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Atlanta Falcons

*Jim Mora announced that with TJ Duckett gone, Warrick Dunn will get more work, including goal line.  This is great news for Dunn owners, but keep in mind that super-talented rookie Jerious Norwood is right behind him, and he's often injured.  In fact Dunn is suffering through a mild groin strain.  By midseason we predict Norwood to be getting at least half the carries.

*Michael Koenan won the kicking job.  I'm not thrilled with a punter as a place kicker.  As John Madden says 'punters have short Achilles and kick with the thigh and hip flexor, the lpace kicker needs a longer Achilles and uses the knee more.'  Madden drafted Ray Guy when some other teams didn't even have him on the draft board.  I presume he knows what he is talking about.  On the other hand, Koenan didn't miss in preseason and is kicking in a dome.  He's a safe pick in late rounds as he will certainly get attempts.

*Jerious Norwood is no longer a secret.  He is going to get his playing time even if Warrick Dunn is healthy.

*Acquired received Ashley Lelie from the Denver Broncos, sending TJ Duckett to the Redskins as part of a 3 way trade.  Mora says he will not put Lelie above Roddy White or Michael Jenkins, who remain the starters at WR.  Interesting, because this is a similar situation to the one that had Lelie holding out in the first place.  We'll see if Lelie causes a problem in Atlanta for the same reasons he did in Denver, or if he just wanted out from under Shanahan.  Certainly this trade speaks volumes about rookie Jerious Norwood and the confidence the Falcons have in his abilities. Considering Dunn's age and propensity to miss time, Norwood suddenly is a very good value pick.  And we told you that Duckett was still on the block after the Barlow to NY trade happened. 

*Trade talks of TJ Duckett are not dead.  He's just not going to NY as first thought. This might be a good time to move on Duckett if his owner has not been paying attention.  The Falcons are still looking for a decent #3 receiver.

*Jerious Norwood looks like one of the best rookie backs in the NFL this year, but he's going to be battling for playing time with Dunn and Duckett.  We wonder if the Falcon's might try to move one of the veterans to New York.

*Add Roddy White to the list of receivers with hamstring issues.  Certainly not the fanfare TO is receiving, though.

*Mike Vick is sitting out with a tweaked hamstring.  Not a cause for alarm at this stage, but if you have been with us for a few years, you know we always tell you to avoid this guy, healthy or not.

*Villanova grad Brian Finneran is out for the year with a torn ligament.  He did not figure heavily in the offense, but depth at the receiver position is a concern.

*Alge Crumpler has had off season shoulder surgery.  He may not be available in pre-season which might not be as bad as other cases.  Vick loves Crumpler and that shouldn't change.

*Rumors are heating up about TJ Duckett being traded in light of the fact that rookie Jerious Norwood continues to impress in early camps.

*Lots of talk about 2nd year receiver Roddy White breaking out this season.  We're telling you not to get too excited considering Mike Vick is still throwing the ball to him.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/ - Official Site

http://www.11alive.com/sports/football/falcons/

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/index.html

http://www.savannahnow.com/CURRENT/SPTindex.shtml

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/football/nfl/atlanta_falcons/ - news sites

http://football.espn.go.com/nfl/roster?team=atl - roster

http://www.ourlads.com/secure/depthchart.cfm?index1=ATL - depth chart

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/stats.htm - stats

http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/nfc-signings - free agency