John Madden is not too impressed with the undefeated Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH – Hall of Fame coach and renown broadcaster John Madden is not sold on the Atlanta Falcons as Super Bowl contenders.
On his weekly show “Madden Football” show on SiriusXM NFL Radio show, he repeatedly called the league’s last undefeated team “solid.”
“Solid” is good for .500 team. “Solid” is not good if you plan to contend for the Lombardi Trophy.
Former Oakland Raiders Coach John Madden gestures toward his bust during his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 2006. (Associated Press/Mark Duncan)
“I think they have solid players,” Madden said. “They are solid on offense, solid on defense, special teams, the whole thing. They play very well as a group, as a team. But at this halfway point, I know they are undefeated. They have the best record. But I’m not really ready to say, ‘OK the Super Bowl is theirs. They are the World Champions.’”
Madden also doesn’t believe the Falcons are going undefeated.
“I think they are going to have, I heard Rich (Gannon) say earlier, that he thinks they are going to lose a game in route and I do to too,” Madden said.
The bottom line for Madden, and it seems for the rest of the nation, is that the Falcons have flopped in the playoffs in three of the past four seasons.
“But how are they going to do in the playoffs?,” Madden said. “At some point, with the Falcons I think you can be ready to jump into the playoffs and say how are they going to do there and that’s where I would start to have questions.”
LATEST NEWS
Mike Smith says no major injury for Peria Jerry
Goodell met with Gov. Deal, Mayor Reed to discuss stadium deal
Falcons’ playtime percentage chart vs. Cowboys
Roddy White becomes all-time reception leader
Post game comments from the Falcons locker room
Falcons pull out 19-13 victory over Cowboys to improve to 8-0
OTHER RECENT NEWS
Sean Weatherspoon is out for Sunday’s game vs. Dallas
Matt Ryan is climbing the charts to elite status
Tony Gonzalez needs four catches to reach 50 mark for 15th straight season
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
139 comments Add your comment
fuzzybee
November 9th, 2012
12:33 pm
What part of that quote would you not agree with? The Falcons are solid as a team in all areas. They are not likely to go undefeated and they are not a lock for the SuperBowl. Makes sense to me. Sometimes I think people go out of their way to be offended.
Timbo
November 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
John Madden reminds me of the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island.
Guess what?
November 9th, 2012
1:03 pm
People were gushing all over the Packers last year at this time in the season. Where did that get them? One and done.
Jesup1987
November 9th, 2012
1:49 pm
Yep, they are solid. Solidly undefeated.
Pat Summeral
November 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
I just vomited blood.
buckhead benny
November 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
In all do fairness this is a much better coached team offensively and defensively than Mularkey and Van Gorder and that shows come playoff time- Any Falcon fan could tell you what plays we were running on 1st, 2nd, and third down- we were going to try running michael turner 90 percent of the time on 1st and 70 percent on second down and guess what then were passing on 3rd down? More importantly, the wideouts and they will tell you they only had a few routes they ran so all of the db’s sat on those routes come playoff time- you never saw the screen pass until this year! What does the screen pass do it keeps those Giants D-lineman on their heels and not with their ears pinned back-
More importantly, just with dirk koetter keeping teams guessing what play your going to run they will win a lot of playoff games if they keep this guy-
How is the Mularkey team doing in Jacksonville and his offense? HORRIBLE
How about the Auburn Defense with Van Gorder? HORRIBLE
So if anything look at these past teams coached by these guys as the reason when you played in the playoffs-
Not to make excuses but last I checked they did lose to two of the super bowl winners in green bay and N.Y and Arizona who went to the Superbowl.
You learn from those losses- thats not a bad thing necessarily they will be wiser and more apt for it!
I usually just read but...
November 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
and I do to too,” Madden said.
Was he thinking about that little dress bradshaw likes him to wear?
I just vomited blood too.
Gotta go by a slaughterhouse on the way home and watch em kill a cpl hogs to get that picture outa my head.
ChipperisGod
November 9th, 2012
2:34 pm
We’re far better than “solid”. We’re not the greatest team ever, heck I wouldn’t even call us great or anything, or say we’re a lock for the Super Bowl, or even the playoffs at this point.
We are however are consistent in one thing this year. And that is winning. While we could have lost to Oakland or Carolina, well, you can look at the defending Super Bowl champs who almost lost to the Panthers, but a couple of weeks before blew out Championship contender San Francisco.
Same for us, we we beat down Philly (a team that everyone says has under achieved) and almost lost to Carolina.
No one is going to look perfect every week. We’ve won every game, but in varying degrees of dominance. I think we’ll lose eventually, but I think this is the year we make a run in the postseason. However deep that run is, I don’t know, but man am I glad we hired the coordinators we did. That has made a world of difference.
I’m no longer ever watching a game on pins and needles. I have full confidence that we have a great chance to win every game we play. Even when we were down to Dallas, I know this team has what it takes and I don’t worry about them like I do with the Braves and the Hawks.
Go Falcons! Keep it up! This is your year, if YOU GUYS continue to make it your year!
Bi Polar Syndrone
November 9th, 2012
2:52 pm
Why doesn’t the media talk about us?
The media always talking trash about us.
Falcons fans have to be the biggest Bi Polar cases on record. You guys complain about nobody talking about you, but when they do and if it’s not positive you call them names like little children.
If you stink it up in the playoffs like getting blown out 48-21 in the Dome and follow that up with having your offense shutout the next season, how do you expect critics to react. You have to earn respect and stop acting like wuzzes when people voice their opinions.
Michael M.
November 9th, 2012
3:14 pm
By the way, ” Who is John Madden ” ?…………………Oh yeah, that is the old fart who use to comment on Steve Young and the Niners and Jerry Rice and TO…………..
The Atlanta Falcons don’t care what anybody else thinks about them. All those players worry with is each other and how to win the next game up.
Come Sunday they have a shot at embarrassing the Caints in front of their home crowd and that sorry Caints defense that can’t tackle just will make it that much easier for the Falcons offense to score points on them…………………………………..I hope the Falcons clobber them and beat em about 75 – 0 !…………………………………………..
goFalcons
November 9th, 2012
3:16 pm
WHO CARES WHAT MADDEN THINKS OF OUR FALCONS? FALCONS ARE 8-0 AND ARE THE TARGET OF ENVY. THE FACT HE FEELS LIKE HE NEEDS TO COMMENT OF THE FALCONS LETS ME KNOW HE IS IMPRESSED.
Answer This
November 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
Who scrubbed that dog$hit Hiram off the bottom of their feet? I told you all to wipe your feet as you come in the Falcon nest! Now I have to clean up!
J from Sin City
November 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
Come on guys, let’s keep the touges civil
Loyal Falcon
November 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
The Aints win a couple games and now hiramaint and the other Aint trolls come out. wow
Dzor22
November 9th, 2012
3:59 pm
What are we arguing here? When it comes to home field advantage in the playoffs…Madden or any other geniuses thoughts have no bearing. Just keep beating the teams on the schedule.
J from Sin City
November 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
The critics do not bother me because each time the Falcons win it proves them wrong and makes it all extra sweet
crybaby
November 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
Who cares what a “washed up” drunk thinks?? Madden is fortunate to have the job he has..and Not very good at that! Sirus radio sports..really!! Who in hell Every listens to satallite sports radio? They are dying a slow death..Madden, like a lot of other EX coach’s were fortunate to win a Super Bowl..They just happen to be at the right place in time! Another thing that gripe’s my Butt..Is the referral of the sports networks to EX coach’s as COACH so & so..The ONLY coach’s are the ACTIVE coach’s..The rest of you pretenders are just that..pretenders! If you had a Heart at all, you would still be coaching somewhere!
Go Falcons..show all these dead-beat dregs of the sporting world exactly what you are made of!! Who cares what the media heads think..EVERY body has an opinion, just like a$$$ and elbows..ALL you Falcons have to do is keep your head in the game and don’t be distracted by all these outside forces..Who the hell cares what THEY think?
LOL at the Aints
November 9th, 2012
5:04 pm
Maddens a big wuss, he wont even get on an airplane,, he probably couldnt fit his fat a$$ in the seat anyway, LOL
Lee
November 9th, 2012
5:32 pm
at this point, what is next? are they going to dig up Vince Lombardi to tell us how bad the falcons are, and how second rate Matt Ryan is but tell us how The Packers are going to win the Super bowl and that idiot Rodgers is MVP of the League?? its really starting to get moronic what people are saying!! People like John madden just needs to keep his mouth shut and go watch video of himself when when he mattered!!! he pretend he is still doing Monday night football or something?
okeetee
November 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
Well, Madden is right, we are solid and we are not going to go undefeated. However, with an 8-0 start and the schedule we have the rest of the way, we will get more than likely a bye week and then a home game. That’s plenty more than all the other train wreck teams can say! NO TEAM this year is more than “solid”! Heck, SF has lost two games, Houston got their butts whipped at home! And the Giants looked pathetic losing at home to the Steelers last week! The Patriots have 3 loses and a secondary made out of Swiss cheese! They had to sign a druggie with a load of jailhouse tats just to give them a shot at keeping there defense from giving up 300 yards in the air each game they’ve got left!
Mikey
November 9th, 2012
6:02 pm
I was a Bears fan in 1985 and saw the same thing. Analysts look at the last few years as an indication of who will win in the playoffs. Trends set in the previous years do tell us something about the players themselves and the coaches. At this point in the 1985 season, the Bears were 8-0 and no analyst gave them a chance. Come to find out, the CURRENT year has much more relevance than past years. Like the ‘85 Bears team, the 2012 Falcons are showing continued learning and improvement every week and they are demonstrating highly skilled coaching and players that can adjust to game-time situations of any kind.
Our Falcons have thus far demonstrated consistency in playing at a high level. They make very few mistakes tin any phase of the game. They are becoming more tenatious on defense and have demostrated an ability to adapt to controlling differing offensive schemes from opponents. They have one of the best offenses in the NFL and their special teams are solid. The world will begin to recognize them if they can demonstrate dominance over other teams and solid control of the red zone. They are still missing too many tackles to beconsidered a dominating defense though. With continued development over the next 8 games, they can well learn to correct these shortcomings. They have demonstrated great depth at almost every position. At this point, Madden is correct. The Falcons haven’t demonstrated enough dominance to pursuade him of Superbowl dominance.
I am anticpating that this very special team will begin to display that dominance in weeks to come. The regular season IS important. It is not only the qualifying ground but the training ground for the playoffs and this team is training with some of the best coaches and the best players in the history of the game. They are smart, fast and consistently good. I like their prospects! GO FALCONS! YOU ARE RISING UP!
sincethe80$
November 9th, 2012
6:12 pm
Nobody has taken time too notice the Falcons are the only team I know of whom don’t have back to back home games! That’s not easy to do. regardless the other teams record. There’s no I in luck. But it is in Wins!
SCFalcon
November 9th, 2012
6:25 pm
I fully support our birds. But if they had played games 4-6 with the same proficiency as games 1-3, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Thanks to all the trolls who have stayed in the closet over the past 3-4 weeks!
GO FALCONS!
hiramsaint
November 9th, 2012
6:29 pm
after reading the post it seems to me that the failclown fan base is not impressed with themselves either. if all you can do is make excuses for winning , then that about says it all . reality check this sunday- y’all are not the dolphins or the patriots and it’s pretty lame to think you are after 1/2 of a season
bfred
November 9th, 2012
6:29 pm
I think D-Led’s trying to give our guys some bulletin board material. Doesn’t sound like he’s unimpressed, just that he’s not ready to pick them as a sure thing for the Superbowl. I don’t think too many people around here are either.
And from an old-school guy, “solid” is a compliment. A team that’s solid in all facets of the game is a winner in this league.
bama52
November 9th, 2012
7:10 pm
The offensive line and running game could solve all of this. We start running the ball we will be a dominant team. Right now White, Gonzalaz and Jones are demanding double teams on offense. If Turner and the offensive line get it together we will be trouble for the rest of the league. Defensive line needs more pressure on the opposing team QB. Why don’t our rookie D-linemen play more Abraham and Coy Bierman are logging to much time, they need relief . We are playing good, just need to improve in some areas. IT”S TIME TO RISE UP FALCONS!!!!!!!!!
Really?
November 9th, 2012
9:38 pm
Madden is still alive? And people say you can’t learn anything from Dled. I’m just kidding D. You the man!
charles
November 9th, 2012
10:53 pm
hey it was the same thing when dan took them all the way to the super bowl . they kept saying the running game want get them there
Michael M.
November 9th, 2012
11:16 pm
Loyal Falcon
November 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
The Aints win a couple games and now hiramaint and the other Aint trolls come out. wow
That above is just too funny ……………………..Don’t worry …after the Falcons add them to the losers column this Sunday they will go crawl back in their holes or boxes and we won’t hear no more out of em until the Falcons play the Caints again……………………………………………… Falcons going to be …………………………………..9 – 0 baby come Sunday night ! ! ! ! ! !
Just wanna know
November 10th, 2012
12:50 am
I might be mistaken but I don’t think so!! I know its been a few years but the Falcons did win some playoff games and it really hasn’t been that long ago because the QB from that year ws a guy we wll not mentioned but the media sure does reconize him some think he’s the Eagles savor Ha!!!! anyway back to the Falcons winning a playoff game if I remember right they beat the Minnosta Vikings and Green Bay Packers then went on to the SB to loose to the Bronco’s and Elway.
Dumber for having read this sh!t
November 10th, 2012
1:12 am
Since when does SOLID not mean VERY VERY GOOD WITH VERY FEW FAULTS?
You spun words to write a bad article. Journalism is dead because of people like you.
Crazy Uncle Joe Biden
November 10th, 2012
1:30 am
Go Falcons! And take the Braves with you.
LOL at the Aints
November 10th, 2012
3:39 am
LOL uncle Joe,, that was 20 year ago,, but good one..
LOL at the Aints
November 10th, 2012
3:41 am
Glad to see that HiramAint finally grew a sack and came back to talk ish,, LOL
Wal-Mart Retards
November 10th, 2012
4:06 am
McKayla Maroney isn’t impressed with John Madden not being impressed with the undefeated Atlanta Falcons.
Syminite
November 10th, 2012
12:09 pm
I don’t have a problem with what john madden is saying, (please hear me out) He is simply saying that the Falcons are not super bowl champs yet, and He isn’t ready to crown us champions. I don’t know of any team that got to the midway point of the season and people said they are the superbowl champs. The Falcons are off to a great start and they have to keep it going, its simple, no one is crowned after only 8 weeks, He isn’t dissing the Falcons he is just stating the facts, falcons have more work to do the season isn’t over yet. (yes I am a Falcons Fan) RISEUPNATION.COM Westendatlanta.org
dave
November 10th, 2012
11:25 pm
I would rather the Falcons enter the post-season with a few loses and end up winning in the playoffs, than for them to go to the super bowl and fail. Remember the Patriots a few years ago? Going 18-0 means nothing if you don’t win that last game. It would be better for a team to back into the playoffs at 9-7 or even 8-8 maybe and win the Super Bowl, than to go undefeated and choke in it. For the Pats, that had to be a devastating loss. Worse than any other. I predicted that that particular Patriots team would never make it back to the Super Bowl. Not the franchise but the team with the same players.
John Madden isn’t sold on the undefeated Falcons (National Football Post) | E. OVERSTREET SPORTS MANAGEMENT
November 11th, 2012
10:55 am
[...] “I think they have solid players,” Madden said, according to the report. “They are solid on offense, solid on defense, special teams, the whole thing. They play very well as a group, as a team. But at this halfway point, I know they are undefeated. They have the best record. But I’m not really ready to say, ‘OK the Super Bowl is theirs. They are the World Champions.’” [...]
jim chumley
November 12th, 2012
11:13 am
why in the hell do we keep giving the ball to TURNER on the one yard line? haven’t we learned
by now? we should have won,but first of all we have got to tackle much better and the oline has
to block better. i hope this loss is a learning experience.