Are the Falcons ready for Prime Time again?
The NFL is set to release the week-by-week schedule for the 2009 season at 7 p.m. tomorrow
Who is going to bring the popcorn when Terrell Owens and the Buffalo Bills come to the Georgia Dome in 2009?
The Falcons already know their opponents.
Home games include: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Carolina, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, Miami and Chicago.
Away games include: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Carolina, Dallas, New York Giants, New England, New York Jets and San Francisco.
The Falcons should get at least one Monday night game and possibly a Sunday night game. The away game at New England with Matt Ryan returning to the Boston area should get prime time consideration.
The Falcons will get a chance to see some of the players who left during free agency. Keith Brooking will get a shot at his old team when the Falcons go to Dallas. Linebacker Michael Boley is now with the New York Giants and will host the Falcons in Giants Stadium.
This offseason’s bad boy, Jay Culter, will lead the Chicago Bears into the Georgia Dome. Miami running back Ronnie Brown of Cartersville will get a chance to play in front of some of his hometown folks.
Cartersville's Ronnie Brown.
Also, the Falcons organized team activity schedule was released by the league. Each team is permitted to conduct up to 14 organized training sessions as part of their offseason workout programs
The sessions are supposed to be non-contact, but let’s just say that the big guys get “tangled” up from time to time.
The Falcons’ OTAs are sent for May 20-21, May 26-28, June 2-4, June 9-11 and June 16-18.
Wonder if Keith Brooking will be this fired up when the Falcons roll into Dallas?
How many prime time games do you think the Falcons should get? How tough does that road schedule look? Excited about the teams coming to play in the Georgia Dome? How important are the OTA’s to getting ready for training camp?
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205 comments Add your comment
1893 Reporter
April 13th, 2009
3:09 pm
Rener, I appreicate your fondness for the forward lob. But it’s a fad and it’s bad for the game. All this spread this and spread that nonsense is killing the game. We need to get back to the fundamentals.
Mr. Orlando, I hear word that Coach Smith will be sporting a new suit on the sidelines this fall. Please report on the progress of this.
1893 Reporter
April 13th, 2009
3:11 pm
Please report on foot-ball related injuries. Thank you.
Falcons 4 Ever
April 13th, 2009
3:19 pm
I was wanting to trade for Gozalez this time last year when he first wanted out of KC. I think it’s a misnomer that Mularky woudn’t use Gonzalez much in his offense. For one Mularky never had a TE with his gifts and it would all but end those 7 and 8 men in the box formations we saw so much in the second half of last season. Also consider that fact he’s been a perennial Pro Bowler whose best QBs have been Steve Deberg and Warren Moon at the end of his career. Outside of that it’s been the Tyler Thigpens and Damon Huards. He’s had no QB with the ability of Matty Ice, I think he’s the perfect fit for Matt and vice versa. As far as the schedule I’m praying that if we have prime time games it’s on the road or Thanksgiving or a Saturday. I still haven’t recovered from the Monday night trifecta from a couple of years back. Brutal. Looking forward to the schedule just the same. It’s a great time to be a Falcon fan. Go birds!
D Money
April 13th, 2009
3:47 pm
We need a pass-catching tight end but not enough to give up a second rounder for Gonzo who’s 33 this year. Denver has Scheffler on the trading block and he’s only 27 or so and can play very well and will not be as expensive. We have too many needs on defense so we need the best available defensive players at the time we draft. The highest I would take a TE is in the 3rd round. My first two rounds will be an OLB and a SS. I’m hoping we can trade down to either the bottom of the first round or the top of the first round for extra picks.
D Money
April 13th, 2009
3:48 pm
oops I meant bottom of first round or top of second round
scottbravesfan
April 13th, 2009
3:51 pm
Optimist
The Dolphins actually have a pretty big national fan base. They are kind of like the Braves of football. They have a lot of national fans but the city itself is awful. Miami and Atlanta are pretty brutal when it comes to supporting sports. Hopefully the Hawks will sell out their playoff games.
Olskool
April 13th, 2009
4:17 pm
I saw the rumor that the Falcons were interested in TE Gonzalez, reported by Michael Lombardi for the National Football Post. Now that Sam Wyche has moved on to bigger and better things you can forget hearing real investigative reporting from the AJC, unless its from a blogger. By the time D-Led reports something I’ve already heard it somewhere else. Perhaps he is just too busy downloading pics and keeping his bow tie straight. Oh well…
Anyway, the report said the Falcs would give up their 2nd round pick.
marko
April 13th, 2009
4:22 pm
I remain optimistic about next season, but it’s going to be a much tougher schedule than we played last year. Strig and I were debating what kind of tight end Thomas might be shopping for. I must admit that he made a pretty good point. Given the fact that the godless goons our beloved Falcons will be facing this year are bigger stronger and uglier than the ones we kicked around last year, it may be that our best defense might be a stronger offense. If Thomas feels that Brandon Pettigrew helps us more than Clay Matthews, I’ll just wipe the tears from my eyes and deal with it.
Smokey Bell
April 13th, 2009
4:30 pm
Gonzales offers a skill set that no other Te available in this year’s draft does. He can block, catch and has enough speed to split the safeties. Why spend a 1st round pick on a TE with only two of these skills just because he is younger? Why pass on Gonzales for a #2, then draft Pettigrew with a #1? Perhaps we could even swindle a #5 or 6 in the deal and draft another pass catching TE to develop.
Daniel Bell
April 13th, 2009
4:31 pm
It should be a no-go on Gonzo. The one thing we should have learned by now is that this staff likes young guys. Sure they signed Peterson, but they’ll draft at least one (maybe more) LB this year too. It they want an good TE, they’ll draft him. I don’t think it’ll be in the first round, but if they take Pettigrew, I can certainly learn to deal with that.
JG
April 13th, 2009
4:33 pm
Marko,
I agree, I too liked Matthews.
But,
Even if we all agreed about how much we loved our defensive draft this year. They are still gonna take more than a year to develop. If we got a Ready Tightend, Gonzales or Pettigrew- At least we could compete with this schedule by trying to keep up Offensively, and Hope our competition makes mistakes with turnovers, etc.. till our Young defense can develop and grow through out the year..
Gonzales had more TD’s last year than Roddy Whites and more receptions.
This can’t be a bad thing and if the scouts are right and Pettigrew can do it all and my be a younger version of Tony, would we be better off going ahead and drafting Pettigrew and then taking care of our defense with the rest of the picks?
That way we can start our 2nd pick on Defense?
But there is no Gaurantee Pettigrew will be there at 24?
Soo Confused..
marko
April 13th, 2009
4:33 pm
Olskool, no offense intended, but Orlando does a pretty good job of keeping us up to date with the facts. That’s what newspapers do. report facts. It’s our job to provide the rumors. Thats what bloggers do. Provide rumors. Also I wish you guys would lay off Orlando’s damned bowtie. We all know it’s kinda goofy looking, but Ledbetter’s proud it, and I’m afraid that we might hurt his feelings.
marko
April 13th, 2009
4:36 pm
JG, If Tony will promise us two years, three would be better, I’d say what the hell are we waiting for.
WR
April 13th, 2009
4:36 pm
Something to think about, with Micheal Vick as the starting QB we felt the falcons had a chance in any game and so did the old Falcons regime, namely Mr. McKay. What happened, the Falcons stopped drafting talent around Vick, they went defense, defense, and some more defense. Most of those players are gone some of which are barely holding on to NFL jobs. Point being, yes the defense appears to be the biggest concern because the offense was good, but wait. Where as I can see drafting a Cushing or Matthews because of defensive concerns I also can remember Brian Bosworth, trust me, he was more hyped with the god-send statistics and measurables and if your old enough to remember, you know what happened. I’m not putting cush or clay in his category but I am making a point that we should not just sit on what has appeared to work. Even if we could somehow get Aaron Curry who is considered the best linebacker and safest pick in the draft, the defense will be noticably younger, my point being that if Pettigrew is there at 24, complete the offense, and use the other picks to continue to build the defense. The Falcons were the sixth highest scoring team in the league last year and they play a ball control type offense. An excellent blocking and receiving tight-end will help keep the defense off the field which is the best antedote for a young defense. Yes there is tight-end value throughout this draft, but has anyone noticed that over the past few months players from every position have been mentioned as risers that could sneek into the first round except tight-end. Yes Jared Cook gets a nod or a mention here and there but no other TE gets mentioned in the same category as Pettigrew which can’t be said for any of the other positions in the draft whether referring to offense,defense, or special teams.
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
4:39 pm
THIS TEAM WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR,IT WILL BE A BAD SEASON I GUARANTEE IT, BUT NEXT YEAR WITH THE 1TO 5 TH PICK AND EASIER SCHEDULE, THEY COULD GO TO SUPER BOWL,REMEMBER IT TAKES PURE HARD WORK, AND LUCK TO GET TO THE SUPER BOWL,THE NEW FALCONS WORK HARD WITH THIS NEW COACH,BUT SORRY FALCON FANS THIS CITY IS JINXED,AND THE FALCONS LEDBETTER DOES NOT NEED A PRIME TIME GAME KEEP IT SIMPLE EACH SUNDAY,FOR THIS YOUNG TEAM, GOOD ARTICLE.
Smokey Bell
April 13th, 2009
4:43 pm
Matt Ryan with another 1000 yard reciever. Turner with an extra blocker/decoy to keep safeties and linebackers honest. A legit red-zone TE threat to go along with Roddy and Jenkins. I dont think there is a player there at #55 that these guys would rather have.
Daniel Bell
April 13th, 2009
4:43 pm
Good points there WR. You may have convinced me that Pettigrew is the best choice.
Reno 911
April 13th, 2009
4:52 pm
Dan Reeves? Is that you, posting under the name “Smokey Bell”? Who else would propose trading a #2 pick for a TE nearing the end of his career, using the 1st round pick on another TE, and then grabbing a third TE in the late rounds? Welcome back, coach.
SirReal
April 13th, 2009
4:52 pm
There are a LOT of interesting storylines for the games this coming season. It will be a very brutal schedule. If we have another winning season, we’ll have earned it. We’re dealing with teams in the upper echelons of the league in regard to this year’s schedule. It’ll definitely show us what we’re made of. With that said, this fan of 20+ years really hopes that this new regime knows what they are doing. I’m just cautiously optimistic given what happens to the Birds every time they taste a little success. For once it would be good to see us not go backward again. I’m tired of the highs and lows. Can we get some consistency?LOL I think the GM is doing an ok job. He did wonders for our offense but defense is a totally different animal. He’s either very confident in what we have/will draft or he is absolutely nuts and his indecision to bring in at least a couple more vets will come back to bite him….we’ll see. Go Birds!
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
4:53 pm
also the falcons do not need gonzo,at all.
Reno 911
April 13th, 2009
4:53 pm
Of course, they’d have to draft yet ANOTHER TE in 2010 after Gonzalez retires, or else we’d drop below the Reeves-minimum 5 TE’s on the roster.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 13th, 2009
4:54 pm
GONZALEZ UPDATE: Nothing shaking on that front. There were some conversations, but nothing concrete. It could percolate into something, but you have to note that Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli are best buds and it might not be all the way dead. This isn’t a new rumor. Like many of you pointed out it dates back to the trade deadline.
1893: Smitty in a suit? Now, that’s a story.
OLSKOOL: Steve’s the man!!! See above. Stop hating on the bow tie. It’s a major fashion statement.
MARKO: THANKS.
JG
April 13th, 2009
4:55 pm
Reno 911,
Well, Coach Reeves is the ONLY coach to get us to a Superbowl..
So I guess, WELCOME BACK DAN..
Tampa is gonna be terrible this year..
April 13th, 2009
5:09 pm
As tough as our Schedule is this year, Remember we play Tampa twice and it’s not your Mama’s Tampa anymore.
They are gonna be horrible,
IF we can get Two Wins from Tampa, then win our home games vs New Orleans and Charlotte. That puts the Falcons in a better place already.
I really don’t think it is gonna be as bad of a season as you think Willster. We have a opportunity to still make the Playoffs.. The Saints still don’t have a defense and as long as Jake Delhomme is still in Carolina we still have a chance in our division, So we need to win those two home games vs the Aints and can’ther’s.
We have Washington and Buffalo in the Dome,
There is two more wins.. We are up to 6? Also Miami in the Dome, Is that 7 wins? Then we can end up beating the Jet’s and San Fran away,
That would be 9 Wins..
That could be a playoff record..
Don’t count them out so fast..
Dan Reeves
April 13th, 2009
5:13 pm
Why did you fire me? I was the only Coach to get you to the Superbowl and Mike Vick had his best production Statistically under my offense?
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:17 pm
been a fan since they drafted tommy in 1966, this team will finish 6-10, because TURNER will not have the year and ryan,with this schedule,we will have a very good draft choice ,and to you fans that want to see the falcons on prime time,against the patriots, or dallas,the falcons will lose them both because NEW ENGLAND WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR ALREADY BET IT AND I WILL WIN .
dorrel
April 13th, 2009
5:19 pm
I don’t care if the coach is wearing a Thong”’BACKWARDS!!! Just Win ATLANTA!!!!!
Larry
April 13th, 2009
5:21 pm
WILLSTER,
Let me guess, a product of the Atlanta Public School System, are you?
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:25 pm
every team in atlanta is jinxed,the hawks, falcons,braves, thrashers, gt, and the bulldogs, the bulldogs will lose the opener,at oklahoma state so the season will be over before it starts,and the gators i saw there schedule what a pansy schedule they will go undefeated, that is a tragedy.
falcon21
April 13th, 2009
5:26 pm
Terrible Tampa, 9 wins would be great and if we could steal a couple, 10 or 11 would be even better. If we fix the D then it could happen. TE should be late round priority only.
Jimmy P.
April 13th, 2009
5:27 pm
I would like to see a Sunday Night game and a Monday night game. 2 Games this year should be plenty.
Like to see the New England and the Philly Games in Primetime.
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:28 pm
no larry,i work for myself,i am a gambler and i dont have to work
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:30 pm
i make alot of money betting against the ATLANTA FRANCHISES.
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:33 pm
ATLANTA FRANCHISES ARE PATHETIC,
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:35 pm
the braves used to be good now they are awful,but atlanta falcons are the worst,have never had back to back winning seasons,are you kidding me?
Reno 911
April 13th, 2009
5:36 pm
being a gambler, Willster knows “when to hold ‘em” and knows “when to fold ‘em”, but apparently does NOT “know when to use the shift key.”
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:38 pm
at least the food in atlanta is good
JG
April 13th, 2009
5:39 pm
Falcon21,
You never know which Dallas might show up.. Is that another win?
They did just lost there best receiver, and Roy Williams didn’t show me anything last year. Troy Aikman is right if he doesn’t pick it up, he could be known as one of the pickest bust for what they gave up for him. And I don’t think Wade Phillups will still be there.. Plus remember they have Brooking, the Falcons know all his tenedancy’s..
I am not sure we can return the Chicago Magic though, different team.
Great Quarterback that beat us with Denver, even if the Media thinks he is a baby. That Baby has a Arm
JG
April 13th, 2009
5:42 pm
I meant biggest Busts.
Sorry
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:45 pm
SUPER BOWL 2010 NEW ENGLAND VS DALLAS
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:50 pm
MAYBE THE SLEEPER IS WASHINGTON, SERIOUSLY,IF JASON CAMPBELL GETS BETTER LOOK OUT DANIEL SNYDER MIGHT GET THE RING IT WOULD NOT SHOCK ME FOR THEM TO BE IN THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR.
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
5:54 pm
the draft will tell the tell.
WILLSTER
April 13th, 2009
6:02 pm
okay are you ready for some football
falcon21
April 13th, 2009
6:06 pm
JG, you are right, Dallas could be one that we steal. Wade is a BUM, Ha Ha, and I don’t think Roy will be what they think he can be. Romo is no Troy either. As for Chicago, if we have more than one D-lineman that can rush and CB that can cover, well maybe two and SS and OLB it is a possibilty. I’m not asking for too much am I?
Cable Guy
April 13th, 2009
6:13 pm
Will MV7 be able to afford cable to watch the FALCONZ this season?
Steve
April 13th, 2009
6:22 pm
Get off the Gonzalez bandwagon. He is too old and not much of a blocker these days. You are talking about trading a future building block with a number 2 pick for a guy with a year or two left at max who only functions in one part of the offense.
I have faith in our front office for the first time in decades, and I think we will easily be able to find a player in the second round who will not only help us now .. but for the next 4-5 years minimum. That is a much better play than trading for a retiring Hall of Famer. We could have kept Milloy or Brooking if we wanted to go that route (not meaning they are HOF’s, but older and average even at this point of their careers).
richbrave
April 13th, 2009
6:27 pm
DOL:
Nice article in today’s TIMES-DISPATCH sports page about UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND student-athletes from ATLANTA area.
D3
April 13th, 2009
6:33 pm
Good stormy afternoon my Bird-Cage brethren. The NFL is the most dominant and popular sport for a reason. The way they lay out their sport througout the year is pretty D- impressive. Except for a couple of weeks throughout the year, their is always something going on as the NFL schedule release indicates.
Schedule, Schedule – Well we all knew that with being a playoff team brings the fun reward of a harder schedule. Thats a good problem to have and to be the best you have to beat the best. We went 11-5 against a mediocre to challenging schedule with new GM, new coaching staff, rookie QB, rookie LT, new RB, rookie MLB, patchwork secondary, and (at the time) unknown RG & RT. Think that worked out pretty well. Also, remember, we could have just as easily won the Denver, Philly, & New Orleans games (I know the counter-argument could be that we could have just as easily lost the Chicago, San Diego, or Minnesota games, but the possibility is there.
NFC South Enemies
Carolina – as always a tough, tough competition. Deangelo Williams has finally blossomed and Jonathan Stewart will only get better. There defense is always solid to great. Steve Smith is one of the best and Muhammed came back and played pretty well back in Charlotte. However, don’t discount the Peppers saga brewing there assuming a trade doesn’t go through. Locker room issues always play a bigger role than people realize. How can we forget Jake Delhomme. He had his moments last year, but if has any peformances like last year’s home playoff debacle. No 1st round draft pick this year either. I think a split is fairly reasonable, or even a sweep.
Rest of enemies to come later……..& we got possible TG trade talk and our usual draft round table. Man, is really heatin’ up around here or what?
BTW, don’t even respond to the infantile, juvenile cretins that have evidently infiltrated our blogs today. As I know with my students, negative attention is still attention. I guess the storms that rolled through broke the doors at the nuthouse.
Zup
April 13th, 2009
6:46 pm
Lordy, getting Gonzo for two or three years is a tempting prospect. How good would the offense be with Tony Gonzalez converting 3rd and long passing opportunities? The defense would be able to stay off the field with Gonzo on the squad.
Zup
April 13th, 2009
6:56 pm
By the way, are the Bucs really acquiring Leftwick as a starting QB? I predict Abraham tallies seven sacks in the two games against the Bucs.