Bandwagon alert! Lots of folks really like the 2010 Falcons
A substantive reason to be cheerful: New man Dunta Robinson (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Lots of folks were saying lots of nice things about the Falcons this time a year ago, and that was understandable. The Falcons were coming off an improbable playoff season and were a feel-good story. Today the Falcons are coming off a 9-7 season in which they were eliminated from postseason consideration with three games to go … and lots of folks are still saying lots of nice things about their chances in 2010.
From Michael Kun of the Washington Post’s NFL blog The League: “I’ll give you a non-playoff team [from 2009] that’s going to go all the way to the NFC Championship game, barring a major injury. The Atlanta Falcons.”
From Andy Benoit, writing for the New York Times’ NFL blog The Fifth Down:
Let’s see: Modest success the previous year; no burden of high expectations; distinct offensive and defensive identity; star quarterback; and improvements in most key areas of weakness. Sounds pretty good. And we haven’t even mentioned the stability at the top (another trait the Saints, Steelers and Giants all shared, by the way). Owner Arthur Blank and GM Thomas Dimitroff run their program with great chemistry. Perhaps even Super Bowl caliber chemistry.
Let the record reflect that Benoit still tabs the Falcons to finish second in the NFC South and suggests they “may still be a player or two short of Super Bowl caliber.” The greater point is that enthusiasm for this team coming off a (slightly) disappointing season seems every bit as great in many circles as it did for one that had seen everything break right in 2008.
Browsing the magazine rack at Kroger yesterday, I noted that the Sporting News Pro Football yearbook picks the Falcons to win the NFC South, which is the home of the reigning Super Bowl titlist. And I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that these glowing forecasts mesh with my own. Last month I picked the Falcons to go 12-4, win their division and play Dallas for the NFC title.
I am, as we’re all too aware, thick as a brick. But even a goofball feels encouraged when more clever folks are seeing the same thing he is. At least this goofball does.
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193 comments Add your comment
Todd
July 21st, 2010
9:35 am
First! I like them too
Todd
July 21st, 2010
9:35 am
My first first. What timing!
Andy
July 21st, 2010
9:37 am
I think Colin Cowherd on espn radio has them going to the nfc champ game also.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
July 21st, 2010
9:39 am
I like our chances this year. Couple of key players coming off injuries and Ryan/Turner should be much better this year. Dunta’s addition was huge and the schedule, especially in our own division, works in our favor.
Mr. Obvious
July 21st, 2010
9:40 am
RE: “There is just something SPECIAL about these [2007] Falcons.” – Mark Bradley, AUG 2007
F-105 Thunderchief
July 21st, 2010
9:43 am
Thanks for the reminder. Time to hit the magazine rack for a season preview myself. Been doing it since I was a kid and Bartkowski was a rookie.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 21st, 2010
9:46 am
QB- Heading into his 3 year also thats the magic year for development. Last season was normal a team on the rise, having a step back only to emerge the following season. This is the year of the Bird!
Ryno
July 21st, 2010
9:46 am
Everyone is excited! I heard Matt Ryan on the radio this morning while driving to work and you could tell he can’t wait for camp to open up.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
9:50 am
Kudos, Todd.
We ought to give out certificates for “first.”
WonderDawg
July 21st, 2010
9:52 am
Good preview of Falcons at Foxsports.com:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-pre-camp-previews%3A-nfc-south
Go Birds!
Hayseed Dixie
July 21st, 2010
9:52 am
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb saying we’re watching an Atlanta Legend in progress with Matt Ryan.
It’s hard to not like the Falcons with the personnel moves they make.
I wish Arthur Blank had received that MLS franchise. What a fantastic owner.
FALCONS SORRY
July 21st, 2010
9:55 am
MARK BRADLY! YOU HAVE DONE LOST YOUR MIND! THE ONLY WAY THIS SORRY TEAM IS GOING TO THE SUPPER BOWL OR THE NFC CHAMPION GAME IS ON GRAY HOUND! YOU KNOW THE ONLY REASON THE SO CALL QUARTERBACK MATTY HOPELESS IS EVEN ON THIS TEAM IS BECAUSE HE IS BLANKS ILL LEGITIMATE SON FROM BOSTON WHERE BLANK FROM TOO AND BECAUSE DADDY FELT GUILTY AND WANTED TO GIVE HIS BABY BOY A JOB! YOU KNOW NOT EVEN BLANK IS STUPID ENOUGH TO GET RID OF THE BEST QB TO EVER PLAY THE GAME UNLESS IT TO HELP HIS OWN FAMILY! BLANK PROBABLY KNEW THE NFL WOULD INVESTGATE ABOUT JUST DUMPING FOR MIKE FOR NO REASON! THAT PROBABLY IS WHY BLANK SET HIM UP TO GET HIM ARRESTED SO THAT BLANK COULD GET OUT OF HIS CONTRACT AND HAVE MONEY FOR HIS LITTLE BABY! YEAH! CRYIN BABY RYAN! RYAN-BLANK IS WHAT IT NEED SAY ON HIS JERSY! MIKE GOT HIS PAY BACK LAST DECEMBER WHEN HE CAME BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND SHOW BLANK WHO THE REAL OWNER OF THE FALCONS AND THE ATL IS! BLANK IS THE ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE WENT TO PRISON AND NOT TAKING CARE OF HIS KID AND NOT MIKE! THE AJC LIKE TO TALK ABOUT MIKE ALL THE TIME! THEY BETTER TALK ABOUT HIM GOOD WHEN IT COME THAT MIKE VICK CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES! IT GOOD THAT YOU GOT USED TO WEARING ORANGE AT HOMES DEPOT BLANK BECAUSE THAT WHAT YOU WILL BE WEARING ALL THE TIME IN PRISON ONCE THE TRUTH COME OUT! COACH SMITTY! YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR BACK TOO! IF BLANK HAVE ANY LITTLE GIRLS COMING OUT TO CLAIM HE THEY FATHER THE FALCONS MAY JUST HAVE THE FIRST WOMAN FOOTBALL COACH! YOU BETTER START USING PROTECTION SO NO BODY ELSE HAVE TO GET FRAMED AND LOOSE THEY JOB BECAUSE OF YOU BLANK! LET HOPE SHE TAKE AFTER HER MOTHER AND LOOK BETTER ON THAT SIDE LINE THAN YOU DO BLANK! MAKE UP!
Herschel Talker
July 21st, 2010
9:56 am
Oh gosh. FALCONS SORRY is back. And I thought it was I who was angry at times.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
9:58 am
Falcons Sorry is correct: I have lost my mind. But that happened a while ago, I’m afraid.
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
10:03 am
Falcons Sorry is back out of jail again?
What ever happened to Zell Miller’s 3 strikes and your out law?
Oh well, I guess it must be the overcrowding of the prison system.
Alex
July 21st, 2010
10:03 am
Andy, Colin actually has them playing in the Super Bowl against the Ravens
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
10:05 am
Maybe Ga. should legalize the magic herb, and free up some jail space for him.
Alex
July 21st, 2010
10:05 am
Oh and Matt Ryan is the TRUTH!! Kid will blow up this season.
KILLING DOGS IS MY BUSINESS, AND FELLAS....BUSINESS IS BOOMING
July 21st, 2010
10:07 am
Falcons Sorry must be a Mike Vick fan
Andy
July 21st, 2010
10:08 am
Alex Thanks for clarifying. That’s even better.
FalconUGAFan
July 21st, 2010
10:10 am
I like em too. Since 1965 even….
Andy
July 21st, 2010
10:10 am
I think everything is set up this season for a nice run as long as we don’t have any devastating unjuries. We have many kep players back as well as solid offseason pickups and the mizzou tandem who i think will feed off each other and want to excel and win. I think we will have a top 6 defense this year. My guess is 13-3 and hopefully the super bowl.
Gee, Killing Dogs...
July 21st, 2010
10:12 am
….in the immortal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, “YA THINK?”
Well, Mark...
July 21st, 2010
10:14 am
…at least part of your story is correct – you are a goofball…
Pi$$onaDawg
July 21st, 2010
10:14 am
The only thing the NFL should do like College football is to have the game on the same weeks every year. We know Bama & UT play 3rd week in OCT. and Uga & UF play basically the same week every year. I think the NFL could make schedules basically the same every year. Some teams get to play a winners schedule and some play a losers schedule. I would the Falcons to play the Saints halloween weekend and the last game before the playoffs. which game is the home team rotates every year but the game is the same. I just makes planning the year so much easier for fans, coaches, and players. what do you think about the NFL scheduling MARK Bradley?
Tweets that mention Bandwagon alert! Lots of folks like the 2010 Atlanta Falcons | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 21st, 2010
10:16 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, D. Orlando Ledbetter and Brian Morton, Adam Schultz. Adam Schultz said: Stay cautious. RT @MarkBradleyAJC: Bandwagon alert! Lots of folks (besides me) are high on the 2010 Atlanta #Falcons. http://bit.ly/crliLa [...]
Hawk n the Ham
July 21st, 2010
10:16 am
Dear Arthur Blank,
PLEASE buy the Hawks from that sorry ASG.
Sincerly,
All Hawks Fans
Ryder
July 21st, 2010
10:16 am
I’m picking them to also make the Super Bowl, even though a lot of factors have to break their way. Most importantly, their key stars (Ryan, Turner, Baker, White) must remain healthy.
Jack G.
July 21st, 2010
10:17 am
One of the big weaknesses of this team is QB. Not Ryan, but backup. Ryan goes down our backups are not real quality.
Bull Schmitt
July 21st, 2010
10:17 am
I sure hope those injuries to Peria Jerry and William Moore are past issues and that both come back strong this season. Go Falcons!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 21st, 2010
10:19 am
WOW! Does he really believe all that crap he typed? Please tell me thats a joke, because if someone REALLY believes that then they need to be taken straight to the looney bin.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 21st, 2010
10:19 am
Mark pnothing for being FIRST!!! maybe a tshirt for being First with a great comment. Being FIRST and saying nothing is like Dale Earnhrdt Jr riding around the track not winning and then being interview. It means nothing.
extremus
July 21st, 2010
10:25 am
I have a feeling the 2010 Falcons will have a good-sized chip on their shoulder after all the things that went wrong last year; they’re going to be out to prove they are indeed a championship-caliber team. And barring injury, nobody in the league will want to play them, especially in the playoffs and especially not in the Georgia Dome.
GO FALCONS!!!!
Tim Tebow's Tears
July 21st, 2010
10:25 am
hahahaa did anyone actually read Falcons Sorry’s post? Probably the funniest thing I’ve seen in awhile. Someone get this guy his own column. You can’t even make this stuff up. Well played sir…
ReddJonn68
July 21st, 2010
10:30 am
Anyway Sorry. This team has as good a chance as any, & if we want to talk sorry we have never had the type of talent Dallast ( yes i mean as in dead last ) has had the last 4yrs. Don’t forget N. O. was very lucky & caught hella breaks last yr, so it’s anybody’s guess to who will be the surprise Div leader this year. I say the Falcons, if we stay healthy we can compete with any of them. This is the 3rd yr with Matt in this system and the running game is solid, if we can get anything in the return game or some spark out of Norwood book the playoffs. Everybodys worried about the defense, I think those guys know their roles in Smittys system by now, if not they won’t see the field. NFC Championship game Atlanta vs Dallast Go Birds !!!!!!
Dawg-Catcher
July 21st, 2010
10:30 am
Hey FalconsSorry!! – your boy Vick can’t even start for the Eagles – he is basically used as a novelty act by them on trick plays!! Best quarterback to play the game my A@@.
Angus
July 21st, 2010
10:30 am
C’mon Lowcounty, be nice. Bradley, despite his faults, is the best sports columnist around.
And besides, what else am I supposed to do during conference calls?
Sonny Clusters
July 21st, 2010
10:37 am
Certificates? We don’t need no stinkin’ certificates. (apologies)
What is called for here is tee-shirts. “We was first on the Bradley Blog”
Wearing a tee shirt would quickly identify us a bloggers here and would warn unsuspecting people of our presence. Could do a lot of good.
We could all come to Dunwoody and pick up the shirts. Say hello. Meet Anne Cox Chambers if she’s in town. She could wear a tee shirt. Lots of possibilities.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
10:38 am
T-shirts, eh? I’m taking that under advisement, Sonny.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
10:40 am
Thanks, Angus. But I’m not entirely certain Lowcountry was referring to yours truly. (He might well have been, but I’m thinking he was commenting on a previous commenter.)
GEORGIA
July 21st, 2010
10:46 am
as long aas everybody stayz healthy we should be just as good if not better than the saints but the top 5 reasons are
1.matt ryan proggression
2.healthy turner
3.dunta rob living up 2 his contract
4.secondary
5.pas rush
Bear 14
July 21st, 2010
10:47 am
Falcon sorry must be a punk,talk big and luvs a murder,great guy u are candy as-,go Falcons
ATL Fan
July 21st, 2010
10:52 am
How about a hot fudge sundae for being first. Works for me.
Tailback U
July 21st, 2010
10:57 am
Mark I agree with the assessment that the Falcons stand a good
chance to make the NFC championship game. Not enough is said
however that key injuries and their overall comparitive depth
will be as much as a determining factor as anything. What
position from a depth standpoint or what key player othet than
Ryan concerns you most in this regard ?
dunwoody dawg
July 21st, 2010
11:00 am
I agree with you Mark and with a lot of the other guys on here. I really think the Falcons have all of the ingredients in place to have a very good year. The one thing you mentioned briefly that I see as the reason for the most optimism is the schedule. Last year we went 9-7 and that schedule was absolutely brutal. Has anybody else noticed that whenever we have a good year, the next year the league schedules us a Bataan death march? Do they do that to everbody that makes the playoffs?
Angus
July 21st, 2010
11:03 am
I wouldn’t have been funny otherwise (maybe it wasn’t funny?).
Anyway, about the topic at hand, these Falcons kind of parallel these Braves. Not much glitz and glam, slow and steady wins the race. I like it.
Angus
July 21st, 2010
11:03 am
“It”, not “I”
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
11:06 am
Michael Turner, Tailback U. Then Curtis Lofton.
TheAntiMe
July 21st, 2010
11:08 am
I’m very encouraged but I hope that T.D. has a viable plan B at Place Kicker. As we very well know, that weakness was what kept the Falcons from making the playoffs last season, in spite of the statistically-moribund defense.
This should be a fun season to be a Bird watcher, let’s tee it up already!
SeenThisB4
July 21st, 2010
11:09 am
The Saints were coming off an 8-8 season last year, just food for thought.
The reality is that the NFC South is a two horse race, Tampa is making strides, but they’re so far back they won’t be a factor this year, and Carolina is in such a shambles, that they won’t either inspite of their supreme effort at revamping their team.
No, this is a two horse race for the NFC South, New Orleans and Atlanta. And even the least experienced, unbiased fan would be picking the Super Bowl Champ as the favorite. Even so, Atlanta should be in position to control it’s own destiny for a wildcard slot. After that, it’s anybody’s game in the road to Dallas. Just a question of what city that road has to go thru to get to Dallas, my guess: New Orleans
Big C
July 21st, 2010
11:09 am
We have WR R. White coming into his own, Hall of Fame TE T. Gonzalez, excellent slot reciever H. Douglass missed him last year, we need to do something about our 2nd wide reciever Jennings he drops to many wide open passes. Get those linemen to stand firm for 1 or 2 more seconds we will be alright on offense. No damn good on offense. Defense can get better wish we had some one that opponents really fear looking for a headhunter type LB or SS someone like or close to a Ray Lewis Ronnie Lott
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
11:10 am
Many smart NFL watchers seem to be high on Carolina, SeenThisB4. I am not sure why this is.
GSU Eagle 91
July 21st, 2010
11:14 am
It is great to be talking about football again… While I am a huge Falcons fan, I still think the Saints are the team to beat in the NFC barring injury. Maybe it is OUR turn to shine, and I will be enjoying every moment.
Oh….I almost forgot…It is good to see FALCONS SORRY back on board…By now I would think he would brush up on his grammar, sentence structure and ability to spell…Perhaps he really IS a relative of MV…..
Chris
July 21st, 2010
11:20 am
Falcon’s sorry must be a distant cousin of the Cavalier’s owner.
And PDawg, there is something special about being first. It’s not easy. It takes exceptional timing and I would have to guess Mr. Clusters or the Thunderchief would be ranked number 1 or 2 historically.
I got my first first the other day and met my future wife, won the lottery and lost 20 lbs in the afternoon. You can’t really define it, just something special about it.
And the Falcon’s are on a similar curve to the Saints the past three years…injuries probably determine difference between another 9-7 or 11-5 season?
TheAntiMe
July 21st, 2010
11:20 am
Oh….I almost forgot…It is good to see FALCONS SORRY back on board…By now I would think he would brush up on his grammar, sentence structure and ability to spell…Perhaps he really IS a relative of MV…..
No, GSU, more likely he’s the one relative of Arthur Blank who never get’s invited over for Thanksgiving Dinner.
ugaclassof2004
July 21st, 2010
11:23 am
There are some that say that this team will finish 12-4 and go to the NFC Championship. Then there are otherss who say this team will choke. So the correct answer is in the middle: The Falcons finish 10-6 and lose the division to the Saints but still make the playoffs. Falcons win their wild card game( more than likely a road game) but lose in the divisional playoffs to Dallas or Minnesota. Saints will get upset at home in their wild card game.
ReddJonn68
July 21st, 2010
11:23 am
@ TheAntiMe good point most of the time the place kicker is an issue during the season, but if you have been watching the last couple of yrs the powerhouse teams in the NFC haven’t really relied on them. I don’t recall many games where Brees & Farve were siiting on pins & needles last season or the season before with Warner & McNabb. Basically the NFL is now a run & gun league. Our offense has to keep pace.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
11:24 am
Chris, I may have to borrow your description of “first” for marketing purposes.
ugaclassof2004
July 21st, 2010
11:26 am
There are some that say that this team will finish 12-4 and go to the NFC Championship. Then there are others who say this team will choke. So the correct answer is in the middle: The Falcons finish 10-6 and lose the division to the Saints but still make the playoffs. Falcons win their wild card game( I thinking they beat a team like the 49ers or Cardinals on the road) but lose in the divisional playoffs to Dallas or Minnesota. Saints will get upset at home in their wild card game.
SeenThisB4
July 21st, 2010
11:26 am
I don’t understand anyone being high on Carolina. They don’t have a proven QB anywhere on their roster, anywhere, with no prospect of signing anyone else. Their best and only proven WR won’t participate in training camp because of flag football (hotdogging) injuries, their defense line was eviscerated by management, even one of their best linebackers looks like he’s done for the season, or a major part of it. About the only thing they can hang their hat on is their duel running back attack, but that makes them purely one-dimensional, and if one of them goes down to say re-injured ankle, it’s “lights out”. So, why they would be on anybody’s radar screen indicates a major mal-function in that radar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa overtakes them this year.
Of course, I picked the Saints to be second in the NFC South last year, so, who knows! LOL!
Tommy
July 21st, 2010
11:26 am
I don’t understand that one bit either Mark. I have seen and heard so many people on the Panthers bandwagon and, though I am a big Falcons fan, I do try and be honest in assessing other teams in the division and I can not for the life of me understand why the Panthers will be that good in a tough NFC. How do you lose your franchise player (Peppers), have basically a first year starter in Matt Moore, and have no WR depth aside from Steve Smith, who is hurt… I just don’t see how that makes the Panthers a good team…
KY Falcon
July 21st, 2010
11:26 am
So I started this new word find puzzle…. feel free to continue
MARK BRADL(E)Y! YOU HAVE DONE LOST YOUR MIND! THE ONLY WAY THIS SORRY TEAM IS GOING TO THE SUPPER BOWL OR THE NFC CHAMPION (SHIP) GAME IS ON (A) GRAY HOUND! YOU KNOW THE ONLY REASON THE SO CALL(ED)QUARTERBACK MATTY HOPELESS IS EVEN ON THIS TEAM IS BECAUSE HE IS BLANKS ILL LEGITIMATE (ILEGITIMATE?) SON FROM BOSTON WHERE BLANK IS FROM TOO AND BECAUSE (HIS) DADDY FELT GUILTY AND WANTED TO GIVE HIS BABY BOY A JOB! YOU KNOW NOT EVEN BLANK IS STUPID ENOUGH TO GET RID OF THE BEST QB TO EVER PLAY THE GAME UNLESS IT (IS) TO HELP HIS OWN FAMILY! BLANK PROBABLY KNEW THE NFL WOULD INVEST(I)GATE ABOUT JUST DUMPING FOR MIKE FOR NO REASON! THAT PROBABLY IS WHY BLANK SET HIM UP TO GET HIM ARRESTED, SO THAT BLANK COULD GET OUT OF HIS CONTRACT AND HAVE MONEY FOR HIS LITTLE BABY! YEAH! CRYING BABY RYAN! RYAN-BLANK IS WHAT IT NEED(S TO )SAY ON HIS JERS(E)Y! MIKE GOT HIS PAY BACK LAST DECEMBER WHEN HE CAME BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND SHOW(ED)BLANK WHO THE REAL OWNER OF THE FALCONS AND THE ATL IS! BLANK IS THE ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE WENT (GONE) TO PRISON (AND NOT INSTEAD OF) TAKING CARE OF HIS KID AND NOT MIKE! THE AJC LIKE TO TALK ABOUT MIKE ALL THE TIME! THEY BETTER TALK ABOUT HIM GOOD WHEN IT COMETHAT MIKE VICK CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES (STILL CONFUSED)! IT (IS) GOOD THAT YOU GOT USED TO WEARING ORANGE AT HOME(S) DEPOT BLANK BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL BE WEARING ALL THE TIME IN PRISON ONCE THE TRUTH COME(S)OUT! COACH SMITTY! YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR BACK TOO! IF BLANK HAVE ANY LITTLE GIRLS COMING OUT TO CLAIM HE THEY FATHER (“chuckling”) THE FALCONS MAY JUST HAVE THE FIRST WOMAN FOOTBALL COACH! YOU BETTER START USING PROTECTION SO NO BODY (NOBODY?) ELSE (HAVE HAS) TO GET FRAMED AND LOOSE (OR TIGHT)THEY JOB BECAUSE OF YOU BLANK! LET HOPE SHE TAKE AFTER HER MOTHER AND LOOK BETTER ON THAT SIDE LINE THAN YOU DO BLANK! MAKE UP!
Greg from Marietta
July 21st, 2010
11:28 am
Mark, I agree with Andy Benoit in his assessment of the positive chemistry of the Falcons. Finally we have a management group and a GM that takes the player’s effect on the team chemistry into consideration as being as equally important as his athletic ability. I don’t think that Mr. Blank nor Thomas D. can tolerate a trouble maker or anyone who has a tendency to upset the apple-cart. That being said, Thomas D. and Smitty have demonstrated a real eye for talent and its really hard to believe all that has been accomplished in the relatively short period of time that they have been in charge. I honestly believe that they have established a chemistry of winning and team work with this group of players and within the next couple of years the Falcons will be one of the truly elite teams of the NFL. Who knows maybe even a Super Bowl is in the not to distant future.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
11:29 am
It’s a good administration at 4400 Falcon Parkway, Greg from Marietta. The best in team history.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 21st, 2010
11:31 am
Mark, no not at you at all! I agree w/ the 12-4 record and see the team poised for a deep playoff run.
I passed on reading his 2nd act. Has to be a joke.
suwaneefalcon
July 21st, 2010
11:41 am
Sorry Falcon is pulling on our lariets. There is no one that ignorant out there to post a serious commentary like that. I mean the guy even misspelled Greyhound and anyone that was like that would know how to spell his means of travel. Come on!
On a serious note, I believe Athlon has us going 7-9 and finishing 3rd in our division. Pretty far from the other experts.
Mark Bradley
July 21st, 2010
11:45 am
I’d be stunned if the Falcons went 7-9, suwaneefalcon. They didn’t do that last season when everything went wrong.
yunel asscobar
July 21st, 2010
11:52 am
Mark – you shop at Kroger?? That’s the problem! Move to Publix where the quality of your sports browsing material will improve exponentially. I see a ratings increase in your blogging future within 7-10 days after you make the move.
ReddJonn68
July 21st, 2010
11:53 am
@ suwaneefalcon every magazine besides Athlon has us finishing 2nd or winning the division if N.O. suffers from a Super Bowl hangover. Whats up with Athlon, sounds like they’ve been drinking Haterade.
ROD
July 21st, 2010
11:58 am
They are missing one piece, and that’s Terrel Owens. Until they get someone on the other side of Roddy White, I’m not going that far. Teams are going to keep double teaming Roddy, then they will make the other no name receiver beat them. If they add TO, they can’t double team, now you have to pick your poison. He will allow things to open up more for Tony, Roddy, Turner and all the other players. He’s there to take, and it will be a shame they do not sign him to a one year deal. The Falcons with TO wins the SuperBowl, without TO, NFC South Champions. They will lose in the Playoffs. I guarantee this!!!!! Mark I see 14-2 at best, 13-3 at worst. Bring in TO, we might have a perfect season. The man can still play. Mark, make sure you keep this statement.
DJ's Mom
July 21st, 2010
12:00 pm
Yes, Falcons Sorry, the birds did lose their best quarter back. DJ is much better then all the clowns now and before him……
Smiling Jack
July 21st, 2010
12:08 pm
I’m for a T shirt party, but is there a Dairy Queen in Dunwoody??? We don’t even have one in Snellville anymore (our great loss), but we will be able to have a beer with our pizza on Sunday (our great gain for personal liberty). Falcons sorry is an understatement…He really is sorry!
Falcon08
July 21st, 2010
12:10 pm
As a big Falcons fan, one of the biggest thing I noticed that just isn’t happening at the moment, is fans. I work up at the falcons games…We can’t have split up fans (Ryan fans and old Mike vick fans) Vick isn’t on the team any more and Ryan and the Falcons need the fans (most of them if not all) to jump on the Matt Ryan wagon if we wanna go all the way. Give the man some credit here, we DID go to the playoffs under number 2. LETS GO FALCONS! AND FALCONS FANS! We can go all the way!
Singletary
July 21st, 2010
12:11 pm
Finally, a new column. Gentle ribbing, there. Musta read Colossus a thousand times, hoping you are right. Let’s gear up and get ready for the season!
jimmymack
July 21st, 2010
12:11 pm
this is the most consistent the falcon organization has ever been they are talented and playing as a team it’s ashamed some people can’t or won’t understand the progress that has been made. mark you make perfect sense to me
Buddy Curry made every tackle
July 21st, 2010
12:19 pm
We are lacking team speed on offense. IF Harry Douglas can make if back to his rookie form that will help, however, did I hear he was still suffering from the effects of the injury? Turner will have a big year and Snelling will too. This should be fun.
CRACK HEAD
July 21st, 2010
12:31 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
I LIKE TO EAT DEM WOOD CHIPS WIT EXTRA GRAVY!!!!!!
YEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Dawg Man
July 21st, 2010
12:32 pm
Smart, caring owner. Check.
Competent GM who gets good players, and keeps good players we already have. Check.
Fiery, yet encouraging coach. Check.
Hard working, intelligent QB. Check.
Solid running game. Check.
Good receivers. Check.
Strong lines on the O and D. Check.
Sounds like Atlanta is ready to go!
Northern Bird
July 21st, 2010
12:33 pm
Mr Bradley, your projection of 12-4 record is pretty lofty. Everything, and I mean everything would have to go right for the Falcons to rack up a 12 win season. As it was mentioned earlier, i think we are about 2 ’solid’ players away from putting together a legit superbowl run. But, I think we’re going to give the Saints a good run for their money this season. Keys are Turner staying healthy, Douglas coming out strong, and the secondary rallying around Dunta and really stepping up. Also, Kroy ‘Beer-man’ please keep it coming > you could have a huge season for our Falcons !
Go Birds !
Hollywould
July 21st, 2010
12:38 pm
Falcon Sorry is classic comedy. Welcome back. Man, I am pumped for this season. Might even see a screen pass this year.
Whopper Dawg
July 21st, 2010
12:39 pm
Not with that defense you don’t.
Sorry too many holes and question marks on that side of the ball. Far too many. They are a players or three away. TD, please continue to stock pile mediocre Dlinemen. That is the ticket.
Yosemite Sam
July 21st, 2010
12:39 pm
Let me out of here! Let me out of here! Get me a mouth piece! I want a “habus corpeas”!
Sid
July 21st, 2010
12:42 pm
Who wouldn’t be excited about this edition of the Falcons…………!!! Certainly every team on their schedule has that game marked in bold. They Falcons played New Orleans so well in both games last year, they might split this year but have the game to possibly win both. I think back to that Jets game last year…………..they beat a damn good team at home. This is going to be fun!
DawgDad
July 21st, 2010
12:49 pm
The goal should be winning the NFC South and otherwise getting into the playoffs. Doesn’t matter if you win 10, 11, 12, or whatever, just win the most you can. Barring devastating injury this team is EXPECTED to win 10+ and make the playoffs.
The issue then becomes how far can they go. Sure, they could go all the way, but there are two big questions. (1) It usually takes a QB firing on all cylinders to reach those heights. Matt Ryan still has to prove he can perform like a Manning, Warner, Brees, Brady. (2) The defense. This defense is very young, very soft on pass rush and coverage, and on recent history just plain not good enough. The Falcons will need a LOT of good things to happen to drive to the NFC Championship or beyond.
Times are good. The organization is rock-solid, and the offense is very good. Should be a great season.
suwaneefalcon
July 21st, 2010
12:55 pm
Mark, thanks for the feed back. I agree that 7-9 would be way off as a prediction with this teams talent on and off the field. That being said, we just can not have another season of injuries to key players. I wish our back up qb situation was a little stronger.
Randal
July 21st, 2010
12:56 pm
The Falcons will certainly be a fine team this year, which is a shame. I have loved this team since 1978 when i was just a kid and make the long drive a couple of times a year to see them play. UNTIL THIS YEAR. See, I was at the Philly game when ‘the ATL’ showed its true colors by cheering against their home team just because a former player had returned. And don’t say it was just the Eagles fans, because the stadium was half full of Falcons fans wearing old Vick jerseys or new Eagles versions, and they screamed and cheered wildly when MV led the score in the third quarter and the second one later. The patron seated next to me had on a Falcons jersey and just went crazy when MV was driving nails into the Atlanta coffin that day. My friend and I left in the fourth quarter and I will never be back. Those fans are not real, and their agenda is not mine. If that’s what Atlanta is, count me out.
P.S. anyone remember the season finale in the late 80s against Detroit when less that 8k fans showed up to see the team get pasted? I drove 2 1/2 hours on Christmas Eve by myself to see that game with four tickets in my pocket that I could not even give away. Good luck, and I hope they succeed, but no more for me.
Power Up In My Pants
July 21st, 2010
12:57 pm
Falcons will not only win the NFC South, they’ll SWEEP the NFC South.
You heard it here first.
D-MON
July 21st, 2010
12:57 pm
Falcon Sorry has obviously lost his mind,Vick has moved on and so have we with Matty-Ice get over it Sorry,VICK GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LMAO………….
suwaneefalcon
July 21st, 2010
1:00 pm
Randall, what you post is sad but true. I stick by this team and turn my cheek to the ignorant Vick fans who forget how he lied to the owner and the team and tore this team up for 2 seasons. Now look at what he is going through in Philly. The guy just can’t help himself. Hope you come back some day.
Shocktheworld
July 21st, 2010
1:03 pm
Bandwagon? Atlanta? SHOCKING. I am shocked.
bigstack19
July 21st, 2010
1:07 pm
I say 12-4 and they host Green Bay for the NFC Title at a raucous Georgia Dome.
myra
July 21st, 2010
1:10 pm
I like the offense,but the defense is like butta.
Thomas D. has picked us some good free agents(of course with Arthur’s money.)but he really has given us some duds in the draft. We’ll see. Thank the Lord cause football is close!
suwaneefalcon
July 21st, 2010
1:11 pm
Bigstack, you think 12-4 would get home field advantage? I’m thinking 13-3 will be needed.
D-MON
July 21st, 2010
1:12 pm
Im wit cha bigstack19.
CSpin
July 21st, 2010
1:17 pm
2010 Schedule, for those interested and tired of going elsewhere to find it:
1 Sep 12 ATL @ PIT
2 Sep 19 ARI @ ATL
3 Sep 26 ATL @ NO
4 Oct 03 SF @ ATL
5 Oct 10 ATL @ CLE
6 Oct 17 ATL @ PHI
7 Oct 24 CIN @ ATL
8 Bye
9 Nov 07 TB @ ATL
10 Nov 11 BAL @ ATL
11 Nov 21 ATL @ STL
12 Nov 28 GB @ ATL
13 Dec 05 ATL @ TB
14 Dec 12 ATL @ CAR
15 Dec 19 ATL @ SEA
16 Dec 27 NO @ ATL
17 Jan 02 CAR @ ATL
First half of the season is looking tough. I’m interested to see how the NFC South looks this year. Should be a lot of mixups–don’t count out TB or CAR.
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
1:17 pm
I’m a true Falcons fan but I have to be realistic, I’d be surprised if the Falcons win 9 games this season even more surprised if they win 10. Blank, Dimitroff and McKay have not made the proper moves to build a championship caliber team. The Falcons resemble the Hawks in that they are only good enough to make it to the first round of the playoffs or have a meaningless 9-7 back to back winning season. I could care less about a back to back winning season, if every other season they are at least going deep into the playoffs, if not, winning it all. I don’t understand the logic of the Falcons’ front office. We had the chance to get DE Julius Peppers who truly could have taken our defense to the next level as well as helped us get 2 division wins against his former team the Panthers, not to mention wins against the other teams that he already knows very well in our division. DE J. Abraham has been on the decline for a while now so why not get him some help on the other end. Our receivers are sub-par, Roddy White is a number 2 receiver at best and Mike Jenkins as well Brian Finneran don’t deserve to be wearing an NFL jersey. Can anybody tell me why Brian Finneran is still employed by the Falcons? We haven’t had a good receiver since Terence Mathis. I do like Mike Smith but I don’t think he is using Jerious Norwood properly. Norwood is like a potato chip (injury prone) therefore he shouldn’t be carrying the ball as a RB any more than 3 times a game. He should be used as a receiver or a receiving back like Reggie Bush or Brian Westbrook in the flats. Truth be told I don’t expect RB Mike Turner to give us anymore than what he gave us last season, I do believe his first year here was just a lucky season for him and in my honest opinion he will never match or top that season. I am impressed with RB Jason Snelling and do believe that we would get more out of him than we would M. Turner or if we did the running back by committee in alternating running backs it would be great for our offense. Our FB Ovie Mughelli is a bust as well, but he is just good enough to get us by, I guess as long as he is blocking we are good because we don’t run plays that utilize our FB for anything other than blocking. But I can’t tell you how much I miss the greatest full back we ever had in Bob Christian. Oh yeah I miss the greatest Safety we ever had also in Scott Case, I can’t tell you who is playing Safety for us these days but whoever he is I’ll bet he isn’t nasty and lays the smack down the way that Scott Case did back in the day.The only big moves the Falcons have made is signing the veteran CB Dunta Robinson which I am in total agreement that that was a great move. The rest are rookies, guys they got from the draft. The Falcons need at least 5 more pieces to make it to the next level, 1 on offense and 3 on defense. Until we get a good number 1 WR, a hard hitting Safety, a LB who can lead as well as close up the middle, a DE to help out aging Abraham, and another shut down CB then I refuse to jump aboard this endless Falcons rollercoaster ride. I am emotionally burned out by my favorite football team in the Falcons. I feel bad for Mr. Blank because he is getting older and his dream of bringing an NFL championship to Atlanta seems to be escaping his grasp. I think Dimitroff and McKay should be fired after this season if the Falcons dont at least make it to the NFC championship game. It is my honest opinion that if the Falcons organization had given Dan Reeves 2 more years then we would have had our chamipionship by now. I also feel that Coach Reeves would have been a greater selection to head the front office than McKay or Dimitroff. Mr. Blank, I need a job, HIRE ME and in 2 years I promise you that I can get this great city the championship it deserves. Until then I wont be jumping on the bandwagon just sittin’ on the sidelines with my head in my hands wondering why can’t my Falcons get it right.
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
Vick will shine again
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
The Falcons WILL NOT make it to the nfc championship game. They need a QB that can lead and make all of the throws to do that, not a checkdown QB.
Jim
July 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
The best thing about this time of year is every team has hope, then after about 4:00pm on opening Sunday only have of them have hope. Will Atlanta be in that half or the other half?
If the pass rush has improved even a little bit and injuries don’t creep up again Atlanta should make the playoffs. I like the way they are doing things right now, a little at a time which generally mean a long run at the playoffs.
Good luck Birds, this town is ready to explode, we will see.
suwaneefalcon
July 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
Yeah Vick supporter, we need a leader like Michael. With leaders like that who needs a team. And by the way, I wore my Vick jersey every Sunday until the assclown lied through his teeth about his actions. I will take a true qb like Ryan over the athlete like Vick and Sunday.
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
1:37 pm
I’m a true Falcons fan but I have to be realistic, I’d be surprised if the Falcons win 9 games this season even more surprised if they win 10. Blank, Dimitroff and McKay have not made the proper moves to build a championship caliber team. The Falcons resemble the Hawks in that they are only good enough to make it to the first round of the playoffs or have a meaningless 9-7 back to back winning season. I could care less about a back to back winning season, if every other season they are at least going deep into the playoffs, if not, winning it all. I don’t understand the logic of the Falcons’ front office. We had the chance to get DE Julius Peppers who truly could have taken our defense to the next level as well as helped us get 2 division wins against his former team the Panthers, not to mention wins against the other teams that he already knows very well in our division. DE J. Abraham has been on the decline for a while now so why not get him some help on the other end. Our receivers are sub-par, Roddy White is a number 2 receiver at best and Mike Jenkins as well Brian Finneran don’t deserve to be wearing an NFL jersey. Can anybody tell me why Brian Finneran is still employed by the Falcons? We haven’t had a good receiver since Terence Mathis. I do like Mike Smith but I don’t think he is using Jerious Norwood properly. Norwood is like a potato chip (injury prone) therefore he shouldn’t be carrying the ball as a RB any more than 3 times a game. He should be used as a receiver or a receiving back like Reggie Bush or Brian Westbrook in the flats. Truth be told I don’t expect RB Mike Turner to give us anymore than what he gave us last season, I do believe his first year here was just a lucky season for him and in my honest opinion he will never match or top that season. I am impressed with RB Jason Snelling and do believe that we would get more out of him than we would M. Turner or if we did the running back by committee in alternating running backs it would be great for our offense. Our FB Ovie Mughelli is a bust as well, but he is just good enough to get us by, I guess as long as he is blocking we are good because we don’t run plays that utilize our FB for anything other than blocking. But I can’t tell you how much I miss the greatest full back we ever had in Bob Christian. Oh yeah I miss the greatest Safety we ever had also in Scott Case, I can’t tell you who is playing Safety for us these days but whoever he is I’ll bet he isn’t nasty and lays the smack down the way that Scott Case did back in the day.The only big moves the Falcons have made is signing the veteran CB Dunta Robinson which I am in total agreement that that was a great move. The rest are rookies, guys they got from the draft. The Falcons need at least 5 more pieces to make it to the next level, 1 on offense and 4 on defense. Until we get a good number 1 WR, a hard hitting Safety, a LB who can lead as well as close up the middle, a DE to help out aging Abraham, and another shut down CB then I refuse to jump aboard this endless Falcons rollercoaster ride. I am emotionally burned out by my favorite football team in the Falcons. I feel bad for Mr. Blank because he is getting older and his dream of bringing an NFL championship to Atlanta seems to be escaping his grasp. I think Dimitroff and McKay should be fired after this season if the Falcons dont at least make it to the NFC championship game. It is my honest opinion that if the Falcons organization had given Dan Reeves 2 more years then we would have had our chamipionship by now. I also feel that Coach Reeves would have been a greater selection to head the front office than McKay or Dimitroff. Mr. Blank, I need a job, HIRE ME and in 2 years I promise you that I can get this great city the championship it deserves. Until then I wont be jumping on the bandwagon just sittin’ on the sidelines with my head in my hands wondering why can’t my Falcons get it right.
#1 Falcon Fan
July 21st, 2010
1:43 pm
hey FALCONS SORRY please STFU……
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
1:45 pm
Howie, it doesn’t look like you’re that much, of a Falcons fan.
suwaneefalcon
July 21st, 2010
1:47 pm
Sorry Howie, I lived in Denver through the Reeves era. Thsi club would not have gotten better under him and I like the guy. The Broncos did not win a SB until he left and they changed his draft methods. Liked the small fast guys and a small offensive line. They would get crushed in SB’s because the NFC team would wear down their lines. No, I think we are much farther ahead with our current regime then with Reeves. Great man though.
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
1:49 pm
Vick Supporter…….’Vick will shine again’……..Vick always looks pretty shinny, like he greases hisself up, kind of like Flavor-Flav.
Vick Supporter
July 21st, 2010
1:53 pm
Vick will probably score 3tds against the Falcons this time,lol
FalconUGAFan
July 21st, 2010
1:54 pm
Randal, the Falcons are OUR team. There will always be people that support an individual and that’s fine as that is their choice. But don’t lose your choice to support YOUR team because of the actions of others.
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
I’m a huge Falcons, fan just tired of accepting mediocrity with my Atlanta sports franchises. Atlanta has become a major city and it’s time our teams step up and become major competitors. I think Atlanta sports fans should be more like L.A, Boston and New York sports fans, even Dallas. An average season is unacceptable to them. Do you think they would’ve cared about a back 2 back winning season? All they know is championships in those markets. Our teams will never do well until you the fan start raising your level of expectations and letting these owners hear it for sitting on there hands when they should be making key acquisitions during the off-season as well as during the season. Great teams see that their team has a need and they go out and get the best possible player to fill that need. Our teams don’t do that.
Dr. Warren
July 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
10-6 sounds right to me after reviewing the schedule. And let’s toast to not having to think about the Hawks for a good long while.
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
Suwaneefalcon I disagree with you sir, the Falcons haven’t even come close to seeing the Super Bowl since Coach Reeves. The year that Mora got us there was because he still had Reeves’ team. Coach Smith is a good coach but I think had we kept Coach Reeves a little longer we would have made at least 2 more Super Bowl appearences and maybe several NFC championship appearences. It’s been over 10 years since we were in the Super Bowl and the only person to ever get us there was Coach Reeves. I do think that Coach Smith is the best we’ve had since Reeves. Reeves had a great game plan for the Falcons remember DVD. Vick would have become a better QB under Reeves. I’m still a Vick fan BTW.
bob
July 21st, 2010
2:20 pm
Braves and Falcons both have me fired up this year.
Gotta love it.
bob
July 21st, 2010
2:22 pm
btw: Vick will never step on a NFL field again. Talented or not.
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
Howie@2:10…….That is some pretty stuff there.
Keith
July 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
12-4 might be a stretch, but I think 11 wins are doable and more probable.
I definitely think it’s their year to step up. I think 2 years they outperformed everyone’s expectations with the rookie at the helm, but then last year dealt with injuries and Matty had a sophomore slump if you will.
After the stabilization in the secondary, I think it’s time for us to put up or shut up. Do well in the regular season and at least 1 playoff win…if not making it to the NFC championship. We will see!
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:25 pm
Falcons 12-4, at least, in the year 2010.
Twilly D.
July 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
I really think FALCONS SORRY is really Mark’s alter ego. Right Mark, come on fess up.
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
Poor Bob, another Falcons and Braves fan who has yet to face the reality of the entire situation. I’ll bet Bob thinks that the Thrashers will win the Stanley Cup also. We’re praying for you Bob. lol
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
Howie@210…..Sorry, I meant to say that is some FUNNY stuff.
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Thanks crymeariver, always glad to add some comic relief for my challenged compadres. lol
Gritz Blitz
July 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
I have loved this team for over 30 years but I have never anticipated a season more than this year. Go Falcons! We can hardly wait.
ReddJonn68
July 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Well Howie Long you couldn’t be more off base, I guess you think we should’ve went with Glenn Dorsey instead of Ryan. Look the NFL is just as much timing as luck, Ryan with a little more seasoning is going to lead this franchise to the big show. As for WRs Peyton gets along fine with no-names every year & Fitzgerald and Bouldin couldn’t cut he mustard. So screw the great WR corp theory, solid defense & a potent offense is the key. A few breaks along the way won’t hurt, like I said earlier in the blog, Dallast( dead last ) has been stockpiling for yrs & ain’t got no more too show for it than the Falcons. Go Birds !!!!!!!!
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:36 pm
12-4
ReddJonn68
July 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
meant the mustard
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
The OL is the key to the Falcons success in 2010.
Cam
July 21st, 2010
2:42 pm
The Herd’s got ‘em going to the Super Bowl against the Ravens. Don’t know if you keep up with his picks in College Football though. Cause I do, and let’s just say “I’m Broke”
Howie Long
July 21st, 2010
2:45 pm
Good points Redd. but i say give Matty Ice 2 more seasons and I promise you guys that this guy that everyone wants to be the next Peyton Manning will not produce You guys will be begging for a new QB. It is so hard to find good QB’s now days. Peyton is a freak he is gifted he doesnt need big name receivers to get wins and to break records. But Matt isn’t cut from the same cloth as Peyton he does need the help of seasoned receivers. I hope you guys will be on here later ive enjoyed the chat. I have a meeting to go to. Remember my name because im running for mayor in Atlanta in the 2022 mayoral election. Your vote counts.
Willie Coyote
July 21st, 2010
2:45 pm
That NY Times article said that Jenkins, who runs a 4.2 40, is slow. While he has not lived up to expectations, slow he is not.
When it assessed Decoud, it described Coleman instead. Decoud was not weak in pass coverage or any facet for that matter.
Whatever. Go Birds.
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:51 pm
Howey, are you hiramsaint, pretending to be someone else, again?
CDC
July 21st, 2010
2:54 pm
Mike Vick still has HER PEAS.
crymeariver
July 21st, 2010
2:56 pm
Howie Long, if you want the GM job with the Falcons, you need to go down to your nearest Home Depot and fill out an application.
You might be able to use Reeves as a reference, if you promise to hire him back as the head coach.
ReddJonn68
July 21st, 2010
2:57 pm
Holla Howie Long, never would I utter Matt in the same breath as Peyton thats blasphemy, because you could probably line a guy out at split end on the left side with ” Custodian ” # 00 on the back of his jersey !!! They probably still make the AFC Championship game !!!!
Ed
July 21st, 2010
3:07 pm
I am fearful tonight with Tommy Hanson pitching. He’s done pretty bad the past 5 starts. over a 7 era. I don’t think the guy is as good as he was billed by the media.
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
3:09 pm
Those that leave and don’t want to be fans can go!!!! Those who stay and support other teams against my Birds can go!!!! We only want the true fans!!!!!!!
Paddy O
July 21st, 2010
3:29 pm
Falcon sorry – just wanted to say – THANKS! for typing that whole diatribe in capitals – so I quickly avoided it, after the first four words or so. Sir, if you want people to read your comments, please write it as though you are an adult. Unless, of course, you are just writing it for your narcissistic self. Again, THANKS!
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
Falcon sorry I am just wandering, who do you support or are you too embarrassed to say? It is easy to make fun of other’s team and stay behind the curtain like the Great OZ!
Paddy O
July 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
If Ryan develops some deception in his delivery – pump fakes, more effective look offs, we should be a good team, with Ryan throwing for 3500 yards. I’ve been satisfied with his play – he is already beyond Vick’s development, but Schaub is 3 years ahead of him.
FALCONS SORRY
July 21st, 2010
3:44 pm
I’M FOR THE FALCANS ALL THE WAY SINCE THAT NOODLE ARM WILL SAVE THE DAY HA HA HA!! BUT NO HARD FEELINGS WHEN YALL GO TO FHILLY AND LOOSE TO YA BOY AGAIN HAHAHA!!! GO BIRDS MAYBE YOU CAN BEAT CHARLOT IN THE BATTLE FOR WORST IN THE DIVISIEN YOU KNOW THE TEAM THAT WATCHES THE SUPPER BOWL FROM HOME!!!! 3-13 AT BEST SUCKAS!!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
July 21st, 2010
3:50 pm
WOW…..Falcons Sorry might be able to read…BUT HE SURE CAN’T WRITE….I mean “SUPPER” BOWL….”ILL LEGIMATE”….I mean really…..A mind is a terrible thing to waste….please don’t continue to let everyone know how uneducated you are….don’t post another comment….PLEASE…..all caps only makes it more pronounced that basic simple grammar skills are no where to be found….Signed Your Hero – MV7
GSU Eagle 91
July 21st, 2010
4:04 pm
Falcons Sorry, You are the officially….the dumbest blogger ever to post a comment on this otherwise rational board… I suspect you spent your days in the fetal position sucking your thumb, wondering why the Eagles are not considering MV as a starter, either..
Because he cannot grasp the playbook….Matt can….I’ll take the smart QB everytime….
I predict the Falcons will be 10-6 this season. Maybe 11-5. Carolina is unproven, TB is rebuilding, and the Saints need to be dethroned. Let’s do it.
It's a shame what he did to that dog
July 21st, 2010
4:09 pm
Since when did anyone read the sports section of the NY Times? That’s like taking advice from Jimmy Carter about how to be president.
It's a shame what he did to that dog
July 21st, 2010
4:10 pm
“But even a goofball feels encouraged when more clever folks are seeing the same thing he is. At least this goofball does.”
I had no idea people at the WaPost and NY Times were clever. Most of them are brain dead left wingers who like to slob democrat knobs. Just sayin.
falconsfan
July 21st, 2010
4:22 pm
We’ll get somewhere if we dump Roddy White and Jenkins!!!
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
4:22 pm
Well it’s obvious that Falcons Sorry is just on here to try and irritate Falcon fans and I think it is coming from his frustration of being a buc’s fan!
Tim Parker
July 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
The Falcons will be better but are ham-stringed by one of the toughest opening schedules in the NFL. Critical games include the first six games: @Steelers (hopefully minus Molestisberger) ; Cardinals (close game, but ATL wins in home opener) ; @Saints (Super Dome field advantage via pumped sound and light effects) ; vs. 49ers (looking for revenge for last years whoppin’) ; @Browns (tougher game than one might think) ; @Eagles (Home of crooked refs and NFL’s most obnoxious fans).
Get past the first six games healthy and with a winning record, the Falcons dominate the rest of the teams with maybe the exception of the Ravens and second Saints game. Worst case scenario: 10-6. Best case scenario 16-0.
Tim Parker
July 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
Falcons Sorry is a Bucs fan with a Napoleonic complex. The lack of intelligence and articulation are readily evident.
HB
July 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
You shop at Kroger…what a mistake… Publix is number 1 in Atlanta!!!!!!!!!!!!!
crackbaby
July 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
Tim Parker,
16-0! What are you smoking, dude? At least you aren’t saying fire TD and McKay like some others above (would those people please submit to an IQ test
2010 will be the second season of building a defense based on youth, talent and character after team management made a conscious decision to get younger by dismissing some prominent veterans last off-season. Dimitroff is doing the right thing by building a foundation using the middle rounds of the draft. Just look at what Ted Thompson of the Packers has done using the same method.
Acquiring Julius Peppers would not solve enough problems and cost too much money. I hope Weatherspoon lives up to expectations and Lofton continues to develop. Naturally, the secondary must demonstrate a quantum leap improvement make and survive playoffs.
Not too much attention has been devoted to the Falcons lackluster offense last season. O line needs to play much better and we need 4+ yards per carry from whoever runs the rock.
Go Falcons!
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
4:51 pm
is it deja-vu or did i hear all this same crappola last year. my bad …colin cowherd said it so it must be true. i’d check his accuracy first before i got to exited.
papadawg
July 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
Defense is still just too weak to go far
papadawg
July 21st, 2010
5:00 pm
I’ve been a lowly Falcons fan since Tommy Nobis was their FIRST Draft pick and I’ve seen a awful lot of BAD so forgive me if I don’t get all shaky excited about this team
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
5:00 pm
Sometimes a Great Offense can overcome a weak defense. The saints didn’t have a great defense by no means and they won it all.
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
5:01 pm
you are forgiven!
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
5:10 pm
just sayin….- your not sayin you have a great O are you?
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
5:12 pm
Potentially we do… Why?
Connor14
July 21st, 2010
5:19 pm
Hey “FALCONS SORRY”, my brother Jaybo Shaw is better than Michael Vick.
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
what is “potentially” ? either you do or you do not. if you do think so please explain without a bunch of hypothetical “if ’s
Just sayin....
July 21st, 2010
5:30 pm
(with a possibility of becoming actual; “he is potentially dangerous”; “potentially useful”) just like the Saints have the potential to be better on defense! …. Gotta Go Guys!
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
5:50 pm
later just sayin….
florida falcon
July 21st, 2010
6:15 pm
Vick Supporter and Falcons Sorry must be out on furloughs. I hope they didn’t forget to register when they got out! Not to mention, I hope their stay in protective custody was a comfortable one.
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
i hope so too but i’ll bet it was a pain in the butt
donny ballgame
July 21st, 2010
6:35 pm
Oh my….If it’s in the New York Times it must be true?
Philip Rivers: Super Bowl MVP. Mark it down.
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
6:40 pm
now thats funny donny!
SweetT
July 21st, 2010
6:46 pm
I am a HUGE Falcons Fan…I am sure I spend more for seats per season that just about anybody on this blog…..but after years of getting my heart ripped out, trampled on, and then left for dead, I, too, am cautiously optimistic. One thing I will warn about, though, is reading too much into what the “experts” have to say…..
Mark, you said that the Sporting News likes our chances….is this the same Sporting News that said that the Falcons would go 1-15 in 2008? See predictions are easy to make….but actually owning up to them later is harder.
Last year I predicted that we would be an improved ball team over 2008 and still not make the playoffs due to the tough schedule…..this year, I think our powder puff schedule makes it nearly impossible for us NOT to make the playoffs. What we do once we get there will be up to how well the front office has players in place, and the coaching staff has them ready, and ultimately, how much the team members want it.
–T
Timothy Justice
July 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
Been ridin’ this wagon a LONG time. I guess I’ll die a Falcons fan. GO TEAM!
ryan
July 21st, 2010
7:35 pm
The Falcons are much improved but they still do need a verry good DE witch they did not address in the draft they could use another deep threat WR like a Vincent Jackson.
tell it like it is
July 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
Let me give you a little tip,don’t bet on the Falcons.
Red Panty Dawg
July 21st, 2010
7:55 pm
We still rule this state.
Floyd the Barber
July 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
Uh uh, I don’ t know Andy, has this ever happened before.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
July 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
I have 4 more teams open in my family fantasy league. We have never played before and we are excited. It’s just my kids and me. Our draft is Sunday at 1pm.
Go to NFL.COM. The League ID is: 58168 – The Password is: jack (will change when all teams filled).
It’s FREE and it’s fun.
Go Falcons!!!
Jake Stoll
July 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
Okay, I have been reading all the articles and blog posts for the Falcons constantly all summer. Each and every summer I find myself more hyped than ever for the Falcons upcoming season.
Obviously I find the same compelling feeling this summer. HOWEVER,
This season is finally falling into place for the Falcons.
I dont need to reiterate all the points and stats the AJC Sports team have made.
– Essentially two draft classes coming into one season.
– Health (Duh.)
– And everyone growing from last year (K.Biermann,L.Sidburry, B.Grimes, ect)
And then there are points other sites make like ESPN’s Matthew Berry on Fantasy Football.
The # 1 “hate” player and the cover of his article was Matt Ryan. And sure Matt Ryan is not necessarily a Fantasy Football points stud like A.Rodgers (He might be with the pieces in place but yeah) but he has the skills and the talent around him to effectively manage the offense.
Its all fine. I can say it with confidence. Wednesday July 21st, 2010 that the Atlanta Falcons will begin their reign on the NFC. For a long time. Super Bowl in the near future. BOOM!
Be ready Georgia. Be ready… Get on the bandwagon now if you haven’t already because this thing is gonna get packed in the coming months.
HD has a huge season and officially emerges (Hopefully).
John Abraham. He has always been a guy that had has a hot season, then a cold season, then a hot season, then a cold season, then a hot season, then a hot season, then a cold season, then a hot season, then a cold season.. and so after this last cold season, he has a HOT SEASON.. Barring no injury obviously..
M.Turner – Top 3 in @ least 1 rushing Stat.(TDs Yrds)
M. Ryan – Top 7 QB
R. White – Top 5 TDs (WRS)
I know I know… It’s all so BOLD! But It’s happening. So like i said, jump on board!
hiramsaint
July 21st, 2010
9:15 pm
leave your shoes on so you can run when it blows up like it does every year
BigSherm7
July 21st, 2010
11:07 pm
What has John Parker Wilson (sounds like he played on the Waltons) done to unseat D.J. Shockley??? Shock was never given a full chance to show what he can do . . .sounds like another Falcons blunder in the making . . .or is it because the Falcons would have to pay him more than JPW???
t
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 am
Why does Falcon Sorry attack Matt Ryan like the English language?
ASHCAN.
July 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
How can they be so called experts when they be wrong about who win playoff games and who goes to the superbowl? every year there wrong and get labeled experts.So ill say don’t beleive the hype!! you can keep screaming ryan this ryan that if ya want too,without a defence this team will not go far.should have got a proven defensive coordinator in here instead of a rookie who don’t know when to blitz or call basic plays.dink and donk ryan aint all what people hype him up to be then have the nerve to call him matty ice pleeeeeeese.And if you don’t like my comment you can KISS MY ASHCAN!!!!!!!!
FALCONS SORRY
July 22nd, 2010
10:17 am
WERE WILL ALL DA BANDWAGENERS BE AFTER WEAK 6?? AT HOME CRYIN JEST LIKE THE THE FALCANS AFTER WEAK 16!!! HAW HAW HAW YALL LOSERS JEST TO TO SAD!!
ASHCAN.
July 22nd, 2010
10:24 am
Hey CHOKE,come on and join us and bring these bird brains back to reality talking about the turdy birds and matt noodle arm ryan.Falcons got a new logo and it reads,WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!!!these words have been said for this sorry franchise since the beginning of time.Print that logo in the back of a jersey and the number will be # 0(zero)which stands for how many superbowls they will play in.The falcons? get real!
ASHCAN.
July 22nd, 2010
10:47 am
The falcons franchise is a farm system that sign rookie players to a 3or4 year contract and when those years expire,that player or players go to another club and become all pro’s.Not only that they play in the superbowl.This sorry franchise don’t know how to mix quality vets with rookies and win.They just try to save $$$$ and sucker the dumb divided atlanta fans in getting there hopes up.Then they add fire to the hope by creating feel good blogs such as this one talking about some dumb don’t know what there talking about experts,then fans start saying things such as 12-4 11-5 setting there selves up to get bird dropping in the face.Atlanta have the worst fans in all of sports,so divided and races.
Dwayne
July 22nd, 2010
11:42 am
What does Hitler, Napolean and FALCON SORRY have in common???
They each have one testicle.
Batman bin Suparman
July 22nd, 2010
2:15 pm
You left out Sam Bowie.
Eric C.
July 23rd, 2010
6:57 pm
I really appreciate the Falcons having a very good QB like Matt Ryan…I just wish he had a stronger arm. His inability to stretch the field hurts when the running the game gets stuffed like it did at times last year.
Mora less Petrino
July 23rd, 2010
11:34 pm
Falcons Sorry; Better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. In your case, better to be thought a fool than to blog and remove all doubt. I wanted MV to succeed here, but the man made too many bad decisions on and off the field.
FalconMan
July 24th, 2010
12:11 am
Didn’t this “goofball” write the Falcons synopsis for the best Football magazine out there, “Lindy’s Pro Football Preview”, which is available at Kroger, a few years back? Don’t sell yourself short, Mark. You are a real bonafide Sports Journalist, even if you aren’t on “Around The Horn”
coming together as fans
July 24th, 2010
2:08 pm
Togetherness would be great just one thing (hate) and there is a lot of it in Atlanta. winning will help but the player we have now on this falcons team will not bring most fans along. WHY? look how AJC picking a player every year to throw under the bus. Matt Ryan bless his heart will be loved and hated because how the Vick thing went down all the hate that was throw at him. Not Ryan fault . he should have been the QB drafted five year from now then he would be loved. until the city come together it will never be. That mean every body has to give up something and that not going to happen in today’s Atlanta! TO MUCH HATE!!! read the blogs to get a taste of the hate!!
Media bias in sports look at the QB
July 24th, 2010
2:12 pm
Ryan hear foot step and turn into patt melt. QB are house punk? he fears the hit!
Falcon since 78
July 24th, 2010
11:33 pm
Tell Vick Supporter Vick will never take Philly to a Super Bowl and he might not ever play again if he doesn’t stop his stupidity. I don’t understand how Atlanta still loves that idito when he almost tore this team down to threads with what he did. He is a Federally convicted felon, the worst kind. The wrong team won the Super Bowl last year, b/c the NFL hates Atlanta. Look at the calls against us, both New Orleans games….12-4 this year and 2 trips to Dallas!
Phil4Real
July 25th, 2010
1:37 am
Love this team, can’t wait till footbal season begins.
Maddawg
July 25th, 2010
4:22 am
Falcons Sorry is sorry. Glad he dosen’t run the team. I am about tired of hearing how great Mike Vick is. He is so great he can’t even find a team to start at QB.
alan
July 25th, 2010
9:38 am
Has anybody heard from or seen our 1st round DEVA or want to be DEVA. I thought we drafted a quality linebacker that wanted to contribute to the teams sucess instead of being a big head that wants to be one of the last first round picks to sign-NOW THATS A TEAM PLAYER IF EVER I SAW ONE.
I guess the Falcons didn’t see this coming even with the advanced notice. I had hoped that he would come to understand that one man does not make a team, maybe we should go ahead and try to trade him for a 2nd or 3rd round pick that wants to contribute instead of taking the LOOK AT ME ATTITUDE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcons Dude
July 26th, 2010
1:02 pm
I have been a Falcons fanatic since the first game in 1966. Every year I hoped foolishly they would have a great year. Only a couple of times did that actually happen. But, now…hoping for a great year is a LEGITIMATE hope! We have a team to finally be proud of, and can finally watch them compete with anyone. Thank you Arthur Blank and Thomas Dimitroff for putting together a team that can play, and thank you Coach Smith and all the Falcons coaches and players for being a TEAM!
Da Truth
July 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
Is that the Falcons can’t just show up and be the Falcons. They are going to have to play football. Turner is going to have to show me something! Also, Ryan is going to have to develop some arm strength.
Da Truth
July 26th, 2010
3:45 pm
That said, I AM READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MV777##1
July 26th, 2010
7:09 pm
The NFL has completed its investigation into the shooting at Michael Vick’s birthday party last month in Virginia Beach and he has been cleared to play, a league spokesman told the Daily News today.
In an email, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, “there is no change in his playing status.”
AJC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REPORT THE GOOD NEWS SOMETIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ESPN has the Falcons 8th-best in the NFL, which sounds low | Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
11:44 am
[...] Falcons open camp Friday. As noted earlier, more than a few people are high on this team’s chances. We add to this growing list the folks who compile ESPN’s power rankings, the latest edition [...]