Atlanta Falcons: Smith checks in on Saints’ bumpy offseason
061312 FLOWERY BRANCH: Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith circles his troops for some "coach speak" at the conclusion of team practice in Flowery Branch on Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Mini-camp for the team will begin next week. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Falcons coach Mike Smith doesn’t believe that his squad is the automatic favorite to win the NFC South just because the New Orleans Saints, the defending division champs, have been embroiled in a bounty-filled offseason marked by suspensions, lawsuits and contract disputes.
“I don’t necessarily believe that,” said Smith, when asked on the American Century Championship conference call today. “I know that the NFC South has been one the most competitive divisions for a number of years. Most certainly before I got to the Falcons, there was the worst-to-first story for three or four years. It’s very competitive.”
The Saints have been hit hard by bounty-gate suspensions and have not worked out a long-term deal with quarterback Drew Brees.
“In the division, we have three outstanding quarterbacks that have proven themselves and then there is the young one in Josh Freeman that is going to be a great quarterback as well,” Smith said. “It’s a fun division and I don’t think the offseason is any different. We all will prepare and get ready to go play.”
Smith knows that quarterback Matt Ryan, who has a 43-19 regular-season record, but is 0-3 in the playoffs, will face pressure to return the Falcons to the playoffs and post a victory. Ryan has guided the Falcons to the playoffs in three of his four seasons in the league, but has been eliminated by the eventual NFC Super Bowl representative each time.
“I think the head coach and the quarterback position are the most scrutinized positions in an organization,” Smith said. “I think ultimately we are both going to be judged on success in the postseason. There have been a lot of teams and a lot of players that have broken through and gotten that first win. That’s why we are doing everything in our power to figure out how to get that done.
“That comes with the territory when you don’t have the success that people expect. The expectations are very high in Atlanta, so there are going to be people talking about it. We just have to keep our heads down, keep preparing and doing the things that we’ve done. We know that we’re doing it the right way. We just have to figure out how to play better at the end of the season.”
Smith also addressed the addition of safety Chris Hope, who was signed after the completion of minicamp.
“Chris is a very experienced safety, who’s going to give us depth,” Smith said. “That was one of the areas in the offseason that we felt like we needed to address. Chris has some experience with our defensive backs coach Tim Lewis, which I think is a positive.”
Smith is expecting the offense to get a boost from second-year players Julio Jones and Jacquizz Rodgers.
“Last year was a very unique year for the players, the coaches, the fans and the personnel department,” Smith said. “It was very difficult when there were so many unknowns for Julio Jones, Jacquizz Rodgers and our entire rookie class. You’ll see great steps in terms of their production simply because they’ve had an opportunity to understand not only what we do as the Atlanta Falcons, but what the NFL game is all about.
“They were at a big disadvantage in my opinion last year in terms of coming in on the 25th of July and not really having an opportunity to spend time with the coaching staff and understand the actual sequencing of what a work week should be like. Julio had a very good year for us last year and so did Jacquizz. I think they’ll be integral parts of the success we have this year.”
The Falcons open training camp on July 26. They open the regular season on the road at Kansas City on Sept. 9.
“I’ve been very impressed with their team,” Smith said of the Chiefs. “Romeo Crennel did a great job when he stepped in there as the interim coach. Romeo is an outstanding football coach and an even better person. Scott Pioli has done a very good job in building the roster there in Kansas City. They were a team that had an exorbitant amount of injuries last year. It will be a battle. . .I anticipate that they are going to be a much better team than they were last year, if they can keep all of the guys healthy. ”
Ryan has played in the popular tournament in Lake Tahoe, which will be held July 20-22 and televised on NBC, over the past three offseasons and told Smith about it.
“I’ve been hitting a lot of balls and hopefully, I will not finish last,” Smith said. “That’s the goal that I’m going to approach this with, have a good time and raise some money for charity.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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179 comments Add your comment
True Falcon Fan
July 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
hello
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
True Falcon Fan — Hello!
True Falcon Fan
July 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
D Led first for me —- Good post
Go Falcons!
Drew Brees is insufferable and arrogant
July 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
I agree with Smith that the Saints are not to be overlooked. They have been manhandling the Falcons since Sean “painkiller” Payton’s arrival.
That being said, Drew Brees’ hold out can’t help, nor can his abdication of responsibility as a leader in the NFLPA to denounce the bounty program that former DC Gregg Williams admitted to in detail.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
hmmmmmm- already conceding to the Saints. first smart move he’s done in a long time given his 4th and short issues
FittenTrim
July 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
“Romeo Crennel is an outstanding football coach and an even better person.”
That’s why his teams don’t win… he should be more like Belichick
walt garrison
July 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
this team needs a good fullback , like me , they let the bestone go
Falconfiend
July 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
Carolina is going to struggle in defense. Tampa is over rated and last year proved that. N. O and falcons will fight for that NFC South title. Falcons are capable of beating any team. The falcons will be better in defense and the offense needs to gel that O line. The NFC south and east play each other in the Reg season. Those games will be playoffs to get to the playoffs if you don’t win the division.
Drew Brees is
July 11th, 2012
4:40 pm
Enter your comments here
Drew Brees is 10 of 12 vs. the Falcons
July 11th, 2012
4:41 pm
“nuff said “-with that , he can afford to be arrogant
Drew Brees is insufferable and arrogant
July 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
It’s funny–when the Saints’ GM was accused of wire tapping opponents’ locker rooms, he was vehement in his denial. I actually believed him. Yet all of the Saints coaches/brass implicated in “bountygate” have not had that same reaction–they’ve admitted to their wrongdoing and taken their suspensions. The notion that they have to “be quiet or suffer worse discipline” is simply laughable–if the bounty program were a lie, then they’d be protesting to high heaven just as Loomis did over the wire tap allegations.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 11th, 2012
4:44 pm
walt garrison — You still doing the Skoal commericals?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 11th, 2012
4:45 pm
True Falcon Fan — Congratulations!
Seen (the Saints) This (win a title, only to have it tainted by Bountgate) B4
July 11th, 2012
4:46 pm
You know what’s really funny about the media? Imagine if Vick were 23 yards shy of breaking Marino’s record, and in the last 3 minutes of a blowout, he continued to throw the ball, just as Brees did. Can you imagine the outcry and sports radio/internet debates over how classless Vick was? Yet Brees does it and the only response is…”well, they should’ve stopped him.” That’s BS. Yes they should have, but it was still classless and for the national sports media to give Brees a pass on that just shows their own biases and shortcomings.
Drew Brees is 10 of 12 vs. the Falcons
July 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
and after this season I’ll be 12 of 14 and holding another Lombardi
James
July 11th, 2012
4:57 pm
D Led, what’s been the workload like for Jacquizz so far? Is he gonna be more of a feature back between the tackles after Turner or more of what he did last year in multiple ways he can get the ball and Snelling will get the carries between the tackles after Turner?
Hudd
July 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
What I can’t understand is Saints, including Brees, talking about the NFL’s flimsy evidence and saying Bountygate is a myth.
GREGG WILLIAMS CONFESSED! Case pretty much closed.
Tony
July 11th, 2012
5:08 pm
They were at a big disadvantage in my opinion last year in terms of coming in on the 25th of July and not really having an opportunity to spend time with the coaching staff and understand the actual sequencing of what a work week should be like
Why does Smith always talking about a player learning how to practice?
fanATicaL
July 11th, 2012
5:10 pm
I understand the struggle within the NFC south division.But I think the real fight will be the schedule in it self.The only real give me game in my opinion is the Cardinals.The rest whether we play a fair team in there stadium.Or we play a good team at the Dome.It helps to play Philly after our bye week.It helps playing Payton in the Dome. But if the Falcons survive this guantlet.They will have the confidence to make a strong run for the SB.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
5:19 pm
superbowl-hah- is this a re-run of last years post or the year before that. FALCONS = Fans Always Left Counting On Next Season
Big Time Saints Fan
July 11th, 2012
5:21 pm
I am worried about this year.
Die Hard Falcon
July 11th, 2012
5:28 pm
I really believe the division is up for grabs this year. Last year it was a given that it’d be either the Falcons or the aints but this year, I really think Carolina could be a contender and the aints will have a chip on their shoulder for sure. Falcons should be the favorite, but it really depends on if Mike Nolan can make this defense a top 10, which I believe he can. I think as long as the offense doesn’t regress, we’ll be so much better defensively that we should post an 11 win season and make the playoffs and most likely take the division. We must split w/ the aints and panthers at least and sweep the bucs who I think will have a rebuilding year despite the big FA signings, they have a new coach and system and many new players, I would be surprised if they had more than 6 wins. Matt Ryan will prove the doubters wrong this year and prove that he’s a top 10 QB; I see him at about #7 in the NFL right now and he will prove it this year if the OLine allows for it.
Go Falcons!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
July 11th, 2012
5:28 pm
I’m just looking forward to the season starting soon….yet not soon enough.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
5:39 pm
how should the failclowns be the favorite dhf ? vegas , who makes vast amounts of money on being right , doesn’t even have y’all making the playoffs . some of the nfl experts agree from what i saw a couple of days ago on 5 in 5 out.
4th and inches
July 11th, 2012
5:42 pm
Go for it-tick tick tick -damn, not again ! lol lol lol
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
5:44 pm
iRamTaint……and what did those experts have the Giants and Philly doing last year?
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
Falcons = Class Organization
Aints = Disgraced Organization
Rock On Falcons!
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
5:54 pm
5150- live in the now. this isn’t 1998 anymore. gotta give you kudos on the giants though , the experts didn’t have them shutting out your offence
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
5:55 pm
@ bucky-failclowns = 0-1…Saints =1-0
THE Perxide Bandit
July 11th, 2012
5:58 pm
Smitty said his goal was not to finish last. WOW-What an optimist
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
6:00 pm
offence, Hiram? That 6th grade education has really come in handy for ya…!
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
6:03 pm
Where is your buddy SeenB4, Hiram?…With his Parole Officer?!
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:08 pm
nope -he’s with your momma !
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:09 pm
?!- as is yours bucky !
Careful Curmedgeon
July 11th, 2012
6:11 pm
Yes, we can’t underestimate the New Orleans Saints. I don’t think Brees will throw for over 5,000 yards this year, but that offense still has a lot of weapons. I’m really excited about what we’ve done in the defensive secondary. What we’ve been seeing the last two or three seasons is when the Falcons go to their Nickel coverage, opposing QBs would pinpoint the Nickel back and just pick on him all day long! Hopefully, that won’t happen anymore–RISE UP
Seen (the Saints) This (win a title, only to have it tainted by Bountgate) B4
July 11th, 2012
6:14 pm
I don’t want ATL to be picked to win anything. I want the experts to diss us…better to have low expectations. The fact is, the NFC is ridiculously tough now. In the AFC, I would pencil the Falcons in for the Conference title game…but not in the NFC. It’s going to be very, very tough.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:16 pm
you ought to be “careful” with that RISE UP thing . it didn’t work out to well last year but i must agree , your secondary should be much improved over last years and who knows -dunta may be able to learn coverage skills from hope and sammuels !
Seen (the Saints) This (rocked by a scandal) B4 (Painkillers, now bounties)
July 11th, 2012
6:17 pm
Ha ha ha love this blog, funny banter between ATL and Taints fans. Seriously, if this were the AFC, the Falcons would be a lock for the conference title game…but in the NFC, there’s just too many teams to contend with…NYG, GB, and NO are 3 of the 4 (if not top 3) best teams in the entire league (w/ NE as the 4th). Then you get into Detroit, San Fran, Dallas, Philly…we are in a rough conference. Better to NOT have the experts pick us and exceed expectations.
Seen (Sean Peyton) This (Win a super Bowl ) B (And the Failcans can't ) 4
July 11th, 2012
6:24 pm
Gotta agree with you on the nfc but really- the Falcons would be the best in the afc ?
Firsttimer
July 11th, 2012
6:25 pm
I am glad to see that Smith is taking his division rivals seriously. In this league you’d better take any opponent on your schedule serious or risk being upset. I, personally am more concerned with the Bucs than the Saints. The Bucs loaded up with veteran talent and could be the sleeper of the division. Either way, you never underestimate your opponent. If you prepare your team with that mindset you will come into every game well prepared. Smitty said exactly what he should say.
JSS
July 11th, 2012
6:29 pm
Go Mike Smith, Go
http://cartoonsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/pictures/barney-rubble-flinstone-387-231×300.jpg
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
6:29 pm
Well we Know the TAINTS can’t Rise UP. If they could the toilet wouldn’t have overflowed and washed all the trash out of that down.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:32 pm
maybe you should proofread first 5150 . besides being stupid , it didn’t make any sense either
Laughing out Loud
July 11th, 2012
6:32 pm
That chip on the aints shoulder will be cow chips for sure. They aint nothing the Falcons cannot beat! Go Falcons!
Seen (the Saints) This (rocked by a scandal) B4 (Painkillers, now bounties)
July 11th, 2012
6:32 pm
I think the second tier NFC teams (Detroit, Atlanta, San Fran) would all be #2 or #3 in the AFC behind only the Pats and maybe Flacco and the Ravens. AFC is awful. NFC is ridiculously good–look at the teams like Dallas and Philly and Chicago–even they would be top tier AFC teams (again, behind the Pats).
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:36 pm
then whats been the problem for the last six years lol ?
Dr. Huxtable
July 11th, 2012
6:39 pm
The Taint’s are not the Falcons biggest concern in the NFC. The Packers, Giants, Panthers, Bears, Eagles, etc. are. Even the 49er’s, who demolished and bullied a cheating Taint’s team in the playoffs, will be better this season.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:44 pm
as i recall , our O scored in our playoff games-what did yours do ? miss the plane ? 5 pts. does not = bullied and demolished-ZERO offensive points does. c’mon man , don’t make it so ez for me !
Dr. Huxtable
July 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
Oh – and at least “Rise Up” is original. Taint’s had to steal the Bengle’s “Who Dey” with even worse grammar…
Bress Knees
July 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
I’m sure their are going to be NFL players ready to destroy Drew Brees’s knee with a revenge bounty of their own.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:50 pm
well that might just happen if we had the failclowns week and pourous o line but fortunately we have a solid o line so maybe matty melts knee ought to be your concern after last seasons showing –26 was it ?
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:50 pm
bress ?????? really ????? c’mon man !
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
6:52 pm
bucky-how many usernames do you have ?
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
6:53 pm
iRAMtaint…and what Plays did you call for Your Offense to score all those points?
Why do you live in Georgia if your team is in NoLa?
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:01 pm
5150-fortunately for my team , i don’t call the plays. the depth of our coaching staff prevents it. i live in ga for one simple reason. i’ve found a way to make a very lucrative living here which is not to be had in la. due to the napoleonic law code that governs the state. not trying to be offensive but those terms might not make sense to you . la. goes by a system of law based on the french law code of days gone by and ga. does not and thats where my talents lay .
JSS
July 11th, 2012
7:01 pm
POAD… Did you ask Bobby Dodd why he didn’t return his TN Hall of Fame induction or degree?
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:04 pm
that was really well put jss. kudos to you !
Big Time Saints Fan
July 11th, 2012
7:10 pm
Alex Smith to Vernon Davis (Harper gets pancaked again to boot) and we all cry like babies.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:15 pm
matt ryan to julio for the td against the gian….wait… that never happened. in fact, it wasn’t even close to ever happening
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
7:15 pm
I only use one username…Thanks Hiram. I don’t spend all my time on this blog. Looks like I sparked “True Falcon Fans” to Lash out at you! Go to your own Blogs & by the way… I think I hear your momma calling you for Dinner!
JSS
July 11th, 2012
7:16 pm
Hiram, you know how you hate us liberals, but being provincial has no place in AJC blogging… Like what you like, still ain’t going to change much…
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:19 pm
oh i can sense the want of a team who could score in a playoff game or not have it’s fans bail out at halftime of a home playoff game . i can sense the want of the failclowns wishing they had the talent of a certain other nfcs team . when you wish upon a star , you’ll find matty melt can’t take you that far … lol lol lol
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
7:21 pm
JSS….Why would DODD do that? What a stupid question.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:23 pm
jss i’m missing your point and i detect more intelligence in you than what i give liberals credit for. it was merely a compliment and nothing more on a snappy comeback. are you a liberal because your sensative ? thats a real question by the way and not a dig at you
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
7:24 pm
iRAMtaint…..why do you say OUR team when you don’t work/play for, own or even live in NoLa then? They are not Your Team at all. Now if you were a Green Bay resident/stock holder you could say OUR/MY team.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:25 pm
it’s over your head 5150. it has to do about the question you asked about why i live here.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:29 pm
and you don’t claim the falcons as your team . it’s merely an expression and not a term of possession if you need it spelled out. also , all whodats are part of the team as stated by the team some years ago . it’s a bond i wouldn’t figure you could understand as a falcons fan anyway
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:31 pm
5150- obviously your spelling of my username is over my head. do the caps have any signifigance ?
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
7:35 pm
I cheer for the Falcons but no they are not my team. I don’t have a Pro team.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:40 pm
so sad for you . it’s really awesome being part of a winning team
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
7:46 pm
Falcons 298–402–6
Saints 299-395-5
So what WINNING team do you cheer for exactly?
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
7:46 pm
5150 is Right! Green Bay is the Only Team owned by stockholders. I grew up going to Lambeau Field watching the Packers…Am not a Stockholder or resident anymore…So I cheer for my Home Team…The “Falcons!…Go Dirty Birds & Kick some Aints *ss!
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
7:50 pm
Falcons 298–402–6
Saints 299-395-5
So what WINNING team do you cheer for exactly?
Uhhmmnn… The Packers & Falcons…Two of the Classiest Teams in the NFL!
…As opposed to the Aints!
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:53 pm
so i cheer for MY hometeam ??? see 5150 , bucky or whatever name you use at a given moment , it’s an expression and not a term of possession except in the saints situation where we are all part of the team- — the 1 with more wins less losses and less ties and it would be the saints…exactly. the aps sure has screwed up your ability to use deductive reasoning hasn’t it ? are you one of the students the teachers cheated for. you should say yes then you’ll at least have an excuse !
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
7:54 pm
Oh by the way…The Packers reported record Income last year of 42.7 Million!
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
7:55 pm
Hiram, Why all the Hate?
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
7:57 pm
bucky – thats an insult to the packers to lump them in with a team who’s fans bailed at halftime against the packers at the failclowns own stadium. in case you didn’t know- the packers have multiple rings and the failclowns have…well , you know the story there
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
7:59 pm
This Season: Falcons win the Division, The Aints Just miss a Playoff Spot & begin to unravel to the point of Cleaning House & “Re-Building”. Face the Truth!
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:01 pm
no hate bucky , just mindless banterings with a division rivals fans.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:03 pm
what evidence do you have to back up those statements or is it more like wishful thinking on a distraught fan
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
8:04 pm
The Falcons have the Building Blocks in place to evolve in to a “Dynasty” Team of their own…in the same respect to what the Packers have done. Oh by the way, when I went to Packer games, we almost always lost. Dan Devine, Len Dickey on & on. But we were tried & true “Green & Gold”! GO FALCONS!!!
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:04 pm
lets get back to the MY hometeam thing- is it or is it not ?
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:08 pm
ok back to that- maybe you can understand that i’m tried and true black and gold. now moving on . what building blocks – abe, gonzo edwards sammuels – all on the last legs of their carrers and an average qbnot to mention turner who should be classified with said oldtimers. i’m not seeing any blocks just holes to be filled with julio eating up your draft !
Bucky Badger
July 11th, 2012
8:08 pm
Yes, but the only difference is, I’m on my Teams Blog. I’ve NEVER been on a Aints Blog…& I always use my own username…Anything other would not be right!
5150 UOAD
July 11th, 2012
8:09 pm
your HOME is in Hiram not NoLa anymore.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:12 pm
seems to me the failclowns will be cleaning house and are doing so with a new oc dc and a soon to named new hc after this season. by 2015 ryan will be a backup ,probably with an afc team . roddy is getting near done also. arthritus is setting in and he can’t catch anymore . still not seeing any blocks yet . funny thats what ryan said after every game last year and that wasn’t addressed either this off season.
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
8:13 pm
No need to even argue or fuss with the blow mouth tainter trolls for thats all their team will be this year a sputtering engine running on a lack of gas and hoping a tainter troll will f**t their way ! Falcons will wipe their hands clean of the Taints and trolls get your bags ready and also just pack up your bags and look somewhere else to vent your half you know what fustrations !
All you boneheads do is just have one smart remark after another about anything here in our State and hiram I call herman the aint, if you don’t like it here pack up your stuff and get onboard the bus and blow it going down the highway to where you really belong , yah bum ! !
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:16 pm
there you go with MY team again. whats the decision-your team or not . see where i’m going with this ? surely you can understand it now. my HOUSE is in hiram but my home is in the state of louisiana and the city of new orleans and the suburb of metairie
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:19 pm
why mikey who said i didn’t like it . thats a bit presumptuous on your part. if you’ll read the post , you’ll see we were talking football so get back on your knees girl and pipe down
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:22 pm
hey everyone – mikeys here. just entertain him a bit and mommy will be calling him in for his diaper change soon and we can get back to our dicussion on the building blocks the failclowns have put in place to become a dynasty
Rick
July 11th, 2012
8:22 pm
Drew Brees is……still unsigned and being treated like a third string QB! What you got to say about an unhappy QB who has proved to be the best if not one of the best in the NFL HIRAM? You dont have to say it but this is going to be a BIG problem for your Aints! Heheheheheh! The pleasure of seeing you turn and twist and not addressing the real issue with your AINTS is so satisfying!
Rick
July 11th, 2012
8:24 pm
They waiting for you to come back so you can troll the Aints blog there Hiram
JSS
July 11th, 2012
8:28 pm
I’m liberal because it is more than the stereotype and it brought my forefathers and ancestors from being slaves and itinerant farmers to being college professors, a civic leader, and able to see most of the world without fear of repression…
Now back to football, I said it (POAD) because that man (Hiram Saint) has a right to dislike and express his dislike of the Falcons… I used Dodd as an analogy on provincial blogging. Coach Dodd had a place in his heart for UT long after he left the sidelines on the Flats… No matter how deep his Tech roots were (and still are in the grave), he’s still that boy from Kingsport…
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:31 pm
the saints offered brees 19. 25 mil – hardly 3rd string pay. his agent wants 20.5 per year and i’ll go out on a limb and say they settle inbetween there near 20 mil by the end of the week and at that poiny , smitty and your new dc start sweating profusely.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:37 pm
jss- that sounds like non stereotypical conservatism to me. the right for a man to make his own way without gov. interference or fear of repression. our current liberal potus and senate has the exact opposite in store for you and his record thus far at implementing it has been exemplary. i concur -back to football and these seemingly invisible building blocks of the failclown dynasty i’m hearing rumors of !
PFT: Kraft addresses video with woman in bikini
July 11th, 2012
8:40 pm
[...] know that a NFC South has been one a many rival groups for a series of years,” Smith said, around D. Orlando Ledbetter of a Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Most positively [...]
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:44 pm
rick ???? are you there ???? are you googling more facts on brees ???? well it seems i’ve overwhelmed bucky/poad/mikey with my knowledge of their team or as they put it ” the team they root for”. i’ll check back ina few to enlighten you further
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
8:47 pm
Falcons are hardly sweating about the Bountygate Fiasco all they are doing is improving to give your boys a good swift kick in rear end of their pants. All you have to go on is in the past and from the past as it always is. The difference between a team that cheats and looks for ways to win games unfairly is like Sunlight to the Moonlight but one thing for sure is that we have no worries as to the Falcons being in a mess as you find the Saints that give you your ticket to fame Hermy.
SeenThisB4
July 11th, 2012
8:49 pm
New Orleans has officially started the Drew Brees Watch party with the start of the 2012 ESPYs.
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
8:50 pm
Good idea , check back real late in the Season when you are sitting at 7-9 and struggling to break even.
D man
July 11th, 2012
8:54 pm
I can’t wait until preseason. We have a great team and I know we will have another great year, possibly a super fantastic year. Go Falcons!!!
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
8:55 pm
mikey – i’m impressed . that was the longest sentence with absolutely no meaning that i’ve ever read . where the improvement ? an aging sammuels coupled with last years aging and injured edwards . how about the rest of the geriatrics ? gonzo, abe, turner , white. by the way – sorry to hear about roddy having arthritus
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:02 pm
i’ve heard the rumor and flashy sounding words like building blocks and falcon dynasty yet not one of you can cite 1 example to back up these enormous claims . wanna give it a try mikey ? can ya ? huh huh huh can ya ?
JSS
July 11th, 2012
9:02 pm
Hiram…
Saying it and being it are two different things… The case of Terri Schiavo, Ralph Reed’s, Allen Peake’s, and Tom Delay’s of the world have done more to repress personal liberty and responsibility then anything passed in the two years of the present resident 2600 PA Ave or the US Senate…
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
9:04 pm
I thought your mommy told you to take your meds and get your bath and get to bed Hermy…..we will see if the oldtimers bunch as you seem to think the Falcons are will be half as bad as you think they will. I will keep those big paper sacks for yah if anything to throw up in after they have lost to the Falcons and you are nowhere to be found.
1998 NFC Champions
July 11th, 2012
9:08 pm
I think the Falcons quietly had a really good offseason. I’m still lukewarm on the Dirk Koetter hire, but I’m ecstatic about Mike Nolan and I’m also pleased we finally upgraded the secondary. In the past few years it seemed like our blueprint was to try and improve the pass rush which we hoped would indirectly improve the secondary. There’s logic to that strategy, but it hasn’t worked because we’ve never been able to find that second guy after Abraham who can consistently put the QB on his back. But maybe now that we can cover a little better, the effect will work in the opposite direction and we’ll be able to get a few more sacks.
I’m excited. The schedule’s tough, but this is a good team.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:16 pm
show me building blocks mikey —-jss-point well recievd. all of our liberties have been eroding since shortly after the constitution was written but as a frog will sit in warm water and boil so will we but if you turn up the heat real fast he will jump out and take more notice as we are doing now. maybe the current potus has done more good for us than we realize because now more of us are aware of what is happening at such an accelerated rate . in the end though , with our current system , i’m inclined to pick the lesser of 2 evils and hope for the best and live my ideals and pass along what i think is right to my kids . hey mikey- i’ll bet youre appalled that i have kids . the thought that i actually reproduced makes you want to vomit doesn’t ti ? my kids all where saints gear and when they are not , it;s lsu attire for all
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:23 pm
hey 1998- the poor vikings sure have suffered at the feet of our kickers and last minute field goals haven’t they ? lol
1998 NFC Champions
July 11th, 2012
9:24 pm
Yes, yes they have, hiram.
Sean Payton Used Cars
July 11th, 2012
9:27 pm
Destroying the Saints organization is a Process.
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
honestly , what will the order be in the nfc south at the end of the season. remember-be objective
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
An ongoing process ? Ha ! Ha !
Falcon James
July 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
Let me just say that this is exactly what you would expect any respectable head coach to say about his opponent. He is certainly not going to be like Raheem Morris and come out and declair the Falcon as the best team in the NFL. Only a obstintitous moron like a Saint fan would actual say something like that. Although everyone in the country except a lowlife Saint fan believe that the Saint will be extremely lucky to win a few game, hades will freeze over before the Saint win the division this year. Only a useless piece of flesh Saint fan believe they a shot to win more than a couple of games. The difference between Smith and ANY Saint player, coach and fan, is he have enough class to show other teams respect no matter what he really think. I am sure behind closed doors, he know, like the rest of the world, the Saint will have the number 1 draft pick in 2013.
Mike Smith Peroxide Sales
July 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
Keeping my hair like this is a process
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:35 pm
james , i’ve heard many bloggers say exactly what you sais they wouldn’t say hmmm. sorry james but smitty doesn’t have as much class as you say . i seem to remember him taking a swing at an opposing player then cowardly hiding behind the players . i’ve seen himm throw tantrums at his own call and destoy headsets. vegas has picked the saints to win the division and the falcons to not make the playoffs . would you care to cpomment in english this time ?
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:36 pm
an ongoing process? ha ha !
Falcon James
July 11th, 2012
9:41 pm
hiramsaint: I know you poorly educated like most Saint fan and players. But maybe you can understand this:
You are not worth the time it would take to make you understand what an idiot you are. Just take my word for it. You are beneath me in every way imaginable. Go back to school, get your GED, and get a job; you useless piece of human flesh.
Was that cpomment in clear English or should I write in another language?
Rick
July 11th, 2012
9:46 pm
I am here Hiram and the deal is this! If you are about million between what is offered and what he is worth considering he made this dead franchise you pay the man! Simple! You dont try to skimpon the guy who made your franchise and produced the only Super Bowl u have. Simple a class organization is the Falcons and a classless organization is of course the Aints! Get your paperbags ready! The Aints are who we thought they are! Hehehehehehe. I stole that from Dennis Green!
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
9:47 pm
Vegas ??????? Got me laughing now .
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:47 pm
well , seeing as none of these building blocks in absentia can be produced , i will make my failclown prediction for the season . the failclowns wiil not lose a playoff game this year because they won’t be going . arty will try to hire one of the saints asst coaches to replace smitty and ryan will lose the starting job the the qb drafted in thr 3rd round of next years draft . as the old timers retire , due to injuries and boredom , the failclowns enter into a rebuilding process and are not of any concern untill long after drew brees 5 year contract runs out
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:50 pm
19.25 mil a year or 5 years is skimping? name one player who gets more than that . since when does having class mean you have to be losers ? thats all the failclowns have done when it counts . re read my above post
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
9:51 pm
Those meds must be working
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:51 pm
james – speaking ebonics and being drunk is no way to go through life son
Rick
July 11th, 2012
9:52 pm
Tell me why he is not signed
Rick
July 11th, 2012
9:53 pm
Skimping is not paying him what he is worth! FACT! Spend to much on bounties? Heheheheheh
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
9:55 pm
gotta go ladies , my ga. peach is calling and she is a damn site more interesting than y’all and she’s also …well i’ll let you wonder about that part !
Rick
July 11th, 2012
9:56 pm
Lets be realistic Hiram…….if you go to work everyday make the big moves at the fry station and want to move up to burgers you expect to be paid like the best burger flipper! You understand right?
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
10:00 pm
well when you do come back……………..the building blocks were already in place but just being mismanaged by a staff that are now long gone, thank-you very much.
Rick
July 11th, 2012
10:01 pm
To all my Falcons brotherhood that is how you shut down a AINT FAN!
Falcon James
July 11th, 2012
10:02 pm
Enter your comments here
Falcon James
July 11th, 2012
10:05 pm
hiramsaint: I aint your son, your boy, or your daddy. Show some respect for the blog you are in and maybe you will get some in return
Rick
July 11th, 2012
10:09 pm
Careful James he will put a bounty on you! Hehheheheheheh
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
10:09 pm
A Job well done by you both Rick and Falcon James my hat is off to you !
Rick
July 11th, 2012
10:11 pm
Greatly appreciate that coming from a Falcon fan!
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
10:14 pm
Daints players want a jury trial……………..”Order in this Court !, the judge says, ” and the bontygaters lawyers asking the judge, Your Honor, may we please approach the bench ? H*ll noooooooooooo ! says the judge……
hiramsaint
July 11th, 2012
10:18 pm
mikey–one more quick comment – i’ve been running my yap on this blog since 5 pm. it took you and how many others to shut me down and it only took 5 hours. man y’all are good . as good as your team has been about shutting down the saints for the last 6 years – ouch -that one hurt . james , my boy , your respect is as needed as a hernia so go sweep something ’till someone finds a use for ya. rick– as soon as i think failclowns fans might not be total idiots , you post and let me know i’m wrong . nite nite ladies and so long james , my boy!
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
10:18 pm
I bet Coach Smitty has been laughing every since the downfall began! But we all know it would never be told in D-leds blog article ! ha! ha ! ha ! ha !
JSS
July 11th, 2012
10:21 pm
You three sound like Bill Oldenkirk and David Cross slapping on the back after smoking too much weed!
Michael M.
July 11th, 2012
10:22 pm
That was a quickie ha ! ha !ha !and no I never tried to do nothing for I am innocent, I did no wrongdoing just like the Aints players are tellin.
thejama
July 11th, 2012
10:23 pm
D Orlando, with all the talk about Drew Brees franchise tag deadline for this coming monday, what about BRENT GRIMES?? Has he signed the franchise tender? Are we negotiating his longterm contract? Throw us a freakin bone here buddy…thanks
Firsttimer
July 11th, 2012
10:24 pm
1998 NFC Champions – thank you and the few others who discussed the Falcons and our excitement for the upcoming season.
Rick
July 11th, 2012
10:49 pm
Best you got Hiram? Like the Aints you got your priorities messed up! Thought you had a Georgia Peach waiting on u? Clown! Thanks for proving you are like Aints management……
Sean Paytons friendly trash pick-up service
July 11th, 2012
10:57 pm
I can still call-in coach once I figure out how to sneak cell phones into the players bench
yes I can
Falcon James
July 11th, 2012
11:33 pm
I saw hiramsaint peach. Whatever it was, it looked like Vilma in a skirt. Sort of a bowling ball with leg, but not that pretty like a bowling a bowl. Sort of look like Mr. Ed had sex with Janet Reno. Had hair on her back. Face too ugly to look at straight on. Now I know why she wear that bag at the game. Need to wear the bag all the time in my opinion. When you look up Ugly in the dictionary, it say see Horses Ass, when look their, it show a picture of when she was skinny.
Falcon James
July 11th, 2012
11:39 pm
The worst part was that between Hiram and his peach; his peach is the pretty one. I think her name Alice but her friends calls her……. well they don’t call. Sort of like Hiram in a skirt. Match made in heaven. The big JC do have a sense of humor.
realitycheck
July 11th, 2012
11:43 pm
Michael M………..After your predictions last season, you should’nt come on here. All your guarantees the Falcons would do this and that and how they would sweep the Saints made you look like a total moron! Your obsession with the Saints is quite comical, but consistent with that of CMS and the AJC.
PFT: Leaf won't be extradited to Texas – Drug Rehab Treatment Guide
July 12th, 2012
12:21 am
[...] know that the NFC South has been one the most competitive divisions for a number of years,” Smith said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Most certainly [...]
zbulldawg
July 12th, 2012
12:22 am
Forget about the what ifs and could bees for the Brees. These Falcons are hungry , angry & just plain tired of the BS. They have loaded their defense with Vets on the back end & the LBs are better than people think. The D line are very good. This new D cordinator will mix it up more. Making harder for QB’s to read their coverage. The offense will be much improved There’s alot more speed to work with. They can still pound & grind but also strike quick.This will help spread the defense more helping the running game & every body knows if you can run you can pass.If you can pass you can run. In the past they had to control the clock to have a chance to win. With the DBs they have now they can come after the QBs more.Now they can have 5 or 6 DBs in their coverage. Take more chances & create move turnovers Which leads to more points. As a fan forever I feel this team is more complete. GO COONS
falconsrus
July 12th, 2012
12:36 am
hiramsaint=hell is realizing a mediocre season as inbred n’awlins taint
DR. FALCON
July 12th, 2012
12:47 am
NFC SOUTH, BABY!!! IT’S THE BEST DIVISION IN THE NFL! THE FALCONS WILL WIN IT THIS YEAR! WATCH AND SEE! MATT RYAN, WILL BE TURNED LOOSE THIS YEAR! NO MORE PLODDY OFFENSE! GOOD RIDDANCE, MULARKEY!
Rediance » PFT: Saints, Brees still at an impasse
July 12th, 2012
12:47 am
[...] know that the NFC South has been one the most competitive divisions for a number of years,” Smith said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Most certainly [...]
Bishop Eddie Long of NOLA
July 12th, 2012
1:43 am
Get Hiram…. Ya eating them alive! Falcants…rise up out ya seats like ya did against greenbay lmao
Atlanta Falcons: Smith checks in on Saints’ bumpy offseason | NFL Online News
July 12th, 2012
2:10 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Atlanta, bumpy, checks, Falcons, offseason, Saints, Smith. Bookmark the permalink. ← Buffalo Bills’ Toronto game ticket prices cut 35 percent [...]
canadian falcon
July 12th, 2012
4:10 am
when we play the broncos, we should put ryan no huddle for the whole game lol. will be like watching peyton play for both teams
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 12th, 2012
7:25 am
thejama — All is quiet on the Grimes front. Reached out to his people this week. Crickets!!!! Brees and Grimes are not in the same situation. Falcons are too tight on the cap to do a major deal right now. They’ll likely revisit extension talks later with Grimes.
BREES — An “exclusive” franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the Restricted Free Agent Signing Period on April 20; or (ii) the amount of the Required Tender for a non-exclusive franchise player.
SALARY CAP SPACE — Falcons only have $2,834,837, fourth lowest in the league, according to the NFL. They appear contractually locked and loaded for the season.
GRIMES — SIGNED HIS NON-EXCLUSIVE tag. From the CBA: “The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays [formerly, “games”] during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the “Cap Percentage Average”) . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater.”
I might have to post this as a blog since I’m getting a lot of Grimes questions.
Tommy
July 12th, 2012
8:16 am
The saint fan who boasted at 10:18 pm that he had been on this message board since 5:00 calls all of us losers. . . . .
psychologists call this ‘projection’
Shady
July 12th, 2012
9:33 am
Thanks for the phone call coach.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 12th, 2012
9:35 am
Shady – Coach was relaxed and ready to hit and chase around some golf balls in Lake Tahoe!
Cejay
July 12th, 2012
9:38 am
Good point Tommy, what loser has 5 five hours to waste on a blog and on an opponents blog at that, no job?, no life?, nothing but their worthless time to waste. Hyman-aint, you have given the Falcons much respect by doing this……..five hours?? really?? and you admitted this???…..sad…..your continued presence here is verification that you truly fear the Falcons, its simply pschology (something taught in school)……I know you don’t understand but everyone above your intelligence level will know what I’m saying. Don’t bother trying to call me out, I’m above you and will not respond.
Rediance » PFT: Cam ripped for charging for autographs
July 12th, 2012
11:04 am
[...] Said Falcons coach Mike Smith, of playing in a charity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe: “I’ve been hitting a lot of balls and hopefully, I will not finish last.” [...]
MR. ATL
July 12th, 2012
12:11 pm
D. LED when’s the next visit to the Branch. Want to hear how Koetter is progressing. I mean if he’s in practice against the likes of Nolan, one would think it would only improve his preparations. Also how’s Matt working out with the new QB Coach?!?
Also
July 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
And also would like to know about how Manuai and Tatupu are progressing physically. Like to see them back in Pro Bowl shape!
Mike Franklin
July 12th, 2012
2:18 pm
*Twilight Zone theme plays in background…
(In my best Rod Serling)
This is that horrid place football fans find themselves in every year. Preseason is still well around the corner and rumors of a favorite team fall from the sky like a steaming rain. It’s like nursing a teat that has no milk… drinking from a desert oasis with no water. You wander this vast wasteland of no football in a summer heat that has no mercy.
But just up ahead, there is a signpost… why can’t I read it??? What does it say?
‘Still two weeks to camp!’
Iiiiieeeee!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 12th, 2012
2:26 pm
Seems like you all are having some fun harasssing Mr. Seen.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 12th, 2012
2:31 pm
MR. ATL — Where have you been? We covered all this during minicamp. Everyone is on break until camp opens.
Falcon James
July 12th, 2012
3:16 pm
Thank you hiramsaint. I told you I would not waste my time trying to explain what an idiot you are. You proved 2 of my points in only 2 posts. You said have no life, no job and waste of human flesh by admitting you sit on a blog for 5 hours. Second, you are an idiot just like most racist biggots. Not even a smart biggot calls me Boy and ebonic. You are either proud of being a biggot or just too stupid to care. Either way, thank you for proving my points for me. Could someone please give Hiram a glass of water to wash down his foot. Next time just remember that a closed mouth will recieve no foot.
Siantsdookinator
July 12th, 2012
5:55 pm
The Siant fans do act like nothing happen about their team bounty program, I do really think they are still proud of what their team did last year and will continue support em in 2012, the bounty is still there…not going anywhere, trust me.
Trolls are people too
July 12th, 2012
9:06 pm
Let me preface this diatribe by stating that I read these blogs all the time. I love the Falcons. They are the team I root for because I grew up watching them but I am not delusional as to their problems, which are numerous. Personally, I believe in the coaching staff and front office but I think that after watching teams like the Saints blossom into what they’ve become in what seems to be a short window, it’s no wonder that most of us are sick of hearing the “this team has had four straight winning seasons and gone to the playoffs” argument. The reality is that this a now league, as in what are they doin now. Our weaknesses are no secret and I think we should all hold off on projection-as-law until at least mid-season. Having said that, I’ll turn my attention to the NO fans who seem to litter this blog. Out of curiosity, why do you posters (hiramsaint, seenthisb4, etc) constantly post on an Atlanta blog? Is it out of boredom or do you legitimately feel a need to rub this whole “Saints beat y’all” thing in our collective faces. Let’s be honest; both franchises have had a very very long history of mediocrity so it would stand to reason that at some point soon, we will have a role reversal. I’m just sayin, I feel like it’s all relative right? Yes, the Saints have gotten the better of the Falcons recently. But if it was the other way around, I assume you’d use an argument like “The Saints have a better all time record against the Falcons” yet when we say that, y’all point to the current streak. Make up your minds and stick to one perspective/argument. Please.
Gunner
July 13th, 2012
10:07 am
Don’t you like Humility \in a head coach! I’m saying the Falcons win their diviision and at leasst one playoff game.
hiramsaint
July 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
yes , i love rubbing it in your faces that we are 10 of 12 against your team over the last 6 years and if it were the other way around so would you ! i also love the fact that we’ve won a superbowl and y’all got stomped in your chance . being that your shot is ancient history , i’ll leave it there. now that our qb is signed , i’d imagine smitty is sweating profusely about what asst coaching job he’ll be able to get next year ’cause he’s knows now where the div. title is going again. i’ll argue any point i choose as long as it gets under your “collective ” skins. GEAUX SAINTS !!!!!!!
Worried
July 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
I just heard that Drew Brees has signed a 5 year 100million dollar deal with the Saints. The reason I am worried is because they still have DREW BREES, I was hoping he would sit out the season. The bounty thing is not going away for a long time, but if we allow Brees and that “high powered record breaking offense” to torch us, like they did last year. Were in trouble!
And for some reason, our team cannot step up to the plate when we need to.
#just sayin
Worried
July 13th, 2012
3:18 pm
@Hiramsaint
put a sock in it!
hiramsaint
July 13th, 2012
3:23 pm
i did butt it fealt to dry so i took it out . whats your excuse ?
hiramsaint
July 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
smitty , the peroxide bandit , and the rest of his staff will worry about how to slow down the Saints so much that they won’t be able to game plan for the other teams on the schedule thus affecting the season so much that smitty will lose his job for an 8 -8 showing this season . matty meltdown gets relegated to a back-up position after the qb y’all draft in the 3rd round next year wins the position. everything is falling in place. GEAUX SAINTS !!!!
Worried
July 13th, 2012
4:26 pm
Hiramsaint:
Dont think for one second that Saints are not beatable because anybody is.
But i do believe that they have been better than the falcons in previous years. Falcons have alot of growing to do, but we’ll get there eventually
hiramsaint
July 13th, 2012
5:11 pm
FALCONS= Fans Always Left Counting On Next Season
ln59576
July 13th, 2012
5:44 pm
Who Dat is all I got to say,
Trolls are people too
July 13th, 2012
7:40 pm
Hiramsaint: seeing as how you know nothing about me, I’d suggest you refrain from telling me what I’d do. I actually wouldn’t rub it in your face as I know nothing about you. The internet does not protect me, just like it doesn’t protect you. Now in reference to “my” shot. I assume you refer to the game against the Broncos. Yea, they beat the Falcons but in their defense, I don’t recall any kind of controversy so although the Saints will forever have that Superbowl win (which I will never deny), there is obviously an asterisk next to it. That is, according to those who are not Saints fans. I really respect you for constantly riding for your team the way you do but to argue, on a blog that doesn’t support your team, as often as you do on any point just because it gets under our skin is pretty childish– especially considering you claim to have a job and girlfriend but you posted for five straight hours yesterday (your own admission).
nomistake
July 15th, 2012
2:21 pm
anyone that think the birds are a lock to win anything is drinking the cool-aid.