Falcons Draft Summary

The above link is the AJC article about the Falcons draft picks I feel pretty good about these players. Nothing super exciting, but power players frequently aren't exciting. Good pickups. I think the undrafted free agents will be exciting this season

A few things from the internet about the Falcons 1st Draft pick NFL.com: Konz is the premier center in this year's draft, and his selection will likely be solely based off team needs toward the end of the first round. He has a massive frame for the center position but has impressive knee bend, which allows him to play the position effectively. He made all the calls at the line and was the centerpiece of a dominant Wisconsin line loaded with NFL size and talent. ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Konz looks natural sitting in his stance and swiveling his head to make all the line calls, which is impressive given his uncommon height. He is a smooth athlete who has demonstrated the ability to uncoil his hips into defenders and blow them back to create quick holes in the run game. Konz is a smart player who picks up stunts well and uses his strength and anchor to sit and stall any oncoming bull rushers. He works fluidly with his guards when pulling and sealing. He has all the tools to be an elite center for years to come. WEAKNESSES Even though Konz has good flexibility, defenders will be able to out-leverage him at the point given his size. He can get stunned by quick bull rushes at the point and has a difficult time resetting his feet afterward. While he is an effective short-area mover he looks limited and rigid when moving in space. CBS Draft Profile: Overview [/left] Konz (pronounced "Kahnz") is the dedicated type player coaches look for at center. He showed that and his high character when he made the decision to opt for the draft after his junior year. Konz wrote a letter of explanation for Badger fans, telling them, among other things, that he crammed 18 units into the fall semester so he could graduate this spring and, oh yes, he was getting married. Konz was equally accountable on the field, where his intensive off-field work was evident. His anticipation and alertness compensate for average quickness, so he still gets in position in time to take on defenders. Konz is more of a persistent, wall-off type of blocker than a physical mauler. In order to start in 30 college games, he overcame several setbacks including blood clots in both lungs (2009), a severely sprained ankle (2010) and a dislocated left ankle that kept him out of three games last season, including the Big Ten Championship Game, before he returned to play in the 2012 Rose Bowl against Oregon. Close Posted Image [/left] Analysis [/left] Pass blocking: Possesses a solidly-built frame with a filled-out body and solid muscle definition. Naturally wide base off the snap. Does a nice job sinking his hips and playing with consistent pad level, sitting in his stance with steady balance. Shoots his hands into defenders with very good placement, flashing strong hands to sustain blocks for an extended period of time. Taller for the center position and will allow his upper body to get high at times. Understands blocking angles. Run blocking: A physical run blocker with raw power and strength at the point of attack. Gets very good initial push off the snap. Does a nice job with body positioning, walling off defenders to seal run lanes. Not a quick-twitch mover and looks a tad uncoordinated in tight spaces. Pulling/trapping: Athletic and mobile, blocking well in space and pulling towards either sideline. Shows natural instincts with a very good feel for the position, keeping his eyes elevated and always looking for someone to block. Initial Quickness: Sets up quickly and gets into his stance in a flash. Stout and aggressive at the point of attack and is tough to move because he plays with such good leverage -- sticky blocker. Konz is a bit stiff in his core and struggles to quickly redirect. Not naturally explosive. Downfield: Rangy blocker with the foot quickness to cover a lot of ground and easily get to the second level. Takes on defenders with toughness and aggression, looking to finish and dominate. Intangibles: Intelligent with strong football character, working hard on and off the field. Has good starting experience with 30 career starts at center over the past three seasons. Offers some versatility with the skill-set to line up at other offensive line spots. Has strong durability concerns, missing time each of the past three seasons with various injuries -- missed three games towards the end of 2011, including the Big Ten Championship Game, with a left ankle injury. -- Dane Brugler [/left]

You can be having a busy and tiring day....and then, BAM!!! One good meeting and you feel like a million bucks. It's nice to have a meeting and look competent.

Leap Day

An extra day calls for an special note.

I've been so very busy lately. I've got nothing much to blog about. I've become so distant from you...the reader..that I don't know what to say.

Collins just lost his first tooth. His first game as a 6 year old (even though he's 5) Texas Ranger is this Friday.

Gracie is doing Brownies, Soccer, and gymnastics soon.

Jack just took his first steps. He's trying to say "socks" and "mommy".

Kristin just got her 10 year engagement ring, of which I am very proud.

And me....I'm in a weight loss contest. Everyone is doing mediocre so far, including me. However, I've actually worked out a lot the last couple of days. I think I'm in a good place now. Soon, it will be routine. The contest ends at the end of March.

Updates

Georgia now stands at 3-2. The defense is starting to really play well. The offensive line can run block OK but can't pass block. Murray is getting hit. Murray is making too many mistakes that are uncharacteristic of him.

Falcons are now 2-2. They have talent and are making plays, but they can't put it all together. The pass rush hasn't materialized. The offensive line can run block OK but can't pass block. Ryan is getting hit. Ryan is making too many mistakes that are uncharacteristic of him.

I'll break down some things later on this week.

Gamecocks @ Bulldogs : Some shallow analysis

OK, after whiffing on last week's game, I feel the need to recalibrate my season predictions. However, I'll just address them one game at a time. I can't go back and predict the 2011 season. That would be cheating.

So, how do I see this game shaping up?

Georgia got whipped on both lines of scrimmage against BSU. All of the off season talk about the strength and conditioning program improvements seem like a bunch of dung right about now. I heard that BSU had the #1 rated defensive line (Bama is #2), so that would make me feel a little better.....except that I don't really believe it....although they sure looked awesome.

Center Ben Jones said that we had problems when Boise State started stunting. They couldn't communicate and couldn't block anyone, despite having a tremendous size advantage. Even Coach Richt said that we kept jumping off, then we went to the silent count and couldn't get off the ball in time. So, maybe it was a communication problem.

Ben said the problems on the line (what the heck was new offensive line coach Will Friend doing during Fall camp???) were fixed and wouldn't happen again. However, it's hard to get the image of Murray getting the line pushed into his face by 280 .lbs linemen out of my head. Plus...our great conditioning improvements had us cramping up in a 72 degree Georgia Dome. WTH??? Not really the recipe for winning in the trenches, is it?

Anyway, I see our lines being manhandled again. Lattimore may be contained early, but Garcia (there are 2 Garcias..the good one and the knucklehead) can still move the ball with Jeffrey and his own 2 feet....as long as his line is blocking. Georgia probably won't have to deal with quite the frantic pace as last week, but will be without Ogletree in the middle. As the game goes on, the inhuman man-beast that is Lattimore will become more effective and control the clock.

Maybe I'm just really negative about the upcoming game...but it's hard not to be after watching the BSU game.

I see South Carolina winning by 13 points based on the 2 teams...and nothing else.

29-16

Now then, the intangibles.

Georgia is at home, and has revenge after last year's loss to the cocks and last week's loss to BSU. Also, the may be desperate. The Cocks have been told how great they are all Summer. That doesn't really give you an edge. So, based on intangibles...I'll take 6 points off and say that the Cocks win by a TD.

23-16


Here's what can happen to help the Dawgs:

Garcia can play like the Garcia of old...which isn't great and could give the Dawgs a couple of turnovers. That may happen if Georgia gets pressure, which will take Grantham calling a more aggressive game. If they are desperate...which they should be...then that might happen.

Also, there is a chance that Ben Jones was right. What if the line really really did get the problems corrected?? What if playing in the friendly confines makes all the difference in the world? Maybe Georgia takes a couple of those field goals and turns them into TDs ?

Final Score:

Cocks: 23
Dawgs: 24

So, the game is riding on Ben Jones being right, and the defense getting some turnovers. Also, if the intangibles play to the Dawgs favor.

Translation: The Dawgs can win...and stand a half way decent shot. The Cocks ain't the 95 Cornhuskers, after all. However, I haven't see anything in one week that makes me think it will happen. I'm just reading practice reports, gathering information, and trying to read into it all.

If Richt wins, then maybe the Dawgs can tread water until the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. If he loses, he's in deep trouble. I don't think they would fire him in midseason unless he loses to the Cocks, Vols, and has another blowout vs the Gators. At that point, give Gruden a blank check and ask him to make it all go away.

Atlanta Falcons 2011...Season Prediction and Bears prediction as well

OK. The changes to the 2010 team have been modest. We added a #1 Draft pick WR and by some accounts the top DE in free agency. Now, we're ready to get the ball rolling.

I went through the schedule for a worst case scenario season...a simple gut reaction to each game..in order to get a prediction to the season. Normally, I would assume a divisional split because they are rivalry games and nobody can predict those. However, in this instance, I'm going to assume we sweep the panthers because they have a completely new....well, almost everything.

I have the Falcons as 10-6 and making the wild card.

In addition to the 4-2 in the division (split the Saints and Bucs, but sweep the Panthers), I have us beating the Bears, Seahawks, Lions, Titans, Vikings, and Jags.
I have us losing to the Eagles, Packers, Texans, and Colts. It's possible we could lose to the Vikings, because they still have a lot of talent.


Now....one week at a time.

Can the Falcons new explosion on offense and hopefully improved pass rush take on the might Chicago Bears in the Windy City?

Cutler is a pretty good QB, and the Bears have a tough defense and good running game. They went to the playoffs last year and were eliminated by the Packers (hey...we have a lot in common).

However, it's 2011.

It's only September, which is a good time to play in Chicago. The Bears lost their center, cut 2 of their big 2010 free agent signings, and Lance Briggs wants a trade and he's perhaps their best defensive player.

Cutler was hit last year more than any other QB (maybe losing their center wasn't a bad thing).

Altanta has another big offensive weapon, hopefully an improved pass rush, and a recently bolstered secondary.

Bear runningback Marion Barber is likely out for the game.

To me, too many things are going in Atlanta's favor in this game.

Falcons 27
Bears 20