Objection! Falcons Should Cut Lawyer Milloy
by Dave Choate on Jan 7, 2009 8:00 AM EST
in Editorial
Email
PrintSometimes you just have to let go.
Take Keith Brooking, for example. An Atlanta Falcons icon for years now, Brooking's play on the field has steadily gone downhill. While I still love him as a person, I've viciously turned on his inability to cover a completely useless tight end in a playoff game.
Not that I am overly bitter, of course.
But it's useful to remember that even icons have to go sometime, because Jeff Schultz at the AJC believes the Falcons shouldn't ditch Lawyer Milloy. While I normally respect Schultz's opinion, he's out of his freakin' mind on this one. Milloy looked old and slow for large stretches of the season, he wasn't very healthy, his DUI arrest hung over him for weeks and he capped the whole thing off by looking like he couldn't tackle a fly against the Cardinals. It's complete lunacy to keep a guy aging that rapidly in front of talented kids like Thomas DeCoud.
All of this would be moot if Milloy was willing to assume a backup role, which would keep his legs fresh and allow him to work that leadership mojo that he's nearly universally praised for. If this team is serious about improving, however, they'll either let DeCoud have a chance or draft another safety who can bring some energy to the position.
It may sound like I'm being harsh with Milloy, but I just don't believe in maintaining the status quo at positions that are clearly becoming a liability. What do you guys think?
16 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Brooking and Milloy
TD was staring at KB and LM when he said that personnel decisions “would not be made with emotions”. If that doesnt say pack your bags, I dont know what does.
" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln
DeCoud deserves a shot
Especially after all the USEFUL tackles he made on Special Teams against the Cards.
There comes a time in every fan’s life when they blink and all of a sudden, the names being called for spectacular plays are no longer familiar. It happened with me this year. Jenkins (where did he come from?!), Douglas, Lofton, Foxworth, Jackson, Babineaux, Turner, Ryan, DeCoud. All made spectacular plays this season and all were relatively unknown to us (either because they were at another team, still in college, or were 2nd string/rarely used).
When did we hear Brooking and Milloy’s names this year? Not that often. The most prolific play(s) Milloy (that I can remember) was in on were the two goal line stands during the Chicago game. Brooking? All I’ve heard about his this season is "Look there, you see, X team’s offense play faked and #56 bit hard, enabling Y pass play to work. Milloy also seemed to be biting hard.
Maybe it’s sorta like when someone gets older, they start reverting to their childhood. An elderly person requires diapers and hands-on care, much like a toddler. Maybe, as NFL players age, they start reverting to their rookie mistakes?
But I guess I am too sentimental. I’d like to see The Law Dawg stay a Falcon if only to mentor DeCoud or some strapping rookie.
"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."
I'm w/ ya
But Jackson? As in Grady “I’m So Fat I Sweat Jelly Doughnuts” Jackson? Seriously dude?
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
CHEVIS Jackson
The guy who picked off Brees in the 4th quarter of the first NO game this year and ran it back 99 yards for a touchdown.
"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."
Oh
Yeah … My bad.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
A rookie outta LSU*
"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."
Well, Milloy has been voted a team captain
so I don’t see him going anywhere
by phoenix falcoholic on Jan 7, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions
what I mean
is that the players don’t make personnel decisions …
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
Don't Cut Milloy
IF … and this is a big “IF,” he’ll accept a lesser role. Same thing w/ Brooking. If they’ll re-structure their contracts/accept back-up roles … they are welcome to stay IMO.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
Milloy Needs To Go
Yes, he does need to be cut. Heck, I am surprised he played this year. He is washed up. Its an interesting thing about Brooking. When I was watching last Saturday’s game, I saw how slow he was, and I thought he needs to go, too. His covering ability sucks. What about Jamal Anderson? Two years, and I never hear squat from that guy. The D definitely needs new blood.
FYI: it's spelled Jamaal
Jamaal was inactive for the Saturday game. Plus, the man’s only 22. I believe he has plenty of time to improve himself to perform just like Abe.
by da fatchick thrilla on Jan 8, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Brooking, Milloy...
I don’t see how much of a reduced role there really is for Keith. He hasn’t been all that stout against the run for a few years now (i have visions of Deuce running him over, and over, and over again), and his pass coverage has certainly slipped. I love Brooking, I have a brooking jersey, but its time for him to step aside.
Regarding Lawyer, I was happy with his play for most of the year, he was not spectacular, but he was steady. I was shocked by the horrible angle he took on Cyberquan Boldin, I think that was more of a flukey play then a sign that he’s aging. And its not fair to judge him against Larry Fitz, because IMO, thats the best WR in the league right now.
That being said, I do beleive that if the good comrade beleives DeCoud is the future, there should be an open competition for the starting spot next year. If Comrade Dimitroff does not beleive that young Thomas is more then a special teams stud, I wouldn’t mind seeing our beloved birds spend their first draft choice on a safety.
Oh come on
Brooking is the maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! No … really. I don’t see Brooking as a complete liability on running downs. That being said, I see no problem w/ him assuming a lesser role. Since he started all yr, I’m going to assume the coaches thought he was their best option. So it’s difficult for me to understand how he wouldn’t be a solid 2nd option. Now, if he wants to seek out some more money/playing time elsewhere, I certainly won’t blame him. But to say he can’t be a backup on this team, I think that gives our current LB corps a little too much credit.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
New Guy Here...
I have been “lurking” for about a year now and decided it was finally time to join in on some of the conversation here. I see where you guys are going with Brooking, but Milloy?? He was our run defense this year. I watched every down every game and he seemed to be in on every rushing play. Look what Steven Jackson did when Milloy wasn’t out there… he mowed over Fudge a few times. You don’t see that happen to Milloy.
I agree to a point
And cut might be too stringent, but I do believe he should at least take a backup role. He’s still solid against the run but is fast becoming a pass liability, and when he finally loses what’s left of his speed he’s going to make Jamal Fudge look like…well, old Lawyer Milloy.
I love leadership, but you can still get it from backups, I think.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Ahmad Bradshaw says Cowboys won’t win with Tony Romo at QB
- Cruz: Manningham’s Super catch wasn’t drawn up that way
- Whitney Houston performed the greatest national anthem in sports history (video)
- Justin Tuck visits New York City cop who survived gunshot wound to head
- The Giants won the ‘Brain Bowl,’ too
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
