Here’s what the players were saying after the game . . .
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is forced out of the pocket as he looks to pass against the Patriots during 1st quarter action. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
MATT RYAN
On the offense’s inability to score:
“When we come into these games, we don’t game plan a lot. We basically watch zero tape. It’s an extension of training camp. We are out there working on some things. Trying to improve on some different route combinations and stuff like that. We are trying out some different things that we worked on in the offseason. What we like and what we don’t like. What we are going to take to the regular season and what we are not.”
RODDY WHITE
On the offense:
“It’s just the preseason. The thing is, we’re going out there and we are just not finishing drives. We are moving the ball up and down the field, but are not cashing in with TDs. It’s just two games.”
SEAN WEATHERSPOON
On playing against New England:
“It was good to get out there today and go against a great offense. It was good to go out there and get that experience. I had Tom Brady throwing the ball in my direction. I can’t want to get in that film room and get coached up. . . obviously, we have to get off the field on third down because we played pretty good defense on the earlier downs. I know that’s going to be a big emphasis in the film room. We’ve got the right guys in here, we know that. It’s the preseason, but you want to go out there and dominate.”
On starting at strongside linebacker:
“It seemed about the same, but it was a little different because of the alignments. You never know which side you might be going to according to the way we set the defense up. But other than that, I felt comfortable. It wasn’t too much of a difference for me.”
On the touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez:
“It was pretty good coverage, but I have to be more aware to play through the basket of the receiver instead of trying to get my head around to make a play on the ball. I could have done that a little bit better. That’s something that coach will coach me up on.”
MIKE PETERSON
On the defense:
“It definitely wasn’t up to our standards of Falcons defense. We had a chance to go up against one of the elite offenses in the league and use them as a measuring stick. So Saturday, we’ll go back to work.”
On stopping the run:
“They were able to run the ball; I tip my cap to them. They’re a pass-happy team, and I think everybody on the defensive side of the ball, everybody’s just thinking they’re going to throw the ball, throw the ball. Then, they come out and run it. Sometimes, it’s a shock to you. That’s not an excuse; it’s just great game planning and a great scheme by them.”
On returning players for Miami:
“It’s really big, getting the whole unit back. It starts (coming) together, and we start getting ready for the opener. That’s what it’s all about, being healthy for the opener and having all your guys healthy.”
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Friday, August 20 — No Practice.
Saturday, August 21 — 9:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (closed to the public); 3:45 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Sunday, August 22 — 9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public)
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109 comments Add your comment
myra
August 20th, 2010
11:40 am
Sorry. They looked bad. Someone said ‘well they are the Patriots’.
umm…aren’t we supposed to be a top contender too?
I think we were lied to. I mean its still the same guys as last year.
Anyway u cut it, we were steamrolled.
Really??
August 20th, 2010
11:41 am
SHould have taken Demaryius Thomas or Dez Bryant with that first pick!!!! I told you so!!!!!
Really??
August 20th, 2010
11:42 am
Roddy White is all we got!!!!
G Mann
August 20th, 2010
11:42 am
After having read all of your comments and all of the AJC Sport comments it appears that I am rereading the same post from 2009. Great expectations in Atlanta. I know it is preseason and bla bla bla, but I have real concerns with our offense being unable to make 3rd down conversions which force field goals attempts which we are not very good at and need to improve greatly. WE WILL NOT WIN MANY GAMES BY KICKING FIELDGOALS, WE NEED TOUCHDOWNS TO WIN because our defense is still suspect 9-7 again is my prediction….cannot wait to find out. D prove me wrong
Really??
August 20th, 2010
11:43 am
But then again this is the Falcons and they have never been known to draft well…..
Drew
August 20th, 2010
11:52 am
Pats fan here…..Whoever said the Pats were game planning is incorrect. There is no way they are sitting there in rooms watching film. BB is not gameplanning. He has one for Cincy, NYJ and Miami likely in theory waiting on final scouting details, but there is no way he is gameplanning in preseason. Working on concepts? Sure. Tony Gonzalez had free reign, and I can tell you right now if this was a regular season game, Tony G would be hounded all game like BB does when he contains Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates. They did do some blitzing and scheming as BB tries to get his players used to scheming since they are so young and coming together, but that’s not game planning. Nor was running the ball. Last year, NE had major issues getting teams to respect their run. They ran it well last week against New Orleans, did it again this week and Brady is using play action again, because he can quickly scamper back from the line of scrimmage, 2 years removed from leg surgery. THis is bad news for defenses on NE’s schedule. I am not trying to be a jerk here, just trying to give you some outside perspective so you can gauge your team better. NE dictated on offense with the run and O Line play, because it has become an emphasis on camp. They did not have this last year. Atlanta has a good team. But, I also think when Matt Ryan says “we didn’t gameplan” or Roddy White says “it’s game 2″, you can’t say that. Because next week it’s game 3, and before you know it you aren’t playing in Game 4 because you open the season the next week. I’d be a little concerned about the lackadaisical comments from them, but I do think Atlanta will eventually be in the mix. I think you ran into a young, athletic D that is being counted out in NE and a revamped, lethal offense that hasn’t even game planned yet. Good luck during the season.
KGB
August 20th, 2010
11:53 am
A sloppy, embarrassing performance. The worst was that we were physically dominated on the line of scrimmage. That’s worrisome. So much for that “elite” defense we’ve been hearing about.
And a preseason game is no excuse for the points mentioned. That’s a bad indicator for the regular season regardless of schemes and game planning.
KGB
August 20th, 2010
11:55 am
Drew – is right on the money.
Richham
August 20th, 2010
12:06 pm
I think some of you are getting way ahead of yourselves. We lost to the Patriots. It’s good that the fans expect results even against the best teams, but don’t get too worked up over this game.
The one thing that concerns me and should be the outright #1 priority is the 3rd and long defense. Giving up first downs in those situations will kill a team. That needs to be fixed ASAP! We can’t continue to get burned on 3rd and long. I believe the rest will take care of itself.
LP
August 20th, 2010
12:13 pm
I think with the same number of reps in practice JPW would be a better starting QB than Matty ICE. He has a strong arm, an is accurate in the pocket or on the move, this opens the playbook up for a deep passing attack, which the defense must respect. He comes from a pedigree program, therefore he’s comfortable performing and winning under pressure.
KGB
August 20th, 2010
12:15 pm
I find it amusing to hear people here attempt to downplay concerns over the teams performance, as “it’s only a preseason game”. Then continue in their posts to express their concerns about the teams performance.
MrHughes
August 20th, 2010
12:18 pm
I think New England had all their starters on the field and they game planned. Jerry, Moore, and our starting corner backs didn’t play. Brady only threw for 85 yeards despite having Moss, Welker, Crumpler, and two rookie tight ends.
S Erik Coleman had a great pass break up on a would be touch down pass to Randy Moss. Last year, that’s six points! John Parker Wilson looked good last night. He might get the nod as the backup over Redman. Peele played very well last night as a nice combo to Gonzo. Siddbury looked really good. he had four tackles, three solo and netting an 11 yard loss on Zach Robinson. Trey Lewis had four tackles and got a sack for 11 yards too. The last few years have left us with a lot of depth on the defensive line. Overall, the defensive unit did give up some long runs, but they also had nine tackles for loss. That impressive! The missed tackles can be fixed. Sometimes that comes from guys trying to do too much.
The Falcons also converted over half of their 3rd downs last night. New England doesn’t have a bad defense, so that is encouraging even though we didn’t get it into the endzone until the outcome was decided. I don’t understand why Bergeron is still on the roster. I don’t see him making the team over Meier or HD.
Hey "LP"
August 20th, 2010
12:19 pm
You win the award for Dumbest Post of the Day. Congrats ya Bama homer…
Hapfalcon
August 20th, 2010
12:19 pm
DREW; Appreciate you analysis and comments. I enjoyed your cerebral contribution. Hope to hear more from you.
Mountain Man
August 20th, 2010
12:21 pm
Poor!
Mr. Blank
August 20th, 2010
12:21 pm
Drew. You know more about this team than I do. Need a job??
what a joke
August 20th, 2010
12:30 pm
Maybe next year,or the year after that,maybe the year after that,or the year after that.Same old dance and song.I am glad the Saints won a superbowl,it gives us real southerners something to be proud of, not like this floundering franchise we have here in Atlanta.the saints spent money and brought players in who could play and wanted to win.they had an onner commited to winning and spending to get it done.
NW Falcon
August 20th, 2010
12:34 pm
The only thing in mid-season form is my anger at the defense for not stopping anyone on third down.
Jack
August 20th, 2010
12:35 pm
Oh my Gosh…The season is over. Ryan is a chump. Brady is God-like. 3 series of downs is a lifetime. If Gonzo had caught his 3rd down pass, Ryan’s warming up (remember 3 sets of downs) & momentum may have gotten him into the end zone. If there had not been a prissy roughing the kicker penalty, Brady could not have thrown the TD. So they would have cancelled each other out. Sure makes sense to me, chickin’ littlers !.
ernisTbass
August 20th, 2010
12:36 pm
Mike Peterson said thet they didn’t play up to Falcons standards, unfortunately he is wrong, they played exactly to their standards, the Falcons haven’t been able to get off the field on third down since Wade Phillips left town
TD
August 20th, 2010
12:37 pm
Not sure if Matt Ryan knows what he is talking about. We don’t “Game Plan”. How could you not?
Drew
August 20th, 2010
12:39 pm
Mr. Hughes, NE was without rookie Jermaine Cunningham and 10 sacks Tully Banta-Cain at OLB. Both have ankle sprains and didn’t make the trip. Also, NE’s best corner, Leigh Bodden, stayed back home. Trust me when I tell you NE did not have a game plan. There are things they did not do well last year that they are hammering on, within FA, the draft and overall with an attitude. From my perspective, I am pleasantly surprised with the young 2009 and 2010 players and how BB has upgraded NE’s 2009 weak spots on paper and in ideology. I think Atlanta is a veteran team, but they are not good enough to flip the switch. You can’t do that. You have to come in slowly and progress in preseason. People up in NE are complaining beyond belief about the Pats which I find embarrassing. Belichick leads a team to 11 wins with a back up QB and then rebuilds his defense and adds in some nice pieces on offense in the last two drafts, winning the division last year and trying to replace defensive players with 3 and 4 SB appearances under their belt. I mention this, because it appeared last night that NE’s 2nd and 3rd stringers, players NE fans have no confidence in because they don’t recognize the names as regular bench players, pretty much dominated the Falcons bench players. So, that is a depth issue, in my opinion. Regardless, no coach in the NFL game plans in preseason. I find it slightly comical you think NE did and Atlanta did not. I am not buying that. Indy got run off the turf last night by Buffalo. Preseason is a tryout for young players and spots up for grabs, and a tune up for veterans. Week 3 in preseason is important for bubble players for the Falcons and hoe clean they look on both sides of the ball. I think if Atlanta improves and shows some consistency, things will be fine. You have to sort of conceded the idea the Saints win the division, so that means you have two Wild Card spots, meaning 10-6 is what Atl should be shooting for in 2010. Anything else is a bonus as Dimitrioff rebuilds. Don’t worry, I think you are doing it right while teams like Minnesota and the NY Jets are doing it completely wrong.
D.S.G.B.
August 20th, 2010
12:39 pm
ok we can sit here and focus on all the bad things that the falcons did last night. but did you notice that out of the three possessions the starting patriots had, the falcons held them to two “three and outs.” one of those was taken away by a weak weak roughing the kicker call that only ne gets. so if not for that, and if matt bryant had made his fg, we would have gone in to the half- ne=7/ atl=6. thats not too bad considering there was no gameplanning. there was just a couple of dropped passes that hindered us from moving the chains on third down to keep the drive alive. at half id say we were pretty even. besides with our running game, its the latter part of the game when we wear defenses down and continue to pound the ball. i wouldnt put too much stock in the score. if it was week one, the game would have been alot closer. im still a fan, i realize that even during the season the falcons just might lose a game or two, but im not going to abandon ship. we still got it. go falcons.
Section 108
August 20th, 2010
12:43 pm
3rd down has been an issue with the Falcons for years now………
Long-suffering Fan
August 20th, 2010
12:43 pm
I saw a pretty good team on the field last night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Falcons.
FalconUGAFan
August 20th, 2010
1:02 pm
@Drew Thanks for the perspective. I agree with every point that you make. TD and Smitty are making the right moves, but it takes time. We’ve just had too many years of futility and we are beyond hungry for a winning team.
gdg73
August 20th, 2010
1:08 pm
My observations from last night:
Get well soon Jerry, Anderson, Robinson, Jenkins;
1) Matt Ryan needs to stop locking in on Tony Gonzalez. You have other receivers.
2) Passes to Gonzalez have to be perfect because a defender is always on his back in coverage (no separation);
3) No more Ryan roll-outs Mularkey!!!;
4) Defense continues to play soft;
5) Bierrman will have 10+ sacks this season;
6) Babineaux creamed Decoud on the Taylor TD run;
7) Did DJ Shockley ever get a chance to play with first teamers?;
9) Witherspoon had nice coverage on Hernandez. Keep in mind that was on play action. How many times do you see a receiver covered that tightly by a LB on play-action (almost never);
10) We should have invested in a kicker (draft) 4 years ago;
11) When did Jim Mora become a celebrity (signing $1 bills)?????;
12) Is Matt Ryan really that good????
JuneBaby
August 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
Are the Falcons supposed to et a free pass because they were playing a good team? All we’ve been hearing is how the falcons were supposed to be so much better this year! i guess the word better is relative to last year’s team, no offense, no defense, or heart has been shown through 2 preseason games. If you can’t play well in the preseason, how will you play well in the regular season? The defense still havent shown a pass rush, and the DBs can’t cover anyone. The offense after back to back continuity isn’t exciting anyone. Matt Ryan, an elite qb; he sure couldn’t prove it by me!!! And they should quit putting junk on the field and calling them wide recievers. Sure this team may be good enough to beat up on the bottom dwellers in the NFL, BUT THEY ARE NOT AN ELITE TEAM, by any stretch of the imagination!
TD
August 20th, 2010
1:38 pm
LOL. The old Falcs were playing vanilla. They didn’t want to show their playbook.
Drew
August 20th, 2010
1:41 pm
Does a playbook consist of losing the line battle allowing that many rushing yards? Neither team game planned or did anything special. NE’s 2nd and 3rd stringers outplayed Atlanta’s as well. Just be honest, that the Miami game next week is a critical building block moving forward. See how they do and then make a judgeement because the 4th game is a throwaway.
Steve C
August 20th, 2010
1:48 pm
who is that running back that should be released, is his name Norwood? Get rid rid of them bum!
blord
August 20th, 2010
1:48 pm
Wow. It is amazing how guys will overeact to a preseason game. Don’t be so stressed out and angry at life. I have some concerns as well but all is not lost. Take a breath and understand that the Colts hardly ever win during the preseason. Geeez.
MountainDawg
August 20th, 2010
2:04 pm
On the upside, Kroy Biermann showed (again) why he should be starting at DE (opposite of Abraham). J.Anderson needs to be moved to DT or at 2nd string. On the down side, I hope Kerry Meier’s injury isn’t severe. The kid is a stud at WR & should get plenty on reps & passes.
GMAN
August 20th, 2010
2:21 pm
3-4 DEFENSE…… 4-3 is a thing of the pass. besides that we’ve had 3 drafts for 4-3 LB’s’ to short. if Sitty doesn’t address VG he’s not safe, and i like smith. i also think we’ve got a mularkey offense.
TD
August 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
blord: Come on now. Have you ever seen such an inept performance?
Jimmy's Mora Jr
August 20th, 2010
3:28 pm
I just watched the game again at lunchtime. It is uglier the second time around! I suggest everyone watch it again and refresh your comments.
And Junior was terrible in the booth can’t beleive he is going to be a Sportscater on National TV – he will be yanked before the season is over!
Dr. Warren
August 20th, 2010
3:31 pm
What’s with Weatherspoon and “coach me up”??? Sounds strange.
CTK
August 20th, 2010
3:45 pm
At the half last week the SB champs were behind 17-7 against the Pats. Im assuming with the starters. Our starters, the SB champs this year, held them to 7-3 at the half. Im not including the TD that came after the “roughing the kicker” call. The Pats are a respected team and Im giving them their props. We can compete with them.
Guys, lets not jump off the wagon yet!
Fish2774
August 20th, 2010
3:49 pm
Blord, it’s not just the preseason. The problem lies with Smitty not taking over the defense. He’s suppose to be a defensive specialist why do we continue to allow a coordinator with less experience to run the defense. Did Rex Ryan hand over control of his defense, will Sean Payton hand over play calling abilities on offense ah that’s a noooooooooooooooo!!!!! Smitty needs to take control of his defense or he’s out of ATL………………
Just stay healthy
August 20th, 2010
4:00 pm
Yes, we looked bad last night, but better now than September. I don’t care if you win any preseason games. Win when it counts!!! Don’t listen to the critics that sit around waiting for any reason to down the Falcons. Continue to look at the new young players and get the veterans healthy to make a run at the trophy. We will be fine.
Arthur Blank
August 20th, 2010
4:01 pm
Our first team actually did ok with 4 potential starters out of the game. I who was the bone head official who call a personal foul on jackson. The score would have been 7 – 3. And not sure why we played our #3 QB because clearly for this year Redmon is my #2 QB. It was a bit disappointing because the guy who are fightting for a job didn’t play with much intensity or urgency. And lastly i like franks but he beter start making any interception that hits him square in the hands. How are you going to drop that INT and then go back to field a punt SCARY.
The real Arthur Blank
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 20th, 2010
4:17 pm
After sitting through last night’s game in the Dome…one thing is VERY EVIDENT…..Mike Mularkey has got to go…..the offensive play calling is pathetic!!!!
LOS-GRID IRON
August 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
Today I will give a lesson a/b football 101. First of all, your offense and defense is only good as what you practice against. Secondly, football is played from a game of mismatches reguardless on offense or defense. Our ATLANTA FALCONS lack the ability to attack other teams so therefore our coaching staff must deploy schemes the create a mismatch. We can argue all day about player personnel if we don’t make other teams play to our tempo we are waisting our time drafting all the 1st round pick that never pan out. Today football requires us to go a hybrid 3/4 scheme on defense and on offense stop letter your TE be your point of interest look @ more fluid passing attack down the field w/ a better formations of creating mismatches down the field not @ the line of scrimmage.
Fish2774
August 20th, 2010
4:33 pm
Sick & Tired I think the offense has the tools but I feel the TD is crippling the offense by not adding that #2 receiver. Mularkey’s offense can be productive if you have that deep passing attack to compliment the running game.
LOS-GRID IRON
August 20th, 2010
4:41 pm
just think we don’t have no idenity on offense or defense, sound like a coaching change could be in the near future.
SAINTS LSU
August 20th, 2010
5:16 pm
@ sonny sundown meet me @ the Louisiana Super Dome I will buy your tickets Who Dat We Dat 2 Dat superbowl 45 here we come Geaux Saints
hiramsaint
August 20th, 2010
6:36 pm
the pats were a whole diff ballgame than a 4-12 chiefs team …wait… i said that last week
FalconInVT
August 20th, 2010
7:17 pm
Place Kicker!!! <~~~ This will cost us!
DJ
August 20th, 2010
8:26 pm
P-R-E-S-E-A-S-O-N
What part of that don’t you get?
DJ
August 20th, 2010
8:27 pm
Hey the Saints and the Falcons are tied in the loss column in the pre-season. Does that mean the Falcons are going to the super bowl too?