AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > July > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMcKay to stay?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Busy week on and off the field for the Falcons as training camp is set to get underway Thursday at Flowery Branch.
In the immediate term, owners and/or team representatives are meeting Monday in Detroit to trim down the list of candidates to replace outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Falcons’ president/general manager Rich McKay is believed to be on the list of several dozen prospects and is favored to make the final list of 5 or 6, according to some league sources.
In early August, owners will nominate their candidates, then vote.
McKay is behaving as if he is not going to be Tagliabue’s successor and said he expects to remain with the Falcons. That remains to be seen, but if he does get elected commissioner, it would be a huge step for him but a blow to the Falcons. Someone would fill his role, but it would be hard to replace McKay’s vast knowledge of team and league business, media savvy and eye for player personnel.
One of the possible candidates to replace McKay would be Falcons VP Ray Anderson. However, Anderson is a finalist to replace Art Shell as senior vice president of football operations at the league office. One source said Anderson has a very good chance of beating out former Houston Texans GM for the job.
If Anderson does get the post, it could be another blow to the front office. Anderson, a former agent, is a key contract and business negotiator known for his ability to mediate and settle situations, especially when they get hostile. Anderson has been one of the more sought after team executives in the league and it seems only a matter of when, not if, he’ll be moving on to bigger things.
As for what’s going on with the team, the five rookies remain unsigned but not for long. McKay and most of the players’ agents expect deals to be consummated before Thursday’s 2:30 practice.
On Monday I had a lengthy discussion with new safeties Chris Crocker and Lawyer Milloy and, chemistry wise, they seem like a good match. They aren’t the problem-solvers, they said, because defense is such a team game. However, they said the safeties wouldn’t be the problem, either, they said.
Crocker is pretty low key and willing to take his cues from Milloy. That said, Crocker doesn’t seem like he’ll have any problem as the defensive quarterback. He said he got a pretty good grip on the defense this summer and felt comfortable positioning players, which will be one of his main tasks. He will mainly be responsible for deep pass coverage but said he has no problem putting his helmet on the ball carrier, either. Tackling is a strength, he said.
As for Milloy, he might be the last guy I’d want to see coming at me unblocked. In talking about the upcoming season, the 10-year vet got pretty lathered up about what he expects of himself and his teammates and how he plans to impact a unit loaded with talent. He knows he was signed to help stop the run and that is what he plans to do. The key to a defense is intimidation and forcing the offense to adjust, not vice versa, he said, and he plans on setting the tone in the intimidation department.
Comments
By dawg fan
July 24, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
WHAT ABOUT DJ??? WHEN IS MCKAY GOING TO CUT RANDALL -NO TALENT RANDALL AND LET DJ GET REPS AS THE #3 QB? THERES NO WAY THEY WILL CUT DJ RIGHT? BC EXPECT A BULLDOG NATION BOYCOTT ON THE DIRTY BIRDS IF THAT SO HAPPENS.
PEACE OUT
By Scooter
July 24, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
I sure would hate to see McKay go.
By Nicholas Irwin
July 24, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this
Dawg Fan, why do you even follow the Falcons in the first place if that’s how you feel about it? I really don’t understand this mentality. Your college team and pro team are two separate teams. I’m a Tennessee fan, but I couldn’t give less of a damn what Peyton Manning is doing in Indy and I thought Peerless Price sucked just as much as everybody else did. Do you realize how badly this team would suck if they did nothing but try to make it a UGA feeder? You use the best available players! Enough with this “They need to use players from my college team!!!” BS. Please…I’m begging all of you.
By Great Falconi
July 24, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
Rich McKay won’t be the next commissioner. He’s a self-promoter type who, while he does a good job as a GM, is not the kind of person the league really wants as commissioner.
Nicholas, I’m a Dawgs fan and I don’t give a damn about whether the Falcons use Shockley or not. Winning NFL games is more important than making a fan base of a college team happy. In my mind, I always separate my allegiance to the Dawgs from my allegiance to the Falcons. I liken it to people who play fantasy leagues with players from their favorite team. If you want to win, you have to take the best of the best, regardless of loyalty.
By chuck
July 24, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
Well said Nick.
By Casey
July 24, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree more Nicholas. The NFL is a lot different than the college game. Defenses are faster and smarter. You can not base who you sign soley on your favorite college team, or the public’s opinion. Which I think you are in the minority there Dawg Fan! Maybe a UGA boycott would be good, however… I mean there would be a lot less rednecks at the games. Nahhh.. I don’t think UGA fans are that stupid, uneducated YES… but I’d definately say you’re in the minority there “DAWG FAN”.
By keeping it REAL !
July 24, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this
Vick knows he has to do better this year and I think he will. I think the offense line want to do better. Just one thing most don’t have the skill in pass blocking. The Denver run blocking scheme work’s most time. The Denver pass blocking scheme It’s no let be real It SUX’S on the offense line we have the cream of the krap. This team can do better. How many good block did the offense line make ,show the fan how they graded out each game show us the math tell the story. Love you Falcons you can do much BETTER on offense line. you look good in most other parts of the team O we do need a good kicker or just keep what we had!!!!!!!!
By T
July 24, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
Great blog again Steve, but I feel that you are missing the point.Yes, Rich Mckay may be teasing us about his interest in replacing Paul Tagliabue, but what do you thisnk of Phil Savage? Speaking of the Falcon’s Offensive line, where do you think AJ Hawk may fit in? He is a solid player!
By T
July 24, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
Does anybody still remember that Ed Hartwell actually was struggling before he got hurt last year.
By This gets old
July 24, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
I remember the Seattle game where they just ripped us and yes Shaun was having a super season. But..
..doesn’t anybody remember the first half of the game at Buffalo? They were jammin us too.
I think Ray Lewis had a point in LB’s having to have DL’men who at least can hold their own with the offensive linemen they face. We don’t have that and to me both lines need some help. Also I think the effort given to finding a new PK is extremely weak.
Remember we lost the first TB game last year in OT because of a low kick.
By DD
July 24, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this
Who cares about Shockley, he’s a big cry baby. Whats he gonna do cry if he doesnt make the team. Ugag fans make me sick.
By curtis fitzgerald
July 24, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this
bring back brian scott! still can’t get over we let him get away.
By jcfan
July 24, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait ‘till practice starts. I am very interested in seeing how Norwood will be against NFL competition. We sure could use his speed back there. I think we will definitely have more weapons this year because the main core, Vick, Jenkins, And Roddy have had a full year to work together. Vick will never be Brady, but then Brady will never be Vick. I like our team.
By Darryl Orlando
July 24, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
What’s Fitzgerald on?
By El Guapo
July 25, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
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By K
July 25, 2006 02:14 AM | Link to this
DawgFan…even if the Atlanta were to cut Shockley he would be signed to the practice squad almost immediately. We wouldn’t waste a pick, seventh round or not, if we had no intention of keeping him around for the long haul, especially considering he is viewed as a project. Really hope McKay sticks around. Truly one of the best GMs in the game. If you look at the depth of talent we have now, a large part of that was his doing. Even going back to his days in Tampa he drafted well.
By Eddie
July 25, 2006 05:32 AM | Link to this
If us uga fans make you sick DD, then throw up!you must be a tech fan?And thats all you have to say?At least shockley has a chance to be 3rd string quarterback while you are writing in a blog.Maybe McKay will not be elected commissioner this time and we can have him for a while.Go falcons and Go dawgs!!!!
By Shady
July 25, 2006 06:02 AM | Link to this
dawg fan…rofl…you nub!!!!
By ROCKBUSTER
July 25, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this
FALCON AND DOG FAN.I THINK DJ WILL MAKE A GOOD BACK UP FOR MIKE SOMEDAY.GO FALCONS
By Nikki
July 25, 2006 07:16 AM | Link to this
The defense is gonna be great this season. With Milloy and Crocker coming from cold weather teams, let’s hope these guys teach the rest of the team how to grow some guts and play in cold weather. That Chicago game was absolutely pathetic. The guys seemed to be more concerned about the weather than the game. I guess that Green bay game was too many moons ago for the guys to reclaim that attitude from that visit to Packerland.
By ROCKBUSTER
July 25, 2006 07:28 AM | Link to this
I THINK DJ WOULD MAKE A GOOD BACK UP FOR MIKE VICK. CAN’T WAIT FOR SEASON TO START.GO BIRDS.
By bucko
July 25, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this
I think we have definitly improved our D. Our O will need play calling that will turn Vick a loose. If he is going to stand around in the pocket like last year there is no O line that can protect him he takes to long to make a decision. Teams are not afraid of him beating them with a long pass so they just turn eight or nine players a loose on him. He needs to what he does best get loose in the back field and upset the defense.
By Keeping it real !!!
July 25, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this
We need to keep MCkay he is been doing a good job! Focus point: Coach Gibb blocking scheme It’s a 50-50 thing run blocking scheme 85%. Pass blocking scheme 40%. This is a real problem. Gibb like small player and late round draft pick 5th to 7 round. This is not Denver for starter. we need Power offense tackel .#61 and #62 are weak link’s now for this team. Thank for the work to get our defense better you did good!! Offense line we are crying we need help, MCkay please for the love of GOD please get better offense linemen. Gibb is tacking the Falcon down the wrong road he need to up grade his scheme a least in the offense tackel spot. Our other offense linemen need to have skill to not a bunch of want a be’s.
By T.C.
July 25, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
I am both a Falcons and Dawg fan, What we really need to do it see if Shockley can compete and win that 3rd spot he is the one that has to prove that he deserves to be there. Dawg fans support your Falcons no matter who is 3rd string and quit being a bunch of spoiled brats about an ex Dawg now Falcons player.
By Call me Earl
July 25, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this
Calm Down Everybody* The season is around the corner and we’re still talking about the same things. Let’s talk football.
This will probably be one of the most exciting Atlanta Falcons seasons, since the Eugene Go Get some head Bowl.
We have a lot to build on this year w/a good left tackle and Keynon Forney opening holes for Dunn, Duckett, and Norwood. The play action will be our best friend. Ed Hartwell will make more plays thanks to Chad improving his endurance and strength this year. We’ll see long bombs to Roddy White, and alot of slants outa Micheal Jenkins. This year will be the Alge Crumpler show, now that Mike has outside threats. You’ll also see alot of runs, Tampa will not be able to play cover 2 when our Wideouts beat their safties and corners in man-zone. We have a very, let me repeat, a very young team. They’ll definitely give us a show this year.
Our problem this year is not having the right players, but depth at key positions(OG, OT, DL, Safety). Anyway thanks Mr.Blanks, McKay, and Team.
Everyone pray that our players stay healthy, so we can enjoy our tailgate parties in peace. Go Falcons
P.S. GaTech and GA Dawgs can’t we all get along.
By Curtis "Cnote" Cottom
July 25, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
I cant wait to watch the Falcons in the Superbowl this in February. This is the best team the Falcons have had in their history. It’s going to be hard to score points against this defense. There’s nothing wrong with an offensive line if it is a part of the number one rushing offense in the league. Can you say time of possession?
By Brian Hunt
July 25, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
I can’t fathom why Matt Lehr is such a weak link. He’s probably the strongest player on the team. According to the Falcon’s strength and conditioning coach he’s ordering heavier dumbbells because Lehr handles their 160lb ones with ease! This guy’s been working out hard this off-season so if he gets motivated, the line could take a huge step forward.
By Casey
July 25, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
I feel that our defense will make our offense better. Unfortunately with the way the salary cap is, it’s really difficult to have a dominating defense AND offense. However, it’s even more difficult to win a championship without a solid D! I like the way McKay has built this team. Our defense looks great… (although, it’s just on paper right now). I don’t think our offense is going to be too bad either. I like the way Roddy White has really worked hard in the offseason. The guy’s huge now! You’ll see him in the Pro Bowl in the next couple of years.
By Falcon Cheerleader
July 25, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
I propose we cheer bottomless this year!
By J
July 25, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
…a boycott by the Dawg Nation… I guess thats why when have a winning season we have a sold out stadium…and when Vick gets hurt the stadium is empty. I went to Georgia State so the only football nation I know is the Dirty Birds in the Terror Dome….GO BIRDS.
By Keeping it real !!!
July 25, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
By Brian Hunt you say you can’t fathom why Matt Lehr is the weak link because he is strong and work’s hard. (NEWS FLASH) he can’t pass block and real weak at run blocking . I ask you to look at any game tape last year and tell me if he is beating the breaks off any body!!!! We need people who can block and block and block. Not just lifting the weight room!Look at Tampa and Carolina games weak man weak!
By Casey
July 25, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
“By keeping it real”, I think he was trying to say, “how can someone so strong, be such a poor blocker”. Obviously skill has a lot to do with it… but what a waste of strength!
By Casey
July 25, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
“By keeping it real”, I think he was trying to say, “how can someone so strong, be such a poor blocker”. Obviously skill has a lot to do with it… but what a waste of strength!
By Chris
July 25, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
Why are most UGA fans such clowns? We are the best, deserve more respect…and on and on the whine fest goes. Get over yourselves. You have a nice school with a good football team but it’s time to get out of your bubble. If Shockley is good then that is great for the Falcons, but if he doesn’t make the roster than it’s because he wasn’t good enough to be an NFL QB. He won’t be the first UGA QB to be a bust in the NFL…in fact aren’t all former UGA QB’s busts in the NFL?
By Jerome
July 25, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
Is it me or is Jason Webster and Chad Lavalias the weakest link in our defense. If Jimmy Williams and Antwan Lake start we’ll be great next year. What ever happened to Grady Jackson? I live in Atlanta and love both tech and the dawgs. I said it, GO DAWGS!!!!!!, GO TECH!!!!!!, and GO FALCONS!!!!!!.
By BirdDawg
July 25, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Okay, I have to ask for a cease and desist of the term Dirty Birds.
This team is not the Dirty Birds.
They aren’t. The Vikings are not the Purple People Eaters. Miami no longer has a No-Name Defense. Dever no longer has the Orange Crush. Dallas sure as hell ain’t America’s Team (they now reside in Foxboro).
Stop with Dirty Birds!
The Dirty Birds were a one year wonder! They were one and done. They were a flash in the pan under the thumb of some of the worst owners in all of the professional sports. They had one lucky season, and that was it! The Dirty Birds were No-Play Ray getting burned and “Man-of-the-Year” Robinson soliciting you-know-what. The Dirty Birds were embarrased in Super Bowl 33, almost ten years ago!
This team is not the Dirty Birds. Who the heck would want them to be? This is a team which is striving for consistancy. Which is striving to be good, year in and year out. This is a team with a fantastic owner, a great GM, and yes, an admitable question mark at coach, yet a coach who doesn’t lack passion nonetheless.
So stop with the Dirty Birds! This team is not them.
And thank God for that!
By BirdDawg
July 25, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
Okay, I have to ask for a cease and desist of the term Dirty Birds.
This team is not the Dirty Birds.
They aren’t. The Vikings are not the Purple People Eaters. Miami no longer has a No-Name Defense. Dever no longer has the Orange Crush. Dallas sure as hell ain’t America’s Team (they now reside in Foxboro).
Stop with Dirty Birds!
The Dirty Birds were a one year wonder! They were one and done. They were a flash in the pan under the thumb of some of the worst owners in all of the professional sports. They had one lucky season, and that was it! The Dirty Birds were No-Play Ray getting burned and “Man-of-the-Year” Robinson soliciting you-know-what. The Dirty Birds were embarrased in Super Bowl 33, almost ten years ago!
This team is not the Dirty Birds. Who the heck would want them to be? This is a team which is striving for consistancy. Which is striving to be good, year in and year out. This is a team with a fantastic owner, a great GM, and yes, an admitable question mark at coach, yet a coach who doesn’t lack passion nonetheless.
So stop with the Dirty Birds! This team is not them.
And thank God for that!
By Malted Falcon
July 25, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
Fran Tarkenton from UGA did ok now didn’t he? If you don’t remember look him up on the Hall of Fame website.
By Calf Lick
July 25, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
Bird dog - get a LIFE (MR. UGA)
By Malted Falcon
July 25, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
Fran Tarkenton was a UGA QB that did ok. Check out his stats in the Hall of Fame.
By larry w.
July 25, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
The long, boring wait is almost over. Thursday, the Falcons start preparing for the 2006 campaign. On paper, this looks to be a very daunting schedule that lies ahead. That’s great! If your goal is to be the best, you will have to be able to beat the best. I like our chances. We are young, talented, and hungry. Our fans are passionate and brimming with enthusiasm about the upcoming season. Throughout the entire off season, we have had to be subjected to enemy trolls, attempting to tear down our owner, our GM, our coach, our quarterback and our entire team. To those people I say, enjoy basking in the Falcon’s failures of the second half of last season, because we Falcon fans will surely get the last laugh.
By Big XL
July 25, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this
Well said larry w. If Abraham, Crocker, & Milloy were added to Greenbay, St Louis, K.C. , or Philly the media and fans would declare them Super Bowl winners, but for the falcons, they can’t even admit that they’ve improved on defense, and the Falcons had no where to go but up !!! Cool, cool. I can’t wait for camp to start. This team has a chip on their shoulder and alot that they WANT to prove. Go Falcons!!!
By Big XL
July 25, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
Well said larry w. If Abraham, Crocker, & Milloy were added to Greenbay, St Louis, K.C. , or Philly the media and fans would declare them Super Bowl winners, but for the falcons, they can’t even admit that they’ve improved on defense, and the Falcons had no where to go but up !!! Cool, cool. I can’t wait for camp to start. This team has a chip on their shoulder and alot that they WANT to prove. Go Falcons!!!
By seminolefan48
July 25, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this
I’m sick of reading about DJ Shockley not everyone in Georgia bleeds red and black. He has to prove he can be a quarterback in the NFL. I don’t have anything personally against the young man and I hope he has a successful future in the NFL. The wait is over FOOTBALL is back and here’s wishing our Falcons a GREAT SEASON.
By Georgian in Oklahoma
July 26, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
The preseason will decide the SHOCK versus RANDALL thing. I think we only need one VA TECH QB on the roster.
ROOKIES REPORT TODAY @ 4:30!
By Georgian in Oklahoma
July 26, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
The preseason will decide the SHOCK versus RANDALL thing. I think we only need one VA TECH QB on the roster.
ROOKIES REPORT TODAY @ 4:30!
By Georgian in Oklahoma
July 26, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
The preseason will decide the SHOCK versus RANDALL thing. I think we only need one VA TECH QB on the roster.
ROOKIES REPORT TODAY @ 4:30!
By Backin It Up
July 26, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
I’m excited. $100 @ 30-1 to win the SB excited. Go Falcons!
By down with the vickness
July 26, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this
wake up this is real easy to understand unless their is an injury to one of the qb’s shockley will be on the practice squad. the third string qb needs to have firm grip on the playbook which clearly favors randall simple.
By dylan
July 26, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
As a longtime member of bulldog nation I will not be upset if shockley gets cut truth is I wasnt thrilled about drafting him in the first place.
By dylan
July 26, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
As a longtime member of bulldog nation I will not be upset if shockley gets cut truth is I wasnt thrilled about drafting him in the first place.
By dylan
July 26, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
As a longtime member of bulldog nation I will not be upset if shockley gets cut truth is I wasnt thrilled about drafting him in the first place.
By mike
July 27, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
The funny part is. Some people might not like shockley but he is still better than your starter. Michael “Interception” Vick.
By boss hawg
July 28, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
It would be awful if Rich Mckay left! He is the only chance we have of winning a super bowl outside of the falcons getting rid of Vick and starting Schaub.
By Keeping it real !!!
August 2, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this
Mckay keep a level head . You do know football . A lot of our fans are clueless. We need a good kicker, he can win us some games for the team. You got the keys to the jeep.This is a time for leadership. do what is right for this team. We need skilled player get he best player you can get.We have never had a real winner in atlanta.The fan will say we need this player or that player get the best skilled player you can get!!!! be a winner Falcons now is the time to go!