Past Near Misses have Atlana Fans hoping for a different outcome on Sunday

By J. Terrell Price
The Dirty Word Show

It's easy to understand the apathetic, sometimes "I don't give a damn" nature of Atlanta sports fans, who have experienced more than their fare share of heartache when it comes to their home teams' playoff history. Afterall, the images of Cliff Levingston's ill-advised missed layup in 1988 vs. Boston or Mark Wohlers' slider that didn't quite slide to Jim Leyritz in the '96 World Series are firmly ingrained into this city's conciousness. Throw in a little "Danny White to Drew Pearson" (see - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7duiJm-6o) and maybe a Eugene Robinson on Super Bowl eve, and you have a multitude of stories to tell your children and grandchildren. That is if you don't consider these to be in the category of horror.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons have a chance to reverse some of their own misfortunes and to turn once cynics into believers. They, of course, had their own flirtations with another Atlanta Heartache when they inexplicably turned a comfortable 27-7 fourth quarter lead into a 27-28 deficit in their Divisional Playoff against Seattle last Sunday. Already coming into that game with considerable doubt amongst fans due to their recent playoff failures, the Falcon meltdown felt all too familiar in these parts. So when two precision passes by Matt Ryan set up a game winning field goal by Matt Bryant, many fans didn't know whether to celebrate or call for EMS. Playing in just their third ever NFC Championship Game and a first at home, the Falcons are on the precipice of the biggest sporting event of the year -- Super Bowl XLVII.

The task will not be easy as their opponents from San Francisco enter the game with a stout defense and a suddenly electrifying quarterback in Colin Kaepernick. The Niners signal caller shredded the Green Bay defense in last Saturday's Divisional with a record 181 rushing yards for a QB. Packer defenders were seen some 15 to 20 yards behind Kaepernick on one particular run. That performance, along with the solid reputation of San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh has led many of the prognosticators to favor the Niners. A blatant slap in the face for the 1 seeded Falcons, who were also the underdog to Seattle. Not to mention, this is the franchise that tormented the lowly birds throughout much of the 80's and 90's when the two teams were division rivals. Using the word "rival" generously.

The fans at the Georgia Dome are expected to be boisterous once again, nearing decibles of 115. But if San Francisco has any momentum on their side or threatens to shatter the Falcons' Super Bowl dreams, it may as well be called the Library at the Georgia Dome. That is the biggest source of fear and anxiety that has taken over the emotions of this fanbase. Those past shortcomings have conditioned Atlanta fans to hope for the best, expect the worst and witness the unusual.

If the Falcons win Sunday, and pull off the unthinkable in New Orleans on February 4th, not only will the national perception of Atlanta sports change, but so will the perception inside the perimeter and throughout the state of Georgia. Only experiencing one championship in a combined 154 professonal seaons, a Falcons title could be the biggest accomplishment in a city and state who is used to being left at the altar. Sure, we have the 1995 Braves to reminisce upon, but to have the best team in the most popular sport in America parading down Peachtree would be special. It would also go a long way in changing the attitudes of sports fans in this city. New generation Falcon fans will no longer associate hometown sports with "Loserville USA" but with the marketing slogan and mantra of it's championship football team: RISE UP. It surely can happen. These people deserve it.

The thoughts and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Dirty Word, but of the individual author.

Drew’s passive aggressive approach is hurting Atlanta

By J. Terrell Price

Coming off a humbling 97-58 loss in Chicago, one which included a franchise record setting low for points scored in a half (20) and points in a quarter (5 in the second), the Atlanta Hawks find themselves at a crossroads near the midway point of this 2013 NBA campaign. A season which technically began in July with a franchise overhaul, not seen in these parts since the dismantling of the Mookie Blaylock and Steve Smith era in 1999. Shipping All Star guard Joe Johnson to the newly christened Brooklyn Nets signaled a spectacular beginning for the Danny Ferry regime and an abrupt end to the “Iso Joe” Hawks. Ferry chose to favor a more versatile, shooting oriented squad, which in theory would complement the talents of Josh Smith and Al Horford. The two new cornerstones of this Hawks franchise had previously had their full capabilites stymied in favor of the all-around talents of Johnson. Larry Drew, the Hawks head man, was expected to get the most out them with his “motion style offense” he promised to install upon his hiring in 2010. Yet, here we are in the midst of another season and Josh Smith still has not fully taken advantage of his powerful 6’9” frame, continuing to exhibit spotty shot selection and making ill-advised decisions while leading fast breaks. Horford  has rebounded solidly after a season-ending pectoral injury sidelined him for all but 11 games last year. However, Drew’s lineup shuffling throughout the beginning of the season has Horford and Smith playing at center and  power forward respectively or a position down depending on the matchup. Drew has also dangled three point specialist, Kyle Korver in the starting lineup. Korver, who is shooting at a 43% clip from three has been one of many shooters Ferry brought in to supplement the loss of Joe Johnson’s production in the lineup. Another of the new acquisitions, Lou Williams has gone from sixth man supreme to starting shooting guard, back to sixth man. The lineup changes Larry Drew has put forth have become a source of pregame debate and speculation amongst Hawks fans, who have no idea from game to game what the starting five will be. As the Hawks have gone from a respectable 20-10 to losing 5 of their last 6 tips, Drew has shown a lack of consistency and an inability to make adjustments in game. He apparently has second year starter Jeff Teague on a short leash, constantly pulling him at a moment’s notice in favor of veteran Devin Harris. Teague had his coming out party last season under Drew, but with the myriad of guards on the roster, he is often substituted in favor of a Lou Williams if mistakes are made. More telling than that is the absence of Teague during crucial moments down the stretch in a number of close games , including losses to Detroit, Minnesota and Washington on the road. However, more seasoned veterans Smith, Horford, Williams, and Zaza Pachulia have also had questionable decisions on the floor which have contributed to the recent slide. Yet, Drew seems to give them more autonomy and less bench time. Drew has also seemed to be unsuccessful in motivating his team, as a recent players' only meeting revealed. The meeting was supposed to galvanize the talented, but misguided bunch, but has only seemed to produce more confusion and mistrust. As the Hawks get ready to face their old mate, Joe Johnson and a the suddenly streaking Brooklyn Nets, they are facing more questions than answers. Another loss would almost certainly add another nail in Drew’s coffin.

 

The thoughts and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Dirty Word, but of the individual author.