POINT-COUNTERPOINT WEEK 9 - link inside

[Tandy]

Point-Counterpoint: Week 9

By: Daniel Cox | November 2nd, 2010

Every week there’s a rush of information in the days leading up to gameday. Bloggers, TV analysts, reporters, fans … everyone has an opinion, and in the age of hyper-speed new media, everyone’s got a chance to share it.

But sometimes it’s tough to focus through all the noise.

Here we examine three storylines entering Week 9 that you’ll surely hear all about. We present the flipside — the ideas from inside the walls of team headquarters — to suggest what the Atlanta Falcons are thinking of the popular headlines.

What they will say: At 3-0 this season on the road, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are road warriors. Last week’s road win was a shootout, a 38-35 win over the Cardinals, and the upstart Bucs could be ready to come into the Georgia Dome looking for an upset win.

What we’re saying: Under head coach Mike Smith the Falcons are 16-3 at home and are a completely different team than they are anywhere else in the NFL. With a Georgia Dome crowd advantage and a bye week of rest and preparation Atlanta will not lack the necessary intensity to defend their turf.

What they will say: The Falcons have heard Bucs head coach Raheem Morris’ proclamation that his team is the best in the NFC. Some will say Atlanta will pin the statement throughout Flowery Branch to get the team motivated for a tie-breaking NFC South showdown.

What we’re saying: It’s no secret by now, but the Falcons are as even-keel as they come, a trait influenced by Smith, who recently had this to say about Morris’ statement:

“My thoughts are solely on improving our football team and that’s how I approach it each and every week. We’re going to take it one day at a time and we look at what we can do to get better as a football team. It really to me, it doesn’t matter where you’re at each and every week it’s changing, its ever-changing. One week you can be up in someone’s mind as the best team and the next week you can be down the list. Our thought as a football team is to continue to improve each and every week. We have some internal goals of where we want to be and the timeline on those goals are into December and January.”

After a tough loss to the Eagles in Week 6 the Falcons know better than anyone what it’s like to fall back to the NFC pack. Smith’s words may be translated as coach speak, but his team buys into it and approaches each game as if it were their last. There’s little room for bulletin board material in your locker room when your own goals are posted everywhere.

What they will say: The Falcons’ experienced and talented offense should have no problem against Tampa Bay’s young defense, which has given up 38, 31 and 35 to Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Arizona.

What we’re saying: Ask the Falcons about the Bucs’ defense and they’ll tell you they lead the league with 14 interceptions. They’ll remind you that the savvy veteran Ronde Barber, with two interceptions, starts opposite one of the best young corners in the game, Aqib Talib, whose five interceptions is second in the NFL. The 24-year-old defensive back is coming off a game in which he had two picks, one returned for a 45-yard touchdown.

Talented, yes. Naive, no. Atlanta knows what drives Tampa’s defensive effort.

[Peyton]

LOL....I think as fans.....it's time that we admit that Mike Smith is easily, without a doubt, by a wide margin, the most boring interview of any NFL head coach.

Not saying that is a bad thing.

I can't even think of a close second.

[Tandy]

(11-02-2010 10:42 AM)Peyton Wrote:  LOL....I think as fans.....it's time that we admit that Mike Smith is easily, without a doubt, by a wide margin, the most boring interview of any NFL head coach.

Not saying that is a bad thing.

I can't even think of a close second.

Sorry but that goes to Bill "Hoodie" Belichick and it's not even close - although Andy Reid comes to mind.

For that matter, so did Dungy.

Funny thing about all those coaches.

[Peyton]

(11-02-2010 10:47 AM)Tandy Wrote:  Sorry but that goes to Bill "Hoodie" Belichick and it's not even close - although Andy Reid comes to mind.

For that matter, so did Dungy.

Funny thing about all those coaches.

Dungy is retired or he would be in the running. I find interviews with Reid and Blichick a lot more interesting than Smith, maybe because Belichick is constantly doing controversial things even if he isn't saying controversial things. I can't remember the last time Mike Smith said something that was even remotely interesting.

It doesn't change the fact that I think he is a very good coach though. I just think he is a terribly boring interview...by design.

[phocis850]

Could you see Mike Smih...