Champ is out, but what about Charles?

I started a new job this week and have not had a chance to write much. A lot of has happenned over the last week, including Georgia finally hiring a new linebackers coach, Aaron Murray hurting his ankle, and the Tennessee athletics program going to hell. A few weeks ago, I write an article explaining why I thought Champ Bailey would be a perfect player for the Falcons to sign in free agency. That dream ended this week when Bailey signed a four year extension to stay in Denver. With Champ out of the equation, I see another former Bulldog moving to the top of the list of players the Falcons could target.


That player is defensive end Charles Johnson. Charles Johnson played for Georgia from 2004 - 2006. He was drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. After recording only 10 sacks in first three seasons in the league, Johnson had a breakout season in 2010. Taking the place of Julius Peppers as the leader of Carolina's pass rush, Johnson tallied 11.5 sacks and had 62 total tackles. The Carolina Panthers decided to place their franchise tag on a center (REALLY?!?!) meaning Johnson could become a free agent. While Johnson's price tag may be higher that Bailey's, he is only 24 and appears to be entering the prime of his career.

It sure would be nice to see the Hawkinsville native back in his home state rushing the quarterback opposite of John Abraham. Let's bring this Dawg home!

It's time to bring Champ home

I was listening to the radio yesterday and the conversation was all about the Falcons melt down against the Packers on Saturday. Clearly, the Falcons defense under Brian Van Gorder had a horrible game. however, if you look at the Falcons defense of 2010 and compare it to the 2009 team, clearly the team has made strides in the right direction. The apparent weaknesses of the defense appear to be in the pass rush and coverage.


With starting nickel Brian Williams out with injury, Christopher Owens stepped into the formation that was on the field much of the game to counter the Packers 3 and 4 wide sets. Aaron Rodgers picked on Owens all night long. It is apparent that Owens is not the future for the Falcons. Brent Grimes had a nice season as a starter opposite Dunta Robinson, but clearly his size is an issue. The perfect solution for the Falcons would be to move Grimes to the nickel and bring in an experienced player to start at corner. There just so happens to be a former Georgia Bulldogs player and multiple time all-pro team member who is a free agent. That man is Champ Bailey.

While Champ clearly falls into the veteran category, at 32 his still has a few good years left in the tank. The 1998 Nagurski winner has enjoyed years of success in both Washington and Denver. His 48 career interceptions and 9 Pro Bowl appearances would immediately draw respect from other teams, who clearly game planned to stay away from Robinson this fall. It would be great to see Champ back in his home state wearing red and black. Plus, because he is reaching the end of his career, he won't likely command the type of money that players like Nnamdi Asomugha will.

Thomas Dimitroff, make it happen!

National Day of Mourning: DJ Shockley Released By The Falcons

It's a sad day here in Atlanta as DJ Shockley has been released from the Falcons after originally being released after training camp and re-signed to the practice squad.

I am a person with a very rational thought process who removes the more emotional aspects that typically drives a person's decisions.

I am a massive DJ Shockley homer. I believe he is the next messiah, and should have a nine figure NFL contract for no other reason than his greatness on the field while wearing the red and black.

I realize that I am so irrational it is nearly absurd. I don't care, I don't care, and guess what...I don't care!

I reject all notions that somehow DJ couldn't beat out Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson for the job. It was pure conspiracy that DJ was cut and Bama Bangs was kept as the 3rd stringer. As to what that conspiracy is, that is not important.

I will hate the Falcons for a bit because of my emotional irrationality, I will then get over it realizing Matt Ryan's awesomeness meant it was never going to happen for DJ in Atlanta anyway, and that this is best thing for DJ to go to another team and win 7 Super Bowls.

You're still the man, DJ.

DAMN. GOOD. DAWG.

Let Us Not Forget

Two years ago, Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino was in his first season as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. After Mike Vick went to jail and the team struggled, Petrino quit on his team and took the job at Arkansas. While things seem to have worked out well for the Falcons, let's not forget what a dick move that was. He walked out on his players and the city that supported the team. In the wake of Petrino's dash to Fayetteville, even the stooges at the Worldwide Leader were ripping on Petrino:

While not all Georgia fans are Falcons fans and the teams are completely separate, a win for the Dawgs over the Hogs this Saturday would be a nice kick in the ass from everyone who calls Atlanta home. This guy is known to always be looking for the next job (see Auburn in 2003 for example) and it is just a matter of time before he turns his back on Arkansas.

Is it just me...

Or do these new Falcons throw back jerseys...

Look an awful lot like these:

Hopefully they bring the Falcons better luck than they brought the Dawgs last season.

Bowling with the Atlanta Falcons

Tonight, I had the pleasure of attending a charity bowling event put on by United Health Care and the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club. The event, dubbed FootBowl, pitted teams of 5 paired with one Atlanta Falcons rookie. While there are no former Georgia players who are rookies with the Falcons this season, I knew there were a few guys from the SEC. When we arrived, I found out we were paired up with former Auburn long snapper Robert Shiver. Also sharing the lane with use was former Alabama quarterback, John Parker Wilson.

Robert Shiver played in 38 games during his career at Auburn. He is competing for the starting snapper job with the Falcons.

Robert Shiver, originally from Thomasville, GA, is looking to catch on with the Falcons as the long snapper. He said his entire family is Georgia fans and he said it really sucked being on the losing end of the Blackout game in 2007. I asked him what the major differences he has noticed between football in the SEC and in the NFL. He said the biggest thing is the complexity of the game, not just in how plays are called but how a minor mistake in execution can cause a major problem. We talked some about Tubberville being fired at Auburn, and he agreed that it was not a good move. Chizik was an assist with Auburn his freshman year, and he said he was not sure if he is the right man for the job. Only time will tell.

While I talked openly about the 2007 blackout with Shiver, I did not bring the game up with JPW.

John Parker Wilson, with his Alabama bangs, was another great guy to talk to. We talked a bit about playing in the SEC and I asked how it was having Nick Saban as a coach. He said off the field, he is a great guy and fun to be around. But on the field, he said is super intense and not really that much fun to be around. I also talked to him about his brother, Ross, who appeared on the MTV Show "Two-A-Days". He said that if it would have been him being filmed, he probably would have gotten into trouble and never have gotten into college. He said it sucked for his brother and he really didn't want to do the second season but kind of had to because he was the only returning guy and the quarterback.

L to R: Robert Shiver, Melissa(my wife), Me, John Parker Wilson

Overall, it was a great night of bowling and talking football. Robert Shiver and John Parker Wilson were both great guys to talk to and helped make this event a lot of fun. I wish them the best as they attempt to make the Atlanta Falcons for the 2009 season.

2008 Atlanta Falcons - NFL Story of the Year?

Lewis Grizzard once wrote this about the Atlanta Falcons:

"The Falcons lost a game to the Chicago Bears 36-0 and the Falcons' coach blamed it on poor officiating. The Falcons have been big losers most every year they've been in Atlanta, and a man fell out of the stadium during a Falcons game once and was killed. I think he jumped after another Falcons' holding penalty."

For many years, being a Falcons fan has been like a putting your hand against an electric fence, getting shocked and backing off, but going right back to touch the fence again. Every so often, it has looked like the franchise may be starting to turn things around. In 1998, the Falcons came from nowhere to go 14-2 and reach the Super Bowl. The team looked solid under Dan Reeves and it looked as though the futility might end. But when Jamal Anderson went down for the season with a knee injury, the 1999 Falcons once again found themselves with a losing record.

A few years later, with new coach Jim Mora, Jr. and star quarterback Michael Vick, the Falcons won the NFC South and made it to the NFC Championship game. But over the next two seasons, the Falcons would go 8-8 and 7-9 and Mora was eventually fired. Bobby Petrino was brought in as the new coach, but suddenly dog fighting charges appeared for Michael Vick. With the team in disarray, the 2007 Falcons stumbled to a 4-12 record that included Petrino quiting on the team midway through the season. Coming into the 2008 season, most experts predicted only 2 or 3 wins for the Atlanta franchise that has never had back to back winning seasons. 14 games later, the future of the Falcons looks bright as the team sits at 9-5 and in the middle of the NFC playoff hunt.

Falcons' owner Arthur Blank wanted to change the image of his team and he brought in Thomas Dimitroff from the New England Patriots to help. They cut a number of veteran players who were cancers to the team (Alge Crumpler, Deangelo Hall) as well as some good guys who were just past their prime (Warrick Dunn and Rod Coleman). They then brought in Mike Smith from the Jacksonville Jaguars and signed free agent running back Michael Turner. But the biggest decision was the drafting of quarterback Matt Ryan, who was taken over Glenn Dorsey at the third overall pick.



Throughout the 2008 season, these Falcons have shown that they are different from the Falcon teams of the past. They have built a solid foundation of young players mixed with some key veterans to form a team that is already making the days of Michael Vick seem long ago. The team pulled off an amazing victory over the Chicago Bears when, down 1 point with only 12 seconds on the clock, they received a kick-off, completed a long pass, and kicked a game winning field goal to steal a victory. They have dominated weak teams (Oakland) and defeated others in hostile environments (winning on the road in Green Bay and San Diego). The difference in this Falcons team and those of years past is HEART.

The decision to draft Matt Ryan may be looked at as one of the best draft day decisions of recent memory. Ryan is the front runner for the rookie of the year, an MVP candidate, and has replaced the hated Vick as the new face of the franchise. Michael Turner has shed his role as LT's backup and proven his worth as an every down player. Coach Mike Smith has led a team picked to finish dead last in the conference to a winning record. The future is bright for the Falcons.