My Observations from TC & PS game

[Tandy]

Okay - so it's preseason and the one thing I know is true - DO NOT JUDGE YOUR PLAYERS OR TEAM SOLELY BY THE PRESEASON GAME.

We all know that the coaching staff uses the preseason game to test areas which may need improvement, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the players and determine which players make the final cut. We also know there is no game planning and no study of the opposition before the game. This means you are looking at vanilla plays from both sides of the ball - and it's more for the coaches than the fans.

What happens to us as fans however, is that you get a glimpse of treasures on the field or see some players missing in action or misfiring in action and your optimism shoots to the sky or plummets to the depths of ****.

Keep reminding yourself, dear fans, that it is indeed preseason - that while it's ok to eat up everything you can about the team during this period, you must remember to sprinkle that plate with many grains of salt. This will help your sanity survive the preseason.

Now, for the gems I noticed while at training camp last week and most specifically at the game Friday night.

1. Matt Ryan

He seems so much more mature this year and you can tell he has really taken the helm of this team. From everything I've seen, he just seems loaded with a new confidence and improved skillset. He's definitely been working on his game.

My observations from Friday's game. First, I've seen several people state that his performance was so-so. I have to disagree. Ryan was controlling that offense out there. As we learned from Smitty, the first drive was all about studying the line blocking of the first team - so the entire drive was handoffs - and that's fine. However, during this drive, I watched Ryan mixing up those handoffs, sending a shovel pass to Turner when he had pressure on his back and even getting the defense offsides with his snap count. He was definitely working on his own skillset during this run only drive.

Then came the passing drive. However, Roddy White dropped 2 passes right in his hands (covered more in the next section.). If Roddy had caught those 2 balls and not advanced one inch - it would have changed Ryan's stats a little.

Ryan's actual stats for game:

3 of 6 for 50% completion, 34 yards = 5.7 avg, 0 TD, 0 Int and a passer rating of 67.4.

Ryan's stats if the 2 passes are not dropped:

5 of 6 for 83.3% completion, 47 yards = 7.8 avg, 0 TD, 0 Int and a passer rating of 104.2.

Quite a difference in passer rating and a truer picture of how he performed Friday night. Some of the things that impressed me in this drive was his command of the offense especially during the no huddle, the way he converted those 3rd downs when needed and the way the team was responding to him.

Ryan's growing up my fellow fans - and I believe we will reap the benefits of this very soon.

2. Roddy White

Those of you who feel Roddy is not a top 10 receiver - I am not sure what you are watching. I think Roddy will have his best season ever this year and he'll go to the pro bowl again. Yes, he dropped 2 easy passes. So what! He was excited to be back on the field and he was looking for the YAC before he caught the ball. Happens. I've been watching Ryan and White at TC,the scrimmages and even in this game. They are connecting on more than one level. I've seen them joking and laughing on the sidelines, talking about other aspects of the game, conferring during the times they are not on the field. They are building a solid QB/WR friendship, trust and understanding. This is excellent news for the Falcon nation - as we will see this translate into better communication on the field as well.

Roddy has been tearing up the corners, safeties and any other unfortunate soul who has to cover him in TC and he turned around in Friday's game after the 2 drops and ran a perfect route ending in a beautiful sideline catch and a 22 yard gain. Roddy will be better than fine this year - he's going to be great.

3. O Line

I have long felt that the OL we have is built for the run (and it is) but struggle with pass protection. I honestly thought they would do more to get us some help in that area in the offseason, but I won't judge anything until the regular season starts. I know that last year, they rarely formed a pocket and Ryan had to get rid of the ball too fast to be as efficient as he should be many times.

While I won't judge the OL on the preseason, I am going to wait with great anticipation to see how the pass protection has changed for this year once the regular season starts. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my hopes high on this though regardless of what impressions I've come away from TC & PS with.

4. Defense

I don't think I need to cover much of this - you guys have really been nailing it. I just want to say that Biermann is getting better (scary, scary thought), Lofton has become the leader of the D, Weatherspoon brings some swag to the team and I really like what I've seen of Corey Peters so far. I'm really excited to see them in regular season - I think we have a beastly crew on that side of the ball. I'm expecting great things from them this year.

5. The Dome

They've made some subtle and nice changes. I love the way they've spruced up the concessions - and I, like Rev, really love the new bottomless drinks they have. The new rules voted on and passed to allow some "prompting" of the home crowd on when to cheer and when to shush is wonderful. I wrote about how excited I was over this change when they announced it after the owners meetings and Friday I was happy to see it coming to life. The crowd was actually responding to the attempts for noise during defense and they're trying to get some more interaction going. I love it.

The high school girl they had sing the anthem was great. She sang at Friday Night Lights as well. I was so impressed with her there. She actually was better at FNL, but she was on her home turf and I'm sure those nerves were eatin her up at the Dome. Even so, she did a great job and I loved it. They need to get more like her during the regular season. So much talent!

The one thing I hated - JEROME BOGER was the ref. I will never forgive him for Philly and I can't stand when it's his crew on the field. I hope we see little of them during the regular season.

Well, that's all for now - nothing new here really - except to say that I truly enjoyed the game and I'm looking forward to Thursday. Man, I love Football Season!

GO FALCONS - RISE UP!!!!

[msjacob25]

good read. its nice to be totally confident in the qb we have running this team. im really excited about this team.

[sandtrap]

Good read. I'll be doing my write-ups for each game leading up the regular season as well, however, I really don't see the point as much since I agree with a lot of what you had to say.

[Tandy]

Good read. I'll be doing my write-ups for each game leading up the regular season as well, however, I really don't see the point as much since I agree with a lot of what you had to say.

Nonetheless, I'd love to read it. Even those little subtle differences can make for great reading!

I hope you decide to post the write-ups - I'll be looking for them!

[gritzblitz]

Very well put Tandy. I too look forward to this season. I think the improved play by the D-Line, HD coming back and maturation of the Offense will be the difference from a winning team to a deep playoff team. Can't wait!

Thanks

gb

[DirtybirdUK23]

while it's ok to eat up everything you can about the team during this period, you must remember to sprinkle that plate with many grains of salt.

GREAT POST, But I couldn't help but think of the gout when you said this. I'm at work its early and perhaps I'm feeling a little immature.

I really enjoyed this post though it serves as a good reminder as to what this time is about. I guess the hard thing for fans is, seeing as we've not had any ball for near on 7 months and more any action we do get to see is taken as seriously as it would be if every was the Superbowl or something

[Xfactor]

Good read thank you

+1

Edited August 17, 2010 by Xfactor

[sdogg]

Well said.+1

[bighurt]

Hey Tandy on the screen White dropped, that could have been a touchdown and big play. It was wide open, I couldn't see the Safeties from the TV angle, but it was setup nicely and we had them out numbered by formation also.

[crankdatfalcon]

bottomless drinks?????please elaborate on that. i like the sound of it.

[aerosmith67]

Hey Tandy on the screen White dropped, that could have been a touchdown and big play. It was wide open, I couldn't see the Safeties from the TV angle, but it was setup nicely and we had them out numbered by formation also.

He probably wouldn't have scored a TD, there were players in the area but it would have been a nice pickup.

[aerosmith67]

By the way... the DJ they had on the field was LAME. I really hope he's gone before the regular season starts. He adds nothing, my entire section was laughing at the guys attempt to pump up the crowd.

[crankdatfalcon]

By the way... the DJ they had on the field was LAME. I really hope he's gone before the regular season starts. He adds nothing, my entire section was laughing at the guys attempt to pump up the crowd.

do you remember his name??

[Dog River]

Thanks Tandy.

[aerosmith67]

do you remember his name??

I don't even know if he gave his name, he was in the endzone on the opposite side of where the Falcons players come out. He played 2 songs and tried to get the crowd to do the standard "hey, hey"... he stunk.

[Tandy]

Hey Tandy on the screen White dropped, that could have been a touchdown and big play. It was wide open, I couldn't see the Safeties from the TV angle, but it was setup nicely and we had them out numbered by formation also.

This is true - but for arguments sake - I just put a catch at the spot change in his stats. It could have changed a lot of the way some of our disappointed fans viewed the offense - that much is sure. Personally, I don't blame Roddy one little bit. First game of the season at the dome - he was excited, nervous and he always tries too hard at first to "live up" to his reputation. Then he settles down and really shines. He's gonna be fine - that much is very evident. I was just trying to show that Ryan performed well and those stats were deceiving.

bottomless drinks?????please elaborate on that. i like the sound of it.

They have these cups you can buy - I think we paid $12 - but the refills are free. I don't know if they are everywhere - I got mine at Taco Mac - but you can bring 'em back too - at least that's what the young lady at the counter told me. What a deal! It's a big ole cup too - like the commemorative ones - nice picture on it - hard plastic - definitely a keeper. I'm going to attempt to take it Thursday and I'll find out if it is okay to bring them back. If not, I'll let you guys know. Even so - if you get the cup when you first get there - $12 is not bad for refills all night.

He probably wouldn't have scored a TD, there were players in the area but it would have been a nice pickup.

By the way... the DJ they had on the field was LAME. I really hope he's gone before the regular season starts. He adds nothing, my entire section was laughing at the guys attempt to pump up the crowd.

Yes, I believe there was definitely more yardage to be had and quite possibly a TD, but either way - just a catch and done would have changed the stats dramatically.

I don't think he was bad - I think it was unexpected and the crowd hasn't picked it up yet. He's trying to get some interaction going. I think eventually it will work and it will come out great.

Personally - I hate the Hey Hey F-A-L-C-O-N-S thing they do after touchdowns. I like the idea - but it doesn't flow right and I have trouble with the Heys! JMO of course - but I do love that we do a celebration anyway!

[aerosmith67]

This is true - but for arguments sake - I just put a catch at the spot change in his stats. It could have changed a lot of the way some of our disappointed fans viewed the offense - that much is sure. Personally, I don't blame Roddy one little bit. First game of the season at the dome - he was excited, nervous and he always tries too hard at first to "live up" to his reputation. Then he settles down and really shines. He's gonna be fine - that much is very evident. I was just trying to show that Ryan performed well and those stats were deceiving.

They have these cups you can buy - I think we paid $12 - but the refills are free. I don't know if they are everywhere - I got mine at Taco Mac - but you can bring 'em back too - at least that's what the young lady at the counter told me. What a deal! It's a big ole cup too - like the commemorative ones - nice picture on it - hard plastic - definitely a keeper. I'm going to attempt to take it Thursday and I'll find out if it is okay to bring them back. If not, I'll let you guys know. Even so - if you get the cup when you first get there - $12 is not bad for refills all night.

Yes, I believe there was definitely more yardage to be had and quite possibly a TD, but either way - just a catch and done would have changed the stats dramatically.

I don't think he was bad - I think it was unexpected and the crowd hasn't picked it up yet. He's trying to get some interaction going. I think eventually it will work and it will come out great.

Personally - I hate the Hey Hey F-A-L-C-O-N-S thing they do after touchdowns. I like the idea - but it doesn't flow right and I have trouble with the Heys! JMO of course - but I do love that we do a celebration anyway!

He will be another "drum line" debacle, that group, while passionate in their performances make a whole lot more sense than a DJ and I still think the drums are out of place at a pro game. Give me a full on band if your going to go that route. The Redskins have a full band that plays before and during the game. I'd personally rather see more of Freddy than some DJ, people already love Freddy and he's well established. The DJ is just out of place, if all he's going to do is sit on the field and get a chant going twice a game he's not needed.

The Falcons chant is pretty bad, the name is too long to spell out, the only way they could make it worse is if they added A-T-L-A-N-T-A F-A-L-C-O-N-S to the chant. The J-E-T-S chant works because it's short, the Falcons chant is similar to the Eagles chant and both come out as a muddled mess.

I like the celebrations after the TD's the flags are cool, the fireworks are fun but everything else is just an unnecessary distraction.

One last comment, Nikki Noto as the in game hostess is a good idea, she's got a better passion for the team and the fans over the girl they've had the last few years.

[Statick]

Thanks for the perspective.

[phattywankenobi]

The Falcons at least attempted to improve the Oline with Hawley and Johnson but unfortunately it doesn't sound like either are doing well right now.

I liked the way Ryan handled the no huddle. The team is supposedly working on increasing the number of 20+yd throws but I don't expect to see them expose those plays until the regular season.

I thought the girl that sang at the Dome was pretty good. I think either the Falcons or the GWCC cheaped out on the concessions though. I understand not all areas being fully open due to lower attendance but the choices were horrible. Since it was a Friday night, I raced home from work, picked up my son, then to the Dome. Basically I didn't have much choice in where I ate dinner. Not usually a problem but the only choices were hotdog w/cheeze whiz (gross), pizza, or veggie burger. So 2 hotdogs and one drink $22 for dinner. My young son is not all that picky but that made things even more difficult. Overall the service seemed like a ghost town and yet somehow I have paid $280 for 2 preseason games.

I've loved the team for a long time but when it comes to quality/value at the concession stand I would give it a solid F this pre-season and maybe a C- during the regular season. I do like the free refill idea.

[Tandy]

The Falcons at least attempted to improve the Oline with Hawley and Johnson but unfortunately it doesn't sound like either are doing well right now.

I liked the way Ryan handled the no huddle. The team is supposedly working on increasing the number of 20+yd throws but I don't expect to see them expose those plays until the regular season.

I thought the girl that sang at the Dome was pretty good. I think either the Falcons or the GWCC cheaped out on the concessions though. I understand not all areas being fully open due to lower attendance but the choices were horrible. Since it was a Friday night, I raced home from work, picked up my son, then to the Dome. Basically I didn't have much choice in where I ate dinner. Not usually a problem but the only choices were hotdog w/cheeze whiz (gross), pizza, or veggie burger. So 2 hotdogs and one drink $22 for dinner. My young son is not all that picky but that made things even more difficult. Overall the service seemed like a ghost town and yet somehow I have paid $280 for 2 preseason games.

I've loved the team for a long time but when it comes to quality/value at the concession stand I would give it a solid F this pre-season and maybe a C- during the regular season. I do like the free refill idea.

Where do you sit? I don't know about all of the dome of course, but there was plenty of concessions in the area where my seats are.

I had the chicken fingers at Taco Mac and my hubby got the wings and fries. Everything was hot and fresh and the chicken was great. Of course it costs - all stadiums do - but I guess we were lucky - the food was fresh and very, very good. I don't drink soda, but my husband does and those bottomless drinks were great. They now have the nice video signs in the back of the concessions which shows some highlights and the Rise Up! stuff - it was nice. The concessions looked cleaner and the service was good where we were.

I guess a lot of it depends on the area you are in - but I have to give props to the guys in our area - they kicked it up a notch in concessions this year.

[Shiney_McShine]

Okay - so it's preseason and the one thing I know is true - DO NOT JUDGE YOUR PLAYERS OR TEAM SOLELY BY THE PRESEASON GAME.

I stopped reading after the above.

HAVE U FORGOTEN WERE U R? ITS ALL WE DOO HEAR IS CRITISIZE THE FLACONS BASED ON 1 PRESESSION GAME MOST OF THE TIEM WE GO NUTZ OVER JUST 1 PALY.

Nice post, however there is a faction, force, philosophy that NO matter what we see positive, it only one negative to doom the whole season, franchise, and or lives of all on Earth.

Maybe more of these posts will drive the doomsayers away..... :lol: Yeah......Right

[aerosmith67]

I stopped reading after the above.

HAVE U FORGOTEN WERE U R? ITS ALL WE DOO HEAR IS CRITISIZE THE FLACONS BASED ON 1 PRESESSION GAME MOST OF THE TIEM WE GO NUTZ OVER JUST 1 PALY.

Nice post, however there is a faction, force, philosophy that NO matter what we see positive, it only one negative to doom the whole season, franchise, and or lives of all on Earth.

Maybe more of these posts will drive the doomsayers away..... :lol: Yeah......Right

They really should have a simple quiz before you're allowed to post here. Starting with question #1. Do preseason stats count?

[Dog River]

I stopped reading after the above.

HAVE U FORGOTEN WERE U R? ITS ALL WE DOO HEAR IS CRITISIZE THE FLACONS BASED ON 1 PRESESSION GAME MOST OF THE TIEM WE GO NUTZ OVER JUST 1 PALY.

Nice post, however there is a faction, force, philosophy that NO matter what we see positive, it only one negative to doom the whole season, franchise, and or lives of all on Earth.

Maybe more of these posts will drive the doomsayers away..... :lol: Yeah......Right

We're all gonna die...aren't we?

[nobkowski]

I stopped reading after the above.

HAVE U FORGOTEN WERE U R? ITS ALL WE DOO HEAR IS CRITISIZE THE FLACONS BASED ON 1 PRESESSION GAME MOST OF THE TIEM WE GO NUTZ OVER JUST 1 PALY.

Nice post, however there is a faction, force, philosophy that NO matter what we see positive, it only one negative to doom the whole season, franchise, and or lives of all on Earth.

Maybe more of these posts will drive the doomsayers away..... :lol: Yeah......Right

the end of days is near - repent !!! :ph34r:

[phattywankenobi]

Where do you sit? I don't know about all of the dome of course, but there was plenty of concessions in the area where my seats are.

I had the chicken fingers at Taco Mac and my hubby got the wings and fries. Everything was hot and fresh and the chicken was great. Of course it costs - all stadiums do - but I guess we were lucky - the food was fresh and very, very good. I don't drink soda, but my husband does and those bottomless drinks were great. They now have the nice video signs in the back of the concessions which shows some highlights and the Rise Up! stuff - it was nice. The concessions looked cleaner and the service was good where we were.

I guess a lot of it depends on the area you are in - but I have to give props to the guys in our area - they kicked it up a notch in concessions this year.

I sit in the upper prime right on the 50. I have not sat in the lower sections in a long time. I am slowly realizing the difference in the concessions between the upper and lower. Maybe it's worth the trip down and up to find something better. Then again, at that rate, I'm probably better off hitting CNN center.