FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So where do we stand?

I last posted on how I didn't like the Matt Ryan pick.  Further thought, discussions with the brain trust (my football oriented friends) and musing over some comments on my last post have made me reconsider.  I am not confident in the choice yet, but I am more comfortable.  I have heard good stuff from mini-camp, and watching some old film, I am encouraged.  I think the system employed will be key.  I

 am thinking that the focus will be on a strong running game with Turner being the primary back and Norwood coming in situationally, especially third-and-longs where he can come out of the backfield and be an extra receiver who can make yards after the catch.  He's shown good hands in the past.  As far as the passing game, I envision an empahsis on short passes between 5 and 25 yards with more empahsis on the 5-15 yard range.  That seems to be Matt's forte.  In that situation, based on reports I've heard, recently drafted rookie Harry Douglas could play a larger role than expected in the offense.  Apparently, though he lacks speed to burn defenders deep, he has terrific agility to make cuts underneath and good hands to bring in the ball on underneath or quick out routes.  Laurent Robinsion and Roddy White are playing well enough to discourage Joe Horn.  So we seem solid at receiver and running back positions.  I don't want to neglect Ovie.  I heard an interview with him recently and the big fullback made a fan out of me.

The line is a different story.  Matt Baker is an unknown element to the NFL.  The rest of the line is just unknown to me.  It seems capable but mediocre.  Which means we could have success against poor defenses, but search the field for missing pieces of our quarterback after playing a good defense. 

As for "Matty Ice", here's one worry that occurred to me.  I feel like he's bright and very capable of reading defenses and understanding plays. (As a side note, I was never a Vick hater, nor was I ready to declare him a god among men.  His pros were outstanding, but his cons were glaring which unfortunately often made him average. - and now he's a pro and a con. Apologies to everyone.)  One of the drawbacks I always felt Vick had was that he never seemed to develop a talent at reading defenses to change plays at the line effectively.  This, I think will be one of Matt's strengths.  However, I worry that teams who always or occasionally play a 3-4 will be able to hurt us.  I'm more of a fan of the 4-3, but I think the 3-4 could really pose problems to us specifically this year.  I think 4 linebackers mixing zone coverages on the short routes and blitzing against what may be a weak line may cause all sorts of havoc.  Ryan in highlights seems to lose some zip on longer passes and that's an NFL DB's dream to have a long floater coming in.  Dropping different LB's every down into different zone coverages underneath could confuse the young QB and force him to try his arm deep or make a mistake underneath.  At the same time, mixing the pass rush from different LB postions or even a CB could confuse a weak line, especially with a rookie tackle.  This is bad.  Ryan may be forced to make opponents respect his deep throw.  Hit the weights Matty and be sure you're up to the challenge.  And one other thing.  On your BC highlight tape, you seemed to stare down every intended reciever from the snap until the throw.  This is the big leagues.  Look off those defenders every once in a while.  NFL safeties and backs will watch your eyes and jump routes before you know what hit you. 

But what do I know, I'm just a blogger. 

 I don't want to go into the defense right now, I think it's a bit more complicated to analyze.  I'll save it for a post prior to midnight one evening. 

Unrelated, it was announced in the AJC today that Charles Grant of the Saints has been indicted on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter.  I talked to someone who claimed to be an eyewitness who actually was with Grant just prior to the shooting and was standing next to the young lady when she was shot.  He wants to remain anonymous and I understand why.  In any event, I am sure his story only presents one side and I will try to post it soon, with the understanding that I am only relating what one supposed witness told me.  Most sources I talked to when the story first broke were telling me second-hand and it was difficult to find anyone who would admit to being there.  But this guy's story was low enough on the drama scale to sound plausible and I do know that he knows several people that were involved. 

Until next time.  I need to be more consistent with my posts, and I'll try to do so this summer.  I have a ton of stuff to say about the braves as well.  Peace.