Ben’s Sports Take: Do you wanna see my Harry Douglas?
Let me introduce you to the most important player on the Falcons roster.
- http://clatl.com/atlanta/ImageArchives?by=1223504
- Douglas during his rookie season in 2008
Despite their forgettable performance this past Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia, a 31-17 loss, the Atlanta Falcons should be contenders in the NFC South this season.
That is, of course, if Harry Douglas wants it that way.
The third-year wide receiver from Jonesboro sat out all of last year after suffering a torn ACL during preseason workouts, but returns this year as the most important player on the Falcons roster.
“I wanted to come back and play the way I left off or even better,” Douglas said. “I focused on the little things more (during rehab) because when you’re coming back from the injury, you gotta start with the little things and work up to the big things. Everything was a process and I was taking my time and making sure I was doing things the right way.”
In Douglas’ rookie season, the Falcons went 11-5 and made it to the postseason for the first time since 2004, but the following year, Atlanta was unable to make it back to the playoffs without the services of the former Louisville Cardinal.
Coincidence? Probably.
But Douglas’ speed and deep play ability is something that the Falcons have lacked during Matt Ryan’s reign under center and you can expect to see more and more of it as the 2010 season progresses.
Already in place for Atlanta is a solid rushing attack from Pro Bowler Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, a serviceable quarterback in Ryan, a Hall of Fame tight end in Tony Gonzalez and the best possession receiver in the NFL in Roddy White.
Douglas’ ability to stretch the field should make the Falcons offense unstoppable and no one is more excited about that opportunity than Douglas himself.