Will Svitek holds Vanden Bosch sackless
Ryan passed for one touchdown and ran for another in the team's 23-16 victory. (Associated Press)
Detroit — Starting left tackle Sam Baker was declared inactive for the game. He’s been battling a lower back injury.
Will Svitek, who normally plays as a blocking tight end in power formations, started for Baker and had a strong game.
“I thought he did a great job,” Ryan said. “He didn’t blink. He knew the game plan and was well-prepared.”
Svitek was blocking against Detroit’s Kyle Vanden Bosch and held him sackless. However, Vanden Bosch did get one quarterback hit.
“It really didn’t matter to me because I prepare the same way whether I’m a starter or playing jumper tight end,” Svitek said. “I prepare the same. I had a feeling I might start. At game time, I knew I was the guy.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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56 comments Add your comment
season ticket holder
October 23rd, 2011
10:21 pm
now if can keep from stepping on the Matt Ryan
EuroFalcon
October 23rd, 2011
10:22 pm
Start him over baker!
BirdFanscout
October 23rd, 2011
10:27 pm
I wouldn’t mind if Baker rested his sore back for another 9 games, or hopefully more.
Jimmy
October 23rd, 2011
10:30 pm
Baker needs to move to guard.
Period.
He cost us too much to give up on him totally.
Chandler Going Deep,,
October 23rd, 2011
10:31 pm
This buster almost got his QB killed…..
waynester
October 23rd, 2011
10:32 pm
Neither of these guys are the long-term solution at LT. It’s going to co$t u$. Thankfully, to date, Arthur Blank has been willing to spend it…..
Mikefalcon63
October 23rd, 2011
10:33 pm
Not the best LT in the league, but obviously the best LT on the Falcons. Bring on Svitek and send Baker on a long vacation to Jurassic Park, where he can hang out with other short armed animals (T-Rex).
Kenny G.
October 23rd, 2011
10:35 pm
Defense finally stepped up. Important win before bye week.
Michael M.
October 23rd, 2011
10:59 pm
Cant complain…………….Just Win Baby…..A win is a Win and every Win is a Win closer to a playoff Win that puts us in line for a Superbowl Win ! One Game at a Time Boys !
JayCool 4DABirds
October 23rd, 2011
11:07 pm
I love you Michael M. just for the record. You are one of the real Falcons Fans i was talking about in Schultz blog!!!! I believe!!!! Go Falcons!!!!
FalconJim
October 24th, 2011
1:28 am
I think Baker just lost his job at LT…
Roscoe
October 24th, 2011
4:40 am
Has anybody else been noticing the job Corey Peters has been doing at dt? That’s two weeks in a row he has made a key play late. And the sack he had early was textbook.
Boo
October 24th, 2011
5:00 am
I think the coaches have the best opportunity to choose who is performing best at whatever position. If not, it’s on them, and they are the ones who should suffer the consequences.
Mitch (the one in Rome)
October 24th, 2011
6:12 am
Svitek played a killer game. The play where he stepped on Ryan he had his man under control and in front of him. There was not going to be a sack on that play. One could argue that Ryan needs to feel that and step up in the pocket as it is collapsing.
Svitek did his job there. Can’t help stepping on people. QB has to step up and fire the ball. Svitek just earned the starting job in my opinion.
DC Dirty Bird
October 24th, 2011
6:25 am
I’ve got to say, for as much as those that complain about TD and his draft picks (Baker and to a lesser extent Jerry), I think you have to give him a lot of credit for Quizz, Peters, and Moore.
I’m not ready to hail Svitek as a savior, but he definitely did a good job on KVB.
Detroiter Tout-Jour;
October 24th, 2011
7:46 am
Good win for the Birds going into the bye, as for us we need to find a RB, seems matt Stafford might be out next week.
Terrell
October 24th, 2011
7:50 am
KVB is a good player, but he isn’t a Trent Cole, Julius Peppers or Charles Johnson. I still like a healthy Sam Baker
Einstein
October 24th, 2011
7:58 am
This was Svitek’s breakout moment…he’s now going to become a franchise LT and he is going to make many pro bowls. Watch n see. I think Baker has lost his job, and Svitek is going to be that player that steps in for a injured player and play lights out and make a name for himself.
Head-Mo-Fo
October 24th, 2011
8:17 am
Svitek is clearly the best LT on our roster. Sam Baker is better suited to play guard. Garrett Reynolds has been getting murdered all season, Garrett is playing out of position at guard and should become our swing or jumper tackle. It is my hooe that Paul Brodreau has the insight to make the moves necessary to keep our quarterback upright.
Dwayne
October 24th, 2011
8:29 am
Yes…a win is a win…but it is a public BLOG…I am a true falcon fan
One thing I liked…a commitment to the run…Turner’s 52 yarder and another over a hundred game.
One thing I didn’t like, playing the run by the secondary when “Megatron” went for his long touchdown “RUN”
Secondary needs to play thier assignment and not guess. Look at the GB game for more proof.
falconsrelax
October 24th, 2011
9:03 am
Start svitek now….SAM BAKER YOU ARE DONE. Baker isn’t the LT we need. Its baker man, o-line played good, and the defense SHOWED UP BIG TIME AGAINST A TOP OFFENSE. DEfenese might be turning the curve for the best long term
NikkiFree
October 24th, 2011
9:15 am
I say keep going with Svitek. Much better option than Baker.
Ichabod
October 24th, 2011
9:34 am
@H-F-M Totally agree. Svitek to take Baker’s slot, and Baker to replace Reynolds. I’ll bet Svitek has a wider blocking stance than Baker and tends to step back into QB territory more than Baker does. Vander Bosch has been playing great recently, so Svitek did a great job. Bryant is outstanding, it’s a relief to have someone kick a straight ball, those sidewinder kickers give me chills. And Quizz came thru again, fighting for that important 1st down, a diamond in the rough.
Kurtis
October 24th, 2011
10:26 am
Roscoe….Yes, I sure have noticed Corey Peters. He is an animal. And he always seems to make a play. I think what we have in him is what we thought we had in Peria Jerry. Not trying to knock Peria, Peters is just a better player.
Kurtis
October 24th, 2011
10:29 am
Watching the Aints game last night, seeing how they use Sproles………I can see Quizz being that same kind of player for us. We’ve just got to get him the ball (are you listening, Mike Mularkey??)
Dwayne
October 24th, 2011
11:42 am
MM is almost as bad as UGA’s BooBoo….Jacazz needs the ball is space, MM either don’t know what to call or he has no confidence that MR can execute what he calls.
Mikefalcon63
October 24th, 2011
11:48 am
I doubt Sam Baker and Garrett Reynolds are starters on any other NFL team; as far as their current positions are concerned. I would like to see Svitek have another opportunity to play at LT. And give Mike Johnson or Joe Hawley a shot in a game situation. Reynolds continually gives up too much leverage, and gets beat by quicker tackles. To me, you have to wonder if the fact Johnson has not played is an admonition of a mistake on draft day.
LombardiTrickedMe
October 24th, 2011
12:00 pm
Dwayne – Yes, it wasnt fun to see Megatron run free for that touchdown, but the Falcons defense played perhaps their best game on Sunday. I was amazed at the one on one between Brent Shutdown Grimes and Megatron. That was awesome! BVG and the defense deserves a lot of credit for this win. Best game so far!
Fan
October 24th, 2011
12:18 pm
Start this guy over Baker… He did a great job against one of the best pass rushers in the game
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
October 24th, 2011
12:22 pm
Can I start the petition to keep Sam Baker on the bench for several more weeks. I really don’t believe that he’ll be missed…..I’m just saying !!!
Mike Mularkey still doesn’t have a clue as to how to best utilize the players on the team…..Quizz Rogers should be on the field more than 4-5 plays for the entire game and so should Snelling.
78dawg
October 24th, 2011
12:30 pm
Keep Baker on the bench where he belongs…trade him in the off-season for Harvey Dahl…
Saint Hater
October 24th, 2011
12:34 pm
I saw something that said it isn’t MM, it’s Smitty. 3rd and inches on the 4 and Mularky called something with Quizz. Smitty calls time and goes back to the big boys, who get blown up in the backfield for no gain. We kick a field goal. Mularky’s play likely was for the TD and not the 1st, with 4th and inches or a FG if we don’t convert. Mularky gets judged based on the final product, but I got a feeling there’s a lot more to this than we see.
SirReal
October 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
@LombardiTrickedMe I agree. The Defense was actually pretty good and really hasnt been the issue over the last two weeks. I’m ALWAYS calling for BVG’s head but it seems like the guy is trying to keep his job.lol He cant help that Robinson cant play.lol I’m still not convinced of him though but for THIS game, I’ll give him a reprieve.
4-3….Hmmmm, interesting with some of the NFC teams who were off to a fast start slowing down a bit. (TB, WAS, DET)
The team can easily be 5-3 after the bye and string together a couple more after that with the sched softening a bit. If they get to like 7-3, thats a good sign heading into the final 6 weeks of the reg season.
SirReal
October 24th, 2011
1:12 pm
@SaintHater I SAID THE SAME THING!!!! Smith seems like HE is the conservative one. It did look like Mularkey was going for the TD but then Nervous as all get out Smith decides to change it up instead of trusting his coordinator. That stop was ALLLLL Mike Smith and nothing to do with Mularkey. I really wonder who the hinderance is here. I hate how conservative Smith is sometimes. The offense looks so basic. I fell asleep a bit in the 2nd quarter and WE had the ball. I know we’re definitely a running team but how much can we sit and watch Turner run straight into the pile with NO elusiveness. Its either a big play or a very minimal one. Also, the dinks and dunks were just as boring as it gets. As much as I like the team, Atlanta Falcon offense is one of the most drab ones to watch in the entire league. Never attacking…just “management”
Michael M.
October 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
I Take our QB over any of the other Gimpy QBS with the Stats anyday……it seems our QB doesnt have to have 3 or 400 yards with 4 or 5 touchdowns to Win Ballgames and you know why ? Because we have a Whole Team effort out on the Field as you saw yesterday and last week too.
How many QBs would go down like Matt did and then come right back out there and get back in the game and continue to try to get a Win for his Team ? Not many I can think of !
I think he was still hurting when he went back in but his will to Win and get back to the playoffs took over!
Stafford was shut down by Abe and Company and Grimes had one hell of a game…..is the Atlanta defense and dont forget we had one touchdown took off the board for a holding penalty on that kickoff run into the endzone!
Atlanta probably played the best Team in the NFC yesterday and handled them or the second best so that speaks volumes about how this Team is coming together. Maybe the Jinx is lifted for this Team and they will be okay…I dont know but one thing is for sure and that is if they continue to play like they played the past two weeks all I can say is ” Look Out” to the rest of the NFL.
Tfalcon
October 24th, 2011
2:51 pm
I agree with sainthater,sirreal MY thoughts as well on that play,its smittys team,he said he calls the shots that kind of play we can never
win in the playoffs its then when the dont beat ur self, really kicks u in ur A$$
SirReal
October 24th, 2011
2:56 pm
@Tfalcon Yes! That kind of second guessing also doesnt make your relationship with your OC any better. That play probably made MM want to leave anyway. My biggest thing is that if we actually get rid of MM and get a more “creative” mind, will Coach Smith get all jittery on him too? Geez Coach Smith, let that steam out of your collar a bit.lol
Tfalcon
October 24th, 2011
2:58 pm
And i really get so tired of them running down hill into the pile
Falcons are being what smith wants them to be,I like smith but when I can guess what play we r going to run I think any nfl defense is 90%
sure what we r going to do.looks like hes been hanging out with john
fox
Tfalcon
October 24th, 2011
3:00 pm
I dont think Smitty will ever run a team like sean payton hate to say that but it is in his dna to be concervative!!!!!!!!!
Saint Hater
October 24th, 2011
3:51 pm
I just keep hoping that all the conservatism when it isn’t absolutely necessary to go out and get some is sandbagging. Then, when we really have to get the 1st, TD, etc, we go play action on 1st and 10 or throw a screen/flat to Quizz on the Goal Line.
BTW, Quizz is a beast and I can’t wait to see what he becomes going forward. Good Eye, Dimitroff!
JayCool 4DABirds
October 24th, 2011
4:11 pm
I’ve seen some of M.M. play calling recieve some poor execution. Yesterday he was thinking “3rd and inches , wow Detroit’s going to load the box, so let me play action to a half back toss, and ccatch Roddy or Tony over the middle and if it’s not there Quizz will be all alone in the flat, wait who just called timeout, Mike Smith? What, you really want to put Turner in the backfield, ok you are the Head Coach.”
JayCool 4DABirds
October 24th, 2011
4:13 pm
That shovel pass up the middle that wasn’t executed well wass for Rodgers as well, and let’s not forget the attempted screen pass that was the perfect play call against the defense Detroit was in that one was going to Quizz as well.
JayCool 4DABirds
October 24th, 2011
4:16 pm
Grimes and the secondary did an excellent job on MegaTron but shout out to the front 7 for keeping Stafford uncomfortable the whole game. And the Falcons were not in run coverage on MegaTron’s TD, Decoud just whiffed on the tackle and took William Moore out of the play in the process.
J Mo
October 24th, 2011
4:55 pm
I told u…..we on track now!!!!!!
Jimmy
October 24th, 2011
5:21 pm
Folks,
There is no longer a “curse” or a “jinx” on the Falcons.
That was the curse of never have two consecutive winning seasons.
That monkey is off our back.
This team has been competetive in a way past Falcons teams had not.
KenK
October 24th, 2011
9:19 pm
If Baker had started he would had given up a couple of sacks and few more hits..It going to be a crime if Baker starts over Svitek. Baker is only on the team because he is a TD 1st round pick. I hope the coach plays the best player and not who was drafted higher!! Maybe TD is putting presure on Coach Smith to play Bust Baker?? Also we need to get rid of another TD mistake our punter Bosher. How many 25 30 yard punts before it cost us a GAME??
hiramsaint
October 24th, 2011
9:22 pm
the title to this article just sounds wrong
Michael M.
October 24th, 2011
10:57 pm
am looking forward to the first game with the Aints that Caints ha ! ha ! I want to see whether the Trolls show up on here after The Birds open up some whup asX on those Caints ! Dree Breeze isnt going to throw no 5 touchdowns on the Birds so forget about that and the game is in the Bird House so look out HiramSaint ………..I see a loss for your Team on the way
I also tried to fnd their big newspaper in N O but to no avail…..I guess they write and read off the roll of toilet paper in the publice restroom… I am just sayannnnnnn..haaa!
I am mean tonight I know I will lighten up !
J-Lo
October 24th, 2011
11:22 pm
More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!! More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!! More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!! More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!! More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!! More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!! More Svitek!!!!!!!! More Jaquizz!!!!!!!!!! More runs to the outside with both him and Turner!!!!!!!!!
John Powers
October 25th, 2011
12:44 am
it takes a full rooster in this league,very nice when it really works out. this one goes to the coaching staff
P B Orr
October 25th, 2011
6:49 am
Neither Svitek nor anyone else on the O-line had what I’d call a good game. Svitek followed his man well but allowed him to get too wide, leaving lanes on his right and the center collapsed. The line needs to stay in contact with Ryan and maintain status as a unit.
Barry
October 25th, 2011
3:28 pm
Hey Y’all.
ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY !! ONE HEARTBEAT!!. Our Falcons are playing “ONE GAME AT A TIME” have regained their “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” SWAG.
What we saw Sunday was our Falcons making “PRETENDERS” out of the Lions. Our Falcons played HARD, NASTY, ROCKIN FOOTBALL on OFFENSE, DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS. THE COACHES CALLED A DECENT GAME AND I CAN SEE THE OFFENSE STARTING TO OPEN UP MORE IN THE LONG BALL AND THE PASSING TO THE RUNNING BACKS. THIS WILL GET EVEN BETTER AS THE SEASON GOES ALONG. NOW, IT IS INTO A BYE WEEK AND TO COME BACK AND CONTINUE DESTROYING “ONE TEAM AT A TIME”. THIS IS NOT A SPRINT. THIS IS A MARATHON!!!. THIS WILL BE A LONG, BEAUTIFUL, HARD PLAYED, WINNING SEASON FOR OUR FALCONS, THE OWNERS, AND OF COURSE, US FANS. THE SWAG IS BACK!! IT IS BACK IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. THUMP!!! IT’S TIME FOR THE PERCULATOR!!!! IT”S TIME FOR THE PERCULATOR!!!
GO FALCONS!!!! TAKE NO PRISONERS!!!
THE “PROCESS” CONTINUES!!!!
“FALCONS RISE UP!!!” IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” “TOGETHER: “THUMP!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!
………………..…………..”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!…………………………………….
PMC
October 25th, 2011
4:39 pm
Van den Bosch Sackless…. Got it.
lowdownjj
October 26th, 2011
12:30 pm
Svitek had a fine game but it is too short a body of work to proclaim him the savior. Dahl must have really been a more important cog than we all thought(although he was my favorite) because the O-line play in generall has really dropped this year. I believe Mr. Authur will have to spend on a true franchise LT this offseason. Gonna have DT’s this Sunday without my Birds! Miss ya already OVIE! The run game was really smoking!
THE INFAMOUS DK
October 26th, 2011
3:59 pm
The Falcons did well but we still have some work to do.. Trade for that tall safety Adrian Wilson from the Arizona Cardinals and we are good.. Thats really the only piece we are missing on D a safety. Thomas Decoud is always out of position. If you look it over.. The long play the Aints hit us for last year, Megatron and a few more I can rememeber at the moment. He is horrible. And he always thinks he’s doing something cause he made a play. Until I see him consistantly make plays and stop getting beat, I think he should not be jumping around like he’s a good player. He is terrible. William Moore and Witherspoon are coming along perfectly. The D is starting to GEL.. Now if we can get Matt to come the happy feet down by providing some blocking we will be killers.. And Mike Smith stop being so scary. Allow us to have a killer instinct. Allow us to whoop the shoes off a another team.. And we better completely destroy the Colts next week or its gonna be blood in the water for the Aints..
Playmaker_88
October 27th, 2011
10:33 am
It’s only the Falcons. It’s not as if we’re discussing a team that’s actually won something…