U.S Military 'Afghanistan now the Priority"

"The U.S. military's primary focus needs to shift immediately from Iraq to Afghanistan, Adm. Michael Mullen", said Monday

U.S officials are greatly concerned about the recent Taliban buildup in Southern Afghanistan and Pakistan that have occured the last couple of months. 2 Weeks ago several towns along the Pakistan-Afghan border we're attacked by Taliban agents killing several. Pentagon says that the Insurgents have been using Pakistan to smuggle weapons and soldiers into the Afghanistan and that Pakistan's miles an miles of unguarded border and isolated frontier make it easy for the terrorists to store and traffic weapons. The Pakistani government has often been criticized for not cracking down on Taliban militants along its border with Afghanistan. As a result, the U.S. airforce has carried out several air raids against terrorist targets in Pakistan. The strikes have dampend relations between the two countries. Many fear that Pakistan nuculear arsenal is in danger and the subject of which is ofg reat concern to the United States. President Obama is set to meet with the leaders of both countries(Afghanistan/Pakistasn) later this week.

Hawks defeat heat in 7 games. Move on to face Cavs.

In a tough seven game series the Hawks finally down Miami 91-78. This game was unique in that every game of the series was decided by double digits, the first seven game series to do such in 4 decades. It was also the first series Atlanta has won since 1999 ending one of the NBA's longest droughts. (first seven game series in 39 years). Miami Heat Guard Dwayne Wade played well in the series but at the end of the day he was the only one on his team showing up and by the 4th quarter the Hawks were well ahead.

The Hawks now go to Clevland argubally the best team in Basketball. Most pundits at this moment give the Hawks no chance and even declare that the Cavs will sweep. The key will be weather or not Clevlands week layoff has made them rusty or will they be well rested. Only time will tell. I think the Hawks put up a good fight but Cavs at home are just too strong. Cavs in 5 or 6 games.

Falcons 09 Draft (Day two)

On the 2nd day of the NFL draft defense remained the name of the game. It saw the falcons pick up 2 more defensive backs a DE, another DT and the lone player on offense an OT.

Round 3

Chris Owens CB (San Jose St)

Owens relies on his above average awareness...He is very aggressive and surprisingly strong for his size. Owens will step up against the run and is a solid tackler for the Falcons. He is under sized at 5 feet 10 inches, which could be a risk when facing taller recivers in the pro leagues. He did not face elite talent at San Jose so expect a learning curve for Owens to face his first couple of years in the league.

Round 4

Lawrence Sidbury DE ( Richmond)

An absolute stud at the BowlSubdivision level (All CAA his last two years), Sidbury recorded 56 total tackles, 20 TFLs and 11.5 sacks in his senoir year earning a first team All American. Siidbury then anchored the Richmond defense in the National Championship amassing four sacks, leading them to a title. Sidbury is solidy built and shows and amazing burst off the line. Overall he is a little undersized and again there is also the learning curve problem he faces coming from a small school. Expect him to compete with Jamal Anderson for the starting job.

Round 5
William Middleton CB (Furman)
The 2nd conerback in the draft selected by Atlanta and the second player in a row taken from the Bowl Sub Division. Middleton has excellent NFL calibur speed and had success pressing the line at Furman and can make the open field tackler. Shows problems leaping for the ball and when he gets beat has trouble closing the gap.

Garrett Reynolds OT (North Carolina)
2nd team All ACC, Garrett Reynolds finished the season on the Lombardi Award watch list. Not expected to start for the Falcons but the depth he brings to the Oline is invaluable and should the injury bug hit look for Reynolds to get a shot at the starting position.

Round 6
Spencer Adkins LB (Miami)
Solid Tackler and speedster has trouble getting seperation when locked ina block. Also while a solid talent he never really secured a starting linebacker spot while playing for the canes. This is a depth adding pick for the Falcons but with the lack of talent still at the Linebacking position he could get into some games.

Round 7
Vance Walker DT ( Ga Tech)
First team ACC in both 2007 and 2008, Started 29-of-49 career games, recording 110 total tackles, 26.5 TFLs and 13 sacks. A tremoundous athelete and quick off the snap. Lacks size and could use some better technique. Will probally earn a spot behind Jerry.

Falcons sign Tony Gonzalez

Falcons traded a 2010 second round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for thier Pro bowl tight end, Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez joins one of the NFC already more potent offense along with the likes of 2008 Pro Bowlers Roddy White and Micheal Turner. It is thought bringing in the veteran will help the maturation of 2nd year quaterback prodigy Matt Ryan.

Gonzalez (33 years old) was drafted by the Chiefs back in 1997 and played in Kanasas City for the last 13 years. In all that time he has never one a single playoff game. Gonzalez knows he is in the twilight of his career and he hopes to make a Superbowl with Atlanta. Gonzalez is a 10 time pro bowl veteran and the all time leader in Yards, Touchdowns, and receptions for a tight end.

Falcons Draft Picks 09 (Day one)

Coming off a strong playoff run the Atlanta Falcons (while largely keeping the offense intact) lost several key defensive players , but with the signing of future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez the Falcons became free to concentrate on replinishing thier Defense this weekend picking up several potetial Starters

Round 1

Peria Jerry DT (Ole Miss)

Jerry Adds an immediate upgrade to the defensive line and can be expected to start from day one. Many draft analysts had listed the SEC hardend Peria Jerry the best DT in the draft ahead of the ACC tested BJ Raji. Jerry is naturally athletic and shows surprising speed for a DT his size. Has the ability to slice through an Offensive line and make the sacks ( he had 8 at Ole Miss). Shows natural leadership and should become one of the main guys here in Atlanta for years to come.

Round 2

Willliam Moore SS ( Mizzou)

An elite speedster , shows great coverage in the run and is not afraid to knock around a few heads. Has 11 career interception (4 he took back for 6 points). At one point last year his was projected to go in the top 10 but after an injury riddled senior season he dropped to the 2 round in 09 allowing the Falcons to get a possible steal. If there is one knock against Moore it is his deep coverage skills. Moore will no doubt get a shot to compete for the starting job but won't probally see it till he's a year or two more experienced.

Hawks Roll over Miami

The Hawks began thier first round of the NBA playoffs with an absolute demoliton of the Heat. With several other teams aready letting thier home court advantage slip away, the Hawks refused to be upset beating the 5th seeeded Heat by a 24 margin. Miami PG Wade had some impressive scoring drives but for the most part he was kept in check by the likes of Josh Smith and Al Horford.

The Hawks would end up tieing a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a playoff game. Likewise it was the fewest points a normally high offense minded Miami had scored all season. Josh Smith led the Hawks in scoring (28) while all other Atlanta starters ended in double figures.

Game 2 will be back at Phillips Arena Wedsday night at 7:00.

Braves off to a fast start.

The Atlanta Braves are off to a surprising 5-1 start thanks to some surprising offense from the prevoiusly stale offense we've seen the past two years. Chipper Jones and Brian McCann are giving thier normal quality at bats, but with the resurgence of Jeff Francouer (he's got a new batting stance) and one the premier of rookie Jordan Schafer the Braves are getting run production from unexpected places.

Now on to the bread and butter of the team, the pitching. Derrick Lowe (whom was singed from L.A) has emerged as the obvius ace of the team with still high hopes for that second starter Jair Jurrjens can get anywhere from 9 to 16 wins. Tom Glavine might also be added to this rotation provided he is able to overcome a shoulder injury and not be forced to retire.

Braves start a crucial 3 games series with the Florida Marlins tonight. Both clubs currently sit atop the N.L East and could be a desisive series. Derrick Lowe get the nod tonight.

GM and Ford to offer incentives for buyers afraid of losing thier jobs.

In order to shore up thier car sales in the wake of a ressesion, Ford, as part of its new "Drive One" campiagn has offered to pay up to 700 dollars a month for up to 12 months for buyers who lose thier job. The offer applies to buyers of any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle. GM has made a similar offer of up to $500 a month for up to nine months. Howver the offer wil be good for two years.

GM is also offering to protect thier consumers against the loss in their vehicles' value. If you want to purchase another GM vehicle later on but the GM vehicle you purchased today is worth less than the amount you still owe on it, Gemeral Motors will cover that difference, up to $5,000.

Griffey DOES NOT come to Atlanta

In editing what I said in a prevoius post, the future Hall Of Famer backed out at the last minute of finalizing the deal to return to seattle where he first started his career. While Griffey said he was "intrested in the Braves" he just really wanted to close his career out with the Mariners whom Griffey says "gave him his first real shot". It is not expected for Girffey to jump right into Spring Training, he will instead work up his body back into to game condition before joining the team in March.

Griffey Chooses The Braves

According to the Ajc and other sources, Ken Griffey Jr is on his way to Atlanta to sign a deal believed to be in the range of about 2 million guaranteed. In Griffey the Braves are adding a 13 time all-star and one of only six players to break 600 home run number. While Griffey is undoubtedly in the later stages of his career he is still a solid leftfielder and can be very dangerous when facing right-handed pitching.

Griffey is coming off offseason knee surgery to repair a problem that pained him throughout last season, when he hit .249 with 18 homers and 71 RBI for both the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. Against right-handers, he hit .272 with 14 homers,, with a 372 on-base percentage. Before the 08 season Griffey had a slugging percentage of 800 against right handed pitching for 15 consecutive seasons so the Braves are hoping the offseason surgery can help can help him get back to similar numbers.

I like this move. It adds greater depth to the Braves outfield and if Griffey can squezze out a little more youth, adds a formidible bat to the Braves lineup. Plus in Ken Griffey Jr. the Braves have another seasoned veteran who like Chipper can help mold the many young (one of the youngest im MLB) batters on the team in to better hitters.

Potential NFL Free Agents for Atlanta fans to look at.

Albert Haynesworth DT-

Why it works-
A Dominating Defensive tackle, Haynesworth is coming off 8 1/2 sacks this season (pretty high for a Defensive tackle) with three forced fumbles. Put him on the same line with Abraham and Big Grady and you have one dominate frontline. He says he would like stay in Tennesse(family and freinds) but it increasinglylooks as if they wont resign him. Atlanta isn't that far away from Nashville and it would be a smooth transition for the 2 time probowler to make

Why it doesn't-
There is a reason Tennesee is hesitant to resign him. He wants a big contract, bigger than maybe even his talent can comand.
Chances of signing 25-50%


Nnamdi Asomugha CB

Why it works- A six season Veteran with the Raiders in that span he only has 10 interceptions but consider this, its probally because Quaterbacks are so afraid to throw in his direction. His coverage is superb.

Why it doesn't- You could probally sign Asomugha without overreaching on price but it doesn't look as if the Raiders are willing to let this one go. In addition I would expect Demitrioff to focus this offseason to signing more nicklebacks than go after one big time starter.
Chances of signing 10-30%


Ray Lewis MLB

Why it works-
C'mon its Ray Freaking Lewis. He's the boogie man Linebacker of the NFL not a whole lot more to add to that.

Why it doesn't-
Ray has given no indication that he wants to leave Baltimore so I wouldn't expect the Ravens to let him hit the market. it would take a large lucritive contract to lure him out of Baltimore and with his age he might not be worth it.
Chances of signing less than 5%


T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR
Why it works-
One of the most consistent recivers in the NFL over the last couple years, this year he had 92 catches for 904 yards and 4 touchdowns (actually a down year for him) Put him alongside Roddy White and Micheal Jenkins and the Falcon's have one hell of a passing attack.

Why it doesn't
There is a somewhat resonable chance Cincy lets him get away but if he does hit the free agency market its doubtful the faclons will be willing to throw money his way when upgrading the Defense is a much higher priority.
Chances of signing 20-45%

Julius Peppers DE
Why it works-
Its pretty much a given that Peppers intends on leaving Carolina. He has already said he would like to play for another team so its unlikely he'll be back in baby blue for 09. In fact the if the rumors about it are true it seems like the Falcon's are already attempting to court the probowler as he would be an instant upgrade over Jamaal Anderson.

Why it doesn't-
Consistancy. Julius Peppers is the kind of player where one game he's getting multiple sacks and seems to be in the backfield just about every play. But then he'll dissapear for the next 5 weeks with no sacks and only a handful of tackles. You might say he's got to be better than Jamaal (who isn't) but Jamaal isn't being paid a multi-millon dollar franchise contract either.

Chances of signing 30-65%


and the rest


Lenord Pope TE
Why it works- He's a Georgia Bulldog so you know it would hit well with the fans. Matt Ryan could use a receving tight-end
Why its doesn't- Hasn't really done a whole lot (only nine receptions this year) but that may be a product of being in the same offense as, Fintzgerald, Boldin and Breaston. Again Falcon's have more pressing needs on Defense.

Chances of signing less than 30%


Jermaine Phillips SS
Why it works- Another Product from that School in Athens, if the Bucs don't resgin him look for the Falcons to go hard after this guy as he would be a great (and maybe fairly cheap ) upgrade for the secondary .

Why it doesn't-He missed some games here and there with injurys so there is that. Just because he doesn't have that NFL superstar price tag doesn't mean he won't try to ask for it.

Chances of signing 15-45%


Terrel Suggs- OLB
Why it works- Has a better chance than Ray Lewis of hitting the Free agent market and could be a Huge pickup for the Falcons as he is in his prime and in a huge position of need.

Why it doesn't- He prefers to play in a 3-4 defense(Atlanta plays 4-3). And if the Falcon's want him they're gonna have to get into a bidding war to get em. Whether he stays or goes Suggs is sure to have a big payout coming up and he night be to pricey for our tastes as we're looking to fill multiple needs on defense.
Chances of signing less than 15
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A look back at 08 and the outlook for the 2009 Atlanta Falcons

Vick going to prison?, Bobby Petrino fleeing the city? Star defensive back De'angelo Hall disgruntled? For the Altanta Falcon's and their fans, 2007 was nothing short of a nightmare. The team was in chaos, with the face of the franchise rotting in a Virgina prison and the head coach heading back to college after just one season. That spring saw many key veterans that had been with the team for years being cut left and right.
But while cleaning house it was Arthur Blank's decision to hire Patriots Assit Gm Thomas Demitrioff and Jags D coordinator Mike Smith that may have saved the Atlanta Falcons from another decade of mediocrity. Demitrioff's choice of Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan may seem like a no-brainer now but at the time it was a highley critized pick, with many of the Falcon's own fans calling the 08 draft just another bust among many of the teams' horendous drafts the Falcon's had become known for.


Considered one of the greatest one year turn arounds in professional sports, the 2008 Atlanta Falcon's go from everyone and his brother's perinal pick to go 1-15, to a playoff contender that was only 6 secs away from division champs. There were many memorable moments on the road to the playoffs this year. It all started week 1 against the Lions when Matty Ryan's first career NFL pass was (and who woulda thunk it,) a 60 yard strike to Micheal Jenkins for a touchdown. The Falcons would go on to get thier first win of the season but still leaving many sports pundits skeptic as to whether the Falcons were for real or not.

Fast forward to week 6 against the Chicago Bears. The Falcons are dominating in the statistical catigory on both offense and defense but can't seem to pull away and with 20 secs left on the clock Bears QB Rex Grossman hit Rashied Davis in the corner of the end zone to go ahead by 2 points and giving Falcon's fans everywhere heartache and frustration. But on the ensuing kickoff the bears make the mistake of squibing the the ball helping the falcons take the ball at their own 40. And they paid, oh how they paid when Matt Ryan hooked up with Jenkins again this time on a quick sideline route putting the Falcon's in kicking range with just 1 second left in the game! Falcon's Kicker Jason Elam (who missed a chip shot earlier in the game) drills the kick giving the Falcons a HUGE win at home.


Speaking of home, playing at the Georgia Dome proved to be huge for the Falcon's going an impressive 7-1 (3-0 in division play). Unfortunately they also went 4-4 on the road and it would end up costing them the division crown and possibly a first round bye. In the playoffs the falcons played a good game but turnovers would end up killing them, losing to the eventual NFC champions the Arizona Cardinals. So while 08 was a vast improvement over the prevoius season, the Birds still have plenty of room for improvement.


Here are my 5 wants for the Atlanta Falcons during the offseason

1)Draft or sign a Outside Linebacker. If there was one big glaring weakness this year it in my humble opinion was the Linebacking corp. Keith Brooking as been solid for much his carrer as a Falcon but he's getting up there in age. I'd like to see the Falcon's bring some younger talent to help bring in more speed to the defense and shore up the defense against both the air and ground attacks.

2) Find a new Defensive Cordinator. As a Georgia Southern student, I like (former GSU coach) Brian Van Gorder as much anybody but he made too many defensive scheming mistakes over the course of the season (possibly costing us a couple of games). Van Gorder has got to go(or at least take a back seat to Coach Smith in the play calling)

3)Make at least on big name move in the offseason. There are a couple names out there but for the Falcons, the need is once again on defense. Terrell Suggs, Albert Haynesworth (unlikely) or Julius Peppers (very likely) could all make immediate impacts at thier repective positions for the Falcons

4) Lets talk about the Offense real quick. Was pretty good this year. Not a whole lot you could point at and say improve but a few things we could address with either the draft or Free agency would be at the Offensive tackle and tightend positions. The falcons are not very deep at either position and an untimely injury could really hurt us there.

5) Overall Depth on defense (with emphasis on the secondary). The falcon's have several quality starters on defense but not a whole lot of depth. As mentioned above when the injury bug hits (and it always does, afterall this is football) you would like to know you have quality talent waiting on the bench ready to fill in at a moments notice. The secondary was exposed a little this year particulary with injuries at safety and conerback. I would like the Falcons to forgo the the usual hunt opf trying to sign one big player in the secondary for a huge contract and instead go after several solid quality low budget players that would help add some much needed backup.