Post-Game Thread: Falcons Lose Miserable Game To Eagles, 34-7
by Dave Choate on Dec 6, 2009 4:21 PM EST
in Falcons News
196 comments
We knew this game wouldn't be so easy coming in. I don't think anyone, even the most pessimistic among us, imagined it would be so very, very hard.
This game belongs in a class of its own. You simply don't see a team get drilled like that, injuries or no injuries, and come out feeling good about things. The Atlanta Falcons looked like a terrible football team for almost a full four quarters Sunday, and were backed up by their own fans cheering for Michael Vick and generally abandoning the Georgia Dome in droves. It makes me miserable just thinking about it.
In lieu of notes, since they're pretty much universally bad, I leave you to discuss what went wrong and what lies ahead. Lord knows there's plenty to discuss.
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The Falcons "fans"
cheering for Vick when he scored his first touchdown was disgusting. After this man lied to the fans and the franchise, and screwed us for his own selfish reasons, people cheer him on while our defense is being demoralized. It made me want to vomit.
I know what you mean
I dont understand these people. It embarrasses me to be a falcons fan when an opponent scores a TD in the Dome, and there is nothing but cheers. After that, I turned the TV off and grabbed the SoCo…
by happyplayer23 on Dec 6, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you guys
Vick was a pathetic QB and a worse human being. The falcon “fans” that were cheering for him are no better than him.
glass house?
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.
My exact thought.
THe guy who screwed us over is beating us! Yay!
by FlyYouFalcons on Dec 6, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
Agree
I had a lengthy debate on Facebook with a friend who told me I’d never understand, it was a “cultural difference.” I proceeded to point out the flaw in that argument, because no matter if you disagree about the law he broke, he still personally screwed over the Falcons as an organization.
Instead, she proceeded to attack Blank as if he somehow is the cause of Vick’s problems. Completely ridiculous! I don’t even know what to think about people like that.
Missing Something
Boy, do I miss Lawyer Milloy, that corner we got from Denver, and Algae Crumpler. I guess someone got in too much of a hurry to re-invent the wheel. Redman must be very politically correct because I didn’t see any sign of a mature back-up, of course JP Wilson appeared to be more accurate than Redman in the pre-season.
I think Blank had a knee-jerk reaction to Vick being dishonest with him and mis-managed an asset, miserably. Vick does represent a problem for teams because his real talent is so difficult to coach.
Most teams that have a year like we had last year don’t do as well the next year because the league gets wise to what they’re doing. We constantly tip our plays with the personnel packages, especially with Norwood.
Get Ryan a quarterbacks coach, don’t replace proven performers with unproven rookies, and tell Arthur to stop being a nice guy to the players, they do best work when the word “Fired” is on the table, many Falcons lay down Sunday,….Vick might not have lied to Arthur if Arthur was a “take no prisoners style owner.”
by Merle T Cornpone on Dec 7, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
Cheering for the enemy
Okay people let’s all agree as fans of the birds that Vick looked good while in red and black, BUT let’s not forget that we needed a win even as underdogs and cheering for green and white is NOT cool, maybe that certain individual AFTER the game but not during…still got issues, imagine it as war your capain was one dynamic and considerable captain but if he switches sides and he’s holdin’ the gun against you would you not shoot him?
on the bright side
we play the saints next week. nothing much to say about this game. i just hope we still end up with 9 W’s this season.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Dec 6, 2009 4:25 PM EST reply actions
We can always pray
that we get Ryan and Turner back before the Jets game so we can at least compete in our last 3 games
"Miserable" sums it up nicely, Dave
Though most people expected a loss, this performance was abysmal. The Falcons have 2 weeks to turn it around, before a winning season is out of reach. Bartender!
This really says to me
How important Matt Ryan is to our offense. We have given him some heat before, but I will never think of benching him for Redman again
You shouldn't have thought of that
In the first place. SO many haters.
It wasn't much of a thought
But it was in the back of my mind
by MostlyCorndog on Dec 6, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Well Redman is human
Perhaps (and I did mention before despite my criticism of Ryan) Ryan is a more talented QB with potential, but needed to get some things settled with how he plays. Redman perhaps was too rattled as well because of a lack of protection which is what Ryan had issues of. The whole offense had issues. So it wasn’t all Redman’s fault. Defense couldn’t tackle and make stops, the running game was anemic, the passing game was worse. Receivers couldn’t catch, everyone out of rhythm. Then with the Eagles scoring and their blitzing defense, the Falcons couldn’t get any consistency going and were out of their game. This by far is the worse loss Mike Smith has suffered. Unfortunately I have to say until they show otherwise Mike Smith is Jim Mora 2.0 We’ll probably have our next winning season in 2012 maybe 2010 if lucky.
by brotherbrown on Dec 7, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
3rd and 12...
And our defense thinks stopping them an inch short will bring out the punt squad. That was terrible and Houston looked like he didn’t even try on the hit. That play really made me mad. Also the 21 yard pass to Reggie Brown. And the holding on the incomplete 3rd and 9 on their own 9. I guess there was a lot to be frustrated about.
ugh god saints won
god ESPN is gonna be all on there nuts tonight god i dont wanna watch any sports tv til Friday
Elams ghost
must have jumped over to that game. skins’ kicker misses a 23 yarder? come on!
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Dec 6, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
Elams Ghost will live forever
and we deff need Matty back everyone who was asking for Matt to be benched for Redman u got wat u wanted and it was possibly the worst thing i have ever seen
Silver Lining :
Falcons still 6 and 6 with a shot at playoffs
Gonzo and Roddy had good days
Beerman and Sid had sacks
Roddy with 104 yds and 1 TD
And we lost. How, you might ask? Well, inferior quarterback, running back, and defense.
Okay, inferior is a strong word, but we were VERY much hurt there.
dang ole falcons
I am going to watch football for the rest of the day, have a beer and pretend like none of this has happened.
I WAS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE
Seeing Mike, back on the field and playing like he did today, was GREAT. CONGRATULATIONS MICHEAL VICK!!! GREAT GAME AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE many more games like today!!! Too bad the Falcons didnot keep you, but that’s why they are losing now.
Queerfan is queer.
Honestly, I’m kind of baffled.
Yikes ...
Come on friend. I’m glad to see him succeed and move on in a positive way, but he wasn’t the answer for Atlanta.
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.
don't bait the troll
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Dec 6, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
good call
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.
You are kidding me.
You follow a player not a team. You’re an idiot.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
Going to go ahead and play devil's advocate re: Vick
Trust me. I’m not a fan. But I did teach in Atlanta for a little bit, and let me tell y’all, for the kids in the housing projects, he was a glimmer of hope in an otherwise depressing life.
Say what you want about him screwing our franchise, but people make mistakes. Moreover, ten years from now, when Matty has a couple of SB rings, I think we’ll all be happy that he ended up elsewhere.
Heck, Roddy has dealt with this same issue (not dog fighting specifically … but the need to separate oneself from bad influences). Sometimes it is hard to separate yourself from the people you grew up with, the people who supported you when life’s cards were stacked against you.
I’m not defending what he did, but aside from the dog fighting and a couple of other off-the-field incidents (see: the MJ bottle incident), he gave a lot of Atlanta’s minority, low-income kids a chance to hope. Believe me, I’d have preferred if they were more focused on succeeding in the classroom, but for those kinds of kids, seeing a person who is the same color as you succeed like he did, it means something.
You may not agree with any of this, but to call out the fandom of those who applauded him is somewhat short-sighted.
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.
If I may
to put it in its most primal sense, to call yourself a Falcons (or really any team) fan and cheer for the opposing team is wrong.
I’ll put it like someone on ESPN put the Favre incident. If you claim to be a Packers fan and you don’t boo Favre when he comes to Green Bay, you’re a Favre fan. No ifs, ands, or buts. If you boo Favre, you’re a Packers fan.
This is the same situation. I’m sure many Packers fans are glad Favre is doing well in MIN. But they’re still Packers fans, they still hate the Vikings, and Favre is a Viking. End of story.
If you’re a Vick fan, then please, applaud his efforts today, regardless of which team you cheer for. Just don’t lump us true Falcons fans in with the same fans who cheer for the same person who disgraced the entire franchise.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
I agree ... for the most part
People have different opinions on the guy. At the end of the day, we’ll be better off with Ryan under center for the next ten years anyway.
But as a current Wisconsin resident, I can tell you that many Packers fans don’t hold any ill will towards Brett. He meant a lot to a lot of people in WI. So, in my opinion, they don’t sacrifice any of their fandom by applauding the guy.
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.
I'm glad MV has found a place to play.
I’ll even wish him the very best when his play doesn’t affect my Falcons. It’s forgiveness. When his play affects my Falcons, I’d like to see him in pain. That’s fandom. Today, he’d look good with his head on a pole. Sorry.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
What if you don't boo or cheer, then what are you.
maybe you are a fan of both and is conflicted between to two, confused or apathetic.
Btw, my reply was for people reading, not you Franky
I’ve seen you enough to have a pretty good idea of how you roll, so to speak.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Diffrence between Vick and Roddy
Roddy has made the right decision and won’t take a dump on his career like Vick did.
I was a huge Vick fan when he played for us. He did great things, but then all that crap happened. If I was there at the dome, I would have been booing and burning a #7 eagles jersey with a Matt Ryan jersey on(even though he was out today). But I’m hardcore falcons.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
re-read my post friend ...
I noted that the decisions that Roddy made were obviously better than those made by Vick. But we’ll never know how close some Falcons have come to pulling a MV #7 … because a lot of guys get away with it. The media had a field day tearing apart Mike, and fair enough, that’s what they do.
My point was that he went from role model, to inmate, to someone who is ostensibly turning it around. I don’t agree with what he did, but I applaud his effort to turn it 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.
I see where you're coming from
And it’s a very intelligent, rational argument. I appreciate that.
But I can’t help but feel that if you’re looking for a role model, there are better choices out there to begin with. Mike Vick was a hell of an athlete, but what about Warrick Dunn? Not only was he a great running back, but he was and is a wonderful human being who gave so much to so many communities and families. I’m not in their shoes and I can’t make anyone else choose a different role model, but I guess to some degree it baffles me.
And I’m among those who are happy that he’s doing well. Life goes on and I’m glad to see Vick making the most of it. It just really hurts, after the living hell 2007 was primarily because of his mistakes, to hear fans chanting that they want Vick. I can’t understand that.
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If only kids thought like that
We’ve had this conversation in Philly for a long time. The inner city kids here have always looked up to Allen Iverson, who is a bad role model and bad teammate, more than Donovan McNabb, who is a model citizen and teammate.
One guy parks in handicap spots, the other runs his own charity. Yet kids choose to idolize the former.
It's just something about kids, I think
It wasn’t all that long ago that I was in school, and it is odd how your thought process works.
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good point
I think it’s human nature. We tend to go to something that shiny and glittery. McNabb for some reason has been criticized undeservantly. AI has been over hyped. I don’t know why the sixers wanted him back, but he glitters, he has a shoe out called The Answer, and when people in the marketing (players accepting deals to make money, something McNabb probably didn’t do too much of other than Campbells Soup), they glitter, and that’s what people and children like.
Not too many noble people in this world nowadays.
But...
He was an awful role-model.
He didn’t graduate. He didn’t work hard. He relied on natural talent instead of putting in the time. He frittered his money on frivolous materiality. He broke the law to “keep it real” and he habitually associated himself with a segment of culture that relishes in black-on-black violence.
What part of the MV7 experience would any parent want for their children except fame and fortune?
He was looked up to but wasn’t a role model.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Dec 7, 2009 12:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
and pretty much none of this was known
til he broke the law. so e wasn’t an awful role model, til he broke the law in the eyes of the fan.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
That’s just not true though. Ron Mexico, the water bottle incident, flipping off the fans, lavish spending and a crew were all hallmarks of Vick before the dogfighting.
This is to say nothing of his on-field performance. It was clear that while he was always a weapon he was never a warrior. He never demonstrated the finer command of tactics. He never read coverage. He couldn’t audible. He often burned timeouts.
He cherished all the wrong things in life, and it was so sadly apparent. The worst part for me is that I just wasn’t all that shocked when the dog fighting story broke. I fought hard on the Falcon’s Message board at scout, encouraging an open mind, and suggesting his cousin was probably the culprit. But I don’t think I ever really bought my own BS.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Dec 7, 2009 2:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I agree
There are certainly better role models out there. But I think it’s all sorta relative. I mean, I wouldn’t personally look up to the guy (if I were a kid), but I can understand how seeing someone who comes from relative poverty and achieved that kid of success can be somewhat encouraging (depending on where you yourself come from). That is all.
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.
Vick gets flame but what about the other 50
Though i don’t condone dog fighting, and like Mr. Franky here its nice to have an idol growing up ( Mines were Vick and Jamal Anderson the running back for falcons in ‘98) the thing is that something was rather fishy about the whole situation and behind that and the “other” 50 NFL players were never included in the investigation, including everyones favorite Bear’s Linebacker Brian Urlacher. Again I stress non tolerance for killing animals but first I must say, for you all you animal self activists that support PETA, you should re examine yourselves. PETA mass genocides about a million animals a mouth throughout the uS. THey even have a pretty word for it. Euthonization. UNlike humans besides occupying space, they have commited no wrong, so wheres the justification for that. Behind that even throughout the trial, he never admitted to killing dogs, in one of Urlachers interviews he admits to dog fighting. So its wrong for when Vick does it, but no one even says anything to Urlacher. Sounds like a double standard, PETA.
Now onto Atlanta, the one of the few teams that manages to find new ways to give away stars every year. There so woeful now, I thought they would put in the 33rd string QB at any moment. They have no depth in any position and they are so tenious a team, one injury can fuck up the chemistry of the team. Matt Ryan is good, but are you not doing the same thing you did with Vick 6 years back minus the 60mil contract? He is lil overated, Gonzalez and White bail him out on lot of plays and Turner is his saving grace when it comes to the bootleg. I actually miss vick. Even during that season every reciever dropped the bll, Vick still found a way to win. Shoot if a team shoots down Gonzalez and White, thats all she wrote for Ryan. Then the play calls don’t not include enough running, the staple for the Falcons since forever. Its like they’re trying to build a steel building with clay. It may be molded into what it should look like but it will never be steel. Thats why someone else should be at the helm of some these decisions for players. Oh we.ll I used to be a Falcons fan. I still love Atlanta but for all the hype you gave for rebuilding, its crumbling quite fast. I predict a 7-9 season maybe 8-8. Oh and kudos for the double score by Vick. and yes, Im a Vick fan, and damn proud of it.
Name any QB who would be winning missing this many players.
You could name maybe 2. Vick most certainly would’ve been destroyed today.
Are QBs supposed to make the receivers look good? A QB simply throws the ball. The QB does not make the spectacular catches, earn tough YAC. A QB leads his team and gets them believing they can do those things, and then they do them. Vick didn’t do ANY of that. He just ran like a fool when someone got near him, and it worked because he was abnormally fast.
The rebuilding project was initially said to take 3 years. We’re about halfway there now. Year 1 was a miracle in itself, and it should be seen as a sign of things to come when this team gets healthy again. So naturally, there’s going to be ups and downs. This is a down. Don’t assume things are going bad just because ATL is .500. Vick, as good as some claim him to be, still didn’t remove the curse of never having back to back winning seasons, either.
Heck, the Steelers are .500. The Ravens are almost .500. The Patriots lost to the Raiders, and are now close to .500.
Also, PETA and others believe that euthanization is a humane way to put down animals. Vick was drowning/electrocuting dogs. There’s just a wee bit of difference there.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Want a little happy pill?
The Steelers are also 6-6 and playing like dead noodles.
I bet their fans are just as sad as we are. They lost to the Raiders at the last second.
Hearing that PIT is also 6-6 made me feel a little less bad because I’ve always felt that PIT was pretty good.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
: )
That is how it goes in the NFL. To go from where we were in 2007 to where we are now, that also makes me happy. It’d be nice to “win it every year,” but that isn’t the most realistic way to approach a team like this. Hence TD’s mindset, which also makes me happy.
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.
true, but...
Steelers fans can also look at one of the 300 Superbowls they’ve won and know that things have the hope of getting better. Falcons fans have no such reason to do so.
by cheshire falcon on Dec 6, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
Past super bowls doesn't suggest anything about the future.
It’s just a stupid materialistic thing fans fall back on when their team plays bad. It carries no weight in an argument and it just causes the trolls to think they’ve won the argument.
If past super bowls had anything to do with anything, the Falcons would only win two games every year and the Pats/Steelers would play in the AFC Champ every year.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Exactly ...
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.
yeah, but...
the larger point is that other teams have had sustained success and at least proven that they’re capable of having a well run franchise. the Falcons have never done that…. IN 43 #$@%ING YEARS!!!
by cheshire falcon on Dec 6, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
Reading this makes me sick
I had to work today and missed the game, but I’m incredibly glad I wasn’t there to see our “fans” embarrass themselves and the city. There is no reason for a fan of the Falcons to cheer for him. It’s not like the team abandoned him and he was the good guy in this situation. He screwed the team and its fans. He lied to everybody involved and selfishly put himself ahead of his teammates, his coaches, the team’s executives, and everybody who cheered for him. We owe nothing to him. Applauding him today would be like cheering for Petrino if he ever coaches a game in the Dome against the Falcons. I missed the game today and I am glad. If I had been there, I am sure I would have gotten in a fight with a Vick supporter. A guy who would do that to a franchise and its fans (and dogs!) isn’t worth fighting someone over and is certainly not worth cheering for.
Driving the "Fire Willie Martinez" bandwagon since 2006
sounds bitter
but ok. You would fight a vick supporter and that person would have every right to want to fight you in the same way.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
I have little tolerance for stupid people
A “Falcons fan” who cheers for Vick against the Falcons is a stupid person. If they want to wish him the best and hope he gets his life back together, then fine. But to cheer for him as he helps to beat your team is stupid beyond words. They would have every right to fight me back, but I would be right. They would be a moron.
Driving the "Fire Willie Martinez" bandwagon since 2006
i'm not necessarly a Vick Supporter but I'm not a hater either.
But I’m a little lost. Other than not telling the truth forthright about the Dogfighting, how did Vick lie, thought only of himself and ruin the Franchise. To me, the Falcons are where they always been, on the brink of mediocrity. I think the Falcons have recovered from the Vick situation with a good enough QB and coaching staffingplayers (although each could use some tweaking), and despite that past month, have played competitive football.
For goodness sakes, are we the Lions, Rams, Cheifs or Raiders (despite their recent wins)?
He told the owner he didn't do anything.
He didn’t watch film, he didn’t rally his teammates around him, and he lied not only to the owner but to the fans, too. He flipped off the fans that paid good money to cheer him on.
Should I continue?
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
o please!
dont no why evry body mad at vick sht he never deserved to be locked up for 2 years any way. EVEN THO I AM A RYAN SUPPORTER i would take THE OLD Mike Vick over Ryan any day. sht id take our old qb who was also named matt back………. i think vick simple and plain had more potential. the game had seen no qb like him….. BUT its over we gotta get behind ryan because like it or not, hes our future and he can be made into greatness. as far as the game today it was (for lack of a better word) sad. hope we fix the problems that we have in the off season. even tho i belive that the draft is a better answer we will have to have get somethin definsively in the free agentcy because we dnt hav that second round pick. i pray for a ring in the next 3 years
Vick will never be the QB that Ryan is going to develop into
Vick was a combination of mediocre skills at best. He was 39-34 as a starter for ATL. When he was locked up for committing a FELONY he was at the pinnacle of his skills. His best days are behind him. As far as no other QB like Vick, there have been many that played just like Vick and failed in the NFL.
guess what
Matt’s having the same problems vick had. receivers dropping balls, dumb play calling, bad defense, happy feet, and the fate of the franchise in their hands. We’ll see what happens.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Minus the whole...ya know, bad friends in virginia fighting dogs.
and the knack to run before passing.
other than that, yeah. they shared similar problems.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
What?!
With not but one good reciever throughout those years, a aging running back, a offensive line that my grandma could penetrate, a questionable defense, the one glimmer of special teams and the face of the franchise on his back, shid anyone else would have been lucky to get out with what he got accomplished.
Of course,
Of course, the other side of that position is that it wasn’t just that everyone else sucked, but rather Vick’s poor passing mechanics, and bootleg flees at the first sign of pressure caused the WRs and Line to look awful.
As for the running game, I think you’re remembering Warrick Dunn during his last year as a Falcon. Vick was suspended during that year. Prior to that, the ‘aging running back’ was regularly posting 1000+ yard seasons (though, like the failures of the WRs and Line, Dunn’s success may have been attributable to Vick, though it’s not as easily traceable IMO).
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Dec 7, 2009 9:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Whether Vick Would Ever Have Achieved His Potential Or Not
Dem Birdz is right that it’s totally irrelevant. Vick is gone, Ryan is our QB.
I’m not mad at Vick for doing what he was supposed to to do today, play football and move on with his life. I don’t blame a lot of fans for still loving him, because he meant a lot to the City of Atlanta and was a symbol. I wish that he had made better decisions in his life, but he didn’t.
Now this is a new group, and even after this debacle I believe we’re moving in the right direction. We just need to pick up the pieces of the mess and get better from it.
by LetsGoFalcons on Dec 6, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
You cant offset the fact that you're clearly a Vick fan.
By saying you are a Matt Ryan supporter. These is a team game go and play tennis.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
Potential is not results
Jayson Blair had the potential to be a fantastic journalist, but instead he almost single-handedly destroyed the public trust in the nation’s paper of record. Vick was a lot of fun to watch—almost always—but I don’t know that we ever would have achieved sustained success with him. And in the end, as a fan, that’s all I care about.
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EXACTLY...
Dave, that’s the central point to this entire thing that puts the nail in the coffin for me. Exciting does not equate to championships!!! And i’m stunned how quickly people have forgotten that for every exciting 50 yard run Vick made, there were 5 terrible decisions, passes, or turnovers. It was becoming a general consensus around the NFL that Vick was a really fun player who could sell a lot of tickets, but that he didn’t look like the type of player you could build a team around or who would ever lead a team to a championship. I remember it well because as a Falcons fan and (at the time) a Vick fan, i heard it constantly and was trying to pretend it wasn’t true.
Let’s put aside questions of allegiance and race and whatever else and just look at this from a pure football perspective. If you actually watched Vick play all those years and you know anything about the game, you can’t seriously sit there and act like this team would be better with Vick under center. If you are saying that, you’re saying it for reasons that have NOTHING to do with football.
by cheshire falcon on Dec 6, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
now that he's out of Atlanta
people want to idealize all his years, almost like they do when someone dies. Honestly I’m getting sick of all this Vick vs. Ryan bs, but hopefully it will take care of itself. Once we start winning again all the old Vick-y nostalgia should go away for good.
nah......
Ryan is goin always kinda live in his shadow. He messes up, everyone is up in arms in why we do not have Vick. When he succeeds they’re going be like "why didnt do this for Vick. He left his mark. Matt is cool, but I’d take an old vick with the new atlanta falcons 4 a superbowl
!!!!!!!!THERE... I SAID IT!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Vick in his time with the team we have now is better then our current team! im never said ryan cant get there or better but currently………. u know! ……… it is wat it izz.. THE STRENTHS OF RYAN CAN BE TOUGHT COACHED. VICKS CANT BE. and id still take shaub……………………………………………………………..but im behind Ryan 100 % time to move on. would love for him to prove me wrong.
!!!!!!!!THERE... I SAID IT!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Vick in his time with the team we have now is better then our current team! im never said ryan cant get there or better but currently………. u know! ……… it is wat it izz.. THE STRENTHS OF RYAN CAN BE TOUGHT COACHED. VICKS CANT BE. and id still take shaub……………………………………………………………..but im behind Ryan 100 % time to move on. would love for him to prove me wrong.
This is true...
The game had never seen a 50% accurate passer not only continue to play the position but actually become one of the league’s highest paid quarterbacks.
Watching his runs were always amazing, but Vick couldn’t figure out the passing game to save his life. Despite firing two HCs to “help reach his potential.” Despite hiring Bill Musgrave. Despite coaches coming here specifically to make him a better passer.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Dec 7, 2009 9:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
WOW
So we already knew that the Falcons couldn’t score and couldn’t play defense, but I think this was the first game where i actually wondered if this team was headed in the right direction. Not saying they aren’t, but for the first time i actually wondered it.
Look, we have injuries, but so do the Eagles, so i’m really tired of hearing that excuse. The Patriots lost one of the best QB’s of all time and still went 11-5. That’s part of the NFL, and if you can’t field a team with any more depth than this, that’s pretty pathetic. Losing to a team at home by 27 is almost difficult to do in the NFL, unless you’re just a really bad team. And as much as I love the Falcons, at this point i’m not sure what else to call them.
tired of hearing about injuries?
Are you serious? Come on, now. We’re missing SO MANY people. There’s NO WAY to know whether we’d be any good or not because they’re all hurt!
Our #1 (imo) corner is out. Our QB, All-Pro RB, 2 OL, #2 and #3 receiver were all out. Our center got hurt, our LCB got hurt again. Most injuries you see aren’t as devastating as the ones we’ve had. Also, most of the star players on most teams (for one reason or another) don’t get hurt like this. It’s been insane.
The Patriots have a great TEAM which would suggest to me that Brady is overrated. If a career backup can go 11-5 with the Patriots (and then have only like 3 wins with a different team) would suggest to me that the Patriots have a great, complete TEAM, and that Brady is just merely a piece of it (Albeit a good one.)
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
The Brady statement might be a little overrated but I agree with you. We are missing too many people to put the blame for our offensive production on anyone.
However, the defense should be ashamed. WE are missing two guys. One of which only played 2 games. They need to fix the secondary this off season, if they don’t make some trades or pick up some FAs, then we need a new staff.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
I think we need a new scheme.
We have a talented defense, but I think they’re being used incorrectly. That’s all it takes in the NFL. There are talented guys on every team, but when they’re not being used right, it prevents complete use of the talent.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
yeah, i am serious
and the reason is because our offense hasn’t looked that dominant this year even with all of those players in. Turner has been getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage all year, and before he got injured, Ryan was turning into an interception machine. are they better than Norwood/Redman? sure, but let’s not pretend these guys were out there leading a well-oiled scoring machine when they were healthy. if there’s a single reason the 2009 Falcons have been a colossal disappointment, it’s because the offense has sucked, healthy or unhealthy.
I would say that the Falcons have been bit by the injury bug worse than most (maybe all) teams this year, but if there’s one team we can’t use that as an excuse against it’s the Eagles. they don’t have their starting RB, their primary playmaker on offense (Jackson), and their defense got decimated by injury before the season even started… i think they actually lost 2 starting linebackers. I hardly think that the difference in our injuries and their injuries accounts for a 27 point beat down at home. that’s all i’m sayin’…
by cheshire falcon on Dec 6, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
Its not excusable, but its understandable
For how poorly our defense played, they held the eagles to 13 points in the first half and we were a really poorly called wildcat play from making it 7-13 going into the half. The offense was anemic, but we also were missing 5 starters. Take away the same 5 players from any offense from any other team in the nfl, and I guarantee you most would be embarassed.
I’ll give you that our offense hasn’t been the juggernaut that it was supposed to be, but think of it this way. When Turner was running like he gained 50 pounds, Matt Ryan was playing fairly well. When Ryan turned color blind and started throwing to anyone downfield, Turner stepped up and had a few monster games. If they had both been performing up to their ability, we would have a much better record.
Fine, this team has been a disappointment, but its still a process, and we’re going to go through some tough times. However, it is in no way time to start questioning coaches (except for Mularkey, he makes some really dumb calls).
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Dec 6, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
And yet, we were in a position to win most of those games.
Turner was running like a train and Ryan was playing well enough to win. The defense has been horrific. I don’t see how you can blame the offense for bailing out the defense time and time again. We aren’t the Saints.
The reason we lost to the Giants? The defense. The reason we beat the Bucs? The offense. The reason we lost to the Eagles was a combination of both but you really can’t say it was the offense’s fault because HALF OF IT WAS MISSING. lol…
Even a completely healthy O line would’ve helped. If Redman, a career backup, couldn’t get comfortable dropping back, then what good is he gonna do? It really boils down to the OL injuries and their perennially stingy defense. The fact that we’re missing our franchise QB and Turner are just more problems.
They beat us; we’re an injury depleted team. They’re not missing their field general. We are. Their 2nd RB is just as good as Westbrook now anyway, and will take over for him the minute Westbrook retires. Our 2nd best RB still has running issues and our 3rd RB is running behind half an OL that has never blocked for him before.
Who’s to say Matty Ice would’ve had a similar game if he’d played? You just can’t compare the two teams right now. You just can’t.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
I agree
it’s the defensive play calling. We do have a talented team. Look at the Raiders. They actually have a team that can beat the Bengals Steelers and Eagles…with defense. Yet at times they look so inept. But put in a better QB and Defensive play calling and then the Raiders can hold them down 17 points a game while scoring 20 per game.
the eagles were also injured at key positions
What if Westbrook and S.Jackson played. They could have thrown up 40 or more on us. Despite the Falcons injuries we should have at least made it a respectable 31-17 kinda score.
We did leave 14 points out there, imo.
The pick 6 hurt, and we had 1st and goal on the 1.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Show me
a team in the NFL win without it’s franchise qb, rb, and half of the o-line, 2nd string receiver etc..
I mean really. Winning with a second string qb is hard enough, mix in the other injuries and it’s almost impossible. That isn’t an excuse, it’s reality.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Dec 6, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
the atlanta hummingbirds
lolz thats how there playing
o please!
dont no why evry body mad at vick sht he never deserved to be locked up for 2 years any way. EVEN THO I AM A RYAN SUPPORTER i would take THE OLD Mike Vick over Ryan any day. sht id take our old qb who was also named matt back………. i think vick simple and plain had more potential. the game had seen no qb like him….. BUT its over we gotta get behind ryan because like it or not, hes our future and he can be made into greatness. as far as the game today it was (for lack of a better word) sad. hope we fix the problems that we have in the off season. even tho i belive that the draft is a better answer we will have to have get somethin definsively in the free agentcy because we dnt hav that second round pick. i pray for a ring in the next 3 years
Dude, he was having dogs fight to the death for MONEY. He was making tens of millions a year and felt the need not only to make more money illegally, but kill dogs at the same time.
I’m guessing you don’t have a pet?
The game has seen QBs like him, they just weren’t as fast as Vick.
Worst part about this loss, I have a lot of eagles friends. Excuse me while I go egg their houses.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously?
Come on. The old Mike Vick still never led this team to back to back winning seasons. He had 2 good years. How can you wish for someone who had zero sustainability in the NFL?
I’m pretty sick today, and not so much due to the loss, but due to the reaction of the fans to Vick’s TD. How can someone cheer for a person that lied to this team and the fanbase? Does color blind people that much? It’s ridiculous. In any other city, had Vick done what he did, he would be booed to hell.
I booed today, and I’m hoarse because of it, and I know I wasn’t alone, but come on. The amount of cheers for that first TD was absolutely disgusting.
The positive thing is that this showed everyone how much Matt means to this team. He is the general of our offense, and we can compete against solid teams as long as he is there even with injuries (see Giants game). This was the 2007 Falcons today. The Falcons that were abandoned and lied to by Mike Vick. It’s a sad day to be a Falcons fan. We can still rebound, but damn we need our General back.
And no for the record, I wouldn’t take any version of Vick over Matt Ryan. He is our present, and our future. He will take this team to greatness and finally end my suffering. No other qb could, even your precious Vick, but Ryan will. Mark my words.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Dec 6, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
I don't want him back ... and I'm glad he's gone
But did anyone boo Ray Lewis, or Michael Irvin, or Lawrence Taylor, or Ty Law?
Dog fighting is wrong. No way to get around that. No way to justify it. But some people act like he should be buried alive or something. If Vick inspired you while he was a Falcon, then you have every right to applaud him. The media is making this a bigger deal than it should be, but come on, let the man live.
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.
I would say
that the situations of those players are a bit different.
I agree he should have a second chance, and have no issues with him playing in the NFL. The biggest issue I have is with our “fans” cheering for a touchdown that basically kicked the team in the balls, just because it was scored by a former player that lied to the organization and everyone that cared about it.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Dec 6, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
Agree 100%
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Ray Lewis killed two people
Irvin did a lot of messed up stuff
Taylor was doing coke during SB games
Ty Law smuggled “ex” into in the United States
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.
Exactly.
The defense is down there playing their hearts out (this was before the score got ugly) and the “fans” cheer when Vick scores a touchdown. I mean, why would they even have anything to play for? Even their own fans want them to fail. It’s sickening.
I don’t have a problem with Falcons fans cheering for Vick. I do have a problem with Falcons fans cheering for the other team. I don’t blame the team for practically quitting after that touchdown. The fans there didn’t want to see them win anyways.
Yeah. how depressing is that.
Even Lions fans cheered for their team, long into the 0-16 season and even before they won this season. Their first win almost made me emotional. They spent over an hour celebrating with their fans for believing in them and sticking through the crappy play that they’d been doing.
And the fans at the Dome? Cheering for the other team. That’s like coming home from being overseas and finding your wife in bed with another man.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
that is an excuse
There are always people cheering for the other team.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Obviously
But when more people (who claim to be fans of the team you play for) are cheering for the other team >>in your house<< than are cheering for you, that hits the pride. That kills emotion. That makes you not want to be there. Might as well pack your bags at that point.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
well, genius
why would the professional football players worry about that? why wouldn’t they expect whatever was out there?
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Guys, c'mon
I don’t know that I’d put all that much stock in the Falcons themselves being deflated by what Falcons fans were doing. It sure as hell wasn’t pleasant to listen to as a fan.
Either way, let’s take it easy.
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thats cool
I just hate the eagles more than I hate Vick. Just wish the birds would have took advantage of the plays the eagles didn’t get early on
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Human nature is trivial.
People love playing at home because the cheers give them energy. It gives them the courage to play through that sore muscle that has been bothering them all week. It gives them a little more hope that there’s 50,000 people who believe in them to make the big play.
Now imagine you’re a football player playing at home, and your fans are cheering for a player on the other team and, despite your best efforts, not cheering for you. In the stadium where the fans are supposed to be cheering you on. How would you feel?
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
like dirt.
that’s why homefield advantage is such a big deal, why teams keep playing past when they’ve already clinched a playoff berth. that’s why the falcons typically do so much better at home. unless, on a day like today, it feels like they’re playing in philly.
Or, to follow that
Why is Charles Haley celebrated as such a character when he was, by all accounts, a reprehensible human being?
The way pro sports demonizes people is bizarre sometimes. Pete Rose is banned from baseball, but noted racists like Ty Cobb and Enos Slaughter just roll on through. Funny, this life.
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Indeed.
The human race is a trivial one. PETA is a great example, for lack of an irony aversive subject.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Very True
not unpunished but 2 years was much an even after, people still hate him. like he is a damn robot or something. hes human. everyone makes mistakes. besides why everyone worried how vick scored, atlanta has issues everywhere. I say first rounder should be a corner if possible cuz there secondary sucks!
You should see the Atlanta local TV news coverage
Both 6 pm newscasts LED with Vick stories tonight. The NBC affiliate termed it a “Triumphant Return”. Makes me want to puke like the restaurant guy in Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.
The front of ajc.com
is Mike Vick still rules Atlanta.
Absolutely disgusting. It’s like no one cares what he did to this city and franchise. Dog killing aside, the lying and downright disrespect was ridiculous.
Ugh… if there was any week for me to avoid the news/espn/af.com message board, it would be this. Thank god for video games!
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Dec 6, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
Long live video games. I have a week off, and that’s all I will be doing, and the gym.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
Message of hope
You can be a felon, and still make a million dollars a year. Great…
Seriously, at this point I hope the guy gets caught kicking a dog this week.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
In that case, I'm gonna go kill some dogs and then call the Eagles
maybe they’ll let me on for the league minimum.
(I’m kidding. I would never do something that dumb.)
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
make fake dog corpses and take pictures
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
I have a MV7 birds jersey. I could do it.
could make a meme from it, put “MAH ROAL MODIL” on the picture.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
I want to amend my subject line.
- role model for inner city kids, former felon in the NFL
I could probably list a 100 better role models for inner city youth by the end of tonight
by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 6, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
Michael Jackson would rival him, methinks.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
we've got about 30 better role models on the falcons
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Dec 6, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
only 30?
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.
i wasn't counting the defense :D
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Dec 6, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
Don't forget about Larry Johnson
Not exactly a team player and allegely made a gay slur. Now he gets and extra contract with the Bengals plus the Chiefs’ severance package and a playoff contenter. And for me, I’m just an honest, dedicated hard working, need a chance to shine, but I can’t get a job anywhere. Good people, unsung, are never rewarded.
by brotherbrown on Dec 7, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm tired of this story already
He had a good game…considering he had like 10 snaps. He was not the primary factor, and he shouldn’t be celebrated as such. It’s lazy.
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I agree with this
If you watch the national media coverage you’d think he won the game by himself. Too bad for guys like Sheldon Brown, McNabb, & Weaver who really won the game and deserve the credit.
Easy for you to say...
I’m sure your local sports media has better things to talk about. Living here, well… Worse than that is the smug vibe from the pro-Vick camp. Ryan was slumping a bit, and we let Vick get a running TD and a passing TD.
Those that don’t have a clue seem to think this means Vick is super-awesome. The truth is Vick was always dangerous on any given Sunday, it was the rest of the Sundays you worried about. But you can’t explain it, they’re just happy to see Vick doing his thang.
He’s still an awful quarterback. When Jake Delhomme is shredding us apart, you gotta know even Vick could manage some sparkle too (especially with such a lead, Vick’s strengths and weakesses make come from behind wins difficult).
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Dec 7, 2009 9:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
well go ahead
atleast it was positive, vs how the falcons managed to epically fail at football today. bout as bad as watching 1A play a 5A team
Everyone should keep in mind ...
He didn’t ask to be applauded. He’s not trying to justify what he did. He’s only trying to make a living doing – more or less – the only thing he knows how to do.
Those who are calling for his return are delusional, but come on y’all … let’s not make this into Vick Hating Fest v. 2.0 …
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.
This isn't the Vick Hate Fest, this is the Fake Fan Hate Fest.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Absolultely
Anyone that wants Vick back either knows nothing about football, how to win games or Vicks stats.
I feel ya
But is it really completely out-of-the-realm-of-possibility that some of those that applauded him were applauding his off-the-field efforts post-release and his ability to turn it 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.
That's not unreasonable.
But if they wanted to do that, they should’ve been doing that outside of a football game, not during.
I’m perfectly fine with him being successful after prison. I was a big Vick fan when he was playing for us, but what he did to the franchise was unacceptable. If I had been at that game, I would have booed Vick the football player as loud as I could. Vick the person, well, I know all about people going to prison. I know what it does to a person. I would applaud Vick the person for turning his life around in a positive (so far) way, but not in the Dome. Not a chance.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Fair enough ...
To be honest, this whole thing would have probably irked me a little more had I been there.
It does seem like there are more pressing issues du jour, like why the Falcons (specifically DVB) were on record re: not preparing for Vick. That irks me more than anything.
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.
I don't know if that that's necessarily fair
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be cheering for him in the dome. But during the game is the only time there’s any connection between the player and the fans. That’s really the only time there is to show appreciation.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t have been disgusted to be there, but I am more disgusted by the fact that our team got rolled by 27 points than I am that Vick scored a touchdown.
by LetsGoFalcons on Dec 6, 2009 6:53 PM EST up reply actions
agreed. let's get the thread back on topic
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Dec 6, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
What DOES suck
Is that we’ll have to hear about Vick this and Vick that for a week or so before everything gets back to normal again. But the fact is this game was not representative of the Falcons. They are dinged up in a million ways, and the fact is we just didn’t have our best guys against their best guys.
by LetsGoFalcons on Dec 6, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah but injuries do not make the team, Depth does!
I believe instead of always just going for top free agent signs and high round picks, lets get some depth first. All the best teams either protect their assets (Peyton and Tom, how many times do you hear them getting hurt>?) or get depth at the position (EG the cowboys and the running back trio). we need depth and defense
I don't believe that's the case
Some probably did, but many are still stuck in the mindset that Vick was screwed by the organization, he’d be better than Matt Ryan, etc. That’s the vantage point I have a problem with, not those who want to see him do well post-release.
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Yes it is
it’s also possible that some of the people that cheered for him have better moral compass than he had and never saw anything wrong with what he did.
Eagles fan here....
I’d start off by saying that I know you guys were killed by injuries, so don’t let this game hurt too much. McCoy is just as good as B-West anymore and we are deep at WR so jackson being hurt isn’t a killer, so our injury issues aren’t nearly as bad as yours. As for the Vick, I like him(not for what he did, obviously), but because he gives something for the Eagles. I also think that he did deserve a second chance, and hate the people who say “They will never root for the Eagles, buy tickets, etc…” But I do agree that he should not be cheered for a TD by Falcon fans, for the simple reason that he plays for the opposing team now. I like a lot of former Eagles, and I root for them to succeed elsewhere, but I would never cheer for them to score against the Eagles. I know he meant a lot to the city and was a symbol yeah, but at the end of the day, if your cheering for the guy, your a Vick fan, not a Falcons fan.
by JpH89 on Dec 6, 2009 7:20 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Thank You Very Being Very Classy
You guys have one heck of a team and as always are well prepared. Good luck to you down the road.
by LetsGoFalcons on Dec 6, 2009 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you so very much.
This in a lot of ways sums up my thoughts. You are a classy individual. I will recommened this post.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
So Where Do We Go From Here
Barring some miracle the playoff are just about out of reach with 3 NFC East teams holding the tiebreaker over us. We’re injured all over the map. This is about as huge a gut-check as any team will ever have.
It’s still conceivable to get to 9 wins. We likely don’t have the horses to beat the Saints with all our injuries, but maybe we get healthy enough to clean up the back end of the schedule and get “back to back winning seasons.” That would certainly show that we’re not a team who rolls over and quits (though we did a good impression of one today).
We'll be seeing you in a week, my friend
And if we play like this again I will cry like a little girl.
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I hope you lay about 8 more
8 laid eggs would be enough to counter the current differences between our teams
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
That's the problem.
A pessimist would see several almost laid eggs.
An optimist sees how none of them actually hatched.
Finding ways to win against a strong matchup (Wash has a top-ranked pass D) is a sign of a champion.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Dec 7, 2009 10:01 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Considering the Saints history
I can’t blame him, but seriously, the Saints should have lost yesterday, if not for divine intervention occurring.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Question for anyone who was able to watch the game:
Did Falcons fans cheer both when he ran for the TD and again when he threw for the TD?
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.
My lovable losers-The Falcons.
I have been a Falcon fan for 43 years. We have never had back to back winning seasons and this year will not be any different. After todays whipping by the Eagles, keep your clown suits on because the New Orleans Saints will be in town next week. You just might win one more game against Buffalo. I know you will get beat by the weak New York Jets and I know Tampa Bay will get revenge when you go there to play. It hurts to write this, you are my team and I love you, but I know it is written down somewhere you will never have back to back winning seasons. You looked pitiful against the Carolina Panthers and I could see the beginning of the end. You are my lovable losers. I will wait until next year. I will put away my Falcon’s t-shirt and cap. I don’t anybody laughing at me when I am wearing it. I will wait until next year! It is nothing to get excited about watching you suffer any more this year.
When you all are done feeling sorry for yourselves...
You can consider that this game would be a lot more worrisome if Ryan/Turner/Dahl/Jenkins/Baker/Douglas had been playing
That was a bad loss, but it doesn’t mean that this franchise is doomed or that we’re not heading in the right direction. We treaded water for years with Vick and Mora. We got spoiled last year by some rookie magic and a really favorable schedule. Yeah, we have a long ways to go, but we are making progress.
One good thing I took from this was Smitty’s unwillingness to give up. He went for it on 4th down three or four times, and that takes guts and a faith in your system.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Dec 6, 2009 10:15 PM EST reply actions
That's the kind of rousing talk we need
After I finish this carton of Ben & Jerry’s, I’m right back on the horse!
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Either that or he didn't want to end up on TMQ's Buck Buck Brawwk.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
I will agree with you, though.
Coach Smith said this was a 3 year plan. When I heard that, this is what I imagined.
Year 1: “We drafted a rookie? Ah, we’ll bring him along nice and slow” 5-6 wins for our perenially bad team."
Year 2: “Ah, the rook has matured. Look as our team gets a little better thanks to the draft.” Playoffs? Maybe, but let’s not talk about the playoffs.
Year 3: “Hey, this team actually looks good! They haven’t looked this good ever!” Maybe Super Bowl, maybe NFC Champs, high goals, ya know.
Instead, this is how it went:
Year 1: “We’re throwing the rook into the fire? Are you kidding me?……Hey, he’s really good! We’re in the playoffs! Aww, our defense sucks. We fail at playoffs.”
Year 2: “Suck.”
Year 3: ?
And so, I’ll take back to back winning seasons for 200, Alex.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
replace rookie with QB* :P
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
My question is
If we hand the Saints their first loss next week, will our minds be able to handle it?
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
As positive as I'm trying to be after today
unless Matt get’s a bionic toe I’m not sure that’s possible.
Yeah the Skins almost did it today, but their terrible offense is better than our 2nd team offense. They have a better pass D too.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Dec 7, 2009 12:20 AM EST up reply actions
the thing is...
the falcons suck right now. Every play was uninspired and horrible to watch. They let a full back lead the eagles in reception yeards…ok i’m not getting started on that. We had injuries, which everybody does, and we couldn’t come up with anything in our own house. The eagle players were behind their teammate and played like they were playing for him. Don’t you think the falcon fans in there were cheering for M. Vick because everyone else was dumping on him? Don’t you think they have compassion in their hearts to “forgive” him and hope he does well? They should boo the falcons for showing up like a high school JV team. And it is possible to be a M. Vick fan and a falcon fan.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Let me put it this way
While it’s entirely possible to be both, what does it say about your Falcon fandom if you cheer for Vick when your team is getting their collective ass kicked up and down the field, with Vick helping out? Not sure I like what it says.
Not in any way directed at you, of course. Just saying.
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I believe it's possible to be a fan of both
but not in the same venue on opposite teams. If not for the simple fact that either way, you lose.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
i dont know what it suppose to say
i really dont know how you define fandom. But I do know that felt I angry at the birds at congratulatory towards mike
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
oops and congratulatory
towards mike at making strides to turn around his life
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
I was angry at the birds, too
And everyone’s a fan in their own way. I understand that. It’s just impossible for me personally to feel anything toward Vick when my team is doing that horribly, especially when he’s scored two touchdowns against them. Just can’t do it.
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What makes me sick
is fans that talk trash like they single handedly won the game. There is nothing about football that will make me more angry than stupid, ignorant troll fans, not even if we went 0-16 for 25 consecutive years.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
i don't know if you're referring to me
but i’m not any troll fan. I’m a mad as hell die hard falcon fan every since the day i could watch football, and I’m tired of this ineptness every single year.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Nah, I don't think that was pointed at you
You’ve been a great commenter since you got here. We just disagree about the Vick issue. More on that in my post tomorrow.
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Nah, not at you my friend. Just something I saw over on nfl.com
I see that stuff every day. Irritates the sin outta me.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Vick Fan vs. Falcon Fan
If you’re a Vick fan, that’s great. Cheer for him all you want. You’ll have to buy another jersey for next season, but what’s another $120?
If you’re a really passionate Falcon fan, you felt anger and humiliation today. No amount of Mike Smith promising to “look at the film and get things corrected” can assuage that feeling. The only thing that can make us feel better is to see correct ACTIONS, not words, lead to a win next week against the almighty Saints. I want a winning season. We all want that. Let’s go out and earn the damn thing.
by Thrashy Thrashy on Dec 6, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Post-Game Thread: Falcons Lose Miserable Game To Eagles, 34-7
The fact that the Falcons allowed the guy who took a leak
on this franchise to get two touchdowns, in OUR house,
burns me up, no end. As for the bleacher bums who WANTED
the same guy to score…are you KIDDING me? Let’s face it-
paying 10 bucks for a high school playoff game will be a LOT
better than watching a 100 dollar train wreck. I’ve been a Falcons
fan since Perry Lee Dunn and Tommy Nobis, but what in the
name of football was that garbage fest today?
by please before I die, Falcons on Dec 6, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions
It was a representation of 1999, aka Jamal Anderson's knees.
Didn’t we go 2-14 that year?
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Wow someone caught that
Lol isnt this the 3rd time Atlanta loses its key player to seasonal disater following a winnig season in about a decade? 14-2 to 2-14 11-5 to 4-12 and 11-5 to ?-? hmm i predict 7-9 coming outta this
That was around the time I started following the Falcons
Depending on who heals and when, we can still eke out 9 wins. Maybe.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Vick?
I could care less what Vick did on the field! I am much more concerned with the adding injuries, the bad play and terrible coaching I saw in the game. 4 shots to get it in the endzone and they have 4 straight carries with Snelling? Give me a break! That break but don’t bend defense is awful! I’m tired of watching 50 yd plays against the defense. They looked like a JV defense out there. I wasn’t expecting a win, just better play. I don’t think Brian VanGorder has a clue how to scheme a game plan on defense. Time to get true defensive coordinator and not someone just because their from the state of Georgia.
"Just want the Falcons to win a bowl before I'm gone!"
Second...the Comment
but it’s called “Bend but don’t Break” but it does break a lot.
lol
I had to vent a bit earlier with all the Vick Talk. I do know the D would bend before break lol. Agreed….It does seem to break alot.
"Just want the Falcons to win a bowl before I'm gone!"
by Edgecrusher211 on Dec 7, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Just a few facts...
Prefacing my coments first—been a Falcons fan—will always be a Falcons fan!
Mike Vick did s morally reprehensible thing. Yes, he paid his debt to society but doesn’t diminish the horror of what he did. Yes, he deserves a second chance. He doesn’t need my forgiveness. He needs Someone elses!
He deceived and used this team and city for his own selfish and immature reasons.
The Eagles put him into this game at specific times just so he could rub it in the face of the Falcons and the city of Atlanta. No other reason! As a paying fan you reserve the right to cheer and who ever you please. I cannot cheer for someone who did what he did to animals, what he did to this organization and these fans. He was a fun player to watch but he had already peaked by the time he left. He would never lead a team to the playoffs every year. Matt Ryan was a better quarterback in high school than Vick was as a pro. Ryan is our QB, he deserves our unwavering support till he leaves. Mike Vick may be a better person now than he once was. I wish him well but NOT against MY TEAM!
What concerns me is this: (1)) this organization should never have entered the season with the defensive backs we have. Some are good, some mat be great but they are not now. (2) this team sometimes appear unprepared, forget injuries,, everyone has them. (3) this coaching staff seems slow to change, appears to not scheme well for the players we have, doesn’t use no huddle or screen passes as it should because it has worked for us In the past and in vanilla in play calling and refuses to put the ball down field in the air. We may need some changes in staff or schemes in the offseason. (4) how good would we really have been with no injuries and the same problems we have? You be the judge! (5) our effort at times seems less than inspired. This bothers me the most. I sometimes question desire, effort and seemingly inability to accept responsibility for unacceptable play. These are pros, we pay their salary and I expect the to live and die like I do every week. But this is a business to them, a game to us and an investment to the owners.
Cheer who you wish but if you choose to cheer Mike Vick respect the fact that others have the right to hate him.
We are headed in the right direction. We are better than we have ever been before. But, we can’t get there fast enough for all us fans.
We played poorly this week. No excuses. This maybe a long year still but us fans will endure. We have until now, anyway. But there are many questions that remain to be answered. If and will we get these answered remains to be seen. But, thanks to all my fellow fans for your loving our team. I am proud of everyone of you. I call you my friends!
Sorry for being long winded. This was not meant to be a lecture, just an opinion from someone who cares like you do about this team. If I have offended anyone—I apologize.
Now let’s kick someones a$$ the rest of this season.
by Gjmoody on Dec 7, 2009 8:34 AM EST via mobile reply actions
To the people who cheered for Vick. Your not true Falcons fans. Your not invited to my house, and if you come i’ll sic the dog on you.Give a good reason to cheer for a person that had anything to do with Electrocuting,shooting,drowning, Oh yeah and hanging animals to death. He might not have killed the dogs himself, but it was his money, he bankrolled the whole ring. Your either a Falcons fan or your a fan of a dog killer. Remember what he did to this team, Lied cheated, to every one of us true Falcons fans.
ok enough of this crap
He’s not the quarterback of the falcons anymore! A lot of the “vick fans” at the game aren’t even regulars at the game. They’re probably not even football fans! Don’t assume that everyone should be as unforgiving and self-righteous as you.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Which one of us are you talking to?
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Gotcha
I kind of forgot which post we were in.
If this discussion goes like many others for NFL fans, I expect by tomorrow we’ll have moved on to a different topic entirely. It is only one day later.
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coaching
I understand the injuries, but just as Gjmoody alludes to, the vanilla offense,never throwing the ball down the field, no screens, is just hard to watch. Last year we aired it out, and this year we were SUPPOSED to be an even better passing team. We seem scared to pass deep. All the good teams pass often, and runs tons of screens, we seldom pass and rarely see a screen!!!!!
stop talking about vick
People kills animals daily, hunting, for food, for sale, etc. and you don’t protest that so get out of here with that argument. All animals are the same, but as some point in history some lonely dude decided to make thenm pets and now they are on this pedastal and must be treate so different than every other animal we destroy.. Do you know how many animals are on the verge of extinction???? And I’m sure don’t care. So why are dogs supposed to be so special?
wow ...
I don’t know where to start.
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.
Yes people kill animals daily For food to eat and sale. Not to hang and butcher drown and elect. for the fun of it . How about reading what happen to the bait dogs. Thrown in the pit for the fighting dogs to tear apart. We treat animals diff because thay are diff. I love dogs. You dont have to. And I’m not part of your WE that destroys animals. Thats for vick and his boys.Here something to try. Lock your wife girl friend or boy friend and the family dog in your cars trunk for a couple Hrs. When you open the trunk see which ones glad to see you? Thx for the feed back.
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