Heat Check: The Falcons are warming up; Tech has the chills
Rookie Jacquizz Rodgers is offered a different point of view. (AP photo)
Our weekly Heat Check begins with a team that won a warm and fuzzy game in the warm and fuzzy city of … Detroit? (Just between us, sometimes these heat metaphors can get a bit strained.)
The Falcons: When they were trailing the Panthers a week ago, it was possible to look ahead and wonder if this gifted team could be 3-6 come Nov. 13. Not possible now. The Falcons are 4-3 with two bye weeks upcoming — one where they play nobody, the other where they travel to Indianapolis, which has become nobody without Peyton Manning — before they hunker down in the Dome for a three-week homestand. Heat Index: For a team that hasn’t hit full stride but has the worst of its schedule behind it, this is suddenly a hot commodity.
Julio Jones: He was supposed to be the missing piece. He has missed two games due to injury, and his team is 2-0. It was 2-3 with him playing. Heat Index: A hot rookie is in cold storage, and his team seems better for it. I don’t understand it, either.
Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson’s offense gained 768 yards and scored nine touchdowns in four quarters against Kansas. It has managed 507 yards and mustered three touchdowns in eight quarters against Virginia and Miami, neither of which is any great shakes. Heat Index: When you’re hot, you’re hot. Tech was, but now it’s not. And the schedule just gets tougher.
Georgia: It’s headed to Jacksonville. Bulldog fans love going to Jacksonville. Then the game begins, and they love it no more. But this year — stop if you’ve heard this a time or two — might be different. Heat Index: Georgia has won five in a row; Florida has lost three in a row. But last season the Bulldogs entered on a three-game run and the Gators on a three-game slide, and guess who prevailed.
Mark Richt: Should Georgia win Saturday, there’s a chance — a chance, I say — we won’t hear the words “hot seat” mentioned in connection with Mr. Cool again this season. Heat Index: Every Georgia-Florida game is huge, but for this coach, this one might be the biggest yet.
The Braves: They have a new hitting coach. He’s Greg Walker. He’s not to be confused with Harry (The Hat) Walker, who was a hitting coach of some renown and who starred as the manager of Jim Bouton’s Houston Astros in “Ball Four.” But I digress. In even bigger news, the Braves announced their new hitting coach will have an assistant. Heat Index: Guess Larry Parrish was pretty hot item if it takes two men to replace him.
The Hawks: They’re locked out. The sale of the team hasn’t been approved. Games have been canceled and Josh Smith hasn’t been traded and Zaza Pachulia is about to go play in Turkey, and you know what? I haven’t heard anybody say, “Boy, I miss the Hawks.” Heat Index: Indifference can be the coldest cut of all.
By Mark Bradley
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205 comments Add your comment
suwaneedawg
October 24th, 2011
12:47 pm
GT97
October 24th, 2011
12:05 pm
Finally, my Jackets are who we thought they were. PJ has got to get his special teams play under control. Defense is finally getting somewhat of a pulse, but offense has become vanilla. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – When PJ was hired, I said he would eventually run this program into the ground because he will not be able to recruit. I was hoping he would evolve into a Div – 1 coach, but his hardheadedness is going to send him packing unless he can tweak his scheme.
Finally, a Tech fan who gets it! Nicely put GT97.
bart
October 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
Mark, you say you haven’t heard anyone has missed the Hawks? Well I haven’t heard anyone say they miss the NBA. It’s only point of existence is to give sports fans something to do on occasion in the depths of our winters despair.
FAILCANTS are NOT IMPRESSIVE
October 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
….Saints own the NFC South….Saints will win the NFC South…FACT….
Hope this does not hurt your feelings….we know how sensitive the Falclowns are to rough talk….
Sincerely,
Suh
Jon
October 24th, 2011
12:55 pm
The sooner Paul Johnson fires Al Groh, the sooner Tech will get better. Al Groh was a loser at UVA and he is a loser at GT. He couldn’t coach little league rec teams.. He sucks…
Ted M
October 24th, 2011
1:01 pm
If Johnson could fix special teams he would have already because they have stunk ever since he got here.
GoldenRichards
October 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
THIS IS A GOOD BLOG. I am so proud of the Falcons The Falcons yesterday i can hardly believe how prepared they were to tame the lions. The Falcons did 3 things exceptionally well and that is what allowed them to win the ballgame. #1:The Falcons shut down the Lions third down efficiency by limiting them to 1 for 12 on third downs:AWESOME DEFENSE! #2:The Falcons offense began to come to life with its big play capabilities grinding up chunks of yardage. When Ryan got hurt and came back in on third down-he threw a laser to Harry Douglas which went for about 50 yards. That was absolutely incredible. It happened because the Falcons were using their NO-HUDDLE offense which allows the Falcons to maximize their talent. The Falcons should stick to the no-huddle offense until it fails (which it wont). Years ago, Jim Kelly used to use this offense with his incredible receivers–Andre Reid and James Lofton. Kelly went on to become a hall of fame quarterback because he stayed in the “K” Gun and ran that no-huddle offense. Matt Ryan should do the same thing for the Falcons and I think they will be able to compete with the Green Bay Packers.#3:Special teams.Eric Weems proved that he is the best punt and kickoff return guy yesterday as he waltzed down the field and into the end zone, when there was virtually no-where to go. There were no holes open and weems bursted into pockets and created openings for himself “literally out of thin air”. I have never seen anything like it, but I think weems is going to really impact the Falcons this season, especially if he helps us win a superbowl. The Falcons defense played well enough to almost pitch a shutout against the Lions. They would have, had matty ice not thrown two picks and had the team not been penalized so often. Overall, I would give the Falcons an A+ yesterday because they beat a 5-1 team rather easily without working up a sweat. That was an awesome performance and if the Falcons keep it up, I expect them to make it to the superbowl against the Patriots next January.
trailort
October 24th, 2011
1:06 pm
What do they mean we won’t win another game? We have at least a 50-50 chance of beating Duke, but only if Tevin is benched and they take the redshirt off of Lee. Otherwise, no more wins. We have no chance against Clemson or Georgia. Not only are we not a top 25 team. I don’t think we are a top 100 team.
The Georgia Southern fan could be right. They could probably take us if we keep Tevin. I don’t know where the guy went who quarterbacked the first three games but he is long gone. The opening interception where he missed a guy who was wide open by 10 or 15 yards is indicative of who the Tevin we have now has become.
phil
October 24th, 2011
1:08 pm
Mark – I know you haven’t forgotten 1986 and the 0-13 Dolts that came to Atlanta and beat us on that blocked punt late in the game? We started that season 4-0 and finished it up 7-8-1 and with Henning getting run out of town.
Better be careful before you call this Indy game a bye week affair….
NO GAME in this league is a lock.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 24th, 2011
1:10 pm
Tech’s backup plan:
Use David Sims as the QB he was recruited to be. Yes, he is more of a runner, but he is a better runner than TW, has much better ball security than SD, and he can fill in since we don’t want to burn VL’s redshirt.
Lyons can play BB….
We have to have a QB who can improvise when things get stressful or difficult, and although I like him, TW is not that guy.
phil
October 24th, 2011
1:11 pm
To the doofs that think Turner has lost a step, he never had one TO lose…..
come on…
@97
October 24th, 2011
1:13 pm
If Lee is the passing QB answer and Tech has somewhat of a balanced attack next year, will you be disappointed that you can no longer say “I told you so!”?
Truth2
October 24th, 2011
1:21 pm
The Gawks, I mean, the Hawks? You’re right-who cares, when our football team is in the playoffs competition to win the Lombardi Trophy? The lockout, unfortunately, hurts the guys who work the NBA games, but the Hawks? Come on, the Hawks?
Truth2
October 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
The Braves: That should’ve been the Braves in the World Series. Nuff said. However, don’t give up on them, cause what we have seen is the fallout remnants of the Bobby Cox good ole boy era. Wipe your paws clean of it, get up and run for the 2012 penant.
Greta
October 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
The state of Georgia is last in education and health care but first in bankruptcies.
It is obvious UGA runs this state, don,t rub it in please.
go dawgs
October 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
georgia southern is the second best team in georgia right now. looks like another national championship coming
gg
October 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
Until MM and the falcons start stretching the field better, Julio and the rest of the receiving corp is gonna be covered like a blanket. Opposing defenses have no fear whatsoever in the “big play” from the Falcons. That’s why you don’t see much or any yards-after-catch from ATL. Do you notice how our recievers are tackled immediately after catch and Matty has to put to right on the numbers because of that. To me it’s a sign of poor coaching when they cannot figure out how to be effective running and throwing the ball with Julio. That’s not Julio’s fault, that’s MM and his inability to be creative.Yesterday i noticed that after several big plays from our offense, it seemed like that MM did not want to get any momemtum going so he would run MT up the middle for a loss,,,UGH
GT311
October 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
What’s dissappointing is that GT looks soooo completely lost on the field. What happened to the Goon Squad? I have hashed this out a few times so I won’t press it any longer. Bottom line is GT is a 6-7 team this year and don’t deserve to play in a bowl anyway. Finally, if you want people to fill Bobby Dodd you need to win football games!!!! The GT fanbase will come to the games but you need to inspire non GT alums etc by winning games and looking excited. CPJ if you play like this regularly, 2 years in a row now, you can’t fill up the stadium!!!!! Win some games and they will come!!! Anyway….season over.
Fire PJ
October 24th, 2011
1:34 pm
I was a die hard CPJ fan…..not now….no recruits, no offense, NO SPECIAL TEAMS…in the immortal words from the movie “Hoosiers” CPJ, ” I find it hard to believe you know what ur doin!”
Rickster
October 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
And speaking of Packers, Gale “Gilly” Gillingham (#68) passed away at the age of 67. The dude was amazing.
Yowsa
October 24th, 2011
2:20 pm
Very first throw on the very first play….INT and that ball was overthrown by a country mile…. GT has no chance against any team by throwing INT’s , fumbling punt returns, and getting huge plays called back on penalties. Just horrible football all the way around and that lies with CPJ. I’m still with our coach but he’s not doing a good job. Find a way to correct the mistakes or lose your job. It’s that simple.
BEANS,BEANS THE MUSICAL FRUIT
October 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
When football is over I will not miss the nba…………..I’LL HAVE HOCKEY!!!!!! TAHNK GOD FOR VERSUS!!!!!!
BS Patrol
October 24th, 2011
2:44 pm
The only sports fit to watch are college football,college basketball & pro golf. That’s it. That’s REAL sports.
All else is crap.
Herschel Talker
October 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
MB:
Mark Richt will always be on the hot seat until he wins the SEC and plays in a BCS bowl.
He has brought down UGA to mediocrity while 5 other SEC schools have played for a MNC.
This team may be undefeated right now if Richt was fired last year. Beating a UF team that is down will not excuse the mess Richt has put us in.
HT
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
October 24th, 2011
2:54 pm
In other words, the entire state of GA sports sucks.
BS Patrol
October 24th, 2011
3:04 pm
What else is new?
DodgerDAWG
October 24th, 2011
3:06 pm
I think the heat is turning up on Johnson. Lost 3 in a row, cannot get his archaic offense operating. Good teams recognize and close it. The seat is moving from Athens to Atlanta. Fire Johnson NOW
BS Patrol
October 24th, 2011
3:07 pm
The Masters usually does not suck, if memory serves.
phil
October 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
BS Patrol – Thank you for sharing your sporting preferences….
Go apply for a job now, please….
doug dawg
October 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
ut, diablo69, who were your first five games against?
BS Patrol
October 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
I’ve made mine, Phil. Now go get your shoe shine box.
leeman Bennett
October 24th, 2011
3:22 pm
@really-Read it again. Mark was not implying that, he simply questioned it.
FrozenOut
October 24th, 2011
3:24 pm
You failed to mention the Thrashers. When does the hockey season start?
Joey
October 24th, 2011
3:25 pm
Anybody seen GTJoe?
BS Patrol
October 24th, 2011
3:29 pm
Which 3 was that, Dodger DAWG?
Mark Bradley
October 24th, 2011
3:31 pm
I have not forgotten the 1986 Colts-Falcons game, phil. One of the all-time worst. Maybe the all-time worst. I was there.
JayCool 4DaBirds
October 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
Bradley your blog last week about the Falcons was very disrespectful. I am glad that you have decided to jump back on the bandwagon, please stay on this time. The losses had nothing to do with Julio we had a tough first 5 games and could’ve won 2 of the 3 we lost. This is a good team, better than last year. Keep paying attention, they weeren’t pre season favorites because they don’t have what it takes. People everywhere sees the potential in this team.
oldfart
October 24th, 2011
3:52 pm
Many of UGA’s rabid fans are not happy unless they win it all every time, much like many so called Braves fans were always griping about Bobby Cox. I’m not relishing mediocrity either but I suffered through all of the Braves teams since they supplanted the Crackers and winning the divisions and pennants beat the hell out of cellar dwelling. Sure I would have like to have won more championships but in baseball only the Yankees get to be the Yankees and if you look at the books they have gone a few years in between themselves. Likewise with Georgia. Given some of his predecessors I think many also don’t realize when they have it good. Even Dooley didn’t walk on water and 1980 even took some luck as do all championships in sports.
For some fans Richt will forever be on the hot seat as they will not be happy unless he fields a team of saints that play as flawless pros minus the showboating and salaries. Ain’t gonna’ happen.
That being said, the absolute best outcome for his “hot seat” scenario is to of course win all the rest of their games and hope that South Carolina also wins out. Neither one stands much of a chance this year against Bama or LSU. I hate to say it but I will be holding my nose and pulling for a Spurrier coached team the rest of this season. While I think that is possible I’m also a realist. Even a weak FL is pretty imposing given the history of previous years and last week’s struggle against Vandy. Other hurdles to follow but all winnable given the right inspiration and I don’t mean spiritual. And look at this way, another loss to UGA will have to put CPJ on his own hot seat.
Dave
October 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
If it weren’t for the NBA, the United States would have the world’s tallest garbage men.
jerry
October 24th, 2011
4:24 pm
Was it a case of doing “what they do best” i.e., run the rock, or just a case of playing maybe the two worst run defenses in the NFL? They still look like a team, that should they make the playoffs, can be had.
BravesFan79@hotmail.com
October 24th, 2011
4:35 pm
Who’s the Panthers?? Haha.. Ga State should of never of gotten a football team. I went there years ago, just not the right setting with all the commuter students and so many things to do.
phil
October 24th, 2011
4:38 pm
Mark – I was fairly sure you hadn’t forgotten. That was an awful afternoon!
BS Patrol – decent comeback…
phil
October 24th, 2011
4:39 pm
BravesFan79@hotmail.com
October 24th, 2011
4:35 pm
Who’s the Panthers?? Haha.. Ga State should of never of gotten a football team. I went there years ago, just not the right setting with all the commuter students and so many things to do.
**************
Did you take any English classes while you were there?
DHD
October 24th, 2011
4:45 pm
Falcons will go 12-4. One loss at New Orleans.
Paddy
October 24th, 2011
4:47 pm
Ed Pilcher……..the AJC has no love for Ga Southern because they stop delivering the papers in that part of the state years ago. No $ for the AJC, no love for Ga Southern. Economicis 101.
OldTimerTim
October 24th, 2011
4:49 pm
Mark,
Richt needs to finish in the top 25 to stay employed, even if he wins out, but loses the SEC Champ & loses the Bowl game, he’ll be fired.
Richt hasn’t beat a ranked team in 2 seasons, would you keep him? Sure, he can beat teams like Tennessee and Vanderbilt, but is 0-7 against ranked teams since 2009.
dean
October 24th, 2011
4:49 pm
phil,
Wasn’t it a blocked punt that sealed ATL’s fate that day?
Walt"Clyde"Frazier
October 24th, 2011
5:02 pm
DHD: YOU ARE ON DRUGS MY MAN. I’VE SAID IT BEFORE. THE FALCONS WILL FINISH 6-10 FOR THIS YEAR, BEGINNING WITH A LOSS TO INDY AFTER THE BYE WEEK.
Bradley- Will You Keep It Zipped On Falcons. You always Jinx them
October 24th, 2011
6:59 pm
Oops- I originally inadvertently this messag to the wrong blog;
nonetheless, I don’t want to tell you to shut up, and typically enjoy your articles, but everytime you open your month about a Atlanta opponent not being any real competition we end up losing…EVERY TIME. You never take any NFL team for granted. That might be the very game they get on track (Colts) against the birds. All it takes is a player or fan to read this article, which I feel is a little out of line as a writer, to get them started. Not to mention, the Falcons have been the MOST inconsistent “play-off contenders” from week to week. How can you be sold bold? Plus we play them in their backyard and not the Dome
I’m dissappointed in this article- you should know out of all people to never under-estimate a football team in its own stadium/dome. Make the Falcons prove that they can beat the teams they are suppose to beat on a regular basis.
Please stop and just wait and see what happens.
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2011
8:54 pm
As the Exodus from the Big East continues, Ga. State should go ahead and apply. It might be them and Buffalo as football playing schools.
GooberPyle
October 26th, 2011
9:20 am
I’m so proud of Roddy White. The Falcons should really begin to utilize his talents, along with Julio Jones and Tony Gonzales. Gosh! How much more talent to you need to be EXPLOSIVE. Let me outline who those three players are: Tony Gonzales is the GREATEST TIGHT END IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE, second in catches only to the great Jerry Rice. Matty Ice should be throwing a ton of balls each game to tony and utilizing his HOF skills. Roddy White, although inconsistent, is coming off a season where he was the best wide receiver in the league. white should build on that and continue to get better (although he played against the lions at an all-pro level). And of course the great Julio Jones. Julio has the best wide receiving skills that I have ever seen come into the league SINCE THE GREAT LARRY FITZGERALD. Julio has a chance to become one of the top 10 receivers of all times. These three guys should be getting tons of balls thrown to them each game. The Falcons should have a wide-open passing attack and Ice should be throwing the ball down the field as often as Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Falcons have enough offensive power to be explosive and win this years superbowl. Go Falcons—finish strong and win the remaining games this year.