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.”
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139 comments Add your comment
hiramsaint
November 8th, 2012
11:29 pm
niether is the rest of the country.
hiramsaint
November 8th, 2012
11:29 pm
1st
Mike
November 8th, 2012
11:38 pm
You will be impressed Sunday hiramsaint.
Calistoga Dawg
November 8th, 2012
11:40 pm
Up to our boys to change the perception. Won’t happen until they win a playoff game. No sense worrying about it until then.
Billy O
November 8th, 2012
11:41 pm
I hope Mr. Madden does not take this personal, but we don’t care what he thinks. And that goes for you too, hiramsaint.
Mike
November 8th, 2012
11:43 pm
I’m guessing Madden is copying the newspaper articles he reads with the negative comments columnists keep publishing while the nurse is wiping his butt and putting on a new diaper.
wins-by-a-link
November 8th, 2012
11:59 pm
Madden is right, Falcons could easily be 5-3 instead of 8-0, You have to admit they were lucky to win some of thier games, On the other hand if a team goes undefeated a certain amount of luck is involved or required thats why it is so rare.
John
November 9th, 2012
12:00 am
John Madden coached 40 years ago and was part of the NFL at a different time. I don’t take any of his comments seriously. He should stick to making video games because outside of that he is a joker. When he did Monday Night Football I couldn’t wait for him to leave because he was clueless. Falcons on their way
IlliniDawg
November 9th, 2012
12:04 am
Sad. Madden hasn’t been relevant for the past decade or so. The guy needs to hang it up.
Gman 84
November 9th, 2012
12:09 am
Too bad for John that Favre retired-not much to talk since.
He is correct that the Falcons are solid. They also have a knack for winning. Sometimes “solid” but unspectacular teams keep winning until the become something special. Let’s hope the Falcons are building to something great instead of another playoff pratfall.
Funny how A Rodgers didn’t win a playoff game until his 6th year. Ryan is in his 5th. Most conventional wisdom in the NFL is based on past accomplishments (like most predictions). They fail to recognize they might seeing because of games played 1-4 years ago.
Falcon Flap
November 9th, 2012
12:13 am
The falcons have a better chance at winning a super bowl than his video game has at ever being good again.
DW4
November 9th, 2012
12:17 am
Madden hasn’t comprehended an actual football game since 95. He probably thinks Deion is too flashy and Jeff George has a strong arm but lacks the touch.
Big Ray
November 9th, 2012
12:38 am
What makes me laugh is hearing the same talking heads yapping about Dallas and Philadelphia.
Really? So what have those two teams been doing in the SuperBowl lately? Huh?
If what the Falcons do in the regular season means nothing, then why are talking heads yapping about the Aints trying to get back to .500 or the Bears, or anybody else. I mean, nothing means anything till the playoffs, right? Oh wait, that only applies to the Falcons because haters can’t stand that we have yet to lose.
Puma
November 9th, 2012
12:50 am
Who gives crap what everyone else thinks, just keep winning games. I think 8-0 is all that matters.
PNice
November 9th, 2012
1:09 am
At the end of the day, there are going to be haters out there. They will say that this is the same old Atlanta Falcons team that cant’t will a playoff game. Real Falcons fans know that this is a special team. All we do is win…win…win…… I will see you in New Orleans!!!! Enough said!!!!
Rise Up # 9
November 9th, 2012
1:11 am
Enter your comments here
DR. FALCON
November 9th, 2012
1:39 am
WHATEVER, WITH HIS FAT BUTT! MADDEN NEEDS TO GO BACK TO HIS SORRY ASS RAIDERS, AND RESURRECT THAT TEAM! I’VE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR HIM, BECAUSE, AS AN EX-COACH, YOU WOULD THINK HE WOULD FEEL THAT EVERY WIN IS HUGE, “SOLID” PLAYERS OR NOT! ESPECIALLY, IN THIS LEAGUE!
Mora less Petrino
November 9th, 2012
2:01 am
After the Falcons hang 50+ points on the Bounty Boys, the pundits will still be saying the same things. Who cares?
atllaker1
November 9th, 2012
2:23 am
we r heading to the superdome this Sunday…and we will be heading to the superdome come Feb. and I dont want to hear anybody except Falcon fans talk about what a great World Champs they are…RISE UP!!!
BobbyDawg
November 9th, 2012
2:31 am
John Madden has never impressed me with anything.
Knockahoma
November 9th, 2012
3:09 am
Nobody should be saying that the Falcons are a lock for a Super Bowl appearance, much less a win. This team has set themselves with a great opportunity to lock down the division and home-field advantage in the playoffs. That needs to be there main concern.
I think this lack of national respect is getting too much play. Nobody should be sitting here thinking that the Falcons are a clear-cut favorite over the Bears, 49ers, Giants, Texans, Steelers or Patriots in a winner take all match-up.
retired
November 9th, 2012
4:02 am
Dear John Madden , ESPN and all others doubting the Falcons.
Remember what Lynyrd Skynyrd said about Neil Young same goes for you!
SawThat1nce
November 9th, 2012
5:42 am
John Madden is still alive?
SawThat1nce
November 9th, 2012
5:46 am
If they only win their 4 games left against the taints and the Buccaneers, that will be ok with me.
Although, I would like to see them get as much home field advantage as possible.
KornDawg
November 9th, 2012
7:08 am
SSDD, he’s not saying anything different than anyone else. The Falcons will get no respect from the rest of the country until they win a playoff game. I’m just enjoying the ride while it lasts, hopefully until the Lombardi Trophy resides in Flowery Branch.
Greg
November 9th, 2012
7:10 am
Let’s beat a team that has a winning record this year, then we can start talking.
Esquire
November 9th, 2012
7:15 am
wins-by-a-link
November 8th, 2012
11:59 pm
Madden is right, Falcons could easily be 5-3 instead of 8-0, You have to admit they were lucky to win some of thier games, On the other hand if a team goes undefeated a certain amount of luck is involved or required thats why it is so rare.
**********************************************
L.U.C.K. = Labor Under Correct Knowledge
Samuel
November 9th, 2012
7:15 am
If I were a Falcon I woudn’t be concern about what others think. All you need to do is win your division.And secure a bye and get ready to elevate your game when the playoffs start. Once you win your first playoff game, then go from there. As Mike Smith would say, it’s a process.
ernisTbass
November 9th, 2012
7:16 am
Odd that Denver beats KC,Oak,&S Diego and Peyton is a great player and Denver is On The Move but Atl beats the same teams and they are dismissed as weak competition
SawThat1nce
November 9th, 2012
7:16 am
Through week 8, three of the Falcons opponents would have had a winning record, if the Falcons had not beaten them, and one opponent would have been .500.
This does not include the Broncos, who do have a winning record.
So that argument is kind of lame. imo.
JosephDakoolest a.k.a No Answer For Julio
November 9th, 2012
7:18 am
I agree Knockahoma, nothing Madden said was wrong. We are solid. Although we are the only team in the NFL gettting judged in the regular season by what we do in the playoffs, I dont have a problem with Madden’s comments. I don’t have a problem with the national respect either. As long as we stay focused on the task at hand we will be fine. And that is the next game on the schedule. I actually like the lack of respect from the media. This way we will stay hungry and we will perform in the post season. Go Falcons!!! Don’t Let Up!!!!!!
Esquire
November 9th, 2012
7:19 am
Greg
November 9th, 2012
7:10 am
Let’s beat a team that has a winning record this year, then we can start talking.
********************************************
Denver is 5-3, San Diego, if we had not beaten them, would also be 5-3, Start talking.
SCFalcon
November 9th, 2012
7:32 am
If the Falcons listen to all this hype and doubts about their record and they will start loosing some games. They need to just focus on the next game and playing consistently. They started missing some tackles in the Dallas game after have a better game vs Phillly. Play consistent football, get better every week….. the record and the playoffs will take care of themselves.
Esquire
November 9th, 2012
7:39 am
ernisTbass
November 9th, 2012
7:16 am
Odd that Denver beats KC,Oak,&S Diego and Peyton is a great player and Denver is On The Move but Atl beats the same teams and they are dismissed as weak competition
********************************************
Not to mention the beat down Denver put on New Orleans? They also beat Pittsburgh the week before they came to Atlanta for the MNF game.
AllofAtlanta
November 9th, 2012
7:39 am
Who Cares?
Steve79
November 9th, 2012
7:49 am
Am I correct in saying the Falcons don’t make their own schedule? They can only play the teams on their schedule. If the teams we are playing were having their customary seasons{New Orleans for example}, our schedule would appear much tougher. Don’t overanalyze-8-0 is 8-0!
Cloudodust
November 9th, 2012
7:56 am
I don’t dismiss Madden’s assessment of the Falcons. Simply put, the odds are in his favor prediction wise. Talk of winning out from a portion of a giddy fanbase and going, ‘All-Tha-Way’ is foolish-speak, even if spoken with one game left to play in the regular season and that mythical game being against the Browns scout squad. Solid is good enough for me at this juncture from a guy with a ring or two…
Jimmy Crack
November 9th, 2012
7:58 am
And the beat goes on……until our upcoming playoff game.
It’s only gonna get worse the more our guys win.
Yeahsure
November 9th, 2012
8:18 am
Every week comes by and people say “This is a statement game. This is a MUST WIN. KC on the road, Broncos MNF, San Diego on the road, Eagles (Reid after bye), Cowboys TNF”. Every week thus far, we have won and nothing has changed.
This weeks Aints game is no different. We lose, we will get no respect. We win, we will get no respect.
I seriously think its a southern bias. We have teams that have not proved anything in playoffs recently like the Cowboys, Eagles, Texans (Schaub), Bears. Even the Seahawks or Cardinals get more respect if they even sniff 2 wins in a row.
Realfalconfan
November 9th, 2012
8:18 am
Esquire is a dork
dean
November 9th, 2012
8:36 am
Realfalconfan is a troll ‘aints fan?
Defend thyself “Real”. Esquire has put facts before you.
Roy
November 9th, 2012
8:52 am
I agree with Madden we are doing just enough to win. There are only good teams in the league now not great ones parity has come to the NFL with that said we are one of the good teams.
Jim
November 9th, 2012
8:56 am
Heck I didn`t even know Madden was still alive! LOL
Timbo
November 9th, 2012
9:12 am
I thought he was dead.
Good Grief
November 9th, 2012
9:13 am
The mark of a good team is that they win close games, win blowout games, and find ways to win even whn they shouldn’t. You can say the Falcons should be 5-3 or 4-4 all you want. The fact is, Atlanta is 8-0. They are the only unbeaten team in the league. They’ve won ugly and they’ve won pretty. Over the last few regular seasons, opposing teams have learned one thing: Do NOT give Matt Ryan the ball with less than two minutes left and Atlanta less than a touchdown behind.
And now, with Dirk Koetter running the show, the offense has grown. They’re no longer three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust. The running game or Turner and Rodgers and Snelling can keep a defense up close to the line, while aerial weapons like Jones, White, Gonzalez and Douglas can stretch the field. The kicker appears to be more comfortable from 40+ yards out, meaning some pressure if off the offense. And Matt Ryan really has taken the next step. I’ll admit that, in the draft we got Ryan, I was in the group looking for Atlanta to take Glenn Dorsey. I’ve never been more happy to have a day of disappointment in my Falcons-fan-life.
Timbo
November 9th, 2012
9:17 am
Boom!
-John Madden
Wilson Pickett
November 9th, 2012
9:26 am
JMO but it seems like others are making more out of what John said. He is an old school guy and when he says SOLID he means a good football team. How many NFL teams have won the all? The Falcons will have at least 3 L’s before the regular season ends but just get into the playoffs and lets see where it goes. There is no need to judge the past years playoff record with this year’s version since they’re much better coached on both sides of the ball and by miles. The Falcons need a bigtime RB and a couple of offensive lineman going forward and this team will be just fine. Need some injury luck going forward no doubt. Get a little thicker skin Birds. John didn’t bash the team.
Delusional
November 9th, 2012
9:28 am
Why do Falcons fans attack everyone who is not believing in their fools gold? Maybe you guys should be redirecting your anger where it belongs – at your 72 million dollar draft pick who is 5 playoff wins and 2 championship game appearances behind his counterpart.
John Madden isn’t very impressed with the undefeated Falcons » Pro Football Zone
November 9th, 2012
9:31 am
[...] think they have solid players,” Madden said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They are solid on offense, solid on defense, special teams, the whole thing. They play very [...]
DK
November 9th, 2012
9:31 am
I don’t agree Orlando. I am a huge Falcons and I think his assessment is right on the mark. I disagree that an 8 – 8 team is solid; I call that inconsistent, not solid. While it’s certainly possible that we could go undefeated, it’s very unlikely, and I’m not going to make that the bar for success. Every team except one that’s won the Super bowl, has lost at least one game on the way. The goal is winning the Super bowl, and it’s far from certain that will happen. The way to make win the John Maddens of the world over is to play the rest of the season has hard and smart as possible, then go home with that Lombardi Trophy in our pockets.
HC007
November 9th, 2012
9:32 am
Its sad to see that senility has set in, poor Madden.
Just The Facts.......
November 9th, 2012
9:36 am
Outscored 72-23 in last 2 playoff games and shutout offensively in the last. Does this deserve respect?
True Falcon Fan
November 9th, 2012
9:43 am
To: All Critics — This Falcons team is a very mature group! So ALL the folks out there, John Madden’s etc., PLEASE, PLEASE keep throwing-up the “CRITICISM”, that is “one of the driving forces” that keeps this team motivated and they keep “WINNING”!
Somebody PLEASE stick a sock in #84 Roddy’s BIG MOUTH! We love ya buddy “You jus need to think or eat pizza” before talking……
GO FALCONS —- Rise-UP ATL, RISE-UP —- Ain’ts next
FalconFanSince RunNShoot#!M1983
November 9th, 2012
9:44 am
Truth be told, when you’re on top people always gonna have something 2 say bout you.. But we built our team from the ground up over the last 5 years, drafting high character players and smart guys.. When we be dancing down Bourbon street in Feb then what they gonna have 2 say.. Oh they played a weak schedule.. Noo its tha DAMN NFL noo team is weak.. That why u have CFL, Indoor Football, arena football, soo kill dat talk bout OUR FALCONS…. LOL RISE UP FALCONATION
Playoff Wins
November 9th, 2012
9:45 am
How much respect do you deserve when your last playoff win was nearly a decade ago?
jerry
November 9th, 2012
9:45 am
John Madden knows football, and as far as we know, has nothing personal against the Falcons, and gave an honest assessment of the Falcons. So what? The people taking his comments personally and attacking his football knowledge are coming across as doped up roofers.
john
November 9th, 2012
9:47 am
Pressure on Brees will produce an easy victory for the Falcons.
KBP
November 9th, 2012
9:49 am
Why does it matter what the National media thinks? I hope we lose a game before the playoffs so the undefeated regular season talk will GO AWAY The distraction is not worth it. A team in 2007 had an undefeated regular season and lost the SB and I bet they would rather have a SB victory. We don’t know if the Falcons are the best team but we do know they have the best record. We know we are one of the few franchises in NFL history to win its first 8 games. Just keep on keeping on.
1eyedJack
November 9th, 2012
9:51 am
At this point I think Frank Caliendo has more credibility than John Madden. However….I don’t see the ‘Coons going undefeated.
KBP
November 9th, 2012
9:53 am
AJC, change the time on this blog. Wow, thought I was late.
Bold Prediction
November 9th, 2012
9:55 am
Enter your comments here
Bold Prediction
November 9th, 2012
9:56 am
Falcons finish 9-7 and Tampa finishes with a 10-6 record.
Chicken
November 9th, 2012
9:56 am
Hiram, there you are little biotch……been hidin’ like the rest of the trolls ??
lowdownjj
November 9th, 2012
10:05 am
Woopty damn doo. Who cares what he thinks? Who cares what anybody outside of Flowery Branch thinks? I am a die-hard Coons fan and even I have a little reservations of what will come in the postseason. But untill then I am loving every minute of it!
Sonny Clusters
November 9th, 2012
10:05 am
What’s different about this and the Braves? Nothing much that we can see. Until the Falcons can win in the post-season they will be discounted just as the Braves have been again and again. Remember, we got mad at ESPN for saying it but their analysts said, “the Cardinals will play up, and the Braves will play down” in the play-in game . . . and they were right! Chemistry decides what will happen and the Falcons changed chemistry for this season. Let’s hope that works. The Braves came back with the same old same old. Let’s hope they will make big changes beginning in Spring Training with a concentration on pennant winning baseball instead of golf and fishing.
A Fan
November 9th, 2012
10:06 am
One game at a time. The way to anything good is by earning it. We’ll either win and earn another round of this, or lose and earn another round of this. We’ll have to earn our way to the big game, but we’ll have to earn our way into the playoffs, and then earn those wins to the end. Call em statement games, big games, or whatever. Smitty has the boys thinking process. And this weekend is just another step in that process. I’m glad nobody believes. Everybody loves underdogs. It’s hard being an underdog at 8-0. Dale Earnheart said he hoped that he got booed. He’d go to the bank and cash the check on Monday…
MJM
November 9th, 2012
10:07 am
Madden is absolutely right, our Falcons, and I love them, have not blown any one away. Oakland, Panters were last minute wins, The schedule gets tough now, Tampa Bay will be especially tough but I hope we can keep on winning.
me
November 9th, 2012
10:13 am
So the guy who can’t control his fear of flying in an airplane offers an opinon. It’s just another opinion.
joe in tucker
November 9th, 2012
10:14 am
really don’t care what that fat assed blow hard says, never have, never will…..
FalconUGAFan
November 9th, 2012
10:14 am
So what?…I got an opinion too, but what does that have to do with the fact we have to take one game at a time. Worry about New Orleans. Brees has our number and we better be ready.
me
November 9th, 2012
10:14 am
@MJM
Madden is absolutely right, our Falcons, and I love them, have not blown any one away.
Other than the Eagles, San Diego and Denver, you are correct.
papadawg
November 9th, 2012
10:15 am
Mr. Brees will light up the injured Falcon D and I don’t think Matty Ice & Co will be able to outscore him. I expect 35+ from Brees & gang
Jason
November 9th, 2012
10:19 am
Score. Board.
Jason
November 9th, 2012
10:21 am
One more thing: while looking at the Giants at this point of the year last year, would anyone have described them as a juggernaut? Nope. They would likely have been described as “solid” as well. Those of us who live here know this team is something special. It’ll be our little secret until January. Fine by me.
SawThat1nce
November 9th, 2012
10:22 am
Don’t bet any money on that papadawg.
Brees won’t be on the field that much(unless they decide to play him on defense).
Look for the Falcons to run the ball down the taints gullets.
Dawg Fan
November 9th, 2012
10:28 am
Madden is still alive??
John Madden not a Falcons believer
November 9th, 2012
10:28 am
[...] “I think they have solid players,” Madden said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “They are solid on offense, solid on defense, special teams, the whole thing. They play very well as a group, as a team. [...]
Mike Jay
November 9th, 2012
10:30 am
He’s mostly right except for calling the offense solid. If that offense is merely solid I would hate to see what a good or even great one looks like. He also did not emphasize how well this team plays together. IMO that is one of the biggest overlooked things in the NFL where every team has talent. Also coaching really does make a difference. Look at the Denver gaem. Peyton did not just have a bad game as most pundits say. He was masterfully game planned for and completely confused. Bonus to Madden if he had also mentioned (he didn”t)they are the least penalized team in the NFL, which they have been for the entirety of Smith’s stewardship. Keep on hating and not believing and The Falcons will just keep on winning.
TDnoclue
November 9th, 2012
10:39 am
What makes Madden so smart. How many Super Bowls did he win.
That’s right….one. Just like a dozen other average coaches.
Flo-Ri-Duh
November 9th, 2012
10:43 am
Madden has a point, The Falcons have a weak schedule and haven’t played any of the top 10 teams. Denver was just bringing in a new QB when the Falcons played them . All the other teams they played are mediocre at best. Falcons played three of these mediocre teams even and were outplayed but fortunate to beat the Panthers who are 2 – 6. This probably the best coaching staff the Falcons have ever had. Bat New Orleans in the Dome decisively and I will be more of a believer.
ASHCAN!!!!!!
November 9th, 2012
10:44 am
It don’t matter if they go 16-0, question is can they win in the playoffs???? We all have opinions thats why a blog was created, but i personally don’t think the falcons can beat SF,NYG,GB in the playoffs. They will be exposed like they always do.Until they do it i’ll always have my doubt, the falcons have been disappointments since the 1980 team losing to the cowboys with a good lead with 3min left. I know this is not that team but just saying,been hype you up then a no show when it really counts.
ASHCAN!!!!!!
November 9th, 2012
10:49 am
And for everybody all over madden for telling truth, when it happens don’t change your mind calling him a great football mind. Like what are you going to do, stop playing his game on ps3 for him calling out your team??? LOL truth hurts.
Tim
November 9th, 2012
10:55 am
sorry John your just old
RGO67
November 9th, 2012
10:55 am
BIRD CALL to DIRTY BIRD NATION!!!!!
Yes it would be nice to have all the National Attention from the media but we really need to win a playoff game this year before they really jumpon the wagon. Deep down inside they all believe but as long as we the DIRTY BIRD NATION believes it just shouldn’t matter.
Until then either RUN WITH US or GET RUN OVER!!!
RISE UP DIRTY BIRD NATION!!!!
BillyBob
November 9th, 2012
11:00 am
As Falcon fans we know this is the best team and organization in the history of the franchise. That gets us excited but unfortunately we don’t have a great history and until a team start winning playoff games they will not get the respect. I Iove this team but I understand how all this works. If we go one and out then this great start will mean nothing to anybody, other than Falcon fans. Two or three more wins we go to playoff and then and only then will a win mean something to the pundits. Sad but true.
Jst Askn
November 9th, 2012
11:14 am
Why do we care about the opinions of a ‘has been’ too afraid to get on an airplane? Take two seats in your RV, Madden!
TheAintsDefenseSuk
November 9th, 2012
11:14 am
I am so over what the rest of the NFL has to say about the Falcons. Just continue to win one game at a time, and we will see what’s up after we win the Super Bowl.
monty
November 9th, 2012
11:16 am
Time to start being physical, not saying stop passing but be able to grind out a 3rd and 2 every now and then instead of have to go to the pass for short yardage. Grind out some 1st downs at the end of the game instead of being forced to pass to do so. WHere are we ranked defensvily? Are we just “solid” or are we near the top? Can we stop a good run game? Have we faced a great passing game yet? Lot of questions about this team still. Hopefully everything will be answered favorably in time!
THE ATLER
November 9th, 2012
11:20 am
You guys stop being soooooo sensitive when people talk bad about the Falcons. As long as we’re still winning who cares what they say. I’m ready to get the playoffs and let our play speak for us. We don’t have to get all defensive and mad when the national media doesn’t agree with us about the Falcons. Let em hate and we will just keep winning.
1stn10
November 9th, 2012
11:25 am
Here’s what I like to think about. The Falcons have 8 games left, if they play .500 ball we end up at 12-4, if the aints do they end up 7-9. So please chill out the Falcons are in the drivers seat. Does anyone think that the Falcons will loose more than 4 games the rest of the season?
1stn10
November 9th, 2012
11:28 am
The Falcons have no pressure on them at all, every other team in our division does. All they need to do Sunday is not beat themselves are it’s on to 9-0. It may be a tight game but the Falcons will win.
GO Falcons..!!!
November 9th, 2012
11:33 am
I remember when Madden would call MNF and atlanta was playing. Madden always found something positive about the Birds play. even when the other guys would gush over the apposing team. Anyway my point is , I dont think he was slamming the Falcons. He’s an ex coach telling atlanta they got a ‘Solid’ team. He’s right.
Go Falcons…stay healthy,stay focused…
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
November 9th, 2012
11:44 am
Go Falcons. Win for REVENGE. Win for LOVE OF COUNTRY. Win because I LOVE THE FALCONS.
Go Falcons!!!
Kelly
November 9th, 2012
11:46 am
And? Next.
I am Third
November 9th, 2012
12:07 pm
1998 All Over Again
John Madden said the same thing about the Falcons in 1998 and how they were not in the same league with Minnesota etc. I remember him saying this on Thanksgiving Day or Thanksgiving weekend. What does this Mean? I think he is too slow to give the team credit where credit is due, just like the rest of the media. This team reminds me of the early Patriot teams of the 2000s that did enough to win before they later became dominant.
They had football then ?
November 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
lol, This coming from a man who played with a lather helmet…..geezer
They had football then ?
November 9th, 2012
12:11 pm
*leather
Ivan
November 9th, 2012
12:12 pm
All the talk about “Falcons need to win the playoffs” will be relevant in January. Because that’s when the playoffs begin.
Right now they’re playing the regular season. So save the “0-3 in the playoffs” until the it actually gets here.
True Falcon Fan
November 9th, 2012
12:25 pm
@ Bold Prediction = DumbASHES! enough said!
November 9th, 2012
9:56 am
Go Falcons —- Nawlins next
Disgusted
November 9th, 2012
12:29 pm
And how many big games did Madden lose when he was coaching the Raiders.
Were they not the team that “could not win the big one” for some time.
Look at the record. Perrennial losers of the AFC championship game till he got one in ‘76.
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.