Gonzalez shines as minicamp closes
See if you can find Falcons owner Arthur Blank? Minicamp was open to the public on Saturday. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – The one lasting impression of the Falcons minicamp, was seeing Tony Gonzalez whizzing around the field like a youngster.
He appeared to catch everything thrown his way. On Sunday, he drove out to tip a pass that was too far in front of him. While falling to the ground, he caught the ball.
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey had him run a couple of vertical routes and it doesn’t look like the 33-year-old has lost a step. (Wonder if the Hawks have called the Falcons to see if he can suit up for Game 4 on Monday. Gonzalez also played hoops at California and went to the Sweet 16 with Jason Kidd and the crew back in the day.)
“He’s everything that I’ve seen for the last nine or 10 years,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith
Falcon fan Michael "STATS" Walling (42), of Dawsonville, was excited to see new tight end Tony Gonzalez. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
said. “He’s the prototypical tight end. He can block. He can catch. He can run after the catch. He’s just a guy who’s going to make everybody on this team, offense and defense, better.
KICKING IT WITH THE BVG: Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is still the loudest coach on the field.
He’s got perhaps the toughest job, but has tons of help from his assistants and Smith. Molding at least five new starters into the unit is going something we’ll keep tabs on.
POSITION OUT IN
Strong safety Lawyer Milloy Thomas DeCoud
Cornerback Dominique Foxworth Brent Grimes
Weakside LB KeithBrooking Michael Peterson
Strongside LB Michael Boley Stephen Nicholas
Nose tackle Grady Jackson Trey Lewis
BVG thinks he has enough veterans to blend in some of the young talent.
John Abraham did not practice during mini-camp. The Falcons would not say if he a surgery or medical procedure. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
He cited Erik Coleman, Michael Peterson, John Abraham and Chauncey Davis.
“We’ve got enough veteran leadership that can work out to be a great blend with the young players,” VanGorder said. “With young players . . . right now it’s kind of crucial to allow them to get comfortable.”
COMPETITION: Smith said don’t put too much stock into how the unit lined up in mini-camp. There will be plenty of competition for those starting spots. First round pick Peria Jerry could push Lewis. Chris Owens could push Grimes and William Moore could push DeCoud.
“They are competing for playing time,” VanGorder said. “That playing time could come in a lot of different forms. That doesn’t mean, just as a starter. Certainly a lot of guys are battling for starting positions. Some guys are trying to earn spots on the roster. Some guys are trying to get into the two-deep so that they can gain reps. There are a lot of dynamics involved in that.”
NO MATTER HOW IT GOES DOWN, THE DEFENSE WILL BE YOUNG: “We’re going to be young,
Trey Lews (97) had a minor scare on his first day back after two knee surgeries. He spent last season on injured reserve. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
but I still think we’ve got a good mixture,” VanGorder said. “We have a number of guys going into their third year. We played with some rookies last year, who gained some valuable experience and should improve this year.
We’ve got a good formula set up.”
MULARKEY ON THE OFFENSE: Mularkey knows that with Gonazlez on board, teams will have trouble keying on one player.
There were games last season, when teams could sellout on stopping Michael Turner or Roddy White and shut the offense down.
“It will be hard to beat down on one guy with Tony in there,” Mularkey said. “It should help the run game with him in there.”
The theme for the offense is “Get Better.”
“We want to get better, everywhere,” Mularkey said.
THE ROOKIES: Made it a point to meet all of the rookie draft choices. Real nice and intelligent group. The Garrett Reynolds kid is huge. He’s the second biggest lineman next to Tyson Clabo. Was worried about the cornerbacks — Chris Owens and William Middleton — being to small. But one Falcon scout told me “as long as they can play.” And warned not to get caught up on their height. William Moore looks like a stud, now it will just be a matter of how fast will he pick up the defense.
Well, now that mini-camp is over, did you get your football fix? Learn anything new about the rookies? Worried about the defense still? Excited about the offense?
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768 comments Add your comment
row3
May 12th, 2009
7:23 pm
1 DEN @ CIN L
2 CLE @ DEN W
3 DEN @ OAK W
4 DAL @ DEN L
5 NE @ DEN L
6 DEN @ SD L
7 BYE
8 DEN @ BAL L
9 PIT @ DEN L
10 DEN @ WAS W
11 SD @ DEN W
12 NYG @ DEN L
13 DEN @ KC W
14 DEN @ IND L
15 OAK @ DEN W
16 DEN @ PHI L
17 KC @ DEN W
DENVER GOES 7-9 IN LANE KIFFIN’S FIRST YEAR AS DENVER’S HEAD COACH
row3
May 12th, 2009
7:35 pm
Sorry..I meant Josh McDaniels.
jason.watson
May 12th, 2009
8:14 pm
row3, Lane Kiffin? Not much of a Vol fan, are you ? (lol)
WR
May 12th, 2009
8:17 pm
1 Den@Cin–L, Cincy gets Palmer back and the D will be improved
2 Cle@Den–W, Same of Browns, different unproven coach and QB
3 Den@Oak–L, Even with an awful draft Raiders show sign of life
4 Dal@Den–L, Not even the dysfunctional Cowboys match Denvers woes
5 NE@Den—L, Brady’s back enough said
6 Den@SD—L, Without a Cutler showdown, Rivers goes off
7 BYE——Losses mount as tension fumes toward the head coach
8 Den@Bal–L, Ravens add insult to brutal season
9 Pit@Den–L, With hope lost Steelers pound the Broncos to roaring hometown boos
10 Den@Was-W,Upset alert, Skins are overconfident and blow this game
11 SD@Den–L,Chargers rest starters in the fourth quarter
12 NYG@Den-L,After a nice rookie season, Moreno gets battered and bruised by the boys in blue
13 Den@KC-W, After all the loses and with nothing to lose the team starts to show signs of the future
14 Den@Ind-L, Signs of the future take a step back with this watershed beating
15 Oak@Den-W, Pride won’t allow the team to lose to Oakland at home
16 Den@Phi-L, Dawkins pride aside, Broncos get demonlished in the city of brotherly love
17 KC@Den–W, With the season finally about over, players relax and realize not even Oakland is this bad.
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
8:24 pm
Just got in…Denver’s 2009 record will be 8-8. Ball control and Moreno shines.
jason.watson
May 12th, 2009
8:25 pm
We had been talking before about the back up QB spot. I really don’t see Redman making the team due to salary, Matty Ice’s durability. My question is , if DJ and JPW bot do not show the wears of making #2 on the depth chart; who out there would be a cheap, affordable option for ATL ?
jason.watson
May 12th, 2009
8:45 pm
The more I think about it. Denver’s D is not going to be good this year. Half their DB backfield is old. I feel old thinking that Champ Bailey has been playing for 11 years. AHH seems like yesterdy… Anyway, I see 2 starters at LB, don’t know who would be the other 2. DL just looks awfully young. They do seem to some veteran on the bench. I think there are to many positions up for grabs for them to be considered contenders for much of anything. I picked 8-8, that seems to positive thinking. They could finish anywhere from 8-8 to 4-12. Alot of times the difference in winning and losing in the NFL is inches. For Denver it is going to be miles. I don’t see how they will be consistent on any facet of the game except ST; if they will be consistent there either.
D3
May 12th, 2009
8:51 pm
Great stuff guys! Love the momentum and Mojo we’re keeping here in the Bird-Cage.
2009 Bird-Cage Division/Team Analysis & Final Predictions Competition
Unca’ Bob
Broncos: 5-11
WR
Broncos: 5-11
D3
Broncos: 6-10
Sarah B.
Broncos: 6-10
Lil’ Dave
Broncos: 7-9
jason
Broncos: 8-8
row3
Broncos: 7-9
Johnwaynesworld: 8-8 (need individual picks when you get a chance)
Keep it rollin’ guys and gals. Still waiting on few of our faithful to get in on the action. If you ever miss a day or team for any reason, you can always just post it up and I’ll save it.
Also, if you need reminders just let me know and I can remind you of any record or prediction you may have forgot.
81 DAYS AND COUNTING TO 2009 ATLANTA FALCONS TRAINING CAMP!!!!
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
8:54 pm
jason.watson, Redman is the only backup QB on the team who has played in an NFL regular season game. Redman knows the playbook and was actually pretty good at times. Redman is “insurance” for an NFL season. I think it is a Georgia vs Alabama competition for #3.
That is unless we are planning on running any “Wildcat” formations. Then Shockley would have the unquestioned edge for his speed and elusiveness.
D3
May 12th, 2009
8:57 pm
jason.watson – glad to have you in the Bird-Cage brother. Just let me know what you decide on and I’ll save it on my comp. Also list what games they win and which ones they lose. I posted a schedule on one of my earlier posts. If Redman is let go, look for Shockley to move up to #2 and JPW to move to #3.
One last time for anyone who may have missed it:
2009 Bird-Cage Division/Team Analysis & Final Standings Competition
Weekly Division: AFC West
Today’s Team: Denver Broncos
Bronco’s 2009 Schedule
1 Sep 13 DEN @ CIN
2 Sep 20 CLE @ DEN
3 Sep 27 DEN @ OAK
4 Oct 04 DAL @ DEN
5 Oct 11 NE @ DEN
6 Oct 19 DEN @ SD
7 Bye
8 Nov 01 DEN @ BAL
9 Nov 09 PIT @ DEN
10 Nov 15 DEN @ WAS
11 Nov 22 SD @ DEN
12 Nov 26 NYG @ DEN
13 Dec 06 DEN @ KC
14 Dec 13 DEN @ IND
15 Dec 20 OAK @ DEN
16 Dec 27 DEN @ PHI
17 Jan 03 KC @ DEN
Projected Starters(Best Available)
Offense
QB – Kyle Orton
FB – Peyton Hillis
RB – Correll Buckhalter/Knowshon Moreno/JJ Arrington
TE – Tony Scheffler
WR – Brandon Marshall
WR – Eddie Royal
LT – Ryan Clady
LG – Ben Hamilton
C – Casey Wiegmann
RG – Chris Kuper
RT – Ryan Harris
Defense (3-4)
NT – Marcus Thomas
DE – Robert Ayers
DE – Jarvis Moss
OLB – Boss Bailey
ILB – DJ Williams
ILB – Andra Davis
OLB – Mario Hagan?
CB – Champ Bailey
CB – Josh Bell/Alphonso Smith
SS – Brian Dawkins
FS – Renaldo Hill/Darcel McBath
K – Matt Prater
P – Brett Kern
So there you have it. Let’s hear it about the Broncos described with the following:
-analyze schedule, starters, possible wins/losses, draft picks, etc
-analyze a team each day mon-thurs, & friday-saturday can be our final standings prediction, which I will save
-predict where wins & losses will come, final standings, & division rank
-1 point for each correct win through the regular season
-winner gets Ultimate Bragging Rights! and any “incentive” we want to add
Tomorrow
Weekly Division: AFC West
Team: San Diego Chargers
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
9:03 pm
Here ya go:
1 DEN @ CIN W
2 CLE @ DEN W
3 DEN @ OAK W
4 DAL @ DEN W
5 NE @ DEN L
6 DEN @ SD L
7 BYE
8 DEN @ BAL L
9 PIT @ DEN L
10 DEN @ WAS W
11 SD @ DEN W
12 NYG @ DEN L
13 DEN @ KC L
14 DEN @ IND L
15 OAK @ DEN W
16 DEN @ PHI L
17 KC @ DEN W
jason
May 12th, 2009
9:04 pm
D3, jason.watson is me jason. I am on my home computer now. Sorry aboutthe confusion, about sent my e-mail address world wide lol…
JohnWaynesworld, sorry for confusion on my question. If ATL were to look outside of the organization for a #2, considering Redman’s pricetag, any ideas who is or might be available as a expirenced veteran QB?
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
9:14 pm
I looked at the latest list and I see nothing but trouble and inconsistency. I see underachievers and busts. I see wannabees and crash test dummies.
I think Redman is our #2 guy all the way. If we don’t go with him because of money then we might as well go with DJ (And I’m not saying that is a bad thing) and have JPW carry a clipboard for a year and learn.
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
9:18 pm
Here the list I was looking at:
Brooks Bollinger UFA Dallas Cowboys
Ken Dorsey UFA Cleveland Browns
Bruce Eugene RFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gus Frerotte UFA Minnesota Vikings
Charlie Frye UFA Seattle Seahawks
Quinn Gray UFA Kansas City Chiefs
Trent Green UFA St. Louis Rams
Rex Grossman UFA Chicago Bears
Darrell Hackney UFA Denver Broncos
Drew Henson RFA Detroit Lions
Brad Johnson UFA Dallas Cowboys
J.P. Losman UFA Buffalo Bills
Jamie Martin UFA San Francisco 49ers
Anthony Wright UFA New York Giants
Now blow on those dice and ROLL!
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 12th, 2009
9:30 pm
You’re most welcome, D3; My pleasure. I like Pachebel; good chamber music. That was a great choice to start.
I was one of the first ones to enter my analysis on Denver. Thought you got it. Oh well, that monster may be on the lurk. Anywho, here it is:
1 DEN @ CIN L
2 CLE @ DEN W
3 DEN @ OAK W
4 DAL @ DEN L
5 NE @ DEN W For this game, Denver finds a way to win
6 DEN @ SD L
7 BYE
8 DEN @ BAL L
9 PIT @ DEN L
10 DEN @ WAS L
11 SD @ DEN W
12 NYG @ DEN L
13 DEN @ KC L
14 DEN @ IND L
15 OAK @ DEN W
16 DEN @ PHI L
17 KC @ DEN W
Denver Broncos are going to meet most people expectations, by having a losing season and failing to reach the post-season. They will give their fans, including the GM, at least one week of excitement, by beating New England at home; that’ll be the upset of the week (mark your calenders). Other than that, I agree with most people on their win/loss record. Broncos go 6-10.
Sarah B
May 12th, 2009
9:30 pm
JohnWW that is a pitiful list…. arrrgh. I guess we sick with what we got. I think Shockley or Redman would be fine for a game or two but.s let’s just remind the OL WHAT exactly they are protecting and they will probably perform as they did last year and keep Ryan safe and Turner running. After all they want a ring too!! I hope as bad as I do and I don’t even get one… lol
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
9:41 pm
Sarah B, You must not like my list because of the Dallas game. lol You see I remember how porous their run defense was last year and I just watched Romo throw 5 or 6 interceptions vs Buffalo in a replay game on the NFL channel, so I just thought that (and my deep seated hatred for Danny White and the 1980 team) that I would pick Denver to “upset” the Cowpies.
Logic win out once again!
JJ
May 12th, 2009
9:43 pm
Hey: rockin’ today, I saw, I read and I’m going to bed! Sorry D3, SWAMPED AT WORK(contractor and its not raining), WILL CONTRIBUTE WHEN i CAN! GO FALCONS – CUE BARRY! Dont mean to yell, to tired to change it! See ya at 5:30am! augh!
JohnWaynesworld
May 12th, 2009
9:46 pm
Gonzalez (the Braves one) is ticking me off. I’m going to bed.
Ken Strickland
May 12th, 2009
9:49 pm
What’s up everyone? I just finished reading a final draft grade assigned to every NFC South team. Neither of the 3 teams in our division got a grade higher than D. The Saints got an F while the Falcons got a B+.
They loved our first 4 picks and believe it’s possible for SS WMoore, CB COwens and DT PJerry to win starting jobs. Although LSidbury is considered a work in progress, he’s considered one the drafts biggest steals and will be an impact player in a couple of yrs. They said if SS WMoore and CB COwens play up to their potential, they will be impact players a whole lot sooner than later. They also felt GA TECH DT VWalker is a 7th rd steal and were also high on OT GReynolds.
It seems the only key vet that remains unsigned is RFA OT TClabo. I’ll bet you Miami, New England and Carolina are already trying to figure out how to contend with our improved OFF. Consider this.
There are 5 teams(Panthers, Bucs, Saints, Bears, Eagles) on this yrs schedule that were on last yrs schedule that make up 8 gms. At the start of last yr, we were missing the chemistry, familiarity, expanded and upgraded OFF and much improved DEF. Those improvements and additions could very easily help us sweep all 5 teams this yr. We play Buffalo, Washington and Miami at home and could easily win at least 2 of those. We play the 49er’s, Cowboys, Jets, Giants and Patriots on the road and could get at least 2 wins out of that group. Therefore, if we get 7 wins from the teams we played last yr, 2 wins from our remaining home gms and 2 wins from our remaining away gms, we’ll match last season’s 11-5 record, at the very least. If our rushing and passing DEF steps up, we could actually improve upon that win total.
Sarah B
May 12th, 2009
9:58 pm
Hey Ken – 11-5 is the same as I said and i sid 8-8going into last year and was wrong by 3 games, let’s hope that optimism continues this year – we should be 14-3 if that mark holds. Hold your breath – it’s gonna be a great season from where I SIT 342 ROW 6….
Sarah B
May 12th, 2009
9:59 pm
Oops hit caps lock by mistake.
jason
May 12th, 2009
10:24 pm
JohnWaynesworld, not a good list at all. Redman looking more like a keeper now. I think DJ at#3, with JPW being kept for developement purposes. It almost looks as if TD had his eye on JPW going into the later rounds of the draft. He new he had a chance sign him. As well as The clemson WR, whose name escapes me now.
Sarah B
May 12th, 2009
10:27 pm
Don’t cut off the chat or DOL might cut of our link. We must keep this going.
Sarah B
May 12th, 2009
10:29 pm
Well see you in the morning got to turn in.
row3
May 12th, 2009
10:56 pm
jason..anything but a Vol fan, lame attempt at humor, comparing J McDaniel as the new NFL version of L Kiffin, the way he handled the Cuttler situation, they remind me of each other. No offense to Vol fans.
Born a Dawg, Die a Dawg!
Born a Falcon, Die a Falcon!
Homer for life.
Boxcarar
May 13th, 2009
1:01 am
Scrolled through the blog and have a comment about rotating DB’s just to keep them fresh. Will Drew Brees or any other good QB, have an audible to attack the newbee? Just trying to keep the content alive.
Ed
May 13th, 2009
4:32 am
1 Sep 13 DEN @ CIN L
2 Sep 20 CLE @ DEN W
3 Sep 27 DEN @ OAK W
4 Oct 04 DAL @ DEN L
5 Oct 11 NE @ DEN L
6 Oct 19 DEN @ SD L
7 Bye
8 Nov 01 DEN @ BAL L
9 Nov 09 PIT @ DEN L
10 Nov 15 DEN @ WAS L
11 Nov 22 SD @ DEN L
12 Nov 26 NYG @ DEN L
13 Dec 06 DEN @ KC W
14 Dec 13 DEN @ IND L
15 Dec 20 OAK @ DEN W
16 Dec 27 DEN @ PHI L
17 Jan 03 KC @ DEN W
That would be 5-11
Here we Go
May 13th, 2009
5:07 am
From Dacha:
BTW, crabapplejoe: How is Brooking doing over there with the Cowboys? Keep us posted, man.
So dacha, remembering that crabapplejoe was always a Brooking fan, asks how Brooking is doing with the cowboys. Looks like a casual friendly gesture to me. But this is how crabapplejoe responds:
From crabapplejoe:
dacha wrote: “BTW, crabapplejoe: How is Brooking doing over there with the Cowboys? Keep us posted, man.”
Don’t know dude….not a Cowboys fan…you? In fact I hate the Cowboys. Not sure what Brooking has to do with Lawyer Milloy. One got picked up 36 hours into free agency and nobody wants the other…that’s all I know dude. You seem to have a problem with that…and I think I know why.
Strange. Could have sworn that dacha said NOTHING about Lawyer Milloy, and simply asked a known Brooking fan how Brooking was doing with his new team. And for this, dacha gets flamed. Yes, it is quite obvious who has the problem, and what the problem is. It would seem that crabapplejoe falls into the same category as VS and VS2 did: unable to post anything positive about the team unless talking about one particular former member thereof, and certainly not able to say anything about any other player without making an unfavorable mention of a black athlete. What a shame. Oh well. If not for idiotic, racist morons, the rest of us would not know what normal is….
jason
May 13th, 2009
6:13 am
row3, i should be grounded and sent to my room for accussing any great Homer of being a VOL fan. My bad. I do get your point one McDaniel. Darn ADHD…
JJ
May 13th, 2009
6:28 am
Denver: 2 – 14, they play oakland twice, right?
Unca' Bob
May 13th, 2009
7:00 am
Good morning all. The sun is coming up in MY backyard once again. I think I’ll share it with y’all.
Back-up QB: Money, while it is and should be, a consideration. I do not think it will be the last factor to determine this competition. Should Matt Ryan opt to take a vacation after game four, where does that leave us as a team and as Falcon fans? As for me, pretty shaken. Enter the back-up QB. Say things don’t go well and we start to slide some. Fans are going to show up at the Dome disguised as empty seats. OK OK, you see where I’m going with this.
I think players salary alone per annum is One Hundred Million dollars and “change”. Mr. Blank, TD, and Coach Smith & Co. are not going to skimp here. They will pay and play the best available player regardless of position…Just a though.
jason
May 13th, 2009
7:20 am
Good reasoning Unca’ Bob . By the way good morning, Sir. With that you would have to keep Redman as back up. I do think if you are looking at DJ in the long term, I think at some point this year you would have to consider getting him on the field to gain some kind of expirence. Not at cost of wins mind you.
jason
May 13th, 2009
7:49 am
D3, Stirg d’Nahsif, row3, and everyone. Good Morning. Hey guys, I’ve got a problem. I am hooked, no addicted to this blog. I have found no other place I can talk and debate one of my passions. No interuptions from knuckleheads in immature rival talk. Thank you for inviting me on to your blog. This started out for me on draft week end. I was looking for some info on my Falcons. I needed that football “fix” to get me to training camp. I wondered on to DOL’s blog not knowing what i was getting into. I simply asked a question and D3 and Seminole Warrior responde. Now I am hooked. I read every post. I check the blog when I first get to work, and before I turn in at night. I even think the misses thinks I’m chatting with girls on line. I am a secret blooger at work. I don’t know. I might need an intervention !!! LOL!!!
So, the San Deigo Chargers are on the list today. Not going to go into much detail. However, They are my pick to win AFC West.
Unca' Bob
May 13th, 2009
8:13 am
jason,
Thank you. If there is a gap in talent between player A and player B, then, yes, you go with player A. Should that gap disappear, and all things are equal except money, they will then go with player B. Basically, what I’m saying is money is not the only consideration.
I don’t feel we are going to see a great deal of Matt Ryan during the pre-season this year. What we will see is a lot from the back-ups and so will Coach Smith & Co. If DJS prevails, I do, at some point and time, see him getting some playing time. Fourth quarter, home team up big time…that sort of thing…Just a thought.
crabapplejoe
May 13th, 2009
8:34 am
@Here We Go: “Lawyer Milloy still hasn’t signed anywhere. Is he done or is it just that no one wants him? I would think that it might be a decent idea for the Falcons to pick him up f he’s not going anywhere and could be gotten for cheap.”
Look you moron…that is the post we were responding to about Lawyer Milloy…it had nothing to do with KB56. Then Dacha brought up Brooking, not me. I simply responded to the above posting stating that Milloy would not be coming back, as did several others. Read the whole thread you idiot. So if I don’t think the Falcons will resign Milloy I am a racist…whatever. So if you don’t think the Falcons should resign Brooking are you a racist? How did you do in Logic 101 in college?
Unca' Bob
May 13th, 2009
9:04 am
Ken Strickland,
From what I’ve been reading, everyone is big on both Moore and Owens. I did read something on Owens during mini-camp that I did not take as a plus. It said he has great make up speed. To me that sounds like someone was jukin’ him pretty him good.
I still have some reservations about the home & home games, though none with the Buc’s. The DC last season just SAID he was leaving and they folded. I had Carolina’s draft scored a little higher. IMO they are still the team to beat in our division. And we will. The Saint’s are really in a scramble mode on Defense. They only had four picks this year and Arnoux LB, is out for the season. Should we sweep NO, and split with Carolina, We Win. Carolina will lose in NO. Shaky Jake told me so.
jason
May 13th, 2009
9:15 am
I don’t know how much of a gap in talent there is if there is one. Alot of it falls on playing time. I was thinking the same thing about the preseason. I just didn’t know how muck of the offense Matty Ice had learned. I would like to see the preseaon go Dj vs. Redman ; all out for the back up. JPW playing alot of 4 qt. in a developemental role. Alot is key for DJ. he’s been in the league for 3 years, but had to deal with 3 different OCs.
jason
May 13th, 2009
9:25 am
Alot of repitions is key for DJ….
Unca' Bob
May 13th, 2009
9:31 am
jason,
I understand. The top three QB’s are in their second season now. As to Matt Ryan, he spent a lot of time during the off-season watching last years game tapes. He will do fine. The DJS-v-Redman thing, you will get your wish.
Ken Strickland
May 13th, 2009
10:01 am
When it comes to QB’s, we’ve seen that TD and Smitty favor accuracy over arm strength. Redman has demonstrated as a starter that he’s a very accurate passer, which is why Petrino brought him in. The battle for #3 backup will boil down to which of the 2 has the most accurate arm. The OFF Smitty and TE have constructed is very QB friendly. We have a dominant rushing OFF(#2 behind the Giants), a passing OFF that features 2 Probowl REC’s(TE TGonzalez & WR RWhite) and an OL that does an excellent job of protecting the QB. MRyan’s intangibles, such as leadership and presence, are what separates him from QB CRedman. We’ll be in good hands with CRedman. Look, Redman proved he can play when he took over the mess of a team that was left when HC RPetrino bolted. We had the NFL’s worst rushing OFF and one of the worst passing OFF’s. Yet, in the final 2 gms he led our OFF by putting up 27pts in a 27-30 OT loss to Arizona and 44pts in a 44-41 win over Seattle. The only problem with Redman is can we afford to resign him.
jason
May 13th, 2009
10:16 am
Not as worried about Ryan. I just didn’t know if he digested the whole playbook last season. I look for Ryan to play enough to refine his mechanics and decision making ability.
JohnWayneworld
May 13th, 2009
10:20 am
Good morning all! Jason I agree with you that this is a good time blog and so far very very few distractions.
Chargers huh? Hmmmmmmm. Well without looking at my homework I would say that they are in a real crappy division and if LT stays healthy for 75% of the games they will win it easily. Having said that (and having already predicted a 8-8 Broncos team) I think they will make 10 wins:
1 Sep 14 SD @ OAK – W
2 Sep 20 BAL @ SD – L
3 Sep 27 MIA @ SD – W
4 Oct 04 SD @ PIT – L
5 Bye
6 Oct 19 DEN @ SD – W
7 Oct 25 SD @ KC – W
8 Nov 01 OAK @ SD – W
9 Nov 08 SD @ NYG – L
10 Nov 15 PHI @ SD – L
11 Nov 22 SD @ DEN – L
12 Nov 29 KC @ SD – W
13 Dec 06 SD @ CLE – W
14 Dec 13 SD @ DAL – W
15 Dec 20 CIN @ SD – W
16 Dec 25 SD @ TEN – L
17 Jan 03 WAS @ SD – W
I believe that is 10-6. I love this tiny window, nyet.
THIS DIVISION IS SO LUCKY WE AREN’T PLAYING THEM
jason
May 13th, 2009
10:23 am
Ken, that was my question. Can we afford to sign him? That’s why I was opining about alternative solutions.
I have a question about the OL. ATL susposedly had the worst OL in football goinig into last season. What gives? Were they an underated group, was it scheme. How did ATL’s OL come out after the season looking dominant. Looking like a very adequate OL?
JohnWayneworld
May 13th, 2009
10:33 am
I would love to see DJ in the Wildcat formation. You would have DJ in the middle with Jerious on one side and a good blocking RB (Brown, Haynes or Snelling) on the other side. Of course you also have Harry and Roddy split wide with TG in tight. And there’s Ryan, who is getting a break on the sideline, yelling and cheering for his teammates on the field.
It’s like being in a toy store!
Sarah B
May 13th, 2009
10:38 am
1 Sep 14 SD @ OAK – W
2 Sep 20 BAL @ SD – L
3 Sep 27 MIA @ SD – W
4 Oct 04 SD @ PIT – W
5 Bye
6 Oct 19 DEN @ SD – W
7 Oct 25 SD @ KC – W
8 Nov 01 OAK @ SD – W
9 Nov 08 SD @ NYG – L
10 Nov 15 PHI @ SD – W
11 Nov 22 SD @ DEN – W
12 Nov 29 KC @ SD – W
13 Dec 06 SD @ CLE – W
14 Dec 13 SD @ DAL – W
15 Dec 20 CIN @ SD – W
16 Dec 25 SD @ TEN – L
17 Jan 03 WAS @ SD – W
Eeee Gads what an easy schedule I wish we had this schedule – we could start our Super Bowl party now.
SD Chargers 13-3
Sarah B
May 13th, 2009
10:40 am
We started without you D3…
jason
May 13th, 2009
11:02 am
JohnWayneworld, Stop it. I am getting overexcited daydreaming about the limitless possibilities with that formation. You could go power on that formation by inserting Gozo at TE and dropping a WR. Something like… QB DJ, RB Norwood, RB Snelling/ Haynes, TE Gonzo, WR White, WR Jenkins/Douglas
JohnWayneworld
May 13th, 2009
11:08 am
You’re right Sara it is an incredibly easy schedule. I just don’t think Rivers is actually getting better. He seems so mediocre. All brash and no cash. If LT isn’t really good this year, then Merriman better take over on defense or they may battle Denver like they did last year.
row3
May 13th, 2009
11:21 am
Good morning, Lady and Gents. I’m glad to still be talking about the back-up QB position, I agree that Redman is our best option at QB2, in the event Ryan suffers an injury. This may only make sense to me, but a move of DJ to QB2 would allow us to use DJ in gimmick offenses (wildcat) during the game, without having to bench Ryan. This would make Redman QB3, and only avalible in case of injury, (thats the only way I see him coming into a live game anyway). That would make Redman the highest priced 3rd string QB in the NFL.