The 2009 Falcons: A worse record but a better team?
"Fellas, we might need a little more help this time around." (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Flowery Branch – The consensus on the Falcons last summer held that they’d stink, but they didn’t. The growing consensus regarding the 2009 Falcons is that they’ll be a better team with a worse record, and that could well happen.
Said Brian Finneran, the wide receiver of long standing: ” “I can see why people would say that — the schedule gets tougher.”
And it does. A year ago the Falcons played two of their first three games in the Georgia Dome against teams (Detroit and Kansas City) that would finish an aggregate 2-30. This time they’ll open against three teams (Miami, Carolina and New England) that were 34-14. Of their 16 games, only four will come against teams that finished 2008 below .500.
Finneran again: “There’s no reason we can’t have an even better record.”
The Falcons could hardly have started faster in 2008, what with Matt Ryan throwing a touchdown pass on his first NFL delivery. The belief is that the 2009 team will start slow but finish with a rush. The belief here is that the Falcons will win enough division games — five of the eight come in the second half of the schedule — to yield an NFC South title and that never-achieved consecutive winning season.
But this belief is founded on the presumed strength of the Falcons’ offense, which has already taken a hit with the loss of Harry Douglas and the holdout of Roddy White. Assuming White rejoins his teammates by Opening Day, this still should be one of the best attacks in the sport. It will need to be.
The defense will have games, especially early, where it cannot stop anyone. That’s what happens when you change five starters. Given time, the replacements should be prove an upgrade. But the improvements won’t be seen in September and maybe not in October.
And that’s why even a season that ends nicely, as I’m guessing this will, will be much more difficult than 2008. There’s no element of surprise now, no sense of playing with house money. These Falcons will be playing with real money, Arthur Blank’s money. For all the good vibrations flowing from last season, dissonance and disappointment will be the operative tones if they wind up 6-10.
Not that you’ll get very far talking numerically around Mike Smith. A year ago he didn’t want to discuss the Sporting News’ forecast that his Falcons would finish 1-15, and he’s the same Smitty today. “I don’t ever even think about that,” he said. “You never should put numbers on a season. Our goals are bigger than numbers.”
Loading ...Still, the Falcons didn’t trade for Tony Gonzalez just so they could have a puncher’s chance of going 8-8. Their (buzzword alert) process got accelerated with the success of 2008, and they see a real opportunity for this team this year.
Gonzalez: “This is a good football team. We have a lot of good players.”
So do most of the teams on the 2009 schedule, which is a bit different from last season. But the Falcons would seem to have enough talent and a sound enough system to rise above the increased degree of difficulty. The guess here: 10-6, down from last season’s 11-5. The guess here is that the Falcons — stop me if you’ve heard this already — will have a worse record but be a better team.
Just don’t go throwing any projections at the head coach. You’ll get nowhere. Said Smith: “I never talk about what what’s a successful season until we finish the season.”
The guess: Smitty will be pleased when this one’s done, too.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
125 comments Add your comment
brandon
August 7th, 2009
2:38 pm
I’m excited to see the season kick off.
CORRECT!!
August 7th, 2009
2:39 pm
12-4
bigeasy830
August 7th, 2009
2:43 pm
Falcons, 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
sc falcon
August 7th, 2009
2:44 pm
Who knows how tough the schedule will be when the season starts? Injuries become a factor and what looks like a tough team at the beginning of the season might not be.
Ryno
August 7th, 2009
2:47 pm
9 wins
Dolphins, Bucs (twice), Panthers (once), Saints (once), 49ers, Skins, Bills, Jets
Mark Bradley
August 7th, 2009
2:52 pm
I thought about 9-7, Ryno. But I’m such a big homer I decided on 10-6.
RG
August 7th, 2009
2:59 pm
I am still not sure that the defense will have that many problems. Many of the guys that often were burned are not here and have been replaced by younger and faster players. I can’t see a big dropoff because last years defense was not very good to begin with.
FALCONS SORRY
August 7th, 2009
3:01 pm
BRIAN FINNEREN! LAST YEAR THIS TEAM JUST GOT LUCKY WITH ITS ROOKIE QB AND TOOK A LOT OF TEAMS BY SUPRISE! EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT WATCH A FALCONS GAME LAST YEAR KNOW THEY ONLY GOT AS FAR AS THEY DID WITH TURNER BURNER RUNNING HARD AND MAKING PLAYS! THIS YEAR WILL BE A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT! THE SORRY FALCONS AINT GOING TO SUCKER PUNCH NO BODY THIS YEAR LIKE LAST YEAR! WITH A SECOND YEAR QB WITH A WEAK ARM AND NO MOBILITY HAVING HIS SOFTMORE JINX NO RECIEVERS THAT WANT TO PLAY HERE FOR MINIMUM WAGE FOR THAT CROOK BLANK AND A HARDER SCEDULE THERE IS NO WAY THIS TEAM WILL DO BETTER AND HAVE A BETTER RECORD THIS YEAR! NOT UNLESS THEY WISE UP AND BEG MV7 TO COME BACK HOME WHERE HE BELONG! WHEN THIS TEAM START 0-6 AND PEOPLE STARTING CRYING FOR A SAVIOR ONE OF TWO THINGS IS GOING TO HAPPEN! THEY WILL EITHER TRADE TONY GONZOLEEZ AWAY TO A CONTENDER THAT NEED HIM AND CAN DO SOMETHING WITH HIM OR THEY WILL FINALLY BE HUMBLE ENOUGH TO ASK MV7 TO COME BACK TO WHERE HE BELONG AND SAVE THEY ENTIRE SEASON AND FINALLY SELL OUT THE DOME ONCE AGAIN! YOU GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU THIS YEAR WITHOUT RODDY WHITE HAVING YOUR BACK B!
DAWG
August 7th, 2009
3:06 pm
FALCONS SORRY, your about as dumb as your posts!
Who’s attending the scrimage game tonight?
DAWG
August 7th, 2009
3:07 pm
MB, you need to stay away! Can’t afford for another player to go down b/c of your “jinx”. LOL.
DNR
August 7th, 2009
3:08 pm
(sigh)
Does “Falcons Sorry” even know what he’s talking about? Hey bud, I hate to break the news to you, but the Falcons aren’t asking Vick to come back…no matter how many games they lose.
So you might as well give up the talk.
Vixzilla
August 7th, 2009
3:11 pm
I like to put a little paprika on my sweet potato fries. It compliments the cinnamon well. A pinch of salt and it just pops with harmony!
Atlanta Native
August 7th, 2009
3:13 pm
I have been a Falcons fan since I knew what football was. I go into this season fully expecting the Falcons to finish over .500. I have every season. If I am disappointed, oh well, I’ve learned to deal with that. But, I believe that the new owner, quarterback and coach are meshing and will continue to do so.
FALCONS SORRY – quit yelling and don’t ever dis my boy Finneran. He is a clutch player!
Mark – loved ever since the Mark “FM” Bradley days.
SuperbowlOrBust
August 7th, 2009
3:16 pm
Falcons Sorry and bigeasy….you guys could post on your own teams blogs, but my guess is that you are fans of sup par teams Ex. the Saints.
I think realistically the Falcons will go 10-6, but 12-4 looks very possible. I’m calling now, as I did when I saw the schedule:
Atlanta Falcons upset the Pats at New England in Week 3. The Pats will be freshly trying to return to their ‘07 form with Brady.
Vixzilla
August 7th, 2009
3:17 pm
In case you’re wondering, my last post was much more relevant than the post by FALCONS SORRY
KevG
August 7th, 2009
3:21 pm
Falcons Sorry…..Man what are you smoking? Matty Ice is 10 times the QB MV7 could or will ever be! No question about it… Ryan is going to lead us to back to back winning seasons, something MV7 never could do.
A Realist
August 7th, 2009
3:22 pm
TO: FALCONS SORRY – If you don’t like the team why spend your “valuable” time trashing them on the AJC blogs. Can’t you find something else to do with your time besides BITCHING about something that won’t happen in your life time?????!!!
The Falcons are going to be fine this year with or without Roddy White and even if they aren’t, there are ONLY A FEW folks in the city that want to see MV7 return to the NEW AND IMPROVED ATLANTA FALCONS. Hopefully when they win the division title this year you’ll go hide under a rock never to be heard from again (at least on the AJC Falcons’ blogs). I know…just wishful thinking on my part but one can’t help but hope.
Your typos and grammatical errors alone are killing me. It makes me understand why you’re such a MV7 fan….he’s intellectually challenged too!!!!
PMC
August 7th, 2009
3:22 pm
They were 11-5 last year and could have won 13. Just be in every game is all you can ask. I think they will.
I’m saying 9-7 and hoping for better from there.
jerry
August 7th, 2009
3:26 pm
I wouldn’t call getting off to a 2-2 start and 0-2 in their division a fast start. I wouldn’t call facing 4 bye teams fair either, while last years division winner, the Carolina Panthers, face not one. A huge advantage for the Panthers. If the Falcons can win their division, they deserve a tip of the hat, for sure.
JB Hodo
August 7th, 2009
3:36 pm
No way the Falcons beat the Pats.
Hayes
August 7th, 2009
3:39 pm
Defense will have their moments, but I think more than not our offense will be able to put up enough points to counter that. White will sign at some point and get back to football, but there are still a ton of weapons. We will win the division if for no other reason than no one else is that good this year. Teams I think we’ll beat are the Dolphins, Panthers (once), 49ers, Bears, Saints (once), Redskins, Bucs (twice), Jets, Bills and I think we’ll beat either Dallas or the Saints again to put us at 10-6. I don’t think that is unreasonable at all. A team that is well coached, disciplined and motivated to go along with a lot of talented playmakers is a team primed for success. I think the DE’s will surprise and get after the quarterback and force turnovers. Expect another winning season and a run towards the NFC Championship game this year. Won’t be easy, but is certainly not out of the question.
Okefenokee Dawg
August 7th, 2009
3:43 pm
I agree with Mark, the Falcons go 10-6. Also, it’s Friday afternoon and I want some of what Vixzilla is drinking. Happy trails.
#1 Falcon Fan
August 7th, 2009
3:44 pm
The Falcons went 11-5 last year, 7-1 at home and should have been 8-0 at home if Roddy White (the holdout) would have caught that pass in the end zone against the Broncos…If we can go 7-1 at home again, then that means all we have to do is win 2 road games (which i truly believe we will win more than 2) to have a winning record and end the curse of never having back to back winning seasons. And at 9-7 we could make a wildcard in the NFC. So yes we will be a better team, with a worse record..but that worse record will be a winning record 10-6 or 9-7.
swats73
August 7th, 2009
3:46 pm
Falcons sorry,,, you suck!!! you don’t have a clue about anything I liked Vick to but he screwed up and were moving on hopefully he learned his lesson and will never even jay walk again but who knows, and we can’t take anouther chance with him until he’s shown he’s learn from his mistakes,,,so ether get off Vick’s d_ck and be down with the Birds or ,SHUT THE F_CK UP.JACKASS… LETS GOOOOOOOO FALCONS ALL THE WAY TO THE SB.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 7th, 2009
3:48 pm
They only go the left coast once, twice in CST, rest in EST. Pats in early fall, weather should co-op. Bye week in week five, allowing young, fast defense to adjust. This team may lead the league in scoring and TOP. I’ll go 9-7, breaks the curse, but my not be enough for the playoffs.
Doggoneit
August 7th, 2009
3:49 pm
Dear Falcons Sorry, The coach does not lie. This is a better team he said so. There is a reason he coaches and you don’t. He knows what he is talking about, you don’t. If your a good coach you let no other team take you by surprise, would you? Please, MV7, no team wants him.
Tough schedule this year. This is where good coaching comes into play. Go falcons!
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 7th, 2009
3:51 pm
Oh, and I’ll lay the 6, falcons lose scrimmage tonight.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 7th, 2009
3:52 pm
It’s never too early to practice football gambling lingo.
JacketFalconFan
August 7th, 2009
3:54 pm
It is not often I agree with UGA fans, but DAWG you are completely correct about FALCONS SORRY. Pretty pathetic. As for the blog topic, I can not see the defense being worse than last years. The Falcons are fielding a more talented team (albeit younger), and a majority of the players will be playing in the same system for a second year in a row. As was said by Mr. Bradley, the key is injuries. IF they can stave off the injury bug, they should have a winning season.
JacketFalconFan
August 7th, 2009
3:57 pm
Vixzilla, absolutely hilarious. Your comment has me rolling on the floor.
mitch
August 7th, 2009
3:57 pm
Dear Mr. MB–good story. My prediction: the Falcons will win some and lose some.
Vixzilla–nice blog, but you must remember that you’re supposed to express opinions about things you don’t know doodly squat about.
Falcons Sorry–don’t get depressed. Everybody’s just envious of your powerful prose. Keep it up!
Anyway, Mr. MB, have a nice weekend. Your pal, Mitch
FalcTech
August 7th, 2009
4:00 pm
Don’t even give “FALCONS SORRY” the courtesy of responding to his retarded posts. Maybe Arthur Blank will let him clean his toilets at the mansion
Bill
August 7th, 2009
4:00 pm
Well I ‘ve been saying this since the schedule came out.Except I’m thinking 8-8.But as you said MB this is a process.The back to back winning seasons will come in the 2010 and 2011 seasons
Chris
August 7th, 2009
4:07 pm
Very tough schedule for sure…We must protect the dome! If we win 7 at home (which is very do able)that puts us in a position that if we split on the road then we’re divison champs! Our toughest home games will be against Philly and Chicago. Philly’s D will be down this year and so is Chicago’s. MB, What are the toughest road and home games in your opinion? Anyone else?
Glenn
August 7th, 2009
4:09 pm
I think 10-6 is a good call . Outside New England I don’t think the AFC east will be that great . With Tampa being a legitimate doormat I see 4-2 in our division . At worst we split with the NFC east . Philly is looking a little long in the tooth . I like us to beat both Chicago & SF . When the season gets rolling I think you will see our schedule isn’t going to be as tough as once feared . I like us to play Arizona in the NFC title game . Fine job Bradley .
mars
August 7th, 2009
4:11 pm
(tee-hee). Softmore. (snicker, snicker). What a marroon!
mitch
August 7th, 2009
4:13 pm
mars–I agree completely. Nothing but a marroon.
Mark
August 7th, 2009
4:13 pm
I read Mark Bradley’s blogs and get the impression this guy writes on a 5th grade level. Every single sentence is 5 words and written for 10 year olds to read
DAWG
August 7th, 2009
4:16 pm
Mark, makes it easier for us to read!
DJ
August 7th, 2009
4:19 pm
A smart bet would be a 8 win 8 loss season. They will upset one team where they are a big underdog but then they will lose 1 game they are expected to win. This is a very tough schedule and the defense is just too young and inexperienced. You can’t expect Ryans jersey to stay as clean as it did last season ( he was sacked only 17 times ) .
Glenn
August 7th, 2009
4:22 pm
He writes like that for me & I’m quite thankful . You must be a book reader ?
Falcons Ticket Operator
August 7th, 2009
4:23 pm
Tickets are still available! No lines, no waiting!
"Mr. Falcon"
August 7th, 2009
4:25 pm
If the Falcons go 9-7 with their schedule; they will win the NFC South.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 7th, 2009
4:28 pm
……and likely could win the NFC championship.
Geo
August 7th, 2009
4:34 pm
Wow! so many variables play into winning more games this season than last. I like the sound of 10-6 and winning the NFC South but focus should be placed in protecting Ryan and firming up the secondary.
There is no sophomore jinx if Ryan continues to have time to throw. Defenses will be tuned to his throwing tendencies so Ryan is going to need to show something new this year to keep the opposing D off balance. The Gonzales option will be able to help with that.Roddy will play but he may not be up to speed until week 5.
Our secondary scares me the most. This offense is built to score and it will score – dare I say more points than last year – however our secondary, particularly safety, has the potential of being disastrous. Be wary of those deep ball QBs they probably have the edge over the Falcons secondary. I expect us to lose games due to a big play or two.
I am vying for a conservative 9-7 (playoff eligible) record to get the “no consecutive winning seasons” monkey off our back.
Mark Bradley
August 7th, 2009
4:35 pm
I respect you all far too much to write on a fifth grade level. We’re at least at middle school.
Avery
August 7th, 2009
4:36 pm
9 wins probably wins their conference. Here comes the ride.
JASon
August 7th, 2009
4:37 pm
9-7. 1) People are going to be more ready to play the falcons this year. 2) Their defense is weaker. 3) They have a tougher schedule. The good news is if they make the playoffs it doesn’t really matter what your regular season record is. Go Falcons!
Avery
August 7th, 2009
4:37 pm
Division, I mean.
Shady Kraft
August 7th, 2009
4:38 pm
FALCONS SORRY MAYBE IF YOU TOOK OF ALL THE CAPS YOU WOULDNT LOOK SO STUPID. It would be like a smaller version of you, less room for stupid stuff.
CORRECT!!
August 7th, 2009
4:40 pm
What’s a “marroon?”
Nativebird
August 7th, 2009
4:42 pm
It’s amazing to me that we continue to discuss this 2009 Falcons team and season without mentioning Michael Turner, the O-line and the running game. Now with a new HOF TE, a little depth on O-line and an incredibly deep squad of young running backs, the offense should do fine with or without Roddy (pay me like Fitzgerald) White.
Defense will struggle early, but ultimately will be better than the Geritol crew we had last year. It was time for Brooking, Milloy, Grady and gang to go. Let the kids play, they’re good. I think Lofton and Nicholas will have a big year, Peterson will shore up the veteran savvyness. Babs will show Jerry the ropes. Chauncey is steady and Abe will get his 14 sacks. We have youth at corner secondary but with lots of speed. they will learn quick. I think our safeties will actually be better than last year. I saw Milloy give up a number of times. The playoff game exposed his age mercilessly.
haskell scatback
August 7th, 2009
4:43 pm
It would be nice to win 10 games. .I think that would be enough to win the division this year. .maybe not. .New Orleans is the hardest team in our division to read. .but, on topic, I think we will be a better team this season. .whether that translates to more wins, who knows? I was pretty optimistic going into last year, and they still won several more games than I thought possible. .should be a fun year.
WBK
August 7th, 2009
4:45 pm
FALCONS SORRY
August 7th, 2009
3:01 pm
Are you a koolaid drinker?
haskell scatback
August 7th, 2009
4:45 pm
By the way, Mr. Bradley, I think you’re an excellent writer. Winkeljohn has a book. .when will yours be released?
Carl
August 7th, 2009
4:47 pm
Falcons Sorry- You ought not talk that way, you’re just a boy! Vixzilla- I like the way you talk. I like them French Fried Taters. Stay away from potted meat, and bigeasy830. They’s both chock full of lips and peckers.
WBK
August 7th, 2009
4:47 pm
Mark Bradley
August 7th, 2009
4:35 pm
I could care less about that but I am ready for FALCON FOOTBALL!
"Mr. Falcon"
August 7th, 2009
4:49 pm
Mark, what was the attitude of the players and coaches in camp?
FLCNfan
August 7th, 2009
5:01 pm
10 wins in ‘09
The Dolphins, Buccaneers 2 times, Panthers 1 time, Saints 1 time, 49ers, Redskins, Bills, Jets, and lastly… the Cowboys cuz Tony Romo cant hold it together at the end of the season!!!!
kappellmeister
August 7th, 2009
5:01 pm
a maroon (sp) is dopey or stupid (e.g falcons sorry), a la bugs bunny. actually, word has some sinister origins, but hopefully not intended here….
Panties in a wad
August 7th, 2009
5:03 pm
10-6 and NFC South Champs.
Panties in a wad
August 7th, 2009
5:04 pm
People, please do not feed the “Sorry Troll”.
Top 10 Roddy White comments overheard in AL
August 7th, 2009
5:05 pm
10. I knew I shouldn’t have listened to Mark Bradley and held out.
9. It’s Ok…I know it will work….it worked the last time.
8. They can’t hold out on me much longer…now that my Harry D is limp
7. Pretty soon my phones gon’ be ringin’…i just know it
6. Thanks alot , Mike … for the career advice!
5. I’ll stay on top of my game by watching some film – Jerry McGuire
4. Well,now, at least me and Michael can spend more time together
3. My agent says I can still go the the Arena league, if they wanna play hardball.
2. HEY, Feinsod! I thought you said I was better than Fitzgerald?!!!
1. Dayummm!!! This Thomas Dimitroff ain’t no Rich McKay !!!
Zone6 Falcon
August 7th, 2009
5:08 pm
Falcon Sorry you are and IDIOT!!! You know nothing aabout football and propably get off on sensable people like myself talking about how stupid you are.BASEMENT FREAK!!! Matty Ice put up better numbers than a lot of elite QB,s and in there circles they know that he is the real deal. I bet let me guess you are a ME ANDELO Hall fan too huh? I don’t care how “tough” our schedule is. #1 the schedule is just as tough for everyone in our division. They play the same people we do. To assume that we will be horrible and everyone else in our division will win all of the games we won’t shows how much you don’t know. The Panthers have a tougher schedule than we do,the Bucs have to play the same teams we do and so do the Saints are they going to be great? Other than maybe Drew Brees we have that the best QB in the division. If we are going to finish bad then how will the rest of the South do? #2 Steelers won the superbowl with the “toughest” schedule in league history and they did it against a team the beat the Eagles. The same team the murdered Big Ben for six sacks and they only scored six points in that game. You don’t know what happens from year to year. Nest time you want to post a comment make it an intelligent one if you can!!!
CORRECT!!
August 7th, 2009
5:12 pm
For the love of Pete……… it’s MORON!!
What’s bad is someone calling a person a MORON and not spell MORON correct.
GEEZ…….what a maroon!!! LOL!!!
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:17 pm
To the gentleman who calls himself CORRECT. kappellmeister has the facts straight. Bugs Bunny is where I got the expression, but I was under the impression that it mainly was a funny way to say moron. Because I certainly did mean moron.
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:22 pm
(Sigh!) Dude……..read my last comment. Dude. (tsk, tsk)
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:23 pm
Dude!
GoBirdDawg
August 7th, 2009
5:25 pm
The Falcons will go 11-5 this year and surprise everyone.The defense will be much improved, stronger and faster, not to mention hungry..
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:26 pm
……Dude!…..
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:36 pm
Frm Wikepedia-
Maroon is derived from French marron (”chestnut”).[2]
The first recorded use of Maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.[3]
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:40 pm
Frm Urban Dictionary-
maroon
A term of derision often uttered by Bugs Bunny when referring to an interaction with a dopey adversary. It is a mispronunciation of the word “Moron”
“What a Maroon!” “Will ya get a load of this maroon
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:42 pm
Didn’t check the spelling before I used it, but still……Dude…..!
palsey
August 7th, 2009
5:44 pm
Hey falcon sorry, I bet you read playgirl magazine and still play with your little dolls, right minihune?
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:50 pm
minihune? Ok, I’d like to be in on that obscure reference. The Hawaiian little people?
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:51 pm
Wanna weigh in on minihune there, CORRECT?
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:58 pm
Wanna run a little spell check, big guy? Maybe cross refence the syntax, hmmm? Getcha self a little dictionary action? Ya wanna a so-dah? Hmmm? Would you like a so-dah??? Ah forget it, I tried.
mars
August 7th, 2009
5:59 pm
reference. Yeah I know. So, ya wanna soda?
mars
August 7th, 2009
6:01 pm
Alright, I’m a little too silly today. You folks talk some football. Later.
Mark
August 7th, 2009
6:06 pm
Mark’s hubris and arrogance has always bothered me. This is the latest instant.
LFP6
August 7th, 2009
6:16 pm
Who’s willing to wager that Falcons Sorry will be saying that the refs were paid off if our Falcons go 3-0 to start?
Anyway, I see them getting a winning record this year, barring any major injuries.
Falcon 228
August 7th, 2009
6:23 pm
Jim Mora figured he could keep his job by crying injuries. In this league the teams that are sound work their way through the injuries, hold outs, bad calls, tough schedules and other things that get in the way during the season. Let’s see what Coach Smith can do with the players he has. Let’s also see what Dimitroff has in his bag also. I remember Mora panicking and grabbing at what he thought was a player or players that could fill in the holes and the only thing he did was pad the payroll. It’s well known that good talent, (or any talent for that matter), just isn’t there right now. After the final cut down there may be some good talent available but we are just for the most part going to have to live with what we have. The deal is this…..This offense can move the ball. We got just a small dose of that last season. I also know where our priorities were placed after the 08 season ended. If Coach Smith and GM Dimitroff placed their focus on the defense after the playoff loss to the Cards like they did after they took over shortly after the final game of the 07 season then I’m sure there will be a quality product on the field whether Harry Douglas is playing or not. Whether Roddy White reports with a new deal or there’s no Roddy White because he wants a new deal. I’m not going to write off a season because of issues that all teams have to deal with. I’m also not going to buy into those that don’t support this team with infantile comments. Why? Because either they’re not going to spend the time or money to show up for the games or events my Falcons will have this season or next season. The other issue is this……Blogging has become one of the 1st amendment rights that have developed over the past decade. There are those of us that use this as a way to express our support or non-support whatever the case may be for whatever the issue is. Humor is always a way to lighten any issue whether in support of or not. But when a person acts like a preschooler to draw attention to themselves with vile rhetoric that’s nothing more than pent up resentment then it’s not worth my time to respond. Those of us that agree or disagree on the issues that are in front of us, without the childish name-calling and continually holding the Falcon organization hostage because of the mistakes of those that no longer have any part of this organization, are just taking up space. This organization is headed one way and that’s up. GO FALCONS!!!!!!
43 Years Of Failure
August 7th, 2009
6:28 pm
Right on queue!
Did You Know
August 7th, 2009
6:33 pm
Roddy White is the only receiver in this decade to have 1,000+ receiving yards in season and he had back-to-back in 2007/2008?
mars
August 7th, 2009
6:44 pm
He’s a God among insects. And he still comes up to Fitzgeralds knee. 1st round wide receivers should have 1000+ seasons every year. He deserves a raise, but he doesn’t merit Fitz money. 9th or tenth in the league at his position should be about right. That is what his performance merits. Now, about the team address the performance of any other 1st round receivers wandering around Flowery Branch…..
mars
August 7th, 2009
6:46 pm
1st round DE’s also….
MV7 GONE REAL RACISTS FALCON FANS SHOWED UP
August 7th, 2009
7:21 pm
RODDY WHITE HOLD-OUT AND GET YOUR MONEY,BECAUSE WHEN THE WHITE QUARTERBACKS WANT THEIR MONEY,THE OWNER GIVE IT TO THEM WITH NO PROBLEM,LOOK AT HOW ALOT OF THE WHITE FALCON FANS ARE STARTING TO TALK ABOUT HOW GREEDY YOU ARE,THESE REDNECKS ARE ONLY WITH YOU,IF YOUR BEING A GOOD STEP AND FETCHIT FOOTBALL PLAYER,PHUCK THEM RODDY GET YOUR MONEY!
MV7 GONE REAL RACISTS FALCON FANS SHOWED UP
August 7th, 2009
7:25 pm
HOW ABOUT IF YOU WHITES ARE SO BAD THEN WHY DONT YOU SOUTHERN TEAMS IN THE SOUTH JUST USE ALL WHITE PLAYERS,O I FORGOT,YOU ALL WOULD GET RUN OVER BY TEAMS WITH BROTHERS,YOU REPUBLICAN BUSH SUPPORTERS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA SHOWS WHY THE EDUCATION LEVEL IS 50TH IN THE NATION!
mars
August 7th, 2009
7:32 pm
Suddenly, a racist appeared.
mars
August 7th, 2009
7:32 pm
What a maroon. What an ignoramus.
mars
August 7th, 2009
7:33 pm
Quick! Someone check my spelling!
falconian
August 7th, 2009
7:36 pm
This is starting to look like the Falcons…6-10
Zorro
August 7th, 2009
8:06 pm
Uh — a maroon is ‘a fugitive black slave of the West Indies and Guiana in the 17th and 18th centuries; also : a descendant of such a slave’. Such a group lives in Jamaica. How about it bigmouth, I mean, bigeasy830. Is that you?
Zorro
August 7th, 2009
8:10 pm
MV7 GONE REAL RACISTS FALCON FANS SHOWED UP
August 7th, 2009
7:25 pm
HOW ABOUT IF YOU WHITES ARE SO BAD THEN WHY DONT YOU SOUTHERN TEAMS IN THE SOUTH JUST USE ALL WHITE PLAYERS,O I FORGOT,YOU ALL WOULD GET RUN OVER BY TEAMS WITH BROTHERS,YOU REPUBLICAN BUSH SUPPORTERS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA SHOWS WHY THE EDUCATION LEVEL IS 50TH IN THE NATION!
We used to do it that way, but you guys weren’t happy with that either. * Link
* Report this comment
Ken Strickland
August 7th, 2009
8:25 pm
It’s amazing how willingly some people will stubbornly cling to the past rather than embrace the future. Case in point. When TD and Smitty arrived last yr, they got rid of starting QB’s BLeftwich/JHarrington, RB WDunn, TE ACrumpler, OL WGandy/KFortney, WR JHorn and important backups in WR LRobinson, TE DBlakely and special teamers AJennings & MAnderson. DEF they got rid of starting DT RColeman, LB DWilliams, FS CCrocker, CB DHall and lost DT TLewis to injury. They also lost key reserves in LB TTaylor/TWilliams.
With the loss of all these starters, plus having a new coaching staff, new OFF/DEF systems and rookie starters at key positions, MLB CLofton, QB MRyan, and RT SBaker, we managed to win 11 gms despite all of the the negative predictions to the contrary. Now after being completely wrong about last yrs predictions, most of these same so called experts are claiming the Falcons won’t be able to duplicate last yrs success because of a stronger schedule and the loss of 5 DEF starters.
The fact we’re returning in tact, except for the addition of last yrs starting Probowl TE, one of the NFl’s most potent OFF, so called experts are doubting our ability to overcome a tougher schedule and the loss of 5 DEF players.
According to those same so called experts, the addition of LB’s MPeterson/SAdkins, DT’s PJerry/VWalker, CB’s COwens/WMiddleton, SS WMoore, DE LSidbury OT GReynolds, OL WSvitek/AStepanovich/RShiver, and the return from IR of SS AHarris, CB’s BGrimes/VHutchins, DT TLewis, LB RJames, RB TBrown and TE BHartsock will have absolutely no impact in making our DEF better or allowing us to overcome the loss of LB’s MBoley/KBrooking, SS LMilloy, DT GJackson and CB DFoxworth.
Now according to these so called experts, teams on our schedule like Philly, Dallas, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Carolina, New Orleans, Washington, Miami etc, can add and lose players and still be considered potent and capable of maintaining last yrs production.
I’M STICKING WITH MY PREDICTION OF 12-4, WITH A WORST CASE OF 11-5, BUT NOTHING LESS.
REALITY calling
August 7th, 2009
8:41 pm
To: Falcons sorry is a ??
FYI( sorry, I forgot….I have to spell it out for your kind )
FOR YOUR INFORMATION “FALCONS SORRY” is obviously to anyone with HALF a brain not real….pulling dummies’ strings for a rise…
So stick to what you do best….stockpiling ammo and food…cause they’re coming after your guns…andlistening to Rush Oxycontin Lardball,Glenn Beck and Insanity Hannity…BE AFRAID…
Socialism, gun control, A BLACK PRESIDENT!!!!!!! with NO BIRTH CERTIFICATE EVEN!!!! Oh the humanity….they egven want healthcare…
they’re coming after granny and your guns…GD what a bunch of maroons!!…lol
Wesley
August 7th, 2009
9:01 pm
FALCONS SORRY – Why did you fire me? Is it just because I’m white, and think Ryans’ is the man. Why do you have to keep the white man down?…Nooooobody knows the losses I’ve seen…come on everyone.
Smitty
August 7th, 2009
9:11 pm
Smitty Your comment is awaiting moderation.
August 7th, 2009
9:08 pm
Sorry to ask a Vick question but I’m watching CFL and wondered why it has not been mentioned as a possibility? Too late? Also, given some of our injuries, I’m curious if teams like the Falcons scout the CFL much as a source for competent, experienced skill positions like receivers and d-backs who might not need or want big hit salaries.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 7th, 2009
9:13 pm
You people are a bunch of ignorant, close minded biggots. Why does everything have to be about race? Why can’t a dumb@$$ just be a dumb@$$; reguardless of their race?
Ken Strickland "STFU"
August 7th, 2009
9:13 pm
You know nothing you loser!