Look for a Post-June 1 move before blog-cation starts
While on blog-cation, we'll try to find the perfect Palm tree to sit up and watch the sunset.
Blog-cationville –- Hey y’all, things will slow down in the Bird Cage in June and through the early part of July.
We’ll pick it back up hot and heavy in Mid-July before the start of training camp. In the meantime, here’s a little video from last season I found that you can keep replaying.
Just a couple of things before we lower the lights for awhile.
THE RETURN OF GANDY?: The Falcons will likely add a veteran free agent shortly after June 1 to help on the offensive side of the ball. This makes sense because if they’d signed him before June 1, the signing would affect the number of compensatory picks they have coming in the 2010.
Not sure, who the veteran could be, but perhaps tackle Wayne Gandy gets re-signed. He wants to keep
Maybe Milloy (r) finds a new home after June 1st.
playing and the Falcons like him. Also, veterans like safety Rodney Harrison, who had been linked to the Falcons in the past, and Lawyer Milloy, may end up signing somewhere else.
ONE TOO MANY FACEBOOK FRIENDS: Was wondering why Quinn Ojinnaka was not at practice last Wednesday. When I asked coach Mike Smith, he said he knew where he was. Didn’t know that could mean he was in the lockup at the county jail. Wonder if he had a cell next to Otis, the town drunk.
Smitty must not have known where Quinn was for sure otherwise he would have told us. He probably just thought he was sleeping in late.
Ojinnaka, a fifth round pick in 2005 who’s played in 30 games and made seven starts, is a super guy. But he just may have cut himself. The Falcons have a very low tolerance for players appearing on the police blotter these days.
Grimes has a battle on his hands.
GRIMES BACK ON THE GRIND: Brent Grimes, the former undrafted free agent from Shippensburg State, is off to a good start over the offseason. He’s running first team, but will face a stiff challenge to keep his spot come training camp.
He’ll have to beat back Chevis Jackson, Von Hutchins and possibly rookie Chris Owens.
“He’s a more confident player, without a doubt,” Smith said. “He’s the most athletic player on our team. He has a lot more confidence this season in knowing our system and being around (defensive coordinator) Brian (VanGorder) and the defensive coaching staff.”
WIDE RECEIVER SPOT OPEN: With the trade of Laurent Robinson, there could be a roster spot open at the wide receiver position.
Former Georgia Force and Arena Football League star Troy Bergeron and undrafted rookie free agent Aaron Kelly of Clemson and Walton High are making strong offseason showings.
“Troy has done a nice job in terms of catching the football,” Smith said.
Kelly is not far behind.
“Aaron has a very good skill set,” Smith said. “He’s caught the ball extremely well. He’ll be a guy who’ll have
Troy Bergeron has been impressive.
an opportunity to compete. We’ve been pleased with his progress.”
It’s possible that Bergeron could make the roster and Kelly the practice squad. Bergeron’s practice squad time is up and the Arena League is on hiatus, so he has to make the roster.
It would not be wise to count out Eric Weems either. He played last season and has developed nicely.
Speaking of wideouts, NFC South foe Tampa Bay is checking on Plaxico Burress.
Before I stroll off to find one of those Umbrella drinks and a nice Palm tree, do you think re-signing Gandy would be a good move? Will you miss the Mighty Quinn if his facebook page gets him tossed? Do you think Grimes can win the starting spot? Who’s going to get Robinson’s wide receiver spot, Bergeron, Kelly or Weems?
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369 comments Add your comment
D3
May 31st, 2009
6:33 pm
What’s up fellas? House CEO’s got the comp. Check in later.
JJ
May 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
Unca’Bob: tks, still in disbeleif he’s a falcon! I spent an hr. and watched all of the youtube clips of him…even a college clip. I’ve been a life-long suffering falcon fan since mid-70’s, we have never had a super-star like this on our team. You can bring up all the past greats that I loved (bart, riggs, williams, alge…yadayadayada), none of them were THE BEST at their position, good but not the best. IF, and I only say that through years of suffering great expectations, If our offense stays healthy, we will have the best nfl offense EVER this city has seen, period! I still do not beleive the fine people of this city understand what this man may bring to our falcons! I hate to age myself, but I’m 44 and feel like it’s christmas eve! Scary stuff, we need to pace ourselves through the dead of summer…lol!
D3: Had to work on sat. (sux’s being the owner sometimes), so I only had today off. It does go by fast but thanks to my fellow brothers/sis, my fav. hobby continues!
JK
May 31st, 2009
7:23 pm
why did we trade laurant robinson? he was so good.
cdog
May 31st, 2009
7:31 pm
bring back michael vick and sign greg ellis. forget about the lying part mr blanks. this is not the first time it is happened.forgive mike.you won’t be sorry
D3
May 31st, 2009
7:37 pm
Slow goes Bird-Cage Fam. But we still got a core group of guys who like getting on here and talking some Falcon Football. Check out the schedule and see what you think…….
Roster Spot Analysis
Monday – TE#2
Tuesday – TE#3
Wednesday – LT
Thursday – LG
Friday – C
Weekly Opponent Matchup – Game #4
Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers
Monday – Coach/Franchise/Previous Season/Off-Season Changes
Tuesday – 49ers Offense vs Falcons Defense
Wednesday – Falcons Offense vs 49ers Defense
Thursday – Final Game Analysis and Predictions
Friday – Special Teams/Game-Breakers
What you guys think?
JJ
May 31st, 2009
7:39 pm
JK…We our first a rushing team and our coaches demand that our
WR be able to block….he did not or could not block. Why not get a pic for him if he doesn’t fit smitty’s system? I wish him the best, but I can definately live with it. We are not short(talent wise) at WR or their back-ups!
jason
May 31st, 2009
7:50 pm
Wade, Harrison is an aold man. It’s that simple. ATL wab=nts atheletes that can run. Harrison is not one of them. Yes, he brings expierence, but expirence will only take you so far. He doesn’t have the range to do what ATL wants to do. He will not be signed, nor will Milloy.
Unca Bob, I see kelly making the team. With his hight, My GOD the possibilities. Jones, I think will be close. Bergeron and Weems has been in Smitty’s system. I think jones brings the speed factoror. If Jones proves he can v=catch the ball he will be right there ’til the end.
jason
May 31st, 2009
7:54 pm
I don’t waste my time thinking about what could of been. Robinson was and is a fine reciever, but he did not, or could not meet Smitty’s system. Whatever the reason, he is gone. Wish the best except against the Falcons. we have our team. It is always good when you have tough decisions to make in the pre season. That meanswe have the players to go for the Super Bowl. Nice isn’t it? I trust what TD has done. I stll think every draft pick makes the team this year.
D3
May 31st, 2009
9:28 pm
Falcons Offense vs Patriots Defense
Likely Match-ups
TE-Tony Gonzalez vs ROLB-Adalius Thomas
LT-Sam Baker vs RDE-Richard Seymour
LG-Justin Blaylock vs RILB-Tedy Bruschi
C-Todd McClure vs NT-Vince Wilfork
RG-Harvey Dahl vs LILB-Jerod Mayo
RT-Tyson Clabo vs LDE-Ty Warren
FB-Ovie Mughelli vs LOLB-Tyrone McKenzie?
WR-Roddy White vs CB-Shawn Springs?
WR-Michael Jenkins vs CB-Leigh Bodden?/Darius Butler
RB-Michael Turner vs SS-Brandon Meriweather/Patrick Chung
QB-Matt Ryan vs FS-James Sanders
Running
As dour as my breakdown for our DEF vs their OFF was, this is where we make up a lot of ground and stay in (and possibly win) the game. As vaunted as their OFF is, their DEF is not one of the best in the league, as they have tons of inexperience/fairly unproductive players on their DEF. Jerod Mayo is the real deal; Warren, Wilfork, & Seymour are all studs and they had one H— of a draft class. So its safe to say that they have some of the same issues as we do. All about being able to run the ball effectively will dictate the outcome of this one. Their relative strength lies in their front seven. Our left side draws a tough assignment with Baker matching up against Future HOF’er Seymour and Blaylock and McClure will have their hands full with Wilfork in the Middle, but once again Baker and Blaylock get some mad help from our own Future HOF’er Tony Gonzalez. TG will be able to help out on Seymour and will be able to handle Thomas at Strongside LB. McClure and Mughelli look to be strong against Bruschi or Mayo. Overall, I like our matchups with their front seven. But we know all about their crazy schemes and Turner and Norwood have to get going. Norwood might be a better fit with his quickness, because we know they like to blitz and if they get to Turner early in the backfield it doesn’t bode well for us. Look for a really tough first half running the ball, but it all comes down to ball control. We can’t go tit for tat on a scoring manifesto, so we have to take a page out of the NY Giants playbook and RUN THE FOOTBALL! Turner goes for a modest 75 yds, 1 TD; Norwood for 80 yds and 1 TD.
Passing
This is where we have our best match-ups, but if we get into a passing contest with the Pats then we’re likely to lose the game. In a dream scenario our defense will mature quick and hold their own against their OFF and allow us to run the ball and keep control, but don’t count on it. We’ll be in a passing/scoring contest really quick in this one. And the match-up looks good. Remember also that the heart and soul of the Championships DEF’s, Rodney Harrison, is long gone. SS Meriweather hasn’t shown much, hadn’t heard of FS James Sanders, Adalius Thomas on downside, Tedy Bruschi is way down, and their starting CB’s are either both FA signings or rookie Darius Butler. Roddy White will have no problem drawing Bodden or Springs and Jenks will do just fine with the other corner getting several key catches throughout the game. The big match-ups come down to Tony Gonzalez vs. Adalius Thomas/Brandon Meriweather/Patrick Chung and HD vs Darius Butler in the nickel. Gonzo will have another big day against any of their LB’s and/or Safeties and HD looks to have a solid day in the slot against a rookie. Matt Ryan may struggle early with bugs of going back to BC area/Foxboro fans, but gets on track in the second and blows up the 3rd and 4th.
Final – this looks to be one of the big bell-weathers of the year for us: Dynasty(Former TD Team) vs Up & Comer’s(TD’s Team). The TD connection almost gives a feel of playing a big brother since TD has basically taken the Pioli/Belichick script down South. This should be a scoring fest on both sides of the ball, with young defenses on both teams. Falcons DEF digs too deep of a hole early before gaining form in the second half. OFF matches the Pats OFF step for step, but the Pats get a late TD score and their DEF gets a big stop with less than 1 minute remaining. Hard fought contest, great growing up experience for our young D, and confidence of almost stealing one from the Evil Dynasty in Foxboro, but come up a bit short.
Patriots 38 – Falcons 31 (Hey can’t win all can we?)
Falcons: 2-1 heading into an early bye week @ SF the week after.
Pete
May 31st, 2009
10:04 pm
TD might pick up a FA or two on defense, don’t be surprised.
If Brent Grimes was 6′2” tall he would be one of the top 3 CB’s in the NFL, without question.
jason
May 31st, 2009
10:21 pm
D3, I concur, but the score won’t be that high. I am going 24-21 ATL. I feel both offenses will move the ball, but points are at a premium. I think Ryan uses Montana magic and drives for the winning score with less than 2 min. on the clock. ATL has the speed on defense to offset the schemes that the Pats will run. N.E. will not run the ball effectively enough to win this game.our front seven is better than theirs. They are the more experienced team, but we have the active play makers. This is Houston’s going off PARTY. Simple, run the ball; run the clock. By that I mean, if Turner and Norwood don’t get going, hit douglas intermediate or Gozo in the flat. The same as a 4-5 yrd. run. We win with the ability to control the clock. Don’t look for any big fantasy numbers in this game. N.E. will out gain us, but ATL wil win by dominating the time of possession.
jason
May 31st, 2009
10:23 pm
Pete, I don’t forsee TD picking up any FAs on defense. ATL is looking good. They will take their bumps and bruises there. We have talent on D. Just not expierence. ATL has playmakers. I will say once again, every player drafted this year will make the team.
DrJ
May 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
Great posts D3, Unca’ Bob and Strickland…. Is DOL reading them?
angry banker
May 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
D3 – good reason weems didn’t play unitl week 10 – he was on the practice squad til half way through the season. We don’t use the 5 wide set much, so he was lucky to get 2 snaps a game. He was exceptional in special teams play, and we did great on special teams last year. considering that – how could we replace him? not sure how many tackles he had, but i remember him FLYING down field to get a couple.
unca bob – great article find. Love me some Havrey Dahl – truely a joy to watch
jason – heard TD on a radio show talking about why we sent robinson to st. louis. He said it was to trade draft picks (think they trade picks in the 3rd and 4th?). Keep in mind robinson was hurt all last year and we already have 4 WR we really like.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
May 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
“WAKE UP DREAMERS”! VEGAS SAYS 8-8……..
SORRY BOYS
Ken Strickland
May 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
FOOD FOR THOUGHT-you take FB OMughelli and RB MTurner out of the gm and replace them with WR HDouglas and RB JNorwood. Can the Patriots, or any other NFL team for that matter, match a 3 WR set featuring HDouglas, MJenkins and Probowler RWhite, Probowl TE TGonzalez, with ROCKET MAN JNorwood coming out of the backfield, and QB MRyan throwing his lasers?
The Patriots are signing veteran players that are past their prime, like JGalloway and FTaylor, trying to acquire what we already have. The Falcons OFF is younger, quicker, faster, stronger and more physical than anything the Patriots can put on the field. TE TGonzalez is the closet thing we have to a starter being past his prime, and he was a starting Probowler with 96 receptions last yr.
Our current OFF now has the balance and the talent to pass with the Colts and run with the Giants. The Patriots can’t match that kind of balance and/or firepower. They don’t have a RB or FB that compares with MTurner or OMughelli, a TE that compares with TGonzalez or an OL that’s as strong or as physical as ours. Their OL has been constructed to provide protection for QB TBrady, not create consistent rushing lanes for their RB’s.
jason
May 31st, 2009
10:56 pm
angry banker, Totally agree, especially when you take in the fact that ATL doesn’t run 5 WR sets. TD will not show his true hand. Robinson was a good WR, but at the time ATL had needs at other positions. ATL has 4 good WR. They could go into the season with those 4, and 2 decent WRs, ala Kelly, and Jones. I take it as worth the risk to continue to improve the defensive side of the ball.
Also to answer your special teams question, Spencer Adkins, the LB from Miami. James wiull have his hands full fighting off for the 6th LB spot.
jason
May 31st, 2009
11:00 pm
Ken Strickland, no truer words have been spoken. I agree that the Pats. are siging players past their prime. They have gambled and hit quite a few times. I think their luck will run out on this years FA signings. JAX would not have let Taylor go if they knew that he had anything left. He had been with that franchise from birth. He is a stop gap. If Maroney is not healthy, they will not run the ball period.
jason
May 31st, 2009
11:19 pm
Ken, our offense matches up with N.E.’s, as far as being able to run multiple offenses. The huge question is, how will our defenses match up with their offense. ATL will go toe to toe with the Pats. as far as offenses goes. I’ll take our OL and Turner any day over Maroney and whom ever.
Boxcarar
June 1st, 2009
12:38 am
I really enjoy the depth and knowledge displayed with the Bird Cage folks. I think that the key to NE will be making Brady earn his yards. If he has to continually go 80 yards and our “D” can give him some pressure, we can win. Giving up the big play on special teams loaded with youngsters could be the difference. Thanks again for great Falcons information and insight. A lone transplant in Arkansas.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 1st, 2009
12:50 am
YOU “ARM CHAIR” ANALYST BETTER NOT QUIT YOUR DAY JOBS
THE PATRIOTS ARE FORCAST TO BE EVEN MORE EXPLOSIVE THAN THE 2007 TEAM WHEN BRADY PASSED FOR 50 TOUCH DOWNS……..
YOU GUYS ARE COMICAL TO SAY THE LEAST
ACCORDING TO VEGAS PREDICTIONS, AND I THINK THEY KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT MONEY, ARE SAYING THE BEST THE FALCONS WILL DO IS 8-8, AND IF THEY HAVE ANY INJURIES ARE LET UPS, THAT PUTS THEM ON PACE TO EQUAL 2007.
WHATEVER YOU GUYS ARE SMOKING, YOU NEED TO JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS
GO FALCONS!
Unca' Bob
June 1st, 2009
5:17 am
New England- Defense is in a decline. The stats for last years defense dropped significantly compared to the previous two. Their CB’s are gone and the LB corps, with the exception of Mayo, are not as active as in the past. I can’t see the Pats shutting us down. They will not shut down our run game and they have no means to shut down our pass. The factors that most decide this game will be turnovers and major penalties. 38-35 New England. 2-1 and going on bye week. I would not want to be San Fran.
jerry
June 1st, 2009
6:53 am
Four significant reasons the Falcons may not make the playoffs:
•Week 5 – BYE
•Week 6 – Bears @ Falcons
•Week 6 – BYE
•Week 7 – Cowboys vs. Falcons
•Week 8 – BYE
•Week 9 – Redskins @ Falcons
•Week 10 – BYE
•Week 11 – Giants vs. Falcons
The Falcons will face these four stellar NFL franchises coming off their BYE week while the Falcons have a game before each. This is unprecedented in the NFL as no team has ever had to play more than two teams coming off a BYE while they themselves have a game. Whether the Falcons win any or all of them is beside the point. The point is that it is a definite advantage to have two weeks to prepare when your opponent has only one. Falcon fans should be outraged as this is an outrage.
blord
June 1st, 2009
9:54 am
I think Ojinnaka will be cut soon. I think he was bound to be cut anyway but this Facebook thing just sealed his fate. I could see Grimes starting game one and sort of fill the same roll as he did last year. I don’t think come week 5 or 6 he will be the starter though. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see him start but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see him cut either depending on the growth of the other corners. I think that as a coach you like to have a guy like Grimes on the team. A guy who has ability but has a huge hurdle he has to jump in his height. He has desire and I think that pushes the players around him. I also think Bergeron will get the WR spot over Kelly and Kelly will go the the practice squad. There must be a reason they keep bringing Bergeron back as well as there must be a reson he keeps getting cut. I wouldn’t mind seeing Gandy back as long as at no point this season he is expected to play every down. He is cheap and brings a solid Vet to a young team. I don’t see us adding many more vets to this team. I also don’t see us picking up Harrison. Just my thoughts.
jason
June 1st, 2009
10:15 am
blord, Alot of your posr makes sense. ATL signed to many OL this offseason to keep a player like Ojinnaka around. A telling sign that he will be cut… Gandy was signed just before the story broke. I don’t see Gandy making the roster either. I said earlier that his veteran pressanve would be valued, However ATL signed alot of OL. Gandy is being brought in just for a competition stand point.
Your opinion on Bergeron is fairly accurate. There is some talent there that TD and Smitty like. He keeps getting resigned. Also, he keeps getting cut also. The thing with ATL is that they are non longer in the position to have to sign players to fill out the roster. They can now go with a plan. Nice luxry to have. The jury is still out on Bergeron. If he keeps improving, I say he makes the team. On your opinion, With ATL carrying 6 WRs, who makes the cut? White, Jenkins, HD, Finn, and who? Bergeron, Weems, Kelly, or Jones? spots, 4 WRs.
I also agree with you on Grimes. I say he starts game one. I think by the end of the bye Owens will be starting oppisite Houston. The only monkey wrench I see being tossed is if Jackson ups his play. I perfer Jackson in the nickel covering the slot, because he is so physical. So, coming out of the bye I see Houston, Owens, and Jackson playing nickel. Grimes, Hutchins, and Middleton will be fighting it out. The player to go I believe is Hutchins. He hasn’t played a down with ATL because of injury. Top 5 DBs are Houston, Jackson, Owens, Grimes, and Middleton and Hutchins fighting for that last spot.
I am going to sound like I am preaching here, but I will say once again… I think every player drafted this year makes the roster. TD seems really impressed by every pick made.
jason
June 1st, 2009
10:32 am
Unca’ Bob, I think the Patriots team as a hole are in decline. You can only oick so late in the draft, and sign aging veterans and continue to play at a high level. It will eventually end. Don’t get me wrong. They still have the mad scientist. They are still very much a dangerous football team. I do think though their time has come and gone. Play off team yes. SuperBowl team, that’s debatable. Look at their WRs Moss and Galloway. How long have they been in the NFL. Fred Taylor, can’t have that much milage left after the punishment he has taken over the past dozen years or so. I am not dismissing N.E. Really good team, just think they are on the down side of their remarkable run.
blord
June 1st, 2009
10:54 am
I also see Jerry’s point on the bye weeks. You give any NFL team 2 weeks to prepare for you and that puts you at an extreme disadvantage. Our one saving grace may be our division though. N.O. should be solid on offense but their defense has yet to scare me. T.B. should be horrible and Caroline is a team we should on paper at least split with. Of coarse all this is based upon the past so teams may be better or worse than anticipated. Boy did we get screwed on the bye weeks
blord
June 1st, 2009
11:06 am
Jason I think if they carry 6 it would be White,Jenkins,HD,Finn,Bergeron and ?. I really think that Kelly will be a practice squad guy for this year and take over for Finn in the future. I want him to do well though and would love to see him make the game day roster. Although I don’t think it will happen I wouldn’t be shocked to see Finn cut.
Unca' Bob
June 1st, 2009
11:52 am
jason,
In the 2007 season, Brady was sacked 21 times with 8 of those coming in the playoffs. Last year NE QB’s were sacked 48 times. Matt Cassel ran the ball 73 times and I don’t feel all those carries were by design. Brady has a much faster delivery so those sacks should drop, but not very far. More in the 30 to 35 range. Their defence in seasons 06 & 07 were getting mid 40’s sacks. That dropped to 31 in 08. It could be the writing is on the wall…
D3
June 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
Good Monday Afternoon Bird-Cager’s! Seems like we’re picking up some modest steam here in the ‘Cage as the summer drought of Falcons Football hovers upon us. Hey, its all about quanlity, not necessarily quantity. A quick lunch break post and tons more later. To our Beloved ‘Birds……..
DrJ – thanks for the props bro’. We certainly welcome you and your insights in the Bird-Cage. DOL’s on a vaca’ right now due to the dead-zone of Falcons Football.
angry – great point about Weems. If he is a special teams ace than that certainly gives him a huge advantage to the make the team over someone like Kelly, but as a pure receiver to develop Aaron Kelly would be in the perfect position to groom, add some weight, and eventually take over BFinn’s spot. Very true that we don’t use 5 WR’s sets, but Mularkey is a mad scientist and if Kelly can prove himself he definitely can become a huge red-zone threat along with Jenkins(6′4), BFinn(6′5), and Gonzo(6′5). There’s an outside chance that we keep Kelly & Weems, but you are certainly correct in that if Kelly can’t contribute on Spec Teams than he will be assigned to the practice squad. Defintely enjoy your great insights. Become one of our ‘Cage regulars.
jason – as far as Khalil Jones goes, he better come ready to prove something at Training Camp, because he wasn’t even listed on DraftCountDown.com as one of the top 50 receivers coming out in the draft. I tried researching him, but didn’t find much at all. His official career stats are 13 receptions for 135 yds. Maybe they know TD, Smitty, & CO. know something we don’t.
Ken Strick – you’re getting me excited when listing all the arsenal of weapons that Matty Ice has to work with. Would love to see Norwood and even TBrown in the slot some this year. I got a bad feeling this might be Norwood’s last year in red & black, because you can bet that some team will be willing to pay him starter’s money. JMHO.
jason(2) – gotta depart with you on Fred Taylor. I think he’s got at least about one more year left. He did what he did with an unproductive Garrard and NO receiving threat whatsoever in JAX. Remember that they said the same thing about Corey Dillon and he helped them to a Super Bowl Ring.
Boxcarar – we definitely welcome you here in the Bird-Cage. We have tons of transplanst from all over, even throughout the world. It’s a great place to come and talk real, intelligent football with cool fans.
jerry – yeah, you’re right on with that breakdown. That’s a bunch of BS in my opinion. The two I worry about most are the Giants and Bears, because they have legitimate coaching staffs that can use that extra week to be productive. As far as the Redskins and Cowboys, you could give them three weeks and I still think we’ll be just fine with them. Good point.
blord – great point on Ojinnaka. With the off-season signings of OL backups Will Svitek and Brett Romberg, Ojinnaka was already on the hot-seat. He got to that magical third year as a pro and obviously that light hasn’t flickered on. He was drafted to run the cut-blocking scheme that Lil’ Jimmy Mora ran. Don’t see too many Mora holdovers and it looks to be his year out, not even counting the (alleged) domestic abuse charge. You’re analysis is spot on my man; bring your excellent breakdowns on a more regular basis.
Alright boys more later on including 49ers vs Falcons (Game #4) State of the Franchise/Off-Season Talk and Roster Spot Analysis TE#2 which is always more fun analyzing the back-ups than the sure things.
See you all in a few…………
D3
June 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
quality, not quanlity — whatever the H— that is. I’m always too anxious to use spell-checker.
D3
June 1st, 2009
2:38 pm
Game #4
Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers (after a bye week)
Record: 11-5-0, Finished 2nd in NFC South Division
NFL Season Summary
Scored 391 points (24.4/g), 10th of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 325 points (20.3/g), 11th.
Takeaway/Giveaway Differential -3 (-0.2/g), 21st.
Coached by Mike Smith (11-5-0)
Key Losses: Grady Jackson, Lawyer Milloy, Keith Brooking, Michael Boley, Dominique Foxworth, Laurent Robinson
Key Additions: Mike Peterson, Tony Gonzalez, Brett Romberg
Impact Draft Players: Peria Jerry, William Moore, Chris Owens, Lawrence Sidbury
Strength of Schedule: 3rd out of 32
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 7-9-0, Finished 2nd in NFC West Division
NFL Season Summary
Scored 339 points (21.2/g), 22nd of 32 in the NFL.
Allowed 381 points (23.8/g), 23rd.
Takeaway/Giveaway Differential -17 (-1.1/g), 31st.
Coach: Mike Singletary (5-4-0)
Key Losses: Bryant Johnson, Deshaun Foster, JT O’Sullivan, Jamie Martin, Jimmy Williams, Walt Harris(IR)
Key Additions: Dre Bly, Damon Huard, Marvel Smith, Brandon Jones
Impact Draft Players: Michael Crabtree, Glen Coffee
Strength of Schedule: 30th out of 32 teams.
Let’s hear it Gents: did the 49ers get better or worse in the off-season? Is Singletary the man? Was their late run a fluke or the real deal? How does their off-season compare to our ours?
TE#2 Roster Spot Analysis coming later…………..
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 1st, 2009
3:24 pm
8-8….. SO MUCH FOR BACK-TO-BACK WINNING SEASONS
angry banker
June 1st, 2009
5:44 pm
jason – from everything I see and hear, Spencer Adkins is supposed to light folks up on special teams. TD referred to him as a “run-and-hit” player. I still dont see him with that head-hunter speed Weems brings.
ken – good call on what our 3 WR sets would look like – pretty sick. But I dont think im going out on a limb saying Brady is a better QB than Ryan right now. Moss is better than White, Welker better than Jenkins and Galloway better than HD – atleast right now. I see your point, but they’re still pretty sick passing the ball – luckily for us we have one of the best running backs in the game AND possibly the best TE of all time. Still not sure how TD pulled off that trade… awesome…
jerry – good call on the schedule. I heard about all the teams coming off bye weeks, but never knew which ones. the NFL only considers ‘toughness’ of the schedule based on last years records – how about teams coming off byes? We face the bills last game of the season – how about getting them while Lynch is out?! Yeah, Forget Miami, ATL has the toughest schedule.
D3 – Yeah, I think Kelly will start the season on the practice squad. perfect place for him to get used to the speed of the game and most importantly – GAIN SOME WEIGHT!! haha. I saw videos of Dwight Howard playing HS ball on Sport Center this morning, that guy was skinny is HS – look at him now! Hopefully we can put some meat on kelly w/o him losing a step. In his current condition I would feel bad putting him on the field – hes likely to get broken in half!! In regards to ‘cagers – I’m actually on here all the time, I don’t always post though. Just depends on time constraints.
D3(2) – SF got alot better in the offseason. Crabtree should be able to come in and contribute immediatly; especially in the end zone. Singeltary is a good coach for the same reasone Smitty is a good coach – He makes you believe in the program. He lets you know that he has a plan in place that will work if properly executed. He gets buy-in from his players. I think we’ll see a BIG turn around from SF this year, but I’m still not sure if they have the talent on field to make it happen.
W/o looking at it too closely, I don’t see how they could match up on either side of the ball with us.
falcon21
June 1st, 2009
7:18 pm
D3- I see Atlanta scoring 27+ on SF and maybe SF scoring 20 at best. SF is still a year away from respectability. I think 8 and 8 or 9 and 7 at best. Mike Singletary demands respect, it all depends on the vets. buying into it. If they are 9 and 7, and I don’t see that happening but they will have earned the NFL’s respect. Who knows? Look at last season with our Birds.
Ken Strickland
June 1st, 2009
7:54 pm
If we get a decent pass rush, especially from our DL, BGrimes, or any of our current DB’s, will be able to get the job done. With the addition of DT’s PJerry, VWalker and TLewis, and the certain upgrade at LDE, either by JAnderson’s improvement or replacement, I guarantee you the right side of our DL will do a much better job of stopping the run and rushing the passer.
All of this yrs new DT additions are younger, quicker and faster, with more mobility, agility and stamina than former starter GJackson. What are the odds of all 3 of these new DT additions falling flat on their faces? In LSidbury, we have an athlete at DE that’s as quick, fast, strong and athletic as JAbrabam. I find it almost impossible to believe we won’t be able to get a solid pass rush out of the combination of DT’s PJerry, TLewis, VWalker, JBabineaux and DE’s JAnderson, JAbraham, LSidbury, CDavis and KBiermann.
ACCORDING TO SOME, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFEAT A TEAM COMING OFF IT’S BYE WEEK. NEXT, I GUESS IT’LL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO WIN ON THE ROAD. In just one season and 2 drafts, TD and Smitty have put together an awsome assembledge of youth, experience and talent.
jason
June 1st, 2009
8:10 pm
Ken Strickland, AMEN!!! Falcon Brother.
falcon21
June 1st, 2009
8:46 pm
Ken, I hope your comment was not based on my comment. I was talking about SF going 8-8 or 9-7. I still think the Falcons will be 11 and 5 at worst. I didn’t read all of the eariler comments. As for the bye weeks, if a team has talent and is well coached they will be fine. Atlanta seems to have all the material to go along way. “Proud to be a Falcon fan”.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 1st, 2009
9:20 pm
8-8…..TAKE THAT TO THE BANK
Sarah B
June 1st, 2009
9:42 pm
Remember the old days when SF used to kick our azz on a regular basis. From when we were in that division. Not so much anymore. We will cream the 49’s . ATL 31-17 if that. We will take whatever happens against the Pats and use it against the 49’s.
falcon21
June 1st, 2009
9:50 pm
Sorry guys and gal, I guess material sounds kind of stupid. TD, MS, talent and team work will take us a long way. Oh yeah don’t forget about Blank and all of the fans in the cage.
jason
June 1st, 2009
10:30 pm
To all, The recipe I dropped on the tenderloin is the BOMB!!!. I had it tonight. MMMMM Delisious. The only comment I have is for D3. I remember corey Dillon, but this is not those Patriots. I am telling you man, everything runs full circle. I am not saying Taylor will not be good. Just that Maroney will carry the Pats. rushing attack. I don’t see Taylor as a threat unless the game is close in the 4th quarter.
I am off to some Stripe and some NCAA 2009. I will be back tomorrow. I can’t opine on the SF game, ATL will win. the question is by how much.
D3
June 1st, 2009
11:33 pm
Great Late Monday Evening Fellow ‘Cagers! Hey we know its the down-time of Falcons Football, but there’s some great intelligent convo’s going on here in the Bird-Cage. For those of you junkies like me, you can never get enough Football talk. Hey, its already June now and we’re officially under the 60 Day mark until Training Camp. Men this pres-season camp looks to be the most fierce and hotly contested, maybe ever, in Falcons history. Plenty to discuss here in the Bird-Cage, so lets get to it……….
On Vaca’ w/ Drink Umbrellas – if any of you fellas are out there, hope you’re having a good vacation and we look forward to your return to the ‘Cage. WR, dacha, Falcon Devil, Reno911, Seminole, Stirg, irvin, Jimbo, Marko, & anyone I may have left out: Have a frozen daquiri, margarita, or Scripe and hopefully we’ll see you back in the ‘Cage.
angry – good pick on Kelly. We probably would rush him a little being that skinny out there on the field, but he does have some serious speed and HD proved that if you’re tough and fast you can have success early on as a rookie. I agree with you that Weems helps us more right now; Bergeron doesn’t blow me away with his possibility.
falcon21 – you’re right on. SF may be one of the big sleepers of the year playing in a really weak conference helps and playing the 3rd easiest schedule also helps as well. Until they figure out a long-term answer at QB, they won’t sustain any long term success, IMO. Crabtree helps to add a nice weapon to Frank Gore, but who else strikes fear in opposing DEF’s: Alex Smith? Vernon “Bust” Davis? Issac “36 year old” Bruce? Not to me it doesn’t. Personally, I think Crabtree gets a little bit of humble pie after playing in a conference full of the weakest, swiss cheese defenses in the country. I say 7-9 or 8-8 myself.
Ken Strick – hey, maybe the next thing is that we’ll only 7-8 games as Las Vegas predicts. Such a bunch of BS.
Sarah B – you’re sitting pool-side with a Sol in Vegas posting your blog right? I have to admit that I was a HUGE 49ers fan back in the day, along with the Falcons of course, but Montana, Rice, Craig, Taylor, Lott, and Rathman were too hard to not like a youngster. Even though they’ll be improved, I don’t see anyway the game is close. Hope I’m not wrong?
j-man – Messiah Flay is da’ MAN, huh? I’m going on a strict Flay Grillin’ Summer trying as many grill recipes as possible. Just tried his Rum Glazed Tenderloin with Pineapple/Cilantro Relish. Little complex, but totally worth it. I’ll be honest with you on Mauroney, I’ve had him on my Fantasy teams the last two years and the guys has been a COMPLETE BUST(at least in Fantasy Terms). He should be absolutely tearing it up with all those weapons (Moss, Welker, Watson) softening up coverage for him, but NADA! Maybe his running style doesn’t fit their scheme but he hasn’t done that much at all, IMO. I definitely agree that the Pats window is closing, but I think they got another year or two left at some serious runs.
TE#2 & San Francisco State of the Franchise to come……….
D3
June 1st, 2009
11:51 pm
San Francisco State of the Franchise
Coaching
Mike Singletary obviously commands immediate respect with his hard-nosed playing days as one of the baddest MLB’s in the history of the game. He has all the confidence after taking a pretty horrid Mike Nolan led team to finish a strong 7-9 overall and looking for promise this year. Can he keep his momentum going with a full NFL Schedule? How many more bone-headed comments will he make like the one he made about Stafford and his divorced parents? We’ll see, but he looks to be a huge improvement over Nolan and maybe still a year away.
Offense
Frank Gore is a stud among men and one of the best RBs in the game, but they are definitely riding him rough as he’s been the only weapon they’ve had for some time. Michael Crabtree immediately boosts their WR corps, but is a he a complement to Isaac Bruce or a replacement? You have to figure that Bruce doens’t have that many years left in the tank. Vernon Davis is quickly assuming Bust status after being drafted with the 6th overall pick and it all goes back to QB. Shaun Hill or Alex Smith? Nope. If they can get a stud QB in there, they will have a nice, fairly explosive offense.
Defense
Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, and Nate Clements are the real deals at their respective positions and Parys Haralson looks to be a nice gem they mined in the 5th round, but is does 4 really good players make a DEF? Maybe it will and they certainly could come out and shock a lot of people, but having no DEF draft picks this year certainly hurt their progess of young, explosive players. Singletary will have to work his magic to get the DEF up to par.
Final: 8-8
49ers Offense vs Falcons Defense Tomorrow……….
D3
June 2nd, 2009
12:07 am
Roster Spot Analysis – TE#2
Ben Hartsock
12 Games Played, 3 Receptions, 26 Yards
Pros
Great blocking TE that adds another offensive lineman next to Baker or Clabo. Big reason that Turner had success on 1st and 2nd downs. Great size at 6′4, 264 that can road-grade OLBs and pay huge dividends doubling an opposing star DE. Most likely helped contribute to Sam Baker’s solid first year starting at Left Tackle. Has enough determination and grit to move on to the next level of blocking. Considered one of the better pure Blocking TE’s in the NFL. Good short-yardage and red-zone blocker.
Cons
Poses absolutely ZERO threat in the passing game. Has never caught a single Touchdown in his entire career. Obviously doesn’t fool any DEF’s when he lines up and signals exact intent on Falcons play selection. Replaced by Peele as combo option at TE and was unable to present any mismatches in the red-zone and was no help on 3rd down conversions. Inability in red-zone put undue pressure on Turner & Roddy to make plays, often times falling short when DEF’s zeroed in. Coming back from injury. Even though he a pure blocking TE, he must be able to produce SOME threat of receiving.
Final: Obvious great run-blocker, but with signing of TG, how much do we need a TE that can only block with no RECV threat. Is seemingly replaced by Justin Peele on two TE sets and has role seriously minimized to short yardage and goal-line situations. Depending on development of Peele and 2008 draft pick Keith Zinger, may start to feel his seat getting a touch warm. Makes the team this year, but next year? Anybody’s guess………
Last one of the night ‘Gents and ‘Gals. See you on the flip-side. And on that note…………
60 DAYS AND COUNTING TO 2009 ATLANTA FALCONS TRAINING CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!
jason
June 2nd, 2009
12:15 am
D3, that’s my pont. Marony will carry the Pats. Rushing attack. Dude, I love Taylor for all that he has done for JAX, BUT I don’t know if he wil n=be able to carry the Pats. to the SB. Y=That’s a lot to ask. I think ATL shows what they are all about. Defense and offense. I see ATL gong into the bye 3-0. Three hard fought games. They look at what they have and go from there
Sarah B
June 2nd, 2009
12:35 am
D3 – I’m leaving Wed evening on Airtran. Can’t wait!!
D3
June 2nd, 2009
9:45 am
Weekly Opponent Analysis – Game #4
Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers
49ers Offense vs Falcons Defense
Likely Match-ups
RDE-Jamaal Anderson vs LT-Joe Staley
RDT-Peria Jerry vs LG-David Baas
LDT-Jonathan Babineaux vs RG-Adam Snyder
LDE-John Abraham vs RT-Barry Sims
SLB-Mike Peterson vs TE-Vernon Davis
MLB-Curtis Lofton vs C-Eric Heitmann
WLB-Stephen Nicholas vs TE-Bear Pascoe?
SS-Thomas Decoud/William Moore vs RB-Frank Gore
CB-Chris Houston vs WR-Isaac Bruce
CB-Chevis Jackson vs WR-Michael Crabtree
FS-Erik Coleman vs QB-Shaun Hill/Alex Smith
So Ladies and Gents, what you think about the match-ups? From my perspective it looks pretty good to me, but let’s hear your thoughts.
Roster Spot Analysis – TE#3 & 49ers OFF vs Falcons DEF breakdown later. Until then……….
59 DAYS AND COUNTING UNTIL 2009 ATLANTA FALCONS TRAINING CAMP!!!!!!!!!
Unca' Bob
June 2nd, 2009
10:44 am
angry banker,
Spencer Adkins was not invited to this years Combine. He was tested at the Miami Pro Day. He ran a 4.43 forty, a 4.2 short shuttle, has a vert. leap of 36.5″. He can also bench press 225 lb’s 30 times. At Miami he had a tendency to over persue, and would get caught out of position. He was described as “looking like Tarzan and playing like Jane”. On special teams he would pop…
Unca' Bob
June 2nd, 2009
10:48 am
Sarah B,
You be careful not to get “dehydrated” in Vegas. Sometimes what happens in Vegas will not stay in Vegas. Ask Mr. Shockey…