Falconslog2005season

11:39:29 PM EST
Feeling Ecstatic

Rich McKay....I LOVE YOU!!!!

Ohmigod...

I never thought it would happen...but it did...

JOHN ABRAHAM IS AN ATLANTA FALCON! 

We had holes in our D that needed to be adressed....and McKay...God Bless him...he went out and did it!

Chris Crocker....Lawyer Milloy...and now...John Abraham...with E. Hartwell coming back...to go along with Keith Brooking, D. Hall, Patrick Kerney and Rod Coleman....

Our D is going from 22nd to top 5....EASY!  (barring disastrous injuries)....

All we need now is a LT (I personally would like a bigger Guard too)...and we'll be set...

I can hardly wait for Fall to come around again....

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

9:43:02 AM EST
Feeling Ecstatic

McKay....this is what we brought you in for...and you are NOT disappointing as far as I'm concerned!  Keep it up!!!

A proven veteran S that still has some good football in him...Lawyer Milloy just signed with us today...filling in one of our MAJOR holes....YES!!! 

So far everything has gone to plan...just as I listed it on my priority list...1) Re-sign Finneran....DONE! 2) Sign a veteran @ Safety (b/c it's hard for a rookie to come in and make an impact at that position....and when Lawyer Milloy became available...he was my first choice....DONE!

Keep doing what you do McKay...we'll prove all the haters wrong yet!

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

11:53:42 PM EST
Feeling Happy

WELCOME BACK!!!!

Wooo Hoooo!  Finneran re-signed to a 4 year deal!  I've been saying this was a priority and Rich McKay has been listening!!!  Way to get on the same page buddy!  LOL.

Then...as if that wasn't enough...they started making the push for Lawyer Milloy!

If he does sign....it'll all be working out just like I planned!  C'mon Lawyer....we're headed to South Beach next year....hop on board...

and to the J-E-T-S....if you boys can't offer up better than what you're offering for Schaub...you can forget about it!  I'd love to have Abraham though...that's no lie!

 

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

1:07:02 PM EST
Feeling Anxious

Man...it sure didn't take long for teams to start making moves in Free agency did it????

There truly is no off-season...this is why I love football!!!

This is also why it's so hard to predict from year to year what is gonna happen...the face of the league changes so much!

The only FA move we have to report thus far is we lost our LT Kevin Schaffer to the Cleveland Browns...my thoughts:

I liked Kevin Schaffer....but he struggled in pass protection (I haven't really seen anyone who said he didn't) and with an O-line unit that already lacks size...and playing against marquee players in our division constantly (Simeon Rice, Julius Peppers)...this was amplified....maybe he would have/will get better at pass protection...but our FO was right to let him go...noway we should have kept him at that kind of price tag....as is usually the case...I wish him the best in "the mistake by the lake"....

It is a MUST in my opinion....that we re-sign Brian Finneran...c'mon McKay...we need 86 back in black!!!

In other news around the league:

The Chargers are making a HUGE mistake in my opinion to let Brees go in FA and I think it might really bite them in the butt!!!

I can't believe Culpepper wants out of Minnesota....he's really unhappy with Ziggy Wolfe I think....and all that talk about Johnson possibly becoming the guy in Minnesota didn't help either...it will be interested to see where he lands....

Big sigh of relief that Alexander didn't sign with the Panthers....*whew

THe Redskins will have one of the best 1-2 combinations @ WR next year with Santana Moss and Brandon Lloyd.....MAN! 

The Bucs are setting up for the future...but still keeping key veterans like Brooks and Alstott....sucks for us!

2 months to the draft....Michael Huff would be nice....but I gotta feeling we're bringing in Jimmy Williams (we can't leave those VT guys alone)....I'm starting to like that possibility....

as always....GO FALCONS!!!

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

12:26:59 PM EST
Feeling Hopeful

Let's talk about the young prospects for a minute....

 

If anyone watched the Falcons this season...it's apparent we need some help on the defensive side of the ball....however....seeing as the secondary and D-line hasn't gotten started yet (our 2 major concerns)...let's talk about what we have seen....

The Falcons will take a RB at some point during the draft (although I'll scream if it's in the 1st 2 rounds)...Joseph Addai was a guy I thought could drop for us to the 3rd round...injury-prone...but does a lot well....his stock probably jumped after a good 40 time yesterday though...

Jerious Norwood was another guy I liked....and he might have jumped up as well....both of these guys would be good fits in our system....I'm hearing all this talk about Lendale White....but I just don't see it....I know we need a guy to hammer out short yardage situations...but I don't think he's a good fit for our system (like TJ)....I could go on for days about how better off we'd be if we had a smashmouth O-line...but I won't....

Although we aren't in the market for a QB....Jay Cutler has been impressive....this dude benched 225 lbs. 23 times!?!??!?!?!?!  GOOD GRIEF!!!  I was high on this guy....and said he might be the best QB coming out this year.  I stand by that statement 100%!

My dream 1st 3 rounds would go something like this....

1st: Michael Huff

2nd: Jerious Norwood

3rd: Quentin Moses

However...it's just a dream....for now!

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

5:21:51 PM EST

Can't take credit for this...poster on the AFMB posted this...and I thought it was insightful

 

BusBoyIsBack wrote:

Vick had 9 games with a 83.4 passer rating or higher: (We went 5-4)
14 TDs 3 INT 3 Rushing TDs

1) @ Seattle 94.8 passer rating week 2 1 TD 0 INT 11/19 123
2) @ Buffalo 83.4 passer rating week 3 2 TD 1 INT 15/27 167
3) Vs Minnesota 129.7 passer rating week 4 (got hurt) 1 TD 0 INT 6/8 49
4) @ Miami 102.6 passer rating week 10 1 TD 0 INT 22/31 228
5) Vs Green Bay 108.9 passer rating week 11 2 TD 0 INT 1 Rushing TD 20/30 209
6) Vs Tampa Bay 99.2 passer rating week 12 2 TD 0 INT 21/38 306
7) @ Detroit 86.6 passer rating week 13 2 TD 1 INT 12/22 146
8) Vs New Orleans 83.8 passer rating week 14 1 TD 1 INT 2 Rushing TDs 12/23 231
9) @ Tampa Bay 104.8 passer rating week 16 2 TD 0 INT 16/26 161

In those 9 games:
224 attempts 135 completions 1620 yards 60.2 completion percentage 14 TDs 3 INT = 97.7 Passer Rating!




Vick had 6 games with a 58.6 passer rating or lower: We went 3-3
1 TD 10 INT 3 Rushing TDs

1) Vs Philadelphia 55.7 passer rating week 1 0 TD 1 INT 1 Rush TD 12/23 156
2) Vs New Orleans 58.6 passer rating week 6 1 TD 1 INT * 11/23 112
3) Vs Jets 16.3 passer rating week 7 0 TD 3 INT 2 Rushing TDs ** 11/26 116
4) @ Panthers 39.1 passer rating 0 TD 2 INT *** 17/35 171
5) @ Chicago 25.8 passer rating 0 TD 2 INT **** 13/32 122
6) Vs Panthers 56.8 passer rating 0 TD 1 INT ***** 15/24 115

In Those 6 games:
163 attempts 79 completions 48.4 completion percentage 792 yards 1 TD 10 INT = 39.2 Passer Rating

* vs New Orleans Vick re-aggravated the knee injury he suffered during the Vikings game from week 4. Injury hindered his performance in the game but didn’t stop him from being perfect on a final drive of the 4th quarter to set up the game winning field goal. Something that the 58.6 passer rating doesn’t tell you.

** vs Jets Vick was still suffering from the same knee injury and it hindered his performance in this game. Two of Vick’s 2 interceptions came off of the hands of injured Alge Crumpler and the horrid 16.3 passer rating doesn’t factor in Vick’s 2 rushing TDs.

*** Basically Vick’s first bad not due to injury. Terrible day at the office as Chris Draft led the Panthers over a team that was owned by Vick in the past.

**** What can I say -12 degree temperature in a game where no offense looked good. The Falcons were done when Vick after going through his progressions came back to the left side of the field and made a beautiful pass to Michael Jenkins who was drilled inside the ten yard line before the ball popped up in the air and was called an interception. Vick’s other interception came courtesy of throwing into the wind on a play where he had no time to set his feet. As a result Roddy White was terribly under thrown and the ball was picked off. Summary? Neither INT the result of Vick’s inability to throw from the pocket. One was a perfect throw from the pocket with poise and the other was a collapsing pocket throw on the run that was caused by the elements.

***** Vick looked exceptionally well on the first drive before it stalled. Then the Falcons had poor execution the rest of the football game. Vick’s interception came courtesy of a desperation bomb when the Falcons were down several throws. Overall another bad game against the Panthers.

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

11:21:58 AM EST
Feeling Chillin'

Saw this on the message board from another poster (Birdie) and figured I'd post it since so many folks seem to think Vick didn't deserve to be in the Pro Bowl...and don't realize why the players and coaches (as well as the fans) voted him in...

 

Birdie said:

Vick was voted to the Pro Bowl because the players he play against understand the mediocrity he has to work with at the OL and WR (young kids) positions. How this team even contend is beyond me - but no one will give Vick the credit - Thus I will. There is no other QB in the league that does more with less than Michael Vick. His line is adequate at best, his scheme is gimmicky, his WR's are either too young (Roddy, Jenkins), adequate (Finneran), or terrible (D. White). I'll give Dunn some credit, but an Edge, LT, Priest, or LJ would have 2000 yards in this offense, because the backside containment will always flow with Vick - thus taking the backside DE, LB, and CB with him.

Well said!!!

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

11:51:02 AM EST
Feeling Chillin'

If this weekend wasn't a clear indicator of why you can't have success if you don't have protection....I don't know what is...

Let me start by saying...as much of a Vick supporter I am...I know he needs to work on aspects of his game...and he's nowhere near being the passer that Manning and Brady are....

With that being said...

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning got a taste of what life is like taking snaps in Atlanta...The Steelers and the Broncos were all over those 2 guys this weekend...and we saw the results....misfires...underthrows...overthrows...3 and outs...Interceptions...and just seeming out of sorts....Manning said after the game they had "protection issues"....and caught some flack from the media...he didn't point any fingers...he just said what was true...THEY DID HAVE PROTECTION ISSUES!  I couldn't help but laugh and say..."I wonder what he'd be saying if he had to play in Atlanta"....if this team (the Falcons) ever want to have consistent balance in the passing game and running game...they need to make some personnel changes upfront....PERIOD!

As much as it starts upfront on offense....if you don't have a defense that can make a stop....YOU'RE GOING NOWHERE!  Look at the defenses that got into the playoffs this year....Carolina, TB, Chicago, Washington, Steelers, Colts, Broncos, Jacksonville, etc.  Most of the teams in the tournament had a defense that could make a stop...the only one that didn't (Cincy) had a very-high octane offense...and while their D didn't really shut people down...they did create a lot of turnovers...I don't know if our young guys up front on the line are going to get it done...and it will be interesting to see what our front office decides to do (I'm not worried about the safety positions...b/c I'm sure that Scott and Carpenter won't be starting back there next  year)...

Just some thoughts from a Falcons fan...

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

4:53:31 PM EST
Feeling Chillin'

It took me a while to post on this one...I had a ton of work to do...however...I wasn't pressed to show up...after all...our team didn't...

It looked like a few of our guys decided to show up....but in large part...the team didn't....not that I'm not disgusted...but I guess it's a little harder to show up after a heartbreaking loss the week b4 that makes your mediocre season official...and knowing weeks b4 you're out of it and making the last game of the season your SB...

We need a lot of change....a lot of change....I'll comment on that later...I just saw Carson Palmer get carted off and that's HUGE!  So clearly I have to watch this game!

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

5:04:37 AM EST
Feeling Sad

And just like that....we'll be home for the postseason...

for folks that read my blog...forgive my late entry...I've been busy at work...coupled with the amount of time it took me to recover from this heartbreaking loss to TB....but at the end of the day...you can lable me like you'd label my team this season...INCONSISTENT!

Let me talk about our QB...since that's what the media wants to talk about more than anything...

Michael Vick responded well after the loss in Chicago...and played an EXTREMELY good football game overall...apparently Greg Knapp got the message from Alge Crumpler last week...and stopped sending our receivers deep...and leaving 1 passing option...with shaky pass protection...

Although the would be Roddy White TD ended up being huge....I really like what I'm seeing from our WRs....I expect big things in the future from this group!  I think a full offseason and preseason will help Vick adjust to having a WR with the speed Roddy White has...I'd venture to say that White is the fastest WR Vick has played with...and you can tell...b/c he typically underthrows White just a tad when he's beat coverage downfield...

Our D....essentially our Achilles heel this year...Patrick Kerney could be seen blowing up on the sidelines after the Falcons gave up the first TD to the Bucs...it's hard to make out every word...but essentially...it appeared that he said something along the lines of "I'm f*&*ing sick of it!"(x2) "It's like their scared to hit someone...", after watching our secondary do what they've done all season...and take half hearted dives at guys ankles...while they ran right past them as Mike Alstott jumped into the end zone!  That pretty much summed it up!  Our mainstays on D definitely showed up for this one though....Brooking with the INT that we'd score off of....Kerney and Coleman being disruptive in the backfield...D. Hall with the INT late in the 2nd quarter....however....these guys were not enough to overcome our weaknesses on D...late in the 4th and OT...after realizing that Kerney was having his way with Kenyatta Walker (and Steussie after Walker was hurt)...I saw TB do something that Greg Knapp didn't do consistently enough this season.....ADJUST!!!  They sent a TE, and a FB...who both sat behind the line...and waited to give Kerney a bump after he beat the OT...Coleman was taking the double team as usual...and as was the norm this year...with Brady Smith out...the right side of our D line disappeared...

and once again it happened...after having a 7 point lead...with under 4 mins left to play...and the Bucs having to cover most of the field to score a TD....WE LET THEM!  Pitiful!  Absolutely inexcusable!  I was hoping that we'd be in the postseason...but the bottom line is with that defense....there's no way we'd be able to do anything in the postseason!

With that being said...you've got to give the Bucs credit...they're a lot better than folks gave them credit for this season...and they never kept fighting.  It's like Vick said....after recovering the fumble on the kickoff...setting up for an easy FG...only to have it blocked seemed like a sign more than anything....I guess this just wasn't our year!  I hate to second guess playcalls....but on 3rd and 2 in OT...with about a minute left....why not run the ball?  2 yards?  Keep the clock running?  Set up 4th and short in a worst case scenario?  But instead we'll take a shot downfield? (a ball that I definitely thought was catchable)  I just don't understand that one....one thing I do understand though...is some changes have to come if we're going to be the SB contenders we hope to be...

Written by slamee101 Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own