dirty
EOG Master
Kicker, backs stand out in opener
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/13/06 Michael Koenen's right leg might be a little worn after taking part in every facet of the kicking game, including booting a game-winning 40-yard field goal in the Falcons' 26-23 exhibition-opening victory over New England on Friday.
The Falcons' offensive line might be a little tired, too, after creating an abundance of running lanes for Atlanta's backs, who ran for 196 yards. Of those backs, rookie speedster Jerious Norwood only got caught because Patriots defenders were able to draft into tackling distance.
<!--endtext--><!--endclickprintinclude--><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="175"><tbody><tr><td>Curtis Compton / AJC
</td></tr><tr><td class="caption"> Michael Koenen (right) gets congratulations from holder Matt Schaub after kicking the game-winning 40-yard field goal in the Falcons' exhibition victory over the Patriots on Friday.
</td></tr><tr><td>Curtis Compton / AJC
</td></tr><tr><td class="caption">Rookie Jerious Norwood enjoys his first professional game with fullback Fred McCrary after scoring on a 34-yard reception.
</td></tr></tbody></table><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begintext--> T.J. Duckett, meanwhile, showed that even though Norwood has some giddyup, his tank still has plenty of juice.
Plenty of questions were answered ? or at least set in motion ? in the first of four exhibitions. But there are still a lot of areas in need of fixing, especially on defense, where the starters have to prevent leaks against the run that sank them last season.
Here are some things we learned from Game 1:
1. Koenen's kicking versatility is just one of many developing special teams scenarios. Following his four-field goal, four-punt, three-kickoff bonanza against the Patriots, Falcons coaches countered what they'd been saying for weeks: They don't want Koenen handling all three jobs.
But coaches admitted they are now seriously looking at the possibility of the second-year player being Mr. Everything.
It could turn out that Koenen ends up kicking field goals and punting, with Tony Yelk holding down kickoff chores. Or, another player could be invited to camp over the next few weeks to kick field goals.
Whatever the case, Koenen, the punter and kickoff specialist, has thrown a potential monkey wrench into the already unsettled situation.
Though it may seem minor, the Falcons are also taking a deep look at their long snapper situation. Rookie free agent Boone Stutz handled all snaps against the Patriots and defensive end Josh Mallard will get a look. Seven-year veteran Derek Rackley is a solid deep snapper, but with a fairly hefty salary ($625,000 against the salary cap) he could be a victim of the numbers game.
Return-wise, Atlanta returned just one punt. However, rookie Adam Jennings and second-year running back DeAndra Cobb combined to average 26.8 yards on kickoff returns. Former Pro Bowl player Allen Rossum, who didn't play and hasn't practiced much because of a hamstring injury, is being pushed, with coaches saying again Friday that all return jobs are up for grabs.
2. The backup running backs should be fine. Norwood dazzled with two long runs after catching screen passes, leaving a wake of defenders chasing his shadow. He also gained 22 yards on seven carries.
Norwood is the cool new flavor, but don't forget what's already in the fridge.
Duckett, who's in a contract year, was solid Friday, leading the Falcons with 59 yards on 10 carries, including a 20-yard burst. Though he might not seem to be an ideal fit in Atlanta's cutback running scheme, there are times when a downhill run is needed and Duckett, who scored 27 touchdowns the past three seasons, is the Falcons' best option.
3. Bryan Randall is not conceding a thing. With D.J. Shockley having a strong training camp and being the hometown favorite, it's easy to think Randall is doing nothing than taking snaps so the other quarterbacks can take a break. But the second-year player from Virginia Tech served notice that he's not going to relinquish the No. 3 quarterback job without a fight.
Randall, who played in the third quarter, completed five of nine passes ? two were screens to Norwood, who did the heavy lifting after the catch ? and broke off a nifty 29-yard run, the longest carry for either team. He finished with a 123.4 quarterback rating.
"It was good to be on the field because I hadn't really been involved in full contact for a couple of years," Randall said. "I was real anxious, but I felt real poised out there and comfortable with the offense."
4. T.J. Jackson no longer under the radar. Though the Falcons have spoken highly of the undrafted rookie nose tackle, they have tried to temper expectations for the Auburn product.
That plan might have to be readjusted after Jackson, who played several series with the first- and second-team units, recorded three tackles and provided the interior push the coaching staff desires.
Whether he can sustain it remains to be seen, but Jackson could be the plug at the line Atlanta needs against the run.
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/13/06 Michael Koenen's right leg might be a little worn after taking part in every facet of the kicking game, including booting a game-winning 40-yard field goal in the Falcons' 26-23 exhibition-opening victory over New England on Friday.
The Falcons' offensive line might be a little tired, too, after creating an abundance of running lanes for Atlanta's backs, who ran for 196 yards. Of those backs, rookie speedster Jerious Norwood only got caught because Patriots defenders were able to draft into tackling distance.
<!--endtext--><!--endclickprintinclude--><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="175"><tbody><tr><td>Curtis Compton / AJC
</td></tr><tr><td class="caption"> Michael Koenen (right) gets congratulations from holder Matt Schaub after kicking the game-winning 40-yard field goal in the Falcons' exhibition victory over the Patriots on Friday.
</td></tr><tr><td>Curtis Compton / AJC
</td></tr><tr><td class="caption">Rookie Jerious Norwood enjoys his first professional game with fullback Fred McCrary after scoring on a 34-yard reception.
</td></tr></tbody></table><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begintext--> T.J. Duckett, meanwhile, showed that even though Norwood has some giddyup, his tank still has plenty of juice.
Plenty of questions were answered ? or at least set in motion ? in the first of four exhibitions. But there are still a lot of areas in need of fixing, especially on defense, where the starters have to prevent leaks against the run that sank them last season.
Here are some things we learned from Game 1:
1. Koenen's kicking versatility is just one of many developing special teams scenarios. Following his four-field goal, four-punt, three-kickoff bonanza against the Patriots, Falcons coaches countered what they'd been saying for weeks: They don't want Koenen handling all three jobs.
But coaches admitted they are now seriously looking at the possibility of the second-year player being Mr. Everything.
It could turn out that Koenen ends up kicking field goals and punting, with Tony Yelk holding down kickoff chores. Or, another player could be invited to camp over the next few weeks to kick field goals.
Whatever the case, Koenen, the punter and kickoff specialist, has thrown a potential monkey wrench into the already unsettled situation.
Though it may seem minor, the Falcons are also taking a deep look at their long snapper situation. Rookie free agent Boone Stutz handled all snaps against the Patriots and defensive end Josh Mallard will get a look. Seven-year veteran Derek Rackley is a solid deep snapper, but with a fairly hefty salary ($625,000 against the salary cap) he could be a victim of the numbers game.
Return-wise, Atlanta returned just one punt. However, rookie Adam Jennings and second-year running back DeAndra Cobb combined to average 26.8 yards on kickoff returns. Former Pro Bowl player Allen Rossum, who didn't play and hasn't practiced much because of a hamstring injury, is being pushed, with coaches saying again Friday that all return jobs are up for grabs.
2. The backup running backs should be fine. Norwood dazzled with two long runs after catching screen passes, leaving a wake of defenders chasing his shadow. He also gained 22 yards on seven carries.
Norwood is the cool new flavor, but don't forget what's already in the fridge.
Duckett, who's in a contract year, was solid Friday, leading the Falcons with 59 yards on 10 carries, including a 20-yard burst. Though he might not seem to be an ideal fit in Atlanta's cutback running scheme, there are times when a downhill run is needed and Duckett, who scored 27 touchdowns the past three seasons, is the Falcons' best option.
3. Bryan Randall is not conceding a thing. With D.J. Shockley having a strong training camp and being the hometown favorite, it's easy to think Randall is doing nothing than taking snaps so the other quarterbacks can take a break. But the second-year player from Virginia Tech served notice that he's not going to relinquish the No. 3 quarterback job without a fight.
Randall, who played in the third quarter, completed five of nine passes ? two were screens to Norwood, who did the heavy lifting after the catch ? and broke off a nifty 29-yard run, the longest carry for either team. He finished with a 123.4 quarterback rating.
"It was good to be on the field because I hadn't really been involved in full contact for a couple of years," Randall said. "I was real anxious, but I felt real poised out there and comfortable with the offense."
4. T.J. Jackson no longer under the radar. Though the Falcons have spoken highly of the undrafted rookie nose tackle, they have tried to temper expectations for the Auburn product.
That plan might have to be readjusted after Jackson, who played several series with the first- and second-team units, recorded three tackles and provided the interior push the coaching staff desires.
Whether he can sustain it remains to be seen, but Jackson could be the plug at the line Atlanta needs against the run.