Bleacher Report - Articles by Jason Roorda

Don't Buy the Jim Mora Hype Yet

Jason Roorda — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:12:39 -0500

Congrats, Seahawks fans, on getting an energetic and enthused young coach in Jim Mora. Ah yes, you are as excited as is he, full of fire and brimstone, hopes renewed, pasts forgotten and ready to charge into the front of any offense with his defense blazing and shutting down anything an opposing team can dare try.

Well now, ain't that nice.

I'm sorry to be the one to throw a bucket of cold water on the dogs humping in the schoolyard, but don't look for answers so quickly. You see, you have a critter in your woodpile and his name is Greg Knapp.

Oakland aside, where he failed beyond words, and had his duties de-regulated, and was demoted, could be blamed on the bizarre twists of having Al Davis as an owner.

Of course, people say that he was brilliant in 'Frisco. No, not so much. He had good staff and players around him. That helps anyone.

Remember back when San Fran actually had a REAL defense? Of course you do. That was when it helped the offense and Knapp, (or the Knapper as Mora likes to call him) to look good, by keeping the opponents off the field.

Ok, that's over also. Mora is going to live and die by his best friend Knapp. (His words, not mine.)

We seem to hear a lot about how under Knapp the Falcons did wonders and ate cucumbers on offense.

Wrong.

That Falcons offense and rushing yards records were a tribute to Gibbs and his cut-blocking scheme he's been using everywhere, the Broncos and Texans included, which utilizes smaller o-linemen to cut block and open holes for RB's because defenses players hate, and I mean HATE, being cut at the knees or lower.

Knapp could not keep T.O. happy in SF...but don't blame him for that, T.O.'s never been happy anywhere for long.

What was a signature of Knapp in Atlanta was the predictable offensive calls. Very predictable. He had Vick running like the fool he was. Dunn and company ran behind Gibb's undersized cut-blocking line that earned them the reputation as dirty.

There was nothing there that proved Knapp had any clue as an OC. Let me tell you the first play of every game Knapp called while in the ATL.

Warrick Dunn up the middle for a loss of two. Every game. Every start. Run, run, pass, three and out. No deviation, no creativity. Period. Vick ran for his life because the O-line could get nasty and run/cut-block but could not pass-block to save anyone.

Vick did of course make it harder because of his scrambling ability, his linemen never even knew where he might or might not be. That makes it hard on them. But Knapp never tempered or utilized that fact. Never.

Take that for what it is. Enjoy Mora, because he is a truly nice guy, and not a bad coach, but his loyalties kill him. Starting with Knapp.

Atlanta Falcons: Media Bias Against the Dirty Birds? Not So Much

Jason Roorda — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:49:14 -0400

I'm taking the following quote from an Atlanta Falcons MB user. Like many local Falcons fans, he seems to have adopted the attitude seen from a lot of the Falcons fan base about the media coverage in Atlanta.

"I'm wondering now does Arthur not contribute to the AJC. I mean all the articles I read from them are either negative laden or just flat out negative toward a franchise that produces much income for them."

Uncle Arty need not contribute anything. The AJC is, IMO, more on the spot than any other source on the 'net. People rag on it because it's the only major local/national outlet, and because their opinions and news are much more on track than most fans'/MB members' are.

It should be. This is their job. They make money doing this. They have sources most of us don't. When shit sucks, it sucks.

I have not seen much negative reporting. I have, however, seen reporting on negative incidents. Granted, some of the opinions that came up during the whole "He Who Shall Not Be Named" thing did get a bit on the lynch mob mentality. But it's now done, so that's that. That's not controlled by the media—it's controlled by the team and it's players and what they choose to do.

Do I always agree with them? No. But then I don't normally agree with many people. I'm a 36-year-old curmudgeon (If we are even allowed to be one in this modern day). I'm not supposed to. But many days I have to.

And just perhaps those journalists are also fans and just as fed up as we are. Why not call a spade a spade? I do. You do. They do. We all do.

They also happen to be just as word-smithy when the Falcons are winning—but no one bitches about what they say then. I think this is why the pen (mayhaps keyboard now) can be always compared to the double-edged sword. Either one can cut both ways, what your ideals decide, depends on which way the blades cut the most, and in whose favor you are in tune with at that time.

It can be a harsh thing for many fans to learn than any given media, just like dames Fortune and Fate, can be a fickle mistress, and sway with the tides. Always right?

Of course not.

No one is.

But they are on track a heck of lot more than most fans give them for. I'm also willing to bet this applies to most all beat writers and papers that employ them in cities deeply integrated with an NFL team. (The mark of the Beast, metaphorically speaking, I suppose.)

With the open writing of opinions and articles, especially on the internet these days, come back opinions and criticism, and often virulent and usually minor if not inaccurate rumors should be expected. Although, as fans, we deserve less credit than we think due us as armchair coaches and keyboard critics

I need to remember that a lot more myself, in fact.

Jason Taylor: How Do We Decipher Him?

Jason Roorda — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:39:06 -0400

I'm afraid I'm going to make people angry, well, fans of Taylor or Miami anyway.

What is going through Jason Taylor's mind right now? Anything? Seemingly not.

Let's discuss his absence from Miami, and the possible reasons why.

Yesterday in Des Moines, while at a charity golf tournament, and after hearing (again) about Coach Sparano saying that he (Taylor) had informed them he would not be available for OTA's or even training camp, Taylor bristled visibly and said: "Who said that? I've been in L.A. and so far removed from it. I'll deal with that later."

Here are a few more of his cute comments.

"I'm going to head back home today for the first time in three months...we'll worry about football in the near future,"

(I'd like to make a small note to this. That fact that he has not been "home" much, if at all this offseason is his own fault. Those were decisions he made for himself long in advance.)

"I'm under contract with the Dolphins...football doesn't start until July," said Taylor, who also has been the subject of trade talks.

These are just a few comments made, coupled with the busy schedule he's "leaked" bits of, that make it seem that he really has no intention of being in camp before it's necessary. If at all.

Sounds to me like one of three things. Either the personal snub by The Tuna to him a while back at the Dolphins HQ has pissed him off enough he's trying force a trade/release hand, or he's a lot more enamored with Hollywood, star treatment, and ass-kissing, and would rather football just went and took an aerial fornication at a rolling pastry. Or...he's so full of himself and his "Old Vet" prowess and name, that he's just cocksure he does not need to prepare at all to play like anyone else.

The first scenario is kind of forgivable to me, and maybe that's only because I've never been enamored by Parcells. But the man is still his boss. I don't care who you think you are, and how much of an asshat Parcells may be; you need to pay heed to the man who signs your paycheck. Period. And remember this, Parcells is no dummy. Far from it. And I'd be willing to bet most pachyderms are more than slightly jealous of his memory.

The other two scenarios are to me are much more unforgivable. If I'm his teammate, new or old, busting my balls to play, get in shape, earn my roster spot, learn the new playbook, or whatever and then see him pulling this "I'm Mr. Hollywood Sunshine" crapola thinking he can just waltz in for his starting spot at his age with minimum work. Well now, I'd be flippin' hot. And I'm not sure veteran respect would be in my vocabulary. I'll promise you this; the example he is setting for the newer players is not the one a football organization expects, nor wants, from a player of his tenure.

We've already heard him quoted as saying he does not think he needs to study the new D much as football is not rocket science, and it's all old hat to him because he's had so many different coaches. Oh yes, good. That makes so much sense. Thank you Mr.Taylor for clearing that foggy bit up.

At this point I could care less about how he can or can't play these days, no matter what his preparation may or may not be. I wouldn't want him on my team. His comments and actions so far this offseason have shown that he indeed can find an "I" in team.

He should quickly learn that The Tuna will not let his mouth over-ride his contracted value. All of this coming from a guy whose team...wait, wait for it, where did the Dolphins pick in the last draft? Oh right, excuse me, I'm sorry, that one big, whomping win last year should tell us he's got no concerns about the abilities of his team.

If he even cares anymore.

2008 NFL Draft: Falcons Have No Excuse for Failure

Jason Roorda — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:39:57 -0400

Welcome to the 2008 NFL draft, complete with a new logo debut, a shorter first day of selections, and the chance for all teams to walk away from Day One (presumably) much improved.

New Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has a lot of chances to come out of the first day of the draft smelling like a rose.

And he should, given the options he'll have. With the rebuilding of the franchise and all the needs the Falcons have, it should be fairly impossible for Dimitroff to make a bad choice.

As most know, many eyes will be watching Dimitroff in his first year as a GM and how he drafts. Most of the predictions are that he will follow in the Patriots mold from which he came.

The possibility of the Falcons trading down for more picks is quite high. The potential workings of a trade are varied, so we'll leave it at basics.

Trading for a lower first round pick and a third round pick with a player possibly thrown in seems most likely. The question is will the possible trade scenarios will compensate the Falcons for the value of their No. 3 overall pick.

Let's assume the Falcons don't trade and select third.

Many mock drafts have the Falcons taking Matt Ryan to be the future franchise QB. Taking Ryan isn't a bad idea—until you consider that the offensive line the Falcons put together this year will not be cohesive.

This assumes that Ryan is still available, because Miami may be tempted grab him. What's more, the Falcons might decide to use a later pick on a QB like Joe Flacco, Brian Brohm, or others projected in the later rounds.

Jake Long makes the most sense to many because left tackle is a position Atlanta had problems with last year.

Without Wayne Gandy, they have nothing but injured cannon fodder at that position. Long has undeniable skills and would be a substantial upgrade for the offensive line. He's the type of guy you draft as a nucleus for an offensive line in the rebuilding phase.

Offensive tackle Ryan Clady is another fine choice, but probably not as the No. 3 pick. Trading the pick and picking up Clady a bit later on would make more sense. Jeff Otah and Gosden Cherlius fall into this category also.

After the signing of Michael Turner, Darren McFadden is almost certainly not an option for Atlanta. I usually never say never, but in this case, I'm fairly certain.

That brings us to Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis, either of whom would be an instant defensive upgrade. If the Falcons trade down, another defensive option may be DT Dre Moore out of Maryland.

At any rate, Dimitroff has it easy in his first draft, as it would be hard for the Falcons to blow it on Day One.