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DEL.ICIO.USThe Falcons’ Fear Factor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The pregame fight was perhaps a symbol of things to come. So was Chad Lavalais’ helmet job on Donovan McNabb that earned him a $7,500 fine, the most for any of the 10 players punished for Monday Night Frights before the Eagles game.
The Falcons are rising in the minds of some pundits, including one who has rated Atlanta 5th in Foxsports.com’s NFL power rankings and the highest NFC team on its list. Best line: “The defense, led by future WWE wrestler Patrick Kerney, attacked all night long.” The Seahawks, who lost 26-14 to the Jaguars, are in the middle of pack at No. 16.
More respect for the D: Boomer Esiason has placed Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck on his list of players most likely to encounter sleepless nights this week because of what the Falcons are gonna bring. Bottom line: “Get ready for the blitz.”
Even tough SI critic Dr. Z was giving the Birds’ secondary some props, especially the way DeAngelo Hall handled T.O. As an aside, Number 21 was darn lucky he didn’t get tossed with Kevin Mathis for slamming a helmet to the Georgia Dome turf after the fight, but he was fined.
SI’s Peter King isn’t quite convinced about all the hoopla, making the Falcons just a two-point favorite at Qwest Field on Sunday. Some long travel figures into his calculations.
Ed Hartwell underscored the Falcons’ harder edge: “We don’t need to just defeat opponents, we need to work them over, beat them up and leave an unforgettable impression.”
As a Seattle fan lamented: “Why don’t we have just one player like this?”
Yes, but you live in one of the most enchanting cities in America, my friend. I’ll trade you Hartwell for a steak and salmon meal at the Metropolitan Grill, washed down with a solid Washington State pinot noir, plus a a boating excursion around the Elliott Bay to be thrown in later.
Is that a deal?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Falcons
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By Chris
September 16, 2005 01:18 AM | Link to this
Trade Hartwell for a salmon, a pinot noir, and a boat trip? Female football fan…still a mystery.
By Chris
September 16, 2005 01:20 AM | Link to this
I forgot the steak. That better be a 4000 oz. steak, rare (as rare as a middle linebacker of Hartwell’s magnitude).
By vIRGIL
September 17, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this
tHE fALCONS WERE LUCKY THIS PAST MONDAY NIGHT. IT IS NOT HOW YOU START SOMETHING , BUT HOW YOU FINISH IT THAT COUNTS.