History suggests Falcons are headed for a 9-7 campaign
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) scores a touchdown in front of Philadelphia defender Ellis Hobbs (31). AP
PHILADELPHIA – History suggests that the Falcons are headed for a 9-7 season.
This was the third season that the Falcons have opened with a 4-1 mark.
After the other 4-1 starts, the team finished 9-7.
Last season, they went 4-1 before losing consecutive games at Dallas and at New Orleans. A rash of injuries started to set in and the team finished 9-7.
The Falcons started 4-1 in 1995, before losing to the St. Louis Rams 21-19 to drop to 4-2. They never got on a roll and finished 9-7, but went to the playoffs where they lost to the Green Bay Packers, 37-20.
The Falcons best start was in 1986 when they opened the season 5-1-1, before losing five straight and closing out the season 7-8-1.
The franchise went 5-1 twice. In 2004, they went on to finish 11-5 and reached the NFC championship game. In 1998, they went 14-2 and went to the Super Bowl.
The Falcons have never started a season 6-1.
“We are 4-2, hopefully we can win next week and be 5-2 going into that bye week,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “We’ll still be sitting pretty. It’s not a time to panic. We just have to go out there and keep getting better in practice.”
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
158 comments Add your comment
LawdHamercy
October 18th, 2010
7:25 am
Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!Fire MM and BVG!!!!!!!
Why do we continue to get these predictable coaches? AB you better get this right or else we’ll be just another average team with high expectations. There was no change in play calling when our scheme wasn’t working. LB’s 7yards deep? Are you kidding me? That means we’re afraid of K.Kolb? Why weren’t we pressuring him? Zero blitz and drop the corners. Oh they were already dropped. That didn’t help.
It’s not the players. They got pressure. It’s the play calling. Our defense plays insurance ball. We’ll get killed if we played Peyton Manning or Brady. Playing scared ball or safety ball. At one point the All 7 were dropped at least 7 yards deep with only 4 on the line. WTF is that?
Tim Parker
October 18th, 2010
7:26 am
I’m not worried about the loss to the Eagles. Scum city advantage. It was needed to expose holes and remind players that every game is important. At this point, we are exactly where I predicted we would be. The only miss was the Steelers game. Thought we would win it and lose the Saints game. We’re still on top of the NFC South, and looking for the competition going forward, I only see two more possible losses.
LawdHamercy
October 18th, 2010
7:29 am
Oh yeah the Offense.
Matt Ryan is slow making decisions and throwing the motion. I hope he can work on these things. Sam Baker is just slow and not strong enough to be a stud LT. We got him in the first round? You gotta be kidding me. He’s a bust. Ryan had opportunities, but didn’t capitalize due to pressure in and indecision. The WR looked great, but he could go through the progressions in time. I’ve been to 3 games this season including preseason and I’ve been saying all along, Ryan is not recognizing the open man in time. HD is constantly open in the middle. Other recievers are open, but he’s not seein them in time.
Homer, GA
October 18th, 2010
7:49 am
How many times can we run up the middle to start the game!! Nobody knew that was coming. No imagination at all the whole game. Our defence is not good enough to have a bad offence. When we face a good passing QB we still can’t stop anybody.
Season Ticket Holder
October 18th, 2010
7:53 am
The Eagles defensive plan was to stop Atlanta’s running game and force Matt Ryan to beat them. Of course, Matt did not step up his game. Also, it appears Atlanta’s Offensive Coordinator did not make adjustments when the Eagles started the game with 8 defenders in the box. What is the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The falcons must change up their game plan.
RobbE33
October 18th, 2010
7:57 am
The chubby Philly coach out-schemed the Falcon’s staff; pure and simple. Until Smitty and company can implement a little more innovation and the ability to adjust when their plan isn’t working, we’ll have these blow-outs. I’m curious, DOL, what is the Falcons’ record when Loose, Goose & Moose are calling our games?
Ol'_Dirty2
October 18th, 2010
8:15 am
Are we not still 1st in the division at this point? If so, let’s calm down with the panic and hysteria and make the most of this 3 game homestand. We were on the road 4 out of 6 games and split. One hearbreaker and one beatdown both in the state of Pennsylvania shouldn’t wreck the whole season. Let’s learn from the mistakes and move on. Bad call on the Dunta-Jackson hit, but we had a chance after that point and still didn’t capitalize. That’s what stands out to me.
Chop Buster
October 18th, 2010
8:32 am
History suggests that Mularkey starts hot in all new positions the first year and dies every year after. Why are we running a 1970s offensive philosophy? Heck even Pittsburgh doesn’t run that offense anymore. Also, why did we ever hire a college DC that had no history in the NFL as a coordinator? Why did BVG sit in the safe zone defense for the entire game? Arthur Blank needs to hold all of them accountable. It starts with Smith for hiring these two. It starts with Smith to make them accountable for the game plan–if there is such a thing with this staff. It starts with Smith to hold the ST coach accountable for the Falcons failing all year long on STs.
Brian
October 18th, 2010
8:50 am
Can we get a REAL left tackle, please?
Section 102 (40 yard 15th row)
October 18th, 2010
9:04 am
Watching live, with 80,000 (I only saw 3 other falcons jerseys) screaming eagles fans singing that stupid girly song every 5 minutes was enough to hurl an otherwise pretty nice hot dog and cold beer… How the game went live:
William Moore is a STUD.
1) If the falcons aren’t going to run a screen in the game, they need to run them in practice all day, ’cause the defense never sees screens and gets schooled each week.
2) Matt can’t throw the deep ball.
3) Matt can’t throw with velocity (exhibit A, the 3rd down play near the eagles ten where the DB had time to come around and defend the pass. Most pro qb’s would have gunned that in there for a big first down on a key momentum drive in an away game)
4) There were tons of wobbly throws.
5) Michael Vickesque inaccuracy. Well, nobody’s that bad, but it was pretty ugly.
6) Thank God Jenkins is back. He was open a lot and looks huge live.
7) Fat A$$ looks huge in person. and SLOW. Unbelievably slow hitting the holes. DLed was all over that one earlier in season. Somebody get 33 on Jenny Craig during the bye week.
9) The helmet crack live gave 80,000 fans goose bumps and we all held our breath for 5 minutes until somebody moved. Seeing that many NFL players on a knee is REality TV. Glad both Sean and DuntAY are going to walk again.
10) RoddyW dragging across the linebacker zone 10 yards down field is a nice play. He looks great after the catch
11) Grimes is a 160 lb fireball.
12) Can anybody in Atlanta call Offensive plays to keep a defense on its heels? Ouch. Who’s going to coach the coach?
JimmyB
Joe Tess Fish House
October 18th, 2010
9:09 am
HA! This teem wont win anmore games. The real Flacons where exposed Mr Blanks needs 2 sale this teem now
Blackbird
October 18th, 2010
9:09 am
Mr. Blank
Please have your GM fire the OC, that had to be the worst set of play calling I’ve ever seen. (2) Have you ever wondered why the Eagles beat the breaks off of the falcons every year? (3) We are what our record say we are, we barely beat teams we are suppose to beat, but when we play solid playoff caliber teams we get drugged in the dirt. (4) This team is not that good. (5) The QB is not special, just average so stop fooling yourself. (6) Mike Smith appears to be a very nice guy, but he has to surround himself with some innovative coaches that can transform this team to a team of the 21st century. (7) I’m a Falcon fan who stuck with the team through all the ruff years, but my patients is getting thin. If you are serious about winning championships, due what the team that win do. (Look at their rosters, look at them, they have star players, not just the old build a solid team through the draft). How many stars do you have on your teams that are recognized as stars outside of Atlanta? Who on your team gets bragged on every week on sports shows and radio? You need play makers! (8) Read the eagle comments before the game that they gave Atlanta. No respect. They didn’t say Atlanta D was good, they said they were ok and Atlanta had small corners. They said Atlanta Offence was alright but we’re prepared for them (with a back up offensive line) it want be a problem. Something to think about, when was the last time we beat a solid top ranked playoff caliber team?
Scott
October 18th, 2010
9:15 am
9/7 is no longer good enough . Blank and the Atlanta fans deserve better and hope he open his eyes and fire the defensive coach and his staff , hell getting rid of coach Smith would be even better .
Tired
October 18th, 2010
9:37 am
“Attention, attention..John Parker Wilson, report to the office please,John Parker Wilson, report to the office please.”
JustAMinute
October 18th, 2010
9:39 am
Hey, it could be worse, we could be rooting for the Cowboys.
hornblowermg
October 18th, 2010
9:42 am
this falcon edition is just plain slow at every position. somebody please trade half the team for Spillers. when Ryan committed that last fumble there was a falcon player who tip-toed around a Philly man on the ground into the general direction of the fumbled ball instead of diving over him for the recovery. i couldn’t believe my eyes; the man was too fat and slow to fall onto the ground. this team is pitiful regarding playing fundamental football.
Joe Tess Fish House
October 18th, 2010
9:45 am
N E 1 else think that matt Ryan needs 2 be bench?
Tired
October 18th, 2010
9:46 am
It worked wonders for Kolb…….
Monduj1
October 18th, 2010
9:48 am
At the end of the pre-season I predicted 7-9 and I’m sticking with it. We split with TB and Carolina and win either St. Louis or Seattle, but not both. Losses coming to Cincy, Baltimore, Green Bay and New Orleans.
Mularkey absolutely must go. Now. Nothing left to be said here. BVG was totally out coached and out smarted yesterday, but has made progress with the Defense. He needs to abandon the notion of dropping DL into coverage. A Zone Blitz requires someone actually blitzing from somewhere else. If he can’t figure that out, then he needs to go too.
Next year TD and company had better be looking for a LT and a new young QB. I’m done defending Ryan’s weak arm, happy feet, poor decision making, staring down receivers and lack of accuracy. He’s a good kid but simply does not look capable of taking us to the next level, which is actual playoff wins.
Tired
October 18th, 2010
9:53 am
@Monduj1
Finally, someone admits it !!!
MSS
October 18th, 2010
9:56 am
Matt does not need to be benched are you all crazy its our O line matt had no time and when did he made plays it was just a bad game we are ok
Joe Tess Fish House
October 18th, 2010
10:01 am
I posed this on anoter blog that it is quiet evidence that Ryan is not ready 4 the nfl. Time 2 strat Redmond.
Tired
October 18th, 2010
10:04 am
I’m just saying, don’t get me wrong I’m a big Falcons fan with little patience for ineptness. Flaco and Ravens are a playoff caliber team, Sanchez and the Jets were picked to go to the SB…….where are we????…..still waiting on Rayan to develope??????? while the others are already there…….
Tired
October 18th, 2010
10:06 am
Joe, get out of here with that stupid Redmond sh!t !!!!He’s not the solution DA
Joe Tess Fish House
October 18th, 2010
10:10 am
Why do peeple say dont get me wrong when they say something dumb? Dont say something dumb and we wont get your wrong.
singh is king
October 18th, 2010
10:12 am
i was watching the game, and same old things, running on first down i could tell from there plays that they will run they will pass, common man where is coaches dont they have 2nd plan, not spreading the eagles, put hd in backfield like norwood, damn it block it.
Tired
October 18th, 2010
10:17 am
Joe……you’re laughable at best. Me saying something dumb? this is coming from a person who thinks we should have gotten T.O., kept vick and numerous other “dumb” things…..
Football Bat
October 18th, 2010
10:23 am
@Blackbird-
The last time we beat a playoff caliber team was Sept. 26 in New Orleans. Stars have to come from some draft somewhere, and we have done a pretty good job of balancing the two while cleaning up a hoodlum attitude and shedding the consecutive winning seasons curse. Turner, White, Abraham, Robinson, all top tier. “Build” is part of “rebuilding” and we can’t fire and reload every other year although a new OC would be a very effective upgrade needed for some time now.
Philly always seem to have our number, true. Some serious poor tackling, true. If we split and go into the bye with two losses, I don’t think there’s any room for complaints. Split Ravens, GB, NO, and Seattle games, and win out otherwise, we’re 12-4, but 10-6 could still win the div if we beat the Saints again.
Joe Tess Fish House
October 18th, 2010
10:27 am
How is getting TO dumb? They sure could of have used him yestreday
dub366
October 18th, 2010
10:38 am
bottom line is the Falcons need of a QB. Mike might be gone , but he left image here to be filled and Matt Ryan can’t do it.
DJ Sniper
October 18th, 2010
10:39 am
Oh lord, here we go with that nonsense about Matt Ryan not having a strong arm. Look, Ryan has worked on his arm strength over the last two seasons and it shows. Just go back to that bomb he tried to hit Harry Douglas with in the Saints game. The ball had plenty of zip and velocity, so let’s end that argument right now.
I’m not in panic mode after this loss because we still have plenty of football left to play. We are very much in the playoff hunt and we could still get a division title out of it. That being said, there are some adjustments that need to be made:
1. Will somebody PLEASE get in Mike Mularkey’s head and tell him to diversify the offense?!?!?!? If fans like myself can watch the games and predict what he’s going to call, you know the defense can spot it. It seems like he does not know the definition of play action, screen pass, or deep ball. We have the right players in place to be an explosive offense, but with Mularkey, the offense will never live up to its full potential.
2. Somebody tell Brian Van Gorder that when you have your opponent backed up in their own end zone, you DON’T drop your best pass rusher into coverage!!! When I saw that on the replay, I was ready to shoot somebody. Like Mularkey, BVG doesn’t quite know how to mix things up. We rushed only 4 down linemen for pretty much the whole game. Only once or twice did I see us blitz or try to put any extra pressure on Kevin Kolb. With that type of game plan, any QB can look like an All-Pro.
3. As for special teams, why is Eric Weems still our return man? He strikes no fear in anyone, and he’s not a threat to take it to the house. During the offseason, I remember reading that Dominique Franks might get a shot at returning kicks and punts. I know we are pretty deep at CB, but why not activate him simply for return purposes?
Now I’ll comment on some of the good things that I saw:
1. Michael Jenkins looked good in his first game back. He wasn’t dropping passes like he usually does, and he kept the chains moving when the ball came his way. His arms looked pretty jacked, so it appears he’s been keeping himself in great shape.
2. William Moore is a beast! I saw him deliver some good hit, record a great open field tackle for loss, and he leads the team with 3 INT’s. I knew he would be productive as soon as he got healthy. Erik Coleman simply was not making plays like that, so keeping Moore as the starter was the right move.
Bottom line: we need to come out next Sunday and beat the brakes off of Cincinnati. After our disappointing loss to the Steelers, we hung 41 points on Arizona. Let’s see if lighting will strike twice.
Keith
October 18th, 2010
10:46 am
Re: DJ Sniper
Special kudos to #2. Dropping Abraham into coverage boggled my mind. WOW!!
Jenkins was solid in his debut.
GO FALCONS!
Keith
October 18th, 2010
10:49 am
Yes, our offensive line was dominated yesterday. That surprised me a bit. But sometimes certain teams just have another team’s number. THe case with the Eagles….I believe it is 8-1 over last 9.
GO FALCONS!
Keith
October 18th, 2010
10:49 am
Cincy is struggling this year for the most part. ATL should be a big favorite in the Dome.
DJ Sniper
October 18th, 2010
10:51 am
Did anybody else see how pissed off Matt Ryan was after Philly recovered that fumble at the end of the game? I wonder who he was going off on. My hope is that it was the offensive line for not chasing after that loose ball. Let’s hope he plays angry next weeks and takes out that frustration on the Bengals.
Paddy O
October 18th, 2010
10:54 am
The Falcon D did not necessarily play bad, they were just out played. However, our lack of QB pressure, or tendancy to leave the middle open when our LB goes off the lane, plus the bad play of CB’s after Dunta’s departure were earmarks for a bad game. Our team speed was not good enough to overcome the Eagles speedy receivers – our safties failed to provide safety. We definately have poorly conceived blitz stunts. Finally, Mularkey came out running in the 3rd quarter, as though we were ahead or tied – WTF????? We rarely go down field, and just don’t have a lot of creativity – it may be a hallmark of a Mike Smith team, plodding, predictable plays. You notice we never use the shot gun unless we are behind? This is stupid – watch Peyton Manning – that must by Matty Ices’ role model. Very, very , very disappointing.
Authur Blank
October 18th, 2010
10:57 am
don’t worry cause the last three games could have ended this way they still fought after going down early so were good 4-2 out of six so far is not bad were still tied for the lead in the NFC, If thery can get to 10-2 then we’ll be ok.
DJ Sniper
October 18th, 2010
10:58 am
I keep reading comments about Ryan looking skittish in the pocket and locking onto receivers. I agree, but only to a point. Did you see how many times Ryan had defenders in his face? I don’t care what QB you have; you pressure them and that’s going to cause them to be off a bit. Now contrast that with Kolb performance yesterday. For the most part, he had all kinds of time to stand in the pocket and throw.
I forsee a very new O-line next season. Justin Blaylock and Tyson Clabo are at the end of their contracts and probably won’t be back. Todd McClure may end up retiring as well. I have a feeling we will go into 2011 with Mike Johnson at LG, Joe Hawley at C, and Garrett Reynolds at RT. As for the LT spot, if Sam Baker keeps at his current pace, that will be a position to address in the next draft
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 18th, 2010
11:05 am
Chucktown — Yeah Andy Griffith is the best show ever. Didn’t make the connection.,
DJ Sniper — Heres the avg gain per pass play for the Falcons this season: Pitt (5.2), Ariz (6.8), NOS (6.7), San Fran (5.5), Browns (5.8) and Philly (5.1). The probably need to throw down the field more or get more yards after the catch.
FSJR
October 18th, 2010
11:05 am
We have got to be the easiest team in the league to gameplan for especially offensely. We do what we do and don’t change a thing. If our execution is off, we have extremely hard times. I didn’t notice a sense of urgency in the play-calling after we were down a bunch, it was more or less, stay the course.
FrontRow
October 18th, 2010
11:06 am
2-2 on the road, 2-0 at home. 4-4 on the road and 8-0 at home gets you in the tournament.
FrontRow
October 18th, 2010
11:08 am
How do you beat a team of smurfs running high school plays? Bust one of the smurfs in the mouth.
Unfortunately the refs threw the flag. Dunta ducked and led with his shoulder. What is he supposed to do, let the smurf catch the ball.
That was a third down stop and exactly what the team needed at the time. It’s not Dunta’s fault the guy is a smurf that folds when he gets hit.
Eric C.
October 18th, 2010
11:09 am
Remember last season when the Saints got behind the Dolphins 24-3 on the road (even though they came back and won), #@$% happens in the course of a season. This game was the pits, but keep things in perspective…let’s get em next week and go into the bye at 5-2.
JustAMinute
October 18th, 2010
11:13 am
Tired come on, if you give Matty the Ravens or the Jets defense I bet you would be singing a different tune. There is no comparison between the Falcons D and the Ravens and Jets. Do you remember 2001? The Ravens D made Trent Dilfer look like Marino.
I do believe that Matty does still need to put on 10-15 more pounds and work on his footwork and velocity. Peyton Manning he is not, but he is not just a game manager either. He doesn’t need the number 1 defense to win, but he does need a solid team effort. The defense, special teams, and offense looked like a deer in headlights yesterday. The team can win with Matty, but he still does have more development to go.
Mark
October 18th, 2010
11:18 am
Falcons are not going anywhere until they get some receivers that can get open & stretch the field. The dink & dunk offense won’t take you very far. Ryan has looked like crap this year – happy feet & all.
Defense is inconsistent as is the offensive line. They have a long way to go to be considered an “upper tier” team.
JustAMinute
October 18th, 2010
11:22 am
Front Row, I completely agree about Dunta’s hit. Those announcers are a bunch of idiots. How was Jackson a defenseless player, he had the ball in his hands? That was exactly what the team needed; a big hit to force a change of possession. They threw the flag because Jackson is littler than I am( 6ft. 175lb).
Did anyone else see the hits that the Steelers Jerome Harrison laid on two Browns players? (Massaquoi and someone else) They were just as bad.
DJ Sniper
October 18th, 2010
11:27 am
I was watching the pre-game show for Sunday Night Football and I wanted to slap the broadcast crew for calling Dunta Robinson’s hit on Desean Jackson as helmet-to-helmet. The replay clearly shows that Robinson hit him with his shoulder. Even the broadcast crew during the game mentioned that.
DOL, what happened to all that preseason talk from the coaching staff about opening up the playbook and letting Matt Ryan have free reign of the offense?
waynester
October 18th, 2010
11:38 am
Dunta went into the receiver’s right shoulder pad with his left shoulder pad, making minimal contact helmet-to-helmet and maximum contact with the ball, causing a turnover. It was a clean play–a dam* good play and a lousy tsk-tsk call by the officials and even worse holier-than-thou display by “Moose” Johnson and the broadcasting crew. Free Dunta!
waynester
October 18th, 2010
11:40 am
*correction*
Dunta went right shoulder to RIGHT shoulder…..
falcoholic
October 18th, 2010
11:53 am
1. The Falcons were clearly out-coached. That needs to be addressed by management because you can’t teach coaches to be smart.
2. Play calling IS predictable, and that goes back to coaching.
3. Matt Ryan is beginning to disappoint. Specifically, my complaints are,
A) Stares down receivers so everyone knows where it’s going.
B) Slow delivery. Watch old Brett Favre sling the ball and compare. Half the passes defended yesterday would have been receptions with some snot on the ball.
C) Fails to find open secondary receivers. (Maybe because he never takes his eyes off the primary receiver).
D) Poor pocket sense. He doesn’t seem to have the peripheral vision or sense to realize when his blockers are beat and someone is rampaging through the backfield.
E) Almost never steps up into the pocket. Most of his sacks are from the side and back. Most of the time, a step or two up towards the line would have bought him the space and time needed to get rid of the ball, but he doesn’t do that for some reason.
4. We have a few good players on the OL, but we need some more beef. The smaller guys can do a good job of getting downfield and blocking for the run, but they’re a detriment if they can’t control their assignments. Everyone gets beat, but when it happens consistently in a game, something is obviously missing.
I like the resolve, conditioning and effort from the team this year. They have won several because they played every of the 60 minutes. I welcome the wins we had this year, but I’m troubled by the way we had to get them. We are not overpowering, out-coaching, or finessing the wins. We have a couple of wins that were either luck or desperation. I remain hopeful, but it looks like the luck is starting to run out.