Pro-Bowl Got It Right

The Pro-Bowl is a popularity contest.  Just like our election, the pro-bowl is always right.

The public bases their opinion on stats.  So stats don't lie.... or do they.  Losing teams like Carolina play more defense.  They also have to throw the ball because they are behind and typically are going to face softer defenses that allow for stats but not big plays.

So while Greg Hardy from CAR looks like a beast on paper.. well he is.  However, it'd be a lot nicer to have a Defense Rating similar to a QB Rating that took into account snaps played, plays impacted, etc. ... I digress.

The only team I care about is the Falcons so, let's say they got it wrong.

Before anyone says it, statistically, all of these players except Thomas DeCoud are not "pro bowlers."

Pro Bowl Snubs -

1. Roddy White - Top 3 receivers right now, Calvin, Roddy and Julio.  Just my opinion
2. John Abraham - He's not leading in stats, but he's one of the scariest DE playing right now. 
3. Thomas DeCoud - 6th overall in interceptions and has stepped is game up considerably!

Honorable Mentions

1. William Moore - guy is still playing like a beast, stats or no. 
2. Tyson Clabo - Totally underrated, but love this guy protecting Ryan.
3. Jonathan Babineaux - This guy is a beast, he's playing all over the field and you can bank on him ending up in the highlight reel. 

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The Atlanta Falcons Are Bad For Atlanta Sports

You read the title right, it's not some teaser.... and No, I am not drinking. I think the Atlanta Falcons franchise, more specifically, this Blank person and Dimitroff have totally ruined Atlanta. I hope we run them out of town... well, maybe that's a bit too far.

How did I arrive here?

Let's reminisce a little bit.

Authur Blank buys the Falcons, we get all excited. An owner who can spend money and an exciting player. During that time the Braves were still making runs into the playoffs and never winning.

Year before last: All 4 franchises suck and the worst one of all was the Falcons.

Now, what I am upset about is that this Blank character goes off and hires some surfer dude to come into Atlanta with a real plan. Then they hire a Coach that gets "it." The Falcons have a great year, Dimitroff makes more moves and now the expectations are even higher.

That's all well and good, the NFL is very competitive... it's only natural that people root for their team to get to the superbowl, even if they have no shot at it all *cough* Raiders *cough*.

However, in the NBA, it's pretty much decided. In fact, in some cases, even injuries don't play a role.

Let's get to the point. The Hawks dominated talk radio today. I really pity the hosts and the callers. I realize that the real evil is that the Atlanta Falcons organization has raised the bar for every one. To think that people talked about moves the Hawks could make to get to the next level, is ridiculous.

IT"S THE HAWKS, PEOPLE! THE FACT THEY HAVE A WINNING PERCENTAGE OVER .500 IS NEWS ENOUGH.

Now the people of Atlanta want to move pieces to get even further in the playoffs. HELLO! IS ANYONE THERE?!?!

PLAYOFFS (in Mora voice) ?! Really. Let's just be happy that we had a winning season and try not to mess up a good thing.

Ultimately I think the Atlanta public would be just fine if the Hawks made the playoffs as an 8 seed every year and failed to make the championship. Rattle off a few years like that and you can then harold the franchise as one of the most storied of all time.... then again, we already have a franchise like that - The Braves.

So yes, the Atlanta Falcons are bad for Atlanta Sports because they've raised our expectations on all the franchises in Atlanta. Shame on them.

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Love, Hate the Series

Love the fire and the me against the world theme, but I hate goin' out like that.

Joe, I know you want Woodson back..... and as long as Billy is gone, I don't mind either.

For once I'm excited about NBA Basketball again and as long as we do what we need to do this offseason I'm excited about next season.

Wish List:

1. FIRE BILLY KNIGHT, Period. Two good picks last year does not a Good GM make.
   
2. Sign Josh Smith long term - Get him someone that can motivate him EVERY game.
3. Sign Josh Childress - Vital part off the Bench
4. TRADE Mike Bibby - Either Picks, or a veteran LEADER (I know that was what he was supposed to be).
   
   OR
5. Bring in another offensive theat... Could be Marvin Williams, if he finally decides to step up.
   

The Hawks reminded me of a team full of Steve Smiths yesterday. Not good.

Thank you for the fun series though!

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Yahoo! Article Suggest Hawks Are NOT making History

You take by far the worst team in NBA history to make the playoffs against one of the best teams put together in many years and turn it into at least a 6 game series... and you don't have more than good things to say?

I really don't understand the sports writers for a lot of this stuff. Maybe it's because they are national. Maybe they don't truly understand what's going on.... OR maybe the team that is creating history has looked so underwhelming on the road that it doesn't seem plausible that they would have any shot at defeating the Celtics.

Whatever the case may be, the Atlanta Hawks have to win one more at home to even start this discussion again.

Here's the Y! Article

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Woodson - Thanks for the Memories | Atlanta Hawks Recap Game 5 in Boston

I settled in excited to watch how the Hawks would perform in Boston after thrilling games in Atlanta. Sure, they look as if they have absolutely no offensive scheme, but their athleticism and enthusiasm more than make up for it and, hey! they learned how to play defense!

What I watched last night was a group a very talented players with absolutely no direction, no sense of urgency, no plan to win the game. Not that they ever had a plan, but to come out not playing defense and not aggressive is just a coaching error.

Early on it was evident, Paul Pierce was going to be aggressive and take some shots, drive the lane and create. Josh Smith, a much more athletic player should have easily matched the intensity and I think the Celtics are still fearful of shooting in the paint, as evidenced by several of their missed shots there.

What is inexcusable outside of our offensive game is the lack of a defensive presence in the paint aside from Josh. I counted well over 12 points of uncontested layups and several more WIDE OPEN shots.

I doubt we would have won the game with the Celtics shooting it lights out like they were, but we could have been closer than that which would have made me feel so much better about a Game 7 should there be one.

One thing that gets me is that I love seeing Law out there out there but wh

It's time the Hawks take a page out of Michael Vick's book and start playing with the Rhythm of the game and stop letting their coaching stagger them.

• Joe Johnson - Be Aggressive! Shooters shoot till they get on fire. Don't let coach pull you with 2 fouls.. you're too important! Just stay aggressive.
• Josh Smith - Be Aggressive! No one can hang with you. Don't settle for jump shots if you aren't feeling it. You did great from the stripe! I'd love to see that every time. You should also be shutting down everything near the paint, period.
• Mike Bibby - Sometimes you just need to pull yourself out of the game. Not sure what the deal is, but make that extra pass.
  
• Marvin Williams - Again, be more aggressive. I have seen at least one play a game where you've shown me why you were drafted so high. One play! Let's see more.
  
• Al Horford - Call for the ball! I'm loving your game.
• Zaza - Not sure what to say, but if you aren't involved, then foul and foul hard.
• Acie Law - Love your energy, stay agressive, you're the scorer that we need.
  
• Josh Childress - WHY AREN'T YOU STARTING? I love the effort, keep it up.
  

Now I'm spent typing this stuff up, I'll be watching Game 6 if anyone has tickets let me know!

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A Beginning of An Era ...

I've grown up in Atlanta and I am old enough to have enjoyed Dominique's Run as a Hawk or seen Deion or watch the Braves at Atlanta Fulton County stadium, but I've never seen anything like this. Atlanta has been seen as a Basketball town for ages, but attendance proved otherwise. With the buzz around the Hawks and the Falcons, this time was so exciting that it pushed me out of my regular blogging status into wanting to talk about my favorite thing, Atlanta Sports.

Welcome to my Atlanta Sports Blog.

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