Falcons survive Bucs, several questions linger
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan get his foot examined. (CURTIS COMPTON/ccompton@ajc.com)
THE BRANCH — The Falcons came out of Sunday’s 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay with more questions than answers.
Here’s the list?
1. Why was running back Michael Turner even playing?
He clearly didn’t appear to be 100 percent and couldn’t finish runs in his normally strong fashion.
“I don’t know what’s going on with those guys,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “We’ll see throughout the week. That’s all I know.”
2. What exactly is Matt Ryan’s toe injury?
If it’s turf toe, let’s call it turf toe. Those things are nasty and can linger. Remember, old Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert retired with turf toe.
Matt Ryan looks on as quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave confers with Chris Redman on the sidelines during 2nd half action. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
3. How will the offense operate without Turner and Ryan?
“It was tough,” White said. “Especially because those guys are our franchise players. Mike is a big part of this offense. When he’s in there we can run the ball and the play calling is different. We just have to roll with it and get ready to go.”
4. How healthy will right guard Harvey Dahl and left tackle Sam Baker be going doing the stretch?
The Falcons gave up six sacks, which gives them 20 for the season.
“We made some changes in our protections,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We started allowing more guys to stay in before they went out. We were down two offensive linemen as well. We hung tough and that’s what it’s all about.”
5. Can Chris Redman carry the torch down the stretch if Ryan’s out for an extended period?
“I thought he ran the offense very effectively,” Smith said. “He did not turn the ball over. As s backup in this league it’s a very difficult position. Chris, when called upon, made the most of his opportunity. . . I thought Bill Musgrave, our quarterbacks coach, did a good job with him on the sideline.”
Tight end Tony Gonzalez was impressed with Redman.
“He was tunnel vision out there,” Gonzalez said. “There was no need to go out there and try to pump him up. He’s been around a long time. He’s a veteran quarterback. He’s been in this situation before. I think he showed that he knows what needs to be done.”
6. What to do with Jason Elam and the kicking “operation?”
It sounded like Smith was absolving Elam for his missed field goal on Sunday.
“Jason kicked the ball right down the middle on two of his opportunities when the operation was clean,” Smith said.
When pressed about the miss, Smith said, “It’s an operation and I’m not going to comment on one individual.”
The Falcons brought in four kickers for tryouts last week and Elam at least thought in his mind that he had one more miss. He’s now missed seven field goal attempts this season.
Falcons kicker Jason Elam was 2 of 3 making this one in the first half. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
“It’s been frustrating,” Elam said. “It really has been. I’m just trying everything I can. All these little mechanical things to make sure that I get the ball going straight and it didn’t happen again. . . . Again, it’s all about consistency and I’ve got to figure out a way to be more consistent, bottom line.”
7. How’s the playoff picture looking?
If the playoffs started today Dallas (8-3), New Orleans (10-0), Minnesota (10-1) and Arizona (7-4) would be your NFC division winners. Philadelphia (7-4) and Green Bay (7-4) are sitting in the wildcards spots followed by the Falcons (6-5), New York Giants (6-5) and San Francisco (5-6).
The Giants have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Falcons. The Falcons have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the 49ers. The Falcons need to beat Philadelphia on Sunday to pull up a game and get the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Eagles.
“I don’t know if we saved the season,” said Gonzalez after the thriller over Tampa Bay at the Georgia Dome. “We’ve got five games left. Anything can happen.”
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115 comments Add your comment
Rich
November 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
Yes, Jason Elam has struggled mightily this season. However, I simply cannot agree with placing so much blame on a KICKER for the teams struggles any more than giving him more credit than he deserves for the good season he and the team both enjoyed last year. Yesterday, his missed field goal had no impact on the outcome of the game and without his fist two he made, the Falcons would have been in no position to win the game anyway. Everyone seems to want to focus on his one miss instead of the two he made.
Allow the future hall of fame kicker to kick his way out of this slump with the experience and knowledge his 3 pro bowls and 2 super bowl rings bring you. Forget this nonsense about signing an inexperienced kicker with no big game resume. Loyalty to Elam will benefit this team in the long run. The Falcons have MUCH bigger problems on defense right now than to worry about Jason Elam.
Bestoink Dooley
November 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
LaShondra, Thank you for blessing us with your infinite wisdom.
Bill
November 30th, 2009
3:26 pm
Shamus,
Even if he were dead, I’d put my money on Blanda.
Bill
November 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
Rich, you are right. It is also unclear a this point, whether the problem is with the snapper, the holder or the kicker, or some combination. It is probably unfair to put all of this on Elam.
BugKiller
November 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
JACK LAMBERT, the TOUGHEST man in NFL history RETIRED because of turf toe.
Choke, I would love to see you go up to Pittsburgh and call Jack Lambert a chump.
Then again, you are mentally challenged.
Take some notes from Vick Supporter and lay off the crazy.
lloyd
November 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
I think Reman should get alot more credit he won the game without a running game I dont think Making Alot of Terrible Throws (MATT) could’ve done it.If you remember most of you were crying about Turner not be able to run, he was washed up so on and so on well he wasn’t in the game and Atlanta won. GO REDMAN GO FALCONS
tyger
November 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
My Five:
1. Falcoons gave Elam big K and don’t want to take the cap hit.
2. Chris Owens is a different player than in pre-season, keep playing him.
3. The D-line is underwhelming – a good unit – but no stars. Tough decisions to made there.
4. Redman did a great job – wish we still had Shockley – one hit from being outta playoffs.
5. Dimitroffs strategy of drafting injury-prone players has hurt this season.
midnite
November 30th, 2009
3:55 pm
Choke
I will be at the game Sunday like I am at every home game. I would like to meet you face to face and talk. Since you love Vick I’m guessing you will be there. I would really like to see how you would act in public. This is not a threat or a trick, I just would like to see if you can man-up and have a logical conversation.
I’ll bet your sadistic, beady eyes have rolled back in your head because of Ryan’s injury, so you won’t have to worry about him.
What do you say? You can even choose the spot in the Dome. My tickets give me access to all areas of the Ga. Dome. Let me know.
lloyd
November 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
Good news Making Alot of Terrible Throws (MATT) wont play Sunday. Coach Smith lets work on some passing plays beyond twenty yards you now have QB that can get it there.
Bruce
November 30th, 2009
3:58 pm
I agree with some on here….and others think they are out-of-work coaches. hehehehe…….
Wise up. Our opinions do not count. What they “should” and “should not” do is totally up to the guys who have the coaches/GM titles. Relax and watch the games. We have ZERO influence on player personnel or play calling.
Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2009
4:09 pm
Jason Elam has had more opportunities than mercy allows and has botched each one. If Roddy doesn’t make that catch, that would have been 3 games lost because of Elam’s inability to do his job. If he makes his kicks (as he’s paid to do) we’re 8-3 (NY Giants, Carolina). Let’s get Lou Sakoda, 2008 All American consensus kicker from Utah (that embarassed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl). The kid is automatic. He kicks, punts, kickoffs, and probably juliane fries. Currently freezing to death in the CFL.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 30th, 2009
4:09 pm
Stafford played with a “Separated Shoulder” and lead his team to win?? OK . . .on 2nd to last play of Cleveland Game Stafford is hit and a pass inteference is called on Hail Mary in endzone. Culpepper comes out – bu Mangini/Browns call timeout. Tough Stafford does come out to throw 1 yard TD pass for win. Great job. After game . . . negative results on collarbone injury. Next week agains Green Bay – Turkey Day. Stafford plays with a “Sore Non-Throwing Shoulder”. Goes 20 -43, 213 yards, 1 TD and 4 Ints. Sorry Choke – but you keep writing his Shoulder was Separated. Where did you get that from? And as I said yesterday . . . . .Lions probably would have better off not playing him. Sometimes what is called Tough = Unwise. Plus, take a look back at Ryan’s BC career . . . . once he became starter in his Sophomore Year – he played every game from that point. And he was hurt plenty of times. You can lame Ryan – but this sounds like a Coaching /Medical Team decision.
6 - 10
November 30th, 2009
4:12 pm
lloyd
November 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
Good news Making Alot of Terrible Throws (MATT) wont play Sunday. Coach Smith lets work on some passing plays beyond twenty yards you now have QB that can get it there.
Yup, what lloyd said. While I certainly don’t wish an injury on anyone, the “ice” is melting…..and fast too. Always liked Redman more than “smoke & mirrors” matty anyway. Need to get that other kid….Col. John Parker Wilson or whatever his alabama name is…. some reps in practice. Be ready son.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
November 30th, 2009
4:15 pm
rich is Elam’s agent.
Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2009
4:16 pm
PS – Elam also missed the kick that would have made last year’s Chicago game a non-event. His misses are killing our record or forcing Ryan and Redmond to work miracles. I’d rather have the sure wins than the nail biters. Our team works too hard to lose this way. Almost like losing games to bad calls. No one comes to see refs make calls or watch kickers. Especially ones that do a Texas two step before each flub.
Headmofo
November 30th, 2009
4:19 pm
Chris Redman is short but at least he didn’t have happy feet like Matt Ryan… Matt has been trying to run more in the last 4 or 5 games and that is not his game. The O line has to do a better job of protection and Matt needs to get the ball out quicker and stop looking to hit TG#88 on every down. We still have a chance to beat the Eagles and get everyone well for the Saints game. All is not lost. We can build with what we have for years to come. Another Defensive End, Corner, and Linebacker is all we need.
tigerp1014b
November 30th, 2009
4:23 pm
Re LaShondra…
Thanks for the laugh. I know your funny spellings and failure to use proper tense are merely an effort to bait the “racist” readers. Couldn’t “beet” your jokes with a sledgehammer. Ha!
Vick and his ilk are scum. It does not matter whether they are black, white, green, or purple. Simple as that.
Brooking kicked your booty
November 30th, 2009
4:25 pm
Favre played with broken finger on throwing hand but Ryan can’t play with turf toe. Give me a break. That right there shows you the difference between a winner and a wannabe.
The truth
November 30th, 2009
4:25 pm
we will not win with redman starting. this game is done before it started. pray for a quick return for matt ryan.
Eagles Message Board
November 30th, 2009
4:41 pm
“From dogkiller to potential drive killer.”
ashman
November 30th, 2009
4:46 pm
I think the falcons are a good team when healthy and mediocre when the key pieces are not at full strength.I also just want to break the curse and just hope to have a very good draft and key free agent signings-dbs please!
Will "DeathFromAbove" Mullis
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Couldn’t believe Mularkey just ran Turner up the middle as usual.
With Norwood back and Snelling having filled in decently WHY???
JustWinbaby
November 30th, 2009
5:33 pm
Hate to say it, but Redman is better than Matt Ryan. Look for equal distribution among recievers this Sunday as he doesn’t lock in to only Gonzalez and won’t hesitate to go deep. Svitek is better than Sam Baker. Baker is a major bust. Tye Hill is a major bust, Elam needs to retire, and the loss of Turner is a major blow. That’s my 50 cents….
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 30th, 2009
5:39 pm
BugKiller
November 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
JACK LAMBERT, the TOUGHEST man in NFL history RETIRED because of turf toe.
Choke, I would love to see you go up to Pittsburgh and call Jack Lambert a chump.
Then again, you are mentally challenged.
Take some notes from Vick Supporter and lay off the crazy.
“SpermKiller” did you see that guy Flacco playing last night with his ankle wrapped, because he had a high ankle sprain and they interviewed him asked if the problem was with his ankle.
Like the TRUE teammate he said “That would be an excuse, has nothing to do with my injury”
That is a TRUE LEADER!
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
Terrell
November 30th, 2009
5:43 pm
It’s easier to play with a seperated shoulder when you consider it’s his non-throwing shoulder. As a QB you can thrown the ball with a broken finger, but when you have turf toe you are applying a lot of pressure to one part of the body as you throw. Believe it or not I don’t care how strong your arm is, if your feet aren’t set you won’t be able to get a lot on the ball as you would hope. The big toe takes a lot of pressure when you are setting your feet to pass the ball, but I’m going to assume that the majority of online “DOCTORS” here don’t have a clue to what they are talking about.
LaShondra? What are you talking about?
David
November 30th, 2009
5:44 pm
Eagles will prepare for Redman who is a good quality backup quarterback. Let me repeat myself “BACKUP” quarterback. Eagles will pick him off at least 2 or more times, especially if the birds are without Turner. Just remember that the Bucs did not prepare for Redman, they prepared for Ryan.
Eagles like to throw the homerun ball, and with the Falcon’s secondary and the fact they cannot get any pressure on the opposing quarterback, the Eagles will have a field day throwing the ball around.
Look for the score to be somewhere around 42 to 10 Eagles.
What was THAT?
November 30th, 2009
5:45 pm
1. WHY start a banged up Turner against a team 29th against the run?
2. WHY can we not block well enough to rush for 100 against said team, and oh by the way give up 6 sacks?
3. WHY can the vaunted Falcons offense barely muster 20 points against a team giving up avearge 31?
4. WHERE is a pass rush from this group? Freeman had all day, all day.
5. WHERE are your 2009 draft picks, Dimitroff?
Clearly, we ain’t who we thought we were. You know what I feel not real good about right now? THE PROCESS.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 30th, 2009
5:54 pm
Still trying to figure out where the “Separated Shoulder” diagnosis was determined for Stafford??? Was it just poetic license to make a point Choke . . . .or did you actually read that somewhere? I did my research for the day and won’t go looking to see if Favre’s broken finger was actually a hang-nail:) That’s no knock on Favre either . . that guy is down and out tough . . . just beginning to question what is written. And as a BC guy, I’m telling you Ryan played many games with a pretty bad ankle in college and ended up with the most wins for a QB there. (OK it’s BC is not FL . . . so 9 / 10 win seasons are pretty good there!)
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 30th, 2009
5:58 pm
RYAN RULED OUT FOR SUNDAY’S GAME:
This is a bunch of garbage!
This was pre-planned. Smitty was looking for an exit strategy for the CHOKE’s bad play this season. By faking an injury, it would look like Smith was not benching the CHOKE but just because of injury.
It’s quite a coincident that the CHOKE would walk off the field by himself and Smith, who would list Norwood as questionable for the past 4-6 weeks and traditionally not release injuries until Thursday or game day, but he is listing the CHOKE on a Monday afternoon?
Come on guys, this is so obvious!
Remember last week, he would not reveal Turner’s injury, because he did not want the opposing team to have an unfair advantage during the week’s practice sessions and film reviewing.
So now he is being courteous by letting the opposing team know their starting qb is ruled out already?
Yeah give me a break!
This is a coverup, so that the CHOKE would not look like the LOSER that he is and they can play Redman, without it looking like a benching.
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
Once "Recent" Reader
November 30th, 2009
5:59 pm
Hee Hee . . . now you are a-rolling Choke. I’m watching something on the JFK assassination right now . . . . .any comments there??
qdogrules
November 30th, 2009
6:06 pm
Matty plays scared, redmon did very well to have not played in a while. I think with him being no.1 he will get more reps with the team and I think we will be just fine without matty.
qdogrules
November 30th, 2009
6:11 pm
honestly the eagles are not a great team. It really comes down to ball control and if atlanta dont turn the ball over we will be alright. however the secondary has to bring there (A game) and we cant allow Mcnabb to sit in the pocket. we need to get him rattled early!
Frank
November 30th, 2009
6:15 pm
Truth is……….. that is to say………. what we have here is……..the usual cast of fairweather fan suspects doing what they always do…… jumping ship.
This team will be just fine.
Chris Redman broke most of Johnny Unitas’s records at Louisville and Unitas awarded him his “Golden Arm” award as the best college quarterback in the nation that year.
Unitas was instrumental in Baltimore drafting Redman and were it not for two years of injuries……. he would probably be their starter.
We don’t just have a fill-in replacement for Ryan……… we have an exceptional passer who can really play.
Too many people who know nothing about football spout off after one or two mistakes. We will beat Philly Sunday and make the playoffs. Hide and watch.
Atl Hawk
November 30th, 2009
6:25 pm
I will be at the game Sunday and I can assure you that the Falcons better play to win. I agree with you Choke, this is a set up and pre-planned to not start Ryan. Maybe they dont want to see him do bad against our former qb. Way to go Falcons by throwing in the towel. I realy believe they dont want to win and make it to the playoffs. After doing research of my own, teams actually lose revenue when they make the playoffs. Go Falcons u r on ur way to doing that.
David
November 30th, 2009
6:27 pm
To all those Falcon dreamers, I really “REALLY” hope you are correct. But, come on, just like the real world, nobody has any common sense anymore.
“HAVE YOU SEEN THE FALCONS DEFENSE PLAY THIS YEAR”? I have seen every game and they have not improved at all on defense. They have actually decline, regressed. They should be improving with all the young talent they have but they are not.
I have also seen a lot of Eagles games and they “LOVE TO THROW DEEP” put those two things together and you have a blow out, Eagles win 42 – 10.
I really hope though I am wrong because I am a big Falcons fan but I do have common sense.
Atl Hawk
November 30th, 2009
6:28 pm
And whoever said that back to back winning seasons is more important than winning a superbowl is nuts. Who cares about back to back winning seasons. I want a superbowl for the team i love. F back to back winning seasons, it doesnt mean a hill of beans.
Atl Hawk
November 30th, 2009
6:30 pm
I can’t remember the greatest show on turf having a back to back winning season before they won the big game. They came out of the blue and that’s what we need to do. To hell with back to back.
Atl Hawk
November 30th, 2009
6:33 pm
Die hard Falcons fan, but if the Sneagles make the playoffs….Go Vick. Just to shut the haters up. Karma is a B and I know her.
Frank
November 30th, 2009
7:05 pm
P.S.
“Google” Chris Redman and check out Wickapedia……… some kind of record. This guy is just waiting for a chance to show who he is.
300+ yard game……… Falcons 34 Eagles 17
An Observation
November 30th, 2009
7:50 pm
I just want all you bandwagon fans that are currently jumping off to PLEASE STAY OFF FOR GOOD when the Falcons win 4 out of the next 5 games. We don’t need nor want your negativity!!! Keep that #$%# to yourself.
GO FALCONS!!!!!
A.B.
November 30th, 2009
8:18 pm
At firt I thought Choke was a just a moron and an idiot.
Dude, you are just plain crazy.
Oh, I like the way you dodged midnite.
Choke is also a coward.
Felix the Cat
November 30th, 2009
8:27 pm
Falcons win by 10 sunday….
Once "Recent" Reader
November 30th, 2009
8:48 pm
If folks on this Football blog have to Google Wikipedia to learn that Chris Redman was a monster of a QB at Louisville . . ..well it doesn’t really say much for their football acumen. And on a lot of these Falc blogs, I don’t believe football knowledge is a prerequisite . ..unfortunately.
Falcon 8211
November 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
we need to run the ball and shore up our defense. that means abe and that d line needs to get some sacks. i will say babs has played his heart out . he is the only d lineman that has showed up every game this year. that said watch the pass dbacks play the ball not the wr . play your buns off
Falcon 8211
November 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
got to have this one
cdog
November 30th, 2009
11:32 pm
the falcons will claw the eagles 31-21.we must get the kicking game straight if we are to go far into theplayoffs.we should be 9-2 if not for the kicking game with elam.this need to straighten out before philly comes to town.also, the secondary coach should work the stew out the secondary plus we got to get to mcnabb and hit him as often as possible.blocking and tackling must be done to perfection against the eagles to asure victory
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:09 am
Then after Philly, they have the Saints coming to town, fresh off of WHIPPING the Patriots that WHIPPED the Falcons……….
Back-to-back B-L-O-W-O-U-T-S
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:40 pm
CHOKE’s Injury is a CONSPIRACY:
Don’t let the AJC and the team fool you!
Isn’t it a big coincident that with the return of Michael Vick & Smith ruling out a player before the deadline?
Coincident?
I say Conspiracy!
Don’t let them try and fool you. This would be HUGE if by some way Andy Reid allows Vick more touches than he has in previous games and he EMBARRASSES the Falcons and the CHOKE continues to throw PICKS especially with that great secondary, led by Asante Samuel.
This so obvious it’s a CONSPIRACY.
Nice try Blank
Nice try Falcons
Nice try AJC
YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TMoney
December 1st, 2009
1:07 pm
Choke, I can see now that you’re right, it is all just a conspiracy. Same as the lunar landing, JFK assassination, alien landing in Roswell, global warming…
Falcon in a down spin with Ryan (Patty Melt) ICE NOT
December 1st, 2009
1:52 pm
There is no band wagon ( pipe dream) until they(Falcons) get a top 5 defense. keep spending all your money on offense (Matt Ryan) when we need defense. The defense In the 30″S this team ON DEFENSE out of 32 teams . Matt Ryan ,Sam baker, all are bust. we need head hunter. Management never get it. They keep looking to the hope I just hope they win!!! will they win back to back no until we have defense. when you score 27 point you should win most games. Where is Matt passer rating? where is his win rating. look at the defense sacks? 3Th downs? The Falcon are committed to the Hope not winning. Falcon Gm is not all that he was very luckly!