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Falcons Pulse
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Falcons GM shaking things up |
| The Atlanta Falcons today made a move that pending league approval will send MLB Curtis Lofton to the Jags for a 2nd, 4th and MLB superstar Niko Koutouvides. The Falcons are looking to next season as they are riding a 3 game lossing streak and can't seem to get rolling this season. The trade will help Atlanta solidify the draft status to bring in young talent on a team that needs cap wiggle room. The cap hits of QB Ryan and CB Robinson will be big but the 2 cornerstones of the franchise need to stay and have things worked around. The fear of lossing RB Michael Turner have the front office scrambling to make plans for next season. The Falcons will compete but need to create a D that can hold teams under 20 pts per game and we may see a shift in the mentality of the team in the weeks to come. Lofton will be a good addition to the Jags and in a tight division may help them get over the hump. |
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Forum Discussion
(by S_Johnson on 08/25/2010)
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Replies - 4 :: Views - 42 |
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Falcons let another one go |
The Falcons had a chance to pull out a victory against the Cardinals but fall short. The cards came out with a heavy dose of run and let Aaron Rodgers pick them apart on 3rd down. Cards excellent gameplanning and timely plays by Rodgers kept the D guessing all day. The stingy D didn't let the Cards score too much but let them take control of the clock and the game moving deep into Falcons territory.
Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense seem to have problems at home and were unable to get moving going 3-12 on 3rd down and Ryan only completing 12 of 30 pass attempts with uncharateristic drops by Larry Fitzgerald and Rob Gronkowski. Turner was held under 90 yards for the first time this season mostly due to being behind and not getting enough carries. The Falcons seem to play weak at home and need to play well on the road as both the Bucs and Saints seem to be rolling this season. |
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Forum Discussion
(by S_Johnson on 08/16/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 16 |
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Falcons week One |
| The Falcons came into week one with high hopes. The divisional rival Tampa Bay Bucs had home field advantage and wanted to take down the defending Champs. The first quarter was all Atlanta with 2 ints and 2 field goals the Falcons were able to drive but the Tampa D held them outside the 25 yardline each time. Michael Turner didn't break a run in the first half longer than 7 yards. Tampa's front 7 kept Turner in check and didn't let Matt Ryan get into any kind of rythm. In the second quarter the Bucs came to life and Josh Freeman tossed up a 59 yard bomb to Mike Williams for a TD giving the Bucs a 7-6 lead and then drove to the one inch line and the Falcons D stuffed em there and had an apparent fumble that was over turned and scored a field goal with just over 20 seconds left. The Falcons tried to air it out and Ryan threw his 1st INT of the year. The Falcons held on and went into the locker room down 10-6. The team got a hefty dose of yelling from the coaches with a focus on the passing game where Larry Fitzgerald got 1 catch for 13 yards in the 1st drive of the day and never saw the ball again. The second half started with a defensive battle and both teams playing well. Matt Ryan got his second INT of the season but also got his 1st TD to TE Rob Gronkowski with 5 minutes left in the game and put the falcons up 20-10. Curtis Lofton had a spectacular game with 11 tackles and 1 int and held the defense together. The Bucs came on late with 30 seconds left to score a TD but to little to late and the Falcons pull of the road win 20-17. The Bucs are a much improved team from last season and look to finish at .500 or above. The Falcons need the passing game to pick up if they hope to hold on to the division. Ray Lewis didn't get into the game taday and the Vet was very upset and had a meeting with the coaching staff and GM to see what can be done. We asked GM Seth Johnson had this to say, "Curtis is playing to well for Ray to get the start at MLB but we'll look at the 3-4 scheme to get him in there." The D has played well all last season and started off doing a good job but Lewis will be needed against the run as Tampa got 10 more yards against the Falcons. Next Week another divisional matchup with the Saints. This game too is away so we look for the road warriors to go 2-0 with a 24-21 victory next week in New Orleans. |
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Forum Discussion
(by S_Johnson on 07/30/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 16 |
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Falcons Offensive Position Battles |
The Falcons leaned on their offense last season to keep them in games and almost pulled off a victory against the Vikings in the divisional series. The Falcons hope Key additions will open the door to the passing game where the Falcons struggled.
Here's the 2011 Postion Battles
QB Matt Ryan gets the start as the teams leader but GM Seth Johnson Brought in Brady Quinn to push Ryan to earn his massive paycheck
HB Turner is #1 and youngster Antone Smith is #2 leaving the high priced Norwood a a returner.
FB Mughelli will again get the start
WR New comer Larry Fitzgerald will replace Roddy White which is a major upgrade and Brandon Lafell will stay as the #2 and Douglas will be #3 and this is the group that needs to produce for the Falcons to get over the hump and bring home a playoff victory.
TE Rob Gronkowski will get the start and fill the shoes of Tony Gonzales. The Falcons will use backup Tackle Byron Rogers as a TE in run situations.
OT Mike Gandy fills the spot at LT and Donald Penn at RT with 2 rookies in waiting in Byron Rogers at LT and Brady Thomas at RT. Sacks will determine if we see the rookies earlier than projected.
OG Clabo and Dahl hold their spots and have no real changlers.
C is McClure with Romberg giving a little push but the vetern OL hope to give Turner holes to run through and time for Ryan to get the ball to Lafell and Fitzgerald.
The offense looks slightly better and the O-Line will be rebuilding for the next 2 years. |
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Forum Discussion
(by S_Johnson on 07/28/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 12 |
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Falcons Defensive Depth |
Defensive Postion Battles
The Atlanta Falcons have a group of young guys fighting for postion and scrapping for the starting job. Here's the list of starters as of the preseason.
We'll start off on the line and work back.
DT Vance Walker has shown the quickness needed to get to the QB and disrupt the running game. Walker beats out last years starter Peria Jerry and Thomas Johnson for the start.
DE With the losses of Abrams and Anderson the Falcons cleared cap space and are going with Kroy Biermann at RE and Ricky Sapp at LE these 2 youngsters will bring energy and hustle to the position.
OLB Shaun Phillips has the LOLB position with speed and strength we hope to see alot of production out of Philips and at ROLB Scott Shale and Coy Wire will be fighting it out as no decision has been made yet.
MLB Curtis Lofton starts and Ray Lewis will be #2 in the 3-4 and Lewis might get some time at ROLB if production falls off with the free agent accusitions.
CB Robinson is #1 and Franks edges out Butler for #2 with Owens a solid #4.
FS Decoud holds off SS Moore but we'll see for how long as he played well in Decouds absence last season.
SS Coleman starts but will be chased all season as Moore is too good to not be on the field. |
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Forum Discussion
(by S_Johnson on 07/27/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 22 |
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At A Glance
| NFC South |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #2 |
 Saints |
9-2-0 |
0.818 |
4-1 |
| #27 |
 Buccaneers |
5-6-0 |
0.455 |
2-1 |
| #18 |
 Panthers |
4-6-0 |
0.400 |
2-3 |
| #28 |
 Falcons |
4-7-0 |
0.364 |
1-4 |
| FALCONS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Sun |
at Buccaneers #27 |
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| 2 |
Sun |
at Saints #2 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at  Vikings #29 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
vs  Jaguars #17 |
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| 6 |
Sun |
vs  Cardinals #9 |
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| 7 |
Sun |
vs Panthers #18 |
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| 8 |
Sun |
at  Colts #8 |
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| 9 |
Sun |
at  Titans #31 |
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| 10 |
Sun |
at Panthers #18 |
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| 11 |
Mon |
vs  Packers #4 |
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| 12 |
Mon |
vs Saints #2 |
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| 13 |
Sun |
vs Buccaneers #27 |
4:15pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
vs  Bears #23 |
4:00pm |
| 15 |
Sun |
at  Giants #12 |
1:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
vs  Texans #11 |
1:00pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
at  Lions #30 |
1:00pm |
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#28 Atlanta Falcons
