Since we're basically hearing that Josh is going to be out for game three; this is where Tmac should have more playing time. That means he's finally got his wish after all the belly-aching (which may be justified depending..).

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I mean really. Tim Tebow, who was the third or fourth string at the beginning of the year, people thought he shouldn't even be in the league because of his "throwing skills," gets a win against the leagues best passing defense and throws for 300 plus yards. So what does this say about Matt Ryan??

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Don't let the title deter you as "oh another pessimistic rant," but it is a general observation with years of falcons watching experience.

After the this past Monday's game, I wondered if the falcons management were left behind in the evolution of NFL offenses and defenses. As we all know passing teams will thrive in the NFL for years to come with the new rules, but as constructed the falcons are still more of a running team with good WRs and a defense built to keep everything in front of them rather than force a lot of turnovers or sacks.

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So yeah crucial week this week cause I've got big decisions to make. I have Cam Newton and Tom Brady, a WR core in Dez, Anquan, Antonio Brown, Plaxico, and Julio, RBs Turner, Murray, Steven Jackson, Tolbert, and DST Chicago and The Jets.

Although I know the falcons have a must win next week at Carolina I'm tempted to start Cam because he's a FF beast, but against the falcons D? Chicago against Denver would have been a no-brainer a few weeks ago.....but apparently there's a Tebow factor. Help here is much appreciated.

Ok, so we're 1-2......against two teams that were division champs and a team that should have been in the playoffs (Tampa). The offense is still gelling  (The team has apparently made a commitment to more pass plays than running to get Julio Jones in-sync with the offense since the lockout killed most of the his off-season and learning curve), The defense is getting healthier and better (the defense has at least one takeaway in 22 games straight), The o-line is learning (experience is a good teacher), and it's not as bad as we think....it's early in the season. Smile!

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It's just one game...

And that is the truth of the matter.  I don't know who we upset at the NFL Headquarters to have such a grueling top heavy schedule or to have played two of the best defenses in week one, but let's not use such as an excuse.  The games are scheduled and we have to play them.  But these are some thoughts I have on the matter.

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With all this talk about the ASG needing to blow up the squad of underachievers we have, let's take a look at past drafts and what we should not do anymore. 

Note: I fully recognize that other teams have passed over the same talent I'm about to mention and that not all teams look at the same players in scouting.

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I'm just wondering.  I know we have veterans getting healthy and rookies ready to prove their worth this season, but is it enough just to have better personnel?  I haven't been to practice yet and I wonder what will be their approach to offense and defense.  I was reading an article about the falcons needing to blitz more, showing diagrams from the Giants game last year where the biltz helped and where it hurt.  But just being aggressive isn't the only key, but it's a start.

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This year's draft seems eerily like the 1998 draft with the falcons drafting Keith Brooking in the first round over the "flashy" Randy Moss.  Now granted this was the year the falcons went to the superbowl, but looking at the other falcon picks from that year none of them panned out and we passed over pro bowlers; especially the third round selection of Jammi German over Hines Ward.  Brooking then was a no brainer and worked out for the falcons most of the time he was here, so he gets a pass I guess, but these other picks got me wondering: was the GM (or was that Dan Reeves' job too?) trying to play it safe and draft for depth for that year? I may be wrong about this years stock, but I have to admit I was a little disappointed we didn't draft Jordan Shipley or Riley Cooper or even Dez Bryant (although I know Sean is a stud)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_NFL_Draft

Looking at the Boston and Magic series I've come to the realization that the phrase "matchup problem" have different meanings.  In this series, Boston causes the Magic "matchup problems" in which they defend Orlando to force them to beat them in ways they're not use to.  The three point line is constantly guarded while they allow Dwight to be the offense for the Magic.   The dribble drive kick out and pushing the tempo is the only way to beat Boston and Orlando has done very little of it.  

Now we look at the Atlanta model (I guess) where the Hawks swept the Celtics using their basic Iso-offense, but the difference is that neither worried about the others three point shooters that much.  Josh Smith and Al Horford are key to that matchup because of their dual post threat plus nobody on that team can guard those two and Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby when they're on.  And I guess the pychological edge that favors Atlanta would help too. 

Since Atlanta is reluctant to cover the shooters and tend to jump shoot their way out of a deficit, they will most likely lose that "matchup problem" 99% of the time.(March game is the exception) Since the Magic are seemingly content with Dwight being their only option when they need a basket, they will lose that series very quickly.  The switching defense may work well enough to beat the Celtics most nights (that and the psychological edge) but it doesn't hold water against the Magic.  Now, those are cases where the "matchup problems" are due to different styles of play.  In the Lakers' series they have had a significant size advantage over their opponents' front line.  The only team to really challenge them were the Thunder but they still had a size disadvantage.  The Suns have "some" size but their style of play worked against them the other night.  Any thoughts?

The Magic are beatable.  The Hawks have done it before and almost did it last time out until a collapse in the second half.  I think we've all said and called the hawks everything bad we can think of.  But I think what we can do now is decipher what our "basketball geniuses" should do next.  Regardless of how you feel about the team what do you think they should take advantage of more?  What things haven't we noticed they should take advantage of?

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If you witnessed this latest debacle at the highlight factory, you understand exactly how I feel.  This feeling that I have, and probably every fan of the hawk, is the worst feeling you can have right now with the hawks losing this one at the end.  There's a rank smell in the air....this smell is closely associated with something being dead.  Almost like this season is.  And it would be very disappointing to go out losers in the first round in MILWAUKEE!!!!  I'm not a thrower of things, but I almost lost my cool, and when that happens I'm seriously mad.  The legacy of Mike Woodson is unfolded in this game and the next.  Not only him but the rest of this team as well.....My word.......just come out with your heart and your head......and not your ass!!!!

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We are a month or so until we find out how much heart the Hawks really have.  I'm not sure how early these talks are but:  What playoff senario would best fit the Hawks for a long playoff run?  Or how about this:  How would the Hawks need to exploit each playoff senario to win it all??

I personally would like the Hawks to get their swagger back and string some wins together to take the division.  Win that and they have the 2 seed going against either Char, Mia, or Tor in the 7th seed.  The first round can easily be won with home court advantage. 

Then there's likely Boston in the second (which could be a different team since Boston is playing very sub-par).  The Hawks have a lot of confidence beating this team and it might go 6 or 7. 

That leaves Cleveland and Orlando to kill themselves leaving us to feast of them when they are done.  The Lakers have a good chance (meaning if the bear doesn't catch them) to be back in the finals.   And in that the Hawks only mis-match (as far as front court) in the west. 

I didn't watch a lot of the Hawks game last night, cause Lost was on and I was looking forward to the season premiere.  When I did flip to the game, I saw that the hawks were in a tie game in the first quarter, half, and somehow tied it in the fourth.  I was for sure they would have a climatic ending  but when I turned back, OKC was up 7 and on the free throw line. The end was at hand.

• Hawk starters 1 steal, Thunder starters 8 steals.
• Westbrook had more rebounds than anyone on our team and more offensive rebounds(that kills me).
• The refs apparently have selective vision.
  
  
  

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