University of North Carolina Athletics
Falcons Lean Hard On Alge Crumpler
October 25, 2001 | Football
Oct 25, 2001
By GEORGE HENRY
Associated Press Writer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Alge Crumpler loves proving people wrong, particularly those who questioned the Atlanta Falcons' decision to make him a second-round draft pick.
"My confidence level has been even-keel pretty much the whole season," Crumpler said. "I just wanted to be patient to let my role develop. I knew it was going to take some time."
When the San Diego Chargers called in April to offer the No. 1 spot in the NFL draft, the planets seemed to suddenly align for the Falcons. Quarterback Michael Vick gave the sad-sack franchise a sudden boost in credibility.
Surely Atlanta would use its next pick, No. 35 overall, to address deficiencies that led to a 9-23 record following the club's surprising trip to the Super Bowl. Coach Dan Reeves, though, appeared to make another draft-day blunder when he chose Crumpler and passed on a chance to fortify the offensive line, pass rush or receiving corps.
The decision baffled those who still wondered why Reeves traded Atlanta's No. 1 pick in 2000 for Baltimore's second-round spot in 1999 - a move he used to select tight end Reggie Kelly when the Falcons already had O.J. Santiago, a third-rounder in 1997, and Brian Kozlowski.
So far, Crumpler has proven Reeves' detractors wrong. Crumpler, a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in three years at North Carolina, is averaging 17.7 yards per catch. His 57-yard touchdown last week set the stage for a 20-13 victory at New Orleans and helped the Falcons end a two-game losing streak.
"I wasn't much of a pass receiver in college, even though I had the capability to do so," Crumpler said. "But when I did catch the ball I was able to make some big things happen, running after I'd catch the ball. I caught a lot of balls on the line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage and was still able to run 10 or 15 yards down the field and make things happen."
The Falcons (3-3), who are off this week, bogged down on offense the last two years because their running game was one of the NFL's worst. That shortcoming led to defenses blitzing at will, and Atlanta allowed 61 sacks, tying for second most in the league.
One reason the Falcons made it to their first Super Bowl in 1998 was the success they had from two tight end sets. That wasn't the case the last two seasons. Reeves lost faith in Santiago, who was traded last year, and Kelly proved to be pedestrian, at best.
Crumpler, though still a long way from being compared to Tony Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe or Wesley Walls, has given Reeves the weapon he needs to make the two tight-end formations work. Crumpler, who has 11 receptions, has been even more important with aging receivers Tony Martin, Shawn Jefferson and Terance Mathis battling injuries.
"Everything about Alge has been great," Reeves said. "He works hard, he knows what he's doing. He doesn't get rattled."
Reeves also likes the demeanor of Crumpler, whose father, Carlester Sr., and brother, Carlester Jr., both played in the NFL. Drawing on family support helped the rookie not dwell on his game-turning fumble in a 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 4.
Atlanta trailed 10-0 at the end of the third quarter when Vick found Crumpler on a fly pattern. Crumpler gained 30 yards before losing a fumble at the Chicago 35. He insisted it was his first fumble at any level of organized football.
"It was," Crumpler said. "I just realized it was something that happened, and I wasn't going to continue to beat myself up over it."
Both Vick and starting quarterback Chris Chandler like having Crumpler on the field.
"He has soft hands," said Vick, who has not played since the Bears game. "He's got a lot of ability."
Chandler, who connected with Crumpler on the 57-yard touchdown last week, was impressed the rookie picked up on an audible with the tight end lined up next to left tackle Bob Whitfield.
"The hardest part was just trying to find him," Chandler said. "I came off the play fake. Finally I saw him, but I got the ball to him a little late. That's why the safety just about got there. He's such a great athlete. You just get him the ball, and he's going to do some good things."
End Advance
