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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,717 comments Add your comment
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:44 pm
“Steelers are stacking the box- forcing the Broncos to throw- will be interesting to see if Denver can keep throwing successfully.”
If they do then their defense isn’t as good as advertised, because my Chiefs and their pathetic pass rush rattled Tebow and the guy can’t throw when pressured. Steelers should be man handling him right now and they’re not.
Sopheee
January 8th, 2012
5:44 pm
But Tebow loves you.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
5:45 pm
N8
Why?
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
Efrim, is it still an upset when the starting running back is out and Rothlisberger is clearly playing at about 60 percent?
Then again, Braves fans will tell you that half of Rothlisberger is better than whatever is on the bench. LOL
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
N8-
They are not necessarily pass rushing- just putting 8 guys up to stop the run.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
Tebow is Dale Murphy with a little “mean streak”.
jeffrey doo doo
January 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
ugh…
ncgary
January 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
you hit that nail on the head nolie
larkin was at the top of his class
DS1
January 8th, 2012
5:48 pm
Big Ben is one tough hombre!
I’m not a Steelers hater, just pulling for Tebow because so many people are not.
Steve from OH
January 8th, 2012
5:49 pm
N8–why? Because ESPN gives him so much love? Ain’t his fault. I’d like him a lot more if he could somehow manage to keep a lower profile media-wise, but he really can’t do that.
He probably is one of the few genuinely good dudes in pro football.
P'cola Brave
January 8th, 2012
5:49 pm
WOW… Big Ben looks terrible. He can barely move back there.
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:49 pm
Wayne. He’s a Bronco.
If he was on any other team (other than the Raiders or Chargers), I’d be a fan. Hated John Elway. Hated Terrell Davis. Hated Shannon Sharpe. Didn’t like Bill Romanowski either. Even hated Neil Smith when he decided to sign there.
Hated Kyle Orton….. Until week 14.
Hate is a strong word. I don’t actually hate any pro athlete. It’s pointless.
I simply root for certain people to fail. The flip side is that other than the other AFC West teams, I despise the Steelers more than anybody else. So this game is painful.
YEAH. Rothlisberger is frickin worthless in this game. You ARE NOT going to convince me that a star at 50percent is better than the backup. Simply untrue.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
5:50 pm
is it still an upset when the starting running back is out and Rothlisberger is clearly playing at about 60 percent?
Fair point on Big Ben, however Mendenhall just simply isn’t that good. He’s as overrated a running back in the league.
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:50 pm
“He probably is one of the few genuinely good dudes in pro football.”
I don’t care if he saves burning babies from a fire. If he’s wearing a Broncos jersey while doing so, I’ll be unimpressed.
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
5:51 pm
N8-
Steelers back up QBs are Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon. I would leave Ben in there until his leg falls off
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
“however Mendenhall just simply isn’t that good. He’s as overrated a running back in the league.”
Doesn’t seem to stop everybody from talking about Tebow. LOL
DS1
January 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
As a Chief’s fan, I can understand that………….
I was just sort of agreeing with Steve’s point about him being a genuinely good person. I kinda like to see those sorts do well.
nolie
January 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
nah he is great enuff to save them B4 they start burning thankfully
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
5:53 pm
ajcbraves David O’Brien
Six weeks from today, #Braves pitchers and catchers report to Lake Buena Vista, aka Dark Star.
Wow. And another six more weeks of rumors……..
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:54 pm
“Steelers back up QBs are Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon. I would leave Ben in there until his leg falls off.”
So if Alex Smith was at 50 percent, couldn’t move and was getting hammered on every play, you’d leave him out there? Glad you’re not the coach of my team.
P'cola Brave
January 8th, 2012
5:54 pm
Efrim
I think its shocking that we are six weeks away and still haven’t even made a minor tweak. Wouldn’t of guessed that.
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:55 pm
“nah he is great enuff to save them B4 they start burning thankfully.”
That was funny nolie. Nice job.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
5:55 pm
8 more weeks for Wren to keep an eye on the scrap heap lol
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
5:56 pm
N8-
The gap between Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick and the gap between Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch can’t even be compared. But I may have been not totally serious. Maybe.
N8
January 8th, 2012
5:57 pm
Still leave him in cab? This game shouldn’t even be close and Ben’s health (or lack thereof) is going to turn this into a blow out.
Make the Broncos go 80 yards, they’ll fail.
Give Tebow the ball on your own half of the field with stupid interceptions and it’s gonna get ugly. Uglier than it is already.
cabravesfan
January 8th, 2012
5:58 pm
If the defense was doing it’s job, the score would be closer to 7-6 than it is right now.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
5:59 pm
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Fielder signs later this week. Anyone with me?
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:00 pm
It’s just a fundamental disagreement that I will always have. The difference between Rothlisberger and Charlie batch is his ability to take hits and his mobility.
Playing with his current health he’s pretty much worthless. Or are you not watching this game?
It’s like Heyward with a bum thumb or wrist. If he’s not capable of doing what makes him so special because of an injury……then he’s really not any more special than the next guy.
I think it’s worse with stars like Big Ben. He knows what he’s capable of. So healthy or not, he’s going to play the same way. Which is a mistake if he’s not capable of playing that way.
Steelers aren’t going to score another TD unless it’s on a long run or defensive. Not with Ben back there.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
6:01 pm
I don’t like Elway, never did, never will. If the Broncos never won another game that will suit me fine.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
6:01 pm
Helmet to helmet there?
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:02 pm
Looked like it Efrim
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
6:03 pm
I’m not a big fan of Tebow the qb. Matt Ryan is a genuinely good guy, doesn’t make me forget his shortcomings as a qb. I just think because Tebow is such a good guy a lot of people are willing to gloss over his shortcomings.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
6:03 pm
New England is going to thrash Denver. Awful matchup….
This is ridiculous.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:03 pm
I will agree with you cab, Steelers defense is getting schooled. Seriously. Tebow is NOT this good.
Bat, you’re my new favorite blogger. LOL
Steve from OH
January 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
Probably, Efrim. He’s really gotta get going with his decision…clock’s tickin.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
Jake, that’s why people root for him. People like to root for good guys.
Like I said. Any team not in the AFC West, and I’d root for the guy to prove the pundits wrong.
Now, I’m not sure what I’d think if he was a Chief? Hard to say. Never thought I’d root for Kyle Orton. LOL
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 8th, 2012
6:07 pm
About Maicer Izturis……………………
He’s valuable for several reasons. Under contract for 2102 at 3.8 million (one season). Plays SS, 2B, 3B. Switch hits, can start, come off the bench, plays solid defense and last but not least! Izturis comes from the Angels who play baseball the right way.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
Go Tebow, Go Tebow, Go Tebow!
But just wait until Tim Tebow actually develops some serious QB skills to go along with his raw athletic ability, then the guy’s gonna be dangerous.
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
N8 it’s one thing to root for a guy, its another to believe he’s better than what he is.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
Didn’t seem to help us out much with Casey Kotchmann Coach. What gives?
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
Totally agree Jake. We all rooted for Brooks Conrad. LOL
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
P’cola
You don’t think dealing away Lowe so we can improve our staff a minor tweak?
I’d call that a big change.
Mitchell
January 8th, 2012
6:13 pm
I know this is a Braves blog but did anybody really think the Falcons weren’t going to lose just like every other team in Atlanta in a big game?
Two points!
Thank God I’m not a Falcons fan.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:14 pm
I thought the same thing Mitchell. Two points in an NFL playoff game is pretty pathetic.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
I loved Brooks Conrad. I never thought of him as a starter, or even a good defender. But for a while there, he was a heckuva pinch hitter. You always thought we had a chance to come back with Brooks waiting on the bench. Similar feelings about Hinske.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
Garret Anderson didn’t impress anybody either but that’s no reflection on the Angels. They are an excellent organization with one the best managers in the game in Mike Scioscia.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
Thanks, N8,
I didn’t like the way Elway gamed the draft. I hated to see him win a SB and beating the Falcons had nothing to do with it.
David O'Brien
January 8th, 2012
6:16 pm
Six weeks from today, pitchers and catchers report to Dark Star.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:18 pm
“I didn’t like the way Elway gamed the draft.”
Yup. He was JD Drew before there was JD Drew.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:20 pm
I don’t disagree with you Coach. Scioscia is awesome. Loved him as a player as a kid. Love him as a manager.
Just doesn’t mean jack squat when translated to players changing teams. Once the Braves hitting gurus get ahold of a new player, odds are they’ll ruin whatever good thing he had going. LOL
David O'Brien
January 8th, 2012
6:20 pm
thanks to the blog person who removed Dense’s 4:28pm post.
You’re more than welcome.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
6:20 pm
But just wait until Tim Tebow actually develops some serious QB skills
Don’t hold your breath, Coach.
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
6:20 pm
Comma management is still a lost art.
U ,ND!
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:21 pm
Efrim
Concerning Fielder. I’m thinking he might be getting a little froggy. But I really don’t see anyone offering him more than 5 years.
I see him going to Seattle. What do you think?
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:21 pm
Bat, no Terrell Davis….. no superbowl titles for Elway.
Here’s another twist on that first Elway title. Not a chance in hell Broncos get to the SB (they beat the Chiefs to get to the AFC championship game), if Marty Shottenheimer would have started Rich Gannon instead of Elvis Grbac.
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
6:22 pm
Tebow has been the beneficiary of a perfect storm in his favor. Not so great division, teams doing inexplicably dumb things while playing the broncos and now in the playoffs the steelers resemble a shell of themselves in the altitude. It happens that way some time. All the credit in the world to Tebow for taking advantage of the breaks that have gone their way on this run they are on.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
6:24 pm
Garret Anderson was 37 when he signed we didnt ruin him…
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:24 pm
Some guys (Tebow?) are just lucky. Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
Mitchell
January 8th, 2012
6:24 pm
I still don’t get Dark Star.
Where does that originate? What exactly is it referencing?
I will not stand for the great name of Mr. Walt Disney taken in vain.
Or are we refering to the erroneously named Champion Stadium? Talk about a black hole.
nolie
January 8th, 2012
6:26 pm
Angels who play baseball the right way….coach
yeah, the impatient, seldom take a walk way
Hugo Z Hackenbush
January 8th, 2012
6:26 pm
Yeah, how dare Elway use his leverage to avoid a team he thought would suck, and thus go to a team where he won two titles. The fiend!
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
6:27 pm
Since 2006 Prince Fielder has averaged 160 games a season with a line of 282/391/541 38 HR 33 2B 108 RBI
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:27 pm
Jake, of course I’m going to stick up for my division. But I don’t agree that the divsion is any worse than the others. Three 8-8 teams and my Chiefs at 7-9.
Sure there wasn’t a sure fire stellar team in the bunch. But there also wasn’t any absolute pushovers in the division. One of only two divisions without at least one team with 5 or less losses.
But other than that, I completely agree with you. Denver defense deserves way more credit than Tebow. Hard to argue with his late and 4th quarter comebacks.
But with that defense and that running game, if actually had a real QB, they wouldn’t ever need to comeback in the 4th quarter.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 8th, 2012
6:29 pm
Garret Anderson was 37 when he signed we didnt ruin him…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Nope, but how to explain Melky Cabrera’s 18 HR – 87 RBI – .305 BA n KC after bombing in Atlanta?
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:30 pm
VA
No doubt that Prince has put up some incredible numbers, and has been very durable. But being a tad bit overweight will scare some folks away from the really long term contracts.
Think about it, you’re putting up 100+ million dollars to a guy who is incredibly large. The opportunity to lose out on a lot of your investment is huge.
But today, I love the guy’s game.
Powderfinger
January 8th, 2012
6:30 pm
Well, I’ll continue to watch the NFL playoffs, but my emotional connection has been severed. I can’t wait for spring training. Even if nothing happens between now and then, I’m optimistic. Plus, trades/acquisitions do happen during those precious weeks. Bring it on…
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:31 pm
“Garret Anderson was 37 when he signed we didnt ruin him…”
If you’re responding to me. I wasn’t talking about ruining Loaf’s career. I was thinking more along the lines of Nate McLouth.
Or perhaps Alex Gonzalez. In the middle of a solid season, it only took a couple of weeks for our hitting coaches to cool him off.
Depends on what side of the Heyward argument you fall on. Bad approach of the coaching staff with him? Or injuries?
Whatever our coaches were doing to help Dan Uggla early in the year didn’t seem to help out much.
But in keeping with Coach’s theory, 37 or not, if the Angels organization is so good, Loaf should have been able to overcome our coaches and his age.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:32 pm
“Nope, but how to explain Melky Cabrera’s 18 HR – 87 RBI – .305 BA n KC after bombing in Atlanta?”
And then there’s that. Great point coach.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
6:34 pm
Oh I agree with Coach as well, just so many examples lol. I just think what Loaf provided should have been expected being on the decline.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
6:36 pm
DS1
Oh I understand that, I’m just saying someone will be willing to give him more than 5 years. But I agree interested teams rather pay a larger salary per year for a shorter deal.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 8th, 2012
6:37 pm
DS1, agreed concerning Prince Fielder. However, some GM is going to make the mistake of signing Prince beyond five or six years.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
6:37 pm
Yeah I was happy for my Ga Bulldog Terrell Davis.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:37 pm
“Yeah, how dare Elway use his leverage to avoid a team he thought would suck, and thus go to a team where he won two titles”
Well lets just skip the draft all together then and let college kids choose where they want to go. The draft is there for a reason. I’ve always felt that if a player is as good and as important as he thinks he is, he MUST feel that HE is the missing link between making or breaking a team. Especially at the QB position.
This year showed what Peyton Manning has meant to the Colts. You don’t think the Cleveland Browns fate would have been different if Manning was drafted by them and not the Colts?
Either the draft needs to be what it is. A place for poor teams to improve and the primary thing responsible for competitive balance. Or it needs to not exsist.
With a salary cap, there is only so many “stars” a team could sign with the cap.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
6:39 pm
Melky Cabrera was 26 last season and finally broke out.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 8th, 2012
6:40 pm
Garret Anderson’s best years were already behind him. But we know how Bobby Cox operated. The man would allow his players to both succeed and fail. Jeff Francoeur would be another example of this curious enigma.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:40 pm
Boy, the Braves org sure ruined Freeman…………………
and Heyward, before he was injured the first time.
But I guess some folks still believe he was healthy last year.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:40 pm
Besides, there’s this thing you might have heard of. FREE AGENCY. Elway could have left at anytime once his rookie contract expired. Just like Lebron James did in the NBA. Just like Albert Pujols just did.
N8
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
“and Heyward, before he was injured the first time.
But I guess some folks still believe he was healthy last year.”
Precisely my point Wayne. Which is why I mentioned it.
The coaching staff/management s responsible for Heyward either way. Either they messed with him in the direction they gave him with the suggest approach. Or they are to blame for continuing to play him while injured.
Can’t have it both ways.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
Some guys (Tebow?) are just lucky. Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
Wayne, that sounds suspiciously like my Dad’s favorite saying -
The harder I work, the luckier I get.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
Should have let Elway go play baseball, he would have come crawling back.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
Believe it or not, I wasn’t calling for the abolition of the draft. Elway had the leverage to exercise a little control over his fate, and he did so. You might’ve done the same thing, in his shoes.
VaBravesFan
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
I missed a bit a few days ago, whatever happened with that Miguel Tejada rumor? Was it just bogus?
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:50 pm
N8
Most players have an element of pride that will drive them to continue when they are not 100%. Oft times management will recognize what is happening and sit the player. Sometimes, if the player is doing marginally worse and shows signs of improving, they will stick with that player because they might not have anybody better.
It’s really hard to say who’s to fault in those situations. All I know is if the guy had an inflamed shoulder, he was definitely not 100%. Been there and played that game. Even when there is no structural damage, the pain the the shoulder joint WILL keep a person from performing 100%.
An ankle, foot or any leg injury can be totally debilitating. But there are also times when leg injuries don’t affect the swing much, and a player can work through it.
But the shoulder (or hand) and the muscles in the torso have a huge affect on a guys swing.
I’m just not willing to say that anybody did anything wrong concerning Heyward. Hence the saying, it is what it is……….
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
6:50 pm
N8, sorry but I think the records are indicative more of mediocrity than competitiveness. Someone is guaranteed to win the division so it makes a big difference when you don’t have that one great team running away with everything. Not having that great team to play two games against or to immediately put you in the Wild Card picture makes a difference. I think the only weaker division was likely the AFC South. There were so many games that I watched from AFC West teams where I felt like they should have won and they didn’t. There weren’t to many pushovers in football this year as a whole.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
It seems the Braves had a little good luck with with people trying to manipulate the draft. Some guy named Van Poppel said he wouldn’t come to the Braves if drafted. I forgot who we got, but we were lucky it wasn’t Van Poppel.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
It seems the Braves had a little good luck with with people trying to manipulate the draft. Some guy named Van Poppel said he wouldn’t come to the Braves if drafted. I forgot who we got, but we were lucky it wasn’t Van Poppel.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
It seems the Braves had a little good luck with with people trying to manipulate the draft. Some guy named Van Poppel said he wouldn’t come to the Braves if drafted. I forgot who we got, but we were lucky it wasn’t Van Poppel.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
What???
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
What??? Am I trying to keep up with Bat or whata?
DS1
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
Does anybody else think it’s pathetic that a player can fumble the ball, but keep possession because his knee hit the ground? When did that change, btw? Players used to have to control the ball completely.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
key
That’s what we call DRIVING home the point!
N8
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
“Believe it or not, I wasn’t calling for the abolition of the draft.”
I am if players can dictate where they go. Then it’s not a draft designed for competitive balance. It’s a draft side-stepping version of free agency. If you’re going to allow loopholes. Then get rid of it.
“Elway had the leverage to exercise a little control over his fate, and he did so. You might’ve done the same thing, in his shoes.”
Sure I would have. And as a fan of the game, I would expect fans of the team I dissed to be pissed off about it.
Jake W., I’m not going to argue with you about it. I’m probably biased due to my being very familiar with the AFC West. No great team (all of them were flawed), but every team was capable of blowing up ANY team in the NFL every Sunday.
Not sure who my QB is going to be next year. But I know this. With Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles the Chiefs don’t finish 7-9. Would have helped to have a better backup QB than Tyler Palko too. Could have beaten the Steelers and maybe even the Patriots with a real backup. That’s on the coaches, and part of why Haley got fired.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
It’s always been “the ground can not cause a fumble” Wayne. I apologize in advance if this post 3 times.
Venice Jim
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
DS1 – I don’t think they’ve changed that fact that you can’t fumble after you have been ruled down…
N8
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
True Keylargo. But had JD Drew actually let the Phillies draft him, we likely don’t trade Wainwright within the division.
Jake W.
January 8th, 2012
7:15 pm
Just for the fun of it, I’d rank the divisions like this
1.AFC North(three teams in the playoffs)
2.NFC North(Best team in the league, and if not for Cutlers injury it would have been the toughest division)
3.NFC South(Saints and the ever regular season ready Falcons, not to mention Cam Newton now resides here)
4.NFC East (Both The Giants and Philly can play great when they want to and legitimately compete with the best in the league and the Cowboys are ok)
5.AFC East(The Patriots are still great and between the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets I see none as pushovers, disappointments, but no pushovers)
6.NFC West (SF has been great but, The Rams are horrible, and the Seahawks and Cards young and exciting at times.
7.AFC West(A lot of mediocre teams, none great, none horrible)
8.AFC South(The Colts and The Jags bring them down, Titans and Texans keep the balance on the top though.
I guess thats my final answer. Splitting hairs with some divisions. It was tougher than I thought to rank them but that’s my best shot at it.
McFann O O o
January 8th, 2012
7:26 pm
Hey! Guess what? Our Christmas Tree is filled with bugs!! That’s two years in a row!!
George
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
Wish DOB would explain why he calls it “Dark Star”.
..An inmate at a correctional facility
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
After today, Tebow will have more playoff victories than Matt Ryan.
Disgusted
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
Yea, we got Chipper instead of Van Poppell. That was good.
At the time of the J.D. Drew deal. it was done with the right reasoning. And J.D. did have one heck fo a yr for us, his best.
It was around that time the Braves began to phase away from being one of the big playa teams. They were still a high payroll team in the winter of 2003.