5 reasons to feel confident about the 2009 Falcons
Here's reason to believe: Matty Ice as franchise cornerstone. (AP photo by Jeff Roberson)
For no reason beyond this being the team with the great fickle bird as its logo, I’ve done much handwringing over the state of the Falcons already. I’ve worried about injuries. (Harry Douglas’ knee, in particular.) I’ve worried about jinxes. I’ve worried about worrying. But today I put on my happy face and offer these reasons to be of good cheer.
1. The general manager is the smartest the Falcons have ever had. I once likened this to being considered the finest yachtsman in Kansas, whereupon a dutiful reader informed me Bill Koch, who won the America’s Cup, is indeed from Kansas. So let’s skip the flawed analogies and just say, “Even if he hasn’t eaten a hamburger in 20 years, Thomas Dimitroff is one clever fellow.”
2. This coaching staff is the best the Falcons have ever had. (Sorry to disappoint all those Greg Knapp fans out there.)
3. Matt Ryan isn’t going to fail. He works too hard. He cares too much. And he’s not exactly untalented, either.
4. The talk of a jinx has actually put the Falcons on alert. “We read that article,” said the discerning Mr. Dimitroff, meaning one of mine, “and it got some guys’ attention.” (Glad to be of service, TD.)
5. The Tony Gonzalez acquisition made the Falcons believe in the way only a major addition to a solid nucleus can make players believe. Players are human. They love to see gifted new players walk through that door. In the history of football, there might have been five tight ends as gifted as Gonzalez. There also might not have been.
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105 comments Add your comment
gman
August 28th, 2009
6:22 pm
falcons SUPERBOWL bound. go TD, go SMITH, go FALCONS.
all yall haters, dont be upset cause your team SUCKS. go to their
page and complain to them. dont hate on us.
no body but GOD can stop us now.11-5. division CHAMPS
go get your falcon jersey, i can see you now
jerry
August 28th, 2009
6:24 pm
jinx: a myth fed to the herd by sportswriters to cover the a$$es of lousy owners.
Timmaaayyyyyy....
August 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
Big Easy… beating your team will be easy. You’re unintelligent and not even interesting. How about a little consistency Mark??? Thomas Dimitroff isn’t going to be giving you any exclusive interviews this season… But even with your wish-washedness, sure beats listening to Terrance… ummm…. what was his name again. Terrance makes you look like Walter Kronkite. Go Coons.
shadykraft
August 28th, 2009
6:43 pm
Mark, Forgive me. I pretended to look busy today so I missed the blog on the Bravos. I’m really FALCON SORRY about that. I’m better than that. So I turn my head and the Rockies lose. YAY! 4.5 is child’s play. I hope they don’t play 2 innings tonight and delay it just so we spend Hanson tonight. Those dirty rotten scoundrels in Philly. Tonight is our best chance to win in my opinion. (armchair). KK to the bullpen makes since. He’s wearing down from the 5 man roatation as compared to the 6 is it he’s used to with the dragons.
Rocky Mountian Falcon
August 28th, 2009
6:50 pm
I cant wait for the season to start! This will be my 31st Season as a Falcon fan, and I think this could be our year to break the jinx and have our 1st back to back winning seasons. This year anything past 9 wins is gravy! If Mattie Ice and company can pick apart the Chargers defense like they did against the Rams defense last weekend, then I think we will have 12 win season, and at least two play off wins as well. I dont want to say Superbowl yet, but I do see us making it to the NFC Championship.
FranktheFalcon
August 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
I can’t wait for the season to begin!!! We have a team that we can all be proud of. The offense will be spectacular! The defense will play hard, but will undergo growing pains. It will take time for the 5 or so new starters on defense
to gain enough experience to not make glaring mistakes. But the bottom line is: WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION!!! THAT IS WHAT WE NOW HAVE: A FOOTBALL ORGANIZATION, RATHER THAN INDIVIDUALS ALL DOING THEIR JOBS SEPARATELY.
I have great confidence in the future of this organization because good decisions are constantly being made by those in charge. Perfect decisions all the time? NO, but the best decisions that we can make at the time that we have to make them with the information that we have available at the time.
We are building it the right way! Thomas Dimitroff is unbelievable! We are lucky to have him. He is the best young GM in the business. Coach Smith is fantastic! He is a great coach and treats those around him with respect, and receives respect in return. He is one of the nicest people that you have ever seen. More free agents will head our way in the future because they want to play for a coach like him. Arthu Blank now realizes his role, and his enthusiasm and passion for people and winning is contagious. We are indeed lucky to have all three of these great leaders.
KEEP THESE THREE PEOPLE IN PLACE AND THE FALCONS WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE FOR YEARS TO COME111
Origional Fan
August 28th, 2009
6:55 pm
First off, Wm Andrews, had his career not been shortened by SEVERE injuries, G. Riggs , as much as I love him, would not be close. And Mark, the RB that was infamous for the 1K to 997 in one play was John Settle.
shadykraft
August 28th, 2009
6:55 pm
Mark. I missed that blog thanks for bringing it. I should have noticed, just been trying to look like I was I was working today. I’m really FALCON SORRY about that. I hope they get the game in tonight and dont just “try” and spend Hanson.
Joseph Allen McWhorter
August 28th, 2009
7:33 pm
I agree Mark and if the Falcons can just win their division this year, I truly believe they will be in the Super Bowl because they will have at least one home playoff game if they win the division. Just look at what that did for Arizona last year. I also agree with you on about 10 wins. That would be fine considering the schedule. It is a lot tougher than last year. Good article!
shadykraft
August 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
Im really FALCON SORRY I missed that blog on the Bravos Mark.
shadykraft
August 28th, 2009
7:49 pm
Is Hanson done for the night? Im mad about that. This was our best chance to win and now he may be done for the night right? Hows that usually work people? 2 + innings and he cant go if he sits for how long? Help me understand. Thanks.
Ken Strickland
August 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
There’s no way DReeves is the Falcons best GM ever. As GM, he made so many bad personnel decisions after our SB season that ABlank had to demand he relinquish the position. It was Reeves that either released, traded or refused to resign C RTobeck, WR TMartin, JGerman and TMathis, TE Santiago, DE’s CSmith and LArchambeau, LB’s CBennett, JTuggle, HCrockett and BTalley, DB ERobinson, RBradford, MBooker, WWhite and DBush, DT’s SDronett, THall and EJohnson to name a few.
That’s why we followed our SB season with consecutive losing seasons of 5-11. 4-12 and 7-9. Some of you are so hungup of him taking us to the SB, that you fail to realize he had only 2 winning seasons, 1998(14-2) and 2002(9-6-1) in his 7 seasons as Atlanta HC. Smitty is about to have his 2nd winning season and 2nd playoff experience in just 2 seasons as HC. We definitely have a SB calibur OFF, and our DEF will be much improved.
striped shirt
August 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
For Origional Fan :
“In his first year with the team, Hampton surpassed the 1,000 yard rushing yard mark during the Falcons’ final game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he was tackled for a six-yard loss on the following play and ended the season with 995 yards. In 1973, he had another chance to get a 1,000-yard rushing season, but he ended up three yards shy. After missing most of the 1974 season due to injury, he rushed for 1,002 yards in 1975 and received the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.” –wikipedia
Settle had 1024 yards in 1988. In no other year did he come close to 1,000.
Greg
August 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
greg is right about 8-8. Everyone is better this year. Our schedule is very tough. 9-7 at best. mountain_jim is right about Laurent. We didn’t get appropriate value in exchange. We also, even more prominently, didn’t get ANY value in ANY exchange for Vick. There was no reason, none whatsoever, to cut that guy loose before he was out of prison and the question of his re-instatement was settled. That was giving the guy away for nothing. Stupidest business decision of the decade. Why not wait and test the market after he gets re-instated? So Mark is dead wrong: TD is NOT such a smart GM.
shadykraft
August 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
Im better than that. SPARTAAA
Glitchy
August 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Great writing, Mark.
All valid points, but something tells me the Gonzalez signing is the capper. As you point out, it says we want to win now and gives the young guys a man to emulate.
Ryan now has a big body underneath. Watch his completion percentage go up 10%. Along with 3rd down and red zone conversions.
Hawkshurrah
August 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
Mark, #4 in your list is comical. You really have an ego don’t you, bro’.
Nite Owl
August 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
The fact that anyone would bemoan the loss of Laurent Robinson is ludicrous.
I mean, seriously. Are you that desperate to find fault with TD?
From Monty Python’s Life of Brian:
Brian: There’s just no pleasing some people.
Ex-Leper: That’s just what Jesus said, sir!
Nite Owl
August 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
And for Greg, I’ve got Animal House:
Otter: Greg, look at my thumb!
(Decks Greg)
Otter: Gee, you’re dumb.
I mean, if you don’t understand the value in cutting all ties with Vick before training camp, then you’ve missed the boat on the new culture TD and Coach Smith have built here.
Getting total closure was more valuable than dragging this damn thing out one more minute just to get a stupid draft pick.
(Deep breath)
Just sayin’.
mudcat
August 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
Falcons have great management, in the office and on the field. MS and his staff are demanding and getting maximum effort from a young team. But remember, we play at New England, Dallas, Carolina, New Orleans, NY Giants, NY Jets and home games with Miami and Philadelphia. Tough. If we go 10-6 or better with this schedule, look out!
Reid Adair
August 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
Thomas Dimitroff has been outstanding, but in all honesty, he didn’t have to do much to become the best general manager in the franchise’s history.
JRoss1981
August 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
All I know is I can’t wait for the SUPPER BOWL!!!!
Nite Owl
August 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
I know what’s going to happen. I’m just not going to tell anyone.
130on2
August 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
Vick is not a qb, has never been a qb and never will be a qb.
The Grinch
August 28th, 2009
11:40 pm
The loss of Laurent Robinson only hurts because of the loss of Harry Douglas. We’ll still be fine. The sked is brutal and the defense is a question mark, but barring injury there’s no way we don’t at least go 9-7. The offense is just too strong. We’ll be in the top 3 in scoring.
After watching TB in the preseason and knowing Carolina’s penchant for being overrated, the only team that stands in our way in the NFC South is NO. I don’t like the fact that Gregg Williams is running the D now; he may get something out of them. I expect both games to be barn burners.
Next year (between the draft and FA), we get a shutdown corner, another solid OL and DE and we’ve got it made. Provided Douglas makes a comeback; if he’s lost his burst we’ll need another WR. Finn can only play so long on those rebuilt knees. I predict Moore will develop into an excellent safety.
tyler
August 28th, 2009
11:50 pm
The Falcons have been to ONE Super Bowl, led by Dan Reeves. Arthur Blank fired the only coach to lead the Falcons to a Super Bowl on a team that has never had back to back winning seasons. Blank is a football idiot. He set the franchise back five years.
As long as Blank keeps his ass in the skybox writing checks, we have a chance.
Best coach and GM: Dan Reeves. Gimme a break, we went to the Super Bowl.
We are however back on track, love our current team. Could of easily done without the waste of time that was Mora Jr. and Petrino.
tyler
August 29th, 2009
12:13 am
Ken, I just read your list of washed up also rans that Dan Reeves got rid of. Comical to say the least. I dont see one name that left Atlanta and did ANYTHING. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
I must of missed the 1000 yrd season by J. German. Or maybe the 9 TD season by Santiago. Or the 10 sack dominance of Archimbeau. Maybe the 100 tackles by H. Crockett? The incredible 1200 yrd season of T. Mathis. No? are you sure? Maybe C Bennett went on for a 90 tackle 11 sack season with another team. No?
E Robinson I’m sure went on for a 75 tackle 4 int season for another team. No?
I forgot about D. Bush’s 3 Pro Bowl years after he left
Atlanta. Oops, no again.
Did’nt Tuggle, Talley, and C. Smith combine for 12 Pro Bowls after they left Atlanta. No?
I will give you Tobeck. An excellent player who we could have kept had the money been right.
You go to a Super Bowl or you dont. Dan Reeves took us to a Super Bowl.
Big Ray
August 29th, 2009
12:32 am
Mark,
Excellent article. And while I did like Dan Reeves and his guys, I think Mike Smith and his crew will prove to be better.
Laurent Robinson may prove to be a player for the Rams, and good for him. He wasn’t going to get the chance to do that here because he couldn’t stay healthy, and didn’t entirely fit the gameplan here.
Thomas Dimitroff is a lot smarter and better than some people want to know or admit.
If you think the Falcons will go 4-12 then why are you blogging here? By the way, going 5-11 means you’re wrong. Won’t take much to refute that ridiculous claim, will it?
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
12:57 am
Someone actually believes that Dan “You Can Never Have Too Many Tight Ends” Reeves is the BEST GM we’ve had?
What kind of crack are you smoking, and can I get me some?
Reeves is, to date (so to be replaced), is the best coach in Falcons history. But it looks as if Smith will be replacing him soon.
But best GM is easily Dimitroff. Why? Because in two years, his drafts have been more professional, more logical, and more better (bad grammar, I know) than ANY in Falcons history.
Sorry to say, but Dan Reeves was a mediocre to bad GM at best.
Boo Boo
August 29th, 2009
1:48 am
Mark,
The Falcons did not beat the Rams until 1972 (after six full years in the NFL). They had been 0-9-2 against them, playing in the NFL Coastal Division. By the end of the ’70s, they had amassed an overall 4-21-2 record against the Rams, including a 59-0 embarassment in Los Angeles. The ’80s found them step it up to a 6-13 record (only 1 game against them in the ‘82 strike year). The only period when the Falcons enjoyed some level of success was in the ’90s, when they had turned into the LA Lambs, before moving to St. Louis. From 1990, through 1994, the Falcons were 8-2 against them, largely because Gary Grandview hated Jim Everett. However, since 1995 the Falcons are only 7-10 against the St. Louis Rams, plus a playoff victory against them in ‘04. Overall, the Rams hold the edge, 26-47-2 (.356). In other words, it was a big game anytime the Falcons beat the Rams. Otherwise, it was more of the same beat down.
Big Ray
August 29th, 2009
2:41 am
#1 Reason the Falcons will be just fine in ‘09….BigEasy830 was wrong last year too….
cdog
August 29th, 2009
3:10 am
THE FALCONS NEED TO HAVE QUALITY BACKUP RUNNING BACKS IN CASE TURNER GOES DOWN. REMEMBER JAMAAL ANDERSON INJURY VS DALLAS AND THE SEASON WAS LOST. TURNER AS THE YEAR WENT ON BEGIN TO RUN EAST AND WEST INSTEAD OF NORTH AND SOUTH DUE TO THE POUNDING. JERIOUS NORWOOD IS A QUALITY BACK BUT NOT AN EVERY DOWN BACK.D J SHOCKLEY HAS MORE YEARS OF NFL EXPERIENCE AND SHOULD BE KEPT. JOHN PARKER WILSON NEEDS A YEAR ON THE PRACTICE SQUAD THEN MAYBE NEXT YEAR HE WOULD BE READY.1 OR 2 GAMES IN THE PRESEASON SHOULD NOT BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR ON KEEPING SHOCKLEY. HE HAS EXPERIENCE OVER WILSON. FINALLY, A VETERAN PUNT RETURNER SHOULD BE SIGNED OR TRADED FOR AND A VETERAN CORNER SHOULD BE ACQUIRED.
Paddy
August 29th, 2009
6:58 am
jamaliver…they did what was best for Milloy, he couldn’t play anymore and he might have gotten hurt going at 1/2 speed. It was for his safety and the betterment of the team.
Paddy
August 29th, 2009
7:02 am
big ray… you are right. big easy830 is rarely correct. his posts are always so over the top, he never gives himself a chance to getting anything correct.
Brian Hunt
August 29th, 2009
7:54 am
This staff has a ways to go before they convince me that they are better than the staff of 1998. They have to be good on both sides of the ball and get to the big show.
Grits Blitz
August 29th, 2009
8:08 am
What a tough schedule for the Falcons,– did anyone notice the easy schedule for the Steelers?
FALCONS SORRY
August 29th, 2009
8:30 am
YEAH – WELL THAT 4 GOOD REASONS THE FALCONS ARE GOING TO BE GOOD BUT ILL GIVE YOU ONE GOOD REASON THEY WONT BE GOOD.
1. MIKE VICK PLAYS FOR THE EAGLES
2. ARTHUR BLANK IS A TWO TIMER
pickettboy
August 29th, 2009
8:40 am
All I can tell everyone is lookout for white, ryan , turner , gonzalez, and everyone keeps sleeping on norwood and jenkins. so many weapons that its going to give us 7 to 8 different mismatches during a game. you know what matchups create problems for a defense and that puts pressure on the other team and you know what they say, pressure will bust a pipe baby, 13-3 all the way this year. I cant see too many teams dealing with that if we can stay healthy. GGGGGGGGGGGGGoooooooooooooooooooo falcons!!
vafalconfan
August 29th, 2009
9:48 am
For the first time it’s a real pro franchise. No gimmicks, no run and shoot, no running QB, no 3-4 defense with a 285 NT. This is the real deal!
gman
August 29th, 2009
10:18 am
Can we please come up with a different nickname than dirty birds. That gives such a negative feel. These guys are a class act and desrve better.
midnite
August 29th, 2009
11:00 am
tyler-I have yet find anyone that complains about Mr. Blank being on the sidelines at the end of games that can offer a legitimate reason as to why he should not be there. Can you enlighten ?
Dawgfan 4 life
August 29th, 2009
11:15 am
I’m sorry, did the Aints fans forget that they didn’t make the playoffs last year?
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:21 am
While watching the New England vs Washington game yesterday, it just reminded me of what I have told you delusional Falcon fans about your predictions in the game this season vs the Redskins.
I told you guys that you must be out of your minds thinking you can beat the Redskins with that powerful defense. I told you people that in 2008 they had the 5th toughest defense in the NFL and now they added the toughest man to play 1-on-1, that being Albert Haynesworth and they drafted the biggest impact rookie Okakpo, but you guys are still dreaming.
Did you see the MONSTER hit Haynesworth laid on Brady yesterday? Sent the whole New England fan base into a coma. If that great offensive line in New England can’t protect Brady, just imagine how Haynesworth and company will feast on string bean Matt Ryan.
The Redskins are just one of the teams the Ryan should be worried about. It’s going to be a very long season and 2007 will reappear in 2009.
Dawgfan 4 life
August 29th, 2009
11:25 am
Either you’re a Skins fan or you’re a hater. Which is it?
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:44 am
Reality hurts I know.
Jack G.
August 29th, 2009
11:54 am
I will say one thing in FALCON SORRY favor. One of his names is correct.
bigeasy830
August 29th, 2009
11:59 am
Bad News lets let the past be the past, because after the Falcons start the season by stinking up the whole NFL, I don’t want to hear any excuses from their sorry fans. Lets keep it current, this year Falcons team suck, if you mention 2007 it will give them an excuse to blame the 2009 woes on “You Know Who”. The sorry Falcons fans are always looking for excuses.
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
midnite
August 29th, 2009
12:25 pm
bigeasy830 and Bad News-are like catfish-all mouth, no brains, and full of $hit. With the same IP address.
DawgForLife
August 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
Best overall staff…maybe.
Definitely not the best defensive coaches. Probably before your time here Mark, but we actually were terrific defensively once upon a time. The name “Gritz Blitz” was the wording. I believe this was around the 1977 or 78 seasons. Finished 7-7 and 9-7 in those two years. Made the playoffs once and lost to Philly. Little offense cost us.
Ra Barn
August 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
You forget one BIG thing Schultz….. DEFENSE. This team will NOT be better than last year because of DEFENSE. Show me one team that had the same turnover in DEFENSE in one season, as many ROOKIES being counted on, that has actually done well (or at least better than our defense of last year). Not saying the changes didn’t need to be made, but it ain’t happenin’ this year my friend. If the Falcons end up above .500, it’ll be because of the offense. 11-5 again? No way.