One Falcon To Watch: Michael Palmer

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2010 8:01 AM EDT in Comcast Sponsored Posts

Every week before the Falcons game, I'll be selecting one player to keep an especially close eye on. This week, it's tight end Michael Palmer.

I mulled over a lot of options this week. No one would have faulted me for going with Matt Ryan, who is critical to the offense and hasn't done much this pre-season. Only a few of you would've blamed me had I gone Matt Bryant, given the amount of press he's been getting on this site and others in recent days.

In the end, I had to go with Michael Palmer. He's flown under the radar to this point, but the Clemson tight end and undrafted free agent appears to have all the skills to be a quality tight end in this league. I've seen him do a little blocking, I've seen him make a few nice catches, and I've seen him flash the kind of physicality you'd like to see from a tight end. I came into the off-season believing fellow UDFA Colin Peek might have a shot, but once he got hurt, Palmer began to impress.

If he does well tonight, Palmer's got a legitimate chance to beat out German blocking machine Keith Zinger for the last tight end spot. After that, the future could be bright for Palmer, with only Justin Peelle and Tony Gonzalez in front of him, because neither of those guys are likely to be with the team after 2011. You like to believe that there are true gems out there who never get their names called on draft day, and the early returns are promising for Palmer.

Watch for him to get extensive run in the second half. A couple of nice catches and confidence in run blocking could sew him up a roster spot.

So yeah, keep an eye on Palmer.

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I like it...

Good choice. Not what I would have expected, but that’s why it’s a good choice. As usual, I’ll be keeping a close eye on William Moore, Shillinger, and El Sid as well. Also, I’m a little excited to see what JPW can do tonight.

"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

by TomQ on Sep 2, 2010 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

Agree strongly with this post.

I truly believe that blocking can be taught and catching not so much. look at Tony G, when came to the league he couldn’t block his way out of a wet paper bag but now he’s the most complete TE in the league. We have become a team that uses tightends every other down to move the chains. We need a possession guy when TG leaves. Also check out this article by Steve “the homer” Wyche:

http://www.nfl.com/kickoff/story/09000d5d81a2de30/article/these-steadily-building-teams-now-ready-to-complete-the-job?module=HP_cp2

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 2, 2010 9:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

hey Dave I got a question not related to article

Hey Dave, I keep hearing about the “official injury report” thats supposed to come out on Wednesdays.So yesterday was Wed. and for the life of me I can’t find it.The Falcon “official” website doesn’t have it anymore(unless they have hidden it).And no one else is reporting it.Look I like Coach Smith but this cloak and dagger stuff is getting out of hand.The beer man was said to be hurt on mon and Smith said something to the effect we would have to wait till wed and now its wed and what does a person have to do to find out stuff.I like being involved with the team and all but this is almost enough to make a person just quit watching.Or at the very least quit paying attention.The game is for us not them.They play cause we pay to see them not because they have this thing about wanting to play.Frustrated

by JT131 on Sep 2, 2010 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

I've had a lot of trouble finding it, too

Let me ask around.

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

not a lot of info here

but, D Led seems to indicate it is probably minor if anything.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/08/30/whats-wrong-with-the-beer-man/

Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly

by armchair quarterback on Sep 2, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Dude

by JT131 on Sep 2, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

Apparently, they don't issue them until the regular season

Mystery solved.

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

who?

If he can lift two Buick’s with one hand then I don’t know about this guy.

by CollegePark4Life on Sep 2, 2010 3:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

glad you didnt choose matt bryant because

He should be done, over, fired, cut asap. I don’t care if he goes 5 for 5 tonight he’s too inconsistent and unreliable. I would never trust him. If we don’t replace him its gonna bite us in the ass

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Sep 2, 2010 3:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

ps

Dallas has gotta make cuts to trim the roster. Patrick Crayton anyone????

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Sep 2, 2010 3:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Oh God yes

by Dave Choate on Sep 2, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm down. He burned us last year, so you know he has still still have a little something left.

He’s getting up there in age, isn’t he?

"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 Sep 2, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow... 31 thought he was 27ish

http://www.nfl.com/players/patrickcrayton/profile?id=CRA820452

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 2, 2010 5:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Crayton > Finn, Weems and maybe Jenks.

Uh, yeah. I just don’t see any changes coming unless they hire Finn as receivers coach. Weems is our return man and for whatever reason Jenkins is indispensable, HD has to much potential and youth on his side. I really think we need to carry 6 Widouts.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 2, 2010 5:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions