Unfortunately, this little feature has slipped my mind the past two weeks. So we’ll bring it back again. This week’s highlight has to be Jason Snelling’s 24-yard catch and run where he broke several tackles and rumbled through practically all of the Saints defense. He would not be denied.
Honorable Mentions
Harry Douglas 46-yard catch & run
Mughelli celebrates vs. Carolina
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports tweets that the Falcons are going to place fullback Ovie Mughelli on injured reserve due to the knee injury he suffered on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The exact nature of Mughelli’s knee injury has yet to be disclosed. Earlier reports suggested that Mughelli’s season would not end. Per Zach Klein of WSBTV, Mughelli suffered a torn MCL, which is an injury that is rarely treated with surgery, and is known to be able to heal fully inside 6 weeks.
The Falcons brought in two free agent fullbacks: Mike Karney and Jason McKie today for workouts during their bye week.
Jason Snelling likely will be the team’s first option to replace Mughelli in the starting lineup. But if they sign one of those players, it might not be long before they are inserted in the lineup. The Falcons have also made ample use of the two-tight end set in past games where Mughelli has been limited, likely meaning more reps for backup tight ends Michael Palmer and Reggie Kelly.
Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network tweets that the Falcons are working out free agent fullback Jason McKie and Mike Karney today. The Falcons apparent interest in McKie is likely related to the knee injury Ovie Mughelli suffered in the Falcons win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
While the severity of Mughelli’s injury has yet to be disclosed, it does not appear to be season-ending and Mughelli himself tweeted Sunday evening that he would be back soon and the injury looked worse than it actually was. According to ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas, the Falcons interest in a free agent blocker likely indicates that Mughelli will miss an extended period of time.
McKie and Karney are noted for their physical blocking style, similar to Mughelli. Reserve running back Jason Snelling filled in for Mughelli after he suffered his injury on Sunday, and at various times in the past has done the same. In 2009, when Mughelli was sidelined for two games, the Falcons used Verron Haynes instead of Snelling primarily as the fullback, and likely will use either veteran pickup in a similar manner. The Falcons will have time to get McKie, Karney, or any free agent fullback up to speed in the offense since they have a bye this week.
McKie last played a game with the Chicago Bears in 2009. McKie spent six seasons with the Bears, including the final four where he served as their starter at fullback. He was cut by the Bears after the 2009 season, and then signed by the Saints the following spring. He was cut by the Saints at the end of 2010′s training camp. The Baltimore Ravens would sign him in November, where he spent six weeks on the team’s inactive list. But the team cut him at the outset of this past summer’s training camp.
McKie was originally an undrafted rookie out of Temple, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. He spent some time that year on the Eagles practice squad before joining the Dallas Cowboys active roster at the end of the year. He would be cut by the Cowboys the following summer before being claimed by the Bears.
Karney spent the past two years with the St. Louis Rams, after five seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He was cut by the Rams this past summer. He helped clear running lanes for Deuce McAllister while with the Saints in the latter part of his career.
On Sunday night, Falcon fans were treated to two things. The first was what a dynamic offense looks like in the form of the Green Bay Packers, and the other was glimpses of the same from the Falcons.
Aaron Rodgers connected with 12 different receivers over the course of Sunday Night’s game. Matt Ryan and the Falcons with 7. That’s not a low number, as 6 or 7 targets in the passing game is fairly typical at this level of competition.
The glimpses of this dynamic Falcon offense came on their first two series where they got five different receivers involved. They ran the ball as well, getting Julio Jones and Jacquizz Rodgers opportunities there along with their usual handoffs to Michael Turner. The Falcons ran the rub route for Harry Douglas to success on 3rd down, something that should be used more often. Later in the game, Eric Weems even got a reception, his first of the year. The Falcons used misdirection very effectively and it caught the Packers defense off-balance early on. After those two drives, the Falcons did very little misdirection plays and I would say non-coincidentally the offense stagnated.
The Falcons have to try and get more weapons involved on offense to make it harder for opposing defenses to defend. One of the issues that teams have to deal with when they play the Packers is that you have to defend the entire field. If you focus on Jermichael Finley or Greg Jennings, then Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Donald Driver, or James Jones are bound to hurt you. Players like John Kuhn, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, and Alex Green have gotten a few touches on offense and also can become reliable outlets for Rodgers when those other more dynamic players are unavailable.
The Falcons should treat some of their lesser players similarly. Everyone knows about Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Julio Jones. The Falcons made some strides Sunday night with plays designed to Jason Snelling and Harry Douglas. Jacquizz Rodgers should be more involved than he was last week because he seems to be successful nearly every time he touches the ball. But what about players like Michael Turner, Ovie Mughelli, Michael Palmer, and Eric Weems? They aren’t dynamic options, but in the same mold as Kuhn, Crabtree, Williams, and Green they can add something to the offense when those other more dynamic threats like Gonzo and Jones are covered.
One of the things that hurt the Falcons on Sunday was their inability to stay on schedule and be successful on first down. They started too many drives 2nd & 10, 2nd & 8, and 2nd & 12, which tends to force you to go to your more tried and true options to try and get into a 3rd and manageable situation. Thankfully for the Falcons, they were very successful on those 2nd & Long situations getting the ball in the hands of many of those tried and true playmakers. But it is worth noting that on a 2nd & 13, Jason Snelling got 17 on a screen pass, and Rodgers got 11 on a pitch on 2nd & 12 early on. That suggests that going to White or Gonzo is not always necessary as the Falcons did on half of their 12 second downs where they had 6 or more yards to go to the sticks. On those 6 plays to either Gonzo or White, they were successful on 50% of them. On the 6 plays that did not go to that pair, they were successful on 83%. Those 6 other plays included two runs by Turner, his two best of the night for 8 and 15 yards, a 3-yard catch by Douglas, a 16-yard slant by Jones, and the previously mentioned plays by Snelling and Rodgers.
So it does seem that looking away from Gonzalez and White on occasion has been beneficial to the offense. Pretty much every game the Falcons have played this year, half of Ryan’s pass attempts go to those two players. Which is understandable because Ryan’s rapport is strongest with them and they are the two most reliable options in any given situation. But is that making the Falcons too easy to defend is the question that needs to be asked. Mularkey and Ryan need to put in more effort to throw the ball to other players. Whether that is Jones, Rodgers, Snelling, Palmer, Weems, or Reggie Kelly really does not matter. But I’m betting that regardless of which Falcon player is on the receiving end of those passes and designed plays, it will be beneficial to the offense like it was at various times this past weekend.
There is a fifty percent chance that the Falcons will see defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux return to the lineup this weekend against the Green Bay Packers, as he was listed as questionable on this week’s injury report. Babineaux suffered a sprained MCL in the season opener against the Bears and has missed the past four games. He participated on a limited basis in all three days of practice this week. Also listed as questionable is defensive end John Abraham. Abraham was added to the injury report on Friday due to a hip injury. If Abraham is unable to go, then it’s likely Kroy Biermann will make his first start of the season at right end. Peria Jerry has filled in admirably for Babineaux the past three games at left defensive tackle.
Fellow defensive end Cliff Matthews (knee) and center Todd McClure (knee) will be out this week. Neither practiced this week. McClure missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury, returning to the lineup against the Buccaneers in Week 3. But he re-injured his knee last week midway through the Falcons contest against the Seahawks. He will be replaced by Joe Hawley in the lineup, who has now logged two starts and extensive playing time in a third game so far this year.
Also returning the lineup should be linebacker Stephen Nicholas, who missed the past two games with a calf strain. He practiced on a limited basis this week and is listed as probable. Roddy White (thigh), Jason Snelling (concussion), William Moore (neck), Chris Owens (ankle), and tight end Michael Palmer (ankle) are also listed as probable, as all were able to fully participate in Friday’s practice.
For the Packers, right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee), safety Nick Collins (neck), defensive Mike Neal (knee), and linebacker Frank Zombo (shoulder) are all out this weekend. Tight end Andrew Quarless (knee) is doubtful and linebacker Brad Jones (hamstring) is questionable.
Last week linebacker Mike Peterson got the start in stead of Stephen Nicholas, who was out with a calf strain. Peterson was spelled on passing downs by Spencer Adkins. It’s likely the Falcons will employ the same rotation this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks since Nicholas was declared out for the second straight week.
Also listed as out on the Falcons injury report, released Friday afternoon, were defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (knee), running back Jason Snelling (concussion), and defensive end Cliff Matthews (knee). For the third straight game, Peria Jerry will start in place of the injured Babineaux. Snelling suffered his injury last week vs. Tampa Bay and will mean more opportunities for Jacquizz Rodgers as Michael Turner’s primary backup.
Wide receiver Roddy White (thigh) was listed as questionable after being able to go on a limited basis in Friday’s practice after sitting out both Wednesday and Thursday. White has never missed a game entering his seventh season in the NFL.
The Falcons will expect cornerback Kelvin Hayden back this week after being inactive with a hamstring injury last week. Hayden was listed as probable along with offensive tackle Sam Baker (ankle) and linebacker Curtis Lofton (foot). Both Baker and Lofton were limited during Wednesday’s practice but gave full participation on both Thursday and Friday.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that the Falcons have re-signed free agent running back Jason Snelling to a one-year deal.
Snelling had been shopping his services to multiple teams over the past week, but ultimately decided to re-up with the Falcons. Snelling adds key depth at the running back position, where the Falcons were likely to rely on rookie Jacquizz Rodgers as the primary reserve to Michael Turner. Snelling served primarily as the team’s third down back the past two seasons, but had filled in admirably as an injury replacement for Turner last season and in the previous year.
It seems like the Falcons and free agent running back Jason Snelling are playing a game of cat and mouse. Early reports over the weekend were that the Falcons were hard at work trying to retain Snelling, but the free agent was intent on testing the market. It seemed like a few days ago he was very close to signing with the St. Louis Rams, but that proved to be untrue. They opted to sign ex-Falcons Jerious Norwood. Then the New York Giants came calling, but that was mainly a ruse to try and force Ahmad Bradshaw’s hand. Now, reports serviced yesterday that Snelling was in Kansas City to work out for them.
The clock is ticking on whether or not Snelling can get a good free agent offer. Signed free agents will begin practicing today around the league, and it’s likely that the market will slow to a virtual crawl after this point in most cities. Thrice now, Snelling has been spurned by other teams that have shown interest in him, but ultimately settled on other options. Part of that could be that Snelling’s contract demands are too high, part of it may be those teams ultimately preferred other options.
The early buzz on Jacquizz Rodgers has been positive in camp, and it’s possible that the Falcons have moved on past Snelling while he’s put his feelers out in free agency. If that’s true, it would be a mistake. While Rodgers could potentially handle the third down role this year, keeping Snelling means he doesn’t have to. The Falcons won’t have to rely on him to be that guy, instead they can work him slowly into the lineup and pick and choose his spots. When it comes to protecting their franchise quarterback, it makes sense for the Falcons to put their best foot forward, which is Snelling as Turner’s top backup.
With the Falcons picking up 24 undrafted free agents, including yesterday’s addition of Georgia Tech wide receiver Kevin Cone, it is time to revisit what these two dozen players are bringing to the table in terms of this summer’s camp battles.
The undrafted rookies get somewhat a reprieve, since labor rules prevent veteran free agents from practicing until tomorrow. That means that these players all had the opening weekend to showcase their skills before some veterans were able to come in and outshine them.
Here is a position by position look at where these undrafted players fit in on the Falcons roster outlook:
Quarterback – As said before, Froman is a fourth arm that might have a shot at a practice squad position, but he’s not in a legitimate position to push for a roster spot unless there is an injury to either Chris Redman or John Parker Wilson. He’s more of a long-term developmental project for the Falcons.
Running Back – If the Falcons fail to bring back Jason Snelling, it certainly should increase the changes that Philip Sylvester can make the roster. But he’ll have to beat out both Gartrell Johnson and Antone Smith for that third running back spot. And his only way to do that will either to shine on special teams or show a short learning curve when it comes to pass protections. Snelling’s departure also increases the chances that either Thor Merrow or Lucas Cox can crack the roster as the backups to Ovie Mughelli at fullback. The team will be looking both at blocking ability and special teams production.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that the Falcons have signed both of their remaining draft picks, inking deals with first round wide receiver Julio Jones and fifth round running back Jacquizz Rodgers. The Falcons came to terms with their other four draft picks earlier today. Although terms of their deals have yet to be disclosed, both players signed four-year deals. Because Jones is a first round pick, the team has an option to add a fifth year in 2015, which will be equal to the average of the top ten salaries for wide receivers. That figure was $8.65 million based of 2010 salaries.
UPDATE: Zach Klein of WSB-TV reports that Jones signed a four-year deal worth $16.2 million, all of which is guaranteed.
Latest Buzz in the Forums
Recent Comments