Bradley’s Buzz: Peter King picks the Falcons, and woe is he!
More of that great Falcon D. But I still think they'll be OK. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Poor, poor pitiful Peter
I’ve known Peter King for 30 years, or since he was at the Cincinnati Enquirer and I was working in Lexington. There’s not a nicer guy or a harder worker in the biz. But I feel truly sorry for Industrious Pete today. Because he picked the Falcons to go 10-6 and win the NFC South — same as I did! And we know what that means, don’t we?
Pete’s SI.com colleague Don Banks sees it differently. He picks the Saints to win the South and the Falcons to miss the playoffs. And Clark Judge of CBSsports.com likewise picks New Orleans. Of the Birds, he writes: “I’m not sure why, but I don’t see it happening again. Maybe it’s because I trust history, and history tells us that when the Falcons go to the playoffs they fizzle the following season.”
I won’t lie. I was utterly underwhelmed by the Falcons’ preseason. (I was appalled by the defensive non-showing against the Chargers.) But it was only preseason. And there’s enough offense here to provide enough points until the defense comes around. Which it will. I think.
Don’t give up on the Dogs, Doyel says
Y’all know my buddy Gregg Doyel of CBSsports.com. He hates everybody. Well, except the Georgia Bulldogs. Even after witnessing their loss in Stillwater, Doyel figures they’ll wind up a Top 15 team. He thinks Richard Samuel will play in the NFL. He thinks Joe Cox will be just fine. He even thinks the defense is OK. (Does Willie Martinez still coach Georgia’s defense?)
Speaking of Georgia’s D … Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com’s Insiders believes Reshad Jones was harshly done, as they say in Britain. Writes Feldman (link requires registration):
“The game featured the worst call of the day when UGA safety Reshad Jones was flagged for unnecessary roughness for drilling Justin Blackmon across the middle just as he was about to catch the ball on a big third-down play. It was a big hit, but Jones didn’t lead with his helmet or hit Blackmon in the head.
“What was Jones supposed to do to the receiver? Clap his hands to startle him? Scream to try to distract him from making the catch? The only way that was ‘unnecessary”is if the pass isn’t anywhere near the receiver.”
One final word about the men of Martinez, this from OSU quarterback Zac Robinson via Dave Curtis of Sporting News Today: “It’s probably the best defense we’ll play all year.”
It’s September, which means it’s hockey time in the A-T-L
The Thrashers open camp Saturday — first practice is Sunday — and Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun lists Vegas odds that have them at 50-1 to win the Stanley Cup. Which doesn’t sound all that high, truth to tell. Especially when you consider that six teams are listed at 60-1 or worse.
The Sporting News Hockey Yearbook has the Thrashers the 27th-best team in the 30-team NHL. But, on a happier note, The Hockey Writers offers 10 reasons Ilya Kovalchuk will remain a Thrasher. (Thanks again to faithful reader Wayne Brown of Tuskegee, Ala., for the tip.) The best of the 10: “Little White Russian” — the proposed nickname for a Kovy-Bryan Little-Todd White line.
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130 comments Add your comment
FALCONS SORRY
September 7th, 2009
5:25 pm
IM GAYE!
Lane KIffin
September 7th, 2009
5:25 pm
Am I just talk now?
Dave Braine
September 7th, 2009
5:28 pm
Sonny, your post made by brain sore.
Ron Roberts
September 7th, 2009
5:38 pm
1. Lane Kiffin beat a I-AA school to start his career; that’d be akin to coaching your first NFL game against a Kiffin-coached Oakland Raiders team.
2. Mark, I think many folks (maybe you, included) are looking just at stats and scores and coming up with “defense sucks” on the whole. Let me give you MY take on the defense….I think it’s a “slight” secondary upgrade from being dynamic, fast and nasty. Against San Diego, I saw Falcons defenders flying all over the field, into the backfield, wreaking havoc, creating MANY “3rd and long” scenarios for SD. They didn’t CLOSE on those “3rd and longs” but still, they were talented enough to PUT the Chargers in those situations, and not many teams have WRs as all and athletic as they do, nor do many teams have Pro Bwol QBs capable of making those catches. That being said, Drew Brees had to be salivating over tapes of those plays (if they even review preseason shlock).
My point is, they wanted speed and depth on defense, and on the whole, they got it. Less big “names” more quality 2 and 3 deep on the roster. I think, with time, they’ll mesh and be a solid unit during the season. Just my opinion.
Julia
September 7th, 2009
5:43 pm
Is that who I think? Could it be? I will wait to hear more so I can be sure. Fondly, Julia
BravesFan79
September 7th, 2009
5:47 pm
Not so: Funny… Vince Young was the Titans “QB of the future” like 4 years ago. Even tho Paulus certainly had a Vince Young type brain fart moment when he threw that pick in overtime instead of throwing it away and getting the fieldgoal. Ill be cheering for Syracuse all season long! Man college football would be so much more exciting to talk about with a playoff system!
Barry Jay
September 7th, 2009
5:56 pm
The new rule to protect “defenseless” players is going to be controversial all year. It is too subjective and will be inconsistently applied. The NCAA needs to either define EXACTLY what constitutes the penalty (allowing instant replay to challenge the call) or suspend this thing until they work it all out.
Knock it off St. Simons
September 7th, 2009
6:04 pm
St. Simons, I’m a tech fan but your worse than m. And your making us look bad. You don’t have to like the Dogs, but come on and show some class son. Kicking while there down is not the Tech way, never has, never will. Let it go. Good luck against Spurrier guys, I think Cox will come around. And I’m gone.
E43
September 7th, 2009
6:51 pm
FALCONS SORRY- believe it or not the falcons D is not the worst. we saw a bad preseason but come day one im sure theyll clamp down and bring alot more intensity.
Ted Striker
September 7th, 2009
7:00 pm
Feldman’s take on the Reshad Jones hit was dead-on right: it was a horrible call. The sad thing is, we’ll be seeing that same horrible call — again and again — throughout the entire season. The “new” unnecessary roughness rule is completely subjective and subject to individual interpretation. The net effect is to penalize effective, clean, aggressive play.
E43
September 7th, 2009
7:00 pm
RON ROBERTS- i agree, the d plays well but falls on 3rd down. if they can do it two straight downs then im sure the defensive minds in the office will figure something out sooner or later…
2. young catz will mesh, today theres very few chest bumps, sck+int celebrations but i see a some of them coming out of their shells like bierman, psycho Sid and Lofton.
Rabun Dawg
September 7th, 2009
7:24 pm
To Knock it off S.S. Thank you for your post! I , as a UGA alum am not in love with Tech, but I do have respect for them as I have had several former high school classmates and other friends who played for Tech, plus a brother that is a Tech graduate. I do not wish Tech any bad vibes, and always pull for them except the last of Nov. Why shouldn’t I, am proud to be a lifelong resident of the State of Georgia and pull for all of the state of Georgia teams. I live 42 miles from “Death Valley”, as Clemson likes to say, but have no desire to see a SC. team beat one from my State!
savannahdawg
September 7th, 2009
7:44 pm
i live in savannah ga i am a die hard falcon fan just like most in the state but sunday our cbs station wtoc will be showing the colts jaguars game instead of the falcons besides getting direct tv or going to a sports bar any suggestions on how to watch like online alot of falcons fans down here are fired up and now might not get to see the first game WTOC in savannah sucks never move or vacation here vacation in charleston much nicer and no crime
Reid Adair
September 7th, 2009
7:59 pm
Look at it this way, Mark. Maybe Peter King just realizes what a solid prediction that is.
45ACP
September 7th, 2009
8:48 pm
The QB’s can share their skirts and makeup with the receivers this year.
There was nothing wrong with that hit. But bad calls are part of the game.
Time to let it go and get ready for the Evil Genius.
B Walsh
September 7th, 2009
9:09 pm
Mark,
Would you or one of your colleagues be willing to ask CMR why he talks a good story, but still will not let us kick it deep into or out of the endzone? Don’t blame me when the kickoffs go out of bounds at the 5-10 or someone returns them 90 yards. I could put it where they would have to take it on the 20 every time. (and Bogotay could do the same
Big Ray
September 8th, 2009
12:55 am
Falcons will be fine. They won’t continue the trend of “win this year, lose the next.” The defense does have to come around, but this is what you get when you have a young defense.
It’s called PROGRESS!
Why, oh why do people keep forgetting that we are in rebuild mode? It was only a year ago that a new GM, new coaching staff, and new team was fielded.
We won’t go 11-5 again (Falcons haters are still trying to get THAT grit out of their teeth), but we won’t go back to loserville.
Sorry for the scant few of you who insist on coming to Falcons blogs, despite hating the Falcons (and more notably, Matt Ryan). Sorry for those who insist on following Mike Vick only. Well, I’m sure the Eagles have blogs. Do everyone a favor and take up residence THERE, instead of HERE. Or continue to look like fools….and get ready for another successful season, much to your chagrin…
Twitter Trackbacks for Bradley's Buzz: Peter King picks the Falcons, and woe is he! | Mark Bradley [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
September 8th, 2009
4:36 am
[...] Bradley’s Buzz: Peter King picks the Falcons, and woe is he! | Mark Bradley blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/09/07/bradleys-buzz-peter-king-picks-the-falcons-and-woe-is-he/ – view page – cached Mark Bradley of the AJC sees that Peter King of Sports Illustrated has picked the Falcons to go 10-6 and win the NFC South, which is just how Bradley has it. — From the page [...]
JoeBrave
September 8th, 2009
7:01 am
Illiterate,Ignorant, and racist do you know who you are????
JoeBrave
September 8th, 2009
7:02 am
Buckaneers,Noodle arm,SUPPER BOWL, I am still laffin my arse off!!!
bigeasy830
September 8th, 2009
8:05 am
Rocky Mountian Falcon, the Saints won just as many games in the play-offs last year as Matt Ryan and the Falcons did and thats ZERO.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
PMC
September 8th, 2009
9:48 am
It’s too bad Sanders Commings didn’t step to the left instead of drifting right on that play and allowing the receiver inside body position the play after jones hit. Robinson made a great read and Bryant ran a great route and that led to the 2 touchdown defeat.
Very impressed by the Cowboys last weekend. They were simply a better team than Georgia.
stendec
September 8th, 2009
9:54 am
AN OPEN LETTER TO MARK RICHT
Calmed down enough to type coherently. I have been supporter of yours. That ended in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Now believe you are a liability to my beloved Bulldogs. See only downward trend, bitter losses and complete unaccountability. Know why loss in Oklahoma to overrated Cowpatties anguished Bulldog Nation so much? No, I did not think you did! These northern upstarts disrespected the Dawgs. Called them out! Mocked them by saying the point spread would be 300 plus points. Those 24 points seemed like 100! Know what would have happended had the loudmouths treated Alabama, Florida or LSU in such a manner? Their new fancy smancy stadium would have been broken in with a loss of no less than four touchdowns! Any SEC/Southern team with any pride or dignity whatsoever would have left that new stadium with a victory! The Dawgs should have been motivated enough to kick those upstart cowboy wannabes into Texas! The fact they were not exposes your skills as a motivator. The Dawgs did post a face-saving TD then went through the motions for the next three plus quarters. The field goal was an unanticipated plus which meant nothing in the big scheme. You appeared so uninterested that you failed to get your hair ruffled during an obviously biased fourth down mark against the Dawg defense which led to one Cowpatty TD plus a phantom personal foul penalty on Dawgs which led to another. I am hoping that a donation to your favorite charity was not made by that zillionaire in Oklahoma but I have ruled nothing out. It was a sad day for the Bulldog Nation, Southern football and all who believe loudmouth blowhards should get their comeuppance! The Dawg season is officially over. Even if you beat SC by 100 points. You would not if you could! Being a Christian is fine but a lying backstabber has the Crimson Tide in the hunt for a national championship! Will not mean anything in hereafter but fans in Alabama sure feel happier than members of Bulldog Nation in here and now! How deep is pain? Imagine a stranger having intimate relations with daughter/girlfriend/wife or son/boyfriend/husband in a tremendously expensive hotel room then you are required to pay the tab. Vile and nauseating. A bunch of Cowpatties abused the Bulldog Nation without consequence. That is something I will never forget! Nor forgive. Do the right thing. Said as simply and plainly as I could. A completely disillusioned Stendec.
Vickers
September 8th, 2009
10:01 am
The call against Reshad Jones was a joke, even the announcers said so. Also the announcers said the spot on the 4th down play near the goal line was very generous. Those plays had a big impact on the outcome of the game. That being said, I’m pretty darn worried about the quarterback position now. JC didn t look very accurate and can’t zip the ball in on tight coverage. Play calling was lousy and we have to get a good look at Logan Grey to see what he can do. From my viewpoint, Ok State’s def coordinator out schemed our offensive coordinator during the course of the game.
shards1967
September 8th, 2009
11:56 am
We were told in 2008 that we would have been far better as a team had we Jeff Owens and the 4 or 5 D Ends that did not then play. Well, they played or were available for play and we lost.
So ……………Richt is not utilizing the so called talent and we are not moving on from more and more dismal losses. OSU will end up being 7-5 or possibly 8-4. They are not really great at all but about as good as KY or Vandy with talent and D talent. We were NOT physical either, excpet for #9s cheap shot …………standard for him. A day late and one dollar short that kid is. He needs to sit. Over rated is #09. Vastly over rated. Terrible on coverages. Awful he is.
UGA was WORN OUT at the half and did not have fire nor did they have a solid and flexible plan of attack. We in 2008 were told that our “special teams did not utilize the best athletes” and that we “feared getting them hurt in 08″ with so many key inuries BUT that WE IN “09 WOULD PLAY them on spec teams”. Well? We stunk except for the 75 yd punt and the nice field goal. We stunk !!
UGA will be 5-7 or maybe 6-6 and you heard it here first. This will be like the 69 team and the 72,73,74 teams and the latter 80s and the Goff led early 90s. We are in major trouble and it has to be resolved soon with major coaching changes, starting with Richt.
I am off the wagon pertaining to him. Enough is enough and UGA grads will make their voices heard soon. In mid October is we are like 2-5, he is in danger of not closing out the season. Bobo and fabris and CWM need to go NOW> Richt can move on. He has had 5-7 years of fabulous recruiting and we are always a day late and a dollar short.
Look at all the new SEC coaches and the fact that they ALL SCORED in the mid to high 40s vs whomever they played ( not OSU but also not great ) and we generate 10 ???? OUr system is over 9 years here at UGA> does it take maybe 15 years to install Bobo’s O???
UGA class of 73
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
September 8th, 2009
12:49 pm
To: stendec and shards1967. Bye, we will miss your absolute devotion to our cause. If you will both go on over to the GT site now that will give them 2 more fans and you’ll both get pizzas with your ticket order. And stendec, if loudmouth blowhards all get their comeuppance, I anxiously await you getting yours. Ga got beat, deal with it with class or just move along, no team needs the likes of you two as “fans”
Chris
September 8th, 2009
2:49 pm
So, fans can’t be critics? That’s mindnumbing.
WHAT UP!!!
September 8th, 2009
9:15 pm
mkay
TingTongTang
September 11th, 2009
1:09 am
TingTongTang, my name is Wang. dats chinese for truth serum
Darren
September 11th, 2009
7:03 pm
BTW, Mark: I don’t know if it was Mike Knobler himself or one of the talented posters on the Thrashers boards on either the beat blog or Iceman’s blog, but Little-White-Russian was the name given to the line Little, White, and Kozlov last season.
In fact, they also referred to it as the Kahlua line.