Falcons: Meet the Burn Unit
The Burn Unit: Tyson Clabo, Harvey Dahl, Todd McClure, Justin Blalock and Sam Baker (at least part of his head). (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
THE BRANCH — One of the fun parts of being a sports writer is coming up with nicknames.
Had a youth league player who decided that it was his day — finally — to go ahead and use those shoulder pads and tackle somebody like we’d taught him. He was dubbed the “Hitman.” Don’t believe that he’s hit anybody since, but the lovely little kid is still called the “Hitman.”
I think we’d have to call him a coverage linebacker.
Since nobody is kicking around the Falcons offensive line after last season, they are perhaps worthy of their
Right tackle Tyson Clabo. Member of the Burn Unit. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
very own nickname. When you pave the way for a 1,700-yard back, cut your sack totals in half (darn it, got to look up a stat) — cut your sack totals by 30 (from 47 to 17) — and kick sand in the face of weakling defenses, then you need a nickname.
This one came to me last night. Back in the day, O.J. Simpson was called the Juice — back when he was just known for his football playing — and his line was the “Electric Company.” They turned on the juice, the electricity. Get it?
Well the Falcons running back is Michael “The Burner” Turner, so his guys up front are henceforth and forever more now known as “The Burn Unit.”
Maybe a little corny, but that’s Ok. Corny works in the nickname game.
We’ll have to see if center Todd McClure buys in. If he’s in, he’ll sell to the rest of the Burn Unit.
FOUR THINGS TODD McCLURE HAS IN HIS DORM ROOM TO HELP HIM GET THROUGH TRAINING CAMP:
1. I brought my flat screen that Mike (Turner) and Matt (Ryan) brought for us at the end of the season last year.
2. My cell phone so I can talk to my wife and kids. That helps you keep your mind off of camp.
3. I guess my anti-inflammatories.
4. Then the guys. The three guys in my room. We just hang once we get out of meetings. We just get a few laughs in. That makes camp fun. (Tyson Clabo, Brett Romberg and Harvey Dahl are McClure’s roomies.)
Polled the media members. While Lady GaGa is hip. The media wants to hear more Taylor Swift at Training camp.
LADY GAGA FOREVER: One of the tunes they blare out of the speakers while the fans are walking up to practice in the morning is Let’s Dance by Lady Gaga.
Better get out to practice.
(NOTE TO THE BLOGGERS: Oh yeah, by the way. I need to remind some folks that this is a football blog. A Falcons football blog. We don’t need to talk about players who no longer play here. Politicians or radio hosts. Let’s keep focused on the Falcons and football. My training camp routine is falling back into place and will be stopping by more often to keep those zany folks from interrupting our ramp up to the season. Moderation is a good thing. –DOL)
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116 comments Add your comment
RKCola
August 11th, 2009
9:09 am
First!
Jason Haynes
August 11th, 2009
9:45 am
Any word on how Thomas Brown is doing in camp? I haven’t seen anything yet.
Nancy Pelosi
August 11th, 2009
9:48 am
Yes, do what DOL says, interrupting the earnest thoughts of regular bloggers would be “un-American”!
Ken
August 11th, 2009
9:50 am
Good question Jason, and all the other dawgs as well.
Alex H.
August 11th, 2009
9:51 am
D-Led, great article as usual. I think the name sounds appropriate. Those guys look bad to the bone!
Jacket Attack
August 11th, 2009
9:53 am
How is Vance Walker doing? Can he make into the DT rotation? Is he behind Trey Lewis?
Jacket Attack
August 11th, 2009
9:53 am
My parts like Lady Gaga
chc4
August 11th, 2009
9:54 am
We need to keep the starting 5 healthy b/c the depth is shaky. Romberg can play the inside but not sure we have anyone to fill in at LT/RT. Ojinnaka looked overmatched last season.
Hooff Hearted
August 11th, 2009
9:58 am
How about the “Grady Babies”? Grady hospital is reknowned for their burn center…or maybe the “Blunts” or “Fatties” for the Burner.
FalconUGAFan
August 11th, 2009
9:59 am
Wow how big is that dorm room? Those are some beefy boys. Oh, great name BTW. Approved.
wronskain
August 11th, 2009
10:01 am
I think “The Match” is a better name. They light “The Burner”.
Ryno
August 11th, 2009
10:01 am
Love the Burn Unit nickname. Also works well with the “Fire and Ice” play on words…
Burner Turner and Matty Ice – these are good days to be a Falcons fan.
mark
August 11th, 2009
10:05 am
GOOD ADVICE D-LED LET,S JUST TALK FOOTBALL. I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. GO FALCONS. OH YEAH BURN UNIT I LIKE IT!
Anakin Joe
August 11th, 2009
10:07 am
How many CBs will the Falcons carry on the roster? Is Hutchins strictly a CB or can he play a little safety?
Bluestreak
August 11th, 2009
10:07 am
So that would make V-I-C-K a four letter word in the old Dirty Bird Bloggosphere. ‘Bout time!!
Go Falcs!!
Woof
August 11th, 2009
10:12 am
I kind of like it, DOL, however there aren’t many non-disturbing descriptions concerning a burn unit that fit a typical football offensive line, i.e. trauma, charring, melted flesh, etc. Perhaps a descriptive phrase that is a little less disgusting would be a better “nickname”.
mitch
August 11th, 2009
10:22 am
Nice going, RKCola. Any relation to RC Cola? I played ball with him a few years ago. Me and Sonny Clusters.
GMAN
August 11th, 2009
10:24 am
D.O.L. you hit the nail on the button, i like it
it should catch, ill do my part
Greg from Marietta
August 11th, 2009
10:28 am
“The Burn Unit” is cool but what about bringing back an oldie, “The Gas House Gang”? Get it? The Burner can’t burn without the gas!! Well, at least I thought it made sense….Good article DOL.
FalconDawg
August 11th, 2009
10:34 am
THE BURN UNIT= YARDS+MATTY ICE =TOUCHDOWNS+TURNER=WINS+RODDY “THE FLIGHT” WHITE=PLAYOFFS+DEFENSE=SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO FALCONS!!!!!
rainman
August 11th, 2009
10:41 am
Since the line has become quite large, we could call them ‘the beastie boys’
I thought I saw a blog where someone said Trey Lewis’s knee had been swelling up – any truth to that?
Rickster
August 11th, 2009
10:42 am
What do you use to light a burner?? I think “The Ignitors” would be better than the “Burn Unit.”
MiltonDawg
August 11th, 2009
10:44 am
DOL- how are the new WRs coming along? Anyone looking better than the other.
What about the DIRTY BOYS- as a nod to the DIRTY BIRDS and for the OL’s style of play- esp. Dahl & Clabo
Bort Sampson
August 11th, 2009
10:51 am
The Burn Unit makes no sense. The Electric Company made sense because there was no “juice” without them. The Burn Unit is where you go after you have been burned.
Charles Dimry was a member of the Burn Unit.
**Frederick(Bailey)Douglass**
August 11th, 2009
10:56 am
DOL…what a shame about the rookie SS. What is the injury? Do you think that he will be back? I was hoping to see him ALOT this year.
I have been clammoring about letting our FORMER #19 (Robinson) go for almost NOTHING (see previous blogs). Well, we see that our young guy went down (#83) and that Robinson is STARTING IN ST. LOUIS. Of some things that I did NOT like about the Reeves’ tenure, I DID like the fact that he put a premium on keeping good football players…even if they all were Tight Ends.
This might be one of Dimitroff’s first mistakes…simply because Robinson was not “his guy” he got gone…and we could REALLY use his skills now.
So…how does DeCoud REALLY look??? Who do we have that can replace Douglas’s underneath route running skills?
Nookah
August 11th, 2009
10:59 am
D Led, I love the name. Let’s hope that the defenses will feel the burning this year.
Go Falcons!!!
Gatorzone
August 11th, 2009
11:03 am
Dled, that was a joke. No need to cut it off.
yo mama
August 11th, 2009
11:03 am
with the oline in tact, and a good wall of protection for matty ice, and the addition of gonz, the birds have about the most balanced attack since the days of andrews and cain, bart, and miller. throw in roddy, the birds offense will fly in 09. only injuries can take this team down.
yo mama
August 11th, 2009
11:06 am
d led answer some questions bro….we need info, how is t brown doing?
Unca' Bob
August 11th, 2009
11:23 am
D-Led,
The Fire Wall?
yeahwhatever
August 11th, 2009
11:26 am
Burn Unit? I’d rather we keep Matty safe in the “icebox”…
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 11th, 2009
11:27 am
I like that one, Unca’ Bob: “The Fire Wall”.
I also like “The FireFighters”.
“The Burn Unit” aint bad either.
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 11th, 2009
11:28 am
Lets roll with “The Fire Wall” (credit Unca’ Bob). Any seconds?
Michael
August 11th, 2009
11:28 am
If you want to talk nicknames Thomas browns nickname while we played together at tucker and henderson middle was TB. From what I hear from the local buddys that still keep in touch with TB is he is doing great and feeling as good as ever. Now lets hope some cheap play wont take him out for the season before the real one even starts
Falcon Devil
August 11th, 2009
11:29 am
“darn it, got to look up a stat” — Wow life is rough for a beat writer! I don’t come onto these blogs with the purpose of being negative however that quote perfectly sums up my opinion the AJC’s Falcons coverage. Not only do they lack meaningful content such as stats, they are filled with fluff. Lets take another quote “I need to remind some folks that this is a football blog. A Falcons football blog. We don’t need to talk about players who no longer play here. Politicians or radio hosts. Let’s keep focused on the Falcons and football.” Lady Gaga and Beyonce or Jessica Simpson arnt football realted topics they are pure space filling fluff. Seems D3’s amazing work in the birdcage has brought my standards up to expect real sports journalism (Pretty sad considering he isn’t even a professional journalist!!!!).
Michael
August 11th, 2009
11:29 am
what about the Hot Boys
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 11th, 2009
11:30 am
Just got off the field from morning practice.
JASON HAYNES & YO MAMA: Thomas Brown is looking real good. All running backs look good when you can’t get tackled. We’ll have to see in games. I expect to see the Bulldog set — Shockley, Haynes and Brown — at some point against Detroit.
NANCY: Thanks. You are a “True American!” Makes sense to talk football in the Falcons football blog.
JACKET ATTACK: Vance Walker is doing great. Coach Smith keeps bringing up his name. He did a hump move in the one-on-one drills and impressed the veterans with it. He threw the guard out of the way and everybody started cheering, “We got a humper!!!” The hump move was popularized by Reggie White.
CHC4: Will Svitek looks like a Todd Weiner clone. He crushed Kroy Biermann on a block today.
WRONSKAIN: Now, I like “The Match” but it takes too much explaining. I’ll run that by McClure, too.
FDB: Hope all is well with you, Friend! Moore has his knee scoped. Is out two to four weeks. Looks like he’s going to back up Erik Coleman at strong safety this year and bust heads on special teams.
MILTONDAWG: The wide receivers are sure-handed pros. Don’t think they can stretch defenses any more, but Fergy Ferge and Booker could add some quality depth to the unit.
J. Clearwater Tungstenaverage
August 11th, 2009
11:49 am
I dunno, D. The Burn Unit sounds like a really scary and sad place at a hospital. What about something far more corny, like “The Stove Top” or “The Oven Range” or something goofy like that? Personally, I like:
Michael Turner as The Burner
Matt Ryan as Matty Ice
Ovie Mughelli as The Ignition Source
The O-Line as The Oven
The D-Line as The Pressure Cooker
Roddy White as The Holdout
Jason Elam as The Leg
and finally…
Arthur Blank, T-Dim, and The Coach as The 3-Headed Genius
Dave
August 11th, 2009
11:58 am
“Ignition System”…it all starts with the O-line. The burn unit is our opponents sideline after ‘The Burner’ burns them.
kappellmeister
August 11th, 2009
11:58 am
I like “Firewall” best. Or something with ‘talons’. Burn Unit kinda leaves out Ryan and Norwood…
Dave
August 11th, 2009
12:02 pm
‘Pyromaniacs’: the uncontrollable impulse and practice of setting things on fire. Sounds like Clabo and Dahl to me.
Suldog
August 11th, 2009
12:35 pm
Burn Unit is nice but how about something simple “The Wall”
Jim P.
August 11th, 2009
12:47 pm
I like the Burn Unit, for the O line, I like The Burner Turner, I like Mattie Ice, so I think we need to rename the Ga. Dome to the Ice House.
Jim P.
August 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
Or rename the Ga. Dome “The Fire and Ice House”
froggy
August 11th, 2009
12:56 pm
The Fire Wall is the best of these, IMHO
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 11th, 2009
1:01 pm
Sammy
August 11th, 2009
1:54 pm
D.O.L. You’ve written a fine article as usual. There are some great names being mentioned. How about the Liberators? They set free (or clear the way for) Fire and Ice on the path to destruction. I think VanGorder’s D oughta be called the “Rowdies.” It’s good to hear Tech alum Vance Walker making some noise. Four days to go before we go a slap around those Lions.
MrJ
August 11th, 2009
2:01 pm
The Fire Wall get’s my vote!
Shadyman
August 11th, 2009
2:30 pm
Sorry D-Led but the nickname has failed and we have decided to go with The Bruise Brothers. Thanks anyway.
YuleeFalcon
August 11th, 2009
2:38 pm
To add to wronskain’s ” the Match”…how about the “Match-men” . I also like the “kerosene crew” or the “kerosene kids”
“fuel Line” or the “pipe line”
just some ideas.. Thanks
Unca' Bob
August 11th, 2009
2:42 pm
Shadyman,
The Falcons had two safeties with that nickname. I think it was T Pridemore and S Case. I could be wrong on the people, but sure of the nickname.
Q. Pensacola Nickelsuper
August 11th, 2009
2:49 pm
How about calling the offensive line “that big thing that opens the way for the Burner”? We could call them TBTTOWFB… No? Okay.
DrJ
August 11th, 2009
2:56 pm
OL = SPARKS
Singletary
August 11th, 2009
3:01 pm
If the line has a nickname, we have to give some credit to the guys in the backfield. How about *** IceMan, Turner, Overdrive? *** Jerious can definitely be “Overdrive” if Grimes frees him up from return duties.
Guess I like Fire Wall better for BBMCD. Calling all linguists, help make this better:
B ash ‘em,
B eat ‘em,
M ake the
D efeated
C ry
Just having fun; I know this is too long for a nickname. Did you EVER think we’d have such a good O-line? Stay healthy, guys.
Falcons Fan in Duluth
August 11th, 2009
3:16 pm
Our gutsy offensive line has to block for various other players besides Michael Turner. “The Burn Unit” and other fire-related names sound interesting, but they don’t seem to fit the “team” concept that the birds are trying to develop. I don’t mean to deflate the overall theme of this blog though. There have been some great suggestions.
Klingensmith
August 11th, 2009
3:24 pm
How about the Firestarters and they can play the song Firestarter by Prodigy. When Burner breaks a big run. Give some love to the line during the game.
I need to be stimulated
August 11th, 2009
3:27 pm
The Switch
Starts the Burner
Spanks the Defense
Lets you go from Ice to Fire
Klingensmith
August 11th, 2009
3:32 pm
I am not a fan of the Burn Unit because in football you don’t want to be burned. To me an O-line called Burn Unit means they cant stop anyone from getting through. They got burned.
Klingensmith
August 11th, 2009
3:33 pm
How about the Fuel Line?
Walter
August 11th, 2009
3:34 pm
Quick get that Lady GaGa image pulled! Look at her finger, she wearing the Saints Logo for crying out loud.
di
August 11th, 2009
3:56 pm
How about the firestarters, fire pit, or bomb sqauad.
di
August 11th, 2009
3:56 pm
(spelling sorry) squad…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
So far, I like:
1. Burn Unit
2. The Match
3. Firewall
(Will run by McClure today or after tomorrow’s morning practice).
Greene Hornet
August 11th, 2009
4:50 pm
I like “The Red Wave” – like Turner rode the Red Wave into the endzone for a touchdown!
OriginalDawgs
August 11th, 2009
4:56 pm
Walter-
That’s a pic of T Swift, not Lady GaGa…get with it man!
D Falcon
August 11th, 2009
5:09 pm
How about The Flintstones (or Flint-stones)? Would cause licensing issues for t-shirts, etc., but the definition is appropriate, ties into both being a spark for The Burner and a stone wall for the QB, and it plays into the massive size of most of the guys. From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flint:
1 : a massive hard dark quartz that produces a spark when struck by steel
2 : an implement of flint used in prehistoric cultures
3 a : a piece of flint b : a material used for producing a spark; especially : an alloy (as of iron and cerium) used in lighters
4 : something resembling flint in hardness
Wildebeast
August 11th, 2009
5:14 pm
D-Led’s got it right with The Burn Unit. The nickname is directly derived from The Burner, it’s clever, it’s nasty, it’s got layers of meaning (burning the defense, lighting ‘em up.) So that’s it. The Khrushchev vote says the O-Line nickname is now officially The Burn Unit!
Jimmy Dickens
August 11th, 2009
5:23 pm
Nicknames are gay
Wildebeast
August 11th, 2009
5:28 pm
Like Lil’ Jimmy Dickens?
Walter
August 11th, 2009
5:34 pm
“Walter-
That’s a pic of T Swift, not Lady GaGa…get with it man!”
My bad I thought she was way to hot to be Lady Gaga, but none the less she still has a Saints Logo on her finger so she’s gotta go.
tjhook
August 11th, 2009
5:35 pm
jimmy dickens, your comments explains why every superhero wore a costume. And never used their real name.
tjhook
August 11th, 2009
5:37 pm
Uncomfirmed Batman quote – “To the catwalk, Robin!!”
C. Tampa Ironworse
August 11th, 2009
5:58 pm
I like the nickname “the militant Bow Ties”
TT44
August 11th, 2009
6:16 pm
Hey Mr. Led B….how about the Blow up Unit?
Blowup – Sudden increase in fire intensity or rate of spread sufficient to preclude direct suppression or to upset existing suppression strategies. Often accompanied by violent convection and may have other characteristics of a fire storm.
TT44
August 11th, 2009
6:18 pm
Enter your comments here
I MUS WRITE
August 11th, 2009
6:41 pm
Charles Dimry was probably the worst corner back in Falcons history…….. That man was burnt so much he’s a pile of ashes now.
Hump move…. That reminds me of Jummpy Gathers one of the best to do it.
Co sign the “fire wall” D=Led have u ever smelt burning human flesh…… I have and its one of the worst smells ive encountered….
The Burn Unit is kinda creepy…… Well so is your bow tie so……
I MUS WRITE
August 11th, 2009
6:44 pm
The millitant Bow Ties….hahahahahah OMG now thats funny
John
August 11th, 2009
6:44 pm
How about the “Matchmen”
I MUS WRITE
August 11th, 2009
6:45 pm
millitant bow ties,,,,,, hahahahahaha….i luv it that was funny
CJ
August 11th, 2009
6:48 pm
Call them the Butane Gang!!
Ken Strickland
August 11th, 2009
6:49 pm
I like the BURN UNIT, but believe it or not, the nickname that best fits our OL is “THE DIRTY BIRDS”. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, Florida A&M Univ(FAMU)head coach Jake Gaither had a nicknames for his DL(Blood), OL(Sweat) and goalline DEF(Tears). I also like the nickname FIRE STARTERS. They start the fire, and then you get burned by THE BURNER.
MightyQuinn
August 11th, 2009
6:58 pm
Gotta go with the “Fire Wall”. Can be interpreted as protection for “Matty Ice” and the wall that protects the “Burner.”
Brian Hunt
August 11th, 2009
8:11 pm
The Burn Unit works for me.
Charles Dimry
August 11th, 2009
8:33 pm
I MUS: C’mon, man, nobody remembers little ol’ me… except for John Taylor and Jerry Rice, who combined for 5 TD’s over me in a single game.
Sarah B
August 11th, 2009
9:23 pm
I’m stickin with Unca’ Bob “FireWall’ fits the best!
Reapics
August 11th, 2009
10:35 pm
Kinda hard to call them the Burn unit if they block for Matty Ice. Little conflict there eh DOL?
GT GRAD
August 11th, 2009
11:17 pm
Fire Fighters!
I think we should call the O-LIne the “Fire Fighters”.
This nickname has a positive spin and is fitting because this group has made an impression as a group that fights hard until the whistle blows. “Fire Fighters” opened up huge holes which allowed “Turner the Burner” to torch the opponents defense!
Just imagine the billboard sign (the 5 OL starters dressed as fire fighters) after they make a huge name for themselves!!
We should also nickname Norwood “The Torch” or “The Human Torch” since he is so freak’n Fast!!
Keith
August 12th, 2009
12:22 am
Love the Burn Unit. I think people approve. And not as corny as you might think.
I heard on the radio that Booker is looking good. I am impressed with the move to bring Booker and Ferguson on board. Love it! Make those guys fight for their WR spot.
ROWBOAT
August 12th, 2009
2:08 am
ARE YOU KIDDING??? How has no one suggested “THE ARSONISTS” yet? that would make more sense than the firefighters considering Michael Turner is the “burner” and sounds a little more intimidating than match. Please someone say they’re with me.
SeminoleWarrior
August 12th, 2009
8:08 am
DO Led, I love it!! The Burn Unit is premium. Great work my brother!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 12th, 2009
8:18 am
Back at The Branch. Bird hit the field in about 23 minutes. Wonder if rain will come, spoil the open public practice and push then into the old Georgia Force indoor facility.
CORRECT!!
August 12th, 2009
9:55 am
The “who gives a flying floozy fart just knock some guys on their azzes and play ball” line!!!!
I need to be stimulated
August 12th, 2009
10:15 am
The Burn Unit — aka Michael Turners Penis
The Arsonist Rocks
ROWBOAT
August 12th, 2009
11:32 am
DLED: Please consider “THE ARSONISTS” when you talk to TMC.
ARSONISTS!
ARSONISTS!
ARSONISTS!
WE GONNA BURN THEM DOWNNNNN
David Lee
August 12th, 2009
2:08 pm
REPRISING TWO REALLY GOOD ONES:
J. Clearwater Tungstenaverage
August 11th, 2009
11:49 am
I dunno, D. The Burn Unit sounds like a really scary and sad place at a hospital. What about something far more corny, like “The Stove Top” or “The Oven Range” or something goofy like that? Personally, I like:
Michael Turner as The Burner
Matt Ryan as Matty Ice
Ovie Mughelli as The Ignition Source
The O-Line as The Oven
The D-Line as The Pressure Cooker
Roddy White as The Holdout — MAY I SUGGEST HOLD-UP ?
Jason Elam as The Leg
and finally…
Arthur Blank, T-Dim, and The Coach as The 3-Headed Genius Maybe a gourmet could connect DIM SUM (TD & Smith or TD & AB) and then a final nexis? Dim Sum means to touch the heart.
kappellmeister
August 11th, 2009
11:58 am
I like “Firewall” best. Or something with ‘talons’. TALONted FIREWALL, ANY ONE?
I think female falcon fan also had a great one called FULL FRONTAL NASTY, though that may be only an attitude check.
gary32
August 12th, 2009
5:08 pm
Ooops sorry I meant Orlando!!!!
Falcons 4 ever
August 12th, 2009
9:21 pm
“Firewall” grows on me as well. DLed; how’s Lofton looking in the passing game? If he can make that transition to 3 down backer it would be a tremendous boost to the D.
atl.unc.aub
August 13th, 2009
2:32 am
Klingensmith and yulee falcon got it right. FUEL LINE. that would have to be my vote. really dont like the “burn unit” doesnt really make much sense to me. “THE FUEL LINE STARTS THE BURNER.” “THE BURNER GETS ENOUGH FROM THE FUEL LINE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN.”"FUEL LINE GIVES THE BURNER JUST ENOUGH GAS FOR THE FIRST DOWN.” yup thats the one. imo of course
real fan
August 13th, 2009
8:05 am
A note from Atlantas leading burn unit . Warning , Highly explosive material present . If youfeel the burn imediately stop drop and role . Your very life may depend on it .
MW
August 13th, 2009
12:25 pm
Gotta go with “Firewall!”