Todd McClure feels awful about botched snap
Time runs out for Atlanta Falcons tight end Justin Peelle (left) and center Todd McClure (right) as they fall 17-14 to the Saints at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 27, 2010. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons center Todd McClure had a shotgun snap skid back to Matt Ryan.
Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma pounced on the ball at the 34-yard line. The Saints converted the turnover into a touchdown.
“The nose of the ball got caught on the turf,” McClure told the AJC’s Steve Hummer. “I feel just awful about it. That has never happened to me before and of all the games for it to happen. …I put the team in a terrible position. I just felt awful. A terrible feeling.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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126 comments Add your comment
GNMFalconFan
December 28th, 2010
12:23 pm
Excellent comments here particularly from “older” Falcon fans who have been embarrassed by similar losses in the past, Cowboys in 1980 being the most difficult to swallow from my point of view. Don’t ever bring up the grits blitz again!!! I shiver with shame every time I think about those days. The Falcons have handed the momentum to the ‘aints once again failing to perform in prime-time (no Deon reference intended) when it matters most. ATL will never get rid of the “loserville” moniker until we can win something more than a division title. Yes I know… the Falcons went to the Superbowl once before, but only because the Vikings belly-flopped and handed it to us that year. And I don’t have enough space here to discuss the Braves, but could we PLEASE get rid of the Florida State chant? During last night’s game, the defense showed that they can take it to the next level! Now it’s the offense’s turn. Fortunately, we are in an excellent position to do just that. Here’s hoping our coaching staff has the capability to put together a new, more creative game plan to become less predictable. We have the players. The fans are turned on. The time is right. Let’s do this thing and make ATL more than just a second rate city for pro sports. After all… if the ‘aints did it… anyone can!!! Go Falcons!!!!
ALame
December 28th, 2010
12:29 pm
Reid Adair – seems like they don’t have their own blogs back in NO
Mac
December 28th, 2010
12:33 pm
Observations from the easy chair:
Why did J.Abraham NOT lateral the intercepted pass to Beerman..Who had a wide open field?
WHAT is a double interference call?
The Falcons still have to BEAT the Panthers..No gimmies in the NFL!
Why did the Falcons abandon the PASS?? N/O proved they could not defend it..all they could do was interfear!
Our COACHING staff can not match up withe the better clubs!
Why are our Player-Coaches spending more time in the media than the PLAYBOOK?
When will management deal with R.White’s MOUTH?
WHEN will M.Ryan give way to C.Redman when it’s evident he is having a “stinky” game?
hjones
December 28th, 2010
12:35 pm
COACHING FAILURE!
WE HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER TEAM WITH A COACH CALLING HIGH SCHOOL TYPE PLAY SEQUENCES! THE COACHING STAFF REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE WHAT THE COACHES OF THE OTHER TEAMS ALREADY KNOW.
Our defense played at a level that would let Atlanta beat any team in the NFL. Our offense was defeated before the initial kickoff. New Orleans knew exactly the offensive approach that our offense would take. New Orleans knew we would stick to the offensive approach at all costs no matter how many times if would fail. New Orleans knew our offensive strategy better than our own coaches. Our basic offensive strategy was to win the game based on the running of Michael Turner. He is one man. Stop him with this offensive strategy in place and you stop the Falcons.
Our offense played with one arm tied behind it back because of the predictable play call of Mike Malarkey. Two catches for Tony Gonzalez and three catches for Roddy White says it all. I am wondering if Dan Henning is secretly calling the plays from Miami. I remember when he coached the Falcons; he did not coach to win. In 2004, Carolina Panther fans created a petition for the firing of Dan Henning. The petition said Henning has showed that he does not play to win. Winning requires scoring points. I think Malarkey wants to win but his play calling does not support this objective. Malarkey calls plays in the the same manner as Dan Henning.
DO YOU READERS THINK WE CAN WIN A SINGLE PLAYOFF GAME IF WE OPERATE OUR OUR OFFENSE THIS WAY WITH NEW ORLEANS AGAIN OR PHILADELPHIA?
I have said this MANY times in posts during the year. Our play calling is too predictable!!! It is obvious that NEW ORLEANS knew our usual sequence of how Mike Malarkey calls the plays. We were beaten before the initial kick-off.
There are too many Turner runs on first and second down when he has 0, -1, -2, -3, ,,,, -5 yards to put the team in a no-win situation. Then Matt Ryan is under pressure to make a first on third down.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU READERS SEEN THIS HAPPEN THIS YEAR?
IAfter the Jenkins interference in the end zone, our objective should have been to score points NOT to prove that Turner can run the ball into the end zone. A play action pass would have been a great first down play call. We didn’t learn on the first attempt, so let’s run Turner again. We beat ourselves.
After the Abraham interception, there are no excuses for not scoring points. This type of scoring urgency has been the norm all year. We are playing the big boys now, not the losers of the NFL.
If Mike Smith continues to let Malarkey call plays like he does, then Mike Smith is part of the problem too.
Falco
December 28th, 2010
12:48 pm
DO YOU READERS THINK WE CAN WIN A SINGLE PLAYOFF GAME IF WE OPERATE OUR OUR OFFENSE THIS WAY WITH NEW ORLEANS AGAIN OR PHILADELPHIA? – hjones
No sir. I don’t think so. They looked horrible last night….and will again.
Ivan
December 28th, 2010
1:11 pm
Wow. What’s in the water in Atlanta?
The Falcons lost by 3 in a good Defensive matchup.
Against the Super Bowl champs.
That didn’t cost them anything.
And its like you’re all on suicide watch now.
Lifer Falcons Fan
December 28th, 2010
1:31 pm
This just in….Road Dog is an absolute moron. Falcons will bounce back, clobber the Panthers, and do well in the playoffs. All you fair weather fans can read the return policy at Wal Mart or Target and see about taking those jersies back.
Matt
December 28th, 2010
1:36 pm
I can not believe some people coming on here and slamming this intakes thatbwere made. It did seem that the defense was ready to play and the offense was uncertain. The Falcons have given us something to be proud of. All of you that are jumping on McClure’s back need to get off. We will see the Aints again!
Falcons Chic
December 28th, 2010
1:37 pm
Todd — channel what you feel into the playoff games. (BTW, it’s the hair, big guy.)
4709
December 28th, 2010
1:40 pm
The Falcons had won 8 in a row. The chances of them winning 13 in a row was not very likely. I am glad we got our loss out of the way this week. I also would not want to beat the Saints then loose to the Panthers. I would hate to be going into the play off’s on a loss. This coming weekends win over Carolina will propell us into the play off’s on a win and the home field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl.
JeromeMJ
December 28th, 2010
1:50 pm
It is true that the coaching staff is not a good game time group. Either the defence is playing the ‘prvent us from winning’ defence or the offense is playing Big 10 college running game. For better or for worse this is the NFL in 2010 and you must pass and score points to win. Running is not going to get it. Especially when you have a great passer at QB like Ryan.
This may have been good to wake up the Falcons to the reality that they have to want it more then the other team. Talk is cheap you must execute.
Eric C.
December 28th, 2010
1:57 pm
This loss was like shock treament for the Falcons and probably came at just the right time…look for a much more determined offense against the Panthers and the playoffs
Big Dude
December 28th, 2010
2:01 pm
Keith, Ivan and some others need to grow up… If you can’t, take the nipple off your bottles and cry in your milk. No character what so ever!
Big Dude
December 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
hjones, how much money did you lose? $$$$
Kyle
December 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
Last night confirmed one and done for sure and really shouldn’t be there in the first place when you look at how some of the games were won. We were not ahead of San Francisco until winning in the end and they’ve only won five games. More luck than skill to say the least this year.
mark
December 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
whodat44 i got just two words for you. Sometime the best team don’t win and even though you are a aints fans i’m sure if you watch the game you know that’s what happen. We love our Falcons even when they lose. Oh yeal the two words, F#CK YOU !!!!
Robert
December 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
The Saints whipped some bird ass last night. It was a great game,somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. We gonna come do it again soon ..
Painkillers
December 28th, 2010
3:00 pm
Stendek (aka NO fan), STFU
t_marcopolo
December 28th, 2010
3:05 pm
Todd, your victory over the Saints in New Orleans was because of a missed FG in OT! The Falcons won – the Saints were not beat, but GAVE THAT GAME AWAY! Last nights game was supposed to be an offensive spectacular, but BOTH DEFENSES TOOK CENTRAL STAGE! The other KEY as mentioned by several others was GAME PLANNING and ADJUSTMENTS! Last night, the Saints staff out coached the Falcons staff.
kgb
December 28th, 2010
3:08 pm
I believe the plan all along was to stay very conservative on offense. The assumption being that if we could beat the Saints with that then we would be in excellent shape should we meet again in the playoffs, being able to open up the offense and really bringing the offensive pressure. I think the Saints planned for just this game plan knowing the Falcons would be conservative on offense thus stuffing our running game. The defense was let lose to give the offense a chance to win the game with this conservative offensive game-plan and almost worked.
The Saints only hope was to lay everything out on the table as they have to win two games to have any chance for the division. They brought it all and still barely won. Atl was not in that dire predicament and could play more conservatively. I seriously doubt we will see our offense tonight in the playoffs.
Just looking at the big picture.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & TIred
December 28th, 2010
3:13 pm
I totally agree with all of the fans who are blasting Mularkey. The offensive play calling was pathetic. Since we have to deal with him for the remainder of this year, hopefully some team will come get him as their head coach and remove him from the Falcons’ organization.
There were absolutely no offensive adjustments made in the second half of the game.
True Falcon
December 28th, 2010
3:21 pm
To have a botched snap is not so bad but to see Matt Ryan staring at the ball while it rolled on the turf was sickening. He made no effort to fall on the ball.
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:27 pm
Drew Brees did his best Brett Farve *on field* imitation last night and made the fumbled snap a wash.
Where is Mularkey’s apology for running up the middle 2 times in a row on 1st and 2nd and goal @ the 1? Turner’s for just letting go of the ball? Weems for his awful punt *not* catching abilities?
The OC needs to evolve this offense and add some plays to move the ball.
Wonders if Weems, Douglas, or anyone else can run a screen or reverse….
St. Holly Grove
December 28th, 2010
3:32 pm
As a die hard Saints fan living in Atlanta, I gotta say “Who Dat”!
Great defensive game on both teams, falcons have been playing great and we’ve been good (but still doing better than any other superbowl team following the championship). We both needed this game, Falcons for the respect and Saints to lock the playoff….glad we got the win!
What I’m a little surprised about is the recent turn the talk between the two teams and fans have turned. I’m only 37, but have participated in Saints/Falcons games in both cities most of my life and never saw things get so ugly….esecially the low blows by Rocddy Wrong. Yes, the team did a lot for our city, but it was NOT the citizens of N.O. constantly bringing up Katrina, it was the media. I’ve been in Atlanta for 10 years, when it flooded earlier this year and less then a hundred homes flooded…the media made it 24/7 news and the local news LOVES to stay on 24/7 when it rains…now imagine the whole city underwater and how long you would have to hear about it. Also, how much more you would appreciate your team when they step up to the plate and help out more than expected!??!! Let’s get back to the good old days where the dirty birds share their wings at the Ga. dome and we share our gumbo at the Superdome…regardless of who’s on top! Geaux Saints!!!!
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
Sidenote…
I was there too but it isnt 1980, Leeman Bennet is not the HC, we are not “turning the corner” nor is the team owned by nitwits.
Just like with a lot of teams, there is a history of failure, but now is an obvious rising tide.
If our 3rd year QB stays healthy and progressing, he will outshine his competition for years to come.
To all the Aints fans…(injury aside) how much do you think 11th year QB has remaining in that surgically repaired arm? Youve won a SB, didnt get better during the offseason, and are showing the decline. Your defensive stars have grey hair as does the o-line. Across the division all three other teams are younger and getting better. (Carolina has the first pick and will have a new QB in 2011) I’m pretty sure you will see exactly what I mean next Sunday when Tampa comes by to see you.
The Aints window is closing…and fast. The Falcons window has been forced open a year early and with proper GM work, looks good for several years to come.
TG#88 give us another year!
Paul
December 28th, 2010
3:41 pm
I’ve also been in Atlanta for over 10 years and also a die hard saints fan. What I find funny is other than the handful of true, real, die hard falcon fans….I’ve never thought this city appreciated their football and basketball teams unless they are winning. PLEASE stop the whole “we support our team win or lose”…so NOT true. I’ve gone to falcon games where there was more black in gold than red…and this was in losing seasons! I’ve got pics of falcon fans sleep in the stands! I do know some really good, old school atlanta fans, but they are so far and in between. In most cities you see the team logo on cars, business windows, eveywhere…in Atlanta you rarely see a falcon decal on a car (but you definitely will see a Braves/Thrashers/UGA/Tech). So to all the real falcon fans….good game, see you soon! To the fairweather band waggon jumpers…keep talking about things you know nothing about and go check out our championship ring!
True Falcon Fan
December 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
The Falcons lost to a better Saints team last night “PERIOD”!
Could the OC called better plays on the one yardline “YES” — The botched snap “could it have been provented from happening “MAYBE” — Did we collect two critical turnovers on them “YES” and only produce points (7) on one of the two “YES” — The Saints produced (10) points on the two turnovers by the Falcons. There ya go we lose by 3 points!
I was very impressed with the defensive play — to me the defensive performance last night was the “BEST” performance this whole season. If this defensive unit now,,,,is an indication of how they will & should perform in the next three weeks up to for the divisional playoff game then folks we are in the playoffs for 5 more weeks!
Panthers NEXT
GO FALCONS GO
Paul
December 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
I see why Ueeediot is an IDIOT! Teams rebuild and restructure….remember your team just recently got back to back winning seasons. Falcon fans claim to fame over Saints fans used to be “we got to a superbowl.” Hey fake falcon fan…..”we WON the superbowl and are Champions”. You’re on the short list of teams that never won!
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
Yep, the Aints won the SB. Yes, they did. Last year.
Notice a trend of past tense here?
You will soon because your observation that teams rebuild and restructure is correct. Your oblivious to the fact that your team has crested the hill and is on the way down. Your window is closing…and this year. Of course, we here in Atlanta would be very happy to see you keep those long timers around.
Drew Brees is quite easily the best QB the Aints have ever had. Enjoy it for the short time remaining.
Mountain Man
December 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
Saints fans, It’s one game out of 16. And it not like this was some kind of beatdown. We lost by three points to the the better team – ON THIS NIGHT.
We’ll see you again real soon.
Steve C
December 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
LOTS of football to be played, everyone.
cpuman
December 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
Huge Saints fan and I agree the trash talking is old and a bit juvenile. Our rivalry with the Falcons is a great and storied one ( All of thos big ben wins you had against us back in the day..ugh) like our game earlier in the year I think costly mistakes cost us both a game. Personally I hope we meet again in the playoofs because the intensity of the game was incredible and it showed both teams are a force to respected. If the football gods give us the number one seed I invite all of you to come to a crawfish boil at my place.
Falcon James
December 28th, 2010
4:47 pm
Although the botched snap hurt, the falcon can pin this loss soley on ryan weak arm as well as the transparency of the play calling. it look like to me that dan henning himself was calling the play. First Down….Run; Second Down…Run; Third Down…..short pass underneith; Forth Down….Punt. This happen the whole game. Kudos to the saint defence for dominating the falcon offence. Even though it aint hard to dominate when you know the play. it a shame that the falcon could get nothing done on offence. Ryan let our defence out to dry. Thanks ryan.
boiler up
December 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
Go Falcons!! It was good to lose this game. We now know what adjustments we need in order to win in the playoffs to get to the Super Bowl!! Our offense will improve from these mistakes. We definitley need to air it out more down field especialy when they contained the run like they did last night. We have too much talent and heart to roll over.. Our city should be proud and not disappointed in a young talented team such as what we have. Roll this one off and get focused for Caroling and bringing back the NFC South title and a down the road re-match with New Orleans…
sknfan
December 28th, 2010
4:53 pm
Was @ game last night (season tix holder) sAints fans acted horribly…spitting, throwing trash. Totally classless group of people. One would think they have one multiple super bowls…..get over yourselves….you are HARDLY a dynasty.
Tommy
December 28th, 2010
4:56 pm
“Why didn’t McClure recover it?” “Why didn’t Ryan jump on it?” “Why didn’t Abraham lateral to Biermann?”
Have any of you idiots ever PLAYED football??? You don’t stand flatfooted thinking ‘I better make sure the snap is perfect before I move. . . ‘ you anticipate. Ryan starts his drop as soon as he says hike. . every QB from high school up does it. McClure is moving into his blocking assignment as soon as he moves his arm. So in other words, Ryan and McClure are moving away from the ball while Vilma, blitzing on the play, is heading right for it. Defenses recover fumbled snaps about 80% of the time.
And if Abraham had lateraled, Biermann had botched it and the Saints got it back, all of you would be going crazy saying Abraham should have just hit the ground.
We stole the game from the Aints in New Orleans in September, and last night they stole one back. People, calm down and learn the game before criticizing those who make seven figures playing it.
Kurt
December 28th, 2010
4:58 pm
Folks, we played our worst game of the season last night and only lost by 3 points. And remember, the Aint’s NEEDED to win last night. They had to win. They were in a ‘have to win’ situation and had to be recipients of 2 gifts before they could win. I swear I can’t help but think that our Falcons just weren’t that into it last night. They’re in the playoffs, they’ll take care of the kitty cats this Sunday (and i’ll be there!!) and we’ll take our first round bye and get ready for war. All is not lost people. Hopefully we see these Aint’s again and i guarantee you the results will be much, much different. Go Falcons!!!!
tt33
December 28th, 2010
5:16 pm
If the Aints come back in the playoffs I bet they won’t have all their fans with them; the government won’t be able to buy playoff tickets for them and the dome will be full of Falcons fans. Surely we don’t want to go back down to the CESSPOOL of the South – Screw Orleans, I mean New Orleans. So take care of business against the Panthers!! “Screw Dat”.
Falcon Fanatic
December 28th, 2010
5:26 pm
The NFC will have to come through Atlanta after this Sunday. Who could have asked for anything more when the season started. This has been a dream season so far, and we are just getting started. Last nights game meant nothing for Atlanta. Aints will get beat down next time they come here!
SeenThisB4
December 28th, 2010
5:26 pm
I wonder if McClure and Turner felt as bad as Hartley felt in the first game.
Roddy White: Karma!
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
GregKennesaw
December 28th, 2010
5:37 pm
why all the gloom and doom? we lost by 3, beat them by 3 first game. we’re 12-3, gonna be NFC champs, first round bye, home field all the way. two pretty evenly matched teams. that will probably play again in a few weeks. the game between the two teams is always good.
GregKennesaw
December 28th, 2010
5:39 pm
should have said NFC south champs
Memphis Mike
December 28th, 2010
5:57 pm
Football is cyclical, right? And didn’t these same Saints just lose one prior? Funny how those memories fade in one week, huh? These Saints fans wouldn’t be crowing if they didn’t think they accomplished something significant last night. The breaks are the breaks, but ending the #1 seed in the NFC is significant. I’d much rather have the Falcons path to the Super Bowl than the Saints.
Peter Scott
December 28th, 2010
6:29 pm
Enter your comments here – where were our screens, halfback passes, and misdirection running on offense. Why did our backs appear to slow running the ball?
Chillin on Paradise Island
December 28th, 2010
6:35 pm
Its all good Todd. Just dont do it in the playoffs!
GO FALCONS!
doneboy
December 28th, 2010
7:52 pm
Someone PLEASE give John Gruden a job so won’t have to listen to him on TV.
Regina
December 28th, 2010
11:09 pm
The biggest lost of the game was the Michael Turner fumble. The McClure snap mishaps only gave NO 3 points. The Turner fumble would have won the game for the birds.
Calm Down
December 29th, 2010
12:10 am
Some Falcons fans and ALL Saints fans just don’t get what happened last night!!! The answer: NOTHING!!!
The real season doesn’t start until the regular season ends! These guys are professionals and know this.It all about getting inot post season play, which… the Falcons already had.
A week from now when the Falcons are at home on their BYE and the Saints are having to play on the road, this game will have been forgotten. If this were a playoff game where it’s “won or done” and BOTH teams had something on the line, I think it would have been a different game all together.
CALM DOWN people, the real season starts in a couple weeks.
Thomas
December 29th, 2010
12:43 am
Todd get over the bad snap, it is better to lose now than when we see them again in three weeks. We were bound to lose a game so lets write it off to that which is inevitable.
chickenman
December 29th, 2010
12:56 am
all is forgiven. Go falcons go!