Falcons Watch: 98 Days
June 5th, 2016
The Falcons have a new beast to slide toward Gerald McCoy
Just 98 days until the Buccaneers open the 2016 regular season in the wild-loud cauldron known as the Georgia Dome. Joe will count the days with a regular nugget on the enemy, the Atlanta Falcons.
Yes, the Bucs beat the 8-8 Falcons twice — twice! — last year. Both were very tight games, and the Falcons were no slouches. Remember, it was Atlanta that knocked off the Panthers from their undefeated season in Week 16.
Atlanta made one giant move this offseason, and that was inking 6-4, 315-pound center Alex Mack, the Browns’ first-round pick in 2009. The 30-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler is impressing his new teammates and represents a massive upgrade.
Consider what Pro Bowl fullback Patrick DiMarco said of Mack, per the Falcons’ website.
“The dude is, like, a genius,” Mack said “He’s super smart; he’s a big center, too. He’s a big dude. You see him and think, ‘Wow, this guy has a presence.’ Not only size wise, but he has a presence in his voice with that offensive line group.”
Yes, the Falcons’ O-line is on the rise. Matt Ryan had a more balanced attack last year with Devonta Freeman, and the Bucs will have their hands full in the trenches on opening day.
Mack knows offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s system from his time in Cleveland. So he should hit the ground running against the Bucs.
June 5th, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Falcons are notorious for starting seasons strong and ending poorly. Unfortunately we play them early on
June 5th, 2016 at 8:43 pm
Mike Smith should know Falcons weakness point.
June 5th, 2016 at 9:12 pm
If anyone knows Matt Ryan’s tendencies (and weaknesses) it should be Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith. That should help our defense quite a bit right there.
June 5th, 2016 at 9:46 pm
This season will be the year of our ” edge rushers “, lookout for some serious heat from Robert Ayers, Howard Jones, Noah Spence and Jack Smith.
June 5th, 2016 at 10:09 pm
This will just be another excuse why 93 can’t beat the single-team..
June 6th, 2016 at 12:07 am
we’re screwed untill we get a diffrent D.T..lets face it guys Geraldine is weak cake.smh
June 6th, 2016 at 1:22 am
Yeah Gerald is weak gtfo with that crap
June 6th, 2016 at 2:31 am
No one stops McCoy…they only contain him for a play here and there. The end.
June 6th, 2016 at 2:35 am
Aqib Talib, Joe’s poster boy for a talented player who made a “turnaround”, shot in a night club. Hehe…who honestly didn’t see this coming sooner or later? Trouble follows troublemakers. Can’t get away from that fact.
He need Talib da club befo dis happen! -mama Talib
June 6th, 2016 at 6:17 am
Nothing here for me to chomp on!
June 6th, 2016 at 10:03 am
I believe Alex Mack played in the same division, Jay Hayes coached in, not worried, if anybody knows him, it would be Hayes