Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Bucs Open Thread
by Dave Choate on Sep 14, 2008 12:00 PM EDT
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After a glorious start to the season, the Falcons will tackle the hated Bucs today. And when I say tackle, I mean literally and hopefully frequently. I really don't like Tampa Bay.
Regardless, the team will once again call upon the awesome power of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood to get the job done. Matt Ryan will be forced to wear his big boy helmet against a much better defense. And our defense will not be nearly as sorely tested by a weaker Bucs offense. I think this game is very much within reach.
So grab some chips and salsa, crack open a cold one and join me after the jump.
Who? Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Bucs, 4:05 p.m. ET
Where? Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Weather? Partly sunny, with a chance of Jon Gruden pouting.
Fun Fact? There's such bad blood between coach Gruden and QB Jeff Garcia that the former starter is now riding the pine. Brian Griese is better in some ways, but neither is a terribly scary option.
Injuries? K Jason Elam is questionable, as is C Alex Stepanovich. LB Coy Wire is probable and unlikely to see much outside of special teams reps. For the Bucs, LB Derrick Brooks, QB Jeff Garcia and WR Maurice Stovall are all questionable. G Davin Joseph is out. LB Matt McCoy is probable.
Odds? Tampa Bay over Atlanta 7.0, Over/Under 37.5
Foe? My good friend and bitter rival JScott will be active over at Buc 'Em, where Bucs fans will bear witness to Michael Turner ravaging their defense (I hope). Be sure to stop by.
GO FALCONS! Let's sink these Bucs!
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Good luck fellas
I’m going to thoroughly enjoy this ass beating!!!
all in good fun
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
lol
just like falcons rhymes with shmalcons… eh
I guess i’ll leave the rhyming to you Dave
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
that reject
just burned your defense for 6!
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Updates
The Saints are losing to the ’Skins, 3-0. The Panthers are down 7-0 to the Bears. Tom Brady will be mentioned 7,500 times today.
i really wanted to watch that
Jets game, but there’s a slightly better game on at the same time I’ll be watching : )
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Chris Perry
I sat him in my dynasty league because of the Titans’ run defense and he scores a TD. Damn you for being good!
Harvey Dahl
This guy is going to get himself into trouble if he can’t dial it down a bit. Offsides penalty on the opening drive is not a great way to kick it off.
I would've liked
To have seen a run in there. It’s early yet, I guess, but let’s not put it on Ryan from play 1.
Three missed passes
And an Aqib Talib interception. That was putrid, and the Bucs are in excellent scoring position.
I have, however
I have, however, been impressed with our run defense. I know Detroit is Detroit, but hopefully it will carry over to this game as well. Nice pass from Griese, by the way. Who broke coverage to let that pass go through? Ah, Grimes.
Ouch
The Bucs score early and are up by a TD. The Falcons will have to respond, and they can’t have Matty Ryan throwing that many passes to kick off every drive. No excuse for that interception, though.
Nice Run!
That was a heck of a run from Turner, there. As they pointed out, he did that with 8 in the box!
Well
We don’t look hopeless, but we aren’t playing gangbusters like last week. Matty ice needs to calm down and start getting use to the pass rush, otherwise he’ll be overthrowing open receivers all day. He had Norwood on that play for close to a first at minimum, and overthrew it on what should have been an easy completion.
They're asking him to do the same stuff as last week
Just more of it, and I think he’s panicking a little. He’ll sort himself out.
definitely
rushing things, he should settle down once the game is out of reach
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
do you guys utilize your
Tight End at all? That helped open up the Saints offense last week… Ol’ Alge Oh where arte thou?
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
not that
they needed help opening it up
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
It's early
I’m trying to be optimistic here, but this offense looks like absolute crap so far. You’re not playing the Lions anymore, guys!
Well,
It is their first real road game, as players and a staff. Let’s give them a bit to get accustomed to it. As long as the D can hold its own for a quarter or 2, we’ll be ok if the O can get it’s stuff together.
I agree
And it must be said that the Bucs are doing a fine job of helping us out with their millions of penalties. It’s just hard to go from such an amazing start last week to this.
whine, whine
that was a
sweet shovel pass to your arch nemesis… WD
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Dodged a bullet
with those 2 penalties. Maybe they can get some momentum out of that.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Ok
Seriously, these Microsoft commercials are getting really, REALLY, out there. They’re starting to feel like episodes of “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or “Arrested Development.”
Creepy.
Watch for the pass rush
if the Falcons panic and start throwing every down. Precisely the situation they don’t want to be in.
The way the OL has been dominated so far, it may be hard for them to play ball control much longer.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Hey
A 24 yard return from Norwood. Gosh, he makes it look so easy…almost like anyone could do it. Huh.
Ryan
looks like a right handed Chris Simms, ha
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
*@#$&!
If Ryan can’t cool it down, they’re going to have to consider taking him out after the half. I would hate to destroy his confidence, but you can’t even sniff winning a football game when your QB plays like this.
i'd give him the entire game
he is your guy, might as well baptize him by fire with this Bucs defense…
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Okay, that could've been worse
I know we’re down by 17, but we’re going to have to run if we want to survive this game.
You know...
You know what is more frustrating not watching the game on TV and looking at a stat board that says…
M.Ryan 0/8 0TD 2INT
that is
pretty bad, heh
not to rub it in or anything
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Actually
it’s more convenient that way. You don’t have to look at the carnage playing out.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
i dont understand why
Ryan’s being asked to pass so much early on… the Bucs defense is every part of hostile
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
This is exactly like last week
If I had spent last week in some kind of hellish, bizarre anti-universe.
Wow
This is getting disgusting…Matt Ryan is 0/9…give him a screen pass or something ’cause he needs some confidence
Koenen
Is not getting enough flack for punting poorly thus far this season. The field position the Bucs are getting is a big part of their success on offense.
i hate him thus far
I want to see DJax return one so bad its killing me…
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
We cant be
We shouldn;t have been dillusional with our win against the Lions…after all it was the Lions and they lost to Green bay 48-20 or something…..
Yeah, but I don't think we're this bad
Ryan is nervous as hell and the defense is very talented. With any luck, we’ll get something on the board before the half and build from there.
well its true
Dave… i would bet my mother’s house on it
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Our goal for this game
should be to finish without getting anyone hurt. Our D is not playing bad considering they’re on the field constantly, but the O-line has been totally manhandled.
Back down to earth this week. Maybe we’ll catch fire later in the year, but this sure doesn’t look like a team that’s a playoff contender.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
i would say your
d is playing really well considering how often theyve been on the field
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
I'm liking Harry D
Douglas is playing well, and could be a reason that Louisville is suffering so much this season (beyond coaching ineptitude). 2 minute drill seems to be going well.
Ryan misses on a deep pass
I know it’s not always possible, but when you only have to get 3 yards, why deep?
3rd and 3
and you go for the deep route… greedy sons of
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
WHY THE!?
why wouldn’t you go for it…? I mean its stupid your down 17-0 and you kick the ball on their 38…probably the best field position were going to have all year….
OMG
Kick to Jennings coming up. Brace yourselves.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
*Cringe*
Mike Murlaky is going to have to pull some strange stuff from his butt if we are going to get 3 points….
Personally
I hope they’re tasty. All the crow I’ve been eating about Ryan since last week hasn’t been, let me tell you.
Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein
“It’s Alive!”
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
alright Dave
go ahead and gloat… here comes 3
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Matty Ice...
More like Matty could you not throw Interceptions and maybe complete a few passes and while your at it make Tampa Bay look like Detroit to win the game?
I guess we're lucky
to be down by ONLY 2 TDs. Wretched half.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Pretty much at the half
And the Falcons show some signs of life. Matt Ryan singlehandedly boned us through the first half, so let’s hope he doesn’t do it again in the second half.
did any of your
wives switch the channel to “Cold Cases” at halftime? She’s so endearing to my heart
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
mine usually falls
asleep, i guess that halftime opportunity kept her awake
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Matt Cassel's knee hurts
The Patriots continue to suffer.
In good news, the Saints lost. In bad news, the Panthers won.
If He were really going to punish them
He’d let the Red Sox lose in the first round of hte playoffs.
Halftime quiz
Did the Falcons…
A) suck in the first half?
B) disappoint in the first half?
C) destroy our newly renewed optimism in the first half?
D) all of the above?
So far today
they’re the suckiest bunch of suckers that ever sucked. (A)
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
2nd half kickoff
and look at all the empty seats in Tampa. Hokey smokes, Bullwinkle! That stadium can’t be more than two-thirds full.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Skip Caray used to say
that a lot of people came dressed as empty seats. RIP Skip.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
good gents
who returned the kickoff for the Bucs, the wife was a remote hog
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
C'mon!
If we’re going to get our but kicked, at least throw it to Galloway so I can get some Fantasy redemption.
Koenen
nice kick this time. Highlight reel.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
More penalties
Tampa would be up 4 TDs without all the penalties.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
NOW THERE HE IS
THAT’S the Adam Jennings I remember…..
What really depresses me
Is seeing that only three receivers have caught passes. Poor L.Rob and his three yard reception.
Amazing....
The most amazing thing to me is that we’ve played sloppy and crappy, Ryan has had happy feet and overthrowing arm, yet we’re STILL in this game. We’re only down 14. If we could get some things going, we could get back in this game.
DAMMIT! Finally a nice completion, and there’s a holding penalty.
What the hell???
What do you have to lose, throw the red flag! Good move.
at least
your old ball coach has a good arm
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Mularkey
seems to love those end-arounds and reverses.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Can you say
roughing the passer?
If Tampa lets us back into this game, the Apocalypse is surely upon us.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Looks like
they’ve given up on running the ball. Haven’t been very successful thus far, I almost don’t blame them. Hate to see Ryan throwing almost every down though. The Tampa D has gotten a few good licks in on him.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Settling down
You can SEE Matty settling down and making better throws.
He looks much more confident
than early on. Even if they lose the game, maybe this is a growth experience for Matt.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
little
anti-climatic with the field goal, eh
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Question..
Does anyone have Mike Smith’s number I must call him to tell him we are down 17-6…not 17-14…
I think he knows
I think the issue is that they think they can put together a couple more drives and stop the Bucs. Pretty big leap of faith there.
Going for the FG
may have been Smith’s way of preserving the momentum. After a long drive like that, you want to come away with something.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Good point
But I still would’ve preferred the point try. If we can’t stop the Bucs, we’re in trouble.
Dunn
It’s so weird that Dunn averaged like 1.5 yards a carry in his last 2 seasons with the Falcons and now he goes to the Bucs and runs rampade?
YES YES YES
WHY do they continue to tease me with hope?!?
One thing's for sure....
When Ryan looks good, he looks REALLY good. I think that bodes well for the future.
The Ref's are stupid
That was a complete pass, fumble, then illegal forward pass by the Bucs, and following that, an illegal hit on Matt Ryan away from the play. All against the Bucs, nothing done illegally by the Falcons.
LOL
are all of you guys in the dark for this game?
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
DEAR GAWD
Here it is… pass to Roddy White, then a fumble recovered by Tampa Bay. TB tried to lateral, which was forward, but Atlanta recovered. There were 2 penalties – 1 for the illegal forward lateral, and one for a cheap shot on Matt Ryan. So Atlanta wound up with the ball, the 1st down, and 15 yards for the cheap shot on Matt Ryan. Unfortunately, it took the refs a few minutes to sort all that out.
Heh
I’m playing against a guy with White on his Fantasy team, but I’d be happy if he was scoring again. I’d gladly take a loss for a win in real life!
It could happen
If they score in the next minute and force a turnover/quick punt, there’ll be plenty of time left on the clock for a scoring drive.
Eternal optimism!
God, are you there?
Please have Gruden lose the review. I love to piss him off.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Hmm
Across the body to #84 in the back of the endzone? Isn’t that a play we’d have seen him make at Boston College?
Oh Good
Just what Elam needed, another workout. How about we let the younger folks play football alittle more?
Also, what about that shutout Jscott?
to be fair
i was calling a shutout in the 1st half…. but as Dave will be the first to tell you, i lost that one as well
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
HOW are we still in this game?
I’m starting to like our chances.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
i have to admit that
i’m not worried, but i believe the furnace has been officially turned on
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
Well, I personally
Would like to see at least 1 TD by our offense. I mean, even if it comes after the Bucs scoring again, I just don’t like the thought of regressing so far in 1 week. Our schedule gets much harder against much better teams (no offense, TB), and I’d rather not look pathetic in any of those.
none taken
we’ve been a defensive team since our inception
Buc 'Em - Where a select few of Bucs Fans spend their time...
We need another turnover
Wouldn’t that be nice?
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Well it's been fun...
….but that’s the game. Can’t believe we got as close as we did.
On a positive note
Ryan started horribly then played pretty well. That’s got to help his confidence in the long run.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
Yeah
I still hate that this was a winnable game and we let him throw 10 passes incomplete in a row. Not great game management.
Still, it wasn’t quite the disaster it looked to be early on, so I’ll take progress.
Change the channel if possible
..To 49ers Seahawks…30-30 with 2 Minutes left…I can watch it here in Australia =]
Damn
Ryan sacked twice on the last drive. We need better passing, better pass protection, better pass coverage…does this sound like a pattern to anyone else?
Particularly in any facet of the game
That involves passing. Our line was bad in general today, but I think our run blocking, running game and run defense are a bit stouter.
Aw, the hell with it. We just need to get better.
Improving this team is a journey
that’s going to take a while. Hope we can enjoy the ride.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
I know
And I don’t mean to sound so impatient. It’s just hard to watch the pendulum swing back so far the other way.
I think the trick is
Not going to the pass so early next game. It will help that the Chiefs are pretty putrid on D, too.
Thanks for coming out, folks
It wasn’t a hell of a lot of fun to watch or follow, but they’re still our Falcons. Better luck next week against the Chiefs.
Flat Matt
got pounded pretty good today.
"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"
I'll try to have some thoughts up later tonight
And as usual, you can expect a post-game analysis in the morning.
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