Sunday Football Fever

The Falcons put a beating on the Detroit Lions to open the 200 season.

Rookie QB Matt Ryan threw a TD with his first NFL pass and the route was on.  Michael Turner set a franchise single-game rushing record, with 220 yards and scored 2 TDs.  Jerious Norwood added 93 yards and TD.

The Good

The offensive line opened huge holes for Norwood and Turner and allowed Ryan plenty of time to look down field and find his receivers (allowed 1 sack).  Ryan looked good but still showed signs of inexperience, forcing some throws into coverage.  But overall, he looked poised and managed the game very well.  If Turner and Norwood can continue to put up yards like they did today, then Ryan won’t be asked to win many games this year.  And that’s a good thing.

The Bad

As I mentioned above, Ryan still made some poor decisions, but that should improve with more reps.  The Falcons still had too many penalties (7 for 68 yards) and most were stupid penalties.

The Ugly

Pass coverage.  John Kitna was 24/33 for 262 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT.  John Kitna.  The Lions had receivers wide open all game long and the only time the Falcons got any significant pressure on Kitna was late in the game, when the Lions had basically stopped running the ball.  The Falcons need to work on improving their pass rush and their coverage in the secondary.  They’ve still got Delhomme (twice), McNabb, Brees (twice) and Rivers, all of whom could torch the Falcons secondary if they don’t improve.

Interesting Stat

Attendance was 62,310.  Not a full house, but a good start, considering the bad taste left in most Atlantan’s mouth after the Michael Vick/Bobby Petrino mess of last season.

Overall it was a good job by Falcons.  Their offensive line played well enough to allow the running game to flourish and that took the pressure off Ryan.  As long as they can continue to play like they did today, then Ryan has a real opportunity to develop into the franchise QB the Falcons badly need.

Filed under: Game Summary, League News

Tags: atlanta falcons, bobby petrino, defensive line, detroit lions, donovan mcnabb, drew brees, jake delhomme, jerious norwood, john kitna, matt ryan, michael turner, michael vick, offensive line, phillip rivers, secondary

I guess the Falcons really like Matt Ryan.  Today he signed a six-year, $72 million contract — $34.75 guaranteed!

While I think it’s a bit excessive for someone yet to take a snap in the NFL, I’m glad they came to an agreement now.  I’ve seen a lot of QBs ruin their rookie seasons (and often their entire career) by holding out.

Let’s hope he’s worth the money…

Filed under: Contracts, NFL Draft

Tags: atlanta falcons, matt ryan

Instead of boring you with full blown draft analysis, I’m only going to concentrate on the Falcons. Because that’s the only NFL team I really care about. Plus, you can get total draft analysis at ESPN, SI, etc.

With the 3rd pick in the draft, the Falcons selected QB Matt Ryan. I’m torn on this pick. On the one hand, he reminds a lot of Ryan Leaf, in that he had one really good year and is suddenly the top QB in the draft. Plus, it’s really hard to pass up Glenn Dorsey. Imagine a line featuring Jamaal Anderson, Glenn Dorsey and John Abrahm. That would be an immediate improvement for the Falcons D. But, on the other hand, if things go well for the Falcons this year, they won’t be drafting at #3 in the next draft and there really aren’t any franchise type QB’s coming out next year (at least not yet). So they had to take Ryan because you just can’t win with Joey Harrington, DJ Shockley and Chris Redman as your QB. I just hope that they don’t rush Ryan into service. It’s going to take several years to rebuild the Falcons, so they should give Ryan plenty of time to adjust and not throw him right into the fire.

The Falcons traded up into the last half of the 1st round to make thier second pick, OT Sam Baker. They needed a lineman badly. It would have been great if they could have traded up a little higher and taken Otah or Williams, but Baker will be solid. His stock dropped a bit due to an injury this past season. So the Falcons at least got some value at that pick. And you really can’t understate how badly the Falcons needed a good OL.

The next two picks filled needs for the team: ILB Curtis Lofton and CB Chevis Jackson. Outside of Keith Brooking and Micahel Boley, the Falcons don’t have any play-makers at LB. Lofton should give them some depth and playmaking. Lofton will be one of the CB’s used to replace DeAngelo Hall. He’s solid, but not spectacular. He’ll likely be used in Nickel and Dime situations to start.

Harry Douglas adds depth to the WR corp. He’s going to be more of a possession receiver and you’ll likely see him going across the middle as opposed to stretching the field. Thomas Decoud (safety), Robert James (OLB), Kroy Biermann (OLB), and Wilrey Fontenot (CB) all add depth to a depleted defense.

Thomas Brown adds depth at the RB position. He may get a few carries but will start the season no better than 3rd on the depth chart. Keith Zinger will join the rest of the Falcons TE’s in the unenviable task of making the fans forget the production that Alge Crumpler provided.

Overall, I think the Falcons did well in the draft. Again, it will take years to get the Falcons back to legitimate play-off contender, but the draft has me excited about the prospects of this team.

Filed under: NFL Draft

Tags: alge crumpler, atlanta falcons, chevis jackson, chris redman, chris williams, curtis lofton, deangelo hall, dj shockley, espn, glenn dorsey, harry douglas, jamaal anderson, jeff otah, joey harrington, john abrahm, keith zinger, kroy biermann, matt ryan, NFL Draft, robert james, ryan leaf, sam baker, si, thomas brown, thomas decoud, wilrey fontenot

Rumor has it that the Falcons have received offers for he 3rd pick in the draft.

Should they trade the pick?  It’s hard to say.  On the one hand, there is no one player in this draft that will make enough of a difference for the Falcons to put them in the play-offs or to even contend for the play-offs.  So adding more picks will allow them to shore up multiple positions.

On the other hand a guy like Glen Dorsey or Chris Long could be the center piece of your defense and a franchise player for years to come.  So can you pass up on that type of talent?

I say the Falcons should keep the pick.  They’ve already got 11 picks total in this draft, so they’ll have the opportunity to add depth at multiple spots. They need to take one of the guys who could be a franchise type player with the #3 pick.

That being said, I’m hoping they pick Dorsey.  We need a defensive tackle and he was dominate in the SEC for 3 straight years - even when he was injured and double teamed.  You can’t pass up a tackle like Dorsey.  My fear is that they will take Matt Ryan.  Now I don’t have anything taking a QB with the #3 pick, but Ryan scares me.  He reminds me a lot of Ryan Leaf - he’s parlayed one good year in college into being a top 5 pick in the draft.  I think if you are going to draft a QB that high, he’d better have more than one year of success.  I want a proven track record.  And for me, one successful year doesn’t make you a “proven” QB.

The Falcons need Dorsey.  Use one of the second round picks (or package a couple of them together and trade up into the late first round) and draft Brian Brohm.  That immediately improves your team at 2 positions.  Plus, it saves you money.

Filed under: NFL Draft

Tags: atlanta falcons, brian brohm, chris long, glen dorsey, matt ryan, NFL Draft, ryan leaf