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
Big A
December 29th, 2010
1:52 am
Did anyone look at replay of this snap, look at Ryan looking at the ball on the ground and jumping back like a scared little girl, he made NO attempt tp pick it up and had best chance to recover which is why center went up into backing off attacking Saints when he realized ball was going behind him, kinda like the first wave of an on sides kick that blocks so guys behind them pick up ball! This game was simple, take away the run game and let Ryan pass, almost all the receivers were in man coverage all night daring Ryan to throw it and left extra guy in box up front to block run game!
As for this is good for them to get it put the way, don’t think so! You just went up on a national stage at home where you are supposedly unbeatable and got thoroughly beat in EVERY category by the better team. It’s funny when RBs are trying not to fumble, or centers trying not to mess up snap, and QBs trying not to throw interceptions, the exact opposite seems to happen and all that confidence from season is suddenly gone! So after a game against worst team in NFL, and a week off, then the Saints will be back, EXCEPT THIS TIME THEY BRING IVORY AND A RUN GAME not yet seen by almost anyone except for 1st qtr of ravens game before ivory got hurt. Saints have 3 super RB’s with completely different running styles and this is the 3 headed monster the Saints are saving for playoffs! Any Falcon fan should be very worried cause aside from a gift wrapped pass to Chauncy, the offense only put up 7 on a drive that was 50% penalty yards! Also the first win in week 3 came off a missed glorified extra point that was so automatic, they tried it ON FIRST DOWN and missed by freak bad luck, not because of anything Falcons did! So Falcons should be glad they weren’t swept thanks to botched kick!
deandrums
December 29th, 2010
9:15 am
During the muffed snap Mc Clure got up to block and made no effort
in trying to jump on that fumble! Also Ryan made no attempt both just let Vilma get to it right away. Mc Clure had to know it did not get near the quterback and try to get it!
Video: Falcons center’s miserable shotgun snap – The Awesome IM Blog
December 29th, 2010
10:11 am
[...] later talked about it to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "The nose of the ball got caught on the turf. [...] I feel just awful about it. That [...]
kenny
December 29th, 2010
10:13 am
Stu.. u are absolutely right.. Ryan had the loose ball in his crosshairs and he fled the scene..The ball was rolling back to him and he backed away..That “cowardly” play says volumes about Mr. Ryan..Drew Brees would have been all over the muffed snap..No guts No glory..17-14..
loulo
December 29th, 2010
11:00 am
Turners not the burner any more, looks like a big guard trying to run the ball. Sad to see him trying to go wide, usually is just run out of bounds. Falcons badly need a fast shifty runner.
mars
December 29th, 2010
11:10 am
Vanilla play calling may be result in vanilla game planning. Play straight up ball to win, if you fall short, dust it off and start over. Come play-off time, open up the play book and destroy the competition. We nearly beat the Saints with a Pop Warner offense. If they make it back here, you can bet that we will through the playbook at the them. They’re toast.
True Falcon Fan
December 29th, 2010
12:13 pm
Folks the last time i looked we are in the playoffs! That being established and assuming we will earn a first round bye after this upcoming weeks game, we will send Carolina home with a 2-14 record. Folks mark your calendars come January 15th or 16th we will have the “EAGLETTS” #7 in the Dome then “HOPEFULLY” the following week 22nd or 23rd the SAINTS —– YES you got it right here!!!
GO FALCONS GO
Gregory
December 29th, 2010
12:17 pm
That was the best loss the Falcons could have obtain this year! They will rebound and learn from this game! Go Falcons.
Gregory
December 29th, 2010
12:18 pm
Enter your comments here
Kashi
December 29th, 2010
1:13 pm
In play off, Re-match of Flacons and Saints. Leave Mike Mularkey in ESPN zone. Matty Ryan can do better then this guy calling plays. Else Saints is going to make us pay and see ya in next year.
Randy
December 29th, 2010
2:45 pm
In some ways losing this game could be the best thing to happen to us. We needed to be slapped in the face. Now we’ll be mad going into the playoffs. Thanks Saints. Now come on back in a few weeks to get your just reward!!!!!!! *LOL*
GwinnettDad
December 29th, 2010
2:48 pm
Blogs need to have ignore facilities, so blogs like this one don’t become playgrounds for a-holes. This site already remembers me, so additional characteristics might be able to be stored in the future. I can block or ignore jerks on Facebook etc., maybe in the future I can do so here. I’d sure think it would enhance the experience for most that post here. In the meantime, Go Falcons!
True Falcon Fan
December 29th, 2010
3:44 pm
Gwinnettdad —- Facebook is for women & children — as for the rambling you are making no sense on your statement — wtf —- Go Falcons makes more sense
GwinnettDad
December 29th, 2010
4:04 pm
@True Falcon Fan – I’m embarrassed for the Falcons for you to post here. Besides, you just made my example for all to see. That’s what enhanced computer software can do, to ignore unpleasant people or posts. Of course, the columnists here have to put up with far worse. So easy to shoot off the mouth when hiding behind a false identity. Ho hum. Alright hot shot, go for it! Prove you can be both stercoraceous and coprophagous at the same time, and don’t deny being a closet omphalopsychite. No, go pop open a beer!
True Falcon Fan
December 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
Don’t drink beer or whiskey — like i said your mouthing makes NO sense as it relates to this blog! You are the one that came in with NO point. Aside from stating GO FALCONS of which does relate —- as for hiding behind false ID —- I am the “True Falcon Fan” !
Your curtian or blind is “Gwinnettdad” on this blog and you like to play on facebook with the children, so good for you! wft
GO FALCONS GO
Ceci
December 29th, 2010
5:05 pm
I baby sat Todd and his two brothers one summer. My ex-husband (husband at the time) signed Tony Gonzalez at Cal and coached him in basketball for 3 years. I was born in New Orleans and have been a Saints fan my whole life. I honestly thought that the Falcons would win because of Todd’s and Tony’s determination and character. I know that both of them played their hearts out. Don’t you think that Todd would want to beat the Saints? For all of you complainers, you don’t deserve to have Todd and Tony on your team. In New Orleans we never trash our players like that. We love our Saints whether they win or lose. Todd and Tony the Saints would love to have you!
fish2774
December 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Hey, it happens to the best of them.
Oldatl
December 29th, 2010
5:18 pm
The offense played too conservative. The playcalling was suspect from beginning to end. Even with the lead, the Falcons just couldn’t get anything going. The D played fairly well considering going against a high charge offense led by Brees. Todd, keep your head up, it takes more than one mistake to lose a game.
True Falcon Fan
December 29th, 2010
5:21 pm
Ms Ceci i for one would not want to see Todd or Tony out of a FALCONS uniform —- i appraciate your remarks —- i hope like hell that the Falcons & Saints have a re-match in the NFC championship game in 4 weeks in ATL —- Esspecially i want to see mv#7 and the Eaglettes first then the Saints
GO FALCONS GO
Ceci
December 29th, 2010
5:46 pm
It’s great to see some Falcon’s fans supporting their team! It’s great fans and players that can bring a community together! Enjoy Todd and Tony and I hope that they play again next year!
HATinGA
December 30th, 2010
6:29 am
I think the offence showed as little as they could, a vanilla game plan that looked to maybe playing the Saints in the playoffs. Hats off to the Saints for stopping it, I beleive the playoff game plan will be alot more aggressive!!!
FHZ
December 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
O-Line: Falcons will replace nearly everyone on that O-Line in 2 seasons. Look at the recent draft picks…
Defense: I think that Champ Bailey would be interested in signing with The Falcons, and there are some CBs and DEs available in the draft. I saw Falcons Defensive Coordinator, BVG point to the brain to SS William Moore after the last Saints TD. They are young back there and are about to be younger. A Champ signing (even with a 1st round CB rookie coming in) would give them a pure cover man, and not just a zone CB for a couple of seasons. This secondary is opportunistic on tipped INTS, but they don’t step in front of passes underneath (except Tampa Bucs).
Play-calling: Falcons “closed-up shop” early (in a big game).. They seemed to hope to sit on the lead that DE Davis gave them.. Saints just doubled WR Roddy White and TE Gonzalez.. Falcons don’t seem to trust Jenkins or Douglass.. If they don’t see many passes, they won’t be ready! Jenkins burns teams with the slants… They throw the ball too deep for Douglass.. Ryan over-tosses it in the zone. It’s only going to be more difficult to run, and they’ve lost the enthusiasm of The Georgia Dome home crowd for The Playoff games (if they defeat Carolina).
FHZ
December 30th, 2010
1:10 pm
@HATinGA
If the Falcons staff sacrificed that game to cover schemes for the playoffs, and another possible game against The Saints, they don’t deserve their jobs..
I doubt they would do such a thing.. They called “vanilla plays” seemed like an attempt to “steal the game” with little risk, and sit -on their lead that DE Davis gave them with the INT for a TD.
LegionOfDome
December 30th, 2010
2:36 pm
Not mad at Todd. Sometimes Peyton Manning throws an interception. Sometimes Kyle Brotzman misses a FG. Sometimes Drew Breesus thinks he’s Favre and throws some sort of ill advised pitch to no one in particular. Sometimes Mike Turner Fumbles a ball… We had plenty of chances to win that game
SB44Champs
December 30th, 2010
3:11 pm
“Got to love Saints “fans” coming on Atlanta forums and talking trash. They’re as excited as their players who were stomping on the Falcons’ logos and taking pictures at midfield after the game. For the mighty “defending Super Bowl champs,” you’d think a wild-card berth and no home playoff games wouldn’t be a big deal.”
How does it feel Falcaints fans??? It seems that while you flooded Saints blogs and forums in September and Roddy White decided he needed to run his mouth for a week before the game, you cannot reap what you have sowed. Yes we are the WORLD CHAMPIONS, something birdy fans have never, and will likely never know. What that experience has taught us is that the first objective is to make it to the playoffs, the next is to beat the opposition each subsequent week. What Monday night provided us is the opportunity to make our turf….Thanks for that!
Bull Dogs and My Life :D : Video: Falcons center’s miserable shotgun snap
January 3rd, 2011
6:19 pm
[...] later talked about it to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "The nose of the ball got caught on the turf. [...] I feel just awful about it. That [...]