Bradley’s Buzz: ESPN prescribes Vitamin D for the Falcons
There’s no defense for the indefensible, or something like that
Apparently Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com saw the same game I did. Because he spent the entirety of his post on the Falcons’ victory over San Diego — was there ever a victory so misleading? — discussing the winning team’s defense. Or the abject lack of same. Wrote Yasinskas:
“The Falcons aren’t going to go out and blow up their defense at the end of the preseason. They’re going with what they’ve got and that’s a little scary. They could have gone out and grabbed some blue-chip defensive backs in the offseason. But they didn’t.
“They’re going with Brent Grimes and Chris Houston as their starting cornerbacks and Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud as their starting safeties, for better or worse. If the Falcons are going to make the best of this, they need to do some of the same things they do with their offensive line. They don’t have a tremendous amount of talent there, but they make the most of it because they hide their weaknesses.
“They need to do the same thing with the secondary. The best way to do that is with a pass rush. They’ve got an elite rusher in John Abraham, but they need more than that. They need third-year pro Jamaal Anderson to step up from the very start of the season. Anderson was a top 10 pick in 2007 and he’ll be on the bench if he doesn’t start quickly.
“The Falcons have Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury and Kroy Biermann as alternatives to Anderson. One, or some combination, of all those defensive ends will have to step up or the secondary really might be in trouble.”
I’d agree the Falcons aren’t apt to blow anything up at this late date. But I’m not sure they’re committed to going with what they have. As I mentioned yesterday, GM Thomas Dimitroff seemed to indicate after the game he could be doing some last-minute shopping among free agents and off the waiver wire.
I don’t believe Anderson is going to get cut, as many commenters on Saturday’s live chat suggested. Neither do I believe he’ll become anything more than a rotational player along the defensive line. A guy with two sacks in two seasons isn’t going to turn into Deacon Jones because Mike Smith wishes really hard.
No, if there’s a pass rusher to be found (other than Abraham) among this D-line crew, I’m thinking it’s Sidbury. And it should be noted that Smitty singled the Richmond rookie out for praise after the game, which is more than he did for any first-team defender save Curtis Lofton.
The Braves have no chance (even though they do)
Here’s one of those fun-with-numbers things that is neither terribly fun nor especially edifying. Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus, which leads the majors in numbers per column inch, breaks down the schedules of the National League wild card contenders for ESPN.com and determines that the Braves’ isn’t so tough. Wrote Jaffe in a post dated Friday (link requires registration):
“Aside from six games with the Phillies — against whom Atlanta is 8-4 this year — and seven with the Marlins, the only other contender the Braves face the rest of the way is the Cardinals.”
The Braves just finished a three-game series in Philadelphia, meaning only 13 of their remaining 32 games will be against teams with winning records. The Giants, by way of contrast, must still play more than half their games — 16 of 31 — against winning clubs. Yet San Francisco entered the weekend with a 12.2 percent chance of making the playoffs, while the Braves entered with “a less than 1-in-10 shot.”
Got that? Me, neither. But here’s something to consider: The Rockies, who fell into a tie with San Fran for the wild card lead 3 1/2 games ahead of the Braves, play only nine of their 31 games — and three of the next 22 — against teams with winning records.
Help a Dawg out! Tweet with Jeff Owens!
Jeff Owens, the gifted and expressive Georgia defensive tackle, set a goal of breaking the magic 1,000-follower mark on Twitter over the weekend, and he made it. (Thanks to esteemed colleague Rudy Isaza for alerting me to this momentous development.)
If you care about the Bulldogs and haven’t yet followed Mr. Owens, you should. (He’s @jeffowens95.) Because you’ll discover things, such as how Mr. Owens spent his weekend:
- Got a parking ticket for $100 on Friday;
- Got an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game;
- Went to Piggly Wiggly, where he bought meat, on Saturday,;
- Played basketball and saw teammates Geno Atkins and Darryl Gamble lose to “a 14-year-old boy”;
- Went to church on Sunday;
- Ate lunch at the Holiday Inn;
- Took a nap;
- Played “NCAA 2010″;
- Received the movie “Knowing” through Netflix;
- Cooked chicken — with yellow rice, which is apparently harder to prepare than white rice — for dinner.
Not entirely sure what’s on tap for next weekend. Something about playing cowboy. Or maybe it has to do with playing the Cowboys.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
104 comments Add your comment
TAMPAFALCON
August 31st, 2009
1:04 pm
The real test is within the division. We all play the same teams except the two other NFC division teams. We have a tough schedule (4th), but so does the other division teams. How we compare with the other teams is favorable. The Bucs are unknown. New coach, new GM, retread QB, new defense. Who knows. The Saints literally have no defense. That leaves it to the Falcons and Panthers. The edge goes to the Falcons. Especially in December. While the Panthers close with the Patriots and Giants on the road, the Falcons have their primary tough game against the Eagles at home. Look for both to make the playoffs barring significant injuries.
Bad News
August 31st, 2009
1:05 pm
jam
August 31st, 2009
12:47 pm
Matt Ryan had almost 3 pick in the game one with no WR near the ball. But everyone is overlooking this. He had problems facing this D. Our O needs work too.
“JAM”
Glad there is at least one other person on this blog not smoking crack
Caught on tape
August 31st, 2009
1:08 pm
Falcons sorry, bad news, leland, bigeasy830 – all caught on tape, check out the video!
Zach
August 31st, 2009
1:11 pm
Mark,
I know that you will probably disagree, but what is your assessment of how things happened in the 8th inning last night. My thought was, after chipper drove in diaz on that strange single for Mac to lay a bunt down setting up 2nd and 3rd with one out with Garrett and Yunel and Adam. I know that Mac is the cleanup hitter, however when you’re down one run (based on some other crazy circumstances) why would you not try to get runners in a position where a fly ball can tie the game.
Clearly it is was unfortunate that Mac smoked one at Utley, and bunting with your clean up hitter is unconventional it just seems painfully obvious that you can’t hit into a double play there.
Joey Harrington
August 31st, 2009
1:14 pm
Matt Ryan stop cloning me!!!!!!!!!!
Dshep
August 31st, 2009
1:21 pm
What is ESPN?
Pooh Dog
August 31st, 2009
1:31 pm
One thing I’d like to see Jeff Owens twitter about that I didn’t…..hitting the books. What are you there for son? Get your education!
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2009
1:37 pm
Zach, I’m afraid you answered yourself. Baseball men just don’t bunt with their cleanup hitters. The cleanup hitter is there to drive in the runs, not to move guys over. McCann was simply unlucky.
deep
August 31st, 2009
1:42 pm
God this blog sucks really bad….. some of you guys are…well…. I’m going back over to Sekou and his Hawks blog……… For all you Vick lovers go over to the Eagles Blog……. Go Falcons!!!! Go Matty Ice!!!! Remember the Bears games last year???? Nough Said!!!
Turtsnap
August 31st, 2009
1:42 pm
Last night, 9th inning, 2 outs, Norton up and Infante on deck. Anybody else think that should’ve been reversed? I wish Bobby could get over his infatuation with Norton, and his stupid Righty vs Lefty thing
Nativebird
August 31st, 2009
1:46 pm
To all of those “gee-give-the-guy-another-3rd-season-before-we-rush-to-judgement-and-call-Anderson-a-bust”, Mark, you’ve NAILED it on the head: “A guy with two sacks in two seasons isn’t going to turn into Deacon Jones because Mike Smith wishes really hard”.
When you flat out WHIFF on an overall #8 pick, it causes a destructive ripple effect through a franchise that is almost always under estimated, and typically hurts the most 3 years down the road.
tt44
August 31st, 2009
1:52 pm
I tell ya….. CB..Houston from ARK. REAL SHAKY! He reminds me of the cornerback Jerry Rice scored 5 TD’s that game many yrs. ago…
The height, speed and aggressiveness is a real concern for Dbacks….As far as Jamal Anderson…form ARK….(hmmm, these players from ARK ARENT GETTNG THE JOB DONE!) i WOULD NOT EVEN START HIM……GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY MAKE SOME SACKS…GO FIGURE….TEAMS KNOW WHO THE FALCONS OTHER D END IS AND THAT SHOULD FREE UP J. A. TO DO SOME DAMAGE!
\HE HAS NOT GOT THE JOB DONE…TRADE HIM! (HOUSTON TOO.) LOOK LETS WIN A SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO FALCONS!
tt44
August 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Joey Harrington
August 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
Exclusive: Favre, Vick At Top Of Jersey List
Published: Monday, 31 Aug 2009 | 12:16 PM ET Text Size By: Darren Rovell
Sports Business Reporter
Perhaps the most interesting jersey sales list of all time has hit our desk at CNBC. It’s the NFLShop.com’s best selling jersey list from April 1-August 28.
Brett Favre Vikings jerseys now top the list at No. 1, even though the jerseys only became available when Favre signed with the team a couple weeks ago.
And despite being passed over by big retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods DICKS SPORTING GOODS INCDKS
22.21 -0.60 -2.63% NYSE
Quote | Chart | News | Profile
[DKS 22.21 -0.60 (-2.63%) ], Michael Vick’s Philadelphia Eagles jerseys sold well enough to make their debut at No. 4.
Also of interest is the fact that Michael Crabtree jerseys are in the top 20 even though the Texas Tech wide receiver is still holding out.
Here’s the entire list from sales on NFLShop.com from the NFL’s first four months of the fiscal year.
1. Brett Favre, Vikings
2. Jay Cutler, Bears
3. Troy Polamalu, Steelers
4. Michael Vick, Eagles
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
6. Tony Romo, Cowboys
7. Mark Sanchez, Jets
8. Tom Brady, Patriots
9. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
10. Eli Manning, Giants
11. Terrell Owens, Bills
12. Peyton Manning, Colts
13. Hines Ward, Steelers
14. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
15. Jason Witten, Cowboys
16. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
17. Joe Flacco, Ravens
18. Matt Ryan, Falcons
19. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
20. Michael Crabtree, 49ers
Hmmmmm………Vick is ahead of:
Mannings
Brady
Romo
Roethlinberger….
Matty Ice way down at #18 – that sucks
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
You’re thinking of Charles Dimry, TT44.
And TurtSnap,, is there a better image of this season than Greg Norton striking out to end the game?
Turtsnap
August 31st, 2009
2:13 pm
Only other image (or fact) would be this, and I could not believe this when I heard it: JJ has given up 2 or less earned runs in 21 of his 28 starts, yet his record is only 10-9!!! So last year it was hitting and no pitching, front office shored up the pitching problem. This year lack of hitting has bitten us SO many times!
On a different note MB. I have heard that Dunta Robinson is unhappy in Houston. Do you think the Falcons might pursue a trade? If so, any indications as to what the Texans might want in return?
Bill M
August 31st, 2009
2:19 pm
Joey Harrington,
Don’t you think you should take into account that both Favre and Vick are playing for new teams this year? This is the first opportunity to buy these jerseys. No one had them in their closet already. That would also help explain Sanchez, T.O. and Crabtree.
Dr. Warren
August 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
Mark, how did this obvious glaring weakness–the Falcons’ D, and especially the secondary–go largely uncovered by everyone for so long? Hasn’t it always seemed a stretch to expect such a young defense with 5 new starters to win 10+ games?
Coop
August 31st, 2009
2:29 pm
Bad News – You’re a reatrded racists. period.
As for our D, it’s all on the DLine. I’ll take another corner, but until we get in the backfield to disrupt the run and pressure the QB, it won’t matter who’s back there. Also, maybe it’s just me, but we probably ought to spend about ten minutes this week learning how to cover the screen.
Coop
August 31st, 2009
2:30 pm
“Retarded Racist”… so mad, I couldn’t type…
FALDAWGS
August 31st, 2009
2:36 pm
well if you ask me i would have jamaal anderson playing DT and that new DE sidbury playing his position and keep babionoix where he is then i agree go out and sign a real SS
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2009
2:38 pm
Dr. Warren, the Falcons didn’t believe the weakness was quite so glaring until the second quarter of Saturday’s game.
FALDAWGS
August 31st, 2009
2:41 pm
what i am trying 2 figure out on all this is how do u get a team 2 3rd down and 20 and give up a first down that happened multiple times during the game whats up with that
slow roller
August 31st, 2009
2:50 pm
Mark, are there any good players the falcons might consider trading to get a cornerback? The linebacker crew didn’t look all that great either.
ICNDARK
August 31st, 2009
3:11 pm
Though I found Houston’s play at DB to be atrocious I must defend Brent Grimes. San Diego only completed a couple of passes to the reciever he was covering, and the first one for a 3rd down conversion was an obvious push-off by the reciever. Even Dan Fouts pointed that out, but then said it was a good play because it wasn’t called. It was not a good play when you follow that comment by throwing the defender under the bus, as if he is playing poorly. The rest of the game Grimes was in position in coverage and tackled the recievers well. Evidence of this is the fact that the rest of the game they were throwing to Houston’s reciever because Grimes’ man was covered. I am certain that in the film room it was not Grimes who was being called out by Smitty. I think that the fans of this organization are all too prone to hit the panic button. Just look at the improved performance of the defense in the second half. Fine, give me all the “second stringer” crap you want but they seemed more on point as a whole.
I am very thankful that the ankle-tweak suffered by Owens on a kick-return was not serious. It was Owens who caught from behind, the streaking running back headed for a touchdown. He was very fast, and obviously has skills. If anything, I think he will be as big a help to our secondary as anyone else, rookie or not. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing Ty Law in a Falcons jersey either.
Note to “Bad News”: The pass on the first drive that Matt “heaved” that was a “gift wrapped PICK6″ was overthrown not underthrown. The defender had what’s known to football types (yourself not included) as perfect coverage. In addition, if caught by the defender, he would have gone down right there in a heap with Roddy on top of him precluding any “6″ that you are assuming. In the second half, the dropped pick was a timing route and the reciever ran the wrong route. Matt didn’t have a perfect game, no Falcon did on Sat. night. But your obvous bias grows tiresome as your inaccurate analysis is regurgitated ad nauseaum (look it up!).
I for one refuse to quit on My Birds!
But will gladly fling a few at some on this blog…
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2009
3:11 pm
I don’t know, Slow Roller. I don’t think any of the reserve tight ends would bring much, and the Falcons probably need to hang on to the receivers without Harry Douglas. This is a good roster, but it’s not yet a deep roster.
Nativebird
August 31st, 2009
3:12 pm
From Chan Gailey in 1973 to Tim Tebow in 2009, Florida Gator starting Quarterbacks sure have come a LONG way, notwithstanding the 1966 Heisman winner,(to remain nameless in Gainesville. aka “Turncoat”).
Dr. Warren
August 31st, 2009
3:15 pm
I gotcha. But that doesn’t mean the media analysts can’t see it just because the company line or belief is “we’ll be good.” I will always hold you to one of your finest recent moments–the prediction after the GA Tech -BC game in Fall of ‘07 that Matt Ryan would be a terrific pro, the best in the ‘08 class. You raised the bar that time, my friend.
Dr. Warren
August 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
Meaning, raised it permanently.
YUP!!
August 31st, 2009
3:29 pm
I can’t believe some of you rate a player based on their jersey sales!! Are you people serious?
YUP!!
August 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
So…….if a player was rated on jersey sales Vick should have been able to read defenses and audible at the line 7 years ago. Truth is if McD’s were to change the numbers on the combo menu Vick would be lost and in total confusion because we all know he’s as dumb as a rock.
Barry Jay
August 31st, 2009
3:42 pm
Grimes and Houston will get better I think…can’t get much worse. What we need is one or two tall DB veterans that can be called upon when we play the 6′-5” receivers. Even if they have lost a step…with our speedy DB’s out there too, we might have a chance to stop a third and long play every now and then.
webhead
August 31st, 2009
3:46 pm
C’mon I’m waiting for all you idiots to start blaming Brooking again. Yeah, he was the problem wasn’t he. It’s just a mirage that he looked good playing for the Cowboys!! You are all idiots!
Rocky Mountian Falcon
August 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
Lets See, Vick has not played for the Falcons in over two seasons. He is now a Eagle in Philly. If you guys love to smell his jock strap so much, become a Philly fan and leave the Falcon blogs alone! Go jump on the Eagle bandwagon. No true Falcon fan cares about Vick or even wants him back. Please just Go and dont let the door knob hit you in the tail on the way out.
Barry Jay
August 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Rocky Mountain,
I wish those boring trolls would leave the blogs too. They will never leave if we keep responding to them. Ignore them.
Sal Governale I am not
August 31st, 2009
5:02 pm
This is a Falcon Blog, not the Braves, and if you want to believe that Smoltz pitching well against two bottom tiered teams, means he is back then hold on to that. It is now Football season buddy.
Thomas
August 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
I have read several blogs that listed the height of the FALCONS DB’s as the reason for their poor performance last Saturday evening. Some folks are calling for Champ Bailey, Dunta Robinson, and Ty Law. Champ Bailey, Asante Samuels,Dunta Robinson, Ty Law, and our former ist rounder D Hall are all about 5′10″ or less, which is the same height as Chris Houston,and Chevis Jackson. Chevis Jackson even appears taller than most. Brent Grimes who is listed as 5′10″ looks more like 5′8″, but most DB’s are short which allows them to turn and change direction easier,also they are quicker in space. Our problem is the lack of a pass rush, and Sidbury may be able to provide some help in this area. There is absolutely no need for the panic that we see from these blogs after one preseason game. Remember this is a process and next year our emphasis will again be on Defence. The offense will be a great help to the D and the fans at home will provide great energy to lift the D. So go easy, no need for panic now.
shadykraft
August 31st, 2009
5:32 pm
Shockley can’t leave. All of the plants will die…
ATLSUPERMAN
August 31st, 2009
6:16 pm
There sure is a lot of Falcons Hating going on in this Blog, Matt Ryan doesnt have a Noodle are “bad news” and who cares about his ALMOST interceptions, we got the WIN, LETS TALK ABOUT D. CHRIS OR MIKE WOULD BE BETTER THAN BRENT N CHRIS. SIDBURY SHOULD START OVE ANDERSON. PROBLEM SOLVED I FIXED THE DEFENSE IN ONE COMMENT!!!!!
ATLSUPERMAN
August 31st, 2009
6:17 pm
MC Kenzie or McAllister i mean if ur wondering.
An Observation
August 31st, 2009
6:52 pm
Please oh please don’t get caught up in the negativity started by the Vick jock sniffers. I have confidence that TD and Smitty will figure out a way to get the defense the help needed for the team to be competitive this year.
We have all been witnessing PRESEASON GAMES folks!!!!! SO DON’T PANIC YET!!!
I’m so sick of the fair weather Atlanta Falcons’ fans. Either you support the team or you don’t. It’s obvious to some of us, that have followed this team for many years, that the team is being developed for the long haul. So if you’re one of those instant gratification fair weather fans….jump off the bandwagon now….PLEASE!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!!
ashman
August 31st, 2009
7:38 pm
I hope the Falcons had plenty of Solarcaine after the DB’s got burned so bad. Really though,Grimes is athletic but just not tall enough to compete against the taller wide receivers in the league.
Dire D
August 31st, 2009
8:18 pm
No reason to panic. We just have to play with what we have this year…and surely TD is scanning the waiver wire and pondering a free agent move. But we still have to look at this as a Process, as these guys have explained until their blue in the face. This is the 2nd year of the Process for the Offense and the first year of the Process for the Defense. Surely you don’t think guy’s like TD, Mike Smith, et al, just got lucky last year folks! Our problem as fans is that we are merely armchair QB’s, Coach’s and GM’s. We love the game and we each think we know what’s best for the team, or at least, we have an opinion…and we know what those are like!
But these guys running the Falcon’s are football men and they see more than we see and know more than we know. They know what they’re doing folks!
That won’t stop me or anybody else from calling out a weakness and jumping with consensus from time to time…hey, we all do!
But TD couldn’t do my job and I can’t do his. And when I hear the man speak and back up what he says with action and smart moves I believe him. And if you give Mike Smith the players he is going to win.
It does give me comfort knowing that at the heart of this football team is a group of saavy guys who have the experience to put it all together. But if this year doesn’t turn out to meet the lofty expectations of all you prognosticators and clairvoyants then take solace in the fact that this is year one in the Process for the Defense. That these guys aren’t just whistling up a giraffes behind. They really know what they are doing, really. You will just have to wait and see.
I hope Norwood’s gonna be alright. He’s a really good guy…loved the piece on him and Jerry out fishin’. Just throwin the line in and pulling em’ out like a couple of kids…lol!
mikethetruefalcon
August 31st, 2009
11:43 pm
we’re still gonna win more than Philly b/c their still 2 old…..12-4, homefield, Super Bowl. Nuff said
Bad News
August 31st, 2009
11:43 pm
I guess NOODLE ARM quarterbacks don’t sell jerseys
Joe Flacco
August 31st, 2009
11:45 pm
Hey I didn’t have a new team and I’m ahead of Matt – but then again I win playoff games and everybody knows I have a ROCKET ARM. Damn, that sucks for you Matt.
mikethetruefalcon
August 31st, 2009
11:46 pm
b/c sat nite was your SB preview
Keith
September 1st, 2009
12:02 am
Wow, the Braves actually won the first game of a series. There may be hope. 3 games out of 1st with a full month left really isn’t that big of deal. I have (of course) lost hope for the division, but the wildcard is anyone’s game. If we were to reel off 6-7 in a row, we’d be right up near the top. GO BRAVES!!
Keith
September 1st, 2009
12:04 am
Well, I forgot this was the Falcons Blog.
Ok, so I was at the game (50-yd line with a great view) SAT night. Obviously, our corners looked bad, and I think we would be wise to bring in a veteran corner (one of those that are formidable and are available). I think he will get major flack if D doesn’t do that. We look pretty desperate in those 3rd down situations. Run DEF looked decent though.
washedup
September 1st, 2009
8:15 am
All Falcon Fans: step away from the Panic Button! Remember last year? At this time of the year, we weren’t sure if any unit of our team would be competitive, and the year was pretty good. Even though the defense didn’t make the plays on third and long, at least they got the other team in that position. It’s too early to despair.