Bleacher Report - Articles by daniel cox

Harry Douglas Speaks About Brother, Football, Role With Atlanta Falcons

daniel cox — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:00:45 -0400

It's been quite a year for the Douglas family.

And for mom and dad Douglas, much of it took place in their home town of Atlanta.

Harry Douglas, after a standout career as a wide receiver at Louisville, was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 in the third round.

He was part of the draft class that helped bring about change with the Falcons, the class that reignited and reengaged the passions of the downtrodden team's fan base.

Douglas finished the year with 320 yards receiving, one touchdown, and 69 yards rushing with one touchdown. He also emerged as the team's punt returner.

Week 12's performance against the Carolina Panthers proved to be his breakout game. He finished the day with four catches for 92 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one returned punt for a touchdown.

The returned punt went back 61 yards and sealed the win against the NFC South rival Panthers. It also earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Not to be outdone by his older brother, Toney Douglas is the latest Douglas brother to come on the sports scene. As a guard for the Florida State University basketball team in the 2008-09 season, his 21.3 points a game was good enough for second in the league and he was selected on the first team All-ACC Team.

He was also selected for the ACC All-Defensive team and was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, but he really made a name for himself in Atlanta last weekend when he led the Seminoles to the ACC Tournament championship.

He was outstanding in a semifinal win over No. 1-ranked North Carolina, finishing with 27 points and four assists. Though he was unable to continue the win streak in the championship game against Duke, it was not due to a lack of effort. He played in all but one minute of the game, finishing with 28 points.

And he did it all in his hometown, under the same Georgia Dome roof that his big brother enjoyed his 2008 success.

The Douglas brothers appeared together on Wednesday morning on the local Atlanta sports talk radio show Mayhem in the A.M. on 790 (The Zone) to discuss their whirlwind and exciting year.

Toney described the opportunity to play in his home town in the ACC Tournament as a blessing. Rarely in college has he had the opportunity to play in front of his family and friends, and he said it was especially nice to have his brother Harry in the stands. Both brothers described themselves as each other's best friend and it was a thrill for both of them.

When Toney was told about Duke's coach Mike Krzyzweski's recent comments about Douglas being his favorite non-Duke player in the country, the younger Douglas seemed speechless. Clearly he had not heard the comments and he stumbled on his words for a moment before saying what an honor it was to have a coach with the respect and success of Krzyzweski saying such things about his play.

Both brothers described being able to play in Atlanta as a dream come true. Growing up, they followed the local teams and always imagined themselves playing in the Georgia Dome or for one of the city's professional teams.

Harry was honored to watch his brother play in the tournament over the weekend and described being in the stands and thinking about what it felt like to play on the field. He spoke about the dome atmosphere and the crowd noise he experienced as a rookie in the NFL in Atlanta, and was happy his brother could taste a similar thrill.

When the inevitable Matt Ryan question was posed to Harry, his tone went from that of a jovial big brother to a more serious one, almost reverential.

Douglas said he was happy to have Ryan as his quarterback and that it was seldom that you find a quarterback, especially at 23 years old, that knows as much about the game and is as smart as Ryan. And he added that his quarterback is a great individual as well, which shows Harry Douglas' character and is obviously another reason why the Falcons are so high on this young receiver.

Harry closed the conversation speaking about the Atlanta Falcons as an organization. Asked when he knew they had something special on this team, he didn't hesitate to say it came in the first week he spent in the team's complex.

He spoke of teams he'd been on in the past, in high school and college, who perhaps didn't have the most talent but because everyone on the team played together, did everything right, and knew their role they had success. He saw that right away with the 2008 Falcons.

The Douglas boys' parents must be proud and would probably love nothing more than to see their younger son continue his career down the street from the Georgia Dome at Philip's Arena, playing for the local Hawks. However, Toney's services will unlikely be available for the playoff-bound Hawks in the 2009 NBA draft.

But for now, Falcons fans are pleased to have at least one Douglas brother playing locally, and hope the Dome's Douglas charm continues into the 2009 football season.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here

Atlanta Falcons' Keith Brooking Departs for Dallas

daniel cox — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:38:12 -0500

The move that signifies the end of one era in Atlanta Falcons history and the beginning of a new one came on Saturday night.

Eleven-year Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking has moved on, signing a three-year deal that includes $2.5 million in bonuses with the Dallas Cowboys.

The five-time Pro Bowler, who has played all of his life's football in the state of Georgia, chose to accept a contract from the Cowboys after negotiating with multiple teams, including the Falcons.

Ultimately, the chance to start and play for a former coach in Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips were the deciding factors, Brooking's agent Pat Dye said.

Falcons' owner Arthur Blank issued a statement saying Brooking "will always be a Falcon in the hearts of his teammates and our fans."

Keith defined the Falcons in so many ways: his tenure, his leadership on and off the field, his commitment to excellence and his many resulting accomplishments, his love for Atlanta, and so much more.

Brooking was on the 1998 Super Bowl Atlanta Falcons as a rookie playing in a backup role and in the years since became the face of the franchise.

In the revolving door of failed draft picks, bad free agent signings, and the recent debacles involving a former quarterback wearing the No. 7 and a head coach who skipped town in the middle of the night, Brooking has been the constant with his play on the field and his tireless work in the community.

The Keith Brooking Children's Foundation, an organization that has earned Brooking numerous NFL community service honors, serves the Atlanta community by working with foster children in the metro area.

The Falcons' decision to not re-sign Brooking ends an era that many believed lived in the past, pinning the entire history of a franchise on one Super Bowl season.

It's also a reminder of the harsh reality that is the business of sports. While many players came and went through Atlanta, Brooking, wearing the familiar red and black, was always the constant, becoming more than just a No. 56 wearing an Atlanta helmet.

Atlanta came to see through the face mask, and Brooking became a recognizable face in the city. The end of the Brooking era should serve to remind Atlanta fans that they cheer for the uniform, not the player. It's not a comforting thought, but in the salary-cap era, it's a fact.

Brooking issued a statement through the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, telling the fans that Atlanta will always be his home and that he will "always be a Falcon at heart."

As I leave here, I know that I’ve given every ounce of my body, mind, and soul to this organization and hope that I’ve contributed to the team’s success along the way. I also leave here with the peace of knowing that the Falcons are poised for great success in the future.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke of hard decisions as he entered the offseason. No one doubted this was the hard decision he was speaking of.

Dimitroff has proven his mettle, showing he'll do what he feels is best for the team, no matter what. Falcons' fans, even though they may miss Brooking, should take that to heart.

It was clear Brooking's time as the face of the franchise had ended and it was time to move on, though he'll likely return someday to take his rightful spot in the Falcons' Ring of Honor.

But until then, someone else will wear No. 56, and that will take some getting used to.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here

Domonique Foxworth Finds the Money

daniel cox — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:51:54 -0500

You can't ever fault a man for wanting to get paid.

We all scour the job market, searching for that perfect job; the job that will provide security and hopefully set our family for life.

Former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Domonique Foxworth has found that.

On Friday, the first day of free agency, Foxworth signed a four-year, $28 million deal, with $16.5 million guaranteed, with the Baltimore Ravens, his hometown team.

And with the click of a purple-and-black pen, Foxworth and his family will never have to think about finances again.

Fans sometimes bemoan professional athletes for the money they make, but can you blame them?

If the market for your local auto mechanic dictates that he can make $7 million a year by moving across town and work for the competing auto body shop, would you fault him for doing that? There will never be a market like that for a mechanic, but there is for professional athletes and they're simply accepting an offer that a team is willing to pay.

Foxworth's case is not unlike many professional athletes, but his motives are not strictly fueled by greed, as some might say.

In A Few Seconds of Panic, a recent book by journalist Stefan Fatsis, in which the writer is embedded with the Denver Broncos and participates in training camp as a rookie kicker, Foxworth, then with the Broncos, is described as an intelligent player who recognizes the opportunity before him.

The opportunity to make money, of course, is there, but he also believes that the sport of football is entertainment, and should be taken as such. But entertainers sometimes do stupid things as do the everyday Joe's of the world, but with a lot less media coverage.

And that is what Foxworth is trying to change. He views football as a tool to allow him to influence the lives of others and to change the dumb jock stereotype.

"Whenever I do an interview, I go out of my way to try to use big words. It sounds stupid. But I'm educated and I want people to know that. And I want to come across as such: I'm not what you think."

Sure, don't we all? But Foxworth puts his words into action. As a rookie, the Denver Post approached him to write a weekly journal, which he did. The newspaper offered a reporter to interview him and write the entries on his behalf, but he refused, wanting to do it himself. His articles were collected and published in the short book On the Island.

He didn't follow the path of resistance that many players are said to overcome. Instead, he grew up in a middle-class suburb of Baltimore, the son of a mother and father that owned a consulting business.

A top high-school prospect, he chose to market himself on his own, creating a do-it-yourself brochure showcasing his attributes and wound up at the University of Maryland where he performed admirably not just on the field, but in the classroom as well.

The four-year veteran cornerback said in 2006 "all you need is five million dollars and you could live your life forever as long as you put it in the right place, you don't buy a Bentley--a Bentley and four cribs."

He described players as the "janitors of the NFL," which may be hyperbole, but seems to clarify his thought process when it comes to the business of professional football and the quickness with which a team will separate itself from a player.

Foxy, as his teammates call him, wanted to get what he could from the game while he still could. You can't help but wonder how often he thinks about former teammate Darrent Williams as he considers this mantra.

A fellow cornerback with the Broncos, Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day in 2007. It was in Williams' memory that Foxworth dedicated so much of his time and energy to the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center. It was there that he was able to cope with the loss of a teammate and friend and also do some good.

And doing good is what Foxy desires (and a nice paycheck helps) and as the story of Darrent Williams can attest, you never know when it will all be taken from you.

Foxworth returned home on Friday and with his infectious smile said, "I've dreamed of playing here."

While Foxy may not share it publicly, he probably breathed a sigh of relief. It's rumored that he turned down a few more dollars from some other teams to return to Baltimore and play for the Ravens. Sometimes it's worth it to go back home.

And to go back home and hopefully make a positive impact in your hometown's community is even sweeter. Share the wealth, as the saying goes.

In 2006 all he wanted was $5 million and today he got $16.5 million, and some peace of mind.

You can expect him to do some good with it.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here

Atlanta Falcons State Intentions to Trade Vick

daniel cox — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:47:26 -0500

In December 2004, when Blank made quarterback Michael Vick the NFL's highest paid player, he said with a smile, "It should be officially understood and known now that I work for Michael Vick."

Fast forward 46 months to October 2008 and you hear Blank saying something he likely never thought he'd ever have to consider, stating that his Atlanta Falcons had "turned the page, turned the chapter and closed the book" on Vick's career in Atlanta.

Well, the last chapter hung in limbo for a little while as the organization determined how best to move on from Vick while juggling the huge demands of his record-setting contract.

Today the direction was made clearer when Falcons' general manager Thomas Dimitroff said point blank in an interview with the team's website that "With regards to Michael Vick, we’ve decided to seek a trade of his contractual rights to another NFL club."

Unlike the vague-general-manager speak that is often heard, Dimitroff has made his intentions very clear.

It's certainly a curious move from a GM that has been fairly shrewd in his dealings during his short stay with the Falcons—stating outright what he plans to do.

So, anything's possible, but is it probable? Better yet, is it even realistic?

What is probable, however, is that Vick and his cap-eating contract will not be on the books for the 2009 season.

Vick is owed roughly $45 million over the remainder of the contract through 2013. What team would be willing, let alone interested in taking on such contractual demands? Never mind that the contract falls under the umbrella of "Michael Vick, controversial figure." Also keep in mind that Vick hasn't thrown an NFL pass in two years.

If Dimitroff is able to navigate a trade for Vick, the NFL should go ahead and award him his second Executive of the Year award the moment it happens.

Consider this question: Why would a team trade for a player that they know a team will have to release? If the NFL reinstates the currently suspended Vick, Atlanta cannot afford to pay him $9 million in salary and $6.5 million in bonuses in 2009 not to play.

Releasing Vick is really the only viable option the Falcons have. And June 1st is the date that needs to be circled on the calendar.

Traditionally if a player is released before June 1st, the full remaining portion of the player's bonus counts against the team's salary that year.

If the player is released after June 1st, the bonus money set to be paid in that season will count against that season's cap, but the remaining cap impact can be deferred to the following year.

So, if Vick were cut after June 1st, he would count $7.11 million against their 2009 cap.

One thing to keep in mind that makes that figure a little less difficult to stomach is that Atlanta won the right to force Vick to pay back about $3 million in bonus money because he was on the roster the last two seasons but was unable to play. But on the other hand, people that are bankrupt are tough to collect money from.

But what makes all this really complicated is the looming expiration of the collection bargaining agreement at the end of the upcoming season. That means there's nowhere to spread the bonus money and it will all hit the Falcons' cap in 2009.

They've found themselves in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation.

The only thing that is now certain is that Blank was wrong back in 2004.

Vick will not be a "Falcon for life."

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here

NFL Super Bowl Prediction: Toddler Style

daniel cox — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 11:06:38 -0500

"Take a knee, everyone," I said, standing in the middle of the living room.

Walden and all his "guys" surrounded me.

Squinting from the mid-morning sunlight rushing through the windows, I surveyed everyone around me.

There was the huge cuddly sheep, originally a humorous gift to his mother, now one of Walden's wrestling partners.

The little frog that says the ABC's, a recent gift from the grandparents, the flaming monkey created from a sock, the quirky Yo Gabba Gabba! crew, the battery-powered yipping cat, among the others. Everyone was there.

"This is what we've been working for. All these weeks of preparation is all for this moment," I began.

Walden let out a quiet "No," but I knew it was more because he can say little else rather than a disagreement about what I was saying.

Knowing I needed to say something memorable, I began to dip into the Vince Lombardi Book of Quotes.

"Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing—the result."

I reminded everyone that their 2-0 record two weeks ago was fantastic and 36-23 was more than respectable. But none of it mattered anymore.

Thinking back to the movie City Slickers, I held up one finger.

"Your one thing this week is to go 1-0."

I looked around the room, making sure to make eye contact with every plush creature and the one actual living being in the room, other than myself.

I then turned and walked away, leaving everyone to ponder what they knew they needed to do.

The task at hand this week is the Super Bowl pick. For two weeks, people have asked, "Who is Walden taking?"

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Steelers at Cardinals"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, it's time.

Super Bowl 43 (roman numbers are too tough for an 18-month old), Steelers at Cardinals:

The recent success of one red-feathered bird has led many to believe it should replace the eagle as the national bird.

While that is debated, in the meantime, many across the nation are jumping on the underdog bandwagon of the Arizona Cardinals, led by the country's favorite former-bag-boy-turned-MVP-quarterback Kurt Warner.

Larry Fitzgerald is now America's favorite former-ball-boy-turned-"amazing hands, man"-wide receiver.

This game is the typical West Coast pizazz meets Midwest meat-and-potatoes toughness.

The Steelers name implies toughness and that is exactly what they bring. Hard hits, ignoring injuries, and playing in the cold kind of toughness.

It's been said before that Walden is a tough kid. Right this minute, he's actually trying to rip his arm from its socket. Do you think that's the kind of thing Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu does before a game? I think so.

Walden looked at this game from every angle. We've covered mascots. Hypocycloids vs. cardinals.

What about color scheme?

I encouraged Walden to look at everything. I pushed his study hard. I withheld dinner. I wanted him to be hungry.

Hungry to make the right pick. It's the Super Bowl, after all. He can eat once the game begins. (He likes to dip things, so this will be paradise for him!)

Arizona's colors are red and white. They say there's black also, but you hardly see it. In fact, you could say yellow is a team color, since the beak of the bird is yellow. But we'll stick to two colors and say red and white.

Red is an emotional color as well as the color of love. It's just a few shades from pink and you know what that means. Love is not an emotion felt very often in football.

White is innocent and pure. People that wear white often don't want to get dirty. In football, if you're not dirty, you didn't play very hard.

PIttsburgh's colors are black and gold. White is a secondary color, but it's far from dominant.

Black is the color of authority and power. It's said that priests wear black to imply a submission to God, so you could say black encourages submission. It's also a color that many villains wear. Villains are scary and lots of people fear them.

Gold is often associated with royalty, authority, and wealth.

So you tell me: Love and purity or power and wealth?

Which one wins?

Walden loves his family and his "teammates," but he also loves to win.

Walden's pick: Steelers

Waldenmania has crescendoed. He's worked hard. He's given his all. He's left everything on the table. He's ready.

He's ready to be a champ. He's resting now, before watching it all unfold.

Is the NFC South Headed for a Decline in '09?

daniel cox — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:38:55 -0500

The "NASCAR Division" was the best in the NFL in 2008.

Its teams finished with 40 wins, two more than any other conference.

In the past, the NFC South has epitomized the idea of parity in the NFL. The notorious worst-to-first streak ended in '08, but not without a little drama.

Division champs Carolina needed an amazing catch from Steve Smith and a six-seconds-left field goal to defeat the New Orleans Saints.

Meanwhile, about 450 miles northeast, back in Atlanta, the Falcons were busy mounting a comeback of their own against the St. Louis Rams.

It proved to be some of the most exciting 11 minutes of play in the division all season as both teams mounted comebacks in pursuit of the division championship.

But judging by the way the season ended, and the way the offseason has gone so far, few signs point to a dominating division next year and the parity may be on its way out the door.

The Atlanta Falcons have much to feel good about as they've begun a quiet offseason, following a surprising 11-5 record.

The Tampa Bay Bucs? Well they've got a new coach, and boy is he green.

The Carolina Panthers have quite a bit of coaching upheaval of their own, but head coach John Fox has lived to see another season.

The New Orleans Saints are bringing in another defensive coordinator to help improve a defense that has statistically been among the worst in the last few years.

These are just some of the issues surrounding these teams. Atlanta certainly has its needs to address, but piggy-backing on the success of this season may not be so difficult.

A close look at each team in the NFC South proves that the descent is coming and Atlanta may be primed for a division title in 2009.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Glazer family hope they have caught Tomlin-like lightening in a bottle with the promotion of new head coach Raheem Morris.

The 32-year old Morris' enthusiasm for his job is contagious, but his experience is questionable. If you've been reading between the lines of some of the comments from Tampa Bay players after the firing, it sounds as if they're happy to see Gruden move along.

Tampa Bay also lost long-time defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the leader of the stalwart defensive presence that has enabled Tampa Bay's success in this decade.

Morris has rounded out the top two positions on his staff, hiring Jim Bates to man the defense and recently-fired Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski for the offensive coordinator post.

Bates brings 37 years of experience to Morris' staff and it will likely serve the young coaching staff well. But none of his stops in the NFL produced outstanding results, so it remains to be seen whether this move will improve a defense that clearly declined in the second half of the 2008 season.

As the coordinator in 2006 with the Packers, Jagodzinski's offense was statistically average, ranking 22nd in points scored. He moved on to Boston College the following year where he had two very successful years coaching current-Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan.

Jagodzinski is a smart, young coach, but his best contribution right away may be his familiarity with Atlanta's quarterback.

One of the major positives heading into the off season for Tampa Bay is their salary cap situation. They're currently $40 million under the cap, and with the release of a few veterans, that number will likely rise.

The money will be needed as they have a number of question marks and decisions to make regarding some key positions and players.

Wide receiver Antonio Bryant and quarterback Jeff Garcia lead a slew of starters that are free agents. Re-signing Bryant will be priority No. 1, but figuring out what to do at the quarterback position has to be priority 1a.

With Gruden's departure, Garcia is certainly more likely to return, but the new regime will possibly want to become more stabilized and younger at that position. The Buccaneers want to find that signal caller that will lead the team for the next 5-7 years.

Who that is remains to be seen. Matt Cassel? A rookie? Derek Anderson? It's unlikely the Bucs will be able to sign a quarterback and turn the offense around as quickly as New Orleans managed to do with Drew Brees in 2006.

The running back position is highly unstable as well, leading many mock drafters to select another first-round running back for the franchise. Carnell Williams was selected just four years ago, but has battled injuries that have kept him off the field following a standout rookie season. He ended 2008 with another injury.

Earnest Graham contributed significantly early last year, after signing a healthy three-year contract extension, but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 11. At 29, questions may already be asked about his durability and whether he's capable of carrying the load of a feature back.

Backup Warrick Dunn, 34, is a fan favorite, but his output has declined.

The questions at the skill positions are substantial and there is some age on the defense. With a lot of cap flexibility, the Bucs can make some moves, but the locker room chemistry may suffer as a result.

Tampa Bay is quite possibly headed toward a similar decline as the one they experienced down the stretch to close out the 2008 season.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers face a daunting task this offseason.

While 2008 was a positive season, that featured a dynamic rushing game and the continued growth of middle linebacker Jon Beason, it ended on a sour note with the Divisional round playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

It wasn't just a loss though. It was a 33-13 drubbing in which quarterback Jake Delhomme seemed to age before fans' eyes and the defense hemorrhaged points in the first half.

It was an awful way to end a season and enter an offseason that will prove to be tricky.

Carolina's $10 million under the salary cap. They have two key free agents that they'd like back: All-Pro tackle Jordan Gross and defensive end Julius Peppers.

Peppers has made it clear he'd like out of Carolina and it may difficult for the Panthers to franchise him and resign Gross.

There will be some releases to free up room, but they also have some role players they'd like to bring back to the squad.

Due to the cap situation, they will not be players in free agency. They could use some infusion of talent in the secondary, yet they will have to wait until the second round of the draft to do anything, having traded away this year's first-rounder in the 2008 draft to get offensive lineman Jeff Otah.

Though they may not want to admit it, there must be concern about Jake Delhomme. At 34 he may not have much left. He seems to rely too much on the athleticism of receiver Steve Smith, too often throwing up balls for him to go get.

The Panther's passing offense ranked in the bottom half of the league last year and if you believe Delhomme's performance in the playoffs is even a little bit of foreshadowing for what is to come, expect a continued decline.

With a less effective passing game, it stands to reason that the running game will be more manageable for opposing defenses.

On defense, how will the loss of Peppers affect the entire team? How much better does his pass rush make every defender?

The Panthers' coaching staff is in makeover-mode, with at least five assistants leaving the team. Head coach John Fox brings in Ron Meeks, former Colts' defensive coordinator, to coach the defense.

John Fox has avoided the hot seat talk for most of his time in Carolina, but if they get off to a rough start, will the rumors begin to fly?

The Panthers have some good young players at key positions, but with little flexibility to improve the team next year and the question marks around the quarterback position and the defense, it is not a stretch to believe Carolina could take a step back next season.

A humiliating playoff loss can damage a team's psyche and the Panthers' toughness at times last season proved to be more of a myth than a reality. It could be tough for them to rebound.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints brought in Gregg Williams to coach a defense that ranked 23rd in total defense in 2008, allowing 339.5 yards per game.

Williams has coached some top-10 defenses in his career, but his stop as the coordinator in Jacksonville last season was not as successful.

He coached a unit that allowed 331 yards per game and 22.9 points per game, the same unit that was a top-10 defense the previous two years under Mike Smith, the current head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Either it was a down year for the Jaguars or Williams may not have it anymore. He inherits a team that was torn apart by injuries last season, but has some talent in the likes of defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and defensive end Will Smith.

The Saints' salary cap situation will make a lot of movement this offseason difficult.

They're currently $4.6 million over the cap with players like wide receiver Devery Henderson, offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb, and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma as unrestricted free agents.

Standout receiver Lance Moore is a restricted free agent and they'll likely choose Moore over Henderson in a decision of which wide receiver to bring back to the team. Losing one of them could still damage the potency of the Saints' high-powered offense.

Williams has made it clear that he'd like to bring Vilma, who played every snap on defense last season, back to the team, but a lot of moves will need to be made to free up the space to do that. Retired linebacker Dan Morgan has recently expressed a desire to return to the team, but relying on him is as shaky as his health.

The offense is sound, but it mostly comes from the arm of quarterback Drew Brees. The running game was anemic at times last season. Running back Deuce McAllister is likely done in New Orleans, which leaves Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas to carry the load.

Bush is coming back from another injury-riddled season and questions remain about his durability and ability to serve as a between-the-tackles type of back, which the Saints' offense desperately needs.

Thomas had a solid season last year, but the 24-year old hasn't flashed the consistency to prove whether he's reliable. With the cap room what it is, New Orleans will be unable to do much at this position and will enter next year hoping these two players will stay healthy and make an impact.

If the Saints start slow, will the rumor mill crank up about head coach Sean Payton? Entering his fourth season, he'll be on his second defensive coordinator with a team that has only one winning record to his credit.

Until the Saints can consistently field a defense that is capable of stopping another team, they'll be mired in averageville, despite the numbers the offense is capable of putting on the board.

If Payton's fired, the process for New Orleans will begin all over again.

Atlanta Falcons

All is quiet on the Falcons' front.

Owner Arthur Blank and company like it that way.

It's a nice contrast to what they've dealt with in the past.

It also implies that this team is positioning itself to be dominant in the division for at least a few years to come.

Unlike every other team in the division, the Falcons have stability at the coaching positions. No one's leaving, not this year at least. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's name was in some head coaching searches, but he was not selected for any of them.

It should come as no surprise, however, that if quarterback Matt Ryan sustains the kind of success he experienced in 2008, Mularkey will be a hot candidate following the 2009 season.

But that's a year away, and the Falcons aren't in the business of worrying about things that aren't in the immediate future.

Atlanta enters the offseason in good shape. They're $20.8 million under the cap (though whatever action they take with Vick's contract will damage that status) and they're likely to gain a little more room with the releasing or restructuring of some veterans.

It remains to be seen how active the Falcons will be in free agency, but the front office showed last season that they're willing to make a splash, as evidenced by the signing of free-agent running back Michael Turner.

Most of the Falcons needs are on the defensive side of the ball. They appear to be one solid defensive acquisition from having a much-improved defense in 2009.

While they have good cap room, they do have a substantial list of free agents that will require some tough decisions.

Linebacker Michael Boley, kicker Michael Koenen, safety Lawyer Milloy, and cornerback Domonique Foxworth headline a list of players who were all contributors to '08's success.

Atlanta has some cap flexibility and is expected to become a desired-destination for free agents looking to win.

Their schedule on paper is formidable next season, but with the experience gained from this past season, they should be prepared to face any challenges.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff struck gold with his draft success last year and if that trend can continue, they'll get younger and add more depth to a team that is already on the rise.

Every other team in the NFC South has major questions to address in the 2009 off season. A decline in the division's performance is expected and Atlanta has the most to gain from it.

They hope to not only be the class of the NFC South, but also the entire NFC.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

Atlanta Falcons' GM Thomas Dimitroff Named Executive of the Year

daniel cox — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:03:50 -0500

In any business, if you can find talent, you'll find success.

Atlanta Falcons' owner Arthur Blank knew this, but it took him three tries to find the talent that would bring national recognition to his franchise—and a lot of awards, too.

Last season, Blank set a course to rebuild his franchise—one that was left in ruins by the Petrino in-season resignation, the Michael Vick scandal, and more locker room strife than a jail cell.

In late December of 2007, Blank thought he had the carpenter in Bill Parcells, who is one of the biggest names and best talent evaluators around.

Parcells would help pick the general manager and head coach, and offer guidance throughout the draft process.

It turns out Parcells was using Blank's offer as leverage to get a similar job with the Miami Dolphins.

That's when Blank turned to his years of experience in business. If you want talent, go where the talent is.

Blank knocked on the door of the New England Patriots.

One teleconference interview later and Thomas Dimitroff—the Patriots' director of college scouting—was named the Atlanta Falcons' general manager.

One year and 15 days later, Dimitroff is being honored as Sporting News Executive of the Year. With the award, he rounds out a trio of Atlanta Falcons winning "-of-the-Year" awards this year. Dimitroff's head coach selection, Mike Smith, won Coach of the Year and his first-round draft pick, quarterback Matt Ryan, won Rookie of the Year.

That's just the tip of the iceberg for Dimitroff's accomplishments this season. As is the case in football, the face of your franchise is your head coach and quarterback, and the heart and soul of the team is made up of all the other players that surround them.

Dimitroff gave Smith a lot to work with this year.

He signed running back Michael Turner (1,699 rushing yards, second in MVP voting), kicker Jason Elam (129 points scored, won more games than he lost for the Falcons), and safety Erik Coleman (started all 16 games, 95 tackles and three interceptions). Each of those additions served to help snag or preserve a win for the Falcons in the 2008 season.

The draft was where Dimitroff really shined. Ten of his 11 picks made the team, including three starters and four more contributors in backup roles.

Dimitroff has football in his blood and, while he doesn't fit the description at first glance, his actions have spoken louder than his appearance.

The son of a professional player, coach, and scout has built the foundation for a bright future in Atlanta, but also helped create the outstanding teams in New England.

His department oversaw the scouting and evaluation of eventual Patriots players like cornerbacks Ellis Hobbs and Asante Samuel, center Dan Koppen, guard Logan Mankins, safety Brandon Merriweather, defensive end Ty Warren, tight end Ben Watson, and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

Ernie Accorsi, a former NFL executive and adviser to Blank and the Falcons, said of Dimitroff and his evaluation of talent, "You have to learn under top people. ...But you also need that indefinable instinct to see talent. That can't be taught. ...Thomas has that instinct."

That instinct helped turn a reeling 4-12 team in 2007 into an 11-5 playoff team in one year.

Great businessmen will always try to deflect credit back onto the people that work for them, often the very talent they hired.

Dimitroff won't take much credit for the team's success, but if you look at his fingers, you'll see the ink of Atlanta's blueprint all over them.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Conference Championships: Letters To The League

daniel cox — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:00:15 -0500

To: Larry Fitzgerald

Re: Memories

Fantastic game, again. Get ready to talk, a lot, about how you used to be the Vikings' ball boy.

To: Ken Whisenhunt

Re: Handlin' it

You didn't think it was necessary to get between your player and your coordinator? When the quarterback is dropping back to pass, you're not yelling in his ear.

Todd Haley was in the middle of calling a great game and in the fourth quarter on a the game winning drive, he's got Boldin yelling in his ear because he's not on the field.

Don't you think that was an unnecessary distraction?

On the other hand, you still won the game and I could almost hear you afterwards, saying "take that Rooney family."

To: Anquan Boldin

Re: Bad decisions...

I think you just earned the title, "Me Guy."

And don't be surprised next year if you're playing for the team Arizona just beat.

Though I'm not so sure they're going to want you. They had a guy with that kind of attitude before. That didn't work out so well.

To: Brent Celek

Re: One for the scrapbook

At least you had a career day. Those 10 catches and two touchdowns have to be something of a consolation.

To: The Philadelphia Eagles

Re: Change of plans

Well, since Boldin obviously will not be back with the Cardinals next season, he may be someone to consider.

McNabb needs a receiver that can make a play. You've seen what can happen when he has that consistent threat.

Nothing against Celek, but he's Brent Celek.

Don't forget, you've got two first round picks!

To: Joe Flacco

Re: Unwinnable

Some places just have a player's number.

You lost three in Heinz Field against the Steelers this season and you couldn't win the starting job at Pitt (which as you know is where the Panthers play as well).

You're still a good quarterback. Don't let it get you down.

Just ask Peyton Manning about the Patriots.

To: Limas Sweed

Re: Polamalu would have you for lunch

After that drop, I'd imagine you were scared to death. Seeing how your teammates were hitting the Ravens, surely they'd do the same to you for that ridiculous drop (and then acting injured, that's not the Steelers way).

A few plays later you delivered that bone-crushing block on Corey Ivey, which at least allowed you continue to wear the Steelers jersey.

But then you also made a nice play to break up Frank Walker's sure interception to keep the drive going.

Looks like you may live to see the Super Bowl. But I'd still keep my head down in the locker room.

To: Mike Tomlin

Re: The Champs

You're still the coolest coach in the NFL.

You just stand and chill on the sidelines.

Sometimes you have a headset, but you never have a play card, and your team plays like that.

Now, that's coaching.

To: NCAA Juniors

Re: Missed opportunity

What are you thinking??!?

To: Jon Gruden

Re: Strikes again...

There's no better place for an unemployed coach looking for a job to be in the coming two weeks than Tampa Bay.

By the way, always meant to tell you this. You're the perfect example of what mother's everywhere meant when they said, "If you keep making that face, it'll freeze that way."

To: Raheem Morris

Re: The pride of the Bucs?

Talk about a meteoric rise.

You and Jim Zorn should start a club or an educational seminar, "How to win jobs you're not qualified for."

I do love your enthusiasm though.

To: The New England Patriots

Re: They don't grow on trees?

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You guys seem to grow coordinators and personnel guys in the backyard.

Just go out back and pluck another one.

To: Ad agencies

Re: The big chance

Two weeks and counting.

This is what you've waited for your whole life.

NFL Conference Championship Predictions: Toddler Style

daniel cox — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:36:15 -0500

He's done push-ups all week.

He's gotten in the wind sprints down the hall.

He had his eggs for breakfast (scrambled, not raw).

He's ready.

Waldenious may not have quite earned the "ious" last week, but he was 2-2, which is not half-bad. Well, it is half-bad. That expression doesn't work so well in this case because he was exactly half-bad.

We're a family of optimists though, so we'd rather say he was half-good, with some opportunity for improvement.

This week has been all about football. The week leading up to the Conference Championships is a big deal. Injury reports? We got 'em. Coaching press conferences? We watched 'em. Data, stats, trends, history, we know it all.

But if you know anything about Walden by now it's that none of that matters. While everyone else picking games is pulling out their hair waiting for a point spread to move half a point, he's as carefree as if he were splashing in the kiddie pool.

Boy Wonder here throws all conventional approaches out the window. He picks with guts. He picks based on the simple idea that one mascot is superior to the other.

So 2-2 last week puts him at 34-23 on his season.

He's got the 2-0 look in his eye. He's ready.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Ravens at Steelers"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

Eagles at Cardinals

All week we've debated which bird is better. The Eagles beat Vikings in Round One. Vikings are fierce in their own right, but they're not exactly up-to-date villains. The Joker they are not.

Then the Eagles beat mythical Giants. The Cardinals significantly one-upped the Eagles en route to this Sunday.

They beat Falcons. In the battle of birds, you'd think a falcon would be the victor. Bigger, stronger beak. Sharper claws. At first glance, you'd think the best thing a cardinal has going for it is that it's a pretty red color. Clearly they were underestimated.

Then last week they beat Panthers. Panthers are big, scary, strong, fast, and they growl—pretty fierce, but the Cardinals made them look more like Panthers of the pink persuasion.

Cardinals are clearly stronger than they look. Call him crazy, but I think he's a believer.

Walden's pick: Cardinals

Ravens at Steelers

This is the kind of game that gets Walden excited. The snow, the cold, the running games, the tough defenses, bloody noses, dirty pants, smeared eye black.

He's ready for this game. While I'd like to think of him as a future quarterback, he's got the chaotic mindset of a defensive player. You should see him chase and tackle the cat.

And the way he destroys the living room. Throwing his toys around like they're would-be blockers on his way to the quarterback.

It's pure destruction and he does it with a smile on his face.

(In case you're wondering, Walden will be draft-eligible in 2028. He's currently 2'7" and weighs about 30 pounds. He's long and lean. As he grows up, we'll begin to focus on helping him fill out. But strength won't be our primary focus; we're more concerned with endurance and agility. Not only will he be the last man standing, but he will be breathing normally as well.)

We both think this is the kind of game we'll see between the Ravens and Steelers. Two teams that admittedly don't care much for each other would have it no other way.

They say the third time's a charm. The Ravens certainly look to make the cliché come to life, after losing the two regular season match ups to the Steelers. But the health of each team is going in the opposite direction. Pittsburgh is getting healthy and Baltimore's is getting worse.

Either way, this will be of the knock-down-drag-out variety. Walden equates the Steelers with the Man of Steel. He also likes the hypocycloids (those are the three diamonds in the logo).

Are the Ravens just glorified crows?

Walden's pick: Steelers

Walden said "book" this week. As in "book it" and "call the bookie."

He just ripped the head off of one of his puppets.

He's ready for some football.

Did Matt Ryan Hit the Rookie Wall?

daniel cox — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:30:44 -0500

Much has been made of the mythical "rookie wall" in the NFL and whether it exists or if it's just a metaphor for poor rookie play down the stretch as team's produce better game plans for impact rookies.

While many rookies this year denied its impact, one needs to only look at those that came before them and their coaches to realize it's more than just a fancy way to say, "Hey, coach, I'm tired."

The question in Atlanta is whether quarterback Matt Ryan experienced a fatigue factor at the helm of a team headed to the playoffs and increased exposure in game planning film for defenses as the Atlanta Falcons barreled toward the conclusion of the regular season.

When asked about his play in the last quarter of the season following the last game of the regular season against the St. Louis Rams, Ryan said, "You never know what to expect, you hear so much talk about the rookie wall...you're going to it...I don't think I have."

If there's one thing that Falcons' fans have learned this season about their young quarterback it's that he doesn't make excuses. He has always taken responsibility for what occurs on the football field, whether it's deserved it or not.

An admirable trait indeed, but is he being completely honest with himself?

Dennis Dillon wrote a fantastic article for the Sporting News' website in November of 2007. In it he examines the rookie wall and speaks with players to get their thoughts on whether or not the wall exists and to gauge its impact.

The result is a resounding "Yes!"

Jevon Kearse said in his outstanding rookie season in 1999 with the Titans that he reached November and the day-to-day aspects of the season became an absolute grind. He reached a point in the season where he approached coach Jeff Fisher and asked for two days off to lounge around his home. The price he was willing to pay: A portion of his bonus money.

Last season, Texans' rookie defensive tackle Amobi Okoye looked forward to his bye week with great anticipation, saying, "I've been waiting for this for the past two weeks. They brag about me being 20 years old and being in the NFL, but right now I tell you what—I don't feel like I'm 20 at all. I feel like probably 35."

Much was made of Okoye's youth entering the season. At 19, he was the youngest player ever drafted in the first round in the NFL. For a player that has thrived as the youngest player on his team (at 16, he was the youngest player not only on the University of Louisville team but in the entire NCAA), the professional season and its community work, meetings, practices, studying, and actual game playing took his body by storm.

In 2006, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes sought the advice of veteran teammates like Hines Ward for insight into how to take better care of his body as the season wore on.

Of the wall, he said, "Hit it? I ran into that wall headfirst, man."

New England Patriots' coach Bill Belichick, following a game in December, said, "Well, as I said, it is a long season. It is a lot longer than any college season. So, when you come into the National Football League you can't really prepare for the length and the intensity of the season."

Ryan was drafted for his intelligence and his preparation. He clearly takes his role, and the work needed to be successful, seriously. But when you look at the last quarter of the season, three things stand out:

Of the last three teams played in the 2008 season, only one had a losing record (St. Louis at 2-14). Of the other three, one made the playoffs (Minnesota), one was in the hunt until the end (Tampa Bay) and one finished the season at .500 (New Orleans). The quality of that four-game stretch was sound, but was it any better than any of the other three quarters of the season? The first quarter featured games against Tampa Bay and Carolina. The second quarter featured games against Chicago and Philadelphia, and the third quarter featured games against New Orleans, Denver, Carolina, and San Diego. While there was more on the line in the last quarter of the season, it was no tougher than any other part of the season.
There was a decline in Ryan's numbers. His completion percentage trended down with 72.7, 65.2, 54.2, and 47.6. In the first 12 games of the season, he threw five interceptions, which matched what he totaled in the final four games of the season. He added two more in the first round playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Also, his quarterback rating was spotty at best (99.9, 57.5, 84.4, and 49.8).
The last game of the regular season for Ryan in his senior season at Boston College was 12/1/07. He and his team had an expansive break before playing in the Champs Sports Bowl 27 days later. The date when Ryan's numbers clearly dropped off: 12/14/08, the same date that his body was possibly telling him that his season was over.

There are other factors here. The offensive line's protection began to break down, allowing seven sacks in the final five games (the fifth game being the playoff loss to the Cardinals). With an entire season of film on Ryan, it's also conceivable that the things that worked well for him, including the lack of exposure to teams early on, were no longer working against better prepared defenses.

But at the end of the season, if Ryan says he didn't hit the wall, his play over the course of the season has earned him the right to be believed. It also earned him the Rookie of the Year Award. What is also means is that the notoriously studious quarterback will spend the entire offseason determining what went wrong as the '08 season closed.

Mechanics? He'll work with quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave to solve that one. Defensive game plan? He'll study hours of film with offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to figure out what he missed. Better timing with his receivers? Check, he'll implore receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins for a few extra offseason games of catch.

In his rookie wall comments, Belichick added, "It was never as bad as the first year because at least you know what to expect, you know how to pace yourself and both mentally and physically can gear up for it."

He concluded saying it was a learning experience and you can only hope to grow from it.

2008 was filled with learning experiences for Matt Ryan. Throughout the season he displayed his ability to learn from his mistakes not only game-to-game but also play-to-play.

Though he won't admit, he's likely to add better conditioning to his offseason checklist. The roadblocks that appeared in the journey of the '08 season for Ryan will be fewer in '09 because he's shown that ability to learn from everything.

As he said following the St. Louis game, "Showing up to work has been fun. It's not pulling teeth to come in."

The sky is still the limit for Ryan and the Falcons. He'll put his work in and because of that defensive coordinators and players around the league may enjoy their jobs a little less.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Divisional Playoffs: Letters to the League

daniel cox — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:59:42 -0500

To: Home-field advantage

Re: Home sweet home?

My, my, you aren't what you used to be.

To: Larry Fitzgerald

Re: Golden hands

You're now a household name. Sure, every hardcore fan knew about you and your amazing hands.

But now every casual "I think I'll watch the playoffs today since it's cold outside" fan knows who you are as well.

The "I'm going to jump high between two defenders and make this grab" has become your patented move.

To: The New York Giants

Re: In the market...

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a free agent.

To: The Oakland Raiders

Re: Hunting

Would you like to interview me for the head coaching position as well?

To: The San Diego Chargers

Re: Bad idea

Guys, you need the ball to score. Your defense improved, some, in the playoffs, but we're not talking Ravens-level here.

Scoring on offense wins game.

One offensive snap in the third quarter is a fantastic way to lose a game.

To: Joe Flacco

Re: Wacko for Flacco

Matt who?

More like Tyler Who? As in Tyler Palko, the quarterback you backed up at Pitt. He spent all of 2008 out of football and just a few days ago signed a "future contract" (whatever that is) with the Arizona Cardinals.

I'm sensing some real irony if the Cardinals meet the Ravens in the Super Bowl.

Oh, and one other thing. That was a funny shot you took at Dan Orlovsky following Saturday's game.

I have a sneaky suspicion that if he's around long enough he'll find a way to beat you and your team just once in his lifetime, just because of those comments.

To: Eli Manning

Re: Style advice

Was that a shadow on your face, or are you trying to grow a beard?

The Manning boys should leave the beards alone. It just doesn't suit you guys.

Because all that happens is spotty hair growth just like Eli showed on Sunday, and that just makes you guys look weird.

Like Dungeons and Dragons kids in the basement with overcoats and vintage pocket watch collections.

Leave the beards to the Eagles.

To: Kurt Warner

Re: Reincarnation

Kurt, you have nine football lives, my friend.

Your NFL career really began when you backed up Jake Delhomme in NFL Europe. See how it kind of all came full circle on Saturday?

But seriously, you lost your job twice to rookies, you were replaced by a quarterback that eventually also became a Pro Bowler, and you were once replaced by a nobody named Josh.

And look at you now. One win away from yet another Super Bowl, this one the most improbable of them all.

To: Jim Mora

Re: Coaching tree

Just because you were named "coach in waiting" doesn't mean you can never get fired.

Reuniting with Gregg Knapp might not be such a good idea, but you're nothing if not loyal.

Heck, while you're at it, ol' No. 7 will probably be available soon as well.

To: Brett Favre

Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Eh

You know what? So much has been said about you in the last week or so, I'm going to let it go.

Stay (well, maybe not so much stay), Go, Make up your mind, Retire, Go ride your tractor, It's all your fault, Be a team player...

The advice mothers of bullied children everywhere offer is prudent here: "Ignore him and maybe he'll go away."

To: Keyshawn Johnson

Re: Sound bites

You're always good for a few studio nuggets.

First, you picked the Cardinals. I guess the guys in Bristol wanted someone to take them, and who better than you?

It looks like your assessment of Delhomme as a quarterback that throws up hand grenades and hopes Steve Smith will save him is about accurate.

And what about those Big Ben comments?

Now, I don't know if you're right about Ben. His injury was spinal (yes, use your Tyson voice when you say that word), but he does have a little bit of that drama queen in him.

And why am I not surprised that you like that about him?

To: The Arizona Cardinals

Re: Finally!

It's amazing what a good run defense will do for you, huh?

To: LenDale White

Re: Inaccurate

Did you really mean to say this: "We will beat them nine out of 10 times, but this time things didn't fall our way. I'm not taking anything away from Baltimore. I lose graciously."

Uhh, a gracious loser says things like, "They played a great game out there today. We just didn't have enough to beat them."

The nine out of 10 argument holds no weight. Who cares who you can beat nine times? You didn't win the ONE game you were supposed to, and now you're booking a flight to the Bahamas and Baltimore's booking one to Pittsburgh.

To: Adam Jones

Re: Guilty by association

Okay, it remains to be seen whether drudging up old events will spawn new allegations, but I have one thing to say. Spending time with a dude named "Slugga" is never a good idea.

Better yet, spending time with a dude named "Slugga" who also has a tattoo on his forehead is never a good idea.

Even better yet, why spend time with a guy whose primary association is named the International Robbing Crew?

To: Tony Dungy

Re: One giant leap for mankind

The NFL's loss is the rest of humanity's gain.

NFL Playoffs, Week Two Predictions: Toddler Style

daniel cox — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 09:50:19 -0500

My son, the boy wonder (Waldenious, as he should now be known), has learned to say his first sentence:

"Four and Oh."

Okay, maybe it's not a complete sentence, but it's a statement. And a statement is what he made last week going 4-0 with his picks in the first round of the playoffs.

After starting off mediocre and considering giving up the career before it really started, he's bounced back and elevated himself to red-hot status. He's on a Chargers-like streak.

His record on the season stands at 32-21 and not only is he thinking he's the best prognosticator in the world, he's also thinking about expanding into game planning.

I walked in on him this afternoon and this is what I saw. Yes, he had his various stuffed creatures lined up in formation. It's a traditional I-formation but don't be fooled. The kid's progressive. He was talking about spreads and running a quad-option.

You'll notice he puts a lot of credence in the big uglies up front. His offensive line is fierce. Who wouldn't want a T-Rex at left tackle, a massive seal at left guard, and a bear at center? The right side is a little weaker, but with a left side that imposing, the cat lined up in the backfield will have holes all day.

In week's past, it would take hours over the course of days to get Walden focused (and sitting still) to complete his picks.

Friday night, it took him five minutes. He chose with a confidence that told me he'd been up all night considering everything.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Cardinals at Panthers"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

Ravens at Titans

In Walden's world, most everyone he spends time with is a titan. His mom and dad, his aunt Kendelle, the grandparents—they're all larger than he is. The titans of his world tell him when to go to bed and when to stop biting someone.

This pick isn't as easy as many are making it. Yes, the raven is dark and ominous, but the titan exerts a lot of control. He picked quickly, but I could tell he'd deliberated for hours.

So once upon an afternoon dreary, while Walden pondered weak and weary...

Walden's pick: Ravens

Cardinals at Panthers

A rematch between two animals.

I've spent all week trying to convince him that a cardinal is not that tough of a bird. Eagles, ravens...they're all much tougher.

But I couldn't disagree with him on one argument; cardinals do look softer to the touch. That sort of thing matters to him. If he could touch one of the three birds, it would surely be a cardinal.

However, Walden will tell you that a cat is the superior beast. They're more fun to play with, more fun to chase (and easier to catch!), and they're soft.

He's finally listening to me...

Walden's pick: Panthers

Eagles at Giants

The logic in this game should be similar to that of the Ravens-Titans game, but whoever said an 18-month-old is logical? (If you disagree, you've never met one. Trust me, I'd never even thought about it before...but now I know.)

An NFC East rematch, this is Walden's kind of game.

He likes to get physical. He'll wrestle you in a minute. He'll also get in a few cheap shots. He'll bite you, rake your eyes, or throw something at you without hesitation. This is exactly the kind of game we both expect this to be.

Walden's more of a power-running game kid. He finds the West-Coast air attack to be too finesse for his tastes.

And while I tried to convince him that the Eagles are not totally a finesse team, especially on defense, he's not buying it, or them.

Walden's pick: Giants

Chargers at Steelers

Traveling West to East can be tough. Walden admits he'd be tired, too. However, he has no sympathy for the Chargers. Despite riding the Chargers' hot streak, he looks at this game as pragmatically and stone-faced as ever.

It's tough in the world of toddler-wagering and he's the toughest. One week you love a team, the next you don't. It's as simple as that. (His picks against the Falcons are a good example of this attitude.)

As I said before, he's a tough kid. He's so tough that when he falls down, he'll look at you and wait for you to say "You're okay," before getting up. His pain threshold is so high that he needs someone else to tell him whether he's injured or not. That's tough.

(At this very moment he's playing with one of his mother's knitting needles. I will need to stop that. He's tough, yes, but he's not made of Teflon!)

Everything about the Steelers is tough. The city, the coach, the logo (those three hypocycloids are fierce!), the defense, the quarterback (coming back from all those beatings...), and the history.

The Steelers are favored by six and he likes them more than that.

Walden's pick: Steelers

Walden's going with three home teams this week, which is no surprise considering his affinity to home.

He'll settle in this weekend with a cup of milk and a bowl of Cheerios and he fully expects to go 4-0 again.

After this weekend, Walden's vocabulary will expand into Spanish. "En fuego" will be the first thing he learns.

Atlanta Braves Let John Smoltz Walk in Another Missed Opportunity

daniel cox — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:26:26 -0500

Atlanta Braves fans thought he'd be the last man standing.

One of the most beloved athletes in Atlanta sports history would surely end his career in the Braves familiar red and blue.

They have Chipper Jones, the true southerner, playing third base with a drawl and a penchant for pickup trucks and hunting. Many Braves fans can relate to him and love him accordingly.

Tom Glavine was always well-liked, but was forced to leave under difficult free-agency circumstances, though he eventually returned to Atlanta last season. Glavine was always a paint the corners kind of pitcher. He, at times, seemed content to quietly stand on the mound and do his job. He wasn't a brash strikeout artist.

Baseball fans love strikeout pitchers. And Braves fans loved theirs.

With a hard fastball, a slider, and a devastating split-finger fastball, Braves fans, for 20 seasons, have watched Smoltz challenge hitters and often get the best of them. After particularly tough matchups, the famous clenched fist of Smoltz, never one to hide his emotions, would always lead Turner Field to erupt.

And who could forget his coming out party? After a 2-11 start in 1991 and meetings with a sports psychologist, he went 12-2, leading the previously undisputed worst franchise in baseball to the World Series, capped by the epic Game Seven pitching duel against the Minnesota Twins' Jack Morris.

In what is arguably the greatest game ever played, the old-timer Morris outdid Smoltz that night, pitching into the 10th inning to secure the 1-0 championship-clinching victory.

However, on Thursday as Atlanta residents were just getting over losing some of the local college kids up the street in Athens to the pro game, they turned on their radios and switched on the TVs to hear that the beloved Smoltz had agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox.

And the player who had been through it all and seen it all since the very beginning of the famous Atlanta Braves run was gone. He'd had chances in the past to leave, turning down more money elsewhere, but he always stayed in town and perhaps Atlanta fans began to take that for granted.

Surely, they thought, the Braves would offer him a reasonable salary and bring him back one last time, needing him more than ever with all their questions surrounding the pitching staff.

Yet, as the sun rose on Thursday morning that proved to be inaccurate. General Manager Frank Wren had deemed Smoltz worth no more than $2 million a season (with incentives), an obvious nod to his belief that Smoltz would be incapable of coming back and being effective.

Boston clearly believes in one of the fiercest competitors baseball has ever seen and they rewarded the 41-year-old veteran with a one-year $5.5 million dollar deal.

Smoltz had come back from season-ending surgery last year and was looking strong this past December and anticipated a deal from the Braves.

Wren, instead, chose to wait before making a decision and Smoltz grew tired of the process. What Wren failed to consider is that if there's a player that could come back from a fourth surgery and still be a convincing presence on a ball club, it's Smoltz.

Following his season-ending injury last season, Jones said of his teammate, "He's very competitive, he's competitive with everything he wants to do. He's come through this situation many times before. He knows what it's going to take." Jones added, "If he puts his mind to it, there is no doubt, none of us have any doubts, that he'll make it back and make it back healthy."

Wren clearly didn't echo those sentiments and as the news broke the Braves' front office was silent, with the only statement coming from team chairman and CEO Terry McQuirk, offering little more than a "it's his fault, not ours" kind of statement, saying, "John is a great guy. He follows his own head, and I just don’t know what’s going on with him right now."

Mr. McQuirk, I'll give you a clue. The man gave everything he had to your organization, pitching through pain more times than you can count and all he was asking for was a little respect on his paycheck.

Here's some perspective for you: Last season, pitchers Scott Downs, Doug Brocail, John Bale, and Nate Robertson all earned more than $2 million. Smoltz's intangibles alone are worth more than that.

To the fans driving in their cars this morning, the $3.5 million difference is substantial, life-changing even. But in the world of eight and nine digit team payrolls, it's a very quiet drop in the bucket.

Isn't a drop in the bucket worth one of your all-time greatest players? In an offseason that featured a lot of swings and misses, you could have used good contact on at least one move.

Instead Atlanta Braves, you lose your fan favorite and perhaps your fickle fans as well.

NFL Wild-Card Weekend: Letters to the League

daniel cox — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:50:56 -0500

To: Darren Sproles

Re: Little man in big shoes

Welcome to your new life as a featured running back.

I think I saw L.T. on the sidelines saying, "Say hello to my little friend."

To: Eric Mangini

Re: Hindsight is 20/20

How's that "I'm going to name my son after you, Brett" looking now?

The term "redheaded stepchild" never seemed more appropriate. Poor kid.

To: Jerry Jones

Re: Two things

You can always make a scapegoat out of the special teams coach.

Cryptic as always, Jerry. What exactly does it mean that you are considering Shanahan for 2010? But you're not firing Phillips? Huh?

Despite what you're saying, or not saying, that's handwriting on the wall if I've ever seen it.

To: Wade Phillips

Re: RUN!

There are a number of teams in need of a good defensive coordinator.

You're doomed. Get out while you still can!

To: Raheem Morris

Re: Interviewing skills

You must be the coaching ish.

You've not even coached a down as defensive coordinator, and you're already interviewing for head coaching jobs.

In this job market, that's some luck...

To: Jeff Jagodzinski

Re: Out the door

Calling BC's bluff like that, you must think you've got this in the bag.

To: Matt Cassel

Re: Laughing to the bank

Payday!!!!

I'm looking forward to the made-for-TV movie about you.

There's got to, at least, be an after-school special.

To: NBC and Matt Millen

Re: Credibility?

You've got enough guys on that freakin' show without adding one more.

That clicking sound you heard on Saturday evening around 6 PM was the entire country changing the channel to see if anyone else was talking about the game.

Matt, you were on there saying all sorts of weird stuff.

You looked America in the face and told us that you felt your firing in Week Three took stability and consistency away from the Lions.

Dude, I've got news for you. They were already consistently bad.

I think I heard 'em say, "We got it from here" as you were on your way out the door.

To: The Cleveland Browns

Re: It's him or me!

Who's it going to be, Pioli or Mangini?

You can't have both. Oil and water don't mix.

To: Antonio Cromartie

Re: Sneaking a peek

I caught you! You were totally checking out the cheerleaders on that Wayne touchdown catch.

If San Diego's look anything like USC's cheerleaders, can't say that I blame you.

To: Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons

Re: It's midnight...

First pass of the regular season: touchdown.

First pass of the postseason: interception.

Time spent in la-la-land: 17 weeks.

To: Arizona Cardinals defensive line

Re: Reading their minds

You guys must have paid off the Falcons' offensive line's Christmas bills in exchange for the snap count.

It's impossible to guess right that many times.

It's like you were inside their heads, counting the silent count with them.

To: Brett Favre

Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Eh

It may be time to look in a different direction, Brett.

To: Mike Scifres

Re: Defense and special teams...

Punting and clutch are rarely spoken in the same breath.

But those punts Saturday night, especially that last one, were about as clutch as they come.

To: The Minnesota Vikings

Re: Back to life

The Patriots may have a quarterback they'd be willing to sell you.

Downer in the Desert: Atlanta Falcons Lose 30-24 to Arizona Cardinals

daniel cox — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:29:47 -0500

Atlanta Falcons fans are torn tonight between two emotions:

The satisfaction of knowing their team proved everyone wrong by having not a good season, but a great one, and making it into the playoffs.

And the feeling of disappointment and the dismal dejection that only a fan of a team with high hopes for a win can feel after a heartbreaking loss.

The real heartbreaker came with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

These buoyant birds found themselves still afloat in the game, as they have all season, despite turning the ball over three times and allowing 96 yards rushing from Arizona running backs Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower.

But on 3rd-and-16, the defense gave up the most critical first down conversion of the season, and it proved to end their season—even before the clock read zeroes.

Following a drive that lasted nine plays, chewed up 58 yards, and took 3:36 off the clock, the Falcons found themselves down six, needing to stop a Cardinals offense that they had struggled to contain for the entire second half.

The clock continued to wind down and quarterback Kurt Warner completed two passes, both for first downs, as if to say they still had no faith in the running game. But then the defense made one last gasp.

On 2nd-and-8, defensive end John Abraham read the reverse to receiver Steve Breaston perfectly and greeted him in the backfield before pummeling him for an eight-yard loss.

Everyone scooted a little closer to the edge of their seats, if they were sitting at all, as Warner dropped back on 3rd-and-16. Surely, the Falcons could prevent a completion for a first down from this distance.

And then the play that Atlanta, for six months, will have to remember as the last play of its season occurred.

There seemed to be some confusion by linebackers Keith Brooking and Curtis Lofton, as they came out from covering the middle of the field to move in closer to the line of scrimmage. Their ill-timed missteps left the center of the field wide open, and tight end Stephen Spach got behind them to catch a 23-yard completion.

Season over. Turn the lights out.

Asked about the moment that will likely define his career and closed the door on the win for his team, Spach said, "We sealed the deal as a team."

Following the game, Falcons coach Mike Smith looked like a father who'd just bailed his son out of jail. Speaking with a whisper, he said, "We're going to remember how it feels as a football team because we plan on being in this situation again"

While Smith was clearly dejected with the outcome and his team's play down the stretch of the game, his comments should serve as first, a premonition, and second, a pact with his team and its fans.

Notice he did not say "...we hope to be in this situation." Hope is such an empty word and is a belief that an outcome will occur.

Smith spoke with conviction, saying he plans on returning to the playoffs. He's counting on it.

And as Falcons fans look between the lines of the game, its players, the comments, and the stats, that's the message they need to hear.

This is the man who entered this season with a plan to turn around this franchise. He accomplished that goal, and now you can trust that he will return with a plan to get this team back in the playoffs.

Most of the stats are ugly: Quarterback Matt Ryan was 26-for-40 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Michael Turner turned in a pedestrian 18 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jerious Norwood was inexplicably uninvolved in the game plan, after a tremendous game last week.

Oh yeah, three sacks allowed, a fumble returned for a touchdown, and a safety.

This was the fourth game this season in which they had three turnovers. They confounded the football gods in the previous games by winning all three games despite the turnovers. They weren't so prosperous today.

As Smith succinctly put it, "It's tough to win when you're minus on the turnover ratio. The three turnovers, I thought, were very, very big."

So as the credits roll on the 2008 season, what needs to be remembered is where these Falcons were 12 months ago.

The season began with the unknown Smith speaking about processes. Win a game. Win a game on the road. Win two games in a row. Win three games in a row. Make the playoffs.

Atlanta has accomplished a lot this season, and in 12 months Smith's team has gone from asking "Why us?" to "Why not us?" as they entered the playoffs.

But with the convincing win over one of this season's Cinderellas, the Arizona Cardinals have now adopted that mantra of "Why not us?"

And as for the Falcons, they now begin the process of looking to next season.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Playoffs Week One Predictions: Toddler Style

daniel cox — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:36:22 -0500

Last week was a turning point for the boy wonder. He actually went from simply "boy" to "boy wonder."

Walden finished 11-5 last week, picking some gems like the Dolphins over the Jets, the Chargers over the Broncos, and the Texans over the Bears.

The kid had a great week. He channeled his Christmas euphoria into some sound picks and looks to enter the playoffs on a hot streak.

Even with the good week last week, he still wasn't overly excited about picking the games this week. He's no dummy—fewer games mean a much smaller margin for error. It took some convincing. Unlike Favre, he wanted to go out on a high-note.

The gambler that he is, Walden played his hand perfectly and managed to negotiate chocolate for breakfast if he made his picks this week. Of course I caved and Waldenious put on his poker face, grabbed a crayon, and settled in to select his toughest games of the year.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Patriots at Bills"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

Eagles at Vikings

When Walden dances for a team, that means he likes them BIG. Let's just say he did more than a little jig for the Eagles. He can't count yet, so he's unable to provide a score, but he's high on the Eagles.

Walden's pick: Eagles

Ravens at Dolphins

Walden identifies with the rookie head coaches in this match up. Still a rookie himself, at 18-months old, he's literally learning on the job.

Dolphins are friendly and lovable animals. Ravens, thanks to Poe, have a dark and scary persona. Walden's reaching the age where he prefers things a little scarier. He likes dragons and monsters. He prefers roaring to actually speaking. He'll hide behind a door and wait for you.

I think you see where I'm going...

Walden's pick: Ravens

Colts at Chargers

Walden definitely prefers being at home to on the road. He's not much for traveling.

Ever since he got burned by the Chargers over the Chiefs in his upset special in Week 15, he's been going with the Chargers every week. He's riding their hot play like he rides the laundry basket down the hall (yes, that's the current beloved activity. Plastic laundry baskets on wooden floors make for a surprisingly fast ride).

Walden's pick: Chargers

Falcons at Cardinals

It's been an up and down year for Walden and his picks in Falcons' games. He knows whom he should pick, but he's a little too pragmatic for that.

He did everything he could to avoid making this pick. The more he avoided it, the more nervous I got.

He tried to pretend he was playing. He cowered under a chair. He tried to tear up the page. He tried to eat the crayon. None of it worked.

I told him he had to man-up and make the pick.

"Be a man," I said.

One of the few things Walden can say is, "uh-oh."

Guess what he said as he made his pick?

Walden's pick: Cardinals

His picks are in. Though I didn't enforce timeout for his pick against the Falcons, I may consider withholding hot dogs for dinner. It's going to be a plate of peas, carrots, and spinach if he's right. That'll teach him...

As for his other picks, I think he did a solid job: two birds and a lightning bolt (I tried to tell him that cardinals are kind of wimpy).

It's still up in the air on whether he returns for more picks next week. Personally, I think he's holding out for more toys.

Atlanta Falcons-Arizona Cardinals: Five Things Atlanta Needs to Do This Weekend

daniel cox — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:46:34 -0500

The Atlanta Falcons ride a three-game winning streak into Arizona on Saturday for the first round of the NFC playoffs.

They're playing well, with two tough wins over teams that were in the playoff hunt heading into the final week of the season and one, last week, over the Rams, that proved to be more difficult than originally believed.

The Arizona Cardinals, on the other hand, have lost two of their last three, including a 47-7 shellacking in Week 16 in snowy New England.

They won last week, 34-21 against the Seattle Seahawks, but they've clearly struggled down the stretch. Of their last six games, only two were victories.

While Atlanta fans are worried about the health of their team as they look to play in their first playoff game since 2004, Cardinals fans are most concerned about whether or not they will even get to see the game.

Hosting its first home playoff game in 33 years is exciting, but the recent economic woes may take its toll in Arizona. As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 3,700 tickets remained unsold for Saturday's game.

NFL league rules dictate that the home team must sell out its game before Friday at 2:30 p.m. or the game will be blacked out. A blackout would mean Cardinals fans would miss what they haven't seen in a very long time: a playoff game featuring the home-town team.

It turns out they may miss quite a game. At first glance, it's easy to understand why the road team is favored by two-and-a-half points in this one. A closer look reveals that this might not be as easy as the Falcons faithful perhaps believe.

If Atlanta can accomplish these five things, their flight back across the country on Saturday night will be filled with elation as they look to a second-round playoff game.

Get Healthy

Perhaps the most difficult thing to do for this game, the Falcons need to find health and quick. A few players were held out of last week's game, most notably safety Lawyer Milloy and defensive end Jamaal Anderson. Both players are critical pieces to the most important aspect of the game plan: stopping the Cardinals high-powered offense.

Anderson did not practice with an ankle sprain last week and so far this week he has been unavailable as well. He's listed as questionable, but as game time approaches, it looks more and more like he will not play on Saturday.

Backup Chauncey Davis will look to fill in, bringing his four sacks to the starting lineup again. One of them, incidentally, came last week when he was starting in place of Anderson.

Milloy is listed as questionable, but all indications are that he will play on Saturday.

Standout defensive end John Abraham missed the second half of last Sunday's game and also did not practice on Thursday. He's battled injuries all season, but he's probable for Saturday.

Atlanta also hopes for improved health from tackle Sam Baker, receiver Harry Douglas, and tackle Todd Weiner.

While they need the depth these players provide, they also hope the extra playoff experience helps.

There are five players on this team that were with Atlanta when it was last in the playoffs in 2004. However, 20 of the 53-man roster have at least one year of playoff seasoning.

The Falcons hope the health and the experience will come through for them on Saturday.

Minimize the Cardinals' Offensive Damage

It's going to be tough to stop the Cardinals offense, which features MVP-candidate quarterback Kurt Warner and three wide receivers who each gained over 1,000 yards this season. They will need to at least put a leash on them and hope to slow them down.

The Atlanta pass defense hasn't been a strong suit all season. It has come through at some critical times in games, but statistically they're twelfth-worst in the league, allowing 220 yards a game.

On the other hand, they're eleventh-best in points allowed per game with 20.3. The bend-but-don't-break style that Atlanta often finds itself employing will be as critical as ever on Saturday. The Falcons will give up points through the air; they have to find ways to give up as few as possible.

One of the ways they can accomplish this is by getting a strong pass rush to Warner. Warner, age 37, has proven when you can get to him, you can slow him down. He is however notoriously fast with his release so that's easier said than done.

Cardinals left tackle Mike Gandy will draw the assignment of blocking Abraham. Even if Abraham can come up with a big day, it still may not be enough to slow Warner down.

Of the seven games in which he was sacked two or more times, four were losses, which isn't enough evidence to conclude that sacking Warner is the total solution for the Falcons.

Pressure on Warner alone won't be enough. The Falcons secondary will have to hold their own against the receivers.

The corners will get help from the safeties since the assumption is that the running game will be ineffective. Atlanta will need to concentrate on making solid and sure tackles as quickly as the ball is caught. The idea of every player being a "ball hawk" is more important than ever on Saturday.

The Cardinals' top three receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston each average 14.9, 11.7, and 13.1 yards per catch. That means they're making big plays and running after the catch. The Falcons will have to limit their ability to continue to run for extra yards after the catch.

The bottom line here is the Cardinals' passing offense is dangerous. Arizona scored the third-most points in the league. The top two in the league were the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers.

The Falcons played and defeated both teams (they split with the Saints, losing in the second match up of the season). They've proven they can handle the task of controlling a tough offense and now they'll have to go out and do it for a third time this season.

Start Fast and Take Some Shots Downfield

The Falcons are not ashamed of the fact that they want to run the ball.

In fact, they flaunt it, to the tune of 152 yards per game, second-best in the NFL. The Cardinals are a middle-of-the-pack 17th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, with 110. However, they have faced six of the league's top nine rushing teams and lost all six games. So the Falcons should be able to run the ball—that's a given.

The Falcons do want to be balanced on offense though. Sure, running allows for clock control, but they still need to score points against this team. Atlanta will need to continue to start fast in the first quarter. They must start fast.

Arizona has scored 427 points this season, as mentioned before, third-most in the league. However, the points don't come in the first quarter. On the season the Cardinals have averaged four points in the first quarter.

Yes, you read that correctly: an average of four points in the first quarter. They explode over the course of the remainder of the game, which is the staunch opposite of what Atlanta does.

If Atlanta can take some shots down field to receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins and put some early fast points on the board, the cushion may be great enough for the remainder of the game.

If the Falcons can get into the red zone they should be able to find points. Arizona allowed 55 possessions inside the 20-yard line this season, seventh-most in the league. Of those 55 possessions, they allowed a touchdown 63 percent of the time, fifth-worst in the NFL.

Against the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers (the two teams also in the top three in rushing), the Cardinals did a decent job of containing the running game, allowing 87 and 113 yards, respectively.

However, both teams were able to establish that portion of their offense, with 27 and 29 attempts each. In both games, the running game was respected and defended, but it opened up holes in the defense for the passing game.

Expect Arizona's talented safety Adrian Wilsonto play in close to assist with the running game. That means the Arizona cornerbacks will be covering the receivers virtually man-to-man. Cornerback Rod Hood has been especially prone to giving up touchdowns lately (four in the last three games) and expect the Falcons to go to his side of the field often on Saturday.

Win the Turnover Battle

Simply put, the Falcons can't give up possessions.

They've escaped three times this season with wins in games in which they turned the ball over three times. They were fortunate to overcome them, but they can't get away with it again in the playoffs.

Arizona has forced 10 fumbles this season, tied for fifth-most in the league. They also have 13 interceptions, tied with four teams for 17th. Atlanta must value every possession against this team and if nothing else, protect the ball and maintain field position.

On offense Arizona is prone to the turnover. In their last six games (in which they're 2-4), they've averaged two giveaways in each game.

If Atlanta can limit their mistakes on offense and force the Cardinals to maintain that turnover average and capitalize on them, it could go a long way toward helping Atlanta create the cushion they may need to outscore Arizona's offense.

Keep An Eye On the Cardinals' Running Backs

While the Falcons can't completely abandon their run defense, the passing game is clearly going to be the focus of the defense.

The Cardinals are the worst rushing team in the league, averaging only 73.6 yards per game. However, running back Edgerrin James gained 100 yards last week against the Seahawks.

Prior to that, in the last nine games, his highest rushing total was 19 yards (three games he did not even play).

With all the focus Atlanta expects to put on the Cardinals receivers in the passing game, Arizona could conceivably look to include the running backs in the passing game.

Arizona's three running backs have totaled 75 receptions this season, which could be an effective way of beating the Falcons' focus on the three wide receivers. With the safeties helping in pass coverage, the running backs could find openings for pass receptions.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

Winning Ugly Becomes an Art Form for 2008 Atlanta Falcons

daniel cox — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:19:33 -0500

The NFL is full of slogans, idioms, and expressions.

"What have you done for me lately?"

"Run the ball, stop the run."

"The game's won in the trenches."

All things we've heard a thousand times.

Well, there's another one that is used often, that can also accurately describe the outcome of much of the Falcons' season:

"A win's a win."

Though Atlanta-Falcons-Examiner~y2008m12d21-falconsvikings">two Sundays ago, it wasn't just any win. It was a playoff berth-clinching win. That's the kind of win Atlanta's not seen in a while.

Last week against the Rams was another win, albeit an ugly one.

Unlike in college football, there are no points for winning with style. In the NFL, you get a win in the left column and a loss in the right. You want to have more wins on the left side than the right. That's considered a success. It doesn't matter how you get there.

Winning ugly has become an art form for the Atlanta Falcons this season. And Falcons players, I would imagine, would be the first to admit that these are often the toughest types of wins. The fact that coach Mike Smith's hair is two shades whiter now from where it started is another sign that these types of wins can take their toll on a team.

In three different games this season the Falcons have managed to overcome three turnovers on their way to wins.

Another popular NFL phrase is "turnovers lose ball games." Traditionally, three turnovers would be the kiss of death for any team's chances to win. But oddly enough, not for this team.

The 2008 version of the Falcons embody a different style. A style not seen in this city's football team in a very long time.

Yes, the '98 team found a lot of success. But they had that flashy element, with the "Dirty Bird" and the high-octane offense.

This team is blue collar. They're the guys that pass you in the morning in the break room. They're the guys that eat lunch behind the wheel, or at their desk. They're the guys that you say goodbye to when you're leaving work each day. First-one-in, last-one-out kind of guys.

It all starts at the top. Yes, even above coach Smith (but I'll get to him in a minute).

It's often said that the executives of companies earn their salaries, despite what those working beneath them may think.

They're the ones up at 4 a.m., driving to work or making an overseas phone call. They're the ones on the road, making sacrifices, missing their families. They're the ones that worked 20 hard years to build the business and get it where it is. They do earn their salaries.

This season's attitude began with owner Arthur Blank. Blank helped build a successful business in Home Depot and along the way learned a few valuable lessons. He developed a thick skin, impervious to the doubters and the naysayers. He also learned the value of hard work and, as my dad would say, "intestinal fortitude"—the guts to keep going despite what's happening around you.

Blank, after last season, could have easily given up on his team. He could have allowed former GM Rich McKay to remain in position. He could have hired a retread head coach to apathetically coach his franchise.

But instead he enlisted the help of some smart people (former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi) and he found the right guy in general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Then they went out and eventually found themselves a head coach to build around, in Mike Smith.

The everyday-joe-ness of his name says it all. The son of two teachers, his 22-year rise to the top of the coaching world is no secret anymore.

Smith brings teaching tactics to the field every day. But with it, he's brought not only a sense of accountability, but also sensibility. He's been able to walk that fine line of treating the players with respect and dignity, but not getting taken advantage of.

And his players have responded resoundingly. They play hard every game and come prepared every day.

In so many ways the entire team embodies the nickname of it's budding star, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan earned the moniker "Matty Ice" while in high school because of his knack for making a play when his team needed it most. The name became the stuff of legend while in college at Boston College.

The nickname has followed him to the NFL. Just before his name was announced on Draft Day this year, Blank called Ryan to personally welcome him to the team.

Who did he ask for? Not Matt Ryan. He asked, "Is this Matty Ice?"

The nickname implies a certain demeanor. Ice cold. Few mistakes. In the way they play, the entire team has assumed the nickname.

They're not Hollywood like the '07 Patriots offense, yet they get the job done, scoring with a hard-nosed running game and timely down field passes.

They're not as brutally tough on defense as the '00 Ravens. They employ a decent enough pass rush that can come up big in key moments and a bend-but-don't-break style to hold teams back just enough.

They're somewhere completely in between. Effective and frustratingly efficient.

The '08 Falcons have driven their opponents crazy with their 43 percent third-down conversion rate, sixth best in the league.

And why don't you ask the Chicago Bears about the Falcons' ability to win a game with only a few (that's 11 to be exact) seconds left.

They still make their mistakes. The three three-turnover games are proof of that. But it's how they overcome them. They don't get rattled. They methodically always manage to come back. Even in the five losses this season, Atlanta found themselves in the fourth quarter of each game with a shot to win.

Smith likes to describe his team as "a 53-man roster where all 53 guys are important." He rotates players around, trying to keep them fresh. Defensive end John Abraham has benefited from the extra rest, enjoying a bounce-back season in which he registered 16.5 sacks.

That rotation-style approach is evident in no place more than the defensive line, which includes Abraham. Players like Kroy Biermann, Chauncey Davis, and Kindal Moorehead have all served valuable minutes and came up with important plays.

And just like their coach, the all-time single season tackler in East Tennessee history, they've played hard and played to win, despite the relative obscurity in which they've toiled.

"I just think that shows what kind of football team this is," Smith said of his 53-man team. "We are able to go out and make plays when the guys are called on."

They made the plays 11 times this season, which was good enough to get them in the playoffs.

And in the playoffs they're the kind of team everyone fears: hard working, excited to be there and with nothing to lose.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

Award-Winning Quarterback: Matt Ryan Named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year

daniel cox — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:08:07 -0500

Matt Ryan was brought to Atlanta courtesy of a coin flip, a third overall pick, and a lot of hopes and expectations.

With him came surprising play from a rookie quarterback.

His steady and, at times, fearless play has brought winning ways to the Atlanta Falcons.

Ryan's Falcons finished the season 11-5 and last Sunday clinched the NFC's fifth playoff seed.

Every major media outlet, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ESPN, NFL.com, and CBS are reporting that Ryan has been named The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Ryan was the 11th highest-rated passer in the league this year, finishing with an 87.7 rating, 3,440 yards, 16 passing touchdowns (one rushing), and 11 interceptions.

With his 11 interceptions, Ryan has thrown the fewest of any rookie quarterback, who started all 16 games, in NFL history.

But Ryan's performance is about more than just numbers.

Given the keys at the beginning of the season to what looked like a broken offense, Ryan developed week-over-week, eventually calling his own plays and employing a no-huddle offense that allowed the Falcons to get off to quick starts and early leads. These quick starts led Atlanta to lead the league in first quarter scoring this season and an 8-0 record when they score first.

Additionally, Ryan is the first quarterback in Falcons team history to throw every pass in the season. He was timely, smart, accurate, and well protected.

While the voting was not completely unanimous, Ryan still ran away with it. He collected 44 of the 50 votes.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson garnered three, Denver Broncos tackle Ryan Clady had two, and Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte received one. He is only the third quarterback to win the award (Ben Roethlisberger and Vince Young were the others in 2004 and 2006).

When asked about the award, Ryan, always short and to the point, said, "It's a great honor and to tell you the truth, I'm pretty humbled by it."

Atlanta Falcons fans hope this will be the first of many awards Matt Ryan places in his trophy case.

But they would all be trumped by what Ryan and the Falcons now have hope for:

A Super Bowl Championship ring.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Week 17: Letters to the League

daniel cox — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:06:08 -0500

To: Bill Parcells

Re: Chicken of the Sea

That's some deal you worked out with Huizenga. There have been rumors that he would sell the team for some time now, even when you signed with the Dolphins.

A contract that says only one man can have authority over you is unlike anything I've ever heard. If the team is sold, you can walk away with the balance of the contract in your pocket. I think I'll have your lawyer negotiate for me the next time I approach my bosses for a raise.

If you keep this team jumping up, you're going to become the gypsy of the NFL.

To: Facial hair

Re: Fuzzy-faced

What a year you had. First there was the Giambi 'stache mania in the summer. Then Orton's fabulous beard and the success he had this season.

But Week 17 put you on full display.

The 49ers grew out the mustaches in homage on Throwback Sunday in San Francisco, and they won the game.

And the Eagles: They started their playoff beards a few weeks ago and look how that turned out. The entire team's play completely changed, and then they stomped the Cowboys on Sunday in their version of a play-in game.

Beards are so hot right now.

To: Steve Smith

Re: One for the record books

That was some kind of catch against the Saints. I mean, that was of the game-changing, season-changing variety.

The No. 2 seed and Dan Marino both have you to thank.

To: Roy E. Williams

Re: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Terrell Owens is not a good role model. Don't act like him.

To: The Detroit Lions

Re: Forgettable you

Congratulations on a defeated season. You lost your self-described "Super Bowl." (As if you needed further motivation to win your first game of the season in its last week.)

And congratulations on killing the career of a nice guy and a coach who refused to blame anyone but himself.

No one believes 16 losses are solely the fault of the head coach.

To: The Lambeau Leap

Re: Close and personal

Happy 15th birthday.

Who knew when Leroy Butler created you in 1993, you would become so popular.

But not just popular, you've become one of the most classic ways for a player to celebrate a touchdown. And your copycats have sprung up all around the league.

From Desmond Howard to Aaron Rodgers, every Packers player hopes to add you to their repertoire.

It's sort of like the NFL's version of crowd-surfing. I just wonder how touchy-feely the fans sometimes get.

To: Tom Brady

Re: Biggest story of the year

We've not spoken in a while.

Congrats on the engagement. At least you won't be alone next season when your knee is still infected.

It's not been a good season for the celebrity quarterback. You were lost for the season. Favre led the league in interceptions...again, and Romo had a complete December breakdown.

I guess Matt Ryan and Chad Pennington are glad they're not so good looking.

To: The NFL

Re: Give it up already!

The Pro Bowl is so 1995.

You think anyone will care more or less if you move the game to the week before the Super Bowl?

Sure, the players will already be around, but I can tell you at least two teams that won't have players in the game. And I'm sure there's a host of others that want to just party at the Super Bowl site.

And one more thing (actually, two): The players, while they didn't care about the game, they actually enjoyed the trip to Hawaii.

And now that the game will not be in Hawaii, what will the ESPN guys do with those Hawaiian shirts?

To: The Dallas Cowboys

Re:Re: America's team?

Guys, I get the sense that all of you players are sitting in your rooms, nervous. Just like when you were a kid after you screwed up and you were waiting to speak to dad.

And no, I don't mean Wade Phillips is like "dad." I mean Jerry Jones, who is clearly frustrated about this whole deal.

And I've got news for you. When you repeatedly refer to yourself as the team with the most talent, no one feels sorry for you when you lose.

To: Brett Favre

Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Eh

I feel as if this may be our last correspondence. Thanks for a lot of years of good and gutsy football.

But also, how does it feel to end Mangini's career in New York? He didn't throw nine picks in his last five games, seven in the last three. You did. Turnovers lose games, Brett.

Now, don't put New York through this "I'm in, I'm out," business. Put everyone out of their darn misery.

To: The Buffalo Bills

Re: God help us

Forty mile-per-hour winds mean it's probably not a good idea to throw the ball 25 times.

The Patriots had the right idea. Run 47 times and throw eight.

If the goal posts couldn't withstand the wind, what made you think a pass from Edwards' arm could?

God-1

Bills-0

To: Letters to the League readers

Re: One love

It's been a fun season. Thanks for all your comments and support.

Not Their "A" Game: Atlanta Falcons Beat St. Louis Rams Despite Three Turnovers

daniel cox — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:24:59 -0500

With four minutes remaining in Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Rams, the NFC playoff picture looked different from what many had projected coming in to Sunday.

Few had considered what would happen if the Falcons lost, (they'd drop from the fifth seed to the sixth seed) and they were losing 27-24 to the Rams. The Georgia Dome scoreboard showed that the Saints had come back from 20 points down to take a one- point lead against the Panthers.

In a Falcons game that had a handful of starters out and was plodding along unsuccessfully, there was suddenly new meaning in the outcome.

The home crowd reacted to the score and so did the Falcons. Running back Jerious Norwood at that almost exact moment burst through a hole, broke two tackles, and ran the distance for a 45-yard touchdown run, to put the Falcons up, following the point-after attempt, 31-27.

Unlike earlier in the day when Norwood returned a kickoff for 92 yards, he had the speed and the stamina to finish the run the run that time.

With less than a minute remaining for before the half, Norwood took a Rams kickoff back almost the entire length of the field.

Catching the ball on the end zone line, he got a huge block from his wedge and burst through the hole with only the kicker remaining to fool.

Once by the kicker, he had an open field ahead of him. The notoriously fast Norwood, hampered by injuries in the last few weeks, appeared to slow down as he reached the Rams 20-yard line and was run down by Rams cornerback Jason Craft and brought down at the eight-yard line.

After a failed pass attempt, Atlanta lined up in the "Wildcat" formation and the direct snap to Norwood allowed him to cap his own scoring drive, rushing to the end zone on the left side for an eight-yard touchdown run.

That score proved to be a monumental one as the Falcons regained the lead, 17-14, and headed in to the locker room determined to come out strong.

Falcons coach Mike Smith spoke glowingly of Norwood's play on Sunday, "It is no doubt that they were game changing plays in terms of the kickoff return, the 45-yard run, and also the score on the eight-yard line as well. I think those were big plays in the ball game. Jerious is a very explosive player."

On the first possession of the second half Atlanta put together its best scoring drive of the day, marching 75 yards on five plays to take a commanding 24-14 lead. Following three strong runs from running back Michael Turner, the drive was finished with an 18-yard touchdown pass to the wide open wide receiver Roddy White in the end zone from the arm of quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan had a tough day (10-for-21, 160 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions), but came through in moments like that when the team needed him the most, as has been the case most of the season.

For the third time this season the Falcons were able to overcome a three turnover day and escape with a win.

However, their season of nine lives is wearing thin. They've had comeback wins, ugly wins, and a few blowout wins. The resiliency, however, that this Falcons team has shown all season reared its ugly (or pretty, depending on how you look at it) head again on Sunday.

Atlanta managed to pull out the win despite a big rushing day from the Rams' running back, Steven Jackson.

Recognized as one of the most complete backs in the NFL, Jackson has been slowed by injuries this season, but finished this forgettable season for the Rams with his highest rushing total of the season (161 yards) and eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the fourth straight season.

The parity of the league was on display on Sunday as one of the league's worst teams, record-wise, took a playoff team to the wire. Riding the tough running of Jackson and some timely throws from quarterback Marc Bulger, the Rams almost ended the Falcons' season on a sour note.

Coach Smith called their game plan "aggressive". Rookie linebacker Curtis Loften reminded everyone that each week presents a tough challenge. After the game he said, "This is the NFL. It’s a job, and everybody is going to come to play, so you’ve got to show up each and every week.”

But even with the win, it proved to be a bittersweet day for the Falcons. The Panthers came back and nailed a field goal to win by two points over the Saints in the final seconds of their game. But those few moments of renewed emphasis on the win may have proven to be enough to get Atlanta over the hump and close out the game with the 31-27 win.

Center Todd McClure acknowledged that the Falcons may have opened the game flat, with a playoff spot already secured. "I would have to say it felt a little different. I know you don’t want to admit that, but it just was a different feeling. I know once we got out there, we got our juices flowing and realized that we had to go out there and get that win."

In the end they got the win, but along the way the Falcons managed to set some records.

When Turner (leading the Falcons' way with 206 rushing yards) ran into the end zone for a second quarter score he became the franchise holder of the most scores in a single season. With his second 200-yard rushing game of the season he now holds the top two highest rushing totals in a single game for the Falcons.

Pro Bowl receiver White registered three receptions for 48 yards and set the franchise record for receiving yards in a season with 1,382.

The Falcons' offensive line has been outstanding all season. Leading the way for another huge rushing day (263 total yards on the day), they've been the glue that has held the offensive unit together.

They've also protected the quarterback well all season. They set the franchise record by allowing only 17 sacks all season, shattering the previous mark of 25 allowed, set in 1982.

After the game, Turner recognized the line's play as a critical part of his season's success. "They have done a great job all year. They have been the hardest working group this offseason. They are tough on the football field. I wouldn’t have that many yards if those guys weren’t doing what they were doing on the football field."

And one of the most overlooked and productive units of the team found their way into the record books on Sunday as well. The special teams unit set the NFL record for punt return yards allowed in a season. Atlanta finished with 49 yards allowed, besting the 53 yards set by the Buffalo Bills in 1991.

So now with the regular season in the books, the Falcons turn their sights to the playoffs, specifically next Saturday's match up with the Arizona Cardinals in Arizona.

"We are now in the tournament and we are very excited about that opportunity," Smith said. "It’s...the second season and we talked about that in the locker room. We are very proud of what we have accomplished up until this point with 11 wins. But now we are all zero and zero."

Despite the 0-0 record, one can't help but ignore that the Falcons were 7-1 at home this season and on the road they were 4-4. The Cardinals limp into the playoffs, despite winning on Sunday, losing two of their last three, but they feature a dynamic passing offense that will be tough to slow down.

"The Arizona Cardinals have an explosive offense. We’re going to have our hands full and frankly, I wouldn’t want it any other way," linebacker Keith Brooking said of his team's first-round opponent. "It’s a great place to be and I have complete confidence in my teammates. Regardless of what comes our way, we’re going to fight and we’re going to lay it on the line."

Lay it on the line, as they have done all season. Entering the season few, if any, thought this Falcons team would be in the playoff picture come the end of the season.

Many of the Falcons' players have mentioned feeling positive about their team once training camp began. And once they saw Ryan's first professional pass go for a touchdown in Week One, they knew they could be special.

Special they have become. The talk of the league. One of the biggest surprises of the year. All of those things, they recognize, are nice and rewarding for a year full of hard work. But now, as coach Smith says, the records have been reset and everything's equal.

And the Falcons have a long playoff road schedule ahead of them.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Week 17 Predictions: Toddler Style

daniel cox — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:29:54 -0500

My son's future as a sports handicapper is looking less likely as each week passes. It's tough for him, his first taste of mediocrity.

Walden finished last week at 9-7. A winning record sure, but not quite as soaring as he'd expected it to be. He's now 17-16 on the season. And while he's not losing money, he's not making much either—breaking even isn't exactly what we'd call a success.

But just as he did in Week 15, he made some sound picks last week. He nailed Seattle over the Jets, Oakland over Houston, and the Redskins over the Eagles.

He decided to take a break from playing with all his new toys to make some picks for the final week of the season. He's made it clear though, unless he hauls in a great week, he may not return for the playoffs.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Patriots at Bills"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

Browns at Steelers

The Steelers have clinched the division title and a first-round bye. Walden thinks they don't have anything for which to play this week.

Walden's pick: Browns

Titans at Colts

The Titans need next to nothing, going in to Week 17 division champs, first-round bye owners, and homefield advantage coming their way. The Colts are in as well, but are probably looking to continue to click. Walden's a big fan of Brian the ball of tape in Tennessee.

Walden's pick: Titans

Jacksonville at Baltimore

Walden made this pick as he climbed over me, scaling me like Father Mountain that I am. Very similar, I imagine, to what the Ravens defense will do to the Jaguars seventh-worst protecting offensive line. The Ravens have to win on Sunday. Walden expects them to.

Walden's pick: Ravens

Chiefs at Bengals

In a game that really only has head-coaching implications, Walden could hardly be bothered. He preferred to rock away on his new airplane-rocking plane (horse?). As is often the case when games are close, animals settle the score.

Walden's pick: Bengals

Rams at Falcons

The family's team came through big last week, and thus Walden was even more proud of his new Falcons sweatshirt from Santa. Walden learned his lesson last week picking against the home team since I taunted him all week.

Walden's pick: Falcons

Panthers at Saints

The Panthers are favored by three on the road and have a division title on the line. Walden likes this game a lot. He lost his mind for a minute, running in circles and running away from and back to me. He's either hyped up on the game or had too much Pez.

Walden's pick: Saints

Bears at Texans

The Texans came back to earth last week losing to Oakland and the Bears escaped Green Bay with an overtime win. There's either a bounce-back or let-down factor here. The Bears have something riding on the game, whereas the Texans are just playing for the respect factor.

Walden's pick: Texans

Giants at Vikings

The Vikings are favored by a shocking 6 1/2. I suppose with everything locked up, the starters won't be playing long. That doesn't bode well for Chicago's chances at the playoffs. Though Walden is of Nordic-descent, he doesn't lean towards the Scandinavian warriors just yet.

Walden's pick: Giants

Cowboys at Eagles

The sixth and final wild-card slot in the NFC essentially rides on this game. Walden's too young to know what a cowboy is, but he's definitely familiar with Eagles! Need I remind you, animals will almost always be favored.

Walden's pick: Eagles

Lions at Packers

In what could be one of the most-watched games on Sunday, the Packers are favored by a whopping 10 1/2. While Walden isn't breaking records with his picks, he knows he's not an all-out loser.

Walden's pick: Packers

Raiders at Buccaneers

The Battle of the Pirates. Trying to pick the lesser of two evils, he employed the dart method, except he used one of his new balls. The kid's got a good arm.

Walden's pick: Buccaneers

Seahawks at Cardinals

Can the Cardinals enter the playoffs looking any worse? Walden's confident they won't.

Walden's pick: Cardinals

Broncos at Chargers

Walden liked the Chargers last week and they came through for him, keeping their playoff hopes alive. They have a chance to cap an impressive, yet flawed, comeback. Walden ripped up the Broncos' side of the page. Literally, shredded it. I don't know if he can be any more clear.

Walden's pick: Chargers

Redskins at 49ers

His interest waning, Walden let the cat make this selection. Lazy as always, the cat laid down, though the 49ers are unlikely to. I hope Walden, if wrong, won't try to claim that this wasn't actually his pick.

Walden's pick: 49ers

Patriots at Bills

I had to interrupt an intense puzzle session to get this pick from him. There is some confusion about whether a "bill" is an actual animal.

Walden's pick: Patriots

Dolphins at Jets

One of the more anticipated games of the day for a variety of reasons. You can probably guess who he picked, but aeronautics are also high on his favorite things right—he received two airplane related toys for Christmas. But when he stomped on the Jets' name, that was a pretty clear sign.

Walden's pick: Dolphins

Walden's looking to avoid the post-Christmas doldrums with a big week. He's flying high on Christmas bliss and hopes to parlay that into at least four games above .500.

A good week and he may return, roaring, as only he can do—and yes he does roar—and ready for the playoffs.

NFL Week 16: Letters to the League

daniel cox — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:03:56 -0500

To: The Dallas Cowboys

Re: America's team?

Is it ironic that in the last game of your historic stadium most of America couldn't see the game?

And also, those that were able to see the game on the NFL N knew the Ravens were going to run the ball at the end of the game.

Call me Captain Obvious, but you have to tackle a runner to stop him. By my count there were nine men in the box and five missed tackles on McClain's run.

To: Jason Jones

Re: Your big moment

Welcome to the rest of your career, rookie. With Haynesworth out, you came through with the biggest game of your short time in the NFL. You may parlay that into a starting spot next season. If you can turn in 3.5 sacks and create some fumbles every few games, who needs Haynesworth?

In this economy you always have to find values and deals, and the Titans may have just found one in you.

To: NFL referees

Re: Bad call

All those times as a kid when I thought I was making snow angels, I never realized what I was actually doing was acting with unsportsmanlike conduct.

To: Alex Brown

Re: Stayin' alive

It was so cold in Chicago Monday night that I expected to see your hand shatter when you blocked that kick.

To: NFL playoff scenarios

Re: If Team X wins, Team Y loses, and Team B...

Can this get any more complicated?

It's almost as difficult as the BCS ranking calculations and the college basketball RPI formula.

I guess this is what they meant by "parity." Just furthering that "any given Sunday" notion.

To: Plaxico Burress

Re: When it rains, it pours

It came out this week that you were in a car crash in May and you're being sued because you were uninsured. In fact, the insurance had lapsed just three days before the accident.

What's next? Your gun was not registered. Your car was uninsured. Will your power get turned off because your bill didn't get paid?

Plax, you need a new personal assistant.

To: Rob Parker

Re: Summin' up the season

Your line to Marinelli on Sunday gets you quote of the year.

"On a light note, do you wish your daughter would have married a better defensive coordinator?"

I know it's been a long year in Detroit and finding storylines must have been tough. I bet you waited all year for just the right moment to pop that one. Week 17's loss would have been untimely, as the big story will be the defeated season.

Week 16 was perfect timing.

And forget what Bradshaw said. You're not a disgrace to your profession. I thought it was clever. I wish I'd thought of it.

To: The Ford family

Re: Buyouts

Look at it this way. From 0-16 to the playoffs next year will make for a better story than the Dolphins this year.

Maybe you guys need to consider selling. The auto industry is looking tough right about now.

On the other hand, what money you have you should consider throwing at Bill Cowher. Just stay out of his way and let him run the whole franchise.

To: Roy Williams

Re: A first and a third

You deserve better, man. You wouldn't know it by looking at the numbers, but you're probably the superior receiver in Dallas.

Get your aspirin out for next year though. While you can expect to become a much bigger part of the offense, you-know-who won't like that too much.

To: Brett Favre

Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Eh

Why should I give up now? It just gets better each week.

What is with you guys and the freaking West Coast? Four losses?

One touchdown. That's what you've contributed in the last four games.

Mangini put all his cards in your basket. And it all comes down to the dilemma to end all dilemmas next week. You win and the Patriots go to the playoffs. You lose and they don't. That's quite a conundrum.

To: The Nickname Fairies

Re: Run its course

Can we please come up with a new nickname for a running back tandem that features one hard-running back and one elusive and quick back?

I'm so sick of "Smash-n-Dash." It's running rampant throughout the league.

It started in Tennessee, and LenDale White gave a great line about it. Speaking to the Panthers' running backs who were starting to steal the "smash-n-dash" spotlight a few weeks back, he said they should be called "identity and theft."

To: Norv Turner

Re: That's the best you can do?

Dude, don't think for a second that finishing .500 and in the playoffs can make you comfortable again.

You're sitting on a gold mine, and that team should be playing better than what you've turned in this year.

To: Todd Kobus

Re: One shining moment

Fan of the year. Who cares that you're being charged with trespassing and assault and battery. How many people can say they tackled a professional football player?

You also get "the worst excuse of the year" award for saying you only meant to hug him.

I hope you got a good lick on him.

To: Braylon Edwards

Re: The spirit of the season

I'm going to share your comments just so you can see what they actually look like on paper:

I've given my all to this city for four years, and I realize it will never be enough. I went to the Pro Bowl last year and resurrected this team from the darkness, and nobody cared... My biggest problem is that I actually give a damn. I'm always rushing back from surgeries and injuries, never missing games or practices. But through this, I've learned how to overcome adversity. I'm also proud of how much my foundation has taken off. I've been doing all this community service in Cleveland. My charity efforts will only be in Detroit from now on.

Ouch. That's a pretty harsh thing to say at Christmas.

"Resurrected from darkness"? I think comments like that should be reserved for Atlanta. And yes, you had a good season last year, but what about this year? You lead the league in dropped passes, dude.

It's probably not a stretch to say that the fans that are giving you a hard time are not on the receiving end of your "community service."

It's never a good idea to make a statement like this, but this one particularly reeks of bad timing.

To: Letters to the League readers

Re: Season's Greetings

Happy Holidays to everyone!

The Season of Miracles: Atlanta Falcons Clinch Playoffs With Win Over Vikings

daniel cox — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:14:19 -0500

After an impressive first half of play and up 17-7, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said to his team, "One more half and we're in."

With the knowledge that Tampa Bay had lost, Atlanta knew what could happen to their season.

Up to that point, everything they'd needed to happen had happened. The other team that needed to lose to help the Falcons' cause was the Cowboys, who fell to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.

And with one more half to play, as their quarterback said, they'd be "in," meaning they'd clinch an NFC playoff berth.

But to be in, they still needed to win—and it didn't come easy, just as nothing has the past two years for the Atlanta Falcons.

Last year in Week 16, the Falcons found themselves in Arizona in a game of no consequence, simply going through the motions to cap a season that was everything if not forgettable.

For a team that was given no chance of finding any success this season, it's not a bad way to end two wild years—playoff bound.

Defensive end John Abraham, who recorded one sack to give him a franchise record 16.5, was overcome with emotion.

Describing the moment that culminated a season that saw his career flash back to his early dominance and a team that was written off before any games were even played, the defensive end said, "I teared up. It all hit me. To have a year like this, to fight like this, after what everybody was saying about us—I actually teared up. Never happened before.”

Abraham was talking about his personal fight and the fight of his entire team. The coaching staff limited his snaps this season in an effort to keep the notoriously injured Abraham healthy, and for the most part it worked. But as the season wore on, so did the injuries.

Few knew it last week, but Abraham said he'd doubted he'd be able to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his body so dinged up from the double and triple teams he's faced all season. The adrenaline kicked in at game time and he decided to give it a go. He finished with three sacks in the game, for the third time this season, none more important than his Bucs-drive-stopper in overtime.

This Atlanta Falcons team showed that kind of fight all season. Coach Mike Smith often spoke of his team's resiliency following games, and that has come to epitomize this season for the Falcons.

While the win on Sunday was not pretty and wasn't accomplished in traditional ways, they capitalized on Minnesota mistakes and hung on in the second half to get the job done.

Minnesota fumbled seven times, turning it over four times to the Falcons. Atlanta wasn't able to take advantage of each turnover, but they were able to muster 10 points out of those turnovers, which proved to be enough.

On a day that found Atlanta facing one of the toughest defenses in the NFL, they were able to do just enough on offense to create a cushion that would be insurmountable for the fumble-prone Vikings.

Atlanta started quickly in the first quarter. Ryan went to the no-huddle offense on the first possession hoping to stay ahead of the crowd noise, and it proved to be a wise decision. They used a balanced attack and two Vikings penalties to drive the length of the field and scored on a Michael Turner one-yard touchdown run.

The drive took 12 plays, went 74 yards, and used 6:14 off the clock. The running back Turner's touchdown was his 16th of the season, tying a franchise record. Turner's touchdown was the seventh time this season Atlanta has scored on its opening possession. In those seven games they are 7-0.

But this game was never a done deal, despite all the Minnesota turnovers. Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson played well, finishing the day 22-of-36 for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Over half of his yards and both of his touchdowns went to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, whom the Falcons struggled to defend all day.

It's likely they struggled to find an answer to Shiancoe because they entered the game focused on stopping Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher. While Shiancoe damaged the Falcons, Peterson failed to beat them. The Atlanta defense held Peterson to 76 yards and no touchdowns. The 76 yards were his second lowest rushing total of the season.

The Minnesota Vikings defense came to play, proving they are as good as advertised. They held Turner to 70 yards rushing in addition to his lone touchdown. Matt Ryan and the offense didn't have a great day, but they were patient and scored when opportunities presented themselves.

One of the unsung heroes in the season, offensive guard Justin Blalock, fresh off a timely recovered fumble from the hands of Ryan last week, came through again on Sunday.

Late in the third quarter on second-and-goal, Ryan, unable to find an open receiver, scrambled for the end zone. There was intent in his steps, and he looked determined to find the end zone.

Vikings linebacker Ben Leber met him at the one in a mid-air collision as Ryan was diving for the end zone. A hit that looked nastier than it was jarred the ball loose, and it bounced freely in the end zone. Blalock was there to recover it, and he recorded the first touchdown of his career. It was the first touchdown by a Falcons offensive lineman in 12 years.

Deep into the fourth quarter, Jackson and the Vikings were still within striking distance. As time wore on, Minnesota had to rely less on Peterson and more on Jackson's arm. Jackson used his legs a little to extend more than a few drives. The third-year quarterback ended the day with as many rushing yards as Peterson.

Following a touchdown pass to Shiancoe and a three-and-out by the Falcons, the Vikings took back over with just over two minutes remaining in the game, with an opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown.

After a first down conversion on second down, the Falcons turned up the pressure. They'd done a good job all day getting to Jackson, but his mobility allowed him to flee the pocket and occasionally make a play. On second down linebacker Keith Brooking burst into the backfield, narrowly missing a sack as Jackson threw an incompletion.

Then the player whose resiliency and fight have defined this team's defense came through one last time for Atlanta. Abraham surged around the corner to sack Jackson and force the seventh and final fumble. The Vikings recovered it, but the damage was done. Facing 4th-and-16, Jackson failed to complete a pass to wide receiver Sydney Rice, on the sideline and the game was over.

That incompletion fell at the feet of coach Smith. As the ball hit the ground he threw his hands in the air and his players began to rush to him, eager to congratulate, and quite possibly thank, him. As hugs were going around on the Atlanta sideline, everyone had that look—the look of a team headed to the playoffs.

In the locker room following the 24-17 win, safety Lawyer Milloy led a chant of, "We're not done." Considering all that Atlanta has overcome, you can't help but agree with Milloy. Surely this team is capable of accomplishing a lot more.

"This is the season of miracles," owner Arthur Blank said, describing the season-long turnaround of his team.

Will wonders never cease? The Atlanta Falcons are in the playoffs.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Week 16 Predictions: Toddler-Style

daniel cox — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:51:42 -0500

"You are not average."

That's the message I had to give my son all week. He was disappointed in the 8-7 finish after last week's picks (somehow we missed the Titans-Texans game).

I had to preach the bright side to the boy. The Bengals shouldn't have won. Who saw that coming? And he had Kansas City in the bag and then...well, you saw what happened.

After two weeks of picking games, Walden's mark is 8-9. My son's not a loser either. So after a few father-son talks, a tickle session, a few rounds of stack the blocks, and breakfast, he pulled up a chair, settled in, and made his picks. But I must admit, Christmas is six days away and he is seriously distracted.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Ravens at Cowboys"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

Colts at Jacksonville

Okay, just like last week, we got a late start. These late-season Thursday night games are tough. Trust me, he didn't know the outcome. Second straight week he's loved the Colts. He's a fan of Peyton. You should see the kid's pinpoint accuracy.

Walden's pick: Colts

Steelers at Titans

A lot is riding on this game and Walden acknowledges its importance. He went against the Steelers last week, but it appears he hasn't learned his lesson.

Walden's pick: Titans

Dolphins at Chiefs

The Dolphins are favored by four on the road. Last week's close game against the Chargers doesn't help the Chiefs' line much this week. What does that say about the Chargers? I think I've got a Kansas City fan on my hands. Two straight weeks...

Walden's pick: Chiefs

Cardinals at Patriots

Teams bounce back often after losing a game in which they looked awful, but they don't necessarily do it on the road. The Cardinals looked bored last Sunday against the Vikings and now they travel west-to-east to take on the Patriots. The Patriots still look old on defense. Walden's feeling good about this one. He's got more guts than I do.

Walden's pick: Cardinals

Bengals at Browns

This time of the year there's always a handful of games that mean absolutely nothing to anyone. 1,2,3,4 what are we playing for? Walden, as I mentioned last week, usually will always favor animals.

Walden's pick: Bengals

Eagles at Redskins

Okay, I'm sure you heard last week while President Bush was in Iraq, a protester threw a shoe at him. On the surface this is kind of funny and while our President's decisions can be debated, we always know he's good for a one-liner. Bush said, "All I can report is it is a size 10." So what's the big deal? Well in that country, throwing a shoe at someone is seen as the ultimate disrespect.

Walden threw his mother's shoe at this game. Remember that pinpoint accuracy I mentioned? It hit the Eagles. If that's not a pick, I don't know what is.

Walden's pick: Redskins

49ers at Rams

Game of no consequence number two. 49ers are favored by 5 1/2. What is it with home dogs this week? Dogs, rams—it's all the same. Walden likes 'em.

Walden's pick: Rams

Falcons at Vikings

Let me just say I hate this pick, nor do I endorse it.

Walden's pick: Vikings

Saints at Lions

Detroit's running out of time if they expect to escape immortality. You take a guess who Walden picked. Yep.

Walden's pick: Lions

Panthers at Giants

The Giants have looked rough the last few weeks, but they're favored by three. This game is important to both teams. I think the Giants are too good to lose three straight. But that's me. You aren't here for my opinions, I know.

Walden's pick: Giants

Jets at Seahawks

Holmgren's last home game. Favre against his old mentor. A lot of story lines here for a team that had virtually none all season. Guess what, another home-dog-animal team. You'll notice a pattern here.

Walden's pick: Seahawks

Texans at Raiders

Houston is favored by 7 1/2. Someone knows something. Walden spit his apple out when he saw the game and the line. Something doesn't feel right here.

Walden's pick: Raiders

Bills at Broncos

Not much to say here.

Walden's pick: Broncos

Chargers at Buccaneers

Walden is such a kind child. He's not holding any grudges against San Diego for spoiling his upset special.

Walden's pick: Chargers

Ravens at Cowboys

The boy's upset that he will be in bed when this one comes on. I don't think he likes the Cowboys much. He didn't pick 'em last week and this week, well he's heard enough from me about how the Falcons need the Cowboys to lose.

Walden's pick: Ravens

Packers at Bears

He's 1-0 on Monday night.

Walden's pick: Packers

I'm going to have to nickname Walden "The Riverboat Gambler," because he's taking some huge risks this week.

Maybe he knows something I don't. Perhaps he emailed Danny Sheridan.

This could be the week that makes him famous.

Falcons-Vikings: Five Things Atlanta Needs to Do in Week 16

daniel cox — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:48:35 -0500

Sunday’s matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings is a regular-season game by definition only. To everyone that’s paying attention, it’s essentially a play-in game for the playoffs.

If Minnesota, winners of four in a row, wins they would secure the NFC North if the Chicago Bears lose to Green Bay on Monday night.

If Atlanta wins, they’ll need Tampa Bay or Dallas to lose to slide back into the fifth or sixth seed.

The bottom line is this: Both teams need to win.

And when both team’s seasons are on the line, it always makes for a great game. Expect this one to be of that variety.

It’ll also be a little old-fashioned. The NFL’s best run defense in the Vikings will look to stop the NFL’s top rushing offense in Atlanta.

Both teams will need to do exactly what everyone says winners must do in football: Run the ball and stop the run.

Atlanta’s running cause is helped by the subtraction of defensive tackle Pat Williams, Minnesota’s premier run stopper. They’ll miss the 6’3”, 317 pound man-in-the-middle and expect Falcons’ running back Michael Turner to run directly at Williams’ replacement Fred Evans.

Atlanta got some more good news this week when running back Adrian Peterson showed up in the injury report. The NFL’s leading rusher is nursing an ankle injury and has been limited in practice since Wednesday.

The game breaks down to be one for the ages with both teams looking to end the other’s playoff hopes. If they accomplish these five things, the Falcons will have reason to root even harder against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Stop the run

For the second week in a row, this is a key, as it should be almost every week (unless you’re playing the Colts). But it’s of the highest importance this week. I considered listing it twice. That’s how critical it is.

The Vikings rushing attack features Peterson, as I mentioned the NFL’s leading rusher, who averages an impressive 4.9 yards a carry. They also have Chester Taylor, who is no slouch in his own right. Taylor, despite limited play, has found the end zone six times this season, four rushing and two receiving. He’s seeking his fifth game in a row with a touchdown.

The Falcons’ run defense has been inconsistent all season, but they need another performance like they turned in last week, holding the Buccaneers to 99 yards rushing. The standout performance of the season came in Week 13 against the San Diego Chargers. They held perennial Pro Bowler LaDainian Tomlinson to 24 yards.

The Falcons don’t expect to stop Peterson, but they do hope to contain him. One of the ways to take him out of the game plan is to jump out to their patented early leads. If they can score early and get the Vikings behind, Minnesota may have to abandon the running game and put the game in the hands of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, which is surely what they do NOT want to do.

One subtle move last week that appeared to pay dividends was the insertion of reserve linebacker Coy Wire at the strong side linebacker slot, in place of Michael Boley. Wire played on running downs and Boley played on passing downs. Wire, playing with great energy, did a good job breaking free of blocks and finished the game with eight tackles.

In Week 3 Carolina held Peterson to 77 yards, but still lost. Minnesota played arguably its best game of the season on defense and the Panthers were unable to do anything. Even if they contain Peterson, Atlanta still needs to do just the opposite on offense.

Establish the run

You guessed it, right? After you stop the run, what do you need to do? That’s right—run the ball.

On Sunday that will be easier said than done.

While quarterback Matt Ryan has been credited with much of Atlanta’s success, Turner is truly where Atlanta’s bread is buttered. He ranks behind only Peterson in rushing in the NFL. He sports an equally impressive 4.3 yards a carry and 15 rushing touchdowns, tops in the league among running backs.

The Falcons have confidence in Ryan and believe he can win the game if he has to, but they’ll be content to run Turner all day if allowed. Ryan averages 27 passes a game. When he throws more than 30 times in a game, they’re 1-5.

As mentioned before, the absence of Williams will help Atlanta’s running cause. Evans’ play will be critical. Turner is a between-the-tackles kind of runner and look for the Falcons to exploit that match up.

If the running game can be established, Ryan will take advantage of it. Atlanta’s offensive line hasn’t allowed a sack in five of its last six games and they’ll need to continue to provide that kind of protection if there’s any hope of being effective in the passing game.

Dangerous Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen will look to track down the rookie signal caller as much as possible on Sunday. Allen is an intense player that seems to never stop, not even for injuries. He’s been battling injuries in the last few weeks, yet he still has at least two sacks in each of the last three games.

Left tackle Todd Weiner will draw the responsibility for covering Allen, but he’ll get some help from Sam Baker, the Opening Day starter, who returned to action last week after a back injury. The rotation of fresh players will be helpful at the tackle position as they look to slow Allen down all game.

The Vikings feature two talented cornerbacks. Antoine Winfield is a Pro Bowler this season and Cedric Griffin has played well also. Griffin was especially effective last week as he held Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald to only 52 yards and no touchdowns. The Atlanta receivers will have a tough job against those two.

Limit penalties on offense

The Metrodome is a loud place.

Center Todd McClure says it’s one of the loudest stadiums to play in.

Expect the home fans to be as loud as possible when Atlanta’s on offense, trying to disrupt snap counts. The Falcons can’t afford false start penalties as every yard of field position will be critical.

In Week 14, at another dome stadium, Atlanta earned two false start penalties against the New Orleans Saints. While not critical to the outcome of the game, the offense hopefully learned from that experience.

Atlanta benefits from the 10-year veteran at center. The offensive line will rely on him to employ a silent snap count at times when the crowd noise will be too loud to use traditional verbal signals from the quarterback.

"Guys have to be on it paying attention," McClure says of the silent count. "I have to do the same thing every time so they can anticipate the snap."

Get to the quarterback

For the sake of balance, the Vikings won’t run on every down, that much can be assured. So when they are passing, the Falcons need to get to the quarterback.

The Vikings’ offensive line has been superb in run blocking this season, but they’ve been less successful protecting the quarterback. They’ve given up 38 sacks this season, tied for seventh worst in the league.

Veteran quarterback Gus Frerottetook over in Week 3, after poor play from starter Jackson. Frerotte went down with an injury in Week 14 and Jackson has returned to play well.

The Vikings only average 181 yards passing a game and have thrown 16 interceptions. Jackson has been named the starter for Sunday, and while there’s not a lot of recent information on him, he’s proven to make poor decisions with the football in the past.

Since regaining the job, Jackson is 19-for-27 with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He was exceptional last week against Arizona, throwing for four touchdowns. Atlanta’s defense will be the best he’s faced in the last two weeks. Expect Pro Bowl-snub defensive end John Abraham to see double teams all day and if the other defensive end Jamaal Anderson can come up with pressure on Jackson it will go a long way toward containing the Vikings’ offense.

Atlanta cornerbacks have to play well

Atlanta will need its safeties to assist in run defense so the cornerbacks will find themselves in man-to-man coverage a lot.

A strong Atlanta pass rush will help, but the cornerbacks still need to play well against the Vikings receivers.

Minnesota wide receiver Bernard Berrian is having a good season and he has two touchdowns in the last three games. He’s averaging almost 21 yards a catch and is always capable of taking one to the house. His only catch last week was a 41-yard touchdown reception. In Week 13, he had a 99-yard touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears.

Cornerback Brent Grimes will be back for the Falcons and the extra depth will be helpful. They’ll need to stay physical with the Vikings’ receivers and make a play or two when needed. If they can get an interception, it may be the difference in the game.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

Atlanta-Boston: Hawks Fall Short Again, Rivalry With Celtics Still In Question

daniel cox — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:06:17 -0500

Before Wednesday night’s Atlanta Hawks-Boston Celtics game, Paul Pierce mentioned bringing the “A game” whenever they came to play the Hawks.

In last season’s playoffs, the up-start Hawks pushed the Celtics series to seven games, winning all three games at home.

It was enough to get Atlanta excited about its Hawks again and there began whispers of the r-word—“rivalry.”

Some of the rivalry talk harks back to the Hawks’ original glory days, featuring Dominique Wilkins and current Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers.

The most memorable of all Hawks-Celtics 80’s playoff showdowns came in 1988. Games six and seven featured thrillers that came down to the wire and showcased the team’s biggest stars—Wilkins and the Celtics’ Larry Bird.

Game seven was concluded with Wilkins on the line, down by three, with five seconds remaining. The strategy was to make the first free-throw, miss the second, come down with the rebound, shoot and score, tie, and force overtime.

It didn’t happen that way and the Hawks were sent packing.

After the thrilling Hawks-Celtics game earlier this season, which saw Paul Pierce hit a jump shot with .5 seconds remaining to give the Celtics the one-point win, the rivalry talk started up again.

Surely Dec. 17 was marked in red in the Hawks’ locker room since that game. It proved to be another memorable game, but unfortunately for the Hawks, concluded the same way.

The Celtics entered the game having won 15 straight. The Hawks, after spending a week on the road, had won two straight at home—one against the East’s other hottest team, the Cavaliers, and the other against one of the league’s worst teams, a title arguably held by Atlanta not too long ago, the Charlotte Bobcats

With two seconds remaining, Joe Johnson toed the free-throw line for an opportunity to tie the game at 86. The 82 percent free-throw shooter was expected to make both. He missed the second and Kevin Garnett came down with the rebound, in a conclusion oddly similar to that Game seven in 1988.

These Hawks know nothing of that rivalry. Joe Johnson was eight years old at the time. Josh Smith, Atlanta’s do-it-all man and Atlanta native, was just two years old.

However, Atlanta was unable to come away with wins against the Celtics.

And that raises the age-old question: If a team can’t beat its “rival,” is it really a “rivalry” and does anyone, other than the loser, really care?

Garnett doesn’t think so. In his post-game comments on Wednesday night, he attempted to set the record straight. “For the record, this is not a rivalry. You have to win some games for it to be a rivalry. But they are a very good team.”

Surely the Hawks appreciate Garnett’s endorsement. Point guard Rajon Rondo added, “If they played everybody the way they play us, they’d be a top five team in the league.”

Comments like those smack of a sibling rivalry, but a real bonafide rivalry?

Joe Johnson thinks so. Speaking about the two teams, he said, “It’s crazy…But I think it has become just that. I mean look at the game up there we lost earlier this season, a game we should have won.”

Most athletes will say they should have won every game. The competitive nature of sports dictates that. Otherwise, it’s just the little leagues all over again.

Johnson continued, “It’s so much trash talking, and I think that’s what makes it such a big rivalry. You look at all the altercations that came throughout that series. It’s a rivalry when you know that there’s going to be a fight for your life every time you face a team.”

Johnson added that it would be that way each time Atlanta played the Celtics.

Despite what the Celtics said after the game, they sure played like the game meant a little more. Sure they’re the enemies in every city they play. Everyone wants to take the defending champions down.

But they played with a higher sense of urgency Wednesday night.

Late in the second quarter, Rivers drew a technical foul when he challenged Garnett’s second foul of the game on an illegal screen call.

It seemed every time Garnett scored, he was pounding his chest, and while that is not all that uncommon, he seemed to pound a little harder and stare at the Atlanta crowd a little more fiercely.

And who couldn’t help but notice Pierce stiffly dragging his finger across his throat, which is the universal sign for “it’s over.” Who does that in a regular season game, barely a third of the way into the season?

Most agree with Garnett—to help a rivalry’s cause, the underdog needs to win a few times.

Regardless of the outcomes this season, this young Hawks team seems to relish playing the Celtics. The fifth-youngest team in the league gains a little more seasoning each time they meet and they looked primed for a playoff run.

You can bet in that calendar in the locker room, they also have the dates March 27 and April 3 circled and re-circled. Those are the next two meetings of these teams and with 10 games to play in the season, there may be a lot riding on those games.

And you can expect the Hawks to enter those two games with the best intentions of coming out with wins, and perhaps making this a real rivalry.

Midweek Falcons Musings: Mike Smith Comments and Albert Haynesworth Speculation

daniel cox — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:33:24 -0500

The middle of victory week has come, and while everyone in Falcons nation is still flying high over Sunday's Atlanta-Falcons-Examiner~y2008m12d14-falconsbucs">win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it's time to begin to put that win in the rear-view mirror and focus on the task ahead.

Atlanta travels to Minnesota on Sunday to face one of the hottest teams in the NFC. The league's leading rusher in Adrian Peterson will be a stiff test against the Falcons defense.

While they came up big against Tampa Bay on Sunday, allowing only 99 yards rushing, they've been gashed more than their fair share by less talented players than Peterson.

How they handle Peterson will go a long way toward determining Sunday's outcome, and possibly the outcome of the season.

Coach's comments

Coach Mike Smith began his Monday press conference by recognizing the home fans in the Georgia Dome.

"It was a great game for the fans. Those five false starts were huge. It ended up being 25 yards in penalties."

The Falcons are used to a loud home-dome crowd, but the tables will be turned on them on Sunday. The Metrodome is notoriously loud, and Atlanta's offense will have to be focused on avoiding costly false starts of their own.

Smith touched on the Vikings home-field advantage, saying, "We know it will be an electric atmosphere up there. It will be similar to the atmosphere that we had here in the (Georgia) Dome this past weekend except we will be the visiting team. It will be a challenge for our offense because the Metrodome is one of the loudest venues in the country."

Much has been made of the playoff scenarios and the long list of tie-breakers with which the Falcons find themselves involved.

Smith put it succinctly, and summed up his team's playoff outlook, "I am looking through my microscope instead of my telescope this week. We can’t concern ourselves with the different scenarios...

"There is going to be 16 games played this weekend and the following weekend. I think there are going to be many things that will transpire on the football field that will affect the outcome."

Pro Bowl bid clouds Haynesworth's future

Tennessee Titans' defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday and because of the honor he will be provided more freedom in deciding where he ends up next year.

A clause in his contract states that if the seven-year defensive tackle earned a second straight Pro Bowl invitation, the Titans would not be able to place the franchise tag on him, thus making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

One of the most dominant tackles in the game, Haynesworth expects to cash in big next year with a lucrative contract, and it's possible the Falcons could find themselves in the mix for the South Carolina native.

Finding a defensive tackle will be one of the expected goals for the team in the offseason, due to the lack of impact players expected to return and the aging Grady Jackson unlikely to return.

The front office has given the impression that they plan to build their team through the draft and supplement it with free agency moves. However, they made a splash this past offseason with the signing of the best running back on the market, Michael Turner.

Haynesworth is still young (27) and the mammoth 6'6" behemoth would fit in well along a line featuring fellow tackle Jonathan Babineaux and defensive end John Abraham. The three of them would get a lot of attention from blockers, freeing up Jamaal Anderson, the Falcons' 2007 first-round pick (eighth overall), to put up the kind of numbers he was expected to post when the Falcons selected him with such a high pick.

Players of the week

Three players were nominated for weekly awards this week.

Matt Ryan is in the mix for the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week
Not surprisingly, Abraham is one of five players up for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week.
Turner, in what has become almost a weekly honor, is a finalist for the FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week.

Voting is open through Friday morning and the winners of each award will be announced Friday evening.

Record-breaking seasons

A number of Falcons have broken or are closing in on franchise records.

Abraham has recorded 15.5 sacks and is closing in on Joel Williams' 16, set in 1980. With three sacks in Week 15, he broke his previous season-high of 13, set as a member of the New York Jets in 2001.
Turner's 220 yards in Week One against Detroit set the franchise single-game record. In Week 12, with four touchdowns, Turner tied the franchise mark for touchdowns in a single game. In Week 15, he entered the end zone for his 15th rushing touchdown, surpassing Jamal Anderson's 14 in 1998. At his current pace, he'll end the season with 1,624 yards, which places him third on the Falcons' all-time list. Even at his current mark, he's fifth on that list.
Kicker Jason Elam has recorded 116 total points and is closing in on Jay Feely's record of 138. With two games remaining it's unlikely, however, that he'll eclipse Feely's mark. He's on pace for 133 points, five shy of the record, but one better than his personal best set in 1995. Elam will gladly fail to make either mark if it means trading field goals for point-after attempts. Everyone would agree, six points are better than three.
In October, Ryan became the first player in Falcons history to earn the conference Rookie of the Month award. After completing his first pass in the NFL for a touchdown to receiver Michael Jenkins, he became the first quarterback in franchise history to accomplish that feat. Additionally, with two games to go in the regular season, the rookie quarterback has totaled nine interceptions. Prior to this season only three rookie quarterbacks have started all 16 games of their rookie season, yet none of them threw less than 15 interceptions. Ryan looks to become the first.

Falcons moves and news

On Tuesday Atlanta placed cornerback David Irons and wide receiver Laurent Robinsonon injured reserve. Irons has been a contributor on special teams all season. His absence hurts the team's already thin depth on special teams and at the corner back position. Robinson hasn't played since Week Three and finishes the season with five receptions for 52 yards.
To fill these two spots on the 53-man roster, the Falcons promoted safety Eric Brock from the practice squad and signed free-agent tight end Marcus Pollard.
Cornerback Darius Vinnett and offensive lineman Michael Butterworth were signed to the practice squad.
Roddy White and Turner were named to the NFC Pro Bowl on Tuesday. Both are making their first appearances.
Linebacker Keith Brooking is a finalist for the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP. One of eight players nominated, the award recognizes players for their contributions in their local communities.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Matt Ryan and John Abraham are first alternates for the NFC Pro Bowl squad. If a player at their position elects not to participate or is injured, they will be added to the roster.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

Atlanta's Pro Bowl Selections: Turner, White Punch Tickets, Abraham Left Out

daniel cox — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:30:17 -0500

The NFL announced its Pro Bowl teams on Tuesday, and two deserving Atlanta Falcons are on the squad.

But one is missing.

The Falcons have gotten contributions from a cast of characters this season, from injury-riddled receivers to career backups and rookies. Everyone has played a role.

But wide receiver Roddy White, the league’s second-leading receiver with 1,310 yards, and running back Michael Turner, the league’s second-leading rusher with 1,421 yards, have played the biggest roles in the emergence of the Atlanta offense this season.

Both were rewarded with the first Pro Bowl selections of their respective careers.

However, defensive end John Abraham, he of the 15.5 sacks—many which were timely and game-changing, was a notable NFC snub.

Spare the Rod, spoil the receiver

White, after being drafted in the first-round in 2005, was expected to combine with electrifying quarterback Michael Vick to continue the progression of the Falcons’ offense.

The nation’s leader in receiving yards in 2004 at UAB had a glowing scouting report heading in to the 2005 draft. Falcons’ fans would quickly wonder why it never mentioned his penchant for dropping passes.

Blessed with speed and strength, White quickly became synonymous with images of the receiver looking at his hands or down at a ball that should have been in his hands—or worse, looking at a ball on the ground that should have been in his hands.

Many wondered if this notoriously partying receiver would ever overcome the drops and realize the potential that he only rarely showed glimpses of. Others wondered if his career would end as quickly as it began.

But a funny thing happened in the 2007 season. Amidst the sorrows that emanated from Atlanta last season, White quietly put together a breakout season that saw him catch 83 passes for 1,202 yards behind the arms of three different quarterbacks.

Despite a minor controversy (sporting the “Free Mike Vick” shirt last December on Monday Night Football) and the sporadic dropped pass, it looked as if White had a future after all.

After being forced to change directions, Atlanta brought in a new general manager, a new head coach, and new offensive coordinator, a shiny new quarterback...and a new wide receivers coach.

Terry Robiskie, White’s position coach, was employed to provide some tough love in hopes that White would be able to combine his talents with crisp-route running and a penchant for the big-play.

Robiskie kept constant tabs on White and served as a mentor and the voice of reason that he seemed to lack.

White should consider bringing his coach with him to Hawaii. It’s because of Robiskie that he’s merged his immense talent with preparation and practice.

And because of this, a star is born.

Waiting patiently

Michael Turner runs over people for a living.

He doesn’t run with patience, waiting for a hole to open, dancing in the backfield. Instead, he runs to spots on the field, often creating holes on his own.

Fans in Atlanta heard a lot about the 2008 free-agent running back’s nickname, “The Burner.” Acknowledged as fast, Turner quickly showed everyone that while speed is a talent he employs, what he’s best at is bowling over would-be tacklers. He runs as tough as he does fast.

As a junior and senior at Northern Illinois, Turner finished second in rushing in the nation, but was not highly-regarded heading in to the 2004 draft.

The San Diego Chargers, who employ All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson, drafted Turner in the fifth round. Turner would have to practice patience in San Diego.

Making the most of every chance he got, in his second year he came off the bench in December to run for 113 yards and the game-clinching score, an 83-yard run, against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.

Turner made a name for himself doing a lot with a little. With limited playing time in San Diego, he still managed to gather three of the franchise’s 11 longest rushes (83, 74, and 73 yards).

Turner's chance came in the offseason of 2008 when the Falcons signed the running back to stabilize the power running style that offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey favors.

And the rest, you could say, is history, as are many of the Falcons’ rushing records.

Feeling left out

Abraham has victimized quarterbacks all season but he is perhaps the biggest Pro Bowl victim.

The NFL’s third-leading sack-artist with 15.5 was edged by the equally talented trio of Minnesota’s Jared Allen, Carolina’s Julius Peppers, and the Giants’ Justin Tuck.

All are deserving, but it’s tough to ignore what the nine-year veteran has accomplished this year.

Abraham has accounted for over half of the Falcons’ sacks this season. Playing on a line that features a heavy rotation of players to keep everyone fresh, he’s the unquestioned leader of a defense that is ranked 11th in the league in points allowed.

Unlike his counterpart’s teams, Abraham is one of the few play makers on the Falcons’ defense. Atlanta’s defense is in the bottom third of the league in yards allowed, with the likes of the Raiders, the Bengals, and the Chargers, yet the Falcons find themselves at 9-5, fighting for a playoff berth.

That stat alone justifies that Abraham’s deserving of a Pro Bowl slot.

Abraham has come up big for his team in key moments all season long. Most recently, he delivered an impressive determined-to-get-to-the quarterback sack of the Bucs’ Brian Griese in overtime to force a punt and set up the Falcons’ winning drive in a must-win game.

The three-time Pro Bowler has enjoyed a season of renewed health and a return to the dominance for which he was known as a New York Jet. He deserves to end his season in Hawaii.

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Falcons Examiner page. To view, go here.

NFL Week 15: Letters to the League

daniel cox — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:34:11 -0500

To: Ed Werder

Re: It's good for business!

Late last week, you were in the top 10 on Google trends. You've since dropped out of the top 100. Now people are just searching for things like "cat dancers," "grumpier old men," "French pot ice cream," and "milf from real chance of love."

It's been a while since I've seen a reporter become as much a part of the story as the players he's reporting on.

But if I were you, I wouldn't park anywhere near the Cowboys' training facility.

To: Jim Zorn

Re: Sympathy vote

Jim, calling yourself the "worst coach in America" now, are you? Just because you say what other people may think does not make them think it less or favor you more. There's no such thing as reverse-Jedi-mind-tricks.

Your team has fallen apart. I guess this is the kind of thing that happens when you swear that your plays and schemes are just fine and the only problem is the execution of said plays and schemes by your players.

I heard on Monday you said, "I need to check my plan of attack."

You think?

To: Monte Kiffin

Re: Head start

Instead of game planning for Carolina and Atlanta's running attacks, were you getting a jump-start on the gig with your boy by scouting the state of Florida?

To: Dick Jauron

Re: So close

J.P. Losman running with the ball is not a good idea.

Losman running with the ball when you have a lead, only needing to burn the clock, is not a good idea.

J.P. running with the ball when Lynch was getting the job done is not a good idea.

Surely you noticed it, but Lynch had 17 yards on the four prior plays.

I almost feel bad for you. One winning season in your nine-year head coaching career. Another looked so promising after that 5-1 start.

But I don't feel bad because Losman was running when it was clearly not a good idea.

I do feel sorry for that referee though. The one that got hammered in the middle of that play. Much like you and your career, he continued on, blood gushing from his nose and all.

To: Walt Coleman

Re: Overruled

Define "indisputable."

As far as I know, there's a difference between a touchdown catch and an inbounds catch.

While you're at it, define "inconclusive."

To: Rod Marinelli

Re: The love of one's own excellence

Define "proud."

To: Arena Football

Re: Bear market

Consider this a blessing in disguise.

The NFL is the only football that matters.

And yes, soccer, I'm also talking to you.

To: Brett Favre

Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Eh

You've got Losman to thank for that one.

The Bills gift-wrapped that one for you. Or you stole it, depending on how you look at it.

Speaking of stealing, Vernon Gholston is doing just that. The sixth overall pick should at least dress out for games.

To: The West Coast teams

Re: Can't make the grade

Using the phrase "there's something in the water" out there is almost too predictable.

The two division-leading teams out there are 8-6. That's good enough for third place in every other division except the NFC North. You'd be tied for second there.

Arizona, you couldn't have looked any more uninspired.

And Denver, if San Diego comes back to take the division, well...that pretty much sums it all up right there, doesn't it?

To: The New York Giants

Re: Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need to know of hell

Don't worry, I have nothing to say about Plaxico.

You lost in Week 15 last year as well, scoring 10 points against the Redskins, who were fighting for their playoff lives. Your offense was struggling then also.

A good plan to repeat as Champs is NOT to try to enter the playoffs exactly as you did last year.

That's not what it means to repeat.

To: DeMarcus Ware

Re: Rackin' up the sacks

Good job! 3.5 sacks from Strahan's single-season sack record.

I doubt the quarterback you'll be facing when you break that record will lay down for you.

I always wonder if Strahan has any animosity towards Favre for that.

It'll probably be much sweeter to actually earn it.

To: ESPN on-air directors

Re: Clever

I loved all the little cheap shots last week.

During the interview with Drew Rosenhaus in the days following the Terrell Owens catastrophe, as Rosenhaus spoke glowingly of T.O.'s calm attitude and patience, you guys were showing the clips of Owens yelling and screaming on the sidelines in Pittsburgh.

And then, as if that weren't enough, on Friday's edition of SportsCenter, you listed the top 10 Heisman winners who were great in the NFL. The dude actually said something like, "off-field issues aside, O.J. Simpson was a terror on the field."

Yes, "terror on the field" is the exact quote.

I'm wondering if that was actually written or if that was just a slip of the tongue.

To: Jessica Simpson

Re: Love is a many splendored thing

Jessica, you should be worried about Tony.

I heard from T.O. and some anonymous players that he and Witten have a relationship unlike any other.

T.O.'s jealous, and perhaps you should be too.