Falcons rookies to take field at mini-camp
Andrew, Allen and Denise McMillan are big supporters of Matthew Stafford.
HOCKEYTOWN, U.S.A. — Just getting back in the groove after my trip to Detroit to check out Matthew Stafford at the Lions rookie mini-camp.
It appears the plan is to let him learn and watch.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz came over from Tennessee and saw how rushing Vince Young out on the field may have stunted his development.
He’s also studied how the then Houston Oilers handled Steve McNair with kit gloves after the 1995 draft. The Lions want to guarantee Stafford’s success and don’t want to throw him to the wolves.
Before we move onto the Falcons mini-camp, wanted to share a few impressions from the Lions mini-camp:
1. Safety Louis Delmas is a beast! He was all over the field, playing at 100 miles an hour. The Western Michigan product and the first safety taken in the draft is going to make an instant impact.
2. Defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill from Stillman College is going to get some individual instruction. He is very raw.
3. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew didn’t look as smooth catching the ball as did at the NFL scouting combine. He’s going to be Stafford’s security blanket when Calvin Johnson is not open.
4. Also, Gerald Riggs Jr., son of the Falcons great, received a tryout. They were working him at fullback and halfback.
5. Went to my first hockey game ever! Thought it would be a good place to find some Lions fans for story on
Red Wing defenseman Jonathan Ericsson knows how to mix it up.
Stafford. The atmosphere at Joe Louis was electric and I got to meet Red Wings Super Fan Mo Cheese. The Red Wings scored with 49.1 seconds to post a 3-2 victory.
6. NEW HERO — If I get into any trouble and need some muscle, I’m calling Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. Dude dropped the gloves and dished out a swift and decisive beat down of Anaheim’s Corey Perry, after the coach told him not to start any fights.
Well, onto the Falcons mini-camp also known a CAMP SMITTY.
The Falcons will have two practices on Friday and Saturday and one on Mother’s day. Both sessions on Saturday are open to the public. The first practice on Saturday starts at 10:30 a.m. with the gates opening at 9:30 a.m. The second practice starts at 4:15 p.m. with the gates opening at 3:15 p.m.
On Mother’s Day, there is 10:30 a.m. practice so the dinner reservation will have to be around 6 or 7 p.m.
Here are a couple of things we’ll be looking out for at the mini-camp. Remember, that mini-camp depth charts don’t mean a thing. Last season, Pat McCoy was lining at first string left tackle. Smith and his staff will use this time to cross-train folks.
However, how the secondary stacks up is going to be interesting to watch. Don’t be surprised if rookie Chris Owens is lining up with the No. 1s along with defensive tackle Peria Jerry and safety William Moore.
Smitty and the staff showed last year that they are not scare to play rookies. Matt Ryan, Chevis Jackson, Sam Baker, Curtis Lofton and Harry Douglas all received major playing time. Can’t see them going much deeper beyond Owens this year.
Defensive end Lawrence Sidbury is going to be interesting to watch.
Oh yeah, tight end Tony Gonzalez will make his Falcon debut at the mini-camp.
Do you plan to attend the mini-camp? Which rookie are you more interested in watching? Are you excited to see linebacker Michael Peterson and Gonzalez in the red and black?
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212 comments Add your comment
JohnWaynesworld
May 6th, 2009
2:23 pm
Stirg d’Nahsif- Woops, I was answering you on the D Tackle thing. By the way your Drill Sergeant had good taste in phrases. The one he used was coined by General George S. Patton.
Seminole Warrior, words are insufficient. My thanks to you, young warrior and ALL our nation’s best for their service and sacrifice.
D3, I hear you about Pat White but I think he will be like lightening out there running for his life, and with the ability to throw on the run he could find some VERY wide open receivers.
Sarah B
May 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
Ignore T. Jervy he is trying to opn the “you know who” can of worms…
D3
May 6th, 2009
3:48 pm
Great to see the Bird-Cage alive and kicking. As we work our way through the divisions and assess their draft picks and assign our grades. After starting with our own back yard in the NFC South, we now move on to the NFC East:
Moving on to NFC East Draft Analysis/Grades
Dallas Cowboys
3 69 Jason Williams LB Western Illinois
3 75 Robert Brewster OT Ball State
4 101 Stephen McGee QB Texas A&M
4 110 Victor Butler DE Oregon State
4 120 Brandon Williams DE Texas Tech
5 143 DeAngelo Smith CB Cincinnati
5 166 Michael Hamlin FS Clemson
5 172 David Buehler K USC
6 197 Stephen Hodge SS TCU
6 208 John Phillips TE Virginia
7 227 Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati
7 229 Manuel Johnson WR Oklahoma
More doesn’t always mean better. The Cowboys draft 12 players? If this were a team in true rebuilding mode, I could understand, but they’re supposedly a player or two away from actually winning a game in the post-season and making it to the Big Show(at least in their minds). I would be hard pressed to think they couldn’t package some of those picks to move up a little higher. I like the picks of Hamlin and Mickens, but beyond that I’m really hard-pressed to find a strategy in this. They draft three safeties and a tight end when they have Witten and Martellus Bennett. Overall, quantity doesn’t mean better quality. Final: C-
New York Giants
Rd Sel. # Player Pos. School
1 29 Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
2 45 Clint Sintim LB Virginia
2 60 William Beatty OT Connecticut
3 85 Ramses Barden WR Cal Poly
3 100 Travis Beckum TE Wisconsin
4 129 Andre Brown RB N.C. State
5 151 Rhett Bomar QB Sam Houston State
6 200 DeAndre Wright DB New Mexico
7 238 Stoney Woodson DB South Carolina
Jerry Reese is the man as the Giants GM up in Manhattan. Across the board, the draft was one of the best of draft weekend. Thought they may take Kenny Britt over Hakeem Nicks due to his height and size, but the rest of the draft was a grand slam, IMO. We all know how much the Bird-Cage wanted Clint Sintim. Great pick. William Beatty was slotted as a first round grade by many “experts”. Really like the Beckum pick, although I think Shawn Nelson or Cornelius Ingram would have had more upside. Huge steal on Ramses Barden. The dude is 6′6′ and like 230. Talk about replacing Plaxico. Speedster Andre Brown is a good project to replace Derrick Ward. Rhett Bomar has huge upside. Top to bottom a great draft. Overall: A
Philadelphia Eagles
1 19 Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri
2 53 LeSean McCoy RB Pittsburgh
5 153 Cornelius Ingram TE Florida
5 157 Victor Harris CB Virginia Tech
5 159 Fenuki Tupou OT Oregon
6 194 Brandon Gibson WR Washington State
7 213 Paul Fanaika OG Arizona State
7 230 Moise Fokou LB Maryland
The Eagles GM is pretty rock solid year in and year out as well, and this year’s no exception. They have a nice combination of Needs-Based and Best Available. Case in point, they were probably looking at Moreno or Pettigrew, but when Maclin dropped to them they snatched him up quick. Pretty big steal since he was considered to go in the top 8 in most drafts. They draft a top 5 RB in McCoy that looks to be a good replacement for Westbrook while learning. Big steal on Ingram as many of us here in the ‘Cage had our eye on him as well. Victor Harris good pick in the 4th(remember, they don’t have the VT history we do). They added great depth on their O-Line with Tupou and OG Fanaika. It real tough not to give them an A+, but I’ll refrain. Overall: A.
Washington Redskins
1 13 Brian Orakpo DE Texas
3 80 Kevin Barnes CB Maryland
5 158 Cody Glenn LB Nebraska
6 186 Robert Henson LB TCU
7 221 Eddie Williams TE Idaho
7 243 Marko Mitchell WR Nevada
Even though many “experts” have given them a pretty low grade, I actually think they did somewhat ok, considering their handicap with limited draft picks. Getting Orakpo was a huge steal at #13 and will be a potential candidate for Rookie of the Year, IMO. Kevin Barnes will add some serious athleticism and depth to an already formidable secondary. I think Marko Mitchell might turn out to be huge steal with his size and speed. Drafting two LB’s is somewhat confusing. Overall, not too bad. Final: B-
So let’s hear it Gents, what’s your analysis/grades of the NFC East and their draft classes. Get in the game men…………..
row3
May 6th, 2009
3:56 pm
D3,
OFF-1(W MOORE) 2(A CURRY) 3(B CUSHING)
DEF-1(K MORENO) 2(M CRABTREE) 3(D BROWN)
row3
May 6th, 2009
4:20 pm
Peterson is my early pick for comeback player of the year. Who else would be considered for early speculation.
Alan
May 6th, 2009
8:03 pm
I can’t wait to see the 2nd year staff do there thing, sure the teams will be ready for the Birds,but don’t sell this staff short nor the players, they have been built from the ground up,Dimitrof the architect, Smitty the Engineer, the staff of assistants and a great group of players that believe in each other.
Look for a more challinging year, one that will bring the whole team together and come out as winners as they did last year. Go Birds!!!!
Ken Strickland
May 6th, 2009
8:33 pm
D3-excellent analysis. For a team to defeat the Falcons, they have to 1st stop our rushing OFF by containing RB’s MTurner and JNorwood. Secondly, they must stop our passing OFF. To do that they must consistently get to QB MRyan, because there’s no way anyone can consistently cover WR’s RWhite, MJenkins, HDouglas, BFinneran and TE TGonzalez.
michaelgee
May 6th, 2009
8:54 pm
just what I thought, there has not been a single genuine person comment on Stafford, so much for cross over interest DLed.
Just keep Falcon news in here please!
DLed, why not talk about what nobody anywhere has said. The PJerry draft gives us the catalyst that we have lacked. PJ will push QB’s into the arms of Abe and JA98, both of their sacks should go way up this season. The ENTIRE KEY to Smitty’s defense is to have a player like PJ who will disrupt or push the QB out of t he pocket. Now we can generate push and pressure, hey DLed, explain us some that. JA98 will become a start in 2009, if not only because of his maturity because we wil have a stud in the middle to force QB’s to leave the pocket for a change.
Give us what we need to be hearing Dled.
falcon21
May 6th, 2009
9:07 pm
Ken Strickland, do you think Finneran is a lock to make the team? I would hate to lose Finn but if a younger WR has a good pre-season then I think Finn could be the odd man out.
Ken Strickland
May 6th, 2009
11:51 pm
FALCON21-the trade of WR LRobinson pretty much made him a lock. Finneran, when healthy, has consistently been one of the teams best special team players. He’s our best clutch receiver and has actually led the NFL in 3rd down receptions on at least 2 occasions. No other none starting WR can offer as much value or versatility as Finn.
Take a look at my starting DEF.
DE’s CDavis & JAbraham
DT’s PJerry & JBabineaux
OLB’s MPeterson & SNicholas
MLB CLofton
CB’s CHouston & VHutchins
SS TDeCoud
FS EColeman
D3
May 7th, 2009
12:33 am
Good P.M. Bro’s! Almost done with the work week and a day closer to our first peek at the 2009 ATLANTA FALCONS, baby! Getting some d@— responses on our Rookie of the Year Competition, update included below. Great to see some new handles making their appearance here in the ‘Cage. We definitely welcome your thoughts, discussions, and input “talking intelligent football with cool fans”. Braves won a game, nice. Do our beloved Hawks have a chance to steal Game 2 in Cleveland? Back to Football……
OrlandoFalcon – agreed on our two big-time players. Can’t wait to see Gonzalez and Peterson walk out of that tunnel in red & black!
WR – what’s happenin’ brother? Great ideas on the division discussions, starting next week. Getting some good participation on the Rookie of the Year competition, but maybe not quite as much on the Draft Analysis. Hopefully, it’ll get good and cranked for mini-camp and for your division analysis idea. During the dry months, we gotta get creative to continue Falcons and Football Talk.
Ken Strick – great to hear from your bro’. How’s the house hunting going? Nice analysis on New Orleans. As of right now, the Shockey trade is not looking like a good one. They’ve spent a ton of $$$ on FA’s, none that have blown it out of the water. GREAT, GREAT IDEA ON FINAL STARTING SPOTS! Love that one on trying to get through the dry spell. How about a final starting lineup competition and a final 53 man roster competition? Sounds great. We can even do a breakdown of each throughout the summer.
Sarah B – great to have you back. I think I forgot to thank you for that recipe you submitted not too long ago. Agreed on returning to our Section in the fall. Section 316 rocks the HOUSE!
Mr.Charlie – glad to have you bro’. Many of us have made a concerted effort to focus on the positives and ignore the negatives. Our theory went that if we didn’t acknowledge or respond to insidious, vitriolic comments aimed specifically at spreading hate. Agree on The Sid, I think he definitely will work his way into a heavy rotation, and not totally rule out his grooming for an OLB spot in the mold of Terrell Suggs.
Marcos – you’re right on about CB’s. We only carried 4 CB’s on our active roster last year: Houston, Foxworth, Grimes, and C.Jackson. Currently, we have Houston, C.Jackson, Hutchins, Grimes, Irons, Chris Owens, & William Middleton in the fold. We carried 5 safeties last year as well: Milloy, Coleman, DeCoud, Fudge, & A.Harris. Just from the outside, looks like Irons, Grimes, & Hutchins might be on the hot seat. I could see us carrying 5 CB’s and 4 safeties this year.
blord – great point on defensive leaders. There’s definitely a defensive vacuum on leadership on that side of the ball. I’m looking for Coleman, Babineaux, Abraham, & Lofton to fill the void.
Alan – love your descriptions of the staff.
falcon21 – what’s up my man? I think BFinn is locked solidly in at #4 behind Roddy, Jenks, & HD. The Drew Bennett signing is very intriguing. The guy’s had a couple of down years, but was a d@— solid receiver a couple of years ago, a legitimate #2 for th Titans for awhile. I got my eye squarely fixed on the #5 spot at WR. I wanted us to grab local metro-ATL & Clemson product Aaron Kelly with our actual draft. When he went undrafted and we picked him up I was ecstatic. This is the perfect place to groom him. He’s one of the all-time leaders of REC TD’s at Clemson and has all the tools(6′5, 208, 4.55 forty) to be a solid #5 receiver for us.
Barry
May 7th, 2009
12:41 am
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!” That’s right! It is the start of practice and getting players in tuned to “ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!”
I love this time of year when the players fine tune their individual and personal skills to fit in to the big picture of when they come together as a team when the season start. When they become coordinated and efficient in what they do on the field. What they do among each other in building comeradery. What they feel for each other, on and off the field as teammates. What they understand and listen to when their coaches are instructing them abvout plays and everything else in the NFL. What the coaches are coordinating and developing with each other to make things work for themselves and the players to win the SUPER BOWL. What we, AS FANS, come out and feel,show, and express more than our interest and love for these FALCONS and how they play and how we are all a [part of it. WE ARE “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” That’s how we play here in Atlanta. And our “HEART” is going to beating stronger than ever with the “NEW EDITIONS” we ahve made to our “HEART”. WE ARE “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” And we are and will be a “FORCE” to deal with in these NFL this year. I can’t wait. But until then, let’s orientate the new guys to what this thing is about. COACHES, do your job. You know what I’m talking about. PLAYERS, play your game. FANS, show your support and CRAZY” enthusiasm. It’s time for “US” to operate and get in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” shape. I AM DOWN WITH THIS AND THE TEAM IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!
LET’s GO FALCONS!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………………..”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!……………….
JohnWaynesworld
May 7th, 2009
7:40 am
“First and ten from the Detroit 19 yard line…Matt Stafford surveys the Falcons defense while getting ready to take his first professional snap from center…Stafford fakes the handoff to Kevin Smith and will throw…He’s looking deep for Calvin Johnson…AND HE IS SACKED BY PERIA JERRY ON THE TEN YARD LINE! WHAT A PLAY BY THE TOP ROOKIE FOR THE ATLANTA FALCONS! JERRY LOOKED LIKE HE WAS SHOT OUT OF A CANNON JUST BLOWING BY THE CENTER AND LEFT GUARD BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN GET SET! WHAT A PICK UP IN THE DRAFT BY THE FALCONS!
Just getting ready…
D3
May 7th, 2009
8:17 am
Great Thursday A.M. Bro’s! One day away until our New Look 2009 Atlanta Falcons debut, complete with Peria Jerry, William Moore, Lawrence Sidbury, Mike Peterson, & Tony Gonzalez.
Rookie & New Addition Nickname Contest
Many of our new additions and incoming vets need some good solid nicknames for the upcoming season. Seen some good ones so far so let’s hear it.
I’ll start with my version:
-Peria “Pirhana” Jerry
-William Moore: Dub-Mo
-Chris Owens: CO
-Lawrence Sidbury – The Sid
-Garrett “Hacksaw Jr” Reynolds
-William Middleton – Dub-Mid
-Spencer “Dispenser” Adkins
-Vance “The Tank” Walker
-Aaron “Stretch” Kelly
-John Parker Wilson – JPW
-Mike “the Spike” Peterson
-Tony “Hall of Fame” Gonzalez
Let’s hear it peeps. Let’s get some good nicknames for our new ‘boys in red and black.
Here we go again
May 7th, 2009
9:25 am
First of all, this is technically a BLOG, so I don’t think including the Detroit update was totally inappropriate — I mean after all, the other “DOB” ajc blogger puts random song lyrics in his entries….. However, the news from Detroit probably should not have been the LEAD part of the story, considering the blog title/headline is “Falcons rookies to take field in mini-camp”……
JohnWaynesworld
May 7th, 2009
9:30 am
D3- I’ve got a few nicknames for the guys:
Peria “Mungo” Jerry – I guarantee that will be the handle that Boomer gives him. I like “The Butcher”.
William “Wammo” Moore – For his big hitting.
Chris “Pick” Owens – For his good hands.
Lawrence “El Sid” Sidbury or “L Sid”. – The QB conquerer.
Garrett “Mean” Reynolds – That’s what TD said of him.
William “Governor” Middleton – He’a a leader on and off.
Tony “And his wife” Gonzalez – Freudian slip.
The rest are good for me D3 until we see what their specialties are on the field.
mars
May 7th, 2009
9:34 am
What’s the scoop on getting rid of our dorky uniforms and donning something more appropriate for a bad a– team such as our Falcons? The Pop Warner look has got to go. As awful a coach as he was, we need to hire Jerry Glanville for fashion designer.
row3
May 7th, 2009
9:58 am
I love “Hacksaw Jr” for Reynolds, also loving “Pick” Owens. What about The “UnderTaker” for Sid-BURY.
Lee
May 7th, 2009
10:23 am
Kappelmiester, you sound like a “player hater”. Grow up.
Let’s Go Falcons!!
“ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!!!!!
Cameron
May 7th, 2009
11:03 am
I shouldn’t have only stated that Moore was a 2nd round pick as my only evidence. I ONLY mentioned that fact. If he returns to his junior year form, stays healthy, beats out DeCoud, then maybe he gets consideration for Def ROY. I just don’t see it. I see him more as a guy who beefed up his stats his junior year by playing in the pass-happy Big 12, with young QBs running the most prolific of the pass-happy teams. Colt McCoy was a sophomore and suffered from injuries all year. Bradford was a redshirt freshman. Graham Harrel was a junior, so I guess he would be the exception. I see him more in between his explosive junior year and injury-riddled senior year. Not defensive ROY imo. We will see though. For the record, I would love for him to win it.
I still do not understand how a defense like Missouri’s can have three All Big-12 performers (Hood, Moore, and Weatherspoon) and be one of the worst defenses in the nation. That is a top-notch player at each level of the defense. I know three players doesn’t make a defense. If they are as good as advertised they should be able to make the players around them better and turn that defenses into something close to solid. That never happened. Either they aren’t as good as the hype, or they played for “me” and not the “team.” Either way, that is not good. If it was me, I would have stayed away from all of those guys. Unless, you just got great value for them. I think we did for Moore, since he was projected to go higher. In my mind we got him right were he should have gone, maybe even a little higher.
And I know those guys won ROY even though they were second round picks. But, they played LB. LB is easier to make an early implact. Plus, they were high second round picks. Not in the bottom third of the second round.
I guess we will see.
cutter
May 7th, 2009
11:16 am
Finneran is a 33 yr old with one year left on his contract that had 169 yards receiving last year. He had one kick return for 5 yards and one punt return for 2 yards and lets not forget that costly fumble. With TG on board now Finn’s value on third down has greatly diminished. Finn has had some productive seasons for Atl after being cut by Philly but at best this is his last year in Atl. If he had not agreed to renogiate
cutter
May 7th, 2009
11:19 am
If he had not renogoiated his contract he probably would have left with Brooking.
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
12:16 pm
JohnWaynesworld – loved the commentary from Game 1. Now I really can’t wait for game 1.
Lil'Dave
May 7th, 2009
12:23 pm
Afternoon Bird Cage! I like Wammo for Moore’s nickname. How many of you are going to be at camp on Saturday? I know I’ll be there I only live 4 miles away woohoo! Throw those hands in the air and let me see who’ll be at Camp on Saturday.
Tony C.
May 7th, 2009
12:29 pm
D-Led Nice report-very interested to get coaching staff’s reaction to our 2nd round pick. Also, do they project Haynes as taking some of the workload off of Ovie’s shoulders???
Also, (and I know it’s nit-picky but…) it’s “KID” gloves, as in made of super-soft Chamois leather, not “KIT” gloves…. c’mon brother you’re supposed to be setting an example here! Don’t encourage near-litteracy.
Tony C.
May 7th, 2009
12:31 pm
D-Led -my apologies, here I am nit-picking and can’t even spell literacy properly.
My bad. Looking forward to more news from “Camp Smitty”
braveshater
May 7th, 2009
12:33 pm
Frustrated in the ATL-I dont feel the same way. He’ still on the roster and affecting the books, so thats why I wanna hear about him. As well as knowing how the young man is doing, he didnt kill anyone, just a few dogs. Who gives a damn, animals are killed and sacrificed eveyday. Are u angry with the white people that are doing it. I would guess not!!!!!! SO YOUR THE IGNORANT IDIOT TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
12:55 pm
D3 – Tony “Eye Candy” Gonzalez.
JohnWaynesworld
May 7th, 2009
1:30 pm
Cameron, sometimes it is not the players but the system. When a majority of NFL scouts say a kid is gifted, that doesn’t always translate to wins and losses or even statistics. The stats could be misleading because of time of possession, and the fact that there indeed were some darn good offenses in that conference. With Missouri’s record being 10-4, I would chalk it up to Missouri scoring too fast on passing (as they did all year long with Chase Daniel to Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman) and the rest of the game clock would belong to the opposing offense running up the stats on an overused defense and doing some scoring as well. It could be that without William Moore, Ziggy and Weatherspoon they would be 8-8 or much worse.
By the way I count 7 FIRST round draft picks from teams with losing records.
JohnWaynesworld
May 7th, 2009
1:31 pm
And thank you Sara B! You are too kind.
I MUS.WRITE
May 7th, 2009
1:32 pm
Cameron…..I think i speak for most people here- Y dont you shut the hell up, better yet staple your dam lips together hahaha…… Seriously tho enuff with the doom and gloom- We are’nt even in the first mini camp and you’re bashing our picks- I guess some people know more than our GM………..
John Wayne’s got it people- Peria “Mongo” Jerry…
William “Lights Out” Moore
Chris “The Blanket” Owens
Lawrence “The Ghost” Sidbury
JohnWaynesworld
May 7th, 2009
1:34 pm
Oops! You can’t be 8-8, so let’s change that to 7-7.
Falconless in Seattle
May 7th, 2009
1:43 pm
Any word on if the Falcons plan on signing any remaining free agents or are we planning on staying put? I still think we could use one or two more vets on D.
WR
May 7th, 2009
2:08 pm
Whats up my fellow bloggers
Sarah B, eye candy, come on now, glad to have you aboard, but its football, as interested as most of us men are in his wife, we don’t need any eye candy on the football field. He can be eye candy afterwards, sounds like discrimination but his wife is in the stands which makes a bit of a difference and even Rosie O’Donnell looks good after a few beers in the stands, on second thought maybe not,on the field we want Gonzo, off the field you can have all the eye candy you want.
Cutter, people like you make the blog interesting, Finneran is a fan favorite, but you pointed out the truth, with the addition of Gonzo Fin may be in trouble. Fin is a 6′5 receiver with decent hands which made him a threat when the Falcons were desparate for a third down conversion or in a goal line situation, Gonzo changes all of that.
Braveshater, I usually try to avoid controversy when throwing race into this blog, but I have to say your point actually would be better if you leave the white reference out of it. Truly you make a good point which says that you have some form of intelligence, so the best way to handle your argument would be to state, how is it that a man can get another individual killed in a car accident because he was speeding and drunk yet he is forgiven for making a mistake, yet a person who grew up in a bad environment,knows only what he’s been taught his whole life, and proceeds to live his life that way until he realizes the errors of his ways,not be given a chance for forgiveness. Forgivenes is forgiveness until someone takes away your ability to forgive. So Braveshater I’m with you, we loved him before his crime,he killed an animal and we kill animals everyday but somehow dogs became so sacred we cannot forgive another human-being, even though dogs and cats are eaten in other countries as pigs,cows,deer,possum,and the likes are in this country, he may be done in Atlanta, but any real fan of football who has a heart of a human-being hopes this guy can learn from his mistakes and become a productive member of society, whether in the NFL or where ever opportunity comes his way.
Sarah B, sorry had to reflect one more time, EYE CANDY, I can just imagine the commentary on that” 3rd and 12 Ryan is looking and looking, no one can get open, here comes the rush, wait EYE CANDY is wide open down the middle, touchdown EYE CANDY, sorry Sarah thats just wrong in so many ways.
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
3:14 pm
Sorry WR but they traded my previous “Eye Candy” Kerney to Seattle. But thanks for making me LOL on the announcer saying it on the loud speaker. I’ll keep it MY personal nickname. You guys get Cheerleaders…
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
3:17 pm
Just for kicks I’ll let you guys in on my Kerney nickname – It was “Baby Daddy”. Imagine that on the commentary…
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
3:17 pm
“Sacked by Baby Daddy”
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 7th, 2009
3:36 pm
So, I take it y’all didn’t like “Hip-Hip Peria” (pronounced Hip-Hip PerRay)?
What about “Danger Will Moore”? Get it; like, “Danger Will Robinson”? No?
Try this one. “Garrett Reynolds Wrap”. Come on, I know that one had to tickle your fancy.
(I need a Red Scripe; I bet I can come up with something after about four buurs).
I want to enter this contest for the starting lineup. Its good trivia while we wait for the upcoming season.
DE Abraham, Anderson
DT Jerry, Babineaux
ILB Lofton
OLB Peterson, Nicholas
CB Jackson, Houston
FS Coleman
SS Moore
I know thrusting Jerry into the starting lineup may be a stretch but, considering the Falcons started three rookies last season, starting Jerry immediately is not unlikely; and Moore will start, for this reason, as well. The most questionable area of our defense is at linebacker. I’m most interested in the competition at both outside linebacker positions, more than any other position on the football field. Nicholas and Peterson must epitomize the “interchangeable linebacker” position that the defensive scheme is requiring. Otherwise, we’ll note similar numbers in rush and pass defense as last year. I think Peterson can hold his own, though, no matter what position he’s asked to play. The question is going to be “how well does Nicholas hold his position?”. Expect Anderson to start and be highly productive. I don’t expect double-digit sacks (because of shared minutes) but I do expect the defensive end to put up some numbers that will make the organization consider an extended contract. Here’s to a good year, for Anderson!
OT Baker, Clabo
OG Dahl, Blalock
C McClure
TE Gonzalez
WR White, Jenkins
RB Turner
FB Mughelli
QB Ryan
The only change in this offensive lineup, from last year, is Tony Gonzalez. If it weren’t for the foreseeable wit of TD knowing that Pettigrew would be gone before “24″, we’d be in a predicament at tight end. Instead, one move (grabbing Gonzo) immediately thrusts us into playoff contention and probably a run at the Super Bowl.
Okay, I got one more for you. What about “Lawrence Sid-row”. You know, like “Skid Row”? Get it? “Sid-row”?
(I need another buur).
JohnWaynesworld
May 7th, 2009
3:49 pm
WR, you must be talking about liquor instead of beer where Rosie’s concerned. And earplugs.
Stirg d’Nahsif, I like the nicknames because they are so over the top. Reynolds Wrap. lol Could be holding though.
Sara B, nice nickname for Kerns. Know him? Well? lol
Lil'Dave
May 7th, 2009
3:51 pm
I like the “Garrett Reynolds Wrap” and “Lawrence Sid-row” is a good one too! And I’m still voting Wammo for Moore! No one ever said if they were going to the training camp am I the only one headed out there Saturday?
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
4:07 pm
Unfortunatly No JohnWaynesworld it was a fantasy nickname. I did meet him at an autographing thing at Falcons 360 once and got my jersy signed and a pic with him. Its here on my desk in a Falcons frame I got for X-Mas last year.
long time falcon
May 7th, 2009
4:21 pm
Here is an update on trey lewis since DOL can’t seem to get one.
Wednesday – 03/25/09, 03:45PM
Lewis ready to put knee injury behind him
by J. Michael Moore, AtlantaFalcons.com Managing Editor
E-Mail | Print | Font: « Back To News | More News:News » Features » Offseason Conditioning » Offseason » Trey Lewis »
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Trey Lewis wasn’t on the field but that doesn’t mean he was sequestered from the wave of positive emotions that washed the Falcons organization last season.
With six games left in 2007 Lewis, then a rookie, tore an ACL . He watched as former coach Bobby Petrino resigned and as new General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and Head Coach Mike Smith started putting the pieces together.
A second injury during rehab delayed his progress and he was on the sideline for offseason workouts, training camp and the team’s historic run into the playoffs.
“I just thought I tweaked it,” Lewis said when asked about the fluke injury that required additional surgery. “When you have your surgery the knee feels different every day. I just thought something was weird. I didn’t know until a couple days later when I got a call with the results of the MRI. You just have to pick up the pieces and start over again.”
It was hard, but 16 months after the initial injury Lewis is smiling.
“I had mixed emotions; wanting the team to do well but not being a part of it was kind of hard,” Lewis said Tuesday morning after a vigorous weight room session. “From high school until I got hurt in the NFL… that was the first time I had a serious injury. I never missed a game. It was pretty hard on me mentally but I just had to focus in on rehabbing and now I feel good and ready to play.”
Lewis remained on the physically unable to perform list through the season. His five starts, 23 tackles and one interception were buried back in 2007. Now he’s moving around comfortably and rejoining his teammates in offseason conditioning.
Though he is cleared to participate in organized team activities, including on-field work, he wants to make sure he remains healthy for the rigors of the preseason.
“As of right now I want to get through this offseason program and make sure everything is good,” he said. “I want to get confident with my knees right now so, when training camp starts, I’m full throttle and there’s no holding back whatsoever.”
Lewis said he’s mentally prepared to jump into the team’s defensive system, which enters its second year under defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Though he never got on-field work in defensive line coach Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton’s drills, Lewis attended “every meeting” and watched plenty of film.
Ironically, he thinks a year to study the game and lift weights could make him a better player.
“I think I’m a lot stronger, especially in my upper body,” he said, a light sweat on his brow from an offseason workout. “My lower body feels stronger than it was prior to the injury. I’m excited to see what I can do now with a year of NFL lifting and training without banging on (on the knee).”
Where and how much he plays along the line remains a question.
With the No. 24 pick in the upcoming draft the Falcons may be in a position to select a defensive tackle that can step in for Grady Jackson, who left in free agency. Then again, Lewis has versatility to play nose or under tackle.
He said coaches haven’t said if he’ll play one or both the tackle positions.
Either way, Lewis is just happy to be in a position to ride the Falcons waves of success and not watch from the shore.
“I know the system well and it shouldn’t be hard for me to get back into the swing of things,” he said.
D3
May 7th, 2009
4:27 pm
What’s up Bird-Cage Bro’s & Sis’s? Hope all is well on this glorious thursday afternoon. Great afternoon for a few cold ones, tried a little Carib brew last week and it was solid. Gotta try those warm-weather brews as we enter summer. This blog is alive, well, and kicking….LOVE IT! And to the matter at hand……..
Lil’ Dave – I’m working on trying to make it up to the ‘Branch for the A.M. session on Saturday. Got a month old little boy at home, so I’m sure you can see where my time might be needed. I really would love to go though. Probably know by tomorrow. If so, I’ll try to meet up.
Sarah B. – Hey, whatever works for you is fine by me. As long as they can spot in on his wife to make up the difference, than I’m cool. We do have the cheerleaders. Just glad to have female fans in the ‘Cage and @ The TerrorDome. I got really lucky in that I married a football fan, even though she’s a Tenn. Grad and a I’m a UGA Grad. Let you guess how the first weekend in October goes in our household.
cutter – true that BFinn is on the downside age wise, but he had a d@–fine year last season. Maybe not statiscally wise, but I can remember some HUGE 3rd down conversions he made for us this year and some great special teams plays as well. Also gotta remember too that even though he missed two seasons because of injury thats also 20 games a year(including pre-season) he didn’t get his body beat-on. So in a strange way, you could look at it as he’s 31 stamina wise. He’s definitely locked in at #4. His age gives even more of a reason why Aaron Kelly should make the team and be groomed as BFinn’s replacement. Don’t really understand the Drew Bennett signing, since he’ll be 33 this year as well.
I.MUS – where you been bro’? Glad to have you back. I think Cameron is just playing a little devil’s advocate is all. William Moore does have a few question marks around him just because of his senior year, but he battled injuries the entire year and evidently Mizzou’s D-Coordinator sucked. He WILL be the man. I think he gives DeCoud everything he wants and wins the starting job.
Falconless – if I were to bet, I would say that we’re probably done on FA’s at least until the first round of releases in August Training Camp, JMHO. How is Seattle? Always wanted to visit, looks like such a cool city.
WR – what’s up G? We still in on starting the Division-by-Division analysis/predictions you talked about for next week? Well put on former Falcon. The past is in the past, we are a forgiving nation, and wish the best for the both of us.
Stirg – what’s going on my brother to the North? Your nicknames get the award for funniest and most original for sure. Ken Strick came up with the idea about starting lineups. Pretty great idea, eh? Most are pretty much going to locked up except for a few. Positions that are up in the air: RCB, LCB, WILL, DT, RDE, SS, and that’s about it by my account. Another fun competition and idea will be to predict the final 53 man roster. That will be a ton of fun as we get closer to Training Camp in August.
RCB – Houston
LCB – Chevis Jackson
SS – William Moore
RDE – Chauncey Davis
WILL – Stephen Nicholas
DT – Peria “Mongo” Jerry
Great conversations rolling my friends. Keep it going. Our Division Draft Analysis/Grades are moving into the NFC North tonight for those of you interested.
More later………
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
4:32 pm
Anyone else really miss the Falcon channel we used to get on Comcast 119? It was like training camp in your living room
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
4:35 pm
D3 I bet you hear that stupid Rocky Top song all the time don’t you???
mars
May 7th, 2009
4:38 pm
So… no one else agrees with me that the uniforms are pimpled-butt ugly? I mean, the ugliest in the league!
WR, I commend your effort to be diplomatic. However, I must point something out. It wasn’t ‘an animal,’ there were many that didn’t die in the ring that were electrocuted and/or drowned..by hand… by him… while struggling to live. It was rumoured that he fed his small pet dogs (while alive) to the fighters for fun. The sacredness of dogs or any animal has nothing to do with it. Some people think that this is acceptable, but consider waterboarding bad. I don’t get it. I personally don’t believe any living thing should have to endure the deviant behavior described above. However, I do believe in forgiveness…..
SPS
May 7th, 2009
4:46 pm
I’m not going to sweat the starting lineup for the D-line. The way Smitty rotates the linemen, everyone on the roster will get plenty of snaps. Being a “starter” is just a label for those 4 positions.
Sarah B
May 7th, 2009
5:01 pm
No mars only when they wear all black. I don’t like solid uni’s. So that makes Seattle the ugliest, with the Bengals a very close 2nd ugg and then Bronco’s stupid curved stripe down the leg. The Jest throwback last year were just freaky. So no ours are not even close to the ugliest.
D3 you are so luckie to marry a football fan. I have guy friends that have to ask permission to go to games with their buds. That’s just plain wrong! I had to get my season tix with my guy best friend because my stuipd ex-husband didn’t like football. At least he didn’t try to stop that one or I would have divorced him 11 years ago, oh wait I guess I meant never have married him at all. Damn, now I wish he would have tried to stop me.
Falcon Devil
May 7th, 2009
5:06 pm
You are living on Mars, our uniforms are PIMP!!!!
cutter
May 7th, 2009
5:10 pm
D3- I would hesitate to say that any player who is 4th on the depth chart on a professional football team is a lock.