Falcons @ Detroit:

Hey folks, sorry I did not post anything last week I was out of town.  I wonder if anyone noticed?? HA.  Last weeks win againt the Carolina Panthers was a much needed win after that performance againt the Packers.  I really liked our overall gameplan against the Panthers.  Sticking to the run game and what has been our key cog over the last couple of successful seasons.  The Burner Turner turned in one of his best efforts of the season, but honestly he probably could have had numerous games like that had we not gotten down so early in games this year.  Despite their poor record Carolina has a very talented team that is on the come up in terms of learning how to win in the NFL.  That being said it was still another victory against a losing team which is becoming a trend for this seasons Falcons.  NOT a good trend to have.  This Sunday against the upstart Detroit Lions will be a whole different affair!!

Food:
This week I am going with a recipe that I think would be more popular with a warm weather game, but I was craving it!  One of the things that made my man Forrest Gump oh so popular, SKRIMP.  Beer boiled shrimp is something that is not hard to prepare at all and is good for a tailgate because it can feed a lot of people.  Here is a quick list of the items that you would need to prepare the shrimp:
-6 pack of good beer (NOT busch light)
-2 lbs. of large shrimp (Don't shell them)
-2 to 3 bay leaves
-1 tbsp. of coriander seeds
-Salt & pepper
-You can either buy some cocktail sauce or make your own depending on how much horseradish you like

Start by washing the shrimp in cold water.  This recipe can be done at home but also very easily at your tailgate spot.  Over the grill you would just need to bring a pot big enough to fit on the grill.  In the large pot you can go ahead and pour in your 6 pack of beer along with the coriander seeds, bay leaves, and salt/pepper.  Once it is brought to a boil you can turn down the heat and let everything simmer for about 10 minutes or so.  Dump those delicious jumbo shrimp in there and crank the heat back up to a boil.  Shrimp do not take very long to cook, roughly 2 to 3 minutes, and you can tell that they are cooked by them turning pink.  After they are done it is up to you if you want to serve them hot or cold.  It does not really matter because they are good any way, but I prefer them cold.  One display I liked was throwing over some ice for everyone to start picking at them with your cocktail sauce already set up.  I hope this is an easy recipe for you and it should be a hit with all of your fellow tailgaters.  Plus its SKRIMP, damn delicious!!

Falcons game:
Reviewing our schedule before the season and I saw the Detroit game, at Ford Field, befor the bye week and honestly did not really know what to make of it.  I didn't know if I was scared of it or already marking it down as a loss given their recent terrible history.  Detroit had its share of struggles last season but any football fan could see that they were definitely improving under the system that coach Schwartz had implemented.  With the return of both a healthy Stafford and the mammoth beast they call Suh it is a scary team.  Their torrid start has been all the talk this season.  Consider their win list (Bucs, Chiefs, Vikings, Cowboys, & Bears) compared to the Falcons (Philadelphia, Seattle, Carolina).  Not too shabby of a start for the Motor City.  Of course I respect the Detroit Lions and I know the players take them seriously now, but does all this mean that I don't think the Falcons can come into their dome and beat the hell out of them.  NO!!!!  I expect the Falcons to do exactly that and I think the whole Atlanta Falcons organization would greatly prefer to be heading into this bye week with a victory that puts them over the .500 mark.  Here are a couple of things I am looking forward to in the game:

-  The Lions defense is an emerging one, but they still have some improvements.  Their pass defense is a stunning 6th in the league, but their run defense is something like 26th in the league.  I am looking for the Falcons to play a similar gameplan to the Panthers game.  The Lions run a similar to the defense ran in Philly and I expect Turner to turn in another stellar performance.  Once you get that human bowling ball on a full steam coming around the edges it is very hard for a player to WANT to tackle that beast.  Hopefully we can dial up some nice passing plays as well, because we need our receivers and Tony G. to turn in huge games as well.
-  Trying to slow down the Detroit offense seems like a scary task.  I think our defense has the capability to do so however.  I know all everyone is thinking about is Megatron going against Grimes and laughing at the sheer difference in their height.  Don't forget the fact that Grimes could be Megatron jr. with that ridiculous vertical leap he has.  The Lions run game is a huge concern for them because they are not only without Best, Lashore, but now Harrison is obviously out with a brain tumor.  If we can stuff their run game early that puts a lot of pressure on Stafford and his receivers.  Detroit is not a good 3rd down team, hopefully our defense can change their trend of allowing offenses to stay on the field on 3rd downs.
-  The Falcons pressure on qb's has been improving every week so far.  This will be a huge factor in todays game.  We have to rattle Stafford and get him feeling uneasy.  I think we will be able to do that with not only our front 4, but our back 7 has been turning in great games as far as pressure is concerned.  My man Weatherspoon is literally turning the corning right in front of our eyes.  I know VanGorder will be dialing up blitz packages and bringing heat with all different types of people.  If you look at our defense we have the payers necessary to get that pressure.  William Moore should be a feared blitzing safety in the league, Weatherspoon, and Dunta Robinson are both good blitzers as well.  I think this might be the biggest factor in todays game.  Sack dat pretty boy Stafford and break dem legs D!!!!

Not many people would have thought that this afternoons game against the Detroit Lions would be so critical to the Falcons season.  We have come to a point the season where we have to beat a winning team and get that Falcons swag rolling for a win streak!  I expect everyone to be hyped for this game and I am surely confident that we have it in ourselves to knock off these early season wonders.  Heading into the Motor City its time to put our hard hats on and go to work.  Lets come out early and show them we are ready to get our season started and their is only one DOME in the NFL, the GA DOME!!!!Dirty Bird Pride!!!  Hope everyone enjoys the game, food, and the atmosphere!!!
-Bon Appetit, Long may you eat