The Bird Babe

By Sage of Bluesland

February 22, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this

If Dimitroff re-signs our precious Hometown Hero, the honeymoon is over.

Be forewarned.

By Joe Schmoe

February 22, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this

Let the Keith Brooking hating commence. I dont mind him on the team, as having Milloy on the team. These guys would be valuable assets to the youg guys.

By Arthur Blank & Co. Are A Joke!

February 22, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this

Not only are the fans getting a good look at a Fraud in Brooking and the AJC, but this year many NFL fans (not just Falcons) will see that Arthur and his Front office, STILL, don’t know what the heck they are doing

How in the world do you pass on a player like Haynesworth and resign one like Brooking?….that should tell you guys something right there. It shouldn’t matter what the cost is to get him, they should do it especially if you have a desperate need for a player like Haynesworth.

Also, I recall Dimitroff telling the AJC and the Fans in Atlanta that the Falcons were going to revamp the Defense, but, now he’s saying that they are going to rebuild thru the draft? Pardon me, but I thought this team was only a few players away from being a super-bowl contender

Bottomline- Dimitroff lied to the fans…Straight-up! It has to be beyond embarrassing for the Falcon Nation. The sports talk-hosts in Jersey are even commenting on how they would be shocked if the Falcons pass on AH. To make matters worse, I’m now reading that your best players in Foxworthy and Milloy are walking as well, but the Falcons are re-signing Brooking- WTH!

By the way- the Falcons record last year was a fluke, granted legit, but a fluke. You will see that Ryan is not going to be your typical Manning as many down here would like to see. However, he won’t be bad as the Pennington or Vick, but he’s not going to lead this team to a superbowl…he is way too in inconsistent under pressure and still throws way too many interceptions like he did in college. Likewise, Mike Turner cannot seem to break holes against good defenses and your Def in the backfield sucks.

With that said, If the Falcons do plan to do something stupid (like they always do) in the draft and pick an offensive weapon, then I would get a back like Moreno or Wells because Turner is not going to cut it, he’s too inconsistent. I know- I know- I know, Turner had a bazillion yards last year, but he’s suppose to with the number of carries he had; however, when they needed his ground game the most, he didn’t show up, otherwise the Falcons might’ve beat the Cardinals.

The Falcons have never been a winner and unfortunately, due to Blank’s managerial style, never will be a winner until 1 or 2 things happen:

1- Your newspaper come-off the Falcons payroll/good ole boy system and find writers with balls who will report the truth.

2- Arthur hires a FO that knows what their doing or He sells the team.

By a

February 22, 2009 6:15 PM | Link to this

Let Mr. Brooking go. For the last three years he was always late to the ball carrier, really piling on to beef up his stats. He was a great asset to our team for many years, however it’s time get some more speed on D. In Thomas I Trust.

By Supes

February 22, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this

I’m fine with Milloy being let go, but Keith Brooking must follow or the FALCONS will come out looking very dishonest about the whole deal.

If they are going to get younger (and they need to)…let go of Brooking as well.

Let Michael Bolley go…start over with the draft and FA.

By SeminoleWarrior

February 22, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this

Send Brooking on his way right now. No one else is going to pay him the money that the Falcons have him tied to at this time. I like the idea of the team building through the draft. FA is not a real option given the Vick situation ($15 million in salary and bonus money due this year) and $43 million in guaranteed money. That is the PRIME reason that the team can not be major FA players; that and the possible lack of a CBA/Cap structure next season. TD is being very careful here which is more than we can say about his predecessor and the crazy deals they passed out. The draft is the way to go at this time; it worked well for the Titans when they were in a similiar mess.

By country boy

February 22, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this

I agree it is time for Brooking to move on and I also think he has never been more than an average LB. But why so much hate for the man ?? Is it Racial ?? Bloggers nearly crucified Braves Wren for ” letting John Smoltz go”. Smoltz LEFT because his ego wasn’t stoked enough. He wanted a contract for millions as well as a b…job in order to stay in our city. Also Smoltz was paid $14 million last year and for what?? 3 damn wins and a couple of saves. So I don’t understand the hate for a man that played for bad Falcon teams and bad coaches and bad ownership yet has never knocked being a Falcon. I’m not saying throw a parade for Brooking but I don’t understand all the hate on recent blogs I’ve read.

By Dan

February 22, 2009 8:15 PM | Link to this

The word I am hearing the Falcons are going to after Brian McFadden CB for the Steelers and are going to resign Foxworth to start as the other CB. The are going to sign Jermaine Phillips to play Saftety. In the draft in the first round they are going to select Peria Jerry DT and In the 2nd round take TE Brandon Pettigrew or Jared Cook which ever is still there and the 3rd round get their LB Clay Matthews.

By It Doesn't Matter

February 22, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this

I wish you Monday morning quarterbacks would line up across from KB. Look for the Falcons to re-sign Brooking. They want have as much money tied up in him as in the past, so quit worrying about it. Like it or not, they need the leadership on the field. They don’t have anyone willing or able to step in and take over yet, and you don’t find one overnight!!!!

By ATLplayer

February 22, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this

Please do not resign Brooking! He is a defensive liability. Lets get younger, stronger and faster.

By Bill in Dallas

February 22, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

Wow, lots of KB hate.

While I would prefer they let him go and get younger, having him around is not a bad thing.

Dan is delusional if he thinks that Pettigrew will be available for the falcons in the second, and even more so if he thinks Mathews will be there in the third.

But let’s try focus on the topic at hand. Now that Lawyer is no longer with the team, let’s get Sean Jones. He’s from GA and young enough to make an impact for a few years.

By Sage of Bluesland

February 22, 2009 9:06 PM | Link to this

If I “lined up against KB”, I can assure you I wouldn’t feel fear—as I’ve never, NEVER, seen him make a vicious hit his entire career with the Falcons.

Now, as for my ankles, I would be sure to triple-tape them…

Stop the fraud; It’s actually insulting what the organization has done hyping this joke of a LB up. They’ve reaped what they sowed, too…

By D3

February 22, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this

I can see letting Milloy go, but if they were going to keep Brooking or Milloy, I would have rather kept Milloy. I love to the re-build the defense with youth through the draft idea. But according to my calculations it will be impossible to build through the draft alone leaving:

1.) Safety - Milloy gone 2.) ROLB - Assuming Brooking gone 3.) LOLB - Boley gone 4.) DT - Grady Jackson gone 5.) CB - Dominique Foxworth

Maybe Trey Lewis, Coy Wire, Chevis Jackson, Von Hutchins, and/or Stephen can make pushes to win the starting jobs.

And that doesn’t even include needs at TE & T. I would be shocked if Brooking comes back from anything less than backup money I will be totally shocked.

By Idiots

February 22, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this

By the way, 3rd and 16 was Lawler Milloy’s responsibility. Brooking was supposed to cover 10 yards and pass the receiver to MIloy, but Milloy was slow protecting the first down marker. I think Brooking has lost a step, but someone the other day posted Brooking’s number in comparison to Mike Singletary’s and Jessie Tuggle’s-the comparisons were surprising being that Brooking has the best stats in the last four years of his career compared to either of the 2 mentioned during the four years of the same age.

I think Jerious Norwood Suxxxs. He can not run 5 feet without tripping on his own feet. Trade that loser for a draft pick would be my vote.

By Hawes

February 22, 2009 9:50 PM | Link to this

People hate Brooking because he went to Tech, pure and simple.

If he takes a much scaled back deal, he should come back. Boley’s gone, they lost faith in him last year. You can’t replace BOTH OLB and SS in a single year. Maybe they’ll free up money to take a shot at Karlos Dansby, but I doubt it. You can get three starters out of a single draft. You now need a SS and a TE. You can add one OLB, but not two.

By falcon21

February 22, 2009 10:04 PM | Link to this

No one hates Brooking because he went to Tech. A true fan wants the falcons to improve and Brooking cannot help this team as a player. Time to let go.

By Cairo

February 22, 2009 10:55 PM | Link to this

I am tired of saying it BUT here it goes again, Highway 56 sucks! If the Falcons are serious about improving this defense and turning the page Highway 56 has to go. I am actually p** as a STH that they are even in discussion with this fraud. Time and Time again he has done nothing short of making an impact play the last 3 years. He had to go around the radio stations to make a pitch that he still has some gas left in the tank. It must be gas out of his own tail pipes because I am not being fooled. TD do the right thing and let’s start over with the defense. Tell 56 to take that 1st round draft pick of a DE with him.

By Dan

February 22, 2009 11:07 PM | Link to this

HA Bill…Pettigrew ran a 4.85 at the combine? Some teams are thinking they can use a DT to cover him? Clay Matthews only played basically 1 year at USC? So my reasoning is bascially someone that is slow and the lack of expierence.

Ok now lets look at your reasoning. We should get Sean Jones and of course because he would want to come here because his address was here in college? Look who Ken Griffey had a chance to come to Atlanta closer to his family but selected Seattle? Lets see Cleveland or Atlanta. Cleveland no astro turf to mess up your knees, playing outdoors instead of a crappy dome an oh yea playing in front fans who are there in all types of weather and no matter what the score or record is? hmmmmm

By Crabkilla

February 23, 2009 5:56 AM | Link to this

Some of you guys are idiots. Dimitrof gets paid a lot of money for his critical thinking. There is this thing called the “salary cap” and it means we can’t have all the expensive players like Haynesworth. Rebuilding also means getting young players who can stay on the team a while. Brooking is getting slow, yes, but he has more heart than any player that has been in a Falcons uniform in the last 20 years. Whether he stays or goes, he was a hell of a player. Since our defense has MANY holes and not just one, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to get rid of all our linebackers when we need corners, safeties, and interior lineman as well. Don’t be stupid people. Unlike the U.S. and its president, the Falcons will create CHANGE.

By KidAt40

February 23, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this

I would not be surprised to see Brooking in a platoon situation this year on passing downs.

By Falcons lost in space

February 23, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

7-9 this year Matt Ryan will bust and the GM will be back on the hot seat! you need lineman on both side of the ball. Matt has a weak arm and you will see more of that this year. And still a punk under pressure. The defensive co. have let him have his honeymoon . After watching the tape they have found him out . They had nothing to go on(film) the first half of the year the last five game showed his weakness. If Turner has a bad year the Falcon are done watch and see!!! Dimitroff is a bust to he got lucky last year with help from the league last year . Yes they help Atlanta out but not this year!!

By Hip Hopcracy

February 23, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this

Peter King writes this morning that LAWYER MILLOY was a clubhouse pariah, antagonizer, and instigator; definitely not a Mike Smith kind of player.

Why didn’t we get this from ANY of our local sportswriters?

By GOP areFALCONS

February 23, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Dimitrof has as much critical thinking as (W) he was lucky in 2008. Peter King king is a NFC east sport Writer he love them.And as a sport writer he is Bias as hell ie good ole boy! And if Dimitroff does not cut or trade Brooking you know the he and the system is mess up in Atlanta!! good ole boy Town!!

By Preston

February 23, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Until It shows itself on the field, I’m going to have faith in the decisions made by this front office. At this point, we’ve got every reason to have hope and no reason not to. I think Mike Smith also has a lot to say about Brooking staying or going, and I’d say he’s got more football knowledge in his pinky that all of us combined, and if he thinks Brooking can still play (and help the younger guys) I’m 100 percent behind him.

By Zoomie

February 23, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank & Co. Are A Joke!: Rankin, is that you?

By alcoholic

February 23, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this

A! You should put “&@€$ing idiot” after your name.

By TD Knows

February 23, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this

It is a guarantee that we will be drafting a Safety and Outside Linebacker. Definitely a D-Linemen. Depending on the decision to move Anderson inside, could be either D-End or DT. With FAs like Manning and a Safety and LB filled draft. I am sure our Skeleton will be fine. Milloy was a no brainer, no vacancy there. Brooking, if signed, will be situational because we are drafting in that area he will be at a reduced salary, wants to retire here and can be a great backup\mentor for the young Lofton. He will not be playing out of position anymore and will not start more than 3 or 4 games. Linebacker has a serious learning curve so the rookie will be aloud that.

By bigeasy830

February 23, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

Remember the Dream 98 season, The Falcons made it to the Super Bowl in Miami with some good old vets, Cornelius “Cornbread Bennet, Eugene Robinson, Tony Martin, etc. The next year many were hoping for the falcons to play for the Super Bowl in Atlanta. But Dan Reeves let those vets go, he thought the team need to get younger. He stated that the reason he went out and signed those vet free agents in the first place was because he thought the city of Atlanta neede to win immediately. He thought that the fans would not stand for another rebuilding process. What followed was to me the most dissappointing season in Falcons history. From Super Bowl runner up to not even making the play-offs and the Super Bowl was being played in your city. Well I stated after the MV7 ordeal , that the only thingthing that would help the city get over tha was wins. They did won 11, great season, but, next years schedule will be brutal. You need to keep an old vet like Malloy that have been through the wars to help your young players get through a season like next year will be. One of the turning points for the Falcons last year is when Malloy screamed at Matt Ryan during the first half of that Tampa game in Tampa, eventhough the Falcons did not win, Ryan pulled himself together and played pretty well in that second half. The Falcons have never had back to back winning seasons, the team is coming off of a good season and won more games than even the players or coaches thought they would. Next year schedule will be tough games week after week, there will not be any Detroit Lions or KC,on your schedule. You have to believe that NO will improve their defense, Carolina is still the most complete team in the NFC South, who knows about Tampa without Gruden and Kiffin, they may be the soft spot on the schedule. Don’t expect any rookies to have the impact that Ryan had last year. As I stated on a blog earlier in the month. I would cheer for the Falcons if my grandaddy played QB for them and I will stay off your blog if they win 8 games, but if vets like Malloy do not return, your team is doomed to be the…..

The 2009 equivalent of the 2008 Cleveland Browns.

Fresh for 2009, You Suckers!!!!!!

By gary player

February 23, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this

Look this was TD’s job in new england, he will choose the best talent in the draft, dump the veterans and trust in TD!!

By FanSince1980

February 23, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this

If Milloy is gone, Brooking has to follow. I expect to see a headline today saying that Brooking has been released. As long as we pick up 2 veterans to replace them (Sean Jones and Bart Scott) we could really begin seeing a good defense. I just hope Trey Lewis can come back strong to help out the linebackers. It didn’t matter who was standing there at LB, they were going to get smashed.

By cva3rd

February 23, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry to see Milloy gone, he played hard for us the last few years. Hopefully we can sign free agent former Bulldog Germaine Phillips from the Bucs. He is a proven winner from the Bucs Super Bowl team. Hopefully there will be 1 of the 3 USC linebackers available when the Falcons pick in the first round. Brooking has been a good solid player, not great. And now he is getting older and slower.
GO BIRDS!!!

By bigeasy830

February 23, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this

I am easily a big idiot! OMG, let me count the ways. First I make the comment that Carolina is the most complete team in the NFC south despite a fading QB and a pro bowl DE who no longer wants to be there. Jake threw 5 INT’s in the playoffs (at home) and yet they are the most complete team in the NFC south and ROY Matt Ryan still sucks. Questions anyone? Second, I make the comment that you have to believe the Saints will improve their defense while at the same time not believing the Falcons will improve theirs. Huh? So we should believe an underachieving franchise like the Saints will improve their D this year when that’s exactly what they tried to do last year and failed. Last year the Falcons tried to establish an offensive identity and succeeded beyond imagination yet we got to believe the Saints will improve and not the Falcons. Huh? Third, in 2007 the Browns went 10-6 and no playoffs followed up by a 4-12 season and no playoffs yet again. So the Falcons should go back in time and ruin their playoff season in ‘08 only to not make the playoffs again in ‘09? Questions anyone? If I don’t quickly get my mouth balls free I fear I am doomed to go……….

BALLS DEEP in 2009!!!

bigeasy830 in 2009, year of the CHOKE!!

By igotxx3

February 23, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this

michael johnson looked real good at the combine. raji also did well he ran a 5.16 and bench 225 33 times.

By jimmy davis

February 23, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this

Football Dynasties are built with High Character player’s who give 110%;This means they watch out for their teammates backs & show loyalty and respect to the other coaches ,players & community.This is NOT a easy thing to do as the NFL changes its theory of how to win just like the wind blows.The tried and true way to build a class program excells on and off the field. Build a team around players with heart that NEVER QUIT.A TEAM must give loyalty & they will recieve Quality teammates that would do any for each other. The Falcons are on the right track.All the Dynasties in pro sports had a few superstars,but the games were won with teamwork & self sacrifice. I know certain players are faster,jump higher and stronger, but this does not make a Football Player with a Feel for the ball,and is willing to do any to make a play.{THIS IS ONLY A GOD GIVEN TALENT}The Falcon management must find these Overachievers.IT’s HOW TO BUILD A WINNING PROGRAM!{OLD SCHOOL-GIVE LOYALTY GET LOYALTY- A LOST VIRTUE} IT WILL WORK!

By Mike

February 26, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this

Let Brooking and Boley walk…keep Fox…not a lot of talent at CB in this years draft….McFadden may be worth looking at in FA, let Chevis and Houston battle for the nickle back. Go after a solid safety in FA also, Landry from Baltimore, or Phillips from the Bucs (he is very solid, but has had some health issues). Other possible FA upgrades could be Bernard DT or Berry DE. Keep wire at strong side…rotating with Nicholas….and maybe pick up matthews in the second round (if Cushing and Maybin are both off the board in the first). First round I like Jerry, Ayers, or Johnson if still available here. If Cushing or Maybin is available take the LB , then maybe Brace in the second round at DT. Most of this all depends on Free Agent aquisitions. I think in the third we go after a tight end…the pool is very deep this year….I think Ingram from Florida will last until the third…esp due to the how impressive a couple of tight ends were in the combine. I think in the later rounds they should add depth to the D-line and linebacker.