Falcons Re-Sign Veteran Wide Receiver Brian Finneran
by Dave Choate on Feb 11, 2010 3:25 PM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintHat tip to the untouchable D. Orlando Ledbetter, who brings us this news via Twitter.
I'm going to preface my remarks here by saying that I love Brian Finneran, because I'd like you to think I'm a good person and not a cold-hearted blogger who revels in the misery of others. He's been a big part of this Falcons team for years, and his time with the team alone has given fans the warm and fuzzies about him. When healthy, he's still a solid blocker in the passing game and he can still catch a few passes.
If we're being totally honest, though, is this the kind of move the team should be making?
First off, Finn can't seem to stay on the field. We have four young, fairly capable receivers in Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Harry Douglas and Eric Weems. Most teams do not carry more than five or six receivers on their roster, and Finn—who is on the wrong side of 30—will be potentially taking up a spot the Falcons could be using to draft a young wide receiver with the kind of skill set that made Finn so valuable when he was younger. I know we're talking about low on the depth chart and I know we're talking about a beloved player, but this is a team that should continue to get younger and deeper. I'm not quite sure that Finn's re-signing accomplishes that.
Of course, now that I write that, Finn will catch 50 passes and cite his motivation for doing so as "that stupid blogger who doesn't know anything about anything." Sadly, he will be right.
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Finn's a good man to have around.
Through the OTA’s and camps, Brian will be an excellent instructor for the kids. He has commanding height, but other than that, his physical skills were never amazing. He works himself hard, and that’s the kind of example you want to have around your new guys. He’s a coach in the locker room.
That said, once the final roster is set, I don’t know if he’s a good fit for a team that’s always looking to get younger and faster.
Could we duct tape his hands onto Mike Jenkins?
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
by AnOldBird on Feb 11, 2010 4:33 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Rec'd
You hit the nail(s) on the head.
(1) He’ll be a good influence during camp, etc.
(2) He’s a hard worker, and if he can still contribute on special teams/ACTUALLY makes the team/doesn’t mind playing situationally (better than being unemployed)/doesn’t mind being our 5th receiver, then more power to him … but
the bottom line is this: signing him does not equal him making the roster. Not signing him here would have been a mistake IMO.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
by FrankyWren on Feb 11, 2010 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Okay... I'm with you fellas.
He is great to have around; I appreciate what he’s done; but sure I hope there are better options when it’s time for final cut downs.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Love it.
Your points are well taken, Dave. However, I think that Finn is still a solid player that provides depth. He’s a great possession receiver who has picked up a lot of first downs for us. Not to mention, he’s a great locker room guy. If we do draft a receiver, I would feel good knowing that he was working with a group which included Finn. As much as I like the other WRs we have (for the most part), none of them strike me as good mentors.
All that said, depending on how things shake out in camp, I wouldn’t be totally surprised if he was ultimately let go. I think he’s still got it in him, though.
Lastly, they paid attention to his age – he only got a one year deal. Low risk high reward.
As an Amateur NFL Historian
who doubles as a freelance sports statistician, I’ve been searching NFL Gamebooks from this past season and scoring the games with the data. I’ve done several Falcons games and it’s obvious to me that as soon as Matt Ryan fell prey to injury, the team fell short of expectations but still managed to make numerous plays especially with football acumen brainiac Thomas DeCoud in the secondary, insomuch that the team still finished 9-7. I really think the Falcons have a legitimate chance to be next seasons’ Saints. Of course, they’ll have to fare better against New Orleans than they did in 2009 but Finneran will play a major role in the ATL reaching these heights if it happens. He is a great player to have on your roster. We’ll see if the Falcons rep the NFC in next season’s Super Bowl and go from there.
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Feb 11, 2010 5:43 PM EST reply actions
Special Teams
In addition to some of the other intangibles already listed, he also contributes a fair bit to special teams.
He's our "Hands" guy on punt returns, too
Has he ever muffed a punt before? He has as sure a pair of hands as anyone in the league and he’s a great influence. I completely agree that it would have been a mistake not to re-sign him. Worst comes to worst, he doesn’t make the team.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Punt returns
Has he ever muffed a punt before?
You mean out of the 5 punt returns he did in his career? No, he didn’t muff any of those. ;)
I don't think a fair catch counts as a return in the stat book.
that is what I was referencing, just then.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
In addition to special teams
we could see him even in the secondary in some situations – I think he knocked down a pass by Delhomme when they had a chance to tie it at the end of the game.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Points all well taken
Hard to defend my position, considering that we’ve just signed him, not put him on the final roster. I just want youth.
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Finn! Finn! Finn!
He’s been a member for a while but it’s time to go. If we cut Brooking, then Finn should go also. The reason why is because, under this new leadership, getting better, younger, and faster is the focus. Neither of which applies to Finn. I’m going to be honest. Finn and Jenkins shouldn’t be here. After Jenkins’ 2nd yr, I realized we should have not gotten him. Finn has always been depth. We need young, developing depth. Not old, deteriorating depth. Much love to you Finn. You were once a favorite of my QB Mike Vick. But today is a new day and some things need to pass away. Go Finn! Go Finn! Much success to you, 2009 Walter Payton Award nominee!
by THE ICON KING E on Feb 11, 2010 7:01 PM EST reply actions
I think
That Finn is our best option as a veteran mentor to the younger receivers. He works his butt off and gives all he can every time. As someone that has had just about as many ACL surgeries as he has, I can appreciate the hard work he has had to perform not only to come back from the surgeries but to be able to play in the NFL. Who among our current receiver corps can you look at as a leader and as a mentor to the younger guys? I dont see any…
for this reason
I’d want to see him around the team even if he doesn’t make the active roster. the Saints cut McAlister before the season but then brought him back later just to be around in the locker room.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Too tense.
Dude’s been a staple around here. He has a lot to offer in the way of maturity. Our young and fast team could use a couple of good leaders around to learn from. Might not be a slam dunk but a good fundamental move.
"at least your roof only leaks when it rains."
by Ball Hawk on Feb 11, 2010 9:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Exactly the Right move!
When Mike Smith came to this team there were very few players he could look at and know the guy was going to give him everything he had, whether the team was winning or not. The one person that fit the bill was, Brian Finneran. The guy blew out his knee and came back. He did it again and came back. Finn watched a qb and coach leave in the same season and he never gave up on this city or on this team! Brian is exactly the type of player we should have in a Falcons uniform. Thank you Coach and Dimitroff for keeping a quality player and a good man.
FlaconsFan384
The Future of the Franchise!
i have a solution
draft mardy gilyard in the first round. the draft is heavy in defense this year. roddy white and mardy gilyard would tear up any defense…even the saints and jets. look him up on youtube and comment me.
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Feb 12, 2010 4:53 AM EST reply actions
There is currently a KY lube ad on this page.
That’s awkward for a bunch of dudes talking about other dudes.
It's all about Valentine's Day...
…on a site with a bunch of dudes talking about other dudes. Eeewwww.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
This is lending an uncomfortable subtext...
…to our discussions about who looks best in what uniform.
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Even if
Finn doesn’t make the final cut, he’s a class-act player, much like Warrick Dunn was. I’d like to see him mentoring some of the young receivers, if not on the team, then maybe on the coaching or training staff.
"Believe me, I carefully calculated the odds of this succeeding vs. the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid and I went ahead anyway."
I agree with the majority here
He’s a good influence to have around and not bad for depth at all.
mardy gilyard
not only is he like roddy white, look at his returns from punt/kicks. he is going to be a devin hester….only smarter and can actually catch the ball. pick him up for the love of god and we can still get a good DE at third pick. i promise. gilyard for president
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Feb 14, 2010 5:37 AM EST reply actions
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