New Falcon Lelie has red flags all over him - The Orange Mane

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-25-2006, 08:02 AM

New Falcon Lelie has red flags all over him

By D.Laurant

The Atlanta Falcons were damned if they did and damned if they didn't. So they rolled the dice Tuesday night, jumping into a three-team trade that sent RB T.J. Duckett from Atlanta to Washington and WR Ashley Lelie from Denver to Atlanta (Denver got a draft pick from the Redskins).

What Atlanta general manager Rich McKay was staring at was the choice between having no proven No. 3 receiver or no proven No. 2 tailback. All of this came about when WR Brian Finneran, Atlanta's top possession receiver and one of the key safety valves for Michael Vick, blew out his knee in training camp.

So McKay gritted his teeth and made the deal. Was it a good one? Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com wondered that himself.

"Some Atlanta officials conceded on Tuesday night," Pasquarelli wrote, "that the trade of Duckett, who enjoyed an excellent training camp and preseason, was a dicey one, because it leaves the club without a proven backup to starting tailback Warrick Dunn, who is 31 and entering his 10th season."

Well, yeah. And there are more problems, mostly revolving around the choice of Lelie.

The now ex-Bronco comes south with red flags sticking all over him. For openers, Lelie was sitting out Denver's training camp (to the tune of $376,000 in fines) because he was "disgruntled" about being relegated to the status of No. 3 receiver.

So where do the Falcons expect Lelie to fit in? As the No. 3 receiver, behind Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. The same Atlanta officials who talked to Pasquarelli said they had discussed that with Lelie and he was OK with it.

But apparently not completely OK, because the Falcons didn't extend his contract. Therefore, after 2006, Lelie could very well wind up as an unrestricted free agent, and Atlanta could wind up having traded the very serviceable Duckett for dust in the wind.

True, Lelie is fast, and a certified deep threat. He has caught 168 passes for over 3,000 yards and 12 touchdowns since coming out of the University of Hawaii (where he played for former Falcons coach June Jones), and his yards per catch average of 17.9 is among the best in the NFL. But he has also been inconsistent and prone to drops. And he's certainly not the same type of receiver as Finneran.

Falcons coach Jim Mora was reportedly incensed at the play of his No. 3 receivers against the Green Bay Packers in the most recent preseason game. But draftee Adam Jennings (Fresno State) had his moments early on, and he's pretty much the same player (albeit far less experienced) as Lelie, without the baggage.

Duckett, meanwhile, had been chugging along at a 6.4 yards per carry average in preseason and is only 25. He has rushed for 2,175 yards and scored 31 touchdowns as a Falcon, and his exit means the team will rely heavily on rookie Jerious Norwood, who shows considerable promise but is 50 pounds lighter than Duckett.

What this all means, ultimately, is that Vick has no more excuses. The complaint had been that he had no deep threat in his arsenal -- now he has at least three, with White, Lelie and Jennings.

On the other hand, one serious injury to Warrick Dunn and the Falcons could end up with a rookie starter and no backup at all at tailback (DeAndra Cobb, the other back in the mix, has been injured).

Defense, anyone?

BroncoInferno · 08-25-2006, 08:10 AM

Honestly, it's not that big of a risk for Atlanta. Duckett was in the last year of his contract as well, so the "dust in the wind" comment really has no merit. They were essentially renting him for a year, too; they simply traded one lease for another. If Lelie does not resign, it won't be that big of a deal, because Duckett probably wasn't going to resign either. The gamble is that Dunn, at 31, will stay healthy and effective. I think he'll be OK for one more year.

cambrad8085 · 08-25-2006, 09:02 AM

I wonder how long before Lelie makes a move to be a starting WR for them. Week 3?

edit: does this Avatar make me look like a lelie-nutrider?

BroncoInferno · 08-25-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cambrad8085

I wonder how long before Lelie makes a move to be a starting WR for them. Week 3?

Depends on how good Jenkins and White turn out to be. Everyone seems to be assuming they aren't that good, but they are only entering their 3rd and 2nd seasons. They very well may end up being better than Lelie. If not, it will just depend on how quickly Lelie can learn the offense.

bendog · 08-25-2006, 09:53 AM

What's funny is Lelie would be no 1 for the chorfs.

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-25-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendog

What's funny is Lelie would be no 1 for the chorfs.

That's a joke. Both of our starters have shown an ability to go over the middle. Lelie would be competing with Parker for the #2 job. Given the fact that Parker is going into his third year in the offense and Lelie would be a n00b, I think Parker would win.

Hotrod · 08-25-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

That's a joke. Both of our starters have shown an ability to go over the middle. Lelie would be competing with Parker for the #2 job. Given the fact that Parker is going into his third year in the offense and Lelie would be a n00b, I think Parker would win.

Hey boob whats the over/under on # of cut Bronco players the chefs pick up

Kaylore · 08-25-2006, 10:45 AM

Who is this Lelie?

watermock · 08-25-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Who is this Lelie you speak of?...this one I know...Mr. Chekov I think

Quote:

This one I do not remember...

Khans great great great great great great ....ect...granddaddy:

"The name "Lilly" shall be stricken from all records and banished from the orange kingdom...noone shall even plant a lilly seed without my wrath"

Los Broncos · 08-25-2006, 10:08 AM

Good, i seen his dumb azz on nfl network last night, they were interviewing him in the falcons locker room, he was all smiles and laughs. Hope he fails and bails on them.

Dagmar · 08-25-2006, 10:27 AM

Hi Bob!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas
Bob acts like people actually want him here. It would be safe to say that the person who wants Bob here the most would be TJ since everyone posts a bunch flamming out on him. Personaly I think he is a waste of space. I dislike him and I would rejoice if he left for good.

I made two bets with him. I lost a bet and paid him $50, he lost an avatar bet and welched. F&ck him.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpos...5&postcount=66

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpos...2&postcount=15

Well?
Or shall you suddenly fly away from this thread too?
I'll post this on every thread you appear till you man up bub!

(could someone quote me? I am on super boob's iggy list...)

STBumpkin · 08-25-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagmar

Hi Bob!

Originally Posted by Atlas
Bob acts like people actually want him here. It would be safe to say that the person who wants Bob here the most would be TJ since everyone posts a bunch flamming out on him. Personaly I think he is a waste of space. I dislike him and I would rejoice if he left for good.

I made two bets with him. I lost a bet and paid him $50, he lost an avatar bet and welched. F&ck him.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpos...5&postcount=66

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpos...2&postcount=15

Well?
Or shall you suddenly fly away from this thread too?
I'll post this on every thread you appear till you man up bub!

(could someone quote me? I am on super boob's iggy list...)

Florida_Bronco · 08-25-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STBumpkin

(also need a quote, I'm on Bob's ignore list too)

Good work bro

Bob, we are not going to back off you. You will honor that bet or be chased out of every single thread on the Mane. Save yourself the pain and man up now.

Hotrod · 08-25-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

(also need a quote, I'm on Bob's ignore list too)

Good work bro

Bob, we are not going to back off you. You will honor that bet or be chased out of every single thread on the Mane. Save yourself the pain and man up now.

cant help you man I also reside on said list

BroncoBuff · 08-25-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

(also need a quote, I'm on Bob's ignore list too)

Good work bro

Bob, we are not going to back off you. You will honor that bet or be chased out of every single thread on the Mane. Save yourself the pain and man up now.

Hey, Bob! ^^^^^^^^

BroncoBuff · 08-25-2006, 11:01 AM

He's a major dork, true, but Boob serves A purpose ... he keeps us up on the rosy-optimist Chefs scenarios. I find that has SOME value ... I just wish he would cut his post total in half.

And there is the humor ...

Rock Chalk · 08-25-2006, 12:04 PM

Keep it up Dagmar, that b**** disappears everytime you do that. Makes threads much more pleasant.

WABronco · 08-25-2006, 12:16 PM

What? I thought Vick "had no more excuses" years ago?

DeusExManning · 08-25-2006, 12:22 PM

It is just like Fox News with Hannity and Colmes. They picked out the good looking Sean Hannity and the Ugly looking Colmes to show both sides of the debate. In that same way we need Bob to be our Colmes.

Crushaholic · 08-25-2006, 12:29 PM

Can we ban Bob for starting a Lelie thread?

BroncoBuff · 08-25-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeusExShanahan

It is just like Fox News with Hannity and Colmes. They picked out the good looking Sean Hannity and the Ugly looking Colmes to show both sides of the debate. In that same way we need Bob to be our Colmes.

"OutFOXed" was a great movie ...

Popps · 08-25-2006, 12:29 PM

Bet welchers are the worst.

Then again, $50 to a Kansas City resident is like a million to anyone else. You can buy a carton of smokes, a bucket of chicken and a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon with $50!

Atlas · 08-25-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

Bet welchers are the worst.

Then again, $50 to a Kansas City resident is like a million to anyone else. You can buy a carton of smokes, a bucket of chicken and a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon with $50!

He lives in Texas. When I lost the bet I offered to mail it to him but he wouldn't give me his address. So I had to pay pal it.

Bob's your Information Minister · 08-25-2006, 01:22 PM

OK, LISTEN.

As soon as 24champbailey 'mans up' and makes good on the bet HE lost to ME, I'll do the same.

Until then, you can all bite me.

Taco John · 08-25-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

OK, LISTEN.

As soon as 24champbailey 'mans up' and makes good on the bet HE lost to ME, I'll do the same.

Until then, you can all bite me.

Prove it. I want this garbage to end, so show us a link that shows 24champbailey welching on a bet.

08-25-2006, 08:02 AM	#1
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,921 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	New Falcon Lelie has red flags all over him New Falcon Lelie has red flags all over him By D.Laurant The Atlanta Falcons were damned if they did and damned if they didn't. So they rolled the dice Tuesday night, jumping into a three-team trade that sent RB T.J. Duckett from Atlanta to Washington and WR Ashley Lelie from Denver to Atlanta (Denver got a draft pick from the Redskins). What Atlanta general manager Rich McKay was staring at was the choice between having no proven No. 3 receiver or no proven No. 2 tailback. All of this came about when WR Brian Finneran, Atlanta's top possession receiver and one of the key safety valves for Michael Vick, blew out his knee in training camp. So McKay gritted his teeth and made the deal. Was it a good one? Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com wondered that himself. "Some Atlanta officials conceded on Tuesday night," Pasquarelli wrote, "that the trade of Duckett, who enjoyed an excellent training camp and preseason, was a dicey one, because it leaves the club without a proven backup to starting tailback Warrick Dunn, who is 31 and entering his 10th season." Well, yeah. And there are more problems, mostly revolving around the choice of Lelie. The now ex-Bronco comes south with red flags sticking all over him. For openers, Lelie was sitting out Denver's training camp (to the tune of $376,000 in fines) because he was "disgruntled" about being relegated to the status of No. 3 receiver. So where do the Falcons expect Lelie to fit in? As the No. 3 receiver, behind Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. The same Atlanta officials who talked to Pasquarelli said they had discussed that with Lelie and he was OK with it. But apparently not completely OK, because the Falcons didn't extend his contract. Therefore, after 2006, Lelie could very well wind up as an unrestricted free agent, and Atlanta could wind up having traded the very serviceable Duckett for dust in the wind. True, Lelie is fast, and a certified deep threat. He has caught 168 passes for over 3,000 yards and 12 touchdowns since coming out of the University of Hawaii (where he played for former Falcons coach June Jones), and his yards per catch average of 17.9 is among the best in the NFL. But he has also been inconsistent and prone to drops. And he's certainly not the same type of receiver as Finneran. Falcons coach Jim Mora was reportedly incensed at the play of his No. 3 receivers against the Green Bay Packers in the most recent preseason game. But draftee Adam Jennings (Fresno State) had his moments early on, and he's pretty much the same player (albeit far less experienced) as Lelie, without the baggage. Duckett, meanwhile, had been chugging along at a 6.4 yards per carry average in preseason and is only 25. He has rushed for 2,175 yards and scored 31 touchdowns as a Falcon, and his exit means the team will rely heavily on rookie Jerious Norwood, who shows considerable promise but is 50 pounds lighter than Duckett. What this all means, ultimately, is that Vick has no more excuses. The complaint had been that he had no deep threat in his arsenal -- now he has at least three, with White, Lelie and Jennings. On the other hand, one serious injury to Warrick Dunn and the Falcons could end up with a rookie starter and no backup at all at tailback (DeAndra Cobb, the other back in the mix, has been injured). Defense, anyone?

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08-25-2006, 08:10 AM	#2
BroncoInferno Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 13,000	Honestly, it's not that big of a risk for Atlanta. Duckett was in the last year of his contract as well, so the "dust in the wind" comment really has no merit. They were essentially renting him for a year, too; they simply traded one lease for another. If Lelie does not resign, it won't be that big of a deal, because Duckett probably wasn't going to resign either. The gamble is that Dunn, at 31, will stay healthy and effective. I think he'll be OK for one more year. Last edited by BroncoInferno; 08-25-2006 at 08:23 AM..

08-25-2006, 09:02 AM	#3
cambrad8085 Bronco Fan. Invincible Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 141	I wonder how long before Lelie makes a move to be a starting WR for them. Week 3? edit: does this Avatar make me look like a lelie-nutrider?

08-25-2006, 09:53 AM	#5
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	What's funny is Lelie would be no 1 for the chorfs.

08-25-2006, 10:45 AM	#8
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,061 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Who is this Lelie?

08-25-2006, 10:08 AM	#10
Los Broncos Ring of farmers Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anaheim Hills, Santa Ana Mountains CA Posts: 18,766 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ryan Clady	Good, i seen his dumb azz on nfl network last night, they were interviewing him in the falcons locker room, he was all smiles and laughs. Hope he fails and bails on them.

08-25-2006, 11:01 AM	#16
BroncoBuff *************** Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 25,435 Adopt-a-Bronco: QUANTERUS SMITH	He's a major dork, true, but Boob serves A purpose ... he keeps us up on the rosy-optimist Chefs scenarios. I find that has SOME value ... I just wish he would cut his post total in half. And there is the humor ...

08-25-2006, 12:04 PM	#17
Rock Chalk Cheeky Bastards Laus Deo Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Backside of the Internet Posts: 29,940 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	Keep it up Dagmar, that b**** disappears everytime you do that. Makes threads much more pleasant.

08-25-2006, 12:16 PM	#18
WABronco WE SUCK AGAIN All dat force Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 4,976	What? I thought Vick "had no more excuses" years ago?

08-25-2006, 12:22 PM	#19
DeusExManning Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 1,336	It is just like Fox News with Hannity and Colmes. They picked out the good looking Sean Hannity and the Ugly looking Colmes to show both sides of the debate. In that same way we need Bob to be our Colmes.

08-25-2006, 12:29 PM	#20
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,044	Can we ban Bob for starting a Lelie thread?

08-25-2006, 12:29 PM	#22
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,785	Bet welchers are the worst. Then again, $50 to a Kansas City resident is like a million to anyone else. You can buy a carton of smokes, a bucket of chicken and a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon with $50!

08-25-2006, 01:22 PM	#24
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,921 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	OK, LISTEN. As soon as 24champbailey 'mans up' and makes good on the bet HE lost to ME, I'll do the same. Until then, you can all bite me.