Entries Tagged 'News' ↓

By: T. Love

“I don’t know what kind of message it sent to let Grady go,” Hall said Wednesday. “Coach didn’t address anything with us. You guys probably know more than we know. You guys just talked to him. We don’t know nothing. We’re going to have to wait and read what y’all put out. We had a team meeting today, kind of thought the team meeting was to talk about that; didn’t say one word about it. Had a defensive meeting, didn’t talk one word about it. Had practice, broke down practice, didn’t talk one word about it. We kind of don’t know what the reason was, why, what’s the next step.We don’t know anything. I’m going to read your article tomorrow and see what he had to say.”

On one account, I agree with Deangelo. Petrino needs to at least give some sort of explanation as to why Grady was cut. Is he taking the girlfriend/wife figure it out approach? Make a hasty decision and then expect the men to figure out what you want? Come on Bobby P., you have got to say something and alienating yourself from an already dysfunctional team is not the way to right the ship. You need to get the veterans behind you, because the young players respect them more than you. Maybe some coaches are just made for college.

On the other hand, Deangelo really needs to just keep his mouth shut. One, it is already known that you are on thin ice after the $100,000 fine you received for blowing up at BP versus the Carolina Panthers. Second, the team is frustrated and the media obviously knows you are dumb enough to answer anything they ask you. Lastly, you haven’t really done much this year to be spouting off all the damn time.

Oh boy, as this ship continues to sink and Deangelo Hall continues his quest to truly be a mirror image of the earlier #21, we fans wonder exactly what Mr. Blank plans to do to fix this mess.

By: T. Love

Undrafted rookie free agent tackle Renardo Foster out of Louisville has been sent to the IR after suffering ACL damage in Atlanta’s 22-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, while starting QB (for two quarters) Byron Leftwich’s return to the field is uncertain after suffering a high ankle sprain in the same contest.

Foster (6-7, 338 pounds) was anointed the starter after veteran Wayne Gandy went down with an ACL injury versus the New York Giants.

It’s about time the Falcons draft a decent trainer too. I’m pinning this one on you Rich!!

The team is already thin at offensive line, starting an UDFA, but since McKay refused to draft or sign any offensive linemen, this is the mess the franchise has been left to do with.

Atlanta’s O-line has given up the second most sacks this season (25) and Leftwich was a victim of the turnstile play of the group.

A five-year veteran out of Marshall, Leftwich was signed by the Falcons a little over a month ago and took over the starting job for Joey Harrington following the Monday Night Football blowout. With a history of injuries on his resume, “Lunchbox” was destined to go down but after two quarters? Seriously?

There is no timetable for his return, but Bobby Petrino has termed the injury as “serious”. Leftwich gets an extra week to heal heading into the bye week, but if he is not ready to go versus the 49ers on Nov. 4, Harrington will continue his quest to hit the most check down routes in a single season.

Again, I can’t help but feel bad for Petrino. He came here to coach Michael Vick, but he was too busy winning purses with “Jane” and threw away his entire NFL career. Then he is stuck with the weak armed, yet very articulate Joey Harrington. After months of begging for someone that can air it out further than 10 yards, Byron comes to town. Two quarters later, back to the ivory tickler.
Don’t worry Bobby P., if you don’t get offered one of the many college vacancies this offseason and skip out on us like you did Louisville, your replacement has screwed up bad enough that the Falcons may be able to take Darren McFadden with the first pick and get Brian Brohm in the second.

By: T. Love

The Atlanta Falcons have cut 11-year veteran and starting defensive tackle Grady Jackson on Tuesday in a move is puzzling at best.

Jackson, who led the NFL in tackles for loss a season ago, currently leads all defensive linemen on the team with 21 tackles which places him seventh overall for the squad. The Falcons currently rank 22nd against the run, giving up 126.4 yards on the ground per contest. Having a behemoth in the middle of the defensive line is a good way to stop the run, but apparently the “Blank Brain Trust” wants to start the rebuilding process now and see what the youngsters on the roster can provide.

Rookie DT Trey Lewis out of Washburn College (Topeka, Kansas), will take over the starting spot. Lewis was drafted in the sixth round and was expected to see minimal playing time this season. However, the rookie has shown flashes of brilliance and at 6-3, 320 pounds, Lewis could provide a “young” plug in the middle of the defense. DC Mike Zimmer and GM Rich McKay will see how the youngster competes, playing a majority of the snaps and evaluate if this guy is a starter or more suited for a backup role.

The move to cut Jackson was a bit surprising and the timing is strange coming during a bye week, but it provides validity to Alge Crumpler’s assessment that Bobby Petrino is in the midst of a youth movement.

Following a 20-13 loss versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 5, tight end Alge Crumpler vented, “It’s weird. This is a young guys’ game we’re playing now. It’s been taken out of our hands. … It’s just been taken out of the veterans’ hands. When we get into situations, we’re not being given opportunities. Crumpler continued, “It just seems like the agenda that we have offensively is preparing the guys that we have in this locker room for the future. I’m not saying the coach isn’t trying to win the game. But there just seems to be too much going on.”

Alge may have been on to something. The young guys might be taking over and this team is going to have Petrino’s stamp on it. Either fall in line and produce or you’ll be gone. Seems like a fair philosophy to me.

I just hope that Petrino’s stamp is worth Mora than the last head coach’s.

By: T. Love

Straight from the horses mouth… “I think it’s in our best interest and gives us our best chance to succeed if we stick with Joey (Harrington). I think he understands our offense, he knows what we want to do and how we should execute. Yesterday, he took a lot of hits and toward the third quarter, I felt he wasn’t completing a lot of passes he would usually complete. I thought making a change (at the position) would provide a spark for us and help us get something going. I think it was the right thing to do. It did provide us with a spark, but we weren’t able to finish it off and get the ball in the end zone.”

Coach Bobby P. is starting to do the “Lovie Smith” and this could get ugly real quick. Unfortunately for Joey, do to a pitiful offensive line, an awful running games and receivers that block like Outland Trophy winners and catch like them too, he is taking all of the heat for the offensive downfall.

Harrington has been sub par at best this season completing 105-of-156 passes (67.3%) for 1,070 yards, four touchdowns and three picks… all returned for touchdowns. Joey’s real problem has been his inability to stand in the face of pressure and his lack of arm strength to deliver a deep ball.

Pressure makes the piano player fold like the Mets, which is no secret. Tennessee applied constant heat and held Harrington to an 87 yard output after passing for 223 and 361 yards the previous two weeks. The weak arm also always opponents to play up closer to the line of scrimmage, single cover wide outs and lock in on the flats. The offense is a bit limited with No. 13 under center.

However, for now, he gives this team the best chance of being competitive due to his knowledge of the offense. Insert Byron Leftwich, who stepped in late in Sunday’s game and delivered three passes into the stands to finish 2-of-8 for 28 yards. Maybe not the best time to put him in the game, but it is evident that there is a ton of rust and the only read was deep. Byron needs time.

The QB controversy is just starting up. But, as I said in my previous post, there is no controversy. Both of these guys suck and the one we need is going to prison.

By: T. Love

Following his best performance in recent memory in which he held perennial pro-bowler Steve Smith to one catch and ten yards, but overshadowed his entire afternoon by picking up 67 yards of penalties in one drive and costing the Falcons their first win of the 2007 season, cornerback Deangelo Hall has been fined $100,000 by the organization for his meltdown and shouting match with Bobby P.

Hall could also face a first-quarter suspension if Petrino decides to flex a little more. When asked about the fairness of the fine, Hall responded “”I don’t think so. They think so, but I don’t think so. My agent is working on it with the union and hopefully we can get something worked out.”

Well Deangelo, you really do deserve this penalty and it is about damn time that some told you to shut the F* up.

Since coming into the league, Hall has done nothing but proclaim himself as the best. He has got a lot of work to do before that happens, but Sunday was a good start. Just please shut up. It’s one step forward and three steps back for this dude. It is almost the mantra of the entire team.

For the season, Hall has seven tackles and one interception.

If he is benched for the start of the game, cornerback Chris Houston will probably get the start in his place. There is also a chance that the Falcons will start two rookie cornerbacks on Sunday if Lewis Sanders is not 100 percent after the concussion he suffered versus the Carolina Panthers.

Sure hope Andre Johnson isn’t back this week or it might be another long gameday for the fans and Arthur.

Its hard not to feel bad for Petrino, I’m pretty sure this is not what he signed up for. There might be some really good college jobs opening after this season. I’m not saying, just think about it.

By: T. Love

“I think Joey is playing a little conservative and playing not to throw the interception, stated Bobby Petrino. Therefore, it’s causing him to hold the ball. He needs to open up his confidence and play to win the game.”

Well, I guess Bobby P. and Rich McKay do not have too much confidence that Joey is going to do these things and have scooped up former Jacksonville Jaguar Byron Leftwich. As I stated in my earlier post, the Falcons should make a move on Leftwich, but after two weeks it’s apparent that he isn’t even going to save this team.

The offensive line is terrible, the receivers struggle to get open, the running game is non-existent and the defense is average at best. Byron is less mobile and has a slower release then Joey.

I really do appreciate the move by the front office to get a quarterback in here to compete and alleviate all fear that Chris Redman will actually touch the field. Nonetheless, we should really just save the money (because we aren’t getting shit from Vick) and use it towards free agency next season.

Byron has completed 789-of-1,344 passes (58.7 percent) for 9,042 yards, 51 touchdowns and 36 picks. Not too bad, but not much better. I really don’t expect Leftwich to ever wrestle the position away. Just give the team a change of pace to keep Joey from folding like a cheap lawn chair every time he sees a blitz.

The silver lining? Both Byron and Joey have two-year contracts which make both on the roster next season. Let these two tussle in the grass like school girls for the starting job this year and next, while Darren McFadden runs up to speed in 2008. Then a quarterback the next year and the Falcons are back in business.

You heard it hear first!

Welcome to Atlanta, Byron. Don’t let Donovan McRibb discourage you, we love black quarterbacks here.

By: T. Love

After missing three out of four field goals and single-handedly losing a game for the Falcons, Rich McKay swallowed his pride and cut kicker Matt Prater. Prater was brought in by McKay because he saw “something” and now all we are seeing is another botched attempt by the front office to handle the kicking situation. Morten Anderson is out of retirement once again to kick field goals from inside the 40. Michael Koenen will kick the long balls.

Once again, the Falcons have a short-term solution to the kicking game. It is extremely mind boggling why McKay continues to do a patchwork job on this position. In the 2008 draft, besides taking early picks on offensive line, a quarterback, running back, receivers and everything else this team needs. McKay needs to spend a mid-round pick (4th or 5th round) and get a kicker that will be with the franchise. That way, there is no need to worry about it each season. Adam Vinateri, David Akers, Jason Elam to name a few. This situation needs to be addressed.

It also appears that Byron has gotten a call from Mr. McKay and friends. In an earlier post, I suggested that the Falcons should make a move and pickup the uncoordinated Leftwich. After watching two games, the quarterback is the least of the team’s concern at this time, so Leftwich won’t do anything for us. Nice try by Arthur to look like this franchise is trying to succeed and not hang its heads.

I’m a little pessimistic at this point, but there hasn’t been of anything to be happy about.

The Falcons are back to the drawing board and the first division contest is coming up on Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers. Home opener for the team and maybe these guys can squeak out a win for the Atlanta crowd.

By: T. Love

In Atlanta’s season opener versus the Minnesota Vikings, fourth-year man Demorrio Williams got the start, but rookie Stephen Nicholas played the entire second half, setting the stage for a fierce battle for the starting spot at weakside linebacker.

Bobby Petrino has yet to announce the starter for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Williams (6-0, 232), who signed a one-year tender offer through the 2007-08 season, tore a pectoral muscle during offseason workouts which prompted the team to draft Nicholas. Williams has been a steady player throughout his career and makes plenty of plays using his speed. However, when teams lineup in double tight formations or pull a blocker around to take on Williams, he is quickly engulfed and taken out of the play.

Nicholas (6-3, 225) had five total tackles (three solo) in his NFL debut playing only a half, while Williams picked up two. The former South Florida standout is a bit slower than Williams, but is more stout against the run. He has only played one game in the league, so lets see how he fairs as the season moves forward.

My guess is that the team is going to try and work Nicholas into the full-time starter and allow Williams to walk after this season. As much as I would hate to see D. Mo depart, the NFL is a business and with the Falcons’ salary cap in flux this is strictly a business decision.

Jacksonville will try to run the ball down Atlanta’s throat with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew so it will be critical for both of these players to bring their “A” game.

As a fan, this is what we have to look forward to this season. Position battles and how it sets up the team for next year. Wow, I still wonder if Bobby P. is kicking himself.

May the best man win… and hopefully there will be a shakeup at middle linebacker soon.

By: T. Love

On Oct. 4, the Atlanta Falcons will attempt to recoup $20 million of Michael Vick’s $37 million signing bonus that was given to him after signing a contract extension on Christmas Eve 2004.

I really don’t know how this is going to turn out, but it would be huge if the organization could get that money back. It would be bittersweet because that would mean King Arthur will cut Vick once he is sentenced, ending all hopes and dreams for us hanger-ons that No. 7 will come through the Georgia Dome tunnels again.

On the flip side, that is a lot of money and with the No. 1 draft pick which we look (after one game) destined to win, the team could get some decent players.

There is a lot of legal jargon that is thrown into this, so I will definitely take the wait and see approach.

In other Vick news, U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson, who will sentence No. 7 on Dec. 10, has agreed to hear animal loving/granola crunching organizations about the harm of dogfighting. 11… that’s right 11 animal rights groups have filed motions. The groups have recommended a 57-month sentence.

This seems a bit absurd that animal rights groups can come in, talk to the judge and RECOMMEND a sentence. They will not be a part of the actual sentencing, but I think their rally cries will have some kind of affect on the outcome.

Hopefully, this guy is not influenced easy or there is not a picture of his family pet near his gavel. If so, “Ookie” will definitely be in some stuff.

Good luck to him once again.

Check out this article that will be appearing in ESPN the Magazine.

That will be discussed tomorrow.

By: T. Love

If this is the case, then Bobby Petrino is not only the “offensive guru” he was advertised as, but he is a master of the obvious.

Good job Bobby P., get the rock to Jerious early and often.

In Sunday’s season opener, the Falcons managed 96 yards on the ground against a stout Minnesota defense, but only averaged 3.4 yards per attempt. Well, second-and-seven situations or third-and-four aren’t good things when Joey Harrington is your quarterback.

The running game needs to be more effective and it starts with getting the right personnel on the field.

God bless Warrick Dunn and all of his humanitarian efforts, but he just doesn’t get it Dunn anymore. No. 28 picked up 55 yards on 22 attempts for a pedestrian 2.5 yards per carry. His ability to pass block and pass catching out of the backfield keep him on the field, but JERIOUS ‘FREAKIN’ NORWOOD NEEDS THE BALL!!!!

Last season as a rookie, Norwood rushed for 633 yards on 99 attempts for a superb 6.4 yards per carry. He is already off to a strong start this season, racking up 33 yards on five carries versus the Vikes.

Dunn was consistently stuffed on the run and Norwood exhibited the only potential to bust a play open. This team does not have any players that are going to take over a game, but there are a few that can make some plays. Petrino must get these guys the ball.

In his Monday press conference, the first-year head coach stated that he would Jerious more involved in the offense. I’m sure there are a ton of fans that are ready to see Norwood get some more action and this will be there first opportunity on Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

I’m especially excited because there is a renewed hope that I won’t have to return this jersey now.