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('Bird Watching' is a first-person column from Atlanta Falcons Examiner Daniel Cox, discussing something from the Falcons that's catching his eye.)
If I have to say or hear "energy" one more time, I think I'm going to explode.
That's enough energy for one weekend, Atlanta Falcons.
Other than the spotty sunburn I received (No worries-it's minor. That's the beauty of 100 SPF. Though the "small" [I say "small" to make myself feel better] thinning hair patch, okay it's a bald spot, did get more sun than I wanted.) the predominant feeling I came away with from this weekend is that of positivity.
If I didn't feel positive enough about the direction of these Atlanta Falcons, Mr. Blank dropped by on Sunday to remind me (and the few media still standing on Sunday) of it.
I've tried to beat the drum of the smart Falcon for a while, and Blank seconded it beautifully.
"I think, frankly, to play in the NFL today, you have to be smart," he said of the increasingly complex game that is professional football. "It’s not just being football smart, but you have to be smart. We look for players that represent the organization both on and off the field. That’s always been an important part of my philosophy and an important part of what the franchise is about. It’s about winning on the field and about winning off the field as well. I’m proud of our players on both accounts.”
Yes, for the most part, these Atlanta Falcons are a bunch of team captains, honor roll students, and Boy Scouts.
And just for a moment, let me prop up the owner of this bunch as well.
Falcons fans, you'll be pleased to know he recognizes your importance. In fact, he believes you're of the utmost importance.
“I tell our players repeatedly, without our fans and our sponsors, we have 22 young men playing sandlot football," Blank said. "That’s it. We are about our fans. We are about our sponsors. We are about people that come to our games. We are about people that watch our games on TV.”
Back to the positive feelings on the field.
Even their fights feel positive. The one from Saturday didn't end with ripped jerseys and bloody noses, but pats on the backs and rear ends instead. The closest thing to tension felt all weekend was Defensive Coordinator Brian Van Gorder's typical verbal assaults on his players.
And I mean verbal assault in the best possible way. He may call a player some dirty names, but he's doing it with a few coaching nuggets included and with the best intentions possible.
Other than fights and Mr. Blank, what gives me this positive feeling you ask?
How about you check out this comment from rookie Dominique Franks to my esteemed and admired colleague of AtlantaFalcons.com, J. Michael Moore.
“I feel like I can be a good return man for this team. But, at the same time, this was a great unit before I got here. It’s really the other 10 that make the return man look good anyway. I’m sure whoever they plug in will go out there and do a great job.”
I'll pause here so you can read that again.
Either someone coached this rookie up in the art of the quote or he's just...smart.
"Whoever they plug in will go out there and do a great job."--that's quite a comment from a rookie.
How about Brian Finneran 2.0, also known as Kerry Meier.
This kid is dealing with some serious tragedy, but he's channeled it to bring to Flowery Branch the same kind of performance that led him to be drafted.
Meier's mental toughness is not in question and he showed his physical toughness all weekend, making catch after catch in traffic.
I like to make a bold prediction now and then and here's one for you: This wide receiver, in five years, will be held in the same regard as Brian Finneran is now.
Maybe I'm just high on the return of football. I cover this game for a reason and it's because I'm absolutely obsessed with it. And I think the players were a little amped to be back on the field as well.
Chevis Jackson said it best on Sunday:
"It's the start of football season and everybody is excited and ready to go."
The nice weather didn't hurt either, though it was scorching on Friday.
Look at that blue sky in the photo below. We're talking Chamber of Commerce kind of days.
(Myself (green shirt) with a couple of notable members of the local media...and oh yeah, Lawrence Sidbury. [Photo Courtesy of Jimmy Cribb/AtlantaFalcons.com])
Still, there are things to worry about. Peria Jerry's still inactive. William Moore was a last-minute scratch. Jerious Norwood was hobbled a bit on the second day.
But surely I don't have to remind you that the Falcons finished 9-7 last season for the most part without those guys.
All I'm saying is this: It's just three days so temper the enthusiasm.
BUT.
There's a lot to be excited about on the long road to September.
ATLANTA FALCONS OFFSEASON COVERAGE
I always love to hear what you've got to say. Leave a comment or email me for the Weekly Mailbag: jdanielcox@gmail.com. Click "subscribe" to receive emails whenever a new article is posted. Follow me on Twitter.
Comments
Can't! It's the curse of this time of year. Over zealous optimism.
yes, but let's be honest--vick is a big reason blank wants guys who represent the organization well both on and off the field--once bitten twice shy.
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