Mike Smith: Falcons Not Looking For Receiver Help
by Dave Choate on Aug 21, 2010 5:31 PM EDT
in Falcons News
Email
PrintLet's just go ahead and mark FrankyWren's words.
I actually find Mike Smith's quick vote of confidence for the in-house options to be somewhat comforting. Unfortunately for us, Kerry Meier was ticketed for a backup job and special teams role, so that's a hole that does have to be filled. Fortunately, Smith believes the answers are already here.
As ESPN's Pat Yasinskas notes, last year the Falcons basically went into full-fledged panic mode following the loss of Harry Douglas, signing the ancient duo of Robert Ferguson and Marty Booker. While we're all going to wonder what might have been with Meier, the Falcons aren't dealing with the loss of a third receiver this time around. They're dealing with the loss of a promising reserve.
That gives the team a little more flexibility. Obviously, Brian Finneran and Eric Weems are the favorites to make the roster, and it's going to take a hellacious pre-season jump from someone else to make it. At this point, Troy Bergeron seems like the likeliest guy to bump Finn off the roster. It's far from ideal, but clearly the team likes the competition they already have going in camp.
At this point, it's probably time to set our expectations low for any of these guys. Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas will probably account for at least 85% of all the targets for our receivers, so if Weems, Finneran, Bergeron or anyone else can make the best of the 30 or so passes that come their way, all will be well. I'm going to reserve judgment until we see who breaks camp.
Your thoughts?
66 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yes you do but will the Falcons?
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 21, 2010 5:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
maybe he is the Falcons
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 4:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Nope he's the braves.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 22, 2010 4:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
In--fante!
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I think so ...
We’re not playing a zero sum game here.
I just don’t see how any of the FAs out there help this team win this year, even w/ Meier gone for the year and Finn likely nabbing the 5th spot. If we trade for someone, it shouldn’t risk our progress in other areas and it shouldn’t handicap us going forward, not when we’re only talking about 20-30 passes (over the course of the year) anyway.
by FrankyWren on Aug 22, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Again
Logical, sensible, practical. I don’t think we have much to worry about regarding this loss. It sucks yes because you always hate to see young players have this major injuries. You just never know how they will come back from them.
"Everybody talks about SEC speed. The 27 fastest guys at the (NFL) combine, how many of them were from the SEC? Three. But if you say it enough, everybody will believe it."
-CPJ
"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.
But he was a Petrino pick
But I guess that doesn’t matter eh?
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 23, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Make it green!
I agree. I am bummed by this injury; however, if we were counting on a 5th round rookie to be a difference maker, then we have larger problems at WR than I originally thought…
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
by Jman781 on Aug 23, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Troy B
Looked good on his td catch, then again that’s the only play I remember seeing from him
by FLA_Falcon on Aug 21, 2010 5:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah...can't let one play make the decision
again it’s like a running back scoring the game winning TD by breaking one for 50 plus yards.
But it was his only gain of 3 yards or more in the entire game.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 4:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Personally I think that vote of confidence is a bit overconfident. But I do think we need to be in a bit of wait and see here. First lets see if any of the others step and play over and above what has been seen so far. Afterall they have been given enough incentive.
yes I like this approach
lessons of life tell you to not make rash decisions, because they can burn you in the end.
Wait patiently and trust your talent and see what you have will develop into some type of value.
Marty Booker and Robert Fergerson were TWO guys trying to fill in for ONE sophomore. The guy who made is wasn’t really on our team.
So we had Subtraction by Addition, that’s one thing that hurted us. The other young receivers never got their chance to shine.
Now Wolfe, Harvey and Weems will have an opportunity in the next two preseason games including the Dress Rehearsal game this Friday Night TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Falcons-Football). If it doesn’t work out, likely other valuable receivers will be out there just before sunrise of the regular season and VIO LA!
I think we have a finished painting.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 4:19 AM EDT up reply actions
ii feel
much better after reading this. i went into panic mode and forgot that at best he was just going to be a good reserve (atleast this year). i can say i do feel good with white at #1, jenks at #2 and HD at #3. only thing im worried about now is weatherspoon..did you see this missed tackles and that touchdown he let up after the “roughing” the kicker call?
new orleans saints superbowl 44 champs SCREW DAT!
Spoon
missed tackles were a problem. The TD, not so much. He had pretty good coverage on the TE but Brady made a great pass.
Expectations
I think it’s wise to place the burden of expectation on vets more than rookies. Let’s face it how many rookie WRs come into the NFL with 1000yd seasons? How many rookie LBs have been blistered by the likes of Tom Brady? It is unrealistic to expect rookies to do much more than contribute a little here and there, if you get more than that than that’s great. I do however expect the 2+year guys to be the best in the NFL, if your not than your not giving your all. I do expect Kroy, Abe and Jamal to sak the QB every passing down. I do expect Grimes, Owens and Robinson to come down with the ball, etc….. I think Smittys approach to this might inspire confidence. We are better off this year at WR than last even after Meier injury. Guys our star QB,RB,TE,WR and OLs are all healthy. We are a better team. We still haven’t seen what our starters on D look like but it can only be better. I saw fundamental mistakes during the pats game but that’s why they play preseason football to work out the kinks.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Aug 21, 2010 7:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
the reason the Meier thing sucks...
isn’t because i thought he was going to be this amazing receiver for us in his rookie year. it’s more because I love watching young players show those flashes of what’s to come, and i think Meier would have provided that from time to time, a lot like Harry Douglas did in his rookie year. Douglas wasn’t a huge impact player, but he gave you reason to get excited about his future.
so i don’t view losing Meier as a huge immediate loss that has much impact on this season, simply because we have at least 3 (maybe 4) receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, and i’m not sure how much he would have played anyway.
i’m still excited about the guy… i guess we’ll just have to wait to see him in 2011.
by cheshire falcon on Aug 21, 2010 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
you're right
that losing a guy who’s 5th or 6th on the depth chart might sound ok (even though this was a promising receiver), but another issue is with consistency of our starters. last season there were times we wanted the team to replace Jenkins. Then again, we’re not sure if HD is back to his form. So here’s hoping that White, Jenkins and HD stay healthy and motivated so that we don’t even talk about Meier injury.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Josh Freeman headed to the locker room
With a thumb injury. Is it just me or is this the most ijjry riddled preseason you have seen?
by FLA_Falcon on Aug 21, 2010 8:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
hell yea its gettin everybody
In 2 preseason weeks we’ve had [give or take] 4 injuries. 2 weeks left does that mean 4 more
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Aug 22, 2010 6:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
the curse of 2010
Wasn’t there a tabloid about the Devil walking the earth in 2010 (long years ago) before the whole 2012 apocolypse talk?
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
How good will Harry Douglas Be?
To be honest technically he hasn’t even caught a pass from Pale Ale Matty Ice. With this preseason I think its really necessary for HD to gain some kind of a rapport and chemistry with Matt Ryan. Then again its just the 2nd preseason game.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Aug 21, 2010 8:29 PM EDT reply actions
You have a point
Not saying its what you said, but Harry Douglas didn’t look that great in my opinion in the Pats game. He was thrown to a few times but didn’t make much happen otherwise. Maybe it was just conservative playcalling, but I wanted to see SOMETHING
See something!! OMG
HD being back on the field and catching passes should have been good enough for the NE game. That was the first time in over a year HD has been able to run or catch a pass. HD barely had any practice time in camp before the NE game.
Wow, do people have realistic expectations of athletes anymore or are they supposed to be super human.
by mwalex on Aug 22, 2010 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He has caught a pass
Several
I think in just the last preseason game, and against the 08 Bears game had about two great catches (nearer could have scored if he held his balance)
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 4:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I am bummed for Meier but I think the Falcons will be okay
I got to meet Meier briefly at training camp and you could tell that he was just super pumped about playing with the Falcons. I was really rooting for him and expected him to contribute this year. The team will make do without him for now, but I still think he’ll have his moment to shine later on.
“super pumped about playing”
Isn’t that what leads to ACL injuries?
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions
what
happend to brandyn harvey. or even mr. wolfe. they seem like they have a shit ton of upside. i wanna know why in the hell are they getting held out of preseason so much. I think they have had a few minutes out there, but preseason is time to see what the scrubs can do. are they already getting written off? are they gonna play in the next game and break out? whatttttttt is it?
Weatherspoon1stFalconsPick???
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Aug 22, 2010 3:43 AM EDT reply actions
im with you on this 1 mardy
I wana see them get some playing time. line them up at #1 and 2 receiver and see wat happens. At least in the 4th quarter. If I dnt like wat I see then I’ll shut up, but until I at least see wat they have 2 offer I’ll still feel…. Mularky’d!
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Aug 22, 2010 6:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree
Maybe a WR version of Kurt Warner will emerge. Trent Green (Kerry Meier) wasn’t bad either
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Two Words:
Keyshawn Johnson.
Yep…I don’t care if he’s old. I don’t care if he hasn’t been in the league since the Ottoman Empire was in its glory years, the characters on LOST were still LOST, and the Bears were actually good. He’s the man. We need to get him the damn ball. Do it!
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
Troy Bergeron has more experience
than either Brandon Harvey or Ryan Wolfe, so with our very young receiving corps I’d say he and Weems will be the favorites to make the roster. Finneran is still decent, but I’d rather see the Falcons hire him as a coach than a player.
"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"
by TurnerTheBurner on Aug 22, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
I'm concerned that we are
putting way too much emphasis on experience for the WR spots that need to be filled. Experience doesn’t necessarily equate to talent. Bergeron is not proven in a non-arena environment, just the same as Harvey and Wolfe. For the remaining spots I’d go for the best talent rather it be Bergeron, Harvey or Wolfe.
Finneran has a ton of experience but I’m not keen on seeing him high on the WR chart. I’d rather see ATL invest in a couple of young kids for the future. I am also a little disappointed that Wolfe and Harvey haven’t been getting much game time. Almost infers that the coaches have already made a decision on those guys. May be they’ll get time against Miami.
ahem ...
mwalex (August 8, 2010 9:49 PM PDT):
Weems has a lot of potential and Finneran is a dependable WR for the #3 slot.
2 pre-season games + 19 days of practice = the world shifts on its axis
Oh come now
I’m just wondering how you lost faith in Special and/or Finn so quickly … nothing to get all worked up about.
Not worked up Franky
Just looking back on how my opinion has changed. I was hoping some of the draftees, like Harvey or Wolfe, would show something in camp and take Finns spot. I’ve also adjusted my opinion on Finn because I think MJ12 should be #3, at best.
I was also hoping that Franks would replace Weems as KR and open up an additional spot on the WR corp. That spot could be for Finn or one of the young guys.
Oh what difference 15 days can make.
I sense that
Wolfe may be an outside sixth, while harvey will be a practice squad development
White
Douglas (flex deep threat slash chain mover slash gadget player)
Jenkins (only involved on running plays or play action)
Finneran
Weems (I can see him emerging as a flex receiver/returner if Jenks or Finn goes down and he can be another slot or deep threat)
Wolfe (The closet to Meier we may have)
TE-Gonzalez can move the chains too…Meier might be a WR version of him.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Vincent Jackson
Personally I wish the Birds would try to make a deal with Diego on Vincent Jackson. He may be a bit of a problem child but look… Aside from Roddy, which WR may strike any fear into opposing defenses?? Jenkins, no. Finneran, lol. I mean HD could be a productive slot Wes Welker-ish receiver but he just came back from injury so we dont know if he’s even capable of being that guy. Besides, we dont have much of a vertical game. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I recall a 30-40+ yd pass play from Ryan to anyone… in TWO YEARS. The best offenses – NO, NWE, SD, GB, Cowgirls – do this on the regular. I’m tired of media and blogs talking up this offense every year and it still to me is somewhat average passing offense.
So TD…. go after VJ. Give up that 2011 2nd rnd draft pick.
by Terrence Evans on Aug 22, 2010 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
I think, unfortunately, that it'd take much more than that
For next year’s second rounder, VJax would be almost a no-brainer. I’m willing to bet the Chargers hold off for at least multiple picks, and at that point you start to question.
Sign up for a free account today to join the discussion about all things Atlanta Falcons!
I can recall one particular 62 yard pass on one hand. :)
But seriously, of the teams you mentioned, only Dallas should have a comparable running game to ours. Maybe San Diego, too. Aside from Dallas (who had Miles Austin breakout outta nowhere) which of those teams (theoretically) should be able to run like us? None of them. We don’t need a vertical passing game because our vertical passing game is relieved by Turner the Burner. All we need is an effective game manager, but we were fortunate enough to land a QB that can make all the throws and doesn’t have stone feet.
NO was only able to run the ball because any one of their receivers were dangerous threats and had to be accounted for. NE relies heavily on screens and a short underneath Welker game to open up the run. San Diego specializes in the mid-range downfield pass (something they are one of the best at) and Green Bay can’t buy a running game, so they play much like NO does.
Many teams will tell you “We run to set up the pass”
"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 Aug 22, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'm almost sensing
That Weems or Bergeron
May breakout like Miles Austin eventually (if given a true chance), and Roddy White gets jealous and tries to 1up the new competition.
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Forgot to add
I totally agree, this is a sensible reply, and something that I’ve been trying to say myself.
You’ve been Rec’d
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot to finish. Haha.
Many teams say “We run to set up the pass” but it’s usually just a put-on. Certain teams who just can’t run the ball but excel at passing the ball will pass to set up the run. And then there are certain teams who just can’t do either one.
"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
Vertical game
U need a vertical game just like you need a running game or a good tight end.
This passing game is a ball control passing game if that makes sense.. and its one dimensional. Think about it..
First down, Turner runs for 3 or 4.
Second down, Ryan to Gonzo for 4.
Third Down, Turner runs for 3 or 4, First down, wait someone gets called for holding so its 3rd and 12
Third down, Ryan to White for 12.5 yds.
What I am trying to say is most good teams have the ability to spread the field so much that they dont have to rely so much on a running game as much and they get down the field fast and score TDs. We take all qtr to move down the field and end up with 3 pts, if and only if our kicker is accurate that day. The better offenses have lots of ways to kill you. Not just one or two like we do.
by Terrence Evans on Aug 22, 2010 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't think assuming a holding call is fair, though.
Flying down the field is nice and all, but you have to remember our D is not the Ravens D. We need to be the kind of team that eats the clock like the Duggar family at a buffet. You can’t do that by taking downfield shots and spreading the ball around. That leads to more turnovers.
The problem with our offense is we get a little complacent in the red zone. We have the necessary tools to score with any one of several people. White/Gonzo/Finn/Turner are very reliable players.
Then you have things like Mughelli or Weems out of the backfield (Weems definitely scored last year, Mughelli may have, as well.)
Don’t forget HD on a speed sweep (tmk reverses do not go in motion. speed sweeps do, and yes, they’re similar.) in ’08.
Matt Ryan bootleg. The options are there, but we’re not always using them.
My question to you is, what happens when a team doesn’t need to spread the field out to score TDs?
A good team does not have to spread the field. Yes, this is a pass happy league, but when you get a stud running back like CJ, Turner, Peterson, you don’t need to do that because the power running game allows the passing game to not have to carry the load. Peyton Manning could do the same thing with 2 receivers as he could with 5. That’s just how that offense rolls. If he had a back like one of the three that I mentioned, he wouldn’t HAVE to do those things.
Our offense is a run-first, dink and dunk passing offense. As Ryan matures, I feel like we’ll go even further into the no-huddle offense which he excels at commanding. At that point, we won’t need to take chances downfield. Heck, the second longest play from scrimmage in the whole NFL last year was a WR screen to Roddy White, which was caught around the line of scrimmage. The play went for 90 yards. Even Turner has shown he can motor for 50+ yards if the holes are there. We don’t have to spread the ball around and go deep, we just need to play smart and call the right plays.
"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 Aug 23, 2010 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
We don’t have to spread the ball around and go deep, we just need to play smart and call the right plays.
I’m going to have that sentence framed. Then I’m shipping it to Mularkey with a court order requiring him to hang it above his desk.
Sadly
His idea of the “right” play call in a big spot is probably a reverse…
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by orang3b on Aug 23, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
ugh...this...sadly
"Everybody talks about SEC speed. The 27 fastest guys at the (NFL) combine, how many of them were from the SEC? Three. But if you say it enough, everybody will believe it."
-CPJ
"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.
I feel pretty much the opposite of that, Zippo
At that point, we won’t need to take chances downfield
Yes, throws downfield are lower percentage plays, and may even lead to more turnovers… But by rarely even attempting these plays, they are upping the degree of difficulty for the Offense. If we’re stressing the Running Game and only getting 4 yards per Rush, and 6 yards per Pass Attempt (or 11 yards per Completion at 58%), the team is going to have to be near perfect to march down the field and score – and that’s not even considering how much more difficult it becomes once you get to the Red Zone. If the team gets a penalty, gets stuffed on a Run, or allows a Sack, they’re pretty much screwed. The quick strike takes some of the pressure off, and allows them to not have to be “perfect” on every play.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
You are seriously over-rating our running game Zippo
At least in terms of efficiency. We had a 1.0% Rush DVOA (#15 Rank) last season – that’s ONE percent better than “average”. A lot of the top teams did use the pass to set up the run; that just means they’re that much more explosive. Dallas’ rushing numbers put ours to shame. Even of what I consider pure run-first teams (BAL, TEN, MIA, CAR, NYJ), their DVOA and standard stats (Rushing Yds/Att) were much better than the Falcons… By the way, 2008 was a similar story, except the Passing Game was much better. Depending on the rushing offense to win games is difficult, to say the least.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Not tryong to beat a dead horse or anything
But This makes me even more furious the Falcons didn’t select Mike Williams when he was available
Let's see how Mike Williams plays
before we judge that.
People didn’t like Mario Williams in 2006, but now he’s a beast, and Jamarcus Russell…well we don’t need to remind Raiders fans of him. (I know bad example, but just saying)
Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.
by brotherbrown on Aug 22, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I watched him a bunch in college
He’s the real deal. Best WR out the draft and potential offensive rookie of the year in my opinion
Here's to hoping Ryan doesn't force balls to Gonzo or Roddy
As long as we’re not predictible injuries should be delt with easier than last year
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
by maxxj3 on Aug 22, 2010 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
NEXT YEARS DRAFT
we gotta take a WR in with our first pick next year right???? but who knows who we’ll get with the 32nd pick…. =)
LR
It’d be nice to have Laurent Robinson about now
by Nick Mike-Mayer on Aug 24, 2010 9:36 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Ahmad Bradshaw says Cowboys won’t win with Tony Romo at QB
- Cruz: Manningham’s Super catch wasn’t drawn up that way
- Whitney Houston performed the greatest national anthem in sports history (video)
- Justin Tuck visits New York City cop who survived gunshot wound to head
- The Giants won the ‘Brain Bowl,’ too
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
