Don’t you wish Smitty would say, ‘Hey Raheem, bring it on!’
101024 Atlanta - The Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wear hot pink for cancer awareness during the game against the Bengals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 24 , 2010. To learn more about breast cancer screenings it nfl.com/pink . Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris proclaimed the Buccaneers to be the best team in the NFC after their 18-17 win over the St. Louis Rams.
The good thing about the NFL is that he and his team will get a chance to backup his big talk. The Bucs are off to a surprising 4-2 start and quarterback Josh Freeman is looking kind of special.
After the bye week, the Bucs come to the Georgia Dome for a Nov. 7 NFC South Showdown. The Bucs play the Arizona Cardinals next week and have a chance to move into a tie with the Falcons for first place.
Falcons coach Mike Smith was a lot more subdued in his post-game remarks.
Here are the highlights from his post-game media chat:
SMITH’S OPENING REMARKS: “I know it’s a cliché, but you’ve got to play the game for 60 minutes and when you do that you’re going to get an opportunity to get the outcome that you want. I felt like we started fast and were in control of the ballgame the first, second, and fourth quarters. The third quarter was a little bit Halloween-ish in terms of it wasn’t a treat, it was a trick. I thought that our guys played extremely hard for the entire ballgame. They never put their heads down. They showed a lot of resiliency in terms of the adversity that took place there in the third quarter.”
ON RODDY WHITE’S MEGA-GAME: “You saw Roddy make some spectacular catches there, the one handed (catch) on the sideline early in the game. Wonderful play on the two-point conversation. Roddy probably to this point has been our best player on our football team through our first seven games. I don’t think there is any doubt about that. He came into this season in the best shape he’s ever been. He’s working hard and you are seeing the results of that hard work during the offseason out there on the field. “
ON THAT ZANY THIRD QUARTER: “There wasn’t a concern because it’s something that has never happened to us in terms of our football team. As I said, I think it’s a learning lesson. It’s a lesson for us as a team to find out how we can overcome those situations because believe me, when you’re up 21 to three at halftime and then you go down 25-24 when you start the fourth quarter, it says a lot about our guys. I don’t believe that they were over confident one bit. They know it’s a 60 minute game.”
ON THOMAS DeCOUD’S HEAD INJURY: “They would not allow Thomas to come back in the ballgame. Again, I don’t know how, I know it was a head injury. I don’t know what they’re calling it right now. Both he and fullback Ovie Mughelli were out after their injuries. . . I know that both of those guys at halftime were ruled out of the football game.”
ON THE BENGALS MUCH HYPED RECEIVERS: “That’s a very talented group. Both of those wide outs that were out there today are guys that have had great careers. We knew that it was going to be a challenge for us. We knew that they were going to make their plays. Our biggest thing was that we wanted to try to keep the ball with those two guys in front of us and not let them throw it over our head. I think we had mixed results in that regard today.”
ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY: “I thought that the offensive line kept the pocket clean and that’s very important to be successful in throwing the football you’ve got to keep that pocket clean. It’s not necessarily giving up sacks, it’s keeping the pocket clean where the quarterback can step up and go through this progressions. I thought that they did a good job. Again, the run blocking by the offensive line was effective.”
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108 comments Add your comment
Stevie B
October 25th, 2010
2:41 pm
First?
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
2:42 pm
Congratulations Stevie ! !
Joe Tess Fish House
October 25th, 2010
2:43 pm
DOL? How am I baiting them 2 call me a retard or a moran? I state my postion about what I fell is weakness in the Falcons. Insteed of N E 1 discussion that with me they call me names. Would you let your childrin call oter peeple names?
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
2:45 pm
SeenB4,
When were you in Omaha?
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
2:51 pm
(SeenB4 IS Joe Tess Fish House.)
Joe Tess Place is a (fish) restaurant in Omaha.
“Insane Seen” must have gotten the idea for this particular psychotic character from a visit to this restaurant.
Stevie B
October 25th, 2010
3:08 pm
It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
3:12 pm
Stevie,
“Wise-guy.”
Stevie B
October 25th, 2010
3:28 pm
Thanks Jim
Doug
October 25th, 2010
4:19 pm
It was a great win, but there is a glaring problem that has not been addressed : The Blindside. Sam Baker is going to get Ryan killed, if he doesn’t step up. He is not doing the job that needs to be done to protect Matt. If Ryan goes down, the season will probably be in the toilet as well.
tjhook
October 25th, 2010
4:39 pm
I want Blaylock and Baker traded. Overrated and underwhelming – I think they need to work under Harvey Dahl’s training regime.
GEAUX FALCONS! OUR TIME!! – where’s our volunteer flunky SEENB4?! I miss him!!
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
4:46 pm
tjhook,
He’s lurking around today. Sometimes as himself, even.
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
4:48 pm
When Blaylock was a rookie, everyone was really high on him. What happened? Is he a lost cause?
Steelers fan
October 25th, 2010
4:48 pm
I bet Smitty and the Falcons won’t say Hey Steelers bring it on. The Steelers will whip the Falcons good this time !!!!!!!!
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
4:50 pm
Steelers fan, so you’re saying the Falcons will be in the SB with the Steelers? Cool !
FrontRow
October 25th, 2010
4:50 pm
tjhook – you should apply for GM of the Falcons.
FrontRow
October 25th, 2010
4:52 pm
Steelers need to bring their “road refs”,
spectator
October 25th, 2010
5:01 pm
Not many comments about the D-Line…they played very well yesterday. Vance Walker was a “man” in the middle, pushing his blocker into the backfield. This is a case where a 7th rounder looks much better than a 1st rounder (Peria Jerry)and should be ahead of Jerry on the depth chart. Sidbury looks like a wasted draft pick.
Vegas oddsmaker
October 25th, 2010
5:26 pm
I am thrilled that Atlanta thinks they have the best team in the NFC. I think I’ll make them a 10 point favorite against the Bucs and take their money.
jerry
October 25th, 2010
5:27 pm
Smitty is not going to say “bring it on” to anybody. He has better sense.
Section 108
October 25th, 2010
5:42 pm
I agree with Doug – something has to happen about the Baker. Mattyice getting nailed late in the game is only a taste of what is to come unless they do something about it – soon. It is only because our QB had the heart to get up and get back in the game. Alot of QB’s would have called it a day.
Smitty and crew watches film 1000 times more than fans do, don’t they see it? Is there nobody better to put in?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 25th, 2010
5:56 pm
Smitty was asked about Raheem’s statement today. He didn’t take the bait. Smitty said, “My thoughts are solely on improving my football team.”
Noodle arm
October 25th, 2010
6:16 pm
Last week on this blog, I wrote that the Falcons’ offense, win or lose, was boring. I believe the coaches read my blog. I invented the Falcons’ new exciting offense.
SawThat1nce
October 25th, 2010
6:39 pm
I think that Coach Smith learned a lesson last year, when he let Meangelo reel him into to the sideline disruption, in the Redskins game.
realbirdofprey
October 25th, 2010
7:16 pm
SOMEBODY TELL STEVEN B WE WERE PLAYING CINCY
Sgt. Pepper
October 25th, 2010
7:59 pm
Who needs Batman and Robin ( To and 85) when we got Superman ( R. White)
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
8:09 pm
Noodle Obama Arm………………….the great narcissist.
Falcons 2010
October 25th, 2010
10:07 pm
“There wasn’t a concern because it’s something that has never happened to us in terms of our football team”
funny, if they lost he’d be singing a totally different tune about that
mv7southernbird
October 25th, 2010
11:03 pm
miks smith, wake up, you got you of &df playing ,but you got to get a real punt returner, weims is ok but slow, makes a good backup you need a bursed of speed to avg 40 yards per return or there about.
now mike jenkins what are you doing you are back to playing backup, man get your head out of the sky, you are still playing the same old way, click it man , become the dual threat the falcon need and deserve.
as for norwood he may one day become a threat if he can find a way to remain healthy, he’s a dudd now move on , you got a power back, a power,power back, where is your speed out of the backfield????
Turner is picking up better and better but I notice something different when snelling comes in, all i am saying is everybody watch oline blocking scheme, it stands out, just watch it for your self, its slight but its there according to who the running back is at the time
FALCON NEW THEME: ” IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, IT’S ALL ABOUT US(TEAM)
SAVE IT AND USE IT!!!!!!!
Falcon Jim
October 25th, 2010
11:20 pm
ShIfT kEy…………..
SeenThisB4
October 25th, 2010
11:57 pm
GEAUX SAINTS!!!
OUR TIME FOR A SUPERBOWL HANGOVER!!!
Falcon Jim
October 26th, 2010
12:29 am
Troll. The real Seen may be not feeling well, but he would do better than this, (I think………….)
DR. FALCON
October 26th, 2010
12:50 am
HEY, PHILLY FAN IN TEMECULA, CA. WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU NOW? TOUGH LOSS ON THE ROAD AT TENNESSEE! BEFORE YOU TALK SMACK ABOUT THE FALCONS, MAKE SURE YOU HANDLE YOUR OWN BUSINESS! YOUR TEAM WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! THE FALCONS ARE 5-2, SITTING ATOP THE NFC SOUTH. LEAVE FALCON JIM AND THE REST OF US FALCONS FANS ALONE! HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS! IT WONT GET ANY EASIER FOR THE EAGLES EITHER! YEAH, YOU BEAT US, BUT ITS FUNNY THAT AFTER YOUR EAGLES LOSE, YOU DISSAPEAR! JERK!!!
Falcon Jim
October 26th, 2010
1:08 am
Thanks Doc, but Philly Fan got driven off, I believe, by somebody?
big dawg
October 26th, 2010
3:09 am
Since the Falcons seem to be heading in the right direction, I am gonna focus my attention to the real stars of the show and that would be the ladies in the hot pink. They look good every week. Maybe the Falcons should get advice from them on how to look good every week then we wouldn’t have to worry about things like that freakish 3rd quarter. It almost reminded me of the Braves when Mark W. and John R. would close games. Congrats to the Falcons, continue to play hard and let me look at the cheerleaders from now on.
Eric C.
October 26th, 2010
6:14 am
The bucs typically play the Falcons tough in the dome, but the bucs will get smashed this time around
FalconUGAFan
October 26th, 2010
6:30 am
@Joe Tess Fish House – Joe my man, you are welcome here and your opinion is welcome here, but let me help you out a bit. Slow down a bit a and work on your spelling. People will respect your opinion if you try a little harder to present it well. Second vary your posts a bit. We got it that you want TO here and you don’t like Matt Ryan. Tell us something new.
SawThat1nce
October 26th, 2010
7:49 am
Joe Tess…………I vote that you go elsewhere.
SawThat1nce
October 26th, 2010
7:54 am
PHILLY FAN’s juggernaut baseball team ran out of gas in the WS, and his football team ran out of luck.
Now he is like all of those saints fan turds, MIA. Cowards all.
cejay
October 26th, 2010
8:16 am
second
GTIronman
October 26th, 2010
8:36 am
Last!!!! Yeah Baby!
Doug
October 26th, 2010
8:43 am
Okay on The Blindside – loved the movie and particularly loved Sandra Bullock in those tight, white pants. Back to the game: I can stay with Blaylock for the time being, but Baker is a liability that we can’t afford. He has to have help, but that means keeping a back on that side or moving a TE over there which takes a receiver out of the pattern. Either way we are short on targets for Matt, but that is better than having Matt in the hospital. I am amazed that he got back in the game after only one play on Sunday. I cannot imagine that Smitty and Thomas don’t see it. I just hope that Smitty will address it before something bad happens.
powderdawgindenver
October 26th, 2010
8:51 am
5-2 going into the bye week. No serious injuries, should be almost 100% healthy against the bucs. Opening up the offense more each week. Pass defense still scares me. OVERALL- solid B…we have a football team that is getting better each week and growing as a team. Solid coaching staff…… I was more impressed this week when we blew the lead and came back and built another 2 touchdown lead. Nov and Dec will be fun and exciting!! one more thing…GO DAWGS!!
ctfalconsfan
October 26th, 2010
9:09 am
A good team doesn’t have to go out and tell everybody how good they are instead they just need to go out and do their jobs well each week.
Also Coach Morris knows that the BUCS are playing well over their heads so he’s just trying to squeeze as much as he can out of this team so he can keep his job for 2011. I think once we beat them 42-10 they will probably fall into a sharp downward spiral and finish the season 6-10..
mo's gator s'wich ta geaux
October 26th, 2010
9:14 am
wher be seenthisb4? he me boyfreind.
ctfalconsfan
October 26th, 2010
9:15 am
During the bye week the Offense needs to study the PITT and PHilly games to see where the problems occurred and what we would do different now.
The Defense really only needs to watch the Philly game to see where/why they were out played and out coached.
We learn and make those ajustments from losing to these two good teams then playing weak teams like the BUCS (2X), PANTHERS (2X), Rams and Seahawks should be a piece of cake..
Joe Tess Fish House
October 26th, 2010
11:35 am
The punter Kanen needs 2 B repalced I look on NLF stats and he is neer the bottom of punting this is not good. How hard is it 2 kik the dern ball?
Jimmy Crack
October 26th, 2010
11:46 am
I agree JTFH, Koenen is not punting well this year, but he has a pretty good recent history so let’s give him a game or two. So far at least he hasn’t missed one yet. That would be embarrassing.
Why are they jumping on you Joe? Is it your speelling again, or is it that they just can’t handle your truth?
Falcons 4 Real
October 26th, 2010
12:01 pm
With “seenthis” not posting the average IQ for this blog has increased by 20 points.
DLed: enjoy the time off and keep up the good work.
Morris can do all the trash talking he wants, we’ll just keep proving ourselves on the playing field.
Rise up!
Falcons 4 Real
October 26th, 2010
12:07 pm
Joe I have to disagree a bit, Koenen’s hang time has been good and he’s been dynamite on kickoffs. Granted his punting has been better but I still consider him one of the league’s best.
Greg from Marietta
October 26th, 2010
1:17 pm
Who is that absolutely Stunning Cheerleader with the long blond main in the picture above? She is gorgeous!