FalconAlley Football

Competition Continues in Preseason Game 2

Atlanta 13 / Pittsburgh 17

August 22, 2017

Allison Smith

No big surprises Sunday during the second Atlanta Falcons preseason game. Once again, the first team offense came out on fire. After the defense caused a 3 and out for the Pittsburg Steelers, the offense took 10 plays and just over 4 minutes to score on their opening drive once again. Terron Ward ran in a 5-yard touchdown. Ward is definitely making his argument for the 3^rd running back spot. Granted, Brian Hill, is playing with weaker blockers, but he is still not making great moves to prove his draft day statement of “being the best running back in the draft.”

Another draft pick that is not helping himself so far is Eric Saubert. Saubert had 4 penalties in 2 preseason games with limited catches for his targets. The tight end spot is really Austin Hooper’s to lose, and not looking like anyone is going to give him much competition at this point.

There were 13 different receivers this week, most hauling in catches from 3^rd string, Matt Sims, who played most of the game. Interesting note, nearly all of the passes were for over 10 yards. Looks like the coaching staff is getting some good looks at the offense, as both Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel were in street clothes for the game.

The second offensive possession for the Steelers was the same as the first, another 3 and out. Duke Riley and Grady Jarrett were not letting anything happen. On the opening drive, Jarrett had a strip sack, which was ruled an incomplete pass, to force the Steelers first punt of the day. In limited playing time, Jarrett was swarming the ball and making ball carriers regret their carries. Riley finished with 2 tackles and 2 assists and was alert and focused enough to collect and down the blocked punt. Riley is living up to his hype.

Another defensive rookie that is living up to his hype is Damontae Kazee. From his corner spot, he had 3 tackles on the day and was contributing well on special teams, until going out with a sprained ankle. He had issues in training camp with his ankle, nothing too serious, but he will not play against Arizona on Saturday.

Possibly the most shocking statement I will ever say is, Falcons Special Teams is failing. Don’t worry, I don’t mean our dependable long snapper, or either of the Matt’s, but the rest of the squad was not having a good day. Whether allowing punt returns for touchdowns or allowing Matt Bosher’s punt to be blocked, the overall coverage was suspect at best. I am sure that Keith Armstrong will remedy this situation quickly. Realize that many rookies, drafted and undrafted, are seeing special teams time. The two players helping themselves the most with good returns are two locals, hometown favorite Reggie Davis out of Georgia and Andre Roberts from the Citadel. Davis also had 3 receptions for 74 yards, one impressive 44-yard catch.

Takk McKinley finally saw some playing time, and by that I mean 10 plays. While Takk did not log a tackle, he looked good, was getting in some good blocking and hits. Look forward to seeing him play more against Arizona.

Overall, the defense was fast and constantly moving the quarterbacks off their spots. And a week after De’Vondre Campbell’s interception, he causes a Pittsburg fumble, but the Falcons were unable to recover the ball in bounds.

The right guard battle is still tight with Wes Schweitzer getting the start this week, but sharing time with Ben Garland. I wonder if Head Coach Dan Quinn will actually name a right guard for the season, or they will divide playing time, as Garland is extremely versatile as a back-up center and occasionally helping out on defense.

In the end, it was the second preseason game, which is all about evaluations and after the first half a little rough to watch. Look out, the official opening of The Benz is Saturday, August 26^th, game 3, where the starter will likely play into the 2^nd half and the Benz will be rocking. Look for the largest crowd for a preseason game in the NFL this year.

#RiseUp

Cover Photo: Atlanta Falcons

Welcome the The Benz Nest

August 19, 2017

Yes, that is what I plan to call the brand new and shiny Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, unless someone comes up with a better tag name. None of us have said “Georgia” next to “Dome” in years.

For a full live tour of the stadium, check out our YouTube channel, Falcon Alley24, where I break down the levels and sections in 7, yes, 7, videos as I tour and commentate the sites.

August 19, 2017 will be a day to remember. Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, opened his second home to season ticket holders of the Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons. The best way to describe my day is WOW and THANK YOU Mr. Blank.

Mr. Blank said he wanted a fan focused stadium, well, he certainly delivered. I walked in through Falcons Landing and past the Georgia Dome into the front entrance. Once you pass through security and scan your own ticket, there is a huge open area where the band, cheerleaders, Freddie Falcon, and Felicia, the massive iron falcon, are located. I entered the actual stadium, and if not for seeing the field, would not know I was at a stadium.

The first view is the field ahead of you and Molly B’s to the right. Molly B’s, was of course, named for Mr. Blank’s mother. It has 2 sections of restaurant seating, one of which directly overlooks the field. There are numerous concessions around all levels of the stadium, specialty foods, burgers and dogs, ice cream, even a health food kiosk. And, as promised, every turn is a drink fountain where you can refill your own sodas all day long. There are also recycling containers throughout the stadium, and restrooms around every corner. Did I mention the 2000 TV’s?

Realizing The Benz was not at capacity, there were enough people there to understand the game day concept. All of the first level restaurants and amenities were open and operating, and many at each of the other levels were as well. There are living room set ups with huge tvs in several locations, to include additional screens at the bottom of the main screen which I imagine will show additional games of interest each week. There are lounge areas, charging stations, and standing tables throughout the entire stadium. This should definitely allow fans to come in and eat comfortably early and be ready and seated by game time. You can also eat at a myriad of locations while watching the game at the standing bars around the stadium, again, on all levels.

Speaking of bars, every liquor type seems to be covered and have an inserted bar along the way. Each of these looked like its very own bar that happens to be inside a stadium.

If you want a break from the game, you can check the city view from several locations on each level. The window views of the city are incredible and definitely open up the already huge stadium even more. There are also many photo opportunities, a Budweiser tower, a football field covering a wall, Atlanta United life size coin, and many more. Or, visit the 200 level for the DJ station, where there are tunes and contests, and maybe some celebrity visits.

The main team store is on the main level, but there are large kiosk stores on the other levels as well, so you cannot miss an opportunity to shop.

If you are disappointed to be on the 300 level, do not be. You can take the escalators or elevators (or dreaded stairs – which actually have great views of the city or the lower level crowds), to the level with all the fun. The 300 level includes 2 Sky Bridges and the already famed 100 Yard Club. The sky bridges are over the main entrance, do not contain seating, and provide an incredible view of the field and entire stadium, again, with shelved bars to stand and eat and drink and enjoy the day.

The 100 Yard Club has 9 columns spotlighting players and Head Coach Dan Quinn. I am not sure if these will change periodically, but for now the players spotlighted are Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Deion Jones, Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley, Jr., Matt Ryan, Desmond Trufant, and Alex Mack. All 4 sides of each column contain pictures and information about the player, their life, an impactful quote, charity work, etc. There are also stadium seats next to the walls between each entrance to the seats, several concession stands, standing eating tables, soda refill stations, and condiment tables throughout this section, that is all on top of a football field painted floor.

I missed the signings, but several Falcon legends were on hand to see the sites and sign autographs for fans as well. I did have a quick run in, almost literally as I was periscope walking, with Ovie Mughelli. Kudos to those that ran across the signings, I heard Ovie, Michael Turner, Michael Jenkins, Rod Coleman and others were there.

Last, but not least, the seats are bigger and more comfortable than the Georgia Dome. Depending on your location, you may have padded seating, cup holders are on the seat in front of you – or on your arm rest, and some arm rests are movable. There is, literally, not a seat in the house that you cannot see everything, the highly touted halo board, the field, the city, everyone else. I was at the stadium for nearly 4 hours and still did not see everything, although I put in a good effort. Mercedes Benz and Delta have ground level sections. Inside includes a lounge and restaurant area, outside, they are fenced in, just behind the sideline.

Special thanks to the Atlanta Falcons for hosting this great event, so that we could all come in and find our seats, see all the sites, and make plans for game day. Now, on September 17, we will all be ready to head in, eat, and be in our seats in plenty of time to cheer for our Falcons over the cheeseheads of Green Bay.

BRING ON THE SEASON!!!

Be sure to check the links on our home page for our YouTube channel and Facebook page for the video tour and pictures.

#RiseUp

DRAFT EXCITEMENT COMES TO THE ATL

Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

By Allison Smith

There was lots of excitement for the new Atlanta Falcons during the 2017 NFL Draft in late April. The Falcons ended with 6 picks, which they split equally between additions on offense and defense.

Falcons 2017 Draft Class

1 – 26: Takkarist McKinley, DE from UCLA; 6’2, 250 lbs
3 – 75: Duke Riley, LB from LSU; is 6’0, 232 lbs
4 – 136: Sean Harlow, T from Oregon State; 6’4, 303 lbs
5 – 149: Damontae Kazee, DB from San Diego State; 5’10, 184 lbs
5 – 156: Brian Hill, RB from Wyoming; 6’1, 219 lbs
5 – 174: Eric Saubert, TE from Drake; 6’5, 253 lbs

Takkarist McKinley, will forever be known as the emotional, f bomb dropping draft pick, unintentionally creating his own catch phrase, “Fine Me Later.” All I know is that this kid WANTS to play and prove himself and make his promises to his grandmother come true. In pure class fashion, Takk has pinned an apology to his Twitter page, which is still there as we wrap Training Camp.

Takk is known for his pass rushing skills and actually getting to the quarterback, compiling 10 sacks in 2016 alone. He had 61 tackles, 18 for loss in his final year at UCLA. Takk immediately began referencing Falcons players like Vic Beasley and others from which he is eager and ready to learn. He also said, “It’s a brotherhood. I’m so excited to be home.”

Second, we add our 3^rd LSU player in as many years. Duke Riley was the team captain and leading tackler his senior year and rejoins the previous holder of those titles, Deion Jones. Jalen Collins was the LSU pick the previous season. When Riley heard his name called, he immediately jumped up in excitement to be a “Dirty Bird.” Duke assured Head Coach Dan Quinn and General Manager, Thomas Dimitroff, that “You guys got the best guy in the draft.” Riley had 93 tackles in 2016 and is known for making plays, playing sideline to sideline, and having high football IQ.

To add to the offensive line competition this year, the Falcons added Tackle Sean Harlow, likely be converted to Guard. Harlow’s size will be a definite benefit, at 6’4, 305 pounds, he is within an inch and 5 pounds of the rest of the members of the O line and was recruited out of high school by new OC Steve Sarkisian. Harlow is excited to join the Falcons as well, “I’m at a loss of words. I’m excited to be around great players and learn from them.”

Cornerback Damontae Kazee, also, super happy to be a Falcon. “Words can’t explain how I feel right now. I almost already took a flight out there.” Kazee was a MW Defensive Player of the Year, holds the SDSU record for interceptions at 17 and is known to force fumbles. The Falcons noted that Kazee is tough, aggressive, and fiery.

The Falcons then added a running back out of Wyoming. Brian Hill ran for 4,287 yards and 35 touchdowns. He is big and athletic and self-noted, “I am the best running back in the draft.” Lots of flash coming to The Atl. Quinn noted that Hill has “The strength to be a solid 3rd down pass blocker, like a fullback, he runs angry.” Likely to start with special teams and see if he can work his way on to the already stacked running back squad.

The Falcons wrapped their draft with Eric Saubert, a Tight End from Drake. He had 111 catches and 17 touchdowns in his final two seasons. Echoing what many other draft picks said, “I can’t wait to get out there with Matt Ryan, it’s a blessing.” Dimitroff said Saubert has the opportunity “To be an explosive tight end in our scheme.”

DQ seemed overall pleased with the 2017 draft, noting that the defensive side added “Speed, athleticism,” and overall acquired “explosive, speed, competitive, grittiness” and got the on and off the field personalities that would fit in to this Brotherhood.

It took quite a while, but I am now able to move on from the game that will not be mentioned here and be excited about 2017 and our future. Whether these guys have swagger, confidence, or something to prove, I think this is our Super Bowl WINNING season. You will soon learn, I am a huge Clemson fan and saw how they recovered to return and win the 2^nd time around. When I am right next February – remember FalconAlley said it first.

For a more detailed recap of the draft, check out our YouTube Channel Falcon Alley24.

#InQuinnWeTrust #Brotherhood