Falcons ready to get on the bus; help Smitty pay the fine
Falcons to ride on charter buses to Charlotte for the game agaisnt Carolina on Sunday.
CONVOY TO CHARLOTTE – Just emptying the notebook today before Sunday’s kickoff against the Panthers . . .
GET ON THE BUS: Fullback Ovie Mughelli is taking along his favorite pillow for the bus ride to Charlotte.
“I’ve got to have my pillow,” Mughelli said.
The Falcons are making provisions for the bigger players on the team for what should be a three hour and some change ride from Hall County.
“Coach said — and I don’t know how he’s going to work this — that we are going to have four seats each,” Mughelli said.
It’s been a while since most of the players have taken a bus trip.
“We flew is college,” Mughelli said. “This bus strip is going to be a throwback. I haven’t had a bus trip since high school.”
By taking the buses, the Falcons should cut their travel time in half. The three and half hour drive turns into a six to seven hour trip when they drive about an hour to the Airport, unload the buses, go through TSA security, fly to Charlotte, unload again and take buses to the hotel.
HELP SMITTY PAY THE FINE: The fans raising money to help Coach Smith pay his $15,000 fine have raised $1,999.14 through Friday afternoon. Here’s the link.
Steve Smith tackles Chris Houston after his key interception in Week Two. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
SMITH STILL A FORCE: Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith’s numbers are down dramatically. He only has 34 catches through eight games. He’s averaged 88 catches over the last four seasons.
With Jake Delhomme throwing interceptions by the bushel, the Panthers have reigned in their passing attack.
“We were definitely struggling in the passing game,” Carolina coach John Fox said. “I think in the last couple of weeks, that’s much better now. I’m not saying that we are a well oiled machine by any stretch, but we are definitely improving in that area and hopefully we’ll continue to improve.”
Falcons cornerback Chris Houston, who intercepted Delhomme late to preserve the 28-20 victory in Week Two, hasn’t noticed the change.
“They don’t do anything differently,” Houston said. “Steve Smith is still the go-to-receiver. Running game and Steve Smith. Running game and Steve Smith.”
Houston said don’t pay any attention to Smith’s numbers.
“But in the last game he scored,” Houston said. “He ran a sluggo (slant and go) on a seam. He put up points. He might not have the catches, but he can create explosive plays.”
WALKER SHINING: Defensive tackle Vance Walker, the former Georgia Tech standout, was pressed into duty over the last two games with Thomas Johnson out with a calf injury.
Walker, a seventh round draft pick, was cut then placed on the practice squad. He was moved up to the 53-man roster when first round pick Peria Jerry was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Walker has been stout on the field. He had three tackles and a blocked pass against New Orleans. He had five tackles
Tony Gonzalez doesn't think ex-teammate Larry Johnson would be a good fit in Flowery Branch.
against the Redskins.
“He’s done well for us,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We think he’ll continue to advance. It’s nice to see a young player step into a role so quickly.”
GONZALEZ ON LJ: Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez noticed as his former teammate Larry Johnson cleared waivers after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs.
“That’s the way it goes,” Gonzalez said. “Hopefully, he picks up the pieces and gets back on the train and finish his career off right.”
He doesn’t think Johnson would be a good fit for the Falcons.
“I don’t think we really need that,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve got a really good running back and some guys that are coming back and will be healthy.”
WHO’S THE STARTER: Left cornerback Tye Hill, who started the last two games, is listed as the starter on the team’s unofficial depth chart. Smith wouldn’t call him a starter earlier in the week. “It doesn’t matter as long as I get a chance to play,” Hill said.
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129 comments Add your comment
Hypocrites
November 13th, 2009
5:34 pm
Orlando its rather hypocritcal to NOW decide you don’t like the adjective used to describe Coach Smith’s behavior (which is pretty accurate given the evidence on videos galore) but this need to “moderate” the comments didn’t exist when the same words have been used to describe the players. How completely “Mantan” of you.
Atlanta Peach
November 13th, 2009
5:40 pm
Hypocrites, Have you ever read some of that man’s comments ?! He called me a bitch for no reasons !! I’m pretty sure his mama raised wrong !
preston
November 13th, 2009
5:41 pm
Wow….none of my opinionated comments are posting, c’mon Ledbetter I have seen much worse!!
Alan
November 13th, 2009
6:18 pm
NFL Comish-Boy did he miss this call if in deed it was his call. This sideline melee was the fault of Me-Angelo yet he got off with nothing, remember he said he had friends in the NFL office, now I believe it.
Smitty got fined
Landry got fined
Haynesworth got fined
Something is wrong here, the instigator got away free of all wrong doing.
Maybe the Comish needs to review his policies.
NOT FAIR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Smitty, Go Falcons and Go Souther Rush.
Lil Larry
November 13th, 2009
6:23 pm
My question is…who in their right mind would attempt to raise money for a coach that’s paid millions of dollars? I’ve heard of fanatics, but this is downright stupidity and homerism at its best. Besides, Arthur would be willing to take up the slack. LOL
preston
November 13th, 2009
6:32 pm
very true lil larry, I agree 100 percent, why isn’t the guy that Smith actually stood up for,(Matt Ryan) not paying the fine for him? After all, didnt Smitty take this one on the chin for Ryan, and not the actuals fools who are trying to scrap their way to pay the 15,000 fine. Do these guys think that Smith would stand up for them if he actually saw them in a bar getting the crap beat out of them?
preston
November 13th, 2009
6:40 pm
and besides Lord knows that Ryan has more loose change lost in his sofa, to pay the fine, than these lunatics fans have in their bank accounts, whom are making a fool over themselves over this nonsense.
MWC
November 13th, 2009
6:43 pm
It’s going to charity moron,to show we are real fans. If you don’t like it get lost.
Lil Larry
November 13th, 2009
6:48 pm
Preston, fans should know their limit. Let’s just stick to being spectators and not fool ourselves that we have a part in what goes on in NFL operations.
Lil Larry
November 13th, 2009
6:51 pm
MWC, there’s no need to call anyone a moron. Besides how could you possibly determine who is a real fan or no? Because someone doesn’t support raising money for a HC’s fine?
We’re entitled to our opinions just as you are. Keep it civil.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 13th, 2009
6:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Fanatic overboard
November 13th, 2009
6:54 pm
preston, a lot of folks really believed Arthur Blank when he called them “stakeholders’…..they really believe they are vested in the Falcons. I guess it doesn’t occur to them that when all is said and done, they don’t actually make an investment in anything. they’re just consumers…..maybe they get some euphoric high that leads them to believe they are reaping some benefits other than the entertainment of a game. In other words…..they are really really sad.
preston
November 13th, 2009
6:58 pm
MWC……..wow, now we are morons for speaking our opinion? Please dont give me this “its going to charity BS”. Of course the falcons organization will not accept the money ( NFL prohibits it anyway) to pay Smith’s fine. It doesnt take a moron to figure that out, duh?. But, the fact is this…….none of you people thought about raising a dime for any charitable organization before this incident. I didn’t hear anybody, including “MWC” starting anything for anyone other than Coach Mike Smith to “pay his 15,000 fine. Did you even read the title of this blog, or read any AJC column regarding the fans motive????????……..and now instead of looking like the idiots that you are, you want to feel better about by saying that the money is going to charity???? Dude, get your head out of your behind, cuz you aint fooling nobody…………..lol……….moron……lol.
Lil Larry
November 13th, 2009
6:58 pm
One more thing. Would all of you fans be quick to rush and pay a player’s fine for standing up for his team mate? If Smitty would have stayed where he was and let the Refs break that up he wouldn’t have to pay a fine. It’s funny that the two people (Ryan & Landry) walked back on the field as though nothing happened. If they could ignore it…why didn’t everyone else? No, the fell into the D’Angelo Hall Attention Tantrum.
A.B.
November 13th, 2009
7:04 pm
You guys need to get a room
preston
November 13th, 2009
7:08 pm
and lil larry and fanactic fan…………I couldnt agree more. we are just spectators and fans who like to sit back, shoot the breeze, and root for our favorite team……..it doenst make me any less or more of a sports fan to state an opinion that may be diverse and different from the next guy. But like you guys said, you have to know your limits!!
preston
November 13th, 2009
7:13 pm
lol……A.B. its not that serious. Its just soo funny to me to see some of these ppl go “blog postal” when you state an opinion that is different than theirs. There are far more serious things in life than this……lol.
pfunk3
November 13th, 2009
7:28 pm
Atlanta fans are so stupid, This man is making millions of dollars and because he step in someone face during a melee, you treat him like he is a hero. The only thing it proved to the NFL audience is he as stupid as the Falcon fans. Wake up people you need to be concerned about Matt Ryan arm strength because his weakness has begun to surface in the NFL. It’s no coincidence his interceptions have increased from last year. Falcon fans continued to be stupid and we see who have the last laugh. Dummies,
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 13th, 2009
7:36 pm
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE B IG GAME COMING ON SUNDAY AND STOP ALL OF THE NONSENSE:
Five things to watch against the Panthers:
1. Falcons need to sustain their good starts.
2. Falcons must put up DeAngelo Williams’s Wall.
3. Keep the Michael “The Burner” Turner rolling.
4. Panthers are improve on defense.
5. Jake Delhomme is on a short leash
THREE KEY MATCHUPS
Carolina LT Jordan Gross vs. Atlanta RDE John Abraham:
Carolina RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Atlanta MLB Curtis Lofton: Lofton leads the league in tackles with 84, according to NFL.com stats.
Atlanta RB Michael Turner vs. Carolina MLB Jon Beason.
STH
November 13th, 2009
7:50 pm
DOL: What is the word on Finn and the knee?
Dimitrov
November 13th, 2009
8:02 pm
Choke, I made the right choice drafting Matty Ice. Your stats seem pointless we I’ve built a winning team. What ever happened to you not posting on here again?
Lil Larry
November 13th, 2009
8:02 pm
D Led, what I want to see from this Falcon team is consistency and the same level of play and effort that was expended in the Saints game. We need to step up and be aggressive on both sides of the ball. We’re not playing to our true potential for a full game. We come out strong and disappear the second half…or start weak and play better in the second half to play catch up.
preston
November 13th, 2009
8:27 pm
dledbetter…I have to say that you are right…the sidebar comments are a waste of time here…..you wont hear any more of it from me.
Truthteller
November 13th, 2009
9:34 pm
D. Hall should have knock Atlanta’s coaches out…. I wouldn’t contribute one copper cent to help him pay the fine. He’s making over a million dollars a year. He can pay his own fine.
Pete
November 13th, 2009
9:56 pm
The Panthers are a TWO man team, basically………Williams and Smith. Without those two they are a toothless Panther.
PMC
November 13th, 2009
10:32 pm
Williams and Stewart BOTH questionable.
Roddy also Questionable. What’s up with Roddy? What is wrong with him?
PMC
November 13th, 2009
10:33 pm
This would be a good game to run it as much as possible use screens. Just try and wear out Peppers early.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 13th, 2009
10:39 pm
Peachhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Atlanta Peach
November 13th, 2009
11:03 pm
That’s all you have to say Choke ?! Someone is watching you huh ?!!!!!!!!
mac
November 13th, 2009
11:30 pm
When your arguments are weak shout louder calling your opponent stupid, dummy, ignorant. Denigrate them even more building up your own position. GROW UP and show some maturity. What a disgrace to the concept of free speech. Actually, there is really no such thing as “free” speech, as every word spoken or written has a price and a responsibility. Go Falcons!
mac
November 13th, 2009
11:32 pm
Where is Clusters tonight??? I miss Clusters!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 14th, 2009
1:32 am
(GOT AN E-MAIL FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL)
The Weather Channel has your NFL football forecast for the weekend – we would love to let your readers know:
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Gametime Weather Index: 10 (Fabulous, low 70s)
This Sunday will exhibit Charlotte’s great fall weather, perhaps a reward for enduring this week’s soaking. Sunshine, light winds and highs in the low 70s will be ideal playing conditions in this division rivalry. Incidentally, of all the dome/retractable roof teams, the Falcons scored best for weather, roughly on par with Charlotte.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 14th, 2009
1:35 am
STH: FINN is listed as questionable for Sunday. I don’t expect him to play. It appears to be his left knee, not the rebuilt right knee.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
9:56 am
EVEN PANTHER FANS PASS THE OFFERING PLATE FOR MIKE SMITH, MEANGELO IS A THUG IN CAROLINA
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 14th, 2009
11:19 am
Peach – I like the “5th” letter of your name, because it’s the beginning letter of what you are. Rhythms with Toe
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 14th, 2009
11:25 am
D-Led please review the following post, since you claimed to be monitoring the “T” word. Do your job Homey
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 14th, 2009
9:56 am
EVEN PANTHER FANS PASS THE OFFERING PLATE FOR MIKE SMITH, MEANGELO IS A THUG IN CAROLINA
"Charles", The Original
November 14th, 2009
3:13 pm
Last year, the National Football League, NFL, was like a man stunned after the Atlanta Falcons consistently showed they could win football games despite turning the football over four times. This year it is incumbent upon each opponent of the Falcons to show they have what it takes to master the “adversity test”, four turnovers or more, and win.
So far, the record shows that the New England Patriots refused to take the adversity test and defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 26-10. The test will be administered at a later date, February 7, 2010, Land Shark Stadium, Super Bowl XLIV. The Dallas Cowboys took notes from the New England Patriots and abstained until a later date, the playoffs. The Cowboys won, 37-21. But we must tip our hats to the New Orleans Saints. Unlike the Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, and Bears, the Saints took the adversity test and won, 35-27.
Last week, the Atlanta Falcons presented the adversity test to the Washington Redskins. After looking it over, the Redskins realized their chances of passing were slim to none. S LaRon Landry, DT Albert Haynesworth, and CB DeAngelo Hall decided to take their frustrations out on the professor and his assistants. After all, it was the brain trust that had organized the test. In order to accomplish it, S LaRon Landry hit QB Matt Ryan in the back when he was out of bounds. The Panthers thought it might create an opportunity to confront the professor and his assistants. And they were exactly right. It was on. Shoving, pushing, and verbal exchanges were visible on the Falcons’ sidelines. But thankfully order was immediately restored and testing resumed. As time expired, the papers had been graded, and the Redskins failed, 31-17.
This week’s opponents, the Carolina Panthers, took the adversity test earlier in the year and failed 28-20 to the Atlanta Falcons. After that game, they decided to take copies of the test to Carolina so that each player would be familiar with it by November 15th. But unbeknownst to them, the professor and his assistants had decided that all of the answers would be multiple choice and true or false during the first half of the season. But in the second half, all of the test will require answers in essays. And guess what? At the end of the game, the Panthers will submit multiple choices, true or false answers. It’s not difficult to see that the Panthers aren’t prepared for this one. Look for heads to roll.
The Atlanta Falcons will defeat the Carolina Panthers, 34-16 on their way to a 13-3 regular season.
Go Falcons!
Fanatic overboard
November 14th, 2009
6:47 pm
It amazes me how the AJC columnists get mad when they actually incite the mob and get the obvious results. Really Ledbetter, you think it was ok to have commenters continously referring to players as thugs but now its not ok to call the head coach the same thing when he has been disciplined by the league? Please, dont get mad with the environment you helped to create.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 14th, 2009
8:15 pm
Fanatic overboard
November 14th, 2009
6:47 pm
It amazes me how the AJC columnists get mad when they actually incite the mob and get the obvious results. Really Ledbetter, you think it was ok to have commenters continously referring to players as thugs but now its not ok to call the head coach the same thing when he has been disciplined by the league? Please, dont get mad with the environment you helped to create.
“WELL SAID”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fake Blogs
November 14th, 2009
8:58 pm
I believe that the AJC sports columnists are instigating problems whenever the Falcons are scheduled to play teams that former players currently play on. The name calling from bloggers get so carried away and the editor of the columns come up with excuses that they were away and that they had to come back and delete comments. It seems as they intentionally let the bloggers post and then come back to clean it up. I wonder what will be the headlines of their blogs when the Falcons play the Eagles on December 6? That whole week sports blogs will be dedicated to Michael Vick.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 14th, 2009
10:55 pm
Fanatic, Choke and Fake: Why can’t you all discuss football and the big NFC South game?
Atlanta Peach
November 14th, 2009
11:08 pm
Because he is a Thug Orlando ! A bitter Micheal Vick Fan !!!! Since you want to call me the H word, Your Mama was one long be for me my Brother !
Atlanta Peach
November 14th, 2009
11:13 pm
I will pray for you Choke ! That is where I will turn all my energy too ! You may not want to mess with God’s people. Just a warning.
Atlanta Peach
November 14th, 2009
11:20 pm
You may think you are hiding behind your computer from us on this blog Choke, But God hears and see’s E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G !
Todd - Dacula
November 14th, 2009
11:57 pm
I guess it’s OK to dog Mike Vick, DeAngelo Hall and Algie Crumpler, but not OK to dog Matt Ryan or Mike Smith. Don’t hate the player, hate the game
. This is not 1937, 1945 or even 1969. ou can hide behind everything you want, even trying to control the media. Writing bad things about some, even if most of the things you write are incorrect and crossing the line, but get upset when thing are said and written about your precious but untalented player is plain stupid. Statistics are real and true.
Matt Ryan did not ask to come here and nothing to do with the Mike Vick sitation; that being said, he is still just a below average QB, with sub par talent. After a two year layoff Mike Vick is a better fit for this team. But with if I was him, I would never want to play in a city thats so ungrateful and still the old racist soiuth for many, who can not live in todays times.
Mike Vick will continue to succeed…
Atlanta Peach
November 15th, 2009
12:27 am
I understand what you are saying Todd. But, Micheal Vick brought everything he did unto hiself. It is a lot of african americans in atlanta think just that ! Do you really think that Author Blanks and his african americans fans should have waited for Micheal Vick to get out of jail ?! Come on now ! That isn’t fair to ask. Life goes on. You can’t worry what going to happen in the future. The bible says we all have to pay for our mistakes ! Me, you, and Micheal Vick. He has been forgiven and now he must move on ! And he will move on. Best of luck to Micheal Vick but, unforturnate not with the Atlanta Falcons.
Charlie
November 15th, 2009
12:52 am
Todd, so what is your point? If we “dog” a black player, we are racist, but if you “dog” a white player of coach, well, we are racist.
However, we you defend a black player, it is because we are racist, and if we defend a white coach or player, it is bacause we are racist?
OK, not I understand, you just hate white folks.
Charlie
November 15th, 2009
12:57 am
Vicks career QB rating, 74, even at Matty Ices worst, he is still better than Vick.
Dwayne
November 15th, 2009
8:23 am
What are Vicks numbers in Philly? Just asking.
Matti Ice
November 15th, 2009
8:29 am
I admit I’m not having the year I did last year. The playbook has been expanded for me and it’s a case of trying to do too much. The bottom line is that I’ve got a good arm and I’m a very hard worker. Over time Atlanta, I WILL be a good quarterback.