Back from the Dead: Monday Night Edition

Monday night was insane.

Facing a team that many have picked to make the playoffs this year, the Falcons built a 20-3 lead at halftime. At this point, fans of most teams would have felt pretty good. After all, a 17 point lead almost guarantees victory. Then again fans of most teams don’t live in Atlanta, where good fortune can shrivel up and die faster than flowers fooled by a false spring.

Of course the Eagles came back! What else would any long time Falcons fan have expected. If you are like me, and I have a feeling that many of you are, as soon as Matt Ryan’s first pass attempt of the second half settled into the hands of Eagles DB Walter Thurmond, you were probably thinking that the tide had turned.

And turn it did. Philadelphia went on a 21-3 run to take a one point lead. Suddenly it seemed that all the good things the Falcons had done in the first half would be for nothing. Julio Jones’ 8 receptions for 97 yards and 2 TDs; Matt Bosher’s monstrous punts; the defense attacking with an aggressive tone unseen in years in Atlanta. It wouldn’t matter if the game slipped away.

But then Matt Ryan hooked up with Jones on a 44 yard pass play. Tevin Coleman, who looked great in his debut (80 yards on 20 carries) pushed the ball closer. Then Matt Bryant (for my money, one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history) drilled his fourth field goal of the night to put the Falcons on top 26-24!

But there was still a lot of time to play. Philly drove into Atlanta territory, eventually facing a third and 1 with under three minutes to play. The Eagles lined up and ran the ball right at the Falcons defense. But then Paul Worrilow, whom I’d taken to calling “Keith Brooking light” due to his penchant for making a multitude of tackles ten yards down the field, raced in and stopped the play short!

Fourth down! What would Chip Kelly do? For several moments, it seemed that not even Kelly himself knew the answer to this question. He let several seconds go by before finally sending the kicking team onto the field. It was a 44 yard try from the middle of the field. No way Cody Parky would miss. But he did!

The Falcons had the ball! All we needed was a first down to run out the clock. But again, you long time Atlanta fans know that it can never be that easy. The Falcons punted the ball back to Philly with just over two minutes to go. For the fifteenth time, I was certain that disaster was imminent. But then Ricardo Allen picked off a Sam Bradford pass! That’s right. Allen, who had been a scout team player until this season, came down with a deflected pass to seal the win.

So the Falcons are 1-0. Of course they were 1-0 last year following a season-opening win over New Orleans before finishing 6-10. But this season feels different. Not that I’m delusional enough to predict a championship, or even a playoff birth, after one game, but Dan Quinn is obviously changing the attitude and the culture of this team. I see good things in the years ahead.

Before we call it a night, I feel I must mention the passing of NBA Hall-of-Famer Moses Malone. Malone, the first player to ever go straight from high school to the NBA, only played three of his 21 seasons in Atlanta. Still, I remember when the Hawks acquired him prior to the 1988-89 season with the plan to team him up with Dominique Wilkins and Reggie Theus as an unstoppable trio.

While the plan never really worked out that way, Malone was very productive during his time in Atlanta. From 1988-91 he averaged 16.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. I remember him primarily for the way he always got to the free throw line. He would rebound missed shots until he was fouled, go the the line, push his goggles up on his head, and make the shots.

R.I.P. Moses. We’ll miss you.

That does it for now. As always, thanks for reading. I know I say this every time, but tonight it feels a bit more necessary. Keep the faith Atlanta! Our time is coming!

 

Preseason Perils: NFL football is here! Well, almost

Hello, and welcome once again into the world of professional sports in the ATL!

It’s been a long summer in Atlanta, what with the Braves fading fast in the National League East. So it was a great relief to find that football season is once again upon us. NFL training camp is underway, and this weekend marked the beginning of the preseason schedule.

With a new coaching staff roaming the Georgia Dome sidelines, no one really knows what to expect from the birds this year. A number of questions about the upcoming season loom: Can head coach Dan Quinn find a way to improve the Falcons’ porous defense? Will one of the young running backs break out? Can first round draft pick Vic Beasly help out Atlanta’s anemic pass rush?  In an effort to get a few answers, Edge of the Abyss dispatched a crack investigative team consisting of me and Matt to the Falcons-Titans preseason opener.

We left Athens at 4:30, which gave us two hours and thirty minutes to make the 70 mile trip to the Georgia Dome. I can hear my fellow Atlanta area drivers laughing already. In theory, 180 minutes is nearly three times as long as it takes to cover such a distance. But when you take into account that (A) both the Falcons and Braves were playing at home, (B) it was a Friday evening, and (C) Atlanta has one of the worst commute times in the country, there was no guarantee that we’d make it in time.

We drove to Doraville, which is famous (well, probably not) for being home to the Northern end of the MARTA rail line. MARTA (Moving At the Rate of a Turtle with Arthritis) is Atlanta’s public transit system. What better way to save time than to park in the suburbs and let someone else’s tax dollars work for us?

In hindsight, there were two major problems with our plan. First of all, due to auto accidents, police traffic stops, and imaginary road construction (not to mention that fact that it is apparently impossible for an eighteen-wheeler to make it through the metro area without breaking down), it took ninety minutes to reach Doraville. This left us just an hour to get to the Dome. No problem, you might be thinking. An hour is more than enough time. Enough time!? There is no such thing! What are you, out of your mind? We arrived at the Georgia Dome station at 7:05, which would have been fine had the game not started at seven.

Still, we made it to our seats just as Matt Ryan finished off an eighty yard drive with a 13 yards touchdown pass to Julio Jones. After going 6-6 on the drive Ryan called it a night, as did most of the Falcons starting offense. When Atlanta got the ball back at the Tennessee 10 yard line, courtesy of a Justin Durant interception of rookie QB Marcus Mariota, TJ Yates took over and promptly led the Falcons on a 3 play, -18 yard drive. Matt Bryant salvaged three points with a 45 yard field goal, which gave the Falcons a 10-0 lead.

On Tennessee’s next possession Mariota turned the ball over again, fumbling the ball deep in Titans territory. Paul Worrilow scooped up the loose ball and returned it 14 yards for a score and suddenly, Atlanta lead 17-0. Our good fortune seemed too good to be true! It was. The Titans put up 13 unanswered points on Dexter McCluster’s six yard run and former Georgia Bulldog Zach Mettenberger’s 30 yard pass to Rico Richardson.

Late in the first half, with the Falcons facing a fourth down, Matt headed for the smoking area. I decided to beat the halftime rush and get something to eat, since I-85 had robbed us of any chance at grabbing dinner. The game was on a television screen just above the snack bar, so I was able to see the Falcons go for it and pick up the first down.

As I perused the $8 hot dogs and $17 chicken strip baskets, an older woman in an Antone Smith jersey wandered up and down the concourse loudly stating “Give it to 35. Give it to 35.” On third and goal at the one yard line, Yates did just that. Smith raced around right end and lunged for the pylon. A replay upheld the call of touchdown, and the Falcons took a 24-13 lead into halftime.

As the third quarter began, we sat in our seats, sharing a bag of roasted peanuts; the only semi-reasonably priced item on the menu. Tennessee threatened to get back in the game midway through the period, marching 88 yards in 13 plays with former Falcon Harry Douglas notching several key receptions. Antonio Andrews scored on a one yard run, then ran in a two-point conversion to cut the lead to three. An Atlanta turnover then led to a Ryan Succop field goal, and the game was tied.

It didn’t look good for the Falcons. Even though winning or losing a preseason game doesn’t mean much, it wouldn’t help morale to blow a 17 point lead. Help was on the way though. Sean Renfree relieved Yates and, facing Tennessee’s third string defense, led Atlanta on a 16 play 86 yard drive. He completed 6 of 7 passes, mostly to Marquez Clark and 3^rd round draft pick Justin Hardy, to move the Falcons into scoring position. On third and goal, Michael Ford bulled in for the touchdown..

But Tennessee wasn’t finished. For awhile it seemed that overtime might be on the horizon. The Titans moved the ball into Falcon territory before the defense finally stiffened, forcing a punt. The offense then ground out a pair of first downs, effectively ending the game. Final score: Falcons 31, Titans 24.

A win in hand, we left our seats and joined the other few thousand people who’d stayed to the end in heading for the exits. After a few bumps and hip checks, we poured out into the warm Georgia night. The Atlanta skyline, lit up and glowing, stood out against the dark sky as we headed back the way we’d come. The stairs we’d taken from the MARTA station to the gate were closed for no apparent reason, so we wandered the streets looking for an alternate route.

Eventually we saw a herd of people zig-zagging its way down a flight of stairs across the street. We joined them and soon found ourselves waiting for the train back to Doraville. Let that be a lesson to you, if you ever see a crowd of people doing anything, you should always follow them, no matter what.

After a few minutes, a train pulled up to the stop. The only problem was that it was nearly full already, and only a few people were allowed on. The rest of us had no choice but to wait for the next train. Soon one appeared, its whistle rising over the din of the potential passengers assembled in the station, many of whom jostled for position as it approached.

The train was mercifully empty! There would be room for all of us! I relaxed and took a deep breath. There was no need to fight our way to the front. Certainly with so many unoccupied seats, it would be a calm and orderly boarding process. The train pulled to a stop, as a cheer rose from the crowd. Matt and I nodded to each other. There was nothing to worry about. The doors slid open.

Later, when I had time to think it over, I decided that the only way to accurately convey the chaos that ensued would be to say that it was like a zombie apocalypse. As soon as the doors opened, the crowd surged forward as if hell itself was headed our way. I didn’t so much as step onto the train as I was carried onto it. An ocean of people, most wearing Falcons gear, moved forward, propelling me with all the force of a tsunami out of the station and onto the train. Seconds later, we were on our way back to the car.

We arrived at the Doraville station just after 11pm. Once we’d rescued my car from the parking deck and were on our way home, I reflected on the evening spent at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons had recorded a win, though only in a meaningless preseason game. As for the questions that led us to Atlanta in the first place, we weren’t much closer to answers than we’d been before. The starting offense looked like a well-oiled machine (particularly Ryan and Jones, without whom we’d be in a world of hurt). The defense obviously still has work to do, though it seems headed in the right direction.

For the first time in three years, I feel guarded optimism regarding our Falcons. After two poor seasons, it does seem that the new coaching staff is in the process of installing a new attitude. I can’t help but look forward to the coming season. We could improve, perhaps even enough to make a playoff run. Either way, it will be a fun ride.

That does it for now. As always, keep the faith Atlanta! Our time will come. It has to eventually, doesn’t it?

 

This and That

In the wake of the conclusion of the NBA season and the NFL draft coming and going, we’ve reached that time of year when it can seem that there isn’t much to talk about when it comes to Atlanta professional sports. The Braves are the only one of our big three that is currently playing games, and so far they’ve been about what we expected: competitive but not exactly a world beater.

Not to worry! While each sport has an “offseason,” there really isn’t much downtime in the world of pro sports; at least not for the people who keep the teams running. Managing a sports franchise is a full time job, and for the hard core fan, so is pulling for one.

With that being said, I’ve spent the last few days coming up with some tidbits from our home teams. While talking about day to day operations may not be as exciting as recounting game action, at least it gives us something to get us through the long hot summer. So let’s get started.

Falcons

The big news this week was the release of former first round draft pick Sam Baker. After taking Matt Ryan with the third overall pick 2008, Atlanta traded back into the first round to get Baker. Thinking they were getting a left tackle to protect Ryan, what they actually got was an injury prone player who competed in all sixteen games just twice in his seven seasons with the Falcons. After Baker missed nearly all of 2013 and 2014, the writing was on the wall.

In other OL news, the Falcons lost tackle Lamar Holmes to a broken foot this week, further depleting a line that struggled mightily in 2014. While Holmes may be back in time for the preseason, an injury this early in the year gives me a disquieting feeling. After all, the Falcons have been decimated by injuries of late.

On a more positive subject, new head man Dan Quinn held his first mini camp this week. There seems to be a new attitude in Flowery Branch, as the players work to learn the schemes of Quinn and new OC Kyle Shanahan. Even with a coach as successful as Mike Smith, at some point it takes new ideas to shake things up. Quinn seems to have the attention of his players.

During the mini camp, fans were treated to the first images of first round pick Vic Beasley in an Atlanta uniform. Here’s hoping Beasley can improve a pass rush that ranked somewhere below anemic last year. And let’s not forget Julio Jones, who eased all of our minds when he stated on Wednesday that he has no plans to hold out as he enters the final year of his contract. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Hawks

There was quite a bit of news involving the Hawks this week, beginning with the latest development in the Danny Ferry saga. The rocky reign of the erstwhile General Manager appears to be at an end, as the Atlanta Hawks board voted in favor of a buyout on Friday. Ferry, who has been on leave since a recording of his racial insensitive comments about potential free agent signee Luol Deng surfaced last off season, will be paid more than the remaining balance on his contract.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer will promoted to Team President, while continuing to coach the team. Assistant General Manager Wes Wilcox will assume the GM role. The dismissal of Ferry had been rumored for weeks, with the thinking being that new owner Antony Ressler, whose purchase of the team is expected to be finalized next week, wouldn’t want to deal with the distraction.

In other news, the 2015 NBA draft is just four days away, and the name I most often see attached to Atlanta’s 15^th overall pick is former Arkansas Razorback Bobby Portis. I would be perfectly okay with this pick, as Portis would fit very well into coach Bud’s system. He is a 6-10 power forward with a great motor who can also his the jump shot.

One of the reasons I like Portis is the uncertainty surrounded Paul Millsap, who will likely command a max contract. Will the Hawks be willing to give him one? What about fellow free agent Demarre Carroll? While no one will offer Carroll the kind of money Millsap will get, someone could very well make him a very rich man. Will Atlanta resign one or both of these key pieces? Time will tell.

Braves

As the only one of the big three to be currently in season, the Braves have surprised quite a few people by hanging around in the National League East. Through June 20, they are only two games out of first place, though as was the case with the Falcons and the NFC East, this fact says a lot about the underachievement of the division as a whole.

Still, there have been promising signs. Jace Peterson continues to impress as second base. He has been a steady presence in the field, and has developed into one the best clutch hitters on the roster. Another who has outperformed expectations is centerfielder Cameron Maybin. Essentially a throw-in in the deal that moved Craig Kimbrel and Melvin (B.J.) Upton to San Diego, Maybin has been so good that the team released projected starter Eric Young Jr.

Equally impressive has been the performance of young pitchers Williams Perez and Matt Wisler, the latter of whom allowed just one run over eight innings in his major league debut on Friday night. As Julio Teheran and Alex Wood have struggled with consistency, Perez, Wisler and Shelby Miller have helped keep the Braves’ heads above water.

That about wraps things up for now. I’ll be back in the near future with my thoughts on the NBA draft, as well as a Braves mid-season check in. Until next time, keep the faith Atlanta!