Ravens vs. Falcons: 5 players to watch tonight
Atlanta Falcons running back Dimitri Nance (30) does a little "Dirty Bird" dance in the endzone after scoring a 1-yard touchdown run for a 17-3 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs during 4th quarter action in the exhibition season opener at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday, August 13, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – Hey, y’all remember Dimitri Nance, right?
He ran hard for the Falcons during the 2010 exhibition season and made the practice squad.
Much to the consternation of the Falcons, Nance was plucked off the practice squad by the Green Bay Packers.
On their way to the Super Bowl title, Nance played in 12 games for the Pack. He had 36 rushes for 95 yards. He played in the playoff game against the Eagles, but was inactive for the rest of the playoffs, including the Packers win over the Falcons.
However, he still picked up a Super Bowl ring and he has it with him in his dorm room in Flowery Branch for motivation.
“I keep it close to me at all times,” Nance said. “I got the Super Bowl ring, but I really didn’t play in the game. That’s motivation to try to get back to the Super Bowl and be a part of it and play in the game.”
The Falcons were the NFC’s No. 1 seed when the Packers pummeled them at the Georgia Dome.
“I was on the winning side, but I still knew a lot of guys on the Falcons’ sideline,” Nance said. “It was interesting. I was just happy. I was on that team at the time, so that’s who I wanted to win.”
Nance knows that he will get some action against the Ravens and against the Bengals.
“The first couple of games, the second and third stringers are going to get in a lot,” Nance said. “I’m expecting to get a lot of action to prove myself.”
In addition to Nance, here are some players to watch in tonight’s exhibition opener against the Baltimore Ravens at 7:30 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.
Kerry Meier, wide receiver: With Eric Weems off to Chicago, Meier can wrap up the No. 4 wide receiver spot with a strong showing.
Meier has to learn all of the wide receiver spots.
“There is a lot of stuff that I need to do,” Meier said.
He’s expecting a lot of action against the Ravens.
“The key is kind of cutting loose and getting back into the swing of things in game situations,” Meier said. “We’ve kind of been grinding in training camp, so it’s going to be a good chance for us to go out and get into a live game situation.”
Meier doesn’t believe the Falcons have too much on his plate.
“It’s great, that’s what we come here to do,” Meier said. “I want to show these coaches and show these teammates that I’m capable of doing the things they’ve asked me to do. We can simulate as much as we can out on the practice field, but it’s not until we get in a game situations that guys will step out of their comfort zone and make plays.
“This is going to be a great chance for not only the young guys, but for me because I consider myself a young guy trying to prove every day that I belong here. Each day, I’m trying to take a step in the right direction. Thursday will be another big step for us.”
Robert James, linebacker: He is running with the second-team after being developed on the practice squad. He was a fifth-round pick in 2008 and has mostly been on the practice squad. He played in one regular-season game in 2009 and one in 2011.
Michael Calvin, wide receiver: The fleet receiver from California flashed his 4.3 speed in the Friday Night Lights event. He also showed off some nice hands with a difficult catch on a deep pass.
Dominique Davis, quarterback: He has been much more accurate with his passes and had a fine showing in the controlled practice against the Titans in Dalton. He could push John Parker Wilson for the No. 3 spot.
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–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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94 comments Add your comment
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
12:21 pm
I like to engage those Saint Buzzards …………………..they keep it interesting on here..its part of that nasty rivalry…….has been for years and always will be, isn’t it SeenthisB4 ? You Moron !
Paddy
August 9th, 2012
12:24 pm
Everyone was on Meier’s bandwagon that first camp. He had great hands. If he is now healthy that 4th spot coud be his and the teams production goes way up
Jesus was officially the first zombie
August 9th, 2012
12:32 pm
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 9th, 2012
12:00 pm
Y’all pay Seen too much attention. He’s obviously a contrarian. You go left, he’s going right. Somebody has to work the other side of the street.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said. Ignore the poster and their comments and they will tire and go away. Each time you feel the need to defend the team, city or any players, you are just wasting time.
Do you actually think you can alter this person’s thinking?
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
12:32 pm
……… is a below average quarterback.
Falcons 4 Real
August 9th, 2012
12:43 pm
@ Jesus
Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks.
Titletown Falcon Fan
August 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
The trick to handling “Seen” is to talk about him, but just not directly to him. As if we know he is the room, but refuse to directly engage him. I know these types, they sit in their mother’s basement with a tube of KY waiting for the next poster to comment on their comments. I actually like these characters if they are witty and keep things interesting, but our troll is not funny, does not choose battles wisely, and obviously makes statements just to get a rise for his date with Rosey Palm.
It is great to know much about your enemy if you are in a position to do something about it. But it does a fan no good to dig that deep just for internet babble, but pathetic is as pathetic does. GO FALCONS!
SeenThis B4
August 9th, 2012
1:10 pm
@Michael M.: That’s the first thing you have gotten right in weeks, if it weren’t for idiots like you, the trolling would be pointless.
@Titletown Facan’t Fan: I assume you’re in Titletown. Guess it must be frustrating to be a falcan’t fan when you’re in Titletown, talk about a fish out of water!
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
1:12 pm
Rosey palm! Classic!
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
1:19 pm
LMAO
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
1:23 pm
Roseyyyyyyyyyyy……………………….that was sweet !
Bobby Petrino
August 9th, 2012
1:34 pm
I knew I should have stayed in Atlanta , I have cried so much since I left that great team hanging in the wind, do you think you can ever forgive me ? If only I could go back in time and make things right again.
Paddy
August 9th, 2012
1:40 pm
Bobby Petrino…….tell that to your wife first then call Mr Blank. The Falcons are thinking about hiring a morals coach. Who knows?
S'paw_99
August 9th, 2012
1:58 pm
Thanks for the update D-Led. I’m admittedly biased towards Vance because of his School & #, but I think we can all agree that to this point in their careers he’s been much more productive than Jerry. If Peters isn’t ready to start the season, I’d rather see 99 lineing up opposite Babs than I would 94.
HGN
August 9th, 2012
2:48 pm
D-Led , you probably should have added LaMark Brown to the “Watch List” as well. The battle between him and Gallarda is going to be tight. Brown or Gallarda could put some daylight between himself and the other guys.
hiramsaint
August 9th, 2012
3:32 pm
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just read all the post and seen handled the angry and dejected mob of failclown fans almost as easily as the saints have handled your ” football” team over the last few years. what an injustice to have a rival fan know more about your team than you do and when it is shown , all you can do is fall back to name calling.
hiramsaint
August 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
GEAUX RAVENS –flatten the meltster, he’s use to it !
Chub Rock
August 9th, 2012
3:46 pm
The Falcons have truly developed the H E double L out of Robert James. They should have been able to take a guy undrafted and develop him for 4 years to be a backup. Not sure where he fits in. He’s too slow to play weak, too small to play middle or strong. Has no pass rush ability. Tell the truth here DLED…who is this dude kin to in the organization?
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
3:47 pm
Is that an injustice or does that really say you a closet Falcon fan? You tell me! I dont know squat about the Aints because I am not a fan of the Aints; but someone who knows so much about The RISE UP NATION is secretly telling you something hiram; go figure clown!
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
Hiram wirh that stupid post you really realize how you sharted your diaper on that! You wont find the Rise Up Nation on a Aint blog let alone knowing anything more than the scandal your team created this year. Here is the Real Deal, you brag about your mancrush on Seen knowing so much! Dont do that! Makes you look even worse! I vaguely remember you and Seen crying on some old post about the Rise Up Fans talking about your team throwing facts and you quickly shot back with the response of “knowing so much about your Aints why not worry about your own team?” Just saying following your own advice. Thia is the Rise Up Nation Blog and you Aints are scared…….and you should be!
Watch Baltimore Ravens vs Atlanta Falcons Live
August 9th, 2012
4:02 pm
Date: Thursday August 9, 2012
Time: 7:30pm ET
Game: Baltimore Ravens vs Atlanta Falcons
Week: 1
NFL Preseason
watch live : football-live-stream.com
***
WooYeah
August 9th, 2012
4:12 pm
My 5 to Watch:
1. Baker: Is he the solid rookie from 2008, or the guy who looked lost in 2011?
2. Dent: Can he spell Lofton on 1st and 2nd down?
3. Sidbury: Lots of recent hype. Have we found our 2nd pass rusher?
4. Hawley: Has he improved enough win outright at C or RG?
5. Peria Jerry: Last chance to flash. Does it finally come together?
Other guys to watch:
–Jerrell Harris
–Travian Robinson
–Ewing vs. Cox
hiramsaint
August 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
rick-you’re aps education really shines does it not ? yes , it’s an injustice for YOU not to even know your own team and there are plenty of failclown fans on nola doing the same thing we do here but your ignorance won’t abide in that will it ? rise up nation ? really ? is that this years losing slogan or is it a play on a real teams slogan-you tell me . funny thats it’s not catching on but most clownish things usually relegate themselves to the cellar-where the failclowns playoff performances have been. but hey “it’s a new year”…again !
JSS
August 9th, 2012
4:56 pm
Don’t blame the APS for Rick or any other education system for this crazy talk! That is personal choice!!! And it will be be personal choice when they go the way of the infamous Georgia Peach and her 2010 Escalade ride to the Dallas Super Bowl! Did anybody ever find her?
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
5:08 pm
And you brag about your swamp education yet you live here! Lol! Clown! You talked about name calling and yet you come right to it! Clown you deserve the name calling! Keep sharting your diaper and keep your man crush it fits you. The deal is we know our team and dont troll you swamp rats blog to talk about it! Lol. You continue to talk about playoff performances and if memory serves you lost last year and the year before that so shut up sit down and keep your mouth shut! Dont talk about 3 years ago stop living in the past dirty diaper and realize you have not got close since. You run your mouth and still in the same siutaion that every other team is in …….a new year ditry diaper! Realize and recognize your stupidity and stop living in the past! Change your diaper let go of your man crush and be prepared for the nation troll blogger! Besides we only see you and Seen on here in the FALCON BLOG ROOM! You continue to magnify your ignorance……sorry your stupidity with your post!
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
5:09 pm
JSS you dint deserve my talk I made you cry. We will keep it at that cha cha.
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
5:11 pm
But if you want it you know I will give it! Rise up cha cha!
Another Rick
August 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
Besides only you get your jokes…..do you come up with that crap on your own or do you have help?
SirReal
August 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
I just wanna see a stouter O line and JPW lose out. I just think Davis is a better guy to hold the clipboard this year. From what I’ve seen personally, JPW needs to go. He’s a developmental QB at best….elsewhere that is.
Ravens vs. Falcons: 5 players to watch tonight | NFL Online News
August 9th, 2012
5:41 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Falcons, players, Ravens, tonight, watch. Bookmark the permalink. ← Jayme Mitchell leaves Tampa Bay Buccaneers Falcons’ Smith to start ‘real evaluation process’ (The Associated Press) → [...]
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
I am not even getting back in to this bashing party…………the other Falcon Fans are man handling the wussys like they own their a*s !
Falcons n Ravens ………A Bird Feast !
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
6:44 pm
Enter your flacco comments here:
Falcon Fan
August 9th, 2012
7:42 pm
Good wr screen right there
Falcon Fan
August 9th, 2012
7:44 pm
Very impressive TD catch by Jones. Number one receiver catch right there.
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
7:51 pm
A nice offensive series and a 3 and out on defense…………….Can I get a h*ll yeah out in Birdland ??????
Manny
August 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
Matt Ryan looks impressive. That side-arm throw was nice, completion of not.
Falcon Fan
August 9th, 2012
8:25 pm
Didn’t like the int, and it seems like Ryan is locked on receivers on certain plays, but overall solid play for the first preseason game. Now get the starters outta there!
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
8:26 pm
BAL ATL
First Downs 0 10
Total Yards 9 193
Passing Yards 5 155
Rushing Yards 4 38
Penalties (Yds) 1(5) 1(5)
Turnovers 0 1
Punts (AVG) 3(29) 1(35)
Time of Pos. 4:18 10:46
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
Yeah the pick was unexpected but it can be forgiven…………in my book anyways .
Posts about The Falcons From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
August 9th, 2012
8:29 pm
[...] and how that may predict how they’ll do in 2012. The 49ers, for instance, app more… Ravens vs. Falcons: 5 players to watch tonight – blogs.ajc.com 08/09/2012 Atlanta Falcons running back Dimitri Nance (30) does a little [...]
Falcon Fan
August 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
Dent got blown up…..concussion for sure……didn’t look good.
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
8:53 pm
I want to see what Dominique Davis can do out there even though its getting a lil sloppy now since the first stringers are coming out of the game………..
Michael M.
August 9th, 2012
9:24 pm
Atlanta put more yards on the board in the 1st quarter than any of the other teams did in their first half ………lmao……….and shut down the Ravens through the 1st………….just got to be loving this kind of play.
Ravens : The Latest Fuzz
August 9th, 2012
10:01 pm
[...] Ravens vs. Falcons: 5 players to watch tonight – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
ln29576
August 9th, 2012
10:42 pm
Go Ravens, Atlanta is still trying to “rise up”, maybe they should just “give up”