GAME STORY: Steelers 34, Falcons 16
The view from the pressbox at Heinz Field. (By D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)
PITTSBURGH — Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards had a quiet debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 34-16 defeat Saturday night.
The Steelers improved to 2-1 and the Falcons dropped to 0-3 during the exhibition season.
Edwards, the team’s prized free-agent signee, did not play in the first two exhibition games because he was recovering from offseason knee surgery.
Edwards, who played well into the third quarter, did not record a sack or a tackle, but his presence may have led to sacks by defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Vance Walker.
“I don’t know if they were too happy with my performance today, but I’m going back to the drawing board to see what I can do,” Edwards said.
After Edwards signed with the Falcons on July 29, Falcons coach Mike Smith noted that his presence would help the entire defensive line and not just right defensive end John Abraham, who finished with 13 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries last season.
“We did get some pressure on the quarterback early there in the first half,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We got him on the ground. We had him running a little bit. . . I have to watch the tape, but I felt him out there. I certainly did.”
With Edwards in the lineup against the Steelers, Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was like a kid with a new toy.
“We got some good pressure, but there are some other things we need to work on,” Edwards said. “We have to get more pressure, get more sacks and get more quarterbacks down.”
Edwards played some left end, but frequently switched sides with Abraham. He also dropped into coverage three times while playing on the left side in the first half.
On his second drop into pass coverage, Edwards picked up Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall out of the backfield.
The Steelers seem to pay Edwards a great deal of respect early. On their first two plays, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rolled out to his left, away from Edwards, before he connected with tight end David Johnson for gains of 17 yards on each play.
On the Steelers’ second possession, the Falcons came up with a sack when they forced Pittsburgh into an obvious passing situation. On a third-and-17, Edwards had a strong rush from left end and appeared to be held by Pittsburgh right tackle Willie Colon.
Edwards flushed Roethlisberger to his left, where he was sacked by Babineaux. If Roethlisberger had scooted away from Babineaux, Abraham was waiting for him.
After a Falcons’ turnover and a hustle play by Harry Douglas to stop Lawrence Timmons from scoring on an interception return, Edwards didn’t take the field with the short-yardage defense. Playing without Edwards, the Falcons held the Steelers out of the end zone and forced them to kick a field goal.
Pittsburgh, on the strength off two long touchdown passes, held a 24-16 lead at halftime.
Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown connected on touchdown passes of 77 and 44 yards. The Falcons’ defense was playing with defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee) and starting right cornerback Dunta Robinson (hamstring).
“I’m concerned when you give up big plays,” Smith said. “You can’t give up explosive plays. We talk about it all the time.”
The Falcons’ offense moved the ball, but had to settled for three Matt Bryant field goals in the first half.
“Obviously we caught the ball well,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “I felt good about what we did. But when we get down there in the red zone, we have to score touchdowns. Especially against teams that have really good defenses down there. When you get down there, you have to score touchdowns. We just have to do a better job of that.”
After a scoreless third quarter, the Falcons were driving early in the fourth quarter, but backup quarterback Chris Redman’s pass intended for Kerry Meier was intercepted by Pittsburgh’s Crezdon Butler, who returned it 95 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-16.
Pittsburgh’s Swayze Waters added a 27-yard for the final margin.
Despite the margin of victory, the Falcon had their moments.
Rookie wide Receiver Julio Jones flashed his speed and got behind Pittsburgh’s star safety Troy Polamalu, but dropped the deep ball in the end zone. Jones caught five passes for 59 yards.
“Matt threw a great ball to me,” Jones said. “I’ve just got to make that play.”
White, who entered the game with just one catch during the exhibition season, had eight catches for 101 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass.
The Falcons wanted to unleash their running attack against the Steelers, but running back Michael Turner was held to 19 yards on seven carries (2.7 per carry). The Steelers led the league last season in run defense, yielding just 62.8 yards per game.
With the running game shut down, quarterback Matt Ryan threw 42 passes. He completed 22 for 220 yards, a touchdown, an interception and finished with a passer rating of 65.6.
The Falcons roster currently stands at 85. They must reduce their roster to 80 players by Tuesday as part of the NFL’s mandatory roster cut down. The Falcons must trim down to 53 players by September 3 and may establish an eight-player practice squad on September 5.
The Falcons host the Baltimore Ravens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Georgia Dome in their exhibition-season finale.
They open the regular-season on the road against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 11.
“We still have work to do,” Ryan said. “We still have some improving to do. We still have time to do it. We have these two weeks. We need to take full advantage of these two weeks so that when the regular season does roll around, when we go to Chicago, we are at our very best.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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262 comments Add your comment
Runner-
August 27th, 2011
10:46 pm
Weak
Runner-
August 27th, 2011
10:50 pm
What the heck was up with Turner today? And Matty Ice made some bad throws to wide open recievers. Our O-line was playing bad though, seems like Matt was pressured for most of the night. Much to improve before the preseason.
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
10:54 pm
2nd……………………………………
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
10:55 pm
0-3,0-4,0-5,0-6……Here comes the excuses! What you got D3? Yawn….
John
August 27th, 2011
10:56 pm
The Falcons are a wild-card team, and a first round loser again. That secondary is weak, until Matty Ice can show me he can throw a 20 yard pass with some mustard on it, I will continue to believe that arm is subpar…Good news, Matty Ice will get you to a playoff, but ATL fans will have to be satified with mediocracy..that’s the sad truth.
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
10:57 pm
IceMelt for Cutler!
gman
August 27th, 2011
10:59 pm
P.U.
FalconFan
August 27th, 2011
10:59 pm
John, did you not see him zing a long, deep pass to Julio Jones? Jones didn’t catch it but on that play Matt Ryan showed his arm strength. He has above average arm strength. He can sling it. Better than you I bet.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
Some of you need to be riding the short bus. Seriously?
The Good
Matt Ryan had a solid game against the best defense in the league bar none. If his receivers didn’t let him down his numbers would have been even better. The Int was on a tipped pass I think, so that was not his fault. Jones should have had that TD catch as that was a beautiful pass. Weems dropped two key passes on the sidelines. So, really Ryan’s numbers should be a lot better. Not saying he was perfect, but he was better than you trolls are making out.
Other than the one catch in the end zone, Jones continues to impress. What impresses me most is watching him block on run plays.
We had 5 WR with over 10 ypc.
We had 13 players catch a pass
Quizz averaged over 5 yards per carry.
We were only sacked once by one of the best pass rushes in the league.
realist
August 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
Falcons have not looked good at all this preseason
Will have to work to make the playoffs.
dawggirl
August 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
And Bradley wonders why no one is buzzing about this team? They did not look good.
gman
August 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
Wild card? Playoffs? NO way, not playing like this. 8-8 at best. Matt needs to be ready when the game starts, not warming up in the 2nd quarter. Mularkey better NOT call the same play scheme as last year. BVG needs to stop with the zone. IT”S NOT WORKING.
I predict, if we do not get to the NFC championship game ( and we certainly won’t) Coordinator and position coaches will get replaced.
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
whats up with these fake comments? matty ice can throw a ball more than 20 yards, he did it in this game he almost hit julio in the endzone on a 40+ yrd pass. antonio brown is like the pitt version of djax so ur not gonna stop him but other than that the 1st team D did pretty good too.
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:04 pm
Sorry, But the falcons and Matt Ryan are degressing ! It doesn’t look good at all ! That’s what the Falcons brass get for gambling on players that are not going to get better ! Peria Jerry, Really ?! Chris Owens, Really ?! Dominic Franks, Really ?! Mark Redman, Really ?!
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:05 pm
Kroy Beirman, Really ?!
Obvious
August 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
Matt Ryan not the problem.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
The Bad
Turner was a non factor, but not many running backs are against the Steelers. Still… he didn’t do anything at all.
I did not hear Edwards name called once
Ryan missed a sure TD when he over threw HD in the endzone when no one was within 5 yards of him. He also floated a couple passes that should have been completions.
Our D played well, and then they would get gouged for big plays. I REALLY don’t see what the coaching staff sees in Owens or Franks.
Grimes was trying to do too much and the safeties were never where they needed to be.
TG pushed off a little bit and costs us another score. He had the inside easy without pushing off.
woodie
August 27th, 2011
11:07 pm
Our secondary is very weak. When are we going to get some ballers ???
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:07 pm
dawggirl
August 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
And Bradley wonders why no one is buzzing about this team? They did not look good.
So true !!
Back 2 Reality
August 27th, 2011
11:08 pm
Hey bgfalcon@11:03 pm, ALMOST DOESN”T COUNT!!!!
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
THE BAD? 0-6 after 9-18-11 Sunday night against the Eagles………
John = CLOWN
August 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
Wow, John, your comment is just complete nonsense. Falcons DBs had a bad half, but the Offense looked good. We were beating ourselves by dropping passes in the endzone, having another TD called back on a penalty, and having a slight miscue that would have been another TD. That’s what the Preseason is for, to work on those things. Matt Ryan looked good against one of the very toughest Defenses in the NFL. We went in to the 2nd half down 8, we go score and its a 1 point game. Even though this was a “dress rehearsal”, it’s still the Preseason. So bagging on Matt Ryan and saying that the falcons are doomed to mediocrity, or “mediocracy” for that matter, because of a half of Preseason football, shows that your opinion clearly is not valid. So shove it. Go Falcons!
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
Obvious
August 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
Matt Ryan not the problem.
I just wish he will get the deer in the headlight look off of his face !
Jean Shonay
August 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
I miss you Michael!!!
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
ikno i was just stating a point saying matty ice can throw a deep ball. ryan probably didn’t want to get another pass tipped at the line so maybe thats why he kept throwing so high.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:12 pm
Oh, another bad point
Bosher is going to cost us games. 35 yard average. Really? And can he NOT kick it out of the endzone even with the kickoff being practically in it? I didn’t like our special teams at all.
That being said, if you are on here acting like we got embarrassed in this game then you clearly don’t know anything about football.
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:13 pm
Greenbay spread out the Steelers in the SB and made plays. Falcons tried to do the same early in the game…..first 5 plays or so were all pass plays from a spread formation. Problem is Matty Ice is no Aaron Rodgers….the inaccurate passing, inability to pass while on the move and inability to make the defense pay by throwing the ball down the field…means that this offense will be dink n dunk…run the ball….and very methodical. Great formula for regular season success…..no explosiveness = 1st round playoff loss.Greenbay spread out the Steelers in the SB and made plays. Falcons tried to do the same early in the game…..first 5 plays or so were all pass plays from a spread formation. Problem is Matty Ice is no Aaron Rodgers….the inaccurate passing, inability to pass while on the move and inability to make the defense pay by throwing the ball down the field…means that this offense will be dink n dunk…run the ball….and very methodical. Great formula for regular season success…..no explosiveness = 1st round playoff loss.
MORONS
August 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
THIS WAS 1 HALF A PRESEASON GAME
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
ooops….pasted it twice…sorry.
J.J.M.
August 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
edwards got put on his ass on that one TD throw
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
our QB is mediocre but people keep comparing his stats to don shula, and peyton manning… i’m guessing they’re pretty mediocre too huh? smh.. this guy is your FRANCHISE QB. get used to it folks! he will be around for ten more years! who cares if you think he can’t throw more than 20 yards? the guy wins, and thats all u shuld be focussed on.
Um...
August 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
M&M- Who is Mark Redman? You freakin schmuck
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:17 pm
John = CLOWN
So, you don’t think that was a bad game ?! You my friend is the one who is delusional.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:18 pm
Are you blind stepchild? 220 yards, 1 TD with another TD dropped and another TD called back by the slightest push off is a very good performance against the Steelers. We had great success when we went 4 wide and empty back field. Some of you actually seem to want to hate on the team so much you watch a different game in your head than what is actually on the field
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:18 pm
Um…
August 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
M&M- Who is Mark Redman? You freakin schmuck
Don’t get mad at me because the falcons are bad ! I had nothing to do with it !
WTF!
August 27th, 2011
11:19 pm
Matt Ryan 22 – 42 220 yards, 1td and 1int. Really? 42 passes and only throwing for 220 yards? He’d have to throw 84 passes just to get 400 yards. Matt Ryan’s arm is a joke. Explosive offense my behind. Keep on buying those wolf tickets that the Falcons are selling.
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:20 pm
EXCUSES, BLAH,BLAH,BLAH………
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:21 pm
don’t feed-you and i seem to be the only true falcons fans who actually watched this game. the others seem like fake fans who either don’t know a thing about football or really didn’t watch the game
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:21 pm
Storm coverage: We’ve seen this before IceMelt….
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
Don’t feed Aints trolls (It isn’t 2009 anymore)
Why is this not embarrasing ?!
Clueless
August 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
5 things we learned from this game. 1) Turner is slow and has no moves. 2) The Quizz kid can play and is one tough little runner. 3) Ryan still can miss a wide open receiver in the endzone. The pass to Harry D. was just plain pathetic. 4) Our secondary is still pretty weak. 5) If Grimes was just 3 inches taller he would have made 2 spectacular plays. Well he isn’t and that cost us 2 touchdowns.
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
Don’t feed – Yes the stats are very nice…..but ….they didn’t add up to a lot of points. Who cares about yards that don’t equate to points?? You trade field goals when other teams are scoring TD’s and you my friend will be a losing team. No reason not to score TD’s…they had 2nd string cornerbacks in the game. So maybe YOU were watching a different game in YOUR head!!! Not a big play to speak of. Nice underneath passes though….ok? Happy now?
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:23 pm
my problem with this offense is the running game. turner looks just absolutely slow. it’s getting to a poimt where turner might be a liability to our offense.
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
Don’t Feed – What did you think of Ray Edwards???? I didn’t find him to be as disruptive as I wanted him to be. I’m just glad that Julio is clearly a player….otherwise our offseason would be too disappointing. Still have cornerback problems…..Defense still needs to be addressed. Can you honestly say that we made the moves to be a better team than last year? We are treading water….going nowhere fast.
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:26 pm
Where’s the BUZZ?
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:26 pm
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:21 pm
don’t feed-you and i seem to be the only true falcons fans who actually watched this game. the others seem like fake fans who either don’t know a thing about football or really didn’t watch the game
We are just fustrated because the falcon’s brass could have done more this year to get this team in the superbowl, and they sat and did nothing ! And it’s showing it’s ugly head !
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:27 pm
First 6 games could go 2-4….
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:27 pm
The point is Stepchild, you can’t put the fact we had to kick field goals instead of TDs on the QB. He threw 2 perfectly good TD passes. 1 was dropped. 1 the TE pushed off when he clearly didn’t need to because he had the inside track which is where Ryan threw the ball. I agree we can’t make those kinds of mistakes and hope to win the division again, but you were putting the blame on the wrong person
sas
August 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
bgfalcon = bulgaria????
come down guys, it’s still PRESEASON…
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
DLed, is Smith on the “Hot Seat” with another playoff loss?
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:31 pm
did more like what? maybe they could have moved up 21 spots to draft a freak at WR, or maybe they could get the best DE available at so litttle a price that if he turns out to be a bust he would not hurt the cap that much. maybe they could have keep 2 of the best o lineman on their team so they could protect the iceman, no sir it seems like the falcons brass did the very best they could.
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:32 pm
bg=initials
Dirty Bird Nation
August 27th, 2011
11:33 pm
This TEAM(Falcons) as constructed, will never beat the top tier teams in the NFL. DB’s are too small. QB especially back-ups are a JOKE. One is an Insurance Salesman and the other can’t QB a middle school. Pray Matt doesn’t get hurt! The Offense Co-ordinator should have been fired after the first round lost to Green Bay and ow the Falcons offense looked in that game. FIRE MM!
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:34 pm
lol at the very worst the falcons will find themselves 3-3 (barring injury of course)
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:34 pm
I agree that Edwards didn’t impress but it was his first game in months so I will wait to make a judgment on him. I would pay TD a dollar a day for the rest of my life if he would go out and get another veteran corner back. I do not like Owens or Franks and I think when they play it makes Grimes play bad because he has to watch the whole field instead of just his zone.
I hate Bosher. 35 yards average is going to kill us. He also is not very good at kicking off. It was his shoddy kick that got our entire team off balance.
I did like our RUN D though. We held a very good running team to 15 yards in the first half. We also had 5 tackles for loss.
Dirty Bird Nation
August 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
“How”
Tasha
August 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
All I could do was SMH! I couldnt believe they lost like that. Its going to be a jacked up season for the Falcons, pissed me off!
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
Don’t Feed – Matt Ryan threw 42 passes in a half of football….1 INT & 1 TD. I think if he throws 42 passes and completes only half of them I have to blame him. I stand by my comment that he did not throw accurately, didn’t throw well when on the move(rolling out) and failed to throw/complete passes down the field 20+ yards. We just don’t have those “splash” plays that change games. That’s what the Steelers had…”splash” plays…..2 Big pass plays…Interception returns…etc. We had none to speak of. Splash plays = explosiveness. without them we will be grinding for wins every week!!!
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:37 pm
Mr Blank, Hope you have an exit plan?
The Grinch
August 27th, 2011
11:37 pm
We’ve still got some issues but I like a good bit of what I saw. Julio’s gonna make a big difference especially as he progresses. That’ll help Turner, but unfortunately Turner looks like he needs it. He’s clearly lost some burst and speed. Thankfully we have capable backups at that position. Franks looks like he’ll be a good punt returner, but I really wish we’d have picked up a veteran nickle back. All in all I still feel we’re gonna have a pretty good season against a tough schedule. I’m just glad nobody got hurt; that was the main victory tonight.
Falcon James
August 27th, 2011
11:37 pm
Falcon Fan need to wake up and smell the chicken and greens in the kitchen. Then while you make you plate, you get to miss the falcon defence getting beat deep on EVERY SINGLE DEEP PASS. Did you hear me falcon fan?? Our defence look good up front, but every pass deep was caught. What is we doing? The steeler backed off on the wooopen they dished us. If this is any indication of the what the regular season going to look like, I think I may be a saint fan!! No lie,
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:38 pm
you people need to open your eyes! its preseason! MR threw 42 passes in a half! cmon now. that means he was suppported by absolutely no running game. and the great vince lombardi once said “you cannot win if you cannot run” or something like that
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:39 pm
Ben could have put up 50 on these real Dirty Birds….
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:40 pm
The point is even with a lot of misfires (blown coverage on a shoddy kickoff giving them a short field, 2 perfectly good touch down throws not resulting in points, etc.) we were down by 8 at the half against the AFC champions. It is not the end of the world.
Whoever asked if Smith will be on the hot seat needs to be on some kind of meds.
Shorty
August 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
Who cares…………….its the stinkin preseason??
M&M
August 27th, 2011
11:42 pm
If the falcons are so good, why is every football analysis across the country are picking the saint over the falcons ?! They must see something !
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:43 pm
falcon james if you are gonna hop off and join another team then you are welcome to, but you were never a true falcon fan to begin with then. we weren’t getting beat on every single pass play, we got beat on 2 if i can recall, both to an insanely fast receiver that just barely missed being int’s by grimes. with someone that fast you gotta just live with it because you can’t beat that.
bgfalcon
August 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
these people are crazy. i thought ray got some good pressure of the edge. he made ben go to his left alot, and on that one play where ray got pancaked i thought he slipped but i might have to see the play again.
Loyal Falcon
August 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
Boy! Some of you people are a bunch of Tards! Sure I’d like to win every game, but the fact is this was a preseason game. The preseason is used to fine tune things before the start of the regular season. I thought the first team offense looked good. I really liked the way we responded once the score was 10-0 to make it 10-10. That showed me we are making progress. Matt looked good and the first team defense was good with getting pressure on Ben. Once Corey and Dunta gets back I think we’ll be ok. Also, this was Ray’s first real action in awhile. He’ll be fine once he gets his footing.
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
with someone that fast you gotta just live with it because you can’t beat that.
Really BG??? I’d rather we get someone back there that can cover his @ss!!!!
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
Whats crazy is the Falcons have never won a SB? The streak will continue…….Easy prediction…
Loyal Falcon
August 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
You can really tell the fair weather fans on this blog. We lose PRESEASON games and they all panic. Do you all know how many teams win all of their preseaon game and then tank in the regular season and vice versa. Come on Man!
Professor Dan
August 27th, 2011
11:50 pm
Matt is the QB for next 10 years, get used to it. Really can’t drill the ball, can he? Most D2 QBs rack up 300 per game with these receivers. Not bashing him, nor team (nice goal line stand), but have to agree with those who say this is an 9-10 win, one and done playoffs, team.
Falcon James
August 27th, 2011
11:50 pm
Falcon, you need to hear me. Turn this train wreck around or else you be hearing from my other ego, Saint James!!!!
Falcon James
August 27th, 2011
11:51 pm
And he aint as easy on you as I is. He tell it like it is.
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
In the words of a famous former NBA baller: It’s just practice man, Just practice? practice? practice?
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
Stepchild, you also have to factor in the dropped passes, penalties, and the lack of a run game. Also, I think the Steelers explosive plays had much more to do with our secondary than their offence. They don’t blow coverages. Almost no one has explosive plays against them. They only gave up 14 points per game last year. Our first team did better than almost any team did against them last year… the problem is we gave up too many big plays on defense.
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:52 pm
Loyal….I don’t care that we lost the PRESEASON game. It’s not about the final score. It’s about competing from snap to snap. Evaluating players…and how the unit is playing. I don’t like what I’ve seen of Matt Ryan’s development. I want him to be elite….but my eyes tell me that he is not. He is a regular season star at this point. I want post season success!! He’s got to develop more to the point that he can carry the team in Big games and in big moments.
Chandler going Deep..
August 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
1st 6 games: 2-4? Just practice man? practice?
Jim
August 27th, 2011
11:54 pm
Let Ryan loose to call own plays. Get rid of both coordinators.
Stepchild
August 27th, 2011
11:57 pm
BG….they gave up 30 points in the Superbowl.
The Steelers defense put them in position to score tonight….So did their special teams. It wasn’t totally on the Falcons defense.
The first 10 points the Falcons D was working on a short field. The special teams gives up a big return…and then the Offense turns the ball over with an interception.
We are not executing at a high level.
BooBoo
August 27th, 2011
11:58 pm
People, this was the first preseason game the Falcons did any game planning for. By week 9, after they have really got the game plan thing down, they can start to win and end up having a respectable 4-12 season.
NoleRick
August 28th, 2011
12:03 am
So when the Falcons beat Chicago the first week, will the sky still be falling?
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
12:04 am
Dimitroff…brought us Julio this offseason. Do we have anything else to show for this offseason? Ray Edwards….the jury is still out on him….so what other improvements do we really have????? Oh…Snelling is back.
Are we that pathetic as a fan base that we except this as buzzworthy!!??!! Nope, i guess we aren’t…..because tickets are still available!!
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 28th, 2011
12:09 am
Tickets were still available the year they went to the Super Bowl… that only says that Atlanta has never been a football town… ever… and never will. If you can’t get behind a team that has had 3 winning seasons back to back, went to the playoffs 2 out of 3 years and had the best record in the NFC last year then you don’t need a team in that town.
doggoneit
August 28th, 2011
12:09 am
I bet the steelers are number one in big plays in the nfl just like they were last year. and Matty Ice throws more down and out passes than any quarterback in the league Predictable!
Loyal Falcon
August 28th, 2011
12:10 am
Stepchild…holla at me once the season is over. So we lost the 3 preseason games. It’s not as though we got blown out or anything.You all are killing me. We haven’t played one regular season game yet and some of you have already wrote this team off. wow! Every team had trouble running the ball against this team last year. The guys were just in the superbowl. Our starters played well against theirs. On another note: Quizz looked good running the ball.
go pack go
August 28th, 2011
12:18 am
Packers are gonna beat down the sorry falcons again and repeat as super bowl champs!!! Aaron Rodgers for mvp!
htwo0rider
August 28th, 2011
12:19 am
On paper, the off season moves look good, ie a big play reciever, and pass rusher. So far however, the birds look just like last year. I know the preseason is meaningless, but typically, most teams use the 3rd game as a tune up for the regular season. uh oh.
John
August 28th, 2011
12:29 am
42 passes, only 220 yards…that’s a lot of check-down routes. The secret is out on Matty Ice, the top tier defensive coordinators know, it will take most of you homer fans 10 years to find out.
Loyal Falcon
August 28th, 2011
12:34 am
Exactly! a tune up. They know what corrections they need to make. However i do believe if mularkey doesn’t utilize this teams talents he could be out after this year
WHO DAT BLACK
August 28th, 2011
12:52 am
Well, at least Matt Bryant is on my fantasy team. This will be special season.
ACE
August 28th, 2011
1:00 am
The Redskins under Steve Spurrier as coach went 4-0 in the preseason and then did not win a game all year I believe, this is practice folks, does not count!!
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:12 am
What the heck happen to my comment?
Turner The Burned Out
August 28th, 2011
1:12 am
NO ONE can run directly into 4 defenders one yard after he gets the ball BETTER than Turner. 25 runs of 2 yards and then he breaks a meaningless one late in the game to get his total up. Never have liked him. Need a speed back who can get outside.
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:17 am
ACE…..who do you think you are throwing facts around like that? dont you know youre not allowed to do that with these idiots? they are always right, because they like to judge on practice games! who do you think you are taking that away from them?
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:18 am
Jonesboro Slim,
Probably the same thing that just happened to mine.
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:20 am
Get off the fan wagon “Kool-Aid” drinkers
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:21 am
Oh I forgot “Talking Head” fans
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:25 am
04 patriots……1-3 preseason, including BLOW OUT losses to CINNCINATI and JACKSONVILLE. someone remind me how that season ended up for the Patriots please?
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:28 am
wasn’t that a Superbowl year for them?
tdawgg37
August 28th, 2011
1:30 am
Say what you want to, “this is just the preseason!” Preseason or not…our starters played most of the game and we still only put 16 points on the board! The real contenders are winning games. We look look average at best. Are we really Super bowl contenders? Preseason or regular season, you play with heart…you play to win. Do we really think anyone will lay down for us just because we won 13 games last year!? Get you crap together Falcons or it will be a long, long, long disappointin
g season!Q
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:31 am
Evidently, something I’m trying to post gets stopped. I will try to piece it together…
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:32 am
Observations:
The secondary is much worse without Dunta.
Special teams continues to be an area of concern. Especially kick-offs.
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:33 am
to be more precise SLIM, it was the year they WON the superbowl for the second consecutive season. and all that….after having an awful preseason. wonder if their fans were calling for bellichecks head. probably not
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:33 am
The defensive line looks pretty good.
Julio is the real deal.
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:33 am
The offensive line looks good too.
Matt Ryan can throw a very good deep ball. (See fingertip miss by the aforementioned real-deal Julio)
There is much work left to be done before the Falcons are ready for regular season.
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:35 am
and honestly, im not worried at all, nor could i care less if we lose thursday 45-0 to the ravens. it simply DOES NOT MATTER until 9/11. and again, yeah our starters played the first half but you know who else did? The STEELERS defense…..you know….the best D in the world? Yeah….excuse me for not crying for Matt Ryan and Coach Smiths heads just yet
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:37 am
S o m e t i m e s g o o d t e a m s m a k e g o o d p l a y s (see Brent Grimes getting beat in the endzone).
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:39 am
O t h e r _ t i m e s _ g o o d _ t e a m s _ d o n ‘ t _ m a k e _ g o o d _ p l a y s _ (see Big Ben missing a wide open Hines Ward).
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:39 am
Ohhh Yea
Thanx….you know most of people on the site are Middle School coach who don’t know jack…if you know what I mean…….it just preseason….Oyea nice DEEP throw to Julio
ATL Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:39 am
I had to add the spaces to get past the filter.
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:41 am
Thanx Ohhh
you know most of these people on this site are “Middle School Coaches” and you know what they know…….
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:46 am
lol. a whole lotta nothin.
tdawgg37
August 28th, 2011
1:46 am
Whatever Jonesboro…you sound like you are still in Middle School. We have one more preseason game to get ready for the real season. At this point we are not looking like contenders. Preseason does matter when you are evaluating what you have for the regular season. What we have put on the fiield thus far does not cut the mustard! What do you know pal?
tdawgg37
August 28th, 2011
1:48 am
……and for the record…we will go 0-4 in the preseason since the starters will barely touch the field in the next game!
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:51 am
tdawgg
I see you don’t know what you’re talking about…yes “EVALUATING”….You starting grade school this year?….
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:51 am
doesnt matter. name me ONE team that got a a first round bye because they had a great pre season. i dare you. pre season is what it is. PRE SEASON. that means, for the uneducated, that this is BEFORE the season, meaning it does not matter a single bit whether you go 4-0 or 0-4, none of it matters because none of it carries over. you play your game, you watch the film. and you fix what needs fixing. THATS what pre season is for, NOT to go around evaluating teams during practice games. Unreal people
J.J.M.
August 28th, 2011
1:55 am
and how the hell does this team not know how to throw screens?
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
1:56 am
OhhhYeah
Again I thank you (smile)
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
1:56 am
JMM….i dont think Mularkey believes in them lol
Matty Too Nice
August 28th, 2011
1:59 am
Wow, u ppl sure take a whole lot of stock in preseason outcomes. Our starters played decent…not good but decent. The secondary still is a concern but i think it gets better as soon as we get Owens off the field..All u fair weather fans just like to hate and thats it, haters everywhere. We looked a hell of alot better than Eagles did against the Steelers and many ppl consider them the team to beat in the NFC. So everyone chill out stop nit picking and wait til some meaningful gms are played b4 you f’n jump ship. Mark my word…Julio Jones will be worth what we gave up! DirtyBirdZ for life!!
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
2:02 am
@Matty Too Nice
Nice Piece
Matty Too Nice
August 28th, 2011
2:06 am
oh , and tdawwg i guess by your theory that contenders win there preseason gms that Detroit must be a serious contender and New Englands gonna blow this year based on there PRE season gm (det34-ne10) ignorant stupid fans piss me off!!
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
2:10 am
@Matty Too Nice
LOLROB (rolling outta bed)
GAME STORY: Steelers 34, Falcons 16 | Atlanta Falcons « Feeds « Local News Feeds
August 28th, 2011
4:46 am
[...] read from original news source: GAME STORY: Steelers 34, Falcons 16 | Atlanta Falcons [...]
Ackshun
August 28th, 2011
4:58 am
We have a problem at kicker Matt Bosher hasn’t been able to get the ball any deeper than 5 yrds in the endzone and his kicks have a low trajectory which almost led to a touchdown on the opening drive last night. They probably should have offered Koenen a contract, he’s got a big leg. Either way they should consider hitting the waiver wire especially if Pittsburgh has to give up Waters (that guy was tremendous last night).
Tater Head
August 28th, 2011
5:31 am
It was 7-0 Steelers before I even opened my first beer. And Matty Overthrow was at it once again. He missed Harry and Gonzo on consecutive passes in the red zone.
Wish we had Matt Stafford.
richard stewart
August 28th, 2011
5:43 am
go birds
richard stewart
August 28th, 2011
5:52 am
if all db’s are going to cover jones the way gay did, 20 yards off the line the falcons are going to move the ball in big chunks. julio has to make that catch for a touchdown and i think he will. matty ice is going to throw for many yards this year, the d fence he will face this year will not be able to handle douglas,white, and jones there is to much talent between the three of them not to shine and shine bright. this team is going to be hard to beat. go falcons
Roddy W.
August 28th, 2011
6:02 am
Antonio Brown was a sixth round pick. Our guy was two 1’s. a 2, and a fourth rounder.
Goota make that deep ball catch Julio. Everyone can catch a screen.
Notso Fast
August 28th, 2011
6:07 am
The Falcons still can’t stop a good passing attack. That part of our game has not improved and I think we still need another player.
This is not the team I saw last year
August 28th, 2011
6:18 am
well maybe the team that got ripped in the playoffs—-so far the only explosion has been in their pants
GT97
August 28th, 2011
6:59 am
Remember the lions 4-0 preseason then 0-16 regular season. 49ers 4-0 last year; we know how that worked out. The Colts seem to go 0-4 every preseason since Peyton has been around. History shows that preseason is a joke. However, I would like a win myself. The Falcons are not better than the Steelers, but the reason for the other 2 losses is that Miami and Jax were playing a better caliber of player deep into those games.
HJones
August 28th, 2011
7:26 am
DLed, The Falcons don’t have a running attack to “unleash”. Something has to change with this pathetic running game. Move Turner to third team. All of the better teams know how to stop him, and we play more teams this year that will show up to win. The offense has no sense of urgency to score. The longer a drive takes; the more likely a mistake will be made.
Always Wrong Jones
August 28th, 2011
7:31 am
Orlando is as big a shill for the team as the TV announcers. Course, THEY are paid by the ‘Falcons TV Network’ whatever that is – probably to distance themselves from lawsuits. O’s paid by Cox. Perhaps the same thing.
Flashes of good play not enough. Play on both sides extremely spotty.
Only one good thing – Julio just may turn out to be worth a #1, but not for a team who needs DB, RB and DL help as much as the Falcons.
8-8.
But then, perhaps I really am always wrong.
Hope so. But doubt it.
William
August 28th, 2011
7:34 am
C’mon bird fans.. there’s no way that you’re going to beat Pittsburgh, whether they’re playing 1st, 2nd, third or 4th string. You can still have a good season , don’t hang yourselves….
R Brown
August 28th, 2011
7:41 am
8 and 8 looks about right.
Jim Mora Sr
August 28th, 2011
7:42 am
PLAYOFFS? What playoffs? This team looks like it is ready for the season to end!
Mikefalcon63
August 28th, 2011
8:02 am
Oh my… The sky is falling!!! Whatever shall the Falcons do to get this turned around? Edwards is a bust! Julio is a bust. Mike Smith should be fired. Michael Turner should go be a lumber jack somewhere.
Man, people… New England went 0-4 in the preseason during their super bowl run… It will be okay.
Buzz 2011
August 28th, 2011
8:06 am
Not Impressed.. Do the Falcons really have to play Green Bay? Oh my!!
R Brown
August 28th, 2011
8:11 am
Ryan does get squirrelly in the pocket. I don’t see him as a championship QB.Turner’s shot. I’ve never seen a 250lb RB stopped at the line or behind for no gain as much as he is. I thought the new RB J Rogers would help but he gets rocked on blitzes. Appears too small to pickup those blocks.Also, I’m sick of hearing how smart Ryan is for throwing the ball out of bounds.Ryan is not a rookie any more. Pretending to be Peyton Manning with all the arm waving and theatrics at the line of scrimmage only to drop a dink pass for 3 yards is getting old. Harry D. looks good.
kenny
August 28th, 2011
8:12 am
With this kicker(Bosher) 6 and 10…not even 8 and 8..Falks opponents will eat him alive…
Furman Bitcher
August 28th, 2011
8:13 am
First 2 home games, Philly and Green Bay. Ut oh. Go Braves.
Steelers fan
August 28th, 2011
8:32 am
The Falcons still cannot beat the Steelers. The Steelers won last year in the regular season and now in preseason. That is what happens when you play the elite teams.
Football Expert
August 28th, 2011
8:35 am
As long as Michael Turner thinks he can continue to run a sweep, the Falcons will lose. He has never gained more than a yard by bumping his run to the outside. He is football dumb.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
August 28th, 2011
8:39 am
At this point the Falcons are an unknown. I will speak with Julio’s Mom about that dropped pass and she will get that corrected today. Bless her heart she worked at KFC and Church’s FC for years in order for #11 to get to the league and no dropped passes will be allowed. If you didn’t see any any of the New England vs the Lions game then boy did you miss a azz whipping given by the Lions to the offensive line of the Pats. I haven’t see Brady hit this much since the Jets game last year and he had his so called 1st team trying to protect him. Detroit is going to hurt some folks this year and I don’t mean those folks in the streets either.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
8:41 am
Why are so many people comparing the Falcons potentially losing all of their preseason games to the Colts & Patriots????? We have Matt Ryan….Not Peyton or Brady!!! Once we have a QB of that quality, a QB that can win games on their arm alone….only then can we dismiss preseason totally! Matt is not the player that they are…SO…he needs help. Defensive help, Running back help, Offensive line help, Special Teams help, Coaching help! Let’s not compare us to teams that have won in the playoffs before going 0-4 in preseason!!! That’s a different animal boys!!
dcb
August 28th, 2011
9:01 am
Didn’t get to see the game. But I’m really tickled at all the arm-chair quarterback observations and predictions based on pre-season scrimmages. Talk to me after three or four regular season games people – when the real picture starts to evolve.
james
August 28th, 2011
9:03 am
The falcons have a good team. You guys are lucky you don’t have to play the steelers, patriots, and the colts every year like Joe Flacco and the Ravens. If you did you Matty Ice would be in big trouble. I’ve watched him against the steelers in last years opener and the first half last night and he doesn’t look no worse than Joe Flacco does. Although Julio jones didn’t help his cause last night I believe the falcons will win about 9-11 games.
AtlantaDude
August 28th, 2011
9:05 am
A big factor in the Falcons’ season will be how long it takes the coaches to give up on Turner. If they keep playing him, we will consistently be in 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. Jacquiz looks much more explosive. Just play him. Not sure why GMs haven’t learned that, aside from a few notable exceptions, a young unproven running back is typically better than a famous, veteran running back. Their legs last about 4 years and then they’re done.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:10 am
So Julio drops the deep ball from Matty…….do you think AJ Green would make that catch???
rward
August 28th, 2011
9:10 am
We are in trouble. Another season of small DBs out of position, Ryan doesn’t look sharp, no running game, bad punts, awful special teams, first rounder Jerry and Weatherspoon again didn’t show anything, etc. It looks like we have not improved since the Green Bay game. Last year we were among the best, this year looks like we are among the worst. I don’t want to hear that this was just a preseason game. We game planned for this game. Pittsburgh made our starters look like a practice squad. Smith better kick some ass………..
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:12 am
Why won’t my posts display?????
nhe
August 28th, 2011
9:12 am
@AtlantaDude……..you’re 100% right. I think phasing out Turner is the key to the season. “Explosive Offense” and “Michael Turner” just can’t be used in the same sentence. Again, I think the Falcons know this……….lets just hope it doesn’t take opening 0-3 to realize we need to make the change.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:14 am
Mike Smith’s pre-game motivational speech:
Keep in mind guys its the preseason. So the games don’t count for anything if you lose them.
Drowning Dog
August 28th, 2011
9:19 am
Sure wish Michael was back so he could hold my head under water coz I been bad. At least I can watch his star fade this year since mentally he’s a midget.
ijonathan
August 28th, 2011
9:27 am
For those who care about such things, that TD pass that Jones dropped in the end zone was thrown about 63-64 yards in the air, and pretty much right on target. That was an NFL-caliber pass.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:30 am
ijonathan – Good point. It’s clear that Matt has enough arm. Gotta wonder why he’s Captain Check Down?? He threw 42 passes for 220 yards…..that’s a lot of underneath stuff. Gee Whiz!
Take it from me
August 28th, 2011
9:30 am
the Falcon offence will be ok,however the D will still suffer ,with the likes of Grimes back there.Roethlisberger, and those tall and fleet wr recievers of the steelers exposed him.The D line will improve with the addition of Edwards.he may or may not get sacks,but he will demand enough attention to allow others on the D line to get sacks.look for the falcons to go 10-6 and pick up the last wild card in NFC.it could be better,but the secondary of the falcons is really that bad!
boiler up
August 28th, 2011
9:41 am
Please cut out the negative talks.. Give me a break people.. Pre-Season. Half of you would complain if we won and say it’s just pre-season. This team is loaded with talent. We are inconsistent in the db position and you have to look at no Dunta R. I believe for sure that Franks can fill that third role when Robinson comes back. Ray Edwards will be a major factor. He had no sacks but made his precense felt for sure. Falcon Up!!
NJ Dawg
August 28th, 2011
9:47 am
A lot of people bugging over a PRESEASON game, geez. The Colts are on something like an 0-24 preseason streak, and they consistently make the playoffs, and I remember when the Falcons’ 4-0 preseasons would lead to 6-10 records. How about some perspective, folks?
Coolio
August 28th, 2011
9:51 am
Hey Ledbetter, maybe if ya’ll quit filtering posts, you might have a fuller blog.
I just saying
RB
August 28th, 2011
10:01 am
I’m holding my comments til the regular season!!!!
Bob Decker
August 28th, 2011
10:02 am
In exibition you cannot count the 2nd half, so the Falcons lost 24-16, and nobody goes at full strenght, but with that being said, I agree that Matt has a slow release, and he always has had it, but he wins. Its the defense that got the Falcons beat last year, not Matt.And its the D that will get us beat again this yr, not Matt.
BullDawg Rick
August 28th, 2011
10:04 am
Relax!!
#1 – It’s still preseason
#2 – No major injuries from the game
#3 – If the Falcons start the real season 0 – 3 (which they most definately WILL NOT) then we can moan & groan
# 4 – the Birds will iron out many of the wrinkles, I have faith in our staff.
#5 – for those who forgot – the Steelers did play in the SB last season
Go Dirty Birds!
You can't be serious
August 28th, 2011
10:08 am
PRESEASON
Doing eBay I'm told
August 28th, 2011
10:10 am
What some of you may not know is that our kicker was told to kick it short on purpose all preseason. Smith want to evaluate players in preseason. Can’t do that if you always have touchbacks.
Doing what I'm told
August 28th, 2011
10:12 am
What some of you may not know is that our kicker was told to kick it short on purpose all preseason. Smith wants to evaluate players in preseason. Can’t do that if you always have touchbacks
Pete
August 28th, 2011
10:13 am
When I posted here 4 days that the soft, predictable Falcons would be embarrassing and lose to the tough minded, battle ready, NFL pedigree Steelers 34-13 I of course got flamed and ridiculed and also heard the lame shrieks about how it’s only preseason, yada, yada, yada AND how most said we would NEVER lose with that lopsided of a score.
Uh huh.
Well, the almighty “Process” continues at Flowery Branch and Smitty and his cast of “Great Chemistry” players will follow that same old worn out soft predictable script which will produce little or nothing.
The rest of the league is improving by leaps and bounds and the poor Div.II Falcons continue to plod along with their “choir boy” cast of average players, ZERO pass defense…………AND, the annual injuries haven’t even kicked in yet.
Note to Arthur Blank and Dimitroff : The honeymoon is over.
2011 Falcons : 6-10………….at best.
Chief Media Urologist
August 28th, 2011
10:16 am
I fully expect TD to bring in defensive backfield help as other squads make their roster cuts.
Ken Strickland
August 28th, 2011
10:18 am
At this point it’s pointless to try and get some of these NEGATIVE MINDED POSTERS to understand and/or accept the significance of PRESEASON. You can mention teams that have gone undefeated during preseason and winless during regular season. You canalso mention Superbowl winners that have gone winless during preseason.
It doesn’t matter to these clowns, because all they’re interested in is whinning, complaining and offering their predictions of doom and gloom. You just can’t get through to some of these NEGATIVE MINDED CLOWNS. We managed to a 13-3 won/loss record with this yrs starting secondary, and basically the same backups, except for the addition of rookie CB DWalls and 2nd yr CB DFranks, who spent last season on IR, and the loss of CB BWilliams.
We’ve improved last yrs poor pass rush, last yrs rushing and passing ability and versatility. Yet, some of you still insist of trying to use our secondary play and/or overall performance during PRESEASON to predict doom and gloom and at best a 9-7 or 10-6 regular season record. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
Muffin
August 28th, 2011
10:21 am
What a bunch of whiners and negative idiots…………………
Glad to see “Unknown Hinson” was banished last night. His potty mouth will NOT be tolerated.
Navigator
August 28th, 2011
10:25 am
All I saw in the offense was more dink and dunk play calling. I also saw the new receiver Smith drop a touch down pass (in his hands, fumbled and lost), which has been his knock all the way through college. The offensive line had problems opening holes and the defense was “offensive” watching missed coverages, going after interceptions and rather than knocking down touch down passes. I saw nothing to encourage me the defense will be any better than last year when they were awful in the big game. The coordinator may know good plays, but when they give a touchdown they also tend to give up period. Ass kicking just doesn’t seem to be in his cards.
Ken Strickland
August 28th, 2011
10:26 am
PETE-Before you continue patting yourself on the back, please answer this question. Last yr, did you predict the Falcons would win the division title, be the NFC’s top seed, and tie for NFL’s top record at 13-3?
Bail Bondsman
August 28th, 2011
10:29 am
PETE —————–
One who comes on here under several aliases…………………
Chief Media Urologist
August 28th, 2011
10:31 am
Turner is just a ghost of his former self. We over-used him in his 1st season here, and then injuries and poor conditioning took over. Quizz may take center stage sooner than anticipated. The longer we wait the longer our O will be compromised.
dub366
August 28th, 2011
10:35 am
I’m getting sick and tired of Matt talking about we need to improve. it not we it he need to improve . in the red zone and he just CAN’T do it. teams stop the running game to put it all on his shoulder and it not there..
JustMyTwoCents
August 28th, 2011
10:36 am
Don’t know why folks keep bring up the Pats, their 0-4 pre-season, and a 2nd SB win for them. Aren’t those the same years that Bellicheck took a hugh fine for using video cameras to snipe the plays from the opposing team so he could call the perfect defense? What like a $500,000 fine and he didn’t even contest it a little?
Jessica
August 28th, 2011
10:40 am
PreSeason means nothing. Detroit won all of their preseason games and then went 0-16 in the regular season. Yea it would be nice to see the Falcons win more in the preseason, but it really doesn’t mean they are going to have a bad season.
Reality Check
August 28th, 2011
10:44 am
Was the 2008 draft a blessing or curse?
Just sayin……………
The Nature Boy
August 28th, 2011
11:00 am
We got a deep threat reciever who cant catch deep passes……….lol 1
We got a secondary 3 strings deep who cant cover anyone………..lol 2
We got beat by Packers becuase of defense, we ddint upgrade all that much….lol 3. Falcons miss playoffs imho with a 9-7 record.
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
August 28th, 2011
11:05 am
See above – someone who STILL is talking about January, and we’re in August. Just because we’re not blowing teams out or putting up Madden/fantasy numbers means nothing. We are building a championship team. Once we do win it all, whether it’s this year, next year or the year after that, don’t come on here singing any praises. Just stay under your rock and wait for the other shoe to drop like you are now.
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
August 28th, 2011
11:07 am
Still having issues with comments not posting, then re-posting it and saying I already posted it. Why isn’t it showing up then?
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
August 28th, 2011
11:08 am
It just happened again! D-Led, help!
A Complete Blank
August 28th, 2011
11:10 am
Falcants 8-8
A. Blanks Legacy:
1) Fired only coach to take Falcons to a Super Bowl
2) Hired THREE STRAIGHT HEAD COACHES WITH ZERO HEAD EXPERIENCE AT THE NFL LEVEL!
3) No stadium deal!!!
Muffin
August 28th, 2011
11:11 am
@ Don’t Feed…………..
no-one cares for your posts, it’s as simple as that,son
Matt Ryan overrated
August 28th, 2011
11:17 am
Can Matt (Patty melt)carry the Falcons? NO can he go deep yes kind of just 1 a game arm weak. no run game no falcons win.preseason or in season This year they will be fighting for second place. Call the Falcon a hologram Team!
Ron Mexico
August 28th, 2011
11:20 am
People, the Colts were 0 and 4 in preseason the year they won the Super Bowl. Relax, it’s preseason. You can be fair-weather fans during the “real” season.
Old White Haired Man
August 28th, 2011
11:29 am
the defending NFC South Champions…
realitycheck
August 28th, 2011
11:34 am
Why did my post not post?
SXSeternity
August 28th, 2011
11:44 am
We can all look forward for the preseason to end. As long as we don’t lose key players during the preseason we can see what strengths and weaknesses to evaluate on for preparation for the regular season.
D man
August 28th, 2011
11:45 am
One obvious observation, no pass defense still. Wow, how many 3rd and longs are our secondary going to give up before we get some help. Thomas- I hope you are watching the waiver wire for a defensive cornerback. This stinks…
realitycheck
August 28th, 2011
11:49 am
Same post monster ate my second post. What’s going on?
No Wonder
August 28th, 2011
12:04 pm
No wonder that no one is talking up the team – THE FALCONS STINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If they keep playing this way, it is going to be a long LOSING SEASON!!!!!!
Tyrone Shulaces
August 28th, 2011
12:13 pm
Well, at least I’m not going into the season with any hope of achieving anything, just something to watch on TV on Sunday afternoon.
Falcons won’t win 6 games with a secondary that bad. NFL network is playing tape from last night and the commentators are laughing at us. Oh well, at least we won’t be disappointed.
Tyrone Shulaces
August 28th, 2011
12:15 pm
Oh look – my grandmother and her whole knitting circle just went out for a pass – and they’re all open! Wide open!
Once Recent Reader
August 28th, 2011
12:33 pm
Well same old same old on the AJC posts. I guess I’ll just watch the replay at 4 pm on NFL network to find IMO what was the good, the bad, and the ugly. I already saw the two big plays by Steelers’ receiver on ESPN as well as the pass the JJ in the endzone. I was checking out the Box Score a lot during the game, and saw a lot of 1st downs. Didn’t know about the TG pass interference or the over-throw of Douglas in endzone.
AtlJack
August 28th, 2011
12:43 pm
The same lame negative comments like those posted last pre-season.
Result? Falcons go 13-3 which is terrific record.
Falcons have 3 winning seasons in a row and you whiners still whine. Ryan could throw 10 touchdowns from end zone to end zone and you whiners would still talk about “arm strength”
White-Gonzo-Julio-Ryan- how many teams would kill for this group?
Count your blessings birdbrains this team has the best record in Falcon history
ME
August 28th, 2011
12:54 pm
WE NEED HELP IN THE SECONDARY , PLEASE MAKE A TRADE OR SIGN A CB IMMEDIATELY !!!
Les
August 28th, 2011
1:09 pm
Would everybody just calm down please. 1 half of preseason does not a season make. We have a long way to go.
Once Recent Reader
August 28th, 2011
1:18 pm
AtlJack . .. .totally agree. How soon they forget. How have we done the past 3 years . . .. .and before I get trashed I’ll stick with regular season only known post season has disappointed. 11-5, 9-7, and 13-3. Pretty darn good . . . and each year the same negative posters. Just remember what was said in preseason of the 11-5 year. Total rebuilding, would take a few years to just become respectable. This is one strange crowd that still baffles me. For a local paper I just don’t understand that it can almost be 50% negative towards the Falcs. I know they’ll always be those who don’t like the team . . …just figured there would be much more support for a team that has done pretty well the past 3 years.
TomDawg
August 28th, 2011
1:38 pm
Our class A high school quarterback threw the ball better Friday night than Matt Ryan did Saturday night! And whats worse, Chris Redman is still his backup. Oh yeah, maybe should of picked a db instead of a wasted draft choice on a punter. Embarrassing.
chickenman
August 28th, 2011
1:39 pm
im slowly started to get on the WTF TURNER bandwagon… he isnt looking like turner the burner… i know it was pitt but there is no excuse for 2yds per carry… on the bright side i think seeing jaquizz roll with the 1s was a nice change.. i think julio jones played solid last night.. i watched him rack up the YAC yards and put a move on 43 that was just WOW. he showed he can get deep on the best saftey in the game but you gotta make that play.. that said the bad 1st down offense is going to put alot of pressure on matty ice.. but again i believe he will have a probowl season with HD roddy and julio with the legend Tony to check down to
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 28th, 2011
1:41 pm
Some people on this blog are complete football ignorance. To the one guy who said “we only put up 16 points on the Steelers”, teams averaged 14 points against them the entire season last year.
To the guy who said “no other back in the league runs for one yard and gets tackled behind the LOS as much as Turner” that is all on the OLINE son. Turned isn’t responsible for what happens in the back field. If he is running into defenders back there then that is the line not holding the point of attack. There were no holes for him to run through.
For those saying Turner is washed up, he led the NFC in rushing last year… while being injured.
To the guy who asked if AJ Green would have caught that ball, Green has had way more drops than Jones so far in the preseason.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 28th, 2011
1:49 pm
What I don’t understand is why so many of you are like sheep. You want to focus on the negatives without putting it into any context. It was obvious the coaches were looking at something and seeing that was more important than the game itself to them. You don’t go into a game and throw 42 passes in one half because you are concerned about the game. You also don’t kick it short on kick offs. There was a method to their madness. You also cannot judge Ryan without factoring in the things that he had no control over like drops and stupid penalties negating two touchdowns or a tipped pass resulting in an INT. I really wish some of you would just give up on this team and pick another bandwagon to jump on. I am tired of having to read your junk.
Saint Fan
August 28th, 2011
1:59 pm
was that wide open guy Ryan over thru in the endzone Ryans falt maybe the guy should have jumped higher lol
Falconer
August 28th, 2011
2:04 pm
We need to draft some new fans. Still only preseason.
VanBrocklin
August 28th, 2011
2:07 pm
I was a better QB than sissy-nick “MattyIce” and ten x the coach Smif is.
Shorty
August 28th, 2011
2:10 pm
Preseason STINKS da joint up anyways
Geaux Saintes
August 28th, 2011
2:15 pm
Why does that doofuss coach always look like somebody has his balls in a salad-shooter? He’s gonna bust out cryin’ any minute! What a clueless old codger!
realitycheck
August 28th, 2011
2:28 pm
I can’t be the only guy having trouble getting a post posted.
Dunwoddy T
August 28th, 2011
2:44 pm
Steelers whipped that tail pretty good, I enjoyed every minute of that beat down. To all you fal-cants fans, you just got a glimpse of what your season is going to be like. I love it when a plan comes together. Now, fal-cants fans, go cry in your towels, we know you guys know how to do it.
ejj
August 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
I have been saying this for about two years now, our problems are our defense. Abe can’t do it alone. Lofton is good, in the middle, but Spoon hasn’t shown us anything. Waiting to see if Edwards was worth it, said last year, we needed Peppers. The guy is a force, and we missed it. Grimes has heart, I admit it, but he is too small to play on outside. He doesn’t match up with most of the current receivers, he makes a play or two, and we get excited, because he is a little guy, and we want the lite guy to succeed. He can cover the slot, but we should have followed Green Bay’s example, of cornerbacks. We overpaid for Robinson, and he is starting to look like another Houston. Not against small corners, followed D. Green from Redskins, etc. Just think we made mistake, letting D. Hall go, for one thing, Hm.
kevkat
August 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
“We have work to do”
Na, Matt, you have work to do…
hiramsaint
August 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe
hiramsaint
August 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
other than getting beat solidly- you guys looked pretty good for a play or two !
aldrich
August 28th, 2011
3:07 pm
Preseason records do not matter. The Pats were winless in 2008 and went 11-5 in the regular season. The Giants were undefeated during a pre-season and went on to win 2 regular season games. But in 2000 they were winless in the pre-season and went to the Super Bowl. The Falcons will do just fine in 2011.
R Brown
August 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
It’s amazing how any criticism of the team is seen as focusing on the negative. So what. Lighten up guys. GM’s and Coaches draft play, pay and cut players because of the negatives. Teams lose games because of the negatives. Fans stop buying tickets because of the negatives. Fans boo because of the negatives. Even every other word out of the “great” Ryan’s mouth is “we need to improve on some things”. In the coaches meetings on Monday what will the talking points be: Kickoff distance, running attack, OL protection, pass defense. All concerning the negatives. All you whiners that don’t hold your team accountable and expect fans to simply drink the Kool-aid and eat at the trough are probably the same people who supported sticking with Chipper in hopes he’d ever play more than 90 games again and bring another championship to Atlanta. How’d that workout?
Falcun
August 28th, 2011
3:28 pm
Can’t believe anyone gives a rats behind about “pre-season.” Means nothing. Well, maybe the first half means something, because that is actually the Falcons and the Steelers. And if Julio catches that TD pass that was right in his hands, the Falcons clearly WON the first half. Beating the AFC Super Bowl team in the first half looked good to me. So far this is the best Falcons team I’ve seen in 30 years.
Dunwoddy T
August 28th, 2011
3:38 pm
Falcun- are you serious, your team was losing in the first half. They were beaten down in the second half, much like the green bay game of last year, I’m sure you remember that game. I enjoyed watching the steelers take apart a inferior team. You people are something, wishing and hoping for something to happen, which never will. Your sorry team will never win a super bowl. You saw that last year, they were the number one team in the NFC and got stomped at home by the packers. Do yourself a favor, stop investing in a team, that will never win a super bowl. Take that money, bring th wife and kids to the movies and to dinner, it’s much more enjoyable.
vuduchld
August 28th, 2011
3:43 pm
On Friday night the GB Packers went into Lucas Oil stadiul and stole one from the Colts. In the end they wanted to win the game and did. If one looked back at the highlights of the Jags-Falcons game two weeks ago one would have thought the Falcons had won by 3 TDs, they lost by two points. The Falcons were not that good of a team last season and will be even worse in 2011. BTW, that same GB team whalloped the Falcons in the playoffs several months ago.
R Brown
August 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
Enough with the, It’s only pre-season excuse. How many players have been lost for the season due to an injury in a pre-season game? How many have been crippled for life due to an injury in a pre-season game? How many get cut and lose their job and have to get a job like the rest of us due to there performance in a pre-season game. By the way, are the parking passes, hotdogs and beer any cheaper for preseason games? Oh and didn’t the owners choose to end the lockout so they could play a full compliment of preseason games when they clearly should have only played 2 or 3. It’s “only” preseason to some people. To me, just because it doesn’t count in the teams record doesn’t mean these exhibitions don’t have impact. So enough with the, It’s only pre-season excuse.
Redoubt
August 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
Doggone scary to consider this this was billed as a preview of things to come with the first stringers getting a lot of playing time. Of course, if you are a Falcons fan and speak your frustrations aloud, you may get shouted down by other Falcons fans who see such free wheeling criticism as a form of heresy.
The pressure is on the Falcon nation as much as the team because we’ve waited so long for something to believe in. Even considering these first four games don’t count in the books, an 0-4 preseason would sting like hell. You gotta let fans vent their frustration.
Mike Franklin
August 28th, 2011
4:25 pm
Preseason or not, was a pretty ugly showing.
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
4:38 pm
Look 4 the Falcons to make a trade or pull someone off the waver wire this week………..
gritzblitz
August 28th, 2011
4:44 pm
amazing how many get their panties in a wad over a game that doesn’t count. falcons will be ok. a force to be reckoned with.
TDnoclue
August 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
TD has no clue. We need new GM. Maybe new coaches.
TDnoclue
August 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
It was preseason for the Steelers too morons.
TIRED OF MEDIOCRITY
August 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Remember this is preseason and I am not worried. Julio Jones catches that deep ball and the Steelers do not return that pick for a touchdown then it is a whole different game.Besides Peters and Robinson did not even play.I still say 12-4 and NFC South champions.Sorry Aints but it’s not happening for ya’ll this year .Maybe Mark Ingram can lead ya’ll to the wilcard.
Once Recent Reader
August 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
TDnoclue . ….this pre-season debate is hilarious. If they play well, it’s only pre-season. If they play poorly it’s only pre-season. Bottom line come Week 1 .. ..it was only pre-season. They looked much worse last pre-season. Watching the game now . . . . ..definitely see some areas of improvement, but also see some good signs. I just don’t get why anyone would worry about pre-season. I’m a Pats fan too . . . .and guess what, I could care less about the Lions looking pretty darn good. We’ll see what happens.
Once Recent Reader
August 28th, 2011
5:08 pm
. . . .But to follow up TDnoclue . . . .you do understand that it is only preseason .. .right?
hiramsaint
August 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
y’all are makin’ my team look really good-thanx failcans
Squawkin' Feathers
August 28th, 2011
5:51 pm
BEFORE the game was played, a bunch of you deluded homers stated that the 3rd pre-season game was “important,” especially so since it was against the AFC champs, who whupped your butts in 2010. then after that debacle, you all whine about how pre-season doesn’t count. Or, in something truly idiotic, you boast about how MattyLice threw for more than 200 yards. Um, yes, it took him 40 tosses to accumulate it. Face facts: the Steelers, their organization and their fans are superior to you in every franchise phase. Get set for a long losing season.
hiramsaint
August 28th, 2011
5:55 pm
amen to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Pro
August 28th, 2011
6:09 pm
WOW…its preseason people….some of you are already predicting doomsday. Remember the season starts Sept. 11 not Aug. 27!!!!!
fansince74
August 28th, 2011
6:09 pm
It’s pre-season so things are not always what they seem to be, i.e. the 4-0 Lions in preseason going 0-16 about 3 yrs ago. However it does seem that the Falcons have some real work to do on defense and will have to keep improving to become more explosive on offense in order to go deep in the playoffs. If the D can stay at least in the middle of the pack and the offense can become an explosive juggernaut they’ll give themselves a real shot at accomplishing what we all want to see.
whodat sisterz
August 28th, 2011
6:16 pm
Thanks for the history lesson on preseason w-l records. Does that same history book show you how awful your team has been since inception ? Forget ancient history- let us look at the past 5 years . 0-2 in post season play- yep , y’all still stink like the chatahoochee early on a summer morning south of atl. road. WHODAT? Not the failcans!
fansince74
August 28th, 2011
6:17 pm
Did anybody see the beat down the lions put on the Pats? That probally wouldn’t have happened in week eleven. It’s preseason!
hollywood
August 28th, 2011
6:33 pm
Coach Smith =Steve Martin
Clawed Humpy
August 28th, 2011
6:49 pm
Have the Falcons ever heard of “defense”? Playing it stops the other side from scoring so much.
Muffin
August 28th, 2011
7:01 pm
AND WTF HAPPENED TO ‘UNKNOWN HINSON, THE LITTLE BOY WHO WANTED SOME OF ME?
ohhhYEAH
August 28th, 2011
7:03 pm
speakingof history lessons Aints fan, what does the record say about how AWFUL your team has been since inception? you guys FINALLY won a super bowl 2 years ago, havent done much since, and before that your team was famous for what? oh yeah, wearin paper bags on your heads. good one. so why dont you take that weak trash back to your own blogs where your delusions of grandeur can maybe hold you over until the reality of your season sets in, which will be at best 2nd place finish in the division. and oh y the way…speaking of playoff losses, remind me who RAN thru you guys last post season. oh yeah…..the seahawks. nuff said lol
Steelers Fans--Worst sore winners in NFL history
August 28th, 2011
7:09 pm
Name says it all
drmaryb.(*_*).
August 28th, 2011
7:15 pm
Winners & Losers!
We may have lost a pre-season game, but the Steelers lost more:
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News results for pittsburgh steelers, leftwich left arm injured, falcons game


Steelers backup QB Byron Leftwich suffers broken arm – 6 hours ago
Veteran Byron Leftwich suffered a broken left arm in Saturday’s 34-16 victory … in one game for Pittsburgh last season, his second stint with the Steelers.
USA Today (blog) - 485 related articles
Byron Leftwich of Pittsburgh Steelers breaks left arm – ESPN
3 hours ago … Steelers backup quarterback Byron Leftwich broke his left arm in Pittsburgh’s …
Steelers Soar Past Falcons, 34-16 … According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
Leftwich will likely end up on season-ending injured reserve. … 3-1 record last
season while Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games. …
espn.go.com/…/byron-leftwich-pittsburgh-steelers-breaks-left-arm – 96k -
___________________
So, not losing any Falcon for the season is a WIN!
D Rules
August 28th, 2011
7:18 pm
No big deal—the Falcons were holding everything back, not wanting to show anything in these meaningless practice games. When the real games start, the offense will light up the scoreboard with big points—mark it down!
CBS Eyeball
August 28th, 2011
7:21 pm
What a bush-league broadcast. First we endure a blonde ho strolling the sidelines babbling some nonsense about newlyweds. Then two incompetent pimps roaring after every yard eked out by the roadkill. Would someone inform the “falcons tv network” that the game consists of FOUR quarters? They totally ignored the action on the field during the 4th quarter. Oh, well. when it was over the local news with Stephany & cleavage was a welcome bonus.
Phil Kalawalahoogie
August 28th, 2011
7:22 pm
Can’t wait to watch all the fairweather falcons fans fade away as the losses mount. Always the case in Atlanta. And what part of last season gave you fans so much hope? The horrific home playoff loss? The incredible luck the team had in winning 6 games that easily could have gone the other way? The ‘I will sacrifice nothing, including a hangnail, in the pursuit of winning’ mediocre running of Michael Turner? Can you say third in the NFC south? Just figure out who you’re gonna blame. . .
drmaryb.(*_*).
August 28th, 2011
7:31 pm
Doc – In – The – Box!
My IWFL The Atlanta Ravens has won the equivalent of a Super Bowl in the month of July. This team also won The National Championship in 2006!
Ex-NFL player David Irons is the new owner and acquired the team from female owner: Takela Corbitt this past Summer in the off season.
The Atlanta Ravens were victorious over the California Quake of Los Angeles and played in Austin, TX.
I have been one of the team doctors for four years now and provide chiropractic services on and off the field.
So, when Byron Leftwich was escorted off the field, I immediately knew his left arm was broken. To be out for the year, indicates a possible compound or comminuted fracture. It certainly is not a hairline fracture or a non-displaced fracture, otherwise he would be put only 6 weeks.
Oh well! Let’s Go Ravens! Women Full Contact Football is quite impressive. Check it out on FBook!
_________________
Back to The Falcons? They will be awesome this year!!!!
I’m not worried one bit! Falcons will be just fine!
Where's the Logic?
August 28th, 2011
7:32 pm
9-18-2011, Eagles vs Falcons..
Both efficient killing machines.. Oops my bad that’s the animal planet channel..
Hey Turner who you jukin with that gigantic rump roast!! 3rd and long again Mularkey..
Start packing those suitcases MM…..
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
7:43 pm
@ Don’t feed Aints trolls (It isn’t 2009 anymore)
Well said
Take it from me
August 28th, 2011
7:57 pm
The falcons will be a much improved team.they won’t show everything in preseason,but i still believe they need another left corner to replace Grimes.they need to put Grimes at nickel.they need someone to cover big fast W/R like the steelers have,and like most good teams have that are superbowl contenders.The falcons may not go13-3 this year,but they will be much improved.
Take it from me
August 28th, 2011
8:10 pm
i am incouraged by the play of the Oline, and the QB.It seems like Matt Ryans arm has gotten stronger and seems like he is catching up with the speed of the game.he seems much improved to me.
TCCB
August 28th, 2011
8:18 pm
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reality Check
August 28th, 2011
8:33 pm
These posts of “Encouragement” look like the ones since 2008.
Just sayin………………
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
8:49 pm
Look for a new addition this week
Chuck
August 28th, 2011
8:49 pm
Uh…the Steelers did not play two starters at Corner Back..I didn’t see dominance that was predicted.
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
8:57 pm
Why isn’t my post not coming up?
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
8:59 pm
AJC why isn’t my post not being seen?
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
9:03 pm
I guess you can’t talk about the up coming “cut down” …what is this communism?
JONESBORO SLIM
August 28th, 2011
9:05 pm
All I wanted to know was when is “cut down”?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 28th, 2011
11:34 pm
JONESBORO SLIM — cut down to 80 is Tuesday. (Falcons are expected to cut on Monday). Cut down to 53 is on Sept. 3. They can add an 8 member practice squad by Sept. 5.