THE DC SEARCH: Spagnuolo, Nolan are of interest

falconsrelax

January 13th, 2012
6:53 am

Heard Mel Tucker is staying in Jacksonville. I wanted mel tucker…..what he did with that jaguars defense was amazing. I don’t even know their cornerbacks. I think spags is going to philly. Im guessing nolan will be our coordinator. But didn’t he teach a 3-4??

longtimefan

January 13th, 2012
6:54 am

The process continues…

F-105 Thunderchief

January 13th, 2012
6:55 am

Those are some good candidates. Hope they can reel one of them in.

AtlantaFAN

January 13th, 2012
7:05 am

As long as there is no more soft zone…

Whopper Dawg

January 13th, 2012
7:06 am

“Moving forward, this defense needs to continue its growth and evolution as a passionate and fiery defense, one that is going to fly to the football, disrupt, be opportunistic and capitalized on opportunities to turn the game around; flip the game in critical situations,” Dimitroff said. “We’ll look for a coordinator who will [aid] Coach Smith and his approach to putting that type of aggressive defense on the field.”

This guy sounds like the consummate corporate bull shooter. Blank needs to jettison this dude as soon as possible. If I were the owner and he told me something like this, I would hit him in the mouth. Sad, really.

just sayin'

January 13th, 2012
7:13 am

3/4….4/3…doesn’t make a difference if you don’t have the talent…man to man….zone…now here’s where atl could alter their scheme to fit the talent…not seen many ‘cover’ guys who made good tacklers..make your choice of the D and then get the talent…hard to ‘mold’ any scheme without the basic talent….

where are the real fans

January 13th, 2012
7:16 am

I like the comment Mr. Blank said, “Their ability . . . to be totally objective, cold-hearted and unemotional about the young men that we have on the roster [should be an asset],” “[We’ll] bring in some folks that will be able to give us maybe some new perspective, maybe some different perspective not only on team questions, but on player issues that we may have as well.” That shows me that the kids gloves are off for everyone in that locker room. It could be something that is needed to help the team take that next step forward.

DC Dirty Bird

January 13th, 2012
7:17 am

Whopper Dawg, when have you heard any GM come out and trash a coach or the team. Think about it, if our defense was already all of those things, would we need to “continue its growth and evolution”?

BTW, Mike Nolan ran 4-3 defenses until he became the Jets DC under Al Groh.

I like Spags not because of his success with NYG, but because his defense had Brees on the turf all day in the Rams upset win over the Saints.

Ed

January 13th, 2012
7:24 am

I think Spags would be a great fit.

Ken

January 13th, 2012
7:30 am

Arthur open the checkbook and get Spags!!!!

Kramer

January 13th, 2012
7:31 am

Whopper dawg, get freakin’ real. TD is not going anywhere nor should he. Please learn the game before you play arm chair GM. Either name mentioned here would be a good addition although if Nolan is a 3-4 man he might have issues with the 4-3.

In the 99% wanting to get in the 1%

January 13th, 2012
7:42 am

Bobo and Willie Martinez could be had. Cheap.

Roger

January 13th, 2012
7:47 am

Ledbetter – If you are to be a serious writer/wordsmith you need some work. “They could likely mold the principles of Nolan’s 3-4 with Smith’s 4-3 if necessary” The would should be meld, not mold.

falconfan on da ledge

January 13th, 2012
7:51 am

@in the 99%, seriously!!! dude we wanna go back down that college coordinator road again…have you forgotten we just unloaded a college style DC and you want to bring another in…PLEEZ!!! STOP DRINKING THE HOMER KOOL-AID!!!!

Michael M.

January 13th, 2012
7:56 am

With pass happy offenses , I don’t care what you think you have on defense and a DC. They are just too hard to stop ! Eventually if left on the field long enough they will wear down, even the best defenses. The Goal is to build the best most high powered offense that can score touchdowns every time they touch the ball. As in the Green Bay Packers ! Enough said !

SirReal

January 13th, 2012
8:14 am

When you guys start working for the paper then you can dictate punctuation. Until then, just stick to the subject. ( Like we all havent had typos before.lol) ANYway…D Led I really wanted Tucker too but I think Nolan would be nice. We have the LBs for a 3-4 but I’m weary about the power pigs that are supposed to anchor the line…we have none. Do you think there’s a dark horse candidate? Some bright defensive guy that no one’s talking about?

SirReal

January 13th, 2012
8:15 am

@whopper dawg I agree….nothing but good ol corporate speak.lol He said that when he first started. Dont think he should leave just yet…give him one more year to rectify some of the BS he’s done.

The Real Falcon

January 13th, 2012
8:17 am

Why would we hire a coach who’s entire experience is 3-4 and ask him to change his core style?
That would not be a good fir for him or the players.

ddawgdavis

January 13th, 2012
8:18 am

Billick (brother in law) and Nolan would be a a definite upgrade and a nice addition going into next season.

The Real Falcon

January 13th, 2012
8:21 am

We don’t have the LBs for a 3-4. Peterson is done an no one else left has extensive playing time. Also a 3-4 requires 3 DT-style lineman. Our DTs don’t even get a push up the middle playing 4 DLs.
So now we’re talking about getting larger DTs and extra LBs when we don’t have a #1 and a #4 and are up against the salary cap.
Not going to happen.

The Real Falcon

January 13th, 2012
8:22 am

Billick is not going to be an assistant.

1eyedJack

January 13th, 2012
8:25 am

“Some bright defensive guy that no one’s talking about?”

Absolutely there is. The problem is identifying that guy.

Roger

January 13th, 2012
8:30 am

And, falconfan on da ledge, are you too stupid to recognize an obvious sarcastic comment.

SirReal

January 13th, 2012
8:37 am

@ The Real Falcon Just saying I think a 3-4 would be good. We DO have the LBs…just not much else.lol OLBs= Spoon & Dent ILBs= Lofton & Nicholas. Spoon could definitely be our edge rusher in a 3-4 system. Yeah probably wont happen.lol Just throwing it out there.

@1eyedJack Well they need to find him.LOL There is a LOT of talent at this level and hopefully they’ll find the right guy.

I'm Gumby, Dammit!!

January 13th, 2012
8:56 am

Can we please cut withe the LOL crap. What is this, high school??

Josey Wells

January 13th, 2012
8:58 am

I should be the new Offensive Coordinator, I kill everbody in Madden….LoL. My salary will only be about $200K a year(untaxed).
My perks will be: I can date any of the Falcon’s Cheerleaders. Plus I am the only hiring manager for Hooters……I’m a hands on manager…….Ok my real name is Eddie “tight shirt” long

Josey Wells

January 13th, 2012
8:58 am

Gumby…………LoL

mark

January 13th, 2012
9:22 am

Dled what is your thoughts on Sprags vs Nolan and have you heard of any dark horses or off the radar guys? It seemed with BVG we had a bend don’t break attitude afraid of giving up the big play do you think new DC will change that?

In consistent BloGGer

January 13th, 2012
9:30 am

What is this?

Nolan is considered a 3-4 coache. But Smith’s respect him from their days together in Baltimore is deep.

No way are you so busy you can\’t proof read.

BTW, excellent post about Mularkey….Well done.

joe white

January 13th, 2012
9:33 am

I would not mind either of the two coach’s for our dc spot, however I do want a good oc cause this team is loaded and can be a top scoring team in the league, I am sure the next dc will turn heads and have us on track for sure.

TriggaDirtyBird

January 13th, 2012
9:33 am

Steve Spagnuolo!! we need someone who has a championship mentality his defense stays prepared

Email Profiling Is Wrong

January 13th, 2012
9:39 am

@Whopper Dawg

I think you nailed it. Dimitroff’s post-season responses are nothing but CYA corporate-speak. Whatta load of crap. That paragraph you included in your post is cotton candy – nothing but air and completely void of substance. I don’t know if he thinks the media and fan base are stupid, or he’s stalling because he just flat doesn’t have a plan.

TD’s comments remind me of the 500 word essays middle school kids have to write on reading assignments. They didn’t read the book, but they have a word quota to meet. They got nothing intelligent to say, but that blank sheet of paper is staring up at them.

So they pad their word count by repeating the subject of the theme repeatedly and use adjectives at a shameless frequency. “I think Moby Dick is one of the greatest examples of mid-19th century American literature because Melville is a very, very good author and Moby Dick is a very, very good example of great mid-19th century American literature.”

Actually, I took that verbatim from Dimitroff’s sixth grade essay on Melville and Moby Dick.

TD is beginning to look like a snake oil saleman. A very, very good snake oil salesman.

But bottom line is that those comments coupled with the team’s abysmal performance against quality opponents the last two years

Keith Denmark

January 13th, 2012
9:41 am

We need someone who can make the offense step up. as for defense. Dunta robinson needs to go.

layinlow

January 13th, 2012
9:53 am

Too much focus being put on the coaching and not enough towards the talent on the field. This team has no real difference makers on defense other than ABE and he is probably gone. Dimitroff got off to a good start here but his star is starting to fade. He has drafted quite a few bust on defense- jerry, owens, sidbury, etc. And giving the overrated dunta robinson a huge contract was a big mistake! Did it not occur to him why the Texans were happy to part ways with this guy? I knew this was a bad move because teams don’t part with great corners entering their prime. What did Houston do? They turned around and signed Johnathon Joseph who just happened to end up being the best free agent corner. Dimitroff was clearly outsmarted on that move. Blank is a sharp guy and I wonder if he is beginning to doubt some of Dimtroff’s personnel decisions. I know i am.

Mike Nolan

January 13th, 2012
10:08 am

Guys, just though I would let you know that I’m still employed by the Miami Dolphins.

PMC

January 13th, 2012
10:13 am

Man, this is much more plesant of a view than the offensive side.

I’ve been harping on talent all year especially since they went so weak in this past draft, again, DRAFTING a kicker with so many holes on the defense.

Yeah Bosher finished pretty good. He still is 10 yards shorter than everyone else in the league on kick offs but he punted decent. Doesn’t take away from the fact that the pick was wasted.

The Texans btw were awful the year they waited to get Joseph. Robinson got big money because he was in position to get the big money. It’s been mostly bad here though. Hasn’t worked out. Perhaps a scheme change will make a difference.

The Peria Jerry whiff though hurts. The offensive line whiffs hurt more.

IS Sidbury EVER going to develop or are we going to wait forever? Biermann is a quality backup, he should not be starting. Edwards was signed out of desperation as much as anything.

Dimitroff has to hit the next two years out of the park in the draft and FA or he’ll be moved up to “president” as well. The choices they have made on quite a few players just aren’t defensible. It makes no sense.

This team professes to want to be physical but you never see it when they play other physical teams.

Bill

January 13th, 2012
10:15 am

Get Steve Spagnuolo sp. ASP Please.

OC..Phil Philbin..

Ken Strickland

January 13th, 2012
10:20 am

WHOPPER DAWG-As soon as Smitty realized his A$$ is on the line, he’s suddenly saying all of the things he thinks everyone whats to hear. After 5yrs of presiding over the NFLs softest, most passive, nonaggressive DEF, which ranked near the bottom of the league for 5 consecutive yrs, and doing absolutely nothing about it, he suddenly decides he wants an aggressive attacking DEF. I’ll be he also wants the OFF to open up and become more aggressive as well, and be less predictable and conservative.

Well, after 5yrs of his conservative and predictable BS, it seems to have finally gotten through his thick skull that he’d better back off and let someone else run his OFF and DEF. Someone who actually knows something about 21st century football, and how to design and run a 21st century OFF and DEF.

Walker, Texas Ranger

January 13th, 2012
10:21 am

or Regis Philbin

Bill

January 13th, 2012
10:29 am

sorry thats “Joe” Philbin. don’t know a phil philbin

FalconFan on da ledge

January 13th, 2012
10:29 am

@roger yes I am, I just know that all of you Georgia homers are always politicking for the same ole good boys that run that campus in Athens and feel that they would make great coaches in the NFL…again back away from the still (did you get that sarcastic comment)

Rev Blake

January 13th, 2012
10:40 am

I tend to agree with those who say we need the right talent on the field. My biggest concern is Matt Ryan and the offensive line. Ryan is beginning to mimic the “Joey Harrington, happy-feet, checkdown too quickly” dance. He needs BEEF and skill on the O-line (immediately) and then he needs to be re-taught how to step UP in the pocket.

Josey Wells

January 13th, 2012
10:42 am

Spagnuolo is not coming, he’s will be coach in waiting in Philly. Plus he use to coach there and Philly is a better situation than Atlanta. Singletary should be the new DC for the Falcons. That 49ers Defense is all Mike Singletary. I would never hire a GM that didn’t eat meat………

Durt E Byrd

January 13th, 2012
10:42 am

Who knows… maybe Blank has finally learned that selling a winning team is greater than hyping named players…

BasementGM

January 13th, 2012
10:44 am

I would like to to see M. Singletary get a look. I like his toughness and aggressive style. I know the HC thing did not work out for him but would like to see what he could do as a DC. The SF defenses under him were all solid to very good.

Josey Wells

January 13th, 2012
10:46 am

Saban is the best coach in the SEC, he couldn’t make it in the NFL. So why in the hell would someone want a subpar coach from UGA to be coaching in the NFL. This is not the BCS, this is a grown man’s game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chop Buster

January 13th, 2012
10:55 am

I wouldn’t have a problem with either of these guys. Spags is known for his aggressive defenses and Nolan did a great job turning around Miami’s defense this past year. My first choice would be Spags.

Die Hard Falcon

January 13th, 2012
11:01 am

Nolan or Spagnuolo, both are great D coaches, look at what Nolan did in Denver in 1 year he made the D a top unit and when he went to Miami, samae thing, Spags would fit the personnel we already have better, but w/ so many free agents, we actually do have a decent amount of cap room next year and could make changes to a 3-4 if necessary, at least from a cap space perspective. Finding players as FA’s and in the draft can be difficult w/ so many teams switching to a 3-4. We’re projected at about 96Million towards the 2012 cap which gives us a decent amount of room, especially since I don’t see any of our FA’s demanding huge paydays, if MR2 signs and extension, maybe we could shift the numbers and get a lower cap # on him, plus I think Dunta either needs to take a paycut or get traded, if the Falcons were smart and frontloaded his contract, the hit for getting rid of him could be negligible. It’s all potential until things start playing out. Go Falcons!

Chop Buster

January 13th, 2012
11:01 am

Ken I too have been very frustrated with Smitty’s double-talk (say one thing and do another). I guess Arthur and TD are giving Smitty a reprive. He’s under a big microscope now and there’s no room for continued screw-ups.

The good-bad-ugly

January 13th, 2012
11:04 am

Everyone saying Spags wont come to falcons–$$$$ talks–don’t bet on it.

Falcon 1 fan

January 13th, 2012
11:08 am

If the Falcons go after Grantham from the GA Bulldogs. We will be in the same boat. We need the best proven DC and OC for our team who Offensive and Defensive theories have won championships.

The good-bad-ugly

January 13th, 2012
11:10 am

Hell no to Grantham!

THE INFAMOUS DK

January 13th, 2012
11:17 am

Pay Spags and steal him from the Eagles.. He was the only one last year that made Drew Brees suffer. His Rams D harrassed Drew to a point that he never wanted to see them again.

slim

January 13th, 2012
11:21 am

Why would you want another college freaking coordinator we just got rid of a college coordinator in brain van gorder you guys seriously don’t watch football our defense was terrible you can’t say we were good under brian van gorder our pass defense always ranked 20 or worst 4 years straight we couldn’t rush the passer nor get off the field on 3rd downs look at all the whiff tackles i would like Steve Sapgs to run this defense Mike Nolan is a 3-4 guy.

Quedog13

January 13th, 2012
11:25 am

I have to credit BVG for a couple of games where he appeared to have made the right call but the team didn’t perform. Much was said about Rodgers SPINNING out of tackles in that playoff game. I remember guys bouncing off Cam Newton in that particular game. Unfortunately he didn’t have too many winning calls over the course of time.

Totally agree with “Where the real fans are”… My impression of what Arthur’s saying is that he’s expecting results, and tangible results, next year. Got to win a playoff game next year.

SavDawg

January 13th, 2012
11:37 am

Why all the talk about Gratham from UGA? To my knowlege he was never approached and firmly denied wanting to leave. Do you people ever read what the principals involved accualty say!!!

hawesg

January 13th, 2012
11:47 am

Personally, with Abraham perhaps moving on, I would like to see us scrap the 4-3. I think it does a fine job of stopping the run, but 3-4 defenses seem to get after the QB better (or maybe that’s just against us). Since fewer teams are relying on the run, it makes sense to scrap the 4-3.

The Falconator

January 13th, 2012
11:50 am

Any DC will be better than what we had. I’m not crazy about the 3-4, but we do have the linebackers to blitz more and that’s a good thing. Abe and Ray might have an easier time if the opposing offense had to consistently worry about accounting for more pass rushing bodies. I’m clueless as to who plays nose tackle. Any approach that shakes up that worthless soft zone pass defense would be an improvement.

Keeping it Real

January 13th, 2012
11:55 am

Who cares what the coach and GM say now. The only thing that matters is the results. Would you rather see crass and classless comment throwing the team and/or the assistant coaches under the bus? I personally think TD knows what he is doing and will make a good choice. As long as Mr. Blank will open the checkbook wide enough we should be able to get anyone we want. Then the problem becomes how to improve the team with limited draft picks and limited cap space.

Nique

January 13th, 2012
12:09 pm

This is very encouraging!!! I hope we get Spags

JT19

January 13th, 2012
12:14 pm

Mike Nolan ran a 4-3 defense when he was the DC in Washington, so it’s not as if he only knows how to run a 3-4.

Spagnuolo would still be my first choice, but Mike Nolan would still be a big improvement.

Falcon James

January 13th, 2012
12:19 pm

Glad to see Arthur Blank is recognizing the fact we gots some real personnel problems on the defence. At the top of my list would be firing Dunta. He the biggest cancer of the defence. Once he gone maybe Franks and Owens would be next followed closely by Ray Edwards. Just my opinion.

JSS

January 13th, 2012
12:19 pm

Lurie will wear Blank out in a bidding war, save that money for the divorce lawyer!

@ Ledbetter…
Why doesn’t Johnny Mitchell in Pittsburgh name ever come up in any speculation? Anybody that’s been around LeBeau, Cowher, and Tomlin that long has to know something by now…

Die Hard Falcon

January 13th, 2012
12:45 pm

To all those who think we don’t have any cap space:

That was this year, we spent it all, next year we are actually sitting quite nice at 96 mil on I think a 120 cap, that includes Tong G.’s contract. I think w/ Abe going to be 34 next season, he either walks or signs for less than the 8mil we paid this year, we need to resign Lofton & Grimes on D, they’ll probably get the largest amounts of our FA’s, otherwise it’s all role players like Biermann, HD, Snelling?, and we’ll still have plenty of cap room. The problem is, w/o much of a draft, we have to hope the right people become FA’s or we won’t have much to build with, especially if we try to switch to 3-4 which I would applaude IF we can get the personnel, GB & Texans were pretty successful switching in 1 year, but GB got both Raji & Matthews in 1 draft and the Texans got Watt & Reed in one draft. We should be able to outbid for Spags, they are only hiring him as an assistant, not the DC, we should do what we need, I’m tired of the Nightmare team making all the moves and being aggressive. I hope Blank & TD put their money where there mouth is. Go Falcons!

Steve from McDonough

January 13th, 2012
12:51 pm

If I were Mike Smith, I’d be a little concerned that my owner states publicly that we need an outside set of eyes to evaluate the talent. Clearly he thinks the current coaching staff is either not evaluating talent properly, or like Jim Mora Jr., has gotten too cozy with the players.

Jay Dubu

January 13th, 2012
12:54 pm

I’m sure that once the new OC & DC are in place, the on field talent will be evaluated to see who stays, and who goes.

Then the needed players will be added via the draft and free agency. I new that things would change if the Falcons laid another playoff egg.

MM & BVG knew that also, and they were the likely candidates for change, so I’m sure they went looking as soon as possible.

Good that both of them landed new jobs very quickly. Not one to wish unemployment on anyone.

Ichabod

January 13th, 2012
1:28 pm

The Smith/Nolan 3-4-3 defense ought to do the trick!

Jimmy Crack

January 13th, 2012
1:33 pm

Sniff, sniff.

I agree with some other posters about the smell of BS coming from TD and Smith. In all these recent pressers and interviews, the remarks from those two, especially TD, are delivered with that touch of “I am a football guy and you all aren’t” speak that is very insulting to me as I am not the gullible, tongue-wagging football fan/idiot. There are also obvious lies injected into their carefully worded excuses (i.e. concerning Ray Edwards “He had a presence that we haven’t had at left defensive end in the run game this year.” THIS YEAR?) which is also concerning and dismaying. This CYA sounds all too similar to political officials blowing smoke up the public arse with a smile and no accountability, and TD would be careful to relax under some crazy assumption that we are all grain fed cattle with ticket money. It may cost him his job in the near future, win or lose.

Falcon James

January 13th, 2012
1:35 pm

I disagree that Smith is in over his head. I think he is an outstanding coach. On the other hand, the players have made him look bad. The CBA has crippled his ability to motivate the players through training and practices. Our team needs more time on the the field with pads on and less time in the classroom. What aggrevates me about “Pro” football players is that too many of them go backwards once they get paid. They will will make millions whether they perform on the field or not. If they don’t play a single down, they still get paid. This is probably over simplified, but College Atheletes perform because if they are on the bench, their chances of getting drafted or getting paid the big bucks in the pro’s fall off significantly. But when they reach the pro’s they get lazy. Dunta Robinson and Roddy White are prime examples. The come into the league and get paid toward the bottom, so they work hard, then when they become Free Agents they are worth something because of their performance and hard work. So the team pays them millions. Then what happens? They get lazy. They no longer have to perform to make the millions. They got the money and quit. I think Tony G is an example of players should be. He plays because he wants to make himself better and he loves the game. If money is the motivator for him, he don’t show it. He gives 110% every game. I wish all the players were as dedicated as he is. I think he would play the same even he didn’t get paid at all.

Jimmy Crack

January 13th, 2012
1:39 pm

As a matter of fact I find TD’s whole answer insulting…

“First of all, we were aggressive with the acquisition of Dunta Robinson. Our expectations were for Dunta to come in here and have a presence as a physical corner, help us make plays on the ball and prevent teams from racking up a lot of yards against this defense. Dunta has shown that he can produce for us. Unfortunately, this year our defense was inconsistent and at times so was Dunta. I still believe that we’re getting solid production out of Dunta Robinson in his game. With Ray Edwards, our thought was to bring a defensive end into our organization who brought elements of grit, toughness and competitiveness. We feel strongly that he has done that. He was outstanding [against] the run. He had a presence that we haven’t had at left defensive end in the run game this year. As per his pass rush numbers, obviously both he and we would have liked his pass rush numbers to up around the eight to 10 area. Unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition. But again, we’re confident that Ray can come back next year with one more year under his belt; with a different system and produce for us.”

BravesFan79

January 13th, 2012
1:45 pm

Please no more soft zone! Especially against the likes of Rodgers and Brees, and especially not on 3rd down! I cant remember how many times i was yelling at the Falcons on 3rd down against the Saints and Packers for being 5 yards away from the reciever.

Report: Spagnuolo, Nolan lead list of Falcons DC choices – – BacklinkzHigh Quality Back linking Service

January 13th, 2012
2:01 pm

[...] Falcons are in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution[1] reported Friday two coaches have emerged as the leading candidates: former St. Louis Rams[2] [...]

hiramsaint

January 13th, 2012
2:21 pm

Who ever you get, you can’t beat us. We have the nastiest team in America! HA HA!!

Tim Parker

January 13th, 2012
2:21 pm

If Mr. Blank wants to show that he is serious about improving the quality of this team and go from “Good to Great,” he can start by hiring Spagnuolo using “Whatever It Takes.” Transitioning to a 3-4 defense would not hurt my feelings at all. Our best defenses historically have been 3-4 defenses. We have talent at linebacker to play 3-4…Use Abe and Bierman as our Elephant backers like they did in
those phenomenal defenses SF and St.Louis. Edwards is big enough to play LE, use Babs at RE, and go out a get some legitimate NTs. Lofton and Dent at MLB and ILB respectively with Weatherspoon and Nicholas rotating at LOLB. I can dig it!!! I know Abe didn’t want to play ROLB in NY, but if he understands that his role is designated pass rusher, he will probably find it more palatable. If not, bye.

Ken Strickland

January 13th, 2012
2:22 pm

I just love that ABlank is letting it be known that he’s not at all satisfied with the Falcons playoff performances. He’s letting Smitty know, in no uncertain terms, that this will definitely be his last chance to either sink or swim. He knows this team is far too talented, on both sides on the ball, to be having so much difficulty defeating winning teams and getting embarrassed in the playoffs.

I believe the coaching changes will add a lot of excitement and expectations for our players. I know doggone well they’ll be excited and confident knowing they’ll finally go into battle each week knowing the opposition won’t already know what to expect. No more of the same passive, soft, nonaggressive, conservative and predictable approach that every team already knows.

The question is, who will we resign or cut? I believe we can do without DE JAbraham, RB MTurner, LT SBaker, CB DRobinson, P/K returner EWeems, and maybe FB OMughelli, if we decide to rely less on running up the middle. I believe our current OL will be just fine if we become less conservative and predictable, and utilize plays and play calling that relieves the pressure it was under with our conservative, predictable and limited OFF approach. Our OL play will improve drastically if we

1-ran less on 1st and 2nd down, which would lead to fewer 3rd and longs,
2-ran less up the middle against stacked DEFs,
3-utilized our RBs as receiving options, and utilized more screen and swing passes,
4-ran pitchouts and sweeps,
5-used more passing routes designed to get the ball out quicker, and gain YAC.

Zone coverages are more effective against QBs who aren’t good at reading DEFs. Man to man coverages are far better against QBs that are skilled at reading DEFs, and it allows for more blitzing, which we definitely need to consider doing more of. In a zone, QBs are usually required to hit stationary receivers who are sitting in a hole they’ve found in the zone. In man to man, they are required to hit moving receivers with a defender very close by. Whether you’re playing a zone or man to man, it’s a definite advantage to jam a receiver within the 5yrd zone and disrupt his route and his timing.

It really wouldn’t take a lot for us to turn everything completely around and become the team our talent dictates we can be.

daroosta

January 13th, 2012
2:35 pm

do what you have to do to get Spagnuolo.

Great Falconi

January 13th, 2012
2:36 pm

Smitty’s done a better job here than any other coach in team history. He has established the Falcons as a winning team. He will now have to show that he can do more than that, but I’ve never seen a Falcon coach get his team to show up after losses the way Smitty has. If we get the same result next season and Smitty is fired, I’m still going to respect what he did here.

bird

January 13th, 2012
2:36 pm

Josey Wells, Saban wasn’t even in the NFL long enough to know if he could make it. Saban is better than a lot of current NFL coaches.

JacksonCurtain

January 13th, 2012
3:08 pm

DEL RIO TO THE FALCONS, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!!!!! You want to talk about fixing a defense with no Heart…..Look no further. Come on Coach Del Rio we need you.

BigTimeTECHFan

January 13th, 2012
3:24 pm

Gratham from UGA?

He was Cleveland DC and had the 30th ranked defense and fired after one year. no way

BigTimeTECHFan

January 13th, 2012
3:25 pm

DEL RIO would be my choice also, he gets a lot out of defenses even without much talent on the field.

Donaldo

January 13th, 2012
3:39 pm

Do not rush, take your time and get it right. Most important is to get someone who can understand skills of players and formulate a plan to maximize them. Also, key is a toprate QB coach, preferrable an ex player with a history.

jerry

January 13th, 2012
3:55 pm

What’s with Smith singling out Weems for praise? He was in the bottom half of the league in kickoff and punt return average. He is an average football player, definitely not a home run threat, as he had no returns for a td. If he an example of what Smith considers an exceptional player, no wonder he is 0-3 in the playoffs.

falconsrelax

January 13th, 2012
3:56 pm

D-Led, do you seriously think that there could be BIG changes in the personnel?? Example Dunta Robinson. Like out of nowhere we bring in a new d-coordinator and we cut or trade dunta. Do you think blank is on those type of terms of getting it done to take the next step or do you think its more of a “WE NEED NEW COORDINATORS” type of approach that we’ve been seeing in these press conference. Personally for me its a mixture of both, personnel and needing better coordinators.

fansince74

January 13th, 2012
4:05 pm

Spagnuolo

offseason soultions

January 13th, 2012
4:08 pm

My thoughts on our Needs…

Defensive Lineman… especially at the Tackle position. If we are to play a 3-4 under a new Defensive coordinator we have to get big men inside.Even if we don’t switch to 3-4 Defense, I think we need some key big men. First though, we’ll need to shed what doesn’t work. Sorry but Peria Jerry hasn’t been effective. Only DL i like inside are Peters and Babs — although I wouldn’t mind seeing Babs traded for the right deal/player — everyone else has played like flop sauce. I like the Penn St. DT Still in the draft but it’s not likely we’ll be able to get him. What we could go for is a trade with Buffalo or some other notorious big lineman team for one a big guy or two.

DBs… I love Dunta but it’s not his time or place in the Atlanta starting role. If there was a way to maybe move him that’d help. Grimes would be an outstanding slot corner and I like the development of Franks & even Owens (displays excellent effort). I’m think we need two strong outside guys like a Brandon Flowers (KC) and Zack Bowman (CHI). They both are replacable on their respective teams. I have no idea though about their statuses on the team.

I personally think we should ship roddy white & mike turner. MJD would be a bruiser and he could teach Jacquizz Rogders how to play.

Obviously we gotta fortify that offensive line with a solid tackle tandem and center. Maybe we can pull some in through FA or a trade. Not sure who but I like Matt Khalil coming out of USC. Too bad he’s in the bag.

I like our pass rushers. I think if we had more overpowering DTs, that’d do a better job under a new DC. Sidbury is good and Edwards I’m still willing to support. Biermann deserves some interior support. No idea if Abe comes back.

And the for the Coordinators position. I like Green Bay’s Clements and Spags for DC.

Good luck in the offseason falcons. Better find something to hang your hat on after that playoff game.

t_height

January 13th, 2012
4:14 pm

i wanted Raheem Morris

Die Hard Falcon

January 13th, 2012
4:19 pm

DLED-

Thanks for clearing that up, I was getting those figures from the NFC South blogger at ESPN.com, but I guess since I was off about 4 mil in what we currently will have and the cap is 5 mil higher than what I thought, we’re still sitting okay. I look forward to the article on Sunday about this. I just hope they’ll be FA talent and that we make the right decisions, thanks, Go Falcons!

GWB

January 13th, 2012
4:33 pm

Cold hearted? Unemotional? Look at Smitty, and start there. Smiles w/the refs, smiles when congratulating the Giants.. not sure..

Ken Strickland

January 13th, 2012
4:35 pm

I’m not all that concerned about who we hire as DC, as long as he gets us away from that stupid ultra soft prevent zone approach Smitty endorsed and supported for 5yrs. We have the CBs to play man to man coverage, and the LBs to cover RBs, or blitz often. We also have athletic DEs who can work well with our blitzing LBs. I find it hard to believe that anyone would consider DT an issue when we’ve done so well at stopping the run

Eugene Robinson

January 13th, 2012
4:51 pm

Hey D. Orlando Ledbetter what is the chance of getting Buck Godfrey to leave those SWD Panther for a shot at a DC position?

Birdwatcher

January 13th, 2012
4:56 pm

TD keeps preaching aggressive defense, but we didn’t blitz an opponent until the playoffs. This defense was perpetually soft. They couldn’t get off the field on 3rd down for the last 5 years. It just seems to me that this team takes on the personality of its coach -tight, tense, and worried. I’m concerned that whoever comes in will still have to defer to Smitty’s philosophy.

nhe

January 13th, 2012
5:00 pm

NO NFL team has a “man-to-man” or “bump and run” defense……..all pass defenses in this day and age are based on a zone scheme of some kind……so those of you who want a man-to-man defense need to realize that there’s no such thing.

But, some teams do incorporate bump and run and man-to-man better and more frequently than others, and I agree that we need a coordinator of that ilk.

Report: Spagnuolo, Nolan lead list of Falcons DC choices | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation

January 13th, 2012
5:13 pm

[...] Falcons are in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday two coaches have emerged as the leading candidates: former St. Louis Rams head [...]

THE DC SEARCH: Spagnuolo, Nolan are of interest | NFL Online News

January 13th, 2012
5:18 pm

[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged interest, Nolan, search, Spagnuolo. Bookmark the permalink. ← Bucs to interview Bengals DC, Panthers OC for head coach spot [...]

Greg M

January 13th, 2012
5:32 pm

What thE hell we waiting on; sign Spag now!

Captain Planet

January 13th, 2012
5:42 pm

The Eagles will unfortunately probably end up with Spags and we will gget some understudy.

Ws

January 13th, 2012
6:18 pm

I would think after the meeting Tuesday Mr. Blanks make it clear too Mr. Clean Shot what he wanted.He will change or he will be looking for a job On MM staff.
I also think he told TD of his bad drafting,trying to out smart everyone and find another Grimes.

JSS

January 13th, 2012
6:25 pm

Dang, they’ve even turned on Weems! Blame Rich McKay (he of the Competition Committee) for his (Weems) not having a better kickoff return average. The move of the ball to the 35 killed him… Everyone was kicking of the end zone, well except for Bosher (until the last 4 weeks). And did you watch the Giants punt to Weems? That’s how you take the possibility of a big return game…

House Man

January 13th, 2012
7:11 pm

People, don’t take Hiramsaint seriously, you will be wasting energy

JSS

January 13th, 2012
7:35 pm

“You will wasting energy…”

This statement from a person that celebrates the fact that a segment of its community has transit more than 3 hours daily to work for the most part… Hey, go figure!

JSS

January 13th, 2012
7:36 pm

Oops (”be”)

trailboss

January 13th, 2012
7:39 pm

COACH SMITH HAS CONNECTION I HAD YOUR HOME FOR SALE SIGN READY … IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CS BECAUSE HE HIRE THESE GUY’S AND IF HIS EVALUATION DIDN’T SEE THE LACK OF… CS WAS AN ASST. HIMSELF AN HE SHOWED THAT HE WILL CRACK UP.SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PRO COACH LEAVE YOUR HS & COLLEGE BUDDY’S ON THEIR LEVEL.I SAID LAST YEAR AFTER THE GB GAME YOUR DC/OC WILL BE TAKING YOUR JOB.NOW YOU NEED HELP. LET THEM PLAY FOOTBALL RUN IT UP THAT’S THE KIND OF BALL WE WANT I.E. NO. I’M GOING TO KEEP YOUR SIGN FOR YOU.

Wet Willie...keep on smiling

January 13th, 2012
7:43 pm

Mr. Blank is GATA and it’s a great thing. Take some of Smith’s money if needed and get Spag. Mr. Blank is going to have to sell more tickets and perhaps he can attach one of those free housing applications with each ticket sold for that should get the folks out. Maybe C Tucker can assist with the applications.

LKW4

January 13th, 2012
7:51 pm

As long as your replacing coachs you need to think long and hard about keeping Mike Smith. After all he is the head coach. He hasn’t done anything to improve the Falcons playing ability. And of the 20 players that are up for new contracts I hope you have added Fat A$$ Turner and Dumb A$$ Ryan. I was wondering how many more years Blank was going to be tired of losing money before he did something. Dimitroff apparently hasn’t been earing his keep either or we would have bee replacing some of this weight last year!

LKW4

January 13th, 2012
7:52 pm

I agree with trailboss.

St Simons - we're on Island time

January 13th, 2012
8:04 pm

Unless they get a pass rush and a secondary, Knute Rockne,

Bear Bryant and Chuck Noll couldn’t help them.

LKW4

January 13th, 2012
8:08 pm

Rev Blake nailed it on Ryan. Give me a Rodgers, Manning, Brees, Newton, I’ll even take a Tebow. Someone who can really play a QB position, read the field and make plays. don’t throw the ball away, throw it to soft, to high, or behind your intended target.

Stevereeno

January 13th, 2012
8:25 pm

I hope they’re planning to do some work on the offendive line, pourous as all get out this year.
The star quarterback is having to work overtime.

Not a Falcon fan

January 13th, 2012
9:13 pm

If Steve Spagnuolo and Mike Nolan were smart, they would stay away from the Falcons. Steve Spagnuolo and Mike Nolan are winners, not losers !!!!!!!

Falconitis

January 13th, 2012
9:37 pm

Bring in Spags and the defense and Falcons will SOAR!!!

Foul-can

January 13th, 2012
10:26 pm

Bring in Spags…… Del Rio would never come here. He has connections with the Saints

The good-bad-ugly

January 13th, 2012
11:45 pm

How about Bruce Arian..Steelers OC?

The Next Great GM

January 14th, 2012
12:19 am

The falcons can bring in the best defensive coach in the league until the falcons bring in mean guys the defense will look the same!!! The only Three people on the falcons defense to improve were decoud, witherspoon, and cory peters!!! The falcons need to look into free agency and the draft once again to add strength and depth!!! Its simple folks if you want a mean and fierce top notch defense copy the blue print for success….look at baltimore and the bears. They have talent as well as strength. They do a great job at drafting and bringing in players who fit there identity!!!!

The Next Great GM

January 14th, 2012
12:21 am

If the falcons want an improved defense tell arthur blank to give me a call and to give me three years….Il intern just to bring a super bowl to the city!!!!

The Next Great GM

January 14th, 2012
12:25 am

Mike murlarkey was simply one of the most simple poor offensive coordinators ever i dont see why he got so much consideration…they say he developed matty ice the none winning none performing quaterback who still has no arm strength…. we have talent on the offensive side that we didnt even use..the only thing he did for the falcons was implement a power run game combined with short throws cuz matt cant get the ball downfield!!! Can you say saints offensive cordinator???????

The Next Great GM

January 14th, 2012
12:27 am

Look at the saints and what they have done…its brilliant the way the use every personal on the team to become an unstoppable offense…thats what football is about mike did not do that…take notes arthur blank and thomas the secret is right in your face……

The Next Great GM

January 14th, 2012
12:29 am

we also have to blitz more if you want more sacks which starts with signing grimes back….we also for the last time need strength at the tackle spot…if these issuses are not addressed this offseason falcon fans can exspect the same results dont say i didn’t tell you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Next Great GM

January 14th, 2012
12:34 am

Saints will win against the 49ers and baltimore will win against the texans. I like the pats over the overhyped tebow broncos and i likethe giants over green bay. I have ravens and giants in the super bowl a rematch of the 2000 game. I have the ravens winning it. will have to see it should be exciting football fans enjoy and be blessed!!!!!

Wink

January 14th, 2012
1:03 am

“Moving forward, this defense needs to continue its growth and evolution as a passionate and fiery defense, one that is going to fly to the football, disrupt, be opportunistic and capitalized on opportunities to turn the game around; flip the game in critical situations,” Dimitroff said

What team was he watching???? Surly not our Falcons defense…cmon man!

If this is what you want Hire the Eye of Singletary…Mike Singletary!!!
Look at the jump the 49er’s have made!!!

I'm tired of losing in the playoffs

January 14th, 2012
2:11 am

Oh boy here we go again. Back in the offseason seat. I’m tired of one and done seasons. It is time for some real change here man. Let decoud go!!! I been saying that for the last 3 years. He’s slow, soft, and stupid. let daunta robinson go he’s getting up there in years and takes up way more than his fair share of salary cap space. Let’s trade roddy white for someone with value or a lot of picks [he is aging and is now on the decline] dropped balls are an issue once again. resign lofton and grimes are must. ray edwards has been a dissapointment this year but i’d be willing to give him another year when he’ss 100%. WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR O-Line ISSUES!!!! we could sign bowe (from KC) after letting roddy go. We need to overhaul our offensive and defensive play calling on both sides of the ball. We are far too conservative at times then when are aggressive we make stupid calls ie: QB sneaking (with Matt freaking Ryan) up the middle on the GIANTS d-line not once but twice. Cmon man!! I would like for us to release P.jerry the d-lineman who is going on his 4th year and has not been productive at all and doesn’t even start now. It is time to part ways with snelling. we need a solid #2 TE cause tony wont be here much longer and if he is injured next year we R boned!!! Weems special teams production has gone down significantly this year though he is #4 in special teams returns it’s because people score on us so much. He is a terrible option at the 3rd and 4th receiver slot and we need another weapon. (just on a side not Desean jackson is a free agent this year). Lets also take asante samuel from the eagles. This is how we fix the falcons. If we do half of what I say this offseason we will be in the SB next year.

HATinGA

January 14th, 2012
5:23 am

Nobody in the top defences run the 4-3 , the gaints are as close to a good 4-3 as any but they have exceptional d-linemen, 3-4 you put better athetes on the field, and open up all ranges of blitzes, look at the ravens, and steelers, thats the way defence in the NFL is played, just look at who we struggled against 3-4s, its time to let the 4-3 go!!!!!

ZACK

January 14th, 2012
6:59 am

HEY, FORGET THE JAGS DC. HOW COULD ANY OF YOU FORGET THAT THE “EXPLOSIVE” FALCONS PUT UP 40 ON THEIR AZZES!!?!?!? COME ON NOW! REPEAT AFTER ME…WE DO NOT NEED JACKSONVILLE COACHES!!!!

AMEN!

Me Too

January 14th, 2012
7:08 am

Having previous ties to Smith is not a prerequisite.

should read…………

Having previous ties to Smith is a detriment.

hiramsaint

January 14th, 2012
7:32 am

heres the truth- you’re gonna have to hire a trio of guys , at minimum , who just got fired and who don’t mind coming to a team who has a very very limited draft for the next 2 years. good luck finding a quality set of coordinators who are willing to walk into that mess. 3rd tier coaches who NEED a job will be the only ones interested .

hiramsaint

January 14th, 2012
7:38 am

sorry if you take that as bashing or hatin’-it’s not. all it is is an objective opinion. if your weren’t a falcons fan and your looking at your future , would you do it? van goiter lost out and ended in the college ranks and mularkey gets to take over the jags-hardly a move UP the ladder for either of them

corners

January 14th, 2012
9:42 am

nolan is under contract fyi

phil

January 14th, 2012
9:48 am

This entire process is laughable.

More and more endless talk about toughness, fire, this, that, blah, blah, blah.

We’ve been hearing this crap for 46 years.

Result?

Zero championships.

Zero reason to expect anything different going forward. Mike Smith will be fired in a year and the wholesale collapse will proceed from there.

It’s not hard to see it coming.

phil

January 14th, 2012
9:56 am

Fire FG!

L.W. Clements

January 14th, 2012
10:34 am

I am not going to bash what VanGorder did was all bad, he did bring the level of Defense up a notch by coming here, but his desire to leave will actually be looked back on as a blessing for this team if the right guy is hired to reoplace him. Petrino did us a favor in leaving, and while VanGorder will never be looked at with the hatred and vitriol that we still seethe with over Patrino, BVG has opened the door to a even higher level of Defense to come to Atlanta. But who ever the new DC is, if we don’t have Brian Billick as OC, it may be for nought. We have the players here to be a very solid defense, a change in scheme would do wonders. I have to hope that Ray Edwards was still not well from his injury and look forward to he and Abraham in a new scheme next season along with Babs,Walker, Peters, Matthews,Sidbury and the Beirman!, I don’t know if Jerry is a keeper or not at this point, but in a better scheme, who knows?,. But the new OC must have the ability to use all of the weapons in the arsenal, much like Drew Brees can in New Orleans and Rodgers can in Green Bay. We have Roddy, Gonzo, Julio, The Burner, Quizz, Mughelli, Snelling, Weems, Douglas, Palmer and Meier! That is a lot of weapons, a lot of different match-ups for defenses and we need to use them all. We need an OC that can utilize every single one of them and we need an Oline that can push a defense, not collapse the pocket.

WTF?

January 14th, 2012
11:06 am

The current Falcons staff are consulting the Smith family for guidance on how they put together so many losing efforts year in and year out

House Man

January 14th, 2012
11:10 am

JSS “a person that celebrates the fact that a segment of its community has transit more than 3 hours daily to work”
JSS, what does that have to do with anything?????

Mtn Falcon

January 14th, 2012
11:36 am

Get Spags Arthur!!!! Rise up!

C Carroll

January 14th, 2012
12:11 pm

The Falcons do not have the pass coverage they need to slow down the Saints or Packers. The new defensive coordinator must be able to have a scheme to slow the receivers at the line of scrimmage.
This provides the D-line an extra second and makes the quarterback take longer to find an open receiver. Football has gone to a fast paced passing game not a 3yds. and cloud of dust game. I do not recall the Falcons jamming the receivers at the line of scrimmage since Smith has been head coach.

Monday Morning QB

January 14th, 2012
12:37 pm

@ Hiramsaint

Hating or bashing isn’t the problem. The truth is were you’re lacking. The Falcons are missing two draft choices in the upcoming draft and have a full compliment in the next draft. So were you get “limited draft” for the next TWO seasons is wrong. Go Niners

Ed

January 14th, 2012
1:13 pm

What about the top candidates for the head coaching position?

Mike

January 14th, 2012
1:38 pm

I perfer a 3-4 opposed to a 4-3, I feel it puts more atheletic players on the field. Even New England and Green Bay who both run the 3-4 and are statistically terrible do a great job of creating turnovers. My only concern is personel…the only DT’s we have that are close to 3-4 DT’s are Corey Peters and Vance Walker. I could see Edwards, Babineaux, and Jerry as 3-4 DE’s. I do think that Bierman and Sidbury are both much better fits as LB’s in a 3-4 than DE’s in a 4-3. I however would want to make sure to keep Spoon on the outside…leaving Lofton and Dent on the inside.

Beau Bock

January 14th, 2012
1:39 pm

We just lost out on Ted Roof. The man runs a great practice.

The Falcons should do whatever it takes to land Spagnuolo | Falcons Focus – Atlanta Falcons Blog, Opinion and Analysis

January 14th, 2012
1:48 pm

[...] to the AJC, the Falcons think highly enough of Spagnuolo to “get into a bidding war” with the Eagles for his [...]

A complete Blank

January 14th, 2012
1:53 pm

6-10 in 2012……

RedandBlack Peachy

January 14th, 2012
1:55 pm

I don’t think the Falcons will truly do what it takes to be competitive in luring a quality OC or DC. I hope I am wrong but I think fans will be disappointed or in a wait and see situation with the choices.

Tree Rollins

January 14th, 2012
1:58 pm

I’m hearing Jerry Glanville’s name – return of Grits Blitz

Tree Rollins

January 14th, 2012
1:59 pm

Let’s get Mike Martz in here as OC and open up the offense for Julio and Roddy

nuffsaid

January 14th, 2012
4:05 pm

We need like-minded coach’s that know one thing..ATTACK!!
That being said..we will certainly need to upgrade our current roster!

Dakman

January 14th, 2012
4:23 pm

NOONE has said this man……..Kirby Smart.

Calvin G. Sims, Sr.

January 14th, 2012
4:26 pm

Please not Mike Nolan. He is 3/4. Smith is 4/3. The article mentioned ” Molding” the two. PLEASE!!!

Why would we opt for some experimental hybrid defense. Let’s go with the proven commodity.

Spagnoulo has proven his ability to “coordinate” a great defense, why would we even consider anything else. If we are willing to give up the Sun, the Moon and the stars for J2, Spagnoulo should be our next DC.

Go Falcons.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
4:44 pm

for those of you watching the first drive of the Saints/49ers…Katrina strikes again. Damn officiating.

JoFo

January 14th, 2012
5:07 pm

TOUCHDOWN Niners!!! Go Niners, Go! Their O is not bad and physical while their D is lights out!!! Falcs could stand to learn a thing or two from the Niners. They r totally “hurting” the AINTS players! Absolutely love it!

fan of falcons

January 14th, 2012
6:17 pm

watching some real football. Both these teams have the X-FACTOR, the will to win. Looks like a bunch of guys cut lose to play football with an attitude!! Physical and not scared.

JJ

January 14th, 2012
6:40 pm

Dimitrov and Smith have built the Falcons into a team that has consistently
made the playoff. They will make the right hires. For those who criticize
Smith, just remember that he is far and away the best coach the Falcons
have ever had.

JoFo

January 14th, 2012
8:13 pm

YES!!!! Niners win!!!!

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
8:13 pm

Bye Bye Saints. Schooled again by a West Coast team in the playoffs.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
8:14 pm

HoeRam Taint, WhoDumb, SeenThisSaintsLossB4…where are u guys? LOL

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:18 pm

Ha ! Ha ! Ha!Ha! LMAO !……………………………oh my ! I told them Saint Trolls like hiramsaint and Seenthis b4 not to take the 49ers lightly!!!!! LMAO………………….whats a matter boys ?????

Ha ! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Must still be chokin on somthing!!!!!!!!!! LMAO !

SirReal

January 14th, 2012
8:19 pm

WHERE DEY?!! WHERE DEY?!!! LOL LOL LOL Hiram’s Ant? BlindThinkingISee? WHERE DEY?LOL

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:21 pm

I only caught the last 5 mins of it I forgot all about it………………………..Ha! Ha ! Ha ! Saw Breezy laying on his back! ………………………………………..2 n done !!!!! LMAO

Falcon fan

January 14th, 2012
8:22 pm

Yes…49′er….

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:23 pm

They had dem Aints already picked as Suberbowl Winners …………………………..Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!…………..I’ll never let them live this down !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:24 pm

oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hiram, where r u ?????????

HA HA HA A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Fan of Falcons

January 14th, 2012
8:25 pm

In behalf of the Aints, at least they weren’t embarrassed. I like Smitty, but this game pointed all areas we are lacking.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:29 pm

Wheres Choke,whodat1,and the rest of em braggin about how great the Saints are……………..baloney !!!! You put a good defense out there and they can slow down a high power offense if they can put some points up too !

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:34 pm

well who cares right now this is just too dam funny…………thing is you have to win every game in the playoffs to be the Superbowl Champs…………………….this makes me feel alot better about watching the NFC title game knowing the aints aint playin………………………who dat? ……………….the 49ers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

harleyman

January 14th, 2012
8:41 pm

Who dat watching that super bowl at home with the Falcons?

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
8:46 pm

All levity aside, Alex Smith (gulp) played a game that Matty Ryan can only dream of, at least at this point in his career.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
8:47 pm

Well , its wait til next year Aint Fans !

MarkATL

January 14th, 2012
8:52 pm

Oh Saints fans!!!! WHERE ARE YOU NOW YOU TRASH TALKING SAINTS FANS!!!! WHO DAT!!!! WHO DAT!!!!!! A TEAM THAT IS 0 – 4 ON THE ROAD IN THE PLAYOFF!!!! YEAH!!! WHO DAT!!! WHO DAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
8:53 pm

Amazing how the Broncos and that throwing machine Tebow can get so many receiver routes where they have 2-3 yards of space sprinting across the field.

Maybe the new OC can help with that.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
8:54 pm

Saints. Typical soft dome team.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
8:56 pm

It was nice to see Brees take some serious shots today. Not because I have anything against the man. After all, he personally resurrected NOLA after Katrina. It’s just nice to see a team actually get some heat on the boy.

MarkATL

January 14th, 2012
8:58 pm

I saw that loss coming for the Aints. No way in hell the Saints can handle that Frisco D.

wow

January 14th, 2012
9:02 pm

The Saints went on the road and scored 32 pts. Atlanta got blown out at HOME last year in the playoffs, and this year failed to score 1 offensive point.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:05 pm

WOW what excuses. WOW what a lame attempt to justify road loss after road loss. WOW what useless information.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
9:07 pm

We all know about the Falcons but who thought the Saints were going to blow it ? ………..lmao

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:17 pm

Vernon Davis >>> Jimmy Graham
Alex Smith >>> Drew Brees
Frank Gore >>> Chrissierran Ivomasoles

MarkATL

January 14th, 2012
9:26 pm

I don’t see how those stupid commentators from FOX could favor the Saints against the 49ers in their own yard, especially when the 49ers already beat them earlier this season. GO FIGURE!!!!

Clear as day

January 14th, 2012
9:27 pm

If the 49ers are better than San Fran then what does that say about the Falcons…

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
9:27 pm

May not have them to rag but they have eyes and are looking you can betcha on that one ……….seeing what the falcon fans have to say bout the whodatters………this is great! lmao

Sad Truth

January 14th, 2012
9:32 pm

The Falcons aren’t even in the Saints class, so the fact that San Fran is better than N.O. means ATL is not even close to ever winning in the playoffs.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:33 pm

Excuses and cherry picked comparisons are the domain of losers. Welcome, losers.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:34 pm

Interesting that Les Moonves (sp?) President of CBS sitting right next to Pats owner Robert Kraft in his private box.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:37 pm

BTW, I see why the Taint trolls are always over here on the AJC. Despite the fact that the AJC is a junior varsity fishwrap in many ways, NOLA.com is quie possibly the worst “big city” online newspaper site I’ve ever had the misfortune to lay eyes on.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:39 pm

49ers = real men forged in the Singletary fire and molded in the Harbaugh refinery.

Taints = faking soft dome-spoiled poseurs.

hiramsaint

January 14th, 2012
9:40 pm

Alright, guys, enough already.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:40 pm

Maybe the “fine citizens” of New Orleans can all chip in and raise some money to build poor little Jimmy Graham an NFL goalpoast in his backyard so he can practice his menacing dunks during his LOOOOOOONG off season.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:42 pm

At leat you showed up Hiram. Like I said, I hope you don’t spend much time at NOLA.com. I lost 15 IQ points there during my 15 minute visit.

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
9:45 pm

It’s about 3 minutes to midnight for Mr. Tebow.

MarkATL

January 14th, 2012
9:46 pm

Singletary would be another great DC here in Atlanta. Loved him as a player when I was in Chicago, and still love him after leaving our windy city.

MarkATL

January 14th, 2012
9:50 pm

Martz as OC = THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF FOR ATLANTA!!

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
9:56 pm

Condolences to the Saints fans on their teams early exit from the playoffs……………….ha ! ha ! ha !

ijonathan

January 14th, 2012
10:00 pm

hiramsaint

January 14th, 2012
9:40 pm
Alright, guys, enough already.

===

Seriously? You’ve obviously never been on these boards after a Falcons loss. LOL.

SirReal

January 14th, 2012
10:04 pm

Oh the sour grapes of the Aints fans today. HAHAHA! Well, we have been had your seat ready because we knew after last year that you’d be back after your visit to the west coast. How was the Golden Gate Bridge? Do they still eat Rice-A-Roni? Yeah I know we didnt score but we’re both out now anyway so who cares. The point is that the soda is in the fridge and chips are on the table.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
10:20 pm

That was funny^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ha ! ha ! ha !

Kramer

January 14th, 2012
10:20 pm

Once again the best team in the NFC, as proclaimed by their fan base on these Falcon blogs, chokes on another playoff game. Oh well, at least it was not to a 7-9 team. None the less, it has made my eveing to see the aint’s go down. Who dey? Da’ 49ers, dats who.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
10:28 pm

Wonder if D-Led laughed as hard as we all did………I would like to see the whole game I forgot it was on tonight…………..come onnnnnnn hiram,no sense in bring a spoiled sport about it, they will be back again…………………next Season, ha! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! I told yah the 49ers might be a sleeper !

Dds16To80

January 14th, 2012
10:35 pm

Chin up, Saints fans. At least you’re not in the NFC West. You’d be dead last every year. Oh, wait. You already did that for 30 years. LOL!

Hurst

January 14th, 2012
10:43 pm

SirReal, looks like you’re throwing a BYOB party there. I’ll pass. Oh well, at least the Saints didn’t throw in the towel after we were down 17-0 like a certain team that got embarrassed last week at the Meadowlands would have. The 49ers are a seriously good team; I’ll take a little solace in that.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
10:45 pm

ohhhhhhh well, its back to the drawing board,……………………maybe next year. After the first 12 hours are over Saints fans , the reality of being out of it sinks in and you start to get over it but right now the Falcon Faithful have to be loving this……………I sure know I am

Dds16To80

January 14th, 2012
10:51 pm

Now maybe all you Saints fans can slow down with the “2Dats” or whatever idiotic nonsense you keep spouting ad nauseum. Maybe you can just be happy with 9Dat. That is, the amount of times you’ve made the playoffs in 44 years as a franchise. LOL!

Katherine

January 14th, 2012
10:51 pm

Can I just say that LSU and the Saints losing in the same week…made my week?

SawThat1nce

January 14th, 2012
10:55 pm

@10:43……Yeah, the 49ers are a very good team, and the saints played a very tough game.
But, they still got beat. The end of their season. Out of the running.

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
10:58 pm

LSU got beat too ? wow,………….I have been too busy this week ! Seems like some of them aint lovers was bragging on those two teams and how they was going to win, going on at us and our teams being terrible …..well, if you get beat then you are terrible too cause you lost ! Don’t feel so good when the shoe is on the other fella s foot for a change does it out there guys?

SawThat1nce

January 14th, 2012
11:00 pm

Clear as day@9:27pm……”If the 49ers are better than San Fran”.
What? That is not very clear.

Katherine

January 14th, 2012
11:04 pm

I doubt we’ll see any aint fans on here ragging on uga or the falcons for awhile…lsu got blown out and looked awful and the saints only made it one game further than the falcons…so……no more stupid “who dat’ or “geaux tigers”

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
11:07 pm

I saw that ^^^^^ too but passed on it……………….honestly thought the Saints had it wrapped up at the end when they got the touch and 2 points ,said no way the niners get a touch in so little time but lo and behold ha! ha! ha! ha
! ha !

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
11:10 pm

TY Katherine for posting on LSU I didn’t know bout that………and good………….they need a taste of their own medicine for a change!

Monday Morning QB

January 14th, 2012
11:15 pm

I’ve SeenThisB4, The Aints travel out west and come home a loser again. In the Saints defense, oh I forgot they have no defense. On the bright side the 49′ers do have a winning record and Frank Gore did not run over every Saint defensive player (ala Marshawn Lynch) so I guess we can call this improvement.

Gene Cheesydit..

January 14th, 2012
11:16 pm

Hire Saban’s little buddy….

Michael M.

January 14th, 2012
11:17 pm

Its deja vu………………………..ha ! ha ! ha ! ha !

Mollie B

January 14th, 2012
11:25 pm

Willie Martinez, remember his philosophy is “Wait and react” to the other team scoring again.

JSS

January 15th, 2012
1:00 am

“JSS, what does that have to do with anything?????”

Well, you obviously missed the whole silly season that accompanies certain bloggers who make it their duty to tell everyone that the only way that Atlanta sport teams can draw fans is building stadiums in the “so-called demographic of the other Northern suburbs?” That includes a number of comments in this section of comments. No one forced you to move to the hinterlands, it was a choice. The Falcons moved to Flowery Branch, after spending time in Suwanee. Every move, further and further away. Hey, I go to Road Atlanta frequently for events. It is hell to get to. Gwinnett Arena is convenient to nothing. The real demographic growth (now stifled by the economic downturn) is to the NW counties (Cherokee). The heyday of the Gwinnett-Hall population boom is over. So even though all realistic studies have shown that particular cry is foolish, it persists. Doraville wanted no part of the whole mess, that is why they forcefully took the GM property out of consideration. Go ask the good people of Pontiac Michigan about building a 75,000 seat arena will do for you. Instead of crying about the inconvenience, live with the choice you made, everyone else does…

Joey

January 15th, 2012
8:16 am

Ledbetter: “The Falcons couldn’t “knock back the line of scrimmage” on a couple of short-yardage situations when they had a difficult time blocking the Giants’ strong front seven.

D Orlando, if everybody knew about this “strong front seven,” why were trying to play Smith’s idiotic, “power football?”

How about make a game plan that exploits an opponent’s WEAKNESSES, not STRENGTHS?

I hope one day one to see the Falcons, not the Patriots, not the Packers, not the Saints, etc, get one of those brilliant, innovative coaches – you know, the kind of coach whose team goes through us like a dose of salts.

I’ve about had my fill of watching this 40 year old offense plod along, until it meets a playoff team and gets embarrassed

Mr Zizzle

January 15th, 2012
8:20 am

I enjoyed seeing the Saints Choke against the 49ers! Ha Ha Ha Ha! Class-less team!!!! LOL!

Sad Truth

January 15th, 2012
8:47 am

Glad to see the Saints lose but if the 49ers are better than N.O. then what does that say about the Falcons? What’s the point of reaching the playoffs if you have no shot at winning? The Saints scored 32pts. against the best D in the NFC and still lost. We couldn’t even manage 1 offensive point against the 27th ranked defense.

Nativebird

January 15th, 2012
8:51 am

Slags, Nolan, Billick, Del Rio…..all of them are material upgrades from the 1980’s mentality coordinators we had. One note to remember Falcon fans…defense was not the critical problem this team had. In 2012 era NFL footbal, if your offense can’t put up 34 points a game range on average, you’re not going anywhere.

SawThat1nce

January 15th, 2012
9:35 am

Name change makes it Clear as day.

Bro

January 15th, 2012
9:45 am

NO MATTER WHO THE DC IS THERE MUST BE SOME FORM OF A PASS RUSH.

gary32

January 15th, 2012
10:19 am

Is it me or does Jimmy Graham look like a grown up version of the banjo player from deliverance?? Oh and congratulations to Saints….5th straight playoff loss on the road…..priceless

House Man

January 15th, 2012
10:30 am

JSS – you have the wrong man. You’re confusing me with another blogger

Preston Thompson

January 15th, 2012
10:36 am

Speaking of DC that just have it going on. Did any of you see the SF game yesterday and what their defense did to the Saints. Holy cow, does that crowd hit. And the DB ain’t skeerd of nuttin. I mean those folks hit and hit and hit again. Why not here?

JoeBrave

January 15th, 2012
10:42 am

Saints, LSU, and Teblow all go down in the same week! I am lovin this!

JoeBrave

January 15th, 2012
10:43 am

Now Roll Giants, take that Prima Donna Rogers to skewl!!!!

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
10:46 am

Former Jacksonville Jags OC is the new OC for the Falcons according to Mort about 10 minutes ago. Should have known the Falcons would go on the cheap. All the other OC candidates was a front. They weren’t going to spend any money. Good luck getting a big name DC in here as well.

SickandTired

January 15th, 2012
10:52 am

Well now, it is so satisfying to see the little jack leg Sean P. lose. The arrogance of his QB with the nasty mark on his face and his play calling self, make it so wonderful to see them lose……running up the score against already defeated opponents shows lack of class and I hope that team implodes from within. He’s losing his “genius” defensive jack leg Williams to St. Louis….who by the way couldn’t stop anybody the last two weeks……..Hey Saints, congratulations on getting eliminated in a year when the referees gave you every advantage you could possibly have.

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
10:53 am

DLED – Asleep at the wheel again.. No surprise there! Getting scooped by Chris Morteson.

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
10:56 am

@ Falcon Fan . . . .

I respectfully disagree….I don’t think it was a money thing. Blank is not cheap.

If anything, it is an ineptness on the part of his Staff *Dimitroff and Smith ! 1

Smith is too stubborn to accept that this is the NEW NFL! and he’s comfortable with someone who used Maurice Jones-Drew like he would Michael Turner….It will not work. That old fashion offense has passed Coach Smith buy.

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
10:57 am

Smith seems to be stuck in a time warp to 1970’s football. 3 yards and a cloud of dust.
This team is no where near physical to run that kind of offense…(see 2 points last game)>

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
10:59 am

Watch the Falcons spin team (Dimitroff, Blank and Smith) try to talk about what this guy did back when he ran Boise State….

As we say in the south…..That Dog Won’t Hunt ! !

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
11:02 am

All the reports are starting to pop up now……Koetter didn’t really have anything to work with in Jacksonville. We will see if this is the right hire. Falcons4Eva, I really didn’t follow the Jags to know if he is good or not so maybe that was a lazy statement by me, but I was hoping for a bigger name. Anything associated with Green Bays offense would have been great. They plugged in their backup qb for one game this year and he did great. That means that the offensive system the Packers runs is a good one. I saw the same thing with New England when Cassel had the starting job when Brady got hurt……

More of the same

January 15th, 2012
11:02 am

It sounds like we just signed an OC with the same philosophy as Mularkey. I hate this stupid organization.

SirReal

January 15th, 2012
11:04 am

@Falcon Fan Is that official? I havent heard that yet. If so, I wont judge what I don’t know. I honestly dont know anything about the guy. Again though, is that OFFICIAL?lol (I wanted Billick.lol)

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
11:11 am

Still laughing at the Saints blowing it last night…………….ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! ha !…………..who dat ?
who dat ? hilarious ! you Saint Trolls still got the polish out for them super bowl rings ? ha ! ha ! ha !

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
11:14 am

Alex Smith look like Joe Montana out there last night…….this is awesome !

JSS

January 15th, 2012
11:25 am

House Man
January 15th, 2012
10:30 am
“JSS – you have the wrong man. You’re confusing me with another blogger”

You ask what the comment meant. I was answering it… I’d already answered who the original comment was intended for… That is why it is a called “thread.’

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
11:28 am

SirReal it is being reported on ESPN and NFL.com now, I think it’s official.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
11:30 am

Joe Montana had ”The Catch.” Steve Young had ”The Catch II.” Now, Smith added another epic play to the 49ers’ storied history: ”The Grab.” and so it goes………………………………lmao !

Lamar

January 15th, 2012
7:46 pm

NO DC WILL EVER TEACH DUNTA ROBINSON TO COVER ANYBODY!! HE WAS A HUGE FREE AGENT THIS YEAR, BUT IF HIS SALARY WAS FREE, AS IN THE FREE AGENCY, THEN THEY GOT THEIR MONEYS WORTH!! IF HE GOT PAID, TALK ABOUT NOT EARNING IT!! ROBINSON = WORST CB IN THE NFL! HE HAS TO GO!!

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 15th, 2012
8:34 pm

A Georgia man allegedly shot at two football fans in a restaurant parking lot — critically injuring one — because he took offense to their cheering for the San Francisco 49ers as they faced off against the New Orleans Saints.

Donald Ray Ayro, 31, was being held without bond Sunday after the incident, according to a police press release.

Corey Adams, 30, told WSB-TV that he and friend Chris Middleton, also 30, were confronted by Ayro inside an Applebee’s restaurant in Duluth, Ga., as they celebrated a 49ers touchdown in the playoff game.

“The only thing me and my buddy said was, we were excited that the 49ers scored,” Adams said. “It was only one touchdown.”

According to Adams, the Saints fan then left but told the men he would return.

About 90 minutes later, Ayro allegedly fired gunshots at Adams and Middleton in the restaurant’s parking lot.

“I took off running and he started shooting at me and shot like four or five times and he grazed the back of my head,” Adams told WSB.

Middleton was shot in the chest. He was taken to nearby Gwinnett Medical Center in critical condition.

Police found Ayro through Adams’ description of him and his vehicle. He was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, police said.

The 49ers beat the Saints 36-32 Saturday.

SeenThis B4

January 16th, 2012
12:51 pm

@Michael: You think Alex Smith looked like Joe Montana? Really? LMAO!

Who did Joe Flacco look like to you? Steve Young? Didn’t he get drafted well after Ryan? And he’s what in the playoffs? 5 & 3?

Even Alex Smith and Tim Tebow have better winning percentage in the playoffs….even Tim Tebow!

Adam

January 16th, 2012
1:08 pm

@ I’m Gumby, Dammit!!

January 13th, 2012
8:56 am

LOL

Adam

January 16th, 2012
1:13 pm

Lamar, I might reserve opinion on dunta Robinson simply because he has always been known as a cover corner, but throughout his tenure here so far, he has been placed in a soft zone by BVG. And waaaaay too often he would turn that receiver over t the next zone (Thomas DeCoud’s) and it would be vacated because our FS decided to bite on a play fake or just got outright lost in coverage. Not saying DR never got beat, but more times than not it was schematic.

Spags to Saints

January 16th, 2012
1:13 pm

whoops – looks like your enjoyment of the Saints loss is short-lived. Just means we get Spags now, sweet! Can’t wait to see his defense to back up Brees…..

Maybe you can get Juan Castillo, if he is willing to come to ‘choke’lanta

Fifty something

January 16th, 2012
6:04 pm

The best defensive coach you have never heard of is Jim Tomsula of the San Francisco 49′ers. He was a head coach in the NFL Europe before it closed. Not only was he chosen to replace Singletary and then promise a win — with a team that could have easily coasted to another defeat. Harbaugh deserves the credit, but Tomsula handed him players willing to listen again. His defensive line allowed no rushing until the last game and HIS TEAM IS STILL PLAYING. Let’s seek a coach who can step up to the next level and bring the players and team with him. Jim Tomsula would be great.

Matty

January 16th, 2012
7:57 pm

Get nolan, teach bierman to be an inside linebacker and we play as a 3-4 dome team! We have the linebackers and the speed to be bad a$$! We just need to get rid of Robinson and we r all set! Do it TD! Do it do it!

darock

January 16th, 2012
10:10 pm

You guys are forgetting that there is still some good DC that is not in football right now. Just 4yrs ago a man by the name of Mike Singletarty was inviewed for the HC job here and went on to put together a good defense out in San Fran. The offense was his problem with a very young QB who has develop under a former QB. The defense was never their problem in San Fran. and remember they almost beat us here last year if it was not for Roddy White causing a fumble . Singletary is the coach we need to instill some heart under these guys and hold them accountable for their mistakes on the field. I do not think he would have a problem scouting our team and getting rid some players who do not fit his scheme because this buddy BS is not going to work here. Everyone now winning a Super Bowl is a good 5yr window with today’s salary cap. We are going into year 5 with this team and its about to be depleted soon.

Gritsfalcon

January 16th, 2012
11:40 pm

Okay fans, here is a quiz: Which is worse your MLB teams meltdown when they are a “sure thing” to make the playoffs? Or, Your NFL team being a laughing stock the last two years in the playoffs? Hmmm? Authur Blank’s comments don’t amount to a “hill of beans.” Part of me wants the ‘birds to 5 – 11 next year just to get Mike Smith and the whole crew out of town!

Long story short, both professional sports teams front offices are full of “hot air.”
Somebody wake me when the nightmare’s have ended.

Steve-O

January 17th, 2012
9:24 am

SeenThis B4

January 16th, 2012
12:51 pm

@Michael: You think Alex Smith looked like Joe Montana? Really? LMAO!

Who did Joe Flacco look like to you? Steve Young? Didn’t he get drafted well after Ryan? And he’s what in the playoffs? 5 & 3?

Even Alex Smith and Tim Tebow have better winning percentage in the playoffs….even Tim Tebow!
__________________________________________________________________________________

Ah yes, Stains trolls trolling the AJC.

I didn’t realize that Ryan had to play all 21 other positions as well as kick off, punt, and play special teams. It’s amazing that Alex Smith and Tim Tebow manage to do that? How do you think they pull that off, Seen?

Ronald Millsaps

January 17th, 2012
5:02 pm

I don’t dislike this move but wonder just how patient the team was in this process. I really think the team could’ve done better with its OC hire but will be fair in that the man has had a team in transition and instability at quarterback.

Hire Mike Kenn as offensive-line coach, Chris Chandler as quarterbacks coach. Move Smith to the front office, and make Jack Del Rio the head coach.

Ronald Millsaps

January 17th, 2012
5:25 pm

Steve, maybe if you dropped the childish, vulgar internet jargon you’d learn some football. Flacco and Ryan came out the same year: 2008, and Baltimore hardly has won because of the guy. He throws an awesome deep ball at times and does deserve credit for airing it out like no other, but he just isn’t that good. He’s barely better than another overly-hyped quarterback: Mark Sanchez.

Speaking of which, the media acts like Rex Ryan and the Jets owe the former USC QB an apology for showing a bias toward Peyton Manning and that doing so somehow will stifle his career. They owe Sanchez no apology, and he’s arguably not 1% the QB Manning is. Furthermore, does having job competition hurt a QB? Well, Jon Kitna took his job lightly until Cincinnati drafted Carson Palmer; Drew Brees took his lightly until San Diego drafted Philip Rivers.

So, the Braves opted to give a decent fraction of each hemisphere for a year’s rental of Mark Teixeira but won’t even attempta long-term deal with Michael Bourn? How foolish! Frank Wren has done well here, but this move is foolish. Blowing the lead in September that the team blew was pretty foolish also.

Random idea: Trade Craig Kimbrel. His market value is stratospheric, and his performance in big games his terrestrial.

THE DC SEARCH: Spagnuolo, Nolan are of interest

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THE DC SEARCH: Spagnuolo, Nolan are of interest

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

251 comments Add your comment

We’ve Moved!

About Atlanta Falcons

Search this blog

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Tell us what you think about the site

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