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October 2006
All aflutter over the Falcons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Who knew that the Falcons would be a lightning-rod subject for something other than Michael Vick? (There is another round of that, too, but later in this blog.)
Well, two of the more visible grandes hommes of the AFC North (formerly the Central, but, alas, these are geographically challenging times) took aim on Blank’s Boys in midweek comments sure to resonate through the weekend.
Big Ben thinks one Atlanta defender in particular is a Dirty Bird who made dastardly comments during Sunday’s win by the Falcons but he won’t say who it is.
Given the knockout punch he received during the game, how could he remember? Roethlisberger’s latest injury has some wondering whether it’s worth it to risk his long-term future by getting back in so soon, i.e., against the 1-6 Raiders on Sunday. Here’s another voice saying give the Super Bowl MVP a break.
Big Ben says he’s fine, he will practice Thursday, and that Chauncey Davis’ helmet-on-helmet hit was a clean one.
Davis, slated to start for the injured John Abraham, may be starting to get a reputation for hard hits.
Since Pittsburgh’s No. 7 is generally in a joking mood, he might be amused by The Onion’s totally satirical headline about his concussion: “Ben Roethlisberger Relieved To Suffer Football-Related Injury.”
As for this Sunday’s contest along the Ohio Riverfront, Bengals WR Chad Johnson’s aiming his guns at DeAngelo Hall, who’s not interested in matching him word-for-word.
Johnson, who’s sort of T.O. without going too far over the top, is the third Bengals SI cover boy in the last five months. Here’s one guess that former UGA star David Pollack, who suffered a broken neck against the Browns last month, might be worthy of such treatment as well.
Johnson’s opposite number, misbehaving WR Chris Henry, may be activated for Sunday’s game, but coach Marvin Lewis isn’t saying whether he will.
Yes, Cincy has had a rash of bad boys, including another ex-Bulldog, suspended-for-the-season LB Odell Thurman, who may not return to the fold. Bengals fans thrash that subject about.
As for Atlanta’s No. 7, this fantasy wonk says don’t get too excited about Vick based on his outstanding numbers from the Steelers game.
Here’s sort of a left-handed compliment to the Atlanta scheme triggered by the southpaw Vick: “The high school offense works!”
Boomer Esiason is a bit more charitable regarding Vick (scroll down to bottom of story): “If you play like this on a consistent basis, you can justify your contract.”
A better question might be: What exactly do you do to justify yours, Boomski?
Phil Simms, who actually saw Vick play in person Sunday while serving as color analyst for Fox, says: “He can play for my team any day.”
Marvin Lewis also remains mum on defending Vick and if he prefers him running or throwing:
“That’s my business. You’re not going to put me out there like that. He can do either one. He proved it last week.”
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Sober up, and pass the slogans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back in the day when Enemy Watch was a college matriculator, the popular political slogan regarding The Reagan Republic was that it was “Morning In America.”
A decidedly apolitical Enemy Watch thought it was because the drinking age was 18, and being four hours away from home and semi-independent for the first time, there were no parents to detect the after-effects of partaking in Orange Blossom Special Night at the just off-campus watering hole.
Indeed, these were simpler times, before there was as much media and therapeutic hand-wringing over “binge drinking” as there is actual excessive imbibing by the student set today.
The phrase didn’t exist then, but now, in The Republic of Fear, with adulthood being deferred to 21, you can’t even tune into cable news while downing a couple brews in the privacy of your own home without it being bellowed in your ears.
So what’s the solution to a very serious matter? Euphemize it, of course.
The latest target of the sloganeering storm troops is the college football game formerly known as The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Florida-Georgia has always been about more than a game and a rivalry. It’s been about the celebration of it.
Some folks have celebrated a bit too much, to be sure, and there have been some tragic, deadly events the last two years. But is this reason enough to force the TV networks to sanitize any mention of the fact that drinking, sometimes heavy drinking, does go on, and for the most part without incident?
Certainly the student press in Athens has a jaded view of such absurdity, fabulously concocting this moniker: “The World’s Largest Non-Alcoholic University-Sanctioned Family-Fun Event and Bowl (No admittance without passing alcohol awareness test).”
And some of the grown-ups feel the same way: “Presidents Clamp Down On Cocktail Party Phrase.”
Well, university presidents ARE politicians, who traffic in empty, meaningless slogans. Similar re-wording efforts are going on regarding that Little Cocktail Party in Baghdad, too.
The obsession here is what to call something, rather than what to do about it.
Georgia coach Mark Richt can’t paper over his team’s cracks with words. One Sunshine State scribe asks: Are these “the toughest times in Richt’s six seasons in Athens?”
Surely the depth — and speed — of the Gators all over the field has been a very sobering matter for Bulldog Nation to ponder.
In that same account, Gators coach Urban Meyer is hinting that true frosh QB phenom Tim Tebow might play a bigger role on Saturday.
“I think we’ll evaluate Tim as we keep going this week,” Meyer said.
Downstate, the Miami Hurricanes are busy in Throwback Mode, still reeling from brawls and damn near losing to Duke. For their visit to Georgia Tech on Saturday, they may bring along a bad boy banished for something other than brawling.
Jeez, why don’t they just hop off the plane at Hartsfield in commando camouflage threads, like Jimmy Johnson’s lads did one year for the Fiesta Bowl? Wearing sunglasses. At night.
As for the game against the Yellow Jackets, the Canes will try to stop C.J., coming off a career-first no catches against Clemson.
Tech fans are still recovering from their post-Death Valley hangovers. On The Hive, the big question this week is:
Miami or UGA? 1) Who do you fear more right now? and 2) Which do you want more?
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Steelers wheelin’, Falcons reelin’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Even before Michael Vick’s comments in an HBO interview Wednesday revealed further tensions/concerns/anxieties regarding the Falcons’ offensive woes, there has been plenty of scat bandying on the Web this week about No. 7 and the unique dilemma/challenges he poses. For his own team, as well as the opponent.
It’s enough to make you forget which team has the better record as the Super Bowl champion Steelers hit the Georgia Dome for Sunday’s game that AJC Falcons beat writer Steve Wyche thinks could be a watershed moment for the season.
The 3-2 Falcons are reeling from a 27-14 loss to the Giants that Vick talked about extensively with HBO’s Cris Carter for the Inside the NFL program.
Pittsburgh started off 1-3 but romped over the Chiefs last week as Ben Roethlisberger tossed his first TD passes since the Super Bowl.
In his HBO sit-down, Vick talked about getting banged up pretty good Sunday, and the NFL came down hard on the Giants’ Antonio Pierce, fining him $12,500 for a late hit on the QB.
Fans debate here about whether staying in the pocket will help Vick.
Here’s a handicapper who thinks the Falcons should either bench Vick or tear up the offensive philosophy altogether.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher calls the Falcons “twice as dangerous” and spouts the usual about Vick being a unique challenge.
This Steelers fan blogger labels the Falcons and Vick “an instant measuring stick.”
The contest features the NFL’s No. 12 vs. No. 15 in this power ranking, with this glaring question: “What’s happened to Alge Crumpler’s hands?”
Saving the juiciest Vick commentary for last, SI’s bodacious Dr. Z weighs in via his reader mailbag, and points the finger in the provocative direction of the nattily dressed man on the sidelines.
“How many other issues arouse such passion, on both sides of the Vick issue? But here’s the biggest factor of all. He is a personal favorite of the owner, Arthur Blank, who would never let anyone mess with his fair haired boy. It’s a terrible curse … meddling owners.”
As for that expansive Steeler Nation that figures to descend upon our fair city, not a lot will keep them away. A Pittsburgh ex-pat living in Atlanta thinks some people might be scared off by this week’s stadium bomb hoax, but not him.
Yes, it seems like there may be quite a few Terrible Towels being waved at the Dome.
A Steelers fan gripes about having to buy tickets to see the Falcons-Cowboys game, as well as a Georgia Force contest, to see his beloved Ironmen take the field.
A Falcons fan responds in kind:
“How does this not also screw over any Atlanta fans who don’t give a rat’s ass about the Georgia Force (i.e. every damn one of them?).”
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Return to Death Valley Days
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back when Enemy Watch was a cubbie, she was occasionally assigned to the Tiger Beat, P.O. Box Death Valley, Clemson, S.C., CSA.
And what a terrific introduction to the college game, Southern-style. Just two hours up the road from the ATL, excellent fried chicken and other home-style chow in the press box, and a gracious, inviting host in legendary Clemson SID Bob Bradley, now departed but forever charming with his delicious denunciation of the in-state rivals from Columbia as, merely, “The Chickens.”
They were hardly glory years, this period when first Ken Hatfield and then Tommy West tried to follow Danny Ford, and produced mostly mediocrity instead.
If only the ACC could be just as mediocre, instead of a league currently populated by some really bad teams (Thursday’s UNC-UVa extravaganza oughta be a doozy of dread) and reeling from a vicious, ugly brawl involving Miami that not even a super-strength dose of Boraxo can scrub away. Saturday’s Clemson-Tech contest promises to offer a badly needed departure from all that. Promises, promises?
Indeed, the miserly ACC is rated as No. 6 in this Power Grid, so fingers are crossed Saturday’s tilt won’t become another competitive blackout.
The Yellow Jackets have triumphed in the intimidating Death Valley environs before, most recently with Calvin Johnson turning in the first highlight reel moment of his career with an awesome game-winning TD catch that still gives him goose bumps. “I can’t even explain it,” he said this week.
This will be the first time that ESPN’s College Game Day will haul its Twenty Mule Team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso to Death Valley. The show’s 13 years old, illustrating how long Clemson’s been out of the non-Bowden Bowl national spotlight.
Even Oprah took time out from batting her eye lashes at Barack Obama to give the Tigers some love. On Wednesday, the Queen of Mawkish Melodrama taped a segment Wednesday with a Clemson player who is caring for his younger brother.
As for the game itself, it’s routinely been stamped as the ACC’s Most Competitive Series. That’s the meme that will be worn out by Saturday. Get used to hearing it. But the numbers don’t lie. And neither do some thrilling finishes over the years.
Hotlanta’s own Clemson RB James Davis can’t wait to play against his hometown team.
A Clemson blogger gives five reasons why the Jackets should be very nervous, if not afraid.
This handicapper thinks the Tigers will prevail.
Could there be a rematch in Jax?
In the Dawg-eat-Dog world, it doesn’t matter whether Saturday’s yawnfest in Athens will be a good game to the winner. UGA’s got the Gators after this, after an ACC-worthy loss to Vanderbilt.
Mississippi State is coming off a win, but against Jacksonville State. Coach Sylvester Croom isn’t dispensing much sympathy for the state of Mark Richt’s troops: “They don’t know the meaning of struggle.”
You’re more than struggling when a defensive back is your best scoring threat.
On top of all that, it’s been tough for a Mississippi State community dealing with the shooting death in Atlanta of former player Darren Williams in an apparent robbery attempt.
One last set of predix: UGA wins, Tech gets edged out.
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Rocky Toppers and Snappin’ Turtles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of keys to doing successful opposition research is that you’ll find some gems buried rather deep — unless, say, you’re tasked with it currently for the Democratic Party, in which all you have to do to stock up on live ammo these days is turn on cable news. And leave it on.
Even for Saturday’s conflagration in Athens between blood rivals Georgia and Tennessee, the juiciest tidbits are far below the surface. And therefore worth waiting for.
So Enemy Watch will dispense quickly with the mainstream treatment, which doesn’t veer too far off the rails.
Who wouldn’t expect Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe to pronounce that the Big Orange running game is the key for a second UT victory in Sanford Stadium in as many trips?
Or that one of the big reasons for UT’s improvement over the dreadful 5-6 finish a year ago is renewed offensive potency choreographed by Cutcliffe, now doing his second tour of duty in Knoxvegas?
And that UT’s gotta tackle its special teams woes?
This we all presume, obviously enough.
Much is also being made of Vols QB Erik Ainge returning to the scene of his best college moment.
And UT’s official site is especially helpful in pointing out that the Vols have been the best SEC road team since 12-team expansion in ‘92.
This is all nice and sweet. But nothing to stoke the blood flow.
Thank goodness then for UT fan site Rocky Top Talk, which posts this link with a few dashes of snark that only fan sites can manage, informing its legions that this will be the first ranked opponent for the Bulldogs.
On RTT proper, they’re continuing the Hail Mary Haiku, which appears to be to poetry what the orange-and-white checkerboard square end zone is to advanced graphic design.
But it’s all in good fun, and there’s some good, smart humor being spun there. Not to mention some really good links for those of you junkies who live for this stuff. The passion just seeps out.
One of them is from another fan site, Corn From A Jar, which boasts of being “unhindered by statistics, facts or sobriety.” This is Enemy Watch’s kind of blog, but it does delve into reality-based endeavors, such as a full breakdown of Ainge’s big plays this season. Lotsa numbers. Diehards will die for this.
And this is the sheer beauty, joy and delight of plunging the depths of the cyber underbelly, or correct that, Fulmer’s Belly, which recently featured a tribute to tubby coaches everywhere, and especially the one who stretches his orange gear on the sidelines. But apparently less so than in the past. So the John Mark Karr photo seems oddly placed, in addition to plain odd anyway. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with injecting a bit of the bizarre to stay sane. And there’s a lot of zany nonsense there.
One of those full-figured coaches is Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen, who brings the Snappin’ Turtles into Bobby Dodd against Tech Saturday looking for a fresh start in the ACC.
They’re 3-1 coming off a bye week but not playing very convincing football. Florida International trailed by only four points in the fourth quarter before UM dug out the win. Yes, that’s right. Florida. International.
This is the first of a tough ACC order for the Terps, who lead the conference in giving up turnovers, and are near the bottom in I-A in forcing them.
Piled on to that concern is some ineffective offense in general. We all know how tough it is being a QB for Friedgen, as his current, Sam Hollenbach, is finding out. Maryland’s longest pass play covers only 47 yards. Its longest running play is only 34 yards.
Does wily Ralph have the tools to spring a surprise against the Techies? Over on The Hive, there are cautious suggestions not to look ahead to Clemson and Miami.
Jackets fans having to resist the temptation of getting overconfident? Who’da thunk it?
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