This may be the Happiest, Giddiest I've felt after a loss

[Tandy]

Okay, first of all, I have to gloat. The lockout brought one absolutely fantabulous thing for me - a change of seats. We are on the aisle - row 7 at the 40 on the Falcons side. I felt like I was on the sidelines. Amazing! You can hear the players, see their expressions, watch everything that's happening on the field - and the feeling is amazing!

Now - for my night

We went down to the tunnel when we went in - around 5:30 and watched the players warming up on the field. Julio Jones was looking great out there in warm ups - and then he headed back to the tunnel. I had my husbands hat in my hand and I hollered - Julio! I wished him luck - and then he started into the tunnel. He took a few steps - stopped - started again - then stopped and turned around and held his hands up to me! I was soooo pumped! I tossed him my sharpie and the hat because it's all I had with me - and he signed it. So, I have his sig - and I'm so happy about it! What a great kid!

Then there were the frisbee dogs before the game. They always make me happy and last night was no different. Such a simple thing to make the fans happy - thanks, Falcons!

Then there was the fact that Abe's sister sits 2 seats in front of us - that was pretty great too!

Now, for the real reason I'm giddy all over. Watching our first team was awesome! The first couple of throws - in fact, the first drive attempt was frustrating for me. I said, OK - they have to shake off the jitters, but I wasn't thrilled anyway - in fact, I was frankly nervous. Logically, I knew that we were looking at a team that had no OTA's or mini-camps and I know defense gels before offense - but still, there is the emotional side that tugs at you anyway.

Then that first string took off. The first time Julio caught the ball - he looked literally like a speeding bullet. He was so fast that I jumped back in my seat. You could hear the people around us as well. We were all shocked at the burst of speed shown by that young man. It reminded me of another player we had once. The speed you see on television and video is one thing - seeing it live, especially the first time you see it - is shocking. I have seen the replays of those catches several times since the game and it just doesn't show it. I'm telling you folks, I'm sold. I'm absolutely buying into this kid. He is about as electric, explosive and exciting as any player we've EVER had on our roster.

Now, guys, I was a h-u-g-e Vick fan. I adored him so much when he was a Falcon. I still have to watch him every chance I get because I admire his athleticism and speed and escapism. I think he's amazing as a football player. I don't root for him because he's in our conference, but I still admire his play. When Vick was a Falcon, I was always so excited and pumped up to see him hit the field. You just never knew what you were going to see - but you knew there were going to be those moments that made you jump back in your seat and gasp in a little air. Well, I'm going to tell you right now that this is exactly what I see in Julio. Exactly what I felt after seeing him live on the field. I know it's the first preseason game. I know it's preseason. I know, I know, I know. I don't care. When you see that "Wow" factor, you know it. I'm going on record right now and saying it. He is the real deal. This guy is going to be a super star. You can mark it, package it and store it in the vault. He's electric, powerful, big and smart. To borrow a phrase from a friend of mine.... he's going to be a stud, folks .... Trust Me!

This, from our first preseason game. Those of you who know me, know I don't put stock in preseason games. I know what they are for. Our coach could care less if we win or lose - he is evaluating and they are trying out little things to see how they handle it. I know there is no game planning, no scheming, no real football savvy out there. I understand that - and I put absolutely no real stock in what I see during the preseason - other than watching the young guys to see who might make the team and contribute.

However, this game gave me an excitement deep in my gut that I can't shake. I have been smiling since that first quarter - and I just can't stop. I am so freakin' pumped up about this offense that I can barely contain it.

Ok - here are some observations from the live game - without having seen the game replay yet.

1. Ryan looked good.. His passes looked good after that first one. He seemed happy and relaxed out there. Nice to see. You could tell he wanted to get that ball to Julio to get him through those first game jitters. In the beginning, he reminded me of when he was trying to get Gonzo that catch 1000. Overall, he appeared to be more in control and stronger than before. I think he will definitely show improvement again this year.

2. Turner looked in top form. He was downright beastly. You could see the power and the burst from him that was missing the latter part of last year. I believe the surgery he had over the offseason worked. I feel excited about what he will contribute this year again. I'm seeing double digits and 1200+ this year from him.

3. Harry looked like the Harry from '08. He looked so good out in the pre-game warm ups and in the game. It was great to see that TD from him.

4. Weems dropped his first pass. Right after I jinxed him by telling my granddaughter that he catches everything in front of him. It's ok though - he still looked pretty good out there. The fans booed when he called a fair catch a couple of times with plenty of time to run, but I can't blame him. First preseason game. He looked pretty good on ST though.

5. Franks is balling. He looked like he's going to give Weems a run for him money in the return game. I'm wondering if we see one handle punt returns and one kick returns. Will be interesting to see this play out the rest of the preseason.

6. Quizz looked pretty good. Nothing really spectacular in this game, but solid.

7. Our 1st string D looked really good. Abe looks like he's going to have a great year. Grimes is Grimes - Aggravate 'Em Grimey! He looked awesome out there. Jerry looked good - much, much better than last year - that was nice to see. Corey Peters was kicking butt and taking names out there. I can't wait to see when we get Edwards included in that pass rush. Overall, I feel great about our 1st team.

8. Owens. SMH Owens. SMH Please, Coach, do something.

9. Hated to see JPW get hurt and I hope he's ok. I wasn't really impressed with the new kid, but wouldn't expect to be. He was playing with the scrubs in his first game ever. He may make a pretty serviceable backup. Will be interesting to see what he brings to the game over the next 3 preseason games.

10. It was Great to be at a Football game again. I don't care if it was preseason - it was fun. I had a blast and I'm more pumped up about this season than ever.

Well, I'm sure there is more - but I gotta run for now. I just wanted to share what I saw a little. Gonna be a good year, folks! Trust me!

Edit: Pics

[TeamPlayer1]

Thanks, Tandy! Great seats.

[markdzul]

Thanks for the post Tandy. alway enjoy hearing reports from people who are at the game. I agree with you on the excitement for our upcoming season. had our starters played the entire game, they may have called a slaughter rule by the end of the third quarter. Can assure you also, JJ looked just as fast on TV as what you could see live. Super excited to get things underway. And yes TD will have to do something about the nickel spot...

[Old fan]

4. Weems dropped his first pass. Right after I jinxed him by telling my granddaughter that he catches everything in front of him. It's ok though - he still looked pretty good out there. The fans booed when he called a fair catch a couple of times with plenty of time to run, but I can't blame him. First preseason game. He looked pretty good on ST though.

Great writeup. In a TV interview, Weems said the coach told him to fair catch. Probably to not risk injury in preseason.

[Tandy]

Great writeup. In a TV interview, Weems said the coach told him to fair catch. Probably to not risk injury in preseason.

I said that to my husband after the 2nd time. I said - Betcha Coach wants to see some long drives and to get out with no injuries - probably told him to fair catch.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

5. Franks is balling. He looked like he's going to give Weems a run for him money in the return game. I'm wondering if we see one handle punt returns and one kick returns. Will be interesting to see this play out the rest of the preseason.

8. Owens. SMH Owens. SMH Please, Coach, do something.

5. I saw some highlights of Franks returns, it is pre-season, but maybe a sign of good things to come. We need explosiveness everywhere.

8. As for Owens, hoped he recovered, but looks like an authentic Crisp.

Thanks for the write-up, missed the game while at work. This helps.

[Tandy]

Thanks, Tandy! Great seats.

I took some pictures. I'm going to upload them to my laptop as soon as possible - and I'll post.

Thanks for the post Tandy. alway enjoy hearing reports from people who are at the game. I agree with you on the excitement for our upcoming season. had our starters played the entire game, they may have called a slaughter rule by the end of the third quarter. Can assure you also, JJ looked just as fast on TV as what you could see live. Super excited to get things underway. And yes TD will have to do something about the nickel spot...

I expect to see a move as soon as some cuts happen on other teams, if not sooner. I like Owens, nice guy - but sadly, he is just not going to make it in our system. I wish him luck - but he needs to go.

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

We really didnt lose. We won 17-0, when the starters were taken out.

[BenB321]

Awesome post. I agree with almost everything you said Tandy. Owens is what our eyes have told us he is: horrible. There will be people on the MB saying that we are not seeing what we have seen just like they did with Busterson but the dude is exposed and he needs to be cut..NOW!

Grimes is a heck of a player and he keeps getting better every year. Mr. Blank needs to tell McKay to get back the money Jamaal stole from us and give that $ to Grimey. McKay you either come back with the dough or don't come back.

I didn't see the whole second half but in the first I saw Quizz getting knocked around like a pinball when he attempted to block somebody in the pocket. Warrick Dunn could get it done but I don't know if Quizz can take on pass rushers.

I am very excited to hear about how explosive Julio looks in person because TV only shows a portion of the field you can't alway tell how much faster one player is over the rest. I know ESPN was going on and on about how good Julio looked out there.

Trust Me?!?! I think someone has already trademarked that phrase.

[NCFALCONSFAN]

Thanks for the write up. I didnt get to catch the game. I know that everyone was talking about how good JJ looked, it was great to see HD catch the TD. Hope he can be a stud during the season like we all know he is. Being in NC we dont get much attention for the falcons. I cant wait to see Edwards out there to see what he can really do.

[The Vent King]

Thoughts on this post:

1. If there was a Falcon's Hall of Fame for Falcon fans Tandy, you'd definitely be a first ballot entry- always enjoy your enthusiasm for the Birds.

2. I said the same thing about Julio and Vick last night. That guy is as every much exciting as I've seen since #7. That play where he caught that 5 yd dump from the Iceman and turned up the middle of the field- ooowee! I swear when he caught it, it looked like someone pushed the fast forward button on a VCR! I haven't been able to figure out who's jersey I wanted to get for awhile, that is soooooooooo over. #11 authentic here I come!! JJ is electrifying!! I made myself trust the pick when everyone was questioning it, because I just believe our GM is just too smart to make that move for no reason and NOW the whole NFL world knows why he did. I'm getting goosebumps right now thinking about how JJ is going to affect this already good offense. Think about it - The Iceman, Gonzo, Roddy, H.D., The Burner, Ovie, Snells, Quizz, D Franks, Weems, and now the mutant X-man better known as Julio. Wow, just wow.

3. All that is left is for the defense to take their game to the next level and I believe they all know it. It's just pre-season right now, but I have every belief our D is going to step up this season. That secondary (as always) has me somewhat concerned minus Grimey of course, but I believe Abe and R Edwards will help that tremendously. Just hold on to your hats folks.

4. Hearing how Julio responded to you and yours with the autograph is great too. Glad that he's already grasped how important it is to return a true fans love. Something #7 didn't exactly get (no knock cause he's not the only one & besides I loved the guy despite that when he was here) when he was here. I always enjoy hearing when players do things like that the right way. After all, no us, no them. Glad Julio gets that.

5. I really did wonder sitting in that Dome til the last minute of that beatdown the ButtPackers gave us last season whether I would ever be able to get that Falcon Fever back. The last two minutes of that game was THE longest two minutes of my life I swear. People went on and on about how the fans left (which I really wasn't even mad about cause at the time I couldn't blame them)and asked why I stayed and really it was cause I didn't have the energy to freaking move I was so destroyed. It got so bad, I dam near started questioning my purpose in life... :unsure: I couldn't watch anything sports related for weeks. NOTHING! :ph34r: But after the moves I saw T.D. and Blank made at the draft, the pickup in free agency, the game last night (despite the loss), AND reading this post, I have a 108 degree temperature right now and it feels good.

GO FALCONS!!!!!

[Peyton]

I feel the same way.

Julio is a unique receiver. I can't think of too many guys with his combination of size, strength and agility. It's very exciting to get a glimpse of his explosiveness last night.

Harry looked great. I knew he would struggle last year, WRs always do after an ACL, but I think he is going to have a true bust out year in the slot this year.

The Falcons have a good chance to have the best passing game in the history of the franchise this year, just got to stay relatively healthy.

As for the secondary, we better stay completely healthy. Last night's game didn't do anything to alleviate my concerns about the depth, although Walls looked better and better as the game went on.

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

[Tandy]

Here are a few shots from last night

[Tandy]

I feel the same way.

Julio is a unique receiver. I can't think of too many guys with his combination of size, strength and agility. It's very exciting to get a glimpse of his explosiveness last night.

Harry looked great. I knew he would struggle last year, WRs always do after an ACL, but I think he is going to have a true bust out year in the slot this year.

The Falcons have a good chance to have the best passing game in the history of the franchise this year, just got to stay relatively healthy.

As for the secondary, we better stay completely healthy. Last night's game didn't do anything to alleviate my concerns about the depth, although Walls looked better and better as the game went on.

Agree. Also - on Walls - I was very impressed, just forgot to mention it. Yeah, the secondary scares me. I think the coaches will do something. The secondary as it is - I'm fine with. We need some depth.

[Karst41]

Here are a few shots from last night

I loved watching 2 defenders struggling to take down Quizz last night.

Quizz is Turners Mini Me

[Falcon Fantom]

Thanks Tandy. Great write up. How did Robinson look in coverage? How about Spoon?

[Borat]

Julio looked like a dragster out there.

[Falconsfuturedynasty]

Great post!!! I really pumped for the season to start.Do you have any observations on Micheal Palmer. I didn't get to see the game, but I hoping he gets a bigger role in the offense this year.

[ukfalc]

That's a stunning picture. Where did you find it? It would make a great background or screensaver.

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

That's a stunning picture. Where did you find it? It would make a great background or screensaver.

I took that picture myself...

[neatodrum]

I'm as excited as you about JJ,Tandy...man is that kid fast...it's almost like the whole game speeds up when he touches the ball...and that end around was straight out of his Alabama highlight reel...

I was disappointed by Rodgers...he was terrible in pass protection and was swallowed up at the line of scrimmage...he just looks far too small to handle business at this level...I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because its preseason, but the kid didn't show anything but "small" last night...

I'm really happy that we re-signed Snelling at this point.

[The Vent King]

That's a stunning picture. Where did you find it? It would make a great background or screensaver.

It's already my background screen!!

Edited August 13, 2011 by DBFever2

[falconidae]

I'm as excited as you about JJ,Tandy...man is that kid fast...it's almost like the whole game speeds up when he touches the ball...and that end around was straight out of his Alabama highlight reel...

I was disappointed by Rodgers...he was terrible in pass protection and was swallowed up at the line of scrimmage...he just looks far too small to handle business at this level...I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because its preseason, but the kid didn't show anything but "small" last night...

I'm really happy that we re-signed Snelling at this point.

Rodgers was seeing his first NFL action ever and playing with 2nd and 3rd string Oline. Let Reynold open some of the holes he did for Turner for Quizz and see how he does.

[neatodrum]

Rodgers was seeing his first NFL action ever and playing with 2nd and 3rd string Oline. Let Reynold open some of the holes he did for Turner for Quizz and see how he does.

Oh I'm more than willing to give it time....if the coaching staff is that high on him based on TC, there must be something to it...but I mean he's gonna have to pick up blitzes without getting bounced into the QB...I was just hoping for the kind of brilliance we saw in Julio last night to come from Quizz as well...