All-Football Friday! The questions facing the Falcons

Story tips

‘Scuse me, pardon me, socccer crowd coming through

Visiting Premier League glamor boys Chelsea come to the United States to play friendlies, meaningless pre-season games. In Seattle, they sold out Safeco, 64,000 people. In Los Angeles, they and Inter Milan drew 81,000 people. In Baltimore tonight, the game is sold out. Who says the US isn’t soccer-friendly? Is this an aberration, or a sign that under the right circumstances Americans actually *gasp* enjoy soccer?

A Rose by any other name would stink as foul.

The vast majority of college football fans want a playoff. The vast majority of college football players want a playoff. Even some conference commissioners want a playoff. So why isn’t there a playoff? Money, of course. And who’s the grittiest defenders of the status quo? Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany.. Why? Because of the Rose Bowl. Why hasn’t anyone made a big deal out of the fact that the Rose Bowl is the single biggest obstacle to a playoff? Why haven’t they been portrayed as the heavy in the ongoing game of money muscle that’s determining the future of college football?

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…they have made a big deal of the Rose Bowl keeping the whole system down – under what rock have you been living? And, what’s that got to do with the topic at hand?

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correction 12-4

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question overload. My eyes were spinning just reading the blog.

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Key to making it to 10-6 is no injuries to Ryan and Turner and few injuries on the OL, where depth is extremely thin.

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Answers Facing the Falcons:

Loaded at offensive skill positions. LOADED. Think about this, you have possibly the best TE and FB in the NFL, a Top 5 RB, a Top 5 QB, a Top 5 WR, and potential Top 5 Number 3 WR in Harry Douglas. Pair that with a solid number 2 WR with good speed and you may have the most talent of any team in the league. Oh, and Norwood is lightning fast.

Culture. The Falcons have done a great job of creating a winning atmosphere where people want to come to work. This attracts not only Free Agents, but has let us keep people in house.

The NFL Draft. You draft the best DT and possibly the best Safety in the draft and are still able to fill needs and get a potential super star rush end, you have done well.

Coaching Staff. Look at their resumes. 2 guys with headcoaching experience and another Van Gorder who may get a look one day. Every year we keep these guys together is a blessing.

Defensive Speed and “Meanness”. Not sure meanness is a word, but I think these dudes are going to be mean. The overall speed on this team is much better, hopefully giving us a chance to run more stuff down and cause some turnovers.

Kicking Game. Best Punter in the league. One of the best field goal kickers of all time.

Whats not to like?

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RE: Matt Ryan; The kid was making his 4th read as a ROOKIE. Mike Vick wasn’t making his 2nd read as a 5-year Pro Bowl veteran.

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HEY BRADY HOW COME U NEVER TLAK ABOUT DA DAWGS? I THING U R A HATER

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Here mike, here’s 80 million dollars, enjoy the best America has offer………no, I think I’ll go kill dogs and hang with my homies……………..people make their own decisions and live by them. He got off light.

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Why do the Falcons play so many team this year after their opponent’s week off.
Conspiracy anyone?

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Bigeasy is right. The NFL secretly helped Ryan accell with the Falcons just to make Vick look even worse so they could justify turning their backs on him. Blank was behind this and with his money, he had no problems paying off the NFL. Now that last year is over, don’t expect Ryan to do anything but cry like the wittle baby he is!

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And I thought my conspircay was a little nutty.

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I just hope you are right Bradley!!!….

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Maybe MB is worn out blogging with the two arch rivals rabid fans.

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The offense will be better but I’m worried the defense will be worse.

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You nailed it MB. Is Jerry going to be a holdout?

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I am wondering if TD didn’t clean house just a bit too much with the defense.

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Robert Barron, I am not a Saints fan. I was born and raised in South GA. I use to be a Falcons fan, but have always been partial to the Steelers since they were the dominant team back when I first feel in love with football. But, I do believe that the Saints will give Carolina a run for their money in the South this year. If Greg Williams can influence that defense and the Saints D rank 14 or 15 out of 32 teams, then the Saints will win the South. The Falcons are “done son”, stick a fork in them. Monty Kiffin exposed Matt Ryan in the last Tampa Game. This is a copy cat league, after that the rest of the teams did the same. Matt Ryan needed to spend time improving his armstrength, watching film can’t help him improve that, and that is his weakness. Matt Ryan will play and be a bust like Danny Wuerffel if he did not improve that armstrength.

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By the way, I think quarterback Matt “Red” Ryan will not suffer a sophomore slump.

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First, get off of Vick”s jock. Second, he is no longer a Falcon and will never be back. Third, if you guys think the Falcons are going to be 4-12 then let me tell you they have free rehab for that kind of a problem. Falcons 11-5.

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Big easy. You were a Falcons fan first? Sure sounds like a nasty divorce.

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the falcons will go 14 and 2 and win the nfc south and the super bowl

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“The NFL secretly helped Ryan accell(sic) with the Falcons just to make Vick look even worse so they could justify turning their backs on him. Blank was behind this and with his money, he had no problems paying off the NFL. Now that last year is over, don’t expect Ryan to do anything but cry like the wittle baby he is!”
Right. Just like they planeted evidence at Vick’s home to get him into even more trouble. Because we all know that the NFL hates it when people make money for them. Michael Vick actually got less than he deserved. Anyone who forces dogs to fight each other should be thrown to those very same dogs.

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Speaking of reality, is there really a Saints fan acting knowledgeable about winning? 8-8! We are great!

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You’re a broken record dude. How about we talk midseason and see who has it right.

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Why do people come on boards just to say stuff that dont even make sense with the obvious intention of saying something negative just to try and get a reaction? but i digress……
what i have a problem with is reading columnist and local sports guys asking if Roddy is going to cause a problem regarding his contract. Why do you guys bring up something that has never remotely been an issue with a player? Roddy has never been anything but professional and (to my knowledge) has given no indication of ever being a problem. Just to randomly wonder something with no basis makes no sense.
Do you wonder if Turner will complain if he gets less touches? Why throw Roddy out there like that just to see if it sticks?

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Mark, I can’t think of an important Falcon question you don’t ask here. One answer pops out: please remember that Ryan wasn’t the quarterback in the last third of the season that he was in the first two-thirds. He made more mistakes, and missed more throws. Let’s temper our expectations a bit, and be pleasantly surprised.

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Chix, if MB didn’t irritate us, the blog would not keep going for long.

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The Falcons just need to avoid being the 2008 Jaguars, just pray SI doesn’t have Super Bowl predictions for ATL

10-6 seems right on the money

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I don’t think we’ll need to pray concerning that; maybe during the games but not about predictions to the superbowl.

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Mark, don’t you think Ryan’s slight decline toward the end of the season could have been due to the fact that he also had to endure the rigors of the Combine and individual workouts in addition to mini camps, training camp, and regular season? The first two have been eliminated, so that drain won’t be a part of the equation. He’ll be even better this year.

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Pretty good Fly though a bit long.

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Maybe I’m covered for Mark while he takes a restroom break. Or maybe after a week of blogging, he’s blogged out and ready for the weekend.

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All the questions needed to be asked on a blog; otherwise most of us wouldn’t get going on something or another.

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By the way Mark, have a good weekend. You do have the weekend off, don’t you or is it a 7 day a week job?

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Bigeasy830…..Man you make alot of dumb people proud every time you type something.

For a while now I thought by your blog name (bigEASY830) you where a street walker living in New Orleans. Now I’ve come to realize you are really a 12 year old with braces thinking how cool you are by typing obvious stupidity on an AJC web site. Go eat your go-gurt and play with your transformers. Shame on you little kid!!!

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Mark what were your scores for fans agreeing with you today. I see your Falcon score was 64%.

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Matt Ryan’s arm is not the strongest in the league but I would argue he is among the best with accuracy. Cut the man some slack after all this was his rookie season. All the man did was put up some very respectable numbers during his rookie campaign and he displayed leadership that I have never seen at such a young age. Big Ben did the exact same thing if you can recall during his first season but I guess you called Big Ben out on that one to. Bigeasy I’m sure they are missing you over on the Steeler’s fair weather fans message boards so please take that garbage to the curb.

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Why do the Vick lovers hate Matt Ryan, Arthur Blank, and the Falcons? Mike Vick is the only fool, he sealed his own fate. You Vick lovers are showing your true colors.

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Just trying to help out.

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UGA_B… I like your optimism, though your name reflects your knowledge of football. Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner, and Donnovan McNabb are all better than Ryan right now. So that eliminatees him as a Top 5 quarterback. I like Matt Ryan as much as anybody, but to lump a guy into a top 5 category because of one year is a stretch.

Read above about Michael Turner. He seems like he’ll be fine. But will last year’s work load hinder him at all? Will the O-line hold up as well as it did last year, with seemingly no talent but still able to provide results?

BJ Raji was the best DT in the draft. It’s why he was the first taken. I’m not saying he’ll turn out better, but if you could trade Jerry for Raji right now, the Falcons would.

William Moore is said to be an athetic freak. He’s also said to be very mindless at times, often blowing assignments. Jimmy Williams, you’ll remember, was a guy that had the body of an NFL safety. He’s now out of a job.

Coaching staff… if I do what you tell me and look at their resumes, there isn’t much there. Not for the GM, not the head coach, not the D-coordinator. Mularkey has a history of success. Outside of that, we’re basing this on one year. Right now we say Mike Smith is one of the best coaches in football — how much does your opinion change if he finishes 6-10 this year and Ryan has a sophomore slump? I’m with Bradley on this — we all at one time thought Jim Mora was a great find.

All in all, I hope you’re right. But I think you’re probably a bit overly optimistic with this whole thing. I’ve looked at the schedule and think the Falcons can finish 10-6. But if they finished 8-8 — there’s quite a few tough games on there — I’d be disappointed, but not shocked.

Let’s go, Falcons. Kill that 43 year-old curse, finish with a winning record, and make a run in the playoffs.

Keep in mind: We’re still young, minus a couple of main players (TG and JA).

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Tell the AJC not to cut the Sports page anymore. Without it, many of us wouldn’t pay.

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Mark, you’re pretty right-on with your questions.
With Abe, JA98, Davis, Sidbury, and Biermann – I think the DE position will be a strength. The DT rotation could be much improved if Lewis, and maybe Walker, show they can be good additions to Babs and Jerry.

We’ll see how TC goes, but I wouldn’t be suprised if TD has his eye out for a quality OLB, CB, or O-lineman if one were to become available.

Unless TBrown, or someone else, can show they are that much better — I
think Norwood should continue to return KO’s and Douglas the PR’s. These are potential big plays throughout the game that the Falcons need to capitalize on.

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Mark. He is the REAL DEAL! He obviously has talent. But here is what he also posseses: (1) A strong work ethic (2) A desire to get better (3) he is smart (cannot be overstated) (3) a commitment to excellence (4) a realization that he is the face of a franchise and takes it seriously. There will be NO sophmore jinx- if defenses make adjustments, he will be ahead of the curve. I know that I am a homer (lifelong Falcons fan) but I would take Ryan over ANY qb in the league(ANY- based upon age and learning potential)

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Bigeasy, you are hilarious. I don’t know if you are a Saints fan or not, but for you to defy logic the way you did in the above posts and then pretend you don’t have an anti-Falcon bias is amazing.

Let me introduce you to a little thing I call “statistics”. In the final 4 games of the season, Ryan’s so called “slump”, he won 3 of 4 games. In the one game he lost, he threw for 315 yards, his highest single game passing yardage of the season. His season passer rating was 72.8… over the final 4 games, his passer rating was 72.9. His production not only didn’t dip, it actually went UP slightly. All you are doing is pointing to a couple of select statistics and judging Ryan based on those. But when you look at the big picture, your argument falls apart. In terms of the things people most want desire of their QB – leading the team to wins and good QB ratings – Ryan didn’t have an “end of season” crash.

If my QB is playing “average” and leading his team to wins 75% of the time, then why exactly would I feel bad about that? Oh, and by the way, he’s a rookie who had never played in more than 11 or 12 games in a season. As he adapts to the rigors of the NFL and gets smarter and more experienced, his production will only go up. Is it possible he’ll be a bust? Sure, it’s possible. But if you are going to make that argument, you have to rely on what you “hope” happens, not on what has actually happened, because the 2008 season points nowhere but up for Mr. Ryan. There is a reason the entire league and it’s unbiased analysts and commentators were freaking out over this kid last year, and it’s because everyone sees the same thing in him that you don’t want to believe is there.

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I see the Mike Vick supporters are still by far the most stupid people out there. Man, when will those pathetic low life losers let it go and move on?

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I’m an undying Turk Schonert fan. The franchise never respected his skills, and they will rue the day they cast him off.

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one more point here – everyone keeps saying “yeah, but remember, we thought Mora and the Vick era Falcons were great too, and we see how that turned out”.

there is one MASSIVE difference everyone is overlooking, which is that the Vick era Falcons operated on quite possible the worst football philosophy imaginable, which was “build your entire team around a single player and hope he doesn’t get hurt”. there was no team philosophy, no competent GM, and no real “plan”. it was like they accidentally stumbled upon this unique talent called Michael Vick and tried to patch a team together around him.

the current Falcons organization is completely different. they are implementing a proven strategy that has worked for other teams, they have players in positions that can do their traditional jobs well (like a QB who can throw), they look at the entire team instead of one player, and they are being run by some incredibly gifted football minds.

that doesn’t mean they are going to go 14-2 this year, but it does mean that you can feel very good they are headed in the right direction and are in capable hands.

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“The BIGEASY” is a Saints fan!

Falcons have their work cut out for them. I’d be happy with 9-7 record, wild card birth. 2 winning seasons in a row!!!!!!!!

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Conspiracy theory # 1:

PETA started the rumor about M. Vick being in the strip club.

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Thanks for actually writing an article about a current Falcon. Matt Ryan is a special player. He is smart and understands the game at a very early age. He is somebody Atlanta can be proud of. I can’t wait for the season to start.

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Who is this douchebag? mark why are you wasting scarce resource on anyone other than Michael Vick? You know an article about Michael vick is guaranteed to garner sufficient views for you to meet your daily quota. You keep this up and you will end up just like Terrence Moore.

You have now bitten the hand that has been feeding you the last two years. Don’t say we didn’t warn you?

Who are the falcons?

Is this not the Michael Vick Channel? Please update us on what he did and who he saw. Please Please.

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Hey, this is to all of you Vick lovers. Why don”t you get down on one knee and ask him if he will marry you .All you Vick lovers might as well, because you guys are always on his jock.

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Mark…that is right. HOWEVER, you knew this would tee it up for the Vick and ant-Vick fans.

My whole thing is that I am sick of looking at the AJC with 2 and 3 Vick articles every day. let it rest and maybe we’ll get past this embarrassing mess.

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you guys pump up this guy like he is all world. They let this guy have a pass last year. Tunner carry this team. teams have flim now. when he got hit he became a punk. his arm got weak as the year went on. any QB in the NFL can throw when there is no pressure. good kid but he is fool gold. watch this year. only a few team put pressere on ryan that was part of the pass they let him have last year. he will not last all season watch and see. you guy make him cockie. any defense worth there salt will not let him just sit in the pocket like they did last year. The NFL owners were out to make him look good no bone about it. watch and see this year the loins will have a good year this year watch and see

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I led the league in handoffs – MVP baby!

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One thing Bigeasy seems to be discounting is the ability for Matt Ryan to make adjustments. You say that the defenses started playing him different and that he started to struggle. Well excuse me but they were just 4 games of his rookie season. Is it not just as plausible that in the 16 games this season, HE will make adjustments to the new defenses (having had the experience of a full season plus post season under his belt)? I think the guy is too smart to fall on his face like you suggest. I doubt he will have an easy road, but he has too many weapons to not be successful…

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brad, the only thing i’m worried about is when’s the last time you were even remotely close to predicting something accurately? it’s not that you’re usually wrong. you’re usually really, REALLY wrong.

falcon fans be afraid. be very afraid.

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I SO look forward to the day when any Falcons blog has no mention of Michael Vick. I imagine the only way that has any chance of happening is if he completely flops in his comeback and Matt Ryan leads the Falcons to a Super Bowl victory…..Nah, not even then.

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Mark,

It doesn’t matter that you didn’t mention MV. There are some disillusional people who will never be able to let go and move on from what happened.

Mark…THEY ARE NOT FALCONS FANS. They are blind, hero worshippers who people should just INGNORE and not engage in a conversation b/c they are meaningless.

As far as the predicition, I think you are a bit low.

I’m calling a 12-4 season and an NFC SOUTH title with bye week and a home playoff game (basically same situation the Panthers were in last year, but different result).

Falcons will be playing in the NFC championship game. I think this will be a break through year for everyone, more so than last year. I think we are on the brink of an Indianapolis Colts like run as far as regular season records, division title and playoff appearances. Hey it eventually worked out for the Colts and Peyton…he’s got that RING. Falcons will win the Superbowl in the next 5 years. Book it!

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Has anyone else noticed all the vick lovers are basically illiterate. Not only are their posts pretty dumb but its like reading something a 1st grader wrote.

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It’s funny how all of these myopic Ryan haters keep talking about his “weak arm”. QUESTION: Didn’t Jeff George, Mike Vick, and Scott Mitchell all have “strong arms”. Where exactly did that get them?

The same place the Saints are going next year: NOWHERE. Question for Saints fans: Where’s your running game? Oh that’s right, when Mr. Kardashian plays his usual 10 games this year they’ll end up 8-8 again and Payton will be fired!

It’s funny how people like BigEasy ride the Steelers bandwagon because they won the title last season. 365 days from now, let me guess, you’ll be a Patriots fan right?

As for the team that matters, the Falcons just need to keep the simple philosophy of winning with the run first and then let Ryan continue to grow with this offense. It can become easy to get so caught up in trying to integrate everyone at once, but I believe Mularkey and this veteran coaching staff will not let this team falter in the midst of a daunting schedule.

That said, I like Atlanta to finish where they actually should be at this stage in their progression: 9-7, getting the last Wild Card berth. Next year they will get the playmakers on defense that will push them over the top!

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This will be a challenging year for the Falcons. We had a surprisingly great one last year with a fairly easy schedule and manageable injuries. This years schedule is brutal and facing 4 premiere teams coming off their bye weeks makes it even more difficult. If our stacked offense can protect our very young and untested D with time eating drives, we still have a good shot at making the playoffs. They will also have the ability to score fast and often if needed.
I think next year will be the true start of the Falcons domination of the NFC South for years to come although it will not surprise me if we are 9-7 or better this year. Maybe we will finally break the back to back winning season curse leaving the Panthers as the only NFC S. division team with that distinction. Wouldn’t that be a nice twist?

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Ryder ,

Some of us forget that this is a team on the rebuild. People were saying we wouldn’t win a game last year. Now, with a tougher schedule, they’re at it again, saying we’ll win 2 or 4. Bull$hit. Our new GM and Head coach (and his staff) are not losers. These guys are going to flounder for a number of reasons. Among them is the fact that we’ve added weapons on offense, and we are not running a one-man meal ticket situation anymore.

This team’s offense is based on the run, and it’s effective. It will get better. Some people just want to bash Matt Ryan. Well, I guess everybody has to have a hobby. Good point about arm strength. I’m betting Ryan has worked on getting stronger, as he does not strike me as the kind of guy who thinks he’s okay in one area, and wants to just work on others. He has the work ethic and desire to improve in ALL areas. And once again…we’re a running team that doesn’t have to rely on the pass. But our passing game WILL develop, particularly with the addition of Tony Gonzalez, making us more than a one-dimension offense.

Mark ,

I think it’s imperative that a couple more guys step up as adequate (or rather, more than adequate) pass rushers. We can’t ride the John Abraham train forever, and as you so humorously queried, can he stay healthy for a full season (or even most of it)?

I say it’s definitely put up or shut up time for our 3rd year defensive end. He either has to become a steady player and pass-rushing threat, or a steady inside player. I think Peria Jerry (if he can stay healthy) will turn into a threat from the inside. He’ll have to work on defending the run, though. In the meantime, I hope Trey Lewis can remain healthy, as he will help plug the holes on running downs. I hate that the d-line is always mentioned with “health” attached. And don’t count out the kid from Georgia Tech. He could be a sleeper who emerges in a couple years.

My picks for defensive impact early on, or in a year (maaaybe 2 years) are Sidbury and Moore. Sidbury has speed and strength like this defense has not seen in some time. I truly believe William Moore can become what Lawyer Milloy was in his prime. Or better. If not, he will push Decoud into being better than we thought he could be. But my bet is on Moore. If either guy emerges into anything near a pro-Bowler, we still win.

On offense, the last thing I’m worried about is Ryan’s arm. He’ll work on that arm strength, but more importantly, he will learn to make better decisions. The kid already knows how to check down at the line when the defense is up to something. He’s only going to get better. And better. And better…

I’d like to see Jerious Norwood become more than a tease. I think he will be this year, but I also said that last year. Who knows what Mularkey is thinking, but I’m willing to bet he will be tempted to pass more.

As it is, you still have to take what the defense gives you. The idea is to force the opposing defense to pick it’s poison. If they key in on the pass, they will get eaten up by the run, and vice versa. With Gonzalez on board, we finally have that missing piece that takes pressure off of others.

These Falcons are not losers. The front office and coaching staff will not tolerate that.

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Matt Ryan:
-Wins games
-Married-honors the woman he loves
-Accurate passer
-Dressed to the 9’s when you see him
-Has not failed a public drug test
-doesn’t hang out with perps named P-Funk
-accepts responsibility

Mike Vick :
-Wins games
-Two baby mammas and three kids-won’t marry either one of the women he has impregnated
-Inaccurate passer
-Dresses like a slob
-Failed drug test while on trial for his freedom
-Hangs out with perps named P-Funk
-Has people making excuses for all of poor play and off field problems
-
Who do you want as a representative of your business?

Seems many of his fans just support him because he is black. How stupid. I’m sure many black fans of the Steelers, Giants, Colts and Patriots-(teams who have won super bowls)don’t like their qb’s because they are white, they like them because they represent their team well and don’t leave a city hanging because they are in jail!

Matt Ryan is a better hope for this city and a better ambassador for all citizens in this state, black and white.

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If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Mike Vick pay with Roddy White and Michael Jenkins?
Under Vick:
-Roddy White caught 2TDs

With a rookie QB
-White Caught 7 TDs, set a new Falcons receiving record and went to the probowl.
-Jenkins just got a contract extension.

Don’t think it was the receivers….it was the weed smoking quarterback with the cannon arm who threw to high, to low and was running around instead of staying in the pocket to make good passes to the receivers.

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Free Michael Vick…..Please explain to all of us why MV was innocent but went to jail anyway. As you know he didn’t go to federal prison for dog fighting. That is not a federal offense. He lied to federal investigators, that will send you to a federal prison. he confessed to operating and financing a criminal enterprise. Thats a federal crime. So where is the innocent part of which you speak? Inquiring minds want to know what you know that has not been made public. We await your answers.

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How about this. If you mention the Ex-QB #7 you are banned from posting on the AJC for a year? But seriously, I am so close to canceling the paper because they kept reporting about a person who messed up his own life. Frankly, Atlanta (for the most part) has moved on. Why can’t the AJC??

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One thing I can say about the Falcon fans is that they are the most flip-flopping fans in America. I would say they would turn on Ryan if he has a bad season…but we know why they won’t……..I read a comment that “every qb has bad games”….I can clearly remember Vick being smashed by the fans here when he had good ones….you people would actually overlokk a WIN….which is what the team plays for anyway…to criticize/analyze #7. It was sickening..and racial at times because he didn’t look the way that whites felt he should look, and that’s really sad.

Now…..unlike you people..I can’t admit that Vick made a lot of mistakes, and the front office here at the time didn’t help matters either, but there’s this thing called redemption, and if anyone can pull it off, its Vick. You people NEVER look at the big picture besides blaming Vick for everything ON THE FIELD (idiot coach, wr drops, front office GAFFES, scheme). How can..you people..say that Vick didn’t work on his craft? Were you at practice? Mr. Blank seemed to think otherwise since he gave him 130 million. U don’t give 130 million to a player for no reason. Say what u want about #7. Its funny how you people keep saying that Vick Supporters keep bringing up his name. He’s the only thing worth talking about in this town!!! Its surely not Matt Ryan! If it was, MB wouldn’t write an article on him everyday..he would write about MR2, but people realize that there’s something special about #7. That’s why people won’t let it go….because they know its there…hell..deep down, ya’ll know Vick is/was the Man….some of you say its because of what he did to team, which is understandable, and a lot of it is just pure racism/hate/jealousy.

Vick has a lot of obstacles to leap..we all know that, but in the end, on just pure talent, Vick is the best in the league and any QB in the NFL will tell u that, even the Great P.Manning said it (its on an ESPN Podcast if u want to verify). Vick lacked maturity…bottom line…but I gurantee he learned from his mistakes. With that alone, he will be great again.

Vick 09.
Redemption is here.

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During the Falcons 43 year history, there have only been 3 quarterbacks to win divisional titles:

Steve Bartkowski

Chris Chandler

Mike Vick

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As I dust through the Falcon history books, amazingly there has been only 1 qb to be voted to the pro bowl 3 times and was accomplished in 3 straight seasons (injury free):

Mike Vick

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10-6, wild card berth.

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Loaded at offensive skill positions. LOADED. Think about this, you have possibly the best TE and FB in the NFL, a Top 5 RB, a Top 5 QB, a Top 5 WR, and potential Top 5 Number 3 WR in Harry Douglas. Pair that with a solid number 2 WR with good speed and you may have the most talent of any team in the league. Oh, and Norwood is lightning fast.

Culture. The Falcons have done a great job of creating a winning atmosphere where people want to come to work. This attracts not only Free Agents, but has let us keep people in house.

The NFL Draft. You draft the best DT and possibly the best Safety in the draft and are still able to fill needs and get a potential super star rush end, you have done well.

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I raise you the #1 offense that includes a top 3 quarterback-Drew Brees/a top 5 TE-Jeremy Shockey/a top 5 receiver-Marques Colston and the best receiving core in the NFL/#1 pick DT in his 2nd year-Sedrick Ellis/a #1 draft pick @ CB-Malcolm Jenkins to go along with previous year #1 Porter/and 6 new additions to the Defense & Def Coord along with an aggressive playcaller, reggie bush, and the who dat nation! Check mate

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Hey Y’all:

Mark Bradley, here you go with your “PESSIMISTIC”" articles trying to “create doubt” among fans about our Falcon team. Stop it man, and just go with the flow and help us build on what the Falcons have established last season. And that was COHESIVENESS, TEAMWORK, STRONG, NASTY, EXCITING FOOTBALL. WE HAVE A GREAT YOUNG TEAM AND THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER. “THE PROCESS” CONTINUES AT A HIGH PACE. If you are not ready for it, stop writing about our FALCONS. It appears you are one of these writers who are not use to writing about developing, winning teams. As the local media, you should be assisting in writing positive articles on where the Falcons are going with this positive style of football these guys are now playing and being coached to play. stablishing something for themselves and their fans. Instead, you write these “what ifs”, “can they”, “doubt infused” articles that truly shows me that many times you play the “whimp” in your life when challenges come your way. I believe if I played you in any sports game, I can chump you off the court because you have doubts about yourself and your game. Therefore, keep “your doubts” to yourself and away from ur local sports teams. We, AS FANS, do not want to hear about it. We are just getting started on something great in the Atlanta sports community, and our FALCONS and its players are a part of that “something”. We as sports fans “BELIEVE”. If you can’t “BELIEVE”, then you need to be writing sports articles in another city and spread that “doubt” to them. We do not need it here in Atlanta. It is like you are working for the opposition. If so, go to the city where they are located. We FANS are positive thinking people. We do not need sports writers of our “local newspaper” writing ‘negative garbage” in an effort to cast doubt on the achievements of our young, and growing teams. Therefore, “check yourself before you wreck yourself” by subliminally trying to cast doubts on our newly established, winning teams in this city, primarily the FALCONS. Are our players that good? YES THEY ARE!!! WE WIN AND LOSE IN THIS COMMUNITY IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. GET THAT!!

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thisis a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

………………………ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!………………..

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I’m still the best quarterback on the roster. Thew owner, coaches and intelligent fans know I would have won the starter last season if I was given the same chance as Matt got. Even Joey Harrington got a fair chance.

Before the preseason started last season, coach Smith said that each qb on the roster would get to start 1 preseason game. Joey, Matt and Chris all got a start, but I didn’t.

Were they afraid that the truth would be exposed? If I was so bad, why not let the fans see it and stop the speculations? That’s because they didn’t want another player that reminds them of Vick to be running the team. It also is because they paid Matt all that guaranteed cash.

Anyway, we all know who the best qb on the roster is. Hopefully I will finally get a fair chance in this preseason. I doubt it!

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The Falcons will be fine, not they have a great QB. White OB’s win super bowls, and dont get shot by thier mistress. Forget about Mike VIck, he was only as good as Dan Reaves. 10-6

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Frank Gifford played Running Back-but my point remains the same

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big easy your a moronic stupid idiot go jump off the tallest bridge near you!!!!!

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I’ll take idiot “Free MV7″ supporters all day over Barry’s nauseating “SECRET ONE HEARTBEAT BABY.” Sounds like 4th grade chain letters. Enough already! Keep your secret to yourself!

MV: Best athlete ever to play QB. Great runner. Good passer. Poor reader. Worst teammate. Giant character flaws. Hoodlum. Got off easy. Paid his price (to the NFL, not dog lovers). Good luck with the Raiders, maybe the Browns or Seahawks. No hard feelings, but a restraining order keeping him away from GA Dome might be in order.

MR2: Exact opposite, except he’s a very GOOD athlete. Truly a franchise player, a winner, a role model.

My concern is the drop off in talent should MR2 get injured. DJ Shockley should captain special teams. Norwood is in a great situation already, change of pace back and kick returner.

Always nice to beat the crapola out of our division rivals, but as long as we hit 9-7 this sophomore year, we’re a smashing success. A 2-1 start will help quite a bit!

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Why can’t people on this blog stick to talking about football? I believe it has to do with some pent up anger that theses weak-minded people are often not able to express publicy (meaning not anonymously)….mainly because they know it’s unacceptable in general society.

I’ll bet these people would never face Mike Vick and say those things to his face. And think about the opinions they’ve formed based upon what they have read and see on tv without knowing him. Sign of a true idiot.

Hell, I bet they wouldn’t say hese things to me face to face. They’d be too afraid. Fear is a something isn’t it? And fear and stupidity mixed together….well, you get what we have here.

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********W A N T E D***********

Tom Brady—————–low life sperm donor

Matt Jones————— drug abuser

Ben Roethlinberger———-low life rapist

Proceed with extreme caution!

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The two posts at 1pm were not mine, but rather posted by someone too stupid to create their own user name. Also too stupid to realize that pro bowls and stats mean NOTHING when you are in prison and hose your team. A Michael Vick double bird salute to you, loser. So yeah, I’m calling you stupid. And wishing Big Ben would rape you won’t make it happen… for that you might need to go back to prison.

To the rest of the Vick apologists, ask yourself: Do you think MV had any concerns about getting caught? He DID know fighting dogs, killing dogs and gambling was illegal, right? MV = WASTED.

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America’s most wanted- Do you really want to name all of the black athletes with out of wedlock children? Travis Henry and his 9 will suffice.

But let’s start with one you know- MIKE VICK- who has 3 children out of wedlock! So if Tom Brady is a Low Life Sperm Donor with 2, Vick has one upped him

Mike Vick smoked drugs -and was already in the league’s substance program (which means he tested positive once before) –so he’s no better than Matt Jones

Ron Mexico gave a woman herpes knowingly and lied about it. Ben Roethlisberger-was accused of rape and the police said that they were not pursuing the investigation based on evidence-Harry Douglass had a rape occur at his home, doesn’t mean he is guilty of anything

Stop looking to denigrate others to excuse what this fool Mike Vick has done to himself, Arthur Blank, and the city of Atlanta.

This blog was about the Falcons and the questions facing the team. It should be a fun season for the team and the fans of the team. The fans of that fool MV will always have bad news.

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Hey Mark – Remember us? Joe would be like Matty Ice if we were not on the team. How many rings did good ole Joe win in K.C.?

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There has been a lot of speculation about me and I want to set the record straight.

I am not on the Falcons roster any longer, so please stop with all the blogs about me. You have your new face, so please run stories on him. I am not the meal ticket for the AJC any longer. Surely Matt Ryan is not that insignificant.

About the giving the fans the middle finger incident. Read my lips, I did not finger my fans, I fingered the ones that were not my fans, “you” people know who you are and here is another.

Selling out the dome for a record 60-straight games, lets see how many Matty Ice can sell out without the help of corporate sponsors, and don’t use the excuse of being in a recession, because New Orleans and Tennessee have worst economies than Atlanta and they are already sold out for the season.

Pro bowl selections, without pro bowl selections, you don’t get the big money endorse deals. If you think making the pro bowl is so easy and not a big deal, well Tom Brady has only made it 4 times and he is regarded as the best quarterback on the planet.

Drew Brees, Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Phillip Rivers – what do they all have in common? I have more pro bowls, a higher winning percentage and more playoff appearances of all of them combined.

Have a nice day guys, I sure hope you guys can end the “Mike Vick Curse” and end the 5 year playoff win drought!

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Thanks “Mike Vick” for your insight. You certainly have changed since being released from prison.

-Citing the number of times YOU went to the pro bowl-an individual award that means nothing but a trip to an exhibition game that no one watches

-Making excuses for who you shot the finger to-like that is a mature thing for a grown man to do in front of kids

-Boasting of YOUR 60 straight sell outs. Uh you were a number one pick in the NFL draft and given a $130 million dollar contract; you are supposed to bring people into the stadium

-Taking a shot at your peers and noting your individual winning percentages-I bet Drew Brees, Jay Cutler and Carson Palmer could all blame their bad defenses on losing, but unlike you they take the blame as the quarterback of a team should. And Philip Rivers is 33-15 as a starter so that is a winning percentage of 68 percent, much better than yours.

What a great guy you are.

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[...] last season. She told us that female politicians, like Sarah Palin, who have young …   All-Football Friday! The questions facing the FalconsDoes Mike Peterson have anything left, or is he the new Ed Hartwell? Should the Falcons have drafted [...]

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