Things to Worry About: WR Harry Douglas NOT Cleared for Minicamp or OTAs

by Adam Schultz on May 6, 2010 5:17 PM EDT in Editorial

I asked a question ("Is Harry Douglas cleared for MiniCamp?") and got an answer from the esteemed Mr. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC:

[Harry]'s not been cleared [for minicamp]. Will not take part in offseason workouts [either]. Training camp is the earliest for Harry.

Well that sucks. I wonder why? Is the organization gunshy? He's had the better part of a year to get over the invasive surgery he had just before the MIA-ATL game last September. If he's not participating in OTAs OR minicamp, and may or may not make Training Camp, can we assume he's not 100% yet?

Taking that thought further, could his performance this year merely be "ok" compared to the mountainous expectations of HD's electrifying end runs and punt returns we all have? I'm going to venture a guess that Douglas will have a hard fought battle this year in camp, considering his injury and his exclusion from OTAs and minicamp.

Am I worried? A little. I fully expected him to be in camp, showing off his new bionic limb. Alas, we must wait until training camp or later. Here's hoping he's his good ol' self come time to compete for roster spots.

Poll

Does Harry Douglas' exclusion from Offseason Activities worry you?

Nope

72 votes

A little

167 votes

Yes

131 votes

OMG WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!

60 votes

So what? We have Weems, Franks, and every-position player Kroy Biermann!

28 votes

458 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

This concerns me

He was injured very early last year, and he’s had plenty of time to recover.

I wonder if the thinking around Flowery Branch is just that “He’s not a rookie, he knows the system and played in it for a year, let’s not risk anything stupid happening and let him rehab a little more.”

That’s best case scenario, I think.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 6, 2010 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

I'd be worried

If he’s not good to go, he’s going to have a slow curve to come back, and we don’t really have anyone that matches his skill set. Weems, maybe?

by Dave Choate on May 6, 2010 5:45 PM EDT reply actions

Well.....

I’m still a bit iffy on Weems. I do believe he’s very useful, but it’s to what extent that concerns me. I feel like HD is an upgrade over Weems in most if not all areas. Post-injury HD may be another story, though.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 6, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

That’s one of the main reasons I was so high on Golden Tate (besides the fact I think he’s going to be very good). If HD wasn’t ready, he could step right in to that “slot” role – especially coming from a “pro-style” offense – plus, he had experience w/returns. I have zero faith in Weems as a WR. Last year the depth chart was a wasteland behind Roddy and Jenkins, and he had… 6 Receptions. I still don’t exactly understand why the team didn’t draft (or even at least bring in as UDFA’s) any “waterbug” type guys that are made for the slot. I don’t think Meier or Wolfe are that type of guy – they’re totally “possession” WR’s. TD/Mularkey are 1) looking for a different type of WR than I expected this year, and 2) hopefully just playing it safe w/HD, because you’re right – they don’t have anybody else with his skill set.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 7, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

On a semi-related note

Does anybody know anything about Andy Strickland? Dave, could you include him in your run-down of UDFA’s, even though he’s a 2nd year player?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 7, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I basically agree to everything you said, I just wanted to make a note of Weems TD-rate as a WR in ’09: 33%.

While he definitely is not a viable option in usual game situations, they seem to like the idea of having him on the field in clutch situations to give the defense a new and unexpected look. As long as he does that well, I’m happy. But he shouldn’t ever be a HD-replacement in the slot.

by wiesengrund on May 11, 2010 4:41 AM EDT up reply actions

We didn't have Jim last year and we were fine.

I would like to see us sign UFA WR and give them a shot. Maybe we find a Miles Austin or the like. HD is a baller but we got a SB to win and time waits for no man.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on May 6, 2010 6:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

*Jim=him

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on May 6, 2010 6:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

When you accidentally turn a pronoun into a proper noun, it's crucial to have the presence of mind to adapt your capitalization properly.

Nicely done

Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
The Falcoholic · Blog · Twitter

by Jason Kirk on May 6, 2010 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

iPhone, does it all

Including finishing sentences and renaming folks.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on May 7, 2010 1:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

With an injury like his...

They say the first year back you’re not up to 100%. I was hoping since it was so early, it might not be the same, but maybe not.

Also, everyone says how having that 1st season under his belt will help unleash his potential, but its been forever since he’s played, so we’ll see whats up.

I really want him to be everything we hope and dream for, but I’m being cautious. I think Zippo’s prediction of the best case scenario is probably right.

by ChickenLay on May 6, 2010 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

this sucks

I had hi hopes for HD. Never thought he would be out this long. He is the missing piece 2 the offense that makes everybody else better and gives jenkins an extra 100 yards. hope he’s able to start the year off and progress at least

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on May 6, 2010 7:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Again, this could be completely precautionary.

They may not want to risk re-injuring it. It does take about a full year to recoop from an injury like that.

They may be giving him extra time off so that something dumb like a recurring injury doesn’t occur, like I said before. Who knows.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 6, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Team overreacting

after Turner re-aggravating his injure last season?..

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on May 7, 2010 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Well....considering they dropped the ball in every way possible with Turner last year

I don’t blame them one bit for being cautious.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 7, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he will be fine for the season, but not great.

side note: lets sign jamarcus russell to add depth along our o-line lol

by FLA_Falcon on May 6, 2010 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 7, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

that may actually be a good idea.

if I was drunk…but i never drink

by brotherbrown on May 7, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought O-line players were supposed to be the smartest players on the team?

by thisistherevolt on May 8, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

i think

he is not going to be a contender this year. an injury before he gets barely any expirience playin in an nfl game. i hope he proves me wrong, but i just dont see anything good coming from him this season, especialy since his durability is going to be down the drain

Weatherspoon1stFalconsPick???

by JJWatt1stfalconspick on May 6, 2010 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

We should trade him for mardy gilyard;)

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on May 6, 2010 9:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Let's just say...

that he doesn’t get back to 100% this year. Yes, it would be a shame, but for every dark cloud, there’s a silver lining. Ryan Wolfe would be able to come into the slot receiver position and we can see if he’ll live up to what little hype there is. I can definitely see some similarities between Wolfe and Wes Welker.

by Rummy328 on May 7, 2010 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

I think the Falcons still have fresh memories of letting guys like Turner come back too early just to get reinjured. Harry’s a good player who is important to the offense, I don’t think they’ll take any unnecessary risks with him. He may not be 100% right off the bat but I think he will play and be a significant factor in the offense.

by ArthurDank on May 7, 2010 12:42 AM EDT reply actions

Good call.

Why do we need him right off the bat. Yeah we need a number 2 that can catch but let’s face it who knows if HD is that guy? I’m willing to bet we pick up another old guy before off season is over.

And for the 32nd pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Atlanta Falcons chose AJ Green.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on May 7, 2010 1:20 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That would be a dream, but he'll be long gone.

The kid’s a baller and a team will swoop him up in the top 10 if he has even a decent season this year. He’s a little undersized (weight-wise), I think, but he’s not afraid of anyone, and that’s beautiful. The LSU game last year was proof of that. He had some insane catches.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 7, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah

that would be a beautiful thing. I agree with Zippo though, Green won’t be around long, unless he has a catastrophic injury this year or his size is a concern.

by mwalex on May 7, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Now we can see the wisdom in the Falcon's draft

While there is certainly something to be said for going after a player whom you think will be able start at a single position, getting players that can be coached up to play multiple positions is added insurance against the injury bug.

We have plenty of receiving options and HD has the rest of the off-season to heal up. Hell he can take a little longer if necessary. If he’s going to be a genuine game changer, he can and should be spending his time (both this year and last) practicing his technique and studying the Falcon’s playbook.

Everyone get hurt in their football career. The real measure of their worth is how hard they work to come back.

by Leon07 on May 7, 2010 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

I like the last paragraph here

it works in every aspect of the life, not just football. so it makes a lot of sense that our management is picking players who are not only versatile on the field, but also have other valuable off-the field qualities that make them strong people.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on May 8, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions