Atlanta Falcons: Birds Edge Past Redskins to 5-0
5-0 for First Time in Franchise History
Huge Hit by Spoon (Evan Vucci)
The Atlanta Falcons weren’t pretty, but they got the job done yet again on the road, coming from behind, and finding a way to win. The offense looked out of sync for almost the entire game, the defense had major problems with the run and even gave up a first career touchdown pass to a brand new rookie in Kirk Cousins, but nonetheless, the Falcons found a way to win the game and got it done when it really counted. And by the way, the Atlanta Falcons are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history and they have plenty areas for improvement. They may have “sucked” as Roddy White jokingly said after the game, but they’re also undefeated. A look at the Birds road win in DC………
An Ugly Win Always Beats a Pretty Loss
It marks the second week the Falcons have looked less than stellar and had to make a comeback in the 4th quarter to win the game, but an ugly win beats a pretty loss, or as some call them “moral victories,” every day of the week. The offense slogged around the first half, throwing a pick-six in the process, and the defense got gashed by the run and torched by a brand new rookie QB, but the Falcons buckled down when they had to. Matt Ryan led the offense to score 17 points in the 4th quarter and the defense came back from their awful blown coverage TD to Cousins to steal two interceptions in a row to close out the game. If they Falcons continue their overall subpar performances, than it’ll be a cause for concern, but for now their finding ways to win, and they’re only one of two teams that are undefeated, by the way.
Run Defense a Concern
The Ageless Wonder (Susan Walsh)
Cam Newton almost racks up 100 yards himself and 6th round draft pick rookie steams to 114 rushing on Sunday. The Birds are doing a great job in the pass game and takeways, but are showing some weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the run game. The Falcons are currently ranked 27th against the run and will face plenty of strong running teams as the season goes along. In particular, the defensive tackles and middle linebacker play seem to be giving up large amounts of yards. Jerry, Babineaux, and Walker are excellent getting penetration against the pass, but seem to be wearing some vs. the run. Akeem Dent is having major issues at middle linebacker (more below) and that’s putting more and more pressure on the outside linebackers, safeties, and cornerbacks. It should be said that the Falcons are 7th against the pass, but they need to stiffen up against the run a little bit.
Gonzo the Great
Did someone say Tony Gonzalez is supposedly retiring this year? It appears that the 36 year old is on track for one of his best seasons yet. Gonzo hauled in 123 yards with a touchdown and is tied for 3rd overall with 4 touchdowns (among all wide receivers) and 15th in yards including all wide receivers (1st among tight ends). He is surely benefitting from teams trying their best to keep both Julio Jones and Roddy White in check and Koetter is happy to oblige him with the targets. Many teams have talented receiving corps, but few have the additional talent at tight end to occupy the middle with authority the way Gonzalez does. No one is surprised at what he does anymore and he’s playing like he just came into the league. Looking forward, the Falcons and their fans are starting to realize how big the hole will be at TE when he leaves.
Enough with the “Offensive Linemen as Tight End” Mess
Fans and the Bird Cage faithful were ready to toss anything they could get their hands on at the TV seeing Joe Hawley, Mike Johnson, and Garrett Reynolds go out for passes, line up as a 3rd tight end, or doing anything other than blocking on the line (Reynolds illegal man downfield was an accident, but still). What in the Hades is going on here? Some thought the first pass to Joe Hawley (he’s a center remember?) was just an accident, but when it happened again, it bordered somewhere in between being nauseous and bewilderment. Seeing Hawley trying to catch the ball was akin to seeing him in a tutu on a highwire.
JJ Back in the Groove (Susan Walsh)
The Falcons are struggling at fullback in losing Bradie Ewing in the first preseason game and not having Lousaka Polite active this week, but having Hawley or others go out for passes with all the talent available is just criminal. Mike Johnson has been playing a lot of 3rd tight end roles lately which brings up another point: if Tyson Clabo is needing that much extra help in blocking, why is he still in there? Every time Johnson or Hawley are in as an extra lineman, that’s taking out guys like Harry Douglas, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jason Snelling, or even Kevin Cone and Drew Davis. Very, very puzzling and strange.
Julio Back in the Groove
Another game, another big drop early in the game. The Falcons had a huge play drawn up where Ryan hit Julio Jones on a nice deep ball right at the end zone only to see him drop another big one. Fans were starting to get anxious after seeing Jones struggle the last few games, mainly with drops. Could so much talent not explode as everyone thought? The good news is that Ryan and Koetter kept feeding Jones the ball and he looked like the stud we’ve all come to know in the very short time he’s been in red and black. He helped the offense drive down the field with excellent routes, good catches, and his signature extra effort to get more yards. He capped it off with a dazzling touchdown catch where he adjusted to a sidline pass, snagged it, and kept his feet in for the score. Great to have you back JJ!
Issues at MLB
Akeem Dent is struggling mightily at middle linebacker. There’s really no other way to spin it. He looked lost, had weak instincts, overran plays, missed tackles, and was blocked with ease. Even though some are bringing up the B word already after many thought he was a big reach for the 3rd round, it may be a little premature for that. To be fair, Dent hasn’t had a ton of snaps since Nolan is a fan of the big nickel and he’s only a few games into his first starting year. Sean Weatherspoon didn’t look that great as a rookie himself. Dent also has undergone some serious changes the last 4 years, going from a 4-3 defense under Willie Martinez as a junior at UGA to the 3-4 as a senior under Todd Grantham back to a 4-3 under Brian Van Gorder and finally to a new scheme, more of a hybrid, under Mike Nolan. He is, after all, from a Mark Richt led Georgia team well-known for under-developing their players (see that Justin Houston is top 5 in sacks and Blair Walsh is on fire in Minnesota). Also, Dimitroff did sign Lofa Tatupu in a great low-risk, potentially high-reward move before he was injured.
However, defending Dent can only go so far and he can only get so much time to improve. At what point will Mike Peterson get brought back in or Kroy Biermann get a permanent move to LB (a very popular idea here in the Cage). This much is a lock: linebacker moves to the top of the 2013 draft board.
These Falcons Have Some Mettle
Can an OL play QB Next? (Evan Vucci)
On one hand, the Falcons have had two performances that are easy to forget, playing an opponent that is decent-to-good, but surely not great or elite. However, the Falcons have proven the last two weeks that they can find ways to win even if they’re not playing their best. At some point, this will start being an issue instead of a strength, but for now, they’ve won two games in a row down at various points in the game.
What’s Up with the Drops?
The drops are starting to add up and it’s not that big of deal just yet, but something to be looking out for moving forward. Julio dropped a potential long touchdown catch, Quizz dropped an easy screen/dump-off, and then there was Joe Hawley dropping two catches….oh wait, he’s a center running passing routes like a receiver, but surely that can’t be right? In all seriousness, the Falcons need to start locking up the easy catches when they get a chance and eliminate as many drops as possible.
Defense Had RG3 Hemmed Up Anyway
Even though it wasn’t as much as expected, there are surely some who think that the game may have been different if RG3 hadn’t got injured and left the game, but just like forcing Peyton Manning into his interceptions, the Falcons defense brought the wood to him when he pulled the ball down and started to run. Also, the Birds did an excellent job keeping him hemmed up even before the injury. The Falcons defense held him to 91yards passing and only 7 yards rushing in the 3rd quarter. Overall, the Falcons defense pretty much shut down the rookie QB.
5-0 Feels So Good
Mike Smith, Thomas Dimitroff, and Arthur Blank just keep on knocking down those walls. The newest one is getting to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history, which doesn’t mean too awful much to being so early in the season, but it’s been a great start to the campaign and bodes well for the Falcons and their fans going forward.
Your Turn
1) Opening Kickoff: what’s your overall thoughts on the Falcons win?
2) How concerned over rush defense?
3) Do you think Gonzalez is rethinking his retirement after all?
4) What object were readying to throw after the Hawley passes?
5) Please explain the “Extra OL as 3rd TE” mess, if you can.
6) Is Julio back after a few missteps in games?
7) What’s your thoughts on Akeem Dent, MLB overall?
8.) Are the comeback wins a sign of mettle or slowing down?
9) Are the drops starting to worry you?
10) What do you like about your 5-0 Falcons?
11) What worries you most about your 5-0 Falcons?
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827 comments Add your comment
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
3:17 pm
MB
I agree. I am surprised they did not run the ball more often, because obviously they were pulling the LBs out for coverage. Yet, I felt that it was more Matt Ryan changing the plays and trying to make a home run play. When they settled down and ran the ball in the second half, it opened up our passing attack even more.
Coop
October 9th, 2012
3:19 pm
D3 – Back to Richt… Walterfootball.com has 4 UGA defensive players being drafted in the first 36 picks…
So much wasted talent goes through that school.
BL – What would the score have been if we had thrown to Rodgers instead of Hawley? That’s probably Hawley’s fault for dropping. Poor execution instead of poor play calling, right? Hell, we should throw to all our Centers. Then we’ll have them fooled!
Matty Bicep
October 9th, 2012
3:20 pm
It is the classic argument of scheme vs execution. I am an execution guy, the NFL is the copy cat league. There has not been a new idea in 20 years, all you can do it put in wrinkles and hope to catch the other team off guard in order to “out scheme” them, but they figure out exactly what you are doing. and know how to stop it soon enough…. But execution is what it is all about, getting 11 guys lined up correctly, everyone knowing their assignments. It is like a symphony, it is not the music you play, but how you play it. Everyone has to hit the right note at the right time….Funny I use that anologoy, because our D relies on timing. All our blitzes, coverage schemes are timing.
D3
October 9th, 2012
3:23 pm
BL — Good points on the execution issue. Those 3 plays alone made the game seem a whole lot closer than it really was. I just hope we’re not playing “up or down” to our competition.
Matty Bicep
October 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
Can you tell me who is NOT having problems on their offensive lines?
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
3:27 pm
Coop
There is a difference between concerning and predicting a playoff loss from it. To me, you are reaching.
Also, they did not have that set up every play. If it was, then you would be correct. To me, it was just a package they were using to confuse the defense from guarding the deep ball. When you see a RB in the back field with extra offensive linemen/TEs… you think run play. There were multiple plays where they had 4 wide-out sets:
1. The touchdown to Julio Jones.
2. 29 yard pass to Julio Jones(Tony was set up to block, but only chipped and went to middle of field).
3. 20 plus yard pass to Tony Gonzalez.
Point is, that they didn’t do it all game, so I do not think it was meant for help/protection, as much as it was for confusing the defense that was locking down our receivers.
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
3:31 pm
“What would the score have been if we had thrown to Rodgers instead of Hawley? That’s probably Hawley’s fault for dropping. Poor execution instead of poor play calling, right? Hell, we should throw to all our Centers. Then we’ll have them fooled!”
We did throw to Rodgers on a check down play, and guess what? HE DROPPED THE BALL! So did Tuner.
The whole point of throwing to Hawley(if he made a catch), is to force a defender to guard him or keep an eye on him later in the game, so we would have more one versus one opportunities down the field.
This is, again, where arrogance/emotional opinions come in. The reasoning behind it makes sense, and if he caught the ball… it would have helped us in the long run. I am not saying it is a play we need to make constantly. It’s just a play to throw off the defense.
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
D3
I think they are to an extent. But, in all reality, every team does. I really think it’s a lack of focus, more than anything.
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
Matty Bicep
I agree. There is a difference between these coaches and the previous ones. I can see the adjustments made during and after the game we play. It is evident in Matt’s progression this year/how the defense if preforming against the pass. Players need to execute, plain and simple. It has been this way the past couple of game on offense.
Coop
October 9th, 2012
3:47 pm
BL – OK, logically speaking your defense of the Hawley plays has merit. If there is a successful play to an unlikely player, then the D has to accpount for him the next time, potentially leading to a more advantageous matchup elsewhere.
However, though logically sound, aren’t we over-thinking things? We have the best WR tandem in football, a HOF TE (who may be having a career year), a 3 time 1300 yard tailback, a change of pace back, a damn good slot receiver, and 4 other skill position players we rarely ever see (Smih, Cone, Snelling, and the other WR I can’t name cause he NEVER plays)… but putting Hawley in at FB and trying to hit him in the flat is a good play?!??!? You call me arrogant and emotional, I’ll call you delusional. We have so many weapons, we should never have need to throw to the OC who’s playing FB.
You are correct on the drops. But just like your friend, just because one thing went poorly doesn’t proove your point that it’s only about execution. there are some scheme and personnel issues. I don’t believe they’ll keep us out of the playoffs, but I do beleive they’ll be exposed. Question is, can we overcome them or fix them???
Coop
October 9th, 2012
3:49 pm
BL – I completely concur that coaching is way better. More in game adjustments. Ryan is clearly improved and team seems hungry and determined.
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
YOU’LL notice the execution guys here trend to defend Mike Smith (BL, MB); while the cage last year commented heavily on the demand that the Falcons play flawless football to succeed under last years 2 coordinators – there may be a connection in this double coincidence. Personally, I don’t expect our players to perform perfectly; as they are competing against opponents who also have skills. Thus, last 3 years prior to this one, when we consistently ran Turner between the tackles on two consecutive plays to start a possession and left Ryan & RW84 with 3rd and 7; that increased the pressure to perform flawlessly (this was a failure of scheme). However, I thought the goal was to wear out the defense so Mike Turner could run roughshod over tired defenses in the 4th quarter. With Welcome Back, they have realized that defenses get just as tired running around after WR and attempting to sack the QB, while that QB eats your secondary alive with the various weapons at his disposal. And, that same Mike Turner is fresher in the 4th quarter under this scheme – so, all win. PLus, Snelling and Quizz are just as dangerous and Turner in the screen pass game. But, attempting to toss it to Hawley appears to be an example of getting too cute.
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
4:00 pm
Big Lou – your need to remind yourself of your apparent vacuous claim to desire civility. Just because somebody does not agree with you, should not prompt you to assert “where arrogance/emotional opinions come” – that is classical marginalization of anothers opinion, and it most circles amounts to condescension.
Matty Bicep
October 9th, 2012
4:01 pm
I liked the play to Hawley in just that we put it on tape, it could pay dividends in a future game as the MLB might have to account for him on a short yardage play and can give us a little advantage.
I really was not too concerned about Hawley dropping the ball, I was kinda glad he did. For I think he if caught it, the chance of him fumbling it were pretty good in that a slow guy who does not normally handle the ball is a perfect target for a DB or LB to rip it out.
Coop
October 9th, 2012
4:11 pm
MB – Your thought makes sense, but I side with Paddy O. I htink it’s too cute. Plus, I’m with you… glad he dropped it versus fumbling. In the end, I really think an opposing D would just ignore him and take their chances. Maybe if he had caught it… but if I’m a DC and see him in the backfield, I’m thinking he’s a blocking FB and playing that percentage. If he beats me in the flat, OK. But I’m not putting my MLB on him. It’s like splitting Sanchez out to WR when Teebow is under center. No way I beleive they are throwing it to Sanchez.
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
4:29 pm
Paddy O
No offense, but if you are not going to read all the posts, then don’t chime in. I made that comment due to Coop’s obvious sarcasm towards my points. That is dismissive and arrogant. My comment was justified.
As for your argument towards execution, I agree. The players have to get used to different schemes. But, in the same light, you cannot say coaching is the issue. That’s somewhat hypocritical. These players are paid millions to do their job. If the play puts them in the position to make a play… they need to make it. Talent =/= results always. That’s why work horses like Jerry Rice and Tony G are the greatest of all time.
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
Paddy O
Don’t forget Ken Strickland and Dhunt. They usually agree with player execution.
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
4:38 pm
Coop
Did you notice those plays to Hawley were after the fact the Falcons were struggling to move down the field? After JJ dropped a potential first and goal situation? They only ran the play twice. And both times, he was wide open. The rest of the time they took shots down the field, and checked down to Turner/Rodgers(who dropped, too). I just don’t understand how two plays puts the coaching at fault, when even our talent was not getting open.
I agree that if there is a huge underlining issue, it will make its way to the light. With the schedule of the Gmen, Eagles, Saints, Cowboys… it will rear its ugly head before the playoffs.
Coop
October 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
Big Lou – Can’t have it both ways. If it’s on players to execute, then you don’t need cute gimmicks. Hell, I’d rather you fake a punt if you want a gimmick play. That was a questionable coaching call. Didn’t say the coaches were doing a horrible job. In fact, I’ve praised them this year much more than I predicted. Unlike your portrait of me, I never claimed anyone (player or coach) has to be perfect everytime. I just don’t want to be predictable or overly conservative. That and some questionable (to me) draft choices is all I’ve complained about. All the while, praising the team for their overall great play.
It is possible to be supportive and happy while maintaining objectivity and expressing opions of concern.
I have no issue with your points on execution. You are 100% correct. If we execute every play correctly, we cannot be stopped. But we’re not going to. The enemy gets a vote too.
Just because I say the Hawley play is stupid, which I beleive it is, doesn’t ean I disagree that Julio shouldn’t have dropped the ball. They’re independent thoughts. One PLAYER didn’t execute, the COACHES drew up a dumb play.
Wings
October 9th, 2012
4:50 pm
Big Lou,
Do you not understand that when you call people names you are insulting them? ie knee jerking reactions, something Nancie, where arrogance/emotional opinions, etc.
In this blog, everyone’s opinions are equal. They are opinions and the facts may be wrong. Disagree with the facts but don’t get personal as why the opinion is made.
You have some good posts but your desire to “classify” others with name calling is unacceptable to most of us. You always resort to that kind of posting and who the h@ll are you to think you know more than Coop or Paddy O or anyone else.
D3
October 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
Check this BS out………….
Dungy’s comments are timely, because even though the league is shifting to becoming more of a passing operation, some of the top teams in 2012 are running the ball down defense’s throats.
Four teams – San Francisco (311 yards), New England (251), New York Giants (243) and Chicago (214)– rushed for more than 200 yards on Sunday and all of them, like the Falcons, are in first place.
Turner’s 324 yards is 15th in the league. The team has been trying to cut Turner’s carries for the last couple of seasons.
He’s averaging 14.6 carries per game, which projects out to 233 carries for the season.
Turner had 301 carries last season, 334 in 2010 and 376 in 2008.
In each of those 300-plus carry seasons, Turner rushed for more than 1,300 yards. He’s on pace to rush for 1,037 yards.
While Dungy wants to see some more Turner, fellow NBC analyst Rodney Harrison liked that Ryan recovered from his interception and fumble to lead the Falcons to victory over the Redskins.
“This is the Matt Ryan that we didn’t see last year, coming back from these types of mistakes,” Harrison said.
ESPN’s analyst Mike Ditka still has a bad taste in his mouth from the Falcons’ playoff loss to the New York Giants.
“Unless you win in the playoffs, you’re going to be known as next year’s champions,” Ditka said when asked if he could trust these Falcons.
The Falcons may be 5-0, but clearly they are not winning in the national broadcast court of public opinion.
I get Ditka’s comment, but I’m so GD sick of hearing that bulls!t I can scream. Who gives a flying f–k if you win in the playoffs but don’t win a Super Bowl? And it’s Week 6, but yet you have clowns bringing that sh!t up all the time. Does it make it easier for Ravens fans because they “win” in the playoffs, but never get to the big dance? (speaking of Flacco / Harbaugh Era).
And the “get Michael Turner involved” garbage is preposterous. Comparing us to the Giants (Bradshaw), 49ers (Gore), Bears (Forte). The New England is fair comparison and how has being one of the top rushing teams in the league worked out the last few years?
The Bears and 49ers run the ball so much because they have subpar, game-managing QBs. Let’s see if the Patriots continue to take the ball out of Brady’s hands that much. The Giants run because they have a pretty good (but really old) OL, and Manning just had like 400 yards passing the other day……………… Stupid!
D3
October 9th, 2012
5:16 pm
RE: Heated Arguments — D@mn ya’ll, you know we’re 5-0, right?
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
5:22 pm
MB – I agree that it is possible to draw off a potential defender from one our genuine playmakers. But as indicated, I’d prefer we use Snelling or Quizz in this role, as he will be more proficient at catching, and both have shown adequate prowess on the blocking front.
JB FALCON
October 9th, 2012
5:29 pm
Wings, I’ll amen that 4:50 post as a general rule for all.
JJ
October 9th, 2012
5:30 pm
Damn, reminds me of my EX bitching all the time…oh well were allpassionate about our falcons!
Coop, congrats on FFL, D3 hardly ever talks about it…but I bet Ill get him to after this weekend!!!
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
5:30 pm
Wings
Again, you chime in and defend your brethren when there is no need to. My comments made were in response to others’ actions to my responses. It’s always the same with some veterans in the cage. I make a comment towards them, the dismissively make a sarcastic comment like they are the all knowing.
Yet, I get along with Big Ray, Seminole, Ken, JB Falcon, D3 and others just fine. Are you sure I am the on here? I am confused here. The other day, you accused me of attacking Unca’ Bob, when Big Ray had to chime in and let you know I wasn’t. I don’t care if you like me, but stop instigating crap on this board. I am not even talking to you.
Coop
That’s fair. You are right, it does go both ways. I just was rubbed the wrong way with the playoff loss prediction five games into the season. All in all, we both have valid points. I guess we will see the real issue after the harder part of the schedule.
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
5:38 pm
Big Lou – I had read the timeline of comments. If you can’t live up to your own asserted standards, that gives the impression you are a bit hypocritical (2 wrongs generally do not make a right). typically, if you say something stupid/biased/condescending, you’ll get a sarcastic retort from somebody. Coop and SP are the most negative guys on here. (However, for pure acerbicness, Honest Abe took the cake) Ken S WAS pretty negative, but Nolan and Welcome Back have solved most of his negative problems. Personally, I’m 99% sure most of the folks here are sharper than I regarding football – which makes me winning the draft contest 2 years ago pretty ironic – Akeem Dent got me the trophy!; but, I have decent ability to observe cause & effect. Dhunt is a tougher guy to read. In general, I am far more critical of coaches based on long term bad habits – Ken S called it SMITTY BALL, I called it the Molasses Gang due to our glacial in game adjustments the last 3 years. From our limited observation of JJ, I’d say he has a developing problem with drops. I’ve never though MR2 had much of a problem – either holding the ball too long, or scrambling. I’ve also defended Turner when others were ready to kick him to the road – hard to dismiss 1300 yard running season. Our WR corps is the best in football. I think Snelling is underutilized; and, I have apologized for running down DeCoud – it appears he was profoundly misused by BVG. I too think Bierman would work well as a LB, and wish Sidbury would get more playing time. I also think there is an apprenticeship program with Smitty, but the Falcon KGB is tough to get good info out of. From here, considering how little we knew of Bakers 2011 injuries, it is highly likely that Clabo has a similar tough injury he is playing through. After the Carolina game, I suggested we use Quizz & Snelling the I, let Snelling provide chipping outside help for Clabo. We shall see. Being 5.- 0 is pretty fun!
JJ
October 9th, 2012
5:58 pm
D3, Are you really in LAST PLACE (12TH) in our bird cage FFL???
…(clearing throat)…war eagles in 10th…keep it on downlow…
D3 vs JJ this weekend, smackdown is coming!!!
Big Lou
October 9th, 2012
6:01 pm
Paddy O
Define stupid? Stupid/Biased in THEIR opinion, right?
A lot of individuals thought it was STUPID/BIASED to keep Decoud… and look what he has done under Mike Nolan. Again, calling a comment stupid/biased doesn’t make the others correct. Just because I do not agree with the norm of negativity, even though I have been as critical as most on here, does not make me less knowledgeable. I try to bring an objective view to the comments made.
As for Ken Strickland, yes… last year he called it SMITTY BALL. Then after we got DK and Mike Nolan, he realized it was not Smith, but MULARKEY BALL. If anything, Ken is the biggest defender of our coaching right now– more than me.
I do agree they should use Snelling more on check-down plays. I feel he would be a better option than Turner, since he has better elusiveness. I am still worried about Rodger’s inconsistency, though. It is his second year, so like JJ, I expect mistakes.
D3
October 9th, 2012
6:02 pm
JJ — Man, just a bad year. Made a HUGE mistake and didn’t draft better running backs early in a year with really crappy RB pool. I’ll never take a TE that early again. Never before and never again. Yes, bad-bad-bad.
JJ
October 9th, 2012
6:02 pm
Was going to jump off this mtn in maggie valley after LRD luck with RG3, but then I saw D3 on the schedule…thank you lord…no gimmies in ffl unless its the hotspurs!!!
D3
October 9th, 2012
6:38 pm
JJ — Wise are the men that run their mouths both before the draft about how awesome they’re going to be and then subsequently when they’re 1-4 just like me.
JJ
October 9th, 2012
6:43 pm
lol, there you go…a little smack. Now quit crying in your beer like a little sorority girl from UGA and work the waivers wires, work the trades and man up!!!!!!!!
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
October 9th, 2012
6:48 pm
@D3 5:14 pm comment:
D3, I understand and share in your frustrations. On the flip-side…if we want them (pundits) to shut-up…we gotta put-up.
IMO, win a playoff game, or two.
JJ
October 9th, 2012
6:48 pm
D3, after all these yrs you know wise and I have never met. Consequently, I will repeat my SarahB championship this yr!!! Thin air up here in the mtns…lol.
Matty Bicep
October 9th, 2012
7:12 pm
I do hate the playoff crap, because I think it comes out of the “should have kept Vick” game. But it is what it is, no sense getting jacked about it, either we are gonna get in the playoff and win, or we are gonna come up short. What anyone “says” now does not mean a dang thing…actually, it could be good for CS to keep focus. As I said, I expect MR2 to be around another 10 years, and qualify for the playoffs another 6-8 times…if I am right, they will win one. Personally, the biggest threat to him no ever winning one is him not getting there.
D3
October 9th, 2012
7:12 pm
JJ — I would talk sh!t about your Panthers, but it’s not even like shooting fish in a barrel, it’s as easy as just looking at a barrel.
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
7:34 pm
Big Lou – dude, you need to stop being so sensitive. Im sure 100% of the folks on here have said something that somebody else thought was profoundly stupid. That is life. However, since it appears YOU are highly sensitive, it would seem you should be far more cautious with others’ feelings, and your own vocabulary. Don’t try to control the conversation – simply contribute. It is difficult to demand objectivity when discussing a sports team with fellow fanatics. I don’t see much knee jerk here – especially when you only discuss 16 games per year, and if we are lucky and MR2 plays a decade, that is only 160 focuses of discussion (not counting drafting). Unique instance can easily be perceived as a trend – some a right, some wrong – the Carolina game with the 7 sacks appears to be an aberration – but, it worries the bleep out of me. Anybody heard anything from Big Ray? Hope he is doing OK after all that surgery. I hope everybody has a nice night, and sometime tonight we ENJOY being 5-0! GO FALCONS!!
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
7:37 pm
the playoff failure – sadly due to it having occurred in 3 consecutive games, and the only 3 games MR2 has played in – it makes our team suspect for being failures in high pressure games. If we go conservative, we could be in trouble. I still remember that Eagles game in 2010 – I thought we’d stomp the manure out of the Eagles – blam, blam, blam – game over and we look like road kill. If we employ SMITTY BALL in the playoffs again, we’ll have a nice size hangover. D3 – nice article again, BTW.
Paddy O
October 9th, 2012
7:38 pm
MB – if Ryan is here another 10 years, I’m hoping for 10 playoff appearances!
JJ
October 9th, 2012
7:44 pm
My panthers???? What you talkin bout willis? (tv sitcom)
Im on vaca up here in the mtns but live in alph/roswell…but you know this.
Why would you think Im a panther fan?……
Did draft Owens last wk just to block LRD ,sorry buddy, but thats not it.
hmmmmmmm……………………………………………………………..
Got it, your delusional in anticipation of all the smack coming your way before and especially AFTER my war eagles kick butt over your hotspurs…and what the F with a bball team name???
It’s all good my friend, you know I love to smack a little football.
Same goes to BL, wabe and whoever else is bitcharguing, never take anything personal on a blog…but we all will roll down ptree soon, first rd on me!!!!
JJ
October 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
Ahh, light bulb is slow…my GSU panthers…got it…never had a team there back in the dark ages but yes, Ive heard they have a sports team down at the concrete campus…lol…told u about wise and I..!!!
falcon21
October 9th, 2012
8:14 pm
LOl JJ, I was starting to think that JJ forgot what College he went to,
JJ
October 9th, 2012
8:17 pm
f21, was thinkin nfl panthers, no panthers at gsu in the 80’s!!!
falcon21
October 9th, 2012
8:20 pm
Yeah, I kinda figured that out. Just joking my friend.
D3
October 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
JJ — Enjoy those mountains brother. We went camping this summer in Bryson City. It was awesome. Some beautiful country up there. Took the little ones tubing. It was fantastic. My brother took me on a “short” mountain bike ride that was like 12 miles. I was so pissed at him about halfway through because all I could think of was “I should be on my @ss enjoying the outdoors, drinking barley pops on my vacation.” Hotspurs after the Tottenham Hotspurs of the English Premiere League (soccer). I know, go ahead and laugh.
Paddy — Oooh-wee, I remember that @ss stomping, but I think the 2009 one was way worse. Remember, that’s when Pick made his “comeback.” What an F’n debacle. I put that up there with worst losses under HCMS.
SOMEBODY — I have tuned out about 98.99% of all the media “MTV Sports” garbage since 2010, but every now and then it just pisses me off. I do get it, though. I like what M-Pete said the other day about how hard our atrocious history is to overcome.
JJ
October 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
f21, need to join our sarahb league. We have enough hard core bird cagers to have 2 -10 or 2-12 league teams andthe winner ofeach league goes at it on superbowl. Just a thought.
But D3 and SW would not like 20+ above them in the standings…
Coop
October 9th, 2012
8:30 pm
MB – You are correct that we shouldn’t care what the pundits say… I know you’re right. But I can’t let it go either. It bugs me. I want to see my team on sportscenter and talked about positively all over radio. I know It’s stupid, but it feels like they are discounting Atlanta, therefore the South, therefore all of us. Not rational, but I just want the Falcons to cram it down their throats.
D3
October 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
As UB says, the pillows calling my name, but leave you with yet another reason to love those Atlanta Falcons and Arthur Blank…………
http://www.ajc.com/gallery/sports/football/falcons-visit-area-schools/g5kB/#2766900
Look how happy those kids are……
Nite ‘all!
Be nice
Cage Brothers!
D3
October 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
JJ — I leave you with a final note………….
JJ >> Titles = 1
D3 >> Titles = 1
Reality bites don’t it?