3-0 #ATL

by: Aryan Javan

It did not look good at the beginning, but the Atlanta Falcons came from behind for the second straight week to top the Dallas Cowboys! The Falcons trailed going into the fourth quarter for the second straight Sunday but managed another victory on the road.

Atlanta got steamrolled early, by the top-rated Cowboys offensive line. Joseph Randle was running wild in the first half and gave the Cowboys a quick 14-0 lead. Atlanta, who trailed the entire first half, was able to linger around with two Devonta Freeman touchdowns and a late-first-half field goal by Matt Bryant. Darren McFadden and Randle were able to find the end zone as well to extend the lead to 28-17. The defense did not look the part as they did in previous games, but they settled down and looked fantastic in the second half! They did what they have done so far all year, swarm to the ball.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones went unconscious in the last 30 minutes of action. The two were in sync like no other as Jones hauled in 12 receptions, 164-yards, two-touchdowns. The crazy thing was he was not the best Falcon out there today. NFL sophomore, Devonta Freeman, had an absolute field day! He finished with a final stateline of 30 carries for 141 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, and five receptions for 52 yards. The dynamic young running back out of Florida State stepped up to the challenge Sunday with his backfield mate, Tevin Coleman (ribs), being out. He looked incredible! Running in between tackles, bouncing to the outside and even catching the ball. Freeman single handedly changed the momentum of this game.

The defense was able to cement the Cowboys offense in the second half. Stop after stop, Cowboys backup quarterback, Brandon Weeden, could not get anything going. An ill-advised pass from Weeden at the beginning of the third quarter gave Atlanta the ball with a short field. Matt Ryan and the Falcons were able to capitalize and cut into the lead 25-28.

This is a Dallas team that is riddled with injuries and they came out strong at the beginning of this game. But Atlanta just wore them down and stuck to the X's and O's of their game. Another great win for the Falcons as they move to 3-0 against the NFC East and 3-0 overall. Atlanta may have a chance to go 5-0 with their next two games at home against opponents with an under .500 record.

The Falcons will host the Houston Texans (1-2) next Sunday, October 4th at 1:00 p.m.

FALCONS 2-0?!?1

by: Aryan Javan

Yes Falcons fans, we are 2-0!

After knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles at home and the New York Giants on the road, the Falcons have improved to their first 2-0 start since 2012. The 2012 season was also the last time the birds made the playoffs (I still hate the 49ers for that by the way).

The most surprising part about this 2-0 start is the Falcons actually look good. Not perfect, but good. The offense finally looks like it has an identity again, led by franchise quarterback Matt Ryan and superstar in the making, Julio Jones. In addition to the skill positions, it looks like we may finally have a stable offensive line (if we can stay healthy). The emergence of rookie running back, Tevin Coleman (who will be out for a couple games with a rib injury), and second-year man, Devonta Freeman, have also finally given Atlanta a running game. The Falcons have been at the bottom of the league in terms of rushing stats for the past two seasons.

The defensive side of the ball has resembled the old Falcons at times during the first two games. But there is something new about them. Something fresh. They swarm to the ball much like that 2012 team that almost went to the Super Bowl (I still hate the 49ers, did I say that already?). We even have been able to force some turnovers. In the Giants game, the defense stood tough in some pivotal moments to get vital stops that our offense needed. The Eagles game we made Sam Bradford uncomfortable in the pocket. Yes, we still got shredded in the secondary, but the point is we got the stops when needed. Which is way different then the Falcons defense from the past two seasons. Bottomline is there is hope.

Head Coach Dan Quinn has already implemented his touch physical brand of football on our Atlanta squad. The emergence of the running game and the new found physicality in the trenches (on both sides of the ball) can directly correlate to the former Seahawks defensive coordinator. He has brought a championship culture and a different vibe to our Atlanta franchise.

The Falcons next opponent is the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys, Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

The Cowboys look to keep their season afloat as they prepare to go without their star quarterback, Tony Romo, who was injured last Sunday in Philly. He will be out with a collarbone injury for multiple weeks, along side star wide receiver, Dez Bryant (foot), and maybe even tight end, Jason Witten (knee/ankle). If the Falcons can get a victory in Dallas that means they will advance to 3-0 against the NFC East opponents (one of the NFL's tougher divisions).

Finesse? The Shift in Sports by AJ Loco

By: Aryan Javan

If you think about it we are at the doorstep of evolution in sports. Guys we all used to look up to are slowly leaving into the sunset. The Kobe Bryant's, the Peyton Manning's, the Derek Jeter's (already gone), and the new wave arrived,  the Steph Curry's, the Andrew Luck's, the Yaisel Pugh's. Their generation is upon us and the changing of the guard is happening. Even guys like LeBron James and Aaron Rodgers are now in their thirties too. The 1990's generation is here and ready to make an impact.

The games have evolved more than ever now; from strength and physicality to finesse and agility. Sports have become way faster then their old school predecessors. People like Michael Jordan and that whole era, I mean, it almost looked like a pick-up game at your local gym. No rules, physical, straight moves, and clutch jumpers. Now-a-days the game has evolved into a fast-tempo-dunk fest and dribbling showcase. The handles have gotten incredible and the dunks more creative and powerful.

The game has changed to a free agent blood bath. No loyalty really remains with one team. I believe the reason for that is the new generation likes to move around. They are more cultural and more open to seeing new places. The new wave likes the concept of teaming up and playing with friends. As to the old days, you were drafted somewhere and you stuck it out for the most part.Thus there were more rivalries because you were seeing the same guys on the same team, over and over and over. The dynasties were formed from chemistry and continuity. For some reason, the young guys now can just team-up play for a couple years, win a couple titles and then leave to start somewhere new.

In football, the games are less physical than before. This is a direct effect of rule changes and regards to player safety, which is good. Yet, football is naturally a violent sport so this of course changes the dynamic of the game. The speed and agileness has taken over as well. Most quarterbacks have the ability to run and throw (Michael Vick in my opinion changed the QB position forever with his running ability). Receivers are all down field threats for the most part. And running backs are used till spent and the next man up. It is all about putting on the moves and going off to the races. Granted there are outliers, like Marshawn Lynch, who still stick with a punishing brand of football. But those type of guys are far and few between. The physicality takes a toll on their bodies.

The NFL and college football for the most part has become pass happy. In the NFL, teams do not waste high draft picks on running backs anymore. They are prone to injuries and teams can find value at that position later in the draft. It is all about finding a "franchise" QB. In some regards this is the same as NBA. In the NBA it is all based on potential and finding the next superstar.  If a player does not produce early and efficiently they are considered a bust. There are guys in the NBA now ages 23-26 who are considered busts. They just maybe have not had the best draw or found the best system yet. Same in the NFL. It is all about the stars now and what team can snag them.

I believe as a result to becoming more of a finesse game compared to a physical game, this is why we are seeing more injuries. People contort and move their bodies in ways thought not humanly possible. A prime example, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. It was almost like his injuries were a result of him being too athletic for his own body. I am not saying that the older generation did not have injuries, but for the most part they were able to gut it out or were not as severe. The athletes these days are so tightly wound up, athletic and lean that there is no bulk or meat to stop major injuries from happening. ACL tears are spreading rampant across the sport's world. This injury is usually career altering and very hard to come back from again. It most be from being so finely tuned physically. The body needs substance besides just straight muscle to properly function.

I truly have noticed this trend the past couple years. I grew up watching football and basketball from 1998 to the present, and you can see how the games have evolved. You can see the difference in how games were played back in the day as to the present. The Seahawks remind me of the old NFL, and that is why they are successful in my opinion. They are not flashy (they make awesome plays though), but just stick to X's and O's and play a physical brand of football. The San Antonio Spurs showed how team basketball and continuity prevails over superstar lineups and the dunk-fest-dribbling showcase. The game maybe changing, but to be a champion teams always go back to the old school roots.