Monday, October 06, 2003
Dirty Bird Report Week 5
Man, what a very disappointing day. I've got to say yesterday ranked right up there in the top five as most misreable sporting event days for me ever. First the falcons lose. Then the Us Women get blanked in their quest to retain the world cup by Germany. Then my beloved Braves get smoked and knocked out of the postseason by Kerry Wood and the Cubs. It was a rough day. But lets stick to the where it started.
Okay at 1-3 this early in the season and facing an undefeated Vikings team, this was a must win to keep any hopes alive for the season and the fans of the 2003 version of the birds. Other than that there was really nothing to lose. What I mean by that is, look the season appears screwed from the get-go, and the vikings and everyone else expects the vikings to come in and beat a lackluster falcons group. So with everyone in the Vikings corner, this has to be the week to turn it around, suprise a few folks and get some cylinders chugging before the Vickster comes back.
Well, we got a few cylinders chugging. The Falcons jumped out to an impressive first quarter that witnessed several good drives into Viking territory, although we only got a few field goals, and also good stops by a potentially great defensive unit. They were even getting the ball to Price. Amazing. Price got his first regular season touchdown as a bird in the second half and we headed into halftime up 20-12 with everything looking good. (Including some nervousness on the Minnesota fans I was watching the game with at the local sports bar). Don't ya know.
Then in true 2003 falcon fashion the team must have gotten on the bus and left town immediately at halftime cause the looked freaking pathetic in the second half. With 4 key defensive secondary players not playing because of injuries or suspension, I actually thought they did a good job at containing Randy Moss. Ferotte mis fired on about 3 long plays to Moss during the game which Moss barely missed, and Moss also dropped around 3 catches during the game, so had those plays been good I would have not said what I just said, but in the end he was only held to 2 touchdowns and about 80+ yards. The balls he did catch for touchdowns were amazing and he truly is one of those type of players in the league.
BUT! It wasn't enough. Doug Johnson threw a couple of silly - key interceptions and the Vikings took advantage of them. We had a great chance to comeback in the game but Dunn fumbed much like Curtis Martin did last week... POP! and into the endzone. The game was not close in the second half as the Vikings scored 27 unanswered points (except for a late Farris touchdown much like the Redskin game). And I haven't even talked about the two safties.. What?
Big mistakes have killed the falcons this year and hopefully it doesn't get any worse. At this point, many fans are already looking forward to the incoming draft class and potential free agents. Next week they'll face a struggling Ram team on Monday night and hopefully come out with a salvaged victory. I guess this is all to be expected. The falcons have never had two winning seasons in a row ever. Last year we were winners so its only inevitable that we come out as losers this year. Look for Vick to rest another week and continue to work on his running and getting ready to come back but I honestly think there is no hurry now. Doug played okay yesterday and like every other quarterback who makes mistakes, made a few big ones. The season isn't over yet, but it's rapidly been going down hill since August 11.
In Fantasy news.
I knew it. List Price as Doubtful, then Questionable. I knew he would play and I figured this was just a way to give him some space to tear things up. But. It figures, the first time I bench him on several of my teams and he lights it up.. Damn it... I also found I benched Portis on several of my teams that have him and that didn't pan out to be such a good deciscion either. Maddox sucks.
In Madden news
I started a new Franchise as the Falcons and made some big trades. I got rid of Dunn, Duckett, some other lesser known players and several draft picks and brought in Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Dante Hall, Jeremiah Trotter and a few lower round draft picks. I think I'll fare quite well. Im up to week 3 and Dante hasnt broke one for a score yet but he will. Portis is near the top of the rushing leaders. McGahee is used as a third down back and suprisingly enough has great hands and quick acceleration. He's going to be great once he gets back. The real life falcons need to make these moves.
In other news around the league.
Dante Hall is truly amazing. The Chiefs are a force to be reckon with. Although I'm still pulling for the Broncos, if either or these two teams makes it to the Super Bowl (and the falcons aren't in it) I'll be rooting heavily for them to win. Go AFC! Even though the Vikings are 5-0, I still don't think they have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs. Washington almost pulled it out late against the eagles. Tough break on that 2-point conversion. Buffalo got lucky against the Bengals. Miami barely escaped New York. The Patriots won a wild one. And how about those Browns last night.. Reunion weekend didn't fare too well for the folks who went back home.. Emmitt Smith got hurt against Dallas and Mike Holmgrem lost at Green Bay.....
Tonight.
Tonights game against the Colts and Bucs is a true test to see how good these colts really are. I see them struggling early but potentially making a late run near the end of the game and possibly pulling it out. I see the Bucs stopping the Colts defense and either Peyton lighting up the secondary or getting completely shut down. I'm not too sure how good the colt defense is so I guess that will be the decided factor. I'm definately going to be rooting for the Colts and my main man Marvin Harrison. Go Colts!
Indy 24 Tampa Bay 13
Hopefully soon I'll cure my Brave Postseason loser depression, seeing how I've got the remedy down pretty good by now... Next year, next year, next year... It's always next year. As much as I thought they wouldn't have a chance this year, I see them improving even more next year. They'll need another Ace in their staff. Hopefully Johnny is okay after the game he pitched Saturday... MANG ¶ 10/06/2003 01:42:00 PM
Okay at 1-3 this early in the season and facing an undefeated Vikings team, this was a must win to keep any hopes alive for the season and the fans of the 2003 version of the birds. Other than that there was really nothing to lose. What I mean by that is, look the season appears screwed from the get-go, and the vikings and everyone else expects the vikings to come in and beat a lackluster falcons group. So with everyone in the Vikings corner, this has to be the week to turn it around, suprise a few folks and get some cylinders chugging before the Vickster comes back.
Well, we got a few cylinders chugging. The Falcons jumped out to an impressive first quarter that witnessed several good drives into Viking territory, although we only got a few field goals, and also good stops by a potentially great defensive unit. They were even getting the ball to Price. Amazing. Price got his first regular season touchdown as a bird in the second half and we headed into halftime up 20-12 with everything looking good. (Including some nervousness on the Minnesota fans I was watching the game with at the local sports bar). Don't ya know.
Then in true 2003 falcon fashion the team must have gotten on the bus and left town immediately at halftime cause the looked freaking pathetic in the second half. With 4 key defensive secondary players not playing because of injuries or suspension, I actually thought they did a good job at containing Randy Moss. Ferotte mis fired on about 3 long plays to Moss during the game which Moss barely missed, and Moss also dropped around 3 catches during the game, so had those plays been good I would have not said what I just said, but in the end he was only held to 2 touchdowns and about 80+ yards. The balls he did catch for touchdowns were amazing and he truly is one of those type of players in the league.
BUT! It wasn't enough. Doug Johnson threw a couple of silly - key interceptions and the Vikings took advantage of them. We had a great chance to comeback in the game but Dunn fumbed much like Curtis Martin did last week... POP! and into the endzone. The game was not close in the second half as the Vikings scored 27 unanswered points (except for a late Farris touchdown much like the Redskin game). And I haven't even talked about the two safties.. What?
Big mistakes have killed the falcons this year and hopefully it doesn't get any worse. At this point, many fans are already looking forward to the incoming draft class and potential free agents. Next week they'll face a struggling Ram team on Monday night and hopefully come out with a salvaged victory. I guess this is all to be expected. The falcons have never had two winning seasons in a row ever. Last year we were winners so its only inevitable that we come out as losers this year. Look for Vick to rest another week and continue to work on his running and getting ready to come back but I honestly think there is no hurry now. Doug played okay yesterday and like every other quarterback who makes mistakes, made a few big ones. The season isn't over yet, but it's rapidly been going down hill since August 11.
In Fantasy news.
I knew it. List Price as Doubtful, then Questionable. I knew he would play and I figured this was just a way to give him some space to tear things up. But. It figures, the first time I bench him on several of my teams and he lights it up.. Damn it... I also found I benched Portis on several of my teams that have him and that didn't pan out to be such a good deciscion either. Maddox sucks.
In Madden news
I started a new Franchise as the Falcons and made some big trades. I got rid of Dunn, Duckett, some other lesser known players and several draft picks and brought in Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Dante Hall, Jeremiah Trotter and a few lower round draft picks. I think I'll fare quite well. Im up to week 3 and Dante hasnt broke one for a score yet but he will. Portis is near the top of the rushing leaders. McGahee is used as a third down back and suprisingly enough has great hands and quick acceleration. He's going to be great once he gets back. The real life falcons need to make these moves.
In other news around the league.
Dante Hall is truly amazing. The Chiefs are a force to be reckon with. Although I'm still pulling for the Broncos, if either or these two teams makes it to the Super Bowl (and the falcons aren't in it) I'll be rooting heavily for them to win. Go AFC! Even though the Vikings are 5-0, I still don't think they have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs. Washington almost pulled it out late against the eagles. Tough break on that 2-point conversion. Buffalo got lucky against the Bengals. Miami barely escaped New York. The Patriots won a wild one. And how about those Browns last night.. Reunion weekend didn't fare too well for the folks who went back home.. Emmitt Smith got hurt against Dallas and Mike Holmgrem lost at Green Bay.....
Tonight.
Tonights game against the Colts and Bucs is a true test to see how good these colts really are. I see them struggling early but potentially making a late run near the end of the game and possibly pulling it out. I see the Bucs stopping the Colts defense and either Peyton lighting up the secondary or getting completely shut down. I'm not too sure how good the colt defense is so I guess that will be the decided factor. I'm definately going to be rooting for the Colts and my main man Marvin Harrison. Go Colts!
Indy 24 Tampa Bay 13
Hopefully soon I'll cure my Brave Postseason loser depression, seeing how I've got the remedy down pretty good by now... Next year, next year, next year... It's always next year. As much as I thought they wouldn't have a chance this year, I see them improving even more next year. They'll need another Ace in their staff. Hopefully Johnny is okay after the game he pitched Saturday... MANG ¶ 10/06/2003 01:42:00 PM
