http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/48 Recent articles about the Atlanta Falcons en-us As legend has it, sports broadcaster extraordinaire Al Michaels once proclaimed as to the prospects of working at ESPN that he won't be working for a four-letter network. Apparently, that vow still applies. Per a media source, Michaels has turned down an opportunity to serve as the play-by-play man for NFLN's regular-season slate of pro football games. Michaels was pursued by the league-owned network to replace Bryant Gumbel, the big name with small talent who handled the duties for the first two years of the NFLN effort. Michaels currently provides the play-by-play call for NBC's weekly Sunday night coverage. It's unclear where the NFL will go from here. Others who have been linked to the job include Tom Hammond, Brad Nessler, Marv Albert, and Pat Summerall. Other possibilities, in our view, would be Mike Patrick and Brent Musberger. We also are intrigued by one or more outside-the-box possibilities, such as our pal Dan Patrick, whose weekday radio show streams live on SI.com — and who from time to time allows us to pollute his air waves. Another possibility would be to hire both Albert and our other pal Boomer Esiason (who currently team up for a national radio broadcast of the Monday night games), and make it a three-man crew, with the incumbent Cris Collinsworth, a former teammate of Esiason's. Wed, 14 May 2008 21:43:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267100 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267100 Michael Vick gets more bad news, he has been ordered to repay more than $1.1 million for defaulting on a loan to Wachovia Bank in a court order filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. If you are keeping up with his financial troubles, that runs his total to roughly $3.6 million. Just how either bank will get their money, I don't know, I do know that if he wants to be reinstated when he's out of jail, he needs to take care of this kind of stuff. Wed, 14 May 2008 18:12:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267059 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267059 This in depth analysis of the offensive line includes the projected starters for the upcoming season, statistics and injuries from the past season, an overview of players on the line and an outlook for the 2008 season. Tue, 13 May 2008 09:34:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266387 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266387 I find it humorous to listen to the national media complain about how dumb it is to grade drafts or pick winners and losers before the players have even played a down in the league. The reason they have jobs is because fans crave this type of instant analysis from the experts. Sure it's a bit of a crapshoot but it is about providing your opinion of the players and how they project to their new team. Fans don't need experts to grade their drafts after the player's have played three years. With that said, read these winners and losers. Mon, 12 May 2008 21:03:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266268 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266268 The staff at NFLDraft101.com averaged their grades for the 2008 NFL Draft for objectivity and these are the results. Arizona eeks out the only A albeit an A-, while Atlanta brings up the rear with a D+. Where does your team rate? Mon, 12 May 2008 20:57:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266266 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266266 1 Patriots 16-0-0 A healthy Tom Brady and a happy Randy Moss make the Patriots championship contenders this season and for years to come. 2 Colts 13-3-0 They haven't had a lot of offseason turnover and they already were very good. Continuity means a lot. 3 Chargers 11-5-0 If the Chargers can get over their injury issues, they could be in the Super Bowl mix all the way to Tampa. 4 Cowboys 13-3-0 Felix Jones should help the running game immediately. But who will emerge as the No. 2 receiver? Patrick Crayton wasn't up to the task in late '07. 5 Jaguars 11-5-0 They sometimes get overshadowed by division rival Indianapolis, but the Jaguars have an elite roster and an coach in Jack Del Rio. 6 Giants 10-6-0 Teams other than the Patriots aren't supposed to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Will Michael Strahan retire? Can they compensate for free-agent losses at LB? 7 Steelers 10-6-0 A very strong draft catapults the Steelers into Super Bowl contenders. RBs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall should be one of the best 1-2 punches. 8 Seahawks 10-6-0 New O-line coach Mike Solari stands out as the Seahawks' top offseason acquisition, perhaps allowing them to keep their edge in the NFC West. 9 Browns 10-6-0 The 2007 darlings face high expectations. The offense will score. Can the D, anchored by additions Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, hold up its end? 10 Packers 13-3-0 This is an unpredictable team in the wake of the retirement of Brett Favre. Who will step up and make the big plays this year? 11 Saints 7-9-0 The offense already was very good. Defensive improvements will make the Saints one of this year's biggest turnarounds. 12 Vikings 8-8-0 If they settle on a QB, the Vikes could become a playoff team. RB Adrian Peterson is at the top of the list for MVP candidates. 13 Eagles 8-8-0 Last season, they hit their stride when it was too late. With a fully healed Donovan McNabb and an improved secondary, the Eagles could be dangerous. 14 Redskins 9-7-0 Too many questions: a new coach, young QB and a pair of rookie WRs. Hard to get a good read. 15 Buccaneers 9-7-0 They didn't make any splash offseason moves. But RB Warrick Dunn's return is going to help more than many recognize. 16 Titans 10-6-0 They didn't get as much help from QB Vince Young as they should have. But he's going to become good enough to carry the offense. 17 Cardinals 8-8-0 Ken Whisenhunt and staff changed the culture in Arizona. Kurt Warner provides top-notch insurance at QB. Depth along the O-line and on defense in general remain the question. 18 Panthers 7-9-0 The return of QB Jake Delhomme might be enough to get them to the playoffs. But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery. 19 Bills 7-9-0 Marcus Stroud turns 30 this summer and his starts have declined over three seasons. Will he be healthy enough to help the Bills in December? 20 Texans 8-8-0 They reached respectability in 2007. Improving will be difficult because their division is so tough. 21 Jets 4-12-0 An offseason spending spree upgraded the roster without answering the Jets' most pressing question: Do they have the right QB? 22 Ravens 5-11-0 Are the 2008 Ravens more like the 13-3 team in 2006, or the 5-11 unit last season? This is certain: QB play is key. 23 Broncos 7-9-0 This is the second-best team in the AFC West. That is an indictment of the division, not a pat on the back for this team, which has many holes. 24 Bears 7-9-0 Seems like ages ago the Bears were NFC champs. For better or worse, fans will have to endure another season of good Rex Grossman and bad Rex Grossman. 25 Bengals 7-9-0 If WR Chad Johnson sits out, the Bengals will suffer. If Johnson shows, he's a distraction. Neither situation is good. 26 Raiders 4-12-0 The Raiders' offense won't make people sick anymore, but their defense might. 27 49ers 5-11-0 New offensive coordinator Mike Martz provides credibility on offense, but head coach Mike Nolan still must prove he can manage the team more smoothly. 28 Rams 3-13-0 Quietly, Jim Haslett has turned the defense into a respectable unit. The Rams could contend for a playoff spot if their offensive line can keep Marc Bulger healthy. 29 Lions 7-9-0 QB Jon Kitna says it will be a disappointment if the Lions don't win 10 games this season. Perhaps he doesn't realize Detroit hasn't won 10 games since 1995. 30 Chiefs 4-12-0 The Chiefs' rebuilding project has begun, but it's unrealistic to believe they will become contenders anytime soon. 31 Dolphins 1-15-0 A rookie head coach and an unsettled QB situation add up to growing pains, even though the Dolphins have upgraded their talent base. 32 Falcons 4-12-0 New coach Mike Smith is the right guy to turn this team around, but it's going to take a few years. Mon, 12 May 2008 06:52:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265930 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265930 Kenny Phillips never played football with Sean Taylor. And even though they were both safeties at the University of Miami, they'd never met. Yet there was a bond between them. And when Taylor was murdered last November, Phillips felt a loss. "It touched all of us," Phillips said. "We are a big family down there at the University of Miami. He was our brother and when we lost someone we were really sad." That's why when Phillips, the Giants' first-round draft pick, took the field for the Giants' rookie mini-camp this weekend, he was wearing No. 21. That may have been Tiki Barber's old number with the Giants, but it was also the number Taylor wore with the Washington Redskins. The 21-year-old Phillips said he's wearing it "out of respect" to him. "He was a guy who my whole career, even in high school, I had pictures of him in my locker," Phillips said. "I wanted to get a chance to meet him, and I never did. I watch him on film and he was just an exceptional athlete. The plays he made were crazy. I just wanted to pay my respects by having his number and trying to live up to that." Of course, as a Miami safety, Phillips has a lot of expectations to live up to. Taylor was just 24 when he was shot on Nov. 27 and was only just beginning to come into his own as an NFL player. Ed Reed, another Miami safety, became a Pro Bowler in Baltimore. And Brandon Meriweather, yet another Miami safety, was a first-round draft pick last year. Miami has been a pipeline to the NFL for years. When the Giants took Phillips with the last pick of the first round in April, it marked the 14th straight year at least one Hurricane had been taken in Round 1. The safeties have been particularly good in recent years. They've set the bar pretty high for Phillips. "Of course anytime you think of the safeties from Miami you think about the late Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Benny Blades, and Brandon Meriwether, and of course you want to live up to that tradition," Phillips said. "They all have been doing well and they did well in college and went to the league. I don't want to say there is any pressure because in the end I can only be myself." The Giants expect Phillips to compete for a starting job quickly, especially since they lost Gibril Wilson to free agency in March. One safety spot seems to have been secured by the signing of veteran Sammy Knight. The other is currently held by James Butler, a third-year pro who was up and down last season. And the only other safety in the picture is Michael Johnson, a seventh-round pick from last year. That would seem to leave a door open for Phillips, especially if he's as good as Miami safeties usually are. "With (Wilson) leaving they are definitely looking to fill a void," Phillips said. "There are already a few guys on the team that are capable of doing that so I am just trying to come in and compete and hopefully I can win a starting job." If he did, he'd prove to be a worthy heir to the Hurricane alumni sprinkled throughout the NFL. Those ex-'Canes, though, warned him not to worry too much about that legacy. They all have a healthy respect for their tradition, but they advised Phillips to just go out and do what he does best. "They were just basically telling me that I already know how to play football, so don't worry about it," he said. "It's not going to be much faster or much different. You can play ball so just come in and be yourself and it will work out for you." Mon, 12 May 2008 06:19:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265927 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265927 Prime Time Love, the reality series on the Oxygen Network that chronicles the day to day "struggles" of Deion Sanders and Family, has a lot of "playing to the camera"… and not in a good way. At first it was slightly amusing when Deion would do the trademark smirk as if to say "I got this" but it's slowly taken a turn into portraying him as not only a chauvinist pig but possibly less than human. Wow do I feel sorry for his wife (ex and present). While I know you sell your soul for that life, the lifestyle and the opportunity of being a semi-celebrity, his current wife, Pilar, has sold her soul, her dignity and any sense of good judgment right up the river by staying married to him. A little banter is ok between couples… it keeps it interesting. But Deion basically treats her like the maid, the nanny and the chef and he's just supposed to be the breadwinner and reap the benefits. The fact that he rides around on a RASCAL SCOOTER throughout his mansion (complaining that he needs it because his feet hurt from his football days) is not only pathetic but a joke. You don't see Emmitt Smith needing to hop a Segway to roll from the car to the studio for an interview. It's ridiculous and he should be embarrassed for how he is portraying himself and his family on national television. I'm not sure which I find more offensive about him. The fact that he can't seem to give his wife an inch and thus picks fights at every turn just to make sure everyone knows that he's "The Man Of The House" or the fact that he basically told his son "Don't open car doors or pay for meals for women because then you'll always be expected to do it." While it surprised me that he has already been divorced once before, (since I thought all 5 kids were Pilar's), it won't surprise me one bit if he's shopping for wife #3 by the time this GARBAGE of a reality show is CANCELLED. Deion, you're on the clock and your 15 minutes is up. Mon, 12 May 2008 01:35:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265908 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265908 As the Atlanta Falcons begin a three-day mandatory minicamp Saturday, they'll have a new face (rookie quarterback Matt Ryan) and a new mind (courtesy of new coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff). But the one thing the Falcons did keep was their heart. They kept Keith Brooking. Some day, the middle linebacker will get his due. Maybe a few years down the road, Ryan, Smith and Dimitroff will stand around at Super Bowl media day and talk about the franchise's remarkable turnaround. They probably will talk about some rough times early on, and if there's any justice in the world, they'll talk about Brooking. In the past year, Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino came pretty close to re-enacting Sherman's march through Georgia -- torching a fan base as Vick went to federal prison and Petrino to the University of Arkansas. In the past few months, the Falcons worked to bury just about every sign of the past, releasing popular running back Warrick Dunn and tight end Alge Crumpler and unloading disgruntled cornerback DeAngelo Hall. CLICK IT 4 the full read.......brooking does indeed, have heart!!! Sun, 11 May 2008 05:22:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265638 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265638 Marvin Harrison has always been considered the pro's pro but with the shooting of someone outside his car wash with his gun, Marvin's squeaky clean image will take a hit. Like Vick, Harrison has carefully kept his private life private and like Vick all the sorted details of his private life are about to be brought to life. As Mike Florio of PFT wrote; " the news of a shooting with his gun last week, an alleged choking with his hands in 2005, and another palms-on-someone-else's-neck incident in 2003 weren't enough to justify a conclusion that Colts receiver Marvin Harrison might not be the nice, quiet guy that his on-field demeanor suggests. Refresher course on Harrison: 2005: Harrison was sued for "violently and physically attack[ing]" three boys who were seeking his autograph a day before the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Harrison allegedly put one of the boys in a choke hold. 2003: Harrison allegedly knocked a Jets' ball boy to the ground because Jets punter Matt Turk was kicking balls in the direction of Harrison and quarterback Peyton Manning prior to a game. Jets radio analyst Marty Lyons reported at the time that Harrison also put his hands on the boy's neck before the two were separated. The Jets confirmed that there was an incident, and the league said it was aware of it. But that was the end of it. http://deadspin.com/388589/has-marvin-harrisons-shady-past-and-present-finally-caught-up-to-him Thu, 08 May 2008 20:11:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265019 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265019 Here is a look at arguably the top 10 players poised for free agency this winter. 1. Julius Peppers, Panthers defensive end –- Coming off a down year, but teams pay premium for pass rushers. 2. Steven Jackson, Rams running back –- Hard to imagine St. Louis parting ways with its most popular player. 3. Tommie Harris, Bears defensive tackle -– Talks on a long-term contract hit a standstill last month. 4. Marion Barber, Cowboys running back –- Last season, one NFC coach said Barber is an elite back in the same class as LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson. Now he wants to be paid that way. 5. Chris Snee, Giants guard –- At a time when interior offensive linemen are cashing in, the son-in-law of Giants coach Tom Coughlin is going to cash in. 6. Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders cornerback –- Oakland plans to franchise him again if he remains unsigned, which is a distinct possibility. 7. Albert Haynesworth, Titans defensive tackle –- Tennessee wouldn't let Haynesworth leave this offseason, and its stance is unlikely to change. 8. Terrell Owens, Cowboys wide receiver -– At the age of 34, T.O. is performing like he were 24. 9. Will Smith, Saints defensive end -– New Orleans defensive end Charles Grant got his money and Smith intends to do the same. 10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals wide receiver –- Still waiting for his first big-money deal. Of course, the list hardly stops there. It goes on and on, like the money that could be spent on some of these players. The free-agent class of 2009 also is scheduled to include Lions wide receiver Roy Williams, Bills wide receiver Lee Evans, Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin, Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking, Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia and Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer. Thu, 08 May 2008 13:08:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264854 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264854 Vick has been ordered to pay the Royal Bank of Canada by a court in Virginia. Vick was found in default of $2,421,170.90. He also must pay interest of the rate of $499 per diem from Sept. 19, 2007 from May 7, 2008 — a total of 231 rate of $499 per diem from Sept. 19, 2007 from May 7, 2008 — a total of 231 days and a sum of $115,269. The order also states that Vick must pay the bank's attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $11,950.97. Someday Vick will get some good news, today is not that day. Thu, 08 May 2008 11:27:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264787 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264787 2005 had its share of stars in the 1st round but also had a handful of busts check to see where your teams pick did............. 1. Alex Smith, quarterback, 49ers: When the first overall pick is competing three years later with Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan for the starting job, that's by definition a BUST. 2. Ronnie Brown, running back, Dolphins: After a so-so first year, Brown has been solid. A torn ACL derailed his opportunity to have a strong third year. Though he hasn't lived up to the billing of the No. 2 overall pick, we're not yet ready to call him a bust. (But we could be after 2008.) 3. Braylon Edwards, receiver, Browns: Edward is becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Clearly, not a bust. 4. Cedric Benson, running back, Bears: He's been a disappointment on the field, and his arrest conjures memories of past incidents in college. Without question, he's a BUST. 5. Cadillac Williams, running back, Buccaneers: Williams made a huge splash as a rookie, but can't stay healthy. After rupturing a patellar tendon in 2007, he might not play again. If he does, he might never be the same. Based on his top-five selection, he's a BUST. 6. Pacman Jones, cornerback, Titans: BUST 7. Troy Williamson, receiver, Vikings: We once tried to throw Williamson a compliment, but he dropped that, too. BUST. 8. Antrel Rolle, cornerback, Cardinals: When a cornerback might be shifted to safety at only age 25, it's not because he's a great cornerback. BUST. 9. Carlos Rogers, cornerback, Redskins: He's on the path to being declared a bust. We'll give him one more year. 10. Mike Williams, receiver, Lions: Maybe he wouldn't have been a BUST if the Lions had made him an offensive lineman. 11. DeMarcus Ware, linebacker, Cowboys: A 2006 Pro Bowl + a 2007 Pro Bowl = not a bust. 12. Shawne Merriman, linebacker, Chargers: He could still be a bust if he gets suspended again for steroids (or blown up on a regular basis by a pint-sized running back); for now, though, Merriman is clearly not a bust. 13. Jammal Brown, tackle, Saints: The Pro Bowler in 2006 slipped a bit last year, and the Saints were rumored to be shopping him. Still, he's not a bust. 14. Thomas Davis, safety/linebacker, Panthers: He's not spectacular, but he started 16 games in 2007. Not a bust. 15. Derrick Johnson, linebacker, Chiefs: Johnson made a splash as a rookie and hasn't taken it quite to the next level in two years since, but he's not a bust. 16. Travis Johnson, defensive tackle, Texans: When the biggest hit of your career is one that you unknowingly put on a quarterback's head with your knee, you might be a redneck. And a BUST. 17. David Pollack, linebacker, Bengals: Though he was on his way to becoming a great player, a neck injury ended his career early in his second season. Unfortunately, he must be declared a BUST. 18. Erasmus James, defensive end, Vikings: Knee problems have slowed his development, but barring injury to Jared Allen and Ray Edwards (and maybe Brian Robison), James won't be a starter in his fourth season. BUST. 19. Alex Barron, offensive tackle, Rams: The Rams wouldn't have been dreaming of Jake Long sliding to No. 2 if they thought that Barron was the long-term solution on the left side, or the right. BUST. 20. Marcus Spears, defensive end, Cowboys: Yeah, he has been a three-year starter. But he was rumored to be on the trading block earlier this year, and his impact hasn't reflected his stature as one of the top 20 players in the draft. BUST. 21. Matt Jones, receiver, Jaguars: This much-hyped quarterback-turned-receiver isn't very good, and doesn't seem to care. The Jags would have been wise to let him play quarterback — for another team. BUST. 22. Mark Clayton, receiver, Ravens: The thinking in NFL circles is that a player destined to be a high-end receiver performs like one by his third NFL season. For his third season, Clayton had 49 catches for 531 yards, and no touchdowns. BUST. 23. Fabian Washington, cornerback, Raiders: Being traded for a fourth-round pick after only three seasons automatically qualifies him for BUST status. 24. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Packers: He has looked good when he's gotten a chance to play, but the jury is out on whether he's a bust. Get back to us in a year. 25. Jason Campbell, quarterback, Redskins: Campbell is on his way to becoming a solid starter, and could evolve into one of the better signal-callers in the conference. Not a bust. 26. Chris Spencer, center, Seahawks: If he'd been taken higher, Spencer might qualify for strong consideration as a bust. But he started every game in 2005, and the Seahawks have gotten decent value out of him. Close, but not a bust. 27. Roddy White, receiver, Falcons: White was on his way to being a bust after his first two years. He broke out in 2007, which coincidentally was his first season without catching one-hoppers from Mike Vick. Not a bust. 28. Luis Castillo, defensive tackle, Chargers: Solid defensive linemen despite some injuries. Not a bust. 29. Marlin Jackson, defensive back, Colts: Steady but unspectacular Tampa Two corner. He might be another Jason David in a defense that requires him to cover wideouts down the field. But his performance allowed the Colts let guys like David walk away. Not a bust. 30. Heath Miller, tight end, Virginia: The Steelers arguably reached on a guy who wasn't healthy in the months leading up to the draft. They ended up with a solid tight end. Not a bust. 31. Mike Patterson, defensive tackle, Eagles: The Philly chapter of PFT Planet will revolt if we were to call Patterson a bust. Not a bust. 32. Logan Mankins, offensive lineman, Patriots: Solid contributor on the offensive line. Besides, we can't call anyone who paid $7,500 for the privilege of punching a guy in the crotch a bust. Thu, 08 May 2008 07:30:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264689 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264689 This is a really good read on the Jacksonville Jaguars and QB David Garrard. I like the guy, the coach and the team but I'll never know why they gave a 30 yr-old a max deal like that- SEVEN YEARS!!! And you'll hear otherwise, but I have strong ties to Jacksonville and have been to nine games down there- there is NOT nearly enough support for that team, but it makes sense. Jacksonville (the city) has a population of 800,000. To fill the stadium each Sunday would require 10% of the residents to be at Jacksonville Municipal. That's not happening. Also, with the Jaguars only being around for about 15 years this will be the first generation of fans who grew up as Jags fans. Most of them were Dolphins, Cowboys, Steelers or 49er fans (sorry Bucs). It's hard to replace what's in your heart. Many people still don't know how to act when the Jags and Phins play. At least they have a "good guy" at quarterback. Good luck this season. : ) Wed, 07 May 2008 23:08:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264605 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264605 Hey Yardbarkers, I have a surprise for you. I know all y'all see me as a bruising Fullback, however little do you guys know, I am also a trained thespian. Upon graduation of college I had a dilemma on whether to go into my first love which is acting or professional football. I reluctantly chose football. While I was out in NY for the NFL draft, ESPN The Magazine gave me a chance to get back to my roots and show all the haters that I can cross over at any time. Below is some of my best work. Excuse my French/ country side accent, I've been away from the game for a while. Enjoy. Wed, 07 May 2008 20:00:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264539 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264539