kepdawg
08-22-2006, 10:08 PM
Duckett to 'Skins, Lelie to Falcons in NFL trade
09:49 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Associated Press
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons traded running back T.J. Duckett to the Washington Redskins on Tuesday as part of a three-team deal and acquired holdout receiver Ashley Lelie from the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos received Washington's third-round pick in the 2007 draft as part of the deal, according to two officials within the league who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been officially announced.
Washington had been shopping for a running back since star Clinton Portis partially dislocated his shoulder in the preseason opener against Cincinnati. The Redskins are unsure if he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.
The Falcons, meanwhile, were eager to land another receiver after losing Brian Finneran to a season-ending knee injury in the early days of training camp. Lelie was the NFL's leader in yards per catch in 2004, but he held out of training camp this year in hopes of forcing a trade.
In an interesting twist, Duckett and Lelie were involved in the same deal after being taken with consecutive first-round picks during the 2002 draft.
The Falcons were criticized for passing over a much-needed receiver to select Duckett at No. 18, especially since Atlanta already had signed free-agent running back Warrick Dunn. Lelie went to Denver with the next choice.
With Dunn sidelined by a foot injury, Duckett started 10 games in 2003 and led the Falcons with a career-best 779 yards, scoring 11 touchdowns. But Dunn returned to start every game the last two seasons, rushing for more than 1,000 yards each year, and the 254-pound Duckett was relegated mostly to short-yardage situations.
Last season, he gained 380 yards and led Atlanta with eight touchdowns. But with Duckett heading into the final year of his contract, the Falcons used a third-round pick on Mississippi State speedster Jerious Norwood, who now moves up to become Dunn's primary backup.
Running back appeared to be one of Washington's deepest positions heading into training camp. Portis is a dynamic runner coming off his third 1,500-yard season in four years, while backup Ladell Betts is a versatile between-the-tackles back who ran for 338 yards in limited action.
But both have been hurt. Portis hurt his shoulder making a tackle after an interception against the Bengals, and Betts has been limited for much of camp with a hamstring injury.
Portis began his rehabilitation this week and said he was hopeful of playing in the Sept. 11 opener against Minnesota. Still, he has questioned whether the shoulder would hold up for the entire season because it would be an obvious target for opposing tacklers.
Betts had three carries Saturday against the New York Jets and has been practicing this week, but the latest injury has raised questions about his durability. He already missed chunks of time in 2003 with a broken arm and in 2005 with a sprained knee.
Lelie had his best season in 2004. He started all 16 games, coming up with 54 receptions for 1,084 yards (20.1 per catch) and seven touchdowns. Last season, he made 13 starts and dropped off to 42 catches for 770 yards and one touchdown.
During the offseason, the Broncos acquired receiver Javon Walker, a deal that left Lelie as the likely No. 3 receiver on a team that also has Rod Smith. Lelie showed his displeasure by holding out of training camp in hopes of forcing a trade.
He got his wish on Tuesday, but goes to a team where he is likely to remain the third receiver. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are the clear-cut starters, though Lelie is a speedy player who can stretch the defense and likely will get plenty of playing time.
Lelie's agent, Peter Schaffer, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
09:49 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Associated Press
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons traded running back T.J. Duckett to the Washington Redskins on Tuesday as part of a three-team deal and acquired holdout receiver Ashley Lelie from the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos received Washington's third-round pick in the 2007 draft as part of the deal, according to two officials within the league who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been officially announced.
Washington had been shopping for a running back since star Clinton Portis partially dislocated his shoulder in the preseason opener against Cincinnati. The Redskins are unsure if he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.
The Falcons, meanwhile, were eager to land another receiver after losing Brian Finneran to a season-ending knee injury in the early days of training camp. Lelie was the NFL's leader in yards per catch in 2004, but he held out of training camp this year in hopes of forcing a trade.
In an interesting twist, Duckett and Lelie were involved in the same deal after being taken with consecutive first-round picks during the 2002 draft.
The Falcons were criticized for passing over a much-needed receiver to select Duckett at No. 18, especially since Atlanta already had signed free-agent running back Warrick Dunn. Lelie went to Denver with the next choice.
With Dunn sidelined by a foot injury, Duckett started 10 games in 2003 and led the Falcons with a career-best 779 yards, scoring 11 touchdowns. But Dunn returned to start every game the last two seasons, rushing for more than 1,000 yards each year, and the 254-pound Duckett was relegated mostly to short-yardage situations.
Last season, he gained 380 yards and led Atlanta with eight touchdowns. But with Duckett heading into the final year of his contract, the Falcons used a third-round pick on Mississippi State speedster Jerious Norwood, who now moves up to become Dunn's primary backup.
Running back appeared to be one of Washington's deepest positions heading into training camp. Portis is a dynamic runner coming off his third 1,500-yard season in four years, while backup Ladell Betts is a versatile between-the-tackles back who ran for 338 yards in limited action.
But both have been hurt. Portis hurt his shoulder making a tackle after an interception against the Bengals, and Betts has been limited for much of camp with a hamstring injury.
Portis began his rehabilitation this week and said he was hopeful of playing in the Sept. 11 opener against Minnesota. Still, he has questioned whether the shoulder would hold up for the entire season because it would be an obvious target for opposing tacklers.
Betts had three carries Saturday against the New York Jets and has been practicing this week, but the latest injury has raised questions about his durability. He already missed chunks of time in 2003 with a broken arm and in 2005 with a sprained knee.
Lelie had his best season in 2004. He started all 16 games, coming up with 54 receptions for 1,084 yards (20.1 per catch) and seven touchdowns. Last season, he made 13 starts and dropped off to 42 catches for 770 yards and one touchdown.
During the offseason, the Broncos acquired receiver Javon Walker, a deal that left Lelie as the likely No. 3 receiver on a team that also has Rod Smith. Lelie showed his displeasure by holding out of training camp in hopes of forcing a trade.
He got his wish on Tuesday, but goes to a team where he is likely to remain the third receiver. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are the clear-cut starters, though Lelie is a speedy player who can stretch the defense and likely will get plenty of playing time.
Lelie's agent, Peter Schaffer, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.