ATL Sports: Around The ATL 6/13/11

[Zodiac]

I think a lot of times the only discussion about the Falcons is their on the field work and how they've turned things around, how promising Matt Ryan is and how great of a job Coach Smith and Thomas Dimitroff have done. I think we overlook and take for granted the quality of the characters along with talent we have. The Falcons are one of the best teams when it comes to behaving themselves. They also have a very strong locker room. I think this area is taken for granted by many teams, and it only shows up when something bad happens, take Tennesee for example. They have absolutely struggled with off-field issues. Having to Deal with Pacman Jones issues, then Haynesworth, now they have to deal with Cortland Finnegan's and Kenny Britt's antics off the field. In fact Britt has screwed up so bad this offseason some are questioning if he will be with the Titans at the start of the season. When you look at the Titans orginization you'll notice one of two things, they just lost the longest tenured coach in the NFL in Fisher, and they have very little lockeroom presence from their vets. If you look at the Falcons, despite being a very young team with a relatively new coaching staff, they have managed to pull together through the strength and willpower of their veterans. Guys such as Mike Peterson who have been around since the turn of the century, who despite being a FA is using his own money to get a place to hold offseason workouts and is helping pay for the guys to stay over their and other costs. Then you have Tony Gonzalez who is always reaching out to other players and helping them learn, being selfless and providing advice and taking his time to make sure that everyone knows what is happening and what to do when they are in those clutch situations. Everyone raves about Matt and the on the field efforts of this team, but without the locker-room strength and veteran leadership from guys like Tony G. and Mike Peterson, I don't think the Falcons would have the success that they are currently having.


The Braves have really turned things around, they swept the Marlins on the road and are on the verge of sweeping the Astros, not only that they have managed to reel themselves within 2 games of Philadelphia for the lead in the divison. Dan Uggla has really turned it around in the Astros series homering and reaching base 5+ times this series.. the Braves are redhot despite the fact that their entire starting outfield is currently on the DL. Also Jason Heyward started is Rehab assignment at AAA today and should be back in the Majors by this week at the least.

[TeamPlayer1]

Thank you for the update!

[Toronto_Dirty_Bird]

Without our vets, we wouldn't be where we are today

[pauliwood]

(06-14-2011 12:14 AM)Toronto_Dirty_Bird Wrote:  Without our vets, we wouldn't be where we are today

Canada has vets?

[Toronto_Dirty_Bird]

(06-14-2011 12:26 AM)pauliwood Wrote:  Canada has vets?

We do, however, I was speaking about the Falcons

[pauliwood]

(06-14-2011 01:42 PM)Toronto_Dirty_Bird Wrote:  We do, however, I was speaking about the Falcons

Oh, well yea you have a point, we have strong veteran leadership. Thats the main reason I was a little sad to see Erick Coleman go, he was more important in the locker room than on the field