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Much ado about Tebow

– January 23, 2012Posted in: Falcons Nest, Sports

 

 

Tim Tebow is now out of the playoffs.  Now the haters and the fanboys can both take some much needed time off and the rest of the football world can move forward.  However, I can’t help but think that some of the press Tebow got was just a bit unwarranted.

Now, in college, there was no denying that Tebow was akin to a force of nature. He may well be the greatest college quarterback to ever play the game.  However, is game had flaws from a pro standpoint, so I was more than a little shocked that Denver traded up to pick him up.

Let me be honest though.  I am not a Tebow fan.  I don’t like him.  Not because of his faith.  I respect that about him.  I don’t like him because he went to Florida, and I’m a Georgia fan.  It ain’t rational in the least, and I’m not going to pretend that it is.  My father – another UGA fan until the day he dies – is the same way.  My best friend, who is a UGA graduate, who attributes her lack of positive feelings for Tebow as being the result of him standing by as his coach humiliated the Bulldogs the year after they drew a penalty for excessive celebration.

My issue with the Tebow thing is that there’s really so little for there to be an issue about.  So he kneels down in prayer after a touchdown.  So what?  He’s not the first, and I doubt he’ll be the last.

The truth is that Tebow was, at best, an average quarterback who was successful because he was on a team with a really good defense.

Denver was 23rd in the league in total offense, averaging just over 316 yards per game.  They were 25th in scoring with just over 19 points per game.  The offense just wasn’t all that good.  Individually, Tebow only averaged 123 yards per game through the air and just over 47 yards per game on the ground.  Less than 200 yards combined isn’t good from a quarterback who is supposed to be a running threat.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that this probably shouldn’t all rest on Tebow.  I’m not saying that it does. What I’m saying is that with all the hype Tebow enjoyed this season, there needed to be a whole lot more for it to be warranted.

Tom Brady, who beat Tebow on Saturday, always has a lot of hype.  However, Brady also has a habit of winning big games and performing well in those big games…and even the little ones. All of the Tom Brady hype we hear year after year is warranted.  The Tebow hype?  Not so much.

None of this is to say that Tebow can be a star in this league.  The fact is he can.  However, he’s going to have to have better stats to pull it off.

Denver needs to get Tebow the weapons, and head coach John Fox needs to get Tebow some more instruction.  The kid has the tools, that’s to be sure.  Once he learns how to use them, then I’ll think the hype is warranted.  Until that happens though, I’ll just have to laugh at the fanboys and the haters alike.

Tags: football, Sports, The Falcons' Nest.
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How sweet it is!

– December 25, 2011Posted in: Falcons Nest, Sports

 

 

 

Now that is how the ‘Birds should have been playing the game.  For those that missed it, the Atlanta Falcons simply had their way with the Jacksonville Jaguars for three quarters, their only flaw being on special teams when Jacksonville blocked a punt and ran it in for a score.

The secondary that I have maligned so horribly decided to shut me up by keeping rookie Blaine Gabbert to under 22 yards for most of the game.  Matt Ryan looked simply amazing as the Falcons simply spanked Jacksonville 41 to 14.

Honestly, it was nearly as close as the score indicated either.

Ryan only totaled 224 yards for the game, but when you have as short a field as he had for most of the game, that’s going to happen.  John Abraham, “The Beast” as I like to call him, when wild on the Jags with three and a half sacks and two forced fumbles, one of which was run in by Corey Peterson for a touchdown.

The fact is that this is the Atlanta team we expected to see all season long. They simply dominated.  However, there’s one thing to keep in mind, and that’s the fact that they were playing Jacksonville.  Yes, it’s the National Football League and even the chump teams will tear you up if you’re not careful, but this wasn’t the Packers or the Saints.

However, mistakes get exploited by all teams, and Atlanta just didn’t make them.  If they can take this game and do the same thing against New Orleans and Tampa Bay, two division games that are anything but a “gimme”, and Atlanta will not just clench a playoff berth, but possibly a second straight division championship.

The game to watch next week will definitely be Atlanta and New Orleans.  On the list of great football rivalries, this one hasn’t made the grade, but it will soon enough.

Over years, these two teams have battled each other as fiercely as any two competitors can, and the past few seasons have brought in stakes that make this game a “can’t miss” as far as pure entertainment.

The Saints won in overtime earlier this season on a bad call from Mike Smith to go for it on fourth down, a mistake he will not make again.  The Falcons are most likely looking for a little payback, and the idea of another banner hanging from the rafter at the Georgia Dome probably doesn’t hurt either.  The Saints are in the driver’s seat for the NFC South, but Atlanta has to take care of their business first before they can even dream.

There’s a reason this game is on Monday night.  It’s bound to be a classic, just like the last few games these teams have played against one another has been.  Personally, I can hardly wait!

Tags: Falcons Nest, football, Sports
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A Tale of two halves

– December 18, 2011Posted in: Falcons Nest, Sports

 

 

 

OK, I have no idea what happened Sunday.  Honestly, I’m as clueless as the next guy.  To start with, the Carolina Panthers manhandled the Dirty Birds for almost the entirety of the first half.  Then, in the second, it was like a different team.  I can’t say that I’ve never seen it before, because I have.  Unfortunately, the SEC Championship game, the team from Georgia came out on the wrong end of the stick. At least this time the story was different.

The first half.

Um…well…the Falcons sucked.  No one was really firing on all cylinders, especially the offensive line.  Just hints guys, but when you’re backed up on your own goal line, you should probably not even think about letting them penetrate like that.  Two points might be acceptable if you’re playing basketball, but this is football.  Don’t let it happen.

The rest of the half had me seriously considering large quantities of alcohol versus actually paying attention to the game.

The second half.

Two words.  Julio Jones.

I’ll admit it, I thought the Falcons gave up to much for him, but frankly he’s playing extremely well.  OK, I still think they may have given up to much for him, but primarily because they have so many holes in their secondary that need to be shored up as well.  They could have used those picks.

Luckily, there’s a little thing called “free agency” that can go a long, long way towards fixing those problems.  Picks might be cheaper, and there’s no such thing as a known quantity when it comes to a defensive back (see Dunta Robinson as an example), but there’s still a good chance of picking up a quality DB.

Back to Jones though.  Wow, can that kid run.  It’s not every day that you get see a 75 yard catch and run like that.  He absolutely flew, and made it look easy.  Of course, the fact that there were so few Panthers between him and the end zone certainly helped.

Two interceptions sure did help the ‘Birds look like the team of old as well.  Of course, I’ve been hard on the secondary, and so you may wonder if I’m going to back off on them now.  Um, no.  After all, Cam Newton still had over 270 yards passing.  One of those interceptions came from Mike Peterson, a linebacker, not a member of the secondary.

The secondary play was still terrible.  However, Matty Ice, Julio Jones, Roddy White, and the rest of the office pulled their bacon out of the fire.  That will not happen every week.

Still, it was nice to get a win.  One more win and the Falcons have yet another winning season.  Now, if we can get a secondary that Lake Park Elementary wouldn’t burn for 400 yard through the air, we might see the Falcons return to the Super Bowl.

Here’s hoping.

Tags: Falcons Nest, football, Sports
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Major problems for ‘dirty birds’

– December 13, 2011Posted in: Falcons Nest

 

 

 

You would think that a team that finished 13-3 last year would know how to win games, but you would be wrong. While losing to a team with such a solid defense is hardly anything to be ashamed of, it is when you think about the 21 points the Falcons should have put up in the first quarter.

All three potential touchdowns were dropped by receivers and the Falcons could only muster up a whopping 10 points.  This says nothing of the two deep balls Matt Ryan threw to apparently imaginary receivers on the very first possession.

Players dropping passes? Matty Ice overthrowing receivers like he did? A second ranked run defense that got gashed by the Texans’ running attack to the tune of 111 yards by Arian Foster?  Yeah, that will kill any team.

This is coupled with more poor secondary play that made rookie T.J. Yates look more like Steve Young, and now has the Falcons at 7-5 and praying for some lucky breaks to make the playoffs.

However, before that can happen, head coach Mike Smith needs to look at his team.  Honestly, I can’t remember a Mike Smith team look this badly when half of the team wasn’t spending more time in the trainer’s room than on the field.  They looked awful in all phases of the game.

Every team can have these moments, and I’m willing to forgive if the Falcons can come out and play the level of football we’re starting to grow accustomed to around here.  The part that makes it difficult to shrug this game off is that the team has been inconsistent all season long.  They’ve gone from one of the league elites to a better than average team that has a shot at the playoffs.

The Texans are a good team, so don’t get me wrong.  There’s no shame in losing to a good team.  However, it’s also a team that was missing a lot of its best players, and they still beat Atlanta.  Make no mistake folks, that score is much, much closer than it should have been.

Atlanta was dominated at every phase, and that can’t stand.  This is a game that Atlanta seriously needed to win, just to show that they can beat good teams.  The Falcons can’t just get up for playing New Orleans, but instead have to get up to play them all.

Hopefully, Smith can get the team back on track this week as they play Carolina. As a long-time Bulldawg fan, I would love to see the Red and Black (this time with a Falcon logo on the helmet) knock Cam Newton around a bit.  They need to, because a loss at this point should signal that the team just isn’t ready to play this year.

Tags: football, Sports, The Falcons' Nest.
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ALBANY PANTHERS TO HOLD TRYOUTS IN TALLAHASSEE

– November 30, 2011Posted in: Albany Panthers, Sports

 

Special to the Journal

 

ALBANY, Georgia – The 2011 Champion Albany Panthers are wasting no time in building another championship-caliber team under the direction of head football coach Lucious Davis, and will hold its second open tryout Saturday, January 21,2012 at Titus Sports Academy in Tallahassee, Florida. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. with the tryout starting at Noon.

“The open tryout is a great opportunity to find a diamond in the rough. Arguably some of the greatest players to play Arena Football were found at an open tryout,” said head football coach Lucious Davis. “Not only will we be looking for talent but we will be teaching the arena game, spreading awareness of this amazing game.”

Registration fee for all trying out will be $50 and due at the registration table prior to participating in the work out. The registration fee is non-refundable, and only cash will be accepted as a form of payment.

In addition to the registration fee, all participants will need to bring cleats to wear on a field turf surface, and other proper athletic attire for the outdoors. The tryout will consist of testing that includes the 40-yard dash and 20-yard short shuttle followed by specific arena football drills.

“Over 90 percent of your collegiate rosters nationwide have at least two or three athletes from the state of Florida,” said General Manager Will Carter. “I am looking forward to finding those gems at our workout in Tallahassee, Florida.”

For Additional Information, please contact Will Carter or Lucious Davis at (229) 435-1230.

 

Albany Panthers Football Tryout

Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012

Time: Registration is at 11 a.m.

Where: Titus Sports Academy

1425 Village Square Blvd

Tallahassee, FL 32312

Surface: Field Turf (proper shoes required)

Fee: $50.00 (cash only)

Drills: 40-yard dash, 20-yard short shuttle, standing broad jump, etc.

Tags: Albany Panthers, football
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Problem on the Falcons’ Sideline

– November 29, 2011Posted in: Sports

 

 

I’m a Georgia boy at heart.  My teams have always been here in Georgia.  I love the Falcons, the Dawgs, the Hawks, and the Braves despite the frequent disappointment I’ve found in their seasons. I’m from Albany after all, so what do you expect?  For example, take last football season.  Georgia had a horrible season.  The only thing that made it tolerable for me was the Atlanta Falcons enjoying a 13-3 record.

Unfortunately, the Falcons aren’t quite doing it this year.  Sure, they enjoy a 6-4 record at the moment and are just a game back of New Orleans in the NFC South, but they’ve done it ugly.  Despite the addition of former Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, they’re just not producing like they should.

I won’t pretend like I know exactly what the problem is, but I will tell you that I suspect the problem is somewhere on the sidelines.  Mike Smith will, at the rate he’s going, be revered in Atlanta like Lombardi is in Green Bay or Landry is in Dallas, and with good cause.  He isn’t the problem.  The offense isn’t really the issue either, though you could have fooled me early in the season.  They’re back to the method that won them 13 games last year, which is simply put the ball in Michael Turner’s hands and let the defensive players contemplate early retirement with just enough passing to keep defenses honest.

The problem shouldn’t even be the run defense.  A third place run defense, that only allowed the usually electric Chris Johnson a mere 13 yards, is hardly anything for a member of the Falcons faithful to be worried about.  The Tennessee Titans are a good running team that managed only 41 total yard.  All but Johnson’s 13 were quarterbacks who ran for their lives.

The problem though rests in the Atlanta secondary.  Despite the acquisition of big time free agent Dunta Robinson two years ago, we’ve seen remarkably little improvement in the secondary.  Robinson managed a pick in Sunday’s game against Tennesse, and undersized cornerback Brent Grimes has been a total stud against players who can poke out their stomachs and break Grimes’ nose.  Despite this, the Atlanta pass defense is ranked 26th in the league, allowing 261 yard per game.

Sunday, rookie Jake Lockers stepped in for the ailing Matt Hasselbeck and looked more like Joe Montana, throwing a touchdown pass shortly after entering the game to receiver Nate Washington.  While time will tell whether Locker is really that good – and as an eighth overall pick, he should be – there’s really no excuse for a veteran defense allowing that to happen.

With Atlanta, I don’t think it’s so much the personnel on the field.  The lack of big time playmakers isn’t that much of a detriment in the grand scheme of things. Instead, I can’t help but think the problem rests with secondary coach Tim Lewis.

While Lewis gets a lot of credit for Grimes ascendency to NFL superstardom – or at least the pro bowl last year – he hasn’t managed to make Robinson into a shutdown corner.  As Robinson was the most sought after corner in free agency two years ago, that shouldn’t have been a massive challenge.  Instead, Robinson was practically anonymous last year and almost invisible this year prior to his pick on Sunday.

In addition, there’s been a profound lack of awesome coming out of the safeties.  Great defenses need great safeties.  One of the most impressive moments I’ve ever seen in professional football was when a ball carrier, tied up and unable to advance, fell down when he saw the venerable Ronnie Lott charging in for the hit.  The commentators said they couldn’t blame him, and neither could I.

However, Atlanta has yet to cultivate a safety like that.  In fact, I can’t remember one like that since Scott Case retired.  Where is the nasty, pound you into the ground safety?

Without a shutdown corner, a punishing safety, or anything else to hold onto as an accolade besides Brent Grimes, which I suspect had more to do with Grimes than Lewis, it’s clear that Lewis and his contributions need to step up.  If not, then I think Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder and head coach Mike Smith might want to reevaluate whether to keep Lewis for another season.  By all means, let him finish this one.  He’s only in his second year after all.  However, there’s only a finite amount of time you should let the Lewis experiment continue.  A 6-4 record at this point is proof enough of that.

 

Joe Sanchez (not his real name) is a lifelong Albany resident who knows how insane his friends and neighbors get about sports.

 

Tags: football, Sports, The Falcons' Nest.
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Rams get berth in NCAA football playoffs

– November 16, 2011Posted in: Sports

 

Special to the Journal

 

They’re in! Albany State University football fans will get another chance to see their favorite team in gridiron action, as the Golden Rams received a berth in the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs. The Golden Rams (8-3) moved to No. 6 and will travel to Tigerville, SC to face the No. 3 North Greenville University Crusaders (9-2) on Saturday, Nov. 19. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Younts Stadium on the NGU campus. The NCAA Division II Football Committee announced the field of 24 teams chosen to participate in the championship series on Sunday afternoon.

“The Golden Rams are very excited about the opportunity to extend our 2011 season. Two great teams will be in action for a shot at the national championship title on Saturday,” said Albany State Athletics Director Dr. Richard H. Williams. “The Ram Nation is ready for a great game!”

Tickets for the game are $15 for adults and $5 for K-12 and ASU students with valid school identification. All tickets for ASU fans will be sold at the gate on game day. No tickets will be sold in the Albany, Ga. area, Dr. Williams said.

The other Super Region Two first-round game features the No. 5 North Alabama Lions (8-2) against the No. 4 West Alabama Tigers (8-3). The No. 1 Delta State Statesmen and No. 2 Mars Hill Lions received first-round byes. The winner of the Albany State – North Greenville game will advance to the second round and play Mars Hill on Nov. 26 at the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium in Mars Hill, NC at 12 p.m., while the winner of the North Alabama – West Alabama game will face Delta State in Cleveland, MS.

The game marks ASU’s 13th overall appearance in the playoffs and the eighth consecutive appearance under head coach Mike White.

The 2011 championship game, which will be played Dec. 17, at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala., will mark 26 consecutive years that North Alabama has hosted the Division II title game. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

 

Tags: asu, college football, football, Golden Rams
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SIFL CHAMPION PANTHERS TO RECEIVE PROCLAMATION

– July 25, 2011Posted in: Events, Government

In honor of their 2011 SIFL Championship, the Albany Panthers organization will receive a proclamation from the Mayor and City Commission on Tuesday, July 26th. The ceremony will take place at 8 p.m. at the Albany Government Center. The Panthers finished the 2011 season with a 13-2 record and won the Southern Indoor Football League championship by defeating the Louisiana Swashbucklers 69-48.

Prior to the proclamation ceremony, Moe’s Southwestern Grill will host a meet and greet session with Panther players, Feline dancers, front office staff and Prowler at 6 p.m. in the restaurant. Panther 2011 championship t-shirts will be on sale. All organization members will sign autographs.

Fans can purchase food and drinks during the session.

Albany Panthers
The Albany Panthers are proud members of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL). All home games are played at the Albany James H. Gray Civic Center located in Albany, Georgia. Season tickets for the 2012 season are now available at the Albany Panthers headquarters by calling (229) 432-1230.

Tags: Albany Panthers, city hall, football, Panthers
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PANTHERS PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR $15.00

– June 13, 2011Posted in: Press Releases, Sports

The second-seeded Albany Panthers (10-2) will host the third-seeded Erie Explosion (9-3) this Saturday, June 18th at 7:30PM at the Albany Civic Center. The Panthers began selling single-game tickets following the victory in their final home game. Pre-game activities will begin at 7:00PM.

In an unprecedented move, all tickets for the first home playoff game are priced at just $15.00 on a first- come, first serve basis. The pricing is geared to offer families a cost-effective method to see a home playoff game.

On Saturday night, June 18th, the Panthers will host the Erie Explosion in their first playoff game of the 2011 season. Tickets are available by contacting the Albany Civic Center Box Office, going online to Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) or by calling 877-544-TIXX(8499).

Albany Panthers
The Albany Panthers are proud members of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL). All home games are played at the Albany James H. Gray Civic Center located in Albany, Georgia. For the full seating chart, go to www.AlbanyPanthers.net.

Tags: Albany Panthers, football
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On and off field, college season was a perfect storm in 2009

– January 5, 2010Posted in: Mike Flynn

The greatest reality show on earth is college football and the 2009 season was no disappointment.

Remember the punch, Oregon vs. Boise State? Excessive celebration calls, followed by a crew suspension? The spike by LSU? The block by Cody? Those were great moments in the regular season, and last week we had football fed to us intravenously.

Idaho went for two to beat Bowling Green rather than go to overtime. Auburn made a game-saving tackle to top Northwestern and signaled the revival of the War Eagle program. Jo Pa’s boys found a way to beat LSU on the sloppiest track ever, and the Seminoles sent Bobby out as a winner.

Boise State finished perfect, again, but won’t get to play for the title, again.

All that and we still have two more BCS bowls to play.

Then there is the off-field drama. After Alabama beat down his Gators, Urban Meyer assumed the fetal position for three days in a Gainesville hospital. Then he resigned for health concerns. The next day he decided he would just step down indefinitely. Obviously, Tim Tebow came in overnight and healed the Gator coach.

For a week, all we heard about was Meyer and how he wanted to be daddy again. Not one word about the team that pummeled him so badly it caused the entire episode. Could that have been intentional? I know Meyer has real health issues, but why not coach the game then make an announcement?

By resigning, then not … he dominated the news for several days sucking all the wind out any Alabama media hype. Maybe it was intentional, maybe not, but the effect robbed the Tide of much coverage.

It never fails; when I disrespect Florida I get mail. This letter came last week:

I was passing through Albany this evening and stopped in a local Chinese Restaurant for dinner. Picking up a copy of the Albany newspaper, I read your column in which you doubted Tim Tebow’s ability to perform in the NFL due to weak passing skills. I agree with you that he needs to work on not bringing the ball down below his waist, but other than that, you missed the boat entirely.

As a high school and college player, he showed tremendous ability to throw the ball, a long way and accurately. You referenced the Alabama game, but how many passes hit the hands of receivers and were dropped? From the first pass to Demps to the dropped touchdown by Hernandez, Tebow put the ball spot on. His passer ratings speak for themselves. I think he’ll do just fine in the NFL.

Patrick Bowie
LaGrange, GA

Dear Patrick,

The last time I checked, LaGrange, Ga., is not in the state of Florida. Do you know what happened to traitors during the Civil War?

Well, I don’t really know either, but I’m sure it was something pretty bad. As for your question, “How many passes hit the hands of receivers and were dropped?”

With the hype of Tebow, I thought he would be able to snap the ball to himself, throw an accurate pass down field, out run said pass, catch the ball and score without crying. Guess I was wrong.

Finally his college career comes to a close. Let the healing begin.

By this time next week, we will have witnessed Georgia Tech rolling up Iowa, and Alabama claiming yet another national title. Then we can look forward to national signing day, spring drills, the release of the summer preseason publications …

Not only is college football great, but this country allows this game to flourish. I love America! Bet ya they don’t have anything like this in China.

Written by Mike Flynn.

Tags: featured, football, Sports
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