New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Falcons get Lelie, lose Duckett

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2558101

Quote:

ATLANTA -- Filling their need for a No. 3 wide receiver, the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday night acquired disgruntled Denver Broncos veteran Ashley Lelie in a three-team trade, ESPN.com has learned.

The Falcons sent former first-round tailback T.J. Duckett to the Washington Redskins and the Broncos will receive an undisclosed draft choice in the deal. The Falcons have been shopping Duckett in trade talks much of the offseason.

Atlanta's need for a No. 3 wideout was heightened when veteran Brian Finneran suffered a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. Denver has been attempting to find a trade partner for Lelie, who did not participate in any offseason drills and had not reported to training camp.

The Broncos had offered Lelie to the Chicago Bears, but the two teams could not reach a deal.

Lelie had indicated he wanted to be a No. 1 receiver, but he didn't think he'd receive that chance in Denver with Rod Smith coming off a Pro Bowl season and the Broncos acquiring Javon Walker on draft day.

At the end of July, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan had said, "Guys want players who are going to come in here and want to be part of the team and want to work hard to be part of the team. If you don't want to be part of the team, then don't be part of the team. Just keep doing what you're doing and hold out."

I'm just glad Duckett is out of there. I don't think Lelie is very good, so I don't mind seeing him join other not so good receivers. But the Duckett/Dunn combo used to kill us.