Falcons

By former Strickland basher

December 2, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

DOL, you write that it’s “clear” Jackson and “unlikely” the Williams boys weren’t masking steroids. How in the heck do you know that??? If you’re just assuming because they don’t look like ripped body builders, then you’re very naive about steroids.

By rms

December 2, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

Prepare for the unevitable!! U know its coming….Get ready for it, dont be naive!! Aint no more fighting after this appeal so if they dont say nothing just keep playing if they suspend just walk up to the office of Roger Goodell and throw the fine money in his face and tell him to kiss your (you know what)! Thats what I would do. (I guess thats why I ain’t playin”) Go Falcons!!

By kg

December 2, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Worry about the playoffs later. You have to get there first. Grady might retire after this season anyway, and if he can keep pushing it down the road, the Commish may not require him to sit during the playoffs, but have the suspension roll over into next year.

By michaelgee

December 2, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Is Roger Goodell the NFL version of Grade School’s Hall Monitor?

How did he become the “self appointed know all-see all” NFL Drug and Anger Managemnet Czar?

Goodell reminds me of a cop who let his power trip exceed his abilities.

By hadron

December 2, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

I’m all for Roger Goodell’s style. Boot the thugs OUT! If I want to see thug idiots running around, I can go down to Rice Street.

He wasn’t self-appointed. He was hired by the NFL owners. The NFL is a private corporation, so if you don’t like them, don’t watch them.

By saint

December 2, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Better start doubling Moorehead’s rations!Looks like we will need another big body in the lineup after what happened to the Saints and Vikings.

By Orlando- Get Your Facts Straight

December 2, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Orlando/Dude- Get your facts straight! How do you know they didn’t buy Grady’s argument? They bought something, otherwise they wouldn’t have asked for more information and documents to validate his heart condition. They would have just suspended the guy…you idiot!

Why Oh Why do the AJC allow such idiot writers to post on their site.

By Orlando- Get Your Facts Straight

December 2, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Orlando/Dude- Get your facts straight! How do you know they didn’t buy Grady’s argument? They bought something, otherwise they wouldn’t have asked for more information and documents to validate his heart condition. They would have just suspended the guy…you idiot!

Why Oh Why do the AJC allow such idiot writers to pose as columnist on their site.

By MWC

December 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

Lest we ALL forget…It is the AJC…

By James

December 2, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

The NFL has an anti-trust exemption and plenty of city gov’ts have compelled taxpayer-funded new stadiums that only serve to make these billionaire owners richer, so please can the “private corporation” nonsense.

Roger Goodell is a control freak who thinks he is being “strict” and standing up for “personal responsibility” when in reality he is being self-righteous punk who doesn’t understand anything. He’d be right at home working at Fox News next to his wife.

When Eric Smith got suspended for the Boldin hit, which only happened because the angle of his tackle changed while he was in the air due to no fault of his own, the NFL sent him a letter that stated they didn’t look at intent.

Can I get a WTF? We have an actual person doing the commissioner job, not a robot with a rule book, yet the only time he uses discretion is when he is trying to “protect” players by fining and suspending them for 100% instinctive plays. Grady Fatson and the Fat Williamses are taking over-the-counter diuretics because THEY ARE OBESE INDIVIDUALS, NOT TO MASK STEROIDS. YOU as the commissioner should find a way to inform your players indisputably about what OTC medications they can and cannot take.

Please step down Goodell. You and your naive, oversimplified views of a league many people cherish are not doing any good. Go spend more time with your fair-and-balanced wife.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 2, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

Up watching Duke pistol whip Purdue. I’ve got the Henderson kid on my fantasy team and Coach K is not getting him enough shots. PASS LITTLE HENDERSON THE ROCK, PLEASE!!!

Yeah, I am pretty naive about steroids. Don’t know how a papaya extract can help you out.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 2, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

To Orlando- Get Your Facts Straight,

Why all the nastiness? I come in peace, love and football!!!

The “big guy” trying to lose weight was the Williams’ and Saints argument forwarded by Attorney Cornwell. The league didn’t buy it.

Grady’s argument — and we’re just speculating because we weren’t at the hearing — is perhaps more of medical one. My man Angelo Wright (Garfield Heights, Ohio) has told me from the outset that Grady’s case was different.

By falconidiot

December 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

I would rather have Grady now than later, you can’t win a playoff game if your not in one, if it goes into next year we can always release him, i’m sure we’re looking for his replacement regardless.

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 2, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

Where the hell do you play fantasy college basketball?

Also, Roger Goodell is an idiot.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

A few newspaper folks and hoop junkies have an ACC/SEC league.

Here’s my squad, the Smyrna Jonquils Hansbrough, UNC Lawal, GTech Jodie Meeks, UK Barry Stewart, Miss State Gerald Henderson, DUKE Bench: Tay Waller, Auburn; Brandon “Kevin” Costner, NC State.

Henderson finished with 2 points, but they play Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines got pushed to the brink by Savannah State. So maybe Lil’ Gerald and have a bust out game.

By Ken Strickland

December 2, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

Losing GJackson, or anyone in our DT rotation, would be a loss, but having an actual hole plugging MLB will lessen the impact. The Saints were going to have a difficult time stopping our rushing attack with their DL intact before losing 2 of their top DLinemen. Now it will be that much harder. They’ll have to commit their LB’s and safeties more to stopping the run, which will open them up to play action passes. MRyan and our WR’s will have their own Mardi Gras on the field against the Saints this Sunday.

By Bob

December 3, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Didn’t Grady have a weight clause in his contract?

By Singletary

December 3, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

Look, if Grady’s lawsuit stops the NFL for a week or two, that is not the worst.. For Grady’s sake, I’d rather know than not. For the Falcons’ games this year, I’d rather it be postponed for fact-finding … or whatever fair legal mechanisms are available for a guy who I believe ingested a supplement not knowing of its consequences.

Come on, if NFL players cannot get an accurate — and quick — read on a 1-800-NFL-drug call in on supplements, why should the rest of us rely on Web MD? We aren’t held to the same standard of every ml we ingest to feel better.

While I understand the almost absolute penalty for highly compensated athletes, it is unfair to force them to become biochemists with a home spectrometer! Truth in advertising and component transparency rules.

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 3, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

I failed to expand on my earlier point that Roger Goodell is, in fact, an idiot. Allow me to demonstrate.

Jaguars WR Matt Jones — arrested for felony cocaine possession, 3 week suspension from the NFL, still under appeal.

Saints RB Deuce McAllister, Vikings DTs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, Falcons DT Grady Jackson, etc. — took a legal over the counter supplement that wasn’t marked with any indication that it contained banned substances in the NFL. 4 week suspensions for all except Big Grady.

In other words, this moron Goodell in his crusade to “improve the NFL’s image” sees an arrest for cocaine possession as being less detrimental than unknowingly consuming a banned substance.

By row3

December 3, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

Grady’s defense to the NFL.. Star-caps, Sno-caps all I know is I ate a whole box of them at the movies.

By Johnny B

December 3, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this

By the way guys, Charles Grant is on IR out for the season so the Saints are only losing one starter off their line.

I’m assuming his suspension will carry over to next year when and if he returns.

By Boo Boo

December 3, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this

Any judge who would uphold any files for an injunction would have to be as bought and paid for as an NFL official doing a Jets game in the Meadowlands. I guess it would be beyond the realm of possibility that the judge could simply say, “Okay boys, pee in the cup and then let the nurse suck out some blood from those horse-sized veins. Then go have a seat while we analyze this “clean fluid” you have. If there are any more “masking agents” in those samples, they all should be banned from the NFL. Forget a four game suspension. Roll the dice, its double or nothing.

As a monopoly, the NFL is allowed to monitor its actions through the employment of a Commissioner. The Commissioner is God as far as what he says goes the NFL must do. If the Commissioner allows its integrity to be tarnished, Congress can yank those comfy exemptions that allows for NFL players to think they are gods. If a judge overrides that congressional power, we need to all be down filling out applications to play pro ball, because the draft is illegal, equal employment is a big lawsuit waiting to happen, and the NFL Network’s monopoly on television contracts and cable deals is history.

In the least, Congress will start bringing in NFL players to testify, just like they did baseball players. You think a House Representatives and Senators actually believe its normal for football players to have necks the size of two normal person thighs combined? Do you think they actually believed Roger Clemens? Baseball got grilled because Selig (MLB Commissioner) was lax on artificial enhancement use.

As for Big Grady, same rules apply for him. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If he signed something saying no papaya diuretic and he took papaya diuretic, bye bye Grady. If he sits 4 weeks, he sits. Just like an injury a team has to deal with.

By On The DL

December 3, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this

Whenever a Black, Male Falcons fan backs his car into a parking space at work, a restaurant, sporting event or a shopping center, that is his signal that he wants other men to come over and have sex with him.

By backing his vehicle into the parking space, he is speaking in his secret code that he he is ready and looking to have anal sex with other men… just as long as it is kept on the DOWN LOW.

NOW YOU KNOW.

By The Grinch

December 3, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

Agreed; Goodell is a moron.

By GTBALTFAN

December 3, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

I grew up in Atlanta, went to numerous Falcon’s games during the late sixties, then moved to Baltimore after graduating from Tech in ‘70. I love the Ravens and I’m still a Falcon fan as well. (I even swiped a 5’ x 8’ Falcons flag from old Balt. Memorial Stadium during a Colt game in the 70’s, which I proudly flew out front of my house when the Falcons played in the SB in 2000. )The Falcons and the Ravens are having very similar years. Both 8-4, both with new head coaches, both with very good rookie QB’s and both with difficult but not impossible last four games. I’ve always wished for a Baltimore-Atlamnta Super Bowl and this year looks as good as any for that to happen. Here’s hoping!! PS, How ‘bout them Jackets!! 45-42 — who’d of thunk it? Now it looks like we’ll continue our dominance over SEC teams with an arse whippin’ of either LSU or SC in the Chic-Fil-A. Go Tech and THWG!!

By fordcobra

December 3, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Don’t put the cart in front of the horse. First is to get to the playoffs, if it takes him to get us there drag it out as long as possible, if Smith thinks the Falcons can get there with out him then that is a horse of a different color. GO FALCONS!

By CTfalconfan

December 3, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

If Grady is in our plans long term then let him sit now as you don’t want this going into next season. If we don’t see Grady playing in ATL next season then by all means he needs to keep on fighting and take his suspension nxt year with another team.. - It is very unlikely the league would side with Grady after suspending everyone else involved.

By Barry

December 3, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

Even though we would like to have big grady in there in some tough goal line type situations, I believe with the rotation of Babineaux and even Jamaal Anderson could hold down the fort in some critical close yardage situations. Remember, Grady played in critical spot duy assignments. Someone would just have to cover. More than that, the offense just needs to score a lot of points, burn up the clock, and keep the defense of the field as much as possible. As with all the games the won, I am confident the coaches are preparing for his possible absence, but I do not believe it will critically hurt the defense if he is out. This will take teamwrk on the defensive line side of the ball. I believe “THE MOVIN COMPANY” can do it. Nevertheless, “WE NEED YOU BIG BOY!”

SSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         "ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!"

Ringold

By Get Your Facts Straight,

December 3, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Orlando/Dude-Following to your reponse to my response- if you read the paragraph below it sounds as if you did not distinguish Jackson from the other 6 players. If you are a responsible writer then you should be specific about your findings, but not according to this:

The league didn’t buy the “big guy” trying to lose weight argument. It seems pretty clear that Jackson wasn’t taking the papaya extract to mask any steroids. It’s unlikely the big Williams boys from Minnesota were masking either.

Whose the “big guy”? All of the players are big guys, so what does this means?

The “big guy” trying to lose weight was the Williams’ and Saints argument forwarded by Attorney Cornwell. The league didn’t buy it.

Grady’s argument — and we’re just speculating because we weren’t at the hearing — is perhaps more of medical one. My man Angelo Wright (Garfield Heights, Ohio) has told me from the outset that Grady’s case was different.

Granted, Grady might still get suspended but I was really disappointed how the the article was written.

Now you are posting this to cover your mistake-

By former Strickland basher

December 3, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I am pretty naive about steroids. Don’t know how a papaya extract can help you out. DOL

Whatever he is accused of taking (starcaps, Bumetanide, etc) are masking agents. Do I have to explain to you what a masking agent is?

(They hired you for what reason, again???)

By richbrave

December 3, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

GOOD GRADY.!!!! See you in the off-season.

By Dmac

December 3, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

I like the tough love approach, however, the wording in what the players are responsible for really takes all decision making totally out of the commissioners control here. If the legal system didn’t allow for appeals and due process these guys would have already served 2-3 weeks or suspensions. I you eat greens that were grown beside an illegal substance or drink bottled water that got contaminated you are at fault period. Thats extreme to me. Neither the commissioner or players seem to have real control over this. Based on the wording Jackson will sit four games. There needs to be a little change in the wording.

By Dmac

December 3, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I like the tough love approach, however, the wording in what the players are responsible for really takes all decision making totally out of the commissioners control here. If the legal system didn’t allow for appeals and due process these guys would have already served 2-3 weeks or suspensions. I you eat greens that were grown beside an illegal substance or drink bottled water that got contaminated you are at fault period. Thats extreme to me. Neither the commissioner or players seem to have real control over this. Based on the wording Jackson will sit four games. There needs to be a little change in the wording.

By Hamad Meander

December 3, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Grady Jackson - why does this name mean nothing but trouble for the Atlanta Falcons since they signed him? Is he really that ‘big’ of an impact on the defense. Time to move on and draft some new bigguys on the line.

I nominate Terrance Cody from Alabama if he goes pro this year. He’s a bigguy that moves like a DE. He’ll be able to play more than 25 snaps a game too.

By darrell starks

December 3, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

MY SCENARIO would be if grady get the suspensoin move jamal anderson to denfensive TACKLE AND let CHAUNCE DAVIS STARTE at end jamal is outstanding against the run. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By darrell starks

December 3, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

COACH WHERE IS LAURENT ROBINSON WHAT HAPPEN I THINK HE IS YOUR SECOND BEST RECIEVER ON THE TEAM?

By NS from Kennesaw

December 3, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

The best way is to assume that big Grady will be suspended and get the guys ready for it.

If it is not happening, great, lady luck continues to smile to the Falcons.

Be careful with the SAINTS this weekend, they should have R.Bush back on the field.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 3, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Coach said he’s expecting Big Grady to play this week.

Also, Laurent Robinson was back at practice after missing the last two games.

By rms

December 3, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

How long do you think it will take to get Robinson invovled int the offense. I understand the scouting report on him is very good as a reciever. Why is the NFL stalling on Grady in particular and not the other players they have made rulings on already? I dont know about this game..a bit nervous. Drew Brees and that offense reminds me of the old Rams with Kurt Warner and Holt/Bruce. They can put up points in bunches very quickly.

By Oscar

December 3, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

I think Grady Jackson is one heck of a player. I think he is “The” anchor of our defensive line as well as one of the most under rated defensive players of the NFL. Look at what happened after we lost him last year. Teams ran up and down the field on us. I am very glad that Blank and Smith were able to get him back in a falcons uniform. That being said, I dont think that thats the case this year. This team plays together well enough, not to mention smitty as a defensive mastermind, that we can muster up some run defense with moorehead and company to stop what ever is thrown at us. This is a different team with a different swager. They dont play with the belief that one side of the ball is controlled by the play of one guy. There is accountability on both sides of the ball and more of it then I can say for any team I have watched all year. No one is crying about who plays, who gets more touches, who is splitting carries. Its a team that other teams should take note for success. Great job Smitty… GO FALCONS! -Oscar-

By CA

December 3, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Hello Darryl, and everybody.

Just a thought here and is just an opinion.

This entire episode concerning the Starcaps, Bumetanide’ is a big hunk of Swiss Cheese (full of holes)

I will venture to say that Grady’s Case stands on Strong Foundation, and with that comes Merit. This comes via FDA Labeling of Product Ingredients. Being that Bumetanide was not listed.

On a BB someone posted that the NFL states that the player is responsible for any product that they use. If that is the case then there is another hunk of Swiss Cheese. Grady should easilly win his appeal due to the fact that Bumetanide was not listed and the manufacturer of Starcaps is possibly in violation of some FDA Laws.

IF any of the other six players were using this same product, then they will probably jump on board with the Lawsuit.

My thinking is that the NFL has botched this one up Big Time.

We will be entertained with this episode of As the World Turns on the NFL Network throughout the entire off season. Stay Tuned Folks Dont Touch That Dial :D))))

Cheers

pitiful aint it

By Marcus

December 3, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

D. Orlando, In case this does spill into next season, how is Trey Lewis’ recovery coming and is he in the plans for the Mike Smiths’ coaching staff, since his last live action was when Petrino was still the head coach and he was drafted by the old regime?

By chester drawers

December 4, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

Grady dodged for one reason. The investigating authorities said hey doesn’t steroids produce muscle?

By Josh M

December 4, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Do the Falcons have a clear team to root for in Monday’s Bucs/Panthers game? I keep going back and forth.

By ....ice the Saints

December 4, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Falcon fans should pull for the Panthers over the Bucs, because Carolina has a much tougher 3 game remaining schedule.

By DawgNCalifornia

December 4, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

For the Falcons this season, the future currently is now. We need Big Grady now to make sure we get into the playoffs. We’ll figure out what to do without him later on.

And for what it’s worth, I really don’t think he knowingly took a banned substance.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 4, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

…Ice the Saints is correct. Falcons fan should root for Carolina on Monday.

Trey Lewis showed so much explosion last season that I’m sure he’ll get a great look. He still rehabbing and not practicing with squad. I’ll ask him how its going when he blows through the locker room.

By don

December 4, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

would it be better for the Falcons if Tampa or NO wins Monday night?

By rms

December 4, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Hey Orlando, Whats the deal with big Grady? Whats taking the league so long to make a final decision? Why dont you ask Coach Smith if he will take some of the load off Turner and give Norwood more snaps so they wont wear out Turner to soon. You know the life expectancy of a RB aint that long!

By VICK SUPPORTER 2

December 6, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

RYAN VS FLACCO

——-BELOW STATS ON ESPN———

OPPONENTS WITH WINNING RECORD

RYAN………4

FLACCO……..8

OPPONENTS IN TOP TEN (DEFENSE)

RYAN…………2

FLACCO………8

OPPONENTS OVERALL RECORD FOR SEASON

RYAN…………83(W)-97(L)

FLACCO………95(W)-74(L)

CURRENT RECORD

FALCONS……….8-4

RAVENS………….8-4

———FINAL ANALYSIS————-

YOU CAN SPIN THE FACTS ALL YOU LIKE BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS FLACCO IS PLAYOFF READY AND HAS PLAYED ALL THE TOUGH TEAMS AND RYAN IS PLAYING TEAMS THAT ARE…..

14 GAMES BELOW 500

——-JOE FLACCO BY FAR—————-

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

NEXT YEAR WILL HAVE A TOUGHER SCHEDULE AND NO ………….

VS DETROIT

VS KANSAS CITY

VS OAKLAND

VS ST LOUIS

JOE FLACCO IS A SURE FIRE WINNER ALREADY AND DOESN’T NEED SCHEDULES WITH LOSING TEAMS TO MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD.

THE FACTS DON’T LIE

GO TO ESPN OR NFL.COM