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11 years ago
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Podcast No. 10
It's time for another podcast. I have thoughts on Michael Vick, Atlanta Hawks and college recruiting. Check it out. Just click on the link above.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Falcons begin mini-camp at Flowery Branch
This is a piece that I worte for SCORE Atlanta which you can find now. This is the edited version so check it out on scoreatl.com.
It was the beginning of a new year for Falcons fans as they got a first look at the 2009 squad at the team’s mini-camp held at Flowery Branch on Saturday. Falcons fans were excited and anxious to see players such as Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White, but with the addition of Mike Peterson, Tony Gonzalez and draftees Peria Jerry and William Moore, the public wanted to get a first look at the new Birds in town.
For those who have never been to an NFL mini-camp or training camp practice, here’s how it works. The practice began at 10:30 and the players spend about 30 minutes warming up and stretching. From 11:00-12:30, they will work on position drills and mix that in with two scrimmages. After that, practice will conclude with autograph session.
What usually catches the fans eye is when the No. 1 offense takes on the No. 1 defense because they like to see who are the projected starters going into the 2009 season. A couple to things to note when it comes to starters, Peterson and Stephen Nicholas were the No. 1 outside linebackers and it looks they will be the starters in the fall. Also Ben Hartsock was the No. 1 tight end on Saturday but that was due to Gonzalez being held out of practice. As for nose tackle, Trey Lewis was working with the No. 1 team while Jerry was working with the No. 2 unit. But this could (and probably will) change when July rolls around because it’s too early to project anything now with the team only practicing three times.
“This is just really the first evaluation,” head coach Mike Smith said after the Saturday practice. “The thing we’re evaluating is who can come out and play hard and play fast when they are getting overloaded mentally.”
Smith was specifically talking about the rookies such as Jerry and Moore who were draft picks, but also rookie free agents like quarterback John Parker Wilson and wide receiver Aaron Kelly who had one of the big plays of the day when Wilson connected with Kelly on a 40-yard touchdown pass.
As good as it is to see local products do well in practice, fans also want to see how the veterans have improve. 2008 Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan received a warm reception when he jogged on to the field and he looked as if he didn’t miss a beat as he found almost every target in the scrimmages. Running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood were in midseason form and wide receiver Michael Jenkins looks to have a breakout year. Overall Smith thought this was a good practice and he was glad that the fans were able to come out.
“It was nice to have the people and it gives the guys a little extra juice,” Smith said. “When they have gone one two-a-day they were a little sore and slow moving this morning in the meetings. But when they got on the field, they started moving around. I thought it was a really good practice.”
Jones can be reached at bjones@scoreatl.com.
It was the beginning of a new year for Falcons fans as they got a first look at the 2009 squad at the team’s mini-camp held at Flowery Branch on Saturday. Falcons fans were excited and anxious to see players such as Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White, but with the addition of Mike Peterson, Tony Gonzalez and draftees Peria Jerry and William Moore, the public wanted to get a first look at the new Birds in town.
For those who have never been to an NFL mini-camp or training camp practice, here’s how it works. The practice began at 10:30 and the players spend about 30 minutes warming up and stretching. From 11:00-12:30, they will work on position drills and mix that in with two scrimmages. After that, practice will conclude with autograph session.
What usually catches the fans eye is when the No. 1 offense takes on the No. 1 defense because they like to see who are the projected starters going into the 2009 season. A couple to things to note when it comes to starters, Peterson and Stephen Nicholas were the No. 1 outside linebackers and it looks they will be the starters in the fall. Also Ben Hartsock was the No. 1 tight end on Saturday but that was due to Gonzalez being held out of practice. As for nose tackle, Trey Lewis was working with the No. 1 team while Jerry was working with the No. 2 unit. But this could (and probably will) change when July rolls around because it’s too early to project anything now with the team only practicing three times.
“This is just really the first evaluation,” head coach Mike Smith said after the Saturday practice. “The thing we’re evaluating is who can come out and play hard and play fast when they are getting overloaded mentally.”
Smith was specifically talking about the rookies such as Jerry and Moore who were draft picks, but also rookie free agents like quarterback John Parker Wilson and wide receiver Aaron Kelly who had one of the big plays of the day when Wilson connected with Kelly on a 40-yard touchdown pass.
As good as it is to see local products do well in practice, fans also want to see how the veterans have improve. 2008 Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan received a warm reception when he jogged on to the field and he looked as if he didn’t miss a beat as he found almost every target in the scrimmages. Running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood were in midseason form and wide receiver Michael Jenkins looks to have a breakout year. Overall Smith thought this was a good practice and he was glad that the fans were able to come out.
“It was nice to have the people and it gives the guys a little extra juice,” Smith said. “When they have gone one two-a-day they were a little sore and slow moving this morning in the meetings. But when they got on the field, they started moving around. I thought it was a really good practice.”
Jones can be reached at bjones@scoreatl.com.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Falcons mini-camp preview
The Falcons are one of the few teams that will have their mini-camp this weekend as most of the NFL teams held their camps last weekend. There is a level of excitement for Falcons fans because they will get a glimpse of tight end Tony Gonzalez as well as the new draft picks, such as Peria Jerry and William Moore. I will be there on Saturday for both practices and here is what I am going to focus on as I observer mini-camp:
1. Secondary – There are a few question marks when it comes to who is going to start at corner and safety. Chris Houston will be one of the starting corners but I don’t think that is set in stone. Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Von Hutchins will be fighting for the two cornerback spots as well as David Irons and Tony Tiller. Draft picks Chris Owens and William Middleton will not likely start on opening day, but can (and probably will) contribute on special teams and also used in nickel and dime situations. As for the safety position, Erik Coleman looks to build on what he did last year, notching 95 tackles and three interceptions. With Lawyer Miloy gone, there is a void at strong safety and everyone thinks that William Moore should win that spot. But not if Thomas DeCoud, Eric Brock and Jamaal Fudge have say anything about it because they will also be fighting for the same position. I think that Moore will win the spot, but DeCoud will make it difficult for him.
2. Linebackers- Outside linebackers will be a spot where fans will keep their eyes one because both Keith Brooking and Michael Boley were lost this offseason due to free agency and the Falcons did not draft or sign anybody that will likely take their place other than Mike Peterson. Peterson has played middle linebacker for most of his career but he will start at one of the outside linebacker positions this fall. The other linebacker spot is up for grabs and I think it’s a two-man race between Stephen Nicholas and Coy Wire. Who is going to win the spot? I think it’s too early to tell but both players had great seasons in 2008 and should improve in 2009.
3. Quarterback – I’m not saying that there’s a quarterback battle because Matt Ryan is one of the rising stars in the league. Trust me on this because I followed Ryan last year and he is just as good as any quarterback in the league. I’m curious to see how much he has improved from the loss against Arizona to the mini-camp on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’m also anxious to see how he gels with Tony Gonzalez because he can only help Ryan in his progression.
So it should be a fun weekend for fans and they have every right to be excited for the 2009 season because they should be a favorite to win the NFC.
1. Secondary – There are a few question marks when it comes to who is going to start at corner and safety. Chris Houston will be one of the starting corners but I don’t think that is set in stone. Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Von Hutchins will be fighting for the two cornerback spots as well as David Irons and Tony Tiller. Draft picks Chris Owens and William Middleton will not likely start on opening day, but can (and probably will) contribute on special teams and also used in nickel and dime situations. As for the safety position, Erik Coleman looks to build on what he did last year, notching 95 tackles and three interceptions. With Lawyer Miloy gone, there is a void at strong safety and everyone thinks that William Moore should win that spot. But not if Thomas DeCoud, Eric Brock and Jamaal Fudge have say anything about it because they will also be fighting for the same position. I think that Moore will win the spot, but DeCoud will make it difficult for him.
2. Linebackers- Outside linebackers will be a spot where fans will keep their eyes one because both Keith Brooking and Michael Boley were lost this offseason due to free agency and the Falcons did not draft or sign anybody that will likely take their place other than Mike Peterson. Peterson has played middle linebacker for most of his career but he will start at one of the outside linebacker positions this fall. The other linebacker spot is up for grabs and I think it’s a two-man race between Stephen Nicholas and Coy Wire. Who is going to win the spot? I think it’s too early to tell but both players had great seasons in 2008 and should improve in 2009.
3. Quarterback – I’m not saying that there’s a quarterback battle because Matt Ryan is one of the rising stars in the league. Trust me on this because I followed Ryan last year and he is just as good as any quarterback in the league. I’m curious to see how much he has improved from the loss against Arizona to the mini-camp on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’m also anxious to see how he gels with Tony Gonzalez because he can only help Ryan in his progression.
So it should be a fun weekend for fans and they have every right to be excited for the 2009 season because they should be a favorite to win the NFC.
Monday, May 4, 2009
20 Greatest Falcons games
I just found this via the Falcoholic blog and I thought it was a great read. Click here to see what the people from the Bleacher Report think what the 20 greatest Atlanta Falcons games are. I think we know what No. 1 is. If you don't, shame on you.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Podcast No. 9
Hey guys. I posted a new podcast where I talk about the Hawks and the Falcons. Check it out. You know you want to. Just click on the title where it says Podcast No. 9.
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