Atlanta Falcons

Just like the Patriots addressed the secondary with defending tall receivers in mind, the Miami Dolphins did the same in the off-season. The difference was the source of the remedy. 

New England signed free agent veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Miami went the younger route and drafted Vonta Davis and Sean Smith. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

Alright, Tom Brady. The grace period is over. Now it’s time to be yourself again. That means the accurate surgeon capable of lighting up the scoreboard with few errors should finally be back. You’ve had enough time to work out the kinks. No more excuses. 

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week? 

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

I’ve been high on safety Brandon Merriweather since his second-year breakout season. He finished 2008 second on the team in tackles, led the team in interceptions with four, and forced two fumbles. What really stood out was the significance of the turnovers, as twice they were the difference in wins. 

Continue reading "Killer B's"

This is why the Patriots got them for, right? 

Shortly after the Patriots signed veteran CBs Leigh Bodden (6’1”) and Shawn Springs (6’0”), I couldn’t help but notice their size and how they didn’t fit the profile of the typical Pats corner. So I did some research. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 3"

The Patriots offense was virtually shut down by the New York Jets. QB Tom Brady was unable to get the offense into the endzone and was constantly rushed by a relentless New York blitz. It got people saying the Jets had the blueprint for beating the Patriots and with the rest of the league as witnesses, every opponent will follow suit. 

Continue reading "The Blueprint"

Over the last two years, the Patriots invested a lot of their time turning over the cornerback position. It started with allowing Asante Samuel to leave as a free agent. New England took action to replace him by drafting Terrance Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite in the 2008 draft. 

Continue reading "Very INTeresting"

Hello, and welcome to week one of the NFL season. 

No, I haven’t been in a cave for the week. But like the Patriots, I’m forgetting about the season opener. 

Was the home team that bad? No, not really. There were a couple of highlights (QB Tom Brady and the secondary), but everywhere else there was plenty of room for improvement: inability to gain first downs on short yardage runs, dropped passes, lack of a pass rush, etc. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

OK, now I’m sold. 

Since the end of the regular season I’ve been waiting for the Patriots to get a rush linebacker I could believe in. Whether it was a rookie day one draft pick, a free agent, or by trade, I wanted someone that could get to the quarterback better than Mike Vrabel did in 2008. His trade to Kansas City made the need urgent. 

Continue reading "A Burgess Believer"

In the world of journalism, it's the greatest compliment when an article you wrote inspires others to express their own opinion on the same subject.

Back in February, I wrote an article asking the question should teams draft tight ends in the first round. It was a relevant question because Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew could be the only TE selected within the first 32 picks.

Continue reading "Great Minds Think Alike"

To no surprise, the Patriots attached the franchise tag to QB Matt Cassel. And in even less of a no-brainer, Cassel accepted the one-year tender of $14.6 million.

Don't go shopping for that fleet of candy apple red Hummers yet, Cassel. You'll get paid, just don't expect the sum you signed for.

Continue reading "Cassel, Your Tag is Showing"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

 

           Wildcard weekend had an interesting lineup of games this year.  All four road teams (wildcard teams) were favored to win over the home teams (division winners).  That’s unusual, but this year it actually makes a lot of sense.  Many of the wildcard teams had better records than the division winners.  In the end, the underdogs won two of the four games (both 6th seeds defeated the 3rd seeded teams).

Continue reading "Where Are All The Nay Sayers Now?"

Playoffs:  0-0 

Overall:  33-26-1  

Atlanta @ Arizona:  The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-7).  It’s a quirky nuance in the rules where the team with a better record must travel to play a team with a worse record in the playoffs.  The Cardinals won their division, so by rule they get the home game.  The Falcons have been a huge surprise this season, but the NFL is well aware of them now.  The Cardinals played in a sub-par division, but they won enough games to earn their way into the tournament.  Unfortunately for the Cards, they will be one and done.  The Falcons are clearly the better team, and the Cardinals have been playing poorly as of late.  The Falcons are the real deal and should win easily.  Atlanta 34, Arizona 23.  

Continue reading "Predictions Wildcard Weekend"

ing people all season, and I think that will continue on Sunday.  Prediction: MIA 21, BAL 17

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals: To me, being an NFC guy, this is the matchup I know the

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

I'm not going to analyze this game a whole lot, as it is pretty simple why the Vikings fell to the Falcons.  Despite dominating in nearly aspect of the game, turnovers (four fumbles in all) doomed the Purple in their quest for the NFC North Division title.

Continue reading "Falcons 24, Vikings 17: I Should ..."

To me, this Sunday's Minnesota Vikings-Atlanta Falcons matchup is very even: On defense, the Vikings are clearly the better squad.  Offensively, though, the Falcons have more star talent (Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, Roddy White) than the Vikings, so, again, a big effort from Adrian Peterson will likely be the key to victory.

Continue reading "Vikings/Falcons Preview: An Even Line"

So I was 4 points off in my prediction last week as the Cardinals clinched the NFC West and with it a playoff birth. With the red birds in they’ll be looking for a favorable match up during wild card weekend, as it is unlikely the Giants will be dethroned as conference champions and one member of the South will undoubtedly take slot 2. The rest of the race is completely up in the air. Arizona can help shape their destiny today going against Minnesota, who is narrowly holding down a playoff spot in the NFC North.  The Cardinals looked poised to take the number three spot and judging by the strength of their remaining schedule they can as long as they topple the Vikings. With a difficult game against New England next week Arizona should have an easier going week 17 against the Seahawks.

Continue reading "Sizing up the playoff competition"

     As the NFL reaches the last quarter of the season, fantasy owners are positioning themselves for the playoffs. AS the fantasy playoffs begin, quality free agent pick-ups could be the boost that your team needs to climb to the top of the mountain. So, as we do each week, we are providing fantasy football players with the best information in the most interesting format possible. So, enjoy your viewing of this video that is sure to bring you what you need and remind you of things that you want.

Continue reading "NFL Injury Report by the Fantasy Sportsgirls"

     So here we are. One week before the end of the NCAA Football regular season the BCS has already claimed a victim. As Oklahoma leapfrogged the University of Texas to claim the number 2 spot in the BCS, Longhorn fans have gone looking for a nice padded room.

Continue reading "I told you it was nonsense-the BCS"

uld roll in this one.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys

3) Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Carolina Panthers are 8-2. Yes 8-2. Their 6-0 when playing at home and they took out the Falcons 24-9 in Week 4. Now the Panthers head into the Georgia Dome to play the 6-4 Falcons. My gut is telling me to pick the Falcons here. They lost a close one to the Broncos last week and I think they'll bounce back this week against a good Panthers team. If this game was in Carolina, I would not pick Atlanta, but it isn't. It'll be interesting to see how Matt Ryan plays against a decent defense in the Panthers. It's been a impressive season for the Falcons so far. I'll take them to win this week.

Continue reading "NFL Week 12 Predictions"

All year long everyone have been on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and the rest on the NFC East bandwagon! Now with the Dallas Debacle and the Redskins now back to earth, except for

Continue reading "NFC South is the Best"

NFC East

Week 6

Hello East Fans,

Well after a week of Hiatus to curse the football gods for my team’s embarrassing losses. I felt a preview of the Best division in Football was the only way to quench the thirst. Every team in the division except for Washington is on the road, let’s start with the leaders of the pack.

Continue reading "The East!"

       Sean Salisbury offers his fantasy football preview for week 6 of the NFL. Check this out every week at my blog.

Continue reading "Sean Salisbury's Fantasy Preview for Week 6"

s.

Falcons 27 Packers 24

Matt Ryan kept his composure and he and the Atlanta Falcons went to legendary Lambeau Field and defeated the Green Bay Packers. I had a feeling this could be an upset with Rodgers questionable for the game, but I still went with Green Bay in my pick ems to be safe. Should have went with my gut! Anyways Matt Ryan completed 16 out of 26 passes, 2 for touchdowns along with 1 interception. Aaron Rodgers played through pain and had quite a game going 25-37 for 313 yds along with a trio of touchdowns and a single interception, but it wasn't enough to beat the Falcons who went to 3-2 on the season. RB Michael Turner had a good game rushing 26 times for 121 yards scoring once. The thing that intrigues me with the Falcons is that no one had high expectations for them entering the season. If they lose, it's not like the Dallas Cowboys losing for example (exaggeration, but you get my drift)they have flexibility. They can take risks without suffering the harsh media scrunity of the media after losing a game unlike the top tier teams who are suppose to win week in and week out. Atlanta will be a fun team to watch for the remainder of the season. As a NFL fan hopefully they can compete better on the road and if they play like they did in Green Bay then they could finish with a pretty decent record for their expectations.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Fallout"

First off, I want to introduce myself. My name is Jake, I live in Houston. I'm glad I found this place. I've read a lot of bloggers material today from predictions to their favorite teams' rants, it's great. I enjoyed it. Sports, baby sports!

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Predictions"

The Crying Game

The Terrell Owens story

Hello NFL fans,

Well here we are, week four of the third year with his last team. This will be his last team, I truly believe that. If I were an owner I would rather get a letter full of anthrax and then imprisoned IN Cuba to spend the rest of my days. The continuous onslaught of reporters and fans condemning my name and wanting my head on a stick would be too much for me to bare.

Continue reading ""

              The economic “crisis" is not that complicated. The stock market always wants positive press to continue its trading

Continue reading "Economic Crisis"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  I missed a few during Hurricane Ike and could use your help. Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes"

Your favorite method of getting your football returns this week . The popular video series can be found at my blog.

Continue reading "Fantasy girl returns"

   I just wanted to let you know that I may be unable to post for a few days. I live south of Houston, near Galveston, Texas. As hurricane Ike approaches there may be power outages and loss of internet access. If that is the case, I will be unable to write my column. Remember though, there are things much more important than sports. If you need Ike information, you can go to:

Continue reading "Hurricane information"

Houston Texans injury update:

Megan Manfull of the Houston Chronicle has reported these injuries -

               Running back Ahman Green - It wasn't a cramp that limited his play Sunday. He has a sprained ankle.

Continue reading "Injury Update"

Here is the great Jack Buck's poem that was given on September 17, 2001."Since this nation was founded ... under God
More than 200 years ago
We have been the bastion of freedom
The light that keeps the free world aglow

Continue reading "Jack Buck's Poem remembering 9-11"

e Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago Bears, and even the Atlanta Falcons - the Falcons?  Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders, the Detroit Lions, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Houston Texans looked like they forgot that the preseason was over -the Colts - our beloved Texans? Maybe, they just didn’t get the memo.

Continue reading "Believe!"

NFL Week 1 Results
NY Giants 16 Wahington 7
Pittsburgh 38 Houston 17
Atlanta 34 Detroit 21
Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 10
Baltimore 17 Cincinnati 10
Philadelphia 38 St. Louis 3

Continue reading "NFL SCOREBOARD"

You can get your fantasy football updates here as well as columns, funny sports quotes, injury updates and anything else sports related. If your not already seeing this video just hit the sportspoet link and you will get everything that you need to keep up with your favorite sports teams. Thank you for visiting this site.

Continue reading "Fantasy Football Video by Sportsgirl"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes-September 10"

All of Patriot Nation can finally breathe again after the unveiling of the physically unable to perform list. According to The Boston Globe, the reason why there's so many players on PUP is to not over-work them so they perform well for the whole season. Already rookie running back BenJarivs Green-Ellis was removed from the list. And offensive tackle Nick Kaczur returned to the field as well.

Continue reading "Sigh of relief"

NFL commissioner Roger Godell wasted little time handing out penalties after head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots were caught with the poorly hidden camera. Besides the monentary fines, he docked the Pats their first round pick.

Continue reading "Got 'till it's gone"

seems useful to examine an oft-repeated alibi that "everyone does it." According to Atlanta Falcons team president Rich McKay this is decidedly not the case. McKay's exact words and the full text of the New York Times article on this subject appear in the link below. Just click and read:

Continue reading "Videogate - An Atlanta Falcons Perspective"