FALCONS: 5 things we learned from the Miami win
Michael Turner averaged 3.0 yards on 22 carries against a rugged Miami defensive front. (BOB ANDRES/AJC).
THE HOME OFFICE – Where was this four-sack and four-turnover defense hiding at all preseason?
Did inserting Brian Williams into the starting cornerback position make that much of a difference? It helped. Also, the
Falcons owner Arthur Blank and former President Jimmy Carter embrace before kickoff. (BOB ANDRES/AJC).
Falcons mixed in a healthy dose of zone defenses and received an incredible pass rush from the defensive line.
Here’s a quick look at some of the things we learned from the decisive and at times dominating 19-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Next up, the Carolina Panthers, who are looking for quarterbacks today. Maybe they’ll ring up Joey Harrington, who was cut by the Saints.
1. THE LINEBACKER UNIT WAS UPGRADED: Last season when you looked at the stat sheet after the game usually Lawyer Milloy and Erik Coleman were the leading tacklers. That’s not a good sign with the safeties lead the team in tackles. Against the Dolphins, the linebackers finished first, second and third. Lofton had 11 tackles, Mike Peterson had seven and Stephen Nicholas had six. “The LBs played like brothers out there,” Nicholas said. “The process started during two-a-days. Mike P came in and we all gelled.”
2. SEND OVER THE BEER MAN: Defensive end Kroy Biermann solidified his spot in the defensive line rotation with two sacks and a forced fumble. “We do not have four defensive linemen,” coach Mike Smith said. “We have seven or eight starting defensive linemen. I think it’s very important that you rotate those players and try to keep them as fresh as possible.”
Brian Williams had an impact in his first game. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
3. PRESEASON DOESN’T MEAN SQUAT: That defense that played the preseason didn’t bother to show up on Sunday against the Dolphins. These “new” guys can play. “I don’t put a whole lot of stock in what happens in the preseason,” Smith said. “This is a young group of defensive players that haven’t spent a lot of time together. They will continue to get better.”
4. RYAN-TO-GONZALEZ, GET USED TO IT: Quarterback Matt Ryan said tight end Tony Gonzalez makes his job easier. “He’s a mis-match nightmare for defenses,” Ryan said. “Trying to decide if you are going to cover him with a safety, a linebacker or a cornerback (must be difficult). Whether or not if you are going to single cover him.”
5. RUN GAME BOTTLED UP: The Falcons were not overly concerned about their run game being bottled up against the Dolphins. “There are going to be games where we have to run the ball to win,” Ryan said. “There will be games when we have to throw the ball to win.”
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127 comments Add your comment
Blue Fender
September 14th, 2009
8:49 am
All we need to do now is to get Ryan’s accuracy fixed. GO FALCONS!!!
Blue Fender
September 14th, 2009
8:50 am
OOOH! My first First!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 14th, 2009
8:55 am
Can I be second on my own blog?
Yeah, Ryan did miss some throws early. Minor tweaks, I’m sure.
Ryan
September 14th, 2009
8:57 am
FIRST
Ryan
September 14th, 2009
8:59 am
JK…. The defense was a lot of fun to watch yesterday! Come on in Carolina…. your next.
dwells83
September 14th, 2009
9:03 am
I was really impressed with the Defense to say the least but I was also encouraged in how we tried to get Norwood involved early with some passes going his way. The team had alot more balance which will spread out the defenses the entire year. Keep up the momentum. I hope no one is questioning TD decisions about player personnel now. Hopefully next week the Panthers have their same quarterbacks next week
Case Quarter
September 14th, 2009
9:05 am
The defense was definitely improved, and the pass rush was great (besides Abraham). We know nothing…
slow roller
September 14th, 2009
9:09 am
6. Gonna be hard for Roddy White to get back his probowl numbers. No longer the biggest receiver on the field with Gonzo around.
ddawgdavis
September 14th, 2009
9:12 am
Jake Long (vaunted Number One pick) was blown up by Abraham. He had an extremely hard time handling #55 without a fist full of jersey. Why is Biermann not getting much more love? Not only did he get two sacks and a Fumble, but he was on every special teams kickoff and kept the Dolphins in terrible field position. Defense and Special teams (minus Elam, sorry). Can’t wait for the offense to just click, next week against Carolina is a good place to start!
Trainwreck
September 14th, 2009
9:15 am
If the D can play like that or close to that all season… This season could be something special. Hard to keep in mind that it’s only 1 game…
DJ
September 14th, 2009
9:19 am
In preseason, you defense 3rd and 17 with man coverage to see how your players react. In the regualar season, you keep the play in front of you to win the game. This defense will be fine because the brains in charge (i.e. the coaches) have a clue.
Manny
September 14th, 2009
9:21 am
I thought that the Falcons looked OK, but needs some improvement. We have to improve on the O-line in order to get Turner going. It may have also been the play-calling, too. We cannot afford Michael Turner having a 60+ yard game. That puts too much on Ryan, and Ryan- while good; isn’t the kind of QB that will win big games with his arm.
Also, Biermann is my new favorite Falcon. He just stayed in the backfield. (But can someone get him a cooler number? 71 just seems so… offensive line-ish? Get him a number in the 50s.)
If the Falcons win their first playoff game this year- or even the Super Bowl; there will be no other single person more valuable to that effort than Tony Gonzalez. Like they say where I’m from… that man is a beast (shawty)! He’s a big freaking target. He is a power forward playing tight end. He got nice moves and some speed. With Tony in the mix, the Falcons is now a perennial powerhouse with no real gaps.
Jimmy
September 14th, 2009
9:24 am
#7-Falcon “Fans” are so lame. The place was half-way empty when your team took the field. What a joke!
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
9:26 am
The Falcons looked good in their first game. Few questions though….
1. Should we attribute Elam’s misses to just having an off game?
2. Though he did not show up much in the stat sheet, did Jamal occupy blockers enabling others to make tackles?
3. Did Chauncey Davis play?
4. What happened with Verron Davis getting cut on Saturday? Who took his spot on the roster?
DJ
September 14th, 2009
9:28 am
OK Manny, with Brew-ski gone, Beer Man is the heir to the throne. It’s only a matter of time before the sponsors make him a superstar.
Nativebird
September 14th, 2009
9:29 am
Stephen Nicholas showed up HUGE, at LB and on STeams. You’ve got to starting asking…could this have been installed last year? It’s looking like Boley and Brook really were THAT bad last year. I’m sure the adds on D-Line helped, especially P.Jerry, the guys going to be a pro-bowler one day. (Grady who?)
Yup
September 14th, 2009
9:31 am
Let’s see how anyone of us would react to throwing a ball when 7 guys are closing in like a freight train. With the pressure Matt was getting I thought he did an excellent job. YKW would had been sacked mulitiple times.
Southside Falcon
September 14th, 2009
9:32 am
Its too good to be a Fan now man
Rev Blake
September 14th, 2009
9:35 am
Last week we had a Dolphins fan come on here and suggsest that Ryan was average at best. He concluded that the Dolphins would win by stopping the run game. To which I informed him, if the Dolphins choose to focus solely on the run game, then the Falcons would give them a long day. Well, the Dolphins did and the Falcons did.
Great game! Excellent work by the defense and special teams coverage unit.
DJ
September 14th, 2009
9:39 am
I was there before the game telling all the Dolfins fans in my section to get comfortable now because when the game started they would be squirming in their seats. By the 2nd quarter, they were gone; how lame is that?
Zach
September 14th, 2009
9:42 am
It seemed like Burner ran up the middle the majority of his carries, is there any particular reason why the plays were not called more to the outside?
Coach Hinz
September 14th, 2009
9:48 am
D-Led, I couldn’t agree more about the Beer-Man. That guy just wants to prove himself more than these big contract guys. I think the offense had a couple missed opportunities to score TD’s… Turner and Elam had an off day but they will bounce back. The Ryan to Gonzalez combo is going to be fun to watch.
DP in NC
September 14th, 2009
9:48 am
Case Quarter….the pass rush was great besides Abraham….he had two sacks, what more do you want?
Gatorzone
September 14th, 2009
9:49 am
How about the tempo of the offense? I loved the speed of the drives in the first half. I was disturbed by the lack of running game but encouraged by the adaptability.
Bierman, Abraham, Peterson, Jerry, Nicholas, even Anderson looked good.
I am excited about our DEFENSE!!!!!
DJ
September 14th, 2009
9:49 am
Ya Zach – to keep ‘em honest. The Dolphin’s were repeately burned by trying to stop Turner with 8 in the box. The staff kept running it so the ‘Fins would do the same. The game plan is obvious to all teams and they still wont be able to stop it.
Willie Coyote
September 14th, 2009
9:54 am
Keep improving and finish those drives boys.
Hopefully the injury to Jerry isn’t an issue.
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
9:57 am
I realize I asked about Verron Davis and meant Verron Haynes, the former RB from UGA. There was a brief statement in the Sunday AJC that he was let go due to a ‘football decision’. Can anyone shed insight on this?
Ron B
September 14th, 2009
9:59 am
Watching the defense during preseason I kept saying that these guys were sandbagging. Of course Coach Smith didn’t want to show his hand early! He saved the REAL defense for the regular season. They did us proud!
St. Mt. Gal
September 14th, 2009
10:05 am
Great defensive game. Excellent way to open the season. Go Falcons!
Xs&Os
September 14th, 2009
10:09 am
The Falcons got lucky yesterday….
1. They were not able to score more points than they did after Miami GAVE them 4 turnovers in great field position. Great teams can do this…Falcons..not yet so.
2. Our secondary is still suspect. You have to be able to CONSISTENTLY stop the run and defend the pass..Pennington was still able to pick these guys apart… Just wait…Carolina got their @sses tapped yesterday and they’re gonna come in with a chip on their shoulder…can we say Pre-madonna Steve Smith…who CAN back up what he says he’ll do on the field.
3. As in Week 3. Brady and Co. will have a field day against this team UNLESS Abraham has a good day..that is the key to beat the Pats..if our front four can’t get to him…the Falcons can count that game as a loss…
4. We have no deep threat…Matt Ryan can read a defense…but he does have a noodle arm..but if our O-line doesn’t hold up…he’s goin down…
5. Did you see how many points Drew Brees and Co. put up yesterday?….I think I”m gonna start praying for the Falcons secondary…
6. Looks like Vick will be starting sooner than later…(Yes I”m a Vick fan…don’t condone what he did..but good Lord give the guy a chance…I see the NFL had no problem reinstating the sales of his jersey)
FranktheFalcon
September 14th, 2009
10:10 am
The refreshing thing is how great the defense played! Before the game, I was extremely worried about the defense, particularly the secondary, based on how they had played in preseason. The defensive pressure from the defensive line was better than I could have hoped for. The LB’s were one, two, and three in tackles, instead of the leading tacklers being the safeties. Great job defensive line and linebackers!!! Forcing 4 turnovers was huge. Getting Brian Williams really helped. Tye Hill will be worked in gradually (much like Foxworthy last year), and then we will be pretty solid in the secondary. Don’t worry about Matt Ryan’s miscues, he will get it done this week if we can slow down the other team’s pass rushers even a little bit more. Jason Elam is a great kicker who had his worst day as a pro. He had a great year for us last year and he will kick great the rest of the year. We all have off days, I am just glad Ryan’s miscues and Elam’s errant kicks did not cost us the game. Even on an off day with defenders all around him, Ryan was still 22 of 36 with 2 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. NOT BAD FOR AN OFF DAY!
Our offense has many weapons and is extremely hard to defend. They may shut down one facet of the offense but we will hurt them with the other. This will probably be the fewest points that we score in a game this year! I am already looking forward to this week’s game! It is great to be a Falcon Fan!!!!!!!
quincy
September 14th, 2009
10:10 am
BIG GAME! BIG ON DEFENSE! BIG WIN!
billy
September 14th, 2009
10:11 am
Thanks Tuna for choosing Miami because we would have ended up with Jake Long (who looked very average as a blocker) instead of Mattie Ice. He sure out smarted us?
DHunt
September 14th, 2009
10:16 am
Defensively they wanted to get faster and play with more urgency. I only saw once or twice where a defensive player slowed down before the play was over. Houston stopped playing on that circus catch when he should have still been right there, in a great coverage position, making a play on the ball. And whichever safety that was who let Ricky Williams float out free on the Fins TD. Other than those two plays, even when the fins were moving the ball, the defense was punishing them for it.
Could it be possible that the defense will be better than the offense this year? (And despite what they showed this game, this offense will score 24+ points a game this year.) Barring injury, and with a good growth process for our young defensive backfield, I say it’s very possible. Tony G is a beast, but we all knew that. But this defense is for real and very few people expected that.
TheManMike
September 14th, 2009
10:20 am
Ron B you are right on. They really did not show what they were really bringing during the preseason. I think it took the fins by surprise. Our LB’s were holding back during ps waiting for Sunday. Biermann, the guy is a motor – a beast.
I’ll miss the Carolina game next week, be in Maine for a wedding……Boo.
Go Birds!
Kane337
September 14th, 2009
10:20 am
Don’t worry about Turner and the run game. Some teams will game plan to take the run away and stack the box. The Dolphins did that and that left Tony G to be one-on-one with defenders. That is why he had a good day. Other days teams will try to double Tony or Roddy and then Turner will have his day.
Bailer
September 14th, 2009
10:21 am
whoooooray for our side. The owner is now showing the skills he used to make Home the GIANT it is today.
GT97
September 14th, 2009
10:22 am
Ernest – I can shed some light on the release of Haynes. He is not worth a crap. I rather have Thomas Brown activated. I am guessing to make a spot for the new cornerback.
Ed-Covington
September 14th, 2009
10:24 am
If we could only have had all of those 6′3″ – 230 lb CBs everyone had been clamoring for; just think what we could have done! LOL
TokyoTom
September 14th, 2009
10:26 am
I was at the game and kept my focus (i.e. binoculars) on the line play. For Ernest above: 1) Elam’s kicks looked really bad, even the 50 yard kick, nothing wrong with snap or placement on the plays 2) Anderson had a steady game and kept getting into the backfield; his pressure flushed the Q-Back into the waiting arms of Abraham & Biermann on a couple of the sacks. He will never be a superstar but will be the kind of player who makes the other linemen look good.
The Miami D-Line was keying on Turner all game; the Falcons O-Line wasn’t able to open any holes for Turner. We showed some new formations but they telegraphed which way Turner was going to run- credit Miami for defensing the run on the fly.
Credit our defense also for not being itimidated by the Wild-errr-PussyCat formation. Maybe Pat White will improve with experience but he added nothing to the Dolphin offense yesterday. Norwood is much more effective running that play (and had another solid as usual game).
Finally- Tony G showed why he is a Hal of Famer- not only with his catching but he put down a couple of hard licks on running plays and help open a hole for a good Norwood gainer. The two tight-end set of TG and Peele (?) adds to the havoc for opposing defenses. Are we running behind TG, throwing to TG, or using TG as a decoy? I don’t know how good we will be over the long haul, just need to take the season one game at a time. Can’t wait for the over-rated Panthers and the lousiest (by far) traveling fans next week!
Ed-Covington
September 14th, 2009
10:28 am
Ernest & GT97:
AJC made a point of saying that the move left the roster at 52, so Haynes was not released to make room for anyone.
mountain_jim
September 14th, 2009
10:31 am
I also wished Parcells was there with a camera on him. His #1 pick Long got JACKED UP by Abe, ha ha. I really wanted to see the look on Parcells right then.
NativeAtlantan
September 14th, 2009
10:31 am
Hey…where is FALCONSSORRY today?? Eating crow maybe?
FreeMikeVick
September 14th, 2009
10:33 am
Vick would not have missed that pass to Roddy.
Will Jones II
September 14th, 2009
10:35 am
Ernest –
I would think with veron haynes just getting sued or what ever the financial thing he went through before he got to the Falcons means, he probably got some personal baggage. We cut him and didn’t do it to add to the team. But on the good note the Falcons brought that intimidateing tenacity to the dome. Go FALCONS
bill
September 14th, 2009
10:38 am
Gonzalez was great. We don’t need hundred yard games from Turner or Roddy White to win now (not that we won’t get some). Just too many offensive weapons to stop them all.
Defense certainly showed up. D-line grew as the game went on, but I think the addition of Peterson made all the difference.
Even with Jason Elam having a bad day and Ryan slow to get going, it was never close.
The big challenge now will be to stay healthy. Rotating 7 guys on the D-line will help, as will depth at wide receiver and running back position.
I can’t end this without mentioning the ultimate role player Olvie Mughelli. Good to see him getting some attention.
**Frederick(Bailey)Douglass**
September 14th, 2009
10:40 am
D-Led…I was thoroughly suprised by yesterday’s chain of events. I like your 5 points. I think we learned all of them. If I may, let me add a couple more:
1) Yes, the LB corps was upgraded, but more specifically, Peterson is a MAN. I have not seen “head-busting” like that in a Falcons uniform at LB since the Hammer was in tow. I think we FINALLY have the right mix at LB.
2) DeCoud was solid…which was one of my concerns. Although Pennington did not really try him on any deep routes, he seemed to be in position and he threw his body around against the run. D-Led, did you see anything from him in particular?
3) I think we shut the playbook down around the third quarter. We leaned on individual efforts (e.g. Tony Gonzo) because we knew we had it in the bag. No need to show anything new…so, don’t be alarmed. We could have beat them by 30 points if we wanted.
Other than Elam not realizing that the season has started, we were SOLID. Next week, Carolina, with a QB that might get his teeth knocked out and nose broken by Steve Smith before they even get on 85South to come to the DOME…
Expect us to shut them down, and gear up for NE. People, we actually have a major shot to be 3-0 at our early break. Any word on Peria’s injury?
FBD
mountain_jim
September 14th, 2009
10:41 am
I want to see better Oline pass-blocking and better long accuracy from Ryan next week.
Merideth Ford Goldman
September 14th, 2009
10:43 am
I’m too important to care about football.
GeeZ
September 14th, 2009
10:50 am
Being the Falcon lover that I am…I must express my concerns with Elam…What was that about? Did I miss his name on the injury report? I’m sure M. Anderson is sitting on his couch yellin….”Put me in coach…
Rocky MTN Falcon
September 14th, 2009
10:51 am
Offense had a little rust, but Tony G. Looked great!. The Defense was awsome! Excellent game, but Kicking team needs to make sure yesterday was a fluke.
Now lets put this one behind us and focus on Carolina. During the Preseason I was wondering if our 1st 4 games of the year our record would be 2-2, I am now thinking 3-1, and if Defense keeps up the pass rush, maybe even 4-0. It is all possible now.
DJ
September 14th, 2009
11:00 am
TheManMike…please leave your man card at the security check at Hartsfield. I’ve been every one of the Panther-Falcons gigs at the dome and Jake Delhomme cannot handle the pressure and the crowd. The rest of you please show up and leave your small voice at home.
FALCONS SORRY
September 14th, 2009
11:15 am
I TOLD YOU THE DEFENCE WAS WHAT WOULD BE THE ONLY THING TO GIVE THE FALCONS ANY CHANCE OF WINNING ! NOW THAT THE FALCONS HAVE MIKE PETERSON AND NOT THAT SORRY KEITH JUMP ON THE PILE AFTER THE WHISSLE DONE BLOWED BROOKING
THAT SAVED MATTY HOPELESS ! EVERY TIME MATTY HOPELESS HEARD FOOTSTEPS HE GOT SCARED AND THREW THE BALL LIKE A HOT POTATO. HE WAS SAVED BY MIKE PETERSON AND TONY GONZALEZ MADE MIRACLE CATCHES OUT OF THE SORRY THROWS MATTY HOPELESS HAD ONLY GONZALEZ COULD CATCH ! MATTY HOPELESS MISSED 2 TURCHDOWNS !! NOW ITS ABOUT TO HAPPEN JUST LIKE I SAID MICHAEL VICK WILL TAKE OVER FOR MCNABB AND WIN THE SUPPER BOWL WHILE MATTY HOPELESS MISS THE PLAYOFFS CAUSE EVEN MIKE PETERSON CANT SAVE MATTY HOPELESS EVERY WEEK !
Big AL
September 14th, 2009
11:19 am
GO FALCONS!!!
dan
September 14th, 2009
11:58 am
Falcons win proved 5 things to me.
1. Our defense out hit their offense. That’s a good sign for the us and a bad sign for them.
2. Jason Elam. What the heck man? What are you doing missing field goals and extra points? You’re better than that man.
3. Turner’s numbers will dip this year, there’s no way he matches last years totals
4. Tony Gonzalez is a shot in the arm! Wow!
5. The NFL is a QB league! You can talk about managing the game all you want, but when it’s crunch time, you got to make the big throws! Matt Ryan can do this, Chad Pennington can’t. There are people who say that an offensive line makes a team win, and there is some truth to that statement. But if you give me the choice between having a great O-line and mediocre QB or a mediocre O-Line and Great QB, I’ll take the great QB all day!
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
GT97, Ed-Covington, and Will Jones II:
Thanks for the feedback on Haynes. The next obvious question is what will they do with that roster spot. I guess we’ll wait and see.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 14th, 2009
12:28 pm
About to drive on out to the Branch. Haynes thing was a mystery. Only thing that makes sense is that he might have been due a opening season roster bonus. Especially, if he’s brought right back, that could explain the bizarre move. Nothing crazy — like missing the bus or cussing out a coach — went down I’ve been told. So he wasn’t booted for conduct issues. Just real strange “football decision.”
Dr. Warren
September 14th, 2009
12:31 pm
I’m concerned about Elam. Why the loss of focus? Cut him!
Cameron
September 14th, 2009
12:40 pm
Yeah, cut Elam. That makes sense. I sure am glad Dr. Warren doesn’t coach the Falcons.
michael oconnell
September 14th, 2009
12:43 pm
i have been a falcon fan going back to and even before steve bartkoski but i havent seen any thing like the falcons we have now. GO FALCONS……
Icefan
September 14th, 2009
12:50 pm
Soooooooooooooooooooo Happy today!
Tyger
September 14th, 2009
12:53 pm
The Jacksonville connections strikes again…
Everyone focuses on the boy genius as the sole mastermind behind the Falcoons resurgence, but dont discount the impact M.Smith is having on personnel decisions, especially his Jax connection.
Big Skee
September 14th, 2009
12:56 pm
I feel like this year we need to draft a tight end. i could think of nothing better than having Tony G mentor a new tight end for the next two years or so before he retires, superbowl ring in hand
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
1:01 pm
Does anyone know of a good site to find the inactive lists for teams on Sundays?
Huge Falcon Fan
September 14th, 2009
1:06 pm
The offense played good enough to win and the defense played much better than expected. There will be games like this during the season. A win is all that counts. Some games we will put it all together and others will have to be won be either offense or defense. Our defense really played well, from the front four to the linebackers, which made the defensive backs jobs easier. I really liked the intensity of the linebackers, something that I think was missing last year. Keep it up Falcons. Congratulations Coach Smith for a great game plan of offense and defense. I think Miami didn’t know what hit them til after they left the dome.
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
1:08 pm
Answered my own question. Inactives and starters for this game can be found at:
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/News/Articles/2009/09/Week_1/Falcons_Dolphins_Inactives_and_Starters.aspx
BTW DOL, see if you can find anything else about Haynes and the roster spot. Perhaps it was simply to save money and they plan to bring him back.
Eric C.
September 14th, 2009
2:15 pm
Just one game…but I take back my attack on the defense during the preseason. Wow, I’ve always envied Baltimore for their fast attacking defenses, but the Falcons defense isn’t far off if they keep playing that way.
Hopefully the Elam miscues were just an aberration?
Ernest
September 14th, 2009
2:43 pm
Just heard on 790theZone that Verron Haynes has been resigned. Strange circumstances. Perhaps it was simply a monetary situation as DOL suggested earlier.
71 & 73
September 14th, 2009
2:45 pm
Dear Mr. Dahl — I will not write to Mr. Prisco who named you in the Top 10 Toughest Players, because I’ll be cheering for you next week to push some Panties down the field for Burner. However, Kroy Biermann just got my Full Frontal Nasty Award this week.
D-Led, can you find out what beer Biermann likes? If he keeps playing like that, we have to give them a name… Smitty says he’s got 6,7,8 starters out there, then they are the #-Pack Attack.
To DJ, let’s just think of it as “71 is the One.” I do like your idea of having new correspondent Ted Bruschi interview Kroy Biermann.
SRF
September 14th, 2009
2:58 pm
I saw Brian Williams – but whatever happened to the other DB they signed ?
planb
September 14th, 2009
3:02 pm
I remember some guys saying we should go young in the 1st round with a TE. We would have an inexperienced young TE and no TG or P. Jerry. 2010 1st round TE – OK. Let him learn from TG.
I did not expect anything near the way this defense played. Hope they can keep this going! They were great!!!
curtis
September 14th, 2009
3:11 pm
wheres falconsorry and bad news now lmfao. what a great game. i need to get to atl and watch a game in person…..i’m from canada…..go falcons
ATL Fan
September 14th, 2009
3:12 pm
Just read this on the AtlantaFalcons.com site:
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons today re-signed fullback Verron Haynes two days after the team released the six-year veteran. The Falcons also released cornerback Glenn Sharpe from the practice squad.
Great Falconi
September 14th, 2009
3:16 pm
Here’s what PFT has to say about Verron Haynes being back.
JerseyFalcon
September 14th, 2009
3:30 pm
Yesterday they said that Peria Jerry was injured and he didn’t return to the game….anyone know about the injuries the Falcons had yesterday?
FalconDawg
September 14th, 2009
3:32 pm
The best thing about this game was that we weren’t clicking with the run game but still dominated completely. In the past, we were shut down if our run game faltered.
JB
September 14th, 2009
3:35 pm
TonyG did look great with the 7 guys in the box read that he broke off to save a sack and wound up breaking for the TD and the amazing catch around the 2 to set up Mughelli’s TD, but he looked slow on TV. Was KC right in letting him go at 33, i.e., he’s lost a step or do I just need Directv and a bigger TV?
BamaBirDawg
September 14th, 2009
3:49 pm
The D that stuffed the Dolphins may have a different kind of day against the cats from Carolina. Not trying to toss a wet blanket on the party but… it’s all about how specific Os and Ds match up on a personnel level. The Panthers’ QB Delhomme had a miserable day against Philly but has always played well in the Dome.
Still and all, you gotta love it when your team does this well after scaring the bejeezus out of you in the preseason. If this new D is for real, then this may be… THE year!
…
Pete
September 14th, 2009
3:57 pm
They are evolving, these Falcons.
Evolving.
Barry
September 14th, 2009
4:30 pm
KUDOS to the coaches for coaching one hell of a game and getting these players playing “crazy”! These next 5 games will be carried by the coaches until the new guys and the young players get the automatic feel of whats going on on the field wherein they can become creative, with their own style, and make gerat playes, as we saw yesterday with that Peterson hit and the corner back scooping the ball out of the air and going for a touchdown. I truly believe we will be seeing more of this from this young defense. This season is going to be enjoyable watching them grow. THE “PROCESS” CONTINUES!! I can not wait for the end result. I see some exciting things coming. I see them coming in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!
Therefore, Blank, Dimitroff, Mc Kay, Coach Smith and his Staff, and of course the Falcon players, we FANS are on the field with you on every play. We are part of your team. We move when you move, just like that. Together, WE ARE “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. And the NFL will hear how hard our heart beats. Can yo hear it?? THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! We are down with this in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”.
GO FALCONS!! LET’S KICK BUTT, ONE GAME AT A TIME, IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”
GREAT GAME!! GREAT COACHING!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!………………
Cedric
September 14th, 2009
4:51 pm
ManMike who in the hell gets married in Maine, must be family but back to the gridiron. Birds looked ok being that we were not challenged downfield by their aerial attack or lackof. Next week believe Panthers will try us deep and often, so I hope #28 Decoud will be up to the challenge vs #89 Smith. Good win anyway but Matty Ice has to be more efficient and hit the target when necessary. I mean Roddy was so open all Ryan had to do was put more air under the pass b/c the safety was nowhere in the picture when they replayed it afterwards. Defensive front 7 looked good vs a team you knew was going to run the ball. Hopefully we keep the intensity up vs Panthers because they have a nice stable of runners that will make you look stupid if given the chance. Ledbetter did big Trey Lewis get some action and also did Coy Wire get in on some plays other than kickoffs and punt coverage. Need some injury updates for Birds and Panthers. Glad to see o-coordinator get all rbs involved in the game plan. Also Matty Ice needs to use Gonzalez as a decoy instead of eyeing him down.
Bad News
September 14th, 2009
4:56 pm
4 Turnovers and only 19 points? What would have happened if there were zero turnovers?
Bad News
September 14th, 2009
5:01 pm
Stop Turner – stop the offense.
Teams have watched 2008 films. Every team will stuff Turner and take their chances.
Think about it, if you didn’t get 4 turnovers how many points would have been scored.
Bad News
September 14th, 2009
5:03 pm
Cedric
If you have a NOODLE ARM the opposing defenses don’t have to play deep.
dbird1
September 14th, 2009
5:05 pm
Where you at now Bad News. you ignorant racist
Bad News
September 14th, 2009
5:13 pm
Who do these numbers belong to:
YARDS: 307
POINTS: 38
TOUCHDOWNS: 3
QB RATING: 95.3
ANSWER: The guy that should have been drafted
Chuck Clausen
September 14th, 2009
5:23 pm
I was surprised how well we played pass defenses – I did’t see that kind of coverages in camp or pre-season and didn’t see the Dominating pass rush. I had our Falcons winning 8 or 9, I still think with this years schedule 9 would be a good season. This Falcon team can win 9.
Huge Falcon Fan
September 14th, 2009
5:32 pm
Bad news….why don’t you just move to Baltimore? We don’t need you here anyway.
Bad News
September 14th, 2009
5:37 pm
Huge Falcon Fan
I think you don’t like me – that hurts
Huge Falcon Fan
September 14th, 2009
5:44 pm
No, not true..I just love the Falcons.
Alan
September 14th, 2009
6:03 pm
Way to go Falcons, I really enjoyed laughing at the pre-season naysayers, the team and I emphasize (TEAM) showed a great begining that will get better with time. The one thing for sure is the bumps in the road will become smaller and smaller. Thanks to Thomas and Smitty and all of the Falcons for a great opening day.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Charles
September 14th, 2009
6:18 pm
Meh, I think getting hysterical about one bad offensive perfomance (in which we still scored enough to win btw) is overkill. The Ice Man is a child by NFL standards, and I think he just got a little too amped up for the game. Notice that most of his incompletions were overthrown, or simply the result of a receiver and a QB failing to click. Not unusual for openers.
Favorite play has to be the bull-rush/sack. That was just a dirty south move…Child Pennington may not know WHY he got dropped in the Dirty, but I’m pretty sure he knows HOW.
BamaBirDawg
September 14th, 2009
6:41 pm
@ Chuck Clausen -
If the D that showed up this last Sunday is the D that shows up EVERY Sunday… and if Ryan can shake his monkey, his team could well shake their own and get that 9 or better.
Carolina will be a good test. It’s a division game and Dehlomme is better than his performance at Philly. But I agree that the real tests will come against the Pats and on the road vs. the Saints.
…
Zoomie
September 14th, 2009
7:01 pm
It’s not unusual for offenses to look weak during the first couple of weeks of the season; a quick look around the league shows slow offensive starts were pretty prevalent. Offensive timing is everything in the NFL. The Falcons just got a snoot full of real NFL game speed and they’ll have to work get their timing up to that speed. I’m not worried yet. Elam, all by himself, left 7 points on the field, so the score should’ve looked even more dominating.
Dolphins sold out on stopping Turner, and that’s what they did. Wasn’t enough; and their offense was even more rusty than the Falcons’.
I’m still a little cautious about the Falcons’ chances against their schedule, but was very impressed with the Falcons’ defensive intensity. Man, they were bringing the wood on every play and at every position. I hope this characterizes their entire 2009 season!
Good game, good result. Go Falcons!
mars
September 14th, 2009
7:10 pm
Let’s go over the obvious, fellas. Michael Turner not effective in this game? Horsehockey! Turner was keyed on, which opened up the other dangerous weapons in our offense. His presence was felt heavily by the Fins, and his contribution was part of the game winning results. When teams concentrate on our HoF TE and the fullback pass, look for Turner to burn up the turf! And just ignore Bad News. Since he changed his screen name from Vick Supporter 2 he has been enjoying a little infamy, since nobody listened to his ridiculously wrong predictions in the past.
DW
September 14th, 2009
7:12 pm
AB must be quietly loving that we cooked, boiled, and fried the big, fat Tuna’s team. Karma is a beotch. Tuna passes on MR2 and takes Long who is DOMINATED by both Abe and Biermann. Priceless, especially the bull rush and sack play.
It appears that the Saints will be our only true competition in the NFC South. Next up, skinned Kitty-Cat.
Brad
September 14th, 2009
8:27 pm
Davis isn’t that strange–Moore’s coming back, Williams did well and and they let loose an unnecessary cb–makes sense they would bring back a vet, special team player. Plus we don’t know who got dinged. I thought he looked good in pre-season. Thanks for the blog–always enjoy them.
Bad News
September 14th, 2009
8:38 pm
Should have drafted Flacco
Football Expert
September 14th, 2009
8:48 pm
I can solve the VERRON HAYNES mystery. Its simple. He is a vested veteran and If he is on the roster for week one his salary for the year becomes fully guaranteed. By cutting him before the first game and then resigning him later the Falcons won’t be on the hook for his entire salary if they decide to part ways later in the season. What does that tell you? It means when/if the Falcons need to make a roster move at some point in the season Hayes will be the sacrificial lamb. O.k. boys and girls that is your lesson for the day.
Cocktail Cove
September 14th, 2009
9:11 pm
I am not sure whether our Defence was that good or Miami was that bad. One thing is for sure. Our Defense hit hard…go ahead, catch it.