Falcons Fight (Metaphorically and Literally)

The Atlanta Falcons won their first preseason game against the New England Patriots 26 – 23. Miguel Lebanon and I were actually at the game, sitting on the 45 yard line on the third row. I hate to brag, but these seats were amazing because we were so close to the action. It was like watching TV but better because I could watch both the game and watch the player reactions and interactions on the sideline. It was interesting to see that the quarterbacks stayed exclusively together on the sidelines while everyone else seemed to intermingle with each other. I learned the following things from the game:

1. The Dirty Birds are willing to metaphorically fight from behind and go surge toward victory. Atlanta trailed New England until the last two minutes of the game.
2. The Atlanta Falcons DVD (Dunn, Vick, Duckett) running attack will be even deadlier this season with the addition of Jerious Norwood. He’s a small back like Dunn, but possesses that rare breakaway speed. Duckett, watch your back, rookie looked good.
3. The Falcons run defense has problems. The Patriots first team offense run through the Falcons defense. Atlanta couldn’t stop Corey Dillion during the first quarter and if this is any indication of our defense, the Falcons will be in trouble.
4. Former UGA quarterback D.J. Shockley is in a great position to make the Falcons’ roster. He has the hometown support and he executed a great two minute drill to put the Dirty Birds in position to score the game winning field goal. His passes were accurate and when he scrambled, he ran with purpose.
5. The Falcon wide receivers need to improve their catching and big play ability. Both Roddy White and Michael Jenkins dropped catchable balls.

In other Falcons news, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, my all-time favorite Dirty Bird, was at training camp coaching the cornerbacks on Monday. I don’t care what anyone says, but Sanders is the original #21 and not DeAngelo Hall, although I think Hall is a great player and I like the fact that he wears #21 as a tribute to Sanders. According to news sources, Sanders tutored Hall and others on mechanics and strategies of the cornerback position.

Lastly, the Falcons are literally willingly to fight each other. According to the AJC, several fights broke out at Falcons training camp on Monday. The first between cornerback DeAngelo Hall and wide receiver Adam Jennings, the second involving a cluster of players — including Hall again — after tackle Todd Weiner and safety Lawyer Milloy tussled to the ground.