The Replacements

by sportsfan4life2012 on Sep 15, 2010 10:52 PM EDT

Well, the season has started off on a bittersweet note. Against a very formidable defense, the Falcons offense laid an egg. 0 touchdowns the entire game. There are a lot of complaints that an offense with players like Ryan, Turner, White, and Gonzalez shouldn't be kept out of the endzone. And I agree, however, if there was anything I think can improve quickly, it would be the offense. Personally, I was impressed with the defense. Barring an obvious lack of concentration at the end of the game, the defense kept the Steelers offense in check. And to think, next week we have our (deserving of a Pro Bowl) DT Babineaux back. There is usually a decent improvement between games one and two, and I am already excited about what I saw from the team this past weekend. Follow me after the jump and we can discuss guys whose names have been added to the hot list of guys who could be replaced either this season or in the draft.

Sam Baker. Well, I think a lot of people were angered with Sam Baker after the game this weekend. The question is, has Baker's time in Atlanta run out? I think we need to look at potential replacements and see what is available. As far as the draft goes, and I admit this is way to early to talk about a position like left tackle, there are not a lot of guys who are looking like solid picks. WalterFootball only has two tackles rated as consensus first round picks. In that case, I would either look at a diamond in the rough later in the draft, or a potential veteran free agent who can hold down the line until a suitable replacement is found. Although Dmitroff loves seniors, and Anthony Costanza out of BC fits the typically pick.

Michael Jenkins. I think this guy has been one of the more unpopular guys on the team since he was drafted. I admit that blocking can only get you so far at the wide receiver position, but I think he puts forth a lot more effort than a lot of people think. Still, if this is Michael Jenkins playing at full potential, how are we supposed to compete with teams like the Cowboys and Saints who are going two and three deep at WR? This is where I get excited. Have you seen the WRs coming out of college this year? AJ Green will not be around when we draft, but out of Julio Jones, Jonathan Baldwin, and Michael Floyd, one of them will be. Could you imagine matching one of those guys across from Roddy White?

John Abraham. I love the guy. Really, I do. But as soon as he steps into the world of retirement, who will be there to take his place? Biermann has performed admirably so far. JA98 will never be an outstanding DE. Sidbury is coming along, but will he ever be an everydown kinda DE? Well, unlike last years draft that was oozing great DEs, this year is not the case. I think we are going to keep almost the same rotation next year as well (assuming no lock-out, God help me cope if their is a lock out). I am just not excited by what I am seeing in college, and unless there is a disruntled DE that wants out of his current situation, I don't see much action at the DE position.

Michael Turner. What?!?!?! Turner the Burner? I know. Some people are nodding their heads in agreement while others are shouting words of blasphemy. I admit that I personally am a fan of Turner. I'm just trying to think ahead at this point. But, in the end, I don't see any immediate changes coming here in the immediate future either. There are only two guys worth even considering (Ingram from Bama and Williams from VT) and I'm not sure either one of them will be around when we pick. Also, how often do you acquire a running back in free agency who ends up being really good? The success cases are much more sparse than the failures.

These are just a few ideas after some very early impressions. What are your thoughts? Any other guys you think need to be replaced soon? Regardless, Go Jackets and Go Falcons!!!! I am expecting a much better weekend of football this weekend.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Mr Sam

Good post and well written to boot.Sam worries me as well but isn’t Mike Johnson slated to be his replacement.I think I saw a roster yesterday with Johnson in there.i think we need to see another game before we start calling for replacements yet I am an optmist.I realize he has had problems or we wouldn’t be talkin about this.In a way sundays game was in effect the starters first game.I know they started three exhibit games but really do you think they were really into it.I think its way off whats happening with the exhibit season.To me its sorta like the third and some second stringers game.The starters are rarely interested in terms of really being into the game.It is what it was for them….more practice.Now after the first game they might wake up.(I am speaking of the offense here not the defense).I guess we need to be lookin all the time.I was hoping after this latest draft that we would be in the position to pick whoever was the best player rather than from a need standpoint.However it seems we need some more.

by JT131 on Sep 16, 2010 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Mike Johnson's a guard while Baker's a tackle.

Historically, they’re very different body types. We need WAY more depth at tackle

We also need an upgrade in either the receiivers or the delivery system (QB/OC). God help me if I’m right, Even though Mike Mularkey is absorbing the criticism, MR2 is starting to dissapoint me. It looks like he’s being too emotional to be accurate. He’s not getting through the reads before he either bails out or overthrows.

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?

by AnOldBird on Sep 16, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not stressing about Ryan yet.

Like I said earlier, there is time for more improvement. Personally, I would like to see more deep routes and letting Ryan spread the defense a little bit. I think with it being the first game, Mularkey called a very conservative game, but maybe that was his plan. Instead of giving the Pittsburgh defense a chance to beat us, he wanted to play conservative, stay competitive, and let Dixon make a few gamebreaking mistakes (of course he did not, I thought he handled the game well). Hindsight is 20/20. While after watching the game and seeing it not work, I can also see where there was some hope behind the plan, especially with it being week one.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Sep 16, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm split by what you are saying.

Disappointed because he isn’t going through is progressional reads at times (mostly when being blitzed). Much of the offense isn’t actually Mularkey’s fault. It’s lack of execution by players, and how Ryan is making the no huddle.
2008 was such a suprising overachievement that it may have adversively affected Ryan’s development. Now it’s
2008 Pleasant Surprise
2009 Seeing how Defenses adjust
2010 Trying to make the adjustments and building the playbook more
2011 Perfecting your Craft and cruise to new success.

Feeding the Monster since 1984

by brotherbrown on Sep 16, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions