Domonique Foxworth To Start For The Falcons

by Dave Choate on Nov 6, 2008 8:00 AM EST in Falcons News

Brent Grimes began the year as a nice story, but he has to yield his starting job to a story with just a little less luster. Today, Domonique Foxworth has finally learned enough of the defense to take over the spot formerly held by Grimey.

It's a shame that a nagging injury had a role in costing Grimes his job, but with the Falcon pass defense struggling the writing was on the wall. Foxworth was quite highly regarded when he was drafted, but Denver soured on him and he then had to learn the scheme in Atlanta once we swapped him for a low-round draft pick. As of this week, though, he'll get a real shot to boost one of the league's youngest and most ineffective corps.

His tackling and his experience will give him an edge over Grimes, though I doubt we've seen the last of Brent. At the very least, his stunning speed and athleticism could give find him a role as a dime back and possible punt returner. This move also puts more pressure on Chris Houston to succeed; if he continues to show only minimal improvment, Chevis Jackson may be breathing down his neck before long.

I'm in favor of making gains at the position however we can, so Foxworth isn't likely to hurt. At least we didn't sign DeAngelo Hall.

Thoughts?

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Injured Players

I have a real simple question, why is it that positions are taken from some and not others when they are injured? Is that fair?

by Debilah on Nov 6, 2008 11:49 AM EST reply actions

The NFL is the very definition of unfair

Grimes got burnt several times this year, but so did Houston. The injury in my mind—and possibly the draft position for Houston—made Grimes the target here.

It’s impossible to say what makes the coaching staff decide who to replace, but we have to trust to a certain extent that they know what they’re doing. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to call them if they do something completely insane, i.e. playing Adam Jennings for Roddy White.

by Dave Choate on Nov 6, 2008 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Houston

Look at Houston though. The size and strength difference between him and Grimes is huge. If he can develop he hopefully will be able to manhandle possession receivers (although he has a lot of work to do considering how Muhsin Muhammad tore him up).

If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.
-Bo Jackson

by Pregame with Pabst on Nov 7, 2008 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

You raise a good point

But my problem with Chris Houston is that he hasn’t gotten there yet. Maybe if the coaching staff started talking up Chevis Jackson again, Houston would burn the midnight oil…

by Dave Choate on Nov 7, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad, but

a team like us (that lacks top-tier DB talent) rightly should give Foxworth a look. I like Grimes’ athleticism, but his play has been kind of spotty. Why NOT give another guy a chance? It’s not like we’re cutting Grimey or never giving him a chance to start again. Good luck Foxworth and Go Falcons!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Nov 6, 2008 12:24 PM EST reply actions

Also...

Don’t forget about Von Hutchins. Sure he won’t make an appearance during this season, but that’s a secondary I can certainly deal with (Hutchins, Foxworth, Houston, Grimes and Jackson).

Quite frankly the problem is not with the secondary. It’s with the pass rush. All those guys can cover for long enough to get someone back there, but with an underachieving DL by everyone not named John Abraham, and a scheme that seems to make our LB’s all but invisible, the spotlight on the failures of the defense as a whole is focused squarely on the secondary.

The secondary is NOT the problem in Atlanta. The pass rush is. Upgrading your corners doesn’t do half as much for improving pass defense as upgrading your DL (DT, Jamaal Anderson, Kroy Biermann [who was a total waste of a pick], I’m looking at you…)

We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.

by iRonin on Nov 6, 2008 1:41 PM EST reply actions

I'm looking forward

to Foxworth getting the start. I think he’s hungry for the chance.

Grimes has put in great effort the whole season, especially against the bears, and I believe he is an asset to the team. I agree with Daves thought about him trying the punt return position. I think Douglas has the potential to be a great receiver and would like to see his focus stay there.

The pass rush looked great against the eagles until Anderson left with a concussion. Teams trying to contain Abraham will be getting a taste of Anderson more and more. A double threat on the ends would really take this defense up a couple of notches. I’ve also been hearing Coleman and Loftons names more throughout the last few games as their play has improved.

Overall, I think the defense has been playing better every week. The coaches have been doing a great job of finding players strengths and working with what we have.

by armchair quarterback on Nov 6, 2008 5:19 PM EST reply actions

you also gotta remember

despite our success we still are somewhat of a rebuilding team. and next year through the draft maybe we snag two premier pass rushers. i wouldnt mind a dominating defensive tackle either.

by iloveroddywhite on Nov 6, 2008 7:26 PM EST reply actions

other uses for Grimes

Grimes can be a great punt returner if he’s given the chance. I know his abilities will show and the return game is his chance to contribute despite the loss at corner.

by jamesdtown on Nov 7, 2008 2:33 PM EST reply actions