soon as the pads get to stay on a little longer, we get some more reps and build on that chemistry, I hope that he can read that, and we can play like me and Mike do.”
Rookie fullbacks
Mughelli actually was eager to have two rookie fullbacks in training camp. He thought he would be able to have a little fun with the newbies when the Falcons signed Lucas Cox (Georgia Tech) and Thor Merrow (North Alabama) as undrafted free agents. However, the limited offseason because of the NFL lockout has left little room for fun and games.
“I’m a nine-year vet, and this is the first time I’ve got two rookie fullbacks to mentor and coach,” Mughelli said. “Man, it’s a full-time job. I remember when I was rookie and I had guys like Harold Morrow in Baltimore mentoring me. I had to ask them so many questions, but I didn’t have to ask them as much because I had a minicamp, I had OTAs, I had a chance to meet my coaches.
“These guys are talking to me, calling me, asking me questions before practice and after practice because there is much information to learn. They are at a disadvantage.”
Friday night scrimmage
The Falcons will hold their fourth annual team scrimmage Friday. This year’s event will be at Norcross High School. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the scrimmage begins at 7:30 p.m.
Parking is free in the general parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the lot is full, a free satellite parking lot located at Christ The King Church will be available. A free shuttle system will transport fans between the church and the high school from 5-11 p.m.
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter contributed to this article.
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