Atlanta Falcons

 

           Wildcard weekend had an interesting lineup of games this year.  All four road teams (wildcard teams) were favored to win over the home teams (division winners).  That’s unusual, but this year it actually makes a lot of sense.  Many of the wildcard teams had better records than the division winners.  In the end, the underdogs won two of the four games (both 6th seeds defeated the 3rd seeded teams).

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Playoffs:  0-0 

Overall:  33-26-1  

Atlanta @ Arizona:  The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-7).  It’s a quirky nuance in the rules where the team with a better record must travel to play a team with a worse record in the playoffs.  The Cardinals won their division, so by rule they get the home game.  The Falcons have been a huge surprise this season, but the NFL is well aware of them now.  The Cardinals played in a sub-par division, but they won enough games to earn their way into the tournament.  Unfortunately for the Cards, they will be one and done.  The Falcons are clearly the better team, and the Cardinals have been playing poorly as of late.  The Falcons are the real deal and should win easily.  Atlanta 34, Arizona 23.  

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ing people all season, and I think that will continue on Sunday.  Prediction: MIA 21, BAL 17

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals: To me, being an NFC guy, this is the matchup I know the

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

I'm not going to analyze this game a whole lot, as it is pretty simple why the Vikings fell to the Falcons.  Despite dominating in nearly aspect of the game, turnovers (four fumbles in all) doomed the Purple in their quest for the NFC North Division title.

Continue reading "Falcons 24, Vikings 17: I Should ..."

To me, this Sunday's Minnesota Vikings-Atlanta Falcons matchup is very even: On defense, the Vikings are clearly the better squad.  Offensively, though, the Falcons have more star talent (Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, Roddy White) than the Vikings, so, again, a big effort from Adrian Peterson will likely be the key to victory.

Continue reading "Vikings/Falcons Preview: An Even Line"

The Atlanta Falcons have to be the surprise team of the 2008 season and Mike Smith deserves to be Coach of the Year whether the Falcons make the playoffs or not.  However, their reality will come crashing down on them in the final three games of the season.

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     As the NFL reaches the last quarter of the season, fantasy owners are positioning themselves for the playoffs. AS the fantasy playoffs begin, quality free agent pick-ups could be the boost that your team needs to climb to the top of the mountain. So, as we do each week, we are providing fantasy football players with the best information in the most interesting format possible. So, enjoy your viewing of this video that is sure to bring you what you need and remind you of things that you want.

Continue reading "NFL Injury Report by the Fantasy Sportsgirls"

Coach of the Year candidate Mike Smith continues to transform the image of the Atlanta Falcons. A franchise once mired in (at best) mediocrity used to wilt under pressure and succumb to other teams fighting for their playoff lives. Now the Falcons take care of business in workmanlike fashion at home and on the road. Mora's team would have flown out west to San Diego and found a way to lose to a team that is in shambles. Smith has instilled a pride in the locker room that will not allow the defense to falter and the offense to fumble away chances at football in January.

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     So here we are. One week before the end of the NCAA Football regular season the BCS has already claimed a victim. As Oklahoma leapfrogged the University of Texas to claim the number 2 spot in the BCS, Longhorn fans have gone looking for a nice padded room.

Continue reading "I told you it was nonsense-the BCS"

uld roll in this one.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys

3) Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Carolina Panthers are 8-2. Yes 8-2. Their 6-0 when playing at home and they took out the Falcons 24-9 in Week 4. Now the Panthers head into the Georgia Dome to play the 6-4 Falcons. My gut is telling me to pick the Falcons here. They lost a close one to the Broncos last week and I think they'll bounce back this week against a good Panthers team. If this game was in Carolina, I would not pick Atlanta, but it isn't. It'll be interesting to see how Matt Ryan plays against a decent defense in the Panthers. It's been a impressive season for the Falcons so far. I'll take them to win this week.

Continue reading "NFL Week 12 Predictions"

All year long everyone have been on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and the rest on the NFC East bandwagon! Now with the Dallas Debacle and the Redskins now back to earth, except for

Continue reading "NFC South is the Best"

With the Atlanta Falcons having their bye week in week seven, the team has a much deserved rest. But it actual comes at a bad time, unlike previous years. In years past, it seemed the team would go into their bye all banged up, and they needed the rest to get healthy. But this year with very few injuries, and with wide receiver Laurent Robinson and defensive lineman James Jefferson back at full participation at practice, the bye might seem to occur at a bad time. With the Falcons jumping out of the gate with a 4-2 record, no one saw this coming, not even their biggest fan, me.The Falcons are on a roll winning two in a row, and hopefully the bye week will not cost the team because they are playing so well.

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The dominance we’ve witnessed in the past year has now been foiled by injury. Apparently the lucrative nature of the world of sports was shown when a simple year of great performances equaled a big time pay day for this athlete, but now all is lost simply because of an injury. Yes, his injury may have a profound effect on others but let’s not loose focus on the athlete. He’s entertained us, and given us many a chance to lose ourselves in the world of competition. I just wanted to take this short time to write a miniscule blog recognizing the loss of a stud.

Continue reading "The Loss of a Great"

From the voice of the Falcon's radio booth, Wes Durham summed up this game perfectly when he stated "Drive home safely, Atlanta wins"! All the credit goes to both teams and coaches for a well fought game. Quarter back Matt Ryan put up his best yards thrown as an NFL starter with 301 yards. The game started out very well for Atlanta with the birds moving the ball with ease on the 4th ranked rush defense in the league. It was difficult for running back Michael Turner to get his legs moving with the Bears stout front line. So, Ryan had to take matters into his own hands and go by air. Throwing the ball worked perfectly in between the 20's, but once the Falcons got to the redzone, the drives seemed to stall. That is where the foot of kicker Jason Elam came into play. Elam was 5 for 6 kicking, with the lone miss which was crucial that let the Bears back into the ballgame with quarter back Kyle Orton throwing the go ahead touchdown to wide receiver Rashied Davis with 11 seconds on the clock. Right about this time I threw my recliner pillow on the floor and said, "Not again, this always happens to Atlanta." Boy was I wrong.

Continue reading "Drive home safely, Atlanta wins!!!!!!"

NFC East

Week 6

Hello East Fans,

Well after a week of Hiatus to curse the football gods for my team’s embarrassing losses. I felt a preview of the Best division in Football was the only way to quench the thirst. Every team in the division except for Washington is on the road, let’s start with the leaders of the pack.

Continue reading "The East!"

I know I haven't written on my blog in a long time. Lets just say I had an extended vacation to savor the unexpected start of the Falcons for the 2008 season. Forget anthing I said previously in any of my posts about any of the players or coaches. The entire organization has caught me by surprise, and it is a good surprise.

Continue reading "New beginning for Falcons: 2008 resembles ..."

       Sean Salisbury offers his fantasy football preview for week 6 of the NFL. Check this out every week at my blog.

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s.

Falcons 27 Packers 24

Matt Ryan kept his composure and he and the Atlanta Falcons went to legendary Lambeau Field and defeated the Green Bay Packers. I had a feeling this could be an upset with Rodgers questionable for the game, but I still went with Green Bay in my pick ems to be safe. Should have went with my gut! Anyways Matt Ryan completed 16 out of 26 passes, 2 for touchdowns along with 1 interception. Aaron Rodgers played through pain and had quite a game going 25-37 for 313 yds along with a trio of touchdowns and a single interception, but it wasn't enough to beat the Falcons who went to 3-2 on the season. RB Michael Turner had a good game rushing 26 times for 121 yards scoring once. The thing that intrigues me with the Falcons is that no one had high expectations for them entering the season. If they lose, it's not like the Dallas Cowboys losing for example (exaggeration, but you get my drift)they have flexibility. They can take risks without suffering the harsh media scrunity of the media after losing a game unlike the top tier teams who are suppose to win week in and week out. Atlanta will be a fun team to watch for the remainder of the season. As a NFL fan hopefully they can compete better on the road and if they play like they did in Green Bay then they could finish with a pretty decent record for their expectations.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Fallout"

First off, I want to introduce myself. My name is Jake, I live in Houston. I'm glad I found this place. I've read a lot of bloggers material today from predictions to their favorite teams' rants, it's great. I enjoyed it. Sports, baby sports!

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The Crying Game

The Terrell Owens story

Hello NFL fans,

Well here we are, week four of the third year with his last team. This will be his last team, I truly believe that. If I were an owner I would rather get a letter full of anthrax and then imprisoned IN Cuba to spend the rest of my days. The continuous onslaught of reporters and fans condemning my name and wanting my head on a stick would be too much for me to bare.

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              The economic “crisis" is not that complicated. The stock market always wants positive press to continue its trading

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This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  I missed a few during Hurricane Ike and could use your help. Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes"

Your favorite method of getting your football returns this week . The popular video series can be found at my blog.

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Plenty of speculation had been made as to whether or not Mike Smith was the right man for the job.  The Falcons were in a bind last season when Bobby Petrino left three-quarters of the way through the season.  While Petrino left the Falcons in bad shape, the team stayed together.

Continue reading "Mike Smith the right choice"

   I just wanted to let you know that I may be unable to post for a few days. I live south of Houston, near Galveston, Texas. As hurricane Ike approaches there may be power outages and loss of internet access. If that is the case, I will be unable to write my column. Remember though, there are things much more important than sports. If you need Ike information, you can go to:

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Houston Texans injury update:

Megan Manfull of the Houston Chronicle has reported these injuries -

               Running back Ahman Green - It wasn't a cramp that limited his play Sunday. He has a sprained ankle.

Continue reading "Injury Update"

Here is the great Jack Buck's poem that was given on September 17, 2001."Since this nation was founded ... under God
More than 200 years ago
We have been the bastion of freedom
The light that keeps the free world aglow

Continue reading "Jack Buck's Poem remembering 9-11"

e Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago Bears, and even the Atlanta Falcons - the Falcons?  Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders, the Detroit Lions, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Houston Texans looked like they forgot that the preseason was over -the Colts - our beloved Texans? Maybe, they just didn’t get the memo.

Continue reading "Believe!"

NFL Week 1 Results
NY Giants 16 Wahington 7
Pittsburgh 38 Houston 17
Atlanta 34 Detroit 21
Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 10
Baltimore 17 Cincinnati 10
Philadelphia 38 St. Louis 3

Continue reading "NFL SCOREBOARD"

You can get your fantasy football updates here as well as columns, funny sports quotes, injury updates and anything else sports related. If your not already seeing this video just hit the sportspoet link and you will get everything that you need to keep up with your favorite sports teams. Thank you for visiting this site.

Continue reading "Fantasy Football Video by Sportsgirl"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes-September 10"

     Friday Night Lights has come and gone, but the picture at quarterback has only gotten murkier.  Every quarterback made his mark--be it positively or negatively.  In his two series with the first team, Chris Redman, who is commonly projected to start the season at the top of the depth chart threw exactly one completion--to linebacker Michael Boley.  Matt Ryan's first series went three-and-out and included an unspectacular intentional grounding penalty when Boley (again) came through the line and applied pressure.  Ryan rebounded in the first series of the second half, finding Roddy White for a 60-yard TD pass.

Continue reading "Training Camp Checkup: A team with ..."

According to a report on atlantafalcons.com on Tuesday,  11-year veteran defensive lineman Grady Jackson has signed a one-year deal to play for the birds once again. After having success with the Falcons in 2006 under then coach Jim Mora, he was abruptly released in the middle of the 2007 season by then disgruntled coach Bobby Petrino. Labeled by Petrino "as a football decision", Jackson acknowledged on Tuesday with an interview with atlantafalcons.com that Petrino "just didn't know football." Jackson stated there was no other place he wanted to be once Mike Smith signed on to lead the team. Last year when Jackson was released, the Jacksonville Jaguars under then defensive coordinator Smith signed Jackson for the remainder of the year. Jackson helped lead the Jags into the second round of the playoffs where they lost to the New England Patriots.

Continue reading "Big Daddy Jackson lands back in Atlanta"

With training camp less than a day away, every player is expected to be in camp except for two rookies. With all rookies signing a contract, OL Sam Baker and LB Curtis Lofton are the only two out of the rookie class who have not signed the dotted line. Yes, training camp does start tomorrow, and that's when veterans are suppose to report, but rookies report today. Does that mean both Baker and Lofton will show up at Flowery Branch knowing that a contract is in the making? One would only hope so, because of the significant playing time both are expected to have on the playing field. If they both sign by tomorrow, that will mean every player has been signed before training camp for the past two years. Last year under the watchful eye of then general manager and now president Rich McKay, and the new GM Thomas Dimitroff.

Continue reading "All rookies have signed except for two"

Yesterday, Wednesday, July 23, my beloved Falcons hired Georgia Force of the Arena League head coach Doug Plank as a coaching assistant. According to owner Arthur Blank, Plank is going to work on different projects for the team. I hope those projects come down from head coach Mike Smith by telling Plank to help the secondary get better. This position is only going to be seasonal during the NFL season. Hopefully it will be every season if all goes well. Plank will still hold the head coaching position of the Force, which Blank also owns.

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The signing of Robert James does a lot to help the linebacking corps.  Yes, everybody wants James to produce this year.  I do, too.  But James's contributions to the LBs this year will

Continue reading "Signing James Just Makes the Strong Stronger"

     John Clayton's July 9th blog ( http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=clayton_john) about the state of pre-camp signings portends more possible trouble for the Falcons organization leading into training camp on July 25.  Clayton explains that agents trying to get pre-camp signings for first and second round draft picks have encountered what the military calls a snafu.  Without getting too down and dirty, the sticking point in contract talks regards a rule that regulates increases in rookie salaries to 25 per cent, annually.  Agents have made a practice exploiting a loophole in this rule that allows bonus money to be guaranteed for the final year of a contract in a lump sum.  This protects players who bust out of the NFL before their contract expires and helps players who outperform the built-in strictures of their contracts.  However, with the CBA ending in 2011, first and second round picks--who typically sign contracts of four, five, or six years--can't be guaranteed any money because there is no framework in place to do so.  The bottom line: we're at an impasse.    

Continue reading "Unsigned Picks in Unsettling Circumstances"

With training camp just over a week away, there is going to be a push for starting spots in the Falcons young secondary. One key position that is going to get a lot of heat is the vacant corner back spot left available once DeAngelo Hall bolted for the west coast. The front runner so far is second year man from Shippensburg College Brent Grimes. While in college, Grimes posted 140 tackles, and a school record of 38 passes defensed. He also set a conference record of 27 takeaways. Grimes also set the school mark with 82 punt returns for 1,126 yards and fourth all-time in school history with 45 kickoff returns for 1,183 yards.

Continue reading "Falcons' Grimes pushing for vacant corner spot"

ing camp, there are always a lot of question marks for a team in a rebuilding phase.  The 2008 Atlanta Falcons are no exception.  Will Matt Ryan start week 1?  Is Sam Baker an elite (or even starting) left tackle at the NFL level?  Looking beyond these common questions, however, lies another set of questions, the resolution to which will go as far as any other in determining the Falcons success in 2008 and beyond.  These questions revolve around the guys you haven’t heard much about.  That you haven’t heard about them is the scary part.

Continue reading "Paying the Piper: Ghosts of the 2006 ..."

He indirectly stated that the Atlanta Falcons have turned the page. Number 7 is the past and number 2 is the present and the future. I'm not sure if this town will buy the whole spiel but I think new coach Mike Smith will get this team playing solid football. He may be a rookie head coach but he's been in the trenches for years. He is respected and is a solid character guy. He won't bolt the team at sundown and do the Hog Suey dance by midnight. Draft picks aside, I think Mike Smith is the man who will save this team and make Bobby Petrino's garbage a distant memory. The Falcons found a good man to lead their team, and hope has been restored for

Continue reading "I'll take 8-8 this year"

Starting next week, teams around the NFL start to report to training camp where the fun is just beginning. Falcon's rookies report July 25 and veterans stroll in the following day. After a week of grueling practice, Falcon's players will get a little break from practice, but they will still be working towards the season. Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2 will be a time where players and fans will be able to gather and get to know one another. Owner Arthur Blank has deemed this weekend Falcon's All-Access Weekend. In previous years this player fan interaction has taken place at Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. But because of the drought in Georgia, city officials have stopped large gatherings in the park.

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Obviously, this interview was done before the draft, because there was no mention of the Atlanta Falcons. Mayock garnered that Ryan had 19 interceptions in college last year. But also stated th

Continue reading "Would you give your house for QB Matt Ryan?"

Hello everyone!!!! Just want to take this time to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July weekend. Please take a moment out of your weekend to remember the men and women of our country that have sacrified to keep our country free. Thanks everyone.

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Every year around this time all the rookies get together at a certain location and the NFL goes over the "do's" and "don'ts" of being a NFL player. The main topics that are usually discussed are the financial aspects of the game and how to present yourself as a professional.

Continue reading "2008 NFL rookie symposium underway"

stadium that looks more like a marketing ploy than a haven where the home team plays? Well, in the Atlanta Falcons case it is both. As was until this upcoming 2008 season. In the past years, not counting the years Michael Vick was starting quarterback (because the dome was sold out just to see Vick and not the football team) you could not even give away a Falcons ticket because fans could care less about the team.

Continue reading "Falcons finally to play home games in 2008"

The birds inked another 2008 draft choice this past Wednesday by signing six round pick running back Thomas Brown. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

While at Georgia Brown put up some good numbers. The 5-8, 204 pound Brown had 3,767 all-purpose yards, which was fourth best in school history. Brown's total rushing yards were 2,646 with 529 rushing attempts. As a senior in 2007, he put up 779 rushing yards and had a career best 10 TDs.

Continue reading "UGA standout signs with the Falcons"

Before training camps start around the NFL, teams always seem to sign players early, which means they have to let other players go to be in compliance with the 80-man roster set forth by the league. Then when the regular season begins, the roster is divided up between the active roster and the practice squad. The Falcons signed 2008 third round draft choice wide receiver Harry Douglas, and veteran safety Deke Cooper. The team also released offensive tackle Michael Butterworth, defensive end Derrick Jones, safety Jamal Lewis, and offensive lineman Kurt Quarterman.

Continue reading "Falcons sign two, cut four from team"

e, when Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan's name was called third in this years NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, some questioned that he would step in immediately to take over the realm at starting QB. With Chris Redman, Joey Harrington, DJ Shockley, and now Ryan on the depth chart, the starting position is wide open. But with the signing of Ryan to a six-year $72 million contract, one would figure he would step in as starting QB from the get go. But wait just a minute, in your real life, would you rather think about a big purchase, and take your time in deciding, or jump right into it and buy the first thing you see? You probably want to think about it. Same goes for the decision in starting Ryan or letting him grow into the position. Spend the $72 million wisely, don't rush him into the starting position to have him lose confidence or get hurt and possibly end his career. Yes, I know football is a rough sport and injuries happen, but let them happen when he is comfortable lining up under center. It is a faster game between the NFL and college.

Continue reading "Why Falcons' 72 million dollar man ..."

According to many news sources, the Atlanta Falcons this past Tuesday, June 17, released safety Jimmy Williams.
Ever since Williams was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2

Continue reading "Falcons release safety Williams"

Hello sports fans out there. My name is Mark and I just started my first blog. I am new to this type of thing. As you can probably notice, I love sports. I enjoy most any type of sport, but my love is football, either NFL or college. I graduated back in 2000 with a Communication degree and did a little writing after graduation. I enjoy writing and I enjoy sports, so why not combine both. I have a full time job, but trying to get back writing on the side. Take a look at this article I wrote. I believe this is a very good thing to implement for rookies.

Continue reading "NFL Rookies get a taste of the Hall of Fame"