PatriotOfMaine,

As it would appear no-one has yet requested leadership of the Falcons Forum, may I do so? Have been away a while, but am now back and settled.

Thanks,

Craig

You got it, Craig!

Feel free to start whatever other threads in there you want.

Congrats Craig. I look forward to reading your posts. I have been fairly inactive recently, but the closer we get to April I post more and more.

So are you a Falcons fan or did you just want to helm a team thread? Either way, I look forward to reading your thoughts on the team even though there isn't a lot to report on other than the play of rookies so far this season.

Thank you bipolarboy. Yes I am a Falcons fan, based in the UK. Please stop by more often and lend your thoughts to our discussions, and feel free to start/suggest topics that you'd like to discuss.

Craig

What happened to the Falcons? Everyone had such high expectations for them after They got rid of Schaub and moving 2 spots down and adding a 2nd rounder. Michael Vick really screwed them over. If Vick was still on the team i could see them 6-2 or 7-1. Neithier Anderson or Houston hav done much. I know its their Rookie year but i thought the sack machine Anderson would have gotten his 1st sack by now. Norwood is almost averging 6.0 yards but they still give more touches to Dunn??? almost twice as much touches to Dunn. They cant score and are ranked 30th in points per game Defense is OK. this season just surprised me alot.

Jerry, thanks for the input! I was beginning to worry that I was going to have to start talking to myself!

Firstly, on the Matt Schaub deal. We moved up 2 spots in the 1st round and got the Texans 2nd round picks both in the 07 and 08 drafts. I agree with you on Anderson, I'd have hoped for a little more from him statistically. With Houston, I believe he's limited to the nickelback role, so perhaps his playing time is somewhat limited.

I also think the running back and Vick issues are linked. Last year when we had Vick on the field that was another way we could hurt other teams - Vick's scrambling. Now, we don't have that. I'd like to see us use Jerious Norwood more as a receiver out of the backfield, give us another weapon. And yes, we need to use Norwood more.

Anderson was not as NFL ready as the other top DEs in the last Draft, he might be good but Adams and Carriker are 1-2 years ahead of him. Houston can cover the slot now but he won't be ready to go on an island until next year. Even with Vick 8-8/9-7 would have been good, the D was going to take a step back this year anyway.

Michael Vick was the franchise. It was hard to make that point last year to people, but I think it's been proven through the first half of the season.

As for the offense, don't forget the forced transition out of Gibbs' zone-blocking system. We had O-line personnel who were geared specifically for that. All the sudden our 'ideal' offensive lineman goes from 6-2 290 lbs to 6-4 315 lbs. Warrick Dunn doesn't fit the new scheme at all.

The two most reliable weapons the team had last year were Vick and the ground game, and both of those were discarded before the season began.

I tried to tell people in fantasy leagues before the season started that Atlanta might be in the top half of the league passing, but they'd be near the bottom rushing.

Our hand was forced on the Schaub deal. The front office had no choice and under the circumstances brokered a very good deal. Anderson has played well against the run, but the pass rush (as it seems for most large defensive ends) is taking time for him to learn.

Houston has started two games this season and likely will start at corner for the rest of the year.

The rookies have almost to a man been very promising this season, but the team is two years away from being competitive. I expect a huge personnel turnover this off-season.

I agree with every point you made, the next few drafts will determine if this team bounces back or settles into a 5-11 to 7-9 pattern for an extended period. A big back, more depth on both lines, a quality back up for Crumpler, another CB are all needed either through trades, draft or free agency.

If New England doesn't franchise Asante Samuel (and history seems to indicate that they won't), there's our guy. With the cap room we should have no one can match the cash we could and probably will throw at him.

At RB, there are two guys in J-ville who're underutilized and would fit nicely. Toefield or Greg Jones. Although, if Blank's willing to pay a fullback $18 million, who knows how much he'll toss out the window on a power back.

So what do you think about the upcoming draft. They should have a top five pick. D-Mac?

It pains me to say this, but no. I'd rather take one of the top linemen (offense or defense), as I believe that's what we need most. Also, look at the effect they can have on struggling franchises - Joe Thomas is helping to make Derek Anderson look like Tom Brady!

I would absolutely love D-Mac to be a Falcon, but its not our most important need right now!

I agree 100%. Jake Long, and if he's gone, take the best deal possible to trade back and get the best OT available.

If you look at what's happened with top 5 picks during the last 5 years or so, very few have lived up to the money. So, it makes sense to take the safest and smartest choice. a left tackle may not excite our dumbass fans, but if he's any good and stays healthy, you can pencil him into the starting line up for 10 years.

Atlanta would be at least 4-3 if they could run the ball effectively. It makes the passing game more effective, keeps the defense off the field, which rests them AND usually means the offense has one or two fewer opportunities to move the ball. The correlation between offenses who lead T.of P. and having a statistically good defense is rarely mentioned, but it's a big factor in why certain defenses end up at the top of the league.

With a big back like Jones or Tofield, teamed with Norwood and a draft dedicated to more depth on both lines, a quality back up for Crumpler, and if you get Samuel from NE, you would not need McFadden. Adress your most pressing needs 1st.

We have back ups for Crumpler... it's just a question of will we ever use them. Dwayne Blakely is a tall guy who can get downfield. He's been the most underutilized player on the team for three years. Atlanta drafted Martrez Millner last year, and he's impressed the coaching staff and looked decent in action so far.

Any predictions for this weekend? One team is going to break a losing streak - can it be the Falcons? This is one of the few realistically winnable games on the schedule.

I'm going for a Falcons win, 23-20.

Boley's ankle is injured. Stanley could be out as well, so a guy with almost no experience in the league (Tim Anderson) will be relied upon to play when Trey Lewis needs a break.

I don't think there will be 20 points scored by the two teams combined. Who wins? I don't know. If I were handicapping, I'd call it even.

What's your take on the Falcons trying to claim TE Ben Patrick from the Frisco practice squad? Seems very odd that we'd be after another young TE with the roster we have.

I must assume some 2 TE sets are going to be featured and Petrino wants depth at the position.

Ben Patrick? Thought he was a Cardinal? If we're talking about the same guy then I had him ranked as the 3rd TE in the draft after Olsen and Miller, so picking him up would be great. C'mon, be confident! We can win this!

ive been a falcon fan since they days of chandler and anderson and the dirty bird. so i think they should grab mcfadden if available, then in 2nd grab colt brennan or another qb. with other 2nd pick take a DT like demarrio pressley. it seems that OL is pretty deep and im sure that they could pick up somebody through FA. or even trade Dhall for a OL or DL. and sign a CB, anythings open rite now, but if they do it rite i think they can get to be a fringe playoff team.

Final Score: Falcons win 20-16. Man, I wasn't far wrong. Maybe I should do this prediction thing more often???

yes you should! mayb itll work

OK...what happened yesterday? Im still confused...

Warrick Dunn ran for 100yards (3.7 ave)
Joey ONLY threw 1 INT
We gave the big guy (Ovie) the ball on the goal line
6 different receivers had catches
Joey ONLY got sacked once
We picked Smith off 3 times

Is it just me...or is that just unusual???

Yep the same, he has real upside but needs time to learn.

He'd be an interesting addition to training camp next year, but during this season, I don't know.


If we get him, who goes?

The veteran who made disparaging (although most of them were true) comments about the team, the guy with untapped talent OR the 4th round draft pick who's at the bottom of the depth chart.


Atlanta won't keep four TEs on the roster, so someone's going to be handed a pink slip. Odds are it's Blakely. I hate to have one of the losingest teams in the league and have to release a team-guy with talent for nothing in return.

I agree about Blakely, though dealing Crumpler might be the more advantageous move long-term

True, but if you trade or cut too many team leaders (either on the field or in the locker room) you end up with a team of rookies and mercenary free agents who have nothing to bind them together. It takes a very charismatic coach to make that work, and Petrino's going to have to win for a few years before players will respect him enough to yield to him without a few voices in the locker room that side with the coach.

Also, the fire sale idea never seems to workout well in the NFL. When GMs find out that a team wants to sell off a group of players, they lower their offers knowing that some of the players in question will create a stink and get themselves released. There's also zero incentive for free agents to sign onto a team that's selling off their talent. Would you want to be the best player on a team that will probably go 4-12 your first year b/c of all the inexperience and youth?

Breaking down Falcons vs Bucs:

This could be one of the most interesting games in the NFC South this season, with the 5-4 Bucs taking on the resurgent 3-6 Falcons. The Buccaneers are coming off their bye-week so will have had an extra week to put their gameplan together, but the Falcons are flying high right now with 2 straight wins and the potential return of Byron Leftwich can only make this team better. So, without further ado, lets break this down and see where this game is going to be won and lost:

Falcons Run Offense vs Bucs Run Defense:
The Falcons rushing offense has sure missed the playmaking abilities of Michael Vick, and is languishing in 20th in the NFL in overall rushing offense. However, Warrick Dunn in particular has shown signs of life since the bye-week and he will undoubtedly be wanting to break the 10,000 career yard milestone this week. The Bucs rushing defense ranks 18th in the league, but they have allowed a lot of teams to run through them at the goal line, and rank 26th in rushing TDs allowed. Advantage: Atlanta, just

Falcons Pass Offense vs Bucs Pass Defense:
The Falcons rank 23rd through the air, and 27th in passing TDs scored. They do however rank 5th in the NFL in number of INTs, so that's at least one bonus for this offense. Add into this equation that the Bucs have the 3rd best pass defense in the league and rank 2nd in TDs allowed, and this one is easy. Advantage: Tampa Bay, at a canter

Bucs Run Offense vs Falcons Run Defense:
The Bucs run offense has been the cause of some trouble in Tampa Bay this year. Cadillac went down with a season ending injury and they were forced to acquire Michael Bennett from the Chiefs to help in their backfield. Having said that, he and Earnest Graham have started to look particularly solid in the last few weeks prior to the Bucs bye. Also, despite their apparent mediocrity, the Bucs actually rank 7th in number of TDs scored on the ground, showing that they can run the football. The Falcons run defense was certainly shook up by the loss of Grady Jackson and ranks 23rd in stopping the run. However, they rank 12th in stopping the rushing TD. Advantage: PUSH

Bucs Pass Offense vs Falcons Pass Defense:
The Bucs passing offense sits in the middle of the road in terms of both yards per game and TDs scored. However, they will be proud of the fact that they lead the league in numbers of INTs thrown, mainly thanks to Jeff Garcia's arm. The Falcons defense ranks 10th overall and 6th in terms of TDs allowed. It also ranks 8th in the league in terms of number of INTs. This should be a great matchup, watching Jeff Garcia go up against DeAngelo Hall and co and will probably be decisive in the outcome of this match. Advantage: Atlanta

Overall:
This is going to be one heck of a game. A win for the Bucs keeps them at least one game ahead in the division. A win for the Falcons means they would be only one game back in the division and potentially back in the playoff hunt. Advantage: I can't call this one, it's going to be close.

Yeah, this is also the point of no return for the season. If we win, we get to start cheering for a playoff spot. If we lose, then we cheer to lose for the rest of the season.


Also, I heard the first DeAngelo Hall trade rumor. Supposedly, there was an AJC columnist on ESPN's First Take who said the Redskins might be interested in DeAngelo in exchange for their 1st round pick this season and future picks.

Assuming for entertainment purposes that it's true (it's November, so it's not true) I think this is a deal Atlanta would take. They could use the 1st to get another corner, and the future picks would probably be 1st day selections given the way that Daniel Snyder pisses draft picks away, so the franchise would be in position to build a team out of a ego-manical star.

Now that trade I'd do! At least we'd actually be able to replace him with what we'd get for him in that deal, so in that case, for the sake of a little harmony I'd do it.

Do you agree with my assessment of Sunday's game?

Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano is interviewing for the Atlanta HC position on Tuesday. He is also one of the coaches Parcells is said to be very interested in for Miami. What is interesting here, is former Giants GM, Erinie Accorsi is advising Blank on the hiring process for GM and HC. Meanwhile, former Giants and Dallas HC Parcells has intimate knowledge of the Dallas organization, and is sure to take at least one person from them. And, Jason Garrett has been prominently mentioned in Baltimore as Billick's replacement, along with a few other coaching jobs that are sure to come open soon. Dallas could end up losing much of it's brain trust very quickly, and this could very well affect both their draft, and their future.

Blank continues to interview for his GM and HC positions. Two from the Cowboys for the HC position, both Garrett, who's also being mentioned with the Ravens, and Sparano, who's very high on the Dolphin's list. He's also interviewing Green Bay Director of Pro Personnel, Reggie McKenzie, along with their Personnel Analyst, John Schneider for the GM position. He will also interview Indy Asistant G.M. Chris Polian, and Eagles G.M. Tom Heckert. The Heckert interview is interesting, since he would have final say on personnel in Atlanta, something he doesn't have in Philadelphia.

I did read somewhere about another possible motive for Blank's interest in the Dallas people on his list, other than their football qualifications might be a little "pay back" towards Jerry Jones for Jones' involvement in bringing Petrino to Arkansas...very interesting thought.

Apparently Josh McDaniel turned down the chance to interview with the Falcons yesterday. He said he doesn't feel the time is right for him to become a HC but you can't exactly blame him for not wanting to leave NE for ATL can you?

i live in massachusetts and i watch every pats game. mcdanniels will be a great coack and i wish he signed with the falcons. i think hell stay a Pat til bellichek retires and then fill in for bill.

Well, he's only 31 or 28. How much experience does he have? Sure he calls plays for the Patriots, but I think if you gave me Brady, Randy Moss, and a decent offensive line, I could do a pretty good job calling plays as well.

Mangini was the last Belichick-protege to be snatched up, and the Jets players hate him. With the state of the Falcon franchise I will feel much more comfortable if they hire someone with head coaching experience.

We've failed with the inexperienced player coach. And the guru with the great resume but no experience failed us.

And if anyone thinks I'm hinting at wanting Dan Reeves back, I will go to their house and kick them in the nuts to prove otherwise.

profootballweekly.com reported that 'a source' within the Falcon org said that we should have a new GM within a week.

They also said that McKay will not be fired, but instead he'll be in charge of the financial side of the franchise... ie player contracts, but the football decisions will be made by the new GM.

It's an interesting idea. My guess is that Rich McKay has one hell of a golden parachute in his contract and Blank just doesn't want to pay him to go away.

I find it completely ironic that Blank will keep McKay as the Capologist considering he's got to be the worst in the league. McKay has always had a tendancy to over pay for players and he can't differentiate between LTBE and UTBE bonuses. But I do agree that he must have something in his contract that's preventing Blank from terminating him outright.

If you can get Marty, I think he would be a good move, but I think he'll at least wait to see who the GM will be. However, bipolarboy, I wouldn't overlook the hiring of a young OC or DC as the next HC. After all, the good HCs of today, were once OCs or DCs themselves in most cases. I would not go to the college ranks right now, unless Blank were able to somehow get Pete Carroll. After Saban in Miami, and Petrino up there, NFL teams will probably think twice about going the college route in the future, unless there were some sort of penalty aspect written into the contract that compensates them for similar moves. One person I'd have high on my list, is the Raven's DC, Ryan. I think if the NFL gets over his link to his father, he'll be a hell of a coach.

Even though I can't stand Atlanta being I'm a Bucs fan....I still think the best guy for this job is Mike Singletary. Not trying to put an ethnic tone to the conversation but Atlanta is a city that realy supports African-Americans associated w/ their respective teams. Singletary offers alot to this team:

1) He's a former player and w/ the kids they have playing on this team it'll mean alot for mutual respect.

2) He's a defensive-minded player/coach and Atlanta has to do something to stop their division rivals.

3) He's a gamer and expects everything from his players...something I don't think Petrno or Mora jr demanded.

and lastly;

This guy wants to be a coach and I think he'd be there for the long haul....

i agree with everyone of your points strick. i think most of atlanta would love to see a black coack leading this team. i know for a fact that singletary would never quit and leave like petrino did. he is a great leader and has a large defensive intelligence.

what if mcfadden isnt there when we select? do we go BPA (one of the longs? ellis?) or do we get one of the qbs? or do we trade down even if we dont get a great offer? just a few questions because i believe we need mcfadden. lets get these "falcon fields" going again!!!

RedRaider....have you looked at the other threads in the Falcons Fields (like the Falcons Offseason Thread for example). There's always some discussion or another going on...

In answer to what you said, it all depends on the coin toss at the combine. I really hope we win and pick at #3 as that would ensure we would get one of Glenn Dorsey, Jake Long or McFadden. I really don't want a 1st round QB...the pressure is too much.

I don't know if being black really means anything. I think what the fans of Atlanta, and every other NFL city want, is a good coach. I happen to like Singetary, and he was one of the candidates I was hoping the Chargers would hire. I think he's very interested in the Falcon job, and I think he will become a good NFL coach. He's young enough to grow with, and is an NFL man who won't jump on the first attractive college offer he gets. I would not hesitate to hire him, and I think he will bring a new and tougher attitude to the Falcons, and the discipline and accountability that's been lacking there.

well other than the post you today made in "falcons forum" there wasnt a post there in 5 days, but lets not argue. but if we get 5, and mcfadden isnt there, what do we do? dorsey, chris long, mcfadenn, and jake long are proboly the 4 before them, so who do we look at then?

Excellent post...why this man hasn't gotten a gig within the last two years is a crying shame. If anyone watched he Senior Bowl coverage on NFL Netweork last year t was easy to see that Singletary loves coaching and brings the same demeanor as when he played.

I agree, STRICK-9. Why this organization, one that's crying out for someone with some class, pride, and dignity, someone that can come in and immediately be a driving force for this franchise, not to mention his football knowledge, is beyond me.

According to nfl.com Mike Singletary is no longer a candidate for the job. I was just reading this about the GM search and it just has one line stating that he's no longer being considered for the HC job. Anyone know why this might be?

I think you need a RB, but at 5, you won't likely get McFadden. You could take a QB, but I don't know if either QB (Ryan or Brohm) is a true "franchise" QB. You have a gaping hole at LT, and at 5 you just may have your pick of all the OTs, so I might look there, then at QB and RB later. Trading down a few spots, if possible could help get a player you need, and another pick or two also.

I agree entirely with what you say there. It all depends on the coin toss. If we can pick at #3 then we stand a chance of getting McFadden, but if we end up at #5 then I pray we don't choose a QB. The highest any QB deserves to be selected in this draft in #10 in my opinion. If we can't get McFadden we have to take a franchise LT and pick up a QB later. Theres a lot of conjecture right now suggesting Woodson might fall into the 2nd round, in which case we could potentially draft him and then Kevin Smith from UCF with our 2 2nd round picks.

if we got jake long, andre woodson, and kevin smith, i think that would be the best case scenario for pick number 5.