Cowboys’ loss ends ex-Falcon Brooking’s season

Keith Brooking is set to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Are you rooting for Brooking and the Cowboys?

UPDATE : Former Falcon Keith  Brooking and the Cowboys lost to Minnesota Sunday in the NFL playoffs.

PLAYOFF CENTRAL — Former Falcon  Keith Brooking has made the most of his move to Dallas.

He’s just eight quarters away from returning to the Super Bowl. To keep his hopes alive, he must help the Cowboys shut down the Vikings running game and silence that zany Minnesota crowd.

“We have pretty good experience facing a hostile crowd,” Brooking told reporters in Dallas this week. “The way you have to handle the situation is, obviously you can’t allow them to get the momentum going early in the game. You’ve got to go for their heart.

“If you can put a little doubt in their minds in the beginning, that can go a long way. We can’t allow the crowd to get into it.”

If the Vikings get the Metrodome rocking, they start incessantly pumping in that loud horn noise.

“We have to prevent that surge as much as we can at the beginning of the game, and be prepared if it doesn’t take place,” Brooking said. “We have to be prepared for everything. We obviously want to start fast and set the tone very early to take the crowd out of it as quickly as possible.”

From his days with the Falcons, Brooking knows about winning big a playoff game in the Metrodome. The Falcons beat the Vikings in dramatic fashion to earn the franchise’ only trip to the Super Bowl when Brooking was a rookie.

“That was, by far, the loudest environment, the most hostile environment I’ve ever played in,” Brooking said. “We didn’t (attack) them early. It was a battle. That’s what we have to prepare for, as well.

“Our intentions are to start very fast and to take them out of the game. But we’ve got to be ready for a 3½ hour battle and fight to the end.”

Brooking isn’t scared of facing Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre in the playoffs either. The Falcons handed Favre and the Packers their first playoff defeat at historic Lambeau Field, 27-7, on Jan. 4, 2003.

“To be 40, he avoids a lot of rush and a lot of havoc in the backfield,” Brooking said. “He has great savvy in the pocket. He’s not the type like (McNabb) who is going to take off with the ball. But he has just as much savvy in the pocket to avoid the rush and make plays in that way. He can still throw the rock.”

SUPER BOWL MEMORIES: Brooking remembers the Falcons win over the Vikings fondly.

“I got on the bus after the NFC Championship game in Minnesota, after Morten Andersen kicked the winning field goal to get us to the Super Bowl,” Brooking said. “I remember to this day. I sat down and we were on top of the world. I looked at Morten Andersen and said, `man, this is pretty cool.’ And he looks at me  –  a kicker –  ‘Pretty cool? What are you talking about? Do you realize what we just did!’ ”

RIDDLE ME THIS: My neighbor, the big Georgia Tech fan, had some jokes for me this morning. (Tennessee fans, run for cover!)

Q: If 4 Tennessee players are in a car, who’s driving?

A: The police!

Ok, here’s the other one.

Q: What’s a perfect 12-0 season for Tennessee?

A: 12 indictments and no convictions!

RANDOM TEXT: My friend Ivory Gene Cooper, who is from South Carolina, but lives in Washington, D.C.,  is somehow a Steelers’ fan. He obviously has too much time on his hands, you know, with the defending champs at home watching from their couches.

He sent this text, “Please support the GILBERT ARENAS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. Free all political prisoners in D.C., Zimbabwe, Tibet, Iran East Timor and Indonesia.  Steeler Nation!”

What?

The tryouts for next season's Cheer squad are right around the corner.

SAVE THE DATE: Thanks to my FB friends who keep me in the loop and update me on the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders.

The 2010 Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader Preliminary Auditions are set for April 11, 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

If you are interested in becoming an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader, please review the information about 2010 auditions! The Atlanta Falcons are looking for enthusiastic ladies with a dance/cheer background, a positive attitude, a winning smile and dedication to be the best. Click here for frequently asked questions.

PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS:

WHEN: Sunday April 11 2009 (8-10 a.m. registration, auditions will begin promptly at 10 a.m.)

WHERE: World Congress Center (Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom)

ATTIRE: A two-piece leotard (bra top and dance trunks), skin-tone/matte tights, socks and white tennis shoes. No dance pants, please!

BRING: A recent non-returnable photo (snapshot accepted), a valid photo ID, a light lunch/drink, a non-refundable $25.00 (cash or money order) application fee, your application (see below) and a resume (optional)

There will be at least 2 cuts on Sunday for Preliminaries. Lunch will not be provided and no concessions will be open- bring any food or drinks you may need. Please plan on staying all day as finalists will be announced following the second cut! Should you become a finalist, there will be a mandatory 15-minute interview on Monday, April 12, 2010. This will be arranged at the preliminary audition. You will also learn the final cut on Wednesday evening April 14, 2010 7 p.m.

FINAL AUDITIONS:

WHEN: Thursday, April 15, 2010

WHERE: The View at King Plow (special events facility)

TIME: 5:30 pm registration Auditions will begin at 6:30 pm

All instructions for Final Auditions will be provided for you at your finalist interview.

Audition Preparatory Classes

Audition Prep Classes will be offered prior to preliminary auditions. The class or classes will provide you with an overview of the program along with a brief question/answer session and teach dance combinations similar to those performed during the game. We offer several class options. These classes are optional but highly encouraged.*

Option 1 — 1-class session Date(s) and Time(s): January 23 12:30-2:30 p.m. Location: LA Fitness Cost: $50

Option 2 — 1-class session Date(s) and Time(s): March 13 12:30-2:00 p.m. Location: LA Fitness Cost: $35

Option 3 — 2-class session Date(s) and Time(s): March 23,25 7:30-9:00 p.m. Location: Midtown Athletic Club Cost: $65

Option 4 1-class session Date(s) and Time(s): April 3 12:30-2:00 p.m. Location: LA Fitness Cost: $35

Option 5 2-class session Date(s) and Time(s): April 6,8 7:30-9:00 p.m. Location: Midtown Athletic Club Cost: $65

NEW CLASS – This class includes a 1 hour fitness and glamour session with a personal trainer and make-up artist.

**Appropriate dance attire is required. This may include a one or two-piece workout/leotard outfit, tights (optional), dance pants and dance or tennis shoes.

To register, please mail your Money Order along with the bottom portion of this form to the address listed below to reserve your spot! No checks will be accepted. Be sure to indicate which class option you prefer (first and second choice). All walk-ups will be registered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Classes will be closed once capacity is reached. Refunds are available for closed classes only. Confirmation will be provided via e-mail or mail. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your class.

Make Money Orders payable to The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and mail to:

Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

Attn: Ms. Chato Waters

4400 Falcon Parkway

Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Prep Class Locations

LA Fitness Buckhead

3232 Peachtree St. #A Atlanta, GA 30305

404-233-8311

Midtown Athletic Club

135 Interstate North Parkway NW Atlanta, GA 30339

770-953-1100

My new FB friend: Tony Gonzalez.

FACEBOOK MESSAGE FROM TONY GONZALEZ: Moving up in life. I’m FB friends with Tony Gonzalez. He shot me a message this week.

The HOFer wants you to become a fan of “All Pro Science” on Facebook.com

At the end of the month Tony will be picking one lucky fan to receive a Falcons Jersey autographed by Tony himself and one other winner to receive a signed copy of Tony’s book “The All Pro Diet” and be sure to check out allproscience.com and enter coupon code FB88 for 10% off.

TWITTER AND FACEBOOK NATION: Thanks to my 962 followers of “AJCFalcons” on twitter.com and to my 332 Facebook Fans of the “AJC Falcons.” I like to get over a 1,000 followers on twitter, so tell some friends to sign-up on Twitter.com.

PLAYOFF PICKS: In the AFC, I’ve got Baltimore beating Indianapolis. The Colts are going to pay for not playing their starters over the final two games.

If you are in zone, you don’t take yourself out of the zone and then try to flip the switch back on. The “Football Gods” and Herm Edwards say, “You play to win the game!”

San Diego will beat the Jets. That passing attack is just too awesome.

In the NFC, going with Brooking and the Cowboys over the Vikings. Think Brett Favre will try to do too much and cost the Vikings the game.

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints should be able to put up 80 points on the Cardinals defense that Aaron Rodgers exposed last week.

ENJOY THE GAMES? ROOTING FOR BROOKING? ROOTING FOR FAVRE? GIVE US YOUR PICKS!!!