Falcons: 10 things we learned from the Lions game
Falcons QB Matt Ryan had a good showing against Detroit. (Robin Buckson/ The Detroit News).
THE BRANCH – Here are 10 things we learned during the Falcons’ shocking 27-26 loss to the Detroit Lions.
1. The Falcons front-seven — with two new linebackers and a new nose tackle — has to improve against the run. Perhaps they are just working out the kinks and getting used to each other.
Matt Ryan on the cover of current issue of Atlanta Magazine. (Ledbetter/AJC)
2. What was most impressive about rookie cornerback Chris Owens was how physical he was when he came up in run support.
3. Quarterback Matt Ryan and tight end Tony Gonzalez are going to be a force on third down.
4. Running back Michael “The Burner” Turner’s legs looked pretty fresh on that 40-yard touchdown run.
5. Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson, a free agent signee, might be a keeper. His sack on third down to force the Lions to attempt a field goal on their opening drive was a big-time play.
6. Right guard Harvey Dahl is still a beast. He worked out poor rookie Sammie Lee Hill in those first two series. Hill is trying to make the jump from SIAC school Stillman. (Morehouse and Clark Atlanta’s conference.)
7. Punter Michael “The Franchise” Koenen is not in mid-season form. His first punt went 24 yards.
8. Linebacker Tony Gilbert, who was inactive all 16 games last season, still knows what to do with an interception.
Ford Field in Detroit. (Ledbetter/AJC)
9. Thomas Brown was a little rusty on kickoff returns. He seemed to be running into tacklers.
10. Defensive end Jamaal Anderson needs to stay on his feet to stop getting so easily taken out of plays.
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119 comments Add your comment
YUP!!
August 17th, 2009
11:15 am
Defense needs to get better push up the middle. 100% sure coach Smith will be working on correcting the problems this week.
GO FALCONS!!!!
H. Cape Canaveral Copperbest
August 17th, 2009
11:23 am
I’m confused, did we learn seven things, or ten things.
Besides, it’s just the first preseason game. Back when Indy was going 14-2 and 13-3 every year they usually lost all four preseason games. Until the league wises up and turns the last two preseason games into regular season games, none of this matters. An 18-game regular season would be som much better.
VICK SUPPORTER
August 17th, 2009
11:36 am
ARTHUR BLANKS WILL SUFFER FOR ABANDONING VICK!
chc4
August 17th, 2009
11:39 am
Had to shake my head when Anderson tried to finesse the Detroit FB with a spin move instead of running him over. The dude is soft. He has the wrong mentality. If it hasn’t changed by now you gotta wonder if it’s a lost cause.
Justafan
August 17th, 2009
11:39 am
You don’t play your best hand in practice. All kids got to play…thats good. Coach Smith and Falcons will show up when its time.
VICK SUPPORTER
August 17th, 2009
11:39 am
PHILLY IS MY TEAM NOW. BLANKS SHULD HAVE NEVER TURNED HIS BACK ON VICK. HE WILL REAP WHAT HE HAS SOWN THIS YEAR WIN THE EAGLES WIN IT ALL!!
HAHAHAHA
cajdawg
August 17th, 2009
11:41 am
Trey Lewis played well.
ATL in FLA
August 17th, 2009
11:45 am
Is it just me or did the whole left side of the defence look suspect. We kept getting gashed in the run on the left side. Peterson looked kinda slow chasing Ole’ Cullpepper. Jamal >.< no comment… Its like playing tennis and having no backhand, there gonna keep attacking the left…
gafan1
August 17th, 2009
11:50 am
Our defense did struggle their first time through, but so did the offence. I think both looked better on their second times on the feild. Owens did look like a playmaker, fast and physical. And what was up with Elam missing an extra point?
Gatorzone
August 17th, 2009
12:01 pm
Looking at the vent, you would think this was the 8th game of the season. It is just PRE-season. Vanilla defense, not showing anything. Offense looked great. Defense had energy, and when packages are installed, more pressure will come on the line. Owens will be a player. On the flip side, Stafford looked great.
Mac
August 17th, 2009
12:03 pm
Not worried.
H. Cape Canaveral Copperbest
August 17th, 2009
12:04 pm
Thanks for the correction, D-Led.
I gotta agree with Gatorzone on this one. Stafford looked very good, and should improve with time. The Falcons defense was nothing special, but again the game doesn’t count. Just look at Detroit from last year:
Preseason: 4-0
Regular Season: 0-16
INDIAN BIRD
August 17th, 2009
12:07 pm
trey lewis and thomos johnson played like they want a starting job, other seem to want it given to them (JA).
Coop
August 17th, 2009
12:10 pm
I hear a lot of folks saying it doesn’t count, and that’s correct. But don’t you think we should practice stopping a team that’s PRACTICING how to score on us? Losing a preseason game is one thing. Watching the D get pushed around the ENTIRE game is another, VERY disturbing thing.
lynn candy cain
August 17th, 2009
12:13 pm
jamal anderson is oh so close to being labeled a bust(if he isn’t already)…
i know it was a pre-season game, but still send a little pressure at the end of the game,,,,,pls..
found out i still hate the prevent(you from winning)defense…
hope we can score a lot of points this year…
jerry
August 17th, 2009
12:13 pm
11. Thomas Brown was not impressive.
Brad in Jasper
August 17th, 2009
12:15 pm
Yep. Nothing to get too worked up over. Remember last year – Lions 4-0 in preseason, baby! Yeah! I didn’t get to watch, but is Baker back in full form after a dinged up rookie year?
DK
August 17th, 2009
12:16 pm
I wouldn’t read too much into this loss. The D actually got good penetration and Culpepper is fairly good at avoiding the rush. I didn’t like our first defensive play where they ran so easy, but we seemed to look good against the run after that first play.
The “win” for the Lions (10 points in the last 2:02 of the game) came against a defense made up of a lot of guys that will flipping burgers on opening day. We do have some more rust to knock off, but I’m not discouraged by what I saw.
Stafford looked pretty good. His touchdown pass was right on the money and it needed to be as the coverage wasn’t bad on that play. He may end up being a better OB than I gave him credit for.
tj
August 17th, 2009
12:19 pm
Another thing we learned, is that D.J. Shockley is a better QB than Redman !!!
observor
August 17th, 2009
12:23 pm
Since when is the outcome of a preseason game ever a shocker? Give me a break. Stop trying to over sensationalize a completely meaningless game.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 17th, 2009
12:30 pm
OBSERVOR: The Lions were 0-16 last season.
uga_b
August 17th, 2009
12:38 pm
We learned Eric Brock may be the first safety cut. Thomas looked good running but I agree on the returns. DOL, you missed weems and chandler williams who were both very impressive.
Keary Colbert also looks like another USC WR bust.
Da truth
August 17th, 2009
12:41 pm
Slow down TJ ….Things are different when you are playing against #1’s and #3’s. Shockley looked OK…but he needs to worry about Wilson…who looked even better.
polskidawg
August 17th, 2009
12:44 pm
“shocking”? A pre-season loss is shocking? A loss in the FIRST pre-season game is shocking? Really? Come on DLed, you’re better than that.
Peterson looked OLD and sssslllloooowwww. LB, as most suspected, is going to be the weak link this season on D.
coachx
August 17th, 2009
12:49 pm
Thomas Brown ran into blockers and tackles a ton while at UGA. He is a physical specimen but lacks field vision. That is just who he is.
The offense will be fine. We just need coach Smitty and VanGorder to coach of that young defense.
JJB
August 17th, 2009
12:51 pm
Hey DLed, The Lions were 4-0 in their preseason last year. It didn’t help them much during their regular season. There is a finer line in a parity enforced league than most really think exist. Too many teams can go from 4-12 to 11-5 while keeping a lot of theri roster to view an 0-16 team from a year ago to being the barometer of badness. I would be surprised to see the Lions at 8-8 this year
ernisTbass
August 17th, 2009
12:56 pm
The Offense is fine and will score points, I just hope with Tony G they don’t have to kick field goals every time they hit the redzone. The Defense however is a concern, they haven’t changed much as far a stopping the run goes and if that performance continues look for the pass coverage to fall apart as they are forced to play 8 up front to slow down the run. That will doom the chance to break the back to back winning season curse. As for Anderson, he is a bust, nice guy but a wasted project. I doubt that TD would have even drafted him and certainly not in round one. Look for him to go the way of Aundray Bruce . Anderson isn’t a jerk like Bosworth or some other notable busts but he is in over his head and needs a change of scenery so Sidbury and Jefferson and the like can get more game time to prove themselves. The new management has shown the ability to move on, it’s time.
coachx stole my thoughts...
August 17th, 2009
12:59 pm
Thomas Brown did the same thing at UGA – Jamaal has been doing that since he has been here.
Joe
August 17th, 2009
1:01 pm
I cannot imagine Jamal Anderson playing many downs this season.
Sidbury did nothing Saturday, but I expect him to be a contributor by week 2-3.
Kroy Bierman is a freaking BEAST!!!! He splattered that dude on kickoff return and he is a monster against the run. He will be starting Week 1 as long as he gets recovered from his ding.
No way Jamal Anderson will be in the NFL this time next year. Dude is just a bum.
SPS
August 17th, 2009
1:03 pm
Thank you polskidawg. Anyone who considers the outcome of a preseason game to be shocking is probably dumb enough to place a wager on one.
And yes, Peterson made Brooking look speedy.
Aunt Esther
August 17th, 2009
1:10 pm
Mr. Ledbetter,
Don’t you let these fish-eyed fools try to bring you down to their devil level.The truth shall set you free! Ha glory !!
Fred G. Sanford
August 17th, 2009
1:15 pm
Beauty is skin deep…but ugly is to the bone! That’s what the Falcons’ defense was… UGLY! Just like you , Esther!
Aunt Esther
August 17th, 2009
1:15 pm
Watch it, sucka!
Xs&Os
August 17th, 2009
1:16 pm
Granted, this was a preseason game and normally those games don’t count…but you have to consider that the Falcons have earned themselves a much more difficult season than last year and they’re playing a lot of pass happy teams who have very good running backs. Watching the current secondary getting beat more often then they should during this game concerns me. What concerns me more is how easily Detroit(Of all teams) were able to run the ball against the Falcons easily. To sum it all up, the Falcons appeared to have upgraded their offense at the expense of the defense during the offseason. Please ask Brett Favre, you can score 35 points and still lose because your defense cant stop the run and Definitely can’t stop the pass…I’m sure Coach Smith will adjust..but it’s only so much he can do…these rookies that have replaced most of our veteran leadership have to produce…and I’m sorry…I just don’t see that happening this season…they got too much to learn..and I’m not betting on the falcons making the playoffs this season…
Fred G. Sanford
August 17th, 2009
1:17 pm
Rich McKay,
Why the h*ll did you pick Jamaal Anderson to replace Patrick Kerney?!?!
YOU BIG DUMMY!!!
DB
August 17th, 2009
1:18 pm
Anderson was on the ground on almost every play! it’s time to move on and put Davis in his spot so we can have someone who actually wants to play football!!!!
Grim Reaper
August 17th, 2009
1:20 pm
Sorry, JA98… I am here for your NFL career.
FALCON 101
August 17th, 2009
1:20 pm
I never have put any stock into a preseason game and never will. However, I liked what I saw out of Chris Owens. This guy was quick to help out in the run support. I think Owens has a bright future with the Falcons.The Falcons will be fine. Remember, preseason is nothing more than a glorified exhibition where guys get to shake off the rust.
IBleedRed&Black
August 17th, 2009
1:24 pm
D. Orlando Ledbetter… I agree, but don’t you think that the falcons offensive look dominating, but the defense has to step it up a knotch? We can score runs, but can we stop them? That’s going to be the question the season.
Reid Adair
August 17th, 2009
1:26 pm
Great list. Item #1 on the list is absolutely the most critical. The quarterback containment by all of the defensive units was lacking as well.
Preseason? Preseason?
August 17th, 2009
1:26 pm
The Lions are obviously a superior (preseason) team seeing as they have a 5 game preseason winning streak. A PRESEASON loss to the Lions is not a big deal. The Falcons will be ready come week 1.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
1:27 pm
Jamal Anderson needs be selling vacuum cleaners. This guy does not want to be a football player. He is terrible!
The Grinch
August 17th, 2009
1:29 pm
Peterson appears to hit harder than Brooking, but he sure didn’t look faster. I think Moore will be a big boost when he returns. Thomas Brown surprised me a bit; he looked much better returning punts last year.
Trey Lewis looked good; Jerry looked confused. Anderson looked overmatched AND confused. I hate it for the guy, but he’s no better than a 4th DE at best. Nobody really called it a reach (at least not more than a few spots) at the time he was drafted; he apparently fooled more than just McKay.
DJ and JPW both looked better than Redman.
Ima Homo
August 17th, 2009
1:29 pm
@Matt Ryan on the cover of Atlanta magazine…any time you want to play on my team, Prrrrrrr……yummmmmmy
Nativebird
August 17th, 2009
1:32 pm
Chauncey Davis is twice the DE Jamaal Anderson will ever be. Face it Mr. McKay…it is time to call this former overall #8 first round pick an official bust. This (and decisions like this) is why Thomas Dimitrof is our General Manager.
Thomas, I’d say move him to a backup DT, or release.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
1:36 pm
The biggest problems I saw Saturday……The defensive backs had no idea what they were doing…….The D-line was awful…….In all the defense looked inexperienced. The defensive play calling was also bad. The Falcons could not figure out what the Lions were going to do next. I hope they can straighten these things out before the season starts. LETS GO FALCONS……………. COACHING STAFF !!
Sarah Palin
August 17th, 2009
1:39 pm
No, no!! Mr. Reaper, you can not have my career yet! My 15 minutes are NOT up yet!! Where’s my stage prop….err, grandchi… precious gift…? Just wanted to let ya know that Elizabeth Hasselbeck and
I will be tea-bagging this evening….Sean Hannity and Charles Krauthammer are going to get a good tea-bagging from Elizabeth and me…
You betcha!
BTW,
Looks like Jamaal Anderson’s career will be going before the Obama death panel .
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
1:39 pm
The Grinch, how did Redman look bad; all he did was hand the ball off.
homer
August 17th, 2009
1:40 pm
11. Jamaal Anderson is a BUST!!!!!
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
1:44 pm
12. The Falcons corner backs are too small.
The Grinch
August 17th, 2009
1:47 pm
Sara Palin and Matt Hasselbeck’s Mom? Now we’re talkin’! Roll film, please.
“Mr. Falcon,” seems like on a play or two where he was flushed out of the pocket he got rid of the ball way before he needed to. He looked scared to me.
Nativebird, you’re right about Chauncy being twice the DE Anderson is, the problem is that he’s still not a legitimate compliment to Abraham. We really gotta hope Sidbury and Biermann turn it up three notches or there ain’t gonna be much pass rush. Maybe they’ll be blitzing more with these new harder-hitting DB’s.
bruce mitchell
August 17th, 2009
1:49 pm
Jamaal Anderson, hope you saved your first round bonus money; the Turk is coming.
Trainwreck
August 17th, 2009
1:59 pm
I can’t wait for more games to see the first unit a little more. I’m optimistic from that first defensive series that maybe once again we will be a bend but not break defense, with a big opportunistic defensive play to keep the other team out of the endzone
Turtsnap
August 17th, 2009
2:00 pm
I agree with Observer. I mean, we weren’t playing to win a preseason game. You don’t scheme for situations in preseason games either. It was a game where you throw it all out on the field and build from there. We lost our first 2 preseason games last year. If memory serves, we had a pretty decent season last year. No big deal about last Saturday.
SC
August 17th, 2009
2:09 pm
D Led, got to disagree with you on the ’shocked’ part. The Lions beat the NY Giants last year in the first preseason game, 13-10. The Giants went on to have the better record. I agree about the 10 things learned, though.
Dell
August 17th, 2009
2:10 pm
The Grinch, you’ve gotta kidding about Peterson not being as fast as Brooking? He could run through quicksand, and beat Brooking!
cdog
August 17th, 2009
2:12 pm
WHY ARE YOU CALLING THIS A LOSS? THE FALCON IF THEY PLAYED THE LIONS ON A NORMAL BASES WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THEM. THIS IS PRESEASON WHERE ROOKIES ARE PLAYED AND EVALUATED. THE FALCONS REGULARS ARE AT LEAST 4 TOUCHDOWN BETTER THAN DETROIT. THE ONLY WEAKNESS I SAW WAS AS USUAL, IN THE SECONDARY BUT THE OWENS KID IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING SPECIAL BUT ANOTHER TWO CORNERS MUST STEP UP. JAMAAL ANDERSON PROBABLY COULD BRING A DECENT CORNER IN A TRADE.PLUS THEY NEED TO GO OUT AND FIND A GOOD PUNT RETURNER GOING INTO THE SEASON, A VETERAN WHO NOT ONLY CAN TAKE IT THE DISTANCE BUT HAS SURE HANDS. I SEE A 12-4 SEASON THIS YEAR
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 17th, 2009
2:13 pm
Looks like you all are having a good time in here today.
A Houston update:
Houston didn’t practice this morning. Injury is not major. His deal is “day to day.”
Txetxo Arizmendiarrieta
August 17th, 2009
2:18 pm
How badly is Chris Houston hurt?
Dell
August 17th, 2009
2:19 pm
Testing 1 2 3
Txetxo Arizmendiarrieta
August 17th, 2009
2:19 pm
Sorry, I sent that before i saw that D-Led had provided a Chris Houston update
Dell
August 17th, 2009
2:20 pm
DJ, has to go!
NeNe's Greg's boss
August 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
I know its preseason but not a good sign Falcon Fans…….
Dell
August 17th, 2009
2:22 pm
DJ, I hope you get to play elsewhere. You never will in the ATL!
Gwinnett Fred
August 17th, 2009
2:30 pm
Anderson is officially a bust. Period.
I would like to have had a replay on the pass interference call that wiped out a “clinching” interception in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Great interception (I forget by who) and the PI wasn’t on him, so I wonder who’s mistake cost the team on that one (the kind of penalty that gets players demoted or a bus ticket).
BTW – The Bengals HBO training camp show is pretty good. I never watched the others when a great team was used – but a training camp with a 4 or 5 win team is more interesting. I’d come close to say it’s a “must watch” for all pro football fans (and no, I don’t work for HBO).
Sensitive
August 17th, 2009
2:33 pm
Maybe Jamaal has personal issues that are conflicting with his job. Reggie Bush call Jamaal please!!!!!!
Pi$$onaDawg
August 17th, 2009
2:35 pm
An OLD Brooking was better than the crap we played. T. Brown— that Dawg can HUNT. Stafford look good, even doing the TECH replay of his pick6 for the Lions. We just might see an UGA QB not have to hold a clipboard to get a check.
Jim
August 17th, 2009
2:35 pm
Knowshon was awesome for the LIONS!
Needabailout,too!
August 17th, 2009
2:40 pm
75 pared by Sept. 1. 53 more pared by Sept. 5. Some of you just may get your wish.
…..BTW, I kinda dug Wilson at QB…
Big Dan
August 17th, 2009
2:44 pm
Peterson got out ran by an old washed up QB with bad knees. That’s scary. I was all for moving on with out Brooking, and he never looked that slow..
The Grinch
August 17th, 2009
2:46 pm
Dell, I was insinuating Peterson looked slow more than I was praising Brookings’ speed. I’m not passing full judgment on him for part of one preseason game, though. Smitty brought him in for a reason, I’m sure.
ddawgdavis
August 17th, 2009
2:48 pm
I predict we cut Jamaal Anderson, sorry to be negative, but what’s the point of having someone whose a bust and not as hungry as a Chauncey, Sidbury, etc. Plus, we might be able to pick-up a veteran during the roster cuts if no one likes Chauncey.
Mike
August 17th, 2009
2:53 pm
So with all the wisdom and intelligence posted here, the game still was lost. Is that correct? I just need the facts.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
August 17th, 2009
3:01 pm
I see us being like the colts a couple of years ago. Score 35, 42, points a game but Defense gives up 31, 35, and even may lose some. However, over all we’re heading in the right direction. I really liked that owens kid, fast and physcial. Thomas Johnson looked sharp at DT. Tony G is gonna make us falcon fans so happy. Tony Gilbert looked nice a LB. Mke Pettersen is gonna work out nice he was in the backfield everytime they blitz. But remember this is preseason and the starter are not tryin to get hurt
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
3:09 pm
Did somebody say the Falcons have hard hitting DBs. You are taking the comedy way too far. Who are you talking about, and did you watch the game Saturday? The Falcons DBs looked pretty bad. The safeties and the corners.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
Dell, you really should lay off DJ; until we see what he can do with the #1 O-line.
Mike
August 17th, 2009
3:15 pm
DOL said: “OBSERVOR: The Lions were 0-16 last season.”
They also went undefeated in the pre-season…so obviously the success in the pre-season means about as much as the Pro Bowl.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 17th, 2009
3:16 pm
Big Dan, Dante is faster than 85% of the QBs, and some of the RBs in the NFL. Peterson is a serious up grade from Brooking.
Mike
August 17th, 2009
3:19 pm
It’s already been noted that there was no gameplanning done for this game. It was a glorified practice/scrimmage if you will. I don’t see the big deal with pre-season one game. Really…
Georgia Fan
August 17th, 2009
3:35 pm
We lost on a last second field goal in the first pre-season game. At least 75% of the snaps are taken by the backups, including many who will not be on the final roster. There were certainly some things that concerned me as a Falcon fan but the final score was not one of them. Please never again refer to a close loss in a preseason game as a “shocker”.
What exactly was “shocking” about the game?
Bird Dawg
August 17th, 2009
3:41 pm
The 11th thing we learned; it was the first preseason game and meant basically nothing…………:)
The Grinch
August 17th, 2009
3:49 pm
I was referring to Owens, who looked like a hard-hitting DB to me (especially for his size) and Moore when he returns. I didn’t mean Jamal Fudge or Brent Grimes. No, there’s no Scott Case in this crew, but they’re faster and more hard core than last year’s DB’s. I’m just suggesting our lack of a basic pass rush might necessitate some creative blitz packages, a la the Eagles. We can’t give QB’s 5 seconds to throw every down.
Brian
August 17th, 2009
3:52 pm
I’m excited about Ryan having Gonzalez and Finneran to hit on 3rd and long. Turner is the real deal. So what if we have to win high scoring games? It worked for another team with a decent quarterback and relatively decent offense called the Colts.
JR
August 17th, 2009
4:03 pm
Neither Shockley or Redman showed anything. Wilson, playing with next week’s burger flippers, looked better. UGA fans have to give it up. Shockley may be a spunky kid, but he’ll never make it in the NFL. The Falcons have to keep Ryan healthly or it’s back to 5-11, especially with a defense that makes Detroit look like New England.
YUP!!
August 17th, 2009
4:06 pm
GOOD LORD YOU BIG CRY BABIES!! I hope we go 0-4 this pre-season. Steelers did last year and won the superbowl. The Lions went 4-0 pre-season and ended 0-16 for the season.
With that said…….IT’S JUST PRE-SEASON YOU CRYING LOOSERS!!!!
nhe
August 17th, 2009
4:43 pm
cdog saying “Jamaal Anderson could bring a decent DB in a trade” may be one of the funniest things I’ve read in a while………………..if there is any guaranteed money left on his contract, we just have to hope someone else will pick it up……….Jamaal ain’t fetchin’ anything in a trade my friend.
It was interesting to me that in the short time Trey Lewis was in, he was chasing every play to the whistle, I didn’t P Jerry pursue anything……….that was the most troubling thing to me from Saturday – our first round pick got no push and seemed to quit when the play was by him………not good.
Ed-Covington
August 17th, 2009
4:58 pm
First preseason game, doesn’t matter if we win or lose. But the defense gave up 450 yards to an offense that went 0-16 last year in what basically was a glorified scrimmage; and supposedly the defenses are way ahead of the offenses due to lack of coordinated practices. Now that was “shocking”
anon-knee-mous
August 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
Is it too early to be worried about the defense?
Barry
August 17th, 2009
6:12 pm
Hey Y’all:
I really was paying attemtion to the coaching on the defensive side of the ball. I liked coach Smith and Van Gorder continuous teaching on the sidelines with the young defensive players. Believe me, I am more than confident that when these youg guys get it down they are going to be “MONSTERS”. You have to understand, what NFL team drafted nothing but defensive players in the first 7 rounds? I am telling you, we got the “cream of the crop” in this years draft of defensive players. There are some Falcon legends in this bunch. For now, we will call them “THE NO-NAME DEFENSE”. But by mid-season, they’ll be known as Atlanta’s “YOUNG GUNS”. Smith and Van Gorder are going to have these guys playing real “NASTY” and in rare form by the time the season starts. Therefore, one game at a time with this defense. Smith and Van Gorder are excellent defensive coaches. And when they take the leash of these guys we are really going to see some new defensive legends on the Falcons for years to come. Therefore, I am going to enjoy being patient with this defensive group. They are going to come together before our eyes in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”.
GET READY FOR THE “YOUNG GUNS!”
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………….”ONE HEARTBEAT,BABY!!!!!!”………………
GT GRAD
August 17th, 2009
6:18 pm
11. Vance Walker looked really good and will earn serious playing time if he continues playing as well as he did against Detriot.
12. Trey lewis is an impact player and will probably be a starter in Week #1 as long as he stays healthy.
13. Jamal Anderson has a long way to go if he wants to avoid the “bust” label.
14. Falcons will miss LB Keith Brooking……..Brooking is simply not as slow as some Falcons fans would like to think and Peterson is MUCH slower than Brooking (most Falcons fans expected Peterson to be an upgrade, but they will soon realize the team was much better with Brooking!).
In defense of Brooking (since several anti-Brooking fans will begin to spout off negativity), the famous 3rd & long play against Arizona was actually Lawyer Milloy’s fault. NFL Network and Lawyer Milloy have both confirmed this fact. Brooking was enough of a team player to take the blame and let it go, but he should have explained that he was assigned to stay home to cover the middle while Milloy was supposed to cover the zone behind Brooking. NFL Network spent more than 5 minutes explaining this fact and showed the play several times in slow motion with in depth analasis. I AM A LITTLE SICK AND TIRED OF ALL OF THE NEGATIVE ATTACKS toward Brooking when he had his responsibility covered and has been man enough to let ignorant fans blame him for something when he was not at fault! I will admit Brooking looked bad at the time, but he would not have looked so bad if Milloy had stayed in his zone and had that area of the field covered. The fact that Milloy was not even in the camera view made it appear as if Brooking was getting beat by the TE, but in REALITY it was Milloy who allowed such an easy reception due to the fact he was so far out of position!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Falcons!
OmarH
August 17th, 2009
8:12 pm
Just heard Marvin Harrison coming back, personally I would love to see him as the Falcons number 3 reciever
Bill
August 17th, 2009
8:39 pm
“Yeah, if DJ would just get a shot to play with the first unit…” You Dawg fans are just unbelievable!
Shockley is LUCKY to be pulling an NFL paycheck as a 3rd stringer (for now). Just sit tight, the Dawgs season will start soon enough. Leave the PRO FOOTBALL blogs alone, you Kool-Aid drinking freaks!
Bill
August 17th, 2009
8:44 pm
…and GT Grad, Brooking plays for the Cowboys now, who the HELL cares about that play now, It’s a new season.
I’m sure he’ll appreciate how SICK and TIRED that you are about this 8 months after the fact…
What a Fanboy.
Dwayne
August 17th, 2009
8:51 pm
Barry…Good call…Smith will get more out of the D than people think. It’s just a preseason game. Who cares???
VICK SUPPORTER 2
August 17th, 2009
9:09 pm
EAGLES 50
FALCONS 3
VICK SUPPORTER 2
August 17th, 2009
9:11 pm
ONLY A LOSER’S MENTALITY IS: “IT’S ONLY A PRESEASON GAME”
VICK SUPPORTER 2
August 17th, 2009
9:13 pm
WILSON LOOKED BETTER THAN MATT RYAN “LEAF”!
GT GRAD
August 17th, 2009
10:27 pm
Several bloggers consistently pounded Brooking after he signed with Dallas. Very disrespectfull way to treat a long time Falcon player who gave everything he had to the organization and was an upstanding person and impact player from day one until the day he left. I was simply stating a few facts regarding a solid, upstanding ex-Falcon player which I still respect AND also making a prediction that we will miss having Brooking lining up for the Falcons in 2009. It is relevant because there are several ignorant “Brooking Haters” which will soon realize Peterson is not an upgrade over Brooking.
To Mr. Bill: I admit that I am a huge fan of the Falcons and I still like/respect Brooking; just because you don’t care means VERY little to me, but your negative post did give me another opportunity to write a shameless plug for Mr. Brooking…………..Thanks! Enjoy reading the other blog comments & have a great evening.
Kenny D
August 17th, 2009
10:29 pm
Why are we hanging on to Redman ! If he is our #2 god help us ! The never the voters said DJ should be #3. I wonder what game did they watch last weekend. DJ did good, I bet if you put him in with the second unit, he will show the fans he should be #2.
REDMAN NEED TO GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2009
12:12 am
Some of you are simply too emotional in your decision making. Why cut JAnderson when he still has value? He might be a bust at this point, but that might be due to the fact he’s more suited to playing DE in a 3-4 DEF rather than a 4-3 DEF. That’s important since more and more teams are making the switch to the 3-4 DEF and might see him as an asset. And why switch him to DT when we have so many quality DT’s already on the roster that have yrs of experience playing the position.
Why not let our excellent coaching staff make the decisions on who gets cut, demoted or assigned to another position. They’ll get to see in detail what took place when they review film of the gm. Do you really think our coaching staff won’t be able to see what we saw and make corrections and adjustments over the next 3wks?
Ed-Covington
August 18th, 2009
1:08 am
DOL:
Re. your article on Turner and the “370 Carry Curse”. Your headline reads “Falcons to Monitor Turner…”, then the entire article is full of the Falcons saying that they won’t count his carries and don’t believe in the “Curse”.
Also, headline from earlier this weekend read “Both Falcon Starting Cornerbacks Injured” while the article actually stated that “Both Falcon starting cornerback Chris Houston and defensive end Koy Bierman were injured”. What gives? Shouldn’t your headlines and links accurately reflect what is actually contained in the articles? I knew that Houston and Bierman had been banged up, but when I saw “Both Starting Cornerbacks” I immediately went to the article, only to find nothing new. Earlier in camp, Mike (Smith) and Mike (Mularkey) had saids that they didn’t think that Turner would be affected by the number of carries; sso when I read they would be “monitoring his carries” I went to the article to see what changed their minds; only to read that they would NOT even be counting his carries. We don’t need to be following misleading links to information we already know.
falmouth
August 18th, 2009
3:39 am
Was thinking the same thing Ed-Cov. Must’ve written the article (thinking they’d actually monitor him) before actually confirming. And the part about riggs…come on man, he rushed for over 1300 yards. How far does the curse extend. Maybe it was the “Curse of 343.”
Fin
August 18th, 2009
3:58 am
You know…a posting by OmarH brought up a good point. Why not take a look at Marvin Harrison as the third WR. We know he has great hands and I believe he would be an upgrade over Booker or Fergueson(no disrespect to those gentlemen.) I really hoped that the front management would have gone after Dre Bly when he was released. I don’t know if it was a money thing or what, but he would have been an excellent Free agent pickup for our defensive backfield.
Bump the preseason, I’m ready to get it on!!!
Paddy
August 18th, 2009
7:56 am
It was just the first practice game. Nobody should care except the guys who are about to get cut. The coaches don’t give much thought if they win or lose. They want to watch match-ups and improvement.
Morris
August 18th, 2009
9:27 am
Jamal Anderson should be thanful for the pregame introductons.Because thats the only time his name is called.
mark alpharetta
August 18th, 2009
9:39 am
Are you kidding-”shocking loss”– it’s preseason. By the way, detroit was 4-0 last preseason.
Richard Dawson
August 18th, 2009
9:56 am
11. The Falcons need to manage the clock better and not resort to “playing not to lose” late in the game. Several critical mistakes cost what should have been an easy win. One was defensive breakdowns that gave up long gains on the 3-play TD drive, mostly from a passive, prevent defense that is guaranteed to lose. Second was poor clock management, including falling down on the kickoff with 2:01 left, saving Detroit a timeout instead of getting to the 2-minute warning. Third was passive offense late, content to punt and rely on the prevent defense. All losing football schemes. Hopefully Mike Smith will not employ such losing tactics during the regular season.
Rev Blake
August 18th, 2009
11:33 am
Listen clearly UGA fans. This is the Falcons, not college ball. Shockley made 3 completions out of 8. Did you get that! ONLY 3 out of 8 attempts. Shockley was even allowed to play into the first half of the fourth quarter when he was initiaally told he would play the third quarter only. He was given an extra chance and he simply could not deliver.
If you are still having trouble with this, let me spell out your QB order for this season. Ryan, Redman, Wilson. Mark it down. Anyone with an ounce of logical reasoning can see this.
Now get over this “we only want UGA players on the Falcons” or stop claiming to be a fan of an NFL team. Who gives a flip which college a player went to?
TheManMike
August 18th, 2009
11:43 am
**Mark Alpha-
Maybe some of the reason for pre-season play is so that the team can see where they are as far as clock management and “playing not to lose”….I understand we did that last year, but this is not the time to show your hand – its about trial and error. **
What I saw of Chris Owens was great. I loved watching him survey the offense after the ball was snapped. On a play or two I saw him drop his coverage to defend a run play at the second it developed – and even with his small frame, he put his body in position to act as a barrier so the bigger fellas could take the RB down…at the line of scrimmage. GREAT play. Anyone else catch that? That boils down to instinct and good understanding of his coaching. I look forward to watching him on Friday.
Snelling is such an asset as a 3rd guy/backup FB. If Norwood ever went down for a game or two Snelling could right in place. His legs just don’t stop when he hits the line, as was evident in his short TD run – he just barreled through and found a tunnel.
Look forward to more deep threat plays in KC on Friday – Time to test the skies…
TheManMike
August 18th, 2009
11:44 am
::Correction::
**Richard Dawson** – not – Mark Alpha
……my rough.
Big Ray
August 18th, 2009
11:24 pm
Boy am I glad we held onto Chauncey Davis. Jamal Anderson isn’t looking too good, even though the real games haven’t started yet.
Knute
August 18th, 2009
11:36 pm
Last season was the best Falcon season ever. I only saw one negative the whole season. Conservative offense and the dreaded “prevent” defense reared their ugly heads when we got the lead. Last years Falcons were “hell on wheels” when they were aggressive. Let the dawg eat (PETA
would agree. Coach Smith, don’t be afraid to lose a game!!! Giving a game away to Detroit?!! With
Drew Whasisname at QB?!! Your loss, Coach! Let the “D’ gamble!! Let the “O” WIN!!!
same old Falcon and fans
August 19th, 2009
12:51 pm
They spent 45million on a QB when they need Defense last year and this year. until the people in Atlanta find out you don’t win with out A defense. It seen the whipping boy this year is Jamal Anderson . same Fans same Ole team, all wan bee’s
Ken Strickland
August 19th, 2009
5:38 pm
SAME OLD FALCON-I have news for you. IF YOU FINISH A 16 GM SEASON WITH AN 11-5 RECORD, WHICH THE ATLANTA FALCONS DID LAST YR, THAT’S CALLED A WINNING SEASON ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, MORON. The Chiefs needed DEF as badly as the Falcons and they drafted DT GDorsey, the top rated DT in last yrs draft, and finished with a 2-14 losing season.
You just can’t make blanket statements like the one you made about winning and DEF, especially when the Falcons winning season proves you wrong, and expect anyone to believe you have an ounce of intelligence.
NeNe's Greg's boss
August 19th, 2009
9:06 pm
1. We’re in for a long season
buck8585
August 20th, 2009
2:31 am
like the idea of harrison being a falcon. they call mr. blanks the CLOSER. let’s see if he will step up & really make us better
’cause tony can’t be everywhere. #3 rec will need more than the twin & i am a fan of his. go falcons……QB backups are needed w/ long season & even if it was 1st time in front of fans, that D worries me. do ya’ll think we have a good prospect at backup QB? i’m a dawg fan & shick looked good his sr yr, but the boys are bigger & faster. owens was fun to watch & offers hope this yr at a position we need. think jerry will get better but tired of waiting on nice-guy anderson. don’t see the skill level there for nfl $. we do have a great GM now. McKay, petrino, & vick were/are expensive learning tools. the hawks should take notice. they are going thru same growing pains. i still pulled for our falcons when we had peachtree bart & pulled for our hawks w/ nique doing his thing. wish they would take him off the mike & hire an established guy. sorry i’m so verbose. never gone online b4. thanks for the ride.
Paul Lentz
August 20th, 2009
3:04 am
I LOVE men! lol! lol!
JWS
August 20th, 2009
7:56 am
I am worried about the LB Peterson–as pointed out earlier Culpepper ran away from him down the sidelines for a first down. Seemed like he was alway trailing the play or making the tackle 10 yards down the field (ala Brooking).
Big Ray
August 22nd, 2009
7:31 pm
Matt Ryan still looks good. Even better, in fact.
DJ Shockley looks bad. This isn’t good for him, as he has Redman and John Parker Whoever in the fold with him.
Turner’s still burnin’ ‘em, and Gonzalez is doing what he was brought here to do. Our offense is strong, and you KNOW we haven’t revealed even a fraction of the tricks we’re going to employ.
Great news that Sidbury is catching on fast. The way I had it figured when we drafted him, if his learning curve is as impressive as his physical speed, he’s going to be murder on defense. Looks like he’s going to be just that, and we couldn’t be happier!
I’ll be glad to see Ownens out there doing his thing. I think he’s going to take Brent Grimes’ starting job. If not right away, a couple games into the season for sure, barring injury.