ekansekans's blog: "df"

Reasons To Believe 1. Armed And Dangerous - Matt Ryan threw for 4,177 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2011 as Atlanta ranked fourth in passes attempted. A team that was once reliant on their running game has opened up the playbook throwing to Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez. Jacquizz Rodgers is a dynamic back that can catch swing passes and take them to the house. The Falcons offence has all the elements to finally compete with the likes of Green Bay and New Orleans. 2. From Weakness To Strength - Asante Samuel joins a secondary that finished 20th in the NFL against the pass. By acquiring Samuel via trade, the Falcons now have three corners - Samuel, Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson - to help combat passing attacks. Samuel may be on the downside his career, but his presence helps bump everyone a notch down the depth chart, ultimately upgrading Atlantas secondary. 3. Take It Easy - No one knows exactly how difficult a schedule will be before the season starts, but on paper Atlanta might owe the schedule makers a gift of some sort. Prior to their Week 7 bye, the Falcons face the all four teams from the AFC West, as well as the Redskins and Panthers. Not to set the bar too high, but there is a chance Atlanta reaches their bye week undefeated. Reasons To Doubt 1. Whos On Deck? - If Ryan is sidelined at any point in the year, Luke McCown would be thrust into the starting lineup. Chris Redman was released in camp and the team brought in McCown to serve as the new backup. McCown will take some time to learn the system, but he is a slight upgrade on the departing Redman.  2. Centre of Attention - Curtis Lofton is no longer manning the centre of Atlantas defence after leaving the team in free agency. That could be a significant loss considering Lofton was a dependable tackler and a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Third round pick Akeem Dent will get the first chance to start, with veteran Mike Peterson there as a safety net. 3. Down To A Flicker - Turner was well worth the free agent contract the Falcons signed him for to lure him away from the Chargers in 2008. Turner has averaged more than four yards per carry and scored double digit touchdowns ever since he arrived in Atlanta. However, those days may be coming to a quick end in 2012. Turner faded badly down the stretch last season, aside from a huge output against a Buccaneers team that had given up on their coach. The Falcons will need the younger, quicker Rodgers to step up and help keep the run game productive. What To Expect Even with Turner falling off, the Falcons are more than capable of challenging for the NFC Championship. New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter plans to set the passing attack loose to maximize the talents of the teams skill players. Assuming the defence is able to hold their own, Atlanta should return to the post-season and put up more of a fight than they have in their last two playoff outings. Adrian Peterson Jersey . "The critical component is composure," said CTVOlympics rowing analyst Barney Williams prior to the race. While the Canadian crew maintained their composure throughout with a well-executed race, it was not enough to keep up with a strong field of competition. Peterson Elite Jersey . The Titans announced the roster move Wednesday. The 6-foot-2, 306-pound DeVan signed with the Titans in June and was waived in the final roster cuts. http://www.azulvirtual.org/new.html .A. Dickeys best season yet ended with a no-decision and some surprising news: Hell have surgery Oct. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Stevie Johnson and the Buffalo Bills offence suddenly have one thing in common. Both are moving in reverse. The Bills leading receiver found himself backpedaling Monday, a day after openly questioning coach Chan Gaileys offensive play calling following a 20-13 loss at Indianapolis. Johnson said he misspoke when suggesting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick take over the play-calling duties from Gailey. What he meant to say is Fitzpatrick should have more opportunities to change plays at the line of scrimmage. "I didnt mean changing play-calling duties and all that," Johnson said. "I may have said it, but what I meant to say was audible and giving Fitz the audible a little more." Johnson said he should have chosen his words more carefully, and can appreciate why his comments could be perceived as challenging Gailey. He blamed himself, saying he spoke the heat of the moment following a loss that all but mathematically ended the Bills chances of making the playoffs. "Its all frustration," Johnson said. "I was just frustrated because I know what was at stake playing against Indianapolis, playing against an AFC opponent and feeling like we need to take their spot. And then they beat us." The Bills (4-7) have lost four of five and fallen to the fringes of the playoff race in preparing to host Jacksonville (2-9) on Sunday. Gailey played down the stir the comments created, saying he understands Johnsons intention. "I know where hes coming from. Stevie just wants to win," he said. "If you know a guy, you know where his heart is. Even though he might not have said it exactly right, you know where his heart is. And I know Stevie." Whatever Johnson meant to say, he did get at least one thing right. Somethings got to change to a Gailey-designed, Fitzpatrick-run offence thats been sputtering at best and has lacked finish for much of the past two months. Buffalo has topped 310 yards on offence and scored more than 19 points just twice in its past seven games. The offence has been particularly lethargic in the red zone over its past eight games. In their last 25 drives that entered an opponents 20, the Bills have scored nine touchdowns and settled for 12 field goals. Against Indianapolis, Buffalo was limited to scoring a touchdown and two field goals on three red-zone opportunities.dddddddddddd The lack of production is what sparked Johnsons outburst following the game, when he said: "I think we need to let our quarterback call these plays. Hes out there on the field. He sees the adjustments that need to be done." Johnson then added: "I think that (Fitzpatrick) has the ability to control the offence 100 per cent. I think we should take advantage of that." This marked the second time in three weeks Johnsons been perceived to question Gaileys play-calling decisions. Following a 37-31 loss at New England on Nov. 11, Johnson second-guessed why rookie T.J. Graham -- and not a more established receiver -- was the intended targeted when Fitzpatrick threw an interception in the end zone in the final seconds. Johnson on Monday said he would never question Gailey because he owes his success to the coach. After riding the bench for much of his first two seasons in Buffalo, Johnson finally got his shot in 2010, Gaileys first season. Ever since, the former seventh-round draft pick blossomed into the teams No. 1 receiver, which led to him signing a five-year, $36.25 million contract in March. "Im not questioning my coach," Johnson said. "Ive got too much respect for him to go about it the way its perceived to be. So everythings good." Fitzpatrick was put into the position of having to defend both his coach and receiver. The quarterback said hes comfortable with the freedom Gailey provides him to call plays when opportunities present themselves. As for Johnson, Fitzpatrick accepted the receivers explanation. "I know, this morning, he was a little distraught because he felt like what he was saying got misconstrued as he was questioning Chan," Fitzpatrick said. "And thats not the point that he was trying to get across. But you can ask him. He loves Chan." NOTES: DE Chris Kelsays status is uncertain after the 10-year veteran aggravated a neck injury against Indianapolis. ... Gailey called it "touch and go" whether DE Mark Anderson (left knee) and cornerback Aaron Williams (right knee) will be ready this week. Anderson has missed six games and Williams three. ... Buffalo has converted six of 25 third-down chances in its past two games. ' ' '