As some of you remember 16 months ago I made a "temporarily leave of absence" from this blog, siting both person depression and indirectly saying not liking how many members of this blog felt about the Falcons and would jump off about the team and not believing in the franchise.

I can honestly say that neither of those have changed, and perhaps if any...gotten worse.

Yet I'm here? Why? Boredom I guess, and I got nothing better to do with my time in life.

Maybe that is against the rules here at the Falcoholic but again until I'm banning I might be hanging around like that rooster that's in our (my parents) yard for the last week, until someone shoots it or it gets ran over or die from a lack of inseminating hen eggs. Memorial Day is coming up...I wonder.

Any who. I can't speak for the fans of the Saints, Bucs, Panthers, Packers, Ravens, Rams, Patriots, Chargers, Colts, Redskins, and so on.

But what I do know is in general, Falcons fans are very distrusting of their team. They don't believe they are trying to win. Same ole Falcons, that don't care about the fans, they are only trying to make money.

Now I will admit that if I must play the race card, I do by default live, and work around nothing but African American people (Black), and around such people that's the general sentiment.

I think around other ethnicity the mood is less pessimistic and critical but still a degree of each.

For whatever reason they seem to have more faith in the Hawks or at least criticize them less.

Today at work one guy mentioned that you have to have a guy with a little thug in them to be successful in a nutshell. "Name one team that recently won a superbowl without guys with a little thug in them"

I answered Green Bay. Or at least I don't see them as thug, as Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and those two corners seem to be pretty respectful.

And that's what I read here on the Falcoholic. That we need to get rid of this good guy philosophy, and take chances on trouble players.

Why? Because a trouble player usually means he's really good athlete and will probably be the next Deion Sanders (not that he's or any of the following are troubled players themselves), Randy Moss, Osi Umeniyora, Desean Jackson, Megatron, James Harrison, maybe even Michael Vick minus the Dogfighting.

But a trouble guy with all the allocates and very athletic, cocky, arrogant, means that your Team's owner actually cares about you the fans, and are trying to do something to bring a championship.

During a draft you got to draft what ESPN and all the draft gurus say will be the next HOF guy. Otherwise your draft will suck, and your GM/Owner don't know what they are doing.

Even either Chuck and Chernoff or was it Buck and Kincade don't like the Team Captain thing and are sick of it.

Why should the University of Georgia drug test their players after spring break when they don't have to? You'll just end up suspending the best players.

It's the way it is and I might well get used to it.

The beauty of the internet and this blog is you don't know the ethnicity of the members, so I don't know how many of your are Black, White, Asian, Indian, Latin, or whatever. Therefore I can't measure how that plays a role about how you feel about the Falcons.

I also don't know the gender of any of you. Some of you could be women, and we not know it.

I don't know the age of many of you. Some of you i know have watched the Falcons long before I was born, and I'm not used to that since my parents are in their 60's and don't know a lick about a computer, much less the internet, and always have to ask me how to use certain features on their phones.

Is my view of Falcons Fanhood warped due to the fact that I am not well rounded?

I know a lot of people on this blog aren't thrilled with the way this draft has gone as TD in our eyes pulled out some head scratchers at first glance.

While others have simply warmed up to it once doing some research or ironically cooling off about it.

I find myself moreso in the latter of the two.

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For those who don't know.

Mike Woodson was the previous coach of the Atlanta Hawks who from the 2004-05 season turned a horrid 13-69 team into a perrienial playoff team that we know today.

Each year the Hawks record improved to 26-56, then 30-52, then making the playoffs for the first time in a decade at 37-45, 47-35, then in his final season 53-29.

So yes the Hawks Record improved each year under Mike Woodson.

But unless you watched the Hawks like we did. You wouldn't have known the dark truth about them. They couldn't get out of the first round. And during the season they would have some head scratching losses, but for the most part they would win games they were suppose to win.

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So the Falcons lost horribly, the braves got swept, and the hawks are in a lockout, and the thrashers moved away.  (That's Atlanta sports)

It's times like these we need a woman's touch.

There's nothing like seeing women in action.

Well now you can get the best of both worlds.

The Atlanta Dream are in the playoffs right now.

Angel McCoughtery will lead the Dream perhaps to the WNBA finals after a 3-9 start

Marynell Meadors knows how to keep this team together.

From an expansion of 2008 to a WNBA appearence in 2010. They are poised to make another run. The Dream make the hawks look like the 08 Lions

So take a gander at these ladies, Erika Desoza, Lindsey Hardin, Courtney Paris, Izi Castro Marques, and Sancho Lyttle.

Heres to them to win today like Carolina Panthers should over Arizona today to go 20-14....Hey I like that

2014! (inside joke), to help us feel better

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Although I've been sitting on this for a few weeks, that MNF loss to the Saints kinda did it in for me.  [Like my life something that should have happened (win 13 and me having my depression solved) but simply didn't]

All year I've been suffering through a depression and I've looked to the Falcoholic and Falcons football to help me through.

It has aided me, but my problems still remain.   Now I feel I must focus my life on other priorities and recreation as for some reason I seem to be having a decreased interest in NFL Football altogether.

I don't want to become another Bravesfan2010 about the Falcons, as that loss seems to remind me that ultimately these are the same ole Falcons that can't win the big game.  Even in the MS TD era, the Falcons have failed to defeat the Saints 4/6 times, the Patriots, the Steelers and the Eagles, Four elite (and more consistent) franchises, and they often have lost badly to these teams, ensuring me that at least this season, they won't be getting over THAT hump.  Why of all times they can't score more than 7 points on offense against one of the leagues worse run defenses and somewhat mediocre pass defense, and can't put more than one sack on Brees, at home, with a full strength offense and go 0-5 on MNF on ESPN all time is inexplicable and inexcusable to me.

I admire was Dave Choate has going on this site and the efforts and contents he brings to us all, however I haven't been fond of some of the newer bloggers that have joined this site.  Although I'm not a Michael Vick fan, I'm disdained at certain bloggers that continues to criticize him as a dogkiller and a evil human being when in fact it seems to me that MV7 has or is at least valiantly trying his damndest to be an improved human being.  Like PETA I feel that these bloggers are teaching hate and self promotion of ego.

The unneccessary need of approval from Peter King and Trent Dilfer when they are both known as not good analyst, still continues to remind me of my own problems.

I think I'm looking for a different culture and identity at this point.

I won't be checking back for any comments to this posting until maybe a year or two for now.

Thanks for your hospitality fellas.  Take care.

...on the NFC side.

Bears

Giants

Saints

Eagles


All don't sound easy.

Bears and their defense and Devin Hester.

Saints and their offensive Juggernaut (don't forget about Lance Moore)

Eagles and Michael Vick (don't need to remind you what they did without Vick and a few other guys to us earlier)

And you seen what the Giants have done to Vick for at least 3 1/2 QTRs.  (if only they could play 42 mins --- I mean 60 mins of football - sorry Zach Randolph joke)

None of these teams sound easy.  Even if the Packers were somehow in the mix.

Unless we could host the Seahawks/Rams/49ers.  Our road won't be easy.

But we would likely have to face New England.  These four teams would be a great test for our team.

Can they pass the test.

I have to lend my modem to my brother for a day or two, I'll be back by Thursday to check out the results.

When the schedule came out for this 2010 season.  The majority of us were in favor of it primarily for most the potential cold weather games were early in the season by week six when it's warmer.

We fared 1-2.

We beat a good Jets team in New Jersey the snow (although it wasn't snowing and it was plowed before the game) in 2009 that went to the AFC Championship and took the SuperBowl runners up to the brink on the road.  Ryan fighting an injury, no Michael Turner (except one play), Defense still a questionmark among other issues.

Got our third straight win in Tampa that was on a two game winning streak beating the saints and seahawks when it was cold their. (Coldest game in RJS history 38F)

I think it's safe to say cold weather does not affect this team.

But for what it's worth, you want to see how other seasons when for us?

In 2007 we also faced the NFC West visiting Arizona and St Louis.  Mild and Dome games.  Hot Jacksonville and Warm Tennessee.  Domed New Orleans, Balmy Tampa Mildly chilly maybe Carolina and Domed Minneapolis.

We only won 1 road game that year and that was Carolina...perhaps the coldest road game (63F),

2008 our road games were Oakland San Diego Philly New Orleans Tampa Carolina Green Bay and Minnesota.

GB TB and CAR were all by week 5 when it's warmer.

Oakland and San Diego are usually at least Mild.  December we did not play a single game outside. and SD and OAK were our previous road games in Nov with a three game homestand in the middle.  Philadelphia was just before November.  GB was the Coldest game we did win that one...barely.  Oak and Phi tied with second coldest at 63F we were 1-1 thanks to a muffed punt (allegely) and a shutout in the other.  2008 really had a favorable weather schedule for Atlanta.

2009 we had the Jets 29F and a rare cold Tampa Bay game 38F but one those.  Our annual three game nov home stand going 1-2 (2-1 in 08 and 3-0 in '10) @Car 73F and @NYG 53F in mid nov were both losing efforts.

For 2011 our Schedule (without the exact dates yet) Looks like this:

visiting Indy, Detroit, New Orleans, Houston, NFC West (maybe the Rams at worse Seattle), <--- all domed teams except SEA, Carolina, Tampa, Chicago.

The only game that might scare you is Chicago.  Carolina and Tampa the Falcons are familiar with and probably won't be colder than 40F at any point.  The other games will be inside plus our 8 games at home (unless Goodell wants us in London or anywhere outside the US).  So Basically if we can get Chicago by Mid November we shouldn't have to worry too much about frigid temperatures.

in 2005 we had the Bears on the road and it was 12F and a minus-3 wind chill..  That didnt' work out well (I actually think the Falcons played pretty well, just couldn't keep the offense on the field) and that was during the Vick Mora Era, we are a different team now.  That next week in Tampa also didn't work when it was much warmer 55F

So as you can see guys the weather schedule is going to favor us throughout the 2011 season

If you haven't feel asleep after reading this you may comment below...OR NOT (Alkior)

Some say it's the second coming of his child

But Throwing 10 INT's already in the season for a Pro Bowl QB that just won the SuperBowl and is on the Madden Cover, is just inexplicable!

Hopefully he can get it fixed, but folks at The Falcoholic aren't so forgiving.

For now Brees is on pace for breaking Jake Delhomme 18INT 2009 record...and that's not good.

What must he do?

Last week we had Gus Johnson on CBS, perhaps the best current CBS NFL announcer far over Jim Nantz by popular Fandom.  He's spirited, exciting, tells the game like it is.

But we don't get Gus Johnson every year (maybe he might do our Titans or Jaguars game next year) so what about our Flagship network FOX?

We all seem to hate Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, but okay with our sweetie Pam Oliver

not fond of the old vet  Dick Stockton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yg-pQC96Qw  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtXlD8iU2Z0&feature=related Who may be God's long lost older brother.

Charles Davis is actually okay with me I know some of you guys hate him too, and dispicable Jim Mora and the meh but classic Laura Okmin

 ...so that leaves the other crew...who do you prefer to listen to?

Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/ the annoying overrated Tony Siragusa

Thom Brennaman (I love Tim Tebow!) Brian Billick (Mike Smith and I are married to sisters!) /Charissa ThompsonGermanian Sam Rosen/Tim Ryan (Bill Maas Twin - Rosen previous partner - Did our 05 Bills and both Panthers games)

IMO underrated straight talking X's O's destoyed in seconds Ron Pitts/John Lynch/ the lovely sexy Nischelle TurnerThe Sarcastic Chris Rose and the Falcons Secondary Torcher Kurt Warner

Chris Myers (Kroy Bierman is NOT a rookie) 

I actually miss Matt Vasgerian and JC Pearson (Curt Menafee's old partner)..oh well.

....well not quite all of a sudden.

But if you've been a Falcons fan at least since 2005, you should know that Roddy White hasn't always been this good.
For his first two seasons, you could almost say that he seemed to be a bust, and couldn't catch anything...always dropping passes.  Another Atlanta Falcons draft Blunder.  And we don't need to be reminded about his counterpart Michael Jenkins.

Courteousy of this site SBNation you can see below Roddy's performance over his 6 seasons.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1192/roddy-white/career

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Cin @ Car

Apparently I overrated Carolina's offense.  The defense must have gotten tired against Tampa

The Bengals have more proven weapons on offense, yet still have lapses and struggle to score in the redzone.  I think this game is low scoring at first.  And unless Clausen provides and equal or greater offensive threat for the Panthers, I only give Carolina a chance to win, but for now, I'll say the Bengals will win.

16-10

Buf @ NE

Uh...do I need to talk about this matchup?

New England Wins 27-7

SF @ KC

Alex Smith looked good in the final Drive against the Saints, can he keep it up on a short week on the road against a better defense?  Maybe... 

The talented Cheifs have looked well enough to go 2-0.  I say this game is ultimately a toss up and goes to overtime. 

I say the Niners somehow pull an ugly win out of this, but I could be wrong of course...maybe the Cheifs go 3-0 and Niners go 0-3, and even if that happens the Niners could still win the division!

Niners 17 Cheifs 14...or something like that...I don't really know.

Ten @ NYG  The Titans experienced a reversal of what we felt.  High on a win, and a disspointing crushing defeat to the Steelers.

The Giants proved, that there defense is still a work in progress, and gives it up.  I'm sure an offense that scored 38 points against the Raiders will exploit that. 

But I say the Giants find a way to bounce bad after a primetime embarassment and are determined to beat a quality team.  Again I give the Titans a chance

Giants 23 Titans 20

Cle @ Bal

Again this is a no brainer

Baltimore 26 Cleveland 6

Pit @ TB

On Bucs Nation there are mixed reviews about the sudden success of their team.  Some are realistic, while others think they can beat the Steelers.  Do you really think they can beat the Steelers?

One thing for sure, this will tell us how good the Bucs really are, but until then...

Steelers 17 Bucs 10 (if the Steelers score more...it's because of the defense or special teams scoring on a bucs miscue on offense)

Atl @ NO

Det @ Min  Apparently Detroit's defense is still suspect.  We saw that Minnesota's offense is in shambles.  Detroit was so close in winning games, but came up empty.  They got to be licking their chops for this one.

I think however Minnesota's Defense is what wins the game for them here.  They neutralize Jahid Best a bit and exploit the offensive line of the the Lions.  Farve is working on his receivers and Detroit is the perfect solution for that.  Barring a late surge I say the Vikings get their first win. 24-14

Dal @ Hou

This should be a high scoring affair.  I think Jason Garrett for one week will try to run the ball before going back to his pass happy style and will stay competitive with Houston who gives up points like crazy.  If Jay Culter threw no INT's and 3 TD's I think, against the Cowboys on the road, then you should start Matt Schaub in your fantasy.  That should open up the run game for Arian Foster.

Cowboys 23 Texans 33

Phi @ Jax

It seems like leaving the Falcons was the best thing for Michael Vick, this guy is on fire.  I wish he played like this when he was here, but whatever.  The Eagles can score. and they can force themselves to have to score too, they give it up like the Texans too.  I think Jacksonville can score too.  They have receivers to matchup with that eagle secondary and MJDshould have a good game too.

However with Vick, I'd have to go with the Eagles to win.  Jacksonville doesn't offer much playmaking to make a difference on offense, defense or special teams.  I mean outside of MJD, who scares you.  Unless they find a way to win like they did against Denver...

Eagles 31 Jacksonville 24

Wsh @ Stl

I would love to pick St Louis to win at home.  But unless the Rams Defense can hold the Redskins to 14 or less points and can score more against the Redskins defense (that did give up 27 points - mostly late in the game).  The Redskins should win big.  Maybe next week the Rams get their first win.

Redskins 28 Rams 17

Ind @ Den

This should be interesting.  The Broncos used to like to run, but I think they throw it more now.  That plays into the Colts hands

Ind 31 Denver 20

Oak @ Arz

Both of these teams looked sloppy in each of the first two games and somehow managed to go .500.

Who's going to survive the orgy of penalities in this game?

The Raaaaaaidersssssssss!

Why?  Because they have a comparable defense that can rush the passer and stop the run on Derek Anderson.  Also they are starting Raider favorite Bradkowski.  Unless he gets hurt.  I think the Raiders have a good day.  They also play better on the road than at home....at times.  And have one impressive home win.

Oakland 21 Arizona 16

SD @ Sea

I don't know what to make of the Seahawks.  They won against a lapsing Niner team but got blown out by the Broncos.  The Chargers are more reliable...somewhat, but they don't choke until later.  I have no idea, so I'm going to guess...   SD 38 Sea 17

NYJ @ Mia  The Jets proved me wrong and beat the Pats again at home.  Looks like they made adjustments and exploited the Patriots.  They put the ball in Mark Sanchez's hands and won big.

However that's just what the Dolphins want the Jets to do.  There is something about the Dolphins this year, that you don't want to mess with.  They win ugly.  I think their defense is underatted and oportunistic.  They swept the Jets last year, and with their improvements, I think this year is no different.

Jets 16 Dolphins 23

GB @ Chi

Another interesting matchup.

Culter...no INT's on the road against a Dallas Defense?

Maybe Mike Martz has done something special with him.

But Green Bay can score, and I hear Clay Matthews is insane.

It's going to be close, but I think Green Bay is just better overall

Packers 26 Bears 20

I don't feel as good with my picks as last week.  These games are too close for comfort.

Let's see how I do.

Yeah...

How are you feeling about your falcons now????

Who's the Master of the South???

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All predicted scores are merely estimates. Give or take 4 points in either direction

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Child Please!

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When I was young, I used to think I was pretty much the smartest person around and I had an advantage over everyone.  Over the years I learned that there are people smarter than me and I have a lot to learn.  It's sites like the Falcoholic that makes me take a step back and reassess my views of the world in a different light.  There are many ways to look at and like the the same thing at any time.  On one recent post, Jason and Adam disagree about how they would feel about the Falcons if our team would relocate.  Yet most everything else they agree about the team and how they support them. 

Our World is Diverse

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I'm not a baseball person but when I do watch the braves, I see something different, not just from the 2006-2009 dark years, but from the 1991-2005  era.

They find ways to win.

But from no particular player.  On other teams you usually hear about how there are 1-3 players you have to watch out for.  But for the Braves, it could be anyone at any time.  One day it's Chipper, another day it's McCann, Hinske, Glaus, Prado or maybe it's Escobar, Cabrera, Conrad, Heywood, Infante, Blanco, or no names like David Ross, Nate McLouth and Matt Diaz.  It's like who do you stop?  Its not like any of these guys scare you.  But that's the beauty of it.  They are regular everyday blue collar guys, that are playing like a true team.  They've faced adversity due to injury and unproven prospects/talent trying to figure out how it works and a nine game losing streak to drop to 8-14 in last place, destined for another year of mediocrity for a fittingly final season for a washed up Bobby Cox.  But the Cigar Smoking Genius had one last trick and got them to negate with a 9 game winning streak, winning nearly every series since that rough start.  The only games they've lost were against hot teams and some unlucky breaks, not to meantion a west coast trip early in the season not knowing who the Giants and Padres were let in alternate day night games.  But they've played competitive, and they have the best record in the NL, but close behind is the Reds and Padres.  The Reds win with Offense, while the Padres do it with Pitching (Defense), yet their opposite is their weakness.  But the Braves have balance and do it with clutch hitting and pitching.

Does this sound like what the 2001-2004 NE Patriots used to be?  No particular player standing out over another.  Just a team effort.  Coming through in the Clutch.  Billicheck and Brady like Bobby Cox. 

And now we have a piece of the Patriots empire on our Football team, and the way the 2010 Draft has gone (picking up depth at key positions), we have see sparks of that for this season.

Your thoughts?

If no one has done it before, I will say it now.

I just got through reading the Cleveland Cavaliers Blog "Fear the Sword", about LeBron James leaving their team.  And it was quite entertaining...yet disturbing too.

Although many of the members do have a point about how Diva-ish LBJ is and such, but they way the come off about LBJ, and when fans of other teams try to console/reason with them, the members respond harshly and unnecessarily cruel...like some customers were to me this week at the Doraville Kmart that made me want to snap back at them because of their abuse of the word "customer (satistifaction)" but that's another story (Dr Phil, BBB - Maybe).  Even at times on our other Atlanta site Peachtreehoops, I see some overzealous comments that often talk about nothing.

It made me think how much refiner things are here at the Falcoholic.  Yes we do get emotional, and Cleveland Fans have every right to be upset at the situation, and all of their historic heartbreak, but we are for the most part humble, tamed, and respectful of others.  The Main Blogger of "Fear the Sword" doesn't seem to enforce that there.  It reminds me of working at a job where the manager doesn't give a (bleep) about the employees and how they carry themselves, or the company is only in the best interest of themselves and not the people who do the work for them.

Dave "The Falconer" Choate like Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith has somehow...some way established a culture of respect, intellect, modesty, facts, emotional consideration, wisdom, and creative concepts, and other elements you just don't see anywhere else on Sports Blog Nation (at least not that I know of).

It's things like this site that makes me wish that I too could embark on creating something like this myself.  Start something with my own vision and identity, that truly special, unique; with integrity, honesty, respect, creativity, innovation, and other elements that stands out to people and makes a difference in society.  But without resources, and ideas I'm frustrated in not being able to exert myself and I the only hope I have is the phrase you see below my comments "Live, for the possibility"  But in the meantime let's enjoy the way things are on the Falcoholic as Dave, Jason, and Adam continue to orchestrate this fine organization for well meaning people like us and the tradition will continue (and spread) for years to come in many ways.

Should there be a SBN site approval rating?

Like most of you guys, I'm really excited about the upcoming NFL season; not just for the Falcons, but for all 32 teams.

With the way it seems like the Colts, Patriots and Chargers in the AFC maybe on the verge of their autumn years of success (and in the NFC the loss of Warner for the Cardinals, the Eagles seemingly rebuilding - possible question marks with the Giants and Vikings), and other teams finally seem to be getting the idea of how to match up with them by learning how to draft and free agency (see the Oakland Raiders) to rise above their decade long playoff drought.  We may finally see a very competitive NFL season.

Let's start with us: The NFC South.  We know about the Defending Champs the Saints, getting most of their key players back and that's always good to continue the tradition of success, and how our team is building through the
draft.  One might not think beyond the Falcons and Saints, but I always like to give teams the benefit of the doubt.

The Panthers I think could quietly have a very good season.  Remember they had injuries on the defensive side of the ball and that was still their strength.  They've build some more pieces on each side and ditched turnover proned Delhomme and can only get better (remember they finished 8-8 with a tougher schedule).  And I posted earlier this year about the Buccaneers being a team to look out for because of that NFCsouth anomaly. http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2010/4/18/1429392/the-nfc-south-anomaly-should-we And there is legitimate reason for that.  They played better defense in the latter part of the year and drafted two good DT's and actually have a decent secondary.  Raheem Morris under his second season with the system in place, there may be rhythm on both sides of the ball.  Two of the Bucs two wins were against playoff teams (Packers and New Orleans - although you could say both of those opponents weren't at their best that day), and took us to the wire in our place (Wikipedia says the Bucs will wear Creamsicle Orange when they play us on December 5th).  Granted, I think even the Bucs can give us a handful in at least one of our matchups so we can't take them or Carolina lightly.

Now let's look at the Division we play the AFC North and why I named this article Divisional Mirror Images.

The Steelers and the Saints were the last two teams to win the Superbowl, and always remain relevant each year.  You may also remember another fanpost I made earlier this year about the Steelers. http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2010/4/21/1435164/big-ben-suspended-for-our-game  They finished 9-7 last year, but looked awful at one point.  But it wasn't because of Roethlisberger (well maybe against the Browns), it was their defense.  Polamalu was injured throughout the season, and could likely come back healthlier than ever this season (likely has about two strong years left before he starts to decline - unless he's Ronde Barber and could be).  Again, I don't think a change of QB changes the Steelers Offense, and they will still put up points.  Leftwich did well playing for the Steelers, and we saw Dennis Dixon in his first regular season debut in 2008 against a good Ravens Defense in Baltimore play well enough to win, and Charlie Batch can play well enough to score as well.  I know you are thinking, Steelers don't have a running game with the O-Line problems and lost Santonio Holmes, but I can see other guys stepping up.  Maybe there will be a bit of decline and we will be the best team to feast off of that before they rediscover that rhythm.  [Look for the Steelers to be at full strength in week 8]

The Ravens are our arch Rival, being Birds, and Ryan's Darker haired twin.  They've made a louder noise in draft with Sergio Kindle and other DT's; free agency Boldin and Stallworth and seems elite to take the division from Pittsburgh QB and offense/defense issues and the team that swept them last year that almost no one is talking about.  [Can't wait until Week 10!]

....The Bengals.  But many of us are talking about them beating us on October 24th. (Actually the Packers scare me more that the Ravens and Bengals to give us our annual home loss).  The Bengals Swept the Division as we know but the wheels fell off as injuries on the defensive side of the ball finally caught up with them.  If they can stay healthly and use their offensive draft picks to help open up the offense and gain rhythm, they can only get better.  Like the Panthers, I think they will quietly have a good season with solid to finesse defense, and ball control offense.  Nothing fancy, just the facts.  [Should be a good sweet game of fresh defense week 3]

And there is the Cleveland Browns.  A Team like the Buccaneers that no one wants to give a chance or thinks will make some noise.  But they seems to have had a good draft this year too (also I think the Lions did too and in free agency), focusing on Defense and other key positions the Browns needed.  They did finish winning four straight games, and Mike Holmgren seems to know what he's doing.  He made the Seahawks relevant for a moment and groomed on Brett Favor...I mean Farve, and the Packers were a solid team for a long time.  So the Browns have reason for hope.  [Week 1 is always a weird week for football with weird results but it should be fun too]

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Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I guess I am.  (I don't expect any recs for this either)

It's a topic that we hope never to talk about, and that the actuality of it never comes true (just like my personal life but that's for another site).

But we must accept that it can happen, and probably will to someone, somewhere on our team God Forbid.  We coiuld lose them for the entire season, or for a significant amount of time.

But who?  If I meantion the following names, will the dark cloud over my head jinx them?

Matt Ryan

Chris Redman

Michael Turner

Harvey Dahl (or Mike Johnson / Joe Hawley

Jason Snelling

Jerious Norwood

Harry Douglas

Tony Gonzalez

Kerry Meier (or our other new receivers)

Michael Jenkins (blessing in disguise?)

John Abraham

Peria Jerry

Corey Peters

Thomas Johnson (if on the team)

Johnathan Babineaux

Sean Weatherspoon

Thomas DeCoud

Curtis Lofton

William Moore

Brent Grimes

Kroy Biermann

Chris Owens

If any one of these guys gets injured for a significant amount of time, what impact will be felt on our team?

Or do you think these guys escape major injury through out the season, and someone else comes through?

Your thoughts?

This is basically a ramble without any stats like Orange3b or someone like that.

If you paid attention to the NFC East last season, you may have noticed something strange.

Although the Cowboys won the Division at 11-5, they were swept by the third placed Giants at 8-8.

The Giants were swept by the Eagles also at 11-5 (in each contest giving up 40 or more points)

Yet the Eagles were swept by the Cowboys in all 3 matchups including a shutout.

All Three teams swept the Redskins that of course ended dead last in the division.  Yet the Redskins closest matchups came against the division winning Cowboys, including a 7-6 defeat IN DALLAS.

How can you explain this WEIRD phenom?

(Twilight Zone music plays)

Well first all we have to realize that a game can't be predicted on record and results alone.  As football pundits tell it.  It's all about Matchups, matchups of the teams strengths versus the other team's weakness.

Now I'm not football pundit per se, but here's how I see it.

The Giants finished the season giving up 40 plus points in about 4 out of 5 of their last game...so their secondary was a major issue.  The Eagles were able to exploit this with their receivers of Desean Jackson, Avant and Maclin.  The Redskins had an anemic offense and couldn't.  The Cowboys...well they had Miles Austin, so why were they able to win?  Well the Cowboys did score on the Giants scoring 31 and 24 points.  But I think the difference was the Eagles Defense versus the Cowboys Defense.  The Giants weren't as good of a running team as they were in the past, so they relied on the passing game.  The Eagles had a better equipped secondary than the Cowboys which the Giants could exploit and stay in the game.  The Eagles made the Giants get out of their game plan and of course take over.

Now let's look at the Eagles:

They swept the Giants because they out matched them with their defense versus the Giants.  The Cowboys actually had a very similiar defense as the Giants, yet they couldn't score on them...why?  We have to look behind the lines.  Almost every primetime Eagles game I keep hearing Winston Justice's name their left tackle, in how he gets beat.  The Eagles had offensive line issues at times.  I'm sure this made McNabb gittery in the pocket (maybe the raiders did the same to them but I don't have the highlights of it) The Cowboys were known for their fierce pass rush in 2009.  (A reason the Saints lost to them with their high octane offense) The Giants O-Line was able to subtain the Cowboys rush, or maybe McNabb held the ball too long and Eli Manning had the receivers to get open more quickly to void the Cowboys pass rush.  The Eagles Offense was neutralized and in three games scored a total of 30 points.  I believe the Eagles weakness was run defense and the Cowboys three headed monster exploited that.  The Giants didn't have their pass rush for some reason (nor their running game) and the Eagles soared.

And Finally the Cowboys.

They were swept by the Giants.  They could pick up the pass rush and exploit the secondary issues the Cowboys have always had, and although the Cowboys also picked the Giants apart, they couldn't keep up, and perhaps penalities might have been an issue.

Basically that's what I think...but you are welcome to share your thoughts with me.  I don't expect any recs this time.

WRONG!!!!!!

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What is the one thing about the NFC South since it's inception that gives it the identity that we all know and love?

The team the finishes in last place, wins the division the next season (with the exception of the 2008 season - if the Saints could have completed the home divisional sweep against Carolina - every team would have been over .500!)

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Okay so we know as of 3pm that the opener is NOT Falcons @ Saints.

The NFL loves Brett Farve.  So it's Vikings Saints

 Hou and WSH sounds like a potential shootout.

Tell me what you think.