D. Robinson signs with Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons made a big splash in free agency by signing cornerback Dunta Robinson. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Robinson did not receive a contract offer from the Houston Texans, who let him go without much resistance, deciding he wasn’t worth the money it would take to bring him back.

The young cornerback has plenty of talent but was inconsistent during his time with the Texans. He started all 16 games in his rookie season.

Atlanta is hopeful that he can help to solidify a defense that has been the downfall of the team. The team ranked just 28th in the NFL against the pass last season.

Robinson would instantly become Atlanta’s No. 1 cornerback, but the pressure shouldn’t be anything more than he faced when he was in the same position with the Texans.

Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 12:25 am by steve · No Comments

Finneran gets new deal

The Atlanta Falcons have reached an agreement on a new deal with wide receiver Brian Finneran.

Finneran has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him from becoming a free agent next year.

The terms on the new deal have not yet been disclosed.

Finneran was once the leading wide receiver on the team until the emergence of wideout Roddy White.

The team also has tight end Tony Gonzalez, making Finneran more of a complimentary player.

Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 5:43 pm by steve · No Comments

Gonzalez will play in 2010

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has announced that he will return to the NFL next season.

After the team’s final game this year, Gonzalez questioned whether or not he would come back for another season.

The tight end was probably just terribly disappointed about the team’s failure to reach the postseason.

He said it helped to get away from the game for a few weeks and talk things over with his family.

I’m sure Gonzalez would like to play a few more years for a team that seems to be on the verge of becoming a serious contender in the NFC.

Friday, January 22, 2010 at 5:51 pm by steve · No Comments

Falcons’ finish gives fans hope for 2010

By Bud L. Ellis

The disappointment in the voice of Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith cannot be masked.

Appearing on Atlanta sports talk radio station WCNN-AM 680 Tuesday afternoon, Smith spoke of the pride of the Falcons closing a disappointing 2009 season by winning their final three games, three victories that gave the franchise its first consecutive winning seasons in franchise history.

The fact that posting back-to-back winning campaigns took 44 years speaks volumes about the past of this franchise. The fact Smith isn’t satisfied with merely winning nine games and removing an albatross from the franchise and its long-suffering fanbase speaks volumes about the future.

The Falcons were hampered by injuries, by poor defense and by fallacies in special teams play (most notably the kicking game) in 2009. Still, Atlanta found a way to rally from a 6-7 record to close the season on a three-game winning streak, a surge that may not have caused many ripples in the NFL, but one that nonetheless gives the franchise momentum heading into the offseason.

Atlanta, which reached the playoffs as a wild card in 2008, started this season 4-1. But injuries, most notably to quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner, helped derail any hopes of a return to the playoffs. But by finishing above .500, at least the Falcons gave their fans reason to feel good about the direction of the franchise as the new decade dawns.

—30—

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 7:44 pm by bud · No Comments

Falcons get past Bucs, 20-10

The Atlanta Falcons finished their season on a positive note with a 20-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Falcons took a 10-3 lead into halftime only to see the game tie up in the fourth quarter. Atlanta scored the go-ahead touchdown and game-winning touchdown midway through the quarter.

Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his two interceptions.

While the Falcons did fall short of the playoffs after making it last year, they recorded back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

It’s truly amazing how far the franchise has come in such a short time after the Michael Vick saga.

Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:07 pm by steve · No Comments

Falcons rout Bills, 31-3

The Atlanta Falcons used some momentum from last week to easily roll past the floundering Buffalo Bills, 31-3.

Quarterback Matt Ryan has had both a rough and disappointing sophomore season, but he has played better of late.

Ryan threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in one of his best performances of the year.

Wide receiver Roddy White also had a big day, hauling in over 180 yards worth of receiving and two touchdowns.

Atlanta’s playoff hopes have been dead for a few weeks now, but maybe this young team can build some momentum heading into next season.

Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 9:52 am by steve · No Comments

Falcons down Jets, 10-7

The Atlanta Falcons used a strong defensive performance to pick up a 10-7 road win over the New York Jets.

Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for just 152 yards but did toss a touchdown pass and had no interceptions. Not turning the ball over was a huge key to the win for Atlanta.

On the other side of the ball, the defense made quarterback Mark Sanchez look like the rookie that he is. They forced him into three interceptions, which was ultimately the difference in the game.

Running back Michael Turner saw some game action, but was eased back into things. He carried the ball just once for seven yards and Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood saw more of the playing time.

The playoffs are out of the question for the Falcons, but it was a good sign to see the team travel up to New York and play so hard and so well in the poor weather conditions.

Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 9:51 am by steve · No Comments

Falcons fall to Saints, 26-23

The Atlanta Falcons put up a good fight but it wasn’t enough in a 26-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Falcons had to try and spring the upset without quarterback Matt Ryan or running back Michael Turner.

They almost did just that, coming very close to ending the Saints’ bid for an undefeated regular season.

Quarterback Chris Redman played much better this week, but he could not match the production from Drew Brees.

The Falcons are quickly slipping out of the playoff picture and will need a late push to have any chance at postseason play.

Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 7:50 am by steve · No Comments

Who Dat 13-0? Saints Beat Falcons, 26-23, Remain Undefeated

With three games left in the regular season, the New Orleans Saints now have their sights set on history.

The Saints managed to escape on Sunday with yet another close win, as they squeaked out a 26-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, despite the Falcons missing their starting QB and running back.

Despite opening up a 23-9 lead, the Falcons stormed back with 14 unanswered points after halftime. For a team that’s undefeated, the Saints have seemed like a team with divine intervention on its side in the past two weeks – the Redskins had the Saints nearly beaten before missing a chip shot field goal and allowing the Saints to rally in overtime.

“Why would we be concerned? We’re 13-0,” linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. “You’re not going to get many blowout wins in the NFL.” Vilma, for his part, picked off Redman in the fourth quarter, and stopped Falcons running back Jason Snelling on a fourth-and-2 to preserve the win for the Saints.

The New Orleans offense was its usual dominating self, led by QB Drew Brees’ three TD passes. Brees finished the game completing 31-of-40 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns.

“It’s only going to get harder from here on out,” Brees said. But “no matter what the situation, we always feel like we have an opportunity to win. Whether it’s our offense, defense or special teams, somehow we’re going to find a way to win the game.”

Friday, December 18, 2009 at 12:16 pm by bryan · No Comments

Falcons crushed by Eagles, 34-7

The Atlanta Falcons were embarassed in more ways than one in a 34-7 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Without Matt Ryan at quarterback, veteran Chris Redman got the call after leading the team to a come-from-behind win last week.

It was a different story facing the Eagles defense as compared to last week’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Falcons struggled to move the ball at all and did not score until just seconds remained in the game.

The team also had to deal with Michael Vick’s return to Atlanta, and the quarterback ran and threw for a touchdown to add insult to injury.

Friday, December 11, 2009 at 4:15 pm by steve · No Comments