Falcons

By falcon guy

August 19, 2005 09:11 AM | Link to this

What’s this? Could it be a new blog? Of course the Falcons are going into the season with these WR’s. The only WR who’d be an upgrade talent wise, that is available for the right Price, is TO. And as stated above, that aint happening. So these are the WR’s, all of them or (Peer)less. Roddy White has shown flashes, just needs to heal his ankle. And Finneran is a good insurance policy in case Jenkins/Dez don’t perform, or if Price gets cut.

By uk falc fan

August 19, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

Mr Wyche, If Cole Magner makes the team as the fifth receiver, would he likely take a roster spot from Dez White, who’s a starting wideout but an expendable player?

By Timothy O. McCalep

August 19, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

Its time to face it guys…what we need this year is for Vick to run his butt off or we will lose games…our best receiver right now who has the wow factor is Sunshine?…while im happy for Sunshine its not too impressive for the Falcons…look at the rookie receivers in Arizona and Detroit…coming in and making an impact.. i hope somebody shows me something…forget about cutting Peerless, we’re better off keeping his lazy pseudo-motivated rear end.

By Brian Hunt

August 19, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this

It’s funny that every great talent evaluator seems to have a position that they struggle with. For McKay it is WR. None of his choices in Tampa ever scared any opposing secondary, and so far his choices in Atlanta don’t either. Coming out of Ohio State most pundits had Jenkins as a second WR, not a number one, and he was projected to go in the second round. I think that Roddy White will break the curse. I think that he is the real deal. Our QBs have to get better at throwing the deep ball to help the WRs gain confidence. So far we’ve seen White get open deep a few times and we’ve seen Jenkins beat a Pro bowl CB by about two-three steps, only to be under thrown. That’s a lot of work not to get the ball. There are no moves left to be made at this point of the year that can up grade the position. Improvement will have to come from improved QB and O-line play along with better familiarity with the offense. I posted all last season that there were teams with less talented receivers, but better passing games than the Falcons. The Chiefs and Chargers come to mind. So do the Bucs and Jets. Not to mention the 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks.

By Billy Wood

August 19, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this

Sure, we need MORE receivers to step up, however, what is wrong with the fact that Cole Magner has? Anybody beside me want to see him lineup with Vick tossing him the ball? The point I am trying to make is this… in a game when a “no name� steps up- we focus on the “big names� who did not? There are a bunch of “no names� right now leading the Braves to another championship. Too often the ones who are stepping up, get passed over for those who should. Line up him up with the first team. Let’s see what he’s got. If he has yet again what he has the other night… find the other big names who want to “step up� behind him. Sunshine- Atlanta Fans are rooting for you. Thanks for giving us your best. It is refreshing to say the least amongst a day of high salaried veterans not performing, but talking like they are. (Are you listening Peerless?)Instead of getting enamored with big names- why not get enamored with production. And for what it is worth- if you check the stats- Magner has always produced at every level. He is not the FULL answer- but what is wrong with the fact that he may be part of it.

By Marc Lucier

August 19, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this

Look, there are no excuses. Our wideouts aren’t in the top tier. We just need ONE guy to step up and all the sudden, we have a go-to, and the rest become what they really are- complimentary pieces. Wait, we HAVE a go-to guy, his name is Alge Crumpler. As in Pro Bowl TE Alge Crumpler. Our running game with Vick of course, Dunn, Duckett, and Griffith are top tier as well. They are as talented and versatile a bunch as there is in the NFL. Their production was unparalleled last season, and it allowed us to control the clock, keep our D fresh, and keep our opponent’s best weapons dormant for huge chunks of game time. That particular dog still hunts. I’m glad management has chosen not to compound the Peerless Price debacle by throwing more money into the free agent market looking for a salve. Over the last three seasons, I am happy with how our team has played when Vick is in. Let’s not get too overwhelmed worrying about the wideouts and play the games. BTW, I was for grabbing David Boston or TO when they were available, but does anybody want them now? Magner better make the team. Selah.

By Marc Lucier

August 19, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this

Brian and Billy: Great observations. Couldn’t have said it better. And is anyone as excited about the D as I am? The rooks at DL and LB are playing like depth will not be a concern, and maybe I’ve just got football fever after a long offseason, but even safety doesn’t have me antsy. Well, just a little bit. I truly believe we have as good a shot as anyone to get to XL in Detroit.

By Jeff

August 19, 2005 11:45 AM | Link to this

Let’s see Sunshine perform against a first team defense, please.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 19, 2005 12:21 PM | Link to this

Wow, where’s Ronny and the rest of y’all who’ve been giving Worthless the benefit of the doubt? Saying you wouldn’t say anything while Mora didn’t. Well, Mora has, and what he DIDN’T say is much more damaging than what he did say.

Maybe we can stop the whole “Give Worthless a Chance,” train of thought. I was willing to do so at one point, but that guy just pushed one too many buttons. As I said, on the one pass he was thrown to and dropped against the Ravens, I was one of about 60,000 people in the Dome who was more than happy to boo this guy.

Cole Magner is a good story, and may serve as a servicable 3rd or 4th wideout at one point, much like Finn. But he is not the answer to anything. Jenk will be good. He just needs some time. He’ll be a great possession receiver, in the mold of Hines Ward. He proved last year on special teams (where he was an excellent player) that he isn’t afraid to take a hit, hit, or block for others. He just needs more time. He’ll come around.

Roddy White is going to be something special. A Steve Smith kind of guy. A big play kind of guy. He’ll be the guy running that prescise crossing route over the middle, and taking it 60 yards to the house. Like Rice. There have been some here who have doubted the speed of White, well, Rice wasn’t the fastest either. But he ran the best routes in the history of the game. And route running is RWhite’s forte’. That is were Worthless’s laziness comes in. He runs just about the sloppiest, laziest routes in football. Don’t take my word for it. Len Pasquirelli has been saying thsi for years.

We’ll be okay with our wideouts.

It may be another year or two before everything gells. But remember guys, Donavan McNabb was throwing to guys like Pinkston, FredEx, and Thrash and having success. And he steadily improved over 4 years in his system, which is jsut about identical to ours, except they throw more, we run more.

Vick and widerecievers will be okay. I believe we’ll be good enough, because of defense and steady improvement on offense to make it to the Super Bowl. We will lose, though, to the Pats.

NEXT year is the year of the Falcon, as hopefully, will be for many years after that. Next year, everythign will come together. Vick will be running our offense to perfection, and the wideouts will be where they are supposed to be (and without a certain Worthless element, who will have been cut), and the defense will be at its peak, with Coleman, Lavalais, Babineaux, and Kearney killing the QB, Williams, Brooking, and Hartwell killing RBs and TEs, and DHall shutting down guys like Steve Smith, TO, Holt, and Harrison.

The only worry I have for the future is on offense, and it has to do with the play calling, not the play execution. I can hope that Take-a-Knapp has learned from play calling blunders last year, like letting up on the gas, and that he keeps that constant pressure on the defense, trying to score points. But I won’t hold my breath.

By Andy

August 19, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this

Great string of comments.

1. Cole has to prove he can run block…WR isn’t all about catching the rock (i.e. Hines Ward, Pit.)

By GT

August 19, 2005 02:13 PM | Link to this

The Falcon’s will be good this year. The defenses knows Vick is not going to run in preseason so they can concentrate on guarding the receivers a lot closer in preseason and show off a little for the coaches. When the real shooting starts they don’t know if Vick is going to run or throw and that will loosen up a lot of opportunities you are not seeing in practice. I’m not sure the Falcon coaches aren’t letting the picture hang out there about poor receievers in order to relax the opponent’s defense a little and make them think they can cheat on the possibility of Vick’s run. If Vick matures and becomes better at passing and finding the open receivers these guys will look a lot better and part of that is because Vick being Vick helps them get open, but a lot of the bad is he is not hitting them, but he will.

By William Kitchens

August 19, 2005 03:07 PM | Link to this

Well Matthew’s back…!

Looking forward to seeing Magner at tonight’s game… And I hope he becomes the success everyone wishes him too.

If Peerless isn’t booted/traded for a waterboy before the season, My guess it will be Dez White that may be gone.

And I’ll say it again!

Jessie Tuggle! Undrafted Free Agent - 5 Time Pro Powler!

It happens folks! Go Cole!

By William Kitchens

August 19, 2005 03:11 PM | Link to this

Gee whiz I can’t spell! Pro Bowler

By Matthew Cafaro

August 19, 2005 03:17 PM | Link to this

William, I can see where you’re coming from, but Jesse was one in a million.

Manger, odds are, will do well as a 3 or 4 guy, but nothing approaching Jesse, who in my opinion, is the greatest Falcon ever to this point, even better than Nobis (by the end of his career, hopefully Vick will be the GFE).

Then again, I never saw Nobis play, so it may be my generational bias showing through.

By dannycardwell

August 19, 2005 03:42 PM | Link to this

i seem to remember a kid named jerry rice and another named fred somebody out of oakland nobody thought much of. ones in the hall of fame and the other getting ready to. fred way a lot slower than cole magner, but had a knack for getting open and getting to the ball. you know somebody is special when most of the team is behind him.

By Jeff

August 19, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this

They were saying the same things about Terrance Edwards

By Brian Hunt

August 19, 2005 07:17 PM | Link to this

Jerry Rice was still a first round pick. A lot of people thought he was good.

By FalcoW810

August 19, 2005 09:41 PM | Link to this

Rice droped a lot of passes in his 1st year with the 49ers and back then teams were not as fearfull of drafting WRs from a small program, Alfred Jenkins comes to mind. I don’t know why people are saying that Magner is slow, he has been timed below 4.5, but aside from that, the bottom line is can he run his routes correctly, block, sell a defender a fake play and of course catch the ball. I’m not saying anything more than it is too early to start handing any rookie anything. Not only was Jessie Tuggle not drafted, he was a walk on, which was unbelievable!

Jeff, the mention of Terrance, just reminds me of all the draft picks that were waisted on poor choices for the WR position over the years, so you really can’t blame us for getting a bit excited about Magner.

By L.J.

August 20, 2005 01:33 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait to hear what Cafaro has to say about Peerless’s injury. Wasn’t he showing some guts going up for that ball? :-)

By Matthew Cafaro

August 20, 2005 02:57 AM | Link to this

Maybe, LJ, he could have avoided injury by running a more precise route? ;o)

Seriously though, why I don’t like the guy as a player, and he seems to come off as a malcontent off the field, I wouldn’t wish injury on anyone.

It sounds like he’ll be okay, though. In retrospect, it doesn’t really matter. I mean, a person is still able to ride the pine whether injured or healthy.

By GTIronman

August 20, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t catch the game in Puerto Rico. Did Sunshine make any plays or is he a one week wonder?

By L.J.

August 20, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this

Matthew, I kinda figured that would be your take on it! I am pulling for him to have a great year as a #3 guy.

By Jeff

August 20, 2005 12:12 PM | Link to this

FalconW810, Terrance Edwards wasn’t drafted. He signed as a free agent.

By Larry

August 20, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

Geesh, Cafaro, Price made a tough grab. You could at least give him credit for that.

By Erik

August 20, 2005 05:59 PM | Link to this

Hey guys, I don’t want ya’ll to think this is spam or anything. Does Steve have an E mail adress? I haave a Falcons blog that I want all you Falcons fans to check out at text to be linkedSee you all around.

By Andy

August 20, 2005 08:28 PM | Link to this

Observations from the game I watched on NFL Network this afternoon:

Good

1. 1st series on offense. Vick looked great and it flowed. Offense looked like they were ready to take it to the Titans

2. Hitting. The defense really made a point to lay some hard hit on guys

3. Effort. Guys really went after it. If they screwed up, it was at 110 miles per hour.

Bad

1. O-line. Man, they were trying to get Vick killed. On one play, if Vick had one more second, the ball is gone for a big play. I thought Alex Gibbs was going to have a heart attack

2. Penalties. Too many. ‘nuff said

3. Run defense. Need to tighten that up a bit. Too many yards in these pre-season games.

Look forward to the game on ESPN as the starters will play a half. That will show how we really are right now. I hope for the best showing and no injuries.

By L.J.

August 20, 2005 11:35 PM | Link to this

Amen, Andy

By William Kitchens

August 20, 2005 11:50 PM | Link to this

You think the ajc could at least put up a link to a new blog sometime before or after the current game.

By Dominic Hughes

August 21, 2005 01:04 AM | Link to this

Aha! The ghost blog reappears. This is the WR blog I was talking about that went missing a few days back. Some interesting comments. I still think we’re a long way from knowing what is going to happen at WR but I think Magner should be given every chance.

By Brian Hunt

August 21, 2005 09:43 AM | Link to this

The kicking game looked a lot better. Both Punters boomed a few.

By L.J.

August 21, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

Hey y’all. I just got my refund check from AJC Sports. A whopping $6.48. Whoo-hoo! Now I can get my teeth whitened!

By Ron Roberts

August 21, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this

Cafaro, first of all, you can’t spell my name right, apparently, so take note.

Secondly, WHAT A GRAB PRICE MADE “DESPITE” GETTING STUCK LIKE THAT, EH?

C’mon, avoid the obvious, this time. My God, his getting tackled, while catching a ball thrown PRECISELY where he was - in MID-AIR, was his fault because he ran the wrong route, COACH CAFARO?

Funny. If he RAN the WRONG route, how on EARTH did the BALL end up at the PRECISELY SAME WRONG spot????

By Mike

August 21, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this

Cole Magner is Steve Largent almost thirty years ago—average speed and size, great hands, super concentration, sharp routes, decent blocker, a “go-to” player who doesn’t seek the limelight. Magner is definately a keeper! Jim Mora knows Steve Largent and the comparisons are stiking with Magner. Magner did at Bowling Green what Largent did at Tulsa. With Mora and Vick, Magner can be one of the best ever…role player if want but he can be a player who rules.

By Jeff

August 21, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this

You people are crazy. Let’s see the guy play against some starters.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 21, 2005 01:42 PM | Link to this

Hey Ronnie…

Learn to understand OBVIOUS sarcasm, Mr. Oblivious.

Fat, dumb, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

By Mike

August 21, 2005 01:43 PM | Link to this

More on Magner:

Vick Touts Magner Gainesville (Ga.) Times story of Aug. 15

Aug. 15, 2005

By George Henry, The Times - Few fans have heard his name, but don’t be surprised if Cole Magner makes the final cut as the No. 5 receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. The undrafted rookie has Michael Vick in his corner.

“He’s a guy who goes out and catches the ball with no gloves on, straight hands, so you have to respect that,” the star quarterback said after a 16-3 preseason win over Baltimore Saturday night.

“He’s a playmaker. I’ve been watching him the last month and a half and critiquing him. I think he’s going to make this football team.”

Magner set a BGSU record with 215 career receptions in four seasons.

April 25, 2005

Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green wide receiver Cole Magner has signed a free-agent contract with the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons. Magner ended his collegiate career with a BGSU record 215 receptions for 2,385 yards (11.1 yards-per-catch average) in four seasons. His 215 receptions rank him fifth all-time in the Mid-American Conference.

The Palmer, Alaska, native caught 18 touchdown passes, threw for four TDs, and rushed for two scores during his time with the Brown and Orange. As a junior, Magner set a school record with 99 receptions and became just the second Falcon to record over 1,000 yards receiving in a season (1,138).

Magner served as a co-captain for the Falcons in 2005, making 77 catches for 746 yards and six TDs. He helped the Falcons to a 9-3 record and their second-straight bowl victory, a 52-35 win over Memphis in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

By FalcoW810

August 21, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this

Jeff, thanks for the correction, but guys like Jammi German, Eugene Baker, Kahlil Hill, M. Coleman, LaTerence Dunbar, Oliner, Sutherland and Philyaw, flashed in my mind when you mentioned Edwards.

By Jennifer Sabatier

August 21, 2005 07:05 PM | Link to this

Let’s not forget about another undrafted guy, Jake Delhomme.

Matthew….”Fat, dumb, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”…that has to top it as the most self-assured nonsense I ever saw you write down for public consumption. Try to remember that most of us know how old you are, whippersnapper. Just stick to your good opinion on football.

By William Kitchens

August 21, 2005 07:32 PM | Link to this

Matt gonna go with Jennifer on this one… We ought to keep the personal insults out of this and stick to the football debate. No one can read sarcasim… your facil expressions and tone don’t go down in print.

Take the high road.

By Erik

August 21, 2005 08:29 PM | Link to this

Hey a female Falcon Fan! Where have you been all my life? Isaid on my blog That the Reciever’s will be Roddy White and Fin starting with White and Jemkins as backup’s. Fin’s been to good not to reward him,plus all you have to do is throw the ball up and he’ll catch it.

By Ron Roberts

August 21, 2005 09:12 PM | Link to this

Cafaro, the problem with you trying sarcasm is this…

if Pres. Bush SARCASTICALLY said to us that he believes, still, that there are WMD in Iraq, would we KNOW he was being sarcastic, after all this time?

No.

Your anti-Price drivel is long-chronicled. So no, I don’t read your humiliating attempt at sarcasm.

I won’t even rpely to your “fat, dumb, stupid” comment. Arguing with those of lesser intelligenec only makes the smarter person look as stupid as his/her opponent. I’ll not lower myself for your entertainment.

By Jennifer Sabatier

August 21, 2005 11:04 PM | Link to this

Erik, I made my debut on the old AJCPlus paid subscription. Despite my advanced age (compared to Matthew, that is) I am rather new to the finer details of football. I consider myself a student of the sport. I make my observations and wait for everyone else to tell me how off I am. So far, everyone has been very nice, including Matthew….

By L.J.

August 21, 2005 11:57 PM | Link to this

while he does not need sticking up for, cafaro’s comment about price was in response to a question I posted, basically baiting him to make a comment. He even put a smiley “;-)” after his post, so everybody chill.

By Erik

August 22, 2005 12:35 AM | Link to this

Jen( Can i call you Jen?) You actually paid for this? I sure as hell would’nt. There’s actually more people that comment here than I thought. I might have to start taking this blog as competition to My Falcon’s Dailyblog. Now I will have to Crush It! Well Not really, since I have no power. But I post more than they do, so stop by.

By kevin O

August 22, 2005 01:20 AM | Link to this

go with magner - hearts, guts and toughness rule

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 01:25 AM | Link to this

Once again, y’all as a whole disapoint me.

Have not one of y’all seen one of the greatest comedies of all time?

Check back in with me once you’ve seen, or re-watched, “Animal House.”

I could not have hoped to come up with such a funny, and classic quote. Harold Ramis is the genius behind that screenplay.

Thanks, L.J. Some here (Ronnie) don’t have the comprehensive ability to understand sarcasm, I think.

And Ronnie, please, please don’t try disparanging my intelligence. Don’t bring your knife to that gun fight. You’re ill-equipped.

Knock my spelling, maybe. Or my propensity for typos in my blogs.

Anyway… y’all have a great night. Err… or morning.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 01:32 AM | Link to this

And William, as LJ pointed out, I did the whole “winking eye face thing” at the end of my first sentence. I have been doing that a lot to denote J/K or sarcasm, but sometimes I don’t, or forget to, maybe hoping that y’all might be able to read into what I’m saying to be able to figure out the sarcastic from the serious.

And you’re right. Tone of voice is key, but usually, I’m pretty dry anyway. If you didn’t know me, you’d think I am serious all the time. That’s why I hope y’all will understand and be able to pick out my sarcasm.

I don’t know… to me, it seems pretty gosh-darn obvious. ESPECIALLY when I go like this: ;o). The fact that Ronnie missed that illustrates much about his comprehensive skills.

By Erik

August 22, 2005 01:54 AM | Link to this

You guy’s no each other a little too well if you ask me.

By Jennifer Sabatier

August 22, 2005 07:32 AM | Link to this

Erik, yes we paid. It wasn’t expensive but it kept flamers off. A bunch of the people showing up here were members so we have gotten to know each other.

Matthew, the problem with your sarcasm is that you don’t really mean it….it’s sarcasmic tomfoolery.

I only got to see the last 4 minutes of the game, so that was about enough to learn that I should have caught the whole thing. But I had company come into town.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 07:50 AM | Link to this

Jen, I always mean it.

It’s just my caustic, sarcastic way.

By Jeff

August 22, 2005 08:23 AM | Link to this

The only way I would have T.O. here is that he plays on Sunday and then leaves till it is time for the next game……………LOL.

By Ron Roberts

August 22, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this

Knife to your gun show?

Dude, your reputation PRECEDES your bravado. I’m not calling YOU stupid, nor am I calling you fat or dumb. You want to brag about YOUR intelligence when you lower the level of discussion here to childish NAME-CALLING/

Trust me… it doesn’t make you look SMARTER to go that route, Are you even REMOTELY aware of that?

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this

Dude, woah. (Hey look, another movie quote)

Are you REMOTELY aware of anything?

I wasn’t being vicious. I was quoting a classic line from a classic movie to illustrate your total lack of observational skills.

Just meaning to bust your balls a bit.

Obviously, you don’t get it, or can’t take it.

Then you responded again with a total lack of comprehensive skills, so yeah, now I question your mental acquity.

I’m not always out to get you, Ronnie.

Take a chill pill, step back, try to read what I’m saying from a different POV, ‘cause obviously, you’re just not getting it (granted, my last response was straight-foward, because by that point I had lost all patience).

And now for something completely different… (wow… ANOTHER classic quote!)

How about that Worthless Price? What a sodding such and such, lazy, blah, blah, blah.

Meaning… let’s get back on topic, shall we?

By Jennifer

August 22, 2005 10:28 AM | Link to this

Since I didn’t get to see the game can someone please tell me their impressions of Sunshine?

Also, I heard that my favorite guy, Dunn, made some kind of really great block for Vick that all the sports guys liked on the highlights…tell me about that, please.

A bit off topic…how did the offensive line look? Spongy as usual or have they tightened up? What about our backup D?

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this

Jen,

The offensive line looked terrible. I mean, really, really bad. They’re looking worse than last year, if that is possible. They can run block, but they can’t pass block for crap. And no one here better use the excuse that “well, if they knew where Vick was, they could block for him.” Bulls—t! When Vick is being besat by DEs and DTs on his second or third step of his three and five step drops, that means our offensive line sucks.

I don’t know about the second string defense, but our starting defense looks bad. The Titans rookie wideouts were running through our swiss-cheese secondary. DHall, who are you? Where’s your “athletic arogance?” Shut-down corners don’t play zone and let rookie wideouts, or ANY wideouts, make easy catches on any kind of a route. They close in. They break up passes. The play MAN. They hawk the ball. Where have you been?

I know we’ve had injuries, and our safeties will be second stringers when the season begins, but our starting corners aren’t looking good right now.

And our wide recievers still look like crap, except for the flashing, occasional brilliance of RWhite, who will be a good one in time.

Jenkins is still the invisable man.

Our two first round draft picks from last year need to step it the heck up, because they’re not playing up to their potential.

And if Rich McKay doesn’t do something to address free or strong safety and the offensive line in the offseason and draft, then I will officially consider him something less than genius. He’ll have lost his props.

By Jennifer

August 22, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

Did our starting D-line look bad too, or just the secondary? That’s nothing new, right? They had Rossum up for a but didn’t they? How’d he do?

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

But, not to be all negative, negative, negative (as LoMax Howell would say)…

The running game looks outstanding. They (Dunn, Duckett, and Griffith) will be much, much better than last year. Those three should have 2,000 yards all by themselves. Griffith, if things with the wideouts remain the same, should be our second leading reciever behind Alge with about 30 to 40 catches for 400 or so yards. Dunn should catch some swing passes out of the backfield as well.

And our special teams look pretty decent. Almost as good as last year. From 40 yards in, Peterson is a lock. He’s not as good as Feely, no matter how they spin it in Flowery Branch. He doesn’t have the long, past 40 yards, leg. If Gowin is not cut in the next couple of weeks, I have to question Mora’s ability to gauge talent (though, with the crap at O-Line, that might already be in question). Koenin, while he has the ability to possibly be a little eratic, has out-performed Gowin. And of course, our tackling and blocking on special teams are the best around. That is the true mark of Joe D.

Speaking of Joe D, I wouldn’t be surprised if a year or two down the line, he’s not a head coach at a college football program. Special teams coaches make good head coaches, especially in college. Look at Frank Beamer at VaTech.

Joe D could do some special things with a college program. But selfishly, I hope he stays here.

By John Manautou

August 22, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this

A few thoughts to get in:

1.Price has more catches and yards then the guy starting infront of him and has played less.

1. After watching the defense Fri., (yes I realize Kearney and other starters were not there) T.O. might have a field day on us in the opener. It will be the spot light game for him and I’m sure he’s eager to show us what we missed with him last year in NFC champ. game.

2. Looking forward to seeing a whole half of the starters getting in some rythm this week against Jack. I would have hated being the “O” line after that game with A. Gibbs ripping them after the game.

3. Why is it that every week someone is fighting with Cafaro?

4. Jen Sab. is your whole family sports fans?

5. Can we quit with the Cole Magner and anointing him as a great WR with the Falcons, MY GOODNESS, I just want Jenking the first rounder we paid good money to, to start being more involved in the game.

By Jennifer

August 22, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this

I would say my dad, older brother, and my brother-in-law are bigtime football fans, NFL only. We all have our college teams (Me and bro are LSU Tiger, DAD and bro-in-law are FSU). We do a pro-pickems thing each year. I suck at it.

I got a husband who’s trying to muster interest in it. I think he likes to watch it but he knows less than me. He just finished a PhD in Exercise Physiology (from UGA, so he’s a DAWG), so he’s been too busy for the past….7 years to pay attention to sports.

I’m working on my son. He turns 4 this week. So far he likes Spiderman and Wolverine and Luke Skywalker. Shows lots interest in throwing and kicking balls (as Spiderman)…so we’ll see.

By Andy

August 22, 2005 12:55 PM | Link to this

First, if Steve reads this thing, can you please say if you will still go to practice now that it is closed???

Second. Cole is a nice story, but it is pre-season…don’t go nuts. There is a reason he was undrafted. If he becomes a player, it will be over time.

I think our safeties are fine, I am wondering about J-Web…he is looking more and more like a bust being injured all the time.

Also, the D was on the field too much, got to get that run thing tightened up so we get 3 and outs.

By Philip

August 22, 2005 01:00 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t matter who the WRs are in Atlanta because the Falcons don’t have a QB. Vick still can’t read defenses, adjust, and look off defenders. Maybe he will develop eventually, but for $100+ million dollar contract he better be passing for 4,000+ yards and 40+ TDs per season. Physical skills don’t mean anything if you don’t have the mental skills like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. The Falcons would be in such a better situation today if we had Tomlison and Brees rather than Vick.

By Philip

August 22, 2005 01:12 PM | Link to this

I forgot to mention how pathetic our guys in the trenches look thus far. What happen to the idea of building your team inside out (offensive and defensive lines then worry about everything else)? Who’s smart idea was it not to have any 300+ lbs linemen on defense? Sure they’re quick and can rush the passer, but they’re overmatched on running plays.

For a team just barely under the salary cap the Falcons have crap for talent. We pay Dunn like he was a true number one RB, Webster has the type of contract that makes some Pro-bowl CBs drool, and let’s not even talk about Price. McKay has made some extremely poor decisions. I guess no wants to play in Atlanta so we have to overpay average players.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 01:27 PM | Link to this

John,

Price has gotten ALL of those catches against scrubs. Don’t be quick with the praise for Worthless yet.

Andy, agree on Webster.

Philip, first of all, how is Vick going to be able to develope when he HAS to run the ball? How is he going to check down with a D-lineman or men, plural, in his face every time he drops back? Don’t criticize the man until he has a line in front of him who would register as just plain average by NFL standards.

And Philip, do you know anything about this team? Rich McKay had nothing, NOTHING to do with Dunn or Worthless’s contracts. In fact, he, as Tampa GM, let Dunn go because he wouldn’t match Arthur’s blank check.

You’re right about Webster, but I have a feeling that Mora had a lot to do with that signing. Also, you have to realize that that year, there were NO decent CBs on the market. Webster was the best of an average to crappy field of free agent CBs. We had just cleaned house, getting rid of NoPlayRay and Tyrone whats-his-name and Ambrose, so we had NO ONE. We needed someone, a warm body, and because he was the best of the bunch, Webster got a very good contract. It’s called supply and demand. Sometimes, when the supply is lacking, but that is all there is, you have to overpay for it, because you have no other choice.

But come on… I can see an argument for Webster, MAYBE. But McKay had nothing to do with the other guys. Read up on the team man.

By L.J.

August 22, 2005 01:30 PM | Link to this

Sure he can read defenses: “He’s covered….He’s covered….RUN!!” Whatever. You’re a clown and you’re probably the one leading the Schaub charge on the Falcons vent too.

By William Kitchens

August 22, 2005 02:52 PM | Link to this

Matt… First, there is no smily :-) after the fat dumb and stupid comment to Ronnie… which my remark referred to, not the original comment to LJ. I was only agreeing with Jennifer’s assesment. :-)

LJ, I’m a grown man and do not instruction on chillin’ if indeed your chillin comment was made to me? I don’t know… My text to Matt was completely relaxed if that was your concern. I assure you my AC is working fine. But thanks for the concern. Happy blogging.

That being said, The AJC is the worst print or online publication I have ever seen. Daily blogs? Not happening, training camp reports/blogs were a bust, Titians game coverage, the Hall smack details and everything… non exsistant.

Would somebody with a pocketbook like Mr. Blank buy this rag and give the city a first class newspaper? The Cox family has run this waste of pulp into the ground.

By Jennifer

August 22, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

Philip, exactly what kind of problem do you have with Dunn?

prayer God, please send a new blog. I ask not for myself, but for the sake of mankind.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this

LJ, like I said… sometimes I forget. But I hope that y’all get to know when I’m being serious or when I’m being sarcastic or bustin’ balls or what have you without a wink needed.

But once again, I cannot claim that quote. I didn’t write it. I just used it. I say used in jest, but I guess Ronnie didn’t think so.

Jen, I wish that you get your wish.

Steve, I know you’re the new guy on this beat, but by this time last year, Matt and Ken were blogging fools. I know you’re doing the job of two now, but come on. We need some info. Some insight. Some new opinions.

Something.

Throw me a frickin’ bone here!

Oops… another movie quote.

By L.J.

August 22, 2005 03:21 PM | Link to this

William, I was just trying to steer this endless babbling in another direction. But whenever you see “…so everybody chill” in that context, the word “everybody” is an all-inclusive, but not necessarily a singling-out, term. But with you being a grown man, i reckon you knew that :-)

By Peerless' Mama.

August 22, 2005 03:48 PM | Link to this

Hello, This is Peerless’ Mama….For those of you that don’t know, Mr. Cafaro REALLY is a film critic so that gives him the right to quote all movies. I suppose it also gives him the right to constantly harp on his least favorite players.

You KNOW he would have played at UGA and in the NFL, if he hadn’t become a marine! Did he tell ya’ll that yet? I’m guessing so…

Check this out(copy and paste if you must):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A297VYZT601MUZ/ref=ref=cmayabb_rev/104-1726669-1555916

If you don’t cry at the end, then you are no real man., April 4, 2002

Reviewer: Matthew William Cafaro (Twentynine Palms, CA) - See all my reviews

Everyone thinks this movie is about baseball, but it isn’t, not really. It is about much more. It is about fathers and sons, and how baseball, since the early 20th century, is able to tie them together, even when they can’t bring themselves to speak to one another. Every time I see this movie, I am reminded of my own relationship with my father, and the ups and downs we have traversed in our relationship. No matter how much we would argue, and antagonize each other, we always had baseball to fall back on as our common denominator. In this movie, Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is so haunted by the mistakes he made in his relationship with his father, that he manifests The Voice, which tells him to build a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. To show you how bad his relationship with his dad had gotten, Ray tells James Earl Jones’s character that he once refused to play a game of catch with him. But by building the field, Ray helps to resurrect Shoeless Joe Jackson, his father’s disgraced baseball idol, and maybe make a little bit of ammends. Ray gives Shoeless Joe, and the other “Black Socks” players a chance at redemption by being able to play in this magical field. Through other acts that Ray commits on order from The Voice, he helps others fulfill their baseball tinted dreams. The others being a writer, Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones), who yearns for the days of Ebbets Field and Jackie Robinson, and a country doctor and former minor league baseball player, Moonlight Graham (Burt Lancaster), whose one unfulfilled wish is to bat against a big league pitcher. During the movie, we are led to believe that he commits these acts out of some random nature, the only reason being that The Voice told him to. But in the end of the movie, we, along with Ray, realize that everything he has done is connected, and has a reason. And it all comes back to fathers and sons, and the dreams we share, and our almost spiritual connection through the greatest game ever dreamt by God or man, baseball. If you are a man, and as a boy you ever played catch with your father, then this film should touch you in a very personal way. If you shed no tear at the wonderful ending, then you aren’t a real man.

About Matthew William Cafaro - Add to your favorite people list

Name: Matthew William Cafaro Nickname: expert40 E-mail: expert40@yahoo.com Reviewer rank: 443296 About me: My name is Matthew. I am a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, well, at least until June 7th. I am currently stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA. I am originally from the Atlanta area. I love the Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. I love to read, and have become an almost obsessive collector of DVD’s. My favorite movie is ‘Field of Dreams,’ and my favorite book is ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ The whole book, all 1,000-odd pages of it. I also love Kevin Smith movies, with ‘Chasing Amy’ being my favorite. see less

ALSO:

Here is a top ten list of the greatest war movies of all time according to Mr. Cafaro:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/listmania/list-browse/-/E97A6YMRQE00/104-1726669-1555916

If you check his reviews he is also a Civil War, WWII, and Vietnam war expert.

By Jennifer

August 22, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this

OK, none of this crap. For one, it’s not Falcons related. For two, your point is? Hell, I’ve got opinionated crap all over this newspapers website, which leads me to my last enumerated reason you why suck….who cares?

I am starting a new topic:

Let’s talk about offensive line. What do you think our main weaknesses will be? How can we patch them for now? What strategy should we take to win games with those weakness on the O-line?

By eric

August 22, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

Hello all. I am coming from Phillyo to attend the falcons-Eagles game. I got a great seat, and I’d love to meet all my fellow bloggers. Email me, let me know if you’ll be at the game, and hopefully we can meet up. regards, Eric EBHughes@aol.com

By Ron Roberts

August 22, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this

John M. made a pretty interesting observation…

“Why is it that every week someone is fighting with Cafaro?”

Actually, Cafaro, I don’t watch every freaking movie that comes out, nor do I memorize every line from ‘em. So when you use ‘em in a blog at my direction, don’t ASSUME I know what movie you’ve dragged the line from. You call someone fat, stupid and dumb, they’re pretty much going to assume you mean just that.

Try this sociology experiment. Stand on a busy street corner in downtown Atlanta and call every guy bigger than you that walks by “fat, stupid and dumb” and see if they chuckle and say “aww, great movie!”

By L.J.

August 22, 2005 04:48 PM | Link to this

Ron, the funny thing is that you could call people on the streets of ATL fat, dumb and stupid all you want, but if you ask them for money, you’ll get arrested..HA!

By William Kitchens

August 22, 2005 05:08 PM | Link to this

Wow, I go away for an hour or two…

We get a new blog on Jen’s subject…

Matt gets googled…

LJ… Thanks for the heads up.

And PS. I am fat.. as for dumb and stupid… that is relative to who you ask.

Heading to the new blog… Glory BE!

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 06:07 PM | Link to this

Wow, I didn’t know you could Google me.

That’s pretty neat.

Great job on raising a surly malcontent, by the way, Worthless’s Mama.

We see how well Mama McNabb did with her baby boy. Interesting that I don’t see you and Worthless schilling Chunky Soup.

Ronnie, I really thought y’all would have gotten the quote, Animal House being as classic as it is.

I’m with William… selah (to quote Mr. Bisher).

Worthless’s Mama… please join us.

By Matthew Cafaro

August 22, 2005 06:16 PM | Link to this

And by the by…

The “expert” in my email has nothing to do with being an expert at anything else besides at the KD Rifle Range, which is a yearly requirement for all Marines. Expert is the highest rating, and 40 was my score that year, which was also my lowest score. I never shot below expert with an M-16. in fact, I had my best score at one of the hardest ranges in the Corps, at 29 Palms, a fact I’m quite proud of.

So that explains that, Worthless’s Mama… for the 100th time.

By eric

August 23, 2005 12:12 AM | Link to this

All I know is the movie “Twentynine Palms” was visually stunning. Listen, I’ll be in section 132 for MNF game…can’t wait!!

By Mike

August 23, 2005 03:21 AM | Link to this

The topic that started this string is: what to do at wide receiver? Cole Magner has been mentioned more than once and rightfully so.

Also, rightfully, people question whether or not an free agent rookie can star on or even make an NFL team. Being heaped with praise after a couple of pre-season games seems almost silly. Normally, I’d agree but not in this case.

Those who have actually witnessed Magner playing and watched the BGSU Falcons respond to his leadership understand he has the qualities to make it in the NFL.

Why wasn’t he drafted? Average size and speed. His senior year stats weren’t as good as junior year. It’s a numbers,PR and odds game. The fact is within minutes of the draft ending three teams made contact.

Fortunately, the Falcons nabbed him. They and the other teams gambled and it paid off for the Falcons—they got him for the NFL minimum contract.

Magner will prove to be the bargain of this years class. The only bigger undrafted class bargain I can think of from years past is Drew Pearson of Dallas Cowboy fame. Here’s to Cole!

By John Manautou

August 23, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this

MY THOUGHTS ON THE WR’S:

In the next pre-season game, throw the ball 80% of the time to them. The o-line needs practise protecting and the recievers need game time just running and catching. The running game is set and the o-line knows how to get open the lanes.

JENNIFER, What we need work on is protecting, we complain about the receivers all the time but let’s be honest, the ball is snapped and the first thing you look for is who is about to sack Vick and when he runs how far will he go or witch receiver will break route to find Vick or block for him.

I know everyone wants Vick to become a Manning thrower. I’d rather him run like crazy and keep us in games. A dominate defense is always the best offense.

Lastly, whats the deal now with all the new people blogging with the bad language. There has been to much filth being written in some of the blogs. Let’s keep the “f”bombs for your own people who like to talk like that at work or bars or where ever you talk like trash at and keep this a BLOG ABOUT SPECIFIC THINGS THAT THE WRITERS GIVE US.

By John Manautou

August 23, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this

Oh Cafaro, Price might be catching them against scrubs but Jenkins is not catching anything!

Though Jenkins did hold on to that bullet that Vick threw last Friday.

Honestly, I hope they work a lot on just passing this next game. The starters are going to play a half of football and I would like to see Vick put up at LEAST 20 pass attempts.