He hasn’t been for months, and it won’t be long before he’s hurt again.

that would’ve been overkill, Kent and Taylor have enough showing that I’d be comfortable making that descision, now and in the long term.

This front office has been 1 step forward and 1-step back since 2005. The way our receiver position has been approached this off-season has been a completely unneccesary gamble, just like putting the transition tag on Hutch was, and that isn’t hind-sight either. I commented about that several weeks ago, if not months ago. What is the point in having every other thing in place on this team, talking about how the window of opportunity is right now, and being so lax in the approach towards our receiver position?

My point, is that we knew there was a danger things would get sketchy. Branch is coming off a major knee injury, Nate Burleson can be like Pandora’s Box, and Bobby Engram can’t be a timeless wonder for too much longer. We groomed D.J. Hackett, and anyone that truly followed the Hawks last year can attest to how much more potent our offense was with him in the lineup. So why groom him in the system to just let him walk? It reminds me of Ken Lucas (although it would have been expensive to keep Ken) And now Burleson is gone for the year.

Hasslebeck and Jones aren’t getting any younger, our linebackers are in their prime, the defensive backfield is solid enough except a certain safety named Brian. Both the O-Line and D-Line are adequate enough. Our running backs should be sufficient, although I won’t be surprised if Julius Jones will have been a waste of free-agent cash.

I’m not throwing the season away after one game, and an unfortunate injury to Nate. However, it is going to take everybody playing awesome all of the time, for the Hawks to have any chance of doing much in the Playoffs. Now we have to do it with wounded veterans and untested practice squad players at the receiver position.

But how is it a double standard? Do you pay another 3.5 million for someone who can play the 8 games that Hackett misses?

All I am saying is that at the day the season ended last year we had Engram, Burleson, Obomanu, and Taylor (a young Engram) all healthy. Branch due back week 6. So 5 receivers. At the time of the off-season we did not need him.

And in regards to the depth chart? Depth chart is not always based on skill. It is on knowing the calls, familiarity with the position, and rhythm. Hackett was known to be out. It’s a fact. He is a good receiver when healthy, but couldn’t stay on the field. Hence why the Panthers signed him to such a low salary but offered the 2nd receiver spot. Why do you think they signed Muhammed when they have Rosario (who plays the slot a lot) and Dwayne Jarrett?

see above… Ruskell is a guy who hit big on Tatupu… and made the super bowl on Ted Thompson’s arse. I am not liking our “quick” defense, as it leaves us vulnerable without a place with noise decibals above 100.