Falcons: Who did you expect more from this year?

[phocis850]

Looking at how this season went, who do you believe under-performed to what you believe should have been achieved?

I know that we all have different standards, but I've got to say Harry Douglas. Everyone has always been so excited to see what he could do, but he really hasn't done much this year. I REALLY wanted to believe the hype, but I knew better.

Harry Douglas
receptions: 34
yards: 375
avg: 11.0
longest: 37
td: 0

Really, looking at his stats from last year, last season was better for him.

Code:

                            G    GS    Rec    Yds    Avg    Lng    TD    Att    Yds    Avg    Lng    TD    FUM    Lost
2012    Atlanta Falcons    14     1    34    375    11.0    37    0    2    4    2.0    5    0    1    0
2011    Atlanta Falcons    16     4    39    498    12.8    49    1    1    3    3.0    3    0    --    --
2010    Atlanta Falcons    16     4    22    294    13.4    46    1    2    -5    -2.5    0    0    --    --
2008    Atlanta Falcons    16     0    23    320    13.9    69    1    12    69    5.8    33    1    1    1
TOTAL                                  118    1,487    12.6    69    3    17    71    4.2    33    1    2    1

I know our offense doesn't feature a slot receiver, but really, we've passed more this year than any other and we almost have 3 1,000+ yard receivers. HD had maybe 2 good games this year, the others were just average at best. I don't see separation often and I see him just blending into the field way to often.

I believe we have our replacement for HD ready in Drew Davis. In 4 catches this year he's already got more TD's than HD. And it was an impressive catch too.

However, on the flipside, this may be Gonzo's last year. That may make HD more valuable. BUT... what we've seen from him currently is not something that can replace half of what we will miss with Gonzo retiring.

So... who is your underachieving player this year?

[FullMetalFalcon23]

I think HD and a new TE would absorbs Gonzo's targets. Along with increases for Julio.

[AUTiger7222]

I agree with HD. He runs such sloppy routes too and because of that he doesn't get much seperation.

[mdrake34]

Definitely expected more from HD. Also Mike Johnson. Don't really know what to expect from him, but I guess I expected more. Dude was an all-american at Bama but a single concussion (that we know of) has kept him largely out of the mix. He at least got involved as a TE, but I imagined he'd be our starting G or RT by now.

[Xanthri]

That's tough....I would have expected a little better from HD....but honestly I would have expected more from Turner. I realize he hasn't got as many carries, but he looks COMPLETELY stoppable this year. I would have thought he would have been better. As for HD you can only spread the abll around so much...and you have Roddy, JJ, and TG competing for most of the balls.....then you throw in screens.....it is fairly slim picking after that.....

When Turner got the DUI, that was when I said bring on more Quizz....and let's get a bit away from trying to pound the rock up the middle (our offensive line isn't built that way anyway)

[AUTiger7222]

(12-26-2012 03:49 PM)mdrake34 Wrote:  Definitely expected more from HD. Also Mike Johnson. Don't really know what to expect from him, but I guess I expected more. Dude was an all-american at Bama but a single concussion (that we know of) has kept him largely out of the mix. He at least got involved as a TE, but I imagined he'd be our starting G or RT by now.

Wasn't just a concussion. Also had a really bad ankle injury one year.

[papachaz]

Sidbury - a lot of talk after we signed Nolan about how he could/would get more out of some of the backups, esp sidbury was mentioned a LOT. and yet, even after sending no play ray on his way, sidbury still isn't seeing time on the field.

all the talk about his upsides coming out of college, even being a small school, was he had the tools to be turned into a good DE. haven't seen it happen. After thinking it was BVG who just didn't know how to use his guys, now maybe there's more to the story of why Sidbury hasn't made it at all

[Jesus]

Trade the first round pick to Ari for Fitzgerald. Replaces Gonzo as a target and we get an unstoppable slot receiver.....

[FullMetalFalcon23]

I am not up for trading for Fitz.

Would rather take Aaron Hernandez. Would cost us less and allow us to do more with groupings. Truth be told though I see us making full use of our draft picks this year as it will be the first time since 2010 draft we have all our picks to work with. We are at that point where are roster is young enough and good enough to have full drafts and not have all the players have to take the field early. Let's get a good young Tight End who by the time Roddy is gone will be coming into their own. Julio should be the true number 1 by that point and whoever are number 3 receiver is is hopefully the type who can move into being a good opposite to Julio.

After seeing how effective having 2 number 1 receivers is. I don't imagine that the Atlanta type of receiver will diminish. HD might be the type of slot guy we want. But he is not what we want from a 1. Or 2 receiver. Those guys must be big fast physical all the routes type guys. Drew Davis has a better shot of being the number 2 for us than Harry.

I agree Harry has been disappointing for me. Because of how bad he has run his routes this year. Rounding off not posting up his man on routes. Just not crisp. You have to believe if there are to be no sacred lambs. Harry could easily be buried or be gone if he doesn't be the guy he should be out there.

This will be an interesting post season and draft I tell you that.

[AUTiger7222]

(12-26-2012 04:22 PM)Jesus Wrote:  Trade the first round pick to Ari for Fitzgerald. Replaces Gonzo as a target and we get an unstoppable slot receiver.....

There would be no way for us to work Fitz's contract under the salary cap.