5 guys the Falcons can do without (includes Jerious)

Meanwhile...first?

January 5th, 2010
12:05 am

And might I ask Mark, if indeed first, isn’t it a good omen for 2010, Kirby Smart or no, that Georgia prevented A & M from notching victory 666?

Did I just use omen and 666 in the same sentence? Some people have no shame…

SD Dawg

January 5th, 2010
12:13 am

Mark-

Good list to start with. I hate to see Jerious go, but your right. He just doesn’t seem to have a lot of upside in the years to come. How are we looking in terms of cap for next year? With possibly of no cap next year, will Arthur go into the wallet a bit and bring in some veteran talent. I fear another year where we are trying to field rookies to plug the MANY holes we have. Other than QB where is there not a gaping hole?

Meanwhile...those better than Jenkins

January 5th, 2010
12:13 am

If Michael J. Pollard could do better than that, no doubt Fritz Pollard could as well. I dare say Fritz Mondale could as well, though he may have been limited to only running patterns to the left side of the field.

Not first

January 5th, 2010
12:13 am

I humbly accept 2nd.

Not first

January 5th, 2010
12:14 am

Or fourth

TCCB

January 5th, 2010
12:15 am

Mark, please add Matt Ryan to the list.

hmmmm......

January 5th, 2010
12:21 am

You can’t totally blame Jenkins he did have Vick as Qb. anderson was total bust he had one great college season(JPP South florida). If only we’d kept schaub and traded vick???

43 and counting...

January 5th, 2010
12:22 am

Clabo?

Hey Bradley — did you see how shaky the other side was with Sam Baker?

He got beat time after time, even in those few games where he claimed to be healthy!

hmmmm......

January 5th, 2010
12:22 am

Vick all time nfl leader in dogs killed!!!

Meanwhile...speaking of 5 Guys

January 5th, 2010
12:26 am

I think we should consider bringing Grady Jackson back for a year to team up with Jerry. What we can’t offer in salary, I’m sure Arthur Blank could make up for with coupons to 5 Guys Burgers.

Meanwhile...first with an *

January 5th, 2010
12:31 am

Yes, it is yet another first. It’s all based on film study and presnap reads which allow me to anticipate the blog in advance. Or random luck.

Oops, gotta go. Bill Belichick wants his camera back. Something about a game this weekend. And his hoodie. D@mn it’s cold

Whopper Dawg

January 5th, 2010
12:33 am

Anderson needs to go, The others are debatable. Not happy with Jenkins, but he just signed a big contract. Norwood get hurt too much but definitely has skills, we need to figure how to use him. Keep Clabo and I agree with the Baker comment by 43.

When you look at it over the past two years, I am beginning to think that our success relative to Falcons history is due much more to Smith and the coaches, then TD GM.

Look at it,
2008 Draft

Ryan – good to great pick
Baker – iffy
Lofton – great pick

2009 Draft

All iffy and or hurt

TD has been much more successful with adding FAs then the draft.
If he whiffs on 2010 like he did on 2009, we have lost much ground against the NFL field, regardless of how hard Smith and his staff run.
Others – iffy

No

January 5th, 2010
12:33 am

one of the few mistakes Dimitroff has mad was letting Grady Jackson go to Detroit last year.. even though we didn’t know Peria Jerry was going to get hurt, he still woulda been a HUGE help this year. It’s too late now, no need for him next season. I would sell my soul if we somehow wound up with Ndemekong Suh tho.. TRADE UP!! Offer Jenkins and Norwood together in a trade to St. Louis!

Meanwhile...seriously

January 5th, 2010
12:34 am

I have to admit I googled it. Jackson is with the Lions. I would think the Falcons would be more appealing than the Lions. Might it not be a good stop gap measure for one year, while Jerry gets his feet wet in the pros?

Meanwhile...seriously

January 5th, 2010
12:42 am

Mark I dare not divulge lunch, lest you fail to eat a nutritious, hearty breakfast. I can tell you, if you choose a sandwich, the sandwich was named after John Montagu, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich.

I see we are getting some traction on the Grady Jackson comment.

Todd - Dacula

January 5th, 2010
12:45 am

5 that must go…

1. Head Coach
2. General Manager
3. Matt Ryan
4. All defensive Backs
5. Tony Gonzalez

Jim

January 5th, 2010
12:47 am

Hey Mark, when is the AJC gonna correct the great whiff they made on you as a columnist?

Meanwhile...Todd, or Mary Todd

January 5th, 2010
12:47 am

5 that must go…

1. Head Coach
2. General Manager
3. Matt Ryan
4. All defensive Backs
5. Tony Gonzalez

Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?

Meanwhile...Todd, or Mary Todd?

January 5th, 2010
12:50 am

Not to talk down to the audience, but in case Todd-Dacula is offended by the feminine reference, Mary Todd doesn’t refer to him, but of course to Mary Todd Lincoln of the aforementioned “Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?” quote.

Larry

January 5th, 2010
12:55 am

Mark,

Spot on! And I’m proud of your courage to write what you believe and avoiding the safe and perhaps professionally risky or at least unpopular! You’re off my girly man list!

Probably the one on your list that amazingly attract the most dissenters is Norwood. Not me! Aside for the fact that he couldn’t beat out the aging Warrick Dunn or keep the Falcons from emptying the bank for Turner is simply the clear and overwhelming evidence that this guy will not take a hit, is the easiest person to tackle on the team other than the quarterbacks, and can’t stay healthy, is he has neither power or lateral quickness, and at least one of the two–preferably both–are necessary to be an effective NFL tailback.

Meanwhile...Todd, or Mary Todd?

January 5th, 2010
12:55 am

And to be clear about not talking down to the audience, I REFUSE to provide context to the “Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?” in reference to Todd-Dacula’s 5. I simply refuse to pander to the lowest common denominator.

I will note however, it’s ironic that Grady Jackson and John Wilkes Booth both appeared at a venue named Ford.

Casey

January 5th, 2010
1:12 am

Meanwhile…Todd, or Mary Todd?

Ooooooh! That was so deep. Please, please! Teach us more about this Lincoln and Booth story.

My list:

1. Todd – Dacula
2. Meanwhile…Todd, or Mary Todd?
3. Mark Bradley
4. Jeff Schultz
5. Steve Hummer

Denver Bird

January 5th, 2010
1:14 am

No Way! What will I do with my EQT Norwood jersey? I owe you something anyway, Mark, so send over your address…

Daddyknowsbest

January 5th, 2010
1:18 am

I agree with your list, but I have questions about Matt Ryans ability to throw more than 1 interception a game. He appears to be a turnover waiting to happen. His arm strength is weak compared to other guys in the league and for someone to have so much hype he doesn’t appear to be that good without a good running game. Arthur goofed giving him that huge deal after 1 good season being carried by Michael Turner. Mark, I agree lets get rid of the only QB that carried us to our only consecutive winning season in franchise history. I don’t see this season as a winning season. 9-7 and missing the playoffs to me is not a winning season. You play the game to win a super bowl, will the Falcons have a chance the other playoffs teams have when the Playoffs start so how can that be considered a winning season? Now let me comment on the coaching staff or LACK there of. How many games did we lose because of horrible offensive play calling? I can recall one game against the Saints where Ryan threw a late interception to seal our fate. Well, if you were watching the same game I was watching you would have thought that the play call in that situation would have been a run on first down and ten after Turner was shredding the Saints defense apart. The Falcons are trying to treat Ryan like Peyton Manning when he needs to be treated like an early Mike Vick. At least Vick won a playoff game before getting his big deal.

Meanwhile...Mighty Casey struck out

January 5th, 2010
1:20 am

Perhaps a warm glass of milk will help with that irritable disposition Casey. It’s a little early to be waking up on the wrong side of the bed isn’t it?

gcs

January 5th, 2010
1:20 am

I am not going to pretend to know the salaries of these guys but if you want to dump them because of $ then great. But the lack of depth is what got the Falcons in trouble this year.

.

IlliniDawg

January 5th, 2010
1:24 am

What? No John Abraham? I mean, if we’re going to be bold and provocative (though there is absolutely nothing provocative about Jamal Anderson), why not include the player formerly known as John Abraham? By the way, what team did he play for this year, because he sure wasn’t on the field for the Falcons whenever I watched them.

Oh, and let’s go ahead and throw in Chris Houston, Ty Hill, and Chevis Jackson. These guys will be sorely missed by Drew Brees, Eli Manning, and Donovan McNabb – but not by any Falcon fans.

Nique

January 5th, 2010
1:25 am

I think your list is spot on & Chris Houston as well as John Abraham are inches way from that list as well! I know we just signed Jenkins to that Big contract, why i don’t know, but he’s not the answer & he cost us 2 games this year! He’s got to go & so does Clabo. Moving him, will allow us to move Baker to RT where he should be & we can either got LT in the 1st or FA. Our 1st pick in my opinion has to be either a LT or a CB (unless Dunlap somehow falls this low because of his DUI) & then we go DE, OLB, C, & K.

DZ

January 5th, 2010
1:27 am

“Michael J. Pollard”?! That is too funny.

I would like to add Chris Redman to the list. Matt Ryan getting injured in year 2 at age 24 is not a good sign. There has got to be a better solution at back-up QB.

IlliniDawg

January 5th, 2010
1:29 am

Nique – you and I must be channeling the same dolphin or calling Miss Cleo on the same line!

Meanwhile...Mighty Casey struck out

January 5th, 2010
1:30 am

Ford Fairlane…touche! Assuming Turner comes back strong, Ryan grows into the job, and the schedule is more favorable, can the defense be adequately reconstructed in one year?

yo mama

January 5th, 2010
1:31 am

falcons are gonna be fine. finneran will retire, revamping the reciever corps will be necessary. Ryan gets more mileage out of them than Vick did. Vick couldnt make throws in tight spots, Ryan did. threw more TD’s this year, too. no one prints that. harry douglas will be back, could get a wr early, draft a g, olb, cb, s. steven nicholas has an upside still.
free agency will be different. falcons are gonna be fine.

God I hate stupid people.

January 5th, 2010
1:36 am

Someone was critical of T.D.’S draft history? Chris Owens may end up being the steal of this draft come next season. He also drafted Decoud last year plus Bierman. Sidbury showed some promise. Lofton should be an all pro. Baker isn’t a bust but he might be a better guard. Harry Douglas was pretty good before he blew his knee. Jerry looked dominant before his knee blew. Oh yeah, and there was Matt Ryan who for all the crap he gets from people still had 22 TDs to 14 ints. He will continue to get better.These are all draft picks made the last two years. It is football and players get hurt but these two drafts were better than anything in recent Falcons history. Of course if most of you people had your way Brian Brohm would be the QB and we would have been stuck with a bust in Glenn Dorsey. Roddy White would have been released in 2006.

Halsey

January 5th, 2010
1:49 am

The Falcons have so many needs to address this offseason. Everyone knows about DE, OLB and CB, but needs like WR, RB and DT aren’t as talked about. Finneran is likely gone, douglas is coming of an injury, and there just isn’t enough talent at WR other than White. The Falcons need to either re-sign Norwood or find a different RB. Who knows if Turner will ever regain his 2008 form. At DT the Falcons have Jerry, but he is coming off an injury and has a history of durability issues. Babs is going to get suspended and the depth isn’t great. .

Casey

January 5th, 2010
2:04 am

How about this? Before we get rid of every member of the Falcons organization and start over from scratch, let’s get back everyone who has been hurt this year and bring in a new draft class and see where we are next year. I do agree with Mark about Jenkins(I have been screaming for them to dump this loser for 5 years), and Anderson. Enough is enough. These two will obviously never help this team win games. They are just taking up space. Jenkins actually hurts more than anything, because he somehow chooses the absolutely worst possible times to drop the ball. I can’t take him dropping anymore touchdown passes. He lost that playoff game for us last year by going out of bounds for no apparent reason. That should have been a touchdown. We should have won that game. He also caused an interception in this last game by sitting back and waiting for the ball instead going after it. He is NEVER going to be a decent receiver. There are so many good receivers that come out of college every year, and we must get better at that position.

I would also like to throw this name out there: John Abraham. 5.5 sacks, 35 tackles? What is the deal? Is he hurt or does he just not have it anymore?

Ross

January 5th, 2010
2:08 am

I don’t know about giving up on Jenkins – he just needs more toughness. He needs to battle for the ball more. He’s an OK 3 at WR and he knows the offense. He doesn’t get hurt.

Clabo – hard to say. He was fine last year and at the start of this one. But you could be right. It’s a labor headache we don’t need.

Norwood – too slow, no work ethic. No pop through the holes. It’s sad that being a good guy isn’t enough. He goes. He’ll be happier somewhere with a more run-oriented offense.

Nicholas – big disagreement here. He’s a fiery player and very tough. The defense really gelled at the end and I think we should keep the backers together. Let’s see how he does in what will really be his third year. No harm in adding help at LB but the secondary is where the real improvement is needed. Abraham’s year is hard to explain, but with just one monster to help him, his sack count will explode.

So – backers are fine, questions are at O-line, WR, and DBs plus a legitimate monster D-liner.

Ross

January 5th, 2010
2:20 am

People should remember that the season changed dramatically for the worse when Brian Williams went down. He’ll be back – he’s a sharp veteran but still young enough to play and will add real strength and toughness in the defensive backfield. I think a lot of the lack of tackles seen from the LBs is because Coleman, DeCoud, and Grimes were making the tackles after the secondary got owned.

Tron5000

January 5th, 2010
3:11 am

Snelling’s a great complementary back, but I don’t wan him toting the rock 25 times a game when (if) Turner goes down.

Take Jonathan Dwyer. I promise, you won’t be sorry.

It will never happen, but I’ve seen every play by the guy since he entered college. He’s special; don’t pass that up if you have the chance.

Daddyknowsbest

January 5th, 2010
3:22 am

Tron5000 I was thinking the same thing, but that may cause Turner to complain about his carries. I’m hoping the Falcons find a young studd at RB who can come in and be a home run threat when Turner is tired or hurt. We also need to add 2 more decent receivers, drop Finneran and draft a guy who can compete with Jenkins for the #2 receiver. I believe the Falcons are close to having a good team, but what good is it when the offensive playcalling is suspect? If you have a horse like Turner running up the gut all year then mid year you find out wow he’s better on the edge why not use that more often. Not to make excuses for Norwood but if you look at the type of run plays he was given all was off tackle it appeared they gave the bigger back or misdirection and sweep type plays. Wouldn’t it make sense to use those plays with a faster guy?

tom

January 5th, 2010
3:23 am

I agree with the to go list except for Norwood. Mis-utilized. Running him between the tackles is a wasted down. Many times they run him or pass to him on the short side of the field. His strength is to side step the D and move on out. The short side of the field does not allow him any flexiblity. Talent wasted. Maybe he should go so he can further his career with an offfensive coordinator who knows how to utilize his skills.

Tron5000

January 5th, 2010
3:28 am

Daddy, I’m with you. Finn won’t be back, because he’s hurt and I’m pretty sure he’s just gonna call it quits. He’s rehabbed too much to deal with this crap again. As far as Turner losing carries, he had the ball a lot in 2008, first time ever. He tried and tried to get on the field this year, but each time he had to come off. If he shares carries with another guy, it’s not the end of the world. And teams are increasingly going to that 2-back rotation, which I think would be beneficial for the longevity of the careers of RBs and would also assist in keeping a defense off balance.

Douglas will compete for the outside WR position. Jenkins will become that #3 guy who runs the slants across the middle and catches the 7-yard pass on 3rd and 5. That’s where his money is. Forget this deep-route stuff. HD83 will handle that, along with Roddy, of course.

Jonathan Dwyer. Of course I’m a Tech fan, but that means I’ve seen him for the last 3 years. Dude is gonna be a stud, and I’d rather him do it for us than someone else. He’s a difference-maker, the dude who can not only burn you for the long TD but also plant you into the ground and run over you.

willie martinez

January 5th, 2010
3:36 am

Mark, the falcons could also do without BVG next season too. Mention my name to A M Blank please. Thanks, willie

willie martinez

January 5th, 2010
3:52 am

and for today’s column you can mention me as a guy to pick up for next year’s season.

best, willie

Reggie

January 5th, 2010
5:18 am

Norwood should stay and Tom you are right, if we lose him, maybe he’ll go to a offensive coordinator who knows how to utilize him. Great talent, not used enough. Finneran should have been the #2 receiver, at least should have been thrown to more often to see what he could do with more opportunities. Clabo should stay. No good reason to get rid of him. We should try to get Terrence Cody from Alabama. No RB gained 100 yards while he played this year.

Marcus

January 5th, 2010
5:30 am

I disagree w/Nicholas on this list. Everyone else seems reasonable, but then for Jenkins, we would have to eat a big contract plus draft a replacement. Everyone else seems to have a contract ending or be a RFA for 2010.

geno

January 5th, 2010
5:39 am

this is what should happen this year…..trade john abraham and jamal anderson and switch to a 3-4 defense…….trade gonzales and jenkins and get a real #1 reciever…..keep norwood but use him more as a reciever and wildcat player…..get new kicker, serviceable TE, offensive lineman……..opps, sorry I just made too much sense, nevermind…

WorstRescueEVER

January 5th, 2010
6:33 am

God I hate stupid people. for the win! Such people wanted McFadden too who’s doing nothing in Oakland. Nicholas and Jenkins are fine and AJC should fire Schultz and replace him w/ a female to get diversity if he would practice what he preaches.

D-man

January 5th, 2010
6:40 am

Can someone tell me why the Falcons keep getting rid of Grady Jackson? I don’t think he is too expensive is he? They have released him twice and why did they get rid of him last year when they had a rookie coming in that could have used his mentoring? I know there was a flair up with Falcons Management a few years back, but geez, we can certainly use his girth!!!

Seriously...no you can't be

January 5th, 2010
6:48 am

Its hilarious to me that so many are calling for Matt Ryan’s head. What’s more hilarious is that these people will mention Drew Brees and Tom Brady as top quarterbacks in the leagues. Look it up, the best QBs in the league were either not playing or just shy of horrible their second year in the league. The only thing Matt Ryan needs is time to progress as a normal QB.

In the meantime, Chris Houston definitely has a spot on this list. I like the Clabo/Dahl combination so I disagree there but the rest of the list makes sense. Snelling has all but bought Norwood a ticket out of town.

Lowcountry Bulldawg

January 5th, 2010
6:49 am

Mark,

Had to go and look at some of the players we could have taken in 2007 rather than Jamal. The two that are the obvious is Darrelle Revis ( could he help the secondary?) and Patrick Willis. The face of the defense would be completely different with the addition of either of these two Pro Bowlers.

Rodney

January 5th, 2010
6:51 am

1. Fans that’s all ways Complaining about Ga sports teams
2. Fans that still talking bout Vick killing dogs
3. Fans that jump on and off the Falcons bandwagon
4. Fans that forgot how bad Ga teams were in the 80s and early 90s
5. College football fans in Ga. that like the Fla Gators

TROTTINGHOME

January 5th, 2010
7:00 am

Jim said it best

jerry

January 5th, 2010
7:00 am

A tip of the hat to Bradley. He really does keep coming up with interesting topics that people like to talk about. He has his finger on the pulse of the AJC sports nation.

JP

January 5th, 2010
7:08 am

Mark,

Getting four out of five right isn’t bad, but I’d swap Stephen Nicholas for Chris Houston.

The funny part is, Houston can actually “cover” people (maybe “run with people” is the better term), but at the crucial moment when he ball gets there, too often he does nothing or just decides to tackle the receiver for a pass interference penalty rather than defend the pass. I think I maybe recall once seeing him turn his head around to find the ball at the right time this year.

Once.

Maybe.

I do wholeheartedly agree with you on Jenkins, but I wonder if the Falcons see things the same way. As far as a realistic replacement option goes, do you think San Diego’s Malcolm Floyd might be available and be someone Atlanta would be interested in? He’s 6-foot-5, and with as many balls as Ryan throws high (still love you M. Ice), if we’re going to replace Jenkins, I feel like we need to do so with another tall receiver to offset White and Douglas.

Thoughts?

Tuesday Random Falcons News and Notes – In Defense of Norwood | The Recycle Bin

January 5th, 2010
7:08 am

[...] Norwood stay or go? Also looking towards 2010, Mark Bradley of the ajc.com thinks the Falcons can do with our Jerious Norwood (among others): Jerious Norwood, [...]

willy

January 5th, 2010
7:18 am

Hmm, trade Norwood? Our most explosive running weapon? Why don’t we trade Curtis Lofton, Harvey Dahl and Roddy White while we are at it. Must be a slow sports day when you have to resort the to stir-em-up tactic.

bob

January 5th, 2010
7:18 am

Can’t agree on Norwood. What happened to the screens and flairs out of the backfield. Falcons are worst screening team in league. Need more imaginative play calling on the goal line. Why not play action on first down instead of waiting for third down. Falcons need to use Douglas like NE uses Welker over the middle next year. Thought play calling by oc was worse this year than last year. Much too conservative. Do need DT, or DE next year. Abraham not getting any younger and needs help so won’t be double and triple teamed next year. Think db’s will be OK next year with all the experience they got this year and returning hurt players there. Db’ s will be better with improved pass rush. Keep the coaching staff intact. Go Falcons!!

sansho1

January 5th, 2010
7:19 am

re Grady Jackson: We need a change on the D-Line, but I can’t get excited about a 37-year-old fat man on a team that ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing defense and sacks. Should we also bring in Jumpy Geathers?

JJ

January 5th, 2010
7:21 am

I think Atlanta needs to go cover corner with their first pick in the draft this year…..not that Owens or Grimes are bad or need to be gone, but long term Owens is best suited as a #2 corner, and Grimes could be a very good nickel corner. Grimes is as athletic as you’ll find in the league, but his size is a big problem. He’d matchup well with most any slot reciever on 3rd and medium to long situations.

F-105 Thunderchief

January 5th, 2010
7:22 am

You’ve correctly identified some busts, though I disagree that Nicholas is one of them. They already have a better guy than Jenkins if he comes back healthy … Harry Douglas. I’d been a Norwood backer until this season when he missed 10 weeks with apparently the worst hip pointer in history. Maybe the only reason Jamaal Anderson is not as big a bust as Audray Bruce is that he was not as hyped coming in.

Rod

January 5th, 2010
7:24 am

Norwood? Are you crazy?

Up until this season, his yards per carry ranked as #1 for a career in all the history of the NFL (however, he didn’t have enough carries to qualify). That’s a pretty good track record.

papadawg

January 5th, 2010
7:25 am

We for sure need some fresh bodies at WR, RB, DB & DL. Snelling was very good for a couple of games but can we expect him to play a whole season like that. Norwood plays like he’s just not really interested

falconsince78

January 5th, 2010
7:25 am

To want to get rid of Ryan is plain crazy…..must be a Georgia fan. Granted he had a sophomore slump, but take away the FG miss vs. the Giants, Elam makes the FG’s againts the Saints and Panthers (the road games), that’s 11 wins you can thank Ryan for b/c he would’ve been the cadallist. Year 3 is where we can judge him. The only thing I don’t like about the draft is where we are. I want Suh and Spillers, but I’m dreaming waaaaaay to high. I think our lineman, WR, and corner help will come via FA and we’ll draft a LB in the 1st round, after that, I don’t know until after the combines and senior bowl. Mark are we picking late teens early 20’s?

JP

January 5th, 2010
7:26 am

Mark,

Getting four out of five right isn’t bad, but I’d swap Stephen Nicholas for Chris Houston.

The funny part is, Houston can actually “cover” people (maybe “run with people” is the better term), but at the crucial moment when he ball gets there, too often he does nothing or just decides to tackle the receiver for a pass interference penalty rather than defend the pass. I think I maybe recall once seeing him turn his head around to find the ball at the right time this year.

Once. Maybe.

I do wholeheartedly agree with you on Jenkins, but I wonder if the Falcons see things the same way. As far as a realistic replacement option goes, do you think San Diego’s Malcolm Floyd might be available and be someone Atlanta would be interested in? He’s 6-foot-5, and with as many balls as Ryan throws high (still love you M. Ice), if we’re going to replace Jenkins, I feel like we need to do so with another tall receiver.

Your thoughts?

Samuel

January 5th, 2010
7:32 am

There’s enough talent in the draft and free agency to address all these problems. NO REASON WHY THE FALCONS CAN’T GET BETTER.

FalconManiac88

January 5th, 2010
7:32 am

People, People, people, Mike Vick is history, lets move forward. Matt Ryan will be the next great Terry Bradshaw or Bret Farve or whoever great QB out there. Vick ain’t one of them, his passing is overrated, he is a good WILDCAT QB, that is it.

Casey

January 5th, 2010
7:33 am

This entire discussion is idiotic. How does “getting rid of” someone make a team better? To get better you have to bring in someone who is better than the one you’ve got. Then you let the old guy go. You people have the attention span of a fruit fly. You can’t remember what this team was like year before last? The Falcons were the only team in the history of the NFL to have a rookie starting quarter back, a rookie head coach who won coach of the year, and a rookie GM who won executive of the year, IN THE SAME YEAR! AND THEY MADE THE PLAYOFFS! All of this 1 year after the nightmare season of the Vick scandal. Yet, Mark Bradley in all of his wisdom and the rest of you morons think you can do better?

papadawg

January 5th, 2010
7:33 am

Anyone wanting to get rid of Ryan is just plain stupid. I’ve had this turf toe problem and trust me with your big piggy hurting it’s hard to stand on it and I know it’s hard to run or cut. Credit to him for even coming back as soon as he did. As for the draft do what you can to trade up and get the Big Man from Nebraska

Reggie

January 5th, 2010
7:40 am

Norwood problem explained… We fans all wondered the last three years why the coaches wouldn’t give him the ball more because when they did, he was very explosive and effective. Seems the coaches would only give him the ball when they absolutely needed yardage on 3rd down. He looked like a secret weapon, however, the coaches still wouldn’t up the carries. Give the man the ball!

Tommy

January 5th, 2010
7:43 am

1. Anderson–Absolutely. When he was drafted everyone said ‘lots of talent, but is a project.’ When you enter the league with that reputation, you have to prove himself. Jamaal proved. . . nothing. Hard to believe the guy taken right before him was Adrian Peterson.

2. Clabo–yep. He’s decent but there are better options.

3. Jenkins–agreed. I’ll come over and pack.

4. Nicholas–100% wrong. Mark, 80 tackles and 3 sacks from an outside linebacker in Van Gorder’s system is GOOD. You can’t have a Pro Bowler at every position, and Nicholas is one of those Good But Not Great Guys Winning Teams Always Have.

5. Norwood–who knows? If he could stay injury-free for 10 minutes we could find out how good he can be. But staying healthy is a talent, and perhaps it’s the critical part he is lacking. The original Jamal Anderson was a great running back when he wasn’t blowing his knee out.

I think Nicholas made the list because Bradley’s lists are always in fives, and his name got pulled out of the hat.

3yd Dive Specialist

January 5th, 2010
7:44 am

I love the “Johnathan Dwyer” comment! The guy from Tech watched him for three years and is so caught up in “One Amazing Season at the Joke” that hefails to realize that Dwyer leads the nation in running ays under 3 yards. He’s a system back, just like Adrian Peterson. No, not that AP, the one from GA Sou that played for Johnson, went to the Bears to become their all-time- leading ball carrier for carries under 3 yards.

As for the Houston comments, I think his experience this year would make him a good nickel back, but it’s true he isn’t a regular cb. And Abraham needs a psych eval before being allowed to stay. Guy must have wigged out after aying so hard in 08 only to miss out on the pro bowl. Figured it doesn’t matter.

Tommy

January 5th, 2010
7:44 am

I think Nicholas made the list because Bradley always writes columns in fives, and his name got pulled out of the hat.

I HOPE that’s the reason, because saying an OLB with 80 tackles and 3 sacks needs to go is insane

Tommy

January 5th, 2010
7:48 am

100% agree with Jenkins being on the list. Heck, I’ll help him pack. I’ll even carry his china out to the moving van for him, so it doesn’t get dropped.

MG in NJ

January 5th, 2010
7:56 am

Add Mike Peterson to that list…
He’s basiclly Brookings with a tan !

suwaneedawg

January 5th, 2010
7:57 am

Good list Mark. Anyone on here who thinks Matt Ryan needs to go, please stop smoking crack before you get on sites like this one. The guy is a “sophmore” and had at best a mediocre year. Now you want to drop him? Denver had a quaterback that they wanted to ship out after his first two seasons but, they hung onto him. Thank God none of you decided the fate of John Elway. Please people who think like this, get some football knowledge before you make an ass out of yourselves.

Antwon

January 5th, 2010
8:02 am

Not sure about your list as each has contributed over the last couple of years. However, the money is so big today no wonder there are so many “one and done” players playing pro sports. It has been said “Keep your expectations low and they shall be met”. MY Falcons #1 waste of a draft pick is Sam Baker. Two years of “every reason in the world not to play”.

mgdawg

January 5th, 2010
8:04 am

I agree with jenkins, I would just hate to see the falcons draft another WR to replace him. I disagree about norwood, I know he has underachieved but I say give him atleast one more year. I think with turner, norwood, and snelling the falcons are really solid at runningback, especially if they can stay healthy. As far as the guy talkin about suh, I would love to see eric berry. At UGA Van Gorder was known for having a hard hitting safety with big play potential and berry fits that mold, or the corner from florida would be a nice addition.

still443

January 5th, 2010
8:09 am

The difference between the Falcons and all of the teams in the playoffs with the exception of one…… The falcons won their last game of the year.

I can honestly say I was happier with back to back winning seasons and winning the last game than I was last year when we lost to the Cardinals in the playoffs.

Bank Walker, Texas Ranger

January 5th, 2010
8:09 am

I agree with all Mark. I think you could add Baker to the list unless he is moved to RT. At WR, we need someone with speed to be opposite of White. Anderson may be the biggest bust of all time for the Falcons and that is saying something. At least Aundrey Bruce had an occasional flash of brilliance where as Anderson’s only flash is the equivalent of a fire fly hitting a windshield.

Fish2774

January 5th, 2010
8:09 am

Oops Mark, you needed to add a six man, and that would be Chris”I can’t turn my Head around” Houston. He and Jenkins need to be side by side fighting to get out the door. For the past sixteen weeks I’ve been very disappointed in with our fan base knowledge of football, but this morning after reading the blog I’m happy to see my fellow falcon brotha’s and sista’s have realized thAt Big Grady Jackson was the missing ingredient to the defensive line. For God’s sake “Can We Remember The Man Was Leading The League In Yards For Lost Last Year”.

LC

January 5th, 2010
8:11 am

Take Stephen Nicholas off the list and add Chris Houston!!!

tizzle

January 5th, 2010
8:11 am

1st nugget – Reshad Jones to enter the draft!

Bank Walker, Texas Ranger

January 5th, 2010
8:14 am

mgdawg, Norwood does look good at times but you brought up a good point that if they can stay healthy the backs will be good. I think health will be the issue for the Falcons. Norwood is a straight up runner and with his injury history, it will only get worse. I also fear that Turner may end up the same due to the work load he had the year before. This year will be huge for him but it seems once a back starts getting dinged up, it never gets better.

moorman

January 5th, 2010
8:14 am

i dont get a good feel about this team like i did coming into the beginning of the season. one of the problems is the uncertainty with the injured draft picks. they affect this draft coming up because you still dont know what you got in them (peria, moore). then, to cap it off, ryan and turner both slide back. add the other issues they knew they had and the falcons are really a mess as to where you should start.

NikkiFree

January 5th, 2010
8:18 am

Mark,
Are all 5 of these guys a cap-friendly cut now? Don’t know if I agree with Nicholas, but the other 4 need to check their lockers for pink slips later this year.

chris

January 5th, 2010
8:20 am

Hey Mark…..I am with you on Norwood. I think this season showed a big lack of depth at the running back position. What are the chances the Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss will be available when the Falcons select in the draft???

Navigator

January 5th, 2010
8:24 am

Hey don’t get rid of “Todd – Dacula”, he’s our comic relief, the guy you make fun of, the butt of everyone’s joke, the horse’s behind, the pig in a poke. Hey what about Jerius’ running mate Michael, he came from San Diego to prove to them how great he was, had a banner year, and pretty much mailed it in from the start of this year. Is that who you want as your primary running back?

Bill

January 5th, 2010
8:25 am

John Abraham could be a good call, he is getting some age. But, it is tough to blame it on a guy who is double teamed all the time. Maybe some help from the other side, or some effective blitzes would make him more effective. Pressure on the QB would help the DBs as well.

I am not as knowledgeable as most on this blog, but I don’t understand the reluctance to change position in the pros.

The falcons need a receiver. Norwood is fast and can catch the ball. Put him where you need him.

The falcons need help in the defensive backfield. Jenkins knows the passing game, he is fast and tall, but he can’t catch the ball. Sounds like a DB to me.

I am also puzzled why Snelling doesn’t get more respect. Norwood is more exiting, and Turner is more explosive, but they can’t help you if they can’t play. Tuner’s ankle problem also happened in college. He had one excellent year, but teams are going to target those ankles. Snelling has done all that was asked of him since he joined the falcons, and has really developed this year. He deserves to at least be part of a two back rotation.

NCFalconFan

January 5th, 2010
8:25 am

With the exception of Norwood you are right on…The guy has been hurt all year and the coaching staff needs to find a way to use him properly!!!

SCFalcon

January 5th, 2010
8:26 am

Chris Houston, Brent Grimes, Jerious Norwood, Michael Jenkins, Jamal Anderson, and VanGorder….

Agree

January 5th, 2010
8:30 am

Norwood is one of the best athletes on the team; he is also the most injury prone. He is like the Falcons version of Mike Hampton. I am pretty sure the Braves ran him out of town, just like the Falcs will run Norwood out. It’s like having the fastest, most maneuverable fighter jet out there. The only problem is that it will run for 20 minutes and then BOOM!! There goes the alternator.

Tide Fan

January 5th, 2010
8:30 am

Assuming Peterson is coming back, move him to strong side, leave Lofton in the middle, and draft one Rolando McClain to play weak side. You will instantly have the best and smartest linebacking corps in the league. I like our safeties and think that Chris Owens can be a starter. Find another established starter via FA, let Jackson and Grimes stay as your nickel and dime, then draft beef and a scatback/third-down type guy to take Jerious’s spot(Noel Devine or Joe McKnight?). I really believe that Sidbury and Biermann will continue to develop at DE, and Snelling looks like a great backup for Turner.

Wille

January 5th, 2010
8:34 am

Mark Bradley:
I am just a fan but I would like to see more wide receivers and an BIG guys on the line. Who should we look at to fill this gap?

morris

January 5th, 2010
8:36 am

Dimitroff gave Jenkins a contract extension last season. That means he is going nowhere for the near future. Unless some team would be willing to trade for him. The rest of the list is spot on, we can do without all of them. Snelling is clearly our backup to Turner and since we have at least 9 picks, Dimitroff can draft another back in the later rounds for depth. However, Dimitroff must change his philosophy toward drafting injury prone college players. Neither Jerry or Moore could stay healthy in college and guess what happened? Well I guess you all know how that story ended. TD must seriously consider player durability in the next draft.

WonderDawg

January 5th, 2010
8:38 am

“Trade Jenkins and Norwood for Suh.” Doesn’t that just take the cake? This has to be the same guy that advocated trading Norton, Francouer and KJ, (and throw in Manny if we have to) for Albert Pujols.
And Authur Blank had to go all the way to Boston for a GM…..

Eric

January 5th, 2010
8:38 am

Dude I can’t believe you left Chris Houston off that list, he is terrible. I actually thought Nicholas played pretty well.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 5th, 2010
8:41 am

with snelling putting up great #s this year, agree to let norwood go. hopefully jerry, moore, & williams can return from their injuries and be solid next year. samantha baker- give him 1 more year along with clabo. anderson?? definite bust!!

Baba O'Riley

January 5th, 2010
8:42 am

I live in SoFla and have been subjected to many Dolphin games. How in the he!! has Jake Long made 2 ProBowls? He is consistently beaten. Everyone here saw how Abraham abused him in Week 1 this year. Even the local radio down here is wondering how he gets voted into the game? Are LT’s that sub-standard in the AFC?

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

January 5th, 2010
8:42 am

make some trades and draft Haden @ CB next year too

suwaneedawg

January 5th, 2010
8:42 am

I think another one they need to look at possibly letting go is Grimes. A lot of heart but, he is undersized for this league. It breaks my heart to print this because he is an inspiration for undersized players. Maybe they could find a spot for him in nickel.

coach joe

January 5th, 2010
8:44 am

hey im a gator fan in ga .well guess yall gonna trade me out, oh well never really liked yall two faced backstabbin kickem while there down people anyway

Big Dawg 97

January 5th, 2010
8:46 am

I’m just glad they have already gotten rid of the dog killer!

Michael Vick…what a joke.

JustMyOpinion

January 5th, 2010
8:54 am

Rodney is my hero!!!!!!!! Well said brother.

dawg pound

January 5th, 2010
8:55 am

we could drop ryan and replace with shockley and be a better team. Look at all the dawgs in NFL they always play better there than in Athens. Shockley never got a real chance.

Brian

January 5th, 2010
8:56 am

How about Van Gorder? Our defense finished in the in the bottom third in the league…..Those numbers wont get you in the postseason.. I don’t think it should all be attributed to injuries? Do you???

Casey

January 5th, 2010
8:58 am

3yd Dive Specialist ,

That has got to be one of the stupidest all time comments I have ever heard. Dwyer is 6′1″ 235 lbs. He is faster than anyone who plays for the UGA defense, as he proved 3 years in a row. He can outrun people or just run slap over them. He played for Chan Gailey in a pro style offense in his Freshman season and averaged 5.3 yards per carry in limited playing time. So, how in the HELL is he a system back? He is the best running back in the country playing basically a fullback position. Put him back in a tailback position and he will be even better. Whoever gets him will be happy for a long time to come. I don’t believe the Falcons will come close to getting a chance at him, so this whole discussion is a waste of time, anyway.

Hope

January 5th, 2010
9:03 am

Gotta disagree with you about Norwood and agree with Daddy and Bob. Norwood’s speed is a weapon and the 1-2 punch with him and Turner is unstoppable…ask the 49′ers (the last game Norwood performed). Norwood should definitely stay, but the offensive coordinators need to be more creative and know how to use his skills to the best. He’s not a big, up the gut runner like Turner. I see him as a sweep, outside, and screen type of running back. Maybe the change should be at the offensive coordinator position…we need more creativity on offense.

By the way…my friends and I are going to see the wizard to get Matt Ryan some courage…wanna come??

Lowcountry Bulldawg

January 5th, 2010
9:06 am

Dwyer 2009 Line

14 carries

33 yards

Long run 8 yards

So how did he prove it during this meeting? Just curious?

DawgMan

January 5th, 2010
9:06 am

We rund this state.

PMC

January 5th, 2010
9:11 am

Clabo is simply not a starter. He’s an excellent tackle if you’re bringing him off the bench and he can play guard.

The weak link this year has easily been Baker not Tyson Clabo.

The Falcons could upgrade at both Tackle positions.

Billy Howard

January 5th, 2010
9:16 am

Excuse me Casey, but don’t talk bad about BVG. We may have statistically been at the bottom of the league, but look at the players he is dealing with! I think with the talent that he had, he did a hell of a job. His scheming and game planning was solid all year long! Just doesn’t have anyone to make any plays for him!

Secondly, the solution to the Falcons offensive line is very simple. Sam Baker is plain and simple not a left tackle; however, he could be a very strong right tackle. Draft or sign an elite left tackle, let Clabo walk, and our problems are solved on offense. Then we could focus on getting some play makers on defense.

Go Birds!

robertussen

January 5th, 2010
9:16 am

its funny i see people constantly saying to trade norwood. we can’t TRADE norwood, he is in a contract year. we either pay him or let him walk. with sneling as a good back up we should let norwood walk and find a speed back with our many draft picks to battle sneling for the #2 spot. we could try to shop jenkins around for a decent trade or draft pick but dont expect much. wouldnt be sad to keep him though, he does drop the ball sometimes but so does roddy, and dont forget that catch against chiago to set up the elam kick for the win last year. i was also sad to see elam go, he did suck for a while but was coming off a hamstring injury and problems with a new long snapper, we should have added him to the IR list. loose chris houston and anderson. keep nicholas. im indifferent about clabo, but i trust the staff and office and dont see our picks in the last two years as busts at all. we will be healthy next year and stronger so i dont see any reason why we cant have another winning season

bugman

January 5th, 2010
9:23 am

What’s wrong with Jenkins/Norwood for Suh? Jenkins almost never gets any seperation and when he does it’s 50 – 50 he makes a catch. Norwood is IR waiting to happen. Has anyone ever seen this guy in street clothes? He’s a stick! Toss in our 19th or 20th pick and I say let the Suh years begin!

Those of you that are talking Grady, why? The run D this year was decent (especially at the year end) and Babs was really effective at tackle. Get Jerry healed and we shouldn’t need a 350lb wall of fat to take up roster/cap space.

NEW CARS

January 5th, 2010
9:23 am

I’m on board concerning Abraham…We have got to improve the pass rush…Jenkins is the other guy that has to go…How many times did he drop balls at crucial times…I think Norwood is a keeper, if we are smart enough to use him as a Reggie Bush type in the slot, on returns, the wildcat…those types of things..The offensive line definitely needs an upgrade in athleticism and I would like to see them get Dwyer if he’s still there in the third round as an heir to Turner…Snelling is a nice runner, but he’s not the future there….I have faith in Blenk to spend the money and TD to use it correctly to put a winning product on the field…If this year was the precursory sophomore slump for Matt Ryan, I can live with it….The kid can play, he just seemed to try to do too much in the offseason and may not have been quite as focused…unlike predecessors, I think he will learn from his mistakes and come back better than ever….I also think, that if recovered, Harry Douglass will continiue to make an impact at WR…

Football Bat

January 5th, 2010
9:25 am

Was Grady “Collard Green” Jackson responsible for both of the Lions’ wins this season? I would’ve kept him last year, but time to move on from that fantasy.

Hey Bradley, What would the math look like if the NFL instituted a salary cap on the rooks instead of the team? After a few years seems it would add more salary room to the proven performers…? (Give us a good answer and maybe we’ll forgive the Urban Meyer worship column!)

collegeballfan

January 5th, 2010
9:25 am

Agree.

Falcon Fan

January 5th, 2010
9:25 am

When you don’t make the playoffs, there are more than 5 players you can do without. The falcons have a lot of overpaid, dead wood on both sides of the ball that needs to be cleaned out soon, or they will keep celebrating “winning” seasons and not make the playoffs.

Curt

January 5th, 2010
9:31 am

Mark,

Agree with you on all these. I saying Sunday that either Norwood needs to go or the Falcons need to move him to aother position like flanker in order to get him into space where his speed would be an asset.

Aside from defense, the Falcons do need to upgrade the offensive line and Clabo’s place would be a good place to start upgrading.

About the first New Orleans game it became evident to me what teams can do with more than one good wide reciever and what happens when you only have one. It was clear that teams did not have to worrry about defending half the field because Jenkins cant get the job done and teams knew the Falcons or at least Ryan were throwing to him less and less. You could also see glimpses of how good a team could be when the Falcons opened up the offense by throwing to Jenkins once in a while. Hopefully Harry Douglas will be back to form next year.

I also believe the Falcons need to upgrade at safety.

Nativebird

January 5th, 2010
9:34 am

Replace your Stephen Nicolas with one Mr. MIKE PETERSON. Talkin ’bout a FA BUST. another 30-something lost a step linebacker who “used to be” good. think Keith Brooking in dreadlocks. The lasting image in one’s mind of this Falcon’s defense has got to be those flowing dreads flying in the wind while number 53 is 10 yards downfield chasing that running back who just caught a swing pass out of the backfield that our “vocal locker room leader” should have been all over!
Not happinin Smitty, don’t care that he was your Jax’ville buddy. Got to GO!

clemkudtlhopr

January 5th, 2010
9:45 am

Don’t like this article and have no comment on it. I’m more of a positive kinda person, so will wait until the addition article tomorrow.

robertussen

January 5th, 2010
9:48 am

you cant TRADE norwood and even if you could NO ONE would be interested in a trade for him and jenkins for the #1 over all pick even if we threw in our first rounder. suh will not be a falcon so get over it. dont worry though, you dont have to play GM. thomas d will take care of it all we’ll be fine

DDawgDavis

January 5th, 2010
9:48 am

I agree with the names on the list. Clabo? I thought him and Dahl did a decent job on the right side. I said it from the beginning about Nicholas, but had the ESPN piece thrown in my face.

I really think you upgrade in the draft and through FA. Draft Taylor Mays, he’s a “tweener” by that I mean Safety/LB. Imagine, him and Lofton going foward (Lewis and Suggs, what too early?). The FA situation is a mess mainly because I couldn’t tell you whose available.

I really hope and like to think that the reason Arthur rose season ticket prices is because he’s going to make a run next season. I hate to pay my prices for my seats and just settle for “back to back” winning seasons. I do agree with TD and CMS in bringing in quality.

Oh the real season begins! Draft Taylor Mays ‘10!

Casey

January 5th, 2010
9:52 am

Hey MG in NJ, it’s BROOKING NOT BROOKINGS. The guy only played 4 years HS, 4 years of college, and 11 years of pro football here and still some idiots get his name wrong.

Unbelievable.

Jerious the hurt

January 5th, 2010
9:56 am

Agree with most, including, surprisingly, Norwood. Thomas Brown, almost as fast, a better blocker and at least as good a pass receiver, is on Cleveland’s practice squad. Available cheap, unless someone better is available.

Dean

January 5th, 2010
9:58 am

Quote: “Norwood get hurt too much but definitely has skills, we need to figure how to use him.”

I really like Jerious being a Falcon. Some players, it seems to me, you just have to make a spot for them. He’s fast. He can catch the ball. Can he morph into a receiver? If Weems gets hurt, who’s returning kicks (and not someone sent out just to fair catch punts)?

As Lovie Smith said in Chicago, about their Adrian Peterson (from GA Southern) “As long as I’m the head coach here, Adrian Peterson will have a spot on my team.” Look it up.

Apache Bob

January 5th, 2010
9:58 am

So much for the negative stuff!!! Falcons need a ball busting defensive back. Eric Berry, where are you? Falcons need another deep threat pass catcher, I saw bunches of them during bowl games. To trade up, you have to give something of value. Other teams will not trade for a mediocre player. Look to positive. Jerry will be back next year so the bad line play will improve.

JT

January 5th, 2010
10:05 am

Everyone needs to get off the free agency thing- ain’t gonna happen with CBA issues and I don’t think there will be any resolution by March. Not only will we not be able to get free agents (b/c all free agents will become restricted free agents with no CBA in place, thus we will have to give up draft picks to acquire someone in FA) but it will be difficult to let someone go. No one is going to give up draft picks, at least not significant ones for the players on the list. Also for clarification- Grady Jackson played for Detroit this season, not Atlanta.

Casey

January 5th, 2010
10:05 am

The people who keep on saying that Abraham gets double teamed obviously either don’t watch the games or don’t know what double team means. I don’t remember seeing Abraham be double teamed more than 2 or 3 plays all season, if that. He was completely dominated by the tackles of every winning team we played this year. So, there was never any need to double him. He spent most of this season lying on the ground.

Baba O'Riley

January 5th, 2010
10:06 am

“Shockley should start over Ryan”, “Pick up Thomas Brown from Cleveland’s practice squad”. Hilarious!

map09

January 5th, 2010
10:09 am

I dont understand why every blog thats done on the falcons Mike Vick always end up in the blog. Ok I know most of you dont like or even hate Mike Vick. He has moved on why cant you haters do the same

3yd Dive Specialist

January 5th, 2010
10:10 am

Dwyer never did much against UGA, but built his numbers against the oh-so-solid ACC defenses. Too bad he never got to play against GaTech’s defense, he’d have over 200yds per game! Hahaha…Dwyer!

As to the column, there is wayyy too much left to happen before we know who will truly be available for free agency, and what their real value is. There are 7 guys we have all mentioned who could drop from the team and we wouldn’t miss them, if we get some good players to replace them. Suh’s value will be too much as he will go in the first 3-4 spots of the draft. As a mediocre team, we get a mediocre first rounder. Dimitroff will make or break this draft in the 2-7 rounds. And free agency.

Shady Kraft

January 5th, 2010
10:11 am

Grady was missed. I thought he was goona be the new host of that show Really Big Things. Maybe he ate his agent and the representative from the Discovery channel during talks. I agree Jenkins = Stone hands, Norwood = Peanut Brittle, Baker he kinda just sucks and seems injured all the time. I thought our offense was gonna be top 5 this year to offset out defense (which played pretty good in hindsight). They all just seem so small. To me it seems the injuries caught up with us. We were lucky last year. Snelling is a beast. TGonzales is a real time highlight show. Did we keep Elam a week or two too long? 2 more wins and we still may not have made the playoffs but we definately left a couple of wins out there. The pics and the kicking game and the injuries. and oh yeah the schedule was a beast too. Im looking forward to next year. Hope you had a good holiday Mark.

ARTHUR B.

January 5th, 2010
10:11 am

Where do all these stupid people come from?

Mekias

January 5th, 2010
10:16 am

We still owe several of these guys a bit of money. I don’t see why we would release them when their 2010 base salaries are relatively low compared to their guaranteed money.

Jamaal Anderson – 1.1 mill base salary in 2010, guaranteed about 6 mill over the next two years so we could pay him 4.1 mill to provide depth across the D-line next year or release him and have to pay him 6 mill. In 2011 it might make more sense to release him and just pay off his final 3 mill guaranteed.

Jenkins is pretty much the same thing. He has a base salary in 2010 of 2.25 mill but is guaranteed 5.6 mill over the next 3 years. If he’s released, that comes due. He’s still valuable in my mind and his blocking is the reason why he got that big contract. Once again, I’d consider releasing him in 2011 when his base salary goes up to 3.5 mill but it doesn’t make sense at this point.

Clabo is an interesting player. He’s not the worst on our O-line. That goes to Blalock at LG. Baker and Clabo are probably competing for 2nd worst. That’s more because Baker is still making boneheaded mistakes. But if I had to choose between Dahl and Clabo (our two free agents), I’d keep Dahl. He’d be cheaper and keeps our O-line “mean”. I’m not sure what Reynolds could bring but he seems awfully slow footed to me.

Nicholas is mediocre but he’ll still be pretty cheap next year ($590,000). Might as well keep him around. He’s a decent pass rusher and can cover better than our other linebackers.

Snelling’s ascension has made it possible to lose Norwood. That being said, IF we can get Norwood back cheap, he still provides a great change of pace. It depends on what other teams offer.

Who we need to lose: Brian Williams, Tye Hill, Mike Peterson, Trey Lewis, Justin Peelle

I’d get rid of Houston and Blalock too but they’re still fairly cheap and would at least provide depth in the final year of their contracts.

robertussen

January 5th, 2010
10:19 am

falcons pick 19th or 20th depending on a coin toss with houston so forget about all these big name players that will go in the top ten (suh,berry) trust your gm he hasnt let us down yet (injurys dont count)

JabboRockefeller

January 5th, 2010
10:22 am

Norwood is now a scat-back with no scat. He’s lost a step, or two, or three. Injuries have definitely taken a toll. The explosiveness that was once there is gone.

Casey

January 5th, 2010
10:26 am

Billy Howard,

What??? I never said a word about any of the Falcons coaches or their schemes. I happen to think the coaches have done a miraculous job with what they have. If you consider all of the injuries, it’s amazing that they won 9 games this year.

Tippy Toes Ducket

January 5th, 2010
10:27 am

I love you DaddyKnowsBest

Rectal Bleeding

January 5th, 2010
10:28 am

I would like to see the stupid fan left behind.

Reginald M

January 5th, 2010
10:30 am

If people think that Jerious Norwood needs to be cut, you must don’t know football. Coach Smith runs those “High School Football” plays such as Power I-16, with a woodbe offensive line. Expecting a running back that runs a 4.2 to make something happen. For expample, Reggie Bush had the same problem until this year Sean Payton spreaded him out. Those other players are a must along with all the DB’s the Falcons have. 4 years of Coaches running “High School” football plays with NFL players do not work. Faster running back are made for outside running. Brandon Jacods, New York Giants, is terrible running the egdes, but will punish you between the tackles.

I rest my case.

JabboRockefeller

January 5th, 2010
10:30 am

If Jenkins ever becomes a fireman, I hope he’s not in charge of catching babies thrown from upper-story windows….

Tippy Toes Ducket

January 5th, 2010
10:32 am

I miss you DaddyKnowsBest!

Rectal Bleeding

January 5th, 2010
10:33 am

Jabbo….You are one of the stupid fans I was referring to.

Peachtree Pete

January 5th, 2010
10:36 am

I think the guys who responded in the middle of the night had a snoot on.

No. Ga. bob

January 5th, 2010
10:36 am

dumb-dumb-dumb! Last year they gave away the team and started over Booking was the worst mistake ever. (check Dallas for his value). Consistency is the problem with most of the players! ALL PRO WHITE dropped more passes that any other in games that could have been won. And then he turns around and becomes the hero in other games. He should be consistent with ever game or he too should be GONE>

JabboRockefeller

January 5th, 2010
10:38 am

Thank you Rectal. Rarely do I receive such glowing compliments…

David

January 5th, 2010
10:40 am

The Falcon’s finished exactly where I thought they would finish. They had one of the hardest schedules if not the hardest (seems like half the teams they played had off weeks before the Falcon’s played them) in the NFL.
Plus they had an unusual high number of injuries, which makes the difference in making the playoff and not making the playoffs.
The Falcon’s are going to be fine next year and the years following, nothing to worry about.
I have been watching this team for over 25 years and I am really please in where the organization is heading.
If they stay healthy next year and with the schedule that I saw, the Falcon’s will make the playoffs.
They have a great young core of players to build around which they have already started doing.
I am so looking forward to next season.
D

gadawgs

January 5th, 2010
10:44 am

Come on people lay off Ryan. He is the first quarterback in our 44 year history to LEAD us to back to back winning seasons, ever. Bartkowski (Pro Bowl QB), Chandler (Pro Bowl QB) or Vick (Pro Bowl QB) NEVER did. Say what you want to but I applaud the man for that. Ryan will be fine. It’s only his second year. We have other much more glaring issues to deal with but with Smith and Dimitroff at the helm I am more confident than I have ever been that our franchise is only going in the right direction. And this is coming from a 45 year old Georgia native who has followed and supported (season ticket holder) our Falcons ever since I knew what a football was. Mark, nice piece and spot on. I enjoy your blogs and glad you are back. Keep them coming.

Reggie

January 5th, 2010
10:46 am

What about Chris Houston? he’s terrible

truth b known

January 5th, 2010
10:48 am

One sports writer AJC can do without…Mark Bradley.

BILLY

January 5th, 2010
10:48 am

Just because the stupid coaches cannot fit NORWOOD into the system is their faults.A STUPID OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR,THAT HAS NOTHING BUT TIME TO DRAW UP PLAYS THAT WOULD INCLUDE HIM.I remember when Coach Barfield was at auburn,and he had ANDREWS,BROOKS AND CRIBBS. Sometime having too much talent is not like having any at all if you to stupid to develop it.Offense/Defense is the DEVELOPMENT OF THE TALENT TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.BUT A LOT OF COACHES DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE,SO THEY WAIT 3,4,YEARS TO FIND A PLAYER TO MOLD….ITS FUNNY THAT PLAYERS HAVE TO ADAPT AND COACHES DON’T…..NORWOOD WILL BE TRADED AND COME BACK AND BURN ATL….JUST AS ALL THE OTHER TRADES IN FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL……

Glen W

January 5th, 2010
10:49 am

I disagree on Nicholas completely. He really improved this year and played very well the last 4 games… when the Falcons really improved their run defense. He has also been very good on special teams. The SAM position does not usually position one for the sexy stats, but I would bet that the coaching staff was really pleased with his progress as a first year starter.

All I'm Saying Is...

January 5th, 2010
10:51 am

Your not listing either of our starting cornerbacks — Brent Grimes or Chris Houston — as expendable definitely hurts the credibility of your list. Clearly, we lost something in this area when we did not match the big bucks the Ravens offered Domonique Foxworth.

Given Snellings recent breakout performance and the value and versatility of Mughelli, I could see the thought of letting Norwood walk. Speed is difficult to find and to defend, however, so I might be inclined to keep Jerious depending on the dollars at stake.

The good news is we certainly have cap room and a deep NFL draft coming up especially if all of the rumored Juniors leave school early.

LET’S GO FALCONS!

GODAWGS!!

January 5th, 2010
10:55 am

Mark i agree with 4 of them. but stephen nicholas was the most consistent defensive player this year in my eyes hes gotta stay. i think we could go without john abraham. he didnt live up to his contract

Baba O'Riley

January 5th, 2010
10:55 am

Chris Houston + Jamal Anderson = Don’t draft Arkansas players.

Jim

January 5th, 2010
11:03 am

Norwood has been the most abused player, He could be exciting if used! Gee I hope he goes to a team the will utilize his talent, Certainly has not been utilized in ATL, But par for the course, I remember a QB by the name of Farve. They had no clue what to do with him, and look how lousy he has been since he left the ATL.

mike smith

January 5th, 2010
11:03 am

Say what you will about Vick but I think that is the same Vick that help kick our butts in our own house, stop asking for a great white hope and hope we get something better than Matty can’t hit the side of a barn ice.

Xs&Os

January 5th, 2010
11:04 am

For those of you who actually know football know that this game is won AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. That is why when Vick was here we had such an explosive running game because we had norwood and dunn and vick all in the backfield which kept defenses honest AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE…the downside to that was our OLINE couldn’t pass block if their lives depended on it…..NOW we have a different scheme that in it’s second year defensive coordinators have figured out how to defend…That’s why Ryan struggled this season because he saw more blitz packages than he could handle..call it what you want…Give Vick a decent offensive line which he DID NOT have here in Atlanta and at the time he had newbie receivers who couldn’t catch a cold but yet he still went to 3 pro bowls and led us to the NFC championship game…say what you want about his off field stuff that’s done and over with…but you CAN NOT deny his talent and his production on the field….people are still mad because Vick is still the GREATEST threat to a defensive coordinator when he’s at the QB position….and that’s because he CAN throw with accuracy AND he can still run to make things happen…now…as far as your list is concerned…I agree with everyone EXCEPT Norwood…Norwood is still the fastest guy on the team….and I say again…IF THE OLINE GIVES HIM THE HOLES NORWOOD WILL TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE EVERY TIME…because there is NOONE in this league except polamolu from the steelers that can catch him…..If Peyton Manning had this OLine he wouldn’t be in the playoffs either….

Kris in Loganville

January 5th, 2010
11:07 am

I have to disagree with regard to Norwood; he is the best amongst the five you listed, and clearly one of the most effective players on the team. Keep Norwood.

Not sure why you did not include Matt Ryan. Though he is undeniably talented, the painful and untimely tendency to throw interceptions are a brutal reminder that he is barely past rookie status. He’s got to get better at limiting those interceptions or in a couple of years, he’ll be at the top of your list of 5 things the Falcons don’t need.

DirtyDawg

January 5th, 2010
11:07 am

Mark, in your, seemingly never-ending, quest for something edgy to write about, it would appear that, just maybe, you done gone to meddlin’. I mean these are guys that are trying to scratch out a living, albeit and pretty good one, at a profession that requires that they be rough and tough…and occasionally violent. In other words, if I were you I’d stay away from places where these guys might frequent – I know that you aren’t likely to be in a locker room anytime soon, or the Falcon practice complex either, but you never can tell when one or more of them may decide to start a list of sportswriters that ‘life could do without’ and start with you.

Chris

January 5th, 2010
11:13 am

I think we can convince the Giants that Jenkins is a size/speed/wingspan replacement for Plaxico, and maybe get a 2nd round pick and some cap space in return

Milledgeville DAWG

January 5th, 2010
11:13 am

Captain critical strikes again. Maybe MB should repalce the entire Falcon front office.

falcon

January 5th, 2010
11:15 am

SC Falcon……Brent Grimes? Are you kidding me? Dude was awesome after moving to RCB. 4 INT’s in the final 3 games. When has another Falcon DB done that?

I don’t agree with Clabo being on that hit list. He plays every week. Coach Boudreaux seems to like him, as well as Dahl. I really don’t understand your dislike of #77. I think he gets resigned.

Houston and Abraham make the list. Nicolas should not be on the list IMO. #54 is still making progress and improved after being named a starter.

PMC

January 5th, 2010
11:15 am

I wouldn’t mind seeing Eric Norwood on this team though. Too bad with no 2nd round pick it’s probably not happening.

teamguy

January 5th, 2010
11:18 am

I am no personnel expert, so I don’t know who should go or stay. I do know this: I am more satisfied with the makeup of this team than I have been in 41 years as a season ticket holder. I thought our defense showed some good stuff over the last few games, especially our db’s Grimes and Owens. I think I’ll stick with them one more year. .or ten.

Jordan Haden

January 5th, 2010
11:19 am

Matt Ryan
Mike Smith
Anybody that went to the second-tier UGA program
Jonathan Babineaux
Jerious Norwood

PMC

January 5th, 2010
11:19 am

The problems with Jerrious mostly stem from his injuries this year. Also not having Harry Douglass was really detrimental in several fashions. He was the only really explosive player other than Norwood.

They need a better go route guy than Jenkins. He’s not NFL ready yet but it would be nice to see Bay Bay Thomas in that role because he’s a terriffic blocker and has a lot of experience doing the things they mostly ask Jenkins to do.

Agree and Disagree on a Couple of Points

January 5th, 2010
11:21 am

First, the Falcons run defense was vastly improved and finished 10th in the NFL, far up from their 25th spot last season. Their pass defense is obviously a concern, and the need for a rush end as well as a solid corner is evident. However, it could be that some of the young guys just had growing pains at the corner spot and are finally starting to come around (Grimes was tied for 5th in the NFL with 6 picks). My point is, the defense overall might not have improved statistically, but certain facets have vastly improved.

Second, of the 5 guys you mentioned, I agree with Anderson whole-heartedly, and don’t necessarily disagree with Clabo and Norwood, though I like the idea of keeping Clabo because it would retain a cohesive line, and I still like Norwood because IF the staff ever figured him out, he would be extremely dangerous (unlike when our starting QB would have been extremely dangerous if we ever figured him out).

I couldn’t disagree with you more about Nicholas, the guy developed into a solid weakside linebacker for us. Our linebacking corps needs no changes, only depth.

Jenkins, like him or not, just got a contract extension. He’s not going anywhere. Plus he is an exceptional blocking wide receiver in a run heavy offense. There aren’t many of those out there not named Hines Ward.

Real American

January 5th, 2010
11:22 am

Xs&Os….well said…but if Peyton played behind the Falcons Oline for the past decade…there wouldn’t be a decade, Peyton’s career would have been over due to an injury by year 3.

PMC

January 5th, 2010
11:22 am

Sigh, if only there were a future pro bowl left tackle available at 19… To bad we couldn’t get Michael Oher.

AceDawg

January 5th, 2010
11:23 am

I disagree with Norwood. I thought he would be more prolific, but injuries have been more of an issue than I figured. Still, having him around as a role player makes sense unless they got something in return (like a second receiver or a defensive back with cover skills).

Steve

January 5th, 2010
11:24 am

Perfect bullseye on this one MB. Though I rarely agree with your writings, even I can’t make a dent in this article.

Norwood is an eyesore. He was only decent because of his speed, and I am not even sure he has that any longer. He took carries away from Snelling after Turner went down, and that told me he needed to go. We will definitely add by subtraction there. Thomas Davis might get a better look (he deserved to make the roster this year). I don’t understand this need for having a’changeup’ back when the back is obviously sub-standard. Norwood was like Vike-lite, a ton of glitz on a few plays but not stable enough over the long run. The difference was, Vick had a handful of glitz plays per game, not per season like Norwood. Bye Bye Jerius.

Clabo and Nicholas are easily replaced as you noted. We won’t miss them much, though I will say Nicholas might be a victim of a poor pass rush. He wasn’t terrible covering the pass, but you just can’t expect an OLB to hang with Shockey or Winslow for more than a few seconds.

Jenkins was a bigger anomaly than Norwood. He missed easy catches, but then sometimes made very tough ones. That being said, while playing with one of the best WR in football, and one of the best TE’s EVER, he still didn’t break out this year. In fact, Finneran looked like the better WR (I wonder how good he could be if he could manage to stay healthy). Jenkins can be replaced, but we have to go into free agency knowing it is a must position unlike last year.

Anderson. Man. That guy has caused me so many negative flashbacks. Pickens, Pritchard, Collins, Broussard, Troy Smith, Cotton, Bruce, Booker. I mean, he might be worse than ANY of those guys. He has an All-Pro starting opposite of him to take away some of the doubles, and he still can’t do anything. Terrible, just terrible. If I really thought he would get better I would ask for one more year, but I really don’t think he will.

Real American

January 5th, 2010
11:29 am

Mark, did Coach Smith ever clarify which degree of turf toe plagued Matt Ryan? Was there any confirmation of the actual medical diagnosis for whatever degree of turf toe it is?

Bill

January 5th, 2010
11:29 am

Basic needs —-
One offensive lineman. Add depth.
One defensive lineman. Add depth.
Two larger defensive backs. Over 6 feet physically. Be careful not to overrate current defensive backs. Looked good the last three games but were the opposing ‘inferior quarterbacks. Current ‘undersized’ defenders’, despite their speed, will still be overwhelmed by good NFL QBs and tall receivers in coming seasons.

Use 2010 to build up depth on the offensive and defensive lines. Current linebacks show promise and will get better.

Who the. Falcons shed themselves is of little significance other than salaries. Anderson definitely has to go! The other four could help in 2010! Be patient, Look for a return to the playoffs in 2010! With proper moves, team could be real contenders in 2011!!!

As For All You Ryan Haters

January 5th, 2010
11:30 am

When the season was over, at least he came out, played hard through injury, and didn’t flick off the fan base afterwards.

The kid is a good QB, whether he turns into Peyton Manning good or not who knows, but the guy works hard and plays hard and that’s all I want out of the leader of the team.

Apache Bob

January 5th, 2010
11:31 am

One thing I noticed this year about the Falcons this past year is the defense grew consistantly better. Brent Grimes grew in to a good player. Houston became the player they thought he would. The offensive fall off was the loss of Turner and the injury to Ryan. Snelling gave his all and deserves a pat on the back. Norwood can not shoulder the load Turner usually carries. Falcons should look at A.J. Green as another deep threat for passing game. Michael Jenkins should get a job and find out what the rest of know about putting in eight for pay means.

PMC

January 5th, 2010
11:35 am

Losing Brooking was not a mistake. Brooking fits better in the scheme that Dallas plays and he hasn’t put forth the kind of effort he showed in Dallas since 2002. He was getting by on reputation here. He didn’t play hard. Now he’s got a chance in that market to maybe make the HOF if he does something special this year so he’s busting his butt.

Brooking might have improved this team if he were playing outside, but Peterson filled that role pretty well.

Brook was a good player for Tech and for the Falcons…but he and the Falcons were in different places at this point in his career. It has nothing to do with “young mans game” or any of that crap. Brooking fits much better with Wade Phillips and Wade understands how to get the best out of him… and Brooking is playing harder this year than he has in years.

chc4

January 5th, 2010
11:38 am

Nicholas is solid… that’s not a hole at all. Jenkins is terrible… I’ve never seen him fight for a ball. Plus all the drops, he shouldn’t be a starter. I like Jerious alot but Snelling is more reliable.

Ted M

January 5th, 2010
11:41 am

Who were some of the key players we passed on when we drafted that bum J Andersen?

Atlanta Falcons Year in Review | The Bird Cage

January 5th, 2010
11:44 am

[...] Great article by Mark Bradley on the 5 players the Falcons could do without. [...]

Ted M

January 5th, 2010
11:45 am

OMG…we passed on Patrick Willis to draft that bum JA!

Steve

January 5th, 2010
11:52 am

Thoughts on the 5 players you might call out for the Falcons to draft.

Spiller. To replace Norwood, and hopefully become what Norwood showed glimpses of but never achieved. He runs lower than Norwood and is harder to tackle, whereas Norwood is almost pure straight-line speed, which just doens’t cut it in the NFL.

Mays. We have good young corners that are cheap (not sure if Hill is a FA, but I think he played well with Grimes, Owens, Williams and Jackson). DeCoud and Coleman are good, but not stellar and we have very little depth. Problem is, Mays looked less dominant this year, in part because he was only surrounded by 5-6 NFL calibre plays on the USC defense instead of 8-9. Is he really as good as people think, or is he a bust waiting to happen. I figure he will be in between, a decent starter, but nowhere near as good as the USC team defense made him look.

Dez Bryant. I can’t believe he might fall this far, but it looks like it will happen according to the mock drafts I have seen (he apparently isn’t fast enough for Al Davis to take a shot at). He already ate lunch in Deion’s current house, so would it be far-fetched to see him eat up receptions in the ‘hosue that Deion built’?

Dunlap. Would not be available if not for his off the field troubles as he would likely be taken in the top 10. A physical force, but is he worth the risk?

Weatherspoon. A very good OLB that plays in a passing league. He knows how to cover the pass better than most OLB’s, yet is still very solid against the run. Might even be quick enough to do a little blitzing, which the Falcons have lacked big time from the OLB position in recent years.

Now, for my two ‘I sure hope it happens’ scenarios.
Suh, DT, Nebraska. Ok, so he is not a sleeper, but this scenarion WOULD BE. The Falcons trading their first rounder and a couple of later picks to move into the top 10, then move that pick and a couple more picks to St. Louis for the top pick overall. St. Louis could slide down, still get a QB without the risk of being morons for not picking the obvious best player int he draft. Falcons plug him in as a starter right away while Babin-snow does his prison term.

Thomas Davis. Davis is a free agent and one of the best ‘young’ OLB’s available. He is the best cover OLB available, and is also a beast against the run. He would immediately start and you know how great he was previously under BVG (though he wasn’t quite good enough in coverage as a safety). This would actually help the Falcons as it would solve an immediate need at OLB while significantly weaking one of the opponents in their own division.

I would love to pick up a free agent wide receiver, but after looking at the list I will have to admit that Jenkins is better than most available, either due to skill, attitude or age. It is a VERY sad WR crop this year and the top 5 or 6 will command too much money for Dimitroff to plunk in that position with Roddy’s contract already on the books.

Calvin G. Sims, Sr.

January 5th, 2010
11:55 am

I am in full agreement, MB. I really like Norwood, he is a great guy, just not a great football player. He is fragile and cannot stand up to the punishment that a featured back needs to endure. I am also suspicious of Tuner and Peria Jerry. Tuner was never tested until he came here and this season he seemed tentative even when he was “healthy.” Jerry has a history of being injured from college. Another player who I really like, but I think we can do better is Brian Finneran. He is the kind of big receiver that I want for our team, he is just not tough. Yes, he will fight hard to recover from injury and he is willing to play hurt, but he is not getting any younger and we should get something for him while we can. I understand that Austin in Dallas becomes a free agent this year, boy would I love to have him on our team.

Either way, I am very proud of our team (I would rather have broken the curse than make the playoffs at 8-8). I trust TD & Smittie to make great decisions in the off season and the draft. I can’t wait until next season, It is starting to come together and we have a winning team. God I love the Falcons.

GO FALCONS!!!

RedTornado

January 5th, 2010
11:58 am

I agree with all of them except maybe Nicolas, good special teams guy, not sure if he’s worth what we are paying him. We’d probably be in the playoffs if we had a kicker.

retired on the lake

January 5th, 2010
12:04 pm

Xs&Os

come back to the present. as Jerry once said “he’s gone he’s gone ain’t never coming back”

Calvin G. Sims, Sr.

January 5th, 2010
12:04 pm

I think some of the stats are really meaningless. For instance, that the Falcon’s defense finished in the bottom third of the league is an overrated stat. These guys over-achieved. They played their hearts out and we did not finish in the bottom third of winning. We broke the curse, many times when our offense under-achieved, it was our defense that kept us in the games. There were two games that we lost by only 3 points each, that is a statement by our defense.

I remember before the season started, no one gave our team a chance of having a winning season, all because they underestimated out defense. Oh, we were all very high on our offense. I am proud of our team, but the stats often do not reflect the reality. Besides, how do you measure heart? Just look at the play of Brent Grimes and answer me that.

Go Falcons!!!

bills fan

January 5th, 2010
12:12 pm

I wish we would not have let go of Keith Brooking. Big mistake. He was the defense heart and soul and now he has assumed that position with the Cowboys…

PlanB

January 5th, 2010
12:12 pm

I really enjoy reading these blogs and getting ideas on how other fans feel about the team and players direction. Some fans…, not so much.
Agreeing w/Mark on Anderson, Jenkins & Norwood. Clabo, can’t say. Most like everyone else I put Houston in instead of Nicholas.
I think we are good @ QB. Ryan good but not great for years to come. Redman, good backup & affordable. Was ready to get rid of him after that 1st start. My bad. 3 RBs w/Norwood is OK,we have other needs more. OL-?, don’t like Baker hurt so much.WR, we have better that Jenkins on the team now. Douglas will be back, Booker looks OK and Bergeron hasn’t had a chance. Safeties look OK w/Decoud, Coleman & Moore. CB, don’t see Houston getting better anytime soon, but I think I was wrong about Grimes. If Williams & Owens start, Grimes will be a good backup & nickel. Don’t know about depth. Houston, Hill & Jackson not necessary. Very proud of front 7 on stopping the run. Seems like scheme of not blitzing much, hurt. We blitzed & Campbell threw hurriedly. When we didn’t is when they moved down the field for 7. Same thing in other games. Not really happy about the Off. play calling either. I, too, don’t know why we let Grady go. Get him back. Bet he likes Atlanta better on & off the field than Detroit. Pass rush is not Abraha’s fault. Our biggest need is DL. We have some good ones, but we need Jerry back & another great one to go along with them. My personal opinion of the #1 person that Atlanta has gotten in this organization in the last few years is Arthur Blank. He actually wants to have a good team. Not as true with the Smiths. Get the wallet out Arthur and make us proud of you in 2010. Too long, Sorry.

Bob

January 5th, 2010
12:16 pm

Norwood needs to stay, it’s the play calling that restricts him. He’s a “Green Bay Left – Green Bay Right” and a running screen player, not a “up the middle” running back. You don’t put a Greyhound in a tractor pull..

Executive Decision 1906

January 5th, 2010
12:17 pm

I would have to say I totally agree with Micheal Jenkins needs to leave the team. I am a DIE HARD THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES FAN. I have to admit that he is one player that I wish was never drafted from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, because he has done absolutely nothing since he has been drafted for the Falcons. I know of at least 5 games right off hand that if he would have caught the simple pass thrown to him the Falcons would have won the game. Need an example… Here you go the last game that the Falcons played the Saints in the Georgia Dome Micheal Jenkins had a great pass thrown to him across the middle which he dropped. If he had caught the pass he would have scored and the Falcons would have won the game. I believe the rule is if the ball touches your hands it was a catch able ball. I hate to say it but he needs to go!!

savannah falcon

January 5th, 2010
12:17 pm

We need to get players thru free agency. We need veterans instead of rookies! Let other teams train them and we pick them up in the off-season.

Tyougg44

January 5th, 2010
12:17 pm

Me for one to be honest was glad the Falcons took J. Anderson, C. Houston out of the SEC, however, these two fellas -to me – are not performing at an NFL level. P.Jerry…I think I read somewhere he is always hurt….therefore..who knows anyway…keep searching for SEC talent..it WILL pay dividends. J. Abraham…he has become a LOAFER! Hated to seem him make that solo tackle Sunday, because he needs to go!I saw him many times this season NOT PUTTING forth the effort! Personally, Norwood needs to be used as a kick returner..on quick passes, he runs scary in the open field..The Falcons are a few good players from being something special! And, oh my goodness, if we only would’ve had a kicker this season, we WOULD BE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!

MrKnowGood

January 5th, 2010
12:22 pm

I won’t argue with the need for better WR’s, replace the secondary, and Jamal Anderson; but anyone who thinks we need new RB’s is just plain stupid. Our O-Line gets manhandled during most games (especially in the 2nd half) and we blame the running back!!! Now that is stupid!!! Warrick Dunn, as small as he was, would get hit 3 yards in the backfield and turn it into a 3 yard gain! Imagine what he could have done it he actually made it to the line of scrimmage before getting hit. Sure, Norwood showed some rust after coming back from injuries, but what’s the excuse for our O-Line! We have needed a new O-Line for years and it is just plain stupid to blame every other position and person (Vick, Dunn, Turner, Norwood, Ryan, etc) for what is obviously a problem with our O-Line. And if you don’t believe me…just count how many times Peyton Manning gets sacked during the playoffs. Or ask yourself how many different RBs do the Saints have? IT ALL STARTS WITH THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!! NO BLOCKING = NO RUNNING, NO PASSING, NO TOUCHDOWNS!

Jeff George

January 5th, 2010
12:22 pm

22 TDs and 14 INTs don’t spell success. Ryan owes half his check to Turner for saving his bacon in 2009. Let’s see what we can get for “Chris Chandler-like injury prone QB” that can’t rollout of a pocket and complete a pass in the Red Zone and leave it up to kicker. Don’t get me started.

savannah falcon

January 5th, 2010
12:23 pm

Let the entire defensive line go (except Abe), the entire offensive line and secondary. We need tall corners and safeties. We need veterans linebackers. Fire the assistant coaching staff. Bring in a run stopper, a blitzing linebacker, a tall safety and corner back and a powerful defensive end. We need 2 strong and fast running backs. Bring in another quarterback. We need good play calling. The Falcons are always so predictable.

BamaBoysEnt

January 5th, 2010
12:23 pm

It doesn’t matter who gets traded. The Falcons won’t pick up anyone to compliment the solid players thay have remaining. The Falcons need to get better at selecting players in the draft. They also need to figure out how to get quality players at discount prices…which most teams in the NFL has done over the years.

Kevin

January 5th, 2010
12:26 pm

Bl aah Bl-aah Bl-aah I think every player on the team should be worried about there job next year.That includes the OC and the DC.Also all you fans that want to bang on Norwood are probably the same fans that wanted Thomas Brown to be your starting running back?As well all of you so called Falcons fans Go back to Jersey, New York,Boston,etc etc….And Vick fan get a life, do us all a favor and don’t have children. Thug generators!!

rsf

January 5th, 2010
12:28 pm

i agree with the list expet for nicholas i say add chris houston instead to the list.

Steve C

January 5th, 2010
12:34 pm

Daddyknowsbest: “At least Vick won a playoff game before getting his big deal”

Um, what?? The revisionist history on these blogs is nauseating. FYI, Vick’s rookie contract was the largest in NFL history at the time, 6 years and $62 million with $15.3 mil guaranteed and a $3 mil signing bonus. The only playoff game he won before getting this contract was the in the Gator Bowl against Clemson.

Daddyknowsnotsomuch is more like it.

Falcons Lookin Good

January 5th, 2010
12:36 pm

TCCB…

You are one of those IDIOT posters who was also probably one of the ones who was in the stands when “Filthy”delphi came to town with the “CON”Vick in tow who cheered when “CON”Vick took the field!!!

Forget it…this is MATTY ICE’S house now and that’s why we have just had BACK TO BACK WINNING SEASONS for the 1st time! My season tix renewal pack is already in the mail. I can’t wait for next year!!!

Sign Mike Vick

January 5th, 2010
12:41 pm

Bring MV7 back to the ATL

Jerry Glanville

January 5th, 2010
12:41 pm

How about first and foremost getting rid of “STONE HANDS” himself Brian Finneran!

Martin Calloway

January 5th, 2010
12:41 pm

Agree absolutely on Jamal Anderson, Michael Jenkins and Jerious Norwood.

Rectal Bleeding

January 5th, 2010
12:42 pm

I placed something sharp in my ear and it poked my brain. Now my brain hurts.

Wanda

January 5th, 2010
12:42 pm

Why does people still talk about Michael Vick. He does not play for the Falcons. I repeat he does not play for the Falcons. So pleeeeeez quit talking about him. We are over him. He is thru and he will probably never play for Falcons again. So lets not say his name anymore.

Rectal Bleeding

January 5th, 2010
12:44 pm

Better yet Wanda, lets learn to spell.

heartofdarkness

January 5th, 2010
12:46 pm

Should the Falcons decide to employ the slot receiver on possession plays more in the manner of the Colts, Patriots or Packers, they might consider moving Brent Grimes to the offensive side of the ball. The guy has tremendous hands and ups, and while his size was exploited by the more proficient passing offenses this year, he seemed tough and smart. Harry Douglas may replace Jenkins, but Marty Booker seemed like an outside receiver put in the slot, who never was in sync with this offense. The Falcons use of its backs to counter aggressive pass rushes was limited this year as well. Norwood was often over powered when pass blocking.
The defense did much better against the run the last couple of games, as the coaching staff’’s adjustments took away some glaring weaknesses that were apparent earlier in the season. If Jeria comes back stronger and faster, as a second year player should and some size is added at corner, the Falcons should be average or better in all facets physically. Depth should be improved in 2010 by the playing time many backups got this year.

AtlSouthside

January 5th, 2010
12:46 pm

if Norwood’s on the list, throw Michael Turner on there too. Snelling is more physical than Turner, bigger and probably just as “fast” (if you consider Turner fast, I dont though).

We need to dump Tony Gonzalez also. Justin Peele is younger with fresher legs, and he hads hands too… Why overpay for a TE when you need vets on Defense more…

Rectal Bleeding

January 5th, 2010
12:48 pm

Heartofdarkness…….Thanks for the laugh….Really…..Did you try this on Madden?

AtlSouthside

January 5th, 2010
12:49 pm

Forget it…this is MATTY ICE’S house now and that’s why we have just had BACK TO BACK WINNING SEASONS for the 1st time! My season tix renewal pack is already in the mail. I can’t wait for next year!!!
………

Must be a Falcons’ Intern. 9-7 w/o the playoffs is equal to a losing season in my eyes. There are no parades for non-playoff teams… Nothin to celebrate.

Riding a Harly makes me cool.

January 5th, 2010
12:50 pm

This team needs a better receiver like Wes Welker. I dont understand why Blank doesnt sign Wes Welker.

JJ

January 5th, 2010
12:51 pm

I agree with some of this. Along with Jenkins I think we also need to get rid of Roddy White. Yeah, he caught the winning touchdown that gave us back-to-back winning seasons (finally) but he’s dropped several that would have given us the honor a lot sooner. Neither one is a consistent receiver, it’s just Roddy does come through in the clutch but if he came through more consistently, we’d have less need for clutch catches. Get some consistent receivers so we have a down field threat and I think you’d finally see the potential of Norwood.

ad

January 5th, 2010
12:58 pm

I second the motion on Illiniidawg; great list lets move em!!

JeanE

January 5th, 2010
12:59 pm

I agree with all your got to go players, Jenkins, I call him Mr. 50/50 because he drops it 1/2 the time & catches it 1/2 the time. I don’t know why people are assuming Finn will retire, his injury wasn’t career ending. He would be an excellent 4th receiver & is awesome on special teams and tackling for the running game. He does all the non glam things people don’t notice. And his game is hands people, not speed, he can still catch and move the chains. With Roddy, Tony, Harry D and Finn, we are fine. Need a better punt/kick returner, when is the last return for a TD? I have to pray Abe finds himself and the team next year. I feel very positive about this team. Ryan needs to cut down on the picks and poor decisions, no doubt but let’s give him a chance to do it. Next year is only his 3rd year! He seems like a smart guy and has a great work ethic so I’m optimistic. Love the play of Chris Owens and Grimey! Grady Jackson is probably the size of a jumbo jet by now, that ship has sailed. Need another wide load to stuff the middle. Go Birds!! The curse is broken, hallelujah!!!

senoiadawgs

January 5th, 2010
1:06 pm

Norwood first and foremost must go. What a waste he has been and he can barely play 1 game with 10+ touches without getting injured. A big waste of money. Next on my list is Jenkins. Can’t stand the guy drops way to many and just looks lazy on the field to me. Another if Finn, injury prone.

As for the D my picks would be Abe and Chris Houston. Abe is over the hump and Houston reminds me of Miller for UGA. Thinks he is great but teams always pick on him. Clearly a weak spot.

The Truth

January 5th, 2010
1:07 pm

I like the list. Clabo and Dahl can go. I need lineman would destroy people off the ball. Not ones who lead the NFL in hitting people standing around the pile after the play. Keep Norwood and make him a fulltime slot receiver.

Keith

January 5th, 2010
1:07 pm

So many comments bashing Norwood. The man has averaged 6 and 5.1 yards a carry in 07 and 08. I for one will give him a pass on this years average. But Jenkins is a joke. He needs to be gone.

MikeHunt

January 5th, 2010
1:15 pm

I think Turner will be on this list next year. He was hurt most of this year, and wasn’t very good when he did play.

Reid in EAV

January 5th, 2010
1:18 pm

OK, so assuming Norwood (or at least one of our three RBs) goes, is there any scenario under which we might have a shot at CJ Spiller? Where is he on Gel… oops, I mean Mel Kiper Jr.’s draft board?

Hamad Meander

January 5th, 2010
1:20 pm

Mark, I totally agree that it’s time to let Jenkins and Anderson go, but I don’t agree with your other ‘wave-goodbye’s. Norwood, when healthy, is a nice change of pace back, and even though Snelling did a good job in Tampa, you can’t survive in the NFL with only two running backs. Let’s keep all three. Clabo – I think he’s played well enough to keep a 5th rounder on the bench and it he shouldn’t cost the team an arm and a leg to keep. With Nicholas, if Dimitroff drafts an outside linebacker (not a great class for those), then he can be a fine back-up and special teams player and not cost a lot to do so.

The guys you really want to move are the non-producing, high draft pick players – those will cost you. The guys you got in the 3rd (Norwood), 4th (Nicholas), and lower rounds can be kept for value.

Falcon-fanatic!

January 5th, 2010
1:24 pm

Anderson – Definite go
Clabo – Definite go – It seems like he purposely causes penalties to disrupt the offensive momentum
Jenks – Definte go
Nicholas – Not so certain. He has made some excellent strides this year. Very productive I would say.
Norwood – Definite go. Too Brittle…yes he has speed, but if you can’t stay on the field to us it, what good is it on the sidelines.

Mark…here are a few other ideas or players of what the Falcons can do without:
1) Quinn OJ and C Jackson…just throw them in the mix as gifts to other teams
2) Huddle offense…We seem to click alot better when Matt Ryan is running the no huddle offense. Just look at the last 5 games when they run this offense and when they don’t.

cutter

January 5th, 2010
1:26 pm

Bradley you dropped the ball on this one. I thought Stephen Nicholas did well for his first season starting. We understand (or at least the ones who know what they are talking about and you are not included) that the Mike Smith defense is not suitable to the strongside linebacker getting alot of stats and he will get better. You did not include Chris Houston??? We should start a new blog. 1 writer the AJC can do without and the winner is Mark Bradley.

Birdseed: January 5, 2010

January 5th, 2010
1:29 pm

[...] 5 players the Falcons can do without (Jerious included), Atlanta Journal-Constitution This will certainly spark a debate or two. [...]

dwh

January 5th, 2010
1:42 pm

I think the AJC could stand to loose a few colimninsts. Let’s say they start with Mark Bradley who is always quick with negative attitude and short on support for the locals. I’d say he is a fine candidate to hoist to the curb.

So Mark, how does that sound and feel to you?

Ms. KP

January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm

hmmmmmm, I think you masturbate everytime you hear or say Vick’s name. I am sure there is only room for one head in his jock strap, get off the man’s thang dang.

Mick Luck Burst

January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm

Keep Tyson Clabo!

I hugged his mama in W. Lafayette, Ind., in 2002…

Go Deacs!

Pete

January 5th, 2010
1:44 pm

Agree with all your departures.
Norwood is a fragile chicken with his head cut off………….useless as a dependable, rugged RB.
98% of McKay’s draft picks are laughable at best.

Xs&Os

January 5th, 2010
1:45 pm

@retired on the lake ,
I know Vick is gone…I only used him as an example because the very same problems he had…Matt Ryan is having as well. I want people to be REALISTIC about the game of football and the fundamental principles….Matt Ryan just like Mike Vick struggled on the field BECAUSE THE FALCONS OLINE IS TERRIBLE. They get man handled against elite defensive fronts on almost every down…that explains why Vick had to run so much and why Matt Ryan is struggling this year….the game of football is won @ the line of scrimmage and that’s just a fundamental truth regardless of who is the QB….don’t believe me?!? Ask Tom Brady why the pats didn’t win in their last super bowl appearance….THAT”S BECAUSE STRAHAN and company kept him on his BACK!!!!!!!

Vick Supporter

January 5th, 2010
1:48 pm

Its about time someone started to call out some of McKays f-ups. Its funny….last year when everyone was getting drunk off of the Matty “Ice” juice, you people were saying that the Falcons had one of the best WR cores in the league, and now you turn your backs on Jenkins. I’ve been saying he sucked, he’s always sucked, yet ya’ll said that Ryan “made him a better WR”,lol.

You Falcon fans know nothing about football, and you’re never loyal to your players. Even during the Vick Era when the Falcons were a relevant team (they’re not anymore), you blamed Vick even in the wins. I told you people that Ryan wasn’t as good as you people tried to force him to be. No running game = no victories.

If Ryan has to win the game on his own, he can’t do it. His arm is too weak and his dicision making is horrible under pressure.

Meanwhile, Vick is contributing on a team that’s going to make a deep run in the playoffs. Scores 2 TDs on the Falcons on only 7 plays and has the entire stadium chanting his name.

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzEq0m_6FrI

greg

January 5th, 2010
1:57 pm

Only a loser would actually be happy by claiming that we finally have a back to back winning season… and for what? no playoffs, nothing to look forward to next year, has anyone else noticed that the other teams across the NFC has gotten alot better alot faster than our falcons? it’s a matter of time that the Lions will be kicking our butts. They have a good young team.

Steve C

January 5th, 2010
2:02 pm

ATL SOUTHSIDE “if Norwood’s on the list, throw Michael Turner on there too. Snelling is more physical than Turner, bigger and probably just as “fast” (if you consider Turner fast, I dont though).

We need to dump Tony Gonzalez also. Justin Peele is younger with fresher legs, and he hads hands too… Why overpay for a TE when you need vets on Defense more…”

Oh my God, I see stupid people. You want a Snelling/Peele combo instead of Turner/Gonzalez? You have truly lost your ever loving mind. If you find even one head coach or GM that agreed with you, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Effing ridiculous.

keep it 100

January 5th, 2010
2:06 pm

here is my list
1. all the DBs
2.all the DBs
3. Jamaal Anderson
4.all the DBs
5. all the DBs

greg

January 5th, 2010
2:08 pm

100 that’s funny, but so true

greg

January 5th, 2010
2:10 pm

Our secondary made horrible QB’s look like probowler’s

Buddy Curry made every tackle

January 5th, 2010
2:10 pm

Johnothan Dwyer? Really? Did you watch the Georgia game? You Tech fans are acting like them Dawg fans.

D-Knock

January 5th, 2010
2:11 pm

Chris Houston has to be added…Grimes has twice as many interceptions in one season as Houston has in four. JP is correct Houston has the speed but has know ideal what to do once the ball is thrown at the receiver he’s covering, for a while he was getting a pass interference call at least once a game.

Georgia DOT

January 5th, 2010
2:14 pm

Vick Supporter…I have a job for you, running across I-20 during rush hour.

If Philly goes deep in the playoffs, you can best believe it won’t be because of Vick.

Baba O'Riley

January 5th, 2010
2:27 pm

Why are we even discussing the 3rd string QB on the #6 seed in the NFC?

Gatorzone

January 5th, 2010
2:31 pm

Changes need to be made incrementally. Everyone on here who thinks wee need to wholesale dump parts of the team are wrong. It is amazing what impact a few players can make. That being said, why is everyone so negative after the first back to back ever? This is a great accomplishment, especially considering where we were 2 years ago. Enjoy the positive direction ofthe Falcons. They will continue to get better.

Juice

January 5th, 2010
2:32 pm

Dude, Norwood has 1 injury-riddled year and you want to cut him? Have you seen what he is capable of when he’s healthy? He’s only been out like 5 games in his career, and hes a frickin RB/KR. Unless he wants a ridiculous contract, I bring him back.

Clabo may be a weak link, but we already are lacking depth at OL and he works well with that team. At very least should provide depth for T and G.

Jenkins did have a dropoff in production, but do you not know we just resigned him? Let’s give him one off-year and wait until Douglas comes back and decide if we want him as WR2, slot, or depth. He was clutch last year.

Jamaal is cross-trained at DT and DE, he may be a bust but that’s good value. He also had at least 2 sacks taken away by pentalties, for the record.

Dude, Nicholas and DeCoud have been the two most promising new starters this year. Nicholas progressed like hell IN HIS FIRST YEAR STARTING (second year player.) Plus he’s super cheap. A couple sacks, TFLs, a FF, a FR, a beast on special teams, possibly our best LB in coverage as well as quickest. I don’t know what to say here.

Where exactly are you getting all of the replacements for these guys?

The Cut Doctor

January 5th, 2010
2:33 pm

Who Needs to go?
1. Matt Ryan (and his backup)
2. Jamal Anderson
3. Chris (burnt toast) Houston
4. Michael Jenkins
5. Tyson Clabo

Ackshun

January 5th, 2010
2:40 pm

Mark – What are the chances that the Falcons would have any interest in the newly humbled T O?

Juice

January 5th, 2010
2:53 pm

Sorry this thing ate my post twice and I forgot to copy it the next time. This list is pretty bad.

They aren’t all starters but depth and value all around, except for Nichloas… he’s a STARTER. He really progressed this year and is showing huge promise. I have no idea who you have been watching. Maybe you watched the first 4 games when he WAS virtually absent. He’s on his rookie contract and you want to cut him…

DirtySouthPlaya

January 5th, 2010
2:54 pm

#1 on the list should be people who come to the game wearing Vick jersey’s…he plays for another team yo’. Yall’s are Eagle fans not Falcon Fans.

Hillbilly Deluxe

January 5th, 2010
2:55 pm

For this team to be a serious contender, they need to get better line play on both sides of the ball. If they do that, some of their other weaknesses will be more manageable.

Juice

January 5th, 2010
2:56 pm

Norwood has 1 injured year and you want to cut him… Have you seen his highlight tapes?n He’s only missed like 5 games in his NFL career and he’s a fricking RB/KR…

Taking out Clabo, who has experience and chemistry with our line when we already need depth is dumb–I’m sorry.

Jenkins was clutch last year, but had a down year this year and you want him gone… WHEN WE JUST RESIGNED HIM TO A MULTI-YEAR DEAL? Can we at least wait until Douglas comes back to see if things work themselves out, or if he is better suited for slot?

Jamaal is great value as he is cross-trained as DE and DT… even if he is a bust.

Falcons Lookin Good

January 5th, 2010
3:20 pm

Vick Supporter…

“CON”Vick came to MATTY ICE’s house and got to face the BACK-UPS…sure Philly won! Had the Falcons had a healthy Turner and our STARTING QB it would have been a different game. As for the fans chanting for Vick…it was digusting that they would cheer for a CON”VICK”TED FELON with VERY limited actual football skills, that was playing a third string back up role and only getting on the field because the game was being played in Atlanta. He was playing to the media and the falcon fans cheering for him should be ashamed of themselves, 1st because they are supposed to be supporting their HOME team, and 2nd because the “CON”VICK should never have been allowed to run onto a professional football field again…he’s no role model for their kids!!!!!

Hamad Meander

January 5th, 2010
3:48 pm

Some of you guys have lost it. This team, when healthy, can be really good next year. There are plently of times an NFL team on paper looked great at the beginning of the season and as the injuries mounted, they fell apart. That happened to some extent to the Falcons, but they still won (9) games. Minus the injuries and with a better kicking game, this team would have won (11) games, and might have won (12). Easy playoff team at that point. The games we would have won: @ Carolina (missed kicks), @ NYG (missed Turner), and Saints (almost won without Turner or Ryan.

Let’s resign who we need to, draft the positions we need, and sign any free agents that look like a good fit/value. This team overcame a lot of adversity and STILL won (9) games. That’s what makes us Falcon fans confident in the near future!

popeye

January 5th, 2010
3:54 pm

Any list has to start with Brent Grimes. Over the past two seasons’ he has given up more big plays that resulted in a team loss than anyone on the team. The play’s he gives up are momentum changers. He’s too short to cover the average NFL receiver, he is to small to tackle reliably, (often needs help the finish the play off) doesn’t display good closing speed when he is beaten which is often, and he almost never get his head turned around when he is in good position to make a play. I credit him for stepping up his game and showing signs of improvement to close the season but he just can’t be allowed to give up as many big plays as he has over the past two season’s. He’d be a beast on a soccer field.
Anderson – he’s had his chance
Norwood – he has talent, Miss used by OC, injury prone (keep him)

I like Matt Ryan but unlike most of you I don’t see a great QB in the making, maybe average at best… Matt has above average fundamentals for his years of experience and he plays a smart game for the most part but his physical abilities are just too limited. Not much zip on the ball to get it there while the receiver is still open, deep balls require a big wind up and release, and the ball is in the air a long time. Nearly every deep ball thrown the receiver has to slow down and wait for it instead of catching it in stride, allowing defenders to close and make a play on the ball. Many of you will disagree but
Go back and take a look for yourself. Get use to it, interceptions are part of Ryan’s game, and speed will never be his friend especially if you are prone to turf toe.

If you can see Matt Ryan’s greatness it’s because he’s standing on M. Turner shoulders.
Thank goodness we were able to break the curse after 44 seasons but we had to beat
A game Buccaneers team and over come Matt Ryan’s short comings to do it. The point being Matt can be as much as a goat as he can be a hero. That is not the making of a great QB. Matt is not the reason we broke the curse given the number of games he missed the number of times he threw the ball away when there were receivers not even covered, overthrown balls to open receivers and total number of interceptions, especially in the final game. I still like him as our QB, mostly because he plays smart and has good character, but stop being silly, wait until he proves himself before anointing him the next P. Manning.

Bud Wiser

January 5th, 2010
3:59 pm

Someone said Jenkins needs to ‘get tougher’, which is fine, as long as he grows a pair of hands first. I’ve seen better grippers on a ham.

Anderson? – GONE, wasted draft pick, give him a city map of Oakland on his way outta town
Nicholas – are you serious? he bumped it up late in the year
Redman – my mother throws better than him, and she died two years ago
Norwood – backup, never a starter
Snelling – I like this dude
Baker – gets hurt too much, needs his mommy
Clabo – I see a future for this guy…….hawking grills on infomercials
Bryant (the kicker, dudes) – at least he didn’t lose any games for us like the guy everyone thought had died last spring

CBrass

January 5th, 2010
4:34 pm

Mark,

Trade Nicholas with Houston. If you think about it Nicholas was basically a rookie this year due to the fact that his son was battling for his life last season. This year he was fully able to concentrate on football and it showed. He started the year slow but finished the season strong.

I see that you have an explanation as to why Houston or Grimes is not on the list. In Houston case, if your argument is height and speed, please save yourself the time. Year three have come and gone for him and he still continue to make rookie mistakes.

Grimes is a keeper. He may not be the tallest player but at least he puts himself in a position to make a play on the ball. Houston has 3, yes that’s right 3, career interceptions(doubt that would have changed if he was able to play the last couple of games). Grimes doubled that with 6 this year. Why? Simply because Grimes gets his head around and locate the ball while it’s in the air. Think about that. Pro-bowler and shut down corner Darrelle Revis have 6 INT’s this year also (not saying that Grimes is the next Revis. I’m just making a small comparison as far as INT’s go). The one thing that Grimes needs to work on is tackling better. At times he just comes flying in and not properly wrapping up the ball carrier.

Basically my whole argument is that both Grimes and Nicholas have soon improvement where Houston have not.

popeye

January 5th, 2010
4:36 pm

Falcons Lookin Good – My fellow Falcon Fan please get over yourself. So what a few fans cheered for MV7 for entertainment value, at that point the game had long been decided. At least MV7 gave the fans something to cheer about. I was at that Game, the home team never showed up, so who else were they gong to cheer for? Let it go you’ll feel better, MV7 served his time and he has moved on. We as Falcon Fans have served our time; the curse is broken so we too can finally move on. Move on to the “Super Bowl” that is. Go Falcons “we are the next Dynasty” to come, bet on it!

JJ

January 5th, 2010
4:53 pm

Imposter, not the same JJ as birdcage, playa’s pissed. lol

JJ

January 5th, 2010
4:58 pm

Fake JJ, you’re an idiot. Get rid of our best receiver when we have soo many other holes to fix on this team? I’ve been on here for yrs and my friends know I’m an idiot, but not that big. ps- change your name or playa will be off the leash!

TimithyBirdboy

January 5th, 2010
5:47 pm

I agree with the List opt out baker and add houston we need to let him go. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to let mike marley go.

Big "O"

January 5th, 2010
5:50 pm

Changes that is required:
1. Defense, The Secondary
2. M.J.
3. Defensive Back
4. Field Goal Kicker
5. Bring in a Wildcat Runner

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
6:03 pm

Choke, “Howd you Doin” ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

January 5th, 2010
6:09 pm

Jeff George – “22 TD’s and 14 Int’s doesn’t spell success?”

You sir, are an idiot. No offence. Some other second year QB numbers to jar your memory. These are second year numbers as a starter, with at least ten starts the previous season. Some of these only became Falcons later.

Name – TD – Int – YA (yards per attempt .. dink and dunk or real QB .. as anyone can dink and dunk and have much better numbers).

Ryan – 22 – 14
Bartkowski – 2 – 9 (he turned out alright)
Chris Miller – 16 – 10
Chandler – 5 – 10 (1991)
George – 10 – 12
Vick – 14 – 12 (2004, in really his third year as a starter but his second was cut short due to injury)

Other non-Falcons from the current ERA that have turned out alright.

P Manning – 26- 15 (only slightly better than Ryan)

Brady – 28- 14 (better, but not overwhelming)

Brees – 11 -15 (yeah, San Diego should dump him quick .. oh wait, they did and the Saints are loving it)

Favre – 19 – 24 (good thing the Falcons got rid of him before they had to suffer thru that season .. right Jeffy)

Elway – 18 – 15

I could go on and on, but about the only QB you will find with significantly better second year starter numbers will be Dan Marino, who was an absolute freak (48 – 12).

Ryan had good second year numbers, played thru injury, without a first string RB for a third of the season, and against one of the top five schedules in the NFL. Best of all, the team sees him as a leader and not an individual like they did Vick. Ryan didn’t improve by leaps and bounds, but second years are generally tougher because opponents tend to focus on you a little more. He may never get much better, but those second season numbers you quoted are no way

So why all the hate on Ryan there Jeffy? Is it because you are still in love with Vick? Is it because Ryan is white? Is it because you know nothing about football? You pick.

Wendy Williams

January 5th, 2010
6:19 pm

Choke, That was soo funny I forgot to laugh !!! “Howd you Doin anyway” ?! Now, That’s funny !! LMAO !

CBrass

January 5th, 2010
6:19 pm

***…”have shown improvement…”

I have to start proof reading my post.

Chokes

January 5th, 2010
6:24 pm

Atlanta Peach I’m just fine! Thanks for asking!

Now when is the tickertape parade for winning back2back seasons?

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
6:26 pm

Go Ramblin Wreck !

Steve L.

January 5th, 2010
6:29 pm

I think one of the big problems that Birds have is getting their receivers to “separate” from their defenders. Time and again this season, it seemed that every time Ryan threw the ball, the defender was right on the receiver. Where is the separation speed needed? Why not use Weems and (or Norwood if he’s so fast) in the slot. Booker was average at best. Maybe Douglas can come back and add a dimension. But I’m not that impressed with our receivers except for Gonzalez.

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
6:29 pm

Sure ! You are really Choke then I am Michele Obama ! oops better say her !

Steve L.

January 5th, 2010
6:30 pm

I think one of the big problems that Birds have is getting their receivers to “separate” from their defenders. Time and again this season, it seemed that every time Ryan threw the ball, the defender was right on the receiver. Where is the separation speed needed? Why not use Weems (or Norwood if he’s so fast) in the slot. Booker was average at best. Maybe Douglas can come back and add a dimension. But I’m not that impressed with our receivers, especially Jenkins, except for Gonzalez.

Chokes

January 5th, 2010
6:31 pm

popeye, well said. The crown the media put on Matty Ice’s head fell out but its not really his fault. he was crowned too soon and everybody with eyes knew Michael Turner carried the team on his back. Then this season when Turner got hurt and it was on Ice to put the team on his back, he came up short and a lot got exposed about his game. All of these “he’s young” arguments wouldnt ring so hollow if the same people singing that tune weren’t the same ones telling us in August how this team was gonna score 30points per game. Now that we saw how that didn’t materialize, its back to “he’s just in his second year”. Backtracking like the Pips.

Chokes

January 5th, 2010
6:35 pm

Notice how the team never said the degree of Matt’s “injury” and nobody in the media wants to follow up and find out what it is. Could it have been no worse than CJ Spiller of Clemson’s turf toe? Spiller ran on his toe every week thru the pain. The franchise QB went out of a game on Sunday and on Monday he was already out the game next week leading one to believe it was really serious. This regime seems to know the old “Rod Coleman” tricks.

FalconsFan278

January 5th, 2010
6:38 pm

Mark, you forgot to mention Chris Houston.
He gets beat every play. & while he was injured, Brent Grimes & Chris Owens did a great job in the secondary, only allowing only 20 pts. in the last three games & Grimes himself had 4 picks, & Owens had 2, whilst Houston only mustered up 1 the whole season.

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
6:41 pm

I say if only the Falcons would had persuade Brett Farve to come back to Atlanta for his Swan Song ! That’s what I fought Arthur Blank and Management for not doing !! What a better teacher than one day hall of famer to help Matt Ryan.

Brian Hunt

January 5th, 2010
6:51 pm

I think there are a lot of people posting here who didn’t pay attention to actual football games over the last few seasons. This year was the best year the Falcons’ defense has had against the run since 1998, and it happened without Grady Jackson. Anderson, Johnson, Babineaux, and Walker all played DT better than Grady.

Since the midpoint of the season, no team played the run better than the Falcons. That’s because the young linebackers and secondary started to grow into their gap responsibilities. Stephen Nicholas was a huge up grade over Michael Boley, and he will get better. No way I put him on Bradley’s list. Ridiculous.

Norwood is totally expendable and shouldn’t be resigned, unless it’s at a very cheap price. He’s not an every down back and isn’t a great option on third down because he’s not good at blitz pick up. He’s far too injury prone to pay him big money. The coaches know how to use him. He is far more limited than fans want to admit. A back like Snelling that consistently gets you 4 yards is better for this offense than a guy that consistently looses 4 yards and puts you in long yardage the next down, even if he is capable of breaking a big run.

Jenkins is probably as good as he’s going to get, which is average. He’ll never be a game breaker, but he’s OK and he’s an exceptional down field blocker, which is important in this offense. He has to become a better route runner and concentrate on the ball. The drops are fixable. Remember when White and Finneran used to drop everything thrown their way?

Clabo plays better at Guard than he does at Tackle. I think the team should find itself a true left Tackle and move Baker to the Right side of the line. Clabo could play inside, where he’s a better option than Ojinakka. Dahl’s a better run blocker, but Clabo is better at pass protection and plays better in limited space.

Gimme Some More

January 5th, 2010
7:13 pm

Mark, I can’t argue against any of these players leaving. I’ve already said Norwood needs to go. Nicholas is a backup at best–to slow to cover anyone. Jenkins has been given every opportunity to excel…too inconsistent, soft, and doesn’t attack the ball. I watched him the other day wait for the ball to just drop in his hands and the Tampa defender knock it away. SOFT, SOFT, SOFT I tell ya. Anderson could have left last year and no one would have missed him. Clabo isn’t great, but he isn’t the worst on that line either. Our needs:

Get a Left OT move Baker to ROT
A DT who can blow up the middle
A DE who can bring power and speed (not get thrown to the ground)
A LB who has speed and bring the pain of the edges
A WR to replace Jenkins (6′4 at least) and attacks the ball in the air
A Strong Safety who can knock you out (see Ronnie Lott, Brian Dawkins, Sean Taylor types). Williams is still an unknown and a rookie (missed all last year)

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
7:25 pm

So very very nice to have some real nice football talk !!! Now, If only Tech was undefeated.

Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & TIred

January 5th, 2010
7:36 pm

Marty Booker should have definitely been on the “let go” list. I agree that there are many positions that need to be addressed during the off-season. Say what you want but those of us that have been Falcons fans from the Fulton County Stadium days notice the difference in the team’s swagger.

Anyone with any football knowledge and knows the history of this team realizes that the Falcons are continuing to rebuild and filling in the missing pieces and we’re pleased with the progress so far. So many folks on these blogs act like the Falcons were the only NFL team that did not make the playoffs this year……GET REAL!!!! There are several 9 and 7 teams that are playing this weekend in the playoffs.

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
7:41 pm

Choke, are you still trying to sue Jeff Schultz ?! I guess you lost the case against Orlando Ledbetter, Mark Bradley and Dawson Devitt (Whom loved my “Howd you Doin”) ! Sue ?! Give me a Break !!!!! LMAO !

John

January 5th, 2010
7:47 pm

My 5 that needs to go are in nor particular order:
Brian Finneran – Too oft injured and the hands are still questionable
Jamal Anderson and or any additional player on the roster from Arkansas
Jerious Norwood – Too oft injured and not certain where to play him
Micheal Jenkins – Too inconsistent and overrated like a lot of Ohio State WR’s
Chris Houston – Plays too tenative all the time. Needs to work on technique

John

January 5th, 2010
8:04 pm

I think the draft for the Falcons should revolve around defense. Particularly the defensive line and corner spots. Suh would look real nice in a Falcons uniform along with either Eric Berry, Rolando Mcclain or Joe Haden.

I don’t think any of these guys will be available when the Falcons pick unless a trade up partner appears.

If by chance Mcclain dropped to the Falcons the rest of the draft would be devouted to getting 3 of the biggest space eaters I could find to keep McClain, Lofton, and Peterson/Nichols clean.

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
8:06 pm

I wish the Falcons would trade up get that 3rd pick and get that lineman out of Nebraska Suh !

atl fan

January 5th, 2010
8:14 pm

this is why atlanta fans are the worst in america. we dont go to the playoffs after a good year and they question everyone that has bettered the franchise. this is stupid saying get rid of matt ryan and the gm and head coach. that would be like letting payton manning go and tony dungy after a let down year. what is wrong with you people? matt ryan has been a great QB and its not his fault that 5 interceptions were off his receivers hands that they should have easily caught. 4 of those off of jenkins hands who is ok at best. yes he made some bad passes because of horrible blocking from injuries but the start of the year the line was great but couldnt run block. run blocking got better and the pass blocking got a little worse. of course he had problems because nobody was scared of snelling and norwood at HB while turner was hurt so the focus was on stopping ryan. you gotta look into what actually happened instead of being arrogant. blank has done a great job on getting a winning team to atl. i think what we need to do is get rid of the fans that constantly complain while we are still rebuilding. the defense needs some upgrading but the offense is sound for the most part. nicholas needs to be replaced and we need a big time corner but thats it. babineaux is good but stupid at times and jerry was great when he was in. this franchise needs some better fans is what it needs! now if you want to speak of the braves this way thats fine because they need a complete overhaul and the thrashers but the falcons and hawks dont deserve this treatment. so all you people out there that have an opinion about what the falcons are doing keep your mouth shut because you apparently have no idea how football works. you are the person that watches for an excuse to get drunk and have a party. its people like you all that make me sick and make this would a terrible place. let the gm and coach do their job, which they have been doing an amazing job, and keep your mouth shut and watch the game!

Eazy

January 5th, 2010
8:34 pm

I believe our number one need is at CB obviously. Brent Grimes developed well, and Chris Owens is coming along. However, our best CB is coming off a season-ending injury and will be 30 years old (Brian Williams). However, I don’t think anyone other than Joe Haden fits that bill. We need to solidify this unit with a bonafide cover guy and our secondary will be set for some years, if William Moore pans out. If we’re not able to get a cover guy, I believe we should trade down and try to get Carlos Dunlap who’s projected to drop due to his recent off-field issues or UA’s Cody to solidify our D-Line. Jerry was decent as a rookie but his injury prone history scares me. Also, Babineaux has a lot of issues off the field as well. I think our pass rush will improve as players like Bierrman and Sidbury improve. That’s the thing people have to realize. We have talent on our defense, but we had young talent that needs to develop. I think our defense could truly use a talented DE, and an explosive LB. Another solid corner back could make our secondary pretty good. One the offensive side, I think our most pressing needs our WR, G, and C. Obviously Michael Jenkins doesn’t have reliable hands to be the possession receiver that we need him to be. We could get a player like Thomas from GT in the 2nd round to fit the bill. The left side of our offensive line wasn’t getting a good push for much of last year, which is why I think we need to find a replacement at LG and C.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

January 5th, 2010
8:36 pm

Hi Peach!

GM a bust and ryan still a punk

January 5th, 2010
8:38 pm

Sm baker, Matt Ryan should be first to go not worth the money Ticket sell’s are down. . This is a bad investment all the way round . . look at . GM drft picks most ot all are a bust. any pro bowl player any where? Matt is a punk with no heart are arm both are weak Dimitroff is another madoff. Pure sham

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
8:48 pm

You are not Choke, you’re too sweet !!!

Atlanta Peach

January 5th, 2010
9:20 pm

Tech Sucks !!!

Mike

January 5th, 2010
9:33 pm

I would like to see us add a little experience to our D, however this years FA pool is pretty shallow. Dumervil is really on DE Free Agent that would fit our scheme, and I do not see Denver letting him get away. Rodgers may be a good addition at corner, with Owens at the other side and Grimes as a nickel. However in the draft at # 20 is D Morgan or Wootton are there at DE or if by some stroke of luck Haden last until 19 or 20 (depending on our draft spot) then we have to snatch them up. If the three of them are off the board we should either trade down, draft near the bottom of the first and try to grab a second round pick. If the defensive talent is not there when we pick, I like a WR at that pick. I like Mardy Gilyard. Not only can he stretch the field in the passing game, he is a punt and kick returner that can change field position any time he touches the ball. Not really thinking linebacker, but Weahterspoon should be there when we pick, and he has the size, and speed to be a good pass rusher from the LB position. If we move down and are able to grab a 2nd round pick, Washington from TCU would be a good pick at LB. A lot of mocks have us taking Dunlap, but I know with his off field issues TD will not go in that direction. I have been guilty of slamming Ryan, Turner, TD, and Smitty this year,. ALl in all you look at it starting QB out 3 games. RG out 6 games. LT out 2 games and playing hurt. #2 WR out 1 game and playing hurt. # 3 WR out for the season. Star running back out 7 games. #1 CB out for second half of season. #2 corner misses last 3. starting DT first round pick goes down early in game 2. second round pick and probable starter at safety gone for the season. # 4 receiver misses last 4 games. Yet this team finishes with a winning record. I think that is an amazing job for the coaching staff and those who filled in. In ‘99 and ‘03 when expectations were extremely high, one injury each of those years recked the season. I am excited about the Falcons, because they are close to being the most complete team we have ever had. (Eazy remember as of right now we do not have a 2nd round pick, and it is not certain Thomas is coming out this year).

cdog

January 5th, 2010
9:38 pm

MARK, I AGREE WITH EVERYONE EXCEPT NORWOOD.YOU NEVER GIVE UP SPEED.HE NEEDS TO WORK DURING THE OFF SEASON TO TOUGHEN UP HIS BODY ESPECIALLY HIS LOWER PART.CHRIS REDMAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED ON THE LIST ALONG WITH CHRIS HOUSTON.

nash

January 5th, 2010
10:07 pm

okay anderson he will be gone this year i promise.norwood can be replaced in the thrird round by anthony dixen or dexter mccluster or one of the guy from usc but steven did and good job at outside linebacker he is okay jenkins will be a thrird rec when harry comes back next year and there is nothering at all wrong with getting more help on the o line and the d line threw the draft or free agencey or pack mule or what ever and it would be nice to have t cody on the d line with another young d end next year old john has to go

PHIL

January 6th, 2010
2:18 am

Bradley, I’ve said before, you should stick to baseball. You are clueless when it comes to football. Drafting a back with speed like Norwood will cost more than he would and it would be a rookie. Is that a better situation than keeping him? Sam Baker is the weak link on the O line. Although he might not be if he was playing guard. And let Jenkins go? Why? WHO is going to catch more passes in a run oriented offense that also has Roddy White and Tony G?? WHO??? NOBODY that’s who. Continuity is the key to long term success.

And I wouldn’t want to lose Dahl.

In reality we get an extra #1 and #2 round pic this year because both from last draft missed the entire year. Upgrades all around after this draft.

SEEN IT ALL YEAR

January 6th, 2010
8:48 am

I sat in the dome every game this year and I agree with your list except for Nicholas. Not only was he solid at LB, but he was usually in on most special teams tackles as well.

Norwood has to go. He doesn’t have the patience to run in this league, and he is too easy to bring down. Some draft boards have CJ Spiller available when the Falcons pick, and I believe that would be a huge change of pace pick up for our offense.

We need to get better in the secondary, and that will have to come through FA. We have gambled enough with drafting the secondary. They take too long to develop.

Defensive front 7 will be fine with Jerry back. They were good this year. We only allowed one 100 yard rusher all year, and were in the top 10 rushing defenses in the NFL. If you take the run away and make a team have to pass, the secondary is supposed to have a field day. We began to see this late in the season. It will continue next year.

Ron D.

January 6th, 2010
8:55 am

I am not sure about getting rid of Norwood. The Falcons have all of these BIG backs, we need someone with some speed and more agility. Someone that can get “skinny” going through the holes and make something happen.

E43

January 6th, 2010
8:56 am

clabo and anderson are guys with backups that can outperform them and i dont see them coming back to be on the bench or take a pay cut. i would love to see jamal improve but statistically kroy bierman is outperforming jamal by far. yeah snelling did ouperform norwood but norwood can be explosive in way more than one way. if snelling plays well next year then goodbye norwood. i say sign norwood to a one year deal.

Alan

January 6th, 2010
10:14 am

Here we go again, the NaySayers are out in full force after one blog, the draft is in April. lets let the minds that got us 2 consecutive winning seasons have a shot at the problems before (you-whom ever you are) rip the team apart, they did after all rebound (regardless of the opponents) and win the last 3 to get us over the curse.

Go, Arthur, TD, Smitty, the coaching staff and the team, thanks for the the strong showing with all of the injuries.

NOW ITS TIME FOR THE NAYSAYERS TO SHUT UP AND GO STICK YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TechBuzz

January 6th, 2010
10:36 am

O.k., first of all, all you Vick lovers that say Ryan sucks, I have 4 letters for you: S.T.F.U!!!! Ryan has done something VICK NEVER did or had the work ethic to do…BACK to BACK winning seasons…..CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!
Granted, we are not in the playoffs, but I would much rather be 9-7 and having a more positive outlook LONG TERM for this team, than 6-10 and wondering, “what the hell happened?” Come guys, get your heads out of your rectums!!
I agree with every person on your list Mark, and I’ll add one more, CHRIS HOUSTON!! He BETTER be, at best, a back up next year, if God forbid, he is even on the team. He was our MAIN achilles in the secondary this season.
Our biggest defensive need, outside of more secondary help is a PASS RUSH!!!!

Glen W

January 6th, 2010
11:00 am

I’m not a big Jenkins fan, his production this year was simply unacceptable. But I do think that most people don’t really what a great run blocker he is on the outside. If you go back to 2008 and look at every big run that Turner had, I would bet that nearly every time you would see Jenkins on the outside creating a lane in the second level of the defense. Just saying…

Blaster

January 6th, 2010
12:06 pm

Benje Smith

January 5th, 2010
9:08 pm
This message is for anyone primary for the Top Brass of the Falcons: Blank, Thomas, Smithy please read…

I’m fifty years old and I have been a Falcon fan since eight years old. Falcons played their best football in 1980 when they had William Andrew and Lynn Cain in the back field. It appears there needs to be some players and coaches subtracted and added. Let start with the coaches.

Mike Mularkey play calling in the Red Zone is predictable. He will run the ball to the opponents territory then try some fancy pass play and have Ryan throw a interception or get sacked. He should run it down hill with the power game. The way Carolina did to us in 2007 an last year on Sept 28, 2008 when they gash our defense an ran the ball almost 80 yards for a score more than once. Carolina did not even have a quarterback on the field and ram it down the Falcons throat the whole length of the field using the Wildcat. They did not even consider putting a quarterback in the game until the Falcons showed they could stop the run. The Falcon never did. My point is if the run is working don’t stop until it fails. Beat a team down into mud. Brian VanGorder has never impressed me, he does not know how to sit a player down when he is not getting the job done like Chris Houston who is always trailing the receiver but never in the position to make a play on the ball, this is not Simon Says follow the player only game. His defense does not know how to get a pass rush. I think the Linebackers played well. On the back in the defensive backs improved the last quarter of the season. I love the physical play of Grimes and Owens. Grimes can jump out the stadium. These corners are keepers if not next year starters. Decoud is a keeper all he does is knock folks out. The Falcons have never had a hitting safety like this. The only other player that has played for the Falcons and was a hitting machine was Jessie Tuggle. For some reason the Falcons don’t go after hitters who make running backs, wide receivers and tight ends tip toe on the field. Smithy I would keep most of the coaches in place except I would let them know their weakness and demand improvement or else. Now players it’s a different story.

Offensive Cuts
1. Michael Jenkins – dropped passes
2. Norwood – injury prone or spread him out like Westbrook.

Offensive Needs

1. 4.2 forty speed wide receiver with good hands to stretch the field that demand a safety over the top (Tampa Two) this will pull a safety out of the box.
2. Speedy running back that can catch out of the backfield if you cut Norwood
3. Tight end to groom for Tony G. might retire after next season
4. Offensive lineman
5. Offensive tackle
6. A Wes Walker type of possession receiver, Finnerian may retire

Defensive Cuts
1. Chris Houston- cannot knock the ball down or intercept like the ball is off limits
2. Jamal Anderson not mean enough

Defensive Needs
1. Defensive Lineman
2. Defensive End
3.Corner back
4.Another smart, healthy , speedy , hammer hitting safety to compliment Decoud

Special Team Needs
1. Field goal kicker

Red Flags that really hurt us this year.
1. John Abraham sack numbers are down, we needed him to dominate some games
2. Michael Jenkins & Roddy White dropped balls, they need to catch every ball that touch their fingers
3. Last year top 2 defensive draft picks may be injury prone, college injuries,NFL injuries , injuries still continue
4. Passing play calls have all the receivers in one location or they cannot make separation from defensive backs to get open
5. Not using Norwood the same way Philly uses Westbrook.
6. Matt Ryan too many interceptions, until Smithy gets in his face when he throw a interceptions he will keep throwing them, Matt timing and accuracy was off this year also. He needs to be yelled at.
7. Too many missed field goals.
8. Demand touchdowns in the Red Zone. I rather lose the game trying to score touchdowns than lose it from missed field goals or not enough touchdowns to win. Get the San Diego mentality kicking field goals all the time will not win you enough games to go to the big dance
9. Gave up too many long passing plays.
10. Arthur Blank Spend some money and get some pro bowl caliber players, some players need their salary cut to make room for other good players. Too many overpaid players like White, Ryan, Abraham, Jenkins and a few others. They may be worth half of what they make.
11. Now I have picked on everyone excepts the offensive line and linebackers. The offensive line needs to get nasty and mean like Dahl, stop giving up sacks and keep opening holes. If you get into fight and get two or three 15 yard penalties for fighting during the season. That’s OK. Linebackers watch film on Jessie Tuggle, Ray Lewis, Dick Buckus, Mike Singertary. You tackle good however you should hit harder and knock somebody out or knock yourself out. Somebody needs to leave the game OK. Coach be careful with Gimes pound for pound he is the best player you have. If you don’t start him, please don’t cut him and find a place for him on the field.

Falcon Fan Forever

same old Falcon and fans

January 6th, 2010
2:47 pm

Ryan is a pure punk not a pure winner!! bank on it. and sam baker is a bust too. look at his numbers. Great by no means!! not 45 million worth not 200,000 worth . all 100% punk! Not even a hope!!

MV#777

January 6th, 2010
3:10 pm

MATT RYAN IS A PUNK!!!!!

P
U
N
K!!!!!!!!!

Atlanta Peach

January 6th, 2010
3:20 pm

We want Favre ! We want Farve ! We want Farve ! We want………………………………..

Atlanta Peach

January 6th, 2010
3:30 pm

Where is my Buddy ?!!!! “Howd you Doin”?! Probably in court trying to sue Jeff Schultz, Mark Bradley, Dawson Devitt and Orlando Ledbetter !! Soo nice the justice system always prevail Put a gag in your Big fat mouth Choke !! We can’t hear it on here and other places ! LMAO !!!!

mars

January 6th, 2010
4:28 pm

Dump Jenkins. If we keep Norwood then he has to move into Jenkins spot. He ain’t no running back, but I bet he’d make a heckuva flanker!

willie martinez

January 6th, 2010
6:41 pm

big ray

Keith

January 6th, 2010
7:10 pm

When your roster produces C results and you win 9 games, that is impressive. We need 1 or 2 olineman, a pass rush, a secondary and a field goal kicker. The secondary graded an F but that was also a result of no pass rush. Van Gorder wasn’t willing to blitz alot because of the lack of secondary. Not much you can do. A lot of pieces but not unrealistic with no cap. 11-12 wins next season could be doable with more pieces and better health.

Smith fan

January 6th, 2010
7:30 pm

TODD. You are one dumbass

FranktheFalcon

January 6th, 2010
7:50 pm

Todd, if your IQ was 10 points higher, you would be a rock!!! As a school teacher of 27 years, I have never encountered anyone as ignorant as you!!! GO FALCONS!!!

You Can Call Me Stupid

January 6th, 2010
7:54 pm

Matt Ryan will be a interception machine in the NFL. The proof is in the pudding.

woodie

January 6th, 2010
8:04 pm

Thankfully 90% of you nimrods who post on this blog aren’t GM’s or we would be back to the old Falcons we love and adore.

J-MAN

January 6th, 2010
8:17 pm

Mr Bradley do you think if we go into an uncapped year that Aurther Blank will be a bug spender. Give us your honest opinion please

J-MAN

January 6th, 2010
8:18 pm

Mr Bradley do you think if we go into an uncapped year that Aurther Blank will be a big spender. Give us your honest opinion please

J-MAN

January 6th, 2010
8:18 pm

If he was a bug spender he would have kept Brooking lol

Lemainga

January 6th, 2010
8:41 pm

Well people, If your not in the super bowl, It does not matter if your 12-4 or 9-7.

MEEK

January 6th, 2010
10:11 pm

Anybody that says put Grimes in as a nickel is an IDIOT!! Why would you put your BEST cover corner in that position? And why are you saying he is too small but Owens is a good size? Grimes is taller and bigger than Owens!! HELLLOOOOO!!! You guys are idiots, i cant even talk to people this dumb!

MEEK

January 6th, 2010
10:27 pm

Popeye…u sound like a freakin IDIOT!! Are you slow?? Grimes gave up too many big plays in 2 years so he should go?? What games were u watching? That kid is a MONSTER! He is hands down the BEST cover corner on the team. EFF whatever your saying, you dont know SPIT so please do us all a favor and shut.the.hell.up! The man had 7 interceptions!! (YES im counting that BS pass interference call of the pick he got against the Saints) Corners are judged by INT’s. Yes, everybody loves a tackling corner but Grimes is a play making corner. I hope he leaves the Falcons so u idiots can be stuck with Houston and Tye Hill and then you will miss him and wish u had him back.

Choke's a moron

January 6th, 2010
10:30 pm

Mike smith said this would be a running team from the get go. Some knuckleheads just don’t want to remember that while they try to bash the quarterback. The same dimwits say that you don’t win without a running game, well Vick was a running game all by himself. Bottom line is the whole time the great Vick was here the team couldn’t deliver 2 winning seasons in a row. Now they have and Vick is not here, but Ryan is. It must really suck to have to face facts. Falcons went 9-7 with Turner being out. How you gonna explain that? You can’t. Because you’re morons.

JB

January 6th, 2010
10:34 pm

Norwood should be tried as a receiver. He would take less hits from bigger players. He’s fast and elusive in the open field and has good hands. Charlie Taylor came out of college as a running back and became an all-pro receiver for the Redskins.

shawty

January 7th, 2010
2:35 am

Enough with all this nonsense this is what should have happened. Vick should still be here, they should have spent all that money that they spent on those new jerseys and got vick a qb tutor. keep norwood and put him at reciever and scat back ex: (reggie bush). We should havegot rid of brooking about two years ago period. Deangelo hall should still be there even with his bad attitude he was
a threat. Just emagine if we kept him and kept foxworthy ? michel jenkins should be banned from a
Atlanta. Abraham is cool but i would have found a way to move him to lb then we can use a 4-3 you need speedy lbs for that .Anderson needs to go with a thank you card . We should have found a way to keep kerny. I like matt ryan but look at this scenario the cardinals are up by 7 and we have the ball driving down the field with roddy, vick, turner, norwood, and douglas[ finn over jenkins cause finn has the best hands similar height] and if we would have arealdy got rid of brooking who made us lose that plaoff game to the cardinals. We would have won that game and everybody knows it. As much as people hate on vick in his first three he took the falcons further than ryan in his two years. Vick has had worse injuries than Ryan (ouch my toe) vick couldn’t even do push ups and still played .Now he is closer to winning a super bowl without even starting. Atlanta’s biggiest problem is they keep people we dont need and get rid of people we do need and as a fan im tired of watching this. Its time to spend money and go for broke its time to win !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shawty

January 7th, 2010
2:53 am

blaster i like you and tell me this. This year with all those fa wr’s why did we get marty booker. Everybody in the falcons office is smoking meth.

Rex

January 7th, 2010
7:42 am

MB,
I agree except for Norwood and Nicholas.
Using Norwood more ( and Snelling too ) would keep Turner fresher. Look how SD used LDT this season…..sprinkled a lot of carries to Sproles and Tolbert. LDT will be tough come playoff time. Falcons should do the same…..Used properly Norwood will be a big-play guy. If somebody can come in and beat Nicholas outta teh Starters role, thats fine, but I would keep him…he is only gonna get better. Neither Norwood or Nicholas is straining the salary-cap so why not keep & develope them ?

Rex

January 7th, 2010
7:45 am

Shawty
Gotta say upi either know NOTHING about football, or Wins & Losses dont matter to you as long as you can round up the old Posse of thugs and blast rap music and dance and sing &laugh in the locker room AFTER LOSSES !
You are part of the problem, not the solution.
TD is ridding the falcons of head-cases and thugs and building a PROFESSIONAL FRANCHISE

Joseph

January 7th, 2010
9:15 am

I agree with the article. A few of these can go. But they left out Grimes. To short + plays the ball, not the player = getting burned ALOT. We do need another defensive end. Get Abraham some help and he won’t be double teamed as much. I said this on AF.com…. It is a no cap season, Shop birds, shop. CONGRATS BIRDS ON BACK TO BACK. GOOD LUCK NEXT YEAR !!!!!!!!

Joseph

January 7th, 2010
9:42 am

Shawty, I am a Vick fan. He is an exciting player to watch. I am glad to see him back in the NFL. But you are wrong He did not take the Birds further than Ryan. When has Vick produced back to back wining seasons as their QB. You are right if Vick had the talent on his teams as the birds did last year and this year he may have. But Vick is self centered its all about him. Ryan is a leader. Get him a few more play makers including a wicked nasty oline and its on. Norwood is a every play player, if he is not getting that opportunity he will not perform as well. Good trade bait will put him on a team that will utilize his skills and his speed.We need more aggressive, nasty wideouts. Moss. Ochcinco, Cotchery a few of them come to mind. Tony G.. glad to have you. Grimes… by by, or put you where you have been good, when a player needs rest a starter no. You are awesome but you get burned more often than those spectacular interceptions you do make. have you ever thought about being a receiver? You would be awesome. Short yes, but fast and has a good eye for the ball. Use him like teams have used Welker. So much talent, but if I had to depend on you as a starter i would have to find another cb. You have amazed me with your out of nowhere interceptions. Especially the end zone interception against Bryant. Getting back to Ryan. Steve Young, one of the Best QB’s there was in the game. Remember his Tampa Bay Years? He sucked. If a team has a line that protects (as his days in San Fran) the QB will produce. Get nasty oline. I do look forward to some changes this season By Jenkins, Grimes (or keep him as a back up), Anderson. Go get some awesome players this year. I would like to see a superbowl victory before I die of old age. by the way I am 46, so we have a few years. Are the birds the oldest team without a superbowl victory?

Choke's a moron

January 7th, 2010
11:05 pm

Shawty,

Well, Vick decided to get his own butt out of Atlanta and into prison. You can thank him for all of that. Based on what he has done for the Eagles, would you like him back?

Nick

January 8th, 2010
1:02 am

Leave John Abraham along guys. He started to look better at the end of the season. Chris Houston is the guy that should leave.

KANG_N_SAVANNAH

January 10th, 2010
11:43 am

First of all on that list Michael Jenkins needs to go He i sjust holding up a roster spot go get my boi from savannah that plays for the Baltimore Raven Eron Riley he runs a 4.29 40 great hands unstoppable in college and hurt us in the preseason game against the Ravens Him and Roddy White with Tony G and Brian Finn we would have teh best Recieving Corp in the league and far as Jamal Anderson just let him good nothign needs to be said about him just cut him and Jerious Norwood is still a great rb.

KANG_N_SAVANNAH

January 10th, 2010
11:47 am

Give DJ Shockley his shot at the qb postion i know redman held it done for us at times but that i sdj’s spot as the back up qb when soft and sometimey matt ryan messes up

KANG_N_SAVANNAH

January 10th, 2010
12:19 pm

Trade up to get Joe Haden

5 guys the Falcons can do without (includes Jerious) | Mark Bradley | NFL Topics Blog

January 10th, 2010
9:00 pm

[...] Laine Ewen wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Mark Bradley of the AJC names five players the Falcons can afford to shed as they move forward. Jerious Norwood and Jamaal Anderson are among them. [...]

simple

January 18th, 2010
8:43 am

So you want to replace Nicholas who didn’t play half the time because the DC was playing that stupid nickel defense that blew and he was still 4 on the team in tackles w/3 sacks. Nicholas is the best cover linebacker the Falcons have, and if you want to get rid of someone you better get rid of Peterson, he got beat continuously. Amazes me the stuff that is written sometimes, it’s as if people didn’t watch the games.

5 players the Falcons can do without (Jerious included)

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5 players the Falcons can do without (Jerious included)

335 comments Add your comment

About Mark Bradley

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