A Very Falcoholic Discussion: The Great Injury Conundrum
by Dave Choate on Dec 8, 2009 8:00 AM EST
in Editorial
111 comments
I put up my Christmas tree at about midnight, a mere two hours after I had gotten out of work. Putting up a Christmas tree, I've found, is a lot like being a sports fan. It's a lot of work and a lot of anguish, and hopefully the end result is something you can enjoy and be proud of. Thankfully, rooting for the Falcons on Sunday doesn't usually require the use of a hacksaw, and the end result doesn't usually leave me with my hands and arms covered in sap.
Usually.
But that tangent aside, you're here for the discussion. As you know, we've got an extremely difficult game with the New Orleans Saints on tap, a game that would be even more difficult to win if we don't get Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Michael Jenkins, Harvey Dahl, Sam Baker, Todd McClure, Chris Houston, Tommy Nobis, Gerald Ford and Flipper the dolphin back by Sunday. That's what lit the extremely dim bulb in my head this morning.
Basically, I want to know how many players we'd have to get back from injury to win this game. Maybe you think we can win it with everyone gone, or maybe you think every single person has to be back and turned into a steam-powered automaton to pull it off. Whatever your thoughts, discuss 'em here and we'll get this ball rolling.
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It's difficult to pick
I want to say that getting Jenkins and Houston would be essential. The Saints are banged up so badly in the secondary that they are pulling players off the couch and Jenkins is a difficult matchup due to his size. Houston, on the other hand, might be very nice to have to stop the Saints’ passing attack. People seem to think that the Saints can’t stop the run so I guess Turner would be helpful. It’s not like Stecker is going tto set the world on fire—he’s good but limited. I want McClure to get well because he’s an LSU product, but maybe he should wait another week before returning to action…just so I don’t have to hate on him for messing with my Saints.
At this point I think the Falcs should play their bench a lot. Mix the bench in and this time really gameplan with those players in the mix. There are bound to be some solid players that no one knows about. Additionally, all of those players theoretically made the team for a reason: to contribute. Hopefully the coaching staff felt that “contribute” means “to play in real life American foosball games.” I think a strategic mix of some bench players might take the Saints by surprise and what do you have to lose?
The ATL bench players scare the crap out of me. They’ll come in and play harder than usual. Even if they suck they’ll hit like maniacs because they presumably want a starting role, a new contract, a new job, or some tail after the game because they were on television. So the likelihood that the ATL scrubs injure Saints players is pretty high. I just hope that doesn’t happen. We’re running out of players, too! For the love of God, don’t touch Breesus!
playing our bench
is all we can do, it’s not even some strategic trick. but I agree, games can be won even with backups – didn’t the Skins nearly beat NO even with so many offensive starters down for the year?
what I am worried about is not the fact that it would be backups playing in key positions, but the fact that playcalling has been horrible at times, both offensively and defensively.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
SAINTS HURTING TOO
Besides the injuries on the active roster, especially in the D backfield, LB, and WR Moore, the Saints have 13 players on IR including RT AllPro Jemal Brown. Ya gotta dance with who you bring.
by central scrutinizer on Dec 9, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
You're not missing your starting QB ...
and while I agree that you “have to dance with you who bring,” I don’t think Gemini was trying to account for the possibility that we lose. You Aints sure are sensitive.
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.
Most of our offense is missing.
Most of theirs is intact. Moore isn’t even one of their top 3 receiving threats (Colston, Meachem, Shockey).
Their D was already decent and hasn’t lost enough members to be bad. Our D is already bad, and we’re missing SKILL players on offense. There’s a reason the linemen don’t get the credit they deserve, it’s because you can plug n chug a lineman easier than you can an all pro running back/ franchise QB.
Since our O was already struggling, putting it in an even worse spot doesn’t help, especially when our D is about as stingy as….idk, someone who isn’t stingy.
The Saints record setting offense is mostly intact, so they can afford to lose some of their D because their Offense is unstoppable, plus with all the way their games have swung, it really is ‘their year’
You really can’t compare the two. The Saints, while they do run the ball, don’t rely on it like we do, because that’s not their offensive style. They can do just fine without it, we can’t….yet.
"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!!!"
true
we have to dance with whomever we bring – that’s exactly what I wanted to say – all we can do is play backups (I hope we do play backups rather than risk Ryan and Turner). when I said even Skins nearly beat NO with backups I meant to reiterate that they were missing #1 and #2 RB’s (Portis and Betts) and someone (I can’t recall their names) in their offensive line and defensive backfield.
the Saints coaches and management do deserve a lot of credit for how they handled injuries, which are a part of NFL. they brought in DB’s from the street who shut down Moss and Welker, and that’s a big accomplishment. we weren’t as lucky and smart with our handling of injuries.
the biggest point, however, is that, like Franky and Zippo noted, you haven’t lost Brees & Co, and you haven’t lost Thomas & Bell.
so, once again, lets wait until kickoff and see which Falcons show up – after all, maybe they will believe what Tloz said in the other post :)
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Saints
I don’t know where else to put this, because I don’t feel like making a FanPost out of it, but can we all agree to put the Chris McAlister and Mike McKenzie envy to rest now? Yes, McKenzie had one good game against the Patriots. But consider these numbers:
Jason Campbell 30/42 – 367 yds – 3 TD – 1 INT
Devin Thomas (who now has 23 receptions on the year) 7/7 – 100 yds – 2 TD
And here’s the coverage numbers from PFF.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
You like stats! The Saints are not coming off of a short week! They are playing in the Dome! This year we have scored more points on the road then at home!
It was hard to pressure the quarterback on both sides of the ball this week because the day before the game it snowed. The field was still a mess!. It will be dry in Atlanta!
by billsawhodatfan on Dec 8, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
Loud noises!
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'd say...ALL of them?
You have opinions. We all do. Some of yours may have to do with the Falcons. Sign up today and share them.
At the Least.........
We need the offensive players! Ryan, Turner, Mcclure, Baker and Dahl. So we atleast have a chance. With Houston being out I think we have one or two that can fill his spot. But with what happened on sunday, and not having any of these guys on the field we don’t have a chance. Hope that there is some real focus in practice this week!!!
offensive line guys would be at the top of my list
It might be just a coincidence, or simply lack of my knowledge, but it seems to me we started going downhill not just with Turner and Ryan injuries, but when Sam Baker got injured. overall, I think if we have healthier offensive line even Redman could shine (or maybe not, on a second thought, unless it’s 2 mins to go), and Snelling could get some good gaps.
In defense it would of course help to have starters back but I would say why not start backups to see if they can some day soon replace our starters.
what I am worried about (and this has nothing to do with injuries or backups) is the playcalling. hindsight is always 20/20, but unless we avoid silly playcalling blunders on both sides of the ball, there would be little reason not to fire both coordinators in the offseason.
At this point, if we manage to hang the Saints their first loss, I’d say mission accomplished even if we get only to 8-8.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
I say
If 2 of the 3 out of Dahl, McClure, and Baker aren’t ready to play, then don’t even consider playing Ryan (even if he’s cleared to play, which I don’t expect). I’m not expecting a win even if they all come back, so I hope the training staff is extra cautious (but especially with Ryan).
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by orang3b on Dec 8, 2009 10:53 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
agree
chances are we won’t have 2 out of those 3 guys back. we don’t want to risk Ryan – we’ve had that experience with Turner already. put the backups in and tell them to play just for their pride.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
eh?
I know injuries are something each team has to overcome. I don’t care who the Falcons choose to fill in for the starters, I don’t expect them to beat the Saints. I just hope they provide a more entertaining game then they have in their last 2.
The Redskins have a far superior pass defense then Atlanta, I can see why they held Drew Brees in check until the last drive. If Atlanta can apply QB pressure, Blitz and have solid coverage their D can hold up. On a lesser note, I haven’t seen any of those 3 in a game this year. Before the season started I was predicting 9-7, 1-6 at best for the Falcons. Let’s face it, They’re a young team, decimated with injuries. I know I will be expecting much bigger things next year once all their rookies and 1st year starters have their feet wet.
"Just want the Falcons to win a bowl before I'm gone!"
What do you mean the Redskins kept Drew Brees in check until the last drive? Drew Brees passed for over 400 yards! Do you think most of that was on the last drive? Also, Redskins have the number 1 pass defense. They hold teams to under 175 passing yards a game.
Look out dirty birds, here we come again!
by billsawhodatfan on Dec 8, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
I only wish
That the Falcons team that played your Saints in your house was the same Falcons team you’ll be facing in our house.
The team you’re getting this week, well you’re getting the Fals. The other half of the team is missing.
"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 Cons are on injured reserve, unfortunately.
You have opinions. We all do. Some of yours may have to do with the Falcons. Sign up today and share them.
We are pretty beat up too. We have players hurt on offense and deffense. But lets be real, if both teams were healthy, the Saint are still a much better team.
by billsawhodatfan on Dec 9, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
You're absolutely right ...
Heck, they’re the team of the century! Best team ever! No team will ever — or ever has — measured up! Shut down the NFL now, right this instant … no point in continuing to play the game.
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.
Now ya' talkin', buddy!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers
If we're not suppose to eat animals, why are they made of meat?
by Just 'Nother Day on Dec 13, 2009 6:43 AM EST up reply actions
meaning
Drew Brees didn’t get his usual 4-5 Passing Td’s a game.
"And their 1st pick in the 2010 NFL draft...The Atlanta Falcons select Derrick Morgan DE- Georgia Tech"
by Edgecrusher211 on Dec 8, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
The Saints' offense was awful
for most of the game. That yardage is not indicative of how well Washington played and how poorly the Saints line blocked for Brees. Stinchcomb, as usual, was shaky.
I don't see this game being winnable
without Matt Ryan.
There’s always hope I guess, but all of the other injuries aside, he is the key to our victory on Sunday.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Dec 8, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions
Here's my list
If we don’t get back Matt Ryan, Chris Houston, Harvey Dahl and Sam Baker, we’re boned.
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Those offensive personnel are an absolute must IMO
Our D isn’t going to shut down the Saints’ offense, no way. Got to score some points this week!
When a team has more injuries than Tiger has mistresses, you know things are bad.
by tom slick on Dec 8, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
+1 for topical humor
Sign up for a free account today to join the discussion about all things Atlanta Falcons!
+1 for a subtle vick-related joke
Matty Ice was reported to be playing hurt this week, trying to step up as a leader, by Clayton on ESPN.
If they play Ryan before he's healthy, like they did Turner
My faith in the coaching staff will be irrevocably blown to hell. No way should they leave that decision to Ryan alone. Fingers crossed.
+ 800 abagajillion trillion bzillion infinity
"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!!!"
somehow I get a feeling
that they won’t be that stupid.
I wish they’d let us see how JPW can handle this game with depleted offensive line.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
+2
Good one!
"I said this early on that this was a good football team, they just maybe had to have a stick put in certain parts of their body to play a little harder in certain places to where we’re able to take interceptions and score touchdowns."--Gregg Williams
by David "Satch" Kelly on Dec 8, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
FUNNY
Quote from Coach Smith
"Guys, again, the sky is not falling, OK?" Smith told reporters.
Fooled me, at 4:30 Sunday afternoon, I thought my head was in the clouds. Of course I was so drunk after watching what was suppose to be a ______ football game, I guess I was wrong.
To the subject at hand, we will need the O players big time to even stay in this one, I’m afraid!
I'm an old man, that's had to much wine!
He
has played most punt and kickoff return coverage. I think he had a forced fumble in the preseason, but apart from that, not much. Its still a little disappointing to see a good role player go out for the year.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Dec 8, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
A Pick 6 in the preseason
off of fellow UGA alum Matthew Stafford.
"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!!!"
Who ISN'T on IR at this point?
You have opinions. We all do. Some of yours may have to do with the Falcons. Sign up today and share them.
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!!!"
I'd love to see Dahl back ...
Romberg can play, and Will has done well at RT, but I’ve never been sold on Quinn. I like his versatility, but you can’t replace Dahl’s intensity. He irks DTs and DEs to no end, which goes a long way in terms of throwing the D off.
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.
Will at LT rather
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.
throw Reynolds into the fire for rapid development's sake
and let Redman continue to realize why he should retire this season
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Dec 9, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
We need Dahl, Ryan, and Turner
Personally i think Finn could fill in just fine for Jenkins, at least he catches the easy ones.
Chris McAlister is available...
The Saints cut him loose earlier today. Worth a look, I’d say.
Can I vote for
Brian Williams? Seriously, this team has fallen apart (especially the secondary) since we lost him.
I would also vote for John Abraham to stop playing like he’s injured…
He doesnt exist
Simply because Jamaal Anderson gets Zero attention! If we had anyone of signifigance that could rush the passer, that would be a different story. I do like Kroy Bierman though and would like to see him in the lineup more often.
"And their 1st pick in the 2010 NFL draft...The Atlanta Falcons select Derrick Morgan DE- Georgia Tech"
Well....we did get 2 sacks last week.
One by sid and one by beer.
It’s just that we had complete total team ineptitude. Even Special Weems was playing Special Santa and giving them the ball at the 30. Our O played like a boat with a large hole in it and our D resembled swiss cheese. What can ya do.
"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 know what we can do...
wait til next year? Lots of wholesale changes this past year on defense, too many rookie starters, Injuries on our first two draft picks, a tougher schedule, and no signifigant vet signings this past offseason. I knew this was going to be a rebuilding year for our defense, but I never imagined how easily teams can pass on our D.
"And their 1st pick in the 2010 NFL draft...The Atlanta Falcons select Derrick Morgan DE- Georgia Tech"
Bye week
My suggestion would be to keep all starters out of the lineup Sunday and chalk it up as a loss. Rushing our franchise QB, star RB, big money Left Tackle and down right nasty Guard back into action to lose by 10 instead of 24 points is foolish. There is way too much to risk, especially when it comes to Ryan and Turner. Give them another week off (added bye week) and fight for a franchise first… Back to back winning seasons. The three games following the Saints are as winnable as they will ever be. And who knows, maybe a few teams will pitch in and tank down the stretch.
Would be a smart move
If we knew they were all close to returning.
Ryan may not come back at all and I don’t know the severity of the OL’s injuries. Turner needs another week, for sure.
"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!!!"
On a positive note....
The more we lose the higher we draft. Would love to get opportunity to snag S Eric Berry or CB Joe Haden. Ndamukong Suh would be my dream pick but he’s #1 or 2. I’m hoping he’ll take the Heisman, problem is that would have happened if Nebraska took out Texas.
Anyways, staying positive and looking towards next year.
you might be right
but it would be a bad blow to the remaining fans if the team did set this goal for itself. we certainly don’t want to risk Ryan and Turner and the rest of the banged up offense, and we would like to be higher in the draft. but this doesn’t mean that team should not at least show the desire to win. strong finish here would go long way in determining how we do next year.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Suh
Would be a dream Pick alongside Jerry and Abraham next year, but that wont happen. Haden, I’m not a huge fan of, and Berry well I’d love to see him in a Falcon uniform but he won’t be around either. Derrick Morgan at DE is my guess. We need someone to apply pressure on the QB. I would like to see the Falcons active in free agency next year as well, and I mean true contributors, a Great corner opposite Williams would be Ideal!
"And their 1st pick in the 2010 NFL draft...The Atlanta Falcons select Derrick Morgan DE- Georgia Tech"
by Edgecrusher211 on Dec 9, 2009 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
as a GT fan
seeing Derrick Morgan in a Falcons uniform would make me giggle uncontrollably with joy.
I really think the coaches like our DEs.
We did sack McNabb twice last week. Sidbury is coming along slowly, even Biermann isn’t ready yet (said so himself, I believe) but he’s been thrust into the spotlight b/c JA98 was even worse (but has found himself at DT and doing a darn good job from what I hear). We may need a freak speed DE, but we have serious issues at DB still. A solid #1 DB would do wonders for the defense, you’ll see.
Assuming all our players remain healthy next year, I think our offseason needs (whether through draft or FA) go somewhere in the direction of:
1) DB, do we even have any of these?
2) TE, Gonzo’s not getting any younger. A good, young pass catching TE would flourish with Gonzo as a mentor (Florida’s TE would be a dream)
3) OL, ours are decent, but not great. Some are injury prone, (Baker) so we can’t REALLY judge how much potential he has. I’ve noticed Comrade has taken risks on injury prone players, and I have to say, it hasn’t really worked out so far.
4) DE, We need a speed rusher, but I think we have one already. Just need to give them some time to develop Beer man and Sid.
Just my opinion.
"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!!!"
surprisingly
Don Banks of CNNsi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/12/08/patriots/index.html) still thinks the Falcons are one of the contenders for a wild card.
I think not a single person here would seriously consider that.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Mathematically its very improbable.
If we lose to the saints basically Philly the Giants and the Cowboys have to lose all their games and in head to head matchups they have to spread it around.
So basically we have to win every single game because we have no tiebreakers what so ever.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
it's a long shot even with a win this weekend
considering how GB is playing – and knowing that the NFC East trio has a better record + head-to-head tiebreaker and several division games. a win here, however, would mean that anything that’s mathematically possible could indeed be possible physically. and going 1-0 will show that we are still a contender. But that’s exactly the same thing we were doubting here.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
ESPN reported that Matty Ice is playing this week
despite his injury. It’s in John Clayton’s rundown.
maybe that's good
maybe he’ll train himself not to throw off that hurt back foot
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
by maxxj3 on Dec 9, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
rec'd
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 know you're saying that in a tongue-in-cheek sorta way
But there really is an added risk of injuring some other part if he comes back too soon and changes his footwork, etc. Will Carroll calls it a “cascade injury”.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
AFTER LAST GAME
I AM WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK!!
Steam Powered Automaton?
Its 2009 and ALMOST 2010. Can’t we use the nuclear power Automatan? Because we are gonna need more than gasified water for the Saints!
" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln
long live SteamPunk!
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 9, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
Saints Hurting Too
Besides the injuries on the active roster, especially in the D backfield, LB, and WR Moore, the Saints have 13 players on IR including RT AllPro Jemal Brown. Ya gotta dance with who you bring.
by central scrutinizer on Dec 9, 2009 6:11 PM EST reply actions
Looking at this year....
(I’m going to try not to sound like I’m conceeding the season) Once Harry Douglas was hurt I knew our offense was going to suffer. Harry douglas provided that speed spark in the slot last year along with Jerious Norwood. All our speed rest with Roddy White and Eric Weems and our offense is predictable. I believe next year the falcons will part ways with Jenkins and Norwood and go after a rookie RB and a big free agent WR. As for the defense, BVG will be around next year but expect a free agent corner to come from somewhere.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Video posted on the SB Nation Saint's Site (watch it -- I promise you won't regret it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzbIt37FVo&feature=player_embedded
After seeing that, I’m just going to refrain from insulting any Aints fans from this point forward. It is equivalent to poking a three-legged dog with a stick, or blocking a 6-year-old’s jump shot, or forcing your grandma to take you on in an 100 meter dash … it is just not fair.
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.
Saints
I know the Saints and Falcons are the biggest rivalry in the division and probably one of the biggest in the league. I’m a Saints fan and with a true, non-obnoxious opinion, i think you guys will need matt ryan, michael turner, roddy white, and michael jenkins the most. Our defense has been decimated with injuries. We are down our top three corners(jabari greer, tracy porter, randall gay) for probably the rest of the regular season. Our starting strongside linebacker, Scott Fujita, had a staph infection in his knee and is also probably out until the playoffs. Yalls best bet is to pass the ball as much as you can because, as you saw against washington last week, malcolm jenkins and mike mckenzie were repeatedy burned deep. The potential matchups of Roddy White and Michael Jenkins burning our undermanned secondary are probably going to give me nightmares the night before the game. Good luck to you guys and I hope for a great one.
Classy ...
Thank you for stopping by!
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 stay classy San Diego
….Thanks for stopping by…Ron Burgandy, Stay Classy.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
Repeatedly....burned....deep...Jenkins....McKenzie...
K, got it. I’ll be calling the coach in a few minutes. Thanks for the heads up.
To return the favor, I’ll tell you that we don’t play defensive backs, we play a variety of ballroom dancers that look good but can’t cover a sack of potatoes.
"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!!!"
even with these matchups
it would be tough to beat NO, simply because these matchups cannot even compare with what you guys get in “Colston & Co vs our secondary”. so if we win, the way to do it would be on the ground.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
I think as long as Tony Gonzalez is on the field the Falcons have the advantage.
I do not understand why so many players decide to fumble and get hurt.
Gonzo never gets hurt and he hasn’t fumbled since the 90’s.
TG has 17 catches in the past two games without Ryan and Turner.
Just have to keep playing hard no matter the score or the records or who is on the field.
Only one way to win vs. New Orleans
Kidnap Drew Brees, and dont let him go until the game is over.
by Rocky MTN Falcon on Dec 9, 2009 8:57 PM EST reply actions
Has anyone else
started thinking about what we should go after for our 1st round pick yet and FA. I’m thinking DE (draft) and CB (FA)
There aren't any good DBs on the FA market this year.
We’d have to trade for one. The only good DB on a bad team that I can think of is Asomugha, but he’s a billionaire.
We need to draft one and hope Comrade hits a 600 ft homerun
"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!!!"
It's possible that
TD already hit a 600’ homerun. Christopher Owens has started 2 games now, and he’s looked pretty good…
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I am a Saints fan living in DC
. . . went to the Redskins game. Left at the half, because it was too damn cold in the nosebleed seats. And there was a friendly, but drunken, shouting match going on right behind me between a Yat and a Hog. I beat the crowds on the Metro and got home in time to see overtime.
But most of what I saw was boring. Except for the Meachem fumble recovery, we were pretty much shut down. Yeah, it was 400 yards, but why did it take overtime to win? And where was the running game? Championship teams have got to run (successfully) ONCE in a while. And that defense? Did Gregg Williams decide not to make the trip?
I’ve been following the Saints for 40 years, and I’ve always feared the Falcons. This week is no different. A month ago they were saying that the Falcons game was going to be the first Saints loss. I still believe it. Know how I know? Not only because you guys are a gutsy team, as you proved in our Dome, but also — Brees is supposedly on Leno tonight. He’s starting to believe his own press. It’s becoming about him, not the Saints.
I hope I’m wrong, and I hope we win. We really need home field advantage; I don’t think we can beat the Vikings in Minnesota. But we’ll see. Good luck to both teams.
Another classy post.
I’m glad all the nice Saints fans have stopped by to see us. I gotta say, it’s been cool. Thanks for stopping by. :)
"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!!!"
Saints fan living in DC??? SHAME ON YOU
Reasons you’re not a Saints fan:
- “Left at the half , because it was too damn cold.” (Tie game and you’re worried about “chill factor” and “beating the crowds”?)
- “Championship teams have got to run (successfully) ONCE in a while.” (Where the hell have you been? That was the first poor rushing game we’ve had all year.)
- “I’ve always feared the Falcons.” (Saints fans know the Falcons are always a hard battle…. but “fear”???)
- “I don’t think we can beat the Vikings in Minnesota” (Saints, 12-0. Vikings, 10-2. Not to mention that Favre started his traditional late season dive in AZ Sunday night.)
And last, but certainly not least. “Brees is supposedly on Leno tonight. He’s starting to believe his own press. It’s about him, not the Saints.” This statement is so offensive and so patently ignorant, I won’t even respond. I don’t know how long you’ve lived in D.C., but based upon what I’ve seen, it does appear to make people’s brain turn to mush. If it weren’t for the fact that you said you were in the “nosebleed seats”, I’d have to think you were probably just another crooked politician on the take. And that’s about the nicest thing I can say about anyone who, claiming to be a Saints fan, would post this piece of garbage.
Zippo729 – Sorry to disagree but this was anything but “classy”. It was pathetic.
easy guys
I think Gumboz was just trying to warn the saints of having complacency. that nothing is granted, and once you start thinking about playoffs too early you can get beaten by one of the teams still on your regular season schedule.
As for homefield advantage – of course you want to get it. almost ALL of the winning teams on your schedule this year (with the exception of Philly) came to your Dome and got blown away. granted, you beat Philly on the road, but it was in warm September and against Kolb.
But then again, I think these Saints could beat any team (even Minnesota) away from home. Keep in mind, however, that the Vikings too (and Cards) COULD get away from the Superdome with a playoff win.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
don't fear us
that’s a totally different Falcons team- not the one that COULD have beaten NO in the Superdome. we can beat NO this week, but only if your team shoots itself in the foot. a win over the saints would, however, be a major boost for our team, even if we don’t make the playoffs (which is safe to assume).
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
As unlikely as it seems, a Falcons win is possible.
Heck, the Raiders Chiefs and KC just beat the World Champs.
This is the NFL, a division rivalry, and anything could happen.
Tough Game
I think no matter who we get back on Sunday it will be a real battle. I believe that in order for us to win we need Ryan back at minimum of 90 percent. The problem with that is if he gets injured again, we will be done for the season. I know NO is hurting really bad on their line so I also believe we need a few of our defensive players so we can break through and put a hurtin on Brees.
by Falcon in the Desert on Dec 10, 2009 6:25 PM EST reply actions
Barring a Miracle, We are done for the Season
We are currently behind Giants, Green Bay and Philladelphia and have lost tie breaker against 2 of them. At this point, I will be very happy with 9-7 to get one monkey off our back.
Saintfever09 here again
More bad news for the saints. Greer had sports hernia surgery and won’t be back until the final game of the season at the earliest…This is bad because now Porter, Greer, and Fujita probably won’t be back until the playoffs. i dont think we can handle handle roddy white, personally. IMHO, he is the best receiver in the nfc south(maybe tied with colston)…better than steve smith too. the dude is fast, strong, and has some good hands. The only guy on the saints roster who has a skill set that is even close to his is robert meachem. but meachem is still developing. i think he can become a force in this league within a few years. we have 2 more real tough ones in the regular season. yall and then the cowboys. then we close it up against tampa bay and carolina. we will have a first round bye to get our guys healthy, and hopefully homefield advantage throughout. i really dont want to have to go on the road to minnesota. if the bengals beat minnesota this weekend, and the saints win, then i think we will pretty much lock it up. once again, good luck guys. hope to see you in the playoffs.
seems like
it could be a shoot-out, with all the problems in the secondary for both teams. I would not compare Brees and Redman (I still hope they won’t let Ryan play unless the O-line is healthy), so I guess we won’t win this contest unless we take away the ball from Brees and Redman and put it in the hands of Snelling/Norwood. but then again, with backups in the o-line, it will be tough to establish even running game for us.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Redman SUX!!
seems like if we lost to Philly 40-0, we could lose to the Saints 80-0. Our Defense blows to begin with and we all knew that before the season started, but without our first string offense, we’d have a hard time beating Notre Dame.
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