Merk
August 23rd, 2006, 12:41:26 AM
ATLANTA -- Filling their need for a No. 3 wide receiver, the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday night acquired disgruntled Denver Broncos veteran Ashley Lelie in a three-team trade, ESPN.com has learned.
The Falcons sent former first-round tailback T.J. Duckett to Washington. At worst, the Broncos will receive two draft choices from Washington -- third- and fourth-round picks -- and those picks could escalate based on a complicated formula.
The trade is expected to be announced Wednesday.
The deal sends to new teams two players, Duckett and Lelie, who have been the subject of considerable trade rumors for much of the offseason. Some Atlanta officials conceded on Tuesday night 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.
But the Falcons were so desperate for a No. 3 wide receiver, having lost veteran possession pass-catcher Brian Finneran to a season-ending knee injury early in camp, that they were forced to part with Duckett. None of the players in the Atlanta training camp had demonstrated any signs they were capable of seizing the No. 3 wideout job, and coach Jim Mora wanted the spot filled quickly.
Also, the Falcons, who were very thin at the position, wanted an experienced player they knew could step into the lineup if either of their starters was injured during the season.
The play at the No. 3 wide receiver spot was so poor in Atlanta's preseason loss at Green Bay on Saturday that Mora yelled to a team personnel official that the club had better make a move to fill the position. And after the game, Mora acknowledged the team "had no" No. 3 wide receiver.........
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2558101
The Falcons sent former first-round tailback T.J. Duckett to Washington. At worst, the Broncos will receive two draft choices from Washington -- third- and fourth-round picks -- and those picks could escalate based on a complicated formula.
The trade is expected to be announced Wednesday.
The deal sends to new teams two players, Duckett and Lelie, who have been the subject of considerable trade rumors for much of the offseason. Some Atlanta officials conceded on Tuesday night 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.
But the Falcons were so desperate for a No. 3 wide receiver, having lost veteran possession pass-catcher Brian Finneran to a season-ending knee injury early in camp, that they were forced to part with Duckett. None of the players in the Atlanta training camp had demonstrated any signs they were capable of seizing the No. 3 wideout job, and coach Jim Mora wanted the spot filled quickly.
Also, the Falcons, who were very thin at the position, wanted an experienced player they knew could step into the lineup if either of their starters was injured during the season.
The play at the No. 3 wide receiver spot was so poor in Atlanta's preseason loss at Green Bay on Saturday that Mora yelled to a team personnel official that the club had better make a move to fill the position. And after the game, Mora acknowledged the team "had no" No. 3 wide receiver.........
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2558101