The Atlanta Falcons Get No Respect

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 10, 2008 11:54 AM EDT in Falcons News

I realize that the ESPN Power Rankings in question here are actually pretty old. Just dial the way-back machine to, I dunno, early May and this will seem exciting and relevant.

I don't know about you, but I'm a little fed up with the way the Falcons are automatically put on the bottom of the pile of NFL teams. They were among the worst last year, yes, but they were also arbitrarily deigned to be the worst team by power rankings almost everywhere you went.

Now, we can argue that the overwhelming dysfunction of the team contributed to those rankings, and that's about a good a reason as I can see. But it's not even the goddamn pre-season yet and here's ESPN, telling us we're going to be worse than the Dolphins, Chiefs, Lions and Rams.

What I love best about that, of course, is that they don't have a clue what's going to happen. The Dolphins are walking in with what amounts to an entirely new team, coach and management crew, and they're not even sure if they'll be throwing second-year QB John Beck or rookie Chad Henne out there. The Chiefs had by far the best draft, but are trying to rebuild a roster that has approximately zero legitimate stars outside Larry Johnson. And hell, the Lions are just the same old Lions.

So I'd simply say that we ought not to be trying to rank all the NFL teams before we have the slightest clue what they might do. I also would urge you all not to put the Falcons on bottom before they've earned it in, you know, the regular season.

Thanks.

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Super Bowl Champions The Atlanta Falcons

I don’t have a problem ranking teams this early, considering it’s all speculation. But, I do have a problem with our rankings. As you stated, the Miami has, practically, a whole new team with marginal overall talent. Our core defensive players (mostly Pro Bowlers) are returning. Our secondary is young but very, very talented: Houston, Jackson, Grimes, Milloy, Coleman. Our offfense is a question. But, we have a QB in Redman who can start and Shockley who brings another dimension. Our RBs will produce so there’s no question mark there. Our WRs are a young but talented group. White and Robinson will be in the top 5 of WR tandems. Now the O-Line. If you look from a fan standpoint then there is reason to worry. But look at the combination of experience and youthful talent. Our line lead the NFL in rushing for 3 seasons. Last year, they were the victims of The Petrino Plague. This should be our starting line: LT-Clabo, LG-Blalock, C-McClure, RG-Forney (We’ll see how he recovers from his injuries) RT-Foster (He showed flashes of goodness. I like Weiner, and he’ll probably start, but eventually you’ll have to make a decision, youth or experience.) This line will be good for DJ when takes over the starting QB spot from Redman due to injury. This line should be athletic enough to get the job done.

by THE ICON KING E on Jun 11, 2008 9:59 AM EDT 0 recs

Watch out for Butterworth

by THE ICON KING E on Jun 11, 2008 10:01 AM EDT 0 recs

Offended!

I have a problem with you using God’s name in vain. Why is it so hard for literate people to have intelligent dialog and not spew garbage from their mouths?

by Love God on Jun 11, 2008 4:45 PM EDT 0 recs

I apologize if you're offended

And I’ll keep it in mind moving forward. In fact, if anyone else doesn’t like it, now would be the time to let me know so that I can adjust.

Please do realize that I do not take kindly to people who come here, sign up for an account, comment once (and negatively) on something I’ve wrote, and then disappear forever. I hope you’ll stick around and continue to read and comment on the Falcons.

Football is not a contact sport. It's a collision sport. Dancing is a good example of a contact sport. ~Duffy Daugherty

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 11, 2008 5:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought this was a football blog...

This ain’t church. People, including many sports fans, swear sometimes. Get over it.

And have a good day!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Jun 11, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thank You

I found you site because I receive e-mail on all new Falcon news. I have no problem returning and or posting a comment. I do agree with your assessment. People think the Falcons are the doormat to the league. I do forgive and forget. glenn

by Love God on Jun 11, 2008 7:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Perhaps if the Falcons EARNED some respect...

I’ve been a fan since the team’s early years, but the Falcons haven’t done anything to earn any respect in quite a while now. Low rankings (for what they’re worth) are to be expected, all things considered. Our team was terrible last year. Now, they’re rebuilding again, with plenty of question marks on the field, and unproven coaches and front office. That doesn’t mean that we can’t dote on, yea even love, our team!

There’s probably a half dozen teams that have a legitimate case for being the worst team in the league. The Falcons are an easy pick for an uninformed sportswriter, but not totally without cause.

Let’s start earning that respect this season, shall we?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Jun 11, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs