I am pretty much floored by the news of Steve McNair's passing.  As much accolades as he got I always thought he was just a bit underrated.  Great example of how a "running quarterback" could mature and develop into a classic drop back passer using his legs to escape.  That Super Bowl against the Rams at the Dome was one of the more memorable SB's ever.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/04/report-steve-mcnair-slain/

Was over at PFT and read that today marked the anniversary of the death of Joe Delaney.  For those of you who don't know he was a running back for the Chiefs back in the early 80's that died trying to save three kids from drowning even though he himself couldn't swim very well.

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/6/29/928757/kansas-city-chiefs-rb-joe-delaney

I remember he came to prominence when I first started really getting into pro football (around the age of 10).  I collected football cards and I remember how happy I was when I opened a pack to find his rookie card.  It's strange, I still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of his passing.   Anyhow, I also bring this up because nowadays it seems like most NFL news you read it either the prima donna antics of disgruntled players who wine about everything while at the same time they are killing people while DUI or shooting themselves in the legs, etc.......

If you have the time, here is an article written by Frank Deford back in 1983.

So who here saw the premier of Joe Buck Live tonight?  First guest?  Brett Favre.  Soon there followed by Chad Ochocinco & Michael Irvin together.  85 brought up a great point in that he (like T.O.) have never been in trouble with the law.  Maybe he is just an a-hole?

Anyhow, the topic of the night was sports celebrity.  Funny sketch with David Koecher  coaching a little league baseball team about how to become a famous athlete.  "Who here knows who Morten Andersen is?".  The kids nod "no" and he tells them that he has scored more points in the NFL than anyone else.  He then asks "Who here knows who Tony Romo is?" they all raise their hands.

By the way: Why on earth would anyone think that Arite Lange is anything close to funny?  He was on a panel and mouthed off about how he is on Howard Stern and pretty much just tried to be controversial for no reason what so ever.  What an idiot.  Makes me wonder about Howard Stern fans in general.

Or so he would have you believe.  

http://freddie-mitchell.blogspot.com/

Talk about delusions of grandeur and trying to milk a single play.  YES Fredie, we know that 4th & 26 was a memorable play but come on man.  Get over it.  Dude has been out of the league for like 5 years and has pretty much blamed everyone else for him not being in the league.  

I can't help but think he is the type of dude that finds an excuse to bring that play up in pretty much every conversation.

Dude: He Freddie, nice weather we are having yeah?

Freddie: Great weather.  Speaking of great things and weather did I ever tell you about the time that I caught a pass in the cold weather in Green Bay on 4th & 26?  You see what happened was.....

Not really knowing much about NCAA hoops, I always fill out a bracket or two.  Last year I created a Falcoholic group and was asked if I wanted to renew it.  I figured what the hell.  Those of you who were in in last year shouold have gotten an invite already.  Those who want to join, here is the info.

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

groupID# = 172841

pword= unclemorty

Let me know if that doesn't work for some reason.

So he has a 4 team list of teams he would like to be traded to. 1) Cowboys 2) An AFC team 3) 2 other unnamed teams in the NFC South Let's see, there are only three other teams in the south. Saints, Bucs & Falcons. If I'm Peppers I might be thinking about who the hottest team was in the division other than the Panthers.  Coaching staff stabilty?  Not in TB.  Young crop of rising stars on the offense?  Not in TB or NO.  A pass rushing monster on the other end?  Again, not in TB or NO.  

So who does that leave?  Let's see.... hmm.... I wonder....  OH YEAH!  THE FALCONS!

...comes great responsibilty.  Or in our case, with great success comes lot's of media attention and not all of it so great.  I wonder how much traction either of these stories would have had if we were 6-10 and not in the playoffs.  Both of these stories were posted within minutes of each other on PFT

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/30/michael-turner-avoids-an-arrest/

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/30/mckay-enters-the-fray/

Now I could care less about McKay leaving the team, but the Turner situation is a little unsettling for the sarcastic tone that Florio takes.

"But, conveniently, no arrest was made and no charges filed."

Not that anyone should notice or that I'm anyone special, you might have noticed I have been participating a bit less as of late.  This is in direct correlation to a little something I confessed to a while ago and that is killing me!

Having lived in Atlanta for 16 years I have come REALLY close to living and breathing the Falcons, there is one team that for sentimental reasons I hold in slightly higher regard/fandom.  That's right, I am a Cowboys fan as well. Right now the Falcons hold the last wildcard spot with the Cowboys being the first "on the bubble" team. I gotta tell you all, it's shredding my insides.

The Falcs are in the midst of a memorable season that when all is said and done could go up there as one of the best in franchise history.  The Cowboys on the other hand have pretty much done nothing but let me down this year. So where do I go from here? It's almost like having to pick your favorite child from the two you have.

I have noticed WAY more traffic to this site lately so a huge % of you don't know me from a hole in the wall, but for all of the old schoolers I felt like I had throw this out there.

Now let the butt reaming for being a Cowboys fan begin, just try to be as gentle as possible.

Let just start with one stat before I get lost in emotion.

Matt Ryan was 6-6 on 3rd & 9 and longer today.

Call me high on the thrill, but that is the kind of shit that the great ones are made of.  I can't even start to explain how I feel about todays game.  In fact this entire weekend of NFL action was the most exciting in a VERY VERY long time.

From SI.com:

In the last 8 minutes, there was a goal-line stand by the Falcons, an 85-yard kickoff return by Atlanta's Jerious Norwood , Elam's first missed field goal in 31 attempts, a gutty drive by the Bears that culminated with Kyle Orton 's touchdown pass to Rashied Davis with 11 seconds remaining and, finally, Elam's winning kick after Ryan hooked up with Michael Jenkins on a 26-yard completion.

Matty Ice earned his nickname today.

This is a team that refused to throw in the towel.  This is a team whose main weapon (who was leading the league in rushing) got pretty much shut down today.  A team that 6 weeks into the season is way in the thick of it.  A team that is coming off of one of the hugest regular season wins in team history.  A team that is 4-2 going into a bye.

Alright, I have to stop typing now as I am still trying to soak it all in.

So here is something strange that I feel pretty good about saying it.  There is no reason that the Falcons should loose this next came.  I can't believe that I can finally say that after a VERY long time of just hoping for a win.

Continue reading this post »

Allright, as much as I want to make a "Falcoholic" related joke, I won't.  Pretty disturbing news after a nasty loss. 

Here's the link.

I always thought of Lawyer as one of the good guys and don't really know what to feel about this.

Sorry that the link came from TMZ, but my wife found it before I did.  Yes, I too read the celeb smut from time to time.

And no, it's not funny if you make some sort of him needing a "lawyer" relaed joke either.

Editor's Note: Here's the AJC story. It looks like Mike Smith will address the situation at 4:20 p.m. today.

Allright so I can't make the live draft but I have my players ranked and let's face it, I usually stink at drafting and my roster never usually resembles my draft towards the end of the season.

One more note, and I hope you all don't mind me pimpin, but my band (The Summer Dare) is playing at the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival tomorrow at noon.  It's pretty family friendly and free so if you are in the area, stop on by!