Sunshine time: Dancin’ Falcon; Wren’s move; D-Wade’s exit?
The Hawks have lost two straight. The Braves have lost seven straight. I think it’s time to lighten things up a little, don’t you?
So here’s our first “Sunshine Blog” — three things to feel happy about!
1. A Falcons’ receiver has some moves! (Kinda, sorta.)
The Falcons need a strong second receiver behind Roddy White. I’m not sure if Ryan Wolfe is the answer but at least we know he can dance a little.
Wolfe, who was signed as an undrafted free agent this week, led UNLV in receiving last year with 74 receptions for 760 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he and a UNLV teammate appeared in this ESPN/Kenny Mayne comedy short with Justin Timberlake last October.
In the bit, Timberlake is teaching potential NFL players to brush up on their entertainment skills for teams’ traditional rookie shows in training camp. Wolfe is No. 88.
♦
2. Frank Wren made the right on Javier Vazquez!
Life as a Yankee hasn't been good for Javy Vazquez.
As many problems as the Braves have had, Wren’s decision to re-sign Tim Hudson and deal Javier Vazquez to the New York Yankees was the right call, even if what came back for Vazquez (Melky Cabrera and prospect Arodys Vizcaino) isn’t much for a front-line starter who went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA last year.
Hudson has looked strong since coming back from surgery late last season and this year is 1-1 with a 3.28 ERA in four starts, with opponents hitting .233. Vazquez is 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA with opponents hitting .309, and he is being booed at Yankee Stadium (which, granted, doesn’t put him in exclusive company).
He also was thrown under the bus by former pitcher Curt Schilling, who referenced Vazquez’ first time as a Yankee. “It is easier to pitch and be successful in the National League than it is the American League,” Schilling said on a New York radio station. “If anyone thinks that Javier Vazquez is going to be different the second time around than he was the first time I think they are fooling themselves.”
More Schilling: “I never ever thought the move to New York the first time was a good one [for Vazquez]. And I didn’t think this [move] was good as well. I don’t think he suddenly learned how to pitch when he went back to Atlanta and dealt last year. He’s a phenomenal National League pitcher. It’s hard to say this without sounding disrespectful and I don’t mean it that way — the National League is an easier league to pitch in, period. And some guys aren’t equipped to get those same outs in the American League, and he’s one of those guys.”
♦
3. Dwyane Wade almost officially can be yours (for a price)!
Was this Dwyane Wade's final post-game hug with Miami?
It doesn’t seem likely the Hawks, should they choose not to re-sign Joe Johnson in free agency, would have a strong shot at signing Dwyane Wade. But Wade may have played his final game with the Miami Heat Tuesday night.
Miami was eliminated by Boston and Wade is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Wade on his future: “I have no control over that. I hope it doesn’t end, but I really have no say-so.”
Wade is said to be leaning toward staying in Miami but he clearly is putting the onus on management to fix the team: “We’ve got some work to do, the front office has to do it, and there’s no pressure on me.”
So, do you have you sunny thoughts on D-Wade?
♦
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122 comments Add your comment
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2010
10:36 am
Curt Schilling….. wee mee
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2010
10:37 am
dos
jaymin
April 28th, 2010
10:37 am
sign him up. we could really use him and he would put us over the top. Do a sign and trade with joe johnson, a pick and marvin or teague or something
yeah c'mon
April 28th, 2010
10:38 am
first
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2010
10:38 am
three
yeah c'mon
April 28th, 2010
10:38 am
ah horse sh!t
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2010
10:39 am
Damn…. wooly bully … Schilling is an idiot.
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2010
10:40 am
He’s no Ali, sorry Champ.
jaymin
April 28th, 2010
10:41 am
sign him up. we could really use him and he would put us over the top. Do a sign and trade with joe johnson, a pick and marvin or teague or something
justin timberlake sounds like a pansy even when he’s trying to sound tough. What a little girl.
DP
April 28th, 2010
10:43 am
Dwayne Wade wants to win more championships. He isn’t dumb enough to sign a long term contract with a team like the Hawks that has an unstable ownership situation.
Jeff
April 28th, 2010
10:48 am
Jeff sorry but you are wrong about Wren moving Javy. Keeping Huddy was the right move but not getting rid of Vazquez. Kurt Shilling said Javy is a great National League pitcher. He performed poorly the last time he played in the American League but has always been good in the NL. He is pitching in a bang box and having to face monster lineups every night. The AL East is much different than the NL East.
Herschel Talker
April 28th, 2010
10:51 am
This is nonsense. How many more wins would we have if we had kept Vazquez? Lowe is a tomato can. Hell, we could have moved Lowe to LF. He can’t be any worse than Cabrera, both in the field and at the plate.
Jon
April 28th, 2010
10:51 am
The calls against the bulls center guarding shaq were a joke. It was obvious the nba and refs wanted cleveland to win to be rested for boston.
Tucker T
April 28th, 2010
10:53 am
Schilling crushed Javy. Yeah it’s easier to pitch in the NL. It’s because of the DH, not because the players are better. It would have been nice if he had mentioned that. I think Javy would be doing just fine here in ATL if he had stayed. Maybe he can come back next season as a free agent. He loved ATL and if he pitches poorly all season, we can sign him for a much lower price. That trade to the Yanks was the worse thing that could have happened to Javy. I feel bad for him.
Craig
April 28th, 2010
10:56 am
The Hawks should go after Wade with all the energy and $$$ they can. J.J. needs to go some where else. Shilling in 100% correct, the stats do not lie about NL pitchers going to the AL and performing. The DH makes it a hitters league.
Mel Kiper
April 28th, 2010
11:00 am
Jeff it is Curt Schilling not Kurt Schilling and it is a band box not a bang box, what a joke!
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
11:03 am
Trading Vasquez, the Braves’ best pitcher for an empty hole in the lineup. Dumb. The Braves should have traded Lowe to a NL East team and paid his salary, just to get him in their lineup.
anthony
April 28th, 2010
11:04 am
Completely agree with Schilling’s comments. Having to face the DH makes it much more difficult. In the National league you can pretty much say there is one sure out every nine batter. With the DH you replace the worst batter with the best batter in the AL and have no easy out.
DP
April 28th, 2010
11:04 am
The AL versus NL disparity is a lot more than the DH. Interleague games use a DH in American League parks, do not use a DH in National League parks, so it’s a 50-50 split. But the AL crushes the NL in interleague play every year. There is a big talent gap between the 2 leagues.
Just Being Real
April 28th, 2010
11:04 am
I wish we had Wade , really you could lose Johnson, Bibby, and Marvin, and just add Wade and we will be a much better team, I’m very mad at the Hawks right now, But I don’t blame Joe really, he was like the only one in double figures in the first lost, Josh and Marvin are the problems, cause every time a call doesn’t go Smith’s way he doesn’t do S#!t for the rest of the game, and Marvin just doesn’t show I mean I really just can’t find him out there, he’;s worst than that D@m# Waldo dude in the red bennie, But Smith YOUR FROM ATLANTA so YOU KNOW WHAT IT”S LIKE TO BE A FAN, thats motivation enough but you can’t take your act on the road, so if you can’t play anywhere else then you need to make sure you remain in Atlanta cause you can’t ball anywhere else, that is what YOU have shown me,
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 28th, 2010
11:04 am
The Hawks need somebody like Wade who is not afraid to take the shot, wants the ball and has some stones.
As for Schilling, he is dead on. Weaker hitters in the NL plus you face a pitcher say over 65 times in a year as a starter. That should be 65 outs or about .075 on the batting average allowed. Not to mention the difference it makes on how the #8 hitter has to approach the game. But anybody who thinks Javy all of a sudden became a #1 starter after 8-9 years of being the #4 guy is an idiot.
Halberstram
April 28th, 2010
11:05 am
Those comments are a bit harsh by Schilling. If I recall correctly, Vazquez was traded to the Yankees the first time too, if so it’s not his fault he was traded to the American League. That’s just how it all worked out.
I do believe he would be pitching much better if he was still with the Braves, how much better who knows.
Jonas Grumby
April 28th, 2010
11:06 am
Had no problem dealing Vazquez at his peak. They just didn’t fill an immediate need. But if Vizcaino is the real deal and in the rotation in 2 years, it will be a good deal.
PMC
April 28th, 2010
11:06 am
That sunshine is awesome. nicely done Jeff.
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
11:11 am
Bat Masterton — I know. I almost felt like I needed a shower after quoting Schilling. But I sold out.
uga_b
April 28th, 2010
11:11 am
I would take Joe’s max money and give it to Dwayne in a heartbeat. This team would then be a legitimate contender.
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
11:13 am
Jeff (the other one): Other option was dealing Lowe or Kawakami and he couldn’t do that because nobody would take them. Somebody had to go.
RK
April 28th, 2010
11:26 am
The Braves had to trade a starter, but adding Melky is also losing games for them. On the bright side, his contract is small enough that they can cut him with little repercussion and add someone that is more than a AAA player.
First
April 28th, 2010
11:27 am
This to all the idiots that think it is the greatest thing in the world on some cheap ass blog….I could not imagine having such a boring life that being first on a blog is some sorta honor..
ChippersLoveChild
April 28th, 2010
11:28 am
Oooh, ooooh I’ve got one!
4.) Don Waddell is no longer GM of the Thrashers.
DHD
April 28th, 2010
11:28 am
We have no shot at winning a championship without a superstar. Joe Johnson is not a superstar. Wade is. Get him in here and show the fans you are serious about a championship. Then, trade Marvin, the rights to Childress and a draft pick for a real NBA center. Horford, J Smith, a real NBA center, Wade and Crawford….let’s roll!!
harry da' hawk
April 28th, 2010
11:29 am
If you idiots think for one second that the atlanta spirit owners would cough up the money to bring DWade to Atlanta then you have lost your mind…
Stat Man
April 28th, 2010
11:32 am
If nothing else, the Hawks have (apparently) money to spend. If nothing else, the $15 mil or whatever they offered JJ should still be there.
How about this?
Let JJ go and sign Bosh.
Crawford takes over the 2 and Bosh replaces Chris Paul, I mean Marvin Williams as the 3rs starting big.
Rikki
April 28th, 2010
11:33 am
Every one of the players mentioned is obscenely overpaid, and most have skillsets not far beyond digging ditches.
Stuart
April 28th, 2010
11:33 am
I don’t fully agree with Schilling’s comments. Yes, it’s “easier” for a pitcher to pitch in the NL because there is no DH and, generally speaking, there tends to be a more favorable strike zone. But, if you’ve seen Vazquez pitch this season (which I have a couple of times, not every game though) his command seems to be off and he’s leaving pitches up in strike zone and over the plate. Now, whether you’re in the NL or the AL, these pitches will be crushed either way. However, I don’t think he has completely lost it, per se, but I think it’s a matter of comfort. He let it be well known that he was very comfortable in Atlanta. I don’t think he was comfortable in NY with the Yankees the first time around nor this time. Atlanta’s so laid back that Vazquez doesn’t have to worry about constant criticism. That’s not the case in NY. He had off and on results with the White Sox, where his “off” results seemed to come when he was being criticized by Ozzie Guillen. Sure, as an athlete he should be able to take criticism either way, but from what I’ve seen, that just doesn’t seem to be his thing. He just liked the loose, laid back approach of Atlanta and Cox’s more positive output and criticisms.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
11:34 am
2011 SUPER BOWL ODDS:
Ravens get some offensive weapons and now are………….
9/1 Favorites to win the Super Bowl and the Falcons are 30/1.
Should have drafted Flacco………….
HA HA HA
Sundiata Gaines
April 28th, 2010
11:39 am
I forgot about you Matt “Choke” Ryan you clown.
Stuart
April 28th, 2010
11:43 am
BTW, why shouldn’t the Hawks make a run at Wade? If JJ and all of the players get to be courted by all the teams, the Hawks should at least make an attempt to get Wade. No, he doesn’t have the size or “mismatch” feature per se that JJ does, but he sure has an explosion, a fire, and a passion that JJ doesn’t, and I think the Hawks need it. If we spend the max on Wade that we otherwise would on JJ, they play the same position, and I think Wade would be an upgrade. Sounds like a good idea to me. Does he have something against Atlanta or something? I mean, I don’t see why he wouldn’t at least consider it if the Hawks made a run for him. As of this point, the Hawks definitely have a better overall cast/roster which could be set to compete down the line (a bunch of talented, athletic players who are all still really young). Sure, Wade’s more likely to stay in Miami or go to his hometown Bulls just because of the connection/relationships he’s established. But on the extreme off chance that he actually changes his mind and decided to come to ATL, I don’t see how that’s bad at all; I see it as more of an upgrade. So the Hawks should definitely make a run at him.
Playoffs!?!?
April 28th, 2010
11:47 am
Wren right on Vasquez ? Maybe, American Leauge pitchers are going to average at least a full run higher on their ERA than their National Leauge peers.
Wren wrong on Troy Glaus,.
Wrong on Kelly Johnson
Wrong on Jeff Francoeur, or at least his handling of the whole situation. What’s the over/under on how many times he comes back to haunt us this year since we’ll see him 18 or 19 times a year. I say the O/U is 3. He’s already done it once. Thanks for trading him in the division, Frank
Wrong on Derek Lowe (at least the $15 million per year part)
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2010
11:53 am
You are wrong on Vazquez. He wouldn’t be the first good player to underachieve in a Mets or Yankees uniform compared to what he did before and after — just based on players who went from the Braves to one of those teams, Kyle Farnsworth, Tom Glavine, and Jaret Wright among others fit that description, along with several players from other teams like Carl Pavano for example. Maybe it’s the New York media pressure cooker, maybe it’s something else, who knows… all I know is that Vazquez is not alone. That doesn’t change the fact that he was a very good pitcher last year and his trade value should have been much higher than a career fifth outfielder like Melky Cabrera. i can see how the Braves were forced into having to trade him, but I can’t see how the meager return they got for him is justified by his early season struggles.
Mark
April 28th, 2010
11:54 am
Vasquez had a career year in Atl. Hudson has been more consistent over his entire career. I don’t think people had a problem with keeping hudson but rather getting jack crap for Vasquez.
TONE
April 28th, 2010
11:57 am
34 yards and o touchdowns in a playoff win , yeah he did it all by himself the defense didn’t have to carry him
we will see what happens when the defense goes away, that defense won a superbowl with dilfer (enough said)
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2010
11:57 am
By the way, the Hawks don’t have the cap room to sign D-Wade outright even if Joe Johnson leaves, which means the only way they can get him is in a sign-and-trade involving Joe Johnson going the other way. Not only would neither team ever make such a trade within the division, but Miami would want more than just Joe in return, which would make it not worthwhile for the Hawks. In short, the chances of the Hawks getting Wade is zero.
SEC Fan
April 28th, 2010
12:06 pm
Tom Glavine will be new GM in 2011. Wren has made many shotty moves and he isn’t the most savvy fellow either. The Glaus move may go down as the dumbest move ever for a GM, Melkey is average at best. They may just blow this thing up and start fresh next year with a new GM and manager, McDowell will be only holdover.
Mash
April 28th, 2010
12:09 pm
Jeff, comparing Vazquez in the A.L. to Hudson in the N.L. is apples and oranges. Schilling’s comments and the underlying truth about about the inferior level of hitting in the national league don’t make Wren look like a genius. Just because Vazquez is 1 – 3 with 9.00 ERA in the A.L., don’t those comments mean he’d have to be better if he were pitching for the Braves? While pitching in Atlanta he was a very effective pitcher. What makes you think that would be any different if he were still in Atlanta? Some players aren’t meant to play in New York but flourish elsewhere. Wren blew it. Period.
Now you see em, now they burnt off!
April 28th, 2010
12:13 pm
Any update on when the clown(Mr Potatohead) will shave off his eyebrows again?
Atlanta sports fan
April 28th, 2010
12:21 pm
I was sick that the Braves traded Vasquez. I’d love to see him back with the Braves. I think putting Lowe in the outfield is a great idea. Joe Johnson is not the answer for the Hawks. Half the time he acts like he doesn’t care whether they win or not. Don’t shell out big bucks for him again. A person who lives to be the first person to post in a blog obviously has no job—and no life. I still can’t believe we have Arthur Blank, Thomas Dimitroff, and Mike Smith in charge of the Falcons—that’s sunshine.
D.Wade's Memory
April 28th, 2010
12:27 pm
Here is why D.Wade won’t even consider the Hawks.
1. He hates the fans from when they booed him and called him a whiner during the playoffs last year.
2. He hates the Radio voice of the Hawks who during every game they play against the Heat has whined and complained about D.Wade being a whiner and a cry baby.
3. He knows the Hawks are a loser organization that has to offer playoff tickets at half price on Halfoffdepot.com.
4. Why would he leave Miami for less money, a less than stellar nightlife, and State Income Taxes. I think not.
And if you loser Hawks fans think you’re booing and calling players names on the radio and on tv and at the arena isn’t heard and remembered by the players……think again…he even mentioned it in an interview last year about the Hawks.
LOL
don
April 28th, 2010
12:27 pm
Well, it’s good to know that Wren was right about Vazquez in light of the obvious fact that he was wrong about Glaus, Cabrera, McLouth, Lowe, Teixeira, Drew, Andrus, Feliz, Wainwright, et als.
Spin it how you please but Wren’s track record is far less than incompetent.
Realist
April 28th, 2010
12:29 pm
It’s been just a few weeks, and Vazquez will get a lot better. Even if he posts an ERA of 4.50 or worse, what the Braves got in return for a front-line starting pitcher is jack squat. And if Schilling’s comments are correct, JV would have been great for the Braves; he’s just saying JV isn’t good for the Yankees.
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
12:37 pm
PMC — Thanks. If this gains some semblance of popularity, I’ll keep it as a regular feature. What say you, folks?
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
12:38 pm
ChippersLoveChild — Cheap shot. Accurate but cheap.
Matt the Brave
April 28th, 2010
12:38 pm
I like JJ, but I LOVE Dwayne Wade. He would make this team truly THE place to be in the NBA.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
12:39 pm
Andruw Jones is 2nd in the Majors in homeruns…………….
How’s that working out?
HA HA HA
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
12:41 pm
Choke — you don’t suppose having the No. 3 defense in the league last year had anything to do with that, do you? Nah, too logical.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
12:41 pm
TONE
April 28th, 2010
11:57 am
34 yards and o touchdowns in a playoff win , yeah he did it all by himself the defense didn’t have to carry him
we will see what happens when the defense goes away, that defense won a superbowl with dilfer (enough said)
———————————————————
25 PICKS in 29 games………… that’s Hall of Fame stuff………..
DUMP THE POODLE WITH THE ARM MADE OF NOODLE
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
12:42 pm
Najeh — Well, that’s an interesting discussion. Sign and trades involving Joe-and-Wade. OK. Let’s take Smith and Horford off the table. Who WOULDN’T you throw into that deal with JJ?
ryan
April 28th, 2010
12:45 pm
Vazquez would have been no better than Lowe or Kawakami this year.
Trading him was the right thing to do.
But I would have seriously preferred to trade him for just a bucket of balls than for Melky.
I wonder what Melky’s salary could have gotten us in free agency.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
12:46 pm
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
12:41 pm
Choke — you don’t suppose having the No. 3 defense in the league last year had anything to do with that, do you? Nah, too logical
——————————————–
Or maybe wasting a 2nd round draft pick on an aging tight end and still throw 14 picks in 13 games and still miss the playoffs………..
Doesn’t matter if you had the 1st defense – you would still lose.
By the way Jeff, the Ravens finished 18th in defense – are you a fibber?
JSS
April 28th, 2010
12:48 pm
“Choke,” I was looking for you all draft day! Why didn’t you chime in? Well Ozzie certainly got Flacco some receivers and targets now. That offense has to carry their weight from jump street… I look forward to seeing if they all come together…
clay
April 28th, 2010
12:51 pm
we def. need to go after d wade. give him all the money he wants. if you have to go over on payroll and pay the luxury tax then do it. He will put fans in the seats. Fans will get passionate and excited again and you will make your money back and then some when he wins a championship with atlanta. You wont have to sell PLAYOFF TICKETS for 10$ anymore just to put people in the seats. Somebody that owns an atlanta team please do something crazy for once and take a shot. It cant be worse than what it already is.
DeepDiver
April 28th, 2010
12:55 pm
Look what you’ve done Jeff. You’ve got the blog buzzing again about the Hawks making a run at Wade. [b]Announcement: the Hawks cannot sign Wade under the current CBA as they do not have the cap room, even with Joe’s contract off the books[/b]. Just because Joe’s 14 or 15 mil comes off that does not mean we have that money to spend — that’s not how the CBA works. We are up against the cap with or without Joe, so we might as well sign him.
The only way we could get Wade is a Joe – Wade sign and trade. I don’t need to tell you that would never, ever, ever happen.
gcs
April 28th, 2010
12:57 pm
Wren is still an imbecile.
.
preston hannatized
April 28th, 2010
12:58 pm
Hudson v Vasquez is a wash. Hudson has never been a “big game” picture — witness his playoff years with the Oakland A’s. He’s a Maddox light … Greg put up spectacular regular season numbers and lackluster October ones. Huddy is the same … if by spectacular you mean a few games over .500 in an Atlanta uniform. Over-rated.
JASon
April 28th, 2010
1:00 pm
Jeff, the logic there on vazquez is a bit flawed. He was our #1 starter last year, and if I’m not mistaken, the Braves are not in the AL. But I think there was more to that trade, namely Vazquez’s attitude. I applaud Wren overall for the moves he made in the offseason, its too bad the coaching staff is wasting the team away. As for the Falcons, I think its ridiculous to say that we need another receiver. If you can’t make it work with whats there now, then something’s wrong.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
1:00 pm
Jeff:
I stand corrected about the 3rd defense.
The Ravens gave up 16.3 and the Falcons 20.3 – 4 points difference.
That’s hardly an overwhelming difference.
The bottom line is, a defense can only take you so far, it is up to the quarterback to not lose a game and throwing picks causes more points. If CHOKE didn’t become a PICK MACHINE the defense could have been in the top 10 instead of number 14.
Joe Flacco finished number 15 vs CHOKE number 21 in passing ranks.
Joe Flacco percentage passing 63.1 vs CHOKE 58.3.
Joe Flacco passing yards 3,613 vs CHOKE 2,916.
Joe Flacco touchdowns/int ratio 21/12 vs CHOKE 22/14.
Joe Flacco qb rating 88.9 vs CHOKE 80.9.
Joe Flacco beat CHOKE in every quarterback statistic, yet he had far less talent on the receiving end of his passes.
That has changed on the off season and that is why they are 9/1 odds to winning the super bowl vs 30/1 for The Falcons lead by the CHOKE.
Need anymore logic?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
1:04 pm
JSS
April 28th, 2010
12:48 pm
“Choke,” I was looking for you all draft day! Why didn’t you chime in? Well Ozzie certainly got Flacco some receivers and targets now. That offense has to carry their weight from jump street… I look forward to seeing if they all come together…
——————————————————
Watching Thomas Dimitroff vs Ozzie Newsome during draft day is like watching Charles Barkley vs Tiger Woods on the gold course.
A big joke and a total waste of time
JSS
April 28th, 2010
1:05 pm
Now “Choke,” Jeff Schultz is right… They (Ravens) were the #3 in total defense. The Ravens were #18 in passing offense, but their average numbers across the board especially completion pct., yak, ints. and yrd per completion were better than the Falcons offense. The San Francisco game skewed the Falcons passing numbers for the season.
JSS
April 28th, 2010
1:07 pm
Barkley-v-Woods, that is downright cold
I mean COLD!
Joe
April 28th, 2010
1:07 pm
I hope the hawks don’t re-sign Joe Johnson he needs to go somewhere else they will never win a championship with Joe Johnson. The Hawks need a vocal leader Joe is not a vocal leader maybe we can Amare Stoudemire to go along with Al Horford and pick up somebody else to help out.
JSS
April 28th, 2010
1:09 pm
“Choke,” Enjoy the off season! You and the Falcons fan are going to have a lot to talk about it seems!
Andyman
April 28th, 2010
1:09 pm
don – Regarding Teixeira, Drew, Andrus, Feliz, Wainwright, what do they have to do with Wren exactly? If you’re talking about the trades with Texas and St. Louis, he didn’t make those trades.
M Red
April 28th, 2010
1:18 pm
Only a fool like schultz would compare nl stats to al. Of course he’s going to get rocked in the al. Look how Roy is dominating the NL much more than he did the al. He will not lose more than 2 games. It’s one month. Give him time. But the idiot schultz goes by what happens in 4 starts. Nice journalism. What I expect from a stupid liberal.
Firearm
April 28th, 2010
1:21 pm
Wren right about Vasquez? More like Ozzie Guillen was right about Vasquez.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2010
1:23 pm
“Najeh — Well, that’s an interesting discussion. Sign and trades involving Joe-and-Wade. OK. Let’s take Smith and Horford off the table. Who WOULDN’T you throw into that deal with JJ?”
I would probably throw in anyone else, including Crawford, Bibby, or Teague. Problem is, I don’t think Miami does a deal like that unless the Hawks part with Smith or Horford. And if the Hawks do part with Smith or Horford along with Joe to acquire Wade, I don’t think the team is improved.
On a different note, people who think the Hawks need to part with Joe are out of their damn minds. Yes, watching him go one-on-five is sometimes painful, but the blame for that resides with Woodson. No, he doesn’t show emotions on the court, but not every star does. If the Hawks ran a competent offensive scheme you would see a lot more ball movement and a higher field goal percentage from Joe. Joe may not be LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Durant, or Melo, but he’s the next best thing as far as wing scorers in the NBA are concerned. And considering that the Hawks can’t acquire any of those five realistically, they better do whatever they can to keep Joe.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
1:23 pm
JSS
April 28th, 2010
1:09 pm
“Choke,” Enjoy the off season! You and the Falcons fan are going to have a lot to talk about it seems!
————————————————-
I only have 2 dates on my calendar:
vs The Eagles
vs The Ravens
We will see if that 72-million dollar investment finally pays off in year 3 or will they continue to say………………
He’s still learning although Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez has already taken their teams deep into the playoffs as rookies…………… ha ha
JSS
April 28th, 2010
1:24 pm
@Joe…
I love Amare’s game, but what has he ever won?
Playoffs!?!?
April 28th, 2010
1:31 pm
In defense of Vasquez, he’s had some decent years in the A.L.. Don’t judge him by 4 starts in April. He’ll be just fine as a #4 starter for the Yankees. One positive thing about Vasquez is that he’s a workhorse, never on the DL–200-plus innings every years. Wren should have been a little more patient before trading him, could have got more if he waited.
Wren seems to be a little quick to pull the trigger on trades and that’s hurt the Braves.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
There is no denying that although Ryan may look the part, Flacco statistically outperformed him last year, and while Ryan took a step back statistically from his rookie year, Flacco made significant improvements. And there is also no denying that Flacco did not have the receiving threats that Ryan had — when your running back is your best receiver, that’s a pretty clear indication that weapons are lacking on the offense.
On the flip side, the Falcons faced tougher pass defenses than the Ravens last year (mostly because the Steelers, who play the Ravens twice, were much worse than usual). And while both play in conservative offenses, Ryan is asked to shoulder slightly more of the load than Flacco (he averaged three more pass attempts per game), mostly because his defense doesn’t give him the luxury of leaning on the running game as much as Flacco’s does.
It boils down to this — you can’t look at the existing information and say for certain that one is better now or that one will be better in the future. What you can most definitely say is this: Ryan, recipient of a $72 million contract, is most definitely not worth more than twice as much as Flacco, recipient of a $30 million contract.
keith
April 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
Who cares what schillings opinon is….All he does is bump his gums and acts like he is a hall of fame pitcher…..He was at best a middle of the road guy with great stuff but not great numbers….someone needs to tell him to stfu so please pass along my message to him…
NikkiFree
April 28th, 2010
1:36 pm
You want butts in the seats every night as well as a player that can get the team to the next level? Well, Wade is the answer. Joe Johnson is not!!!
Roy Hobbs
April 28th, 2010
1:41 pm
The Vazquez trade worked out poorly for all involved. The Yankees did not get the pitcher they hoped for, the Braves (or possibly just the refusal to not play Melky) downgraded the lineup, and Javy is clearly unhappy. Lose, Lose, Lose. Hope that young guy we got with Melky pans out.
JSS
April 28th, 2010
1:45 pm
@”Choke”
I had to laugh when pointed out those 2 games… Like I said, enjoy the off season…
By the way, tell me if these numbers mean anything to you?
213
220
199
185
174
281
125
224
262
222
234
303
152
234
214
3,571 passing yards
223.19 per game average
You can throw out 222, 234 and 303. Those performance belong to someone else…
so…
213
220
199
329
185
174
281
125
224
262
152
234
214
2,812 actual whole game yards
175.75 per game passing yards
Interesting when I saw it…
Bill in VA
April 28th, 2010
1:46 pm
SEC Fan, I like your 12:06 post about Tommy G will be GM in ‘11 comment. Braves could do a lot worse. Maybe not in ‘11, but soon!!
Playoffs!?!?
April 28th, 2010
1:47 pm
Roy Hobbs–How do you judge the Vasquez trade in April..It’s a long, long season. Get some perspective!
Jabronie
April 28th, 2010
1:54 pm
This is preposterous. Wren was right dealing Vasquez, but it has nothing to do with his slow start. It was because if he traded Lowe he would have been paying a good part of his salary. Vasquez had the most value, so he was dealt. Its somewhat common knowledge to everyone that its tougher to pitch in the AL because they have a designated hitter. Schilling, master of the obvious, isn’t really breaking new ground here. For the Yankees, they have a guy who is going to pitch 200 innings to help carry the weight of the 3 starters who each pitched over 200 innings and won them a championship (in November, by the way). If Wren was right about Vasquez, was he wrong about Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francour, each off to great starts in the first four weeks? Its April. I think there’s still a few games on the schedule.
Archie
April 28th, 2010
2:02 pm
I think having 14 teams in the AL as opposed to 16 in the NL is also a big advantage for NL pitchers. Everybody plays the same number of total games, so the AL pitchers are playing more games against the same teams while the NL is playing fewer games against more teams. That leads to AL hitters getting more familiarity with the pitchers. NL batters may only see pitchers from other divisions once all season, that may not be the case in the AL… big advantage for AL hitters and NL pitchers.
Plus, the DH has an effect on more than just one spot in the batting lineup, it changes the way the entire batting lineup is put together. With a pitcher in the lineup, you need one of your best .OBP hitters in the 8 spot to get the pitchers to the plate more often and leading off innings less often. In the AL, that same player (and the DH) would be batting in a different spot in the order. Batting orders are simply constructed entirely different.
As for DWade, why on Earth would he NOT want to play for the Hawks? Personally, I think it’s the ideal team for Dwayne Wade. Man for man, the Hawks have the most talented roster in the NBA (in my opinion). Teams like Cleveland, LA, Orlando, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix… they all have one superstar, one sidekick and a whole bunch of interchangeable parts as role players. The Hawks aren’t built that way, they’re built with 5 high talent guys who out class the other teams’ role players but get out classed by the other teams’ stars. If you swapped Joe Johnson for Dwayne Wade, then you’d have a legit superstar who could go toe to toe with any star in the league and 4 teammates on the floor who are all better than any other star player’s 4 teammates, better than Kobe’s, better than LaBron’s, better than Nowitzki’s. That would make the Hawks a powerhouse. However, like all you guys, I just don’t see the Hawks going after a move like that. It would also be a hard sell because we dont have the name brand of the Bulls or Knicks or the hometown sentiment of the Heat.
westy12
April 28th, 2010
2:11 pm
Newsflash: The Braves play in the National League. So, how is it that trading a “phenomenal National League pitcher” for a 5th outfielder and a minor leaguer could possibly be “the right call”? Next, I suppose you’ll tell me the Glaus signing was pure genius.
Mel Kiper
April 28th, 2010
2:12 pm
Seems choke forgot to mention that the Falcons were laughing stock of pro sports before Matt Ryan took over and took them to back to back winning seasons for the first time in team history. Looks like we headed in right direction
TMoney
April 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
Dear AJC Bloggers,
Please do not feed the troll.
Sincerely,
TMoney
Playoffs!?!?
April 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
Not only is Frank Wren too quick to make trades, he’s too quick to release a player (Kelly Johnson). If he didn’t want him, he could have at least got a minor league prospect for him. Arizona obviously wanted him. To quick on dumping Francoeur, c’mon trade him in our own division-? that’s pretty arrogant to think you know he’ll never bounce back–he may haunt us for years. He’s done pretty well since he’s been there–and it’s not just this April.
Last Saturday, he got the game-winning hit. The over/under is 3 on how many times he’ll burn us this year.
Are you over or under?
DeepDiver
April 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
I will say for the 100th time on these here blogs that it is not possible for Wade to come here under the current cap rules. Please someone listen to me.
JSS
April 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
@TMoney…
What are BugKiller or Crabapple Doh around?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
As sad as that 72-million dollar contract is, it is still the rookie contract.
That means that ole Artie has to decide to extend and re-work that contract.
Do you really believe Blank will give him a Peyton or Phillip Rivers type of contract when he has NEVER won a playoff game or made a pro bowl?
The Falcons should have drafted a quarterback that could stretch the field, because in 1 or 2 more seasons, they will have to either give CHOKE an increase or release him.
You guys didn’t think you could use the “he’s still learning” excuse forever did you……………..
I guarantee you Flacco will get an extension from the Ravens before Artie gives money to someone with no playoff wins and championship game appearances.
HA HA HA
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
2:53 pm
TMoney
April 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
Dear AJC Bloggers,
Please do not feed the troll.
Sincerely,
TMoney
——————————————————
Didn’t I see you on the Sci-Fi Channel?
Leprechaun In DA Hood
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
3:01 pm
Let’s be honest, I’m just bitter that Vick is gone. I prefer a QB with completion percentage around 45%, not Ryan’s 60%. Also, I like that Vick threw more INTs than TDs. After all, TDs are way overrated. Mostly, I like that Vick is black. There, it’s out of the bag. I’m a racist, okay? You gotta problem with that?
College playoff may be on agenda for new NCAA president | Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
3:10 pm
[...] ♦ Sunshine time: Dancin’ Falcon; Wren’s move; D-Wade’s exit? [...]
jerry
April 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
Maybe the talent level is up in the AL because Boston has to try and keep up with the Yankees, somebody else has to keep up with Boston, someone else has to keep up with whoever is trying to keep up with Boston, and so forth. Who do you have to keep up with in the NL? The Braves? hahahahaha
mark
April 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
i watch the game on monday and joe looked more like a role player than a star and to be honest with smith needs to put on some muscle and move to the center and let al go to the power forward because al’s jumper looks better than josh’s is just ugly crawford is the real star in my eyes
JSS
April 28th, 2010
3:53 pm
@the Impostor M”C”R
See that is “troll,” Dude be original!
hiramsaint
April 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
matty slush, smitty and blank—- looks like another WINNING season..yipeeeeee!!!
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
3:59 pm
“Choke” … Here’s a link to stats: Ravens were 3rd, Falcons were 21st.
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&conference=ALL&role=OPP&season=2009&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=1&d-447263-n=1
Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
“Choke” — But I’ll give you the numbers on Flacco vs. Ryan. I like Flacco a lot, always have. Time will tell which is the better QB.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
4:18 pm
MIKE VICK CAREER STATS:
Passing tds: 72
Passing int: 52
Rushing tds: 23
Total tds: 95
Rest of stats:
http://www.nfl.com/players/michaelvick/careerstats?id=VIC311467
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
MATT “CHOKE” RYAY CAREER STATS:
Passing tds: 38
Passing int: 25
Rushing tds: 2
Total tds: 40
Rest of stats:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=11237
hiramsaint
April 28th, 2010
4:55 pm
so whats your complaint about matty slush ? he’s the perfect qb for another WINNING season!
JSS
April 28th, 2010
5:18 pm
The real comparison is not between Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan in terms of statistics. Sans the Super Bowl victories, it is between Flacco and what Tom Brady over a 3 year period over the first three years. Flacco is only doing bizarre things that Brady and Roethlisberger have pulled off in the first 2 years as a starter for completions, yardage, and touchdown ratio. Now Ben has been a INT. machine, but he’s a winner on the field. he’s a sleaze off of it. Folks, Matt Ryan has never thrown for 3,500 passing yards. That is a benchmark, Flacco and Brady did so in year 2 (as starters), and the Pittsburgh OB pulled it off in year 3… What Flacco does this year will the line setter for me.
JSS
April 28th, 2010
5:20 pm
“will be the line setter”
JSS
April 28th, 2010
5:35 pm
@HiramSaints
I’m going to compliment Drew Brees (Breesus as you folks call him). His last 5 years were in Graham, Montana and Fouts territory… Not just over 4,000 yds once, but since the day he hit town!
Mitchell
April 28th, 2010
7:09 pm
Curt Schilling is a massive tool. Not to mention a douche.
You knew this would happen though. Everybody could predict Javy would have trouble going back to New York and adjusting to American League hitters and that BS DH.
The Braves couldn’t afford him. It’s as simple as that. Wren shouldn’t get credit for the move even if on the surface it looks like a savvy decision.
Yes, he had a career year but he’s still one of the best in the game. We’d be so much better off with him than Lowe but that’s how it goes these days.
I do like Frank. I’m not hatin’ on him as they say. The made moves last year that gave the team every chance to make the playoffs and Bobby effed it up.
The Braves of July, August and September ‘09 would absolutely murder the current collection of individuals in Braves jerseys. Not even a contest.
Kristeen
April 28th, 2010
7:17 pm
DWADE needs to stay put in Miami. He belongs with that team.
Big Ray
April 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
Here’s the idiocy in the “Flacco vs. Ryan” argument (which shouldn’t exist, but a certain moron just won’t let it go)-
Draft picks are paid according to their draft position. It would have cost us just as much to draft Flacco at #3 as it would have Ryan. We could have waited and drafted Flacco later, but would he have been there when our second turn came around? No. We would have had to trade down to get him, and the possibility still existed that he would have been picked before we could make our pick.
So the whole argument is stupid to begin with.
Flacco had a much better defense to lean on. Ryan did not. Flacco has a stronger arm, that’s about it. If you must remain a flea on Flacco’s jock, why can’t you do it on a Ravens blog? Like Jeff said earlier, too much logic for some people’s tastes…
Big Ray
April 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
I fail to understand why we’re suprised that Ryan doesn’t throw for 4,000 yards on a team that has REPEATEDLY SAID AND PROVEN THAT THEY ARE A RUNNING TEAM .
I’m not making excuses for Ryan, he doesn’t have the stats of some other guys like Flacco. Good for Flacco. The Ravens don’t even play on our side of the League, much less in our division. Ain’t worried about them. The Saints are a different matter. Brees, watch out for the Spoon. He’s got a piece of turf with your name on it, biatch..
hiramsaint
April 28th, 2010
9:01 pm
big ray– i guess you haven’t watched brees but he usually gets rid of the ball before anyone gets to him . how do you figure some rookie is gonna do it. anyway, good luck to the falcons and another WINNING season. they can celebrate again this year like last year by watching the playoffs from thier own comfy sofas
FF Falcon 1
April 28th, 2010
9:36 pm
Matty Ryan will be hurt again this year, and miss 4-5 games. The falcons will be lucky to make the playoffs. They should try to bring back vick as a backup—but it will cost big money.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
Poor Little Ray – ha ha ha
It’s not Flacco’s fault he has a “REAL” gm and not a Belichek left over
Didn’t your mamma tell you if you can’t win an argument, that name calling only makes you appear to be even more irrevelent………. ha ha ha
1, 2, 3 years from now, you will be using the same tired excuses….. ha ha ha
We shall see when the Ravens play the hapless Falcons who the Falcons should have drafted………. ha ha ha
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 28th, 2010
9:59 pm
It has been 6 years since the Falcons……………..
- Won a playoff game
- Won a division title
- Been to the championship game
- Sent their qb to the pro bowl
In Baltimore that is considered being a loser
Pat
April 28th, 2010
10:57 pm
“Najeh — Well, that’s an interesting discussion. Sign and trades involving Joe-and-Wade. OK. Let’s take Smith and Horford off the table. Who WOULDN’T you throw into that deal with JJ?
The only players I would consider untouchable would be Horford, Smith and Crawford. JJ is good, but he’s a Robin and the Hawks desperately need a Batman.
The Braves have officially become an embarassment–not just because of the 8 game losing streak, but because of the lack of focus, apparent desire to actually compete and generally amaturish play.
MitchC
April 28th, 2010
11:52 pm
Jeff, Wren should be fired, bottom line. A team in as deep a funk as the Braves are in has to do something. I was very unhappy tonight when I read that Wren said there are no moves immenent. How long is he going to wait?
As for Vazquez, who knows about that? Maybe he did just have a career season in 09, but, if the Yankees win the World Series in 2010, and the Braves don’t make the playoffs, it wont much matter, will it?
As for the Hawks signing D Wade. I dont know if that will happen. It would be nice, but I see him going somewhere more.. marquee. Maybe.. to the Knicks. (Even though they stink) The Hawks are a solid, young team. Its too bad they havent shown that in the last three games against the Bucks.
I think the Hawks are going down in Game Six, and I think the Braves season is in serious danger of going down the drain, unless they either start hitting, or Wren does something, very, very, soon.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 29th, 2010
1:05 pm
Sorry CHOKE hopefuls – still no playoffs AGAIN
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/385333-2010-nfl-predictions-post-draft
Maybe next year………. ha ha ha
Maxx
April 29th, 2010
5:09 pm
Let JJ go and sign Wade! Fire Woody, hire Mark Jackson, release Bibby and Randolph Morris, trade Marvin for someone like C.J. Watson, draft a 7ft Center like Solomon Alabi or Jerome Jordan, get some quality role players and we’ll be ready to go! Or keep the band together sans Woody, and sign Bosh!
ryan
May 2nd, 2010
8:34 pm
This is why i think D . Wade could end up in the ATL reason 1 he wants to make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs and the Hawks have done that in 3 seasons reason 2 Rick Sund might be able to pull a sign and trade deal with Joe Johnson. Reason 3 D. Wade would not have to be the main guy if he came here. So can happen!