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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > October > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRyan, Horford make past blunders forgettable
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We Atlantans had come to regard two words - “the draft”- with the fear and loathing Bostonians held for Bucky Dent. We watched as Aundray Bruce and Bruce Pickens and Adam Keefe and Ed Gray became, albeit briefly, part of the local landscape. We saw the Falcons trade up to get Reggie Kelly. We saw Billy Knight snag Williams after Williams but not, alas, Deron Williams.
But now, for one shining moment, we have arrived at a point in Atlanta sporting history when all, draft-wise, is bliss. When last the Falcons picked, they took Matt Ryan. When last the Hawks picked, they landed Al Horford. Both were the No. 3 selections overall. Neither was a sure thing: Some wanted Mike Conley Jr. instead of Horford, and many preferred Glenn Dorsey to Ryan. Happily, both No. 3s are better than we dared dream.
Horford should have been the NBA’s rookie of the year. (He finished second to Kevin Durant.) Ryan will be the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year. Horford’s addition turned a loose collection of talent into something stronger, something finally capable of playing beyond the 82nd game. Ryan’s advent has rendered Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino yesterday’s news.
As Mike Smith, the Falcons’ coach, said after Ryan’s stunning performance against Chicago: “Matt’s got It. We’re not sure exactly what ‘It’ is, but Matt’s got It.”
So does Horford, who has the bearing of someone 10 years older. That was evident at Florida, where he was first among equals on two national championship teams. As essential as Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer and Taurean Green and even Lee Humphrey were, Horford was the Gator to whom others deferred. (Noah — and only Noah — called him “Horfy.”)
Horford spent last season making us forget he’s a rookie, and Ryan gives increasing lie to that designation with every week. Horford and Ryan are already linchpins of their organizations, and those organizations look better than they have in years because of these two men.
Ryan took command of the Falcons’ huddle on his first day of minicamp and took ownership of the locker room by spending $10,000 of his $72.5 million for a new sound system. Horford’s audience was less skeptical: The Hawks hadn’t done anything in a decade, and here was a hard-edged rookie who had two NCAA titles to his name. Even famous athletes gravitate toward winners.
And on one spring Saturday, the new stars aligned over Atlanta. On the day the Falcons drafted the quarterback from Boston College, the rookie from Florida helped power the Hawks to a playoff victory over the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena. First the rookie from Florida screened an inspirational DVD of the Ali-Foreman fight for his older mates, and then he ripped the imperial C’s with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Thus was the day of Matty Ice’s arrival the night Horfy fully arrived.
Because of these two draftees, hope grows in a city where the draft had become a continuing source of dread and the Falcons and Hawks had become unfunny jokes. The Hawks made the playoffs, and these Falcons just might. And if enthusiasm is indeed contagious, is drafting excellence about to become a civic epidemic?
Let’s recall that the Thrashers also had the No. 3 pick in the June draft, and the 18-year-old defenseman Zach Bogosian is already in the NHL. If he turns into Bobby Orr, or even Al MacInnis, we’ll know our long-beleaguered franchises are really and truly onto something.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons/NFL, Hawks/NBA, Thrashers/NHL
Comments
By Sage of Bluesland
October 20, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
But, the one thing the other Atlanta franchises besides the pitiful Thrashers have going for them: they DON’T have that blustering idiot Don Waddell making picks for them.
You know our bumbling Donny, Mark—he of the “Five-Year Plan”, “Building through the draft!”, playoff “guarantees”, and “this year’s team [2007] is better than last year’s team [2006]”?
Don Waddell—never have I seen so much frittered away for so long with so little accountability. There is only one AJC journalist (I use that term loosely) who knows precisely what is going on: Jeff Schultz. Guess what? Donny doesn’t have anything to do with him!
My final question, Mark—and you should recognize it as I ask you this often: What have sold out for? What is Don Waddell giving you to continue propping him up? Why do you continue to defend the indefensible?
It’s too bad we’ll never know the truth and the 30 pieces of silver Bradley sold the truth for…
By Lenny
October 20, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Interesting piece, Bradley. I don’t know who was worse at drafting, Billy Knight or Don Waddell. They both were AWFUL at drafting. At least we finally got rid of Billy Knight, now if we can only get rid of Don Waddell, then all will be right in Atlanta again. 10 years of incompetence is more than an ample amount of time, it’s time to let that guy go, imho.
By champ
October 20, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
the Trashers will never get anywhere with Waddell in charge. how long before this new coach is his next scapegoat Mark ?
By Mark Bradley
October 20, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Oh, I’d give John Anderson another two games at least. The Thrashers never fire a coach before Game 6.
I’m kidding. I don’t think Waddell wants to fire anybody again ever.
By Thrashy Thrashy
October 20, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Waddell likely won’t get the chance to fire anybody again. Not in Atlanta, at least.
By Where are they now?
October 20, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Indeed, where are they now?
Aundray Bruce, who was alleged to throw footballs from goal line to goal line in pregame warmups (and I always hoped that he might be used as a last second hail mary qb)
Marcus Cotton, often forgotten in the shadow o the colossal bust Bruce, but arguably the Falcon’s second-worst LB draft pick ever.
Bruce Pickens, a CB drafted out of Nebraska in the old Big 8, where he had faced no team that passed more than 15 times a game, and likely never faced a good receiver.
Steve Broussard, who would run out of bounds whenever a defender got within 5 yards of him.
Brett what’s-his-name, that redneck kid from Southern Miss who allegedly held the record for fishbowls at Lulu’s Bait Shack?
By lawton
October 20, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Mark, you done lost your mind. How in the world can one player each make up for what the falcons, and particularly the hawks have done over the last 10 years. The falcons really havent blundered that much in the draft, its the HAWKS who are straight garbage. Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, trading Rasheed Wallace for NOTHING, trying to build around the overrated Josh Smith, i can go on forever, and ONE player is suppose to make us forget all that. priceless.
By Najeh Davenpoop
October 20, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
“The falcons really havent blundered that much in the draft”
First round picks: 2002 TJ Duckett (who probably would have been more successful without Jim Mora but that’s a different story). 2003 Peerless Price (via trade). 2004 DeAngelo Hall and Michael Jenkins. 2007 Jamaal Anderson. ‘01 (at least for a while), ‘05, ‘06 (assuming Abraham can actually get through an entire season without getting injured), and ‘08 (so far) have worked out for them. I’d say they have just as mixed a record as the Hawks, whose only true bust selection was Shelden Williams in 2006 despite the ‘05 selection of the decent-but-not-great Marvin getting more criticism.
“its the HAWKS who are straight garbage”
Didn’t they just make the playoffs?
“trading Rasheed Wallace for NOTHING”
They got the #17 pick in the draft that year in exchange, with which they selected Josh Smith.
“trying to build around the overrated Josh Smith”
I believe Joe Johnson is the guy you are looking for. And how exactly is Josh Smith overrated? He is one of the most, if not the most, versatile players in the NBA at age 23. How exactly does that make him overrated?
“i can go on forever”
Making unsupportable, idiotic statements? Yeah, apparently.
By TheJama
October 20, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Regardless of draft position, how many picks, and how many players make up your team it still comes down to coaching. Very simple, if you have the right coaching in place even perinnial losers can win games. Perhaps those losers weren’t actually that bad, they just had poor coaching. However, it sure does help a lot when you do actually hit the draft jackpot. Combine that with good coaching and goods things happen.
By This Gets Old
October 20, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan’s contract isn’t $72 million. It’s $34+ million guaranteed which is about 2 million more in guaranteed dollars than Jamarcus is guarateed from the Raiders.
Even if it were the entire $72 million it might end up being worth it to Arthur Blank if it helps to host a SB or get a new stadium.
By bigeasy830
October 20, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Well, I see that after 6 games everyone wants to anoint Matt Ryan as the second coming. Before anyone compare Glenn Dorsey and Matt Ryan in regard to success in their NFL careers or even Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, lets at least wait until after the season, but we should wait until year 3 of their careers. It’s great that Ryan is having early success, but it is still early in the season and early in his career. 6 games do not make a season and 1 season do not make a career. Arthur Blank seems ready to give out another 130 million dollar contract by his statement to that reporter in Tampa. But only time will tell.
By Najeh Davenpoop, great post man. I will be in the Highlight Factory November 1. It is gonna be a great season for those Hawks. People were a little down because of the J-Chill thing, but we all know there was a glut at forward for the Hawks and may still be. One of them had to go and another one may also. Just hope this time we can get something in return if we let one go at the end of the season. There will be more interest for Marvin or J-Smoove if we decide to deal one of them at the end of the season. But, right now we will concentrate on winning at least 45 games and at least a 5 or 6 seed maybe higher in the play-offs for this season.
By Tree Rollins
October 20, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark, you left out Jon Koncak and Rumeal Robinson on the Hawks. And how about Bruce Pickens (db), TJ Duckett, and Michael Jenkins of the Falcons - not exactly household names?
By Tree Rollins
October 20, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Oops I left out Dan Dickau and Boris Diaw (now decent now that his coach isn’t Mike Woodson). Also left out Michael Booker, Devin Bush, and Tony Smith. Gosh, why did you make us think about this? I’m getting depressed again.
By Scottbravesfan
October 20, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
I hope Zach Bogosian turns out to be something special. I think Atlanta is tired of the Thrashers same old excuses. By now everyone expected the Thrashers to be at least annual playoff contenders. At least make a 7th or 8th seed every couple of years especially in a league where half the teams make the playoffs, but no they get there one year and now they will rebuild for the next five.
By Dr. Warren
October 21, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
The Dimitroff-Smith-Ryan Falcons are so much like the LeBaron-Bennett-Bartkowski Falcons. Even the one-two running punch recalls Andrews-Cain. Back then, inevitably, there were the Steelers, Cowboys, Raiders, Vikings, and possibly Rams, and all the rest. Fortunately, parity reigns supreme in today’s NFL, so this new edition will actually have a decent shot at a Super Bowl within the next 2-5 years.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
October 21, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Nice article. You see this is how you build a solid fan base- draft solid teams from the ground up where the fans have something good to get attached to over time. That’s where these Atlanta teams screwed up so many times in the past. People wonder why this fan base is so fickle- look at the draft picks and hell most of the free-agent pickups we had. Reggie Kelly, Ed Hartwell, Peerless Price, Aundray Bruse, Isaiah Rider, gimmick offenses like the run and crap shoot, cut-blocking aka zone blocking, and on and on. Guys that were bust only to turn around and get ghost before you knew it. Sure the Braves got it right, but those post-season chokes killed that spirit and the one guy who demanded love from the fans, David Justice, dissed those same fans in the papers for not giving him enough. And as a side note that dude was a bonfide jerk to fans whenever he came across them where ever they happen to meet in the city of Atlanta- I witnessed that personally on three different occasions. Now maybe, just maybe things are turning for the better. The last Falcon’s draft was better than the previous FIVE. As for Horford, I still believe that was blind luck considering what GM made the pick but I’ll take it. I was at game 6 of that Hawks/Celtics game and the fans were amazing. I can not remember the last time I’ve seen that where it concerns the Hawks. Maybe when the Dominique-led Hawks took it to the Bird-led Celtics back in the day. These teams have to build on this for the fans have been there contrary to what Kevin Garnett says, they or rather we just don’t have a history of greatness in our franchises to follow them thru years of losing blindly leaning on that history like the fake fans in Celtic land do. The Falcons have a chance to bring that spirit into their franchise too- something I also haven’t seen in awhile and the Vick-led Falcons aren’t what I’m talking about. Most of those fans were there just for #7. I’m talking about the Bartkowski-led Falcons who had a “team” of players to root for- Jenkins, William Andrews and the like. This can and will be a good time for us Atlantans. They just have to keep it going in the right direction this time.
So far, so good.
By Mark Bradley
October 21, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Actually, I believe I did mention Bruce Pickens. Or Slim Pickens, as I always thought of him.
By Brad
October 21, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Good to see you setting aside your Gator-hate for a brief moment, Mark, and giving credit to Horford. We Gators have had the distinct pleasure of cheering for him for a few years now. Another thing to bear in mind about Al Horford is that he is also a good person, a character guy that will never embarrass the Hawks. Great article overall, though. I like the comparison between Horford and Matt Ryan.
By bob
October 21, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
I feel that starting this football and basketball season, its going to be a great many years to come for the Atlanta sports franchises. The Falcons finally have it together and are getting better, and drafting Matt Ryan really helped! Drafting Horford was the best decision they could make. Being a Gator fan, I loved it when they drafted him and I knew it was the right move. Hawks, Falcons, and Braves are all still rebuilding, just give them a few years before they’re great!
By arrowhead1959
October 21, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
I also think its remarkable that two other early draft picks-Baker and Loftin-are starting and contributing. When was the last time that has happened for any team, much less the Falcons.
By VickBeliever
October 21, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
So you guys are sold on Matt Ryan after 6 games. Let’s not forget he has not won a game yet for the Falcons thee have been several other contributors to the 4-2 seasons. Now we have to see how he performs in the next few games against Philly, Denver, New Orleans, Tampa and Carolina. We could be 4-7 in the blink of a eye. If we for one don’t start scoring TD’s in the redzone.
By Mark Bradley
October 21, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
I’d say Ryan had a little something to do with that Bears game.
By MsDee
October 21, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
VickBeliever you are right but we should also cheer for our team while we are 4-2..remember, we didnt suppose to look this good right now..us being a make-over team and all..
By Elmore
October 21, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Not only is the Thrasher ownership still in disarray and Waddell still a schumck but their huge scoreboard on the Hawk Walk is still not working. Been two seasons now Spirit. Don’t know an electrician? And don’t know hockey. PFB.
By willdave
October 21, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
“bigeasy830,” no one can predict the future. However, we Falcon fans are justified to be very pleased with what Ryan has acccomplished so far. He has shown every indication of becoming one of the truly great QBs in this league and will probably help convert this long-suffering franchise into a winner.
“VickBeliever,” your moniker reveals that your objectivity is tainted by sour grapes over the self-imposed downfall of that convict. Nevertheless, deep down inside, you know that the Falcons would probably be 1-5 or 2-4 without the brilliant play of Matt Ryan. This rookie QB has contributed immensely to the surprising success of this team so far. We fans can’t help but get excited over just how much farther he will take us as he gains more experience.
By contrast, six games into his career, that convict was still playing behind Chris Chandler, a capable but certainly not HOF-caliber QB. Think about that next time before you try to post something negative about this kid. GO MATT RYAN!!!
By VickBeliever
October 21, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Wilddave let me address your racist Mccain supporting igorance like this. If you read my post I was not in no way bashing Matt Ryan in fact you idiot I stated that it was more of a team effort. Now let me school you on your lack of knowledge of football. In the 4 games that we won look at the rush yards that Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood gained which is more tha a 75%contributor to every victory we had. Look at Matt Ryan performances against the teams that are ahead of us that we still have to play again Carolina and Tampa. So why you are in rush to judge and crown Matt Ryan the savior for this team think again and include names like Turner, Norwood, Milloy, Abraham, Mike Smith, the off coordinator and last but not least the offensive line. Its people like you wilddave I wish would stay hidden behind your white sheets. Matt Ryan could never accomplish what Vick did.
By VickBeliever
October 21, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
MSdee you are right we have to support our team during this good times. All I am saying is let’s not get over board and crown this man as the single reason we are winning. Glad someone on here understands its a team game.
By NCFalconFan
October 21, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
To VickBeliever,
What did Vick ever accomplish? Yeah he won some games, set some records, but if I’m not mistaking, the NFL is all about RINGS and I don’t believe Vick brought one to Atlanta or had a winning record every year he was the starter.
I am a fan of football because of Michael Vick and I want him to come back to this league and succeed. But you can’t take away what Ryan has done thus far. Will Ryan bring the Falcons a Superbowl, I’m not sure, but I like what I see in him and every person who knows anything about football can see it as well. It’s just the people (like you) who think Arthur Blank should have closed Flowery Branch down and waited until Vick come out that has a problem with him and what he has accomplished, and as of right now a winning record for the Falcons.
Before you respond back to call me a racist, I am a African American female who loved Vick but is also a Falcon Fan.
By willdave
October 21, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
“VickBeliever,” your rant of personal attacks and erroneous assumptions demonstrate your lack of ability to comprehend and discuss subjects in a rational manner. True, the Falcons’ success is a team effort. I have never stated or implied otherwise here or anywhere else. But this particular column concerns Matt Ryan, so that is who I chose to compliment at this time. I stand by my comments.
“Matt Ryan could never accomplish what Vick did.” You’re probably right on that one. I doubt Ryan would be stupid enough to get himself convicted of a sadistic crime, suspended from playing in the NFL and essentially destroy an outrageously lucrative career. GO MATT RYAN!!!
By bigeasy830
October 22, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Matt Ryan had a little to do with that Bears win, but Lovie Smith was the real 12th man and MVP for the Falcons, Bears gave us that game, but a win is a win.
By Brendan
October 23, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
I think Waddell has slightly improved over the past few drafts. The AS, LLC believes that if a GM has job security, he’s bound to improve, over time, from the mistakes he’s made.
Most cities require results to retain a job. But that’s not true in much of Atlanta sports. Bobby Cox is still in charge of a team that last won a game in the World Series in 1996. How long was Billy Knight running the Hawks? And he’d stilllll be running the Hawks, if he hadn’t resigned, over the organization’s unwillingness to fire Coach Woodson. Don Waddell’s track record, whether in the Olympics in the NHL, isn’t a good one. Don’t make me produce the stats. We’ve read them all ad nauseum.
But I can credit Waddell for escaping from an offseason without a single boneheaded move. He had a good draft. He made reasonably priced contracts. He signed free agents who ought to be motivated to be here. And he arrived at a new plateau, whereby … for the first time EVER, Waddell “proactively” signed a player, in Tobias Enstrom. For the first time in a long time, I’m actually starting to feel like Waddell might be getting back on track. The Thrashers are going with a youth movement, in a league that emphasizes youth and speed. If Waddell continues to enjoy lottery draft selections, and doesn’t “bungle” them, then the franchise’s future is looking brighter.
By Gary
October 25, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Brendan, you’re giving Waddell too much credit for being proactive with Enstrom. That’s coming from the Owners. You failed to mention that the Owners also came to terms with Draft Picks Al Horford and Acie Law, proactively. Good post though .
By jeff
October 26, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
mark bradley is a freakin idiot. Why does he fail to mention that LSU put up 38 points on the ‘oh so daunting’ UGA defense. Dont get me wrong, Knowshon Moreno and Stafford are legit. BUT….. you have to be fair. So is tim tebow, jeff demps, chris rainey, and percy harvin. Try defending all of those, try holding charles scott to under 40 yards. He ran WILD on UGA. ahh, i love ignorance. Can’t wait to see what Urban has up his sleeve for this one. I sincerely hope the arrogance on behalf of UGA players, coaches, and now, even incompetent writers is knocked out of them this saturday. Go Gators!
By jeff
October 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
mark bradley is a freakin idiot. Why does he fail to mention that LSU put up 38 points on the ‘oh so daunting’ UGA defense. Dont get me wrong, Knowshon Moreno and Stafford are legit. BUT….. you have to be fair. So is tim tebow, jeff demps, chris rainey, and percy harvin. Try defending all of those, try holding charles scott to under 40 yards. He ran WILD on UGA. ahh, i love ignorance. Can’t wait to see what Urban has up his sleeve for this one. I sincerely hope the arrogance on behalf of UGA players, coaches, and now, even incompetent writers is knocked out of them this saturday. Go Gators!
By Joe
November 6, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
The worst trade I have seen the Hawks make was trading the rights to Pao Gasol for Sharif Abdul-Raheem. Lets look at Lenny Wilkins’ past 1st round picks shall we. * Ed Gray (1997) * Priest Lauderdale (1996) * Alan Henderson (1995) * Doug Edwards (1993) * Terrell Brandon (1991) * John Morton (1989) (passed up Vlade Divac) * Randolph Keys (1988) * Kevin Johnson (1987) * Brad Daugherty (1986)
Lets not forget this organization traded Dominique Wilkins for Danny Manning. We had players named Glenn Robinson, Christian Laettner, Tyrone Corbin, etc. etc. I have been disappointed enough. Horford was a mistake by management. They meant to take someone that would be out of the NBA by their 3rd season.