Need Falcons fans take on Brian Finneran

by Hoyadestroya85 on Aug 10, 2009 6:12 PM EDT Comment 8 comments

I've been watching Brian Finneran since 1997 when he was and his twin brother Brad (who was also a good receiver) were seniors at Villanova. It was a thing of beauty to watch our Quarterback chuck it over the middle and then watch Finn make ridiculous catches. I'm writing a piece for my blog about the Villanova players who are currently in the NFL for my blog and I wanted to get the opinion of real Falcons fans who have been able to watch him more closely. I have a couple of questions that you can just answer in the comments.

What is your favorite memory of Brian Finneran in a Falcons uniform?
How valuable do you think Finn is to the Falcons?
What type of role do you see him playing this season?
What was your impression if you've had any personal interaction with him(if applicable)?

Thanks for your time everyone and i'll drop a link to my article when it comes time to publish it.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

3 recs | Comment 8 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Rec'd

I will write up my own memories when I have a chance, but let’s help a fella out and promote this.

by Dave the Falconer on Aug 10, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks dave

your kindness is appreciated

President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club

Fact on Villanova Sports

by Hoyadestroya85 on Aug 10, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rec'd x2

I look forward to your article. As a younger fan, my memories of Finn don’t date too far back, but I am looking forward to learning more about the guy that the franchise still thinks so highly of.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Aug 10, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finn

How about he’s a third down machine? I don’t have any one single best memory of him, but when I think back on all the games I’ve seen him in, all of the memories coalesce into one single play. It’s third and long, everybody and their mother’s uncle knows we are about to pass, Finn takes off from the slot, the QB looks downfield for the bomb, Finn cuts out ten yards deep and catches the ball right at the line for a first down. If I’ve seent hat once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Dude is just money in the clutch. I mean, seriously, of his 208 career receptions, 145 have been for first downs. That’s a ridiculous 69.7% first down rate. His hands are so sticky that Spiderman would forfeit in a WR skills challenge.

No, Finn isn’t going to drop your jaw with blazing speed and he probably isn’t going to impress your girl with high flying acrobatic catches. He doesn’t need to. He’ll quietly go about his business catching anything thrown near him putting together a very solid days work each and every Sunday. It’s just been unfortunate that the guy has been injured as much as he has.

So, that’s my memory and where I see his value to the team. Until White and Jenkins recently grew up, I don’t think we’ve had a more reliable receiver in the clutch since Mathis. Jefferson wasn’t bad and Crumpler was a TE, so personally I think Finn has been great.

As for this year, what with the recent injury to Douglas, Finn should step into the third WR spot and resume his role as the reliable veteran WR for all of the younger guys coming up. He isn’t going to be the first option in the passing game, but he’ll get his while White is fighting double teams and the LB’s are worrying about TG.

by Jesse28 on Aug 11, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As a Falcon

Finn has been clutch on 3rd downs. He has also scored several crucial touchdowns that led to wins. A couple of years back I would have put him as our no2 due to how mant crucial balls he hauled in. After his injury he has snot seen as much time, but it still playing at a high level and making plays when called upon to do so. I am hoping he gets a shot to make more play this season but who knows.

As far as how he is in person, I have met him a couple of times. He seems like a very cool guy. willing to spend some time with fans to talk football, take pics, and sign autos. I think we are a better team with finn than without him for sure.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Aug 11, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

He might actually be Spider-Man. He sure has a “Spider Sense” about where the sticks are – 5 yard catch on 3rd and 4; 8 yard catch on 3rd and 7; etc.

1) Like the others, not a specific memory – just the image of a first down grab on a crucial 3rd down.

2) Valuable? I’d say there’s lots of guys bouncing around the bottom of NFL rosters that can catch 20-25 balls and are fairly interchangeable (of course, his role probably changed once Harry Douglas got hurt). I’d say his true value to the team now is his determination (and how that might rub off on other players). After missing two full seasons after back-to-back knee injuries, he certainly could have called it a career. But he busted his butt to come back and not just make the team, but to be a contributor on a playoff team (that was #3 in Net Yards per Pass Attempt, and #6 in 3rd Down Conversion Rate). The guy is a pro.

3) He’s probably going to have a big role this year since HD’s injury. 25-35 receptions (which will mean 20+ first downs), and maybe a few punt returns. He’ll also be able to be a coach on the field for some of the younger guys who have a shot at the roster.

I thought I had put up my thoughts on this yesterday, but my computer crashed when I tried to post it, so i guess it didn’t happen…

by orang3b on Aug 12, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can catch anything

Look forward to checking out your blog, Hoyadestroya85.

As far as my favorite Brian Finneran moments, it is hard to single out one or two specific memories of Finn’s career. However, what will always stick in my mind is that Finneran was, aside from Alge, the only receiver that could consistently handle the rocket like passed of Michael Vick. If Vick threw a pass to high, Finn would go up in get it, often times across the middle into linebacker city.

Finneran is a huge value to this team. Despite his injuries in the past, the guy can still make tremendous catches. No, he’s not a number 1 receiver, but he’s been in the league over 10 years now, so you can expect any receiver to loose a little by this point in their career. But at the same time, Finneran brings all that experience to the table, which is only a plus for the rest of the receiver core. Finneran can be a great leader for this Falcons team.

I see Finneran this season doing what he has done fore a good portion of his career. He’ll be the 3rd receiver in a 3 receiver set. But at this stage of his career, he could almost be a player-coach with all the knowledge he has picked up. Again, he won’t be a starter, but he will most definitely have an impact.

by Chris of Falcons FanCast on Aug 13, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Late

1) With Finneran, it’s always going to be about the catches he made in tough situations in traffic. He seems to have magnetic hands at times, and he’s a third down weapon like few others. I’ve also admired the guy’s toughness, as he went from being a huge factor to being out for two straight seasons and then coming back and still providing value. Kind of guy that’s tough to dislike.

2) At this point in his career, he’s a valuable veteran mentor and a guy that has a chance to contribute in the slot. Something like 20 catches and a couple of TD grabs isn’t out of the question, so he’s a valuable small piece.

3) I think I just answered that question above. Slot or fourth receiver, most likely.

by Dave the Falconer on Aug 14, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs