Archive for February, 2009

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff promised that the team would not be emotionally driven when making some tough decisions this offseason.

The team’s laser-focused evaluations have pushed several players into free agency including longtime local legend Keith Brooking.

Also, out on the free agency market are cornerback Domonique Foxworth, safety Lawyer Milloy, linebacker Michael Boley, defensive end Chauncey Davis.

The team is clearly planning to rebuild the defense.

Milloy and Foxworth must be replaced in the secondary.

Brooking and Boley, both of the outside linebackers are exploring other opportunities.

On the line, nose tackle Grady Jackson is also a free agent.

That’s five of the 11 starters. However, linebacker Coy Wire, who started for Boley late in the season is set to sign a two-year deal on March 1st.

The good news on offense is that they have the “Bruise Brothers” – right guard Harvey Dahl and right tackle Tyson Clabo – back. Both were restricted …

Continue reading There is no “Free” in Free Agency »

Keith Brooking has played ALL of his football in Georgia.

Starring at East Coweta, Georgia Tech and then for the Falcons. He’s the last member of the 1998 NFC Championship team that played in the Super Bowl.

Unless the two sides come to an agreement, Brooking is headed for free agency on Friday.

Things are not looking good. Valuation is an issue.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team’s offseason decisions would not be emotionally driven.

Would it be a good move by the Falcons to let Brooking enter free agency? Or is it time to tell Brooking, thanks for your years of service and good luck in your future endeavors?

(Here’s a shot of Brooking and Lawyer Milloy making a tackle of Green Bay’s Donald Driver)
http://z.about.com/d/football/1/0/r/S/KeithBrooking1a.jpg

IN A TRIBUTE TO THE DOB, WE HAVE SOME LYRICS THAT FIT THE FOOTBALL BLOG.

Semisonic – Closing Time lyrics

(www.lyrics007.com)

Closing time – time for you to go out, go out into the world.

Closing time – …

Continue reading Is it “Closing time” for Brooking? »

Falcons general manager was a big hit during his media session at the NFL scouting combine.

He touched on several topics from the Falcons not being major players in free agency to what he looks for at the safety position.

Dimitroff and his staff are on a mission to find the next Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed.

Let’s wish him good luck on that because if he’s successful that would extremely fun to watch on Sundays.

Here’s the best of “The TD Show” at combine:”

ON MOVING FORWARD AFTER LAST SEASON: “We were encouraged by our 2008 season in Atlanta. We are fired up about moving forward and going on into (2009). We have a lot of work to do. A lot of roster calibration to do. We’re excited about it. We have a number of free agents right. We have 13 that we are trying to decide on. We are still in the process of that.”

HOW HE PLANS TO FOLLOW-UP LAST SEASON’S SUCCESSFUL DRAFT: “Last year, it was no surprise, we spent a lot of time and a lot of money in the draft and …

Continue reading The TD Show takes combine by storm »

INDIANAPOLIS alias THE NORTH POLE – The NFL scouting combine kicked off in earnest today with the several team executives — including Falcons head coach Mike Smith – addressing the media.
The offensive linemen, special teamers and tight ends are flowing throw the media room to do interviews.
Georgia Tech offensive tackle Andrew Gardner and South Carolina tight end Jared Cook have been through.
Just got done talking with Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State’s stud tight end. Nice kid. He’s already spent 15 minutes with the Falcons last night.
Gardner interviewed with the Falcons, too and Cook is set to visit with them later.
Smith basically covered all of the stuff in his end of the season presser. Off to the aside, he wouldn’t take the Michael Vick bait, when I asked him about the team’s efforts to trade the suspended quarterback.
Arthur Blank is due to fly in later tonight and is set to take all of the team’s executives to world famous St. Elmos …

Continue reading Falcons talk to Pettigrew and Gardner »

INDIANAPOLIS – Ready to hit the ground running at the NFL scouting combine.

We’ll have a story and notebook for our print editions of the AJC and between working the hallways for interviews, getting tips on who’s interested in trading for Michael Vick, who the Falcons are interviewing and sizing up, we’ll jump back on here to answers your questions.

So don’t be shy, send the questions along. If I don’t have the answer, we’ll dig around and get it.

For us football-heads this is a pretty big prelude to the draft.

Talked to Mark Loomis, a former big timer with ABC, who’s the producer for the NFL Network now. They will have wall-to-wall coverage of the scouting combine.

“It’s the ultimate reality show,” Loomis said. “They are trying out for their jobs in front of the world and certainly in front of the NFL Network cameras. It’s just one big week for us.”

The league-owned outlet will carry 25 hours of live coverage starting on Thursday and running …

Continue reading NFL’s reality show set to start »