Mark Bradley

By Brian

June 28, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

I say shun the non-believers. The Falcons are not that bad. Granted, I am a self proclaimed homer for the Falcons. Regardless, the schedule this year is not that bad. no reason the Falcons can not realistically finish 7-9. Oh well, maybe I am just dreaming. GO FALCONS.

By Rick

June 28, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

I think they win 6 or 8 games this year. They are not a bad as the world thinks and they are not as good as they want to be but 1-15? no way. Every year you have a team that has a better than expected season, New Orleans 2 years ago? Chicago? Jax Fl. They same fortune tellers who pick us at 1-15 also had the saints going to the nfc championship game last year. they had the cowboy winning the supper bowl. How many of them pick the Giants to win the whole thing last June?

By Doug

June 28, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

There is a difference in outlook here. If the expectations are high and we win only 4 then it was a bad season. If we are supposed to only win 1 and we win 4 then the season was better than expected. I like Coach Smith and his basics approach. It will be easier to integrage a rookie quarterback this way. We have two top running backs. I think successful three yards and a cloud of dust is possible.

By R

June 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

ok….so who’s the one win?

By Don KeBallz

June 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Not sure what the “supper” Bowl is Rick, but I can’t see the Birds winning more than 3 games. Expect Ryan to be starting by week 8 this team is BAD.

By Bumble B

June 28, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

I know this is almost cliche now, but Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith went 1-15 in 1989. Wins aren’t even the point. The difference between 1-15 and 4-12 is negligable. With this squad, all a fan can reasonably ask for is improvment, effort, and a sound game plan. The wins will come or they won’t, but this team will keep the fans if they show they’re working to be better next year and the year after.

By Tim Gunter

June 28, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

There is no reason that the Falcons can’t finish with 5 to 8 wins this season. For the past three or four years in this division, the team that has finished in last the previous season has won the division. The Falcons lost a bunch of games this past season in the second half. This year that is not going to happen because we are going to be disciplined and for once our coaching staff is going to “out coach” the other teams. Or maybe I am a crazy optimist?

By Falcon4Life

June 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Dont worry about what the so called experts say, they really dont know anything. Every year they say that team X will win the superbowl and they end up dead last while they say that team Y will be aweful and they make it to the playoffs. I am not saying by any means that Atlanta will make the playoffs, but I do think they will do better than most think they will. Bottom line, its a rebuilding year. They will have to address the Oline over the next two years then we can talk about legitimate playoff type football again in the ATL, but I do think they have the right guys in charge with Dimitroff and Smith. Give’em Hell Dirty birds!!!

By jason

June 28, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

A 5-11 season +/-2 games is my expectation. The Falcons are basically the same team as last year, minus a few guys past their prime and add a bunch of rookies. But they lost a lot of close ones (most NFL games are close), and so I think they might pick up a game or two that they gave away last year. The Sporting News article is doing the Falcons a favor though. Its causing expectations to be so low, that a season like last year will make the Falcons look like they are making progress. :)

By Ben

June 28, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Who cares what the national media thinks?!! They didn’t want or think the Falcons could or would be in the Super Bowl in 98’. If the birds just win 1 game, at least we all know that they worked for it. This coaching staff isn’t going to take slackers, that is for sure.

By Wes

June 28, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Those ninny nay-say-ers… I say the Falcons will prove them all wrong and double.. maybe triple expectations. In your face! Won’t those critics feel stupid then!

By Milton Jeff

June 28, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Falcons will have a better record no doubt. The media says that bc/ they are to busy kissing a$$ of New York or more popular teams. The hell with them all!!

By deontre

June 28, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

i say that we will finish 8-8, coach smith is bringing us a plan we can believe in. our players love him and the staff, our drafting has improved over the last two years, last time we had a coach that all of our players loved was JIm Mora our players wanted to play for him. Mike is a players coach and players love that we will finish 8-8 or better

By JohninJax

June 28, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

i agree with Brian and Falcon4Life the Falcons are not going to be 1-15. You can take that to the bank. Not that it will make anyone rich but enough said. I do like what Dimitroff is doing and Coach Smith will do a great job with this team. I am glad that the Falcons finally have FOOTBALL people running the organization not business people. I am looking forward to football season. GO DAWGS and GO FALCONS!!

By TheJama

June 28, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Never too early to start targeting our top 5 first round draft pick for next April. My guess is that it will be the #1 rated DT or OT. I am going to be focused on the young players such as Ryan, Baker, etc. and enjoy their maturation over the season that should prep us to be ready to not only compete, but to compete and win in 2009.

By Dr. Warren

June 28, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

Note how the national media always picks at least one suprise Super Bowl favorite who ends up bombing. Didn’t they pick us in ‘99 and in ‘02 and in ‘05 to be legitimate contenders? They were dead wrong then, and here’s better they’ll be just as wrong this time.

By Matthew

June 28, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

My expectations aren’t very high, but 1-15? That prediction is absolutely absurd.

By JM

June 28, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Projecting any team to win only one game in today’s NFL is utterly moronic. I believe that because the Falcons’ recent woes have been so publicly visible - Michael Vick going to prison, Bobby Petrino walking out mid-year, getting stood up by Bill Parcells - there is an inflated perception of how deep the problems are. And while the Falcons are undoubtedly a flawed franchise, there’s still talent on the roster and we’ve assembled a coaching staff consisting of several NFL lifers. There’s no reason this team can’t be competitive most weeks.

Think about it, we won 4 games last year with the most overmatched coaching staff in the league and a litany of off-field distractions. With better coaching and said distractions in the rear-view mirror, I believe a jump to 6-8 wins is not only possible but logical.

By Chan Gailey

June 28, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Georgia Tech won seven games? Wow, I wasn’t half bad afterall!

By saint

June 28, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Being trashed by the sports media will really give the Falcon coaches a lot to chew on. From what I have seen so far, Smith won’t keep any slackers around very long, and keying on basics is critical. Falcons should win at least as many as last year. Go underbirds!

By P

June 28, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it: it would be a minor miracle of the Falcons have a winning season this year, let alone the playoffs. With the installation of a new offense (and defense), the team needs time to develop. So, who cares if we have 1 or 2 or 3 wins next season? As long as we continue to improve thereafter, everything will be fine. Besides, what’s wrong with another high draft pick to the O-line or D-line or the secondary?

By Josh M

June 28, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Coulda had Stafford if we built up the line this year like we should have…

By ScoobySnacks

June 28, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

You can’t predict 1-15 anymore than you can predict 16-0. Each case is the cummulnation of extreme circumstances and talent (wealth or lack there of). You can say a team is good (10 wins or more)on the cusp of being good (8-9 wins)bad(5-7 wins) or aweful (less than 5 wins). But when you pin yourself to a number like 1, you basically saying that the team could only win by unexpected luck.(miami dolphins)

Remember Miami had a team with a coach that did not know what he was doing, a bunch of aging and in some cases talentless players, and zero fan base.

The Falcons have enough talent alone to go into the season with no game plan or coach and win at least 2 games.

The people at Sporting News are just showing how little they really know.

By Terrible Truth

June 28, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

You know it’s gonna take some time to undo the regime’s of Jim “I’m your buddy, right?” Mora and Bobby “Do I know you?” Petrino. Mike Smith is a coach, not a personality or in Petrino’s case, a lack of one. He may not have been on my short list or even the long one but I like what he is doing so far. And one more thing, there ain’t a damn thing wrong with “basic” football. I’ll take twelve 17-14 games anytime, so long as we have the seventeen of course!

By RJ

June 28, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

The good news is the Falcons are practically a shoe-in to get Michael Crabtree.

By Jonny

June 28, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Arthur Mind-Blank drafted a decent college QB instead of building a line. This guy would push string instead of pulling it…

By Ryder

June 28, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Thanks Josh M for predicting that Stafford will leave after his junior year to go to the pros, despite the fact that he has not even stated as such.

Atlanta will NOT go 1-15! They have good talent that will mesh as the season goes on. I think even if they go 4-12 you will see a progression that will take a couple of years, but at least we know they are going in the right direction.

National publications are usually going to shun a team that has a bad reputation and a rookie QB.

Just remember everyone that Peyton Manning went 3-13 in his first year.

By vickfan

June 28, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Bring back vick for the 09 season!!

By FalconFan4Life

June 28, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t believe it. The Falcons will do better than 1-15. A realistic goal for us fans should be 5-11 which is 1 more than last year. That will show us that our team is improving. However, the realistic and only acceptable goal for a professional athlete is “Win the next game.” To place any numbers beyond that is negative thinking (unless you set a goal of 16-0).

The season is drawing near and I am out-of-my-nut excited to see the Falcons take to the field with a clean slate. Anything can happen.

GO FALCONS!!!

By FalconsFan

June 28, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Sporting News is a JOKE! Any real sports fan (who has subscribed) knows that. I subscribed through my son’s middle school magazine drive. I was just purchasing magazines to help him earn some prizes. Sporting News was one of the cheapest sports magazines…so I subscribed. I soon learned why it was so cheap. It’s terrible…they ofer very few insights into the sports that they cover. Their weekly NFL reports during the season were a joke. The magazine should have stopped coming a couple of months ago but they keep sending them. I am looking forward to the day that they are no longer arriving in my mailbox. Go Falcons!!!

By DJ

June 28, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

This is only because we don’t have a offensive line. Our best prospect is a rookie. The so-called experts don’t like what they see on our o-line and D-line. We may win 3 games but I doubt it. 1-15 is actually a very fair accessment.

By Maxx

June 28, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

There is no way in hell we are going 1-15. Our schedule is not that tough and we will have a nasty running game, with 2 stud backs and a bulldozer fullback plus a dumptruck of a tight end. Chris Redman played decently at the end of last year and our receivers are going to be a lot better than people think with White, Robinson, Jenkins and Harry Douglass. I think our O-line will actually be good enough to sustain that running attack and give Ryan/Redman time. Todd Weiner has to be healthy though. Special Teams are good with Koenen and Elam and Thomas Brown/Norwood returning. The questions lie in our interior D-line and Defensive backfield. GO FALCONS!

By Maxx

June 28, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

There is no way in hell we are going 1-15. Our schedule is not that tough and we will have a nasty running game, with 2 stud backs and a bulldozer fullback plus a dumptruck of a tight end. Chris Redman played decently at the end of last year and our receivers are going to be a lot better than people think with White, Robinson, Jenkins and Harry Douglass. I think our O-line will actually be good enough to sustain that running attack and give Ryan/Redman time. Todd Weiner has to be healthy though. Special Teams are good with Koenen and Elam and Thomas Brown/Norwood returning. The questions lie in our interior D-line and Defensive backfield. GO FALCONS!

By Proud dawg

June 28, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Look at it this way… at least we all know how to bet our money!

By FalconsFan

June 28, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Sporting News is a JOKE! Any real sports fan (who has subscribed) knows that. I subscribed through my son’s middle school magazine drive. I was just purchasing magazines to help him earn some prizes. Sporting News was one of the cheapest sports magazines…so I subscribed. I soon learned why it was so cheap. It’s terrible…they ofer very few insights into the sports that they cover. Their weekly NFL reports during the season were a joke. The magazine should have stopped coming a couple of months ago but they keep sending them. I am looking forward to the day that they are no longer arriving in my mailbox. Go Falcons!!!

By Boots

June 28, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

To all the nay sayers, I say horse hockey!

By Tom

June 28, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Who cares? Give me the college game any day.

By Ima Greedy Athlete

June 28, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Who gives a sh** besides me? I gave up my season tickets 5 years ago after being extorted of my hard earned money. I WILL NOT contribute to the outrageous, criminal, salaries for these sleazy, tatooed,(many criminal) professional thugs! Get It????

Those of you who do deserve to be stiffed by these greedy morons (including coaches) who demand more and more from the ticketholder for PLAYING their favorite childhood games while pretending to be adults!

That goes for you overpaid college coaches also!

By The Thin Guy

June 28, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

What is the one team the Falcons are supposed to beat? As long as the Arkansas Pigs finish 0 and 11 and finish the career of that low of Pervertrion I’ll be happy.

By prixxon

June 28, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

I am SO glad I am not a falcons fan.

By Paddy

June 28, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

The National Media is never right. Back your team, back your coaches and sneak up on all those over-ero teams. This is football country and anything is possible.

By Jean

June 28, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

I hope the Falcons doesn’t go 1-15 or 0-16. No one can really project this team record becuz there are so many new guys on the team and we don’t know there hearts or chemistry yet. I guess the experts suppose to know. I’ve been going to see the Falcons since 1990 & most of the seasons were losing seasons. I miss Michael deeply but I will continue to support the Falcons. I predict a team of Falcons with heart and chemistry a record of 9-7. GO FALCONS.

By Dr. R

June 28, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Yeah, they’re starting over, but the right way. Instead of bringing in a college coach with a supposedly wide-open offense, they’re going back to the basics of blocking, tackling and running the ball. That’s what you do when you start over. Look at the Bills; they don’t have much firepower but they’re competitive. I think that’s the Falcons this year. You have to walk before you can run (and in football, you have to run before you can air it down the field). Back to basics. Hard-nosed, physical football still wins. Look at the Bears; they went to the Super Bowl with a lousy QB. The game is still about field position, moving chains and avoiding turnovers.

By Greg

June 28, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

They haven’t developed the O-line or the D-line, either through FA or the draft. They have real weaknesses on both sides, and don’t, frankly, currently match up with anyone. So under these circumstances 1-15 is not a stretch. This is so sad. Blank seems to believe that if you put a good running back in there and a (potentially) good quarterback, that you’ll be OK. Boy does he have a rude awakening coming. If Smith doesn’t understand that he can’t “make do” with mediocre linemen, if he thinks he can just “coach up” the current bunch, then he is as witless as Blank.

By Rob

June 28, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

screw ‘em. GO FALCONS!

By Mike In Woodstock

June 28, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

I’m hoping they go 0-16 and Arthur decides to move them to L.A.

By Mike

June 28, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons will go 8-8 this year and could even finish 9-7. And I really agree with the guy who hopes Univ of Arkansas loses every game.

By Jim P.

June 28, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

1-15 is a bit harsh. I doubt that we will lose 15 games. I see another 4-12, or maybe a 6-10 season if the ball bounces our way. Our wins will be Detroit, K.C., at Carolina, at Oakland,Carolina,St. Louis. 4 home wins, and two away wins

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

June 28, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

The Falcons have rid themselves of the worst coach in NFL history. They’re no longer encumbered by Hall who, directly, cost them a win. They’ve gotten rid of Mister Bad Attitude Crumpler and they’ve added a quality running back. Finneran is back and the draft was very good. They have a shot at a nine win season and I think they’ll be good enough to accomplish that. You are right about none of last year’s quarterbacks being Vick. That’s another thing to be glad about!

By DJ

June 28, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

The national media is saying we will have the worst record based on the lack of a offensive & defensive line. I think we can get lucky and win three games. Too many of the posters to this site are homers, we have mavy glaring problems.

By Mark Bradley

June 28, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Let’s be honest: The NFC South doesn’t look all that imposing. Tampa Bay won it by going 9-7 last season. It would take some doing to go 1-15 with six home-and-home games in such a tepid division.

By remoley

June 28, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

The 1-15 record sounds bad but it might become real. Last year when D Orlando Ledbetter predicted the Falcons would go 4-12, I was truly upset, but he proved to be 100% correct in that case. Now take a look at our defensive line, the tackles in particular and they are worst than last year at this time. There is no standouts just adequates (Babineaux and Lewis), and career “Backups” with no upsides. The Falcons Brass did not seem to think that no one in the Draft was better than or had a larger upside than this group. This gave me plenty of reason to doubt their personnel judgement. The end of the season will be the true judge but I do not believe this group can stop the run or put pressure on the QB consistently enough for the Falcons to win more than 2 games. The strength of the middle of the line of scrimmage is the key to victories and our denfensive middle of the line of scrimmage is very weak (the worst in the NFL)!

By HIGHPOWEREDOFFENSE

June 28, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

THE FALCONS WILL DO BETTER THAN THAT. THE HEALING PROCESS HAS BEGUN! 7-9

By David C

June 28, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

all is not lost. The 89-90 cowboys went 1-15. 3 years later they started their run. They did have Aikman, Smith and Irvin and 10 other future pro-bowlers on the roster though.

On second thought all is lost.

By ray

June 28, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Well, I think Mike Smith is going for the only kind of predictability that you want to have: the kind where the opposition knows what we’re going to do to them. There’s a difference between them knowing what we’ll try to do and knowing that we will do it. He wants to run the ball and he wants to play tough, stingy defense.

If the team really buys into this, it will happen. As others have said, it won’t happen at the rate that people think it will. We won’t have a winning record (most likely). However, the effort and attitude that it takes, as well as setting the goal to be a winning team is the biggest difference between going 1-15 and 6-10.

You have to win in your mind first, or you’ll never do it in reality. That alone is worth a few wins by itself.

By ABeliever

June 28, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

THE SAME NON-BELIEVERS WILL BE ON THE BANDWAGON WHEN THE FALCONS PROVE THOSE PEOPLE WRONG. WAIT AND SEE

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

June 28, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

I agree Mark. This coming season is a chance to begin a new, more positive legacy. When i was growing up the Steelers were God-awful and they were that way for a very long time. Chuck Knoll turned the team around but it took him some time. They got better gradually until, all of a sudden, they were really good. The Falcons have a chance to establish the sort of tradition the Steelers now have. When folks talk of the Steelers it’s no longer about the forty years they were a punching bag. All people remember now is Bradshaw and Swann and Jack Hamm and other heroes. The road is winding sometimes and it’s not easy to change a culture but that’s what has to happen to turn fatalism into optimism.

By steve bates

June 28, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Come Guys give us a chance , I think we will go 8 & 8 this Season

By Greg

June 28, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe the optimism expressed by so many people here! Is this simply wishful thinking? “remoley” has it right: if you don’t build the lines, you don’t win. Period. We have not built the lines. Therefore, we will lose. This is the sorry truth. We all want the Birds to win; but they will get murdered by most of the teams they play, and beaten by most of the rest.

By I Hope it true really

June 28, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

I am still upset with Arthur and company I hope they lose them all.

By Jim P.

June 28, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

This season, 6-10, fill the holes we spot after this season, beef up the defense and the ‘09 season we should be looking pretty between 9-7 and 10-6. 2010, we will be back on Monday Night Football, and making a run deep into the playoffs.

By roman88

June 28, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

sporting news also picked detroit vs the mets in their spring training issue, enough said. probably around 5 wins, 3 or so vs the division and hopefully 1 against the raiders, if they could manage a win early enough, and give them some marginal hope, lol

By BIRDDAWG

June 28, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

if im not mistaken they predicted 6 wins for us in 98 and we went to the super bowl with 14 reg season wins bet over 6 wins its a sure thing

By Ryder

June 28, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Some of you complanining about the offensive line need to give it a rest. Outside of New England, there isn’t a team in this league with a dominant o-line, and even they got crushed in the Super Bowl. Great skill players (LT and Peyton) are what it takes to win games, and the Falcons have a solid beginning. No I don’t expect them to be 10-6, even in this sorry division, but they won’t be as bad as many of you say they will.

Will Atlanta take their lumps? You better believe it, but then again no one predicted the Browns becoming as good as they did last year. Let’s see, rookie offensive tackle, skill position vets trying to prove a point (Jamal Lewis, Derek Anderson), easy schedule. Hmmmmmm, may be some promise in Atlanta this year after all.

By Phat Phil

June 28, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

The Falcons won’t be as bad as the Bulldogs this year. The stinking Pups are WAY OVER-RATED this year. Look for maybe 7-5, or 6-6. The Vols will lay an old fashioned “Tennessee Dog Whooping” on them in Athens this year. Stafford will crumble and look like the p*y he is…cannot wait! GO VOLS!

By T. Lee

June 28, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

We NEED Mike Vick!!!!

By Jack G

June 28, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Outside of a few bad apples, the Falcons were not that bad last year.

What we had last year was a lot of distractions and a lousy coaching staff. Both are now gone. I look for a big improvement this year. Last year we should have been 0-16. I look for at least 6 and 8 this year, and with a little luck better than that

By Steve

June 28, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

if they go 1-11 at least we have the best pick in the draft lol! and there is some talent for next year but i doubt we will do that bad we will win about 7 or 8 i like the new look falcons

By Fred

June 28, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Why do I have this crappy feeling the Falcons will “pull a Hawks” and win 1 this year, 2 the next year, then 3 then 4 and everybody connected to the team will boast how we are improving every year! UGH.

By Jack G

June 28, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

Correction to my post. 6 and 8 should have been 6 or 8 wins.

By Glenn

June 28, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Think of this,number one draft pick!One year under our future QB,lots of playing time!Heck lets go in the record book,0-16!!!

By Hillbilly Deluxe

June 28, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

I’m not a Falcon fan but when have ESPN and Sports Illustrated ever been right about anything?

By Rob

June 28, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

No they wont!! Mark You Have Lost Touch Buddy! Dont get me wrong they will be bad but more like 4-12 again, not 1-15. They have enough talent on this team, good coaching and a lot of parity in the leaque which will get them to 4-12 and this will still get them a top 5 pick for next year too! Also Ryan will be starting by week 5, which will be great for this team in 2009!!! Go Cowboys!!!

By wxwax

June 28, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

I think the Sporting News just did the Falcons a huuuuge favor.

By lowering expectations so dramatically, by conditioning fans and people like Mark Bradley into thinking that 2 wins will be a swell achievement, they’ve taken the pressure off of the team, the coaches and the front office.

Basically, the team gets a pass this year. And if they actually win 5 or 6 games, their praises will be sung from Toco Hills to Northside Drive.

By Robert

June 28, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Why should we listen to predictions. How often are they right.

This is just as pointless as having college preseason polls.

By VICK 4EVER

June 28, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

THE FALCONS AINT GOING NOWHERE WITHOUT MIKE VICK!!! MIKE VICK PUT ATL ON THE MAP!!! VICK BEST THING EVER HAPPEN TO THIS TOWN!!! AND THE RACIST HATERS HERE RUN VICK OUT OF TOWN FOR SOME WHITE BOY PRETTY BOY QB!! ALL YOU HATERS GOING TO GET PAYBACK WHEN VICK COME BACK WITH THE COWBOYS RAIDERS OR TAMPA BAY AND WIN THE SUPER BOW!!!!! YOU ALL WILL BE SORRY FOR THE SORRY WAY YOU DID VICK THEN!!!! BELIEVE THAT!!!!!

By sxs

June 28, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Heck the Dolphins were 1-15 so why are they even talking about the Falcons being the worst team in football? They overachieved inspite of the team being in disarray last year. They should have talked about the worst team from last year.

By probird

June 28, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Haven’t you dribbled here long enough? Why don’t sports”writers” move on after a few years like ball players? You’ve said all you can say and the vast majority of readers are sick of your crap. Go. Just go.

By Dave

June 28, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

The Falcons need Michael “Con” Vick like they need a sulfuric acid enema. The improved atmosphere alone will garner at least a couple of wins.

By Bergen Belsen

June 28, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this

Vick is a convicted felon. Instead of being coddled in a federal pen, he should have been castrated. A herpes-ridden thug, Vick is a monster who should die in prison. His “fans” are deluded lint-headed cretins. And, the owner of the Falcons, clueless Arthur Blank, remains a pen-pal of Vick’s. How would he like it if a ‘friend’ of his continued to exchange epistles with an old guard at Auschwitz?

By sxs

June 28, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

The Dolphins were 1-15 so why are they even talking about the Falcons being the worst team in the NFL? Although the team was in disarray they did overachieved as most didn’t expect them to have a 4-12 record.(I sure didn’t)

By d.b. cooper

June 28, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

Before anyone gets too upset about TSN’s projections, take a look at the by-line to see who authored their Falcon preview…

Many areas of this year’s team are untested. But untested doesn’t mean they are guaranteed to be bad. It simply means nobody knows what kind of team they’ll be.

By ChrisFromChattanooga

June 28, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Bergen Belson, You hit the nail on the head about Mick “Canker Sore” CONVick. This guy is a wart on the butt of society and anyone who is a “fan” of a “cancer to humanity” like him has no redeeming societal skills themselves. I’m sure their lifestyles PROVE that.

By The Grinch

June 28, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Why is the Dallas Morning News getting my hopes up saying the Cowboys want Joe Horn if Terry Glenn doesn’t resign. Glenn’s base salary is 1.74 mil and the Cowboys are trying to low-ball him. Horn’s making about three times that over the next two years and is jogging around with a giant fork hanging out of his back. Jerry Jones isn’t that stupid, I don’t think, but we can always hope. Cap room is a good thing.

Also, I don’t see the Falcons having a worse record than last year. Easier schedule, and players finally being happy will sway the balance for a couple of close ones. We’re on the right track. Another 2-3 seasons and I think we’ll at least be a perennial 10-6/11-5 team like Jacksonville, and thug-free (after they get rid of Babineaux). I can live with that.

By Armond Hill

June 29, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

Check out the cream-puff schedule. We’ll be diciplined enough to win 8 and a possible wild card berth.

By bsmith

June 29, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

ESPN…this is the same politically correct group that convinced the voters to put LSU in front of UGA for the NC…they make up their own rules and have enough pull to convince others. The Falcons could have won at least 3 more game this past year, and now that that have a coaching staff and have gotten rid of the VT cancer (all of them), I look for the Falcons to turn the corner…maybe not record wise this year (5-11?), but become a franchise to deal with in the future.

By ha ha ha

June 29, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

Algonquin J. Calhoun if not having Mike Vick last year was so great then why did this team only win 4 games? EXACTLY. To the poster who thinks having a great o line and d line is overrated , I have some beach front property in North Dakota I want to sell you. You win in the trenches. With great o line and d line play. Yea its nice to have a great qb like Peyton but teams have showed that you can win it without great qb play. The Ravens and Steelers did it. Guess what they had, yep great play by their o line and d line. Thinking you dont need great play from both lines is like Billy Knight thinking you dont need a pg and center

By Todd Green

June 29, 2008 2:14 AM | Link to this

I love the Falcons, in fact all the Atlanta teams. BUT :) justice will start to be served from how this whole Vick thing has been handled. You have players beating their wives and girlfriends, doing and selling drugs and a coach who cheats in the game and the league does nothing. This country hate to see black QB’s do well enought to prevent them from being converted to WR’s and RB’s. 1-15 is too good for the Falcons. I hope it’s 0-16; BUT I will still watch and cheer but without vick, I hope for 5 or 6 years of 0-16!!!

By Andy G

June 29, 2008 3:27 AM | Link to this

Yeah, you can say that now, but when the Falcons go 7-9 or 8-8 to make a run at the wildcard, don’t be jumping on this band wagon. What about Miami? They really suck and have absolutely no QB, WR, TE, etc. As for all you Vick lovers, let it go. Go join Vick’s entourage in prison if you wish more bad luck on the Falcons. He fu—ed up just like Pacman, Cedric Benson, and Chris Henry. Yeah I think they were harder on him to make an example to all the other dog fighters/killers, but he DID IT! He admitted he did it! Why in the hell would you kill dogs being the highest paid player in the NFL?! Stupid. When will these young stars learn that the thug life bullsh-t does nothin but get you in trouble or get you killed? I loved Vick, but he and Petrino ruined our season. I can never forgive them for putting me through that torture last year. Arthur Blank does more for this town than any of you bums put together, so leave the man alone. The only thing Blank is guilty of is believing in the wrong people. We all have been duped one time or another. He just happened to get fooled by everyone all in one year. I hope you guys are ready to eat your words. GO FALCONS!

By The Grinch

June 29, 2008 5:40 AM | Link to this

Todd Green can’t possibly be a real person. Nobody’s that horrifyingly, hopelessly ignorant. Yeah, man; hope the curse of Vick will cause us to have 5 or 6 years of something that’s proven to be impossible even once in the history of the NFL, but you’re still a fan. If you’re a real person, I hope you have velcro shoes, a helmet (not a football one, but a special one) and a state check to keep you from working. Feel free to migrate.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

June 29, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this

Algonquin J. Calhoun if not having Mike Vick last year was so great then why did this team only win 4 games?

Not having the criminal on the team was far better than having him. The Falcons were a losing team with Vick. The main problem last season was the Falcons’ lack of a professional coach. Petrino was absolutely awful! Also, Hall was a liability and Crumpler was sullen and useless. Things will be different now and I believe they’ll be better. The Falcons have some talented players and a new coach. The quarterback position looks to be better than it has in many years. It will look even better once D.J. Shoddy is freed up to be in the Arena League, which is where he belongs. A top priority now should be moving Bad Attitude Horn on to his next unhappy situation.

By toshie

June 29, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this

These people that are not Falcons fans why don’t you get off this blob. Why would you even want to read about the Falcons? I’ve always heard if you can’t say something good about someone, then just don’t say anything. I think some of you Falcons critics should abide by that saying. I’m a Falcon season ticket holder and will continue to be. I will back my team and some of you need to get off of here if you can’t back the Falcons. Go to He**. GO FALCONS!!!!

By Saturday's the Day!

June 29, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this

The NFL is a league full of 7-9; 8-8, and 9-7 teams. Most years, the last two records qualify for the playoffs, the difference between the three being a few field goals. The Falcons will indeed stink (there’s a newsflash, Atlanta!) but we would do well to rememeber its in comparison to the parity barometer!

By Pete Rozelle

June 29, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this

All those years ago, I convinced NFL owners that expansion into cities like Atlanta was a great idea, and recommended Rankin Smith to pilot the new franchise there. Four-decades plus later, how’s that working out for the city and the overall level of play in the NFL?

By G

June 29, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this

1-15? No way. 6-10 is realistic.

By P

June 29, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

1st off I still think that Vick is a was the best thing to happen to the Falcons and if not that then why havent Blank released him yet,thats because he also knows that last year if the Falcons had Vick with the defense they had to start the season the Falcons may have whom mayb 9-10 games if not more bescause most of their loses came with in 7-10 points in 04 and 05 we won most of our games because of Vick and I can agree we may stink this year but we cant do no worse then when we had Chandler are George and we have much more talent now then we had then.

By Football Wizard

June 29, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

I’m not expert (like the ajc, espn, etc.), but i’ll wait to predict how the falcons will fare in 2008-2009. the day after the Super Bowl might be a good target. i know newspapermen have to sell newspapers and talking heads have to sell air time; but i will “forecast” the falcons’ season when mark bradley et al start predicting their performances.

By yankee

June 29, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Joey gets them into the play offs, count on it.

By Whitey Johnson

June 29, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Hey VICK 4EVER..while your BOY is in prison being somebody’s woman why don’t you spend some time taking English grammar lessons. You are the racist…Vick was and is a straight-up ghetto thug hoodrat who did not know how to let go of his thug past. He will be tried on state charges as soon as he gets out of Federal prison. He will be given another 2-3 years in the slammer. So think really really hard and maybe you can understand this…your boy thug-master Vick will never play in the NFL again. By the way, as an NFL QB your boy was pitiful. Yes, he was fast but that will not win championships. He was too stupid to even audible at the line. The coaches knew that and would not let him. So get a copy of the Longest Yard and pretend you see Vick playing in that. LMWAO at you!!

By Boses

June 29, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

Mark, another good article. I think you could write about dirt and I’d enjoy it.

By Ole dawg

June 29, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Regardless of record, I think this will be a team that we won’t be ashamed of. They are on the right track and will show promise of things to come.

By ozzfest

June 29, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Call OZZY…let him bite Blank’s head off. Authur Blank is a JERK. Look at the mess that arrogant weiner has on his hands. $540 MILLION worth of GARBAGE. When you gonna build that new stadium Art??…I am sure you can pony up another $425 MILLION…just sell some more stock. LOSER!

By Pete

June 29, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

The more under the radar, the better for the all new Falcons. And new they are. In a league filled with dissention, agony, egos, mistakes galore, and rosters that change like the weather, the Falcons could go 12-6, win their Div., and go to the Super Bowl. They will be 53 dedicated guys all on the same page with a mission. They just may……..shock the world !!!

By Manny

June 29, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

I don’t believe that the Falcons will win only one game, either. I think they’ll win about 2 or 3. 3 is the max, though.

There’s simply too many holes to win more than that. But they’ll catch some unorganized team sleeping… thinking that the Falcons would be an easy win. And there’ll be at least 2 of those teams out there: one early in the season and one late in the season.

By JackP

June 29, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

I think that Blank is laying the ground work for the return of Vick. A 1 and 15 record will induce the fickle Falcon fans to forget the crimes of Vick and they will open up their arms to his return in 09. You fans are about to be manipulated. You just don’t know it yet.

By black bee

June 29, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

the Falcons set this up by making several questionable moves; Drafting M. Ryan instead of G. Dorsey and taking maybe C.Henne in the second round, getting rid of a still valuable A. Crumpler, hiring so many coaches from last year’s Miami Dolphins staff that are used to winning only one game, not making any impact OFF. Line or Def. Line impact free agent additions, inexperienced Def. Coor.inexperienced Head Coach and GM-this team has been set up to fail 1-4 games won will not bring the passion back-no one in their right mind expect the Falcons to go to the Super Bowl BUT WITH THE RIGHT MOVES THIS TEAM COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE HUNT. Arthur Blank a supposingly smart man continues to amaze me -he just doesn’t know how to spend his money as it pretains to football-he might as well take a big bag of $$$ and drop on BANKHEAD

By Roy

June 29, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

I think we win 3. The only thing i know is we have a coach that has never been a head coach, a GM that has never been a GM and a owner who has no clue, and we just over paid a rookie who’s only going to be alittle better than an average QB. Does Blank know there’s a salary cap, well given how we screwed up the draft maybe we will win only one.

By Tom

June 29, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

By VICK 4EVER

June 28, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

“THE FALCONS AINT GOING NOWHERE WITHOUT MIKE VICK!!! MIKE VICK PUT ATL ON THE MAP!!! VICK BEST THING EVER HAPPEN TO THIS TOWN!!! AND THE RACIST HATERS HERE RUN VICK OUT OF TOWN FOR SOME WHITE BOY PRETTY BOY QB!! ALL YOU HATERS GOING TO GET PAYBACK WHEN VICK COME BACK WITH THE COWBOYS RAIDERS OR TAMPA BAY AND WIN THE SUPER BOW!!!!! YOU ALL WILL BE SORRY FOR THE SORRY WAY YOU DID VICK THEN!!!! BELIEVE THAT!!!!!”

This posting is so funny that I had to copy and re-po