NFL - Atlanta Falcons 2008 - KOD

[THE KOD]

NFL ATLANTA FALCONS 2008

Well it't that time of the year again. It honestly seems to take longer and longer to get some NFL action on each year.

Even though there is alot of games, its still nice to know a big game is coming on and your excited about watching it. At least that't how I get just before pre-season games.

I havn't missed a preseason game of the Falcons in many years. Its the start of school and you have to go to class to hope to be a A student.

As always I do not wager on pre-season games unless you just enjoy giving your money away. Pre-season football is for watching & learning.

I will be playing alot of the Falcon games this year. It was much harder for me when Vick was in Atlanta as he coulld be sporadic and unpredictable.

With the new season and alot of people predicting the Fallcons to run the table at 0-16.

I do not believe that. And I am not speaking as a fan, because really I don't care if the Falcons win or lose, as long as I win the wager.

It seems simple enough

I am excited about prospects for the coming NFL campaign.

I smell money and it smells green .

KOD

 

[THE KOD]

Week 1 training camp observations
By Steve Wyche | Friday, August 1, 2008, 02:22 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flowery Branch - As the team prepares for a full-scale scrimmage tonight at Mill Creek High School, here are some observations after a week of training camp:

? QB Matt Ryan might not have the strongest arm, but he is completing passes because of his timing. There will be times he misfires or throws an interception because he can?t zip the ball into a tight window, but he looks a lot better now than he did in mini camp. He seems to recognize the speed of players better and his familiarity of the system has improved. He has improved as much as any player on the team over the past few months.

Let's face it Redman is going to be the starting QB with Shockley a close second and then Ryan.

Redman is just too good and he did alot of growing up as a QB last year. No way Ryan steps up and beats him in his rookie season.


? That said, veteran QB Chris Redman still looks the most at ease and has done nothing to hurt his chances of opening the season as the starter.

Redman showed me alot in the last part of the season. He is a confident QB and has good control of the game. He is not blazing fast but he is Doug Flutie quick at getting away at times, and thats a good thing.

And with Shocky in the wings, or coming in on third downs at times, QB may be not the big worry. Let Ryan carry the cliipboard for a year.
Don't throw the guy to the wolves like the Falcons have done to many of their QBs.

Shocky is a capable NFL QB. I am worried about his knee, but its time to stand up and take it, and win some playing time. Go all out. I like the guy and his overall attitude.

The Falcons did it to Vick .Put him in with a untested offensive line and sat back to watch the fireworks. Vick did the only thing he knew to do, and that was run with the ball.




? Upstart RG Harvey Dahl, who was moved into the starting lineup during summer workouts, is not buckling under pressure and could make his competition with incumbent Kynan Forney the most heated on the team. The shift to Dahl appeared to start as a motivational ploy to get Forney, who struggled some last season. going. Forney has played fairly well but Dahl seems to have stepped up to the challenge. It will be interesting to see how Dahl performs against players from opposing teams. If he plays well, he could be the guy.

? Don?t expect the tight ends to catch many passes. The group assigned to replace Alge Crumpler by committee is made up pf blockers. The unit, led by Ben Hartsock and Martrez Milner, hasn?t consistently caught the ball and doesn?t appear to be a huge part of the game plan. They won?t be neglected but they might combine to total the 42 catches made by Crumpler in ?07.

? Rookie WR Harry Douglas could be the real deal. He is a fearless route runner who gets open and makes catches. He should get plenty of catches out of the slot and make up for some of the possible lack of production from the tight end spot.
Alot of excitement in canp about this rookie. The Falcons have needed this for awhile. Roddy White has bigside potential after a few years of getting used to what its like playing NFL football .
Word from camp is Harry smacked one of the veterans in the mouth and the vet just layed back doing nothing. The kid is going to be a star


? WR Brian Finneran, who missed the past two seasons after tearing the ACL in the same knee, is making a strong case to be retained. Not only is he catching the ball but also he?s re-established himself as a reliable special teams player. That is crucial for any non-starting wide receiver trying to make the team.

Brian Finnerman on special teams. I dont think so. You want him to blow out both knees put him in on kickoffs.

He is a veteran receiver with above average catching ability. He was Vicks go to guy.

Keep him and use him in spot situations. It will only make the Falcons a better team with him around. Everyone seems to have good things to say about him and how he has come back strong.


? The Falcons are still unsure of what?s going to happen with WR Joe Horn. Horn has missed the past few practices with a sore hamstring, which is prompting him to miss more time. Horn, who wants to be traded, skipped summer workouts. The Falcons say they want him to compete for playing time but can?t because he?s hurt. His $2.5 million salary is guaranteed so the team would have to eat the salary if it cut him. There has been little interest in terms of trades. This situation is going to get more interesting over the next few weeks.


The Falcons will release Horn. If it comes down to Horn and Finnerman , you got to see a healthy Finnerman fitting in.

? It is hard to get a read on the defensive line, since so many players - Jamaal Anderson, Jonathan Babineaux and John Abraham - have missed practice time with injuries and personal matters. Grady Jackson hasn?t done much since signing earlier this week. Anderson, last season?s first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall), returned a day ago and he has to step up. The Falcons are going to need a pass rush to protect the young secondary and Anderson can?t go much more time without being a threat.
Anderson better start producing some sacks. No sacks all last season :shrug: How does that happen? Unless your not strong enough to get by the first block.

Defensive line is a big worry. Grady Jackson may not help that much. Its hard to read this right now.
? FS Erik Coleman has been solid in coverage, which has been sorely missed at that position for years. He?s also a big hitter, who has yet to cut loose.

The backfield is in a precarious situation. They get rid of their best corner to Oakland, there is a God in Al Davis. and thanks for taking him off our hands. Depending on this group is going to take the Falcons down this year. They will play hard but there is no all star players back there. Just hope they all like to tackle because there will be many open holes the opposing backs will be running through.


? Rookie CB Chevis Jackson could turn out to be the most physical player on the team at his position and should emerge as the starting nickel back. Jackson loves to get his hands on receivers and annoy them. His long arms also allow him to close gaps and compensate for his lack of ideal speed.

? Though the goal might be for rookie Curtis Lofton to start at middle linebacker, second-year player Tony Taylor could delay Lofton?s entrance. Taylor has shown the physicality and the smarts to play the position and he seems to have good chemistry going with outside ?backers Keith Brooking and Michael Boley.

? Rookie running back Thomas Brown has been very impressive. If he stays healthy he should make the team as a kickoff returner and third option at tailback. His shiftiness, toughness and different running style from Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood make him a nice complement. Second year tailback Jason Snelling isn?t going to go quietly but Brown?s versatility and running style could be the difference maker.

? Backup DBs David Irons and Daren Stone, who seemed to be headed in the right direction as rookies last season, could be losing ground. Irons, a standout special teams player, is rotating with the third defensive unit along with Stone, who was demoted from No. 2 strong safety with the acquisition of veteran Deke Cooper.

The Falcons? personnel department likely won?t be idle with this roster as the preseason progresses. It will be tracking receiver-type tight ends and veteran cornerbacks that could give them some security, at least, in nickel packages.

One of those veteran corners won?t be Philadelphia?s Lito Sheppard. Atlanta wants to stay relatively young and build through the draft for the most part, according to some folks with the team.

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[THE KOD]

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Oh Falcons , Falcons ...yooo whuuu

giggles, giggles


PS just needed to get this one out of the way early

 

[THE KOD]

I am hoping to see alot of these in 2008

 

[THE KOD]

 

[THE KOD]

Falcons open doors to new-look Georgia Dome

By TIM TUCKER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/01/08


Some 3,500 gallons of paint have been applied, 61,700 new seats installed and 100,000 man hours worked.

MORE GEORGIA DOME
New chef brings fresh items



Falcons fans can see the result Saturday: a new-look Georgia Dome.

The Falcons will hold a simulated game and open house in the Dome, beginning at noon, and fans might do a double-take at how much the place has changed since last season.

Gone: the teal and mauve color scheme that had adorned the building since its opening 16 years ago.

In its place: a red-and-black scheme that mirrors the Falcons' colors, the red painstakingly matched to that in the team's logo.

"It's a complete rebranding," said Dave Cohen, the Falcons' vice president of sales. The new look, he said, is designed to convey the message, "home of the Falcons."

It is not a subtle message.

The exterior of the Dome has been repainted in Falcons colors, and the interior ? aside from the green field ? has been soaked in Falcons red and black.

All of the familiar teal seats have been removed and replaced with red seats on the upper and lower levels and black seats on the mezzanine level behind the end zones. (And what happens to 61,700 used teal seats, you ask? The seating contractor allowed a credit for them and plans to re-use them in high school, college or minor-league stadiums.)

Complementing the Dome's new seats, thousands of gallons of paint have been applied ? black on the walls at the top of the soaring stadium; black on the railings in the aisles; red on, among many other places, the bathroom stalls.

Other changes include concourses with new track lighting, new signage, new concessions kiosks and more than 350 new flat-screeen TVs.

Unexpected work also was required to repair damage from the tornado that hit the Dome during the SEC men's basketball tournament in March.

The Dome renovations are a joint project by the Falcons and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which runs the state-owned facility. The latest changes represent Phase 2 of the project, which began last year with renovation of the suites and lounge areas, installation of new dark gray cushioned seats in the club sections and addition of LED video boards. A third phase is under discussion for next year.

Some $45 million has been spent so far ? $25.5 million on Phase 1 ($24 million by the Falcons and $1.5 million by the Georgia World Congress Center) and $19.5 million on Phase 2 ($6 million by the Falcons and $13.5 million by the GWCC).

Despite the investments, aimed at updating a facility that opened in 1992, Falcons owner Arthur Blank has said the team will need a new stadium when its lease expires. The lease runs until the bonds that financed the Dome's construction are paid off, projected to be sometime between 2016 and 2020.

The latest round of renovations will be on display today when the Falcons host "Roam the Dome," an open-to-the-public event that will include a simulated game, autograph session, stadium tours, and on-field skills games in which fans can participate.

Admission is free, but the Falcons hope to use the occasion to sell season tickets. Available seats will be marked.

In the aftermath of a disastrous 2007, the Falcons saw a sharp drop in season-ticket renewals. The team says it has found new season-ticket buyers for more than 13,000 of the vacated seats and have "a few thousand" more to sell.

"We are hopeful that for most, if not all, of the games, the [TV] blackout will be lifted," Cohen said. Under NFL rules, sellouts are required for home games to be televised locally.

Cohen acknowledges a remodeled stadium alone doesn't sell tickets, but he hopes fans see the Dome renovations as part of a larger theme.

"This year is a brand new start," he said, "with a new coach, a new general manager, a new quarterback we drafted and a new Dome."
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[THE KOD]

Setting the Scene

This is the Falcons fourth training camp at their pristine practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., which is a 45-minute drive up I-85 from Atlanta. The atmosphere is carnival-like in a good way, with hundreds of kids lining the field in face paint and waving Falcon fans under their chins in the 92-degree heat. It beats the circus that descended on the Branch last year. "Do you see PETA protestors in red paint lined up at the gates? Do you see any planes with banners flying overhead?" asked team president Rich McKay, pointing skyward, in a Panama Jack hat. "You could say things are a little quieter this year. We'll take it."

Owner Arthur Blank got rid of everyone who gave him agita last season, including outspoken veterans DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler. And while you can still buy Hall and Crumpler jerseys on the clearance rack at the entrance of the field, there is no sign of Michael Vick's former NFL best-selling jersey. They were donated to World Vision charity and sent to the country of Georgia -- the same charity that sent the Patriots 19-0 shirts to Guatemala. So while there's a whole new set of Georgians wearing Vick's No. 7, these Georgians perched on the hill at camp are ready to move on and see what the new flock can do.

Three Observations

1. Ryan vs. Redman (and Harrington and Shockley for that matter). Coach Mike Smith said there's an open competition for the QB job and he's been true to his word thus far, rotating each QB for first team snaps. Chris Redman looks like he's having the time of his life, firing the ball with the confidence that comes from 10 TDs in four starts at the end of last season. Cerebral Matt Ryan has also impressed with his quick pickup of the playbook as a rookie, while Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley are battling for the third spot.

Smith will most likely start Redman, especially with unproven rookie Sam Baker starting at left tackle and guarding the QB's blindside. The threat of Ryan's endorsement ready cheekbones getting smashed into the field turf is too great a risk until the line's ability is proven.

2. No matter the QB, he'll have a reliable target in Roddy White. The man has serious speed off the line and can separate from defenders. He was eighth in the league last year with more than 1,200 receiving yards, and he doesn't look like he's lost a step. He's been spending extra time with Ryan whenever he gets a chance, explaining that, "I know Matt's our future, so the more I socialize with him off the field, the better we'll be at connecting when we're on it."

3. The players heart Mike Smith. "When I compare coaching regimes, last year was like being locked up in prison for seven months and this year is like lying on the beach under an umbrella with a Corona in your hand," said linebacker Keith Brooking, who's in his 11th season as a Falcon. While Bobby Petrino closed himself off to the team, Smith's style is to keep an open dialogue with the players. The good news is because they like him, they'll play hard for him. Heck, he even lets them call him Smitty.
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[THE KOD]

New Face, New Place

Take your pick. New coach, new QB, new CB, new TE, new RB, but the Falcons also have a new face in old, reliable Broncos kicker Jason Elam. The 38-year-old Elam takes over for 47-year-old Morten Andersen and has a 90 percent field goal conversion rate the past two seasons, which will give the Falcons the threes they need. Plus, Elam grew up in the Atlanta area and is downright giddy to be kicking in a dome after 15 years at Mile High. "I'll sleep well knowing it will be 70 degrees and no wind," he said.

Looking at the Schedule

While most prognosticators are predicting the Falcons to be this year's Dolphins, they could squeak out a few home Ws early and surprise people -- especially Week 1 against the Lions, who have only won once in the Georgia Dome, and in Week 3 versus the Chiefs. Their strength of schedule is in the middle of the pack, and while this will still be a rebuilding year for the Falcons, they won't be as horrendous as people think if they jell early.

Memorable Image From Camp

In the "Oh no he didn't!" moment of camp, rookie wideout Harry Douglas smacked 13-year safety Lawyer Milloy upside the head during a running play in the team's first practice in pads. As an aside, one of my favorite NFL posters from the late '90s had then-Patriots Milloy and Ty Law underneath the heading "The Firm" back when John Grisham was still selling out Barnes and Noble. While some players were impressed with Douglas' bravado, others are waiting for Milloy's eventual retribution for breaking the unwritten respect-the-vets law. It didn't happen Thursday -- Milloy was on the sidelines with a bruised toe.

Parting Shots

? Rookie Curtis Lofton has taken over the middle linebacker spot, pushing Brooking back to the weakside position, and Brooking couldn't be happier. Four of his five Pro Bowls came when he was playing weakside.

? This team has sweet living quarters. Blank built four condo complexes off the far edge of the practice fields four years ago that are only used for training camp. Each player gets his own room in the four-bedroom, two-bath pads, plus access to an amenities building with pool tables, ping pong and Playstations, as well as a lake to fish from off the side and a pool to jump in off the back.

? Besides a QB competition there's competition in the secondary. It looks like Chris Houston and Brent Grimes will be the starting cornerbacks. Von Hutchins was the first casualty of camp when he was placed on IR with a sprained foot, leaving Chevis Jackson, Blue Adams and Antoine Harris working for the nickel spot.

? Michael "the Burner" Turner gets down and burrows yardage. He could be the real deal this season behind fullback Ovie Mughelli and under Mike Mularkey's scheme, which favors the run.
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[spang]

I've always liked Turner a lot going back to his days in the MAC. He looked very good when spelling LT for the Chargers and always was around the 5 yds per carry mark which is pretty damn good stuff. I alwasy wanted to see this guy get his chance and now we will. If the OL can open a few holes for him I expect to see a very big year for the burner.

 

[THE KOD]

I've always liked Turner a lot going back to his days in the MAC. He looked very good when spelling LT for the Chargers and always was around the 5 yds per carry mark which is pretty damn good stuff. I alwasy wanted to see this guy get his chance and now we will. If the OL can open a few holes for him I expect to see a very big year for the burner.

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Yeh I hope so, I like Turner. He has some good backs with him to help also.

The running and passing game is not the problem.

The defense on this team is going to get burned
big time in alot of games this season.

But hey , thats NFL football. Go with what you got is all a team can do.

 

[THE KOD]

Cursing, drunk fans will be booted from Falcons games

League implements conduct policy for spectators


Published on: 08/05/08

NEW YORK (AP) ? The NFL implemented a new code of fan conduct Tuesday, warning that spectators who misbehave will be ejected from stadiums and barred from coming back.

The policy, first recommended by commissioner Roger Goodell at league meetings in April, is aimed at conduct that the league said "detracts from the gameday experience."

It includes bans on:

? Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.

? Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.

? Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

? Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.

? Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.

? Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

"The in-stadium experience is critically important to the NFL, our clubs and our fans and it will be a major focus this season," Goodell said in a statement. "We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can ? from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium."

The league also left teams the option of adding additional provisions to the code based on local circumstances. It said the guidelines would be contained in mailings to fans and signs posted at stadiums.
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no cursing :nono:

no durnk :nono:

no obscene gestures :shrug:

 

[Kramer]

Scott, the Falcons will be a very good DOG this
year, you know it, I know it. Let's make some
$$$$ this year. :toast:

 

[THE KOD]

Overall the Falcons played very well in losing


The QBs played very well. Matt Ryan was impressive but he is not ready by a long shot.
Did well considering first team for Jacksonville.

Shockley is a gamer and I hope he gets a good chance to stay. The guy can make plays. Redman should start and Ryan sit for a year. You just cant push this kid and expect him to sink or swim.


Burner Turner :scared Ran well and took some good hits also. Norwood played well as the after burner. Snell very impressive as was Mugolive.

Wide receivers caught some balls and Douglas is going to be good. Nice to see Finnerman playing again at full speed. He has got good hands.

Defense needs work but Grimes stood out. Also Boley.

Sam Baker on offensive line did his job. Go figure Atlanta. Alot of critic of that pick but this kid will protect some QB ass's.

Coaching - B +

Kicking stunk . Elam wtf field goals ?

 

[THE KOD]

Thomas Brown was a excellant draft pick from UGA to return kicks.

 

[THE KOD]

First round pick Sam Baker protecting Matt Ryans blinder side.

 

[THE KOD]

Atlanta Falcons

Game Spread -3 -110

Game MoneyLine -160

Over 37? -110 Game Total Under 37? -110

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Did I mention yet that I don't wager on pre-season games in the NFL ?

Its a time for watching and learning everything you can or the regular season.

How the Falcons can be the chalk is hilarious.

Wait a minute, Indy has no Manning playing, no Harrison, and vets only a few series.

In other words its a fawking toss up as all these games are before the season starts.

The Falcons will be starting a differant QB every pre season game. I am not sure which one will start but it really don't matter.

All four QB will play again which is good. Harrington has got to go. The sooner the better.

Home field for Falcons may play a part as Coach Smitty wants to get off to a good start and show the fans there are other players than Mike Vick to
idolize.

Falcons may pull this out , but I wouldnt count on it.

 

[THE KOD]

Elam the field goal kicker has to step it up and start making some kicks.

There are going to be many times in the season where the Falcons are going to be stopped close enough to get the three points.

Elam looks bad so far. Something with his form is not right.

Falcons may have to invest a high draft choice on a FG kicker someday as they have been using has beens for about 10 years now.

:shrug:

 

[THE KOD]

Horn desperately wants to leave Falcons

Wide receiver contemplates forfeiting owed salary to facilitate a trade

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/12/08

Flowery Branch ? Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said he wants to be traded or cut so badly that he has "contemplated" restructuring or forfeiting part of the $2.5 million in guaranteed base salary he's owed.

"I'm even contemplating giving some money back to further this thing along," the disgruntled wide receiver said Tuesday. "I'm ready to get it solved and move on. The longer I stay here, the worse it's going to get."

Horn's agent, Ralph Vitolo, said he communicated with Horn via text message and that he spoke with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on Tuesday, but the issue of Horn forfeiting money wasn't broached. Vitolo said he is open to restructuring Horn's contract only to facilitate a trade.

"Joe is under contract, and it's our policy not to discuss particulars of his contract," Dimitroff said.

Horn, 36, said earlier this summer that he wanted to be traded because he felt the team's approach under new GM Dimitroff and first-year coach Mike Smith is to use younger players as part of a rebuilding process.

Horn said he felt younger receivers, such as second-year player Laurent Robinson and rookie Harry Douglas, were moved ahead of him on the depth chart and that the Falcons are keeping him as a "just-in-case" player.

The Falcons have explored trade possibilities, but there has been no interest. If they were to cut Horn, who signed as a free agent last season and is guaranteed a total of $7.5 million, they would still have to pay him $2.5 million.

Horn has rarely practiced and did not play in Saturday's preseason opener at Jacksonville because of a hamstring injury. Horn said the injury is minimal and that he could be practicing but instead he has been put on medical rehabilitation, which includes running and agility drills.

Horn said he told the team Monday that he was ready to return to practice, but he did not practice Monday or Tuesday. Horn would not say if he was told not to practice.

Dimitroff declined to address Horn's medical situation.

"I'm healthy," he said. "It's frustrating to sit to the side. I tweaked a little hamstring. It's nothing major. I know I can still play, and I'm ready to go. It's just frustrating sitting out here and dealing with this."
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Horn - Just quit or retire now pussy chops.

Geez Louise. The guy has attitude problems from day one.

 

[rusty]

Your gonna like Ryan.
Cannon of a arm,will make the occasional mistake of throwing into coverage.

But lets be real,hands down best QB on depth chart.Playing on young team,plus hes a rookie,so there will be growing pains.

Can win a game single handily(VTecH).
No pro ant college,but Ryanis the real deal.
They dont shell out that kind of money for nothing.
If hes a bust,id be HIGHLY Surprised.

 

[3 Seconds]

Your gonna like Ryan.
Cannon of a arm,will make the occasional mistake of throwing into coverage.

But lets be real,hands down best QB on depth chart.Playing on young team,plus hes a rookie,so there will be growing pains.

Can win a game single handily(VTecH).
No pro ant college,but Ryanis the real deal.
They dont shell out that kind of money for nothing.
If hes a bust,id be HIGHLY Surprised.

WoW another post and another hacking of the English language.

You ****in dope. Learn how to read & write properly.