Falcons talk

[GrantDawg]

I want to officially pre-emptively apologize to VPI about our little Hall debate during the Draft. I have a feeling now we are going to see how right you are. I had not heard the Falcons have not only pencilled him in as the starting left cornerback, but according to Mora today the length of the hold-out will not prevent him from being the starter. Ugh. That has "setting him up to fail" all over it.

The other good news today is that Overstreet has hurt his shoulder yet again. Good money says his career is over before the end of training camp. That once again leaves the team with no depth on the D-line, which has been a recurring theme (aling with being "undersized") for years. No Ellis Johnson, absolutely no depth on the ends and a rookie starting Left Corner with a lot of growing up to do equals a long season. I hope Lavalias ends up being as good as I think he can be. He was such a stud last year for LSU, but he had a lot of talent around him.


Well, it is never to early to hit the panic button. :)

[GrantDawg]

Not one response?

[FBPro]

I guess I'm sitting back waiting on a bit more details, I don't get all the "good stuff" where I'm at. Maybe NFL Total Access will have some "dirt" tonight. :)

[Samdari]

Not one response?

Perhaps the other two Falcon fans in existence are not board members?

EDIT: And DeAngelo Hall is going to be a stud for years to come.

[RPI-Fan]

If I have an NFL team I like, it's the Falcons (lived in Atlanta for a few months).

That said, I don't know anything about the team other than that Vick is their star player and wear boring black jerseys.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, I started to post "You mean the Falcons are still in the league?" ... but I didn't think that was quite what you were looking for.

I hated to hear about Overstreet, since he's a UT alum & all, but otherwise my interest is just pretty darned limited.

[GrantDawg]

I was actually thinking VPI would just give me a "I told you so." :)

[FBPro]

I'm not real surprised with the Overstreet situation, seems to be fragile. I've only heard a little on the Johnson story, what's the deal with that? I think Hall will be ok, maybe not out of the gate but he'll come around.

[GrantDawg]

I'm not real surprised with the Overstreet situation, seems to be fragile. I've only heard a little on the Johnson story, what's the deal with that? I think Hall will be ok, maybe not out of the gate but he'll come around.
He says he wants more money or he'll retire. The Falcons have said play out your contract or go ahead and retire. They basically are refusing to release him in case he might sign with someone else.

[VPI97]

I was actually thinking VPI would just give me a "I told you so." :)I can't do that...too much of a Falcons fan. I hope D-Lo gets his head out of his ass and gets in camp. If he doesn't, I'd rather they start Aaron Beasley and limit Hall to nickel and return duties. The kid will be one of the top two return men in the league...I have no doubt about that...but while he has tremendous physical abilities for a corner, he doesn't have the head for it right now. He didn't at VT and he hasn't shown any improvement in his judgement so far with the Falcons.

As for the rest of the defense, I'm hoping Ellis shows up and I think Lavalias will be a great addition to the line. I think he will be remembered as a "Zach Thomas-like" steal of the 2004 draft. The linebackers should be fine (I'm very high on Chris Draft), but the key to the season will be if the secondary can hold. They can't do any worse that last season's unit, though.

Everything that I've heard from camp says that the offense it hitting on all cylinders. Should be an exciting season.

[GrantDawg]

I can't do that...too much of a Falcons fan. I hope D-Lo gets his head out of his ass and gets in camp. If he doesn't, I'd rather they start Aaron Beasley and limit Hall to nickel and return duties. The kid will be one of the top two return men in the league...I have no doubt about that...but while he has tremendous physical abilities for a corner, he doesn't have the head for it right now. He didn't at VT and he hasn't shown any improvement in his judgement so far with the Falcons.

As for the rest of the defense, I'm hoping Ellis shows up and I think Lavalias will be a great addition to the line. I think he will be remembered as a "Zach Thomas-like" steal of the 2004 draft. The linebackers should be fine (I'm very high on Chris Draft), but the key to the season will be if the secondary can hold. They can't do any worse that last season's unit, though.

Everything that I've heard from camp says that the offense it hitting on all cylinders. Should be an exciting season.

I'm not worried about the offense too much (as long as Vick and Crumpler stays healthy), but the defense really makes me nervous. Plus, I don't like a coach to guarentee a starting spot to a guy who has never played a down, lus doesn't get into camp on time. I'm with you in hoping Beasley gets the starting job, but the comments I read from Mora seems like he has made up his mind.

[Franklinnoble]

Well, hey, if the Falcons turn out to be a disappointment this year, there's always basketball season for Atlanta sports fans to look forward to...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, hey, if the Falcons turn out to be a disappointment this year, there's always basketball season for Atlanta sports fans to look forward to...

Now that's just f'n sadistic

[ISiddiqui]

Plus, I don't like a coach to guarentee a starting spot to a guy who has never played a down, lus doesn't get into camp on time.

Sounds like a Blank mandate to Mora. You shall play the guy we drafted with our 1st round pick regardless of real talent! This is a business, Mora! ;)

[VPI97]

Well, hey, if the Falcons turn out to be a disappointment this year, there's always basketball season for Atlanta sports fans to look forward to...Damn straight...the Atlanta Celtics AAU squad had two guys drafted in the first round of the NBA draft last season. They should be just as good next year...best basketball team in town...

[Swaggs]

Is Quincy Wilson getting any attention in camp? He was a great player for WVU in his career, although he was behind all-time Big East rushing leader Avon Cobourne for a few years and injured a few times. I hope he gets some PT this season.

[FBPro]

Well, hey, if the Falcons turn out to be a disappointment this year, there's always basketball season for Atlanta sports fans to look forward to...

When did theyt get a basketball team?

[The_herd]

Is Quincy Wilson getting any attention in camp? He was a great player for WVU in his career, although he was behind all-time Big East rushing leader Avon Cobourne for a few years and injured a few times. I hope he gets some PT this season.

With Reeves gone along with his hatred for rookies and hard-on for Dunn, he has a shot to get some PT this year, I would think. He really could be a steal. Doesn't have blazing speed, but the guy is a great natural runner. The best I've seen from the guys that have recently come out of WVU.

[WSUCougar]

I think the Falcons have a definite shot at the SEC championship this season. Er, um...

[Franklinnoble]

Honestly, at this moment, I have no idea who the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons is.

[WSUCougar]

That'd be Jim Mora, Jr. - a guy I went to junior high school with.

[VPI97]

That'd be Jim Mora, Jr. - a guy I went to junior high school with.So what you're saying is that you can get me sideline passes, right?

[Franklinnoble]

That'd be Jim Mora, Jr. - a guy I went to junior high school with.
Dude, I wouldn't brag about that just yet.

His dad says the Falcons suck.

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/sports/falcons/0804/03hall.html

Top draft pick Hall agrees to terms

By MATT WINKELJOHN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 8/2/04

Greenville, S.C. -- The Falcons expect their top draft pick, cornerback DeAngelo Hall, to end his holdout and report to training camp today after he and his agent agreed to a contract late Monday night.

No financial details were available, but a source close to negotiations said Hall's deal is for five years. All his agent, Joel Segal, would say was, "We agreed in principle to a deal."

Hall was the No. 8 overall pick, and the players drafted No. 7 (Detroit wide receiver Roy Williams), No. 9 (Jacksonville wide receiver Reggie Williams) and No. 10 (Houston cornerback Dunta Robinson) have already signed five-year deals.

Based on their contracts, Hall is likely to receive guaranteed money in the range of $12 million, which would be a franchise record. Quarterback Michael Vick's $11 million in guaranteed bonuses in 2001 was the previous Falcons record.

Although Hall missed the Falcons' first nine practices, coach Jim Mora said Monday afternoon that the former Virginia Tech star will be the No. 1 left cornerback when he reports.

The Falcons are to practice today at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., but it was not clear Monday night if all the paperwork would be finished in time for Hall to sign the contract and participate in the morning practice.

NFL rules prohibit a player from practicing without a signed contract. To that end, team officials stayed up into the wee hours of Tuesday morning reviewing the document so Hall might sign it as soon as this morning.

Segal also represents the last Falcons rookie to stage a contract holdout -- running back T.J. Duckett stayed out of camp nine days in 2002. Segal arrived at Furman University on Sunday afternoon and negotiated with team president/general manager Rich McKay on several occasions that day, including a meeting after Sunday night's practice.

The two resumed lengthy negotiations Monday.

In Hall's absence, cornerbacks Tod McBride and Derek Ross got the most work with the No. 1 offense, although McBride's been out for the past four practices with a strained hamstring.

Hall may also be a factor as a punt returner this season.

[GrantDawg]

Glad he is in, now lets just hope he (and Vick for that matter) can live up to the hype. Or even 75% of the hype.

[Buzzbee]

When did theyt get a basketball team?

Since last year when Georgia Tech made it to the finals of the NCAA tournament. :)

And got crushed. :(

[JonInMiddleGA]

Glad he is in, now lets just hope he (and Vick for that matter) can live up to the hype. Or even 75% of the hype.

http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/sports/falcons/0804/06vick.html

Vick pulls hamstring in workout vs. Titans

From staff reports
Published on: 8/5/04

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick pulled his right hamstring while scoring a touchdown in a controlled scrimmage against the Tennessee Titans Thursday afternoon.

Vick missed the final 15 minutes of the scrimmage and had ice applied to the injury. The extent of the injury was not immediately known.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And got crushed. :(

Well, there's "crushed" ... and then there's crushed

http://www.ajc.com/uga/content/sports/uga/0804/06uga.html

The NCAA infractions committee imposed harsh penalties on the University of Georgia basketball program Thursday for violations of NCAA rules, ethical misconduct and academic fraud during Jim Harrick's tenure as head basketball coach.

The penalties included:

# Forfeiture of 30 basketball victories including 11 during the 2001-02 season and 19 during the 2002-03 season.

# Four years on probation through April 17, 2008.

# A reduction of scholarships from 13 to 12 in each of the 2005-06, '06-07 and '07-08 seasons.

# If a former assistant coach (though he was not named, it is clear that coach was Jim Harrick Jr.) applies for work at an NCAA institution, that school would have to go before the infractions committee and show cause why it should hire him.

# Public reprimand and censure.

# The NCAA would have placed a one-year ban on postseason play had Georgia not withdrawn itself from eligibility for the 2003 tournament.

[judicial clerk]

pwned!

[GrantDawg]

All the news fit to print:


Vick's hamstring tweak was not serious. He says he feels he could practice today, but the coaches are not likely to let him.

Ellis Johnson is now asking to be released. He is no longer talking retirement. He just wants more money.

And in FOF interest news, Eric Beverly, who was signed to be the number 1 LG, has officially lost his job to Micheal Moore (I knew he was fat, but I didn't think he was big enough to play in the NFL :)). So, instead of become the back up guard they have changed his position to TE. I wonder how far his development bars went down and if it doesnm't work out will they change him to punter and release him. :)

[Kodos]

Glad he is in, now lets just hope he (and Vick for that matter) can live up to the hype. Or even 75% of the hype.

Oh, Hall's good. He made 3 interceptions in one half for me in ESPN. And took two of 'em "TO THE HOUSE!!!"

;)

[VPI97]

Randy Moss just made Hall look like a grade school defender. Yay.

[GrantDawg]

Randy Moss just made Hall look like a grade school defender. Yay.
Yup, that was bad. I'm glad the Falcons hired a defensive minded head coach. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[GrantDawg]

The defense looks bad, but at least the offense looks terrible.

[VPI97]

Yup, that was bad. I'm glad the Falcons hired a defensive minded head coach. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gifIt's looking like the high priced offensive line coach is paying off, as well...

[Franklinnoble]

Randy Moss just made Hall look like a grade school defender. Yay.
He did? What'd he do, have Debra LaFave start hitting on him from the sidelines?

[GrantDawg]

Now that looked good. Shaub's little pump fake and hits Jenkins for the TD.