Falcons festive after win over Redskins
Falcons running back # 33 Michael Turner breaks away for a 58 yard touchdown and a 31-17 lead over the Redskins during 4th quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 31-17. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
THE BRANCH – The Falcons’ locker room was quite festive after the 31-17 thumping of the Washington Redskins.
Here’s what some of the players had to say:
DON’T RELAX: Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton thought the defense relaxed after the Falcons got that 24-3 lead against the Redskins.
“We have to keep the same intensity,” Lofton said. “They came out and played ball. We just have to come out and pick
Former Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, now with the Washington Redskins, gets a warm welcome from Falcons assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas as he returns to the Georgia Dome as a rival during pregame warmups. Things would get messing later. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
up the intensity. We came out relaxed coming out of the first half. We just have to continue to play hard.”
STOPPING THE STREAK: Linebacker Mike Peterson and Lofton were credited with the key fourth-and-1 stop of Mike Sellers.
Part of the team’s motivation was that they didn’t want a three-game losing streak.
“We definitely didn’t want to lose three games in this league,” Peterson said.
The defense still wants to put together an entire game.
“We are getting ready to enter the third quarter of the season,” Peterson said. ”We had a little good and a little bad. You earn everything you get in this league. We are 5-3 and we know that we can get better.“
SUSTAINING DRIVES: After opening with a touchdown drive for the third week in a row, the offense got bogged down again.
“It’s just a little bit of inconsistency,” Pro Bowler Roddy White said. “Getting penalties and stuff like that is hurting us.”
The biggest was a Tyson Clabo holding call that wiped away a 37-yard run by Michael Turner. He would have rushed for 203 yards with that run.
SURVIVING HAYNESWORTH: Left guard Justin Blalock had to scuffle with Washington’s Albert Haynesworth for most of the day.
“He’s a great player,” Blalock said. “Their defense is full of great players. No one over there is lacking.”
SVITEK STEPPED IN FOR BAKER: Left tackle Sam Baker left the game after a quarter. He was listed on the injury report with a (left) ankle injury. Will Svitek replaced Baker at the start of the second quarter.
Washington Redskins quarterback # 17 Jason Campbell is hit from both sides as he is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end # 55 John Abraham, left, and defensive tackle # 95 Jonathan Babineaux, right, for a sack during 2nd quarter action knocking him out of the game on the play at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
“When you are swing tackle, you have to be ready, no matter what,” Svitek said. “You have to prepare yourself like you are a starter. It was good to get out there and play football again.”
DAHL DAILING IN: Right guard Harvey Dahl thinks having the running game rolling also helps the linemen in pass protection.
“It slows them down in the pass rush,” Dahl said. “It was good to play our style of football.”
He’s has some thoughts on being 5-3 at the halfway mark.
“I think it’s maybe not exactly where we need to be, but it’s positive,” Dahl said. “There is a lot to build on. . . We are not in any bad position. We are in a good position and we just have to finish out the season.”
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82 comments Add your comment
jerry
November 9th, 2009
6:34 pm
Ryan seems to be feeling pressure that does not appear to be there. I have noticed him several times to start to run up the middle right into the arms of a defensive lineman while the pocket was still intact.
smoothsaxuality
November 9th, 2009
7:06 pm
hey i didnt get to see the acutal interception by tye hill, but i was able to go back and look at some highlights, wow i didnt realize how fast he was! what if we put in as the kick returner or punt returner. It may be able to give our special teams a new spark!! I really feel that, if we can get that going, we could start being a triple threat as a team. We’re definitely going to need it during the playoff run!
DrJ
November 9th, 2009
7:08 pm
I thought the Falcons must have been Festive during half-time….why they came out flat in the 3rd
quarter.
toccoadawg
November 9th, 2009
7:14 pm
Nice win but it was Washington. Now its time to play Carolina.
Gamer
November 9th, 2009
7:50 pm
Is Ryan afraid to throw deep with some regularity or is it the Offensive Co-ordinator not designing plays for deep passes?
So far this season, the deep-ball haven’t been seen with regularity. Why have a Ferrari(Roddy) driving at half speed on every down?
Is Ryan still capable of going long without INT’S? What happen to the zip on his passes? Last year, he threw with better velocity and zip.
Is he working on improving his arm strength?
Falcons can still go 10-6 perhaps enough wins to make postseason.
Jim Tgrove
November 9th, 2009
9:56 pm
Give Matt Ryan and the Falcons a break. Three of their last four opponents have had a bye week to prepare for them. Falcons just came off a short week. No other team has had to deal with that.
CB969
November 9th, 2009
10:25 pm
With all the Falcons’ injuries at running back, should they take a chance on Larry Johnson?
MasterofTaxation
November 9th, 2009
10:38 pm
I think everyone should lay off Matt Ryan. I think some of this comes down to playcalling a little bit. Late in these games, Mularkey goes conservative and the Falcon’s usually give up a substantial lead late. I also, think there needs to be some sort of short pass screen or something dialed up when it’s 3rd and 5 and the defense is bringing the house to help Matt get a short pass out there. The only problem is I think we are missing Norwood. Further, I do think the lack of running game has prevented Matt Ryan to get the ball down field a little bit on some of those perceived easy long throws by some of the couch QB’s on here.
Speaking of missing Norwood, you can’t look past the injuries either. The Falcon’s are hurting, now Finn may be out. I really hope it’s nothing. I am really starting to miss Harry Douglas, if I see Michael Jenkins drop one more short 1st down catch I am going to lose it. Jenkins seems to be fine down field, but seems to drop the short ones.
Just gotta keep it going. Got one win down, I think the Falcons could win out. Yep even against the Saints. The Falcons couldn’t beat the refs (don’t know how they refs missed the defensive pick on White on Ryan’s pick 6) and Ain’ts but they almost could have.
GOOOOO Falcons!
cdog
November 10th, 2009
4:22 am
larry johnson would be a perfect fit and a 1-2-3 punch to the falcons running attack. with norwood being so injury prone he would give you complimentary back to mixchael turner. dimitroff, please sign him now.
cdog
November 10th, 2009
4:25 am
the saints will fold up in the second half. take away terrible officiating in new orleans, the falcons beat them by two tds. the falcons will spank their butts when they come to the ATL.
IceFan
November 10th, 2009
8:06 am
Larry Johnson? Are you serious? Why don’t we just go ahead and sign Lawrence Phillips and Pacman Jones while we’re at it. Hell, let’s get Meangelo Hall too. Who needs character in the locker room anyway? You must be crazy!
Ddawgdavis
November 10th, 2009
9:08 am
Sign Dahl to an extension. TODAY!
cdog
November 10th, 2009
9:54 am
larry johnson didn’t do anything wrong by speaking out on homosexuality. that don’t make him a bad person.homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of GOD,its an abomination. he was justified to speak about gays. these people are wrong in the eyes of GOD. larry johnson has character. you can’t put in the same category as someone who has commited a crime. in this country there is free speech. what he spoke about don’t make him a wrong person. there was no need for him to apologize to anyone. homosexuality is wrong.all those who are gays are in trouble with damnation from GOD unless they repent and accept JESUS AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR. SO WHAT DID JOHNSON DO WRONG?NOTHING. HE WOULD HELP THE FALCONS TREMENDOUSLY.
Falcon Devil
November 10th, 2009
10:16 am
Larry Johnson is a piece of ignorant garbage just like cdog. He spit his drink all over some women at the club last year because she wasn’t interested in his dumbass. LJ didn’t speak out against homosexuality he called a few people fags. TD would never consider signing that piece of trash. Genius known as cdog, the bible also says shellfish is an abomination and father’s have the right to sell their daughters to slavery, so it’s obviously a credible source for all morality…. right? That’s sarcasm, I have a feeling you wouldn’t be able figure that out yourself.
Ken Strickland
November 10th, 2009
10:22 am
Every quality DB in NFL history will tell you they all have been beaten badly on occassions. To deal with that occurrence, they indicated the need to develop immediate amnesia in order to focus on the next play.
Although DHall is as physically talented as any CB in the NFL, he has yet to demonstrate the ability to develop that prerequisite amnesia needed to become a quality DB. How in the devil can he focus on the next play when his focus is still on a trade that happened a couple of teams and yrs ago? WHILE HE HAS THE PHYSICAL TALENT, HE SIMPLY DOESN’T HAVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MAKEUP TO BECOME A QUALITY DB AT THIS POINT.
ATL
November 10th, 2009
10:25 am
Choke, you are right about Matt. Vicks numbers are just as good as Matts in their first 2 seasons as quarterbacks. The 3 major difference was age Ryan 24 and Vick 22 at the time. 2nd Difference was Matt came in after the fall of Vick so any improvement was a plus where as Vick came in as the Savior for horrible team and franchise. The other reason is obvious why so many people nevr gave Vick a shot. I could careless about either I just want a winner here. Matt is young and upcoming and the coaches need to coach him up and tell him what direction he needs to focus on. Vick coaches were to busy watching him do amazing things on field and not coaching him. Those 4 and 5 yard passing Matt is throwing is not going to work on good team ie (KYLE ORTON Denver). Use the whole field Matt, coach team whoever. Let pick it up.
Ken Strickland
November 10th, 2009
10:29 am
MASTEROFTAX-I agree with your point about MJenkins. Dropping that 3rd down pass against the Saints cost us that gm. I think starting Weems might jumpstart our passing OFF. However, the coaching staff seems to like Jenkins’ blocking ability and overall size. However, I did notice the coaching staff started using Booker a lot more in passing situations.
Jake
November 10th, 2009
10:50 am
Two reasone why Ryan has not looked as good as last year: First– The quality of teams we have played 09 versus 08 is vast. Remember we played Oakland, KC and Detroit early in 08.– Second –And this relates to the first point–Matt is not getting anywhere near the time to look downfield as he did in 08. Give any second team QB time and he will look like John Unitas. Ryan is headed to Canton if he stays healthy.
N C
November 10th, 2009
10:54 am
Choke needs to be a Raven or an Eagles fan… If he/she is a Falcon’s fan, we can do without him… Maybe he/she could be a Bengals fan? LOL…
Jake
November 10th, 2009
10:56 am
I have a question on the D Hall sideline scrum. The refs called 2 dead ball unsportsmanlike calls against DC, but only one was stepped off. I did not think there was any limit to penalties on a dead ball. What am I missing?
N C
November 10th, 2009
11:03 am
Bye, Bye… Good riddance!
JG
November 10th, 2009
11:41 am
Choke- Good Bye, dont ever come back.. Your Boy Flacco didn’t do so well this weekend did he? OH NO, they should have never drafted him, he is so horrible..
Get over it QB’s are up and down, Ryan will be fine. He did read the defense and Check into the running play with Turner which ended up scoring the winning TD. So, I guess he can do something right?
As far as DeAngelo, What were you doing on our Sideline? Your team mate was already on the field ready to start the next play? BUT you are such a punk you had to come over and stir trouble, why you aren’t fined is what I am questioning? Stay on your end of the field. And why is it every team you have gone to since has stunk? Oakland cut you and now Washington Spent $200,000,000 on just the defense and you can’t stop the Falcons? Come on! You need to worry about the Redskins, not the Falcons cut you, becuase your a dirt bag.. Go away!
Joke Choke
November 10th, 2009
1:03 pm
Hey Choke, why don’t you waste your time on a Ravens’ site? The single shallow issue you continue to try to raise is subjective… Are you a dweeb with nothing better to do than spend your time trolling? 95% of Falcon fans feel that Matt is fine and progressing as a very young QB… and that’s that. Now go beat-off looking at some porn…
Falcons Fan Always
November 10th, 2009
3:13 pm
I would really like to not agree with Choke but Matty Ice needs to step up his game and quick. Turner is a marked man the remainder of the season and the better teams will hold him under 100 yards. Matty, Roddy, and Mikey need to start clicking very soon (Carolina should not be overlooked)!
FalconDawg
November 10th, 2009
4:04 pm
Choke really did leave!!
Lil Larry
November 10th, 2009
4:06 pm
I love the Falcons just as much as the next fan, but this give Matt Ryan a break stuff has to stop. I understand he is just in his second year, but the way he’s playing this year, almost looks like he’s regressing. Every player is open to criticism and should be held accountable for mistakes and level of play. When I see any of our players making repeated mistakes that’s a big problem for me. In my mind, they’re not making the necessary adjustments to alleviate those mistakes. All of a sudden Matt is getting happy feet, not stepping/sliding up in the pocket, and looks for Gonzalez way too much lately. Granted some of the interceptions of late have been a few tipped balls (cough, cough always seems to be Mike Jenkins). Anyway, I hope the coaches gets him settled down in the pocket and tell him to have that clock in his head to know when to get rid of the ball. We have too much talent on this team to not score at least 28 points or more a game. We used Weems once and he smoked Dallas for a TD out of the backfield. We need to get him and Booker in the game more and bench Mike Jenkins until he’s more consistent. Ok…that’s enough ranting.
cdog
November 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
FALCON DEVIL, I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION IN THE EYES OF GOD. SO WHAT IF HE USED THE WORD FAG. THATS NO REASON TO SUSPEND HIM OR CALL HIM A CRIMINAL. THERE’S A SUCH THING AS FREEDOM OF SPEECH. I GUESS EVERYONE IS AN IDIOTS WHEN THEY DON’T AGREE WITH YOU.THE BOTTOM LINE, HOMOSEXUALITY IS WRONG IN GOD’S POINT BLANK. NOONE SHOULD BE CONDEMNED FOR USING THE WORD FAG.
cdog
November 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
FALCON DEVIL, OBVIOUSLY IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE GOD’S WORD, THE BIBLE THEN SATAN HAS YOUR MIND FOOLED AND CONFUSED. THATS THE WAY HE OPERATES.THATS WHY OUR WORLD IS IN SHAMBLES. UNLESS WE REPENT AND ACCEPT JESUS AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR, WE ARE HEADED INTO THE SAME FATE AS SODOM AND GOMMORHRA. YOU NEED TO ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR AHD YOU WILL SEE AND KNOW THE TRUTH.
Wow
November 10th, 2009
8:34 pm
Congrats DLed, you have obvious Bible scholars arguing on your blog! I know the Lord must be proud of them for judging others just as he asked us not to.
Now, on to the Birds. Relax about Ryan, folks. He is just a SECOND YEAR PLAYER! I know after last year it’s easy to forget, but he was bound to play like an inexperienced NFL qb sooner or later. I’d still rather have him that any ab in the league not named Brees, P.Manning, Brady or Rothlisberger. Give the guy a break, he’s so far ahead of Manning (either one) in their second year it’s not even comparable.
cdog
November 10th, 2009
9:10 pm
EXACTLY MY POINT WOW, A HOMOSEXUAL PERSON IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE BIBLE TO BE AN ABOMINATION IN GOD’S EYES. WHY ARE WE JUDGING LARRY JOHNSON? HE IS NOT PRACTICING HOMOSEXUALITY BUT HE IS CLEARLY BEING JUDGED AND CONVICTED JUST FOR USING WORD FAG. WE AS A COUNTRY STATES THAT WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. HE’S BEING JUDGED AS A CRIMINAL FOR JUST USING THE WORD FAG. ALSO, LOOK AT HOW PEOPLE JUDGED MIKE VICK. WRONGFULLY. HE ASKED FOR GIVENESS BUT THE FALCONS MANAGEMENT ALONG WITH THOUSAND WOULD NOT FORGIVE HIM.YES I LIVE MY LIFE ACCORDING GOD’S WORD IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE AND NOT WHAT MAN LAWS SAY.I AM NOT JUDGING ANYONE BUT I AM GOING BY WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HOMOS, I DON’T HATE THEM BUT WHAT THEY DO AND STAND FOR.GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL JUDGE US ALL.
Darryl Aftel
November 12th, 2009
10:24 am
i was a high school for 30 years and I have never seen a commotion on the sidelines like I saw during the Redskins- Falcons game. The head coach showed no self control and looked foolish by letting Deangelo Hall make him lose his temper. I will assure you that Georgia High School Association would have everyone involved at a meeting and hand down suspensions. Coach Smith acted like a thug and he owes an apology to the fans for his unprofessional behavior. He is a role model to many younger athletes and his actions were not appropriate. If he can’t set a better example maybe he should sit in the coaches box during the game.Deangelo Hall got exactly the reaction he wanted and Coach Smith is to smart to fall into that trap. If he wants his players to act professional, it must start at the top! The F in NFL stands for football, not felony or fighting league.
Mike Smith
November 13th, 2009
2:20 pm
Daryl are you kidding me!! I was trying to infer what you meant by “i was a high school for 30 years”. Did you then become an office building? Anyway, I fired up my players and got them reawakened to kick the xxxx out of the Redskins as we had taken our foot off the gass. Also, I wanted them to know that I had their backs and wouldn’t abandon them like Pig Sooie Patrino. By the soft touch of your comments, I’m going to infer that you coached the debate team in high school.