Atlanta Falcons: ‘Not worried’ about issues after first loss
Surely, there are a few positives for the Falcons after their first defeat of the season.
For starters, they finally are freed from having to talk about being undefeated, the possibility of finishing undefeated and the increasing public scrutiny that goes along with all of that.
“No,” cornerback Dunta Robinson said the day after Atlanta’s 31-27 defeat at New Orleans on Sunday. “I’d rather much be answering those questions and be 9-0 than answer these questions and be 8-1.”
OK, but it’s not as if New Orleans dominated Atlanta. The Falcons led 10-0 early, regained the lead after falling behind and then lost when they failed to score a touchdown on three chances from the 1-yard line.
The surging Saints and their fans were motivated against their hated rivals. The Falcons had no real running game and Saints quarterback Drew Brees had his usual assortment of big passing plays.
And yet Atlanta came up literally one yard short from winning. So that’s got to be something to build on.
“I don’t think there is any consolation in that,” Falcons center Todd McClure said. “The whole objective is to win football games and if you don’t, you go back and look at the areas where you fell short in and that’s what we will do today.”
The Falcons still have the best record in the NFC and a commanding lead in the NFC South. The only thing that’s certain now that wasn’t before Sunday is the Falcons won’t finish undefeated.
That never seemed realistic, anyway, though safety William Moore said, “We had something in mind” and “We want to be perfect” when told that losing in the NFL was almost inevitable.
“This loss right here is going to build the character of our team even more,” Moore said. “We’ve got some great guys in here. If you look at it this morning, everybody is ready to get back on it.”
The Falcons will see some familiar weaknesses during their self-examination.
The running game sputtered again New Orleans with 46 yards on 18 attempts and multiple failures in short-yardage situations. Stopping the run has been a season-long problem, too, as highlighted Sunday by the Saints’ Chris Ivory’s momentum-shifting 56-yard touchdown run.
Those shortcomings and others were evident while Atlanta won its first eight games. The Falcons knew it then and said so.
“I don’t think we needed a wake-up call (because) every Sunday there are areas you can improve on,” McClure said. “This team wasn’t asleep. We worked hard last week. We just didn’t execute like we should on Sunday. It’s tough to win a game on Sunday every week, much less nine in a row.”
The Falcons likely won’t win when it counts most if they can’t run the ball more consistently. More to the point, they have to find a way to get a yard or two in critical situations.
The Saints stopped running back Michael Turner on three runs when the Falcons needed a yard. The Falcons didn’t even try a running play on fourth down at the 1-yard line in the final minute after Turner was stopped on third down.
“We did not execute well,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We had too many unblocked guys in the hole.”
As Atlanta struggled to run for one yard, the Saints were able to change the game on Ivory’s one big run in the first quarter, after Atlanta posted a quick 10-point lead. Smith said the Falcons missed four tackles on the play.
Smith noted that Ivory’s 56-yard run skewed the numbers somewhat; New Orleans gained 92 yards on its other 28 attempts. Also, the Falcons were much stouter against the run after halftime.
Still, the Falcons rank third from the bottom of the league in yards allowed per rushing attempt (4.9 yards).
“It’s been an issue that has probably been our Achilles heel on the defensive side of the ball,” Smith said.
All NFL championship contenders have weaknesses. In the final analysis, the Falcons lost a close game on the road because New Orleans played well enough to exploit their flaws.
Now it’s up to the Falcons to prove they can shore up those weak spots.
“We will definitely get that done,” Robinson said. “We are not worried at all. We are a very good football team. We’ve got a lot of football left and we are going to do a lot of winning.”
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132 comments Add your comment
4BsihTneeS
November 13th, 2012
10:14 am
First!
Man......
November 13th, 2012
10:17 am
Yes, the Falcons are first in the NFC south, and NFC Seen, nice you noticed.
Statick
November 13th, 2012
10:21 am
“We will definitely get that done,” Robinson said. “We are not worried at all.”
You should be worried, Dunta, with your bad angles and worse tackling.
4BsihTneeS
November 13th, 2012
10:22 am
In the final analysis, the Falcons lost a close game on the road because New Orleans played well enough to exploit their flaws.
Exploited and Exposed their flaws. More losses coming up.
cowbellhell
November 13th, 2012
10:26 am
Our safety play has been pathetic since the Denver game… will somebody who plays safety for the falcons PLEASE PLEASE hit somebody?! Decoud routinely whiffs on tackles and other than one solid hit I remember against the Aints, has anybody seen William Moore lately? These two better step it up cause they way the Aints went down the field on us at the end of the first half was down right embarrassing…
That being said we were without two of our three best defenders in Spoon and Grimes. Better tighten it up Nolan and get em hitting in practice.
Choke On My Grits
November 13th, 2012
10:37 am
@4BsihTneeS ….yeah more losses coming for YOUR team……they’re 4-5….remember!
RobbE33
November 13th, 2012
10:40 am
If the defense can minimize the distracting smack talk and the offense can regain the chip on their shoulder they should be able to peak in December when it matters most. Getting smacked around in November may be the best thing to happen to this team.
lowdownjj
November 13th, 2012
10:49 am
We gotta get the short yardage issues fixed somehow. But it could be worse @BS-knees, we could be rooting for a dung heap team fighting to get to .500
David
November 13th, 2012
10:50 am
Hey D-led, I told you at the begining of the season that Turner was over weight and tip toed to damn much and you defended him, great running back make holes not run into the back of his on player, Now do you think he is a great running back ? I didn’t think so.
Singletary
November 13th, 2012
10:54 am
Dear Dirk — Naked Bootleg. There are no A or B gaps with this offensive line. Signed, A Fan
Mike is Back
November 13th, 2012
11:00 am
Dled, I agree…no worries…however there should be some concern…when you can’t run the ball on one of the worst team in the league against the run…that’s got to be a concern. I still think to jump start the running game…we gotta get Rogers out in space…where he can get matchups with linebackers.
Anyway time to move on.
RISE UP BIRDS…LET’S GO…LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve
November 13th, 2012
11:01 am
Let’s not forget Roddy not running through his route at the end and playing for a penalty instead of a touchdown. Running game is the joke of the league. 48 yards against the statistically worse run defense in the league. I know we were not going to win them all but we played this one not to loose and that’s exactly what it got us.
The Real Fan
November 13th, 2012
11:03 am
Will be there early for the tailgate and to watch us take it out on Arizona!
David
November 13th, 2012
11:04 am
What the hell do you mean a commanding lead,see where we are at in four weeks if we dont step it up, remember we have the aints one more time and Tampa twice, that coul be three losses.
BillyBob
November 13th, 2012
11:04 am
There ain’t not mystery in not getting the one yard. Not enough muscle on O line and not enough speed at running back.
The Real Fan
November 13th, 2012
11:04 am
Roddy was not the reason for the loss. It was a team effort. Better blocking, better tackling. better pasing in the endzone. Team effort.
Answer This
November 13th, 2012
11:05 am
Did someone say something about flaws? 4-5 Flaws? Hey we played a tough Kansas City team in our own backyard and we………we………lets move on! That was a minor flaw! We lost four in a row and we……..we………are schizo………up 4 weeks………..down 4 weeks……….but we have no FLAWS, only bounties! Get it right!
Rise UP Nation!
GregKennesaw
November 13th, 2012
11:06 am
Everyone put your hands in the air, cause Turner runs like he just don’t care.
GregKennesaw
November 13th, 2012
11:06 am
Start Snelling
**Frederick(Bailey)Douglass**
November 13th, 2012
11:08 am
DOL, more later in the week…but the apparent story is becoming about
why Coach Smith refuses to give Jason Snelling a shot to run the ball. #44 blocks, runs well and is an
excellent receiver out of the backfield. How much longer will the Falcons make excuses for Turner. We held open competition at lineman position, cut the starting fullback mid season…
when will we give another runner a try? 13 yards on 15 carries is horrible.
DOL, why are we so wedded to Turner? At 8-1 with a shot for a major run in playoffs, I would hate to see it all squandered over Turner again. Check stats…as a falcon he has been non existant in playoff games and in big games.
Please let us know.
FBD
sam
November 13th, 2012
11:14 am
I remember a couple of years when Turner was hurt Snelling responded with an awesome game. as the feature back. Seems the answer we’re looking for may be right there.
Blake
November 13th, 2012
11:17 am
DOL,
I agree with the last two comments. Why won’t the Falcons admit that Turner has lost his burst and just can’t seem to move the pile? He’s 247 pounds. He should be able to push the pile forward for a yard. McClure made it clear that not all of the run woes can attributed to the o-line. It’s so frustrating every week to watch him bumble around and fall forward for 2 yards.
Answer This
November 13th, 2012
11:19 am
They putting the LIGHT on you to ask the TOUGH QUESTIONS DLED…………what you going to do?
Woffman
November 13th, 2012
11:21 am
Try Beirmann at MLB–I know he would be a liability in coverage, but it would be nice to have a thumper that stop a running back in the hole…tired of seeing us gashed for big yards. Then all you’d have to do on passing downs is sub a corner for DL and blitz 71 somewhere which is pretty much what Nolan is doing now.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
11:22 am
4BsihTneeS
November 13th, 2012
10:22 am
In the final analysis, the Falcons lost a close game on the road because New Orleans played well enough to exploit their flaws.
*********************************************
Hey ….SuxThisBZERO………where ya been? We had a missing child Amber alert during the game on Sunday. We were all wishing it was you.
Note: No harm came to any children during the making of this slam.
yellowfever
November 13th, 2012
11:23 am
Blake, if Turner could bumble around for 2 yards we would be 9-0 right now. nuff said
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
11:25 am
4BsihTneeS
November 13th, 2012
10:22 am
In the final analysis,
***************************************
In the final analysis…………….really, you are done. Seriously, take a break …..catch a breath of fresh carbon monoxide.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
11:27 am
yellowfever
November 13th, 2012
11:23 am
Blake, if Turner could bumble around for 2 yards we would be 9-0 right now. nuff said
************************************
I would go for a QB draw here and there…………if Ryan has time to slide.
htwo0rider
November 13th, 2012
11:28 am
Preach on DOL. Snelling deserves a look. Moreover, why not try Jaquizz in the goal line situation? They sure miss Ovie Mughelli
ppeck50
November 13th, 2012
11:28 am
OMG, why isn’t Dirk running a boot leg with Ryan around the end. Why? He is OK fast enough. Everyone is keying in on Turner, who would expect a naked bootleg? They have never done one in YEARS !!!! Why?
Blake
November 13th, 2012
11:29 am
Yellowfever,
Good point! I guess the point is that Turner isn’t doing anything of great significance anymore. He’s getting most of his yards in garbage time and he get’s tripped up by tackles that Ray Rice and MJD break on a regular basis. What’s wrong with getting rid of him or benching him, DOL? Loyalty? Fear?
ppeck50
November 13th, 2012
11:29 am
Oh yeah, who has the strongest jumping legs to spring that 2 yards in the air? Quizz? Jones?
Who ?
old man
November 13th, 2012
11:31 am
Where’s Antone?
ppeck50
November 13th, 2012
11:32 am
No pass rush Sunday either. I mean none !! Why didn’t they send dent in ? Brees was picking us apart…… Imagine if Sproles was in ????
old man
November 13th, 2012
11:35 am
Antone, Antone, wherefore art thou, Antone?
old man
November 13th, 2012
11:38 am
I am here, old man, on the bench!
Falcons RiseUp
November 13th, 2012
11:39 am
We need to start Antone Smith as RB get some fresh feet in the backfield & our O-line need to strengthen up a better protection for the run & Defense need to improve on tackling plus stopping the run
old man
November 13th, 2012
11:40 am
Why doth thou not playeth, oh swift one?
old man
November 13th, 2012
11:41 am
I knoweth not old man, I knoweth not.
MontanaDawg
November 13th, 2012
11:42 am
As usual, wake me up IF the Dirty Birds ever make it past the 1st round of the playoffs…otherwise, I’m wasting precious time when I could be sleeping. The Texans or the Bears would destroy these Birds.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
11:42 am
Man……
November 13th, 2012
10:17 am
Yes, the Falcons are first in the NFC south, and NFC Seen, nice you noticed.
******************************************
I know, he keeps striking up the band for us…………………..which reminds me, I forgot to
cue the conductor the other day:
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
old man
November 13th, 2012
11:46 am
Antone, Antone, thou with the swift legs and pads low to the Earth—fear not!!!!
The day approacheth when your winged feet will will fly like a bird, nay, like a Falcon!!!!
SimpleDawg
November 13th, 2012
11:48 am
Talk, talk, talk…..just a bunch of noise. How’bout backing up all that talk with a little nastiness.
Nastiness is not to be confused with useless chirping before the game…..stop talking about what you’re going to do and do it.
Achilles Heel……3rd & 1. Can’t get the tough yards. I know the portly RB is slow to the hole, but there’s way too much penetration into the backfield.
SimpleDawg
November 13th, 2012
11:50 am
Oh….and obtaining a top-notch RB should be a major objective of the Falcons’ brain-trust.
Esquire
November 13th, 2012
11:51 am
MontanaDawg
November 13th, 2012
11:42 am
As usual, wake me up IF the Dirty Birds ever make it past the 1st round of the playoffs…otherwise, I’m wasting precious time when I could be sleeping. The Texans or the Bears would destroy these Birds.
*******************************************
Not so fast. I think we take Da Bears!! 28th ranked offense, 30th ranked passing
Schaub and company 15th ranked offense, 23rd ranked passing but 8th in rushing, that would concern me.
Me too
November 13th, 2012
11:53 am
Dol a lot of be
Falcons RiseUp
November 13th, 2012
11:53 am
True our O-line need to step up & put up better protection for our run game
North FLA Falcon
November 13th, 2012
11:53 am
How about our punt return team? When was the last time Franks returned a kick more than 8 yards? When was the last time we put ANY PRESSURE on the opposing kicker, or even BLOCKED A PUNT? DOL can you research this? Sounds trivial but this is a concern. What’s the point of having a good stop on defense if the other team is going to back you up to your own 10?
IlikeTurtles
November 13th, 2012
11:54 am
I think the defense will get it together. We’re still learning all the phases of Nolan’s D, but we were also without Spoon. I think he could have made a difference in the game. I agree with Turner needing to be reduced to back-up behind Snelling. We have Cox now to play FB, let Snelling bash some yards out and Quizz get the change of pace snaps.All those carries seem to have had a major effect on the burner for the old man Turner. I don’t say completely give up on him, but let Snelling take half of his snaps at least. In this era of football a lot fo teams are using 3 running back, two bruisers and a change of pace. I think it’s what we need because we can’t afford to just dump the run game. that said, I’d like to see some toss sweeps and counters with Quizz. He has the speed to break the edge and in the open field he’s proven tough to get a hand on.
We’ll be alright, it’s a one yard loss to a surging team on the road, the sky is not falling.
GregKennesaw
November 13th, 2012
12:02 pm
DLed who have the Falcons replaced Edwards with on the roster?
C'monson11
November 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
I’ve been reading these comments for about a year now and I think it’s finally time I say something…. I agree turner is a bum, but has anyone pondered the idea of making Rogers the starter? Cuz I know we haven’t forgotten when Warrick Dunn was the rb being a beast! I believe rockers can do the same.
Ueeediot
November 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
Of course, Smith doesnt see any problems.
Why would he call himself out.
28-23 Go for 2? Gee, I dont know…..
4th and 2 kick a FG and only be down by 1? Gee, I dont know.
Get some dam CONTROL of your football team and have them have just a tiny little bit of DISCIPLINE???
Get a gift INT at the 15 and gift the AINTS 4 points with your stupid dancing. GET OFF THE DAM FIELD
Same reason we lost in Houston last year. Discipline problems have not been addressed.
Continuous problems – lazy route running. lazy running back that absolutely REFUSES to run the ball. Lazy cornerbacks playing paddy cake and quitting on plays.
Arizona may not have enough to come in here and cause problems, but we will certainly play down to their level.
Tampa will come in here and whip your ass if you play like this again. The aints are back in 3 weeks….
I’ll bet that come 12:15pm on Sunday #28, #56, #22 will again NOT be involved in pregame stretching and practicing. Dancing is much more important. I love how #28 just parks on the sidelines and has dance class over there pregame.
And dont give me this “theyve got to have energy” garbage.
Ive watched many winning teams come in here and go through pregame. Patriots are all business. 49ers back in the day… all business.
this administration REFUSES to pay attention to details.
Ueeediot
November 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
DOB didnt even ask #23 why did you QUIT on the run by Ivory?
B'Red
November 13th, 2012
12:49 pm
The defense improved by getting rid of Edwards. I said last week that the defense would imporve by keeping him off the field, now he’s gone for good. Bearman is always consistant and bring the pressure on the QB, he puts out 110% on every snap of the ball. Run the team as a business and stop being loyal to players who’s not producing. Set Turner Fat A– on the bench or release him.
Slow Burner
November 13th, 2012
12:54 pm
Turner is pathetic. He runs gingerly up his linemens backs for no gain 95% of his carries. Then you watch Quizz burst for 9 yards and they take him out again to let Turner run twice again for no gain…
Playoff Wins
November 13th, 2012
12:58 pm
If they are not worried about their qb getting shutout in their last playoff game, why would they be worried about losing to a 4-5 team in the regular season?
B'Red
November 13th, 2012
1:00 pm
If they not worried about thier issues Arizona might come in here and steal a game, any NFL QB can be great if he has all day to throw the ball and your secondary cant cover the receivers. NO played pitch and catch with their receivers, we were not in position to make plays on the ball.
ac
November 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
FALCONS STILL ON WAY TO SUPER BOWL SPOON BACK WILL MAKE DIFFERENCE BUT :
1-White got to keep running and catch perfect throw-same play he made earlier
2-Offensive Line needs better blockers on short yardage plays-just terrible now
3-Matt got to get Ball up where 88 can out jump defender-BASKETBALL PLAYER
4-COACH GOT TO GET A GRIP-GET OUT OF PLAYERS FACES DURING GAME_JUMPED ALL OVER SAMUEL,probably good reason BUT SMITTY’S GAME TV RAGE CHANGED GAME-FOR SOME WIERD REASON OUR SECONDARY STOPPED PLAYING ‘UNBEATEN TEAM” DEFENSE-MISSED TACKLES AND ASSIGNMENTS REST OF GAME – CRAZY
warfalcon
November 13th, 2012
1:03 pm
ONE GAME AT A TIME,LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roger
November 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
Michael Turner is not what the casual viewer thinks he is. Just because you are big, does not mean you are a good short yardage option. Turner tip toes (or stumbles) to the line of scrimmage and, if there is a hole does pretty well as he gains speed; however, in a short yardage situation, THERE IS NO HOLE and he just does not get it done.
jay
November 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
Yes turner gets knocked down by his OL more than any back I’ve ever seen and he does not run through first contact—is it turner? Lack of a hole? Too slow to LOS? U HAVE to get short yardage when u need it—pathetic–and yes the punt return is a joke….fair catch with 8yds of empty space….pathetic. I’m FSU alum so I’m all for A Smith getting sme touches–at least wed know if it was the OL or turner…and y not a few touches for snelling…and Ovie-at least he blocked and was a positive in the locker room AND our safeties are still weak—Moore getting burned by Graham–decoud doesn’t like to tackle any more than Dunta—-a lot of flaws for an 8 and 1 team—lol—am I just fussing? I’m telling u–we can’t assume going 2 and 0 versus tampa–and carolina aint a lay down….issues…but wld rather be 8 and 1 with issues than 4 and 5 with a similarly bad defense…rise up damn it!!
ideasbm
November 13th, 2012
1:16 pm
What is wrong here with all of you posters. Gonzo dropped a ball that hit him in the hands. We might have gone on down the field if he had not dropped it on 4th down. Why are you posters giving the old man a break. Either catch it or get off the field if it hits you in the hands…..
jay
November 13th, 2012
1:22 pm
Your right, we should burn Gonz in effigy! But then we’d have to do the same to Roddy…on that 4th down he ’sat’ during the route (and Ryan for not leading him, giving defender time to jump the ball)…and Julio…he had two hands on that ball in corner of end zone and Turner for being tackled by McClure’s butt on multiple plays….Gonna be a large fire!
BK
November 13th, 2012
1:32 pm
DONT WORRY BE HAPPY….
Ueeediot
November 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
it all starts with lax coaching staff who doesnt seem to think that the details are that important.
“Coach Smith, we tried to ask you this question last year but you avoided it. We know that all of your players are on the practice field every week honing their craft and working to get better. We watched you waste 5 time outs during the Aints game last year. We watched your team take stupid penalties for being on the field during a play that contributed to your loss in Houston last year. Sunday we watched your team play the most undisciplined game of the year. We also saw you make a very questionable call to kick an PAT when down by 5 in the 4th quarter. What do YOU do to work on game management skills. How do you work to get better?”
Hit Em With It
November 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
if u r gonna send a msg to the team by releas~n “no play” ray send it all the way around and bench turner
Mike Franklin
November 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
To say that they (the Falcons) are not worried because of the first loss is all well and fine. No since in panicking. But there should be a lot of concern on the hows and whys that loss occurred. To wit: If we can’t run the ball and if we can’t stop the run, it will take a lot more than a little concern to get us into and through the playoffs.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
November 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
I am just tired of seeing Turner tippy toe a few steps and run directly into the back of an offensive linemen’s butt and then fall down……it is almost to a point of being funny
1eyedJack
November 13th, 2012
1:44 pm
Maybe the Falcons need to release somebody on the Offense. Your fat running back should be able to fall forward for a yard.
K Conway
November 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
Turner is just too slow now!
Agent009
November 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
There is a real difference between the words “lose” and “loose”
“Lose” means to fail in competition with the other. And the term “loose” refers to an easing of restraints.
old man
November 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
These were at the tail end of the last blog, wanted to make sure everyone saw them:
On the bench sits poor Antone, he’s the man.
Just one carry his entire 3 year span.
Quick, tough and fast?
You bet your dam @ss
Put him in coach, gain yards, yes he can!
On the bench sits Antone what a mystery.
Never seen his entire three year history.
Four two five in the forty,
That sounds pretty sporty.
On the gridiron it’s speed downright blistery.
Dancing Bear or Antone, that’s the choice.
Listen closely, there it is, whispered voice:
“Bears can’t dance,
Give Smith a chance.”
He’ll hit holes fast and hard, all rejoice!
Go Deep
November 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
It’s hard to see a problem with Turner when the Defense pushes the O line back a full yard.
And the defense is in the backfield before Turner touches the ball. No fullback 2 bust a hole.
Turner has shown what he can do but he can’t do by his self. o_0
Who Dat
November 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
We would have helped y’all carry that ball across the goal line, but these Superbowl rings are heavy.
See what I did there? Tell Roddy White THAT’s how you troll, son.
gain1yard
November 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
Let Julio line up in back field, heck as high as he can jump all he has to do is jump over the pile for one yard especially on the goal line. Or he can run to outside as fast and as strong as he is he will get one yard.
Mike
November 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
The falcants have no chance of a Superbowl appearance. New Orleans doesn’t want them anyway.
Mike
November 13th, 2012
2:22 pm
What’s the difference between a dirty bird and a dirty bathtub? A RING! WHO DAT?
jay
November 13th, 2012
2:22 pm
sick and tired…you are correct…our OLine ends up with 3-4 tackles of Turner a week. It is almost funny…he runs into OL, bounces backwards as he falls to ground. All BS aside, it seems like first contact knocks him down 80% of the time. With his build (height and leg strength) you would think he’d be hard to bring down on first contact…
#1 fan
November 13th, 2012
2:29 pm
The Falcons are my favorite team apart from the cowboys but i was so sad when they lost but they played hard so that’s all that matters
riggo
November 13th, 2012
2:29 pm
The problem on 3d-1 4th-1 is Michael Tipping Turner, he shined in Mularkey slow grind it out offense,Dirk offense needs a nifty slasher type back. Last yr some Detroit defensive players was calling him Fat Boy, know that’s disrespect.
okeetee
November 13th, 2012
2:42 pm
…well, you can’t just go out and “fix” issues you may have without trading for better and smarter players or drafting better and smarter players. Both are not options right now! You can work on some techniques that might improve the offense and the defense a tad bit, but we are what we are! Perhaps play calling on offense could improve. Not being so predictable like we were last year? If we start out 1st and 10 with an incomplete pass….lining up Turner in the backfield and running him off tackle ain’t gonna fool nobody and won’t gain much! If you run Turner off tackle on 1st and 10 and gain nothing….running him again off tackle on 2nd and 10 ain’t gonna fool anybody or do much either! See me point? How about some pitchouts, and screen passes? Turner can still bust a run or two, but it’s got to be after we’ve gouged there defense for some yards through the air! We’ve got the best wideouts in the league and one of the smartest quarterbacks! Set the run up with the pass! What we are doing right now……IS NOT WORKING! We are going to have to open things up even more, because our defense is just not that strong on the line or in the secondary. Better than last year, but still flawed badly!
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
November 13th, 2012
2:44 pm
When does Turner’s contract expire, someone help me there?
Adogg36
November 13th, 2012
2:47 pm
Mike smith dis morning on siruis radio dat its not just micheak turner. But da oline in whole.But he didn’t say nonthing about micheal turner leaving or even not starting.So basaclly we stuck with him.I dont knw what needs to be done but. Somthing do.I hope dey identefy da problem and fix it fast.Go birds!!!!!!
Falcon James
November 13th, 2012
2:50 pm
Turner has become one of the easiest RB to tackle in the entire league. You don’t have to wrap him up, you don’t have to hit him on the legs, you don’t have to trip him up. All you got to do is touch his jersey. Play over. He drops like a snowflake.
Falcon James
November 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
Maybe we need to put some Pound Cake or a 40 oz in the end zone for MT to run to.
rob johnson
November 13th, 2012
2:57 pm
Sunday was all about Defense, nothing else, every time we go to a party city, we lose, Remember 1998, Super Bowl, Miami, Man of Year, etc, family man, etc, same thing happen in New Orleans, it might be time to treat the team to military type approach, lights out at 11:00, no drinking, no women, the team looked as if they had been out all nite and forgot there was a game on sunday, 55 was sweating and it was not all from football.
SB44Champs
November 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
Roddy = A walking Bulletin Board
Old time fan
November 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
With a yard to go, put Julio in the backfield, hand off and dive over the top. Who’s gonna stop that?
They used to dive over all the time, but as the athletes got better, they could plug the hole with a linebacker, but show me a linebacker who can jump as high as JJ.
Michael Turner
November 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
Mmm.. pound cake .. haaaa beeerrr.. yummy .. lemme in coach
Kenny D
November 13th, 2012
3:26 pm
Matt Ryan could have made this his big game in crunch time. Once again he looked in on Roddy and TG was wide open in the end zone. Speaking of Roddy, he failed to make the big play and winning catch. Must win against AZ. C’MON MAN, TB and NO are getting stronger in the NFC South………….
Sis-Boom-Bah Humbug
November 13th, 2012
3:33 pm
It’s a tired old song: the Falcons are going to “fix their problems” & they “have a plan”. Hopefully, the fans don’t hear such vacant talk through the rest of the 2012 season – with the comparable lack of results as seen to date. It’s essential to get to the core of the problems, and not to fritter around the fringes with cosmetic tweakings.
Of course, the new coordinators have clearly had major positive impacts, and they have to be accorded (the?) major credit for the Falcons improvement this year. The players for the most part have performed much better than last season, yet with quite ample room for improvement.
In all then, the main problems the Falcons exhibit seem to originate/persist at a higher/longer-term level: systemic problems in player acquisition (costly/flaky free agent signings), development (limbo draft choices) & playing assignments (Michael Turner!!!), not to mention an inflexible/skewed mindset regarding game-time decisions (third-and-one).
The Falcon’s good fortune thus far should suffice to get them into the playoffs this year, but to go any further will require some major improvements. First of all, Mike Smith cannot try to “sit on his lead” in the current won-lost standings, as he compulsively tries to do in hanging onto small scoring leads in ball games. Secondly, he needs to make some substantial changes in player assignments, line-ups & substitutions.
At this point, it is monotonously clear what doesn’t work – now let’s explore what might work. The Falcon’s bench & the inactives possess talent that needs to be assessed, seasoned & exploited in game-time situations. The won-lost record provides some leeway for such experimentation, and the wobbliness of the team performance to date dictates it. I would hope that the coordinators will have definitive roles in the much needed reconfiguration of the team & its game-time options/decisions.
No more short yardage “gimmes” for the opposing defenses! No outside signings of have-been’s or never-were’s!
Kenny D
November 13th, 2012
3:41 pm
JR, need more touches ! MT is on his way out…………. play JR more, the running game will improve.
Use MTuner for pass blocking and run Rogers for yardage(Like 3 and 1)
JBSenoia
November 13th, 2012
3:53 pm
Get real with all the **** talking. 15 yards rushing for turner REALLY 15 YARDS! When will we find a running back who can see holes and hit them for yardage. We know where we better look in next years draft and i hope that somewhere and somehow we can sure up this OL so we can run!
Singletary
November 13th, 2012
4:03 pm
First note on Antone: he got penalized so he was in the game.
Second note: this is not the first year of failure to convert on 1st and Goal. This is an ongoing problem which needs to be fixed.
chucktownfalcon
November 13th, 2012
4:12 pm
Proper Blocking and Tackling…..the keys to success in Atlanta
SB44Champs
November 13th, 2012
4:19 pm
RISE UP:
11 out of 13 and if it wasn’t for a missed chip shot in 2010, 12 of 13.
Samuel
November 13th, 2012
4:42 pm
Well said D-Led, Not all the teams who get to the SuperBowl have a great defense. But what the defense has to do is get back to taking the ball away. And lately that has not happen. Whoever is the hot back should keep playing unless he needs a breather. The Offensive line needs to Dominate from time to time and open holes for that running game. I’ll see how the Falcons bounce back, The Arizona Cardinals are hungry their trying to get back on track. Last I heard they have a pretty good defensive front and they get after the quarterback. Rise Up!
Hoss Falcons
November 13th, 2012
4:56 pm
Brees is so great. I wish we had him instead of Matty Light. New Orleans is the class of the NFL.
drewster
November 13th, 2012
5:22 pm
Hey maybe if you cut those dread’s you might be able to see to tackle somebody.Oh and on 3rd and 12 how about not backing up 20 yrd’s . have you ever head of bump and run.
longtimefan
November 13th, 2012
5:39 pm
Wow! Lose one game by a slim margin to our biggest rival in their house and some of the fan base comes unglued. Last time I checked we still have the best record in the NFL. As the big tuna said, you are as good as your record says you are. The rest is noise. “Matt Ryan could have hit this open receiver”; “Turner should have made a yard”; “Should have called the naked bootleg”; “Should have gone for two”. All noise and chatter. Wins and loses. Only thing that counts. To this point in the season we have the best record in the NFL. Case closed.
Overreaction
November 13th, 2012
6:00 pm
A good team stops the pissing and moaning and beats the Cardinals this weekend. Get it together and get win #9. The “mighty” Bears have two losses. The “mighty” Packers have three losses. The “mighty” 49rs have 2 losses and a tie, the defending Super Bowl Champions have 4 losses. It’s the NFL, everybody can play and anybody, can beat you. The Steelers lost to Tennessee and needed overtime to beat the lowly Chiefs.
Just win baby
Atlanta Falcons: ‘Not worried’ about issues after first loss | football-feed.com
November 13th, 2012
6:14 pm
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
rms
November 13th, 2012
6:17 pm
Once again the Falcons snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory…..
waBuckhead
November 13th, 2012
6:20 pm
Need to can Robinson. He chokes against man-to-man, cannot get his coverage right, has a tough time wrapping up (yea it is easy – ask my 10 year old son in NYO – to lay a big hit on a receiver when coming blind across the middle) and plays too far off (sign of weak CB) when we can ill afford the yardage. NO threw to him omst of the night as will most teams when they need the yards. Any big team like NO, GB, Chicago, SF, Texans will eat him alive down the road when the games will count (sound familiar).
Ledbetter blocked me
November 13th, 2012
6:27 pm
Assante and his tackling.
“He’s upgraded our swag,” safety William Moore said. “That’s huge for us. He’s a leader back there. He’s another guy with dreads back there. We need that. I think it’s going to be exciting just to watch him play.”
Keeping it real
November 13th, 2012
6:42 pm
Breez to Jimmy Graham is why we lost!
Starship 1
November 13th, 2012
6:51 pm
Keeping it real.
Tom Dawg
November 13th, 2012
6:53 pm
I am by no means an expert, but on those short yardage plays I can think of half a dozen different things they could have done instead of running Turner straight ahead (I think it has become an ego type thing, “We are going to get this yard come hell or highwater and we are going to do it with a big manly push up the middle”). Lets see, a QB bootleg, a dive over the top (Snelling?), a pitch out and race to the pylon (Rodgers or Jones?), wildcat formation featuring Jones, maybe work on a Paul Johnson option for this situation, not sure a reverse would work this close, but hell it can’t be a much worse result or maybe even do some scheme blocking where the guard or tackle rotates around to the end when the ball is snapped creating an unbalanced line and a wall for Turner to run around. Didn’t San Francisco do this with success in the days of Montana, Rice and Craig?
Starship 1
November 13th, 2012
6:54 pm
Atlanta isn’t as good or worse than they thought they were. They’ll be alright. I would get like them to play New Orleans businesslike and not let the media or fans get into their heads. Some one or some thing always fly off the handle. Otherwise, the only nemisis left would be the Giants, maybe Tampa Bay.
Tom Dawg
November 13th, 2012
6:54 pm
LIke I said, not an expert so I am not sure my terminology is correct.
crybaby
November 13th, 2012
6:55 pm
Well, I for one think the birds have been lucky as hell to be 8-1..And..a certain amount of luck plays into the scheme! When you look at the overall picture, we are 4-6 key players from a quality team
Starship 1
November 13th, 2012
6:56 pm
Third and short(one)IS a big deal. Ironic that Atlanta is one of the best 3rd down teams in the NFL, but haven’t found out how to master short yardage on 3rd down.
monty
November 13th, 2012
7:07 pm
Steve
November 13th, 2012
11:01 am
“Let’s not forget Roddy not running through his route at the end and playing for a penalty instead of a touchdown”
Steve I believe you are just wrong. I watched the replay of that last pass several times and what I saw was Ryan didn’t lead Roddy enough, if anything it was thrown right at Roddy instead of in front of him where only he could get his hands on it.
monty
November 13th, 2012
7:10 pm
We just can’t run the ball when a run is expected. Turner gets nailed in the backfield practically every time. Mcclure sounds like a guy that won’t admit the obvious. If you don’t admit your failure how can you get better?
Joe's Place Joe Speaking
November 13th, 2012
7:10 pm
Hey Ledbetter,
How is it that you release 2 stories about Ray Edwards being released albeit one was based one our overall reaction to losing.. But have no response to anyone’s questions about his release or what we intend to do with the open roster spot??… Even if you don’t know.. Say something in correlation with the release… I’m sure we all want to know WHAT’S NEXT?
Starship 1
November 13th, 2012
7:12 pm
There was a whole offseason to deal with running issues-I expect some serious changes over the next couple of games. We as fans will know exactly where the Falcons stand after game 12.
ctfalconsfan
November 13th, 2012
7:23 pm
DOL YOU ASKED SMITTY THE FOLLOWING QUESTION AND HIS RESPONSE:
Q: At 28-24, did you consider going for a two-point conversion?
A: “No. There was still 13 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. You don’t even start looking at that two-point chart until you are seven or eight minutes into the fourth quarter. If you miss that two point conversion then you are flipped on the other side of it in terms of the score. You look at the (card) with about seven or eight minutes left usually on two point conversions.”
HIS ANSWER MADE NO SENSE, WHY NOT ASK A FOLLOW UP AND PRESS HIM AS THAT WAS A HORRIBLE DECISION THAT POTENTIALLY COST US THE GAME..
STAND TOUGH DOL PRESS THESE GUYS FOR ANSWERS!!
Michael M.
November 13th, 2012
7:24 pm
We got beat by 1 point but it wasn’t a real loss cause they could have won the game on one play and the Caints know they were lucky in that one but they will run out of luck in the next meeting at the Dome………….wait n see.
As for Edwards, he neededto get the boot and there are still one or two more that need a boot too. One is Turner, he can’t bulldoze through anybody, runs into the defense and just gives up on the play. I am so sick and tired of them giving him the ball and he runs into the pile and falls down to keep from getting a ding or dang. GET RID OF HIM NOW or bench him one. Coach Smith talks about the next man up mentality, well lets see the next man up get the call because we have got to have somebody who can get some yards on the ground too to go with the passing attack.
We get on here and keep talking but never no action beig taken. Time for the Falcons brass to take some action here because enough is enough. Just think if we could have madesoe yards on the ground Sunday we still have the undefeated streak going.
Those guys get paid real good money for what they do and is time they earn it or get off the team one way or the other. If I had the chance to make the money they they made would I not give it my best each and every week. Michael Turner………….GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR REAR and start RUNNING with all you got on every play or get OFF THE TEAM .
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 13th, 2012
7:43 pm
ctfalconsfan — You are fight. I’m still trying to figure out the different between down 4 from 5. NONE! You’d still need a touchdown.
ihatetheatlbuzzards
November 13th, 2012
7:44 pm
tell roddy ty for the extra fuel..not that we needed it since we own yall..and thats in either dome…WHO DAT..
Ledbetter blocked me
November 13th, 2012
7:56 pm
DOL, I’ll tell you the difference. If you are down 4 with 12 minutes to play and the saint scores a fg you are down 7. If you are down 5 and they score a fg you are down 8. I don’t know that his decision was that bad to go for 1. After all given the falcons short yardage woes Smitty can’t be too confident that they would get the conversion successfully.
ihatetheatlbuzzards
November 13th, 2012
8:00 pm
turner dont have his head up his rear he had his head up the OL rears lmao…yall are a fruad and you got exposed by a more dominate team…its all downhill from here buzzards..it felt so good to wipe that smug smile off of mike smiths face….just be glad we ddint have our head coach or it would have been a real beatdown…as sweet as this win was the beatdown we will give yall in your own backyard will be even sweeter…see ya on the 29th..RISE UP BUZZARDS…LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Falcons take no solace in the “pressure’s off” argument
November 13th, 2012
8:02 pm
[...] cornerback Dunta Robinson told D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “I’d rather much be answering those questions and be 9-0 than answer these questions and be [...]
ctfalconsfan
November 13th, 2012
8:08 pm
DOL Blocked me – regarding down by 4 or 5 regardless, in your example if we are down by 5 and they kick a FG we woud still need a TD then a 2 point conversion. Why not try the 2 at the time and possibly only be down a FG?
It was a bad call by Smitty!!!
The crazy thing is there is a chart that tells you what to do. It concerns me that Smitty thinks outside of convential wisdom. Don’t get me wrong I like Smitty but I don’t think he’s the saviest coach out there.. (see NO and NYG 4 down calls last season as examples)
ctfalconsfan
November 13th, 2012
8:14 pm
ihatetheatlbuzzards…LOL..
Your statement “….just be glad we ddint have our head coach or it would have been a real beatdown”
Maybe you have been in a trailer with no power but your head coach will be going to greener pastures than staying in that dump of a city..
loel
November 13th, 2012
8:34 pm
I came home today and rushed to the computer hoping to find the falcons would have signed a running back, only to find a “NO” on that but signed two receivers when they already have the best group in the league. Am I the only one who sees this disgusting running game? Among other things, it shows how really good Ryan is to be so accurate when the defense knows it coming.
Atlanta Falcons: ‘Not worried’ about issues after first loss FEATURED FALCONS LINK | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
November 13th, 2012
9:29 pm
[...] The rest of the article can be found here: Atlanta Falcons [...]
Posts about The Falcons From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
November 13th, 2012
9:29 pm
[...] 10. Now, Football Outsiders is on what some would consider the ‘cutting e more… Atlanta Falcons: ‘Not worried’ about issues after first loss – blogs.ajc.com 11/13/2012 Surely, there are a few positives for the Falcons after their [...]
Falcons take no solace in the “pressure’s off” argument | Sport Snapback Hats Sport Snapback Hats
November 13th, 2012
9:35 pm
[...] cornerback Dunta Robinson told D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “I’d rather much be answering those questions and be 9-0 than answer these questions and be [...]
Bill Bardamak
November 14th, 2012
1:53 pm
Thank You
bryce
November 14th, 2012
4:43 pm
mat you did good for 1 lose
Ms. Mardi Gras from Mobile
November 14th, 2012
5:32 pm
Mike Smith needS to put a poster up in the locker room that states what Drew Brees said before the game in their huddle: “WE OWN THIS DIVISION”
That should be motivation enough to beat them on the 29th of Nov. The nerve of him and we had a 8-0 record.