A hot camp opens, with a hotter Falcons’ season to follow
A pithy Smitty says: "This way to the Super Bowl!" (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
FLOWERY BRANCH — On a hot day in July, Mike Smith made reference to January. That was the new beginning, the coach said, the day his Falcons beat Tampa Bay to finish 9-7. Not that Smitty was celebrating the 9-7.
“We got the result we wanted to get us over the hump with the consecutive winning seasons,” he said Friday, “but I have to tell you I was very, very disappointed in the final result of the season. Internally our goals were much, much higher.”
In Tampa, Smith told his players: “This is the first game of 2010. We need to start 2010 in the right fashion.”
And they did. And the Falcons have scarcely put a foot wrong since. They signed Dunta Robinson. They drafted Sean Weatherspoon. They re-signed Brian Williams. And now here they were, after the first practice of Training Camp 2010, hot but happy.
“The fact that it’s 100 degrees doesn’t matter,” said Tony Gonzalez, the tight end.
See, this team fully expects to be playing when it’s below freezing. (Meaning: in January 2011.)
The offseason moves met with internal approval, Gonzalez said. “Defensive backs were our biggest need, and Dunta Robinson is one of the best. From what I saw in one practice, that was the best decision we could make. And drafting for defense in the past two drafts was the right thing.”
Said John Abraham, the defensive end: “Dunta’s a great guy. He’s a hard-nosed guy, a no-nonsense guy. Having him there makes it easier to do what I do.”
The defense should be better. The offense, which figured to be great last season but wasn’t quite … well, here’s Gonzalez: “Offensively we’re pretty confident. We can move up and down the field. We have the horses.”
So: A 9-7 team stands to improve on both offense and defense. What does that mean? Gonzalez again: “If we stay healthy, the sky’s the limit.”
The Super Bowl champion plays in the NFC South. The Falcons don’t care. The first three games are against Pittsburgh, Arizona and New Orleans, the first and third of them being road dates. The Falcons won’t be fazed. These are no longer the feel-good fresh faces of 2008. This is a team about to enter its prime.
Said Smith: “It’s part of our process. We’re in Year 3 now. We should be advanced.”
Said Gonzalez: “We’ve got a lot of guys in their third and fourth years. That’s when it’s supposed to click. That’s the norm in the NFL. If we do that, we’ll be pretty good.”
Third-year Falcons: Matt Ryan, Sam Baker, Curtis Lofton, Thomas DeCoud, Kroy Biermann. Those were the plums of Thomas Dimitroff’s first draft crop, and they’ve already done good work. The good news is that they’re capable of doing even better.
A bit later, Gonzalez said: “That third and fourth year is when guys start to hit their peak. It’s not, ‘We hope we do it.’ It’s, ‘We have to do it.’”
In the cold light of hindsight, the 2008 team probably wasn’t as good as 11-5. The 2009 Falcons, of which much was expected, were gifted but not terribly deep, and that’s why they wound up 9-7. Another injury to Ryan or Michael Turner would hurt the 2010 team, sure, but this bunch would appear to have more ways to win.
“That 9-7 was good for the organization,” Abraham said, “but for me it was not good. I felt we should have been a playoff team. We lost some close games.”
That said, the 2009 Falcons were stout enough to play the eventual Super Bowl champs tough twice, the second time without Ryan and Turner. They were able to whip the Jets, whom a lot of folks regard as the coming power in the AFC, on the road in December. Utilizing hindsight yet again, we can now say that wrangling nine victories from a season going wrong was a test of both will and skill.
And now a new training camp has commenced and a new season is six weeks away, and here’s a team for which January cannot be the beginning of something. This is a team for which January should be a culmination.
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126 comments Add your comment
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
Enter your comments hereOh Yeah!
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
Oh Yeah!
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
GO FALCONS!!!!!
Falcons Fan
July 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
Can’t wait for the season to start!!! My season tickets arrived in the mail yesterday!!! Let’s go Falcons!!! Stay injury free.
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
I thinks they goin all the way!
tony
July 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
just ready to see the birds backm in the playoffs
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
Free Jonny Venters!
Mack
July 30th, 2010
12:39 pm
I love this time of the year. I can say 14-2 and really believe it!!!
POAD
July 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
Good article Mark will you be at the 4 practice? Why no phones or laptops? Do they think you will give away some secrets this early in the year? Hope you have some shade and losts of water.
JMayne
July 30th, 2010
12:41 pm
Are you ready for some football??! Ha. Ready to see this team. They could be really good.
Born2Buzz
July 30th, 2010
12:41 pm
Should be a great year for football in the ATL. Both Tech and UGA should have solid, if not spectacular seasons and the Falcons should be in the playoffs. Let’s hope all teams go injury free so they can reach their potential – yes, even the doggies.
N
July 30th, 2010
12:42 pm
Why is this the story. Trade deadline is hours away and Braves are in first place, come on. No coverage.
mark
July 30th, 2010
12:43 pm
first lol
Ted M
July 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
N – There are no Braves Trade Rumors at all. I think Wren is standing pat
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:52 pm
N……..Them Braves are all going to get hot bats and win the East.
Mark B. already said so, just last week. And he was 100% coo-rrect.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!12-4, at least, in 2010!!!!!!!WIN NFC South!!!!!!!!!
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:55 pm
Stand pat Mr. Wren, play the hand you have!
Braves have it in the bag. Phillys are just on a sugar high, they will crash soon. Oswalt, Smazwalt, he aint that much.
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
1:01 pm
Braves still have better pitchin than the Phils. They just need for Chipper to break out that big bottle of Geritol, that he had been using, and pass it around the dugout before, and during the game.
Old man Lowe needs to Bogart it, a little bit, when it gets to him.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS in 2010, all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hankie Aron
July 30th, 2010
1:01 pm
Sadly, I think Ted M hit the nail on the head. Cross your fingers, though, maybe Wren pulls something.
jerry
July 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
Don’t want to sound negative, but when it comes to the Falcons, seein’s believin’.
extremus
July 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
A healthy Douglas will provide a much needed extra option for Matt Ryan this season, and if the offensive line improves I think that he and Michael Turner will improve hugely over last year’s disappointing numbers. Defensively I think Dunta Robinson will nullify many of the explosive pass plays that killed the falcons so often last year, and with Peria Jerry and Sean Weatherspoon present to take opposing teams’ focus off of double-teaming Abraham, look for him to bounce back in a big way.
This season could be a very special one indeed if A) everyone stays healthy and B) everyone plays with the sense of urgency and passion I think we can expect. GO FALCONS!!!!!
F-105 Thunderchief
July 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
Last year’s team was pretty gritty, gutting out nine wins with an avalanche of injuries. So, if they have better luck on that front this year, coupled with natural improvement and roster upgrades … well, I’m pretty flippin’ optimistic.
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
jerry…….You just watch, and you’re goin to see what happens.
Rick Pitino
July 30th, 2010
1:10 pm
I don’t know anything about hot football camps, but I know some hot babes.
Double B
July 30th, 2010
1:11 pm
Taking my son to training camp in the am (first time for both of us) and am totally pumped. I know it will cost me a $100 jersey but that’s cool. I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience.
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
1:15 pm
I sawed what happened last year. The Falcons went 9-7, with a team of walking wounded, a kicker that lost his mojo in mid season, 3 games given to their opponents by the zebras, and still were very close to making the playoffs.
This team is tough!
12-4, you betcha! Watch em, now!
Skeezix
July 30th, 2010
1:15 pm
I protest! Call the United Nations! Johnny Venters is a political prisoner. MLB is in violation of the Geneva Conventions! Total Amnesty for Venters!
D Fence
July 30th, 2010
1:18 pm
Ah – this almost smells like my younger days at Ful Co during our glory period by falcon standards) of 79-83. Back when a NFL sunday afternoon game for a 10 year old was priceless. I do hope that we are really entering a new phase though this is a different league than before.
TruthSeeker
July 30th, 2010
1:19 pm
If we can get those first three games Bradley mentioned 2-1 then the schedule sets up for the Falcons to have a huge season. After the game at New Orleans in Week Three, I see only one game (at Philadelphia) where the Falcons will be a likely underdog. All the rest of the games that figure to be our toughest (Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay, New Orleans) are in the Georgia Dome, where Matt Ryan has only lost one game as a starter in two years.
There’s always a lot of surprises during an NFL season, but 12 wins looks like a reachable goal to shoot for with this team.
robertussen
July 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
chris owens is in his 2nd year
robertussen
July 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
it’s jacksons 3rd year
Mets Fan
July 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
Who is choking now Braves fans?
Ruff Ruff Ruff
July 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
I wouldn’t say that we “whipped” the Jets. I saw Revis whip Roddy White all day. We won and that is important, but whipped?
E-Roll
July 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
Mark, go back and check your blog. You have Christopher Owens listed as a third year player.
Dr. Warren
July 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
10 wins seems reasonable when reviewing the schedule. But with the unpredictable NFL, I wouldn’t be surprised with 8-8 or 12-4, either. A losing record? With this coach and a healthy Turner? I seriously doubt it.
Bobby Valentine
July 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
Mets Fan your 6 1/2 back. Bite on that.
CSpin
July 30th, 2010
1:32 pm
Sweet pic
Lcharles
July 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
Sam Baker and Christopher Owens as plums, Mark? You have to be kidding me. Baker has been greatly disappointing as a first round left tackle pick.
ombudsman
July 30th, 2010
1:40 pm
You need to do better research Bradley. You should know that Owens is entering is second season, not his third. I expect you to correct this egregious error.
GT Alum
July 30th, 2010
1:42 pm
Hey, MB, related to one of your previous blogs – did you hear that Venters’ suspension was thrown out? I guess MLB ended up agreeing with all the Braves fans who were upset by the suspensions.
Dr. Warren
July 30th, 2010
1:43 pm
Why is training camp so much easier these days? First session already over by 10:40 AM? Second session less than two hours long and sometimes just for special teams? Look, I’d want it that way, too, if I were a player, and I realize there’s more of a year-round conditioning program now, but in the days of Nobis and Bartkowski, Sanders and Tuggle, wasn’t training camp a way to toughen everyone up, like boot camp?
Truedat
July 30th, 2010
1:43 pm
Good job, Mark. Those Gamecocks on defense will lead the way.
falcons fan
July 30th, 2010
1:45 pm
anyone know if there is a a chance for fans to meet the players at training camp sessions?
Driver 8
July 30th, 2010
2:09 pm
Mark,
Came across this article on SI.com: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/07/29/kiffin/index.html
The author references your recent take on Kiffin as Sports Most Hated Man
You’ve probably seen this but understanding you have limited connectivity today, I thought I’d pass it along. Kudos to you
papadawg
July 30th, 2010
2:11 pm
Remeber the day of 90+ degree heat with full pads so I don’t envy you guys at all
Mark Bradley
July 30th, 2010
2:23 pm
Christopher Owens is a second-year man. I made an egregrious error, which you were nice enough to correct.
Chief Hittabatta
July 30th, 2010
2:38 pm
Haha, hey, Mark, did Smitty really say that? If so, I love where this season is going!!
papa
July 30th, 2010
2:41 pm
It appears that the falcons are always talking and laying out there plans and still prouducing the same results average play in a watered down league.
Dwayne
July 30th, 2010
2:45 pm
Man, I was just thinking about last season. That schedule was brutal!! Four teams coming off of byes,our bye week in week four(way too early), and the fourth hardest schedule in the league but yet, we came away with nine wins with a lot of nagging injuries. I can defitnitely see 12 to 14 wins for this 2010 Falcons team. Hopefully Smitty will make all of the right decisions, which im sure he will. Those decisions being replacing Erik Coleman with William Moore, starting Chris Owens opposite Dunta Robinson, starting Sean Weatherspoon for Mike Peterson, and starting Kroy Bierman for Jamaal Anderson. If all of this takes place, then the Falcons will be very potent, opportunistic, and explosive both offensively and defensively. Shann Schiliger will be a special teams ace! Watch. Lets go Falcons!! Just think about it, Thomas DeCoud the ballhawk and William Moore the headhunter.. What yall think?
JOE
July 30th, 2010
2:46 pm
It is confusing at best to think that the Falcons didn’t wnat to have a balck QB in its roster and did away the best they could with DJ. The Falcons just used him up in training camps to dump him when it was clear they didn’t want him around anymore.
SeenThisB4
July 30th, 2010
2:47 pm
Hey falcant fans, where is Flowery Branch in relation to downtown Atlanta? Is that a suburb of Atlanta or another city in Georgia? Just curious.
papa
July 30th, 2010
2:54 pm
Ithought the record the falcons had was never making the playoff back to back that stills stands.
adelfersy
July 30th, 2010
2:57 pm
Hey MB, how does PJ look? Hows William Moore moving around? How bout Dunta first look? Give me the nitty gritty? Any no-names standing out right now
Jim n Buckhead
July 30th, 2010
3:01 pm
I wouldnt say we whipped the Jets….10-7 or 10-6 it was a very physical game and the Falcons won with a late clutch drive at the end…pretty evenly matched IMO
Misses Mike Kenn
July 30th, 2010
3:04 pm
It’s almost an hour north of the city
cheshire
July 30th, 2010
3:07 pm
it’s crazy to me when I look at how many things went wrong last year and we STILL wound up with a winning record. the schedule was a nightmare, both sides of the ball were decimated by injury, Elam killed this team with an incompetent kicking game that likely cost us 2 wins, and twice we had to play the SB champs.
that’s pretty incredible. it makes you wonder how nice things can get if we actually have a few tings break our way this year like the Saints did in 2009.
i’m not ready to anoint them SB contenders just yet, but what you have to love about this team is that there’s no reason they couldn’t be playing late into January, and that’s all you can ask for in July.
POAD
July 30th, 2010
3:13 pm
SeenthisB4 Flowery Branch is a town about 1 1/2 hour outside Downtown Atlanta.
Tweets that mention A hot camp opens, with a hotter Falcons’ season to follow | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 30th, 2010
3:18 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Abasi Phillips and Troy Heinzman, Sara. Sara said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: A hot camp opens, with a hotter #Falcons season sure to follow. http://bit.ly/cWbuZf [...]
SeenThisB4
July 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
Thanks Misses Mike Kenn.
JTH
July 30th, 2010
3:52 pm
I’m really looking forward to the season. High expectations that this team is capable of fulfilling. Now that THE CURSE is over it’s time to fly.
Go Falcons!
Picky Picky
July 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
Heard this before!
Remember 1974, after a 9-5 season in 1973? Answer: 3-11!
Remember 1981, after a 12-4 season in 1980? Answer: 7-9!
Remember 1992, after a 10-6 season in 1991? Answer: 6-10!
Remember 1999, after a 14-2 Super Bowl season in 1998? Answer: 5-11!
Remember 2005, after a 11-5 season in 2004? Answer 8-8!
So, the above is overwhelming and convincing evidence to just shut up and let your actions(results) speak for you!
Pat Peppler
July 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
Whuh?
Chief Hittabatta
July 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
I’ve never been this excited to see the Birds play!! If we win the first 3, I think we win at least 7 of the next 13. There, I said it!
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:06 pm
Picky Picky……..SHUT UP!! This team is now managed entirely diffirent these days. If you can’t see and understand that then how about showing stupid some respect and keep your fingers off the keyboard. Thanks!
Proof that America is going to HELL
July 30th, 2010
4:15 pm
OK.
Recently saw the new Falcons new PR TV ad with the “Reverend”
Samuel L. Jackson and the choir doing their “RISE UP” PR for the Falcons.
It was SERIOUS trash. And, on some level, sacriligeous.
We have Samuel L. essentially dressed as a “Minister” giving us a “pulpit” speech, and a church choir in robes, singing a
gospel-sounding tune with the message to get the Falcons
fans to “Rise Up” and buy tix and support the Falcons play.
WHAT……….THE……….HELL……IS THIS CRAP ?!?!?!?!?!?!
Is THIS how low the Falcons have to go ?!?!?!?!?!
Are the Falcons, THIS DESPARATE ?!?!?!?!?!
And yet, they think they need a new stadium?
Picky Picky
July 30th, 2010
4:15 pm
truth…you can’t handle the truth!
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:16 pm
Picky….you can handle reality.
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:18 pm
There’s enough truth in the last two years in this team than there ever has been. It’s not my fault you don’t have the brain to recognize it.
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:23 pm
It’s a T.V. commercial not a sunday morning worship service.
Proof that America is going to HELL
July 30th, 2010
4:26 pm
The POINT is…
…it was DESIGNED to sound like a Sunday Morning worship service.
So, going to a Falcons game is now “worship?”
So, lets ponder a VERY imprtant question:
Just exactly WHERE are we going in this hand-basket?
Proof that America is going to HELL
July 30th, 2010
4:29 pm
I guess the next step will be……the State or the City of Atlanta
taxing its citizens for NOT going to a Falcons game.
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:41 pm
I am 100% confident that the “worship service” you are referring to is not how Christians first worshipped. You are the one making it into something it’s not.
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:42 pm
The traditions of man make the word of God of no effect. You keep your tradition and I’ll keep the living God. Your religion will send you to hell. It’s not religion, it’s in whom you believe.
cdog
July 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
someone please remind mike smith to challenge plays this year.he sit back and let the referees took his game against the saints and all he did was stand on the sideline and grin.he can be stupid as a coach sometimes.there was an obvious first down the falcons made.the officials marked it short obviously.he just stood there and smiled and never challenged the spot.the saints ended up winning the game.that call could have made a difference had he challenge it.smith can be dumb a lot of times as a coach
Roger
July 30th, 2010
4:50 pm
I’m a little confused Proof….Do you think all commercials should purely attempt to show reality and without any satire, comedy or wit? Wouldn’t all advertisements and commercials be loads of fun then?
Or do you fear their may be subliminal messages in the ad?
Picky Picky
July 30th, 2010
4:51 pm
truth,
You seem like an angry sort who suffers from feelings of inadequacy. Are you emotionally injured about your anatomical shortcoming? Were you picked on too frequently as a child? Were you the unfortunate one who was always picked last on all the teams?
Transferring your gross insecurities into NFL player idolitry in not the answer, truth! You ned to accept your inadequacies, shortcomings, and cognitive defiency like a real man and only then will the “truth” set you free, truth!
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:57 pm
Actually….if you look the scripture up it is you shall know the truth and the shall make (not set) free. You were the one coming on the board all “angry” that the Falcons disrespected God by using a choir. I don’t detect a bit of anger in my post, yours however you should re-read. You made reference that I was in a hand basket going to hell, again not scriptual, God never said in His word about people going to hell in a basket (another tradition).
truth
July 30th, 2010
4:58 pm
May bad Picky I got you confused with Proof. Sorry.
Rod "Straight Outta of Augusta" Johnson
July 30th, 2010
5:03 pm
This TEAM is definitely filled with a lot of potential. I just hope that we do not overlook some of these undrafted free agents that we picked up.
Barry
July 30th, 2010
5:14 pm
HEY Y’ALL:
WE DON’T CARE ABOUT THE HEAT. THIS IS JUST SOME “HEART BURN” TO GET THE RUST OFF OF US. “WE” WILL BE JUST FINE. I SAID THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY FINE TUNING THE TEAM INTO “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” MODE. BUT I GUARANTEE AFTER TRAINING CAMP AND THE TEAM THAT WE PUT ON THE FIELD WHEN THE SEASON STARTS WILL BE “SECOND TO NONE.”
COACH “FIGHTIN” SMITTY AND THE COACHES WILL HAVE THIS TEAM “SUUPPED UP” AND READY IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” MODE.
CAN YOU HEAR THE BEAT!!? THUMP!! IT’S GETTING LOUDER!!!!! THUMP!!THUMP!! THUMP!!!!………….! I’M IN “HEART ATTACK!!!” MODE.
IT’S “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” TIME, BABY!!!!!!
SWEAT IT OUT MY FALCONS!!! SWEAT IT OUT IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”
GO FALCONS!!!! THE “PROCESS” CONTINUES TO THE SUPER BOWL.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET fron a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!
…………………..”ONE HEARTBEAT,BABY!!!!”……………
Alice Babylon
July 30th, 2010
5:20 pm
Being spiritual does not demand religious attachment. Having “spirit” at pep rallies in High School is meant to be uplifting, not indoctinate us into any religion, or transform us into little green shirts like they are doing now right under our noses. I liken it to nation building.
Concerning the camp it was hot as hell.
truth
July 30th, 2010
5:22 pm
Alice…..LOL!!!!
truth
July 30th, 2010
5:25 pm
I guess wearing a suit means you are trying to look like a minister. Man I saw alot of “ministers” today. I wonder what people would think if they saw John the Baptist dressed in skins if animals eating locus and honey. Some religeous people would call him mad.
Chief Hittabatta
July 30th, 2010
5:25 pm
I’m too busy being excited about the Falcons to worry about the division lead that the Braves are squandering. It’s a miracle!
All I'm Saying Is...
July 30th, 2010
5:35 pm
I like the expectations expressed by every Falcon quoted—that’s important. The Road to a Super Bowl victory starts now!
LET’S GO FALCONS!
TheAntiMe
July 30th, 2010
6:28 pm
Proof that America is going to HELL
Anyone who doesn’t like the Falcons playing on Sunday can go to Helen this season and watch the pretty leaves change color. No proof necessary.
nes
July 30th, 2010
6:58 pm
Oh no! What is Coach Smith thinking dressing in all black, brings back shades of Jerry Glanville! laughs!
Reality Check
July 30th, 2010
7:03 pm
True Sabbath falls on Saturday.
Who Dat
July 30th, 2010
7:33 pm
Who Dat say they ganna beat them SAINTS. We will bring the ring to the ATL so ya’ll can see one.
The NFC South is the home of the champions!!!!!!
RSX
July 30th, 2010
8:27 pm
Who Dat? B*tch we got that FLAME! ATL finna light a spark under NO’s butt.
zinoDawg
July 30th, 2010
8:56 pm
“They were able to whip the Jets,….”
Hey Mark, did you actually watch that game? The Jets dominated physically and the Birds barely squeaked it out on their final drive. I wouldn’t call that whipping somebody.
Truth-Serum
July 30th, 2010
9:16 pm
YAWNNNnnnnnnn MVY
WTF?
July 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
They’ll be lucky to finish the season 9 – 7. If the media would stop hyping them up they might actually make a run at something one of these days. Just let them play football.
Loooooosers
July 30th, 2010
9:26 pm
I’m laughing my butt off at all the hyped-up comments by the goobers that somehow think that they have a personal connection to the Falcons. Come on, guys. These are a bunch of highly paid athletes that are in it for the money (and the pooney, if the truth be told). There is no “we”- it’s a group of jocks that Arthur Blank hired that have no connection to you on any level. Stop trying to relive your frustrated high school past through the Falcons.
Crusader
July 30th, 2010
9:36 pm
Reality Check: Only for you and Arthur and Bernie Madoff
curious
July 30th, 2010
9:44 pm
Defensive goals: sacks, interceptions. Offensive goals: touchdowns. Result: a season to remember.
Hollywood Don
July 30th, 2010
10:11 pm
We’ve heard that fur years..we still love yall….bring it on dirty birds….give em ale!!!…..make us enjoy 8 dollar beers…
thunderbull56
July 30th, 2010
10:53 pm
Dang Marco, they’ve thrown you under the bus quickly today.Suck it up,Furm handled all the pitiful pro teams,less than sparkling college sports,golf,tennis,gymnastics,and the horses.Don’t let ‘em tear out your heart and stomp that sucker flat!
tree rollins
July 30th, 2010
11:52 pm
I still have a huge problem with Chris Redman as backup QB – this is ridiculous after last season that we are staying with him! He had every other pass batted down at the line of scrimmage. And Michael Turner was fat. slow and ineffective last season after having a great initial season here. So this year he’s going to be great again – right? And so who’s going to return punts and kickoffs this year? Has anything dramatic changed in this area? And finally, who is our place kicker?
Don't Drink the Coolade
July 31st, 2010
6:28 am
I keep hearing all this Dunta Robinson talk – this is the same Dunta Robinson that fell out of favor in Houston because of his “LACK” of production over the last 2 years. Come on Falcons – all this 12-4 – 14-2 talk – never amounts to anything but, talk – that’s right make the expectations as high as possible – then when they don’t live up to them – we’ll have something to complain about!
Paddy
July 31st, 2010
8:52 am
N….to answer your question about baseball coverage before the trade deadline; MB has an editor that thought the first day of Falcon practice is more interesting than baseball gm’s telling him “does not look we will do anything” with the Braves at this time. Trades and their news is always after the fact not before the fact.
Paddy
July 31st, 2010
9:00 am
Proof that America is……you don’t seem to see or react to things the way normal people do. That kind of thinking is scary. Hope you don’t live alone!
Sid
July 31st, 2010
9:07 am
Wacko Blog………………….hardly worth turning on the ol’ Packard.
Thanks to Picky Picky for giving us the probable “Answer” to the Saints record this year……….!!
Congrats to the Falcons ownership, GM, coaching staff, and players. We are not that far removed from the ruins that Vick and Petrino left behind and yet here we are, back to back winning seasons and positioned to get deep into the playoffs. Hat’s off to ya guys!! Kick some tail this year……..!!
Sid
July 31st, 2010
9:19 am
@zinoDawg
July 30th, 2010
8:56 pm
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Ask the Jets if they didn’t feel whipped after the game. We held them scoreless in the Red Zone and had 3 interceptions. We also held them under 100 yards rushing. Our defense stood up and allowed our 10 points to be enough. And the Jets were under the impression that they “had to win” to get into the playoffs. Yeah, they were whipped……………!
Gut Check
July 31st, 2010
10:40 am
Way to jinx this team too Bradley.
Upside Jones
July 31st, 2010
11:27 am
Another worthy goal for 2010:
No hamstring injuries.
ryan
July 31st, 2010
11:41 am
Sam Brafford’s contract is ridicules $50 million guaranties$ 78 million up front i mean that is outrageous thats more Matt Ryan and Payton Manning makes and the guy has not set foot on the field these rookie contracts have got to change.
deemark
July 31st, 2010
12:06 pm
The key to this entire season lies in one position, and that’s at the defensive end. First and foremost, John Abraham has to step it up and get us some double digit sacks. Also, Jamal Anderson needs to play a lot fewer snaps to allow Kroy Bierman to make more of an impact in the pass rush game. Doing this will cause turnovers and a lot of 3-and-outs, consistently allowing our offense to play with shorter fields, which is going a problem for any defense we go up against to deal with. That includes Baltimore and Pittsburgh. GO BIRDS!!!!!
DeAngelo Hall
July 31st, 2010
1:36 pm
Furst !!!!!!!
KornDawg
July 31st, 2010
5:11 pm
Mark, you must be moving up in the world, Rick Reilly mentioned you in his new column.
Joe Mama Angie Daddy
July 31st, 2010
7:16 pm
15-1
Willie
July 31st, 2010
7:24 pm
Mark,
I think Rick Reilly is trying to get you a job over at ESPN. Please don’t leave us for the money!!!!!!
Grady Jackson *Barber Shop*
July 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Mark Bradley is much more famous.
I have never heard of Rick Reilly.
I'm Gumby, Dammit!!
August 1st, 2010
10:23 am
I’d rather have February be the culmination. I’m just sayin’…
rekingball
August 1st, 2010
10:45 am
Who’se Rick Railly?
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:20 pm
Testing 1-2-3
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:29 pm
vick
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:29 pm
sucks
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:33 pm
MB: Why does the AJC feel compelled to always publish stupid comments by dumb jocks like Roddy White? Sure, He’s a gifted football player but I don’t think he puts much thought into the issue of Michael Vick and what he did to those innocent dogs in his Virginia “House of horrors”.
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:37 pm
I had more to say but the censors at the AJC don’t like it so it’s being blocked
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:42 pm
I’m so mad I can’t type…. Here’s a reminder “In or about April of 2007, Peace, Phillips and Vick executed approximately eight dogs that did not perform well in ‘testing’ sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road by various methods, including hanging, drowning and slamming at least one dog’s body to the ground”
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:43 pm
Oh, Roddy, another reminder of who you choose to honor, Ghetto Trash!! “In or about April of 2007, Peace, Phillips and Vick executed approximately eight dogs that did not perform well in ‘testing’ sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road by various methods, including hanging, drowning and slamming at least one dog’s body to the ground”
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:44 pm
Where was the honor in what he did?
BarneyStrickland
August 1st, 2010
2:46 pm
I guess the Falcons can’t put a muzzle on Roddy’s big stupid mouth……what a disgrace he is to the Falcons!
POAD
August 1st, 2010
3:17 pm
When will you be back at Flowery Branch to update the Camp?
DR. FALCON
August 3rd, 2010
12:57 am
THIS SIS THE MOST ANTICPATED SEASON INT NTE LAST 33YRS THAT IVE BEEN A FALCON FAN! OUR DEFENSE IS UNDERRATED. JOHN ABRAHAM LOOKS IN GREAT SHAPE AND WITH JERRY COMING BACK, OUR D-LINE SHOULD BE IN THE TOP 10. OUR DBS LOOK GOOD IN CAMP. KEEP AN EYE ON BRENT GRIMES BEING A TRUE PLAYMAKER. BUT MY SLEEPER IS DOMINIQUE FRANKS. I LOVE HIS BACK PEDAL AND HIS HIPS. WE NOW HAVE DEPTH IN THE SECONDARY WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN A DIVISION WITH DREW BREES!
hiramsaint
August 3rd, 2010
9:32 pm
the only hot thing will be when brees burns your secondary over and over and over and over and over…!