Just spoke to my friend and he told me that he read on a report somewhere that roethlisbergers suspension coudl be shortened to just the four games of the preseason?
has any1 heard this? i hope its not true
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
I couldn’t find the original thread but folks the Hawks are on the verge of elimination in the playoffs and the Braves have lost eight straight games. The Falcons meanwhile are amassing young, hungry talent while sprinkling in some vet leadership and are coming off two winning seasons in a row. I think its painfully OBVIOUS the Falcons are the serious contender of all the Atlanta sports teams.
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
ESPN.com
Remember how the New Orleans Saints ended the 2009 regular season?
The 13-3 Saints stumbled into the postseason after three consecutive losses. Still, only four months after the end of the regular-season campaign, it’s stunning to see that the Saints were rated No. 5 overall in ESPN.com’s NFL Power Rankings that closed last season.
Of course, the Saints found their footing and rumbled to their first Super Bowl title. They’ve also re-established themselves atop our offseason Power Rankings, the latest edition of which you’ll see unveiled below.
The Indianapolis Colts — who occupied the top spot of the 2009 regular-season final rankings — find themselves runners-up to the Saints in this edition. Their Super Bowl loss to the Saints made the No. 2 spot a lock with our experts, who weighed in with their ballots after taking into account offseason moves, including the recently concluded NFL draft.
The Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys round out our offseason top five.
Look for the next edition of our Power Rankings as training camps open in July.
Editor’s note: “LW” indicates each team’s ranking in the Week 18 edition of the 2009 Power Rankings.
2010 Power Rankings: Offseason
RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT
1 (5) Saints 13-3-0 Losing FS Darren Sharper to free agency would be a big blow to the Super Bowl champs. (Sando)
2 (1) Colts 14-2-0 Have the Colts done enough to improve their short-yardage attack? (Kuharsky)
3 (3) Vikings 12-4-0 It all depends on whether Brett Favre still wants to play football. (Chadiha)
4 (2) Chargers 13-3-0 Rookie RB Ryan Mathews will have to produce immediately. (Kuharsky)
5 (4) Cowboys 11-5-0 The Cowboys’ quiet offseason was rewarded when WR Dez Bryant fell to them in the draft. (Clayton)
6 (6) Packers 11-5-0 They retained starting OTs Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton and drafted OT Bryan Bulaga out of Iowa in the first round. QB Aaron Rodgers has to be pleased with his protection. (Chadiha)
7 (11) Ravens 9-7-0 The addition of WRs Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth — along with the return of Derrick Mason — gives the Ravens’ passing game a much-needed boost. (Chadiha)
8 (12) Jets 9-7-0 Rex Ryan closed the gap with a great defense and an improving Mark Sanchez, but you have to wonder whether the Jets overdid it this offseason in releasing Thomas Jones and Alan Faneca. (Clayton)
9 (10) Patriots 10-6-0 Tom Brady is the sheriff in this division, but the gap is closing. The roster is getting younger, but the Pats could still use a pass-rusher. (Clayton)
10 (15) Falcons 9-7-0 Will rookie first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon provide immediate impact at OLB? (Sando)
11 (9) Bengals 10-6-0 QB Carson Palmer needed more help. The Bengals gave it to him through free agency (WR Antonio Bryant) and the draft (TE Jermaine Gresham and WR Jordan Shipley). (Chadiha)
12 (8) Cardinals 10-6-0 The Cardinals will relish being overlooked if people assume the 49ers will overtake them now that Kurt Warner has retired. (Sando)
13 (7) Eagles 11-5-0 The Eagles picked a tough time for Kevin Kolb to take over as quarterback. Their schedule features 11 top-level QBs, including two games against Donovan McNabb. (Clayton)
14 (14) Texans 9-7-0 Expectations, schedule will both be tougher in 2010. (Kuharsky)
15 (19) 49ers 8-8-0 The 49ers’ offensive line is the big story after adding line coach Mike Solari and two first-round picks. Great expectations. (Sando)
16 (16) Titans 8-8-0 The Titans are replacing a lot of leadership all at once. (Kuharsky)
17 (20) Giants 8-8-0 Tom Coughlin is too good a coach to let his Giants drop below .500, but this offseason didn’t make the roster too much better. (Clayton)
18 (18) Panthers 8-8-0 All eyes will be on the Matt Moore-Jimmy Clausen duel at QB. (Sando)
19 (13) Steelers 9-7-0 Their star quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) is suspended for up to six games, and they traded their star receiver (Santonio Holmes) to the New York Jets. What else do you need to know? (Chadiha)
20 (17) Broncos 8-8-0 The main remnants of the Mike Shanahan-era offense are now gone. (Kuharsky)
21 (22) Bears 7-9-0 They signed DE Julius Peppers, but there isn’t much else to like about their offseason. (Chadiha)
22 (21) Dolphins 7-9-0 Brandon Marshall will add big plays to the Dolphins’ offense, and an easier schedule should allow them to get back over .500. (Clayton)
23 (29) Redskins 4-12-0 Adding Donovan McNabb legitimizes the Redskins and could make them playoff contenders. Finally, Dan Snyder has a franchise quarterback. (Clayton)
24 (26) Raiders 5-11-0 Improving with the addition of QB Jason Campbell and a good draft. (Kuharsky)
25 (23) Jaguars 7-9-0 The Jags’ defensive line is almost completely rebuilt. (Kuharsky)
26 (27) Seahawks 5-11-0 The Seahawks are basking in the glow of a well-received draft, but it’s still not clear how this team will generate an outside pass rush. (Sando)
27 (25) Browns 5-11-0 Their best acquisition was executive Mike Holmgren. The third-round selection of QB Colt McCoy will help down the road. (Chadiha)
28 (24) Bills 6-10-0 The decision to switch to a 3-4 defense ate up draft resources the Bills could have used to fix the offensive line and upgrade the quarterback position. (Clayton)
29 (28) Chiefs 4-12-0 Drafting FS Eric Berry, RB Dexter McCluster adds dynamic elements. (Kuharsky)
30 (30) Buccaneers 3-13-0 Rookie DTs Gerald McCoy and Brian Price will be given chances to make an immediate impact for the Bucs. (Sando)
31 (31) Lions 2-14-0 The first-round selections of DT Ndamukong Suh and RB Jahvid Best indicate the Lions are adding the right pieces to their roster. (Chadiha)
32 (32) Rams 1-15-0 The big question in St. Louis is how long the Rams should wait before feeding QB Sam Bradford to teams better than the Lions. At least a few games on the sideline would likely help. (Sando)
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
link
Q: Take me back to last Thursday, when you got the call from the Falcons. When did you finally know you were going to be their choice?
A: The Titans had just picked at 16, and right when they picked their guy (Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan), the Falcons called me. I think they were considering Morgan and myself, whichever one of us would still be there. They called me when the Steelers were on the clock (at 18) and said, “We’re going to take you with this upcoming pick unless we trade out.” It was (Director of Player Personnel) Les Snead, one of the front office guys. I told him, “Come get me. Come get me. Don’t trade back.” He said, “We’re going to get you unless we trade, but we’ll call you right back.” I told him, “No, don’t call me back. I can hold on. … I trust you, but I just want to stay on the phone. I can wait.” I asked if I could talk to the general manager, Thomas Dimitroff, and Mr. Dimitroff said they were going to take me with this pick. He said, “Welcome to the Atlanta Falcons.” At this point, the Steelers were just making their pick, and Mr. Dimitroff put me on with Coach (Mike) Smith, and then I talked to (Owner) Arthur Blank. They all said it’s a great fit and they were excited for me to be a Falcon. So, I actually tweeted it before it came across the screen.
Q: I think your tweet actually beat the commissioner to the podium.
A: Yeah, before he got to the podium. I knew they were going to take me. It was just an exciting time. I had their hat on hand already, and all my family was right there. They were all crying when I was on the phone. When I told them I was going to be a Falcon, they got all excited. They were waiting for the commissioner to say my name, and when he finally said it, the room went crazy.
Q: The next day, you had the chance to take your mom with you to the team headquarters. How much did that experience mean to you?
A: That was awesome. She’s been there since Day One, and she’s my biggest supporter and my biggest fan. To have her there and to see the look on her face when they introduced me and to take pictures with her holding the No. 1 jersey, it was just a great time for her and myself. We got to fly there on Mr. Blank’s private jet, and that was a new experience for her. The jet is basically like a limo that flies. It’s first class everything, so it was definitely a little different. Just to have her there with me was amazing.
Q: Did you get a chance to meet any new teammates?
A: I got a chance to talk to (linebacker) Curtis Lofton, and we talked about our Big 12 days and talked about some of the things that we can bring to the team playing together. I also got a chance to visit with my boy Willy Mo. He came and picked me up and showed me around. He actually took me to a barbershop, so I think I’ve already got a place to get my hair cut.
Q: You’ve gone with jersey No. 56. Any significance to that number, or was that all they had left?
A: Well, there wasn’t many numbers open I could choose from. Fifty-six is a number a lot of great linebackers have worn, like Lawrence Taylor. Then you’ve got Keith Brooking, who used to play for the Falcons. I wanted to go 55, but (defensive end) John Abraham has that one. I couldn’t get that because he’s the vet of the defense, so I figured I could get something close to that. I’m just excited to be wearing a jersey, period. And last year, Brian Cushing (of the Houston Texans) wore 56 and he had pretty good luck with it, so hopefully I’ll have good luck with it.
Q: Contract talks will happen eventually, but just looking at last year’s draft class, your former roommate, Jeremy Maclin was the 19th pick and got almost $10 million guaranteed. Have you wrapped your brain around how much money is about to come your way?
A: It’s crazy. I really haven’t. I just told my agent to get me more money than Jeremy got. That’s my goal. (Laughter). I haven’t really thought about it that much yet. It’s pretty exciting and crazy all at once. Everything’s moving so fast now, but I know when the contract negotiations start, that’s when things start moving slow. I’m just looking forward to getting into minicamp and getting a role and then hopefully getting to camp on time. That’s the main goal.
Q: You played with so much charisma at Missouri and became the face of the program last year. How is that style going to work when you’re a rookie? Will you have to tone down your personality when you’re playing with veterans who have been in the league for 10 years?
A: I think it’ll be different from the aspect that I have to come in and earn the respect of the older guys. That’s the only thing. I want to come in and let them know that I’m here to do whatever they need me to do for us to be successful. I want to go in and earn my spot of being a leader. The coaches say they love my enthusiasm and that’s what a good defense needs. I still want to be that fiery dude out there having fun and making plays and having a good time out there. That’s what football is all about. I know it’s a business now, but you can’t take the fun part out of it, or you won’t like what you’re doing. I’m looking forward to becoming one of the guys and becoming a leader on the defense. I don’t know what it’s going to be like as a rookie. I know I’ll get hazed a little bit, but that should be funny and I’m looking forward to that, too.
Q: You know the words to the Mizzou fight song, right?
A: No doubt, no doubt. I already told the media down there that they better not make me sing because that’s something I’ve always liked to do. That’ll be easy.
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
Adam Schefter said WE were a bad team….http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp71/SmokeATL25/Gwtf2.gif How is that even possible? We went 9-7 with most our starters hurt all year and the 3rd toughest schedule….How can we be labeled a bad team last year….Schefter put down the pipe buddy
RT @rockchalk1985: who of last years bad teams will be the most improved team this year? … Falcons, Redskins, Chiefs, 49ers, Seahawks.
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
has no pictures of Matt Ryan. So much for being the “neighborhood” bar and grill. I upper decked their toilet
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
I hope everybody on the team feels this way this season.
TE Gonzalez says Falcons ‘underachieved’ last season.
TagsFalconsNFC SouthTony Gonzalez (24072)Yahoo
Posted April 29, 2010 @ 4:47 p.m. ET
By Dan Parr
The Falcons are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, but no one from the team seemed satisfied with that accomplishment after missing the playoffs in 2009. TE Tony Gonzalez, who is heading into his second season with Atlanta, told PFW he expects better results from the Falcons in 2010.
“I would definitely say we underachieved (last season),” Gonzalez said. “There were a lot of games we let slip away, at least two of them we should have won. A lot of teams are saying that, (with our) kicking problems and all that (stuff). But I expect a lot more out of us this year. We’ve had a year to work together, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But definitely last year was a learning experience for us, and it’s a young football team.”
RB Michael Turner and QB Matt Ryan missed time in the second half of last season with injuries, which didn’t help the Falcons’ cause, but they’re back in good health. Atlanta is considered the team most likely to challenge the Saints for the NFC South title.
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
KOLB gets 12.5 million for 3 good games. WTF
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
It first became apparent in the last quarter of this past regular season, starting with the Saints game. It was a tough loss, but well played and finished the season with 3 straight wins.
During those last 4 games it seemed that the coaching staff were making more effective in game/halftime adjustments. The lights started coming on for Grimes (he’ll start opposite of Robinson IMO)and Owens getting good game experience. Snelling showing that he is a quality backup, and more solid depth in Redman. Overall we looked like we had better chemistry. I think it was said here that we may have peaked too late, I agree with that.
Then, we picked up Robinson in FA to guarantee the improvement in our secondary. And last but not least the draft, where I think the first two picks Spoon and Peters are impact players. We got good depth on the Oline and I heard good things about Johnson after we picked him up. I also think that Meier will play a great role, eventually.
To sum up, IMO these things will carry over momentum next season and into the playoffs, making it tough for any team to play us.
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs
Atlanta Falcons
2nd NFC South (9-7-0)
Select Season:
Complete NFL Schedule
Regular Season
Wk Date Game Stadium Time (ET) Tickets Network DIRECTV SIRIUS Westwood One
1 Sep 12 ATL @ PIT W
2 Sep 19 ARI @ ATL W
3 Sep 26 ATL @ NO L
4 Oct 03 SF @ ATL W
5 Oct 10 ATL @ CLE W (we better win)
6 Oct 17 ATL @ PHI W
7 Oct 24 CIN @ ATL L
8 Bye
9 Nov 07 TB @ ATL W
10 Nov 11 BAL @ ATL L
11 Nov 21 ATL @ STL W
12 Nov 28 GB @ ATL L
13 Dec 05 ATL @ TB W
14 Dec 12 ATL @ CAR W
15 Dec 19 ATL @ SEA L
16 Dec 27 NO @ ATL L
17 Jan 02 CAR @ ATL W
At the end of the Season i see us going 10-6. Not sure if we win the Division. Saints are still a decent team. IMO
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs