LIVE: Falcons look to improve (and top Chipper bobbleheads)
Chipper, the Bobblehead
Julio, the Falcon
A.J., the Bengal
Of all the dilemmas facing Atlanta sports fans in the past, I can’t imagine anything equals this one: What should command more attention — Chipper Jones Bobblehead Night at Turner Field or a meeting of the NFL’s two great young receivers, Julio Jones and A.J. Green, at the Georgia Dome?
Let’s break this down:
• Bobbleheads: OK, it would be a cool memory from Jones’ final season, at least until your kid knocks it off the desk and breaks it. But after the giveaway, it’s really only a game against the Padres. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’ll score it an 8.5.
• Falcons’ Julio Jones vs. Cincinnati’s A.J. Green: Tonight’s game is a mere NFL exhibition. The real impact is zero (barring injuries). The entertainment value drops off when the starters leave (which tonight will be early second quarter). But Jones was dazzling last week against Baltimore: 6 receptions, 109 yards, a touchdown. Green, the former Georgia star, is coming off a season in which he had 65 catches for 1,057 yards and became the first rookie receiver to make the Pro Bowl since 2003. Score: 7.
I’m at the Dome. I figured it would be easier to write a column off a game than a bobblehead.
There’s actually a few things I’m looking forward to watching tonight (besides Jones and Green):
• 1) The Falcons’ defense: This could the topic of tonight’s column. The backups collapsed last week against Baltimore (31-17 loss after a 17-7 lead). Yes, these are only practice games, nobody schemes opponents and statistics don’t matter. That said, it’s not easy to make Curtis Painter (three second-half touchdown passes) look like Y.A. Tittle. Starters are expected to play longer tonight than in the Baltimore game.
• 2) The backup quarterbacks: It was a little surprised the Falcons didn’t bring in somebody new to compete for the backup job with Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson. There’s a good chance Dominique Davis will stick as the No. 3 on the practice squad, unless somebody else pops free when teams start making roster cuts.
• 3) Kickoff and punt returns: Actually, I’m not really going to watch that closely. I just wanted an excuse to stir the pot and ask: Why don’t the Falcons go after Olympic sprinter Jeff Demps? The former Florida receiver is expected to sign with an NFL team soon and could be a dynamic addition on special teams (and as a fourth receiver). But I don’t expect it to happen.
OK, that’s it for now. I’ll take any of your questions on the game and bobbleheads. The cyber-venting lines are open.
By Jeff Schultz
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550 comments Add your comment
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 16th, 2012
9:18 pm
Damn CHOKE looks like Rudolph his face is so red….he must be telling playoff win lies again…ha ha
Jimmy Crack
August 16th, 2012
9:19 pm
Okay, that’s enough of the starters please.
kerryb
August 16th, 2012
9:19 pm
At least he makes it to the playoffs. Mike Vick didn’t. He choked the whole season last year.
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:20 pm
Coffman, get that 86 off your back, that number is hexed!!!
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:20 pm
Now #45 (Polite) looks like a fullback. I hope that guy becomes our starter.
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:21 pm
Bosher on the roids!!!
Jeff Schultz
August 16th, 2012
9:21 pm
Looks like one more series for No. 1 defense, but No. 2 offense/Redman will be in next time.
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:21 pm
One guy that is really impressing me is Matt Bosher. Guy is one of the better kickers/punters in the league.
Jew
August 16th, 2012
9:21 pm
Why do I feel like Matt Choke Ryan is a kid playing on this forum. It looks like he is trying to get attention.
FALKONS
August 16th, 2012
9:22 pm
Wow did I just hear Ray Edwards name being called????
Jeff Schultz
August 16th, 2012
9:22 pm
SirReal — “Aj Green= GROWN MAN. Julio Jones= GROWN MAN. Both are gonna be greats in this league. They can both do different things. Green is a speedy wonder who torched our D. Jones is a physical specimen who runs THRU others’ D.
”
Bingo. It’s stupid to bang on either one of these guys. They’re both great.
FALKONS
August 16th, 2012
9:23 pm
What Ray Edwards again!!!!!! Are you kidding me!
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:23 pm
Ray looking all world against 2nd unit line
Nique
August 16th, 2012
9:23 pm
Dr J we beat KC in week one & if you didn’t know, Poe has been a disappointment, he’s currently running with the 3rd team D!
Jeff Schultz
August 16th, 2012
9:23 pm
JSS — will get a mention in this column … Not sure how much they’ve missed though other than the facemask.
explosive fullback
August 16th, 2012
9:23 pm
A very polite touchdown.
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:23 pm
Falcons might be fine if they finetune a few things. Tweak a few things here and there on the O-line and some coverage woes. But if we tweak it, we should be fine.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 16th, 2012
9:24 pm
kerryb
August 16th, 2012
9:19 pm
At least he makes it to the playoffs. Mike Vick didn’t. He choked the whole season last year.
_________________________________________
And you are marveloussssssssssssssss…..ha ha
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:24 pm
@ Nique, I’m a Falcon fan. Nobody wants to seem them go 16-0 more than me.
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:25 pm
Frankooooooooooooooooo-de ouchie!!!
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:26 pm
Dang that hurt
Sly Boarders
August 16th, 2012
9:26 pm
Can you imagine if the falcons had taken glen Dorsey…I bet this game wouldn’t be on tv tonight. Shoot, they might have been the LA Falcons.
SirReal
August 16th, 2012
9:27 pm
Yeah Jeff….pretty much how I see it with those two my friend!!!
kerryb
August 16th, 2012
9:28 pm
Rodgers is a little bowling ball.
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:28 pm
Jaquizz Rodgers = Warrick Dunn
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 16th, 2012
9:29 pm
kerryb
August 16th, 2012
9:28 pm
Rodgers is a little bowling ball.
___________________________________________
And you are marvelousssssssssssssssss…..ha ha
Jimmy Crack
August 16th, 2012
9:30 pm
This team is fine. We just need all of our guys to stay healthy despite the owners’ greediness at playing 4 games instead of two.
Nique
August 16th, 2012
9:30 pm
I hope Chase makes some plays tonight & stands out, I’d love for him to make our squad!
DawgNole
August 16th, 2012
9:31 pm
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:08 pm
Don’t worry about “Choke”. Ignore him and he’ll fade away.
________________
He only fades away when the Falcons win, so you may be stuck with him for awhile.
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:31 pm
Oh wow. Redman sucks but great play by Douglas.
Really?
August 16th, 2012
9:32 pm
Leave it to a trade school chump to drop that.
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:32 pm
Lucky…
falCANS
August 16th, 2012
9:32 pm
What happened to Chris Owens?? Any way cant wait to see franks!! HDtv #83 lets go baby
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:32 pm
@DawgNole, please remind me when the Falcons haven’t won or had a winning season? Thank you come again.
SirReal
August 16th, 2012
9:32 pm
Redman sucks…
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:33 pm
Man, Vince… What is wrong with you?
Really?
August 16th, 2012
9:34 pm
AJ is awesome but Julio made some manly catches tonight.
FALKONS
August 16th, 2012
9:34 pm
I really like Harry D, but I think he has regressed a little. He should be making plays easily with Roddy and Julio in the game at the same time! maybe its the injury! Clearly Rodgers will be carrying the ball more than Turner this year. He is more versital, faster, and creates the element of suprise because you dont know if the play is a pass or run.
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:35 pm
Isn’t Owens banged up?
SirReal
August 16th, 2012
9:36 pm
Really? Yeah Mr. Green posterized Asante but Julio ran through the whole Bengal secondary. As Jeff and I discussed a minute ago, BOTH are gonna be greats in this league. I love Julio but Aj Green is my guy too.
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:37 pm
Jeff Schultz, the only danger with Julio besides his propensity to get dinged, is that he pulls a Sterling Sharpe trying to punish someone on a “manly” catch…
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:37 pm
I’d take Rodgers over Turner anyday.
Dr J
August 16th, 2012
9:38 pm
Matt Bosher is a MAN. Best kicker/punter in the league!
kerryb
August 16th, 2012
9:38 pm
Except for that one play to Green the defense has played good tonight.
FALKONS
August 16th, 2012
9:38 pm
So the second string D got embarrassed last week, they are playing better tonight.
Big Crimson 75
August 16th, 2012
9:38 pm
Cincy’s a good team.
Our front line guys won again.
Turner better wake up. This Team looks better with Quizz.
Lakewood
August 16th, 2012
9:40 pm
I thought Matt looked great tonight. The question is if we struggle with the run (which with Turner’s 3 carries for -3 yards looks like we will quite often) can he be effective throwing 40+ times in the regular season & being the focal point? I also love Julio’s physical style I just pray he can stay healthy.
kerryb
August 16th, 2012
9:40 pm
Most of the starters are still in there on D. This is not the 2nd team
JSS
August 16th, 2012
9:40 pm
Dr. J, have you seen the Raiders kickers?
FALKONS
August 16th, 2012
9:42 pm
For what its worth, the Falcons defense just looks like they know what they want to do. they look lined up properly and they look aggressive. They will give up a play here or there but i like what Nolan has done so far!