In an Empire State of Mind
Have the Falcons been naughty or nice? Who's getting a lump of coal and who's getting that I-pod nano?
(UPDATE THREE: Made it to New York !!!! In an Empire State of Mind. Will put up a new Beat Blog after the game. Read about the trip here and chat live during the game with Schultz. –DOL)
(UPDATE TWO: LET’S CHAT — Jeff Schultz and I had to fly to Boston to have a shot at making the game. Schultz pulled the Boston move early and is already on a train to New York. I’m at the South Station in Boston waiting for the 9:45 p.m. train that gets to Penn Station at 2:20 a.m. So if anybody is out there and want to chat some football. Fire away! I put the Gameday info below and you all can update me on the Dallas at New Orleans game. — DOL)
(UPDATE: Falcons coach Mike Smith said decisions to play Matt Ryan and Michael Turner won’t turn on Dallas game on Saturday night. Invoked the “Best Chance to Win” doctrine. Dallas win over Saints = playoff elimination for Falcons. Ryan and Turner practiced on Friday. They were limited in their participation.)
BIRDLAND – It’s a week before Christmas and most NFL players have done their shopping.
Most are a little busy with getting ready for their last three games. (Y’all need some Christmas music for this blog? Here’s some Christmas Rappin’ from Kurtis Blow.
“Actually I got my mom on that,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “She’s doing a good job charging up my credit card.”
White’s mom doesn’t have any guidelines.
“I should have (put her on a budget),” said White, who signed a $48 million contract extension in August. “That’s what I should have started off with. She just brings things back to the house. I’m like, ‘who’s that for?’ She’ll say, ‘don’t worry about it.’ I’m letting her do all of my Christmas shopping this year.”
White was asked if he’s been naughty are nice?
“I’ve been pretty nice,” White said. “Handing out checks to everybody in my family. Things like that, you know. Everybody has been calling me and telling me thank you, so I’ve been pretty nice.”
Linebacker Curtis Lofton is doing his own shopping, but hasn’t accomplished much.
“Yeah, I’ve done a little, but the malls are packed,” Lofton said. “I’m always so tired, but I’ve gotten a little in.”
He doesn’t know what Santa is going to leave under his Christmas tree.
“I got a couple of watches that I want, but I really don’t have a wish list,” Lofton said.
Naughty or nice?
“Both,” Lofton said.
A New Orleans win over Dallas on Saturday will set up "The Staying Alive Bowl: Falcons 6-7 vs. Jets 7-6."
THE STAYING ALIVE BOWL: Falcons fans will have to root for the “Who Dat Nation” on Saturday night when the Dallas Cowboys play at New Orleans. A Cowboys victory would drive a nail in the Falcons’ playoff coffin. Dallas would be 9-5 and holds the tiebreaker over the Falcons.
The Falcons, Dallas and Green Bay could all finish 9-7, but Green Bay has the better conference record.
A couple of other tidbits from playoff guru Matt Moore, of AtlantaFalcons.com:
1. If there were a three way tie between Cowboys, Giants, and Falcons the Giants would move through.
2. If there were a three or four way tie with San Francisco in the mix, the 49ers would win the tie breaker based on conference record and would be the 6th seed.
So Falcons coach Mike Smith would have a tougher “game time decision” on whether to play Matt Ryan (turf toe) or Michael Turner (ankle sprain).
Let’s just assume that they can both play, but are clearly not at 100 percent. Smith will have to decide if he plays them and risk a re-injury in a meaningless (playoff wise) game.
“That would not have any bearing on what we are going to do,” Smith said after practice on Friday. “Our main focus is the New York Jets. Any decisions that we are going to make will be based on what gives us the best chance to win against the Jets.”
Now the franchise needs to win-out to shake the 44-year hex.
So maybe you play them anyway.
So the Falcons need to Saints to reach 14-0.
WEATHER REPORT: The Weather Channel sent along this forecast for the game:
Gametime Weather Index: 3 (Very windy & chilly)
The Falcons haven’t played outdoors since the Sunday before Thanksgiving and the Jets have yet to play in cold, windy weather this month. A coastal storm may flirt its snowy reach into northern New Jersey Saturday night, but is expected to pull away Sunday. However, strong winds will linger through Sunday afternoon, and will, therefore, be a major issue in notoriously windy Giants Stadium. Winds from 15-20 mph with gusts over 30 mph will howl from the northwest toward the southeast end zone. Temperatures in the middle to upper 30s, wind chills will be stuck in the 20s.
BERGERON TRANSACTION CHART (Check out the Q & A with Troy Bergeron)
Sept. 5 – Troy Bergeron , released
Sept 5 – Troy Bergeron, signed to practice squad
Nov. 14 – Troy Bergeron, signed to the 53-man roster
Nov. 15 – Troy Bergeron, released.
Nov. 18 – Troy Bergeron , signed to practice squad
Nov. 28 – Troy Bergeron, signed to active roster
Nov. 30 – Tory Bergeron, released
Dec. 1 – Troy Bergeron, signed to practice squad
Dec. 5 – Troy Bergeron, signed to active roster
Dec. 7 – Troy Bergeron, released
Dec. 15 – Troy Bergeron, signed to active roster.
Who’s else has their Christmas Shopping done? Been naughty or nice? Going to root for the Saints to beat the Cowboys? Going to y’all “Who Dat?”
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172 comments Add your comment
JSS
December 20th, 2009
1:41 am
IlliniDawg…
Still pretending to be tenured on someone’s University faculty?
By the way for all of you pretend NY’ers… Go to the Port Authority and take the #164 bus… The first one leaves around 6:40AM (may be delayed by a hour because of the weather) Simple as that usually around $10 bucks roundtrip #161 leaves 25 mins. later, or #163 at 7:20
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 20th, 2009
3:18 am
MADE IT!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 20th, 2009
3:21 am
J.COLE: City. Will ride over with Schultz in morning.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 20th, 2009
3:25 am
JOE: I think you can make it. With the weather, you should be able to get a ticket. Don’t know the re-sell rules.
juliemarty
December 20th, 2009
4:22 am
Healthy Samples are offering free winter samples check http://bit.ly/4EjHTu
We love MV7
December 20th, 2009
9:27 am
QB rating
MV7 93.8 going to playoffs
MR2 80.0 going to play with Blank’s wife and kids
Falcon Obit
December 20th, 2009
10:30 am
Wow, I guess BigEasy was right in his prediction. It is just not looking like a winning season afterall.
Choke Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
10:48 am
M”C”R is soooo boring. Has anyone ever read ALL of his posts? If so, my condolences.
LM
December 20th, 2009
10:49 am
Today’s game will result in a Falcons loss.
NY Jets 20 – Atlanta Falcons 10
Arthur Blank, you might as well go ahead and reserve some ad space for the AJC sports pages. It could read, after this season ends with the Falcons finishing with a 7-9 W-L record:
“My apologies to all the Atlanta Falcons fans here in the ATL. There’s no excuse for this team failing to make the playoffs, there’s no excuse for this team to fail to post a winning record this year. There’s no excuse period. Due to the generally miserable history of this team since it’s expansion season back in 1966, I’ve decided to relocate this team to Los Angeles in the spring of 2010. It’s my hope this will spare Falcons fans any more misery and at the same time afford this franchise a change in scenery…which at this point may be the only thing, short of divine intervention or meeting a leprechaun, that changes the overall fortunes of the Atlanta Falcons for the better. Thanks you.”
You love MV7 too much
December 20th, 2009
11:34 am
MV7 93.8 going to playoffs
Those figures have absolutely nothing to do with the Eagles going to the playoffs.
Mike Hunt
December 20th, 2009
11:36 am
LM,
You are an idiot. Disappointing season – absolutely. Move to LA – absolutely not. Injuries and some questoinable decisions by the GM with respect to the defense doomed this season. There’s always next year and it will be in Atlanta. Anyone that thinks otherwise is a retard.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
December 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
THANK YOU… OH THANK YOU MR. LEDBETTER for making one of my Christmas wishes come true. Your taking the initiative to totally ban “CHOKE” and all his many aliases is definitely a step in the right direction and mine is not a racist thing because I’m Black too and like you, am no Uncle Tom (although I do have neices and nephews). Now if you can only get Schultz and the other AJC sports writers to do the same it might make reading the Falcons’ blogs worthwhile again. Most of the people, even those who don’t like the Falcons, are decent and don’t constantly post the same comments/remarks over and over again.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WITH THE ARTICLES ABOUT OUR FALCONS!!!!!!! AND AGAIN….THANKS!!!!!
j
December 20th, 2009
2:21 pm
Hello,
We really need to just tank the rest of the Season and get a better 1st Round Draft Pick. We are now eliminated by the Playoffs. Again, the loss of what will be a high 2nd Round Draft Pick (Gonzalez) is going to hurt. I realize some might think I sound like a fair weather fan, but I love the Falcons with all of my heart. It is just with no chance of making the Playoffs, what difference does it make if we finish 9-7 or 6-10 aside from much better Draft Picks.
We all knew, due to our success and playing the AFC South, that our schedule was going to be much harder. It is beyond depressing that the curse of consecutive winning seasons continues.
Now is the time to let the youngsters play and figure out who is worth keeping. Hopefully seeing a bit more of Sidbury. Hopefully Moore and Jeria will prove worth their selection when they return from injury. Jeria’s injury issues are definitely cause for concern. Hopefully, we will not waste a high Draft Pick like we did when we selected Jamaal Anderson 8th Overall. That pick has been almost as bad as the Hawks drafting Shelden Williams 5th in the 1st Round.
Still hard to believe the curse will continue. Especially after stating 4-2. But such is life.
Cheers,
J
RUDEDOGG
December 20th, 2009
5:16 pm
the falcons are a second tier team at best no playmakers just a bunch of jags,pre madonnas.Matt Ryan is unsure of himself.
Falcon Obit
December 20th, 2009
5:29 pm
RUDEDOGG
December 20th, 2009
5:16 pm
the falcons are a second tier team at best no playmakers just a bunch of jags,pre madonnas.Matt Ryan is unsure of himself.
*************
Hey, dont pull the curtain back!! Let us think its the Wizard!
Without-a-clue
December 20th, 2009
6:01 pm
Isn’t it amazing that the people who can’t spell, phrase or reach a logical conclusion think what they say(or write)on here could possibly be taken seriously? Conclusion: Even idiots can use computers….and many do!
RUDEDOGG
December 20th, 2009
7:28 pm
Sorry for the mispelled words, but I’m talking football here. Jenkins is once again a no show also Abraham. Can you say contract re-do? We are soooooo soft!!!!!!!!!!! Is anybody in the gym?
RUDEDOGG
December 20th, 2009
8:13 pm
I hope nobody looks at this as a credible win. It was against a subpar team with an “if-average” rookie quarterback. I am tired of the NFL and its pupils using the Atlanta Falcons, and this town, as a pit stop, with its end of the line, half-@ssin’ players, coaches, GM’s, etc. Gosh darn it!
tom
December 20th, 2009
8:32 pm
I have been bad mouthing Grimes all season and still think he should not be a starter. However, he kicked butt today with two interceptions. Great Job.
unbelievable
December 20th, 2009
8:35 pm
I be listen to christmas rap to get the chillins’ ready fo christmas. Wouldn’t it be easier for you to listen to the game in the garage on your sirrus car radio
MV#777
December 29th, 2009
7:17 pm
IT FIRST BECAME obvious, this feeling between Michael Vick and his new teammates, a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta. It was his homecoming game, as it were. It was where he scored his first touchdown for the Eagles and his teammates bounded off of the bench in celebration, where cornerback Sheldon Brown said that he and some of the players were telling each other before the game that they wanted to win it for Vick.
I mean, win one for Mike? Really? We all observe from a distance, and it was so hard to see or to understand. But it was real. There is no doubt that it was real, this bond between Vick and his new teammates.
And, now, this:
The Eagles’ players have unanimously voted Vick as the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, given annually to the player on each NFL team who exemplifies “commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”
Guilty of horrific crimes. Sentenced to a federal prison term. Forfeited millions and millions of dollars. Back in the league for only a few months, only through the good graces of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Eagles coach Andy Reid. Now, a convicted felon honored by his teammates for overcoming a terrible situation into which he had put himself.
“I’m not sure you can explain it unless you’ve gone through it here with him,” Reid said yesterday. “Everybody is going to have their opinion on it, I’m sure. Until you’ve been with him for the hours that his teammates have been with him and seen him through all these different things that he’s had to go through, that time-tested part of it, you can’t appreciate it quite as much.
“I don’t expect everybody to understand it, no, but I think it’s a tribute when it’s a slam dunk by his teammates voting him that. It was just a unanimous vote there.”
That this is just a gut punch to the people who have opposed Vick’s reinstatement goes without saying. For them, a PETA spokesman said:
“The Philadelphia Eagles fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children. Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history.”
It is hard to disagree with any of that. It does seem too soon to be celebrating Vick. It does not feel right – and this comes from somebody who thought Vick deserved a chance to play this year, somebody who was looking forward to seeing what he could do on the field.
But here is the thing: I did not get a vote and you did not get a vote. This is a players’ award, voted upon by players. And whatever your personal feelings, it is impossible not to be fascinated by this team’s embrace of Vick, right from the start.
“I never worried that guys wouldn’t accept me,” Vick said. “That probably was one of the last things on my mind. The most important thing was to get in here and get to know the guys and get acclimated in the city and playing football again. You just let things happen naturally. You just be yourself.”
This is more than just teammates supporting a teammate. It is clear that they like the guy. Talking to them through the season, it is clear that they thought the punishment for the crime was so severe, prison-wise and especially financially, only because Vick was a celebrity. Their inclination as fellow celebrities was to root for him, and as fellow teammates to root for his ability to help them on the field. But the feelings still ended up going deeper, and this award demonstrates it.
“It means a great deal,” Vick said. “I’ve only been in this locker room for 3 1/2 months. For those guys to feel that way about me, it means a lot to me. The bond that I have with the players on this team and the way we’ve jelled has been outstanding.”
Someone asked Vick what kind of courage he demonstrated, per the award.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can bear,” he said. “Take a look at what I’ve been through. You ask certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn’t do it – probably 95 percent of the people in this world. Because nobody had to endure what I’ve been through, situations I’ve been put in, situations I’ve placed myself in, decisions that I’ve made, whether they were good or bad. There are always consequences behind certain things and there are repercussions behind them, too. Then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective or it’s a totally different outlook on you.
“You just have to be strong and believe in yourself and be optimistic. That’s what I’ve been able to do and that’s what I display.”
When you talk to Vick, it sometimes takes him a minute to get to the key point: situations I’ve placed myself in. That is what rankles for some, still, that minute it sometimes takes. But it is all part of a longer process.
Anyway, Vick said, “The thing I told Roger [Goodell] was that, 4 or 5 years from now, when I come to him, I’ll be able to say everything I told you I was going to do, I’m still doing it. That’s what I pride myself on. That’s my focus and that’s my goal.”
That might have seemed a more appropriate time for an award such as this one, not now. Then again, this is all about a bond within a locker room, a place that none of us can hope to understand from the outside
MV#777
January 2nd, 2010
3:00 pm
WHAT GOES AROUND….
COMES AROUND……
LOL………..