Saturday News And Notes: Tackling The Washington Redskins

by Dave the Falconer on Nov 7, 2009 8:30 AM EST in Falcons News Comment 32 comments

by Bill Feig - AP

Don't expect Matt Ryan and the Falcons to overlook at the Redskins. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)

There's a danger with a game like this.

The Washington Redskins have been no one's idea of a great or even good team this season. Their fans are dealing with tragic missteps at every level of the organization with the impassiveness of true stoics, but it's clear that this is a team that's a mess. In a lot of ways, they may seem like the perfect opponent for the Falcons, who are reeling a bit after two tough losses against quality teams the last couple of weeks. Though I wouldn't dare suggest that Mike Smith & Co. would bring an unprepared team against Washington, it's still a very real danger that this team, coming off a bye week and with a lot to prove, could come out of the gate strong against the Falcons.

It's often said that good teams win the games they're supposed to, and a punishing effort this weekend would put us at 5-3 and firmly in that warm and cozy bracket. This is a game we definitely should win, but desperate teams can do interesting things. Hopefully the Falcons swing the hammer early on Sunday.

How about some links, gang?

Despite being banged up, both Sam Baker and Roddy White are expected to play this weekend. With all the negative injury news we've gotten over the last couple of weeks, this is like a fresh breath of air carrying a $100 bill your way.
To absolutely no one's surprise, Jerious Norwood isn't playing. If he's listed as questionable again this week, I'm going to laugh out loud. Jason Snelling is still a bit of a question mark.
Oh, heavens to Betsy, Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo are physical players! I hope Albert Haynesworth doesn't get the vapors from their rudeness. That would be horrid!

Seriously, though, it's just before the game trash talk. Nobody likes the way Big Mean and Clabo play the game of football, but it sure as hell works. Haynesworth will be a guy to watch this weekend, because he's still a force to be reckoned with.
Here's kind of an unofficial keys to the game list for the Redskins, courtesy of Hogs Haven. The likeliest might be that Fred Davis, who is taking over for injured tight end Chris Cooley, will blow up. The Falcons will have to keep an eye on him.
This Matt Ryan thing is getting out of hand. He's been far from perfect this season and I'd like to see him make better throws, but I'm not exactly worried about his future in the league because of a middling half-season. It's really too bad that we've all gotten into the habit of expecting instant results and changing our minds on the fly (myself included), because we all end up yo-yoing on some of these guys.

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For the first time this year,

I saw fear in matt ryans eyes monday night against the saints. He was completely rattled after that first trip sack from behind on him and he was jumpy the 2nd and 3rd quarters. I think he will bounce back this week and have a great game, cuz they will try to stop turner, it will be up to ryan to win this game for us!!
HE WILL!!

LETS GO FALCONS!!
L-DAWG

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 7, 2009 9:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

seriously? Fear?

I thought he looked pretty chill while he destroyed the saints.

by xen-cuts on Nov 7, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As did I ...

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DESTROYED THEM???

You call 19-42 with 3 pix destroying a team??
No he was truly rattled and did not know where the blitzes were always coming from. You could see it in his face for the first time- maybe not quite fear, but more like confusion!!

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 7, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bro (I'm assuming you're a dude - if you're not, my sincere apologies)

One of two things are going on here:

Either (a) you didn’t watch the game or (b) your frustration is misdirected. If you did watch the game, and I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you did, do you seriously blame Matty for those three picks?

Pick 1: Roddy is picked off mid-route and the DB catches the ball in the exact spot Roddy was headed for

Pick 2: The LB got a finger tip on the ball (excellent play by the young man, but him doing so was just as likely as Air Grimes 50 inch vertical leap)

Pick 3: He hucked up the hail mary … how accurate can you really be when you’re throwing the rock that far?

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah those pics weren’t bad, really.

Saints pretty much owned that game aside from their own turnovers. But it sure wasn’t because of Mr. Ice. That guy is good.

by xen-cuts on Nov 7, 2009 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No frustration, just my observation

of what I saw in the game, against the saints. I haven’t seen Ryan look like that, or the body language he was displaying in the middle of the game. He looked great the 1st and 4th quarters!! He’ll be fine, he can’t always have a great game, he’s bound to have a bad game every now and then.

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 7, 2009 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

P.S.

ALL MALE ALL DAY!! LOL

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 7, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I saw fear in his eyes against Dallas.

He struggled a bit in that game, too. Although he hadn’t been hit like that all year.

by Zippo729 on Nov 7, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno about fear

But he definitely had happy feet against Dallas. I thought his composure in that game was much, much worse than in the Saints game.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Nov 9, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pound da rock

We need Turner to have another huge game for us. I understand that we are playing a top ranked defense, but we also played San Fransisco’s top ranked D…

They key to this one is pound the rock and play action. The skins safeties are agressive and will fly up to the line of scrimmage to stop Turner. I expect Roddy to have another huge day to add to this Pro Bowl repeat season.

Ryan is fine. DO NOT WORRY. He will prepare hard for this game, and i predict a win. Plus we are at home, which solidifies the fact that Gonzo will catch at least 1 td.

Our offense is extremely dangerous, and we have yet to show our full potential (except San Fran game).

Imagine what will happen when Norwood returns…. Teams cant send the blitz cause he will catch the screen over top.

Im predicting 12-4 this season, and when need this game to get there.

DIRTYBIRD FOR LIFE!!!!

by VaTechDirtybird on Nov 7, 2009 10:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Well put all around …

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Two Observations:

(1) The Matty Ice haters need to chilax for a moment. All three picks last week were entirely forgivable (i.e., he isn’t pulling a Jay Cutler).

We knew the kid didn’t have above-average arm strength. Bradley is only trying to keep his edge, which I respect, but one gets the sense that he’s devolving in Terry Moore fashion. I mean, did he even watch the game last week?

(2) I certainly want Jerious back a.s.a.p., but if he can’t get his stuff healed by the playoffs, you have to wonder if he’ll be as attractive in the FA market, which wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Remind you of anything Franky?

Like all the ridiculous Turner hate the week before? Amazing how that works huh?

"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick

by Jesse28 on Nov 7, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haterade

Must be on sale somewhere …

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To coin a phrase

The QB gets too much credit when his team wins and too much blame when they lose. Concur on the doctor’s prescription for a chill pill. Ryan’s a very smart kid, he’ll be fine.

Good observation on Norwood, he picked a bad year to get all banged up. I like the man, he plays hard and can be a game-changing weapon when healthy. However, I’m starting to wonder if we’re getting good value for the dollar with him. His current health really highlights the unpleasant fact that he’s missed more than his share of games over his career. Whatever happens, I wish him well.

by tom slick on Nov 7, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know Ryan will be fine...

I think he will respond very well this week and put last weeks performance way behind him. All I was saying is that for the first time in his career, i thought he looked rattled, confused, and unsure of himself. Something he has not done since coming to Atlanta. but he will be fine, he’s a pro, he’ll study hard and comeback with a good to great performance this week versus the skins!!

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 7, 2009 7:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

please re-read my post, NO HATER-AID HERE GUYS

THIS IS WHAT I FINISHED MY FIRST POST WITH. SOUNDS POSITIVE TO ME!!??
I think he will bounce back this week and have a great game, cuz they will try to stop turner, it will be up to ryan to win this game for us!!
HE WILL!!

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 7, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No worries ...

We’re all fans here. But that statement (about him looking rattled) is fairly speculative, and of course you’re entitled to your opinion, but opinions don’t always reflect the facts. Hence the confusion.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan's got such a youthful looking face

that when he gets that “deer in the headlights” stare going, I’m not sure what to think. For some reason he reminds me of Opie from the Andy Griffith Show at times.

by tom slick on Nov 7, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's just kind of his default look

by Mountvillainy on Nov 7, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

THIS

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 7, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would have to say that

it IS a fact that Ryan did not play a good game against NO and did not look good in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. So I would say that my original statement(OPINION) was fact based!

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 8, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

AND

The last 2 pix I DONT blame Ryan for, but the first one, the pick 6, YES I do blame him. I have the game taped and rewatched that play 10 times, yes Roddy got knocked down, but the ball never even would have made it to him, the defender picked it at least 5 yards in front of where Roddy was running too!! Ryan just flat out didn’t see the defender. The second pick on the goal line, I am not sure even with or without the tip if that would not have gotten picked either way. Without the tip the defender would have just caught it chest high instead of ankle high. He had the receiver completely covered.

BUT PLEASE DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME, I AM NOT SAYING MATT RYAN SUX!! HE HAD A BAD GAME , IT HAPPENS. HE WILL BE FINE, STARTING THIS WEEK.

LETS GO FALCONS!!
L-DAWG

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 8, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OK

We’ll agree to disagree …

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Nov 8, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You did it wrong Franky

YOU FORGOT THAT CAPS IS CRUICE CONTROL FOR COOL

…

by Jesse28 on Nov 9, 2009 8:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

cruise*... le sigh

by Jesse28 on Nov 9, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Two things.

1) Even though I’m in Panther land, I’ve been blessed by the TV people to be able to see the Birds more often than not. All of the haters (well, mostly all) keeps calling Ryan a “noodle arm”, but I’d be willing to bet most people are either a) comparing him to Flacco, who has a serious cannon or b) haven’t watched ALL (yes all) of Ryan’s throws. The thing with Ryan is he doesn’t usually force throws and doesn’t throw missiles unless he has to. He throws a good ball, but he doesn’t put all the mustard on it, so to speak. I’ve seen throws where he puts a little more behind it, and you can see it in his body language when he throws it a little harder not only from the observed increase of ball velocity but also he rares back a little more, steps into it a little farther, etc. Ryan doesn’t rely on how hard he throws the ball to make plays, he relies on more accurate, sharply thrown spirals, which in turn increase ball velocity and eliminate some wind shear, which I’m sure he played in at BC. Plus, he’s still a kid, let’s not forget that. It wasn’t the first time he was rattled, and it most certainly won’t be the last, and despite that, we almost won the game against arguably the best team in the NFL.

2) Norwood’s injury could be a blessing in disguise, if we desire to keep him for the future. What I mean by that is he may attract less attention from other teams because they may think he is injury prone. Just wishful thinking, essentially, but it could happen.

by Zippo729 on Nov 7, 2009 11:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ryan will be fine

Reading this, I can’t help but remember back to when my beloved Colts drafted Peyton Manning. Manning recieved alot of the same criticism that I hear about Matt Ryan. He didn’t have a strong arm ( everyone thought Ryan Leaf had the better arm), and he sometimes looked confused. I’ve got to watch the Falcons a few times this year and I’m very impressed with Matty-Ice. There’s certainly a resemlance and the guy obviously prepares every week. Ryan had an awesome rookie season last year and not unlike Manning, he will take a step back a time or two before he takes a few forward. I look for Ryan to be an elite QB in the coming years. Have faith!

by bluemoondogg on Nov 8, 2009 2:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

accuracy and planning

I would rather have a QB that can put the ball exactly where it needs to be than a QB with a rocket arm. Finesse in a throw is vastly underrated in the NFL (just look at the amazing throws from Brees in our last game—now that was a clinic on ball placement) in today’s game. I don’t care if the guy can throw it 60 yards or not; give me a guy that can throw the 0-30 yard balls with accuracy any day. QB’s get the ball to receivers and receivers are supposed to make the YAC. Too many times the receivers can get open but can’t put a juke on the defense to gain an extra 5-10 yards. Isn’t this what made the WCO so powerful? Isn’t that what made Marshall Faulk so feared as a receiving option? In 99-00 his YAC was 10.8 and his career average was 8.1. Yes, he was a running back but wow! One thing Roddy White is giving us is increased YAC 5.7 / 4.4 / 5.8 (last 3 seasons) while Jenkins is at 3.8 / 3.7 / 2.1, Finn is 2.2 / 6.1, Gonz is 3.2 / 2.9 / 3.5. Granted, Gonz typically makes the hard catches with a defender all over him but this is just a stat perspective. We have the receivers who are all (but one) improving YAC. With timing, preparation (we all know of Ryan’s study habits which I have heard a couple say only P Manning has more time in the film room than Ryan) and experience we can expect to see these numbers to grow.

by muuzilla on Nov 8, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I've been saying for a while now

that Ryan looks a little Peytonesque out there. Nothing wrong with the man’s arm, he’s a fine quarterback who will only get better.

by Mountvillainy on Nov 8, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan

I’d say the biggest reason people are questioning him right now are the Interceptions. Yes, he’s had more trouble there this year, and he has forced the ball into the wrong spot a few times. But his Interception Rate (INT/ATT) is still just 3.9%, while league average is 2.9% (and Interception Rate can swing wildly with just a few fluke INT’s, meaning it’s usually one of the least consistent QB stats from year-to-year). He’s fine there.

I’m actually slightly more concerned with the sacks he’s taken the last few weeks because of holding on to the ball too long. He tried to escape the pocket (and couldn’t) when his first read/progression was taken away – he normally would just throw it away in that scenario. Again, I think he’ll be fine there, too.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Nov 9, 2009 10:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs