A Very Falcoholic Discussion: Which Falcon Rookie Will Have The Biggest Impact?
by Dave Choate on Jun 10, 2010 8:00 AM EDT
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PrintHola, amigos! I know it's been a long time since I've rapped at you...but I did have a good reason. The Mrs. and I have been in the process of moving into an actual house. Obviously, Jason Kirk and Adam Schultz have more than capably filled in over the last month or so while I've been so sporadic, but hopefully you'll be seeing an awful lot more of me now.
That aside out of the way, it's time to get into the meat of today's discussion. Rather than delve too deeply into the injury to Brent Grimes—hopefully that hammy's fine by training camp proper—we're going to talk rookies. This discussion is either a total no-brainer or something a little more complex, depending on your point of view.
Basically, I'm looking for you to select one member of the rookie draft class or undrafted free agents and anoint them the Best Rookie (Batteries Not Included). You can articulate whether you mean for the life of their career or just in the season ahead. Unlike most of our discussions here, which involve the closest approximation of pointing and yelling the Internet has to offer, I'd like you to back up your argument with stats, logic or dark magic.
I'll go first, and naturally I'm going to be incredibly lame. Sean Weatherspoon I think will have the best career out of anyone in the 2010 draft class, based on his rapid ascension to the starting lineup and the fact that he's such a well-rounded linebacker. I think we'll someday consider 'Spoon in the same conversation as someone like Keith Brooking or Jesse Tuggle, albeit perhaps lighter versions of them.
For this year, I'm going to roll the dice on Corey Peters. For a guy I wasn't terribly high on just a couple of months ago, Peters has really wormed his way into my heart, and I have a strong feeling that Peria Jerry is going to struggle to be an impact player as he recovers from his injuries. Peters may well be an excellent rotational piece and not a starter, but I think his learning curve in this system will be pretty shallow.
Your thoughts?
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Peters
I think he will be a huge gift for us. So many people (myself included) either said some form of WTF and/or had a facial expression of “huh you must be nuts” when he was drafted where he was. It was only after most of us found out that many other teams (including the masters of D-lineman aka the Ravens) that we started to look deeper. Will he be a pro bowler this year? Win rookie of the year? No to both. Will he be a silent anchor on the line that allows our DE’s to be psychotic in how they force the opposing teams QB to lose sleep the night before a game and his lunch during the game? Hell yeah! I think he will be this years version of Abe. We will wonder where he is at or what he is doing but after it is all said and done and all the numbers are crunched than how valuable he was will show. If I remember right, Abe was ranked top 10-15 as a DE this past year due to QB hurries and all.
So, in short, look for Peters to play well this year in his situational appearances and by our bye week to have made himself into a starter and than be excellent for years to come.
Peters isn't going to be anything.
He’s got a 50 Madden rating. Cause the developers at madden know all.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
Falcons are my life,
Falcons are my soul,
I watch them through all the strife,
Until they get that Superbowl.
by Grayson on Jun 10, 2010 8:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I love Jim Anchower
His nearest equivalent in the Falcons rookie class has got to be this dopey-looking mo-fo, who I predict will be rubbish (or more likely, not get a game) all season and then make some crazy last-second catch in the final game to get us into the playoffs…
Congrats on the sweet new digs…
I wonder...
if he can jump as high as he looks? If so, than he could stop every field goal attempt from the opposing team!
I’m going to go with the easy/obvious answer and say Spoon… High draft slot, high expectations, opportunity, combined with the fact that LB (along w/RB) seems to be one of the easiest positions to really contribute early in your NFL career.
I’m reeeeaaallllly hoping one of the WR’s turns out to be a solid contributor, but I’d be surprised if any of them had a big impact this season.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I think it will be Peters
Depending on what happens with Jerry’s knee Peters could be called to action ASAP. Jerry was a starter for the first game last season so Coach Smith has no problems starting rookies on the DL.
It will probably boil down to who gets the most snaps, Spoon or Peters. And that might be Peters.
i say
peters only because i think he’s going to have to contribute early. erik coleman comes in to the resturaunt i work at a good bit and we were talking and he said that Jerry isnt ready at this point and he cant see him being ready by the start of the season
by dirtybirds233 on Jun 10, 2010 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Ouch.
Why am I getting the same feeling in my stomach that I had last year when I thought about the secondary. Except now it’s th D line.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Jun 10, 2010 11:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Trust in Peters
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by Dave Choate on Jun 11, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I really like Meyer...
I think if given the opportunity, he could be a big contributor. It all depends on whether White, Jenkins, and Douglas stay healthy. If one of them goes down, I think he’s up next.
Otherwise, my vote is gonna have to be Spoon.
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
I feel vindicated
just a couple of short months ago I pushed a DT through free agency… not quite what I wanted…but I was mildly happy with what the adjustment front office made … only now!! the naysayers agree… ahhh…yesss
Iiiiiiiiiii think, maaaaaybe
Spoon will post some big numbers and have the best year but Harvey will be the biggest surprise. Spoon will see the field more than anyone.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Jun 10, 2010 8:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
None.
Our roster is past the point where we pick high enough in the draft/have glaring holes that would need filled by a rookie. Some will get snaps, none will make an impact this year, I don’t even think Weatherspoon takes the starting job from Peterson this year…
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
how about brandyn harvey
i think jenkins will be his old self and get pulled off the number two spot mid way through the season. I dont think douglas will stay healthy. finnernan is okay but old and injury prone. weems is too streaky, even though he hasnt got enough reps i dont think he will be wat we need. so i have been hearing a lot of brandyn and how he is already playing like a nfl pro. any chance we can get dave kirk or adam to some how dig up more on this guy?
Weatherspoon1stFalconsPick???
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Jun 11, 2010 4:57 AM EDT reply actions
I was just thinking about nominating this guy.
I’d like some more info on Harvey, too. Some of the Falcoholics went to the first OTAs or whatever and were blown away by Sticky McStickyHands Brandyn Harvey.
I hate that he wasn’t drafted. There’s gotta be some dirt on this guy somewhere. I’ll investigate.
"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
Corey Peters
I think y’all will be pleasantly surprised with Peters. He was a very productive player for UK for all four years he was here. Not to mention he is a real classy and intelligent kid, won’t be any off the field issues. He is extremely quick off the snap, watch for that. He has very good quickness and agility. I don’t know how many plays he made by making olinemen grasp for air because he had beat them at the snap. Anyway, thought I would add my two cents worth.
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