Projections of the first round match-up had the Atlanta Storm defeating Towson, but Storm running back Matt Forte’s below-average performance on Thursday night only gave the team 20 points, which is not much for a starting running back in the playoffs. The Storm may be relying heavily on the downfall on one or more of the Towson players.

“We aren’t worried about anyone but ourselves right now,” said head coach Cary Blanchard, “we can’t help what Towson does but we can help what we do. We need to execute and be perfect and we didn’t expect anything otherwise when playing against the best team in the league”.

A number of the Storm starters arre going against much weaker defenses than those starters of the Towson squad, however we all know that anything can happen within the KNES league.

Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Storm were able to hold off the first-place Towson W.A.M.M in order to move up the league standings and place themselves in a three-way tie for first place. The Storm defeated the W.A.M.M at the conclusion of Monday night’s game with a final score of 159-147.

The Storm saw great play from quarterback Jeff Garcia, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, and running back Frank Gore, all of which had over 30 points. “It seems like the same guys come and step up everytime we need them to do so” said head coach Cary Blanchard.

It seems like Blanchard has placed his former-starter, Ben Roethlisberger, as the official second or third string quarterback. The Storm have proven their instincts by adding two quarterbacks and having them contribute to the team right away. Along with the Garcia signing, the Storm added Matt Cassell who has had one good start and then another great game in which he didnt start. “I have said, and I will continue to say, that I will do whatever it is that will help this team wins. If that means to sit and let the other guys play while I keep my mouth shut, then that’s what I’ll do” said Roethlisberger.

The Atlanta Storm will take on the Toronto Northstars (6-5) next week and they hope to get big production days from Jeff Garcia and rookie running back Matt Forte. The Storm are projected to win but coach Blanchard did not want anything to do with that. “Projections are nothing in this league,” he said, “its all about how everyone shows up and plays. Toronto is in a tie for second like we are in a tie for first, we’ll both be putting everything on the field in order to win”.

Surprisingly for the Atlanta organization, the Storm haven’t made a move on the free agent wire for the last two weeks. Now that the trade deadline has passed, analysts speculate the next move for the Storm. Reports surfaced that Atlanta offered a trade to Toronto in order to try and bring Roddy White to the Storm, however Toronto never closed.

Cassell has been recording pretty solid numbers through ten weeks of the season and Storm starter, Ben Roethlisberger, has struggled as of late. Through ten weeks, Roethlisberger has a career-low 116 points. Newly acquired Matt Cassell has 185, all of which lead to his start and Big Ben’s benching.

“Obviously I’m not happy about the way I’m playing right now. This team drafted me because they believed in me to come out and produce numbers and win ball games, I haven’t done that” , said Roethlisberger. Head coach Cary Blanchard stated that Roethlisberger hasn’t lost his job, rather he is just taking some time off. “Ben is a huge part of this team and we need him here,” said Blanchard, “but sometimes you run through a rough spot and you just need some time to re-group, that’s what we’re giving him”.

Amongst all the Atlanta Storm trade talks, Ben Roethlisberger’s name has not been mentioned. Analysts predict, however, that there is a strong chance Roethlisberger is traded before the deadline. With the high output of Jeff Garcia and Matt Cassell, there is no reason to keep three quarterbacks.

Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Storm won their second straight game on Monday when they defeated the New York Impact, 170-134. The game was a crucial one for both teams as they battled to stay high in the league standings.

New addition Matt Cassell provided the spark that the Storm needed in order to take out the Impact, Cassell scored a team-high 31 points. This is the second straight week that the Atlanta Storm have signed a free agent quarterback to come in and make a dominant impact during his first start. The Storm continued to get strong production from Anquan Boldin who had 100+ yards and two touchdowns, he scored 29 points. And an even larger scoring surprise for the Storm was tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. who scored a season-high 27 points. Winslow originally got the start because starter Jason Witten had a bye and continues to have problems with injured ribs. Winslow made the most of the opportunity and probably secured a spot on the Storm roster for the remainder of the season. He looked like the favorite target for new Browns’ starter Brady Quinn. “Kellen has always known his future with this team,” said GM Shae Cronin “and what he did during his game is what we all know he can do. With Jason down, we all know that Kellen can come in a produce”.

Reports have surfaced that the Storm may be shopping Jason Witten because of Winslow’s strong performance. As the deadline approaches, many trades have been swirling around the Storm’s front office but no trades have been completed. “We’ve had some offers and we’ve made some offers, but I will make this public and say that we are not interested in any way of trading away Frank Gore”, said Cronin.

The Storm will battle for first place this week when they take on the first-place Towson W.A.M.M. Jeff Garcia looks like the front-runner to start on Sunday but head coach Cary Blanchard said that nothing is official until game time.

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Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Storm were able to get back to their original ways of their 5-0 start by dominating the St. Louis Knights on Sunday. Although the Knights had two of their starters sitting out due to a bye, the Storm had no intentions of taking it easy on them. Atlanta was able to rout St. Louis, 131-61.

New addition Jeff Garcia stole the show by scoring more than 40 points to lead the Storm. Anquan Boldin continued his outstanding season by recording 20 points, over shooting his projected score of 17. And rookie running back Matt Forte was able to give the Storm an additional 25 points as he continues to be a productive role player for the Storm organization. Storm kicker Nate Kaeding had a bye week last week against St. Louis but head coach Cary Blanchard had enough confidence to just ‘let it ride’ and rely on his air and ground game to pick up the slack.

“We had confidence and this was an absolute must win for us” said Blanchard, “and our backs are against the wall from here on out. This is a very tough league and there are a lot of teams at the top that make it hard to drop any games at all”.

The Atlanta Storm take on the New York Impact this Sunday in a game that is sure to shake up the top-placed teams in the league. The Atlanta Storm’s decision at quarterback will be an interesting story to watch as Jeff Garcia is off with a bye week and Roethlisberger has a sore shoulder. Reports have surfaced that the Storm may go out to the free agent pool to see if there is a fill-in quarterback out there.

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It has not been reported what the Storm are searching for in return for Williams or how much value they expect in the event of a trade, but analysts assume that the Storm would target other wide receivers. Atlanta head coach Cary Blanchard has criticized his wide receiver group more than once this season claiming that it is the team’s glaring weak spot.

“We don’t threaten anyone about losing their job and we don’t like to part ways with our players, but this is a business and they all understand that” said GM Shae Cronin. “It is up to the front office to keep this team competitive and try to bring a championship to Atlanta. We owe it to the coaches, the other players, and most importantly the great fans of Atlanta.”

“Jeff is a veteran in this league that has come back after injury and shown everyone what he is capable of doing” said GM Shae Cronin. Roethlisberger was not happy with his benching but did say that he understands the rationale. “Of course I don’t want to ride the bench,” said Roethlisberger, “but what ever the coach wants to do in order to help this team, that’s what I want to do”.

The benching of Roethlisberger does seem some what abrupt after him producing good numbers all year and then having just one off day where two of his four interceptions aren’t entirely his fault. However, Storm officials have said that they brought in Jeff Garcia in order to serve as Roethlisberger’s back-up and that they felt Garcia starting against Kansas City this week is a better match-up than Roethlisberger against Washington.

The Atlanta Storm released young receiver Steve Breaston in order to clear the roster spot for Jeff Garcia. Garcia is listed as the starter for Sunday’s game against St. Louis.

Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Storm dropped their third straight game this past Monday, falling to the Jacksonville Juggernauts 111-114. The main reason for Atlanta’s failure was the pitiful play of starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger threw for one touchdown and four interceptions in his game against the Giants. The first interception came by a very athletic play by a Giants defensive back, the second pick came from a dropped catch by Nate Washington, and the fourth came as the failed result of a hail mary pass in the Steelers’ last drive. “I’m not used to playing like this,” said Roethlisberger in a press conference after the game, “I take sole responsibilty for the loss we suffered today”. Head coach Cary Blanchard discussed with the media after the game that he was very upset with the performance of his quarterback and that his playing was ‘unacceptable’.

The other disappointment for Atlanta was the injury to Jason Witten that came during the first quarter. It limited his play for the remainder of the game and, more importantly, may keep him out longer than a week. “It’s a big deal for us because Jason is such a huge part of our passing game,” said Blanchard, “almost like a fourth receiver more than a tight end”. The report is listing Witten as questionable for the Storm’s upcoming game against St. Louis.

Starting running backs Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore put up great numbers, both scoring over 20 points. Gore made a productive rebound to his dismal play of last week and Marshawn continues to be the most consistent of all the players on the team. Anquan Boldin scored two touchdowns in his first game back since getting face surgery after suffering a devestating hit to the helmet. “It’s remarkable,” said Blanchard, “that Anquan can come back and pick up right where he left off. Our first two losses came from lack of receiver help because he was out, we finally get him back and he does what he does but Ben has his worst outing of the season. It’s the way the game goes I guess”.

The Storm take on St. Louis next week who are currently in last place. “We don’t look over anyone,” said running back Frank Gore, “because as you all have seen…any given Sunday”. The Storm plans to start Witten but will of course wait for the team doctor’s suggestions. The Storm also plan on starting new aquisitions Donnie Avery at receiver and veteran Jeff Garcia at quarterback.

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Winslow joined the Atlanta Storm just two weeks ago as part of a trade with the St. Louis Knights. He has yet to play a game for the Storm and the current situation certainly does not improve his chances of getting to the opportunity to start.

Atlanta Storm’s general manager Shae Cronin included this in his reponse to coverage reporters asking about Winslow’s situation on Wednesday morning:

“We don’t think it’s bad publicity for the Storm organization because Kellen has a right to be upset and we support our player through and through, and no player should be treated like that. The Browns were trying to cover up a situation that has plagued their organization in recent years and Kellen was doing what he was told, the least they can do is support him and show that they care. We will continue to support Kellen during these tough times and we plan to appeal any potential suspension given out by the NFL.”

Winslow’s suspension will make him unavailable for this week’s game against Jacksonville. The Atlanta Storm have not released any reports regarding Winslow’s future with the team or whether he has been involved in any trade talks.