Atlanta Falcons: Tony Gonzalez on Greg Hardy’s trash talk: ‘What else is he going to say?’ They haven’t won’
By Michael Cunningham
FLOWERY BRANCH–The inflammatory comments by Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy got the attention of the Falcons. His quotes were a topic of conversation during team meetings this morning.
But the tone among the Falcons seemed to be more amused than angry or offended.
Loading ...“What else is he going to say at this point? They haven’t won that many games,” Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “And you know they are going to compete. They always compete. That’s part of the fun. That’s why we play the game. We have got to go out there and see if we can prove him wrong.”
Hardy said the Panthers are better than the Falcons even though Carolina is 3-9 to Atlanta’s 11-1 and lost 30-28 at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 30. Hardy declared himself “not a fan” of the Falcons and promised “a long day” in Sunday’s rematch in Charlotte.
“They’ve got to say something,” Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said while grinning. “They are fighting. They are holding on. They are in a different position than we are. They are trying to save the rest of their season and we are trying to prepare ourselves for this playoff run. Whatever you say to get yourself going or motivate yourself on Sunday, then you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Added White: “Those guys played well against us last time so I can’t really talk about him and what he said. They had seven sacks so you might not want to get those guys all riled up. Just let ‘em sleep.”
The Panthers also took issue with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan yelling, “Get the (bleep) off my field!” in their direction while walking to the locker room after Matt Bryant kicked a 40-yard field goal for the victory in September. Television cameras caught Ryan’s outburst.
“He’s a fiery guy,” White said. “He’s a competitor and he wants to win. And, just speaking in general, I didn’t have a problem with what he said. It is our field. So get off it; you just lost. It’s that simple.
“Those guys, they have been close to beating us the last couple years and felt they should have won. They’ve got a chip on their shoulders. We feel like we are a better football team than them. The war of words comes out. Y’all just happened to catch [Ryan] saying that. I don’t think he was expecting y’all to hear that message.”
The Falcons also got into a verbal back-and-forth this season with the Saints, another division rival.
Gonzalez said it’s all just a part of football.
“I like it,” Gonzalez said. “It makes you ready. All that can do is get the other team ready to go. If we had any lack of focus, that’s only going to help us focus more and be ready. Because they are coming to play, so we better be ready.”
OTHER RECENT NEWS
Is quarterback Matt Ryan in a slump?
With Sean Weatherspoon back, run defense flexes its muscle on the Muscle Hamster
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
94 comments Add your comment
Esquire
December 6th, 2012
11:57 pm
Esquire
December 6th, 2012
2:40 pm
White and Tony should just shut their whining spigots, we were just like Carolina not too long ago and we could easily be back in their place if we don’t focus.
*************************************************
Nope, not me………..other than using my handle Seen is being very quiet here on the AJC. He thinks I am impersonating him on the NOLA web site…………….lol………….!!! Poor poor Peeshwank, never should have come on OUR FALCONS blog.
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Esquire
December 7th, 2012
12:11 am
Esquire
December 6th, 2012
6:12 pm
@Paddy O: I think that the team talking trash publically is unwarranted and makes us, the whole city, look stupid and foolish. Hardy can talk all he wants he’s a reflection of his team, but Tony G., and in particular Roddy, need to ignore that and keep their traps shut. If we are going to be the MIGHTY, MIGHTY FALCONS then the team needs to step up and act like it, instead of responding to that. Roddy has always looked like a second grade drop out with some of the comments he has twitted, we don’t need the rest of our mentally challenged players from starting, or even responding to, that garbage. I don’t know, maybe we’re not better.
************************************************
Nope, not me again……………..
_________________________________________________
Esquire
December 6th, 2012
8:06 pm
Yeah Breees was talking crap last week before the game, but at least he was riling up his own team, not the media. Tony was talking to the directly to the media about Hardy’s crap and making himself and the team look bad.
**********************************
Nope, not me again. It’s killing STB4 because he thinks I am impersonating him on the NOLA website. I see some of you spot this right out of the gate but that little Peeshwank never should have come on our AJC Falcons blog.
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
Esquire
December 7th, 2012
12:12 am
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!!
Esquire
December 7th, 2012
12:23 am
Dear Abby:
whoops, not really. This is a letter SuxThisBZero wrote to Coach Sean Payton back when the Caints were 0-2, desperation already setting in. Get your tissue handy cause it’s a tearjerker:
A letter to the Coach Payton :
I hope this letter finds you in good health, I won’t mention your spirits since I am sure it’s as subdued as the spirit of most Caints fans. I do hope, that you are taking advantage of the free time you have (coaching your son’s team can’t be very time consuming) to take in-depth notes on this year’s efforts and results. A veteran laden (authors note – laden means burdened) team like this has no business being 0&2. Next year, there must be some changes. In particular on defense. The time has come to part ways with the defensive stalwarts on this team. There should be no players from the 09 defensive team left next year, especially if this season continues on its present course. You know who they are.
The same can be said for some of the offensive players as well, although not a complete house cleaning is needed there. Yet, some offensive players have not risen to the challenge. Again, you know who they are. Make sure you are sharpening the cutting edge of that axe. I’m looking forward to seeing you wield it with vigor and vengence next spring.
**********************************************
Hey Sux, don’t accidentally trip on that ax, you might hurt yourself.
Of course at this point the dweeb doesn’t have a clue that Payton will never be back as Caints coach. Go Cowboys!!!
Seasons Greeting to all and to all a Good Night!!!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Esquire out……………!!!
meme
December 7th, 2012
12:26 am
I hear RG3 is Cam Newton’s mama’s favorite player
meme
December 7th, 2012
12:32 am
didn’t a greg hardy fall out of J Peppers anus?
DR. FALCON
December 7th, 2012
1:09 am
WHO CARES? LET’S BEAT RHEIR ASSES, TO SECURE HOME FIELD!
Ted Striker
December 7th, 2012
1:44 am
Stupid comments by the player and stupid poll by M. Cunningham. If you’re going to do a poll, do it right.
Samuel
December 7th, 2012
7:45 am
Just win Baby!!
RunninWithTheDawgs
December 7th, 2012
7:45 am
RW’s comments were very mild for RW, and Gonzo just loves the game and the competition. What a great attitude to have. He doesn’t have to pop off and make smart remarks. He’ll just SHOW you with his performance on the field. GO FALCONS
Gary 32
December 7th, 2012
7:51 am
Its football have fun….love the trash talking from other teams…helps with motivation…just glad I ain’t a Panthers fan…lol
Superbowl Guarantee
December 7th, 2012
8:43 am
Charlotte will really be abuzz when the Panthers miss the playoffs and the Bobcats become the Hornets, right before the NBA contracts them. Fun times in “Mayberry with Tall Buildings!”
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
8:44 am
I know it was not you Esquire…… a member of the Nation would not blog that garbarge!
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
8:47 am
Now on to important matters!
Check for Falcon Gear…….done
Watch for haters…….done
Rise up……Doing
Prepare for Sunday……doing
Lets go Nation, game on for Sunday time to Rise Up!
RB225
December 7th, 2012
8:54 am
ShaneOmac, Panther fan here, what you want us to say? We had you beat and then blew it but….we had you down….how many times did we sack MissyIce? The birds aren’t as good as you think they are….too many close games that you’ve had to pull a win out of your butt. Anything can happen this weekend!
Red-N-Black
December 7th, 2012
9:01 am
FACT: It’s our field and your classless doucheberry of a quaterback was trying to make a statement, our QB MADE THE REAL STATEMENT…. What the hell do you think he was going to say moron? BTW- after reading the comments would somebody decipher this post to them? Apparently they aren’t to bright, cmon I mean Scam was trying to get paid to go to college and not to learn! In addition they haven’t figured out that the better team usually wins – so sad for them…. Keep being irrelevant!
Fal-CANTS!
December 7th, 2012
10:17 am
The truth is the truth. It’s so funny to me how much the Gonzalez is laughing at trash talk when roddy white constantly talk much trash. The Falcants’ just got really lucky this year. They won 9 out of 11 games by 3 points or less. THAT is NOT a CHAMPIONSHIP team. They will LOSE their first playoff game..as usual!
Sherrie
December 7th, 2012
10:18 am
Playoff – 2 points.
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
10:23 am
@Fal-Cants!
we smiling……….
Dont look like your team going to the playoffs……..wait correction your team AINT (catch the pun) going to the playoffs. HHEHEHEHEHE
@Sherrie
Season – - 11-1
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
10:28 am
Check out what Pat says on those close games on his NFC South blog on ESPN……there goes that crappy theory you trying to sell us on Fal-CANTS……….hehehehehe see you all next year, do us a favor and try not to finish in the cellar of the South!
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
10:30 am
@RB225………….I had the lottery numbers for that half a billion………..after the fact! LOL, clown you lost! Go away and try to stay out of the cellar this year! Good luck on finding another coach! HEHEHEHAHAHAHA
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
10:31 am
By the way Fal-CANTS……….how many games the AINTS won this year by 3 or less? HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE. Or better yet how many games have you won this year? BAWHAHWHAHWHAHAHAH
D man
December 7th, 2012
10:36 am
Sounds like the hardy boy is trying to make a name for himself.
Answer This
December 7th, 2012
10:38 am
@Sherrie
Two questions for you:
1. Who do you cheer for, whos your team?
2. Why you on this blog then?
Just saying………….
D man
December 7th, 2012
10:42 am
The haters on this blog crack me up. Like the guy who said we have won 9 games within 3 points this year. Without checking, I can think of 5 games that we won by more than 3 points. Keep on hating since you don’t have anything to cheer for because these Falcons beat your teams ars. We will win the Superbowl this year.
Idiots
December 7th, 2012
11:02 am
@Fal-CANTS! – You need to checks your facts, idiot. You are just recycling some crap that you heard on TV and don’t even know what you are saying. The Falcons have only won three (sorry – 3…idiot) games by 3 or less points. The stat that you are mindlessly spewing out of your retarded mouth is the Falcons’ record in games won by a TD or less…an that’s not even right because they had blowouts against KC, SD, Philly, and NO. That’s what I hate about these comment sections. Unintelligent people getting on here and making nonsensical arguments. If you want to present a clear fact-based argument about why whatever terrible team you root for is better than my 11-1 Falcons, I am more than willing to listen and, hopefully, respond with a counter argument. Until then, shut the hell up and stick to your own team’s blogs…or better yet, get a job. How the hell do you have time to do this all day?
brown
December 7th, 2012
11:29 am
12-1
WDE
December 7th, 2012
11:30 am
Best of luck this week Falcons and man just the idea we can be 12-1 is too cool for a looong time Falcon fan..Go Birds !
JK
December 7th, 2012
11:42 am
Yeah, what is Esquire ranting about? Completely off base. Roddy and Tony tip-toed around the subject as best as they could.
KC
December 7th, 2012
12:09 pm
We need guys like Hardy to give them some motivation to go out and play now that we have everything almost wrapped up. Thank you Hardy. But to put it in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Well done is better than well said”. Just play Falcons!
alex
December 7th, 2012
12:12 pm
just ignore them, doesn’t matter what they say, i prefer better to lose this meaningful for falcons game and be healthy, then win and get injured to some falcons star players. for example losing ryan would be tragic.
Barry
December 7th, 2012
12:51 pm
Greg Whooooo? This story would have meant more if it was Charles Johnson, Cam Newton, or Steve Smith. Greg Hardy? That deserves a big old…C’MON MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol
Jock Sniffer
December 7th, 2012
1:11 pm
This is great, let’s keep discussing sports while our nation goes on down the toilet.
bigdawg88
December 7th, 2012
1:36 pm
AJC, get a better comment section! Use disqus or something! It’s not 2002 anymore!!
Bobby
December 7th, 2012
5:54 pm
Falcants are not going any where except down to their usual place once the season ends.
MiamiDawg
December 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
Who?
RunninWithTheDawgs
December 7th, 2012
8:01 pm
Fal-Caints@ 10:18 — We have won EXACTLY THREE GAMES by 3 points or less.
Ledbetter blocked me
December 8th, 2012
3:51 pm
Falcons fans= lowest football iq in the league. Just like Smitty & Ledbetter……frauds…a perfect duo.
Cam newton
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
Get the f@ck off our field…..better yet win a playoff game…..when it comes to the post season your qb lives up to the name matty ice
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
6:19 pm
And the beat goes on!!!!
Panthers hold on to defeat Falcons, 30-20 | Atlanta Falcons
December 9th, 2012
6:43 pm
[...] Falcons amused by tough talk from Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy [...]
Dibert
December 10th, 2012
4:55 pm
Carolina Panthers 30 Atlanta Falcons 20………………………….
Atlanta Falcons: NBC’s Harrison is not a big fan of the Falcons | Atlanta Falcons
December 11th, 2012
11:30 pm
[...] Falcons amused by tough talk from Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy [...]
Who’s the best receiving tandem? Roddy & Julio or Cruz & Nicks? | Atlanta Falcons
December 13th, 2012
10:08 am
[...] Falcons amused by tough talk from Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy [...]