Bradley’s Buzz: A rosy consensus emerges on the Falcons
A team grows in Flowery Branch
In ESPN.com’s first power ratings of the 2009 season — technically, the 2009 season doesn’t begin for three months, but haven’t we learned that pro football is a year-round sport? — its panel of analysts pegs the Falcons as the NFL’s 11th-best team. (Thanks to reader Anthony Burnette for the tip.) But the Worldwide Leader didn’t become the Worldwide Leader by letting it go at that.
Each voter — there are 12, meaning ESPN has more NFL analysts than the number of players any NFL team can field at any given time — has his ballot broken down, and here’s where it gets interesting. Eleven put the Falcons between No. 7 and No. 13 in the 32-team league. The exception is esteemed former colleague Len Pasquarelli, who has the Falcons 20th.
The same Pasquarelli ranks Carolina No. 3, and the Panthers, who finished one spot above the Falcons overall, generated the widest spread of any team. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. had them 24th. Five of the 12 panelists rated the Falcons atop the NFC South.
Loading ...Bottom line: With New Orleans (No. 16 overall) and Tampa Bay (No. 27) not really figuring, the Falcons would seem to stand a good chance of winning their division. Which they’ve done only three times in their 43 years of existence.
And where, you’re asking, did ESPN rank the Falcons a year ago? Last in the league. Three spots behind Detroit, which finished 0-16.
From one Hokie to another Hokie
One forme Falcon went on John Thompson’s Washington D.C. radio show and was asked about a soon-to-be former Falcon. Of fellow Virginia Tech product Michael Vick, DeAngelo Hall said this, according to Sports Radio Interviews:
“I definitely think he deserves another chance to play in this league. I definitely think he can play. There’s a lot of quarterbacks that have jobs that don’t want to see him back in the league because they know that any time you have teams in divisions drafting players just to stop Michael Vick, that’s when you know the guy’s a game changer and help you win a lot of games.”
A likely Vick destination? San Francisco, said Hall, who’s now with Washington and who briefly played in the Bay Area himself.
Anybody got an outfielder for sale?
According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Braves aren’t yet talking trade. (Link requires registration.) I spoke with GM Frank Wren yesterday — the fruits, so to speak, of that labor should be appearing on this blog within hours — and he said he “didn’t see any trade happening really quickly” but admitted his club has a clear offensive need.
More from Olney: “The market of quality corner outfielders available is very thin. Most who are available are seen as either too risky or too expensive.” Also this: “The Matt Holliday sweepstakes have not yet begun.”
Further down his list of links, Olney drops another name that we Atlantans will hear often between now and July 31st — Colorado right fielder Brad Hawpe. (Talking with the Denver media crew last week, their feeling was that he’ll be available.) But, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Hawpe has a funny contract: He’s signed through 2011, but if he’s traded he can void the final year and become a free agent after the 2010 season.
Oh, and here’s the link to esteemed former colleague Gordon Edes’ report on Yahoo! Sports that the Red Sox are scouting Jeff Francoeur. Boston’s reasoning: Their starting right fielder (J.D. Drew) has been hurting, and so has his backup (Rocco Baldelli). And that’s the way of the lopsided baseball world: The Braves can’t find three decent starting outfielders, while the Red Sox are shopping for a third-stringer in right.
Hawks on the ol’ draft clock
In his second NBA mock draft, Chad Ford of ESPN.com has the Hawks taking North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson (requires registration) with the 19th pick. (Last week Ford had them taking point guard Jeff Teague of Wake Forest.) Me, I think the Hawks would be delighted to find Lawson there when they select — delighted and shocked.
For purposes of comparison, Draft Express has the Hawks choosing Eric Maynor of VCU, while NBAdraft.net still goes with B.J. Mullens, the center from Ohio State.
The Evil Genius leaves L’il Kiffy agape!
Here’s a great item from Matt Hayes of Sporting News Today, one of many who covered the SEC meetings in Destin, Fla., hoping for just such a sight: Steve Spurrier and Lane Kiffin waiting for an elevator, Spurrier turning and pointing to Kiffin, who …
Just click the link. You won’t be disappointed.
Late addition! BrewDawg takes over the Buzz!
Faithful correspondent BrewDawg and I see the John Smoltz issue differently. He thinks the Braves did the guy wrong, and I respectfully disagree. But BrewDawg has gone to the trouble to compile a list of links regarding Smoltz’s second rehab start, and I’d be a crumb if I didn’t post them up top in proper Buzz format.
So here, from Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe, is a recap of Smoltz’s outing in Manchester, N.H., and here, from Dave D’Onofrio of the Concord Monitor, is a look at a possible complication: Young Clay Buchholz is tearing it up in Class AAA and might warrant a call-up ahead of Smoltz. And here, from FoxSports.com, is a report about two unnamed scouts who weren’t impressed with Smoltz on Tuesday.
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75 comments Add your comment
brewdawg
May 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
One more thing, after reading up a little, the Bosox have a similar situation with John Smoltz/Clay Buchholz as the Braves do with Tom Glavine/Tommy Hanson. Remarkably similar.
Baba O'Riley
May 28th, 2009
1:39 pm
What about McCann’s Mechanics?
gayle
May 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
The Falcons and Braves offers a real contradiction in style.
The Falcons have gone from disaster to contender in two short years, the Braves have made mediocraty an art form. I venture that an examination of these two franchises might make for some compelling reporting and enlightening perspective. Just consider some of the more prominent comparisons……..
Ownership – A very visible and active owner vs. an out of town, uninvolved, bottom line driven corporation.
Loyalty – rather than make difficult moves that will help the franchise in the long run, the Braves stick with players, coaches and most significantly MANAGERS whose contributions to the team are mostly behind them. If someone on the Falcons is not performing to expectations, they’re gone.
Accountability – No one is accountable on the Braves, except maybe injuries, a ball hit where they ain’t, a bad call by an umpire – a whole host of excuses. Falcons? See above.
Fan support – Fan support is a barometer of how the team is viewed and accepted in its home town. Last year, I believe the Falcons sold out most if not all of their home games. The Braves attendance has declined steadily over the past several years.
Performance – the Braves have not been in the post season since 2005. They have not won a post season series since 2001, they have not won a Championship since 1995. Their crowning achievement is making it to the post-season for 14 straight years (forget 1994). How crowning is that “prize” when you have but one title to show for it even though you had three bona-fide Hall of Fame pitchers in your rotation? The Falcons rose from the ashes of the Vick disaster to make the playoffs with their rookie coach, quarterback and general manager.
The Braves persist in this mediocraty where their success is not based on being a successful winning franchise, but merely by making the playoffs. There is so much dead wood on this team that a bonfire is needed to remove it. Until such time that ownership pretends they care and that same attitude filters down through the ranks, this will forever be a .500, third place team.
Mark Bradley
May 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
Let’s not go overboard on Braves vs. Falcons. The Braves won 14 consecutive division titles and the one World Series. The Falcons haven’t managed consecutive winning seasons.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
3:53 pm
Just a note: On the Falcons main headlines page, the story “Rating the ‘09 Team” links to “Falcons CB Middleton injured in practice” instead.
Mark Bradley
May 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
Thanks, Big Mac. I’ll alert the proper authorities.
rfsbkr
May 28th, 2009
4:53 pm
the Hawks drafted a point guard 2 years ago. problem is, they haven’t developed him, nor given him a real chance.
Turtsnap
May 28th, 2009
4:58 pm
What confuses me about the Panthers is that….. after the monumental collapse of Delhomme in the playoffs, they extended his contract?? I mean, he didn’t just have a bad game, it was downright awful!!!
The Grinch
May 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
Turtsnap, I’ll go one further. It may have been the worst playoff performance by a QB ever. Reminds me of when Neil O’Donnell (a QB who made a career out of handing off and trying not to screw up a good run game by passing) single-handedly lost the superbowl for Pittsburgh when he tried to pass and was immediately signed to a fat contract by the Jets in the offseason. Good organizations don’t do that. IMO the Panthers are a perennial 8-8 team that seem to catch good breaks for some unknown reason.
Darrin "The Vent King"
May 28th, 2009
5:33 pm
Ole Len Wrongarelli done bumped his head, but hey what else is new? I DEFINITELY believe we are going to be wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than the Carolina Panties as long as “Jacqueline” Delhomme is their QB and really I (and I HATE to say this) think N.O. is going to be more of a challenge to us in this division than any other team in the NFC South. Either way, with the way we were predicted to finish 33rd out of 32 teams last year I say let them keep predicting doom- it’s going to make it that much sweeter when we win the division next season!
GO FALCONS
mike addington
May 28th, 2009
6:22 pm
The only person I was more happy to see leave town than Len Pasquarelli was Dave Kindred. May they both . ..
Green Tea
May 28th, 2009
6:26 pm
Mike, Terry Moore didn’t make your top 2?? I’m a huge Moore hater, he’s in my book by far the #1.
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
6:45 pm
We’re closer to #3 than Carolina!
Pasquarelli has a touch of dementia it seems…
rms
May 28th, 2009
7:52 pm
me thinks the hawks too stupid to pick lawson even if he fell in their lap. They would prefer a Euro player nobody ever heard of that is “long and athletic”
pete nose
May 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
The Falcons will win 7 games and lose 9. they have no defence.no back to back wining seasons here.
HGN
May 29th, 2009
8:45 am
I think the Falcons upcoming season and power ratings rest on team health. If they can get healthy ( Trey Lewis ; Abraham ; and Baker) and stay healthy, they have a good chance of going 9-7. They gave up a lot of experience this past off season in letting Grady Jackson, Lawyer Milloy, Boley, Foxworth and Brooking go, but gained speed and youth in Peria Jerry, William Moore and Nicholas. The schedule is a lot tougher and we’re not going to sneak up on anybody this season either , but I think these younger and faster guys are good enough to get us to 9-7 or 10-6.
Andre
May 29th, 2009
11:33 am
Hey,has anyone noticed ever since that super bowl run the Panthers had in 04, everyone has loved them in media.ESPN has had them in the top-5 or 10 ever since that year. And what they do NOTHING!!!!! I’m so tired of this.It’s time for them to see that the Panthers are not that good. Sure there defense is good, sure they have one of the best players in the league(S.Smith). Sure they running game is great , Sure there o-line is good. Sure the Panthers could be great but the reason why they stay ”good” is what holds every good team becoming great, a QB. And after hearing that they signed that guy to a longer deal. They are going to stay the Overrated, never going to the super bowl, have all the players but don’t have the missing piece Carliona Panthers. Oh, and Panthers fans I almost forgot get use to seeing Matt Ryan and Falcons winning the divison and winning Super Bowls for city of Atlanta. Sorry I can’t say the same for Carliona. Good Day.
steve
May 29th, 2009
3:32 pm
this is the year the nfl will establish which division is the best. With the NFC south playing the NFC east.
G-Man
May 29th, 2009
10:54 pm
The experts are entitled to their opinions / predictions / expert analysis. Remember, some anticipated our Bulldogs to win the National Championship, and….well we are all familiar with that story… I actually anticipate the Dogs to have a possible Championship, if not win it all type of year this particular season. The Falcons on the other hand have the 4th toughest schedule in the NFL this year. Not to mention that the element of surprise will not be an advantage of theirs this year. I believe that they will do fine. Matt Ryan might lead us to a Championship in years to come, but it won’t be easy. The Braves (I believe) will have a stronger conclusion then introduction. They are still trying to establish their identity. We have to stick behind our teams. Dallas was not Dallas overnight. Neither were the Patriots. I remember Chicago having their lunch back in 85 (I think). Defense will have to be consistent this year if we will have a winning season. I cannot stress defense enough!!! Who thought at the beginning of the year, our Falcons would live us hungry and desperate and waiting with great anticipation. I believe that their experience in Arizona last year will factor into this year. They almost won it. Also, remember the Hawks vs. Boston last season? They carried that same momentum into a new year and had great success! Hopefully, the Falcons can do the same, they will. In conclusion, Atlanta will never be respected until we win the big games / the Championships. From the Bulldogs, to the Yellow Jackets, to the Falcons, Hawks, Braves, and Thrashers… Our city has had a negative attachment to it when it comes to sports for so long. Let’s show our support and hope that they can turn some things around. Go Atlanta!!!!
Fred
May 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
Mr. Bradley, we all await your thoughts on the issue of domestic violence issues that seem to plague Falcon players….There was Boley…then Turner and now Ojinnaka. Is this type behavior acceptable to Mr. Blank? What is the team doing to address this amongst its players? Is there immediate punishment meted out or does it matter at all?
truth-serum
May 31st, 2009
1:44 pm
VICK RULES!!!!
Anderson
June 1st, 2009
11:48 am
With all due respect,MB, Len Pasquerrelli may be an “esteemed colleague” of yours, but he has a hard on for the Falcons. Has for years and apparently still do. I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing something happened between him and the Falcons organization when he worked here.
I’ve read LP’s articles for the past several years on espn.com as well as when he would be called upon for analysis by 790thezone. He rarely,if ever,has had anything positive to say about the Falcons.
I do have a positive feeling about the Falcons this year. Nothing lasts forever. I think this is the year the team gets past The Curse (never having consecutive winning seasons). Only time will tell.
Truth-serum
June 2nd, 2009
10:46 am
IS THIS ARTICLE STILL ON ITS FIRST PAGE OF POSTS? HUMMM… GOT ANY MORE FREE TICKETS LIKE YOU HAD LAST YEAR DURING THE PLAYOFF HAHAHHAHA RUN?
VICK RULES!!!!
Bigeasy830
June 2nd, 2009
2:34 pm
The Falcons will go 4-12, they suck, lets see how rosy things be in December for them.
mars
June 3rd, 2009
5:11 pm
mryan, I said it once and I’ll say it again. “Matthew Ice” sounds like something you would hear from a tight butted asst. principal or church youth director trying to ‘hang with the young people.’ Just stop it, please!
I keep hearing that the Falcons play a tougher schedule this year. I thought they played against NFL teams every game last year, as well. My bad.
Vick Rule #1– Always wear your fashonable ankle bracelet when going out in public.
Vick rule #2– Take SNL’s advice and hire a ‘weed guy’ for your posse. Really.
Vick rule #3– Occasionally study a playbook, so that potential employers will at least think you are paying attention.
etc.,etc.
Bigeasy830, considering your blog name, I would assume that you are very familiar with suck. Go Aints!