PLAY
Football - Saturday , August 19, 2006
Atlanta Falcons - Moneyline - (+130) - Game
777/1010
PLAY
Green Bay VS Falcons - KOD
- Thread starter THE KOD
- Start date
PLAY
Football - Saturday , August 19, 2006
Atlanta Falcons - Moneyline - (+130) - Game
777/1010
PLAY
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/19/06
Green Bay, Wis. ? Tailback T.J. Duckett could be playing with the Falcons for the last time Saturday night. At least four teams have contacted Atlanta over the past few days about trading for the 2002 first-round pick, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
The New York Jets are the only team that both sources would confirm, with recently demoted wide receiver Justin McCareins possibly coming to the Falcons for Duckett. Atlanta is in the market for a No. 3 wide receiver, and McCareins (6 feet 2, 215 pounds), a six-year veteran with 168 receptions and 15 touchdowns, could fit the need.
The Falcons also are looking for backup help at safety, defensive tackle and defensive end. Despite those needs, exchanging Duckett for a draft pick is a possibility.
The Falcons would not confirm any trade talks.
No trade involving Duckett is expected before Saturday's exhibition game against the Packers, which he is scheduled to start. Regular starter Warrick Dunn is being rested.
Duckett could play through the first quarter before turning things over to rookie Jerious Norwood, a speedster from Mississippi State. Since Norwood was drafted, he has inspired enough confidence for the team to engage in trade talks involving Duckett.
There is some apprehension among the Falcons coaching and personnel staffs about parting with Duckett, a four-year veteran (54 games, 552 carries, 2,175 yards), who provides a sense of security should Dunn, 31, get hurt. Norwood, though talented and a better fit in the Falcons' cutback running scheme than Duckett, is still relatively raw and is learning the system, coach Jim Mora has said.
Even so, with Duckett being in the final year of his contract, dealing him now would allow the Falcons to receive compensation instead of letting him walk away for nothing after the season.
Duckett has spent much of the summer deflecting trade speculation, which until now hit its crescendo on draft day after the Falcons' selected Norwood.
Some teams, one being the Pittsburgh Steelers, offered later-round picks, which the Falcons rejected.
After Duckett looked strong and rushedfor 59 yards on 10 carries in last week's exhibition-opening 26-23 victory over the New England Patriots, interest resurfaced.
Duckett insists he wants to remain with the Falcons and said he's going to try to have a breakout season, no matter what.
"I had a great offseason, we had a hard training camp, and I'm ready to make things happen," Duckett said Thursday.
Duckett was drafted 18th overall out of Michigan State in 2002, the same offseason the Falcons signed Dunn from Tampa Bay as a free agent.
The simultaneous pairing never allowed Duckett to emerge as a feature back, but he has earned team-wide respect for not complaining about playing time.
Duckett has been used primarily in short-yardage or change-of-pace situations and has rushed for 31 touchdowns in four seasons, 27 coming in the past three. Last season, however, he faltered down the stretch after suffering an ankle injury and averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry.
With Dunn nursing a sore hamstring over the final four games, Duckett's inability to provide much relief spawned trade speculation shortly after the season ended.
.................................................. .......
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/19/06
Green Bay, Wis. ? Tailback T.J. Duckett could be playing with the Falcons for the last time Saturday night. At least four teams have contacted Atlanta over the past few days about trading for the 2002 first-round pick, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
The New York Jets are the only team that both sources would confirm, with recently demoted wide receiver Justin McCareins possibly coming to the Falcons for Duckett. Atlanta is in the market for a No. 3 wide receiver, and McCareins (6 feet 2, 215 pounds), a six-year veteran with 168 receptions and 15 touchdowns, could fit the need.
The Falcons also are looking for backup help at safety, defensive tackle and defensive end. Despite those needs, exchanging Duckett for a draft pick is a possibility.
The Falcons would not confirm any trade talks.
No trade involving Duckett is expected before Saturday's exhibition game against the Packers, which he is scheduled to start. Regular starter Warrick Dunn is being rested.
Duckett could play through the first quarter before turning things over to rookie Jerious Norwood, a speedster from Mississippi State. Since Norwood was drafted, he has inspired enough confidence for the team to engage in trade talks involving Duckett.
There is some apprehension among the Falcons coaching and personnel staffs about parting with Duckett, a four-year veteran (54 games, 552 carries, 2,175 yards), who provides a sense of security should Dunn, 31, get hurt. Norwood, though talented and a better fit in the Falcons' cutback running scheme than Duckett, is still relatively raw and is learning the system, coach Jim Mora has said.
Even so, with Duckett being in the final year of his contract, dealing him now would allow the Falcons to receive compensation instead of letting him walk away for nothing after the season.
Duckett has spent much of the summer deflecting trade speculation, which until now hit its crescendo on draft day after the Falcons' selected Norwood.
Some teams, one being the Pittsburgh Steelers, offered later-round picks, which the Falcons rejected.
After Duckett looked strong and rushedfor 59 yards on 10 carries in last week's exhibition-opening 26-23 victory over the New England Patriots, interest resurfaced.
Duckett insists he wants to remain with the Falcons and said he's going to try to have a breakout season, no matter what.
"I had a great offseason, we had a hard training camp, and I'm ready to make things happen," Duckett said Thursday.
Duckett was drafted 18th overall out of Michigan State in 2002, the same offseason the Falcons signed Dunn from Tampa Bay as a free agent.
The simultaneous pairing never allowed Duckett to emerge as a feature back, but he has earned team-wide respect for not complaining about playing time.
Duckett has been used primarily in short-yardage or change-of-pace situations and has rushed for 31 touchdowns in four seasons, 27 coming in the past three. Last season, however, he faltered down the stretch after suffering an ankle injury and averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry.
With Dunn nursing a sore hamstring over the final four games, Duckett's inability to provide much relief spawned trade speculation shortly after the season ended.
.................................................. .......
This is all the information I need to make a winning wager on this second pre season Falcons game.
Duckett is on the block and in a contract year. Dunn is resting and will not play. Duckett is going to be a bull in china glass house. Carry some Packers down the field a few times and smash a few heads at the goal line.
Tankity tank tank.
He will not fumble but Duckett will rumble.
Another big reason is that the new guy , Norwood showed corner turning speed last week and made some nice catchs. Duckett senior man.
Pride at stake.
Identify the emotion and its in the bag.
Norwood is going to play alot. He will make some plays.
Defense got alot to prove in second game. They will take it out on the Packers.
Falcons four QBs are much better than anything besides Favre Green Bay trots out there.
Pressure on Duckett to perform well so that if he does get traded, he will get the most long term contract he can get for the most money.
Duckett responds to this and he is in great physical shape.
Falcons should play well and defense should really step it up and sack Favre 3 or 4 times and have many hurrys.
Talent wise Falcons much stronger on both sides of the old football.
Falcons way too athletic for the Packers to stop. Wear them down and take them out.
I smell money and it smells green.
Duckett is on the block and in a contract year. Dunn is resting and will not play. Duckett is going to be a bull in china glass house. Carry some Packers down the field a few times and smash a few heads at the goal line.
Tankity tank tank.
He will not fumble but Duckett will rumble.
Another big reason is that the new guy , Norwood showed corner turning speed last week and made some nice catchs. Duckett senior man.
Pride at stake.
Identify the emotion and its in the bag.
Norwood is going to play alot. He will make some plays.
Defense got alot to prove in second game. They will take it out on the Packers.
Falcons four QBs are much better than anything besides Favre Green Bay trots out there.
Pressure on Duckett to perform well so that if he does get traded, he will get the most long term contract he can get for the most money.
Duckett responds to this and he is in great physical shape.
Falcons should play well and defense should really step it up and sack Favre 3 or 4 times and have many hurrys.
Talent wise Falcons much stronger on both sides of the old football.
Falcons way too athletic for the Packers to stop. Wear them down and take them out.
I smell money and it smells green.
Versatile Norwood gives Falcons options
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/18/06
Flowery Branch ? When Jerious Norwood caught a screen pass and went 37 yards in last week's exhibition game, the only things moving faster than his legs were the possibilities running through Falcons coach Jim Mora's mind.
In the 26-23 win over New England, Norwood ? the turf-scorching speedster ? broke loose after catching a pass from Matt Schaub near the end of the first half.
"When he makes plays like that, you're like, 'Ooooh, what can we do with him?' " Mora said.
Now the Falcons add Norwood, who had a combined 93 yards on nine touches and a 34-yard touchdown catch against the Patriots, to a backfield with Pro Bowl tailback Warrick Dunn, short-yardage specialist T.J. Duckett, versatile fullback Justin Griffith and Vick.
"I'm sure some defensive coaches probably don't know what we're going to do," Norwood said.
Neither do the Falcons yet.
Dunn is 31 but coming off a career-high 1,416-yard season. Vick said he is going to get back to being a dual pass-run threat again after injuries and apprehension kept him in the pocket last season.
Duckett, who remains a possible trade option, has his tough-yards role. Griffith might not get many touches, but he makes an impact when he gets his hands on the ball. Dunn will not play in Saturday's exhibition at Green Bay, and Duckett will start and play at least the first quarter.
Norwood's playing time ? at least the plan for now ? will be based on in-game circumstances, with the Falcons trying to get him in open space within their normal running scheme, but also as a receiver.
"That's one of my great assets, my hands," Norwood said. "I still got a lot of work to do as far as my inside runs and outside zone plays, but other than that, I feel pretty good about everything."
The Falcons don't attempt many screen passes, but Norwood's receiving ability might change their thinking. He also could line up in any of the receiver positions except tight end. At
5 feet 11, 204 pounds, he provides a good-sized target for a receiving corps that lacks an abundance of size with the season-ending knee injury to No. 3 wide receiver Brian Finneran.
"He does add some speed to our backfield and presents a threat to score when he gets to the open field," offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said of Norwood. "His role for now is more situational."
Although Norwood presents a multitude of options, Mora and Knapp said they have to remember that he is a rookie, and if they overwhelm him, it could be counterproductive. For now, Mora and Knapp want Norwood to focus on little things, such as blitz pickup and pass and run protections.
They aren't going to handcuff him, though. That could really be counterproductive.
"If you could create matchups where he is on a linebacker and you could create a mismatch, you might have something down the field with him," Mora said.
Mora's guarded optimism about Norwood comes as the team realizes it might have a player who is better than they thought. Knapp said the Falcons planned to draft a running back in April and were pleased when Norwood was still available in the third round.
The intent was to groom him to replace Duckett ? who is in the last year of his contract ? and back up Dunn next season. In time, Norwood would take over as the starter.
Once the coaches saw Norwood work in minicamp, more immediate possibilities arose. The issue is working him into a rotation that already is deep and productive.
"Myself, Mike and T.J., we've been there and done that," Dunn said. "It will be a lot of teaching the young guy, and he can see how we are, how we do things around here and how we operate on Sundays. We have guys who make plays and can make it happen at any given time of the game. It's just a matter of doing what we've been doing. Mike is going to go back to being Mike.
"For [Norwood], he's going to have to be mentally tough."
....................................................
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/18/06
Flowery Branch ? When Jerious Norwood caught a screen pass and went 37 yards in last week's exhibition game, the only things moving faster than his legs were the possibilities running through Falcons coach Jim Mora's mind.
In the 26-23 win over New England, Norwood ? the turf-scorching speedster ? broke loose after catching a pass from Matt Schaub near the end of the first half.
"When he makes plays like that, you're like, 'Ooooh, what can we do with him?' " Mora said.
Now the Falcons add Norwood, who had a combined 93 yards on nine touches and a 34-yard touchdown catch against the Patriots, to a backfield with Pro Bowl tailback Warrick Dunn, short-yardage specialist T.J. Duckett, versatile fullback Justin Griffith and Vick.
"I'm sure some defensive coaches probably don't know what we're going to do," Norwood said.
Neither do the Falcons yet.
Dunn is 31 but coming off a career-high 1,416-yard season. Vick said he is going to get back to being a dual pass-run threat again after injuries and apprehension kept him in the pocket last season.
Duckett, who remains a possible trade option, has his tough-yards role. Griffith might not get many touches, but he makes an impact when he gets his hands on the ball. Dunn will not play in Saturday's exhibition at Green Bay, and Duckett will start and play at least the first quarter.
Norwood's playing time ? at least the plan for now ? will be based on in-game circumstances, with the Falcons trying to get him in open space within their normal running scheme, but also as a receiver.
"That's one of my great assets, my hands," Norwood said. "I still got a lot of work to do as far as my inside runs and outside zone plays, but other than that, I feel pretty good about everything."
The Falcons don't attempt many screen passes, but Norwood's receiving ability might change their thinking. He also could line up in any of the receiver positions except tight end. At
5 feet 11, 204 pounds, he provides a good-sized target for a receiving corps that lacks an abundance of size with the season-ending knee injury to No. 3 wide receiver Brian Finneran.
"He does add some speed to our backfield and presents a threat to score when he gets to the open field," offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said of Norwood. "His role for now is more situational."
Although Norwood presents a multitude of options, Mora and Knapp said they have to remember that he is a rookie, and if they overwhelm him, it could be counterproductive. For now, Mora and Knapp want Norwood to focus on little things, such as blitz pickup and pass and run protections.
They aren't going to handcuff him, though. That could really be counterproductive.
"If you could create matchups where he is on a linebacker and you could create a mismatch, you might have something down the field with him," Mora said.
Mora's guarded optimism about Norwood comes as the team realizes it might have a player who is better than they thought. Knapp said the Falcons planned to draft a running back in April and were pleased when Norwood was still available in the third round.
The intent was to groom him to replace Duckett ? who is in the last year of his contract ? and back up Dunn next season. In time, Norwood would take over as the starter.
Once the coaches saw Norwood work in minicamp, more immediate possibilities arose. The issue is working him into a rotation that already is deep and productive.
"Myself, Mike and T.J., we've been there and done that," Dunn said. "It will be a lot of teaching the young guy, and he can see how we are, how we do things around here and how we operate on Sundays. We have guys who make plays and can make it happen at any given time of the game. It's just a matter of doing what we've been doing. Mike is going to go back to being Mike.
"For [Norwood], he's going to have to be mentally tough."
....................................................
Packers..................
Packers..................
Wish I could give u a good argument as to why u are wrong Scotty...but u are prob right. G bay will be better tonight than last week at SDiego but prob not enuff..................I defer to your expertise on this one.
Packers..................
Wish I could give u a good argument as to why u are wrong Scotty...but u are prob right. G bay will be better tonight than last week at SDiego but prob not enuff..................I defer to your expertise on this one.
Scott..Like Atl a lot...agree with everything you posted...but like I posted, just seems too good. But I'm gonna ride the Falcons with ya. :mj06:
GL Bud :toast: Doc
GL Bud :toast: Doc
