This blog has moved! Yes, already!
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 > December > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBradley’s Buzz: Right on Ryan, wrong on all else
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Scoreboard gets a new home
The final Bradley’s Buzz of 2008 seems an appropriate place for the Accountability Scoreboard, which annually totals my personal hits and misses. Or, in the case of the year almost complete, my personal hit — note the singular — and misses.
To be frank, I had a lousy prognosticating year. Many of you know this already, but here are the specifics in inglorious detail.
Braves on the road to greatness
That was the headline on a silly little something I wrote on Memorial Day. I predicted the local baseball team would be in first place by the Fourth of July and would win the NL East going away. In a career of spectacular whiffs, I’d rank this among the top three.
As ever, I had my reasons. I’d liked the Braves in the spring, and they’d had held together through a run of early injuries and seemed to be getting healthy. As ever, cold reality intervened. Four significant players — Glavine, Smoltz, Diaz and Kotsay — went on the disabled list within two weeks of the ill-fated column. Was it my fault the infirm Braves blew the ol’ law of averages to smithereens?
Only five days earlier, I’d pronounced the Mets dead, which they weren’t quite yet. The New Yorkers again made a run at the division title, again losing out on the regular season’s final day. So my diagnosis wasn’t exactly wrong — just four months premature.
Georgia en route to a championship
I’ve already done a mea culpa on this topic, but I’m sure Florida fans won’t ever get tired of a rerun of my recap. Here goes:
I picked Georgia to win the BCS title. I did this once in May and twice more — here and again here — in July. I called the Bulldogs the class of the SEC in both September and October.
Truth to tell, I was wrong about nearly everything regarding college football. (Call me the new Beano Cook.) Tech did not go 7-5. Tech did not lose to Georgia. Paul Johnson’s offense did, however, work as predicted.
Tim Tebow did not win another Heisman. Matthew Stafford did not outplay Tebow. Auburn did not win the SEC West. Wake Forest did not win the ACC Atlantic. Texas did not win the Big 12 (though it was still, I contend, the best team in that league). Southern Cal did beat Ohio State but will not play in the BCS title game. Clemson was, as I surmised, wildly overrated. And Virginia Tech did, as I guessed, win the ACC Coastal.
Picking three of the Final Four
Ordinarily I’d be thrilled to have batted .750 in my Final Four Fiasco, but anyone who picked all four No. 1 seeds batted 1.000. One such person lives under this roof. She was 10 at the time. She beat her dumb ol’ dad, who’s five times 10 and then some.
Oh, yeah. I also picked UCLA to win it all. Wrong on that, too.
Underclubbing on the Falcons
What gripes me is that I was really trying to be optimistic. (And believe me, optimism from me requires a concerted effort.) I picked the Falcons to go 5-11. They finished 11-5. How bad is it when you miss the final record by six whole games? So bad that only one thing serves to mitigate my error, and here it is.
Thank goodness for Matty Ice!
I advocated drafting him. When the Falcons did, I applauded their sagacity. When they decided to make him their starter, I endorsed that, too.
And here I’d like to thank Mr. Ryan for saving me from having a worse year than Wall Street. And I’d also like to thank y’all for reading and responding. Even if I’m not much of a seer, I’d like to think this goofy little blog has become a vibrant place for one and all. Even Gator fans.
And one to grow on
It’s an Accountability Scoreboard tradition to end with a final bold forecast. Last year’s involved Georgia and the BCS title, wouldn’t you know, and was utterly incorrect. This year’s involves the Falcons, and here it is:
The final score of the NFC title game: Falcons 21, Giants 20.
Matty, don’t fail me now.
Permalink | Comments (133) | Post your comment | Categories: Bradley's Buzz
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Comments
By GT 81
December 29, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
I don’t really understand this fairly recent idea that sports pundits must make predictions on everything. For me, it isn’t particularly entertaining or enlightening. I suppose it has to do with 24 hour cable channels and all day sports radio.
Go Jackets! Go Falcons!
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
I don’t think it’s such a recent phenomenon. People have been predicting outcomes as long as there have been sports.
Me, I think it’s a bit of a cheat for people in position to convey their opinions not to convey the most basic of opinion — who’s going to win? I’d rather be wrong — and I often am — than be noncommittal.
By leland
December 29, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Mr. MB—don’t worry so much about things. Nobody’s perfect. Know what I’m saying? Nobody’s perfect. Also, if you’re planning to go to the first Falcon’s playoff game be sure to get there on time. It would be terrible to be late and miss the whole thing. It’s in Arizona. Santa Fe, I think. Your pal, Leland
By Previous Ryan Skeptic
December 29, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
Mark, your one the best. I make it a point to read your column first. I appreciate your wholehearted approach in providing us the most accurate and up to date research. You also back up everything that you mention with stats. In addition, I also like the fact that you address your predictions. Not too many do that, if any. Even though you haven’t gotten some right your almost always dead on!
By spotman
December 29, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Gee thanks the kiss of death. Go any Falcons
By brewdawg
December 29, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Wouldn’t we be playing the Giants in the divisional round, right after the Arizona game?
By Dan
December 29, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Mark,you are always too giddy about Atlanta teams. We win 2 in a row and you declare us the best team ever.
By marshall
December 29, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
What a season for the Falcons!! Congratulations to all; from Arthur Blank to whomever turns off the lights when all have exited the Dome. This is a great team to watch and they will only get better. On to Arizona; good luck Falcons.
By Knuckle Sandwich
December 29, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
The first blog post from Mark’s Falcons Season Preview…
Jeff~
“Too bad Matt will lose his first game against a better all around Detroit Lions!!!! Lions 24 Falcons 10”
BWWWAHAHAHA!!!!
By kreedham
December 29, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Well brewdawg, when the Falcons play NY would depend on who won the other wildcard. If Minn. beats Phil then we would play NY in Round 2. If Phil wins then we would play Carolina in Round 2 and possibly NY in the NFC Champ game!
By Ryan
December 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Thanks a lot, Mark. Now the Falcons have no chance of making the Super Bowl.
By bug
December 29, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Guess I can take that column off my fridge now.
No one more than myself wishes you were more accurate in your other predictions. Dawgs, Bravos and Thrashers have all had medium to consistantly poor performances. In a year full of disappointments, the Falcons have been the one bright light in the wood shed.
By Dr. Warren
December 29, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Will the fact that the playoffs occur in 2009 save us from Mark’s 2008 prediction curse? Hopefully. Otherwise, it is unfortunate that he predicted the Falcons to win the NFC. Sorry, Mark, since you called me a seer last week, I have become bolder in my assertions. I say we will have our hands full against Arizona, espcially with their tall dominant receivers. Call that one 28-27, Falcons. And let’s stop there for now.
By Bailer
December 29, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
everyone looks at the score and rb, wr, qb look what heart the def line, def lb and def backs and off line played with. in my opinion #55 is a pu$$y gets tired, all of a sudden gets hurt. THANK YOU FALCONS FOR AN EFFORT BEYOUND YOUR ABILITY THANK YOU
By The Grinch
December 29, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
This should NEVER be a place for Gator fans, under any circumstances.
By Bill
December 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Mark, I hope you are right this time. Go Falcons!!
Whats your prediction this year for the Braves? Will they get the big bat, are the pitching they need?
It would be nice if Jeff, and Terance would man-up and admit their wrongs.
Mark you still do a great job. Happy New Year. <>-<
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 29, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Anyone get a load of the Charger’s running last night? They look invincible.
Falcons will win the superbowl. Anybody get a load of the falcon’s running yesterday? They’re unstoppable. They can hurt you so many ways. This depth of badboys on the field is unprecedented in any football team I’ve ever seen. They always seem to have the momentum, and the championship destiny.
It is the Falcon’s turn. Even mathematically, there is a formula that proves they will win. It’s 43-54-22-HIKE!!
By Mister Stats
December 29, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley —> One for “08
Obama & Vick —> Two for 69
By Clamor
December 29, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Hey, Grinch. This paper is the AJC…not the UGA Bugle. Everyone’s opinion is welcome. “Lighten up, Francis.”
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
December 29, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
I applaud your use of the word sagacity, which is what you showed by selecting it.
By Nick Manning
December 29, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley I don’t blame you on screwing up. My knowledge on baseball far exceeds most anyone else I know and I was still predicting the Braves were at least contenders until we lost both Hudson and Smoltz. I think it has something to do with winning almost every year since 1991. I did feel most of the pundits who work for ATL fans were slow to react to the obvious when the Braves become apparently sub-par. Drop loads.
By Salt
December 29, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Two things that sports writers impose upon themselves that are ruining your profession because they are so ridiculous to the ordinary fan:
1) You must make predictions and appear as if you know everything. As the Late, Great Skip Carey used to say, “That’s why they play the game.” Because the fun of good sports is its unpredictibility.
2) Most writers say unless you win it all, you are a loser in some sense of the word. The idiotic commentary on Bobby Cox is a prime example. So much luck and “right place at the right time” go into winning championships, it reveals sports writers and fans’ ignorance when they harp on championships as the main criteria for judging a coach/manager’s skill and effectiveness. Was Casey Stengel 20 times better than Bobby Cox? Or did he have the players and organization and lack of competition that helped him win championships?
By falcons rock
December 29, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
MB, at least you admitted you were wrong and didn’t keep your head in the ground to ignore the truth. “Falcons are winning some surprising games again” We out here in denzy land are proud of our team ,and know 11-5 is a respectible record even if NBC Sunday football talking heads would not even say the word Falcon till the brackets were announced. I think NBC should lose their sports contracts and just become a liberal drama tank. You just keep blowing the Falcon horn Mark as we are behind you.
By cledus
December 29, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
When will the Journal staff replace Terrence Moore? He is overpaid and wrong most of the time.
By Steve
December 29, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Mark we always appreciate your honesty and you are never afraid to admit when you made mistake. I also predicted that UGA would be in the BCS game but after that Alabama loss they were never the same. As for the Falcons I knew they were heading in the right direction from the hiring of the GM and Mike Smith to the pick of Matt Ryan. I just never thought it would happen this fast. Congrats to the Falcons…What a season!
By Jim H.
December 29, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
So what you are saying is what all of us knew already - Sports writers don’t know any more than us attentive fans do. Whoop de friggin’ doo…that’s big news.
By TURTSNAP
December 29, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Mark, have you heard any news on Harry Douglas? I have not read anywhere why Milloy did not play yesterday, could you fill me in?
I noticed halfway through the game that the Falcons were playing without 3 defensive starters (Abraham, Anderson and Milloy). Given that, I’ll cut the defense some slack, however we have got to tighten it up in the playoffs.
I am most concerned with a possible round 2 matchup with the Panthers. Between the two headed RB monster they have and then throw in the two header WR monster, could be a long day.
It really bothers me that on every deep pass pattern, our defenders only focus on the WR and never turn to look for the ball. If other teams notice that, look out because all we will see is deep pass patterns in the playoffs. It will either fall incomplete, or it will be caught, but never intercepted.
By SlackJacket
December 29, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
There’s a reason we Tech fans call you “Bark Madley”.
By Glenn
December 29, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Love the humility . BTW , The Panthers will run all over us in two weeks & then they will narrowly beat the Giants in the NFC title game . Not starting off 2009 well at all either : ) Birds have been fun though . Just feels like Carolina’s year .
By wes
December 29, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Mark,
The Falcons would have to beat ARIZONA, then The New York football GIANTS……THEN…..play whomever (Philly/Minnesota/Carolina) for the NFC TITLE.
If you’re gonna predict, at least make sure its a possibility.
By David
December 29, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Mark, why is it with the Atlanta media that every year Georgia is going to win the National Championship? Whether you want to admit it or not, you problem is you are a homer.
By SlackJacket
December 29, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
There’s a reason we Tech fans call you “Bark Madley”.
By wes
December 29, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Am I wrong here or was NBC and FOX both wrong yesterday?
By Dawgtime
December 29, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
And the AJC is full of bias and BS. You obviously never passed a basic research class. You manipulated the variables to make GT look better. First, your headlines didn’t mention that private schools were not included. Many schools such as Stanford, Vandy, Duke, UNC, Harvard, and Yale are far superior academically to GT. GT fans think an engineering degree is the ultimate. The next time you have a medical emergency try calling a math geek. He will whip out his calculator and watch you suffer because he will have no idea how to deal with real life issues. Another variable that your bias view failed to mention is how you took data from different years for different schools. I challenge anyone to read the article and notice the source of the data. Notice the years for the scores. In typical fashion, facts were distorted. Who says that the AJC’s facts are correct? You partisanship is fine with me because it only hurts your paper. GT wins one game in many years and you would think they were something special. Why does the win mean so much? Yelp, GT has an inferiority complex. The flagship school is UGA and that won’t change no matter how hard the GT propaganda center, AJC, manipulates facts. To GT players, I hope you enjoy your 10th visit to the Georgia Aquarium or to your dorm room as UGA players are living it up in Orlando. What a joke?
By GT FAN PA
December 29, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
The lower seed always gets the higher seed. In this case if the Eagles beat Minn. they would play the Giants-we win and the Eagles lose we play the Giants. If we win and eagles win-we play the panthers. If we lose and the eagles lose- NY vs AZ and Car vs Minn.
By GATORZONE
December 29, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Mark, don’t feel bad. MANY uga fans over shot their mouths this year versus Alabama, Florida, Tech, and now Michigan State. No big deal being wrong on preseason predictions, it is the fools that continue to do it time and time again that look like idiots!
HAAAA HAAAA HAAAA
GO GATORS!!!!
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Obviously I’m also predicting Philadelphia will beat the Vikings, which would mean Philly plays the Giants in the second round. As GT Fan PA points out, the lower seed always gets the higher seed.
By Not Disappointed
December 29, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Dawgtime you really are a sore loser. Get over it. Tech won! The rivilary is back. Go Falcons! “Happy New Year All!”
By Devildawger
December 29, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Mark
Thanks for reviewing your picks and having some fun with it. So often we see and hear those in other electronic mediums make picks (Lou Holtz and some radio pundits) and they act as if they never made them after the game or season.
By TJ
December 29, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Me thinks that Dawgtime received a lump of coal in his stocking. Dude, grow the hell up.
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Wes, give me a little credit. I may be a lousy predictor, but I do know how the seedings work. (At least I think I do.)
By john
December 29, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
At least je was more accurate than the weather guy!
By Oh Heck With It
December 29, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Well, Mr. Mark, now that no free agents really want the Braves’ money, what in your expert opinion can we fans expect out of the Braves this season and the next few seasons? Do you really believe that the Braves have the personnel to even make a decent run at the East, without a big name pitcher filling a gap, or a decent hitter coming in? I have noted on ESPN’s free agents list that the majority of this year’s FA’s are beyond 34 years old. A lot beyond 36. I cannot see throwing millions at these guys with a potential to break down at any minute. However, I do not see the personnel in the Braves minor league system that will immediately come in and fill holes. Hanson has a bright future and a couple of the CF prospects do. However, there is no Chipper, Glavine, Smoltz, Brian types in the system. I think 75-80 victories this year will be about the very best they can hope for.
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
And just to show all Gators I bear no ill will, I refrained from making a prediction regarding the national championship game. Don’t want to jinx you guys. (Which should pretty much tell you how I think that game will come out, but maybe if I don’t say it out loud the Bradley spell won’t have its usual deleterious effect.)
By Correction
December 29, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Leland Santa Fe is not in Arizona! Try New Mexico.
Dan The Falcons have won 3 in a row now. Keep up.
By P. Mudge
December 29, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Our site maps do not reflect a Santa Fe, Arizona but, there is one in New Mexico, USA.
By jacketbacker
December 29, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
hey dawgdunce……since when is UNC a private school?? Ugags really are as dumb as we think you are!! it must kill you to see a story that has Tech players 1st in SAT scores( ahead of such schools as UVA, Michigan, Cal-Berkley, etc….) take note, Ugag nowhere near the top 10… we’ve always been smarter than you; now we just beat you in football!!….must suck to be a mutt!!
45-42!!!!!
By Darrin "The Vent King"
December 29, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Hey, no one could have predicted this season. Matty “Ice” has been unbelievable, heck this whole team has from Turner to Abe to Roddy and Jenkins. For us fans, this is as great a season as last year was terrible. I can not smile enough right now. And as far as making predictions for my Gators, thanks for not making them. They will be just fine without them.
GO FALCONS (and Gators!)
By Jimv
December 29, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Mark, I enjoy your column, I ignore your predictions. The best of both worlds, and happy new year.
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Jimv. And also to you.
By ARdawg
December 29, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley
Hats off to you for standing up and taking it like a man. I admire that. So few of the media, especially TV will do so and admit when their predictions were a complete 180 from correct. Hopefully you’ll start a new trend. I’ve noticed it a very rare occasion when the mouth pieces of ESPN will admit it. They carry week after week as if all of their predictions were 100% correct and still expect credibility. More often than not they are wrong but never follow up to admit it.
By DHD
December 29, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Mark…I bet your prediction was the most optimistic. Nobody had Ryan playing this year except for maybe the last 2 or 3 games. He is a special player. Look at Brady Quinn, for example, still riding the bench.
Keep predicting. It’s all in fun. I only wish I had put some money on the Falcons to make the playoffs. A little better than Citi stock.
By DawgFan
December 29, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, You are one of the few who comes back and eats crow. I see guys like Dr. Z for SI that makes horrible predictions and then acts as if he knows it all. Keep up the great articles.
By Gandalf, the White!
December 29, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Maybe you should look for some profession where you are more competent. You and the rest of this rag suck donkey balls.
By thomas barfield
December 29, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
mark regardless of seeding winner of atlanta/arizona game will play ny in 2nd round and winner of philly/minn will play carolina
By thomas barfield
December 29, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
mark regardless of seeding winner of atlanta/arizona game will play ny in 2nd round and winner of philly/minn will play carolina
By bernie
December 29, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH YOU THE BEST. YOU MAKE US PROUD TO BE A FALCON FAN.
By Johnny H
December 29, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
PLAYOFF SEEDINGS:
If the 6 seed upsets the 3 seed, the 6 seed plays the 1 seed. If the 3 seed wins, the 3 seed plays the 2 seed. This is not up for debate it is fact. I swear to God.
I hope the Falcons aren’t drinking the Kool-Aid that this Arizona game will be the cake walk the pundits are making it out to be. They’ve excelled all year in not buying into any sort of hype, would hate for them to start now.
By Bill
December 29, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
It is all in fun. It makes for good conversation among friends, family and coworkers. I cant wait to read all the ones for 2009.
By Bill
December 29, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
It is all in fun. It makes for good conversation among friends, family and coworkers. I cant wait to read all the ones for 2009.
By jaxjacket
December 29, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Mark, you failed to take credit for one of your hits - you write an entertaining and informative column. Speaking as one Tech fan, I don’t see the UGA partiality that many of us tend to hang on you. I enjoy your columns.
I also really like the way you continue to interact with your blogs after the initial article. Some of your AJC counterparts just put it out there and ignore (or appear to) the comments and follow on questions.
Let’s hope Johnson and the Jackets continue to give you plenty of opportunities in the future to write upbeat articles about the Jackets.
By Pat the Cynic
December 29, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
MB, I always enjoy your columns. You seem like a very likable guy who loves his job. But, I started betting opposite your predictions in October of ‘96, when the Braves came home from New York up 2-0 in the Series. You wrote a glowing article explaining, in detail, how they couldn’t possibly lose and finished it with the unforgettable line, “This baby is over!”
By J Dub
December 29, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Why is there so much hub bub over the seedings and round 2 issue? Johnny H is right and you other’s need to check the facts before you post your “correction rebuttal” on a board for everyone to see. Round 2 matchups will not be set until Round 1 is over and it is purely based on seeding at that point. This is not march madness!! Check out NFL.com if you want confirmation. The Falcons, should they win, have no idea who they will play next week until after the weekend games shake out!
By Darrin "The Vent King"
December 29, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Check this video out, sums up this great 2008 turnaround season:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx-LcVr4jwI&feature=channel_page] (http://www.ajc.com)
goosebumps, nothing but goosebumps…
GO FALCONS!!!
By GT 06 Alum
December 29, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark, With you reviewing all of your wrongs, what about some of the crazy wrongs around the rest of the AJC sports section this year? Like what ever happened to the poll asking who would have more wins…GT & the Falcons combined or UGA? I’m still laughing at how wrong that one was.
Go Jackets!!! Go Falcons!!!
By GATORZONE
December 29, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Mark, thanks for your non jinx. I have enjoyed your writing since I was old enough to read the paper and still lived in ATL!
Have a Happy New year!!
By LESD
December 29, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Right or wrong, I enjoy reading your columns. The only thing wrong with this blog is that you let too many Gators hang around.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
December 29, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I guess I didn’t do that right so just copy and paste this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx-LcVr4jwI&feature=channel_page
By GM R
December 29, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
A major problem with the Braves the last few years has been reliance on too many gambles paying off. This year it would seem they have the dollars to take less risks but I am not sure Frank Wren has his head in gear. Peavy was the right first target but since that all fell through Wren has seemed desperate. I also get the sense he is not focussed. Cashman has lots of dollars to spend but he is also getting out there to meet his top targets face to face - if the Yanks feel the need to do that then the Braves certainly need to do the same. There are still some great opportunities to bolster the team at realistic prices but I am not sure it is happening. Personally I would be jumping on a possible Xavier Nady trade and talking to the Pirates about Snell, or even working on a heavily incented deal with Sheets (a risk but one worth taking at the right price). Maybe the current silence is a result of the Furcal fiasco but I would much prefer Wren to be travelling to meet potential signings rather than spending time on the ski slopes.
By Tree Rollins
December 29, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Mark, in spite of your record you were the most optimistic of the sports guys on the Falcons and Matt Ryan and I agree with you on both. I also thought you were right at the time on the Braves. How could a Bobby Cox team be this bad (I guess we’ll find that out THIS season).
You and I were both too negative on Woodson and the Hawks - go figure how they’re all of a sudden winning games after the Childress fiasco. Mark Richt proved he does not belong in the ranks of Urban Meyers, Nick Saban, Mack Brown, Tressel or even Bob Stoops. He’s in the next group with Paterno, Butch Davis, Houston Nutt, etc. as far as coaching although he is a great recruiter.
By GATORZONE
December 29, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Sorry LesD, or should I say Leslie?
Freedom of speach, baby!
GO GATORS!!!
By Dorsey Hill
December 29, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Please pick UGA to go 0-11 and UF to win the East in 2009.
Your curse is worse than SI’s. SI covers simply just lose, your picks end up in the hospital.
4 key players on the DL for the Braves and 21 season ending injuries for the Bulldogs might be a clue that you should probably stop prognostigating permanently.
By GATORZONE
December 29, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
pardon me…
Freedom of speech!!!
By GATORZONE
December 29, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Now Now Dorsey….
I will tell you what a wise man once said to me:
“Excuses are the tools of incompetence that build Monuments of Nothing!”
By Pat the Cynic
December 29, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Regarding the second round seeding question. I’m pretty sure it shakes out like this: NY will play the lowest surviving seed and CAR the highest. That makes it simple - in the first round the lowest, Eagles (6) play at the highest, Vikings (3). It the Vikings win, they go to Carolina. If the Eagles win, they go to NY. Falcons/Cards winner goes to the other. Personally I think the Falcons have a better chance at NY, so I’m pulling for the Vikes to beat the Eagles. Maybe we’ll see an all- NFC South championship.
By John Abraham
December 29, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Bailer,
Give me your address so I can come over and show you my pu$$y.
By The Dude
December 29, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
To ‘dawgtime’:
There’s no such thing as an undergraduate medical doctorate degree. Also, the article expressly announces upon commencement that it only considered public BCS and non-BCS Top 25 basketball/football schools in the study. I think Jan Kemp was right about that literacy problem. You’re even dumber than you look…. and I can’t even see you.
LSU BLEAUXS
By Brad
December 29, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Funny, I’m actually kinda sad to see the end of the football season… it signals the end of the prognosicating calamity that is Mark Bradley (at least in college football… after that, he’ll likely prey upon the unsuspecting Hawks… they won’t even know what hit ‘em)… seriously Mark, I’m gonna miss the emotional stir you cause me when you take cheap shots at my Gators… ridiculing you is so much more fun than working… and it makes my job less soul-crushing.
Seriously, it has been great fun this season… I appreciate your honesty and forward style of speaking. Keept it up…
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Brad.
And I see the debate continues to rage over how NFL playoff seeding works. Here’s this from CBSsports.com, which explains the procedure for second-round games. Put simply, it isn’t like the NCAA tournament, where once the bracket is set it never changes. The second-round NFL pairings aren’t set until after the first round.
In other words: If the Falcons win and the Vikings lose, the Falcons would play the Panthers in Round 2.
By Longtimer
December 29, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Mark, you almost got it right this time…Final score of NFC championship at the GA dome…Falcons 21, Eagles 20.
By Herschworld
December 29, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
how was that humble pie at Christmas Mark?
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 29, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Final score of the NFC title game: Panthers 23, Eagles 13.
Just my guess.
The Falcons will make it to the 2nd round though. But I don’t see them winning at Carolina in the playoffs.
By J Dub
December 29, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Tree, what planet are you from where you throw Mark Richt in the Houston Nutthouse category? As with any other GA fan, I am dissapointed in the way our season shook out. I am not going to bash Florida fans or Alabama fans or Techies for having their fun because they have earned it but to lump Richt in with Nutt and Butch Davis is not quite right. Regardless of the dissapointment Richt led us to 6 straight top 10 end of season rankings and we are on the cusp of another 10 win season. Whether we are dissapointed or not, I will take the 10 win season. Ask FSU or Miami about winning it all and then falling down and then building back up again. I like consistency. Our time will come. In the meantime, I am going to be excited for the Falcons and hopefully the Hawks and God willing, the hapless Braves next season.
By J Dub
December 29, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Tree, what planet are you from where you throw Mark Richt in the Houston Nutthouse category? As with any other GA fan, I am dissapointed in the way our season shook out. I am not going to bash Florida fans or Alabama fans or Techies for having their fun because they have earned it but to lump Richt in with Nutt and Butch Davis is not quite right. Regardless of the dissapointment Richt led us to 6 straight top 10 end of season rankings and we are on the cusp of another 10 win season. Whether we are dissapointed or not, I will take the 10 win season. Ask FSU or Miami about winning it all and then falling down and then building back up again. I like consistency. Our time will come. In the meantime, I am going to be excited for the Falcons and hopefully the Hawks and God willing, the hapless Braves next season.
By leland
December 29, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Mr. MB—don’t go to Santa Fe! It’s not there. Least wise, that’s what somebody up there said. They said it was in New Mexico which I know for sure is not in Arizona. It’s a state in its own right, I think. Hope you didn’t get your ticket already. Your pal, Leland
By bama12titles
December 29, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You wrote that you would be shocked if Alabama won by even 1 point over Georgia. Does that mean you were in cardiac arrest at halftime?
BTW, I’m not rubbing it in on the dawg fans. Its just that us Bama fans were incensed that a lot of UGA fans and sportwriters like yourself didn’t even give us the proverbial snowball in hell chance of winning that game by even a point. We were playing Georgia, not the Pittsburgh Steelers.
By glp
December 29, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
“Texas did not win the Big 12 (though it was still, I contend, the best team in that league).”
I can see why you had such a bad year…I guess you, as well as lots of other media folks, drank the Mack Brown Kool-Aid. Texas got lucky when Oklahoma lost their very best defender (and defensive QB) during the OU Texas game. Texas scored 20 points after OU MLB Ryan Reynolds left the game. A game later, after Box replaced Reynolds and settled in, OU’s defense was much improved from that quarter and a half’s awful performance against Texas. If OU played Texas again, the results would be much different. That should be obvious by the unprecedented run of OU victories wherein OU scored 60 + points. If you need further rationale, add to your thought process the fact that Texas was beaten by a Texas Tech team that OU absolutely destroyed (by 40 + points) just two games later. Have you considered that? I know I know – don’t confuse you with facts, your mind in made up.
I’m a huge Braves fan, and I can understand you thinking they would be a contender, but come on Mark! To keep thinking Texas is better is craziness. This sort of denial only demonstrates the faulty reasoning that obviously lead you to so many incorrect prognostications. Spit out the Kool-Aid man, Georgia should not have beaten Georgia Tech, Auburn should not have won the SEC West, and Wake Forest should not have won the ACC Atlantic. Take it easy, forget about those predictions, next year will have to be better.
.
By Raist
December 29, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
okokokok…. enough with the speculations as to who the falcons will be playing in round 2, assuming they get by the cards; It is my very professional observation and opinion that the falcons will most definitely be playing yet another nfl team in the 2nd round of 2008 playoffs…. (team to be named later)…… hehe
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
I was shocked by the first half of the Georgia game, and here’s why: In a game between comparable teams — as they seemed going in — you usually don’t get a score of 31-0 unless somebody returns a fumble or an interception or a kick, if not all of the above.
Alabama just drove the ball five times on Georgia. I didn’t see that happening. I don’t think anybody did.
By bama12titles
December 29, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with glp. While Texas has a valid argument to be in the big 12 title game OU has just as valid an argument. Texas fans keep showing those 45-35 signs. Well what about those 39-33 signs that Texas Tech fans can show with their win over Texas. Can’t they also make an argument that they should go over Texas since they won head to head. Oh, wait a minute. That’s right. They got shellacked by over 40 pts to OU. So it seems like while everyone wants to discount Tech because of their margin of loss to OU no one wants to likewise give credit to OU for their margin of victory over Tech. Team A beat team B which beat team C which had beaten team A. It seems to me that the logical way to decide between these 3 teams is the margin of victory in each of those 3 games in which case OU wins the argument hands down by virtue of their 40 plus point win. Additionally, outside of this argument OU faced and beat far tougher out of conference foes in 11-2 TCU and Big East champion Cincinnati which I think is 10-2. Their 60 plus points per game over 5 straight games also bolsters their argument. Lastly, I think most any rational person would favor OU in a rematch. Its hard to imagine that the OU team that shellacked Tex Tech by over forty or that was beating Mizzou 38-7 at halftime in the big 12 title game wouldn’t beat Texas in a rematch.
By Vic Mackey
December 29, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
That’s the one thing I have always liked about you Mark, you support your home teams with optimism but aren’t afraid to admit when your wrong without having to be prodded.
I thought the Braves were on track when you predicted that too, even made a bet with a Mets fan over it. Luckily for me the Mets collapsed again and I didn’t have to pay. LOL
By R
December 29, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Please Matty Ice sucks. The MVP running back, offensive line and Roddy white are caring his but. Shockley could have done the same thing if he was starting.
By bama12titles
December 29, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Mark,
We bama fans were shocked to at the halftime score too. I would be lying if I thought we would be that dominant to be up 31-0. We were just miffed that nobody gave us the slightest chance of winning. That’s all.
By MalibuGT
December 29, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Mark, thanks for the accountability scorecard. It is always entertaining. And next year i’ll e happy if you are conservative on the Jackets - they seem to do their best when they aren’t on the radar.
Do you have a prediction on the Hawks?
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
You know, I’m not by nature an optimist. Ask anybody who knows me.
But as long as I’m convinced a team is well-run — as Georgia became when it hired Richt, as the Falcons became when they hired Dimitroff, as the Braves have been since Schuerholz arrived in 1990, as Tech football is now — I’m willing to give the locals the benefit of the doubt.
It wasn’t always that way. I arrived in the mid-’80s, when the names of Eddie Haas and Dan Henning were local staples, and I pretty much hated every move anybody made for about five years.
By Correction
December 29, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Leland No moron, I did not say that the game was in New Mexico… I said that Santa Fe is in New Mexico. Not Arizona. The game is in Glendale, Arizona at the University of Phoenix stadium. Damn dude are you drunk or just stupid.
By glorydays
December 29, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Electing George W Bush, not once but TWICE, means you never have to say your sorry for anything else. Don’t sweat it DOB, NOTHING competes with that act as a measure of overwhelming cluelessness.
By Blake
December 29, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Enjoy your articles. I was wrong too, Mark, but about Ryan. I thought the Falcons would have a winning season and that Redman would be able to manage the position well enough since Turner would be running. When the decision was made to start Ryan, however, I wrongfully assumed they’d be lucky if they got three wins this year. Glad I didn’t see this coming. It’s been fun.
I’ll be at the game Saturday, if you see some idiot smiling and waving at you then you’ll know it’s me.
By Mark Bradley
December 29, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
I won’t be at the game Saturday — in either Glendale or Santa Fe. Mr. Schultz has drawn that assignment.
I’m off to the Capital One Bowl, which I like to think of as the sixth (or seventh) major.
By dawg74
December 29, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Mark, I am inspired by your willingness to stand up and eat crow. So I will admit… I did even worse. If you go back and check your ‘predictions’ blog you will see: I predicted 1 loss for UGA, 4 losses for tech,4 wins for the Falcons, and that Matt Ryan was not ready and would be thrown to the dogs by his offensive line. But I am happy to be wrong about the last one. The Falcons right now appear to have no more holes than anyone else in the NFC. They could go to the Superbowl. They could also lose Saturday. Hope it’s the former,but either way it has been an eye opening year. They do have some areas they need to ‘fortify’,including defensive and offensive line,outside LB, and safety(especially if Milloy retires).They have absolutely the best special teams in the NFC at least. And they are well coached and EXECUTE. Whic means they can compete w/ anyone in the new parity driven NFL. Happy New Year. When do we start making bad guesses about next year?
By Chrie Rowland
December 29, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Mark I think you might be wrong again but i hope your right.
By Chrie Rowland
December 29, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Mark I think you might be wrong again but i hope your right.
By HH
December 29, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
Well, Bradley, don’t blame yourself too much for your Georgia prediction. Not many of us realized that Martinez was as dumb as he (evidently) is. We will all be the wiser for 2009. Happy New Year and better luck next year. You’ll probably need it.
By Huh
December 29, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
If Nerd athletes are so smart, how come tutors take all of their exams?
By Um, Huh
December 29, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
no quick, witty comments bees? You know it’s true!
By dan
December 29, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
No one expected most of the Braves starters to be on the DL. That hurt. The Falcons surprised the league, the fans and ALL of the experts. No one knew we would have a brilliant,down and dirty head coach. Coach Smith has won the hearts of the players and fans. As for Georgia:the coach is classy but the fans are not. I hope they lose every game.UGA is a 2nd rate team and always will be.The Bulldogs are not in the same class as Alabama,Southern Cal or Ohio State- Not even Florida. It’s fun and keeps us talking when you make your predictions, Mark.Keep it up!
By beesting
December 29, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
You mutts, gators, bamas, vols, are all the same. We should never lose. If we lose its got to be somebodys fault.Fire the def. coach, fire the off. coach. Fire the head coach. You are not gonna win every game. Its like being a bad a*,tough guy in your town. Theres always somebody out there whos gonna kick your a*. Ya got beat by a better team hardheads, live with it.
By MUTT_H8R
December 29, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Huh = moron
The article is about top SAT scores among public BCS D-1 schools, nothing to do with college exams. You dawgs just can’t help revealing the depth of your intelligence.
45-42
By Falcon Believer
December 29, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
I am a long time Falcon Fan! I have lived in Georgia my whole life! I am a believer of this team! I watched the BARTKOWSKI teams in the 80’s! Mike Smith’s FALCONS have made me a “HUGE” fan again! I truly enjoy watching every second of every game again! I’d be at every game @ home if I could afford it! Thank you Mr. Blank for making “our team” fun to watch again!
Brian C.
By wildbird
December 29, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
where does the oline need help great running game and cant remember atalanta qb being sacked so few times
By wildbird
December 29, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
where does the oline need help great running game and cant remember atlanta qb being sacked so few times
By Brian
December 29, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Who else here is thinking it won’t be until mid-January before the Braves make any moves? I knew they would wait things out so they can get a bargain on a player. Bargain hunting Braves… what else is knew?
By Mark
December 29, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Braves in a battle for last this season….hopefully the young guns show promise for the future and Braves find new owners, new Manager, and New GM..then they will get straighten out to compete again..they need owners who love them..thats why free agents are not interested its ownership..ok enough said Go BRAVES..I still love them..
By Robert
December 30, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Nice to see an Atlanta sportswriter with some accountability - definately not an everyday thing.
Most of your colleagues talk out both sides of their mouths either hoping we dont notice or starting to yell out putdowns when caught and called
By the way - The Braves will be contenders again as soon as someone other than Bobby Cox is managing the team - No sooner, no later. No other problem with the team is even worth mentioning or discussing until it’s one overriding flaw is removed from the scene
Happy New Year
By kay
December 30, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Mark,I know I am not pro ball player but I have played a littel ball.Don’t you think the Hawks would be a better team if Joe Johnson was a more agressive attacting the goal late in games.I saw Joe do something tonight Ihave not seen Joe since he has been here.He tried to dunk on somebody.I almost jumped off of my sofa.I know he is lights out when he comes to play but you think we would better if he attack more.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
December 30, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this
.
.
We really do not care MARK BRADLEY, because we all have known forever since you first came here with your hair parted in the middle, that you KNOW NOTHING ABOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL and never have - that all you have ever been and still are is a basketball fan of Kentucky.
.
.
By PN
December 30, 2008 4:13 AM | Link to this
Pick UGA again next year! TO HELL WITH GEORGIA! Go Jackets!!!!!!
By billfrancisco
December 30, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
Fun read. Click on the link about “Paul Johnson’s offense did, however, work as predicted.” read what the bloggers said at that time. Is that Crow I smell cooking.
By Furman Bisher
December 30, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
This article was so lame, I accidentally spilled my bed pan! Has anyone seen my adult diapers?!
By Don
December 30, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Best news of the year. It has been announced that the Mets are interested in trading for Andruw Jones.
By Don
December 30, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Best news of the year —- It has been announced that the Mets are interested in trading for Andruw Jones —- A Loser to enhance their Losing Tradition.
By Don
December 30, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Best news of the year —- It has been announced that the Mets are interested in trading for Andruw Jones —- A Loser to enhance their Losing Tradition.
By Original Jon
December 30, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Don I think we got it dude.
By N Nine (N Owl)
December 30, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
so Boston is going after Marlins Hanley Rameriz? Why not us? We went after Furcal, why not try for even a better SS? Theres that power we need….
By Dirt Dobber
December 30, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
The Cards game mite be the perfect setup for the Falcons.The Falcons defence the run pretty good but can’t stop the pass witch is the Cards strenth. the game is on the road miles from atlanta with the crowd pulling for the home team.So mark why would you pick the Falcons?My predition in a shoot out Cards 35 Falcons 31
By Dirt Dobber
December 30, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
The Cards game mite be the perfect setup for the Falcons.The Falcons defence the run pretty good but can’t stop the pass witch is the Cards strenth. the game is on the road miles from atlanta with the crowd pulling for the home team.So mark why would you pick the Falcons?My predition in a shoot out Cards 35 Falcons 31
By glorydays
December 30, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
**DOB,
You can’t fool us, the way you part your hair tells it all.
Lord help us, there are some real nitwits out there.
“
By Mark Bradley
December 30, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Not to put too fine a point on it, but when I got here my hair wasn’t parted anywhere. Ask anyone.
By Dean Vunderklump
December 30, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Does it really matter, Eddie?
By Mark Bradley
December 30, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
To MalibuGT: Since you asked, yes. I think the Hawks will win a playoff series.
By ExATLinPDX
January 2, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
Hey, let’s hear it for OutOnALimb, whose comment to the original predictions column was almost dead-on:
10:20 a.m. September 2, 2008 Here’s the way I see it as far as wins and losses for the birds this year…….10 wins & 6 losses, with an outside chance at going 11 wins and 5 losses. They wil lose at Tampa, New Orleans, Philly, Minnesota and San Diego and possibly Denver. If they can upset the Broncos or the Vikings one, then you will have the 11 wins. At this point I see the Falcons as a genuine threat in the NFL South. This group will over achieve and surprise a whole lot of prople. I watched every preseason game and this is the first time since the Dan Reeves era in which the Falcons Defense has been playing agressively yet under control. No long gainers from missed tackles or stupis stunts which always seemed to go for big gains against us. In order to win consistently in the NFL a team must play with “”controlled reckless agression”“. This team has atttitude and is damn tired of the lossing and the drama. All of the malcontent thugs have been dispatched and the current players and managment is anxious to prove the naysayers wrong. Mark it down that I said it…. so when it happens you give me my kudos and say “he was right”
By Julie
January 3, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Mark - you are making your voice heard all over the place here. Where were you when the UK folks were busting your chops?? BTW - hope your opinion of the ‘Cats proves you dead wrong as well.
By Marko
January 3, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this
Dear Mark,
I appreciate your faith, but as a Dawg fan and a Falcon fan, please do not pick either again.
Also, please say that Hawks won’t make it to the playoffs and UNC won’t win NCAA Basketball title.