NFC South -

[THE KOD]

Key questions in the NFC South

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 06/18/06

With minicamps over and the Falcons finishing their last organized team activities Friday, it's time to take a look at the biggest question marks in the NFC South.

There's no question the offseason acquisitions around the division have made it one of the NFL's strongest.

"This is one of the top divisions in football," Falcons defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. "It's a very, very competitive division. The team that wins it has earned it."

1. What's New Orleans' Plan B if newly acquired quarterback Drew Brees isn't ready at the start of the season?

The Saints signed veteran Jamie Martin to back up Brees, who's coming off a right shoulder injury. Martin played extensively last season for St. Louis, directing the Rams to a 4-1 record as a starter. He'll compete with Todd Bouman for the No. 2 job. The Saints also have Adrian McPherson and Bruce Eugene, a rookie free-agent signee from Grambling, on the roster.

2. How will Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Smith co-exist in Charlotte?

The Panthers hope Johnson, who has averaged 74 catches over 10 seasons, is the perfect complement to the speedy Smith. With no serious threat on the opposite side, Seattle knocked Smith around and held him to five catches for 33 yards in the NFC championship game. If the locker room is big enough for both of their egos, the Panthers might be onto something.

"We just know that they've added another productive player that does not shy from getting attention and getting the ball thrown to him," Donatell said.

Johnson is reunited with offensive coordinator Dan Henning, who had him for two seasons with the New York Jets.

3. Will all of Atlanta's new pieces fit on defense?

The coaching staff has been able to watch all the new players ? defensive end John Abraham, safeties Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker and rookie cornerback Jimmy Williams ? up close. They all have to come through in order for the Falcons to improve a rushing defense that ranked 26th in the league last season.

Williams has come on during OTAs after a bumpy minicamp showing. "He's making progress," Donatell said.

The Falcons also get back linebackers Ed Hartwell and Jordan Beck from injuries and like the fact that several rookies ? linebacker Michael Boley, defensive end Chauncey Davis and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux ? had to play last season.

"A lot of players ? and this is very clear ? they spike up in Year 2," Donatell said.

4. Do the Saints have a dynamic rushing duo in Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister?

The Saints hope McAllister is fully recovered from the right knee injury that caused him to miss 11 games last season. A healthy Deuce would take some of the load ? and expectations ? off Bush, the highly touted rookie from Southern Cal.

"We know they've added an exciting player and we have to be alert for this guy to align anywhere on the field," Donatell said. "Immediately, you know that you have to account for him. McAllister is hard-working guy. We expect him to be back to full strength."

5. Is Chris Simms ready to take over in Tampa Bay, or was his strong finish last season just a tease?

We saw the emergence of Chris Simms over the final 10 games of the season. He took over after Brian Griese was injured and started the final 10 games. With Luke McCown and Tim Rattay as the backups, this is clearly Simms' team. The Bucs also drafted Bruce Gradkowski from Toledo. The Bucs won six of Simms' starts.

"He proved himself last year," said Tampa Bay starting safety Jermaine Phillips, a Georgia and Roswell High alum who's having a youth game next Saturday at Roswell High. "He showed that he's going to be the man for years to come."
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[THE KOD]

Vick, receivers get acquainted
Outside receivers get attention with Crumpler sidelined

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 06/19/06

With Pro Bowl tight end/Michael Vick's favorite target Alge Crumpler held out of offseason drills due to a knee repaired by arthroscopic surgery, Falcons quarterbacks ? especially Vick ? were forced to focus more on the perimeter passing game.

The unforeseen offshoot: an improved recognition of the passing game and improved chemistry between quarterbacks and wide receivers, coach Jim Mora said.

With Alge such a comfort zone, taking him out of the mix, that was 16 practices where Mike couldn't go to Alge," Mora said. "It, subconsciously, forced him to throw more outside than inside. I'm sure it helped things between Mike, Roddy White, [Michael Jenkins], [Brian Finneran] and Adam Jennings and Jerome Pathon. That was my feeling."

Mora cautioned that the progress came during noncontact drills and that real answers will come after the team begins training camp July 27. Below is a position-by-position breakdown of how things stand now that offseason workouts are finished, prioritized by areas of uncertainty.

Defensive tackle

Darrell Shropshire, a seventh-round pick last season, started his offseason workouts a month before most players. He is stronger, faster and "very hungry" said defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. He could push for starter Chad Lavalais' job. There are no plans now to add a veteran, like Brentson Buckner, but he could be an option if the Falcons aren't satisfied a few days into training camp.

Kicker

Zac Derr and Tony Yelk showed nothing to elicit confidence. The auditions will probably continue through preseason, with more and more veterans getting a shot. Last season's kicker, Todd Peterson, remains an option.

Running back

Jerious Norwood has made headway toward replacing T.J. Duckett as the No. 2 tailback. Athleticism aside, Norwood's adaptation to the offense ? especially blitz pickup and receiving skills ? could keep Duckett on the trading block.

Quarterback

In the battle for the No. 3 spot, second-year man Bryan Randall has the edge over rookie D.J. Shockley because of experience, Mora said. Shockley's huddle presence, poise and magnetic persona have him in the coaches' good graces. Preseason performances will determine who's on the active roster and who's on the practice squad.

Safety

Newcomers Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker have been huge additions, Mora said. The Falcons will search for free-agent depth. Ronnie Heard is a possibility, but Mora wants to see if any nasty-tempered players become available. Coaches really like second-year man Cam Newton, but he has to prove himself in the preseason.

Wide receiver

Draft pick Adam Jennings has turned heads but judgment is being withheld until the diminutive, potential No. 4 man makes some real catches over the middle. Starter Roddy White has been very impressive, Mora said.

Offensive line

Things seem pretty set, with Wayne Gandy settling in at left tackle. Coaches are looking hard at Ben Claxton to compete with Matt Lehr at left guard, but they seem more concerned with adding a backup who could swing between guard and center.

Linebacker

Middle man Ed Hartwell, recovering from a season-ending Achilles tendon tear, was limited for most of the offseason, but he went through all drills in the final week of offseason workouts and was moving and reacting well, Donatell said.

"It was important for him to gain some confidence that he can make it through a practice or two," Mora said. "It gave us a gauge on where he was, and it was good for teammates to see him out there."

Defensive end

Second-year player Chauncey Davis will back up John Abraham and Patrick Kerney and could be used a lot on first-down, running situations.

Cornerback

Rookie Jimmy Williams has struggled in man coverage but has looked comfortable in zone schemes and run recognition, Mora said. He will start at corner in nickel packages, moving base-defense starter Jason Webster into the slot. Undrafted rookie Brent Grimes (Shippensburg University) could be a sleeper.
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Vick gets acquainted with his receivers is one of them anomoly thingees I think. Vick don't know them and don't want to know them. He just looks for Crumpler and then runs for his life.

I really hate being this cynical to the Falcons. I hope they can turn things around and have a good year. But I doubt it.

 

[THE KOD]

Q. With minicamp and workouts finished, how do you feel you've adapted?

A. "Everything is right on schedule as far as getting the concepts of the defense and understanding what they're asking of me. It's been fun. I found myself watching more than playing. I'm out there with some greats ? Mike Vick, John Abraham, Lawyer Milloy. I don't feel like and NFL player yet. I feel like a freshman in college in a way."

Q. What was your welcome to the NFL moment?

A. "The first minicamp practice, going against Roddy White in one-on-ones. Getting beat like that, I was like, 'So this is how it's going to be.' I'm sure I'll feel it more when I come back for training camp when I figure out how they treat the rookies."

Q. Which receiver has given you the most problems?

A. "Brian Finneran. He's the vet out there. The way he runs his routes, how he goes about his business and how he catches the ball. He catches about everything. He's the best receiver we've got."

Q. What is the biggest adjustment to the NFL?

A. "Trying to figure out what it is that they truly want me to do, as far as technique, and how I go about guarding receivers. I have to get my hands on them at the line, run with them and figure out whether I need to be on the outside or inside shoulder. Finishing out the play all the way through to was different. Coaches watch from the start of the play to the end of the play. Trying to finish the whole play instead of looking away when it doesn't look like the quarterback is throwing your way is something I had to get used to."

Q. So much of your game is predicated on the physical nature of the sport and hitting. Is it hard to get a read on how effective you can be at this level in non-contact workouts?

A. "That's my game. I'm used to getting my hands on the people and when I'm able to do that, they're not going to be happy about it. I'm not trying to talk any trash. I just know my game and what I'm capable of doing. It's going to be tough for a lot of receivers once I get it down. It will be much easier for me than it is right now. I can't wait. I'm trying to earn a spot as far as playing right away."

Q. How have they used you?

A. I'm the backup right corner behind [Jason] Webster. I'm starting at corner in the nickel and other packages. I'm on punt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff return teams."

Q. DeAngelo Hall, who you kind of grew up with and played with at Virginia Tech, has really reached out to you. What types of things has he done and how has that helped?

A. "He's more like a brother than friend. I'm staying with him. We look over film. I sit beside him in meetings. Off the field we talk about things, about the business side of this game. We reminisce about times in college. Having somebody that close, who knows so much about you, it's a beautiful thing."

Q. Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle crash has brought a lot of attention to players taking risks off the field. Do you do anything that could be deemed as dangerous and what did you learn from that?

A. "I don't ride. As far as skydiving and things like that, I value my life a little too much to do that. I'm trying to play a few more years. I stay away from that. I can wait until I get to 35 years old before skydiving or something like that. The only time I come off the ground is to dunk. Now, I don't even really do that. I shoot from the outside. You don't have to worry about Jimmy Williams."

Q. What are your expectations [after the draft]?

A. "I'm still a little disappointed about the draft but it's a motivation that I want and need to be a better player. Not coming in as highly drafted as I wanted, it will push me to be in the forefront of the league by the end of the year. Maybe that's what I needed. Everything else is right on schedule. I couldn't have been on a better team. I could have been a first-rounder but I could have been on a team where I wouldn't have had DeAngelo, I wouldn't have had Mike. I wake up everyday with a smile on my face because I am an NFL player."

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[THE KOD]

3. Another second-year receiver to keep your eye on is Atlanta's Roddy White.

In the beginning of minicamp, White was actually booed by the home crowd for a few drops. By the end, he was the star of the show, catching every ball thrown in his direction.

We asked White if it was difficult playing with Mike Vick, a quarterback who is at his best when he runs. White said, "Sure, you are just getting into your break and you hear the crowd roaring because Mike has already taken off. But Mike (Jenkins), Brian (Finneran) and me have been working long and hard with Mike (Vick) this year. We have a new offensive coach in Bill Musgrave, who is working with Greg Knapp. Mike (Vick) really seems to like him. He wants to stay in the pocket more and use his weapons. And we have to produce. We have to earn his trust. That's what I've been about this spring and summer."

White put up some legendary numbers at the college level at UAB. The fiery Jim Mora seems to like his work ethic, hands spunk. Finneran is reliable, and Jenkins is tough; but White clearly has the most talent and upside in the Falcons' passing attack.
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[sdf]

"He proved himself last year," said Tampa Bay starting safety Jermaine Phillips, a Georgia and Roswell High alum who's having a youth game next Saturday at Roswell High. "He showed that he's going to be the man for years to come."
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regarding Simms.....i wonder how he'll do mentally now that expectations are being heaped upon him?

:com:

i've seen his work at UTexas when he was expected to be THE MAN. :scared



maybe he has matured over the last couple of years under Gruden...