There's Something Wrong In The Georgia Dome: A Falcons-Saints Recap
by Dave Choate on Nov 14, 2011 7:30 AM EST
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How do you distill a game like this?
The Falcons played an error-ridden, sloppy game of football for almost four full quarters. They made mistakes on offense, blunders on defense and screw-ups on special teams. The coaching staff called an extraordinarily bad game on offense, in particular.
Yet the Falcons put it all together near the end of the game, coming up huge when they were down by 10 in the fourth quarter. If not for some poor throws by Matt Ryan, they might have won it outright. Instead, they went to overtime, where the entire game came down to a 4th and 1 around the 30 yard-line.
Unfortunately, that play may be the distillation of the game. Perhaps it is the very ether of the season. The Falcons fought hard, overcame mistakes and tried to do something gutsy. They were undone once more by a terrible playcall--Turner's first and only carry of overtime, one that required him to charge through a prepared defensive line from almost five yards back--and a lack of great execution. A few short plays later, it was 26-23 Saints, and we were all left looking for answers, again.
At this point, sitting at 5-4, all we can do is use ifs about this Falcons team. If they put it all together, they'd be unstoppable. If they can build on that late game momentum and crush some easy opponents in the weeks ahead, they can make the playoffs. If they can just stop making so many mistakes, they will be a dominant football team. And so on. We do this because it's impossible to admit to ourselves that this team might spend the rest of the season stumbling. We also do it because when the Falcons play well, they play exceptionally well.
We don't know what lies ahead. We can take some solace in the fact that the Falcons played a very tough Saints team to the hilt, and it came after two good performances in a row. I'm not ready to put flowers on this team's grave just yet, even if I'm incredibly depressed at the moment. Hope springs eternal.
It's going to take a long time to process this one. After the jump, I'll do my best to sift through it all.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Matt Ryan is a Jekyll and Hyde quarterback. When he's on, he zips lasers in to his receivers. He makes smart reads and knows just where to place a ball. He managed to be that guy on roughly 25-30 of his passes today, or more than half. I'm going to give props to the Jekyll who threw two touchdowns and 351 yards yesterday, and who made some great decisions when the calls were left in his hands.
- Michael Turner deserves all the praise you can throw at him. It wasn't his fault that the Falcons went away from him late in the game, or that they didn't use him before an impossible situation on the 4th and 1. With 22 carries for 96 yards, he averaged more than four yards a carry was a consistent threat.
I'm not saying the guy was perfect. I am saying the Falcons wouldn't have fared as well as they did without him. - Jacquizz Rodgers is fast becoming a big part of this offense. He had seven carries on Sunday for 30 yardss and showed good burst, surprising power and quality vision. Rodgers has a bright future with the Falcons.
- Harry Douglas made a mistake. He cut back after he already had the first down, something that nearly cost the Falcons dearly. Let's just shove that out of the way.
In a game where the Falcons desperately needed someone to step up thanks to Roddy White's struggles and Julio Jones' injury, Douglas came through. He wound up with eight catches for 133 yards, regularly getting open in the middle of the field and showing a willingness to take hits. It was easily the best game of his young career.
If Jones can't stay on the field and White doesn't improve, Douglas should become the team's go-to guy. He's capable. - Jason Snelling only did one good thing this game, but it was an amazingly great thing.
His touchdown catch was easily the play of the game, and perhaps one of the plays of the season. Catching the ball on a short route, Snelling showed incredible power and leg drive, blowing through eight Saints defenders (yes, EIGHT!) on his way to the end zone. You'll be hearing a lot more about this later this week, of course. - Tony Gonzalez was Mr. Reliability again. He wound up with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. He would've had more catches and perhaps even more touchdowns if Ryan hadn't missed him so badly in the red zone.
- Mike Cox blocked well and made a heroic effort at a first down on his lone catch of the game. We can argue all day about whether he should have gotten it or not, but he deserves to be singled out for a superlative try.
- The game might have been very different if Matt Bryant hadn't missed a short field goal. I'll give you that. I find it hard to single him out because of his reliability otherwise, and he still hit three tries today. Slap on the wrist?
- Matt Bosher continues to make huge improvements. He had a great tackle on his first kickoff to Darren Sproles and averaged 45.4 yards per punt today. No one has come farther since the beginning of the season than Atlanta's new favorite punter.
- I thought both Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon played well today. Faced with the impossible task of holding back Jimmy Graham, they managed to get in front of him or at least tackle him quickly. Compared to how well Graham did against the defensive backs, this was miraculous.
- Brent Grimes was sharp in coverage, as usual. His athleticism and great instincts allowed him to keep up with some very talented Saints receivers and shut them down.
- The defense as a whole didn't manage any turnovers and didn't get any sacks, but I thought they played well today outside of some boneheaded mistakes. Brian Van Gorder sought to limit the damage from Drew Brees and managed to hold him back to some degree, and they turned in their usual dominant performance against the run.
- I'm going to give props to the fans. There was a lot of angst out there, yes, but I didn't really see anybody quit on this team, even during the darkest parts of the game. I feel like the fanbase has come a long way since the early 2000's.
- I can't be the only one worried about Matt Ryan's arm. He nearly threw picks on three consecutive passes to Tony Gonzalez in the fourth quarter, and some of his deep balls were off by several yards. One shot into the end zone missed by so much that even the Saints defenders could only stand and let it go.
I think Ryan is a very good quarterback who could be a great one, but his accuracy is an ongoing concern. - Roddy White is the goat of the game. There's been a lot of chatter about White being off this year, chatter I didn't spend a lot of time on. After all, if interceptions vary greatly year to year, why couldn't drops?
But after today, White's got a lot of improvement he needs to be striving for. I can't deny that. His terrible drop wound up as a pick. He made mistakes in the form of penalties--even if one was a mistake only the refs could see--and he had trouble getting open and trouble making catches all day. There's something very, very wrong here.
It's painful for me to write this, because White has become such a terrific weapon after a rough start to his career. Until he improves, though, it's time to get Jones and Douglas more involved in the offense at his expense. He's just making too many mistakes right now, and it's costing the offense. - The pass rush was largely anemic today. Drew Brees has excellent instincts and the Saints' line is pretty solid, but to come out of this one with no sacks and hardly any pressure? Unacceptable.
- The two plays where Jimmy Graham was left wide open speaks to the problems with BVG's particular brand of zone. The fact that you have two or three guys who all are unsure of who they were supposed to be covering on the same play tells me something is very, very wrong with the team's communication.
- The officiating was horrible. I'm sure there were plays the Saints fans felt screwed by, but the crew today called at least two phantom penalties on the Falcons and probably screwed up Mike Cox's desperate first down lunge. I rarely take aim at the refs, but damn.
- The coaching staff made countless mistakes today.
The 4th and 1 call wasn't necessarily the wrong one, in terms of going for it. The problem was that the actual play call was so stupid. When you have a choice between a QB sneak that has a quarterback basically taking three steps forward and stretching out versus getting a running back going from five yards back, you would generally take the QB sneak. Heck, even trying to catch them off balance with a passing play would have made more sense than plunging Turner when the defense knew it was coming.
It was like that all game. The Falcons took strikes when they shouldn't have, went conservative when they didn't need to and abandoned the run in overtime for no good reason. You can pin a lot of fault on Mike Smith, Mike Mularkey and Brian Van Gorder for the mistakes their units made today.
Game Theme Song: Junk of the Heart by The Kooks. Not only is it stuck in my head, but I would desperately like us all to be happy.
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Couldn't write it better...
I don’t mind the decision to go for it… I just don’t understand the playcall. I think Dungy has a point though: That call couldn’t win you the game, it could only lose it.
Also, I am very down on White. Even after the crappy game he played, if he catches that touchdown at the end of regulation we win the game. I can “almost” take the routine drops… but his drops are now starting to be HUGE. At times when we really can’t afford it. It can be argued that his drops have now cost us two games.
And don’t get me started on his penalties. I don’t have the time.
There is still a lot of football left.
We just really need to start getting things together.
Smith's CALL was BAD
Dungy said it best like you quoted above.
It seemed really impulsive by Smith and after NO’s Timeout he should have came to his senses. I understand not wanting to give it to Brees, but its not like we hadn’t stopped him the previous drive and a couple others plus they had zero ground game.
Anyone else think the ref’s spot was bad, I really thought he had the first. Atleast not clear enough that it should have been overturned after review.
Damned if you do Damned if you don't
I think either way the Falcons were Dead Ducks
You punt it back to Drew Brees
WTF do you think is going to happen?
Are they going to stop the Saints for a second straight drive in OT with BVG defense?
Seriously?
Do you know that Brees can go 99 yards in the Georgia Dome?
He did it in 2007 and he can do it again.
The Saints did not have a giveaway, and it was likely not going to happen. Brees was virtually untouched…so you think it was finally going to happen?
In 2010 the Falcons went for it multiple times in overtime against the Saints.
Only diff, it works.
If this play in nov 13 2011 works, it’s not a bad play.
But it didn’t so, it is a bad play in perspective.
Either you die a slow death, or get it over with now.
A QB sneak might have been better though.
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
In total agreement with Dave as well
I think every fan watching and in attendance at the game felt like punting back to Brees where he starts at the 35-40 yard line was game over. If you can’t get a first down on 4th and inches, you don’t really deserve the win. In either case, the most troubling part of this game was not “The Decision” nor was it even the terrible play call from Mularkey. It’s the Elephant in the room: Matt Ryan’s accuracy. The game really shouldn’t have even made it to OT. Not only did he miss badly on two potential TD throws to Gonzo, one should have certainly been picked off. He missed terribly on two deep balls to a very open HD, and hit receivers late and behind all game long. Something is definitely off about Ryan this year, and it’s baffling. Similar to what’s happening with Phillip Rivers. Until he fixes what’s ailing him, the Falcons are not a playoff caliber team.
I wonder if the change in the QB Coach has affected Ryans play. Maybe last years Coach knows Ryan enough to correct what he is doing wrong.
I think Ryan is throwing off his back foot, and not stepping into his throws. Did you see the loft he was putting on his deep throws?
And when he does step into the throw, I think he is over throwing because he cant naturally throw a deep ball, so he has to really load up on the throw, and chunk it, rather than accurately throwing it.
by Magellan55 on Nov 14, 2011 4:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Didn't like the playcalling on 4th and inches
I was just wondering, if you’re Matt Ryan, and you see everyone jammed in the middle, (safeties and corners included) why not audible and run an HB toss to Turner? I don’t think the saints defense would have caught up to Turner and stop him before he got to the 1st down. What do you think?
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Nov 14, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
Turner cant catch!
Matt Ryan did that on a few plays and Turner kept dropping the ball.
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
yea turner can't catch short passes, but you're saying he cant catch a simple HB toss? his hands can't be THAT bad
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Nov 14, 2011 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you
Turner could have started toward the line and then diverted to the outside. There was no one there at all. Maybe the coaches tell him to follow the play as called without question but there was obviously no where to go up the middle.
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
Vince Lombardi
by armchair quarterback on Nov 14, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
QB sneak or play action would have been better.
by Magellan55 on Nov 14, 2011 4:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
QB sneak? another run STRAIGHT up the middle? did you see how far back the O-line was pushed?
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Nov 15, 2011 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Very tough game. I don't think roddy came to play in this game.
Defense was alright except a few blown plays. Why couldn’t the offense move the ball like we did at the end of the fourth more often? Something is wrong with white. We need to coaching staff to figure this one out.
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on Nov 14, 2011 8:02 AM EST reply actions
Roddy has his head up his ass the year!
by Magellan55 on Nov 14, 2011 6:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
one other important highlight
whoever was covering Sproles did an excellent job yesterday. 2 runs for 1 yd and 4 catches for 2 yds – that must have been the worst game for Sproles EVER.
as for the lowlight in Roddy, that was just heartbreaking. he seems to be making some clutch catches – remember that conversion on a 4th down pass? I could even live with his drops, if he comes back and makes a clutch catch a moment later. but all those penalties on him were away from the ball. that cannot be lack of offseason, and bla bla bla. he’s rapidly developing that WR Diva personallity like TO or Ochocinco.
Some say we can’t bench him, but problem is, if you keep him on the field and throw passes to HD and JJ, that won’t limit Roddy’s boneheaded mistakes. Smitty better talk to him man to man. if things go this way, I’m all for seeing him benched.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
by Gemini-RU on Nov 14, 2011 8:05 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Worse is Special WEEMS
Mr. I never saw a touchback I didn’t like.
He should be cut
HD needs to get the ball more anyway. He can return punts and kickoffs and we can add another O lineman or another position.
Everyone has down years...he just isn't adjusting well to the new rules. He'll be fine.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
Rules are not an excuse.
The rule changes have nothing to do with his decisions to catch punts. Or his decision to return a kickoff that is caught 7 yards deep. His mistakes have cost the falcons big time in field position. he needs a benching until he can figure it out
by NewAgeDirtyBirdFan on Nov 14, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
I know they took HD ofg of KR in order to protect him, but if he not going to be used more at WR, he should be returning punts. I would put Franks or Quizz on Kickoffs.
by Magellan55 on Nov 14, 2011 4:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'll say one thing
Best song of the game I can remember. It’s sad that that’s what I’m taking away from the game.
Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.
Follow me on Twitter! @HarrisonN17
by Turner_The_Burner on Nov 14, 2011 8:05 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I know they would of only carried...ten or so times
But if you factor in screens, our line of scrimmage D was phenomenal. Run D was great, covered the flats well – pity about the pass rush.
Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.
Follow me on Twitter! @HarrisonN17
by Turner_The_Burner on Nov 14, 2011 8:06 AM EST reply actions
It's this simple
If your playcalling is questionable week in and week out, game after game, I’m not going to trust you to draw up a play to convert a 4th and inches on our own 29 yard line in overtime. Period. I’m just not sold on this coaching staff, I don’t think I ever was.
Here's the thing
It’s the winningest coaching staff in team history through three and a half seasons. There’s flaws here, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Mike Mularkey bouncing off the curb. But for all their faults, this is arguably the best we’ve ever had.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 14, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No, It's saying allot...
I would say that Dave is right…we have it good right now compared to the days of old.
With that being said though, it is damn hard watch a team this talented play this bad and sloppy!!
I find it hard to believe that the ONLY play in the playbook for a MR Audible at the LoS is “Turner up the Middle”, yet that is all we saw all day long and it was beat up…all day long. They KNEW it was coming.
Your closest rivals SHOULD know you well and the Aint’s had our number ALL day long; we just had allot of luck (and it sucks to BE that lucky all day and go out like we did). We did our homework too…we stuffed their run game very well, as we should have, it’s their weakest link.
Lots of errors yesterday, MR overthrowing, RW dropping the ball (though he had a couple of sweet catches too), bad officiating ALL DAY LONG, MS calling for a run on 4 and 1 on our 30, in OT (quick slants to TG work…just check past game footage or), and MM’s play calling ALL DAY LONG!!!
I could forgive BVG and his love of zones if an Offense this talented wasn’t ran by an OC THIS F’ING BAD!!
Maybe this just isn’t the year for this team…it’s young and talented and we will be a force for the near future (note to coaching staff, the window on this is short…next thing you know it’s 6 years down the road and this is no longer true). There is some shaking up that must be done on the coaching staff if this team is going to go where no Falcons team has ever gone, SB Victory!! Even if the shakeup happens before the end of the season, I don’t believe that it will be this year. We will get our 4th consecutive winning season but I would rather we “just miss” the playoffs than have another “one and done” playoff game, to me that would be more “Demoralizing” to this team than not making it at all (which could actually get some people motivated…even in the front office). Plus, I fear a playoff appearance this year would cause a "Stay of Execution" for some members of the coaching staff that need to go…you’d be surprised what new coaches can do…just ask San Francisco!!
Just my opinions of course…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
That is certainly true.
But they are underperforming with a really talented roster. I don’t think that is me being a homer, it’s the truth. What do we say next year? Or the year after that? How long do we hold on to them if they can’t turn it around.
I don’t know if you remember, but I asked this very question after the Bears game. It’s not the fact that we are losing… it’s the way we are losing that is so frustrating. Want to know why we don’t do well in the third Qtr? It’s coaching. We don’t make adjustments. Other teams do. Penalties? Scheming issues? Again, coaching.
Can someone else do a bit better is the main question. If they can’t get it done this season, Blank needs to seriously look at this staff and make adjustments. Maybe it’s just the OC and the DC that needs to go… but I think all positions should be looked at.
As far as team history goes this isn't the best coaching staff we've ever had
Posting a 14-2 record, actually winning playoff games, and appearing in a Superbowl is the best I’ve seen so far.
by dirtybirdy84 on Nov 14, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
I'll grant you that
But in terms of consistency, this is inarguably the best coaching staff. ’98 was magical, but it was followed up by a terrible ’99.
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Do you remember the roster turnover from '98-'99?
Plus historically teams who win the Superbowl usually struggle the following season, the Packers and Patriots are rightfully exceptions to that rule.
by dirtybirdy84 on Nov 14, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I don't disagree
I think it’s fair to say that Reeves was the best coach ever because of the Super Bowl berth. I’m just pointing out that this is still one of the best staffs we’ve had.
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I see....ask me tomorrow how I feel about this coaching staff....
Today I’m just not a fan of it.
by dirtybirdy84 on Nov 14, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
Can't really blame you for that
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I liked it until Yesterday
Smith was my least of worries. But boy, did he make some bad decisions. Not just the one that cost us the game either.
2008 was magical too
They simply ran into the buzzsaw of the ARZ cardinals a little too early.
I think the Falcons actually played well in that game. CAR and PHI struggled equally against ARZ and PIT in the superbowl nearly lost to them.
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Dan Reeves was a Good one
Winning seasons are nice but until we win some playoff games, I have to agree.
Coaching Lost us this Game
1. Puzzling onside kick with 4+ minutes left in game down by 3
2. Mike Smith throwing a red flag on a call that was an obvious catch
3. After a TO by each side Mike Smith STILL going for it on his own 29 yd line leading to our defeat
Also, I’m surprised we let Brees have so much time in the pocket, too. We should have applied more pressure. But out Defense held up pretty good for the most part.
I had forgotten about that ridiculous challenge
That TO would have been nice to have at the end of the game.
"People in this country used to look at a successful person and ask what can I do to have that kind of sucess. Now a lot of people look at a successful person and ask what can I do to take what he has."
- Tommy Beam
In total disagreement with you
Aside from the bogus challenge that it seemed like he wanted back right after he threw it, the onside kick probably saved us the game. Giving Brees the long field to work with and 4 minutes, he would have milked that clock all the way down to nothing. Giving Brees the short field meant he had less room to work with, and still gave us plenty of time on the clock so that, even if NO had kicked a FG, we’d still have roughly 2 minutes left to mount a TD-winning drive from Ryan. The fourth down try was the right call, just a terrible play.
really?
Giving Brees the short field meant he had less room to work with
wow
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
What I mean is...
You kick off and Brees basically can move up and down the field at will. It happened back in 2008 when we punted to them with 3:30 left in the fourth and never got the ball back. The Falcons usually stiffen up inside their half, and at worst, NO’s gets more conservative with their playcalling and settles for a FG. Either way, you’ve given yourself at least 2 minutes to mount a drive to win the game with a TD. Of course, all of this is hindsight, and had Turner busted up the middle for a first down, this thread would be how ballsy and smart Smitty was. Too many mistakes and bad play calling doomed this team Sunday.
it was more than that
Ryan’s inaccuracy
Penalties on Roddy and Weems.
Bad Excution on plays. Can’t catch the ball by some receivers.
Losing Julio again.
Playcalling on both sides.
You name it…it was a factor
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
I think you just cut into White's snap count
Benching him is not going to get the change we all want to see. Slash his reps, give Jones and Douglas more run and make him play his way back into a big snap count.
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This one really hurts, and I even missed it. This is the worst ya'll have sounded this year.
Sorry guys, I’m gonna be clueless until late December.
Arigato
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by Dave Choate on Nov 14, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
At least the second time this year
Roddy has dropped a perfect pass that would have given us a lead late in a game we would eventually go on to lose. I’d like to say they should cut his plays in half, but I’m not sure if that would be practical if Julio can’t stay healthy.
"People in this country used to look at a successful person and ask what can I do to have that kind of sucess. Now a lot of people look at a successful person and ask what can I do to take what he has."
- Tommy Beam
Glad HD can step up
and be the go to guy.
Falcons still have GOOD Shot at PLAYOFF
Its appearing more and more that Detroit Lions are mostly hype. They got absolutely destroyed by the Bears yesterday and they have a pretty tough schedule left- GB twice. The Cowboys can’t be counted out either.
the Lions aren’t the issue
It’s the Bears
They beat the Falcons and have 2 or 3 losses to the Falcons 4.
The Bears have a very easily Schedule, and unless the falter shouldn’t finish less than 11-5.
The Cowboys, beat Seattle and Buffalo, avoiding a trap. They are our best hope.
With Philly being inconistent…and WSH struggling, The Cowboys are no lock to lose.
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
The cowboys have a lot to prove as well.
It seems that the East is beating each other. I think the first to 10 wins the division. I see second place finishing 9 – 7 or so.
?Bears aren't the Issue
I don’t think we will catch the Bears and even if we do they have a tiebreak. Unless NO screw up somewhere along the way, we can still grab that final playoff spot. It will be btw Dallas, Atlanta, and Detroit and like i said Detroit is starting to crack.
i was saying that in a comparative sense
In terms of Wild Card
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
Agree
Completely. Detroit still has greenbay twice, and the saints.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
Matt Ryan was horribly inaccurate in this game
If he makes one throw right such as the one to Harry Douglas in QT the game would have a different result.
Assuming they lost to HOU and @NO, at best they are looking at 10-6
That COULD still make the playoffs but it’s depended on the Bears and the Cowboys IMO
As we know they lost to CHI and they have an easy schedule with 4 straight games with the AFC west. I only see them losing to GB and maybe MIN on the road. But the Bears would still be 12-4 so forget the fifth seed.
If the Cowboys loses two games the rest of the way I think they are 10-6.
But they would have to lose all of their division/conference games since the Falcons have lost 2 divisional games and all 4 losses are in the conference.
In other words. The Falcons should try to win at least @HOU and/or @NO if they want playoffs
We may have back to back winning season, but they don’t have back to back playoff appearences.
Time to look at 2012 guys.
WAAAAY
to soon to say that. I think we still have a very good shot to make the playoffs.
We are good enough to beat any team left on our schedule… almost easily. The only two games I am remotely worried about are HOU and NO, as you pointed out. I think we can win both. After that, we just need to play football.
Now of course, if we are inconistent, then who knows? But I still like our chances to make the playoffs. Way to early to count us out; there is a lot of football left.
Never too soon
You have to prepare yourself for what’s ahead.
Of course the Falcons “are good enough” But more than halfway through, they aren’t figuring things out.
So I’m thinking realistically.
The lockout has affected them.
The positives in this game is Harry Douglas, Mike Cox, and continued improving effort by #22.
Other than that, I don’t see any actual team improvement.
The Falcons aren’t a team that can do what the 2005 Steelers 2007 Giants, or 2010 Packers can do (historically)
Our franchise player Matt Ryan since 2009 has been inaccurate inconsistently. (still better than Vick) but teams ride on their QB, and one wonders…has he peaked after the 2008 season with three years of some inepititude.
Yes he did well in 2010. But lack of some crisp and deep throws is killing this offense.
I’m telling you. It doesn’t look good mathematically. 1 Packers 2 Niners 3 Saints 4 Giants 5 Bears….should make the playoffs unless the Giants and Saints falter.
Who’s number six?
It could be the Falcons, it could be the Cowboys.
But both teams tend to have ineptitude.
Even if the Falcons do make it. Can they win in New Orleans or New Jersey in January? Or even in Philly or Dallas, if it comes to that?
Falcons lost all three of those games last time there.
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
man oh man
Why is it that RW is getting caught up in trash talking w/ opponents and getting stupid penalties called on him when there is no need for that crap!! Its not like its 1 or 2 times, this is happening almost every game. Turner ran like a beast in the 1st qtr then 4 carries 2nd qtr 6 carries 3rd qtr 2 carries 4th qtr and 1 carry in OT. We should have stuffed turner down there throat till he couldn’t run n e more. What the hell is going on????
makes ya wonder
if something happened to him in the 1st qtr? Maybe he was getting exhausted already? I dont know but when they did run him those few times after the 1st qtr it was always right up the stuffed in the gut….
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
It was gut wrenching Yoko. Book on WW3? Do tell!
by aces666high on Nov 14, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
okay, since you asked...
Defining WW3 can be up for debate… But in this case, Full Spectrum Dominance by F. William Engdahl Very well documented and complete with accessible references.
Good game Falcons Fans
That was a great slugfest between our two teams. I think we both have a right to scowl over the officiating in spots.
This will just add to the divisional rivalry between our two teams. Most of the time we play each other very close and yesterday showed that and then some. I expect more of the same in the rematch.
Good luck against the Titans.
I like Hamburgers!
Good luck until we meet again
Thanks Grumps.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 14, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good game Dave Choate
A slugfest indeed. Both offenses made a ton of mistakes and it could have anybody’s win or loss yesterday. Your defense was stout on 3rd downs and against the run.
Was very disappointed in our sloppiness yesterday. And both offenses made a ton of mistakes. Hope the next game will be both A games without all the mistakes.
Both teams have loads of talent I will say. Crazy rivalry between the two.
This division isn’t locked by a long shot. Tons of football left.
I spent 8 years trying to reach him...and then another 7 trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...Evil.
Dr. Sam Loomis Aka (Donald Pleasence)
You too man...
Hard fought game as I expect our next meeting will be as well.
Thanks for stopping by…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No problem Blood
I still have a pounding headache from yesterday. And it’s not from drinking. And you’re right, next meeting will come down to the wire again.
I spent 8 years trying to reach him...and then another 7 trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...Evil.
Dr. Sam Loomis Aka (Donald Pleasence)
the Fact that the Falcons have found themselves on the wrong end of three point games with the Saints is a microcosm of the falcons 2-9 record since 2006.
Blowouts are usually not as bad, because there aren’t as critical or fundamental.
The Saints have the better team and coaching staff and are build to beat the Falcons day in and day out. Until the Falcons figure out how to counter that.
They will Never beat Sean Peyton and Drew Brees fundamentally outside of the 2008 and 2010 win.
by brotherbrown on Nov 14, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions
I actually turned the game off after the first half.
And the funny thing was, it wasn’t because I was sure the Falcons were going to lose… it was because I’m still seeing the exact same pattern that, until it gets fixed, is going to keep this team from really being a factor in the NFL that can legitimately compete for a title.
And it’s this: you will NEVER see this team put a good offensive and defensive series together back to back. It simply does not happen. If the offense scores a touchdown, the defense gives one up on the next drive. If the defense forces a 3 and out, the offense either goes 3 and out on the next series or drives downfield and gets held to a field goal. The consistency of this pattern is amazing. It’s something I’ve started to pay attention to probably more than anything else when I watch a Falcons game. And it’s so reliable you can set your watch to it.
For me, 90% of the frustration falls on the offensive side of the ball. I mean it’s not really possible to hand MM any more weapons than he already has. This should be a top 3 offense in the NFL, and yet right now they aren’t even the best unit on their own team. Seriously, what is missing from this offense right now? The only argument for awhile was "a good offensive line", but the offensive line was fine yesterday and it didn’t matter. You have pro bowlers at QB, WR, RB, and FB. You have a rookie phenom as your #2 receiver and a VERY good slot receiver. You have a change of pace back who is fantastic. Oh, and you have the greatest TE to ever play the game who is still better than 90% of the guys out there at his position.
And what did that get you yesterday? Well, it got you 0 touchdowns in the first half (against a team whose redzone defense is terrible and whose defense overall is mediocre at best) and 13 points through the first 3 quarters. I shouldn’t have to wait for an offense that’s THAT loaded to wake up in the last 6 minutes of the game and start playing football. And yet week after week, I have to wonder whether the offense is going to show up or not, and if so, how late and for how long.
Until that gets fixed, whether we miss or make the playoffs is an irrelevant question.
by cheshire falcon on Nov 14, 2011 10:21 AM EST reply actions 6 recs
Rec
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
This deserves to be green
I think you hit it on the head. The Falcons failed to convert in the redzone. The field goals at the beginning of the game were one thing, but first and goal from the nine with two plays remaining… You have to get the touchdown.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Nov 14, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
I will "Green" it up and I agree!!
If people can’t see that MM is the problem here then they just simply are not paying attention in my opinion…sigh…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
craped out on the gamble
Did this team know !st place was on the line yesterday. WELL they do now because they are not in 1st place in the NFCS, This team in big games are an epic Fail !!!!!. Had my fill with it. Bad play calling Bad execution Bad coaching and list goes on. Well when the dome is empty and games are blacked out maybe then the falcons will show up and play football. Know its harsh but I mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore.
Mike Smith made the right call and the right play and I'm gonna tell you why
I dont know what game everybody why else was watching but let me tell you why Mike smith made the right call and why he shouldnt had punted the ball back to the Saints. Our running game was the best offensive plays against the Saints since they couldnt stop it – especially on a few other 4th down plays. Like Mike and everybody else said – if we can’t get a few inches on a running game thats been most effective through the whole game then we didnt deserve to when.
The players on offensive and defense didnt have ANY problems with the call and as a matter of fact – their glad to have a coach that believes in them and their abilities.
So are all of you saying that the coach shouldnt had believed in them and had faith in his team?
The defense was tired and gassed people. If he had kicked it back to the Saints it would had been over and embarrassing. How many times did the Defense sack Drew Brees in that game? Or was able to stop Colston from getting 10-12 yards?
Did you guys know that Mike Smith parents was at the game also?
So I’m sure this game was special for him also and we as Falcons fans should show him a little bit more consideration and get off our high horse! The man has given this city 3 consecutive winning seasons and this WILL be our 4 – something no coach in the history of this franchise has ever done and because we’re not dominating like we did last year we want to kick him to the curb?!
No wonder nobody wants to play or coach for Atlanta!
Oh and here is the link for those who want to see Mike Smith parents at the game with Robin Meade: http://lockerz.com/s/155923733
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 10:36 AM EST reply actions
Well, that helps me a little. Thanks. Good to hear something positive. Still a playoff chance, too.
Now back to reading F. William Engdahl…
Okay - you want something positive - I'm gonna give it to you
What everybody is forgetting or just not paying attention to is that we still can catch the Saints. the Saints are in their bye next week! When they comeback – they play the Giants and this will be one time I will cheer for the Giants!
Now the Falcons have to beat the Titans and the Vikings and hope the Giants beat the Saints then we again will be tied for 1st place in our division! Is that positive enough for you?!
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Is
that a home game for the saints?
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Yes it is, i just found it.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Yep. But the Saints will loose that game at home
The Gaints will be able to get to Brees and Sean Payton will be back in the booth.
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
I
think they will lose too, i was just gonna go ahead and write if off as a loss if they were in NY.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Dude, it's humanly impossible to say that's the right play......
….when you start a play (with a plodding, slow RB) 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and you only need a few inches, its not the right play!!!!!…….it doesn’t matter how much the coach or the team loves the idea, its the wrong play.
by AuxiliaryHusky on Nov 14, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
Do you bowl?
With a bowling ball like Turner you have to get him started first. Secondly – Jacquizz couldnt do it because he not strong enough. And finally – the Saints were ready for the pass until they saw Turner in the backfield and called timeout to adjust! So any pass would have been intercepted or incomplete.
And you definitely didnt want to kick it to Brees when the D line couldnt get any pressure and couldnt stop Colston neither!
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
but if the entire saints defense is stacked up the middle, why run it straight into them? run a counter to the sideline. even if the defense gets to him he will most likely be tackled going forward for the first since the defenders would have to tackle him from the side
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Nov 14, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
What I see is a great team that has hadf its focus turned somewhere else
We are on the verge of something .Its a team.I was very disappointed but its a team.It can’t be perfect all the time even half the time.All we need to do is get an invite to the dance.Lions lost we have a chance at the wild card.We just went past the half way mark.I think smitty will see this week that some real coaching needs to be done.I hate to say it but Roddy has lost his focus.Some here would love to kick him to the curb but come on.Lots of football left to go.If you don’t feel that way then there is always next year.
by JT131 on Nov 14, 2011 10:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Did you see that brawl that Mathew Stafford started and that nobody in the NFL is talking about?
If he had grabbed me by my helmet like that I would have beaten his ass too! The Falcons had shown that they wasn’t as good as they thought and Chicago only confirmed it.
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah
And it was ridiculous how they ejected Moore from the game and not Stafford. Suh did the same thing to Cutler didnt he?
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Yes. So how come the NFL isnt talking about that?!
Because most of the NFL hate the on the Falcons and have their favorite teams and are bias. Look at how they are running Mike Smith 4th down call in the media and on NFL networks into the ground and how little they are talking about a play that could have ended two guys careers or severe neck injuries like Peyton Manning. And why hasn’t Suh and Stafford been fined or suspended?
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
They
dont want to tarnish the cinderella lions obviously, Fairley looked like he killed Cutler on the one late hit.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
And Stafford lost his composure
and tried to literally end the career of a guy that didn’t even have the ball!
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah
i agree 100%. I would have did the same thing Moore did.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Spot on recap
Though roddy should have his own song of the game.
Its called drop the ball by anthrax.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 10:48 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
This is as good a spot as any...
The difference in the game, to me came down to receivers, not play calling, missed kicks, etc.
In fact, in the time it took me to type this comment, Brees just converted another third down to Colston.
While our stud receiver, White, was flubbing his way through the game, their best WR was making huge third down catches. He had 8 catches for 111 yards; White had 4 for 62, but that doesn’t tell the story.
Meanwhile, Julio was injured…again…Sure, it’s not technically his fault, but when we needed him, he wasn’t available. (And he dropped a few key passes, too.)
It’s simple: had our top WRs come to play, we would have won. Period. They didn’t. Game over.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
by Jman781 on Nov 14, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly
That last regulation pass to roddy that should of been a TD, he seemed more concerned with flailing his hand in a throw the flag motion than he did with keeping his eyes on and catching the ball. I think he had done gave up on himself by that time though.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
White's been doing that a lot lately...
Or has he always done this, but I forgave him since he actually caught key passes?
Seriously, almost nothing agitates me more than a WR trying to draw a flag than just catching the daggum ball. It’s like flopping in soccer or basketball—I hate it.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
what agitates me even more
is seeing our star WR penalized for a foul away from the ball, repeatedly.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
One thing Dave...
I am really going to disagree with you on the fans in the GDOME yesterday!!
Yeah, they stayed to the end but where was the noise on “D”…non-existent for the most part. Brees got a snap count penalty, drawing one of our players offside at a point in the game when it counted…in OUR HOUSE!! Sorry but that is just pathetic, in those situations, that is when they needed to be the loudest!! Brees should have had trouble thinking let alone pull that shit off…sorry, I am not giving yesterdays crowd one ounce of credit!!
But…that’s just me…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
I should have clarified
I meant guys here, on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Not being in the stadium, I was guessing on the Dome.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 14, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
True and my bad...
you didn’t specifically mention the fans at the game…
But, my point is still valid…lol
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, it is
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by Dave Choate on Nov 14, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Here's an idea
You could show up to the game and make some noise on “D”.
Just a thought.
The crowd was almost half Saints fans, yet the Falcons fans that did show up get blamed. Not the ones who stayed home to watch the game. How does that work? Do you want me to buy two tickets and clone myself?
We were there and we were loud. We just didn’t have the numbers. You can look at a lot of different reasons why that might be, but don’t look at the folks who paid for a ticket and showed up to the game. How about looking at the people who don’t go to the games? I can let you borrow a mirror.
Sadly, being in California, I just couldn't make it
I applaud you and the other Falcon fans that were there. But half the stadium saints fans? Atlanta, you should be embarrassed. Yea, yea, I know saints fans travel well but who has first dibs on those tickets? That stadium should be a sea of red and black. Instead, you get to hear Khun!!! loud and clear in the last packer meeting, saints 1st downs being wildly cheered…
I know, I know. They haven’t built up a rabid following thanks to 6534 years of sadness, but the last few have shown light at the end of this miserably long tunnel we’re in. yet the dome is still not a consistent weapon for us.
by aces666high on Nov 14, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
Before you attack me...
ask me where I live…that would be Northern California!! If I still lived in the state I grew up in and will love till the day I die…I would have season tickets and be unable to speak this morning. Hell, that’s usually the case when watching the games at home (my neighbors love me when the Falcons play).
I have a very good sound system in my house and that fan noise was PATHETIC and all I saw when they panned through the audience was a sea of red, would not have looked that way had the fans been 50/50 as you stated. As I stated above…BREES GOT A SNAP COUNT PENALTY IN OUR HOUSE…NUFF SAID!!!
BTW, I drove 13 hours to go to the game in Seattle and you can ask my Niece and Nephew who were at the game with me…I was pissing off the Hawks fans with how load I was being (but, they know how to make some noise…go to a Hawks home game if you REALLY want to know how fans should sound on "D"!!). And I go to EVERY game that is played in San Fracisco, Oakland and San Diego.
Dave, sorry…
But since you made this personal sir…you can kiss my…(no need to spell it out for you)!! And you know what you can do with that mirror!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
load=loud
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Where in Norcal are u from Talon?
I’ve got family up around Sacramento.
by aces666high on Nov 14, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
I am 40 minutes from Sac on I-80.
I live in Fairfield and work on Travis AFB.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
I've got family in Sacramento and Olivehurst
My bro in law is stationed at Beale AFB. In Afghanistan right now tho.
Funny, I will be working at Beale soon...just waiting on the offer to come down the pipe.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
im jealous of those who live in atl
Im in so cal and travel each year to a game. What it costs me for one game I could probably go to 3 or 4 if I lived in atl. I haven’t been to our home yet. Id rather sit amongst the enemy and give our guys some support. You guts in atl need to get loud and those of us who can’t be there will represent the away games.
by ocfalcon on Nov 14, 2011 2:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
orange county
Fulleeron to be exact. I’ve been searching for years for other fans. Where you at?
by ocfalcon on Nov 14, 2011 5:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I hate to say it but I agree with you
The crowd noise was mediocre at best if not none existent. With all that red in the GDome – you would expect the crowd noise would be like it was when the Eagles and Packers was here! When the Falcons played those 2 teams here – the crowd noise was soooo loud you couldnt even hear the announcers and they couldnt hear each other at times! So what happened to the crowd noise during the Saints game?
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
I know right...
the crowd did do awesome in those 2 games. This is our division rivalry…you would think the folks there would have been up for this game!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
And I feel bad for Mike Smith also
With all the criticism he’s facing and hearing from both fans and analyst – no one has mentioned that his parents was there along with Robin Meade and he wanted this win more than anyone and people are beating him down every chance they get! The Falcons just need to bounce back and beat the Titans and Vikings here. And lets have some crowd noise that will shake the stadium instead of that little cheer leading thing that was happening this past weekend.
The Saints was looking for a pass or a fake from the Falcons on the kick off until the Falcons decided to go for it.
Now if the Saints was so ready for the run – why did they call time out when they saw the offense back on the field people?! Can anyone answer that?
I mean that would be wasteful unless you weren’t ready for it – but thats not possible because according to just about everyone on here the Saints were ready for it – right?
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
They had 11 men in the box...if that's not waiting for a run, I don't know what is then!
Just saying…
Good point about Smitty though and I get it but…(and I really am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt but I just don’t think it was the right call in that spot)
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
After they had called timeout to adjust
Look at the whole game. They couldnt stop Turner during the whole game. What hurt us the most and what very few people are mentioning is the lack of success in the red zone. Twice we should have had TDs instead of field goals. We abandoned the run in the red zone and went for the pass knowing they would be ready for that. Tony G was needed in to block. It was the right call but MM should had let Turner bounced it out to the outside where he would have got those inches.
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Well, FOX cut me off...
so I can only go by what commentators and others on here have said regarding the end of the game.
Yes, our “Red Zone” Offense was not good to say the least and that is the reason we were even in that situation to begin with. I just don’t like the call, succeed or fail; we can agree to disagree on that point and I am cool with that. Everyone sees things in a different light.
But I think it should have been a quick slant or just about anything else to get the ball to TG…the guy is clutch!! Again, just my thoughts on it…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 15, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
umm..they were sunday night primetime games so i guess they had better incentive to be loud
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Nov 14, 2011 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, I was in the Dome.
Our fans were GREAT. My ears are still ringing, and I have zero voice left. We were so loud when our D was on the field that the Saints fans around us started blowing their whistles to drown us out (which made the noise worse for Brees & Co., but I don’t think they understood that.) Some “fans” left early, some “fans” had the audacity to sell their tickets to Saints fans, and I’m going to have a serious talk about that with the dude who owns the tickets in front of us, by the way—but there is a core group of Falcons fans that hold it down in the Dome every week, stay until the end, and support the team win or lose. It’s not fair to generalize about the crowd in the Dome.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 14, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Okay
But when you see the replay at home and watch it on TV like some of us did. You can hear Drew Brees calling the plays on the field out loud with little crowd noise and you can see that the defense was always trying to get the crowd more into it.
Maybe your group was the ones we heard and we appreciate you and thank you! But some of the others were mediocre.
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
There's never a defensive play that the ATL fans in my section aren't on our feet screaming.
It’s like that for every game. Winning, losing, succeeding, struggling, whatever. In my opinion, that’s what a fan DOES at a game. I don’t see the point in going otherwise. Honestly. We’re up in the Penthouse (aka the cheap seats) so maybe it’s hard for you guys to hear on TV, I don’t know. But we do our best.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 14, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
They rarely show you guys
If not for the certain angles – we never see the people in the penthouse seats! But thank you guys for being great fans!!!
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
I hear you...
and NO DOUBT you are like me…I would have no voice for days after home games if I still lived there and had season tix (one day, god willing).
Maybe I am being overly critical and I will take te heat for that but I clearly “hear” the differences from game to game.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 15, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
I get being irritated about it...
Especially since it’s geographically impossible for you to get to home games. That’s what frustrates me about fans who leave early so I have to hear a bunch of “Go Pack Go” or “Who Dat” stupidity all around me at the end of a tough game. I know there are a lot of fans scattered around the US who would come to games if they could, be loud to support the team, and stay until the (sometimes bitter) end. But I promise there ARE a lot of us local fans who stick around, go home hoarse and exhausted, and will be back there on Sunday to do it all over again! I will watch part of the replay when it airs on NFL Network to see how the crowd noise sounded. I can’t watch OT again.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
It was very loud for a large part of the game.
I guess it didn’t seem that way on TV, but this game was no different than the other Falcons/Saints games I’ve been to.
Whoever said it was half Saints fans is not correct, it was about the same as it always is which was probably 15-20% Saints fans. The difference is they are all very obnoxious and very loud themselves.
We held our own yesterday though. We were loud when we were supposed to be. It wasn’t the loudest we’ve been all year, but it wasn’t noticeably different.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Nov 14, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
Good night. Totally agree.
Maybe we need to have some kind of gimmick like those stupid whistles. The other issue is the same issue we had with Packers fans, which is that they have a very stupid, and very recognizable tag line—Go Pack Go or Who Dat. One jackass starts yelling that and every single one of the Saints fans in attendance (which I agree was about 20%) picks up on it. When 20% of the Dome attendance is yelling a (dumb) chant in unison, you hear it. We need something like that.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 14, 2011 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Not a bad idea...but what would it be??
I am no fan of the Chop and Chat we Braves fans do at home games but at least it is a unifying, noise making symbol for the team at Turner Field.
I even find myself doing it on some of the games I am able to see there. I usually get to about 5 to 10 games a season at Turner Field…love that place.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 15, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Chat=Chant
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 15, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
I think it has to be 2-3 syllables...
with hard consonant sounds. That’s the success of the two I mentioned before. (I was a cheerleader, this is how I know these things.) Even though I love Rise Up, it lacks those consonant sounds. I really think we should work on this. And I LOVE the Chop! I get to Braves games whenever I can, but I Chop on my couch at home! You’re exactly right, we need something like that to unify the fans in the Dome and get everyone doing and yelling the same thing at the same time.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Why does everyone consistently harp on this
Everyone knows that OCs are wearing mics now, right? Hearing the Dome on TV is no way to tell how loud it is in the Dome. That’s very, very tired rhetoric.
Roddy White
I love Roddy and everything, but his attitude is really starting to become a problem and cost us some games. All of the smack talk during the week never helps, and it’s becoming a sure thing now that he’ll get at least one 15 yard personal foul for the senseless crap he does after the whistle. You can’t afford to ever do these things, but you CERTAINLY can’t do these sorts of things when you’re having the type of off year that Roddy is having.
I like the swagger and everything that he brings, but I feel like he can bring those same positive things to the locker room without having the boneheaded plays during the game. I seriously think either Smith or Arthur Blank need to have a sit down with Roddy.
I didn't see the personal foul
so I have no idea how big of an issue it was, but I think everybody agrees his OPI call was complete bull. Greer had absolutely no chance of getting to Tony on that play .
It was mentioned in commentary that Tony has been looking better this season then the past couple, which I think is obvious, and that may have somthing to do with the lack of OTAs this year. I think if TG stays on for the next season, the team doesn’t force him into any OTAs.
Conversley, I think Roddy’s drops are a by-product of the screwed up off-season. I know its not an excuse because other top wideouts haven’t been making the same drops but I think Roddy needs OTAs to keep him focused. His first few seasons were plauged by drops because he just didn’t practive hard enough, then the team brings in Joe Horn who motivates White into becoming one of the top 5 recievers in the leage for the next couple years. However this season White doesn’t have any compulsory team activities until a couple weeks before pre-season starts and I’m now doubting he has the work ethic to practice throughout a long off-season without some motivation from the coaches.
Roddy barely touch the guy as he was falling
And the refs called it a personal foul – illegal block in the back
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
so it was another BS call
sounds about right for a ATL- NO game
But like I said before
The tackle that Mathew Stafford put on Moore was waaaaay more personal and happened in front of a ref – but Moore got ejected! Watch it quick because Youtube and the Detroit Lions are trying to have all the videos pulled!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxqw8Qk0_gI
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
The problem is Roddy has a rep now, he's going to lose on iffy calls every time.
He needs to get his head straight.
It wasnt even close!
But yet – the refs missed the horse collar when Roddy was trying to catch the ball for the TD?!
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly
The problem that Roddy has caused for himself is that he has a rep now with refs. I agree that the OPI call was crap, but the only reason they were even paying attention to him was because of how he had been acting all game.
I’m not saying it’s right for the refs to do that, but you’re naive if you don’t think it happens ALL the time. That’s why somebody needs to have a serious talk with Roddy
Maybe Matt can talk to him
He seems to listen to Matt Ryan.
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Is
anyone else concerned with JJ’s injuries already?
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:26 AM EST reply actions
yes I am
however I’m glad we don’t have a first round pick next year. Just because we seem to have had a bad injury history with this staff so far.
2009: Peria Jerry – misses almost all rookie season and hasn’t done much for past two years despite being healthy.
2010: Sean Weatherspoon – Plays well to start the season, gets injured and so misses middle chunk of the season and isn’t used much when he comes back. Though he is having an absolute beast a season this year.
2011: Julio Jones – When on the field he has been amazing and explosive, just like we wanted, however yet again has missed multiple games due to injury. Yet to see how next couple seasons pan out but currently things look good for JJ.
just looking at that I’d say no matter who we got in the first round next draft, be it a LT or a CB or whatever they wouldn’t even be playing for half the season due to an injury.
Not long term...
But hammy injuries often linger.
Hopefully, it’s not a conditioning problem…
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
Yep, Miles Austin is going through the same issues right now...
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
Ouch, that really hurts
As we’ve seen for three years, Coach Smith has many positive attributes. As we’ve also noticed, when it comes to playoffs and top level teams, his skill set, and that of his coaches appears unprepared to compete successfully at top levels. Considering his early success occurred when the team was facing an easier schedule because of a poor previous season, he does not appear to have matured toward top quality since then. Whoever called the Turner run up the gut should be involved in food service or sanitation.
Ryans first year, during the playoff at Arizona, appeared to lose his ability to throw out patterns accurately. He has trouble with deep throws and accuracy. I, personally would trade him for Stafford or Newton’s arm. I wonder if there’s something wrong with his elbow or shoulder.
The team seems to space out with so many stupid penalties could be team or player deficiency, or both.
The coaching staff desperately need changes. Hopefully, Arthur Blank will pressure Smith to weed out the unproductive or return Smith to D-coordinator and hire a proven coach.
Sorry I even feel like giving advice but when things get this stupid , this often, as a consumer, I must say, “I am not at all satisfied with the product.”
by Merle T Cornpone on Nov 14, 2011 11:28 AM EST reply actions
How does MR's elbow or shoulder...
have anything to do with his accuracy??
If he were injured you could make that argument but he is not…at least not from the neck down (that we know of). His problems are more timing and miscommunication with receivers, his arm strength is just fine…who cares if he can chuck it 80 yards, it’s the 15 to 35 range I care about and that’s really all he needs to be able to do.
An argument could be made for Smith as the DC and bringing in a new Head but people don’t generally take to being “demoted” within the same organization and I think Smith is a really good Head Coach. BVG I am neutral about but MM has got to go and probably the OL coach as well!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Nov 14, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
Matt was fine. He made more than enough plays to win the game...
the receivers all dropped easy catches, 2 that could have been TDs.
This loss is on Roddy White in my opinion. With the sackless DLine, and Dunta Robinson with not-so-honorable mentions.
DR huh?
For what? Graham being open was not his blown coverages. Or is his name just one that always get’s brought up when ATL looses?
DR had an ok game. Nothing great.
He did have one Chris Houston moment on a 30+ yard reception. Didn’t turn his head an inch on that completion. Still, considering we generated laughable pressure on Brees, the secondary, other than embarrassingly bad breakdowns on a few plays, held up well. Btw, we had LB’s covering Colston on several plays. Good stuff.
by aces666high on Nov 14, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
And how many times did Colston get 1st down yardage?
Nuff said!
by Antonio Grimes on Nov 14, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
Where is your head
why would you automatically assume that DR was responsible for Colston? In reality, on a lot of Colston’s routes, he was lined up in the slot. When he was outside, he was usually running intermediate drag routes and sitting in windows in the middle of the field. Our Secondary really doesn’t deserve much flack after yesterday’s game. They did quite well.
If Decoud just tries to knock that Meachem TD away instead of catching it, it’s a totally different game.
My bad
saw you were responding to Aces about the LB coverage on Colston. Yeah, that was the main culprit for the significant yardage Colston was getting. Payton took a page out of Mike McCarthy on that one. Spoon was excellent though, and Lofton had his moments.
So frustrating...
All thinks considered the defense did a good job.
The offense was inconsistent and the officiating sucked.
The timeout loss on the challenge killed us, having an extra time out (or even time assuming it was used sooner) would have allowed us to work the middle of the field on the final drive and would make getting a touch down so much easier.
I don’t understand the call to give the ball to Turner, we only needed a couple of inches. QB sneak or a rollout play would have made much more sense to me. They had 11 guys in the box. There just wasn’t anywhere for Turner to go.
This is fascinating though:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007712/2/index.htm
I liked the fact that Smitty showed some balls.
by StevenF on Nov 14, 2011 11:48 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
Rec
Very nice article.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Personally...
I thought the call to go for it on 4th down was great. Seriously, if we convert, we win. I truly believe this.
I do question the order of the calls. On 3rd and 2 or 1 (can’t remember), we ran the play to Cox. Then, we followed with our standard run Turner up the middle—we know how that fared.
The Saints aren’t the best at stopping the run and Turner had been successful, for the most part, during the game. Thus, we should have run him, even up the middle, on 3rd down.
The play call to Cox would have been much better on 4th down, since it would have been unexpected.
I guess what I’m saying: Smith had to know he was going to go for it on 4th down if it was close. Thus, our 3rd down call should have been the “safer” call…
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
I get the "ballsyness" of the call but I gotta say we should have punted...
and yes I would still be saying this had we succeeded on the play and wound up winning the game…just to much at stake for a call like that and not typical of MS style of football. I mean for the most part, the “D” was the ONLY thing you could have really counted on yesterday (that and MR to HD…OMG that was nice to see!!).
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
make no mistake
the defense didn’t get any sacks nor any turnovers. They let NO best WRs get wide open down the middle of the field without even a hint of press coverage. What were they going to do? Because the bend but don’t break defense usually puts opposing teams in field goal range. The offense called 85 plays to NO’s 59…..and look at the sneak Brady did against the Jets
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
play call
If your going to make an aggressive decision at least call an aggressive play, not a dive up the middle…Play action to Tony G would have done just as well.
Coaching wins championships!
by Edgecrusher211 on Nov 14, 2011 12:35 PM EST reply actions
Play action to TG would have been better
Anything would have been better. It was pretty clear that the Saints were expecting the Turner dive. Hell, everybody in seven states was expecting the Turner dive. In that case, the best thing would be to do the unexpected. That would have provided a lot of alternate choices.
As always, succinct and astute observations, Dave!
There is definitely something “off” with Roddy White this year. That and maybe referees are getting tired of Roddy “Whine” as he’s constantly complaining and posturing? It seems lately that opponents find it easy to get him off his game, which indicates lack of focus. Consequently, his route running isn’t as sharp as in the last two seasons, he’s missing blocking assignments, and resorting to foolish penalties. I’ve counted three passes this season that have gone off his hands and resulted in interceptions. Our best receiver has become a liability in an offense that already has trouble with consistency in the passing game.
I have a new diet plan...
When I get hungry at inappropriate times, I think of the Falcons playcalling in overtime and lose my appetite.
This diet could actually be life threatening...I'd consult a physician...lol
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
All I can say is, it's working fine so far
I got to that point at lunch where, you know, you’ve eaten enough, but aren’t full yet? I thought of the Falcon play calls in the 5th period yesterday, and presto! Instant nausea. No more lunch. In fact, it bordered on bulimia.
I Blame the Team
Maybe we shouldn’t have blown two coverages on Jimmy Graham in the first half? Maybe Bryant should have hit that field goal? Maybe, if, shoulda woulda coulda…
I like Smitty’s decision from a guts standpoint. I didn’t like Mularkey’s play call from a probability standpoint. I’ve seen the percentages that Bill Barnwell has put out on Grantland that seem to make it a push for Smitty to go for it, but as bad as the Saints may be in “power situations,” they usually don’t have eleven men in the box for those situations. A QB sneak might have worked, but Ryan sucks at QB sneaks. I think you either sneak it or run a quick pass there.
Anyway, the Falcons didn’t get the job done. We’ve got the Titans, Vikes, Texans, Panthers, and Jags up next. We need four of five. Let’s get it done.
by Thrashy Thrashy on Nov 14, 2011 1:13 PM EST reply actions
The team!
RW,JJ,HD,TG- all had drops.
Matt bryant- missed a FG.
Weems- I hate you.
MM or Cox- whoever was at fault for you running a route behind the first down marker on 3rd down, nice effort though.
Ryan- accuracy problems again.
Defense- No sacks or int’s, no pressure in general. Lets just not cover jimmy graham, honestly if he didnt have butter fingers he would have killed us.
White- im starting to really dislike you.
MM and MS- bad playcalling.
Team effort loss all the way around.
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Another
thing to add on about JJ’s injuries, i believe i heard the announcer say it was his other hammy this time, could of heard wrong but does anyone know?
Let papa smurf in so i can put some red pants on this situation!
Lesbians like ellen degeneres and justin bieber are the bad kind son!
I promised my first born child to satan in exchange for a falcons superbowl win
by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 14, 2011 1:41 PM EST reply actions
It's funny to me about how terrible Mike Mularkey is
There is no doubt that we belittle him quite often for his trademark “Turner Up The Middle.” Yet, in overtime, there were multiple opportunities to revert back to his trademark move, and he refused, until the opportunity was no longer present. Consider the first overtime possession. Second and two I believe, what do we do? Deep pass that completely is overthrown. Should have been Turner up the middle. Then third and two. What do we do? Shotgun formation! Are you kidding me Mike Mularkey? At least do a play-action or something. By eliminating any chance at the run, the Saints can drop back in coverage. Next possession, second and one. We pass it, again. Third and one, we pass it again! Mike Cox makes a valiant effort, but he shouldn’t have been asked to make that play. Then the fateful play that Mike Smith will get all the heat for. Fourth and inches and…. Turner up the middle!!! What is the basic summary of this paragraph? Be aggressive when necessary. Change up the pace during the game. But in overtime, limit mistakes. Being conservative would have won the game for us yesterday. It appeared Mularkey tried to undermine himself in overtime. He attempted to fool everybody by calling the worst possible plays at the worst possible times, I guess because no one would expect them. The Falcons played poorly yesterday, and yet they were in a position to win the game. Mike Mularkey schemed them right out of the game.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Nov 14, 2011 1:54 PM EST reply actions
Well let's look at the logistics of that 4th and inches play
The falcons were in a two tightend, one WR, two RB look..(something that high school teams practice against every day) and the Saints were in their goaline five down lineman, three LB, three DB look. They didn’t even have a fourth DB because they knew the falcons weren’t going to pass!
In that instance, the only people who not blocking are the QB and HB, so it was actually 9 guys trying to block 11. Since the play went to the left and Will Smith and Shaun Rodgers beat their respective man cleanly it was like 6 or 7 trying to block 9 or 10. Everyone knows that the offensive line can’t move before the snap but the defensive line can….so in essence the defense had a running start of momentum.
One question would be: Why motion Roddy to the left side shifting the defense over to that side? And another obvious question: Why not run to the right where Clabo and Gonzo were blocking instead of the guy we’re not paying the most money to? This play was made for a fake or sneak but……you guessed it…..the obvious happened.
And yet another obvious question: Why not sneak or throw? NO totally sold out to the run and it was like a caller said on the 2 live stus, it was like Smith wanted to say “My line is bigger and better than yours.”
Yeah this has gotten too negative….point is….the falcons had this game when the Saints were giving it away. They still have lots of games to plays and get better. But being prideful shoudn’t define our season (Roddy)
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Exactly...
Which is why I felt like the play to Cox would have been smart…on 4th down!
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
Can someone explain to me the logic behind the onside kick?
That call seems to have been overshadowed by the 4th down call, but everyone in my section was completely confused when we did the onside kick. We ended up holding anyways, but they were able to pin us on the 6 I think it was, where as if we would’ve just kicked off the field position would’ve been completely different (assuming we held in that situation also).
Seems to me like having better field position for that final drive would’ve given Matt more of a cushion and maybe we could’ve clutched out the TD in the end.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Nov 14, 2011 2:59 PM EST reply actions
And another thing
going for it on fourth down was the right call. Wrong play….right call. I think you should take destiny into your own hands instead of hoping for someone else to make a mistake, and that’s the message that the falcons should take from their coaches decision.
I think you go for it on fourth and an inch 10 out of 10 times because, really….an inch??? The football is at least a foot long….Matt Ryan is at least 6’4 inches…the center and guards weigh approx. 900 plus pounds….and we can’t get an inch on a sneak?
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
by maxxj3 on Nov 14, 2011 3:15 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I really wish ESPN would get off the "Falcons ruined their season going for the 4th down" schtick.
Most of the fanbase is fine with it. What they fail to see is the unconventional play-calling that was administered THE ENTIRE GAME. I’m amazed ESPN haven’t gotten back to their Tim Tebow hard-on before someone calls them out on it.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Nov 14, 2011 3:19 PM EST reply actions
agreed
whenever they mentioned statistics that back up going for it on fourth and inches they just throw them out the door because you’re supposed to"extend the game," or should I say “delay the inevitable.”
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
It's got to be something in the Chattahoochee River
40 years of Falcons football, played in one Super Bowl and got whipped. The only thing that has ever been consistent about the Falcons is choking.
Arhtur Blank must really be disappointed after last year.
And doI know one thing, Matt Ryan has reached his peak. He’ll never get any better. 4 years and he still locks on a receiver. I could tell who he was throwing to from the stands.
Roddy White is not a team player, he thinks he has to sooth his hurt feelings rather than think about what a personal foul will do to the team. He did the same thing last year.
Out basket of the last 4 years may be spilling the eggs.
Schaub is out for the season.
Adam Schefter confirmed. Hello, Matt Leinart.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 14, 2011 6:25 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Well this news could turn that L everyone has marked for this game into a W!!
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
Vince Lombardi
by armchair quarterback on Nov 14, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
It's sad
that it’s come to us hoping for a win because the opposing team’s starting quarterback is out.
Well, I was hoping we would win anyway.
I like Schaub and when he was a Falcon, I wanted to see him get a chance. And in general, I don’t like to see anyone get hurt. That said, this change could help our chances of hobbling into the playoffs and I’m looking for all the optimism I can find right now.
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
Vince Lombardi
by armchair quarterback on Nov 14, 2011 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
I still see...
A 10-6 or an 11-5 season as a good possibility…
v/s Titans – A very winnable game @ home, inspite of identical records, we are the better team.
v/s Vikings – Stopping AP is our only concern…and we have one of the top run defenses in the league.
@ Texans – Matt Schaub just went down with a “significant” foot injury. That leaves Matt Lienart and T.J. Yates (who?).
@ Panthers – Close game last time… but again, I think we are the better team. NFC South games are almost always close games… Hopefully we’ll be streaking at this point.
v/s Jaguars – One of those teams that I think are better than their record indicates… Again, stopping Jones-Drew will be the key
@ Saints – The road team has won the last four… ALL by three points. We are due, right???
v/s Bucs – They won in their house, hopefully we’ll have similar success.
WORST case, if we lose the last two division games, we’ll still end up 10-6… Hey… it worked for the Packers last year!
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