Falcons looking for December to remember
Falcons coach Mike Smith is likely saving his "December to remember" speech for Sunday. (Curtis Compton/ Ccompton@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH – After most of the NFL games last week, the coaches gave their teams a little calendar reminder.
On the “Inside the NFL” show on Showtime with my guys James Brown and Cris Collingsworth, most of the coaches pointed out that December had arrived. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, after a big comeback win over Jacksonville, was bending over exalting his squad to pick it up in December.
Falcons coach Mike Smith hasn’t delivered his December speech. I think he’s saving it for Sunday around 4:10 p.m.
“December is when the playoff picture becomes a little bit clearer,” Smith said. “It’s really what you do in December that makes a difference. Like, I’ve said many times, the difference between Team 1 and Team 32 is just a couple of inches when you really start to analyze it. Now, the guys that are going to get an opportunity to play on are going to put themselves in the race. That’s why I think the coaches and the players understand the importance . . .of the games in December.”
The Falcons (9-2) are hoping to have a December to remember, starting with their NFC South showdown with Tampa Bay (7-4) at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
“This is kind of where you make your hay,” center Todd McClure said. “This is kind of where it’s decided if you’re going to keep playing after December or if you’re going to be going home.”
Center Todd McClure, who's in his 12th NFL season, will make is 140th consecutive start on Sunday. (Curtis Compton/CCompton@ajc.com)
The Falcons have been pointing toward December for awhile.
“One thing that we’ve talked about is that we wanted to play well enough in the beginning of the season to be relevant in December,” McClure said. “Now, we are at that point. Now, we just want to keep playing like we’ve been playing.”
McClure and right guard Harvey Dahl will go up against Tampa Bay rookie defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft. He’s been coming on strong lately.
“I think he’s going to be a great player for a long time in this league,” McClure said “He’s got some nice moves. He plays really hard. That whole defense just plays with a lot of energy. It’s going to really be hard for us, going down there to their place. It’s something that I think we’re ready for.”
The Bucs have a major issue at safety. Rookie Corey Grimm suffered an ankle injury last week and is out for the season. His replacement, Sabby Piscetilli played so poorly in relief that he was released. It looks like special-teamer Corey Lynch will start in
Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had two sacks last week against Baltimore. (Associated Press)
Grimm’s spot.
“I think they’ll have a game plan to protect whomever they have back there,” McClure said. “This will be, I’m pretty sure, the first start for whoever it is. They’ll have something ready for us. They’ll be pretty jacked up. I read a quote from Ronde (Barber) saying that they’ll be at their best. We wouldn’t expect anything less. A game this important, they’ll be at their best and we’ll be at our best also.”
The Falcons needed a goal-line stand with 2:44 left to pull out the 27-21 victory on Nov. 7 against Tampa Bay. But if Dunta Robinson doesn’t slip and give up a 58-yard touchdown play to Tampa Bay wide receiver Michael Williams and if the coverage team didn’t allow an 89-yard kickoff return, the Falcons would have routed the Bucs.
The Bucs are saying they lost by a yard.
“You can always say ‘if ‘ and ‘but,’ ” McClure said. “There have been games this year were we could have said the same thing. Football is a game of inches.”
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92 comments Add your comment
DrJ
December 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
Gartrell is warming his cleats up, and Dunta has his extra long ones ready to go!
bfred
December 3rd, 2010
5:16 pm
Falcons are better on both sides of the ball. If special teams can hold serve then we should win this one by a comfortable margin.
JJ
December 3rd, 2010
5:52 pm
Falcons roll: 31-17
It’s our yr!!!
Greg Mendel
December 3rd, 2010
6:01 pm
The Falcons will beat the Bucs. They may not lose another regular season game. As I’ve said, I’m no football expert. I just watch the games, and it seems to me the Falcons have figured *themselves* out. They seem to have learned how to compensate for their weaknesses and maximize their strengths — particularly the latter. They now know how to win games, not just play well.
Green Bay is a damn good football team, and the Falcons stopped the run, ran all over them, stayed in the game despite major self-inflicted mistakes, and beat them. In its own way, the Rams game was similar.
If they lose another regular season game, it will be because of injuries or uncharacteristic turnovers. Nobody, including the Saints, better relax against the Falcons. And that goes for the Eagles. Confidence beats arrogance every time. There’s raptors and there’s poultry.
Reality Check
December 3rd, 2010
7:15 pm
Falcons better not take the Tampa and the 2 games with Carolina for granted, because with the Giants, Eagles, Packers, Bears all in 12-4 striking range, if they slip up a couple of games and finish 11-5 and the Saints take the division, they may pull a 2007 Patriots and miss the playoffs.
Reality Check
December 3rd, 2010
7:19 pm
Eagles rank 3rd rushing & 6th passing in the entire NFL – that’s freakish scary!
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December 3rd, 2010
7:34 pm
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aloewishus
December 3rd, 2010
8:02 pm
the Birds have proven themselves to be every bit as talented as any other team that finds themselves in this position- while it may not be the conventional missionary position- it still smacks of an inherent ability to transcend the constraints of the conventional hirsute ” traditional” approach and lends itself to applicable standards that apply only to adherents of the current “fad”- therefore- I strongly believe that if they conduct themselves accordingly- they will be victorious despite themselves.
Pete
December 3rd, 2010
8:18 pm
In years past…………pre TD, Smitty, & Ryan, the Falcons would ALWAYS find ways to lose important games. ALWAYS.
It was in their DNA.
The times, they are a changin’.
No more.
This franchise has not only turned the corner…………………they have found Main St.
And they like it just fine.
Falcons 24
Bucs 17
Rodney Dangerfield
December 4th, 2010
12:59 am
So let me get this straight, the Falcons lead the NFC with a 9-2 record, yet their game this Sunday will only be aired in the South and Minnesota, yet the 6-5 Colts vs 3-8 Cowboys will be the featured Fox game in Prime Time.
Now, the Eagles are all OVER Prime Time.
No respect I tell ya.
Samuel
December 4th, 2010
6:29 am
Let’s make the Bucs earn every point, Last game our defensive mistakes kept them in the game. In this game execution is key. The Falcons have to wear that defense out, hence Turner, Turner and more Turner. Let’s hope Jason Snelling can play so he can spell Turner, if not next man up. Gaetrell!
Paddy
December 4th, 2010
8:29 am
Really….it is a blog. Nobody cares about spelling. Get over yourself.
alanfalcon
December 4th, 2010
9:32 am
Your time has come, the real season starts Sunday at 4:15 pm so keep on rolling and show the NFL what you are really about.
GO FALCONS AND GO SOUTHERN RUSH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
edhaire
December 4th, 2010
9:34 am
We need to get Roddy the ball quickly in this game. We also need to harry Douglas more involved, I think we will see the type game we played against Baltimore. Snelling is doubtful and Turner will get alot of work but I think we see alot of the no huddle. We need to run there defense in the ground with the no huddle. GO BIRDS!!
kaminari
December 4th, 2010
9:43 am
I predict a rout. Falcons 41, Tampa Bay 17.
edhaire
December 4th, 2010
9:49 am
kaminari, I like your thinking!!
falconfan4ever
December 4th, 2010
10:03 am
I would love to see a beat down. I don’t think it would come to that. I predicting a knock-out and drag-out game with the DIRTY BIRDS on top. GO DIRTY BIRDS SHOW THEM WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF!!!!!
Chop Buster
December 4th, 2010
10:39 am
We almost shut them out…if it weren’t for a few missed plays by Dunta and STs. This IS December and time to take it to the next level in all phases: O, D & ST. Let’s go to Tampa and shut them down in their house. We got Spoon back and he should be able to get after Freeman–just make sure we cover Winslow as well. Let’s get this three game road winning streak going back to the dome. Finally PROTECT THE BALL!!! Go Falcons!!!
Reality Check
December 4th, 2010
10:54 am
I sure hope an injury to Turner or Roddy doesn’t ruin the whole season.
Just saying.
Reality Check
December 4th, 2010
10:56 am
@kaminari
The Falcons were a 4 and 1 from losing in the dome the first time they met, so I don’t see how a blowout will happen on the road. Matt struggles on the road.
Just saying.
The Dogkiller Returns
December 4th, 2010
11:29 am
I’m not as concerned about this game as playing outside in Seattle.
Birds 42
Sucs 14
Reality Check
December 4th, 2010
11:32 am
It’s no fun being a virgin, but trolling on a football blog helps me sleep at night.
Just saying.
Gilbert Grape
December 4th, 2010
11:52 am
You Fowlclown fans are goobers. Prepare to get bounced in the first round of the Playoffs. Even if you get a home game against a NFC West team. Atlanta won’t win a Superbowl in my lifetime and I’m only 23. Goobers…hee…hee…hee.
Reality Check
December 4th, 2010
12:08 pm
You’re stupid.
Brian Hunt
December 4th, 2010
12:15 pm
Falcons blow out the Yucs.
Gilbert Grape
December 4th, 2010
12:27 pm
I heard Matt Ryan was gay.
Falkin Phraud
December 4th, 2010
1:20 pm
Homer/Pimps get a few facts through yer pointy heads: Most of the country cares nothing about the Falcons. Zero. This why most of the country will get Dal-IND as the Fox game of the week on Sunday.
Next. This team is a mirage and will be one & done in the playoffs. This franchise has not and will never “win” anything of note Division titles are what teams brag about when they’ve never won a Super bowl.
Falcon57
December 4th, 2010
1:43 pm
@ Doesn’t matter, That would be “seed”, not “seat”. Just thought you might like to know.
Reality Check
December 4th, 2010
2:52 pm
So Matt has a career losing record on the road, with 3 straight road games starting with Tampa, with just 5 games remaining, not counting the home game vs the “healthy” Saints. The playoffs is no lock, so another winning season but no playoff wins would be a failure in New England, Pittsburg or Baltimore.
Just saying.
Ueeediot
December 4th, 2010
2:56 pm
DOL…are you serious in your collumn:
“The Falcons needed a goal-line stand with 2:44 left to pull out the 27-21 victory on Nov. 7 against Tampa Bay.”
So exactly how beaten are the Falcons if they dont make that stop and the game is 28 -27 with 2:44 and 2 TOs?
Im tired of hearing how the bucs almost beat us and they were only one yard short. Hardly. We beat them twice that day. Once in the first half and then again in the 2nd.
How about if we say “The Falcons stopped the Bucs on 4th and short late in the game to preserve a 6 point lead”
Reality Check
December 4th, 2010
2:57 pm
So I have a small pecker, and trolling the Falcons fans is little consolation. Don’t worry, fellas, I’ll be nowhere to be found once the Falcons win out. I’m just here to kill some time during my lifetime of virginity.
Just saying.
Ueeediot
December 4th, 2010
3:00 pm
Reality Check….
The playoffs actually are very close to being a lock.
With 5 games remaining the Falcons are a 99% chance of making the playoffs.
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NFL/NFC/South/Falcons.html
Are you serious that you dont think they will at least beat the Panthers twice and either the Bucs or Hawks game? 3-2 is 100% in the playoffs while 4-1 or 5-0 seal up the #1 seed.
Keep drinking that haterade.
freemansFAN5
December 4th, 2010
5:10 pm
FALCONS FANS ITS TIME BABY! ITS IN TAMPA! ITS A RAY JAY BABY! FREE,MIKE WILLIAMS,BLOUNT,K2,BENN,REAL MCCOY,TALIB,BARBER SHOP,RUUUUUUUUUUD,DAT BOI WATSON FROM F-STATE,JONES,LEE,LARSEN,FAINE,RAH RAH,MR.OLSEN, YOUR IN OUR HOME …IN OUR CITY ITS THROWBACK TIME! WERE REPRESENTING COACH MCKAY YEAH THATS RIGHT AND YOUR VICE PRESIDENT MR.MCKAY OUR OLD G.M WILL BE ON OUR FIELD ACCEPTING THE HONOR ..WELCOME BACK RICH WE KNOW WHEN YOU STEP ON OUR FIELD WE WIN …THATS RIGHT ITS ON YOUR TEAM IS CUPCAKES …FREEMAN UNDEFEATED ON THROWBACK GAMES LETS DO THIS
Once "Recent" Reader
December 4th, 2010
9:46 pm
Head-Mo-Fo. .. .was reading a John Clayton article on some games this weekend. It seems some of the key players from Tampa’s Special Teams Fest in the first Falcon game have been hurt and one was cut. He also mentioned the Falcs Special Teams have been much improved (were they revamped?) since that game. So hopefully everything else plays out similar to the last game . .. . .except that our “improved Special Teams” keeps it up!!
Loserville USA
December 4th, 2010
11:21 pm
I’m now worried. The field in Tampa got absolutely chewed to bits during the UConn-South Florida game tonight. Not good.
Tom1
December 5th, 2010
8:32 am
We’ll be fine. But whatever happens, no more “prevent defense” three man rush defense at critical downs. Please just rip that out of your play book.
Ted M
December 5th, 2010
11:35 am
Win today and we really only have 1 game left. The Saints on Dec. 27th.
stendek
December 5th, 2010
5:56 pm
Matt Ryan had a terrible first half. Absolutely awful. His interception put Bucs in position to tie score at end of half. Falcon defense has not been in zone today. Entire squad seems to be out of sync. Falcons will be fortunate to leave Florida with victory. Saints on heels. Bucs within striking distance. No time to choke. Hope Ryan snaps out of funk. Or…
STENDEK
JoeBrave
December 5th, 2010
6:43 pm
Man these guys are simply beating the hell outta each other, Tampa punks, and thugs holding all game , and cut blocking bu!!sh!t!
Cmon Falcons lets GOOOOOOOOOO!
stendek
December 5th, 2010
8:00 pm
Lots of scenarios entered my mind when Falcons fell behind by 10 points in fourth quarter. NONE OF THEM WERE GOOD. Matt Ryan was way off in first half. Two interceptions were frustrating because receivers were open. I felt it would take a sports miracle to rally. That miracle was a 100 plus yard kickoff return. At that point I KNEW Falcons would prevail. Did not know how. Just knew they would. Hated injury to Tony Gonzalez. Loved timely receptions. Especially one by Roddy White on third and forever. Brett Grimes came through with clinching interception. Another pickoff was overturned. Have never doubted his heart just his height. Lot of Buc holding calls either missed or ignored by officials. Falcons still won. Measure of championship outfits. Ten wins? And counting? Who would have thunk it?
STENDEK
stendek
December 5th, 2010
8:08 pm
Question. Had final Falcon interception been overturned would possession return to Bucs at original yard mark with personal foul penalty or without one since personal foul occurred after a reversed play?
Glad it was not reversed. Bucs held every damn play. One blatant hold out in open for world to see. No flag. 
Tsk tsk. STENDEK
Road Dog
December 5th, 2010
9:55 pm
I agree with STENDECK. This was the worst “officiated” game I have seen in fifty some odd years of watching football. It was almost looking like the game was “rigged” like wrestling. Keep it close. Let all the fans keep coming to all the games. Count your money. Both players, owners, and yes, “officials”. The Bucs’ blatant holds, cut blocks, and non-stop personal fouls could be seen by a ten year old. But not by the “officials”? Hmmm. Case in point. Roddy White gets shoved almost to the ground long after the whistle. No call. A bit later, White jaws a bit after a play, with no contact whatsoever, and a 15 yard penalty flag is thrown. Falcons did a good job of not getting completely frustrated and still winning the ball game!