SB Nation - Antoine Harris

Report: CB Brian Williams Out For The Season With Injury

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:51:12 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

The secondary will be missing Brian Williams and his big play talent. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

In what qualifies as the worst news of the young season for Falcons fans, Brian Williams has reportedly torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

This is a huge blow to the secondary, because Williams was playing quite well since joining the team before the 2009 season. He was even preventing a touchdown pass when he landed awkwardly and suffered the injury. We'll miss his playmaking ability and veteran savvy in the weeks ahead.

This raises the obvious question of what we're going to do without him. Brent Grimes and Chris Houston have already been getting plenty of snaps, with Grimes playing very well and Houston alternating between doing well and making me want to punch myself in the face. Beyond that, it's Chevis Jackson, who I still like but was out of position on a Bears touchdown pass shortly after Williams left the game, and rookie Chris Owens. Tye Hill has been inactive every week since we traded for him, but I would think that this is going to force the coaching staff to give him a shot at some playing time. Given that the Falcons are a creative bunch, you could also see Thomas DeCoud taking a few snaps at cornerback and having either William "C4" Moore or Antoine Harris fill in a little at free safety. All of these options are on the table, but my guess would be that either Hill or Jackson will get the bulk of his playing time.

The other alternative, of course, is to go out and get somebody. I'm not sure the team wants to part with a high draft pick, but rolling the dice with a guy that can be had for a low round pick is right in Comrade Dimitroff's wheelhouse. There's also free agency, but somehow I don't think there's a lot of impact players languishing in that world. Cornerback Glenn Sharpe could also get a promotion to the active roster, and if this news is confirmed by the team, I'd expect a move no later than mid-week.

Your thoughts on this?

Poll

Will the performance of the secondary suffer without Brian Williams?

Yes, it can't be helped

248 votes

No, everyone else will step up

98 votes

346 votes | Poll has closed

Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers Open Thread

Dave the Falconer — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:00:32 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Neither rain nor 49er will stop Matt Ryan. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Browse more photos »

It's time to get back in the saddle, this time against a tough defensive team that would like very much to prove it's a contender. Sound familiar?

It's been a crazy week around The Falcoholic, so I apologize for the lack of a couple of familiar features. The important thing is that we're here today to (hopefully) witness a good game where the Falcons keep pace with the New Orleans Saints. In order to keep up in a competitive NFC playoff race (and yes, I know it's early), we better start piling those wins up early. Let's hope for 3-1.

See you guys in the game thread. May the Falcons kick butt!

Who? Atlanta Falcons and San Fransisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

Where? Candlestick Park ,San Fransisco, California

Weather? Sunny with a chance of Niners fans flooding the field with their tears.

Fun Fact? For the really young Falcons fans on this site, the Niners were once a hated division rival who made our lives miserable for quite a long time. What makes this fact fun, of course, is if we destroy them on Sunday and return the favor.

Injuries? Hat tip to the Official Site for their report. Jason Elam and Jerious Norwood are probable and virtual locks to play, while special teamer Antoine Harris is out. Hopefully we won't miss him too much for one game. The biggest names on the Niners end are Frank Gore (who's out) and LB Marques Harris (who is questionable).

Odds? San Fransisco over Atlanta 2.5, O/U 40.5

Foe? The talented Fooch and his merry band of trash talkers will be discussing the game over at Niners Nation. Be good sports if you head that way.

GO FALCONS! Let's give these Niners fool's gold!

49ers-Falcons: Final Injury Report

Fooch — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:57:54 -0000

We've got the final injury report for the week and the only big change is several probable players for the 49ers. Having seen the practice reports, and now seeing this lit, probable players really end up being no big deal. However, it sounds like with Marques Harris and Reggie Smith out, Curtis Taylor supposedly might be activated this week. It sounds like it would be primarily for special teams work, but maybe he'll get a chance out in the secondary.

49ers
Out
RB Frank Gore (ankle, foot)
S Reggie Smith (groin)
LB Jeff Ulbrich (concussion)

Questionable
LB Marques Harris (hamstring)

Probable
G David Baas (ankle)
WR Arnaz Battle (hand)
LB Manny Lawson (illness)
CB Allen Rossum (back)
LB Patrick Willis (abdomen)

Falcons
Out
S Antoine Harris (knee)

Probable
K Jason Elam (left hamstring)
RB Ovie Mughelli (hamstring)

Atlanta Falcons Cut Seven Players, More Yet To Come

Dave the Falconer — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:00:37 -0000

by John Amis - AP

Jason Snelling stiff-arms the first round of cuts. And also the Ravens. But that's less important. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

View full size photo »

We knew the axe would be falling again following Thursday's pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens, and it claimed seven Friday afternoon.

There's not a name on this list that blew me away, but this signals that bigger names are to come. Perhaps the biggest surprises were Chandler Williams, who had been excellent in special teams duty but probably didn't show enough as a receiver to stick around, and Ben Wilkerson, who had been a sturdy backup center for the better part of the last two seasons. Cornerbacks Glenn Sharpe and Tony Tiller were clearly heading out, safety Erick Brock was only a mild surprise and Ryan Stanchek and Adam Speer weren't long for this offensive line. This is depth on its way out.

With a 4 p.m. deadline Saturday to cut all the way down to 53, we haven't seen the last of the cuts, and it's likely that a few rookies from the 2009 draft are on the block. Feel free to discuss your own thoughts on the roster and who will make the final team, and I've posted my own 53-man following the jump. Let's see what Saturday brings.

QB Matt Ryan
QB Chris Redman
QB John Parker Wilson
RB Michael Turner
RB Jerious Norwood
RB Thomas Brown
FB Ovie Mughelli
FB/RB Jason Snelling
WR Roddy White
WR Michael Jenkins
WR Brian Finneran
WR Marty Booker
WR Eric Weems
TE Tony Gonzalez
TE Justin Peelle
TE Keith Zinger
T Sam Baker
T Tyson Clabo
T Garrett Reynolds
T Michael Butterworth
G Quinn Ojinnaka
G Justin Blalock
G Harvey Dahl
C Todd McClure
C Brett Romberg
LS Mike Schneck

DE John Abraham
DE Jamaal Anderson
DE Chauncey Davis
DE Kroy Biermann
DE Lawrence Sidbury
DT Jon Babineaux
DT Peria Jerry
DT Trey Lewis
DT Vance Walker
OLB Mike Peterson
OLB Jamie Winborn
OLB Stephen Nicholas
OLB Coy Wire
MLB Curtis Lofton
MLB Tony Gilbert
CB Chris Houston
CB Brent Grimes
CB Tye Hill
CB Chevis Jackson
CB Chris Owens
SS Eric Coleman
SS William Moore
FS Thomas DeCoud
S Jamaal Fudge
S Antoine Harris

K Jason Elam
P Michael Koenen

Poll

Is Dave the Falconer's final roster projection realistic?

You can see into the future! Get out of my head!

30 votes

Don't quit your day job...if you even have one

20 votes

I'm going to wait and see before passing judgment

19 votes

What, no Steve Bartkowski? This is an outrage!

30 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

Antoine Harris And The Grand Opening Of Injury Season

Dave the Falconer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:34 -0000

via www.atlantafalcons.com

Minor surgical procedure, my foot. This is a harbinger of doom!

Antoine Harris is a special teams ace who offers little on defense, and he just had surgery. He'll be out until training camp, which wouldn't be such a big deal if he wasn't the first domino in a seemingly endless line of falling Falcons. Terror grips me!

Now that I've either frightened or confused you, let me make my point clear. Injuries in the NFL are extremely bad news for any number of teams, and the Falcons have lost some reliable performers in recent years. As a Falcons fan, I've learned to tolerate a great deal of shaz that would bring a lesser man to his knees, but injuries absolutely kill me every time. Look at poor Trey Lewis, who might be competing for a starting job this year if fate hadn't taken a hammer to him. By mentioning my overwhelming fear, I'm hoping to work some kind of reverse jinx.

The question for all of y'all (keeping y'all in health) is who among guys who missed significant time due to injury last year will emerge and wreak havoc upon an unsuspecting league? Will it be Lewis, well-known dinosaur and offensive lineman Sam Baker, or someone else entirely? Click and clack your way to discussion-based victory.