2006 NFL Training Camp Thread

[miami_fan]

The Eagles have opened camp with rookies and the vets are due in on Sunday.

[miami_fan]

The Cards sign Leonard Pope to a three deal. Base salary with a $578,000 signing bonus. Also got Gabe Watson into camp. Three year, base salary every year, $347,500 signing bonus. Bill Bidwell seems to be getting it. All of his draft picks are signed except Matt Leinart.

[Subby]

Redskins camp preview
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.

Three Burning Questions

Can the offensive line pass protect well enough to get quarterback Mark Brunell through a full season?
The pass protection for Brunell was better in 2005 after being very weak in 2004. The Redskins have been forced at times to play a lot of maximum protection schemes to protect the immobile Brunell, making their passing game very conservative and predictable. The key to success in 2006 is the health of left offensive tackle Chris Samuels and right offensive tackle Jon Jansen. They are excellent edge protectors, but durability is a real question mark for both. This is a big and physical offensive line, and the passing game will feature more three- and five-step drops, which will make it tough for defenses to get to Brunell. Even when other teams do penetrate, one of the most underrated parts of the team's pass protection is the ability of running back Clinton Portis to pick up the blitz.

Can offensive coordinator Al Saunders and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams turn their respective units into an offense and defense of Super Bowl caliber?
As usual, there are new faces on both sides of the ball, as owner Dan Snyder continues to spend every dollar he is allowed to spend in free agency. The key is always for these new players to jell, especially on offense. The newcomers will have to absorb new coordinator Saunders' very complex offense and do so quickly. The talent level is excellent on both sides of the ball, and this might be the best-coached team in the NFL, with tremendous experience at all positions. The defense will be fine and will carry its share of the load, but the big question will be how effective this offense is and how well Brunell is protected.

Will we see quarterback Jason Campbell early in the season?
The coaching staff really likes Campbell and thinks he is coming along quickly, but this is a very complex offense and is difficult for a young guy to master early. Campbell likely will get extensive work in the preseason so the coaches can find out whether he is anywhere near ready to step in. Nevertheless, you get the feeling the coaches would be more comfortable playing the entire 2006 season with Brunell, if he can hold up physically, as he fits the offensive scheme very well and is a smart veteran player who can make all the adjustments necessary to keep the chains moving.

The player under the microscope

Safety Sean Taylor seems to be past his legal problems of a year ago, which should allow him to have a full training camp. Taylor is the key to this whole defense. Everything the Redskins do revolves around Taylor and his ability to make plays in space. He allows coordinator Williams to play a variety of coverage schemes because he can patrol the deep middle of the field and give coverage help from sideline to sideline while also being an intimidating hitter over the middle. However, he will gamble at times and won't always take great angles to the ball. He also must learn to package his aggressiveness into playing somewhat under control but still intimidatingly.

Breakout player

With an abundance of three-receiver sets and a sophisticated passing game, Antwaan Randle El will work out of the slot a lot and will see mostly single-coverage schemes, usually versus the second or third corner on the opposing team. Santana Moss requires a lot of attention on the perimeter, and it will be very difficult for defenses to roll any coverages toward Randle El. He is also a threat to run reverses and even throw the football in this offense, and Saunders will give him quality gadget and trick plays to take advantage of those skills. Although he is not the go-to-guy in this offense because of Moss, Randle El has a chance to catch a lot more balls.

Comeback player of the year

Although it seems unusual to consider Andre Carter a comeback player when he has played in the league for just five years, he did not really fit in as an outside linebacker in the 49ers' 3-4 defense and should be a huge free-agent upgrade for Washington. In the Skins' 4-3 scheme, he will start at right defensive end and is very capable of having a double-digit sack season, which would be a marked improvement over his 4.5 sacks a year ago. He still can play right outside linebacker if the Redskins go to a 3-4 front, but he is basically going to be an edge rusher with a lot of freedom to move around and put himself in position to isolate blockers on the edge. The coaching staff is convinced Carter will give the Redskins the big plays they did not get from LaVar Arrington a year ago but will be capable of playing with better discipline and control.

Offensive philosophy

Saunders' arrival in Washington brings a new offensive philosophy. The Redskins will operate out of a three-receiver, one-back set much of the time, without a traditional fullback as a lead blocker for Portis. Saunders runs a very sophisticated offense that features a lot of timing routes, and Brunell will be asked to throw the ball into tight spots with very little route adjustment and a minimal audible system. Without a fullback, Portis will be asked to use his natural vision and run instincts to create creases and seams without having to follow a lead blocker. It should be much more natural for him and still allow him to use his patented cutback runs. Defenses also will have to keep an eye on Randle El, who will work as the No. 3 slot receiver but is always capable of running reverses or throwing the ball. He gives this offense a surprise element. Saunders also has to figure out a way to get tight end/H-back Chris Cooley into the lineup. Cooley had 71 receptions a year ago, but in this different offensive set, we might see him play out of the slot at times, go in motion and even line up in the backfield to take advantage of good matchups.

Defensive philosophy

Coordinator Williams runs one of the most sophisticated defensive schemes in the NFL, featuring a lot of exotic blitzes. He will attack you from all over the field, many times with multiple blitzes on the same side. He likes the freedom of being able to play man-to-man coverages behind the blitz, and really seems to trust his two corners without help over the top. However, we might see a lot more Cover 1, Cover 3 and man-free schemes in the secondary, allowing new strong safety Adam Archuleta to play up in the box and be more active in run support while free safety Taylor can patrol the middle of the field and use his range and athleticism to make plays. It's unlikely the Redskins will play a lot of Cover 2 schemes, as Archuleta would be wasted as a deep-half safety, especially as pass coverage is not his strength. Also, look for the Redskins to play some 3-4 schemes even though they primarily use a 4-3 defense and will feature newly acquired defensive end/offensive linebacker Carter as the key pass-rusher off the edge in schemes. This is a defense that needs intelligent players who can make adjustments because Williams has very sophisticated schemes that change from week to week and the whole goal here is to confuse offenses and dictate the pace of the game.

Gary Horton has been a football talent evaluator for more than 30 years. He spent 10 years in the NFL and 10 years at the college level before launching a private scouting firm called "The War Room."

[rjolley]

Oh yeah, training camp is here and games are not that far away. They really need more teams in Europe for a summer league. Either that or hold the draft closer to the season so there isn't so much time to talk about what could be...

[miami_fan]

Browns have their first rounder in camp on time

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2527043

[Bearcat729]

I posted this earlier in the off season thread but it looks like Reggie Bush is going to hold out and may sit out the season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-bush072106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[miami_fan]

No way Bush sits on the season. I think he may miss a week or so of camp but he will be a Saint this year. I do wonder about the reaction among Saints fans if/when he holds out. My first reaction is they will rip him apart for not getting to camp. However these are the Saints, specifically Tom Benson, we are talking about.

[saldana]

I posted this earlier in the off season thread but it looks like Reggie Bush is going to hold out and may sit out the season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-bush072106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

i was listening to ESPN radio on the way home...they are reporting that Bush is threatening a "lengthy hold out" base on the fact that he wants the same financial level of contract as Mario Williams, since he "should have been" the first overall pick in the draft.

[RedKingGold]

Our first serious injury: LaCharles Bentley

Leg Injury (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2531239)

[albionmoonlight]

Our first serious injury: LaCharles Bentley

Leg Injury (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2531239)

The Browns are cursed.

[albionmoonlight]

dola:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2530925

No one knows anything about the Reggie Bush contract. He may sign soon. Or he may not. But the media felt like it had to put out a story anyway.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Lions training camp officially starts today, though practice doesn't start until tomorrow.

They still don't have their first (Sims) or second (Bullocks) round picks signed. Everyone else has signed up.

Practice will be all pads, all the time.

There will be bitching, moaning, and likely a few injuries.

A couple players will start out on the PUP list: Teddy Lehman, Boss Bailey, Dan Campbell, and Scottie Vines.

Biggest story to watch:
Charles Rogers and Mike Williams. There has been a lot of talk of one (if not both) of these former first round picks possibly being cut before the season starts. While I don't see it happening, it could.

The Lions' training camp will be tougher and more intense than all of your teams' training camps! ;)

[Noble_Platypus]

No way they cut Mike Williams, his cap hit would hurt too bad

[Honolulu_Blue]

No way they cut Mike Williams, his cap hit would hurt too bad

I agree. Also, the guy's only in his second year. He's still very young and missed a year of football two years ago. They need to give him some time. Then again, he's showed no interest what-so-ever in getting better or actually putting forth any effort at all. Could be a volatile mix with the new coaching staff.

[stevew]

I heard that Williams got fined 200 large last year for missing/reporting late to meetings and missing weight goals. If he doesn't figure it out this year, i bet he's gone.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I heard that Williams got fined 200 large last year for missing/reporting late to meetings and missing weight goals. If he doesn't figure it out this year, i bet he's gone.

It was actually closer to 400 large.

[ice4277]

From the Detroit News on Monday:

"Mike Williams admits to being fined often in 2005 but said it was far less than recently reported. In fact, Williams produced a line-by-line statement from the franchise showing the amount for the full season was $60,443."

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060724/SPORTS0101/607240335/1126

[fantastic flying froggies]

Our first serious injury: LaCharles Bentley

Leg Injury (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2531239)

But it's the preseason!

I thought we turned injuries off...

:p

[SunDevil]

From the Detroit News on Monday:

"Mike Williams admits to being fined often in 2005 but said it was far less than recently reported. In fact, Williams produced a line-by-line statement from the franchise showing the amount for the full season was $60,443."

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060724/SPORTS0101/607240335/1126


Well maybe if they did fine him for a total of 400 large, he would be the first one in camp this year, talking about having a break-out year instead of playing an accountant on his off season.

[DeToxRox]

ESPN.com's Michael Smith reported that Young's deal is for six years, with incentives, that could make the total package worth $58 million. The deal includes $25.74 million in guaranteed money.

[DeToxRox]

So who think Reggie Bush holding out all year seems unlikely now?

[miami_fan]

So who think Reggie Bush holding out all year seems unlikely now?

Didn't think he would before and I don't think he will now. He should negotiate and get the best deal he posssibly can.

[ice4277]

So who think Reggie Bush holding out all year seems unlikely now?

I really have a hard time believing that somebody would hold out for a whole year if they stand to make close to the same money Young will be making. Plus, on the Saints' side, they would take a HUGE PR hit if they don't get it done.

[stevew]

Most internet Browns fans are borderline suicidal about the whole Bentley deal. Too bad for them, tying up all those resources in a damn interior lineman, instead of maybe, a QB.

[Samdari]

So who think Reggie Bush holding out all year seems unlikely now?

Roughly 60-75% of first round picks miss ONE DAY of training camp, while both sides spew gloom and doom rhetoric. Let's relax a little on Reggie Bush.

Besides, he will now want to stop asking for #1 money and start asking for #3 money.

[ISiddiqui]

Most internet Browns fans are borderline suicidal about the whole Bentley deal. Too bad for them, tying up all those resources in a damn interior lineman, instead of maybe, a QB.

Wouldn't have mattered. The QB would have found someway to get hurt by now ;).

Besides, I think Charlie Frye will be pretty decent. Bentley was a great pickup for the Browns, IMO, shame his season had to end this way.

[miami_fan]

Chiefs left tackle Willie Roaf retiresBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


Eleven-time Pro Bowl performer Willie Roaf, one of the NFL's premier left tackles during his 13-year career, has apprised Kansas City Chiefs officials that he is retiring.


Roaf did not go to training camp with the rest of the Chiefs players, and Kansas City officials said his absence was for personal reasons, but that they expected him to report within a few days. But a team source said Friday afternoon that Roaf, who has flirted with retirement each of the last two offseasons, told Chiefs officials that he is ending his celebrated career.


"I guess they want me to reconsider," Roaf told the Kansas City Star. "[But] I'm solid on retiring and going back to school."


Team officials have been able in the past to dissuade Roaf from walking away from the game, but their efforts apparently were not persuasive enough this time.


Earlier this offseason, amid what have become near-annual reports of his pending retirement, Roaf insisted that he would play another season. But the 36-year-old Roaf has suffered through hamstring and knee problems the past few seasons, and that likely contributed to his decision.


Roaf missed six games in 2005 with a strained hamstring.


The departure of Roaf leaves the Chiefs without a proven left tackle and, with camps opening around the league, there are no quality replacements in the free agent pool. Third-year veteran Jordan Black, who played left tackle in Roaf's absence last season, will likely get the first shot at the starting job. Kansas City signed former New Orleans and St. Louis lineman Kyle Turley, who hasn't played in two seasons because of back problems, and he is expected to win the starting right tackle job.


A first-round draft pick of the Saints in 1993, Roaf was traded to Kansas City in 2002. He has played in 189 games, all starts, and went to the Pro Bowl in all but two seasons.


The former Louisiana Tech standout was one of the most dominant left tackles of his era, combining strength, quickness and technique to carve out a celebrated career.

[SunDevil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532619

An all-night negotiating session between the San Francisco 49ers and the agents for first-round choice Vernon Davis was rewarded with Davis making his first practice and the former Maryland star becoming the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Davis signed a five-year deal Friday morning worth in excess of $23 million and possibility close to around $25 million. His deal tops those of Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, The Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, Raven Todd Heap, the Cowboys' Jason Witten and the Falcons' Alge Crumpler. They make between $4.14 million and $4.5 million a year.

Davis is the sixth pick in the first round and a rare talent. He can run the 40 in the 4.3-second range even though he weighs more than 250 pounds. His presence is expected to help the development of quarterback Alex Smith, who is entering his second year.

Davis' agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Locke, have been negotiating around the clock for more than two days on two coasts. They completed a five-year, $9 million deal late Thursday night for Patriots first-round Laurence Maroney. They negotiated until 5 a.m. on Davis' deal until Friday morning.

After a brief break to review the language, both sides worked hard to make sure Davis made the team's morning practice. The 49ers reported to camp Friday morning and began their practice sessions.

All of the 49ers draft choices are now signed.

[SunDevil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532615

Eleven-time Pro Bowl performer Willie Roaf, one of the NFL's premier left tackles during his 13-year career, has apprised Kansas City Chiefs officials that he is retiring.

Roaf did not go to training camp with the rest of the Chiefs players, and Kansas City officials said his absence was for personal reasons, but that they expected him to report within a few days. But a team source said Friday afternoon that Roaf, who has flirted with retirement each of the last two offseasons, told Chiefs officials that he is ending his celebrated career.

"I guess they want me to reconsider," Roaf told the Kansas City Star. "[But] I'm solid on retiring and going back to school."

Team officials have been able in the past to dissuade Roaf from walking away from the game, but their efforts apparently were not persuasive enough this time.

Earlier this offseason, amid what have become near-annual reports of his pending retirement, Roaf insisted that he would play another season. But the 36-year-old Roaf has suffered through hamstring and knee problems the past few seasons, and that likely contributed to his decision.

Roaf missed six games in 2005 with a strained hamstring.

The departure of Roaf leaves the Chiefs without a proven left tackle and, with camps opening around the league, there are no quality replacements in the free agent pool. Third-year veteran Jordan Black, who played left tackle in Roaf's absence last season, will likely get the first shot at the starting job. Kansas City signed former New Orleans and St. Louis lineman Kyle Turley, who hasn't played in two seasons because of back problems, and he is expected to win the starting right tackle job.

A first-round draft pick of the Saints in 1993, Roaf was traded to Kansas City in 2002. He has played in 189 games, all starts, and went to the Pro Bowl in all but two seasons.

The former Louisiana Tech standout was one of the most dominant left tackles of his era, combining strength, quickness and technique to carve out a celebrated career.

[SunDevil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532320

The Dallas Cowboys completed their draft choice signings by striking an early Friday agreement with first-round selection Bobby Carpenter of Ohio State.

The 18th player chosen overall, Carpenter will sign a five-year contract with a maximum value of $11 million, including $7.5 million in guarantees.

A tall, athletic linebacker (6-foot-2, 256 pounds), Carpenter possesses the kind of size head coach Bill Parcells has long favored at the position. He is the son of former New York Giants and Houston Oilers running back Rob Carpenter, grew up around the game, and has a strong sense of the league.

A starter in 26 of his 50 appearances for the Buckeyes, Carpenter finished his college career with 191 tackles, including 23½ tackles for losses, 14½ sacks, three interceptions, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two recoveries.

Not surprisingly, given his bloodlines, Carpenter is an instinctive player with good diagnostic skills. Although the Cowboys have retooled their linebacker corps over the past two seasons as they continue to transition to a 3-4 defense, Carpenter should vie for playing time as a rookie.

-- Len Pasquarelli

Bills reach agreement with McCargo

The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement in principle with one of their two first-round draft choices, defensive tackle John McCargo.

McCargo, a 6-foot-2, 302-pound three-year starter at North Carolina State, agreed to a five year deal worth more than $8 million that included $5.2 million in guarantees. The Bills began practice Friday morning, and McCargo, the 26th overall pick, will try to get to camp at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. for the afternoon practice.

It's likely, given the turnover in Buffalo, that McCargo will battle for a starting spot as a rookie. At worst, he figures to be a part of Buffalo's tackle rotation in 2006 and log considerable playing time. McCargo has a nice mix of power and quickness and can play either tackle spot. He is one of three former Wolfpack defensive linemen chosen in the first round of this year's draft.

He had 134 tackles in 30 appearance, all but one of them as a starter.

The Bills still have to work on safety Donte Whitner, the eighth pick in the draft.

-- John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli

[st.cronin]

Any truth to the rumor that Willie Roaf is going to retire?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Any truth to the rumor that Willie Roaf is going to retire?

No. It's all pure speculation at this point. I wont believe Roaf retires until I read about it. Twice. From a reputable source. Like ESPN or something.

[stevew]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532619

An all-night negotiating session between the San Francisco 49ers and the agents for first-round choice Vernon Davis was rewarded with Davis making his first practice and the former Maryland star becoming the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Davis signed a five-year deal Friday morning worth in excess of $23 million and possibility close to around $25 million. His deal tops those of Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, The Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, Raven Todd Heap, the Cowboys' Jason Witten and the Falcons' Alge Crumpler. They make between $4.14 million and $4.5 million a year.

Davis is the sixth pick in the first round and a rare talent. He can run the 40 who is entering his second year.in the 4.3-second range even though he weighs more than 250 pounds. His presence is expected to help the development of quarterback Alex Smith,

Davis' agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Locke, have been negotiating around the clock for more than two days on two coasts. They completed a five-year, $9 million deal late Thursday night for Patriots first-round Laurence Maroney. They negotiated until 5 a.m. on Davis' deal until Friday morning.

After a brief break to review the language, both sides worked hard to make sure Davis made the team's morning practice. The 49ers reported to camp Friday morning and began their practice sessions.

All of the 49ers draft choices are now signed.

That's a good contract for the Niners if the guy does what I think he will do. 5 million a season for an upper tier TE who will also be split wide on occasion I would guess.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I work very close to the Steelers training camp, but that doesn't really do much for a Broncos fan. :( I'll probably get dragged over there anyway, and I'll be sure to bring an adding machine to count the number of crimes I witness Santonio Holmes committing.

[stevew]

I work very close to the Steelers training camp, but that doesn't really do much for a Broncos fan. :( I'll probably get dragged over there anyway, and I'll be sure to bring an adding machine to count the number of crimes I witness Santonio Holmes committing.

Maybe you can pick up some Rolling Rock while you are out there. At some point it was brewed based on the recipe of the Monks at St. Vincent's.

[SunDevil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532913

The Green Bay Packers have agreed in principle to a six-year, $37.5 million contract with A.J. Hawk, the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.

The former Ohio State linebacker hopes to get the language of the contract done by Saturday morning so that he can practice. Terms of his guarantees haven't been finalized. Those will be done Friday night and Saturday morning.

Talks between the Packers and Hawk's agent, Mike McCartney, heated up Thursday afternoon when the Jets completed a similar deal with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the fourth pick in the draft. The Packers reported to camp Friday.

All of the Packers' draft choices now have contract agreements.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

[stevew]

Panthers | S. Smith carted off the practice field

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 14:13:54 -0700

Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (hamstring) was carted off the practice field Saturday, July 29, with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He quickly was put on a cart and taken inside for examination.

Whoa, doesn't sound good. Hopefully it's just precautionary, as I like watching this dude play.

[miami_fan]

The good news is that it is "only" a hamstring injury as opposed to a knee.

[TazFTW]

Bush signs for 6 years.

[Cringer]

McCarthy's post-practice review
Selected comments from Packers coach Mike McCarthy following Saturday’s practice:
On the wide receivers dropping a lot of passes: “The drops are way up, definitely. I thought the route running was a lot better. I thought the timing was a lot better.”

On depth at running back: “With our commitment to the run game, we’re going to need more than two guys. You can never have enough good running backs.”

On how Brett Favre is performing: “He looks good. His ankle is bothering him a little bit. He’s throwing the ball with good accuracy and good velocity. He looks good, he’s playing with a balance. His legs are still very strong. He hasn’t lost anything there. He’s very comfortable with the offense. I’m very pleased with him so far.”
When asked what’s wrong with Favre’s ankle, McCarthy replied: “Old age.”
-- Mike Vandermause, Green Bay Press-Gazette

McCarthy is full of gems so far.

[GrantDawg]

Big blow for the Falcons:

Finneran may be lost for season
Receiver injures a knee

By STEVE WYCHE ([email protected])
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/31/06
Flowery Branch — Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran could be lost for the season after suffering a "serious" knee injury during practice Sunday night.
Finneran will undergo an MRI exam Monday morning, but the initial prognosis is not promising, according to coach Jim Mora, who did not reveal the exact nature of the injury.
<!--endtext--><!--endclickprintinclude--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=175 align=left border=0><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begintext-->
"Sometimes you plant and your knee gives," Mora said. "It looks like it's serious. I'm hoping for the best because he's obviously a critical part of this football team. We'll hope for the best but I'm not overly optimistic."
A best-case scenario, Mora said, is that the MRI exam shows a bad sprain that would sideline Finneran, the Falcons' top pass-catching wide receiver last season, for five or six weeks. However Mora even tempered that remark, seemingly bracing himself bad news.
Finneran, the team's reliable No. 3 receiver who led the wide receivers with 50 receptions for 611 yards last season, injured his knee in a non-contact passing drill, his knee giving way as he tried to make a cut.
"He was trying to come out of a break and I saw him fall and I looked down and I saw him grabbing his knee, hollering," said defensive back Jimmy Williams, who was covering Finneran on the play. "I didn't know if I caused it or if it happened on his own. It was one of those things that happened. I felt bad. My whole rest of the practice was shaky. I'm sorry for him."
Mora said Williams was not at fault and that Finneran's injury was not unique to knee injuries that players suffer when they try to make a cut.
Finneran, 30, immediately went to the ground and was writhing in pain. Players and coaches hurried to his side and Finneran was taken off the field on a cart. A once-spirited practice turned silent, even the crowd of more than a thousand hushed.
Once drills resumed, Mora met with head trainer Ron Medlin then raced to the training room to check on Finneran. Mora re-joined the team moments later but he clearly was concerned about the potential loss of the captain of the receiving corps.
"Me, Mike [Jenkins] and the third receiver, whoever that's going to be, are going to have to step up," starting wide receiver Roddy White said. "I'm hoping he's OK because Finn's like a leader to us. He comes out here and he demonstrates and we follow behind him. If he's lost, it's a big loss to us."
Finneran, a seven-year veteran who made the roster as an undrafted free agent in 2000, re-signed for four years with the Falcons this summer.
Mora said the personnel department is already exploring free-agent options, but salary-cap issues could limit the choices. In the short term, Jerome Pathon, who had one reception after joining the Falcons during the season in 2005 but had at least 24 in six of seven NFL seasons, will be used as the third wide out.
"In a situation like this, knowing how Finn is, he'd want somebody in the receiving corps to step it up," Pathon said. "Somebody has to step it up, if not all of us."
Rookie Adam Jennings will also get a shot at the No. 3 role, Mora said. Free agent hopefuls Kevin Youngblood, Cole Magner, Troy Bergeron and Cedric Bonner also will get some consideration, with their special teams' production in the preseason a major factor.

[miami_fan]

This is confirmed. He is done for the season with a torn ACL.