Dimitroff says Falcons will be better (and he can enjoy it)
Given this off-season, Thomas Dimitroff and Arthur Blank can both enjoy vacation. (AP photo)
It was about a year ago this time when Thomas Dimitroff took his first vacation as a general manager.
Of course, he brought his laptop. Also, a stack of DVDs of players in the next draft. Also a cranium that must have felt like it was about to implode at any minute.
“I worked a lot, and took quite a bit of heat for that,” he said Wednesday. “I’d watch players. I’d study the league rules and the salary cap. I was still getting my feet wet. I was in uncharted territory as a general manager, so there was a little bit of apprehension not knowing what was around the corner. But, yeah, sometimes I’d would be there at 2 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon, sitting and watching tape of a player, and thinking, ‘Why am I doing this?’”
Dimitroff’s second vacation as the Falcons’ GM begins next week. Two weeks in Colorado and Montana. He’ll bring the laptop. And a stack of DVDs of players in next year’s draft. But, “I’ll be better this time,” he insisted.
The roster tweaks are done. The OTAs are over. After a first season in which almost nothing went wrong, Dimitroff just completed another off-season in which, well, nothing went wrong. Adding veteran offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry this week was the final addition, he said.
Did everything go as planned?
“Yes,” he said.
In retrospect, did you do anything wrong last year?
(Long pause.)
“I don’t think so. There was that one tie I wore to a certain game.”
He was trying to be funny. He’s really not that egotistical, even though after last season it would be understandable if his head were the size of Colorado or Montana.
The Falcons went 11-5 with a playoff berth. Expectations have gone from extraordinarily low to extraordinarily high, and Dimitroff doesn’t have a problem with that. He’s as excited about the offense and the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez as anybody. He believes the loss of five veterans from the defense, including Lawyer Milloy and Keith Brooking, isn’t a big deal. When asked about the youth and inexperience on defense, he said, “I can tell you that we as a staff will never be afraid to play our young players.”
One Matt Ryan-like rookie season will embolden a guy. And yes: He believes next year’s team will be even better.
“You’ll see improved speed and urgency on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We’ll definitely be an improved product.”
Last year, he had to clean up a mess, hire a coach, establish structure, set direction and tone. Relatively speaking, the past few months have been like sitting on the beach and drinking something out of a smoking coconut. He admits he now has a comfort level in the job that didn’t exist before. He and coach Mike Smith are in tune on personnel and salary cap issues, not always common for a GM and coach.
There is, “lucidity,” he said.
In year one, he felt compelled to be myopic: coach, roster purge, draft, free agency, scouting.
In year two, he said, “There’s more breathing room. I can look at things with more of a broad scope.”
He wanted to re-sign Michael Jenkins, Jonathan Babineaux and Chauncey Davis. He did. He wanted to bring in a veteran linebacker. He got Mike Peterson. He added a “quintessential team leader” in Gonzalez, then Newberry.
One other thing: “We didn’t want to have to spend the summer answering questions about Michael Vick.”
So Vick’s gone. Before vacation.
Colorado and Montana await. The laptop will make the trip. But maybe one night, he’ll just watch a movie.
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101 comments Add your comment
Adam
June 17th, 2009
4:28 pm
First!
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
4:29 pm
FIRST!!! …. Ah man. Late again.
Bangkapi Ajarn
June 17th, 2009
4:31 pm
Agree, he has taken his shot. The defense needed to be blown up, and it was in favor of youth and speed. This is a team built to surprise on occasion, get blown out in others, but improve over the course of time. The man earned his vacation! Good column.
lawton
June 17th, 2009
4:42 pm
i disagree with the comment above. the falcons are built like they were under dan reeves, to BE IN EVERY GAME. rarely will you see the birds blown out in a game with the type of systems they have in place on offense and defense. a ball control, play action offense, and a bend, but dont break defense, that blitzs in certain situations, will keep you in every game.
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
4:45 pm
The sked is horrifying, but I do think even though the expectations are higher this team will still surprise. The offense will be sick, and the D will be good enough. We should be able to take the NFC South.
Bill
June 17th, 2009
4:48 pm
Damn great GM…Love his work.
Paul H
June 17th, 2009
4:52 pm
I can’t remember the last time someone has done so much in so little time. It’s exciting to see. Now that he doesn’t have to answer tired questions about Vick, the sky is the limit on what this guy can do.
Rowndman
June 17th, 2009
5:16 pm
The “smoking coconut” line was great. Can’t wait to see the falcons next year. Arthur Blank can finally breathe easy….
mountain_jim
June 17th, 2009
5:31 pm
Thanks for this column – I can’t wait for the season to start.
falcon fan
June 17th, 2009
5:33 pm
There is a method to the madness……….or shall we say to the process? Either way I like it…….Go Falcons!!!!
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
5:50 pm
BANGKAPI AJARN: Thanks.
THE GRINCH: If they go 11-5 again with this schedule, that will confirm they are a better team. Defense still concerns me, though. Games could be fun to watch – 35-28 every week!
PAULH: On point. If he accomplished that much in two seasons, people would’ve been overjoyed.
ROWNDMAN: Thanks. Could use one of those beverages right about now.
jimmy a
June 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
hey dont Fire Dimitroff
Blue Fender
June 17th, 2009
7:01 pm
Hopefully these young guys on defense will be hungry. There’s nothing like the feeling of loosing your job (or getting let go) to motivate someone!
wxwax
June 17th, 2009
7:11 pm
No-one’s mentioning the “I” word. That, and the schedule, are the only things which temper my optimism.
I imagine the young secondary will get blown-up from time to time. That happens. A healthy offense with the addition of Gonzalez may offset that.
Fingers crossed. It’s so nice to have an outfit that’s doing it right (I speak as a long-time Redskins fan who badly misses Jack Kent Cooke.)
Matt
June 17th, 2009
7:23 pm
Are d was awful last year, compensated by good o coming up with big plays and ball control. We gave up more than 40 years experience and in all that experience they could not come up with plays in crunch time. The eagles game with the gaff of a punt recovery, just let westbrook score. Week 14 saints game 3 minutes 3 timeouts and 2 minute warning O never saw ball again. Playoffs 3rd and 16 biggest mistake all year. Rookies can make those kind of mistakes. If a rookie let Anquan Boldin get wide open he at least has the speed to catch him before he gets a 72 yard td. Falcons will be about the same on d, but now we have room to improve great job Dimitroff.
Fulton Kuykendall
June 17th, 2009
7:28 pm
it is nice to see us returning to where we were almost 30 years ago….a solid, balanced team with a good running game. let’s just hope at some point Mr. Blank doesn’t think we need to make a change so we can get “over the hump.” It has taken almost 30 years to recover from that…..
Fulton Kuykendall
June 17th, 2009
7:29 pm
…’getting over the hump’ adjustment made by the Smith family.
william cranman
June 17th, 2009
7:35 pm
Please someone explain to me how our defense is going to be better next year. Peterson for Brooking is a wash. We are HOPING the draft picks will come in and be productive. May be they will maybe they won’t. Other than a fragile John Abraham, we still have no one that can rush the passer. I want the Falcons to be successful as much as anybody but the defense is still a huge concern. Great column Jeff.
Greg
June 17th, 2009
7:55 pm
I agree completely with william cranman. Hanging most of our pass rush hope an Abe is a formula for disaster. We were weak rushing the quarterback against strong O-lines last year. We will face stronger O-lines this year. Have we made the D-line provably stronger? I wonder. We had better put in a few more stunts and blitzes, or we’re going to struggle against the eight really good teams we have to play. I might add that the secondary is largely untested, and could very well be weaker without Foxworth. The LBs will be overall younger and quicker, but I would temper expectations about Peterson until we see what he can do. We look right now to be only marginally better at LB than last year. The conclusion: defense is still a major concern.
PUTTING ON THE FOIL
June 17th, 2009
8:07 pm
“Captain Crazy” was my kind of player. Heard he was in the medical field now.
Jimmy P.
June 17th, 2009
8:13 pm
Mr. GM, I live in Colorado. There is great fishing at 11 mile Lake in southern Colorado. Nice size trout, ave size is 18 to 24 inches long. Have a great vacation.
TROTTINGHOME
June 17th, 2009
8:36 pm
Now we sip cocktails and hope for one more reciever to emerge.
TROTTINGHOME
June 17th, 2009
8:37 pm
Now we sip cocktails and wait for one more reciever to emerge>
R. U. KIDDINME
June 17th, 2009
8:38 pm
Hey thomas don’t forget your shade’s…you know the future’s so bright ya gonna hafta wear’em!!! Oh and i believe i do i do i do!!!
Eagle83
June 17th, 2009
8:42 pm
There is one pro team in Atlanta that appears to be getting it right. I wish the rest would get a clue. Super Bowl!!!!
ha ha
June 17th, 2009
8:54 pm
countdown to a vick post……3…2….1
BugKiller
June 17th, 2009
9:01 pm
Jeff, if this defense were coached by the incompetent Willie Martinez, I may be worried.
But it’s not.
It’s coached by the incomparable BVG.
That’s right. Initials only. BVG will see it done.
I agree with Dimitroff. This defense WILL be better by subtracting all of the players who should have been let go years ago who had nothing left *cough-KeithBrooking-cough* and who were just dragging down the team with their slow play.
Fast and hungry. They can learn to be technically proficient from their coaches. But you can’t coach speed and the hunger to win.
There will be no more ankle tackles 5 yards past the line of scrimmage Jeff, like a certain number 56 became famous for the last 5 years or so.
Mike Smith and BVG are bringing aggressive, slobber-knocking football to the defense, just as Mularky brought it to the offense last year.
If the Falcons go 10-6 against this schedule, that’s proof they’re a better team.
Dave
June 17th, 2009
9:07 pm
Cranman and Greg, I think our D line will be much better this year… if they can stay healthy. Abe will be the same monster and likely face fewer double and triple teams because Peria is a much more aggressive force in disrupting the QB and making tackles for loss, and Babs is an extremely solid player and J Anderson, having worked with Chuck Smith recently and now in his third season, should be much improved. And with Davis, Biermann, and Lewis in rotation, we finally have excellent depth for the first time in a long time. If the sacks are not coming, we have much improved team speed to enable blitzing from almost anywhere. Sidbury will become a serious sack threat in time and our Linebackers, Corners, and Safeties are faster/quicker as a group. Add the coaching continuity factor in the mix and we should be better by our Bye and much better come playoff time. Our O should help our D by both managing the clock or playing ‘quick score’ if need be. With all due respect to Milloy, Grady, and Brooking, ‘The Process’ has begun. In Dimitroff and Smith We Trust.
Matty Ice-man
June 17th, 2009
9:19 pm
I think the defense will be a “work-in-progress” but that is better than the crap-D that Falcons had last year – the defense will be improved – it just may not seem like it because the schedule will be so much tougher.
Matty Ice-man
June 17th, 2009
9:20 pm
Jeff, looking at your mug up above this column – how many different colors do you have in your beard? I count at least six
falconidiot
June 17th, 2009
9:21 pm
I believe when we get into camp the focus will become our LBs in pass coverage, maybe Thomas will give it some thought on his vacation. This will be the teams weakness if they have one, if the safety’s are better than expected they can sceem around it. Your not going to run on this defense and the pressure in the backfield will improve our secondary. The shocker this year will be how good our defense is. Bring the NFC Championship game to the Ga Dome.
Whopper Dawg
June 17th, 2009
9:22 pm
I think they will be better, second year in the same system, same coaches, second year for Ryan – It was well put in the intro, I think that fine tuning is a bit strong as the D was essentially overhauled, but they are spending time improving rather than figuring out where they are. Just the simple fact they know who the QB is and that Vick is gone is HUGE in terms of focus and improvement.
I think he D will be better also, Jerry is going to be quite good and can pass rush some, so DL should be improved, LBs will be same to better, safetys will be same to better, I am worried about the corners though, some one is going to have to come through.
Offense could be unstoppable. No team had all pros at two of the three following positions, WR, RB and TE except the Falcons and with Tony G, now we had all pros at all three. Throw in Ryan’s rookie of the year and that is pretty impressive. I think 10 and 6 worse case.
Mark "the tank"Turner
June 17th, 2009
9:24 pm
I am so very excited about the upcoming season! Analyst are being a bit negative, as they were last preseason, but it shows what they don’t know. TD and coach Smith are gonna build a name for themselves.
Ryder
June 17th, 2009
9:24 pm
In spite of last year’s surprising season, what we all have to remember is that Atlanta is still in a rebuilding process. It was just that the unexpected acceleration of Matt Ryan’s success along with Turner took Atlanta to surprising success.
That said, I like the moves that Dmitroff has made on defense, beginning to put their own stamp on the players they like. Also, with the daunting schedule Atlanta has to play it is a great thing that Atlanta beefed up their offense to the point where they will have to score at least 27 a game against teams like the Eagles, Patriots, and Cowboys, not to mention that the Saints will be a threat as well.
That said, I expect Atlanta to be 9-7 at worst and 11-5 if some breaks go their way.
Jack G.
June 17th, 2009
9:27 pm
With all this great mind power in the organization, I still cant figure why we are hanging onto Jamal Anderson. Either trade him or release him. He is doing nothing but taking up a spot on the roster. Comes a time when you bite the bullet and just take your loss and move on.
k483
June 17th, 2009
9:56 pm
Fair enough, Jeff, but how much better will the other teams in our division be? They haven’t been sitting on their hands this off-season.
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
9:59 pm
JIMMY A: That’ sound advice.
WILLIAM: Thanks. I think T.D. is counting on added speed compensating or experience. As I’ve written before, that’s a risky proposition. It’s one of those things where the defense should get better as the season goes on, but there could be several mistakes, blown coverages, and the win total will depend how explosive the offense is.
MATTY ICEMAN: I have the 64 Crayola box (with the sharpener).
JACK G. : It’s not like the Falcons have great DLs behind Anderson waiting for their turn. They’re thin. But if Jamaal doesn’t show something soon, he’ll be gone. Remember, Dimitroff didn’t draft him.
Nate
June 17th, 2009
9:59 pm
Paul H – What about Bill Parcells in Miami???
Volman
June 17th, 2009
10:28 pm
Great article Mr. Schultz! Keep the POSITIVE ones coming out! Not everything has to be so negative!
Gator Nation
June 17th, 2009
10:30 pm
Good Lord Dimitroff…..get those legs in the sun. You may blind one of our players during practice causing a freak injury.
Go Gators…..Go Falcons
eddiedawg
June 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
Can’t wait for the year to start. And you know what’s even better? There has hardly been any MV7 banter on this blog-finally. No Vick Supporter 2 sure is nice.
GO FALCONS!
JM
June 17th, 2009
10:54 pm
Jerry is going to make a HUGE difference for this defense. Unlike Grady Jackson, he can get into the backfield on passing plays with consistency. With he and Babineaux, we’ve got two tackles who will provide excellent penetration and make the job a lot easier for our ends. I’d still like to see us start Chauncey Davis opposite Abraham and involve Jamaal Anderson in the tackle rotation with Jerry and Babineaux. That would make us extremely athletic at tackle and give more playing time to Davis and Kroy Biermann, who to this point have both proven themselves to be better at getting to the quarterback than Anderson. Anderson could slide back to end whenever needed, but I like him in that swingman role more than strictly playing end. Hopefully that’s something Smith and BVG will look at.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 17th, 2009
11:22 pm
WHY ARE THE NON-VICK POST ARE ALWAYS LESS THAN A PAGE
OKAY VICK IS GONE – LET’S GET SOME UNASSISTED SELL-OUTS THIS SEASON
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 17th, 2009
11:28 pm
“THE CAT KILLER” – WHAT A SADISTIC “THUG”
Tron5000
June 18th, 2009
12:26 am
Last time I got my hopes up for back-to-back winning seasons, I was horribly disappointed. And my dad and grandfather have had season tickets since Day 1, 1966. We’ve seen lots of bad football.
Come on, guys. At least give me 9 wins. Like, seriously, that’s all I ask. It’s all I ask, but I want more.
SKYROCK
June 18th, 2009
2:45 am
Our D will be better than they were last year, & look how far they took the Falcons!!! We got rid of the ones that got burned in the play-offs. I can’t wait for the season to begin!!!
truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
4:12 am
I just want more free tickets during the Vick out…I mean black out…opps I mean when you cant sell tickets because you have shown yourself unloyal, and dedicated to redneck sports. When that that qb leads the leaque in handoffs to turner and norwood.
Does anybody really care about the ATLANTA PETA NASCAR BUBBA ASSOCIATION FALCONS?
truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
4:17 am
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 17th, 2009
11:28 pm
NOW ITS OK TO KILL CATS, DUDE THEY ARE FROM KENTUCKY AND THEY ARE WILD. ALSO OBAMA IS ON PROBATION FROM MEDIA BEGGING PETA FOR KILLING A FLY. IF HE HAD TRAINED THE FLYS TO FIGHT AND KILLED THE WEAK ONES THEN HE WOULD BE CHARGED WITH FELONY CREULTY TO INSCECTS. IT CARRYS 5 TO LIFE IF HE USES A FIREARM OR SWATTER IN THE COMMISION OF THE CRIME.
DID YOU GET TICKET TO THE UFC BLOODNIGHT… I MEAN FIGHT…?
Political Man
June 18th, 2009
4:20 am
What comes through loud and clear is just how mush incompetance there is in most organizations and it is not even seen. Is Dimitroff a genius. NO. He’s smart, organized, & can make decisions. Apparently that is rare. Maybe he should have taken over GM last yr, instead of the Falcons
truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
4:29 am
Dimitroff says Falcons will be better (and he can enjoy it)
YEP, HE AND THE REDNECK BUBBA POSSE.
TURNER THE LEAGUE MVP RUNNER UP AND NORWORD WILL DO ALL THE WORK AND AFTER 16 GAMES THEY WILL BE SPENT TEAMS WILL KEY ON THEM AND BELLY UP IN THE FIRST ROUND.
WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH VICK!!
Dr. Warren
June 18th, 2009
4:50 am
Perhaps fear drove Smith and Dimitroff to be so good last year–fear of embarrassment, fear of not being good enough to lead an NFL team. Fear makes men detail-oriented. The great ones don’t relax after one successful season. They bear down harder. Let’s hope one year from now we don’t hear Dimitroff admit, “I think we let our guard down a bit after our first year’s success. Maybe success came so quickly that we took for granted how very intense you must be to sustain it.” Let’s hope 6-10 or 7-9 is not in the cards for ‘09.
Nativebird
June 18th, 2009
7:29 am
All arrows pointed in the right direction. He’s been (with Smitty of course) the exact medicine this franchise has needed. Now…if we can just keep the original blunder-maker, A.Blank, off the field. It’s scary even seeing a PHOTO of him walking on Flowery Branch grass. “Hey Arthur, go run your charity’s…Thomas will email you on what’s going on. and oh yea, save the dollars, fire McKay.”
Sage of Bluesland
June 18th, 2009
8:01 am
Our vaunted Hometown Hero (Keith Brooking) is finally gone…His ridiculous salary and brand of “leadership” are no longer.
That’s addition-by-subtraction if I’ve ever seen it!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 18th, 2009
8:32 am
Ever since Thomas “Heavy D” Dimitroff, I have been waiting for that “Patriots move.” I think the Tony G trade was the first.
Mac
June 18th, 2009
8:46 am
A cranium brimming with information in rapid cogitation is more likely to explode that implode. You know, just FYI.
Mac
June 18th, 2009
8:47 am
THAN implode. I swear I can’t post anymore without a typo. I think I’m going to implore.
heh. heh.
D Money
June 18th, 2009
8:49 am
Truth-serum…if we stayed with Vick, Harrington would still be the QB. MV, at present, is not even in the league anymore so who do you think should be the QB? I loved MV when he was here but if he can’t help the TEAM then what’s the point? It’s not the Atlanta Vicks…it’s the Atlanta Falcons. If you can’t get on board with the real Falcons fans then just find another team or follow Vick to the UFL
Go Falcons!!!
ET
June 18th, 2009
9:01 am
Yes, It is OK to kill cats now. My neighbor killed our little black cat because he wanted to play with their cats in their yard. The neighbor basically said “my bad, we thought he was a stray”. I called the sheriffs office and they said “what are you calling us for, it was just a cat”. Where is the outrage, the silence in deafening. I guess dogs are a higher class of pet and get the protection that cats don’t seem to deserve… Or just maybe it isn’t the animal that demands the response, but the person doing the killing!!! I guess a PETA protest in my neighbors driveway is out of the question because he wasn’t a pro queaterback. Ordinary people don’t draw PETA’s attention… or the police’s attention for that matter.
long time falcon
June 18th, 2009
9:16 am
I don’t know why everyone keeps harping on the defense as such a big concern. I personally think the defense has been upgraded since last season. Peterson will be an upgrade over keith brooking. Boley fell out of favor with the coaching staff and wasn’t even starting when the season ended. And his replacement will be stephen Nichols who coach mike smith seems to have a lot of faith. ESPN writer pat Yasinkas recently wrote a column on players who might surprise in the NFC south and he mentioned stephen nichols. Grady Jackson was old and fat and not nearly the player he was in previous seasons. Now we have Trey Lewis back and drafted Peria Jerry. The combo of BABS, jerry, and trey lewis gives us a deep and talented DT rotation. Milloy’s age finally caught up with him as his lack of speed and coverage ability reared its ugly head in the Arizona playoff game. Now we have thomas decoud and william moore who are both young but fast and physical players who will give us more urgency at the position. And finally dominique Foxworth who I will admit I hated to see leave. But remember grimes was the starter until he got hurt last season. And as mike smith will attest he is the most gifted athelete on the entire team and this being his second year in the system he should improve. And finally we have a great coaching staff with van gorder and mike smith grooming these young guys. Dimitroff got rid of old and slow and brought in speed, speed ,speed. So what the hell is everyone worried about?
kyle
June 18th, 2009
9:51 am
truth-serum…..Please lay off the crack. Apparently it has killed my of your brain cells.
armenchuck
June 18th, 2009
9:52 am
Remember last year? The whole team was suppose to be the pits. TD focused on the O and look what happened. Now TD turned his attention to the D. HERE GOES- I personaly thin the D with be in the top 25% and most improved the league. Several of the talking heads where caught off guard last year by TD. What will there excuse be this year? TD’s staff won a lot of awards so the “experts” should know. This year TD’s new D will make all the doubters say, “Who is your daddy?”. Blank was serious about building a dynasty in ATL. I am just glad I renewed my seasnon tickets on the cheep:)
Zoomie
June 18th, 2009
9:56 am
I second long time falcon’s comments in their entirety. My sentiments exactly. This defense is going to be better than a lot of people expect . . .
**Frederick(Bailey)Douglass**
June 18th, 2009
10:06 am
Solid moves this offseason. I like the method of going younger on defense…I want to see DeCoud, the rookie safety, and #54 get some experience under this coaching regime…this is the key: our COACHES are better than what we had, so to be young and GROW in a system means that the staff can shape these elite athletes into the ball players that best fit our scheme. Based on what we showed with Brookings and even Jackson, starting over is not so bad.
Look for Snelling, Norwood, Douglas, DeCoud and the rookie safety to have break out years (veteran safety may be sitting by the end of the year). The middle linebacker will be even better, and if the big rookie DT can stay healthy, by years end, ESPN will be talking about our “young agressive” defense that flies around the ball. We will surge by winning 6 of last 8 to make a real run in the playoffs.
Jay
June 18th, 2009
10:08 am
With regards to the defense im hoping for the best and expecting the worst. Did the defense need to be dismantled?? Absolutely!! It honestly was about two or three years overdue. The key to the season honestly i believe, will rest on two positions. Left cornerback and and Left Defense end. From all the reports i heard Anderson has been working extra hard in the off season to take his game to another level and we desperatly need a steady pass rush. Grimes,Owens or Jackson must make steady plays on that side of the field for us to compete for the South Title!!
Mac
June 18th, 2009
10:23 am
Even if he’s not quite the Falcons version of Speedy Claxton, just why again did we pay so much money for a free agent fullback? Oh yeah, that was a McKay move. Never mind.
Ramblin Wrecker
June 18th, 2009
10:26 am
I love TD’s confidence. I agree completely with him, why fear playing young players (on defense) if you are confident that you drafted guys who fit your system and your personality profile of hard working players? There might be a learning curve for these guys, but just like Matt Ryan, if you work hard enough and are smart, the curve is a short one, even for a rookie. I think the young defense will shock some people.
truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
10:27 am
YO, I BE STILL ALL AMPED UP FROM DAT ROCK. WHICH ONE OF YOU REDNECK BUBBA’S GANKED MY PIPE YO?
Gatorzone
June 18th, 2009
10:46 am
Defense should be better for 09! I look forward to great things from the birds, and all you negative posters can go follow someone else. Why don’t you go watch the UFL?
Ricky
June 18th, 2009
11:06 am
Just couldn’t keep Vick out of the article, could you? Jersey #7 is soiled forever, The stench will never wear off, let it go.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 18th, 2009
11:08 am
MATTY FREAKIN ICE HAS RUINED MY LIFE!!!
I CAN’T TAKE THIS CRAP ANYMORE!!!
I NEED A NEW MIKE VICK POSTER,
BUT GUESS WHAT?……….
THEY DON’T MAKE THEM ANYMORE!!!
I HATE MATT FREAKIN RYAN!!!
I HATE HIM I TELL YOU!!!
GM Dimitroff Feels Falcons Will be Better in 09 » Falcons Gab
June 18th, 2009
12:00 pm
[...] are coming off a playoff birth in 2008, and GM Thomas Dimitroff seems confident in today’s Atlanta Journal Constitution that the team will be even better in 09: The Falcons went 11-5 with a playoff berth. Expectations [...]
C.Gibbs
June 18th, 2009
1:22 pm
VICK SUPPORTER/KEITH BROOKIN SUPPORTER Keith Brooking’S THE BEST,MIKE’S THE BEST, PROTECT THE FALCONS QUARTERBACK AND SACK THE OTHER TEAMS QUARTER BACK YOU MORUN RYAN , GET RID OF RECIEVERS THAT CAN NOT CATCH THE FREAKIN BALL AND DO NOT KILL ANY MORE DEERS,GEESE,BEARS, DUCKS,RABBITS, if you are still blaiming Michael Vick, every quarter back we have ever had that was good was good that he could run like H, every good coach that we have has to deal with being second coach to the owners, let the coach do his job or do not hire him, and lets put some points on the board before we are behind and when we are ahead lets play like we are behind and save me a seat for the darn Super bowl cause we will be hosting it, believe that.
falcon fan 4-ever
June 18th, 2009
1:23 pm
We are in very good hand with Blank/ / Dimitroff / Smith and Co. For, the very 1st time I have complete trust in them to get the job done and to do it right.
DrJ
June 18th, 2009
1:34 pm
How will we fare in the Red-Zone this year? To me that was the killer…work our way all the way down the field and then kick. Is the R-Z offense the same with the exception of Tony G? Maybe his presence will be so disruptive to the DB’s that it will open up. Haven’t heard much about this problem.
C.Gibbs
June 18th, 2009
1:35 pm
Team work,everytime we have a player that is good and is doing good such as running a touch down the rest of the darn team instead of assisting by blocking they just watch the teammate run just like the fans, Rody Rodie White Rodney White CATCH THE BALL, and call Jerry Rice and ask him to coach you on how to take a hit and catch an uncatchable ball, I am tired of your pretty boy style, all of our recievers you need to catch the ball, that is what you get paid to do, no weed until after the season is over Falcons, remember the Super Bowl, come onnnn now Fallllcooonnns.
truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
1:40 pm
WHO DIS IS?!
A Realist
June 18th, 2009
4:34 pm
For all those commenting on the Falcons potentially not selling out the GA Dome and the possibility of blackouts, many of the NFL markets including Dallas, NY Giants, Detroit, Jacksonville, etc. are all having ticket sale issues and potential local blackouts because of the economy. It is not solely based on who is or is not going to be on the field when the season begins at the Dome.
Thinking from a positive prospective, the defense is going to be definitely BETTER this season. GO FALCONS!!!!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 18th, 2009
5:45 pm
THE SAINTS FINISHED 8-8 AND ALREADY SOLD OUT FOR THE SEASON.
SO MUCH FOR THE ECONOMY THEORY
“BLACKOUTS ARE HERE AGAIN”
GO FALCONS!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 18th, 2009
6:16 pm
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THE DAY WHERE I MADE MORE MONEY THAN THE GREAT MIKE VICK.
OH WELL, AT LEAST THE PLAYOFFS ARE HERE AGAIN
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 18th, 2009
6:26 pm
2008……9TH “EASIEST” SCHEDULE.
2008….CHOKED IN PLAYOFFS.
2009……3RD “HARDEST” SCHEDULE.
2009…..4 CONSECUTIVE ROAD GAMES.
2009….. 5 TEAMS COMING OFF BYE WEEKS.
2010…… MATT RYAN “LEAF” CUT
What!!!
June 19th, 2009
9:28 am
JUNE 18TH,2009 6:26PM……………THE DAY AND THE TIME STUPID SPOKE!
Zoomie
June 19th, 2009
9:31 am
C. Gibbs, don’t remember the exact game from last year, but was watching the game with my brother. Turner scored a TD from over 20 yards out. During commercials, I kept rewinding the play over and over, playing it back in slow motion so my brother and I could enjoy watching as three Falcons offensive linemen beat Turner into the end zone. For some reason, that struck me as significant at the time. It’s significant now because it completely debunks your June 18th, 1:35 PM post. Try again, spoiler.
A Realist
June 19th, 2009
9:48 am
You have listed the New Orleans Saints as an example (that is just one team), when all of the other NFL teams in larger cities (even sports teams other than the NFL are also having problems) are struggling to put fans in seats.
Please do your research before you site just one example to justify your position which you cannot “legitimately” substantiate since all of the “experts” (folks definitely more knowledgeable than you) are saying that the majority of NFL teams are having problems selling out their stadiums due to the economy. Potential blackouts are a sign of the economic times and not necessarily a lack of support by fans.
AB
June 19th, 2009
11:18 am
Truth-serum, you seem to forget that once teams figured out how to defense Mike Vick, he didn’t do very well
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 19th, 2009
12:19 pm
2001…..VICK IS MADE #1 PICK BUT HARDLY PLAYED AS ROOKIE
2002…..AFTER TELLING THE WHOLE WORLD HE WOULD HAVE THE GREATEST GAME OF HIS LIFE WK 14 VS. TB……WTF?? 12-25 128 YDS 1TD 1INT…NOT DOING IT THROUGH THE AIR, TIME FOR THE MIKE VICK SHOW…BUT WAIT…6 ATT 9 YRDS 0TD’S ALONG WITH ONE STD.
2003…..OUCH, MY LEG’S BROKE
2004…..GOT LUCKY AND PLAYED AGAINST 8-8 RAMS IN PLAYOFFS
2005…..CHOKED!!
2006…..CHOKED!!
2007…..CAN’T SEEM TO FIND ANY STATS.
2008…..WON ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AND GUIDED A LEFT FOR DEAD FRANCHISE BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS, OH WAIT…..MY BAD. CAN’T SEEM TO FIND ANY STATS.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 19th, 2009
12:27 pm
AND THAT WAS FROM THE HEART
Gabron Salome
June 19th, 2009
1:03 pm
I thought I was reading old blogs when I came across Mr truth serum. Look get back in your time machine and come home, Vick is long gone. I do agree that his punishment was harsh, he should have been put in the pens w/ his dogs tied up with raw steaks around his neck. Eye for an eye I always say. Us true falcon fans will still pull for our team, and I suggest you start pulling on something else and RELAX its supposed to be FUN.
Matty Ice
June 19th, 2009
1:26 pm
Check out these “R.O.Y.” Stats:
Week 2 vs Tampa………0-tds……..2-int……29 rating
Week 4 vs Carolina…..0-tds………0 int……60 rating
Week 8 vs Philly…….2-tds……..2 int……68 rating
Week 11 vs Denver……0-tds……..1 int……71 rating
Week 15 vs Tampa…….0-tds……..2 int……57 rating
Week 17 vs Rams……..1-tds……..2 int……49 rating
Playoffs…..2-tds….2-int….1-safety….72 rating
That darn Joe Flacco may have been the first rookie to win 2-playoff games but I won the R.O.Y.!
What!!!
June 19th, 2009
1:55 pm
JOE WON’T HAVE THE DEFENSE THIS YEAR HE HAD LAST YEAR. MARK THIS DOWN. THE RAVENS WILL NOT BE IN THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON.
JOE COULD NOT HAVE DONE HALF WHAT MATT DID IF HE HAD THE DEFENSE RYAN HAD LAST YEAR. ALL EXPERTS SAID MATT WAS THE BETTER QB. THE TRUTH JUST KILLS SOME OF YA’LL TO ADMIT
Matty Ice
June 19th, 2009
2:30 pm
The defense didn’t throw 2 interceptions & a safety in the playoffs – I did because I suck
What!!!
June 19th, 2009
2:32 pm
I KNOW JOE IS BETTER I JUST DON’T WANT TO ADMIT MATTY ICE IS AN OVER RATED COLLEGE REJECT
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 19th, 2009
3:39 pm
MATTY ICE CONTRACT= 6YRS 72 MILLION DOLLARS
MIKE VICK CONTRACT= 10$ PER HOUR, LOL
What!!!
June 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
Joe Flacco………….2 playoff wins
Mike Vick…………….2 playoff wins
Matty Ice…………Z E R O Playoff wins
Joe Flacco………..1 championship game
Mike Vick………….1 championship game
Matty Ice…………… 1 “choke pizza”
BUST…….BUST………BUST……..BUST
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 19th, 2009
4:32 pm
CHECK OUT THESE STATS FOR A 1ST YR STARTER (2ND YR IN NFL)
WK 5 VS TB……O TD…0 INT…33.3% COMPLETION…42.7 RATING
WK 9 VS BAL…..0 TD…1 INT…50.0% COMPLETION…50.0 RATING
WK 13 VS MIN….3 TD (2 RUSH)…1 INT…39.3% COMPLETION…57.6 RATING
WK 14 VS TB…..1 TD…1 INT…48.0% COMPLETION…59.6 RATING
WK 15 VS SEA….2 TD…2 INT…55.3% COMPLETION…70.1 RATING
WK 17 VS CLE….1 TD…1 INT…42.5% COMPLETION…60.4 RATING
PLAYOFFS VS PHI….0 TD…2 INT…57.9% COMPLETION…58.4 RATING
COULD MIKE VICK PLEASE JUST COMPLETE A PASS
MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN SCHOOL LIKE MATTY ICE
bakerman
June 19th, 2009
5:06 pm
Lotta trash in here.
What!!!
June 20th, 2009
5:42 pm
Matty Ice has no playoff wins but we “stupid” fans don’t care about playoff wins
Joe Flacco’s rookie year was a fluke. His team had a good defense, even though it was the same defense as in 2007 season and they only won 5 games.
Rookies are not supposed to take your team to the championship game.
Damn you Flacco – stop making me look like a bust dammit
What!!!
June 20th, 2009
5:48 pm
Dear Santa:
I am tired of watching the playoffs with Matty Ice in my living room. Would you please give me:
A playoff win……….
A pro bowl selection……..
A championship game appearance……….
A better than 20 percent “red zone” scoring…………
An “NFL” throwing arm of 40 yards or more…………….
A 40-yard speed greater than 7.0………………
Please Santa……
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 21st, 2009
3:10 am
DEAR GOD,
COULD YOU PLEASE FIND MIKE VICK’S CONTRACT……….PLEASE!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 21st, 2009
3:15 am
OH YEAH, AND SANTA…..YOU TOO!
MAYBE YOU COULD GIVE ME A NFL CONTRACT?
PLEASE SANTA PLEASE!!
Florida Cat Killer
June 21st, 2009
9:02 pm
The truth hurts