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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