New Atlanta Falcons: WR Harry Douglas
via www.king-mag.com
Given my enthusiasm for this pick, you're probably wondering how I'll keep the tone neutral, as befitting the editorial nature of this blog. Then you'll remember that I'm full of crap. For an examination of the heavily slanted pros, cons and likely role for our young Atlanta Falcons fan, read after the jump.

History: Most importantly, is an Atlanta Falcons fan. Played baseball and basketball well in high school before concentrating on his receivertude at Louisville. Incredibly, he only started 19 of his 46 games, but still ranks second all time in receiving yardage at the school. Was a talented special teamer with no major character concerns, and a couple of minor leg injuries were the only thing (besides the coaching staff) stopping him from getting on the field.
Pros: Saying Douglas is fast is like saying that Dave the Falconer is a tiny bit verbose. He's got very good speed and agility, and as a result could demand more coverage as he slides past whatever helpless nickel back is trying to stop him. His production at college basically speaks for itself, as he's perfectly capable of catching the ball in traffic, alone, or in the Siberian tundra. Terrific athlete who, again, has only slight injury concerns. Aside from size, is pretty much the prototype slot receiver.
Cons: Small, and as a result can be stopped cold at the line of scrimmage. Scouts are concerned over his small hands, but scouts have an odd obsession with the size of body parts (insert your own joke here.) Douglas needs to work on his route running, which is the only thing keeping him from really kicking butt out there.
Role: Douglas is likely to fit right in to the slot or as a fourth receiver this year, even though Mike Smith isn't a huge fan of three receiver sets. He'll surely contribute on special teams (a pattern with this year's draft class) right away, and by the end of the year you might see him on the field more often that you'd expect.
Final Thoughts: In this system, Douglas is likely to have a limited role at first. Out of all the picks from Day Two, however, he seems the likeliest to have long term success. We haven't had a fast, capable slot receiver in what seems like a decade, so I welcome Harry Douglas to the team with open arms.
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Nice
All of the draftniks were enamored with this pick. I have heard nothing but positive things about this dude, although nothing amazing. Love the fact that he is also a special teams guy.
In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.
by runningback on
May 10, 2008 12:09 PM EDT
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Draft Position?
With all the good things we’ve heard about Douglas are true, why didn’t he go earlier?
by widderslainte on
May 10, 2008 6:37 PM EDT
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My best guess
Scouts were concerned about the size of his hands, as mentioned, and I think people were afraid that he was too small in general to excel at the NFL level. Year after year, we hear how guys like Wes Welker or Maurice Jones-Drew (different position, I know) are too small, and yet we’ve watched many of them excel at the NFL level.
That’s my best guess, anyways.
Football is not a contact sport. It's a collision sport. Dancing is a good example of a contact sport. ~Duffy Daugherty
by Dave the Falconer on
May 10, 2008 7:13 PM EDT
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It's All Relative
Ever heard of a “value pick”? Obviously not.
In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.
by runningback on
May 10, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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Mini Camp
This guy was impressive against some of the smaller DBs (Grimes/Iron), but he looked a little jammed up/frustrated lining up against some of the bigger folk.
"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)
by jamesrael on
May 10, 2008 9:40 PM EDT
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NFL caliber
The difference between those particular smaller guys that succeed and the most that fail is a never quit attitude that needs to be inserted into his personality immediately. If he can become a good role player we might see a few more three wide sets.
by HitImeSonfalcons on
May 11, 2008 5:35 PM EDT
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Comparing "Harry D"
I want to see how Douglas compares to Eddie Royal (2nd Rd, Denver) and Earl Bennett (3rd Rd, Chicago) over the next few seasons. Royal and Bennett are somewhat comparable receivers who were picked ahead of Douglas and are a bit bigger/faster. If Douglas can outshine those guys, we’ll know we got our money’s worth.
Falcon Fans UNITE!
by Blue Falcon on
May 12, 2008 7:50 PM EDT
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