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Douglas and Brent Grimes fight for a pass on 8/1/09, AP Photo/Bazemore
Thursday morning before practice began the Atlanta Falcons confirmed that second-year wide receiver Harry Douglas will miss the entire 2009 season following a knee injury on Wednesday afternoon.
The former Louisville receiver went down during a one-on-one drill in which he caught a pass from quarterback Matt Ryan. Douglas was unable to walk off on his own and was assisted to the cart on the side of the field.
Head Coach Mike Smith, who did not witness the injury, said Thursday morning following practice that he was disappointed for Douglas, but reminded his team that now was the time for someone else to earn a job.
"I'm very disappointed for Harry, personally, but in terms of us building our team for 2009, injuries are something that's going to happen," Smith said. "As I told our players this morning, one man's misfortune is another guy's opportunity."
One of the Falcons' wide receivers that knows injuries all too well is Brian Finneran, who missed the entire 2006 and 2007 campaigns with a knee injury. When asked Thursday about the loss of Douglas, a player he described as a close friend, he appeared upset, saying he knew things didn't look good when the 24-year-old receiver was on the ground.
"When you see a guy go down like that, you know it's not good, regardless of what the end result is," said Finneran. "The way he went down, it was a bad feeling. A bad feeling."
In the absence of Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White, currently holding out for a contract extension, Douglas was a player emerging in training camp and losing him is a blow to the team's offense.
"It's a shame what happened to Harry," Finneran said. "Not having Roddy here is kind of icing on the cake. So hopefully we can get the whole situation figured out before too long."
With one more receiver out of the mix, players originally thought of as backups will have to emerge, unless the team brings in another a player through free agency.
In addition to Finneran and six-year veteran Michael Jenkins, the team's options in camp are Eric Weems, Troy Bergeron, Chandler Williams, Aaron Kelly, Darren Mougey, and Bradon Godfrey.
Smith acknowledged that of the receivers present in camp, Weems would be the third receiver lining up in the slot, but he cautioned that there's a long way to go before making those final decisions.
Additional Training Camp coverage
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Comments
Unfortunately the Falcons may have to show Roddy the money. With Harry's season ending injury, the Falcons are in a hostage situation with their season at risk. Pay the ransom first and trade him after this season. Harry's injury gives Roddy more leverage in contract negotiations. Even though he has a contract currently, he thinks he should be paid like Larry Fitzgerald. And mabey he should, but holding out while you negotiate a new contract says alot about your character.
This is why I'm somewhat glad that Roddy is holding out for his contract. You really can't blame him, and in training camp you're risking the chance of energy, so why should he come to camp if he hasn't gotten paid?
Receivers are remembered for the catches they make. Roddy may well be remebered for his missess!. Although I know he's made strides I still need more consistency from him before he can get that Larry Fitzgerald money. Had he made they catch against Denver, they would have cried after that game rather than me!!!
Chip is a idiot. Dude has a year left on his current contract and can faces fines up to $100,000 at present. But chip makes a very good point, Roddy White could indeed, face the dreaded chance of energy. Like i said, idiot. I think chip meant injury. In that case, football might be a little to rough for chip, Roddy can take it.
White is going to cost dearly now, and still you could actually miss the playoffs now with how competitive the NFC is.
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