Birdseed: June 12, 2009
When your parents live out of state, holidays take a little planning.
Father’s Day is coming up in just more than a week and I’m starting to think of some gift ideas for my dad, including options to be delivered on a later date (the whole out-of-state thing). For the “Falcon Dad,” I’ll point out a deal on Falcons365.
So, before we get into the rush of next week I thought I’d dedicate this “Birdseed” to dads around the world.
In thinking about fathers and the impact of being a dad, my mind wandered to (where else) sports. A father’s love and guidance is a powerful thing.
This game came to mind…
I remember watching the 1996 NBA Finals more than some other league championships. Not sure why, but Michael Jordan playing in his first Finals after his father’s death hit an emotional chord with me.
It wasn’t the best game of his career, but it was the Jordan everyone expected and the Bulls won the title.
Since then I’ve seen several sporting events on Father’s Day, particularly new or old dads winning a U.S. Open title on their special day.
Just subtle reminders that athletes are fathers, too.
Tweeting from a Cheer Shoot, Tight Spirals
Had to leave the cheerleader photo shoot early yesterday, but the rest of the AF.com team keeps things covered.
Hutchins itching to contribute to Falcons, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Von Hutchins could be a wild card in the Falcons revamped secondary. If he’s 100 percent, the position gets deeper and more versatile.
NFL’s top franchise players under 30, FoxSports.com
I agree with everything here, especially the note about Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons are looking to make a move into elite territory.
Ultimate Building Blocks: NFC South, ESPN.com
Interesting concept in this blog post. I can think of nothing better to spark discussion and thoughts of the future (that’s what GMs do) for the offseason.
Double trouble: Tandem backfields sweeping NFL, NESN.com
Let’s think about this “carries per game” thing. I’m the first to keep an eye out for player health and longevity. But, considering the narrow windows teams in the NFL have to navigate for success, you need to give the ball to your best players — as many times as he can handle.
Falcons in a fighting mood, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Believe me, more things happen at practice than scuffles.
New expectations follow Ryan, Falcons in second season, AccessNorthGa.com
I don’t believe in sophomore slumps. In fact, my sophomore year in college was pretty good. Of course, that may be because I was able to schedule two days off during the week to go play golf. On second thought, forget this analogy.
Q&A with … Falcons coach Mike Smith, The Sporting News
Random headline ellipses. Nice.
Get to know rookie Chris Owens, Gainesville Times
Thoughts on football, life and the NBA Finals from a Falcons rookie.
Ranking the NFC South defensive backs, ESPN.com
This reflects many of the unknown aspects of the Falcons secondary. It’s not unexpected, so get used to more until the team takes the field and shows what its got.
Lofton ready to take leadership role on defense, AF.com
“The offense gets a lot of publicity and notoriety and they deserve that but don’t overlook this defense,” Lofton said. “We have a lot of young guys that started for us last year and really didn’t know what they were doing. This year we’re into the system and we know what we’re doing. I think we’re going to shock some people on defense with how good we are.”
Ranking the NFC South linebackers, ESPN.com
Speaking of linebackers… Falcons one of two teams in the division with all projected starters ranked in the top 10.
Davis speaks to youth about school bullying, AF.com
And to think, how many players do stuff in the community that doesn’t make its way into the media? More than you think.
Leaving Their Mark, J. Mike’s Missives
This was more than an excuse to work on my video editing skills, it’struly one of the cool things that goes on around The Branch.
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Falcons Released Michael Vick.
Well every football fan we have talked to about Micheal Vick said they will be will to watch him play football anywhere and anytime. He has served his time (which never should have been more than 2 months) and we will welcome him back with open eyes and great cheers. He is a foot ball player, many decent people place a needle in a dogs arm and put them to sleep every day, just because they can’t feed them or find them a hope. Send them all to jail, but for Micheal Vick, we want to watch him play football and give him the same treatment as our forgiven movie stars who still satisfy our urges to watch a movie. Give Micheal Vick his football on another time and on Sunday we will watch him play for that time “So Long Falcons” We came to watch Micheal Vick.
I think I speak for real FALCON fans when I say that we will not miss those of your ilk at all in the stands. Those who would put a single player on a pedestal, and forsake the TEAM in defense of that players self-inflicted woes, are not football fans much less Falcons fans to begin with. Further, your analogy to the euthanasia of unwanted animals is both ludicrous and baseless. Not only does no-one in their right mind take pleasure in the practice of euthanasia, but it is by far the most humane practice to deal with animals who have no-one to care for them. ANYONE, including your man Vick, who bankrolls and takes pleasure in the torturing, maiming, and killing of innocent animals does deserve the fullest penalty of law as it applies to animal cruelty and breaking Federal prohibitions on the acts he CHOSE to participate in. I suppose the tried and true reference to hunters will be next on your feeble mind, so let me put that to rest as well. If Vick had purchased a State issued license, harvested the animals in the most humane way possible, and then processed the animals for human consumption, I’m sure I would not feel the vitriol for him that I do. Nor would I feel he had been treated fairly, if only that were the case! I’m glad that he served his just punishment. The fact that he lost his wealth in the process is simply the cost of such an immoral and reprehensible act. I hope that he does get another opportunity in the league, despite my presumption that he only regrets getting caught. So GO! Go watch Your MAN(?) elsewhere!
We will be right here. Supporting our TEAM and our City!
GO FALCONS! GO ATLANTA!
Vick’s done his time..now lets move on. While I do not condone all of Vicks actions in fighting dogs I never heard any mention of the other folks who were fighting dogs against him or those who came to watch the “sport” Football players are people first and athletes second we all make mistakes – he’s paid for his and I for one wish him well and would love to see him make a great comeback and have an awesome career.