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.