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As of Thursday, Feb. 12, this little blog has relocated to a new home on AJC.com. It’s the same newspaper, the same Web site and the same writer (feel free to groan) — there’s just a new URL.
New features: Bigger type, more graphics, comments that load 10 times faster and a larger and more recent photo that makes me look pretty doggone old. I think you’ll like it (the blog, not the photo). But I am, as we know too well, often wrong.
Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > September > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBradley’s Buzz: Pats, Colts … and Falcons?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Call him a bald-faced optimist
If you read these blogs, you’ll know I’ve been accused of being kind to the Falcons. But I haven’t yet likened them to the Patriots or the Colts. Writing for Sporting News Today, that’s exactly what Brian Baldinger does.
He compares Matt Ryan to Peyton Manning. He writes that the Falcons have “a nice, fluid, well-functioning [offensive] line.” He avers that the local NFL team “could be building a Patriots-like, Colts-like offense for the long run. How’s that for a bold statement?”
Certainly it’s bolder than the prediction offered by the venerable Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated, who sees the Falcons going 2-14. Dr. Z’s colleague Don Banks is sunnier in his appraisal — he has them going 4-12. And four different voices for NFL.com arrive (separately, I assume) at the conclusion that the Falcons will go 3-13.
About here, I should note that I’m sticking with my 5-11 forecast. (And soon now I’ll delineate just how the Falcons will get there.) I should also point out that Baldinger, who works for Fox during the regular season, served as color commentator for WXIA’s coverage of the four exhibitions.
A confession: In those games I thought I saw a team that wasn’t half as bad as advertised, but not once did I leap to my feet and cry, “Pats reincarnate!” And maybe that’s why Baldinger is an “expert analyst” and I’m just a newspaper hack.
Destination for Dogs: Big D?
Esteemed former colleague Mark Schlabach keeps the faith and has Georgia headed for the BCS title game against Southern Cal in ESPN.com’s bowl projections. (I’m old enough to recall when bowl speculation commenced around Thanksgiving, not Labor Day.) Bruce Feldman is less enthused, ticketing the Bulldogs for the Cotton Bowl, which isn’t even an BCS game.
Rascal that he is, Schlabach serves up an intriguing postseason destination and opponent for Georgia Tech — the Congressional Bowl in Washington, D.C., against Navy, the school Paul Johnson just left. Not so scintillating is Feldman’s pairing for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. He has Clemson playing LSU, which would give the orange Tigers a chance to become the first collegiate team ever to lose inside the Georgia Dome three times in 367 days.
The SEC’s the greatest! Somebody tell UCLA!
I hesitate to post this one because I know — too well I know — how it feels to have one of your columns shot down before it takes flight. But Gregg Doyel of CBSsports kinda sorta picked the wrong day to crown the SEC the greatest conference ever.
He makes an interesting and fairly compelling argument — that two SEC teams should play for the BCS title — and runs down the list of SEC powers. And then Tennessee had to go out and lose to unranked UCLA in overtime. Reminds me — too well it reminds me — of the genius who said the Braves would be in first place on the Fourth of July.
So: What if the Stanford band had parachutes?
I’m sorry. I know I promised to keep this Buzz thing local, but I cannot resist posting the link, courtesy of YouTube, of a skydiver landing at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium, as opposed to the targeted North Carolina’s Kenan Stadium eight miles away.
Note that the parachutist — there were two, actually — lands amid James Madison players who are busy warming up. Note that he receives a smattering of applause for his feat. Note also that Mike Krzyzewski is in the corner of the frame, already yelling at the refs. (Little hoops joke.)
Vick speaks!
Because it wouldn’t be Bradley’s Buzz without a Michael Vick item, here’s Dave Forster’s story from The Virginian-Pilot recounting the quarterback’s participation — via speakerphone — in a hearing regarding his deteriorating finances. We’ve all heard a lot of strange things regarding Vick and his legal issues, but this latest chapter is particularly odd.
Vick claims a man named David Talbot, whom he’d apparently never met, visited him in prison and claimed he could expedite a release. Over the advice of his attorneys, Vick hired Talbot as a financial adviser. Subsequently (according to Forster’s account), $50,000 went missing from Vick’s bank account, as did a $20,000 chain Vick had given his brother Marcus.
Vick has since dismissed Talbot. And, according to Forster, Vick hinted in the hearing he would make claims of up to $2 million against Larry Woodward, his longtime lawyer. And Vick said his representatives, whoever they might be at the moment, are talking to the NFL about him being reinstated.
It’s the story that never goes away. And it never seems to get any prettier.
Permalink | Comments (56) | Post your comment | Categories: Bradley's Buzz
Comments
By Maniac is accurate
September 2, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
A $20,000 chain? That right there is why Mike Vick ain’t got no money. Dang that guy’s stupid.
By Maniac is accurate
September 2, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
Sorry, I got distracted by that last item. What I really wanted to say is HA! Tennessee gets beat by UCLA! Whoo hoo! My greatest hate is reserved for the Vols. I am a UGA fan who pulls for Florida one day a year. I wanted the Dawgs to skip the Sugar Bowl last year, go to whatever second tier bowl Tennessee went to, just to get immediate revenge instead of having to wait until this season. The only good Vol is a losing Vol – and they are all losers. And make no mistake, they will lose to the Dawgs this year.
By Reggie
September 2, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Mark
I have the Atlanta Falcons going 6-10, that is my prediction.When I break down the roster. I believe Matt Ryan will player better than people think. His transition to the nfl will be quick..I expect them to run the football well with Turner, and norwood, I believe the offensive line is going to be better than servicable, and the biggest thing that I love is the wide recievers. We have a pro bowler in Roddy White, a young exciting rookie in Harry Douglas,and I believe Michael Jenkins is due for a breakout year for the team. I think the offense will be fine.
However,
im not sold about the defense. We dont have much on the defensive line, outside of John Abraham, and I believe our secondary will get picked apart due to lack of experience. I see a 6-10 type of year, but I do see some upside in this team in that wwe can make a playoff run next year, especially with the talent this team can potientally have on offense.
By Blake
September 2, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
How could Vick so easily be misled? And against his attorneys’ advice, no less. Desparation? Gullibility? Stupidity? Maybe he wasn’t the ring leader in this dog fighting business after all.
BTW: Baldinger’s right. The Falcons for the first time in many years are headed in the right direction.
By Brian
September 2, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Man, MV7 is innocent!!! Framed by the man!!!
(hahahaha… who am I kidding?)
I enjoyed the heck out of Tennessee’s loss last night. Yeah, the SEC’s the greatest conference ever. Why would anyone make that claim on a weekend when the #18 team in the conference got beaten by an unranked. Also when Mississippi State, a team that a lot of people were priming to be a big deal soooner rather than later, gets smoked by Louisiana Tech. Make fun of the ACC all you want, but outside of Clemson’s terrible FIRST game, the SEC didn’t have that much of a different weekend from the “AWFUL” ACC.
By mountain jim
September 2, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Enjoyed this columnn, Mark.
When is the AJC going to bother to report on the excellent value trade the Falcons just made for a CB?
And when is the Falcons beat writer going to provide a new blog with some info? He gets shamed by the Braves beat reportage every day of the week. Still up is the blog about the cutdown to 70-something, over a week old. This being THE week of FINALLY a new NFL season, one might expect more activity from this beat.
Yes?
By Skeech
September 2, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Vick needs help right now - not scorn.
I’m 100% on board with Matty Ice as the future of the franchise, but nobody deserves their life’s efforts to be stolen from him while he’s a ward of the state.
Mike needs help from the right people. I hope he gets it and will pray for him.
By willdave
September 2, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, perhaps I’m such a huge fan of the Falcons that I’m being overly optimistic, but I honestly do not believe that the home team will finish as poorly as most experts seem to think. I think Matt Ryan and DJ Shockley will make folk forget about that convict. I think Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood will present a potent running attack. Roddy White will continue to emerge as one of the league’s premier receivers. Brian Finneran will get back to providing those clutch catches as he did before the injuries. The offensive line will get the job done. People will see why the front office gave up two second rounders to get Sam Baker. The revamped defense will continue to play stingy. Adam Jennings will render some electrifying returns. Jason Elam will hit field goals that Old Man Andersen would have missed or not even attempted. Mike Smith knows how to coach winning football on a professional level. Just check out his SB ring with Baltimore. Bottom line: the Falcons will certainly do no worse than your 5-11 and might even surprise us with as much as an 8-8 season. Maybe better. GO FALCONS!!!
By Barry
September 2, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
The Falcons will be 100% better than what the non playing football sportswriters predict. They will be the talk of the league with Matt Ryan and the Heartbeats. That’s right. “One Heart Beat”. This will be a team effort to the highest level. There will be no great stars, but players playing together making each other stars. This is going to be an exciting season of footbal in the ATL.
“GET READY TO RUMBLE!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!
Ringold
By Barry
September 2, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
The Falcons will be 100% better than what the non playing football sportswriters predict. They will be the talk of the league with Matt Ryan and the Heartbeats. That’s right. “One Heart Beat”. This will be a team effort to the highest level. There will be no great stars, but players playing together making each other stars. This is going to be an exciting season of footbal in the ATL.
“GET READY TO RUMBLE!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!
Ringold
By Barry
September 2, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
The Falcons will be 100% better than what the non playing football sportswriters predict. They will be the talk of the league with Matt Ryan and the Heartbeats. That’s right. “One Heart Beat”. This will be a team effort to the highest level. There will be no great stars, but players playing together making each other stars. This is going to be an exciting season of footbal in the ATL.
“GET READY TO RUMBLE!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!
Ringold
By heath
September 2, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
4-6 wins, with those wins coming later on in the season, as the team shows steady improvement, would be great to me.. i do think the falcs are heading in the right direction, and good years, maybe even (gasp) back to back winning seasons, are ahead..
By Mark Bradley
September 2, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I don’t know that Tennessee losing drops the entire SEC to the level of the ACC. If memory serves, two SEC teams just beat two ACC teams pretty badly. But Duke beat James Madison, so there’s that.
By ATLfan
September 2, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Mark,
I think the Falcons will go 6-10 because of two reasons..
1 - The Falcons are more talented than eveyone thinks.
2 - The NFC south really stinks.
Good luck Birds!
By phatt
September 2, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
I’m not understanding these predictions. 2-14 or 5-11???? That’s nuts. This team was MUCH worse last year (complete chaos) and they managed 4-12. This team is much better this year, so how come there will be no improvement or even worse as some EXPERTS say?
The players, the personnel and the overall excitement destory anything we had last year. Last year we had a QB going to jail, a Head Coach that had no business being in the NFL and quit on us AND some crappy QB play.
Our QB is better, our coaches are better our RB’s are better, our WR’s are one year older and better and our Offensive line is MUCH improved. Only question mark is defense and I think Mike Smith’s defensive mind will make up for the lack of talent.
7-9 sounds about right…
By t-man
September 2, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I’m also optimistic for the Falcons…but I thought Petrino was a good idea!!
By Mark Bradley
September 2, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
I thought Petrino was a good idea, too.
I’m saying 5-11 because — and I’m in the process of breaking it down game by game — I foresee a season wherein the Falcons play tough 11 weeks out of 16 but lose enough close games to drag them down. Also because, over 16 weeks, talent seeks its level, and the Falcons’ level is still a little low.
By Mark B
September 2, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Mark,
You are a newspaper hack and not a great newspaper in the first place.
The Falcons are completely different from last year. IF the Saints can come back from Katrina rebuild the entire team and go to the NFCCG then the Falcons are surely capable of doing the same.
For once I would like to see the local paper picture the local team in a positive light. This is why no one reads the AJC anymore.
By eazy
September 2, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
i think it will be 0-16
By eazy
September 2, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
how is the falcons going in the right direction with a rookir running the team, a rookie coach and a rookie QB
By eazy
September 2, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
i do think shock can take use to the playoffs
By Ted Striker
September 2, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Bradley —
In addition to a game by game summary, you need to post scoring by quarter, completions versus attempts, rushing stats, and a summary of defense — tackles, ints, and sacks, etc. And I want to know what the punting average will be. Plus who wins the toss.
Why all the detail? This way if your 5-11 pick for the Falcons is correct (like last year’s pick of the UGA season won/loss total), the faithful reader-hood can dissect other facets of your prognostication prowess.
Take one for the Zipper, man. That’s my new credo.
By phatt
September 2, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Talent low???
As I mentioned, the Falcons are SO much better than last year. Position by position, we are for sure better. This includes the front office…
By DukeStank
September 2, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
We never know what the future will hold for any given sunday. Anything can happen during 60 minutes of football. Which is why it is the most watched games of any sport.
If the coaching staff uses all their resources, makes sound decisions, adjusts their game plan based upon the opposing teams tendencies, sends in the proper plays and the players execute….we fans may be in for a suprisingly interesting season regardless of anyones written opinions.
go falcons!
By eazy
September 2, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
i do like the talant, but the coach and the front office stinks.
By Mark Bradley
September 2, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
And I could also give estimates on how long the National Anthem lasts. Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated is legendary for actually putting a stopwatch on it.
By George
September 2, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
The Falcons, they will be better. The butchering of the English language by those who do the broadcasting, it will continue to get worse. I say let the sports writers broadcast the games! I don’t always agree with you Bradley, but you sure know how to put sentences together.
By James
September 2, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Tennessee’s loss hardly drags the SEC down close to the ACC’s awful weekend. The biggest issue was that the two teams expected to be in the conference championship, Clemson and VT, got spanked by a maybe-OK SEC team and a lost legitimately to a nobody, respectively. And then Virginia, who often have a decent defense if nothing else, got massacred by USC. It’s awful, no matter how you look at it—and at least Tennessee’s loss was a close one. Maybe Georgia Tech has some sort of chance now, if the rest of the conference is going to play this poorly…
By Mike
September 2, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
It is funny to read where GA fans are laughing at TN’s loss, yet this is the same team that has not left the South for an OOC game in decades. I would challenge GA to open the season against a half way decent team on the road instead of their typical Div-1AA teams they play like GA Southern.
By Ted Striker
September 2, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
I don’t know anything about Zimmerman and his stopwatch but my mom & dad timed me at two and a half hours in the bathroom with a S.I. Swimsuit Edition when I was 15
Shultz lived across the street and I overheard his parents telling my parents his record was 2 1/2 mins.
But he spells good.
By kappellmeister
September 2, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Why is it you UGA fans root for UT to lose? Or anybody else in the SEC, for that matter? A) You shold root for your state and conference anyway, and B)The more other SEC teams win, the better the power ranking for our beloved Dawgs after we beat them! DUH!
By Mikey in Sav
September 2, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
My record is 5 hours with the Jessica Simpson cover in GQ….
By Phil
September 2, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Hey Bradley, We are now in September. Are the Braves starting to “pull away”???
By Edgar
September 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
OK, so UT goes out to the west coast and loses to an unranked team. The loss can be laid at the feet of Britton Colquitt the punter and Phil Fulmer the Head Coach. They said he’s on suspension for 4 games. This kid should have been kicked off the team. Maybe I got bad info but I hear he’s had 4 DUIs and his latest DUI should have been his ticket home. Instead UT gets a punt blocked for a TD and they lose by 3 points. I understand we want to support the young man and we all hope he can put all his cards together with a great future ahead of him. But right now he should be somewhere other than a football stadium after a four game suspension. He should be in a rehab facility learning about how to stay sober. The Falcons? Hey, I’d like to see them win 12 of 16 this year but reality tells me 8. That’s all! Mark, I really believe they can duplicate the 1977 season with a .500 record. Anything better than that is gravy.
By Bubba
September 2, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
I see the Falcons going 5-11. Maybe 6-10. That’s okay by me. The Falcons haven’t played “team” ball since - well, really since Mora’s 2nd year. They’d been playing “me” ball, and fielding a “team” like that eventually deteriorates to a game of smear the — Well, point is that kind of culture adjustment takes time. That which does not kill you makes you stronger.
By Edgar
September 2, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Any by the way, as Peyton Manning put it after losing to the Steelers in the playoffs…..”It’s hard to take losing because of a drunk kicker.”
By T.C
September 2, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Why even mention vicks name in a report if he suppose to be trash to a lot of people?I just don’t understand that this guys name seems to pop up when he’s paying the price for what he’s done.Theres a old saying that says,do the crime do the time.for GODS sake let the man do his time.Its crazy that a conversation can be about simple Xs and Os of football and vicks name pops up.I wonder why his name is mentioned so often when people hate him?On second thought,thats probably why his name is mentioned.
By T.C
September 2, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Why even mention vicks name in a report if he suppose to be trash to a lot of people?I just don’t understand that this guys name seems to pop up when he’s paying the price for what he’s done.Theres a old saying that says,do the crime do the time.for GODS sake let the man do his time.Its crazy that a conversation can be about simple Xs and Os of football and vicks name pops up.I wonder why his name is mentioned so often when people hate him?On second thought,thats probably why his name is mentioned.
By Boo Boo
September 2, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Preseason predictions are based on paper. On paper, the Falcons should go 4-12 or 5-11. Last years team, on paper, could have gone 7-9, 8-8, … if. Last years the quarterback plan failed … miserably … on all levels. Injuries occurred in key areas. The new college rah-rah coach freaked out and started dishing out the bunker mentality. The troops complained and gave up. What could have been turned out to be what was one more notch in the Falcon pistol handle … the one they love to shoot themselves in the foot (or head) with.
In the preseason hope springs eternal. We look at paper and dream. What if …. This could happen …. This guy’s a lock for the Hall of Fame …. Go Falcons! Win them all! Go team go!
When we reach the bye week, reality will begin to set in. The difference between 2-14 and 5-11 is how over paid respond to coaching, rather than start looking around and seeing where blame can be placed. No matter how good the players think they are, could be, or have the potental to star, when they quit trying they lose. The more players that quit, the more losses the team brings home. That’s the way team sports are.
This season is all about a first-time head coach, a rookie starting quarterback, and a defense that has no history of regularly giving up less than 450 yeards per game (preseason not counted). On paper, that could equate to a 2-14 record. We just hope the reality is better than that.
By falconess
September 2, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
This a little off topic, but why are the media and some DAWG folks assuming Snelling made the roster because Brown got injured. The neck in neck race that you GA fans keep bring up is crazy. Brown was not the only KR or PR being utilized. So he did not have the position locked up. Both backs showed some very impressive skills. Brown was a scat back and Snelling the powerback. Lets me fair, no one knows what the outcome whould have been now that Brown got hurt. I believe they would have kept Snelling for his power game. I do not know for sure but I do not believe because Brown is a GA boy that he is better for falcons scheme. He has a history of injuries and recovering from this will take so long that they had to place him on the injury reserve. Brown would have been on PS. Snelling would have been picked up by serveral teams looking for power runner. Scat backs are a dime a dozen. Not so for the powerback. Lets keep things real and not so GA looking. It makes all GA folks look real dumb.
By spotts
September 2, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I’d be happy with 2-14. No pressure for Ryan as he matures, and we get a top draft pick.
As for Vick…I thought I broke the bank on the $300 necklace I got my (then) girlfriend for Christmas. $20,000??
By Mark Bradley
September 2, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
You know, I’ve followed teams into similar seasons where people were saying, “The record really doesn’t matter as long as the team shows progress.” But then, once the losing starts, those same folks tend to get awfully impatient. I know Billy Knight used to accuse me of getting impatient toward the Hawks. And I guess I did.
By D-Cider
September 2, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Memo to Markey..never post a blog before 6 a.m. get some more sleep, have some coffee, and think about what u are writing.
Spotts, $300 for a necklace is chump change..she musta dumped u.. As far as some idiot comparing Ryan to Manning, any Manning, shows what drugs can do to a brain.
By mr defense
September 2, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Why all the concern with our defense.We went the last 14 quarters in pre season without giving up a touchdown.I think the reason we will win 8-10 games will be because of our defense.
By D-Cider
September 2, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
ok..i’ve checked the schedule what 5-8 games is anyone expecting the falcons to win? heck, they could easily drop the last 10 games of the season.
By godawgs_uga
September 2, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
I don’t think impatience is the right word. For me it is more intolerance for incompetence. And Atlanta fans in general get more than their fare share of that….pure incompetence….which in turn breeds impatience simply based off of past failures. The whole fan culture in Atlanta has been warped into a sense of “Whats going to go wrong next” pessimism that just hangs hangs over the city like the smog in Beijing. Incompetence is the word.
By Mark Bradley
September 2, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
GoDawgs, I wouldn’t disagree. We’ve become fairly fatalistic toward our pro teams, mostly for good reason.
Think about it: The Hawks are probably show the most immediate promise of the pro franchises, and they haven’t had a winning record since 1999.
By jim w harrison
September 4, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
In the early Falcons years, Rankin Smith was interviewing a candidate for the cheerleading squad. He explained to her that when the Falcons go to the Superbowl, the team would pay the cheerleaders expenses to attend. Her response was, “Mr. Smith, I will be too old to cheer, when the Falcons go to the Superbowl!” She still gotthe cheerleaders job with the Falcons.
By jim w harrison
September 4, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
In the early Falcons days, Rankin Smith was interviewing a candidate for the cheerleading squad. He explained to her that when the Falcons go to the Superbowl, the team would pay the cheerleaders expenses. Her response was, “Mr. Smith, I will be too old to cheer when the Falcons go to the Superbowl!” She still got the cheerleaders job.
By CHANCEY
September 5, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
THE FALCONS NEED VICK IF THEY PLAN ON DOING ANT THING!!
By A Hill
September 16, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
u crackers just happy that s** a* white boy back dere he aint no vick and 2 me he aint s** u cracker happy dat vick is locked up i cant wait till he gets out next year and if ryan was so good why is vick still on the roster for the falcons and think about this who would people come 2 see a sorry a* cracker or a quaterback who can sell out the dome and bring action towards the game point blank ryan f*** suck he’s a waste of pick for atlanta.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
September 21, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
A Hole, I am happy Vick is locked up for his criminal activity. As to why he remains on the roster I’m not really sure. I doubt he will ever play for the Falcons, or any other NFL team, again but it’s a bit mysterious as to why they still have him on the roster. Vick was an awful quarterback and it’s good the Falcons took a guy who’s going to be a good leader for them. The Dome has been sold out these first two games, so it appears the Falcons don’t miss him from that standpoint. I think Ryan is the right guy for the job. He’s changed the complexion of things at Flowery Branch.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
September 21, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Ryan’s weak arm looked pretty good on that 70 yard touchdown pass!
By Johno
September 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I like the direction my Falcons are going in. I am glad D. Hall is out of town. Vick had his chance to lead and failed. He turned into a gangster. What a primadonna they both were. The game is much bigger than both of them. They should have been thankful they had the talent to play in the NFL. They both were distractions. Vick got worse and worse as time went on. He never learned how to hold a football when he was running.How many times did he turn the ball over to the other team by fumbling? I wish both of them well, but good riddance. I think Vick deserves a second chance after he pays his debt, but not as a quarterback. Maybe special teams.
By money
September 25, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
i am i die hard mike vick fan and i cant wait to see what he does when he gets out he has so much talent the league trys to compare vince young to him but there is nobody like him he is the most explosive player to ever play the game he can make nothin into something every single play of the game and i seriously hope my boy goes to the lions so he can show people just how to use a powerfull offense cuz its pretty clear no other mobile QB is worth anything
By Michelle
September 26, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
I honestly cannot believe how some people can judge others withouth any reservation. I want to address some comments that really stick out:
Vick was convicted of being involved with dog-fighting NOT being a gangster. That comment about him being a gangster was harsh and unnecessary. If I was to follow that logic, wouldn’t that mean Pete Rose is a gangster too?
The dome is not sold out because fans bought all the tickets. I am a season ticket holder so I know when my tickets were renewed, the dome was not sold out. A mass purchase was made for all the remaining tickets (I believe by the owner, but I can’t remember offhand who bought them all) and these tickets are being distributed (sometimes for free) to corporations or other social groups. However, on any given Sunday, the lack of fan support is very evident by the hundreds (thousands during pre-season) of empty seats.
Let us not forget, that the dome was sold out before pre-season when Michael Vick was playing. This city is so fickle and really has a problem with short-term memory loss. Everyone loved Vick when the light was shining on ATL and our team was featured in multiple Monday night football games. Now all of the scourners are sitting in the seat of judgement.
Whatever happened to “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone”?