http://www.realfootball365.com Atlanta Falcons Football News, scores, analysis and discussion. NFL Football News. en-us info@realfootball365.com Copyright (C) 2005-2008 www.realfootball365.com http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13258 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13258 When a baseball player like Barry Bonds pleads ignorance and says he didn't realize he was taking steroids, one has to be suspicious. But for a player like Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who faces a potential NFL-mandated suspension after taking the banned substance Bumetanide, there seems to be some weight to his argument that the consumption was an accident. Commentary: It's hard not ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-11-14T04:00:11-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13199 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13199 Chalk it up to a trend in the NFL, but the Miami Dolphins aren't the only team using the "Wildcat" formation. Last week against Oakland, Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood lined up at the quarterback, wide receiver and running back positions. With Michael Turner taking more carries in his career than he has been used to, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey must find a way to lighten the load. ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-11-07T04:07:16-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13165 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13165 The Oakland Raiders may be awful, but the fact the Atlanta defense held them to just 77 total yards and three first downs in a 24-0 shutout Sunday is incredibly impressive. A bonus is that they did it without ex-team cancer DeAngelo Hall, who had to sit and watch his new Oakland team get manhandled. Commentary: Defensive end John Abraham got three sacks in the win and has looked every bit the ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-11-04T04:20:13-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13127 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13127 Most of the talk last year in Atlanta surrounded Michael Vick, but there was another Virginia Tech product who made some waves of his own. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall had more than a few bouts with ex-Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino, who deserted the team after not even finishing his first season with the Falcons. Now Hall is reaping what he sows on what, going into the season, was a severely overrated ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-31T04:10:24-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13085 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13085 If you look up the definition of the word "crushing," you might see the Atlanta Falcons' 27-14 Sunday loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles outplayed Atlanta for much of Sunday's game, but it appeared that the Falcons were going to have a chance to pull out a victory and climb to 5-2. That all changed with a single bounce in front of Falcons punt returner Adam Jennings and a blown call by ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-29T04:01:06-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13052 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13052 The Falcons have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season and, en route to a 4-2 start, have given their fans a lot to cheer about. But it hasn't been a perfect season and the Falcons could find themselves prey to the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. The bye week did Philly well and its biggest weapon, running back Brian Westbrook, is finally looking like he's recovered from a ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-24T04:22:46-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13013 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/13013 The 4-2 Atlanta Falcons, once the laughingstock of the NFL, are very much in the playoff hunt in a division (the NFC South) that could put three teams in the postseason this year. There are currently only a few teams in the NFC that stand out as legitimate playoff contenders right now. The New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals all ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-21T04:10:19-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12984 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12984 Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank believes imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick deserves a second chance in the NFL. It won't come with the Falcons, though, who have a rising star under center in rookie Matt Ryan. The first-round pick from Boston College already looks like a far better passer than Vick ever was, and he's led surprising Atlanta to a 4-2 record this season. Blank told reporters ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-17T04:02:53-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12930 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12930 Commentary: Atlanta kicker Jason Elam has had his share of game-winning kicks during his NFL career, but it's not often that he has had the pressure of kicking one to make up for a previous shank. That didn't stop Elam from booting a 48-yarder at the end of regulation Sunday to stifle an improbable Chicago comeback in a 22-20 Falcons victory. The irony is that the comeback wouldn't have been ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-13T04:02:43-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12916 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12916 Commentary: Running back Michael Turner is going to have his hands full as it is with a hungry Chicago defense. Now he will get more attention than Brad and Angelina in tabloids after number one wide receiver Roddy White is questionable with a head injury. White was pulled from practice Wednesday after suffering an injury in the team's indoor practice facility. When White was told he was on a ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-10T04:07:03-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12867 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12867 Matt Ryan and the Falcons are surely pleased about their 27-24 road win over the Packers in Week 5, but no Atlanta defender should be upbeat about his performance against banged-up Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Because of a sprained right shoulder, Rodgers was a game-time decision entering Sunday; nevertheless, he looked like the Six Million Dollar Man in throwing for 313 yards, three ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-07T04:01:55-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12817 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12817 Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan hasn't put up stunning numbers yet in his rookie season, but he isn't entirely to blame. Half of the problem lies in the unsteady hands of his receivers. The receiving crew of Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas dropped six passes last week in the Falcons' 24-9 loss in Carolina. It continues a trend that has lasted since 2004. Commentary: ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-10-03T04:03:59-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12771 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12771 Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 158 yards in a 24-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, completing barely more than half his passes (21 of 41). In his first four pro games, the third overall pick from Boston College hasn't gone for 200-plus yards in any. Commentary: Ryan is intelligent, a solid game manager,and far better than past rookie QBs who were thrown to the ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-09-29T04:00:02-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12721 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12721 Atlanta running back Michael Turner has been worth every penny the Falcons paid him during the offseason, particularly against weak run defenses. Turner racked up a combined 324 rushing yards and five touchdowns versus the Lions and Chiefs, but his 42-yard effort from Week 2 in Tampa Bay leaves room for concern for this week's showdown with Carolina. Commentary: Owner Arthur Blank must be ... Adamleetlu@gmail.com (Adam Sweeney) Atlanta Falcons 2008-09-24T04:02:10-05:00 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12019 http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/falcons/12019 The Falcons signed fifth-round LB Robert James, formerly of Arizona State, to a four-year deal that includes a $199,000 signing bonus. Now that James has signed, the Falcons have only first-round OT Sam Baker and second-round LB Curtis Lofton as rookies without contracts. Falcons rookie contract status as of July 15 1(3). QB Matt Ryan, Boston College – Signed (six years, $72 million) 1(21). ... ncoolong@gmail.com (Neal Coolong) Atlanta Falcons 2008-07-15T09:37:01-05:00