tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352Sat, 17 May 2008 10:03:19 +0000http://falcfans.com/blog/noreply@blogger.com (Aaron)Blogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-2726536141340587265Sat, 17 May 2008 00:30:00 +00002008-05-16T20:40:01.910-04:00I was reading a blog by Mike Florio (of ProFootballTalk.com) posted on The Sporting News, that made mention of the Falcons making the seventh worst move of the off-season by drafting Matt Ryan over Glenn Dorsey. I won't dispute whether Dorsey was the better pick/player, but I disagree wholeheartedly with the notion that the gulf between the two is so significant that it makes taking Dorsey a "http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/05/ryan-is-worth-risk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-1578909241731573329Sat, 10 May 2008 12:07:00 +00002008-05-10T08:10:51.663-04:00Don Banks discussed the ramifications of the 80-man roster limit in this most recent article on SI.com. It's a good read, and while it may seem rather trivial to the casual fan, it does have perhaps significant ramifications for all teams and the Falcons in particular. By my current count, the Falcons have 91 players on their roster, which includes their 11 draft picks. So that means, that for http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/05/roster-limit-could-hurt-falcons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-6160158169547559042Fri, 02 May 2008 13:08:00 +00002008-05-02T09:09:46.979-04:00Well if you don't know, our new first round pick Matt Ryan is represented by super-agent Tom Condon, who is a sort of guru among agents for quarterbacks. He represented Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Byron Leftwich, and Drew Brees. And what do all of these guys have in common? They all held out trying to get their contracts done. That's Condon's go-to move. Hold out his player. Granted, I don't http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/05/holdout-begins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-5649166131054005247Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:17:00 +00002008-04-28T09:17:45.411-04:00Let me start out by saying I don't love this draft. But i do like it. I do think this is a nice start for the Dimitroff and Smith era. I really like the Matt Ryan pick. I've been firmly on the Matt Ryan bandwagon since the BC-Georgia Tech game this past season. I think we got a really solid quarterback that is going to be a leader for this team. The way I'd describe Ryan is Carson Palmer in Matthttp://falcfans.com/blog/2008/04/feeling-good-about-08-draft-class.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-494721518176154978Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:33:00 +00002008-04-23T13:35:23.542-04:00I did a Top 20 draft board last year, but this year I actually did some scouting myself. Last year's board was based off some limited scouting, but a big part of it was the work done by the so-called experts, and basing it off a plethora of their opinions. Not this year, these rankings reflect my own viewpoints. Some top prospects are omitted, and that's because I simply didn't see them play thishttp://falcfans.com/blog/2008/04/2008-big-board.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-1775220822285911776Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:05:00 +00002008-03-21T09:11:42.218-04:00This is a good trade for both the Raiders and Falcons. The Falcons were able to get something substantial for a player that wasn't going to be a long-term solution in Atlanta. Now with another second round pick, the Falcons have a lot of draft day ammunition. They can stand pat, and take a very good player with pick No. 34, or they can package it with other picks in order to move back into Round http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/03/hall-trade.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-2894286328377225846Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:24:00 +00002008-03-11T01:26:20.209-04:00...In regards to improving the offensive line. Granted, there is still plenty of time for moves to be made, but the crop of available offensive linemen is comparatively slim to what it was a week ago. Right now, the only free agents that might be worth the Falcons efforts are guards Larry Allen or Chris Naeole. And Allen is contemplating retirement, and Naeole is coming off a severe enough quad http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/03/falcons-have-missed-boat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-4905533311394774534Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:28:00 +00002008-03-06T15:29:11.768-05:00It was reported that when the Browns re-signed Anderson to his three-year contract, the first of his bonuses was deferred until April. Why does that matter? Because it means the Browns can trade him between now and then without any cap consequences. When the Browns traded Leigh Bodden, it opened up a hole at cornerback. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think the Browns plan to go into this season http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/03/derek-anderson-still-option.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-5124749753082402086Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:29:00 +00002008-03-04T00:34:24.115-05:00I'm not a fan of this signing. I'm sorry, I know I'm crazy. I know 98% of my fellow Falcon fans are all excited and giddy and were on the verge of not renewing their season tickets until this move, but I'm not among them. I think the Falcons paid a high premium for what will essentially amount to a non-factor. No, I don't think Turner is crappy, but he's nothing special. The running position is http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/03/can-burner-justify-his-contract.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-5138148483259485369Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:19:00 +00002008-02-24T12:37:53.439-05:00The Miami Herald reported on Saturday about the possibility of the Falcons dealing DeAngelo Hall to the Dolphins as part of a bid to get the Dolphins less than coveted No. 1 overall draft pick. The immediate presumption I'm more many would make is that the Falcons would be trading up to get Boston College QB Matt Ryan. But I'm hear to suggest that if such a move were made, the Falcons should http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/02/trading-up-to-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-740732939505753242Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:05:00 +00002008-02-24T02:08:24.538-05:00 Why? Not because he's short on talent. In fact, he's probably the most talented player in this draft class. But for two reasons, the first of which is because he plays running back. And while running back certainly is an important position on the football field, it hasn't quite shown that it's a pivotal piece to team building. Looking over the past decade or so at the elite running backs, and http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/02/just-say-no-to-mcfadden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-360851340304229994Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:35:00 +00002008-02-13T08:35:41.610-05:00I've been thinking about this for quite a while now, and our top needs are left tackle, quarterback, and running back IMO. We have the chance to get the best tackle in this draft with our first round pick, and no one is really talking about it. Do they realize how great of a leader Jake Long is? He has average footwork, and he might be projected as a right tackle to some, but if we needed to, we http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/02/draft-prospects-jake-long.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M. Libid)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-2249717694555334016Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:43:00 +00002008-01-24T02:43:54.181-05:00I'm sure you've been patiently waiting for my assessment of the Mike Smith hire, well here it is... I'm fine with it. I'm not blown away, nor will I be crying myself to sleep tonight. It's a really even keel move if you ask me. I see this guy as a John Fox clone. From everything I've read and seen about him, he seems very "Fox-esque." And it's interesting to note that before the season ended, http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/01/mike-smith-it-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-829456883750857673Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:55:00 +00002008-01-15T01:55:49.363-05:00So now, there are two reports from ESPN's Len Pasquarelli saying that Rex Ryan and Jason Garrett are set for a second batch of interviews either Monday night or Tuesday. Frankly, I'm not that impressed. Well, let me stipulate that by saying if the Falcons have a head coach by Wednesday I won't be too impressed. I want to see an extensive search! The six candidates that interviewed for the job http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/01/were-we-lied-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-5217645173266845960Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:51:00 +00002008-01-11T15:57:13.724-05:00I'm betting there might be one or two people out there curious to hear me weigh in on this coaching search. Well, here goes... Frankly, I don't care. I really don't. I think unless you're lucky enough to hire a proven winner like Marty Schottenheimer or Bill Cowher, then anyone you hire is going to be a calculated risk. And I don't really buy into the notion of the "Super Coach." If you don't http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/01/coaching-search.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-5033961872390236654Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:25:00 +00002008-01-06T12:26:13.416-05:00Well, the season is over and the Falcons were able to end on a bright note. I know thousands of Falcon fans are upset because it might have cost them their chance to get Darren McFadden. Oh well, the Falcons weren't going to draft DMac anyway, so ha! But that's another blog entry... OFFENSE Quarterback - Redman had his moments at the end of the year, and proved he was the best of a poor bunch http://falcfans.com/blog/2008/01/year-end-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-1677557577541709379Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:10:00 +00002007-12-23T11:42:25.590-05:00In a nutshell, turnovers from the offense and a special teams breakdown blew the game wide open in the first half and then the run defense was gashed in the second half. When you have the ball for only 17 minutes, you just aren't going to win. When watching live, I noticed Devaney was sitting to the right of Blank instead of McKay. Knowing now that Blank pursued Parcells, it may have been thathttp://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/game-14-at-tampa-bay-buccaneers-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cappy)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-2549996755986072507Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:53:00 +00002007-12-22T11:35:18.482-05:00This was just miserable and the day after Petrino decides to walk out on everyone. After hearing the news of his departure, I just about decided not to continue the reviews this season because whatever we see won't much matter since everything will be changing. However, these next few games may tell a lot about the players we have and more importantly, the players we don't have. So unlike http://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/game-13-vs-new-orleans-saints-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cappy)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-6730303536364793296Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:46:00 +00002007-12-15T16:48:37.969-05:00Alright, to finish up my lengthy assessments, I'm going to be looking at linebackers, the secondary, and special teams. LINEBACKERS My Assessment: Boley might make the Pro Bowl this year, and he right now is the only guy here that is worth a damn. He makes plays and is active, and usually when we need to make a stop, he's the guy that often steps up to get it down. But Boley is no elite http://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/alright-to-finish-up-my-lengthy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-5129924483192924624Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:50:00 +00002007-12-14T20:51:51.872-05:00Okay, I talked about the skill positions yesterday, now it's on to my assessments and recommendations for both the offensive and defensive lines... OFFENSIVE LINE My Assessment: One of the benefits of all the injuries we've had this year was that we have been able to develop our depth and get some young guys some much needed reps. If injuries are to occur down the road, these same players http://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/sitting-in-war-room-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-6281039483413226025Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:01:00 +00002007-12-13T22:16:14.063-05:00At the beginning of February, when the 18-0 Patriots are taking on either the Cowboys or Packers in a much hyped Super Bowl XLII, the folks in Flowery Branch will instead be seated in a room full of coffee and donuts going over this year's roster and figuring who stays, who goes, and who is going to be coming to join this debacle. This is my account on the input I would give if I was able to sithttp://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/sitting-in-war-room-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-491354314434705894Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:56:00 +00002007-12-09T21:41:57.555-05:00The first 3 quarters were almost impossible to watch again but the last quarter made it worth it. It wasn't a win but I believe we got a glimpse of what this offense is truly capable of. In hindsight, perhaps going for it on 4th and 7 at the 9 wasn't the right decision and should have opted for a FG instead but it's really hard to say because field position would have changed, the INT might nothttp://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/game-12-at-st-louis-rams-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cappy)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-935670609646228595Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:03:00 +00002007-12-05T14:07:20.549-05:00We saw on Sunday against the Rams how experience in an offense can make up for a lack of talent. I'm referring not to Chris Redman, but Gus Frerotte. Unfortunately, we can't wait another two or so years for one of our current passers to be proficient in Petrino's offense like Frerotte is in Linehan's. I guess my one hope can be that Redman can turn things around in the coming weeks, but I'm not http://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/fixing-mess-at-qb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-8138188217117533964Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:30:00 +00002007-12-05T13:33:24.000-05:00Okay, so the Falcons are 3-9 and just have one month to go until the end of the season. Hopefully they can get their act together and pull out one or two more victories before this thing is done. OFFENSE Quarterback - Harrington and Leftwich did nothing over the past three weeks, and now Chris Redman with his surprisingly good performance in the fourth quarter against the Rams has a legit http://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/three-quarters-season-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aaron)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20664352.post-7850104611746421681Sun, 02 Dec 2007 01:52:00 +00002007-12-01T23:26:38.741-05:00This one started out good (despite a 3/9 start by Harrington) but two missed opportunities in the end zone followed by an offense stuck in stall and the Colts offense getting on track ended up killing us. As for the running into the punter call, I don't like it but technically that's the rule. Here's what I saw: Offense: Running game: Dunn (17/70), Snelling (4/6), Norwood (6/33), Mughelli (1/http://falcfans.com/blog/2007/12/game-11-vs-indianapolis-colts-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cappy)