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| Sunday, October 20 Updated: October 24, 1:19 PM ET Duckett has suddenly become Falcons' top back By James C. Black ESPN.com |
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You could say that T.J. Duckett was walking into a bad situation. For one thing, he was drafted by an Atlanta Falcons team that signed free-agent running back Warrick Dunn to a lucrative contract in the offseason. And at the time, they still hadn't severed ties with Jamal Anderson, who led Atlanta to its only Super Bowl appearance just three seasons earlier. But circumstances and a change of plans have made the Michigan State alumnus the Falcons' running back of choice lately.
"I've been wanting it for a while," Duckett said of scoring. "I've been dreaming about it. I was just blessed to have it happen (on Sunday)." The Falcons selecting Duckett with the 18th overall pick was an odd move to the thinking of many media members and Falcons fans. Though it was apparent that Anderson would be released, there didn't seem to be enough room for Duckett in the backfield considering Dunn was promised 20-25 "touches" a game. However, coach Dan Reeves felt differently. Reeves believes a team can never have enough good running backs, and he was intent on getting the ball to both guys. Duckett's orientation to the offense was slow since he didn't join the Falcons until early August after holding out. But in his limited action over the first two weeks, the Falcons were impressed that he averaged more than six yards per carry. Now that he is getting the ball more consistently, the biggest concern is his health. Duckett suffered an injury to his left foot late in the first half against Carolina. "It's up in the air as to what the injury is, but I think I'll play (Sunday at New Orleans)," Duckett told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Each Tuesday during the regular season, ESPN.com reviews rookie performances. Here are some others who had a significant impact (or not so great outings) this past week:
The one-game suspension of Kenoy Kennedy thrust Brandon into the starting lineup against Kansas City. The fourth-round pick from UNLV, who had no tackles previously, registered six during Denver's win. His biggest tackle occurred on third-and-2 with about four minutes left when he stopped Kansas City's Priest Holmes for a 1-yard gain. Chiefs kicker Morten Anderson missed a 43-yard field goal on the next play, which kept Denver within seven points. "I'd like to say I won the game for us with that play, but I didn't," Brandon told The Denver Post. "People expect plays like that out of me, and that's what I get paid to do."
Carr must spend a lot of time in the whirlpool after games. The top pick overall from Fresno State, who has been sacked at least six times in all but two games, got dropped nine times during the loss to Cleveland. It was the second times he has been sacked nine times, raising the incredible total to 40. "There are three parts to sacks," said Carr, who was 22-of-36 passing for 267 yards with a touchdown. "I have to get rid of the ball, the offensive line has to protect, and the receivers have to be open. On every sack, it's one or two or three of those things (that goes wrong)." Randall Cunningham got sacked a record 72 times for the Eagles in 1986.
Davis has had a big impact on all three of Cleveland's wins. He changed the complexion of Sunday's game by stealing momentum from Houston just seconds after the Texans had jumped ahead. Davis scored on a 95-yard kickoff midway through the third period as the Browns went on to score 24 of the game's final 27 points. "On the touchdown," said Davis, "everything went just right. When I got to the kicker (Kris Brown), I knew I was in pretty good shape." Davis is tied with Dennis Northcutt for the team lead with five total touchdowns.
Fasani was forced into action against the Falcons on Sunday when Chris Weinke suffered a concussion before intermission. The fourth-round pick from Stanford didn't have a memorable debut, completing just six of 18 passes for 100 yards with an interception. "I don't think anybody on offense played their best game," Fasani said in the Charlotte Observer. "We all made too many mental mistakes." Coach John Fox said on Monday that Weinke would be listed as day-to-day and, with Rodney Peete (knee) still sidelined, he could start against the Buccaneers next weekend.
Freeney registered a sack in his third straight game on Monday. However, it didn't have much of an impact as the Colts were run over by Pittsburgh, ending a three-game winning streak. The first-round pick from Syracuse has recorded just seven tackles this season.
The Chiefs opted to improve last year's mediocre defense by using four of their five draft picks on defensive players and not bringing in any big-name free agents. So far, that gamble hasn't paid off. Fujita, a fifth-round pick from California, was the only one of the four who played during Sunday's loss to Denver. He was in on five tackles for a unit that has surrendered the most passing yards (2,255) and points (230) this season.
With Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey as their top two receiving threats, plus the return of Shannon Sharpe, the Broncos didn't have high expectations for Lelie this season. But the first-round pick from Hawaii made his presence felt against the Chiefs. He had a 24-yard reverse in the third quarter to put the ball deep in Kansas City territory. Three plays later, he picked up 21 yards following a pass from Brian Griese that moved the ball to the 6-yard line. Fellow rookie Clinton Portis scored three plays later. James C. Black is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com. |
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