Archive for December, 2010

The Falcons' Michael Jenkins (left) watches as Roddy White (second from left) chest-bumps Harry Douglas (right) after White caught a second-half touchdown pass against Seattle. AP

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons wide receiver Roddy White apologized on Thursday to the city of New Orleans and any fans he may have offended with his “tweets” on twitter.com. Click here.

“I’m sorry,” White said. “I wasn’t trying to offend anybody about that stuff, especially the city of New Orleans.”

White was caught off guard by  his tweets going viral over the internet.

“Some people just take things out of context,” White said. “I just felt like that’s not what I was aiming for, to say anything about the city. They are the defending world champs.”

White said he wasn’t admonished for the tweets by head coach Mike Smith.

“He said, ‘Roddy just go out there and be yourself. Don’t change anything that you do,” White said.

White doesn’t believe that his tweets will be a distraction or make him a target during …

Continue reading Roddy White apologizes to New Orleans for his tweets »

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons fans, especially those of you who are getting new cell phones for Christmas, you can help out a really cool program.

Verizon Wireless will be hosting a HopeLine phone drive on Falcons Landing out in front of the Georgia Dome prior to Monday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

HopeLine from Verizon collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider. The phones are then refurbished and provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.

Wireless phones and technology can serve as a vital link to emergency or support services in a time of crisis or as a reliable, safe connection to employers, family and friends as survivors rebuild their lives.

To learn more about the Hopeline program CLICK HERE.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the …

Continue reading Hopeline: Fans can donate their used phones »

Two plays after this catch by Michael Spurlock, Grimes got him an interception. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes was named NFC defensive player of the week for his stellar play in the 34-18 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

“I was just doing my job,” Grimes said. “Playing my responsibilities and if you do that, it will usually work out for you and plays will come your way.”

Grimes, the team’s staring left cornerback, caused two turnovers and batted down five passes. He had an interception and tipped a pass that was intercepted by safety William Moore.

“It was an outstanding game for a corner,” said Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.

In the third quarter, the Falcons forced three turnovers on consecutive drives that led to 17 unanswered points.

Grimes has set a new franchise record with a NFL-leading 22 knockdowns this season. The third-year pro out of Shippensburg is tied for the team lead with five interceptions …

Continue reading Brent Grimes named NFC defensive player of the week »

FLOWERY BRANCH – Here’s the 411 on the playoff tickets. Click here.

They sold out in nine minutes.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading Falcons’ playoff tickets sold out »

The Falcons' Jonathan Babineaux (left) and his younger brother, Seattle Seahawks' Jordan Babineaux (27), meet after their game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in Seattle. (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH –  When the Babineaux Brothers hit the golf course this offseason, Jonathan will have bragging rights over his brother Jordan.

Mom, Barbara Babineaux, who has a book coming out, got plenty of air time with her two-sided jersey.

“I gave her one of my jerseys and he gave her one,” Jonathan said on Tuesday. “Somehow, someway she put it together. It came out fantastic. I think she really enjoyed herself.”

The Falcons run defense which was 6th in the league before they slipped all the way down to 20th after Tampa Bay and Carolina had some success running the ball.

After stopping Seattle, they moved back up to 12th in the league and are giving up 106.1 yards per game.

“Guys were just determined to be better,” Babineaux said. “I think our run fits weren’t good and (the Seattle week) we …

Continue reading Depth Chart for Saints: Babineaux earned bragging rights »

Atlanta's Jamaal Anderson (left) goes in for the quarterback sack on Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck (right) in the second half. The sack caused Hasselbeck to fumble the football, which was recovered by the Falcons for a touchdown. AP

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons, who are 12-2 this season and tied for the best record in the National Football League,  literally have the hottest ticket in town.

The Falcons issued a ticket advisory for the remaining two home games on Tuesday.

The club has issued some guidelines for fans the help them avoid purchasing counterfeit tickets from secondary sources.

Here are the guidelines:

• Fans may choose to purchase tickets at www.nfl.com/ticketexchange. The NFL Ticket Exchange is the only resale marketplace endorsed by the NFL, providing fans with the opportunity to purchase seats listed by Falcons season ticket holders or other fans.
• When buying from an individual or through other online exchanges, do not be lured away from the website by the seller.
• …

Continue reading Falcons issue counterfeit ticket advisory for rest of season »

Continue reading Video: Falcons soar into the playoffs »

Matt Ryan stepping into a throw against Seattle. (Associated Press)

SEATTLE — Here’s what the players were talking about after the 34-18 win over Seattle:

QB MATT RYAN

(On his overall impressions…) It’s a good win for our football team.  Coming on the road three straight weeks and then finishing it with a West Coast trip.  It’s says a lot about our guys, how focused we stayed.  I thought the special teams did a great job giving us good field position all day, and we were able to capitalize on some drives.

(On the defense providing good field position in the third quarter…) That was huge.  Our defense came up with a couple of turnovers, gave us short field, and we were able to capitalize and put points up. That’s what you want to do offensively.  Hats off to our defense today.  Grimes and Willmore were making some really good interceptions, giving us great field position.   But also our special teams Weems gave us really good field position on the first drive, and it was good …

Continue reading The aftermath: What the players were saying . . . »

The Falcons' Michael Turner (center) rushes against Seattle in first half action. AP

SEATTLE — Here’s what Falcons coach Mike Smith had to say after the game.

HEAD COACH MIKE SMITH

(Thoughts on the game…) “We knew coming into this game what was at stake. I can’t tell you how proud of the way that the guys not only played today, but how they have handled the last five weeks. We have had four out of five games on the road, three consecutive. They showed a lot of maturity in how they have handed it.

Coming west is not an easy thing when it’s the fifth game of this journey that we have set out on. We knew that special teams would be key for us today. I thought that our kickers did an excellent job of kicking the football as well as punting. Leon Washington was somebody we were very concerned about. I thought that we neutralized him during the ball game. I think that was very key to the field position.

We all know that winning in this league is not an easy thing. Each and every …

Continue reading The aftermath: Coach Smith breaks down the 34-18 win »

The Falcons are in the playoffs. They can win the NFC South and homefield advantage by beating Seattle and the Saints next Monday night. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

SEATTLE – The Falcons can send thank you cards to Michael Vick and his boys.

The Philadelphia Eagles dramatic 38-31 victory over the New York Giants helped the Atlanta Falcons clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, even before their game with Seattle was over.

The Falcons season ticket holders have until Tuesday to exercise their option to purchase playoff tickets. Playoff tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.

Continue reading Falcons have clinched a playoff berth; tickets available on Wednesday »