Falcons: Will they show White the money?
Falcons All-Pro defensive end John Abraham doesn't plan to holdout.
The smooth sailing for Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith figures to continue.
They’ll have to get the remaining three rookie draft picks – first rounder Peria Jerry, second rounder William Moore and fourth rounder Lawrence Sidbury – signed before camp opens. That shouldn’t be a problem.
Good to know that Abraham, while open to a contract extension or enhancer, plans to be on time for camp.
Abraham’s camp should be ticked about American Idol host Ryan Seacrest getting $15 million a year for three years ($45 million), according to the Hollywood Reporter. How many sacks did Seacreast get last season? Was he even All-Dekalb County when he went to Dunwoody High? What a fine hustle he has going. Good for Seacrest.
After settling the rookies and welcoming Abraham to camp, there’s that little matter or Roddy White’s contract extension. The Falcons need to lock up their Pro Bowl wide receiver, but are under no duress to do.
Will White do back flip if he gets a deal that averages more than $10 million a year? You bet cha!
The league is set for an uncapped year in 2010 because the owners elected to “opt out” of the collective bargaining agreement. A new deal needs to be in place by February 2010 or teams will have that “uncapped” year in 2010.
If White and the Falcons don’t reach a deal, under the old rules, he was set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. If the “uncapped” year scenario takes hold, White would become a restricted free agent for one year and could hit the open market after the 2010 season.
Of course, the Falcons can make this a moot point by working out an extension now. Recently, Green Bay did a three-year, $27-million extension with Greg Jennings. Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald signed a four-year, $40 million deal in 2008.
Looks like White, who’s set to make $2.28 million this year, is headed for a $10 million-plus a year deal.
BABS HELPS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Falcons defensive end Jonathan Babineaux helped to distribute
Jonathan Babineaux
bookbags filled with school supplies to 3,000 underserved students last Saturday at Hosea Feed The Hungry & Homeless’s (HFTH) annual Back to School Jamboree at Turner Field.
Celebrating 40 years of community service, Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless (HFTH) implemented the “School Readiness” Back to School Jamboree initiative to help the approximately 12% of the Atlanta Public School students who are homeless.
V-103's Elle Duncan
ELLE DUNCAN AND TURNER?: Ran across one of those rauchy gossip sites. Think it was LipstickAlley.com and there was an item suggesting that Falcons running back Michael Turner and V-103 personality Elle Duncan were an item. Check out the video link.
Could we have our very own Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo romance brewing?
Jessica Simpson is available.
I guess the lovely Ms. Simpson is available again. I was looking forward to seeing her when the Falcons play the Cowboys in October.
FROM THE LINKS: Falcons vice president of communications Reggie Roberts won the Marshall McLuhan Open. It was a complete and thorough defeat for yours truly. Roberts won by 10 strokes.
I was down six strokes at the turn and was ready to make one of those Tiger charges to victory. Could not get to the fairways in regulation to show off the new short game that I spent a month working on.
On the back nine, Roberts remained steady and went away with the victory. Any master of communications knows that “the message is in the medium.”
Reggie Roberts, Falcons VP of Communications, has won the media showdown two years in row now.
Just a couple of more weeks until the opening of Training Camp on Aug. 1.
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273 comments Add your comment
Seminole Warrior
July 14th, 2009
10:42 pm
Sarah…rest and relax my friend. Glad to hear that you are okay.
Ed-Covington
July 14th, 2009
10:55 pm
I appreciate RW as much as anyone, but didn’t White just sign an extension LAST YEAR? What, renegotiate every year? ( except, of course, if he has a bad year!)
JJ
July 14th, 2009
11:02 pm
Sarah B. – glad your ok, always heard you yankee girls have a hard head, rest up and take over the ‘cages first FFL!
Seminole Warrior
July 14th, 2009
11:03 pm
Ed…RW is still on his initial deal. I have no doubt that he will be re-signed. I say give him Reggie Wayne type cash. In 2006, Wayne signed a six year, 39 million dollar deal with the Colts. I would propose a 5 year, 30-33 million dollar deal for RW.
Seminole Warrior
July 14th, 2009
11:04 pm
Sarah/D3, can the TeePee get an expansion franchise in the FFL?
Sarah B
July 14th, 2009
11:12 pm
Thanks guys, yes I guess yankee girls do have hard heads. D3 you can be the commish. I wouldn’t mind running things but I’m not up on ESPN’s system as we have been using yahoo for 4 years. Ready to play though.
Sarah B
July 14th, 2009
11:14 pm
I agree with DOL on not taking the bait. I’m taking my hard head to bed. Talk to you tomorrow. Ignore the hate…
Thou shall not run on us!
D3
July 14th, 2009
11:16 pm
Seminole – hate to be the bearer of bad news, but $6 – $7 million a year won’t cut it. Right or wrong, Jennings deal seriously boxed in what White should be paid. Green Bay seems to have definitely overpaid, but I seriously doubt White’s agent will take any less than $9 mill a year.
Sarah B
July 14th, 2009
11:18 pm
Seminole I think we need one more – then you are it. Send D3 your e-mail… I want to beat you too!! I don’t like more than 10.
Seminole Warrior
July 14th, 2009
11:32 pm
D3, you are correct on the Jennings deal and its reach. I do not think that TD will overpay. So I think the RW deal (Indy style) is a good measuring stick for a “fair deal”. Heck, 39.5 million is a great deal if you ask me. The two guys are very similiar.
WR
July 14th, 2009
11:43 pm
D3, I said it earlier, but you said it best, just hearing from Seminole put life back in the cage, not to take nothing away from the new members, but when you hear from a long lost brother, it just brings you joy and happiness.
Seminole, glad to hear everyones doing well, Seminole mama, is just being a good mama, thats what all the good ones do, they worry, funny thing is that later in life you realize that Seminole daddy worries too, but he puts up a good front to keep Seminole son feeling safe and secure.
Well the cage is coming together now, we are debating contracts, and we are debating the heart of players to get the Falcons over the top, but we are not sprewing hate and that in itself is an improvement. Abraham is reporting to camp, call him Mrs,miss,ms.or bumblef@uck, but if he can help the birds get beyond the jinks of not having back to back winning seasons, I will just call him John.
Sarah, its not that bad, we just had a falling out in the cage, don’ t bash your head into the bath tub, it hurts and probably won’t kill you, breath woman, breath, okay now back to the tub feet first, now drop the towel and sit, see, its all okay, no injuries allowed before you get schooled in fantasy football.Cbrass had a good wish for you to beat us all, but its not disney baby and definitely not volley ball so sweet heart your going down, sounds shady for a man to say that, okay sweet heart there’s no chance, that sounds a little better, but the ultimate goal is for you to lose, sorry I love the cage, but I love competition more.
The birds will soon be looking for prey and the bird cage continues to support that search
WR
July 14th, 2009
11:50 pm
D3, looks like we will overflow, when I first suggested the league, I was like you and thought we would not have enough, but the cage keeps surprising. I could not have imagined that Seminole would return for the league, chances are Nookah will jump back in soon, but what a great problem to have, brothers and sisters that you know you can count on, you can fight today and be friends tomorrow, what a change for the bird cage.
Art Blank
July 14th, 2009
11:57 pm
Dammit Roger, how was I to know that Matt Ryan would choke in the playoffs. I knew I should have drafted Joe Flacco – I had to listen to that stupid coach Smith and wannabe Bill Parcells, T.D.
I thought if Vick could lead a sorry untalented team to the championship game, surely Matty Ice could at least win one playoff game with all the talent and coaching staff I put around him, and he screwed that up!
How many players do you see from Boston College? Hell, I should have known if it took him 5 years of playing college and not winning the weak A.C.C. championship, how could he win in the big leagues.
Sorry Roger, but did you have to give me such a tough schedule this season? How am I going to sell tickets now?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 15th, 2009
12:14 am
After working on three stories and getting up a new blog, enjoyed the All-Star game after a youth football meeting!
Seminole Warrior: Jamaal is still No. 1 until he gets beaten out. He was a late comer to the position and could still blossom. DL coach Ray Hamilton will know when to pull the plug on him. 31 starts, 2 sacks. Norwood is a candidate for an extension, too.
Ride it: Heard MT might not be real pleased with the Elle Duncan item. But I saw it in on one of those gossip sites. We need a litt dish. Fasho.
Dean21
July 15th, 2009
12:54 am
Dean21 – welcome back my man! How was the vaca’ down in FLA land? I think we’ve settled on the first morning session of August 1st. Lookin’ forward to meeting up with you guys and gals. Interested in grabbing some lunch after that? There’s a Taco Mac right down the road in Suwanee if you all are interested. Glad to have you back.
D3, glad to be back man. I was living it up in Siesta Key Fla, and the water was extremely blue and the beach was full of white sand, had major fun, but now it’s time for some football talk! Yeah, can’t wait to get those tickets in the mail. August 1st will be the date then and the Mac is my favorite place, so I’m down with that! Are going to make any of the pre-season games at the Dome?
Sarah B.- sorry to hear about your accident, hope you get better soon!
We need to get a tally on who all is attending the August 1st mini-camp at the Branch…..
jason
July 15th, 2009
1:07 am
Seminole Warrior, Welcome back. You are the reason that I joined this blog. Glad to see that you have returned.
I loved you piece on Snelling. I tink he is a rushing FB. I want him to step up this year and prove me wrong. I like Snelling.
We are set for an awakening. The Falcons are here to stay.
D3, What have you for us? I know we have the Fantasy League, but what other tricks are up your sleeve. Looks like the family is coming home. The Football seaon is upon us. I just picked up NCAA2010. It is the $h!t
I am ready, and I am hungry for some football. You know I played with my DAWGS. Let’s get this thing rolling. I will be off and on tomorrow, Later…
Stat Checker
July 15th, 2009
2:00 am
NFL Network listed the “TOP” 10 number 1 overall qb drafts of A L L T I M E and guess who was on the list?
You guessed it……
The Legendary……….
M I K E V I C K
I know yall hate to hear that
It’s funny – didn’t see Matty Ice on that list
Unca' Bob
July 15th, 2009
3:16 am
Reno911,
I got this recipe from the President of South Carolina B-B-Q Association. I have not tried it yet but it is from a very good source. We havn’t heard from you in a while so if you recieve this, let me know, please.
Basic Vinegar and Pepper BBQ Sauce
Vinegar and pepper sauce is so easy to make that you seldom find it on the market because most people won’t pay for a little bottle of something they can easily make up themselves. When I do see one (which is seldom) I generally get it just to try it and see what their variation on it is. Most aren’t worth it.
If you do find one for sale they almost always have some “secret ingredient” that just is their favorite spice. Northerners and Westerners like chili and cumin but Southerners seldom add it and I certainly don’t.
Vinegar and pepper is the best basting sauce for any real barbeque. The thicker sauces with lots of spices are more like a finishing sauce and a dipping sauce. The recipe below is the one I use when I want my own.
1 gallon of white vinegar (use a good brand not store brand). I use White House. Heinz is too sharp for me. Some people like apple cider vinegar but that is generally too sharp and has too much cider flavor for me.
½ cup of salt; either sea salt or kosher salt not the kind in the round blue box.
1 ounce (by weight) of red pepper flakes
1 ounce (by weight) of black pepper
2 tablespoons of sugar; or a half cup of molasses. This gives it good “mouth feel” and take the edge off the vinegar.
If you like it hotter, add more red pepper… Less hot? Use less pepper next time.
Most people want it sweeter than I do but the old timers seldom used any sugar or molasses at all.
After you get the above in a big bowl you can adjust it to your taste by dipping out a half cup or so and adding some of your own spices and such. With a little experimenting you will have a real vinegar and pepper sauce that is your very own and you can be sure it suits you
Unca' Bob
July 15th, 2009
6:23 am
Sarah B,
I was doing some research this morning and came upon an article about Patrick Kerney. He was still with Atlanta so it’s a bit dated.
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/patrick-kerney.htm
Unca' Bob
July 15th, 2009
6:58 am
Seminole Warrior,
I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. My computer went on the fritz. Any way, both T Clabo and H Dahl are RFA’s and have signed their one year tenders for the minimum $1.545 Mil. If not under conract by February, they will become UFA’s. J Blalock was signed to a four year contract on July 26 2007 for $5 Mil and has two more years under contract.
FalcTech
July 15th, 2009
8:47 am
Pay Roddy a little more but he is no Fitz. TD will surely take care of him.
Arthur Blank, thanks for the worthless financial breakdown of the Falcons. Did you have to take your shoes off to count that high?
Falcondore
July 15th, 2009
8:59 am
I have an interesting question to spur the morning discussion. Of these defensive players, who is going to solidify themselves as a centerpiece of the team first: Peria Jerry, Stephen Nicholas, William Moore, Jamal Anderson
SeminoleWarrior
July 15th, 2009
9:21 am
Good morning Posse! Sarah B, hope you rested well and are feeling fine. D.O. Led, thanks for the update. In the Sugar Bear I will trust. WR..Shhhhhh; don’t let out the secret that the Warrior can be soft. That will cost you two touchdowns when FSU plays Tech in October…LOL. Jason..It’s good to be back in the fold.
Falcondore…a good question. I Like Jerry but I am nervous about his injury history. Nicholas has always been a favorite of mine and I think he is ready to step it up now that a lot of personal issues have be put behind him. As I stated to DO Led regarding Anderson, in the Sugar Bear I will trust. Which leaves me with Moore. When he is on, this kid is a beast at safety. He and DeCoud have major upside and could be a force in the near term future. All that said, I am going to give the edge to Nicholas. I think it is his time to shine now. Or so I hope.
Falcondore
July 15th, 2009
9:45 am
I think you’re right, and I think that TD probably feels the same way. It’s arguable if Cushing or another of the higher rated linebackers had fallen to 24 as to whether we would have taken him, but regardless linebacker was not a position we seemed as concerned with filling as CB, DT, DE and S. Spencer Adkins is a project player who they likely hope will be a big special-teams contributor. I think that’s a good sign that they are real high on Nicholas being able to fill in that position on a daily basis.
I admit I’m fargone on the Falcons kool-aid, but I really love the way the Falcons drafted. They attacked question marks on our defense by getting as much talent as they could in those positions. I feel pretty confident out of the group of DBs we drafted we’re going to find SOMEONE who will shine.
Unca' Bob
July 15th, 2009
10:06 am
Falcondore,
Both Nicholas and Anderson have two years in the NFL. I am hoping this year will be Anderson’s year. They both understand the speed and ferocity that is the NFL. That should give both a leg up. Moore is having to compete with DeCoud and has no guarantee of playing time. Jerry, I love his motor, but I, too, have to questionhis suspension system. Having said all that, I’m going to say Nicholas also. M Perterson during Mini-camp made some off-hand remarks about Nicholas that stuck with me. His speed and his pop. He is also on a mission to show the faith and trust bestowed upon him by the Falcon organization was not misplaced. He has one very big chip, watch out!
doo mauh mauh maunz
July 15th, 2009
10:11 am
It’s a shame, Vick went from a 1st round pick to the biggest bust in Falcon history. shame…….
jason
July 15th, 2009
10:20 am
Mine is a 2 part answer. Nicholas will be a beast. He will form a nice duo with Lofton.Bringing Peterson in is really going to let both Nicholas and Lofton go off. Nicholas has the size, speed, and Big Strike ability that will force some tunovers.
The second part of my answer is Jamaal Anderson. Alot of people would like to say Jerry. I think Jerry will have a good year, but Anderson will begin to shine this year. Even though Anderson is only going into year 3, he is now a veteran who will have to lead by example. He will have show the young guys like Jerry and Sid what it takes to be a player in the NFL. Anderson will rise to the challange. Anderson may not or never develope into a sack machine, but with his ability to stop the run and push the pocket towards Abe, and the interior line. A nice rotation is forming at the DE position.
Anderson and Abe starting with Davis first in line followed by Bierrman. Sid is going to have to work hard and show he deserves to be on the field. Sid will be a major contributor to the ST this year.
I get excited talking about our defense and their potential Especiall our DL. That will be our strength. That will enable our DBs to cover better by applying relentless pressure on opposing QBs.
Unca' Bob
July 15th, 2009
10:33 am
jason,
I look for Sid, becauseof his size and speed to be worked in as a combination LB/DE ala Suggs of the Ravens. In the Combine this year his fourty time was faster than all but two LB’s. If the Falcon’s run any 3-4’s this year, Sid will be a part of it.
plan b
July 15th, 2009
11:24 am
White is a good receiver but is nowhere near the caliber of Fitzgerald. I hope he can understand this and settle for 7.5 to 8 million/year. If not we should be able to get the best for 10 million.
WR
July 15th, 2009
11:25 am
Jason stole my pick, but I agree its Andersen’s time to shine. I believe Nicholas will be a big time upgrade over last year’s starting SLB, I also believe that he will develop into a big play type of LB. Jamaal Andersen on the other hand could be freakish, the man was new to the position and so it has been a trial under fire, but this year he puts out the flames and starts some natural disasters of his own making. People fell to point out that Andersen has been very strong against the run because he holds the point of attack so well, now add the fact that he has been able to gain considerable knowledge under the tutelege of sugar bear and the play of Abe and I think the end result will surprise many. Most people view the Falcons as being a good team because of the offensive weapons in place, but, and you heard it here first, if Jamaal breaks out like I believe he will and if Abe can remain healthy watchout, we might be in for more to talk about beyond breaking the horrible streak of never having back to back winning seasons.
SeminoleWarrior
July 15th, 2009
11:40 am
The discussion is moving along well. Nicholas will become a force. I see a lot of the same characteristics that were there in Michael Boley in his first two years. Distractions killed Boley’s tenure in ATL; the issues that have clouded Nicholas’s rise have now been handled through the marvels of faith and medical science. He is ready to break out. As far as Peterson, he is a band-aid solution at best. The ONE linebacker I want to see in the camp is Robert James. All that I have seen of this guy indicates that with a little more size/conditioning, he will be a major force at the WLB. Add that to Nicholas and Lofton, the LB corps could go from a slight weaknesses due to inexperience to a HUGE asset in a short order. As far as Anderson is concerned, I still stand by my feeling…in the Sugar Bear I will trust.
SeminoleWarrior
July 15th, 2009
11:47 am
Plan B…you and I are on the same page with the RW contract deal. I just can not see giving him more than 7.5 to 8 million a year. Let’s get that done ASAP and move on.
SeminoleWarrior
July 15th, 2009
11:53 am
30 days from today, we get the first taste of sweet victory as we take down the Kittens (aka Lions) at Ford Field in the first preseason game.
jason
July 15th, 2009
12:01 pm
SeminoleWarrior, Spencer Atkins is the one I want to see, with his size/speed combo.
Unca Bob, SI will be right where you think he will be by season’s end. Probably by mid season. I just don’t think he will break out from the start. Alot of NFL learning to do. He will be a ST warrior at first, while working his way into the DE rotation with Bierrman and Davis. As far as the 3-4 is concerned, this is where ATL can take full advantage of his atheletic ability while he is still learning the ways of the NFL.
jason
July 15th, 2009
12:05 pm
That’s why I love the preseason. We get to see these young guys perform in game time situations, where we won’t see them playing much during the regular season. We have some young DEs and LBs with alot of size and blazing speed. If James can put on 20lbs and maintain his top level speed, All I am gonna say is “Scary”, the possibilities.
Falcondore
July 15th, 2009
12:05 pm
If Anderson late blooms and becomes the player we want him to be, this defense becomes exponentially better. The fact of the matter is that the production we get from that position (and from the interior DLs as well) is going to be the key to the whole defense.
CBrass
July 15th, 2009
12:29 pm
Sarah B,
I hope that you’re feeling better!!
SeminoleWarrior ,
Welcome back. From what I’ve read you have been sorely missed and from reading your post I see why. I can tell that you have a tremendous amount of knowledge for the game. I will surely keep you and your family in my prayers.
Unca' Bob
July 15th, 2009
12:33 pm
Falcondore,
J Anderson is but 23 years old and has two years in the NFL. P Jerry is 25 and has never strapped on a pair of shoulder pads. Anderson is a Man-child and if he does blossom it can’t be concidered as late IMHO. He just reached the age of most college players coming into the League as rookies this year. I feel our patience will be rewarded.
Ride it
July 15th, 2009
12:44 pm
@Ledbetter- LOL- if we believed everything we read on blogs as newsworthy then Perez Hilton would run CNN.. Whats the Jessica Simpson reference?
SeminoleWarrior
July 15th, 2009
12:57 pm
CBrass..thanks for the kind words and your prayers. But do not limit them to just mine and my “little” warrior; there are thousands of Posse members like me across the nation. Keep them all in our prayers. This deal is far from being over.
Jason, James has already put on 13 pounds from when we drafted him if the weight on the Yahoo! Sports depth chart is correct. That, coupled with his speed, as you stated, will make him a hell of a threat if he is ready. And I think he is. As far as Adkins, I see him as depth but as a major special teamer, i.e, the same way we nutured Nicholas along. As far as going down, here’s an early prediction for WR; FSU 31, GT 24.
CBrass
July 15th, 2009
1:17 pm
SeminoleWarrior ,
I hear ya!! I’ve also recently found out that praying works…if it’s for myself or others…it changes things!!!
Sarah B
July 15th, 2009
1:22 pm
Thanks guys & gal -ha ha now I can type that too. Feeling much better today. Had a CT scan and my head is still in one piece.
Good chatting today, I also think JamalA will break out this year. People forget it took Kereny until year 3 to break out.
Scary Scenarios
July 15th, 2009
1:52 pm
I don’t like the brewing big picture taking place.
First we paid Ryan, an unproven rookie all that money.
Then the lack of ticket sales.
Then there is the proposed NFL lockout for 2011.
Pro bowl wr not getting a new deal (potential holdout).
John Abraham not getting a new deal (potential holdout).
Art Blank selling ownership to scrap for cash.
The big picture does not look good for Falcon football!
jason
July 15th, 2009
1:58 pm
SeminoleWarrior, I expect for Adkins to ST warrior, and provide depth in case of injury. But a man big, moving that fast. Say, down the road being able to rotate Nicholas out and have Adkins and James flanking Lofton at LB. Adkins is a project, but he definitely has the Atheletic attributes for the position.
Honey Moon Over
July 15th, 2009
2:04 pm
The Falcon franchise was in such disarray in 2007 & 2008 so Blank called on Roger Goodell to bail him out. Afterall, it’s in Goodell’s best interest to keep the owners happy, since that’s where his bread and butter is.
So Blank hired a new GM & coach and after the commissioner laid the blue prints for the lowly Falcons to look good in the NFL community, buy giving them a very weak (9th easiest) schedule.
They finished the season at 11-5 and America loves a good story. The 2008 Falcons were receiving a whole country of sympathy and praise. So much praise that they really think the Falcons are bigger than reality.
So they billed the GM & coach as genuises for the remarkable turnaround. Sure on paper 2008 looked like a dynasty in the making. Now comes the tangibles.
2008 was nearly flawless:
No major injuries
No contract disputes
No holdouts
Now it’s time for the great GM & coach to see what coaches like Belichek, Tony Dungee and GM Bill Parcell dealt with, keeping a winning tradition. They had to deal with stars and egos. None of that was existent with the 2007 & 2008 Falcons because there was no talent on the team, which makes one think how the previous qb was able to take the team to the championship game, just 4 seasons earlier.
Now the GM & coach has to deal with the intangibles – lets see how genius they really are.
jason
July 15th, 2009
3:07 pm
WR and myself were talking the other night about the Falcon’s retro jerseys with the Red Helmats. I loved those jerseys. To me they are and still are the Falcon’s best uni. I was interested enough that I went to the Falcon’s web page and posed a question of how to go about ATL going retro. I have never seen ATL go Red since they have gone Black. I could be wrong, living in San Antone for roughly the past 8+ years and haven’t seen as many games as I would have like to have seen. Anyway, I got a responsef from the site that said… Yes, they are planning a :throw Back” day at some point this season. Thay haven’t confirmed a date as of yeat. Anyway, I just wanted to pas that ‘lil tidbit along. I love the 70’s-80’s Red Jerseys with the Red Helmets. I wish Blank would go back to them full time.
D3
July 15th, 2009
3:10 pm
Great A.M. Discussion Boys and Girls! Wow, are there some serious hate-fishers out there on the Bird-Cage lake today. Saying the same thing over and over and over and over with different screen names and no bites from the ‘Cage? Love it! The Bird-Cage members have learned well.
FalcTech – Roddy is definitely no Fitz, but it looks like because of Jennings getting overpaid, the Falcons brass are somewhat boxed in. That’s the market for you.
Falcondore – nice question. That’s a tough one, but I gotta agree with several others opinion in Jamaal Anderson. Even though he and Nicholas were drafted in the same year, being selected #8 overall puts that enormous target on his back. Nicholas was drafted in the 3rd or 4th round and won’t feel as much pressure. Jerry and Moore are rookies, so they get a pass. Because of that fact, I think JA will be a centerpiece quickly.
Seminole – good point. If anyone can “save” JA, its Sugar Bear Hamilton. Because of that fact, look for big things out of him. At least let’s hope so anyway.
jason – D-Ends look good. Gotta love that depth, and Davis figures prominently as we go forward with Abes age and lack of playing all 4 downs. Biermann and El Sid give us mad insurance. Its good to have not 4, but 5 DE’s ready to contribute.
Seminole(2) – Your right on Robert James. Spencer Adkins looks to push Robert James as far as he can go. James may be a better pure LB, but Adkins has speed (4.43), strength, weight, and height on James. It looks to be James vs. Adkins for the 6th LB spot, unless they keep 7 LB’s which is doubtful.
CBrass – good to see you in the ‘Cage as a regular. Has Unca’ Bob given you anymore quizzes?
Later all. Gotta finish my last assignment for grad class, and I’ll be home free. Looks like its going to be next week before we get our “Fan Bird-Cage Blog.” I sure think you’ll be pleased with what I have in store.
Remember, ignore the hate-fishers out there. Stay strong.
Sarah B
July 15th, 2009
3:39 pm
This just in from FOX Sports:
1. Is it crazy to consider the Falcons the NFC favorites for 2009?
Crazy? No, not at all.
After a storybook season last year, the Falcons didn’t lose anything on the offensive side of the ball this winter and add the best tight end in the game in Tony Gonzalez.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. The Browns were everyone’s hot team last summer, the 49ers the year before that, and the Cardinals every year since 1992. So as pristine and rosy as things seem in Flowery Branch this offseason, the Falcons’ 2009 success is not a sure thing.
I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, I just have my concerns.
The Falcons caught lightning in a bottle last season, defying the odds and making the playoffs with a rookie head coach, first-year general manager, rookie quarterback, rookie offensive tackle and a first-year starter at running back. They were healthy, fortunate, and at times even a bit lucky (why the squib kick, Bears?).
The health thing was paramount to the Falcons’ success. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White were all injury-free, and the defense stayed relatively intact. They were the complete opposite of the 2009 New York Mets. No guarantee the team can stay so healthy in ‘09.
What about the defense? It wasn’t exactly the 2000 Ravens. The Falcons D ranked 24th in the league last year. The unit lost five starters this offseason and must now fill in the holes. The Falcons used their first five draft picks in April on defense. They expect contributions from all five rookies — especially from defensive tackle Peria Jerry.
Don’t get me wrong; the Falcons are legit. Ryan, now almost mythically, was in the film room the day immediately after last season’s playoff loss in Arizona. He’s a franchise quarterback who should be immune to a sophomore slump. But we’ve seen this happen time and time before. Before labeling the Falcons the favorites in the NFC South, let’s see how they look in September.
2009 Predictions
July 15th, 2009
4:01 pm
Below link is “MSN Sports” prediction for 2009 NFC South:
http://www.whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2009NFLNSOUTH
They predict the following order:
Saints……….11-5
Panthers………8-8
Falcons………8-8
Tampa…………5-11
So much for the back-to-back winning seasons.
Falcons Outlook 2009
July 15th, 2009
4:03 pm
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Coming off a surprising Wild Card berth, the Falcons will come back to earth a little bit. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will continue to impress but the defense takes a big step back. The Falcons average 23.0 points per game (#8) and allow 23.3 points (#23) against a schedule featuring five games against 2008 playoff teams.
Absolute Record: 8-8
Most Significant Newcomer: Tony Gonzalez, TE – Gonzalez gives second-year starting quarterback Matt Ryan a big, sure-handed safety valve and redzone target along with play-making wide receiver Roddy White. Ryan shouldn’t have to worry about a sophomore slump with such a veteran presence. Gonzalez is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. The Falcons’ focus on the run may not allow for that kind of production in 2009, but that’s not why they got him. Just being on the field should help everyone around Gonzalez and he’ll be most important near the endzone.
Biggest Strength: Rushing Offense – Michael Turner burst onto the NFL scene in his first opportunity to be feature back last year after playing behind LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego for four years. Turner rushed for 1,600 yards on a very respectable 4.5 yards-per-carry. Backup Jerious Norwood may be even more explosive with the ball. In three seasons, he has averaged 5.8 yards-per-carry on 6.6 carries-per-game. Atlanta will still rely on the run in 2009. The Falcons may need to diversify the workload a little bit more than in 2008 to protect Turner. If most of those carries go to Norwood, that may actually help the team. In the projections, Atlanta runs for 2,501 yards on 561 carries.
Most Exploitable Weakness: Defense – Atlanta overachieved to go 11-5 in 2008. Despite ranking among the bottom half of the league in almost every relevant defensive statistical category, the team finished 11th in fewest points allowed per game. The team played smart and had good special teams, but the Falcons were also “lucky” to do as well as they did. The defense is still an issue and lost two of its starting linebackers, Michael Boley and Keith Brooking, in free agency without bringing in much to replace them.
Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Jerious Norwood, RB – After Michael Turner’s 376 carries in 2008, the Falcons will likely be a little more protective of him in 2009. Norwood is a great runner and a significantly better receiver – Turner’s lack of pass-catching abilities keeps him from being a fantasy top five running back – so Norwood’s touches should go up. The projections give Norwood 917 total yards and eight touchdowns on just over ten touches a game.
Closest Game: @Dallas Cowboys (Week 7) – This is the beginning of a brutal stretch where Atlanta will play four of five games away from the Georgia Dome against five teams who are all greater than .500 in our projections. The Falcons will want to start this run on the right foot and what a better way to do it than to win in Dallas’ new billion dollar stadium?
Fantasy Notables: Matt Ryan (10) 2978 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs; Michael Turner (7) 1599 total yards, 12 TDs; Jerious Norwood (30) 917 total yards, 8 TDs; Roddy White (9) 75 receptions, 1,127 yards, 8 TDs; Michael Jenkins (53) 34 receptions, 541 yards, 4 TDs; Tony Gonzalez (2) 70 receptions, 772 yards, 6 TDs; Jason Elam (21) 40/41 XPs, 23/26 FGs