Fizzling Falcons: An Atlanta-New Orleans Recap
by Dave Choate on Dec 27, 2011 8:01 AM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintWith the NFC South and home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs still at stake, the Falcons came in to this game with plenty to play for. That's true even when you consider that they had locked up a playoff spot by Monday morning
What followed, of course, was a display that was equal parts offensive malarkey, defensive ineptitude and some of the worst officiating you'll ever see. The Saints did their part by playing a smooth, quality game in all three phases, and the Falcons were more or less done in the third quarter. They still fought, bless their hearts, but ultimately the giant lead the Saints opened up in the third doomed our beloved birds.
I don't even want to talk about the Drew Brees thing, but I will briefly later. It happened. If the Falcons get a chance at revenge, I hope they seize it.
On one hand, this game isn't a killer. The Falcons are still in the playoffs and may well get another crack at the Saints, though it will again be in the Super Dome. No matter what, they're alive for the post-season, and if they're willing to learn from their mistakes, this was a hell of a teachable game. Especially for the defense, which played its worst game in many moons.
On the other hand, this is a terrible, horrible, no-good loss. The Falcons put together six fantastic quarters in a row against the Panthers and Jaguars, but those were two below-average teams, at least in 2011. The Saints are a legitimate contender for the NFC title this season, so we knew this would be tough. To see the Falcons struggle so mightily to even stay within three scores of the Saints makes me awfully worried about their post-season fortunes. Can't really help that.
At this point, all we can do is mope for 24 hours and get back on the horse. The Falcons are playing against arguably the worst team in the NFL right now this weekend and still have a shot at the #5 seed. It's a great opportunity to get things sorted out and get a little momentum going for the playoffs. They're getting a chance only eleven other teams do each year, and we should at least be thankful for that.
If you can stand to sift through the flaming wreckage, I've got the individual breakdowns after the jump. Join me there.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Matt Ryan played a great, ballsy game last night. Helming an offense crippled by penalties and poor offensive line play, Ryan still managed to throw for more than 300 yards and avoid turnovers. He even gutted out a tough conversion on a quarterback sneak late in the game. In fact, his 373 yards were a career high.
Lost in this roller coaster season is just how good Ryan's been since the first six games of the season, when he struggled mightily. With a halfway decent game against the Buccaneers, he should break just about every milestone he's set in his young career. You can't blame Ice for this one, though the missed passes on those two fourth downs really hurt my soul a little.
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Michael Turner couldn't get it going on the ground at all, but he was effective as a pass catcher and gamely plowed into the pile.
-
Julio Jones will get some deserved crap for his costly fumble in the fourth quarter, which broke the game open for the Saints and ended any chance of a Falcons comeback. I can't really defend it, except to say that rookies make mistakes and Jones is, for all his enormous talent, a rookie.
Aside from that one play, Jones was once again the best offensive player not named Ryan or Brees. He racked up seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown, and the Saints were routinely stymied in their attempts to slow him down. What a shimmering, shiny future this kid has. - Roddy White was a superb target once more. He reeled in 11 catches for 127 yards, regularly getting open on a lackluster Saints secondary and looking for extra yardage. After a rough start to the season, he's come on and will be a huge X factor in whatever playoff matchup the Falcons wind up with.
- Tony Gonzalez just makes clutch catches over the middle. Yawwwwwn.
- The offensive line didn't allow a sack. Later, you'll find out why this is a backhanded compliment.
- Matt Bryant is so automatic that he can't even be owned in 35 states.
- Matt Bosher continues to become an all-world punter. His three punts went for an average of 50 yards, and he boomed almost every kickoff.
- Vancer Walker with the sack!
- Dominique Franks with the pick, and William Moore with the (awesome) tip!
- Dunta Robinson with the pick after being maligned for the 7,000th time in the last two seasons!
- Exclamation point!
LOWLIGHTS
- The offensive line was embarrassingly bad for long stretches of last night. They didn't block well for Michael Turner, they didn't block well for Matt Ryan and they committed seemingly dozens of terrible penalties, though in reality I think it was only four or five.
I don't know what you can do with this unit at the moment except yell at them a lot and hope the pendulum swings toward a good week when the playoffs come. This remains my single greatest concern. - That's followed closely by the lack of a pass rush. Vance Walker came up with a nice sack and the Falcons were in the backfield, but their inability to close the gap or account for a guy moving three inches to the left is an absolute killer. Brees operated in relative comfort throughout the night, which makes it even more remarkable that the Falcons managed a couple of picks.
The entire defense had its share of problems, but the front seven did little. Even Sean Weatherspoon was unusually, painfully quiet all game.
Unless the Falcons can start putting heat on good quarterbacks behind good lines, opposing offenses are going to put up 30+ on them in the playoffs. Simple math. - Would it kill the Falcons to call the right play for the right situation? The Falcons were getting killed in the zone all day but did very little in the way of adjusting until the game was out of hand. Similarly, the offense squandered a crazy good passing game from Matt Ryan, coming up with only 16 points against a truly terrible defense. Both lines were bad, but the Falcons manage to seem at a loss when they don't have the lead.
Panthers game excepted, obviously. - I said my piece about the officiating last night. I thought it was terrible, and that even the calls against the Saints were questionable. I hope I never see Jeff Triplette in an Atlanta game again.
- Didn't appreciate the Saints throwing another touchdown pass in a blowout just to get Brees his record, particularly since this wasn't Week 17. Best revenge would be a playoff win, though.
THE WRAPUP
Game MVP: Ryan. Strong game from him all the way around, I thought. He was the best Falcon on the field, arguably, though obviously Julio and Roddy deserve props.
Game Theme Song: Tomorrow feels like it came come soon enough. Mood music?
One Thing To Take Away: If the Falcons play this in the playoffs, it's going to be another long off-season.
Next Week: The lovably hapless Buccaneers, led by defiant head coach Raheem Morris. Visit Bucs Nation for more.
Final Word: Playoffs.
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The Falcons problem is that they don't have any dominant players in the front 7
Do you think Ndamokung Suh or Richard Seymour or Ray Lewis would have allowed Brees to march down the field and get that record? They would have hit Brees so hard he couldn’t have thrown it. Alternatively they would have got a 5 yard penalty when the Saints were at the 7 to stop him. Anything to stop him getting the record. The Falcons players weren’t happy about it.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/16612455/brees-recordbreaking-night-tainted-by-decision-to-go-for-it-late
But they did nothing. This team is way too nice. We took a knee on the 2 against Arizona last year. We stopped playing against Jacksonville in the 4th quarter this year. We always let our foot off the gas when up big because this team doesn’t have a killer instinct. Say what you want about Payton and Brees (both assholes) but they are winners. This post about the Texans last year could apply perfectly to the Falcons:
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/27321/examining-the-texans-team-personality
The team is too nice and that comes from Mike Smith. Look at Detroit. A team of fiery assholes. That comes from their head coach aswell. Which would you rather be?
Come to think of it
The Falcons have no players you would consider dominant at any position. There is no one on this team who can take over a game like Calvin Johnson, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronwkoski, Jason Pierre-Paul or Aaron Rodgers. Maybe Ryan, Weatherspoon or Julio Jones will one day get there; but as of now this team needs a truly dominant blue chip player. I think the Falcons should consider cutting Edwards and Robinson this offseason and making a run at Mario Williams. Look what Julius Peppers has done for the Bears. Robinson hasn’t been bad, but the difference between him and Domonique Franks is not that great. The difference between Edwards and Mario Williams is a chasm.
My Goodness
Mosugo coming around – now wants to cut Robinson, man, oh, man. No dominant player – no more players please, we have a winner.
And don’t forget Ryan, receivers were stretching all over the field trying to haul in off target passes. Contrast that with Brees hitting receivers in stride and in space. How many times did we thrown short of first downs and were brought down immediately? I think MMs offense is designed to put us in as many third down situations as possible, I think that is the goal, I don’t know why, but that is the result so it has to be the goal.
Mosugo, welcome to the club, you finally got there.
by Whopper Dawg on Dec 27, 2011 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
Haha
I can only apologise for the grief I gave you. We’re all fans in the end.
Although I think Ryan is the answer
He’s only in his 4th year and he’s one of the 10 best in the NFL. Look at Brees or Manning through 4 years and he compares favourably. Not saying he can’t improve, just saying I think he will
There's something off here
Your theory is as good as any, Mosugo, but I hate trying to dive into things like personality and emotions because they’re hard to quantify.
It really rankled me that the Saints were going for Brees’ record and the Falcons couldn’t even prevent him from getting that. They had been utterly humiliated to that point, and you have to at least play for pride. The fact that they couldn’t is either a statement on their talent or a statement on their drive.
Either way, that’s one of the more unpleasant subplots of this game, this season, and this regime.
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True it is a hard thing to quantify
And anything any of us says is conjecture as were not around the team. I will try and get some questions in to Ledbetter and Yasinkas who would be better placed to comment.
The worst part was the Saints celebration. It lasted minutes and no one questioned it. Payton even took a timeout so they could celebrate longer. Between the logo incident and this, the Saints clearly don’t take the Falcons seriously. We’ve heard about getting revenge before, but all that amounted to was 2 losses, one a blowout.
Let me put it this way
If the Falcons and Saints meet in the playoffs and the Falcons don’t actually play a good football game, I’ll accept any manner of conjecture anyone wants to throw out there. Mike Smith is the Lindbergh baby? Sure!
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As I said last night...
A well-timed roughing the passer penalty would’ve (a) sent a message to the Saints and (b) would’ve shortened the field too much to allow for the record-breaking yardage.
As for the Saints deciding to go for it, I don’t really have a problem with it, as I said last night.
It’s one thing if we’re talking about the Alabama Crimson Tide throwing late TDs against Samford; it’s another when you have grown men getting paid millions. I don’t feel sorry for the Falcons. To the Falcons: If you don’t like the Saints going for a record against you: STOP THEM. It’s your job. I’m not allowed to simply walk away from my job because I’m having a bad day.
Brees was 30 yards away. Who knows what will happen next week? Given that he was so close and on national TV, I would’ve gone for it, too. It’s so sad that our defense is so pathetic that it wasn’t even a challenge for him…
Dave, you’re right, the best revenge is winning the next game, but I saw absolutely nothing to let me believe our D has prayer in a rematch. The best we can hope for is our offense coming to life and beating them 50-49…
GATA!
by Jman781 on Dec 27, 2011 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
At the end of the game last night
I had actually gotten to the point where I WANTED someone to cheapshot Brees. The maybe Gruden could have gone to the locker room and blew him in person.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
I agree Jman...
I would have gone for the record as well. I am not mad about this loss or the fact that he broke the record on us.
It would be easy to be my “cynical” self and be down about this game but I am just not really that bothered by it. I expected this game to be a loss from the word “go” this season. Sucks about the score but 21-20 would have still been a loss too.
I am glad the Falcons are in the play offs and we have our fourth winning season in a row!! I look at it like this now…we still have one of the youngest teams in the league and there are a couple of teams out there (not going to mention and names) where age is going to start to become a factor…our day in the sun is coming and coming fast I feel.
So, that’s how I am choosing to look at this game…just a speed bump in the road. The road may not lead us to where we want this year but its close…closer than we realize I feel!!
MM still needs to go though…just saying!!
"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 Dec 27, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I like and rec this post.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
I was saying
exactly the same thing at the end of the 3rd quarter.
there was no way we could catch them, even if our offense manages to score once it reaches the redzone (hence, lots of yards but few points to show). not with our defense.
a proud D would still go after brees and hit him. the worst thing that could happen would be a 15 yd penalty (I’m not saying take his head off). but the best thing that could happen would be that fear in Brees eyes, just in time for the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
THIS^^^
Is what i have been saying other then spoon,lofton,maybe abe no one on our defense gose by a take no shit policy, offense is a diffrent story cause coaches tell the qb when to slow it down. But on defense i 100% with you we need a nasty dline men once we get one it will have an effect on all of them Mario maybe since the hou d played well without him he might be available
i fully agree about the front D line & Drobinson
line got pushed around like the smallest child on the playground..robinson looks lost in outer space in coverage..the O played decent but penalties killed them
Been a falcons fan since the big starter jackets was in style
by turnj35 on Dec 27, 2011 8:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The zone is not for Dunta.
Man coverage would show him for a beast.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
In man coverage DR could be a beast.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
Wow...
now there is something I have been saying ALL year!!
Dunta made an AWSOME play on that end zone pick in the First Half. The safeties need up grading a little I think, there just not getting it done in these zone coverage’s. And Grimes was just…well grimes, he played very well. You can really fault him for the TD to the 6’5" TE and Brees knew he had to put it up, out of OG’s reach. Those short yardage end zone passes he struggles with because QB’s have a better ability to float the ball up more to their targets over him; the long passes are a different story cause the ball is coming DOWN to the receiver and in those cases OG excels!!
The “D” was just on the field too much and with no pressure on Brees, he just picked the secondary apart in the second half…that’s all there is to 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 Dec 27, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Don't get me wrong
Im not a DR hater. I think he’s an above average NFL corner who is a good tackler. However I think Franks is a below average NFL corner with better physical skills (height, weight, speed) Given the same opportunity they would play to a similar level I think, but with Franks earning $50million less. Is the gap in their talent the same as the gap in their salary? I say no. My argument is similar with Ray Edwards and Lawrence Sidbury
The Falcons have a lot to do this offseason. They need to;
Retool the O Line (Center, LG and LT). According to PFF Clabo and Blalock have been good.
Resign Grimes and Lofton
Find a new starting running back. The team is 27th in the NFL with 3.8 YPA for the season and Turner is 30.
Upgarde the pass rush(Again)
Find a replacement for Tony or bring him back
Find a replacement for DeCoud or bring him back.
Find a new 3rd WR or resign Douglas
Considering the team has no 1st round pick, it will be impossible to even solve 1 of these problems without free agency. So either the team commits to a rebuilding year or admits that they gave up too much money for Edwards and Robinson. Their replacements will give us a similar level of play and it will allow us to make a run at players like Jermichael Finley, Carl Nicks, Peyton Hillis and Mario Williams.
So the argument was from a money angle?
I would rather trade BVG to the Dawgs for Grantham and some man coverage.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
I see your point. Turner also has the third most 100 yard rushing games since 2008 but I agree he doesn't run through tackles anymore.
Need a big fast strong guy to run the rock.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
I saw "The goal line stalker" not long back
He looked like he could still go if somebody handed it to him.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Yes
I think Dunta is solid. But $57million is too much for solid. I like the guy and have never been one to malign him. We wouldn’t have been 13-3 without him last year. But Franks is almost as good and he is making a pittance.
Actually
Look at all those issues. Not to mention the perpetually porous pass D. The only positions this team is set at are LB, P, K, FB and QB. Perhaps the answer is not throwing more free agent money at the situation, but actually giving the young guys a chance to play and improve. Then we will have a top 15 draft choice the following year and will have the depth and experience to make a proper run in 2013.
Bring TG back if he will come for sure.
Grimes and Lofton AND DUNTA oh my.
DeCoud I like him Sign him again
I just wish that they would USE Douglas.
Al of that You can spend this much per year is a crock of BS.
It would be great to have an LT type pass rusher.
I would settle for a John Abraham type one.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
And Chris Owens?
Can he CATCH a football? If he can, run his fast ass to the post a few time a game. It would have to come open sooner or later.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
officiating
killed us. yes, I know, in our list of lowlights we will mention our defense, and then offense, and the special teams for allowing huge return to Sproles, and coordinators, and only then – this crew of zebras. but in reality, they set the tone early by calling things few other crews would call, and not calling exactly the same things for the other team. seriously, can the Falcons do anything about it? Is it commonplace in NFL to ask the league to review those calls and at leats make sure this as***** never gets another Atlanta game? I don’t know if any of you saw it, but when Brees (whom I respected, but that run for the record made him look soooooo classless) scored late in the game (and nobody drew an excessive celebration penalty) this Tripplet approached him and said something with a smile, after they called a TO. to me, the zebras have to maintain neutrality at least while on the field!
Here’s another highlight in addition to Dave’s – and this fact goes along with a lowlight, no matter how ironic it may sound. Chris Owens, who is so terrible at times in our secondary, made another heads up play in his special teams function. he chased Sproles and saved a TD. remember how he’s done the same with Percy Harvin? that dude is so fast, I doubt anybody on this team can compare with him. so the BIG question – if we have fast and athletic guys, why in the world do we run the zone on defense, and not man-to-man?!
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
by Gemini-RU on Dec 27, 2011 8:46 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
That's why I think the coordinators are the biggest problem
We have physical corners but we play soft zone…No matter who we have on our Dline, we can’t get a pass rush. We have RBs who can catch but we never throw a screen. Our offense is most efficient when Matt runs it instead of MM. Despite having a ton of tape on the Saints and 10 days to prepare, we can’t come up with an effective gameplan, especially on defense? It’s looking more and more like both MM and BVG need to move on.
that first drive to start the game
was promising. but then we ran out of imagination.
the only positive explanation would be this – the coaching staff accepted the loss and figured it wouldn’t be the best idea to show things before the playoffs… but something tells me this is a far-fetched conclusion.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Homecooking.
I don’t complain much about officiating but that game was called badly. When the only holding penalty all game was on Quiz there is a problem.
AS USUAL
other team s wide receivers run wide open against us. Comment from the booth last night “Predicitable Falcons Zone Defense”. We are not very good. We Have beaten only 2 teams with winning records. The teams we have beaten are 42 and 79, and some of those wins have been very close.
AND
what happened to the D line that has played so well against the run. Brees is very hard to beat, but give him a running game……….
If only we could put Michael Jenkins' hands on Julio's body......
But then I guess the Vikings would have a receiver running around trying to catch balls with nubby arms.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Dec 27, 2011 9:09 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I'd rather put
Fin’s hands on Julio. Finneran won’t need those hands since he;s retired. LOL
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
by Gemini-RU on Dec 27, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This is hilarious...
Truly.
Now, I’m picturing nubby Jenkins and Finneran with actual fins, both due to the lack of hands…
GATA!
now, on a second thought
I don’t know which is better – attaching Julio’s body to Finn’s head (and hands!) and putting in a veteran onto the field, or just the hands of Finn to Julio…
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
It is hard to win if the other team doesn't have
to follow the rules. And Matty Ice looked like he was drinking Natty Ice with all of that grounding and throwing out of bounds crap. Career high in yards?> BFD Its a LOSS. TG is boring as hell but if you throw him the ball he will catch it.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:09 AM EST reply actions
AND
its too bad the team does not have the spunk of those on this thread.
Not here to troll or patronize or gloat
Just to say good luck next week like I do after every game we play
We will probably see you in 2 weeks but I hope not
I hope the Packers play their starters in a meaningless game
by mississippisaintsfan on Dec 27, 2011 9:10 AM EST reply actions
Thanks man
I don’t think either of us really wants to see the other one in the playoffs.
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Thank you sir...as usual, your a class act!!
And, I hope the Pack plays all their starters too!!
"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
This Falcons team is like so many in years past...
…just not good enough.
They are good – just not good enough. We had better get the #5 seed – or N.O. better get the #2 seed, or our string of 1 and dones in the playoffs is bound to continue.
We lucked into an easy schedule this year, or that string of winning seasons would have been snapped, as well. A lackluster Iggles, Manning-less colts, T.J.-led Seahawks, hapless Vikes, and Gibbering Gabbertly Jags – this Falcons team lucked out on a year following a 1st in Division schedule.
Next year is going to be painful, because we will be losing a LOT of players – and these birds don’t do well with change.
If Cutler and Forte hadn't gone down
We wouldn’t be in the playoffs. This team lucked out big time.
This team lucked out big time.
That is true. But the bigger picture is that there is a problem with TD. Last year he thought the team was one player (Jones away from going to the SB, that is the only reason you would pay the price for Jones). But the reality was and is, we are not close to being an elite team. Should not have made that trade and that is not a comment on Jones, but rather the team had and has other needs that should have been filled first. Add that to the Robinson and Edwards signings, regression of Ryan, Turner slow down, no pass rusher to complement Abraham, Jerry’s a bust, Baker is too, a long list of players that are OK but nothing special – Bierman, DeCoud, Hawley, little bit, TEs other than TG, Reynolds, Owens, etc.
Ryan was a good pick and may pan out (MM has to go, and it might be unfair to judge him until he does), Lofton is solid, TG is TG, Burner served his purpose, Spoon looks to be a player, Jones is good but cost WAY too much. Once you get past those 6 players, the cupboard of TD gets very bare. And that is in four years of work. You can’t be successful with 1.5 quality players a year and beat the elite teams in the NFL. Won’t happen.
The problem is at the top. And it is TD.
by Whopper Dawg on Dec 27, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
i think TD drafts based on the coordinators needs
It’s the coordinators job to coach those draft picks to par.
They aren’t doing it.
TD is drafting fast guys that fly to the ball, for our ZONE defense.
But it isn’t working.
And Julio and Jacquizz I think are good weapons on offense, even the unknown Kerry Meier.
It’s just the coordinators are incompatible and out of synch.
by brotherbrown on Dec 28, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Give VanGorder Extra Time to Prepare the Defense and This Is What You Get (Bull Sh*t )
Did this game remind anyone of the Falcons’ playoff loss to the Packer’s when VanGorder had an extra week to prepare for the Pack?. . . Like the Packers, the Saints shredded the Falcons defense in the air and on the ground! Brees knew what the Falcons’ defense was going to do before the ball was snapped. And it could have been worse. The Saints could have easily scored 10 more points last night. TOTALLY OUT-COACHED. TOTALLY OUTPLAYED. No pass rush and Robinson was completely over matched in a scheme that exposed his over-rated abilities. One more piece of evidence that BVG must go!!!. . . Pitiful, pitiful, pitiful.
As for Matt Bosher being “world class”, that’s B.S. Above average, maybe, but certainly not world class. The Saints’ Thomas Morstead is world class. If Bosher had the leg to drive the ball out of the end zone on kick-offs, like Morstead does, Sproles’ 92 yard return would not have happened.
by Charlie Dirty Bird on Dec 27, 2011 9:30 AM EST reply actions
In other news: it's official!
I am the Falcoholic fantasy football champion. It took a lot of training and dedication to get here and I’d like to thank my Lord and savior first and foremost. I’d also like to thank my family for all the hours I spent preparing myself physically and mentally and ignoring them while staring endlessly into my iPhone. Most of all I’d like to thank Dave for fronting the 100k prize purse for this WORLD championship.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Dec 27, 2011 9:30 AM EST via mobile reply actions
ummmmmmmmm
100k?
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
You can write that check to "cash".
Also my associate Guido will be by in twelve minutes to pick that up. Don’t say anything about his right eye, he’s still a little sensitive about that.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Dec 27, 2011 9:33 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Congratulations!
Wait…100k?
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Ok you can keep your money
But I do expect some kind of e-celebration and a stripper.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Dec 27, 2011 10:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
According to the little side column
John Gruden is looking for a HC position. Could he do better than our present regime?
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:37 AM EST reply actions
One thing people need to realise
Is that this is Mike Smith’s defence, not Brian VanGorder’s. Smith is the boss and a defensive coach. Would he really let VanGorder trot out a defense week in and week out that he didn’t agree with? Mike Peterson himself said that the scheme is the same as Smith’s from his time in Jacksonville. VanGorder might call the plays, but this is Smith’s defence. I can’t see any of the top 3 guys going, unless we get blown out by the Bucs (not going to happen). Smith because; him and Dimitroff are close, he just got a big extension last year and he is the most successful coach in franchise history. The other 2 because they are Smith’s buddies and the team has technically improved since they took over. Even if it has stagnated the last 2 years.
I think they all should go, but doubt they will. Which is a shame because this team has a franchise QB in place and could attract someone like Bill Cowher.
For those who defend Smith, consider this. He may be the best coach in franchise history. But should we be happy with him being better than the last guy? Or ask could the next guy be better than him? We shouldn’t be happy with him being better than his predecessors. He’s better than them by default because they were terrible. We should compare him to every coach in the NFL and ask is there someone who could do a better job? I think the answer is a resounding yes when it comes to someone like Bill Cowher.
Someone like Cowher, sure.
but I remember that the Chargers got rid of Marty Shottenheimer because he couldn’t win in the playoffs, and replaced him with Norv Turner. This was all about winning a Super Bowl with the huge amount of talent that they had. Have they even made the Super Bowl since? no.
Or even Bill Parcells the last 4 years in Dallas, or whichever coach that’s doomed for failure in that cesspool known as the Redskins.
I’m ok if the thing Atlanta needs to do in order to win a Super Bowl is find a new head coach. I agree that what it takes from a coaching standpoint to take a franchise like Atlanta pre-Comrade to where they are today is different than what it takes to bring a franchise to the Bellicheck level. But I do not want AB, Comrade, and Rich McKay to jump to a coaching change too quickly.
We haz commies in our ranks?
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
OIC
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
I agree, but
I think we’ve had plenty of time to think about MM going. He’s been a poor OC the last 2 years because he refuses to use his player’s best talents and has stayed predicable. Our offense improves dramatically when the QB takes over. BVG seems to have good games scattered in with a bunch of bad ones. He really comes up short against good teams. I think MM has to go and BVG probably should go.
we certainly have had a lot of time to think about the DC, OC, and HC
but coaching changes are very potentially damaging to a team. It seems like every year there are three teams that get new coordinators and/or head coaches, and only one of those teams goes on to have success within a year or two.
If some big-name coach is on the market, would he do better? I’m always hesitant to make a big change like this. But it might be the best thing for the Falcons
It's tricky
but we have to find someone who can use our players’ skills and can be flexible. We also need a more aggressive defense. Maybe that means changing our DL coach instead of BVG or bringing in a consultant who can overrule BVG when necessary.
definitely need more aggressive
but I wonder if that’s more of a DL issue or the oh so famous “15 yards deep, middle of the field, nobody within 5 yards of him” situation.
It’s clearly a zone issue. Dunta has shown success in man coverage, same with Grimes, from what I understand the role of the Safety in man isn’t too much different than in zone.
What would change, whether it’s player roles or players themselves, if Atlanta started to use a man -based defense?
what makes you think it's Mike Smith's Defense?
Wouldn’t it also be Mike Smiths offense as well, but Mularkey calls the plays?
by brotherbrown on Dec 28, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
LOL That isn't saying much.
Some of those cats truly sucked.
“For those who defend Smith, consider this. He may be the best coach in franchise history.”
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions
It looked to me that BVG guessed right.
The Falcons were playing more zone than usual. It looked like BVG guessed correctly that they would go for Brees’ record. However Peyton didn’t play fair they ran first then got their passing yards. That is when you have to look long and hard at the coaching staff. When you know what is coming but you fail to stop it. Or when the head coach says “we didn’t see that coming”.
I demand Robinsons head!
The falcons got torched last night on Robinsons side of the field……SHOCKER. Every time Brees even looked Grimes way he had to go elsewhere. The 4 or 5 times he threw Grimes ended in incompletions and defended passes……ok fine, Grimes gave up a TD to a GIANT in the red zone but he was still in position and at the end of the day thats all I wanna see, guys in position to at least try and make a play! Robinson I think has been an enormous bust and playing him just cuz we gave him such a huge contract is really hurting this team.
by Michael J. Bermudez on Dec 27, 2011 9:52 AM EST reply actions
Tough loss, but we'll be okay.
Focusing on the positive, as Dave said, this was a very teachable game. I was glad to see Julio very involved and productive. Yes, he lost the fumble, and that play may be a good lesson. He’s always trying to drag defenders after he makes the catch (which makes us all love him), but it’s definitely a risk. He’s got to secure the ball with both hands if he’s gonna do that.
I’m about done with Turner, personally. So freaking slow! Sorry…
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
Agreed
Turner has declined seriously. He has no burst. We have had no running game for the past few weeks.
Groin injuries and bad offensive line play
That’s the not so magic formula.
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by Dave Choate on Dec 27, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
Yup to both of you.
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
Once again I blame Fal-con and the Motherphuckin falcon pony.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Dec 27, 2011 10:09 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Changes are coming
As a fan, I’m always optimistic. You never know when a team will suddenly put it all together, because it happens all the time. We could still go on a run in the playoffs.
But realistically, there are some major problems on this team. The heart and soul of any good team is the line — both OL and DL. And that’s where are problems start. If we had a DL that consistently created havoc in the backfield, I think our secondary would be fine, even playing in the hated soft zone. In fact, I think that zone is intended for teams that create pressure up front — you stay away from the big plays, and the QB doesn’t have time to pick you apart because he’s being constantly harrassed.
The OL is a complete mess. At least on the DL, we have some guys who can be very complementary players. But the OL can neither pass block nor run block with any consistency. They are below average as a unit, and that will never be the case on a great team.
Overall, I think we are still only a few players from being contenders. The problem is that we gave away all our upcoming draft picks. I love Julio, and I won’t complain about that decision. I’m just worried about what we do going forward. We need to rebuild the OL and bring in a premier pass rusher, in addition to re-signing all our free agents.
That’s the player personnel. I also think changes need to be made at the coordinator level as well, if for no other reason than because the Falcons need to let their fans know that next year will be different (assuming no miracle run in the playoffs this year).
by Ed Edwina on Dec 27, 2011 10:13 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
I hate losing to anyone, but especially the Saints...
However, believe it or not, there may be a silver lining to this loss. Arthur Blank is a fan first and foremost. I believe that he, like the rest of us, has grown to expect more from the Falcons over the last four years. It is no longer acceptable to simply have a winning record (mostly against mediocre/bad teams) and then one and done the playoffs. He has allowed TD to make some bold moves over the years, from signing a backup RB as our starter, to giving fat contracts to up and comers at CB and DE, and trading a king’s ransom for the right to draft a WR seemingly possessed of all the potential in the world. Sure, not all of the moves have panned out, but they have shown his willingness to take a chance. This year, faced with a large number of potentially pricey free agents we that we need to resign/replace, I don’t think there will be a lot of money left for TD to use in tinkering with the roster. If this is indeed the case, perhaps this year’s bold move will come within the coaching ranks (i.e. coordinators).
by jcaustic on Dec 27, 2011 10:51 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if we could get Fonzie to come from SELSU
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
Proud of Falcons Progress......
BUT……………….A little demoralizing knowing The Saints and The Packers await in the playoffs. I choose to celebrate the progress of the organization, that may be all we have this year to celebrate, a playoff berth.
R.I.P. Atlanta Thrashers 1999-2011
by Rocky Top on Dec 27, 2011 11:10 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Wow, being a Falcons fan
has some big ups and downs. One thing we might want to look at is just how far ATL has progressed. They are MUCH better than pre-2008 but since 2008 the improvements have been incremental at best. 2009 was an anamouly because of the injuries to Ryan and Turner. If you look at 2008, 2010 and this year the team has only made small strides forward. I don’t believe that overall this team is better than last seasons. In some facets, yes.
When you add talent and the team doesn’t take steps forward it is a function of the coaches and what they do with those players. The complaints about individual players might be accurate based on performance but not on ability. There are no positions being used effectively on this team. Quizz and Snelling are underused. HD has vanished for the most part. Where is Meier? The DL just cannot get pressure on QB’s consistently. The LB’s play hard but have more potential. The DB’s and S’s are all hung out to dry each and every game due to poor pass rush and bad schemes. Bryant and Boscher are playing very well. This is now an issue with the coaches.
The thing that bothered me the most last night was the lack of fire. After two INT’s ATL had the chance to score points and take a lead or get back into the game. They scored no points. After DR’s INT they didn’t even get a first down. Moore blew up a few Taints players but I didn’t see many more hard hits. I think ATL had lost the game before kick off.
Exactly. They came out decent on offense but if course, ends up w/a FG
But the D was jus plain sad. We marched down the field for 6+ minutes, stalled(what’s new)and got 3. They streak down the field in what seemed like a minute and waltz into the EZ…and continued to waltz all over us the rest of the night.
In the prior meeting our D played above and beyond. They gave up tons of yards but held for the most part, got lucky on a few drops as well and shut down Sproles. Well, if it ain’t broke, why fix it right BVG? Same basic zone D, same basic zone blitzes, same basic 4 man pass rush. Well guess what? The saints did their homework and the rest is history.
The ENTIRE staff has to go, excluding Smith, for now. We bring in a good man corner and put him into a zone scheme. What did they think would happen?!?! Look at Namdi(sp?) in Philly. He’s looked lost nearly all season! Why? Because they removed him from what he does best. Edwards, a decent, not great but decent rushing end has been invisible some games. Partly because of his knee and partly because what he’s been doing the past couple of years, straight rushing the QB, is not what he’s doing now. Now he’s in a 3 man D end rotation, dropping into coverage and really looking pretty blah out there. I don’t have to get into Quizz or HD or any of the other kids we have on the roster. Their lack of field time or misuse of it speaks volumes.
And one last thing on ST’s. Bosher has improved and that’s great. But there is no way in hell that a K/P should have so many tackles or be involved in so many piles no matter how much he likes to tackle. They are not good no matter what the numbers say. If you watch them closely, guys just go running past the returner, arms flailing or unable to shed one blocker. Guys who should be pinned at the 10 because of the hang time somehow wander out to the 18. 8 yards no big deal? Well, just wait til they make one more guy miss and break off some big ones.
Congrats on stumbling into the playoffs Falcons. Now let’s see how you’ll embarass yourselves on the national stage again. Sorry guys, 30+ years of misery just can’t be held back anymore…
by aces666high on Dec 27, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
I've got hiiiiiiighhhh hopes, I am a LONGTIME fan.
Do you know who Tommy Nobis is?
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
by CaptJackSparrow on Dec 27, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Nobis is the greatest player NOT in the HOF in my opinion
His only crime was playing on an expansion team that played like one for decades.
by aces666high on Dec 27, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
No need to apologise...
I feel the same way…
However; I agree and disagree about the SP teams play. Yes Bosher sucked and he has really turned it around but aside from one really bad play last night our coverage’s on SP has been pretty damned good this year…that is one squad I will definitely give some credit too.
The only other thing I will say about Bosher though…If they ever move the kickoff spot back to the 30 from the 35, he will need to be replaced if he does not continue to improve his leg strength. If he does…then he will 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
by Blood_Talon on Dec 27, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
I think
he can kick it deep but atl sp wants to kick it high into the corner to tackle the player inside the 10, remember they did that alot last yr, and when bosher was asked too he has had some touchbacks or should of been *see vikings game
I see where your going...
and during pre-season that was the general feeling but I do not think that is the case at this point. His leg just isn’t where it needs to be but he is doing really well getting there. I think the trainers are going to be killing this guy in the weight room this off-season…he should be ok!!
"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 agree with all of this........
…….but I really do think we went in last night playing like a team that knew they were in the playoffs and didn’t want to show much.
……and we got spanked because of it.
I do know one thing though……..if we go into NO again in 2 weeks (and it looks like we will) we will play MUCH differently.
I expect us to go into that game with a similar plan that we had against Baltimore last year – running game be damned, we’re going to go for broke.
We now know that keeping the ball away from Brees only works if we score 7 when we have it………we can’t hand off on 2nd and 7 (which we did several times last night)……we have to go up and down the field with quick hit passes, and sporadic runs on the edge. In short, we have to go “west coast” to have a chance. I don’t think we have the RBs yet for this kind of offense, but if we’re going to win in NO in 2 weeks, that’s what we have to do.
If Turner gets 20 touches in that game (let alone 20 carries) we’re doomed. We won’t win. It’s time now, not next season, to try to be a different team. It may not work, but at least we’d be going in the right direction.
On defense, we have it backwards. We keep saying we need to hit Brees. Wrong! – we need to jam/hit his receivers FIRST and take Brees off of his first reads and hot reads…….we need to disrupt his timing by jamming his receivers. Again, we are not that kind of defense, but if we want to win in NO, we have to be. If we disrupt his timing, THEN our DL will have a chance. Yeah, we might get burned deep by doing this, but so what? It is time to gamble and to move toward a new philosophy.
by AuxiliaryHusky on Dec 27, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Jamming the WR's is not in our vocabulary
We’re lucky if our corners aren’t 10 yards off.
by aces666high on Dec 27, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
I know.......but can we
……..beat the Saint in New Orleans if we don’t do it?
by AuxiliaryHusky on Dec 27, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
No, we can't. We will continue to do the exact same thing because the staff is incapable of change.
And I agree with you, jamming the WR’s would at least be something they’re not expecting.
agree
we lost before the kickoff (and so did the refs btw).
here’s a simple theory. had we played on saturday, we’’d be fine, but we already knew we have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. and although the division title was still within reach, the team, especially on defense, relaxed.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
That loss was devastating.
Worse than the post-Katrina game. We’re in big trouble.
"That wasn't holding because the play was a screen pass"
Never heard that call before. Apparently everyone but the Falcons knew that was a screen play developing. Which makes sense, given the number of screen plays the Falcons run and the success they have with them!
question here
did anyone here understand the ref’s call on that presumed holding in the endzone which would’ve been a safety? not that it would change the outcome, but the aints definitely wouldn’t have that passing record to celebrate as a result.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
I know
but seriously, is there such a rule that a holding is really not a holding if
a screen play is developing?
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
NO!!!
the officiating was so BAD!! The result would have still been the same but a couple of our drives were halted by bad calls…way to have MONEY ON THE GAME REF’S!!
Seriously though…it sucked really badly!!
"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
how come then
Smitty and Co do not file some sort of complaint with the NFL about this matter. not that it affects the score or anything, but some sort of justice would be restored.
that missed safety would result in a punt for them and we’d start our own drive (which they would still kill with penalties).
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
NFL stands by its officiating
no matter how wrong it is.
http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/useofhands
I believe is where holding is in the rulebook.
screen plays are never mentioned.
I try to give the ref's a break because it is a very difficult job
But that game was officiated so one sided it was outrageous. There were numerous holding and a hands to the face on big Saint’s plays that went uncalled. They were the better team and all last night but this would have been a much better/different game had it been properly officiated. The Lofton pf was terrible, if the Lofton pi on Sporles was pi than on the next series how wasn’t it pi on Julio?? There was holding on the Graham TD and hands to the face and holding on the big play to Meachem. Those are just play I can remember off the top of my head watching the game I remember many other questionable calls. I’m not saying our performance was where it should be in any way, but when you are constantly fighting the officials it makes it difficult. I know how the Raiders must feel haha.
DR
I think he has just stopped caring about bvg and getting burned in his softs zones. If you see his face after a big play its almost like hes thinking screw it. Really think we need to give franks a chance but keep dr and get rid of bvg. As much as i love the falcons and have optimisum for them they will never be an ellite team untill they break the nice guy mold and start punching people in the face. Ex brees going for the record should decleated him atleast ocne that drive
I think both coordinators need to put their guys in better positions to succeed
DR should definitely be given the chance to play closer to his guy.
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Exactly
Houstons pass defense didnt become the worst when DR left by coincidence, with the great play of franks i think we now have 3-4 solid corners the scheme needs to change because no pass rush with a soft zone kills u, get some bump and run by more time for the dline
BVG's defense is not suited to the personnel
only zone defenses that have ever worked in the NFL are usually complimented with an excellent pass rush. Something like the 07 Giants, or the ‘04 patriots. The defense is built similarly to the 2002 Bucaneers. That team was a strict man to man team and need less to say they did amazing. Also i just think we lack a pass rusher, on some plays Abe can be seen just giving up because he is being afforded zero help. The answer will not come through FA, it will come through good drafting, and as much as i believe in late round gems such as the Sidbury’s and Cliff Matthew’s there is no substitute for drafting a top flight 1-2 round defensive end. Also as stated earlier scheme is a big part of it and BVG may be a good coach but not with this personnel, as is the case with mularkey…although i doubt either of them is that great anyways.I will go through the tape and put up a fanpost of whats wrong later on today.
it's almost like
especially on defense, BVG is operating his philosophy on IN-THEORY.
But isn’t realistic, with the personnel they have.
Zone defenses work best for teams that can score at will.
This isn’t the Falcons.
by brotherbrown on Dec 28, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
Ugh
I had to watch this game on delay due to christmas commitments and didn’t get to bed until 2am. I really needn’t have bothered.
The commentary horse has already bolted, but no team can call itself good when it gets pushed around like the Falcons were on either side of the ball.
Injured or not, Turner is not the sort of running back that can create yards when the men in front of him are struggling. Saints could have tackled him with a feather duster last night.
Why not give Antone Smith a run, he’s been around long enough – and he’s being paid, let him earn some of that veteran’s minimum for a change.
Jerry needs to show something, he never gives up on plays so I attitude is fine, but either TD over-estimated his ability, or he is bothered by something. I don’t think I heard his name called last night.
I know our lack of pressure hung the secondary out to dry last night, I actually thought they played well considering the circumstances. I’m not sold on DeCoud, his instincts and coverage skills are poor at best, we need an upgrade at FS. Grimes, Franks and Willy Mo all played very well. No one expects point guards to defend power forwards, and Grimes almost made a great play on the Graham TD reception. Nice hops as usual.
I forgive Julio for the fumble. Most people learn things the hard way, and Julio has demonstrated that he makes amends. Smart guy, hard worker and a great competitor, je ne regret rien.
Bosher was great, Morstead was phenomenal – that shouldn’t be a slight on Bosher.
Thing is, we’re still alive. We’ve lost two battles but we’re still very much in this war. How good would it be to eliminate the Saints in the playoffs after having to sit through their Monday night circle-jerk.
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