SB Nation Atlanta - NFL Top 100: Roddy White Gives Falcons League-High Five Players On Listhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-06-20T21:30:37-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19625552011-06-20T21:30:37-04:002011-06-20T21:30:37-04:00NFL Top 100 Players: Roddy White Declared Top Falcons Player, No. 24 Overall
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<p>Could it really have been anyone else?</p>
<p>In the most recent installment of the top 100 countdown, Roddy was dubbed No. 24 on the massive <a href="http://top100.nfl.com" target="_blank">best-of-the-best list over at NFL.com</a>. With that, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a> now have five players in the top 100, which at this point is tied for the most players on the list from any one team (the other teams with five are the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a> and the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cowboys</a>).</p>
<p>That ranking puts Roddy ahead of some fantastic receivers as well, including <span>Greg Jennings</span>, <span>Brandon Marshall</span>, <span>Dwayne Bowe</span>, <span>Reggie Wayne</span>, and <span>Calvin Johnson</span>. It seems he's finally getting the recognition he deserves as an elite, game-changing wideout in the NFL.</p>
<p>As far as his performance goes, there really isn't much you can say about Roddy that hasn't already been said. He's coming off of his <b>fourth </b>straight season of over 1100 yards receiving. He lead the league in receptions with 115 big ones, 10 of which went for touchdowns. <span>Roddy White</span> was a one-man defensive wrecking crew on the field in 2010.</p>
<p>If you dig a little deeper, it turns out that he was even more impressive than those numbers indicate. Over the course of the season, Roddy was targeted 179 times, more than any other receiver. His 2.63 Win Probability Added (WPA), which measures a player's impact toward his team winning or losing, was almost a point higher than any other wideout in the league.</p>
<p>There were times when he clearly looked like the best guy out there on the field, which says something if you're in the NFL. Sure to go down as a Falcons all-time great, he truly is one of the best players the game has to offer today.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons, check out <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com" target="_blank">The Falcoholic</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/6/20/2234288/roddy-white-nfl-top-100-atlanta-falconsTurnerTheBurner2011-06-07T09:01:10-04:002011-06-07T09:01:10-04:00NFL Top 100 Players: Michael Turner Rumbles In At No. 42
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<p>As expected, Falcons star running back Michael Turner has now been included among the players named on <a href="http://top100.nfl.com/">the NFL Network's "Top 100" list</a>, becoming the fourth Falcon to do so. With that No. 42 ranking, it places Turner ahead of three very talented backs in Darren McFadden, Frank Gore and Ray Rice.</p>
<p>Via NFL.com, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d8202eb99/Top-100-Michael-Turner">Bears DE Adewale Ogunleye shares some kind words of praise for our running back</a>, talking about how Turner has been a fantastic workhorse back during his tenure in Atlanta. Ogunleye also mentions Turner's legendary super-thighs, just as so many NFL commentators have before him. We agree, Mr. Ogunleye, his thighs are pretty awesome.</p>
<p>In 2010, Turner had himself yet another successful season in Atlanta. After dealing with a high ankle sprain that hindered him for a good part of 2009, the Burner bounced back to rack up 1371 yards on the ground and 12 rushing TD's while starting all 16 games for the Falcons. His success on the ground and ability to score often was the key to victory, with the Falcons going 13-0 in games where Turner scored a rushing TD.</p>
<p>While it wasn't the anything like his 2008 season, Turner carried the load for the offense, "put the team on his back" if you will. His numbers were solid, and his presence remains invaluable for our team.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons, join </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic.</a></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/6/7/2210898/michael-turner-atlanta-falcons-nfl-top-100TurnerTheBurner2011-06-06T09:01:08-04:002011-06-06T09:01:08-04:00NFL Network's Top 100 Players: Tony Gonzalez Sitting Pretty At No. 46
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<p>As <a href="http://top100.nfl.com/">the countdown continues into the top 50 players</a>, we find ourselves dealing with some serious superstar players. Tony G finds himself in some pretty great company, ranked among the likes of Wes Welker, Robert Mathis, Brian Urlacher, and fellow Falcon Matt Ryan. As far as tight ends are concerned, he is ranked well ahead of only two others on the list so far: Vernon Davis and Dallas Clark.</p>
<p>Couresty of NFL.com, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d8202e8ea/Top-100-Tony-Gonzalez" target="_blank">we get to hear some pretty high praise for our Hall-of-Fame tight end</a> coming from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The man was a simply a matchup nightmare throughout his career, but was also a shining example of turning in consistently great play year in and year out.</p>
<p>Still, although I deeply love Tony Gonzalez, you have to consider: should he really be ranked that high? Did his recent numbers really justify him being ranked several spots above Clark and Davis?</p>
<p>Before I'm burned at the stake, here are some numbers from 2010 for thought:<br><br><strong>2010: 70 rec, 656 yds receiving, 6 TDs, 9.4 yds/rec<br><br></strong>That is his lowest single season reception and yards total since 1998. It is also the lowest yards-per-catch average of his career. Compare that to 49ers TE Vernon Davis:</p>
<p><strong>2010: 56 rec, 914 yds receiving, 7 TDs, 16.3 yds/rec</strong></p>
<p>Factor in that the guy throwing to Davis for most of the year was Alex Smith and you really can't justify ranking Davis 42 spots lower than Gonzalez. But alas, this is probably simply a case of Gonzo's fantastic career numbers and reputation outweighing a sub-par season (for him, anyways).</p>
<p>Regardless of his ranking, however, Gonzalez has had an absolutely fantastic career in the NFL. Often times we as fans (myself included) can be hard on guys who have set the bar so high for themselves. Even though he may be getting up in age, he can still be an impact tight end in 2011. Clearly, this is one Atlanta Falcon whose performance has not been overlooked.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Falcons, join <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/" target="_blank">The Falcoholic</a>.</em></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/6/6/2208819/tony-gonzalez-nfl-network-top-100-playersTurnerTheBurner2011-06-03T09:00:55-04:002011-06-03T09:00:55-04:00NFL Network's Top 100 Players: Matt Ryan Ranks No. 52, Well Ahead Of Joe Flacco
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<p>In one of the most recent installments of the NFL Network's ongoing "Top 100" countdown, the Falcons' very own Matt Ryan was voted in as the 52nd best player in the NFL. That ranking beats out fellow top 100 quarterbacks Tony Romo, Josh Freeman, Joe Flacco and Donovan Mcnabb. That also doesn't even take into count potential QB snubs like Eli Manning, Jay Cutler, or even Matt Schaub.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d81fc88c4/Top-100-Bonus-Matt-Ryan" target="_blank">In nfl.com's interview with coach Mike Smith</a> about Ryan's abilities as an NFL QB, Smitty went so far as to call him "the most competitive quarterback I have ever been around." Fans and analysts alike hail "Matty Ice" for his cool mentality and his ability to come through in the clutch, but you only need to look at the improvement from 2009 to 2010 to know that Matt Ryan means business.</p>
<p><strong>2009:</strong> 263 completions, 2916 yards passing, 22 TD, 14 INT, 58.3 comp%</p>
<p><strong>2010</strong>: 357 completions, 3705 yards passing, 28 TD, 9 INT, 62.5 comp%</p>
<p>Now, we do have to take everything in stride and remind ourselves that this is a very subjective list. However, this recognition is certainly a nice reminder to Atlanta fans that the Falcons clearly have an elite quarterback on their hands, and one that will be around for a long time at that.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Falcons, check out <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/" target="_blank">The Falcoholic</a>.</em></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/6/3/2204266/matt-ryan-atlanta-falcons-nfl-network-top-100TurnerTheBurner2011-05-31T15:49:05-04:002011-05-31T15:49:05-04:00NFL Network's Top 100 Players Countdown: John Abraham Shows Up At No. 69
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<p>In the midst of an NFL news deadzone, further compounded by no new developments in the most recent round of labor litigation, we turn to the good folks at the NFL Network and NFL.com for an intriguing list. In a time when many aspects of the NFL are still quite uncertain, one thing fans can still count on is the annual <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011" target="_blank">"The Top 100" segment showcased by NFL Network during every offseason</a>. As part of the program the network dedicates a video segment, complete with commentary by a fellow NFL player or coach, to each player recognized as being one of the top 100 players for the upcoming 2011 season.</p>
<p>The first <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> player to be named, coming in at No. 69 on the list, is All-Pro DE <span>John Abraham</span>. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2011/09000d5d81fadbbe/Top-100-Bonus-John-Abraham" target="_blank">In Abraham's video segment</a>, Falcons teammate OT <span>Tyson Clabo</span> weighs in on Abe's uncanny ability send opposing QB's to the turf time and time again. </p>
<p>The selection isn't all that surprising when you consider that Abraham posted a double-digit sack total for the sixth time in his career, with 13.0 big ones in 2010. What's more impressive though is the fact that Abe came through in the clutch when the team needed him most, with 5.0 of his 13.0 sacks coming in the last two minutes of the half. Ultimately, he finished with almost half of the Falcons' team sack total of 31.0.</p>
<p>But if the numbers don't speak for themselves, then the highlight reel certainly does. John Abraham is a monster, and throughout 2010 Atlanta's entire pass rush constantly relied on him. He certainly deserves to be included among these players, and it's nice to see the media give him his due credit.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Falcons, join <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/" target="_blank">The Falcoholic</a>.</em></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/5/31/2335927/nfl-networks-top-100-players-countdown-john-abraham-shows-up-at-no-69TurnerTheBurner