Sam Baker Now Definitely Out Against The Raiders

by Dave Choate on Oct 29, 2008 8:00 AM EDT in Falcons News

I know I just wrote about Sam Baker the other day, but the severity of his hip injury is apparently more of a factor than I even feared. And rest assured when it comes to injuries, few fear more vigorously than me.

The insanely busy D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that Baker will see a pair of hip specialists, as the talented and injury-prone rookie tries to fix this before it gets much worse. At this point, I'd rather we had him take it easy and not try to rush back. Hip injuries can cause chronic problems and we're going to need Baker for a long time beyond this year.

This leaves Todd Weiner with the start, assuming he can even go. If he doesn't, Quinn Ojinnaka will get a very special start. If he can't go, we will choose the largest Falcoholic reader to take his place. Volunteers?

Send good wishes to your deity of choice that Baker can recover completely within the next couple of weeks so we don't have to put a tackling dummy at this spot.

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Wayne Gandy has returned

We signed Wayne Gandy to add depth at LT. UGH.

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Oct 29, 2008 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

Nooooooooooooooooooooo

KHAAAAAAAAAN!!!!

Dear Matt Ryan: I owe you a HUGE apology. I'm sorry. Love, iRonin.

by iRonin on Oct 29, 2008 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

CRAP

CRAP. CRAP. CRAPPITY CRAP CRAP CRAP.

That is all.

by SG Standard on Oct 29, 2008 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Rebuilding Timeline

I’m almost disheartened by our early success this season. I felt like, and still feel like, this team is a two-year rebuilding project. That we’re as good as we are now is a testament to how great we could be. BUT, we can seem to be moving up our timetables and our expectations and that could be dangerous. If we get ahead of ourselves I think we risk putting the whole rebuilding process in jeopardy.

Slow down Sam Baker. Get healthy. Who cares if we lose against Oakland? Let’s keep people healthy, and keep them understanding that the goal isn’t a shot at the playoffs now, but back-to-back winning seasons, and hopefully multiples of those. Multiple playoff appearances, not just a flash in the pan, so to speak. That’s what excited me about Dimitroff showing up.

If we start putting pressure on Ryan, maybe he doesn’t develop properly (like a good cake, you can’t just cut the cooking time by turning up the heat). I think it’s important to keep our eye on the prize. I really don’t care if we win another game for the rest of the season. I want to see the team progress, and build on the things they do well and correct the things they aren’t doing so well. Then, eventually, we’ll draft a DT (or sign FA Albert Haynesworth…) and see about getting some pressure on the QB (along with Abraham), and our Secondary will suddenly improve (it gets burned when the QB gets time, it looks great in short passing situations). The LBs are ridiculously athletic, and we’ve even got Keith Brooking’s replacement chilling on the sidelines in Stephen Nicholas. That’s a defense, that, while not elite, should be good enough.

The offense needs a run-blocking RT, a new C (to replace McClure, the line needs cohesion more than anything else and getting a young guy to go ahead and get in there to keep the line together), and a better balanced TE (Peele would be great as the #2 TE, with another Blocker/Pass Catching TE ahead of him), and that’s an offense.

Throw in an Adam Jennings replacement, and you’re talking about PLAYOFFS? Playoffs? (Sorry, couldn’t resist a Jim Mora moment there).

Point being, if we start getting stars in our eyes and our expectations high THIS season, we may fundamentally damage the future growth of the franchise. Don’t push Baker back too early. Don’t push anyone back too early. We’ve already superseded every analyst’s expectations for us, so anything else is pure gravy. Sitting at home in January knowing it’s going to be the last time for a long time is going to be far sweeter than going and not knowing if it’ll last.

~iRonin

Dear Matt Ryan: I owe you a HUGE apology. I'm sorry. Love, iRonin.

by iRonin on Oct 29, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

In Ryan and other young players like Baker and Anderson, etc, the Falcons have a dynasty-ability as long as they play the next few drafts right (which I’m sure they will with Dimitroff at the helm) I don’t see anything but improvement the next few years.

This team has shown that it has the moxie to win, with or without “keystone” players, which has reminded me of late-90’s Patriots. They’re on the brink of something incredible and we just have to wait for it to develop. The next few seasons are going to be good.

But this season is not a wash. The Falcons can still be competitive. These injuries are not the end of us yet. I still feel we’ll finish with at least six wins.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Oct 29, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Think we still beat the Raiders...

I still think we win this one regardless of Baker playing. Ironin, great post as always. I know somewhere that you need to be posting those thoughts…. and it begins with a S. Come on back man!

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Oct 29, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

LOL

I’m still around, but I figure it’s alright to let other people have their say. I keep reading, but find I have less to say, especially when the audience is unwilling to listen ;-)

Dear Matt Ryan: I owe you a HUGE apology. I'm sorry. Love, iRonin.

by iRonin on Oct 29, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions