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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,717 comments Add your comment
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:07 pm
What are the Falcons doing? Come on! My Redskins beat them twice this season.
Lew
January 8th, 2012
3:07 pm
Dude – I really haven’t ever made public what I thnk of you – too much effort. I was just making the point that you had misquoted me.
Venice Jim
January 8th, 2012
3:07 pm
Mike, Mike, Mike…
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:07 pm
Holy fudge, are you serious? AGAIN?
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
3:08 pm
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:08 pm
By the way, are they allowed to flag like that after a timeout was called? They backtracked.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:09 pm
Stupid call, You kick the field goal in that spot.
brian
January 8th, 2012
3:13 pm
speaking of change in momentum. My goodness!
Great drive by the Falcons only to fail on 4th and inches at the 20. Then a broken coverage and a Hakeem Nicks
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:14 pm
Boy oh boy… Hmm just think if you kick a Field goal there, After making that 4th down stop they got a huge momentum boost. Kick the field goals the score would be 9 to 10..
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:15 pm
I don’t think we’ll ever go for it on 4th and short again. Such heartbreak with it this season.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:15 pm
I think the Phillies pen could be a weakness. Their set up men aren’t that great, imo. Bastardo was very shaky down the stretch. Stutes, Contreras, Willis, Kendrick…..
Makes sense that they are looking for a set-up man.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:16 pm
You put points on the board when you have the chance. Now if they get in field goal range again, now they really have to go for it. But Mike Smith has cost his team 6 points.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:18 pm
All that said, watch out for Phillippe Aumont and Justin De Fratus this year for the Phillies. Two relief prospects with big arms.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:19 pm
Both times on 4th and short it would have a been a mid-range field goal attempt. High % to put points on the board. Nothing wrong with taking the lead 3 to 0 but guess that not good enough for Smith.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:19 pm
Bat, make it stop dammit.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
3:19 pm
Sad, sad, sad
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:20 pm
Efrim
Unless you are loaded in the pen, a bullpen can be so unpredictable from year to year. Some of the guys that do well in one year, can just totally fall of the board the next year.
I like the potato chip analogy for bullpens. There is a lot of truth to it.
Venice Jim
January 8th, 2012
3:21 pm
Off to tutor – talk later…
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:21 pm
I just want to win one playoff game. I’m not dreaming of Super Bowls or NFC Championships – just one game. Get the monkey off Ryan’s back.
kenhotlanta
January 8th, 2012
3:21 pm
Looks like the Braves post season futility and bad luck has rubbed off on the Falcons. Very sad.
jeffrey d
January 8th, 2012
3:22 pm
I want to go by doo doo….
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:23 pm
Personally, I know very little about either football team. If I thought I had the advantage over the defense, I would probably go for it sometimes. But I don’t know anything about the Giants defense or the Falcons offense.
But a reasonable person could say it should be 10-6 right now.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
3:23 pm
If I could I would, Soph. I jinxed them
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:23 pm
Agreed, Wayne. Good thing we’re one of the deepest.
jeffrey d
January 8th, 2012
3:24 pm
Don’t**
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:24 pm
Now, they are starting to make the Falcons look bad…………
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:25 pm
DS1
Giants have 1 of the best defensive lines in football.
Wow
January 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
Atlanta sports at its best
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
Thats the ballgame.
cosmo
January 8th, 2012
3:26 pm
the voodoo that you doo doo so well?
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Efrim
The best thing about the Phillies is they have 3 Ace’s in the rotation.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
No words.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Giants look like they will have a chance next week, although the Packers are a different bird to defend. However, Giants can score with anyone in the league.
An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
3:28 pm
jeffrey doo doo? say it isnt so!
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:29 pm
Efrim
Martinez as a long man. Kimbrell, Venters, O’Flaherty and add in Medlen makes you very strong at the end. Add in Varvaro (strong arm)and Vizcaino (we all know his potential).
That’s 7 guys. But in my world, you need about 3 more strong arms as backups. We then have Gearrin, Ascencio and Fish. Add in the possibility of Moylan returning and any prospects that might shine, and I’d say you are right; we are stacked.
But I’m still wanting 1-2 more spring training invitees……………..
An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
3:31 pm
“2 points? All we got is 2 GD points?”!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:32 pm
VA
Nothing like having 3 starters that consistently get you into or beyond the 7-8th inning!
Makes it a little easier to have sucky set up men.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
Giants don’t have a good middle linebacker, it’s the biggest weakness on their defense. Overall, they just need to be healthy.
jeffrey doo doo
January 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
jeffrey doo doo? say it isnt so!
It’s looking that way
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:33 pm
The Redskins put up 23 points against the Giants a few weeks ago. I thought the Falcons O was pretty damn good.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:35 pm
Falcons offense is good when it gets rolling. Today was miserable all the way around – Ryan, running game, everything. They’re making the Giants defense look better than they are.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:36 pm
I think Varvaro, Gearrin, Fish, Martinez and Ascensio will battle for the last two spots. Hoover, Chapman, and Cordier might have an outside chance.
kenhotlanta
January 8th, 2012
3:38 pm
Wayne,
Fish has to be one of the 7 or we lose him. I hope he is up to the task.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:38 pm
This is getting a bit re-dick-a-lus.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
I’m thinking that if Moylan comes back, he might get one of those “extended spring training” tickets to FL.
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
Another piss poor showing by an Atlanta team in the playoffs. I’m beginning to wonder if the problem isn’t lack of attendance or lack of “passion” by the fans,(Thanks Rob Parker) or if its really the fact that the majority of the fans might have better talent than what we see on the field or the court.
The Falcons offense is bland, very predictable. The defense actually did a decent job but they are on the field the entire game, undermanned already and now tired. When this is all said and done, the Falcons offense flat out sucked. People keep saying play through Turner but he isn’t what he used to be. Guy can’t get one yard consistently. Still a good team but need some upgrades in the secondary, o line, and now likely at running back. Oh and a new Offensive Coordinator.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:40 pm
MLBInsideNews Scott Swaim
#Angels may settle for Martinez or Varvaro from #Braves for Izturis
He pretty much just scoured the web for this crud. If you see tweets from this guy, ignore it. Bogus rumors, and that’s where I think the Izturis stuff came from originally.
Ray
January 8th, 2012
3:41 pm
2 points. I think the Braves will score more than 2 against NY teams. Simply WOW.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:41 pm
Please someone hire Mularkey away.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:42 pm
DS1
exactly. While we have more depth in the rotation they are just flat out better 1 threw 5. We have three #2’s atop the rotation and they have three #1’s. Projected Rotations for 2012 with last years stats.
Hudson 215 IP 3.22 ERA
Hanson 130 IP 3.60 ERA
Jurrjens 152 IP 2.96 ERA
Beachy 141 IP 3.68 ERA
Minor 82 IP 4.14 ERA
Halladay 233 IP 2.35
Lee 232…..2.40
Hamels 216…..2.79
Worley 131…..3.01
Kendrick 114…..3.22
brian
January 8th, 2012
3:43 pm
he may be a crappy “reporter”/rumor monger, but that would be an appropriate trade for Izturis. If they wanted Venters, they better be ready to talk Trout or Bourjos
Steve from OH
January 8th, 2012
3:44 pm
Efrim–maybe it’s crud, but Izturis would be a nifty pickup for Wren.
P'cola Brave
January 8th, 2012
3:46 pm
Efrim
Just because he reports it doesn’t mean there isn’t truth behind it. There very well could be, but like in most cases w/ the Braves its never leaked from them. The Angels are very good at keeping what they are doing under wraps to. Like DOB said, Izturis fits the bill for what Atlanta may be looking for. I don’t follow Swaim and could care less about what he says. I believe there is a fit there and there very well could be discussions. But I agree w/ you in that we shouldn’t put much stock in it because he said so. I’d believe it more if Rosenthal or Morosi reported it.
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
3:47 pm
Announcers talking about Sean Payton’s play calling on 4th and short. Mike Smith is a more defensive minded head coach compared to Payton. He counts on the offensive coordinator to call the right plays. We don’t have the o line to run right up the middle in short yardage yet we keep calling for it. Both the Braves and Falcons not doing enough with the talent they have on the offensive end. Braves fired their hitting coach, i’m hoping the falcons let go of their oc.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:47 pm
VA
With the volatility of starting pitchers, who knows what could and will happen next year. But for sure, when a guy has shown the sort of ability to go deep, as has Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Huddy; you kinda expect it until they don’t.
But with our youngsters, it’s always possible that a couple of them could make some leaps and bounds in learning how to put batters away earlier. Or at least you hope they do.
Ray
January 8th, 2012
3:48 pm
calling this guy a reporter is like calling the falcons offense explosive today
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
3:51 pm
Unnecessary roughness for tackling someone.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:52 pm
If the Falcon’s score and go for 2, they could pull jeffrey’s azz out of the fire.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
3:53 pm
maybe it’s crud, but Izturis would be a nifty pickup for Wren.
Totally, but if the rumor began because of his tweet, then it’s really just speculation. I don’t believe he has legit sources, wheras Rosenthal, Morosi, DOB have sources. I think Swain is a bogus twitter account. But yes, all that said, Izturis makes a TON of sense for us – even at the close to 4 million price tag…..cuz we should have that available.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:53 pm
C’mon cab. You know if you’re way ahead, you’re not supposed to tackle hard
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:54 pm
If the Angels want Jonny Venters I’d ask for Izturis + Bourjos + Cowart
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
DS1-
Why? It’s tackle football. Besides, it would have been a flag regardless of the score so that is irrelevant. Even though it shouldn’t be
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
2 points is better than 1 point………….
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
If the Angels want Jonny, I’m asking for Mike Trout.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
3:57 pm
That would be a Stop gap Shortstop, Starting Caliber OF and future CF after Bourn leaves, and the #6 3rd base prospect.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:57 pm
was just kidding cab. Didn’t look like a good call to me.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
3:57 pm
Sorry doo doo. Have a fun year.
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
3:57 pm
Good lord, that was a rather impressive sack
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
3:58 pm
DS1-
I thought you might be, but I get so annoyed at calls like that- they tend to make me ranty
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:58 pm
let’s see it jeffrey………..
BravoMan
January 8th, 2012
3:58 pm
We’d have to trade Prado for Seth Smith and prospect to free up cash before we could trade one of our relievers for Izturis.
What if….
Prado for Smith and Blackmon or Wheeler
Martinez for Izturis
Medlen takes Martinez place in pen. We maintain our pitching depth. Deal Jurrjens at deadline once value arises. Platoon Smith in LF with Diaz. Shortstop upgrade offensively plus bench upgrade in Smith. Loss of Prado sucks, but infield insurance will be found in Izturis if Chipper goes out for a long period. And finally OF depth arrives with the addition of the prospect from the Rockies.
I’ll take Izturis and Smith of Adam Jones I really would.
An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
3:59 pm
Jake W…..The Dallas Cowboys have more Super Bowl appearances (8)…than the Atlanta Braves (5 World Series), the Atlanta Falcons (1 Super Bowl appearance), the Atlanta Hawks (0 NBA Finals appearances) and both the Atlanta Thrasher and Flames (0 NHL Finals appearances combined) COMBINED (a combined 6 North America Sports Finals appearances).
One World Championship (1995 Braves World Series Championship) to show for all those seasons of play….with no realistic hope of any Atlanta sports team willing one in the near future.
Maybe if the sports fans in Atlanta would start exerting pressure on talk radio..as well as by boycotting going to games…then maybe management for Atlanta professional sports teams will decide to put a product on the field that will seriously compete for a championship.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
3:59 pm
jeffrey
You can always change your moniker and come back as “Young Rocker” or something like that………….
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
Congrats VJ, ward, Kat and anyone I missed.
</3
Maybe next year.
An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
It’s official. jeffrey doo doo for the next year!
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
BravoMan
I find it hard to believe that we couldnt add a player only making 3.8 million… That would be pretty pathetic.
BravoMan
January 8th, 2012
4:01 pm
“I’ll take Izturis and Smith of Adam Jones I really would.”
Ment to say over Adam Jones.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:01 pm
looks like Dense is back.
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
4:02 pm
Maybe if the sports fans in Atlanta would start exerting pressure on talk radio..as well as by boycotting going to games
You realize that if fans stop going to games, revenue shrinks and payroll goes down, making the ability to sign high priced free agents harder and harder to do?
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:03 pm
Bravoman
How about Jurrjens for Seth Smith and a prospect. Then Martinez or Varvaro for Izturis.
I think we can handle the extra 3 million or so.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:05 pm
cab
Kinda like when I was living/working in central Illinois in the 90’s. The Firestone plant in Decatur was on strike the whole 2 years I was there. And their workers had signs up on their front lawns asking folks to Boycott Bridgetsone/Firestone products.
Real smart.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
Quiet, PL. Your team has a lot of work to do. Always talent, but they choke constantly. But I enjoyed watching them choke it away as my Niners coasted into the #2 seed of the playoffs. Don’t even need to win a game, but played two weeks deeper into the playoffs than your team.
Cowboys stink.
Patio Daddio
January 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
Heck there is a good chance Bourn ends up on the Angels roster in 2013. Vernon Wells is there for 18,000 years and Moreno will be rid of Abreu and Hunter for a total of $27M off the books so exit Abreu and Hunter enter Bourn
BravoMan
January 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
“I find it hard to believe that we couldnt add a player only making 3.8 million… That would be pretty pathetic.”
I agree, but the way this offseason has gone I’m at the point where I am assuming we’re close to having no money. And everyone knows what I’m talking about.
Obviously we’re not and you can read DOB’s many explanations of his theory on their current budget status.
An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
Medlen should be in the rotation. Medlen has already proven that he can start games and be effective as a starting pitcher.
I’d rather see Teheran packaged in a trade to help acquire a right handed power hitter. I know that a lot of the so-called experts are high on Teheran….however I just dont see it. Dude looks very hittable at the ML level. That ball Ryan Howard hit against him last year still hasnt landed!
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
The Falcons offense is bland, very predictable. The defense actually did a decent job but they are on the field the entire game, undermanned already and now tired Jake W
I don’t know, Jake I’m beginning to question VanGorder. The Falcons can not get off the field on third and long, its been that way for years.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
4:06 pm
Edward Salcedo is our 6th ranked overall prospect but isnt even a top 10 3rd base prospect.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
4:08 pm
Okay, I nailed that game. Just call me Jimmy The Greek
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:10 pm
Whether he says anything intelligent or not, I can’t stomach much of Jimmy Johnson.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
4:11 pm
Edward Salcedo is our 6th ranked overall prospect but isnt even a top 10 3rd base prospect.
He might not be a top 15 3rd base prospect, Va.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:11 pm
Bat
Why would we call you a Geek?
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
4:11 pm
Thanks to the poster above for reaffirming just how much Atlanta Pro Teams are lacking in that whole success thing. Which one is it, are we making them lose by not showing up or making them lose by showing up? This riddle is getting old. As Fans I think it is great that we all love our sports and our teams but sometimes I think we over value what we can do or control. Ultimately, stadium full(Cubs) or empty(Marlins) it comes down to the talent on the field and them doing their part.
My final take on the Falcons. There were some bright spots on the defense but that Secondary is a glaring weakness but the way the NFL is trending, there just aren’t to many great defenses out there and if we can simply upgrade DeCoud, that might be enough to compete in this league. The O line would actually be my priority. Ryan needs to be protected, he’s not the qb who is good at ad libbing. Julio is a big plus, Roddy needs to improve with the drops and if Turner stays we need a better change of pace back. Maybe do what the Falcons did when we had Vick with Dunn and Duckett and have two feature backs. Last offseason was kind of rushed with the lockout. Hopefully this offseason we get most of our goals accomplished.
BravoMan
January 8th, 2012
4:11 pm
“How about Jurrjens for Seth Smith and a prospect. Then Martinez or Varvaro for Izturis.”
I personally don’t think the Rockies want Jurrjens or value him high at all. The Prado for Smith deal seems inevitable so long as they can provide a suitable prospect.
I know our keys to this offseason must be our lineup. Izturis with the up of Pastornicky certainly is an upgrade Gonzalez. And we’ve had some good platoons in the past ie. Willy Harris and Diaz. Perhaps Smith/Diaz could also work. As long as the additional prospect is good I’m down.
Plus improvements from McCann, Heyward, and a full year of Bourn’s speed such make a fun year.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
BravoMan
I’d rather have Prado and Pastornicky than a platoon of Smith/Diaz and Izturis. Just my preference.
If we deal Prado, we’d better get a helluva prospect back. He’s a +800 OPS 2B/3B/LF.
An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
cabravesfan….this isnt welfare for the rich. If Liberty wants to make money, they have to be willing to spend money putting a product on the field that will motivate fans to part with their hard earned cash and come to the park.
Hey, I like Apple products…however if they started producing garbage products….I wouldnt keep buying Apple merchandise, just to so they will have enough money to keep putting more crap out there.
I’ve said all along. The burden isnt on Braves fans to blindly support a Braves organization that isnt 100% financially committed to putting the best product on the field. It’s on the Braves organization FIRST AND FOREMOST to spend what is necessary to a product on the field that draws paying fans to Turner Field.
Look at what the Phillies have done. 10 years ago, who wanted to go and see the Phillies play? Now, they sell out all the time. Why? Because Philly management has put together a product on the field that has Philly fans willingly parting with all kinds of cash at Citizens Bank Park.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
4:14 pm
Actually, Salcedo might not be a Top 20 3rd base prospect.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:16 pm
auto scroll engaged………………
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
4:18 pm
don’t know, Jake I’m beginning to question VanGorder. The Falcons can not get off the field on third and long, its been that way for years.
I try not to be knee jerk like some fans on this blog when it comes to assessing blame but the way I see it is Van Gorder has considerably less talent to work with than Mularkey. The secondary was thin to begin with then they were riddled with injury issues. Way to much Chris Owens, guy is at best a special teams player. Edwards didn’t play the way they hoped but the linebackers have been good. I think he has gotten more out of the talent he has this year than Mularkey. The 3rd and long conversions bother me, but I think they keep happening until we upgrade more on the defensive end.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
No doubt; Liberty Media IS the devil!
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
Ha, Wayne.
At any rate I rescind that comment. I don’t want to be associated with Jimmy The Greek even in jest.