An Atlanta Falcon Undrafted Free Agent WR Primer
by Dave Choate on Jun 5, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
in Editorial
23 comments
If there's one spot on the roster where one could argue there's an abundance of competition, that position would be receiver. The irony is that out of the seemingly hundreds of receivers the Falcons have signed, only one will win a roster spot, and that's as a likely inconsequential fifth receiver in an offense that utilizes two or three and a tight end most of the time.
While there were already a few guys on the roster who could compete, the most intriguing options are actually the undrafted guys from this year, which include Arena Football League talent Troy Bergeron, Clemson rookie Aaron Kelly and Utah newcomer Bradon Godfrey. Unrookie Chandler Williams has a chance to stick around because he's a clear asset on special teams, while Khalil Jones probably won't win a spot unless everyone else on the roster suddenly takes up water polo. It's the undrafted guys or bust in this case.
Without further ado, let's take a quick look at each of these guys, as well as my wildly irresponsible prediction about which one of them will make the final roster. Here's a hint. If you've been reading for at least a month, you're going to know who I pick.
- Darren Mougey: Positional versatility is what Mougey has in spades--or at least clubs--as he dabbled in quarterback at San Diego State. At 6-6 and 230 pounds, Mougey is downright huge, and has all the physical tools necessary to succeed. He doesn't have a track record of eye-popping numbers at the college level, but if they kept him around they'd have an emergency quarterback. So he's got that going for him.
- Bradon Godfrey: The newest addition to the competition, Godfrey is 6-3 and 197 pounds and had an efficient career at Utah, where he caught 128 passes over his career. He doesn't appear to have any physical tools that separate him from the pack, which leads me to suspect he's more of a camp body than anything. Still, he's clearly a solid enough guy, so maybe he'll surprise. There's not really a whole hell of a lot out there about Mr. Godfrey.
- Troy Bergeron: We know what Bergeron can do. He can return a few kicks with reasonable success and can catch like crazy. What's the catch with this catching, you ask? That would have to be the fact that he's done all his damage in the AFL, which is just a wee bit different than the plodding pace of the NFL game. He's clearly talented, but it's a red flag that he hasn't managed to stick to a roster before now despite his success in another league. At 6-2, 190, Bergeron will probably be in the running until late in the pre-season.
- Aaron Kelly: I saved the best for last. A beanpole of a receiver, Kelly weighs as much as Bergeron but stands almost as tall as Mougey. He's got intriguing pass-catching talent but will clearly need to add a little bit to his frame so he doesn't blow away every time a guy in the third row of the Dome farts. Still, his height and his relative speed for a tall guy makes him the option I think is going to make the roster.
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I voted for Kelly
But I think the last spot (1 Roddy, 2 Jenkins, 3 HD, 4 Finn) will really come down to Kelly, Bergeron, Chandler Williams and Weems.
I’d think Mougey, Godfrey, etc are competing for a Practice Squad spot (and Kelly if he doesn’t make the cut)… I don’t think either Weems or Williams are eligible for the Practice Squad again this year – so it’s active roster or bust! (I could be wrong about that though, the Practice Squad rules are fairly confusing)
I don't know how safe Finnernan's job is...
Knees don’t get better with age. I think you’ll see more third down passes goto TG. I could see Kelly and Mougey make it. Can you imagine a bubble screen to HD or Norwood with a 230 lb WR to block in front of him??
"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."
Bobby Bowden
possible answers at CB or Safety?
I mean, wouldn’t it make sense to bring in a big guy on passing downs who has already proven himself as someone who can make a catch? I mean, we definitely weren’t leading the league in turnovers last year.
it might be a little farfetched, but it doesn’t seem too impossible to me. Look at our list of CBs… none of them are even 6’. We don’t have a lot of depth at safety either… these guys might not necessarily be competing for WR spots… thoughts?
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
Only Bergeron seems to have the speed needed...
But it’s an idea…
"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."
Bobby Bowden
I've thrown a far-fetched idea or two out there ...
but I don’t see this working. I mean, DBs don’t rely exclusively on their ability to catch the ball. I played OT back in the day, so maybe my perspective is skewed, but I feel like the position demands more than catching ability.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Kelly...
would be my vote – especially given Roddy’s statement earlier in the OTAs (something along the lines of “even little Kelly’s made some plays”).
I wasn’t aware of the rules of eligibility for the practice squad that orang3b mentioned, but my theory is that with such a young secondary, we’re going to need the practice squad to give them a run for their money every week to prepare them. Our small guys will need to practice against big guys like Mougey and learn how to handle the size disadvantage. These additions to the practice squad could be valuable contributors to the teams growth.
Yeah
With 8, I’d guess at least one WR (one of the guys who doesn’t quite make the cut), an OL or 2 (Butterworth/Stancheck/Valdez), a LB (Adkins/Bobino), a DB (Middleton or Glenn Sharpe – I think he’s still eligible), and a DE or DT (or both), and ?? for the last spot… The trick is with guys (for instance, Adkins) that are very raw (and won’t contribute this year) but the team thinks has lots of potential – Practice Squadders are basically treated as Free Agents, so another team could snatch them up (they’d have to be signed to the Active Roster, though). That’s why I’m really hoping Kelly makes the final 53 – I wouldn’t want to risk losing him… Of course, if another team wanted him so bad, they could’ve just drafted him…
On another note...
Bergeron’s tattoo’s are stupid. Geez, I’m mean.
You mean
you don’t like a flaming T on one side, and what I can only describe as something akin to a mouse raping a star on the other side?? You don’t approve??
Seriously, what is that on his left arm?
Looks like it says "Bergeron" under the design ...
but beyond that, I’m clueless. I think you’re mouse raping a star suggestion is close enough.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Hahahah...
That’s too funny. Mouse raping a star. I’ll bet on a back he has a huge dolphin jumping over a unicorn with a rainbow in the background.
You should see the ankel tattoo
Of Roger Goodell punching a viking with a fire engine.
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ankle*, you moron
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by Dave Choate on Jun 8, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
please avoid insults
we are a friendly community (for the most part), and insults aren’t really called for.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Jun 8, 2009 6:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Forum Policia
FTW!
"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments
You're right...
of course. I couldn’t resist, sorry. I won’t be so rude in the future.
I feel so misinterpreted
I was referring to Dave calling Dave a moron
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
Recommended
I’m sure I’ll be relieved to learn I can’t pick on myself freely anymore.
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All good points.
That would suck to lose some promising young talent to another team b/c of putting them on our practice squad. Tough decisions…
I think NaGaNole may be right. I like Finn, and he’s been solid (though he did have a couple or three embarrassing drops last year), and he knows the system, but I think we’re finding out that speed is on everyone’s mind this year, and a number of these young guys—-and I’m thinking especially Bergeron and Kelly—- have an edge on Finn there. I also agree that Gonzalez does diminish a bit the need for what Finn brings to the table. I’m looking for more work from Douglas this year, perhaps out of the slot. Bergeron will challenge for return man. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kelly make it, and Finn be gone. Height and speed in one package = very desirable.
by gfweis on Jun 6, 2009 6:50 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I love Finn too
But if Bergeron and Kelly show enough talent, I think we could replace his production. Both are going to have to show they know how to block, though.
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No one loves Finn more than me...
Before the injuries, he was the “security blanket” of the offense, in there when we needed that extra little bit of peace of mind (third down, up man/fair catcher on a punt return). And he was good at this role. His last full season before the injuries, I think he had more third-down catches for first downs that almost anyone in football, and led the team by a large margin.
It’s hard to admit this, but he’s not been the same player since the knee injuries, and it may be time to go. Nostalgia is nice and all, and it won’t hurt to have him on the roster, but I think adding two of these receivers (Kelly and Bergeron) with wildly different skill sets may be a better usage of roster spots than Finneran and ______, especially since Kelly looks like he may possibly become the “next” Finneran (I’m thinking regular starter, 2001-2002 Finneran).
Wow, it was surprisingly hard to type that.
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