Lelie deal could turn out to be a waste
As everyone knows by now, the Falcons acquired Ashley Lelie from the Broncos in a three team deal a day or two ago. I’m not real sure what to think about this trade. Let me preface this by saying I really hope this deal turns out well.
Lelie, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, wanted out of Denver because he wanted to be the #1 receiver, and that wasn’t going to happen behind Rod Smith and the newly acquired Javon Walker. So the big solution to that problem is to bring him to Atlanta to play behind Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. Wait, what? Am I the only one that finds a small problem with that line of thinking? He may be happy with the Falcons for a little while as #3, but how long will that last?
The biggest question I have is that should Lelie outplay Jenkins or White, will Mora move him up the depth chart? The conviction with which Coach Mora states that White and Jenkins are his #1 and #2 receivers is borderline stubbornness. I understand being loyal to your players, but sometimes common sense and good judgement have to join the equation.
My greatest fear is that Coach Mora will leave Lelie at #3, regardless of his production, and then Lelie will bolt for another team in the offseason. So essentially, the Falcons will have traded a solid running back in TJ Duckett for a one year lease on a #3 receiver. Now understand that I’m not a NFL general manager, so I could be wrong, but that doesn’t seem like a wise business move to me.
I sure hope my bleak outlook on this deal is way off base. I suppose we’ll find out before too long!!!
I think two factors played into the trade. The Falcons love Jerious Norwood and the Falcons don’t have much faith in their receiving corps. I happen to think it was a good trade for all the teams involved because they all got what they wanted or needed.
White and Jenkins haven’t proved anything at the NFL level, and personally I think Lelie will lead the team in receiving yards.
I agree with you 100%. I wanted to trade Duckett for something, because I believe
Norwood is the real deal. I think Lelie will be much better than Jenkins or White, I just hope that Mora will play him accordingly and not be stubborn about the two receivers he drafted. I also hope Atlanta will sign Lelie to a contract at the end of the year and not let him walk. If he walks then they gave away Duckett for a one year rental. Basically, I just didn’t want Atlanta to give Duckett away for something that will be gone in one year.