Sunday, September 30, 2007

Falcons postgame

So I was wrong. But I'm happy I was wrong. Yesterday I picked the Texans to notch a 24-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons. But Atlanta proved me, and a lot of other people, wrong with a 26-16 win, its first of the season. Hey, at least I was somewhat close on the score, right? Uhh, well, maybe not.

But I admit my inaccuracy in prediction today's game and, as I said, I'm glad of it. Happy Falcons are much easier to deal with than sad Falcons. Be sure to check out The Telegraph or macon.com on Monday to get all the coverage from the game, including my thoughts, grades on the Falcons and a look at how former Atlanta QB Matt Schaub did in his return to the ATL.

As promised, here are some quotes from after the game you likely won't find anywhere else.

John Abraham: "We've got to be stiff. We've still got to be loose, but we've also got to take it as in, we've got to step up from here. We can't fall back. This is where we've got to be."

Michael Boley on Matt Schaub: "He's changed a lot. He's a lot better than when he was here, so it's just one of those things where we had to come out and really be on our Ps and Qs about what he does as a quarterback."

Alge Crumpler on Morten Andersen: "I can't go 25 years. I'll let you know that right now; I can't go 25 years. He's automatic. That was great for us, for him to come out and just do a simple job, just put the ball through the uprights. We've struggled with guys coming in and out of here, but he's always come in and made sure that we put points on the board and it's been great. That's what he does."

Grady Jackson on the Falcons' good fortune: "Everything came together. Like I said last week, when everything comes together and we get everything right, we are a good team to be reckoned with. It's just something we've got to get going; offensively, defensively we played well and I feel like that's a starting point right there and we've just got to keep on building on it."

Grady Jackson on Michael Boley: "Michael Boley, I don't know what he had in him but I think he needs to keep on doing what he did, just be so active, running around and making plays. Hat's off to Mike."

Morten Andersen on his one failed field goal: "We had a little hiccup on that last one. I'll have to look at the film to see if the guy... either he made a great play or he was offsides. I don't know. He sure did get in there very fast."

Joey Harrington: "We've improved every single week. They're noticeable improvements. You can look at Game 1 and Game 4 and see the difference. That's the kind of thing we need to keep going. We need to take that into next week. It's a positive step. Being 1-3 is obviously not where we want to be, but we made a very positive step toward getting back to where we want to get by the end of the year."

Saturday, September 29, 2007

The Final Word

We're less than 24 hours away from the Atlanta Falcons' fourth game of the season, so it's time to start making some predictions. First, let me say I think the Falcons can win this one. I think Houston is depleted offensively with injuries and it's going to be tough for the Texans to really get things going with so many pieces on the sidelines or slowed by bumps and bruises. Atlanta has a great opportunity to take advantage of those things and pull out its first win of the season, which would drastically change the outlook of the team itself.

Make no mistake, Houston is still a very good football team and it is likely heading to the postseason this year, but the Falcons just have the luck of facing the Texans a week after they got beaten up by the Colts. Now, that doesn't automatically mean a win is in the cards. It just means that the Falcons have a slight edge in the depth category and that could help them get the W if they do the things they need to do, like stop with the stupid and late penalties, finish the game and play with poise.

I see the Falcons leading this game and I see them staying close throughout. But it's hard to say the Falcons can find a way to win when they haven't yet, despite several prime opportunities. Earlier in the week during my Falcons podcast I said I expected the Texans to take a 10-point win away from the Georgia Dome. I'll revise the statement and say the Texans win by three, 24-21, on a late field goal.

Check back on Sunday shortly after the game as I will be posting quotes from postgame news conferences and interviews, as well as some analysis on what happened. And check out The Macon Telegraph or macon.com on Monday for expanded coverage of the game, including my grades for the Falcons and a look at former Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Who do you throw to?

Things took a bad turn for the Houston Texans before last week's game when standout wide receiver Andre Johnson went down with an injury and did not play in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Well, things aren't any better heading into Sunday's game with Atlanta. The Texans will be without Johnson as he will be stuck on the sidelines for the second week in a row, but that's not the only hit Houston took this week.

Backup wide receivers Jacoby Jones and Jerome Mathis will also be out - although Mathis' status is listed as doubtful - against the Falcons, bringing the total of hobbled receivers for the Texans to three. That leaves Andre Davis, Kevin Walter and fourth-stringer David Anderson as quarterback Matt Schaub's only options to throw to at the position, which makes the Falcons secondary's job a lot easier, especially with Lewis Sanders and Chris Crocker listed as probable. Also worth noting is Houston's top running back, Ahman Green, is dealing with a knee injury and is listed as questionable. That takes a huge element out of Houston's offense as the team would have to rely on Ron Dayne to carry the bulk of the load out of the backfield if Green doesn't play.

What Schaub will be able to do with this offense should he be missing three receivers and a starting running back will be interesting to see. Schaub is a very good QB, but he can't do it alone and it doesn't seem like Houston is as deep as some other teams in the NFL. Could this be enough to help the Falcons notch their first win of the season?

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Practice report

Atlanta Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino said today that defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux will not play this weekend against the Houston Texans. Babineaux, who has been filling in for an injured Rod Coleman, has been a standout defensively for the Falcons, tallying seven tackles, two sacks and a pass defended at his defensive tackle position. No word on when he will return, but Montavious Stanley - acquired just before the season - and Trey Lewis - a sixth-round draft pick - will try to fill the hole against the Texans.

Byron Leftwich is coming along at practice, but is still in the No. 3 spot behind Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. Leftwich has made strides to learn the playbook, but if Harrington plays like he did against Carolina, the Falcons may not need his services any time soon.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Welcome to the Pro Schmo Show

Say that fast five times. This is the brand-new professional sports blog here at macon.com and I'm pleased to be the one bringing it to you.

This blog is supposed to be whatever I determine it to be, but I'd like it to be as much of what you want it to be, as well. For the next few months, the focus will be on the Atlanta Falcons, but I will certainly delve into other teams and sports around the state and around the country, too. I'm going to be bringing you my opinions and analysis, but you're also going to get stuff here you're not going to see in print.

Want rumors? You got it. Predictions? I can do that. Quotes from players and coaches you won't find anywhere else? Done. Answers to your questions? No problem. If you have questions for me, I'll be happy to answer them. You can post them in a comment here or e-mail me at jadams@macon.com. Debate is always welcome. But if you have a question for a member of the Atlanta Falcons, let me know and I will do my best to get that answer straight from the player's mouth and bring it to you right here. That's right. You can decide where the interview goes.

This blog will evolve over the next few months, so suggestions are welcome. I will try to update every day, so check back often to get all of what I listed above. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will continue to do so.