Kaspers Korner

Atlanta Defense Hinges on Jerry and Anderson

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

The Atlanta Flacons defense is the weak point on the team as they were ranked in the bottom third of the National Football League.

This year the defense’s performance hinges on the performance of rookie defensive tackle Peria Jerry and defensive end Jamaal Anderson.

The Falcons used first round draft choices on both of them, which means there is high expectations of both of them.

Jerry is the unknown commodity, but as long as he does not get pushed around by offensvie lineman and records over two sacks then Jerry will have a successful year.

The reason is that rookies are just learning and usually do not have a huge impact on a team.

Jerry could as there is not to much to learn from college to the pros as it more about power and technique for defensive tackles.

Anderson was a first round pick in the 2007 draft and only recorded two sacks last year, which is pretty disappointing.

So, for Anderson to not lose his starting job after this year he is going to have to show some stoutness in defending against the run while recording five sacks or more as he is going into his third year as a pro, which is usually a breakout year.

In the end if these two players do not perform the Falcons’ defense is going to be in trouble.

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Can the offensive rookie of the year withstand the pressure

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Atlanat Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan won offenisve rookie of the year for his outstanding performance this year. With the Falcons in the playoffs can Ryan withstand the pressure that comes with it.

The playoffs are pressure packed, and every play is scrutinized. It is simply a whole different ball game than the regular season, and you do not have to look no farther than Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo for evidence.

The Cardinals will be a good start for Ryan as the Cardinals are ranked 22nd in passing yards allowed. Also, the Cardinals are ranked 17th in interceptions.

That means that the Cardinals are not that tough of a challenge, and what makes it easier is that the Cardinals have been on cruise control for weeks. That means that they simply will be tough for the Cardinals to play their best game.

However, Ryan has showed poise, and calm, beyond his years. He simply is the exception to the rules when it comes to rookie quarterbacks.

Along with running back Michael Turner, Ryan and the Falcons will be a tough challenge for NFC playoff teams.

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Falcons were smart in hiring Dimitroff

Monday, December 15th, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons have turned completely around this year after being horrible last year. The person that is the reason for that is general manager Tom Dimitroff.

Dimitroff is simply the best hire that anyone could of done. The reason being that Dimitroff has been an integral part of the creation of the New England Patriots.

Many people give credit to head coach Bill Belichek, and vice president of player personel Scott Pioli. However, Dimitroff was the silent force behind the scenes.

The scouting department is the grunts that simply make or break a team as it is their job to find players that will be good in the National Football League. Dimitroff was the person that directed their efforts, reviewed the scouts work, and many other things that had made the Patriots successful.

What also made Dimitroff successful is that he knew the exact type of players that the Patriots always wanted, and he brought that with him.

Now, with the way the Falcons have turned things around, especially on offense. If Dimitroff gets a couple more players on defense, then every team in the NFL is going to have a hard time with them.

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Falcons will come just short

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons are one of the surprise teams this year as they are 4-2 on the year. However, they will come up just short of the playoffs.

There are several reasons that the Falcons are doing so well. Them being the play of running back Michael Turner, defensive end John Abraham, and quarterback Matt Ryan.

The down fall will be Ryan. No matter how good he is doing right now people need to remember one thing. That being he is a rookie.

He simply does not have the experience that smart defensive coordinators will start throwing at him. Which will come very soon in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles.

In games against division opponents Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ryan looked average. This week he will face the Eagles who are apart of one of the toughest divisions in football.

If Ryan does not show any signs this week of improvement against top teams it could be a longer road ahead than people are looking at right now for the playoffs.

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Falcons best of the worst

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons have won two games already, which has many Falcon fans beaming. However, the wins were only against two of the worst teams in the league.

The Falcons beat up the Detroit Lions, and the Kansas City Cheifs. Both teams are the worst teams in the league as their quarterback positions are a disaster.

Yes, quarterback Matt Ryan has looked decent in those games. Leaving many happy about the future ahead for Ryan.

What really matters is how Ryan performs against top teams. That does not bode well for Ryan’s future as he was horrendous in a performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In that game Ryan completed 13 of 33 passes for 158 yards, and two interceptions in a 24-9 loss. Most likely half of Ryan’s passing yards came in garbage time.

This week is a huge test for the Falcons, and thier future. For bad performances against the Panthers could break the confidence of these young players to the point of no return.

If you do not beleive me go ask Philadelphia Eagles tackle Winston Justice. Who last year in a start against the New York Giants got beaten up like a little rag doll by Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

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Falcons show how pathetic they are

Monday, August 4th, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons had a miserable year last year, mostly due to quarterback Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring being discovered. Now, a recent article shows how starved for talent the team is.

Coy Wire was let go be the Buffalo Bills earlier this year, but has landed with the Atlanta Falcons. Supposively, he has already made an impact on the team, according to Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“Probably the guy that showed the most and flashed the most Friday and Saturday was Coy Wire and he’s only been with us for about a week,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith.

For Wire to add strength to the linebacking core is a laughing stock. We are talking about a guy who on the final play, of the season opener of the 2004 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, was standing next wide receiver Ernest Wilford, and still could not knock down the pass.

The whole reason why he was moved to linebacker is due to the fact that he stunk at strong safety, and linebacker was his position in college at Stanford.

Yes, Wire is an outstanding special team player. That is the reason why he survived six seasons with the Bills. If he was not that good at it the Bills would have cut him a couple of years ago.

Wire is one of four outstanding special team players the Bills let go this offseason. The Bills let them go, because as important as special teams is head coach Dick Juaron does not want guys taking up roster spots that are only really good at special teams.

In other words you can expect the Falcons to be at the top of the 2009 National Football League draft.

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Falcons will need to resist urges with Ryan

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Matt Ryan with the third overall pick. So, when the season seems lost many people will be calling for Ryan, and the Facons need to resist that.

Since the 2000 Draft, only three quarterbacks have more touchdowns than interceptions in their rookie year. Of those three, only one started more than half of the teams games that year. That of course being Ben Roethlesberger.

The real telling signs of a franchise quarterback is in his second year of starting. There are three telling signs that a quarterback must have in their second year to go on to be a franchise quarterback.

First, the quarterback’s completion percentage is 60 percent, or better. Secondly, the quarterback must acheive 3,000 yards or better. Last, the quarterback must have more touchdowns than interceptions.

No quarterback that had less than two of these went on to be franchise quarterbacks.

Most quarterbacks that start in their first year, more than half the year, go on to be busts.

In the end the best thing for Ryan is riding the pine, and never get a sniff of the feild.

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Another example of a broken system

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons broke the bank for another quarterback. However, Matt Ryan has not even took a single regular season snap in the National Football League.

The Falcons and Ryan have come to a six year agreement that is worth $72 million, with $34.75 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter.

That is only three million less in guaranteed money than what Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got earlier this offseason.

Is anyone else out there thinking that Gene Upshaw is a complete idiot, because I sure the hell do.

The fact of the matter is the Upshaw thinks that it is necessary to have rookie contracts this way. That is in his world he thinks it helps veterans to get more money.

What it does is that it is causing resentment between veterans, and Upshaw himself. Eventually, Upshaw will be thrown out the door if he doesn’t come off his high horse.

The reason being that owners are going to want restrictions on rookie salaries, so they can make drafting at the top viable again for teams that draft there. With that in mind there will never be an Collective Bargaining Agreement without some kind of restrictions in place.

If current players are smart they will dump Upshaw, and bring in someone who is level headed, and has their best interests at heart, and not his own.

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Falcons are sweating bullets

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

The Atlanta Falcons have been rumoured to want defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. With the Miami Dolphins coming to terms with tackle Jake Long. With that news the Falcons are now sweating bullets over what the Rams are going to do.

The guy that the Falcons want is so close that they can almost taste it. However, the Rams are on the clock, and have several options on the table. What the Rams will do nobody will know, until National Football League commisioner Roger Goodell is at the podium.

If the Falcons want Dorsey, and do not get them, then they have a ligitament reason to be mad at the NFL. The NFL has told the Rams that they cannot enter into contract negotiations with the prospects that they are considering signing.

What the Rams could have done is this. They could of went to their first choice, and told them that they have a certain amount of time to take their deal, and if the prospect does not then they move on. Or, they could have made offers to multiple prospects, and take the guy who blinks first. In any case the Falcons have a good chance that they could get Dorsey.

However, this is the Falcons and nobody know what is going on over there right now. With new general manager Tom Dimtroff running the show, and being a former New England Patriot front office man, nobody is going to know who they covet the most. That is until they make their pick.

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Not even the Falcons are drawing trade interest

Friday, April 4th, 2008

A couple of days ago Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga revealed that the Dolphins have not received any calls about the number one pick. Yesterday it was written in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the Atlanta Falcons have not received any phone calls about the number three overall pick either.

”I have not been contacted about a trade,” Dimitroff said. “Philosophically, I’ve never been against trading back,” said Dimitroff.

With the revelation there is a disturbing trend that is starting to emerge. That being teams do not want anything to do with the top five draft picks at all if they are not in there. Simply, it is due to the amount of money, and yes it is getting repetitive, but it is the truth.

Too much money is being given to players that have never played a down in the National Football League. However, the top pick in the draft will get just as much guaranteed money as quarterback Ben Rothlisberger this offseason.

The fact of the matter is that the Falcons will not be getting any phone calls, and if they do it will be only a few interested in what it would take to move up. Which, would be more than what a team is willing to give up.

If the Falcons do not want to be in this position again then they better hit their pick, because teams will not trade up.

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Archive for the 'Falcons' Category

Atlanta Defense Hinges on Jerry and Anderson

Can the offensive rookie of the year withstand the pressure

Falcons were smart in hiring Dimitroff

Falcons will come just short

Falcons best of the worst

Falcons show how pathetic they are

Falcons will need to resist urges with Ryan

Another example of a broken system

Falcons are sweating bullets

Not even the Falcons are drawing trade interest

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