Atlanta Falcons: NBC’s Harrison is not a big fan of the Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH — If the playoffs started today, the Falcons would be the top seed in the NFC.
That doesn’t sit well with NBC analyst Rodney Harrison.
During halftime of Sunday’s night game, host Dan Patrick asked him to pick the best team in the NFC. Harrison swung a haymaker at the Falcons.
“Atlanta is the No. 1 seed, but no one is afraid to play Atlanta,” Harrison said. “To me, the team to beat in the NFC is the New York Giants.”
And guess who’s coming to town Sunday?
“I don’t even care about the record,” Harrison said. “When the Giants (8-5) get into the playoffs, they have the experience and that pass rush. Eli (Manning) in the fourth quarter, that’s the team to beat.”
The Falcons, coming off Sunday’s discouraging 30-20 loss at Carolina, saw Harrison’s comments.
“It’s not disrespectful,” defensive end John Abraham said. “How we played last week, they should say stuff like that. When we put stuff like that out there on tape, they should say stuff like that.”
Safety Thomas DeCoud wasn’t bothered by the comment, even if it was dismissive of the NFC South champs.
“The man is entitled to his opinion,” DeCoud said. “He can say whatever he wants. He gets paid to say whatever he wants. We can’t be too tuned into that type of stuff because after a while, that type of stuff becomes a distraction.”
The Falcons watched the film of the Carolina game on Monday and said they were ready to move on from the embarrassing defeat to a team that had won just three games before Sunday. They are preparing for what could be a playoff preview when they face the Giants at the Georgia Dome.
“I think we’ll be OK,” Abraham said. “It was a butt-whipping. Call it what it is. They did a good job. They played a great game. We didn’t come to play like we’re supposed to come. So we are getting ready for the Giants right now. We have to get over the hump.”
Carolina nearly beat the Falcons earlier this season and were furious after losing in the final minute 30-28 on Sept. 30. The Panthers took verbal shots at the Falcons all last week and said they were the better team. They then backed it all up, jumping out to a 23-0 lead and then holding on for the victory.
“You hate to admit it,” running back Michael Turner said. “But when guys are talking smack and they come out with the W, it’s kind of like a double-whammy.”
The Falcons have tried to put the day behind them.
“We can’t keep worrying about things we can’t change,” Abraham said. “It’s in the record books. We’ll let that go. We can have something to do with the future right now, so we need to worry about that right now.”
The last time they met, the Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs by the Giants last season in the wild-card round. New York held a 7-2 halftime lead before pulling away to a 24-2 victory.
The Giants throttled the Saints 52-27 on Sunday.
Falcons coach Mike Smith started laying the groundwork for a turnaround, one of the team’s biggest challenges of the season.
“The message is real simple,” Smith said. “We didn’t play our best. We didn’t play up to our capabilities and up to our standard. We’ve got to get back in here, to the office, to get the corrections, and come out here on Wednesday and prepare for the New York Giants.”
Under Smith, the Falcons have never dropped back-to-back games with Ryan as the starting quarterback and one of the games was at home.
The Falcons have dropped back-to-back games with Ryan at the controls twice, but all of those games were on the road.
In 2009, Dallas beat them 37-21 on Oct. 25 at Cowboys Stadium followed by a 35-27 loss at New Orleans on Nov. 2. They also lost at Carolina 28-19 on Nov. 15 and at the New York Giants 34-31 in overtime on Nov. 22.
Overall, the Falcons have not dropped back-to-back games since Games 12 and 13 of the 2009 season. With Ryan out with a turf toe injury, they lost to Philadelphia (Dec. 6, 2009) and New Orleans (Dec. 13, 2009) with Chris Redman at the controls.
“(The Giants) are playing very good football right now,” Smith said. “The last two weeks, they’ve played outstanding football and it’s going to be a big challenge. They’re right in the middle of the playoff hunt.”
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174 comments Add your comment
Answer This
December 11th, 2012
10:35 am
And one more thing……….I DONT WANT OUR FALCONS TO BE FEARED! I WANT THEM TO BE RESPECTED BY EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE NFL! Fear makes you do things that you would not do (like play so hard that you beat teams you not supposed to beat)………….Respect makes others look at you in a different light. Be respected FUDGE being feared. RISE UP!
Keeping it real
December 11th, 2012
10:38 am
The way to play the gmen is to jump on them quick,and play very fisical football for 4 quarters,just like Carolina did the falcons ,and force Manning to make misstakes,and force turnovers.
Whadda Ya Know?
December 11th, 2012
10:44 am
Answer This – “Dont gripe dont ask for respect go and TAKE IT!” Exactly. Earn it by beating down everyone remaining on your schedule and go into the playoffs HOT.
Loyal Falcon
December 11th, 2012
10:44 am
@Whadda ya know….having Chase,Tony, Roddy and Julio on at the same time is a damn good idea! I hope the falcons are reading this blog. We have to give teams different looks like that in order to keep them guessing. Otherwise we will be predictable. I sure hope Dirk and M Nolan are keeping some gems stored up for the playoffs.
abby normal
December 11th, 2012
10:57 am
I’ve been a Falcons fan from the very beginning in 1966. In the ensuing forty-six years the teams have mostly been somewhere between awful and average. Even when they have put a really good team on the field, they screw it up in the end. I fear this season will be no different.
Whadda Ya Know?
December 11th, 2012
10:57 am
Loyal Falcon, now is the time to go all out against your final opponents. It’s not the time to continue to do what we’ve done all year long in running Turner. Do something, anything to keep the opponent guessing and not be so darn predictable.
SawThat1nce
December 11th, 2012
11:10 am
1st off,….. Rodney Harrison has the right, to have any opinion that he wants to have about the Falcons.
2nd off,…… Who gives a flying rat’s azz, what Rodney Harrison’s opinion is? About anything? I certainly do not.
Gamer
December 11th, 2012
11:13 am
Harrison like many others sport pundits are just spectators on the outside trying to look into the Falcons team……..Outsiders in anything can’t influence a unified team……..
Falcons organization should care less what outsiders say…….
Rodney Harrison’s Superbowl rings are tarnished by New England Patriots SPYGATE-spycam………Cheaters words have no merits among bluecollar workers……….
Furthermore, the Patriot won most of their postseason games by field-goals……It’s not like they were blowing teams away back then…….Tom Brady is a media favorite so Patriots get a pass from bias sport analysts…..
Falcons on three, DOMINATE…
SawThat1nce
December 11th, 2012
11:15 am
In my opinion, the Falcons OLine is their biggest impediment, to being a really great team.
Their lack of a running game(which can be partly blames on the OLine) and inability to keep to put more pressure on the opposing QBs, doesn’t help them in regards to being a dominate team either.
Mike Nolan
December 11th, 2012
11:16 am
So what if Rodney Harrison, Greg Rosenthal and a long list of analysts don’t believe in us? No team wins because people believe they will win, teams win when they play good ball on 3 phases of the game, and eventually win no matter if people believed in them or not (giants over pats on both SB) …
It’s hard to win against any team, let alone division rivals when you’re sleep walking for the first thirty minutes while the other team is playing tough. Like it or not, the team relaxed after winning the division and clinching the playoff berth. Hopefully they will remember this week the beating the giants gave us last year on the playoffs .. so we can return them the favor.
Leeman Bennett
December 11th, 2012
11:22 am
Can any of you on this forum really see the Birds winning this Sunday? NY has the best pass rush in football, and their overall offense is better. I’m a lifelong Falcons fan, so it pains me to say this, but Rodney is correct. Personally, I fear for Ryan’s safety, as he’ll be running for his life from the G-men. Oh yeah, did any of you see Tom Brady last night standing flat footed in the pocket like he’s waiting for a Marta train? Thats pass blocking.
Jimmy Crack
December 11th, 2012
11:26 am
This is the biggest game of the season. It makes me wonder if this team, led by Smith and Ryan, have the guts to win a man’s game against the bully that pulled their pants down.
C
December 11th, 2012
12:18 pm
Jaquizz Rodgers…
Decatur Falcons
December 11th, 2012
12:19 pm
Harrison is right. In the NFL and what we saw on Monday Night New England and Houston Texan. Head Coach and his QB have to be cruel period. First play you have to go out playing hard scoring touchdowns not putting it in the hands of your kicker. Offensive Coordinator has to help Mike Nolan because Mike Nolan don’t have a Middle Linebacker to fight off block stopping the run or intercepts pass thrown to the Tight End. Mike Smith has start coaching now this is the playoffs right now. Matt Ryan got to be cruel like Tom Brady having no fear in the pocket throwing touchdowns. It start now, not next year, now. Mike Smith has to be cruel in NFL if he is not cruel he will never see the Super Bowl period. GO FALCONS!!!!!
Robert
December 11th, 2012
12:31 pm
Ok, Rodney who?
CT Falcons Fan
December 11th, 2012
12:36 pm
Hold on everyone–Harrison actually used to defend the Falcons vs. Tony Dungy on the NBC show earlier in the season (when ATL was 8-0 etc.). I think he’s being fair in his assessment now, but to say he was “never a fan” is simply not true if you’ve been watching all year. He definitely spoke up for Atlanta in past weeks.
TH FROM MC
December 11th, 2012
12:36 pm
Enter your comments here
hard rain
December 11th, 2012
12:42 pm
This is not a good team, its a lucky team and they are bound for first round exit from the playoffs.
Loyal Falcon
December 11th, 2012
1:06 pm
kick rocks
Kenny D
December 11th, 2012
1:14 pm
Why even post anything about what Rodney (dirty playing ) Harrison ! I do know he love the city of Atlanta !
Rodney Harrison just so happen to be on a winning team. He have no respect for Coach Dungy……….. I really can’t say, what I want to say about this clown….. Go Falcons
Brothas Hunt 2
December 11th, 2012
1:27 pm
Like it or not Rodney is correct! No team in the NFL fears Atlanta. The reason why is because after thirteen games played we still cannot run the ball effectively on offense and we still have not stopped the run or tackled well on defense.
I heard Steve Young 49ers Hall of Fame QB say recently after the Ravens fired their Offensive Coordinator, that the Head Coach and the QB of the team are responsible for offensive consistency. For the past four games, the Falcons have looked lethargic on offense. I ask all Falcons fans, who in this organization is responsible for what we saw last Sunday? Is Steve Young right or wrong? Where is the accountability in the Falcons organization?
BH2
warfalcon
December 11th, 2012
1:29 pm
You people are some of the most negative people I have ever read,this is your team and they loose one game and their record is 11-2 all you here “we`ll never make it“ect.ect.ect.ect..FORGET Rodney Harrison and the rest of them. ONE GAME AT A TIME,LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am the only true FAN since 1965.
Loyal Falcon
December 11th, 2012
1:43 pm
@warfalcon…AMEN!!!!
SawThat1nce
December 11th, 2012
2:20 pm
@11:22am…………Yes I can see the Falcons winning the game vs. the Giants.
They cannot play like they have been the last 2 or 3 games and win, but they are capable of defeating NY.
james
December 11th, 2012
2:37 pm
I love me some Falcons football and what I do not see is that killer instinct that dominant teams have.Every week I hope that this will be the week that it comes thru,but I will not give up on My Birds regardless of what a bunch of ex-jocks have to say.If we continue to win or win big against a tough opponent they will have to give us respect,.so Falcons fans don’t give up this beats our old losing ways by far.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 11th, 2012
2:42 pm
Kenny D — Give it shot. Try to clean it up as best you can.
truthbtold
December 11th, 2012
2:57 pm
I’m a Falcon’s Fan, but the truth does hurt. The Falcons make weak teams look good. They don’t have “killer instinct.” If we get a lead on a team – all we want to do is run out the clock. This mentality starts with the coaching staff. We’re scared to keep the foot on the gas – in a league where you never know if you have enough points. After 13 games, The Falcons still haven’t figured out how to use their offensive weapons. This dink and donk passing game will get you blown out in the playoffs. They better figure out quick – how to throw the ball vertical more. I.e. – 3rd down and 12 against Carolina in the 4th quarter – Ryan drops back and completes a pass short of the line of scrimmage, where the receiver is tackled immediately? Throw the ball down-field!!!! Those little passes to the sideline and out in the flat – teams will give that to you all day long…as long as they keep you out the end zone. Teams have figured out that all you have to do is put pressure on Ryan, and it’s over for the offense. He can’t move at all. It’s like having a quarterback with his pants down around his knees- he can’t get away.
shoulda, woulda, coulda sayin'
December 11th, 2012
3:06 pm
so…this probably is the same sentiment the rest of the league has about this team…0-3, headed to 0-4…
Loyal Falcon
December 11th, 2012
3:27 pm
I know it’s all talk and everyone has their own opinion, but it’s unbelieveable that the Falcons have some much doubt surrounding them. I mean here sits a team that’s 11-2 and everyone(the lame tv personalities included) is saying this team has no chance at all to win. Forget the last couple of years because that’s the past. I truly believe that we are going to win a playoff game and then some because everyone says we aren’t. If I were an Atlanta Falcons player I’d be so pissed and so fired up! Not because of what people are saying, but for pride and my team. Also, just so when I raise that Lombardi I can tell all those tv personalities and bandwagon jumpers or nonbelievers to KISS MY ARSE!
extremus
December 11th, 2012
3:30 pm
I know this may sound counterintuitive, but I’d rather hear critics dismissing the Falcons and leveling these (justified) criticisms than singing their praises and hailing them as the NFC’s Superbowl representative. The playoffs aren’t about who had the best regular season record; they’re won by who’s the hottest and most motivated when that time comes. Being told you’re the “best” can easily set you up to believe your own press and not come prepared to play, but hearing lots of people say they doubt you can win in the playoffs…now THAT’S bulletin board material, and if I were Mike Smith I’d be reading each and every one of those comments to his players and challenging them to prove the criticisms wrong.
The Falcons just endured a humiliating loss that obviously has called attention to some things that sorely need addressing, and three weeks before the end of the regular season A) gives them time to focus on fixing those issues and B) hopefully get “hot” at exactly the right time. Considering the potential consequences of failure for all involved, there should be no shortage of fire evident against the Giants and from here on.
Mike Franklin
December 11th, 2012
3:33 pm
I does no good to hold the sports media accountable. They own college football and would own this league too.
This is our year and no matter what those booth apes calling games say, or those network desk warriors do during pregame and halftime… this OUR year.
They won’t give a flying rat’s boonkie even if we DO win the SB. They will still hate us and now, we can hate them back.
BigHittas
December 11th, 2012
3:43 pm
It’s called ‘too many days off’
When you play uninspired ball like ATL does, you don’t deserve time off.
Loyal Falcon
December 11th, 2012
3:52 pm
@extremus…Bullseye!
coleski
December 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
BIG BUTT KICKING COMING SUNDAY. Sad but true. I’ve watched them since 1966. There have been many sad seasons..
These men are paid to play professional football. How can they not prepare themselves to play. Excuses are like butts everyone has one.
A question for dled, why do many of my posts not get posted? I see others posted more than
once so what gives?
True Falcon Fan
December 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
FOLKS: The bottom-line is “WIN”! This Falcons team is as good as any previous Falcons team in history of this franchise. Including the 1980 Bartkowski team & 1998-99 SB team. I’ve been a “true Falcon fan” since day ONE the beginning. I want to see this team play the best and win, starting this Sunday the G-men. They are coming to town with all personnel ready to go. This upcoming game is a statement game, if we win we will have made one statement towards being looked upon as an elite team. Plus we will probably lock-up 1st round bye with a win this Sunday. If I could have my way, I very much would like to see this Falcons team play and “WIN” any of the following playoff contenders Chi, Sea, GB or SF in their 1st playoff appearance & GB or SF in the NFC championship game. Then go on to the SB & play either Balt, Pits, NE or Hou for the Championship! Jus “WIN BABY WIN” —- So cut the crap, the smack talk, if they could’a or should’a would’a — let’s just play the “BEST CLUBS” — then we have earned the so called “DUE” respect if we “WIN”!
Go Falcons — G-men next
DirtyBirdinCali
December 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
It’s good to know other people get their posts rejected too….I thought DLed was singling me out
DirtyBirdinCali
December 11th, 2012
4:41 pm
I live my Falcons to death but until they consistently pressure opposing QBs and effectively run the ball (Turner and Quizz), we shouldn’t expect to win in the playoffs.
DirtyBirdinCali
December 11th, 2012
4:41 pm
*love*
True Falcon Fan
December 11th, 2012
5:01 pm
Furthermore all the Falcons critics are right if the Falcons don’t “WIN”! Hell, even the ZERO/JSS scumbag is right if the Falcons don’t “WIN”!
So RISE-UP ATL., support your team — starting this Sunday against the those NY G-men….
We NEED SUM NOISE……………………………………..
Go Falcons — G-men next
Where are you Esquire,,,, let’s hear it 5,6,7,8,
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 11th, 2012
5:27 pm
i,m a die hard falcon fanatic…LOVE THE ATLANTA FALCONS….SUNDAY WILL EARN SOME RESPECT WHEN THEY WIN..BUT THEY DIDNT LOOK PREPARED AGAINST CAROLINA..
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 11th, 2012
5:32 pm
GEORGIA DOME..GET LOUD ON SUNDAY..VERY LOUD ..LIKE THE JETS AT HARTSFIELD BRING THE NOISE MAKE IT UNBEARABLE FOR GIANTS
ronnie tuner
December 11th, 2012
5:54 pm
carolina IS NOT BETTER THAN ATLANTA JUST DIDN.T SHOW UP LOOK OUT NEXT TIME IT WON.T HAPPEN AGAIN
techduck
December 11th, 2012
5:55 pm
WHEN AND WHO DECIDES WHEN THIS TEAM COMES TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY IN CERTAIN GAMES ?I THOUGHT THE REASON WAS TO WIN ALL GAMES NOT JUST CERTAIN ONES.
techduck
December 11th, 2012
5:56 pm
SHAME ,SHAME, SHAME
techduck
December 11th, 2012
6:00 pm
ARE YOU SAYING THEY DID NOT PREPARE 4 CAROLINA ?WHY DID WE THE FANS PAID THEM FOR
techduck
December 11th, 2012
6:01 pm
REFUNDS PLEASE $$$$$$$$$$ A BUNCH OR REJECTS I DEMAND MY MONEY BACK
techduck
December 11th, 2012
6:04 pm
SMITTY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING LIKE YOU WERE AT HALF TIME OF ONE OF MANY MORE TO COME GAMES AT CAROLINA THIS PAST SUNDAYS LOST ?
Rod from College Park
December 11th, 2012
6:09 pm
Patriots get up by 21, they are still throwing bombs, trying to score, we get up by 7 points and we start playing conservatively. Michael Turner for 1 yard, Michaeal Turner for 2 yards…… Bill Belichick does not seen to be worried about his running game. The team with the dominant running game got destroyed last night.
Falcons2012
December 11th, 2012
6:13 pm
We are as screwed as Adogg36 in a spelling bee come playoff time.
techduck
December 11th, 2012
6:13 pm
ALL RIGHT FOLKS HERE IT IS.SOME SAY TO QUIT PUTTEN THEM FALCONS DOWN SO MUCH.COME TO THE GAME AND BACK THEM UP ,MAKE SOME NOISE.NOW LETS SEE HERE,IF THEY WIN WHATS NEXT ?ONLY GOING TO LOSE THE FOLLOWING GAME AGAIN ,OVER AND OVER ,SAME OLE SAME OLE.FACE IT THEY WILL NEVER GET OVER THE HUMP.WILL NEVER GO HIGH ENOUGH.