Saturday News And Notes: Tackling The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by Dave Choate on Jan 2, 2010 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintThis is it, Falcon fans. If you aren't excited by now, you're never going to be, so let's jump into the links as we wait to find out if our beloved birds will go 9-7.
- For me, nothing's more encouraging than when someone like Atlanta Falcons Examiner Daniel Cox writes that the players are aware of the history here and are embracing the chance to get the franchise and fans that elusive winning season. I refuse to bet against them.
- Kind of a weird move here. The Falcons inked punter Danny Baugher to the practice squad, which I assume means there's some concern about Michael Koenen's status. Not enough so at this point that they've announced he's not going to play, so Baugher could just spend a few days on the practice squad before the season ends. Because he's such a valuable weapon, I'm really hoping Koenen is ready to go Sunday.
- Speaking of injuries, this report almost me laugh out loud. Every single player is questionable? Even Michael Turner, Who didn't practice all week? It's like Mike Smith looked over his head while fielding a question from a report and just said "flip a coin, dangit!"
- Tyson Clabo really wants to be a Falcon. It'd be a huge blow to the depth and strength of our line if we lost he and Harvey Dahl, so I'm hopeful the team can work something out. It helps when a guy actually buys into what you're trying to do, as well.
- It's been an awfully disappointing year for the Tampa Bay Bucs, a team I cautioned in the off-season shouldn't be ruled out as I apparently took a hearty sniff from a giant bottle of glue. Still, at least their rookies have contributed. Josh Freeman in particular looks like he'll blossom into a quality NFL quarterback sometime next season.
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From a fantasy perspective...
Smitty’s injury report tactics are really irritating. He cost me a bunch of points this season through having to make last-minute calls on team selection.
I guess if it helps confuse the opposition coaches and spoil their preparation, then fine – I’m all for helping the Falcs win by any fair means. But if there isn’t a good reason for it, it’s pretty much going to piss off everyone who drafts a Falcon in their fantasy team.
In other news – GO FALCONS! Maybe this season hasn’t turned out exactly like we hoped, but 9-7 would be a statement that the team is becoming a real contender, and that with a bit of luck in the draft, we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.
Interesting
How often do you hear about players saying, “I want to play for this team for the rest of my life”?
It’s really cool, I gotta say.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
This, plus building the team through the draft
is the way to establish “dynasties” with winning attitudes (so that missing postseason, let alone back-to-back winning seasons, could be viewed as a great set back).
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
In some ways a 9-7 season for these Falcons could be worth more than a playoff appearance for some other teams
I am pretty sure none of the readers of this blog would even question a winning season when we started 4-1 with that impressive win at SF.
We went downhill between then and about two weeks ago, but getting to 9-7 will mean this team has the heart to fight for the win no matter what. Backups were reliable filling in for our stars, and yet, sometimes their performance, no matter how good, confirmed how we need our starters.
Here is a video from the Bucs blog I came across:
http://www.bucem.com/2009/12/30/1225725/video-classic-enemy-flashback-2005
It’s a from a 2005 season. I’ve never seen it, actually I wasn’t following the Falcons back then very closely, as it was impossible to watch their games from overseas.
I am hoping Bryant plays and makes his contribution to pull this one off.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Falcons Mock Draft?
As with Christmas, we need to start mocking the draft earlier and earlier. Less than 5 months to go until Atlanta gets to use it only pick in the first two rounds. Removing the Top Players in the draft that will be taken within the first 15 picks, these are the remaining top names. I still see a CB. Opinions welcomed.
Donovan Warren CB Michigan
Patrick Robinson CB FL ST
Ras-I Dowling CB Vir
Perrish Cox CB Ok St
Bruce Carter OLB N Carolina
Jason Pierre Paul DE S Fl
Ricky Sapp DE Clemson
Dan Williams DT Tenn
Everson Griffen DE USC
Brandon Spikes ILB FL
Sergio Kindel DE/OLB Texas
Taylor Mays S USC
Navorro Bowman OLB Penn St
Jared Odrick DE Penn St
Carlos Dunlap DE FL
Patrick Robinson CB FL ST
Terrence Cody DT Bama
Chad Jones S LSU
Greg Hardy DE Ole Miss
Corey Wootton DE NW
Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri
Geno Atkins DT GA
Congrats to the Falcons....
For breaking their back to back curse. Onward to 3 in a row……
Congrats to Gonzo for 999, sure his 1000th will be in an Atlanta uniform.
Congrats to the little people on our team——Grimes and Owens. They’ve been solid past few games.
It's never to early for mock drafts...
I like your thinking. I will go out on a limb though and say that we should expend our first round pick on either receiving or offensive line talent for the future. The times you saw our D sucking was on getting beat for big gains through the air. Or giving up too many 3rd down conversions(which I personally pin on the DC). Sorry, I still have nightmares about 3rd and long against Arizona in the playoffs. I thought the lack of big play personnel all over the fieldoffense and defense, hurt us. We will be helped by a big play threat opposite White(I pray Bryant from OSU slips that far)or a compliment/replacement for Tony G.(he aint getting any younger guys) will help fill the gap where opposing DC’s shut us down. The D, before the wanton, inexplicable, rash of injuries started, played pretty well. Wreaking havoc, causing turnovers and such. B.Will, I believe can hold his own and we know based off the last few weeks what the young guys can do. We will have Jerry back. IN addition to Moore; who I am praying can fill the role of “smash, hit, intimidate, demolish guy” at safety, and maybe Decoud will continue to grow. No need to push the panic button and waste a 1st on a “shut-down” corner who may never pan out(anyone remember Bruce Pickens). Let’s just focus on building the foundation for a year in year our playoff team, increase talent and depth, and see if our returning starters can do what we all expect for the next season.
Yes it’s been hit and miss with DBs over the past 30 years…..
Bobby Butler
Deion Sanders
Bruce Pickens
Devin Bush
Michael Booker
DeAngelo Hall
And yes, this years DB Draft Crop is not consider strong after the Top 5. I doubt Bryant will be available but TE Gresham will be a huge consideration once we see if his knee is strong. I’m also intrigued by a Harvinesque Mardy Gilyard——but with our own Harry Douglas coming back—-I’m still learning toward shoring up the defense. We can always get another WR in later rounds.
I like Cooper
I’m all for continuing to bolster the receiving corps. No way Finneran and Booker come back, I would think.
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