AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > August > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USStorybook start for Shockley
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Say it’s baseball. The Falcons go to their “closer,” and he not only saves the game, he’s the winning pitcher. Such was opening night as a professional quarterback for D.J. Shockley, accompanied by a din of “woofing” that raised the woof of the Georgia Dome.
Preseason games are just that. Baseball calls it spring training. Nothing counts, but a fellow from the lower level of the roster can build up points. Others will be playing the last game of football they’ll ever play. It’s just that, preseason and back to the car wash or gas station. Some guys have their pictures in Reggie Roberts’ press guide, but they never make it to the game. Gone before they played a game. Cut, the most depressing word in sport.
Some may or may not have played against New England, but their picture is in the back of the book. They can always be listed back home as a “former professional football player.” There’s one guy from Finland, Klaus Alinen, force-fed through through the farm league in Europe. There’s Chris Reis, a defensive back from Georgia Tech. Strange, not a lot of local players get a call from the local pros. There’s the son of the coach at Iowa, Brian Ferentz, a center with academic credentials. No car wash for him.
You know this, you can’t prejudge these fellows. Whoever would have thought that Patrick Pass would find work in the NFL? The former Bulldog is now in his seventh season with the Patriots, though he was out of action Friday night. On the other hand, last time I saw Heath Evans, he was a fullback at Auburn and having a blowout night in the same Dome. A can’t-miss future, I thought. Well, he got lost in Seattle, then Miami, now making his third stop with New England.
But, back to what it’s all about. All four quarterbacks performed nicely, though Michael Vick made no more than the required cameo appearance, as did Tom Brady. Each threw three passes, then retired. Matt Schaub, Bryan Randall and Shockley followed in that order for the Falcons. The Patriots turned to Matt Cassel, and the rest of the evening was his.
This fellow Cassel has had a peculiar career living in the shadows. He was backup to two Heisman Trophy winners at Southern Cal, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, and now to a Super Bowl champion at New England. You think D.J. Shockley had it bad at Georgia? He only had to back up David Greene. Now he’s applying to become the backup to a backup with the Falcons.
Some Falcons had good evenings, some fair, some ordinary, but a caveat goes with all this: While some were matched against grade-A personnel, others were on the field against some of those who’ll be back at the car wash. As for those “woofers” in Red and Black, makes no difference who Shockley was matched against. They liked his cool, they liked his game management, they liked the results he put on the board. It was really storybook stuff for a hometown kid.
He came on the field for the crucial series just before the two-minute break and quickly made himself at home, starting at the Falcons’ 22-yard line. The key play was a third-down pass to Kevin Youngblood, a second-year aspirant from Clemson, his second catch of the game. When they reached Michael Koenen’s 40-yard range, this utile guy came out and kicked the field goal that broke the tie and won the game, 26-23, as time ran out. Winning pitcher: Shockley.
You look back on such games and feel you’ve watched some emerging futures. The Patriots broke out an impressing running back from Minnesota, Laurence Maroney, and a solid tight end from Texas, David Thomas. For the Falcons, Jerious Norwood from Mississippi State showed bursts of speed that left you agape; Youngblood, big and rangy, might be the wide receiver they’re missing with Brian Finneran gone; and they probably found the field goal kicker they’ve searched for right under their noses. Koenen, who punted as a rookie, last year kicked a 58-yard field goal, kicked off, punted and took orders for dinner. And then there’s Shockley.
In all cases, remember, it’s still August.
Permalink | Comments (93) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Furman Bisher, UGA / SEC
Comments
By gary
August 12, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this
When it is all said and done,and their respective careers are over,”DJ will outVick Mr. Vick”. DJ, your most important asset is your family. Believe that, and draw from it. PEACE!!!!
By dirrtybird
August 12, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this
Gary, you’re about as bad as Tito with posting the same thing over and over. DJ has to outvick Randall first, and he looked pretty good too.
By VT
August 12, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
Randall will prevail, he is SMART and sharp. Shockley is a good story being from here and all. Bryan Randall will make this team, I promise, by the way Mike Vick will make sure of that, they are VT buddies.
By Bryan G.
August 12, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this
VT…is the implication that Shockley is stupid?
Shock has a better arm and seems to be quickly grasping the offense. I think he has the inside track on Randall even though BR has an extra year under his belt. Shockley is just a better QB than Randall. He was in high school and in college. There’s no reason why he wouldn’t be in the pros.
By Citadel84
August 12, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
Randall has a year on Shockley and that is very important VT, but I can tell you Randall’s arm is not half of Shockley’s - who is pretty smart himself. Not many can run a drive like he did in his first game situation. Ice water was running through his veins last night.
I would say it is neck to neck and if Shockley improves any more it just might be the practice squad for Mr. Randall. Don’t get too bold too early.
By Matt
August 12, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
And Shockley isn’t SMART? I am sure that D.J. Shockley could run rings around Randall mentally. Shockley was brought up right by his father and is one cool customer. Not to mention Shockley’s much superior arm. Good Luck D.J.
By pdawg
August 12, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this
For Randall to be neck to neck as the coaches put it with Shockley is already a loss for him. He would have to do some wonders to keep the third place. I predict Shockley will get the third place and he would most likely be the starter in three or four years time if he is patient.
By Dawg Mensch
August 12, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this
To hell with which is better (Shockley or Randall), both looked innumerably better and much more intelligent than Vick. It’s high time that he needs to work harder to keep his day job or else he may need to learn the phrase “want fries with that order?”
By VT
August 12, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this
I did not say Shock was not smart, I said Bryan R was SMART….I will not insult DJ, I like him, I just so happen to like Randall better. You guys are supporting your homeboy and I am supporting mine. If it was up to me, I would keep MV, BR and Shock and get rid of MS. History would be made with that combination if you know what I mean.
By Dawg Mensch
August 12, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this
To hell with which is better (Shockley or Randall), both looked innumerably better and much more intelligent than Vick. It’s high time that he needs to work harder to keep his day job or else he may need to learn the phrase “want fries with that order?”
By Dawgs2006
August 12, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
The Atlanta Falcons cannot afford to lose Shockley. He is the feel good story of the off season. It is just bad timing for B. Randall. For the team to cut Shockley after drafting him, would be a big mistake with the fan base. Let’s face it, Randall will never be the starting quarterback for this team. They picked him off the scrap heap last year to groom into the system. DJ can and will eventually play in meaningful games because Vick will sprain his pinky, tweak a hammy, or get turf toe and have to be pampered by Arthur Blank. Adios Randall, see ya!
By SweetT
August 12, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this
Let’s not forget that Shaub will be a starting QB next year…for some team some where, as his contract will expire and some team will give him a shot. With that in mind, it is not inconceiveable that we will keep all four through this year even if we must call one of them a kicker (since we apparently need less of them now-a-days) ;)
—T
By EdoRiver
August 12, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this
If I were using Monoply money I would go with Dawgs 2006’s comment
By RxDawg
August 12, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
I think BR played extremely well. I also think DJ did also. Its a hard decision to make. My heart goes to DJ, but I know the team has to do whats best. I truly believe it would be in our benefit to trade off Schaub for his value to beef up some other areas. However, I do not know enough about the finances in the NFL to know if its in our benefit to wait till next year to trade Schaub (someone on another blog tried to make this argument, something about free agency). This would also pose a big problem if Vick went down b/c then we would be stuck with only 2 very fresh QB’s. I would like to see both BR and DJ stay. If this can’t happen then I vote for DJ. I believe he has more tools and intangibles (fan support).
By RxDawg
August 12, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
Sory, I really didnt’ know how to spell Shaub.
By George P. Burdell
August 12, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? If Shockley weren’t a local kid, there’d be no chance of him making this team even as the #3 QB. He is a non-story, plain and simple. Sorry, Dawg fans. Save your barking for Saturdays in Athens. THWG.
By George P. Burdell
August 12, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? If Shockley weren’t a local kid, there’d be no chance of him making this team even as the #3 QB. He is a non-story, plain and simple. Sorry, Dawg fans. Save your barking for Saturdays in Athens. THWG.
By 1 + 2
August 12, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
George P. Burdell, it is one thing to dislike Georgia, it is something else to allow that dislike to blind you towards a guy’s performance on the field. I will grant you that Shockley would not have been drafted by the Falcons had he not been a hometown product. But if you watched any practice and preseason games from last year, in which Randall played, he performed nothing like shockley did last night.
I’ll be honest with you all, during the senior bowl last year, I remember seeing Shockley and the guy from UAB. Shockley looked awful!!! I was curious to see how he would perform last night… He actually shocked the hell out of me with his poise and control.
By Blanton
August 12, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
Shockley has much more upside than Randall.
If DJ continues to impress, they gotta keep him because his potential is high. DJ will probably get his million $ contract and perhaps a chance to start down the line.
Heck, DJ may well be starting before D. Greene.
By Eric S
August 12, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
It was fun. I might be the only guy in Georgia that would rather see Schaub starting than Vick. He is a better passer, more accurate and better touch… and his decision making is worlds better than Vick’s who has to rely on his speed to get out of jams that he gets in because he doesn’t know how to play in the West Coast offense that we supposedly are running. I found Shockley’s performance stunning and have to wonder if his best playing days are not still in front of him. He’s had a lot of time to study. Bryan Randall was also impressive…odd for the Birds to have the problem of too many good qb’s. For most of my life, it’s been just the opposite. But the real story Friday night was Jerious Norwood. How that guy made it to the 3rd round, I can’t figure. Thank God he did. This all doesn’t really matter at all unless our defense can learn how to stop teams from running straight at them. It may be time for some D coaching adjustments. Let’s not forget that they got worse as the season went last year…they have replaced a lot of guys and still look horrible. No chemistry at all. The Birds play an exciting brand of ball…if the defense can get it’s former tenacity back, this could be a very fun year. But I will finish by saying this…Vick needs to mature…he needs to work on playing within the system that we are using and forget all the home boy posturing. Other than his speed and moves, what does he do well? The Falcon’s have basically bet the franchise on the guy.
By BirdDawg
August 12, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this
Burdell, you’re an idiot.
Go crawl back into your empty stadium and watch your Bugs implode yet again this season.
There are THREE things that you can always count on in life:
Death, Taxes, and Yech getting 7 wins a year.
By ewalk80
August 12, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
dawgs2006 you are a joke you are the reason why I bash on UGA check it out on schultz blog. get a life d.j. is a seventh round pick and a third string quarterback what is a feel good story????? That a UGA player makes it to the nfl
By BirdDawg
August 12, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this
Once again, ewalk, you decide to stick your foot in your mouth, so I will stick my foot in your @$$…
Name the last Ohio State player from the unathletic Slow 10 to make it big in the NFL.
Can’t name one, right?
I mean there was Andy Katzenmoyer… what every happened to him, anyway? Oh yeah, the same thing that will happen to the over-hyped AJ Hawk: he was a BUST!
Now, as for Georgia players in the NFL who are stars and outstanding players we have Seymore, Ward, Champ and Boss Bailey, McMichael, Watson, Terrell Davis, Thomas Davis, Johnson, Pollack, and Thurmond.
Go suck on a buckeye, moron.
By NewGuy
August 12, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this
What is really funny is how everyone is talkling about Shockley like he worked some miracle. The guy was the worst QB in that game. He had the lowest completion percentage and almost the second fewest yards. If it wasn’t for the Falcons big-leg kicker the outcome may have been different. Also, you guys aren’t looking at all the facts that are in front of you. He completed his 4 out of ten passes against players that were drafted in the latest rounds, plus against those that weren’t even drafted but picked up by the Patriots to try to find a body to add to the depth chart. So he completed a few passes to a 6foot2inch receiver that was being covered by a 5foot6inch corner back from some Iowa Bible college. Shockley will be lucky to get sent to the Europeon league, but I doubt it. He will be out in a few years after working with the practice squad. But the AJC will continue to bring hype to things they know aren’t news worthy to appease the UGA fans.
By ewalk80
August 12, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
Hey catdawg you are hard. once again I ask you when was your last championship??????? I mean thurmond out 4 games drug suspension.And by the way VT is a much better football school than the puppies. so suck on some bulldoggs nutz moron
By ewalk80
August 12, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this
PREACH ON NEW GUY!!! THEY ARE NOT USED TO HAVING THERE PLAYERS IN THE NFL. THEY ARE JUST TO EXCITED. OLE CATDAWG IS BRINGING UP PLAYER FROM 10 YEARS AGO
By Doug
August 12, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
I guess Shockley is just sad he didn’t go to Tech, where he could be following in the footsteps of Joe Hamilton, George Godsey, A.J. Suggs, and all those other Tech QBs who went on to untold fame and fortune in the NFL.
Keep whining, Techies. But your inferiority complex will always be cute to the rest of us.
By Cuz
August 13, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this
I belive the difference between the NFL and the NCAA has to do with something called a profit margin. Vick was signed to get butts in the seats which he has done. Unfortunately he has become fragile with a predictable injury every season. Face it Schaub should be the starter and will be leaving to start somewhere else next year. Vick will continue to get paid his millions, get hurt and have to have the backup win the key games. So I fall back on the who will get the butts in the seats. Without argument it will be DJ, former quarterback of the most popular football team in the state of Georgia. I have never attended a Falcons game. I would if DJ was a starter or even the second stringer. Yeah I am a homer. But I would pay money to watch my homey.
By THE DAWG!
August 13, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this
i have sat here and watched this blog blog blog blog*wake up people the georgia football program has arrived,the talent that d.j.shockley showed america was for real.How many other teams last night were looking at his 2:00 minute drill.not to bad for a rookie**THE DAWG IS AWAKE AND IT’S ONLY TIME BEFORE WE SHOW THE WORLD!SIC’EM
By Old school bird
August 13, 2006 01:26 AM | Link to this
Can we all just get along?
By Patrick
August 13, 2006 01:51 AM | Link to this
Shockley will be able to run plays similar to Vick. It would be in the there best interest to keep him. This will be beneficial in both practice and game time. The starting line-up will appreciate that when he is subing for Vick, the plays will not have to altered to compensate for a different style of play.
By GAdawg79
August 13, 2006 02:13 AM | Link to this
O.k NEWGUY the stats say that D.J. was 4 out of 10, but don’t forget that that includes the times he had to spike the ball to stop the clock because Ramdall had used all but one of the timeouts because he had a hard time reading the defence.
By dirrtybird
August 13, 2006 02:36 AM | Link to this
Cuz,
Which key games have the backups won?
By Marty Foreman
August 13, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong. Schaub has consistently shown some great things and some pretty good. However, Randall looked better , stronger arm and some good improvs but, Shockley was absolutely amazing for a first time preseason game as a rookie! Like others are saying, he doesn’t seem to ever get rattled, and in embattled situations, always appears to be analyzing how to get the advantage!
By Marty Foreman
August 13, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong. Schaub has consistently shown some great things and some pretty good. However, Randall looked better , stronger arm and some good improvs but, Shockley was absolutely amazing for a first time preseason game as a rookie! Like others are saying, he doesn’t seem to ever get rattled, and in embattled situations, always appears to be analyzing how to get the advantage! He also has the superior arm to Ransdall!
By Marty Foreman
August 13, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong. Schaub has consistently shown some great things and some pretty good. However, Randall looked better , stronger arm and some good improvs but, Shockley was absolutely amazing for a first time preseason game as a rookie! Like others are saying, he doesn’t seem to ever get rattled, and in embattled situations, always appears to be analyzing how to get the advantage! He also has the superior arm to Ransdall!
By Barron E.
August 13, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
The game was interesting in that Mike Vick will get hurt during the season and the fact that Baltimor and Tampa Bay scares the $#!+ out of Vick. There will have to be someone to finish the drill for the birds and I think DJ will eventually be the answer. I am prejudice indeed, but the fact still remain that Shaub will have to be dealt with.
By dave
August 13, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this
Let’s keep all four. Schaub starts and Vick is his tailback. Shockley and Randall make the roster as QBs. Norwood makes the team as a WR. Vick, Dunn and Duckett is a formidable tandem of RBs. Yes, I know Vick has a tendency to get hurt and wouldn’t be able to carry the ball 20-25 times a game over the course of a season, but he would be better in the backfield.
dave
By Barron E.
August 13, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this
Vick will have a hang-nail whenever the Falcons play Baltimore and Tampa Bay because they scare him to death. The drill will have to be finished. Watch in a year or so and you will see DJ finishing it.I only wish that vick could read defenses like most successful QB’s.Let’s wish Vick the best at his next team.
By Hoobleegoobleemain
August 13, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
Looks to me like Shockley’s gonna be somebody’s quarterback one of these days.
By Jackets
August 13, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
How on earth can you talk about Chris Reis in one sentence without talking about his education and in the next sentence say Brian Ferentz has “academic credentials.” Brian Ferentz went to IOWA - not even close to the same academic league of Georgia Tech. If you are going to be all over Shockley’s jock - at least give the Georgia Tech kid some credit too. I can guarantee you Chris Reis is not going to the “car wash” when he gets cut.
By Packmentalityreporting
August 13, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
This is absurd. DJ Shockley was the most written about back up in the history of college football for no reason at all. He is the most over hyped over written about player of all time
Now he’s nothing more than a publica relations pick for the falcons in the 7th round. No one else would have taken him. He’s battling another awful QB for the third string spot. You you guys write about him in these stupid poetic columns.
He played two drives in a meaningless games against other long shot players. Did nothing to speak of, and look at the ink he gets.
Randle out played him by far. He threw the ball better and ran the offense better.
I can’t wait to see the whinning when DJ gets cut.
By halfmoon
August 13, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
George P. Burdell: don’t you have a test to flunk? Besides that, you should know about hometown boys. Your boy Brookings is the posterchild. BTW, in a close game in that pitiful little stadium of yours, brookings gave the GA offense a big lift on their way to a win by cheap-shotting a GA receiver. Game- set- match. I never thanked you for that.
By gary
August 13, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
Could it be that DJ is going to be the Falcon’s next Brett Favre? If so, then the real whining will begin when he lands with another team and goes on to a fine career.PEACE!!!!
By xcoach
August 13, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
I don’t see how you can assume that not making an NFL team means back to the car wash
By Adel Purvis
August 13, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
I believe that the Falcons know exactly what they have in DJ. I will not argue that Mr. Vick is or future and our present BUT we all know how important the 2nd string quarterback is with Vick’s tenacious running style.
Fast forward to next season…TJ Duckett and Matt Schaub will be inserted to another team’s lineup…DJ Shockley will be the Matt Schaubb the Falcons need to allow Vick to be Vick. No Gary DJ will not out Vick Mr. Vick but he will learn how to lead an NFL team from Mr. Vick and Mr. Vick will allow him to run this team through injury in the future…who knows it may very well be in th eplayoffs or even Superbowl…same storyline that would follow such a strong, smart guy like Shockley.
By gary
August 13, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
First things first. In order to teach someone else how to lead a team, Mr. Vick must first recognize that he is part of a team and not THE TEAM. It is my observation that Mr. Vick has more to learn from DJ in this regard than the other way around.PEACE!!!!
By John
August 13, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
VICK SET HIMSELF A “GOAL”. HE WOULD NOT CUT HIS HAIR UNTIL HE WINS A SUPER BOWL. WOW WHAT A GOAL. HIS GOAL SHOULD BE TO BE THE “BEST TEAM PLAYER” THAT THE FALCON HAS EVER PLAYED. CUT THE HAIR AND LOOK LIKE THE ALL AMERICAN PLAYER THAT YOU COULD BE.
By dirrtybird
August 13, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
John,
Does it bother you that Vick’s hair doesn’t look like yours? Does a hair cut determine if you look all-american or not? Do you have anything to say football related? That sounds like a female’s comment on a football blog. Care to comment on his uniform next?
By IMPARTIAL
August 13, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this
I was at the game and it was exciting to see DJ make his appearance. The crowd was on their feet and gave full support for the local guy. It is a feel good story for certain. Once again, DJ is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Best of luck, DJ!
By Mike
August 13, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this
Please stop comparing Shockley to Vick. While he has good footspeed for a QB, he is not a running QB and has not been since his freshman year. While coach Richt may have had some designed running plays for DJ, he has always had good traditional QB skills. Something that Vick is still working on. It’s also an insult to Vick, who has won many games in the NFL, including playoffs, with his exciting style of play. I hope that DJ makes the team and someday gets a shot at starting, here or somewhere else. Stop with the “outVick Mr. Vick” comments. It’s and apples and oranges comparison.
By 2N4YEARS
August 13, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
So VT, what kind of ‘HISTORY’ would be made w/ keeping MV,BR & Shock & getting rid of MS?? This might be why ‘they’ don’t hire more ‘coaches’ of your kind. Go ahead, point fingers at others when you’re the guilty party.
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
I miss Pat Sullivan … and Bobby Hebert.
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
I miss Pat Sullivan … and Bobby Hebert.
By Dawg 30
August 13, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
George P. Burdell, You are the guy that couldn’t make the team. You’re a bitter person.D.J. is the guy that will make the team. The Falcons have a great QB staff and Shock will be a huge asset and it’s unfortunate that one will have to go. We still don’t know for sure but Schaub still could be picked up by another team. So in closing George P. Burdell,,,,,,,go get me some water.
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
… and Bob “General” Lee … and Bob Berry …
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
If the FALCS had a QB PLAYING QB and not a RB “PLAYING” QB they would win a Super Bowl in the next three (3) years or so. They will NOT WIN a Super Bowl with a RB at QB … Watch and learn … (see Kordell S). If they wake up and play SCHAUB at QB they’ll win it all. Darn. I sure wish that Steve Bartkowski was still 25 …
By purpledog
August 13, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
‘Randall has a year on Shockley and that is very important’
Bull-oney. Shockley did what he does. He wins. What I really want to know is why people are acting like a dog in heat over Matt Schaub? Has this guy ever done anything? If teams are panting after him, this is a no-brainer trade. Which team is it that doesn’t already have a better QB?
And for these QB experts, winning the game counts. Doing it with rockets on third down counts more. There is absolutely no way to overestimate the stupidity of an average Atlanta sports fan. And you never played.
By chad
August 13, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
first of all, ewalk’s post should just be skipped over because he clearly doesn’t know what he is talking about. If you truly think UGA doesn’t have a lot of players in the league, you are either ignorant or just plain dumb. If you want to go check the facts, you’ll find that we rank in the top 5 for players in the league.
By chad
August 13, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
first of all, ewalk’s post should just be skipped over because he clearly doesn’t know what he is talking about. If you truly think UGA doesn’t have a lot of players in the league, you are either ignorant or just plain dumb. If you want to go check the facts, you’ll find that we rank in the top 5 for players in the league.
By Jeff
August 13, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
BIRDDAWG, i’m a Michigan fan. I really dislike Ohio State. Nevertheless, I recognize that there are quite a few players from Ohio State and the Big 10 that were able to “make it big in the NFL.” If you knew anything about football, you would know that one of the best OL’s in the NFL is from Ohio State. His name — Orlando Pace.
There’s also LeCharles Bentley, Nate Clements, Mike Doss, Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn, Shawn Springs and Antoine Winfield, to name a few.
Do your homework before you make such ridiculous comments.
By Ripdog
August 13, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
I feel you on your comment VT. “History!”
By VT
August 13, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
Sorry 2N4Years, I am white but I am married to a black woman sorry you thought I was taking a stab at the white race. I am sorry there are so many small minded folks like you that think they can read between the lines!! GO BRYAN RANDALL!!
By NewGuy
August 13, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
If your wife was green it still doesn’t make your comment any smarter. Getting rid of Matt Schaub is a bad idea. But it is rather funny how you want an entirely ‘black’ QB rotation when the only one you leave out is a ‘white’ QB who happens to be an outstanding QB. Think I’m joking? Ask Mora, Blank, or any other coach in the NFL Schaub’s value. If you think that value isn’t as much as Shockley’s, then why did every organization pass by Shockley all the way to the 7th round. If you look like a racist, sound like a racist, YOU are a RACIST! Your assertion that your wife is black doesn’t make you a racist while you are white is a joke. You want everyone to think an interracial couple can’t be racist…please man…grow up and join the real world. Also learn about football at the same time.
By shay
August 13, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
John, the hair comment does NOT sound like a female comment, but a RACIST comment. How dare you blame the female gender for something like that. It is totally ridiculous to care what a player’s hair looks like. It has nothing to do with the way he plays. And for you guys who think DJ didn’t do anything on that last drive, ask Mora. DJ did exactly what Mora wanted, got them in FG range so he could continue to evaluate Koenen. Mora himself stated this past week that he would be kicking a lot for that reason, even if there were other options.
By BirdDawg
August 13, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
Terry Glenn has made it big, huh?
I’m talking about real, impact players.
Not obscure offensive linemen. Not widerecievers who’ve had one or two decent years.
And ewalk, you idiot, you’re the one talking about “Players in the NFL,” not Nat’l Championships. In the subject of players in the NFL, Georgia owns Ohio State.
As far as the mythical National Championship goes, yes, you won one a couple of years ago.
Still, I’d a put up Richt’s 2002 Dawgs and Coach Van’s run destroying defense against your unathletic guys any day.
So once again, you begin this whole subject by wrongfully talking about the “lack” of Georgia players in the NFL, when Ohio State leads the pack by a long mile of busts in the NFL. Georgia, on the other hand, is up there with Miami for outstanding NFL players.
So go suck a buckeye, idiot.
By ewalk80
August 13, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
Sill I’d a put up Richt’s 2002 cats??? First before posting a blog I would take some english and grammer classes. Is Georgia your alma mater?? Then maybe we could talk about football. Is your mom helping you talk and write about football??
By Cuz
August 13, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Dirtybird, I was speaking in the hypothetical. It appears to me that the Falcons fold up like a tent after a tailgate party when Vick is not around. The NFL is a business. I was trying to point that out. They not only want, but need people to jump on the bandwagon. I am a college football fan, no bones about, I admit it freely. I attended Georgia and belive it or not, graduated in 83 with a degree in Agriculture.
Usually I pull for the teams with the most UGA players on their squad. That is why I like the Steelers. I would love to have a reason to pull for the Falcons and that would be for DJ to make the team. I currently do not claim to be a Falcons fan, but I am a DJ fan. They cut him, I think some other team will pick him up and I will pull for them. Keeping DJ gives me a reason to be interested in my in-state NFL franchise versus say Cinncinatti for an example. There are more UGA players playing for the Pats, but I pulled for the Falcons Friday night. I love your name by the way, but no matter what you say, think or preach about the Falcons, they are still the number two fan supported team in football in this state.
GO DAWGS!!!!!
By BirdDawg
August 13, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Um, dude, maybe you need glasses or hukd on foniks… because that sentence, in stucture and grammar, was okay.
But I can understand, that with that Buckeye edumacation, you might have some issues.
Go back to your regular schedule of wetting your bed and worshiping Woody Hayes, and leave the football blog to the big boys, k?
By ewalk80
August 13, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this
did your mom tell you it was ok????
By BirdDawg
August 13, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this
Ahhh, poor ewalk (are you a Star Wars nerd, too?)…
It’s okay. Shhhh. Shhhh. Hush little one, it’s okay.
Time to stop mewling. Time to stop trying to hang with the big boys and get back on the teat.
Ever since you decided to post, you’ve been nothing but full of crap, a desperate voice in the wind crying about the Slow 10 and the lack of outstanding Ohio State players in the NFL.
How’s that old Maurice Clarrett doing, by the way? How’s Krenzel? How’s Katzenmoyer? How’s your next bust in waiting, the most overhyped and overrated player in college football last year, AJ Hawk?
It’s okay man, go dot your “i” or whatever you do.
Leave the football talk to the grown-ups.
By prettyflybrownguy
August 13, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this
FYI - to all those bashing Shockley’s draft ranking… theres a well known QB that plays for the pats that I belive was drafted in the sixth or seventh round a few years back… you don’t have to be drafted really high to turn out to be a good player!!
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this
And the season hasn’t even started yet … Wow.
On the subject of NFL busts … the biggest NFL flop EVER was #55 with the Seahawks! NEVER has there been a bigger bust!
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this
And the season hasn’t even started yet … Wow.
On the subject of NFL busts … the biggest NFL flop EVER was #55 with the Seahawks! NEVER has there been a bigger bust!
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
2 - RYAN LEAF 3 - HEATH SHULERBy A Fields
August 13, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this
Why is it that people who are playing football or any other sport always seem to have all the answers to a team problems. Leave Vick alone and let him do his job, leave Arthur Blank alone and let him chose who he wants to lead the Falcons. If Vick is who Mr. Blank wants then so be it, and for those of you know it alls if you can do any better then go put on a Falcon uniform and do a better job otherwise keep Vick and Mr. Blank a break.
By Indifferent Falcons Fan
August 13, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this
I was bored by the Falcons pregame festitives. Since Vick had tweaked a hammie, I expected Michael Vick to ride out to the center of the field on Authur Blank’s shoulders and then for Vick to hobble to the sidelines to lead Coach Jim Mora onto the field with a leash around his neck.
By Indifferent Falcons Fan
August 13, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this
Why does the Falcons waste time preparing an offensive game plan? Vick can’t manage a game unless it’s Donkey Kong. Vick does what he wants to anyway and his speed usually insulates him from taking no more than a nine-yard loss.
By Dave from Chattanooga
August 13, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this
AMEN. Well put, Indifferent.
By dirrtybird
August 13, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this
Unintelligent Falcons Fan,
Funny I don’t think that Vick’s average per carry or pass is a nine yard loss is it? It would be hard to add up all those wins that way wouldn’t it? I like how you have summed up what Vick can or can’t do in one series in the preseason though. You should probably be getting paid for this. Where was that nine yard loss again?
By Rich from Athens
August 13, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this
It is a shame that D.J. didn’t transfer away from Georgia. He could have had an outstanding college career with more playing time and better coaching.
By RxDawg
August 13, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I’ll definitley give you Orlando Pace. Proably the best O-lineman to ever play.
By Jeff
August 13, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this
BIRDDAWG, Boss Bailey, Pollack…are you serious!?! Talk about overated busts!!!
Is this year’s UGA team better than Ohio State? How about last year’s team? He11 no.
One with think that over time, your comments would get a little better. However, you only seem to get worse. It’s pretty pathetic.
By RxDawg
August 13, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this
2002 Dawgs would of killed 2002 “NC” Buckeyes. Your lucky we recieved our annual loss to UF. I always did feel it was a shame we got stuck with FSU in the Sugar Bowl that year. We were so much better than that……guess we gota figure out how to beat the gators.
By ewalk80
August 13, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
Excellent point Jeff!! but try to be nice to bird cat his mother helps him with his blogs. If him and his mom, which she is right here with me would understand that it is all about the FALCONS on this blog and not UGA or understand the falcons are more than just d.j. he wouldn’t be getting told to go to HE11.
By RxDawg
August 13, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this
Is this a Falcons only blog? It was linked in the UGA site.
By ewalk80
August 13, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this
No, not this one but that is all that birdcat talks about in any blog. If you say the 2002 dawgs would have beat the buckeyes, but lost to UF, was UF in the national championship?? I will give you credit that was a good UGA team. but you really can’t say who would beat who with out playing.so i would not say we were lucky.
By RxDawg
August 13, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this
I know, I’m just playing around and talking trash. I would have loved to seen them play. I would also have loved to USC and Auburn play from 04. Ahhhhhhhh, wishful thinking I guess. College football playoff bloging anyone?
By Lee
August 13, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this
Oh Lordy! I am so sick of hearing about Shockley.
There was a reason he was a back-up for 3 years folks. (And it wasn’t because David Green was that great…)
The only reason he played last year was because there was absolutely no one else to play at QB.
I remember listening to ESPN commentators on several Ga games saying that UGA didn’t want to get into 3rd and long because you didn’t want Shockley to “have to throw.”
He can throw the ball 60 yards, I’ll give him that. Problem is, neither he nor his receivers have a clue where it will come down. He also has a bad habit of throwing to the receivers back ankle. Luckily, UGA had some acrobatic receivers.
All the above is something that can be corrected because he does have a lot of maturity for his age. I’ll give him that.
Oh yeah, Michael Vick is the most overrated QB playing the game today. Once defenses learned how to contain his scramble, he either stays hurt on on his back most of the time.
By AthensDawg
August 13, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this
People can say what they want to about Vick but he’s #6 in terms of winningest QB’s since he came into the NFL according to ESPN. When he plays the Falcons usually win, when he doesn’t they lose. Thats all that matters really. As far as DJ, come on people Bryan Randall has been around a full year more, shouldnt he have separated himself in the race for #3 QB already? He and DJ both played very well but dont forget DJ had to spike the ball in those 4-10 pass attempts. He didnt make any mistakes and he lead them on the game winning drive. Give him some credit. As far as OSU yall definitely dont want any of UGA. As i recall in 92 last time we played yall we won that game like we do everytime we play Big Ten teams in bowl games. I remember Garrison Hearst joggin into the end zone one time that game like he was walking to the mailbox or something. Where was the great defense? Sometimes we even let yall little Ten teams get like a 25 point lead and you still can’t hold on to win the game. Big ten sucks!
By jb2
August 13, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this
To start with George P. Burdell,”don’t you have a class to be registering for instead of blogging on the internet?” (george p burdell is a no-show inside joke for techies )Personally as a native Atlantan like UGA and GT, and I hate when Dawgs or Jackets can’t see the forest for the trees. Shockley is a good QB(light years ahead of reggie ball) and I am afraid he is going to be the odd man out on this deal.(maybe scout team?)I think Mike Vick is lobbying for his VT buddy(VT sucks, GO CANES)and you know Jim Mora and Arthur Blank are going to kiss MIKE VICK’s azz as always! Maybe Shockley can make the team next year(after Schaub is traded)if he endures the scout team for a year or if one of the other three goes down. Go falcons! jerious norwood looked pretty good friday night.
By Wedgie Evans
August 13, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
Who cares where Shockley or Randall went to college? This is the NFL… all that matters is how well you play on the field. Jay Cutler went to Vanderbilt and he could very well be the best QB from this year’s draft when it’s all said and done. From what I saw yesterday Randall and Shockley seemed almost identical as far as their strengths and weaknesses go. It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that Schaub will be gone after this year, and anyone with the intelligence of a baboon or higher knows that Vick ain’t going nowhere. It’s probably a good idea to keep all 4 of them around so that we have 3 good QB’s on the roster next year. Who cares if Shockley was a Bulldog or a Rainbow Warrior or a Banana Slug, he’s a Falcon now and as long as he plays well he should be on the team. Same goes for Randall.
Forget QB’s, what we need to be concerned about is how our D-line plans to stuff the run against anyone — of all of New England’s RBs only Heath Evans (a fullback) didn’t average over 5 yards per carry.
By KLR1985
August 14, 2006 02:47 AM | Link to this
Hey jackoff80 (ewalk80)…take spelling lessons before you citicize “grammar” …. You obviously are an OSU dropout …. then again, probably not.