Falcons to face the “Brooking factor” against Cowboys
THE BRANCH — For the second week in a row, the Falcons will face a team coming off a bye week.
Dallas linebackers Bradie James (56) and Keith Brooking (51) in training camp. Brooking, the former Falcon, leads the Cowboys in tackles. (ERIC GAY/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A quick start will likely be necessary against the Dallas Cowboys, who appear to be losing confidence in Tony Romo’s passing ability. A big early lead will force the Cowboys to go away from their talented fleet of running backs – Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Georgia Tech and Lovejoy High’s own Tashard Choice.
Loading ...The Cowboys have rushed for at least 150 yards in three games this season.
When Romo does pass, it will be off of play action and he only seems to find tight end Jason Witten. However, wide receiver Roy Williams (ribs) also returned to good health over the bye week.
(Aside — FILM STUDY: Brian over at Georgia Tech sent me a link to this hot Falcons video. Check it out.)
Our good buddy Keith Brooking, who some of you all wanted to run out of town, is leading the Cowboys in tackles from his inside linebacker position. He could play a key role in the game if he remembers the Falcons no-huddle signals.
Now, the Falcons have been having trouble in the quick start department. Look for offensive Mike Mularkey to change some things up. The likely scenario would be to open the game in the no-huddle offense, but if Brooking remembers the calls, that might not be helpful. The Falcons will have to change up some things and throw the Cowboys some curve balls.
The quick start has been missing. That was the Falcons specialty last season when they led the league with 114 first-quarter points. They’ve scored only 24 points in the first quarter this season.
They have not scored a touchdown on the opening drive this season.
Will Matt Ryan get the offense off to a fast start in Dallas? (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
OPENING DRIVE CHART
TEAM RESULT
Miami 42-yard field goal
Carolina punt, after one first down
New England 26-yard field
San Francisco Three-and-out
Chicago Three-and-out
STATS CORNER
Tashard Choice helps to power Dallas' potent ground game. (AP Photo/TONYGUTIERREZ)
- POINTS PER GAME: Falcons 24.6 (10), Cowboys 24.4 (11).
- TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME: Falcons 327.8 (18), Cowboys 420.4 (2).
- NET RUSHING YARDS PER GAME: Falcons 98.6 (24), Cowboys 161.0 (3).
- NET PASSING YARDS PER GAME: Falcons 229.2 (15), Cowboys 259.4 (9).
- TIME OF POSSESSION AVERAGE: Falcons 29:02, Cowboys 30:06.
- OPPONENT POINTS PER GAME: Falcons 15.4 (4), Cowboys 19.6 (12t).
- OPPONENT TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME: Falcons 359.2 (24), Cowboys 357.8 (22).
- OPPONENT NET RUSHING YDS PER GAME: Falcons 118.2 (23), Cowboys 106.4 (17).
- OPPONENT NET PASSING YARDS PER GAME: Falcons 241.0 (21), Cowboys 251.4 (26).
- TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Falcons +5 (7), Cowboys -4 (23t).
THE SERIES
All-time regular season results: Cowboys lead series, 13-8
All-time postseason results: Cowboys lead postseason, 2-0
Falcon’s regular season road record vs. Cowboys: 3-7
Last regular season meeting: 2006, Cowboys 38 – Falcons 28 (Atl).
* * * The Falcons still owe the Cowboys for the 1980 Divisional Playoff round game when they coughed up that 24-10 lead, only to lose 30-27.
Will Jessica Simpson show up this week?
Should the Falcons open in the no-huddle against the Cowboys? How important will it be getting off to a fast start? Will the defense be able to stop the trio of Barber, Jones and Choice? Do you wish Romo was still dating Jessica Simpson?
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133 comments Add your comment
Fire Marshal
October 21st, 2009
4:47 pm
Since you asked, I would much rather I be dating Jessica Simpson, thank you very much.
Bookie
October 21st, 2009
4:54 pm
What’s the over and under on when Keith’s post at 2:00 will be deleted by “Mr. Sensitive.”
MV#7!!!!
October 21st, 2009
5:04 pm
MR.MICHAEL VICK WILL ALWAYS OWN!!!!!!THE ATLANTA FALCONS BECAUSE SUNDAY DURING HALFTIME (FALCONS GAME) THE HALFTIME SHOW WAS ABOUT MV7…LOL..
HE’S BEEN GONE NOW FOR 3YEARS. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISS HIM!!!LOL.. AND BY THE WAY MATT(NOODLE ARM)RYAN PU**Y BOY WILL ALWAYS BE SH*T!!!!!!!!!!!!
F-105 Thunderchief
October 21st, 2009
5:26 pm
Thank goodness for Jason Snelling. He’s good and tough. Guess Thomas Brown’s NFL career is done? Happens to a lot of them. Gerald Riggs Jr. got a shot at the pros even after a lackluster-at-best career at UT. Did nada in the NFL.
Mike Vick Curse
October 21st, 2009
6:03 pm
Douglas………….Done
Jerry…………Done
Williams………..Done
Moore……………Done
Norwood………….Done
Mughelli………….Done
Turner………Missed Practice………Near DONE
Who’s next?????
I told you fools you will never win another playoff game……….
VOOOOOOO DOOOOOO…………. VOOOOOOO DOOOOO………..
2004 & COUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FalconDawg
October 21st, 2009
6:07 pm
This game will be won offensively. Dallas will dominate the running game and “Ice” will dominate the passing game. I don’t believe he (Ice) will have a lackluster game two times in a row. Look for him to be sharp.
falcon21
October 21st, 2009
7:37 pm
I don’t believe this, no Crabapplejoe!
jj
October 21st, 2009
8:02 pm
Norwood will not ba a Falcon next year.He is gun shy and can’t stay out of trainers office.Good potential,but no heart.
JJ
October 21st, 2009
8:23 pm
jj, who are you? can u add a letter like middle initial?
JJ
October 21st, 2009
8:24 pm
falcon21, never fear, brookings dad will come and requote everything!
Sautee
October 21st, 2009
8:30 pm
I’m a Michael Vick fan AND a Matt Ryan fan.
The most important stat in football is winning %.
Here’s how these two did in their first 21 games starting:
Mike Vick: 12-8-1 .571%
Matt Ryan: 15-6 .714%
Ryan is off to a great start for his career.
Better than Tom Brady.
Better than Peyton Manning.
Batter than (gasp!) Joe Flacco.
crabapplejoe
October 21st, 2009
9:45 pm
@falcon21 & jj: I had to wait until all the morons made their obligatory “yeah, but all his tackles are [fill in the blank]yards downfield? The fans and team in Dallas love the guy. I guess Dallas is not as racially divided as Atlanta. There have been very little negative comments on Brooking on their forums and a ton of glowing positives, such as this:
Enjoy responsibly.
EDIT: Thanks Atlanta. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi4hv0GZlYo
Why in the world did you ever let this guy go?
So, I guess its a win/win situation…we got a guy with dreadlocks that everyone can drool over and Dallas got a LB they think is great.
Sautee
October 21st, 2009
10:22 pm
jj said: “Norwood will not ba a Falcon next year.He is gun shy and can’t stay out of trainers office.Good potential,but no heart.”
You must not have seen him play in college. He arguably had the most heart in the SEC when he played at Miss. St.
He just about single-handedly beat Fla. in 2004. He showed me a LOT.
Yeah, he’s been nicked up a LOT, no doubt, but I don’t question his heart even a little.
Mike Vick Curse
October 21st, 2009
11:06 pm
Sautee
October 21st, 2009
8:30 pm
I’m a Michael Vick fan AND a Matt Ryan fan.
The most important stat in football is winning %.
Here’s how these two did in their first 21 games starting:
Mike Vick: 12-8-1 .571%
Matt Ryan: 15-6 .714%
Ryan is off to a great start for his career.
Better than Tom Brady.
Better than Peyton Manning.
Batter than (gasp!) Joe Flacco.
“Tell that to Terry Bradshaw vs Dan Marino. Marino had the individual stats and wins and Terry Bradshaw has 4-rings/Marino-Zero”
monty
October 21st, 2009
11:34 pm
Norwood is just built kind of fraily for NFL standards.Legs are too skinny. THat was the knock on him coming out of college. Would he be able to hold up.
ToccoaDawg
October 21st, 2009
11:36 pm
D’led worries too much. He forgets the falcons know where his Keiths weaknesses are.
Mark E Scherer
October 21st, 2009
11:51 pm
The Brooking Factor—HA!—always close but slow–even sure to pile on but late even to that.
jj
October 22nd, 2009
1:56 am
Sautee,I agree with you about what you say about Norwood when he was at Miss.St and also this applies also his first year with the Falcons.He was a gamer,but the hits he’s taken,especially to his head has taken something out of him.Just like anybody that has taken some shots,he become a little timid,especially if he has to lower his head and get that hard yard.In other words,if the hole is there,he’s the best,but if not,he’e looking for a place to lay down.The eye in the sky don’t lie.
Scottbravesfan
October 22nd, 2009
2:21 am
No huddle all the way the team look great last week when they went to that, when they slowed it down they screwed up their own rhythm.
drbasic1
October 22nd, 2009
2:55 am
Guys I too live here in Dallas and am a Falcon fan. I listen to all the hype daily over the cows. Trust me, they are WORRIED, stating if the boys lose, the season is lost. Creighton was dropped to 3rd receiver today and Austin will start along side of Williams. Feliz should be good to go, and ware will play though banged up as is Barber. Romo, who knows, if is head is there or not, he has been catching A LOT of flack around here, as has wanna be coach Phillips, but everyone must remmember, Jerry the clown will only hire a yes man as a coach, and well you see what that leads to. I believe if good pressure is put on romo, he WILL make many stupid mistakes. Also, if the D line for the falcons moves around a bit you are guarenteed to have at least 3 penalities on that fat a$$ flozell clown. I living here and keeping up greatly with both teams say the Falcons without numerous mistakes beat the cows 31 to 10. Hope that is a little insight on the biys for ya!
drbasic1
October 22nd, 2009
3:03 am
Oh and a little on Brooking…he has like 3 sacks and leads in tackles, but same as in Atlanta, most after at least a 5 yard gain….but in fits with wades defense, who i think works along the same lines as slick willie, bend don’t break,….well it don’t work here either. I will say he does look better than the dreads however……
Paddy
October 22nd, 2009
6:31 am
Dallas fans are great fans. Even being the underdog in their own stadium, they are still full of themselves. Matt R is coming along very nice. Tony R not so much.
deandrums
October 22nd, 2009
7:10 am
Brooking is a poor cover linebacker ans slow!
Take advantage of that by having your best running back/receiver.
Isolate Brooking and you will get a ton of yardage often….
Most of his tackles are downfield….
He looked very slow for ATLANTA the last 2 years!
crabapplejoe
October 22nd, 2009
7:56 am
drbasic1 wrote: “Oh and a little on Brooking…he has like 3 sacks and leads in tackles, but same as in Atlanta, most after at least a 5 yard gain…”
So, the NFL has redefined the sack rule to allow for sacks after a “five yard gain”….LOL
Sautee
October 22nd, 2009
9:32 am
“Tell that to Terry Bradshaw vs Dan Marino. Marino had the individual stats and wins and Terry Bradshaw has 4-rings/Marino-Zero”
I BELIEVE that I was talking about winning %. The most important stat in football.
Hint: If you don’t win enough games, you don’t GET to play for a ring.
Bradshaw: 107-51 67.7%
Marino: 147-93 61.2%
Ryan: 15-6 71.4%
Maybe you should try a better example.
Symone
October 22nd, 2009
11:08 am
For all you “Vick Fanz”,get out of here!!!!!!Vick is done and he was always over-rated!
Matty Ice (Matt Ryan)is a cool dude who while he still make some mistakes,I’m very impressed with his skillz as a quarterback and have been since he started hi pro career last year,I love his commitment to his craft,unlike the dog gambling Vick,so lets get over #7 and let him worry about getting more than 2 snaps a game with Philly!
As it pertain to the game on Sunday against The Cowboyz,I feel that Dallas will be at an advantage because of the bye-week however they will be at a disadvantage because they are playing at home and they will have more pressure on them because they have not beaten a quality opponent!..If The Falcons don’t commit any DUMB fouls and execute their game plan well,I say The Falcons will win 28-17!
Symone
October 22nd, 2009
11:12 am
For all you “Vick Fanz”,get out of here!!!!!!Vick is done and he was always over-rated!
Matty Ice (Matt Ryan)is a cool dude although he still make some mistakes,I’m very impressed with his skillz as a quarterback and have been since he started his pro career last year,I love his commitment to his craft,unlike the dog gambling Vick,so lets get over #7 and let him worry about getting more than 2 snaps a game with Philly!
As it pertain to the game on Sunday against The Cowboyz,I feel that Dallas will be at an advantage because of the bye-week however they will be at a disadvantage because they are playing at home and they will have more pressure on them because they have not beaten a quality opponent!..If The Falcons don’t commit any DUMB fouls and execute their game plan well,I say The Falcons will win 28-17!
CORRECTION POST
Terrell
October 22nd, 2009
11:37 am
SO crabapplejoe this remark by you isn’t racist?
“So, I guess its a win/win situation…we got a guy with dreadlocks that everyone can drool over and Dallas got a LB they think is great.”
I’ve always respected Keith Brooking but people like you made him to be better than what he was in his last few years with us. I’m happy with Peterson not because he has “Dreadlocks” but because he is playing well. It also helps that we are blitzing out LBs more this year, but Peterson has been more of an impact here than Brooking has in Dallas.
Also, if you remember correctly the Falcons wanted to keep Brooking but he didn’t want to take a salary cut, something the Peterson did to come over to Atlanta.
shadykraft
October 22nd, 2009
11:46 am
Mike Peterson hits way harder than Brooking. He always seems to be in on the play. Paulomauloish. Makes interceptions, puts the hat on the ball forcing fumbles. I dont think Brooking will be able to benefit from knowing our no huddle signals either. There just wont be enough time at the line before the start of the play. To confusing for him to make all the Cowboys ready for whats to come. I do like Brooking the person. Heard him on the radio this morning. But we like Peterson right peeps! GO FALCONS!! Get a lead early!!! Score a td on the first drive! Turner this is your game!
conVickted
October 22nd, 2009
12:01 pm
Hello to all my fans. I appreciate all of your support but Jesus…get off the Atlanta blogs for gods sake! I now play for the Eagles….sometimes (they are based out of Philly) I wasnt sure myself but thats what my agent told me. Come join me on an eagle blog. We can reflect on the good ol’ days before I screwed my team, my employer, and the city of Atlanta….Love MV7.
It's good to see that
October 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm
T.C. is posting his brilliant thoughts regarding everything football again today! We are all so glad you joined today T.C. and decided to bless us with your charismatic words. We are so honored…
really???????
October 22nd, 2009
12:50 pm
conVickted man i had no clue you were an eagle!! when did that happen?? Well i guess i could go to an eagle blog but i dont know how to get there. Could someone help me out please and tell me how to get to an eagles blog so i can drool over a dog killing, lazy,got an arm but no accuracy, lying to his BOSS teams, and FANS, no work ethic, never should of been a qb but instead a rb mike vick! bc you know i just love mike vick so much i want to put my lips around his dik and let him choke me too bc i,m a stupid ass retard who loves to support the vile indivduals so please you DUMB ATL FANS LETS BRING VICK BACK SO WE CAN SUPPORT A LYING FELON WHO IS NO WHERE NEAR MATTY ICE’S LEVEL IN ANY WAY OF BEING A QUARTERBACK NOT A RUNNING BACK BUT A QUARTER BACK!! PLEASE CANT WE O PLEASE
Mike Vick Curse
October 22nd, 2009
12:56 pm
Sautee
October 22nd, 2009
9:32 am
“Tell that to Terry Bradshaw vs Dan Marino. Marino had the individual stats and wins and Terry Bradshaw has 4-rings/Marino-Zero”
I BELIEVE that I was talking about winning %. The most important stat in football.
Hint: If you don’t win enough games, you don’t GET to play for a ring.
Bradshaw: 107-51 67.7%
Marino: 147-93 61.2%
Ryan: 15-6 71.4%
Maybe you should try a better example
“Here is a better example: Ryan 15-6 (ZERO playoff wins) Flacco 14-8 (2 Playoff wins)……..how is that
”
43-Years of Failure
October 22nd, 2009
1:00 pm
I’m glad DJ has been released due to good behavior. Now there are 3-worthless blue eyed worthless guys throwing to talented minorities!
GO DJ!!!!!!!!!!!
Symone
October 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
I like Brooking but he’d lost some steps during his final three years with Atlanta,so there is no need for him to be mad that he refused to sign for less with The Falcons,as was stated in a blog I read that originated out of Dallas!
I will say it again, If The Falcons don’t commit any DUMB penalties and execute their game plan,I expect them to win handily because Romo has a tendency to choke under pressure,so lets do this Falcons!
Ken Strickland
October 22nd, 2009
1:09 pm
It’s not the Cowboys RB’s our DEF has to worry about, it’s their OL, which is huge. If we continue to get penetration from our front 4, we’ll have little trouble stopping their RB’s. Romo seems to have developed the same tendency MVick developed when he didn’t trust his WR’s or his OL’s pass blocking, and that’s go to the TE.
I watched a replay of the Bears gm and I was stunned at the impact JAnderson was having. It seems he’s managed to excel at doing the things as a DT he wasn’t very good at doing as a DE. I saw him play DE when we rushed only 3, and we still managed to flush the QB. Before everyone gets all hyped over KBrooking, remember, he played his best ball as an ILB under WPhillps’ 3-4 DEF when he was our DEF coordinator under HC DReeves. If we control their OL and TE, we’ll win this gm.
Even if Brooking remembers our no huddle signals, it won’t do him or the Cowgirls any good. Their DEF can’t do anything until after they hear the signals, and if Brooking starts making adjustments they could easily get caught out of position while in transition. Knowing our no huddle signals could actually work to our advantage. The no huddle OFF is designed to take advantage of whatever DEF package is on the field by not allowing them to substitute or make adjustments and attacking the weaknesses of that particular DEF package.
When Chicago had their rushing DEF on the field, which was very successful at the time, we switched to our no huddle OFF and attacked their rushing DEF, especially their LB’s, with short, quick passes over the middle. Because they couldn’t substiture or make adjustments, they became confused and unable to stop what we were doing to them.
AlternateReality
October 22nd, 2009
1:17 pm
43 years – DJ had his shot in the pre-season and he blew it. Maybe he just wasn’t that good?
AlternateReality
October 22nd, 2009
1:25 pm
I liked Brooking and respect what he did for the organization over the years. Unfortunately, he became yet another example or a player whose value to his long-time team had diminished before he was ready to call it quits. In any case, Peterson is making a bigger impact right now than Brooking did in his last few years here, and I’d have to say the change was for the better.
Shamus Thacker
October 22nd, 2009
2:39 pm
Turner had better tape his shoes on tight. Brooking is gonna be grabbin’ at em ten-yards down-field.
Peterson has made more game-changing, impact plays, this year, than Brooking made his entire time here.
KB never came close to what I thought he would be. Too damn stiff and slow…
Shamus Thacker
October 22nd, 2009
2:42 pm
BTW DOL, great job!
The New Dirty Birds
October 22nd, 2009
5:22 pm
Brooking wont be a factor, if we strike early and often i think we’ll take th elife from the cowgirls. They have talent…however we are a better team. If we can beat chicago after a bye week who is healty mind you, Then we can beat dallas! The bears Defense was alot better than dallas to me. i think jay cutler is a beter QB then homo i meant romo sorry. Lets show the country how we do it in Georgia baby GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Sautee
October 22nd, 2009
5:41 pm
Mike Vick Curse,
Congratulations. I KNEW you could do it. That was a MUCH better example IF you are trying to bring Ryan down. However, being a Ryan fan (and a Vick fan still), I was trying to show you statistics regarding regular season games started.
But yes, you are correct that Flacco has won 2 playoff games and Ryan none.
But the true time to compare their playoff success will be at the end of their careers. Both are just now beginning, and both are talented and fun to watch.
They will likely always be compared to one another, being from the same draft.
I like Flacco and think he played great against New England, but the result was the same as Ryan. A loss.
What I can’t figure out is why you can’t love Vick and pull for Ryan too?
Isn’t he the QB of the team you follow?
falcon21
October 22nd, 2009
5:49 pm
Now what is the Ravens record this season?
drbasic1
October 22nd, 2009
5:57 pm
crabapple, you misread my post. I stated he has 3 sacks AND leads the team in tackles, though most are after gains. Don’t know how you figured out i said sacked for a gain…..moron
Symone
October 22nd, 2009
7:04 pm
People lets not worry about “Vick” fanz because they are not Falcon Fans.A real Falcon fan would cheer for Ryan.Vick fanz are just upset because Matty Ice shows them what a real quarterback is. I realize that Matty Ice has room for improvement but at this stage,he is a “good” quarterback with the potential to be great No offense but I never saw any potential in Vick………..
I never thought Vick was a good quarterback because for me a good quarterback needs to be more proficient at passing rather than running.Vick was too short to see over the lanes and it was obvious to me when he played for Atlanta that his mind wasn’t in which came to fruition,with the federal charge of dog crossing state lines to set up dog battles.
I for one will encourage our current quarterback because to me he has proven that he is a smart man who sems dedicated to making himself an even better quarterback and I give him props for that………
crabapplejoe
October 22nd, 2009
7:33 pm
drbasic1 wrote: “crabapple, you misread my post. I stated he has 3 sacks AND leads the team in tackles, though most are after gains. Don’t know how you figured out i said sacked for a gain…..moron”
First of all, moron, I was joking with you in reference to the obligatory and lame standard Brooking comment: “Yeah, but all his tackles are [fill in the blank] yards downfield”. I would think that sentence would even get old to the Brooking bashers. Oh course, I realize that you know a “sack” is behind the line of scrimmage. I am quite sure that if Brooking intercepted two passes and sacked Ryan three times someone would come on here and say: “Yeah, but all of his tackles…..”
Second of all it is impolite and a violation of he code of conduct to call someone “moron”. LOL
falcon21
October 22nd, 2009
7:59 pm
Crabapplejoe, I’ll admit Keith is having a pretty good season and fits in well with the WP Defense. I hope he has a bad game Sunday but after that I wish him the best.
jacket3
October 22nd, 2009
8:06 pm
The game is about Atlanta and Dallas. Atlanta squeaks by…So WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT VICK. That was 2 years and many bad memories ago. Live in the present, can’t change the past but you can change the future….Mat Ryan will become another superstar QB; the Falcons are a good club now…and everyone will be talking trash. Just give it some time…
Roger in Dallas
October 22nd, 2009
8:07 pm
First of all, thanks for Brooking. He has been nothing but great for the Cowboys. He is a class act and so far has performed very well for the Cowboys.
Anyone in Atlanta who bashes someone who gave his heart to your city and team is a Moron. In fact you bashers are such morons that Jerry will probably hire you as our next coach.
crabapplejoe
October 22nd, 2009
8:18 pm
@falcon 21: What a reasonable and cogent comment. My son was born on a a beautiful fall Sunday on which we beat the Cowboys in Dallas 37-35 with Dave Archer at the helm….a long time ago. Hoping for a repeat (not the child part!)