One Falcon out, another down: Isn’t this where we came in?
Tony Gonzalez says he's not afraid of ghosts. He's new around here. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Flowery Branch – If it happened in Latrobe, Pa., you’d shrug and say, “That’s football.” But this is the Branch and these are the Birds, and once again this star-crossed franchise is endeavoring to make history by actually putting one winning season after another. And here’s the scorecard after six days of camp:
A Pro Bowl receiver is still in Alabama because he wants the sort of money Larry Fitzgerald gets, and the No. 3 wideout has been lost for the season with a knee injury.
And now you’re not shrugging. You’re thinking, “Here we go again.”
Coming off an epic NFC title game, the Falcons botched a Super Bowl by having Terance Mathis get miffed exiting the team plane and having Eugene Robinson get himself arrested 21 hours before kickoff. Coming off that Super Bowl, O.J. Santiago fell off a golf cart on Day 1 of camp and Jamal Anderson wrecked his knee in Week 2. Coming off a playoff victory at Lambeau Field, Michael Vick broke his leg in Week 3 of the exhibition season.
Were these the Pittsburgh Steelers, you’d say, “Oh, they’ll handle it.” But these aren’t the Steelers. These are the Falcons, who haven’t consolidated a gain in 43 years of trying.
Tony Gonzalez is new here. Asked Thursday about if he believes a jinx hangs over the Birds, he said: “I hope not. I’m not going to get into that Boston Red Sox type of stuff. We’ve got a good football team. We’ve got good players. It’s sad for Harry, but injuries happen.”
Then this: “One of the most underrated things is football is staying healthy. If we can do that, we’ve got a good shot. We just hope nothing else happens.”
But the Falcons’ track record is that something else always happens. As much as we might believe in the brainpower of Thomas Dimitroff and the basics of Mike Smith, these men still work for the franchise that bears the Bird in its logo. And that Bird hasn’t yet failed to mess up a good thing.
Loading ...A year ago the Falcons were 11-5 in large measure because they didn’t get hurt. Now Harry Douglas gets hurt just catching a pass on a Wednesday in August. No, he isn’t among the Falcons’ 10 biggest names, but what if Roddy White doesn’t show before Sept. 13? Can they make do with Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran and assorted free agents? (Don’t forget: The Falcons traded Laurent Robinson to the Rams in April, and Robinson opened camp as a first-stringer.)
Said Finneran, who tore his ACL on July 30, 2006 and essentially missed two seasons: “A guy getting hurt is bad at any point.”
Said Smith, being pragmatic: “Injuries happen. But as I just told the team after practice, one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. I know that’s harsh to say, and we all feel for Harry, but that’s the way it is.”
And that is the way it is. But because these are the Falcons, any adverse development is seen as the first sign of the apocalypse. Maybe this time will be different. But we’ve been expecting the worst for 43 years now, and at least every other year the great fickle Bird has done its voodoo.
Were I Matt Ryan, I wouldn’t walk under any ladders. Or spill any salt. Or exhale until January.
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184 comments Add your comment
JJ
August 6th, 2009
8:01 pm
Michael – “in TD we trust!”
Tampa Gator
August 6th, 2009
8:04 pm
Note to Roddy White: Many players who hold out when they have existing signed contracts either come in with less money later (due to the fines) or sign a contract that they would have received if they had come in orignially and participated in camp. Also, many who do hold out and then come in get hurt seriously in camp and miss the season anyway…or worse, the injury ends their career in football. Either way, it is not a good thing for you to be holding out right now, no matter what your agent is telling you. Get into camp. Get into condition. Continue to produce at a high level, with consistency (one or two years does not make you one of the best receivers in the NFL), and you will get the money you deserve, either from the Falcons or from another team through free agency. What you are doing is not good for you or the team. It might be good for your agent, however. Have you thought about that? Sucks, you are already a millionaire. Have you forgotten already how excited you were when you were drafted by the Falcons and signed that big bonus when the Falcons didn’t even know if you could cut it in the NFL…and you almost didn’t. But they had faith in you and got you a good QB to throw you the football. Now, you are holding out…for what? More money for you…or for your agent? Get your butt into camp.
43 Years Of Failure
August 6th, 2009
8:06 pm
Destiny cannot be denied!
MightyQuinn
August 6th, 2009
8:22 pm
Hmmm. Just got back to the blog after my 4:06 post asking what happened to the Falcons in the ‘81 season that caused them to go from 12-4 in ‘80 to 7-9 in ‘81. Thanks MB for clearing up the Andrews knee injury, but still, what happened? I can’t remember any significant injuries. Not that there weren’t any, I just can’t remember. (Its happening a lot more these days!)
Reality Time
August 6th, 2009
8:51 pm
Bradley, didn’t you break a Braves’ lose when you went to the ballgame recently? Wasn’t everything going swimmingly at Flowery Branch until you went to camp? Mark, stay home will you!
tim
August 6th, 2009
8:59 pm
Whether you like it or not, White has proven himself to be a top 10 WR over the past 2 seasons. And the NFL is all about what have you done for me lately, so there is really know need to bring up Whites first two season. Honestly, the Falcons are really lucky to have gotten the production out of him the past two season for the price they are paying him.
When you look at the situation, the Falcons have little leverage and this is even before the injury to Douglas. I looked at Whites stats for the past two seasons, and his stats are right there with Steve Smith and Boldin of the Cardins. Boldin has 2 years and 12 mil left on his deal and Smith signed at 3 year $38 mil extention in 2007. If you do the math, you will see that the Falcons have gotten over the past 2 season paying White less than $3 mil a season. The part that really baffles me is that the Falcons gave Jenkins, the #2 WR a 4 year 20mil contract last season. They are damn near paying Jenkins what Boldin is currently making. How can you blame White for holding out. Currently, White has no longer term deal and make 2 mil less than the #2WR. We just saw what happend to Douglas. If White was already making 5 or 6 million a year, I would say he needs to be in camp and let his agent take care of it, but the man is making less than 3 million a season. Damn Falcons, don’t screw this up.
MightyQuinn
August 6th, 2009
9:01 pm
I’m guessing either nobody knows or nobody cares about the ‘80 to ‘81 falloff for the Falcons, but I did a little research. The Falcons lost 9 games that year by a total of 44 points. 7 of those losses were by a total of 19 points! (one loss by 1 point, two by two points, three by 3 points and one by 5 points) I still haven’t found a written history on the internet for that season and the AJC archives only go back to ‘85. But it seems like they may have just had a lot of bad luck. In another weird note to the season, apparently Andrews and Bartkowski set rushing and passing single game records (at the time) of 198 and 416 yards respectively in the worst LOSS of the season, 34-20 to the Steelers. 600 yards of offense and only 20 points and loss to show for it. Yep. We’re jinxed.
Mark Bradley
August 6th, 2009
9:10 pm
I wasn’t in Atlanta in 1981, but watching from afar — well, from Lexington, Ky, which is 367 miles away — I seem to remember a basic problem: The Falcons could score but couldn’t defend. And I wrote a little something about that season as possible antecedent to this a couple of months ago.
Not that anyone should pay attention to anything I write.
Joseph Russo
August 6th, 2009
9:18 pm
Trade Roddy’s crying butt to the redbirds for boldin. pay him. at least hes really a top 5 reciever. Mike Vick wasnt the best qb in the world but, if anybody still remebers…we were the one sayin he was a bust before #2 showed up. You really think a wideout gets that good in one year? Hes good, but boldin is better. pay him.
MightyQuinn
August 6th, 2009
9:33 pm
In ‘81 the Falcons won shootouts of 31-30 and 31-27, and lost 30-28, 27-24 and most notably, 37-35. (Incredibly, we were plus 71 in points differential that year, 426-355, yet went 7-9!) We definitely could see something of a repeat of history this year if Mike Smith isn’t able to whip the young’uns into shape, as you noted in your column of yours you linked. (I read your stuff, Mark!)
Burger Brian
August 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
Look ~ Harry was a loss for sure! That said, Roddy will be back new deal or not ~ is he really going to hold out all year? No way! There may be a half dozen receivers thru the Branch before opening day ~ bottom line is ~ the offense is not what you should be concerned about ~ it’s all about the “D”. Can Smitty work his magic two years in a row?
sam
August 6th, 2009
10:11 pm
Hey Mark, didn’t Jamal Anderson also hold out for a new contract the year he was injured? I always wondered if that might have contributed.
Vick Supporter
August 6th, 2009
10:16 pm
The Great Mike Vick Has Returned
Mark Bradley
August 6th, 2009
10:18 pm
Quinn, didn’t I just tell you not to read anything I write? (But thanks for doing so.)
Yes, Sam. Jamal indeed held out that season. And a lot of folks have wondered if what happened that Monday night in Dallas would have happened if he’d gotten to camp on time. But we’ll never know.
You might also recall T.J. Duckett holding out as a rookie and being injured after he was assaulted following a Nelly concert in Michigan.
oh yeah
August 6th, 2009
10:46 pm
Check the Grits Blitz defense in 1978. Lost in the playoffs to the cowboys,
for real
August 6th, 2009
10:48 pm
Watch out vick huggers, ron mexico has an outbreak. Since your all down there…
Vick Supporter
August 6th, 2009
11:21 pm
Looks like you people are going to get a serving of Roman Noodle passes this year, with no one to catch them,lol.
Vick 09
Question
August 6th, 2009
11:30 pm
Mark, would the Falcons be willing to contact the 49ers about Crabtree? Do you think that’s something that would be an option? I would think they could afford to give up a draft pick or two, maybe a 1st and 4th? I would think bringing in someone like Crabtree at this stage would be a good thing. Given it would give Ryan a reciever that he would know would be with him for the next several years. They could build a lot of chemistry. I’d throw a 2nd and 3rd round pick their way and see what conversations come out of those discussions. I’m sure the 49ers would be more willing to move him and get something for him rather then see him leave and re-enter the draft. What are your thoughts on this?
Arkansas Transplant
August 6th, 2009
11:34 pm
Mark, are you in a position to ask Smith or Dim about Crabtee? Just wondering. That would be a quick fix and a permanent fix.
Mark Bradley
August 6th, 2009
11:35 pm
I don’t think the Falcons have any interest in Eric Crabtree.
Arkansas Transplant
August 6th, 2009
11:40 pm
Not Eric, Micheal Crabtree.
Arkansas Transplant
August 6th, 2009
11:43 pm
I think he’d be a good option. He brings a lot to the table as a WR. He’s got size, good hands, and route running. The only hit on him would be speed. He’s not going to be a blazer but he’s not slow either.
PMC
August 6th, 2009
11:44 pm
Maybe they could sign Koren Robinson…. then when the team goes to NO he can hook up with Rod Coleman and they can cruise for Deer.
Arkansas Transplant
August 6th, 2009
11:46 pm
Have you had any discussions with the team on what they plan to do with the WR core? Have they mentioned or hinted at a possibility of a trade?
greg
August 6th, 2009
11:49 pm
500 team at best just like the braves….who wants to make a bet…50 to 1
glenn
August 7th, 2009
12:01 am
All through the 80’s they used to show those Alcoa fantastic finishes . The two they played the most were a game where Herm Edwards recovered a fumble in the endzone for a late win against New York & Danny White beating the Falcons in that 78 playoff game . We were up 10 points with like 5 minutes to play . I used to get so angry .
Ted Striker
August 7th, 2009
12:35 am
My good buddy, Mark: I didn’t recall Duckett being assaulted after a Nelly concert. I was once assaulted following a Tom Jones concert — but I loved every moment of it.
Tim from EP
August 7th, 2009
4:38 am
I can’t believe you guys are completely ignoring the fact that our #2 WR currently makes $2million more than Roddy White and Jenkins stats are no where close to Roddy White’s. Roddy White has no long term deal. Why should he be in camp for $2.8 million when his stats are comparable to WRs who go 30million contracts are better. I can’t any help on this Mark. I know Roddy shouldn’t get A 40 million dollar contract like Fitzgerld, but its almost embrassing to have your Pro Bowl WR holding out cuz you paying 2.8 million a year and you just have Jenkins a 20 million dollar extention. Have you really seen Jenkins stats since he has been in the league. For a 1st rounder-Jenkins stats are nothing to brag about.
Mark Bradley
August 7th, 2009
8:38 am
I don’t think the Falcons have any interest in Michael Crabtree, either. (FYI, Eric Crabtree was also a WR for the Bengals back in the ’70s. And I had a flashback.)
IDC
August 7th, 2009
12:02 pm
Tim from EP: They are not asking White to play for $2.8 million. You don’t know what the Falcons have offered the man. I am pretty sure they offered him more than they are paying Jenkins. I am also pretty sure that White is asking for more than he is worth. The usual procedure is to meet in the middle, but to do that you need a show of good faith. Holding out is not a show of good faith. He needs to get in camp, they will give him more money.
Hms
August 8th, 2009
9:46 am
Mark,
Thanks for writing a negatively charged article about the Falcons. Guys like Vick Supporter and BigEasy 830 really needed something to cling to, besides their hate. Their greatest fear is that the Falcons might actually be good two years in a row, or even more. But you have given them new hope.
Mark you are to be commended. Nobody’s done something so nice for a couple of retards since Jerry Lewis.
terrell barnicle
August 8th, 2009
9:53 am
Guess who is playing for an NFL team? Robert Ferguson. Guess who isn’t? Mike Vick. Vick ‘09. Yeah whatever.
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