Falcons In An A-Peelle-ing Situation

by Dave Choate on Dec 3, 2008 8:00 AM EST in Editorial

Ben Hartsock is on injured reserve. Long live Justin Peelle!

The Falcons find themselves in an odd situation. Without Hartsock around, Peelle is going to get his first chance to be a featured tight end on an NFL team. He's got a relatively small window at the end of the season to prove that he's good enough to stick around beyond this year. Personally, I find it hard not to root for the guy.

First of all, Peelle catches well. In today's NFL, few teams survive for the long haul without an option at tight end, and Matt Ryan is growing increasingly comfortable with the Peeller. He's not--and probably never will be--a potent blocker, but I think he could be very effective in a tandem with someone like Hartsock.

It would help the Falcons immensely if they could cross one more position off their draft needs list, and it could happen if Peelle just operates at the level he has been the last several weeks. Given very real needs on the offensive line, defensive line and in the secondary, it'd be nice to see him get a few catches a game from here on out and maybe a couple of touchdowns.

Thoughts on Mr. Peelle?

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I like the guy

While not being featured, he has two three-reception games, including last week’s game in which he also had a TD. I would assume you could keep him on the cheap, and he might be a viable option for Matty on a couple third downs every game. I agree, though, that he probably needs to play in tandem with a more potent blocking TE.

by Tron5000 on Dec 3, 2008 10:23 AM EST reply actions

He's made some great catches

Including that very athletic one against the panthers, leaping over people for extra yardage after the first. He seems to really want yardage and goes after it without much consideration for his own body. I like that in a TE.

And not to mention his baby handling skills seem to be good.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Dec 3, 2008 10:35 AM EST reply actions

I like him

and most importantly i think matt ryan likes that he is there. My guess he is fast becomeing the man ryan looks for when roddy is covered well.

by Funballad on Dec 3, 2008 10:54 AM EST reply actions

he's alright

I think he is a great TE to have more so on a temporary like basis. I don’t see him ever being anything as extraordinary as Witten or Gates, but he is a very valuable team member for the time being and possibly for a good while. I do agree that as long as we have him, we can better spend out draft spots on bigger holes on the team.

by MentallyMIA on Dec 3, 2008 10:54 AM EST reply actions

Upgrade

Peele is going to stay with the team, but what this team needs is a more complete package. Get a blocker with Stick ‘Em. The safety valve doesn’t need YAC potential, and blocking is part of the success of Matt Ryan. I think Hartsock’s hands are problematic, and as such an upgrade should include a blocking TE that’s better at catching balls than Hartsock.

It’s one of my only draft wishes for the O (aside from a new C, McClure’s getting older, and maybe an RT)

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 Dec 3, 2008 11:20 AM EST reply actions

Gresham

I like Peelle and have been saying so ever since he joined the team, but the combo blocker and pass catching demon the Falcons and Matt need is playing this Saturday against Missourri. That guys a beast!

I think Peelle sticks around at least a year or two though. Like the player…

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Dec 3, 2008 11:24 AM EST reply actions

Hartsock is a very solid blocking TE

So assuming he’s healthy next year … I could see Pelle staying on the roster to spot whichever pass-catching TE we pick up the draft.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 3, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Ed McMahon says

“You are CORRECT, sir!”
With the many needs of the team, it would be nice to be able to concentrate on other areas in the draft and free agency this year. If we draft a late round developmental project at TE, I wouldn’t mind that too much either.

by tom slick on Dec 4, 2008 12:08 AM EST reply actions

I don't know

We took Milner in the fourth round. That didn’t work out especially well. A pass-catching TE is essential for this team to be successful for years to come. I like Peelle, but he isn’t the long-term answer. He could do us some good for the next few years, but I think going after a solid TE in the first three rounds might be advisable.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 4, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions