Please tune in tomorrow (Friday) morning on WQXI 11Alive for a small reunion of a few Dirty Birds. Joining me tomorrow will be none other than Jessie “Hammer” Tuggle, Chuck Smith & OJ Santiago!

We will be on SUPER early (around 6:15am) with Karyn Greer of 11Alive! Been awhile since we all shared the camera together, and I cannot wait. Topics of discussion will be our Super Bowl, the upcoming Super Bowl & of course the Falcons.

Tune in if you can!

Thanks!

Additionally, I will be on ShopNBC February 14th, 2012 for Imperious Watches! I will post more specifics as the day draws closer.

Check out some pictures from my shoot.

I will be appearing on CNN’s “Starting Point” with Sanjay Gupta around 7:30am today. Soleded O’Brien is the host. We’ll be discussing the reported targeting of Kyle Williams by the New York Giants based on Williams concussion history.

Additionally, we will discus the NFL’s ongoing issues with concussions, in general. Please tune in if your able.

Thanks!

Dirty Bird

Legends, Icons, Leaders….Athletes!

Can you name them all? You should be able.

Jam

Since so many websites posted about this, I thought you should here my complete 32 cents about Hakeem Nicks, and the Dirty Bird. I can assure you one thing, I did not expect to see the Dirty Bird in the end zone on Sunday. Especially not from a Giant. I was watching the game with my Mom, who is rarely with me on such occasions, making this even crazier. Once I saw Hakeem Nicks start what I instantly recognized, I looked at my Mom and typed my reaction on twitter, which was beamed around the country. NO HE DIDN’T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (9 letters + 23 exclamation points)

A few things. To be clear, Nicks doing the Dirty Bird was a slap to the face of her the current Falcons playing. I know people thought I would be angry with Nicks, and frankly, seeing the Dirty Bird done against the Falcons isn’t something I enjoy. I do however recognize the fact, and I said as much, that Nicks had a bunch of people talking about a touchdown celebration I stared over a decade ago. A catch 32 if you will. Further, I wasn’t surprised Nicks knew the dance well. Nicks is from North Carolina, he has surely seen it many times in the end zone against the Panthers! Also can’t hurt to have a teammate who has done it, egging you on!

Now back to the current Falcons, who still call themselves, and are called the “Dirty Birds” by fans all over. Rightfully so, as me and my teammates are proud of have started a tradition. Another reason, a more likely one, an opponent may want to do the dance. The dance is linked to the name, but the Dirty Bird is more than a celebration. IT IS AN ATTITUDE of the way you play. The celebration just topping, if you will. Dirty South, Dirty Birds. Thing is, this is not a team that celebrates in the end zone. Outside of an Ovie effort earlier this year, none do any version of a Dirty Bird. I get tweets nearly every single day asking me to teach the current players the dance. I usually reply telling people it’s not up to me, nor does it bother me one bit the Dirty Bird isn’t done anymore. Not one bit. However, I like to think that the first person who does break it out consistently, in addition to stand out play, will have this cities heart. This is the ATL, Black Hollywood, housewifeville, and home to the Dirty Birds. Folks like substance with flash here.

Again, I don’t like seeing the Dirty Bird against the Falcons, but the lasting memory is respectful to this Dirty Birds career. As a friends email said to me. “Why don’t they do Deion’s dance? He’s Got a banner in the dome, and he’s clearly one of the best to ever play.” I guess you should aim higher guys, and leave my Dirty Bird celebration alone! Ha.

This is not the best version, but here you go….

Dirty Bird

Jam

“Atlanta Falcons are a nice team, thats made it three of the last four years (Playoffs)….. Unfortunately they’ve got no right moving on, they should be ashamed of themselves… You’ve got to be able man up against the best teams.” And with those words, Chris Berman summed up the Falcons latest playoff exit. Man up. Yes, he said that.

I guess we cannot be surprised. Failing two convert on TWO fourth down conversions. You’ll get a lot of that rhetoric. What appeared on the onset to look like a good match up turned completely one-sided as the Falcons were shown the door for the third time in four years. I tweeted my shock yesterday at the ineffectiveness of an offense with so many weapons. I not lost anymore, just disappointed in a unit that produces so little in a major situation. A four thousand yard passer, a thirteen hundred yard rusher, (two) thousand yard receivers, plus a first ballot Hall of Fame tight end, ZERO points.

When I think back to how great Tony Gonzalez has been, it saddens me to see another awful playoff exit. And what of the QB we call Matty Ice? Well, he appears to thaw out in the worst possible ways in the playoffs. Here’s the thing, IF you owned season tickets to the Falcons
the past four years, chances are you went home from the Dome with a big smile on your face. You can discount that Matt Ryan wins an awful lot at home. Playoffs, not so. Two of three have been on the road. To win a title, you have to be able to win on the road. WIN ON THE ROAD.
I think those days can come for Ryan, I am just as sure the Falcons are praying for as much.

A tale of two games for the Falcons defensively. They started aggressively, and tapered off just as aggressively. Additionally, we learned they have lost their coordinator, Brian Van Goerter. Timing is everything, and well, maybe it was his time. I am confident if the fact the Falcons have good young linebackers in Weatherspoon & Lofton. Grimes being absent hurt, but you can’t make excuses, you have to make plays. Clearly, that did not happen.

Let me give credit to the New York Giants for their victory yesterday. Eli Manning once again showed up in a big way for the Giants. Brandon Jacobs, Hakeem Nicks and a stingy Giants defense that was ready to play. With dominant defensive front reminiscent of their last Super Bowl run we’ll see if the Giants can beat the Packers. At least they get a shot, and they have earned it.

Disappointing performance yesterday, there is no doubt. Still, If you are a Falcon fan don’t despair, there is no doubt in my mind that this organization is intent on winning consistently, and reaching the upper echelon of NFL teams.

I co-hosted a podcast over at SkinnyPost.com with Steve O’Reilly. We broke down each game, and picked the winners.

Give it a listen!

Thanks

You really couldn’t ask for a better situation tonight, if you were playing in this game! Showdown is correct, as the Falcons face the Saints tonight in the Superdome. They have secured playoff births, BUT, the division title is still on the line. In addition, Drew Brees is merely 305 yards from breaking Dan Marino’s single season passing record. All the elements are set for a great game.

No, 300 yards is not necessarily easy, but considering Brees has failed to reach that level only twice this year, it is a Brees norm. Therein lies the challenge for the Falcons, stopping Brees. Especially given the health of Brent Grimes, the Falcons premier corner. Clearly his return/health are key for the Dirty Birds. The other keys to victory for the Falcons against the Saints have not changed since the arrival of #9. Run the ball well (Turner/Rodgers) with Matt Ryan being sharpe, are a must. Of course, Stopping Brees means the defense must play well. The aforementioned Grimes, Sean Weatherspoon, and Abraham must play well.

Be clear, this is a heated rivalry that is only getting hotter lately as the teams are experiencing franchise first with respect to their level of victories, and notoriety.

We all know what occurred last time. If you’re a Falcon fan, a very disappointing 4th down failed conversion that cost you at home. Could there be anymore subplots tonight? The Saints & Brees are hot, and undefeated this year at home. However, the Falcons match up very well. A question of will, and who wants it more, and which teams star players shine brightest under the Monday night lights. The Falcons must be consistent all four quarters, and they must be the more physical team. MUST!

Saints vs Falcons, I am ready…..Are you?

Jam

Press conference prior to “Thriller in Manilla”.

That young man over Ali’s left shoulder is my father, James Anderson.