Here's a couple notes about the upcoming game, courtesy of various outlets:

• Check out Rexx's FanPost over on the side there, where he gives a brief look at what the Ravens will be playing for this week. If you're not already familiar with Rexx's work, be sure to visit Baltimore Beatdown to see what the Ravens have been up to. I've also contributed a FanPost to his site.
• This is a few days old now, but eminent Falcologist Steve Wyche of the AJC looks at the backup quarterback battle and what rookies have a chance of starting and gives us a good look at who might get considerable run on Thursday. It's right here, in case you haven't seen it yet.
  
• Starting QB candidates Kyle Boller and Troy Smith are both out, according to The Baltimore Sun, which means strong-armed rookie Joe Flacco is likely to get the start. I'm a big fan of Flacco (I picked him for the Falcons in our SBN mock draft), and I'll be interested to see how he looks out there. That said, I hope we sack him at least five times.
• For those of you who are awake/around, remember that I'll have an open thread up for any of you who want to come shoot the breeze during the game. I'll be sadly working through most of the game, but I'll make every effort to be there when I can and hope you'll all show up.

I really hate to have to come crawling to you, dear readers, but there's been a slight issue with our Flea Flicker Fantasy Football League that is demanding some attention. Due to some people dropping out, there are currently three open spaces in the league. If you don't have a team and you'd really like to get in, please shoot me an e-mail or just comment here.

Thank you for helping out The Falcoholic!

The title of this post is the only explanation for this story:

Punt returner Adam Jennings, who muffed a punt against Indianapolis, came back with returns of 28 and 23 yards against Tennessee.

“I think that Adam has separated himself with the performance that he had on Friday night,” Smith said. “I know that Harry (Douglas) has got the skill set and could do it as well. It’s a two-man race, but I think Adam has pulled out in front in that area.”

Jennings won the punt-returning job last season, but has a penchant for fair-catching returnable punts. He had 19 fair catches on 30 returns last season and averaged a meager 6.2 yards a return. He had no touchdowns with a long return of 23 yards.

This is criminally insane. Maybe the coaching staff is seeing something from Adam Jennings that I'm not--maybe he can project his very soul into the end zone or something--but Jennings was not last year and has not yet been an effective returner. There's absolutely nothing in terms of physical evidence that says Jennings should take a roster spot from someone else if all he's going to do is return kicks.

I try to wish everyone well and put a bright face on everything, but there's no reason Adam Jennings should make the roster at this point when Harry Douglas can't possibly do any worse. Unless he blasts off a couple of 50 yard returns this weekend, I think Jennings ought to be looking for work elsewhere.

Thoughts?

Rookie cornerback Chevis Jackson just posted a new blog about getting his first INT and a skit he and the other rookies had to perform for the veterans:

http://www.prolebrity.com/game-ball/

And in case you missed it, he also blogged a couple other times during training camp about his first impressions as he was just getting into camp and rookie hazing:

http://www.prolebrity.com/rookie-bonding/

http://www.prolebrity.com/rookie-life/#more-316

It's awesome to see athletes like Chevis embracing blogging.

You know the drill by now. With our bigger cut downs coming soon and the news of Matt Ryan starting, it's time once again to try to predict the starters. I am older, humbler, and wiser this time around, but you'll still probably disagree with some of my choices.

Discuss in the comments check it out after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

via assets.espn.go.com

The writing had been on the wall for at least the last week, but the Falcons have finally confirmed what we all knew: Matt Ryan will start this year.

This is a monumental move for the franchise, a final shift from the misery and mire of the last year or so into a bright and blazing future. There will be struggles, sometimes difficult to overcome, and Ryan may find himself planted in the turf until his very bones ache. But there is reason to believe that he is capable and that he can grow into a true franchise quarterback. 

We've had these dreams before. We've been let down by a truly astounding array of players. Maybe we ought to know better, but I know I don't. When I see Ryan line up behind center for the first time during the season, I'm going to be just as giddy as I was when it was Chris Miller, when it was Chris Chandler, when it was Michael Vick. One of these times, it really is going to be the change we're looking for, so why not now? Why not Matt Ryan?

All we can ask of each other is to show some patience with the rook, who is going to have a daunting learning curve ahead of him. He may even drag the whole team down with him from time to time, and I'm not expecting anyone to hold their tongue then. Still, this is a real opportunity, and a new page in the franchise's history. Let's embrace it while we still can hold our happy illusions, and maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck, Matt!

A pre-season victory tastes just as sweet as any other victory when you really outplay your opponent. That was definitely the case Friday night, when the Falcons overcame some sloppy play of their own to beat down the Tennessee Titans by a score of 17-3.

Let's roll through the highlights and lowlights, after the jump:

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This is the week where Matt Ryan gets a chance to win the starting job for the Falcons, save the princess from the dragon and ride off into the sunset. Can he triumph over evil (aka the Titans?)

Only time will tell! Until then, join me for this open thread extravaganza.

Who? Atlanta Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans, 7:30 p.m. ET

Where? Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Weather? The metal roof over our head will protect us from harm, friends!

Fun Fact? The Falcons will face former tight end and team great Alge Crumpler for the first time today.

Injuries? Nothing significant at this point.

Odds? Are you people made of money or something? These games, they mean nothing!

Foe? Jimmy at Music City Miracles will be blogging along on the trials and travails of the Titans, and he also might stop by here. Feel free to give him some good-natured hell if he does. 

GO FALCONS! Let's tower over these Titans!