Atlanta's stock is high because it trounced a potentially lousy Miami team in Week 1. (Red Flag No. 1.) Carolina's stock is low ONLY because it stunk in Week 1. (Red Flag No. 2.) This game means infinitely more to Carolina than Atlanta. (Red Flag No. 3.) Atlanta is battling secondary problems that Miami's pathetic passing game failed to exploit … but those problems still exist. (Red Flag No. 4.) Nobody -- repeat: nobody -- believes in the Panthers right now. (Red Flag No. 5.) Every gambler alive will be putting the Falcons in a 6-point teaser on Sunday. (Red Flag No. 6.) And you're laughing as you read this paragraph because you can't believe Simmons is dumb enough to back Jake Delhomme. (Red Flag No. 7.)
Sure, the Panthers could and might win on Sunday. Granted. But I strongly disagree with the reasoning.
2 months ago
Dave the Falconer
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Ok, Simmons...
Delhomme intentionally gave those 5 turnovers to the Eagles, just so they can play the “Nobody believed in us” Card… that’s the most likely scenario.
A performance so magnificently putrid it prompted me to compare it to the dumps police horses take.
At least he’s hilarious while he’s making no sense whatsoever.
by orang3b on Sep 18, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not so sure about this quote....
This game means infinitely more to Carolina than Atlanta.
At our house, first division game, in out throwback unis….I think we’re equally motivated…
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
Elayne Boosler
by NaGaNole on Sep 18, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I find that hard to believe
You have nothing to prove to anybody. You could lose Sunday, still be tied for 2nd or 1st, and many people would still pick you to win the NFC South. Oh but, “we don’t want to look bad in our unis”, I’m sure that will make all the difference.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thankfully
We hired a coaching staff and built a team that doesn’t need silly gimmicks to hype them for a game. That it’s Sunday is sufficient reason to believe ATL has something to prove to everyone.
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 Sep 18, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You guys do look like you really have built a very complete team.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ANd we still have something to prove
We still don’t have back-to-back winning seasons, so yes, this games is very important to us. We also want to sweep the division. We also don’t feel like losing to a horrible team.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
by Jesse28 on Sep 18, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What horrible team?
The won that was 2nd in the conference a year ago?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The one in teal (or w/e pansy color you call it)
How’s 0-2 feel?
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
by Jesse28 on Sep 21, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh there’s 15 games left in the season so I’d say there’s a lot to prove. And you kind of need to beat the other teams in your division if you want to win the division.
Baseball:Sabermetrics::Luddites:Technology
by VictorW on Sep 18, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hate to say it...
But I agree with all but red flag #1. Of course, I didn’t see the Miami game, only a few highlights, but I find it hard to believe that the secondary is that improved from the San Diego preseason game that fast. Of course, it remains to be seen if Delhomme can exploit it.
Of course the game means more to Carolina- they looked terrible last weekend. Rams terrible. I fail to see how the throwback unis, as much as I love them, will motivate anybody besides the people who make money off them. Sure, we don’t want to lose a division game, and nobody likes the Panthers all that much, but this is desperation time for the Kitties, and they know that if they go 0-2, especially if Jake shits the bed again, it will not bode well for the rest of the season.
Of course, none of this means I won’t be picking the Falcons to win this one, but that six point spread is a sucker bet if ever I saw one, and I have a feeling the Panthers will come to play, if they have it in them.
by johnnybacardi on Sep 18, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the secondary improvement
was based on the pressure the defensive line provided. plus, they play stronger in zone than the man-to-man the team used against san diego’s tall receivers. provided we get pressure up front, i’m not too worried about the secondary.
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 Sep 18, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Carolina will try to go deep despite the pressure
Hence the 4 Philly INTs. They don’t dink and dunk. They run the ball and go deep. So your secondary should be tested… and with Jake throwing they’ll probably have ample opportunity.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Secondary Improvement
Also can be attributed to lack of game-planning for preseason games plus new personnel that are already paying dividends (B Will).
I was as big of a detractor as anyone here of the secondary in the preseason (Grimes!!!), but Smitty and the Comrade have proven once again that I don’t know jack :-)
Love Simmons. Hate his continual dismissal of the Falcs. Happened all last season and he’s on the anti-bandwagon early this year.
by gametheory7 on Sep 18, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Two of those four INTs were on short-mid throws, not deep balls.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
by Jesse28 on Sep 18, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
Jake won’t be throwing much downfield, but moreso out of bounds or into the ground five feet in front of him as our D-line will have him on his back all game.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
by Jesse28 on Sep 18, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Simmons’ arguments aren’t without some merit. Most likely, the Falcons aren’t as great as they looked last week, and the Panthers aren’t as bad. 6 points is a big spread for this game indeed, IMO.
Falcons should win as long as they’re focused and ready to play though. Go you red helmeted, Inglorious Basterds!
by tom slick on Sep 18, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's what he is ignoring
The Falcons are strong on the front seven. Very strong. They will be able to match up favorably with run heavy teams. The things that will give them trouble are teams that have big wideouts that can take advantage of matchups with Houston. Steve Smith, as talented as he is, does not qualify as a big wideout. Its true that we don’t know how good Miami will be, but we do know that the game last week was not as close as the final score made it look.
Besides, Simmons is basing his pick on the fact that Delhomme can’t play any worse. That doesn’t mean that he will play any better, though.
by SG Standard on Sep 18, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You are making an age old mistake
Steve Smith was drafted in the 3rd round because he “does not qualify as a big wideout”. But he constantly has pro-bowl seasons because he plays like a big wideout! Have you never seen one of his many highlights where he’s double or triple covered and manages to jump 3 feet higher than all of them?
I’m sure you guys will be glad to get rid of me in 2 days ;)
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really.
Your points are relatively sane and well thought-out, at least, as much as a fan of the Panthers is really capable of anyways :-P
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 Sep 18, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By "big" I meant "physically enormous"
Like, sizewise. Not talentwise. I know how good he is. But a tall reciever who can overwhelm Houston is what really gives him fits. Roy Williams against Detroit last year, for example. Or the unholy Fitzgerald/Boldin combination against the Cardinals. He can generally hold his own if its against a smaller reciever. There are still the occassional coverage meltdowns, but it isn’t because of body type. The point is, the Falcons can hide their biggest weaknesses against Carolina. Simmons didn’t point this out.
by SG Standard on Sep 18, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just Because Jake Plays Better Doesn't Mean Carolina Wins the Game
The ultimate flaw in Bill Simmons argument is that just because a player has a big game doesn’t mean that they will win the game.
Simmons is playing off trends. In an effort to create some drama he obviously chooses a game where 1) a player is being dogged and the team is being written off, and 2) he doesn’t believe the team they are playing is very good (see last week when he picked Miami to prove they were not a “fluke” last year).
But what he basically assumes is that if Jake bounces back Carolina will win the game. That’s not necessarily accurate. Even IF Jake bounces back and has a good game with less turnovers, that doesn’t mean Carolina will beat us. Good teams ignore trends and stocks and simply prepare and execute. Why do you think the Patriots or Steelers never concern themselves with whose stock is high or low?
I highly doubt we are going to “dominate” them. This is going to be a hard fought game. But we have a lot of talent and good coaching that says we can outlast even a well-played game by the Panthers. I personally think Bill Simmons underestimates us (as he does for most Atlanta sports, which is why he’s been one of my least favorite writers for some time.)
by LetsGoFalcons on Sep 18, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a good point
We split the series last year. But you guys made some upgrades in the off season, while Carolina brings back almost the exact same team. But I don’t think anyone is under estimating you guys. Heck, many of them still think you guys won the NFC South last year.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha, That was a pretty bad goof by Peter King
I caught that as well.
I don’t think most are underestimating us. I think that Simmons is. He’s hung his hat on “Atlanta is a terrible sports town with terrible teams” for years and so he really has to be down on Atlanta to the very end.
I think both the teams are very good. It’s not fair to dog a team after one game just like its not fair to hold one up as a Super Bowl favorite after one game. If both show up to play, then it might come down to who has the ball last. That’s my only point.
by LetsGoFalcons on Sep 18, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lies
It’s totally fair. ATL is a superbowl favorite and Carolina is a scrub team. They have holes in the D-line that will get exploited by Turner and they don’t have the secondary to cover all of our receiving weapons. Our front seven is going to have a hey-day with them and will be well rested because of the constant three-and-outs they will be forcing.
See, it’s really easy and it’s oh so fair.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
by Jesse28 on Sep 18, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always find it amusing
That you can go 12-4, one game away from leading the entire conference, yet opposing fans call you a scrub team… and even though their record was worse. Lol.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fair point...
i would call Carolina a “troubled” team, but i would definitely not call them a “scrub” team. scrub teams don’t typically go 12-4 and win their divisions. that being said, i think something is clearly wrong there… the whipping boy has been Delhomme, but it seems like the issues are a little bigger than just the QB. but i don’t know… i don’t follow them closely enough to speak too intelligent on their issues.
by cheshire falcon on Sep 18, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's because they tip toed through camp
There were injuries and questions at depth. I don’t think they had seen full speed in 9 months prior to last week.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 18, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fine, not a scrub team
But what did you expect you would get on a Falcons site? Did you honestly think I was going to say you have a good team, which you don’t. It’s called smack, loosen the panties.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
by Jesse28 on Sep 21, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
eh
It’s hard for me to read anything by Bill Simmons and actually take it seriously, especially when it involves the Falcons. It seems like all sportswriters have those teams they really love and really hate, and Simmons has just never seemed to really like the Falcons. I know that may sound a little too “conspiracy theory”, but I’ve frequently read articles where he just goes out of his way to try and find reasons why the Falcons will lose this game, or fail this year, or that player is overrated, etc. You can rip my team all day if you want, but you need to provide good reasons for doing it, and in yet another article, he fails to make a good point. here would be my response to each point…
1 – ummmm, yeah, that’s just a stupid comment Miami might be lousy? what exactly is he basing that on? we are talking about the same 11-5 division winner from last year, right? i’m not saying they are an elite team, but it amuses me how he just threw that out there and offers nothing to support it, especially when pretty much everything we know about them up to now would indicate that they are an above average team.
2 – Carolina’s stock isn’t low just because they had a bad first game… they completely fell apart at the end of last year, they have issues in the clubhouse now, and their QB showed signs of a serious decline all season in 2008
3 – first off, that’s just a silly comment because it’s impossible to engage “who it means more to”. i’ve never seen a stat for that one. i don’t doubt Carolina is hungry for a win, but so is Atlanta. both teams need to win this game, and both want it because it’s a divisional game.
4 – this one kills me. Simmons MIGHT end up being right about the secondary having problems, but what he has seen is 1 pre-season game in which the secondary sucked, and 1 real game where they were great. wouldn’t the logic tell you that the performance in the game that counts is a better indicator? so why is he choosing to say “nope, still a huge problem” instead of “they have a good secondary that obviously didn’t play to their potential because it was preseason”? he is actually weighting a preseason performance over a regular season performance and basing his conclusion off of it!
5 – i can guarantee you i know one group of people who believes in the Panthers… the Atlanta coaching staff. what the general mood might be among NFL fans about the Panthers isn’t going to have much bearing on the people running the Falcons and prepping them for the game. it’s not like Smith has the team hanging out at the pool drinking margaritas since “nobody” believes in the Panthers.
and then 6 and 7 are just irrevelent points. i’m gonna file this one under “Yet another reason why it’s hard to take Bill Simmons seriously”
by cheshire falcon on Sep 18, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Suck it Simmons
Love this post.
by LetsGoFalcons on Sep 18, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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