Perception vs. reality: Shockley fighting stereotypes, doubts, anti dual-threat bias, and overcoming injuries in effort to become Falcons' 2008 QB

[jsettle 44]

Still no direct quotes from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. However, it's nice to see Shockley go 'on the record' for the first time in months.

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Shockley said head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey assured him that not participating in this mini-camp wouldn't be held against him.

"I'm like 90-95 percent ready to go," Shockley said. "It's a technical thing getting me cleared to go. The next mini-camp is the goal. I think I'll be ready to go."

Smith said he wants to see Shockley in action.

"We're eager to see what all these guys that are hurt can do," Smith said. "D.J., I know is anxious to get out on the field. He's way ahead of his schedule as far as the rehabilitation is concerned. As soon as the doctors clear him we're going to get him out there."

Opportunity "is going to be there," Shockley said. "Like [coach] said, every job is open for competition. Who knows what could happen coming into training camp? I'll be competing and ready to go."

[halsey]

OMG itz teh conspiracy to keep Shockey down!

[Matthew Pritts]

For the love of all things holy:

PLEASE STOP THE D.J. MADNESS! PLEASE GOD!

[David Ethan]

the only thing he's fighting is his lack of #####ing talent...

and there are no biases where I'm concerned....I think Vick is the greatest player I've ever seen in any sport in my lifetime....I got a #7 tattoo a few yrs ago and I'm Jewish....

So when I say Shockley sucks, I have no pre conceived notions about how the position should be played, I just think he #####ing sucks

[Rodney]

jsettle 44 (4/14/2008)

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Still no direct quotes from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. However, it's nice to see Shockley go 'on the record' for the first time in months.

********************************************************************

Shockley said head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey assured him that not participating in this mini-camp wouldn't be held against him.

"I'm like 90-95 percent ready to go," Shockley said. "It's a technical thing getting me cleared to go. The next mini-camp is the goal. I think I'll be ready to go."

Smith said he wants to see Shockley in action.

"We're eager to see what all these guys that are hurt can do," Smith said. "D.J., I know is anxious to get out on the field. He's way ahead of his schedule as far as the rehabilitation is concerned. As soon as the doctors clear him we're going to get him out there."

Opportunity "is going to be there," Shockley said. "Like [coach] said, every job is open for competition. Who knows what could happen coming into training camp? I'll be competing and ready to go."

Lack of game time experience is what will crush DJ....He is not ready.  He has only started 1 year in his last 6 years of football.  He needs to win the backup position and get experience coming into games prior to automatically jumping into a starting roll.  In all the preaseason games he has played in, he was the 3rd QB. He needs to have a very good Training Camp and preseason in order to win the back up position....If he can do that, then he will put himself into position to possibly one day get a starting roll. 

[sporkdevil]

I'm still tired of the journalism majors titles. I officially hate you, please stop acting like this is a real article, and maybe you could get a job.

[jsettle 44]

halsey (4/14/2008)

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OMG itz teh conspiracy tokeep Shockey down!

Excluding someone because they look like someone (YKW) is wrong. Winning games should be the main focus. Which QB is more likely to lead this team over a 16 game season? D.J. Shockley.

The media's collusive effort to push Shock out or imply he doesn't have a chance is under-handed, and bad karma will come from this -- if it continues..

The Falcons with Petrino did this last year, and the Falcons had their worst record in nearly a decade.

[jsettle 44]

David Ethan (4/14/2008)

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the only thing he's fighting is his lack of #####ing talent...

and there are no biases where I'm concerned....I think Vick is the greatest player I've ever seen in any sport in my lifetime....I got a #7 tattoo a few yrs ago and I'm Jewish....

So when I say Shockley sucks, I have no pre conceived notions about how the position should be played, I just think he #####ing sucks

Jamaal Anderson has a talent problem, yet he starts.

[Matthew Pritts]

sporkdevil (4/14/2008)

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I'm still tired of the journalism majors titles. I officially hate you, please stop acting like this is a real article, and maybe you could get a job.

He lives in his momma's basement b/c he can't get a job.

[David Ethan]

jsettle 44 (4/14/2008)

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David Ethan (4/14/2008)

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the only thing he's fighting is his lack of #####ing talent...

and there are no biases where I'm concerned....I think Vick is the greatest player I've ever seen in any sport in my lifetime....I got a #7 tattoo a few yrs ago and I'm Jewish....

So when I say Shockley sucks, I have no pre conceived notions about how the position should be played, I just think he #####ing sucks

Jamaal Anderson has a talent problem, yet he starts.

I agree: )

the problem is that there are two people who play Shockley's position that are better than him on our roster, that isn't the case where Anderson is concerned (as hard as that is to believe)

[Matthew Pritts]

jsettle 44 (4/14/2008)

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Jamaal Anderson has a talent problem, yet he starts.

You have a posting problem, yet you continue to post.

[Rodney]

jsettle 44 (4/14/2008)

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Still no direct quotes from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. However, it's nice to see Shockley go 'on the record' for the first time in months.

********************************************************************

Shockley said head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey assured him that not participating in this mini-camp wouldn't be held against him.

"I'm like 90-95 percent ready to go," Shockley said. "It's a technical thing getting me cleared to go. The next mini-camp is the goal. I think I'll be ready to go."

Smith said he wants to see Shockley in action.

"We're eager to see what all these guys that are hurt can do," Smith said. "D.J., I know is anxious to get out on the field. He's way ahead of his schedule as far as the rehabilitation is concerned. As soon as the doctors clear him we're going to get him out there."

Opportunity "is going to be there," Shockley said. "Like [coach] said, every job is open for competition. Who knows what could happen coming into training camp? I'll be competing and ready to go."

DJ lacks the experience to be a NFL starting QB.  He would get crushed.  He would be horrible.  He has only started QB 1 year in his last 6 years of playing.  He needs to have a very good training camp and preseason.  In all of his preseason games, he has been the 3rd QB....He needs to win out the backup position.....If he does this, then he will put himself into position to get playing time and possibly one day be a starter.  He needs to earn his way up, not automatically become a starter.  Not too many 7th rounders automatically become starters without earning their way.  If DJ was a 1st or 2nd rounder, then yes, he would have been seen as a future franchise QB.  DJ was not drafted as a franchise QB, and if he wants it....he will have to earn it.  Brady earned his backup roll with New England....and when Bledsoe went down, it gave Brady the chance to become starter.....DJ has yet to earn back up roll. 

[jsettle 44]

Lack of game time experience is what will crush DJ....He is not ready. He has only started 1 year in his last 6 years of football. He needs to win the backup position and get experience coming into games prior to automatically jumping into a starting roll. In all the preaseason games he has played in, he was the 3rd QB. He needs to have a very good Training Camp and preseason in order to win the back up position....If he can do that, then he will put himself into position to possibly one day get a starting roll.

What's your definition of 'ready'?

Seven years ago, 'haters' were saying Vick wasn't ready because he only threw 313 collegiate passes.

This isn't a NFL Skills competition... temperament, leadership, mobility and the ability to adjust are attributes you can't dismiss..this is what separates him from Harrington and Redman..

In 2001, people were saying Chandler should start for another two years, while Vick waits and learns to read defenses..Dan Reeves didn't accept that and he made the RIGHT DECISION for the team!

STOP BEING AFRAID IF SHOCK MAY SUCCEED..he isn't fighting dogs, he doesn't have an entourage and doesn't have a criminal record and does lot of charity work and loves the Univ. of Georgia..

Doug Johnson had 'experience' and had a good game or two sporadically, but he couldn't do it over the long term and was proven to be a fraud or a pretender..

Kurt Kittner was worst case scenario. Doug Johnson was a close second..and Harrington even being considered a backup on this TEAM is laughable (in a bad way..)

[stumpjumper]

jsettle 44 (4/14/2008)

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Lack of game time experience is what will crush DJ....He is not ready. He has only started 1 year in his last 6 years of football. He needs to win the backup position and get experience coming into games prior to automatically jumping into a starting roll. In all the preaseason games he has played in, he was the 3rd QB. He needs to have a very good Training Camp and preseason in order to win the back up position....If he can do that, then he will put himself into position to possibly one day get a starting roll.

What's your definition of 'ready'?

Seven years ago, 'haters' were saying Vick wasn't ready because he only threw 313 collegiate passes.

This isn't a NFL Skills competition... temperament, leadership, mobility and the ability to adjust are attributes you can't dismiss..this is what separates him from Harrington and Redman..

In 2001, people were saying Chandler should start for another two years, while Vick waits and learns to read defenses..Dan Reeves didn't accept that and he made the RIGHT DECISION for the team!

STOP BEING AFRAID IF SHOCK MAY SUCCEED..he isn't fighting dogs, he doesn't have an entourage and doesn't have a criminal record and does lot of charity work and loves the Univ. of Georgia..

Doug Johnson had 'experience' and had a good game or two sporadically, but he couldn't do it over the long term and was proven to be a fraud or a pretender..

Kurt Kittner was worst case scenario. Doug Johnson was a close second..and Harrington even being considered a backup on this TEAM is laughable (in a bad way..)

Yet, it's even more laughable to consider DJ a starter or even a backup. One good preseason drive does not a good QB make.

[satc77]

how come no one talks about colt brennans off the field issue and i think josh johnson is the best qb in the draft and all i here is about darren macfaddens off the field actions,whats up with that

[Rodney]

jsettle 44 (4/14/2008)

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Lack of game time experience is what will crush DJ....He is not ready. He has only started 1 year in his last 6 years of football. He needs to win the backup position and get experience coming into games prior to automatically jumping into a starting roll. In all the preaseason games he has played in, he was the 3rd QB. He needs to have a very good Training Camp and preseason in order to win the back up position....If he can do that, then he will put himself into position to possibly one day get a starting roll.

What's your definition of 'ready'?

Seven years ago, 'haters' were saying Vick wasn't ready because he only threw 313 collegiate passes.

This isn't a NFL Skills competition... temperament, leadership, mobility and the ability to adjust are attributes you can't dismiss..this is what separates him from Harrington and Redman..

In 2001, people were saying Chandler should start for another two years, while Vick waits and learns to read defenses..Dan Reeves didn't accept that and he made the RIGHT DECISION for the team!

STOP BEING AFRAID IF SHOCK MAY SUCCEED..he isn't fighting dogs, he doesn't have an entourage and doesn't have a criminal record and does lot of charity work and loves the Univ. of Georgia..

Doug Johnson had 'experience' and had a good game or two sporadically, but he couldn't do it over the long term and was proven to be a fraud or a pretender..

Kurt Kittner was worst case scenario. Doug Johnson was a close second..and Harrington even being considered a backup on this TEAM is laughable (in a bad way..)

Vick started 2 years at Virginia Tech.  He was drafted as the franchise QB.  A first round draft pick will play quickly in the NFL....they do not have to prove themselves in training camp....they were drafted high with the automatic intention of being a starter. Doug Johnson was a back up QB that became starter due to injuries.  Johnson played well enough to earn the back up roll.  He earned his way.  Harrington was a great college QB, but has had an unfortunate NFL career (8 headcoaches in 7 seasons).  Not too many QB's could survive the same circumstances that Harrington has had to go through.  I give him credit for that. 

DJ had a good senior year in college, but that was his only year that he was the starting QB.  DJ was not having a good preseason prior to his injury.  Game 1, he was horrible.  Game 2, he played well.  In camp, he was struggling.  Petrino wanted to see him in a game.....some people perform better during gametime vs practice.  Bottomline...1 year of being a starter out of the last 6 years means lack of experience.  The past 2 years he was the 3rd QB, meaning no playing time....meaning lack of experience.  Like any other 6th or 7th round draft pick.....he better come out and totally kick butt in training camp and in preseason games or he is not going to move up in the depth chart or possibly make the team.  The later round guys have to fight and claw their way up the depth charts....they have to perform in camp and in preseason in order to get their chance as a backup or starter.  Just because DJ is from Georgia, does not give him an automatic starting position....he was a late draft pick (why???) and he will have to earn his way. 

[Dem Birds]

David Ethan (4/14/2008)

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the only thing he's fighting is his lack of #####ing talent...

and there are no biases where I'm concerned....I think Vick is the greatest player I've ever seen in any sport in my lifetime....I got a #7 tattoo a few yrs ago and I'm Jewish....

So when I say Shockley sucks, I have no pre conceived notions about how the position should be played, I just think he #####ing sucks

That sucks, how quick did you go fine another player with the number 7 you could claim it was?

[Dr. Doom]

make assumptions after preseason

[Tetsujin-28]

The experience factor is a cop out. They just don't want a "mobile QB". They are so desperate for their precious "pocket passer", that they prop up a 3 time loser like Joey Harrington. Redmans only started in a handfull of regular season games, but the rap against DJ is he has no experience. DJ is getting marginalized because of the hatred that still lingers for Vick. It's painfully obvious due to the amount of anti-DJ Shockley threads that have been created lately.

[Dr. Doom]

Tetsujin-28 (4/15/2008)

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The experience factor is a cop out. They just don't want a "mobile QB". They are so desperate for their precious "pocket passer", that they prop up a 3 time loser like Joey Harrington. Redmans only started in a handfull of regular season games, but the rap against DJ is he has no experience. DJ is getting marginalized because of the hatred that still lingers for Vick. It's painfully obvious due to the amount of anti-DJ Shockley threads that have been created lately.

I think it's more of people thinking that vick and shockley are of the same mold. plus Generaly, mobile QB's don't tend to work out, unless you'r Randall Cunningham.

[Tetsujin-28]

Dr. Doom (4/15/2008)

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Tetsujin-28 (4/15/2008)

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The experience factor is a cop out. They just don't want a "mobile QB". They are so desperate for their precious "pocket passer", that they prop up a 3 time loser like Joey Harrington. Redmans only started in a handfull of regular season games, but the rap against DJ is he has no experience. DJ is getting marginalized because of the hatred that still lingers for Vick. It's painfully obvious due to the amount of anti-DJ Shockley threads that have been created lately.

I think it's more of people thinking that vick and shockley are of the same mold. plus Generaly, mobile QB's don't tend to work out, unless you'r Randall Cunningham.

I just wish they would give the guy a chance to prove himself instead of knocking him before he has a chance to shine. He may surprise.

[papeezi]

i really think dj could win the job, at worst be the 2nd stringer

[chifalc]

Tetsujin-28 (4/15/2008)

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Dr. Doom (4/15/2008)

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Tetsujin-28 (4/15/2008)

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The experience factor is a cop out. They just don't want a "mobile QB". They are so desperate for theirprecious "pocket passer", that they prop up a 3 time loser like Joey Harrington. Redmans only started in a handfull of regular season games, but the rap against DJ is he has no experience. DJ is getting marginalized because of the hatred that still lingers for Vick. It's painfully obvious due to the amount of anti-DJ Shockley threads that have been created lately.

I think it's more of people thinking that vick and shockley are of the same mold. plus Generaly, mobile QB's don't tend to work out, unless you'r Randall Cunningham.

I just wish they would give the guy a chance to prove himself instead of knocking him before he has a chance to shine. He may surprise.

I don't dislike him. I don;'t mind him getting training Camp/Pre-season shots at making the roster. If he does well, I'll be happy for him, not offended. .I just have problems with the "Obviously the best QB on the roster, obviously NFL-ready, will take the team to a 10 - 6 record this year!! Kool-aid.

[birdweiserrr]

sporkdevil (4/14/2008)

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I'm still tired of the journalism majors titles. I officially hate you, please stop acting like this is a real article, and maybe you could get a job.

But it is a real article. I'm not agreeing with what this guy writes, but hating on the man for using correct spelling and punctuation is unreal. His thread titles are designed to draw interest and they do just that. What makes what he writes and less "real" than what S Wyche or T Moore writes?

I'd rather read something he writes and disagree with it than read "DJ is da man! I cants wait til we bring him home to be da starter QB in 09's".

Keep up the good work man. I disagree but you present your arguments in a respectable way. I can appreciate that.

[BearSan]

That's because he was drafted in the first round.